The present invention relates generally to a baby bottle holding apparatus and a method of use thereof. Specifically, the baby bottle holding apparatus is utilized to carry a baby bottle to allow the wearer to feed the infant while utilizing his or her free hand to perform other manual tasks.
When feeding an infant or a baby, a bottle is normally utilized. One of the prevalent problems of using a baby bottle is the caregiver must use both hands with one hand holding the bottle while the other hand clutching the baby close during feeding. The traditional technique of utilizing the baby bottle forces the caregiver to use both hands. Consequently, the child bearer is not hands-free to perform other manual tasks. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method of use thereof for conveniently carrying a baby bottle while allowing bottle feeding in closeness and comfort similarly found in breastfeeding. It is also another object of the present invention to provide a baby bottle holder which is to remain stationary upon the chest of the wearer so the wearer may only use one hand in feeding the baby while utilizing the other hand in performing other manual tasks.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a baby bottle holder which primarily comprises a baby bottle pouch 1 and an at least one adjustable strap 2. The baby bottle pouch 1 is wherein a baby bottle is to be positioned and strapped to during usage of the present invention. The present invention is to be worn across the chest of a caregiver while allowing the caregiver to not utilize both arms or hands in bottle feeding the infant. Thus, with the present invention adorned, at least one hand of the wearer is free to perform other manual tasks. The present invention comprises at least two embodiments and a method of use thereof.
In the preferred embodiment, each of the attachment mechanisms between the at least one adjustable strap 2 and the baby bottle pouch 1 comprises components selected from the group consisting of clips, hooks, loops, rings, clasps, and fasteners. It is also understood that the attachment mechanisms are composed of any non-toxic, non-abrasive, durable elastic material. In the alternative embodiment of the baby bottle holder, the baby bottle pouch 1 and the at least one adjustable strap 2 are continuously connected as shown in
Since the primary users of the present invention are infants, it is paramount the entirety of the present invention be made of safe, non-toxic, and comforting materials suitable for babies. The baby bottle pouch 1 and the at least one adjustable strap 2 are made of a soft fabric material. The soft fabric material comprises components selected from the group consisting of cotton, fleece, leather, a combination thereof, and other soft materials. During use, the infant will come in contact with both the baby bottle and the baby bottle pouch 1 repeatedly. Therefore, the baby bottle pouch 1 needs to be composed of soft and comforting materials. In the present invention, the baby bottle pouch 1 may comprise more than one layer. Specifically, the baby bottle pouch 1 comprises a lining layer 11, a filling layer 12, and an external cover 13 as shown in
In addition to the comforting layers, the baby bottle pouch 1 also comprises an adjustable open end 7, a drawstring 8, a bottle locking mechanism 10, and a pouch base 9 as shown in
In addition to the adjustable open end 7, the baby bottle pouch 1 also comprises a pouch base 9, which serves as a bottom base of the baby bottle pouch 1 whereupon the baby bottle situates. Similar to the body of the baby bottle pouch 1, the pouch base 9 also comprises the lining layer 11, the filling layer 12, and the external cover 13. Additionally, the pouch base 9 comprises the bottle locking mechanism 10 whereto the baby bottle is to be engaged. As shown in
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottle locking mechanism 10 can be embodied in various different ways. Specifically, the bottle locking mechanism 10 is positioned upon the pouch base 9, within the baby bottle pouch 1. The bottle locking mechanism 10 can be any one of various bottle locking mechanism 10s include but are not limited to threading, snapping, and strapping. In threading as shown in
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is an upper attachment mechanism 14 such as a ring or a hook attached to the adjustable open end 7 of the baby bottle pouch 1 since the adjustable open end 7 is situated at the top end of the baby bottle pouch 1. Correspondingly, there is a lower attachment mechanism 15 such as a ring or a hook attached to the external cover 13 of the pouch base 9 since the pouch base 9 is situated at the bottom end of the baby bottle pouch 1. Both the upper attachment mechanism 14 and the lower attachment mechanism 15 of the baby bottle pouch 1 serve as attachment points for the at least one adjustable strap 2 to be attached thereto as shown from
In addition to comprising wide range of attachment mechanisms, the at least one adjustable strap 2 further comprises an adjustable length. Specifically, the adjustable length comprises a tri-glide slide 3 as shown from
While the first end of the adjustable length is permanently attached or connected to the first end attachment mechanism 16, the adjustable length is variably attached to the second end attachment mechanism 17 as the adjustable length is merely traversing therethrough. As the second end of the adjustable length is permanently attached or connected to the center bar of the tri-glide slide 3, the tri-glide slide 3 is therefore able to slide along the length of the adjustable length with the adjustable length traversing through the tri-glide slide 3 and emerging out therefrom. With the tri-glide slide 3 being at different possible linear positions along the at least one adjustable strap 2, the length of the adjustable length and the at least one adjustable strap 2 is therefore variable and adjustable. The length of the adjustable length is varied by the user changing the position of the tri-glide slide 3 along the adjustable length. In conjunction with the baby bottle pouch 1, the at least one adjustable strap 2 forms a closed loop wrapped around the thorax of the user. The circumference of the closed loop formed by the at least one adjustable strap 2 and the baby bottle pouch 1 is variable due to the adjustments made by the user to the at least one adjustable strap 2 via the tri-glide slide 3. For example, the circumference can be decreased by the user sliding the tri-glide slide 3 toward the upper attachment mechanism 14 of the baby bottle pouch 1. Conversely, the circumference can be increased by the user sliding the tri-glide slide 3 toward the lower attachment mechanism 15 of the baby bottle pouch 1. Overall, the circumference of the closed loop created by the at least one adjustable strap 2 and the baby bottle pouch 1 is adjustable by the user varying the position of the tri-glide slide 3 along the at least one adjustable strap 2.
Another variation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a variation wherein a buckle is incorporated to the at least one adjustable strap 2. In this variation, the at least one adjustable strap 2 comprises a first portion and a second portion, and the buckle comprises a female and a male. The female is connected to either the first portion or the second portion of whereas the male is connected to either the first portion or the second portion. Moreover, the first portion and the second portion each has a tri-glide slide 3 attached thereto so the length of the first portion and the second portion can be adjustable. Once the female and the male of the buckle are engaged, the first portion of the at least one adjustable strap 2 is thus connected to the second portion of the at least one adjustable strap 2. With the buckle attached thereto, the length of the at least one adjustable strap 2 can be adjustable by the user adjusting the tri-glide slide 3 on each the first portion of the at least one adjustable strap 2 and the second portion of the at least one adjustable strap 2.
Along with the at least one adjustable strap 2, the present invention may comprise an at least one strap cover to accommodate the at least one adjustable strap 2. Since the at least one adjustable strap 2 is made of durable material, the at least one adjustable strap 2 needs to be covered by the at least one strap cover for extra comfort. Therefore, the at least one strap cover is made of any soft and comforting material. The at least one strap cover is a tubular cover with a cylindrical hollow space. The cylindrical hollow space within the at least one strap cover is wherein the at least one adjustable strap 2 traverses therethrough so the at least one adjustable strap 2 can be completely covered by the at least one strap cover. The at least one strap cover fully covers and sheathes the at least one adjustable strap 2 and beyond. Particularly, the at least one strap cover completely covers both the upper attachment mechanism 14 and the lower attachment mechanism 15 to prevent the infant from interacting with both the upper attachment mechanism 14 and the lower attachment mechanism 15 since both attachment mechanisms may be made of a stiff and non-comforting material such as metal, which can be discomforting for the infant to handle. Alternatively, instead of having the at least one strap cover sheathing the at least one adjustable strap 2, the present invention may not include the at least one cover strap by having the at least one adjustable strap 2 along with the attachment mechanisms manufactured and made of softer yet durable materials for the baby to touch.
Attached to the at least one strap cover is an at least one toy string 6. The at least one toy string 6 connects an at least one toy 4 to the at least one strap cover, which sheathes the at least one adjustable strap 2. With the at least one toy string 6 attached, the at least one toy 4 will always be connected to the present invention so the infant may play with the toy while the infant is being bottle fed. The at least one toy 4 further comprises an at least one toy fastener 5, which allows the at least one toy 4 to be removably attached to the at least one strap cover. The at least one toy fastener 5 may be removably attached or permanently attached to the at least one toy 4. In the preferred embodiment, the present invention does not comprise the at least strap cover since the at least one adjustable strap 2 is made of soft, durable, and comforting materials. Furthermore, the attachment mechanisms attached to the at least one adjustable strap 2 are also made of safe, non-toxic, and non-abrasive materials for the baby to touch. Specifically, the attachment mechanisms are made of soft yet durable plastics or variations thereof. In the preferred embodiment as shown from
The present invention further comprises the method of use thereof. The method of utilizing a baby bottle holder is initiated by a user placing a baby bottle centrally in a baby bottle pouch 1 of a baby bottle holder with a nipple of the baby bottle uncovered by the baby bottle pouch 1. Then, the user may secure a baby bottle body inside the baby bottle pouch 1 by pulling on a drawstring 8 of the baby bottle pouch 1 or strapping an elastic band of the baby bottle pouch 1 around a cap ring of the baby bottle. In securing the baby bottle body within the baby bottle pouch 1, the baby bottle body may be secured to the baby bottle pouch 1 by a bottle locking mechanism 10. There are various bottle locking mechanisms as described heretofore, and the present invention may comprise a bottle locking mechanism 10 such as threading, snapping, or strapping in other alternative embodiments. The user may then position the baby bottle and the baby bottle pouch 1 across a chest of the user by adjusting an at least one adjustable strap 2 and positioning the at least one adjustable strap 2 across a back of the user. The at least one adjustable strap 2 may be adjusted by the user sliding the tri-glide slide 3 along the length of the at least one adjustable strap 2. The at least one adjustable strap 2 may be a plurality of straps. Afterwards, the user may clutch the infant in both arms of the user and position the infant close to the baby bottle and the baby bottle pouch 1 for feeding. Upon positioning the infant close to the baby bottle, it is necessary the nipple of the baby bottle be clearly visible to the infant so the infant may suck onto and be fed. It is understood that in the present invention the baby bottle may be permanently attached or connected to the baby bottle pouch 1.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/561,526 filed on Nov. 18, 2011.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61561526 | Nov 2011 | US |