Donald W Clark

US Patent:

49345427, Jun 19, 1990

Filed:

Aug 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/393379

Inventors:

Donald P. Clark - Charlotte NC

International Classification:

A61J 900
A61J 908
A61J 1300

US Classification:

215 111

Abstract:

A baby bottle equipped with a uniquely effective bottle nipple shield is provided which permits continuous access by the child to the contents of the bottle while simultaneously protecting the nipple from contamination if the bottle is dropped on a surface. In the preferred construction, the nipple shield of the bottle of the invention includes a generally planar base member which defines a central bore in substantially coaxial relation to the nipple proper and which mounts a pair of wing members which project generally upwardly from the base member in spaced apart relation to each other and in substantially parallel relation to the principal axis of the nipple. The projecting wing members terminate with their respective upper free ends position in fixed spaced apart relation to one another so that continuous access to the nipple is enabled. In a particular preferred construction, the projecting wing members are configured in a lobular shape which protects the nipple through rotational movements of the bottle such as are routinely experienced in lifting the bottle once it has been dropped to protect the nipple as well as interior furnishings.