Abstract:
An infant bottle with a collapsing insert comprises a cylindrical bottle providing a vertically-positionable supporting platform which acts upon the insert to remove trapped air prior to feeding. The bottle also comprises conventional portions including a cylindrical body, a threaded top opening, a nipple, an attachment ring, and a sanitary cap. The supporting platform is vertically moveable within the interior of the bottle being positioned and locked into position via a pair of spring-loaded buttons which protrude from opposing side surfaces. A user may depress the buttons, vertically relocate the supporting platform to remove trapped air, and lock said supporting platform in position by releasing the buttons.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to infant bottles, and in particular, to infant bottles which include a mechanism for reducing the presence of air inside the liner of the bottle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Infant bottles are well known for feeding infants and toddlers. Many infant bottles include a liner to provide trouble-free cleanup. The liners normally obtain air pockets within the empty space which forms between the underside of the nipple and the top surface of the liquid, even if fully filled. As a result, the baby tends to ingest the air from the bottle, creating the need for the parent to perform excessive burping operations. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a bottle with air displacement means. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,631, issued in the name of Nightingale, describes a device for expelling air from a liner in a baby bottle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,783, issued in the name of Popoff, describes a device for expelling air from a liner in a baby bottle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,861, issued in the name of Wiedemann, describes a compressible baby bottle. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many are not suited to release enough of the air pockets. While others infant bottles with a displacement means are not use friendly. Accordingly, there exists a need for bottle with air displacement means without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a bottle with air displacement means. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a bottle with air displacement means which releases air pockets and is user friendly. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bottle assembly. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the bottle assembly with a body. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is for the bottle assembly to comprise a bottle, an adjustable platform, and a plurality of locking buttons. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the locking buttons as spring biased posts which ride within slots upon a body of the bottle assembly. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the adjustable platform with a domed profile. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the bottle assembly with a nipple and nipple flange. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the bottle assembly with a body. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of utilizing the body, utilizing the adjustable platform, engaging the locking buttons, and positioning to a desired position to compress an insert within the body. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bottle with volumetric displacement means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the bottle with volumetric displacement means  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close-up perspective view of the bottle assembly  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the bottle assembly  20  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 3 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the bottle assembly  20  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 4 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of a cup insert  102 , according to an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  bottle with volumetric displacement means 
               15  liquid 
               20  bottle assembly 
               22  body 
               23  male threaded portion 
               24  base 
               25  inner cavity 
               26  adjustable platform 
               28  locking button 
               30  slot 
               32  locking aperture 
               34  graduation mark 
               38  collapsible insert 
               39  first insert flange 
               40  locking post 
               42  guide aperture 
               52  platform support member 
               54  spring post 
               56  spring 
               60  nipple 
               62  nipple flange 
               64  nipple orifice 
               70  attachment ring 
               72  female threaded portion 
               74  gripping surface 
               80  cap 
               102  cup insert 
               104  second insert flange 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5  and in terms of an alternate method of use, herein depicted within  FIG. 6 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a bottle with volumetric displacement means (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a baby feeding bottle  20  which utilizes a disposable collapsible insert  38  with an integral mechanism to compress a bottom portion of said collapsible insert  38 , thereby reducing a volume of air inside. Said collapsing mechanism is integral to a cylindrical body portion  22  of the apparatus  10  and further comprises a pair of opposed locking buttons  28  which allow a user to incrementally elevate an internal adjustable platform  26  which drives the collapsible insert  38  upwardly, thereby forcing excess air within said collapsible insert  38  out of the nipple  60  prior to consumption of the contained liquid  15 . The apparatus  10  further comprises conventional and expected portions including a cylindrical bottle body  22 , a nipple  60 , an attachment ring  70 , and a sanitary cover cap  80 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , front perspective and exploded views of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a bottle assembly  20 , a collapsible insert  38 , a nipple  60 , an attachment ring  70 , and a cap  80 . The bottle assembly portion  20  of the apparatus  10  further comprises a transparent cylindrical bottle body  22  providing easy visual communication of a remaining volume of contained liquid  15  via molded-in and/or painted graduation markings  34  along an outer side surface. Said bottle assembly  20  also provides a vertically adjustable platform  26  onto which the collapsible insert  38  rests. Said adjustable platform  26  provides a means to compress the collapsible insert  38  as it is incrementally raised above an integral protective plastic base portion  24  of said bottle assembly  20 . Said adjustable platform  26  is vertically positioned and locked in place via mechanical communication with a pair of opposing locking buttons  28  which are spring-biased outwardly through respective slot portions  30  formed within side surfaces of the bottle body  22 . As a user presses both locking buttons  28  inwardly, the adjustable platform  26  is free to move vertically to expel air from the collapsible insert  38  or return to a bottom start position, respectively. The adjustable platform  26  comprises an upwardly domed profile which matches that of the nipple  60  so as to more completely displace the collapsable insert  38  as well as the contained liquid  15 . The adjustable platform  26  may be secured at a desired height by vertically positioning and releasing the locking buttons  28 . Each locking button  28  in turn mechanically engages a pair of locking apertures  32  being correspondingly formed within a wall portion of said bottle body  22 . Said locking apertures  32  are arranged in two (2) parallel vertical rows on each side of said slot portion  30  (see FIGS.  3 , 4 , and  5 ). 
     The collapsible insert  38  provides a cylindrical collapsing structure having a first insert flange  39  along an upper perimeter edge which collapses during feeding an infant the contained liquid  15  in a similar manner as PLAYTEX DROP-INS®. The nipple  60  further comprises a conventional design having a perimeter nipple flange  62  and an upwardly protruding nipple orifice  64 . The attachment ring  70  further comprises an internal female threaded portion  72  and an ergonomic gripping surface  74  along a perimeter outer surface. The apparatus  10  is envisioned to be made of transparent or translucent food-grade plastic materials and introduced in a variety of attractive colors. Furthermore, the apparatus  10  is envisioned being made available having various internal fluid volumes such as, but not limited to: six (6), eight (8), and twelve (12) ounces. 
     Assembly of the apparatus  10  is accomplished by inserting the collapsible insert  38  into an inner cavity portion  25  of the bottle body  22  so as to cause the first insert flange  39  to rest upon a male threaded portion  23  of said bottle body  22 . The nipple flange portion  62  of the nipple  60  is subsequently stacked upon said first insert flange  39  and the female threaded portion  72  of the attachment ring  70  is threadingly engaged and tightened against the corresponding male threaded portion  23  of the bottle body  22  to seal the bottle body  22 , collapsible insert  38 , and nipple  60  to each other. The cap  80  comprises a conventional dome-shaped snap-on protective device when the apparatus  10  is not in use which engages an outer surface of the attachment ring  70  via a friction fit. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , close-up and section views of the bottle assembly portion  20  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides a mechanism to position and secure the adjustable platform  26  at a desired vertical location via the two (2) locking buttons  28 . Each locking button  28  further comprises a pair of integral locking posts  40  being formed along inwardly-facing side surfaces in a “U”-shaped manner and having cylindrically-shaped end portions which are correspondingly positioned to insertingly engage respective locking aperture portions  32  formed within an internal surface of the bottle body  22  and being arranged along both side edges of the aforementioned slot  30 . 
     The locking buttons  28  supported and adjust the adjustable platform  26 . Said adjustable platform  26  comprises a circular-shaped disc-like member having a diameter slightly less than an inner diameter of the bottle body  22 , thereby forming a plunger-like mechanism. Said adjustable platform  26  further comprises a subjacent and indented circular platform support member  52  which provides an attachment means to the locking buttons  28  via respective outwardly extending spring posts  54 . Said spring posts  54  comprise integrally-molded cylindrical appendages which extend outwardly from side surfaces of the platform support member  52 . Said spring posts  54  are slidingly inserted into respective guide aperture portions  42  within each locking button  28 . Said spring posts  54  are further encompassed by respective compression springs  56  which act against said locking buttons  28  to bias said locking buttons  28  in an outward direction, thereby causing the aforementioned locking posts  40  to forceably engage respective locking apertures  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a front perspective view of the cup insert  102 , according to an alternate method of use of the invention, is disclosed. The cup insert  102  comprises a semi-rigid cylindrical body member with an open top designed to maintain a cylindrical shape during feeding of a contained liquid  15 . Said cup insert  102  further comprises an upper perimeter second insert flange  104  which provides a sealing means similar to the previously described first insert flange  39 . The cup insert  102  may be utilized in lieu of the previously described collapsible insert  38  upon such time as an infant no longer requires the collapsing function of the collapsible insert  38 . Said cup insert  102  comprises a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter which may be slidingly inserted into an inner cavity portion  25  of the bottle body  22  such that the second insert flange  104  rests upon the male threaded portion  23  of said bottle body  22 . Subsequently, the nipple  60  and attachment ring  70  are affixed in a conventional manner. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of configuring and utilizing the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired fluid volume and color; removing the attachment ring  70  and nipple  60 , if previously installed; inserting the collapsible insert  38  into the inner cavity portion  25  of the bottle body  22  until the first insert flange  39  is resting on the male threaded portion  23  of the bottle body  22 ; filling the collapsible insert  38  with a liquid beverage  15 ; threadingly installing the nipple  60  and attachment ring  70  in a conventional manner; holding the apparatus  10  vertically with the nipple  60  pointing in an upward direction; depressing both locking buttons  28  to operably motion the adjustable platform  26  upwardly in a plunger-like manner to force a desired amount of air from the collapsible insert  38  and out the nipple orifice portion  64  of the nipple  60  prior to feeding; feeding the liquid  15  to the infant in a conventional manner; preventing air pockets from re-forming within the collapsible insert  38  as a vacuum created inside said collapsible insert  38  causes said collapsible insert  38  to collapse; and, preventing a child from ingesting excessive air during feeding using the present invention  10 . 
     The alternate method of use provides feeding of a maturing infant using an internal cup structure  102  at such time the infant progresses beyond a need for the air reduction function of the collapsing insert  38 . The method of configuring and utilizing the cup insert  102  may be achieved by performing the following steps: inserting the semi-rigid cup insert  102  into the inner cavity portion  25  of the bottle body  22  in lieu of the collapsible insert  38 ; filling the cup insert  102  with a desired liquid  15  beverage; threadingly installing the nipple  60  and attachment ring  70  in a conventional manner; feeding the liquid  15  to the infant in a conventional manner. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.