Patent ID: 8733565

Claim:
A nipple assembly structured to be removably attached to a baby bottle via a retainer ring, said nipple assembly comprising: a nipple having a flow aperture disposed through one end, a nipple flange supporting said nipple, wherein said nipple extends outwardly from an outer surface of said nipple flange, a flow control valve assembly mounted to said nipple flange, wherein said flow control valve assembly extends inwardly from an inner surface of said nipple flange, said flow control valve assembly comprising: a port disposed through a portion of said nipple flange, an elongated channel substantially surrounded by a channel wall, said elongated channel having an open proximal end and an oppositely disposed distal end, said open proximal end of said elongated channel disposed in fluid communication with said port, said channel wall comprising a fixed wall attached to said nipple flange along and around a periphery of said port, said channel wall further comprising an expandable wall attached along and around a periphery of said fixed wall, a channel header attached to said expandable wall, said channel header sealing said distal end of said elongated channel, a plurality of unidirectional valve members mounted to said expandable wall, each of said plurality of unidirectional valve members comprise complementary substantially planar sealing surfaces disposable between a closed orientation and an open orientation, wherein said closed orientation is at least partially defined by corresponding ones of said complementary substantially planar sealing surfaces abutting one another and said open orientation is at least partially defined by corresponding ones of said complementary substantially planar sealing surfaces positioned a spaced distance apart from one another forming a pressure equilibration flow path therebetween permitting air to flow in from said elongated channel to equilibrate pressures on opposite sides of said channel wall, and said corresponding ones of said complementary substantially planar sealing surfaces maintained substantially parallel relative to one another between said closed orientation and said open orientation.