FIELD

This disclosure relates to a device and method for heating an item. BACKGROUND

It is well known to feed babies and young infants milk and other food products from a bottle. The milk in the bottle needs to be heated to a temperature close to body temperature. However, each baby has individual preferences. The milk cannot be too cold because it will be rejected by the baby. If the milk is too hot, it can be dangerous. There are a number of products that heat bottles and milk to the required temperatures. However, those devices are usually bulky and are difficult to carry or take a long time to heat the milk.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved device and method for heating an item, and/ or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect the invention comprises a device for heating an item, the device

comprising a housing having an interior for receiving the item; a flexible heater within the interior of the housing; and a biasing device for urging the flexible heater towards a centre of the housing such that in use, the flexible heater is in contact with at least a part of the exterior of the item to transfer heat to the item.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

Preferably the biasing device is adapted to bias the flexible heater into contact with substantially the entire exterior of the item.

Preferably the flexible heater comprises a flexible mat heater.

Preferably the flexible mat heater is curved to have a substantially cylindrical three- dimensional shape.

Preferably the flexible mat heater comprises a silicon mat having an electric heating element embedded therein. The flexible heater may comprise two or more heating elements. Each element of the two or more heating elements may be individually controllable.

Preferably the biasing device comprises at least one elastomeric annular component.

Preferably the at least one elastomeric annular component is supported by at least one relatively rigid component.

Preferably the biasing device comprises one or more leaf springs.

Preferably the device further comprises a temperature regulating device including a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the bottle.

Preferably the device further comprises a rechargeable battery for powering the heater. Preferably the device further comprises a charging station for charging the battery. Preferably the flexible heater and the biasing device are integrally formed. Preferably the device is portable. Preferably the item comprises a bottle.

In another aspect the invention comprises a method of heating an item, the method comprising (a) providing a device with a housing having an interior for receiving the item, a flexible heater within the interior of the housing, and a biasing device; (b) placing the item in the housing such that the biasing device biases the heater into contact with at least a part of the exterior of the item to transfer heat to the item; and (c) operating the heater to transfer heat to the item. Preferably the method further comprises detecting the temperature of the exterior of the bottle and ceasing the operation of the heater when the temperature reaches a set temperature.

Preferably the flexible heater comprises two or more heating elements and the step of detecting the temperature of the exterior of the bottle comprises detecting the

temperature of the exterior of the bottle at two or more locations corresponding to the two or more heating elements and individually ceasing the operation of each of the two or more heating elements when the temperature of the corresponding location reaches the set temperature.

Preferably the temperature is about 35°C to about 40°C. Preferably the device comprises a rechargeable battery for powering the heater and the method comprises charging the rechargeable battery.

Preferably the item is a bottle containing a liquid.

Preferably the liquid comprises infant formula or milk. In a further aspect the invention comprises a computer readable medium on which is stored computer executable instructions that, when executed on a computing device, cause the computing device to operate a flexible heater within a heating device as described herein.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

As used herein the term \s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun. As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both.

The term 'computer readable media' as used in this specification includes computer storage media. Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions or other data such as communication media.

The term 'connected to' includes all direct or indirect types of communication, including wired and wireless, via a cellular network, via a data bus, or any other computer structure. It is envisaged that they may be intervening elements between the connected integers. Variants such as 'in communication with', 'joined to', and 'attached to' are to be interpreted in a similar manner. Related terms such as 'connecting' and 'in connection with' are to be interpreted in the same manner.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment heating device;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment heating device; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the heating device shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an elastomeric band;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment heating device;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the heating device of Figure 4 with the housing removed to show the bottle being heated;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heating device of Figure 4 showing the housing and biasing device;

Figure 8 shows an embodiment involving operating the heating device using a computing device;

Figure 9 shows a preferred form method for checking the temperature of the bottle using an app;

Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which the app learns a preferred temperature of the user;

Figure 11 shows an embodiment of the app adapted to learn products;

Figure 12 shows an embodiment of the app adapted to learn users;

Figure 13 shows an example of a computing device on which the app is installed Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment heating device;

Figure 15 is an exploded view of the device of figure 14;

Figure 16 is a cross section of the device of figure 14; and Figure 17 is a detail of the area labelled C in figure 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to figures 1 to 3 a first embodiment of the heating device is shown, indicated generally by reference number 1. The heating device 1 is portable and rechargeable.

The device 1 has a housing 3 having an interior 5 for receiving the bottle 7, which is a bottle 7, a flexible heater 9 within the interior 5 of the housing, and a biasing device for urging the flexible heater 9 towards a centre of the housing 3. In use, the flexible heater 9 is in contact with at least a part of the exterior of the bottle 7 to transfer heat to the bottle 7. In the preferred embodiment, the biasing device is adapted to bias the flexible heater 9 into contact with substantially the entire exterior of the bottle 7. The housing 3 is a substantially cylindrical component having a base 11 and a lid 13. The lid 13 preferably has an interior 5 that provides a space for the top of a bottle 7. The base 11 and the lid 13 may be connected by one or more magnets or one or more clips. In the preferred embodiment, the housing 3 is a rigid component and is formed from an aluminium alloy or rigid polymeric material. The housing 3 may include insulation. The housing 3 may include supports 14 for the biasing device, which is explained in more detail below.

The flexible heater 9 comprises a flexible mat heater. The flexible mat is an initially flat component that is curved to have a substantially cylindrical three-dimensional shape, as shown in figure 2. The flexible mat heater 9 comprises a silicon mat having an electric heating element embedded therein. The free edges 15 of the mat are not joined together so that the diameter of the heater 9 can adjust to suit the size of the bottle 7 placed in the apparatus. The flexible mat heater may have a have a Polytetrafluoroethylene coating to the baby bottle and makes it easy for the bottle to slip in and out.

The heating element is in an electric circuit that includes a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the bottle. The temperature sensor is also embedded in the mat and is positioned to detect the temperature of the exterior of the bottle 7. In an alternative embodiment, the flexible heater may comprise two or more heating elements. In this embodiment, each element of the two or more heating elements is individually controllable. Each element may be associated with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature sensor of a portion of the bottle. The temperature sensor may also detect whether the bottle is full or partially filled.

For example, the bottle may comprise five portions in ascending order: a lowermost first portion, a second portion, a third middle portion, a fourth portion, and an uppermost fifth portion. The device may have five heating elements in ascending order corresponding to the portions of the bottle: a lowermost first heating element, a second heating element, a third middle heating element, a fourth heating element, and an uppermost fifth heating element. The device may have five temperature sensors in ascending order

corresponding to the heating elements: a lowermost first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a third middle temperature sensor, a fourth temperature sensor, and an uppermost temperature sensor. The sensors are preferably NTC sensor embedded in the silicone. The sensors send signals to a printed circuit board 20 that controls the operation of the heating element(s).

The device also has a rechargeable battery 19 for powering the heater, a printed circuit board 20, and the printed circuit board element 20a. The device 1 also has a charging station 21 for charging the battery 19. The charging station 21 and body each have electrical connectors that are engageable to form an electrical connection with one another when the body is placed on the charging station 21. The device 1 may have an indicator (not shown) to show the progress of charging and when charging is complete.

The battery 19 is contained within a sealed and waterproof compartment 27 formed in the base of the housing. The housing preferably includes a rubber compression ring 23 and a plate 25.

Variations of the biasing device will now be described. In one embodiment of the biasing device shown in figure 4, the biasing device comprises at least one elastomeric annular component in the form of an elastomeric band 29. The elastomeric bands are preferably formed from silicon. The biasing device comprises four elastomeric bands 29. The elastomeric bands 29 bias the heater 9 towards the centre of the device 1.

Each elastomeric band 29 has two outwardly extending T-shaped tabs 31 that are receivable by slots 33 formed in the supports 14. The device 1 has four annular supports 14 stacked on top of each other. The supports have apertures 14a for receiving rods 14b. Each support 14 is curved to substantially correspond to the shape of the expected size of a bottle 7. When assembled with the supports 14 within the housing, the tabs 31 are offset from each other, when viewed from above. In one alternative embodiment, the supports 14 and the elastomeric bands 29 may be co-moulded components. In another alternative embodiment, the elastomeric bands 29 may be supported by the housing.

In an alternative embodiment shown in figure 5, the biasing device may comprise one or more leaf springs 33. In this embodiment, the leaf springs 33 are separate components that are assembled with supports 14. As shown in figure 4, there are four annular supports 14 stacked on top of each other. Each support 14 has a plurality of leaf springs 33 extending into the interior 5 of the apparatus 1. The leaf springs 33 are preferably spring steel. In an alternative embodiment, the leaf springs 33 may be formed from a suitable resilient polymeric material. In other alternative embodiments shown in figures 6 and 7, the biasing device may comprise a body 35 with one or more integrally formed spring arms 37. In this embodiment, there are no separate supports as in the earlier described embodiments. In the embodiment shown, there are eight bodies 35 that form the biasing device. Each body 35 is curved to substantially correspond to the shape of the expected size of a bottle 7. The spring arms 37 extend outwardly from the body. The spring acts against the interior surface of the housing 3 and biases the body 37 towards the centre of the housing.

In an alternative embodiment, the flexible heater 9 and the biasing device may be integrally formed. The heater 9 may be formed as a resilient sleeve that can adjust its diameter to suit the size of the bottle placed in the apparatus. The sleeve may be a solid component or have cut-outs to allow the sleeve to expand, as necessary.

The bottle may contain milk, infant formula, water, or any other drink or food for heating. Figures 14 to 17 show an alternative embodiment of the heating device. Like numbers are used to indicate like parts, with the addition of 100. The features and operation of this embodiment are the same as the first embodiment above, unless described below. The base is taller than the base of the first embodiment to accommodate a larger battery 129. The base may be shorter than the base shown in figures 14 to 17 and the battery may be smaller in height/and or diameter than the battery shown in figures 14 to 17. The embodiment shown in figures 14 to 17 is about 21-26 cm tall and about 8-9 cm diameter. The device may have larger or smaller dimensions depending on the item being heated or the properties of the various components, such the battery being smaller. Figure 17 shows a light ring 139, preferably LED, that may be used to indicate the amount of charge in the battery or the temperature of the bottle. This embodiment may comprise a heater having individually controllable elements, as described above in relation to the first embodiment.

Figures 14 to 17 do not show a biasing device, however, it will be appreciated that the device have any one of the biasing devices described above. The biasing device may be at least one elastomeric annular component in the form of an elastomeric band, one or more leaf springs, a body with one or more integrally formed spring arms, or the flexible heater and the biasing device may be integrally formed. A method of heating an item using the first embodiment device will now be described. The method includes placing the bottle in the housing such that the biasing device biases the heater into contact with at least a part of the exterior of the item to transfer heat to the item. Each elastomeric band 29 will have an initial, or neutral, position. When the bottle is placed in the device, the top elastomeric band 29 will expand outwards first. The adjacent elastomeric band 29 will expand next and so on until the bottle reaches the bottom of the housing.

Once the bottle has reached the bottom of the housing, the lid is placed on the housing and the heater is operated to transfer heat to the bottle. The temperature sensor will detect the temperature of the exterior of the bottle and ceasing the operation of the heater when the temperature reaches a set temperature.

The set temperature will depend on the preference of the baby or infant. The set temperature is about 35°C to about 40°C, including 36°C, 37°C, 38°C, and 39°C. The set temperature may be lower. For example, the set temperature may be about 30°C, 31°C, 32°C, 33°C, or 34°C. The set temperature may also be higher. For example, the set temperature may be about 41°C, 42°C, 43°C, 44°C, or 45°C.

In the alternative embodiment having two or more heating elements that are each individually controllable, the method will vary to the method just described. The step of detecting the temperature of the exterior of the bottle comprises detecting the

temperature of the exterior of the bottle at two or more locations corresponding to the two or more heating elements and individually ceasing the operation of each of the two or more heating elements when the temperature of the corresponding location reaches the set temperature. For example, if the device has five temperature sensors as described above in relation to an alternative embodiment, the method may vary as follows. If the first uppermost temperature sensor detects the temperature in the uppermost region of the bottle is too low, it will send a signal to the upper heating element to provide heat until the sensed temperature meets the set temperature. The second, third, fourth and fifth sensors will operate in a similar manner. The sensors may also detect if the bottle has liquid in the bottle. For example, the first uppermost sensor will detect if the uppermost region of the bottle has liquid. If liquid is not detected, heating of the corresponding first heating element will not occur or will cease. As a result, the heater will only provide heat to the bottle when required. The device is portable, which allows a bottle to be heated away from a power source. In the preferred embodiment, the battery is a 21.5 or 7.4 volts battery, which can be used for approximately 7 to 20 times before the battery needs to be recharged on the charging station. The method comprises charging the rechargeable battery.

Figure 8 shows an embodiment involving operating the flexible heater 9 using a computing device. Example computing devices include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile devices,

multiprocessor systems, consumer electronics, mini computers, mainframe computers, and distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices. Examples of mobile devices include mobile phones, tablets, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and media players.

Although not required, embodiments are described in the general context of 'computer readable instructions' being executed by one or more computing devices. In an embodiment, computer readable instructions are distributed via computer readable media. In an embodiment, computer readable instructions are implemented as program modules. Examples of program modules include functions, objects, Application

Programming Interfaces (APIs), and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the computer readable instructions is combined or distributed as desired in various environments. The program modules may collectively be referred to as an 'app' when installed on a mobile device.

Figure 8 shows a user starting an app on a mobile device. In an embodiment the user is navigated through a user identification and validation process. Following validation, the app presents to the user the option to select heating. As will be further described below, the mobile device includes at least one communication connection adapted to permit the mobile device to communicate directly or indirectly with the device 1 and/or heater 9. The at least one communication connection includes one or more of a modem, a Network Interface Card (NIC), an integrated network interface, a radio frequency transmitter/ receiver, an infrared port, a USB connection, or other interfaces for connecting the mobile device to the device 1. In an embodiment, the at least one communication connection facilitates a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination of wired and wireless connections. The at least one communication connection transmits and/or receives communication media. One example data transfer protocol includes Bluetooth. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions or other data in a "modulated data signal" such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" includes a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. The communication media includes for example instructions to establish wireless connection with the device 1, data transferred between the device 1 and the mobile device during an active session, and instructions to disestablish wireless connection with the device 1.

Once the user selects the heating option the mobile device communicates with the device 1 to activate the heater 9. Once the desired temperature has been reached the heater 9 is deactivated.

Figure 9 shows a preferred form method for checking the temperature of the bottle. Once the computing device has activated the heating element, the computing device sends a command to obtain current temperature of the bottle 7 from the device 1.

Once the desired temperature has been reached the computing device deactivates the heater 9.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment in which the app learns a preferred temperature of the user. The app presents to the user an option to select a cooler or warmer temperature. The app receives a user selection for change of temperature. The new temperature is displayed to the user. The temperature is further stored as a preferred temperature. Figures 11 and 12 show embodiments of the app adapted to learn products and users respectively.

Figure 13 illustrates an example of a computing device 1300. In an embodiment, computing device 1300 includes at least one processing unit 1305 and memory 1310. Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, memory 1310 is volatile (such as RAM, for example), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc., for example) or some combination of the two.

In Figure 13 a server 1315 is shown by a dashed line notionally grouping processing unit 1305 and memory 1310 together. In an embodiment, various aspects of the temperature control functions are made available from the server 1315 as an application and information service provided by an application and database server environment.

In an embodiment, device 1315 includes additional features and/or functionality. One example is removable and/or non-removable additional storage including, but not limited to, magnetic storage and optical storage. Such additional storage is illustrated in Figure 13 as storage 1320. In an embodiment, computer readable instructions to implement one or more embodiments provided herein are maintained in storage 1320. In an

embodiment, storage 1320 stores other computer readable instructions to implement an operating system and/or an application program. Computer readable instructions are loaded into memory 1310 for execution by processing unit 1305, for example. In an embodiment, database 1325 is maintained in storage 1320. Within the database is maintained user temperature preferences, user authentication information, and other information.

Memory 1310 and storage 1320 are examples of computer storage media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computing device 1300. Any such computer storage media may be part of device 1300.

The at least one communication connection described above is shown at 1330.

In an embodiment, device 1300 includes at least one input device 1335 such as keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, infrared cameras, video input devices, and/or any other input device. Device 1300 also includes at least one output device 1340 such as one or more displays, speakers, printers, and/or any other output device.

Input device(s) 1335 and output device(s) 1340 are connected to device 1300 via a wired connection, wireless connection, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, an input device or an output device from another computing device is/are used as input device(s) 1335 or output device(s) 1340 for computing device 1300.

In an embodiment, components of computing device 1300 are connected by various interconnects, such as a bus. Such interconnects include one or more of a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), such as PCI Express, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), firewire (IEEE 13104), and an optical bus structure. In an embodiment, components of computing device 1300 are interconnected by a network. For example, memory 1310 in an embodiment comprises multiple physical memory units located in different physical locations interconnected by a network.

It will be appreciated that storage devices used to store computer readable instructions may be distributed across a network 1345. In an embodiment the computing device is configured to calculate the amount of nappies, wipes and milk formula required. This feature enables online ordering of products as well as automated compilation of shopping lists. One example is the automatic calculation of the number of nappies needed calculated at least partly from the number of heats performed per week. An example is set out in the following table.

Baby age # heats/week # nappies required/day

0-1 months 1-3 8

4-5 11

6-8 13

1-5 months 1-3 10

4-5 14

6-8 16

5-12 months 1-3 8

4-5 9

6-8 12

12-24 months 1-3 8

4-5 9

6-8 12

In an embodiment the number of wipes required is the number of nappies required multiplied by 3. The preferred brand of wipes together with number of wipes per packet is maintained within computer memory. The number of packets required to be ordered is calculated at least partly using this stored data. In an embodiment the amount of required milk formula is also calculated. The weight of the baby is first obtained. The amount of milk formula per heat is calculated for example as 2.5-2.7 ounces per pound of body weight. The number of cans or containers of milk formula required is calculated at least partly by multiplying the amount of formula required per heat by the number of heats per week divided by the weight of formula per container.

In an embodiment the number of nappies, wipes, and containers of milk formula is passed to an automated ordering system. The user is preferably provided with an option to review a draft purchase order before it is transmitted to a vendor or vender platform for action.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the free edges of the heater 9 were described as not joined together so that the diameter of the heater 9 can adjust to suit the size of the bottle placed in the apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the heater 9 may be formed as a sleeve that can adjust its diameter to suit the size of the bottle placed in the apparatus. In another alternative embodiment, the edges may be joined by thin members that allow the edges to move apart so the heater 9 can adjust its diameter to suit the size of the bottle placed in the apparatus.