Baby bottle having a temperature sensitive valve

Abstract

A valve for preventing the flow of fluid when the temperature of the fluid is above a predetermined threshold, the valve including: a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass when the temperature of the fluid is below the predetermined threshold; and a shape memory or bi-metal actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to prevent the fluid from passing.

1 - 19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . A baby bottle comprising: 
 a bottle portion having a cavity for holding a fluid;    a nipple portion disposed on the bottle portion and in fluid communication with the cavity, the nipple portion having a nipple which when suckled dispenses the fluid; and    a valve disposed between the bottle and nipple portions, the valve having a body having at least one opening for allowing the fluid to pass from the bottle portion to the nipple portion of the baby bottle when the temperature of the fluid is below a predetermined threshold, the valve further having an actuator for substantially closing the at least one opening when the temperature of the fluid is above the predetermined threshold to substantially prevent the fluid from passing from the bottle portion to the nipple portion.    
   
   
       21 . The baby bottle of  claim 20 , wherein the body of the valve is disk shaped and the valve is disposed between an upper lip of the bottle portion and a flange of the nipple portion.  
   
   
       22 . The baby bottle of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings.  
   
   
       23 . The baby bottle of  claim 22 , wherein at least some of the plurality of openings are arranged annularly about the disc.  
   
   
       24 . The baby bottle of  claim 53 , wherein the shape memory actuator comprises a flap corresponding to the at least one opening, the flap being at least partially fabricated from the shape memory material and having a shape at a temperature below the predetermined threshold such that it does not occlude the at least one opening, the flap having a shape at a temperature above the predetermined threshold such that it substantially occludes the at least one opening to substantially prevent the passage of fluid from the bottle portion to the nipple portion.  
   
   
       25 . The baby bottle of  claim 24 , wherein the shape memory material exhibits a two-way memory such that it has a first shape below the predetermined threshold so as not to occlude the at least one opening and has a second shape above the predetermined threshold so as to substantially occlude the at least one opening.  
   
   
       26 . The baby bottle of  claim 53 , wherein the shape memory actuator comprises a flap corresponding to the at least one opening, the flap being at least partially fabricated from the shape memory material and having a cupped shape at a temperature below the predetermined threshold such that it does not occlude the at least one opening, the flap having a flat shape at a temperature above the predetermined threshold such that it substantially occludes the at least one opening to substantially prevent the passage of fluid from the bottle portion to the nipple portion.  
   
   
       27 . The baby bottle of  claim 26 , wherein the shape memory material exhibits a two-way memory such that it has the cupped shape below the predetermined threshold so as not to occlude the at least one opening and has the flat shape above the predetermined threshold so as to substantially occlude the at least one opening.  
   
   
       28 . The baby bottle of  claim 20 , further comprising a seal disposed between the body and the actuator.  
   
   
       29 - 52 . (canceled)  
   
   
       53 . The baby bottle of  claim 20 , wherein the actuator comprises a shape memory actuator having a shape memory material.