WO2012156509A2

WO2012156509A2 - Hand-held beverage dispensing device

Info

Publication number: WO2012156509A2
Application number: PCT/EP2012/059263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jade Michelle BOGGIA; Thomas James ETHERIDGE; Andrew Douglas MCCULLOCH; Nicholas John FIELD; Nigel Stephen BLAIR
Original assignee: Minima Design Limited
Priority date: 2011-05-18
Filing date: 2012-05-18
Publication date: 2012-11-22
Also published as: WO2012156509A3; GB201108322D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to hand-held beverage dispensing devices, and in particular to baby feeding bottles and drinking beakers and to disposable beverage containers such as plastic vessels for warm or hot beverages. The hand-held beverage dispensing device (201 ) comprises a container (202), the container having an internal volume (204) for holding a quantity of a beverage (206), a dispensing outlet (108) through which the beverage can be consumed by a person drinking from the device, and also a temperature sensitive valve mechanism (118, 216, 220) for controlling the flow of beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet. This mechanism has a movable valve element in the form of a diaphragm (216), a valve seat (218), and an actuating means (220) for driving the movement of the diaphragm (216) depending on the temperature of the beverage held within the container. The actuating means, distensible diaphragm and valve seat are configured such that, in use, the actuating means causes the diaphragm to distend to engage with the valve seat when the temperature of the beverage is above a threshold temperature to close the flow of the beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet. The actuating means (220) comprises a housing (230) and an expandable volume of gas (232). The diaphragm (216) is joined to the housing to form a gas-tight enclosure which contains this volume of gas. In use, heat (250) flows between the beverage (206) and the gas (232) to cause corresponding changes in the temperature and volume of gas resulting in movement of the diaphragm owing to changes in the distension of the diaphragm. The movement of the diaphragm causes the diaphragm to engage with the seat when the temperature of the beverage is above the threshold temperature to close the flow of the beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet.

Description

Hand-held Beverage Dispensing Device

BACKGROUND a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hand-held beverage dispensing devices, and in particular to baby feeding bottles and drinking beakers and to disposable beverage containers such as plastic vessels for warm or hot beverages. b. Related Art

It is often desired to serve the contents of a vessel heated, or at a pre-determined temperature prior to consumption. In the case of infant feeding it is important to serve a beverage at a temperature that will not cause harm or discomfort to the infant. Prior to weaning, for example, an infant should be provided with beverages at a temperature of approximately 37 degrees Celsius or body temperature.

Similarly, it is not desirable to serve hot beverages, such as tea or coffee, at a temperature that is objectionable or will cause harm or discomfort to the consumer. There have been a number of proposals for providing some form of indication means for indicating the temperature of the contents of a beverage container. For example, a temperature sensor has been incorporated into or attached to an infant feeding bottle or drinking beaker that provides a visible indication of the temperature of the beverage contained within. Similarly, colour changing temperature sensitive strips have been developed that may be applied to wine bottles to indicate when the wine contained within has achieved a correct drinking temperature. Alternatively, an infant feeding bottle or drinking beaker has been provided with a temperature sensor that provides a visible and/or audible warning if the temperature of the beverage contained within exceeds a pre-determined level. However, such proposals do not physically prevent the consumption of beverages from the container that are at a temperature that is either objectionable or harmful to the consumer. It has therefore also been proposed to provide a temperature sensitive valve mechanism, having a movable valve element that opens and closes against a valve seat. The valve element is driven by an actuating means having a temperature sensitive mechanical component, for example a bi-metallic strip, a shape memory alloy material or a bi-plastic component. One example of such a temperature sensitive valve mechanism is disclosed in patent document WO 01/21498 A1 .

Although such temperature sensitive valve mechanisms are effective at controlling the flow of a beverage from the container according to the temperature of the beverage to be dispensed, the valve mechanisms may include numerous components, which adds to manufacturing cost. There is also the requirement for effective operation that that the temperature sensitive component is either immersed in or contacts the liquid within the beverage container. This can make it difficult to clean the temperature sensitive component. Furthermore, some temperature sensitive elements may contain toxic elements of compounds, and there is always the consideration that no hazardous materials should be able to leech into the beverage being dispensed.

It is therefore an objection of the invention to provide a more practical hand-held beverage dispensing device, for example a baby feeding bottle or a drinking beaker or a disposable beverage container, having a temperature sensitive valve mechanism for controlling the flow of a beverage from the container according to the temperate of the beverage being dispensed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a hand-held beverage dispensing device, comprising:

- a container, the container having an internal volume for holding a quantity of a beverage;

a dispensing outlet through which the beverage can be consumed by a person drinking from the device; and

a temperature sensitive valve mechanism for controlling the flow of said beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet, said mechanism having a movable valve element, a valve seat, and an actuating means for driving the movement of the movable valve element depending on the temperature of the beverage held within the container, the actuating means, movable valve element and valve seat being configured such that, in use, the actuating means causes the movable valve element to move and engage with the valve seat when the temperature of said beverage is above a threshold temperature to close the flow of said beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet;

wherein the movable valve element is a distensible diaphragm and the actuating means comprises a housing and a volume of gas, the diaphragm being joined to the housing to form a gas-tight enclosure, said enclosure containing said volume of gas, and the housing being located in said internal volume so that, in use, heat flows between said quantity of beverage and said volume of gas to cause changes in the temperature and pressure of said gas resulting in expansion and contraction in the volume of gas and consequent movement of the diaphragm so that the diaphragm expands and engages with the valve seat when the temperature of said beverage is above the threshold temperature to close the flow of said beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet and so that the diaphragm contracts and disengages with the valve seat when the temperature of said beverage is below the threshold temperature to open the flow of said beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet.

Heat can then flow through the material forming the housing. To maximise heat conduction, the material of the housing should be a thin as practicable while still providing sufficient mechanical strength to resist deformation owing to changes in gas pressure and to provide a secure support for the diaphragm so that this is reliably positioned in proximity to and in the correct orientation with respect to the valve seat.

This device will therefore prevent the flow of a liquid from a beverage container if that liquid is at a temperature that may be too hot or too warm for the consumer. The valve will be closed if the beverage is at a temperature when dispensing of the beverage should be prevented.

Since the flow control device functions even when the beverage container is not upright there should be no accidental leakage from the container when the beverage temperature is too high, whatever the orientation of the container.

The housing is positioned within the container so that, when the internal volume contains the beverage, the housing remains submerged or partially submerged within the liquid contained by the beverage container if the beverage container is half full in either an upright or inverted position.

The diaphragm may either be permanently joined to the housing or removeably joined to the housing.

In either case, in preferred embodiments of the invention, the housing is removeably attached to an internal surface of the container.

The container may have at least one side wall, the housing being held to an internal surface of the container such that the housing is separated from the, or each, side wall.

The container may comprise an inner partition, the inner partition separating the internal volume from the dispensing outlet. The valve seat is then provided in the inner partition such that when the valve is closed the inner partition prevents beverage from flowing from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet.

The housing may have a connection portion and the inner partition may then have a matching connector for receiving the connection portion of the housing. In this way, the connection portion of the housing may be removeably attached to the connector of the inner partition. The diaphragm, when joined to the housing, is then preferably held in place along a join between the connection portion of the housing and the connector of the inner partition.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inner partition has at least one flow channel for conveying the beverage from the internal volume to the valve seat. This flow channel may then be blocked by the diaphragm when the diaphragm moves to engage with the valve seat.

The container will, in general, have a base, at least one side wall extending upwards from the base. In one embodiment, the housing is held to the base and extends upwards from the base towards the diaphragm. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the container has at least one side wall, the housing being held to an internal surface of the container such that the housing is separated from the side wall. There may therefore be a clear gap between the housing a side wall.

The housing may be elongate, having opposite first and second ends. The diaphragm is then situated at the first end of the housing. The housing may also have a narrow portion or waist between the diaphragm and the second end of the housing further from the diaphragm.

Optionally, the housing may be positioned within the internal volume by means of clips that extend outwards from the housing to contact one or more side walls of the container.

In one embodiment of the invention the housing has an elongate and substantially cylindrical or frustoconical shape, one end of the housing being closed and held to the base and the other end of the housing being joined to the diaphragm.

A substantially frustoconical housing will have a relatively narrower end and a relatively wider end. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is closed at the narrower end and is joined to the diaphragm at the wider end.

The housing may be held to the base by a socket in the inner surface of the base. Preferably, the housing is removeably engaged to an inner surface of the container, so that the housing can be removed for cleaning of the container and housing, or changed and replaced if the housing or diaphragm becomes damaged.

The housing may engage and disengage with the socket in a push-fit interference type engagement. Alternatively, the housing may engage and disengage with the socket in a push-twist bayonet type engagement.

When the housing is joined to the inner partition, the connection portion may engage with the connector of the inner partition in a snap-fit engagement, or alternatively in a screw-fit engagement.

The diaphragm will, in general have a peripheral rim. In one embodiment of the invention, this rim is compressed between the connection portion and the connector of the inner partition when the connection portion and the connector are screwed together.

The housing may be formed from a plastics material, including at least one gas and liquid impermeable barrier layer. The barrier layer is preferably provided in an inner surface of the housing defining the gas-tight enclosure, so that the barrier layer is not damaged by contact with the beverage or handling of the housing.

The diaphragm is preferably formed from an elastic material. The distensibility of the diaphragm may, however, be provided by a flexible but substantially inelastic material capable of moving towards and away from the valve seat under changes of the enclosed gas pressure. For example, the diaphragm may be made from an inelastic material formed with folds or corrugations. The diaphragm may then move either by unfolding or folding of folds, or by contracting or stretching of a corrugated structure. In either case, the substantially inelastic, but flexible, material may lengthen or shorten in one or more directions so that the diaphragm moves towards or away from the valve seat under changes of the enclosed gas pressure. It is therefore not necessary that the diaphragm be elastic, as long as it is flexibly distensible.

Preferably, when the diaphragm is formed from an elastic material, this material is a silicone material, a neoprene material or a latex material. The diaphragm, when distended outwards from the volume of gas, preferably forms a part-spherical shape, the valve seat being substantially annular and angled to make contact with this part-spherical shape.

The diaphragm may also be joined to the housing along a substantially circular border.

The container may, for example, be a baby's bottle, drinking cup/beaker or a disposable cup. In the case of a baby bottle, the diaphragm opens to allow a flow of baby milk once the temperature of the milk has fallen to 37° C.

If the beverage container is a disposable cup which has a removable lid, the flow control device may be part of the lid.

If the beverage container is a baby's bottle, the flow control device can be so arranged as to provide a separate unit that may be inserted into the beverage container. The valve seat may be provided by an internal partition that is retained by a retaining collar with feeding teat, a feeding beaker cap, a cup lid with drinking flow path or in fact any suitable means that, as a single component or plurality of components, will retain the internal partition whilst providing a flow path between the contents of the beverage container and the consumer. The invention is also applicable to, for example, feeding beakers and cups and bottles. The housing may be secureably attached to an inner surface of a base of the feeding beaker. The valve seat in a partition in turn provides a flow path between the contents of the beverage container and an outer lid having a teat for a baby or young child. Once again, the device may be so arranged as to be easily opened or disassembled to enable access to, and facilitate the cleaning of, internal components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a hand-held beverage dispensing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, which in this example is a baby feeding bottle having a container, cap and teat having a dispensing outlet;

Figure 2 shows, in cross-section, components the inside container forming a temperature sensitive valve mechanism for controlling the flow of a beverage from an internal volume of the container to the dispensing teat shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows, assembled and in cross-section, the baby feeding bottle of Figure 1 , and the operation of the temperature sensitive valve mechanism with a distensible diagram pressed into engagement with a valve seat by an increase of pressure in a heated gas held by a housing immersed in a hot beverage;

Figure 4 shows the assembly of the housing and distensible diaphragm used in the temperature sensitive valve mechanism of Figure 3;

Figures 5 and 6 show, in perspective and in cross-section an inner partition having an aperture and annular seal that form the valve seat;

Figure 7 shows in cross-section a view of a hand-held beverage dispensing device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, which in this example is a baby feeding bottle having a container, cap and teat having a dispensing outlet;

Figure 8 is a side view of a hand-held beverage dispensing device according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention, which in this example is a baby feeding bottle having a container, cap and teat having a dispensing outlet;

Figure 9 shows, in cross-section, components the inside container forming a temperature sensitive valve mechanism for controlling the flow of a beverage from an internal volume of the container to the dispensing teat shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an exploded view of the baby feeding bottle of Figure 9, showing an outer container, a housing capped by a removable diaphragm, an inner partition, a teat and a screw-on cap;

Figures 1 1 and 12 are, respectively, top and bottom views of the inner partition of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a perspective view from underneath of the inner partiti Figure 10; and Figures 14 and 15 are, respectively, enlarged views of a portion of the cross-section of Figure 9, showing in more detail the movement of the diaphragm with respect to a valve seat from, respectively, a closed orientation to an open orientation.

DETAILED DESCRI PTION With reference to the drawings, the first embodiment of a hand-held beverage dispensing device 1 shown in Figure 1 , which in this example is a baby feeding bottle, comprises a container main body 2, the container main body having an internal volume 4 for holding a quantity of a beverage 6, a dispensing outlet 8 through which the beverage can be consumed by a person drinking from the device, and also a temperature sensitive valve mechanism 10 for controlling the flow of beverage from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet. In this example, the dispensing outlet is provided by a teat 12 which is removeably engaged to a lid 14. Optionally, the teat of the baby feeding bottle is capped by a removable outer cover 15 which clips to a ledge 17 extending circumferentially around the lid 14.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the valve mechanism has a movable valve element in the form of a diaphragm 16, and also has a valve seat 18, and an actuating means 20 for driving the movement of the diaphragm 16 depending on the temperature of the beverage 6 held within the container main body 2. As shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6, the valve seat is provided around a circular aperture 22 in a partition 24 which together with a side wall 26 and base 28 of the container main body defines a beverage container having the internal volume 4.

The actuating means 20, distensible diaphragm 16 and valve seat 18 are configured such that, in use, the actuating means causes the diaphragm to expand and distend to engage with the valve seat 18 when the temperature of the beverage 6 is above a threshold temperature. This closes the valve and thereby either substantially restricts or fully stops the flow of the beverage from the internal volume 4 to the dispensing outlet 8.

The actuating means 20 comprises a housing 30 and an expandable volume of gas 32, which is here air. The housing is frustoconical in shape and is formed by a side wall 34 that lies on a truncated conical surface, and a circular base 36 which caps the side wall at a narrow end 38 of the housing 30 furthest from the valve mechanism. The housing side wall 34 and housing base 36 are of one-piece plastic construction, and include a barrier layer 40 coated on an inner surface 42 of the housing to prevent liquid ingress or gas exchange through the material of the housing 30.

The thickness of the housing side wall 34 and base 36 are kept to a minimum to maximise the thermal conductivity of the housing 30.

Although the barrier layer 40 is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, this layer may be considerably thinner than the housing side wall and base. The barrier layer may be a very thin layer of highly cross-linked polymer, for example a PTFE layer. The housing 30 may be formed from a relatively impermeable but strong plastic material, such as injection moulded polypropylene. Other components such as the partition 24 and outer container 2 may also be made from polypropylene.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the diaphragm 16 is joined to the housing 30 at a lip 44 at a wide end 46 of the housing, opposite the base 36 and nearest the valve mechanism 10 to form a gas-tight enclosure 48 which contains the volume of gas 32. The diaphragm has a profile, in this example circular, which matches the shape of the lip. The diaphragm 16 may be joined to the lip 44 by gluing, ultrasonic welding, or by any other suitable means. The partition 24 sits on an annular upper edge 52 of the container main body 2. The partition is clamped to the container upper edge by the lid 14 which has an inner thread 56 that screws onto a matching outer thread 58 of the container 2, so that the lid 14 can be screwed to, and unscrewed from, the container 2. This forms an annular outer seal around the top of the internal volume 4.

In use, the lid 14 and partition 24 are removed from the container main body 2, first by unscrewing the lid, and then inverting the container to let the partition drop out. Optionally, the partition may be provided with a grip feature (not shown) so that this can be pulled out without having to insert a finger into the partition aperture 22, which could potentially damage the diaphragm 16. The housing 30 is removeably seated and accurately positioned within the container volume 4 by a cup-shaped recess 68 in the container base 28. The housing is press-fitted into the recess and is held in place by a friction fit, until it is time to remove the housing for cleaning. The recess has height 70 above an interior surface 62 of the container base which is greater than a gap 72 between the housing lip 44 and an interior lower surface 64 of the partition, such that if the housing does become loose during use, the diaphragm will still be held in place proximate the valve seat 18. This is a failsafe feature because any decrease in the separation between the diaphragm and the valve seat will tend to cause the valve mechanism 10 to close at a lower temperature.

With the lid 14 unscrewed, the partition 24 removed, and the housing 30 in place, a hot or warm beverage 6 can then be poured into the container, at least partially filling the internal volume 4. The partition 24 is then dropped in place and the lid screwed on.

At ambient room temperature, about 20° C, the diaphragm is flat, as illustrated in Figure 2. Heat 50 is then conducted from the warm or hot beverage 6 to heat up the gas 32 inside the enclosure 48. If the gas is not air, then this can be any inert or safe gas, for example dry nitrogen gas. The gas pressure will tend to increase and the gas volume will expand, according to the equation PV = nRT. The housing is essentially rigid as compared with the distensibility of the diaphragm. The diaphragm does not present much resistance to the gas expansion and so the pressure inside the enclosure remains near ambient. The main change is therefore a change in volume, which is approximately directly proportional to temperature on the Kelvin scale. A temperate change of around 30 degrees around room temperature will therefore cause the gas volume to expand by about 10%. In the case of a baby bottle, the valve mechanism will be designed to operate at around body temperature, i.e. about 37° C or about 17° C above ambient room temperature, therefore resulting in about 5½% expansion of gas volume. The volume of the housing 30 will be selected so that this percentage volume change is sufficient to seal the valve seat. One reason the housing is tapered is to reduce the total gas volume while keeping the valve size large enough to permit adequate flow when open.

In all embodiments of the invention, different housings can be designed to close the valve at different temperatures. Optionally, each housing can be marked with the set temperature at which the valve will close.

Both the diaphragm and valve seat 18 are preferably made from an elastic silicone material. As shown in Figure 6, the valve seat 18 is a tapered surface on a ring shaped valve member 75. The taper of the valve seat 18 approximately matches the curve of the distended diaphragm so that a good seal can be made around the aperture 22 in the partition 24. The ring shaped member has a radially outwards facing slot 82 into which an edge portion 84 of the partition surrounding the aperture 22 is engaged. If the beverage contained within the container 2 is at a temperature above the preset temperature for the valve mechanism 10, the gas 32 will expand to close the valve and closing the flow path through the partition, thereby preventing the flow of beverage from the container to the outlet 8. Once the temperature of the beverage contained within the container 2 has fallen below the pre-set temperature, the valve mechanism 10 opens, enabling the flow of beverage from the container 2 through the valve mechanism to the consumer of the beverage.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a hand-held beverage dispensing device 101 , in which the same components or features are indicated using the same reference numerals, and in which similar or analogous features are indicated using reference numerals incremented by 100.

This embodiment 101 is also a baby feeding bottle, and has a beverage container formed by a container main body 102 and an inner partition 124, but differs from the first embodiment 1 as follows. The container main body 102 does not have a recess 68 or any other feature to engage with the housing 130. Instead, the housing is secured to the partition 124. As in the first embodiment, the partition 124 sits on an annular end surface 52 that extends around a circular upper edge of the container main body 102. The partition includes on a lower, inner surface 164 a plurality of downwardly extending clips 60 spaced around the periphery of the top end 146 of the housing. In this example there are four clips 60, but there could be three clips or five or more, as long as the arrangement holds the housing 130 in place relative to the aperture 122 and valve seat 18, and as long as there are gaps between the clips to allow a flow of liquid to the valve seat. Each clip 60 has on a radially inward side a tapered ramp surface 63 leading to a recess 65 into which the top lip 144 of the housing snaps as the housing and partition 124 are pressed together, prior to seating of the partition on the annular ledge 52. The housing may also be removed from the partition by pulling the housing away from the partition so that the top lip 144 snaps out of engagement with the clips 60. The partition and clips are preferably a one-piece moulding in a flexible, resilient plastics material, so that the clips can bend radially inwards and outwards as the housing is snapped into engagement with the clips prior to use, and out of engagement with the clips after use when it is time to clean the internal components of the beverage dispensing device 101 .

This embodiment also differs in that the housing 130 has two oppositely directed frustoconical sections joined at a waist 66, which preferably lies in the upper portion of the housing, i.e. the portion nearest the diaphragm 1 16. This has the effect of increasing the surface area of the housing in contact with liquid 106 inside the container main body 102 when this is upright. This, and the fact the liquid will mostly be in the lower portion of the container most of the time, will increase the rate of heat flow 150 from the liquid into the air chamber 132, thereby increasing the responsiveness of the movement of the diaphragm 1 16 when the temperature of the liquid 106 changes.

A further benefit of assembling the housing 130 and partition 124 to form a subassembly is that this allows the internal surfaces of the container 102 to be kept smooth and therefore makes the container easier to clean.

Figures 8 to 15 show various views of a third embodiment of a hand-held beverage dispensing device 201 , which is again a baby feeding bottle. Components or features similar or analogous to features of the second embodiment are indicated using reference numerals incremented by 100. The third embodiment 201 is similar to the second embodiment 101 in that a housing 230 containing expandable air 232 is connected to an internal partition 224, which is removeably fitted to an upper annular edge 152 of a container main body 202. The container main body and internal partition together define a beverage container with an internal volume 204 for holding a beverage 206.

As in the first and second embodiments, the partition 224 sits on an annular end surface 152 that extends around a circular upper edge of the container main body 202. The partition includes on a lower, inner surface 264 a connector in the form of a central socket 260 with an internal thread 74, into which is screwed the top lip 244 of the housing, which has a matching external thread 76, forming a connection portion of the housing. The arrangement differs from the second embodiment mainly in that the diaphragm 216 is a separate component from the housing 230, i.e. is not permanently joined to the housing. As shown in the enlarged views of Figures 14 and 15, the diaphragm has an outer edge 77 with a downwardly directed lip 78. The outer edge 77 is seated on the top lip 244 of the housing with the lip 78 extending downwards towards the threads 76, thereby serving to centralize the diaphragm on the top lip 244 of the housing. When the housing is screwed to the socket 260, the edge of the diaphragm is compressed between the top lip 244 of the housing and an annular surface 79 inside the socket. To make a good seal for the air 232 inside the housing 230, the the top lip 244 of the housing has a ring-like ridge 81 extending fully around its periphery, and the annular surface 79 of the socket has a corresponding ring-like groove 82. The diaphragm edge 77 is compressed into the groove 82 and over the ridge 81 thereby making the join between the housing 230 and diaphragm 216 airtight.

Between the socket 260 and the inner surface 264 of the inner partition 224 there needs to be at least one channel or port 80 that provides a flow path for beverage 206 to an aperture 122 in the inner partition. In this example, there are two such channels or ports 80, provided on opposite sides of the socket 260.

To help locate the inner partition 224 accurately on the container upper edge 152, the partition has at an outer periphery a cylindrical flange 85 that extends downwardly with respect to the partition inner surface 264. This flange 85 is seated inside the container upper edge 152 against a cylindrical inner surface 87 of the container 202. The flange 85 has on opposite sides two portions 88 that extend downwardly by less than the remainder of the flange. The reduced portions 88 serve no function in the assembled baby bottle, but are a necessary feature in an injection moulding process in which the inner partition 224 is produced. In this process, a pair of movable projections are initially inserted into the mould to create the form for the channels or ports 80. The projections also create the reduced portions 88, through which the projections are withdrawn after the plastic material has been injected into the mould.

As in the first and second embodiments, the housing 230 may be formed from a relatively impermeable but strong plastic material, such as injection moulded polypropylene. Other components such as the partition 224 and outer container 202 may also be made from polypropylene.

As shown in Figure 14, when the air 232 inside the housing 230 is expanded, this causes the diaphragm 216 to expand and press against the valve seat 1 18, thereby closing the aperture 122 through the inner partition 224.

In this embodiment, only the diaphragm 216 is made from an elastic silicone material, and the valve seat 1 18 is a relatively rigid plastic material. This makes the valve seat easier to clean. As shown in Figure 6, the valve seat 1 18 is a tapered surface on a ring shaped aperture 122 in the inner partition 224. The taper of the valve seat approximately matches the curve of the distended diaphragm so that a good seal can be made around the aperture in the partition. As shown in Figure 15, when the temperature is below a predetermined temperature, for example 37° C, then the air 232 has contracted, allowing the diaphragm to separate from the valve seat, following which beverage 206 inside the container 202 can flow through the inner partition aperture towards the teat outlet 108.

As in the first two embodiments 1 , 101 , the third embodiment 201 therefore has a temperature sensitive valve mechanism for controlling the flow of the beverage 206 from the internal volume 204 to the dispensing outlet 108. This mechanism has a movable valve element in the form of the diaphragm 216, the fixed valve seat 1 18, and an actuating means 220 in the form of the housing 230 and contained volume of gas 232 for driving the movement of the diaphragm depending on the temperature of the beverage held within the container 202.

When disassembled, as shown in Figure 10, all the components of the baby bottle 201 can be cleaned, including both sides of the diaphragm 216 and the inside of the housing 230. Because the housing is separable from the diaphragm, there is no need to provide a gas and liquid impermeable barrier layer, which simplifies construction of the housing.

The arrangements described above may be used not just with baby-feeding bottles, but also with a range of drinking implements, for example a drinking beaker or a disposable beverage container. The invention therefore provides a practical hand-held beverage dispensing device which controls the flow of a beverage from the container according to the temperate of the beverage being dispensed.

Claims

1 . A hand-held beverage dispensing device, comprising:

a container, the container having an internal volume for holding a quantity of a beverage;

2. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the diaphragm is removeably joined to the housing.

3. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the container has at least one side wall, the housing being held to an internal surface of the container such that the housing is separated from said side wall.

4. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is removeably attached to an internal surface of the container.

5. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container comprises an inner partition, the inner partition separating said internal volume from the dispensing outlet, the valve seat being provided in the inner partition such that when the valve is closed the inner partition prevents beverage from flowing from the internal volume to the dispensing outlet.

6. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in Claim 5, in which the housing has a connection portion and the inner partition has a connector for receiving the connection portion of the housing, the connection portion of the housing being removeably attached to the connector of the inner partition.

7. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in Claim 6, when dependent from Claim 2, in which the diaphragm when joined to the housing is held in place along a join between the connection portion of the housing and the connector of the inner partition.

8. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the connection portion engages with the connector of the inner partition in a snap-fit engagement.

9. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, in which the connection portion engages with the connector of the inner partition in a screw-fit engagement.

10. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in Claim 9, in which the diaphragm has a peripheral rim, said rim being compressed between the connection portion and the connector of the inner partition when the connection portion and said connector are screwed together.

1 1 . A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 10, in which the inner partition has at least one flow channel for conveying said beverage from said internal volume to the valve seat, said flow channel being blocked by the diaphragm when the diaphragm moves to engage with the valve seat.

12. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the container has a base, at least one side wall extending upwards from the base, the housing being held to the base and extending upwards from said base towards the diaphragm.

13. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is elongate, the diaphragm being situated at a first end of the housing and the housing having a waist between said diaphragm and a second end of the housing further from the diaphragm.

14. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the diaphragm is formed from an elastic material.

15. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in Claim 14, in which said elastic material is a silicone material, a neoprene material or a latex material.

16. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the diaphragm, when distended outwards from the volume of gas forms a part-spherical shape, the valve seat being substantially annular and angled to make contact with said part-spherical shape.

17. A hand-held beverage dispensing device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the diaphragm is joined to the housing along a substantially circular border.