Abstract:
The present invention describes a system and method for easy, affordable, efficient, and convenient preparation and storage of fresh, high-quality homemade baby food. The system generally comprises a blender for processing fresh produce into baby food and multiple devices to store multiple portions of freshly produced baby food resulting from one use of the system. For example, one component of the system includes a storage cup having a freshness indicator and lid to immediately store the freshly made food in an organized and convenient manner. The method comprises steps of producing the baby food, transferring the food to an appropriate storage receptacle, adjusting an indicator on the storage receptacle to indicate the freshness level of the food, and immediately serving and covering the remaining receptacles to store the unused food.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/408,506 filed on Oct. 29, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a system and method for producing and storing freshly made baby food. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Fresh and organic baby foods are not readily available in supermarkets today, nor it is easy or convenient for one to prepare and store homemade baby foods. Store-bought jarred baby food is commonly considered a convenient way to feed a growing baby. However, the jarred food is overly processed compared to the fresh produce that it is made from. For example, typical jarred baby food can have a shelf life of up to three years because it has been heated to extremely high temperatures that can kill bacteria. This large amount of heat applied can also have a negative effect on the nutrition of the food. Jarred food can also contain fillers, preservatives, additives, sweeteners, and even a certain level of acceptable “non-food” ingredients such as bug parts, rodent hairs, and rodent droppings, among other things. 
     In addition, jarred food is more expensive than the amount of food that can be made from fresh produce. For example, jarred baby food can typically cost approximately one dollar per serving. On the other hand, one can produce, for example, approximately 10 servings of baby food from one organic sweet potato for the same price. One can also save time and money by making baby food at home rather than traveling to a grocery store. 
     An alternative to buying baby food in the supermarket is making it at home. However, there is no simple and convenient system or method available to do so. Current methods of producing homemade baby food are wasteful. One may create a large quantity of baby food using a blender or food processor but lack an organized system to store the food in a manner that indicates the freshness level of the food. As a result, excess food may be thrown away. 
     What is needed is a quick, more efficient, affordable, and convenient at-home system and method for producing and storing high quality, homemade blended foods. Also what is needed is a system that has an adjustable and reusable indicator to indicate the freshness level of the food. With these goals in mind, the inventor has created an easy-to-use and organized system and method for instantly making multiple days worth of fresh, homemade baby food having the aforementioned desired qualities. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes a system for enhancing preparation and storage of freshly homemade baby food. The system can include a blender base and a blender container having a removable blade adapter. The removable blade adapter has a blade member. The blender container and removable blade adapter are capable of operatively engaging with the blender base to thereby process food with the blade member when engaged. The blender container can further comprise at least one locking member to lock the blender container to the blender base and a lip extending around the perimeter of the blender container to prevent spills into the blender base. 
     The system can also include at least one storage cup capable of receiving the food processed by the blender. The storage cup can have a removable lid and an indicator that can indicate the date the food was prepared, the date to use the food by, or other desired indicium. In one embodiment, the indicator can comprise a rotatable element having an indicator window through which a reference indicium is visible. 
     The system can also include a cup storage tray having at least one receptacle. The receptacle is capable of holding a plurality of storage cups or blender containers. Another storage option of the system is a food storage tray having at least one cavity capable of receiving food processed by the blender. A storage tray cover can be provided to cover the food storage tray. A spatula may also be provided to transfer the processed food from the blender containers to other storage devices of the system. 
     The system can also include multiple removable lids and sipper tops adapted to connect to an open end of the blender containers or storage cups. When the closed ends of the blender container or storage cups is rounded, the storage devices can further comprise at least one protruding element to allow the device to stand upright on a flat surface. The blender containers and storage cups can further comprise handles to allow better handling when used as drinking vessels. 
     A method for enhanced preparation and storage of freshly produced food portions using the system is also described, generally comprising the following steps: processing food in the blender container; transferring the processed food to a storage cup or at least one cavity of said food storage tray; and covering the food storage device. When a storage cup or blender container having an indicator is used to store the food, a user can adjust the indicator to set the desired indicium. A user can easily pre-plan the preparation a known amount of food portions using the system and method. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a blender container and blender base in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a blender base in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a removable blade adapter in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a blender container and removable blade adapter in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a blender container and blender base in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a blender container in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a storage cup with an indicator and a removable lid attached in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cup storage tray in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food storage tray in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a food storage tray cover in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a spatula in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sipper top in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended to provide example embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Some embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1-16 . Additional embodiments, features, and/or advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practicing the invention. The drawings in the figures are not to scale and have like numerals referring to like features through both the drawings and the description. 
     The system for enhanced preparation and storage of home-processed food portions can include a blender base  10 , at least one blender container  20  having a removable blade adapter  30  with a blade member  32 , a storage cup  40  with a removable lid  50  and a freshness indicator  60 , a cup storage tray  70 , a food storage tray  80 , a food storage tray cover  84 , a removable lid  50  adapted to fit the blender container  20 , and a spatula  110 . 
     For the purposes of this invention, the term “blender” is generally defined as a device having whirling blades for chopping, mixing, blending, processing, or liquefying foods. Functionally, the blender base  10  has an electric motor  500  of the type generally known in the art to provide rotary motion to a blade  32  of the blade adapter  30  to process food in a blender container  20 . 
     When the blender container  20  and removable blade adapter  30  are manufactured as one component or as separate components that are affixed with one another, the blade adapter  30  and blender container  20  can be operatively connected with the blender base  10  to process food in the blender container  20 . The blade member  32  is positioned within the blender container  20  during operation of the blender portion (i.e. the blender base  10 , the blender container  20 , and the removable blade adapter  30 ) of the system. 
     An open end  22  of the blender container  20  may be coupled to a removable blade adapter  30  incorporating a blade member  32  adapted to agitate the contents of the container  20 . The blade member  32  is operatively coupled to an impeller  301  powered by a blender motor  500  of the type generally shown in  FIG. 5 . The blade member  32  can include one, two, three, four or more cutting elements, as needed. The cutting elements can be generally flat members with sharpened edges, pointed tips, and/or one or more bends along the surface of the cutting elements. Different blade  32  embodiments may be suited for different foods. For example, a flatter blade  32  may be utilized to mill grains to make cereals. A cross-blade  32  that can be comprised of the flatter blade and a raised blade, as shown in  FIG. 7 , can be utilized to puree and blend foods. 
     The removable blade adapter  30  can be affixed to an open end  22  of the blender container  20  via a thread-fit, friction fit, snap-fit or any other suitable type of attachment. The open end  22  of the blender container  20  can also have at least one protruding locking member  26 , as generally shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  11 . The locking members  26  are adapted to operatively lock blender container  20  to a blender base  10  of the type generally shown in  FIGS. 2-4  and  10 . The locking members  26  allow the user to operate the blender without requiring a constant application of force to container  20  (to keep the motor switched on). An open end  22  of the blender container  20  can also comprise a lip  28  that extends along the outer perimeter of the blender container  20 . The lip  28  is at least flush or can extend beyond the perimeter of the top edge of the blender base  10  to prevent liquids or processed food from spilling into the blender base  10 . 
     FIGS.  2  and  8 - 11  generally illustrate various configurations of a blender container  20  which may be adapted for small or large servings to be prepared/consumed by one and/or a few individuals. For example,  FIGS. 10 and 11  generally show a blender container  20  having one open end  22  and one closed end  24 . The container  20  can have one or more handles  100 . The container  20  can be bullet-shaped and can include at least one protruding element  21 , such as an external ridge generally shaped to permit the container  20  to rest on its apex without tipping over. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the container  20  is resting on a plurality of protruding elements  21 , allowing users convenient access to its interior. The number of protruding elements  21 , such as fin protrusions or ridges, may be varied as needed so long as the container  20  can stand upright on a substantially flat surface. In the alternative, a closed end  24  of the blender container  20  can have a flat surface rather than bullet-shape to stand upright without the need for one or more external protruding elements  21 . 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  is a mug-type drinking vessel  20 . The mug  20  with a removable lid  50  provides another serving and storing option. The mug  20  can have two handles  100 . A sipper top  120 , depicted in  FIG. 17 , may be placed on top of the blender container  20  in place of a removable lid  50 . A sipper top  120  may be used to prevent spills when children use the mug  20 . The sipper top  120  can be affixed to an open end  22  of the container  20  via threads, a friction fit, snap-fit or other suitable type of attachment. 
     The user may blend the contents of the blender container  20  ( FIG. 10 ), detach the container  20  from the blender base  10 , access the contents of container  20  with the container  20  standing upright on a flat surface, and store the contents for later use using a removable lid  50  ( FIG. 11 ). In such embodiments, the container  20  may be used as, besides a drinking vessel, an alternative storage cup  40 . The removable lid  50  can be affixed to an open end  22  of the container  20  via threads, a friction fit, snap-fit or other suitable type of attachment. Once the removable lid  50  is affixed, the container  20  may be inverted to rest on the lid. 
     Another embodiment of the blender container  20  is shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  8 , and  9 . The blender container  20  can have two open ends, a first open end  22  and a second open end  23 . One open end  22  of the blender container  20  is adapted to connect with a removable blade adapter  30  having a blade member  32 , as described above. As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , the open end  22  of the blender container  20  that is capable of connecting to the removable blade adapter  30  can be provided with one or more locking members  26 . The locking members  26  can be spaced about the periphery of an open end of the container  20 . The open end  22  of the blender container  20  that can affix with a blade adapter  30  can also comprise a lip  28  that extends along the outer perimeter of the blender container  20  to prevent liquids or processed food from spilling on to the blender base  10 . The container  20  can include one or more handles  100 . 
     The second open end  23  of the blender container  20  can attach to removable lid members  90 ,  92  ( FIGS. 2 and 8 ). The lid member  90  may be partially open to provide access to the interior of blender container  20 . A second lid member  92  may be coupled to the first lid member  90  to cut off access to the interior of the blender container  20 . The lid member  90  may be locked on to the open top of the blender container  20  via a cap-locking member. The cap-locking member may be implemented, for example, as a generally L-shaped ridge disposed at the lip of an open end  23  of blender container  20 . The cap-locking member can engage a corresponding locking member on lid member  90  to securely lock the same to blender container  20 . Other suitable lid configurations may be utilized, as needed, such as a one-piece or a multi-piece lid cap and/or the like. 
     The blender containers  20  can be adapted to hold a small or relatively larger volume of food and liquids. Larger sized blender containers  20  allow a user to process multiple food portions with one use and transfer the food portions to storage cups  40  or a food storage tray  80  for storage. 
     The blender base  10  includes a recessed well  300 , as generally depicted in reference to  FIGS. 3-4 . The blender base  10  includes a motor  500  ( FIG. 5 ) that is operatively coupled to an impeller  301  ( FIG. 3 ). The impeller  301  can comprise a plurality of symmetrically disposed blades  303  radiating from the center of impeller  301 . A plurality of bushings  305  ( FIGS. 3-4 ) may be utilized about the periphery of recessed well  300 . Alternatively, the blender base  10  may be adapted for use without utilization of bushings  305 . The bushings  305  may be made from a generally resilient material such as, but not limited to, rubber, silicone or the like to reduce vibrations during agitation of the container&#39;s  20  contents. 
     The recessed well  300  is further provided with a plurality of pressure-activated switches  302  ( FIGS. 3-4 ). The removable blade adapter  30  is adapted to fit within the recessed well  300  and couple operatively to the impeller  301 . In use, the weight of the blender container  20  can cause the downward movement of the switches  302  thereby activating the motor  500 . A user may also press the blender container  20  to cause downward movement of the switches to activate the motor  500 . As generally shown in  FIG. 3 , a locking groove  304  can be provided adjacent to the switch  302 . Accordingly, in use, when the locking members  26  ( FIGS. 8-11 ) contact and depress the respective switches  302 , the blender container  20  may be rotated by the user to allow the locking members  26  to engage the respective locking grooves  304 . 
     As generally depicted in  FIG. 6 , when a force F 1  is applied to the switch  302 , the switch  302  moves downward, i.e. in the direction of the applied force. This downward movement causes a cam  600  on the switch  302  to contact a motor power switch  501  thereby powering the blender motor  500  ( FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, depending on the intended use or application, the blender container  20  may be depressed to activate the motor  500  ( FIG. 5 ) for relatively short periods of time. For example, the user may want to pulse the blending action of the blender to create a thicker or chunkier consistency of food. 
     Alternatively, the blender container  20  may be depressed and rotated slightly to allow the at least one locking member  26  to engage the respective locking grooves  304 , thereby permitting continuous operation of the motor  500 , i.e. without requiring the user to exert constant pressure on the container  20  to keep the motor running. The user may want to utilize this option to create a thinner or finer consistency of food. 
     The system includes multiple storage devices to store freshly processed food in addition to the blender containers  20 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 12 , a storage cup  40  with a freshness indicator  60  provides a storage option for foods processed by the blender portion of the system. The storage cup  40  can include one or more protruding elements  42 , such as ridges or fin protrusions extending from the closed end of the storage cup  40  shown in  FIG. 12 . The protruding elements  42  also add a decorative element to the storage cup  40  and increase the stability of the storage cup  40  when it is placed on a surface, such as a table. The storage cup  40  can be made in different sizes to accommodate different uses and desired storage capabilities. The storage cups  40  can thereby be used to store various quantities of food portions. Each size of the storage cup  40  can have a respective removable lid  50 . The storage cups  40  can also be used as drinking vessels if desired. 
     The storage cup  40  can include an indicator  60  to indicate the freshness of the food portion stored in the storage cup  40 . In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the indicator  60  includes an indicator window  64  through which a reference indicium  66  is visible. In the depicted embodiment, the reference indicium  66  is a number that indicates the day of the month. For example, the “31” shown in  FIG. 12  indicates the 31 st  day of the month. The first through thirty-first days of a month can be printed about the outer perimeter of the storage cup  40 . Rotating a rotatable element  62  attached with the storage cup  40  can change the reference indicium  66  such that the desired date or number is shown through the indicator window  64  on the rotatable element  62 , while the remaining numbers are covered by the rotatable element  62 . The reference indicium  66  can also indicate the number of days the food will remain fresh or the number of remaining days that the food will remain fresh. In another embodiment, the blender containers  20  can include indicators  60 , each having a rotatable element  62 , an indicator window  64 , and a reference indicium  66  as described above. The indicators  60  of all embodiments can be adjustable and reusable and the reference indicium  66  need not be limited to numbers but may include a picture or word in alternative embodiments. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the system can include a convenient tray  70  for storing multiple storage cups  40 . The cup storage tray  70  can be made of plastic and includes one or more receptacles  72 . Each receptacle  72  is shaped and dimensioned to accept a storage cup  40 . The receptacle  72  can include one or more slots  74  to align with the protruding elements  42 , such as the fin protrusions  42  shown in the figures, of the storage cup  40 . In the depicted embodiment, the cup storage tray  70  can hold six storage cups  40 . Also, the underside of the cup storage tray  70  is shaped and dimensioned to allow a cup storage tray  70  with storage cups  40  to be stacked on top of another cup storage tray  70  with storage cups  40 . In such a configuration, the removable lid  50  of each storage cup  40  fits into a recess on the underside of the cup storage tray  70 . In another embodiment, each receptacle  72  of the cup storage tray is adapted to receive a plurality of blender containers  20  in a similar manner as it receives the storage cups  40 , described above. 
     A user can also transfer the freshly made food to a food storage tray, depicted in  FIG. 14 . The food storage tray  80  can be made from a flexible material and has one or more cavities  82 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , a storage tray cover  84  can be provided, and is dimensioned to fit over the top of the food storage tray  80 . In this way, when food is placed within the cavities  82  of the food storage tray  80 , the food can be covered by placing the storage tray cover  84  over the food storage tray  80 . The food storage tray  80  can also comprise a slightly raised lip  86  defining each cavity on the top side of the food storage tray. The storage tray cover  84  can have a plurality of complimentary recesses  88  formed in the bottom side of the cover  84  that fit over each lip  86 . When the cover  84  is affixed to the tray  80 , the lip  86  of each cavity  82  of the food storage tray  80  can fit within a respective recess  88  in the storage tray cover  84  to provide a sealed fit over each individual cavity  82  for improved preservation of the food. 
     A method of using the food processor system can involve processing food, such as ingredients for baby food, with the blender components of the system. After the food is processed, the food can be transferred to the storage cups  40  by using the spatula  110 . The user can, for example adjust the indicator  60  by rotating a rotatable element  62  of the food storage cup  40  to set the reference indicium  66  before or after processing the food and transferring the food to the storage cups  40 . The reference indicium  66  may represent the date the food was placed into the storage cup  40 , the date in which food should be used by, or any other reminder freshness indicium  66  the user desires, including but not limited to the number of days in which the food will remain fresh or the number of days remaining in which the food will be fresh. Each storage cup  40  can be covered with a removable lid  50  before or after adjusting the indicator  60 . Alternatively, the food can be transferred to the food storage tray  80 , using the spatula  110  if desired, and covered with the storage tray cover  84 . The spatula  110  can be specifically formed to remove processed food from the blender containers  20 , food storage cups  40 , and/or food storage tray  80 . An example embodiment of a spatula  110  is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     Once the processed food has been transferred to the desired storage containers, such as blender containers  20 , storage cups  40 , or food storage trays  80 , the prepared food can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Thus, multiple portions of freshly processed food can be prepared with one use of the system and subsequently saved among multiple storage devices. The user may use the individual servings as needed, without wasting any of the freshly made food. 
     The blender containers  20 , removable blade adapter  30 , storage cups  40 , and food storage trays  80  can be made of BPA-free material and dishwasher-safe. For example, the blender containers  20 , storage cups  40 , and respective removable lids  50  can be made of BPA-free plastics or another suitable material. The food storage tray  80  and storage tray cover  84  can be made of BPA-free plastic, silicone, or other suitable material. When the food storage tray  80  is comprised of silicone, the cavities  82  are flexible so they can pop up from the tray  80  to allow easier remove the desired amount of food from the tray  80 . Accordingly, one can easily remove, or pop out, food portions that have been frozen in the food storage tray  80 , and the tray  80  can be reused. 
     The method can yield multiple pre-planned portions of food servings. As a non-limiting example, each storage cup  40  and food storage tray&#39;s cavity  82  can be made to hold a two-ounce serving of freshly made baby food. Using an appropriately sized blender container, a user can make several portions of a baby food at one time. In addition, the user can add a desired amount of liquid such as water to achieve a desired consistency of the baby food. 
     The following table provides non-limiting examples of produce that can yield certain, approximate numbers of baby food portions such that a user can plan a menu prior to performing the remaining steps of the method described herein. Certain foods may require pre-cooking prior to performing the method. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Produce 
                 Yield of Two-Ounce Servings 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 cup cantaloupe 
                 3 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup watermelon 
                 3 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup pineapple 
                 3 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup apricots 
                 3 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup kale 
                 3 
               
               
                 2 
                 plums 
                 3.5 
               
               
                 1 
                 avocado 
                 4 
               
               
                 1 
                 banana 
                 4 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup peas 
                 4 
               
               
                 1 
                 pear 
                 4 
               
               
                 20 
                 spears of asparagus 
                 4 
               
               
                 1 
                 carrot 
                 4 
               
               
                 ⅓ 
                 head of cauliflower 
                 4 
               
               
                 1 
                 turnip 
                 4 
               
               
                 1 
                 peach 
                 5 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup green beans 
                 5 
               
               
                 1 
                 apple 
                 6 
               
               
                 ⅓ 
                 head of broccoli 
                 6 
               
               
                 ½ 
                 an eggplant 
                 6 
               
               
                 1 
                 turnip 
                 4 
               
               
                 1 
                 white potato 
                 8 
               
               
                 1 
                 zucchini 
                 10 
               
               
                 1 
                 squash 
                 10 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup of milled oatmeal cereal 
                 10 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup of milled millet cereal 
                 10 
               
               
                 1 
                 cup brown rice cereal 
                 16 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Utilizing this system and method, one can create a week&#39;s worth of baby food or more in less than five minutes. In addition, a user can pre-plan the amount of food he or she will make. One can also create a feeding schedule for a baby approximately four months and older, utilizing foods that are appropriate for the baby&#39;s age. This invention may be industrially applied to the development, manufacture, and use of food processors, particularly devices for producing baby food. While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept. A person skilled in the art would appreciate that exemplary embodiments described hereinabove are merely illustrative of the general principles of the present invention. Other components, configurations, modifications or variations may be employed that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof. 
     All terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. The term “adapted to” is drawn to a capability. Thus, it is intended that the invention cover all embodiments and variations thereof as long as such embodiments and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.