INFANT FEEDING SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for heating a liquid comprising:
- a housing;
a liquid reservoir contained within the housing;
a fluid circuit for conveying liquid from the reservoir to a dispenser; and
a thermal energy storage unit contained within the housing and disposed to be in thermal contact with the fluid circuit, the thermal energy storage unit constructed and arranged to heat liquid as it passes thru the fluid circuit.
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Abstract
An apparatus for heating a liquid is described. The apparatus includes a housing. A liquid reservoir is contained within the housing. A fluid circuit conveys liquid from the reservoir to a dispenser. A thermal energy storage unit is contained within the housing and disposed to be in thermal contact with the fluid circuit. The thermal energy storage unit is constructed and arranged to heat liquid as it passes through the fluid circuit. The thermal energy storage unit can include a phase change material or a combination of a phase change material and a high thermal conductivity material.
92 Citations
54 Claims
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1. An apparatus for heating a liquid comprising:
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a housing; a liquid reservoir contained within the housing; a fluid circuit for conveying liquid from the reservoir to a dispenser; and a thermal energy storage unit contained within the housing and disposed to be in thermal contact with the fluid circuit, the thermal energy storage unit constructed and arranged to heat liquid as it passes thru the fluid circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of heating a fluid within a feeding system comprising the acts of:
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containing fluid within a fluid reservoir; drawing the fluid through a fluid circuit;
wherein, fluid within the fluid circuit is in thermal contact with a thermal energy storage unit; andconducting heat from the thermal energy storage unit to the fluid to heat the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for heating a liquid comprising:
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a housing; a liquid reservoir contained within the housing; a first fluid circuit conveying liquid from the reservoir to a dispenser; a heat source in thermal contact with the first fluid circuit; and a priming system whereby gas is evacuated from the first fluid circuit through a second fluid circuit when the apparatus is in an inverted position. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for heating a fluid within a feeding system comprising the acts of:
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conveying liquid from a fluid reservoir through a first fluid circuit to a liquid dispenser; heating the liquid in the first fluid circuit; and evacuating air bubbles in the first fluid circuit through a second fluid circuit. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A charging station for a thermal energy storage unit of a liquid feeding system comprising:
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a heating pad for supplying heat energy to the thermal energy storage unit; a power supply that is coupled to the heating pad the power supply providing energy to the heating pad; and a base containing the power supply. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification