BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Nursing bottles are typically fabricated from a stiff material such as plastic and lack insulative capabilities. As a result, it may be difficult, uncomfortable and/or undesirable for an infant to hold the bottle during feedings. Further, due to the lack of insulation, infants may resist holding the bottle, such as for example, during instances when the liquid therein (i.e., formula, water, juice, etc.) is at an unusual temperature (e.g., too cold) thereby making it uncomfortable to grip the bottle. Furthermore, it is difficult to store loose items (e.g., the bottle cap, pacifiers, etc.), which must oftentimes be readily accessible for the infant.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bottle holder in which storage compartment is employed to advantage;
FIG. 2 is detailed view of a portion of the bottle holder of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a section view of a portion of the bottle holder taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 illustrating the storage compartment; and
FIGS. 4 is a diagram of another embodiment of a bottle holder in which a music player is employed to advantage; and
FIG. 5 is a diagram of the bottle holder of FIG. 4 illustrating the storage compartment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments of the present invention and the advantages thereof are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a bottle holder 10 in which a storage compartment 12 is employed to advantage. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, bottle holder 10 comprises a sleeve 13 to receive a bottle 20, such as for example, an infant nursing bottle 21. Sleeve 13 is formed by a sidewall 14 comprising a first end 16 having an opening 18 to enable bottle 20 to be inserted within sleeve 13, and a second end 22 having an opening 24 to enable access to storage compartment 12. Sidewall 14 comprises a flexible material configured to expand and/or retract in order to conform to the shape of bottle 20 as bottle 20 is inserted within and removed from sleeve 13. Furthermore, sidewall 14 is fabricated from a soft, cushiony and/or compressible material to provide a comfortable gripping and handling surface for an infant or other user when bottle 20 is inserted within holder 10. According to some embodiments, sidewall 14 is formed of a resin mixture such as, but not limited to, polyvinylchloride, having a plasticizer mixed therein to provide the soft, cushiony, compressible and flexible sidewall 14. Sidewall 14 may also be formed from a styrenic elastomer. According to some embodiments, sidewall 14 is utilized to insulate fluids disposed within bottle 20. In FIG. 1, bottle holder 10 comprises a circular cross section; however, it should be understood that holder 10 may be otherwise configured (e.g., triangular, oval, square, rectangular, etc.) to conform to bottles 20 of differing sizes and shapes.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, sidewall 14 is transparent to enable viewing of an object 15 disposed on or adjacent to the inward side of sidewall 14 (e.g., the portion of sidewall 14 within the interior of holder 10. Object 15 may comprise for example, a photograph, a drawing or any other artistic item or information viewable through sidewall 14 for purposes such as, but not limited to, identification of bottle holder 10 or bottle 20, providing a decorative element to bottle holder 10 and/or enjoyment by an infant nursing from nursing bottle 21. It should be understood that object 15 may be printed directly on or otherwise directly attached to the inward side of sidewall 14. It should be understood that sidewall 14 may be translucent (causing sufficient diffusion to prevent perception of a distinct image), opaque (impenetrable by light) or a combination thereof.
FIG. 2 is a detail view of sidewall 14 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, object 15 is disposed adjacent to sidewall 14 such that the visible portion of object 15 abuts inner surface 28 of sidewall 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, object 15 is coupleable to sidewall 14 via an adhesive; however, it should be understood that object 15 may be otherwise coupled (e.g., fused/melted to sidewall 14). According to embodiments of the present invention, object 15 comprises a flexible material such as, but not limited to, a silk-screen or any other type of flexible cloth or fabric. Accordingly, as bottle 20 is inserted within holder 10, object 15 expands and/or contracts with sidewall 14 to conform to bottle 20. It should be understood that object 15 may be directly printed onto sidewall 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, an inner surface 30 of object 15 is adapted to enable slidable engagement with bottle 20 to permit easy insertion and/or removal of bottle 20 to/from holder 10.
FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, compartment 12 comprises a top wall 32, a sidewall 34 and a cover 36 configured to receive and store items such as pacifiers, medicines, formula, etc. According to embodiments of the present invention, cover 36 is pivotally attached sidewall 34 at hinge 38; however, it should be understood that cover 36 may be otherwise attached to and/or completely removable from compartment 12 when accessing compartment 12. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, sidewall 14 and/or object 15 of bottle holder 10 is coupled to sidewall 34. For example, according to embodiments of the present invention, sidewall 14 and/or object 15 may be coupled to sidewall 34 via an adhesive. Additionally or alternatively, sidewall 34 may be fused to sidewall 14 and/or object 15 by heating sidewall 34 and permitting sidewall 14 to adhere directly to sidewall 34. In use, storage compartment 12 is accessible from an exterior area of the sleeve (e.g., from the bottom of holder 10) while bottle 20 is disposed within sleeve 13.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of another embodiment of bottle holder 10 in which a music player 40 is employed to advantage. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, cover 36 comprises music player 40 having speaker 42 to enable the playback of audio excerpts such as, but not limited to, prerecorded music or other sounds. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, music player 40 comprises a memory to enable the storage or playback of the pre-recorded music and sounds; however, it should be understood that music player 40 may be otherwise configured (e.g., a mechanically driven hand cranked music player). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, bottle holder also comprises a handle 46 to enable easy gripping of bottle holder 10. In FIG. 1, handle 46 comprises an adjustable length strap 47 to enable carrying and/or easy gripping of bottle holder 10. In addition, strap 112 may be configured to couple bottle holder 10 to any structure, such as, but not limited to, a stroller, a chair, a diaper bag, etc.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of the bottle holder 10 of FIG. 4 illustrating cap 36 (and music player 40) in the open position to illustrate storage compartment 12. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, cap 36 and music player 40 are pivotably connected to bottle holder 10 to enable items to be stored in storage compartment 12.
Other alterations and modifications of the present invention will likewise become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, and it is intended that the scope of the invention disclosed herein be limited only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims to which the inventor is legally entitled.
