Field of the invention

This invention relates to a device for heating and cooling fluid, and is particularly intended for heating, cooling and storage of bottles of milk or powdered infant formula (PIF).

Background of the invention

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently released a document on the preparation of PIF. The document recommends the best practice for preparing PIF, which should be closely followed due to the possible presence of harmful bacteria, in particular E. Sakazakii and Salmonella Enterica. The presence of these bacterial is attributed to current manufacturing technology being used in the production of PIF.

The WHO recommends that when preparing PIF boiling water and should be allowed it to cool to 70 ⁰ C before adding the PIF. This will eliminate the above mentioned bacteria and thus ensure a more sterile feed for the infant. The step of cooling to 70°C is generally achieved by leaving the water in the kettle or pot in which it was boiled, for approximately 30 minutes. Once the PIF has been added to the water the WHO recommend rapidly cooling the mixture to approximately 4°C, before storing the mixture in a refrigerator until it is to be consumed. This rapid cooling is generally achieved by running the bottle containing the mixture under cold running water. If this step is omitted other bacterial spores can germinate in the mixture, which can result in illness. The WHO document also states that if the PIF is added to water above 70°C that important nutrients can be reduced or denatured. If the mixture is not stored at 4°C bacterial spores can again germinate.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for heating and cooling at least one container of fluid, the device comprising at least one temperature control means for heating and cooling the at least one container of fluid; at least one temperature sensor; and control circuitry arranged to operate the temperature control means based on feedback from the temperature sensor. Preferably, the device is programmable via the control circuitry to cool and/or heat the at least one container of fluid at a preset time and/or cool and/or heat the fluid contained therein to a preselected or desired temperature.

Preferably, the device is programmable to maintain the temperature of the fluid in the at least one container at a preselected or desired temperature.

Preferably, heating and cooling is effected by a single temperature control means.

Preferably, the at least one temperature control means comprises a thermoelectric device.

Preferably, the at least one temperature control means comprises a peltier device.

Preferably, the temperature control means comprises a heat transfer element in thermal cooperation with the thermoelectric device, the heat transfer element being adapted to contact at least a portion of the at least one container of fluid during use.

Preferably, the device comprises at least one container in which to heat/cool fluid, at least a portion of the container comprising a thermally conductive material.

Preferably, at least a portion of the container comprises a thermally conductive polymer.

Preferably, the container comprises a recess shaped and dimensioned to at least partially receive the heat transfer element.

Preferably, the recess comprises a passage extending upwardly from a base of the container.

Preferably, the heat transfer means comprises a plug shaped and dimensioned to substantially fill the recess in the container.

Preferably, the device is adapted to receive a plurality of fluid containers therein, the device comprising a corresponding number of temperature controls means. Preferably, the device is programmable to allow the independent temperature control of each container therein.

Preferably, the device defines a plurality of compartments each adapted to receive a single container therein.

Preferably, each compartment has a temperature control means in operative association therewith.

Preferably, the device comprises a body which defines at least one interior space in which the or each fluid container is cooled and/or heated, the body comprising a lid or cover which permits access to the at least one interior space.

Preferably, the body is adapted to enable a sterile environment to be created and maintained in the at least one interior space defined by the body.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for heating and/or cooling a fluid therein, at least a portion of the container comprising a thermally conductive polymer.

Preferably, the container comprises a recess shaped and dimension to at least partially receive a heat transfer element forming part of the device of the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably, the recess comprises a passage extending upwardly from a base of the container.

In one embodiment, the body may define a first interior space in which the or each fluid container can be cooled and/or heated to cool and/or heat a liquid contained therein and a second interior space adapted to enable a sterile environment to be created and maintained for sterilising at least one fluid container therein.

Preferably said sterile environment is created and maintained by a steam generating device. Said steam generating device may comprise a reservoir of liquid, such as water, said reservoir being in thermal communicating with a temperature control means is controllable to boil said liquid contained in the reservoir to generate steam. Preferably temperature control means comprises a thermoelectric device. The temperature control means may comprise a peltier device. Preferably said temperature control means of the steam generating device is separate from said one or more temperature control means for heating and cooling the at least one container of fluid.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an interior of the device illustrated in fig. 1; and

Fig 3 illustrates a schematic side elevation of the interior of the device of figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a further perspective view of the device of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of an interior of the device of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the interior of the device of Fig. 4; and

Figs. 8a and 8b is a perspective views of a container in the form of an infant's bottle showing the addition of infant milk formula to the container using a measuring spoon of the device of Fig. 4.

Detailed description of the drawings Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, there is illustrated a device for heating and/or cooling, and subsequently storing at a refrigerated temperature, containers 16 of liquid, in particular bottles of powdered infant formula (PIF), the device generally being indicated as 10.

The device 10 comprises a housing 12 which defines a number of compartments 14, in this case six, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to receive a container 16 therein. In the embodiment illustrated the containers 16 are in the form of infant's bottles. It will also be appreciated that the device 10 may comprise more or less of the compartments 14 than the six shown in the embodiment illustrated and may be adapted to heat and/or cool other containers of any shape or size and containing any fluid to be brought to and maintained at a desired temperature.

The housing 12 comprises a body 18 in which the compartments 14 are formed, and a lid 20 which may be hingedly or otherwise mounted to the body 18, and which when closed fully encloses the containers 16. The device 10 further comprises a control panel 22 which, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, is located towards the front of the housing 12. The control panel 22, as will be described in detail hereinafter, is used to programme the device 10 in order to effect a desired operation thereof.

Referring now in particular to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, a schematic of the interior of the device 10 is illustrated. It can be seen that at the base of each of the compartments 14 temperature control means in the form of a peltier cell 24 is provided, which as will be described hereinafter, is adapted to both heat and cool the contents of the container 16 located in that compartment 14. In addition to the peltier cell 24, each temperature control means preferably further comprises a heat transfer element 26 mounted on the peltier cell 24 in thermal contact therewith. The heat transfer element 26 is formed from thermally conductive material, for example metal or the like. The heat transfer element 26 preferably comprises a conic portion 28 mounted directly to the peltier cell 24, and a tube portion 30 extending upwardly from the conic portion 28. It will however be appreciated from the following description that the shape and dimension of the heat transfer 26 may be varied while retaining the functionality thereof. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the containers 16 are specifically designed as part of the device 10, with a recess 32 extending upwardly from a base 34 of the container 16. The recess 32 is shaped and dimension to provide a complementary fit with the heat transfer element 26, and has a conic section directly adjacent the base 34, and a tubular portion extending up into the interior of the container 16, which respectively receive the conic portion 28 and tubular portion 30 of the heat transfer element 26. The recess 32 is closed at the upper end of the tubular section. A container 16 may therefore be located over and accommodate the heat transfer element 26 within the recess 32. This arrangement significantly increases the effective area of contact between the respective peltier cell 24 and the container 16 located thereon. This allows, as will be described in detail hereinafter, rapid cooling and/or heating of the contents of the containers 16 during use.

The operation of a peltier cell is well known in the art, and no further description thereof is deemed necessary. Essentially, passing current in one direction across the peltier cell will generate heat on one surface of the cell, which the passing of current in the opposed direction will effect cooling on that surface of the cell. Each peltier cell 24, referring in particular to fig.3, is preferably mounted above a heat sink 36, which is also preferably in operative association with a fan 38 in order to draw heat efficiently away from the peltier cell 24 during use. The heat sink 36 and fan 38 are housed, and hidden from view, within the housing 12. Also located within the housing 12 is a power supply 40 which is connected to the array of peltier cells 24 via a printed circuit board 42. The power supply 40 may be mains operated, and/or may operate by battery power in order to provide improved portability to the device 10. The power supply 40 is connected to a microcontroller based board 44, which is itself in operative association with the control panel 22 in order to allow programmed operation of the power supply 40, and therefore the peltier cells 24, again as will be described hereinafter in detail.

Referring exclusively to Fig.3, each container 16 is preferably provided with an array of temperature sensors 46 embedded therein, and most preferably within the recess 32, and at different heights therealong. The temperature sensors 46 may be of any suitable kind, for example a thermocouple type sensor. Each of the temperature sensors 46 is electrically connected to a respective first terminal 48 provided at the base 34 of the container 16. A corresponding second terminal 50 is provided on the conic portion 28 of the heat transfer element 26, and thus the array of first and second terminals 48, 50 are in contact with one another when a container 16 is positioned on the heat transfer element 26. Each of the second terminals 50 is electrically connected back to the microcontroller board 44, and thus can pass a signal from each temperature sensor 46 back to the microcontroller board 44 for processing. The feedback from the temperature sensors 106 may be used by the microcontroller to determine the level of liquid within each container 16.

Turning then to the operation of the device 10, boiling water is added to between one to six of the containers 16 in desired amounts, and each of these containers 16 are then placed into one of the compartments 14 of the device 10. The device 10 is then activated via the control panel 22, and the device 10 then makes a determination as to which compartments 14 have been provided with a container 16. This may be achieved by any number of means, for example a pressure sensor located on or about the respective peltier cell 24, a position detector provided on the heat transfer element 26, or by any other suitable means. For each occupied compartment 14 the microcontroller board 44 then activates the respective peltier cell 24, applying a current flow in the required direction across the peltier cell 24 in order to effect rapid cooling of the contents of the respective container 16. The provision of the heat transfer element 26, which creates a large contact area with the container 16, enables the rapid cooling of the liquid within the container 16. In particular, the location of the tubular portion 30 within the interior of the container 16 allows rapid and even cooling of the water within the container 16. The use of multiple temperature sensors 46 along the length of the recess 32 also allows accurate measurement of the temperature within the entire container 16. The device 10 is also provided with control software which is arranged to effect thermal calculations which take into account temperature differences between the different temperature sensors 46 in order to calculate the latent heat transfer of the liquid within the containers 16, allow a high level of temperature control. The control software preferably uses pulse width modulation in order to ensure high energy efficiency, and includes a power management feature which is used to share the power supply between the plurality of peltier cells 24.

The rapid cooling cycle takes approximately five minutes, and the device 10 will then indicate, for example via an audible and/or visual signal, that the appropriate temperature of the water within the container 16 has been reached. In the case of powdered infant formula, the optimum temperature for adding the formula is 7O ⁰ C. The control software of the device 10 uses constant feedback from the temperature sensors 46 to the microcontroller board 44 in order to control the peltier cells 24 to achieve this temperature.

Once this temperature has been reached, the containers 16 are preferably removed from the device 10, and the required amount of formula added. The containers 16 are then placed back into their compartments 14 within the device 10, in order to begin the second stage of rapid cooling. Again the device 10 will determine which compartments 14 are filled, and also the temperature of the liquid within the respective container 16. The peltier cells 24 are again activated in order to rapidly cool the contents of the container 16. The device 10 may be programmed, for any number of the compartments 14, to rapidly cool the contents of the container 16 to a temperature for immediate feeding, which is generally in the range of 18- 37 ⁰ C. This will take approximately three minutes. Alternatively the device 10 may be programmed to cool the contents of a particular container 14 to a storage temperature, which is approximately 4°C. This cooling cycle will take approximately 5 minutes. Again the device 10 will provide a signal to the user that the desired temperature has been reached. As above, temperature feedback from the temperature sensors 46 is used to operate the peltier cells 24 via the microcontroller board 44.

A user can if desired programme pre-determined times when a particular container 16 should be warmed from the storage temperature to the feed temperature. At the required time the device 10 will heat the bottle via the peltier cell 24, to a feed temperature of between 18 - 37°C. The heating phase is achieved simply by reversing the direction of the current fed to the particular peltier cell 24, and again is controlled via feedback from the temperature sensors 46. The remaining containers 16 may be held at the storage temperature until required. It will also be appreciated that the device 10 is adapted to allow the manual selection of a container 16 to be heated to a feed temperature, rather than pre-programming for desired times. The device 10 may be capable of heating or cooling a liquid or other fluid contained in a particular container to any desired temperature, for example from 0 to 100 °C, although it is envisaged that target temperatures above or below such range may be achieved, for example to boil or freeze a liquid with the container.

In order to achieve the rapid transfer of heat to and from each of the containers 16, it is preferred that at least the base 34 and recess 32 of the containers 16 are formed from a thermally conductive material, and preferably a thermally conductive polymer. When the containers 16 are manufactured from a polymer, it is most preferable that the polymer is one which is free of bysphenol A (BPA) due to the negative health implications thereof. As is conventional, it is also preferred if the containers 16 are transparent.

The device 10 may comprise an insert (not shown) which may be placed into the housing 12 in place of the dividers forming the compartments 14, which insert defines a bath for receiving water. The peltier cells 24 may then be used to boil this water to create steam, for the purposes of sterilising the containers 16 or other related equipment requiring sterilisation. During the use of the device 10 for sterilisation, the lid 20 is kept closed in order to retain the steam within the housing 12. Once the sterilisation is complete, the insert (not shown) is simply removed from the housing 12.

It will thus be appreciated that the device 10 provides a means for both rapidly and safely preparing one or more bottles of powered infant formula, and which then allows the bottles to be stored for use, and either manually or automatically reheated to feed temperature, greatly simplifying what is conventionally a relatively time consuming process. The device 10 also allows empty bottles, etc. to be sterilised using steam, as described above.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 4 to 8. The device 100 in accordance with the second embodiment is intended for heating and/or cooling, and subsequently maintaining, a container 102, more preferably an infant's bottle, to a desired temperature. The device 100 comprises a housing 120 having formula preparation compartment 122 and a sterilising compartment 124, each having a respective hinged lid or cover 128,129 hingedly or otherwise mounted to the housing 120, and which, when closed, fully encloses a container 102 in the respective compartment 122,124. The device 100 further comprises a control panel 126 having a display 127, which, in the embodiment illustrated, is located on one side of the housing 120, the control panel 126 being connected to a microcontroller 125. The control panel 126, as will be described in detail hereinafter, is used to programme the device 100 in order to effect a desired operation thereof.

Referring now in particular to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings, a schematic of the interior of the device 100 is illustrated. It can be seen that, in a similar manner to the device of the first embodiment, at the base of each of the compartments 122,124 there is provided a respective temperature control means in the form of a peltier cell 130,132, adapted to heat and/or cool the contents of the container 102 located in that compartment

122,124 by a thermoelectric effect as described above in relation to the first embodiment.

In the formula preparation compartment 122, the temperature control means further comprises a heat transfer element 134 mounted on the associated peltier cell 130 in thermal contact therewith. The heat transfer element 134 is formed from thermally conductive material, for example metal or the like. The heat transfer element 134 preferably comprises a conic portion mounted directly to the peltier cell 130, and a tube portion extending upwardly from the conic portion to be received within a corresponding recess 104 formed in the bottom of the container 102. It will however be appreciated from the following description that the shape and dimension of the heat transfer 134 may be varied while retaining the functionality thereof, for example to cooperate and support an alternatively shaped container.

As with the first embodiment, the containers 102 are specifically designed as part of the device 100, with a recess 102 extending upwardly from a base of the container 102. The recess 102 is shaped and dimensioned to provide a complementary fit with the heat transfer element 134 of the formula preparation compartment 122. The recess 104 is closed at the upper end thereof. A container 102 may therefore be located over and accommodate the heat transfer element 134 within the recess 104. This arrangement significantly increases the effective area of contact between the peltier cell 130 and the container 102 located thereon, allowing rapid cooling and/or heating of the contents of the containers 102 during use.

An agitating device 140 may be provided within the formula preparation compartment 122 adapted to engage the container 102 when it in place over the heat transfer element 134 and having a reciprocating or vibratory motion to impart an agitating motion to the container 102.

As with the first embodiment, each container 102 is preferably provided with an array of temperature sensors 106 embedded within the recess 104 at different heights therealong. The temperature sensors 106 may be of any suitable kind, for example a thermocouple type sensor. Each of the temperature sensors 106 is electrically connected to a respective first terminal provided at the base of the container 102. A corresponding second terminal 142 is provided on the conic portion of the heat transfer element 134 so that the array of first and second terminals are in contact with one another when a container 102 is positioned on the heat transfer element 134. Each of the second terminals 142 is electrically connected back to the microcontroller 125, and thus can pass a signal from each temperature sensor 106 back to the microcontroller 125 for processing. The feedback from the temperature sensors 106 may be used by the microcontroller 125 to determine the level of liquid within a container 102 within the formula preparation compartment 122. Alternatively a separate level sensing means may be provided for sensing the level of water within the container 102. Such level sensing means may comprise an optical, sonic or contact sensor or any other suitable type of sensor.

The sterilising compartment 124 includes a water reservoir 146 in thermal contact with the peltier element 132 of the sterilising compartment 124 such that water contained within the water reservoir 146 may be boiled to create steam within the sterilising compartment 124 for sterilising a container 102 placed therein. A container 102 may be supported on the water reservoir 146 in an inverted position as shown in Figure 4.

A temperature sensor 148 is provided within the sterilising compartment 124. The microcontroller may be programmed to carry out a sterilising operation when a container 102 is placed within the sterilising compartment and the cover 129 is closed. The peltier element 132 is operated to boil water contained within the water reservoir 146, detected by the temperature sensor 148 and a timer is used to determine when the sterilising operation is complete.

A support shelf 150 is provided in an upper region of the sterilising compartment 124 for supporting a lid and teat of the container 102 within the sterilising compartment 124 to allow the lid 108 and teat 110 to be sterilised with the container 102.

A measuring spoon 152 for measuring infant formula 160 into the container 102 is attachable to a recess or mounting 154 provided on a front portion of the housing 120. As shown in Figures 8a and 8b the measuring spoon 152 may be provided with a sensor 156 for detecting use of the spoon 152, for example by detecting the motion of a tipping action of the spoon when in use to dispense metered amounts of infant formula into a container 102 or by detecting the filling of the spoon 152 with formula 160, for example by means of electrical contacts that may be conductively joined by passing a metal blade across the spoon to level the contents thereof.

The sensor 156 may comprise an active or passive transponder or a transmitter such that the use of the spoon 152 may be monitored an interrogating device or suitable receiver 158 provide on the housing 120 connected to the microcontroller 144 of the device 100 so that the microcontroller can be programmed to record operation of the spoon to assist the user in the correct mixing of infant formula with water in the container 102. The sensor 156 and receiver 158 may operate on radio or infrared frequencies.

In use, after washing a bottle, teat and cap, such items can be placed in the sterilising compartment 124 of the device 100, after placing a volume of water in the water reservoir 146 of the sterilising compartment 124. The device 100 can then be activated to perform a sterilising cycle, whereby the water in the water reservoir is boiled by means of the peltier element 132, generating steam within the sterilising compartment.

Once the sterilising cycle is complete, the bottle can be removed from the sterilising compartment and placed over the heat transfer element within the formula preparation compartment. Boiled water can be added to the bottle, the volume of water being determined by the level sensing means.

The device 100 can then be activated to perform a first cooling cycle to rapidly cool the water in the bottle to 70 ⁰ C, as determined by the temperature sensors 106.

The user will then add the required quiantity of powdered infant formula (PIF), using the measuring spoon 152. The device 100 may indicate the correct amount to be added (in terms of number of spoon fulls) based upon the volume if water present in the container and monitor the correct dosage by means of the sensor 156 of the spoon 152.

Subsequently the second cooling cycle may be activated, whereby the water and PIF mixture in the bottle may be cooled to a desired feeding temperature or, if desired, to a storage temperature. During such second cooling cycle, the agitating device 140 may be operated to gently agitate the bottle to facilitate mixing. Once the water has reached the desired target temperature, either a feeding temperature or a storage temperature, the temperature control means of the formula preparation compartment may continue to be operated to maintain said temperature.

An audible and/or visual alert may be provided once each cycle has completed.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.