초록 ▼

A variable flow infant feeding assembly is designed so that a caregiver can select an optimal feeding flow rate without having to change nipples, as may be desired depending upon the age and appetite of the infant as well as the liquid that is being dispensed. Preferably, the assembly includes a bab

A variable flow infant feeding assembly is designed so that a caregiver can select an optimal feeding flow rate without having to change nipples, as may be desired depending upon the age and appetite of the infant as well as the liquid that is being dispensed. Preferably, the assembly includes a baby bottle and a nipple member that has ventilation structure defined therein for permitting replacement air to enter the baby bottle during feeding. Retention structure such as a threaded ring member is provided for securing the nipple member to the baby bottle. Advantageously, variable restrictor structure is provided, preferably so as to be integral with the ring member, for selectively blocking at least a portion of the ventilation structure. By controlling the size of the opening through which replacement air flows into the baby bottle, the variable restrictor structure permits the feeding flow rate through the nipple member to be adjusted by a caregiver.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An infant feeding assembly, comprising:a baby bottle; a nipple member, said nipple member having nipple ventilation means defined therein for permitting replacement air to flow through said nipple member to enter said baby bottle during feeding; retention means for securing said nipple member to

1. An infant feeding assembly, comprising:a baby bottle; a nipple member, said nipple member having nipple ventilation means defined therein for permitting replacement air to flow through said nipple member to enter said baby bottle during feeding; retention means for securing said nipple member to said baby bottle; variable restrictor means for selectively blocking at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means, whereby flow rate through said nipple member may be adjusted by a caregiver; wherein said nipple member comprises a feeding portion and a mounting flange, and wherein said nipple ventilation means is defined in said mounting flange; wherein said retention means comprises a ring member that is adapted to be secured to a baby bottle so as to secure said mounting flange of said nipple member to the baby bottle, said ring member further having an opening defined therein that is sized to permit said feeding portion of said nipple member to extend therethrough; wherein said variable restrictor means is integral with said ring member; wherein said variable restrictor means comprises blocking structure on said ring member for blocking at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means when said nipple member is positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said ring member; and wherein said nipple ventilation means comprises a plurality of ventilation holes that are defined in said mounting flange, and wherein said blocking structure is configured so as to be selectively positionable in a first blocking position so as to block a first number of said ventilation holes, or in a second blocking position so as to block a second, greater number of ventilation holes. 2. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 1, further comprising indicia provided on at least one of said nipple member and said ring member for indicating when said nipple member is positioned in said predetermined orientation that corresponds to said blocking structure being positioned to block at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means.3. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 1, wherein said blocking structure is further constructed so as to be selectively positionable so as to block none of said ventilation holes.4. An infant feeding assembly, comprising:a baby bottle; a nipple member, said nipple member having nipple ventilation means defined therein for permitting replacement air to flow through said nipple member to enter said baby bottle during feeding; retention means for securing said nipple member to said baby bottle; variable restrictor means for selectively blocking at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means, whereby flow rate through said nipple member may be adjusted by a caregiver; wherein said nipple member comprises a feeding portion and a mounting flange, and wherein said nipple ventilation means is defined in said mounting flange; wherein said retention means comprises a ring member that is adapted to be secured to a baby bottle so as to secure said mounting flange of said nipple member to the baby bottle, said ring member further having an opening defined therein that is sized to permit said feeding portion of said nipple member to extend therethrough; wherein said variable restrictor means is integral with said ring member; wherein said variable restrictor means comprises blocking structure on said ring member for blocking at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means when said nipple member is positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said ring member; and wherein said predetermined orientation between said ring member and said nipple member is a predetermined position of relative rotation between said members. 5. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 4, wherein said nipple ventilation means comprises at least one hole that is defined in said mounting flange.6. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 5, wherein said nipple ventilation means comprises a plurality of holes that are defined in said mounting flange.7. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 4, further comprising indicia provided on at least one of said nipple member and said ring member for indicating when said nipple member is positioned in said predetermined orientation that corresponds to said blocking structure being positioned to block at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means.8. An infant feeding assembly, comprising:a nipple member, said nipple member having nipple ventilation means defined therein for permitting replacement air to enter a baby bottle during feeding; retention means for securing said nipple member to a baby bottle, and wherein said retention means further comprises variable restrictor structure for selectively blocking at least a portion of the nipple ventilation means, whereby flow rate through the nipple member may be adjusted by a caregiver; wherein said nipple member comprises a feeding portion and a mounting flange, and wherein said nipple ventilation means is defined in said mounting flange; wherein said retention means comprises a ring member that is adapted to be secured to a baby bottle so as to secure said mounting flange of said nipple member to the baby bottle, said ring member further having an opening defined therein that is sized to permit said feeding portion of said nipple member to extend therethrough; wherein said variable restrictor means is integral with said ring member, wherein said variable restrictor means comprises blocking structure on said ring member for blocking at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means when said nipple member is positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said ring member; further comprising indicia provided on at least one of said nipple member and said ring member for indicating when said nipple member is positioned in said predetermined orientation that corresponds to said blocking structure being positioned to block at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means; and wherein said nipple ventilation means comprises a plurality of ventilation holes that are defined in said mounting flange, and wherein said blocking structure is configured so as to be selectively positionable in a first blocking position so as to block a first number of said ventilation holes, or in a second blocking position so as to block a second, greater number of ventilation holes. 9. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 8, wherein said blocking structure is further constructed so as to be selectively positionable so as to block none of said ventilation holes.10. An infant feeding assembly, comprising:a nipple member, said nipple member having nipple ventilation means defined therein for permitting replacement air to enter a baby bottle during feeding; retention means for securing said nipple member to a baby bottle, and wherein said retention means further comprises variable restrictor structure for selectively blocking at least a portion of the nipple ventilation means, whereby flow rate through the nipple member may be adjusted by a caregiver; wherein said nipple member comprises a feeding portion and a mounting flange, and wherein said nipple ventilation means is defined in said mounting flange; wherein said retention means comprises a ring member that is adapted to be secured to a baby bottle so as to secure said mounting flange of said nipple member to the baby bottle, said ring member further having an opening defined therein that is sized to permit said feeding portion of said nipple member to extend therethrough; wherein said variable restrictor means is integral with said ring member, wherein said variable restrictor means comprises blocking structure on said ring member for blocking at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means when said nipple member is positioned in a predetermined orientation with respect to said ring member; and wherein said predetermined orientation between said ring member and said nipple member is a predetermined position of relative rotation between said members. 11. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 10, further comprising indicia provided on at least one of said nipple member and said ring member for indicating when said nipple member is positioned in said predetermined orientation that corresponds to said blocking structure being positioned to block at least a portion of said nipple ventilation means.12. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 10, wherein said nipple ventilation means comprises at least one hole that is defined in said mounting flange.13. An infant feeding assembly according to claim 12, wherein said nipple ventilation means comprises a plurality of holes that are defined in said mounting flange.14. An adjustable infant feeding assembly for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a nipple member; a ring member that is constructed and arranged to be screwed onto a baby bottle in order to secure said nipple member to the baby bottle; and adjustable ventilation means, defined on at least one of said nipple member and said ring member, for adjusting an amount of ventilation air that will be permitted to flow into a baby bottle when said infant feeding assembly is attached to the baby bottle, and wherein said adjustable ventilation means is constructed so that adjustment thereof is substantially independent of how tightly said ring member is screwed on to said baby bottle. 15. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 14, wherein said adjustable ventilation means is constructed so that adjustment thereof is controlled by relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member.16. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 15, wherein said relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member comprises a predetermined position of relative rotation therebetween.17. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 15, further comprising indicia for indicating said relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member.18. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 17, wherein said indicia comprises first indicia for indicating a first relative position that corresponds to a first selectable flow rate and second indicia for indicating a second relative position that corresponds to a second selectable flow rate.19. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 15, further comprising indexing means for selectively locating said nipple member in one of at least two predetermined relative positions with respect to said ring member.20. An adjustable infant feeding assembly for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a nipple member; a ring member that is constructed and arranged to secure said nipple member to a baby bottle; and adjustable ventilation means, defined on both said nipple member and said ring member, for adjusting an amount of ventilation air that will be permitted to flow into a baby bottle when said infant feeding assembly is attached to the baby bottle; wherein said adjustable ventilation means is constructed so that adjustment thereof is controlled by relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member; and wherein said relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member comprises a predetermined position of relative rotation therebetween. 21. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 20, further comprising indicia for indicating said relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member.22. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 21, wherein said indicia comprises first indicia for indicating a first relative position that corresponds to a first selectable flow rate and second indicia for indicating a second relative position that corresponds to a second selectable flow rate.23. An adjustable infant feeding assembly for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a nipple member; a ring member that is constructed and arranged to secure said nipple member to a baby bottle; and adjustable ventilation means, defined on both said nipple member and said ring member, for adjusting an amount of ventilation air that will be permitted to flow into a baby bottle when said infant feeding assembly is attached to the baby bottle; wherein said adjustable ventilation means is constructed so that adjustment thereof is controlled by relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member; and further comprising indexing means for selectively locating said nipple member in one of at least two predetermined relative positions with respect to said ring member. 24. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 23, further comprising indicia for indicating said relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member.25. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 24, wherein said indicia comprises first indicia for indicating a first relative position that corresponds to a first selectable flow rate and second indicia for indicating a second relative position that corresponds to a second selectable flow rate.26. An adjustable infant feeding assembly for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a nipple member; a ring member that is constructed and arranged to secure said nipple member to a baby bottle; and adjustable ventilation means, defined on at least one of said nipple member and said ring member, for adjusting an amount of ventilation air that will be permitted to flow into a baby bottle when said infant feeding assembly is attached to the baby bottle, and wherein said adjustable ventilation means is constructed and arranged to be adjusted by changing a relative position of said nipple member with respect to said ring member. 27. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 26, wherein said relative position of said nipple member with respect to said ring member comprises a predetermined position of relative rotation therebetween.28. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 26, further comprising indicia for indicating said relative positioning of said nipple member with respect to said ring member.29. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 28, wherein said indicia comprises first indicia for indicating a first relative position that corresponds to a first selectable flow rate and second indicia for indicating a second relative position that corresponds to a second selectable flow rate.30. An adjustable infant feeding assembly according to claim 26, further comprising indexing means for selectively locating said nipple member in one of at least two predetermined relative positions with respect to said ring member.31. A nipple for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a feeding end having a feeding hole defined therein; a mounting end for mounting said nipple to a baby bottle; first ventilating structure defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air to a baby bottle at a first flow rate when said nipple is mounted to a baby bottle; and second ventilating structure, independent of said first ventilating structure, defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air into the baby bottle at a second flow rate that is different from said first flow rate; and wherein said mounting end comprises a mounting flange that is adapted to be secured to a baby bottle, and wherein said first ventilating structure comprises a first ventilating hole defined in said mounting flange and said second ventilating structure includes a second ventilating hole defined in said mounting flange. 32. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 31, further comprising first regulating means for regulating a volume of airflow that is permitted to pass through said first ventilating hole and second regulating means for regulating a volume of airflow that is permitted to pass through said second ventilating hole.33. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 31, wherein said nipple is fabricated from a silicone material.34. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 31, further comprising a neck portion connecting said feeding end to said mounting end.35. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 34, further comprising at least one ventilating channel that is defined in said neck portion.36. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 31, further comprising third ventilating structure, independent of said first and second ventilating structures, defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air into the baby bottle at a third flow rate that is different from said first and second flow rates.37. A nipple for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a feeding end having a feeding hole defined therein; a mounting end for mounting said nipple to a baby bottle; first ventilating structure defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air to a baby bottle at a first flow rate when said nipple is mounted to a baby bottle; and second ventilating structure, independent of said first ventilating structure, defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air into the baby bottle at a second flow rate that is different from said first flow rate; further comprising at least one ventilating channel that is defined in said neck portion; further comprising a neck portion connecting said feeding end to said mounting end; and wherein said at least one ventilating channel comprises a first ventilating channel that is defined in said neck portion adjacent to said first ventilating structure and a second ventilating channel that is defined in said neck portion adjacent to said second ventilating structure. 38. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 37, further comprising first regulating means for regulating a volume of airflow that is permitted to pass through said first ventilating structure and second regulating means for regulating a volume of airflow that is permitted to pass through said second ventilating structure.39. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 37, wherein said nipple is fabricated from a silicone material.40. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 37, further comprising third ventilating structure, independent of said first and second ventilating structures, defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air into the baby bottle at a third flow rate that is different from said first and second flow rates.41. A nipple for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a feeding end having a feeding hole defined therein; a mounting end for mounting said nipple to a baby bottle; first ventilating structure defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air to a baby bottle at a first flow rate when said nipple is mounted to a baby bottle; and second ventilating structure, independent of said first ventilating structure, defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air into the baby bottle at a second flow rate that is different from said first flow rate; further comprising third ventilating structure, independent of said first and second ventilating structures, defined in said nipple for facilitating entry of ventilating air into the baby bottle at a third flow rate that is different from said first and second flow rates; and further comprising means for indicating a position of said nipple relative to a mounting ring. 42. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 41, further comprising first regulating means for regulating a volume of airflow that is permitted to pass through said first ventilating structure and second regulating means for regulating a volume of airflow that is permitted to pass through said second ventilating structure.43. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 41, wherein said nipple is fabricated from a silicone material.44. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 41, further comprising a neck portion connecting said feeding end to said mounting end.45. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 44, further comprising at least one ventilating channel that is defined in said neck portion.46. A nipple for use with a baby bottle, comprising:a feeding end having a feeding hole defined therein; a mounting flange for mounting said nipple to a baby bottle; and ventilating means for communicating with ventilation structure that is defined in a mounting ring that will be used to secure said nipple to a baby bottle; wherein said ventilating means comprises at least one ventilating hole defined in said mounting flange; and wherein said at least one ventilating hole comprises a first ventilating hole for communicating with first ventilating structure that is defined in a mounting ring and a second ventilating hole for communicating with second ventilating structure that is defined in the mounting ring. 47. A nipple for use with a baby bottle according to claim 46, wherein said nipple further comprises a neck portion connecting said feeding end to said mounting flange, and wherein said ventilating means further comprises at least one ventilation channel defined in said neck portion.