Patent Application
20050211855
1. Field
This invention relates to baby bottle holders, and more particularly to incentive and entertaining baby bottle holding apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Baby bottles can come in different shapes and sizes. Some baby bottles may take on non-traditional shapes for entertainment value. These entertaining shaped baby bottles, however, can be hard to clean due to the non-traditional shape (i.e., bends/curves, etc.). These non-traditional shaped bottles have a higher cost as compared with a typical baby bottle (e.g., eight (8) Oz. bottles).
A baby bottle holder is presented including at lest one protruding side, a top portion attached to a center portion. The center portion has at least one viewing portion. A lower portion includes a through hole. A base portion is removably attached to the lower portion. The baby bottle holder is adapted to hold a baby bottle. One embodiment is presented where the bottle holder is shaped like a horn instrument, such as a clarinet, a bugle, a saxophone, etc. Another embodiment is presented where the baby bottle holder is shaped like a rocket ship.
Yet another embodiment is presented of a baby bottle holder system. The baby bottle holder system includes a baby bottle that is removably inserted to a baby bottle holder. The baby bottle includes a bottle portion, a cap portion including a nipple, and a cap lid. The baby bottle holder includes at least one protruding side, a top portion attached to a center portion, the center portion having at least one viewing portion. The system also including a lower portion including a through hole and a base portion removably attached to the lower portion. The baby bottle holder is adapted to hold the baby bottle. The baby bottle engages the top portion of the baby bottle holder to prevent the baby bottle from exiting the baby bottle holder. One embodiment is presented where the bottle holder is shaped like a horn instrument, such as a clarinet, a bugle, a saxophone, etc. Another embodiment is presented where the baby bottle holder is shaped like a rocket ship.
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments,” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
The invention generally relates to a baby bottle holder apparatus. Referring to the figures, exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described. The exemplary embodiments are provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
In one embodiment, a second protruding side 107 is coupled to holding portion 100. In this embodiment first protruding side 120 and second protruding side 107 are shaped like parts to a musical horn instrument, such as a bugle, clarinet, saxophone, etc. In one embodiment, first protruding side 120 includes pipe portions 110. In one embodiment pipe portions 110 are made of semi-rigid material, such as non-brittle rubber, soft plastic, foam rubber, etc. In another embodiment, pipe portions 110 are made of material adapted to be used for teething, such as soft rubber. In one embodiment, second protruding side 107 includes key portions 105. In one embodiment key portions 105 are made of rubber. In another embodiment, key portions 105 are made of material adapted to be used for teething, such as soft rubber. In yet another embodiment, key portions 105 are interconnected to simulate keys of a musical horn instrument.
In one embodiment baby bottle holder 300 includes a sound chip, a power source for the sound chip, a speaker, one or more switches and a sound controller. In this embodiment, baby bottle holder 300 emits pre-recorded sound stored on the sound chip when a switch allows power from the power source (e.g., a battery) to flow to the sound chip. The sound controller allows for sound selection. In one embodiment, the sound controller and the sound chip have a recording device and a microphone for recording sound. In this embodiment, a person's voice or melody, etc. can be stored on a memory in the sound chip. In one embodiment, the sound chip emits sound through the speaker when a musical key 105 is depressed or moved.
In another embodiment, a gravity switch in base portion 150 allows the sound chip to emit sound through the speaker when baby bottle holder 300 is tilted. In another embodiment, an on/off switch and volume control are used to control when the sound chip is activated and the volume of emitted sound. It should be noted that the above-mentioned sound electronic components known to those skilled in the art are used. In one embodiment, the sound chip, power source, speaker, and sound controller are located in base portion 150. It should be noted that placement of the sound chip and other components can be placed in other components of baby bottle holder 300.
In one embodiment, baby bottle holder 300 includes a power source, a light source and a switch to enable the light source(s) to emit light. In one embodiment, the light source(s) are light emitting diodes (LEDs). In one embodiment, the light source(s) are placed in pipe portions 110. It should be noted that the light source(s) can be placed in other portions of baby bottle holder 300, such as base portion 150. The power source is a standard type of battery suitable for powering a light source, such as an LED.
In one embodiment, a light controller is included to control the light source(s). In this embodiment, preprogrammed control (i.e., duration, on/off, selected light sources, etc.) is stored in a memory coupled to the light controller. In one embodiment, the light controller is activated by one on/off switch. In another embodiment, light controller is activated by a gravity switch located in base portion 150. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of light switches are placed on baby bottle holder 300 at locations, such as pipe portions 110, key portions 105, etc. It should be noted that the above-mentioned light electronic components are known to those skilled in the art.
In another embodiment, the above-mentioned lighting and sound producing components are combined. In this embodiment, both light and sound are produced from baby bottle holder 300 either simultaneously, or one at a time.
Baby bottle holder system 500 is adapted to hold baby bottle 540, and baby bottle 540 engages top portion 515 of baby bottle holder 505 to prevent baby bottle 540 from exiting baby bottle holder 505. In one embodiment baby bottle holder system 500 has top portion 515 having a conical shape. Baby bottle holder system 500 has base portion 540 including a plurality of protruding stems (similar to protruding stems 155 illustrated in
In one embodiment baby bottle holder system 500 includes base portion 540 having a horn shape to prevent tipping baby bottle holder 500 when base portion 540 is placed in contact with a level surface (i.e., standing position) and also for entertainment purposes.
In one embodiment baby bottle holder system 500, protruding side 521 includes interconnected keys 520 and associated connectors. In another embodiment baby bottle holder system 500 includes another protruding side (not illustrated) with a plurality of keys (i.e., 2, 4, 7, etc.) each molded with teething material, such as soft rubber, etc. In these embodiments, the protruding sides are shaped like parts to a musical horn instrument, such as a bugle, clarinet, saxophone, etc.
In one embodiment baby bottle holder system 500 includes a sound chip, a power source for the sound chip, a speaker, one or more switches and a sound controller. In this embodiment, baby bottle holder system 500 emits pre-recorded sound stored on the sound chip when a switch allows power from the power source (e.g., a battery) to flow to the sound chip. The sound controller allows for sound selection. In one embodiment, the sound controller and the sound chip have a recording device and a microphone for recording sound. In this embodiment, a person's voice or melody, etc. can be stored on a memory in the sound chip. In one embodiment, the sound chip emits sound through the speaker when a musical key 520 is depressed or moved.
In another embodiment, a gravity switch in base portion 540 allows the sound chip to emit sound through the speaker when baby bottle holder system 500 is tilted. In another embodiment, an on/off switch and volume control are used to control when the sound chip is activated and the volume of emitted sound. It should be noted that the above-mentioned sound electronic components known to those skilled in the art are used. In one embodiment, the sound chip, power source, speaker, and sound controller are located in base portion 540. It should be noted that placement of the sound chip and other components can be placed in other components of baby bottle holder system 500.
In one embodiment, baby bottle holder system 500 includes a power source, a light source and one or more switches to enable the light source(s) to emit light. In one embodiment, the light source(s) are LEDs. In one embodiment, the light source(s) are placed in base portion 540. It should be noted that the light source(s) can be placed in other portions of baby bottle holder system 500, such as keys 520. The power source is a standard type of battery suitable for powering a light source(s), such as an LED(s).
In one embodiment, a light controller is included to control the light source(s). In this embodiment, preprogrammed control (i.e., duration, on/off, selected light sources, sequences, etc.) is stored in a memory coupled to the light controller. In one embodiment, the light controller is activated by one on/off switch. In another embodiment, light controller is activated by a gravity switch located in base portion 540. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of light switches are placed on baby bottle holder system 500 at various locations, such as top portion 515, key portions 520, etc. It should be noted that the above-mentioned light electronic components are standard and known to those skilled in the art.
In another embodiment, the above-mentioned lighting and sound producing components are combined. In this embodiment, both light and sound are produced from baby bottle holder system 500 either simultaneously, or one at a time.
In one embodiment, a baby bottle holder is in the shape of a rocket ship (not shown). This embodiment is similar in function as to the above-mentioned embodiments albeit the shape.
With the above-described embodiments, it is seen that typical eight (8) Oz. baby bottles can be used by babies/children in an entertaining, safe and clean way. When a child/baby is finished with the contents of a bottle, the bottle can be removed and the baby bottle holder is ready for insertion of another standard baby bottle. Since the baby bottle holder embodiments are shaped like musical horn instruments, a baby/child will be entertained and occupied with the bottle and bottle holder and may be more inclined to hold the bottle holder, and more inclined to be fed as well. The various colors and shapes of the embodiments have a pleasing and entertaining affect on infants/children. Also, the sleeves are formed allowing easy gripping/holding by infants and children. The material used in making the above-mentioned embodiments are sturdy and dishwasher safe.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
