Powder dispensing apparatus

Abstract

A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, dispenser, and tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable or slidable carriage. The carriage includes at least one compartment horizontally disposed above an optional funnel. The carriage is rotatable about a central axis or translatable parallel to and below the hopper. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for preparing a food product from a powder, comprising:
 (a) a base adapted for receiving a container;   (b) a dispenser including a rotatable carriage disposed over a support element with an opening, said rotatable carriage including a plurality of compartments, said rotatable carriage rotatable about a central axis, said compartments being sequentially disposed over said opening as said carriage is rotated,   (c) a hopper disposed above said rotatable carriage;   (d) a cover interposed between said carriage and said hopper, said cover being sized and shaped to substantially limit communication between said hopper and at least one of said compartments, when said compartment is disposed over said opening;   (e) a tower disposed between and attached to said base and said dispenser;   (f) a funnel removably engageable to said tower below said support element opposite said opening, said funnel having an outlet aligned with said container, said funnel further having at least one tangentially aligned fluid inlet port configured to direct(s) a fluid into said funnel to generate a vortex therein as the fluid flows from said inlet to said outlet;   (g) a funnel sensor configured to detect a presence of the removable funnel;   (h) a reservoir attached to said powder dispensing apparatus and adapted to store a liquid;   (i) a pump communicating with said reservoir and said fluid inlet port of said funnel;   (j) a motor attached to said powder dispensing apparatus, and configured to rotate said rotatable carriage; and   (k) a controller operatively coupled to said pump and said motor, said controller being configured to operate said pump and said motor to dispense said liquid and said powder into said funnel for mixing therein according to a specific ratio, said controller being further coupled to said funnel sensor and preventing operation of said pump and said motor if the funnel is not detected.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect the rotation of said carriage, said sensor being coupled to said controller. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a control panel disposed along an exterior surface of said powder dispensing apparatus and configured to electrically communicate with said controller. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: a heating element disposed within said powder dispensing apparatus and configured to heat said liquid prior to mixing with said powder. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to said controller, said temperature sensor being configured to detect a temperature of said liquid, said controller being configured to operate said heating element to obtain a desired temperature of the fluid. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a level sensor disposed within said reservoir and coupled to said controller, said controller being further configured to prevent operability of said motor when said liquid within said reservoir is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said reservoir is removably attached to said powder dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a wand coupled to said rotatable carriage, said wand being disposed above said carriage and within said hopper. 
     
     
         32 . An apparatus for preparing a food product from a powder, comprising:
 (a) a base adapted for receiving a container;   (b) a dispenser including a rotatable carriage disposed over a support element with a support element opening, said rotatable carriage including a portion adjacent said support element and having a plurality of carriage openings therein, said rotatable carriage rotatable about a central axis, said carriage openings being sequentially disposed over said support element opening as said carriage is rotated,   (c) a hopper disposed above said rotatable carriage;   (d) a cover interposed between said carriage and said hopper, said cover being sized and shaped to substantially limit communication between said hopper and at least one of said carriage openings, when said carriage opening is disposed over said support element opening;   (e) a funnel provided below said support element opposite said opening, said funnel having an outlet aligned with said container; said funnel further having at least one tangentially aligned fluid inlet port configured to direct(s) a fluid into said funnel to generate a vortex therein as the fluid flows from said inlet to said outlet;   (f) a reservoir attached to said powder dispensing apparatus and adapted to store a liquid;   (g) a pump communicating with said reservoir and said fluid inlet port of said funnel;   (h) a motor attached to said powder dispensing apparatus, and configured to rotate said rotatable carriage; and   (i) a controller operatively coupled to said pump and said motor, said controller being configured to operate said pump and said motor to dispense said liquid and said powder into said funnel for mixing therein according to a specific ratio.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising
 a funnel sensor configured to detect a presence of the removable funnel; and   the controller being further coupled to said funnel sensor and preventing operation of said pump and said motor if the funnel is not detected.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein said controller is coupled to said funnel sensor, and wherein said controller prevents operation of said pump and said motor if the funnel is not detected by the funnel sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect the rotation of said carriage, said sensor being coupled to said controller. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a control panel disposed along an exterior surface of said powder dispensing apparatus, and configured to electrically communicate with said controller. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising: a heating element disposed within said powder dispensing apparatus and configured to heat said liquid prior to mixing with said powder. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to said controller, said temperature sensor being configured to detect a temperature of said liquid, said controller being configured to operate said heating element to obtain a desired temperature of the fluid. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a level sensor disposed within said reservoir and coupled to said controller, said controller being further configured to prevent operability of said motor when said liquid within said reservoir is below a predetermined level. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said reservoir is removably attached to said powder dispensing apparatus. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a wand coupled to said rotatable carriage, said wand being disposed above said carriage and within said hopper. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a tower disposed between and attached to said base and said dispenser; wherein said funnel is removably engageable to said tower below said support element and opposite said opening.