BABY BOTTLE DEVICE

Abstract

A baby bottle device (100) is provided which comprises a container (110) with a container volume (115), a teat (120) with a teat volume (125) and a valve unit (200). The teat comprises a first valve (112) for inletting air into the inside volume of the bottle (100). The inside volume of the bottle corresponds to the volume of the container (110) and the teat volume (125). The valve unit (200) with a second valve (210 230) is arranged outside the teat volume (125). The threshold of the vent unit is lower than the threshold of the first vent (112) in the teat.

Claims

1. A baby bottle device comprising a container having a container volume to contain milk, a teat for attachment to the container and having a teat volume and at least one first valve for allowing air to flow from the outside of the teat into the teat volume, and a valve unit arranged outside the teat volume for allowing air to flow into the container volume without coming into contact with milk inside the teat volume, wherein the valve unit comprises a second valve, which has a lower cracking pressure than the first valve.

2. (canceled)

3. A teat coupling device for a baby bottle device, the baby bottle device comprising a container having a container volume to contain milk and a teat for attachment to the container and having a teat volume, the teat coupling device: comprising a valve unit for arranging outside the teat volume for allowing air to flow into the container volume without coming into contact with milk inside the teat volume.

4. A teat device comprising: a teat coupling device as claimed in claim 3; and a teat.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an adapter for coupling the teat to the container, wherein the valve unit is arranged in the region of the adapter.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a partitioning element between the teat and the container volume, wherein the partitioning element comprises at least one opening for letting fluid in the container volume flow into the teat volume.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the valve unit is part of the partitioning element.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the valve unit comprises a first arm which is fixedly attached to the partitioning element at its first side and which at its second end is for lying against a wall of the container to enable outside air to enter into the container.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the valve unit is attached to the partitioning element and comprises an arm which is for bearing against the wall of the container.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the valve unit comprises a duckbill valve, which is arranged in the partitioning element.

11. A method of producing a baby bottle device, comprising the steps of: providing a container having a container volume for containing milk, providing a teat for attachment to the container, having a teat volume and at least one first valve for allowing air to flow from the outside of the teat into the teat volume, and providing a valve unit arranged outside the teat volume for allowing air to flow into the container volume without coming into contact with milk inside the teat volume, wherein the valve unit comprises a second valve which has a lower cracking pressure than the first valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In the following drawings:

[0024] FIG. 1 discloses a schematic representation of a baby bottle device,

[0025] FIG. 2A shows a further schematic cross section of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment,

[0026] FIG. 2B shows an enlarged portion of the baby bottle according to FIG. 2A,

[0027] FIG. 3A shows a further schematic cross section of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment,

[0028] FIG. 3B shows an enlarged portion of the baby bottle according to FIG. 3A,

[0029] FIG. 4A shows a further schematic cross section of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment, and

[0030] FIG. 4B shows an enlarged portion of the baby bottle according to FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] FIG. 1 discloses a schematic representation of a baby bottle device. The baby bottle 100 comprises a container 120 with a container wall 120a, a teat 110 and optionally an adapter 130 for example in form of an attachment ring to attach the teat 110 to the container 120. The container 120 comprises a thread 121 which can interact with a thread 131 of the adapter 130 such that the teat 110 can be fastened to the container 120. The container 120 comprises a container volume 125 and the teat 110 comprises a teat volume 115. The teat 110 comprises at least one valve 112 and holes/apertures 116.

[0032] The valve 112 is defined in the vicinity of a lip of the opening to the container volume. It allows air to flow from the outside of the teat into the teat volume. There is for example an air passage past a gap between the lip of the container opening and the teat, and then to the valve 112 (this can be seen in FIG. 2A). Thus, as milk is removed from the container, a resulting negative pressure in the air space behind the milk creates a pressure across the valve 112 and allows air to fill the container volume, via the teat, to replenish the volume vacated by the milk. The pressure is again equalized. The valve 112 is for example a flap valve. The valve 112 has a first cracking pressure (i.e. a differential pressure across the valve) at which the air is able to flow. The valve 112 is a one way valve, only allowing air to flow into the teat volume.

[0033] Note that the first valve 112 is a conventional known valve for allowing venting of the container through the teat. It is part of the design of the teat.

[0034] Optionally, a partitioning element 300 can be provided between the teat 110 and the container 120. Furthermore, a valve unit 200 is provided outside the teat volume 115. The valve unit 200 can in particular be provided in the region of the adapter 130 if an adapter is present. The valve unit 200 can be provided between the partitioning element 300 and the wall 120a of the container 120. Accordingly, the valve function is moved away from the teat volume 115.

[0035] A (second) cracking pressure of the valve unit 200 is lower than the (first) cracking pressure of the valve 112 of the teat 110. Accordingly, the valve unit 200 will allow air to enter into the bottle at a lower pressure than the valve 112 of the teat 110.

[0036] The valve unit 200 can be part of the partitioning element 300. They can be provided as one piece.

[0037] According to an embodiment, the valve unit 200 can be provided between an open end of the container 120 and the adapter 130 or between the container wall 120a and the partitioning element 300.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the valve unit 200 can be provided at the partitioning module 300 and can bear against the wall 120a of the container as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0039] FIG. 2A shows a further schematic cross section of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2B shows an enlarged portion of the baby bottle according to FIG. 2A. The bottle 100 comprises a container 120 with a wall 120a, a teat 110 and optionally an adapter 130. A partitioning element 300 is provided between a volume 125 of the container and a volume 115 of the teat 110. The partitioning element 300 comprises several openings 310, 320. A valve unit 200 is provided e.g. at the circumference of the partitioning unit 300 and bears against a wall 120a of the container 120. The valve unit 200 allows outside air A to flow into the container volume 125 without coming into contact with the milk M inside the teat 110. The valve unit 200 is attached to the partitioning element 300 and can have a flexible material (like rubber, silicone rubber) such that a flexible arm 210 is pressed against the inside of the container wall 120a. The arm 210 and the portioning element 300 can be manufactured by a 2K (two component) manufacturing, e.g. as one piece.

[0040] FIG. 3A shows a further schematic cross section of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3B shows an enlarged portion of the baby bottle 100 according to FIG. 3A. The structure of the bottle as shown in FIG. 3A substantially corresponds to the structure of the bottle according to FIG. 2A. A valve unit 200 is provided at the partitioning element 300 and interacts with the container wall 120a. Accordingly, an arm 220 of the valve 200 may press against the inside of the container wall. This can be beneficial in view of dimensional tolerances.

[0041] FIG. 4A shows a further schematic cross section of a baby bottle device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4B shows an enlarged portion of the baby bottle according to FIG. 4A. The bottle according to FIG. 4A corresponds to the bottle according to FIG. 2A or 3A with the exception of the partitioning unit 300 and the valve unit 200. The valve unit 200 can comprise a duckbill valve 230 and is part of the partitioning element 300.

[0042] With the baby bottle device according to FIG. 2A, 3A or 4A, it is effectively possible to avoid that outside air coming through a vent is travelling through the milk before it can reach the inner volume of the container. Thus, the amount of air in the milk can be significantly reduced which is advantageous in view of a colic prevention.

[0043] The cracking pressure of the valve unit 200 (the second cracking pressure) is lower than the cracking pressure of the valve 112 (the first cracking pressure) in the teat. Thus, it can effectively be avoided that air is entering through the teat volume such that the amount of air inside the milk is increased.

[0044] The valve unit 200 can be implemented as a flexible sheet of material which interacts with the wall 1200 of the container 120 and is attached to the partitioning element 300. As an example, a flexible arm may be pressed against an inside of the wall of the bottle. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A and 3A, the valve unit 200 is arranged between the partitioning element 300 and a wall of the container.

[0045] The valve unit 200 according to FIGS. 4A and 4B is implemented as a duckbill valve which is not in contact with the container wall.

[0046] In the examples above, the baby bottle device has two valves. One is in the teat and one communicates with the container volume outside the teat volume. However, the teat does not need its own valve, since it is in any case rendered ineffective by the added valve unit. The advantage of the teat having its own valve is that the teat may be used with the container without the partitioning element 300 and hence without the valve unit defined by the partitioning element. It also means that a standard teat (with integrated valve) may be used with the partitioning element.

[0047] The invention also provides an implementation in which the teat does not have its own valve. Such a teat could not be used without the valve unit, since there would then be no venting of the container volume.

[0048] The invention also provides a teat coupling device which implements the valve unit, for example in the form of the partitioning element 300 and optionally also the adapter element 130.

[0049] The invention may thus be applied to baby bottles which are sold having a valve in the teat which functions to allow air into the bottle when liquid/milk leaves via the teat opening. The teat coupling device is an add-on device which can be bought separately and inserted into the existing line of baby bottles to add a second function. The function of the teat coupling device is to keep the teat volume filled with liquid only with no bubbles.

[0050] The add-on separates the teat-volume from the main bottle-volume. Since the original air valve of a standard teat is located within the teat volume, which however now needs to remain filled, this valve no longer should let air come in so that the valve unit of the teat coupling device can function.

[0051] Because the valve unit is located closer to the air volume in the bottle than the original teat valve, bubbling will be mostly non-existing or at least much less depending on the orientation of the bottle.

[0052] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0053] In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality.

[0054] A single unit or device may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0055] Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.