Patent Application
20190314248
The present invention pertains to beverage containers. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a “hands-free” beverage container. Even more particularly, the present invention pertains to a height adjustable hands-free beverage container.
As is known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, bottle feeding of babies, can be quite cumbersome. Under ordinary circumstances, the baby has to be held, or otherwise restrained and the nipple of the bottle placed into its mouth. The need to hold the baby is directly related to the baby's inability to hold the bottle on its own. This can be a time-consuming chore, which precludes the person feeding the baby from doing other tasks or chores, or attending to other children, while still attending to the baby's needs.
The art has appreciated this and has devised certain “hands-free” baby bottle holding devices. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,934, there is disclosed a wedge-shaped baby bottle support, which enables the baby bottle to be secured to one side of the surface of the wedge and which extends toward the baby's mouth. The device further includes a strap or other securement for attaching the wedge to a baby carrier. However, it is to be appreciated that the device contains the bottle at a single incline elevation. Further, the bottle is held in position through an elongated strap which is secured to the surface and comprises an elastic member and, therefore, does not have the ability to accommodate, in a secured manner, different sized bottles or other containers.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,836, there is disclosed a nursing bottle holder which enables an infant to be placed on its side while nursing. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,731 discloses an adjustable holder for a nursing bottle which has a base assembly and a supporting structure on the base which only allows vertical adjustability of the base, itself.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 8,118,268 shows a baby bottle holder and feeder which is removably mounted onto a substantially u-shaped pillow. However, in order for the infant to feed itself in a hands-free manner requires the infant to turn its head toward the bottle.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,793 there is disclosed an arch which overlies an infant and which maintains an incline a baby bottle. The arch is part of a system of cushions which are supported on a mat.
It is to be appreciated that, while each of these devices exhibit usefulness for the intended purposes, it is clear that these devices hold the bottle at a fixed elevation or incline. Thus, there is no ability to adjust the height of the bottle when brought into proximity to the mouth of the infant or baby. It is to this which the present invention is directed.
Now, and in accordance with the present invention and with reference to the drawing, there is depicted an adjustable, hands-free, beverage container holding device. Although the ensuing description is to be made with reference to a baby bottle, it is to be understood that the present invention may have applicability to other geometrically configured beverage containers.
Now, with reference to the drawing, there is depicted therein, a hands-free bottle holder in accordance herewith and, generally, denoted at 10. The holder 10 comprises a pair of opposed, integrally formed, interconnected, substantially trapezoidal wedge members 12, 14, respectively. When assembled, each wedge member is the mirror image of the other.
A hinge 16 rotatably interconnects the two wedge members 12, 14. Preferably, the hinge is the seam formed medially of the wedges during the manufacturing process.
For purposes of explanation, it is to be appreciated that the wedge 12 is denoted as the upper wedge and the wedge 14 is the bottom wedge.
The wedge 12 has an upper outer surface 18 and a lower interior surface 20.
The wedge 14 has a lower outer surface 22 and an interior surface 24.
As shown, the inner surfaces 20 and 24 are in opposition.
As shown, each of the opposed surfaces has and includes a cut-out or recess 26, 28, respectively. Each recess removably stores a block 30, 32. The blocks 32 provide for height adjustment. Each of the blocks are similar in construction and are configured to removably nest within an associated recess 28 or 30 and to independently removably mount to respective opposed inner surfaces 20 and 24.
It is to be readily perceived that when both blocks are removed from their respective recesses and the wedges are brought into mating relationship, the holder is at one height. When a single block 32 or 34 is inserted into a respective recess and the wedges are brought into opposition with each other, the holder is at a second height. When the blocks are each nested in their respective recesses and the wedges are urged toward each other, the holder is at a third height, thereby rendering the holder adjustable in height to accommodate the height of the user, etc.
Each block includes means, such as at least one hook and loop fastener, such as at 23, 25 shown on block 30 and 23′, 25′ on block 32. The fasteners hold the blocks in position with regard to each other and with respect to its associated wedge. Similar hook and loop fasteners can be provided on the bottom of each block as well as in the bottom of each recess to hold the associated wedge in position.
A bottle retainer 40, such as an elastic ring 42, such as that sold commercially under the name “Velcro” is secured to the upper surface 14 of the wedge member 12. The ring 42 is secured to the upper surface 14 by any suitable means such as sonic welding, sewing, gluing, or the like.
The top surface includes a recess 53 for removably seating a container such as a baby bottle therein.
Alternatively, and as shown in
Preferably the strip 52 comprises a hook and loop strip such as that sold commercially under the mark “Velcro.” The strap 50 is dimensioned to removably hold bottles of various sizes. In all other respects, the holder 110 is constructed in the same manner as the holder 10.
Referring now to
A recess or niche 220 is formed in the surface 214. The recess 214 is dimensioned to rotatably nest or stow the block 216. Thus, the block can be rotated from its nested position to a height adjustment position as shown herein. The block 216 is rotatable between about 0° to about 90° about the hinge 218.
As shown, the hinge 218 is formed at the edge of the recess or niche 120 closest to the free end 230 of the edge.
It is to be appreciated that according to this embodiment, the need for separate means for holding the blocks in position, such as the hook and loop fasteners described above, is eliminated.
In all other respects, the holder is similar to that of the first embodiment, except that the strap of the embodiment of
Preferably, the present holder is manufactured from a suitable, closed cell foam, such as a polyurethane, silicone rubber, polyurea rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate foam, or similar type materials. By using a closed cell foam, there is provided a moisture barrier so that any liquid spillage is substantially precluded from seeping into the wedges and/or blocks. Typically, these foams are injection molded or blow molded to prepare the product. Some molding techniques are well known to the skilled artisan.
Although not preferred, an open cell foam may be used.
Optionally, a non-porous cover (not shown) may be used to enshroud at least the exterior of the holder to further enable any spillage of liquid to be readily cleaned up and the holder can maintain its integrity and be maintained in a sterile condition.
It should further be noted that in manufacturing the present holder, the bottom wedge has a slightly larger length than the top wedge to facilitate, not only gripping, but rotation of the wedges, as well.
It is to be appreciated from the preceding that there has been described herein a hands-free beverage holder which can be adjusted in height and which can readily accommodate an infant or other person to be placed in proximity to the bottle without the need for an attendant holding the bottle.
This application is a completion application of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/658,795, filed Apr. 17, 2018, for “Hands-Free Bottle Holder”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, including the drawing.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62658795 | Apr 2018 | US |
