Nursing bottle assembly

Abstract: A nursing bottle assembly comprising a bottle (1), an upper opening of which is equipped with a detachable nipple (8) and a cap (7), a detachable case (2) fitted to the bottom of the bottle, and a means (T) for indicating the temperature of a liquid inside the bottle, which means is built into the case, are provided. The nursing bottles are distinguished over prior bottles in terms of the indication of the accurate temperature and of the ese of sterilization.

Description: The present invention relates to nursing bottles. More particularly, it relates to nursing bottles having a function of indicating the inner temperature of the liquid contained therein. It is necessary to feed milk kept at a proper temperature in suckling the baby using a nursing bottle. If the temperature of milk is too high, the baby can be burnt. On the other hand, if the temperature of milk is too low, the baby can suffer from a laxity of bowels. Among other things, milk prepared at improper temperature is likely to be rejected by the baby. Generally, the artificial feeding of milk to the baby is carried out by pouring warmed water to a nursing bottle, then the dry milk is dissolved in it and the milk is cooled to a proper temperature, which is normally at about 36°C plus/minus 2°C (96°F plus/minus 3.6°F). In order to determine the proper temperature the sensuous method, such as touching the nursing bottle or dropping a small amount of milk to the hand, is normally used, However, such sensuous methods can be unreliable for various reasons, e.g. the surface temperature of the hand. Varous porposals have been made so far for the nursing bottles that can detect temperature without relying on the sensuous methods. One proposal is to detect temperature by the change of color using, e.g. heat sensitive paints or thermolabels, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Kokai Nos. 55-19609, 60-106634, 55-45387, 61-173038 and 62-1627. While detection of the temperature of the inner liquid can be achieved by putting a bar thermometer, such as analog alcohol bar thermometer, into the liquid, not only it is a cumbersome job to do but also it can be bad for the health. Similarly, provision of a thermometer inside the bottle should be avoided in view of sanitation. Thus, attempts have been made to detect the inner temperature from the outside by laying a thermometer within the material of the bottle or by attaching a thermometer on the side of the bottle or, alternatively, by sticking a bimetal thermometer or a digital liquid crystal thermometer to the outside of the bottle, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Kokai Nos. 63-38529, 56-116044, 62-148235, 57-5235, 57-113142, 61-171974, 59-69738 and 60-184544. The Japanese Utility Model Application Kokai No. 62-117537 discloses a nursing bottle that indicates the liquid temperature digitally. As shown in Figure 7, the bottle 11 is equipped with a thermoconductive thin film 12 and a sealing cap 13. The cap 13 is connected with a holding cap 17 which is equipped with a bar thermosensor 14, thermal detector 15 and a thermometer 16. The thin film 12 is extended by the action of the bar thermosensor 14, and the temperature of the milk is detected by the thermosensor 14 though the thin film 12. Further, the Japanese Utility Model Application Kokai No. 62-6831 discloses a nursing bottle shown in Figures 10 and 11. A signal processor 18 is provided at the bottom of a bottle 11 which is provided, at the bottom, a concentric circular thermoelectric element 19. A temperature indicator 20 and a buzzer 21 are provided at the upper part of the bottle 11, which are connected to the signal processor 18 with a wiring 22. However, according to the prior art of detecting the liquid temperature from the outside either by laying an analog bar thermometer inside the material of the bottle, or by providing it on the outer surface of the bottle, defects may not be avoided such as difficulty in reading the scale of the thermometer, particularly when the feeding of milk is made at night. A digital indication of the temperature is much favorable by being able to indicate the temperature every moment. Generally, however, it is difficult to detect the accurate temperature if a digital liquid crystal thermometer is equipped intimately on the outer surface of the bottle due to the low thermoconductivity of the bottle made of glass or plastic materials. Further, the indicated temperature and the actual inner temperature may generally be different due to radiation of heat by air on the outer surface of the bottle. For instance, where temperature is detected with the thermosensor 14 through the thin film 12 according to the proposal of the Japanese Utility Model Application Kokai No. 62-117537, the inner liquid must touch the thin film 12 either by making the bottle 11 upside down or by swinging the bottle in order to detect the accurate temperature, as shown in Figure 8. Even so, a difference of temperature may result if the bottle 11 is allowed to stand for a while after touching of the thin film 12 to the liquid. Moreover, the nursing bottle by this proposition necessitates inconvenience that, as shown in Figure 9, the sealing cap 13 attached to the opening of the bottle 11 and the holding cap 17 equipped with the thermosensor 14 must be taken off, after detection of temperature, and that a nipple 23 and and a nipple cap 24 must be fitted to the opening of the bottle 11. Still further, the temporary storage of the sealing cap 13, the nipple 23 and the nipple cap 24 causes another problem of sanitation. Aside from the problem of accurate detection of the inner temperature, the nursing bottle requires sterilization by boiling and this is also true with the nipple and the nipple cap that contact the baby. The proposal made by the Japaense Utility Model Application Kokai No. 62-6831 would cause difficulty in sterilizing it by boiling, since the temperature indicator 20, the buzzer 21, the signal processor 18 and the wiring 22 are united with the bottle 11. The present invention is, therefore, to provide nursing bottles that can detect temperature of the liquid accurately and that causes no problem in sterilizing by boiling, thus overcoming the drawbacks involved in the prior art nursing bottles. The accurate temperature may be indicated, e.g. by sound or light. FR-A-2291683 discloses a device for sensing the temperature of a bottles wherein a temperature indicator is a liquid crystal temperature indicator. DE-U-8108586 discloses a nursing bottle assembly which comprises a bottle, an upper opening of which is equipped with a detachable nipple, a cap and a detachable case fitted to the bottom of the bottle, and according to the present invention, such an assembly is characterised by means built into the case for giving an alarm in dependence on a proper temperature of a liquid inside the bottle. There is therefore no difficulty in sterilizing the bottle, the nipple and the cap by boiling since the case is detachable from the body of the bottle. This is not the case in the prior art where the temperature indicating unit, the signal processor and the wiring are united with the body of the bottle. The alarm can be set to go off at a desired temperature, normally 36°C plus/minus 2°C (96.8°F plus/minus 3.6°F), therefore a person heating the bottle can be engaged in other jobs such as taking care of the baby. Preferably the means for giving an alarm comprises a thermosensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the bottle, a substrate supporting an electronic circuit that processes signals from the sensor, an alarm driven by the electronic circuit, and an elastic body supporting the alarm. The alarm may be a sound source such as a buzzer, electronic chime or an electric music box, and/or a light source such as a light emitting diode. The buzzer is particularly useful for the blind. The sensor is preferably a thermister temperature element. A battery is preferably attached to the bottom of the case detachably so as to supply electricity to the means for giving an alarm. Preferably the means for giving the alarm is provided on the surface of the case. Advantageously a dent is provided at the bottom of the bottle. This is preferably provided by making the centre of the bottom wall of the bottle thinner than the rest of the body of the bottle. In this case it is useful to provide an elastic body supporting a or the thermosensor and pushing the thermosensor upwards so as to get the thermosensor in close touch with the dent at the bottom of the bottle, when the case is fitted to the bottom of the bottle. Due to the attachment of the case to the bottom of the bottle, it becomes quite easy to detect the inner temperature accurately, even when the bottle stands, containing a small amount of liquid. A closed space may be formed between the bottom of the bottle and the case, when the case is fitted to the bottle. It is difficult to make the inner and outer temperatures meet due to the radiation of heat on the surface of the bottle. However, an accurate detection of the inner temperature may be made possible by the formation of the space which cuts off aeration. In addition to the means for giving an alarm there may be provided a means for indicating the temperature of the liquid in the bottle such as a digital liquid crystal thermoindicator. Therefore in addition to the alarm, an indication of temperature of the milk may be given. There may be provided a protruding portion on the case and a complementary groove at the bottom of the bottle, whereby snap-engagement of the case and the bottle is enabled. Preferably the case provides a stand for the bottle. In the accompanying drawings:- Figure 1 is the front view of an embodiment included for background information only. Figure 2 is the cross sectional view along the line A-A' of the same embodiment. Figure 3 is the cross sectional view, or the deal drawing in part, of embodiment of this invention. Figure 4 is the built-up cross sectional view of the same embodiment. Figure 5 is the front view of the same embodiment. Figure 6 is the cross sectional view of another embodiment. Figure 7 is the perspective deal drawing of an embodiment of prior art. Figure 8 is an explanatory drawing of a used condition of the embodiment of Figure 7. Figure 9 is another drawing of the embodiment of Figure 7 that explains the used condition of the embodiment. Figure 10 is an explanatory drawing of another embodiment of prior art. Figure 11 is the bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 10. As shown by the drawings, the bottom of of the body of the nursing bottle 1 (referred to sometimes as the body) is fitted with the case 2. In this Example, the case 2 is fitted to the bottom of the body 1 by engaging the protruding portion, or height, on the part of the case provided inward and the groove on the part of the bottom of the bottle. The case 2 may be released from the bottom of the body 1 by detaching the height from the groove. Namely, the case 2 is composed detachably against the bottom of the body 1 as shown in the Example. The case 2 contains a built-in digital liquid crystal appratus T for indicating temperature that comprises a digital liquid crystal temperature indicator 3, a thermosensor 4, an elastic body 5 supporting and pushing upward the said thermosensor, and a substrate 6. As shown, a cap 7 and a nipple 8 are fitted to the opening of the body 1. The botttom of the body 1 is raised and the center of which is made into a dent 9 by making thinner the thickness of that part than the other part of the bottom. As shown, the top of the thermosensor is supported by the elastic body 5 at the center. The top of the thermosensor 4 and the substrate 6 are connected electorically each other with a wiring. By repulsion of the thermoelastic body 5, such as rubber or spring, the top of the thermosensor 4 is pushed upward toward the dent 9 and comes into close contact with the dent 9 provided at the center of the raised bottom. The substrate 6 and the digital liquid crystal temperature indicating part 3 are also connected electrically. For exemplification, Figure 1 shows that the digital liquid crystal temperature indicator 3 indicates the temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) of the liquid contained in the body 1. As described above, a standard temperature suitable for suckling is within the range of 36°C plus/minus 2°C (96.8°F plus/minus 3.6°F), so the temperature indicated in Figure 1 is within a high region (HI). When the temperature is detected at the top of the thermosensor 4 closely contacted with the bottom of the body 1, it is indicated digitally on the digital liquid crystal temperature indicating part 3 through the substrate 6. It is possible for the digital liquid crystal temperature indicator 3 not only to indicate the temperature value, such as 38.5°C (101.3°F), but also to indicate words, such as "HI" at a high temperature region and "LO" at a low temperature region. The temperature range may be changed by inputting it previously to the substrate 6. The substrate 6 comprises a circuit substrate such as a printed board and is equipped with a control part comprising, e.g. a one chip microcomputer. As shown in Figure 2, a closed space 10 is formed between the case 2 and the bottom of the body 1, when the case 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "temperature case") is fitted to the bottom of the body 1. As described above, a digital liquid crystal temperature apparatus T that indicates the temperature of the liquid contained in the nursing bottle is built in the temperature case 2, which is fitted detachably to the bottom of the body 1. At the same time, the nipple 8 and the cap 7 are fitted to the opening of the body 1. Thus, unlike the prior art proposals, no change between the nipple 8 and the cap 7, and the temperature case 2 equipped with the digital liquid crystal temperature apparatus T is required, and thus it becomes possible that the temperature may be indicated while the nipple 8 and the cap 7 are fitted to the body 1. Since the temperature case 2 is fitted to the bottom of the body 1, it becomes unnecessary to make the body 1 upside down or swing it, and the temperature of the liquid contained in the body 1 may be detected accurately, through the bottom of the body 1, by the temperature indicating appratus T in the temperature case 2. Thus, by fitting the temperature case 2 at the bottom of the body 1, it becomes possible to detect the accurate temperature with a minimum error even if the nursing bottle is allowed to stand, since the liquid stays at the bottom of the body 1. The case 2 and the body 1 is detachable each other. So, only the body 1, the nipple 8 and the cap 7 may be sterilized by boiling. This was not feasible in the prior art where the temperature indicator, the signal processor and the wiring are united to the nursing bottle. There is formed a closed space 10 composed of the case 2 and the bottom of the body 1, when the case 2 is fitted to the bottom of the body 1. Generally, due to the heat radiation on the surface of the nursing bottle it is difficult to make the temperature coincide between the outer surface and the inside of the bottle. By means of formation of the closed space 10 between the case 2 and the bottom of the body 1, however, the heat radiation at the bottom of the body 1 may be minimized and the accurate indication of the inner temperature becomes possible. The digital liquid crystal temperature indicating apparatus T comprises the digital liquid crystal temerature indicator 3, the substrate 6 and the thermosensor 4, whereby the proper temperature is notified. Moreover, the apparatus T is equipped with the elastic body 5 which not only support but also push upward the thermosensor 4. By so doing, the top of the thermosensor 4 comes into close contact with the bottom of the body 1, by the upward action of the elastic body 5, to create a good thermal sensitive condition. Further, a dent 9 is provided at the bottom of the body 1. The top of the thermosensor 4 pushed upward by the action of the elastic body 5 becomes much more closer contact with the bottom of the body 1 by means of the dent 9, whereby a much better thermal sensitivity of the thermosensor 4 may be achieved. Reference is now made to the Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is the cross sectional view of one of the embodiment of this invention in which the bottle body, the case detachable to the body and the water-proof cap for exchanging battery are shown separately. Figure 4 is the cross sectional view of the assembled parts. In this embodiment, the upper opening of the body 1 is not shown in the Figures. However, the cap 7 and the nipple 8 shown in Figures 1 and 2 are also fitted to the opening of the body 1 in this embodiment, too. With the embodiment shown in these Figures, at the bottom of the body 1, the inner circumferential part 1B having the smaller diameter than that of the outer circumferential part 1 (that is to say the outer surface of the body) is provided downward. The curved, raised bottom 1C is provided upward from the inner circumferential part 1B toward the inside of the body 1. At the center of the raised bottom 1C, there is provided the groove 1D, which is composed thinner. The thermister 27, the elastic body 28, the circuit substrate 29, the sound source 30, the light source 31 and the battery 32 are united in the case 26. The heat detective part 27A of the thermister 27, which is composed as the contact type, is contacted with the outer side of the bottom of the body 1 and plays the role of detecting the inner temperature of the liquid contained in the body 1. The thermister 27 is supported by the elastic body 28 at the center, which elastic body 28 being positioned below the thermister 27. Upon contact with the outer side of the body 1, the thermister 27 may be fixed by repulsion to the center of the elastic body 28 and then comes into close contact with the outside of the bottom of the body 1. As described above, the bottom of the body 1 is finely devised and this enables, coupled with the action of the elastic body 28, a more precise and quicker detection of the temperature. The elastic body 28 is composed, for example, by a rubber or a spring. As shown in Figure 3, the thermister 27 is connected to the circuit substrate 29 by means of the conductor 27B. The circuit substrate 29 is composed, for example, by a resin board. Although not shown, the substrate 29 is provided with a circuit by means of, e.g. printing. The circuit substrate 29 is equipped with a one chip microcomputer, a crystal oscillating element, a battery and an output terminal for the external connection. The output terminal for the external connection is connected to the light source 31 consisting of, e.g. a light emitting diode or to the sound source consisting of, e.g. a buzzer, an electronic music box or an electronic chime, which is embedded in the side wall of the case 26. One example of the operational procedure is: detecting the temperature with the thermosensor thermister 27, actuating the crystal oscillating element to emit the reference frequency (such as response by clock pulse of once a second), switching on the light source 31 or sounding the sound source 30 by means of the terminal function of the output terminal for the external connection via the one chip microcomputer. The CPU (central processing unit) of the one chip microcomputer carries out the logical and the comparative operations in accordance with the control program for the proper temperature range stored in the memory element and outputs, being within the proper temperature range, to the light source 31 or the sound source 30 via the output terminal for the external connection. Figure 5 is the front view of the nursing bottle when looked from the side of the light source 31. In addition to the battery for the circuit substrate 29, there is provided the other battery 32 at the bottom of the case 26 for operating the sound source 30 or the light source 31 which can require a considerable demand. Japanese Utility Model Application Kokai No. 62-6831 discloses a model which utilizes the temperature difference generated upon cooling hot water in a bottle. With this system, the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric effect of the thermoelement is charged to a capacitor of a large capacity. However, a large number of thermoelements are needed for charging the electromotive force of mV level, utilizing the temperature difference for a short period of time. Thus, it would appear theoretically and practically impossible to use the electromotive force as the electric source, generated by the thermoelectric effect of the thermoelectric elements utilizing the temperature difference for the short period of time in order to operate the emission elements or the buzzer. Here, the thermoelement consists of two different metals (e.g. copper and constantan) and generates the electric force of mV level with the change of the temperature, by utilizing the thermoelectric effect caused by the termperature difference. The thermister, which may be employed, is composed of the resistance bulb element that is the sintered metal oxide (the metal being, e.g. nickel, manganese or cobalt). With the thermister, the resistance changes, unlike the thermoelements, with inverse proportion as the temperature changes. At the bottom of the case body 26A of the case 26, there is provided the cover 26B for placing a battery. At the inner face of the cover 26B, there is provided the sound source 30 such as a buzzer. At the center of the cover 26B there is placed a battery 32 for operating the sound source or the like, which battery being connected with the circuit substrate 29 through the terminal 32A, and further with the sound source 30 and the light source 31. As shown in Figure 3, the battery 32 may be exchanged by releasing the the water-proof cap 26C of the U-shaped cross section. The circuit substrate 29 may be supplemented by a circuit constituent so as to discontinue the buzz (e.g. by adoption of a timer circuit), whereby saving the demand of the battery 32. As exemplified by the Example, the elastic body 28 is provided on the intermediate part 26D of the case 26 in order to support the thermister 27. The circuit substrate 29 is provided under the intermediate part 26D, under which a sound source 30 such as a buzzer is provided at the inner face of the case for placing battery 26B. On the reverse side of the case 26B there is placed a battery, which is fixed with the detachable water-proof cap 26C. Within the side wall of the case 26A, there is embedded the light source 31 such as a light emitting diode so that the emission may be observed from the outside. The case 26 and the bottle may be united by engaging the protruding part 26E at the upper part of the case 26A and the groove 1E at the inner circular part 1B of the bottom of the bottle. The engagement can be released detachably, whereby sterilization by boiling may be effected easily. Likewise, the water-proof cap 26C and the cover 26B may be united by engaging the protruding part and the groove. Similarly they may be separated to enable easy exchange of the battery. A closed space 33 may be formed between the bottom of the bottle 1 and the case 26 by fixing the both. The space may disturbs the aeration and decreases the radiation of heat at the surface of the bottom, and thus, contributes to an accurate detection of the temperature of the liquid. A further explanation will be given with reference to Figure 6, which is another embodiment of the present invention. In the previous embodiment, the bottle 1 was provided with a thinner groove 1D at the bottom. However, in this embodiment, there is no such groove and the bottom of the bottle is nearly flat, since the embodiment is applied to normal nursing bottles. With this embodiment, the frame, or the side wall of the case 26A is extended upward and the mouth of the frame is engaged with the bottom of the bottle 1. With the weights of the bottle and the liquid contained therein, the thermister 27 pushed upward with the elastic body 28 detects the temperature, when the bottle and the case are engaged, and the sound source 30 and the light source 31 are operated. Thus, in addition to the digital liquid crystal temperature indicator, the apparatus is equipped with the sound source 30 and/or the light source 31. The digital liquid crystal temperature indicator may be provided, e.g. on the other side of the wall of the case, opposite to the light source. Since this part is connected with the circuit substrate 29, the temperature detected with the thermister 27 may be indicated on the digital liquid crystal temperature indicator, as well as by means of the light source 31 and the sound source 30. The positions of the circuit substrate and of the sound source may be changed arbitrarily, as far as they are united in the case.

Claims: A nursing bottle assembly which comprises a bottle (1), an upper opening of which is equipped with a detachable nipple (8), a cap (7) and a detachable case (26) fitted to the bottom of the bottle, characterised by means (30,31) built into the case for giving an alarm in dependence on a proper temperature of a liquid inside the bottle. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the means for giving an alarm comprises a thermosensor (27) for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the bottle, a substrate (29) supporting an electronic circuit that processes signals from the sensor, an alarm (30,31) driven by the electronic circuit, and an elastic body (28) supporting the alarm. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the alarm is a sound source and/or a light source. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the sound source is a buzzer, an electronic chime or an electronic music box. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode. An assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sensor is a thermister temperature element. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a battery (32) is attached to the bottom of the case detachably so as to supply electricity to the means for giving an alarm. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3,31) for giving the alarm is provided on the surface of the case. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a dent (9) is provided at the bottom of the bottle. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the dent is provided by making the centre of the bottom wall of the bottle thinner than the rest of the body of the bottle. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein there is provided an elastic body (28) supporting a or the thermosensor and pushing the thermosensor upwards so as to get the thermosensor in close touch with the dent at the bottom of the bottle, when the case is fitted to the bottom of the bottle. An assembly according any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a protruding portion (26E) on the case and a complementary groove (1E) at the bottom of the bottle, whereby snap-engagement of the case and the bottle is enabled. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case provides a stand for the bottle.

Inventors: AIDA KUNIKO, YATA AKIO, AIDA, KUNIKO, YATA, AKIO
Applicants: AIDA KUNIKO, YATA AKIO, AIDA, KUNIKO, YATA, AKIO
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A61J9
IPC codes: A61J9, G01K1