Patent Description:
In the prior art, air ingress is facilitated into a baby bottle during suction to avoid health problems for the child. The interior of the bottle is vented from the bottom of the bottle itself or from the nipple through the conventional anti-colic valve. For bottom venting of bottles, prior art devices comprise a diaphragm lying on a structural part of the bottom of the bottle and configured to allow air ingress into the internal volume of the bottle. In particular, the diaphragm has a calibrated cut formed therein which opens out as a negative pressure is generated in the bottle upon milk suction, thereby providing the intake of an amount of air from the outside, that will equalize the pressure. It shall be noted that the cut in the diaphragm opens to provide venting as a given negative pressure value is attained in the bottle. This value ranges from a minimum to a maximum which account for various factors, such as: the volume of the baby bottle, the type of liquid to be sucked from the bottle, the need to avoid dripping of liquid out of the bottle.

One example of diaphragm for rear ventilation is disclosed in <CIT>. This diaphragm is substantially disk-shaped to facilitate venting. That is, the vent portion is never located higher than the plane of the diaphragm. Moreover, the diaphragm on the surface that faces the bottom of the bottle has a circular stiffening rib, which is capable to provide an anti-shock effect during pressure transitions. It should be also noted that this rib is nothing more than a thicker area of the membrane on the side that faces the bottom of the bottle.

Prior art bottom venting devices for bottles suffer from a variety of problems. First, leakages of the liquid held in the bottle may occur due to undesired opening of the cut in response to a pressure that is higher than the external pressure. Second, the opening of the cut caused by the ingress of air into the bottle requires excessive suction efforts which, in addition to fatigue, cause health problems, for example otitis. Furthermore, prior art diaphragms require a high degree of negative pressure to open the passage and let air into the baby bottle. This entails an increased suction effort on the nipple by the baby.

It should be also noted that prior art diaphragms, such as the one disclosed in <CIT>, in which a stiffening rib of the same material as the membrane is provided, are not able to guarantee optimal operation of the vent device.

The object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm, a bottom venting device for a baby bottle and a baby bottle that can obviate the above discussed prior art drawbacks.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a diaphragm that can ensure air ingress into the bottle and equalize the pressure while reducing the liquid suction effort required of the baby.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for equalizing the pressure inside the bottle which can ensure air ingress and prevent leakage of the liquid contained inside the bottle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle that can equalize the pressure inside the bottle as the liquid contained therein is sucked through.

The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by a diaphragm, a device for bottom venting of a baby bottle and a baby bottle that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the description, provided by way of indication and without limitation, of a preferred, not exclusive embodiment of a diaphragm for venting a baby bottle, a device for equalizing the pressure inside a baby bottle and a baby bottle equipped with a pressure equalizing device, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Even when this is not expressly stated, the individual features as described with reference to the particular embodiments shall be intended as auxiliary to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.

Referring to the accompanying figures, numeral <NUM> designates a baby bottle for a baby to suck liquid therethrough. The baby bottle <NUM> comprises a bottle <NUM> configured to contain a liquid, e.g. milk or water, a nipple <NUM> for a baby to suck the liquid therethrough and a device for equalizing the pressure <NUM> inside the bottle <NUM>. In particular, the bottle <NUM> extends along a first axis X-X between an upper opening 2a, having the nipple <NUM> coupled thereto, and a lower opening 2b having the pressure equalizing device <NUM> coupled thereto. It shall be noted that both the nipple <NUM> and the pressure equalizing device <NUM> are preferably removably coupled to the bottle <NUM>.

Therefore, the pressure equalizing device <NUM> can equalize the pressure inside the bottle, while ensuring fluid tightness both when sucking, i.e. when the bottle is in use, and at rest when the bottle is not in use.

As used herein, the baby bottle <NUM> is meant to be not in use when the baby does not draw liquid through the nipple <NUM>, i.e. when the first axis X-X of the bottle <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to a conventional support surface. In other words, the baby bottle <NUM> is not in use when the bottle <NUM> is in an upright position and the pressure inside the bottle is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment.

As used herein, the baby bottle <NUM> is meant to be in use when the lower opening 2b, with which the pressure equalizing device <NUM> is associated, faces upwards or is inclined to the conventional support surface. In other words, the baby bottle <NUM> is in use when the baby is sucking the liquid through the nipple <NUM> thereby generating a negative pressure inside the bottle <NUM> with respect to the outside environment.

The pressure equalizing device <NUM> is configured to ensure fluid tightness and prevent liquid leakage from the bottle <NUM> and to ensure the ingress of air from an environment outside the bottle <NUM> as the liquid is being sucked through. In particular, the pressure equalizing device <NUM> comprises a bottom cover <NUM> that can be removably coupled to the bottle <NUM> of the baby bottle and a vent diaphragm <NUM>. It should be noted that the vent membrane <NUM> is preferably shaped to be complementary to the bottom cover <NUM> to interact therewith.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vent diaphragm <NUM> is configured to interface with the bottom of the bottle <NUM>, preferably defined by the bottom cover <NUM>, which has one or more bores <NUM> formed therein for the passage of air from an outside environment into the bottle <NUM>.

Preferably, the diaphragm <NUM> is made of a deformable silicone material to facilitate adhesion with the bottom cover <NUM>.

Advantageously, the silicone material facilitates adaptation of the diaphragm to the different surfaces and promotes durability thereof for continuous use.

The diaphragm <NUM> comprises a central flexible portion <NUM>, a first ring portion <NUM> and a second ring portion <NUM> connected to one another.

The central flexible portion <NUM> is elastically deformable to reversibly move between a rest configuration, when the pressure inside the bottle <NUM> is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment, and a vented configuration when the pressure in the bottle <NUM> is lower than the pressure of the outside environment. In other words, the central flexible portion <NUM> is in the rest configuration when the baby bottle <NUM> with which it is associated is not in use. Conversely, the central flexible portion <NUM> is in the venting configuration when the baby bottle <NUM> with which it is associated is in use.

The central flexible portion <NUM> comprises at least one passage <NUM> configured to move between:.

The first ring portion <NUM> surrounds the central flexible portion <NUM> to be concentric and connected with the central flexible portion <NUM>.

Preferably, the first ring portion <NUM> comprises a bottom surface 102a that faces the bottom of the bottle <NUM> and a top surface 102b opposite to the bottom surface 102a and facing the interior of the bottle <NUM>.

The second ring portion <NUM> surrounds the first ring portion <NUM> to be concentric and connected with the first ring portion <NUM>. It shall be noted that the central flexible portion <NUM> is raised with respect to the second ring portion <NUM> towards the interior of the bottle <NUM> and the first ring portion <NUM> connects the central flexible portion <NUM> and the second ring portion <NUM>, respectively. In other words, the central flexible portion <NUM> is spaced apart along the first axis X-X with respect to the second ring portion <NUM> by the first ring portion <NUM>.

According to the invention, the assembly of the central flexible portion <NUM> and the first ring portion <NUM> define a dome shape as shown in the figures. More in detail, the first ring portion <NUM> substantially defines the side wall of the dome, whereas the central flexible portion <NUM> substantially defines the apex of the dome.

Advantageously, the dome shape of the diaphragm affords equalized pressure distribution and also facilitates the movement between the open position and the closed position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second ring portion <NUM> has an inside perimeter, having the first ring portion <NUM> connected thereto, and an outside perimeter that can be coupled to the bottle <NUM>. Preferably, the second ring portion <NUM> extends from the top surface 102b substantially perpendicular thereto. In particular, it shall be noted that the assembly of the central flexible portion <NUM>, the first ring portion <NUM> and the second ring portion define a "sombrero" shape.

Advantageously, as the second ring portion <NUM> is moved away from the first ring portion the pressure exerted by the fluid on the second ring portion <NUM> may be regularized, which will facilitate adhesion of the diaphragm <NUM> to the bottom cover <NUM>.

Preferably, the second ring portion <NUM> has an annular groove <NUM> formed on the outside perimeter to facilitate coupling and fluid tightness between the diaphragm <NUM> and the lower opening 2b of the bottle <NUM> when the baby bottle is assembled.

More preferably, the second ring portion <NUM> has at least one tab <NUM> projecting out of the portion <NUM> and configured to facilitate the actions of pulling out and position the diaphragm <NUM> on the bottom cover.

The diaphragm <NUM> comprises an annular stiffening member <NUM> which is adapted to at least partially stiffen the first ring portion <NUM>. In particular, the stiffening member <NUM> is configured to facilitate a reversible passage between the rest configuration and the vented configuration by concentrating pressure stresses on the flexible central portion <NUM>.

Advantageously, the annular stiffening member <NUM> concentrates pressure stresses on the central flexible portion <NUM>.

Advantageously, the annular stiffening member <NUM> affords proper adhesion of the diaphragm <NUM> with the bottom of the baby bottle <NUM> thereby facilitating the movement of the central flexible portion <NUM> only.

Preferably, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is incorporated in the first ring portion <NUM> between the top surface 102a and the bottom surface 102b of the first ring portion <NUM>.

Advantageously, the insertion of the annular stiffening member <NUM> inside the diaphragm <NUM> facilitates the manufacturing process.

Preferably, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is embedded inside the diaphragm material at the first ring portion <NUM> to strengthen it for improved stress distribution.

More preferably, as shown in <FIG>, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is placed at the same distance from the bottom surface 102a and the top surface 102b.

Most preferably, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is an insert made of a polymeric material associated with the first ring portion <NUM> and inserted between the bottom surface 102a and the top surface 102b.

Advantageously, the insertion of the annular stiffening member <NUM> inside the diaphragm prevents detachment thereof and/or any movements that might disturb pressure distribution on the diaphragm.

According to an embodiment, as an alternative to the above, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is coupled to the top surface 102b while surrounding the first ring portion <NUM>.

According to a further embodiment, as an alternative to the above, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is coupled to the bottom surface 102a so that the first ring portion <NUM> surrounds the annular stiffening member <NUM>.

It shall be noted that, according to the above described embodiments, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is made of a rigid polymeric material, so that proper movement of the central flexible portion <NUM> is ensured and undesired deformations caused by the first ring portion <NUM> are prevented.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is made of a silicone material whose inherent hardness is greater than that of the silicone material that forms the diaphragm <NUM>.

More preferably, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is made of silicone material and is disposed within the first ring portion <NUM> between the bottom surface 102a and the top surface 102b. For example, the annular stiffening member <NUM> made of silicone material is embedded in the membrane <NUM> at the first ring portion <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is configured to stiffen the first ring portion <NUM> by extending between the second ring portion <NUM> and the central flexible portion <NUM> along the first ring portion <NUM>. Advantageously, as the entire first ring portion <NUM> is stiffened the concentration of pressure stresses on the central flexible portion <NUM> improves.

Preferably, the annular stiffening member <NUM> is also configured to maintain the dome shape of the assembly of the first ring portion <NUM> with the flexible central portion <NUM> as well as the "sombrero" shape of the assembly of the first ring portion <NUM> with the second ring portion <NUM> and the flexible central portion <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flexible central portion <NUM> of the diaphragm <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, comprises:.

According to a preferred embodiment, the central flexible portion <NUM> has a top surface facing the interior of the bottle <NUM> and a bottom surface facing the bottom of the bottle <NUM> so that:.

Also preferably, the central flexible portion <NUM> sheet has a thickness S from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Preferably, the annular rib 101c has a thickness S2 from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the passage <NUM> is formed without removing material from the central flexible portion <NUM>. In other words, the passage <NUM> is obtained by tearing or cutting the central flexible portion <NUM> thus avoiding any material removal.

Advantageously, the passage <NUM> thus obtained avoids undesired fluid leakages when in the closed position.

It shall be noted that the passage from the rest configuration to the vented configuration causes the central dome-shaped zone 101a of the annular depression 101b to move away from the first ring portion <NUM> toward the interior of the bottle. As a result, as the central dome-shaped zone 101a and the annular depression 101b are moved away the annular rib 101c is elastically deformed and the passage <NUM> is accordingly opened to let air into the bottle. In particular, the central flexible portion <NUM> in the rest configuration is substantially disk-shaped with a corrugated section comprising the central dome portion 101a, the annular depression 101b and the annular rib 101c. Conversely, in the vented configuration, the central flexible portion <NUM> assumes a substantially conical or frustoconical shape.

According to the preferred embodiment of the figures, the annular rib 101c comprises a plurality of passages <NUM>. Preferably, the passages <NUM> are spaced apart from each other along the annular rib <NUM> to create a uniform passage of air from the outside environment to the inside environment. More preferably, the passages <NUM> are equally spaced from each other along the annular rib 101c. Advantageously, the arrangement of the plurality of passages <NUM> along the annular rib 101c facilitates the passage of the air in the vented configuration while reducing the effort that the baby has to make to drink from the nipple.

Most preferably, each passage <NUM> extends between a first end 104a and a second end 104b in a direction of extension Y-Y that is radially oriented with respect to the center of the annular rib 101c. In other words, for each passage <NUM> the first end 104a faces the central dome-shaped portion 101a, whereas the second end 104b faces the first ring portion <NUM> along the direction of extension Y-Y that passes substantially through the center of the annular rib 101c. Advantageously, the radial extension of the passages <NUM> facilitates the passage:.

According to a preferred embodiment, each passage <NUM> has a linear and/or curvilinear profile. Preferably, each passage <NUM> has a crescent-shaped profile.

According to an alternative embodiment, the central dome-shaped zone 101a comprises a passage <NUM>.

Concerning the material, in order to ensure proper operation of the device <NUM>, the diaphragm <NUM> is made of a silicone material preferably having a shore hardness <NUM> and a nominal modulus of elasticity of <NUM>*<NUM><NUM> Pa. In the embodiment with the annular stiffening member <NUM> made of silicone material, its shore hardness is greater than <NUM> and preferably, but not limited to, ranges from <NUM> to <NUM> shore. Advantageously, the diaphragm <NUM> can achieve optimal operating conditions for opening each passage <NUM>, for effective re-equalization of the pressure difference occurring inside the baby bottle as liquid is sucked therefrom.

It should also be noted that the greater the negative pressure inside the bottle <NUM> of the baby bottle <NUM>, the greater the deformation of the diaphragm <NUM>, whereby the passages <NUM> open wider, affording effective re-equalization of the pressure difference.

In the preferred embodiment of the pressure equalizing device <NUM> of the present invention, the diaphragm <NUM> is coupled to the bottom cover <NUM> which comprises:.

Namely, the vent diaphragm <NUM> overlies the bottom cover <NUM> so that:.

Preferably, the first bottom ring 11b has an outer surface facing the bottom surface 102a of the diaphragm and adapted to facilitate adhesion between the diaphragm <NUM> and the bottom cover <NUM>. For example, the outer surface of the first bottom ring 11b is corrugated or has friction elements.

More preferably, the central bottom portion 11a has a cusp shape around with bores <NUM> formed around its top. Therefore, according to the preferred embodiment, in the rest configuration, the central dome-shaped zone 101a at least partially abuts against the cusp of the central bottom portion 11a.

More preferably, the central dome-shaped zone 101a covers the bores <NUM> formed on the bottom cover, thereby ensuring fluid tightness when the bottle is not in use.

According to a preferred embodiment of the pressure equalizing device <NUM>, the assembly of the first bottom ring 11b with the central bottom portion 11a has a respectively a dome shape. Preferably, the assembly from the first ring portion <NUM> and the central flexible portion <NUM> is complementary to the dome-shaped assembly of the first bottom ring 11b with the central bottom portion 11a. Namely, the assembly of said first bottom ring 11b with said central bottom portion 11a is coupled with the assembly of the first ring portion <NUM> with the flexible central portion <NUM>. Preferably, the annular rib 101a, when the diaphragm <NUM> is coupled to the bottom cover <NUM>, is raised from the central bottom portion 11a and from the first bottom ring 11b, thereby facilitating the movement between the rest configuration and the vented configuration and avoiding undesired liquid leakage.

Claim 1:
A vent diaphragm for a baby bottle (<NUM>), adapted to interface with the bottom of the bottle which is formed with one or more bores for the passage of air from an outside environment to the interior of the bottle (<NUM>), said diaphragm (<NUM>) comprising:
- a central flexible portion (<NUM>) which is elastically deformable to reversibly move between a rest configuration, when the pressure inside the bottle (<NUM>) is equal to or higher than the pressure of the outside environment, and a vented configuration when the pressure in the bottle (<NUM>) is lower than the pressure of the outside environment, said central flexible portion (<NUM>) comprising at least one passage (<NUM>) configured to move between:
- an open position to allow passage of air from said outside environment to the interior of the bottle (<NUM>) when the central flexible portion (<NUM>) is in the vented configuration; and
- a fluid-tight closed position when the central flexible portion (<NUM>) is in the rest configuration;
- a first ring portion (<NUM>) surrounding said central flexible portion (<NUM>), said first ring portion (<NUM>) being concentric and connected with the central flexible portion (<NUM>);
- a second ring portion (<NUM>) surrounding said first ring portion (<NUM>), said second ring portion (<NUM>) being concentric and connected with the first ring portion (<NUM>); said central flexible portion (<NUM>) being raised with respect to said second ring portion (<NUM>) toward the interior of the bottle (<NUM>), said first ring portion (<NUM>) connecting said central flexible portion (<NUM>) and said second ring portion (<NUM>);
- an annular stiffening member (<NUM>) adapted to at least partially stiffen the first ring portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the assembly of the first ring portion (<NUM>) with the central flexible portion (<NUM>) has a dome shape.