Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
1
FULLY VENTED WIDE RIM NURSING BOTTLE
WITH CONTOURED VENT TUBE
Technical Field
The fully vented wide rim nursing bottle with contoured vent tube
to relates generally to infant serving products. More specifically, some
embodiments
disclosed herein relate to nursing bottles having an internal tube that
prevents a
vacuum within the bottle and assists an infant to suck liquid from the bottle.
Background Art
Babies have the instinct to suckle milk from their mothers. For a
variety of reasons though, babies often drink liquids from other sources.
Babies lack the ability to drink from ordinary glasses and cups without
spilling. So, liquids are fed to babies using baby or nursing bottles. A
nursing bottle features a silicone, latex, rubber or other material as a
nipple
with a hole in its tip secured across an opening in the top of the nursing
bottle. The current nursing bottle gets used by filling the bottle with a
liquid,
inserting the vent tube, securing the nipple, inverting the bottle, and
placing
the nipple into the baby's mouth and the baby takes it from there.
Nursing bottles, vented at the rim of the nipple, are tightly sealed but
for the opening in the nipple. As the baby nurses, the volume of liquid in the
bottle decreases and the vacuum in the bottle increases proportionally
thereby contaminating the liquid. However, vent tubes allow ambient air to
enter the bottle generally behind the liquid while the baby suckles. The vent
tubes reduce any vacuum created by the suckling baby within the bottle.
The vent tube improves the flow of liquid out of the nipple and makes it
easier for the baby to suckle. The baby faces less risk of sucking in air and
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
2
the resulting colic.
Infant and infant feeding containers originally had a narrow superior
orifice to which the nipple was attached. Caregivers noted that the narrow
opening prevented ready access to the interior of the bottle and prevented
easy cleaning of the interior of the bottle. Manufacturers then addressed
that shortcoming with bottles having larger diameter openings. Those
bottles met with sales success on the marketplace.
The larger openings called for manufacturing and usage of nipples
and feeding spouts with larger diameter flanges to mate with the opening of
the bottle. The larger diameter flanges prevented leaks where the nipples
joined to the bottles. However, the larger diameter nipples, retaining the
same distance from the superior to the inferior end of the nipple, had a
larger volume contained by the nipples.
Further, infants often chew upon nipples though nipples remain
designed for suckling to remove fluid from a bottle. Nipples and other
feeding accessories therefore have toughened designs to resist chewing.
Chewing of nipples arises more often in infants with feeding problems, such
as neurological delays or deficits. The neurological delays induce a frequent
chewing motion by the infant upon objects placed in the mouth, often
nipples.
During frequent chewing on the feeding nipple, especially those with
larger diameters and internal volumes, the infant propels air distally into
the
bottle itself. Air introduced into the bottle may increase the pressure upon
the interior of the bottle. The increased pressure frequently forces liquid
distally into a venting tube located within the bottle. The liquid under
pressure traverses the vent insert and the vent tube, exits the bottle, and
causes liquid to spill from the bottle.
Leakage from chewing also arises when introduced air stops midway
within a cylindrical vent tube. Due to the pressures within the cylindrical
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
3
vent tube, some liquid may be entrapped in the vent tube by an air bubble
caused by an infant chewing. The air bubble must be forced out, ideally as
it normally enters the tube when the bottle is inverted and in a feeding
position for the infant.
However, an air bubble trapped in a vent tube makes the liquid in the
to distal
portion of the vent tube unable to traverse the vent tube and exit into
the distal end of the bottle. The liquid fails to enter the enlarged reservoir
portion of the feeding tube for proper venting by the vent tube. Alas, feeding
liquid may then impede the venting function of the tube.
Many attempts have been made to provide a nursing bottle with an
is air vent to
reduce the creation of a vacuum during suckling. An early patent
to Roderick, U.S. Patent No. 598,231 has a nursing bottle with a U shaped
tube.
However, the average baby, upon uplifting a bottle, had some liquid
retained in the U shaped tube. The retained liquid blocked the tube and
prevented ambient air from releasing any vacuum within the bottle. Other
20 patents show
related types of technology, and provide means for venting air
from the interior of a container, as can be seen in the U.S. patent to Van
Cleave, U.S. Patent No. 927,013. In addition, the patents to Davenport,
U.S. Patent No. 1,441,623 and to Perry, U.S. Patent No. 2,061,477, show
other means for venting air from within a nursing bottle.
25 In the
preceding work of these applicants, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,779,071 and
5,570,796, venting and internal tubes prevent the formation of partial
vacuums during suckling and resisted spills. The '071 patent provides a
vented tube extending into a bottle. The vented tube has a hollow cylindrical
shape projecting sufficiently downwardly into the bottle. The '796 patent
30 provides a
reservoir located above a mark on the bottle. The reservoir
communicates with a conduit system to replace suckled liquid with air from
the reservoir thus preventing a partial vacuum in the bottle. Nursing bottles
of a multitude of designs are available in the prior art. In many instances,
CA 0 2 61 1 7 4 2 2 0 1 2 -1 0 -1 7
66605-220
4
frequently a vacuum will be generated within the bottle during dispensing of
its contents, as when nursing an infant. A vacuum is believed to cause
various physiological impairments to the infant when subjected to this type
of condition. The vacuum generated within the bottle, due to the infant's
sucking, can cause pressure imbalance at the location of various features
of the body, such as in the ear canal, and which may lead to fluid, ear
infection, speech delay, motor delay, developmental delay, illness, or other
predicaments. Thus, the presenting of a nursing bottle that incorporates air
venting means, so as to prevent the creation of a vacuum inside the bottle,
has been considered a desirable development in the field of infant serving
Is products. Such
can be seen in the applicants' prior patents '071 and '769,
wherein the reservoir tube that provides for venting, externally of the bottle
cap at an upper proximity, extends into the lower portion of the container, to
function as a vent while the contents of the bottle are being consumed,
when partially or fully inverted.
Other U.S. patents that relate to the subject matter of this invention
include the U.S. patent to Briere, No. 189,691; U.S. patent No. 345,518, to
Lelievre; U.S. patent No. 679,144, to Hardesty; U.S. patent No. 834,014, to
Lyke; U.S. patent No. 1,600,804 to Donaldson; U.S. patents No. 2,156,313,
and to No.2,239,275 Schwab; U.S. patent No.2,610,755, to Gits; No.
2,742,168, to Panetti; U.S. patent No. 2,744,696, to Blackstone; U.S. patent
No. 3,059,707, to Wilkinson, et at; U.S. patent No. 5,570,796, to Brown, et
at. In addition British patents No. 273,185 and No. 454,053 show related
developments.
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
4a
Summary of the Invention
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
nursing bottle assembly for delivering a supply of feeding liquid to an infant
and
having a container with a closed bottom end, a top end having an opening
therein for
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
4b
reservoir: said vent insert having a hollow cylindrical shape open on both
ends with a
perimeter wall; said major seal being a cylindrical lip extending integrally
downwardly
from said vent insert and having said major seal extending from an outer
surface of
said perimeter wall of the first cylindrical lip and towards said container
for sealing
therewith; said minor seal being a second cylindrical lip extending integrally
downwardly from said vent insert and having said minor seal extending from an
outer
surface of its perimeter wall and towards said reservoir for sealing
therewith,
depending from said perimeter wall toward said container; said minor seal
generally
centered upon and depending from said lateral vent and generally concentric
with
said major seal; an integral internal vent tube having a hollow cylindrical
like form
coaxial with said minor seal, centered upon said vent insert, perpendicular to
said
lateral vent, and being open opposite said insert and in communication with
said
reservoir; and whereby when an instantaneous pressure is applied to one of
said
container or said nipple, the pressure is transmitted to the feeding liquid
within the
bottle, moving feeding liquid within said vent tube towards said larger
diameter of said
vent tube causing the pressure to decrease within said vent tube and thus
preventing
leakage of feeding liquid through said lateral vent of the vent insert and
said reservoir
or outwardly from said bottle assembly.
A unique aspect of some embodiments disclosed herein is an
expanding diameter of the venting tube that provides for its full venting
during both
usage and storage.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide means for venting of
any air pressure within the bottle, and may prevent the generation of any
vacuum or
pressure therein, regardless of whether the nursing bottle is being used,
stored in an
upright position, or partially or fully inverted as during consumption of its
contents.
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
5 Some embodiments disclosed herein may overcome the limitations of the
prior art -nipple vented bottles- where a need exists for reducing vacuum
inside
nursing bottles using vent tubes. That is, in some embodiments, a tapering
vent tube allows air to exit rapidly and distally from a tube and liquid to
return promptly to a reservoir thus limiting the formation of a vacuum within
io a nursing bottle. The enlarged proximal portion of the vent tube
minimizes
the incidence of leakage from the bottle. Some embodiments may clean
easily, endure inadvertent chewing, and dissipate pressure generated by
chewing. Some embodiments may prevent leaks and continuously vent a
bottle, thus dissipating any air bubbles in the vent tube.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may improve the vent tube within a
nursing bottle by changing the shape of the vent tube. The vent tube has a
contoured shape generally and preferably attains a conical shape with the
diameter of the cone larger superiorly and smaller inferiorly. The conical
shape admits air distally into a bottle while immediately emptying liquid
itself
into the reservoir of the vent tube. The conical shape prevents entry of
liquid into an insert thus venting the bottle immediately and preventing leaks
of liquid from the bottle.
Additionally, some embodiments disclosed herein may provide an improved
shape of the vent tube to lower internal pressures of liquids and air.
Decreased
transmission of pressure from nipple compression is noted at the widened
proximal end of the vent tube. When pressure is exerted upon the milk in
the bottle, and it rises up into the vent tube, the milk loses its force due
to
the widening characteristics of the vent tube at its upper wider reaches. The
larger diameter of the conical shape prevents the liquid in the bottle from
being propelled proximally into the tube of the insert and causing leaks.
This is due to the larger diameter of the conical shape, at the proximal end
of the tube as compared to the distal end, which dissipates the pressure of
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
6
the compressed air and allows the liquid to gently flow into the reservoir.
Preventing propulsion of liquid into the insert, the conical shape prevents
leaks from the bottle.
Further, the larger diameter of the conical shaped section increases
the capacity of the reservoir. As the infant empties the bottle and the liquid
level drops below the maximum, the liquid occupying the reservoir now,
more rapidly and effectively exits the reservoir. When a caregiver or infant
holds the bottle upright, liquid promptly exits the reservoir into the larger
diameter of the conical shaped tube and returns the remaining liquid to the
bottle.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may allow for instant and complete
movement of any air bubble introduced by an infant chewing on a nipple to
proceed
to the distal end of the vent tube. Also, some embodiments move liquid ¨ahead
of an air bubble- proximally into the reservoir of the vent tube. The vent
tube
hereby functions in an automatic and continuous fashion as intended.
Some embodiments disclosed herein establish a structured relationship
between the container or vessel and the formula within the nursing bottle. The
nursing
bottle has sufficient size so mat as me formula is prepared and deposited
within the container, the formula's surface will be arranged below the vent
port or the vent leading towards the exterior of the container, for venting
purposes. In addition, even when the vessel is inverted, by the infant or
caregiver, during feeding, the liquid formula still will not approach the
distal
insert vent in any position. Thus, the concept of such embodiments is to
provide a
container with sufficient bulk and volume, so that the formula or milk as
supplied therein, whether it be in the four ounce, six ounce, eight ounce, or
any size category, will always leave the identified vent port exposed to
attain the attributes of venting, for the nursing bottle, at all times.
Thus, no appreciably positive or negative pressure can build up in
the container, since the vent port will be opened, for exhausting purposes,
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
7
when the nursing bottle is maintained in an upright direction, as while it is
being warmed or heated, in preparation for a feeding, and even while the
bottle may be inverted, as during a feeding, so as to allow for the venting of
any negative pressure, internally generated within the container, that may
occur as a result of the sucking action of the infant.
This feature of providing sufficient internal volumetric size to the
container is achieved through usage of containers that are of excessive
dimensions, such as being large and spherical in shape, or cylindrical in
shape and flattened upon each surface, or which has a size equivalent to
that of a Mason jar. In one instance, the container may be shaped in a
is spherical
form. In another embodiment, the container will be of a cylindrical
shape, but be flattened on the sides. In a
further embodiment, the
container may be of the jar shape, or even contain some concavity upon its
sides, to facilitate its lifting. In addition, where the spherical or
cylindrical
type of container is used, it may have a flattened bottom, to add stability to
the nursing bottle, when rested upon a surface.
In the preferred embodiment, the venting port within the insert
cooperates with a vent tube, and lateral vent slots, that are built into the
insert that is secured to the top of the container by means of its associated
threaded collar that holds the insert, the vent tube within the vessel, and
the
conventional nipple, in place. The vent port within the insert associated with
the vent tube may open directly and downwardly into the vessel, and it may
have lateral ports to either side, so as to prevent the entrance of any
formula, into the vent tube and allow venting as the container is being
inverted during usage.
In a further embodiment, the container, collar, and nipple may be of
the conventional type, but having the volumetric sizes from the shaped
containers as previously explained, but the vent tube and port within the
insert may extend through the surface of the container, rather than
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
8
cooperate with the collar, in the manner as previously described in the '071
patent.
Nevertheless, the orientation of the vent port, at its entrance point,
leading to the vent tube, can be arranged somewhere centrally of the
configured
container, regardless what shape or structures the containers may possess, so
as to
allow the formulation to either be below the vent port, or above it, as the
nursing
bottle is either at rest, or being inverted as during usage, in the manner as
previously
explained.
Therefore, some embodiments disclosed herein may provide a new and
improved venting tube for nursing bottles of infants.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may dissipate the pressure upon
liquid with a bottle, preventing introduction of liquid into the insert, thus
stopping
leaks.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide immediate exit of air
bubbles as a bottle is inverted.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide an apparent increase
in volume of the receptacle caused by the larger diameter of the conical shape
thus
immediately emptying liquid from the receptacle.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide a volumetric sized
container for use as a nursing bottle, and which incorporates a vent tube with
an
insert that is arranged approximately centrally thereof, so that the vent port
within the
insert avoids coverage from any of the formula or milk contained therein,
either during
usage when feeding the infant, or during nonusage when the bottle has been set
on
its base, as during storage, while heating, or when at rest.
Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide for structured means
within a nursing bottle that provides for continuous venting of any pressure
or vacuum
generated within its container,
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
9
regardless of usage or nonusage of the subject bottle.
Lastly, some embodiments disclosed herein may provide for the
structure of a wide rimmed, or other size, collar for use with a standard wide
mouth container as structured into a nursing bottle, and useful for feeding
formula to an infant.
These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled
in the art upon review of the invention as described herein, and upon
undertaking a study of the description of its preferred embodiment, when
viewed in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a top view of a spherical shaped nursing bottle;
Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;
Fig. 2A is a side view of the bottle during usage;
Fig. 3 shows a modification to a spherical shaped nursing bottle
wherein the vent tube extends structurally upwardly from its bottom;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the nursing bottle of Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a back view of the nursing bottle of Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a top view thereof;
Fig. 7 is a side view of a modified form of nursing bottle having a
wide rim configuration for mounting of its collar and nipple, and supporting
the vent structure therein;
Fig. 8 is a side view of the nursing bottle as shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an exploded view of the operative components of the
structured nursing bottle as shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 10 is a front view of a wide structured nursing bottle of a
rectangular configuration having its collar and nipple applied to a wide rim
at its upper end;
Fig. 11 is a top view thereof;
Fig. 12 is a bottom view thereof;
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
5 Fig. 13 is
a side view thereof, and showing its internal venting
structure;
Fig. 14 is a top view of the vent insert applied within the collar when
affixed to the wide rim of the container of the nursing bottle as shown in
Fig.
13;
10 Fig. 15 is
a sectional view of the vent insert, taken along the line 15-
of Fig. 14;
Fig. 16 is a front view of a nursing bottle having a volumetric
structured vessel with the collar, vent insert and nipple applied to its wide
rim top, for disposing its vent tube, and vent port approximately centrally of
is its shown container;
Fig. 17 is a front view of another spherical form of container for a
nursing bottle having the vent tube operatively structured and disposed with
its bottom segment;
Fig. 18 is a front view of a further rectangular shaped volumetric
sized container for a nursing bottle having the collar, vent insert, and vent
tube, with or without an extension, all operatively associated therewith;
Fig. 19 is a top view of a further modified wide rim nursing bottle of
this invention;
Fig. 20 is a front view thereof;
Fig. 21 is a further modified wide rim nursing bottle of this invention
having its vent tube extending inwardly towards centrally from the upper
container surface;
Fig. 22 is a further modified wide rim nursing bottle having its oblique
vent tube extending inwardly from the approximate upper surface of its
container;
Fig. 23 is a further modified wide rim nursing bottle having the vent
tube extending inwardly from the surface of its container;
Fig. 24 is similar to the bottle of Fig. 22, with the vent tube structured
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
11
further downwardly along the side of the shown bottle;
Fig. 25 is a front view of a further shaped vented nursing bottle of
this invention;
Fig. 26 is a top view of an oval shaped wide rim nursing bottle of this
invention;
Fig. 27 is an exploded view of the vent tube of the present invention
and appurtenant components;
Fig. 27A is a top view of the vent insert;
Fig. 27B is a sectional view of the vent insert;
Fig. 28 is an isometric view of the vent tube having a large diameter
proximally;
Fig. 29 is an isometric view of the vent tube having a narrow
diameter proximally;
Fig. 30 shows a vented bottle with a cylindrical tube and leakage
during use by an infant; and,
Fig. 31 shows a vented bottle with a tapering= tube without a leak
during use by an infant.
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the
various figures.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
The present art overcomes the prior art limitations by providing a
fully vented wide rim, or other size, nursing bottle that provides a tapering
vent tube to eliminate vacuum within the container and prevent leakage
from the container. In referring to the drawings, and in particular Figs. 1
and
2, the fully vented, wide rim, or other size, nursing bottle preceding this
invention is disclosed. It includes a spherical shaped container 1 that has
ample volumetric capacity therein, so as to achieve the sought after results
for this invention. That is, when a formula, such as at 2, is applied into the
container, with the formula being applied at an amount that normally
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
12
furnishes a feeding for the infant, it will only fill the container up to a
level
that is yet below the bottom of the vent tube 3, and more specifically
distally
to the insert and its vent port 4, as can be noted.
Thus, when the nursing bottle is being heated, and should any
pressure build up within its container, it will be immediately vented to the
atmosphere, because of the openness of the vent port 4 of the distal insert,
to absorb any generated pressure, no matter how slight, and allow it to be
vented to the atmosphere, externally of the shown nursing bottle. The
nipple 5, the threaded collar 6, and the vent insert 7, that are threadedly
applied to the upper edge of the container 1, are all fabricated in the
manner as previously described in the '071 patent with the exception that
these components are fabricated of a wider dimension, so as to fit upon a
wide rim style of opening for the shown container 1, thereby providing the
type of ample volumetric capacity for the nursing bottle, even though the
standard size of nipple may be employed, to achieve the relationship
between its structure, such as the insert and its vent port, and the level of
any standard amount of formulation applied therein, during usage, to
achieve the benefits of this invention. In addition, when the nursing bottle
of
this invention is inverted for feeding an infant, the formula may rise to the
opposite side of the inverted container 1, but yet will have a surface level
that will still be below the distal insert and its vent port 4, so that any
sucking action generated by the infant, during feeding, and the formation of
any vacuum, or partial thereof, within the container, during feeding, will be
continuously vented by its vent port 4, through the vent tube 3, and out of
the vent insert 7, as previously reviewed. It should be noted that the
container 1 of this invention will obviously include a minor flattened
surface,
as at 8, at its bottom, to allow the free standing of this nursing bottle, as
when not in use, when stored, or when being warmed or heated in
preparation for consumption of its formula contents.
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
13
Fig. 2A shows the container 1 and its nursing bottle when inverted,
as during a feeding, to disclose how the fluid level 2 will yet remain below
the opened vent port 4, so as to not obstruct the venting of any partial
vacuum generated therein, during the feeding process.
Figs. 3 and 4 disclose a modification to the shape of the container 9
for the shown nursing bottle, with the further modification that the vent tube
10 will be integrally structured with the bottom 11 of the shown container,
disposing its vent port generally centrally of the container, as can be noted
at 12. Thus, regardless at what position the container 9 of this nursing
bottle may undertake, the surface level 13 of the formula will not obstruct
the entrance of any air flow into the vent port 12, for venting purposes, in
this case, out of the bottom opening 14 of the shown vessel. This is so
regardless whether the container 9, as during storage, or feeding, may be
positioned vertically, as shown in Fig. 3, or inverted, as can be understood.
In this particular instance, the threaded collar 15 and nipple 16 are
conventional, and threadedly engage to the wide rim 17 of the container 9,
in order to enhance the volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle, during
usage, and to attain the results desired and required for this particular
development. In addition, the structure of wide rim container 9 is generally
spherical, as can be noted in Fig. 3, but flattened on its front and back
surfaces, as disclosed in Fig. 4, and yet attains the volumetric capacity for
the formula, as desired and required for this development.
Figs. 5 and 6 provide both a back view, and top view, of the modified
nursing bottle as previously described in Figs. 3 and 4.
Figs. 7 through 9 show a further modified nursing bottle of this
invention, wherein its container 18 has a Mason jar style of configuration,
thereby affording the wide rimmed 19 style of opening, at its upper end, for
accommodating the vent tube 20, receptacle portion 25, the vent insert 21,
the nipple 22, and the threaded collar 23, that all threadedly engage onto
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
14
the threads 24 of the shown container. These components 20 through 23
and 25 are very similar in structure to that as previously described in the
'071 patent with the exception that the components are fabricated to a wider
dimension, in order to be accommodated upon the wide rimmed opening 19
of the shown container 18.
The vent tube communicates with its upper inner receptacle portion
25, forming the reservoir-like configuration as noted, and which positions
thereon and locates therein the internal vent tube 26 of the vent insert 21,
to
function in the manner as previously explained in the '071 patent. But in
this particular instance, it should be noted that the vent port 27 of the vent
is structure,
as all mounted to the wide rim of the volumetric container 18,
when inserted, is disposed approximately at the center of the internal space
of the shown container 18, in order to achieve the benefits and results as
explained for this invention. Hence, the surface level 28 of the formula
applied therein will always be below the entrance to the vent port 27, so as
to avoid its blockage, regardless whether the container 18 is maintained in
its rest position, as shown in Fig. 7, or when the container is tilted to any
angle, or should it be inverted, placed on its side or any position, as during
the feeding process. This allows the reduced pressure generated within the
container, during feeding with the nursing bottle, to always be vented, to the
atmosphere. In addition, it is to be noted, particularly upon review of the
'071 patent, that wherever these vent tube and vent insert configurations
are inserted upon the wide rim and held in position by means of the collar
23, that the distal insert and vent tube 26 internally communicate with the
lateral vent passages 29 and opens to atmosphere internally of the collar
23, to provided venting thereof, at all times, to achieve the purposes and
advantages of this invention.
It can also be noted in Fig. 8 that the sides of the container 18 may
be integrally concaved, as at 30, for the gripping and holding of the larger
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
5 sized bottle, during its usage.
Figs. 10 through 13 disclose a larger volumetric sized nursing bottle,
having a container 31 that is generally of a rectangular configuration. It has
a wide rimmed opening, as at 32 for accommodating the shown collar 33,
its supported nipple 34, the vent tube 35, and the vent insert 36 when
10 installed.
The vent insert is shown more carefully in Figs. 14 and 15, and it can be
seen that the bottom of the vent port 37 is open, and venting is achieved
through the lateral port 38 that extends to the front and back of the vent
tube, to attain venting from internally of the shown container. In addition,
15 the lateral port 38 is arranged approximately at the volumetric midpoint
of
the bottle. In addition, the lateral vents 38 prevent the entrance of any of
the formula 39 therein, as when the nursing bottle is inverted during a
feeding. Nevertheless, as can be seen in Fig. 13, the level of the formula
will always be at a location spaced from the bottom of the vent tube 35, to
attain the purposes of this invention. Furthermore, as can be seen in Fig.
15, and as noted from the '071 and '796 patents, the vent insert 36 has the
lateral vents 38 that communicate with the vent 35, for allowing the
discharge of any vacuum, pressure, or the like, generated within the nursing
bottle during usage, to the atmosphere, externally of the bottle, in order to
achieve the benefits and results of this invention.
Fig. 16 shows a nursing bottle that incorporates a semi-spherical
container 40, and having mounted onto its integral wide rim 41 the collar 42,
nipple 43, and the vent insert 44 as noted. In addition, the vent tube 45
extends downwardly into the container 40, with the bottom 46 of the vent
tube being arranged approximately, once again, at the approximate
midpoint of the volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle, to achieve the
benefits of this invention.
Fig. 17 discloses a spherical form of nursing bottle wherein its
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
16
container 61 has mounted to its wide rim 62 by threaded engagement the
collar 63 and the nipple 64, as noted.
The vent tube, in this instance, as at 65, extends integrally upwardly
from the bottom of the container 61, and internally vents to the atmosphere,
out the bottom of the bottle, and has at its upper end the lateral vent ports
66 as noted. Again, these vent ports are arranged at the approximate
midpoint of the volumetric capacity for the shown container, to achieve the
benefits of this invention.
Figs. 18 and 19 disclose a modification to the nursing bottle of this
invention, wherein its container 51 is generally rectangular of configuration
is in one dimension, but has an oval shape 52 along its vertical
disposition.
Its collar 53 supports the nipple 54, and the vent insert 55 to the wide rim
56
of the integral container 51, for the nursing bottle. The distal insert and
its
vent tube 57 extend downwardly, and include an extended vent tube 58,
whereby its vent port 59 at its bottom end is disposed approximately, once
again, at the volumetric midpoint of the shown container 51 for the nursing
bottle. Thus, any formula 60 contained therein for feeding, will always be
below the disposition of the vent port 59, regardless whether the nursing
bottle is rested upright, as shown in Fig. 18, or inverted, as during feeding.
Fig. 20 shows a similar style of nursing bottle, to that of Fig. 16, but
in this instance, its container 47 has integrally formed of its flattened
bottom
48 an upwardly extending vent tube 49, whose upper end 50, forming the
vent port, is arranged once again at the approximate volumetric midpoint of
its shown container.
Figs. 21 through 25 show variations upon the arrangement of the
vent tube of this invention. As noted, in Fig. 21 the shown nursing bottle
has its container 67 mounting upon its wide rim 68, its threaded collar 69,
and the shown nipple 70. For venting purposes, in this particular
embodiment, the vent tube 711s integrally formed of the container 67, and
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
17
extends radially inwardly, along an oblique angle, into the approximate
midpoint of the shown container, having its vent port 72 disposed
approximately at this location, as noted.
Thus, any formula 73 provided therein, of the amount normally fed to
an infant, will always be below the entrance to the vent port 72, and not
cause any leakage thereof. This is so regardless whether the nursing bottle
is being stored, or inverted as during usage.
Fig. 22 shows the hemispherical style of container 74 for the shown
nursing bottle. The bottle has a wide rim 75, and to which the threaded
collar 76 and the nipple 77 are attached.
In this instance, similar to that of the bottle as described in Fig. 21,
the vent tube 78 is integrally formed of the container, and is arranged
obliquely within it, to dispose its vent port, as at 79, and more specifically
its
lateral vents 80, internally at the approximate volumetric midpoint of the
shown container, to achieve the benefits of this invention.
Fig. 23 is similar to the structured nursing bottle as described in Fig.
21, but in this instance, as can be noted, the container 81 has its vent tube
82 arranged further down the side of the shown container, opening to
atmosphere as at 83, and having its vent port 84 provided at the
approximate midpoint of the shown container 81.
Fig. 24 shows a structure for a nursing bottle similar to that as
previously explained in Fig. 22, but in this particular instance, the
container
85 has its vent tube 86 integrally formed further down the side of the shown
container, as can be noted at 87. This may be integrally formed, or
structurally applied thereto, as by adherence of the flanges 88 to the
opening 89 provided through the wall of the container 85. The inner end of
the vent tube 86, has its vent port 90, arranged, once again, at the
approximate volumetric midpoint of the shown container, in order to achieve
the results and benefits of this invention.
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
18
Figs. 25 and 26 disclose a further modification to the nursing bottle of
this invention, wherein its rectangular configured container 91 has an oval
appearance along the vertical, as can be noted in Fig. 26, as at 92.
It provides sufficient volumetric capacity so that the surface of the
formula added thereto, as at 93, will always be below the vent tube 94, and
its vent port 95, regardless of the position undertaken by the nursing bottle,
when used. In accordance with the structure of the venting characteristics
of this development, and as can be seen in Figs. 25 and 26, the vent tube
94 has lateral vents 96 that extend laterally to the sides of the vent insert
97, and which provides venting of any pressure or vacuum developed within
the container 91 to the atmosphere, by passing through the configured
threads 101, as can be understood from our prior patents.
As known from the '071 and '796 patents, the vent insert 97 includes
a series of supporting vanes 98 that provide intermediate spacing, as at 99,
and through which the formula may flow, when the nursing bottle is
inverted, as during a feeding. But, the lateral vents 96 communicate with
the vent tube 94, to allow passage of any pressure, or lack thereof, through
said vents, to be discharged to atmosphere, by passing through the
imperfect seal formed of the threaded connection between the collar 100,
and the threads 101 of the wide rimmed structure of the container 91, of the
shown nursing bottle. Nevertheless, the criticality regarding the location of
the vent port 95, at the approximate volumetric midpoint of the shown
container 91, is essential so as to prevent any leakage from it, when
formula is applied therein, so that venting can effectively occur, regardless
whether the nursing bottle is being used, stored, heated, or inverted, as
during feeding.
The bottle components shown in FIG. 27 share similarities with those
shown assembled previously in FIGS. 13-15. FIG. 27 shows an exploded
view of the components less the liquid container or bottle. A nipple 115
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
19
extends out from a collar 116 that secures to the bottle 1. Between the
collar and the bottle, a vent insert 117 grasps the rim of the bottle 1. The
vent insert has a generally hollow cylindrical shape with a low height
perimeter wall 123. Across the diameter, the vent insert 117 has a lateral
vent 119 with a centered hole towards the direction of the bottle as shown
in FIGS. 27A, 27B. The lateral vent has two opposed openings 118 the
generally communicate air between the bottle 1 and the atmosphere. The
insert 117 has a major lip 121 and a minor lip 122 concentric and slightly
below the major lip 121 as then shown in FIG. 27B. Depending from the
wall 123, the vent insert 117 has the major lip 121 also a hollow cylindrical
shape contiguous but of slightly lesser diameter than the vent insert. In this
manner, the vent insert can be applied in a tight seal within the rim of the
bottle, during its installation, and thereby prevent any leakage from the vent
insert other than the air venting desired from the structure of the insert and
its applicability and usage in a nursing bottle. This aperture is provided at
114, for the contoured vent tube 113, shown in the preferred embodiment
as conical though other shapes are possible. In addition, the bottom of the
vent tube typically ends, in this instance, proximate to the internal bottom
of
any nursing bottle upon which the venting structure of this invention applies,
regardless of whether it be the standard bottle, a wide rim bottle, or the
like.
The major lip has a circumferential bulge 124 of slightly larger diameter
than the major lip. The bulge of the major lip seals the insert to the inner
diameter of the bottle. The major lip has an outer diameter that of the inner
diameter of the bottle. Depending from the lateral vent 119, the vent insert
117 has the minor lip 122 as a hollow cylindrical shape of lesser diameter
than the major lip. The minor lip 122 has a circumferential bulge 125 of
slightly larger diameter than the minor lip. The minor lip has an outer
diameter of the inner diameter of the reservoir. The minor lip seals the
reservoir 126 of the vent tube of the present invention to the vent insert
117.
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
5 The vent tube 113 has a reservoir 126 having a generally hollow
cylindrical shape with an open top 127 and a partially closed bottom 128.
The bottom is smoothed and rounded as it descends distally from the top.
At the center of the bottom 128, an aperture 129 provides passage to the
vent tube 113 joined to the bottom. The vent tube then attains a hollow
10 truncated conical shape with the larger diameter 130 located towards the
reservoir 126 and the narrow diameter 131 located distally.
Coaxial with the vent tube 113, the vent insert 117 has the distal
insert or internal vent tube 120 centered upon the hole in the lateral vent
119 and perpendicular to the lateral vent 119 opposite the insert wall 123.
15 The internal vent tube 120 is a hollow cylinder of a length in excess of
its
diameter. The internal vent tube 120 communicates air, but not feeding
liquid in the current invention, from the lateral vent 119 into the reservoir
126 of the vent tube 113.
FIG. 28 shows the vent tube 113 alone and having a large diameter
20 130 proximate to and similar in diameter to the bottom 128 of the
reservoir
126. The vent tube 113 then tapers distally towards the narrow diameter
131. In the preferred embodiment, the larger diameter 130 is approximately
twice that of the narrow diameter 131, a ratio of about 2:1.
FIG. 29 again shows the vent tube 113 alone but with the larger
diameter 130 substantially less than previous embodiments. In this
embodiment, the larger diameter 130 attains at least one eighth more than
the diameter of the narrow diameter 131. Towards the narrow diameter 131,
the vent tube 113 tapers distally as before. In this embodiment, the large
diameter 130 is slightly greater than the narrow diameter 131, a ratio of
about 1.1:1Ø
Fig. 30 shows a prior art bottle in use by a chewing infant with the
bottle lowered below a horizontal orientation for ready grasping by the
infant. This bottle 1 has a cylindrical tube of constant diameter. With a down
CA 02611742 2007-12-11
WO 2006/138239
PCT/US2006/022866
21
inclined bottle, the tube contacts the feeding liquid. When the nipple is
quickly compressed, as during chewing, the compressed air above the
liquid pressurizes the liquid briefly within the container. The compressed air
advances from the nipple through the vanes of the insert and into the
container, pressurizing it. The pressurized air forces the liquid up into the
prior art vent tube having straight and constant diameter walls. The liquid in
the vent tube suddenly and abruptly enters the insert where it exits the
bottle through the lateral ports of the inserts. The liquid that has exited
then
leaks upon an infant or caregiver.
The tapered vent tube of the present invention, shown in FIG. 31,
dissipates the feeding liquid induced into the vent tube. A contoured tube,
particularly conical shaped, dissipates the pressure upon the liquid within
the tube as the tube diameter expands and the feeding liquid gently flows
into the reservoir instead of abruptly leaking out the vent ports as in the
prior art. Where a bottle 1 in FIG. 31 has a vent tube of a conical shape and
increasing diameter from the narrow distal end 131 to the wider proximal
end 130, an infant chewing on the nipple 5 pressurizes the liquid 2 but the
increasing diameter of the vent tube reduces the incremental volume inside
the tube and deters feeding liquid 2 from exiting the bottle 1 at the insert
119 and leaking out of the collar 6. The increasing vent tube diameter limits
any pressure increases within the bottle 1 and thus leaks from the bottle are
prevented by the present invention.
From the aforementioned description, a fully vented wide rim, or
other diameter, nursing bottle has been described. This nursing bottle is
uniquely capable of reducing pressure increases within a vent tube and
prevents leakage from the bottle. This nursing bottle and its various
components may be manufactured from many different materials including
but not limited to polymers, low density polyethylene, high density
polyethylene, polypropylene, glass, nylon, ferrous and non-ferrous metals,
CA 02611742 2012-10-17
66605-220
22
their alloys, and composites.
Variations or modifications to the embodiments described above may
occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the development as described
herein.
Such variations, if within the scope of this development, are intended to be
encompassed within the invention, as defined by the scope of the claims. The
description of the preferred embodiment, in addition to the depiction within
the
drawings, are set forth for illustrative purposes only.
