Patent ID: 8568352

Claim:
In combination, a baby bottle and a metered liquid dispensing device for attachment thereto, the combination comprising: a baby bottle, the baby bottle having a first portion extending in a first direction and having a first predetermined length, a second portion defining a threaded neck portion, wherein the length of the neck portion is less than and aligned with the first predetermined length; a metered liquid dispensing device, the metering device including a baby bottle attachment housing having an internally threaded bottle attachment base having a floor extending across the base, the floor having an upper surface and a lower surface, the base being adapted for attachment to the threaded neck portion, and an externally threaded nipple attachment top opposite the base, the top being adapted for attachment of a nursing bottle cap thereto; an internally threaded nipple attachment cap removably secured to the nipple attachment top of the housing; an inner nipple having a flange removably captured between the nipple attachment cap and the nipple attachment top of the housing, an elongate, hollow nipple protrusion extending from the nipple flange, the nipple protrusion having a tip end defining a single orifice for the delivery of liquid through the orifice, wherein the remainder of the inner nipple is imperforate; an outer shield having a flange removably captured between the nipple attachment cap and the nipple attachment top of the housing, the outer shield being disposed over the inner nipple, the shield having a circular shield flange overlying the nipple flange and an elongate, hollow shield protrusion enclosing the nipple protrusion, the shield protrusion having a tip end defining an orifice for the passage of liquid therethrough, wherein the shield prevents collapse of the nipple protrusion and defines a temporary reservoir between the nipple protrusion and the shield protrusion for liquid dispensed from the nipple protrusion; a liquid pump directly attached to the upper surface of the floor; a single liquid delivery line extending from the pump through the housing and extending through at least the inner nipple; an electric motor disposed within the housing, the motor having a magnetic drive mechanically coupling the motor to the pump for selectively operating the pump; a control system disposed within the housing, the control system selectively operating the motor; and a power supply disposed within the housing, the power supply selectively providing electrical power to the motor in accordance with input from the control system.