Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to baby bottle systems and methods, and in particular, to portable systems of preserving and instantly mixing baby formula that are installable on a plurality of existing baby bottles and easily operable by the user. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Infants require a specific amount of nutrients at specific times throughout the day. Often times such nutrients are delivered through formula. Formula is a powdered substance containing nutrients that is mixed with water to create liquid formula, which can then be fed to an infant. 
     There are times when mixing formula is inconvenient, such as outings away from home. Formula may be pre-mixed but it is typically recommended that pre-mixed formula be consumed within one hour of mixing, as the shelf life of mixed formula is about two hours. This can lead to wasted formula if the infant is not hungry within an hour of mixing. 
     Therefore, feeding formula either requires the transportation of powdered formula, water and a baby bottle separately, or the use of a device that stores baby formula into which water can be added to create formula. These devices are often expensive, complicated to manipulate, requiring finesse to use, and are difficult to clean. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide reusable, portable systems and methods of preserving powdered baby formula that can be instantly mixed when feeding is required. 
     In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a portable system of preserving and instantly mixing baby formula comprising a formula retention compartment, a hollow compartment, a removable seal therebetween, and a release actuator for releasing the seal. The exterior surface of the formula retention compartment may be adapted to removably couple to a baby bottle top and the interior surface of the hollow compartment may be adapted to removably couple to a baby bottle container. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the removable seal may be a plug and the release actuator for releasing the seal may be a pushrod mechanism slidably disposed through one or more grommets within a channel. Optionally, a gasket may be included to provide a water tight seal between the hollow compartment and the baby bottle container. The gasket may have small grooves that allow air ventilation while maintaining a water tight seal. 
     In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a portable method of preserving powdered formula and water separately until feeding is necessary, the method comprising disengaging the pushrod, inserting the plug to create a seal between the formula retention compartment and the hollow compartment, filling a baby bottle container with water, coupling the hollow compartment, to the baby bottle container, disbursing powdered formula into the formula retention compartment, and coupling a baby bottle top to the formula retention compartment. 
     In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a portable method of instantly mixing baby formula when feeding is necessary, the method comprising engaging the pushrod to disengage the plug from the locked position, thereby allowing the plug to release the powdered formula from the formula retention compartment through the hollow compartment and into the baby bottle container, and mixing the powdered formula with the water in the baby bottle container to create liquid baby formula. 
     In one embodiment, the plug also releases into the baby bottle container to act as an agitator to assist in mixing the powdered formula and the water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front cross sectional view of a portable system of preserving and mixing baby formula in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the portable preservation and mixing system of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan, view of a preservation and mixing attachment of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the preservation and mixing attachment of  FIG. 2  in the engaged position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary illustration of a portable system of preserving and mixing baby formula according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally provides a baby formula mixing system that preserves the integrity of the formula until feeding is desired, and provides a means for quickly mixing the formula. 
       FIG. 1  generally illustrates a portable preservation and mixing system  100 . It should be understood that system  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable system or subsystem could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of system  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     System  100  may comprise a preservation and mixing attachment  120  that may be employed to preserve baby formula in powder form within a baby bottle  180  used for feeding. The baby formula can be easily mixed at the time of desired feeding. 
     The preservation and mixing attachment  120  may generally include a formula retention compartment  122  fixedly coupled vertically to a hollow compartment  124 , and a plug  126  horizontally therebetween. In one embodiment, formula retention compartment  122  may be integrally formed with hollow compartment  124 . In other embodiments, formula retention compartment  122  may be connected or otherwise coupled to hollow compartment  124  in any manner that fixedly secures formula retention compartment  122  to hollow compartment  124 , including using male and female coupling adapters, ball and socket attachment, adhesive, glue, buckle, or using other suitable fastening materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the formula retention compartment  122  may be adapted to removably couple to a baby bottle top  182  and the hollow compartment  124  may be adapted to removably couple to a baby bottle container  184 . 
     The preservation and mixing attachment  120  may further comprise a pushrod  132  slidably disposed within a channel  134  and through a grommet  136 , employed to disengage plug  126 , and thereby releasing the powdered formula for mixing. 
     Optionally, a gasket  140  may be included to provide a better seal between the hollow compartment  124  and the baby bottle container  184 . 
     It should be understood that the pushrod  132  shown in  FIG. 1  is for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable mechanism could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of the pushrod  132  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the pushrod  132  may have an angled surface that matches an angled surface of the plug  126 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . This configuration allows the horizontal movement of the pushrod  132  to cause the vertical movement of the plug  126 . Alternatively, the pushrod  132  may be directed at a downward angle, such that one end of the pushrod  132  is moved downward, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In alternative embodiments, the pushrod  132  may be configured as a key turn mechanism by having a flat handle at one or both ends suitable for rotation, and a paddle extending from the midsection of the pushrod  132  to make contact with the plug  126  when rotated. The pushrod  132  may be replaced operationally by a V-shaped strap attached to the inner walls of the formula retention compartment  122 . When the formula retention compartment  122  is squeezed, the V-shaped strap collapses, causing downward movement at its vertex to release the plug  126 . Other suitable mechanisms or a combination thereof may be employed to release the plug  126 . 
     In operation, the user first resets the pushrod  132  by pushing on the end of the pushrod  132  opposite the end that is pushed to release the plug  126 . The user next inserts the plug  126  into place through the hollow compartment  124 , such that the plug  126  creates a barrier between the formula retention compartment  122  and the hollow compartment  124 . The user then fills the baby bottle container  184  with water. The user next secures the preservation and mixing attachment  120  to the baby bottle container  184  through the hollow compartment  124 . The user then disburses powdered formula into the formula retention compartment  122 . Finally, the user secures the baby bottle top  182  to the preservation and mixing attachment  120  through the formula retention compartment  122 . 
     When feeding is required, the user pushes the pushrod  132  from the outside of the preservation and mixing attachment  120 , which causes the plug  126  to disengage from the locked position and release the powdered formula through the hollow compartment  124  and into the baby bottle container  184 . 
     In one embodiment, the plug  126  also releases into the baby bottle container  184  to act as an agitator to assist in mixing the powdered formula and the water. 
     It should be understood that the operational steps described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that any other suitable method or sub-method could be used in conjunction with or in lieu of the steps described herein according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that the steps described herein could be performed in any suitable order or manner. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of system  100  of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the preservation and mixing attachment  120  may include baby bottle top coupling threads  128  located on the exterior surface of the formula retention compartment  122  to allow the formula retention compartment  122  to removably couple to the baby bottle top  182 , and baby bottle container coupling threads  130  located on the interior surface of the hollow compartment  124  to allow hollow compartment  124  to removably couple to the baby bottle container  184 . 
     It should be understood that the preservation and mixing attachment  120  may be removably coupled to any of a variety of baby bottles  180  available in the market. More particularly, the baby battle top coupling threads  128  and the baby bottle container coupling threads  130  can be sized to fit the thread pattern of any desired baby bottle  180  available to consumers. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom plan view of the preservation and mixing attachment  120  of system  100  demonstrating plug  126  in the engaged or locked position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the plug  126  may be a compression fit stopper employed to prevent the flow of powdered formula from the formula retention compartment  122  into the hollow compartment  124  and the baby bottle container  184  before feeding. The compression fit can be done by making both the stopper and the opening it fits within slightly tapered, or by having a small lip on the plug which is wider than the opening, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In alternative embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the plug  126  may be an inverted rubber stopper. An inverted rubber stopper is a spherical cap having an elastomeric body that is defined primarily by a first surface and a second surface. The elastomeric body is selectively positionable between a normal orientation, where the first surface faces outwardly, and an inverted orientation, where the second surface faces outwardly. In the inverted orientation, the spherical cap stores energy and stretches to an increased diameter to assist in forming a seal. When the inverted spherical cap is touched with a certain degree of force, the spherical cap reverts back to the normal orientation, thereby releasing the stored energy. In such embodiments, plug  126  is inserted to engage the grip  138  in the inverted orientation, and thereby create a barrier between formula retention compartment  122  and hollow compartment  124  utilizing the stored energy and increased diameter of the inverted plug  126 . When the force of the pushrod  132  is employed to disengage plug  126 , plug  126  is disengaged from the grip  138  and returns to the normal orientation. 
     In one embodiment, when the plug  126  is disengaged, plug  126  drops through the hollow compartment  124  and into the baby bottle container  184 , thereby releasing the powdered formula from the formula retention compartment  122  through the hollow compartment  124  and into the baby bottle container  184 . The plug  126  may then assist in mixing the powdered formula with the water located in the baby bottle container  184 , as the user swirls or shakes the baby bottle  180 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the plug  126  may be partially coupled to the preservation and mixing attachment  120 , such that when the plug  126  is disengaged it allows the powdered formula to release from the formula retention compartment  122  into the baby bottle container  184  but the plug  126 , itself, does not fall into the baby bottle container  184 . 
       FIG. 4  generally illustrates a top plan view of the preservation and mixing attachment  120  of system  100  demonstrating the pushrod  132  in the engaged position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a cross sectional view of system  100  according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the formula retention compartment  122  may be connected or otherwise coupled to the baby bottle top  182  in any manner that allows the preservation and mixing attachment  120  to be removably coupled to baby bottle top  182 , such as, for example, using baby bottle top coupling threads  128  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or any other suitable method including having male and female coupling adapters, snap close attachment, or using other suitable coupling materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the hollow compartment  124  may be connected or otherwise coupled to the baby bottle container  184  in any manner that allows the preservation and mixing attachment  120  to be removably coupled to baby bottle container  184 , such as, for example, using baby bottle container coupling threads  130  as shown in  FIG. 2 , or any other suitable method including having male and female coupling adapters, snap close attachment, or using other suitable coupling materials, or any combination thereof. 
     Any of formula retention compartment  122 , hollow compartment  124 , grip  138 , baby bottle, top coupling threads  128  and/or baby bottle container coupling threads may be made of co-polyester, polypropylene, glass, polycarbonate, polyethersulfone, other sturdy, transparent or translucent material, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. 
     The plug  126  may be made of polypropylene, silicone rubber, other flexible material resistant to stress cracking, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. 
     The pushrod  132  may be made of nylon, other low friction material resistant to breakage, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In an embodiment, any of the grommet  136  and the gasket may be made of silicone rubber, other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. 
     In alternative embodiments, the preservation and mixing attachment  120  may be employed to preserve the integrity of other powdered beverages, such as energy drink mixes, sports drink mixes, protein supplement mixes, electrolyte drink mixes, dry lemonade, juice mixes, coffee, tea, other suitable beverage mixes, or a combination thereof. 
     In such embodiments, the preservation and mixing attachment  120  may be employed with existing bottles, such as, bottles having screw on caps, bottles having a push-pull drinking spout, other suitable bottles, or a combination thereof. 
     In one embodiment, the exterior surface of the formula retention compartment  122  and/or the hollow compartment  124  may be embellished with different colors, patterns, camouflage patterns, novelty items, ornamental items, stickers, removable stickers, paints, stencils, embossed, engraved, text, logos, designs, images, other decorative materials, or any combination thereof to enhance or otherwise achieve a desired design. 
     It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect, to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

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