BOTTLE PACKAGING FOR FLOWABLE
PRODUCT
BACKGROUND
[0001 ] The field of the invention relates generally to bottle
packaging for a flowable product, as well as such bottle packaging that is useful in
combination with a feeding delivery assembly.
[0002] Automated foodstuff processing and filling apparatus are used
to quickly and efficiently sterilize bottles and fill the sterilized bottles with a food
product. Typically, a conveyor element of the filling apparatus moves the bottles in a
machine direction between stations of the apparatus. One such bottling apparatus, for
example, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,983. This bottling apparatus has a frame
and an endless conveyor element on the frame carrying a plurality of holder plates
each formed with a row of seats adapted to fit snugly around necks of bottles. Each
bottle includes a circumscribing rib or ring projecting radially outward from the neck
of the bottle for engaging the seat formed by the holder plates to allow the bottle to be
transported along the machine direction of the filling apparatus.
[0003] Such a rib or projecting ring can in certain circumstances be
a hindrance or an inconvenience. As but one example of a number of such
circumstances, some packaged foodstuffs such as nutritional or medical foodstuffs are
used for delivery to a person in need thereof by enteral delivery. The bottles in which
the foodstuff is packaged are configured for interchangeability between the bottle
closure or cap and a feeding tube or delivery assembly. In particular, the bottles
typically have a threaded finish, and the delivery assembly includes an adapter that
can be threaded onto the bottle in place of the bottle closure. Suitably tubing and
other delivery assembly components are assembled with the adapter so that foodstuff
can be delivered from the bottle through the delivery assembly tubing to the person in
need of such foodstuff.
[0004] As the adapter is threaded onto the bottle, the lowermost rim
of the adapter moves increasingly closer to the projecting ring. As the gap
therebetween decreases, a finger of the caregiver or other person connecting the
delivery assembly to the bottle can be pinched between the adapter the projecting
ring. In other instances, the projecting ring can also make it more burdensome to
assemble the bottle with a bottle holder, such as holding bag in which the neck of the
bottle must be inserted through a relatively small opening in the holding bag.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect, a bottle packaging generally comprises a bottle
and a closure member. The body generally comprises a body having an upper end
and a closed lower end, a shoulder disposed generally at the upper end of the body,
and a neck extending up from the shoulder and defining an open top of the bottle.
The neck has an inner surface, an outer surface and a groove in the outer surface of
the neck. The groove extends circumferentially about substantially an entire
circumference of the neck and is disposed longitudinally intermediate the shoulder of
the bottle and the open top of the bottle. The groove has an upper reach and a lower
reach and a width extending between the upper and lower reaches. The lower reach
of the groove is longitudinally spaced from the shoulder of the bottle a distance of
greater than or equal to the width of the groove. The neck includes a lower portion
extending from the lower reach of the groove to the shoulder of the bottle, and an
upper portion extending from the open top of the bottle to the upper reach of the
groove. The upper and lower portions of the neck each have an outer transverse
cross-sectional dimension. The outer transverse cross-sectional dimension of the
upper portion is substantially equal to the outer transverse cross-sectional dimension
of the lower portion. The closure member is releasably connectable with the neck of
the bottle to close the open top of the bottle.
[0006] In another aspect, a bottle packaging generally comprises a
bottle and a closure member. The bottle generally comprises a body having an upper
end and a closed lower end, a shoulder disposed generally at the upper end of the
body, and a neck extending up from the shoulder and defining an open top of the
bottle. The neck has an inner surface, an outer surface and a groove in the outer
surface of the neck. The groove extends circumferentially about substantially an
entire circumference of the neck and is disposed longitudinally intermediate the
shoulder of the bottle and the open top of the bottle. The groove is defined by a
circumferential floor and opposing upper and lower circumferential sidewalls. The
upper circumferential sidewall is chamfered from adjacent the outer surface of the
neck toward the circumferential floor. The lower circumferential sidewall is concave
from adjacent the outer surface of the neck toward the circumferential floor. The
lower circumferential sidewall is spaced longitudinally above the shoulder a distance
of at least about 1.0 mm. The closure member is releasably connectable with the neck
of the bottle to close the open top of the bottle.
[0007] In yet another aspect, a flowable product delivery assembly
generally comprises a bottle and an adapter. The bottle has a longitudinal axis and
generally includes a neck having an outer surface and a groove in said outer surface
extending circumferentially around substantially an entire circumference of the neck.
The groove has an upper reach and a lower reach. The adapter is removably
connected to the neck of the bottle by a threaded connection to fluidly connect the
bottle to tubing. The adapter includes a lowermost rim spaced longitudinally from the
upper reach of the groove.
[0008] In another aspect, a flowable product delivery assembly
generally comprises a bottle and an adapter. The bottle has a longitudinal axis and a
neck having an outer surface and a groove in the outer surface extending
circumferentially around substantially an entire circumference of the neck. The
adapter is configured for releasable connection to the bottle to fluidly connect the
bottle to tubing. The adapter includes a detent on an inner surface thereof adapted to
removably seat in the groove to releasably connect the adapter to the bottle.
[0009] In yet another aspect, a bottle packaging generally comprises
a bottle and a closure member. The bottle generally comprises a body having an
upper end and a closed lower end, a shoulder disposed generally at the upper end of
the body, and a neck extending up from the shoulder and defining an open top of the
bottle. The neck has an inner surface, an outer surface, at least one thread on the outer
surface of the neck, and a groove in the outer surface of the neck. The groove extends
circumferentially about substantially an entire circumference of the neck and is
disposed longitudinally intermediate the shoulder of the bottle and the at least one
thread on the outer surface of the neck. The closure member is removably threaded
on the at least one thread on the outer surface of the neck of the bottle to close the
open top of the bottle. The closure member includes at least one of a detent and a
sealing member removably seated in the groove of the neck of the bottle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of bottle
packaging;
[001 1] Figure 2 is a fragmented section taken along the line 2—2 in
Figure 1;
[0012] Figure 3 is a front perspective of the bottle packaging of
Figure 1 with a cap and a seal closure removed therefrom;
[0013] Figure 4 is a front elevation of the bottle packaging of Figure
3;
[0014] Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmented view of the bottle
packaging of Figure 4;
[001 5] Figure 6 is a fragmented front elevation of the bottle
packaging of Figure 3 having a tubing set connected thereto;
[0016] Figure 7 is longitudinal section of the bottle packaging and a
first embodiment of a tubing adapter of the tubing set of Figure 6 connected thereto;
[001 7] Figure 8 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of a holder
for the bottle packaging;
[00 18] Figure 9 is a front elevation of a first embodiment of a
flowable product delivery assembly hanging on an elevated support, the assembly
including the bottle packaging and tubing set of Figure 6 and the holder of Figure 8;
[00 ] Figure 10 is a front perspective of a second embodiment of a
flowable product delivery assembly hanging on an elevated support, the assembly
including the bottle packaging and tubing set of Figure 6 and a second embodiment of
a holder;
[0020] Figure 1 is a fragmented longitudinal section of a second
embodiment of bottle packaging;
[0021] Figure 12 is a fragmented longitudinal section of the bottle
packaging of Figure 11 with a second embodiment of a tubing adapter connected
thereto;
[0022] Figure 13 is a fragmented longitudinal section of a third
embodiment of bottle packaging; and
[0023] Figure 1 is a fragmented longitudinal section of a fourth
embodiment of bottle packaging.
[0024] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to Figs. 1-5, a
first embodiment of bottle packaging is generally indicated at 10. The bottle
packaging 10 is configured for holding a quantity of flowable product, and for
delivering the flowable product to a consumer and/or user. The flowable product may
include nutritional or medical product for adult or pediatric nutrition, including but
not limited to the following: fat; protein; carbohydrates; minerals; vitamins;
probiotics; prebiotics; nutrients; compounds or concentrates that aid in digestion,
nutrition, or improvement in physical health; complete or modular nutrition that aids
in metabolism or alters how metabolism occurs; and other dietary supplements. The
bottle packaging 10 may be aseptically or terminally sterilized.
[0026] The bottle packaging 10 broadly comprises a bottle, generally
indicated at 1, and a cap, generally indicated at 30, that is releasably connectable to
the bottle and broadly defines a closure for the bottle. With reference to Fig. 3, the
bottle 1 generally comprises a body 26 having an upper end and a closed lower end
16, a shoulder 24 disposed generally at the upper end of the body, and a neck 22
extending up from the shoulder and defining a top or lip 2 of the bottle defining an
opening 14. The bottle 11 has a longitudinal axis L extending between the open top
12 of the bottle and the closed end 16 of the body 26. In one embodiment, the bottle
1 may have a suitable volume of about 1ml to about 2000 ml, or more suitably,
about 50 ml to about 500 ml. The illustrated body 26 is generally hour-glass shaped,
although the body may be of another suitable shape. The shoulder 24 extends
transversely outward and downward from the neck, although the shoulder may
alternatively extend transversely outward from the neck 22 without a downward taper
and remain within the scope of the present invention. In general, the bottle packaging
10 may have other shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0027] Referring to Figs. 1-2, the neck 22 includes one or more
external threads 28, such as a continuous thread, for releasably connecting the cap 30
to the bottle 11. The tliread 28 can be left-handed or right-handed. The illustrated cap
30 comprises a securement component 32, including one or more threads 34 that mate
with the external threads 28 on the neck 22. Referring to Fig. 2, an outer skirt or
shroud 35 of the cap 30 surrounds the securement component 32 and extends to and
abuts the shoulder 24 of the bottle 11 when the cap 30 is secured to the bottle 11. A
seal closure 36, such as an aluminum foil seal, is secured to the lip 12 of the bottle 11
and extends over the opening 14 upon initial packaging of the bottle. The seal closure
36 may be secured to the lip 1 such as by adhesive or heat-sealing or by other
suitable means. The seal closure 36 is suitably puncturable and/or removable from
the lip 12 to allow access to the product packaged within the bottle 11. It is
understood that in some embodiments the bottle packaging 10 may omit the cap 30
and/or the seal closure 36 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It is also understood that the cap 30 may be configured other than as illustrated and
remain within the scope of this invention.
[0028] As seen best in Figs. 4 and 5, the neck 22 of the bottle 11 has
a groove, generally indicated at 40, formed in the outer surface of the neck. The
illustrated groove 40 suitably extends circumferentially around an entire
circumference of the neck 22. Referring to Fig. 5, the groove 40 is defined at least in
part by a circumferential floor 42 and opposed upper and lower circumferential
sidewalls 44, 46, respectively, extending between the floor and the outer surface of
the neck 22. The groove 40 in one embodiment is sized and shaped to allow a
gripping device of an automated bottle filler machine to fit within the groove so that
the bottle 11 can be transported along a processing and filling line. For example, one
such gripping device (not shown) includes opposing plates with semicircular cutouts.
When the bottle 11 is disposed between the plates, the plates are moved toward one
another so that the plates enter and seat within the groove 40 to grip and carry the
bottle. To release the bottle 11, the plates are separated from one another.
[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of the neck
22, which is considered separate from the threads 28 and the groove 40 of the neck,
has a substantially uniform cross-sectional dimension along the longitudinal axis L.
The neck 22 includes a lower portion 22a (Fig. 5) extending from the lower
circumferential sidewall 44 of the groove 40 (i.e., a lower reach thereof) to the
shoulder 24 of the bottle 11 and an upper portion 22b (Fig. 5) extending from the
open top of the bottle to the upper circumferential sidewall 46 of the groove (i.e., an
upper reach thereof)- The lower and upper portions 22a, 22b of the neck 22 have
outer transverse cross-sectional dimensions that are substantially equal. In the
illustrated embodiment, for example, the outer diameters of the lower and upper
portions 22a, 22b are substantially equal. It is understood that the outer surface of the
neck 22 may not have a uniform transverse cross-sectional dimension along the
longitudinal axis L and remain within the scope of the present invention.
[0030] Referring still to Fig. 5, the lower circumferential sidewall 46
of the groove 40 is generally arcuate and more suitably concave from the outer
surface of the neck 22 toward the circumferential floor 42. The outer corner formed
where the lower circumferential sidewall 46 adjoins the outer surface of the neck 22
may be radiused (i.e., rounded), as illustrated. In other embodiments, the lower
circumferential sidewall 46 may alternatively be configured other than concave and
may be other than arcuate. The upper circumferential sidewall 44 in the illustrated
embodiment is chamfered, meaning that when the sidewall is viewed in cross section,
as in Fig. 5, the upper circumferential sidewall extends linearly (i.e., straight, noncurved)
upward from the floor 42 at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis L. It is
understood that in some embodiments, the upper circumferential sidewalls 44 may be
generally convex (i.e., rounded) or may be concave without departing from the scope
of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the circumferential outer
corner formed where the chamfered upper circumferential sidewall 44 adjoins the
outer surface of the upper portion 22b of the neck 22 may be radiused (i.e., rounded),
as illustrated, and the segment along which the chamfered upper circumferential
sidewall adjoins the circumferential floor 42 may be filleted, as illustrated.
[003 1] In the illustrated embodiment, the groove 40 has a uniform
width W (Fig. 2) extending between the circumferential outer corners of the lower and
upper circumferential sidewalls 42, 44. In one embodiment, the width W of the
groove 40 is suitably in the range of about 1.0 mm to about 5.0 mm and is more
suitably about 3.0 mm. It is understood, however, that the groove 40 may be shaped
and/or sized other than as set forth above without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
[0032] As seen best in Figs. 4 and 5, in the illustrated embodiment,
an entirety of the groove 40 is spaced longitudinally above the shoulder 24 and below
the external threads 28. As seen in Fig. 5, the lower circumferential sidewall 46 of the
groove 40 (and hence the groove 40 itself) is spaced longitudinally from (i.e., above)
the shoulder 24 a distance dl. The distance d l in one embodiment is suitably greater
than or at least equal to the width W of the groove 40. In another embodiment, the
distance d l may suitably be greater than about 1.0 mm (0.04 in), and in another
embodiment, it may suitably be within a range of about 1.0 mm (0.04 in) to about 20
mm (0.80 in), even more suitably about 5.0 mm (0.20 in) to about 10.0 mm (0.40 in),
and in the illustrated embodiment it is about 8.1mm (0.32 in). Moreover, the upper
circumferential sidewall 44 of the groove 40 is spaced longitudinally from (i.e.,
below) a lowermost turn of the threads 28 a distance d2. The distance d2 may
suitably be greater than about 1.0 mm, and in one embodiment, it is more suitably
about 4.1 mm (0.16 in). It is understood, however, that the longitudinal location of
the groove 40 may be other than set forth above without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0033] In one embodiment, the bottle 11 may be formed, such as by
molding, as a one-piece component, and the cap 30 may be formed, such as by
molding, as a separate one-piece component. Each of the bottle 1 and the cap 30
may be formed from plastic, including, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate
(PETE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE),
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polysterene (PS), and polycarbonates. It is
understood, however, that the bottle packaging 10 may be formed in other suitable
ways and from other suitable materials.
[0034] Referring now to Fig. 6, the illustrated bottle 1 can be used,
in one example, in combination with a tubing set, generally indicated at 47, by
threading an adapter 48 of the tubing set onto the threaded neck 22 of the bottle.
Because the neck 22 has a groove 40, as opposed to a radially projecting ring, the user
will not pinch his/her finger(s) between the adapter and a projection when threading
the adapter 48 onto the bottle 11. The tubing set 47 may be, for example, an enteral
feeding set. The adapter 48 is fluidly connectable to a drip chamber 50, which is
fluidly connected to suitable tubing 52. The adapter 48 includes one or more internal
threads 53 (Fig. 7) for threaded connection with the threads 28 on the bottle 11 after
the cap 30 is removed from the bottle 11. When secured to the bottle 1 , a lowermost
rim 48a of the adapter 48 is suitably spaced a distance d3 from the upper
circumferential sidewall 44 of the groove 40 so that the adapter does not cover any
portion of the groove. In one embodiment, the distance d3 is suitably greater than
about 0.5 mm (0.02 in), and in another embodiment, the distance is suitably within a
range of about 1.0 mm (0.04 in) to about 5.0 mm (0.2 in), and more suitably, about
1.8 mm (0.07 in). It is understood, however, that the adapter 48 may partially or
completely cover the groove 40 upon connection to the bottle 11 without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0035] As illustrated in the longitudinal section of Fig. 7, in one
embodiment, as the adapter 48 is threaded onto the bottle 11, a blade member 54 of
the adapter creates an opening in the seal closure 36 so that the adapter 48 fluidly
connects the contents of the bottle with the drip chamber 50 and the feeding tube 52.
The adapter 48 includes an air vent 55 and a microbial filter 55a attached thereto to
vent the interior of the bottle 11 to the atmosphere so that the contents of the bottle
can flow into the feeding tube 52 by gravity when the bottle is in an inverted, elevated
position. It is contemplated that in other embodiments the adapter 48 may not include
an air vent and/or a microbial filter. Moreover, the tubing set 47, including the
adapter 48, may be configured other than as illustrated without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
[0036] With reference now to Figs. 8-9, one embodiment of a
suitable holder for use in hanging the bottle in an elevated, inverted position for
administrating the contents of the bottle is generally indicated at 56. The holder 56 is
in the form of a bag sized and shaped to receive the bottle 11 therein. It is understood
that the holder 56 may have a different configuration without departing from the
scope of the present invention. When the bag holder 56 is hung on an elevated
support 57, such as an enteral feeding pole or an IV pole or other pole, the bottle 11 is
retained in the bag holder in an inverted position. The bag holder 56 has an open top
58 through which the bottle 11 can be inserted into and removed from the bag. A
bottom 59 of the bag has an opening 60 through which at least a portion of the neck
22 of the bottle 11 extends when the bottle is received in the bag. Because the neck of
the bottle 11 has a groove 40, as opposed to a radially projecting ring, the neck can be
more easily maneuvered through the opening 60 in the bag holder 56. The opening 60
is also sized and shaped to inhibit the shoulder 24 of the bottle packaging 0 from
passing therethrough. The bag holder 56 has at least one mount opening 64 generally
adjacent to the open top 58 that is adapted to receive a hook 66 or other attachment
component of the elevated support 57 so that the bag can be hung on the elevated
support in an inverted position. Together, the bottle 11, the adapter 48, and the holder
56 broadly define a flowable product delivery assembly, generally indicated at 68.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the bag holder 56 is defined by
a pair of opposing panels that are secured to one another, such as by heat welding,
along opposite sides and bottom edges, and are free from attachment at top edges
thereof. The opposing panels may be plastic panels that are heat weldable. The
opening 60 extends through the bottom edges of the panels. Other ways of forming
the bag holder 56, however, do not depart from the scope of the present invention.
[0038] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10, another holder for
use in hanging the bottle 1 in an elevated, inverted position for administrating the
contents of the bottle is generally indicated at 70. The holder 70 comprises a back
plate 72, a lower support member 74 extending forward from a lower portion of the
back plate, an upper hanger member 76 extending upward from an upper portion of
the back plate, and a pair of spaced apart, opposing arms 78 extending forward from
opposite sides of the back plate. The arms 78 are configured to elastically deflect
outward when the body 26 of the bottle 11 is inserted therebetween to removably
retain the bottle on the holder 70. Other ways of removably retaining the bottle 11 on
the holder 70 do not depart from the scope of the present invention. When the bottle
11 is secured to the holder 70, the adapter 48 rests on the support member 74. The
hanger member 76 includes a mount opening 82 through which the hook 66 of the
support 57 may be inserted to hang the bottle 1 in an inverted, elevated position.
The holder 70 may be formed from a generally rigid plastic material, such as by
molding, as a single, one-piece member.
[0039] Referring to Fig. 1 , another embodiment of a bottle
packaging is generally indicated at 110. This second embodiment is similar to the
first embodiment, with like components indicated by corresponding reference
numbers plus 100. The bottle 11 of the packaging 110 of this embodiment does not
include threads. The removable cap 130 also does not include threads. Instead, the
cap 1 0 includes a catch or detent 131 on the inner surface of the securement
component 132. The detent 131 may comprise a single detent member, such as an
annular detent member (as illustrated), or a plurality of detent members. The detent
131 is configured for releasably engaging the groove 140 to resist relative movement
of the cap 130 on the bottle 11 . In the illustrated embodiment, the detent 131 is
resiliently deflectable so that the detent engages or locks in the groove 140 when a
sufficient amount of downward force is applied to the cap 130 and disengages or
releases from the groove when a sufficient amount of upward force is applied to the
cap. In one embodiment, the detent 131 and the groove 140 make a snap-fit
connection, whereby a clicking or snapping sound is made when the detent engages
the groove to provide indication to the user that the cap 130 is properly connected to
the bottle. The cap 130, or at least a portion thereof (i.e., the skirt), may also be
transparent to allow the user or other person to visually confirm that the detent 13 1 is
seated in the groove 40 and the cap is properly connected to the bottle. It is
understood that the detent 131 may be configured other than as illustrated without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0040] Referring to Fig. 1 , another embodiment of an adapter is
generally indicated at 148. The adapter 148 is similar to the adapter 48 of the
previous embodiment (Figs. 6 and 7), with like components indicated by
corresponding reference numbers plus 100. The adapter 148 is configured for
removable attachment to the bottle 11 illustrated in Fig. 11. As such, this
embodiment of the adapter 148 does not include threads, but instead includes a catch
or detent 149 on its inner surface that is configured to lock or engage in the groove
an annular detent member (as illustrated), or a plurality of detent members. The
detent 149 may be similar in structure and function as the detent 131 on the cap 130.
More specifically, the detent 149 may be resiliently deflectable so that the detent
engages or locks in the groove 140 when a sufficient amount of downward force is
applied to the adapter 148 and disengages or releases from the groove 140 of the neck
122 when a sufficient amount of upward force is applied to the adapter. In one
embodiment, the detent 149 and groove 140 make a snap-fit connection, whereby a
clicking or snapping sound is made when the detent engages the groove. The adapter
148, or at least a portion thereof (i.e., the skirt), may also be transparent to allow the
user or other person to visually confirm that the detent 149 is seated in the groove 140
and the adapter is properly connected to the bottle. The detent 149 may in other
embodiments be configured different from the detent 131 of the cap 130.
[0041] Referring to Fig. 13, another embodiment of bottle packaging
is generally indicated at 210 and is similar to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-7,
with like components indicated by corresponding reference numbers plus 200. One
difference between the two embodiments is that the cap 230 of the present
embodiment additionally includes an annular gasket 231, e.g., an O-ring (broadly, a
sealing member) attached to the inner surface of the securement component 232. The
gasket 23 1 is sized and shaped to seat in the groove 240 of the bottle 2 11 when the
cap 230 is secured to the bottle 2 11. The gasket 2 1 may be formed from an
elastically deformable (e.g., elastically compressible) material, and may be formed
separate from the cap 230 and secured thereto such as by adhesive. Other ways of
forming and providing the gasket 23 1 on the inner surface of the cap 230 are also
contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention.
[0042] Figure 14 illustrates yet another embodiment of the bottle
packaging, generally indicated at 310, that is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1-7,
with like components indicated by corresponding reference numbers plus 300. In this
embodiment, the cap 330 includes a catch or detent 33 1 on the inner surface of the
securement component 332. The detent 33 1 may comprise a single detent member,
such as an annular detent member (as illustrated), or a plurality of detent members.
The detent 331 is configured to releasably lock or engage the groove 340 of the neck
322 to resist relative movement of the cap closure 330 on the bottle packaging 310.
In the illustrated embodiment, the detent 331 is resiliently deflectable so that the
detent engages or locks in the groove 340 when a sufficient amount of downward
force is applied to the cap closure 330 and disengages or releases from the groove 340
when a sufficient amount of upward force is applied to the cap closure. In one
embodiment, the detent 331 and groove 340 make a snap-fit connection, whereby a
clicking or snapping sound is made when the detent engages the groove to provide
indication to the user that the cap is properly connected to the bottle.
[0043] As various changes could be made in the above constructions
and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all
matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings
shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
[0044] When introducing elements of the present invention or the
preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended
to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising",
"including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be
additional elements other than the listed elements.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A bottle packaging comprising:
a bottle comprising a body having an upper end and a closed lower
end, a shoulder disposed generally at the upper end of the body, a neck extending up
from the shoulder and defining an open top of the bottle, the neck having an inner
surface, an outer surface and a groove in the outer surface of the neck, the groove
extending circumferentially about substantially an entire circumference of the neck
and being disposed longitudinally intermediate the shoulder of the bottle and the open
top of the bottle, said groove having an upper reach and a lower reach and a width
extending between the upper and lower reaches, the lower reach of the groove being
longitudinally spaced from the shoulder of the bottle a distance of greater than or
equal to the width of the groove, wherein the neck includes a lower portion extending
from the lower reach of the groove to the shoulder of the bottle and an upper portion
extending from the open top of the bottle to the upper reach of the groove, the upper
and lower portions of the neck each having an outer transverse cross-sectional
dimension wherein the outer transverse cross-sectional dimension of the upper portion
is substantially equal to the outer transverse cross-sectional dimension of the lower
portion; and
a closure member releasably connectable with the neck of the bottle to
close the open top of the bottle.
2. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 1 wherein the lower reach of
the groove is longitudinally spaced from the shoulder of the bottle a distance in the
range of about 4.0 mm to about 10.0 mm.
3. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 1 wherein the closure
member and the neck of the bottle are configured for threaded connection of the
closure member on the neck of the bottle.
4. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 1 in combination with a
delivery assembly configured for delivering contents from the bottle, the delivery
assembly comprising an adapter and a tube assembled with the adapter, the adapter
defining a closure member of the delivery assembly for releasably connecting the
feeding tube assembly to the bottle with the closure member of the bottle packaging
removed from the bottle, the adapter of the delivery assembly having a lower rim
wherein the lower rim of the adapter is in longitudinally spaced relationship with the
upper reach of the groove intermediate said upper reach and the top of the bottle when
the adapter is connected to the bottle.
5. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 4 wherein the lower rim of
the adapter is longitudinally spaced from the upper reach of the groove a distance of
at least about 0.5 mm when the adapter is connected to the bottle.
6. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 1 wherein the closure
member includes a sealing member on an inner surface thereof and removably seated
in the groove of the neck of the bottle.
7. A bottle packaging comprising:
a bottle comprising a body having an upper end and a closed lower
end, a shoulder disposed generally at the upper end of the body, a neck extending up
from the shoulder and defining an open top of the bottle, the neck having an inner
surface, an outer surface and a groove in the outer surface of the neck, the groove
extending circumferentially about substantially an entire circumference of the neck
and being disposed longitudinally intermediate the shoulder of the bottle and the open
top of the bottle, the groove being defined by a circumferential floor and opposing
upper and lower circumferential sidewalls, wherein the upper circumferential sidewall
is chamfered from adjacent the outer surface of the neck toward the circumferential
floor, and the lower circumferential sidewall is concave from adjacent the outer
surface of the neck toward the circumferential floor, the lower circumferential
sidewall being spaced longitudinally above the shoulder a distance of at least about
1.0 mm; and
a closure member releasably connectable with the neck of the bottle to
close the open top of the bottle.
8. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 7 wherein the lower reach of
the groove is longitudinally spaced from the shoulder of the bottle a distance in the
range of about 5.0 mm to about 10.0 mm.
9. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 7 wherein the neck includes
a lower portion extending from the lower reach of the groove to the shoulder of the
bottle and an upper portion extending from the open top of the bottle to the upper
reach of the groove, the upper and lower portions of the neck each having an outer
transverse cross-sectional dimension wherein the outer transverse cross-sectional
dimension of the upper portions is substantially equal to the outer transverse crosssectional
dimension of the lower portion.
10. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 7 wherein the closure
member and the neck of the bottle are configured for threaded connection of the
closure member on the neck of the bottle.
11. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 7 in combination with a
delivery assembly configured for delivering contents from the inner of the bottle, the
delivery assembly comprising an adapter and a tube assembled with the adapter, the
adapter defining a closure member of the delivery assembly for releasably connecting
the feeding tube assembly to the bottle with the closure member of the bottle
packaging removed from the bottle, the adapter of the delivery assembly having a
lower rim wherein the lower rim of the adapter is in longitudinally spaced relationship
with the upper reach of the groove intermediate said upper reach and the top of the
bottle when the adapter is connected to the bottle.
12. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 11 wherein the lower rim
of the adapter is longitudinally spaced from the upper reach of the groove a distance
of at least about 0.5 mm when the adapter is connected to the bottle.
13. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 7 wherein the closure
member includes a detent on an inner surface thereof and removably seated in the
groove of the neck of the bottle.
14. The bottle packaging set forth in claim 3 wherein the neck of the
bottle is free from threads.
. A bottle packaging comprising:
a bottle comprising a body having an upper end and a closed lower
end, a shoulder disposed generally at the upper end of the body, a neck extending up
from the shoulder and defining an open top of the bottle, the neck having an inner
surface, an outer surface, at least one thread on the outer surface of the neck, and a
groove in the outer surface of the neck, the groove extending circumferentially about
substantially an entire circumference of the neck and being disposed longitudinally
intermediate the shoulder of the bottle and said at least one thread on the outer surface
of the neck, and
a closure member removably threaded on said at least one thread on
the outer surface of the neck of the bottle to close the open top of the bottle, the
closure member including at least one of a detent and a sealing member removably
seated in the groove of the neck of the bottle.