Patent ID: 6951166
Filing Date: 2005-10-04
Classification: A47J

Abstract:
1. A unit for preparing baby formula to serve to a baby comprising: a) a housing which includes a first face that is a front face when said housing is in use orientation, a first end that is a top end when said housing is in the use orientation, a second end that is a bottom end when said housing is in the use orientation, a first side, a second side, and a transverse axis that extends between the first side and the second side; b) a water-containing portion which has an inlet area, an outlet area, a translucent or transparent section, and measuring markings on the translucent or transparent section, said water-containing portion being located adjacent to the first side of said housing; c) a dry baby formula-containing portion which has an inlet area, an outlet area, a translucent or transparent section and measuring markings on the translucent or transparent section of said dry baby formula-containing portion, said dry baby formula-containing portion being located on the second side of said housing; d) a baby bottle-filling portion located between said water-containing portion and said dry baby formula-containing portion; e) a dry baby formula pump fluidically connected to the outlet area of said dry baby formula-containing portion; f) a water pump fluidically connected to the outlet area of said water-containing portion; g) a water heater circuit which includes a water heater element in said water-containing portion to be in fluid contact with water contained in said water-containing portion, and a first control circuit that is electrically connected to the water heater element to control operation of the water heater element; h) a second control circuit that is electrically connected to the first control circuit of said water heater circuit and to said dry baby formula pump and to said water pump, said second control circuit including an alarm element that is activated when water in said water-containing portion is at a specified temperature and a valve-activating element that is connected to the first control circuit of said water heater circuit; i) a mixing valve that is connected to said second control circuit and is fluidically connected to said dry baby formula pump and to said water pump to receive dry baby formula and heated water and mix the dry baby formula with the heated water when activated by said second control circuit; and j) a dispensing valve fluidically connected to said mixing valve to receive mixed heated water and dry baby formula from said mixing valve and dispense the mixed heated water and dry baby formula into said baby bottle-filling portion.