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  Device and method for storing baby bottles, bottle nipples, lids and powdered baby formulaUSPTO Application #: 20070193651Title: Device and method for storing baby bottles, bottle nipples, lids and powdered baby formula Abstract: A method and device for storing and dispensing a powdered baby formula, and for storing baby bottles thereon. The device has a frame; supporting means mounted to the frame for supporting at least one baby bottle thereon; means integral to the powdered baby formula container for dispensing a predefined amount of such a powdered baby formula. The device further includes a first container mounted to the frame for containing small articles such that the first container includes a screened bottom to allow drainage to flow out of the first container. The device further includes a drip tray disposed beneath the first container to capture fluid dripping from the screened bottom. In a preferred embodiment, the device has means for dispensing baby bottle liners attached to said device. In another embodiment, the device has at least one pole attached to said device adapted to hold baby bottle rings. (end of abstract) Agent: Graybeal, Jackson, Haley LLP - Bellevue, WA, US Inventor: Michele Kauzlarich USPTO Applicaton #: 20070193651 - Class: 141086000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Fluent Material Handling, With Receiver Or Receiver Coacting Means, With Soil Removing, Coating, Lubricating, Sterilizing And/or Drying, Drip Collection The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070193651. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to storage and dispensing devices that store baby bottles, nipples, and lids and dispenses powdered formula. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] An ever-increasing percentage of mothers have supplemented or replaced breast-feeding with bottle-feeding for their babies. In response to more working mothers and changes in society, more and more fathers have taken an active roll in feeding their babies, further popularizing bottle feeding. Bottle-feeding demands that bottles, nipples, lids, and formula be readily available when the child is hungry and cries. The baby's cries of hunger often come at the most inopportune times such as when there are no full bottles available. At such times, the frazzled parent is required to quickly locate a bottle and a nipple, and place formula in the bottle while attempting to deal with the crying child. This is especially difficult if the parent has just been awaken from a deep sleep or is trying to accomplish this in the dark. [0003] Formula is available as a liquid or powder. The liquid, although more convenient, is much more expensive than the powdered type. The powdered formula is typically dehydrated liquid formula, is measured to obtain the desired amount and then mixed with water resulting liquid formula. The powdered formula, the measuring tool, the bottles and nipples all require storage. The storage of these items, however, is often in separate locations making access to the storage difficult during both day and night feedings. A need therefore exists for a device, which can conveniently store baby bottles, nipples, lids measuring tools and powdered formula in one accessible location. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention fills this need by providing for a device for storing basically everything needed for quickly preparing a baby bottle with formula. This includes a container for storing and dispensing powdered baby formula, rods extending from a frame for storing baby bottles, a container for storing small items like nipples, smaller rods extending from the frame to hang baby bottle rings, and a dispenser containing baby bottle liners. In a preferred embodiment, the powdered formula dispenser has a means for dispensing a predefined amount of the powdered baby formula. Also, the container that holds the small items such as bottle nipples, has a porous bottom, such as a screen, to allow water to drip down to a drip tray. The drip tray is beneath the container to capture fluid dripping from the screened bottom. Preferably, the drip tray extends along the length of the device to capture moisture dripping from drying bottles and rings. [0005] In a preferred embodiment, the container that dispenses the powdered formula has a plunger slidable seated within a sleeve and the sleeve is positioned below the container. The container has a structure forming a tunnel through the plunger, a structure forming a first opening in a bottom of the container, the first opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a first position within the sleeve; and a second opening positioned on the sleeve below the plunger, the second opening positioned to line up with the tunnel when the plunger is in a second position within the sleeve, such a predetermined amount of powdered baby formula within the container will flow out of the first opening and into the tunnel when the plunger is in the first position, and said powdered baby formula will flow out of the tunnel and through the second opening when the plunger is in the second position. [0006] The present invention is further comprised of a method for preparing filling a baby bottle with liquid baby formula using a baby bottle storage/powdered baby formula storage and dispensing unit of the present invention. One takes a bottle that is being stored on a bottle storing means extending from a frame of of the unit. The bottle is placed in fluid contact with an opening of a container that stores powdered formula and a plunger is engaged at a first position that allows powdered formula to flow out of the container through an opening in the container and into a tunnel within the plunger. The plunger is then engaged into a second position and the tunnel is lined up with a second opening beneath the first opening that allows the predetermined amount of powdered formula to flow through the tunnel through the second opening out of the container into the baby bottled positioned beneath the second opening. One then adds liquid, preferably water, to the bottle and mixes the liquid and the powdered formula together. A nipple and a bottle ring, which are also stored on or in said unit are secured onto the bottle allowing a child to drink liquid formula from the bottle. In an alternative embodiment, water could also be added to the bottle prior to the powdered formula being dispensed into the bottle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the baby bottle and formula storage and dispensing device. [0008] FIG. 2 is a top view of the device. [0009] FIG. 3 is a front elevated view of the device. [0010] FIG. 4 is a side view of the device, showing the drip tray and the first container. [0011] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the device, showing the drip tray and the first container. [0012] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the device, showing a cover hinged to the first container. [0013] FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional view of the device taken along 7a-7a of FIG. 2 showing the plunger in a fill position. [0014] FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 7b-7b of FIG. 2 showing the plunger in a dispensing position. [0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 showing the plunger. [0016] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective cut-away view of the device, showing a bottle-brush holder attached to the first container. [0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the nipple holder of the alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] FIGS. 1 through 4 show a baby bottle and formula storage and dispensing device. The device is preferably constructed from a polymeric or plastic material and includes a frame 12. The frame 12 has a plurality of mounting holes 14 extending there-through such that the device can be mounted to a surface, for example a kitchen cabinet. Bottle support poles 17 extend outward from a central portion of frame 12 adapted for supporting bottles 90 thereon. The support poles 17 pitch downward toward the frame to enhance support and drainage of the bottles 90. Continue reading... Full patent description for Device and method for storing baby bottles, bottle nipples, lids and powdered baby formula Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device and method for storing baby bottles, bottle nipples, lids and powdered baby formula patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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