WO1997009956A1

WO1997009956A1 - Baby feeding bottle

Info

Publication number: WO1997009956A1
Application number: PCT/NO1995/000162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fred Callisen; Flemming Schou Jensen; Ragnar Grant Stene; Ulf Syversen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-12
Filing date: 1995-09-12
Publication date: 1997-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1998-03-12
Also published as: AU3535395A

Abstract

Baby feeding bottle for sterile storage and drinking of liquid nutrition, especially for infants, comprising a nipple (22) designed to be pressed into an inverted position in the bottle (21) and tightly fitted cap (23A, 23B) in the inverted position during storage, and to pop out in user position for drinking after the cap is opened, and means (25) for filling of the liquid nutrition into the bottle before storage. The capping of the nipple (22) in inverted position is obtained by a sealing, closure element (23A, 23B) designed so that, after opening, it is no longer fit to be used for new closing. Filling of liquid nutrition is adapted to occur at the opposite end (25) of the bottle (21) in relation to the nipple (22), and said means (25) for filling is designed to be permanent and leakproof sealed after the filling.

Description

BABY FEEDING BOTTLE

This invention relates to a baby feeding bottle for sterile storage and drinking of liquid nutrition, especially for infants, comprising a nipple arranged to be pressed into an inside-out position into the bottle and tightly sealed in the inside-out position during storage and to pop out into a user position for drinking after the εeal is broken, and means for filling of the liquid nutrition into the bottle before storage. Typeε of liquid nutrition that may be of intereεt in thiε connection are, for example, mother's milk, mother's milk substituteε in liquid, ready drinkable form, fruit juiceε, εoft drinks, and εo forth. As known, it is of great importance that such baby bottleε, with their contentε, make it possible in practical use to guarantee sterile conditionε during filling, εtorage, transport and usage of the baby bottle, for the moment when the contentε εhall be drunk. Theεe precautions are, of course, very important regarding liquid nutrition for infants or small children. Previously known constructions of baby bottles and the like have deficiencies, in that they, to an unsatisfactory degree, fulfill a need for sterile storage and drinking and, at the same time, have other factors which alεo appear un¬ favorable. These include, among other things, high costε for each baby bottle unit and poor practical handling and packag¬ ing ability for εtorage and tranεport. These deficiencies and inconveniences show that known constructions do not give optimal solutions.

This invention takes into consideration the special problem of the posεibility of reuse of the baby bottle once the contents. ave been consumed, whereas the manufacturer's intention is that the bottle shall be used only once. In other words, the invention is aiming for baby bottleε that shall be delivered with their finiεhed contents in sterile condition and with such packaging or seals that the sterile condition is secured up to the moment the bottle is opened for use. Under many conditions, great risks can be involv- ed, among them contagion and disease if such one-time baby bottles are reused, especially where infants are concerned. A long series of suggested constructions of baby bot¬ tles, that to a greater or lesser degree aims at solving the problems mentioned above, is previously known and a represen¬ tative known construction is described in US Patent 3.219.221. The solution, according to the US patent, can basically be said to equal what is mentioned in the intro¬ ductory paragraph above. This previous solution, however, has, among others, the deficiency that repeated use can easily occur.

In light of the above discussion, it is therefore a primary goal with this invention to create a baby bottle which inhibits repeated usage after the initial use. Other purposes with the invention are to make possible a production with low unit costs and, where liquid contents can be filled in a sterile manner with additional sterile storage for a shorter or longer time. It is also a purpose to create a baby bottle for convenient practical handling and use as well as convenient packaging for storage and transport.

The new and unique features of the baby feeding bottle according to the invention consist first of all, in that the sealing of the nipple in an in-out inverted position is provided for a tight-fitting closure element which ensures that, after opening, it no longer can be resealed, that filling of liquid nutrition is adapted to occur at the oppo¬ site end of the bottle in relation to the nipple, and that said filling means assures permanent and non-leaking seals after filling. The here-mentioned solution takes care of the security in connection with the nipple as well as the problem of the possibility of filling with new liquid nutrition after the first use. Thereby, this baby bottle or liquid container, is well suited for sterile storage of liquid nutrition and, for that sake, also other beverages or liquids within a wide field of uses such as retail sales, pharmaceuticals and as emergency supplies in crisis situations and other areas of use. The invention shall, in the following, be explained further with reference to the drawings which, being partly simplified and schematic, illustrate various examplary embodiments of the baby bottle according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows in longitudinal section a first construction of the baby bottle, fig. 2 shows another construction which is a modification of that shown in fig. 1, fig. 3 illustrates a form of filling of liquid nutrition in a baby bottle in accordance with fig. 1, fig. 4 illustrates in elevation a reverse view (as fig. 3) of a third solution with a special form of closing after filling, fig. 5 shows the baby bottle in fig. 4 seen from above, fig. 6 shows a composite of baby bottles based on the first embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, fig. 7 shows another way to group the baby bottles shown in fig. 1 for collective or uniform transport or εtorage, fig. 8-11 show a further embodiment of the baby bottle in accordance with the invention in a sealed condition and in user position, respectively the nipple it¬ self being shown separately in each of the two positions. The baby feeding bottle, or the actual liquid container 1 in fig. 1, is preferably formed of one single piece of material and has a bottom 10, side walls that preferably can be recessed in the midsection 9 and is, in the upper part, rounded off at the top of the bottle as shown at 8. The recessed area 9, serves to improve the gripping ability, especially for children who shall use the baby bottle, and the same part is equipped with stabilizing ridges 11, which can easily be applied during the production process with molding, blowing or other techniques. It can be advantageous for the bottle bottom 10 to have a greater material thickness that elsewhere.

On the top, the bottle 1 is equipped with a plastic disc 4 , protruding somewhat out beyond the circumference of the bottle itself on the upper part. Centrally, in the disc 4, there is a hole 7 for a nipple 2 that, with fully drawn line in fig. 1, is shown in its recessed position pushed in or down into the bottle l. In this position and before or after filling of the liquid nutrition in the bottle 1, the bottle and the nipple on the top are sealed by aid of a sealing tape or foil 3 that lies tightly fitted on the surface of disc 4.

The bottle l can be composed of plastic material like polyethylene, polypropylene or PVC, alternatively, aluminum or paper carton. Other materials could also be feasible in connection with the production methods above. The nipple 2 is composed of an elastic material like, for example, sili¬ con, synthetic rubber (elastomer) , natural rubber or some other suitable material. With a suitable choice of material and design of the nipple , by opening or breaking of the seal represented by the sealing tape 3, it will easily be led out to the user position as shown by 2• . This repositioning of the nipple 2 will occur as a result of its own inclination to fold itself out of the bottle as a result of the elas- ticity and the design of the material in the nipple itself together with the internal higher pressure in the bottle.

When the sealing tape 3 is removed to release the seal and open for the nipple 2 so that it can come out to the user position 2', the sealing tape 3 will no longer be fit for use for a new closing of the opening 7 in the disc 4 with the nipple 2 pushed into the reverse position. This characte¬ ristic of the sealing tape 3 can, of course, easily be ob¬ tained, for example, by it no longer having a gluing capacity left. At this point, attention should be drawn to fig. 3 where the bottle 1 C is placed in reverse position in relation to fig. 1 (and fig. 2) , this is, with disc 4 and sealing tape turned downwards. As a result of the plane design of the disc 4, the bottle 1 C as well as the bottle 1 in fig. 1 and the bottle 1 B in fig. 2 stands on its head without any tendency to tip over. Among othtir things, what is being especially shown in fig. 3 is that the sealing tape 3 can have a gripping device 6 protruding out in relation to the disc part 4, for use in tape removal when the bottle is to be opene .

The baby bottle as shown in fig. 2 is only partially modified in relation to the one in fig. 1 and reference numbers that are common for fig. 1 and 2 refer to such simi¬ lar parts and elements. The bottle in fig. 2 has no recessed midsection but rather ridges 11 B around the circumference, since such ridges can be designed so that they hinder the bottle from rolling when it is laid with the side or the long end on a flat surface. An important difference exists in that the bottle 10 B has a bottom 10 B of seemingly quite common construction while the bottle 1 in fig. 1 has a speci¬ al slit-like design at 5 for the fitting of a valve for use at injection of liquid nutrition in the b ottle. Such a slit-like valve allows the liquid nutrition to be injected into the bottle under pressure and the slit 5 will be closed by the pressure that occurs in the bottle 1 when it exceeds atmospheric pressure. As expressed by fig. 1, the slit valve 5 has both an underlaying and an overlaying plastic tab which, firstly, allows simple entrance of an injection needle and at the same time allows the release of the air during the injection. Secondly, the construction allows that the upper plastic tab is pushed down towards the lower plastic tab as a result of the pressure in the bottle, whereafter the two plastic tabs merge when the filling is complete, for example, by melting together (heat welding) . This filling at the opposite end of the bottle in relation to the nipple will thereby be followed by a permanent and leakproof seal so that repeated filling will be practically impossible without greatly damaging or destroying the bottle.

Another interesting method for filling the bottle is illustrated in fig. 3 where is shown a full opening 12 where the bottom will be placed, in this case bottle 1 C in re¬ versed position is filled through the opening 12 as illu- strated in fig. 3. Thereafter there may be a common bottom attached as, for example, the bottom 10 in fig. 2. This can be accomplished, for example, through heat welding. With reference to fig. 2, it should be mentioned that the bottle 1 B is equipped with a temperature indicator 50, preferably of the kind that reacts by changing color with increasing temperature. By attaching such an indicator feature, it is easy to determine when the bottle contents are heated to the correct usage temperature.

Then to fig. 4 and 5: The design of the baby bottle 1 D as shown there has, as well as the previous designs, a preferably plane disc 14 that is sealed by a tape 15 when the nipple (broken lines) is in the inside-out position into the bottle 1 D. Likewise, this bottle has a somewhat recessed midsection 11 D, while the construction at "the bottom" 13 ic different from those previously described. Closing and sealing of the bottle 1 D at 13 is done in a basically known manner by mechanical pressure possibly combined with heat treatment after the filling of the liquids whereby said filling can be accomplished through an opening 12 of the type illustrated in fig. 3. Such a design form of an open tube made for filling of liquid contents, or similar, into a container is basically known. The method has, however, considerable advantages in the present connection among which is that the filling of frozen liquid is possible.

The fig. 6 and 7 show two variations of collecting or grouping several baby bottles 1, eg: a group of six, for the purpose of effective handling for transport, storage and purchase. This can be a solution aimed at both common house¬ holds and commercial establishments or institutions where the consumption of such one-time or disposable baby bottles is relatively high. In the design in fig. 6, there are shown, between the baby bottles 1 and as integrated parts of these, holding or connection tabs 16 etched through with striated lines so that easy detachment of the single bottle from the group is possible. In the construction in fig. 1 there is a number of individual bottles 1 kept together with the aid of a rack or carrier feature 17 that can, for example, have a reversed U in section designed to interact with the top of each bottle 1 in such a way that they are securely gripped under the disc part 4 in a satisfactorily secure manner. A handle 17 A is shown for convenient carrying and handling of the bottles.

The baby bottles in the design shown in fig. 8-11 are based on a relatively main conventional form of the bottle 1 itself which has a bottom 25 based on means for filling of liquid nutrition into the bottle, with reference to one of the solutions explained above, especially with reference to fig. 1 and 3 plus 4 and 5. What is of special interest in the design in fig. 8-11 is the construction at the top of the bottle, ie: the nipple 22 and the sealing of it.

Fig. 8 shows the baby bottle 3 in completed manufactur¬ ed condition with its content of liquid nutrient wherein the nipple 22 is folded or recessed and sealed and capped in this position. For further illustration, the nipple 22 is shown alone in fig. 9 in this recessed position. In fig. 10 and 11, the bottle is opened at the top so that the nipple has been enabled to pop out to a user position 22' after the seal is broken or removed.

As illustrated in fig. 8 and 9, the nipple 22 is con- nected, with the help of an encircling flange 24 , to the top of the bottle 21 that may have an upper neck part for this purpose. In this position, the nipple 22 is considered to be folded double so that the tip of the nipple is turned upwards or outwardε in relation to the bottle while a ring-formed mid-part 22 A of the nipple is curved inwards in the bottle. This special configuration in recessed or folded position results, on the one hand, in space saving and, on the other hand, in a more advantageous point for extracting or pulling out the nipple to a user position 22' in fig. 10 and 11. The capping on fig. 8 consists of the elements 23 A and 23 B which are an integrated part moulded or pressed in one piece, however, includes a striated line or similar between the two elements. Thereby, the element 23 A becomes a de¬ tachable lid that can be manually removed from the leftover element 23 B. This, thereby, constitutes a holding ring that is tightly fitting and permanently connected to the neck part on bottle 21. The lid 23 A can conveniently have a suitable grip feature for tear-off. On fig. 10, the lid 23 A is re- moved and only the holding ring 23 B is left. By such a design, it is clear that repeated use of the baby bottle 21, packed with a capping of the nipple 22 shown in fig. 8, cannot easily be accomplished because the tear-off lid 23 A cannot easily be remounted.

In order to help or guarantee that the nipple 22 is being stretched out to user position during removal of the lid 23 A, it has intruding and cartridge-like parts 26 designed with, for example, a hook type outer end for coope- ration with locking devices in the form of grooves 36 on the circumference of the nipple 22 that in its recessed or in¬ verted position is turned radially inwards. The grooves 36 are best shown in fig. 9.

A further detail is seen from fig. 11, where there is shown an internal groove 37 at the junction between the actual nipple and its flange 24. The groove 37 contributes or acts to make possible a secure folding of the nipple 22 to the inverted position illustrated in fig. 9.

The different embodiments described above in relation to the figures of drawings basically entail two main variations of means for filling liquid nutrition from the bottom of the baby bottle, and two main variations of sealing capping of the nipple at the opposite end or the top of the bottle. It is clarified that all combinations of these main variations can be used in practical constructions. The constructions shown on fig. 1-7 all have the described disc-like, plane part 4 which is advantageous not only for the attachment of the tape 3, but also for the handling and storing of the baby bottles, herewith especially the filling and closing methods as described in fig. 3, 4 and 5. It must be admitted that the described variations and construction features in diffe¬ rent ways lead to an advantageous product in the field of baby bottles based on disposable materials so that operations like washing, sterilizing, filling, measuring, mixing, stor- ing, and preparation of the bottle do not incur problems or worries for the end user. In addition, it is very important that repeated use of such a baby bottle is rendered, to a high degree, impossible.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. Baby feeding bottle for sterile storage and drinking of liquid nutrition, especially for infants, comprising a nipple (2, 22) adapted to be pressed into an inverted position in the bottle (1,21) and tightly capped (3,23A,23B) in the in¬ verted position during storage, and to pop out into a user position (2- ,22') for drinking after the capping is opened, and means (5,12,25) for filling of the liquid nutrition into the bottle before storage, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the capping of the nipple (2,22) in inverted posi¬ tion is provided for by a sealing closure element (3,23A,23 B) constructed in such a way that after opening it is no longer fit for use for a new closing, that filling of liquid nutrition is adapted to occur at the opposite end (10,12,25) of the bottle (1,21) in relation to the nipple (2,22), and that said means (5,12,25) for filling is adapted to be permanent and liquid leakproof sealed after filling.

2. Baby feeding bottle according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that at the area of the nipple (2) the bottle is equipp¬ ed with a disc-like part (4) that has a preferably plane, outward directed surface and that has a central hole (7) for the nipple in user position and, that the closure element (3) has the form of an adhesive tape that can be torn off from the surface, perferably with the aid of a tab (6) on the adhesive tape which is protruding in relation to the disc part (4) .

3. Baby feeding bottle according to claims 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bottle (1) has a recessed or narrower grip part (9) and between that part and the nipple (2) , an expanded and rounded part (8) .

4. Baby feeding bottle according to claims 1, 2 or 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that there is provided a slit-like valve (5) in the bottom (10) of the bottle (l) , for filling of liquid nutrition.

5. Baby feeding bottle according to claims 1, 2 or 3 c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bottle (IC, 21) before filling has a fully or partly open bottom (12,25) which, after filling, is to be closed, perferably with the aid of heat or mechanical pressure.

6. Baby feeding bottle according to claims 4 or 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bottom (10,25) of the bottle (1,21) has a greater material thickness than the bottle elsewhere.

7. Baby feeding bottle according to claims 1-6, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the nipple (22) in the inverted position has a double folded form where the tip of the nipple turns outwards in relation to the bottle, and where an annular midpart (22A) of the nipple is curved in¬ wards towards the bottle.

8. Baby feeding bottle according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the closure element is a lid that can be torn off (23A) and that in sealed position is tight-fitted connecting with a holding ring (23B) that, in its turn, is tightly fitting and permanently connected to the bottle (21) .

9. Baby feeding bottle according to claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the lid (23 A) on the inside is constructed with inwards protruding parts, and that the nipple (22) , at a circumferential part facing radially inwards in the inverted position, is provided with gripping elements (36) to cooperate with the lid's inwardly protruding parts (26) , for release of the nipple to user position by tearing off the lid (23A) .

10. Baby feeding bottle according to any one of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that it is equipped with a temperature indicator element (50) preferably of the kind that reacts with color changes to indicate if the contents of the bottle are being heated to the correct temperature.

11. Baby feeding bottle according to any one of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the bottle (1) is designed for, together with a number of similar bottles to be collected (16,17) into a group or a set for rational pro¬ duction and storage.