Feeding bottle device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a feeding bottle device (100) comprising at least one air vent valve (140) for allowing the passage of air from outside the feeding bottle device (100) to within a container volume (125) when the feeding bottle device (100) is assembled, a confined volume forming component (150) for defining a confined volume (155) within a container volume (125) of a container component (120) of the feeding bottle device (100), wherein the confined volume (155) is configured to provide a controlled opening (165) for air entering through the air vent valve (140) into the container volume (125), and an optional duct forming component (170) for forming a guidance duct (175) from the at least one air vent valve (140) to the confined volume (155). The feeding bottle device (100) reduces the risk of colic-like symptoms for an infant.

Claims

1. A feeding bottle device, the feeding bottle device comprising a teat component defining a teat volume therein, a container component defining a container volume therein, and an attachment component, the teat component and the container component being attachable to each other along a contact area by means of the attachment component, the feeding bottle device further comprising: at least one air vent valve for allowing the passage of air from outside the feeding bottle device to within the container volume when the feeding bottle device is assembled, a confined volume forming component for defining a confined volume within the container volume, wherein the confined volume is configured to provide a controlled opening for air entering through the air vent valve into the container volume, wherein the confined volume is formed by the confined volume forming component and a wall of the container volume in an assembled state of the feeding bottle device.

2. The feeding bottle device according to claim 1, further comprising a duct forming component for forming a guidance duct from the at least one air vent valve to the confined volume.

3. The feeding bottle device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one air vent valve is integrated in at least one of the teat component, the container component, the attachment component, the duct forming component, and an interface between any of these components.

4. The feeding bottle device according to claim 2, wherein the guidance duct is formed by the duct forming component and at least one of the teat component the container component in an assembled state of the feeding bottle device.

5. The feeding bottle device according to claim 1, wherein at least one component of the feeding bottle device comprises two solid materials with different material properties.

6. The feeding bottle device according to claim 1, further comprising a passage prevention component for preventing liquid from the confined volume to reach the at least one air vent valve.

7. The feeding bottle device according to claim 2, wherein the passage prevention component comprises a one way valve between the guidance duct and the confined volume.

8. The feeding bottle device according to claim 2, wherein the passage prevention component comprises a reservoir deflection between the guidance duct and the confined volume.

9. The feeding bottle device according to claim 1, wherein the confined volume forming component is formed as an orientation indicator, wherein the orientation indicator is visible from outside the feeding bottle device when in an assembled state.

10. The feeding bottle device according to claim 2, wherein the confined volume forming component and the duct forming component are integrated in a partitioning component for dividing the teat volume from the container volume when the feeding bottle device is assembled.

11. The feeding bottle device according to claim 10, wherein the partitioning component comprises a first passage allowing a passage of fluid from the container volume to the teat volume and a second passage allowing a passage of fluid from the teat volume to the container volume, wherein the second passage is provided in the form of a one-way passage.

12. The feeding bottle device according to claim 11, wherein the second passage is closer to the confined volume forming component than the first passage.

13. The feeding bottle device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second passage comprises a flap valve or a duckbill valve.

14. The feeding bottle device according to claim 10, wherein the partitioning component comprises a sealing material attached thereto for providing a hard-soft interface between the partitioning component and at least one of the teat component and the container component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the following drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily a feeding bottle device according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows schematically and exemplarily a reservoir deflection as a passage prevention component,

(4) FIG. 3 shows schematically and exemplarily a partitioning component,

(5) FIG. 4A shows schematically and exemplarily a further partitioning component in isolation,

(6) FIG. 4B shows schematically and exemplarily the partitioning component of FIG. 4A in an assembled state of the feeding bottle device,

(7) FIG. 5 shows schematically and exemplarily an orientation of the feeding bottle device in a feeding position, and

(8) FIGS. 6A and 6B show schematically and exemplarily two perspective views on a partitioning component to be used with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(9) FIG. 1 shows schematically and exemplarily a feeding bottle device 100 in an assembled state in cross-sectional view. Feeding bottle device 100 comprises a teat component 110, which is attached to a container component 120 by means of an attachment component 130 in the form of a locking ring. Usually, feeding bottle device 100 and more precisely a container volume 125 within container component 120 is filled with milk, which is then fed to an infant out of teat component 110. For this purpose, feeding bottle device 100 in the assembled state illustrated in FIG. 1 is maintained at an angle which allows milk to enter the teat volume 115 within teat component 110, as also illustrated in FIG. 5.

(10) In the attachment area between teat component 110, container component 120 and attachment component 130, an air vent valve 140 for allowing air from outside of feeding bottle device 100 to enter into container volume 125 is provided. Thereby, the vacuum present in teat volume 115 while the infant is suckling to feed milk can be reduced, without air having to enter through a teat hole of teat component 110. Air entering through teat component 110 increases the risk of air being present within teat volume 115 and eventually entering the infant's mouth. Various forms of air vent valves 140 are known in the art, and can be, for instance, integrated within teat component 110, container component 120 and/or attachment component 130 in proximity to the attachment area. In other examples the air vent valve 140 can also be provided at a different location, such as integrated within teat component 110 or container component 120 distant from the attachment area.

(11) Air enters through air vent valve 140 and gets collected in guidance duct 175 prior to entering container volume 125. Guidance duct 175 is in this example formed annularly around the attachment area, collects the air independent of an angular position of air vent valve 140 and guides it towards a confined volume 155. Adjacent to or as part of confined volume 155, a controlled opening 165 for releasing air into container volume 125 is provided. For this purpose, a duct forming component 170 extends annularly around an opening of container volume 125 and defines annular guidance duct 175 between duct forming component 170, container component 120 and/or teat component 110. It should be noted that guidance duct 175 is not necessarily to be provided in annular form around the opening of container volume 125, for instance, in case the angular position of air vent valve 140 is well known such as in a must fit layout, in which guidance duct 175 collects the air always at the same defined position of air vent valve 140.

(12) The exemplary shape of the guidance duct 175 of FIG. 1 is of course not the only feasible shape, other shapes of guidance duct 175 are contemplated in other examples. It is only of importance that guidance duct 175 be capable of connecting air entering through air vent valve 140 and guiding this air to confined volume 155.

(13) In this example, confined volume 155 is defined by a confined volume forming component 150, which is provided adjacent a wall of container component 120. The confined volume 155 is thereby limited by confined volume forming component 150 and container component 120. In other examples, confined volume 155 can also be defined by confined volume forming component 150 only.

(14) Between annular guidance duct 175 and confined volume 155, there is an optional passage prevention component 200 provided, which prevents the passage of liquid from container volume 125 towards air vent valve 140. Thereby, leaking of the feeding bottle device 100 can be prevented. Generally, in case liquid reaches air vent valve 140, the formation of bubbles is increased. It is therefore advantageous to not have any liquid in proximity of air vent valve 140. In one example, a one way valve can be provided as passage prevention component 200, which then prevents liquid from reaching air vent valve 140 and guidance duct 175 under typical use of feeding bottle device 100. However, also other suitable arrangements for preventing the passage of liquid from container volume 125 to air vent valve 140 can be employed in the alternative.

(15) For example, another passage prevention component 200 is illustrated with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 schematically and exemplarily illustrates a reservoir deflection 202 as passage prevention component 200. Reservoir deflection 202 forms a sufficiently large volume to trap any present liquid in the confined volume 155 and prevent it from reaching air vent valve 140. It is preferred that the volume of the reservoir formed by reservoir deflection 202 be larger than the expected volume of liquid within confined volume 155 when feeding bottle device 100 is in a resting position with teat component 110 pointing vertically upwards.

(16) Returning to the example of FIG. 1, confined volume forming component 150 and duct forming component 170 are integrated within a partitioning component 210 for separating container volume 125 from teat volume 115. In the example, partitioning component 210 fits between an opening of container component 120 and teat component 110 and creates two interfaces, one to each of the two components. Preferably, partitioning component provides a hard interface towards teat component 110 and a soft interface towards container component 120 to overcome leakage issues even though there is an additional part, partitioning component 210, present in the attachment area. Further, torsional strength of the assembly of attachment component 130, in particular in case it is formed as a screw ring, is not impacted. For this reason, partitioning component 210 may be manufactured using 2K injection molding processes, for instance. In other examples, partitioning component 210 may comprise a sealing material attached thereto which ensures the hard-soft interfaces between teat component 110, partitioning component 210 and container component 120, respectively.

(17) Partitioning component 210 comprises a first passage 212 for allowing the passage of liquid from container volume 125 and a second passage 214 for allowing the passage of air from teat component 115 to container volume 125. It is preferred that at least the second passage 214 comprises a one-way passage, such as a one-way valve, which allows a passage from teat component 115 to container volume 125 only.

(18) An exemplary partitioning component 210 is schematically and exemplarily shown in further detail in FIG. 3, the operation of the first passage 212 and second passage 214 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5.

(19) FIG. 3 illustrates particularly duct forming component 170 opening into confined volume forming component 150 through a passage prevention component 200. In the example of FIG. 3, first passage 212 and second passage 214 are formed as oppositely directed flap valves having respective hinge axes parallel to each other.

(20) Another example of partitioning component 210 is schematically shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. While FIG. 4A illustrates partitioning component 210 in isolation, FIG. 4B illustrates the partitioning component 210 in an assembled state of feeding bottle device 100.

(21) In this example, first passage 212 is formed as an opening with an exemplary elongated ellipsoidal shape in partitioning component 210. Second passage 214 comprises a duckbill valve which allows the passage of fluid, in particular air, from teat volume 115 to container volume 125 but blocks the passage of fluid in the opposite direction. The shape of the opening can of course be as desired.

(22) Further, partitioning component 210 comprises a sealing material 216 at an interface to container component 120 in an assembled state. Sealing material 216 can integrally be formed with partitioning component 210 or be attached to partitioning component at a later stage and preferably comprise a soft material such that a sealing will be formed between container component 120 and partitioning component 210 after assembly of feeding bottle device 100. Likewise, the interface to teat component 110 preferably comprises a harder material such that also the interface between teat component 110 and partitioning component 210 will not leak.

(23) A guiding component 218 having an exemplary tapered shape facilitates the assembly of partitioning component 210 into container component and provides a resistance against spring force from confined volume forming component 150, which comprises a flexible silicone for instance, pressing against the wall of container component 120.

(24) In FIG. 4B confined volume 155 as defined between confined volume forming component 150 and a wall of container component 120 is clearly visible. Controlled opening 165 is formed at the portion of confined volume 155 which has the largest distance from teat component 110.

(25) Returning to FIG. 1, a cap 180 covering teat component 110 and at least partly attachment component 130 is illustrated. During assembly, in general, teat component 110 is inserted within attachment component 130 from the, as drawn in FIG. 1, lower side thereof. Then, cap 180 is attached over attachment component 130 to keep germs or other unwanted substances away from the usually sterilized teat component 110. Then, the assembly of attachment component 130, teat component 110 and cap 180 is attached, for instance screwed, on container component 120, into which already partitioning component 210 has been inserted. Of course, these assembly steps are only exemplary. In other examples, teat component 110 and attachment component 130 can be integrally provided as one component, which can then preferably be formed through molding using two materials having different material properties, in particular two different flexibilities.

(26) FIG. 5 schematically and exemplarily illustrates feeding bottle device 100 in an operating position, in which feeding bottle device 100 is inclined such that teat component 110 points downwards at a certain angle such that liquid enters teat volume 115. First passage 212 is at the lower position, i.e. significantly below the liquid level during most of the feeding session, such that liquid can enter through first passage 212 into teat volume which will always be essentially filled with liquid.

(27) While usually the vacuum applied by the sucking action of the infant results in liquid being drawn into teat volume 115 through first passage 212, air entering into teat volume 115 through an opening of teat component 110 will also occur, for instance when the infant releases the latch. This air should not be ingested by the infant, which is the reason for second passage 214 being provided. Through second passage 214, which is formed in the form of a one-way passage, air can escape from teat volume 115 into container volume 125 but no fluid can pass from container volume 125 into teat volume 115. Since second passage 214 is located higher with respect to first passage 212 in the operating position illustrated in FIG. 5, it is more likely that second passage 214 be positioned above the level of liquid in container volume 125 such that no bubbles form when air enters into container volume 125 through second passage 214. The provision of first and second passages thereby results in less likelihood of air being ingested by the infant. In this example, both first 212 and second 214 passages are provided as flap valves, while other passages including duckbill valves or even openings can be employed in other examples. Preferably, in case both passages comprise valves, both first 212 and second 214 valves have a very low or no opening pressure, i.e. are nominally open, and further preferably also have a very low closing pressure. For instance, the opening pressure of the valves is preferably 10 mbar or less.

(28) FIGS. 6A and 6B show two exemplary perspective views on partitioning component 210, wherein the reference numbers correspond to the other examples described herein above. While first passage 212 is generally larger than second passage 214, the invention is not limited thereto. Further, first passage 212 comprises a flap valve and protrudes in this example from partitioning component 210 towards the teat volume 115 side, and second passage 214 comprises a further flap valve and protrudes from partitioning component 210 towards the container volume 125 side, to which the invention is also not limited.

(29) Confined volume forming component 150 can act as an orientation indicator, i.e. be visible from the outside of feeding bottle device 100, such that the user knows the correct upside orientation of feeding bottle device 100 when the device is in use. For this reason, as can well be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, second passage 214 is closer to the confined volume forming component 150 than first passage 212 and will therefore more probably be above the liquid level throughout the feeding.

(30) 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.

(31) 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.

(32) A single unit, component 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.

(33) Accordingly, a feeding bottle device 100 is presented, comprising a confined volume forming component 150 for defining a confined volume 155 within a container volume 125 of the feeding bottle device 100, wherein the confined volume 155 provides a controlled opening 165 into the container volume 125, and an optional duct forming component 170 for forming a guidance duct 175 from the at least one air vent valve 140, which allows the passage of air from outside to the inside of feeding bottle device 100, to the confined volume 155. The feeding bottle device 100 reduces the risk of colic-like symptoms for an infant.