Supports – Nursing bottle type – Bracket
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-11
2003-07-15
Braun, Leslie A. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Nursing bottle type
Bracket
C248S102000, C248S105000, C248S106000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06592084
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bottle feeding of infants; and more particularly, to a bottle supporting unit having a soft, compliant holding structure that retains the bottle in position, so that its nipple end remains proximate the mouth of the infant, without applying excessive pressure against the infant's mouth during feeding.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There has long existed a clear recognition by the art concerning the need for infant feeding without active parental monitoring. Numerous bottle-holding mechanisms have been devised, which attempt to hold a feeding bottle in a feeding position during residence of the infant in a car seat, crib, couch, or bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 0,712,184 to Feld, discloses a nursing bottle holder for baby carriages. The nursing bottle is attached to a baby carriage using an elliptical or loop shaped wire frame, which receives and holds the nursing bottle. The position of the nursing bottle can be adjusted in a vertical plane by sliding the attachment on a vertical wire frame. Connection to the carriage is achieved using a rigid attachment. A nursing bottle within the holder would not readily track an infant's movement, and could not accommodate the motion of an infant without applying undue pressure against the infant's mouth. Moreover, the holder provides no means for presentation of the bottle at an angle that assures free flow of its liquid content.
U.S. Pat. 1,559,740 to Cardarella discloses a nursing bottle holder that is attached to he frame of a crib using an elastic retaining member. The bottle is looped into the elastic ember. It is prevented from tipping by a retaining system, which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the elastic band. To position the bottle, the elastic strap, as well as the bottle holding strap must be adjusted individually to meet the feeding needs of each infant. When the supporting elastic is drawn tightly, the bottle is released if the infant lets go of the nipple. The bottle is attached to an external frame, and is aimed at an infant to position the nipple in close proximity with the baby's face. Inasmuch as the elastic is under tension during use of the device, the bottle must be positioned within a critical distance from the baby's face. Excessive pressure is otherwise applied against the infant's mouth. Slight displacement of the infant alters the feeding angle, placing significant load on the nipple.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,462,187 to Helixon discloses a nursing bottle holder, which is suspended from an infant crib or carriage using tapes. The nursing bottle is held in a pocket composed of flexible material. The pocket is constructed from one half of a hexagon material blank, which is folded and stitched to form the pocket. The pocket is attached to tapes, which loop around the railing of a carriage or infant crib bed frame. These tapes suspend the pocket, which carries the nursing bottle at a required location. Due to this attachment, the nursing bottle is not secured to the infant. Movement of the infant causes the bottle to become inaccessible. In addition, slight movement of the infant causes the bottle to apply large pressures against the infant's mouth. Further, the bottle-retaining device does not address issues such as accessibility and angular location of the bottle during feeding.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,490,207 to Cassile discloses a nursing bottle holder, which is supported by adjustable flexible straps. The flexible straps are attached to the frame of an infant's crib, and the bottle is positioned within reaching distance of the baby. The inclination of the bottle with respect to the baby is not adjustable. Once attached to a crib, the distance between bottle and infant remains fixed. No mechanism is provided for adjusting the location of the bottle with respect to the baby to compensate for movement of the baby within the crib.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,545,414 to Pittman, discloses a baby feeder bottle. The bottle is attached to a crib frame so that the angle of the bottle, relative to the baby, can be adjusted by adjusting the length of retaining straps. Rotating a T shaped fixture around a fixed point, at which the bottle and crib are attached, changes bottle location within the crib. Pittman's mechanism provides a fixed bottle location, which cannot be adjusted as the baby moves within the crib. The angle of bottle inclination is preset at the time of attachment. If a baby turns his head during feeding, the bottle inclination is maintained, causing the feeder bottle to drip. No compensation is provided for movement of the baby's head to a position not aligned with the feeder bottle; in such circumstances the bottle becomes inaccessible.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,637,515 to Walsh discloses a holder for an infants' nursing bottle. The bottle is attached to a crib using two elastomeric straps. Bottle angle is fixed by orientation of a receptacle, which holds the bottle. The attachment means also operates to locate the bottle in a fixed position within the crib. An infant must be positioned within the crib with its mouth ‘aimed’ at the end of the nursing bottle. Movement of the infant tends to cause bottle inaccessibility, since no means are provided for movement of the bottle head in a lateral or vertical direction. If the infant moves slightly during nursing the elastomeric straps tend to apply undue pressure against a side of the baby's mouth. Due to the receptacle design, the angle of the bottle is preset. Flow rate of the bottle's liquid contents is altered by changes of liquid level therewithin. Such uneven liquid flow rate adversely affects feeding requirements, preventing constant liquid flow upon demand.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,830,781 to Coulters discloses a nursing bottle holder attached to vertical rungs of a crib. Two adjacent posts are utilized to clamp a swingable arm, which angles the bottle so that the liquid may be delivered. During use, the baby must turn to one side to face the nursing bottle. The position of the bottle during nursing is prearranged with care so that the end of the bottle reaches the baby's mouth. A swinging action enables bottle movement solely in a horizontal plane; no accommodation is provided for tilting of the baby's head. Slight motion of the baby causes loss of contact with the nursing bottle. Tilting of the bottle tends to result in liquid seepage therefrom. If the baby tries to hold on to the bottle, excessive pressure is applied against the baby's mouth. The bottle does not “track” movement of the baby in a vertical or lateral direction, and would likely not be useful in a vehicle or other situation where vertical and lateral motion of the baby is present.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,032 to Theis discloses a baby bottle holder attached to vertical rungs of a crib on either side, using four rope elements. These rope elements are attached to a baby bottle holder, which comprises an endless tubular flexible band, formed from rubber or rubber like material. The position of the bottle and its angle are determined solely by the locations of the straps on the vertical rungs. The patent discloses a nursing bottle holding device, which is clamped in flexible bands and is adjusted by four support elements attached to the vertical rungs of a baby crib. Location and angle of the nursing bottle are solely determined by the location of these four attachments. Thus, the location of the bottle is fixed in space. The baby has to be located at that exact location, and slight motion of the baby causes application of excessive pressure on the baby's mouth, or loss of feeding function. The bottle, which is inclined, may leak, causing spillage of liquid contained therein. In addition, the bottle does not “track” movement of the baby in lateral and vertical directions, and therefore cannot be readily used in a vehicle or like situation where motion of the baby is present.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,133 to Craig discloses a baby bottle holding device for use on a flat surface.
Braun Leslie A.
Buff Ernest D.
Ernest D. Buff & Associates LLC
Narovimhan Dove
Sterling Amy J.
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