Patent Application
20070045215
The present invention relates to beverage containers, and more specifically it relates to vent mechanisms for regulating internal pressure of bottle-type beverage containers.
Bottle-type beverage containers, such as baby bottles, utilize various conventional venting mechanisms that prevent vacuum generation by admitting air into the container to replace the volume of liquid drawn out by a feeding baby through a nipple, thereby allowing a baby to feed without stopping to allow air into the bottle through the nipple.
One such conventional venting mechanisms utilized in baby bottle assemblies includes a slit-like vent hole formed in the flange surrounding a baby bottle nipple, which is secured to a threaded neck of the baby bottle by way of an annular cap. This vent hole is biased into a closed position when the bottle is not in use, and opens to allow the inflow of air in response to lower pressure generated by the feeding baby. A problem with this type of conventional venting mechanism is that the air entering the baby bottle passes through the remaining milk or formula, causing the generation of bubbles that may be subsequently consumed by the baby.
A second type of conventional venting mechanism utilized in baby bottle assemblies is mounted onto a bottom of the bottle and includes a domed diaphragm having several slit-like openings that are biased into a closed position to prevent leakage when the bottle is not in use, and open during use to equalize internal and external pressure. In particular, when the bottle is inverted and internal pressure is generated, air enters through the slit-like openings above the surface of the stored fluid, thereby avoiding the generation of bubbles in the fluid. A problem with such domed diaphragms is that they typically require relatively complicated and expensive manufacturing equipment. In addition, the slit-like vent openings are known to weaken with repeated use and/or to trap solid material that eventually produces tearing along the edges of the slits, which can ultimately cause undesirable leakage.
What is needed is a reliable vent mechanism for a beverage container that is relatively easy to manufacture and avoids the problems associated with conventional venting structures.
The present invention is directed to a beverage container including a vent mechanism formed by a rigid support plate having one or more open vent holes (openings), and a flow control member having a membrane that is supported between the support plate and a storage chamber of the beverage container. The membrane is a thin, flat elastic sheet that is perforated to include one or more normally-closed pinholes. Because the pinholes are formed on a flat surface, manufacturing of beverage containers in accordance with the present invention is greatly simplified over conventional venting mechanisms that utilize domed diaphragms. In addition, because the pinholes are formed using pins that do not produce slits in the membrane material that can become weakened and/or trap deposits that can prevent slit flap closure, the vent mechanism of the present invention facilitates leak-free operation that is substantially more reliable than that of slit-based conventional venting mechanisms.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a beverage container includes a container body defining upper and lower openings, an nipple or nozzle assembly mounted over the upper opening, and the vent mechanism of the present invention mounted over the lower opening. The venting mechanism includes a support member and a flow control member. The support member includes a peripheral flange that is secured to the container body, and a rigid support plate that defines one or more always-open vent holes. The vent member includes a perforated membrane surrounded by a relatively durable collar that is attached to a peripheral edge of the membrane. The collar is secured to the container body by the peripheral flange of the support member, and the membrane includes a thin sheet of a suitable elastomeric material (e.g., soft rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or silicone) that rests against an inside surface of the support plate when the pressure inside the container is equal to or greater than the surrounding environment. The pinholes are formed in the elastomeric material such that they are biased into a closed position when the membrane is in the resting state (i.e., when internal and external pressures are equalized, or when the membrane is pressed against the support plate by the weight of the stored liquid). When the membrane is stretched from its resting state away from the support plate (e.g., in response to a pressure differential or an applied force), the pinholes open to allow fluid flow into the container. The pinholes are formed by applying radial tension and puncturing the membrane using one or more pins having a substantially circular cross-section, and sized such that each pinhole is closed by the surrounding elastomeric material when the radial tension is removed.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for introducing beverages into a beverage storage container through the venting mechanism includes holding the membrane away from the support plate such that the pinholes are biased into an opened position, and then pumping or otherwise feeding the beverage into the bottle through the opened pinholes.
The present invention will be more fully understood in view of the following description and drawings.
FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are top plan and partial cross-sectional side views, respectively, showing a flow control member of the baby bottle assembly of
FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are top plan and cross-sectional side views showing a support member of the baby bottle assembly of
FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are enlarged cross-sectional side views showing a portion of the support member and flow control member of the baby bottle of
The present invention is described below with specific reference to a baby bottle assembly, which represents one type of beverage container that benefits from the present invention. The appended claims are not restricted to the disclosed specific embodiment, and are intended to read on other beverage containers that may be modified to include the present invention, such as adult sport bottles.
Bottle body 110 is a plastic structure formed in accordance with known plastic molding techniques. Bottle body 110 includes a roughly cylindrical peripheral wall 111 having a lower (first) end portion 112 that includes external threads 113 and has a lower edge 114 defining a lower (first) opening 115, and an upper (second) end portion 116 that includes external threads 117 and has an upper edge 118 defining an upper (second) opening 119. Peripheral wall 111 surrounds a beverage storage chamber C that is accessible through lower opening 115 and upper opening 119.
Vent mechanism 120 is mounted onto lower portion of bottle body 110 over lower opening 115, and provides the functions described below. Vent mechanism 120 generally includes a support member 121 and a flow control member 130 that are produced separately and assembled onto bottle body as described below.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2(A) and 2(B), support member 121 is a rigid plastic structure formed in accordance with known plastic molding techniques, and includes a collar 122 having inside threads 123 that mate with threads 113 of lower end portion 112, and a rigid support plate 125 that is attached to and supported by collar 122 such that support plate 125 extends over first opening 115. Support plate 125 has an inner surface 126 and an opposing outer surface 127, and defines one or more permanently-open vent holes 128 that extend entirely through support plate 125 between inner surface 126 and outer surface 127.
Referring to
Referring back to
As indicated in
FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) respectively illustrate a one-way valve characteristic of vent mechanism 120 that provides pressure equalization (venting) when beverage is drawn out of the baby bottle. As indicated in
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of pinholes 138, and the diameter, thickness and flexibility of membrane 135 combine to produce the venting characteristics of the venting mechanism. That is, by forming membrane 125 from a relatively flexible, thin elastomeric sheet, using relatively large pins, or providing a relatively large number of pinholes 138, venting may be caused to occur at a relatively low differential pressure. Conversely, by forming membrane 125 from a relatively stiff, thick elastomic sheet, using relatively small pins, or providing a relatively small number of pinholes 138, venting may be caused to occur at a relatively high differential pressure.
In addition to the specific embodiment disclosed herein, other features and aspects may be added to the novel baby bottle nipple that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the following claims.
