Patent Publication Number: US-2010116145-A1

Title: Baby food maker

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/510,014, filed on Aug. 25, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The field of the invention relates to methods and assemblies for steaming and blending food products. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Various appliances have been designed for steaming and/or blending food products. Baby food is often made by steaming food products and then placing them in a blender. While two separate appliances, namely a steamer and a blender, can be employed for making pureed food such as baby food, some appliances have been designed that provide both such functions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,076,452 and 6,550,372 and WO 2005/094648 A1 disclose food processing devices that allow the user to first steam food products and then blend them in the same device. 
     Appliances have also been designed for sterilizing baby bottles. Some sterilizers intended for this purpose have employed steam. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,544,529 and 5,213,776 disclose such sterilizing appliances. 
     Baby bottle warmers are commercially available for warming baby bottles or other vessels containing baby food. WO 03/071910 A1 discloses a food warmer that employs steam to warm a food containing vessel. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a method for steaming and blending food products. An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a base having a support for a container. A steam chamber is supported by the base and includes a steam exit port. A heater provides heat to the steam chamber. A drive shaft is rotatably supported by the base and an electric motor is provided for rotating the drive shaft. The apparatus further includes a container assembly including a container, and a lid removably coupled to the top end portion of the container. A steam inlet passage is provided in the container for allowing the entrance of steam generated within the steam chamber. A blade assembly is disposed within the container. The container assembly is mountable to the base support in a first upright orientation wherein the bottom end portion thereof adjoins the base support and the drive shaft operatively engages the blade assembly. The container assembly is also mountable to the base support in a second inverted orientation wherein the steam exit port is in fluid communication with the steam inlet passage. 
     An assembly for steaming and blending food products is further provided in accordance with the invention. The assembly includes a base for supporting a removable container, a steam chamber within the base, a steam exit port in fluid communication with the steam chamber, an electric heater for providing heat to the steam chamber, a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the base, an electric motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a container assembly having a bottom end portion, an open top end portion and a lid removably securable to the open top end portion. A blade assembly is disposed within the container. A steam inlet passage is provided for admitting steam into the container. Complementary locking elements on the base and container assembly are provided such that the container assembly can be removably locked to the base in a first upright position where the drive shaft is coupled to the blade assembly and a second inverted position where the steam inlet passage is in fluid communication with the steam exit port. The assembly can preferably be used for additional purposes such as warming baby bottles and/or sterilizing baby bottles and/or other food containers. 
     A method in accordance with the invention includes the steps of providing a base including a steam chamber, a steam exit port in fluid communication with the steam chamber, a drive shaft, and an electric motor for rotating the drive shaft. A container assembly is provided that includes a container having a bottom end portion and an open top end portion, a lid removably mounted to the top end portion, and a steam inlet passage. A blade assembly is positioned within the container. The method further includes introducing food into the container, placing the container on the base in an inverted position such that the steam inlet passage communicates with the steam exit port, causing the steam chamber to produce steam, the steam entering the container through the steam inlet passage and steaming the food, removing the container assembly from the base after the food has been steamed, replacing the container on the base in an upright position so that the drive shaft is coupled to the blade assembly, and actuating the motor to cause rotation of the drive shaft and coupled blade assembly, thereby blending the food. 
     A food preparation assembly is further provided in accordance with the invention. The assembly includes an apparatus for steaming and blending food products. The apparatus includes a base having a support for a container, and a steam chamber supported by the base and including a steam exit port. A heater is included for providing heat to the steam chamber. The base includes a drive shaft. An electric motor is supported by the base and operatively associated with the drive shaft. Further provided is a container assembly including a container, a steam inlet passage, and a lid removably coupled to a top end portion of the container, the container assembly is selectively mountable to the base support. A blade assembly is disposed within the container. A bottle holder is selectively mountable to the base. The bottle holder includes a steam inlet passage communicable with the steam exit port and an interior chamber of the bottle holder. An external receptacle for receiving at least the bottom end of a baby bottle, and an opening within the bottle holder for allowing steam to flow from the chamber into the receptacle. A sterilizing unit is selectively mountable to the base including a sterilization chamber for holding a plurality of bottles. The sterilization chamber is in fluid communication with the steam exit port when mounted to the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of a base assembly for a baby food maker in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2 . is a sectional view thereof; 
         FIG. 3 . is a bottom view thereof with the bottom cover removed; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective view of a container assembly and associated components for use with the base assembly; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the container assembly mounted to the base assembly in a first orientation for blending food; 
         FIG. 6 . is a sectional view showing the container assembly mounted to the base assembly in a second, inverted orientation for steam cooking food; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing a sterilizing unit mounted to the base assembly; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view showing a bottle warmer mounted to the base assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of baby food maker in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the baby food maker of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the base of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of the container of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the baby food maker of  FIG. 9  showing the container in a steaming position; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of the baby food maker showing the container in an inverted position. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the baby food maker of  FIG. 9  with a sterilizing unit attached thereto; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the baby food maker with sterilizing unit; and 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of a steam chamber cover of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The detailed description which follows is directed to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended as limiting the invention to the specific structures disclosed. The invention should instead be construed in accordance with the claims that are appended. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , an apparatus  10  for steaming and blending food products is provided. The apparatus can be used for making baby food or other types of pureed foods. As discussed below, it can also be adapted for sterilizing or warming baby bottles or other food containers. A base  12  is provided for supporting a removable container  14 , a steam chamber  16 , and a motor  18  for driving a blade assembly  20  or other blending device. Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base  12  defines an enclosure into which the steam chamber  16  extends. The base is comprised of a bottom cover  12   a  and housing  12   b.  The steam chamber is defined in part by a vessel  24  having a metal bottom that readily conducts heat. The entire vessel can be formed of plastic or metal. The vessel is preferably permanently secured to the base  12 . An electric heater, such as a resistance heater  22 , is positioned in close proximity to the vessel. The heater is supported by a bracket  23 . A gasket  25  is provided between the heater and bracket. The vessel  24  is substantially cylindrical and has an open top end. The steam chamber further comprises a cover  26  that is removably mounted to the top end of the vessel. A bayonet-type locking mechanism is employed to secure the cover  26 , including bayonet-type slots  28  in the cover  26 . The cover includes a top wall  30  and a skirt  32  extending downwardly from the top wall. The skirt is indented near the top wall  30  and includes an undulating surface to facilitate application and removal of the cover. The lower portion of the skirt is generally cylindrical, but includes a shoulder  29  that rests upon an annular surface  31  of the base  12 . A gasket  34  is positioned between the cover&#39;s shoulder  29  and the base to prevent the escape of steam. A steam exit port  36  is provided in the skirt  32 . A resilient grommet  38  is secured to the port  36 , portions of which extend beyond the skirt walls. These portions secure the grommet in place. The portion of the grommet adjoining the outer surface of the skirt  32  provides a sealing mechanism for an adjoining vessel, as described below. The cover  26  and base are designed such that the steam exit port  36  is oriented in a selected direction when the cover is properly secured. 
     A receptacle  40  for a portion of the container  14  is defined by the base  12  such that the container can be mounted to the base in side by side relation to the steam chamber. A first locking structure  42  in the form of one or more slots is provided at a first elevation in the wall bounding the receptacle  40 . A second locking structure  44  is provided at a higher elevation. Both locking structures  42 ,  44  are designed to interact with complementary locking structures located on the container  14  and container lid  50 , respectively. The receptacle  40  includes a plurality of levels or tiers. The bottom tier  46  has a relatively small diameter while the upper tier  48  has a larger diameter. Each tier includes a generally annular horizontal surface. The electric motor  18  is mounted beneath the receptacle  40 . A drive shaft  52  is operatively associated with the motor and extends into the receptacle  40 . The drive shaft rotates about its longitudinal axis when the motor is actuated. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the drive shaft is driven by a belt  53  mounted to two pulleys, one associated with the motor output shaft and the other with the drive shaft  52  for the blade assembly  20 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the container  14  includes a bottom wall  54  having a central opening as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The blade assembly  20  is disposed within the container  14 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the blade assembly may be mounted to the bottom wall  54 . The blade assembly  20  includes a coupling  58  to which a plurality of blades  60  are mounted. The coupling  58  extends partially below the bottom wall of the container and partially above it. The middle portion of the coupling  58  is slotted for receiving portions of the bottom wall  54  adjoining the central opening. It is removably secured to the bottom wall of the container. An annular seal  62  is provided between a shoulder portion of the coupling and an annular ring  64  extending downwardly from the bottom wall. The coupling includes a central passage  66  configured to receive the drive shaft  52 . The passage is defined by a multi-sided wall surface. The drive shaft includes corresponding surfaces whereby the coupling and the blades are caused to rotate upon rotation of the drive shaft. 
     The container includes an annular base portion  68  extending below the bottom wall  54  as well as beyond the bottom of the coupling  58 . A plurality of projections  70  extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the base portion  68 . The projections are positionable within the bayonet-type slots comprising the first locking structure  42  when the container is mounted to the base in a first orientation as shown in  FIG. 5 . They allow the container to be removably locked to the base  12  by rotating the container once the projections are within the slots. The apparatus  10  can be used for blending when the container is locked in this position. The base portion also allows the container to be placed upon a horizontal surface without danger of tipping over. A handle  71  extends from a side wall of the container. A slot  73  may be formed in the upper wall of the handle  71  to receive a tab  75  depending from the lid. The engagement of the tab  75  in slot  73  helps releasably retain the lid in the closed position. The top end of the container  14  includes three rounded projections  69  that extend radially outwardly, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The container lid  50  includes a top wall  72  and a generally cylindrical skirt  74  that is integral with the top wall  72 . A slotted opening  76  is formed in the top wall. A ramp  78  formed integrally with the top wall of the lid extends below the opening  76 . The top wall is formed so that, when inverted, liquid within the lid will tend to flow towards the slotted opening. A partition wall  80  extends from the bottom surface of the top wall and bisects the interior portion of the lid. A plurality of projections  82  extend radially outwardly from the lid and are engageable with slots in the base  12  comprising the second locking structure  44 . A steam inlet passage  84  extends through the skirt  74 . When the container is coupled to the base in an inverted orientation as shown in  FIG. 6 , the steam inlet passage  84  is in fluid communication with the steam exit port  36 . The resilient grommet forms a seal around the steam exit port and the portion of the skirt  74  surrounding the steam inlet passage as it engages the outer surfaces of the container lid  50  and the cover  126  of the steam chamber  16 . The skirt may further include one or more steam vent openings (not shown). An annular gasket  85  is provided on the upper surface of the lid  50 . 
     A perforated screen  86  is removably coupled to the container lid  50 . The screen  86  is comprised of a thin, planar body portion and a centrally located dome-like depression  88 . A pair of parallel walls  89  extend from the top surface of the screen and define a slot that receives the outer end of the partition wall  80  of the lid  50 . The screen is thereby frictionally coupled to the lid and mostly positioned within the skirt  74  thereof. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , a condensate collector  90  may be positioned within the receptacle  40 . The condensate collector includes a vessel  92  having a radially outwardly extending handle  94  that extends outside the base  12  through a notch  93  in the upper tier  48  when the vessel is within the receptacle  40 . The bottom wall of the vessel forms a hollow center protrusion that accommodates the top end of the drive shaft  52  ( FIG. 1 ). As shown in  FIG. 6 , the lid gasket  85  forms a seal between the condensate collector  90  and the lid to prevent steam from entering the condensate collector. The lid gasket forms a seal between the condensate collector  90  and the lid  50  to prevent steam from entering the portion of the receptacle  40  outside the condensate collector. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the apparatus  8  can be adapted for sterilizing baby bottles or other food containers. A sterilizing unit  97  may be provided and include a housing assembly  95  having a generally U-shaped housing  96 . The housing assembly  95  includes a sterilization chamber  98  for holding a plurality of baby bottles. A housing extension  100  is connected to, and is preferably integral with the housing  96 . The housing assembly includes a base unit  102  and a removable cover  104 . The base unit  102  includes supports  106  for bottles that allow them to be mounted upside down. The supports further allow steam to enter the bottles. The base unit preferably includes eight supports  106 , though it can be configured to hold a greater or lesser number of bottles and/or other types of food containers. The portion of the base unit  102  comprising the bottom of the housing extension  100  includes a steam inlet port  108  that adjoins the steam exit port  36  when mounted to the base  12 . It further includes locking members (not shown) similar to those provided on the container lid  50  for securing it to the slots in the base  12  comprising the second locking structure  44  ( FIG. 2 ). One or more legs  110  extend from the bottom wall of the base unit  102  for supporting the housing  96 . When the housing assembly is coupled to the base  12  and the cover  104  is mounted to the base unit  102 , steam can flow from the exit port  36  into the housing extension  100  and then into the sterilization chamber  98 . One or more vents (not shown) can be provided for venting the sterilization chamber. 
       FIG. 8  shows the apparatus as configured for warming a baby bottle  112 . A bottle holder  114  is provided that includes a first open end to which the lid  50  can be secured. The opposite end of the bottle holder is configured as a receptacle  116  for the bottle. The receptacle is bounded by a generally conical side wall of the holder  114  as well as a bottom wall. Both the side wall and the bottom wall include openings  118  that allow steam to enter the receptacle and thereby provide heat to the bottle contained partially therein. The bottle holder  114  and associated lid  50  are mounted to the base in the same manner as the container  14  is mounted thereto. Steam enters the bottle holder through the steam inlet passage  84  in the lid  50  and travels upwardly through the openings  118  into the receptacle  116  where it heats the bottom portion of the bottle. The condensate collector  90  is preferably employed during the bottle warming process to collect the water formed as the steam condenses about the bottle or the inner surfaces of the holder  114 . 
     An alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 9 to 16 . The baby food maker  120  of this embodiment is similar to the embodiment described above. With specific reference to  FIGS. 9-11 , a base  122  includes a steam chamber  124  and a receptacle  126  for receiving a removable container  128 . The container  128  is selectively covered by a lid  129 . The base includes a motor  130  for driving a blade assembly  132  disposed within the container  128 . Container  128  may include a separate blade assembly  132  that is removable from the container to help facilitate cleaning. 
     The steam chamber  124  includes a vessel  134  for holding a liquid. The chamber is in communication with a heating element  136  which is capable of turning the liquid, such as water, into steam. The vessel  134  is covered by a removable cover  140  which may be secured by bayonet-type locking mechanism of the type described above. Cover  140  includes a top wall  142  and skirt  144 . A steam exit port  146  may be disposed on skirt  144 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11 to 13 , removable container  128 , assembled with the lid  129  and blade assembly  132 , may be placed within the base receptacle  126  in a first orientation such that the container  128  may perform as a blender for chopping and pureeing foods. The container  128  may be removably secured to the base receptacle by way of complementary locking structures  148   a  on the base ( FIG. 11) and 148   b  on the container ( FIG. 12 ) as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the container  128  may be placed on base  122  in a second orientation, inverted with respect to the first orientation, such that lid  129  sits in receptacle  126 . In the second orientation, the contents of the container may be steamed. 
     Lid  129  may be removably attached to a screen  147  similar to screen  86  as described above. The manner of securement of the screen to the lid may differ from that of the previously described embodiment in that screen  147  may be held in place by way of engagement of the screen perimeter with the inside of lid skirt  149 . The engagement may be secured by outwardly projecting tabs  147   a  ( FIG. 12 ) disposed on the screen  147  which interlock with indentations (not shown) formed on the inner surface of the lid&#39;s skirt  149 . Screen  147  may be easily removed from lid  129  to facilitate cleaning. 
     Lid  129  may be secured to the container  128  by way of interlocking structures, such as a bayonet-type connector as in the previously described embodiment, in which the lid is rotated with respect to the container to secure the lid to the container. A latching mechanism  145  may be provided to selectively lock the lid to the container. Preferably, the latching mechanism  145  includes a latch  145   a  pivotally secured to the handle  128   a  of the container  128  and biased in a locking position. The biasing may be provided by a section of resilient material  145   b.  The latching mechanism  145  further includes a projecting member  147   b  extending from the screen  147 . The projecting member  147   b  extends through a notch  149   a  formed in lid skirt  149  and beyond the lid skirt  149 . The latch  145   a  includes a locking end  145   c  which engages the projecting member  147   b  when the lid is secured to the container  128 . When the lid  129  is rotated to the closed position, the projecting member  147   b  engages the latch  145   a  and deflects it away from the projecting member. The projecting member  147   b  includes a notched portion  147   c  ( FIG. 12 ) which receives the locking end  145   c.  Once the locking end  145   c  is positioned within the notch  147   c,  the latch  145   a  springs back and the lid  129  may not be rotated until the user depresses the latch  145   a.  The depression of the latch  145   a  results in the locking end  145   c  being moved away from the projecting member  147   b  and out of notch  147   c,  thereby permitting the lid  129  to be rotated and removed from the container  128 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , container  128  may include a housing  150  with a bottom portion  152  removably attached to the housing  150 . The attachment may be achieved by way of cooperating bayonet-type connectors on the housing  153   a  ( FIG. 13 ) and on the bottom portion  153   b  ( FIG. 12 ) in a manner known in the art. The bottom portion  152  may be removed or attached to the housing  150  by rotating the bottom portion and housing with respect to each other. The housing  150  may include a bottom wall  154  having an opening  156 , defined by upwardly extending walls  158 . A drive member  160  disposed on the bottom portion  152  extends through the opening  156 . The blade assembly  132  is removably securable to the drive member  160 . Blade assembly  132  includes a hub  162  and blades  164  extending from the hub. Hub  162  may have an inner annular opening  166 , which receives the upwardly extending walls  158 . A blade assembly upper end  168  may be rotationally fixed to a drive member upper end  170  such that they will spin together. The connection between the blade assembly upper end  168  and drive member  160  permits the blade assembly to be moved axially relative to the drive member. This may be achieved by way of complimentary configurations of a type known in the art. 
     Drive member  160  may be operably connected to a clutch mechanism  172  which prevents the blade assembly  132  from turning when the container lid  129  is not secured to the container. The drive member  160  and clutch mechanism  172  may be disposed on the bottom portion  152 . Drive member  160  is preferably longitudinally translatable with respect to the bottom portion  152 . This translational movement permits the drive member and the blade assembly attached thereto to be disposed in and out of engagement with the motor  130  via the clutch mechanism  172 . 
     In order to move the drive member, the upper end of the drive member  170  may include a post  174  that extends through an opening  176  in the top of the blade assembly  132 . Screen  147  may further include an opening  178  to permit a post-like actuator  180  to extend there-through. Actuator  180  is secured to the lid and engages the blade assembly  132  when the lid  129  is properly secured on the container housing and forces the drive member  160  downwardly. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 10 and 13 , the clutch mechanism  172  may include a first clutch part  182  disposed on the bottom of the drive member. The bottom portion  152  may include a coupling  184  having an opening  186  for receiving a drive shaft  188  operably connected to the motor  130 . When the container  128  is secured in the base  122 , the drive shaft  188  extends into the opening such that rotation of the drive shaft  188  causes the coupling  184  to rotate. An upper portion of the coupling includes a second clutch part  190 . When the drive member  160  is depressed, such as when the lid  129  is secured on the container  128 , the first and second clutch parts  182  and  190  engage each other. This causes the drive member  160  and drive shaft  188  to be coupled together. Therefore, rotation of the drive shaft causes the drive member and the blade assembly  132  attached thereto to rotate. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second clutch parts are toothed structures. However, it is within the contemplation of the present invention that other power transferring configurations could be employed. 
     The drive member  160  is preferably biased upwardly by a spring  192 . When the lid  129  is removed from the container  128 , the first clutch part  182  moves out of engagement with the second clutch part  190 . Therefore, rotation of the drive shaft  188  and the second clutch part  190  does not cause rotation of the blade assembly  132 . Accordingly, the lid  129  preferably needs to be secured to the housing  150  in order for the blades  164  to spin. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 14 and 14A , container  128  may be secured to base  122  in an inverted orientation such that the lid  129  is positioned within the base receptacle  126 . The container may be securely held in place by the cooperation of a plurality of radially extending tabs  129   b  formed on the lid with corresponding locking structures  148   c  in the base. In this orientation, the steam exit port  146  is in fluid communication with a steam inlet passage  194  leading to the inside of the container  128 . Food supported by the screen  147  can be steamed as described above. A condensate collector  196 , of a type as described above, may be placed within the receptacle of the base  126  to collect fluid that has condensed and exited out of the vents  129   a  in the lid  129 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the preferred embodiment may accommodate a sterilizing unit  198  removably mountable to base  122 . Sterilizing unit  198  may include a chamber  200  for accommodating a plurality of baby bottles  202 . The sterilizing unit may include a removable portion  204  to permit access to the chamber. The chamber  200  may include a rack  206  for supporting bottle caps and/or nipples  208  so they may be sterilized. The bottles may be placed upon a porous screen  210  such that condensation drains away from the bottles. In the present embodiment, the sterilizing unit  198  may be disposed on base  122  adjacent the steam chamber  124 . The steam chamber  124  is preferably disposed between the sterilizing unit  198  and the base receptacle  126 . In addition, the presently described embodiment may also accommodate a bottle warmer in a manner as described above with respect to  FIG. 8 . 
     Steam may be selectively communicated to the sterilizing unit  198  and container  128  positioned in receptacle  126  by selective positioning of the steam exit port  146 . To achieve this, the cover  140  of the steam chamber is preferably securable on the vessel  134  in a first and second position. In the first position, shown in  FIG. 14 , the steam exit port  146  is in communication with the inlet passage  194  of container  128  and the steam may be used for steaming the food held in the container  128 . In a second position, shown in  FIG. 16 , the steam exit port  146  is in communication with a steam inlet port  212  of the sterilizing unit  198 . Steam may then enter the sterilization chamber  200  and sterilize its contents. The ability to secure the cover  140  in two positions may be achieved by way of bayonet-type locking mechanism as shown in  FIG. 17 . The cover  140  may include a pair of generally L-shaped slots  140   a  diametrically disposed thereon. The slots  140   a  each receive one of a pair of tabs (not shown) extending outwardly from opposite sides of the steam vessel wall. When the cover is rotated the tabs engage the slots  140   a  thereby securing the cover  140 . When the steam is desired to communicate with the container  128 , a user may orient the cover  140  such that when it is tightened, the steam exit port  146  aligns with the container  128 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . Alternatively, when the steam is desired to communicate with the sterilizing unit  198 , a user would orient the cover  140  such that when it is tightened, the steam exit port  146  would align with steam inlet port  212  on the sterilizing unit  198 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, the steam is directly provided to the container, bottle warmer, or sterilizing unit, and it does not have to travel through any tubing or along any significant distance. 
     The operation of the baby food maker in each of the above described preferred embodiments is similar. The operation will now be described with reference to the embodiment set forth in  FIGS. 1 to 8 , and distinctions between the operation of this embodiment and the alternative preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 to 17  will be noted. The preparation of baby food is begun by cutting uncooked food into pieces of appropriate size. The screen  86  is mounted to the lid  50  and the food is placed in the container  14 . The container and lid forming a container assembly. In the alternative preferred embodiment, the blade assembly  132  is positioned in the container on the drive member  160 . No further handling of the food is necessary until after it is cooked and ready to be served. The lid  50  is then coupled to the container  14 . In the alternative preferred embodiment, the act of securing the lid onto the container causes the drive member  160  to be urged downwardly and the first  182  and second  190  clutch parts to be rotatably locked together as shown in  FIG. 13 . The condensate collector  90  is positioned in the base receptacle  40  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The steam chamber vessel  24  is filled with an appropriate amount of water and the cover  26  of the steam chamber is secured thereto as shown in  FIG. 6 . In the alternative preferred embodiment, the cover  140  of the steam chamber is secured so that the steam exit port  146  is in communication with the steam inlet port  194  of the container  128 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the container  14  and lid  50  are then mounted to the base  12  such that the lid  50  is supported by the upper tier  48  and the annular gasket  85  forms a seal between the lid and the condensate collector  90 . The container and lid are locked to the base by the complementary locking elements  82 ,  44  on the lid and base, respectively. When locked to the base, the steam exit port  36  is in fluid communication with the steam inlet passage  84 . Electrical power is provided to the heater  22 , causing the water in the vessel  24  to boil and steam to be generated in the steam chamber  16 . The steam exits the steam chamber through the steam exit port  36  and enters the container  14  through the steam inlet passage  84  in the lid  50 . The steam travels upwardly through the screen  86 , thereby cooking the food. As the steam condenses, it returns to liquid form and drips through the screen  86  and onto the inner surface of the lid  50 . Because this surface is inclined in the direction of the slotted opening  76 , the condensate flows towards the opening and into the condensate collector. The apparatus may be provided with a timer (not shown) for setting the cooking time. It may also include a circuit (not shown) for terminating power to the heater  22  when the vessel no longer contains water or the water level is below a preset minimum. 
     Once the food is cooked, the container is removed from the base  12  and the condensate collector  90  is removed from the receptacle  40 . The container  14  is placed on the base in the position shown in  FIG. 5  such that its base portion  68  rests on the bottom tier  46  of the receptacle  40  and the projections  70  enter the bayonet-type slots of the first locking structure  42 . The container is rotated to lock it in position on the base  12 . Electrical power is supplied to the motor  18 , causing the blade assembly  20  to rotate and blend the contents of the container  14 . The blade assembly can be operated at a single speed or multiple speeds, as known in the blender art. Condensate from the collector  90  can be added to the container through the slotted opening  76  in the lid. Once the blending process is complete, the container assembly is removed from the base  12  and the contents removed for consumption or storage. The present invention permits the food to be chopped/pureed or blended and steamed without the food being touched by the user. It is also within the contemplation of the present invention that the container  14  with its food contents may be placed within the base to permit the food to be chopped and then placed in an inverted position in the base so that the food may be steam cooked. 
     In order to operate the sterilizing unit, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the sterilizing unit  97  is mounted on base  12  such that the base receptacle  40  is disposed between the sterilization unit  97  and the steam chamber  16 . The housing extension  100  is positioned adjacent the steam chamber such that the steam exit port  36  aligns with the steam inlet port  108 . The sterilizing unit&#39;s cover  104  may be removed so that bottles may be placed within the sterilization chamber  98 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the sterilization unit  198  is positioned on the base  122  adjacent to the steam chamber  124 . The cover  140  may then be positioned and secured on the vessel  134  such that the steam exit port  146  is aligned with the steam inlet port  212 . The heating element may then be energized to generate steam which flows into the sterilization chamber.