WO 2004/013001
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`peT /uS2003/024400
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`No-Spill Drinking Products
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`Related Applications
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`The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.
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`60/400,669 filed August 5, 2002, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.
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`Field of the Invention
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`The present invention relates to no-spill drinking products.
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`Background of the Invention
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`No-spill drinking products are well known in the art. In the past, a variety of such products
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`have been developed and marketed. In general, the goal of a no-spill cup is to provide a
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`construction which minimizes or prevents liquid from emerging out of the cup when liquid flow
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`is not desired, Le. when the user is not drinking. However, though the assemblies of the prior art
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`are intended to avoid such accidents, their construction is such that they generally do not provide
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`a secure enough protection against undesirable spilling or leakage. Thus, when such cups are
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`inverted, or more significantly, when they are shaken vigorously, liquid will often emerge from
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`them. This can be a particular problem with young children, for whom these cups are usually
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`intended.
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`To address this problem, the present inventor has previously provided various advances in
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`the art, as disclosed for example in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,321,931 and 6,357,620, both of which are
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`fully incorporated herein by reference. Further thereto, yet further improvements in the art of such
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`no-spill drinking products are provided herein.
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`Moreover, while such drinking products have been generally sold as products for older
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`children, leakage is currently also major problem with present baby bottles and bottle nipples. Most
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`nipples have a hole in the top that fluid is drawn out of. If the bottle is not in an upright position,
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`however, the bottle will leak. For example, if a mother mixes the contents of a baby bottle and then
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`places that baby bottle into her diaper bag, the bottle will leak if the bottle falls over on its side or
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`if the diaper bag is not standing straight up. The liquid from the bottle will then spill into the bag
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`or into the bottle's cap.
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`Similarly, if a baby takes the bottle out ofhis or her mouth and lays it down, or if the bottle
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`falls out of the baby's mouth, liquid will leak out of the nipple onto the surrounding floor, carpet,
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`car seat, or so forth. Various different kinds of nipples are known in the art, the nipples varying
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`depending on the type of liquid that the nipple is intended to be used with. Thus, nipples exist for
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`use with water, milk, juice, and formula. Yet, leakage is a very significant problem with all of the
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`various nipples currently available commercially.
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`If the baby falls asleep with a bottle, the milk can leak out of the bottle. This liquid could
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`undesirably leak onto the baby andlor surrounding area. Furthermore, if the bottle were in the
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`baby's mouth when he or she fell asleep, any liquid that leaked out could potentially choke the baby.
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`Accordingly, it would be a significant improvement in the art to provide a design allowing
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`the construction of nipples and baby bottles which would eliminate leakage. It would be a further
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`improvement to provide nipples which adjust to the various consistencies of the different Jiquids
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`provided to children.
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`Summary of the Invention
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`It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking products which prevent liquid
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`from flowing out of the cup when the user is not drinking.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved construction for no-spill
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`drinking products.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide a drinking products which minimize and! or
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`eliminate accidental or Wldesirable liquid flow or spillage.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide a drinking products which prevent liquid
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`flow from a spout or nipple even upon very vigorous shaking of the drinking product.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide a cup product which provides the ability to
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`regulate the flow rate ofliquid out of the cup.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide a product which can be used by young
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`children, to avoid accidental spilling of liquid therefrom.
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`It is a further object of the present invention to provide no-spill baby bottles and bottle
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`nipples.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide baby bottles and nipples that do not spill
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`when placed on their side or inverted.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide baby bottles and nipples that do not spill
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`liquid therefrom even when shaken vigorously.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide drinking products which minimize and! or
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`eliminate accidental or undesirable liquid flow or spillage, while obtaining an easier flow of liquid
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`with less draw or vacuum.
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`Further objects of the invention will become apparent in conjunction with the disclosure
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`herein.
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`To accomplish the above objectives, no~spill products are provided for feeding infants,
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`young children, and any other user, as shown in the attached figures. In several embodiments, these
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`no~spill products include baby bottle nipples and their associated baby bottles.
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`In further
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`embodiments, these products include n~spill drinking cups, sports bottles, and any other desired
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`drinking vessel.
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`In accordance with a first series of embodiments of the invention, improved drinking
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`products are described which provide an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from
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`a cup spout. Further to the invention, a user places his or her mouth against the spout of the
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`product to bite down on the soft material of the spout and to drink liquid out when desired. The
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`spout includes a valve therein, such that the act of biting on the soft spout and/or compression of
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`the soft spout with the tongue causes the valve to open. Upon opening, a user can suck liquid out
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`of the spout (i.e. apply negative pressure), to drink comfortably therefrom. In contrast, when not
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`in use, the valve sits in a resting, closed position.
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`In this resting or relaxed state, with no
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`compression applied, the valve sits in a configuration in which fluid is securely blocked from passage
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`out of the drinking product. Thus, when the membrane is placed into the user's mouth, the
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`opening within a depression in the nipple or spout tip is forced open, to allow drinking therefrom.
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`At other times (when a user is not drinking), the configuration of the depression forces the opening
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`closed, sealing the membrane into a no~spill position.
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`In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve consists of an depression (also
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`-referred to herein as an indentation or dimple) in a flexible material, the depression having an
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`opening therein. The depression is especially configured to maximize its effectiveness as a no-spill
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`valve to prevent undesired liquid flow therefrom.
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`In several embodiments of the invention, these membranes form the nipple of a baby bottle.
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`In other embodiments, these membranes can be provided as part of another drinking vessel, whether
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`for children or for adults; such as a trainer cup, a sports bottle or so forth. In such drinking vessels,
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`the membranes can be provided as part of a spout or other component of the drinking vessel. In
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`each of these products, the unique construction prevents leakage of fluid when the product is not
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`upright, or when shaken.
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`With respect to the opening of the membrane (whether of the baby bottle nipple or soft lid
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`portion of a drinking vessel), any form of desired opening suitable for passage of a desired level of
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`liquid can be utilized in the valve. The opening can be, for example, a hole. a slit. a slot. an orifice,
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`or so forth. Preferred embodiments for use in conjunction with various embodiments are disclosed
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`below. The opening is preferably located in the surface of the membrane within the area of the
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`depression.
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`In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the drinking product further includes a dual
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`valve configuration (i.e. at least two valves), wherein the second valve is likewise provided with an
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`opening. Upon application of negative pressure at the top of the valve (i.e when sucking at the
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`spout), this second valve opens to allow air into the drinking product. In so doing, the second
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`opening acts as an air vent, preventing the formation of a vacuum within that drinking product,
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`which would prevent liquid from flowing out of the product. The opening of this second valve
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`thereby facilitates fluid flow from the spout when negative pressure is applied at the spout. In
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`contrast, when the user is not applying negative pressure at the spout (i.e. when the user is not
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`drinking), this second opening seals. If the user shakes the drinking product to provide positive
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`pressure against the first valve, liquid is nonetheless prevented from emerging from the product.
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`Moreover, the shaking of the vessel (or the turning of the vessel upside down or on its side), forces
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`liquid against the second valve, thereby sealing it against air flow. This sealing of the valve against
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`air flow, yet further prevents liquid from flowing through the opening.
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`Thus, in each of the embodiments of the invention, the. dosed valve position provides an
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`extremely secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills or even deliberate attempts
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`to force liquid outside of the cup, such as by turning the cup upside down, or shaking the cup, are
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`ineffective. At the same time, the invention is designed to make it very easy for babies, children,
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`or adults to comfortably extract the desired amount of liquid.
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`As a result, the invention provides very secure protection against fluid leakage in drinking
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`products that can be used by individuals of all ages, while still providing a comfortable drinking
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`product. The invention can be used by babies, children of all ages, and adults, and prevents messes
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`whether from an accidentally knocked over product, or other spillage. It also protects users, and
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`babies in particular, from swallowing or accidentally choking on liquid leaking into their mouth
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`from a drinking product while they are sleeping.
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`In further preferred embodiments of the invention, one (or preferably both) of the valves
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`are iocated in a soft portion of a hardisoft cap. This cap preferably includes a hard component, such
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`as a ring, and a second component which attaches thereto which is soft. The hard component is
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`provided for attachment onto the drinking vessel, and the soft portion serves as the upper portion
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`of the lid, including a soft spout therein.
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`Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in
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`conjunction with the detailed disclosure provided herein.
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`Brief Description of the Drawings
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`Figure 1 is a series of views of one embodiment of a no-spill baby bottle nipple in accordance
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`with the present invention.
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`Figure 2 is a series of views of a further embodiment of a no-spill baby bottle nipple in
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`accordance with the present invention.
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`Figure 3 is a series of views of a further embodiment of a no-spill baby bottle nipple in
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`accordance with the present. invention.
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`Figure 4 is a series of views of further embodiment of a no-spill baby bottle nipple in
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`accordance with the present invention.
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`Figure 5 is a series of views of a further embodiment of a no-spill baby bottle nipple in
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`accordance with the present invention.
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`Figure 6 is a series of views showing a preferred embodiment of the nipple of the no-spill
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`baby bottle of the present invention, including preferred dimensions thereof Figure 6a is a top view
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`of the nipple; Figure 6b is a front and back view; Figure 6c is a bottom view; Figure 6d is a cross(cid:173)
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`sectional view along the section lines shown in Figure 6a; Figure 6e is an enlarged view ("exploded
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`view") showing further details of the valve as circled in Figure 6d; Figure 6f is a enlarged view
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`showing further details of the air vent, as also circled in Figure 6d; Figure 6g is a further top view
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`of the nipple; and Figure 6h is a further bottom view.
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`Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve of the preferred embodiment of
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`Figure 6, in the tip of a baby bottle nipple.
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`Figure 8 is a series of views of a soft lid portion for attachment to a hard ring co form a cap
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`for a drinking product for use by older children and adults. Figure 8a illustrates a top view of the
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`soft lid, with Figure 8b being a perspective view, Figure 8c being a back view, and Figure 8d being
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`a side view thereof Figure 8e illustrates a top view of the soft lid attached to a hard ring for
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`attachment to the drinking cup.
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`Figure 9 is a series of further views of the soft lid portion of the cap of the drinking product
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`of Figures 7 and 8, with Figure 9a being a first cross-sectional view and Figure 9b being a second
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`cross-sectional view along the sections shown in Figure 9c, which is itself a top view of the soft lid.
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`Figure lOa is a top view of drinking product of Figure 9, when the cap is attached to the
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`liquid holding portion of the drinking vessel (e.g. a cup). Figure lOb is a side view of the drinking
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`product of Figure lOa, and Figure Wc is a back view.
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`Figure 11 is a series of additional views of the drinking product ofFigure 10. Figure lIb
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`is a cross sectional view of the product of Figure lOb, along the section as shown in Figure Ila.
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`Figure 11 c is an enlarged view of the area marked "Detail D" of Figure 11 b, showing the details of
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`the upper valve in the spout. Figure lId is an enlarged view of the area "Detail E" of Figure lIb
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`showing the details of the air valve in the soft lid.
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`Figure 12 is a series of additional views of the drinking product of Figure 10. Figure 12b
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`is a cross-sectional view of the product of Figure lOb along the section as shown in Figure 12a.
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`Figure 12c is an enlarged view of the area marked "Detail C" in Figure 12b, showing the details of
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`the upper valve of the spout.
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`Detailed Description of the Invention and the Preferred Embodiments
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`Further to the present invention, improved drinking products are provided as discussed
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`herein. The no-spill products of the invention include various embodiments of drinking vessels
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`having no-spill valves as discussed below. These drinking vessels include baby bottle nipples for use
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`by infants, or caps with a spout for use by children or adults.
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`The embodiments of the drinking products with a nipple are, of course, provided for use
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`by babies. The drinking vessels with a spout can be used by any age and in conjunction with any
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`desired activities. The spout is preferably a soft spout which is part ofa soft lid, e.g. a lid and spout
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`made of silicone.
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`If desired, the embodiments of the drinking cup can be used as a "trainer cup" for the
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`transition period when a child moves from drinking out of a baby bottle to drinking out of a cup.
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`During this period, the child can learn to drink. from the cup while the parent need not worry about
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`spillage, due to the presence of the no-spill valve. Alternately, the embodiments of the drinking cup
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`can also be used for cups for adults. The present drinking vessels can be provided for use in ordinary
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`activity, during athletic events, or in any other desired context.
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`In addition, the drinking vessels can be sold or provided empty, for the user to fill with
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`liquid. Or, they can be sold or provided pre-filled with liquid. For example, they can be used to
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`replace the beverage containers sold in stores that have water, soda, juice, sports drinks, or any other
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`desired liquid, pre-filled therein.
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`The no-spill products of the invention are each provided with one or more suitably designed
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`no-spill valves. Preferably, the valves themselves are constructed of a flexible material (also referred
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`to herein as a membrane). Thus, a flexible valve can be attached to a rigid material, if desired..
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`Further preferably, however, the valve is part of portion of a cap which is also flexible, such as a soft
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`lid or a baby bottle nipple. The valve is designed to allow fluid flow therethrough when the user
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`is drinking, but is also designed to prevent flow of liquid when drinking is not taking place.
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`In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve is designed to be highly effective
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`against spillage. In these embodiments, liquid flows comfortably through the flexible material
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`during drinking. However, when drinking is not taking place the valve seals tightly against liquid
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`flow. This seal is sufficiently effective such that liquid will not flow even under extremely vigorous
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`shaking.
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`Further according to the preferred embodiments, the invention is designed such that
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`compression is necessary for fluid to flow through the valve. Further preferably, both compression
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`and suction (negative pressure) are applied by the user for optimal results. Thus, the user compresses
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`the flexible material of the valve with his or her mouth, and also applies negative pressure (suction)
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`at the top of the valve to achieve comfortable liquid flow.
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`Any suitable flexible material can be used, such as silicone, latex, rubber, plastic, or so forth.
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`In the case of a bottle nipple, for example, the nipple can be constructed out of any of the flexible
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`materials currently used in the art ofbahy bottle nipple construction, or any other suitable flexible
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`materials for use in such a nipple. Such materials are preferably soft, elastic, and made of a material
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`which is harmless to the user. Particularly in the case of the nipple, such materials are sterilizable
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`(preferably by boiling). The materials may also be transparent or trans,lucent, as desired. Likewise,
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`the same types of materials can be used for the soft spouts and lids of the present invention.
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`Figures 1- 7 describe the invention is described in conjunction with examples of
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`embodiments of no-spill baby bottle nipples (and their associated baby bottles) for infants. Figures
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`8-12 describe the invention in conjunction with preferred embodiments for use as other no-spill
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`drinking vessels for any age, whether for a child or an adult.
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`With respect to the baby botde nipples of the present invention, a nipple is provided for a
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`baby botde, the nipple having a no-spill valve therein, as shown for example in Figures 1 and 3. The
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`nipple itself is made of a flexible material, and has the no-spill valve provided inside the nipple.
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`Wi th respect to the other drinking vessels of the invention, a valve can be attached to the vessel (e.g.
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`to a hard spout), or more preferably is part of a soft spout in a soft lid which is part of the vessel's
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`cap.
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`For the no-spill products of the invention for babies, a no-spill nipple is provided for
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`attachment to a baby bottle. Such bowes (or cups) are known in the art, and are used for a baby
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`to drink therefrom during the years when the baby is nursing. They are generally made of a plastic
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`or glass material, and are usually cylindrical in shape, although botdes of any suitable material or
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`shape can be used consistent with the invention.
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`For babies, the invention provide-s both protection ag:l i Ilst Ie:JJc...age or spilling of liquid that
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`would require cleanup by the care giver, and also protects against liquid leaking into the baby's
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`mouth if the baby falls asleep while drinking the bottle. With a regular bottle, if the baby were to
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`fall asleep while the bottle were in his or her mouth, any liquid that leaked out could potentially
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`choke the baby.
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`Also, in accordance with the invention, the baby controls the amount of liquid he or she
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`needs, when he or she needs it. With a regular nipple, the mother controls it by purchasing a
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`preemie, slow, medium or fast flow nipple. She may also control the flow by purchasing a water,
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`milk, formula or juice nipple. In contrast, the valve of the invention allows the baby to naturally
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`can regulate the amount of fluid he or she needs. In addition, the nipple operates in a comfortable,
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`natural manner, like when the baby naturally extracts milk from mother's breast. The end of the
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`nipple rests on the back of the baby's tongue, and when the baby thrusts the back of his tongue
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`upward and sucks, the milk releases into the baby's mouth the same as with drinking from the
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`mother's breast.
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`The nipple of the present invention is preferably removably attached to the baby bottles, as
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`is currently known in the art. For example, in the common design currently in use, a flexible nipple
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`is attached to a hard screw-ring to form a cap for a baby bottle, with the nipple protruding through
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`the hole in the screw ring. The screw ring includes screw threads for engagement with a series of
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`screw threads on the baby bottle, so as to screw that cap onto the bottle. The nipple further includes
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`a bottom rim, such as rim 38 or 338. When the hard cap having the nipple attached thereto is
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`screwed onto the baby bottle, the bottom rim of the nipple is compressed between the top of the
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`bottle and the bottom of the hard cap to further secure the nipple in the cap.
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`For the other no-soill drinkinl? nroducts of the invention. the oroduct oreferablv includes
`- --~ ----- --- -r-- --------0 c-- ------- -- ----
`...
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`~...
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`#
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`. a soft lid 480 which attaches to a screw ring 468 to form a cap 466. The soft lid 480 preferably
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`includes a recess 478 so that the soft lid can be attached to the screw ring 468, in the same manner
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`as previously discussed for a nipple is attached to a screw ring for a baby bottle.
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`In the preferred no-valve of the nipple and soft spout, the flexible material of the valve is
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`provided with a depression or dimple therein. This depression (also referred to herein as an
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`indentation) extends downward into the nipple or spout between the nipple or spout's outer walls,
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`and is preferably provided in or near the tip of that nipple or spout. For example, a concave surface
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`can be provided as the depression, such as concave surface 20 of Figure 1, or a depression of an other
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`shape can be provided, such as the depression shown in Figures 6 and 11-12 herein. Although
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`Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention are .
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`shown in Figures 3 -7 herein for the nipple, and in Figures 8-12 for the other drinking products.
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`The depression of the upper valve is preferably formed and molded to the inside of the upper
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`part of the nipple or spout, preferably inside the nipple or Spout'S tip. Alternatively or additionally,
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`as discussed below, a bottom valve can be provided at the bottom of the baby bottle nipple (e.g. in
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`the nipple's bottom rim or in the soft lid), whether in addition to this upper valve at the tip or even
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`instead of this upper valve at the tip. Thus, an upper valve can be provided or a bottom valve can
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`be provided, or both.
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`As a part of the upper valve, the depression of the flexible material is provided with an
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`opening for the passage of liquid, the liquid only passing through the opening when a user is
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`drinking. With reference' to Figures 1, for example, the flexible material of the nipple is provided
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`with an depression such as concave surface 20, the depression being provided with an opening 26
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`therein. Preferably, this opening 26 is provided in the bottom 22 of the depression of the nipple.
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`The depression or indentation in the nipple can have various shapes or configurations
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`consistent with the invention. For example, this depression can have a bottom surface 22 which is
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`rounded as shown in Figure 1 (a), although this configuration provides only a limited degree of no(cid:173)
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`spill protection. Preferably, a bottom surface is provided as shown in Figure 7, and as discussed
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`further below.
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`Likewise, the wall 42 of the depression can have various configurations, such as the rounded
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`wall 42 shown in Figure l(a) or the non-uniform wall 342 shown, for example, in Figure 3(a), 6,
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`7, 11 and 12 as further discussed beiow. These modifications to the shape of the wail can be used
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`to alter flow rate and sealing characteristics at the nipple opening. The shape of the valve of Figure
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`7 is preferred for the nipple for babies and that of Figures 11-12 are preferred for the pr~ducts for
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`older children and adults.
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`Various different types of openings can be used consistent with the invention. For example,
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`as shown in Figure Ie, the openings can include, but are not limited to, a single slice (i.e. a single
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`slit) as in Figure le(1), a cross-cut as in Figure le(2), or a "Y" cut as in Figure le(3). Or, openings
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`in the form of multiple slits can be provided such as the openings of Figures le(4), le(5) and 1 (e)6,
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`or so forth. For example, the opening of Figure 1e(4) includes at least two cross-cuts; and the
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`opening of 1 (e) 5 includes a first horizontal slit with a vertical slit above it and a vertical slit below
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`it (those two vertical slits not intersecting the horizontal slit, unlike a cross-cut). The opening of
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`Figure 1 (e) 6 includes four slits each slit positioned in the corner of a plus sign, but wherein the four
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`slits do not intersect, unlike a cross-cut. Or, a "T" shaped opening can be used (not shown in the
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`figures). Any other type of opening can also be used, including any combination of holes, slits, or
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`so forth. The type of openings, number of openings, their size, and so forth can be adjusted to
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`achieve the desired flow rate of the product.
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`In the preferred embodiment of the nipple, a cross-cut is used as in Figure le(2) although,
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`of course, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the preferred embodiment. In the
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`preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the cross-cut are 0.13 inches, i.e. the "plus sign" of the
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`cross cut is made of two intersecting slits, each slit being 0.13 inches in length. This sized cross-cut
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`is preferred since it eliminates or minimizes leakage when the bottle is turned upside down or is
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`shaken. However, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the
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`dimensions of the preferred embodiment, and is not intended to be so limited. In an alternate
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`embodiment, for example, the dimensions of the cross-cut are 3/32 of an inch, i.e. the "plus sign"
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`of the cross cut is made of two intersecting slits, each slit being 3/32 of an inch in length.
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`The cross-cut makes it very easy for a baby to draw liquid from the nipple. Moreover, when
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`the child is drinking from the bottle, any excess liquid that is left within the concave area is retracted
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`back into the bottle by the vacuum or suction that the child has produced through the normal
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`drinking process.
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`In addition, with the design of the preferred embodiment of the nipple, the nipple virtually
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`becomes a variable flow bottle nipple. Numerous nipples are currently sold by flow rate (e.g. slow,
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`medium and fast flow). In the present nipple, due to the fact that a cross-cut is preferably provided
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`in the bottom of the depression, the design of the nipple allows the child to control the amount of
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`fluid he or she needs. More specifically, whether a baby is two days old or one year old, the flow
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`rate of the liquid that is extracted from the bottle is controlled by the amount of pressure that the
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`child exerts at area 36 coupled with the amount of suction that he or she applies when drawing
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`liquid from the vessel. This reduces or negates the need for nipples to be sold with multiple or
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`various size holes.
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`In the preferred embodiment of the other drinking products at least one slit is provided as
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`the opening 437 as shown for example in Figure lOa. Preferably, three slits are provided, although
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`more or less can be provided as desired (e.g. one or two slits, or four slits, or so forth). When the
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`user puts the drinking vessd in his or her mouth, the slits are oriented vertically (up and down).
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`The grips 492 and shape of the spout are used to orient the spout so that it is only put in the user's
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`mouth in one direction, i.e. that having the slits oriented vertically.
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`In the soft spout, each slit is preferably 0.125 inches in length. Preferably three slits are
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`provided, spaced preferably 0.0900 inches apart. As previously mentioned, how~er, the present the
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`invention is, of course, not limited to the dimensions of the preferred embodiment.
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`15
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`WO 2004/013001
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`PCT/US2003/024400
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`During the normal feeding process, a user compresses (i.e. squeezes or depresses) an area on
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`the tip of the nipple or spout with his or her tongue. This area is preferably at the tip of the nipple
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`or spout and is preferably a slightly widened or bulging portion of that tip. As further discussed
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`below, when this area is depressed, the bottom of the depression of the upper valve is squeezed or
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`compressed, so that the opening in that bottom is opened up allowing liquid to flow freely through
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`the nipple or spout.
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`The nipple or spout further includes a base, such as base 32 of the nipple. If a user merely
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`squeezes the nipple or soft spout in that area or anywhere below the bottom wall of the depression
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`(for example, between the bottom of36 and base 32, or somewhere along base 32), liquid will not
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`leak from the vessel.
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`This feature of the present no-spill nipple is in contrast to standard nipples. Standard
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`nipples have convex outer surface, i.e. a rounded spherical tip, as shown by the dotted lines "V" in
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`Figure I (a). On such standard nipples, if you squeeze anywhere on the nipple (even with nipples
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`utili'l.ing a cross-cut), t.he nipple will pour fluid from the bottle. Thjs feature further allows the
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`bottle to be used as a teether with teething bumps placed in that area, since merely compressing that
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`area will not result in leakage of liquid.
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`The invention is further effective when used in conjunction with a bottom valve, illustrated
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`for example, by Figures 3a, 6f and lId. In Figure 3, for example, in a fashion analogous to Figure
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`1, compression by the baby is effected on widened area 368 of nipple 318 to compress the bottom
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`222 of the depression, so that an opening in that bottom is opened to allow liquid flow. A bottom
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`valve, preferably in the bottom rim of the nipple (or in the soft lid of the spout) is provided for air
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`flow into the nipple (or into the soft lid). Squeezing the nipple outer wall below the bottom 222
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`of the valve will not open the opening in valve bottom wall. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the
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`bottom wall has a concave surface 320 which is concave on the top only, as further discussed with
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`16
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`WO 2004/013001
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`peT IUS2003/024400
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`reference to Figure 6. When the nipple outer wall (or spout outer wall) is compressed at the bottom
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`wall of the upper valve, and negative pressure is applied by the user at the nipple or spout tip, the
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`opening in the upper valve and the opening in the bottom valve (air valve) both open. As a result,
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`the combination of compression and sucking (negative pressure) results in comfortable liquid flow.
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`Any of the traditional nipple sizes can be used with the nipple embodiments of the
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`invention. For example, the nipple can be a regular nipple as shown in Figure 1, or a wide neck
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`nipple as shown in Figure 2, or so forth. &gular nipples are used with standard bottle necks (e.g.
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`bottle necks approximately 1.406 inches in diameter), and wide neck nipples are used with wide
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`neck bottles (e.g. bottles with bottle necks approximately 2.04 inches in diameter). Alternatively,
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`a bottle with any other neck size can be used consistent with the invention. In addition, although
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`the nipples of Figures 1 and 2 are used with one embodiment of the valve, preferably, the regular
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`or wide neck nipples of the invention (or any other neck sized nipple) are used with the valve shown
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`in Figures 3, 6 and 7 .. For the spouts