BABY BOTTLE HOLDER

Abstract: This invention relates to a baby bottle holder comprising a bottom part (4) and flexible wall parts (2) forming an inner-space for storage of baby bottle characterized in that said wall parts (2) are detachably arranged to each other to form said inner space.

Description: BABY BOTTLE HOLDER DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a baby bottle holder comprising a bottom part and flexible wall parts forming an inner-space for storage of a baby bottle. STATE OF THE ART It is known that babies feel comfort when they can hold into something soft. Unfortunately all items which are used by babies may not be produced of soft materials. Baby bottles for instance must be produced of a durable material, which may not without severe complications be made soft. Some babies have a need of holding into something soft, similar to the breasts of the mother, when taking the baby bottle. From US-5871184 there is known a holder for a baby bottle. The holder comprises an insulation jacket having a central aperture extending vertically therein for receiving the baby bottle. The insulation jacket is formed as a stuffed animal body having a soft padded material on the outside, which increases the comfort for the child when using the bottle. However, this known holder is complicated to produce which means that it will be expensive. Moreover it is space consuming which is a big disadvantage in relation to transporting thereof. Finally its form does not make it suitable for being used as for instance a pillow for the head of the child. SOLUTION AND ADVANTAGES It is an object of the invention to eliminate or at least minimise the above disadvantages which is achieved by means of baby bottle holder comprising a bottom part and flexible wall parts forming an inner-space for storage of baby bottle characterised in that said wall parts 2 are detachably arranged to each other to form said inner space. By making the holder in a detachable manner many advantages are gained. Firstly it is easy to produce since it may be made from flat sheets/layers which can be easily joined together, e.g. by sewing. Moreover the sheets/layers used for producing the holder can be chosen from a wide variety of different materials which are easy to find and at moderate prices. A major advantage with the invention is that the holder in its unassembled/detached form can be made substantially flat and if an appropriate amount of stuffing is used then it is suitable to be used as a pillow, for the child. Furthermore the unassembled/detached form of the invention has the advantage that it is pileable and therefore requires very little space which makes it suitable for transportation in many different ways. Accordingly e.g. transportations in large quantities can be performed at low cost. According to further aspects of the invention: - said wall parts (2) are detachably arranged to each other by means of at least one pair of a quick attachment device (3, 5), preferably of the female (3) and male(5)-type, and wherein preferably there are at least three paris of said quick attachment devices (3, 5), and - said quick attachment device is of snap fastener kind (3, 5), and - the holder (1) in its detached form is pileable, one of top of another in a compact manner, and - the holder (1) in its detached form is substantially circular, and - the holder (1) in its detached form is hemisphere like, and - the holder (1) in its detached form is substantially flat, and - said holder (1) is made of at least one inner-layer (6 A) and one outer-layer (6B) of cloth which are joined by seams (7, 4A), and preferably that an intermediate-layer (14) of an insulating material is joined there-between by means of said seams (4A, 7), and - said wall parts (2) and said bottom part (4) are made of the same layers (6 A, 6B; 14) and that one of said seams (4A) forms a transition zone between the bottom (4) and the wall parts (2), and - each of said quick attachment device is attached adjacent the outer edge (7) of said holder (1) and that the distance (1 1 ) between a cooperating male and female quick attachment device is between 100 and 150 mm, preferably between 110 and 140 mm, and preferably that the distance (1 2 ) between two neighbouring quick attachment devices (3A, 3B) is between 30 - 60 mm, more preferred 40 - 50 mm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention in detached form seen from above, Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the sequential assembly/ attachment of the holder, Figure 5 shows the holder after a baby bottle having been put therein, Figure 6 shows the holder in its totally assembled form, Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of the invention in a detached form, Figure 8 shows the embodiment of figure 7 in a totally assembled form and, Figure 9 shows a cross sectional view through the embodiment of figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In figure 1 there is shown a holder 1 according to the invention in its detached/unassembled form seen from above. It consists of a circular inner layer 6 A, an outer circular layer 6B and an intermediate stuffing 14 (see Fig. 9) which are joined to each other by means of circular seams 4 A, 7. The material in the different layers is washable, preferably at + 60° C, which is an important feature since the holder 1 is going to be soiled. The cloth of the inner layer 6 A can be chosen from a big variety of materials, since its main function is to cover the stuffing 14. The outer layer 6B should be made of some soft material, e.g. flannel, since this is the layer of the holder which is intended to be gripped by the child. The holder 1 is divided by means of a transition seam 4 A into a bottom part 4 and a wall part 2. The transition seam 4 A is preferably a straight-seam. At the circular periphery 7 of the holder 1 there is preferably arranged an overlock-seam 7 in order to produce a comfortable edge which can resist wear. Adjacent the edge (about 10 - 30 mm from the edge) 7 the holder 1 is arranged with quick attachment devices 3, 5. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention there are four pairs of cooperating male/female-quick attachment devices, e.g. snap fasteners. Two female parts 3 A, 3B of the snap fasteners are positioned relatively close to each other on one side of the holder 1. The distance 1 2 between them is 45 mm according to the shown embodiment, preferably the distance 1 should not be less than 10 mm and not more than 70 mm. On the opposite side of the holder 1 there are arranged further two female snap fasteners 3C, 3D. All of the female snap fasteners 3A-3D are positioned symmetrically in relation to the centre of the holder 1. In a corresponding manner, but displaced 90°, there are positioned four male snap fasteners 5A-5D. According to a preferred embodiment the distance between two neighbouring snap fasteners 5 A, 5B should be the same as the distance 1 between two neighbouring female snap fasteners 3A, 3B. The distance 11 between to cooperating quick attachment devices 3D, 5C are about the same as the radius R, of the holder 1 in its detached form, in this preferred embodiment, about 120 - 130 mm. This size is especially adapted for a baby bottle 9 of minor size as will be evident in relation to the description of figures 5 and 6. In figure 2 the first step of attaching/assembling the holder 1 is shown. A first pair 5 A, 3B of the snap fasteners has been put together, such that a protruding fold 8 A is created. As can be seen the soft cloth 6B of the holder forms the outside of the protruding fold 8 A. Thanks to the stuffing 14 (see Fig. 9) the wall parts 2 of the holder 1 will have some rigidity. Accordingly a bending force is created around the point of attachment 3B, 5 A which makes the protruding fold 8 A to be bulb-like, e.g. it has a gentle form without sharp edges. Accordingly also an opening (15) is created at the top of the fold 8A. Figure 3 shows the next stage of the assembly, wherein also the next pair of cooperating quick attachment devices 3C, 5B have been put together, such that a new protruding fold 8B is shaped. Thereafter the next cooperating pair 3 A, 5D is put together such that three protruding folds 8 A - 8C are created, see Fig. 4. As seen in figure 5, this stage of the assembly is the most appropriate stage to introduce the baby bottle into the hollow inner space within the holder 1. Thereafter the last pair of cooperating quick attachment devices 3D, 5C are put together (see Fig. 6), whereby the baby bottle 9 is safely enclosed within the holder 1. At the upper edge of the holder in its assembled/attached form the width L3 of a protruding fold is about 60 - 70 mm. Thanks to the design these protruding parts 8 of the holder 1 successively decrease down-wardly, i.e. being substantially zero adjacent the bottom 4, which means that every child may find a location along a protruding fold 8 which suites them the best, e.g. depending on the size of their hands. As is evident when looking at Fig. 1 the major part of the material of the holder 1 is positioned within the protruding folds when the holder is in its assembled/attached form. Accordingly only a minor part of the inner layer 6 A will actually be in contact with the bottle. As is understood from Fig. 6 the distance 1 2 between two pairs of quick attachment snap fasteners should be adopted to the diameter of the baby bottle 9 at the upper part thereof. As is common knowledge preferred baby bottles have a conical shape at the top, which is used for retaining the baby bottle 9 within the holder 1. Accordingly the total distance (4 x L2) at the top of the holder in its assembled form is less than the maximum diameter of the baby bottle 9, and the narrow opening of the holder 1 is positioned at or above the conical part of the baby holder, such that the bottle 9 retained therein. As seen in Fig. 1 this leads to a preferred embodiment wherein the diameter d of the bottom part 4 of the holder 1 is larger than the distance 1 2 between two neighbouring quick attachment devices 3A, 3B, since most baby bottles have a bottom diameter which is substantially equal to its maximum diameter. In figure 7 there is shown a second embodiment according to the invention. This embodiment is adapted for the use in connection with a full size baby bottle 12, having about twice the height of the baby bottle of mini size 9, as is common knowledge. The basic principle for this holder 1 is exactly the same as for the holder shown in figures 1 - 6. However, this holder is made of circular sheets having about twice the size (diameter) of the sheets shown in Fig. 1. Accordingly the protruding folds 8 A would be very large if no measures were taken. To adapt the protruding folds 8 A to be of suitable size for a child, seams 10 are positioned between each cooperating pair of quick attachment devices 3D, 5C in order to produce an inwardly protruding triangle 11 A. The length 1 4 of the triangle 11 A is about 50 mm. In order to produce the triangle 11 A - 1 ID the seam 10 may either be positioned substantially perpendicular 10A in relation to the extension of the detached holder 1 or be positioned substantially parallel 10B in relation to the plane of the detached holder 1. The distance 1 2 between two neighbouring quick attachment devices is preferably the same as described in relation to figures 1 - 6, i.e. adapted to the size of the bottle 12. Normally the maximum diameter of a mini bottle 9 is the same as for a full size bottle 12. Only the height of the different bottles differs. By the use of making triangles 11 A - 1 ID the protruding folds 8 A will have a size which is similar to what is described in relation to figures 1 - 6. Accordingly the protruding distance 1 3 at the top of the holder 1 is about the same as for the holder shown in figures 1 - 6. However, the decrease of a size will be less at the regions containing the triangles 11 than below these, as is evident if Fig. 6 and 8 are compared. As can be seen from figure 8 the triangles 11 A - 1 ID will be positioned within the hollow part of the protruding folds 8A. In figure 9 is shown a cross sectional view of a holder according to figure 1. Accordingly the stuffing 14 can be seen, which preferably has good heat insulating properties, e. g. stopping or similar material, in combination with forming good rigidity of the holder when joined with the inner layer 6 A and the outer layer 6B. The invention is not limited to what is described above but may be varied within the scope of the claims. For instance, it is evident for the skilled man that many different kind of well known quick attachment devices may be used. Also a string in form of a loop may be used together with well know quick attachment releasing mechanisms for strings. Moreover it is realised that the invention may also be used in connection with another number of protruding folds 8 than four, e.g. to 2, 3, 5, 6 or more. However it is important that comfortable, easy gripped, protruding portions are formed by the holder, and that it is easily detached/dissembled. A further advantage of the invention is that it may be used for giving comfort to a child, i. e. in the detached form to squeeze and hold on to for comfort. It may also be used as a pillow for the child preferably in the detached form but also in its attached form, e.g. by filling the inner space with something resilient/flexible.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Baby bottle holder comprising a bottom part (4) and flexible wall parts (2) forming an inner-space for storage of baby bottle characterized in that said wall parts (2) are detachably arranged to each other to form said inner space. 2. Holder according to claim 1 , characterised in that said wall parts (2) are detachably arranged to each other by means of at least one pair of a quick attachment device (3, 5), preferably of the female (3) and male(5)-type, and wherein preferably there are at least three pairs of said quick attachment devices (3, 5). 3. Holder according to claim 2, characterized in that said quick attachment device is of snap fastener kind (3, 5). 4. Holder according to any previous claim, characterized in that the holder (1) in its detached form is pileable, one of top of another in a compact manner. 5. Holder according to claim 4, characterized in that the holder (1) in its detached form is substantially circular. 6. Holder according to claim 4, characterized in that the holder (1) in its detached form is hemisphere like. 7. Holder according to claim 4, characterized in that the holder (1) in its detached form is substantially flat. 8. Holder according to claim 1, characterized in that said holder (1) is made of at least one inner-layer (6 A) and one outer-layer (6B) of cloth which are joined by seams (7, 4A), and preferably that an intermediate-layer (14) of an insulating material is joined there-between by means of said seams (4 A, 7). 9. Holder according to claim 8, characterized in that said wall parts (2) and said bottom part (4) are made of the same layers (6 A, 6B; 14) and that one of said seams (4 A) forms a transition zone between the bottom (4) and the wall parts (2). 10. Holder according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each of said quick attachment device is attached adjacent the outer edge (7) of said holder (1) and that the distance (li) between a cooperating male and female quick attachment device is between 100 and 150 mm, preferably between 110 and 140 mm, and preferably that the distance (1) between two neighbouring quick attachment devices (3 A, 3B) is between 30-60 mm, more preferred 40-50 mm.

Inventors: RING AASA, RING, AASA
Applicants: RING AASA, RING, AASA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61J9
IPC codes: A61J9