Patent Application
20120223043
1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus and composition for inhibiting dental caries by a novel bottle insert system and anti-carie composition. More specifically, an embodiment is a two-reservoir drinking system that in a first reservoir allows a child to drink conventional nutritive and cariogenic liquids such as milk, juice and other sweetened drinks, and from a second reservoir introduces a rinse liquid for vulnerable young teeth, including water or a polyol-enhanced rinse agent that additionally has anti-cavity properties.
2. Description of Related Art
Babies are born with the instinct to suckle milk from their mothers' breasts, but it is often necessary for them to drink liquids from other sources. Babies are unable to drink liquids from glasses or cups without spilling so it is common throughout the world to feed liquids to babies in nursing bottles, also known as baby bottles. A nursing bottle features a rubber nipple with a small hole in its tip secured across an opening in the top of a liquid container. A nursing bottle is used by filling the container with liquid, securing the nipple, inverting the bottle, and placing the nipple into the baby's mouth. The baby then sucks on the nipple to withdraw the liquid. Unfortunately, the use of a nursing bottle can cause tooth decay, also known as dental caries, due to the effect of “pooling” when the liquid stays in contact with the back of a baby's lower front teeth for extended periods such as when the baby falls asleep with the bottle in its mouth. The greater and greater use of baby bottles has lead to an increase in what is known as ECC, or Early Childhood Caries.
Tooth decay is the erosion of the protective enamel surface of the tooth which to occurs when the tooth is exposed to an acidic environment. The human mouth contains various types of bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans. S. mutans bacteria digest simple carbohydrates such as sucrose (table sugar) and produce acidic wastes, such as lactic acid. When a simple carbohydrate is introduced into the mouth, S. mutans multiply and their acidic wastes can drastically affect the acidity of the mouth. While the normal pH in the mouth is about 7 (neutral), the pH can drop to about 4 when a concentrated sucrose solution is consumed. Tooth enamel softens and erodes when exposed to a pH less than about 6.5. It can thus be seen that foods and liquids containing simple carbohydrates do not directly cause tooth decay. Instead, they cause a multiplication of S. mutans, whose acidic wastes are responsible for the erosion of the tooth enamel. Foods and liquids that contain simple carbohydrates and lead to tooth decay are referred to as cariogenic. Common cariogenic liquids include milk, fruit juices, and sugar-sweetened carbonated sodas.
The amount of tooth enamel erosion that occurs when a cariogenic liquid is consumed is a function of both the acidity in the mouth and the duration of the acidic conditions. These two factors are, in turn, dependent upon the concentration of simple carbohydrates in the liquid, the duration the liquid is in the mouth, and whether the liquid is rinsed or diluted by saliva, water, or other non-cariogenic liquid. When an adult drinks a cariogenic liquid from a glass or bottle, natural swallowing and saliva production help to rinse the cariogenic liquid off the teeth. However, this type of beneficial rinsing is sometimes absent when a baby drinks milk, formula, fruit juice, or other cariogenic liquid from a nursing bottle. When babies drink from a nursing bottle, they tend to fall asleep with the nipple still in their mouths. Both saliva production and swallowing slow or stop during sleep. Accordingly, the conditions in the sleeping baby's mouth are ideal for tooth decay—a cariogenic liquid rich in sugar is present for a long period of time and there is no rinsing of the cariogenic liquid from the teeth. Babies whose care-providers allow them to routinely fall asleep with nursing bottles in their mouths develop tooth decay at an alarming rate. It would be very desirable to provide a nursing bottle that reduced this type of tooth decay even if the baby is allowed to fall asleep with the bottle in its mouth.
An embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising (a) a flexible liner having an outer reservoir and an inner reservoir; (b) a valve disposed between the inner and outer reservoirs that opens upon emptying of the outer reservoir under the urging of a vacuum created by the child, thereby allowing flow from the inner reservoir through the outer reservoir and to the child; and (c) a carries-inhibiting rinse agent disposed in the inner reservoir.
Embodiments of the apparatus are also directed to valves that may be any of a burst-type valve, diaphragm-type valve, ball-and-seat valve, duck-bill valve, or an umbrella valve.
Another embodiment of the apparatus is also directed to an apparatus wherein the second reservoir is sealed and the rinse agent comprises a liquid, a liquid concentrate or a powder. The rinse agent may further comprise water and/or a polyol, and the polyol may be xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol or any combination thereof.
Another embodiment of the apparatus includes a container having a cap for holding the flexible liner within the container and a nipple for communication with the contents of the bottle and liner. A typical container is a baby bottle, but other containers such as “sippy cups” may also use this embodiment. The liner preferably is disposable so that washing the two-reservoir liner is unnecessary.
Another embodiment of the apparatus allows either the first or second reservoir to hold the cariogenic liquid, and the other may hold the rinse aid. The selection is made when installing the liner and simply requires the installer to select which of the tabs to fold over the rim of the bottle or cup.
Another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is a bottle liner for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising a) a first reservoir of polymer fabric, the reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of said first reservoir; b) a sheet of polymer fabric having a smaller area than either wall of said first reservoir, the sheet sealingly anchored to the inside of either wall such that the sheet and inner wall together form a second reservoir extending to and open at its top, the sheet also having a flap extending from its wall at the top; and c) a valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the first and second reservoirs such that, when installed in a bottle, the valve opens at the urging of a vacuum created by the child, thereby allowing flow from the second reservoir to the child.
Another embodiment of the apparatus is a bottle liner for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising: a) an outer reservoir of polymer fabric, the outer reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of the outer reservoir; b) an inner reservoir of polymer fabric, the inner reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of the inner reservoir, the inner reservoir located inside of the outer reservoir and anchored to the inside of said outer reservoir such that one of the flaps of the inner reservoir is sealingly attached to a flap of the outer reservoir at its top; and c) a valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the outer and inner reservoirs such that, when the liner is installed in a bottle, the valve opens at the urging of a vacuum created by the child, thereby allowing flow from the inner reservoir to the child.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a bottle liner or insert for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising a) a first reservoir of polymer fabric, the reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of said first reservoir; b) a sheet of polymer fabric having a smaller area than either wall of said first reservoir, the sheet sealingly anchored to the inside of either wall such that the sheet and inner wall together form a second reservoir extending to and open at its top, the sheet also having a flap extending from its wall at the top; and c) a valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the first and second reservoirs such that, when the liner is installed in a bottle, the valve opens at the urging of a vacuum created by the child, thereby allowing flow from the second reservoir to the child. The design of this disposable insert allows a child to first drink the contents from the first reservoir (normally milk, fruit juice, etc.), then upon emptying the first reservoir, triggering the one-way valve with the child's sucking activity so that the second reservoir is then open to the child. This allows for a rinse aid or other fluid such as water to rinse the child's oral cavity so that tooth decay caused by the cariogenic activity of bacteria feeding on sugars from the milk or juice is decreased by their lessened availability. Alternatively, pharmaceuticals or other therapeutics could be administered to a child in this same manner in place of, or even in addition to, a rinse aid.
First reservoir 20 is where the cariogenic liquids such as milk etc. are placed for feeding. First reservoir 20 comprises two walls, front and rear walls 22, 24, respectively, the walls sealed together at their mutual bottom seal 12 and side seal 14 and having an open top of first reservoir 21 and first reservoir rear and front flaps 50, 51, respectively, each flap extending from a wall 24 or 22 at the top of the first reservoir 21. The first reservoir 20 is therefore open at the top 21 so that when installed in a bottle cariogenic liquid may be easily poured into the reservoir. In an alternative embodiment, the second reservoir may hold the cariogenic liquid while the first reservoir holds the rinse aid. This design allows either selection, although in one embodiment the reservoirs may have differing capacities for the anticipated uses. That is, the larger reservoir may be usually used for the cariogenic liquid, while the smaller capacity reservoir may normally be used for the rinse aid. In yet another embodiment, the reservoirs may have equal capacities.
Second reservoir 30 is comprised of a single-layer sheet of polymer fabric having a smaller area than either wall of the first reservoir. The sheet is sealingly anchored to the inside of either wall of the first reservoir such that the sheet and inner wall together form a pocket or “second reservoir” 30 within the first reservoir. The sheet is sealed to the first reservoir's wall by standard polymer attachment techniques such as ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or by using a food-safe adhesive resulting in second reservoir seal 34. The sheet resembles a pocket in that it extends to and is open at its top so that liquids may be easily admitted. The sheet has a middle flap 52 extending from its wall at its top. Middle flap 52 is substantially similar to flaps 50, 51 that extend from the top of first reservoir walls 24, 22, respectively.
In one embodiment second reservoir 30 is unsealed and empty, that is, it comes with a second reservoir middle flap 52 unsealed, so that the user may introduce water or any rinsing agent. In another embodiment top of second reservoir 31 is sealed so that a sealed second reservoir 30a is formed (not shown). The sealed second reservoir 30a allows for pre-loading a rinse aid such as a concentrated xylitol syrup which could then be diluted immediately prior to use by adding water. In another embodiment the rinse aid could be pre-packaged as a dried powder which would be reconstituted with water just prior to use. To add water to the sealed second reservoir, a resealable means for admitting water to the reservoir is necessary, such as a resealable zip-lock closure.
Burst valve 40 is situated in neck 32 of the second reservoir 30 and comprises area of weakness 36 and conduit 39. The neck, being of narrower width than the body of the reservoir, creates a channel for fluid flow that is restricted by the inner diameter of attached conduit 39. In a typical implementation the diameter of conduit 39 may be ½ inch, although diameters from about ¼ to about ¾ inch may work equally well. Varying the conduit's diameter will vary its flow rate. Burst valve 40 is not strictly a one-way valve, meaning that fluid will only flow in one direction, but in practice fluid flows mainly in one direction (first from the first reservoir to the child, then from the second reservoir through the first reservoir and to the child) due to the pressure differential being exerted in one direction only. Liquid flow occurs at the urging of the child, whose sucking on the nipple at the end of the bottle will create the vacuum necessary to pull liquid first from the first reservoir, and then from the second reservoir through the first reservoir. The valve “bursting” or “cracking” pressure must be enough so that the valve does not open during normal consumption of the cariogenic liquid from the first reservoir, but not so high that it will not open when the liquid in the first reservoir is gone and the child is attempting to pull more fluid through the valve. For the burst valve design of the current embodiment, a burst pressure of from 3-6 PSI is effective.
Burst valve designs vary substantially depending on the manufacturing process. In the case of thin polymer films, a weakened area may be made by scoring the material mechanically, using an infrared source to heat melt the material, and by ultrasonic means. The ultimate goal is to weaken a portion of the second reservoir seal 34 which separates the second and first reservoirs so that upon exposure to a minimum vacuum of approximately 4-5 PSI, the weakened portion fails (“bursts”). Any embodiment that achieves this goal is encompassed by the inventive concept herein.
An alternate embodiment to the burst-type valve is a whoopee valve, which is similar to the open neck of a balloon, without the rolled edge. A whoopee valve may be manufactured integral to the neck 32 by forming a long open conduit 39 that is an extension of the neck 32. The conduit may comprise two layers of the same or similar polymeric material as that of the second reservoir. Preferably the material is thin so that the two opposing layers tend to flatten or stick together. A small internal pressure differential between the second reservoir and the first is sufficient to cause the two opposing layers to separate and thereby allow escape of fluid through the whoopee valve. The whoopee valve is normally open but due to its normally flattened configuration and length, little to no fluid from the second reservoir escapes.
Check-type valves may also be used, such as a ball-and-seat valve, duck bill valve, umbrella valve, or diaphragm valve. These valve types are considered to be equivalents, and are solely the choice of the person of ordinary skill in the art. Other check valve choices may be equally substitutable with these, but the choice of exact valve type is deemed to be within the skill of the art. Another embodiment having a different valve is shown in
Typical flow rates for a nursing child with a bottle are from about 1 ml/min for premature infants to as much as 50 ml/minute and more, which vary widely depending upon age and size. For example, in Scheel et al.'s research on oral feeding performance of very-low-birthweight infants they found a mean rate of milk transfer of about 1.6 ml/min+/−1.0 ml/min in 10 neonatal infants being an average age of 27 weeks of age, +/−2 weeks using three different nipple types (Acta Paediatr. 2005 September; 94(9):1266-1272). Typical sucking vacuum for these infants varied from −70 to −10 mmHg. For older children likely to benefit from the embodiments of the invention described herein, the flow rates would be higher and the vacuums lower. For example, in “Determinants of Milk Flow Through Nipple Units,” Mathews measured flow rates through standard nipples at a vacuum of 120 mm H2O (−4.33 PSI) ranging from 4.5 ml/min. to as much as 53.3 ml/min (Arch Pediatrics 144:222-224 (1990)), depending primarily upon the size of the hole in the nipple.
Another embodiment having a different valve is shown in
A fourth embodiment of the invention is directed to a bottle liner for administering at least two different liquids to a feeding child, comprising a) an outer reservoir of polymer fabric, the outer reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of the outer reservoir; b) an inner reservoir of polymer fabric, the inner reservoir comprising two walls sealed together at their mutual bottom and sides and having an open top and flaps extending from both walls at the top of the inner reservoir, the inner reservoir located inside of the outer reservoir and anchored to the inside of the outer reservoir such that one of the flaps of the inner reservoir is sealingly attached to a flap of the outer reservoir at its top; and c) a valve in fluid communication with and disposed between the outer and inner reservoirs such that, when said liner is installed in a bottle, the valve opens at the urging of a vacuum created by the child, thereby allowing flow from the inner reservoir to the child. The primary difference between the first and fourth embodiments is this embodiment is modeled on a “bag-within-a-bag” design. The advantage of a bag-in-a-bag is the increased strength of the second reservoir/inner bag; the disadvantage is increased complexity and expense of manufacture. However, either design is within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Inner reservoir 130 is comprised of front and rear walls 136, 135, respectively, sealed together at their mutual bottom 137 and sides 138 and having an open top 131 and inner reservoir front and back flaps 151, 152, respectively, each extending from the walls at the top of inner reservoir 130. Inner reservoir 130 is located inside of outer reservoir 120 and is anchored to the inside of outer reservoir 120 such that one of the flaps of the inner reservoir is attached to a flap of the outer reservoir at its top. Attachment of one flap to the other is made by conventional means such as adhesive, heat welding, or ultrasonic welding.
In one embodiment inner reservoir 130 is unsealed and empty, that is, it comes with flaps 151, 152 unsealed, so that the user may introduce water or any rinsing agent. In another embodiment top of inner reservoir 131 is sealed so that a sealed inner reservoir 130a is formed (not shown). The sealed inner reservoir 130a allows for pre-loading a rinse aid such as a concentrated xylitol syrup which could then be diluted immediately prior to use by adding water. In another embodiment the rinse aid could be pre-packaged as a dried powder which would be reconstituted with water just prior to use. To add water to the sealed inner reservoir, a resealable means for admitting water to the reservoir is necessary, such as a resealable closure such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,674 (Knuth et al.), incorporated by reference herein.
Valves that allow one-way transmission of fluid from the inner reservoir 130 to the child that may be used in this embodiment are the same as previously described in relation to the first embodiment, and their discussion is incorporated by reference herein. Thus, burst-type valves, check valves including duckbill, diaphragm, ball-and-seat, umbrella, and any combination of the foregoing are applicable to this fourth embodiment of the insert in the same manner as previously discussed.
Another embodiment of the bag-in-a-bag design includes the design of
Use and dispensing of liquids from the various embodiments of the invention occurs as follows. First, the liner is slipped into a conventional baby bottle having a body and a screwtop holding a nipple. The liner is slipped into the bottle, and the two outer flaps are folded down over and around the top of the bottle thereby anchoring the liner. Given that this embodiment has three flaps, one flap remains in the up position, that being the flap that is used to isolate the second reservoir after filling. Cariogenic liquid is then added to either the first or second reservoirs, depending upon the amount of liquid to be consumed, typically 4-6 ounces. Assuming the first reservoir is filled with cariogenic liquid, then the rinse aid is admitted in the desired amount to the second reservoir, typically 1-3 ounces. The total capacity of the liner can be anywhere from 6-12 ounces, but is typically 8-10 ounces. Now with both reservoirs filled, the last flap is folded down on top of a first reservoir flap such that the second reservoir is thereby isolated from the open mouth of the bottle, yet the first reservoir top remains open. Lastly, the bottle top is installed which typically requires screwing the screwtop onto the neck of the bottle and over the folded flaps. The flaps may also have perforated ears which facilitates their removal prior to giving the bottle to the child such as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,947 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,091 (Morano), incorporated herein by reference.
As the child inverts the bottle and inserts it into its mouth, it starts to pull fluid from the bottle via the nipple, the first reservoir being open to the nipple area of the bottle top. The cariogenic liquid is consumed and the insert slowly collapses due to the child's suction and the thin film design of the insert. As the first reservoir decreases in size the amount of suction required to withdraw fluid increases until there is no more fluid left. At this point, the child's suction will increase in an effort to pull the remaining fluid out of the first reservoir. However, when little to none is left, the increase in vacuum will trigger the valve to open, thereby allowing the rinse aid to flow to the area of the nipple and thence to the child's mouth. The rinse aid will then have its intended effect, which is to dilute and rinse the cariogenic fluid from the first reservoir out of the child's mouth thereby inhibiting the formation of caries.
Use and dispensing of liquids from the fourth embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to the first through third embodiments, with the following difference. Since this fourth embodiment of the insert has four flaps instead of three, after filling both reservoirs, the user will need to fold both flaps 151, 152 over the same edge of the bottle to isolate the inner reservoir. This means that one side will have three flaps folded down over it, and the other will have only one. Aside from that operational difference, the filling and use of the fourth insert embodiment is the same in all material respects.
Methods of manufacturing thin-film polymer bottle inserts are well-known, and include the use of various polymer-based bottle liners on the market today, such as those inserts known under the tradenames PLAYTEX® DROP-INS® and the Philips AVENT® Tempo liner. The material for the insert may be any thin sheet or film of elastomeric material such as but not limited to polyolefin resins and blends including Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PPE), and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). A preferred material is a polyethylene resin.
Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a carries-inhibiting rinse agent that may be included in the sealed second or inner reservoirs. Carrie-inhibiting rinse agents include the family of polyols, also known as “sugar alcohols,” which are polysaccharides having alcohol moieties. An effective polyol, and one that is an included embodiment hereunder is xylitol. The family of polyols that are food-grade includes but is not limited to erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (sometimes listed as maltitol syrup, hydrogenated glucose syrup, or simply “HSH”), isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol.
Erythritol is currently used as a bulk sweetener in reduced calorie foods. It occurs naturally in fruits such as pears, melons and grapes, as well as foods such as mushrooms and fermentation-derived foods such as wine, soy sauce and cheese. Since 1990, erythritol has been commercially produced and added to foods and beverages to provide sweetness, as well as enhance their taste and texture. Erythritol is available in the U.S. and globally from Cargill Inc. and Jungbunzlauer.
Erythritol is a white crystalline powder with a clean sweet taste that is similar to sucrose. It is approximately 70% as sweet as sucrose and flows easily due to its non-hygroscopic character. Like other polyols, erythritol does not promote tooth decay and is safe for people with diabetes. However, erythritol's caloric value of zero calories per gram and high digestive tolerance distinguishes it from other polyols. Because erythritol is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and rapidly eliminated by the body within 24 hours, laxative side effects sometimes associated with excessive polyol consumption are unlikely when consuming erythritol containing foods.
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH) or polyglycitols, including hydrogenated glucose syrups, maltitol syrups, and sorbitol syrups, are a family of products found in a wide variety of foods. They serve a number of functional roles, including use as bulk sweeteners, viscosity or bodying agents, humectants, crystallization modifiers, cryoprotectants and rehydration aids. They also can serve as sugar-free carriers for flavors, colors and enzymes. HSH were developed by a Swedish company in the 1960's and have been used by the food industry for many years, especially in confectionery products.
HSH are produced by the partial hydrolysis of corn, wheat or potato starch and subsequent hydrogenation of the hydrolysate at high temperature under pressure. The end product is an ingredient composed of sorbitol, maltitol and higher hydrogenated saccharides (maltitriitol and others). By varying the conditions and extent of hydrolysis, the relative occurrence of various mono-, di-, oligo- and polymeric hydrogenated saccharides in the resulting product can be obtained. A wide range of polyols (also known as sugar alcohols) that can satisfy varied requirements with respect to different levels of sweetness, viscosity and humectancy can, therefore, be produced.
The term “hydrogenated starch hydrolysate” can correctly be applied to any polyol produced by the hydrogenation of the saccharide products of starch hydrolysis. In practice, however, certain polyols such as sorbitol, mannitol and maltitol are referred to by their common chemical names. “Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate” is more commonly used to describe the broad group of polyols that contain substantial quantities of hydrogenated oligo- and polysaccharides in addition to any monomeric or dimeric polyols (sorbitol, mannitol or maltitol, respectively).
The broad term HSH does not differentiate polyols having, for example, different levels of sweetness nor does it identify the principle polyol in the HSH. Common names for major HSH subgroups have, therefore, been developed. These common names are generally based on the most prevalent polyol comprising the HSH. For example, polyols containing sorbitol as the majority (50 percent or more) component are called sorbitol syrups; those with maltitol as the majority component are called maltitol syrups, maltitol solutions or hydrogenated glucose syrups. Polyols that do not contain a specific polyol as the majority component continue to be referred to by the general term “hydrogenated starch hydrolysate.”
In the United States, HSH are provided by three manufacturers, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Corn Products Specialty Ingredients and Roquette America, Inc. Maltitol syrups may contain 55-65% maltitol and sorbitol syrup may contain 70-75% sorbitol.
Polyols, including HSH, are resistant to metabolism by oral bacteria that break down sugars and starches to release acids that may lead to cavities or erode tooth enamel. They are, therefore, non-cariogenic. The usefulness of polyols as alternatives to sugars and as a part of a comprehensive program including proper dental hygiene has been recognized by the American Dental Association. In one recent clinical study of the effect of xylitol given to toddlers from 9 to 15 months of age, a xylitol syrup administered twice daily for a total of 8 g/d could prevent up to 70% of decayed teeth (Milgrom, P. et al., Arch. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med. 2009; 163(7):601-607). Furthermore, an independent review of four randomized controlled clinical studies found that xylitol has efficacy in reducing the incidence of acute otitis media when administered either as a syrup formulation at 10 g/d or via chewing gum (Danhauer J L, et al., Int. J. Audiol. October 2010 (49)10:754-61).
It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications that come within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. All patents and references cited herein are explicitly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/566,483, filed Dec. 2, 2011, 61/449,286 filed Mar. 4, 2011, and 61/449,457 filed Mar. 4, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61566483 | Dec 2011 | US | |
| 61449286 | Mar 2011 | US | |
| 61449457 | Mar 2011 | US |
