Method and Apparatus for Self-Sterilizing a Bottle

Abstract

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides for an improved method and apparatus for self-sterilizing a bottle. A self-sterilizing bottle comprises a container, a mouthpiece, a collar and a cap. The container has a sidewall and a bottom defining a liquid holding space, with the sidewall forming an open end with a neck. The collar has a first position and a second position and is adapted to fasten to the neck and for removably fastening the mouthpiece to the collar when in the first position. The cap is configured to have an upright position and an inverted position and when in the upright position is adapted to fasten to the collar and cover the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece and cap are attached to the collar and when in the inverted position to rest stably on a surface. Also when in the inverted position, the cap is further adapted to hold a liquid and support the collar above the liquid when the collar is in the second position. In another embodiment, a method for self-sterilizing a bottle is described wherein the bottle comprises a cap, a collar, a mouthpiece and a container having an open end. The method comprises placing the cap on a support surface in a position to hold a liquid. Then adding a liquid to the cap. Then placing the collar on the cap so that the collar remains above the liquid in the cap. Then placing the mouthpiece within the container. Then placing the open end of the container with the mouthpiece therein on the collar to form a self-sterilizing assembly. Then placing the self-sterilizing assembly in a microwave oven. Then heating the self-sterilizing assembly in a microwave oven for a time sufficient to sterilize the self-sterilizing assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.