Patent Grant
11702259
This application claims the benefit of Australian Patent Application No. 2020200265, filed Jan. 14, 2020, and claims the benefit of Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2019901951, filed Jun. 5, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The present invention relates to an assembly for dispensing a substance into a receptacle. In particular, the present invention relates to an assembly for dispensing infant formula into a feeding bottle.
Baby bottles are widely used by parents and caretakers to feed their children. Most commonly, baby bottles are used to feed infant formula to babies or young children. The process to prepare a bottle of infant formula would involve measuring an amount of infant formula, placing it into the bottle, adding water and mixing the contents together. Even though this process appears to be relatively straightforward, preparing a bottle of infant formula can be quite stressful especially when the baby is crying. This process becomes more difficult when the parents are travelling with the baby and the bottle of infant formula is prepared outside the comfort of a home.
Traditionally, when the parents are travelling with the baby, the parents would pre-measure an amount of infant formula in a container and take it outdoors with them so that they can pour the infant formula into the baby bottle and mix with water when feeding it to the baby. However, this process is time consuming and laborious.
Numerous devices have been disclosed for storing a powder within a bottle until ready for consumption. For example, the bottle may comprise an inner tube that contains a substance (liquid or powder) to be kept separate from the substance in the bottle prior to use. In use, the user will unscrew the cap of the bottle and pull the inner tube upwards which detaches the inner tube from the base of the bottle and permitting the substances to mix. Whilst this bottle provides a method to mix two substances together, the bottle is not configured for use with infant formula powders nor suitable for use with babies or young children.
It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.
The present invention is directed to an assembly for dispensing a substance into a receptacle, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in an assembly for dispensing a substance into a receptacle, the assembly comprising:
a) a first portion connected to an opening of the receptacle;
b) a chamber for containing the substance, the chamber being at least partly located within the first portion;
c) a seal located below the chamber, the seal retaining the substance in the chamber;
d) a removable stop member; and
wherein removal of the stop member enables the chamber to be moved downwardly to cause the seal to open and release the substance into the receptacle.
In one embodiment, the first portion comprises a flange to support the removable stop member.
In one embodiment, the first portion further comprises an inner wall with a plurality of angular protrusions.
In one embodiment, the first portion further comprises internal threads, the internal threads connected to external threads of the opening of the receptacle.
In one embodiment, the stop member comprises a removable ring or strip. In one embodiment, the stop member forms a tamper-evident ring or strip.
In one embodiment, a threaded collar is located above the removable stop member.
In one embodiment, the threaded collar has internal threads that are connected to external threads of the chamber.
In one embodiment, the chamber comprises a spoke to support the substance or to provide enhanced strength to the chamber.
In one embodiment, the substance is a baby formula powder.
In one embodiment, the chamber includes an upper flange and a lower flange, the lower flange abutting the plurality of angular protrusions of the first portion.
In one embodiment, a circular ring rests between the flange of the first portion and the lower flange of the chamber.
In one embodiment, one end of the chamber is slanted in a downwardly direction and configured to come in contact with a portion of the seal.
In one embodiment, the seal comprises a tab.
In one embodiment, the tab rests between a wall of the receptacle and the first portion.
In one embodiment, the seal is made of a plastic material.
In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a mouth portion such as a teat.
In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a lid to protect the mouth portion.
In one embodiment, the receptacle contains a liquid.
In one embodiment, the liquid may be water.
In one embodiment, the assembly further includes an external ring located below the first portion.
In a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided an assembly for dispensing a substance into a receptacle, the assembly comprising:
a) a first portion connected to an opening of the receptacle;
b) a chamber for containing the substance, the chamber being at least partially located within the first portion;
c) a seal located below the chamber, the seal retaining the substance in the chamber;
d) a second portion located above the first portion;
e) a chamber cutter, the chamber cutter being at least partially located within the first portion and second portion;
f) a removable member; and
wherein removal of the removable member enables the chamber cutter to be moved downwardly to cause the seal to open and release the substance into the receptacle.
In one embodiment, the first portion comprises a flange to support the second portion.
In one embodiment, the second portion is adapted to support the removable member prior to the release of the substance, and a third portion after the release of the substance.
In one embodiment, the third portion is located above the removable member.
In one embodiment, the third portion connects to a mouth portion, such as a teat.
In one embodiment, the chamber cutter includes a spoke for structural support.
In one embodiment, one end of the chamber cutter is slanted in a downward direction and configured to come in contact with a portion of the seal.
In one embodiment, a circular seal rests between the chamber and the first portion.
In one embodiment, the seal further includes a tab.
In one embodiment, the tab rests between a wall of the receptacle and the first portion.
In one embodiment, the seal is made of a plastic or foil material.
In one embodiment, the second portion further includes a vertical lip to engage with the third portion.
In one embodiment, the chamber further includes a lateral shoulder to engage with the first portion.
In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a lid to protect a mouth portion.
In one embodiment, the receptacle contains a liquid.
In one embodiment, the liquid is water.
In one embodiment, the substance is baby formula powder.
Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
According to a first embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an assembly for dispensing a substance into a receptacle 100 as shown in
With reference to
The chamber 102 contains a substance 109. In a preferred embodiment, the substance is preferably an infant formula powder, although it is envisaged that other forms of beverage powders can be stored in the chamber. As shown in
As shown in
Returning to the chamber 102 in
In order to deliver the substance 109 into the receptacle 106, the removable stop member 104 is removed and this creates a space between the threaded collar 110 and first portion 101. The space enables the user to push the threaded collar 110 in a downwardly direction onto the first portion 101. The user may also rotate the threaded collar during downward pushing to facilitate the downward movement. In a preferred embodiment, the removable stop member functions as a tamper ring.
The assembly 100 also has a circular ring 116 disposed between the flange of the first portion 101 and the lower flange of the chamber 114B. This circular ring 116 may act as an internal seal to prevent spillage or leakage of the liquid in the receptacle 106. A further external ring 117 is located below the first portion 101. The external ring 117 is configured to act as an outer seal of the assembly 100 against the receptacle 106.
In operation, the user will remove the removable stop member 104 from the assembly 100. The user will push the threaded collar 110 downwardly towards and onto the flange of the first portion 101, thereby moving the chamber 102 in a downwardly direction. As the chamber is moved in a downwardly direction, this causes the slanted end of the chamber 112 to come into contact with a portion of the seal 103 which will cause the seal to open and release the substance 109 into the receptacle 106 (as shown in
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
A chamber cutter 206 is also located partially within the first portion 201 and chamber 202. On one end of the chamber cutter 206, a slant in a downward direction is provided which is configured to come into contact with a portion of the seal 203. It is envisioned that the chamber cutter 206 may be adapted to include different shapes and/or configurations. The chamber cutter is provided to cut or open the seal, to thereby open the chamber and allow the contents of the chamber to be delivered to the receptacle. The chamber cutter 206 may also include a spoke for structural integrity and support. In a preferred embodiment, the seal 203 will have a tab 213 that is located between a wall of the receptacle 209 and the first portion 201. The tab 213 is permanently fixed between the wall of the receptacle and the first portion thereby allowing only a portion of the seal 203 to fall into the receptacle as the chamber cutter pierces the seal 203. The seal 203 may be made of a plastic or foil material.
Similar to the previous embodiment described above, the chamber 202 has a circular ring 215 disposed on a flange of the chamber to prevent spillage or leakage of the liquid in the receptacle 209.
In operation of the second embodiment, the removable member 204 will be removed from the assembly 200. A user will then push the third portion onto the second portion 205 in a downwards direction. In this configuration, the action of pushing the third portion onto the second portion will cause the chamber cutter to be moved downwards, thereby pushing the seal 203 and releasing the substance into the receptacle 209. Once the third portion is pushed and lowered onto the second portion 205, the third portion 207 is permanently mounted onto the second portion 205. This would prevent any movement between the components of the assembly 200. The locking mechanism is shown in
Similar to the previous embodiment, once the substance from the chamber 202 is released into the receptacle, the user will then mix the substance (e.g. infant formula powder) with the substance inside the receptacle (e.g. water) until both substances are combined. The user will the proceed to remove the protective lid 210 to feed the infant formula to the baby. If desired, the user can microwave or warm the substance in the receptacle to an appropriate temperature before feeding the baby.
In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8403131 | Rovelli | Mar 2013 | B2 |
| 20080314775 | Owoc | Dec 2008 | A1 |
| 20150321142 | Lebon | Nov 2015 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 109823682 | May 2019 | CN |
| 2566983 | Apr 2019 | GB |
| 2015105108 | Jun 2015 | JP |
| 03106292 | Dec 2003 | WO |
| 2014205618 | Dec 2014 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Extended European Search Report for related European Application No. 20160463.4 dated Jan. 28, 2021. |
| Examination Report for corresponding Australian Application No. 2020200265 dated Feb. 7, 2020. |
| International Search Report for related International Application No. PCT/AU2020/050564, dated Jul. 1, 2020. |
| International Preliminary Report on Patentability for related International Application No. PCT/AU2020/050564, dated Dec. 7, 2021. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200385184 A1 | Dec 2020 | US |
