AU2012254951A1 - A kettle for baby food and a controller for same - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A KETTLE FOR BABY FOOD AND A CONTROLLER FOR SAME There is provided a kettle (100) for baby food, the kettle(100) comprising temperature control(1 10) means adapted to bring water from a sterilising temperature to a dispensing temperature in use. 8:00 am 370 200ml 10:00 am 37* 200ml 120 12:00 am 350 220ml 14:00 pm 35* 210ml 105 950 21 01 115 110 + 11 Figure 1

Description

A KETTLE FOR BABY FOOD AND A CONTROLLER FOR SAME Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to household appliances and in particular to a kettle for baby food and a controller for same. [002] The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with babies and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background [003] In the provision of baby food, a mother/father/guardian is required to feed their baby at regular intervals according to a feeding schedule, wherein the baby food must be adequately sterilized to prevent the baby from becoming sick and also served at the correct temperature so as to be palatable for the baby. [004] However, according to existing arrangements, a user typically makes a mental note of the next scheduled baby feed, boils water in a kettle to sterilize the water and transfers the sterilized water into a baby bottle for immersion into a baby bottle warmer to bring the water to the correct temperature. [005] Such a process is inconvenient. As such, the present invention seeks to provide a kettle for baby food and a controller for same, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [006] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary [007]According to one aspect there is provided a kettle for baby food, the kettle comprising temperature control means adapted to bring water from a sterilising temperature to a dispensing temperature. [008]Advantageously, the kettle is adapted to bring the water to the sterilising temperature to make sure that the water is properly sterilized for the baby and then to a dispensing temperature suitable for consumption by the baby. [009] Preferably, the sterilising temperature is user programmable in use.

2 [0010] Preferably, the dispensing temperature is user programmable in use. [0011] Advantageously, a user is able to configure the temperature at which kettle sterilizes or dispenses the water, depending on the application. [0012] Preferably, the sterilising temperature is user programmable according to a schedule in use. [0013] Preferably, the dispensing temperature is user programmable according to a schedule in use. [0014] Advantageously, the kettle may be used to provide sterilized water at the correct temperature for a baby in accordance with the scheduled feeding requirements of the baby. [0015] Preferably, the temperature control means comprises a sterilising chamber for bringing the water to the sterilising temperature and a dispensing chamber for bringing the water to the dispensing temperature. [0016] Advantageously, the sterilising chamber may be used to sterilize water while the dispensing chamber holds sterilized water ready for dispensing. [0017] Preferably, the temperature control comprises flow control means disposed between the sterilising chamber and the dispensing chamber. [0018] Advantageously, the flow control means is adapted for controlling the flow of sterilized water from the sterilising chamber to the dispensing chamber. [0019] Preferably, the flow control means is adapted for filling the dispensing chamber according to a dispensing volume. [0020] Advantageously, the kettle may be adapted to dispense the correct amount of water for the baby's needs. [0021] Preferably, the dispensing volume is user programmable in use. (0022] Advantageously, the amount of water to be dispensed by the kettle may be set by the user. [0023] Preferably, the dispensing volume is user programmable according to a schedule in use. [0024] Advantageously, the kettle is adapted for making water available for baby feeding in accordance with the baby's feeding requirements. [0025] Preferably, the flow control means comprises a level sensor.

3 [0026] Preferably, the level sensor is disposed within the dispensing chamber. [0027] Advantageously, the level sensor is adapted to measure the correct amount of water for dispensing within the dispensing chamber. [0028] According to another aspect, there is provided a controller for a kettle, wherein the controller is adapted to bring water to a sterilising temperature; and bring the water to a dispensing temperature. [0029] Preferably, the controller is further adapted to measure a dispensing volume. [0030] Preferably, the controller is adapted to operate in accordance with a schedule. [0031] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [0032] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0033] Fig. 1 shows a kettle for baby food in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0034] Fig. 2 shows an internal view of the kettle of Fig. 1 comprising a sterilising chamber for bringing the water to the sterilising temperature and a dispensing chamber for bringing the water to the dispensing temperature in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and [0035] Fig. 3 shows the controller 300 for the kettle in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Description of Embodiments [0036] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [0037] Fig. 1 shows kettle 100 for baby food. The kettle 100 comprising temperature control means adapted to bring water from a sterilising temperature to a dispensing temperature. In this manner, in the embodiment where the kettle 100 is used for baby food, the kettle 100 is adapted to bring the water to the sterilising temperature to make sure that the water is properly sterilized for the baby and then to a dispensing temperature suitable for consumption by the baby.

4 [0038] Note that in various other embodiments the kettle 100 need not be specifically adapted for use for babies. For example, in one embodiment, the kettle 100 may be adapted to keep water at a near boiling temperature so as to allow a user to boil the water in a rapid manner. [0039] The kettle 100 may be made from different types of materials, such as metal, plastic and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the kettle 100 comprises a soft outer layer comprising silicone rubber, enhancing the feel and insulating the temperature. The kettle 100 may additionally have one more colors, depending on the desired application. [0040] As will be described in further detail below, the kettle 100 may comprise an embedded controller 300 as is shown in Fig. 3 on which the various embodiments described herein may be implemented. [0041] In one embodiment, the kettle 100 comprises a switch 125 for overriding the operation of the kettle 100. For example, the switch 125 may be activated to discontinue or initiate a heating process of the kettle 100. [0042] Typically, the kettle 100 is adapted to draw mains power but in certain embodiments, the kettle 100 is adapted to draw power from a standalone power supply, such as from one or more rechargeable batteries contained within the kettle 100 so as to allow the kettle 100 to be portable. Furthermore, the kettle may comprise a seal so as to prevent the egress of dirt or insects portability purposes, keeping the water in the kettle clean at all times [0043] As is shown in Fig. 1, the kettle 100 comprises a display device 3020. The display device 3020 may be a LCD display device or the like. Preferably, the display device 3020 is touch sensitive, so as to allow user selection of one or more functions as described herein. In alternative embodiments the user controls for selection of the one or more functions may be located anywhere on the kettle 100, such as on the base, or event at a remote location, such as at a wall outlet, for example. [0044] As will be described herein, the controller 300 is adapted to allow for the user configuration of the sterilising and dispensing temperature of the kettle 100 and also the dispensing volume of the water dispensed by the kettle 100. [0045] Specifically, the controller 300 is adapted to allow for the sterilising temperature to be user programmable in use. As is shown in Fig. 1, the sterilising temperature is shown by sterilising temperature indicia 105. The user may additionally use the sterilising temperature controls 110 to increase or decrease the sterilising temperature, It should be noted that the display may comprise other indicia in various 5 embodiments, such as relating to the dispensing temperature, the sterilising time, the dispensing volume and the like. [0046] In one embodiment, the kettle 100 is controlled by the controller 300 to operate according to a schedule. In this manner, the kettle 100 may be automated according to the feeding requirements of a baby. For example, a newborn baby may need to be fed every two hours with 80ml of formula served at 370 having been sterilized at 1000. In this manner the sterilising temperature is user programmable according to a schedule in use. Typically, the sterilising temperature may remain the same, but there may be applications where the sterilising temperature may vary. [0047] Typically, the controller 300 is configured such that up to six feeding events may be controlled. However, in other embodiments, any number of feeding events may be controlled. [0048] In one embodiment, the controller 300 may allow the user to configure one or more profiles for more than one baby. In this manner, the kettle 100 may operate in accordance with a selection of a particular baby. Alternatively, the kettle 100 may be operable to provide water for more than one baby simultaneously in a time multiplexed fashion. [0049] In one embodiment, the memory 310 of the controller 300 may be provided with a schedule according to a baby's age. In this manner, all a user need do is input the age of the baby and the controller 300 will set the correct feeding schedule. [0050] In an alternative embodiment, the user can manually configure the schedule. [0051] In one embodiment, the schedule is indicated by the schedule list 120. The schedule list 120 shows in time order the time of the current or next event, the dispensing temperature and the volume to be dispensed. In other embodiments other information may be shown. [0052] In one embodiment, the kettle 100 comprises a reminder function to remind a user to feed the baby. For example, the kettle 100 may emit an audio signal when a feed is due, such as by using audio device 3050. [0053] Additionally, the controller 300 may be employed to control the sterilising time of the water. For example, the controller 300 may be controlled to bring water to the boil for five minutes to ensure that the water is properly sterilized. The sterilising time may also be controlled through the display device 3020. [0054] Similarly, in one embodiment, the dispensing temperature is user programmable in use. In this manner, the temperature of baby food may additionally be controlled by the controller 300.

6 [0055] The controller 300 may use a thermometer in the form of a transducer 3040 to measure the temperature of the water. [0056] Further similarly, in one embodiment, the dispensing temperature is user programmable according to a schedule in use. In this manner, the feeding temperature of the water may be controlled according to the time of day, for example. [0057] The kettle 100 may be adapted to take into account the heating and cooling times of the water in accordance with the schedule. For example, if the heating to the sterilising temperature generally takes two minutes and the cooling to the delivery temperature takes 5 minutes, the kettle 100 may be employed to initiate the preparation process at least 7 minutes in advance of the feeding time. In one embodiment, the kettle 100 may comprise a peltier device for cooling the water. [0058] In one embodiment, the kettle 100 comprises a single heating chamber wherein the water within the chamber is first brought to the sterilising temperature and then to the dispensing temperature. However, in one embodiment, more than one chamber may be used for efficiency purposes and the like. Specifically, turning now to Fig. 2, there is shown the kettle 100 comprising a sterilising chamber 205 for bringing the water to the sterilising temperature and a dispensing chamber 210 for bringing the water to the dispensing temperature. Typically the sterilising chamber 205 and the dispensing chamber 210 will each comprise separate heating elements for individual control. Furthermore, the sterilising chamber 205 and the dispensing chamber 210 may comprise thermal insulation to not only maintain the water temperature within the chamber but also to insulate each chamber from the other. [0059] The kettle 100 may comprise a separate water input from the water output, wherein the water input feeds water into the sterilising chamber 205 and the water output dispenses water from the dispensing chamber 210. [0060] In one embodiment, the temperature control comprises flow control means 215 disposed between the sterilising chamber 205 and the dispensing chamber 210. In this manner, the flow control means 215 is adapted for filling the dispensing chamber according to a dispensing volume. As is seen in Fig. 2, the respective water levels of the sterilising chamber 205 and the dispensing chamber 210 are shown in dotted lines. [0061] In one embodiment, the flow control means 215 may comprise a valve operable under control of a solenoid or the like for allowing the water from the sterilising chamber 205 to flow into the dispensing chamber 210 under the effects of gravity. In other embodiments the flow control means 215 may comprise a water pump to pump the water from the sterilising chamber 205 to the dispensing chamber 210.

7 [0062] In one embodiment the dispensing volume is user programmable in use. As is shown in Fig. 1, the display 3020 comprises dispensing volume control means 115 for viewing and adjusting the dispensing volume. In a further embodiment, the dispensing volume is user programmable according to a schedule in use. In this manner, feeds of different sizes may be controlled by the schedule according to the time of day. For example, a baby may require a larger feed just before going to bed in the evening. [0063] In order to control the dispensing volume, the flow control means comprises a level sensor. The level sensor may take the form of a transducer 3040. Differing types of level sensors may be employed depending on the application. In the embodiment given in Fig. 2, the level sensor 220 comprises one or more discreet level sensing elements disposed within the dispensing chamber 210. [0064] The kettle 100 may additionally comprise a level sensor disposed within the sterilising chamber for determining when the kettle 100 requires replenishment. For example, when the water level of the kettle 100 is low, the kettle 100 may sound an alarm or display an indicia on the display device 3020. [0065] Turning now to Fig. 3, there is shown the controller 300 for the kettle 100 in further detail. Specifically, the controller comprises memory 310 which may comprise volatile memory (RAM) and/or non-volatile memory (ROM). Typically the memory 310 comprises a combination of volatile and non-volatile memory, such that the non-volatile memory stores the controller 300 firmware and the volatile memory stores one or more temporary results of the fetch-decode-execute cycle, as described below. [0066] The memory 310 may be provided with schedule data for controlling the sterilising and dispensing temperature and the dispensing volume in accordance with the time of day. Additionally, the controller 300 may be provided with a clock to keep track of the time of day. The schedule may be set in accordance with an age of a baby or may alternatively be user configurable. [0067] The controller 300 comprises a computer program code storage medium reader 330 for reading data from a computer program code storage medium 320. The storage medium 320 may be optical media such as CD-ROM disks, magnetic media such as floppy disks and tape cassettes or flash media such as USB memory sticks or any other future storage medium 320. [0068] The 1/O interface 340 communicates with the storage medium reader 330 and may take the form of a SCSI, USB or similar interface. The I/O interface 340 may also communicate with one or more human input devices (HID) 360 such as a touch sensitive overlay. The I/O interface 340 may also communicate with one or more 8 personal computer (PC) devices 390, using a suitable interface such as an RS-232 interface. The 1/O interface may also communicate audio signals to one or more audio devices 3050, such as a speaker or a buzzer. [0069] The controller 300 also comprises a network interface 370 for communicating with one or more computer networks 380 such as a Bluetooth network. [0070] Typically computer program code is preloaded into the memory 300. However, computer program code instructions may be loaded into the memory 310 from the storage medium 320 using the storage medium reader 330 or from the network 380. [0071] The controller 300 comprises an arithmetic logic unit or processor 3000 for performing computer program code instructions, The processor 3000 is typically a low power microprocessor suited to low power embedded controller applications. During the bootstrap phase, an operating system and one or more software applications are loaded the memory 310. During the fetch-decode-execute cycle, the processor 3000 fetches computer program code instructions from memory 310, decodes the instructions into machine code, executes the instructions and stores the results in the memory 310. [0072] The controller 300 also comprises a video interface 3010 for conveying video signals to a display device 3020, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode-ray tube (CRT) or similar display device. The display device 3020 may be embedded in the controller 300, or located remotely. [0073] The controller 300 further comprises an analog to digital (A/D) converter 3030 for converting analog signals from transducer 3040 into a digital format. As described above, the transducer 3040 may a temperature or level transducer and the like. [0074] The controller 300 also comprises a communication bus 350 for interconnecting the various devices described above. [0075] As such, the controller 300 is adapted to bring water to a sterilising temperature; and bring the water to a dispensing temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the controller is further adapted to measure a dispensing volume. Preferably, the controller is adapted to operate in accordance with a schedule. Interpretation Wireless: [0076] The invention may be embodied using devices conforming to other network standards and for other applications, including, for example other WLAN standards and 9 other wireless standards. Applications that can be accommodated include IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs and links, and wireless Ethernet. [0077] In the context of this document, the term "wireless" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices do not contain any wires, although in some embodiments they might not. In the context of this document, the term "wired" and its derivatives may be used to describe circuits, devices, systems, methods, techniques, communications channels, etc., that may communicate data through the use of modulated electromagnetic radiation through a solid medium. The term does not imply that the associated devices are coupled by electrically conductive wires. Processes: [0078] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "analysing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities into other data similarly represented as physical quantities. Processor: [0079] In a similar manner, the term "processor" may refer to any device or portion of a device that processes electronic data, e.g., from registers and/or memory to transform that electronic data into other electronic data that, e.g., may be stored in registers and/or memory. A "computer" or a "computing device" or a "computing machine" or a "computing platform" may include one or more processors. [0080] The methodologies described herein are, in one embodiment, performable by one or more processors that accept computer-readable (also called machine-readable) code containing a set of instructions that when executed by one or more of the processors carry out at least one of the methods described herein. Any processor capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken are included. Thus, one example is a typical processing system that includes one or more processors. The processing system further may include a memory subsystem including main RAM and/or a static RAM, and/or ROM.

10 Computer-Readable Medium: [0081] Furthermore, a computer-readable carrier medium may form, or be included in a computer program product. A computer program product can be stored on a computer usable carrier medium, the computer program product comprising a computer readable program means for causing a processor to perform a method as described herein. Networked or Multiple Processors: [0082] In alternative embodiments, the one or more processors operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g., networked to other processor(s), in a networked deployment, the one or more processors may operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine in server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer or distributed network environment. The one or more processors may form a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. [0083] Note that while some diagram(s) only show(s) a single processor and a single memory that carries the computer-readable code, those in the art will understand that many of the components described above are included, but not explicitly shown or described in order not to obscure the inventive aspect. For example, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Additional Embodiments: [0084] Thus, one embodiment of each of the methods described herein is in the form of a computer-readable carrier medium carrying a set of instructions, e.g., a computer program that are for execution on one or more processors. Thus, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a method, an apparatus such as a special purpose apparatus, an apparatus such as a data processing system, or a computer-readable carrier medium. The computer-readable carrier medium carries computer readable code including a set of instructions that when executed on one or more processors cause a processor or processors to implement a method. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a method, an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

11 Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of carrier medium (e.g., a computer program product on a computer-readable storage medium) carrying computer-readable program code embodied in the medium. Carrier Medium: [0085] The software may further be transmitted or received over a network via a network interface device. While the carrier medium is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term "carrier medium" should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term "carrier medium" shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by one or more of the processors and that cause the one or more processors to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present invention. A carrier medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Implementation: [0086] It will be understood that the steps of methods discussed are performed in one embodiment by an appropriate processor (or processors) of a processing (i.e., computer) system executing instructions (computer-readable code) stored in storage. It will also be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular implementation or programming technique and that the invention may be implemented using any appropriate techniques for implementing the functionality described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular programming language or operating system. Means For Carrying out a Method or Function [0087] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a processor device, computer system, or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. Connected [0088] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term connected, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or 12 systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. Embodiments: [0089] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [0090] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [0091] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

13 Different Instances of Objects [0092] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Specific Details [0093] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology [0094] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Comprising and Including [0095] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. [0096] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

14 Scope of Invention [0097] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention. [0098) Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. Industrial Applicability [0099] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the household appliance industries.

Claims (15)

1. A kettle for baby food, the kettle comprising temperature control means adapted to bring water from a sterilising temperature to a dispensing temperature in use.

2. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sterilising temperature is user programmable in use.

3. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sterilising temperature is user programmable according to a schedule in use

4. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispensing temperature is user programmable in use.

5. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dispensing temperature is user programmable according to a schedule in use.

6. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature control means comprises a sterilising chamber for bringing the water to the sterilising temperature and a dispensing chamber for bringing the water to the dispensing temperature.

7. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 6, wherein the temperature control comprises flow control means disposed between the sterilising chamber and the dispensing chamber.

8. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flow control means is adapted for filling the dispensing chamber according to a dispensing volume.

9. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 8, wherein the dispensing volume is user programmable in use.

10. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 9, wherein the dispensing volume is user programmable according to a schedule in use.

11. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 7, wherein the flow control means comprises a level sensor.

12. A kettle for baby food as claimed in claim 11, wherein the level sensor is disposed within the dispensing chamber.

13. A controller for a kettle, wherein the controller is adapted to: bring water to a sterilising temperature; and bring the water to a dispensing temperature.

14. A controller as claimed in claim 13, wherein the controller is further adapted to: measure a dispensing volume.

15. A controller as claimed in claim 13, wherein the controller is adapted to operate in accordance with a schedule.