Patent Publication Number: US-2005127021-A1

Title: Bottle adapter and associated methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application is a continuation of and incorporates by reference co-pending application Ser. No. 10/388,083, filed Mar. 13, 2003, which application claims priority to provisional patent application 60/377,538, “Disposable Bottle Adapter,” filed on May 3, 2002, both of which are commonly owned with the present invention and which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The invention relates generally to storage containers and methods of utilizing the same. In particular, the storage containers and methods are adapted to provide a fitted attachment to bottles.  
      2. Related Art  
      It is sometimes desirable to keep plural ingredients separated until they can be mixed and dispensed. For example, when using powdered baby formula, the user may mix a formula with water to produce a nutritional liquid to be consumed by infants and small children. Once the liquid formula is prepared, it is preferable that it be consumed within a short period of time or discarded to prevent the ingestion of spoiled formula.  
      Central to this process is the accurate measurement of dry powdered formula to water in appropriate proportions. Accurate measurement eliminates the potential for error resulting in the inadequate feeding of a child, which can lead to a condition known as “failure to thrive,” a well-documented cause of poor weight gain in infants and toddlers.  
      When an infant is taken out of the home, such as during travel or while in day care, feeding times are generally not precisely known, and infants are often fed on demand. Under these conditions, feeding a child using powdered formula can become complicated and untidy, as the user is required to measure out the appropriate amount of formula from a formula container and add it to a baby bottle containing water. Formulas can be premixed and stored in a portable insulated carrier; however, it is recommended that the premixed formula be consumed within a few hours. If the formula is not consumed in a timely fashion, it can be subject to separation or spoilage. Moreover, the measurement process imposes an increased risk of contamination or cross-contamination between the feeding utensils and the child.  
      Placing a cold pack or ice in a portable insulated carrier with the formula can extend the consumption period. However, if the formula is kept at a cool temperature or refrigerated, it is usually necessary to heat the formula to at least room temperature in order to have it accepted by the child. Powdered baby formula and water, each in separate containers at room temperature, have a much longer shelf life than when mixed together. Prolonged shelf life is effective in reducing costs.  
      Typically, infant formula is either mixed in batch form or individually in baby bottles. Powdered baby formula in present use requires a mixing ratio of water to powder. When the water and formula are mixed, the total volume does not equal the sum of the individual parts. This is due to the air that is contained in the volume of the powdered formula, as well as its structure. When mixed with water, the water fills in any space the air once occupied and additionally causes the powder to dissolve and diffuse in the water.  
      A number of containers for storing, mixing, and dispensing have been described in the prior art. However, none of the known devices is easy to clean, nor is any known for use in connection with water bottles. In addition, known designs include many parts, adding complexity to the construction of the device and its cleaning by the user. An abundance of parts also demands higher costs and increases the probability of losing parts that could render the device inoperative. Moreover, commercially available disposable nursing systems most frequently include a flexible liner that is inserted into a rigid plastic holder, although pre-mixed glass bottles are also available. Typically, the liner incorporates an open end to be wrapped about a portion of the plastic holder. Formula must be purchased for placement in the flexible liner by the user, who must then stretch a pre-sterilized nipple over the flexible liner and the top of the holder. After the nipple is secured to the holder, a securing ring is typically placed to provide additional fastening for the nipple.  
      These procedures also have several disadvantages. The user must expend great energy and time to ensure cleanliness, particularly for a very young infant. The nipple must be sterilized in a separate operation. Furthermore, the possibility of contamination during the transfer of the formula into the liner is present. Additionally, spillage is common where the nipple is mounted on the holder. Moreover, the use of a glass baby bottle for feeding an infant includes the risk of bottle breakage. The resulting fragments of the glass bottle can pose a danger to those near the location of the breakage, including the infant and those responsible for feeding the infant. Finally, the requirements of “making a bottle” demonstrate the need for a self-contained device that can eliminate the necessity for the sterilization of component parts (such as nipples), boiling water, measuring formula, and cleaning the component parts.  
      Accordingly, a need exists for a bottle adapter that allows for a predetermined amount of formula to be contained under sterile conditions therein. Additionally, a disposable bottle adapter is needed that can connect a disposable water bottle to a nipple assembly in order to simplify the mixing of infant formula with water.  
      A need also exists for a bottle adapter that contains a composition for subsequent mixing with a fluid in a bottle to which the adapter is connectable. Further, a need exists for such a bottle adapter that has a longer shelf life than premixed compositions, is lighter, and is easier to carry.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention addresses the above-mentioned needs for a bottle adapter that contains a predetermined amount of a composition, and is adapted to connect a bottle to a drinking assembly in order to simplify the on-demand mixing of accurate quantities of the composition with a fluid.  
      The adapter of the present invention comprises a connector having an outer wall defining a containment region therewithin. The containment region is adapted to hold a composition. The connector also has an internal threaded portion that is adapted to engage an external threaded section on a neck portion of a bottle. The threaded portion has an opening at a top end, the opening in fluid communication with the containment region. The threaded portion also defines at least an upper portion of a passageway between the top end thereof and a lower end of the connector. An upper end of the connector has an aperture that is in fluid communication with the containment region.  
      The adapter also comprises a first sealing member for achieving a fluid-tight seal with the threaded portion&#39;s opening and a second sealing member for achieving a fluid-tight seal with the aperture.  
      In use a removal of the first sealing member permits fluid communication between the containment region and the fluid in the bottle, thereby permitting the formation of a mixture of the composition and the fluid. A removal of the second sealing member permits removal of the mixture from the containment region and the bottle.  
      The present invention also addresses an adapter and drinking assembly apparatus for connecting with a bottle having a threaded neck portion and for permitting the separate storage of a composition for subsequent mixing with a fluid contained in the bottle. This apparatus comprises a drinking assembly that comprises a fluid delivery member at a top end. The fluid delivery member has a fluid passageway that extends from an opening in the fluid delivery member to an opening at a bottom end. The apparatus also comprises a connector such as that described above.  
      Also addressed by the present invention is a fluid mixing and delivery apparatus, which comprises a bottle having a neck portion having an external threaded section and an opening at a top end, in addition to the apparatus described above.  
      A method of storing a composition for subsequent mixing with a fluid is additionally provided. The method comprises the steps of placing a composition in a containment region of a connector. The connector has an internal threaded portion that is adapted to engage an external threaded section on a neck portion of a bottle, the threaded portion having an opening at a top end. The opening is in fluid communication with the containment region. The threaded portion defines at least an upper portion of a passageway between the top end thereof and a lower end of the connector. Next the threaded portion opening and the aperture are sealed.  
      A method of delivering a mixture of a composition and a fluid is also provided. This method comprises the steps of removing a first seal between a containment region of a connector and a bottle. The connector has an internal threaded portion that is adapted to engage an external threaded section on a neck portion of a bottle. The threaded portion defines at least an upper portion of a passageway between the top end thereof and a lower end of the containment region. The containment region contains a composition, and the bottle contains a fluid.  
      Next the composition and the fluid are permitted to mix to form a mixture. A second seal that seals an aperture between the containment region and an area external to the containment region is then removed, and the mixture is dispensed from the aperture. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the adapter of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2A  is a front view of the fluid mixing and delivery apparatus of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2B  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the fluid mixing and delivery apparatus  
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the mixing step of an aspect of the method of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention will now be discussed with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 .  
      A first aspect of the present invention addresses an adapter  10  ( FIG. 1 ) for connecting with a bottle  61 , 61 ′ ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and for permitting the separate storage of a composition  90  for subsequent mixing with a fluid  91  contained in the bottle  61 , 61 ′.  
      In a preferred embodiment, the adapter  10  comprises a connector  11  having an outer wall  12  that defines a containment region  13  therewithin for holding a composition  90 . Such a composition may comprise, but is not intended to be limited to, a powder such as an infant formula or water-mixable drink preparation such as a beverage mix, a nutritional supplement, or a medication. Typically the composition  90  is capable of forming a solution or suspension, particularly an aqueous solution or suspension. An internal threaded portion  14  is adapted to engage an external threaded section  63  on a neck portion  62  of the bottle  61 , 61 ′. The threaded portion  14  has an opening  15  at a top end  16 , and a first length between the top end  16  and a bottom end  17  that is opposed to the first end  16 . The opening  15  is in fluid communication with the containment region  13 , and the threaded portion  14  defines at least an upper portion of a passageway  19  between the top end  16  of the threaded portion  14  and a lower end  21  of the connector  11 . An upper end  22  of the connector  11  has an aperture  23  that is in fluid communication with the containment region  13 .  
      The upper end  22  of the connector  11  also comprises means for engaging with a drinking assembly  50 , 50 ′, for example, but not intended to be limited to, an external threaded portion  29 .  
      The connector  11  also has a bottom face  25  that meets the lower edge  26  of the outer wall  12  at its outer perimeter.  
      The adapter  10  also comprises a first sealing member for achieving a fluid-tight seal with the threaded portion&#39;s opening  15 . The first sealing member may comprise, for example, a frangible seal  27  positioned adjacent the threaded portion&#39;s top end  16 . Alternatively, the first sealing member comprises a removable and replaceable seal. Other embodiments may also be envisioned by one of skill in the art, such as a dissolvable seal or a seal that has an aperture that is alignable with an aperture in an element with which the adapter  10  is matable.  
      The adapter  10  additionally comprises a second sealing member for achieving a fluid-tight seal with the aperture  23 . The second sealing member may comprise, for example, a frangible seal  28  positioned adjacent the connector&#39;s upper end  22 . Alternatively, the second sealing member comprises a removable and replaceable seal.  
      Both the first and second sealing member may be attached by a nontoxic adhesive; alternatively, they may be formed from the same material that forms the internal threaded portion  14  and the external threaded portion  24 . Preferably the connector  11  is disposable, and deliverable to a user with the composition  90  already sealed within the containment region  13 .  
      A second aspect of the invention addresses an adapter and drinking assembly for connecting with a bottle  61 , 61 ′ ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The drinking assembly comprises a fluid delivery member at a top end  51  and has a fluid passageway  52  extending from an opening  53  in the fluid delivery member to an opening  54  at a bottom end  55 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the drinking assembly comprises a baby bottle cap  50  such as known in the art, and the fluid delivery member comprises a nipple  56  affixed to the cap  50 . Here the engaging means of the connector  11  comprises an external threaded portion  29  that is adapted to engage with the internal threaded portion  57  of the cap  50 .  
      In a second embodiment shown in  FIG. 2B , the drinking assembly comprises a bottle cap  50 ′, and the fluid delivery member comprises a spout  56 ′ such as is known in the art for delivering, for example, bottled water and sports drinks. The spout  56 ′ is movable between an open position wherein fluid passage is permitted (shown in dotted lines) and a closed position wherein fluid passage is inhibited.  
      A third aspect of the invention addresses a fluid mixing and delivery apparatus  60 , 60 ′. The apparatus  60 , 60 ′ comprises, in addition to the drinking assembly  50 , 50 ′ and the adapter  10  discussed above, a bottle  61  having a neck portion  62 . The bottle  61  may be disposable. The neck portion  62  has an external threaded section  63 , an opening  64  at a top end  65 , and a second length  66  between the top end  65  and the bottom end  67 . In a preferred embodiment wherein the first sealing member comprises a frangible seal  27 , this second length  66  is larger than the first length  24 , so that, when fully engaged, the top end  65  of the bottle neck  62  extends beyond the connector threaded portion&#39;s top end  16 , serving to remove the seal  27  and permitting the contents of the containment region  13  and the bottle  61  to mix.  
      In another embodiment, the bottle  61 ″ comprises a deformable bottle ( FIG. 3 ). Under sufficient pressure to the sides  67  of the bottle  61 ″, fluid pressure is applied as shown by the arrows  68 , causing the frangible seal  27  to rupture, again permitting the contents of the containment region  13  and the bottle  61 ″ to mix. In this embodiment, the second sealing member also comprises a frangible seal  28 , which is ruptured under sufficient pressure on the bottle  61 ″, permitting the contents of the containment region  13  the bottle  61 ″ to be dispensed through the nipple  56  or spout  56 ′.  
      Preferably the bottom face  25  of the connector  11  comprises a depression  26  that is configured to engage at least a portion of the shoulder region  69  and neck  62  of the bottle  61 , 61 ′, 61 ″. A central region of the depression  26 , which leads to the threaded portion  14 , comprises the passageway  19 . In the case of a baby bottle  61  ( FIG. 2A ), for example, the connector&#39;s bottom face  25  substantially conforms to the shoulder region  69  of the baby bottle  61 ; likewise for the spouted bottle  61 ′ ( FIG. 2B ).  
      The present invention also addresses several associated methods. A first method is for storing a composition  90  for subsequent mixing with a fluid  91 . This method comprises the step of placing a composition  90  in a containment region  13  of a connector  11  as described above and sealing the threaded portion&#39;s opening  15  and the aperture  23 .  
      A second method is for delivering a mixture of a composition  90  and a fluid  91 . This method comprises the step of removing a first seal  27  between a containment region  13  of a connector  11  and a bottle  61 , 61 ′ such as described above. The composition  90  and the fluid  91  are permitted to mix to form a mixture. Additional manipulation, such as shaking, may be employed to ensure complete mixing. A second seal  28  sealing an aperture  23  between the containment region  13  and an area external to the containment region  13  is removed, and the mixture is dispensed from the aperture  23 .  
      In a particular embodiment the composition  90  comprises an infant formula, the fluid  91  comprises water, and the bottle  61  comprises a baby bottle. In this case, the dispensing step comprises permitting the mixture to flow from the aperture  23  into a baby bottle cap  50  and thence from a nipple  56  affixed to the baby bottle cap  50 . Alternatively, a non-infant drink could be dispensed, such as a mixture of a powdered drink preparation or a syrup with water, although these are not intended as limitations.  
      Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that numerous modifications are to the exemplary embodiments are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.