The present invention relates to food packaging and delivery systems, and in particular to an improved method and system for bottle-feeding babies.
Traditional methods of bottle-feeding babies with powdered formula present a number of obstacles, in both the preparation as well as the feeding processes. Normally, reusable bottles and nipples must be purchased, washed (if not boiled), filled with either tap water (which can involve concerns of taste, odor, temperature and possibly safety) or bottled water (which must be separately purchased—and which often lacks fluoride) and then have formula added and mixed in. Whereas while at home a traditional bottle-preparer can always either get another bottle, or clean (and possibly sterilize) a used bottle, while traveling, carrying extra bottles or even cleaning ones that were previously used can be cumbersome. In addition, while on the go it is necessary to either carry bottled water or find a place to get acceptable tap water. Besides such logistical problems, reusable bottles can be expensive.
The alternative, pre-mixed disposable bottles of liquid formula, are also well known. However, to most families their cost is simply prohibitive. For example, individual pre-mixed single use bottles of liquid formula are available in 2 and 4 oz. bottles in many retail outlets, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, etc. A case of an exemplary brand's 24 4 fl oz. bottles can cost approximately $71.00. Containers of 32 fl oz. of pre-mixed formula can cost approximately $41.00 for a case of six. On the other hand, powdered formula can cost approximately $22.00 for enough to make 268 fl oz. of formula. This respectively equates to $5.29 per 8 oz serving for individual pre-mixed bottles, $1.71 per 8 oz serving for large pre-mixed containers and $0.66 per 8 oz serving for powdered formula. Besides cost, pre-mixed liquid formula presents another problem as well. As, soon as pre-mixed formula is opened any unused portion must be refrigerated. Even when preserved, it often loses its freshness after a short time.
What is thus needed in the art is a convenient and cost effective method for bottle-feeding babies, whether at home or on the go, that can solve the above-described problems with conventional feeding methods.
A disposable bottle for feeding babies using powdered or concentrated formula is presented. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a bottle can be pre-filled with filtered water and has a neck opening that can fit nipple rings manufactured by numerous popular manufacturers. In such exemplary embodiments the disposable bottle can have a measurement indicator on its side which indicates the amount of liquid, in ounces and milliliters, associated with a given height on the bottle. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention a disposable bottle can be filled with fluoridated water to a predetermined level, thus leaving a predetermined volume of the bottle empty and available for mixing concentrated or powdered formula. In alternative exemplary embodiments according to the present invention a disposable bottle can be packaged with a pre-measured amount of powdered formula in a sealed pouch. In alternative exemplary embodiments according to the present invention a disposable bottle can have an expandable neck which when expanded leaves a predetermined volume available for mixing concentrated or powdered formula or other comestible solute.
FIGS. 12A-B depict the disposable water bottle of
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This present invention provides a novel system and method for the convenient, efficient, nutritious and safe bottle-feeding of babies either at home or while traveling. The present invention solves the problems inherent in the prior art by providing a bottle preparer with the convenience, economy, efficiency and safety of prepackaged disposable bottles which are filled with the exact amount of pure and fortified water and whose necks are inter-operable with a nipple and ring of their choice.
In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a properly sized disposable bottle can be filled with an indicated precise amount of water. The water can be, for example, filtered and fortified with fluoride. All a caregiver needs to do is add powdered formula and provide a chosen nipple and ring to feed their baby. In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention the bottles can be, for example, disposable, and can, for example, have different neck openings (as to diameter, height, number and type of threads, etc.) so as to be compatible or inter-operable with a variety of nipples and nipple rings commonly available to consumers. Such an exemplary bottle, can, for example, have markings on the side, in both milliliters and ounces, to indicate both how much is available to feed a baby as well as how much formula has been consumed.
In alternative exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, bottles can have a neck opening of a single size and type and can, for example, be provided with one or more adapters that interface between such one type of neck opening and a variety of nipple rings, as illustrated in
In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention bottles can be somewhat larger in volume than the volume of water they contain in order to leave room for adding formula (powdered, liquid concentrate, etc.) and mixing it with the water.
As noted above, prior art methods of bottle feeding present difficulties. Pre-mixed liquid formula in disposable bottles is expensive, and thus often impractical for most families. Mixing formula concentrates (powdered, liquid or otherwise) is often messy; it requires cleaning bottles, finding and adding water, storing the concentrate, etc.
In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, these prior art difficulties are obviated. With, for example, a 12 or 24 pack of 8 oz. or 4 oz. disposable water bottles, some formula concentrate, and any nipple and ring of their choice, a baby's caregiver is ready to feed. Because manufacturers sell nipples and rings separately from bottles, the cost of a reusable bottle is thus saved. An important difference between systems according to the present invention and prior art systems is that such conventional systems use nipples and rings that (i) are either specific to their product or (ii) are of the generic small size type. By contrast, in exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, a consumer can choose any major brand nipple and ring that suits them and affix it to a disposable bottle of water. Because the nipple is the most personal part of the bottle feeding process this feature is significant and desirable to consumers. Nipples come in a variety of shapes and types. For example, there are large, small, slow, fast, orthodontic and “natural” types of nipples, to name a few. Thus, in exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, the need for buying reusable bottles and the associated task of loading a dishwasher with numerous bottles for the next day's feedings are eliminated.
Conventional disposable bottled water closures cannot accept common types of nipple rings for baby bottle feeding. The neck openings, sizes, heights and thread types are not compatible with water bottles marketed to adults or older children. In addition, bottled water does not generally have measurement indicators to allow for the proper mixing of formula, nor do they leave room to mix in any formula.
In alternative exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, bottles can be marketed with disposable nipples and single use serving formula packets, providing an all-in-one package.
Thus, in exemplary embodiments according to the present invention bottles can have measurement indicators, can be filled with fluoridated, fortified and/or nutritional water, and can be designed to fit the sizes of the various nipple rings available on the market. This combination of features lets a consumer mix the convenience of pre-mixed formula in disposable bottles with the economy and convenience of bottled water, and the nipple choice that best suits their individual needs.
In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention bottles can be provided with, for example, various different size neck openings to accommodate the various sizes of nipple rings available, or, for example, can be provided with a single size neck opening and adapters to interface with the various nipple rings available.
Most nipple rings currently on the market that use the small type of nipple ring, such as, for example, those marketed by Dr. Brown™, Evenflow™, Gerber™, Johnson and Johnson™ and Playtex™, each have a mutually compatible neck opening and threading (this type was referred to above as the “generic” small nipple type). However, as regards large neck openings, there are two common sizes, and two types of threads common to the major brands. For example, Avent™ has one size and Gerber™ and Playtex™ have a common different size. Thus in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, bottles or adapters can be produced in three types of neck openings to accommodate all of the major brands currently on the market. The different sizes can be easily identifiable, having, for example, color coded packaging that lists the nipple rings that are compatible with each size. These embodiments are illustrated in
Alternatively, bottled water can be provided in bottles with a single neck opening and thread size and type that is compatible with one of the common nipple types, along with one or more nipple ring adapters that can be screwed on top of the bottle to allow for inter-operability with other nipple rings. Two examples of such adapters are shown in
As noted, the threads on the exemplary bottles depicted in
As described above, in alternate exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, instead of providing an assortment of bottles, where each is compatible with one nipple ring type, a single bottle compatible with the most common nipple ring, can be provided, with adapters to accommodate the various other nipple ring types.
As can be seen, each label can have, for example, a notification as to which types of nipple rings are compatible with the bottle. This is reinforced by a particular color being associated with each neck opening type for easy recognition on store shelves.
With reference to
Alternatively still, other arrangements of the cavity in the cap, or a container for the dry formula separate from but removably attached to a plastic cap, can be implemented, with varying methods of accessing and sealing the powdered formula, as may be known in the art. As well, other ingredients besides powdered formula can also be packaged in the cap, as may be desirable, such as for example, lemonade mix, juice or other concentrate of various types, and in general anything that a user may desire to mix with the bottled water at the time of feeding or consumption.
The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention and it will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous alternative arrangements which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are within its spirit and scope. For example, although the inventive concept was described in the context of bottle feeding babies, the invention is applicable to any food packaging and delivery system in which some concentrated foodstuff is added to a liquid, such as water, as a pre-requisite to its final preparation or consumption.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/552,913 filed on Mar. 10, 2004, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60552913 | Mar 2004 | US |