Illumination – With liquid container
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-06
2001-02-13
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With liquid container
C362S096000, C362S806000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186637
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to bottles for feeding an infant or baby, and more particularly to a combination baby bottle and amusement device that provides a random light and sound show for a baby while feeding.
2. Description of Related Art
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Mattice et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,406 describes a baby bottle having a bottle portion with a first proximal end and a second distal end relative a feeding baby, a nipple portion attached to the bottle portion at the proximal end, a light member for illuminating the bottle attached to the distal end of the bottle portion and an attachment member for attaching the light member to the bottle. The light member includes a light source, a main power switch and a power source, all electrically connected together and mounted within a protective housing. The light member may also include an angle sensitive switch for activating the light source when the bottle is not upright.
Eagart, U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,034 describes an electronic musical adapter for removable attachment to a baby nursing bottle to produce a musical tune to soothe and amuse the baby upon movement of the bottle during the feeding process. The adapter comprising a cup-shaped housing, a melody producing circuit including an integrated circuit microchip within which is stored musical tune information, a battery power source, a buzzer-type speaker and a motion-activated microswitch for activating the microchip, and a wafer-like container encapsulating the melody producing circuit removably situated within the cup-shaped housing proximate the bottom thereof.
The prior art teaches both light and sound displays in a baby bottle. However, the prior art does not teach a miniature light and sound display means easily attached to a baby bottle and capable of various light displays into the baby bottle as well as sound displays in the manner shown in the present invention. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.
Baby feeding bottles are commonly used for the sole purpose of providing a baby with nourishment. Some parents also use the baby bottle as a means to pacify the baby when the baby becomes irritated or upset. However, the baby often becomes disinterested or drowsy while feeding and begins to fall asleep. When the bottle is used as a pacifier, the baby will often reject it. The present invention teaches a light and sound producing device utilized in conjunction with a baby bottle to provide a means of entertainment for the baby to prevent the baby from falling asleep prematurely or rejecting the bottle when used as a pacifier.
The present invention is a combination baby feeding bottle and light and sound device. A baby bottle comprises a support portion, a bladder adapted to fit inside the support portion, a drinking nipple, and a bottle top used as a clamp for the bladder. A lighting device comprises a housing, a battery power supply, a light bulb, a reflector, a lens, a switch, a motorized light filter, and a buzzer device for producing sounds as driven by an integrated circuit. In one embodiment, the lighting device further comprises a motor with an extended shaft holding the light filter over the light bulb shaft. The light filter is multicolored, multi-textured, or a combination of both. The light bulb projects a light beam through the filter, thereby providing a means to change the light beam's color, shape, or a combination of both. The motor is controlled by the integrated circuit, thereby providing a means for producing constant or intermittent rotation of the motor shaft and second lens in accordance to a program stored within the integrated circuit. The constant rotation of the shaft and lens provides a means for changing the color or shape of the light beam with time. The integrated circuit also provides a means for periodic interruption of the light beam and for adjusting the light beam's intensity.
The lighting device is adapted to frictionally fit within the support portion. The light beam projected by the lighting device is reflected into the support portion and illuminates the bottle and the liquid contained within the bladder.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a means to entertain a baby with a light show while the baby is feeding, having advantages not taught by the prior art. The light show consists of one or more light beams projected by the lighting device into the bottle. The light show consists of light beams that change color, shape, intensity, and/or blink continuous with time. The light show provides a means to mesmerize and entertain the baby while it is feeding.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a pacifying effect on the baby. When babies cry uncontrollably, parents commonly attempt to pacify the baby by resorting to a baby bottle. However, the baby is often disinterested and will not accept the bottle. The light show provided by the present invention arouses the baby's interest in the bottle. Prior art merely provides an object for the baby to suck on without providing an alternative to focus their attention. The light show provides an alternative for the baby's focus and therefore the light show has a pacifying affect.
A further objective of the present invention is to have an arousing effect on the baby. Babies have a tendency to become drowsy and fall asleep while feeding. Many parents may not want the baby to sleep when they are feeding, but desire the baby to complete a full feeding. The lighting device provides a light show that arouses the baby and therefore is conducive to a thorough feeding, providing a further advantage over the prior art.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2582781 (1952-01-01), Johnson
patent: 2745947 (1956-05-01), Sansous
patent: 5010461 (1991-04-01), Saotome
patent: 5044509 (1991-09-01), Petrosky et al.
patent: 5339548 (1994-08-01), Russell
patent: 5344034 (1994-09-01), Eagan
patent: 5662406 (1997-09-01), Mattice et al.
Gene Scott-Patent Law & Venture Group
Murrietta Cecil R.
Tso Laura K.
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