Patent Application
20210237937
This disclosure relates generally to a resealable container. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to planar-shaped, reusable, silicone pouch for storing liquids.
Many mothers collect and store breast milk for feeding to their babies. Such collection, storage and feeding may typically occur in a hospital setting (e.g., in the case of a premature/low birth weigh baby) or in the home environment (e.g., in the case of a healthy baby released from the hospital shortly after birth).
Of note, the collection of such breast milk may typically be carried out using a breast pump (e.g., manual or electric), the storage of such breast milk may typically be carried out using a storage container and the feeding of such breast milk may typically be carried out using a feeding bottle. Currently many mothers have to rely upon a single use plastic container that collects the milk after it is pumped resulting in waste and continuous purchasing of plastic bags.
There exists a need for a reusable, resealable container to store perishable liquids, such as breast milk, that can also be easily washed, reusable, as well as able to withstand a wide range of temperatures as the milk may be frozen and thawed for use.
Nursing mothers usually store breast milk in bulky glassware or plastic containers. Such containers are not always convenient to carry. The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in the prior art through the disclosure of a highly compact, planar pouch for liquids such as breast milk. An object of the invention is to allow nursing mothers to easily store extra containers during periods of nursing. For example, when empty the pouches close flat and can fit easily into small purses and bags.
Another aspect of the disclosure is related to providing a means to easily receive breast milk. An opening of the pouch can be expanded with one hand to receive milk and minimize spillage unlike conventional containers.
Another aspect of the disclosure is related to providing a means to seal the container and prevent leaking quickly. A pouch of the present disclosure can include a slide lock that seals liquids inside the container.
Another aspect of the disclosure is related to providing a means to allow a user to quickly notice the volume of liquid inside the container. A pouch of the present disclosure can further include has a graduated relief on its outside surface.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a means to allow pouches to be easily connected or affixed inside of a bag. Each pouch as an eyelet on one corner to receive a ring or clip. A pouch of the present disclosure can also minimize waste by be constructed of reusable silicone that is dishwasher safe and can be reused many times.
In one aspect the present disclosure relates to A reusable container having a pouch portion including a includes a proximate end having an opening and a sealed distal end, a first sidewall and a second sidewall, a bottom sidewall, an interior cavity and sealing mechanism and a slide lock portion configured to seal the sealing mechanism of the pouch portion. In some embodiments, the bottom sidewall can generally concave when in a stored position and configured to allow the pouch to expand the interior cavity when filled with a liquid and retract when empty.
The reusable container can include a sealing mechanism is located on the proximate end having an opening. The reusable container of claim 1 having at least a first channel on the exterior side of the sidewall at the proximate end. The slide lock can have a slot configured to slide along the first channel to apply a compressive force to seal the proximate end of the pouch portion in an engaged position. Additionally, the sidewall of the container can include a graduated volume indicia on a sidewall. Some embodiments, can further include an aperture at corner of the proximate end of the pouch.
The proximate end of the pouch further comprises a sealing mechanism. The sealing mechanism includes a groove member on a first sidewall of the proximate end and a track member on the second side wall of the proximate end, wherein the groove member is configured to interface with the track member when the slide lock is in the engaged position. The sealing mechanism further includes one or more sealing members. The sealing members can generally be perpendicular to the interior sidewall of the proximate end of the pouch. In some embodiments, a first sealing member is located above the groove member or track member. The pouch may also include a second sealing member is located below the groove member or track member. A third sealing member can also be included and located below the second sealing member.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is related to a method of storing liquids, the method including adjusting the opening of the pouch, receiving liquid inside the pouch, and sealing the opening of the pouch. The sealing of the pouch can be accomplished with a the slide lock to compresses the pouch opening creating a seal there between.
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Before the present invention of this disclosure is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.
Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.
References in the specification to “one embodiment” indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.
As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.
As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.
Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.
As used herein, the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS, with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.
As used herein, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Similarly, coupled can refer to a two member or elements being in communicatively coupled, wherein the two elements may be electronically, through various means, such as a metallic wire, wireless network, optical fiber, or other medium and methods.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.
In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. Conventional components of the invention are elements that are well-known in the prior art and will not be discussed in detail for this disclosure.
As shown in
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Once the slide lock 3 is coupled to the pouch portion 1 the slot can provide pressure against the two sidewalls 8 of the pouch 1. As shown in
When the slide lock 3 is engaged with the channel 2 on the container 1 and a compressive force is provided to push each side of the sidewall 8 together, the groove 23 and track 21 members can be engaged to form a seal and the sealing members 25a,b,c can be pressed against the opposing sidewall to create an additional barrier to prevent liquid from leaking out of the top portion of the pouch container 1. In some exemplary embodiments the sealing members can be located both above and/or below the groove and track members as shown in
Additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, the bottom wall 27 of the container can be concave in configuration as shown in
While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.
This U.S. Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application: 62/888,521 filed Aug. 18, 2019, the disclosure of which is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62888521 | Aug 2019 | US |
