초록 ▼

A technique for preparing baby formula includes containing an amount of powdered formula, premeasured to provide a single serving of baby formula, containing an amount of water, premeasured to provide at least a single serving of baby formula, heating the water, and dispensing both the premeasured f

A technique for preparing baby formula includes containing an amount of powdered formula, premeasured to provide a single serving of baby formula, containing an amount of water, premeasured to provide at least a single serving of baby formula, heating the water, and dispensing both the premeasured formula and the water for providing a single serving into a bottle or other vessel when the water reaches a predetermined temperature.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method, performed by an apparatus, for preparing baby formula, comprising: containing, by a first container of the apparatus, an amount of powdered formula premeasured for yielding a single serving of baby formula;containing, by a second container of the apparatus, an amount of water premeasure

1. A method, performed by an apparatus, for preparing baby formula, comprising: containing, by a first container of the apparatus, an amount of powdered formula premeasured for yielding a single serving of baby formula;containing, by a second container of the apparatus, an amount of water premeasured for yielding a single serving of baby formula, the second container constructed and arranged to hold a volume of water for providing no more than one serving of baby formula;heating, by the apparatus, the water contained in the second container;dispensing, by the apparatus, substantially all of the premeasured amount of powdered formula into a vessel; anddispensing, by the apparatus, the amount of water for yielding the single serving of baby formula into the vessel in response to the water in the second container reaching a predetermined temperature,thereby delivering into the vessel powdered formula and heated water for constituting a single serving of baby formula,wherein dispensing the amount of water includes dispensing substantially all of the contained volume of water into the vessel, andwherein heating the water, dispensing the premeasured amount of powdered formula into a vessel, and dispensing the amount of water into the vessel are all performed automatically in response to a single user command. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein containing the amount of powdered formula includes holding a pod filled with the premeasured amount of powdered formula in an inverted orientation above the vessel, the pod having a hinged lid and a closed bottom opposite the lid, the hinged lid of the pod facing down, and wherein dispensing the premeasured amount of powdered formula includes opening the lid of the pod so as to allow the premeasured amount of powdered formula to fall, in compliance with gravity, into the vessel. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein dispensing the premeasured amount of powdered formula further includes funneling the premeasured amount of powdered formula, as it is falling, to guide the premeasured amount of powdered formula into the vessel. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein containing the volume of water includes holding the water above the vessel, and wherein dispensing the amount of water includes opening a valve so as to allow the water to flow, in compliance with gravity and without powered assistance, into the vessel. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein dispensing the premeasured amount of powdered formula and dispensing the amount of water are performed by an apparatus, and wherein dispensing the amount of water further includes conducting the water toward the vessel through a path that prevents contact between the water and the powdered formula within the apparatus. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein dispensing the premeasured amount of powdered formula and dispensing the amount of water are initiated substantially simultaneously. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein dispensing the amount of water is continued after substantially all of the premeasured amount of powdered formula has been dispensed. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is constructed and arranged to empty contents of both the first container and the second container into the vessel in response to the single user command. 9. A method, performed by a single-serving apparatus, for preparing baby formula, the method comprising: containing, by a first container, an amount of powdered formula for yielding a single serving of baby formula, the first container having a capacity for holding at most one serving's worth of powdered formula;containing, by a second container, an amount of water for yielding the single serving of baby formula, the second container having a capacity for holding at most one serving's worth of water; andin response to operation of a single control of the single-serving apparatus: heating the water contained in the second container;upon detecting that the water contained in the second container has reached a predetermined temperature, emptying the heated water in the second container into a vessel; andemptying the powdered formula in the first container into the vessel,the vessel thereby being made to contain powdered formula and water for providing the single serving of baby formula, the single-serving apparatus thereby being substantially emptied of all powdered formula and water. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first container is provided in the form of a removable pod having a cup and a hinged lid, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving, into the apparatus, the pod in an inverted orientation with the lid facing down, the cup of the pod having previously been filled with the powdered formula for yielding the single serving of baby formula, the cup extending upward and out of a body of the apparatus such that the cup is visible from outside the apparatus,wherein emptying the first container into the vessel includes the apparatus opening the lid of the pod to induce the powdered formula to fall out of the cup and into the vessel. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the single user command is initiated by an operator pressing a single electronic button, the single electronic button being the only user-operable electronic control in the apparatus.