ES2316031T3 - BIBERON UNDERSTANDING A SIDE VENTILATION DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle (1) has a container with a lateral skirt (4), a base (7) and a neck (5). A nipple (18) is locked on the neck. A valve (26) is mounted in an orifice (17) arranged in the skirt and has an elastically deformable part. The valve has a peripheral groove in which an edge of the orifice is inserted in a tight manner in usage positions of the valve. An air inlet opening crosses the valve in a central zone which permits air from the exterior to the interior of the container in active position and avoids passage of liquid from the interior towards the exterior in rest position of the valve.

Description

Baby bottle comprising a device lateral ventilation

The present invention relates to a bottle comprising a lateral ventilation device.

Typically, a bottle comprises a generally cylindrical container on which a teat.

The infant, who is given the bottle, aspirate the liquid contained in the bottle. It then creates a Air vacuum in the bottle. To overcome flow resistance created by this vacuum of air, the infant is obliged to aspire the liquid more strongly and generally absorbs air and gets tired uselessly. However, air absorption can cause particular colic to the infant.

Different devices are already known ventilation that allows the entry of air inside the feeding bottle.

Some of these devices are willing on the nipple or on an element arranged between the nipple and the container, such as a ring. However, in certain applications, the bottle is designed to be single use (in particular in the maternity) and, for this, the nipple is nestled tightly and not removably over the container. Do not It is then possible to provide ventilation devices on the  nipple or between it and the container.

Other types of devices are planned on the bottom of the container. These devices suffer from several drawbacks: they are difficult to assemble, but they are also delicate to be handled by the person administering the bottle at infant, for the same fact of its positioning on the background.

In addition, most known devices they use numerous pieces, which makes their assembly delicate, increases their Cost and difficulty of cleaning. In addition, they do not allow a control Easy manual of the air flow entering the bottle. Now well, a too fast flow of the liquid contained in the bottle It may also have undesirable effects on the infant

On the other hand, US document No. 1,999,619 describes a bottle whose side skirt of the container comprises a hole in which a ventilation device is arranged constituted by a valve. This valve, made of rubber flexible, it has a harpoon shaped part arranged in the inside the container, and a saucer shaped part arranged on the outside of the container. The saucer-shaped part ensures  the valve clamp and has a radial opening. These two parts are joined by a joint shaft that crosses the hole in the side skirt of the container.

In the valve rest position, the part in Harpoon shape ensures a tight contact with the side skirt. To effect a ventilation of the bottle tank, the user must exert pressure on the valve, which has the effect take off the harpoon-shaped part of the inner wall of the side skirt Thus, an air passage is created: indeed, the air outside, at atmospheric pressure, it can reach inside the Cuba moving through the radial opening in the saucer shaped part of the valve and then through the hole made in the lateral skirt, and then between the side skirt and the end of the harpoon-shaped part.

This ventilation device suffers from a certain number of inconveniences.

First, so that the air can penetrate in the container, it is necessary to cause a significant deformation of the valve so that the harpoon-shaped part can peel off of the lateral skirt. This can be difficult for the person. holding the bottle, which is in a position that it makes it difficult to exert sufficient effort on the valve. In addition, due to successive major deformations of the valve, there is a risk that the valve will end by not return perfectly to the rest position, that is to say that the part Harpoon-shaped not perfectly in contact with the skirt side. This can lead to a loss of tightness, which, It is obviously not desirable.

In addition, the path of outside air to the inside the container is winding and therefore results relatively long and contrary to the successive changes of address. For the bottle user, this translates into the need to exert prolonged pressure on the valve, which is difficult

The present invention seeks to remedy the inconveniences mentioned above, proposing a bottle comprising an improved ventilation device, and in Particular easier to handle.

To this end, the invention relates to a bottle comprising:

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a vessel that has a side skirt, a bottom and a neck that defines an opening;

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a teat nestled tightly over the neck;

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a ventilation device comprising a valve mounted on a hole in the side skirt of the container and that It comprises at least one part that can be deformed elastically, when a user puts pressure on the valve, between a rest position and a position activated

According to a general definition of the invention, the valve comprises:

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a peripheral groove in which the edge of the hole is inserted from waterproof way in all positions of use of the valve;

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for the minus an air inlet opening that crosses the valve in its central area, said opening being elastically deformed when a user puts pressure on the valve so that, in activated valve position, the opening allows entry of air from the outside to the inside of the container and that, in the rest position of the valve, the opening prevents the passage of liquid from the inside to the outside of the container.

Thanks to the peripheral slot that receives the edge of the hole, excellent sealing of the bottle, in all valve use positions, that is, in rest position, in activated position (when the valve is deformed), and in all intermediate positions. Since the slot does not detach from the side skirt, risks are avoided loss of tightness due to imperfect return to the position of repose.

On the other hand, the deformation of the valve by the user leads to deformation of the opening made in the valve, thus creating an air passage. The air inlet in the bottle is therefore not made between the edge of the hole and the peripheral zone of the valve, but in the central zone of the valve (as opposed to the peripheral area that presents the groove). So, it is possible to perform a direct air routing, which should not undergo any successive change of address.

Advantageously, in the mounted position of the valve, the air inlet opening extends substantially radially, in relation to the container, between the interior and the outside of the container Therefore, the air path is substantially linear and unimpeded, which makes it easy for a user to let air into the bottle, without having to exert too strong or too much pressure prolonged on the valve.

According to a possible embodiment, in resting position of the valve, the opening presents, in section transverse, substantially the shape of an open cone towards the outside the container and, in the activated position of the valve, the opening forms a channel that communicates the interior and exterior of the container. The term "cross section" is used with reference to the opening.

For example, the opening has a shape substantially rectangular when the valve is mounted on the container and when viewed in a radial direction to container.

The hole in the lateral skirt of the container and the valve can be substantially Circular

Advantageously, the valve comprises N openings air intake substantially regularly separated ones of others angularly, N being between 2 and 5. The fact of providing several openings makes it easy to facilitate the entry of air, even when the user does not exert any centered pressure over the valve, and on the other hand make the equalization of pressure between the inside and outside of the container. By example, N can be equal to 3.

According to a possible embodiment, the valve comprises a groove open to the outside of the container, in mounted position, which defines a central part in highlight that it forms a valve actuation zone, being the air inlet openings (s) practiced in the groove bottom.

The side skirt of the container can present a part back, in which the orifice, the valve being substantially arranged not to protrude beyond the envelope of the side skirt. So, unwanted drive of the ventilation device is avoided, and this one is protected, in particular from shocks.

On the other hand, the bottom and the side skirt of the container are preferably two different pieces. This configuration allows easy mounting of the valve, by the inside the container, before placing the bottom.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the bottom is screwed onto the side skirt and comprises a lip waterproof that cooperates with the side skirt. You get a Very good tightness without using an applied joint.

As a variant, the bottom can be mounted on the inside the side skirt and held in place by coupling means practiced on its periphery and cooperating with the inner side of the side skirt.

It will now be described, by way of example no limiting, a possible embodiment of the invention, making  Reference to the attached figures:

Figure 1 is a perspective view exploded of the different constituent elements of the bottle according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section view of the bottle of figure 1, in assembled position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view according to the line III-III of figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are views of the valve according to the invention, in perspective and elevation respectively; Y

Figures 6 and 7 are representations raised from the valve, seen according to the section of figure 3, in rest position and in activated position respectively.

As illustrated in the figures, a bottle 1 it first comprises a container 2 in general cylindrical axis 3, made for example by injection of a plastic material. The side skirt 4 of the container 2 has two open ends, of which one forms a neck 5, provided on its outer face of a first and a second weatherstrip annular 6a, 6b, and of which the other is sealed by a element that forms a fund 7. Fund 7, initially different from the side skirt 4, is associated with it to constitute the container 2. This allows to realize the lateral skirt with the help of a very simple mold, which does not comprise any bottom.

The bottom 7 comprises a transverse wall 8, in disk shape, which has a cavity 9 in its center substantially cylindrical, open towards the inside of bottle 1 in bottom mounted position 7. Cavity 9 is presented as a hole located in the transverse wall 8.

The bottom 7 also includes a wall substantially cylindrical peripheral 10, of the same axis as the wall  transverse 8, and extending to both sides of the plane formed by the transverse wall 8. The peripheral wall 10 forms by a side a few feet 11 extending from the transverse wall 8 in the same sense as cavity 9. These feet 11, for example three, ensure the stability of bottle 1 when it is placed vertically on the bottom 7. On the other hand, the peripheral wall 10 has an internal thread 12, located on the other side side of the plane formed by the transverse wall 8 in relation to the 11 feet.

Finally, the bottom 7 comprises a lip of annular seal 13, which protrudes from the transverse wall 8 on the opposite side of the feet 11, in the vicinity of the wall peripheral 10.

The bottom 7 is placed by screwing on the container 2, outside it. To do this, on the side of the bottom 7, the side skirt 4 has an external thread 14 and a annular weatherstrip 15 which, if necessary, limits the screwed down the bottom 7. In the mounted position, the lip of tightness 13 cooperates with the inner side of the side skirt 4 (figure 2), ensuring perfect sealing of the bottle 1 without it being necessary to resort to an applied meeting, with the associated inconveniences (a supplementary piece to assemble, for wash, etc.)

The side skirt 4 has at least one part 16 back relative to the envelope substantially cylindrical of the container 2, and in this case two parts back substantially diametrically opposed. Each part back 16 extends longitudinally at a height greater than two thirds of the total height of container 2, at a distance from ends of the side skirt 4. These parts back 16 facilitate the grip of bottle 1 by a user. A hole 17 circular, of diameter of the order of 1 to 1.5 cm, is practiced in the side skirt 4 of the container 2, in each part 16 towards behind, near the bottom 7 and above the weatherstrip 15. The container 2 thus comprises two holes 17 substantially diametrically opposed.

The bottle 1 also includes a nipple 18 made of rubber, which has a groove 19 on its inner face intended to cooperate with the ring seal 6a of neck 5 of the container 2, for the tight interlocking of the nipple 18 (without no clamping joint). In mounted position (figure 2), the nipple 18 also rests on the weatherstrip 6b. As illustrated in the Figure 1, the teat 18 presents the shape of a daisy of several petals 20 (in this case six petals).

According to a first embodiment, the nipple 18 can be removed from container 2 to allow cleaning and bottle filling 1.

According to a second embodiment, the nipple 18 is immovably locked on the container 2. In In this case, it is possible to remove the teat 18 from the container 2 acting on a petal 20, but this leads to tearing of the nipple 18, along at least one line that comes from a notch 21 located between two adjacent petals 20. This arrangement allows make a bottle 1 for single use. In this case, it is possible to provide also that the bottom 7 be assembled to the container 2 so immovable, and not by screwing. For example, fund 7 can comprise an annular weatherstrip that cooperates with a groove corresponding practiced on the lateral skirt and / or small projections, arranged like fish bones, that penetrate the side skirt material. So, once assembled to the side skirt, the bottom cannot be removed without deteriorating the container.

The bottle 1 can also comprise a lid protective fitting 22 suitable to be removably associated with container 2, covering the teat 18. This protective cap 22 is can hold on the nipple 18 thanks to pivots 23 that form radially protruding outward from the nipple (figure one). In addition, you can comprise at least one vent 29 to Avoid the windy effect. The end face 24 of the protective cap 22 advantageously presents the shape of a flat disk, surrounded by a substantially conical peripheral wall 25 whose dimensions are adapted to those of cavity 9 practiced in the bottom 7. Thus, the assembled assembly constituted by the container 2, by the nipple 18 and the lid 22 can be turned over and the lid 22 can be turned insert partially into cavity 9. This inverse position is stable, and allows in particular the filling of bottle 1 by the open end of the side skirt 4 opposite the nipple 18.

Finally, bottle 1 comprises a ventilation device, comprising a valve 26 mounted on hole 17 or each hole 17 made in the side skirt 4 of the container 2.

The valve 26, illustrated more particularly in Figures 3 to 7, has a circular shape and, for example, is made of silicone. It comprises a peripheral zone 27, in the form of ring, in which an open peripheral groove 28 is made at the edge of the valve 26. The peripheral zone 27 delimits a central area in which a groove 30 is practiced globally circular, open on a disc-shaped face of the valve 26, face that is located on the outside of the container 2 in mounted position. Slot 30 thus defines a central part in highlight 31, forming an actuation zone of the valve 26. In the embodiment represented, the central part 31 presents the shape of a Y, but other geometries are possible (T shape, cylinder, etc.)

As illustrated in Figure 3, the valve 26 is mounted in hole 17 of container 2, the edge being of the hole 17 inserted in the peripheral groove 28 so waterproof, thus preventing the passage of air in particular between valve 2 and the edge of hole 17. In the mounted position, slot 30 opens outwards from the container. Besides, the valve 26 does not protrude beyond the envelope of the side skirt 4. Thus, valve 26 is protected against crashes and cannot be triggered inadvertently. Another advantage of this arrangement is that the actuation of the valve 26 by a finger (particularly the thumb) is natural since the fingers of the user who administers the bottle to an infant are generally arranged in a back 16 part of the skirt side 4. Advantageously, placing the valve 26 in the side skirt 4 is carried out while bottom 7 is not mounted yet. This placement is therefore very simplified

Air intake openings 32 in the valve 26 are practiced at the bottom of the groove 30. These openings 32 are in this case three, angularly separated 120 °, and arranged in the proximity of each end of the central part 31 Y-shaped. The openings 32 pass through the valve 26 from part a part, from the inside to the outside of the container 2, substantially orthogonal to axis 3 of container 2. They have, in elevation view (figure 5) a substantially shaped rectangular.

The operation of the ventilation device It is as follows:

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in resting position (figure 6), when no action is taken on the valve 26, each opening 32 has, in section transverse, the shape of an orthogonal axis cone to axis 3 of the container 2 and open to the outside of container 2. Thus, the openings 32 prevent the passage of the liquid contained in the container 2 outwards. Hole 17 is therefore sealed from watertight way;

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in activated position (figure 7), when a user has pressed on the central part 31 according to arrow F, has caused the deformation elastic valve 26, which has sunk slightly inside of the container 2 while its inner face 33 is bulged. The openings 32 have then taken the form of a channel that communicates the inside and outside of the container 2, as is Illustrated by double arrow. This therefore allows the air inlet in container 2, compensating for depression produced by the sucking of the infant, knowing that it is not possible no air intake at the level of the nipple 18 since this is  inserted tightly over the container 2.

The main advantages of the invention are the following:

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Improved ergonomics and ease of maneuver, and the user who manages the bottle can hold it and operate valve 26 with one hand. This is facilitated because the hole 17 is made in the side skirt 4 in the proximity of the bottom 7. In effect, the user can operate the valve by simple finger pressure, without having to adopt a particular position, different from what you are used to. In addition, the positioning of the hole 17 in the vicinity of the background avoids the risks of liquid leakage contained in the container 2 when bottle 1 is turned over to be administered to an infant;

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air inlet flow control by the user, not opening the valve alone depending on a pressure difference between inside and outside of container;

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ease of assembly due to the further placement of the bottom in the lateral skirt;

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structural simplicity and number reduced parts, so a reduced cost, which allows adapt these ventilation devices on bottles of use and dispose of a single use;

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at case of a bottle that can be reused, a first advantage it is derived from the fact that you have a small number of pieces and no fragile joint and conducive to pollution. Thus, cleaning is easier and the bottle more hygienic. A second advantage is that the open ends of the side skirt They are large in diameter, which facilitates filling and Cleaning.

It is clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example, but instead covers all variants of realization.

Claims (10)

1. Baby bottle comprising:

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a container (2) presenting a side skirt (4), a bottom (7) and a neck (5) defining an opening;

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a teat (18) nailed tightly over the neck (5);

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a ventilation device comprising a valve (26) mounted on a hole (17) made in the side skirt (4) of the container and comprising at least one part that can be elastically deform when a user puts pressure on the valve (26), between a rest position and a position activated;

characterized in that the valve (26) comprises:

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a peripheral groove (28) in which the edge of the hole (17) is inserted tightly in all positions of use of the valve (26);

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for the minus an air inlet opening (32) that passes through the valve (26) in its central area, said opening (32) being able to be elastically deformed when a user puts pressure on the valve (26) so that, in the activated position of the valve (26), the opening (32) allows the entry of air from the outside into the container (2) and that, in the rest position of the valve (26), the opening (32) prevents the passage of liquid from the inside out of the container (2).

2. Bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the mounted position of the valve (26), the air inlet opening (32) extends substantially radially relative to the container (2), between the inside and outside of the container (2). 3. Bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in the rest position of the valve (26), the opening (32) has a cross-section, substantially the shape of an open cone towards the outside of the container (2) and because, in the activated position of the valve (26), the opening (32) forms a channel that communicates the inside and outside of the container (2). Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the opening (32) has a substantially rectangular shape when the valve (26) is mounted on the container (2) and when viewed in a radial direction to the container (2) ). Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hole (17) made in the side skirt (4) of the container (2) and the valve (26) are substantially circular. Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the valve (26) comprises N air inlet openings (32) substantially separated from each other angularly, N being between 2 and 5. Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the valve (26) comprises a groove (30) open towards the outside of the container (2), in mounted position, which defines a central part (31) in protrusion that it forms an actuation zone of the valve (26), the air inlet opening (s) (32) being made at the bottom of the groove (30). Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the side skirt (4) of the container (2) has a part (16) towards the back in which the hole (17) is made, the valve (26) being substantially arranged not to protrude beyond the envelope of the side skirt (4). Bottle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bottom (7) and the side skirt (4) of the container (2) are two different pieces. A bottle according to claim 9, characterized in that the bottom (7) is screwed onto the side skirt (4) and that it comprises a sealing lip (13) that cooperates with the side skirt (4).