Baby feeding system

Abstract

A rechargeable, portable and convenient carrying, heating and feeding system for heating baby food while away from the home comprises a first housing member capable of holding a first food container, such as a baby bottle, an energy source positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the first housing member, and a second housing member, capable of holding a second food container, such as a baby food jar, having a top surface positioned adjacent the energy source. A power switch having an “on” and “off” position is provided on the device such that upon activation of the power switch to the “on” position causes the energy source to heat food contained within the at least one of the first and second food containers positioned within at least one of the first and second housing members to a predetermined feeding temperature. The heating and feeding system can be used at any location without the need of an external energy source.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a feeding system for a baby, and more particularly to a rechargeable, portable and convenient carrying and heating system for baby bottles and baby food containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With today's fast paced lifestyle and dual income families, parent with infants and toddlers are often on the go with their babies in tow. The days of staying home with the baby during regular naptimes and feeding times are over. Since parents are often out of the home with their babies during feeding time, the amenities necessary for preparing the baby's bottle or baby food are not readily available. When the baby is ready to eat, parents are often forced to seek out means for warming the baby's bottle and/or food. This can be a difficult task if the parents are in a shopping mall, at a sporting event, picnic, or any other location in which a power source and/or heating device is not available.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,880 shows an apparatus for heating bottles comprising a panel of expandable material having flexible heating elements embedded therein. The heating elements are made of an electrically resistive material and receive electricity from a power supply such as from a car cigarette lighter. The apparatus is capable of being wrapped around a bottle and the device is plugged in to the power supply source to heat up the baby bottle. A disadvantage of this apparatus is that one must be near a power source to plug in the device to heat the bottle. Another disadvantage of this device is that it is only capable of heating a single baby bottle at a time and is not able to heat baby food jars. This device also cannot be used as a carrying device for the food containers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,766; U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,590; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,432,641 all show portable bottle warming devices that can be powered by batteries. None of these devices allow for the carrying of and the simultaneous heating of a second baby food container. Neither do any of these devices have a size that would accommodate a baby food jar. U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,590 is even limited to a particular type of bottle, i.e. bottles which use a disposable liner.

There is a need in the art for a portable feeding system that can transport and heat, if necessary, all of the items needed for feeding a baby “on the go”. There is also a need in the art for a portable feeding system the can be taken to any location, such as the mall, the ball fields, picnics, etc. and used without the need for an external energy source.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a portable heating and feeding system that can simultaneously heat a baby bottle and a baby food container without access to an external energy source.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable heating and feeding system that uses a rechargeable energy source.

It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a portable heating and feeding system that allows for the carrying of all of the items necessary for feeding a baby in a single device.

It is another object of the invention to provide a portable heating and feeding system can readily attach to another article, such as a stroller or diaper bag, to allow for hands free carrying of the system.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly and in accordance with the foregoing objects, the invention comprises a rechargeable, portable and convenient carrying, heating and feeding system for heating baby food while away from the home. The feeding system comprises a first housing member having a bottom portion, at least one sidewall portion and a top portion. The first housing member has a first predetermined size and shape capable of holding a first food container. A first opening is provided in the first housing member for placing and removing the first food container. An energy source is positioned adjacent the bottom portion of the first housing member. A second housing member is provided. This second housing member has a bottom portion, at least one sidewall, and a top portion positioned adjacent the energy source. The second housing member has a second predetermined size and shape that is capable of holding a second food container. A second opening is provided in the second housing member for placing and removing the second food container. A power switch having an “on” and “off” position is provided on the device such that upon activation of the power switch to the “on” position causes the energy source to heat food contained within the at least one of the first and second food containers positioned within at least one of the first and second housing members to a predetermined feeding temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the portable heating and feeding system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the portable heating and feeding system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the invention in detail, the reader is advised that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components having identical functions have been marked where possible with the same reference numerals in each of the Figures provided in this document.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, which shows the portable heating and feeding system, generally indicated as 10, for heating a baby bottle and/or baby food jar while away from home. The feeding system 10 comprises a first housing member 16 having a bottom portion 18, at least one sidewall portion 20 and a top portion 22. The first housing member 16 has a first predetermined size and shape capable of holding a first food container 12, such as a bottle. A first opening 24 is provided in the first housing member 16 for placing and removing the first food container 12. An energy source 26 is positioned adjacent the bottom portion 18 of the first housing member 16. A second housing member 28 is provided. This second housing member 28 has a bottom portion 30, at least one sidewall 32, and a top portion 34 positioned adjacent the energy source 26. The second housing member 28 has a second predetermined size and shape that is capable of holding a second food container 14, such as a baby food jar or any other well known baby food container. A second opening 36 is provided in the second housing member 28 for placing and removing the second food container 14. A power switch 38 having an “on” and “off” position is provided on the device such that activation of the power switch 38 to the “on” position causes the energy source 26 to heat food contained within the at least one of the first and second food containers 12, 14 positioned within at least one of the first and second housing members 16, 28 to a predetermined feeding temperature.

The first and second housing members 16, 28 are formed from a flexible material capable of accommodating various shaped food containers. Preferably, the housing members are formed from a lightweight, heat-retaining material such as a Thinsulate™ material. Also, it is desirable that heating elements 40 extend through the sidewalls 20, 32 of the first and second housing members 16, 28. Alternatively, the heating elements 40 may be positioned adjacent the inside surface of the sidewalls 20, 32 of the first and second housing members 16, 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first opening 24 comprises an open top portion 22 of the first housing member 16. In this embodiment, the heating and feeding system 10 further includes a removable lid 42 engageable with the open top portion 22 of the first housing member 16. This removable lid 42 may be attached by any well known means, such as a zipper, snaps, Velcro™, and the like. The removable lid 42 can be formed from flexible material similar to that used for the first and second housing members 16, 28.

According to a second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the first opening 46 in the first housing member 44 comprises an opening within the sidewall 20 of the first housing member 44. A well known fastening means 48, such as a zipper, snaps, Velcro™ and the like, is provided for sealing the first opening 46.

The second opening 36 in the second housing member 28 comprises an opening within the sidewall 32 of the second housing member 28. A fastening means 50 is provided for sealing this second opening 36. Any well known fastening means, such as a zipper, snaps, Velcro™ and the like, may be used for sealing this second opening 36.

The energy source 26 for the heating and feeding system 10 comprises at least one battery 52. Preferably the energy source 26 comprises a rechargeable battery the includes a plug/adapter unit 54 so that the heating and feeding system 10 can be recharged in a manner similar to a cell phone and ready to go at any time. A pocket 66 may be provided in the housing member adjacent the battery 52 so that the user can readily access this battery for changing and/or maintenance thereof.

An indicator light 56 can be provided which is illuminated when the power switch 38 is powered in an “on” position. A temperature control means 58, such as a thermocouple/thermometer unit, may be provided for monitoring the temperature of the system 10 and for powering the energy source 26 “off” when a predetermined temperature has been achieved.

A first pocket 60 may be provided on at least one of the first and second housing members 16, 28. This pocket 60 may be used for holding a spoon or another type of feeding utensil. A second pocket 62 can be provided on at least one of the first and second housing members 16, 28 for holding other feeding materials such as a bib, moistened cleaning toilettes, and other similar items.

Attaching means 64 may be provided for attaching the system 10 to another article for hands free carrying of the system 10. This attaching means 64 may be any well known means, such as a strap with Velcro™, snaps, clips, and the like. The attaching means 64 may be used to attach the system 10 to a stroller, car seat, diaper bag, purse, backpack, or any other article.

The invention has been described in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It should be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Persons who possess such skill will also recognize that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit any of the ensuing claims to any particular narrow interpretation.

Claims

1. A portable heating and feeding system for heating baby food, said heating and feeding system comprising:

(a) a first housing member having a bottom portion, at least one sidewall portion and a top portion, said first housing member having a first predetermined size and shape capable of holding a first food container;

(b) a first opening in said first housing member for placing and removing such first food container;

(c) an energy source positioned adjacent said bottom portion of said first housing member;

(d) a second housing member having a bottom portion, at least one sidewall, and a top portion positioned adjacent said energy source, said second housing member having a second predetermined size and shape capable of holding a second food container;

(e) a second opening in said second housing member for placing and removing such second food container; and

(f) a power switch having an “on” and “off” position such that upon activation of said power switch to said “on” position causes said energy source to heat food contained within at least one of such first and second food containers positioned within at least one of said first and second housing members to a predetermined feeding temperature.

2. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said energy source is capable of simultaneously heating food contained within such first and second food containers upon activation thereof.

3. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first opening comprises an open top portion of said first housing member and said system further includes a removable lid engageable with said open top portion of said first housing member.

4. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first opening in said first housing member comprises an opening within said sidewall of said first housing member and a fastening means for sealing said first opening.

5. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said second opening in said second housing member comprises an opening within said sidewall of said second housing member and a fastening means for sealing said second opening.

6. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first food container comprises a baby bottle.

7. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said second food container comprises a baby food jar.

8. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said energy source comprises at least one rechargeable battery.

9. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 further including an indicator light which is illuminated when said power switch is powered in an “on” position.

10. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 further including temperature control means for monitoring the temperature of said system and for powering said energy source “off” when a predetermined temperature has been achieved.

11. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 including a first pocket on at least one of said first and second housing members for holding a spoon.

12. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 11 including a second pocket on at least one of said first and second housing members for holding at least one of a bib and moistened cleaning items.

13. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second housing members is formed from a flexible material capable of accommodating various shaped food containers.

14. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second housing members is formed from a Thinsulate™ material.

15. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 including heating elements extending through said sidewalls of said first and second housing members.

16. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 including heating elements positioned adjacent an inside surface of said sidewalls of said first and second housing members.

17. A portable heating and feeding system as recited in claim 1 including attaching means for attaching said system to another article for hands free carrying of said system.