Abstract:
A compartmentalized baby bottle includes main and secondary interior compartments for housing and selectively introducing a soluble mix to a fluid, as needed by the caregiver. A plurality of conduits are formed along a bottom-most end of the main interior compartments for allowing the soluble mix to pass therethrough. A conduit-sealing mechanism is provided such that a care giver is permitted to selectively combine the mix and fluid together without prematurely exposing the mix. Advantageously, the conduit-sealing is selectively biased between open and closed positions for preventing the fluid and mix from undesirably mixing together until the care giver is ready to do same.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/068,374, filed Mar. 7, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to baby bottles and, more particularly, to a compartmentalized baby bottle for selectively introducing a granular or powder mix to a fluid contained in a main compartment. 
     2. Prior Art 
     There are many circumstances which necessitate keeping ingredients separated in a container until they are ready to be mixed and dispensed. As an example, when using powdered baby formula, it is necessary to mix the formula with water, thereby producing a milky liquid which is consumed by infants and small children. Once the formula is mixed, it must be consumed within a short period of time or refrigerated. 
     Typically, when traveling with an infant, feeding times are not precisely known and infants are fed on demand. The feeding time is normally indicated by urgent cries from the child and it is important not to delay. Many times, the infant will not eat if it is too upset. On the road, feeding a child using powdered formula can get complicated and messy as you have to measure the required amount of formula from a can and pour this into a baby bottle containing water. Formula can be mixed ahead of time and stored in a portable insulated carrier but the formula should be consumed within two hours. 
     This time can be extended by placing an ice pack with the formula. Any time formula is refrigerated, it is usually necessary to heat it to at least room temperature before it is consumed. Even as the child develops and feeding times are easier to plan, it can be very difficult to feed the child while on the road. Considering the number of bottles a child consumes in a day, any apparatus designed to assist the parent in feeding should be easy to clean and relatively inexpensive. Obviously, it would be advantageous to provide a baby bottle that addresses all of these concerns. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is disclosed in order to overcome the above noted shortcomings. The compartmentalized baby bottle is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, and designed for introducing a granular or powder mix to a fluid contained in a main compartment. The assembly is simple to use, inexpensive, and designed for many years of repeated use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for compartmentalized baby bottle for selectively introducing a soluble mix to a predetermined quantity of fluid as desired by the user. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a compartmentalized baby bottle is shown for storing and selectively introducing a soluble mix to a predetermined quantity of fluid. The compartmentalized baby bottle preferably includes a main interior compartment adapted to receive and hold the fluid therein. Such a main interior compartment preferably has a plurality of conduits formed therein. Also, a top nipple section is removably connected to the main interior compartment for dispensing the fluid mixture during use. 
     The present invention further includes a secondary interior compartment spaced apart from the main interior compartment and adapted to receive and hold the soluble mix therein. Notably, a conduit-sealing mechanism is provided for selectively maintaining the main interior compartment initially isolated from the secondary interior compartment during non-operating conditions. 
     Such a conduit-sealing mechanism is intermediately and removably coupled to the main and secondary interior compartments respectively such that one of the main and secondary interior compartments remains statically affixed to the conduit-sealing mechanism while another one of the main and secondary interior compartments is independently separated from the conduit-sealing mechanism respectively. In this manner, a user can remove the secondary interior compartment and refill it with formula powder without having to empty the fluid contained within the main interior compartment. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the conduit-sealing mechanism may further comprise a body removably coupled to a bottom-most end of the main interior compartment and a top-most end of the secondary interior compartment. A divider is statically conjoined to an interior perimeter of the body and centrally positioned therein. Such a divider may be provided with a first plurality of openings formed therein. 
     The conduit-sealing mechanism further includes an activation switch is slidably interfitted inside the body in such a manner that the activation sits on top of the divider. The activation switch may be provided with a second plurality of openings selectively aligned with the first plurality of openings respectively. The activation switch is suitably sized and shaped to be positioned on the divider and freely rotates along an arcuate path defined about a longitudinal axis passing through the divider. 
     Advantageously, the first plurality of openings are in fluid communication with the conduits when the activation switch is biased to an open position. In this manner, the open position is defined when the second plurality of openings are axially aligned with the first plurality of openings and the conduits respectively. Alternately, the first plurality of openings are isolated from the conduits when the activation switch is biased to a closed position. The closed position is defined when the second plurality of openings are axially offset from the first plurality of openings and the conduits respectively. 
     As can be appreciated, the activation switch is rotatably biased within the body and thereby selectively adjusted between the open and closed positions respectively so that the care giver can selectively permit mixture of the soluble mix and fluid, as desired. 
     In one embodiment, each of the conduits and the first plurality of openings are formed along a unique quadrant of the main interior compartment and the divider respectively such that the first plurality of openings and the conduits are selectively aligned when the divider is rotated between the open and closed positions respectively. 
     The body is provided with a plurality of slots formed along an outer perimeter thereof so that the activation switch is selectively displaced along the slots when biased between the open and closed positions respectively. Such a feature allows the care giver to accurately align the conduits and first plurality of openings, as needed. 
     In one embodiment, the divider bifurcates the body into a pair of cavities. Such cavities are identified as a first cavity extending from the first plurality of openings and terminating at the conduits respectively, and a second cavity extending from the first plurality of openings and terminating at a bottom-most end of the secondary interior compartment respectively. In this manner, the second cavity is in fluid communication with the main interior compartment when the second plurality of openings are aligned with the first plurality of openings. 
     The present invention further includes a method for storing and selectively introducing a soluble mix to a predetermined quantity of fluid. Such a method preferably includes the chronological steps of: providing a main interior compartment having a plurality of conduits formed therein; providing and removably connecting a top nipple section to the main interior compartment; providing and spacing apart a secondary interior compartment from the main interior compartment; and providing a conduit-sealing mechanism. 
     The method may further includes the chronological steps of: selectively maintaining the main interior compartment initially isolated from the secondary interior compartment during non-operating conditions by intermediately and removably coupling the conduit-sealing mechanism to the main and secondary interior compartments respectively; adapting the conduit-sealing mechanism to a closed position; and depositing the fluid into the main interior compartment. 
     The method may further include the chronological steps of: maintaining one of the main and secondary interior compartments statically affixed to the conduit-sealing mechanism while independently separating another one of the main and secondary interior compartments from the conduit-sealing mechanism respectively; depositing the soluble mix into the secondary interior compartment; and introducing the soluble mix to the fluid by adapting the conduit-sealing mechanism to an open position and repeatedly inverting the compartmentalized baby bottle. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a compartmentalized baby bottle, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 , is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of figure of  FIG. 2 , with the present invention rotated on an alternate axis; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4 , with the present invention rotated on an alternate axis; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of  FIG. 4 , with the present invention rotated on yet another axis. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     The assembly of this invention is referred to generally in the figures and is intended to provide a compartmentalized baby bottle. It should be understood that the assembly may be used to separate many different types of ingredients for future combination and should not be limited to use in separating only those types of ingredients mentioned herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , a compartmentalized baby bottle  10  is shown for storing and selectively introducing a soluble mix to a predetermined quantity of fluid. The compartmentalized baby bottle  10  preferably includes a main interior compartment  12  adapted to receive and hold the fluid therein. Such a main interior compartment  12  preferably has a plurality of conduits  18  formed therein. Also, a top nipple section  11  is removably connected to the main interior compartment  12  for dispensing the fluid mixture during use. 
     The present invention  10  further includes a secondary interior compartment  14  spaced apart from the main interior compartment  12  and adapted to receive and hold the soluble mix therein. Notably, a conduit-sealing mechanism  23  is provided for selectively maintaining the main interior compartment  12  initially isolated from the secondary interior compartment  14  during non-operating conditions. Such a conduit-sealing mechanism  23  is intermediately and removably coupled to the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14  respectively such that one of the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14  remains statically affixed to the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  while another one of the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14  is independently separated from the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  respectively. In this manner, a user can remove the secondary interior compartment  14  and refill it with formula powder without having to empty the fluid contained within the main interior compartment  12 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  may comprise a body  22  removably coupled to a bottom-most end of the main interior compartment  12  and a top-most end of the secondary interior compartment  14 , as perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . A divider  31  is statically conjoined to an interior perimeter of the body  22  and centrally positioned therein. Such a divider  31  may be provided with a first plurality of openings  19  formed therein. 
     The conduit-sealing mechanism  23  further includes an activation switch  25  is slidably interfitted inside the body  22  in such a manner that the activation switch  25  sits on top of the divider  31 . The activation switch  25  may be provided with a second plurality of openings  20  selectively aligned with the first plurality of openings  19  respectively. The activation switch  25  is suitably sized and shaped to be positioned on the divider  31  and freely rotates along an arcuate path defined about a longitudinal axis passing through the divider  31 . 
     Advantageously, the first plurality of openings  19  are in fluid communication with the conduits  18  when the activation switch  25  is biased to an open position. In this manner, the open position is defined when the second plurality of openings  20  are axially aligned with the first plurality of openings  19  and the conduits  18 , respectively. Alternately, the first plurality of openings  19  are isolated from the conduits  18  when the activation switch  25  is biased to a closed position. The closed position is defined when the second plurality of openings  20  are axially offset from the first plurality of openings  19  and the conduits  18 , respectively. 
     As can be appreciated, the activation switch  25  is rotatably biased within the body  22  and thereby selectively adjusted between the open and closed positions respectively so that the care giver can selectively permit mixture of the soluble mix and fluid, as desired. The divider  31  remains statically seated inside body  22  while activation switch  25  is rotatably biased between the open and closed positions. The activation switch  25  is removable from the body  22  so that it can be cleaned during periodic maintenance. 
     As perhaps best shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , each of the conduits  18  and the first plurality of openings  19  are formed along a unique quadrant of the main interior compartment  12  and the divider  31 , respectively, such that the first plurality of openings  19  and the conduits  18  are selectively aligned when the divider  31  is rotated between the open and closed positions respectively. 
     The body  22  is provided with a plurality of slots  27  formed along an outer perimeter thereof so that the activation switch  25  is selectively displaced along the slots  27  when biased between the open and closed positions respectively. Such a feature allows the care giver to accurately align the conduits  18  and first plurality of openings  19 , as needed, while body  22  is connected to the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14 . 
     In one embodiment, the divider  31  bifurcates the body  22  into a pair of cavities. As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 3 , such cavities are identified as a first cavity  33  extending from the first plurality of openings  19  and terminating at the conduits  18  respectively, and a second cavity  34  extending from the first plurality of openings  19  and terminating at a bottom-most end of the secondary interior compartment  14 , respectively. In this manner, the second cavity  34  is in fluid communication with the main interior compartment  12  when the second plurality of openings  20  are aligned with the first plurality of openings  19 . 
     The present invention  10  further includes a method for storing and selectively introducing a soluble mix to a predetermined quantity of fluid. Such a method preferably includes the chronological steps of: providing a main interior compartment  12  having a plurality of conduits  18  formed therein; providing and removably connecting a top nipple section  11  to the main interior compartment  12 ; providing and spacing apart a secondary interior compartment  14  from the main interior compartment  12 ; and providing a conduit-sealing mechanism  23 . 
     The method may further includes the chronological steps of: selectively maintaining the main interior compartment  12  initially isolated from the secondary interior compartment  14  during non-operating conditions by intermediately and removably coupling the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  to the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14 , respectively; adapting the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  to a closed position; and depositing the fluid into the main interior compartment  12 . 
     The method may further include the chronological steps of: maintaining one of the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14  statically affixed to the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  while independently separating another one of the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14  from the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  respectively; depositing the soluble mix into the secondary interior compartment  14 ; and introducing the soluble mix to the fluid by adapting the conduit-sealing mechanism  23  to an open position and repeatedly inverting the compartmentalized baby bottle  10 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the activation switch  25  is inserted into one of two slots  27  located centrally on the conduit sealing mechanism  23 . This switch  25  will include a plurality of slots  27  for enabling fluid and powder to pass through when slid into an “on” position. The activation switch  25  is slid along the slots  27  of the conduit sealing mechanism  23  as far as it will go and then pressed against the bottom of the mechanism  23 . The switch  25  is then slid back through the slots  27  on the other side of the mechanism  23  until it is approximately centered. This activation switch  25  is removable in order to facilitate easy cleaning procedures. The secondary interior compartment  14  is then attached to the conduit sealing mechanism  23  and tightened. The activation switch  25  will center itself during this process. 
     Next, the activation switch  25  is manually moved along the slots  27  until the activation switch  25  seals all of the conduits  18  at the main interior compartment. When the switch is in an “off” position, a tightened and enhanced seal will prevent leakage between the main and secondary interior compartments  12 ,  14 . Then, fluid may be added to the main interior compartment  12  and sealed with the nipple section  11  of the assembly  10 . Powder is placed within the secondary interior compartment  14 , and the units are now available for storage/transportation, etc. 
     When a bottle is ready for feeding or other purposes, a user should remove the secondary interior compartment  14  from a sterile seal. The secondary interior compartment  14  is then placed under the conduit sealing mechanism  23  and screwed onto the assembly  10 . The entire assembly  10  in then turned upside down so that the secondary interior compartment  14  is located at the top of the assembly  10 . The activation switch  25  is then rotated to an open position. This allows the powder to flow into the main compartment  12  via gravity. 
     The activation switch  25  has some funneling features to assist in getting all the powder through the conduits  18 , but the assembly  10  may be tapped a few times at the end of the filtering process to ensure that all of the powder flows through. The activation switch  25  is then turned to close the conduits  18 , and the secondary interior compartment  14  may be removed. Finally, the main interior compartment  12  is shaken in order to thoroughly mix the formula. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.