Patent Description:
The present invention relates generally to the field of drinking receptacles, and in particular, to drinking receptacles for dispensing fluid for drinking purposes from an outlet by way of a sucking action applied to the outlet by a drinker. In a particular application, the present invention relates to an infant feeding bottle.

Drinking receptacles come in a variety of different shapes and forms, depending upon the specific needs of the user. Generally, most drinking receptacles comprise a storage or bottle portion into which fluid is stored for drinking, and an outlet either attachable to the storage or bottle portion or formed in the storage or bottle portion, through which the fluid is able to flow to the user. The manner in which fluid flows from the storage or bottle portion through the outlet portion can also vary, with some outlet portions being configured to allow for liquid to freely flow therefrom, whilst others only permit fluid to flow from the outlet portion when a suction force is applied to the outlet portion.

A common type of receptacle that releases fluid upon the application of a suction force to an outlet is an infant feeding bottle. Infant feeding bottles generally comprise a cylindrical body portion for containing the fluid, such as expressed milk or infant formula, and a flexible teat portion attachable to an opening of the cylindrical body portion which is configured to be placed in the infant's mouth to release fluid to the infant as the infant applies suction to the teat portion. In this regard, most infant feeding bottles are based on the principal of replicating as close as possible a natural breast feeding situation, and as such, a variety of different shapes and styles of teats have been proposed in an attempt to more naturally replicate the process.

In most conventional infant feeding bottles, the teat portion is generally formed of two parts, a flexible teat and a collar. The flexible teat is typically made from an elastomeric material, such as silicone, TPE or similar material having an opening formed therein through which the fluid can flow and a flange formed around a perimeter of the material. In order to assemble the flexible teat to the cylindrical bottle, the flexible teat is typically placed over the opening to the cylindrical bottle such that the flange is positioned on the rim of the bottle and the collar portion is then placed over the flexible teat and screwed onto the cylindrical bottle such that the flange is captured between the collar and the rim of the bottle.

Such a conventional two-piece arrangement is able to be disassembled for cleaning and sterilisation purposes, which requires unnecessary handling of multiple parts by the user. Further, given the nature of the flexible, elastomeric material of the flange being sandwiched between two hard surfaces, namely the rim of the bottle and the collar portion, it is common that upon assembling the device for use, it is often overtightened in the process. This can have a significant negative effect on the flow of fluid from the teat, as the arrangement becomes air tight and air cannot enter the bottle to replace the fluid exiting the teat portion, significantly reducing the fluid flow.

Thus, there is a need to provide a receptacle having an outlet portion that facilitates improved flow of fluid therefrom. Also, when used as an infant feeding bottle, there is a need to provide a receptacle that is more naturally received within the infant's mouth and which provides for controlled delivery of fluid therefrom due to the natural sucking action applied by the infant.

The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a drinking receptacle according to appended claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment the pressure applied to facilitate delivery of fluid from the container via the outlet is a negative or vacuum pressure, which may be facilitated by a suction force applied to the outlet. In another embodiment, the pressure applied to facilitate delivery of fluid from the container via the outlet is a positive pressure, which may be facilitated by squeezing the container.

The at least one vent may be in the form of one or more channels formed in the undersurface of the collar portion or the upper surface of the opening of the container such that the channel extends across the abutting surfaces of the collar portion and the opening of the container. The abutting surfaces of the collar portion and the opening of the container is made from a substantially rigid material having minimal flexibility so as to form a hard-to-hard surface engagement. In one embodiment, the substantially rigid material is a hard plastic material, such as polypropylene.

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:.

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

The present invention will be described below in relation to its application to an infant feeding bottle. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be equally applied to a variety of drinking receptacles that rely upon the application of a suction force to an outlet thereof to extract fluid.

Referring to <FIG> a receptacle <NUM> is depicted in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle <NUM> is in the form of an infant feeding bottle comprising a cylindrical bottle portion <NUM> and an outlet portion <NUM>. The cylindrical bottle portion <NUM> is circular in cross section and has a base <NUM>, side walls <NUM> and an open upper portion <NUM>, to which the outlet portion <NUM> is mounted. The bottle portion <NUM> is made from a hard plastic material which may be clear or coloured for aesthetic purposes. In the embodiment as shown, the upper portion <NUM> is narrower than the body of the bottle portion <NUM>; however, it will be appreciated that other shapes and configurations of the bottle portion are also envisaged and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

An embodiment of the outlet portion <NUM> is shown in more detail in <FIG>. The outlet portion <NUM> is formed as a single piece that comprises a teat member <NUM> made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) or may be made from a flexible silicone rubber material. The outlet portion <NUM> also comprises a collar member <NUM> made from a hard plastic material, such as polypropylene. As is shown, the lower portion of the teat member <NUM> is formed over the outer surface of the collar member <NUM> such that the two members become an integral piece thereby having a substantially continuous inner surface. An outlet <NUM> is formed in the upper end of the teat portion <NUM>, as shown, and functions in a manner as will be described in more detail below.

The outlet portion <NUM> is fitted to the upper portion <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> by way of an internal thread <NUM> formed on the collar member <NUM>. The internal thread <NUM> engages with an external thread formed on the upper portion of the bottle <NUM> to facilitate secure attachment of the outlet portion <NUM> to the bottle portion <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>, as is shown in <FIG>. In this arrangement, as the upper portion <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> is open, fluid present in the bottle <NUM> is able to flow into the teat member <NUM> of the outlet portion <NUM> to substantially fill the internal space therein, so as to be delivered to the infant by way of the outlet <NUM>, when a sucking motion is applied to the teat member <NUM> by the infant, as is shown in <FIG>.

The teat member <NUM> is configured to assume a predetermined position within the infant's mouth when the infant initially receives the teat member <NUM>. This position is similar to a position assumed by the breast and nipple during natural breast feeding. In this regard, the teat member <NUM> is self positioned within the infant's mouth into a desired position to provide a consistent and reproducible feeding experience each time the receptacle is used. <FIG> depicts the manner in which the receptacle <NUM> of the present invention is configured to facilitate flow of fluid from the bottle portion <NUM>, through the outlet portion <NUM> and into the mouth of the infant. In this regard, upon the infant taking the teat member <NUM> into their mouth, the upper lip of the infant sits naturally against the corresponding region of the teat member as the upper lip flattens and pushes forward. This action results in the teat member <NUM> extending beyond the infant's alveolar ridge <NUM>, towards the rear of the infant's hard palate, as shown. In this position, the infant is able to apply a suction force to the teat member <NUM> to draw fluid from the outlet <NUM>. As part of this natural sucking action, the infant's bottom jaw typically lowers to enable the infant's tongue to extend forward and sit naturally against the underside of the teat member <NUM>, as shown, thereby applying a seal at this region against the teat member <NUM>. It will be appreciated that a natural sucking action requires a seal formed between the lips, tongue and inner cheek, when the jaw moves downwards. In a normal breast feeding situation, the breast and nipple are able to naturally conform to the infant's mouth, which is the naturally action that the present invention is seeking to replicate.

During use, the teat member <NUM> undergoes relatively little deformation and maintains its general configuration. Thus, in order to take advantage of the natural feeding action of the infant, so as to self-position within the infant's mouth, the side profile of the teat member <NUM> of the present invention has been configured accordingly, as is shown in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the teat member <NUM> has a concave upper surface <NUM> and a concave lower surface <NUM>. However, the point of inΣlection (POI) <NUM> of the concave upper surface <NUM> is offset a distance 'X' from the POI <NUM> of the concave lower surface <NUM>. As is shown, the POI <NUM> of the concave upper surface <NUM> is disposed closer to the orifice <NUM> than the POI <NUM> of the concave lower surface <NUM>. Such an arrangement enables the teat member <NUM> to be shaped such that when it is taken by the infant, the upper surface of the teat member <NUM> is able to clearly pass below the infant's alveolar ridge <NUM> such that the end region of the teat member is able to extend into the infant's mouth to rest against the infant's hard palate in a similar manner to natural breast feeding, as is shown in <FIG>.

The flatter configuration of the concave lower surface <NUM>, due in the main to the POI <NUM> being more distal the orifice <NUM> that the POI <NUM> of the concave upper surface <NUM>, ensures that the infant's tongue is presented with a flatter surface against which they can readily place their tongue to form a seal against the concave lower surface <NUM> as is also shown in <FIG>. This enables the infant to form a latching vacuum about the teat member <NUM> is a more natural manner.

As well as the side profile of the teat member <NUM> being configured to facilitate a more natural and readily repeatable position within the infant's mouth for feeding, the end profile of the teat member is also configured to provide an improved feeding experience for the infant. This is depicted in <FIG>.

In <FIG>, the outlet portion <NUM> is shown from a top perspective view with the end portion of the teat member <NUM> removed. The end portion of the teat member <NUM> is shown in cross sectional view in <FIG>. As can be readily appreciated, the under surface <NUM> of the teat member <NUM> is configured to be substantially flat in comparison with the upper surface <NUM>, which has a substantially consistent curvature. The curvature of the upper surface <NUM> is configured to substantially match the curvature of the hard palate <NUM> of the infant, as is shown in <FIG>. Similarly, the flatter configuration of the under surface <NUM> provides a surface against which the infant's tongue is able to rest against to enable the tongue to be flatter so as to more easily make contact with the infant's cheeks during the feeding session.

Referring to <FIG>, the manner in which the end profile of the teat member <NUM> has been configured to improve the feeding action of the receptacle <NUM> can be seen. In this regard, during a sucking motion, the infant's cheeks are drawn in, in the direction of arrow 'A' such that they are able to contact each side of the infant's tongue to create a seal and vacuum about the teat member <NUM>. At the same time, during the sucking stroke, the infant's jaw and tongue is able to move in a downward direction (arrow 'B'). By providing a flatter under surface <NUM>, the teat member <NUM> does not prevent the infant's cheeks from contact with the tongue thereby ensuring that the seal and vacuum is maintained during the sucking motion to ensure that optimum fluid is delivered from the outlet <NUM> of the teat member <NUM>, so as to replicate a more natural breast feeding action. As the upper surface <NUM> of the teat member <NUM> is configured to match the curvature of the infant's hard palate; the infant is able to sealingly engage with the teat member <NUM> in a desirable manner, and in a manner that is consistently reproducible each time the teat member is taken by the infant.

As well as providing a teat member <NUM> that functions to better replicate a natural breast feeding situation when the teat member is present in the infant's mouth, the present invention also provides a system that ensures improved fluid flow from the teat member.

As most drinking receptacles require a degree of sealing to avoid inadvertent fluid leakage from the receptacle, it is important that, when the receptacle is in use, there is sufficient venting of air into the receptacle to ensure that fluid is able to flow from the outlet of the receptacle.

For an infant feeding bottle, this is particularly the case as the infant typically supplies significant suction to the teat member during use to extract the fluid therefrom, and in order to replace the fluid taken, air must enter the bottle to accommodate the vacant space. Thus, in providing an infant feeding bottle, it is important that there is present a degree of vacuum within the bottle to enable the infant to apply a natural latching action during rest periods and/or suction force to the bottle to extract the fluid during feeding periods. This ensures that the feeding situation resembles as close as possible, a natural breast feeding situation.

As previously discussed a common problem with conventional infant feeding bottles that employ a teat member and separate collar is that, in the act of fastening the teat member to the bottle portion when assembling the components of the device, the arrangement is typically over-tightened. Generally, where the teat member is employed with a removable collar, the collar and the upper rim of the bottle portion function to secure the flange portion of the flexible teat member therebetween, so as to facilitate secure engagement of the various components. As the bottle is often shaken after assembly to facilitate mixing of the milk product, there is a natural tendency to screw the collar more tightly than necessary to the bottle portion such that the soft and flexible flange member deforms between the two hard surfaces of the collar and the bottle, to form a substantially air-tight seal. This air-tight seal may be useful in preventing inadvertent leakage of fluid from the bottle, but it also prevents air from entering the bottle during feeding and thus prevents desired flow of fluid from the bottle to the infant.

The present invention addresses this problem by providing a one-part outlet portion <NUM> as discussed above in relation to <FIG>. By providing the flexible teat member <NUM> such that it is moulded over the hard collar member <NUM> as shown, when the outlet portion <NUM> is attached to the upper rim <NUM> of the bottle portion <NUM>, there is no soft, flexible material being sandwiched between the hard collar member <NUM> and the hard upper rim of the bottle portion <NUM>. Rather, the collar member <NUM> and the bottle portion <NUM>, which are both made from a hard plastic material, are able to be tightly screwed together without fear of the seal between the two components becoming airtight and preventing the receptacle from being able to vent during use.

As is shown in <FIG>, in accordance with the present invention, venting of the receptacle <NUM> when assembled is primarily achieved through the provision of multiple grooves <NUM> formed in the undersurface of the collar member <NUM> of the outlet portion <NUM>. In the embodiment as shown, each of these grooves <NUM> are formed in the horizontally extended portion 18a of the collar member <NUM> such that they form small channels that extend across the surface thereby forming a gap, even when the collar member <NUM> is securely tightened to the bottle portion <NUM> and the upper rim of the bottle portion <NUM> is in direct contact with the horizontally extending portion 18a of the collar member. In this regard, the grooves <NUM> have a length that is greater than the width of the upper rim of the bottle portion <NUM> to provide a path for air to pass from the region external of the bottle portion <NUM> to the internal region of the bottle portion.

Referring to <FIG>, the arrangement of the grooves <NUM> are depicted in more detail. As is shown in <FIG>, in a preferred form, the grooves <NUM> extend along a section of the horizontally extended portion 18a of the collar member <NUM> so as to subtend an arc of angle Ø. The angle Ø may be an angle of <NUM>°, although other angles are also envisaged. In a preferred form, each of the grooves <NUM> is also regularly spaced apart in the manner as shown to form a venting section of the collar member <NUM>, although irregular spacing is also envisaged.

As is shown in <FIG>, the grooves <NUM> are formed in the surface of the horizontally extended portion 18a of the collar member <NUM> so as to have a depth 'Y' and a width 'Z'. In a preferred form, the depth 'Y' may be between around <NUM> - <NUM>, preferably around <NUM> and the width 'Z' may vary between <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably around <NUM>. Further, the width 'Z' may vary along the length of the groove, with the width being wider at one end compared to the other. It will be appreciated that the purpose of the grooves <NUM> is to permit the ingress of air into the bottle portion of the receptacle and to prevent the leakage of fluid from the bottle portion, and as such, the dimensions of the groove are sufficient to achieve that purpose. It is preferable that the grooves are provided in the section of the collar member that faces upwards when the receptacle is in use, to ensure that the air is able to more freely enter the bottle portion and to reduce the likelihood of any leakage occurring through effects of fluid head pressure.

The number of grooves <NUM> provided on the collar member <NUM> may vary, and in a preferred form, four grooves <NUM> are provided. It has been found that the grooves <NUM> function to form a vent when a suction force is applied to the teat member <NUM>. In this regard, due to the configuration of the grooves, in the absence of a suction force being applied to the teat portion <NUM>, a vacuum is maintained within the bottle as the grooves <NUM> have a configuration that ensures the surface tension of the fluid at the grooves <NUM> is maintained to reduce the likelihood of fluid, namely air or milk, passing through the grooves. As a suction force is applied to the teat portion <NUM> by the infant, the surface tension at one or more of the grooves <NUM> is broken thereby allowing air to enter into the bottle through the grooves to replace the fluid exiting the outlet <NUM> of the teat portion <NUM>. Once the suction force is removed the surface tension at the grooves is maintained to ensure that a degree of vacuum force is still present within the receptacle. In this regard, there is a redundancy in the number of grooves or vents <NUM> provided and if a high degree of suction force is applied to the teat portion more than one groove <NUM> may "open" to enable air to enter the bottle. By altering the dimensions of the grooves <NUM>, i.e. by making the grooves <NUM> deeper or wider, the amount of vacuum present in the bottle can be altered.

It will be appreciated that the purpose of the grooves <NUM> is to provide a degree of venting to the receptacle to ensure that receptacles that employ the arrangement of the present invention all exhibit a consistent flow characteristic. This is different to the flow rate of the receptacle, which is determined by the size of the outlet <NUM> formed in the teat member <NUM>. By altering the orifice size of the outlet <NUM> differing flow rates of fluid can be delivered to the infant. Thus, for a given orifice size, the grooves <NUM> of the venting system of the present invention provide a consistent flow characteristic between receptacles and ensure that there will always be an inherent vacuum within the receptacle which will be broken upon application of a sucking force to the teat member <NUM>, to ensure that fluid will flow to the infant as a result of the sucking force.

Referring to <FIG>, the manner in which the venting of the receptacle is achieved can be readily understood. The cross-section depiction of <FIG> shows the manner in which the outlet portion <NUM> is engaged with the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle <NUM>, such that the upper rim of the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> is in contact with the surface of the horizontal portion 18a of collar member <NUM>.

In the enlarged view of this arrangement as shown in <FIG>, when the collar member <NUM> is screwed tightly in position onto the upper rim of the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle <NUM>, air is still able to enter the interior space within the teat member <NUM> by following the path depicted by the arrow 'G' as determined by groove <NUM>. As discussed above, in a normal state where no suction is applied to the teat member <NUM>, the fluid within the bottle is enclosed within a vacuum, and as such the surface tension of the fluid is sufficient to prevent air passing through the grooves <NUM>. When a suction force is applied to the teat member <NUM>, the fluid within the teat member <NUM> is typically removed under suction, thereby breaking the surface tension of the grooves <NUM> and drawing air into the teat member <NUM> through the vents <NUM>. Such an arrangement ensures that the fluid is able to flow from the outlet in the teat member <NUM> in a desired manner, without creating a vacuum effect in the receptacle <NUM>.

It will also be appreciated that rather than grooves <NUM> formed in the underside of the horizontal surface 18a of the collar portion <NUM>, the venting can be achieved by variations in the surface finish of the underside of the horizontal surface 18a. This could be formed by etching, EDM or any other surface roughening techniques.

It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments described above and as depicted in <FIG>, the surfaces between the bottle portion <NUM> and the collar portion 18a which contact are relatively smooth and free of debris which enables the grooves or vents <NUM> to function substantially unimpeded. However, with the provision of pre-prepared or pre-mixed fluid as an option, it is possible that the bottle portion <NUM> may be provided separately to the outlet portion <NUM> and assembled together upon purchase. In this regard, it is possible that a removable tamper proof seal may be applied to the opening of the bottle portion <NUM> such that it must be removed prior to assembling the outlet portion <NUM> to the bottle portion <NUM>. In such instances, the tamper proof seal may be applied to the upper rim of the bottle portion with an adhesive, such that after removal of the tamper proof seal the surface of the upper rim of the bottle portion may be rough which could block the vents or grooves <NUM> when the bottle portion <NUM> is in engagement with the outlet portion <NUM>. To address this issue, variations of the manner in which the venting of the receptacle <NUM> is achieved are depicted in <FIG>.

With regard to the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, in order to assist in the achievement of venting, a step <NUM> is formed in the rim of the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle which cooperates with a corresponding step <NUM> formed in the underside of the horizontal surface 18a of the collar portion <NUM>. In this arrangement, the one or more grooves <NUM> are formed in the surface 18a as depicted above, such that even if a tamper proof seal is applied to the surface 15a of the upper rim <NUM> of the bottle portion <NUM>, the receptacle will still be vented when the outlet portion <NUM> is fitted to the bottle <NUM>. In this regard, a clearance 'W' is created between the surface 15a and the collar portion <NUM> to cater for any potential adhesive residue or the like that may be left behind when the tamper proof seal is removed and which may potentially block the grooves <NUM>. As the grooves <NUM> are formed in the surface 18a of the collar <NUM> and surface 18a is not in direct contact with the surface 15a which the tamper proof seal was attached to, venting of the receptacle is assured in this instance even if debris remains on the surface 15a after the tamper proof seal has been removed.

With regard to the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, a variation of the arrangement shown in <FIG> is depicted. In this embodiment, in order to achieve venting, a step <NUM> is formed in the rim of the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle which cooperates with a corresponding step <NUM> formed in the underside of the horizontal surface 18a of the collar portion <NUM>. In such an arrangement, a tamper proof seal may be attached to the upper surface 15a of the open upper rim portion <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> and can be removed prior to assembling the outlet portion <NUM> to the bottle portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As discussed above, after removal of a tamper proof seal from the surface 15a, there may be residual debris remaining on the surface 15a which could potentially block any groove or vent provided on a surface of the collar portion <NUM> that comes into contact with the surface 15a. To address this, the grooves are provided in the surface 18a of the collar portion <NUM> which does not come into contact with the surface 15a of the upper rim portion <NUM> of the bottle <NUM> and a clearance 'W1' is created above the surface 15a to cater for any residual debris that may remain thereon after removal of the tamper proof seal.

With regard to the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, yet another variation of the arrangement described above is depicted. In this embodiment, a tamper proof seal may be applied to the surface 15a of the upper rim portion <NUM> such that upon removal of the tamper proof seal the surface 15a may contain residual debris that may block any grooves or vents that may come into contact with it. In order to address this, a lug <NUM> is provided on the collar <NUM> to extend in a downward manner so as to penetrate into the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle, as shown in <FIG>. The inner surface of the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle is angled to substantially conform to the outer surface of the lug <NUM> and the grooves or vents <NUM> are formed on the outer surface 18a of the lug <NUM>. In this arrangement the grooves or vents <NUM> do not come into contact with the surface 15a and a clearance W2 is created above the surface 15a as shown.

With regard to the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, yet another variation of the arrangements described above is depicted. In this embodiment, in order to achieve venting, the mating surfaces of the collar portion <NUM> and the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle are angled to define a venting path therebetween. The inner horizontal surface 15a of the open upper portion <NUM> of the bottle portion <NUM> may have a tamper proof seal applied thereto which, when removed, may have residual debris formed thereon which may potentially block or adversely interfere with any grooves or vents formed on a surface of the collar portion <NUM> that engages therewith. To address this, grooves are provided in the surface 18a of the collar portion <NUM> that is remote from the surface 15a to ensure venting of the bottle portion is still possible, even in the event of the surface 15a containing debris. Clearance W3 is also formed over the surface 15a as shown.

It will be appreciated that in each of the embodiments discussed above for venting the receptacle, the grooves are provided in the underside of the collar portion to provide a passage for air to enter the internal region of the receptacle to replace the space filled by the departing fluid. This is achieved without creating fluid leakage by controlling the depth and size of the grooves. This receptacles incorporating the venting arrangement of the present invention provide a consistent flow characteristic between receptacles that ensure that a natural vacuum is present in the receptacle when not in use, and when in use and a suction force is applied to the receptacle to withdraw fluid therefrom, venting is possible to ensure that the vacuum is broken and fluid flow is possible. However, the flow rate of the receptacle is generally determined by the size of the orifice of the outlet. Receptacles having the above described venting arrangement do not leak when turned upside down due to the size and shape of the grooves ensuring that there is sufficient surface tension present between the fluid and air interface to prevent inadvertent leakage of fluid therefrom. This is achieved even if the receptacle is upside down whereby the effect of gravity is not enough to overcome the tension forces present therein. As such, in order for the receptacle to vent and release fluid, a pressure needs to be applied to the receptacle.

It will be appreciated that whilst the above invention has been discussed above in relation to infant feeding bottles, the same principles can be applied when used with sports drinking bottles or other receptacles which employ an outlet portion that releases the fluid, under pressure, in a controlled manner.

Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the infant feeding bottle uppermost.

Claim 1:
A drinking receptacle (<NUM>) comprising:
a container (<NUM>) for containing a fluid for drinking; and
an outlet member having:
an outlet (<NUM>) through which the fluid is delivered under a pressure supplied by a user of the receptacle (<NUM>); and
a collar portion (<NUM>) that attaches to an opening of the container (<NUM>) such that an undersurface of the collar portion abuts (<NUM>) with an upper surface of the opening of the container (<NUM>) to form a sealed engagement between the outlet member and the container;
wherein, both the undersurface of the collar portion (<NUM>) and the upper surface of the opening of the container (<NUM>) are formed from a rigid material such that the undersurface of the collar portion (<NUM>) and the upper surface of the opening of the container (<NUM>) are able to form a hard-to-hard surface engagement, and either the undersurface of the collar portion (<NUM>) or the upper surface of the opening of the container (<NUM>) that abut each other has at least one groove formed therein that extends across such abutting surfaces, the at least one groove having dimensions to ensure that the surface tension of the fluid at the at least one groove is maintained to reduce likelihood of fluid passing therethrough and further when said pressure is applied to the outlet member the at least one groove member forms a passage that permits the controlled ingress of air into the container to facilitate flow of fluid from the outlet, and when said pressure is removed the passage formed by the at least one groove member prevents the ingress of air into the container to facilitate a controlled vacuum pressure within the container (<NUM>), wherein the rigid material is a hard plastic material.