Bottles and jars – Nursing bottles and nipples
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-09-18
Weaver, Sue A. (Department: 3727)
Bottles and jars
Nursing bottles and nipples
C215S011500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290080
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to nursing bottles and, more specifically, to an improved nursing bottle having the characteristics of reduced gas build-up, easier cleanability, improved gripability, and increased fine motor skills development.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Nursing bottles are, of course, commonly utilized in the feeding of infants. There are several problems with existing nursing bottles, however. These include bloating and excess gas consumption during feeding, causing the infant to experience discomfort. In addition, current bottles may be difficult to clean manually. Finally, prior art nursing bottles may not be contributing sufficiently to the development of fine motor skills of the infant's hands and fingers.
Thus, with respect to excessive gas consumption, typical nursing bottles provide only one aperture for both liquid to be delivered to an infant as well as for air to enter a bottle. Under this arrangement, known in the art as a closed system, when an infant begins suctioning liquid out of a nipple, negative pressure begins to build inside the bottle. Eventually, when this negative pressure inside the bottle equals the positive pressure outside the bottle, the infant can no longer receive liquid out of the bottle. The infant is then forced to cease suctioning, and take a breath. When this happens, the negative pressure within the bottle draws air into the bottle through the aperture in the nipple. This air then mixes with the liquid inside the bottle, forming air bubbles within the liquid. When the infant resumes nursing, the air bubbles are consumed, often causing the infant gas and discomfort.
Many existing nursing bottles are also difficult to clean by hand due to a flat closed end design. This design makes it difficult to efficiently fit a cleaning instrument, such as a brush, into all portions of a closed end of the bottle.
Many nursing bottles provide a gripping aid that only develops an infant's gross motor skills. However, a gripping aid that also aids fine motor skill development not only assists in the nursing process, but can also stimulate strength, dexterity and independence.
A need therefore existed for an improved nursing bottle with: an open system capable of preventing air from entering the bottle and mixing with liquid during nursing, a hemispherical closed end to ease cleaning, and fine motor dexterity rings to improve the fine motor skills of an infant and to make the bottle easier to grip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved nursing bottle capable of preventing air from entering the bottle and mixing with liquid during nursing.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a nursing bottle with a hemispherical closed end to ease in the cleaning of the nursing bottle.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a nursing bottle with fine motor dexterity rings to improve the fine motor skills and dexterity of an infant and to make the bottle easier to grip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an improved nursing bottle assembly is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a bottle having a closed end and an open end, a semi-permeable washer dimensioned to be positioned proximate the open end, and a bottle cap having at least one aperture therethrough, wherein the bottle cap is dimensioned to be removably coupled to the open end of the bottle with the at least one aperture proximate the semi-permeable washer.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an improved nursing bottle apparatus is disclosed, comprising, in combination, a nursing bottle having a closed end and an open end and an interior surface and an exterior surface, and at least one raised fine motor dexterity ring slidably coupled around the exterior surface of the nursing bottle.
In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, an improved nursing bottle is disclosed, comprising a bottle having a closed end and an open end, wherein an exterior portion of the closed end is substantially hemispherical.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2809760 (1957-10-01), Clark
patent: 2982432 (1961-05-01), Mehl
patent: 3061129 (1962-10-01), Fitzgerald
patent: 3394018 (1968-07-01), Velonis et al.
patent: 3405829 (1968-10-01), Siravo
patent: 3512301 (1970-05-01), Kramer
patent: 4050600 (1977-09-01), Jennings
patent: 4053648 (1977-10-01), Schmid et al.
patent: 4865207 (1989-09-01), Joyner et al.
patent: 4930645 (1990-06-01), Warehime
patent: 5509549 (1996-04-01), Marandola
Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.
Weaver Sue A.
LandOfFree
Nursing bottle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Nursing bottle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nursing bottle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2501180