Bottle with mixing system
View Patent ↗There is provided an infant feeding bottle system having an agitator for mixing a powder substance with a liquid in a non-rigid disposable liner. The bottle system permits a user to mix powdered formula directly inside a non-rigid liner. The bottle system enhances the mixing effect, resulting in improved solubility, and provides for a self-contained uninterrupted mixing and feeding process.
1. An agitator for mixing components in a container having an open end with an inner diameter, the agitator comprising:
an annular wall forming a hole having a longitudinal axis, said annular wall having a first outer diameter, said annular wall having at least a portion that is tapered towards said longitudinal axis;
at least one spoke being secured to said annular wall and traversing said hole; and
a retaining flange being secured to said annular wall and having a second outer diameter,
wherein said first outer diameter is smaller than said second outer diameter, wherein said first outer diameter is about equal to said inner diameter thereby allowing said annular wall to at least partially slide into said open end, and wherein said second outer diameter is larger than said inner diameter thereby preventing said retaining flange from sliding into said open end.
2. The agitator of claim 1 , wherein said annular wall has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said retaining flange is disposed along said upper portion, and wherein said at least one spoke is disposed along said lower portion.
3. The agitator of claim 2 , wherein said at least one spoke is a plurality of spokes that converge at said longitudinal axis of said hole.
4. The agitator of claim 3 , wherein said annular wall and said hole define a first planar section, and wherein said plurality of spokes are disposed at least partially outside of said first planar section.
5. The agitator of claim 4 , wherein said annular wall and said plurality of spokes form a cup-like structure.
6. The agitator of claim 3 , wherein said plurality of spokes define a plurality of apertures of equal size.
7. The agitator of claim 3 , wherein said annular wall and said hole define a first planar section, wherein said plurality of spokes are in a second planar section, and wherein said first and second planar sections are substantially parallel to each other.
8. The agitator of claim 3 , wherein said plurality of spokes define a plurality of apertures of equal shape.
9. The agitator of claim 1 , wherein said at least one spoke has first and second surfaces, and first and second fins, wherein said first fin extends from said first surface, and wherein said second fin extends from said second surface.
10. The agitator of claim 9 , wherein said first fin is substantially perpendicular to said first surface, and wherein said second fin is substantially perpendicular to said second surface.
11. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a handle integrally formed with the agitator.
12. A container assembly for mixing components comprising:
a container having an inner volume and an open end with an inner diameter;
an agitator having an annular wall with a first outer diameter, at least one spoke, and a retaining flange with a second outer diameter, said annular wall defining a hole with a longitudinal axis, said annular wall having at least a portion that is tapered towards said longitudinal axis, said at least one spoke being secured to and traversing said hole, said retaining flange being secured to said annular wall;
a dispensing mechanism; and
a fastening ring,
wherein said annular wall is at least partially disposed through said open end of said container and in said inner volume, wherein said first outer diameter is smaller than said second outer diameter, wherein said first outer diameter is smaller than said inner diameter thereby allowing said annular wall to at least partially fit into said open end, and wherein said second outer diameter is larger than said inner diameter thereby preventing said retaining flange from fitting into said open end of said container.
13. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said annular wall has an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein said retaining flange is along said upper portion, and wherein said at least one spoke is along said lower portion.
14. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said at least one spoke is a plurality of spokes that converge at said longitudinal axis of said hole.
15. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein said annular wall and said hole define a first planar section, and wherein said plurality of spokes are at least partially outside of said first planar section.
16. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein said plurality of spokes define a plurality of apertures of equal size.
17. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein said annular wall and said plurality of spokes form a cup-like structure.
18. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein said annular wall and said hole define a first planar section, wherein said plurality of spokes is in a second planar section, and wherein said first and second planar sections are substantially parallel to each other.
19. The assembly of claim 14 , wherein said plurality of spokes define a plurality of apertures of equal size.
20. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said at least one spoke has an upper fin extending from an upper surface of said at least one spoke, and wherein said at least one spoke has a lower fin extending from a lower surface of said at least one spoke.
21. The assembly of claim 20 , wherein said upper and lower fins are substantially perpendicular to said upper and lower surfaces.
22. The assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a liner having a retaining rim, wherein said container has a container rim circumventing said open end for engagement with said retaining rim of said liner and with said retaining flange of said agitator.
23. The assembly of claim 22 , wherein said container has an outer surface having external threads, said fastening ring has an inner surface having internal threads, and said external threads and said internal threads are engageable for fastening said fastening ring to said container.
24. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein said dispensing mechanism is a nipple.
25. The assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a handle integrally formed with said agitator.