U.S. patent application number 11/277378 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for transportable feeding system for infants and the like.
Invention is credited to Aleene Foster Cooper, John K. Eitrheim, Tracy W. Escobar.
Application Number | 20070221601 11/277378 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38532246 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070221601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eitrheim; John K. ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
TRANSPORTABLE FEEDING SYSTEM FOR INFANTS AND THE LIKE
Abstract
A transportable feeding system for infants and the like
comprises an hollow upper chamber for receiving a quantity of
powdered food material and a hollow lower chamber for receiving a
quantity of water. A normally closed valve member is selectively
openable to permit water to flow from the hollow lower chamber into
the hollow upper chamber for mixing and feeding.
Inventors: |
Eitrheim; John K.; (Plano,
TX) ; Cooper; Aleene Foster; (Richardson, TX)
; Escobar; Tracy W.; (Midlothian, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL A. O'NEIL, P.C.
5949 SHERRY LANE, SUITE 820
DALLAS
TX
75225
US
|
Family ID: |
38532246 |
Appl. No.: |
11/277378 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J 1/2031 20150501;
A61J 1/2093 20130101; A61J 9/001 20130101; A61J 11/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/006 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/04 20060101
B65D001/04 |
Claims
1. A transportable feeding system for infants and the like
comprising: a hollow upper chamber having an open upper end and an
open lower end; feeding means; means for releaseably securing the
feeding means to the upper open end of the hollow upper chamber; a
valve section; means for releaseably securing the valve section to
the open lower end of the hollow upper chamber; the valve section
comprising a valve member selectively positionable in an open
configuration and in a closed configuration; a hollow lower chamber
having an open upper end and a closed lower end; means for
releaseably securing the open upper end of the hollow lower chamber
to the valve section; the hollow upper chamber for receiving a
quantity of a powdered food material and the hollow lower chamber
for receiving a quantity of water.
2. The transportable feeding system for infants and the like
according to claim 1 wherein the valve member of the valve section
normally maintains separation between the powdered food material in
the hollow upper chamber and the water in the hollow lower chamber
and wherein the valve member is selectively positionable to allow
water from the hollow lower chamber to flow into the hollow upper
chamber.
3. The transportable feeding system for infants and the like
according to claim 1 wherein the feeding means comprises a feeding
nipple and wherein the means for releaseably securing the feeding
means to the open upper end of the hollow upper chamber comprises a
nipple retainer normally threadedly engaged with the open upper end
of the hollow upper chamber.
4. The transportable feeding system for infants and the like
according to claim 1 wherein the means for releaseably securing the
open lower end of the hollow upper chamber to the valve section and
the means for releaseably securing the open upper end of the hollow
lower chamber to the valve section comprise threaded connections
between the open lower end of the hollow upper chamber and between
the open upper end of the hollow lower chamber and the valve
section.
5. A transportable feeding system for infants and the like
comprising: a first hollow chamber for receiving a quantity of a
powdered food material therein; a second hollow chamber for
receiving a quantity of water therein; valve means operatively
connected to the first hollow chamber and to the second hollow
chamber for normally separating the powdered food material in the
first hollow chamber from the water in the second hollow chamber
and selectively openable to permit water to flow from the second
hollow chamber into the first hollow chamber; and means for feeding
a mixture of the powdered food material and the water from the
first hollow chamber.
6. The transportable feeding system for infants and the like
according to claim 5 further comprising a valve section, wherein
the valve means comprises a valve member mounted on the valve
section for movement between a closed position and an open
position, and means for releaseably securing the first hollow
chamber and the second hollow chamber to the valve section.
7. The transportable feeding system for infants and the like
according to claim 6 wherein the feeding means comprises a nipple
and further including means for securing the nipple in fluid
communication with the interior of the first hollow chamber.
8. The transportable feeding system for infants and the like
according to claim 6 wherein the valve member is slidably supported
on the valve section for movement between open and closed
positions.
9. The transportable feeding system for infants and the like
according to claim 6 wherein the valve member is rotatably
supported on the valve section for movement between open and closed
positions.
10. A transportable infant feeding method comprising the steps of:
providing a first hollow chamber; providing a quantity of a
powdered food material; positioning the quantity of powdered food
material in the first hollow chamber; providing a second hollow
chamber; providing a quantity of water; positioning the water in
the second hollow chamber; providing a valve member; securing the
first hollow chamber in fluid communication with the valve member;
securing the second hollow chamber in fluid communication with the
valve member; initially employing the valve member to maintain
separation between the quantity of powdered food material in the
first hollow chamber and the water in the second hollow chamber;
subsequently employing the valve member to direct water from the
second hollow chamber into the first hollow chamber; thereafter
mixing the quantity of powdered food material and the quantity of
water in the first hollow chamber; and subsequently feeding the
mixture of powdered food material and water from the first hollow
chamber.
11. The transportable infant feeding method according to claim 10
including the additional steps of: providing a valve section having
the valve member mounted therein for selective movement relative to
the valve section between open and closed positions; releaseably
securing the first hollow chamber in fluid communication with the
valve section; and releaseably securing the second hollow chamber
in fluid communication with the valve section.
12. The transportable infant feeding method according to claim 11
wherein the valve member is slidably supported relative to the
valve section for movement between open and closed positions.
13. The transportable infant feeding method according to claim 11
wherein the valve member is rotatably supported in the valve
section for movement between open and closed positions.
14. The transportable infant feeding method according to claim 11
wherein the step of feeding the mixture of powdered food material
and water from the first hollow chamber is further characterized by
releaseably securing a nipple in fluid communication with the first
hollow chamber.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to the feeding of powdered
food materials, and more particularly to a unitary system for
transporting and feeding powdered food materials.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] At the present time there exists no convenient system for
feeding infants during travel, family outings, and other instances
when the family is away from home. Premixed formula must be kept
cold after opening and then must be warmed prior to use. Powdered
formula can be safely used for up to thirty days after opening but
must be used shortly after mixing with water. Thus, the feeding of
powdered formula at a remote location involves separately
transporting (a) powdered formula, (b) distilled or purified water,
and (c) a baby bottle. Prior to feeding, the powdered formula and
the water must be discharged into the baby bottle and mixed, a
procedure which can be quite inconvenient.
[0003] The present invention comprises a system for transporting
and feeding powdered food materials such as powdered formula which
overcomes the foregoing and other problems which have long since
characterized the prior art. In accordance with the broader aspects
of the invention, powdered food material is received and stored in
an upper chamber and distilled or purified water is received and
stored in a lower chamber which is isolated from the upper chamber
by a normally closed valve. At feeding time the valve is opened,
the water is directed through the valve into the upper chamber, the
water and the powdered food material are mixed, and the resulting
mixture is fed directly from the upper chamber.
[0004] In accordance with more specific aspects of the invention, a
transportable feeding system for infants and the like comprises a
hollow upper chamber having an open upper end and an open lower
end. A conventional feeding nipple is secured to the open upper end
of the upper chamber and a valve section is secured to the open
lower end of the upper chamber. A hollow lower chamber comprises an
open upper end and a closed lower end. The open upper end of the
lower chamber is secured to the valve section.
[0005] The valve section of the device comprises a normally closed
valve. The lower chamber receives a quantity of water and the upper
chamber receives a quantity of a powdered food material such as
powdered formula. At feeding time the valve of the valve section is
opened and the water from the lower chamber is directed through the
valve section into the upper chamber wherein the water is mixed
with the powdered food material. The resulting mixture is then fed
from the upper chamber through the nipple secured thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A more complete understanding of the present invention may
be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transportable feeding
system for infants and the like comprising the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the valve section of the
transportable feeding system for infants and the like of FIG.
1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG.
2 in the direction of the arrows;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first
alternative construction of the valve section of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second
alternative construction of the valve section of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 6 is an enlargement of a portion of the transportable
feeding system for infants and the like of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the
transportable feeding system for infants and the like of FIG. 1;
and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an optional base
which may be utilized in conjunction with the transportable feeding
system for infants and the like of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] As used herein the term "infant" is broadly defined to
include not only young children but also any person or animal
requiring or needing bottle feeding.
[0016] Referring to the Drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1
thereof, there is shown a transportable feeding system for infants
and the like 10 comprising the present invention. The transportable
feeding system 10 includes a hollow upper chamber 12 having an open
upper end and an open lower end. A conventional nipple 14 of the
type utilized in the feeding of infants, etc. is releaseably
secured to the open upper end of the hollow upper chamber 12 by a
conventional nipple retainer 15. The nipple 14 may be protected
during non-use by a removable cap 16.
[0017] The open lower end of the hollow upper chamber 12 of the
transportable feeding system 10 is releaseably secured to a valve
section 18. The hollow upper chamber 12 is preferably threadedly
secured to the valve section 18. Other conventional devices for
securing the hollow upper chamber to the valve section will readily
suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.
[0018] The transportable feeding system 10 further comprises a
hollow lower chamber 20 having an open upper end and a closed lower
end. The open upper end of the hollow lower chamber 20 is
releaseably secured to the valve section 18. The hollow lower
chamber 20 is preferably threadedly engaged with the valve section
18, however, other well known techniques for releaseably securing
the hollow chamber to the valve section are well known in the
art.
[0019] The valve section 18 of the transportable feeding system 10
is further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The valve section 18
comprises a right circular cylinder 22 having internal securing
members 24 formed in the upper and lower ends thereof. A valve
socket 26 is disposed within the cylinder 22 and is provided with
aligned apertures 28 to facilitate the flow of water from the
hollow lower chamber 20 into the hollow upper chamber 12 of the
transportable feeding system 10.
[0020] A valve member 30 is supported in the valve socket 26 for
sliding movement with respect thereto between open and closed
positions. A passageway 32 extends through the valve member 30 and
actuating buttons 34 are provided at the opposite ends thereof.
[0021] The valve socket 26 and the valve member 30 define a valve
for the transportable feeding system 10. The valve member 30 is
normally located relative to the valve socket 26 with the
passageway 32 therethrough positioned out of alignment with the
apertures 28 thereby securely isolating the contents of the hollow
upper chamber 12 of the transportable feeding system 10 from the
contents of the hollow lower chamber 20 thereof. Conversely, when
the transportable feeding system 10 is inverted from the upright
position shown in FIG. 1 and the valve member 30 is positioned as
shown in FIG. 3, water from the hollow lower chamber 20 of the
transportable feeding system 10 is allowed to flow into the hollow
upper chamber 12 thereof.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, the valve section 18 further comprises
an air vent 40. The air vent 40 is the type commonly used in
children's leak proof drinking cups, and includes a normally closed
slit 42 which may comprise either a single slit or two slits
arranged in a cruciform configuration as shown. The valve 40
permits air flow through the valve section 18 while preventing
liquid flow therethrough.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a valve member 50 which
may be employed in the valve section 18 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and
3 and described hereinabove in connection therewith in lieu of the
valve member 30. The valve member 50 has a passageway 52 formed
therethrough which functions identically to the passageway 32 of
the valve member 30. An actuating button 54 is provided at one end
of the valve member 50; however, in lieu of an actuating button at
the opposite end thereof, the valve member 50 is provided with a
spring 56 which is operatively positioned between a surface of the
cylinder 22 of the valve member 18 and a shoulder 58 of the valve
member 50.
[0024] The spring 56 functions to normally position the valve
member 50 in a closed relationship with respect to the apertures 28
of the valve socket 26 of the valve section 18. That is, the
passageway 52 of the valve member 50 is normally positioned out of
the alignment with the apertures 28 under the action of the spring
56. Whenever it is desired to cause water to flow from the hollow
lower chamber 20 into the hollow upper chamber 12 of the
transportable feeding system 10 the actuating button 54 is engaged
to move the valve member 50 inwardly against the action of the
spring 56 thereby aligning the passageway 52 with the apertures 28
of the valve socket 26.
[0025] Figure 5 illustrates a valve section 60 which may be used in
lieu of the valve section 18 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and
described hereinabove in connection therewith. The valve section 60
comprises many component parts which are substantially identical in
construction and function to component parts of the valve section
18. Such identical component parts are designated in FIG. 5 with
the same reference numerals utilized above in the description of
the valve section 18 but are differentiated therefrom by means of a
prime (') designation.
[0026] The valve section 60 differs from the valve section 18 in
that the valve section 60 employs a ball valve 62 having a
passageway 64 extending therethrough. A shaft 66 extends from the
ball valve 62 and a handle 68 is secured at the end of the shaft 66
remote from the ball valve 62. The handle 68 is employed to rotate
the ball valve 62 between a closed orientation wherein the
passageway 64 extends at right angles to the apertures 28' and an
open orientation wherein the passageway 64 is aligned with the
apertures 28'.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, an air vent 70 may be formed at the
upper end of the hollow lower chamber 20. Alternatively, the vent
70 may be formed in the lower edge of the valve socket 26 of the
valve section 18. The function of the vent 70 is to allow air flow
into the hollow lower chamber 20 and through the vent 40 (not shown
in FIG. 6) of the valve section 18 during feeding from the
transportable feeding system 10.
[0028] Operation of the transportable feeding system 10 of the
present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. All of the component
parts of the transportable feeding system for infants and the like
10 are sterilized prior to use. Powdered food material such as
powdered formula is initially received in the hollow upper chamber
12. Distilled or purified water is initially stored in the hollow
lower chamber 20. The valve member 30 comprising the valve section
18 is initially in its closed configuration thereby separating the
water in the hollow lower chamber 20 from the powdered food
material in the hollow upper chamber 12.
[0029] Whenever it is desired to feed an infant, a disabled person,
or an animal utilizing the transportable feeding system 10, the
valve member 30 comprising the valve section 18 is moved to its
open configuration. The transportable feeding system 10 is inverted
from the orientation thereof illustrated in FIG. 1 thereby allowing
water to flow from the hollow lower chamber 20 through the valve
section 18 into the hollow upper chamber 12.
[0030] After all of the water has been transferred from the hollow
lower chamber 20 into the hollow upper chamber 12 of the
transportable feeding system 10 the valve member 30 of the valve
section 18 is returned to the closed configuration. At this point
the hollow lower chamber 20 may be disengaged from the valve
section 18 and replaced with an optional bottle base 72 as
illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0031] The next step in the operation of the transportable feeding
system 10 comprises shaking the hollow upper chamber 12 to
thoroughly mix the powdered food material and water now contained
therein. After the water is thoroughly mixed with the powdered food
material, the resulting mixture is fed through the nipple 14 in the
conventional manner.
[0032] All of the component parts of the transportable feeding
system 10 are manufactured from food grade materials and are
adapted for sterilization in microwave ovens of the type commonly
used in household kitchens. The nipple retainer 15, the cylinder 22
of the valve section 18, the valve member 30 of the valve section
18, and the optional bottle base 72 are preferably manufactured
from a colored plastic material. The removable cap is manufactured
either from a transparent plastic material or from a translucent
plastic material and is slightly pliable. The nipple 14 is made
from a conventional soft material such as silicone rubber. The
valve socket 26 is made from a firm rubber or similar material such
as urethane rubber. The hollow upper chamber 12 and the hollow
lower chamber 20 are preferably transparent and are manufactured
from a sturdy plastic material such as an acrylic. The nipple
retainer 15, the cap 16, the hollow upper chamber 12, the cylinder
22 comprising the valve section 18, the lower chamber 20 are all
cylindrical in shape and are adapted to fit into existing bottle
warmers. The hollow upper chamber, the valve section, and the
hollow lower chamber form the continuous cylinder with minimal
seams when assembled.
[0033] The component parts of the transportable feeding system 10
of the present invention may also be constructed from traditional
materials. For example, the nipple retainer 15 and the valve
section 18 may be manufactured from sterilizable corrosion
resistant metals such as brass or stainless steel. The hollow upper
chamber and the hollow lower chamber may be formed from
sterilizable glass. If metals and/or glass or glass like materials
are utilized in the construction of the transportable feeding
system of the present invention, gaskets formed from sterilizable
materials may be deployed from the component parts thereof.
[0034] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the
foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the
invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is
capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and
substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the
spirit of the invention.
* * * * *