Patent Application
20120097710
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to food and liquid dispensers and more particularly to such dispensers that are squeezable.
2. Related Art
Dispensers for food and/or liquid provide numerous benefits. For example, dispensers allow people to consume food/liquid on-the-go, such as in cars, parks, etc., without spilling, and allow children to consume food/liquid without the help of others.
Such dispensers come in many different shapes, sizes, models, and construction, which is due in part to the many different uses of the dispensers. A basic dispenser is simply a bottle that allows a person to consume liquids or other contents by simply pouring the contents into the person's mouth when the container is opened. However, this type of container can be messy, as liquids tend to spill out during use, especially with younger children or older adults or when there are sudden movements.
To address this, dispensers are available that only dispense contents when they are squeezed, such as sport water bottles. However, these bottles are hard for young children and older adults to user, in addition to being impractical to dispense contents that are thicker than liquid. To dispense more solid contents, such as purees, sauces, etc., dispensable squeeze containers can be used. These too suffer disadvantages, such as being single-use and likely to spill the contents if the user is not careful, again with smaller children and older adults.
Thus, there is a need for a dispenser that overcomes the disadvantages with conventional dispensers, especially for use by young children and older adults.
According to one embodiment, a squeeze dispenser includes a squeezable body that contains contents for dispensing through a nipple-like structure having a semi-closed, semi-flexible opening. In one embodiment, the opening comprises two perpendicular bisecting slits formed through a semi-flexible material, such as silicone. Due to the rigidity of the material and the limited opening through the slits, contents inside the body may not spill out unless the user intends to dispense the contents, especially if the contents are thicker than liquids. For example, baby foods, pureed foods, sauces, etc., the user would have to squeeze the body and/or suck from the opening in order to dispense the contents.
Such a squeeze dispenser may enable younger children and senior adults to dispense food, while reducing the possibility of spilling. The squeezable body, which in one embodiment, is made from silicone, can be easily washed and re-used. The nipple-like structure can also be washed easily, such as by detaching it from the body.
These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments set forth below taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.
Dispenser 100 also includes a nipple 204 that is secured to body 102 through cap ring 104 and locking ring 106. In particular, nipple 204 is secured to locking ring 106 and then securing locking ring 106 onto cap ring 104, such as by screwing. Cap ring 104 fits over body 102. In different embodiments, other securing mechanisms may be used, such as snap-fits. Nipple 204, in one embodiment, is made from silicone, although other materials may also be suitable. Nipple 204 allows contents 202 within body 102 to be dispensed to the user when desired. Cap 108 snaps over nipple 204 and onto locking ring 106 to keep the nipple clean and prevent unwanted spillage of contents 202.
The narrow slits formed in a flexible material prevents thicker contents, such as purees or sauces, from leaking out if the dispenser. The flexible material, however, does allow contents to be dispensed when desired, such as when the user squeezes the body to force contents out through the opening and/or the user sucks the nipple to pull contents through the opening as the slaps created by the slits pull upward.
By having cross-shaped opening 502 recessed within the nipple, a reservoir is formed at the top of the nipple. This reservoir enables expelled contents to stay in the nipple for at least a short period of time. As a result, the contents are less likely to spill or make a mess.
For example, the user may be able to consume the contents in the reservoir or dump them out. Without the reservoir, expelled contents may immediately spill out if the user does not consume them. In other embodiments, opening 502 may include a one-way valve assembly or flap that allows contents to only exit the body, but not enter the body through the nipple.
As described herein, the squeeze dispenser provides an easy-to-use food/liquid dispenser that is re-usable and minimizes risks of spilling or waste. In a typical use case, a parent fills the body with a food product, such as pureed carrots. If the cap ring was not already in place, it can be placed over the opening of the body. The nipple is then placed over the cap ring, and the locking ring is screwed onto the cap ring to secure the nipple to the body. The dispenser is now ready for use. For example, the parent/caregiver gives the squeeze dispenser to a child/elderly/handicapped, such as in a car, airplane, stroller, shopping cart, etc. The child/elderly/handicapped can then eat the puree by squeezing the body and/or sucking the nipple, depending on various factors, such as how hard the child/elderly/handicapped squeezes and/or sucks, the amount of food in the body, and the thickness of the food. Once the child/elderly/handicapped is finished eating, the cap, which is still attached, can be placed over the nipple. The dispenser can then be kept for later use or cleaning. Any remaining content may be saved, such as by pouring the contents back into another container.
When the parent/caregiver is ready to clean or re-fill the dispenser, the cap is removed, and the locking ring is unscrewed to remove the nipple. The ring cap may also be removed from the body. All components may then be washed, such as with a machine or by hand. Alternatively, the parent may simply re-fill the body with the same or a different food, and reassemble the dispenser for use.
When the parent/caregiver is ready to clean or re-fill the dispenser, the cap is removed, and the locking ring is unscrewed to remove the nipple. The ring cap may also be removed from the body. All components may then be washed, such as with a machine or by hand. Alternatively, the parent may simply re-fill the body with the same or a different food, and reassemble the dispenser for use.
The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. For example, contents may not be directly stored in the body. A separate storage compartment may be used, such that squeezing the body forces the contents through the nipple. Also, different nipple shapes and sizes, as well as different openings may be suitable. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
