Abstract:
A nursing bottle ( 1 ) formed of a large volume container, incorporating a vent tube ( 3 ) that extends inwardly of the container, having a vent port ( 4 ) arranged approximately at the volumetric midpoint ( 12 ) of the container, so as to allow for venting of pressure, whether of excessive or vacuum, to the atmosphere, at all times. The volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle container may be formed of a spherical shape ( 1 ), hemispherical shape ( 40 ), cylindrical shape ( 18 ), or to other configurations that provide for the internal volumetric capacity so that any formula placed therein will be prevented from blocking the vent port ( 4 ), the vent tube ( 3 ), regardless of the angular disposition undertaken by the nursing bottle during usage. The vent tube ( 10 ), with its disposed vent port ( 12 ), may either extend upwardly within the container, or extend downwardly ( 3 ) from its connection with the vent insert ( 7 ), operatively associated with a collar ( 6 ), that holds both the vent structures and the nipple ( 5 ) to the wide rimmed opening ( 19 ) for these type containers. In addition, as an alternative, the vent tube may be integrally formed, or connected by a flange, through the surface of the nursing bottle container, either at its bottom ( 14 ), or along a side ( 74 ), and either extend upwardly, or obliquely radially inwardly ( 82 ), so as to dispose its vent port ( 84 ) at that desired location approximately at the volumetric midpoint of the nursing bottle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This continuation patent application claims priority to the nonprovisional patent application having Ser. No. 10/283,878, which was filed on Oct. 30, 2002, which claims priority to the PCT International patent application having Ser. No. PCT/US01/14365, which was filed on May 4, 2001, which claims priority to the provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/202,851, which was filed on May 8, 2000. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to a nursing bottle, that incorporates enhanced features and parameters that provide for its full venting during both usage and storage.  
         [0003]     Nursing bottles of a multitude of designs are available in the prior art. In many instances, as is well known in the art, frequently a vacuum will be generated within the bottle during dispensing of its contents, as when nursing the infant, and which is believed can cause various physiological impairments to the child when subjected to this type of condition over prolonged feedings. It is theorized that the vacuum generated within the bottle, due to the infant&#39;s sucking, can cause pressure imbalance at the location of various features of the body, such as in the ear canal, or perhaps elsewhere, and which may possibly lead to the generation of infection, illness, or other predicaments. Thus, the presenting of a nursing bottle that incorporates air venting means, so as to prevent the creation of a vacuum inside the bottle, has been considered a desirable development in the field of infant serving products. Such can be seen in the applicants&#39; prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,071 and No. 5,570,769, wherein the reservoir tube that provides for venting, externally of the bottle cap, at an upper proximity, extends into the lower portion of the container, to function as a vent while the contents of the bottle are being consumed, when partially or fully inverted.  
         [0004]     Other attempts have been made to provide a nursing bottle with an air vent, to enable the ambient air to enter the container during usage, and to dilute or prevent the generation of any vacuum. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 598,231, to Roderick, discloses one such nursing bottle with a U-shaped air tube. Other patents show related types of technology, and provide means for venting air from the interior of its shown container, as can be seen in the U.S. Pat. No. 927,013 to Van Cleave. In addition, the U.S. Pat. No. 1,441,623, to Davenport, in addition to the prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,061,477, to Perry, show other means for venting of air from within a nursing bottle.  
         [0005]     The current invention, on the other hand, provides means for venting of any air pressure within the bottle, and to prevent the generation of any vacuum or pressure therein, regardless whether the nursing bottle is being used, stored in an upright position, or partially or fully inverted as during consumption of its contents.  
         [0006]     Other United States patents that relate to the subject matter of this invention include the U.S. Pat. No. 189,691; to Briere, U.S. Pat. No. 345,518, to Lelievre; U.S. Pat. No. 679,144, to Hardesty; U.S. Pat. No. 834,014, to Lyke; U.S. Pat. No. 1,600,804 to Donaldson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,156,313, to Schwab; U.S. Pat. No. 2,239,275, to Schwab; U.S. Pat. No. 2,610,755, to Gits; U.S. Pat. No. 2,742,168, to Panetti; U.S. Pat. No. 2,744,696, to Blackstone; U.S. Pat. No. 3,059,707, to Wilkinson, et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,796, to Brown, et al. In addition British patent No. 273,185; and, British patent No. 454,053, show related development.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     This invention contemplates the establishment of a structured relationship between the container or vessel that holds the formula for a nursing bottle, having sufficient size so that as the formula is prepared and deposited within the container, its surface will be arranged below the vent port or the vent leading towards the exterior of the container, for venting purposes, and in addition, even when the vessel is inverted, by the infant or parent, during feeding, the liquid formula still will be maintained at a surface level below the vent port, but in this case, when in the inverted condition. Thus, the concept of this invention is to provide a container with sufficient bulk and volume, so that the formula or milk as supplied therein, whether it be in the four ounce, six ounce, eight ounce, plus category, will always leave the identified vent port exposed to attain the attributes of venting, for the nursing bottle, at all times.  
         [0008]     Thus, no appreciably positive or negative pressure can build up in the container, since the vent port will be opened, for exhausting purposes, when the nursing bottle is maintained in an upright direction, as while it is being warmed or heated, in preparation for a feeding, and even while the bottle may be inverted, as during a feeding, so as to allow for the venting of any reduced pressure, internally generated within the container, that may occur as a result of the sucking action of the infant, during feeding.  
         [0009]     This feature of providing sufficient internal volumetric size to the container is achieved through usage of containers that are of excessive dimensions, such as being large and spherical in shape, or cylindrical in shape and flattened upon each surface, or which has a size equivalent to that of a Mason jar. In one instance, the container may be shaped in a spherical form. In another embodiment, the container will be of a cylindrical shape, but be flattened or pancacked on the sides, as can be understood. In a further embodiment, the container may be of the jar shape, or even contain some concavity upon its sides, to facilitate its lifting. In addition, where the spherical or cylindrical type of container is used, it may have a flattened bottom, to add stability to the nursing bottle, when rested upon a surface.  
         [0010]     In the preferred embodiment, the venting port cooperates with a vent tube, and lateral vent slots, that are built into the insert that is secured to the top of the container by means of its associated threaded collar, that holds both the vent tube within the vessel, and the conventional nipple, in place. The vent port associated with the vent tube may open directly, downwardly into the vessel, or it may have said lateral ports, to either side, so as to prevent the entrance of any formula, into the vent tube, as the container is being inverted during usage, but still allow the necessary venting.  
         [0011]     In a further embodiment, the container, collar, and nipple may be of the conventional type, but having the volumetric sizes from the shaped containers as previously explained, but the vent tube and port may extend through the surface of the container, rather than cooperate with the collar, in the manner as previously described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,071.  
         [0012]     Nevertheless, the orientation of the vent port, at its entrance point, leading to the vent tube, will normally be arranged somewhere centrally of the configured container, regardless what shape or structures the containers may possess, so as to allow the formulation to either be below the vent port, or above it, as the nursing bottle is either at rest, or being inverted as during usage, in the manner as previously explained.  
         [0013]     Thus, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a volumetric sized container for use as a nursing bottle, and which incorporates a vent tube with vent port that is arranged approximately centrally thereof, so that the vent port avoids coverage from any of the formula or milk contained therein, either during usage when feeding the infant, or during nonusage when the bottle has been set on its base, as during storage, while heating, or when at rest.  
         [0014]     A further object of this invention is to provide for structure means within a nursing bottle that provides for continuous venting of any pressure or vacuum generated within its container, regardless of usage or nonusage of the subject bottle.  
         [0015]     Still another object of this invention is to provide for the structure of a wide rimmed collar for use with a standard wide mouth container as structured into a nursing bottle, and useful for feeding formula to an infant.  
         [0016]     These and other objects may become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the summary of the invention as provided herein, and upon undertaking a study the of the description of its preferred embodiment, in view of the illustrated drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     In referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  is a top view of a spherical shaped nursing bottle;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a side view thereof;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the bottle during usage;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a modification to a spherical shaped nursing bottle wherein the vent tube extends structurally upwardly from its bottom;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the nursing bottle of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a back view of the nursing bottle of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top view thereof;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a modified form of nursing bottle having a wide rim configuration for mounting of its collar and nipple, and supporting the vent structure therein;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the container for the nursing bottle as shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the operative components of the structured nursing bottle as shown in  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a front view of a wide structured nursing bottle of a rectangular configuration having its collar and nipple applied to a wide rim at its upper end;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a top view thereof;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view thereof;  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a side view thereof, and showing its internal venting structure;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the vent insert applied within the collar when affixed to the wide rim of the container of the nursing bottle as shown in  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of the vent insert, taken along the line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a nursing bottle having a volumetric structured vessel with the collar, vent insert and nipple applied to its wide rim top, for disposing its vent tube, and vent port approximately centrally of its shown container;  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  is a front view of another spherical form of container for a nursing bottle having the vent tube operatively structured and disposed with its bottom segment;  
         [0035]      FIG. 18  is a front view of a further rectangularly shaped volumetric sized container for a nursing bottle having the collar, vent insert, and vent tube all operatively associated therewith;  
         [0036]      FIG. 19  is a top view of a further modified wide rim nursing bottle of this invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 20  is a front view thereof;  
         [0038]      FIG. 21  is a further modified wide rim nursing bottle of this invention having its vent tube extending inwardly towards centrally from the upper container surface;  
         [0039]      FIG. 22  is a further modified wide rim nursing bottle having its oblique vent tube extending inwardly from the approximate upper surface of its container;  
         [0040]      FIG. 23  is a further modified wide rim nursing bottle having the vent tube extending inwardly from the surface of its container;  
         [0041]      FIG. 24  is similar to the bottle of  FIG. 22 , with the vent tube structured further downwardly along the side of the shown bottle;  
         [0042]      FIG. 25  is a front view of a further shaped vented nursing bottle of this invention; and  
         [0043]      FIG. 26  is a top view of an oval shaped wide rim nursing bottle of this invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0044]     In referring to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the fully vented, wide rim nursing bottle of this invention is disclosed. It includes a spherical shaped container  1  that has ample volumetric capacity therein, so as to achieve the sought after results for this invention. That is, when a formula, such as at  2 , is applied into the container, with the formula being applied at an amount that normally furnishes a feeding for the infant, it will only fill the container up to a level that is yet below the bottom of the vent tube  3 , and more specifically its vent port  4 , as can be noted.  
         [0045]     Thus, when the nursing bottle is being heated, and should any pressure build up within its container, it will be immediately vented to the atmosphere, because of the openness of the vent port  4 , to absorb any generated pressure, no matter how slight, and allow it to be vented to the atmosphere, externally of the shown nursing bottle. The nipple  5 , the threaded collar  6 , and the vent insert  7 , that are threadedly applied to the upper edge of the container  1 , are all fabricated in the manner as previously described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,071, with the exception that these components are fabricated of a wider dimension, so as to fit upon a wide rim style of opening for the shown container  1 , thereby providing the type of ample volumetric capacity for the nursing bottle, even though the standard size of nipple may be employed, to achieve the relationship between its structure, such as the vent port, and the level of any standard amount of formulation applied therein, during usage, to achieve the benefits of this invention. In addition, when the nursing bottle of this invention is applied, for feeding an infant, and is inverted, the formulation may rise to the opposite side of the inverted container  1 , but yet will have a surface level that will still be below the vent port  4 , so that any sucking action generated by the infant, during feeding, and the formation of any vacuum, or partial thereof, within the container, during feeding, will be continuously vented by its vent port  4 , through the vent tube  3 , and out of the vent insert  7 , as previously reviewed.  
         [0046]     It should be noted that the container  1  of this invention will obviously include a minor flattened surface, as at  8 , at its bottom, in order to facilitate the free standing of this nursing bottle, as when not in use, when stored, or when being warmed or heated in preparation for consumption of its formulated content.  
         [0047]      FIG. 2A  shows the container  1  and its nursing bottle when inverted, as during a feeding, to disclose how the fluid level  2  will yet remain below the opened vent port  4 , so as to not obstruct the venting of any partial vacuum generated therein, during the feeding process.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 3 and 4  disclose a modification to the shape of the container  9  for the shown nursing bottle, with the further modification that the vent tube  10  will be integrally structured with the bottom  11  of the shown container, disposing its vent port generally centrally of the container, as can be noted at  12 . Thus, regardless at what position the container  9  of this nursing bottle may undertake, the surface level  13  of the formula will not obstruct the entrance of any generated vacuum or pressure into the vent port  12 , for venting purposes, in this case, out of the bottom opening  14  of the shown vessel. This is so regardless whether the container  9 , as during storage, or feeding, may be positioned vertically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , or inverted, as can be understood. In this particular instance, the threaded collar  15  and nipple  16  are conventional, and threadedly engage to the wide rim  17  of the container  9 , in order to enhance the volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle, during usage, and to attain the results desired and required for this particular development. In addition, as can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the structure of wide rim container  9  is generally spherical, as can be noted in  FIG. 3 , but flattened on its front and back surfaces, as disclosed in  FIG. 4 , and yet attains the volumetric capacity for the formula, as desired and required for this development.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 5 and 6  provide both a back view, and top view, of the modified nursing bottle as previously described in  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  
         [0050]      FIGS. 7 through 9  show a further modified nursing bottle of this invention, wherein its container  18  has a Mason jar style of configuration, thereby affording the wide rimmed  19  style of opening, at its upper end, for accommodating the vent tube  20 , receptacle portion  25 , the vent insert  21 , the nipple  22 , and the threaded collar  23 , that all threadedly engage onto the threads  24  of the shown container. These components  20  through  23  and  25  are very similar in structure to that as previously described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,071, with the exception that the components are fabricated to a wider dimension, in order to be accommodated upon the wide rimmed opening  19  of the shown container  18 . The vent tube communicates with its upper inner receptacle portion  25 , forming the reservoir-like configuration as noted, and which positions thereon and locates therein the internal vent tube  26  of the vent insert  21 , to function in the manner as previously explained in said earlier patent. But in this particular instance, it should be noted that the vent port  27  of the vent structure, as all mounted to the wide rim of the volumetric container  18 , when inserted, is disposed approximately at the center of the internal space of the shown container  18 , in order to achieve the benefits and results as explained for this invention. Hence, the surface level  28  of the formula applied therein will always be below the entrance to the vent port  27 , so as to avoid its blockage, regardless whether the container  18  is maintained in its rest position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , or when the container is tilted to any angulation, or should it be inverted, placed on its side or any position, as during the feeding process. This allows the reduced pressure generated within the container, during feeding with the nursing bottle, to always be vented, to the atmosphere, as can be understood. In addition, it is to be noted, particularly upon review of U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,071, that wherever these vent tube and vent insert configurations are inserted upon the wide rim and held in position by means of the collar  23 , that the vent tube  26  internally communicates with the lateral vent passages  29  and opens to atmosphere internally of the collar  23 , to provided venting thereof, at all times, to achieve the purposes and advantages of this invention.  
         [0051]     It can also be noted in  FIG. 8  that the sides of the container  18  may be integrally concaved, as at  30 , in order to facilitate the gripping and holding of the larger sized bottle, during its usage.  
         [0052]      FIGS. 10 through 13  disclose a larger volumetric sized nursing bottle, having a container  31  that is generally of a rectangular configuration. It has a wide rimmed opening, as at  32  for accommodating the shown collar  33 , its supported nipple  34 , the vent tube  35 , and the vent insert  36  when installed. The vent insert is shown more carefully in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , and it can be seen that the bottom of the vent port  37  is closed, and venting is achieved through the lateral port  38  that extends to the front and back of the vent tube, to attain venting from internally of the shown container. In addition, the lateral port  38  is arranged approximately at the volumetric midpoint of the bottle. In addition, the purpose of the lateral vents  38  is to prevent the entrance of any of the formula  39  therein, as when the nursing bottle is inverted, as during a feeding. Nevertheless, as can be seen in  FIG. 13 , the level of the formula will always be at a location spaced from the bottom of the vent tube  35 , to attain the purposes of this invention. Furthermore, as can be seen in  FIG. 15 , and as noted from our prior patents, the vent insert  36  has the lateral vents  38  that communicate with the vent  35 , for allowing the discharge of any vacuum, pressure, or the like, generated within the nursing bottle during usage, to the atmosphere, externally of the bottle, in order to achieve the benefits and results of this development.  
         [0053]      FIG. 16  shows a nursing bottle that incorporates a semi-spherical container  40 , and having mounted onto its integral wide rim  41  the collar  42 , nipple  43 , and the vent insert  44  as noted. In addition, the vent tube  45  extends downwardly into the container  40 , with the bottom  46  of the vent tube being arranged approximately, once again, at the approximate midpoint of the volumetric capacity of the nursing bottle, to achieve the benefits of this invention.  
         [0054]      FIG. 17  discloses a spherical form of nursing bottle wherein its container  61  has mounted to its wide rim  62  by threaded engagement the collar  63  and the nipple  64 , as noted.  
         [0055]     The vent tube, in this instance, as at  65 , extends integrally upwardly from the bottom of the container  61 , and internally is vented to the atmosphere, out the bottom of the bottle, and has at its upper end the lateral vent ports  66  as noted. Again, these vent ports are arranged at the approximate midpoint of the volumetric capacity for the shown container, to achieve the benefits of this invention.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 18 and 19  disclose a modification to the nursing bottle of this invention, wherein its container  51  is generally rectangular of configuration in one dimension, but has an oval shape  52  along its vertical disposition. Its collar  53  supports the nipple  54 , and the vent insert  55  to the wide rim  56  of the integral container  51 , for the nursing bottle. The vent tube  57  of the insert extends downwardly, and includes an extended vent tube  58 , whereby its vent port  59  at its bottom end is disposed approximately, once again, at the volumetric midpoint of the shown container  51  for the nursing bottle. Thus, any formula  60  contained therein, and processed for feeding, will always be below the disposition of the vent port  59 , regardless whether the nursing bottle is rested upright, as shown in  FIG. 18 , or inverted, as during the feeding process.  
         [0057]      FIG. 20  shows a similar style of nursing bottle, to that of  FIG. 16 , but in this instance, its container  47  has integrally formed of its flattened bottom  48  an upwardly extending vent tube  49 , whose upper end  50 , forming the vent port, is arranged once again at the approximate volumetric midpoint of its shown container.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 21 through 25  show variations upon the arrangement of the vent tube of this invention. As noted, in  FIG. 21  the shown nursing bottle has its container  67  mounting upon its wide rim  68 , its threaded collar  69 , and the shown nipple  70 . For venting purposes, in this particular embodiment, the vent tube  71  is integrally formed of the container  67 , and extends radially inwardly, along an oblique angle, into the approximate midpoint of the shown container, having its vent port  72  disposed approximately at this location, as noted.  
         [0059]     Thus, any formula  73  provided therein, and particularly of the standard amount normally fed to an infant, will always be below the entrance to the vent port  72 , and not cause any blockage thereof. This is so regardless whether the nursing bottle is being stored, or inverted as during usage, as can be understood.  
         [0060]      FIG. 22  shows the semispherical style of container  74  for the shown nursing bottle. The bottle has a wide rim  75 , and to which the threaded collar  76  and the nipple  77  are attached.  
         [0061]     In this instance, similar to that of the bottle as described in  FIG. 21 , the vent tube  78  is integrally formed of the container, and is arranged obliquely within it, to dispose its vent port, as at  79 , and more specifically its lateral vents  80 , internally at the approximate volumetric midpoint of the shown container, to achieve the benefits of this invention.  
         [0062]      FIG. 23  is similar to the structured nursing bottle as described in  FIG. 21 , but in this instance, as can be noted, the container  81  has its vent tube  82  arranged further down the side of the shown container, opening to atmosphere as at  83 , and having its vent port  84  provided at the approximate midpoint of the shown container  81 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 24  shows a structure for a nursing bottle similar to that as previously explained in  FIG. 22 , but in this particular instance, the container  85  has its vent tube  86  integrally formed further down the side of the shown container, as can be noted at  87 . This may be integrally formed, or structurally applied thereto, as by adherence of the flanges  88  to the opening  89  provided through the wall of the container  85 . The inner end of the vent tube  86 , has its vent port  90 , arranged, once again, at the approximate volumetric midpoint of the shown container, in order to achieve the results and benefits of this invention.  
         [0064]      FIGS. 25 and 26  disclose a further modification to the nursing bottle of this invention, wherein its rectangularly configured container  91  has an oval appearance along the vertical, as can be noted in  FIG. 26 , as at  92 .  
         [0065]     It provides sufficient volumetric capacity so that the surface of the formula added thereto, as at  93 , will always be below the vent tube  94 , and its vent port  95 , regardless of the position undertaken by the nursing bottle, when used. In accordance with the structure of the venting characteristics of this development, and as can be seen in  FIG. 26 , the vent tube  94  has lateral vents  96  that extend laterally to the sides of the vent insert  97 , and which provides venting of any pressure or vacuum developed within the container  91  to the atmosphere, by passing through the configured threads  101 , as can be understood from our prior patents.  
         [0066]     As known from our prior development, the vent insert  97  includes a series of supporting vanes  98  that provide intermediate spacing, as at  99 , and through which the formula may flow, when the nursing bottle is inverted, as during a feeding. But, the lateral vents  96  communicate with the vent tube  94 , to allow passage of any pressure, or lack thereof, therethrough, and through said vents, to be discharged to atmosphere, by passing through the imperfect seal formed of the threaded connection between the collar  100 , and the threads  101  of the wide rimmed structure of the container  91 , of the shown nursing bottle. Nevertheless, the criticality regarding the location of the vent port  95 , at the approximate volumetric midpoint of the shown container  91 , is essential so as to prevent any blockage to it, when formula is applied therein, so that venting can effectively occur, regardless whether the nursing bottle is being used, stored, heated, or inverted, as during a feeding process.  
         [0067]     Variations or modifications to the subject matter of this invention may occur to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the development as described herein. Such variations, if within the scope of this development, are intended to be encompassed within the principles of this invention, as explained herein. The description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the depiction within the drawings is set forth for illustrative purposes only.