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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transportable feeding system for infants and the like comprising the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the valve section of the transportable feeding system for infants and the like of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first alternative construction of the valve section of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a second alternative construction of the valve section of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlargement of a portion of the transportable feeding system for infants and the like of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the transportable feeding system for infants and the like of FIG. 1; and

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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′.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.