GB2557916A

GB2557916A - An infant feeding device

Info

Publication number: GB2557916A
Application number: GB1621444.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Begum Rifa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-16
Filing date: 2016-12-16
Publication date: 2018-07-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-16
Also published as: GB201621444D0; GB2557916B

Abstract

An infant feeding device comprising a bottle 1 and a cradle 2, wherein the cradle is arranged to attach the bottle to an infant chair 3, possibly using a bipartite cylinder clamp (4,5,6 Fig.2), and the bottle is arranged to warm internal fluid contents to a predetermined temperature. The bottle may be wholly removable from the cradle and may comprise a removable lid (9,Fig.3). The heating means (18,Fig.3) is comprised within the bottle and may feature a thermostat or temperature limiter and possibly an alert means. Heat may be provided by a helical silicone heat pad (18,Fig.3) which may surround an internal aluminium container (17,Fig.3), the pad may be further covered with a ceramic fibre blanket and aluminium bubble covering (21,Fig.3). The device may also comprise a rechargeable battery (11,Fig.6) able to provide multiple heating sessions. This invention looks to address the need for parents to be able to warm bottled formula milk to a correct temperature when out travelling, while also providing means to hold the bottle against the cradle, buggy or pram which is transporting the infant, child or baby.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Rifa Begum

Churchway, Churchway, London, NW1 1LJ, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Rifa Begum (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

ip consult

21A Commercial Road, SWANAGE, BH19 1DF, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:

WO 2014/158655 A2 CN 104644452 A

WO 2010/087560 A2 FR 002709951 A1

Amazon UK, Date First Available: 01/06/16, Cup Holder For Pushchair, Amazon.co.uk, [online], Available from: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ Pushchair-360-Rotation-Beverage-Stroller-Mountain/ dp/B01GFBORX8/, [accessed 13 April 2017].

Amazon UK, Date First Available: 10/02/16, Altabebe Stroller Drink Holder, Amazon.co.uk, [online], Available from: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AltabebeAL1010-Stroller-Drink-Holder/dp/B01BM7VML0/, [accessed 13 April 2017].

(58) Field of Search:

INT CLA47J, A61J

Other: EPODOC, WPI, Internet, Patent Fulltext (54) Title of the Invention: An infant feeding device

Abstract Title: An infant feeding device comprising a bottle with internal fluid warming means and a cradle for attaching it to an infant chair (57) An infant feeding device comprising a bottle 1 and a cradle 2, wherein the cradle is arranged to attach the bottle to an infant chair 3, possibly using a bipartite cylinder clamp (4,5,6 Fig.2), and the bottle is arranged to warm internal fluid contents to a predetermined temperature. The bottle may be wholly removable from the cradle and may comprise a removable lid (9,Fig.3). The heating means (18,Fig.3) is comprised within the bottle and may feature a thermostat or temperature limiter and possibly an alert means. Heat may be provided by a helical silicone heat pad (18,Fig.3) which may surround an internal aluminium container (17,Fig.3), the pad may be further covered with a ceramic fibre blanket and aluminium bubble covering (21,Fig.3). The device may also comprise a rechargeable battery (11,Fig.6) able to provide multiple heating sessions. This invention looks to address the need for parents to be able to warm bottled formula milk to a correct temperature when out travelling, while also providing means to hold the bottle against the cradle, buggy or pram which is transporting the infant, child or baby.

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AN INFANT FEEDING DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant feeding device, in particular an infant feeding device for people who are travelling; more particularly but not exclusively an infant feeding device for infants whilst sat in chairs.

Background

Increasing numbers of users across many societies are keen to follow correct procedures when bringing up children.

For example it is known to be beneficial to children to spend time ‘out and about’, and many parents and carers are keen to take their children around with them, for example in strollers, buggies or prams.

However with an increase in bottle-fed infants this can be problematic, because bottle formula milk should be heated to a correct temperature for correct feeding, and this is difficult when travelling or when ‘out-and-about’.

Prior Art

WO 2014 172 890 (LIN) discloses a bottle warmer that comprises a heat insulation case, a nursing bottle placing chamber, a heating element, a controller, and a power supply module. The bottle warmer also comprises a heating switch protruding from a hole disposed at the bottom of the nursing bottle placing chamber and used for controlling the heating element. When the nursing bottle is placed in the bottle warmer, the heating switch controls the heating element to heat or heat at intervals. When no nursing bottle is placed in the bottle warmer, the heating element stops heating.

US 2012 0 064 470 (DELATTRE et al) discloses a bottle warming apparatus comprising: a bottle including a first volume configured to receive and store at least one of food or fluid, wherein the bottle includes a recessed portion and first and second indentations positioned on opposite sides of the bottle; a bottle housing for enclosing the bottle, wherein an inner wall of the bottle housing defines a second volume having a size and shape for receiving at least a portion of the bottle; a heating element configured to position within the recessed portion of the bottle when the bottle is positioned into the bottle housing; a pressure-sensitive switch configured to align with the first indentation of the bottle and activate the bottle warming apparatus when the bottle positions into the bottle housing and applies pressure against the pressure-sensitive switch, wherein the heating element generates and transmits heat to the bottle when the bottle warming apparatus is activated; and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the bottle, wherein the temperature sensor aligns with the second indentation when the bottle is positioned into the bottle housing, wherein the temperature sensor transmits a signal to the bottle warming apparatus to deactivate when an optimal temperature is reached.

GB 2 234 057 (SMILLIE) discloses a thermally-insulating assembly for keeping a baby's bottle warm, which has an inner body and inner lid made of insulating material. Two cavities in the inner body enable the carriage of two infant feeding bottles, and two recesses in the inner lid fit over the ends of the feeding bottles. The inner body and inner lid are enclosed by a material casing the lid of which is releasably secured to its body. The inner body and inner lid are adapted to slide out of the casing. The casing has a handle for ease of carrying, for example for fitting on the pram handle.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an infant feeding device comprising a bottle and a cradle, wherein the cradle is arranged to attach the bottle to an infant chair and the bottle is arranged to warm internal fluid contents to a predetermined temperature, wherein the device includes an energy source for electrical energy to power the device.

The infant chair may comprise a stroller, buggy or pram.

The device may include a battery or batteries which may allow multiple uses between charges for multiple feeds throughout the day. Ideally this may be 3 to 4 feeds on a single charge.

In some embodiments the device may further include an electrical energy harvesting mechanism. For example said harvesting mechanism may comprise at least one photovoltaic cell. In some embodiments the harvesting mechanism may comprise a winding mechanism, and in some embodiments the harvesting mechanism may comprise a kinetic energy harvesting mechanism, which may be connected to the chair wheels or similar.

In this way the present invention provides a re-chargeable travel bottle warming device for warming milk to body temperature for feeding a child ‘on the go’.

Heating mechanism technologies may be envisaged to optimise use case and reduce power requirements. In some embodiments the cradle or heating mechanism may provide potential to incorporate a dummy steriliser/storage.

In some embodiments the heating mechanism comprises a thermally conductive liquid gel that surrounds the bottle for rapid warming. This gives a more controlled heating throughout.

For example in such embodiments to warm the milk, there is a metal sleeve that the bottle sits within which is warmed by a thermally conductive gel to give even and consistent warming, without overheating the milk in the bottle. Such heating mechanism may be operated with a single ‘on’ button to activate a program cycle where the milk is brought up to body temperature, wherein the warming progress is indicated to the user with an LED (light emitting diode) light bar. The gel bag will use a thick outer material to prevent any leaks with changes of temperature, high capacity Li-ion (lithium-ion) batteries, synthetic plastics cap that features an air cavity to provide an extra layer of insulation, interior metal casing to provide even and consistent heat to the bottle, thermal gel surrounding the interior metal casing to increase the thermal conductivity of the warmer and a heater located in the base of the gel.

In some embodiments the heating mechanism may utilise a coiled heater wire which surrounds the milk bottle to warm it, so as to allow efficient and controlled heating within a compact design, and wherein the heating wire may be built into a fabric sleeve, which will contour more effectively to different bottle shapes and provide even heating throughout, and a microprocessor or other control means, mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) located in a separate insulated container.

In some embodiments the heating mechanism may utilise a fan heater to warm the bottle, similar to the heating method used in hair dryers, wherein to heat the cavity inside the warmer, air is pulled into the device through a base and passed over a heating element and is blown around an internal cavity, providing an even warming throughout.

A fan may be located between the vents and heater to draw in air and force it past a heater, warming the air before it reaches the bottle of milk. The user interacts with the device using a simple ‘on’ switch and an LED light bar to indicate heating progression to the user.

Ventilation in a base and cap allows air to flow both in and out of the heating mechanism, wherein the cap is removable with built-in ventilation to control temperature, and the cradle heating mechanism further comprises a perforated metal bottle holder for air flow and even warming.

In some embodiments the cradle is arranged to secure onto a plurality of chairs, wherein the cradle comprises a chair securement mechanism.

For example in some embodiments the bottle can be held on a buggy with an adjustable fabric holder.

In some embodiments the heating mechanism may comprise an alert means for temperature alerting, for example some embodiments may have LEDs to comprise changing colours which indicate temperature to the user. Other embodiments may use an audible chime alert to the user to indicate when the milk is the correct temperature, in addition or the alternative.

The alert means may comprise LED indication to the user of when the bottle has reached the desired temperature and for charging level indication.

In some embodiments the heating mechanism may feature a temperature limiter to prevent overheating. In some embodiments the heating mechanism is arranged to warm to the correct temperature and maintain that temperature until the milk is fully warmed before automatically switching off to preserve battery power.

The bottle may be completely contained within the cradle whilst heating so that the bottle is warmed within a sealed/insulated chamber to prevent excess heat loss and increase efficiency.

The heating mechanism may ideally be operable with minimal user interaction for example a single ‘on’ button with an auto off function. This may be related to timing, and/or a mechanism to maintain or attain a predefined temperature.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric partial view of a device according to the present invention in use on a stroller handle;

Figures 2 show isometric views of the embodiment of the cradle of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the bottle of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 show isometric views of the bottle of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 3;

Figures 5 show side views of the bottle of the embodiment of the device shown in

Figure 3;

Figures 6 show isometric exploded views of the bottle of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 3; and

Figures 7 show isometric exploded views of the cradle of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 2.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the infant feeding device comprising a bottle 1 and a cradle 2, wherein the cradle 2 is arranged to attach the bottle 1 to an infant chair 3 and the bottle 1 is arranged to warm internal fluid contents to a predetermined temperature.

The bottle 1 in the pictured embodiment entirely comprises a heating mechanism for heating the internal fluid contents, wherein the cradle 2 is a passive, standard, independently available or replaceable part.

The pictured embodiment utilises a helical silicone heat pad 18, which is bonded onto the outside of an internal aluminium container 17.

This allows the pad to deliver targeted heat, unlike methods of heating using gel from underneath and waiting for dissipation and simplifies the assembly method and reduces the risk of wasting thermo-conductive gel, through the pouring process. The heat can therefore be contained in an efficient way, whilst reducing the overall thickness.

The internal metal container 17 is covered with a ceramic fibre blanket and aluminium bubble covering 21.

Double silicone O-rings 20 provide insulation and secure the lid 9 to the main body 10 by friction.

A 2.6 Ah rechargeable battery 11 is incorporated to provide 4 heating sessions from degrees to body temperature.

All components are assembled using snap-fit features using small, non-return hooks which secure into recesses by application of pressure to provide a reliable and secure attachment as well as reducing assembly cost.

The bottle comprises a single push button 13 for control of the internal heating mechanism and a feedback LED indicator strip 15.

In use the user may be envisaged to press the button and hold for 3 seconds to switch the heating mechanism on and to switch off the heating mechanism, press the button for 6 seconds.

Once switched on, the heating mechanism requires the user to set the volume of the bottle by pressing the button repeatedly to reduce the programmed volume.

Once set up, the user presses the button for 3 seconds to start heating and the indicator becomes red and shows the time remaining to finish the heating process.

The bottle further includes the following:

Lid 9 with opening grip 22

Silicone O ring seal 20

Outer 10

Silicone cover 25

Internal aluminium container 17

Spacer 24

Heating element 18

Insulation jacket 21

Plastic base and electronics 23

Battery 11

Printed circuit board 12

The cradle 2 comprises two arms 7 partially extending around the circumference of the bottle, and a basal portion 8 extending underneath the bottle in use.

The cradle 2 further comprises a securement mechanism for securement onto the chair 3, which in the pictured embodiment comprises an overcentre mechanism closure catch 5, pivoting on a pivot on a first bipart 6, with the catch 5 arranged to grip and close over the second hinged bipart 4 to form an internal substantially circular securement.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. An infant feeding device comprising a bottle and a cradle, wherein the cradle is arranged to attach the bottle to an infant chair and the bottle is arranged to warm internal fluid contents to a predetermined temperature, wherein the bottle comprises the heating mechanism.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the bottle is wholly removable from the cradle.

3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the bottle comprises a displaceable lid.

4. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a thermostat or temperature limiter mechanism to limit overheating.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the heating mechanism comprises an alert means for temperature alerting.

6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the cradle comprises a bipartite cylinder clamp chair securement means.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the bottle comprises an helical silicone heat pad.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the pad surrounds an internal aluminium container.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the pad is covered with a ceramic fibre blanket and aluminium bubble covering.

10. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a rechargeable battery.

11. A bottle for use in an infant feeding device according to any preceding claim.

1302 18

Amendments to the claims has been filed as follows:

1 A device according to any preceding claim wherein the bottle warmer comprises a helical silicone heat pad.

2 A device according to claim 7 wherein the bottle is wholly removable from the cradle.

3 A device according to any preceding claim wherein the bottle warmer comprises a displaceable lid.

4 A device according to any preceding claim comprising a thermostat or temperature limiter mechanism to limit overheating.

5 A device according to any preceding claim wherein the heating mechanism comprises an alert means for temperature alerting.

6 A device according to any preceding claim wherein the cradle comprises a bi-partite cylinder clamp chair securement means.

7 An infant feeding device comprising a cradle wherein the cradle is arranged to attach a Bottle warmer to an infant chair and the bottle is arranged to warm internal fluid contents to a predetermined temperature, wherein the bottle warmer comprises the heating mechanism.

8 A device according to claim 1 wherein the pad surrounds an internal aluminium container.

9 A device according to claim 8 wherein the pad is covered with a ceramic fibre blanket and aluminium bubble covering.

10 A device according to any preceding claim comprising a rechargeable battery.

11 A bottle for use in an infant feeding device according to any preceding claim.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1621444.7 Examiner: Mr Christopher Kent