GB2574901A

GB2574901A - A protective casing for a bottle

Info

Publication number: GB2574901A
Application number: GB201811690A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodcliffe Francis Micheal
Original assignee: Aangel Kids Ltd
Current assignee: Aangel Kids Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2018-07-17
Publication date: 2019-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-17
Also published as: GB2574901B; GB2574901B8; GB201811690D0

Abstract

A protective casing 20, 30 for a bottle 10 such as a baby feeding bottle. The bottle with protective casing comprises a bottle adapted to receive a displaceable lid 20 and a displaceable base 30. The lid 20 covers and encloses an upper portion of the bottle including a teat 50. The base 30 connects to a lower portion of the bottle to elevate the feeding bottle from a surface to prevent contamination. The base 30 can be substantially cylindrical with an upper opening with means such as a screw thread 15 for engaging with a lower portion of the bottle. The lid and base can be arranged so that a mid-section 11 of the bottle remains uncovered. The bottle could contain a retaining ring 40. When the bottle is in use the lid 20 can be stored within the base 30 of the bottle.

Description

A Protective Casing for a Bottle

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective casing for a bottle, in particular a protective casing that partially encloses a baby feeding bottle to prevent contact with surfaces whilst not in use.

Background

It is common to take steps to reduce the chances of contamination and infection, in particular when feeding babies. Often sterilisers are used to sterilise containers, such as feeding bottles prior to feeding. However, once the bottle leaves the steriliser it is typically placed in contact with a surface, such as a table or the ground and may become contaminated prior to or during feeding. The present invention overcomes this problem.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bottle with a protective casing comprising: a bottle adapted to receive a lid and a displaceable base; wherein the lid covers and encloses an upper portion of a bottle including a teat, and the base connects to a lower portion of the bottle to elevate the feeding bottle from a surface to prevent contamination.

In this way the upper and lower portions of the bottle or feeding bottle are protected when the feeding bottle is not in use. Therefore the protective casing protects from contamination by ensuring that the upper portion, including the teat that is in contact with a baby or infant during feeding, is enclosed until use. By ensuring that the lower portion, that is traditionally in contact with a surface when not in use, is separated from the surface, the bottle is protected from becoming contaminated with anything from the surface. This arrangement helps to prevent cross contamination, therefore ensuring the baby, infant or adult is less likely to be subjected to infection or disease.

The lid and base can be removably connected to the feeding bottle by connections means.

Preferably the lid and the base are arranged on the feeding bottle so that a midsection of the feeding bottle remains uncovered.

The mid-section may be tapered to have a waist that defines a holding region around which a user’s hand grips the bottle. In this way the user is guided to hold the bottle at the waist and the protected ends do not come into contact with a user. Therefore the bottle can be held and the lid and base removed without any repositioning of the bottle in a user’s hand and without a user having to contact any other part of the bottle, thus further reducing risk of contamination.

The mid-section may have grip portions to assist with holding the bottle. For example the mid-section may have raised and lowered regions, have a textured finish or coating or be at least partially covered with a resiliently deformable material, for example have silicone strips.

Typically the feeding bottle has a retaining ring for securing a teat to the bottle.

Preferably the base is substantially cylindrical with an upper opening with a connection means for engaging with the lower portion of the feeding bottle and a lower opening that engages with a surface. For example the connection means may be in the form of a screwthread, twist lock or snap fit wherein the connection means have corresponding receiving parts provided on the feeding bottle to permit connection. In this way the feeding bottle is lifted from the surface upon which it is positioned.

In some embodiments the lower portion of the feeding bottle is also adapted to receive the lid when displaced from the upper portion of the feeding bottle such that the lid fits concentrically within the base. In this way the lid is stored connected to the device and is not put down and placed in contact with a surface.

The feeding bottle may be tapered, for example having a tapering screwthread that can receive both the base and the lid.

In an alternative arrangement the base may be adapted to receive the lid when displaced from the upper portion of the feeding bottle such that the lid fits concentrically within the base. In this way the base and the lid have corresponding connection means. The connection means may be in the form of a screwthread, twist lock or snap fit or any other suitable connecting means that permits separable connection between two parts.

Preferably the feeding bottle and protective casing is formed from strong, lightweight, durable synthetic plastics.

The feeding bottle may be provided in different sizes to accommodate different ages of baby, infant, child or adult.

It is appreciated that the bottle may be a drinks bottle for adults who are concerned about contamination, or who have reduced immunity, for example following chemotherapy, and therefore must not be exposed to potential infections.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1A shows an external side view of a first bottle with a protective casing according to the present invention;

Figure 1B shows a cross sectional side view of the first bottle with a protective casing;

Figure 2A shows an external side view of a second bottle with a protective casing according to the present invention;

Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional side view of the second bottle with a protective casing;

Figure 2C shows an isometric overall view of the second bottle with a protective casing;

Figure 3A shows overall isometric views of the first and second bottles with protective casings, with the lids of their protective casings arranged to cover the upper portions of the bottles;

Figure 3B shows overall isometric views of the first and second bottles with protective casings with the lids of their protective casings detached and arranged to be inserted into the bases of their protective casings;

Figure 3C shows overall isometric views of the first and second bottles with protective casings with the lids of their protective casings inserted into the bases of their protective casings;

Figure 4A shows top down cross-sectional views of the components of the first and second bottles with protective casings;

Figure 4B shows isometric view of the components of the first and second bottles with protective casings; and

Figure 4c shows cross-sectional side-on view of the components of the first and second bottles with protective casings.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to the Figures generally there are shown first and second bottles with protective casings 100, 200 according to the present invention.

Each of the first and second bottles with protective casings 100, 200 comprises a bottle 10, 40 and a protective casing 20, 30. Each of the bottles comprises a bottle body 10 and a retaining ring 40 which comprises an aperture into the bottle and/or supports an element comprising such an opening (such as a teat for the bottle). Each of the protective casings comprises a lid 20 for covering and enclosing an upper portion of the bottle and a base 30 for covering a lower portion of the bottle and elevating the bottle from a surface upon which the bottle is supported.

The protective casings (and lids 20 and bases 30 thereof) of the first and second bottles with protective casings 100, 200 are identical to each other. The bottles of the first and second bottles with protective casings 100, 200 each comprise identical retaining rings and comprise bottle bodies 10 with identical upper and lower portions but differently sized intermediate portions, the intermediate portion of the first bottle with protective casing 100 being larger than that of the second bottle with protective casing 200.

The bottle bodies 10 of each of the first and second bottles comprise a circular upper opening, an upper annular threaded portion 15 surrounding the opening, a lower annular threaded portion 15, an intermediate generally hyperboloidshaped waist portion intermediate the upper and lower annular threaded portions 15, a generally cylindrical lowermost portion which defines the base of the bottle body distal from its upper circular opening, and a tapered portion intermediate the lower annular threaded portion 15 and the generally cylindrical lowermost portion.

The retaining ring 40 of each of the first and second bottles has a threaded interior and in use is threaded onto the upper annular threaded portion 15 of the bottle body 10 such that it surrounds the opening of the bottle body 10. In some embodiments the first and/or second bottle may comprise an aperture defining element (such as a teat 50 as shown in Figure 1B) which may be supported by the retaining ring and which may cover the opening of the bottle body 10 and provide an aperture through which a fluid or other material may enter or exit the bottle.

The lid 20 is mountable onto the retaining ring 40 in use such that it covers and encloses an upper portion of the bottle consisting of a portion of the retaining ring 40 and the opening of the bottle body 10 and/or an aperture defining element 50. The lid 20 is a substantially cylindrical body with a cylindrical interior cavity extending from one end. The lid 20 preferably clips onto and off of the retaining ring 40.

The intermediate generally hyperboloid-shaped waist portion intermediate the upper and lower threaded annular portions 15 of the bottle body 10 defines a waist region 11 which may be held by a user in use. This waist portion 11 is not covered by the protective casing of the bottles 100, 200. This portion may in some embodiments be formed of a resiliently deformable and/or flexible material so as to allow the bottle body 10 to be squeezed by a user. This may allow a user to control the flow of fluid or material out of the bottle 100, 200 in use.

The intermediate generally hyperboloid-shaped waist portion of the first bottle with protective casing 100 is substantially longer (in the direction of the heat of the bottle body 10), that that of the second bottle with protective casing 200. All other components of the bottle bodies 10 of the first and second bottles with protective casings 100, 200 are substantially identically shaped.

The generally cylindrical base portion and the centre of the generally hyperboloid-shaped waist portion of the bottle bodies 10 are narrower than the annular threaded portions 15 of the bottle bodies 10.

The base 30 of the protective casing of the first and second bottles 100, 200 is a generally cylindrical tubular rigid body with an internal cavity extending between its ends. The base 30 comprises an internal thread at its upper opening for screwing the base onto the lower annular threaded portion of the bottle body 10.

The base 30 is longer than the combined length of the lower annular threaded portion 30, the tapered portion and the lowermost generally cylindrical portion of the bottle body 10. As such when the base 30 is screwed onto the lower annular threaded portion 15 of the bottle body 10 it extends past the lowermost point of the bottle body and defines a generally annular base for supporting the bottle on a flat surface.

In use, the base covers the sides of and partially encloses a lower portion of the bottle, the lower portion consisting of the lower annular threaded portion 30, the tapered portion and the lowermost generally cylindrical portion of the bottle body 10.

The interior radius of the base 30 is greater than the exterior radius of the lowermost generally cylindrical portion of the bottle body 10 such that a gap is provided between the inside of the base and the lowermost generally cylindrical portion of the bottle body 10. This gap is dimensioned to receive the lid 20 in an upside-down arrangement as shown in Figures 3B and 3C.

As such when the lid 20 has been removed from the upper end of the bottle so as to allow access to the opening or the aperture defining element 50 of the bottle, the lid may be stored inside base 30. This may prevent the interior of the lid 20 from becoming contaminated by contacting other objects or surfaces.

The base 30 comprises a pair of generally semi-circular notches formed in its lower edge to allow the sides of the exterior of the lid 20 to be gripped when it is stored between the inside of the base 30 and the outside of the lowermost portion of the bottle body 10. The pair of generally semi-circular notches being on opposite sides of the base from each other so as to allow opposite sides of the exterior of the lid 20 to be gripped.

In some embodiments, the lid 20 comprises a means for securing the lid within the base 30. For example, the lid may comprise a clip or threaded portion 15 around the perimeter of its upper face which may engage with a corresponding means on the interior of the base 30.

The base 30 may be slightly narrower at its upper and lower ends so as to provide a relatively wide gap for the lid 20 to held and received within in use.

The protective casing 20, 30 may advantageously protect the bottle from becoming contaminated, for example through contact with other surfaces or objects. The lid 20 may advantageously protect the opening or aperture comprising element 50 of the bottle from contacting contaminants and the base may allow the bottle body 10 to be supported on potentially contaminated surfaces without directly contacting them. The base 30 may also allow the lid 20 to be supported out of contact with any potentially contaminated surfaces when it has been removed from the bottle in use.

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 the claims.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A bottle with a protective casing comprising: a bottle adapted to receive a displaceable lid and a displaceable base; wherein the lid covers and encloses an upper portion of a bottle including a teat, and the base connects to a lower portion of the bottle to elevate the feeding bottle from a surface to prevent contamination.

2. A bottle with a protective casing according to claim 1 wherein the lid and the base are arranged on the bottle so that a mid-section of the feeding bottle remains uncovered.

3. A bottle with a protective casing according to claim 1 or claim 2 includes a retaining ring.

4. A bottle with a protective casing according to any preceding claim wherein the base is substantially cylindrical with an upper opening with a connection means for engaging with the lower portion of the bottle and a lower opening that engages with a surface.

5. A bottle with a protective casing according to claim 4 wherein the lower portion of the bottle is adapted to receive the lid when displaced from the upper portion of the feeding bottle such that the lid fits concentrically within the base.

6.

A bottle apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the base includes a pair of notches formed in base’s lower edge to allow the sides of the exterior of the lid to be gripped when it is stored between the inside of the base.

A bottle apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein an intermediate portion of the first bottle has a hyperboloid-shaped waist portion.

6. A bottle with a protective casing according to claim 5 wherein the base is adapted to receive the lid when displaced from the upper portion of the feeding bottle such that the lid fits concentrically within the base.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

8 10 19

Claims

1. A bottle apparatus comprising: a feeding bottle adapted to receive a displaceable lid and a displaceable base; wherein the lid covers and

5 encloses an upper portion of the feeding bottle including a teat fitted to the feeding bottle, and the base connects to a lower portion thereof to locate the feeding bottle away from a surface to prevent contamination; the base is substantially cylindrical with an upper opening having a connection means for engaging with the lower portion of the feeding 10 bottle and a lower opening that engages with the surface, thereby enabling the lid to fit concentrically within the base; wherein the lower portion of the feeding bottle is also adapted to receive the lid when the lid is displaced from the upper portion of the feeding bottle, the lid having a means for securing the lid within the base, such that the lid 15 and the base are both connected to the lower portion of the bottle.

2. A bottle apparatus comprising: a feeding bottle adapted to receive a displaceable lid and a displaceable base; wherein the lid covers and encloses an upper portion of the feeding bottle including a teat fitted to

20 the feeding bottle, and the base connects to a lower portion thereof to elevate the feeding bottle from the surface to prevent contamination; the base is substantially cylindrical with an upper opening having a connection means for engaging with the lower portion of the feeding bottle and a lower opening that engages with a surface and thereby 25 enabling the lid to fit concentrically within the base; wherein the base is adapted to receive and engage with the lid when the lid is displaced from the upper portion of the feeding bottle, the lid having a means for securing the lid within the base, such that the lid is connected to the base and the base is connected to the lower portion of the bottle.

3. A bottle apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the lid and the base are arranged on the bottle so that a mid-section of the feeding bottle remains uncovered.

4. A bottle apparatus according to any preceding claim including a retaining ring.

5.