Patent Publication Number: US-10765606-B1

Title: Method and apparatus for baby bottle holder

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This US non-provisional patent application is related to U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/703,841 filed on Sep. 21, 2013, and claims the benefit of that filing date. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of Invention 
     The current invention relates to a baby bottle holder for supporting a baby bottle in a manner that allows a baby to feed from a baby bottle. 
     Prior Art 
     Prior art devices for holding a baby bottle in a particular orientation.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are from U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,898 to Bradley et al for “Nursing bottle propping apparatus”. That reference describes an apparatus for propping a nursing bottle so that an infant child can drink from the bottle includes a bottle holding portion; and an apparatus mounting portion including at least two mutually diverging first flexible members for abutting the sides of the torso of an infant child to removably secure the apparatus to the child with friction engagement. The first flexible members preferably each include a skeleton segment of ductile material for bending by hand to conform to and fit against the waist of an individual child. The first flexible members alternatively each include a skeleton segment of resilient material having elastic memory and pre-shaped to lightly resiliently grip the front and sides of the infant waist. The first flexible members are preferably at least partly covered with a high friction material. The high friction material may be non-toxic rubber tubing. The bottle holding portion preferably includes at least two mutually diverging second flexible members for abutting the sides of the nursing bottle to removably secure the nursing bottle in the apparatus. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a ductile and flexible connecting link interconnecting the bottle holding portion and the apparatus mounting portion, for positioning the nursing bottle holding portion, and thereby positioning the bottle, relative to the mouth of the child. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are from U.S. Pat. No. 6,915,991 to Shomer et al for “Bottle retainer for a baby”. That reference describes a manually bendable strip made from a stainless steel ribbon within a vinyl sheath. The sheath with the stainless steel ribbon are encased within a casing made from a soft fabric. A central region of the strip is a bottle holder in the shape of an open ended ring. Ends of the ring form tongs that can fit onto a baby&#39;s torso. A fabric strip is tied about a junction formed by the bottle holder and the tongs. 
       FIG. 3  is from U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,008 to Sirks for “Baby bottle holder”. That reference describes a baby feeder having front and rear plate members and a leaf member configured for interconnecting the other two adjacent the midpoint thereof for forming an easel, the front plate member having a pocket in the upper edge thereof configured for receiving a baby bottle. Each of the front and rear plate members and leaf member are provided with apertures aligned and configured for receiving a single strand of an elastic member which is interlaced through the apertures to provide a hingeable connection between the leaf member and the front and rear plate members, the elastic member also forming a harness for retaining a baby bottle in the pocket in a baby feeding position. There is also provided beads at the front and rear of said harness for adjusting tension to accommodate different size lengths and widths of said bottle. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the current invention, a substantially planar support frame is provided. The support frame has a bottom portion, a top portion with a rounded first side and a rounded second side with an opening configured to accept a portion of a baby bottle. A first side portion of the support frame is spaced apart from a second side portion, so that a baby can grasp one or both side portions. A bottle gripping element lines the opening. 
     In one example, the bottle gripping element is a thin layer of rubbery material. In another example, the bottle gripping element includes a compliant seal portion adapted to accepting bottles of various diameters. 
     In various examples, the frame includes rattles, movable elements such as rotatable wheels, or decorative elements such as “ears”. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show prior art from U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,898 to Bradley et al for “Nursing bottle propping apparatus”. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show prior art from U.S. Pat. No. 6,915,991 to Shomer et al for “Bottle retainer for a baby”. 
         FIG. 3  show prior art from U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,008 to Sirks for “Baby bottle holder”. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a baby bottle holder. 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of the baby bottle holder of  FIG. 4A   
         FIG. 4C  is a top perspective view of the baby bottle holder of  FIG. 4A  with a baby bottle. 
         FIG. 4D  is a side view of the baby bottle holder and baby bottle  FIG. 4A  placed on a baby&#39;s torso. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a baby bottle holder with a compliant membrane. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of baby bottle holders with handles. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of baby bottle holder of  FIG. 6A . 
         FIG. 6C  is a top view of the baby bottle holder of  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 6D  is a side perspective view of the baby bottle holder of  FIG. 6B . 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a baby bottle holder. 
         FIG. 8A  is a top view of an embodiment of a baby bottle holder with a compliant portion. 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Baby Bottle Holder 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  show a first embodiment of a baby bottle holder  101 .  FIG. 4A  is a top perspective view of the first embodiment of the baby bottle holder  101  with a substantially planar support frame including a bottom portion  110 , a bottle gripping element  140 , and decorative ears  131  and  132 . In this example, the bottle gripping element is a rubbery material which provides a compliant and high friction surface to accept and grip a baby bottle. The bottle gripping element may be provided in a different color than the top and bottom portions of the support frame. In other examples, the bottle gripping may be a portion of the inside surface of the support frame. 
       FIG. 4B  is a top view of the baby bottle holder of  FIG. 4A  showing rattles  111  and  112 , a first side  120  with a decorative grip  121 , a second side  122  with a decorative grip  123 , an open-ring top portion  130  with a opening  150  to accept a baby bottle  90 . 
       FIG. 4C  is a top perspective view of the baby bottle holder  101  of  FIG. 4A  with a baby bottle.  FIG. 4D  is a side view of the baby bottle holder  101  and baby bottle  90  of  FIG. 4A  placed on the torso  82  of a baby  80 . 
     In this specification, the term “substantially planar support frame” means that the plane of the top portion is the same as the plane of the side portions; or that the plane of the top portion has an angle of less than 20 degrees relative to the plane of the side portions. 
     In one example, the bottom portion has a width of less than 4 inches so that the bottom portion can rest on a baby&#39;s torso. 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a second embodiment  102  of a baby bottle holder with a compliant membrane  142  extension of the bottle gripping element  140 . In this example, the compliant membrane  142  will accept and hold bottles of various diameters and shapes. 
       FIGS. 6A-6D  show a third embodiment  103  of baby bottle holders with handles  124  and  125 . 
       FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view of a baby bottle holders  103 A and  103 B where the bottom has an offset portion to accept wheel moving elements  116  for the baby&#39;s entertainment. 
       FIG. 6B  is a top perspective view of a baby bottle holder  103 .  FIG. 6C  is a top view of the baby bottle holder  103  of  FIG. 6B .  FIG. 6D  is a side perspective view of the baby bottle holder of  FIG. 6B  showing a portion of a bottle gripping element  140 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a fourth embodiment  104  of a baby bottle holder with a baby toy  127  on the bottom portion of the support frame. Other embodiments of a baby bottle holder may have a variety of shapes of the support frame and various accent features. 
     Compliant Top Portion 
       FIG. 8A  is a top view of an embodiment of a baby bottle holder  109  with a compliant portion  150  in the top of the support frame.  FIG. 8B  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A .  FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . In this example the complaint portion permits a stretching of the frame to accept larger diameter bottles. These figures also show slits  160  in the compliant membrane, where the slits facilitate insertion of a bottle. 
     Method of Use 
     In one example of use, a baby bottle is inserted into the opening so that the nipple portion of the bottle extends from the opening. The bottle is held in the support frame by either tension from the support frame or by compression of a compliant bottle gripping element or membrane. 
     The baby bottle holder with bottle is then offered to the baby in a configuration where the bottom portion of the support frame rests on the baby&#39;s torso. The baby can then grasp the sides of the frame and can pull the bottle forward or push it away. 
     There are many advantages of the baby bottle holder, including its small size and flat shape which facilitates packing into a diaper bag and convenient travel; it can fit a variety of bottle sizes; it matches a natural nursing posture; it encourages the development of the baby; and no set-up or adjustment is required for its use. 
     The scope of the invention is not limited to the particular examples and embodiments described above.