With Valve For Liquid Patents (Class 215/11.4)
  • Patent number: 8752719
    Abstract: A baby feeding bottle (1) is provided that comprises a wall member (4) having an inner surface (6), a bottom part (2) and an upper part (7). Further a temperature indicator (11) is provided. The inner surface (6) of the wall member (4) defines an internal space (10). The bottle (1) further comprises a thermally conductive element (13) that is thermally connected to the temperature indicator (11) and extends from the bottom part (2) to the upper part (7) of the wall member (4) along at least part of the inner surface (6) thereof. The thermally conductive element (13) has a surface area that is significantly smaller than the surface area of the inner surface (6) of the wall member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Carolien Willemijn Geijzendorffer, Johannes Tseard Van Der Kooi, Paulus Cornelis Duineveld
  • Patent number: 8739991
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the device comprises a stainless steel container portion, a stainless steel annular portion, and a silicone mouthpiece portion. Fluid or other contents stored in the device only come in contact with the stainless container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion. The stainless steel container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion all do not contain plastic, therefore the fluid in contact with these surfaces is not exposed to any toxins or other compounds found in plastic and therefore the leaching of plastic toxins and compounds cannot occur while the fluid is stored in the device. The mouthpiece portion can be any of a number of different varieties, sizes and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Pura Stainless LLC
    Inventors: Roger P. Moore, Jenifer R. Moore
  • Patent number: 8733565
    Abstract: A nipple assembly is removably attachable to a baby bottle via a retainer ring and comprises a nipple having a flow aperture through one end, and a nipple flange structured to support the nipple. A flow control valve assembly is mounted to the nipple flange and extends inwardly from an inner surface of the nipple flange, the flow control valve assembly is structured to allow pressures to equilibrate between the inside and outside of the baby bottle, without allowing fluid to leak therethrough. A training cup spout assembly is removably attachable to a cup and comprises a spout having a spout channel extending therethrough. The spout channel has a dual valve assembly mounted therein to permit flow for drinking, as well as to prevent leakage of fluid from the cup. A flow control valve assembly may be mounted to the training cup spout assembly to permit pressure equilibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mikko Vault, LLC
    Inventor: Pruck Boonprasop
  • Patent number: 8727147
    Abstract: A bottle assembly including a bottle, a top closure member adapted for releasable engagement with a top portion of the bottle, and a bottom closure member adapted for releasable engagement with a base portion of the bottle. The bottom closure member has a base panel with at least one aperture therein. A diaphragm is positionable between the bottom closure member and the base portion. The diaphragm has at least one sealing element for sealingly engaging the base panel of the bottom closure member and an air passage extending through the at least one sealing element. The diaphragm is moveable between a sealed position and an unsealed position. The air passage is configured to inhibit liquid contained within a liquid chamber of the bottle from entering the air passage when the diaphragm is in its sealed position by trapping air within the air passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Handi-Craft Company
    Inventors: Bernard J. Kemper, Charles H. Miller
  • Patent number: 8708174
    Abstract: A bottle teat comprising: A nipple sleeve having a hollow nipple and a through-hole connected at the bottom to a hollow nipple sleeve which is connected at the bottom to a nipple flange that is connected to the nipple sleeve to be fastened to a bottle by a fastening ring which serves at the bottom with an annular disc-shaped ring flange overlapping the nipple flange, A contact area projecting downward or upward from the nipple flange, or from the nipple sleeve above the nipple flange outward into the area for placing a ring flange, and A lip valve that is opened when the nipple flange is not fastened to a bottle arranged in a deforming area next to the contact area so that the deformation of the nipple flange that arises from pressing the fastening ring against the contact area closes the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MAPA GmbH
    Inventor: Eckhard Itzek
  • Patent number: 8709518
    Abstract: A system for managing the fluid intake of a person is disclosed. The system consists of multiple containers of various volumes, a common lid configured to incorporate a flow control valve, multiple flow control valves having varying flow rates, a date indicator ring incorporated circumferentially on said containers, a content indicator disposed on said lid, a chiller insert, and an optional slip on handle. The user selects a container based on the fluid needs of a person and a flow control valve based on the drinking ability of the person. The user fills the container with a drinkable fluid, and indicates the nature of the contents with the content indicator and the date of filling with the date indicator ring. The chiller insert allows the user to cool the contents without the possibility of dilution as with standard ice cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Diane Young Jones
  • Patent number: 8701928
    Abstract: A spout for a spill-proof beverage container has a side wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface defining a discharge passage. A valve in the discharge passage includes two flanks formed integrally with the side wall and projecting from opposite sides of the inner surface of the spout. The front end faces of the flanks mate with one another along a slit that extends generally parallel to the longer axis of the spout. At least the front portions of the flanks are inclined away from the mouth of the spout such that pressure within the container acts to urge the flanks against one another so as to maintain the slit closed. Deformation of the side wall when the spout is held between the lips of a drinker acts to open the slit and create an opening between the flanks to allow the beverage to be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Ilan Zadik Samson
  • Patent number: 8684201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drinking apparatus including a vent system that removably connects to a drinking container. The vent system is used to create a variety of leak resistant drinking containers, such as toddler drinking cups, baby bottles, and other drinking containers. The vent system includes a substantially rigid disc portion and base portion, the base portion including base air vent channels merging into an integral one-way valve. The vent system provides passage for air from the exterior of the bottle to the interior of the bottle, but it does not allow liquid to exit the bottle via the vent system. An optional anti-bubble tube may be used with the vent system to provide for air entering the inverted container to reach an air pocket formed in the bottom portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Coralinda Trading Corporation
    Inventors: Amikam Berkovitch, Tamir Tirosh
  • Patent number: 8678228
    Abstract: A liquid metering assembly is described and which includes a container for enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed; a container cap defining a dispensing aperture and a vent aperture which is releasably affixed to the container; a moveable diaphragm releasably cooperating with the container cap, and coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the dispensing aperture, and wherein the moveable diaphragm has a valve member; and a moveable liquid volume control member which cooperates with the moveable diaphragm, and wherein, when a predetermined suction is applied to the dispensing aperture of the container cap, a user may withdraw a given volume of liquid from the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zak Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Steininger
  • Patent number: 8672877
    Abstract: A nursing system includes a fluid delivery module mounted to a portion of a human body. The fluid delivery module is coupled to a fluid source via a channel. A feeding recipient latches-on to a portion of the delivery module to draw fluid from the fluid source, thereby simulating conventional breastfeeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: William David Gust
  • Publication number: 20140069885
    Abstract: An infant cup includes a container, a lid, and an elbow straw. The container is configured to receive and hold a fluid and contains an opening at the top of the container. Furthermore, the lid is sealingly engaged with the container and includes an outlet configured to output the contents of the container. Moreover, the elbow straw is rotatably coupled to the lid and configured to sit and rotate within the container when the lid is coupled to the container. Additionally, the straw is weighted and thus, no matter what direction a child tips the infant cup, the tip of the straw will always rotate to be in contact with the fluid within the container. The elbow straw is also removable from the lid for ease of cleaning. The container may also contain handles attached to the outside of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Paxson, Charlie Smith, Domenic T. Gubitosi
  • Publication number: 20140061147
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Leon Robert Mitoulas
  • Patent number: 8640897
    Abstract: A teat for a feeding bottle has a one-way valve located remotely from the nipple of the teat to allow air to enter the feeding bottle to replace liquid sucked out of the bottle through the nipple while preventing liquid from leaking from the bottle. The one-way valve comprises an inwardly-oriented depression having opposed mutually inclined side walls meeting along a ridge having a slit. In the invention, when undeflected, the side walls make line contact with one another at the ridge and the thickness of the side walls is less than 0.4 mm so that, when acted upon by an increased pressure in the feeding bottle, the side walls collapse against one another and make sealing contact along a surface that extends from the ridge in the direction away from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: Ilan Zadik Samson
  • Patent number: 8636158
    Abstract: A dual chamber nursing bottle includes a first, relatively larger, storage chamber and a second, relatively smaller feeding chamber. A soft rubber nursing nipple is connected to the second chamber for feeding an infant. The first and second chambers are connected by a threaded closure. A transfer valve is mounted on the threaded closure to allow the transfer of selected quantities of milk from the first chamber into the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Ruchama Frisch
  • Patent number: 8622237
    Abstract: Drink bottles, or containers, with bite-actuated mouthpieces. In some embodiments, the mouthpieces are self-sealing mouthpieces that are biased to return from a dispensing configuration to a closed configuration. The bottles may be rigid or collapsible and may include a removable cap assembly. In some embodiments, the bottles include a manual on/off valve adapted to prevent drink fluid from being dispensed regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration. In some embodiments, the bottles include a straw extending into the bottle and/or a drink tube extending from external of the bottle and/or an air return system. In some embodiments, the bottles include a dispensing spout that is pivotally coupled to the cap of the drink bottle. In some embodiments, the dispensing spout includes a mount for the mouthpiece and/or cooperates with the cap to provide a manual on/off valve to selectively restrict flow of drink fluid from the bottle regardless of the mouthpiece's configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: CamelBak Products, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Choi, Barley A. Forsman, Jeremy Galten
  • Patent number: 8616391
    Abstract: A teat has a main body, a mouthpiece with a suction opening, and at least one milk channel extending from the main body to the suction opening. During use, the mouthpiece has an upper side directed towards a palate of a baby, and a lower side directed towards the baby's tongue. It is designed, on its upper side, with at least two walls, and with at least one air space arranged between said walls. The at least one air space extends separately from the at least one milk channel. The mouthpiece is designed on the upper side in such a way that this at least one air space inflates in the presence of an underpressure. This allows the palate, tongue and teat to interact in a manner that imitates breastfeeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventor: Erich Pfenniger
  • Patent number: 8602232
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Leon Robert Mitoulas
  • Patent number: 8597329
    Abstract: A dummy teat including a nipple carrier and a hollow dummy nipple projecting from the nipple carrier, which has areas of a smaller wall thickness at least on two opposed longitudinal sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: MAPA GmbH Gummi- und Plastikwerke
    Inventors: Alexander Du Chesne, Guenter Marr, Helmut Tomforde
  • Patent number: 8579131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a teat for feeding bottles, including a receiving head, produced from a dimensionally stable material, and a rubber-elastic suction element. An entry channel leads to the bottle interior and channels lead from there to the outer surface of the receiving head. The suction element, in an initial position, elastically and sealingly rests on at least one section of an outer surface of the receiving head. Milk ducts are located in the contact area between the suction element and the receiving head and communicate with the channels of the receiving head which lead towards the outlet channel in the mouthpiece so that, when a vacuum is produced in the mouthpiece, milk can flow from the feeding bottle through the milk ducts to the outlet channel, the suction element being returnable to its initial position and the flow of milk being interrupted when there is no vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Andy Greter, Rochus Stöckli
  • Patent number: 8579130
    Abstract: A nursing bottle formed of a large volume container, incorporating a vent tube that extends to vent pressure at all times. The nursing bottle may have a cylindrical shape or other configuration that prevents formula placed therein from blocking the vent tube regardless of its angular disposition. The vent tube extends distally from the vent insert, operatively associated with a collar, that holds the vent structures and the nipple to the wide rimmed opening. In addition, the vent tube has a conical shape of decreasing diameter distally toward the center of the bottom to dissipate the pressure that may cause leakage from the bottle. Further, the vent insert has a major and minor seal that prevents leaks out of the collar and onto an infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: New Vent Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig E. Brown, Robert J. Brown
  • Patent number: 8573421
    Abstract: A container including a body defining an outflow opening and at least one chamber adapted for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and a container closure including a primary seal for hermetically sealing the product within the chamber during storage. The container closure includes a sealing member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a dispensing member in fluid communication with the chamber. The container closure and body move relative to each other between a first position where the primary seal is seated about the outflow port to hermetically seal the product in the chamber during storage, and a second position where the primary seal is displaced from the outflow port to allow product to pass from the chamber through the outflow port and into dispensing member to dispense the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian Chan, Jeffrey Willey
  • Patent number: 8567619
    Abstract: A vent valve, and a vent valve assembly, for a liquid dispensing container, employ a vent disc having small open vent holes in cooperation with an overlying thin flexible flap that covers and closes the vent holes to limit liquid pressure on the holes when the container is upright, yet require little suction pressure to move the flap to draw liquid or vent through the holes. The vent valve can be used in a bottom cap that is attachable to the bottom open end of the container. The vent valve assembly includes such a bottom cap, a sealing member for sealing the bottom cap to the container, and a vent valve. The vent valve and/or bottom cap have an elevated vent disc and a top portion having the thin flexible flap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Playtex Products, LLC
    Inventor: Charles Renz
  • Patent number: 8556094
    Abstract: A baby formula delivery assembly includes a container that has a bottom wall, a top wall, and a perimeter wall extending between the top and bottom walls. A housing has an upper wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends downwardly from the upper wall. The peripheral wall extends downwardly around the container adjacent to the top wall and is rotatably and non-removably coupled to the container. A lower wall is attached to the peripheral and is spaced from the upper wall and defines an interior space of the housing. The lower wall has a second powder aperture extending therethrough. A nipple is attached to the upper wall and is in fluid communication with the interior space of the housing. A quantity of water is positioned within the container. A quantity of baby formula is positioned within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Jeddah B Brown, Jessica Rimene, Delwyn Hawk
  • Patent number: 8528756
    Abstract: A closure system for a baby bottle including a lower closure ring screwed onto an external thread of a bottle, an upper closure ring for connecting to a screw ring for fastening a drinking teat, locking elements which rotatably and releasably lock together the lower closure ring and the upper closure ring, a circular lip seal made of a soft elastic material concentric to a lower peripheral part being arranged on the first upper face, with at least one axially oriented sealing lip and at least one circular seal geometry engaging with the lip seal and concentric to an upper peripheral part being arranged on a second lower face or vice versa and by rotating the upper closure ring relative to the lower closure ring the upper throughflow hole may optionally be brought into overlapping and non-overlapping positions relative to a lower throughflow hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: MAPA GmbH
    Inventors: Eckhard Itzek, Björn-Frederik Seidler
  • Publication number: 20130220962
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drinking apparatus including a vent system that removably connects to a drinking container The vent system is used to create a variety of leak resistant drinking containers, such as toddler drinking cups, baby bottles, and other drinking containers. The vent system includes a substantially rigid disc portion and base portion, the base portion including base air vent channels merging into an integral one-way valve. The vent system provides passage for air from the exterior of the bottle to the interior of the bottle, but it does not allow liquid to exit the bottle via the vent system. An optional anti-bubble tube may be used with the vent system to provide for air entering the inverted container to reach an air pocket formed in the bottom portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2007
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: AMIKAM BERKOVITCH, TAMIR TIROSH
  • Publication number: 20130200031
    Abstract: According to a first embodiment, a feeding bottle comprises a vessel, collar, and nipple. The nipple comprises a base portion, a teat portion, an areola portion allowing movement of the teat portion towards and away from the base portion. According to a second embodiment, a feeding bottle comprises a vessel, collar, nipple and handle portion removeably secured to the vessel by the collar. The invention includes a flexible region or regions to provide a more natural feeding by closely mimicking the human breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: JACKEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Arnold Rees, Ian Webb, Tom Cotton, Mark Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8490803
    Abstract: A baby bottle including a nipple and separable compartments for holding powdered formula and water. By sliding or rotating a knob to a pre-selected mix position, apertures in the separable compartments are aligned thereby allowing mixture of the powdered formula from an upper compartment into a lower compartment containing the water. The bottle is shaken to thoroughly mix the formula and the water, after which, the bottle and formula mix are ready to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Inventor: LaShana M. Harris
  • Publication number: 20130140260
    Abstract: An expandable container system including a container, an expandable nipple and a one-way valve. The expandable nipple is attached to the first end of the container and the valve is attached to a second end of the container. A counteracting bias force is generated within the container and a first fluid is drawn in through the valve by extending the expandable nipple. When the expandable nipple is released, the expandable nipple is biased back to an unextended state, and an increase in pressure created by the counteracting bias force induces a second fluid to flow out of an outlet in the expandable nipple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventor: Munchkin, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8430259
    Abstract: A closure with a flexible diaphragm that equalizes the internal pressure of a container to the external pressure. The closure may include an inner member having a generally cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall may include internal threads capable of engaging with external threads of the container. The closure may also include an outer member including a generally circular cap body and an annular ring extending downward from the edges of the cap body. The annular ring shrouds at least a portion of the cylindrical wall. A flexible diaphragm may be operatively attached to the top of the cylindrical wall and spaced apart from the cap body. The flexible diaphragm deflects in response to the internal pressure of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Stokely-Van Camp, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Martinez, Neil Enciso
  • Publication number: 20130098861
    Abstract: A container attachment for selectively permitting and prohibiting the flow of fluid from a contained volume. The container attachment has an attachment housing configured for attachment to the container. The container attachment also has a nipple and a substantially rigid port access assembly securable to the housing. A one-way flow control mechanism is retained interiorly of the nipple to prevent backflow of fluid into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: NEOMED, INC.
    Inventor: NEOMED, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130089637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding device (1, 1?, 1?) having a hollow form, the feeding device (1, 1?, 1?) comprising: an inlet portion (2, 2?, 2?) having an inlet (4, 4?) for entering nutrition (13), and a suction portion (3, 3?, 3?) for sucking the nutrition (13) through the inlet (4, 4?) into the feeding device (1, 1?, 1?), wherein the suction portion (3, 3?, 3?) comprises at least one opening (5, 5?, 5?) for dispensing the sucked nutrition (13), wherein the inner surface (6, 6?, 6?) of the feeding device (1, 1?, 1?) confines a flow path (P, P?, P?) for the nutrition (13), and wherein the feeding device (1, 1?, 1?) is at least partially deformable. The feeding device is characterized in that a nutritional additive (7, 7?, 7?) is adhered to the flow path confining inner surface (6, 6?, 6?) of the feeding device (1, 1?, 1?) such that the nutritional additive (7, 7?, 7?) is mechanically segregated from the inner surface (6, 6?, 6?) when the feeding device (1, 1?, 1?) is deformed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Karl-Josef Huber-Haag, Isabelle Bureau-Franz
  • Patent number: 8408408
    Abstract: Nipple assemblies including nipples which attach to a threaded nipple adapter which can be attached to feeding containers with threaded spouts are disclosed. Mounting tools are also disclosed, to aid in attaching the elastic nipples to the adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Richard H. Dumm
  • Patent number: 8403164
    Abstract: A cap is described for closing a liquid beverage container for allowing the beverage to be sucked out of the container through a spout, while preventing spillage when no suction takes place. A demand valve is incorporated into the cap, which has an inlet port communicating with the interior of the container, a discharge port communicating with the spout and a control port communicating with the ambient atmosphere through a hole in the cap. The valve has a valve seat and a closure element controlling the flow from the inlet port to the discharge port urged to move into an opening position in dependence on the excess of the control pressures over that in the discharge ports, this movement being in the direction opposed to the flow and urged by the pressure in the container in a direction to seal against the valve seat. In the invention, the demand valve is formed by two members that are mounted on the inner surface of the cap. The first member is rigid and defines the valve inlet port and the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Ilan Samson
  • Publication number: 20130048590
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventor: MEDELA HOLDING AG
  • Patent number: 8333286
    Abstract: A valve for preventing the flow of fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold, the valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory or bi-metal actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Spinelli, Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 8322546
    Abstract: A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Erich Pfenniger, Peter Vischer, Mario Rigert, Leon Mitoulas
  • Publication number: 20120298611
    Abstract: A feeding assembly for a baby feeding bottle includes a control nipple for receiving a fluid from a container, and an outlet nipple positioned to receive the fluid from the control nipple and having a feeding outlet through which the fluid flows from the feeding assembly. The control nipple and outlet nipple are moveable relative to each other from a first position to a second position, such that in the first position the fluid is transferred through a tip of the control nipple to the outlet nipple at a first flow rate, and in the second position the fluid is transferred through the tip of the control nipple to the outlet nipple at a second flow rate different from the first flow rate. A baby feeding bottle includes a container portion for containing a fluid, and the described the feeding assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Michele Rieppel
  • Patent number: 8292099
    Abstract: A dual chambered baby bottle has a threaded nipple top; a plastic cover for the threaded nipple top; an upper chamber in fluid communication with the interior of the nipple top; a lower chamber; an upper seal forming a lower portion of the upper chamber; a lower seal adjacent the upper seal, the lower seal forming an upper portion of the lower chamber; a plurality of upper seal apertures in the upper seal; and a plurality of lower seal apertures in the lower seal, the upper seal apertures and the lower seal apertures rotatable between an open position with the upper and lower seal apertures aligned and a closed position with the upper and lower seal apertures nonaligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: Matthew Wahlstrom
  • Publication number: 20120261375
    Abstract: A drinking cup that has a lid that engages a nipple. A cup body engages and is releasably attachable to the lid. A medicine cup is present and medicine is disposed within the medicine cup. The medicine in the medicine cup moves through a flow control element and then through the nipple. Also provided is a drinking cup with a medicine cup and a straw. At least a portion of the straw is located between a lower surface of a lid and a bottom surface of a cup body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: James A. Loging
  • Publication number: 20120248056
    Abstract: A teat unit has a teat with a suction opening, a support body, and a securing part for securing the teat unit on a drinking vessel. The securing part and the support body are fixedly connected to each other indirectly or directly, and they cannot be detached from each other without being destroyed. The support body has a surface with recesses, which are covered by the teat. The teat is overmoulded over the support body, wherein the teat covers the recesses. This teat unit permits a sucking action that is as natural as possible. It is of a simple construction and can be produced inexpensively, which means that it can be disposed of after one use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: MEDELA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: René FISCHER, Etienne FURRER, Bernhard EMMENEGGER
  • Patent number: 8251234
    Abstract: A teat for connection to a receiving unit of a drink container has a main body and, adjoining the main body and tapered relative to the main body, a mouthpiece with at least one suction opening and a free end. The teat has a first connector element for connection to the receiving unit, and a second connector element for connection to the receiving unit, and a suction channel. The suction channel extends within the mouthpiece, opens via a first end into the suction opening and is directed via a second end towards the main body. This second end forms the first connector element for a substantially leak-tight connection to the receiving unit. The main body is designed such that it can be turned back towards the free end of the mouthpiece. The teat is designed such that it can be turned back at least a second location. The teat according to the invention can be connected to the feeding bottle in a simple and hygienic manner, is easy to clean and permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventors: Mario Rigert, Carmelo Piscitello, Alex Stutz, Erich Pfenniger
  • Patent number: 8251235
    Abstract: A container including a body defining an outflow opening and at least one chamber adapted for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and a container closure including a primary seal for hermetically sealing the product within the chamber during storage. The container closure includes a sealing member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a dispensing member in fluid communication with the chamber. The container closure and body move relative to each other between a first position where the primary seal is seated about the outflow port to hermetically seal the product in the chamber during storage, and a second position where the primary seal is displaced from the outflow port to allow product to pass from the chamber through the outflow port and into dispensing member to dispense the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Medical Instill Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Julian Chan, Jeffrey Willey
  • Patent number: 8215504
    Abstract: A bottle teat of an elastic material includes a hollow suction nipple and a circumferential mounting edge for fixation to the bottle opening of a drinking bottle. A hollow transition zone is disposed between the mounting edge and suction nipple as well as at least one drinking slot oriented in the longitudinal direction of the suction nipple and extending from the outside up to the inside of the suction nipple in an outwardly bulged external end region of the suction nipple. The bottle teat further includes at least one ventilation valve with a valve slot which is extended from the outer wall of the transition zone up to the inner wall of the transition zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: MAPA GmbH Gummi— und Plastikwerke
    Inventors: Gunter Marr, Eckard Itzek, Elke Ladiges, Heinz Lischinsky
  • Patent number: 8215519
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve is described which includes a valve housing having a wall which defines an internal cavity, and wherein a passageway is formed through the wall of the valve housing; and a valve control element having a continuous and deformable sidewall is coaxially and rotatably received within the internal cavity of the valve housing, and wherein at least a portion of the sidewall of the valve control element deforms when a vacuum is created in the internal cavity of the valve housing so as facilitate the controllable delivery of a source of fluid into the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Zak Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Steininger
  • Publication number: 20120160797
    Abstract: Teats adapted to be placed in an infant's mouth, comprising a nipple comprising at least one perforation adapted for the flow of a liquid, an areola, and an isthmus joining the nipple to the areola, wherein the nipple comprises asymmetrical palatine and lingual parts and the isthmus joins the nipple and the areola in a manner adapted for the correct positioning of lower and upper jawbones during use, and further wherein the teats are adapted to allow controlled expulsion and flow during use. Also disclosed are feeding bottles comprising such teats and feeding systems comprising such feeding bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Francois Fave-Lesage
  • Publication number: 20120152881
    Abstract: A container including a body defining an outflow opening and at least one chamber adapted for storing a product, such as a fat containing liquid product, and a container closure including a primary seal for hermetically sealing the product within the chamber during storage. The container closure includes a sealing member forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the container closure and the body, and a dispensing member in fluid communication with the chamber. The container closure and body move relative to each other between a first position where the primary seal is seated about the outflow port to hermetically seal the product in the chamber during storage, and a second position where the primary seal is displaced from the outflow port to allow product to pass from the chamber through the outflow port and into dispensing member to dispense the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Py, Debashis Sahoo, Norbert M. Assion, Julian V. Chan
  • Patent number: 8181800
    Abstract: According to a first embodiment, a nipple for a feeding bottle or a soother comprises a base portion, a teat portion, an areola portion and a flex region allowing flexing of the teat portion towards and away from the areola portion. According to a second embodiment, a nipple for a feeding bottle or soother is provided with a helical flow formation on the inner face of the teat, which allows continuous flow of liquid even when the teat is collapsed via the helical flow path which allows extension at the teat, in particular rotational or torsional extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Jackel International Limited
    Inventors: Arnold Rees, Ian Webb, Mark Armstrong, Tom Cotton
  • Patent number: 8141728
    Abstract: An infant feeding system for feeding an infant seated especially in a car seat with the bottle sitting in a cup holder. The infant feeding system includes a bottle assembly including a bottle and a cap removably fastened to the bottle, and also includes a feeding assembly being positioned for transporting fluid therethrough from the bottle to an infant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventors: Sarah J. Dahler, Nicholas J. Dahler
  • Patent number: 8118182
    Abstract: A disposable or long term use beverage container having a cup portion with an aperture therein and a mating cap portion with a mouthpiece extending therefrom with one of the portions having an annular ridge and the other an annular groove for receiving said ridge therein sealing the disposable beverage container from leakage. Additionally the mouthpiece extending from the cap is designed to anatomically fit the user's mouth and provides that the mouthpiece may be nipple shaped for babies and toddlers. Also provided are nubs protruding from opposing sides of the cap that when squeezed breaks the cup cap seal allowing for removal of the cap for selective refilling as desired. The present invention also provides that the disposable beverage container may be manufactured from microwave safe material for those beverages that may require heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Licari
  • Publication number: 20120035655
    Abstract: This invention is a dual function suckling device. In the first configuration it operates as a small feeding bottle. In the second configuration it operates as a pacifier. It bridges the gap between regular size bottles and pacifiers. This device comprises: a bottle, a plug, and a nipple assembly having a mouth-guard and a cylindrical base equipped with a sealing ring. The cylinder base is configured to be either attached to the bottle, thereby allowing the device to operate as a feeder or stopped up by the plug, thereby allowing the device to operate as a pacifier. Variations of this design include adding a protective cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Christine A. Trocki