Infant bottle assembly having a vented nipple

A nipple for use with a bottle assembly includes a base portion that has a bottom surface, a vent region that is coupled to and extends upward from the base portion of the nipple, and a nipple portion that extends upward from the vent region. The nipple portion includes an outlet opening therein, and the vent region includes a vent channel and an air valve substantially aligned with the vent channel.

BACKGROUND

The field of the present disclosure relates generally to bottle assemblies and more particularly to a vented nipple for a bottle assembly.

Bottle assemblies, such as infant bottle assemblies, typically have multiple components including a bottle, a nipple, a collar for securing the nipple to the bottle, and a cap for covering the nipple when the bottle is not in use. The nipple typically has one or more openings for allowing liquid contained within the bottle to exit through the nipple and into an infant's mouth for consumption by the infant (or young child). During use, the infant places an end of the nipple in their mouth and sucks on the nipple to withdraw the liquid contained within the bottle.

With some known bottle assemblies it is difficult for an infant to drink liquid such as milk from the bottle because there are no openings that enable air to enter the bottle. As an infant sucks on the bottle to remove the liquid contained therein, a vacuum is created within the bottle assembly. Air must then enter the bottle to replace the milk and relieve the vacuum pressure therein so that the milk can flow from the bottle assembly. At least some known bottle assemblies without venting features can cause the vacuum to rise to an unacceptable level causing the nipple to deform and break contact with the infant's lips, resulting in the infant swallowing air, which can be attributed to colic and spit-up in bottle-feeding infants.

At least some bottle assemblies include a removable vent assembly that can be positioned within the bottle. Some examples of vented bottle assemblies include those available from Handi-Craft Company under the trade name Dr. Brown's. In these bottle assemblies, the vent assembly allows air to enter the bottle while the infant consumes the liquid through the nipple, thus alleviating or reducing the formation of a vacuum within the bottle during nursing. The vent assembly typically seats, at least in part, on the rim of the bottle and a collar assembly including a collar and nipple are together threadably secured down over the vent assembly to external threads on the neck of the bottle.

There is a need for a vented bottle assembly, and in particular a vented bottle assembly in which the number of additional pieces is reduced and that can still be used without the risk of leakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a nipple for use with a bottle assembly is provided. The nipple comprises a base portion having a bottom surface, a vent region coupled to and extending upward from the base portion wherein the vent region comprises a vent channel and an air valve substantially aligned with the vent channel, and a nipple portion extending upward from the vent region and having an outlet opening therein.

In another aspect, a bottle closure assembly comprises a nipple having an outlet opening and a vent region wherein the vent region has a vent channel and an air valve defined therein. The air valve is substantially aligned with the vent channel. The bottle enclosure also includes a collar having a convex outer surface and an upper wall having a circular opening, the upper wall having an annular air vent groove defined therein.

In yet another aspect, a bottle closure assembly comprises a bottle defining a liquid chamber for holding a quantity of liquid. The bottle has a bottom, an open top, and a sidewall extending between the bottom and the open top. The sidewall has a top threaded portion defining the open top of the bottle. The bottle closure assembly also comprises a top closure assembly defining a closure for the bottle. The top closure assembly is configured for releasable engagement with the top threaded portion of the bottle over the open top thereof. The top closure assembly comprises a nipple having an outlet opening for allowing liquid held in the liquid chamber to exit the bottle assembly, and a vent region having a vent channel and an air valve substantially aligned with the vent channel for allowing air to pass into the liquid chamber of the bottle. The top closure assembly further comprises a collar having a convex outer surface and an upper wall having a circular opening. The upper wall has an annular air vent groove defined therein, wherein the vent channel is in flow communication with the air vent groove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings and in particular toFIGS. 1 and 2, a bottle assembly having a vented nipple is indicated generally at1. The bottle assembly1comprises a bottle3, a cover9, a vented nipple11, and a collar13. Each one of the bottle3, cover9, nipple11, and collar13are indicated generally by their respective reference number. As illustrated inFIGS. 2-5, the bottle3has a closed bottom5, an open top7, and a generally cylindrical sidewall6extending between the bottom5and the open top7. The generally cylindrical sidewall6includes a base portion8, a top threaded portion10, a middle portion12, and an upper portion14. The middle portion12extends between the base portion8and upper portion14.

With reference toFIGS. 2-5, the base portion8of the sidewall6of the bottle3is generally cylindrical and includes a curved lower edge20that blends into bottom5. The bottom5includes a concave portion18that is smaller than the bottom and is substantially centered on the bottom. The top threaded portion10of the sidewall6is generally cylindrical and has a circular upper edge21and external threads27spaced below the upper edge21. In the exemplary embodiment, the top threaded portion10of the bottle3has a diameter that is less than the diameters of the upper portion14and the base portion8, and slightly more than the diameter of middle portion12. As a result of the difference in diameter, the upper portion14has a region16that tapers toward the top threaded portion10. In the exemplary embodiment, the generally cylindrical sidewall6tapers slightly inward as the sidewall transitions between the base portion8and the middle portion12. The sidewall6also tapers slightly outward as it transitions between middle portion12to upper portion14. As a result, the generally cylindrical sidewall6has a generally “hourglass” shape to facilitate grasping of the bottle3by a user (i.e., an infant, young child, caregiver, etc.). It is understood, however, that the diameters of the threaded, upper, middle, and base portions10,14,12, and8can be substantially the same diameter or sized other than as illustrated herein.

The exemplary bottle3has a liquid chamber28configured to hold a quantity of liquid for consumption by the user. More specifically, the exemplary bottle3is configured for use by an infant and to hold approximately 8 ounces of liquid (e.g., milk, breast milk, formula, water, juice, etc.). The bottle3can be fabricated from any suitable material, e.g., plastic, glass, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. In addition, the bottle3can be fabricated in any desired color or color combinations, and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque. In one suitable embodiment, the bottle3is constructed from plastic and manufactured using an injection molding process, which provides greater control over the sidewall thickness of the bottle as compared to a blow molding process. It is understood that the bottle3can have different configurations than those illustrated herein (e.g., a sports bottle, a travel cup, a training, a sippy cup, etc.), and may be sized to hold quantities of liquid other than 8 ounces (e.g., 2 ounces, 4 ounces, 6 ounces, 12 ounces, etc.).

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the cover9(show inFIGS. 6-8) is removably securable to the collar13by a snap-fit connection, but it is understood that other types of suitable connections can be used (e.g., a threaded connection). With reference toFIGS. 2 and 6, the cover9has a lower cylindrical portion31, a domed upper portion33, and a generally flat top portion35. As shown inFIG. 8, in the exemplary embodiment, the lower portion31has four inward extending tabs37adapted for releasable snap-fit connection with the collar13. As a result, the cover9can be selectively secured to the collar13during periods of non-use of the bottle assembly1(e.g., storage, travel, etc.) to cover the nipple11(shown inFIGS. 1 and 2), and selectively removed during periods of use of the bottle assembly1for providing access to the nipple11. In the exemplary embodiment, the four tabs37are equispaced about the inner surface of lower portion31. As shown inFIGS. 6-8, the lower portion31also includes an outward extending semicircular tab38configured to facilitate selective removal of the cover9from the collar13. In the exemplary embodiment, the tab38is located opposite one of the four inward extending tabs37. Alternatively, the tab38can be located in any position along lower portion31that enables the cover9to function as described herein. The cover9can be fabricated from any suitable material, such as polypropylene, and can be made in any desired color or color combinations. In addition, the cover9can be transparent (as illustrated), translucent, or opaque. It is contemplated that the cover9can be omitted from the bottle assembly1. It is understood that the cover9can have more or fewer tabs37than the four seen in the exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 9-12, the nipple11is configured to generally resemble a human female's breast to better simulate the feeding of an infant from a breast of a nursing mother. More specifically, the nipple11includes a wide base portion39and a nipple portion41that extends upward from the base portion. The base portion39extends upward towards the nipple portion41and comprises a generally circular inner surface43, a substantially planar bottom surface44, and an outwardly tapering outer surface45. The base portion comprises an annular flange47having a generally circular outer edge49. The annular flange47is spaced from and substantially parallel to the bottom surface44. In the exemplary embodiment, a continuous, annular lip51projects upward from the flange47generally adjacent the circular outer edge49of the base portion39. It is understood that the annular lip51can be discontinuous (i.e., formed from two or more discrete segments) or even omitted from the base portion39.

The nipple11comprises a vent region53located between the base portion39and the nipple portion41. The vent region53extends upward and inward from base portion39. The vent region comprises an inclined wall55that extends upward and inward from the annular lip51of the base portion39including an inner edge terminating at a generally cylindrical vertical wall57. The vertical wall57includes and outer surface59and an inner surface61. The vent region53comprises a generally circular projection63that extends outward from inclined wall55and is spaced from the annular lip51and the vertical wall57. In the exemplary embodiment, the projection63has a generally trapezoidal shape in cross-section, as seen inFIG. 12. It is understood that the projection63can be of different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., semi-circular, rectangular, etc.).

The vent region53comprises an overhang portion65that extends radially outward from the top of the vertical wall57. A lower surface67of the overhang portion65extends in a generally upward direction. An upper surface69extends from an outer edge71of the overhang portion65in a generally inward and upward direction toward nipple portion41. As best seen inFIG. 10, the vent region comprises a plurality of semi-circular vent channels73formed in the lower surface67of the overhang portion65and the outer surface59of the vertical wall57. In the exemplary embodiment, nipple11comprises three equispaced vent channels73. Each of the vent channels73extends from the outer edge71of the overhang portion65, along the lower surface67wherein each transitions to the outer surface59of the vertical wall57. Each of the vent channels73extends the length of the vertical wall where each terminates at the transition between the vertical wall57and the inclined wall55.

In the exemplary embodiment, the vent region53of the nipple11comprises an air valve75that extends through and generally vertically downward from the inclined wall55toward the base portion39. The air valve75is generally tubular having a slit opening77in a bottom dome-shaped portion79of the air valve. In the exemplary embodiment, an edge of the air valve75is located adjacent the vertical wall57and is substantially aligned with one of the vent channels73. In the exemplary embodiment, the slit opening77is a single slit cut through the dome-shaped portion79and extending upward through at least a portion of the tubular area of the air valve75to a shoulder portion78of the air valve. It is understood that the opening77can be configured differently, for example, without limitation, a “Y” shaped slit, a cross-cut, or an opening in the form of multiple slits. The shoulder portion78is configured to facilitate reducing propagation of the slit opening77during cleaning and/or handling of the nipple11.

The nipple portion41of the nipple11extends up from the base portion39generally adjacent the overhang portion65of the vent region53. As seen inFIG. 12, the nipple portion41includes a generally concave sidewall80and a generally cylindrical portion81extending upward from the concave sidewall. The cylindrical portion81includes a generally dome-shaped outlet end83that has an aperture85for dispensing liquid to a user. The illustrated outlet end83has one generally circular aperture85therein but it is understood that more openings can be provided in the outlet end and that the openings can have one or more different shapes (e.g., square, triangle, oval, slits, etc.) without departing from the scope of this invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the outlet end83has and outer width that is larger than the width of the cylindrical portion81. It is understood that the width of the dome-shaped end83can the same as the cylindrical portion81.

The nipple11may be fabricated from a substantially pliable material, for example, without limitation, a rubber material, a silicone material, or a latex material. It is contemplated, however, that the nipple11may be fabricated from any suitable material without departing from the scope of this invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the nipple11is suitably transparent or translucent but it is understood that the nipple may instead be opaque.

Referring now toFIGS. 13-16, the collar13includes a convex outer surface87extending between an upper edge89and a lower edge91. The upper edge89includes a generally circular opening93therein for allowing the nipple portion41of the nipple11to pass through the collar13as illustrated inFIG. 1. As seen inFIGS. 15 and 16, the collar13includes internal threads95that are configured to mate to the external threads27(SeeFIG. 2) of the top threaded portion10of the bottle3for selectively securing the collar13and the nipple11to the bottle assembly1. An upper wall97of the collar13declines downward and inward from upper edge89. An annular vertical wall99extends downward from the declined upper wall97and defines the opening93in the collar13. An annular air vent groove101is defined in the upper wall97and is spaced from the upper edge89and the vertical wall99. As seen inFIG. 16, the air vent groove101, in cross-section, is semi-circular in shape. It is understood that the air vent groove101can be of different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., trapezoidal, rectangular, etc.).

Spaced radially outward from the vertical wall99is an annular retaining wall103that extends downward from the outer surface87of the collar13. Radially outward of the retaining wall103is a substantially horizontal surface105spaced upward from an angled lower end107of the retaining wall103. The surface105extends radially outward from the retaining wall103to a threaded portion109including the internal threads95. The threaded portion109is generally cylindrical in shape and extends downward from the outer surface87of the collar and terminates as predefined distance above lower edge91. As seen inFIG. 16, the threaded portion109is radially inward from the outer surface87such that a concave surface111is defined therebetween. In addition, the collar13includes a first annular channel113defined by surface105between retaining wall103and threaded portion109, and a second annular channel115defined by upper wall97between vertical wall99and retaining wall103.

With reference toFIG. 2, in the exemplary embodiment, the nipple11and the collar13collectively define a top closure assembly117for closing the open top7of the bottle3. It is contemplated that the top closure assembly117can have a different configuration than that illustrated herein. For example, the top closure assembly117can have any configuration suitable for used with, e.g., a nursing bottle, a sports bottle, a travel cup, a training cup, and/or a Sippy cup.

As illustrated inFIG. 17, to assemble the top closure member117, the nipple11is pulled, outlet end83first, up through the opening93in the upper wall97of the collar13. To facilitate preventing the nipple11from being pulled entirely through the opening93, as the nipple11is pulled upward through the opening93, the annular lip51of the nipple catches on the lower end107of the retaining wall103and is caught in the first annular channel113of the collar. Occurring substantially simultaneously, the projection63of the nipple11catches on the vertical wall99and is caught in the second annular channel115of the collar. In addition, the overhang portion65is pulled entirely through the opening such that it is positioned against the outer surface of the upper wall97of the collar13. Thus, in the assembled configuration, the declined upper wall97and the annular vertical wall99of the collar13is clutched within the vent region53of the nipple11, i.e. between the overhang portion65, the inclined wall55, and the vertical wall57. The projection63is positioned within the second annular channel115and the annular lip51is positioned in the first annular channel113, whereby they may cooperate with the vertical wall99and the retaining wall103of the collar, respectively, to properly position the nipple11within the collar13.

In the exemplary embodiment, top closure assembly117is attached to the bottle3by threadably engaging the internal collar threads95with the external threads27of the top threaded portion10of the bottle3to twist the collar13down onto the bottle3. As the collar13is tightened onto the bottle3, the flange47of the nipple11is urged against the upper edge21of the bottle3in part by the retaining wall103of the collar13. More specifically, the angled lower end107of the retaining wall103contacts the inclined wall55of the nipple11and urges the flange47against the upper edge21of the bottle3. In addition, horizontal surface105contacts the annular lip51of the nipple and facilitates urging flange47against the upper edge21of the bottle3. As the flange47is pinched between the collar13and the bottle3, it forms a substantially liquid tight seal between the top closure assembly117and the bottle3.

The bottle assembly1can be repeatedly taken apart for thorough cleaning (SeeFIG. 2) and reassembled for the next use (SeeFIG. 1). The separable components of the bottle assembly1are all relatively large so that they are easy to handle, are not easily lost, and pose a reduced risk of danger to small children. In addition, the number of separable components is minimized to make assembly and reassembly of the bottle assembly1relatively easy.

As mentioned above, the cover9can be selectively removed from the bottle assembly1via a snap-fit connection with the collar13. With reference toFIG. 16, the lower edge91of the collar13is sized for receiving the tabs37of the cover9when the cover is secured thereto. The tabs37of the cover9and the lower edge91of the collar13collectively define the snap-fit connection therebetween. Thus, a user of the bottle assembly can remove the cover9by manually pulling the cover off of the collar13. The tab38is configured to facilitate selectively removing the cover9from the collar13. The collar13can be removed from the bottle assembly1by disengaging the threaded connection between the collar and the bottle3. More specifically, the collar13can be manually rotated with respect to the bottle3to thereby disengage the internal threads95of the collar from the external threads27of the top threaded portion10of the bottle3. Since the nipple11is captured by the collar13, removal of the collar from the bottle assembly1results in removal of the nipple as well. Thus, all of the components of the illustrated bottle assembly1can be easily separated and cleaned either manually or in a dishwasher. The bottle assembly1can be easily reassembled by reversing the disassembling process.

In operation, a user (e.g., an infant or young child) can drink from the bottle assembly1by latching onto the outlet end83of the nipple11with his/her lips. The user sucks to apply a vacuum to the nipple11to enable a liquid contain within the liquid chamber28to flow through the aperture85for consumption by the user. The vacuum pressure applied by the user to enable flow of the liquid from the liquid chamber28of the bottle3causes an internal vacuum to form within the liquid chamber. That is, the infant drinking liquid from the bottle assembly1causes the pressure within the liquid chamber28of the bottle3to drop below ambient pressure. As a result, the vacuum formed within the liquid chamber28of the bottle3draws air through the vent region53of the nipple11. More specifically, the internal vacuum causes the opening77of the air valve75to open thereby enabling air from outside the bottle assembly1to enter into the liquid chamber28, which tends to equalize the pressure within the bottle to the ambient pressure.

As described above, the air valve is substantially aligned with one of the plurality of vent channels73such that air can flow from outside the bottle assembly1and into the air valve75. In addition, each one of the plurality of vent channels73is in flow communication with the air vent groove101. Thus, the internal vacuum causes the opening77of the air valve to open, thereby drawing ambient air through at least one of the vent channels73into the liquid chamber28of the bottle3. User contact with the overhang portion65of the nipple11may cause the overhang portion to cover or close one or more of the vent channels73. In the exemplary embodiment, three vent channels73are equispaced about the nipple11, thereby reducing the chance that all vent channels would be closed at the same time during use of the bottle assembly. Because each of the vent channels is in flow communication with the air vent groove101of the collar, air entering any of the vent channels73can flow to the air valve75, either directly into the air valve via the aligned vent channel, or via the air vent groove of the collar. As the vacuum pressure within the liquid chamber28of the bottle3approaches ambient pressure, the opening77of the air valve75closes, moving to the sealed position thereby preventing further air flow into the liquid chamber.