Abstract
A flow controllable and variable stream physiological dispenser for nursing and related bottle, including a nursing bottle, or a sports container, having a cap holding a nursing bottle nipple, or a spout, upon its upper end, the bottle or container may have a singular or double venting structure provided therein, so as to prevent aeration of its contents and eliminate the need for sucking pressure to attain fluid flow from the container. The nipple or spout has various slits, of varying lengths, in order to regulate the quantity of flow of liquid from the bottle, and which nipple may be reinforced through internally formed ribs. Indicia is provided for indicating a fast, intermediate, or slow rate of flow of formula from the bottle, and various apertures, slits, crosscuts, tangential cuts, may be provided at the apex of the nipple or spout to provide a standard constant flow of fluid from the associated container, and which may be supplemented through the flow of formula through the associated radial slits provided through the upper reaches of the nursing bottle nipple or spout.
Claims
1. A flow controllable and variable stream physiological dispenser for a nursing and related bottle, comprising: a nipple having a top nipple portion which extends to an intermediate concaved section which extends to a lower dome-shaped body and integrally to a flange, the flange of the nipple used for holding the nipple to the nursing bottle by a collar; said nipple having a first opening slit having a first length of a short dimension, a second opening slit having a second length of a greater dimension than said first opening slit, said first and second opening slits being radially disposed and approximately diametrically upon the nipple, said nipple having an opened bottom provided at the flange with the nipple having a hollow body through which a liquid may pass from the open bottom through the body and out of at least that opening slit provided downwardly of the nipple when applied to the mouth of a nursing infant; said opening slits are orally activated to allow liquid to flow at a desired rate when pressure is applied to the nipple portion, and the lengths of each opening slit provided upon said nipple allowing for variable flow rates from said nipple, wherein the liquid flowing from the first opening slit is at a slower rate than the liquid flowing from the second opening slit when the nursing bottle is applied for feeding of an infant.
2. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 1, wherein there are a pair of parallel arranged first opening slits having the same short length provided through one side of the nipple, and a pair of second opening slits of a longer length and parallel arranged though the opposite side of said nipple, in order to control the rate of flow of formula from the nursing bottle during feeding of an infant.
3. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 1, wherein there are three parallel arranged first opening slits having a short length provided through one side of the nipple, and three second opening slits of a longer length and parallel arranged through the opposite side of said nipple, in order to control the rate of flow of formula from the nursing bottle during feeding of an infant.
4. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 1, wherein said nursing bottle is formed as a vented container to vent the interior of the bottle to atmosphere during feeding of the infant.
5. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 1, wherein there are more than three opening slits of the first length and more than three opening slits of the second length formed in said nipple.
6. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 1, and including a central opening provided at the apex of the nipple, and said central opening and the first and second opening slits are orally activated to allow liquid to flow at a desired rate when pressure is applied to the top nipple portion, and the first and second lengths of the opening slits being different from each other, to allow for the variable flow rates from said nipple at a controlled rate during an infant feeding session.
7. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first opening slit provided through the nipple when located downwardly within the mouth of an infant providing for a lesser quantity of liquid being delivered from the nursing bottle to the infant during a feeding, and the second and longer opening slit being located downwardly within the mouth of an infant during feeding providing for a greater quantity of liquid being delivered from the container to the infant during a feeding.
8. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 6, wherein the central opening comprises a circular aperture.
9. The variable flow nipple for a nursing bottle dispenser of claim 6, bottle wherein said central aperture comprises a pair of cross slits formed at the apex of the nipple.
10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the cross cut slits are cut upon a tangent.
11. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein a cross cut slit is cut upon a tangent.
12. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the openings are tiled shaped.
13. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said bottle is a sports bottle.
14. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein indicia is applied to one of the nipple and nursing bottle identifying a full flow of fluid from the longest slit during an infant feeding, and indicia provided in alignment with the shortest slit opening in the nipple identifying the potential for obtaining a lowest flow of formula from the nipple and its nursing bottle during usage.
15. The dispenser of claim 1, and including reinforcing ribs provided within the interior of the nipple along its height to structurally strengthen the nipple against collapse during the feeding of an infant during usage of the nursing bottle.
16. The dispenser of claim 1, and there being at least one further slit of intermediate length between the first opening slit and the second opening slit, arranged at approximately 90 degrees from said first and second opening slits, in order to provide for an intermediate flow rate of liquid from the nursing bottle when feeding of an infant.
17. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the first opening slit having a first length of a short dimension being in the range of approximately 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, and the second opening slit having a second length of a greater dimension having a length of approximately at least 1.2 mm in length.
18. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the first opening slit being of a length within the range of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm, the slit of intermediate length having a length of approximately 0.8 mm to 1 mm in length, and the second opening slit of greater dimension having a length of at least 1.2 mm or longer.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] In referring to the drawings,
[0045] FIG. 1 provides an isometric view of a nursing bottle with a nipple providing flow control and variable stream dispensing of the bottle contents;
[0046] FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a variation upon a vented cap structure showing a spout for use upon a nursing bottle, sports bottle, or related type of container;
[0047] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a nipple showing means for providing a variable stream for flow of formula from a nursing bottle, with the short slits providing for slow flow, and the longer slits providing for a fast flow of the bottle contents;
[0048] FIG. 3 is a front view of the variable flow nipple of FIG. 2;
[0049] FIG. 4 is a back view of the variable flow nipple of FIG. 2;
[0050] FIG. 5 shows a variation upon the patterned slits provided upon the nursing bottle nipple, for providing slow flow, fast flow, and intermediate flow of the bottle contents;
[0051] FIG. 6 is a front view of the variable flow nipple of FIG. 5;
[0052] FIG. 7 is a back view of the variable flow nipple of FIG. 5;
[0053] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the variable flow nipple, providing for fast and slow flow of the bottle contents, and having an upper aperture provided for further flow of formula from the bottle;
[0054] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of a modification to the slit arrangement for the shown nipple, having a cross-cut provided upon the top of the shown nipple;
[0055] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a further modification to the variable flow nipple, showing a crosscut, cut upon a tangent, at the top of the shown nipple, for providing formula flow from the nursing bottle;
[0056] FIG. 10A shows a plan view of a modified nipple disclosing the tangential cut of the cross slits provided at the top of the shown nipple;
[0057] FIG. 11 shows a top view of a variable flow nipple, having a series of different length slits, and a crosscut provided upon the top of the shown nipple;
[0058] FIG. 12 discloses a top view of a nursing bottle nipple wherein there are a series of short slits, and a series of long slits, generally provided diametrically arranged upon the upper portion of the shown nipple;
[0059] FIG. 13 is a left side view of the variable flow nipple FIG. 12;
[0060] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the variable flow nipple of FIG. 12;
[0061] FIG. 15 provides an isometric view of a nursing bottle nipple having various length of slits provided upon the upper portion of the nipple to furnish various flow rates of formula from the nursing bottle during usage;
[0062] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the nipple of FIG. 15;
[0063] FIG. 17 is a front view of the nipple of FIG. 15;
[0064] FIG. 18 is a back view of the nipple of FIG. 15;
[0065] FIG. 19 is a plan view of a further modification to the variable flow nipple, of FIG. 15, and showing a fluid flow aperture provided upon the upper tip of the shown nipple;
[0066] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a further modification to the variable flow nipple of FIG. 15, and having a crosscut slit provided upon its upper apex;
[0067] FIG. 21 provides a top plan view of the nipple of FIG. 20;
[0068] FIG. 22 discloses a top plan view of the nipple of FIG. 15, and showing a double crosscut slit provided upon its upper apex;
[0069] FIG. 23 is a modification to the nipple of FIG. 22, and having reinforcement internally provided for the nipple to reinforce it against collapse during repeat usage; and
[0070] FIG. 24 discloses the nipple having variable slits, of short, long, and intermediate lengths, for use for providing variable flow from the nipple in either the range of a slow, fast, or intermediate flow rates, as can be understood.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0071] In referring to the drawings, as can be seen in FIG. 1, the nursing bottle 1 of this invention is of the currently standard type, generally as previously reviewed with respect to the applications' prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,071. It includes its container 2, the venting structure 3, as previously reviewed, a cap and collar 4, and the baby bottle nipple 5, as noted. What is different about the disclosed device, is the particular arrangement of the various slits 6 provided through the nipple, and which will be subsequently explained in greater detail, to provide for enhancement in the flow of formula or milk from the bottle during an infant feeding session. As noted, there are three lengths of slots noted at 6, although it is just as likely that in the preferred embodiment there may be one, two, three, or perhaps even more, as will be subsequently explained.
[0072] As noted in FIG. 1A, the concept of the invention, including a collar and cap 7 incorporating the double venting structure 8, including the vent reservoir 9 and its vent tube 10 which cooperate with an internal vent 11, that is formed with the collar 7, and provides for venting of the fluids contained within its associated container (not shown) to allow for aeration free dispensing of said fluids out of its spout 12, that may include one or more of various slots 13 provided for varying the flow of the fluids to the consumer, at a degree of flow that is preferred by the user, when consuming such liquids, such as when participating in a sporting event, running a distance race, or for use for any related sporting events, as known in the art.
[0073] In referring to the concept of the current invention, and as disclosed in FIG. 2, therein can be seen the preferred embodiment for the invention as described. As noted, therein is disclosed a feeding nipple 14 having an integral flange 15 all as held in position by means of the collar 16 (partially shown) as applied to the type of nursing bottle, as previously explained at 2. The essence of the invention is the provision of designed slits, such as the short slits 17 that provide for a lower flow, or slow flow, of formula to the infant, and one or more longer slits, as at 18, that furnish a faster flow of fluid to the infant, during a feeding session.
[0074] FIGS. 3 and 4 show front and back views of the nipple 14, as previously explained, and in the front view, of FIG. 3, it can be seen that the longer slits 18 are provided, and there is indicia inherently provided upon that face of the nipple that indicates that by placing the longer slits of the nipple downwardly within the infant's mouth, a faster flow, as noted at 19, may be experienced. Likewise, as noted in FIG. 4, when the shorter slits 17 are focused downwardly within the infant's mouth, a slower rate of flow can be arranged, and performed, indicated by the indicia as noted at 20. The size of the slits, their lengths, and the number of such slits, have previously been summarized within this application, to obtain the type of flow rates as previously reviewed and analyzed, through usage of the nursing bottle of this invention, incorporating slits of the type and sizes as defined herein.
[0075] As can be noted in FIGS. 5-7, the nipple 21 is noted, and in this instance, provides for a three type rate of flow when the nipple is applied to its nursing bottle, through the use of a collar, such as partially noted at 22, in a manner as previously described. In this instance, there are a pair of short slits 23, a pair of long slits 24, and intermediate length slits 25, as noted. Thus, when the nursing bottle, with this type of designed nipple, having its various length slits is applied to the infant's mouth, a faster rate of flow can be attained, by placing the longer slits of the nipple within the infant's mouth lowermost therein, to induce a faster flow of formula, at the highest rate that can be obtained from a nipple of this design. FIG. 6 shows the longer slits 24, and its indicia 26, to indicate a faster flow rate during usage of the nursing bottle. Whereas FIG. 7 shows the usage of shorter slits within the nipple, as noted at 23, and indicia indicating that when the nipple is located in the infant's mouth with the short slits being downwardly disposed, a slower rate of flow will be obtained, noted by its indicia 27 as previously explained. Thus, a slow rate of flow can be obtained by locating the nipple of FIG. 7 downwardly within the infant's mouth during a feeding session. A fastest rate of flow can be obtained by placing the nipple of FIG. 6, downwardly within the infant's mouth, during a feeding session. But, by rotating the nipple 90 degrees, either way, the intermediate flow rate can be obtained by arranging the intermediate length slits 25, downwardly within the infant's mouth during a feeding session.
[0076] FIG. 8 shows a further modification to the nipple 28, wherein the rates of flow can be regulated through the orientation of the various longer slits 29, or shorter slits 30 as previously reviewed, but in this instance, some consistency of flow rate can also be obtained through the inclusion of an aperture 31 at the upper most apex of the nipple, which flow rate of formula through the aperture 31 will be supplemented by either a slow rate of flow enhanced by the short slits 30, or a higher rate of flow, induced by the arrangement of the longer slits 29, in the manner as previously described.
[0077] FIG. 9 shows a further modification to the nipple design, as noted at 32. In this instance, there are a pair of short slits 33 and longer slits 34, employed in the manner as previously described. In this instance, at the upper apex of the nipple is provided with a crosscut pair of slots 35 that function in the manner as previously explained, so as to furnish a constant flow of formula through the crosscut slits, as at 35, and which will be enhanced by either an additional slow rate of flow, through the short slit 33, or a greater rate of flow, through passage of the formula through longer slits 34, as explained.
[0078] FIG. 10 shows a nipple 36, having its short slits 37, and the longer slits 38, which complement and enhance the flow of formulate through the nipple, and out of its tangentially formed cross-slits 39 provided at the upper apex of the shown nipple, as can be noted.
[0079] FIG. 10A shows the arrangement of the tangentially formed cross slits 39, which generally provide for a cut of the slits along an angular incline, through the upper tip of the nipple, rather than perpendicularly cut slits, as normally done in the prior art. This provides for a more regulated flow of formula out of the nursing bottle, and through its nipple, and particularly through its tangentially formed cross slits, as can be understood. More variance and control of flow is noted with this arrangement.
[0080] FIG. 11 shows a further variation upon the nursing bottle nipple 40 of this invention. It shows a variation of various slits, provided radially upon and through the nipple, and the slits include a short slit 41, a longest slit 42 generally provided opposite from the short slit, and then a series of intermediate slits 43-45, to provide for variations in the rate of flow of the formula through the nipple, and out of the same, during consumption. Obviously, to obtain these variations in flow rate, whatever rate is desired, that particular slit will be oriented downwardly within the infant's mouth, during a feeding session. In addition, there may be a cross slit 46 provided through the top of the nipple, in order to provide a consistent flow of formula from the nursing bottle, and which will be supplemented by variations in the flow rate, depending upon which of the slits 41-45 are oriented downwardly within the infant's mouth, during a feeding session.
[0081] A further variation upon the concept of this invention can be seen in the nipple design, as noted at 47, in FIG. 12. In this instance, it can be seen that there are three short slits 48 provided to one side of the nipple, radially disposed therethrough, and three long slits 49 are also provided opposite thereof. Thus, a faster flow can be obtained by orienting the three longer slits 49 downwardly within the infant's mouth, during feeding, or a slower rate of flow can be obtained, generally in the manner as previously summarized, with the orientation of the shorter slits 48 downwardly within the infant's mouth, during a feeding session. In addition, while three short and long slits are shown within this FIG. 12, and just a pair of such slits are shown in FIG. 2, it is just as likely that there may be a singular short slit, and a singular long slit, provided radially within the upper reaches of the nipple, or even more than three may be provided, depending upon the degree and volume of flow desired from the nipple, while feeding the infant. This is something the mother or caregiver will have to gauge, upon feeding the infant, in order to give the infant enough formula to satisfy its feeding requirements, or to slow it down to prevent the infant from consuming too much liquid, and gagging or choking in the process. It is regulated by the activities of the mother during the feeding session, by arranging the nursing bottle at some angular position, within the infant's mouth, to attain the flow rate that is most desirable and effective for the feeding infant, during a feeding session.
[0082] FIG. 13 provides a left side view of the nipple as disclosed in FIG. 12, showing the arrangement of the plurality of short slits 48 provided through the nipple. FIG. 14 shows a right side view of FIG. 12, showing the arrangement of the various long slits 49 provided within the nipple 47, to attain a greater rate of flow of the formula from the nursing bottle, during a feeding session.
[0083] FIGS. 15-18 show the arrangement of a multitude of various length slits, formed radially within the upper regions of the shown nipple 50, as noted, the various slits are all of differing lengths, that allows for the mother to rotate the nursing bottle, into that position, that obtains a flow rate through the various slits 51 that appears to be most acceptable to the feeding infant, during a feeding session. The various lengths, orientation, and the amount of flow rate desired from the nipple will dictate, generally, the length of the slits to be provided through the upper regions of the nipple, in a manner as shown and described in these FIGS. 15-18.
[0084] FIG. 19 shows a related nipple 52 having the various different lengths of slits 53, but in this arrangement, the structure of the nipple includes an upper centered aperture 54 to furnish a constant flow of formula from the nipple, and which may be supplemented by a rate of flow through the various slits 53, depending upon their orientation within the mouth of the feeding infant.
[0085] FIG. 20 shows the related structure for a nipple 55 having multi-length of radial slits 56 but in this instance having a crosscut 57 provided through the upper tip of the nipple, as can be noted. FIG. 21 provides an upper plan view of the nipple of FIG. 20, showing the arrangement of the crosscut slits 57 used in combination with the multiple length of slits 56 as previously explained.
[0086] FIG. 22 show a further slight variation upon the nipple structure 58, showing the multi-length of slits radially disposed, at 59, but including tangentially cut cross slits 60 provided through the upper apex of the shown nipple, as can be understood.
[0087] Finally, FIG. 23 shows a further variation upon the nipple 61 showing the various multi-length of slits 62 the tangentially crosscut slits 63, and in this particular instance, internally provided within the nipple are a series of integrally formed reinforcing ribs 64, extending the height of the nipple, which prevents the collapse of the nipple during consumption of the nursing bottle contents, particularly since there are so many variations upon the slit structures, as at 62 and 63, provided through the upper regions of the nipple, such that the reinforcing ribs 64 help to prevent the collapse of the nipple, during formula consumption by the infant. As is well known, while the infant presses its mouth or gums against the nipple, and undertakes some degree of suction, this can lead towards nipple collapse, which is generally prevented through the use of the reinforcing ribs 64, as shown and identified herein. The venting also prevents collapse of the applied nipple.
[0088] FIG. 24 shows another plan view of a modification to the variable flow nipple 65. As noted, it provides a singular short slit 66, a longer slit 67 opposite thereof, and a pair of intermediate length slits 68, as can be noted. Each of these slits can provide for a variable flow of the milk or formula from the associated nursing bottle.
[0089] Where the short slit 66 is provided at approximately a length of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm, a flow may be provided in the amount of 40-62 drops per minute from the nursing bottle. Where the longer slit 67 is provided, and has a length of approximately 1.2 mm to 1.4 mm, or longer, the flow rate is in the range of 115-143 drops per minute. And, where intermediate slits, such as at 68, are provided, and these slits are approximately 0.8 mm to 1 mm in length, the flow rate from the nursing bottle is in the range of 83-111 drops per minute. Thus, depending upon the orientation of the nursing bottle within the infant's mouth, regulates the amount of liquid that flows from the bottle, during a feeding session. Hence, it leaves the mother or caregiver control of what type of flow may be attained from the nursing bottle, during a feeding. And, in the event that the nursing bottle is arranged at an angular position between any one of these identified slots, the amount of liquid flowing can be varied, and is variable, depending upon the location of the nursing bottle, and this formed nipple, directed towards the bottom of the infant's mouth, during a feeding session.
[0090] It might also be stated that when these various slits are provided within the nipple, as described throughout this application, where the slits are provided, they may be tapered at an angle, from the exterior, and thereby provide for better flow, and its control, of the liquid from the nursing bottle. And, where an aperture, such as at 31, is provided within the top of the nipple, if it is conically made, further provides for control of the flow of fluid from the nursing bottle.
[0091] Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon review of the disclosure herein. Such variations, if within the spirit of this invention, are intended to be encompassed within the scope of any claims to patent protection issuing upon this development. The description of the invention in the specification, and its depiction in the drawings, are generally set forth for illustrative purposes only. It is the principle of the invention, as generally defined in the claims, that provide the scope of patent protection sought herein.
