Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FEEDING PACIFIER WITH REMOVABLE FLUID SOURCE
1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35
U.S.C. 119(e) to, Carter U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/704,470
filed
August 1, 2005. The entire disclosure of this patent application is hereby
incorporated
herein by reference.
II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT,
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection
under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The
copyright owner
has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent
document or the
patent disclosure, as it appears in official govermnental records but,
otherwise, all other
copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Babies and young children frequently accompany parents on outings and often
desire food and beverages to satisfy their physical needs, to occupy travel
time, and to
serve non-physical needs with regard to emotional comfort and feelings of
security.
Thus, feeding bottles are available, although typical examples require support
by the
hand of an adult while a child feeds, especially with regard to infants.
Pacifiers are
available that, to some extent, address feeding instincts of a child and
invoke feelings of
security and comfort. Pacifiers particularly address travel situations and
moments when
parents are too busy to support a feeding bottle. However, as many parents
know, there
are times when a child desires feeding for physical or non-physical reasons
and will not
be satisfied by a pacifier.
Therefore, a need exists for a feeding system, that provides benefits and
conveniences, while obviating shortfalls, of both bottles and pacifiers.
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IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes many aspects and features. In a first aspect of
the
invention, an apparatus for feeding a child comprises a pacifier including a
mouthpiece
and a shield and a fluid source adapted to releasably couple to the pacifier
such that the
fluid source is completely supported and retained by the pacifier. Consumable
fluid is
dispensable from the fluid source through the moutlipiece of the pacifier.
In a feature of this aspect, the pacifier further comprises a nipple and a
port. The
port is adapted to releasably couple to the fluid source such that the fluid
is dispensable
from the fluid source through the nipple. In another feature of this aspect,
the fluid
source comprises a container having a sealed tliin membrane. The thin membrane
is
ruptured upon coupling of the fluid source to the pacifier.
In an additional feature of this aspect, the fluid source comprises a
cartridge
including a generally cylindrical body having a port disposed therein. In
accordance
with this feature, the cartridge has a fluid displacement article disposed
therein, with the
fluid displacement article has a higher mass density than the fluid. With
further regard to
this feature, the cartridge further includes a pair of gaskets spaced on
opposing sides of
the port for engagement with the fluid displacement article.
In another feature of this aspect, the fluid source comprises a cartridge
having a
cylindrical port. In furtherance of this feature, the cylindrical cartridge
port is threaded
for releasable coupling with a threaded cylindrical port of the pacifier.
Witli regard to
this feature, the pacifier includes a cylindrical port with an upturned mouth
for receiving
the cylindrical port of the cartridge.
In yet another feature, the fluid source comprises a reservoir connected to a
port
by way of a tube, wherein the port may be releasably coupled to the pacifier.
In still yet
another feature, the pacifier comprises a valve, wherein the valve is sealed
prior to the
fluid source coupling to the pacifier, and, wherein the valve is unsealed upon
coupling of
the fluid source to the pacifier.
In another aspect of the invention, a fluid source assembly comprises a
package
and a plurality of disposable, single use containers disposed within the
package. Each
container contains consumable fluid and each container is adapted to couple to
a
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inouthpiece of a pacifier for dispensing of the consumable fluid from the
container
through the mouthpiece.
In a feature of this aspect, each container contains the same consumable
fluid.
With further regard to this feature, the saine consumable fluid consists of
baby feeding
forinula, milk, juice, or water. In another feature of this aspect, a first of
the containers
contains a first consumable fluid, and a second of the containers contains a
second
consumable fluid. The first consumable fluid is different from the second
consumable
fluid. In yet another feature, the fluid source assembly defines a variety
pack of
beverages for a child. In an additional feature, a pacifier includes the
mouthpiece, and
the pacifier is not disposed within the package.
In an additional aspect of the invention, a method for dispensing a consumable
fluid into a mouth of a child comprises the steps of (a) coupling a container
to a pacifier
with the container containing a consumable fluid and (b) disposing a
mouthpiece of the
pacifier into the mouth of a child.
In a feature of this aspect, the step (a) is performed prior to performance of
the
step (b). In a further feature of this aspect, the step (b) is performed prior
to performance
of the step (a).
In another aspect of the invention, a method for dispensing a consumable fluid
into a mouth of a child comprises the steps of coupling a first container into
engagement
with a pacifier with the container containing a first consumable fluid;
disposing a
mouthpiece of the pacifier into the mouth of a child, thereby facilitating
dispensation of
the first consumable fluid into the mouth of the child; decoupling the first
container from
the pacifier without removing the mouthpiece of the pacifier from the mouth of
the child;
and coupling a second container into engagement with the pacifier without
removing the
mouthpiece of the pacifier from the mouth of the child, thereby facilitating
dispensation
of the second consumable fluid into the mouth of the child.
In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present
invention, it
should be noted that the present invention further includes the various
possible
combinations of such aspects and features.
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V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which are
briefly
described below, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same
reference
numerals, and wherein various elements are not necessarily shown in
conformance to
any particular absolute or relative scale.
FIG. lA is an elevational side view of a feeding pacifier according to a
preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. IB is an elevational end view of the feeding pacifier of FIG. lA.
FIG. 2A is an elevational view of a fluid cartridge according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, viewed along a longitudinal axis of the
cartridge.
FIG. 2B is an elevational view of the fluid cartridge of FIG. 2A, viewed
transversely to the longitudinal axis thereof.
FIG. 3A is an elevational side view of the feeding pacifier of FIG. IA engaged
with the fluid cartridge of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 3B is an elevational end view of the feeding pacifier of FIG. 1B engaged
with the fluid cartridge of FIG. 2B.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a fluid cartridge according to an alternative
preferred
embodiment of the invention, shown with the longitudinal axis thereof rotated
from a
horizontal orientation.
FIG. 5 is a side view of a fluid cartridge according to another alternative
preferred embodiment of the invention, also shown wit11 the longitudinal axis
thereof
rotated from a horizontal orientation.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a fluid cartridge according to yet another
alternative
preferred embodiment of the invention, shown with the longitudinal axis
thereof rotated
from a horizontal orientation.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a package of fluid cartridges according to a
preferred
embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a fluid source according to the invention, shown with
the
feeding pacifier of FIG. IA.
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FIG. 9A is an elevational side view of another feeding pacifier and another
fluid
reservoir cartridge, each according to another embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 9B is an elevational side view of the feeding pacifier of FIG. 9A engaged
with the fluid reservoir cartridge.
5 FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a sealed valve defined by a
port of a
feeding pacifier according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a partial cross sectional view of an unsealed valve defined by a
port of
a feeding pacifier engaged with a port of a fluid reservoir cartridge
according to the
invention.
FIG. 12 is an elevational side view of yet another feeding pacifier and yet
another
fluid reservoir cartridge, each according to yet another embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 13A is an elevational view of the fluid reservoir cartridge according to
a
preferred embodiment of the invention, shown with a cap disposed on the
cartridge.
FIG. 13B is another elevational view of the fluid reservoir cartridge of FIG.
13A,
shown with the cap removed from the cartridge.
FIG. 14A is a view of the feeding pacifier of FIG. 12 in the process of being
engaged with the fluid reservoir cartridge of FIG. 13B.
FIG. 14B is a view of the feeding pacifier of FIG. 12 engaged with the fluid
reservoir cartridge of FIG. 13B.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of a package, according to a preferred embodiment of
the
invention, of fluid cartridges according to the embodiment of FIG. 13A.
VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary
skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan") that the present invention has
broad utility
and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being
"preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying
out the
present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional
illustrative
purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention.
Moreover,
many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and
equivalent
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6
arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein
and fall
within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in
relation
to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is
illustrative and
exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of
providing a
full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure
herein of
one or more embodiinents is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the
scope of
patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined
by the
claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of
patent protection
afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a
limitation found
herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Tlius, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various
processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not
restrictive.
Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes
or
methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order,
the steps
of any such processes or inethods are not limited to being carried out in any
particular
sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such
processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders
while
still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is
intended that the
scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by
the
appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to
that
which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the
contextual
use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used lierein-
as
understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term-
differs in
any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended
that the
meaning of the terin as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, "a" and "an" each
generally denotes "at least one," but does not exclude a plurality unless the
contextual
use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having an apple"
describes "a
picnic basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic basket having
apples." In
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contrast, reference to "a picnic basket having a single apple" describes "a
picnic basket
having only one apple."
When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at least one of the
items,"
but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to "a
picnic basket
having cheese or crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without
crackers",
"a picnic basket having crackers without cheese", and "a picnic basket having
both
cheese and crackers." Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, "and"
denotes "all
of the items of the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese
and crackers"
describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further
has crackers,"
as well as describes "a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic
basket further
has cheese."
Turning now to FIGS. lA-1B, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a
feeding pacifier 10 includes a nipple 12, a shield 14, and a port 16. The
nipple 12 is for
mouthing and sucking by a child as is customary with regard to conventional
pacifiers
and baby bottles. The shield 14 prevents the nipple 12 from being drawn too
far into the
mouth of a child and thereby prevents choking and suffocation.
The feeding pacifier 10 receives fluid, such as feeding formula, through the
port
16 and dispenses the fluid through the nipple 12 when a child sucks therefrom.
In the
present embodiment, the port 16 includes a number of holes 18 surrounding a
punch 20.
The punch 20 is for piercing a fluid source, or manipulating a valve thereof,
to permit
fluid to flow from the source, through the holes 18, into the interior of the
nipple 12, and
outward from the nipple for feeding of a child.
The port 16 of the feeding pacifier 10 is constructed to engage and releasably
retain a fluid source. In the illustrated embodiment, opposing fingers 22
partially
surround and grasp a fluid source when the source is received between the
fingers 22 and
is coupled with the port 16.
An exemplary fluid source for use with the inventive feeding pacifier 10 is
shown
in FIG. 2A-2B. In this example, the fluid source consists of a fluid cartridge
24. The
fluid cartridge 24 comprises a generally cylindrical body 26 having opposing
hemispherical ends 28a,28b. A longitudinal axis 30 is defined along the
cylindrical body
26 of the fluid cartridge 24. The fluid cartridge 24 is capable of containing
therein a
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fluid and dispensing the fluid through a port 32. The fluid cartridge port 32
is sealed and
is fluid impermeable prior to engagement with the port 16 of the feeding
pacifier 10. In
the illustrated embodiment, the port 30 includes a thin membrane 34 capable of
being
pierced by the punch 20 of the feeding pacifier 10.
The fluid cartridge 24 and the port 16 of the feeding pacifier 10 inay be
releasably coupled with one another. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A-
3B,
during engagement, the fluid cartridge 24 is partially surrounded and
releasably grasped
by the opposing fingers 22. When coupled, the port 32 of the fluid cartridge
24 is
brought into sealing abutment with the port 16 of the feeding pacifier 10. In
the
illustrated embodiment, the thin membrane 34 of the fluid cartridge 24 is
pierced by the
punch 20 as the port 32 of the fluid cartridge is brought into sealing
abutment with the
port 16 of the feeding pacifier.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, the fluid cartridge may attach to the
feeding pacifier using a threaded connection similar to the connection in the
embodiment
of FIGS. 12-14B. To the extent that such an alternative preferred embodiment
does not
require that the feeding pacifier include the fingers 22, such an alternative
preferred
embodiment is preferred because the omission of the fingers is believed to
reduce overall
weight of the feeding pacifier when used by a child.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a particular inventive embodiment of a tubular fluid
cartridge 40 defines an interior 42 having therein a fluid 44 that is
generally free to flow
about within the interior under the force of gravity. The fluid cartridge 40
is capable of
engagement with the feeding pacifier 10 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3A-3B,
with
reference to the fluid cartridge 24. As the fluid 44 is drawn from the
cartridge through
the port 46, the volume of the remaining fluid is reduced until the level 48
of the fluid
falls below the port. Particularly in a situation wherein the disposition of
the longitudinal
axis 50 defined by the cartridge 40 is oriented to allow fluid to collect
below the port 46,
a significant volume of the fluid may be unavailable for feeding.
Otller iiiventive embodiments of fluid cartridges include structures aimed at
minimizing the collection of fluid below a port. For exainple, in FIG. 5 a
fluid cartridge
60 defines an interior 62 having therein a fluid 64 that is generally free to
flow about
within the interior under the force of gravity. The fluid cartridge 60 may be
engaged
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with the feeding pacifier 10. As the fluid 64 is drawn from the cartridge
through the port
66, the volume of the remaining fluid is reduced until the level 68 of the
fluid falls below
the port. A fluid displacement article in the form of a bal172 is disposed in
the interior
of the cartridge. The ball is movable under the force of gravity within the
interior 62,
and, in conjunction with gaskets 74,76 spaced on opposing sides of the port
66, defines
respective valves operative to maintain fluid proximal the port to minimize
the collection
of fluid below the port. The longitudinal axis 70 defined by the cartridge is
oriented such
that the ball 72, having higher mass density than the fluid 64, has fallen
into sealing
engagement with the gasket 74 thereby defining a valve above which at least
some
portion of the fluid 64 is maintained. The level 68 of the fluid 64 is thereby
maintained
above the port 66, at least to a greater extent in the scenario illustrated in
FIG. 5 than in
the scenario illustrated in FIG. 4.
Another example of an inventive embodiment of a fluid cartridge is shown in
FIG. 6. The fluid cartridge 80 defines an interior 82 having therein a fluid
84 that is
generally free to flow about within the interior under the force of gravity.
The fluid
cartridge 80 is capable of engagement with the feeding pacifier 10. As the
fluid 84 is
drawn from the cartridge through the port 86, the volume of the remaining
fluid is
reduced until the level 88 of the fluid falls below the port. One or more
fluid
displacement articles 92 movable under the force of gravity within the
interior 82
displace some portion of the volume of the fluid that might otllerwise collect
below the
port 86. The longitudinal axis 90 is oriented such that one or more articles
92, having
higher mass density than the fluid 84, fall below the port 86 thereby
maintaining the
leve188 above the port 86, at least to a greater extent in the scenario
illustrated in FIG. 6
than in the scenario illustrated in FIG. 4.
Optionally, multiple fluid cartridges 94 are made available to consumers in a
package 96 according to an aspect of the invention as shown in FIG. 7. The
package 96
is optionally a blister package and is optionally refrigerated or non-
refrigerated according
to the fluid contents of the cartridges 94 and perishable properties thereof.
Each of the
fluid cartridges in a package may contain the saine fluid. For example, a
package for
young babies may contain ca.rtridges of feeding formula. The fluid cartridges
in a
package may also contain different fluids. For example, a variety package for
older
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babies may contain cartridges having milk, juice and water, or some other
variation of
available fluids. The fluid cartridges will generally contain either feeding
formula, milk,
juice or water.
Another exemplary fluid source for use with the inventive feeding pacifier 10
is
5 shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the fluid source coinprises a reservoir
100
connected to a port 102 by way of a tube 104. Fluid 106 within the reservoir
100 flows
through the tube 104 to the port 102. The port 102 is capable of engagement
with the
feeding pacifier 10 for delivering the fluid 106 of the reservoir 100 to the
feeding pacifier
through the tube 104. Optionally, the fluid reservoir includes a refill port
108.
10 Furthermore, the fluid reservoir optionally includes support straps having
fasteners 112
for supporting the reservoir. For example, the reservoir 100 may be worn as a
garment,
such as a bib, about the neck of a feeding child, or may be worn or supported
by an adult
feeding a child.
Turning now to FIGS. 9A-9B, in another embodiment of the invention, a feeding
pacifier 116 includes a nipple 118, a shield 120, and a port 122. The nipple
118 is for
mouthing and sucking by a child as is customary with regard to conventional
pacifiers
and baby bottles. The shield 120 prevents the nipple 118 from being drawn too
far into
the mouth of a child and thereby prevents choking and suffocation. The feeding
pacifier
116 receives fluid such as feeding formula through the port 122 and dispenses
the fluid
through the nipple 118 when a child feeds therefrom. In an exemplary
embodiment, a
fluid reservoir cartridge 124 is adapted to engage with the feeding pacifier
116. More
particularly, a port 126 of the cartridge is adapted to engage with the port
122 of the
feeding pacifier.
In this embodiment, the port 122 comprises a cylindrical port having external
threads 128, and the port 126 comprises a cylindrical port having internal
threads (not
shown) for turning engagement with the threads 128. The port 126 receives the
port 122
as shown in FIG. 9B, and the feeding pacifier 116 and fluid reservoir
cartridge 124 are
engaged by turning of the cartridge relative to the pacifier. The cartridge
and pacifier are
preferably engaged by one full relative rotation. The fluid reservoir
cartridge 124 is
optionally collapsible to facilitate drawing out of the fluid within the
reservoir without
creation of a vacuum within the cartridge that would otherwise impede feeding.
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As shown in FIG. 10, a valve may be defined within the port 122 of the feeding
pacifier 116 by a valve stem 130 attached to a stopper 132. The stopper is
biased by a
coil spring into sealing engagement with a gasket 134 defined by the port 122.
As shown
in FIG. 11, when the port 126 of the fluid reservoir cartridge is engaged with
the port 122
of the feeding pacifier, a push-rod 136 of the port 126 presses the valve stem
such that
the stopper 132 is displaced from the gasket to allow fluid 138 to flow
through the port
122. A benefit provided by such a valve is that the feeding pacifier 116 may
be used as a
conventional pacifier, without a fluid reservoir cartridge attached thereto,
without a child
drawing air through the nipple 118 as the child sucks thereon.
Turning now to FIGS. 12-14B, in yet another embodiment of the invention, a
feeding pacifier 146 includes a nipple 148, a shield 150, and a port 152. The
nipple 148
is for mouthing and sucking by a child as is customary with regard to
conventional
pacifiers and baby bottles. The shield 150 prevents the nipple 148 from being
drawn too
far into the mouth of a child and thereby prevents choking and suffocation.
The feeding
pacifier 146 receives fluid such as feeding formula through the port 152 and
dispenses
the fluid through the nipple 148 when a child feeds therefrom.
A fluid reservoir cartridge 154 is adapted to engage with the feeding pacifier
146
by engagement of a port 158 of the cartridge with the port 152 of the feeding
pacifier.
The fluid reservoir cartridge 154 includes a removable cap 156 for maintaining
the port
158 in a sanitary condition and for retaining fluid within the cartridge. The
port 158
optionally includes a breakable or removable seal such as a foil closure (not
shown) or a
plasticized closure that is removed by hand or is ruptured when the cartridge
154 is
engaged with the feeding pacifier 146.
In this illustrated example, the port 152 of the feeding pacifier 146
comprises an
upturned mouth for receiving the port 158 of the cartridge 154. As shown in
FIG. 14A,
the cartridge 154 is engaged with the feeding pacifier 146 by turning the
cartridge
relative to the pacifier thereby engaging respective threads. Optionally, the
cartridge is
maintained in an upright disposition until full engagement is achieved to
prevent spilling
of the fluid within the cartridge. Once full engagement is achieved, as shown
in FIG.
14B, the feeding pacifier 146 is disposed with the nipple 148 in the mouth of
a child (not
shown) such that the cartridge 154 is generally maintained upward from the
port 152 of
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the pacifier so that the full contents of the cartridge are consumed without
the level
thereof falling below the port 152.
Optionally, multiple fluid cartridges 154 are made available to consumers in a
package 160 according to an aspect of the invention as shown in FIG. 15. The
package
160 is optionally a blister package and is optionally refrigerated or non-
refrigerated
according to the fluid contents of the cartridges 154 and perishable
properties thereof.
Graphical indicia 162 are optionally included on the package 160 for
encouraging sales
and providing information. For example, insofar as the fluid cartridges 154
are shaped
somewhat like strawberries, graphical indicia 162 may relate the package 160
to a
strawberry patch thereby amusing the consumer and enticing purchases of the
package.
In use, an adult may couple the fluid source to the feeding pacifier and then
place
the feeding pacifier in a child's mouth or the adult may place the feeding
pacifier in the
child's mouth and then couple the fluid source to the pacifier. The
circumstances
surrounding a child's use will often determine the method of use that an adult
chooses.
Further, in the event a child drinks all of the fluid in a first fluid source,
a parent or other
adult may decouple the empty first fluid source and couple a second fluid
source to the
feeding pacifier. Because of the releasable coupling design of the feeding
pacifier, it is
possible for a parent to make this switch soon after the first fluid source
becomes empty
so that a child is never aware of the first fluid source being empty. A parent
that has
experienced a hungry or agitated child running out of a desired fluid will
appreciate the
advantage of a quick switch from one fluid source to another.
The feeding pacifier of the present invention is ideal because it combines the
benefits of a conventional bottle with those of a pacifier. It provides the
soothing that is
typically associated with a pacifier and also provides a means for feeding a
hungry or
agitated child. Further, the feeding pacifier provides a way to feed a child
in those
instances when it is not convenient or not possible to hold a bottle for the
child.
Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those
persons
skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility
and application.
Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those
specifically
described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent
arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present
invention
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and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance
or scope of
the present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail
in
relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that
this disclosure
is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely
for the
purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The
foregoing
disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise
exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or
equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the
claims
appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
