Nipple with a compromisable seal for a baby bottle

US7210591B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The First Years Inc. · US

Inventors

• Edward Goldman · Foxborough, US
• Malcolm E. Taylor · Pepperell, US
• James J. Britto · Westport, US
• John DePiano · Burlington, US
• Tuan A. Nguyen · Woburn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 9, 2004
• Grant date: May 1, 2007
• Expiry date: Feb 9, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61J11/02
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A nipple for a baby bottle includes both inner and outer separable members. The inner member defines a valve passage that can be selectively obstructed by a flap of the outer member. The outer and inner members have respective flexible membranes that define a holding chamber having the valve passage as an inlet and an aperture at the tip of the outer member as an outlet. The flap inhibits flow from the holding chamber through the valve passage when the outer member is compressed, and deflects away from the valve passage to allow the holding chamber to receive a fluid through the valve passage when the outer member is released.