Collapsible Bottle Apparatus

Abstract

A collapsible bottle apparatus includes a body member having a flexible liquid reservoir, a base, and a primary thread adapter. The primary thread adapter defines an open interior space in communication with the reservoir. The body member is movable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration in which the reservoir is disposed in the interior space of the primary thread adapter. A retaining ring includes a top wall defining an aperture and a continuous side wall selectively coupled to the primary thread adapter. A primary dispensing member is selectively coupled to the retaining ring and includes a nipple extending upwardly through the aperture when the primary mounting section is coupled to the retaining ring. An auxiliary thread adapter enables an auxiliary dispensing member that includes a spout to be selectively coupled to either a water bottle or juice bottle having different neck diameters.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to bottles for feeding infants and containers that dispense drinks to toddlers. More particularly, this invention relates to a bottle apparatus having a reservoir that is collapsible for storage or transport and that is adaptable to connect to a conventional water or juice bottle for use by a toddler or young child.

When traveling or attending an event with a baby, a mother or other caregiver must often prepare multiple bottles and pack other supplies in a bag. However, if the plan is only to be gone for a short time, one or more bottles may be packed in a purse. In either case, the size of the bottle can be a real space challenge. In addition, a care giver having an older child may also need to pack a “sippy cup” having a spout that is more appropriate for a toddler. Again, space for these supplies is an issue. Then, water or juice must be poured into the sippy cup and the lid replaced before the cup is ready for the toddler to drink from.

Various devices have been proposed in the art for a collapsible baby bottle so as to reduce the amount of storage space for an empty bottle. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the existing devices do not provide a collapsible bottle apparatus that may be selectively adapted to connect to a collapsible bottle reservoir or to a conventional water or juice bottle.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a collapsible bottle apparatus having a nipple style dispensing member selectively coupled to a collapsible liquid reservoir and a sipper spout dispensing member that is selectively attachable to a conventional water or juice bottle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collapsible bottle apparatus according to the present invention includes a body member having a flexible reservoir and a base coupled to a lower end of the reservoir and having a primary thread adapter coupled to an upper end of the reservoir, the reservoir defining an interior area configured to selectively contain a liquid. The primary thread adapter includes a continuous side wall having a threaded outer surface, the primary thread adapter defining an open interior space in communication with the reservoir interior area. The body member is movable between an extended configuration in which the base is displaced from the primary thread adapter and the reservoir is expanded and a collapsed configuration in which the base is adjacent a lower edge of the primary thread adapter and the reservoir is disposed in the interior space of the primary thread adapter.

A retaining ring includes a top wall that defines an aperture and includes a continuous side wall having a threaded inner surface that is complementary to the threaded outer surface of the side wall of the primary thread adapter such that the retaining ring is selectively coupled to the primary thread adapter. A primary dispensing member includes a primary mounting section selectively coupled to the retaining ring inwardly adjacent the top wall and having a nipple extending upwardly from the primary mounting section, the nipple extending upwardly through the aperture when the primary mounting section is coupled to the retaining ring.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a collapsible bottle apparatus having a modular construction for selectively providing milk or formula to an infant or attachable to a conventional water or juice bottle for dispensing the contents therein, respectively.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible bottle apparatus, as aforesaid, having a flexible reservoir that expands when filled with liquid and which may be collapsed inside of a primary thread adapter when empty.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible bottle apparatus, as aforesaid, that includes an auxiliary thread adapter having two sizes of threads so as to be selectively coupled to a conventional water or juice bottle.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible bottle apparatus, as aforesaid, that is easily convertible between use with the reservoir and use with a conventional water or juice bottle.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a collapsible bottle apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in a collapsed configuration with protective cap in use;

FIG. 1b is another perspective view of the bottle apparatus as in FIG. 1a with the cap removed;

FIG. 1c is a perspective view of the bottle apparatus as in FIG. 1a illustrated in an expanded configuration;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the bottle apparatus as in FIG. 1c;

FIG. 2a is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 2;

FIG. 2b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 2;

FIG. 2c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 2;

FIG. 2d is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 2;

FIG. 3a is a top view of the bottle apparatus as in FIG. 1b;

FIG. 3b is a sectional view taken along line 3b-3b of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 3b;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a collapsible bottle apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in use with a water bottle;

FIG. 4b is an exploded view of the bottle apparatus as in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4b;

FIG. 4d is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4b;

FIG. 4e is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4b;

FIG. 5a is a top view of the auxiliary thread adapter as in FIG. 4c;

FIG. 5b is a sectional view taken along line 5b-5b of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 5b; and

FIG. 5d is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 5b.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A collapsible bottle apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5d of the accompanying drawings. The collapsible bottle apparatus 10 includes a body member 20 having a primary thread adapter 30, a retaining ring 40, a primary dispensing member 60, an auxiliary thread adapter 70, an auxiliary dispensing member 66, a cap 50, and a base 28.

The body member 20 includes a reservoir 22 that is constructed of a flexible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”), also known as thermoplastic rubber. Preferably, the TPE material is transparent or translucent so that a user can observe a level of liquid contained therein. The reservoir 22 includes a continuous side wall 24 having a generally cylindrical configuration and defining an interior area. The reservoir 22 is sealed and configured so as to contain a liquid in the interior area thereof, such as baby formula, although the reservoir 22 may include an open top for refilling and for dispensing the liquid. The reservoir 22 may also include graduated alphanumeric or graphic indicia 26 imprinted on the side wall 24 that is indicative of a volume of liquid in the reservoir 22 (FIG. 1c).

The body member 20 includes a base 28 coupled to a lower edge of the reservoir 22 (FIG. 2a). The base 28 may have a generally circular configuration although other configurations would also work. The side wall 24 of the reservoir 22 extends upwardly from the base 28. The body member 20 also includes a primary thread adapter 30 having a cylindrical, annular, or ring-shaped configuration, the primary thread adapter 30 being coupled to an upper end of the reservoir 22 (FIG. 2a). The primary thread adapter 30 defines an open top, an open bottom, and a bore therebetween. The primary thread adapter 30 includes a continuous side wall 32 having a threaded outer surface 34 and defining an interior space in communication with the interior area of the reservoir 22.

The body member 20 is movable between an extended configuration (FIG. 1c) and a collapsed configuration (FIG. 1b). More particularly, the reservoir 22 expands when filled with a liquid and the base 28 is displaced from the primary thread adapter 30. By contrast, when the reservoir 22 is empty or substantially empty, the base 28 may be moved to a position adjacent a bottom edge of the primary thread adapter 30 and the side wall 24 of the reservoir 22 is folded up into the interior space of the primary thread adapter 30 (FIGS. 3b and 3c).

The side wall 24 of the reservoir 22 may include a plurality of segments 36a, 36b, and 36c, each segment being separated from an adjacent segment by a ridge or a line of weakness 38. Each line of weakness 38 defines an axis about which adjacent segments will fold when moving the reservoir 22 to the collapsed configuration. Adjacent segments may have different diameters. In one embodiment, the reservoir 22 may include a more gradual change in dimension rather than being segmented.

The retaining ring 40 includes a continuous side wall 42 so that the retaining ring 40 has an annular or ring shaped configuration. The retaining ring 40 includes a threaded inner surface 44 that is complementary to the threaded outer surface 34 of the side wall 32 of the primary thread adapter 30 such that the retaining ring 40 may be selectively, threadably, and releasably coupled to the primary thread adapter 30 (FIGS. 1b and 1c). The retaining ring 40 includes a top wall 46 defining an aperture 48.

The primary dispensing member 60 includes a primary mounting section 62 and a nipple 64 extending upwardly from the primary mounting section 62 (FIG. 2b). The primary dispensing member 60 is constructed of a thermoplastic elastomer that is itself movable between a collapsed and extended configuration. It is understood that a distal end of the nipple 64 defines a small outlet or opening for dispensing a liquid therethrough. More particularly, the primary mounting section 62 may include a generally planar flange having a diameter that is substantially similar to an inner diameter of the retaining ring 40 such that it may be situated inwardly (or interiorly) adjacent the top wall 46 of the retainer ring 40 in a friction or snap fit arrangement. When so positioned, the nipple 64 extends upwardly through the aperture 48 of the retaining ring 40. It is understood that when the primary dispensing member 60 is coupled to the retaining ring 40 and the retaining ring 40 is coupled to the primary thread adapter 30, liquid from the reservoir 22 may be dispensed through the nipple 64, such as by a baby sucking on the nipple 64.

The collapsible bottle apparatus 10 includes a cap 50 having a continuous side wall and a closed top 52. The cap 50 has a generally truncated cylindrical shape that defines an open bottom and interior cavity. The side wall of the cap 50 has a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the retaining ring 40 such that the retaining ring 40 is configured to selectively receive the cap side wall in a friction fit relationship. As shown in FIG. 4e, the retaining ring 40 may include a lower portion and an upper portion with a ledge 49 separating the two portions, such that the cap 50 may be coupled to the upper portion of the retaining ring 40 in a snap-fit configuration and, in doing so, covers the primary dispensing member 60. The upper portion of the retaining ring has a diameter slightly smaller than a diameter of the lower portion such that the cap 50 is selectively received onto the upper portion. The function and configuration of the cap 50 is best understood by comparing FIG. 1b in which the retaining ring 40 and primary dispensing member 60 are uncovered and FIG. 1b in which the upper portion of the retaining ring 40 is covered by the cap 50.

One embodiment of the collapsible bottle apparatus 10 includes an auxiliary dispensing member 66 having a construction substantially similar to that of the primary dispensing member 60 described above except as indicated below. The auxiliary dispensing member 66 includes an auxiliary mounting section 68 that is selectively and removably coupled to the retaining ring 40 inwardly adjacent the top wall 46 thereof. It is understood that the auxiliary mounting section 68 may be coupled to the retaining ring 40 in a friction fit (i.e. snap fit) relationship as is known in the art of infant bottles and nipples. The auxiliary dispensing member 66 also includes a rigid spout 69 extending upwardly from the auxiliary mounting section 68 so as to extend upwardly through the retaining ring aperture 48 when the auxiliary dispensing member 66 is coupled to the retaining ring 40. The rigid spout 69 includes an outlet or opening configured to dispense liquid from the reservoir 22.

In one embodiment, the collapsible bottle apparatus 10 includes an auxiliary thread adapter 70 that is configured to interface with a bottle other than the body member 20 described above. More particularly, the auxiliary thread adapter 70 enables the auxiliary dispensing member 66 or the primary dispensing member 60 to be operatively coupled to either a conventional water bottle (FIGS. 4a and 4b) or a conventional juice bottle (not shown), it being understood that a conventional water bottle 12 and a conventional juice bottle have a neck diameter different from the other and different from that of the reservoir 22 and primary thread adapter 30 described above. The auxiliary thread adapter 70 includes a side wall having a threaded outer surface 72 in a manner as with the primary thread adapter 30 described above. The retaining ring 40, therefore, may be coupled to the auxiliary thread adapter 70.

Specifically, the auxiliary thread adapter 70 includes a closed bottom wall 74 that defines an opening, the auxiliary thread adapter 70 also defining an open top and interior cavity between the bottom wall 74 and open top. The auxiliary thread adapter 70 includes a first boss 76 situated in the interior cavity and extending downwardly through the opening in the bottom wall 74, the first boss 76 defining a through-bore 78 in communication with the interior cavity and with the opening (FIGS. 4b and 4c). The first boss 76 provides the means for selectively coupling the auxiliary thread adapter 70 to a water bottle 12. Specifically, the first boss 76 includes a threaded interior surface 80 that is complementary to the threaded neck 14 of a water bottle 12 so as to be selectively coupled thereto. It is understood that water from a coupled water bottle 12 may then flow through the bottle wall opening and through-bore 78 and then through the auxiliary dispensing member 66 to an awaiting user.

The auxiliary thread adapter 70 includes a second boss 84 positioned outwardly concentrically adjacent the first boss 76. In other words, the second boss 84 includes a cylindrical configuration, is outwardly spaced apart from the first boss 76, and surrounds the first boss 76. The second boss 84 includes a threaded interior surface 86. The second boss 84 defines an inner bore in communication with the bottom wall opening configured to receive a threaded neck of a juice bottle for engagement with the threaded interior surface 86. FIG. 5a illustrates the concentric arrangement of the first and second boss, the second boss 84 having a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the first boss 76.

The first boss 76 and its threaded interior surface 80 and the second boss 84 and its threaded interior surface 82 are best shown in FIGS. 5b, 5c, and 5d. The second boss 84 has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the first boss 76 which reflects the fact that a diameter of the neck of a conventional juice container is larger than a diameter of the neck of a conventional water bottle 12. In use, therefore, the auxiliary thread adapter 70 may be threadably tightened down onto either a water bottle or a juice bottle, as may be desired or available. It is important to observe that when the interior threaded surface 86 of the second boss 84 is engaged with a threaded neck of a juice bottle, the first boss 76 will be received into the inner space of the juice bottle neck.

In use, the collapsible bottle apparatus 10 may be configured for use as a bottle for an infant or as a beverage container for a toddler or young child. For use in feeding an infant, the reservoir 22 may be filled with a desired volume of liquid, such as baby formula, by pouring the formula into the reservoir 22 through the open top thereof while no other components are coupled thereto (FIG. 2a). The graduated indicia 26 may be useful to a user to confirm a desired amount of liquid has been deposited. As fluid is deposited, the reservoir 22 will expand from the collapsed configuration (FIG. 1b) toward the expanded configuration (FIG. 1c). The cap 50, which may have covered the retaining ring 40 and primary dispensing member 60 (FIG. 1a), may be removed from the retaining ring 40 (FIG. 1b) and threadably coupled to the body member 20 (FIG. 1c). The collapsible bottle apparatus 10 may then be used to feed an infant in the customary manner. The reservoir 22 may be moved back to the collapsed configuration when the liquid has been dispensed, as described previously.

Alternatively, the collapsible bottle apparatus 10 may be used to obtain water or juice from a water or juice bottle, respectively. Specifically, the retaining ring 40 may be coupled to the auxiliary dispensing member 66 and then threadably coupled to auxiliary thread adapter 70. Then, the auxiliary thread adapter 70 may be threadably coupled to a water bottle 12 (FIGS. 4a and 4b) or a juice bottle (not shown) as described above. Specifically, the water bottle 12 or juice bottle are engaged by threadably connecting the neck of the bottle to respective threaded inner surfaces of the first boss 76 or second boss 84, respectively, as described above and shown in FIGS. 5b to 5d.

Accordingly, the collapsible bottle apparatus 10 enables a user to transport or otherwise store all components in a purse, baby bag, or cabinet at home and to configured respective components for providing an appropriate beverage to an infant or young child.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A collapsible bottle apparatus, comprising:

a body member having a flexible reservoir and a base coupled to a lower end of said reservoir and having a primary thread adapter coupled to an upper end of said reservoir, said reservoir defining an interior area configured to selectively contain a liquid;

wherein said primary thread adapter includes a continuous side wall having a threaded outer surface, said primary thread adapter defining an open interior space in communication with said reservoir interior area;

wherein said body member is movable between an extended configuration in which said base is displaced from said primary thread adapter and said reservoir is expanded and a collapsed configuration in which said base is adjacent a lower edge of said primary thread adapter and said reservoir is disposed in said interior space of said primary thread adapter;

a retaining ring that includes a top wall that defines an aperture and includes a continuous side wall having a threaded inner surface that is complementary to said threaded outer surface of said side wall of said primary thread adapter such that said retaining ring is selectively coupled to said primary thread adapter; and

a primary dispensing member having a primary mounting section selectively coupled to said retaining ring inwardly adjacent said top wall and having a nipple extending upwardly from said primary mounting section, said nipple extending upwardly through said aperture when said primary mounting section is coupled to said retaining ring.

2. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 1, comprising:

a cap having a continuous cap side wall and a closed top, said cap side wall defining an open bottom and an interior cavity;

wherein said cap side wall includes a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of said retaining ring, said retaining ring configured to selectively receive said cap side wall in a friction fit arrangement.

3. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said primary thread adapter includes a generally annular configuration defining an open top, an open bottom in communication with said reservoir, and a bore extending between said open top and said open bottom;

said primary dispensing member is in operative communication with said reservoir when said retaining ring is threadably coupled to said primary thread adapter; and

said nipple includes an outlet configured to dispense a liquid from said reservoir.

4. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

said reservoir is constructed of a transparent or translucent material; and

said reservoir includes graduated indicia indicative of a quantity of liquid in said reservoir.

5. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said reservoir is constructed of thermopolymer elastomeric (“TPE”) material.

6. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said reservoir includes a plurality of reservoir segments, each reservoir segment being separated from an adjacent reservoir segment by a line of weakness, said reservoir configured to fold along respective lines of weakness when said reservoir interior area is empty and said body member is moved to said collapsed configuration.

7. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said reservoir includes a plurality of reservoir segments, each reservoir segment being separated from an adjacent reservoir segment by a line of weakness, said reservoir configured to fold along respective lines of weakness when said reservoir interior area is empty and said body member is moved to said collapsed configuration.

8. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 1, comprising an auxiliary dispensing member having an auxiliary mounting section selectively coupled to said retaining ring inwardly adjacent said top wall and having a rigid spout extending upwardly from said auxiliary mounting section, said spout extending upwardly through said aperture when said auxiliary mounting section is coupled to said retaining ring and defining an outlet through which liquid is selectively dispensed.

9. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 8, comprising:

an auxiliary thread adapter having a continuous side wall having a threaded outer surface, said threaded inner surface of said retaining ring being complementary to said threaded outer surface of said side wall of said auxiliary thread adapter such that said retaining ring is selectively coupled to said auxiliary adapter;

wherein: said auxiliary thread adapter includes a closed bottom wall defining an opening and defines an open top and interior cavity between said bottom wall and said open top; and said auxiliary thread adapter includes a first boss situated in said interior cavity and extending downwardly through said bottom wall opening that defines a through bore in communication with said bottom wall opening and with said interior cavity of said auxiliary thread adapter, said first boss having a threaded interior surface that is complementary to a threaded neck of a water bottle.

10. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a second boss outwardly concentrically adjacent said first boss and defining a bore in communication with said bottom wall opening, said second boss having a threaded interior surface configured to selectively mate with a threaded neck of a beverage bottle.

11. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said second boss includes a diameter larger than a diameter of said first boss.

12. A collapsible bottle apparatus, comprising:

a body member comprising: a reservoir constructed of a flexible material and defining an interior space to selectively contain a liquid, said reservoir having a lower end and an upper end; a base coupled to said lower end of said reservoir, said reservoir having a continuous side wall extending upwardly from said base; a primary thread adapter coupled to said upper end of said reservoir, said reservoir having a ring-shaped configuration defining an interior space in communication with said reservoir interior area;

wherein said body member is movable between an extended configuration in which said base is displaced from said primary thread adapter and said reservoir is expanded and a collapsed configuration in which said base is adjacent a lower edge of said primary thread adapter and said reservoir is completely contained in said interior space of said primary thread adapter;

a retaining ring that includes a top wall that defines an aperture and includes a continuous side wall having a threaded inner surface that is complementary to said threaded outer surface of said side wall of said primary thread adapter;

a primary dispensing member having a mounting section selectively coupled to said retaining ring inwardly adjacent said top wall and having a nipple extending upwardly from said mounting section, said nipple extending upwardly through said aperture when said mounting section is coupled to said retaining ring;

an auxiliary dispensing member having an auxiliary mounting section selectively coupled to said retaining ring inwardly adjacent said top wall and having a rigid spout extending upwardly from said auxiliary mounting section, said spout extending upwardly through said aperture when said auxiliary mounting section is coupled to said retaining ring and defining an outlet through which liquid is selectively dispensed.

13. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 12, comprising:

an auxiliary thread adapter having a continuous side wall having a threaded outer surface, said threaded inner surface of said retaining ring being complementary to said threaded outer surface of said side wall of said auxiliary thread adapter such that said retaining ring is selectively coupled to said auxiliary adapter;

wherein: said auxiliary thread adapter includes a closed bottom wall defining an opening and defines an open top and interior cavity between said bottom wall and said open top; and said auxiliary thread adapter includes a first boss situated in said interior cavity and extending downwardly through said bottom wall opening that defines a through bore in communication with said bottom wall opening and with said interior cavity of said auxiliary thread adapter, said first boss having a threaded interior surface that is complementary to a threaded neck of a water bottle.

14. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 13, comprising a second boss outwardly concentrically adjacent said first boss and defining a bore in communication with said bottom wall opening, said second boss having a threaded interior surface configured to selectively mate with a threaded neck of a beverage bottle.

15. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said second boss includes a diameter larger than a diameter of said first boss.

16. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 12, comprising:

a cap having a continuous cap side wall and a closed top, said cap side wall defining an open bottom and an interior cavity;

wherein said cap side wall includes a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of said retaining ring, said retaining ring configured to selectively receive said cap side wall in a friction fit arrangement.

17. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 12, wherein:

said primary thread adapter includes a generally annular configuration defining an open top, an open bottom in communication with said reservoir, and a bore extending between said open top and said open bottom;

said primary dispensing member is in operative communication with said reservoir when said retaining ring is threadably coupled to said primary thread adapter; and

said nipple includes an outlet configured to dispense a liquid from said reservoir.

18. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 12, wherein:

said reservoir is constructed of a transparent or translucent material; and

said reservoir includes graduated indicia indicative of a quantity of liquid in said reservoir.

19. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 16, wherein said reservoir is constructed of thermopolymer elastomeric (“TPE”) material.

20. The collapsible bottle apparatus as in claim 17, wherein said reservoir includes a plurality of reservoir segments, each reservoir segment being separated from an adjacent reservoir segment by a line of weakness, said reservoir configured to fold along respective lines of weakness when said reservoir interior area is empty and said body