Infant formula device

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for accurately dispensing a powder such as powdered infant formula into a container, and pasteurizing and reconstituting the powdered formula while completely mixing the formula in the container. The apparatus includes a hopper assembly for storing powder, a dosing assembly for measuring and dispensing powder from a receptacle into the container, a dilution assembly and a mixing assembly for obtaining accurately and completely mixed formula from the dispensed powder. The hopper is shaped to promote powder bridging, and the resulting powder bridge is used in combination with the dosing assembly to provide a predetermined amount of powder using a single mechanical valve that is isolated from the powder. The mixing assembly mixes the contents of the container while holding the bottle at a fixed angle relative to the vertical. A method of providing pasteurized infant formula from an infant formula powder is also disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for preparing within a container a reconstituted beverage from a powder, the apparatus including:
 a receptacle configured to contain the powder;   a measuring device configured to receive the powder from the receptacle and dispense the powder into the container,   a liquid supply configured to dispense liquid into the container; and   a mixing device configured to mix the contents of the container while supporting the container such that a closed base end of the container is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the contents of the container by rotation of the container about an axis perpendicular to the base end. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the contents of the container by alternating the rotation of the container between opposed rotation directions. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the contents of the container by including a period of container non-rotation between periods of container rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of an axis perpendicular to the base end relative to the horizontal is selected from angles in the range of 45 degrees to 80 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing device comprises
 a holder configured to secure the container, and   a motor configured to rotate the holder.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a vibrator configured to vibrate the receptacle for dispensing the powder from the receptacle into the measuring device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a vibrator configured to vibrate the measuring device for dispensing the powder from the dispensing device into the container. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the measuring device includes a tube having a first end connected to an outlet of the receptacle, and an open second end opposed to the first end, and
 the apparatus further comprises a valve disposed between the first and second ends of the tube, the valve configured to control powder flow from the second end.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tube is flexible. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tube is elastic. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the tube is determined based on the properties of the powder to be dispensed. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the axial position of the valve relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube is adjustable, and is determined based on the amount of the powder to be dispensed. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is configured to selectively prevent the powder from passing through the second end of the tube. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is configured to control passage of powder through the tube without direct contact with the powder. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is a pinch valve. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is configured to move a sidewall of the tube between a first tube sidewall position in which the powder can pass through the tube and a second tube sidewall position in which the powder is prevented from passing through the tube. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes
 an open receptacle first end having a first dimension,   an open receptacle second end opposed to the receptacle first end and having a second dimension, and   a receptacle sidewall connecting the receptacle first and receptacle second end, a portion of the receptacle sidewall being angled so as to converge from the receptacle first end to the receptacle second end, the portion having an angle configured to cause powder bridging at or above the receptacle second end.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes
 an open receptacle first end having a first dimension,   an open receptacle second end opposed to the receptacle first end and having a second dimension, and   a receptacle sidewall connecting the receptacle first and receptacle second end, a portion of the receptacle sidewall being angled so as to converge from the receptacle first end to the receptacle second end, the portion having an angle configured to cause powder bridging at or above the receptacle second end,   the measuring device includes a tube having a tube first end connected to the receptacle second end, and an open tube second end opposed to the tube first end, and   the apparatus further comprises a valve disposed between the tube first and second ends, the valve configured to control powder flow from the tube second end,   wherein the predetermined amount of powder corresponds to the sum of a volume of the measuring device above the valve and the volume of powder disposed below the bridge formed by the powder bridging.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the receptacle sidewall converges at an angle in the range of 35 to 65 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the receptacle sidewall converges at an angle of approximately 50 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the receptacle is removable from the apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is refillable. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a pre-filled and sealed disposable cartridge. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid supply includes a first supply tube and a second supply tube, the first and second supply tubes arranged so that the first supply tube directs fluid into the container in different direction than the second supply tube. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid supply includes a first supply tube and a second supply tube, the supply tubes are configured so that the first supply tube delivers liquid at a different temperature than that of the second supply tube. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid supply is configured so that the first supply tube delivers liquid at a temperature sufficient to pasteurize the reconstituted beverage. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a chute disposed between the measuring device and the container, the chute configured to direct the powder from the measuring device into the container such that the direction of powder flow is changed between the measuring device and the container. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect powder flow from the measuring device. 
     
     
         30 . An apparatus for preparing within a container a reconstituted beverage from a powder, the apparatus including:
 a receptacle configured to contain the powder, the receptacle including
 an open first end having a first dimension, 
 an open second end opposed to the first end and having a second dimension, and 
 a sidewall connecting the first and second ends, a portion of the sidewall being angled so as to converge from the first end to the second end, the portion having an angle configured to cause powder bridging at or above the second end; and 
   a measuring device configured to receive powder from the second end of the receptacle and dispense a predetermined amount into the container, the predetermined amount of powder corresponding to the sum of a volume of the measuring device and the volume of powder disposed below the bridge formed by the powder bridging.   
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further including a liquid supply configured to dispense liquid into the container. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the liquid supply includes a first supply tube and a second supply tube, the first and second supply tubes arranged so that the first supply tube directs fluid into the container in different direction than the second supply tube. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the liquid supply includes a first supply tube and a second supply tube, the supply tubes are configured so that the first supply tube delivers liquid at a different temperature than that of the second supply tube. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 31 , wherein the liquid supply is configured so that the first supply tube delivers liquid at a temperature sufficient to pasteurize the reconstituted beverage. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further including a mixing device configured to mix the contents of the container. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further including a mixing device configured to mix the contents of the container while supporting the container such that a closed base end of the container is disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the contents of the container by rotation of the container about an axis perpendicular to a closed base end of the container. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the contents of the container by alternating the rotation of the container between opposed rotation directions. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the contents of the container by including a period of container non-rotation between periods of container rotation. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the angle of an axis perpendicular to the base end relative to the horizontal is selected from angles in the range of 45 degrees to 80 degrees. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising a mixing device configured to mix the contents of the container, the mixing device including
 a holder configured to secure the container, and   a motor configured to rotate the holder.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising a vibrator configured to vibrate the receptacle for dispensing the powder from the receptacle into the measuring device. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , further comprising a vibrator configured to vibrate the measuring device for dispensing the powder from the dispensing device into the container. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the measuring device includes a tube having a first end connected to an outlet of the receptacle, and an open second end opposed to the first end, and
 the apparatus further comprises a valve disposed between the first and second ends of the tube, the valve configured to control powder flow from the second end.   
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the tube is flexible. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the tube is elastic. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the cross-sectional dimension of the tube is determined based on the properties of the powder to be dispensed. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the axial position of the valve relative to a longitudinal axis of the tube is adjustable, and is determined based on the amount of the powder to be dispensed. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the valve is configured to selectively prevent the powder from passing through the second end of the tube. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the valve is configured to control passage of powder through the tube without direct contact with the powder. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the valve is a pinch valve. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the valve is configured to move a sidewall of the tube between a first tube sidewall position in which the powder can pass through the tube and a second tube sidewall position in which the powder is prevented from passing through the tube. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the receptacle sidewall converges at an angle in the range of 35 to 65 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the receptacle sidewall converges at an angle of approximately 50 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the receptacle is removable from the apparatus. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the receptacle is refillable. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the receptacle is a pre-filled and sealed disposable cartridge. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a chute disposed between the measuring device and the container, the chute configured to direct the powder from the measuring device into the container such that the direction of powder flow is changed between the measuring device and the container. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a sensor configured to detect powder flow from the measuring device. 
     
     
         60 . A method of preparing a reconstituted beverage within a container from a powder, the method comprising
 placing a container in a mixing device;   rotating the container using the mixing device;   while the container rotates,
 dispensing a predetermined amount of the powder from a measuring device into the container, and 
 delivering at least a portion of a total required dilution amount of liquid to the container, 
   continuing to rotate the container for a predetermined time period after the dispensing and delivering steps.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein delivering at least a portion of a total required dilution amount of liquid to the container includes delivering the liquid so that it is directed toward a sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60  further including following the step of continuing to rotate with a step of adding sufficient liquid to the container, so that the sum of the liquid delivered in the delivering step and in the step of adding sufficient liquid equals the total required dilution amount. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the step of rotating is performed while a base end of the container is oriented at an angle to the horizontal. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 60  wherein at least a portion of the dispensing and delivering steps occurs simultaneously. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the step of continuing to rotate the container includes reversing the direction of rotation for at least a portion of the duration of the step. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the steps of delivering and continuing to rotate are repeated. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the steps of delivering and continuing to rotate are repeated, and at least one of the repeated steps is performed using a liquid of a different temperature. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the step of delivering is performed using a liquid provided at a temperature sufficient to pasteurize the reconstituted beverage. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the liquid supply includes a first supply tube and a second supply tube, the first and second supply tubes arranged so that the first supply tube directs fluid into the container in different direction than the second supply tube,
 the steps of delivering and continuing to rotate are repeated, 
 at least one of the repeated steps is performed using a liquid from the first supply tube, and 
 at least of one the repeated steps is performed using a liquid from the second supply tube. 
 
     
     
         70 . A method of dispensing a powder into a container, the method comprising
 providing a dispensing apparatus including:
 a receptacle configured to contain the powder, the receptacle including
 an open first end having a first dimension, 
 an open second end opposed to the first end and having a second dimension, and 
 a sidewall connecting the first and second ends, a portion of the sidewall being angled so as to converge from the first end to the second end, the portion having an angle configured to cause powder bridging at or above the second end; and 
 
 a measuring device configured to receive powder from the second end of the receptacle and dispense a predetermined amount into the container, the predetermined amount of powder corresponding to the sum of a volume of the measuring device and the volume of powder disposed below the bridge formed by the powder bridging, and 
   providing powder in the receptacle; and   dispensing the predetermined amount of powder into the container.   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the measuring device includes a tube having an open tube first end connected to the second end of the receptacle, and an open second tube end opposed to the tube first end, and
 the dispensing apparatus further comprises a valve disposed between the first and second tube ends, the valve configured to control powder flow from the second tube end, and 
 the step of dispensing includes opening the valve to permit the predetermined amount of powder to move from the second tube end into the container. 
 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the step of dispensing further includes formation of the bridge within the receptacle. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the measuring device further comprises a tube vibrator configured to apply at least one pulse to the tube, and
 the step of dispensing further includes the method step of actuating the tube vibrator. 
 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 73  wherein the step of actuating the tube vibrator is performed following the step of opening the valve. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71  wherein the dispensing apparatus further comprises a receptacle vibrator configured to apply at least one pulse to the receptacle, and
 the method further includes the method step of actuating the receptacle vibrator. 
 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75  wherein the step of actuating the receptacle vibrator precedes the step of dispensing. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 75  wherein the measuring device further comprises a tube vibrator configured to apply at least one pulse to the tube, and
 the step of dispensing further includes the method step of actuating the tube vibrator. 
 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77  wherein
 the step of actuating the receptacle vibrator precedes the step of dispensing, and 
 the step of actuating the tube vibrator is performed following the step of opening the valve. 
 
     
     
         79 . A method of preparing a reconstituted beverage within a container from a powder, the method comprising
 providing a preparing device including
 the dispensing apparatus of  claim 70 ; 
 a liquid supply configured to dispense liquid into the container; and 
 a mixing device configured to mix the contents of the container, 
   placing the container in the preparing device;   dispensing the predetermined amount of powder into the container;   delivering at least a portion of a total required dilution amount of liquid to the container; and   mixing using the mixing device.