US20180127187A1

US20180127187A1 - Breast milk buddy

Info

Publication number: US20180127187A1
Application number: US15/345,859
Authority: US
Inventors: Lisa Sewell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-08
Filing date: 2016-11-08
Publication date: 2018-05-10

Abstract

A breast milk or formula thermos is provided. The thermos assembly includes a body; a screw lid on top with a pour spout and a handle. The assembly allows the user to dispose the mother's milk inside the thermos before leaving the house and fed to the baby when desired. Furthermore, one can simply pour the milk from the thermos without needing to heat it.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to infant feeding devices.

BACKGROUND

Without a doubt, a newborn and infant will feed at its own schedule. This child cries until it is fed. The problem is that often, a parent is required to go downstairs (or elsewhere) and remove milk/formula from the cooler (e.g., refrigerator) or prepare it from scratch, heat it, and then come upstairs, all while the child cries. Most parents recognize that the time spent making up the bottle is agonizing for the parent and the child.
In addition, traveling poses unique problems for the parents and the children. While travelling it is nearly impossible to adequately transport formula or breast milk because of cooling and then subsequent heating needs. Similarly, in overnight lodgings, often times the lodgings are not equipped with ovens, microwave ovens, or refrigerators, etc. and accordingly portable devices that can keep breast milk and formula in constant temperature are highly appreciated.
Partial solutions exist to some of the identified problems. But they fail in most respects. Some devices include flash warmers that heat a bottle quickly. Flash warmers, however, require removal of the bottle from the refrigerator. This definitely means a trip to the refrigerator by the parent and takes time. Most importantly, though, the flash one cannot be adapted to have a bottle ready for when the child awakes or crying.
Devices in the art discuss having a separate warming and cooling compartments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,435 to Fosco, Jr. discloses a Bottle Warmer or Cooler. U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,122 to Kalyk discloses a Baby Bottle Warming Container and Method of Attaining Thermal Equilibrium. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 257,549 to Chapman discloses a Combined Bottle Warmer and Measuring Spoon. U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,471 to Leder discloses a Forced Convection Heat Exchanger for Warming Articles. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 308,154 to Tow discloses a Baby Bottle Warmer. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,763 to Peterson discloses a Device for Warming or Cooling Infant Food. Such prior devices depict bottles and other containers which are often used to store consumable liquids that require heating or cooling prior to consumption. Often times, it is observed that when someone in traveling, it can be difficult to find an adequate means to heat or cool such a liquid. Presently, some disclosures exist to address this problem, but few provide a simple solution.
In this respect, the thermal breast milk device according to the present disclosure substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus developed for the purpose of maintaining a temperature of breast milk and baby formula warm around a human body temperature.

SUMMARY

In an example embodiment, the present disclosure provides an improved device for keeping breast milk and baby formula warm at and around 37° C.
In an another example embodiment, the present disclosure provides a device for keeping fresh breast milk and formula at constant temperature.
In yet another example embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method to for keeping the breast milk or formula in selective sealed container.
In yet another example embodiment, the present disclosure provides a breast milk storage thermos that reduces the risk of spillage and contamination.
In yet another example embodiment, the present disclosure provides a breast milk storage thermos that enables quick access of warm breast milk or formula at the time when feeding required.
In yet another example embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of keeping breast milk or formula in the thermos that is available in standard or decorative form.
In yet another example embodiment, the present disclosure provides thermos for breast milk or formula which is economic in fabricating and is easy to use so that it may be widely utilized.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
For a better understanding of the disclosure, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The example embodiments of the inventive aspects will be better understood from the following brief description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawing FIGS. 1-5 represent non-limiting, example embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a side view of the breast milk feeding and storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a top view of the upper lid with a pull tab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure:

FIG. 1C is a top view of the upper lid with a pull tab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure:

FIG. 1C is a top side view of the upper lid with a pull tab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of the breast milk feeding and storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is an isometric view of the breast milk feeding and storage device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is atop view of the upper lid with a pull tab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the breast milk feeding and storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A shows top view of lever and spout in the lid according an example embodiment;

FIG. 4B shows side view of lever and spout according an another example embodiment;

FIG. 4C shows side view of lever and spout according to yet another example embodiment;

FIG. 4D shows side view of the lever and spout according to yet another example embodiment;

FIG. 4D shows an isometric view of lever and spout according to yet another example embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows lever externally coupled to the valve according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the breast milk feeding and storage device according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows top part of the breast milk feeding and storage device when the lid is closed according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the breast milk feeding and storage device according to another example embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows top part of the breast milk feeding and storage device when the lid is open according to another example embodiment; and

FIG. 10 shows top part of the breast milk feeding and storage device when the lid is open according to another example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 1-2 show an embodiment of the present breast milk thermos comprising a body 10; a screw lid 11 on top with a pour spout 12 and a handle 13. A lever 14 is configured to open the pour spout. One end 15 of the lever 14 is coupled to the valve 17 of the pour spout 12 and the other end 16 of the lever 14 is positioned above the handle 13.
In an example embodiment, the lever 14 may be a spring loaded lever such that the valve 17 of the pour spout 12 remains closed when it is in the position shown in FIG. 2A, 2B. The lever end 16 is pressed down to open the spout valve 17 to pour the milk into another container.
The present breast milk thermos can be made available in standard or decorative form which is further differentiated on the basis of its decorative design. For example, if it is used for girls, it is decorated with ladybug, butterfly, flowers, and kitty and like. Similarly, in case of boys it is decorated with puppy, dinosaur, elephant, and fish and like.
The breast milk thermos provides a top lid screw 11 configured to tightly fit with the body of thermos 10 and configured to provide a tight seal as shown in FIGS. 2B-3B, 6, 8 and 10 which can be easily removed and cleaned and prevent leakage.
In an example embodiment, the lid is configured to fit universally on all pitchers.
In another example embodiment, the lever and pour spout may be disposed on the lid.
In yet another example embodiment, the valve 17 may be actuated by the end 16 of the lever via a spring 21 attached to the wall of the thermos. In an example embodiment, such lever and spring mechanism may be attached to the thermos internally without letting the milk be in contact with the parts of the lever.
In an example embodiment, the valve 17 can be actuated externally by the lever 16 which is coupled to the valve 17 via a spring mechanism 32 attached to the lever 16 externally. Accordingly, the parts used in the actuation of the vale 17 may not be needed in contact with the liquid contained inside the thermos. While the valve 17 can be actuated externally, the parts used in actuation maybe covered by an external layer or cover so that the parts of the lever mechanism still remain inside the thermos and not exposed outside.
In a further example embodiment, the valve 17 can be actuated by a magnetic means coupled to the end of the lever 16.
FIG. 6 shows lid 9, spout 12, lever 16, handle 13 and thread 11 of the lid 9 of the thermos according another example embodiment. The thread 11 is configured to engage the lid 9 with the thermos to tightly close the lid after collecting milk in the thermos. In an example embodiment, the lever 16 is coupled to the valve of the spout such that when a user pushes the lever 16, the valve opens to allow the milk to come out from the spout. In an example embodiment, the lever mechanism is coupled to the valve externally such that the liquid inside the thermos does not contact with the lever to avoid any kind of contamination of the milk.
Advantageously, with the help of present device, the mother's milk is disposed in the thermos container before leaving the house and fed to the baby when desired. Also, it provides a convenient amount of head space which makes milk collection rapid and convenient. Furthermore, one can simply pour the milk from the thermos by one hand using the level mechanism and it does not require any heating.
The appealing features of the breast milk storage thermos are its convenient design, ease of use and practicality. This device is a valuable accessory for many busy parents. This device allows parents the freedom of traveling or pursuing leisure activities with their babies with the assurance that they are able to keep warm formula or milk when they desire since the temperature of this accessory is maintained for several hours.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present disclosure have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

I claim:

1. A thermos assembly comprising:

a body;

a screw lid configured to fit on top of the body;

a pour spout;

a lever configured to open and close the spout; and

a handle.

2. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever is in close proximity to the handle for actuation of the lever by one hand.

3. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever includes a distal end and a near end and wherein the distal end is actuated by the near end to open a valve of the spout.

4. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises a desired amount of open head space on the top for collecting milk.

5. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein said screw lid on the top of the head space is configured to screw tightly over the body of thermos to provide a tight seal.

6. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein said lid is configured for easy removal and preventing leakage.

7. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein said lid is configured to fit with a plurality of pitchers.

8. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein said lever is configured to be pulled down to open the spout.

9. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein the thermos assembly can maintain a temperature of the milk around a human body temperature.

10. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein the thermos assembly can maintain a temperature of the milk around 94 F-98.6 F

11. The thermos assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever and the spout is disposed on the lid.

12. The thermos assembly of claim 3, wherein the distal end and a near end are coupled by a spring.

13. The thermos assembly of claim 3, wherein a valve of the spout is actuated by the lever externally.

14. A breast milk thermos assembly comprising a body and a screw lid on top with a pour spout engaged with said body, wherein said screw lid includes a plurality of decorative forms.

15. The breast milk thermos assembly of claim 14, wherein said decorative forms include at least one of a ladybug, butterfly, flowers, kitty, puppy, dinosaur, elephant, and fish.