Patent Publication Number: US-7909187-B2

Title: Modular baby bottle system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a modular baby bottle system. Baby bottles of a variety of types and designs are actively sold in the marketplace. A large variety of baby bottle designs address a similar variety of problems with their respective solutions. 
     Some baby bottle designs include liners to ensure sterility so that the user is not required to sterilize the baby bottle itself. They merely need to install a sterile liner within the baby bottle container. Other baby bottle designs are intended to preclude creation of bubbles within the liquid formula contained therein. Elimination of bubbles reduces the necessity to burp a baby. 
     It would be useful if a single baby bottle were devised that could accommodate to the sub-systems of a variety of manufacturers such as those who sell liners as well as devices to reduce the incidences of bubbling within the baby formula. 
     In another aspect, a need has developed for a baby bottle which is entertaining and stimulating for a baby. In this regard, Applicant is the patentee of U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,901, issued Dec. 1, 1998, for a baby bottle with musical and vibratory adapters. In Applicant&#39;s prior U.S. Patent, adapters are selectively installed on a baby bottle to provide music, vibration, or both. This product is effective in soothing and entertaining a baby using it. However, a need has developed for greater versatility, both in the vibratory aspect and the musical aspect. 
     Finally, it would be advantageous if an insulative sleeve could be made that would be adapted to slide over the outer surfaces of a baby bottle and include the provision of gripping means as well as means for holding in place a musical/vibratory device for the purposes set forth in Applicant&#39;s prior Patent. 
     It is with all of these needs in mind that the present invention was developed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a modular baby bottle system. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features: 
     (1) In a first aspect, the present invention contemplates a baby bottle having features facilitating its use with a number of different types of baby bottle accessories. 
     (2) In a further aspect, one such accessory is a liner system commonly sold in the marketplace by vendors including PLAYTEX. Such a liner is insertable within a baby bottle to ensure sterility of baby formula placed therein so that the user is not required to sterilize the baby bottle itself. The inventive bottle includes features making the baby bottle compatible with a liner such as is described above. 
     (3) In a further aspect, the inventive bottle is specifically designed with elongated threads at an upper portion thereof surrounding the upper opening. These elongated threads are specifically designed to render the bottle compatible with features such as a system commonly sold by a purveyor known as Dr. Brown which includes the ability to reduce the incidences of bubbling within the baby formula. That system includes a screw-on lid which has elongated threads to clamp in place the anti-bubbling sub-system. The inventive bottle includes the elongated threads to render it compatible with such a system. 
     (4) In a further aspect, the inventive bottle includes a chamber in its bottom portion, sized and configured to removably receive a pacifier. The pacifier may be stored within the chamber and may be removed when it is desired to use it. In one aspect, the chamber may be enclosed by a dummy cap or cover. In another aspect, the chamber may be closed by a device or cover comprising a combined music player and vibration source. 
     (5) The combined music player and vibration source device combines the vibrator and music box of Applicant&#39;s prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,901. However, additional features are provided. Concerning the vibration source, the present invention includes means permitting control of the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations as well as their pattern of operation. For example, with the amplitude and frequency pre-set, a pattern may be pre-programmed to cause the vibratory feature to activate for a period of 30 seconds, deactivate for a period of 20 seconds, re-activate for a period of 30 seconds, etc. 
     (6) The music playing portion of the inventive device may, if desired, include a port allowing music to be downloaded into a memory included in the device so that desired music may be re-played as desired. Additionally, the port can be used to download into the device pre-recorded programming including, for example, the voice of the mother of the baby saying things that would be soothing to the baby. Such sounds may be programmed to repeat over and over again to keep the baby calm and content. 
     (7) A sleeve may be provided made of an elastic material that may be stretched over the baby bottle to serve as an insulating cover. The sleeve may include handles allowing the baby bottle within the sleeve to be easily gripped. The sleeve may also include a pocket to contain the music and vibratory playing device. Alternatively, the sleeve may include a threaded coupling at the end remote from its opening to which the music player and vibration source device may be releasably attached. 
     (8) In an additional feature, a heat sensor may be incorporated into the baby bottle so that the user may see a visual display of the temperature before providing the bottle to a baby. The heat sensor and display may include an analog or digital temperature display or a chemical type display in which different colors are representative of a variety of temperatures. 
     Accordingly, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a modular baby bottle system. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system in which a bottle includes features allowing it to be adapted to a variety of sub-systems now sold in the marketplace. 
     It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which a sub-chamber is provided facilitating storage of a pacifier. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which a coupling is provided to allow releasable attachment of a music playing and vibration producing device. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which desired music or a desired voice program may be downloaded into the music playing device for controllable replay. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which the amplitude, frequency and pattern of playing of the vibration producing device may be adjustably controlled. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device in which an insulative sleeve may be stretched over the bottle. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device and system including a heat sensor and display so that display of the temperature of baby formula within the bottle may be known. 
     These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side exploded view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a longitudinal cross-section showing portions of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  along with an alternative cap  31  in place of the device  40  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a top view of a music playing and vibratory producing device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of the device of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a liner usable in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows the inventive bottle with such a liner installed therein. 
         FIG. 8  shows a sleeve in accordance with the teachings of the present invention including a pocket for the music and vibratory device. 
         FIG. 9  shows an alternative version of the sleeve in which no pocket is provided, but an appropriate coupling is provided to permit the music and vibratory device to be releasably attached thereto. 
     
    
    
     SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is first made to  FIG. 1  which shows the main embodiment of the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . This embodiment includes a bottle body  11  having an upper opening  13  and, just below the opening  13 , an elongated area  15  that is threaded. The threaded area  15  is longer than the typical threaded area in baby bottles for the reason set forth hereinafter. The elongated threaded area is provided so that the inventive bottle  11  is compatible with a variety of baby bottle systems now sold in the marketplace. For example, a baby bottle sold by an organization known as “Dr. Brown” employs a cap having elongated threads that permit attachment of the Dr. Brown anti-bubbling device. Thus, the inventive bottle  11  is compatible with that system. 
       FIG. 1  also shows a nipple  17  that is attached to a custom rim  19  in a suitable manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The rim  19  is internally threaded compatible with the threads of the threaded area  15 , so that the rim may be threaded thereover to attach the nipple  17  to the bottle  11 . A removable cap  18  covers the nipple when not in use. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lower end of the bottle  11  is closed by an undulating wall  21  that defines with internal walls  23  the internal chamber  25  of the bottle  11 . The undulating wall  21  also defines a sub-chamber  27  at the bottom of the bottle  11  that is designed to receive, for storage, a pacifier  29  shown in phantom in  FIG. 2 . 
     With further reference to  FIG. 2 , the sub-chamber  27  may be enclosed by a removable cap  31 . The removable cap has internal walls  33  that are threaded complementary to the threads  35  at the bottom of the bottle  11  as clearly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Alternatively, instead of the cap  31 , the device best seen in  FIGS. 3-5  may be screwed over the threads  35 . The device depicted in  FIGS. 3-5  is generally designated by the reference numeral  40 . With reference first to  FIG. 3 , it is seen that the device  40  includes a housing  41  having internal walls  43  that are threaded, as best seen in  FIG. 4 . The threads in the walls  43  are complementary to the threads  35  shown in  FIG. 2  on the bottle  11  so that the device  40  may be screwed over the threads  35  to attach the device  40  onto the bottom of the bottle  11 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 3 , the device  40  includes a music playing unit  45  powered by batteries  47  and  49  (also seen in  FIG. 5 ) as well as a massaging unit  51  which comprises a vibratory device. A volume control  53  controls the volume of music or other program material played by the music playing device  45 . A four-way switch  55  allows the device  40  to be de-activated or, alternatively, to play music from the device  45 , providing massaging effect through vibrations of the device  51  or simultaneously playing music as well as providing the massaging feature. The device  40  also includes a speaker  57  that allows sound to emanate from the bottom of the device through openings formed therein as understood by those skilled in the art. 
     In an important aspect, the inventive device  40  includes a USB port  61  enabling the device  40  to be connected to a source of programming. For example, music that is desired to be played by the device  45  may be downloaded into a memory section of the device  45  for later playback via the USB port  61 . Alternatively, other programming may be similarly downloaded such as the voice of the mother of the infant using the bottle  11  in which the voice speaks soothing words that may be replayed over and over again so that the infant is placated and relaxed. 
     Concerning the massaging unit  51 , this may be a vibratory device whose vibrations are transmitted through the housing  41  via the threaded wall  43  and the threaded area  35  of the bottle  11  to the infant via the nipple  17 . In the preferred embodiment, the massaging unit  51  is programmable so that the vibrations thereof may be adjusted as to frequency as well as amplitude. Additionally, the unit  51  may be pre-programmed so that it may be activated, deactivated, and re-activated, etc., for pre-set periods of time. 
     In a further aspect, with reference back to  FIG. 1 , a heat sensor and display  65  may be provided on the bottle  11 . This device may take the form of a chemical device that changes colors responsive to different temperature levels being achieved or, alternatively, may comprise a digital or analog temperature gauge, the display of which is easily seen on the side of the bottle  11  so that the person providing an infant with baby formula will know the temperature of the formula without having to squeeze a quantity of formula through the nipple  17  to test it. If desired, the heat sensor and display may be incorporated into the rim  19 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a liner  70  may be employed in the present invention and may be inserted into the chamber  25  of the bottle  11  to ensure sterility. Liners such as the liner  7  are commonly sold in the marketplace, for example, by PLAYTEX. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a sleeve may be provided to be stretched over the outer walls of the bottle  11  for insulative effect. With reference first to  FIG. 8 , such a device is designated by the reference numeral  75  and is made of a suitable elastic fabric. Handles  77  and  79  are provided to facilitate easy gripping. The upper end  81  is open so that the sleeve  75  may be stretched over the outer walls of the bottle  11 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , a pocket  83  is provided at the bottom of the sleeve  75  in which may be inserted a device such as the device  40 . In an alternative construction illustrated with reference to  FIG. 9 , a sleeve  90  is made of an elastic fabric and includes handles  91  and  93 . The upper opening  95  permits the device to be stretched over a bottle  11  in the same manner as is the case with the sleeve  75 . At the bottom of the sleeve, a solid threaded wall  97  is attached with the threads having the same size and configuration as the threads  35  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , so that the threaded wall  43  of the device  40  ( FIG. 4 ) may be used to screw the device over the threaded walls  97  to attach the device  40  thereto. 
     As explained above, the present invention in its various embodiments, provides a great degree of versatility for parents of infants who desire to use a baby bottle to feed their children while at the same time having a bottle that will sooth and entertain an infant and maintain the infant in a calm behavioral mode 
     As such, an invention has been disclosed in terms of preferred embodiments thereof which fulfill each and every one of the objects of the invention as set forth hereinabove, and provide a new and useful modular baby bottle system of great novelty and utility. 
     Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. 
     As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.