Abstract:
An infant bottle cap provides a means for storing powdered infant formula which is then installed upon a conventional baby bottle. The device comprises a cap attachment which attaches to the bottle and an internal cavity which separates the nipple from the powdered formula. The cap attachment is hollow, allowing for the storage of formula inside said cap. The top surface of the cap further comprises a hinged and latching lid for filling the cap with powdered formula and pouring the formula into water within the bottle when ready for use.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/411,945 filed on Nov. 10, 2010, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an infant bottle cap, and in particular, to a cap which provides storage capabilities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Infant feeding bottles are known. When an infant is bottle fed a powered formula is added to a bottle filled with water to make a meal for the infant. Preparation of the bottle for infants using the formula takes time and is inconvenient to make. Measuring the formula to the exact amount the infant needs and then mixing it in bottle is problematic when in a rushed situation. Also retaining various containers to make a bottle takes up space in cars, diaper bags, or the like. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide an infant feeding bottle which provides a compartment to retain a premeasured amount of formula. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,445, issued in the name of Ballin, describes an infant feeding container with an integral sealing means. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,445, issued in the name of Kaesemeyer, describes an infant bottle with storing and dispensing means. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,328, issued in the name of Baron et al., describes an extension to infant bottles which provides storage and releasing of formula. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many are not suited to provide a single compartment for storage. Others are bulky and take up needed space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a bottle cap which provides storage for formula and is adaptable to bottles. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a bottle cap which provides storage and attachment onto infant bottles. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cap portion to attach to bottles and store formula. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a collar portion for attachment onto bottles. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to store a desired amount of formula within an internal space. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the cap with a hinged lid. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of threading the collar onto the bottle, attaching the cap onto the collar, opening the lid and filling the internal portion of the cap with formula. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an infant bottle cap with formula dispensing means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of the infant bottle cap with formula dispensing means  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  infant bottle cap with formula dispensing means 
               11  infant bottle 
               12  nipple 
               13  powdered formula 
               14  bottle threaded region 
               20  cap 
               21  collar 
               22  lid 
               23  hinge 
               24  clasp feature 
               25  retainer feature 
               26  internal space 
               27  inner wall 
               28  top opening 
               29  water 
               30  collar threaded region 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the infant bottle cap with formula dispensing means (herein described as the “device”)  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  provides a cap portion  20  for attachment to an existing infant bottle  11  being capable of storing a volume of powdered formula  13 . The device  10  is attached to said existing infant bottle  11  via a threaded collar portion  21 , thereby enabling a caregiver to conveniently mix said powdered formula  13  with water  29  contained within the infant bottle  11  for an infant or child. The device  10  preferably stores enough powdered formula  13  to make an eight (8) ounce bottle of mixed formula; however, other sizes of caps  20  may utilize the teachings of the device  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device  10 . Furthermore, the threaded collar portion  21  of the device  10  is envisioned to be introduced in various diameters being compatible with different brands of infant bottles  11 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a section view of the device  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 1 ), according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device comprises a cap  20 , a collar  21 , and a lid  22 , which are preferably fabricated using a Bisphenol A (BPA)-free transparent plastic material to enable the caregiver to view an internal space  26  within the cap  20  which retains the powered formula  13 . The cap  20  comprises an upwardly-tapering cup-shaped form being affixed to the subjacent cylindrical collar  21  via a securing interference fit. Said collar  21  further comprises a bottom female collar threaded region  30  which in turn provides a threaded attachment means to a corresponding bottle threaded region  14  of the infant bottle  11 . As the collar  21  threadingly engages said bottle threaded region  14 , a flange portion of the nipple  12  is compressed and sealed against the bottle  11  in a conventional manner. 
     Said cap  20  further comprises an integral inner wall portion  27  comprising a shape which parallels a profile of a nipple portion  12  of the infant bottle  11 , thereby encompassing and separating said nipple  12  from the powdered formula  13  within the internal space  26 . 
     An upper portion of the cap  20  comprises a circular horizontal top opening  28  and a corresponding lid portion  22  which provides selective access to the internal space  26  of the cap  20 . The lid  22  is pivotingly attached to an upper perimeter edge of said top opening  28  via an axial hinge  23  having respective integrally-molded elements. The lid  22  comprises a downwardly protruding and integrally-molded hook-shaped clasp feature  24  which allows access to the powdered formula  13  within or may be secured to close the top opening  28  via engagement of said clasp feature  24  with a correspondingly positioned retainer feature  25  being integrally-molded along an edge of said top opening  28 . With the lid  22  in an upright position, the internal space  26  may be filled with powdered formula  13 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of preparing the device  10  for use may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring the device  10 ; positioning the nipple portion  12  of the infant bottle  11  onto the bottle threaded region  14 ; threadingly engaging the collar  31  onto said bottle threaded region  14  of the bottle  11 , thereby positioning and sealing the nipple  12  within the inner wall  27 ; disengaging the clasp feature  24  from the retainer feature  25  and pivoting the lid  22  upwardly about the hinge  23 ; filling the internal space  26  within the cap  20  with powdered formula  13 ; and, replacing the lid  22  by engaging said clasp  24  and retainer  25  features. The device  10  is now ready to be used in preparation and feeding of mixed formula to the infant. 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  to feed an infant may be achieved by performing the following steps: removing the device  10  from the infant bottle  11  by threadingly removing the collar  21  from the bottle threaded region portion  14  of the infant bottle  11 ; removing the nipple  12  from the infant bottle  11 ; disengaging the clasp feature  24  from the retainer feature  25  and pivoting the lid  22  upwardly; dispensing the powdered formula  13  from the internal space  26  into a volume of water  29  contained within the infant bottle  20 ; closing the lid  22  by engaging said clasp  24  and retainer  25  features; replacing the nipple  12  and collar  21  portions onto the infant bottle  11  until tightened; shaking said infant bottle  11  to mix the powdered formula  13  and water  29  in a conventional manner; forcing the cap  20  off the collar  21  to expose the nipple  12 ; utilizing the device  10  to feed an infant in a normal manner; disassembling and cleaning the device  10 ; and, providing a quick means of preparing an infant bottle  11  by utilizing the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.