Baby bottle sterlizing container for use in microwave oven

• US 5,690,852 A
• Filed: 01/03/1996
• Issued: 11/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Combi Corporation (Matsuura Family)
• Original Assignee: Combi Corporation (Matsuura Family)
• Inventors: Matsuda, Hiroaki, Saito, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung, Philip H.
• Application Number:
  US08/582,616
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 219/762, 219/732, 219/733, 219/734, 219/735, 219/687, 219/688, 219/682, 219/731, 219/725, 422/21, 422/303, 422/300, 422/302, 422/297, 422/298
• US Class Current: 219/725
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/12 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6408 Supports or covers specially adapted for use in microwave heating apparatus

Abstract

A sterilizing container including a container main body for storing therein a plurality of baby bottles and including an opening for storing therein water used to generate steam when the sterilizing container is inserted into and heated in a microwave oven, a cover member for covering the container main body from the upper portion of the front surface to the upper surface of the container main body and including a water pouring opening in the upper portion of the front surface thereof, a support member stored within the container main body and including a plurality of holders respectively for supporting baby bottles, and a tray member connected to the support member a substantially a right angle and stored within the container main body along the back surface thereof to the bottom surface thereof, the tray member having a certain degree of depth for being able to contain water.

Claims

1. A baby bottle sterilizing container for use in a microwave oven, comprising:

a container main body for storing a plurality of baby bottles therein, said container having a front portion, and having a receptacle portion which can hold water;

a cover member for covering said container main body and including a water pouring opening in a front portion of said cover member;

a support member stored within said container main body and including a plurality of holders respectively for supporting baby bottles; and

a tray member connected to said support member at a substantially right angle, and stored along a back area of said container main body, said tray member including a receptacle portion which can hold water;

wherein in a normal position of the sterilizing container, said tray member is disposed along the back area of said container main body, and in a recumbent position, the sterilizing container is positioned such that said tray member is disposed along a bottom area of said container main body, wherein said sterilizing container is able to store water therein and heat and sterilize baby bottles in a microwave oven in either the normal position or the recumbent position.

2. A baby bottle sterilizing container for use in a microwave oven as set forth in claim 1, wherein said water pouring opening of said cover member includes a saucer member on the lower side of the opening.

3. A baby bottle sterilizing container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said container main body includes a water drain opening for draining water therefrom, said drain opening being disposed towards the bottom of said container main body.

4. A baby bottle sterilizing container as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cover member is rotatably mounted to said container main body in such a manner that, when said cover member is rotated to an open position, a rear end portion of said cover member is positioned relative to said container main body so that water adhering to an inner surface of said cover member can drop outwardly of said container main body, thereby preventing the water from dripping onto a baby bottle disposed in said container main body.

5. A baby bottle sterilizing container as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cover member is mounted in such a manner that, when it is opened the rear end portion thereof is rotated while it passes the rear side of the back surface of said container main body.

6. A baby bottle sterilizing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container main body includes a water drain opening for draining water therefrom, said drain opening being disposed towards the bottom of said container main body.

7. A baby bottle sterilizing container as claimed in claim 6, wherein said cover member is mounted in such a manner that, when it is opened the rear end portion thereof is rotated while it passes the rear side of the back surface of said container main body.

8. A baby bottle sterilizing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover member is mounted in such a manner that, when it is opened the rear end portion thereof is rotated while it passes the rear side of the back surface of said container main body.

9. A sterilizing container for use in a microwave oven, comprising:

a container main body including a receptacle portion which can hold water;

a cover connected to said container main body and including a water pouting opening;

a removable support member disposed in said container body, and including at least one holder for holding an item to be sterilized;

a tray member connected to said support member at a substantially right angle, said tray member including a receptacle portion which can hold water; and

wherein in a normal sterilizing position of the sterilizing container, said tray member is disposed vertically in a microwave oven, and water poured through said water pouring opening collects in the receptacle portion of said container main body, and wherein in a recumbent sterilizing position, said tray member is disposed horizontally in a microwave oven, and water poured through said water pouring opening collects in the receptacle portion of said tray member, and wherein said sterilizing container is able to sterilize the item to be sterilized when placed in either the normal sterilizing position or in the recumbent sterilizing position.

10. The sterilizing container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the water pouring opening comprises at least one slit in said cover.

11. The sterilizing container as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a saucer portion disposed below the water pouring opening.

12. The sterilizing container as claimed in claim 10, wherein said cover is rotatably connected to said container main body.

13. The sterilizing container as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a water drain plug located towards the bottom of said container main body, and wherein said item to be sterilized is a baby bottle.