Title: Sealable baby bottle liner
Abstract: A baby bottle liner having a containment body including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first open end, a second sealed end, a first sealed side extending between the first open end and the second closed end, and a second sealed side extending between the first open end and the second sealed end on a side opposite the first sealed side thereby forming a cavity. An interlocking seal is positioned adjacent the first open side operable between a first position sealing the cavity and a second position providing access to the cavity. A pair of tabs extend from the first open side of the containment body. Each of the tabs has an aperture extending there through. When the seal is in the first position an airtight container is formed preventing air from affecting liquid contained within the cavity. A perforation extending along a length of the containment body allows one to selectively separate the tabs from the containment body.
Patent Number: 6,899,239 Issued on 05/31/2005 to Gray
| Inventors:
|
Gray; Janice (1 Cherokee Bay, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
351866 |
| Filed:
|
January 27, 2003 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
215/11.3; 215/365; 383/63 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A61J 009/00; B65D033/16 |
| Field of Search: |
215/113,365
383/63,65,10,35
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ackun; Jacob K.
Assistant Examiner: Francis; Faye
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kroll; Michael I.
Claims
1. A baby bottle liner comprising:
a) a containment body including an inner surface, an outer surface, a first open
end, a second sealed end, a first sealed side extending between said first open
end and said second end, and a second sealed side extending between said first
open end and said second sealed end on a side opposite said first sealed side thereby
forming a cavity;
b) an interlocking seal positioned adjacent said first open side operable between
a first position scaling said cavity and a second position providing access to
said cavity;
c) a pair of tabs extending from said first open side of said containment body,
each of said tabs including an aperture extending there through, wherein when said
seal is in said first position an airtight container is formed preventing air from
affecting liquid contained within said cavity;
d) a perforation line between said tabs and said containment body for selectively
separating said tabs from said containment body; and
c) a reference line spaced from and located between said interlocking and said
perforation line for properly aligning the open end of said containment body with
an opening into baby bottle into which said liner is to be inserted.
2. The baby bottle liner as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality
of indicia embossed on said outer surface of said containment body including a
measurement device for determining a volume of beverage contained within said cavity,
an ascribable area for recording the time and date of preparation of said beverage
and a name of a child for which the beverage is prepared, and a reference line
for aligning with an open side of said baby bottle.
3. The baby bottle liner as recited in claim 2, wherein said containment body
is adapted to be both heated to a boiling temperature of a liquid contained therein
and to be cooled to a freezing temperature of a fluid contained therein.
4. The baby bottle liner as recited in claim 3, wherein said containment body
is formed from a transparent material.
5. The baby bottle liner as recited in claim 4, wherein said transparent material
is flexible.
6. A baby bottle in combination with a liner consisting of:
a) a baby bottle having an opening at one end thereof;
b) a containment body adapted for insertion into said baby bottle having a first
open end and a second scaled end forming a cavity therebetween, said containment
body being made from a transparent material capable of being heated to a boiling
temperature of a liquid contained therein and cooled to a freezing temperature
of said liquid;
c) an interlocking seal inside of said containment body adjacent said first open
end operable between a first position sling said cavity preventing air from affecting
liquid contained within said cavity and a second position providing access to said
cavity;
d) a pair of tabs extending from said first open end of said containment body,
each of said tabs including an aperture extending therethrough;
e) a perforation line between each of said tabs and said containment body for
selectively separating said tabs from said containment body;
f) a reference line spaced from and located between said interlocking seal and
a perforation line for properly aligning the open end of said containment body
with an opening into said baby bottle into which said liner is to be inserted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to baby bottles and, more specifically,
to a sealable baby bottle liner having a cavity formed by a containment body composed
of a pliable polymeric substance that allows for volumetric expansion and contraction
of the cavity for placement of a desired beverage therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are prior art baby bottle liners in existence, which provide reduced
air introduction into beverage flow. While these baby bottle liners may be suitable
for the purposes for which they where designed, they would not be as suitable for
the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. It is thus desirable
to provide a baby bottle liner that, in addition to providing reduced air introduction,
the liner is sealable. It is further desirable to provide a baby bottle liner with
disposable tabs having an aperture for aiding in installation of the liner.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to baby bottles and, more specifically,
to a sealable baby bottle liner having a cavity formed by a containment body composed
of a pliable polymeric substance that allows for volumetric expansion and contraction
of the cavity for placement of a desired beverage therein.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner that
overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner able
to easily store breast milk or formula for freezing and/or traveling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner
having an interlocking seal for selective storage and retention of a beverage or
unused beverage for later use.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner
having disposable tabs to aid in installation of the liner into a baby bottle.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide baby bottle
liner having disposable tabs with an aperture thereby providing a more graspable component.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner
having informative indicia embossed thereon.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner
able to form an airtight seal between a baby bottle and baby bottle cap preventing
the introduction of air to the beverage flow.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle
liner having a perforated strip to allow for easy removal of the disposable tabs
after installation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner
having a plurality of sizes constructed to accommodate different sized baby bottles.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a baby bottle liner that
is simple and easy to use.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a baby liner that
is economical in cost t manufacture.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
The present invention embodies a containment body consisting of a pliable polymeric
substance. The containment body has a structure forming a cavity with an opening
at one of its ends. The cavity is volumetrically expandable and contractible. An
interlocking seal is located inward of the cavity opening, for selectively creating
an airtight container for storing an unused beverage therein. The containment body
has embossed on its exterior surface a plurality of informative indicia for providing
information pertaining to the amount of fluid contained within the cavity, a date/time
and name entry space, and installation instructions. The expandable material extends
beyond the cavity opening thus forming tabs for aiding in the installation of the
liner in a baby bottle. Further assistance is provided by an aperture placed therein,
this makes handling the liner a much easier task.
Disposed between the containment body's cavity opening and disposable tab
is a row of perforations produced to form a tear strip for easy detachment of the
disposable tab from the containment body after installation.
Installation of the present invention is achieved by placing the containment
body into a baby bottle, and then folding the containment body's open end over
the bottle's opening in a manner that provides for placement of the baby bottle
cap there over to form an airtight connection that causes the present invention
to act as a baby bottle liner.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing
a baby bottle liner that is sealable and may be used to store a beverage or excess
beverage for later use. Further, the present invention has perforated disposable
tabs to aid in installation of the present invention to a baby bottle. Additionally,
the containment body is embossed with informative indicia on its exterior surface
and may be made in any of a plurality of sizes suitable for various sized baby
bottles for the containment therein of a beverage.
When the present invention is installed, the disposable tabs are removed and
an airtight seal is formed between the baby bottle and baby bottle cap, allowing
reduction of internal pressure within the containment body when extrusion of the
beverage is made through the nipple. This causes a deformation of the liner in
correlation to the reduction of the volume inside the containment body effectively
preventing the introduction of air into the beverage flow.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be
embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being
called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that
changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within
the scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention
will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner of the present
invention in use within a standard baby bottle for feeding an infant and an enlarged
view of the baby bottle liner of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner of the present
invention without any liquid therein;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the sealable baby bottle liner of the present invention
without any liquid therein;
FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a side cross sectional view of the containment
body of the baby bottle liner of the present invention taken along line 4—4
of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner of the present
invention with a liquid sealed therein;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner of the present
invention containing a beverage sealed therein being placed into a baby bottle;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner of the present
invention in a preliminary stage of installation in a baby bottle;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a baby bottle having the baby bottle liner of
the present invention installed therein with disposable tabs removed; and
FIG. 9 is a side cross sectional view of the baby bottle liner of the present
invention installed in a baby bottle taken along line 9—9
of FIG. 8.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description
to follow. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which
forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments
in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in
sufficient detail to those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural
changes may be made without departing from the scope of. In the accompanying drawings,
like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters
denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the
sealable baby bottle lines of the present invention. With regard to the reference
numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
- 10 sealable baby bottle liner of the present invention
- 11 containment body
- 12 baby bottle
- 13 open end of cavity
- 14 baby
- 15 first side seal
- 16 right side seal
- 18 measurement scale
- 19 top of bottle reference line
- 20 interlocking seal
- 20 left side seal
- 22 ascribable indicia
- 23 bottle rim
- 24 perforated strip
- 24 threaded connection
- 26 disposable tab
- 28 aperture
- 30 inner cavity
- 32 baby bottle cap
- 34 baby bottle nipple
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters
denote similar elements throughout the several views. FIGS. 1 through 9 illustrate
the sealable baby bottle liner of the present invention indicated generally by
the numeral 10.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner 10 of
the present invention inserted into a baby bottle 12 and used feed an infant
14. The baby bottle liner 10, when used in conjunction with a standard
baby bottle 12, prevents or reduces the ingestion of air by a baby 14.
The baby bottle liner 10 is sterilized by the manufacturer thereof and is
ready for safe use by a user. The baby bottle liner 10 is reusable art thus,
once used, the user may either dispose of the baby bottle liner 10 or place
it in boiling water to re-disinfect it for future use. The preferred embodiment
of the baby bottle liner 10 is capable of withstanding temperatures of one
hundred degrees Celsius or greater without deformation or melting occurring to
the containment body 11.
When used with a standard baby bottle 12, the cap of the bottle 12
grips the liner 10 in an airtight fashion. The baby bottle liner 10
collapses around the beverage 16 contained therein when the baby feeds on
the bottle 12, due to the airtight enclosure. By collapsing with the beverage
16, air pockets in the liquid are eliminated, thus, preventing or reducing
ingestion of air by the baby 14. Indicia, such as a measurement scale 18,
are printed on the outer, surface of the baby bottle liner 10. The measurement
scale 18 provides information regarding the amount of beverage 16
contained within the baby bottle liner 10 as well as an amount of liquid
ingested by the baby 14. Additionally, the baby bottle liner 10 includes
an interlocking seal 20. Excess beverage 16 remaining after feeding
the baby 14 may be stored in the baby bottle liner 10 by pressing
the interlocking seal 20 together. This creates an airtight container. Liquid
is prevented from escaping the baby bottle liner 10 until a user breaks
the seal prior to the next use. The date and/or time at which a beverage 16
was prepared and sealed within the baby bottle liner 10 can be recorded
on an ascribable section 22 on the outer surface of the baby bottle liner
10. Indicia is provided on the baby bottle liner 10 indicating where
to record the time and date. A beverage 16 sealed within the baby bottle
liner 10 may be stored for long periods of time while maintaining freshness
by keeping the sealed liner 10 stored at a reduced temperature or frozen
at temperatures of zero degrees Celsius or lower. The content body 11 of
the baby bottle liner 10 can withstand such temperatures without deformation
or breaking. With the pertinent information such as the date and time of original
preparation of the beverage 16 and the name of the baby for which it was
prepared placed directly on the ascribable section 22 of the baby bottle
liner 10, quick identification of the contents of the baby bottle liner
10 is possible as well as matching the baby bottle liner with the correct
baby 14.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner 10 of
the present invention. From this figure it is seen that the baby bottle liner 10
includes a containment body 11. The containment body 11 is preferably
formed of a transparent, polymeric material that allow for volumetric expansion.
The containment body 11 forms an enclosed pouch having three sealed sides
and a fourth open side 13. The containment body 11 is permanently
sealed along a first end 15 and first and second sides, 17 and 21,
respectively extending from either side of the first end 15. A second end
13 is opened and positioned between the first and second sealed sides 17
and 21, respectively, on an end opposite the first end 15. The containment
body 11 has an outer surface on which indicia are printed and an inner surface
creating a cavity between the three sealed sides. A selectively interlocking seal
20 is positioned on an inner surface of the containment body 11 extending
along a length of the second end 13 for selectively sealing the cavity thereby
creating an airtight container.
The material forming the containment body 11 extends beyond the interlocking
seal 20
m at the second side 13. This extra material provides
a graspable component for facilitating installation of the baby bottle liner 10
within a bottle. A perforation 24 extends across a length of the excess
material above the interlocking seal 20. Disposable tabs 26 extend
above the perforation 24. The disposable tabs 26 include an, aperture
28 extending therethrough. The aperture 28 aids a user with installation
of the baby bottle liner 10 into a baby bottle by providing a handle for
grasping the baby bottle liner 10. Indicia providing a reference line 19
on the outer surface of the containment body 11 between the interlocking
seal 20 and the perforated line 24 indicating where the top of a
baby bottle should align with the baby bottle liner 10 when installed is
printed on an outer surface of he baby bottle liner 10. Once positioned
on a bottle with the reference line 19 aligned with the top of a baby bottle
12, the user removes the disposable tabs along the perforation 24.
Indicia printed on the outer surface of the containment body 11 may
include any combination of a measurement scale 18 for determining the amount
of beverage in the containment body 11, a reference line 19 printed
near the second end 13 of the containment body 11 for properly aligning
the open end with the opening of a bottle, and an ascribable section 22
for writing pertinent information such as the time and/or date of preparation of
the beverage contained within the baby bottle liner 10. Additionally, the
ascribable section 22 may contain a field for recording the name of the
baby for which the beverage is prepared. This allows parents with more than one
child to easily identify the correct liner 10 and thereby feed the correct
formula to each child.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner 10 of
the present invention. From this figure it is seen that the baby bottle liner 10
includes a containment body 11. The containment body 11 is preferably
formed of a transparent, polymeric material that allows for volumetric expansion.
The containment body 11 forms an enclosed pouch having three sealed sides
and a fourth open side 13. The containment body 11 is permanently
sealed along a first end 15 and first and second sides, 17 and 21,
respectively, extending from either side of the first end 15. A second end
13 is opened and positioned between the first and second sealed sides 17
and 21, respectively, on an end opposite the first end 15. The content
body 11 has an outer surface on which indicia are printed and an inner surface
creating a cavity between the three sealed sides. A selectively interlocking seal
20 is positioned on an inner surface of the containment body 11 extending
along a length of the second end 13 for selectively sealing the cavity thereby
creating an airtight container.
The material forming the containment body 11 extends beyond the interlocking
seal 20 at the second side 13. This extra material provides a graspable
component for facilitating installation of the baby bottle liner 10 within
a bottle. A perforation 24 extends across a length of the excess material
above the interlocking seal 20. Disposable tabs 26 extend above the
perforation 24. The disposable tabs 26 include an aperture 28
extending therethrough. The aperture 28 aids a user with installation of
the baby bottle liner 10 into a baby bottle by providing a handle for grasping
the baby bottle liner 10. Indicia providing a reference line 19 on
the outer surface of the containment body 11 between the interlocking seal
20 and the perforated line 24 indicating where the top of a baby
bottle should align with the baby bottle liner 10 when installed is printed
on an outer surface of he baby bottle liner 10. Once positioned on a bottle
with the reference line 19 aligned with the top of a baby bottle 12,
the user remove is the disposable tabs along the perforation 24.
Indicia printed on the outer surface of the containment body 11 may
include any combination of a measurement scale 18 for determining the amount
of beverage in the containment body 1, a reference line 19 printed
near the second end 13 of the containment body 11 for properly aligning
the open end with the opening of a bottle, and an ascribable section 22
for writing pertinent information such as the time and/or date of preparation of
the beverage contained within the baby bottle liner 10. Additionally, the
ascribable section 22 may contain a field for recording the name of the
baby for which the beverage is prepared. This allows parents with more than one
child to easily identify the correct liner 10 and thereby feed the correct
formula to each child.
FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a cross section of the containment body 11
of the present in invention has a containment body 111. The containment
body 11 is formed by the first sealed end 15 and the first and second
sealed sides (not illustrated). Opposite the first sealed end 15 is the
second open end 13. A cavity 30 is formed by the inner surface of
the containment body 11 between the first sealed end 15 and the first
and second sealed sides. The cavity 30 is volumetrically expandable and
contractible. The interlocking seal 20 is located inward of the cavity opening
13 for providing selective closure of the cavity 30. When closed,
the cavity is able to store and contain unused beverage positioned therein for
use at a later time. Further defining the cavity opening 13 are disposable
tabs 26 provided by excess material extending beyond the interlocking seal
20. The tabs 26 are equipped with an aperture 28. The aperture
28 aids the user in installation of the baby bottle liner 10 within
a baby bottle by allowing for griping of the baby bottle liner 10. Between
the opening 13 to the cavity and the disposable tab 26 a perforation
24 is provided extending across a length of the containment body 11.
The perforation forms a tear strip for easily detaching the disposable tabs 26
from the containment body 11 after installation.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the scalable baby bottle liner 10 of
the present invention. From this figure it is seen that the baby bottle liner 10
includes a containment body 11. The containment body 11 is preferably
formed of a transparent, polymeric material that allows for volumetric expansion.
The containment body 11 forms an enclosed pouch having three sealed sides
and a fourth open side 13. The containment body 11 is permanently
sealed along a first end 15 and first and second sides, 17 and 21,
respectively extending from either side of the first end 15. A second end
13 is opened and positioned between the first and second sealed sides 17
and 21, respectively, on an end opposite the first end 15. The containment
body 11 has an outer surface on which indicia are printed and an inner surface
creating a cavity between the three sealed sides. A selectively interlocking seal
20 is positioned on an inner surface of the containment body 11 extending
along a length of the second end 13 for selectively sealing the cavity thereby
creating an airtight container.
The material forming the containment body 11 extends beyond the interlocking
seal 20 at the second side 13. This extra material provides a graspable
component for facilitating installation of the baby bottle liner 10 within
a bottle. A perforation 24 extends across a length of the excess material
above the interlocking seal 20. Disposable tabs 26 extend above the
perforation 24. The disposable tabs 26 include an aperture 28
extending therethrough. The aperture 28 aids a user with installation of
the baby bottle liner 10 into a baby bottle by providing a handle for grasping
the baby bottle liner 10. Indicia providing a reference line 19 on
the outer surface of the containment body 11 between the interlocking seal
20 and the perforated line 24 for indicating where the top of a baby
bottle should align with the baby bottle liner 10 when installed is printed
on an outer surface of he baby bottle liner 10. Once positioned on a bottle
with the reference line 19 aligned with the top of a baby bottle 12
the user remove the disposable tabs along the perforation 24.
Indicia printed on the outer surface of the containment body 11 may
include any combination of a measurement scale 18 for determining the amount
of beverage in the containment body 11, a reference line 19 printed
near the second end 13 of the containment body 11 for properly aligning
the open end with the opening of a bottle, and an ascribable section 22
for writing pertinent information such as the time and/or date of preparation of
the beverage contained within the baby bottle liner 10. Additionally, the
ascribable section 22 may contain a field for recording the name of the
baby for which the beverage is prepared. This allows parents with more than one
child to easily identify the correct liner 10 and thereby feed the correct
formula to each child.
As illustrated, the containment body 11 is in an expanded form to accommodate
a liquid 16 therein. Preferably the baby bottle liner 10 is formed
of a polymeric material that allows for the cavity to expand in order to accommodate
a predetermined amount of liquid 16 that may be poured therein. The liquid
16 may be stored for use at a later date by sealing the interlocking seal
20. The time and date of initial preparation may be indicated on the ascribable
area 22 of the baby bottle liner 10. This allows for liquids 16
to be prepared in advance of feedings without the fear of the liquid spoiling,
becoming disinfected, or spilling. Often a baby's diet is tailored to their age
and dietary needs, therefore a name field is provided within the ascribable section
22 on the baby bottle liner 10. The baby bottle liner 10 is
designed to be received within a standard baby bottle. The baby bottle liner 10
may also be produced in various sizes to be received with in baby bottles of different sizes.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner 10 of
the present invention containing a liquid 16 sealed therein being placed
into a baby bottle 12. By sealing the interlocking seal 20 after
filling the baby bottle liner 10 with a liquid 16, the baby bottle
liner 10 can be placed into a bottle 12 without the fear of spilling
the liquid 16 there from. The containment body 11 is formed to hold
a predetermined volume of liquid and is sized to fit through the opening of a standard
baby bottle 12 when filled. The apertures 28 extending through the
disposable tabs 26 aid in insertion of the baby bottle liner 10 within
a baby bottle 12 by providing a graspable component for receiving the user's
fingers. The baby bottle liner 10 is determined to be completely inserted
once the reference line 19 is in alignment with the top of the bottle 12.
At that point, the disposable tabs 26 are pulled apart thereby opening the
interlocking seal 20 and separating the tabs 26 for installation
over the rim 23 of the baby bottle 12. The tabs 26 may then
be separated from the baby bottle liner 10 by tearing along the perforations 24.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sealable baby bottle liner 10 of
the present invention installed in a baby bottle 12. As illustrated, the
containment body 11 has been inserted into the baby bottle 12 as
described in FIG. 6. The tabs 26 are separated and folded over the
rim 23 of the baby bottle 12. Folding the tabs 26 over the
rim 23 of the bottle 12 is performed by grabbing the tabs 26
at the aperture 28 of each tab 26 and separating the tabs 26.
This action also releases the seal 20 providing access to the liquid within
the baby bottle liner 10. The tabs 26 are then pulled sown over the
sides of the baby bottle 12 such that the second open end 13 of the
baby bottle liner 10 covers the top edge of the baby bottle 10. The
liquid 16 is contained within the containment body 11 of the baby
bottle liner 10. The baby bottle cap 32 is then placed over the rim
23 of the bottle 12 as indicated by the arrow and rotated to mesh
threads on an inner side of the cap with threads on an outer side of the top edge
of the baby bottle 12 capturing the open end 13 of the containment
body 11 between the bottle 12 and the cap 32 and sealing the
baby bottle 12.
FIG. 8 is an illustrative view of the sealable liner 10 of the present
invention completely installed in a baby bottle 12 and its disposable tabs
26 removed. Shown is the baby bottle liner 10 fully installed in
a baby bottle 12 being suspended and held in place by the placement of the
baby bottle cap 32 onto the baby bottle 12 while gripping the containment
second open end 13 of the body 11 there between. Additionally shown
is a disposable tab 26 being removed from the containment body 11
after installation to eliminate any form of hazard or choking risk to a child.
The tab 26 is easily broken away from the containment body 11 by
tearing the containment body 11 along the perforation 24 by pulling
on the aperture 28. With the bay liner 10 secured in the bottle 12
by the cap 32, the open end 13 of the liner 10 is sealed from
spilling except for the small hole in the nipple 34 within the cap 32.
Therefore, when the bottle 12 is inverted for feeding, the child sucks the
liquid 16 contained therein through the nipple 34.
Additionally illustrated is the customary transparent bottle 12.
Because the bottle 12 is transparent, the measurement indicia 18
on the side of the baby bottle liner 10 are viewable therethrough. Further,
the date and time of preparation, as well as the name of the intended child as
indicated on the ascribable section 22 of the baby bottle liner 10
may be verified before issuing the bottle for feeding.
FIG. 9 is a cross section view along line 9 illustrated in FIG. 8 of
the baby bottle liner 10 of the present invention installed in a bottle
12. Shown is the baby bottle liner 10 fully installed inside a baby
bottle 12 with the cavity 30 of the containment body containing a
liquid 16. The cavity's opening 13 is secured between the rim 23
of the baby bottle 12 and the cap 32 by the threaded connection 25
therebetween. An airtight seal is formed between the cap 32 and bottle 12
to prevent the introduction of air into the bottle to mix with the liquid. Upon
sucking of the nipple by a baby, the liquid is caused to pass through a hole in
the nipple 34, for feeding a child. Not illustrated are the tabs 26
which nave been removed from the containment body 11 as described in FIG. 8.
In operation, a liquid is poured into the open end of the cavity of the liner
of the present invention. The user determines the amount of beverage poured therein
by comparing the line of the liquid to the measurement indicia printed on the liner.
The user has the option of installing the liner containing a desired quantity of
liquid in a baby bottle for dispensing, or the user may seal the sealable liner
for future use at a selected time. If the user decides to store the beverage for
use at a later time, the user seals the liner with the beverage contained therein
by running two fingers on either side of the interlocking seal. Pressing the two
sides of the seal interlocking together creates an airtight seal, thus, transforming
the cavity into an airtight container. Preferably containment body is formed of
a material capable of volumetric expansion. The containment body is able to withstand
temperatures within a minimum range of substantially 0°-100° degrees
Celsius. However, the range of temperatures that baby bottle liner can with stand
without deformation is preferably extends below zero degrees Celsius and above
one hundred degrees Celsius. Because the liner can withstand freezing temperatures,
the stored beverage therein can be frozen for prolonged storage. In addition, because
the liner can withstand at least one hundred degrees Celsius, the liner can be
boiled thereby disinfecting the contents.
When the liner is to be used for dispensing the beverage contained within, the
liner is removed from the storage location, if stored. The liner is preferably
immersed in boiling water or placed in a refrigerator and later removed when the
beverage contained within reaches a desired temperature or is adequately disinfected.
The apertures on the tabs are then grasped and the tabs are pulled apart from one
another to open the interlocking seal. The temperature of the beverage may be verified
by immersing a thermometer or a finger therein. Running two fingers along the interlocking
seal now reseals the liner. By doing so, the sealed liner can be inserted into
a baby bottle without concern for spilling the beverage therein. Then liner is
inserted in the baby bottle to a point at which until the rim of the baby bottle
is aligned with the corresponding reference line on the liner. The user then pulls
apart the tabs with enough force to separate the two sides of the interlocking
seal. This is easily achieved by pulling with a finger from each aperture. The
containment body is now inside the bottle and the opening is positioned adjacent
the rim. Still holding the tabs at the aperture, the tabs are pulled over the rim
and positioned along the side of the bottle. The user then pinches the two tabs
to the side of the bottle with two fingers, allowing the cavity containing the
beverage to remain suspended from the rim of the bottle. The baby bottle cap is
then positioned over the rim of the baby bottle with the nipple pointing upward.
The cap is then screwed onto the threaded rim of the bottle until it cannot be
screwed on any further. The material of the liner is now pinched between the cap
and the rim of the bottle creating an airtight seal and suspending the cavity therefrom.
The tabs are removed from the bottle by tearing the tabs at the perforation thereby
separating the tabs from the containment body of the liner. The bottle can now
be inverted for dispensing the liquid contained therein through the nipple. The
amount of beverage dispensed from the liner can be determined by comparing the
level of the beverage contained therein with the initial level prior to feeding.
If the entire beverage is not consumed, the remaining beverage can be saved and
preserved within the liner by removing the liner from the bottle and resealing
the interlocking seal. Although the tabs have been removed, still enough material
protrudes from the bottle and cap that it can be grasped, thus preventing the liner
from falling into the bottle when the cap is removed.
From the above description it can be seen that the sealable baby bottle liner
of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices
by providing a cavity for storing beverages which is sealable to produce an airtight
container. Additionally, the liner of the present invention is inscribed with a
measurement indicia for easily determining the amount of beverage contained therein
as well as enabling a user to ascribe the date and time of preparation and the
name of the respective child for which the beverage was prepared. Further, the
liner of the present invention is equipped with disposable tabs that are discarded
after aiding in the installation of the liner in a baby bottle. Furthermore, the
sealable baby bottle liner of the present invention is simple and easy to use and
economical in cost to manufacture. It will be understood that each of the elements
described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in
other types of methods differing from the type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described
and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to
the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications,
substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and
in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any
way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of
the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt
it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint
of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific
aspects of this invention.
*
