Nipple assembly for retrofit bottle attachment

#The present invention relates generally to nipples for baby bottles, and more particularly to a nipple assembly which is specifically sized and configured for retrofit attachment to the externally threaded neck of a container or beverage bottle.

#As is well known to most parents, baby bottle assemblies are often used as the means by which fluids such as juices and water are provided to an infant. Included in the baby bottle assembly is a nipple subassembly which includes an internally threaded collar having a central opening formed therein. In addition to the collar, the nipple subassembly includes a nipple having a main body portion and a circularly configured flange portion which extends radially outward from one end of the main body portion. The nipple subassembly is put together by advancing the main body portion of the nipple through the opening within the collar such that the flange portion of the nipple is brought into direct, abutting contact with the collar. The nipple subassembly, and in particular the collar thereof, is threadably engageable to a container of the baby bottle assembly.

#The container itself defines an externally threaded neck, with the collar of the nipple subassembly being threadably engageable to the neck such that the flange portion of the nipple is captured and compressed between the collar and the distal rim defined by the neck of the container. In conventional baby bottle assemblies, the neck of the container has a relatively large diameter, thus defining a large opening into the interior of the container. As a result, the collar of the nipple assembly has a complementary, relatively large diameter.

#These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawing, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a nipple assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the nipple assembly of FIG. 1 placed on a bottle; and

#Referring to FIG. 1, wherein the showing is for purposes of illustrating one embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, the subject invention is directed to a nipple assembly 10 which is adapted for retrofit attachment to the externally threaded neck of a conventional water or juice bottle 11 (e.g., a sports bottle). Such conventional water or juice bottles 11 typically comprise a containment portion which has a circular cross-sectional configuration and transitions or tapers into an externally threaded neck portion of reduced diameter as compared to the diameter of the containment portion. Further, as used herein the term “bottle” includes other fluid containers not conventionally referred to as bottles, such as small, generally rectangular drink cartons or milk cartons that have a neck comprising an externally threaded spout extending from a top of the carton.

#Often formed upon the neck portion immediately below the external threads is a flange portion which extends radially outward from the neck portion.

#Many water and juice bottles 11 currently available in the marketplace include a “push-pull cap” which is threadably engaged to the neck portion. The push-pull cap comprises an internally threaded collar which is threadably engageable to the neck portion of the container.