Abstract:
A device for a baby bottle has an absorbent panel attached to a collar. The collar removably mounts in a surrounding engagement to a cap of the bottle and can be absorbent for enhancing the total absorbing capacity of the device. The panel extends from the collar toward a mouthpiece of the bottle, for gently compressing against a baby&#39;s chin when the baby is suckling from the bottle. After feeding, the panel and the collar wipe clean the baby&#39;s mouth region and are washable for reuse.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to infant accessories, and more particularly, to absorbent devices for mounting near a mouthpiece of a baby bottle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When drinking from a bottle or capped cup, infants and young children often allow significant amounts of liquid unintentionally to leak or spill past their lips. This can result in waste, soiling of clothing, chapping of skin and even hygiene problems at the folds of infants&#39; necks. 
     A number of absorbent bibs are designed to surround nursing bottles in a structurally supportive fashion to prevent soiling of clothing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,907 issued to Maillard shows an infant bib that can hold a baby bottle. The bib has a portion covering a chest area of the infant and an enclosure for the bottle, which is insulated to maintain a bottle temperature. In a disposable embodiment, the bib and enclosure include an absorbent material resembling diaper material, which can contain outer porous sheets. The bib is designed to permit the infant to feed itself. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,940 issued to Cameron shows a combined baby bib and bottle for infants. A cloth has a neck hole and an attached bottle holder capable of holding all sizes of bottles for feeding a baby. A panel may be formed of absorbent materials, such as broadcloth, blended fabric or other soft material retained in an interior cavity as an absorbing agent. The bottle holder is formed of a stretchable material such as elastic, which firmly holds the bottle for consumption by the baby without requiring the support by another. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,225 issued to Goeckeritz et al. shows a holder for a baby bottle which positions the bottle in close proximity to an infant&#39;s mouth. The bottle holder is attached to a bib, and has straps to form a harness that holds the bottle. Using the harness, the bottle can be stabilized in a predetermined position on a reclined baby that may be moving its arms and legs. 
     It is also well known to wrap an absorbent cloth, such as a napkin, around a neck of a bottle after pouring a liquid from the bottle. For example, a cloth napkin is often wrapped around a neck of an open bottle of champagne for absorbing excess liquid. 
     It would be an improvement to the art of absorbent drinking accessories to have an absorbent device designed for positioning in closer proximity to the child&#39;s mouth than the absorbent bottle-holding bibs of the inventions cited above. The device should prevent a child from dribbling liquid down his chin, into the creases of his neck and onto his clothing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a unique absorbent device that mounts to a baby bottle or other drink container for compressing against a baby&#39;s, child&#39;s or other user&#39;s chin and for wiping the mouth. The device has a collar for mounting to a neck of the bottle. An absorbent panel is attached to the collar, and extends from the collar toward a mouthpiece of the bottle or cup. 
     The panel is preferably a soft absorbent material, and the collar is a sheath of material surrounding a compressible material. The collar extends around the neck of the bottle or other drink container, and the panel extends around the collar at least the width of the baby&#39;s chin. In a preferred embodiment, the panel has opposing edges tapered downwardly to the collar. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a baby bottle aligned with the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a top view illustrating the invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the invention mounted to the baby bottle. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the invention along line  5 — 5  in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the invention along line  6 — 6  in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the invention along line  7 — 7  in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the invention in use. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment. 
    
    
     In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific term so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected or term similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection, but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 as a device having an absorbent panel  10  fixed to a collar  12 . The collar  12  attaches at a neck  25  of a conventional baby bottle  20 , and the panel  10  extends away from the bottle  20 . When a baby is feeding from the bottle  20 , the panel  10  contacts the baby&#39;s chin beneath the lower lip, as shown in FIG.  8 . For illustrative purposes, the conventional baby bottle  20  is shown and described. However, one possessing ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention described below is useful for mounting to any other container having a mouthpiece, such as a sipper cup for toddlers (not shown) or a geriatric or other drinking container. 
     A suitable example of the baby bottle  20  for such purposes is shown in FIGS. 1,  4  and  8 . The bottle  20  has a nipple-shaped mouthpiece  21  fixed to a rigid cap  22  that is removably mounted to the bottle  20 . The mouthpiece  21  extends a predetermined distance above the cap  22  to fit the inside of an infant&#39;s mouth. The cap  22  is formed with a plurality of gripping ridges  23  that facilitate grasping, rotating and removing the cap  22  for refilling and cleaning the bottle  20 . The neck  25  of the bottle  20  is usually narrower than a region of the bottle  20  below the neck  25 . 
     The preferred collar  12  is a unitary, annular structure formed to be slightly smaller in inner diameter than the neck of a standard baby bottle  20  shown in FIG.  1 . (Of course, a collar designed for a sipper cup or other container could be a different size.) The preferred collar  12  has an opening  11 . As shown in FIG. 5, the preferred collar  12  resembles the panel  10  in its cross sectional construction, having a sheath  18  enclosing an absorbent material  17 . By adding the absorbent material  17  in the collar  12 , the performance of the invention in enhanced, because the available absorbing surface area for wiping the baby&#39;s face is increased to include the entire collar  12 . 
     The collar  12  serves to mount the panel  10  to the bottle  20  or other container. In the preferred embodiment, the collar  12  is stretched and slipped around the cap  22 , gripping the cap  22  when released from the stretched position. Also, the collar  12  can be mounted onto the bottle  20  using one hand. In this process, the opening  11  of the collar  12  is aligned above the mouthpiece  21  of the bottle  20 , as shown in FIG. 1, and the bottle  20  is inserted therethrough, so that the inside of the collar  12  contacts the gripping surfaces  23  of the cap  22  and the narrowed region of the bottle  20  beneath the cap  22 , which is the neck  25 . When pushed downward onto the cap  22 , the collar  12  does not displace the rigid cap  22 . Instead, the downward force expands the collar  12  radially outwardly thus permitting the collar  12  to move downwardly around the cap  22 . The collar  12  thus becomes mounted to the cap  22  by the gripping force acting against the cap  22  and the neck  25  of the bottle  20 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the panel  10  extends circumferentially about one-third to one-half of the distance around the collar  12 . The panel  10  preferably extends at least about the width of the chin of a baby or other person using the invention. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the preferred cushioned panel  10  is elongated, cylindrical in cross section and tapered at its opposite ends  13 . The pair of opposing ends  13  angle toward the collar  12 , thereby imparting the tapered form to the panel  10 . The panel  10  is anchored tightly against the collar  12  preferably by being stitched against the collar  12  along its length where the panel  10  seats against the collar  12 . In this way, the panel  10  is stabilized in an upright position with respect to the collar  12 . The anchored side holds the panel  10  substantially immobile, so the panel  10  is always aligned to contact the chin of the baby when the bottle&#39;s or cup&#39;s mouthpiece  21  is inserted into the baby&#39;s mouth. The tapered ends  13  are preferred to reduce the probability that the panel  10  will flip downwardly and away from the mouthpiece  21 . If flipped downwardly and away from the mouthpiece  21 , then the panel  10  exposes the cap  22 , which can contact the baby&#39;s chin. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, the preferred structure for the panel  10  is the absorbent core material  17  surrounded by the covering, absorbent sheath  18 . The sheath  18  is composed of a soft fabric such as cotton, flannel, or terrycloth. The resulting panel  10  is soft, because the materials  17  and  18  are soft, yet structurally arranged to impart the necessary firmness to the panel  10 . The fabric composing the sheath  18  can have printing designs that are pleasing aesthetically to the baby or the parent. 
     The absorbent material  17  is of a sort commonly used in health care settings. For example, the absorbent material  17  can be composed of a fabric woven together, such as terrycloth, or the quilted material composing a typical cloth diaper. The material  17  should be a one-way or unidirectional absorber, which means it has a high capacity to hold the liquid that has been absorbed due, for example, to molecular attraction to the liquid. The material  17  should absorb substantially every drip from the cap  22  and the mouthpiece  21  that occurs during feeding, and still have a capacity to absorb more when the panel  10  is used to wipe the baby&#39;s face after feeding. 
     When a baby is fed with a conventional bottle  20 , the mouthpiece  21  is inserted into the baby&#39;s mouth, and a gap is defined, between the cap  22  at one side and the baby&#39;s chin at another side. The panel  10  is of a shape and size that is slightly larger than that gap, so that the panel  10  occupies the gap and compresses between the baby&#39;s chin and the collar  12 , when the mouthpiece  21  is in the baby&#39;s mouth as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     The panel  10  is designed to be soft, so the baby experiences no discomfort when the panel  10  contacts the chin, but relatively firm so the weight of the bottle  20  does not completely compress the panel  10 . The structural arrangement of the panel  10  is advantageous, because caregivers often inadvertently hold bottles at imprecise angles when feeding babies. In instances when the invention is not used, the plastic bottle cap can be brought into contact with the baby&#39;s delicate chin. With the present invention in place, the cushioned panel  10  extends in the same direction as the mouthpiece to a fraction, for example about half, of the length of the mouthpiece  21 . Thus, once the mouthpiece  21  is inserted almost completely into the baby&#39;s mouth for feeding, the panel  10  seats against the baby&#39;s chin. As the mouthpiece  21  is further inserted into the baby&#39;s mouth a small distance, the cushioned panel  10  softly compresses against the baby&#39;s chin to prevent contact with the hard cap  22 . If the baby is allowed to hold the bottle  20  itself, with adult supervision, then the panel  10  resting against the baby&#39;s chin supports and cushions the weight of the bottle  20 . Without the cushioned panel  10 , the rigid cap  22  of the bottle  20  would rest against the baby&#39;s delicate chin. 
     The absorbent material  17  is preferably of a type capable of withstanding repetitive cycles in a common washing machine. In this way, the panel  10  is reusable. Of course, the panel  10  could be made of disposable material, such as the material of which disposable diapers or nursing pads are made. Regardless of the type, the material  17  should absorb and hold excess liquids from the feedings that are administered throughout a typical day of caring for the baby, during which the panel  10  can become saturated with the liquid. Of course, even if the device is reusable, the caregiver may wish to dispose of it rather than retaining it. 
     The invention is easily removed from the bottle  20  and discarded without a risk of the liquid leaking from the absorbent material  17 . Substantially no liquid escapes from the panel  10  when pressure is applied to release the saturated device from the neck  25  of the bottle  20 . Thus, the invention promotes the cleanliness of the baby&#39;s immediate surroundings and minimizes a risk of stains to clothing and surfaces. 
     The panel  10  and the collar  12  are also designed for wiping the liquid from around the baby&#39;s mouth. All sides of the panel  10  and the collar  12  are designed to wipe, in napkin-like fashion, the baby&#39;s face and neck after being fed and after the mouthpiece  21  has been removed from the baby&#39;s mouth. The removal of the mouthpiece  21  and wiping action can almost be performed as a continuous motion, using the hand holding the bottle  20  and leaving the device in place on the bottle  20 . Additionally or alternatively, a panel and a collar could include a mild soap or similar cleansing agent to enhance the cleaning performance of the invention (not shown). 
     The collar  12  is also designed to keep the bottle  20  clean by the collar  12  absorbing liquid that contacts it. The collar  12  fits around the neck  25  to cover the gripping surfaces  23  of the cap  22 , as shown in FIG. 4, and any liquid that leaks through the cap  22  is absorbed. Furthermore, once the collar  12  is secured around the neck  25 , the collar  12  cannot inadvertently shift downward along the bottle  20 , even when the device is saturated with liquid. Even on a bottle with a substantially constant circumference along its length and no distinguishable neck, the gripping force of the collar  12  against such a bottle still suffices to prevent the collar  12  from inadvertently shifting downwardly or upwardly and off the bottle. Also, a baby or child cannot remove the collar  12  from the bottle  20 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, a collar can be a non-unitary piece having a cooperating means for securing the collar to the bottle  20  (not shown). The means can be straps that surround the bottle and fasten together with snaps, elastic, hooks and loops (e.g., Velcro brand) and similar commercially available fasteners. In all embodiments, the collar is mounted sufficiently secure to prohibit the baby or other user from removing the collar. Once attached, the collar should remain substantially immobile on the bottle  20  until deliberately removed by an adult. 
     Various other alternative embodiments exist for the collar  12 . For example, one contemplated alternative collar is an elastic band fixed to a panel by stitching or glue (not shown). Such a collar has less absorptive qualities, but may be less expensive to manufacture. Another alternative collar is a bendable wire band that does not extend entirely around the neck  25  of the bottle  20  (not shown). The wire band is sheathed in a padded, absorbent material and looks substantially like the collar  12  of the preferred embodiment. The wire collar is mounted to the bottle  20  by bending the band to firmly, clampingly grip the neck  25  of the bottle  20 . The collar would be removed from the bottle  20  by bending the band in the reverse direction. 
     Also, another alternative collar is a clamp that is biased for holding onto the neck  25  of the bottle  20  (not shown). Similar equivalent attachment means that results in the panel  10  being mounted in the described position relative to the mouthpiece  21  of the bottle  20  are contemplated as falling within the bounds of the invention. 
     As an alternative embodiment, a bib panel is removable from a collar (not shown). The panel has a front side that is absorbent. An opposing rear side has an attachment fastener that receives a cooperating attachment fastener on a collar. The fasteners may be snaps or similar attachment means, such as interconnecting loops and hooks. 
     Alternatively or additionally, to further enhance the liquid-retaining capabilities of the invention, a panel can be enveloped in a cover having one or a plurality of unidirectional pores (not shown). The pores can be a type to permit flow of a liquid only into the panel for absorption, but to prevent leakage out of the panel. 
     It is contemplated that the dimensions of the device can be altered by changing the size and shape of the elements of the invention, for substantially similar applications on drinking containers with various configurations, such as sipper cups and cups for the elderly or anyone who might spill a liquid drink. The holder of the container can simply wipe the bib against the parts of the body that get wet for absorbing any drops of the liquid. The wiping preferably occurs immediately after pouring, to prohibit the liquid from streaking on the body. The bib panel is formed to be proximate to a spout and lip of the container, so that the panel is positioned for wiping and absorbing the liquid immediately after pouring. 
     In another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a liquid-trapping basin  50  has a collar  59 . The collar  59  extends around a neck  58  of a bottle  120 , for mounting the basin  50  in proximity to a mouthpiece  121  of the bottle  120 . The basin  50  has a top surface  51  and an opening  52 , which permits flow of the liquid  57  only into the basin  50 . The opening  52  leads into the basin  50  and prevents leakage. 
     The top surface  51  is contoured for channeling a liquid  57  through the opening  52 . As a user (not shown) drinks through the mouthpiece  121 , some of the liquid  57  may drip from the bottle  120  at the user&#39;s mouth. The liquid  57  will drip downwardly into contact with the top surface  51 , which is angled toward the opening  52 . The liquid  57  flows through the opening  52  and collects within the basin  50 . The top surface  51  can be removed for emptying and cleaning the basin  50 . 
     In still another alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a panel  210  is mounted to a bottle  220 . The panel  210  is shown substantially permanently mounted to a cap  222  of the bottle  220 , although the panel  210  may be mounted to another region of the bottle  220  such as the neck. The panel  210  is shown mounted to the bottle  220  by rivets  212 , although it will become apparent that alternative attachment means may be used, such as a screw or a waterproof adhesive (not shown). The bottle  220  with attached panel  210  could be disposable or reusable, and it can be constructed for washing in a dishwasher or a washing machine, for example. 
     While certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed in detail, it is to be understood that various modifications may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the following claims.