Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/010,678 filed on Jan. 11, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a user-programmable means and method for pre-mixing and pre-heating a plurality of infant feeding bottles comprising a user-programmable infant solution recipe therewith an apparatus that provides a means and method for loading, positioning, metering, mixing, heating, and dispensing the infant solution thereto a selected infant bottle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Small children receive most of their fluid intake and nutrients through a bottle. Caregivers must quickly prepare and heat formula, cereal or other liquids for the bottle. Temperature of the preparation is extremely important as one does not want a bottle that is too hot for a child. When caring for multiple children, the difficulties are magnified. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which multiple baby bottles can be completely prepared and heated in an automated manner. The development of the apparatus and method herein described fulfills this need. 
     The apparatus discloses an all-in-one bottle preparation apparatus that provides a means of preparation, mixing, and heating of multiple infant bottles. The unique apparatus is a countertop appliance with three (3) reservoirs containing water, formula, and cereal respectively. Inside a base portion of the apparatus is a turnstile that holds up to five (5) empty baby bottles that have been previously sterilized by a user. In operation, the user selects the bottle size and the necessary ratio of water, to formula, to cereal respectively, on an integral control panel. At this point, internal control circuitry dispenses the necessary ingredients in the proper ratio into the proper sized bottle. Next, a stirring device descends into the filled bottle and automatically mixes the ingredients. Finally, an internal heating system heats the bottle to exactly ninety-eight degrees (98°) Fahrenheit. An automatic alarm is sounded when the bottle is ready. This apparatus ensures consistency, precise measurements and exact temperatures at which the contents within the baby bottles are meant to be consumed. 
     Several attempts have been made in the past to provide a home appliance which provides for the preparation of baby formula. U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,847, issued in the name of Saltzman, describes a baby formula preparation system comprising a blending device having a blade assembly which agitates fluid within said blender as said fluid is pumped in via a pump assembly. However, unlike the present apparatus, the Saltzman system is simply a single type of formula mixture in a blending container for transfer into a baby bottle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,829,431, issued in the name of Haven et al., discloses a device to automatically prepare infant formula comprising a means of automatically dispensing an amount of dry baby formula and then an amount of heated water to make liquid baby formula. However, unlike the present apparatus, the Haven device only prepares a single bottle at a given time and additionally requires the end user to mix the combined ingredients after combination before serving. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,990, issued in the name of Harrison, discloses a baby formula preparation and multiple dispensing apparatus comprising a housing which supports multiple baby bottles which are filled with an amount of dry formula and hot water. However, unlike the present apparatus, the Harrison apparatus lacks a means of mixing a variety of different types of baby food. 
     Other known prior art baby formula preparation devices includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,570,816, 6,412,527, and 6,951,166. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for baby formula mixers are provided, particularly, U.S. Pat. No. D 365,246. However, none of these designs are similar to the present apparatus. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and appear to disclose various attempts to prepare, filter, and or store baby formula; none of the prior art particularly discloses a countertop apparatus comprising a means of automatically preparing, mixing, and heating of multiple baby bottles. Accordingly, there exists a need for a multi-unit bottle preparation apparatus that operates without the disadvantages as described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need for a multi-unit bottle preparation apparatus having the general purpose of providing for the preparation, mixing, and heating of multiple baby bottles which has many of the advantages of the baby formula devices mentioned and many novel features that result in a new bottle preparation apparatus. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an objective of the present apparatus to provide an enclosure, a first dry ingredient canister, a second dry ingredient canister, a liquid ingredient canister, a control panel, a turntable, a plurality of bottle holders, a means of supplying the ingredients, a means of mixing said supplied ingredients, and a powering means. 
     A further object of the present apparatus is to provide an enclosure comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a hinged door which provides a means of housing the plurality of bottles for preparation, the ingredient canisters, and all internal electrical and mechanical components of the apparatus. 
     Yet still another object of the present apparatus is to provide a plurality of ingredient canisters which store an amount of various, desired dry and liquid ingredients for mixing to create the baby food mixture. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide a first hopper and a second hopper which provide a means of feeding an amount of dry ingredient into an auger housing. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide an auger housing which comprises a first auger and a second auger which provide a means of delivering the amount of dry ingredient into a mixture chamber. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide a liquid reservoir which provides a means of regulating the volume and temperature of an amount of liquid ingredient which is mixed with the amount of dry ingredient in the mixing chamber. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide a mixing chamber which provides a means of storing the amounts of dry and liquid ingredients while said ingredients are mixed by an impeller. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide an outlet orifice, a mixture release valve, and a dispensing tube which provide a means of dispensing an amount of mixed liquid and dry ingredient combination into a baby bottle. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide a turntable comprising a plurality of bottle holders, a drive assembly, a turn table motor, and a mounting base which provides a means of securing multiple baby bottles and rotating said bottles into an appropriate position under the dispensing means for filling with the amount of mixed ingredients. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide a second heater which provides a means of maintaining a desired temperature of the multiple bottles while said bottles remain secured within the bottle holders. 
     Yet another object of the present apparatus is to provide a method for utilizing a multi-unit bottle preparation apparatus. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present apparatus will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a multi-unit bottle preparation device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an internal front view of a multi-unit bottle preparation device  10  depicting an opened door portion  21 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an internal view of a multi-unit bottle preparation device  10  depicting an ingredient preparation portion, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   a  is an internal view of a multi-unit bottle preparation device  10  depicting a turntable portion  110 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4   b  is an internal view of a multi-unit bottle preparation device  10  depicting a drive assembly  120 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram of a multi-unit bottle preparation device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  multi-unit bottle preparation device 
               20  enclosure 
               21  door 
               22  latching handle 
               23  hinge 
               24  top portion 
               26  bottom portion 
               28  skirt 
               29  first dry ingredient canister 
               30  second dry ingredient canister 
               31  liquid canister 
               32  lid 
               33  liquid conduit 
               40  control panel 
               42  control module 
               44  housing 
               46  keypad 
               48  display 
               50  alarm 
               52  power cord 
               54  wiring 
               59  first hopper 
               60  second hopper 
               61  auger housing 
               62  first auger 
               64  second auger 
               66  first auger motor 
               68  second auger motor 
               70  mixing chamber inlet 
               72  mixing chamber 
               74  impeller 
               76  impeller motor 
               80  liquid reservoir 
               86  first heater 
               87  liquid level switch 
               88  thermocouple 
               90  liquid nozzle 
               92  liquid supply solenoid 
               100  outlet orifice 
               102  mixture release valve 
               104  mixture release valve solenoid 
               106  dispense tube 
               108  sleeve 
               110  turntable 
               111  first bottle holder 
               112  second bottle holder 
               113  third bottle holder 
               114  fourth bottle holder 
               115  fifth bottle holder 
               120  drive assembly 
               122  turntable motor 
               124  motor shaft 
               126  flange 
               128  mounting base 
               130  fastener 
               135  second heater 
               137  second heater mounting flange 
               138  bracket 
               140  first dry ingredient 
               145  second dry ingredient 
               150  bottle 
               155  liquid 
               160  mixture 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a multi-unit bottle preparation device (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a home appliance which provides the preparation, mixing, and heating of multiple bottles  150 . The apparatus  10  comprises a countertop appliance comprising three (3) ingredient canisters  30  of which one (1) comprises a liquid  155 , one (1) comprises a first dry ingredient  140 , and one (1) comprises a second dry ingredient  145 . Said first dry ingredient  140  and second dry ingredient  145  preferably comprises powdered formula and cereal. Inside the enclosure  20  of the apparatus  10  is a turntable  110  which holds and rotates a maximum five (5) empty bottles  150  in an automatic manner. In operation, a user would enter recipe data such as a bottle volume, a turntable position, and a selected dry ingredient  140 ,  145  using a keypad  46 . At this point an internal control module  42  automatically dispenses a pre-heated liquid  155 , mixes in the selected dry ingredient  140 ,  145  dispenses the mixture into the bottle  150 , and maintains the filled bottles  150  at approximately ninety-eight degrees (98°) Fahrenheit. Additionally, the apparatus  10  provides an audible alarm  50  which signals an operator when one (1) or more bottles  150  are ready. This apparatus  10  ensures that the bottles  150  are prepared with consistency, precise proportions, and at an exact temperature. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an enclosure  20 , a first dry ingredient canister  29 , a second dry ingredient canister  30 , a liquid canister  31 , and a control panel  40 . The enclosure  20  comprises a cylindrical-shaped housing approximately eighteen (18) inches in diameter and approximately sixteen (16) inches high. The enclosure  20  is envisioned to be made using durable washable materials such as high-temperature plastic, stainless steel, or the like. The enclosure  20  further comprises a door  21 , a latching handle  22 , a pair of common vertical axle hinges  23 , a top portion  24 , and a bottom portion  26 . The door  21 , latching handle  22 , and hinge portions  23  provide controlled access thereinto an interior portion of said enclosure  20  through a large front opening via the horizontally outward swinging door  21 . The quarter-turn latching handle  22  provides secure closure of said door  21  during bottle  150  processing. The enclosure  20  further comprises a horizontal top portion  24  which provides an anchoring means thereto the canisters  29 ,  30 ,  31  and the control panel  40  along a top horizontal surface. 
     The canisters  29 ,  30 ,  31  comprise cylindrical vessels approximately six (6) to ten (10) inches high having a volume of approximately forty (40) ounces each, being permanently mounted thereto a top portion  24  of the enclosure  20  using conventional metal joining methods such as soldering, welding, fasteners, or the like. The dry ingredient canisters  29 ,  30  comprise refillable dry ingredients  140 ,  145  such as powdered baby formula and baby cereal; however, a variety of other ingredients such as drink mix, nutritional supplements, and the like, may be used and as such should not be considered a limiting factor of the invention  10 . The canisters  29 ,  30 ,  31  further comprise common cylindrical lids  32  providing a conventional top closure means. The canisters  29 ,  30 ,  31  and lids  32  are envisioned to be made of dishwasher safe materials such as plastic or stainless steel, common in the industry. 
     The control panel  40  provides a variety of computer type functions via various electronic input and output devices. The control panel  40  further comprises a keypad  46 , a digital display  48 , and an audible alarm  50 , thereby enabling functions such as, but not limited to: operational software storage, recipe/process memory, recipe selection, process execution, status indicators, and the like. The keypad  46  provides a manual data input means to the control panel  40  and is envisioned to provide a variety of functional keys such as, but not limited to: an “ON” key, a “START” key, an “OFF” key, and the like. The keypad  46  is envisioned to be similar thereto typical computer numeric keypads; however, may be provided with alphanumeric capabilities, special keys, and the like, and as such should not be considered a limiting factor of the invention  10 . The display  48  comprises a multi-line display screen capable of displaying all bottle processing input and output information and is envisioned to be a liquid crystal display (LCD); however, may be provided using other current display technologies. The alarm  50  is to be capable of emitting a variety of audible signals indicating particular events during preparation and processing of the bottles  150 . The alarm  50  comprises a common piezo type buzzer or similar commercially available miniature audio device and is envisioned to be located along a vertical side surface of said control panel  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an internal front view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a turntable  110  and a mixture dispense tube  106 . The turntable  44  comprises a round rotating horizontal platform located at a bottom internal portion of the enclosure  20 . The turntable  110  provides surface features to aid manually loading, accurately positioning, and rotation of one (1) to five (5) bottles  150  during processing. The turntable  110  comprises a first bottle holder  111 , a second bottle holder  112 , a third bottle holder  113 , a fourth bottle holder  114 , and a fifth bottle holder  115 . The bottle holders  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  provide secure nesting and heating of the bottles  150  (see  FIG. 4 ). The turntable  110  further comprises a motor  122  being located below said turntable  110 , thereby rotating said turntable  110  between processing locations (see  FIG. 4 ). The turntable  110  is controlled by the aforementioned control panel  40  via internal software, thereby enabling various sequential dispensing, mixing, and heating processes to be applied to said bottles  150 . The stationary dispensing tube  106  delivers a volume of processed mixture  160  as each bottle  150  is sequentially positioned thereunder said dispense tube  106 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an internal view of the apparatus  10  depicting an ingredient preparation portion, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a first hopper  59 , a second hopper  60 , an auger housing  61 , a first auger  62 , a second auger  64 , a first auger motor  66 , a second auger motor  68 , a mixing reservoir inlet  70 , a mixing reservoir  72 , an impeller  74 , an impeller motor  76 , a liquid reservoir  80 , a reservoir outlet  100 , a mixture valve  102 , and a mixture release valve solenoid  104 . Each of the dry ingredient canisters  29 ,  30  provide a gravity feed means into the auger housing  61  via respective downwardly tapering hoppers  59 ,  60 . 
     The first dry ingredient canister  29  and second dry ingredient canister  30  provides pre-loaded dry ingredients  140 ,  145  thereto the apparatus  10 . Said dry ingredients  140 ,  145  progress downwardly therefrom said canisters  29 ,  30  via gravity feeding, thereinto respective subjacent circular tapering hoppers  59 ,  60  which guide the dry ingredients  140 ,  145  thereinto the auger housing  61 . Subsequent delivery of said dry ingredients  140  thereto the mixing chamber  72  is accomplished via respective augers  62 ,  64  which rotate therewithin said auger housing  61 . The auger housing  61  comprises a cast or machined metal enclosure means further comprising internal bored features being appropriately sized to slidingly receive said augers  62 ,  64 . The augers  62 ,  64  comprise cylinder-shaped members having screw threads along external surfaces, thereby providing horizontal motivation and accurate volumetric metering of said dry ingredients  140 ,  145  thereto a centrally-located mixing chamber inlet  70 . Said augers  62 ,  64  are capable of delivering any combination of dry ingredients  140 ,  145  in an accurate manner as prescribed by particular recipes stored therein a memory portion of the control panel  40 . Furthermore, said auger housing  61  provides an attachment means thereto respective auger motors  66 ,  68  along opposing outer surfaces. The auger motors  66 ,  68  are in mechanical communication therewith the augers  62 ,  64  and provide a sufficient torque thereto so as to progress said dry ingredients  140 ,  145  thereto the mixing chamber inlet  70  during operation. The mixing chamber inlet  70  provides a vertical orifice means allowing said dry ingredients  140 ,  145  to progress thereinto the mixing chamber  72 . 
     The liquid canister  31  provides a volume of liquid  155  thereto the apparatus  10  for mixing. As the liquid  155  is added thereto said liquid canister  31 , said liquid  155  progresses thereto a subjacent liquid conduit  33  which provides a plumbing or conduit means therebetween the liquid canister  31  and a subjacent cylindrical-shaped liquid reservoir  80 . The liquid reservoir  80  comprises a vessel capable of heating said liquid  155  and maintaining a consistent temperature thereof. The liquid reservoir  80  comprises a first heater  86 , a liquid level switch  87 , a thermocouple  88 , a liquid nozzle  90 , and a liquid supply solenoid  92 . Said liquid  155  is heated and maintained at an operator selected temperature, envisioned to be approximately ninety-eight degrees (98°) Fahrenheit. The liquid  155  is heated therewithin the liquid reservoir  80  using a common resistance-type heating element similar thereto units used in conventional hot liquid heaters and is controlled using a standard thermocouple  88  which provides temperature data thereto the control panel  40  resulting in intermittent cycling of said first heater  86 , thereby maintaining a consistent liquid temperature. The liquid level switch  87  comprises a magnetic float-type switch providing a low liquid level signal thereto the control panel  40 . If a liquid level  155  therewithin said liquid reservoir  80  becomes low, the liquid level switch  87  provides a warning/alarm signal thereto an operator via the control panel  40  (see  FIG. 5 ). During processing and filling of said bottles  150 , said pre-heated liquid  155  flows therethrough a liquid nozzle  90  allowing a flow of liquid  155  to enter directly thereinto the mixing chamber  72 . Accurate volumetric control of said liquid flow  155  therefrom the liquid reservoir  80  thereinto the liquid nozzle  90  is provided via a liquid supply solenoid valve  92  being controlled by operational software therewithin the control panel  40 . 
     Upon receipt of metered dry ingredients  140 ,  145  and the liquid  155  thereinto the mixing chamber  72 , subsequent timed mixing of said ingredients thereinto a finished mixture  160  is accomplished via an internal motorized bladed impeller  74  capable of variable speed control via the software portion of the apparatus  10 . Following said mixing process, the mixture  160  is released vertically downward therefrom the mixing chamber  72  and into a positioned bottle  150  via a mixing chamber outlet orifice  100 , a mixture release valve  102 , a mixture release valve solenoid  104 , a dispense tube  106 , and a dispense tube sleeve  108 . The mixture release valve  102  comprises a common two-position electrical solenoid operated sluice valve  102 . After release of the mixture  160  via the mixture release valve  102 , said mixture  160  is conveyed downwardly thereinto the bottle  150  via the dispense tube  106  which provides a plumbing conduit means having an external sliding dispense tube sleeve  108  providing a length adjustable means, thereby allowing manual compensation for bottles  150  having different heights. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , internal views of the apparatus  10  depicting turntable  110  and motor  122  portions, respectively, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The turntable  110  is mounted thereto a bottom portion  26  of the enclosure  20  which comprises a floor-like member thereto. The enclosure  20  further comprises an integral circular skirt member  28  which protrudes horizontally therefrom an inner surface thereof being coincidental therewith a top surface of the turntable  110  along a perimeter region of said turntable  110 , thereby providing a safety and aesthetic surrounding barrier as illustrated here. The turntable  110  further comprises a first bottle holder  111 , a second bottle holder  112 , a third bottle holder  113 , a fourth bottle holder  114 , and a fifth bottle holder  115 . The bottle holders  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  comprise equally-spaced cylindrical insert portions being made using a thermally conductive material such as aluminum, ceramic compounds, or the like. Said bottle holders  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  are affixed and mounted thereto said turntable  110  via a press fit and/or high temperature adhesives. Each bottle holder  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  comprises a central recessed circular area comprising a corresponding diameter to that of the bottles  150  and engraved or printed therewith a respective turntable position number to aid in programming individual bottle recipes. Said bottle holders  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  are to be flush therewith a top surface of said turntable  110  and are designed to captivate and control a position of an included bottle  150 . Each bottle holder  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  further comprises a bottom surface which extends slightly therebelow a bottom surface of the turntable  110 . The bottom surface portions of the bottle holders  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  provide incidental contact therewith three (3) successive subjacent second heaters  135  arranged along a front portion of the enclosure  20  adjacent therewith the door portion  21 . Said contact therebetween said bottle holders  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  and first heaters  135 , provides an efficient heat conduction means thereto the bottle  150 . The second heaters  135  comprise round cartridge-type heaters being cylindrical in shape and having similar diameters as the bottle holders  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 . Each second heater  135  is securely mounted thereto the bottom portion  26  of the enclosure  20  via a second heater mounting flange  137  and a “U”-shaped sheet-metal bracket  138  using a plurality of common fasteners such as screws, rivets, or the like. Each second heater  135  is positioned along said bottom portion  26  so as to coincide therealong a vertical axis therewith a corresponding bottle holder  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  when said bottle holder  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  is at rest during each processing step of the apparatus  10 . 
     The turntable  110  provides a rotating means via a bottom-mounted motor  122 , thereby smoothly rotating said turntable  110  therebetween each processing location as controlled thereby the aforementioned control panel  40  via internal software (see  FIG. 5 ). The motor  122  provides a sufficient clockwise torque thereto said turntable  110  so as to rotate said turntable  110  therewith a maximum of five (5) bottles  150 , with sufficient velocity so as to minimize bottle  150  preparation times. The motor  122  comprises a commercially available vertically-mounted unit affixed thereto the bottom interior portion  26  of the enclosure  20  via a standard mounting base  128  using common fasteners  130 . The motor  122  comprises a vertical output shaft  124  which protrudes in an upward direction being in mechanical communication therewith said turntable  110  in a perpendicular manner via a common shaft-mounted circular flange  126  affixed thereto a bottom surface of said turntable  110  via common fasteners  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Illustrated herein is a control panel  40  comprising a display  48 , a keypad  46 , and a 110-volt AC power cord  52 . The control panel  40  provides various control capabilities thereto the apparatus  10  such as, but not limited to: programmable sequential processing steps, recipe/process data memory, recipe and parameter selection, process execution, status/information display, a hot water cleansing sequence, and the like. The control panel  40  comprises an internal control module  42  providing microprocessor-based functionality thereto the apparatus  10 . The control module  42  comprises a standard plastic housed enclosure containing expected electrical and electronic components such as, but not limited to: internal printed circuit boards, power supplies, relays, electronic components, and the like. Power is supplied thereto said control module  42  via a standard 110-volt power cord  52 . Additionally, there are various input/output circuits connected thereto the control module  42  via internal wiring  54 . Input circuits wired  54  thereto the control module  42  comprise the keypad  46 , the liquid level switch  87 , and the thermocouple  88 . Output current circuits wired  54  thereto said control module  42  comprise the display  48 , the first auger motor  66 , the second auger motor  68 , the impeller motor  76 , the turntable motor  122 , the liquid supply solenoid  92 , the mixture release valve solenoid  104 , the first heater  86 , and the second heaters  135  shown here being wired in a parallel manner. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: placing the apparatus  10  upon a table or counter surface in a convenient location; plugging the apparatus  10  into a convenient 110-volt AC outlet via a power cord  52 ; removing the lids  32  therefrom the canisters  29 ,  30 ,  31 ; filling the first dry ingredient canister  29  therewith a first dry ingredient  140 ; filling the second dry ingredient canister  30  therewith a second dry ingredient  145 ; filling the liquid canister  31  with a desired liquid  155 ; replacing said lids  32  thereupon said canisters  29 ,  30 ,  31 ; starting the apparatus  10  by pressing an “ON” function button thereupon the keypad  46  portion of the control panel  40  to power and activate the apparatus  10 ; programming the control panel  40  using the display  48  and keypad  46 , with various recipe and processing data information; opening the door  21  and loading a desired number of bottles  150  onto the numbered bottle holder portions  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  of the turntable  110 ; coordinating entered recipe and processing information data therewith particular bottle holder locations by giving care as to the specific number therewithin the bottle holder  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 ; closing the door  21  and securing using the latching handle  22 ; pressing a “START” function button portion thereon the keypad  46  to initiate a bottle  150  preparation process; monitoring dispensing, mixing, and heating process steps as information appears on the display  48 ; responding thereto an audible alarm signal  50  upon availability of one (1) or more fully processed bottles  150 ; opening the door  21  using the latching handle  22  and unloading one (1) or more bottles  150 ; serving the bottle  150  and contained mixture  160  thereto a user; repeating the bottle  150  preparation process until a required number of bottles  150  have been provided; initiating a flushing/cleansing sequence using the keypad  46  and integral software; pressing an “OFF” function button thereupon the keypad  46  to deactivate the apparatus  10 ; and, benefiting from significant time savings and high quality preparation of formula and cereal recipes using the present invention  10 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10 , wherein the various recipe processing data information includes items such as, but not limited to: bottle size  150 , recipe selection, liquid temperature, second heater  135  temperature, and the like, is entered using the display  48  and keypad  46 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10 , wherein the first dry ingredient  140 , is provided as powder baby formula, the second dry ingredient  145 , is provided as baby cereal, and the liquid  155  is water. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Category: 1