The present disclosure relates to a baby bottle assembly, and more particularly, to a baby bottle assembly with a cap that couples to opposing ends of a bottle.
A typical baby bottle includes a bottle, a nipple, and a collar that secures the nipple to the bottle. Some baby bottles also have covers or caps that snap onto the bottle or collar to keep the nipple covered and clean when the bottle is not in use. Baby bottle caps are often the first components of baby bottle assemblies that get misplaced and lost, as they are neither necessary for feeding a baby nor do they remain connected to the bottle or collar when the bottle is in use.
The present disclosure is directed to a baby bottle assembly that allows for single-handed removal and storage of a cap of a bottle assembly.
In an example implementation, a baby bottle assembly includes a bottle including an open end, a closed end opposite the open end, and an interior volume that extends between the open and closed ends; a collar configured to couple to the open end of the bottle; and a cap having a closed end and an open end, the open end configured to couple to the collar and configured to couple to the closed end of the bottle, the cap configured to couple to the collar to form an arc-shaped gap between the cap and the collar.
In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, the cap includes a cavity.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cap is configured to couple to the closed end of the bottle such that the bottle extends into the cavity of the cap at least 0.5 inches.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cap has a cap height and when the cap is coupled to the closed end of the bottle, the bottle extends into the cap at a distance that is at least 10% of the cap height.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the distance is in a range of approximately 15% to approximately 90% of the cap height.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the open end of the cap has a convex portion and a concave portion.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the concave portion is at least partially defining the arc-shaped gap when the cap is coupled to the collar.
Another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects includes a nipple coupled to the open end of the bottle.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, when the cap is coupled to the bottle, the nipple is sealed.
Another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects includes a flow control member disposed between the nipple and the interior volume of the bottle.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the flow control member includes a first valve and a second valve.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the first valve is centrally aligned with the nipple, and the second valve is radially offset relative to the first valve.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the second valve is configured to open to permit air flow between the interior volume of the bottle and a cavity of the nipple based on a vacuum force.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the flow control member includes a radial flange configured for placement between a neck of the bottle and a flange of the nipple.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the radial flange includes one or more grooves adjacent to the second valve.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cap includes a recessed central area that is configured to engage the nipple when the cap is coupled to the collar.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, an exterior surface of the closed end of the cap is textured.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cap includes an indentation adjacent to the closed end.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the indentation includes a textured surface.
In another example implementation, a baby bottle assembly includes a bottle including an open end, a closed end opposite the open end, and an interior volume extending between the open and closed ends; a collar configured to couple to the open end of the bottle; and a cap having a closed end and an open end. The open end is configured to couple to the collar and configured to couple to the closed end of the bottle. The cap includes an indentation adjacent to the closed end.
In an aspect combinable with the example implementation, an arc-shaped gap is defined between the cap and the collar when the open end of the cap is coupled to the collar.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cap includes a cavity.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, when the cap is coupled to the closed end of the bottle, the bottle extends into the cavity of the cap at least 0.5 inches.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cap has a cap height and when the cap is coupled to the closed end of the bottle.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the bottle extends into the cap at a distance that is at least 10% of the cap height.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the distance is in a range of approximately 15% to approximately 40% of the cap height.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the open end of the cap has a convex portion and a concave portion.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the concave portion at least partially defines the arc-shaped gap when the cap is coupled to the collar.
Another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects includes a nipple coupled to the open end of the bottle.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, when the cap is coupled to the collar, the nipple is sealed.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the cap includes a recessed central area that is configured to engage the nipple when the cap is coupled to the collar.
Another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects includes a flow control member configured for placement between the nipple and the interior volume of the bottle.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the flow control member includes a first valve and a second valve.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the first valve is centrally aligned with the nipple.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, wherein the second valve is radially offset relative to the first valve.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the second valve is configured to open to permit air flow when a vacuum force is created.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the flow control member includes a flange configured for placement between a neck of the bottle and a flange of the nipple.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the flange includes one or more grooves adjacent to the second valve.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, an exterior surface of the closed end of the cap has a textured surface.
In another aspect combinable with any of the previous aspects, the indentation includes a textured surface
Systems and methods described in the present disclosure can include one or more of the following advantages.
The baby bottle assembly of the present disclosure may assist a caregiver in feeding a child while juggling a bottle and child with both hands. The baby bottle assembly is configured to advantageously store a cap of the bottle while the bottle is in use. Specifically, the cap is shaped and sized to stably couple to the bottom of the bottle so that the cap remains attached to the bottle when in use.
In some examples, the closed end of the bottle extends into 10-30% of the height of the cap, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the bottle and increasing the stability of the bottle when the cap is coupled to the closed end.
In some examples, the baby bottle assembly is easily disassembled single-handedly. For example, a user can remove the cap with one hand by pressing a thumb or other finger onto an indentation of the cap and rocking the cap off. A curved gap disposed between the cap and the collar allows for a user to intentionally rock the cap relative to the bottle to decouple the cap from the collar.
In some examples, the cap includes two, opposing indentations that permit a user to grip the cap easily and decouple the cap from the collar.
In some examples, the baby bottle assembly includes a flow member with first and second valves that facilitate fluid flow when a child is sucking on the nipple, and prevents a negative pressure within the bottle. The flow member can also prevent leaking through the nipple if the bottle is turned upside-down.
In some examples, the baby bottle provides textured surfaces on both the closed end of the bottle and the closed end of the cap to provide stability for any configuration of the bottle assembly.
As used herein, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” and “below” are used to provide a relative relationship between structures. The use of these terms does not indicate or require that a particular structure must be located at a particular location in the apparatus.
Some examples may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some arrangements may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The examples described herein are not limited in this context.
Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, figures, and claims.
The present disclosure is directed to a baby bottle assembly that allows a user to remove a cap that covers the nipple and attach the cap to the bottle with one hand. In
The bottle 14 includes an open end 36 (
In
Referring to
In
Returning to
The cap 26 can be divided into four quadrants or sides 86, 90, 94, 98. First and second opposite sides 86, 90 of the cap 26 include the first and second indentations 102, 106, respectively. Each indentation 102, 106 is shaped to receive a person's thumb and includes a textured surface to permit a person to grip one side of the cap 26 and push the cap 26 off to remove the cap 26 from the collar 22 or the bottle 14. The textured surface may include ridges, dimples, or other coating to enhance grip. About 90 degrees separated from the first and second sides 86, 90 are third and fourth opposite sides 94, 98 of the cap 26.
The coupling mechanism 82 includes a pair of protrusions, shaped as horizontally-oriented ovals, disposed on an interior side of each of the third and fourth sides 94, 98 of the cap 26. The pair of protrusions 84 are configured to couple the cap 26 to the bottle 14, and specifically, to snap-fit into the groove 38 of the bottle 14. The pair of protrusions are also configured to couple the cap 26 to the collar 22, and specifically, to snap-fit into the groove 46 of the collar 22.
As shown in
In
The cap 26 also includes radial ridges 114 disposed on an exterior surface of the closed end 74 of the cap 26. The radial ridges provide the cap 26 with a textured surface to enhance stability when the bottle assembly 10 is in the use configuration, as shown in
Turning now to
The first valve 122 is centrally aligned with the nipple 18, and the second valve 126 is radially offset relative to the first valve 122. The first valve 122 has a peaked configuration that extends inwardly, at an angle, relative to the radial flange 118. When assembled with the nipple 18, the first valve 122 extends into a cavity 138 of the nipple 18 a distance N (
As shown in
In some aspects, the second valve 126 is configured to open to permit air flow into the volume 42 of the bottle 14 when a vacuum force is created (i.e., when a suction force is applied to the nipple 18 and to the first valve 122). For example, air flow can be introduced into the volume 42, such as over or through grooves (or air channels) 158 formed on a top surface of the flange 118, upon a negative inner pressure (i.e., vacuum) is created in the volume 42. The second valve 126 will then open, allowing the air flow into the volume 42. Constant fluid flow will be controlled to avoid a back pressure build up in the volume 42.
The cap 26 and collar 22 may be made of a durable plastic, such as polyethylene (or other appropriate materials for the assembly 10), that may be formed by injection molding, thermoforming, or compression molding. The nipple 18 may be made of rubber or silicone. The bottle 14 may be made of glass or BPA-free plastic.
In some implementations, the groove 38 of the bottle 14 that defines the base 44 may not extend entirely around the circumference of the bottle 14.
In some examples, the cap 26 may be coupled to one or more indentations, dimples, or grooves that enable a snap-fit connection between the bottle and the cap. In such an example, the cap 26 has one or more interior protrusions 82 that are configured for coupling with both the collar 22 and the base 44 of the bottle 14.
In some implementations, the cap 26 includes fewer or more protrusions 82 that couple to the grooves 38, 46 of the bottle 14 and the collar 22. In one example, the cap 26 includes two opposing protrusions. In some examples, a groove may be formed on an interior side of the cap 26 and the protrusions 82 may be formed on the collar 22 and bottle 14 to couple to the groove of the cap 26. Other coupling mechanisms are also possible.
While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular examples of particular disclosures. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate examples can also be implemented in combination in a single example. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single example can also be implemented in multiple examples separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described herein as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system modules and components in the examples described herein should not be understood as requiring such separation in all examples, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products.
Particular examples of the subject matter have been described. Other examples are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.
The priority benefit of U.S. Provisional App. No. 63/535,786, filed Aug. 31, 2023, is hereby claimed, and the entire contents are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63535786 | Aug 2023 | US |