The inventive concept relates generally to a baby formula or powder mixing feeding assemblies.
Currently powder baby formula is typically measured in a proper ratio, depending on the baby or infant's age, to the amount of water in the bottle and then immediately added to the water and mixed just minutes prior to feeding and consumption. This traditional approach is typical for at home preparation and feedings, but it does impose an inconvenience to the parents or caregivers while traveling or in public places. Since infants require frequent feeding and since liquid formula bottles or milk require refrigeration to prevent spoilage, portability is a challenge and the heating of same required prior to consumption also presents a challenge to the parent or caregiver. While the refrigeration and heating can be avoided by blending a powder and water just prior to consumption, this poses an inconvenience and potentially messy situation while traveling and requires substantial preparation prior to leaving home with the infant.
One solution is using premixed baby formulas that can be placed into the feeding bottle just prior to feeding, however this is a very expensive solution due to the number of times an infant needs to be fed. This also does not consider the disposal of the leftover bottles of the premixed formula. Even in this case, heating of the liquid formula prior to feeding is still a challenge. Some current solutions require an investment in an entire new feeding assembly as these do not work well with standard baby bottle cap and nipple assemblies. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for device or apparatus that simplifies the portability and preparation of baby formula feeding bottles while away from home.
The inventive concept relates, in general, to baby feeding bottles using premixed or powder formula and, more particularly, this inventive concept relates to an improved method for transporting and conveniently mixing dry formula and water in the proper ratio to prepare a ready-to-feed bottle in travel or non-home situations. The inventive concept is applicable to other applications such as sports drinks, energy drinks and other beverages that can be mixed in the field.
In one example embodiment, there is provided baby bottle formula mixing and feeding assembly including a cylindrical vessel having a body portion with an opening portion, the opening portion having a circular sidewall protruding up from the body portion with a vessel rim. The baby bottle formula mixing and feeding assembly also include a standard nipple and cap ring assembly as well. There is also included a baby formula mixing assembly adapted to be coupled with the opening portion of the cylindrical vessel, with the baby formula mixing assembly include at least four main components: a bottom housing, a cylindrical gate body, a top housing and a cylindrical pliable cup body disposed within the top/bottom housing. Specifically, the formula mixing assembly includes a bottom housing member having a concave opening with a bottom housing member rim and a floor plate with a first set of apertures, the concave opening defined by an inner sidewall that mates with the floor plate, the bottom housing member including an outer sidewall adjacent the inner sidewall collectively defining a cavity therebetween designed to receive the vessel rim. The cylindrical gate body is designed to be disposed within the concave opening of the bottom housing member and have a gate body rim and a bottom plate with a second set of apertures, the bottom plate further including a center post that protrudes outwardly and is designed to contact the floor plate to facilitate radial rotational movement of the gate body within the bottom housing member, the gate body rim having at least one stopper tab protruding laterally from the gate body rim. Further, the top housing member is designed to mate with the bottom housing member and encase the gate body, the top housing member having an upper opening threaded rim and a lower opening designed to rotatably engage with a lip arrangement on the rim of the bottom housing member, the top housing member further designed to radially rotate the gate body to align the second set of apertures of the gate body with the first set of apertures of the bottom housing member. Furthermore, the mixing assembly includes a cylindrical pliable cup body designed to be located within the top and bottom housing and partially inside the gate body, the cup body having an outer ring on an exterior surface designed to be in contact with at least one release button protruding through the top member housing and in contact with the at least one stopper tab of the gate body, wherein the outer ring, the at least one stopper tab and the one release button member form a locking mechanism for the formula mixing assembly to prevent rotation of the top housing member and the gate body. Finally, the nipple and cap ring assembly mates with the baby formula mixing assembly with the cap ring having a threaded surface designed to be threaded onto the top housing member rim. Unlike the prior art, axial rotation and longitudinal movement to align the apertures is not required in this embodiment to promote flow through of powder and fluid.
In another example embodiment, there is provided a baby bottle formula mixing and feeding assembly designed to be coupled with an opening portion of a mixing vessel, the formula mixing assembly including a bottom housing member having a concave opening with a bottom housing member rim and a floor plate with a first set of apertures, the concave opening defined by an inner sidewall that mates with the floor plate, the bottom housing member including an outer sidewall adjacent the inner sidewall collectively defining a cavity therebetween designed to receive a rim of the mixing vessel. The assembly further includes a cylindrical gate body designed to be disposed within the concave opening of the bottom housing member and having a gate body rim and a bottom plate with a second set of apertures, the bottom plate further including a center post that protrudes outwardly and is designed to contact the floor plate to facilitate rotational movement of the gate body within the bottom housing member, the gate body rim having at least one stopper tab protruding laterally from the gate body rim. In addition, a top housing member designed to mate with the bottom housing member and encase the gate body, the top housing member having an upper opening threaded rim and a lower opening designed to rotatably engage with a lip arrangement on the bottom housing member rim, the top housing member further designed to rotate the gate body to align the second set of apertures of the gate body with the first set of apertures of the bottom housing member. Further, the assembly includes a cylindrical pliable cup body designed to be located within the top and bottom housing and partially inside the gate body, the cup body having an outer ring on an exterior surface designed to be in contact with at least one release button protruding through the top member housing and in contact with the at least one stopper tab of the gate body, wherein the outer ring, the at least one stopper tab and the one release button member form a locking mechanism for the formula mixing assembly to prevent rotation of the top housing member and the gate body.
In yet another example embodiment, there is provided a powder mixing assembly designed to be coupled to an opening portion of a mixing vessel (such as a water or juice bottle used for fitness scenarios and athletic clubs) partially filled with a liquid, with the powder mixing assembly including a bottom housing member having a concave opening with a bottom housing member rim and a floor plate with a first set of apertures, the concave opening defined by an inner sidewall that mates with the floor plate, the bottom housing member including an outer sidewall adjacent the inner sidewall collectively defining a cavity therebetween designed to receive a rim of the mixing vessel. The assembly also includes a cylindrical gate body designed to be disposed within the concave opening of the bottom housing member and having a gate body rim and a bottom plate with a second set of apertures, the bottom plate further including a center post that protrudes outwardly and is designed to contact the floor plate to facilitate rotational movement of the gate body within the bottom housing member, the gate body rim having at least one stopper tab protruding laterally from the gate body rim, wherein the floor plate and the first set of apertures of the bottom housing member are designed to facilitate powder mixing with the liquid and to provide filtering of non-dissolved powder. Also included is a top housing member designed to mate with the bottom housing member and encase the gate body, the top housing member having an upper opening threaded rim and a lower opening designed to rotatably engage with a lip arrangement on the bottom housing member rim, the top housing member further designed to rotate the gate body to align the second set of apertures of the gate body with the first set of apertures of the bottom housing member; and a removable cylindrical pliable cup body for holding the powder to be mixed, the pliable cup body designed to be located within the top and bottom housing and partially inside the gate body, the cup body having an outer ring on an exterior surface designed to be in contact with at least one release button protruding through the top member housing and in contact with the at least one stopper tab of the gate body, wherein the outer ring, the at least one stopper tab and the one release button member form a locking mechanism for the formula mixing assembly to prevent rotation of the top housing member and the gate body. In other related embodiments, the pliable cup body includes a set of measurement markings on an inner wall of the cup body adapted to provide dosing or mixing guidance and can be made from silicone or rubber materials or composites; and the bottom housing member mates with a rim of a circular sidewall of the mixing vessel via a friction fit arrangement. In another related embodiment, the at least one stopper tab of the locking mechanism includes an aperture designed to receive and engage a latching extension from the release button member, a portion of the release button member designed to be in contact with and receive an outward lateral force from the outer ring of the pliable cup body, the locking mechanism designed to be in a locked state until actuated or pressed inwardly by a user.
In yet another example embodiment, there is provided a powder mixing assembly designed to be coupled to an opening portion of a mixing vessel (such as a water or juice bottle used for fitness scenarios and athletic clubs) partially filled with a liquid (or can be filled at a later time for convenience), with the powder mixing assembly including a bottom housing member having a concave opening with a rim and a floor plate with a first set of apertures, the concave opening defined by an inner sidewall that mates with the floor plate, the bottom housing member including an outer sidewall adjacent the inner sidewall collectively defining a cavity therebetween adapted to receive a rim of the mixing vessel, wherein the floor plate and the first set of apertures of the bottom housing member are configured to facilitate powder mixing with the liquid and to provide filtering of non-dissolved powder. The mixing assembly further includes a top housing member configured to mate with the bottom housing member and having a cylindrical cup body portion therein configured to be disposed within the concave opening of the bottom housing member for holding the powder to be mixed, the cylindrical cup body portion having a bottom plate with a second set of apertures. Furthermore, the top housing member has an upper opening threaded rim and a lower opening threaded portion configured to radially rotatably engage with the bottom housing member rim, the top housing member further designed to radially rotate the cup body portion to align the second set of apertures of the cup body portion with the first set of apertures of the bottom housing member. In this example embodiment, the top and bottom housing members are held in vertical alignment as a single unit with a screw and nut assembly protruding through the floor and bottom plates of the top and bottom housing members. This example embodiment also includes at the bottom housing rim a rotation stopping assembly adapted to mate with a bottom surface of the top housing, wherein the radial rotation stopping assembly facilitates in the alignment of the first and second set of apertures to allow or prevent passage of powder from the cup body through to the mixing vessel. In this example embodiment, one or more outside tabs are optionally provided to enhance gripping and are not necessarily limited to engaging with a locking mechanism. Unlike the prior art, axial rotation and longitudinal movement to align the apertures is not required in this embodiment to promote flow through of powder and fluid.
Among other things, it is an advantage of the inventive concept to provide a baby or adult powder formula mixing device that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions. It is still further an advantage of the inventive concept to have a powder mixing assembly that can be used with different powders and fluids.
The inventive concept 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 inventive concept 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 inventive concept to those skilled in the art.
Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.
The various embodiments described herein are directed to be a baby formula or food powder mixing assembly designed for use with standard baby feeding bottles or other bottles or containers such as sport bottles or adult protein mixing bottles.
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In this example embodiment, mixing assembly 110 includes top housing member 140 that is designed to mate with the bottom housing member 120 and encase the gate body 130. Top housing member 140 has a cavity 142 and an upper opening thread 146 and rim 144 and a lower opening 141 designed to rotatably engage with a lip arrangement 129 on the rim 124 of the bottom housing member 120. Top housing member 140 is further designed to rotate the gate body 130 to align the second set of apertures 138 of the gate body 130 with the first set of apertures 128 of the bottom housing member 120.
In this example embodiment, the mixing assembly 110 includes a cylindrical pliable cup body 150 (two part body 151A and 151B in this example) designed to be located within the top 140 and bottom 120 housing and partially inside the gate body 130, the cup body 150 having a cavity 152 for holding formula 40, a rim 153 and an outer ring 154 on an exterior surface 155 designed to be in contact with at least one release button 160A (two are shown, 160A and 160B) protruding through an aperture 145 in the top member housing 140. Outer ring 154 is in contact with the at least one stopper tab of the gate body (see
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Referring now to a second embodiment of a formula or powder mixing assembly 200 and powder mixing unit 210, reference is now made to
In this example embodiment and referring now to
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In related embodiments, mixing assembly can be modified to accommodate K-cup style cartridges with pre-filled formula or can be filed each time and inserted when needed. In another embodiment, a bioresorbable or gel-filled formula capsule that can be dropped into the water-filled bottle and shaken before feeding.
The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,850,027; 8,556,094 and 9,629,782.
While the inventive concept has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the inventive concept will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this inventive concept 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 inventive concept 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 application claims priority to and the benefit of US Provisional Applications with Ser. No. 62/902,481 and filed on Sep. 19, 2019, and with Ser. No. 62/946,492 and filed on Dec. 11, 2019, respectively, both entitled ON THE GO FORMULA DISPENSER, both of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62902481 | Sep 2019 | US | |
62946492 | Dec 2019 | US |