GB2543819A

GB2543819A - Infant bottle apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2543819A
Application number: GB1519191.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tomoloju Oluwafemi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-30
Filing date: 2015-10-30
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Also published as: GB201519191D0

Abstract

An infant bottle apparatus having a bottle, a timer and temperature device. In the preferred embodiment, the timer and temperature sensors are situated on a holder, separate from the displaceable feeding bottle. The timer may be automatically operable on insertion of the bottle into the holding device. The thermometer automatically measures the temperature contents of the bottle. The sensors may be battery operated or have an electrical connection through a USB socket. The holder has a display means to allow the user to monitor the time and temperature. The holding device has a closed insulating space 37 between the inner 35 and outer 36 surfaces of the holder. In one embodiment, the temperature measurement is taken via a conductor plate 24 situated on a probe within an upstanding pillar 22 of the holder. This inserts into an indentation in the feeding bottle 23, allowing the temperature of the contents to be taken from a more central position within the container. In another embodiment, the sensors are situated directly on the bottle, or are displaceable from the bottle. The timer device may have an audible alarm emanating from a speaker.

Description

INFANT BOTTLE APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an infant bottle apparatus, in particular apparatus allowing control of the contents of a bottle.

Background

Increasing importance on infant welfare, with improved knowledge of health and safety requirements, ensures that many parents or carers are very aware of the needs of the infant.

In particular it is known to be of great importance for health and safety to ensure that feeding of the infant is correctly undertaken. Many parents, carers or users may breast-feed, at least until an older age. When the infant becomes bottle fed however ensuring that the bottle contents are fresh and at the correct temperature for the infant can become taxing for some users.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Chinese utility model CN 204 072 813 (HE) discloses an intelligent feeding bottle capable of displaying the temperature. The intelligent feeding bottle comprises a bottle cap, a nipple, a bottle body and an intelligent block, wherein the bottle body is of a double-layer hollow structure and comprises an outer wall, a separating layer and an inner wall; the intelligent block comprises a temperature sensor, a central controller and a display panel which are sequentially connected; the temperature sensor is embedded in the inner wall; the central controller is arranged at the middle part of the separating layer and comprises a timer and a data processing chip which are mutually and electrically connected; the display panel is embedded in the outer wall and comprises a display screen and a timing switch. According to the intelligent feeding bottle disclosed by the utility model, the temperature of liquid in the intelligent feeding bottle can be displayed, and the storage time of liquid milk is recorded.

Chinese utility model CN 202 015 355 (LILI) relates to a feeding bottle, in particular to a multifunctional feeding bottle, which comprises a bottle body, a bottle cap and a nipple, wherein the bottle cap is connected at the opening position of the bottle body in a screw mode, the nipple is arranged on the bottle cap, the bottle body is provided with an electronic watch, and the bottle cap is provided with a temperature displayer. Therefore, by the aid of the temperature displayer arranged on the bottle cap, a user can visually observe temperatures of liquid in the feeding bottle conveniently, and by arranging the electronic watch on the bottle body, the user can check the time conveniently.

United States patent application US 2008 087 622 (DOWD) discloses a safety timer for use with a baby bottle containing prepared formula, the safety timer being reversibly retained on the baby bottle, the safety timer comprising: A timer portion comprising a timer for manually setting the time associated with the period of use of prepared formula; A band portion comprising a band that is reversibly attachable to the baby bottle and where the band portion holds the timer in a position where the timer may be used to set the time for the period of use for the prepared formula;

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an infant bottle apparatus comprising an infant bottle and timer and temperature devices, wherein the timer device is arranged to provide a manually operable timing facility with respect to contents of the bottle, and the temperature device is arranged to automatically measure the temperature of the contents of the bottle.

The holder may comprise the devices so as to advantageously allow the bottle to be easy to clean and replace. In some further embodiments the devices may be incorporated into the holder such that the bottle may comprise a known or standard infant bottle.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a holder and a bottle, for example the bottle is displaceable from the holder, and the holder measures the temperature when the bottle is in the holder. In some embodiments the timer device may be operable automatically on placement of the bottle in the holder.

The holder may thereby comprise an energy source for the devices. The energy source may comprise a battery and/or mains electrical connection. The electrical connection may comprise a universal serial bus connection, so as to enable easy charging, and/or data transfer. In some embodiments a data connection may be envisaged via wireless connectivity, for example intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM).

The holder may comprise a local display means, which display means enables a user to monitor the temperature and timing devices. The display means may be operable with a control or activation means. The activation means may comprise at least one button, which button or buttons may control the timing and/or temperature devices. In some embodiments the devices may comprise an automatic activation means. For example in some embodiments the activation means may comprise activation through insertion of the bottle.

In some embodiments the holder may comprise heating and/or insulation means or material. In this way the holder may be enabled to maintain or heat the bottle and its contents to an appropriate level.

The temperature device may comprise means to measure the temperature of the bottle with reference to the bottle contents, wherein allowance is made for the bottle walls.

Advantageously therefore the device may be used with a plurality of bottles.

In other embodiments the holder and bottle may comprise an interface such that the bottle is more effectively subject to temperature measurement by the temperature device.

Advantageously therefore the temperature measurement may be enabled to be more accurate.

For example the bottle may include a conductive plate or part, which part is situated to provide conduction of interior temperature to an exterior surface of the bottle. The holder may therefore come into contact with the conductive part so as to operate the temperature device.

In some embodiments all apparatus is comprised by or on the bottle in use. For example in some embodiments the devices may comprise displaceable parts from the bottle.

The temperature device for example may comprise a probe into the bottle interior, and a display on the bottle exterior.

The timing device may comprise a part integrated with the temperature device, wherein the devices may comprise a single part, which part may be detached from the bottle, so as to enable cleaning of the bottle and/or use on further bottles.

The bottle may be constructed to standard infant bottle formats, for example with a screw thread collar, silicone teat, and plastic bottle body.

In some embodiments where the apparatus comprises a bottle and holder, the bottle and holder interface may comprise an indentation into the bottle, wherein the conductor part may be advantageously hidden or protected within the indentation and the indentation may advantageously ensure the temperature taken is central to the contents of the bottle in use.

The indentation may refer to an upstanding probe member which upstands centrally from the holder so as to provide a sensor or plate for measuring temperature of, at or in the indentation.

The indentation advantageously also causes the conductor part to reflect a more accurate temperature reading for the bottle contents, wherein the indentation may allow the conductor plate to be as central within the bottle as possible.

In some embodiments the timer device comprises an alert means, which alert means comprises an audible, visual, haptic, local and/or remote alarm. Remote alarms may comprise wireless connectivity, wherein a remote device such as a smartphone or computer may be utilised to provide the alarm.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figures 2 show isometric views of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figures 3 show a front view and rear view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 show plan views of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figures 5 show isometric views of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figures 7 show plan views of the embodiment of the holder shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 5a; and

Figure 9 shows an isometric sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus comprising a holder 2 comprising the devices and a displaceable bottle 1, displaceable therefrom.

The bottle and holder comprise an interface formed by an indentation 23 within the bottle, and an upstanding probe member 15 in an upstanding frustroconical pillar 22 in the holder. The interface is formed in use by placement of the bottle in the holder, wherein the top of the pillar abuts the inner topmost surface 24 of the indentation.

The topmost surface of the indentation comprises a conductor plate to allow effective measurement of the bottle contents at its centre.

The bottle provides a collar 3 around an inclined neck 25 of a plastics bottle container 9, the neck and collar sharing a screwthread and the collar securing a silicone cap 4 with a central frontwards inclined teat 5.

The holder further includes a segmented side wall 10,6 and planar base 11. The side wall is elevated to surround the bottle when the bottle is in place in the holder, wherein the side wall provides insulation to the bottle and is segmented into a front 10 comprising an outer surface 36 and an inner surface 35 of polished stainless steel to reflect heat. The surfaces are separated by a closed insulative space 37.

The front comprises a curved vertical segment mostly encapsulating the internal surface in contact with the bottle in use. A rear 6 provides an elevated topmost and rearmost point 30 which inclines towards the bottle in use. The side wall provides a topmost planar lip 13. The rearmost point, incline and lip are all chamfered so as to aid in placement of the bottle.

The side wall further provides siting for the display 8 and activation means 7 and standby button 14. The display comprises a liquid crystal display, or light emitting diode display, or similar and is arranged to display results of the temperature device. The activation means comprises depressible buttons, arranged to control the timer device.

The temperature device further includes a conductor plate in the indentation on the bottle, and a temperature measurement plate topmost on the probe from the holder. The plates form a heat conducting sensor.

The holder includes a micro-USB input 20, with a silicone tethered cap 12 for when not in use. The USB port allows for advantageously easy charging and may in some further embodiments allow for data transfer. In some further embodiments the apparatus may comprise wireless or wired connectivity.

The holder further includes a PCB 21, rechargeable batteries 19 and a loudspeaker 18 for alerting the user as to timing.

The holder further includes internal metal sleeve 16 and glass insert 17. The glass insert is sandwiched between the internal metal sleeve and the external metal sleeve 101.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An infant bottle apparatus comprising an infant bottle and timer and temperature devices, wherein the timer device is arranged to provide a manually operable timing facility with respect to contents of the bottle, and the temperature device is arranged to automatically measure the temperature of the contents of the bottle.

2. An infant bottle apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the holder comprises the devices.

3. An infant bottle apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the bottle is displaceable from the holder.

4. An infant bottle apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the timer device is operable automatically on placement of the bottle in the holder.

5. An infant bottle apparatus according to any of the preceding claims wherein the bottle comprises a conductor plate.

6. An infant bottle apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the conductor plate is situated centrally with respect to the contents of the bottle in use.

7. An infant bottle apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the conductor plate is indented into the bottle.

8. An infant bottle apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the conductor plate interacts with an upstanding probe member from the holder.

9. An infant bottle apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising a loudspeaker.

10. An infant bottle apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the holder provides an insulated space for receipt of the bottle.

11. An infant bottle apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising rechargeable batteries.

12. An infant bottle apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the figures.