Abstract:
A portable milk warmer that is suitable for use with vessels, such as ampules, bags or bottles, enclosing chilled or frozen liquids, such as breast milk. The portable milk warmer includes separate chambers in a single container that separates the vessel from a warming (or cooling) medium. The milk warmer includes a feature for filling an outer chamber with a warming or cooling medium.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The technical field relates generally to containers. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    One problem with portable bottle warmers is that a user is required to carry multiple containers such as an insulated flask and a warming container. Also, some portable bottle warmers require electricity to operate and are not environmentally friendly. 
         [0003]    Portable bottle warmers are used, for example, to warm a specimen, such as a frozen milk bag, formula prepared from a solvent, or viscous food item. However, with such portable warmers, a user is required to carry both a container for maintaining a warming medium, such as heated water, and a container for directly submerging the specimen in the warming medium. 
         [0004]    Such bottle warmers use direct contact between water and the specimen to warm the specimen. This warming process is less sanitary and more timely because the user is required to directly contact the warming medium and the specimen in the submerging and/or removal process. 
         [0005]    For instance, frozen milk bags are pre-sterilized. If they are placed in a hot bowl of water or other liquid medium, they are not as sterile as they were intended to be. Therefore, the sterility of the frozen milk bag is compromised. 
         [0006]    For the use of frozen milk bags, such a warmer also exposes the specimen to excessively high temperatures. This exposure reduces the total nutrients in the specimen or otherwise affects the quality of a mother&#39;s milk. 
         [0007]    In addition, many portable bottle warmers are not BPA free, Pthalate free, and dishwasher safe. 
         [0008]    Therefore, a need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The various embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a portable milk warmer that is suitable for use with vessels, such as ampules, bags or bottles, enclosing chilled or frozen liquids, such as breast milk. For purposes of this disclosure, the apparatus is described in the context of warming milk or formula for infants, although the principles are equally useful in other applications, such as warming other beverages, medicines, or other liquids. 
         [0010]    The portable milk warmer includes separate chambers in a single container that separates the vessel from a warming medium. The portable milk warmer gradually warms the specimen to conserve nutrients or otherwise maintain the quality of a mother&#39;s milk. 
         [0011]    The portable milk warmer can be used to thaw a frozen milk bottle or bag. The portable milk warmer can also be used to keep milk cold if so desired, for example, by using a medium of cold water rather than hot water. 
         [0012]    The portable milk warmer is safe, BPA free, Pthalate free, and dishwasher safe. 
         [0013]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a container structure includes an outer container including an outer top open end; an inner container including an inner top open end; and a lid including a lid top wall and a lid opening in the lid top wall. The inner container is configured to be received in the outer container and partially close the outer top open end such that an outer chamber is defined between the inner container and the outer container; and a channel opening to the outer chamber is defined between the inner container and the outer container. The lid is configured to cover the inner top open end such that an inner chamber is defined between the inner container and the lid; and the lid opening is aligned with the opening to the outer chamber. 
         [0014]    The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and features of the various embodiments, which should be construed to be merely illustrative of various potential applications of the disclosure. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects and a more comprehensive understanding may be obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in addition to the scope defined by the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container structure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the container structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of an outer container of the container structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the outer container of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational cut-away view of the outer container of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of an inner container of the container structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the inner container of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational cut-away view of the inner container of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of a lid of the container structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the lid of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational cut-away view of the lid of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the outer container of  FIG. 3  and the inner container of  FIG. 6  illustrating a first step of an exemplary method of assembling the container structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational partial cut-away view of the outer container of  FIG. 3  and the inner container of  FIG. 6  illustrating a second step of an exemplary method of assembling the container structure of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the outer container of  FIG. 3  and the inner container of  FIG. 6  as combined in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a partial side elevational cut-away view of the container structure of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of various and alternative forms. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens, models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, systems, materials, or methods that are known to those having ordinary skill in the art may not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  a container structure  10  includes an outer container  20 , an inner container  30 , and a lid  40 . As described in further detail below, the inner container  30  and the lid  40  define an inner chamber  50 ; an outer chamber  60  is defined between the inner container  30  and the outer container  20 ; the container structure  10  includes an outer chamber filling feature; and the container structure  10  includes a locking structure that is configured to releasably secure the inner container  30  inside the outer container  20 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the outer container  20  includes an outer cylindrical side wall  100 , an outer bottom wall  110  at one end of the outer cylindrical side wall  100 , and an outer top open end  120  at the opposite end of the outer cylindrical side wall  100 . An outer top edge  122  of the outer cylindrical side wall  100  defines the shape of the outer top open end  120 . 
         [0033]    A mortise-type slot  130  is formed in the inside surface of the outer cylindrical side wall  100 . The slot  130  includes a vertical portion  132  that extends vertically from the outer top edge  122  for a first distance  134  and a horizontal portion  136  that extends horizontally from a bottom end of the vertical portion  132  for a second distance  138 . 
         [0034]    The illustrated outer container  20  includes multiple slots  130 . However, for purposes of clarity, only one slot is described in detail below. It should be understood by one having skill in the art that, in certain embodiments, a locking structure includes multiple of the described elements. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the inner container  30  includes an inner cylindrical side wall  200 , an inner bottom wall  210  at one end of the inner cylindrical side wall  200 , and an inner top open end  220  at the opposite end of the inner cylindrical side wall  200 . The inner cylindrical side wall  200  tapers from the inner top open end  220  to the inner bottom wall  210 . An inner top edge  222  of the inner cylindrical side wall  200  defines the shape of the inner top open end  220 . 
         [0036]    A channel  230  is formed in the inner cylindrical side wall  200 . The illustrated channel  230  extends from a top end of the inner container  30  to a bottom end of the inner container  30 . The channel  230  includes walls  232 ,  234 ,  236 . 
         [0037]    The shape of the inner top edge  222  is defined by the inner cylindrical side wall  200  and the channel  230  formed in the inner cylindrical side wall  200 . For purposes of teaching, the portion of the inner top edge  222  defined by the inner cylindrical side wall  200  is designated as an inner cylindrical edge portion  240  and the portion of the inner top edge  222  defined by the channel  230  is designated as a channel portion  242 . 
         [0038]    A lip  250  protrudes outwardly from the inner cylindrical edge portion  240 . The lip  250  is configured to abut the outer top edge  122  of the outer container  20  to partially close the outer chamber  60 . 
         [0039]    A tenon-type protrusion  260  is formed on the outside surface of the inner cylindrical side wall  200 . The protrusion  260  is configured to be received in the slot  130  and is positioned at a third distance  262  from the lip  250 . 
         [0040]    The third distance  262  is substantially equal to the length of the first distance  134  such that the protrusion  260  is aligned with the horizontal portion  136  when the lip  250  abuts the outer top edge  122 . 
         [0041]    Concentric ribs  270 ,  272  extend upwardly into the interior of the inner container  30  from the inner surface of the inner bottom wall  210 . The ribs  270 ,  272  keep a vessel dry by supporting the vessel away from the inner bottom wall  210  where frozen condensate may collect as the fluid in the vessel thaws. In contrast to prior art systems, the warmed vessel is not in direct contact with the warming liquid (which may include contaminants) and is elevated above the floor of the inner container  30  so that condensate will drain off of its outer surface without pooling along its bottom. 
         [0042]    The concentric ribs  270 ,  272  are not full connected circles. Each rib  270 ,  272  includes disconnected segments (here, shown as four parts) so that the liquid does not collect in the area defined by a rib  270 ,  272  but is rather free to move between the segments to spread out over the inner bottom wall  210  evenly. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , the lid  40  includes a lid cylindrical side wall  300 , a lid bottom open end  310 , and a lid top wall  320 . The lid cylindrical side wall  300  is configured to be pressure fit over the lip  250  and the outer cylindrical side wall  100 . 
         [0044]    When the container structure  10  is assembled, the lid  40  closes the inner top open end  220  to define the inner chamber  50 . 
         [0045]    The lid  40  includes a chute  340  that extends from the lid top wall  320  toward the lid bottom open end  310 . The chute  340  includes a chute cylindrical side wall  342 , a chute top open end  344 , and a chute bottom open end  346 . The chute top open end  344  is an opening in the lid top wall  320 . The chute  340  is positioned adjacent the lid cylindrical side wall  300  and the lid top wall  320  slopes downwardly toward the chute  340  such that a medium that is poured onto the top surface of the lid top wall  320  is funneled toward the chute top open end  344  and through the chute  340 . 
         [0046]    The lid  40  includes a wing  350  that protrudes outwardly from the lid cylindrical side wall  300 . Here, the wing  350  is positioned along the lid cylindrical side wall  300  near the chute  340 . The wing  350  is configured to facilitate upward force on the lid  40  to remove the lid  40  when it is pressure fit over the lip  250  and the outer cylindrical side wall  100 . 
         [0047]    Assembly of the container structure  10  is now described in further detail. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 , and  12 - 14 , the outer container  20  and the inner container  30  are assembled. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 12 , the inner container  30  is positioned to be received in the outer container  20 . Particularly, the inner container  30  and the outer container  20  are rotated with respect to one another such that the protrusion  260  is aligned with the vertical portion  132  of the slot  130 . 
         [0050]    The inner container  30  is inserted into the outer container  20  such that the protrusion  260  is received in the vertical portion  132  at a proximal end of slot  130 . The protrusion  260  moves along the length of the vertical portion  132  until the lip  250  abuts the outer top edge  122 . When the lip  250  abuts the outer top edge  122 , the protrusion  260  is positioned at the bottom of the vertical portion  132  and aligned with the horizontal portion  136 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the inner container  30  and the outer container  20  are rotated with respect to one another such that the protrusion  260  moves along the length of the horizontal portion  136  to a distal end of the slot  130 . When the protrusion  260  is positioned at the distal end of the slot  130 , the inner container  30  is prevented from being vertically removed from the outer container  20  without first moving the protrusion  260  back to the vertical portion  132 . As such, the inner container  30  is releasably secured in the outer container  20 . The slot  130  and the protrusion  260  provide an exemplary locking structure. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , when the inner container  30  is releasably secured to the outer container  20 , the lip  250  abuts a first portion of the outer top edge  122  to partially close the outer chamber  60  (the volume that is between the inner container  30  and the outer container  20 ). Referring to  FIG. 14 , the channel portion  242  and a second portion of the outer top edge  122  define a channel opening  400 , which is an opening to the outer chamber  60 . 
         [0053]    An item, illustrated in  FIG. 14  as a milk bag  500 , is inserted into the inner chamber  50  before attaching the lid  40 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the lid  40  is positioned to be received over the inner top open end  220 . The lid  40  is rotated such that the chute  340  aligns with the channel opening  400 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 15 , the  40  lid is pressure fit over the lip  250  and the outer cylindrical side wall  100  and the chute  340  is received in the channel opening  400 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , the chute bottom open end  346  extends below the channel portion  242  and the outer top edge  122  such that a medium that is poured through the chute  340  is directed into the outer chamber  60  through the channel opening  400 . 
         [0056]    As used herein, the term “cylindrical” is not limited to any particular cross-section. For example, a cylinder can have a circular or square cross section. In addition, the term “cylindrical” is not limited to a constant cross-section but rather may be tapered or otherwise vary along a longitudinal axis. 
         [0057]    The terms top, bottom, side, and the like are not limiting with respect to orientation but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. 
         [0058]    The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations that are set forth for a clear understanding of principles. Variations, modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. All such variations, modifications, and combinations are included herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following claims.