GB2477995A - Combined bottle and feeding water steriliser with one way valve - Google Patents

Abstract

An airtight mains powered combined feeding water and bottle steriliser is equipped with a one way valve 3 which is used to place the steriliser under vacuum. A base unit 1 is connected to the mains power supply, wherein the base unit contains a ferrous reservoir pan 2. The pan contains the amount of feed water required plus additional water to produce steam. A heat source, such as an electrical element, is used to heat the water, producing steam. During steaming the one way valve opens to allow excess pressure to escape. After steaming, when the steriliser is allowed to cool to room temperature, the one way valve remains closed, thus producing a vacuum in the steaming chamber. When the feed is required, the water is reheated within the base unit. At the desired temperature the condensing lid 6 is removed, and the bottles retrieved from the steaming chamber. Upon removal of the steaming chamber, feeding water can be poured from the reservoir pan into the bottles and mixed with powdered milk, before giving the feeding bottle to a child.

Description

Baby bottle system This invention relates to a device for sterilising baby feeding bottles and equipment, and delivering sterilised water at a controlled temperature.

To bottle feed a baby, the feeding bottles are sterilised by either chemical solutions, or means of a steam unit. A steam unit is either electronic or used within a microwave oven.

The feeding water is boiled and then allowed to cool before mixing with powdered milk either at that time or just before feeding.

Feeds should be made on demand but due to the time issues that this produces most parents use alternative methods.

When the feed is required it is reheated before being given to the child. Alternatively, the pre-boiled and cooled water is reheated before being mixed with the powdered milk.

The conventional methods of carrying out the above processes can lead to problems. The NHS, the World Health Organisation and all leading manufacturers of powdered baby milk recommend making up each feed on demand, this is not practical with a screaming child in the middle of the night because the full process takes in excess of half an hour.

Currently some people make up numerous feeds and store them until required. This can lead to cross contamination from other food stuffs and bacteria within the refrigerator or store.

Bottles are only completely sterile immediately after being sterilised, contamination can occur by contact or airborne bacteria.

Reheating feeds by microwave means is not recommended because it can lead to hotspots in the feed that can bum the child.

Temperature delivery of feeds by microwave, pans of water, a bespoke bottle warmer or even cooling down under a running tap is not very accurate, it is measured by a drop of milk on the parents body to sense the temperature. All heating methods are indirect and therefore can take up to 10 minutes for a 9 fi oz feed.

To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a combined bottle steriliser with feeding water reservoir. A ferrous bottomed pan is heated by induction, and the resulting steam is used to sterilise the bottles and other equipment placed in the unit. The temperature of the water within the reservoir is constantly displayed to ensure that the water is at the correct feed temperature when required.

A one way valve is included within the body of the unit, this is to allow the excess pressure created by the steam to escape and force out everything other than sterile air.

Upon cooling this valve holds closed and ensures that no contamination occurs until the user requires the bottles for the feed.

When the parent requires the feed, a button is pressed to reheat the water to the adjustable preset required temperature. This can then be mixed using the sterile bottles and powered milk.

This will deliver a sterile, accurate temperature feeds when required quickly. Cost and energy consumption are reduced through not having to purchase and use separate kettle, steriliser and bottle warmer.

This invention allows the user to comply with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and the manufacturers of the powered milk.

Preferably the unit will have full and accurate temperature control.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows the unit according to the invention in isometric view Figure 2 shows the unit according to the invention from the side Figure 3 shows the unit according to the invention from the rear Figure 4 shows the unit according to the invention from the front A base unit 1 is connected to the mains power supply via cable 9, the base unit 1 contains a ferrous based reservoir pan 2. The pan contains the amount of feed water required plus additional water for steaming purposed. The pan is heated using induction heating to maintain a cool exterior to base unit 1. The steaming chamber 4 is air tight sealed to base unit I using slea brackets 5 and a rubber seal.

Reservoir pan 2 is air sealed within steaming chamber 4. Bottles and equipment are placed within steam chamber 4 on internal shelf 10. Condensing lid 10 is fixed on top of steaming chamber 4 giving an internal environment seal using rubber gasket at joint 12.

The unit is switched on using controls 8. The base unit I heats the water within the reservoir pan 2 to steam all items within steaming chamber 4. During the steaming process the one way valve 3 opens to allow excess pressure to escape, the one way valve 3 can be a spring loaded mechanism than will release with pressure or a weighted valve that will lift with excess pressure. The temperature is constantly displayed on digital display 7.

Once steaming is complete the steaming chamber 4, the feed water and all internal items are allowed to cool to room temperature. During this process the one way valve 3 remains closed and a sterile vacuum with steaming chamber 4, reservoir pan 2 and condensing lid 6 is obtained.

When the feed is required, the feed button on controls 8 is pressed and the water within the reservoir pan 2 is heated to the required feeding temperature. The feed temperature is adjustable using controls 8 to suit the individual child. At the desired temperature the condensing lid 6 is removed, and the feeding bottles and equipment are retrieved through the top of the steaming chamber 4. The steaming chamber 4 is then removed using handle 13 to allow access to the reservoir pan 2. The reservoir pan 2 is removed using handle 11 and the required amount of feeding water is poured into the feeding bottles and can be mixed with the powdered milk immediately and given to the child.