Abstract:
An infant care apparatus including a nipple having a nipple passage for drawing fluid therethrough. A fitting is adapted to secure the infant care apparatus on a closure adapted to regulate flow between the infant care apparatus and a container. A valve is adapted to regulate flow between the nipple passage and the closure.

Description:
REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/551,923, filed Mar. 10, 2004, by Gregory R. Viggiano, entitled Combined Pacifier/Nipple with Quick Connect Fitting for Bottle. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    A popular way to feed infants is with nursing bottles. A nursing bottle typically includes an elongate container containing fluid sustenance that is connected to a resilient nipple having a passage and an opening through which the infant may draw the sustenance. The opening is biased into a normally closed position, restricting fluid from exiting the bottle. When an infant sucks on the nipple, the negative pressure created urges fluid from the container into and through the passage, out of the opening, then into the infant&#39;s mouth. Numerous containers and nipples for infant bottle feeding exist.  
           [0003]    During or after feeding, many infants pacify themselves by sucking or gumming on objects, such as a nursing bottle nipple or conventional pacifier. These pacifying activities may stimulate development and/or aid in falling asleep. Numerous infant pacifiers also exist.  
           [0004]    Infants often alternate between feeding and pacifying activities, especially toward the end of a feeding when an infant may be falling asleep. When an infant is falling asleep, parents are reluctant to agitate the infant by removing what the infant may be sucking or gumming on, such as a nursing bottle nipple. However, permitting the infant to suck on a conventional nipple, rather than a designated pacifier, allows the infant to draw air through the passage in the nipple, which the infant would swallow eventually in an uncomfortable amount. Ingested air can cause infants to become uncomfortable and colicky.  
           [0005]    Infants&#39; requirement for nourishment and predilection for pacifying activities, and the disparate requirements and limitations on devices for same, illuminate a need for a combined pacifier/nipple that allows an infant to draw fluid therethrough when feeding, yet prohibits the infant from drawing fluid therethrough when pacifying.  
           [0006]    In addition to having appropriate infant care equipment, infant care givers need to be able to use or manipulate the equipment, typically while simultaneously holding onto an infant at the same time. Feeding, changing bottles or pacifying the infant while holding an infant and tending to accessories typically on hand, like diaper bags, can be cumbersome and frustrating. Thus, a need exists for combining the function of the bottle nipple and the pacifier to free care givers for managing other matters while holding an infant.  
           [0007]    Sometimes care givers provide infants with fluid readily available from commercial establishments, like bottled water. Commercial packaging for such fluids often have a resealable, pushable closure or valved cap assembly. Unfortunately, infants often are not skilled enough to drink from such closures without spilling. Thus, a need exists for a combined pacifier/nipple with a quick connect fitting that is mountable on a valved cap assembly.  
           [0008]    What is needed and not taught or suggested in the art is a simple, combined pacifier/nipple with a quick connect fitting.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The invention is a simple, combined pacifier/nipple with quick connect fitting for mounting on containers with valved cap assemblies. The invention includes an integrally-formed nipple/pacifier and base configured to mount on a container closure, and a valve. The valve may be opened, to allow an infant to draw fluid through the nipple, and closed, to allow the infant to use the combined pacifier/nipple as a pacifier without ingesting gas.  
           [0010]    The invention provides a combined pacifier/nipple with a quick connect fitting which simplifies pacifying and feeding children in the delivery of water, milk, formula, breast milk or other appropriate beverage with secure, detachable, and interchangeable parts. The invention allows greater convenience with respect to: saving time, simplicity of use, ease of assembly/disassembly, faster bottle changes, less spillage, easier cleaning and lower cost.  
           [0011]    An embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention provides an infant care apparatus including a nipple having a nipple passage for drawing fluid therethrough. A fitting is adapted to secure the infant care apparatus on a closure adapted to regulate flow between the infant care apparatus and a container. A valve is adapted to regulate flow between the nipple passage and the closure.  
           [0012]    Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention provides an infant care apparatus including a closure adapted to regulate flow between the infant care apparatus and a container. A fitting is adapted to secure the infant care apparatus on the closure. The infant care apparatus has a nipple having a nipple passage for drawing fluid therethrough. A valve is adapted to regulate flow between the nipple passage and the closure.  
           [0013]    Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention provides an infant care apparatus including a container and a closure adapted to regulate flow between the infant care apparatus and the container. A fitting is adapted to secure the infant care apparatus on the closure. The infant care apparatus has a nipple having a nipple passage for drawing fluid therethrough. A valve is adapted to regulate flow between the nipple passage and the closure.  
           [0014]    An embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes a combined pacifier/nipple assembly removably connectable via a quick connect/disconnect snap-on/snap-off fitting to a typical bottle fitted with an integrated bottle valved cap assembly mounted on the upper end thereof. The integrated bottle valved cap assembly contains a valve in place on the bottle&#39;s cap that is operable between an open and closed condition, to allow or prevent the flow of liquid or air from the bottle. The combined pacifier/nipple assembly portion is positioned on the bottle&#39;s integrated valved cap assembly and may be installed by centering and pressing thereon to engage the snap-on/snap-off fitting. The combined pacifier/nipple assembly has its own internal anti-leak valve therein which aligns with the bottle&#39;s integrated valved cap assembly such that both can valves operate independently of each other and can be placed in an open or closed condition when the combined pacifier/nipple assembly is installed on to the bottle&#39;s integrated valved cap assembly. Both valves operate independently of each other such that removal of the combined pacifier/nipple assembly via a quick connect/disconnect snap-on/snap-off fitting from the bottle&#39;s integrated valved cap assembly requires the user to manually close one or both valves, such that liquid or air will be prevented from flowing out of the bottle, and such that liquid or air will be prevented from passing through the pacifier into the nipple on the pacifier.  
           [0015]    The invention provides numerous advantages. The invention provides quick connect/disconnect interchangeable fittings that allow for easy one-handed bottle changes and other handling. The invention provides a pacifier/bottle nipple combined in one assembly. Combining the bottle nipple and the pacifier reduces the number of parts to carry. The invention provides a combined pacifier/nipple assembly with an inexpensive, simple, internal anti-leak valve. The invention requires no small external removable parts, such as locking rings, that could present a choking hazard to children. The invention can be manufactured inexpensively, thus allowing it to be disposable or reusable. The invention is easy to clean and dishwasher safe. The invention has commercial value because it is convenient, simple to use, easy to assemble/disassemble, faster with bottle changes, less prone to spillage and greatly affordable.  
           [0016]    The invention provides a combined pacifier/nipple assembly removably connectable with a typical bottle fitted with an integrated bottle valved cap assembly, and an internal anti-leak valve contained within the combined pacifier/nipple assembly that selectively allows or prevents liquid or air to flow therethrough. In the closed condition, the combined pacifier/nipple assembly is sealed and allows an infant to use the combined pacifier/nipple assembly as a pacifier without ingesting air.  
           [0017]    The invention provides a combined pacifier/nipple assembly is safe, inexpensive, simple to understand, easy to clean, and less cumbersome than a separate bottle and pacifier, enabling a care giver to manage an infant and equipment easily with one hand.  
           [0018]    The invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof, for the purposes described, which are inexpensive, dependable and effective in accomplishing intended purposes of the invention.  
           [0019]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    The invention is described in detail below with reference to the following drawings, throughout which similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently, wherein:  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 is an exploded top side elevational view of an embodiment of an infant care apparatus constructed according to principles of the invention, shown with a conventional bottle and valved cap assembly;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional detail view of the infant care apparatus and valved cap assembly of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the infant care apparatus of FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional detail view of another embodiment of an infant care apparatus constructed according to principles of the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an extension constructed according to principles of the invention; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is bottom side elevational view of another embodiment of an infant care apparatus constructed according to principles of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment constructed according to principles of invention includes an infant care apparatus  100 , here shown with a conventional bottle  200  having a valved cap assembly  300 .  
         [0028]    Bottle  200  and valved cap assembly  300  preferably are constructed from a hard, unbreakable/shatter-proof plastic material. Bottle  200  has a generally tapered upper end  205  that terminates in an externally threaded neck  210  with an opening  215 .  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 2, valved cap assembly  300  includes a base  305 , a spout  310  and a top  315 . Base  305  has internal threads  320  for threadingly engaging threaded neck  210 . Other mounting conventions between base  305  and bottle  200  suitable for purposes described herein may be employed.  
         [0030]    Spout  310  extends from, and may be integral with, base  305 . Spout  310  defines a passage  325  for voiding fluid (not shown) from bottle  200 . Spout  310  is constructed from materials and defines an outer surface  345  that allow top  315  to slide relative to spout  310  while maintaining a fluid seal therewith.  
         [0031]    Top  315  defines a passage  350  for receiving spout  310 . Top  315  is constructed from materials and defines an inner surface  355  that allow top  315  to slide relative to spout  310  while maintaining a fluid seal therewith. Top  315  has a centrally disposed aperture  330  for selectively providing in fluid communication with passage  350 . Top  315  also has a lip  335  to facilitate moving top  315  relative to base  305 .  
         [0032]    A stopper  340  is disposed in passage  325  for regulating fluid flow. As shown, when top  315  assumes a closed position relative to spout  310 , stopper  340  plugs aperture  330  preventing fluid flow. When top  315  is pulled relative to base  305  to assume an open position (not shown), stopper  340  is withdrawn from aperture  330  permitting fluid flow.  
         [0033]    Valved cap assembly  300  may have a cover (not shown) to prevent contamination of portions of valved cap assembly  300  received orally or otherwise delivering fluid for consumption.  
         [0034]    Infant care apparatus  100  includes a fitting  105 , a shield  110  and a nipple  115 . Fitting  105  preferably is constructed of a rubber or silicon or similar soft, elastic, resilient, plastic material for installation ease. Fitting  105  is removably connectable to valved cap assembly  300 . Fitting  105  defines a lower cavity  120  configured to receive top  315  and lip  335 , and frictionally engage and maintain a fluid seal therewith when fully received. Fitting  105  may have radially inwardly extending bulges  125  and  130  for providing an interference fit with top  315  and/or lip  335 . Preferably, fitting  105  is configured so that, when mounted on top  315 , exerting requisite force on fitting  105  opens or closes valved cap assembly  300 . Different types of mounting conventions between fitting  105  and valved cap assembly  300  also may be employed including, but not limited to, snap on/snap off, twist on/twist off, and partial-turn bayonet. However, the invention may employ any mounting and/or sealing convention suitable for the purposes described herein.  
         [0035]    Nipple  115  preferably is constructed of rubber, silicon or similar soft, elastic, resilient, plastic material. Nipple  115  defines an upper cavity  135  and has an opening  140  through which fluid may be drawn. Nipple  115  has a flange  145  for retaining nipple  115  relative to infant care apparatus  100 .  
         [0036]    Shield  110  preferably is configured to prevent ingestion of infant care apparatus  100 . Shield  110  has a boss  150  for sealingly retaining flange  145  of nipple  115 . Shield  110  is rotatingly connected to fitting  105  with, for example, a rivet  155 .  
         [0037]    Referring also to FIG. 3, shield  110  has annularly-diverged throughbores  160 . Fitting  105  has complementary annularly-diverged throughbores  165 . Shield  110  may be rotated relative to fitting  105  so that throughbores  160  are in registry with throughbores  165 , defining an open position for promoting fluid communication. Shield  110  may be rotated relative to fitting  105  so that throughbores  160  are not in registry with throughbores  165 , defining a closed position for preventing fluid communication.  
         [0038]    In operation, to provide an infant fluid from a bottle  200  having a valved cap assembly  300  via infant care apparatus  100 , a care giver firmly urges top  315  and/or lip  335  into lower cavity  120  such that it becomes fully received with a fluid tight seal with fitting  105 . The care giver then rotates shield  110  relative to fitting  105  to assume the open position and permit fluid flow. Finally, the care giver pulls infant care apparatus  100  relative to bottle  200  sufficiently to open valved cap assembly  300 . An infant then may enjoy fluid from bottle  200  flowing through valved cap assembly  300  and infant care apparatus  100 .  
         [0039]    When bottle  200  is empty or the infant no longer desires fluid from bottle  200 , infant care apparatus  100  may be disconnected from valved cap assembly  300  and used as a pacifier. The care giver firmly urges top  315  and/or lip  335  from lower cavity  120  such that it disengages from fitting  105 . The care giver then presses top  315  into base  310  of valved cap assembly  300  to define a closed position for storage and to prevent leakage of the contents of bottle  200 . The care giver then rotates shield  110  relative to fitting  105  to assume the closed position to prevent fluid, notably air, from being drawn through infant care apparatus  100  and ingested.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes an infant care apparatus  400 , which also may be used in conjunction with a bottle (not shown) having a valved cap assembly (not shown). Infant care apparatus  400  includes a fitting  405 , a shield  410  and nipple  115 .  
         [0041]    Fitting  405  preferably is constructed similarly to fitting  105 . Like fitting  105 , fitting  405  is removably connectable to valved cap assembly  300 . Fitting  405  defines a lower cavity  420  configured to receive top  315  and lip  335 , and frictionally engage and maintain a fluid seal therewith when fully received. Fitting  405  may have radially inwardly extending bulges  425  and  430  for providing an interference fit with top  315  and/or lip  335 . Preferably, fitting  405  is configured so that, when mounted on top  315 , exerting requisite force on fitting  405  opens or closes valved cap assembly  300 . Different types of mounting conventions between fitting  405  and valved cap assembly  300  also may be employed including, but not limited to, snap on/snap off, twist on/twist off, and partial-turn bayonet. However, the invention may employ any mounting and/or sealing convention suitable for the purposes described herein.  
         [0042]    Shield  410  preferably is configured to prevent ingestion of infant care apparatus  400 . Shield  410  has a boss  450  for sealingly retaining flange  145  of nipple  115 . Shield  410  is connected to fitting  405  similar to how top  315  and spout  310  of valved cap assembly  300  are connected for regulating flow through infant care apparatus  400 .  
         [0043]    Fitting  405  has an inner sleeve  455  extending therefrom. Inner sleeve  455  defines a passage  460  for voiding fluid (not shown) from bottle (not shown). Inner sleeve  455  is constructed from materials and defines an outer surface  465  that allow outer sleeve  470  of shield  410  to slide relative to inner sleeve  455  while maintaining a fluid seal therewith.  
         [0044]    Outer sleeve  470  defines a passage  475  for receiving inner sleeve  455 . Outer sleeve  470  is constructed from materials and defines an inner surface  480  that allow outer sleeve  470  to slide relative to inner sleeve  455  while maintaining a fluid seal therewith. Shield  410  has a centrally disposed aperture  485  for selectively providing in fluid communication with passage  475 .  
         [0045]    A stopper  440  is disposed in passage  460  for regulating fluid flow. When outer sleeve  470  assumes a closed position relative to inner sleeve  455 , stopper  440  plugs aperture  485  preventing fluid flow. When outer sleeve  470  is pulled relative to inner sleeve  455  to assume an open position, stopper  440  is withdrawn from aperture  485  permitting fluid flow.  
         [0046]    In operation, to provide an infant fluid from a bottle  200  having a valved cap assembly  300  via infant care apparatus  400 , a care giver firmly urges top  315  and/or lip  335  into lower cavity  420  such that it becomes fully received with a fluid tight seal with fitting  405 . The care giver then pulls outer sleeve  470  relative to inner sleeve  455  to assume an open position and withdraw stopper  440  from aperture  485 . Finally, the care giver pulls infant care apparatus  400  relative to bottle  200  sufficiently to open valved cap assembly  300 . An infant then may enjoy fluid from bottle  200  flowing through valved cap assembly  300  and infant care apparatus  400 .  
         [0047]    When bottle  200  is empty or the infant no longer desires fluid from bottle  200 , infant care apparatus  400  may be disconnected from valved cap assembly  300  and used as a pacifier. The care giver firmly urges top  315  and/or lip  335  from lower cavity  420  such that it disengages from fitting  405 . The care giver then presses top  315  into base  310  of valved cap assembly  300  to define a closed position for storage and to prevent leakage of the contents of bottle  200 . The care giver then pushes outer sleeve  470  into inner sleeve  455  to assume the closed position so that stopper  440  plugs aperture  485  and prevents fluid flow, notably air, from being drawn through infant care apparatus  400  and ingested.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes an extension  500  for providing fluid communication between valved cap assembly  300  and infant care apparatus  100  or  400 . Extension  500  includes a fitting  505 , a conduit  510  and a valve  515 .  
         [0049]    Fitting  505  is similar to fitting  105 , described above.  
         [0050]    Conduit  510  is constructed of a rubber or silicon or similar soft, elastic, resilient, plastic material. Conduit  510  provides fluid communication between fitting  505  and valve  515 .  
         [0051]    Valve  515  operates like valved cap assembly  300 . Valve  515  includes a base  520 , a spout  525  and a top  530 . Base  520  connects with conduit  510  and provides for fluid communication between conduit  510  and top  530 .  
         [0052]    Spout  525  extends from, and may be integral with, base  520 . Spout  525  defines a passage (not shown) for voiding fluid (not shown) from conduit  510 . Spout  525  is constructed from materials and defines an outer surface  535  that allow top  530  to slide relative to spout  525  while maintaining a fluid seal therewith.  
         [0053]    Top  530  defines a passage (not shown) for receiving spout  525 . Top  530  is constructed from materials and defines an inner surface (not shown) that allow top  530  to slide relative to spout  525  while maintaining a fluid seal therewith. Top  530  has a centrally disposed aperture  540  for selectively providing in fluid communication with conduit  510 . Top  530  also has a lip  545  to facilitate moving top  530  relative to base  520 .  
         [0054]    A stopper (not shown) is disposed in spout  525  for regulating fluid flow. When top  530  assumes a closed position relative to spout  525 , as shown, the stopper plugs aperture  540  preventing fluid flow. When top  530  is pulled relative to base  520  to assume an open position (not shown), the stopper is withdrawn from aperture  540  permitting fluid flow.  
         [0055]    Valve  515  may have a cover (not shown) to prevent contamination of portions of valve  515  received orally or otherwise delivering fluid for consumption.  
         [0056]    Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes an infant care apparatus  600 . Infant care apparatus  600  includes a fitting  605 , a shield  610  and nipple  115 .  
         [0057]    Fitting  605  is constructed similarly to fitting  105 . Fitting  605  is removably connectable to valved cap assembly  300 . Fitting  605  defines a lower cavity  620  configured to receive top  315  and lip  335 , and frictionally engage and maintain a fluid seal therewith when fully received, similar to fitting  105 .  
         [0058]    Shield  610  preferably is configured to prevent ingestion of infant care apparatus  600 . Shield  610  has a boss (not shown) for sealingly retaining flange  145  of nipple  115 . Shield  610  is rotatingly connected to fitting  605  similar to shield  110  and fitting  105  of infant care apparatus  100 .  
         [0059]    Fitting  605  has indicia  635  calibrated to a position related to throughbores (not shown) for providing fluid passage through fitting  605 . Shield  610  has indicia  625 , which, when aligned with indicia  635 , correspond to when shield  610  and fitting  605  define an opened position, when infant care apparatus  600  promotes fluid communication. Shield  610  has indicia  630 , which, when aligned with indicia  635 , correspond to when shield  610  and fitting  605  define a closed position, when infant care apparatus  600  prevents fluid communication.  
         [0060]    Another embodiment constructed according to principles of the invention includes a stem/stem screen pickup tube for providing fluid communication between a valved cap assembly and a remote volume of a bottle. Stem screen pickup tube has a screen for straining unwanted particles from entry.  
         [0061]    Other embodiments constructed according to principles of the invention employ bottles having different shapes, such as rectangular, anti-roll, square, round and combinations thereof, and having different sizes and colors.  
         [0062]    Other embodiments constructed according to principles of the invention provide nipples of different materials, sizes, shapes and passages providing diverse flow rates depending on age group or other differentiation. The nipples also may come in diverse colors for ready identification, a feature that may be useful where multiple infants, some less healthy than others, are bottle feeding in a communal area.  
         [0063]    The invention is not limited to particular embodiments described herein, rather only to the following claims.