Infant formula preparation apparatus and method
View Patent ↗An infant formula dispensing apparatus has a receptacle for receiving a sealed pod containing an amount of infant formula powder sufficient for a single feeding of a predetermined size. When the pod is placed in the receptacle, a fixture of the apparatus pierces the pod and forces warm water through the pod. The water mixes with the infant formula powder in the pod and exits the pod though a spout, where it is received in a receptacle, such as a lidless baby bottle.
1 . A method of preparing infant formula for immediate feeding to an infant using an apparatus comprising a reservoir and a heater, comprising:
storing water in the reservoir of the apparatus;
providing a prepackaged pod containing a predetermined amount of powered infant formula sufficient for one infant feeding;
opening the prepackaged pod by manually inserting into a compartment within the apparatus within the apparatus, the compartment being configured to open and support the prepackaged pod to allow at least some of the powdered infant formula in the opened prepackaged pod to fall into a baby bottle positioned under the apparatus;
dispensing into the bottle water from the reservoir at a temperature within a range of temperatures between 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 105 degree Fahrenheit; wherein the water is dispensed after at least some of the powdered infant formula falls into the bottle, the amount of water dispensed being sufficient to prepare the one feeding.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pod and apparatus are adapted for promoting mixing inside of the pod of the water with at least some of the powdered infant formula.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the pod to promote one of discharging of all of the powdered infant formula.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein opening the prepackaged pod further comprises opening a discharge opening in the prepackaged pod during insertion of the prepackaged pod into the compartment of the apparatus.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising passing the powdered infant formula through a grating to discourage discharge of clumps of powdered infant formula.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising discharging all the powdered infant formula from the pod, wherein discharging all the powdered infant formula from the pod comprises delivering the warmed water to the prepackaged pod through a coupling established during inserting the prepackaged pod into the compartment.