GB2581253A

GB2581253A - A portable baby and infant food apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2581253A
Application number: GB1918194.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Spencer Lincoln
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-12-11
Filing date: 2019-12-11
Publication date: 2020-08-12
Also published as: GB201820176D0; GB201918194D0

Abstract

A portable food warming apparatus 1 comprises a compartment 3 configured to hold a food container, such as a baby bottle, for warming and transport. A power unit 2 is configured to provide energy to the compartment 3 and is detachably connected thereto, for example by a zip 5a, b. The housing 3 may include a main wall formed from multiple layers to provide insulation and water resistance. Such layers may include an outermost cloth layer, a second-outermost thermal insulating layer, a second-innermost heat resistant layer and an innermost waterproof layer. At least one heating element may be sandwiched between the layers. Optionally, two heating elements providing different amounts of heating power are sandwiched between the innermost and second-innermost layers. The compartment 3 may comprise a lid 4 for closing its top. The lid 4 may include a handle with two separable parts 22a, b.

Description

A portable baby and infant food apparatus

FIELD

The present invention relates to a portable baby and infant food warming apparatus for warming a container of food or drink. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable baby and infant food warming apparatus for warming a container of baby food or milk.

BACKGROUND

Babies and toddlers require specific foods and drink, such as breast or formula milk for infants, or baby food such as vegetable or fruit purées for older children. In the 10 home, preparing these meals can require specialist equipment to ensure the food or drink is heated it to the correct temperature.

Both US6,703,590 and US8,796,591 describe and show devices for warming a bottle, in order to heat the contents to the correct temperature for feeding to a baby or infant.

Carers are often required to run errands outside the home, or may wish to go on an outing for an extended period. They may therefore be required to transport meals with them in order to feed the child outside the home, and this is likely to require that at least the final preparation stages such as heating (or pre-heating and maintaining heat of pre-prepared foodstuffs while out and about) are carried out while away from home.

Several devices are known that assist with this process. U52007/0223895 describes and shows a portable, rechargeable food/bottle carrying system, where food is transported via a heated/insulated compartment in a carrying container. Power to the heating elements is provided by an integral rechargeable battery.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable baby and infant food warming apparatus which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that include the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a portable food warming apparatus, comprising: a holding and heating compartment configured to in use hold a food container for warming and transport; a power unit, configured to provide power to the holding and heating compartment the power unit and holding and heating compartment detachably connected.

In an embodiment, the holding and heating compartment substantially has the overall form of an open-topped cylinder.

In an embodiment, the portable food warming apparatus further comprises a connection means substantially around the base or bottom of the cylinder, configured to allow detachable connection to the power unit.

In an embodiment, the connection means comprises a zip half.

In an embodiment, the holding and heating compartment comprises a main wall 25 formed from multiple layers to provide insulation and water-resistance.

In an embodiment, the main wall comprises at least one thermally insulating layer, and at least one water-resistant or waterproof layer.

In an embodiment, the main wall comprises an outermost cloth layer, and an innermost water-resistant or waterproof layer.

In an embodiment, the main wall comprises an outermost cloth layer, a second-outermost thermal insulating layer, a second-innermost heat resistant layer, and an innermost water-resistant or waterproof layer.

In an embodiment, the outermost cloth layer comprises a cotton cloth In an embodiment, the second-outermost thermal insulating layer comprises silicone rubber foam.

In an embodiment, the second-innermost heat resistant layer comprises heat resistant cotton.

In an embodiment, the portable food warming apparatus further comprises at least one heating element sandwiched between the layers.

In an embodiment, two heating elements are sandwiched between the innermost layer and the second-innermost heat resistant layer.

In an embodiment, the heating elements comprise a high power rapid heating element and a lower power warming element.

In an embodiment, the high power rapid heating element is configured to provide rapid and sustained heating.

In an embodiment, the lower power heating element is configured to provide a 15 maintenance warming function over a sustained period of several hours.

In an embodiment, the holding and heating compartment further comprises a lid, configured to close the open top of the holding and heating compartment, the lid and the holding and heating compartment further comprising complimentary connection means configured to allow releasable connection of the lid and the holding and heating compartment.

In an embodiment, the connection means comprises a zip, the separate halves or sides of the zip located on the lid and the holding and heating compartment respectively.

In an embodiment, the lid comprises a handle configured to allow the portable food 25 warming apparatus to be carried in one hand.

In an embodiment, the handle comprises two separable parts, connecting together in their central region.

In an embodiment, the power unit comprises a compartment having a rigid inner battery holder and an at least semi-rigid outer part.

In an embodiment, the battery holder is waterproof.

In an embodiment, the battery holder comprises at least one rechargeable battery.

In an embodiment, the battery comprises an 8.4 volt lithium-ion battery.

In an embodiment, the portable food warming apparatus further comprises a power cable configured to detachably connect between the heating elements and the battery holder to provide power from the battery holder to the heating elements.

In an embodiment, the portable food warming apparatus further comprises a charging cable configured to connected between the battery holder and an external power source to charge a battery or batteries within the power holder.

In an embodiment, the outer end of the charging cable comprises a micro USB connector.

In an embodiment, the power unit and holding and heating compartment further comprises a connection means configured to connect with the connection means on the base or bottom of the cylinder, to detachably connect the power unit to the holding or heating unit.

In an embodiment, the connection means comprises a zip half.

In an embodiment, the power unit further comprises control circuitry, the control circuitry comprising a battery management system configured to prevent the battery from overheating and discharging, and to control the battery so that it uses the required amount of power for a task..

In an embodiment, the control circuitry further comprises a charging chip configured 20 to control charging of the battery or batteries.

In an embodiment, the charging chip is configured to limit the current to substantially 2 Amps and the voltage to substantially 8.4 Volts.

In an embodiment, the power unit further comprises a visual battery charge indicator on the external surface of the power unit, so that the state of charge of the battery 25 can be viewed by a user in use with the power unit and holding and heating compartment connected.

In an embodiment, the battery charge indicator comprises an LED strip, the number of LEDs illuminated indicating the level of charge of the battery.

In an embodiment, thee portable food warming apparatus further comprises user 30 controls on the external surface of the power unit, the controls comprising at least one heating element switch, and a display indicator to indicate the heating state.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description 20 which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from one side and above of an embodiment of the portable food warming apparatus of the present invention, the portable food warming apparatus comprising a central holding and heating compartment, a power unit detachably connected to the lower end of the holding and heating compartment, and a lid connected to the top end of the holding and heating compartment and configured to close the open upper end of the compartment.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the portable food warming apparatus of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective exploded view of the portable food warming apparatus 30 of figure 1 from the same angle.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from one side and above of an embodiment of the portable food warming apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a close-up cutaway view through the side wall of the holding and heating compartment, showing detail of the location of heating elements that provide heat to the holding and heating compartment, and the wall layer construction of the holding and heating compartment.

Figure 6 shows a simplified circuit diagram for the internal control circuitry of the portable food warming apparatus, the control circuitry located in the power unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention, and variations thereof, will now be described in detail with reference to the figures In an embodiment, the portable food warming apparatus 1 comprises three main parts: a battery compartment 2, a holding and heating compartment 3, and a lid 4. These three parts as separate items are described in detail below.

In use, with all three parts connected, the apparatus 1 has an overall cylindrical form. The battery/power compartment 2 forms a base, with the holding and heating compartment 3 extending above this and forming the main part of the cylindrical body, and the lid 4 connected to the top of the battery compartment 2 to form the top of the cylinder.

Holding/Heating Compartment The holding and heating compartment 3 has the overall or general form of an open-topped cylinder, with a closed base. The body of the cylinder has a zip half 5a at the lower end, and a zip half at the upper end 6a, each of these zip halves running around the circumferential edge of the upper and lower ends. These zip halves 5a, 6a correspond with mating zip halves 5b, 6b on the battery/power compartment 2 and the lid 4 to allow these elements to be connected by zipping them together.

The main wall 11 of the cylinder is formed from four separate layers, with heating elements contained within the layers as described below, and as shown in figure 5 The outermost layer 7 is formed from cotton cloth or similar. This layer can be coloured or patterned for decorative or design purposes, or printed with words such as branding, instructions or similar. The next layer in from this (the second outermost layer 8) is formed from silicone rubber foam, which provides thermal insulation, and also water resistance/waterproofing. The next layer in (second innermost layer 9) is formed from heat resistant cotton to provide insulation, and the innermost layer 10 is formed from a heat and water-resistant or water proof fabric. The heating elements 13, 14 are sandwiched between the innermost layer 10 and the second innermost layer 9.

The multiple layers assist in ensuring that heat, either generated by the heating elements or that inherent in a pre-heated item stored within the compartment 3, remains inside the holding and heating compartment 3, and also help to ensure that moisture cannot penetrate into the electronics.

Two heating elements 12 are placed between the heat resistant fabric of the second innermost layer 9, and the waterproof innermost layer 10. This position enables maximum performance, and helps to ensure that heat from the elements is spread 10 evenly within the holding compartment 12 or interior of the cylindrical body.

The heating elements have two functions: one of the heating elements is a high power rapid heating element 14, and the other is a lower power warming element 13. The function of these elements 13, 14 will be explained in detail in the 'operation' section below. The heating elements each have a power wire that extends from the element to a single mutual connector.

Battery/Power corn partment The battery/power compartment 2 is cylindrical in appearance, and the same diameter as the holding and heating compartment 3. The battery/power compartment 2 comprises an outer part 15, and a rigid inner compartment 16 which 20 holds the battery or batteries, and the electronic circuitry and other elements.

The outer part 15 is formed with a rigid or semi-rigid core 17 made from a plastic ring or similar, with a sheath or outer layer 18 on the outside of this, formed from the same material as the outermost layer 7. A zip half 5b is located running around the top edge or rim of the battery/power compartment 2, to allow the battery/power compartment 2 to be connected to the lower end of the holding and heating compartment 3 via the zip half 5a.

The rigid inner compartment 16 forms a shell that is waterproof and rigid to protect internal components. The compartment 16 forms a battery box within which a rechargeable battery or batteries are located, and within which control circuitry and similar is also located. Two cables extend from the compartment 16 -a charging cable 19, and a power cable 20.

The charging cable 19 has a micro USB connector 32 at the free outer end. This can be plugged into a suitable USB socket, to charge the battery.

The power cable 20 has a connector at the outer end that allows it to be connected to the connector for the heating elements 13, 14.

In the preferred embodiment, the battery in the compartment 16 comprises an 8.4 volt lithium iron battery.

The compartment 16 also contains control circuitry to control various functionality of the charging and heating process. Part of this control circuitry includes a battery management system (not shown). This assists with helping to prevent the battery from overheating and discharging, allows the battery to use the required amount of battery power for the functioning of the warmer, and protects the life span of the battery. A charging chip is used to control the charging of the battery. The charging chip limits the current and voltage to 2 Amps and 8.4 Volts. This helps to preserve the battery without overcharging. A simplified circuit diagram detailing the components and connections is shown in figure 6.

The first step-down module 29 is used to regulate the power from 5V (from the USB charging port 32) to 9V. The second step-down module 31 is used to provide power to the bottle warmer. Warm power output 113 provides power to the warm heating element 13, and hot power output 114 provides power to the hot/quick heating element 114. The blocking diode 33 acts as a bridge for the hot and warm elements. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the connection 113 is used for both the lower-power warming process and the higher power heating process.

A battery charge indicator 21 is located so that it can be seen on the outer surface of the battery/power compartment 2. In this embodiment, the battery charge indicator 21 comprises a strip or line of LEDs, in use the number of LEDs that are illuminated along the length of the strip indicating the charge of the battery (all illuminated when the battery is at full charge, or only one or two illuminated if the charge is low. This allows the user to be aware of how much battery life they have. In the preferred embodiment, the strip 21 will only illuminate when button 23 is pressed, the button located on the surface of the battery/power compartment 2, next to the strip.

The control circuitry also controls the power provided to the heating elements 13, 14, and therefore their temperature. The amount of power provided is determined by a warming chip, that in this embodiment limits the current to 1 Amp at 5 Volts for the low power warming element 13. This helps to ensure that the bottle is warmed to a specific temperature for the user.

Both the warming chip and the charge chip have over current discharge and short circuiting protection, to prevent the overheating of the charge elements.

The user-accessible switches and buttons for controlling the portable food warming apparatus 1, and the LEDs indicating various states, are located on the outer surface 5 of the core 17, behind the outer layer 18. A separate switch or button for each of the heating elements 13, 14 is provided, allowing a user to activate these as required by pressing the relevant button or switch. In the preferred embodiment, the switch 24 for the high power heating element is red, and the switch 25 for the lower power element is green. Similarly coloured LEDs (26, 27 for the high and lower power respectively) are associated with each switch to show that it has been activated. A separate blue charging LED 28 is included to which when illuminated indicates when the batteries are charging. Lid

The lid 4 is generally cylindrical with a closed top end and an open bottom end. A zip half 6b extends around the circumference of the open bottom to connect with the zip half 6a on the compartment 3, to close the top of the compartment 3. The lid 4 has an outer layer that is formed from the same material as the outer layer on compartment 3 (cotton cloth or similar). A handle 22 extends over the top of the lid, so that a person can hold the handle and carry the apparatus 1 in one hand. The handle is made of two halves 22a, 22b that are permanently connected to the main body of the lid at their inner ends, the outer ends attaching to one another via hookand-loop fastener patches at or towards the outer ends of the halves 22a, 22b.

Operation In use, a parent or carer will place a container into the holding compartment 12. It is 25 preferred that the container is a bottle that has an outer size or diameter substantially the same as the inner size/diameter of the compartment 12, so that the bottle fits snugly within the compartment 12. The bottle is filled with milk or similar.

A user has two option for providing heat to the bottle: a rapid, high-power 'quick heat', to heat the contents of the bottle from cold to warm, where heat is provided via the heating element 14, or a lower power 'maintenance warm', where heat is provided via the heating element 13, in order to maintain the bottle contents at a certain temperature.

For the 'quick heat' function, power is provided to the high power rapid heating element 14. The heating provided is rapid and sustained, and the contents of the bottle will be rapidly heated to the required temperature, even if cold to start with.

This operation requires a greater amount of battery power over a short period, but 5 gives a user the option of rapidly warming cold milk to hot. This allows a user to provide warmed milk or food to an infant rapidly, for example when they are out and about away from home, and the need to feed their child is urgent.

The lower power 'maintenance warm' function allows power to be drawn at a lower level for between 8-10 hours, if the battery is fully charged at the beginning of the 10 cycle.

Although as stated above it is preferred that a bottle is used, the portable food warming apparatus 1 can also be used to heat other items such as baby food jars. As long as these items are able to fit within the compartment 3, then they can be heated.

A portable food warming apparatus as described above has several advantages. It is portable and does not have to remain attached to a socket in order to provide heat. It can be used at the same time as the battery is being charged. The battery portion can be removed from the container, for separate transportation, cleaning, or similar. For example, the bottle container portion can be removed and used to transport pre-warmed items and keep these warm via it's insulation, while the battery part is left to charge. The bottle warmer can be used by carers without them having to worry about stopping for hot water. It can be attached to a power bank if battery is running low. If one part is damaged or needs replacing, then this part can be replaced separately rather than replacing the entire assembly. The container part can be washed separately to the battery part, with lower risk of water damage to the batteries or control circuitry.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable food warming apparatus, comprising: a holding and heating compartment configured to in use hold a food container for warming and transport; a power unit, configured to provide power to the holding and heating compartment; the power unit and holding and heating compartment detachably connected.
2. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the holding 10 and heating compartment substantially has the overall form of an open-topped cylinder.
3. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 further comprising a connection means substantially around the base or bottom of the cylinder, configured to allow detachable connection to the power unit.
4. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the connection means comprises a zip half.
5. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the holding and heating compartment comprises a main wall formed from multiple layers to provide insulation and water-resistance.
6. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the main wall comprises at least one thermally insulating layer, and at least one water-resistant or waterproof layer.
7. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the main wall comprises an outermost cloth layer, and an innermost water-resistant or waterproof 25 layer.
8. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the main wall comprises an outermost cloth layer, a second-outermost thermal insulating layer, a second-innermost heat resistant layer, and an innermost water-resistant or waterproof layer.
9. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the outermost cloth layer comprises a cotton cloth.
10. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the second-outermost thermal insulating layer comprises silicone rubber foam.
11. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the second-innermost heat resistant layer comprises heat resistant cotton.
12. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 further comprising at least one heating element sandwiched between the layers.
13. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein two heating elements are sandwiched between the innermost layer and the second-innermost heat resistant layer.
14. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein the heating elements comprise a high power rapid heating element and a lower power warming element.
15. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the high power rapid heating element is configured to provide rapid and sustained heating.
16. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the lower power heating element is configured to provide a maintenance warming function over a sustained period of several hours.
17. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16 wherein the holding and heating compartment further comprises a lid, configured to close the open top of the holding and heating compartment, the lid and the holding and heating compartment further comprising complimentary connection means configured to allow releasable connection of the lid and the holding and heating compartment.
18. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the 25 connection means comprises a zip, the separate halves or sides of the zip located on the lid and the holding and heating compartment respectively.
19. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18 wherein the lid comprises a handle configured to allow the portable food warming apparatus to be carried in one hand.
20. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein the handle comprises two separable parts, connecting together in their central region.
21. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 20 wherein the power unit comprises a compartment having a rigid inner battery holder and an at least semi-rigid outer part.
22. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the battery 5 holder is waterproof.
23. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the battery holder comprises at least one rechargeable battery.
24. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in claim 23 wherein the battery comprises an 8.4 volt lithium-ion battery.
25. A portable food warming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24 further comprising a power cable configured to detachably connect between the heating elements and the battery holder to provide power from the battery holder to the heating elements.