Patent Publication Number: US-9901518-B1

Title: Fluid dispensing mechanism

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     There can be instances where a person is trying to feed a baby and has limited use of one or both hands. For at least the above reasons, an improved apparatus, system, and method for assisting in feeding a baby is desired, including operating a baby bottle with one hand. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       A variety of views of various embodiments are provided herewith. 
         FIG. 1  shows a baby bottle fitted with an embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein; 
         FIGS. 2A-2F  show more detail of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A-B  show separated views of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIG. 4A  shows the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  having a cutaway-line BB-BB; 
         FIG. 4B  is an interior sectioned view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  cut along the cutaway-line BB-BB; 
         FIG. 5  shows an arrangement of vessels to which the embodiments can be attached; 
         FIG. 6  shows the vessels of  FIG. 5  having embodiments attached thereto; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  show methods of manufacture; and 
         FIGS. 9A-9G  show various alternate embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     This disclosure will be divided into the following sections. 
     STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS AND HOW THEY INTERRELATE 
     METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF COMPONENT PARTS 
     ILLUSTRATED ORDER OF BUILDING\PACKAGING THE CAP ASSEMBLY  100   
     ILLUSTRATED METHOD OF USE 
     Structural Components and how they Interrelate 
       FIG. 1  shows a baby bottle fitted with the cap assembly  100  of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 2A-2F  show an embodiment of the cap assembly  100 , in which a fitting  310  and an outer cap  318  are shown. 
       FIGS. 3A-B  show separated views of various components of the cap assembly  100 . The cap assembly  100  has the fitting  310 , a seal  312 , a gripping ring  314 , a nipple insert  316 , and the outer cap  318 . When in the closed position, the outer cap  318  may generally cover and contain the other components of the cap  100  with the exception of the fitting  310 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows the cap  100  in a fully-assembled state, with  FIG. 4B  being a cut-away interior view along the cutaway-line BB-BB shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     In  FIGS. 4A-4B , the cap assembly  100  is shown in a configuration suitable for transportation or storage. When in the closed position, the outer cap  318  may generally cover and contain the other components of the cap  100  with the exception of the fitting  310 . 
     The fitting  310  has two separate pieces, a canoe portion  304  and a base portion  306 . The canoe portion  304  has a pouch attachment  320  that is attachable to a pouch, such as but not limited to the pouches shown in  FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 . 
     The pouch attachment fitting  320  has a post  330 , which is tubular in shape so as to allow the fluid  130  to flow through the post  330  from an interior cavity. The pouch attachment fitting  320  may also have a plurality of ribs  332 , which may protrude outward from the post  330 . The ribs  332  have a tapered shape to present a smooth surface to the pouch. The ribs  332  may present several such surfaces to the throat of the pouch so as to increase the likelihood of obtaining a hermetic seal when all of the ribs  332  are secured to the throat. 
     The canoe portion  304  may also have a flange  334 , which abuts the base portion  306  when the canoe portion  304  and the base portion  306  are secured together. The base portion  306  has a base  322 , a first exterior tube  324 , and an interior tube  326 . In an embodiment, an adhesive, weld, press fit, or other attachment mechanism is used to secure the flange  334  and/or the adjoining portion of the post  330  to the base portion  306 . 
     The post  330  has a puncture section  336  received by the base portion  306 . It is desired to avoid excessive force in puncturing the seal  312 . That is, it is desired to puncture the seal  312 , rather than rip it by the outer edges. To achieve this, certain portions of the puncture section  336  are made sharper and pointier, using a variety of formations. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4A , the puncture section  336  can be angled, and/or having serrations, and/or ridges. The specific geometry chosen will depend on the type of materials used for the seal  312 , along with manufacturing costs, space considerations, and behavior during shipping and testing of the overall products which use the cap assembly  100  in an as-sold embodiment. 
     The base  322  is disc-shaped with a diameter significantly larger than that of the post  330 . The first exterior tube  324  has an exterior ridge  340 , which pops in and out of the gripping ring  314 , making an audible sound in either direction, thereby letting the user know that the seal and sanitary conditions are proper and in-place. The various fibers and adhesives within the seal  312  can be chosen on their ability to make an audible popping noise when punctured. It is also possible to load the infant formula into the vessel (e.g. tube, pouch, box, see  FIG. 5 ) at a slightly higher pressure. 
     The interior tube  326  is located within the first exterior tube  324  and is nearly the same length, but slightly shorter. The first exterior tube  324  and the interior tube  326  each have an exposed rim; the two rims are nearly coplanar to each other. 
     The seal  312  has an interior side  344  and an exterior side  346 . The seal  312  is not rigid, but instead is a pliable membrane that can be easily secured, at the interior side  344 , to the exposed rim of the first exterior tube  324  and/or the exposed rim of the interior tube  326 . The seal  312  is formed of a polymer, metal foil, paper, or any other material that can be readily attached to the fitting  310  to form a proper seal, and yet be readily ruptured by the puncture section  336 . 
     In embodiment, the interior side  344  of the seal  312  is attached only to the exposed rim of the first exterior tube  324 . Further, a small gap exists between the interior side  344  of the seal  312  and the puncture surface  336  to help ensure that the seal  312  is not inadvertently punctured during filling, assembly, storage, or transportation. 
     The gripping ring  314  has a rim  350 , a second exterior tube  352 , a shoulder  354 , and an interior flange  356 . The rim  350  may protrude upward and may, in the assembled configuration, generally encircle the nipple insert  316 , which is retained in place by the interior flange  356 . The shoulder  354  extends inward from the distal end of the second exterior tube  352  to join the rim  350 . Thus, the rim  350  has a diameter smaller than that of the exterior tube  352 . The gripping ring  314  are attachable to the fitting  310  such that the second exterior tube  352  fits around the first exterior tube  324 . 
     The second exterior tube  352  has a locking ridge  360  that extends outward. The locking ridge  360  has a wedge-like shape, and snaps into engagement with a corresponding locking ridge of the outer cap  318 . Additionally, the second exterior tube  352  has an interior thread  362 , which may extend inward toward the first exterior tube  324 . The interior thread  362  may interface with the exterior ridge  340  so that the second exterior tube  352  threads into engagement with the first exterior tube  324 . 
     As will be discussed in more detail below, to assemble the fitting  310  and the gripping ring  314 , the gripping ring  314  is inserted over the fitting  310  and rotated, for example, clockwise when viewed from the top, to cause the interior thread  362  of the second exterior tube  352  to engage the ridge  340  of the first exterior tube  324 . 
     The nipple insert  316  has a retention flange  380 , a dome  382 , and a nipple  384 . If desired, the nipple insert  316  are the same as or similar to a convention nipple used in a baby&#39;s bottle or the like. The nipple insert  316  are formed of an elastomer such as rubber or silicone rubber. The nipple  384  has a hole  386  through which fluid is able to exit the interior of the nipple insert  316 . 
     The retention flange  380  is captured between the distal edge of the first exterior tube  324  of the base portion  306  and the interior flange  356  of the gripping ring  314 . Thus, when the gripping ring  314  is positioned onto the fitting  310  with the nipple insert  316  in place, the nipple insert  316  is effectively captured. The dome  382  may flex into an inverted state such that the nipple insert  316  assumes a more compact configuration that fits within the outer cap  318  until the cap assembly  100  is to be used. 
     The outer cap  318  has a surface  390  and a shoulder  392  that extends from the surface  390  and separated by flex-hinges  394 . The flex-hinges  394  move from their rest-position when the surface  390  is pressed toward the remainder of the cap assembly  100 . An interior wall  388  may extend toward the nipple insert  316  from the distal surface  390 . 
     An annular wall  396  extends toward the fitting  310  from the shoulder  392 . The interior surface of the annular wall  396  are slightly larger than the exterior surface of the second exterior tube  352  of the gripping ring  314 , so that the annular wall  396  fits over the second exterior tube  352 . 
     The annular wall  396  has a locking ridge  398  that protrudes inward. The locking ridge  398  has a wedge-like shape similar to that of the locking ridge  360 . The locking ridge  398  is sized to interfere slightly with the locking ridge  360  so that, as the outer cap  318  is inserted onto the gripping ring  314 , the locking ridge  398  and/or the locking ridge  360  flatten slightly and then snap into a position in which they interfere with each other. Thus, the outer cap  318  is held in place on the remainder of the cap  100  until the user exerts pressure on the outer cap  318  to remove it, thereby disengaging the locking ridge  398  from the locking ridge  360 . 
     The outer cap  318  may therefore cover the gripping ring  314  and enclose the nipple insert  316 , thereby protecting the interior of the cap  100  from dust or other contaminants. The outer cap  318  may remain securely in place on the gripping ring  314  during transportation and/or storage of the cap  100 . 
     As the outer cap  318  is inserted onto the gripping ring  314 , the interior wall  388  abuts the dome  382  and urges the dome  382  to assume the inverted configuration. Thus, the nipple insert  316  is compacted automatically as the outer cap  318  snaps into engagement with the gripping ring  314 . In the fully-assembled state, the outer cap  318  abuts the base  322  to ensure that the interior wall  388  does not advance too far and prematurely rupture the seal  312 . 
     Baby formula, and also natural breast milk, can be either purchased or stored in a variety of containers, including but not limited to pouch, tube, or box, or breast-pump container. Examples of these containers are shown in  FIG. 5 . All containers have a port  510 . 
       FIG. 6  shows how the cap assembly  100  is used in connection with other components as shown and described in  FIG. 5 , such as the pouch, tube, or box, or breast-pump container. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show example methods of manufacture and use of the cap assembly  100 , respectively. 
       FIGS. 9A-9G  show an alternate embodiment cap assembly  900 . Within the embodiment of  FIGS. 9A-9G , there is no seal or other part resembling the earlier seal  312 . Instead, a frangible surface  904  is implemented. Within the cap assembly  900 , various other parts present in the cap assembly  100  are not present in the cap assembly  900 , although others are included. To clarify this,  FIG. 9D  shows a bottom-view of the cap-assembly  900  having a canoe  912  attached, but this canoe  912  is optional and is not required. 
     Specifically, like the cap assembly  100 , the cap assembly  900  is intended to be applied to a vessel with a fitting having a cylindrical outer surface, and will comprise a cylindrical gripping ring which attaches to the fitting via snap-fit; a nipple insert located between the gripping ring and the fitting such that the gripping ring holds the nipple insert to be immobile and non-movable; and an outer cap, wherein the outer cap has a tapered cylindrical shape and is attached to the fitting such that the outer cap entirely covers the circular seal, cylindrical gripping ring, and nipple insert. 
     Further, the cap assembly  900  may also comprise a canoe portion and a base portion, wherein the canoe portion has a vertical surface which is inserted into an aperture formed within a bottom of the base portion. 
     Still further, the cylindrical gripping ring further comprises a rim, exterior tube, shoulder, and interior flange, wherein the rim encircles the nipple insert and the interior flange retains the nipple insert in place. 
       FIGS. 9A-9G  show the cap assembly  900  in various views.  FIG. 9A  is a view of the external structure of the cap assembly  900 .  FIG. 9B  shows the cap assembly  900  with cut-lines AA-AA, while  FIG. 9C  shows an interior cut-away view of the cap assembly  900  as cut along the lines AA-AA. For simplicity,  FIGS. 9C and 9F  are abbreviated to convey the main principles of the invention, particularly the interaction between the shoulders  916  and finger-areas  908 .  FIG. 9D  shows a bottom-view of the cap assembly  900  with the (optional) canoe  912  included.  FIG. 9E  shows more detail about the shoulders  916 . 
     Within  FIGS. 9A-9G , finger-areas  908  are shown. A user will grip these finger-areas  908 , likely with a thumb and one other finger, and use the finger-areas  908  to apply pressure to the cap assembly  900 . This pressure will be transferred to the shoulders  916 , as shown in  FIG. 9C . 
     In the cap assembly  900  of  FIGS. 9A-9G , the thumb-part of the finger-surface will crack the base at a predetermined joint, known as a frangible surface  904 . The frangible surface  904  is manufactured to be secure during manufacturing, filling, and shipping, but brittle and crackable during use. However, the cap-assembly is mechanically arranged such that the crackability is achieved only where pressure is applied to the finger-areas  908  (and the shoulders  916 ) in a way that corresponds with pressure from human fingers, and not from ordinary stresses of shipping, packaging, and being boxed and transported. At such time as a user elects, and only at this time, the frangible surface  904  lends itself to being ruptured and/or fractured when mechanical force is applied to the shoulders  916 . 
     Within the embodiments shown in  FIG. 9C , this mechanical force is then transferred through the body\stem  918  and exerted on the frangible surface  904 . However, alternate embodiments also exist, as shown within for example  FIGS. 9F-9G . Within the embodiment of the cap assembly  900  shown in  FIGS. 9F-9G , the mechanical structure of the body\stem  918  has shoulders  916  which are rounded rather than squared off as in  FIG. 9C , and the frangible surface  904  may be higher than what is shown within  FIG. 9C . Depending on manufacturing considerations and potential leakage or pressure changes of the fluid transported within the device incorporating the cap assembly  900 , the frangible surface  904  can be raised or lowered. 
     In an embodiment (see  FIG. 9G ), transfer ribs  922  can be incorporated into the body\stem  918 , to assist in mechanically transferring the force applied by the operators fingers through the finger-areas  908  directly to the frangible surface  904 . Further, the body\stem  918  can be shortened (see  FIG. 9G ), in order to accommodate space constraints or other considerations such as mechanical strength and/or packaging. 
     Because this embodiment of cap assembly  900  has no equivalent of the seal  312 , the various seal issues are eliminated. Within the cap assembly  900 , the frangible surface  904  will be more mechanical and less paper- and puncture-oriented. In usage, the effect will be somewhat more like opening a soda can. 
     Method of Manufacture of Component Parts 
     The embodiments herein contemplate at least two separate methods of manufacture. The first (the majority of this disclosure) will assume that the entire product, including infant formula, is made and sold in a completely pre-assembled format. That is, where the cap assembly  100 , the bottle, and the formula are all packaged and purchased together, and no assembly is required. This embodiment would be sold at grocery or drugstores, ready for purchase and immediate use. 
     The second embodiment is a re-sealable arrangement, where the bottle and formula may already exist, but the user attaches the cap assembly  100  themselves. Alternately, the bottle may already exist, but the user purchases the formula and cap assembly  100  themselves. Yet another alternate exists in which the bottle and cap are already purchased, but the user inserts their own formula, such as for example from a woman who uses a breast pump and stores her formula for later use. Professional women who have jobs and are thus away from their infant child for periods of time are an example of this. This is known as the “self-administered” embodiment. 
     Most of the following information applies to both embodiments. 
     The fitting (canoe) portion  304 , base portion  306 , outer surface  318 , and gripping ring  314  are made from polypropylene or nylon, although other material can be used. Nylon and polypropylene both contain excellent cleanability, can have bacterial treatment added thereto, are suitable for repeat use conditions, and are FDA compliant. Also, nylon in most cases is FDA, USDA and 3A-Dairy compliant. 
     In an embodiment, the nipple insert  316  is made from silicone or latex, although other material can be used. Silicone is advantageous for being hygienic and hypoallergenic. Its rubber-like material is safe, durable and pliable as there are no open pores to harbor bacteria. Silicone is also easy to use and to clean, is microwave or freezer safe/dishwasher friendly, does not fade or scratch, and is extremely temperature resistant. 
     In an embodiment, the seal (liner)  312  is made from foil, polypropylene, or paper, although other material can also be used. The pressure sensitive seal  312  prevents contamination and leaks, and preserves leak-proof freshness by sealing liquid in. Various steps can be taken to ensure that, when punctured, the seal  312  does not shred into fragments or segments that can be introduced into the formula-stream. One possible way to address this is to use a component with a molecular structure which has minimal resistance to forces applied perpendicular to the surface, but has stronger resistance to forces applied laterally or in the same plane as the surface. Such a component could be punctured effectively, but would resist tearing and shredding or fragmenting, and thus be less likely to break off into fragments or components that could make their way into the formula-stream itself. 
     The nipple insert  316  is made from silicone (preferred) or latex. In an embodiment, the nipple insert  316  is manufactured by injecting Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) into a closed, heated molds, although other techniques can also be used. 
     Various of the components described herein (excluding for example the seal (liner)  312 ) are manufactured using high temperature, pressurized injection molding equipment specifically designed for the material used in each component, and having an operating temperature of 350 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     Regarding packaging of the overall product sold, which includes the cap assembly  100  but also (possibly) includes other components, shrink seals can be used to preserve sanitary effectiveness. Shrink seals in general are also known as cut shrink bands, custom cut bands, tamper evident bands, tamper-evident seals, safety seals, cap bands, cap seals, clear bands, or seamless bands. 
     Shrink seals or shrink bands provide a cost-effective choice for securing caps, lids and closures with easily recognized tamper-evidence. To apply a shrink seal, it is necessary to slide the plastic band sleeve over the capped bottle/jar, and then apply heat with a conventional hairdryer or heat gun. 
     All components of the described device will be manufactured separately, and combined at various stages, depending on the specific embodiment. These components will then be shipped to an assembly plant where all components will be assembled in a complete unit. At this location, all components are assembled and a heatshrink wrap placed and installed on each completed cap assembly  100 . In this arrangement, the cap assembly  100  will contain all pieces except for the fitting  310 , which will be installed at the packaging factory. 
     It is important to note that the nipple assembly  316  is not asserted as being sterilized as part of these processes. A manufacturer selling either the cap assembly  100  as either a solo product or as part of a larger combination will separately arrange for sterilization of the nipple assembly  316 . 
     Illustrated Order of Building\Packaging the Cap Assembly  100   
     The following steps are partially documented in the flowchart of  FIG. 7 . First, the gripping  314  and nipple insert  316  are assembled. The base  306  and seal  312  are then assembled, and the seal  312  is glued or adhered in the appropriate location. 
     The gripping ring  314  (with nipple insert  316  previously installed) is then pressed on to the base  306  (with seal  312  previously installed) very tightly, in order to lock the two assembled components together to create a tight seal. After these two sub-assemblies are mated together, the outer cap  318  is installed onto the complete assembled cap assembly  100 . 
     To assemble the fitting  310  and the gripping ring  314 , the gripping ring  314  is inserted over the fitting  310  and rotated, for example, clockwise when viewed from the top, to cause the interior thread  362  of the second exterior tube  352  to engage the ridge  340  of the exterior tube  324 . The surface of the exterior tube  352  can have bumps, knurling, surface treatments, and/or other features to facilitate gripping and rotation of the exterior tube  352 , and hence the gripping ring  314 . When the gripping ring  314  has moved far enough along the fitting  310 , the exterior tube  352  will abut the base  322  of the fitting  310 , thereby preventing further clockwise rotation of the gripping ring  314  relative to the fitting  310 . 
     In an embodiment, locking tabs or other locking features (not shown) are used to keep the gripping ring  314  secured to the fitting  310  during storage, transportation, and handling until the fluid  130  is to be dispensed. 
     Once all components are assembled and Quality Assurance (Q/A) verified to be installed correctly, a plastic heat shrink tube is placed over the completed cap assembly  100 . Heat is then applied to shrink the material locking the complete assembly together, ready for the installation on the fitting  310 . 
     As stated, there are at least two manufacturing embodiments. The first embodiment is where a baby formula manufacturer packages and sells their baby formula in some type of construction which directly includes the cap assembly  100 . The second embodiment is where the cap assembly is sold separately, and the user attaches it to their own pre-existing container for baby formula or milk. 
     In the embodiment where the completed cap assembly  100  is installed on a package directly containing actual baby formula, the various liquid packaging (shown for example in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) must first be filled with the target liquid. In an embodiment, this can be completed by using a filling machine that will inject the Liquid directly through the currently installed fitting  510  prior to installation of completed cap assembly  100 . 
     At this point, the fitting (or packaging connector)  510  is installed on the target container, and the container is then filled with liquid formula. The completed cap assembly  100  can then be installed onto any liquid-packaging utilizing the correct fitting  510 . In most cases, the completed assembly  100  will be pressed onto the fitting  510 , thereby locking the complete assembly together with the liquid container. 
     Illustrated Method of Use 
     The following steps are partially documented in the flowchart of  FIG. 8 . When the time comes to dispense the fluid  130 , a user will grasp the outer cap  318  and press the surface  390  inward toward the nipple insert  316 . At this point, the interior wall  388  will again abut the dome  382 , and presses on the dome  382  until the dome  382  abuts the seal  312  and urges it into engagement with the tapered section  336  of the post  330  of the fitting  310 . In response to this pressure, the puncture section  336  may puncture the seal  312 , thereby allowing the fluid  130  to flow into the nipple insert  316 . 
     Still using only a single hand, the user then pulls on the outer surface  318  to remove it from the gripping ring  314  and expose the nipple insert  316 . Then, the user may grasp the nipple  384  of the nipple insert  316 , and simultaneously pull the nipple  384  to return the dome  382  to an in-use configuration, all with one hand. The nipple  384  may then be inserted into an infant&#39;s mouth. 
     Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions can be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions can be modified. 
     In the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, Figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim in this or any application claiming priority to this application require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following this Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. 
     While specific embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art are made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is the invention, and is intended by the applicants to be the invention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Any definitions expressly set forth herein for terms contained in such claims shall govern the meaning of such terms as used in the claims. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.