US1545436A - Nursing bottle and nipple therefor - Google Patents

Description

L. A. M GEARY NURSING BOTTLE AND NIPPLE THEREFOR July 7, 1925.

Filed May 26 m n M Patented July 7, 1925. p I p MUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LACIE A. MOGEARY, OF PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA.

NURSING BOTTLE AND NIPPLE THEREFOR.

Application filed May 26, 1924. Serial No. 715,946.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LACIE A. MGGEARY, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Parkersburg, county of lVood, State of West Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Nursing Bottles and Nipples Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in nursing bottles and nipples therefor; and the nature and ob1ects of the invention will be readilyv recognized and understood by those skilled in the arts involved in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I at present consider to be the preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of the invention from among various other forms, arrangement-s, combinations, and constructions of which the invention is capable with in the spirit and scope thereof.

, One of the main and fundamental objects of the present invention is the provision of a nursing bottle of a form and construction which can be readily thoroughly cleaned and sterilized, and can be maintained in the desired highly sanitary condition essential in the use of nursing bottles in order to safeguard health and prevent contamination of food therein.

Another object of the invention is to overcome and eliminate the objectionable leakage from a nursing bottle around and between the bottle and a nipple mounted and attached thereon, by the formation of the bottle and the nipple in such a manner that an effective seal is formed and maintained between the bottle and the nipple.

A further object of the invention is to so form and construct a nursing bottle and nipple therefor, that with the nipple 1n mounted attached position on the bottle portions of the nipple form gaskets or washers between the nipple and the bottle and provide a multiple seal to effectively prevent leakage from the bottle and entry of the contents of the bottle between the contacting surfaces of the bottle and the nipple.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nipple for nursing bottles which is formed to overcome the tendency of such nipples to collapse in use due to the creation of a partial vacuum therewithin, and which is further designed to present a more natural shape and provide a flow'of food there-from in such quantities and at such a rate as to more efficiently feed an infant using the same under the varying conditions to which such nipples are subjected.

Another object of the invention is to vide a nursing design and construction which can be readproily manufactured in quantities by prevailing methods at a relatively low cost.

bottle of simple inexpensive With the foregoing main objects and certain other objects and results in vew, which other objects and results will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art, the invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combination and arrangement of elements, as will be more fully and particulary referred to and pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1, is a side elevation of a nursin bottle and nipple embodying features of the invention, with the nipple in attached operative position on the bottle.

Fig. 2, is a top plan view of the bottle and nipple of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is a vertical longitudinal section through thebottle and nipple of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4, is a detail section through the nipple taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3. I

Fig. 5', is a detail fragmentary vie-w of a modified construction and formation of the exterior nipple receiving flange of the bottle.

One possible embodimentor mechanical expression of which the invention is capable is illustrated herewith purely by way of example and not of limitation, to permit of explaining and describing the principles and various features of the invention. In the illustrated example the nursing bottle is formed of a suitable metal so as to be non-breakable and non-corrodible while retaining the desirable characteristic of light weight. However, attention is here directed to the fact that it is not intended to limit the nuring bottle embodying the features of the invention to metal, as other materials, such for example as glass, can be utilized, as will be referred toand explained hereinafter.

The form of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings embodies the nur sing bottle 10 and the nipple 20 therefor. The bottle 10 in this instance is formed and constructed of relatively thin sheet aluminum or some similar or equivalent metal bottle engaged thereby.

having light weight and being non-corrodible. In accordance with the invention the body of the bottle 10 is formed of substantially the same internal diameter throughout and is open at one end and closed at the other. The open end of the bottle 10 is preferably of the same diameter as the internal diameter of the bottle to thus present a large unbroken mouth or discharge end, while in the specific example illustrated the closed end of the bottle is formed by an end wall or bottom 11 welded, sweated or otherwise securely, rigidly fixed to the bottle to form in effect an integral part thereof. This bottom 11 is formed with an exterior shoulder 11* therearound and a reduced inner end portion forming a flange 11, so that in ,mounted attached position thereof the bottom edge of the bottle bears against the shoulder 11 with the flange 11 tightly fitting into and against the inner surface of the body of the bottle 10. The illustrated construction of the end wall or bottom 11 of the bottle 10 above described can be changed to an integral bottom or end wall if desired without departing beyond the bounds of the invention, so that it is not intended to limit all features of the invention to this construction and arrangement of the bottom for the bottle 10.

The bottle 10 is so formed and constructed of aluminum presents a light weight nonbreakable and non-corrodible structure which is readily grasped in use and which can be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized due to the large open end or mouth and the unbroken relatively smooth interior resulting from the same internal diameter throughout its length. In this manner a nursing bottle is provided in which the possibility of contamination of food therein due to improper cleaning or sterilizing is materially reduced.

,As well understood by those familiar with nursing bottles of' the broad general type referred to, a nipple is fitted over and attached to the open end or mouth of the bottle through which the food is discharged. However, in use it is found that frequently leakage of food from the bottle occurs between the nipple and the portions of the According to the present invention the possibility of leakage between the bottle and the nipple is eliminated by the formation of the bottle and the nipple in such a manner that in attached mounted position of the nipple an effective seal is formed with the bottle. In the illustrated example shown particularly by Fig. 3, the bottle 10 is provided at the open or mouth end thereof with an exterior collar 12 welded or otherwise suitably rigidly fixed thereon and extending therearound to form in eflect an integral part thereof. In the specific example shown the collar 12 has its outer edge substantially flush with the outer edge of the bottle mouth and is formed at its lower end with an integral flange 14.- extending outwardly therefrom and provid ing an annular shoulder extending radially from and around the exterior of the bottle 10. The collar 10 is exteriorly screwthreaded for a purpose to be explained. A metal band or ring 15 is formed internally threaded and of a diameter to fit over and be screwed onto the exteriorly threaded collar portion 12 of the bottle. This band 15 is formed of a width or depth such that in mounted position over and extending around the bottle 10 and collar 12, with the outer FT or upper edge of the band substantially flush with the outer edge of collar 12, the inner edge thereof is spaced a distance outwardly from the flange 14, as will be clear by reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings.

A modified form of bottle is disclosed in Fig. 5, of the drawings, in which the exterior shoulderforming flange 14 is formed integral with the bottle 10, and the outer end portion 12 of the bottle between flange 14 and the outer edge of the bottle is thickened and exteriorly screw threaded to receive the band or ring 15. However, this feature of the invention is not limited to thickening. the outer end portion of the bottle wall, as will be apparent, since the required external diameter of the bottle to receive a standardized size of nipple can be compensated for in other Ways, for example, by increasing the external diameter of the bottle body, or by increasing the thickness of the band or ring 15 employed.

The nipple 20 embodying the principles and features of the invention and adapted for mounting on and attachment to the bottle 10 formed and constructed as described, is formed of rubber in the usual manner familiar to those skilled in this art, and of a natural shape and form. The nipple 20 is provided with a relatively large body portion terminating in a skirt portion 21 adapted to fit over and surround the open end of the bottle 10. The skirt portion 21 of the nipple 20 is connected with the body portion of the nipple by an outwardly extending flange 22 which on the interior of the nipple is extended inwardly a distance to provide a shoulder 23 having a flat face disposed substantially transversely to the axis of the nipple. The nipple so formed has the neck band or ring 12 fitted into the skirt portion 21 thereof with the skirt tightly embracing the band and the shoulder 23 formed by the flange portion 22 hearing against the inner edge of the band. In mounted position of the band 15 in the nipple the skirt 21 extends a distance therebeyond for a purpose appearing hereinafter.

With the band 15 secured in the skirt portion 21 of the nipple 20, the nipple is mount:

ed in position on the bottle by fitting the ring over and screwing the same onto the threaded outer end of the bottle. The ex-, tended portion 24 of the skirt is bent in wardly over and across the outer edge of the band 15 (see Figs. 3 and 5) and the band with the nipple is screwed down onto the bottle with the portion 24 of the nipple compressed between the edge of the band and the flange 14 on the bottle. In attached position of the nipple the interior shoulder 23 thereof bears tightly down onto the outer edge of the bottle and of the band 15, as clearly shown by the accompanying draw, m s.

lSy the foregoing construction and arrangment of the bottle 10 and the nipple a very effective seal is formed between the bottle and the nipple and leakage is eliminated. The portion 24 of the nipple forms a gasket or washer between the flange 14 and i the band 21 and collar 12, while the. shoulder 23 provides in effect a gasket or washer between the nipple and the outer edges of bottle 10 and collar 12 and band 15. In this manner a double seal is formed and not only prevents leakage from the outer edge portion of the nipple attaching skirt, but further prevents entry of fluid from the bottle between the contacting surfaces of the band 15 and skirt 21 and between the bottle and the band 15.

The invention includes certain features with regard to the construction and formation of the nipple and the feed or discharge therefrom. These features are shown in Figs. 3 and 4 particularly, and embody the provision of a stem 25 depending inwardly a distance through the reduced outer end or discharge neck 26 of the nipple, and the opposite discharge passages or channels 27 formed in the stem longitudinally thereoi. and communicating with separate spaced bores or discharge apertures 28 in the end of the neck 26 of the nipple. It will be noted that the discharge ports or apertures 28 are curved outwardly in opposite directions and are more widely spaced apart at their outer ends than at their inner ends which are in communication with the feed passages or channels 27. The stem 25 is formed of relatively hard rubber to provide a substantially stiff structure which will prevent collapse of the nipple in use due to the creation of a partial vacuum there-within, as will be readilyunderstood. By the provision of multiple passages and separate discharge apertures therefor, food is more efliciently and naturally fed therethrough at a rate of flow and in quantities sufficient to feed an infant with the minimum of effort and the reduction of the exhausting effect on an infant of being forced to exert itself in securing the proper quantity of food. Further the danger of clogging and cutting discharge off of the flow is reduced materially and the proper cleaning of the nipple facilitated. The formation and construction of the nipple is such that the interior surfaces thereof are all easily accessible so that thorough sterilization and cleaning thereof is very readily accomplished. However, no claim is made herein to the foregoing nipple construction and formation, which forms the basis of and is claimed in my divisional application, Serial No. 28,905, filed May 8, 1925.

It will be noted that the nipple carrying and attaching member or band 15 is not permanently mounted in and received by the nipple 20, but is readily removable therefrom to permit of sterilizing the same and of sterilizing and cleaning the interior of the skirt portion of the nipple. The memher or band 15 forms nished with a bottle for ples on and to the bottle in use.

The bottle of the invention can be formed 0 glass if desired, in which instance the flange 14 and threaded portion can be formed integral therewith, so that it will be clear that all features of the bottle of the invention are not limited to the use of metal as the material from which the bottle is formed.

'It will be further evident that various other changes, variations, substitutions and modifications might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

. Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legally possible, what I claim is:

l. A nursing bottle formed with an exterior flange therearound adjacent'the open end thereof, the end portion of said bottle externally screw threaded, a nipple carrying member fitting over and threaded onto said end portion, the said band constructed and arranged to compress the end portion of a nipple between the said flange and the band to form a seal, and the outer end of said bottle formed to receive and bear against the wall of a nipple to provide an inner seal therefor.

2. A- nursing bottle formed with an external projection therearound adjacent the open discharge end thereof, and a nipple carrying and attaching member fitting over and around the outer end portion of said bottle and arranged to compress the end portion of a nipple between the bottle projection and the member to form a seal and prevent leakage from the bottle with a nipple mounted thereon, the open end of the bottle formed to bear against the inner wall of a Anipple to provide a seal therewith.

a part of and is fur attachment of nipnursing bottle formed with an ex terior projection extending therearound adjacent the open end of the bottle, a nipple carrying and attaching member constructed to form a seal with a nipple and to fit over and around the open end of the bottle, the said member formed to compress the end portion of a nipple between the exterior projection of the bottle and the member to form an outer seal preventing leakagefrom the bottle, and the open end wall of the bottle formed to bear against the inner wall of a nipple to provide a seal therewith, said member adapted to force a nipple against the end wall of the bottle.

- 4. A nursing bottle formed with an exterior flange extending therearound adjacent the open end of the bottle, a nipple carrying and attaching band formed to fit over and around the portion of the bottle between said flange and the open end, and a nipple formed to receive and fit over said band, the said nipple having an interior shoulder bearing against the band and the open end edge of the bottle to form a seal therewith, the outer end portion of said'nipple extended, across the outer end of said band and compressed between said bottle flange andsaid band to form a second seal with the bottle.

5. In combination with a nursing bottle having an open discharge end, a nipple formed with aninternal flange therearound projecting from the body o-f the nipple and bearing against the open end edge of said bottle to form a seal with the nipple in mounted attached position over the open end of the bottle, and means for compressing the outer end portion of the nipple around the bottle to form a second seal therewith for the nipple. I

6. A nursing bottle formed with an exterior radial flange extending therearound spaced inwardly on the bottle from the open end thereof, a nipple carrying and attaching band formed to fit over and around the exterior of the bottle between said flange and the open end, and a nipple formed to receive and fit over said band with the outer end portion of said nipple bent inwardly across the adjacent edge of said band and compressed between said bottle flange and the band edge to form a seal, and the said nipple formed with an internal shoulder bearing against and extending across the outer edge of said band and the open end edge of said bottle to form a seal therewith preventing passage from the bottle between the said band, nipple and wall of the bottle.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a nursing bottle formed of a relatively light weight non-corrosive metal to provide a light weight non-breakable bottle, said bottle having substantially the same internal diameter throughout having one end thereof open, a radial flange formed around the exterior of the bottle spaced a distance inwardly thereon from the open end, the portion of the exterior of the bottle between the open end and said flange externally screw threaded, and an internally threaded metal nipple receiving and mounting band fitted over the open end of the bottle and extending around and screwed onto the externally threaded portion thereof, the inner edge of said band formed to receive a portion of a nipple mounted thereon to compress the same between such edge and the exterior bottle flange, and the outer edge of said band and of the open end edge of the bottle formed and arranged to bear against the inner wall of the nipple to form a seal therewith.

Signed at Parkersburg, Wood County, \Vest Virginia, this 2nd day of April 1924.

LACIE A. MoGEAltY.

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