WO2006054036A1

WO2006054036A1 - Improvements in and relating to the measuring of powder

Info

Publication number: WO2006054036A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/004858
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claire Cecilia Paul; Paul Anthony Bottomley; Mandy Nicola Haberman
Original assignee: CAFEBABE Ltd
Current assignee: CAFEBABE Ltd
Priority date: 2004-11-18
Filing date: 2004-11-18
Publication date: 2006-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-18

Abstract

A weighing apparatus for use in weighing out a target weight of baby milk formula powder necessary to produce a predetermined number of feeds of baby milk formula of a predetermined feed size and predetermined powder to water concentration, the apparatus comprising: a weighing scale for determining the weight of powder added thereto; input means for the inputting of data relating to at least one of the number of feeds and the predetermined feed size; and signalling means for providing to a user of the apparatus a signal indicative of the actual weight of powder added to said weighing scale by the user relative to said target weight of powder.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TN AND RELATING TO THE MEASURING OF POWDEK

^• This invention concerns improvements in and relating to the measuring of powder particularly, but not exclusively, to the weighing out of baby milk formula powder. Although the invention has particular application to baby milk formula powder it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to the weighing out of other powders, for example powders usable in the preparation of food or beverages. In addition, although the preferred solid form of the quantity being measured is powdered concentrate, the concentrate may take alternative solid forms, such as granules. The quantity being measured may not even be in solid form; it may alternatively or additionally be a liquid, for example cooled, freshly boiled water.

Formula milk for a baby or toddler requires cooled, freshly boiled water to be mixed with formula milk powder. Boiled water must be used to ensure that the water is sterilized. At the time of mixing the sterilized water with the powder the water should not be boiling. Instead, it should have been allowed to cool to a temperature in the range of approximately 45 - 55⁰C.

In making up a bottle or feed of formula milk it is conventional to boil water in a kettle or pan to sterilize it, wait for it to cool to approximately 5O⁰C and then add a measured volume of cooled water to a baby feeding bottle. This measured volume of water is in accordance with the directions for use provided by the supplier of the baby milk formula powder. A measured amount of formula milk powder may already have been placed in the bottle or else be added to the bottle following the addition of the measured volume of cooled, freshly boiled water. This amount of the dose of powder will also be in accordance with the powder supplier's directions for use.

Baby milk formula powder is conventionally supplied in large drums. In addition to being provided with directions for use, these drums are usually provided with a scoop for use in dosing the baby milk formula powder. Dosing of the powder into the bottle is usually achieved by transferring a plurality of .levelled off scoops of powder from the drum of powder into the neck of the bottle, the number of scoops being in accordance with the powder supplier's directions for use. Firstly, this process of ^' repetitive measuring and counting is undesirable. It is easy to lose count of the number of scoops of powder added to the bottle, with a consequent risk of under or overdosing. This is particularly so if the baby or toddler to be fed is crying and/or other children are creating a distraction. Secondly, trying to pour the powder contents of the scoop accurately through the narrow neck of a conventional feeding bottle can be difficult to achieve, especially when distractions are present, with the consequential spillage of powder affecting dosage concentration, making a mess and wasting powder. At present, this process of repetitive measuring and counting, as well as the careful transfer of multiple scoops of powder into a bottle, has to be undertaken for every feed or bottle of baby milk formula that is being made up.

For a given brand of baby milk formula powder, baby milk formula should always be made up at a the powder supplier's specified powder to water concentration. This concentration, or ratio of powder volume to water volume, not only varies between powder suppliers, but it can also vary between different products in a single supplier's range. In addition to needing to make up baby milk formula at the appropriate concentration, the size of feed to be administered to a baby or toddler changes with the child's age, or more accurately the child's weight In increasing the size of a feed the volume of water and weight of powder to be added to the bottle must be increased in the same ratio if the powder to water concentration is to remain in accordance with the powder supplier's directions for use.

There is a need to simplify the process of making up a feed of baby milk formula, thereby reducing the time taken/or improving safety by minimising the risk of the feed of baby milk formula being made up at an incorrect powder to water concentration.

Figure 1 is a table illustrating a typical set of directions for use provided by a powder supplier with a drum of baby milk formula powder. As can be seen, as the age/weight of the baby or toddler increases, the size of the feed increases, at least for the first six months and/or up to 7.5 kg body weight. For a child of approximately ^' 3.5 kg body weight (see the first horizontal row in the table), six feeds a day are required, each feed containing 90 ml or 3 flats, of cooled, freshly boiled water and 3 level scoops of powder. In contrast, when the child's body weight has risen to approximately 5 kg, although the number of feeds required per day has reduced from six to five, the size of each feed has doubled to 180 ml (or 6 flats.) of cooled, freshly boiled water, to be mixed with 6 level scoops of baby milk formula powder. As can be seen, the ratio of scoops to the volume of water is fixed. One level scoop of powder is always required to be mixed with 30 ml (or 1 flats.) of water.

Baby milk formula powder suppliers give the amount of powder required to make up a feed as a volume, i.e. a level scoop. In measuring out three level scoops of powder it is difficult (provided one does not mis-count the number of scoops) to measure out an amount of powder that will be significantly inaccurate. In contrast, because the contents of a level scoop of powder will probably only weigh 1 oz (approximately 28g), it will be appreciated that in attempting to measure out 3 oz (approximately 84g) worth of powder on a (usually inaccurate) set of kitchen scales, the scope for measuring out an inaccurate dose of powder is significantly increased. As discussed above, however, it is this need for volumetric dosing, measuring out a plurality of level scoops of powder of a known scoop size, that can lead to problems due to the repetitive nature of the task being performed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a weighing apparatus for use in weighing out a target weight of baby milk formula powder. This target weight is the weight of powder necessary to produce a predetermined number of feeds of baby milk formula of a particular feed size and particular powder to water concentration. The apparatus preferably comprises: a weighing scale for determining the weight of powder added thereto; input means for the inputting of data relating to at least one of the number of feeds and the feed size; and signalling means for providing to a user of the apparatus a signal indicative of the actual weight of powder added to the weighing scale by the user relative to said target weight of powder.

Advantageously the apparatus further comprises determining means for determining said target weight of powder according to all of (I) said number of feeds, (ii) said feed size and (iii) information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said particular concentration. Some or all of this information may already have been pre-programmed into the apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a weighing apparatus for use in weighing out a target weight of baby milk formula powder. This target weight is the weight of powder necessary to produce a predetermined number of feeds-of baby milk formula of a particular feed size and particular powder to water concentration. The apparatus preferably comprises: a weighing scale for determining the weight of powder added thereto; a memory programmed or programmable to contain information regarding different weights of powder mixable with different volumes of water to produce baby milk formula at said particular concentration; and signalling means for providing to a user of the apparatus a signal indicative of the actual weight of powder added to said weighing scale by the user relative to said target weight of powder.

The apparatus of the above first and second aspects is also preferably operable in a calibration mode to obtain information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said particular concentration. Preferably, in the calibration mode the apparatus weighs a known volume of powder, said volume of powder being mixable with a given volume of water to produce baby milk^' formula of said particular concentration, and determines from the weight of said known volume of powder and said given volume of water a weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said particular concentration. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of calibrating a weighing apparatus for use in the subsequent weighing out of baby milk ^' formula powder to produce baby milk formula of a particular concentration. The method preferably comprises: weighing a particular volume of powder using the weighing apparatus, said volume of powder being mixable with a given volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said particular concentration; and obtaining therefrom information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said particular concentration. Advantageously, this information is obtained by determining, from (I) the weight of said weighted ^• volume of powder and (ii) said given volume of water, a weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said particular concentration. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a weighing apparatus to weigh out a target weight of baby milk formula powder necessary to produce a predetermined number of feeds of baby milk formula of a particular feed size and powder to water concentration. The method preferably comprises: determining the target weight of powder from all of (I) the predetermined number of feeds, (ii) said particular feed size and (iii) information stored in the apparatus concerning the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said particular concentration; adding said powder to a weighing scale of the apparatus; and ceasing to add said powder on receipt from the apparatus of a signal indicative of the actual weight of powder added to the weighing scale being equal to said determined target weight.

Embodiments of apparatus in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a typical table of "directions for use" supplied by a powder supplier with a bulk drum of baby milk formula powder;

Fig. 2 is a schematic front elevation of an embodiment of weighing apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a stylized block circuit diagram of the control circuitry of the Fig. 2 apparatus;

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of powder container;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a removable partition for use in the modular removable dividers illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a removable divider and main container body of a second embodiment of powder container, shown partially exploded; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a variant of the removable divider and main container body of a third embodiment of powder container, showing the removable divider fitted to the main container body.

Although the preferred embodiment of weighing apparatus illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is illustrated as being a stand-alone unit, it may for example be integrated into a system together with a device for use in other aspects of the preparation of a bottle or feed of formula milk. Devices of this general sort are described in the applicant's own earlier WO-A-97/47224 and International Patent Application number PCT/GB04/002345 filed 2 June 2004, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.

Although the invention is described in the context of baby milk formula powder, the quantity being measured need not be baby milk formula powder.

The preferred embodiment of weighing apparatus 1 is provided on its top surface with a weighing scale 2 in the form of a weighing stage upon which the item to be weighed (not shown in Fig. 2) is positioned. The front face of the apparatus is provided with various controls.

As will be described below, the weighing apparatus is usable in both a calibration mode and a feed preparation mode.

The weighing apparatus is provided with a first input means 3 for inputting data relating to feed size. This first input means may, as shown, take the form of a rotatable knob, but may take other forms, for example a keypad, soft touch keys, etc. As will be explained in more detail below, the first input means is, in the preferred embodiment, used in both the calibration mode and the feed preparation mode of the weighing apparatus.

Also provided on the front face of the weighing apparatus is a second input means 4 for inputting data relating to the number of feeds. As will become apparent later, a container 10 is intended to be placed on the weighing scale 2 and to receive therein sufficient powder as to make up a predetermined plurality of feeds of baby milk formula. It is the number of this predetermined plurality of feeds that can be input via the second input means 4. The second input means 4 is used in both the calibration mode and the feed preparation mode and can take a form other than a rotatable knob. As explained below, the first and/or second input means may not be manually adjustable at all.

A further control provided on the front panel of the weighing apparatus is a zero button 5 for "zeroing" the weighing scale, as is conventional in the manner of an electronic set of weighing scales.

The weighing apparatus is also provided with a signalling means 6. In the illustrated embodiment the signalling means takes the form of a numeric display that displays the proximity of an actual weight of powder added to the weighing scale relative to a target weight of powder, as will be explained in more detail below. Although in the illustrated embodiment the display is a visual display, which displays the actual ^' weight of powder added to the scale as a percentage of the target weight of powder, a true weight scale reading could be indicated. Alternatively, a plurality of lights or LEDs might be provided, with more of the LEDs illuminating as the actual weight approaches the target weight. The signalling means might alternatively or additionally include an audible warning.

The front panel of the preferred embodiment of weighing apparatus is also provided with a calibration triggering means 7 in the form of a push button. As will be explained below, the calibration triggering means 7 is employed in the calibration mode, as part of the calibration routine, to trigger the weighing apparatus to record the weight of a predetermined volume of powder added to the weighing scale 2. The calibration triggering means 7 may however take a form other than a push button.

Also provided on the front panel is a switch 19 movable between two positions, switchable between a 'Calibration Mode' and a 'Feed Preparation Mode'.

As shown in schematic format in Fig. 3, the first and second input means 3, 4, the zero button 5, the calibration triggering means 7 and the switch 19 are all provided as inputs to a microprocessor controller 8. The weighing stage 2 of the weighing apparatus also provides an input to the microprocessor controller 8. The signalling means 6 is arranged to be driven by the microprocessor controller 8. The microprocessor is also linked to a memory means 9, which may take the form of a RAM or look-up table.

Fig. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of container 10 for placement on the weighing scale 2. In the illustrated embodiment the container 10 is removable from the weighing scale 2. When the container 10 is positioned on the weighing scale it can be used as a receptacle for powder being weighed on the weighing scale. In the preferred embodiment the container 10 comprises three components. The container 10 is generally similar to the receptacle illustrated in Fig. 5a - 5f of the ^' applicant's aforementioned International Patent Application No. PCT/GB04/002345, and as described in that earlier application may be mounted on a water handling device in the manner described and illustrated in that earlier application. The container comprises a main body 10a, a removable divider 10b and a lid 10c. The main body 1 Oa comprises an arcuately shaped main reservoir 11 which, as shown, extends through, an arc of approximately 280°. The remaining approximately 80° of the main body 10a constitutes a blanking panel 12.

The removable divider 1 Ob is also generally arcuate in shape, but extends through approximately 140°. It comprises three partitions 13 held together by arcuate members 14. The three partitions 13 are spaced 70° apart. Two ribs 15 are provided internally of the main reservoir 11, spaced approximately 140° apart, each to locate against a respective endmost partition 13 when the removable divider 10b is fitted into the reservoir 11 by inserting it in the direction of arrow 16. The shape of the partitions 13 matches the cross-section of the main reservoir 11, so that when the removable divider 10b is fitted into the main reservoir 11 it has the effect of dividing the main reservoir 11 into a plurality of separate, open-topped compartments of equal size, each compartment subtending approximately 70°. In the illustrated embodiment the number of this plurality is four and is equal to the number of a predetermined number of feeds as will be explained below, but this number may be varied.

Once the removable divider 10b is inserted into the main reservoir 11 the lid 10c is engageable with the main body 10a. The engagement of the lid 10c with the main body 10a is such as to prevent the lid 10c from accidentally detaching from the main body 10a, but allows the lid 10c to be rotated relative to the main body 10a around a . central axis of the main body 10a of the container, which central axis is represented by the vertical line 17. By rotating the lid 10c relative to the assembly of the main body 10a and the divider 10b the conduit 18 integral with the lid 10c can be successively aligned with any one of the four individual compartments, thereby enabling the contents of a single compartment to be emptied from the container 10 ^' (upon inverting the assembled container 10), without emptying any of the other three compartments. The conduit 18 preferably, as shown, takes the form of a funnel so as to facilitate the efficient transfer of powder from the selected compartment into the neck of a bottle, reducing the possibility for spillage of the powder. It will be appreciated that, by indexing the lid 10c so as to align the conduit 18 with the blanking panel 12 of the main body 10a of the container, the container will be securely closed, so that if the container 10 is inadvertently inverted in this condition powder will not leak from any of the four compartments.

To provide the indexing of the lid 10c with some "feel" the lid 10c and the removable divider 10b may advantageously be provided with a detent mechanism. The mechanism may for example take the form of a series of five recesses or detents on one of the two components and a resilient projection (in plastics material, or a notched metal spring) on the other component, which projection will releasably engage one of the recesses upon alignment of the conduit 18 with the centre of one of the four compartments or the centre of the blanking panel 12. This "feel" will reassure the user of the compartment that the conduit 18 is either fully aligned with just a single compartment, or else fully aligned with the blanking panel 12, thereby avoiding two compartments being emptied at once, or else a compartment being emptied when the container is supposed to be in its closed condition.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the container is provided with four compartments, as will be explained below it may be provided with a larger or smaller number of compartments, dependent upon the number of feeds of powder to be measured out in the container in one operation. Advantageously, the number of compartments may be the number of feeds required to be given to a child in a 24 hour period.

The three elements 10a, 10b, 10c of the container 10 are advantageously injection moulded in plastics material and dishwasher-proof so as to facilitate cleaning of the container components.

The preferred embodiment of weighing apparatus is usable in a calibration mode, to carry out a calibration routine, and thereafter in a feed preparation mode, to carry out a feed preparation routine.

In the preferred embodiment the calibration routine is used when the weighing apparatus is used for the very first time after purchase. It is also used when changing between different brands of baby milk formula powder. As mentioned above, the powder to water ratio specified in the directions for use of a particular brand of powder can vary between powder suppliers, and even between different brands of powder in a single supplier's product range. By following the calibration routine described below the weighing apparatus is provided with information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at the concentration specified by the powder supplier for the particular brand of powder being used.

By way of example a typical calibration routine will now be described, with reference to the preferred embodiment of weighing apparatus illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4.

1. A clean main body 10a of the container 10 is positioned on the weighing scale 2 of the weighing apparatus 1 with its main reservoir 11 facing upwardly (i.e. in the orientation shown in Fig. 4). At this point the removable divider 10b and lid 1 Oc are not required and are separate from the main body 1 Oa.

2. After checking that the switch 19 is switched to the Calibration Mode the reading from the weighing scale 2 is zeroed by pressing the zero button 5.

3. In order to calibrate the weighing apparatus the user now needs to add a predetermined volume of powder to the arcuately shaped main reservoir 11 of the main body 10a of the container 10 whilst the main body 10a is positioned on the weighing scale 2. The volume of powder to be added is one that, when mixed with a given volume of water, will produce baby milk formula at the powder supplier's specified concentration. In the case of the powder whose directions for use are set out in Fig. 1, the powder supplier has specified that eight level scoops of powder are to be mixed with 240 ml (approximately 8 flats.) of cooled, freshly boiled water. The user needs to inform the weighing apparatus of the water volume (feed size) that is intended to be mixed with the powder to be added to the container. In the illustrated arrangement, the user would manipulate the first input means 3 so as to rotate the knob to align the pointer on the knob with the setting representing 240 ml. Using the scoop provided with the drum of baby milk formula powder the user would then add 8 level scoops of powder to the main reservoir 11 of the main body 10a of the container 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the setting of the second input means 4 during the calibration routine is unimportant.

Whilst the user could alternatively set the first input means 3 to indicate a 90 ml feed size, and add just 3 level scoops of powder to the main reservoir 11, it will be appreciated that by maximising the number of scoops of powder weighed in the calibration routine the calibration process is desensitized against measuring errors.

With the first input means 3 set to the appropriate feed size (240 ml in this example), and the volume of powder (8 level scoops) appropriate to that feed size having been added to the reservoir 11, the user triggers the apparatus to record the weight of the predetermined volume of powder transferred into the container 10. If, for example, in this example a level scoop of powder weighs 1 oz (approximately 28g), and 8 level scoops of powder have been added to the reservoir 11, the weighing apparatus will register the fact that, for this particular brand of powder from this particular powder supplier, 8 oz

(approximately 224 g) of powder are required to be mixed with 240 ml (approximately 8 flats.) of water. The microprocessor 8 is thus able to derive information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at the supplier's specified concentration for that particular brand of powder. In particular, the microprocessor will determine from the weighed weight of powder (in this example 8 oz) and the given volume of water (240 ml) a weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at the supplier's specified concentration. In this particular example, where eight level scoops of powder, weighing approximately 8 oz, are intended to be mixed with 240 ml of cooled, freshly boiled water, the microprocessor will determine that for future feeds with that particular powder for a unit volume of water a particular weight of powder will be required. If, for example, the unit volume of water is 30 ml, the weight of powder mixable with that unit volume of water would be approximately 1 oz.

Once the calibration routine has been completed the powder can be emptied from the reservoir 11 back into the drum of powder from which it was scooped.

In the illustrated embodiment the information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at the supplier's specified concentration is stored in a memory 9. This memory 9 might take the form of a look-up table. For example, once the microprocessor 8 has determined the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at the specified concentration, it can write into the look-up table weights of powder appropriate to each of the water volumes (30 - 240 ml, in 30 ml increments) on the scale of the first input means 3, and more. If, therefore, in a subsequent feed preparation routine (to be described below) the first input means is set to input a 180 ml feed size, by accessing the look-up table in memory 9 the microprocessor controller 8 will be able to determine that the weight of powder mixable with 180 ml of water, in order to produce a 180 ml feed of baby milk formula at the supplier's specified concentration, will be 6 oz.

Once the weighing apparatus has been calibrated using the above calibration routine, the name of the powder supplier and the name of the brand within that supplier's range might be inputted into the weighing apparatus using a keypad (not shown). Alternatively, it is envisaged that the suppliers of powder could provide (with the drum of powder) a sticker which could be applied to the weighing apparatus, for example in the vicinity of the calibration trigger means 7. The user of the apparatus would not need to re-calibrate the apparatus until such time as they wish to use it to measure out a different brand of powder.

After the above calibration routine has been performed, the weighing apparatus is in possession of information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume t>f water to produce baby milk formula of the supplier's specified concentration for the particular brand of powder with which it was calibrated. When a user of the apparatus thereafter uses the weighing apparatus to weigh out an amount of that particular brand of baby milk formula powder, the weighing apparatus can very easily and accurately be used to weigh out a bulk amount of that powder necessary to produce a predetermined plurality of feeds of baby milk formula, those feeds being of a predetermined feed size and at the supplier's specified powder to water concentration.

An exemplary feed preparation routine will now be described, on the basis that the above example of a calibration routine has been performed and has been used to calibrate the weighing apparatus by programming it to learn that, in order to make up baby milk formula of the supplier's specified powder to water concentration, 1 oz of powder must always be mixed with 30 ml of cooled, freshly boiled water. These figures are non-limiting and are simply being used to continue to work through the calibration example described above. In the following example it is assumed, initially, that the baby or toddler to be fed has a body weight of 4 kg. 1. From the directions for use illustrated in Fig. 1 , for a child of 4 kg body weight it can be seen that six feeds are required to be administered every 24 hours, each feed being of 120 ml. To use the apparatus in its feed preparation routine the user of the apparatus thus needs to set the first input means 3 to 120 ml to reflect the desired individual feed size, and to ensure that the switch

19 is switched to the Feed Preparation Mode.

2. The upturned empty main body 10a of the container 10 is then placed on the weighing scale. At this point the removable divider 10b and lid 10c are not present.

Although not required at the present time, the removable divider 10b illustrated in Fig. 4 will, when inserted into the main reservoir 11, divide that reservoir into four equally sized compartments. The number of compartments is equal to the number of feeds for which powder is to be measured out in the feed preparation routine. The user of the apparatus thus needs to set the second input means 4 to four feeds to reflect this. As will be described below, the apparatus may be used to measure out powder for making up other numbers of feeds, but for the time being four will be taken as the number, due to the partition 10b being arranged to divide the reservoir 11 into four compartments.

3. With the upturned, empty main body 1 Oa of the container 10 placed on the weighing scale 2, and the first and second input means 3, 4 set to 120 ml and 4 feeds respectively, the user then zeroes the weighing scale by pressing the zero button 5. This triggers the microprocessor to determine a target weight of powder, this target weight of powder being the weight of powder necessary to produce the predetermined.plurality (four) of feeds of the predetermined (120 ml) feed size at the powder to water concentration specified by the powder supplier for that particular powder. In this particular example, in the earlier described calibration routine the microprocessor determined that 1 oz of powder is required for every 30 ml of water if the resultant baby milk formula is to be at the supplier's specified concentration. Using this information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at the required, predetermined concentration, the microprocessor determines the target weight of powder.

Because, in this example, the weighing apparatus is to be used to weigh out sufficient powder to make up four feeds, each of 120 ml feed size, the microprocessor will determine that the target weight of powder is 16 oz. It might achieve this by first calculating that the total water volume will be 480 ml (4 x 120 = 480), then looking up in the look-up table of the memory 9 the weight of powder necessary to be mixed with 480 ml of water if the resultant baby milk formula is to be of the specified concentration. In a first alternative, it might read from the memory that for a 120 ml feed size a weight of 4 oz of powder is required and then multiply this by the number of feeds (four) to arrive at the target powder weight of 16 oz. In a second alternative, it might use an algorithm to calculate the target weight.

4. The user of the apparatus can now simply pour powder from the drum of powder into the main reservoir 11 of the container 10. Alternatively, the user could use the powder supplier's supplied scoop, or a spoon of unknown size, to transfer powder from the drum to the container 10. If a spoon or scoop is used it is not, however, necessary for the user to count the number of scoops, thereby avoiding the repetitive counting and measuring of the prior art technique, nor is it necessary for the size of the spoon or scoop to be known.

5. As powder is being added to the reservoir 11 the weighing scale 2 weighs the actual amount of powder added to the reservoir 11. The reading of this weight provides an input to the microprocessor controller 8. In the preferred arrangement illustrated in Fig. 2, the signalling means is configured to indicate to the user of the machine the amount of powder actually transferred into the reservoir 11 as a weight percentage of the target weight. Suppose, for example, that 8 oz of powder has so far been poured into the reservoir 11. Because 8 oz represents 50% of the target weight (16 oz) the signalling means will indicate 50% to the user. The user will, thus, realise that he or she needs to keep adding powder. Once the actual weight of powder transferred to reservoir 11 is nearly up to the target weight, the user can slow down the rate at which they keep adding powder to the reservoir 11. Once the display of the signalling means 6 indicates 100%, the user can cease adding powder to the reservoir 11. At this point in time, the user will have added to the reservoir 11 sufficient powder that, when mixed with 480 ml of cooled, freshly boiled water, would make sufficient milk formula for four feeds, each of 120 ml and each at the supplier's specified powder to water concentration. Any overshoot in the amount of powder added to the reservoir 11 can readily be dealt with by scooping powder out of the reservoir 11 until such time as the display 6 reduces to show 100%.

It will be appreciated that, in no longer having to count out a specified number of level scoops of powder, significantly less attention is required on the part of the user. This minimises the possibility for errors. In addition, because a plurality (in this case four) of feeds are being made up at one time, any small error in the amount of powder placed in the container (say, for example, the display indicates 101%, but the user is in too much of a hurry to scoop out a small amount of powder to get the display down to 100%), this error will be spread across the plurality of feeds, thereby distributing the error across more than one feed.

6. The user now removes the main reservoir 11 from the scales. Because the powder may not have been evenly distributed around the full arcuate length of the reservoir 11, the container can be placed on a work surface and lightly shaken so as to cause the powder in the reservoir to redistribute itself to provide a level top surface for the powder. Alternatively, the powder might be levelled by a mechanical means, such as a levelling arm (not shown) rotatable about the central axis of the container or a removable mesh element (not shown) capable of being placed in the main reservoir 11. By then inserting into the main reservoir 11 the removable divider 1 Ob, the reservoir 11 is divided into a plurality (four in the case of the illustrated embodiment) of compartments of equal size, each containing an equal amount of powder.

In the case of the present example, each compartment will contain 4 oz of powder. By then attaching the lid 10c to the main body 10a, whilst the removable divider 10b is still received in the reservoir 11 and located by ribs 15, the user will then have a sealable container containing four doses of powder, each dose appropriate to be mixed with 120 ml of cooled, freshly boiled water to provide a feed of the reqiiired size (120 ml) at the supplier's specified powder to water concentration. If a bottle of feed is not required to be made up immediately, by aligning the conduit 18 with the blanking panel Ϊ2, the contents of the container can be kept secure. Once a bottle of feed is required the lid 10c can be indexed around the axis 17 so as to be aligned with one of the compartments, for example until the above described resilient projection or spring locates in that compartment's recess or detent. By inverting a bottle, placing the funnel of the conduit 18 in the neck of the bottle, and then inverting the container 10 and bottle with the funnel and neck still engaged, the bottle can easily be charged with a dose of powder appropriate for mixing with 120 ml of cooled, freshly boiled water. Alternatively, if the 120 ml of water has already been added to the bottle, the container 10 can simply be slowly inverted with its conduit 18 aligned with the upwardly facing neck of the water-containing bottle.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the exemplary food preparation routine enables bottles of baby milk formula to be made up easily at the powder supplier's specified powder to water concentration. Furthermore, in the feed preparation routine (as opposed to the calibration routine) the user of the apparatus is not required to count out or keep track of level scoops of powder. Nor is the user required to determine an actual weight of powder to be added and then to measure out that weight of powder. Although the user is, in fact, weighing out an amount of powder, he or she is not required to calculate or monitor pounds, ounces, grammes or kilos. All the user knows is that he or she needs to transfer powder into the container's receptacle until such time as the apparatus indicates to them to stop. They do not need to get involved in units of weight, either in the feed preparation routine or in the calibration routine.

Although in the illustrated embodiment of apparatus the removable divider 10b divides the reservoir 11 into four compartments, it will be appreciated that the main body 10a could be used with other dividers having more partitions 13. If, for example, the removable divider 10b had five partitions (not shown), so that when the divider 1 Ob was inserted into the main reservoir 11 it divided the reservoir into six ■ compartments of equal size, provided that in the feed preparation routine the second input means 4 was set to "6" feeds rather than to "4" feeds (and the setting of the first input means 3 was left at "120 ml"), the weighing apparatus could be used to measure out six equal doses of powder in a single operation of the feed preparation routine, each dose still weighing 4 oz. By virtue of the adjustment of the second input means 4 to read "six" rather than "four" in the worked example above, the microprocessor would determine that for the same (120 ml) feed size, the target weight of powder would need to be increased to 24 oz, and would thus only indicate that 100% of the target weight had been achieved once 24 oz of powder had been added to the reservoir 11 of the container 10. By enabling a user of the apparatus to measure out six doses of powder in a single operation, sufficient to make up six separate feeds each of 120 ml, a single powder preparation routine can be used to prepare all of the powder required to make up feeds for a given 24 hour period. In the worked example, where the weight of the baby or toddler is 4 kg, it can be seen from the table in Fig. 1 that six feeds are required over a 24 hour period. In this way, the user need only go through the powder preparation routine once a day.

With reference to the table in Fig. I₃ in which the number of feeds in a 24 hour period ranges between three and six, it will be appreciated that by providing a single main body 10a of a container 10 with a set of four different removable closures 10b (having 2, 3, 4 and 5 partitions respectively), a user of the apparatus would have all ^' that they needed in order to be able to undertake a single, daily feed preparation for the first year of the baby or toddler's life. By moulding the four different designs of removable divider in different colours, and providing the rows in the table of Fig. 1 with background colours matching the colours of the dividers according to the number of feeds stipulated for a 24 hour period, it will readily be understood how the process of selecting the appropriate divider 1 Ob for the feeding regime appropriate to the baby or toddler's weight could be simplified.

If the main body 10a is to be used with removable dividers 10b having a large range of numbers of partitions 13, and the lid 10c is intended to be held stationary relative to the divider 10b and body 10a during powder discharge, it may be necessary to provide more than one design of lid 10c, because obviously the angle subtended by the tapering funnel portion of the conduit 18 of the lid 10c should not align with more than one compartment if the contents of only a single compartment are to be discharged through the conduit 18 in any single given powder discharge operation.

As an alternative, whilst the removable divider 10b and main body 10a are still held rotationally fast during powder discharge, the lid 10c may be arranged to sweep over the arcuate extent of the compartment during powder discharge. If, for example, the tapering funnel portion of the conduit 18 of the lid 10c subtends an angle of 20° yet the compartment to be emptied subtends 40°, a detent arrangement could be provided to denote the start and finish of the 20° of sweeping action. For example, the lid 10c could be rotated to engage one of the detents, with the tapering funnel portion of the conduit 18 being aligned with one end of the compartment, and during the course of the powder discharge operation the lid 10c and combined, inverted main body lOa/divider 10b be rotated relative to one another through 20° until the other detent is reached. This action of sweeping the complete contents of an individual container over the tapering funnel portion of the conduit 18 of the lid 10c should ensure that the complete contents of the individual compartment are discharged through the conduit 18.

In the above exemplary feed preparation routine, the input means comprise manual controls requiring user input. For example, both the first and second input means 3, 4 are controlled by the user.. The input means may, however, not require manual intervention by the user of the apparatus. For example, the weighing apparatus may be able to determine automatically the feed size and/or number of feeds. For example, using the feeding regime tabulated in Fig. 1, a user of the apparatus might decide to purchase (or be supplied with free of charge or at discount by the supplier of the powder) six different designs of container, each container design being intended for use with a different one of the six feeding regimes represented by the six rows in the table. For example, the container for use in the first of the six feeding regimes (representing birth, or an approximate body weight of 3.5 kg), might be coloured blue, and be provided with a blue-coloured main container body 10a, removable divider 10b and lid 10c, with blue also being the background colour for the table row representing the first feeding regime. The five other containers would be provided, each in a different colour, and none of the components of the five other coloured containers would be interchangeable with any of the blue-coloured components. In this situation, the blue-coloured container components would be used for the first feeding regime. When the main body 10a of the blue-coloured container 10 is placed on the scales 2 in the food preparation routine, it is envisaged that the weighing apparatus would automatically be able to determine both the feed size (90 ml) and the number (five) of partitions 13 in the blue-coloured removable divider 10b which, when used in conjunction with the blue-coloured body 10a, will divide the main reservoir 11 into six equally sized compartments, i.e. matching the number of feeds (six) required in a 24 hour period in the first feeding regime. This automatic reading of the container could be achieved in several ways using known technology. For example, a bar code might be provided on the underside of the container's main body 10a which, when the main body is placed on the weighing scale 2, could be read by a bar coding reading apparatus provided in the top surface of the weighing apparatus 1. Alternatively, RFID technology might be used. Whatever reads the main body 10a of the container 10, so as to determine the feed number and/or feed size, be it a bar code reader or RFID reader, is represented in Fig. 3 by the numeral 20, as an input to the microprocessor controller 8.

Alternatively or additionally, the weighing apparatus may be provided with means for inputting data relating to the predetermined number of feeds and/or the predetermined feed size, that takes forms other than those illustrated and described above. For example, a supplier of baby milk formula powder might distribute a weighing apparatus, in which one control on the front of the apparatus enabled the user to select between different powders in the supplier's product range (in the event that different powders in its range required different powder weight to water volume ratios). Data regarding new powders might be capable of being entered by the user, for example via a barcode or via the internet. Alternatively or additionally, a further selector'on the apparatus might be calibrated in terms of the baby or toddler's age or body weight. In selecting the age or body weight of the baby or toddler to be fed, a user. of the apparatus could thus indirectly be inputting into the apparatus the predetermined feed size, or at least data from which the microprocessor controller 8 could determine the number of feeds and the feed size for a 24 hour period, perhaps in combination with a separate input from the user indicating the particular brand of powder to be used from the supplier's range.

To provide the apparatus with information as to the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water, a user of the machine may be provided with a weight to place on the scales. This may be used to input the information into the apparatus for the first time as part of the routine of calibrating the apparatus for use with a particular brand of powder, or may be used to check the calibration of the machine following its calibration by one of the techniques described above.

For example, if a particular brand of powder requires x oz of powder always to be mixed with y oz of water, the key may represent the powder to water ratio of x/y. If, for example, in a calibration or calibration check mode the apparatus is expecting to be given weight information as to the amount of powder mixable with a unit value of water, if the machine nominally works on the amount of powder mixable with 100 oz of water the weight (for example in the form of a piece of plastics material marked with the powder manufacturer's name, powder brand and the weight of the piece of plastics material) would have the weight x/y x 100 in oz.

If the apparatus/is intended to be used with several different brands of powder, where the ratio of powder weight to water weight differs, it will be envisaged how the provision of a plurality of small weights, one for each powder brand, would enable the apparatus to be calibrated (or have its calibrator checked) in a calibration or calibration check mode very easily. Powder manufacturers might supply these small weights with each large drum of powder sold.

Additional or alternative inputs might include the child's name, date of birth, information on allergies specific to the child etc. It will be understood how, using the date of birth information for example, the apparatus could remind the user of the apparatus to move on to the next feeding regime as a consequence of the baby growing up. Alternatively or additionally, the weighing scale of the apparatus might periodically be used to weigh the baby, for example to enable the apparatus to make a recommendation as to suitable feeding regimes based on actual body weight.

Numerous safety features may be built in to the apparatus to reduce the possibility for mistakes. A potential problem area can arise from the infrequent operation of changing the number of feeds per day and/or the size of those fees. Infrequently changed parameters are easily ignored in a repetitive process. To combat this the apparatus could be arranged to remind the user when to adjust a feed regime, for example based on the baby's age as discussed above. Alternatively or additionally it could demand that the number of feeds set per day is confirmed by the user on each use.

To further illustrate the point concerning safety features, two further examples of safety checks are detailed in the two scenarios set out below.

In the first Scenario the apparatus has two main users, for example the child's mother and father. The mother might change the feeding regime as directed, for example at two weeks to provide the child with the same number of feed (six) per day, but larger in size (120 ml rather than 90 ml) - see Fig. 1. The father may not realise and may continue to use the previous amount (90 ml) of water. If this happened the child would receive a feed that was one third stronger than recommended. To prevent this the apparatus can be configured to demand that a bottle (containing the water for the desired feed) be placed on the scales before it will continue operation. If the weight of the bottle is approximately what would be expected for a 120 ml feed size the apparatus would allow the user to continue. If, however, the bottle is under weight, for example having a weight indicative of the redundant 90 ml feed size, the apparatus would refuse to continue and might, for example, display an error message.

In the second Scenario, again the feed regime is changed as directed. In this Scenario, however, the number of feeds per day is reduced. If the father is making up the daily dose of powder and is unaware of this, he could use a removable divider 10b having a number of partitions 13 appropriate to the old feeding regime, i.e. having too many partitions. In this situation, the compartments created by insertion of the partitions would contain too little powder for the amount of water resulting in the child receiving a weak feed. So as to eliminate this possibility the different removable dividers 10b, with their different partition numbers, might be configured each to weigh a different amount. The apparatus could thus demand that a removable divider be weighed on the weighing scale prior to use, to check that the configuration of the divider matches the feed regime for which the apparatus is currently configured. Alternatively, after the removable divider 10b has been inserted into the reservoir 11 to partition the powder into compartments, the container 11 could be replaced on the weighing stage and the weight of the removable divider determined then. In the embodiment of removable divider 10b illustrated in Fig. 4 the partitions 13 are formed integrally with the arcuate members 14. As a consequence, taking the range of feeding regimes illustrated in Fig. 1 and in order to enable the container 10 to be able to be used to make up the full range of compartment numbers (3, 4, 5 and 6 in the context of Fig. 1), four different designs of removable divider 10b need to be provided, having two, three, four and five partitions 13 respectively. In addition to this large number of different divider designs increasing product tooling costs, it also requires the user of the apparatus to obtain a large number of dividers 10b, some of which will only be used for a matter of a few weeks. To address this, the removable divider 10b may alternatively have a modular form, enabling it to be built up in different configurations with different numbers of partitions, as described below.

Fig. 5 illustrates a removable partition 13 and Fig. 6 shows how two of these partition 13 might be fitted into receiving slots in the arcuate members 14 of the removable divider 10b. The fitting might involve one or more resilient projections to enable the partition to be securely clipped into place, yet be removable when the divider 10b needs to be reconfigured. As can be seen from the positioning of the divider 10b in Fig. 6 over the main container body 10a, by positioning the two partitions 13 approximately 93° apart and each 93° away from the end of the arcuately shaped main reservoir 11 , that reservoir can be divided into three equally sized compartments when the divider 10b and body 10a are fitted together.

In Fig. 7 a variation of this arrangement is illustrated, in which three partitions 13 have been fitted into different slots in the arcuate members 14. By once again positioning these partitions equal distances apart and equal distances from the end of the reservoir 11, that reservoir 11 can be divided into a number (in this case four) equally sized individual compartments. The user of the apparatus would only need to dismount and remount the partitions 13 in the arcuate members 14 upon changing of a feeding regime. It might, however, be advantageous to break the removable divider 10b down into its component parts for cleaning, for example, if the pieces are to be placed in a dishwasher. By making each of the partitions 13 weight the same, it will be appreciated that the weight of the built-up removable divider 10b will change according to the number of partitions 13 mounted to the arcuate members 14. As mentioned above, one way of providing the apparatus for information concerning the dosing regime would be to weigh the removable divider 10b on the weighing scale 2 of the apparatus, with the change in weight of the divider 10b between the different feeding regimes providing the information input.

As an alternative to having a single compartment's worth of powder being intended for mixing with water to produce a single feed (as described above), a plurality of compartments' worth of powder may require mixing with water to produce a single feed. In the above described worked example of a feed calibration routine the removable divider 10b has three partitions 13 to divide the reservoir 11 into four components each containing 4 oz of powder. A single compartment's worth of powder (4 oz) is required to be mixed with 120 ml of water. In the alternative arrangement, the calibration and feed preparation routines may be modified so that, upon inserting a removable divider 10b, the reservoir 11 is divided into a predetermined number of compartments, each compartment containing a smaller known amount of powder, say 1 oz in the context of the feeding regime tabulated in Fig. 1. In this way, in order to make up a 120 ml feed, the user (or the device of PCT/GB04/002345) would need to empty four compartments' worth of powder into a bottle. To make up a 180 ml feed the user (or device) would need to empty six compartments' worth of powder into a bottle, and so on.

Alternatively or additionally to weighing out powder, the weighing apparatus may be used to weigh out plural amounts of cooled, freshly boiled water.

Claims

1. A weighing apparatus for use in weighing out a target weight of baby milk formula powder necessary to produce a predetermined number of feeds of baby milk formula of a predetermined feed size and predetermined powder to water concentration, the apparatus comprising: a weighing scale for determining the weight of powder added thereto; input means for the inputting of data relating to at least one of the number of feeds and the predetermined feed size; and signalling means for providing to a user of the apparatus a signal indicative of the actual weight of powder added to said weighing scale by the user relative to said target weight of powder.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said signalling means is arranged to signal to the user when the actual weight of powder added to said scale reaches said target weight of powder.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said signalling means is arranged to signal to the user the proximity, to said target weight of powder, of the actual weight of powder added to said scale.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said signalling means is arranged to indicate to the user the actual weight of powder added to said scale as a percentage of said target weight of powder.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said input means allows the user of the apparatus to vary the number of said predetermined number of feeds.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said input means allows the user of the apparatus to vary said predetermined feed size.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus further comprises determining means for determining said target weight of powder according to all of (I) said predetermined number of feeds, (ii) said predetermined feed size and (iii) information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus is operable in a calibration mode to obtain information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein in said calibration mode the apparatus weighs a known volume of powder, said volume of powder being mixable with a given volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration, and determines from the weight of said known volume of powder and said given volume of water a weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said known volume of powder and said given volume of water are values provided by the supplier of the powder.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the value of the known volume of powder is expressed by the supplier as a number of scoops of powder.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said known volume of powder is different for the same said given volume of water according to the particular brand of powder.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said apparatus further comprises determining means for determining said target weight of powder according to all of (I) said predetermined number of feeds, (ii) said predetermined feed size and (iii) said information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said apparatus further comprises a memory arranged to store said information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said information is stored in a look-up table.

16. A weighing apparatus for use in weighing out a target weight of baby milk formula powder necessary to produce a predetermined number of feeds of baby milk formula of a predetermined feed size and predetermined powder to water concentration, the apparatus comprising: a weighing scale for determining the weight of powder added thereto; a memory programmed or programmable to contain information regarding different weights of powder mixable with different volumes of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentrations; and signalling means for providing to a user of the apparatus a signal indicative of the actual weight of powder added to said weighing scale by the user relative to said target weight of powder.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said signalling means is arranged to signal to the user when the actual weight of powder added to said scale reaches said target weight of powder.

18. Apparatus. as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein said signalling means is arranged to signal to the user the proximity, to said target weight, of powder, of the actual weight of powder added to said scale.

19. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein said signalling means is arranged to indicate to the user the actual weight of powder added to said scale as a percentage of said target weight of powder.

20. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises input means for the inputting of data relating to at least one of the number of feeds and the predetermined feed size.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said input means allows the user of the apparatus to vary the number of said predetermined plurality of feeds.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein said input means allows the user of the apparatus to vary said predetermined feed size.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said apparatus further comprises determining means for determining said target weight of powder according to all of (I) said predetermined number of feeds, (ii) said predetermined feed size and (iii) information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk, formula at said predetermined concentration.

24. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the apparatus is operable in a calibration mode to obtain information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein in said calibration mode the apparatus weighs a known volume of powder, said volume of powder being mixable with a given volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration, and determines from the weight of said known volume of powder and said given volume of water a weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said known volume of powder and said given volume of water are values provided by the supplier of the powder.

27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the value of the known volume of powder is expressed by the supplier as a number of scoops of powder.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, wherein said known volume of powder is different for the same said given volume of water according to the particular brand of powder.

29. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein said apparatus further comprises determining means for determining said target weight of powder according to all of (I) said predetermined number of feeds, (ii) said predetermined feed size and (iii) said information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula at said predetermined concentration.

30. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein said information is stored or storable in a look-up table.

31. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a container for receiving powder added to said weighing scale.

32. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said container is removable from said weighing scale.

33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 31 or 32, wherein said container is divided into a plurality of equally sized compartments.

34. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein the number of said plurality of compartments is equal to the number of said predetermined plurality of feeds.

35. Apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the number of said plurality of compartments is greater than the number of said predetermined plurality of feeds.

36. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein said container is divided into said compartments by a divider that is removable from the container.

37. Apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein said container comprises a main reservoir which is dividable into said plurality of compartments by the insertion therein of said removable divider.

38. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein said plurality of compartments are capable of being emptied of their powder contents individually, thereby to enable an amount of powder necessary to produce a single feed, of said predetermined feed size and said predetermined powder to water concentration, to be dispensed from one or more of said compartments.

39. Apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the container is provided with a closure capable of closing all except one of the compartments, thereby enabling said one unclosed compartment to be emptied of powder whilst the closure prevents any powder in the closed compartments from being emptied also.

40. Apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein the closure is a lid which is capable of engaging a main body of the container in a plurality of different positions, in each of which positions the lid closes all except one unclosed compartment, the main body of the container providing said compartments.

41. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein the lid has a conduit extending therefrom, along which conduit powder can pass from said unclosed compartment, said conduit being capable of being used as a funnel to facilitate the efficient transfer of powder from said unclosed compartment into the neck of a bottle.

5

42. Apparatus as claimed in claim 40 or claim 41, wherein said lid is rotatable around a central axis of the main body of the container, thereby to enable successive ones of said compartments to be individually emptied of their powder contents.

_, 10 43. A method of calibrating a weighing apparatus for use in the subsequent weighing out of baby milk formula powder to produce baby milk formula of a predetermined concentration, the method comprising: weighing a predetermined volume of powder using the weighing apparatus, said volume of powder being mixable with a given volume of water to produce baby 15 milk formula of said predetermined concentration; and obtaining therefrom information regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration.

20 44. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein said information is obtained by determining, from (I) the weight of said weighed volume of powder and (ii) said given volume of water, a weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration.

25 45. A method as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44, wherein said unit volume of water is a lesser volume of water than said given volume of water.

46. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein said given volume of water is approximately 240 ml or 8 fluid ounces.

30

47. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 46, further comprising storing said obtained information.

48. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein said information is stored in a look-up table.

49. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 48, further comprising the step of inputting into the apparatus information regarding said given volume of water.

50. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 49, further comprising the step of measuring out said predetermined volume of powder using a scoop.

51. A method as claimed in claim 50, comprising the prior step of reading off from the^* powder supplier's instructions the number of scoops of powder mixable with said given volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration.

52. A method as claimed in claim 51 , comprising transferring said read-off number of scoops worth of powder from a bulk reservoir of powder to the weighing apparatus.

53. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 52, further comprising initially placing a container on the weighing apparatus and zeroing the weight reading of the apparatus prior to transferring into the container said predetermined volume of powder.

54. A method as claimed in claim 53, further comprising triggering the apparatus to record the weight of the predetermined volume of powder once the predetermined volume of powder has been transferred into the container.

55. A method of using a weighing apparatus to weigh out a target weight of baby milk formula powder necessary to produce a predetermined plurality of feeds of baby milk formula of a predetermined feed size and predetermined powder to water concentration, the method comprising: determining the target weight of powder from ail of (I) the number of said predetermined number of feeds, (ii) said predetermined feed size and (iii) information stored in the apparatus concerning the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration; adding said powder to a weighing scale of the apparatus; and ceasing to add said powder on receipt from the apparatus of a signal indicative of the actual weight of powder added to the weighing scale being equal to said predetermined target weight.

56. A method as claimed in claim 55, further comprising inputting into the apparatus data concerning at least one of (I) the number of said predetermined plurality of feeds and (ii) said predetermined feed size.

57. A method as claimed in claim 55 or claim 56, wherein the method additionally comprises the calibration method of any one of claims 26 to 37, and wherein said information obtained in said calibration method regarding the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to prodiice baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration is said information stored in the apparatus concerning the weight of powder mixable with a unit volume of water to produce baby milk formula of said predetermined concentration.

58. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 57, wherein the weighing apparatus is the apparatus claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42.

59/ The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42 and a method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 58, wherein said predetermined plurality of feeds includes one feed.