Patent Publication Number: US-11026867-B2

Title: Baby bottle

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/572,929 titled “BABY BOTTLE,” filed on Oct. 16, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to re-sealable bottles, and more particularly to a re-sealable bottle for feeding a baby. 
     SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE 
     One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a container assembly. In some embodiments the container assembly comprises a container body including an upper end having a first compression surface; a container capable of being received within the container body, the container including a first flange configured to engage the first compression surface; a collar capable of being releasably secured to the container body, the collar including a second compression surface; and a dispensing portion including a second flange configured to engage the second compression surface, wherein, when securing the collar to the container body, the first compression surface engages the first flange and the second compression surface engages the second flange to cause the first flange to sealingly engage the second flange. 
     In some embodiments, the first flange has a first lower surface and a first upper surface, the first lower surface being capable of engaging the first compression surface when the container is received within the container body. 
     In some embodiments, the second flange has a second lower surface and a second upper surface, the second compression surface being capable of engaging the second upper surface. 
     In some embodiments, the first lower surface is in direct engagement with the first compression surface, the second upper surface is in direct engagement with the second compression surface, and the first upper surface and the second lower surface are in sealing engagement when the collar is secured to the container body and the first flange sealingly engages the second flange. 
     In some embodiments, the first upper surface is flat and the second lower surface is flat. 
     In some embodiments, the first flange is annular, the first flange including a lip extending downwardly from the first lower surface. 
     In some embodiments, the container body includes a lip, the lip including at least a portion of the compression surface, the lip extending above an upper surface of the container body. 
     In some embodiments, the second flange is annular, the second flange including an upwardly extending lip. 
     In some embodiments, the collar includes a downwardly extending lip that is positioned radially inward with respect to the upwardly extending lip of the second flange when the collar is secured to the container body. 
     In some embodiments, the container assembly further comprises a cap including an inner annular surface, the collar including an outer annular surface configured to frictionally engage the inner annular surface to secure the cap to the collar. 
     In some embodiments, the container assembly further comprises a cap including a lower cap surface, the collar including a stop surface to limit downward movement of the lower cap surface relative to the collar. 
     In some embodiments, the container body includes a side wall, and at least one aperture is defined in the side wall. 
     In some embodiments, the container includes a plurality of graduated markings that are visible through at least one aperture of the at least one aperture. 
     In some embodiments, the dispensing portion includes a nipple and a nipple opening defined in the nipple. 
     In some embodiments, the container is made of silicone. 
     In some embodiments, the dispensing portion is made of silicone. 
     In some embodiments, the container body includes external threads and the collar includes internal threads. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. Where technical features in the figures, detailed description or any claim are followed by references signs, the reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the figures, detailed description, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence are intended to have any limiting effect on the scope of any claim elements. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. The figures are provided for the purposes of illustration and explanation and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a container assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front elevational view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear elevational view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side elevational view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 , through the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a container assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to a container assembly that is configured to provide a re-sealable enclosure so the container assembly can be used as a baby bottle. The container assembly can also be used as a toddler bottle as well. 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a container assembly is provided. The container assembly is useful for containing fluids. The container assembly is particularly useful for containing consumable products, such as milk or liquid formula for infants. 
     In some embodiments, the container assembly includes a container body, a container capable of being received within the container body, a dispensing portion, and a collar capable of being secured to the container body. 
     The container body supports the container, which is nested within the container body when the container assembly is fully assembled. In some embodiments, the container body is formed of a rigid plastic. The container body includes a lip at the upper end of the container body for facilitating alignment of the container within the container body. 
     The container includes a flange that has a lip, which is configured to align the container with the container body. When the container is properly seated within the container body, the lip of the container extends around a periphery of the lip of the container body. 
     In some embodiments, the container is made of a relatively flexible material compared to the container body. In some embodiments, the container is made of silicone. In some embodiments, the container is translucent. In some embodiments, the container is transparent. 
     The container is useful for containing an edible product. A user can insert a desired amount of fluid into the container. In some embodiments, to help a user determine the amount of fluid within the container, the container includes graduated markings. In some embodiments, the graduated markings are printed and/or molded on an outer surface of a side wall of the container. In some embodiments, the graduated markings are printed and/or molded on an inner surface of the side wall of the container. The container may have a capacity of 120 milliliters, 240 milliliters, or other volumes. 
     In some embodiments, the container includes a flange for engaging the dispensing portion. In some embodiments, the upper surface of the flange of the container is flat. In other embodiments, the upper surface of the flange may have another surface profile that is useful for sealing the container against the dispensing portion to form a sealed enclosure. 
     Once a user inserts a desired amount of fluid into the container, the user places the dispensing portion on the container. When the container assembly is fully assembled, the container interacts with the dispensing portion to form an airtight seal, so contents within the container can only be dispensed through the dispensing portion. 
     To dispense contents from the container assembly, the dispensing portion includes a nipple having a nipple opening. In some embodiments, the nipple and nipple opening may be dimensioned and configured as needed to provide a structure that is useful for dispensing an edible liquid product to a child. For example, the dispensing portion may be used to dispense milk or liquid formula from the sealed enclosure to a child. In some embodiments, the dispensing portion is useful for dispensing a food product. 
     The flange of the dispensing portion includes a lip, which facilitates alignment with the collar. 
     In some embodiments, the dispensing portion is made of latex, silicone, or the like. In some embodiments, the dispensing portion is translucent. In some embodiments, the dispensing portion is transparent. 
     As noted above, the dispensing portion interacts with the container to form an airtight seal. In some embodiments, the dispensing portion includes a flange. In some embodiments, the lower surface of the flange of the dispensing portion is flat. In other embodiments, the lower surface of the flange may have another surface profile that is useful for sealing the dispensing portion against the container to form a sealed enclosure. 
     A collar can be secured, for example by threads, to the container body. The collar and the container body can be tightened together to compress a surface of the dispensing portion against a surface of the container. The collar includes a lip, which interacts with the lip of the flange of the dispensing portion to facilitate alignment of the collar with the dispensing portion. 
     To assemble the container assembly, a user first places the container within the container body. The lip of the container and the lip of the container body facilitate alignment of the container with the container body. Next, the user places the dispensing portion within the collar. The lip of the collar and the lip of the dispensing portion facilitate alignment of the dispensing portion with the collar. Next, the user places the sub-assembly of the dispensing portion and the collar on the sub-assembly of the container and the container body so that a surface on the flange of the dispensing portion is in adjacent facing relation to a surface on the flange of the container. Then the user can secure the collar to the container body to form a seal between the surface of the flange of the dispensing portion and the surface of the flange of the container. For example, in embodiments in which the collar is threadably securable to the container body, the user may secure the collar to the container body by screwing the collar onto the container body. When the collar is secured to the container body, the collar and the container body press the flange of the container against the flange of the dispensing portion. In some embodiments, the seal between the dispensing portion and the container is an airtight seal. Together the container and the dispensing portion form a sealed enclosure, and a liquid contained in the sealed enclosure can only be dispensed from the sealed enclosure through the dispensing portion. 
     Practically speaking, because the lip of the collar and the lip of the dispensing portion facilitate alignment of the collar and the dispensing portion, a user may insert the dispensing portion into the collar before securing the collar to the container body. 
     The cap is securable to the collar to protect the dispensing portion, in particular, the nipple of the dispensing portion, when the container assembly is not in use. In some embodiments, the cap may be securable to the collar by a snap fit or a friction fit. In some embodiments, the cap may be threadably securable to the collar. In some embodiments, an outer cap surface is substantially hemispherical or entirely hemispherical. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a container assembly, generally indicated at  10 , that includes a container body  12  and a container  14  received within the container body  12 . A collar  16  is threadably secured to the container body  12 . A cap  18  is releasably secured to the collar  16 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the container assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the container assembly  10  includes a dispensing portion  20  for dispensing a product, such as a consumable liquid from the container assembly  10 . In certain embodiments, the consumable liquid may include, but is not limited to, baby formula, milk, breast milk, water, juices, and the like. The dispensing portion  20  is securable to the container  14  by the collar  16 , when the collar  16  is threadably secured to the container body  12 , as described in more detail below. To assemble the container assembly  10 , a user places the container  14  within the container body  12 . Next, the user places the dispensing portion  20  within the collar  16 . As discussed below, a lip of the collar and a lip of the dispensing portion facilitate alignment of the dispensing portion  20  with the collar  16 . Then the user places the sub-assembly of the collar  16  and the dispensing portion  20  over the container  14 . Then the user secures the collar  16  to the container body  12 , thereby forming a seal between the dispensing portion  20  and the container  14 . The user places the cap  18  over the collar  16  when the user does not wish to dispense a product from the container. A user can disassemble the container assembly  10  for cleaning, and for convenient refilling of the sealed enclosure of the container assembly  10 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a front elevational view of the embodiment of the container assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  shows a rear elevational view of the container assembly  10 .  FIG. 5  shows a side elevational view of the container assembly  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 3-5 , the cap  18  covers the dispensing portion  20 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the container assembly of  FIGS. 1-5  through the line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  shows an enlarged portion of  FIG. 6 . 
     The container body  12  provides structural support to the container  14  when the container  14  is received in the container body  12 . 
     The container body  12  includes a side wall  22 . An inner surface  24  of the side wall  22  defines a cavity into which a user can place the container  14 . 
     The container body  12  includes an upper end  26  that has an upper surface  28 .  FIG. 7  shows that the container body  12  includes a lip  30  at its upper end  26 . The lip  30  extends above the upper surface  28 . The lip  30  has a compression surface  32  that is configured for supporting a container that is received within the container body  12 . The compression surface  32  is configured to sealingly engage the container, as described in further detail below. 
     In some embodiments, the upper surface  28  is configured to sealingly engage the container, for example, by engaging a flange lip of a first flange of the container. 
     The upper end  26  of the container body  12  includes external threads  34 . The external threads  34  on the container body  12  allow a user to threadably secure the collar  16  to the container body  12  by internal threads associated with the collar. The construction of the collar  16  is discussed in further detail below. 
     At least one aperture is formed in the side wall  22 , each aperture defined by an aperture edge  36  on the side wall  22  of the container body  12 . In the container assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-7 , the container body  12  includes two apertures, each defined by a respective aperture edge  36  in the side wall  22  of the container body  12 . The apertures are sufficiently large so that a user can see contents, such as a fluid, within a container that is supported in the container body  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the side wall  22  of the container body  12  includes a pattern of apertures to allow a user to view the contents within a container supported within the container body. In some embodiments, the side wall  22  of the container body  12  includes a textured surface to help a user grip the container body  12 . 
     Fluid level markings are adjacent to at least one aperture on the side wall  22  of the container body  12 , and show the volume of a liquid in the container that is supported within the container body  12 . A first set of fluid level markings  38  show fluid volumes of 30 milliliters, 60 milliliters, 90 milliliters, 120 milliliters, 150 milliliters, 180 milliliters, 210 milliliters, 240 milliliters. A second set of fluid level markings  40  show fluid volumes of 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 3 ounces, 4 ounces, 5 ounces, 6 ounces, 7 ounces, and 8 ounces. 
     A lower end  42  of the container body  12  forms a lower end of the container assembly  10 . 
     The container  14 , as discussed above and shown in the drawings, is capable of being received within the container body  12 . 
     The container  14  includes a side wall  44  that has an outer surface  46 . The outer surface  46  of the side wall  44  of the container  14  is in spaced apart facing relation with the inner surface  24  of the side wall  22  of the container body  12 . In some embodiments, the outer surface  46  of the side wall  44  of the container  14  may be in directly adjacent relation to the inner surface  24  of the side wall  22  of the container body  12 . 
     The container  14  includes a plurality of graduated markings  48  that are visible through at least one of the apertures defined in the side wall  22  of the container body  12 . The graduated markings  48  are aligned with one or more set of fluid level markings  38 ,  40  on the container body  12 . The graduated markings  48  are printed on the outer surface  46  of the side wall  44  of the container  14 . 
     The container  14  includes a flange (a first flange)  50  that extends over the upper end  26  of the container body  12  when the container  14  is received within the cavity of the container body  12 . The flange  50  of the container  14  includes a lower surface (a first lower surface)  52  and an upper surface  54  (a first upper surface). The flange  50  of the container  14  is configured to engage the first compression surface  32 . In some embodiments, the first lower surface  52  is capable of engaging the first compression surface  32  when the container  14  is received within the container body  12 .  FIG. 7  shows the lower surface  52  of the flange  50  in direct engagement with the first compression surface  32  of the container body  12 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , the first flange  50  is annular in construction. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , the first lower surface  52  is flat. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , the first upper surface  54  is flat. 
     The first flange  50  includes a flange lip  56  that is positioned radially outwardly with respect to the lip  30  of the container body  12  when the container  14  is received in the container body  12 . Together, the flange lip  56  of the container  14  and the lip  30  of the container body  12  help to align the container  14  with the container body  12  when a user places the container  14  into the container body  12 . 
     The dispensing portion  20 , when the container assembly  10  is fully assembled, is seated above the container  14 , and the dispensing portion  20  and container  14  are in sealing engagement to form a sealed enclosure. The dispensing portion  20  includes a nipple  58  at the upper end of the dispensing portion. The nipple  58  extends upwardly from a frustoconical wall  60  of the dispensing portion. When the container assembly  10  is inverted and a fluid is within the sealed enclosure of the container assembly, an inner surface  62  of the frustoconical wall  60  guides the fluid toward the nipple  58 , so that the fluid may be dispensed from the nipple  58 . To dispense a fluid from the nipple  58 , a nipple opening  64  is defined in the nipple  58 . 
     The dispensing portion  20  includes a flange  66  (a second flange). The flange  66  is configured to engage the flange  50  of the container  14 . The flange  66  has a lower surface  68  and an upper surface  70  (a second upper surface). The lower surface  68  of the second flange  66  is configured to directly engage the upper surface  54  of the first flange  50 . The lower surface  68  of the second flange  66  can be pressed against the upper surface  54  of the first flange  50  to form a seal between the container  14  and the dispensing portion  20 . When the lower surface  68  of the second flange  66  is in sealing engagement with the upper surface  54  of the first flange  50 , fluid in the container  14  can only be dispensed through the nipple opening  64 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the second flange  66  is annular in construction and the lower surface  68  of the second flange  66  is flat. 
     The flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20  is also configured to engage the collar  16 . The flange  66  includes an upwardly extending lip  72  to facilitate alignment of the dispensing portion  20  with the collar  16 . The upper surface  70  of the flange  66  is capable of being in direct engagement with a compression surface on the collar  16 . 
     The collar  16 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , is threadably (and releasably) secured to the container body  12 . As mentioned above, the collar  16  of  FIG. 7  includes internal threads  74  that threadably engage the external threads  34  on the container body  12  in  FIG. 7 . 
     The collar  16  includes a lower surface  76  that faces downwardly from the collar  16 . In  FIG. 7 , the lower surface  76  of the collar is in direct engagement with the lip  72 , which helps to press the flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20  in sealing engagement with the flange  50  of the container  14 . 
     The collar  16  includes a lip  78  that is positioned radially inwardly with respect to the lip  72  of the flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20  when the collar  16  is secured to the container body  12  to seal the dispensing portion  20  to the container  14 . 
     The collar  16  includes a compression surface  80  (a second compression surface) that is configured to engage the flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20  to cause the flange  50  of the container  14  to sealingly engage the flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20 . 
     At an upper end of the collar  16 , the collar  16  includes a rim  82  that defines an aperture. The rim  82  is dimensioned to receive the frustoconical wall  60  of the dispensing portion  20  when the collar  16  secures the dispensing portion  20  to the container body  12 . As shown, the nipple  58  of the dispensing portion  20  extends above the rim  82  of the collar  16 . 
     The collar  16  includes an outer annular surface  84  that can support the cap  18 . The collar  16  includes an annular stop  86  that protrudes from the outer annular surface  84  of the collar  16 . The annular stop  86  includes a stop surface  88  that is configured to limit downward movement of the cap relative to the collar  16  when securing the cap to the collar  16 , as discussed in more detail below. 
     In  FIG. 7 , the container body  12  and the collar  16  are positioned about the container  14  and the dispensing portion  20  to press the flange  50  of the container  14  against the flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20  to form a seal at the interface of the flange  50  of the container  14  and the flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20 . 
     Together, the collar  16 , the container body  12 , the container  14 , and the dispensing portion  20  can be assembled to form an airtight seal between the container  14  and the dispensing portion  20 . To assemble the container assembly  10 , first a user positions the container  14  within the container body  12 . Then the user fills the container  14  to a desired level by pouring a product into the container  14  and comparing the fluid level to the graduated markings  48  on the container  14 . Next, the user places the dispensing portion  20  within the collar  16 . The lip of the collar and the lip of the dispensing portion facilitate alignment of the dispensing portion with the collar. Next, the user places the sub-assembly of the dispensing portion  20  and the collar  16  on the sub-assembly of the container  14  and the container body  12  so that the upper surface  54  of the flange  50  of the container  14  and the lower surface  68  of the flange  66  of the dispensing portion  20  are in direct facing engagement. Then the user rotates the collar  16  relative to the container body  12  to engage the internal threads  74  of the collar  16  with the external threads  34  of the container body  12 . 
     When the user secures the collar  16  to the container body  12 , the compression surface  32  (first compression surface) of the container body  12  engages the flange  50  (the first flange) of the container  14 , and the compression surface  80  (the second compression surface) of the collar  16  engages the flange  66  (the second flange) of the dispensing portion  20  to cause the flange  50  to sealingly engage the flange  66 , such that there is an airtight seal at the interface of the lower surface  68  of the flange  66  and the upper surface  54  of the flange  50 . 
     When the collar  16  is tightened to the container body  12 , the lower surface  52  of the first flange  50  is in directly facing sealing engagement with the first compression surface  32 . The upper surface  70  of the second flange  66  is in directly facing sealing engagement with the second compression surface  80 . 
     A user may secure the cap  18  to the collar  16  when the sealed enclosure of the container assembly  10  is used to store or transport a product. The cap is secured to the collar by a frictional fit. A user may remove the cap  18  from the collar  16  when the user is ready to dispense a product from the sealed enclosure of the container assembly  10 . 
     The cap  18  includes an outer cap surface  90  that is curved. The cap  18  includes an inner annular surface  92  that is configured to engage the outer annular surface  84  of the collar  16 . 
     The inner annular surface  92  of the cap  18  is capable of frictionally engaging the outer annular surface  84  of the collar  16  to secure the cap  18  to the collar  16 . 
     The cap  18  includes a lower cap surface  94  that forms an edge of the cap. The downward movement of the cap  18  relative to the collar  16  is limited by engagement of the lower cap surface  94  with the stop surface  88  on the collar  16  when the cap  18  is in the fully closed position. 
     An upper end  96  of the cap  18  forms an upper end of the container assembly  10  when the cap  18  is positioned on and releasably secured to the collar  16 . 
     Container assemblies having different shapes and sizes are within the scope of the present disclosure.  FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a container assembly, generally indicated at  100 , having a different liquid volume capacity compared to the container assembly  10  of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     The container assembly  100  includes a container body  112  and a container  114  received within the container body  112 . A collar  116  is threadably secured to the container body  112 . A cap  118  is releasably secured to the collar  116 . 
     The container body  112 , the container  114 , the collar  116 , and the cap  118  function similarly to the container body  12 , the container  14 , the collar  16 , and the cap  18 , respectively, which are described above in relation to the container assembly  10 . 
     Fluid level markings  120  are adjacent to at least one aperture on the side wall of the container body  112 , and are useful for measuring the volume of a liquid in the container  114 . The set of fluid level markings  120  show fluid volumes of 30 milliliters, 60 milliliters, 90 milliliters, and 120 milliliters. 
     Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to embodiments or elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality of these elements, and any references in plural to any embodiment or element or act herein may also embrace embodiments including only a single element. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. Any references to front and back, left and right, top and bottom, upper and lower, and vertical and horizontal are intended for convenience of description, not to limit the present systems and methods or their components to any one positional or spatial orientation. 
     Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only, and the scope of the disclosure should be determined from proper construction of the appended claims, and their equivalents.