WO2021022329A1

WO2021022329A1 - Portable beverage or food warmer

Info

Publication number: WO2021022329A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/050803
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giovanni Licari; Rosario Antonio Parisi
Original assignee: ARISI Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-07
Filing date: 2020-08-05
Publication date: 2021-02-11

Abstract

There is proposed a fluid or food warming apparatus, comprising a bottle, a lid, a heat exchange and a dock. The bottle having an opening and the lid is reversibly attachable to the bottle over the opening. The heat exchange member is reversibly attachable to the bottle and extending inwardly through the opening, such that the heat exchange member is in contact with the fluid or food retained within the bottle. The dock includes an upstand containing a heating element, wherein the heat exchange member is dimensioned to engage over the upstand, whereby the fluid or food can be heated by operation of the heating element.

Description

PORTABLE BEVERAGE OR FOOD WARMER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a warmer for a beverage or a food and in one form relates to a portable device for warming infant milk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are instances where the temperature of a beverage or fluid needs to be raised before consumption. One common case is where infant milk needs to be warmed before a child is fed. Many babies prefer their milk warmed to at least room temperature. Accordingly, the pre-mixed formula or expressed milk contained within a bottle may be placed within a container of hot water to raise the milk to the desired temperature.

There are a number of electric bottle warmers on the market that can be used to warm formula for an infant. These devices typically include a sheath or container that is wrapped or positioned around the bottle containing the milk. These devices usually include a thermostat that inhibit over heating of the bottle. However, it is recommended that the bottle is not left for any extended period within the electric warmer, as there is no control over the temperature of the milk.

Australian Patent Application No. 1994075844 (Oldani) disclosed a feeding bottle including an opening, a cover assembly releasably engageable with the bottle to cover the opening, and a heating means connected to the cover for heating liquid in the bottle. In one embodiment, the heating means is an electric coil that is configured to pass through the opening and be positioned within the bottle and in contact with the liquid. One of the disadvantages with Oldani is that the electric coil is not protected when it is removed from within the bottle, which may lead to injury. Furthermore, the electric coil is in direct contact with the fluid, which may result in burning of the milk or a build-up of calcium on the coil that would affect its operation and may be difficult to remove.

There are also self-heating baby bottles disclosed in the prior art that use a phase change of a chemical within a sealed assembly to heat the milk. One such device is sold under the liamo Go™ name. There are however risks due to leakage of the chemical and inadequate heating of the milk. The phrase ‘bottle warmer’ used throughout the specification should be understood to relate to a device for warming a liquid contained within the bottle. It should be appreciated that although the invention will be described with particular reference to a fluid the invention may also be used in relation to warming a food or semi-liquid material, such as a puree.

It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of a least one of the illustrated embodiments to provide a portable apparatus for heating infant milk. Other objects of the illustrated embodiments are to overcome at least some of the aforementioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative. The foregoing objects should not necessarily be considered as cumulative and various aspects of the invention may fulfil one or more of the above objects.

In one aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest or only aspect there is proposed a fluid or food warming apparatus, comprising: a bottle having an opening; a lid reversibly attachable to the bottle over the opening; a heat exchange member reversibly attachable to the bottle and extending inwardly through the opening, such that the heat exchange member is in contact with the fluid or food retained within the bottle; and a dock including an upstand containing a heating element, wherein the heat exchange member is dimensioned to engage over the upstand, whereby the fluid or food can be heated by operation of the heating element.

Preferably, the lid has an annular shape with a centrally positioned hole. The lid may include an internal thread or protrusions that are configured to engage with a corresponding thread or coupling on the bottle, adjacent the opening. An annular seal member is preferably engageable with the heat exchange member and held by the annular shaped lid around an edge of the opening of the bottle.

In one form the heat exchange member is a generally dome shaped structure, having a lip configured to engage the edge of the centrally positioned hole of the lid.

In use the heat exchange member extends into the bottle through the opening.

Preferably, the annular seal member includes a generally tapered annular body that is configured to engage over the lip of the heat exchange member and an outwardly projecting annular wing that is configured to be held between the edge of the opening of the bottle and an inner shoulder of the lid.

In this way the bottle can be filed with the fluid and inverted, whereby the seal inhibits leakage of the fluid out through the opening.

Alternatively, the lid and heat exchange member may be unitary in construction.

In the inverted arrangement the bottle can be place onto the dock, wherein the dome shaped heat exchange member is positioned over the correspondingly shaped upstand.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a bottle engaging heat exchange member that is configured to cooperate with a powered heating dock.

The dock preferably includes a power source for heating the upstand that in turns heats the heat exchange member, thereby causing heating of the fluid contained within the inverted bottle.

The power source may be a rechargeable battery, such as but not limited to, a nickel cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery or a lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery.

The reader will also appreciate that the power source may be mains power or the battery may be recharged using mains power.

Alternately, the power source may be a non-rechargeable battery, such as but not limited to, a lead-acid battery. Preferably, a thermostat assembly is located within or attached to the dock for controlling the heating of the upstand.

In one form the thermostat assembly includes a PCB or PCBs, for adjusting the operation of the thermostat and/or power source.

The apparatus may further include sensors for measuring the temperature of the fluid contained within the bottle.

In one form, the heating element comprises a coil of wire mounted around a ferrite core which oscillates and heats the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member may be in the form of a metal cap positionable at least partly within the bottle, by the induction of eddy currents therein.

The sensors may comprise two brass pins which protrude out from the dock and touch the internal sides of the heat exchange member or a contact in connection therewith. These pins may be mounted to a circuit board and have temperature sensors (NTC) mounted adjacent thereto. The two pins may be located either side of the upstand to enable better thermal contact with the heat exchange member.

An audio warning or visual display means for indicating when a desire temperature has been reached or when the bottle has been on the dock for a predetermined period of time.

In another aspect of the invention, there is proposed a fluid warming assembly reversibly connectable to a bottle, comprising a lid, a heat exchange member configured to extend inwardly of the bottle through an opening thereof, a dock including an upstand containing a heating element, wherein the heat exchange member being dimensioned to engage over the upstand, such that the heat exchange member is in contact with a fluid retained within the bottle to heat the fluid.

In still another aspect of the invention there is proposed a method of warming a fluid or food, including the steps of: pouring a quantity of fluid or food into a bottle; attaching a lid over an opening of the bottle, whereby a heat exchange member extends inwardly of the bottle; inverting the bottle whereby the fluid or food contacts an outer surface of the heat exchange member; placing the inverted bottle onto a dock whereby the heat exchange member engages a corresponding shaped upstand of the dock; and operating a heating element contained within the upstand to warm the heat exchange member to thereby heat the fluid or food within the bottle.

The above method wherein the heat exchange member may be reversibly attached adjacent the opening and held on place by way of the lid.

The above method including the further step of: operating a sensor to measure or estimate a temperature of the fluid or food contained within the bottle; and controlling the heating element to heat the fluid or food to a desire temperature or to within a temperature range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bottle warmer assembly of the present invention illustrating the bottle detached from the upstand of the dock;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottle warmer assembly of Figure 1 illustrating the lid removed from the bottle;

Figure 3 is a front view of the bottle warmer assembly of Figure 1 , illustrating the inverted bottle placed onto the dock;

Figure 4 is a top view of the bottle warmer assembly of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of the bottle warmer assembly of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the bottle warmer assembly of Figure 3, illustrating a recharge port;

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the bottle warmer assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the annular seal of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view through A-A of the annular seal of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the annular seal engaging the heat exchange member; Figure 11a is a cross-sectional view of the bottle warmer assembly of Figure 1 , illustrating the lid detached from the bottle;

Figure 11b is the cross-sectional view of Figure 11, illustrating the annular seal engaging the heat exchange member;

Figure 11c is the cross-sectional view of Figure 11, illustrating the assembled bottle, annular seal, heat exchange member and annular lid member;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the PCBs and heat exchange member of Figure 7;

Figure 13a is a graph illustrating the temperature of 50ml of full cream milk from preliminary testing using the method of the present invention;

Figure 13b is a graph illustrating the temperature of 100ml of full cream milk from preliminary testing using the method of the present invention;

Figure 13c is a graph illustrating the temperature of 150ml of full cream milk from preliminary testing using the method of the present invention;

Figure 13d is a graph illustrating the temperature of 150ml of water from preliminary testing using the method of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a flow chart illustrating the calculation steps used in relation to the temperature control algorithm;

Figure 15 is a first graph illustrating the behaviour of the variables used in the control algorithm;

Figure 16 is a second graph illustrating the behaviour of the variables used in the control algorithm;

Figure 17 is a third graph illustrating the behaviour of the variables used in the control algorithm;

Figure 18a is a table of data relating to the windowed filters used during test; and Figure 18b is a graph relating to the data of Figure 18a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, there is illustrated a bottle warmer 10, demonstrating by way of an example, an arrangement in which the principles of the present invention may be employed.

The figures illustrate one embodiment of the bottle warmer 10 comprising, a dock 12 including an upstand 14. The upstand 14 contains a heating element 16 and the dock 12 includes a power source 18, recharge port 20, temperature sensors 22 and contacts 24. Other components, such as microcontrollers and circuit boards, may be used as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

A lid 26 is configured to be reversibly attachable to a neck 28 of a bottle 30.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the lid 26 includes an annular lid portion 32, having a thread or protrusions 34 configured to cooperate with the thread 36 of the neck 28 of the bottle 30. A heat exchange member 38 is held by an annular seal 40, as best shown in Figure 10. The annular seal 40 is configured to abut or engage the bottle 30 around the circumference of the opening 42.

The heat exchange member 38 in the present embodiment, has a generally dome shaped structure with a circumferential lip 44 configured to engage the edge of the centrally positioned hole 46 of the lid 26.

When assembled the heat exchange member 38 extends inwardly into the bottle 30 through the opening 42. The heat exchange member 38 is dimensioned to engage over the upstand 14, such that the heat exchange member 38 is intermediate of the upstand 14 and a fluid 48 retained within the bottle 30. In this way the fluid can be heated without direct contact between the heating element 16 and the fluid 48.

The heat exchange member 38 is constructed from stainless steel or another suitable material. In this way the heat exchange member 38, which is in contact with the fluid 48, can be separated from the other lid components 32 and 40 for washing and sterilization purposes.

As best illustrated in Figures 8 to 10, the annular seal 40 includes a generally tapered annular body 48 that is configured to engage over the lip 44 of the heat exchange member 38, as shown in Figure 10. The annular seal 40 further includes an outwardly projecting circumferential wing 50 that is configured to be held between the edge 52 of the opening 42 of the bottle 30 and an inner shoulder 54 of the annular lid portion 32, as best shown in Figure 11c. The bottle 30 can therefore be filed with a predetermined volume of fluid 48 and then the bottle 30 can be inverted, whereby the seal 40 inhibits leakage of the fluid 48, as shown in Figure 11c. In the inverted arrangement the bottle 30 can be place onto the dock 12, wherein the dome shaped heat exchange member 38 is positioned over the correspondingly shaped upstand 14, as shown in Figure 3.

Turning back to Figures 1 and 2, the dock 12 further includes an annular depression 56 around the upstand 14. This is used to retain any small volumes of fluid 48 that spill during use. The upper cover 58 of the dock 12 is preferably unitary to protects the components contained therein.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the base 12 further comprises a bottom plate 60 that engages with and is connected to the upper cover 58 and retains both the induction PCB 62 and charging PCB 64. The upper cover 58 includes aperture 66 for retaining control switch 68 and silicon button pad 70. The control switch 68, which in some embodiments could include a corresponding display (not shown), allows the user to selectively operate the bottle warmer 10.

As further illustrated in Figure 7, the heating element 16 is connected to the induction PCB 62, by way of wires 72 and the temperature probes 22 are soldered to the charging PCB 64. The induction PCB 62 and charging PCB 64, control the operation or the bottle warmer 10 and therefore the temperature of the fluid 48. Two O-ring seals 74 are used around temperature sensors 22 to inhibit fluid coming into contact with the PCB’s 62, 64 or batteries 18.

The power source 18 in the figures is in the form of two rechargeable batteries 18, as shown in Figure 7. The rechargeable batteries 18 may be a nickel cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, a lithium-ion polymer (Li-ion polymer) battery or any other suitable power storage unit. Alternately, the power source may be a non-rechargeable battery, such as but not limited to, a lead-acid battery. In another embodiment the dock 12 may be connect directly to an external power source, such as a power point by way of a cable (not shown), or operation of the heating element 16 or charging of the batteries 18.

As the reader will now appreciate the power source 18 heats the heating element 16, which in turns heats the upstand 14, when the bottle 30 is placed onto the dock 12. This in turns heats the heat exchange member 38, thereby causes heating of the fluid 48 contained within the inverted bottle 30.

The temperature sensors 22 are configured to measure the temperature of the fluid 48 contained within the bottle 30. Accordingly, the induction PCB 62 and charging PCB 64 in conjunction with information from the temperature sensors 22 control the heating of the fluid to ensure adequate heating, whilst inhibiting overheating of the fluid 48, to minimise the risk to the infant being feed.

The bottle warmer 10 may also include an audio warning or visual display means, such as a light, for indicating when a desire temperature has been reached or when the bottle has been on the dock for a set period of time, as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

In one embodiment the heating is performed using an induction heating process, wherein the heating element 16 comprises a coil of wire mounted around a ferrite core that oscillates and heats the heat exchange member 38, in the form of a metal cap inside the bottle 30, by the induction of eddy currents. The reader will appreciate that this process is known and utilised in a number of appliances, such as cooktops. However, in the present invention the shape of the heating element 16, being a generally frustoconical or dome shape, increases the effective heating area in contact with the fluid 48.

The invention also relates to a method of determining the temperature of the fluid 48 within the bottle 30, which uses two brass pins 22, which protrude out of the base unit and touch the internal sides of the heat exchange member/metal cap 38. These pins 22 are mounted to the circuit board 64 and have temperature sensors (NTC) attached adjacent thereto.

The two pins 22 are located either side of the upstand 14 to enable better thermal contact with the heat exchange member/metal cap 38. An algorithm is then used to calculate milk temperature from the temperatures read at these pins 22. An algorithm is preferably used since the temperature of the heat exchange member/metal cap 38 is much higher than the milk temperature and therefore a direct measurement cannot be used to estimate the milk temperature.

Figures 13a to 13d, illustrate the results of testing that was undertaken using the induction heating method. These graphs of various temperature points (represented in degrees Celsius or millivolts depending on the sensor output). Either way these graphs show the temperature trends that are used to determine the milk temperature.

In software, the algorithm of the present invention calculates temperate using a large brass rod (refer to 100 mL milk plot, measured temperature in yellow).

The method includes the steps of:

- After turn-on, record the initial temperature (Ti).

- As the milk heats (line rising quickly), find the point (Tk) on the plot after the knee where the initial slope starts to become a straight line.

- Calculate the difference (Td) between the top knee (Tk) and initial (Ti) temperatures. This difference is maintained reasonably closely throughout the heating cycle.

- The measured end temperature (Te) is calculated as the target temperature (30 °C) plus the differential temperature (Td).

- Once the end temperature has been reached then the heating is stopped as the milk has reached the required temperature (within about +1-2 °C).

There is other information that can be determined, if required, based on the slopes either side of the knee which could determine the type and/or quantity of milk.

Configuration use in Test

The inside cap 38 temperature was measured using two small brass rods 22 of slightly different diameter (2mm & 3mm) touching the lower part of the cap. The brass rods were measured with 10k NTC thermistors, soldered to the base of the rods to enhance conduction. The top-side cap and liquid temperatures were measured using normal K-type thermocouples.

Temperature Plots

Each plot (Figures 13a to 13b) shows the cap temperature (blue), liquid temperature (orange), small brass rod (grey) and larger brass rod (yellow). Both the NTC readings track fairly consistently with the liquid. Analysis

It was found that the temperature difference from when heating starts to the top of the “knee” gives the temperature difference to add to the desired liquid temperature to determine when to stop heating.

Referring to Figure 13b, for 100ml milk, the desired temperature of 30 °C, using the larger brass rod (yellow)

Initial temperature = 21 °C

Top knee temp ~ 42 °C

=> difference = 21 °C

=> stopping temp = 30 + 21 = 51 °C

Stopping at 51 °C gives a milk temp of ~29 °C

Settling gives a final temp of ~ 30.5 °C

Similarly, in referring to Figures 13a, 13c and 13d:

150ml milk => 20 diff => 50 stop => final temp ~30 °C 50ml milk => 18.5 diff => 48.5 stop => final temp ~33 °C 150ml water => 15 diff => 45 stop => final temp ~31 °C

This preliminary analysis indicates that there is a good temperature correlation that can be used for the measurement technique of the present invention.

Figure 14 illustrates one embodiment of the control algorithm that enables fully automatic (i.e. no user input required) heating for milk/water volumes ranging from 60-180ml and starting at room temperature or fridge temperature. The calculation steps are illustrated in Figure 14 for the key variables A, B & C.

The control procedure (using these variables) used is as follows:

1. Begin heating

2. When A reaches 36.0degC check if B >=2.1 and if true stop heating (we have ~ 60ml volume).

3. When A reaches 40.7degC check if C >=5.55 and if true stop heating (we have ~ 120ml volume).

4. Continue heating until A = 44.4degC then stop (we have ~ 180ml volume). Figures 15 to 17 illustrate various graphs illustrating the behaviour of the variables during testing undertaken on one embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated that the graphs are included for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, to use of the above control algorithm or behaviour of the variables. It should also be appreciated that the threshold levels for the variables A, B & C may vary.

Figures 18a and 18b illustrate date relating to the windowed filters used during test. However, the date is included for illustration purposes only and does not limit the scope of the invention. The skilled addressee will now appreciate the advantages of the illustrated invention over the prior art. In one form the illustrated embodiments provide a heat exchange member which is attachable to a bottle and configured to cooperate with a powered heating dock.

Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate the invention and it is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fluid or food warming apparatus, comprising: a bottle having an opening; a lid reversibly attachable to the bottle over the opening; a heat exchange member reversibly attachable to the bottle and extending inwardly through the opening, such that the heat exchange member is in contact with the fluid or food retained within the bottle; and a dock including an upstand containing a heating element, wherein the heat exchange member is dimensioned to engage over the upstand, whereby the fluid or food can be heated by operation of the heating element.

2. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the lid is annular shaped having a centrally positioned hole.

3. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the annular shaped lid includes an internal thread or protrusions that are configured to engage with a corresponding thread or coupling on the bottle adjacent the opening.

4. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein an annular seal member is preferably engageable with the heat exchange member and held by the annular shaped lid around an edge of the opening of the bottle.

5. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the heat exchange member includes a generally dome shaped portion and a lip configured to engage the edge of the centrally positioned hole of the lid, whereby in use the heat exchange member extends into the bottle through the opening.

6. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the annular seal member includes a generally tapered annular body, being configured to engage over the lip of the heat exchange member, and an outwardly projecting annular wing, being configured to be held between the edge of the opening of the bottle and an inner shoulder of the lid.

7. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the bottle in an inverted orientation is positionable onto the dock, whereby the dome shaped portion of the heat exchange member is positioned over the correspondingly shaped upstand.

8. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the dock includes a power source for heating the upstand, which in turn is configured to heat the heat exchange member, thereby causing heating of the fluid or food contained within the inverted bottle.

9. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the power source is selected from a group including, but not limited to, an external power source, main power source, non-rechargeable battery or rechargeable battery

10. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein a thermostat assembly is located within or attached to the dock for controlling the heating of the upstand.

11. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claims 8 and 10, wherein the thermostat assembly includes a controller, such as but not limited to a PCB or PCBs, for adjusting the operation of the thermostat and/or power source.

12. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a coil of wire mounted around a ferrite core which is configured to oscillate and heat the heat exchange member to thereby heat the fluid of food by way of the induction of eddy currents.

13. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the apparatus includes sensors for measuring or estimating the temperature of the fluid or food contained within the bottle.

14. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 13, wherein the sensors comprise two pins which protrude out from the dock and touch the internal sides of the heat exchange member or a contact in connection therewith.

15. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein the two pins are mounted to a circuit board and have temperature sensors (NTC) mounted adjacent thereto.

16. The fluid or food warming apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein the two pins are located either side of the upstand to enable better thermal contact with the heat exchange member.

17. A fluid or food warming assembly reversibly connectable to a container, comprising a lid, a heat exchange member configured to extend inwardly of the container through an opening thereof, a dock including an upstand containing a heating element, wherein the heat exchange member being dimensioned to engage over the upstand, such that the heat exchange member is in contact with a fluid or food retained within the container to heat the fluid or food.

18. A method of warming a fluid or food, including the steps of: pouring a quantity of fluid or food into a bottle; attaching a lid over an opening of the bottle, whereby a heat exchange member extends inwardly of the bottle; inverting the bottle whereby the fluid or food contacts an outer surface of the heat exchange member; placing the inverted bottle onto a dock whereby the heat exchange member engages a corresponding shaped upstand of the dock; and operating a heating element contained within the upstand to warm the heat exchange member to thereby heat the fluid or food within the bottle.

19. The method in accordance with claim 18, including the further step of: operating a sensor to measure or estimate a temperature of the fluid or food contained within the bottle; and controlling the heating element to heat the fluid or food to a desire temperature or to heat it to within a specified temperature range.

20. The method in accordance with claims 18 or 19, wherein an audio warning or visual display means are used to indicate when a desire temperature has been reached or when the bottle has been on the dock for a predetermined period of time.