GB2134788A - Sterilisation of feeding bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

Sterilising apparatus, particularly for the sterilisation of feeding bottles, comprises a container 1 having a lid 5, a lower region 3a for receiving water and an upper region 3b for receiving a plurality of feeding bottles B to be sterilised in the inverted or mouth- down position by the action of steam generated by heating the water in the lower region. Electrical heating means are provided for heating the water in said lower region of the container; as well as control and timer means for controlling the time for which the water is allowed to boil in order to generate steam for the steam sterilisation of the bottles by passing through the perforated partition 4. The bottles B are located on pillars 8 one of which has a sensor 11 for detecting the presence of sterilising steam and which controls the initiation of the timer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvement in sterilisation The present invention relates to sterilisers and more particularly to sterilisers for use in the sterilisation of feeding bottles for feeding babies and young infants, as well as for sterilising the bottle accessories such as caps and teats. The sterilisers according to this invention are particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use by the mother in the home.

At the present time, there are two main methods employed for sterilising babies feeding bottles in the home, each of which suffers from a number of disadvantages.

The first method consists simply in immersing the bottles in boiling water, for example, in a saucepan or similar container. Such a method is not particularly convenient or efficient because the container used is not necessarily of appropriate shape or sufficiently hygienic and once the bottles have been sterilised there is the problem of keeping them in a suitably clean place such that they remain reasonably free from contamination by germs or flies etc. until they are next used.

Generally speaking such a method can be considered as both crude and dangerous to some degree.

The second method consists in sterilising the bottles in a specially designed container filled with a sterilising fluid, usually sodium hypochlorite.

Sterilising equipment of this type is readily available on the market and is in common use by mothers in the home. However, this method requires that the bottles remain immersed in the sterilising fluid for a considerable time, generally at least one hour and preferably longer, and also each time the sterilising fluid is disturbed by the placing or removal of a bottle, a further similar sterilising period has to be allowed before the remaining bottles immersed in the fluid are again sterile. Moreover, such a system is somewhat inconvenient and a tie for a mother, in so far as firstly it is necessary to have an adequate supply of the sterilising fluid, and secondly a considerable time is necessary to effect the sterilisation of feeding bottles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for the sterilisation of feeding bottles and their accessories in which the aforementioned disadvantages are reduced or avoided and which is easy and convenient for a mother to use in the home.

From one aspect, the invention provides sterilising apparatus, particularly for the sterilisation of feeding bottles, comprising a container having a lower region for receiving water and an upper region for receiving a plurality of feeding bottles to be sterilised by the action of steam generated by heating the water in the lower part, electrical heating means for heating water in said lower region of the container, control and timer means for controlling the time for which the water is allowed to boil in order to generate steam for the steam sterilisation of the bottles and means for detecting when the sterilisation temperature has been reached in order to initiate the operation of the control and timer means.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower region of the container contains an electrical heating element for heating water therein to its boiling point and the lower region is separated form the upper region by a steampermeable partition such as a perforated or mesh support on which the feeding bottles rest during the sterilisation operation. The top of the container is closed by means of a lid or cover through which the bottles are inserted into and removed from the upper region. The bottles are positioned in the steriliser in the inverted or mouth-down position and preferably means are provided to define specific locations for the bottles and/or to support them whilst they are in the steriliser.Such means may comprise simple divisions dividing the upper region into compartments each of which receives a bottle or may comprise a number of upstanding pillars each of which projects into and locates a bottle positioned mouth-down in the steriliser.

The apparatus may also include a further removable and steam-permeable support such as a tray or rack positionable for example above the bottles and below the lid, which can receive the bottle accessories such as caps or lids and teats so that they are also steam sterilised together with the bottles to which they belong.

The electrical control means and circuits for the operation and control of the steriliser may conveniently be housed in a base of the apparatus and includes a control and timer device for controlling the time for which the water is allowed to boil to generate steam to effect the sterilisation.

The initiation of the operation of this control and timer device may be effected by means of a steam or temperature sensing device located in the upper region of the container. After the desired steam sterilisation time period has elapsed, which is of the order of a few minutes, the steriliser may be automatically switched off and, if desired, some form of indication may be given such as a light or an audible signal in order to let the mother know that the bottles are sterilised and ready for use.

Thus, the steriliser according to the present invention quickly and automatically sterilises feeding bottles and bottle accessories. It is also convenient to use since the mother can place the bottles and bottle accessories into the unit, switch it on and leave it. It is also effective in destroying germs and bacteria and the unit may be used to store the bottles under hygienic conditions until required, thereby protecting them from pollution by the atmosphere, flies etc.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective view, having parts broken away, of one embodiment of sterilising apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram of the electrical control system for the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a simple perspective view of a further embodiment of sterilising apparatus according to the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the sterilising apparatus to be described is particularly intended for the sterilisation of babies feeding bottles and bottle accessories and basically comprises a container, generally indicated at 1, having a base 2 and a compartment 3. The compartment is divided into a lower region 3a and an upper region 3b, the two regions of the compartment being defined and separated by a perforated partition 4 extending across the compartment and spaced from its lower surface.

The open top of the container is closed by means of a lid 5, shown here as hinged at 6 but which could alternatively be removable. The lid is a reasonably good fit when closed in order to retain steam in the upper region 3b of the compartment but is provided with some form of steam vent.

The lower region 3a below the perforated portion 4 is intended to receive a quantity of water. The desired water level may be indicated by means of suitable marking, for example, by means of a line on a transparent window 7 in the front wall of the container. Two such lines may be provided to indicate recommended lower and upper water levels between which the water in the container should be maintained when the steriliser is in use.

A plurality of upstanding pillars 8 are mounted on the partition 4, six being shown in this embodiment, each of which is intended to receive and locate an inverted feeding bottle, as indicated at B, which rests mouth-down on the partition.

The lower region 3a of the container also contains an electrical heating element (not shown in Fig. 1) of appropriate rating for boiling the water therein and for example somewhat similar to the type commonly employed in electrical kettles.

Alternatively the electrical water heating element could be contained in the base 2 adjacent the floor of the region 3a.

The upper region 3b of the container is provided with supports, such as flanges 9 projecting inwardly from its opposite side walls, in order to receive and support a rack or tray 10, shown at the bottom of Fig. 1, which is also of perforated or of mesh construction and which is intended to receive the bottle accessories such as caps and teats for sterilisation. This upper region of the container also contains a sensor 11, shown here as a temperature sensitive probe associated with one of the pillars 8, for detecting the presence of steam at the sterilisation temperature and which is connected to control the initiation of the control and timer device housed in the base of the unit; as will be described later.

Conveniently the pillar associated with this sensor 11 may be specially identified, for example coloured red, in order that this pillar is always used to receive the first feeding bottle inserted in the steriliser thereby to enable it properly to perform its control function of ensuring that sterilising steam is present within the bottles to be sterilised.

This is particularly important if the steriliser is used to sterilise less than its fully complement of bottles or only a single bottle.

The steriliser may be made of metal or heat resistant plastics material or a combination of both and the partition, pillars and tray may be made of wire or plastics mesh, instead of being a perforated material. Clearly the apparatus will be designed in practice to provide good hygienic standards. The container 1 may be wholly or partially transparent.

The electrical circuitry controlling the operation of the steriliser is housed in its base 2. As shown in Fig. 2, this circuitry comprises a control and timer unit 20, which may be a microchip component, having an input controlled by the signal from the probe 11 and whose output is used to control a contactor 21 having contacts 21 a connected in the supply line 22 from the mains supply to the electrical heating element 23 located in the lower region 3a of the container.

When the mains supply is switched on by operating the main switch 24 on the base of the steriliser, the contacts 21 a are normally closed so that the heating element 23 is energised to heat the water in the lower region 3a of the steriliser until it boils and thereby generates steam which passes through the perforated partition 4 into the upper region 3b. When the sensor 11 senses that the correct sterilising temperature has been reached, it triggers the control and timer unit 20 which then commences to determine the desired steam sterilisation period, for example 3-5 minutes, after which an output signal is produced from this unit which enables the contactor 21 so as to open its contacts 21a and thereby switch off the electrical supply to the heating element 23.

Further normally-open contacts 21b on the contactor may then be closed to operate an indicating device, such as a lamp 25, to indicate that sterilisation is complete. Reset means, such as a button 26, may also be provided for resetting the contactor 21, or alternatively this may be reset by means of a temperature responsive device when the steriliser has cooled sufficiently. The electrical circuitry may also include an overload cut-out 27 which opens its contacts 27a to switch off the electrical supply in the event of there being too little water in the region 3a, in order to protect the electrical heating element 23.

In use, the mother puts water into the lower region 3a of the steriliser to the required level and then places the bottles B in their locations, i.e.

mouth-down over the pillars 8, in the steriliser, after which the bottle accessories are placed in the tray 10 which is located on the supports 9 above the bottles and the lid 5 is closed. The steriliser is then switched-on by means of switch 24 so that the electrical heating element 23 heats the water to boiling point and the steam thereby generated passes through the partition 4 and rises into the upper region 3a of the container to surround and enter the bottles and effect steam sterilisation. When the probe 11 detects that sterilising steam satisfactory to effect sterilisation is being produced, it produces a signal to switch on the control and timer unit 20 which then controls the time for which steam sterilisation is carried out, as described above with reference to Figure 2.

According to one routine for using the steriliser according to the invention, all of the feeding bottles to be used throughout a 24 hour feeding period, for example six bottles in the case of four hourly feeds, together with their teats and caps are sterilised together in the unit and are stored therein until they are used to make up a 24 hour supply of feeds for a baby. After the feeds have been made up, they are then stored in a convenient and hygienic location, such as a refrigerator, until required. At a feeding time, one bottle is taken out and is heated to the correct feeding temperature, for example in a bottle warmer. After use, the bottle is rinsed and initially cleaned. When a plurality of feeds have been consumed, the bottles put in place in the steriliser are sterilised and the whole operation is repeated.

Alternatively, the bottles can of course be sterilised immediately after use, if preferred.

In an alternative routine, once all the bottles have been sterilised along with their accessories, they are retained in the steriliser until required for use. A bottle is only removed from the steriliser at the time for making up a feed, the other bottles being left in the steriliser until required.

A further embodiment of the sterilising apparatus is shown in Figure 3. This comprises a cylindrical container 30 having a base 31 for housing the electrical circuitry and an upper part 32 defining a compartment divided into four segmental locations 33 by means of diametric wire mesh partitions 34. Each location 33 receives and locates a feeding bottle which rests mouth down on a horizontal wire mesh platform (not shown) separating lower and upper regions of the compartment as in the previous embodiment. A circular wire mesh tray 35 is provided for the bottle accessories and sits on the top of the partitions 34 in the upper part of the container. A detachable lid 36 is provided to close the container. This embodiment has its electrical components and is arranged to operate similar to the previously described embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a fast efficient and convenient means for sterilising feeding bottles in the home which only requires water for its operation and which also provides a safe relatively contamination-free place for storing the bottles when not in use.

From another aspect the invention provides sterilising apparatus comprising a container for receiving a plurality of feeding bottles to be sterilised and which may then be closed, electrical means for energising the steriliser in order to cause the production of a sterilising medium for sterilising bottles placed in the container and control and timer means for said steriliser in order to control the time for which the sterilising operation is carried out. In this form of the invention the sterilisation may be achieved by means of microwaves generated in the compartment where the bottles are located. In such an embodiment it is necessary to employ bottles and bottle accessories made of a material which will not be adversely affected by microwave energy.

If desired, the apparatus of the invention may also incorporate a mixing and/or measuring container in which the feeds are made up and which is also sterilised when the apparatus is carrying out a sterilising operation. Such a mixing and/or measuring container could be arranged so that it forms a part of the main container or a cover for the main container in which sterilisation is carried out.

Claims (14)

1. Sterilising apparatus comprising a container for receiving a plurality of feeding bottles to be sterilised in the inverted or mouth-down position, which container may then be closed, electrical means for energising the steriliser in order to cause the production of a sterilising medium for sterilising bottles placed in the container and control and timer means for said steriliser in order to control the time for which the sterilising operation is carried out.

2. Sterilising apparatus, particularly for the sterilisation of feeding bottles, comprising a container having a lower region for receiving water and an upper region for receiving a plurality of feeding bottles to be sterilised in the inverted or mouth-down position by the action of steam generated by heating the water in the lower part, electrical heating means for heating water in said lower region of the container, control and timer means for controlling the time for which the water is allowed to boil in order to generate steam for the steam sterilisation of the bottles and means for detecting when the sterilisation temperature has been reached in order to initiate the operation of the control and timer means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the lower region of the container contains an electrical heating element for heating water therein to its boiling point and the lower region is separated from the upper region by a steam-permeable partition such as a perforated or mesh support on which the feeding bottles rest during the sterilisation operation.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the top of the container is closed by means of a lid or cover through which the bottles are inserted into and removed from the container.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein means are provided to define specific locations for the bottles and/or to support them whilst they are in the steriliser.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means comprise partitions dividing the upper region into compartments each of which receives a bottle.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means comprise a number of upstanding pillars each of which projects into and locates a bottle positioned mouth-down in the steriliser.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 as dependent on claim 2, including a temperature sensitive probe associated with one of the pillars for detecting the presence of steam at the sterilisation temperature and which is connected to control the initiation of the control and timer device housed in the base of the unit.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the pillar associated with said sensor is specifically identified in order that this pillar is always used to receive the first feeding bottle inserted in the steriliser thereby to enable it properly to perform its control function of ensuring that sterilising steam is present within the bottles to be sterilised.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the electrical control means and circuits for the operation and control of the steriliser are housed in a base of the apparatus and include a control and timer device for controlling the time for which the water is allowed to boil to generate steam to effect the sterilisation.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the initiation of the operation of this control and timer device is effected by means of a steam or temperature sensing device located in the upper region of the container.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein after the desired sterilisation time period has elapsed, the steriliser is automatically switched off and an indication is given, such as a light or an audible signal, in order to indicate that the bottles are sterilised and ready for use.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus also includes a further removable support such as a tray or rack, positionable above the bottles and below the lid, which can receive bottle accessories such as caps or lids and teats so that they are also sterilised together with the bottles to which they belong.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus also incorporates a mixing and/or measuring container in which the feeds are made up and which is also sterilised when the apparatus is carrying out a sterilising operation.

1 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said mixing and/or measuring container is arranged so that it forms a part of the main container or a cover for the main container in which sterilisation is carried out.

1 6. Sterilising apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

1 7. Sterilising apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.