Baby food maker

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for steaming and blending food products such as baby food. The apparatus includes a base including a steam chamber and a drive shaft. A container assembly can be mounted to the base in an inverted position for steaming the food and in an upright position for blending the food. The apparatus may further include a baby bottle sterilizing unit and a bottle warmer.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A food preparation assembly comprising:
 an apparatus for steaming and blending food products, comprising:
 a base including a support for a container; 
 a steam chamber supported by the base and including a steam exit port; 
 a heater for providing heat to the steam chamber; 
 a drive shaft; 
 an electric motor supported by the base and operatively associated with the drive shaft; 
 a container assembly including a container, a steam inlet passage, and a lid removably coupled to a top end portion of the container, the container assembly being selectively mountable to the base support; 
 a blade assembly disposed within the container; 
 a bottle holder selectively mountable to the base, the bottle holder including a steam inlet passage communicable with the steam exit port and an interior chamber of the bottle holder, an external receptacle for receiving at least the bottom end of a baby bottle, and an opening within the bottle holder for allowing steam to flow from the chamber into the receptacle; and 
 a sterilizing unit selectively mountable to the base including a sterilization chamber for holding a plurality of bottles, the sterilization chamber being in fluid communication with the steam exit port when mounted to the base. 
   
   
   
       22 . A food preparation assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein the steam exit port is selectively positionable between a first position in fluid communication with the container and a second position in fluid communication with the sterilizing unit. 
   
   
       23 . A food preparation assembly as described in  claim 22 , wherein the steam chamber includes a removable cap and the steam exit port is disposed on the cap. 
   
   
       24 . A food preparation assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein the lid is selectively locked to the container by a latching mechanism.