Method of making infant formula and related devices

Abstract

Embodiments described herein may comprise an infant formula cartridge for preparing infant formula from premeasured quantities of dry or concentrated liquid components. Other embodiments may include a device for preparing infant formula from said cartridge including means for customizing the infant formula preparation to suit specific health issues.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: 
     
         1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An infant formula cartridge, comprising:
 a base portion defining a vessel adapted to be received in a seated relation in a concentrate introduction chamber;   a cover portion sealably joined to an opening of the base portion, the base portion and the cover portion cooperating to define an inner containment space; and   an inner casing disposed within the inner containment space of the base portion and containing powdered infant formula concentrate, wherein an interior of the inner casing is in fluid communication with an exterior of the inner casing.   
     
     
         10 . The cartridge of  claim 9 , wherein the powdered infant formula comprises an additive selected from one or more of whey protein, casein, soy protein, fat, linoleic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, calcium, mineral nutrients, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, phosphorus, iodine, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, carbohydrates, nucleotides, biotin, choline, inositol, a medicament, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . An infant formula preparation system, comprising:
 a concentrate introduction chamber adapted to receive an infant formula cartridge in a seated relation;   at least one water input line terminating inside the concentrate introduction chamber and positioned so as to puncture a top of the infant formula cartridge, wherein an opposing end of the water input line is in fluid communication with a water source;   a fluid control member disposed upstream from the end of the water input line terminating inside the concentrate introduction chamber, and disposed downstream from the water source, the fluid control member being selected from one or more of a valve or a pump;   a temperature control means adapted to control the temperature of a volume of water upstream from the fluid control member, and further adapted to prevent the fluid control member from actuating when the volume of water is outside of a predetermined range;   at least one effluent line terminating inside the concentrate introduction chamber and positioned so as to puncture a bottom of the infant formula cartridge, wherein an opposing end of the effluent line is adapted to communicate with an external receptacle for receiving prepared infant formula; and   a volume controlling means for delivering a predetermined volume of heated water to the concentrate introduction chamber, wherein the delivered volume of heated water may be determined by a user.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a component for delivering metered amounts of one or more of a nutritional supplement, a nutrient, or a medicament to the infant formula cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the component for delivering metered amounts comprises one or more of a piston pump, a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, or a diaphragm pump. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the component for delivering metered amounts is in electronic controlling communication with a computer processor adapted to control the operation of the component for delivering metered amounts according to one or more preprogrammed protocols. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is in electronic data communication with at least one rewritable storage medium adapted to contain the one or more preprogrammed protocols. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one rewritable storage medium is in data communication with one or more data input components adapted to communicate the one the one or more preprogrammed protocols to the rewritable storage medium, the one or more data input components being selected from one or more of an onboard key pad, an onboard touch screen, a USB port, or an Ethernet port. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the system is adapted to deliver metered amounts of one or more of whey protein, casein, soy protein, fat, linoleic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B6, B12, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, calcium, mineral nutrients, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, phosphorus, iodine, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, carbohydrates, nucleotides, biotin, choline, inositol, a medicament, or any combination or liquid solution thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the volume controlling mean comprises one or more of a piston pump, a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, or a diaphragm pump. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the volume controlling means is in electronic controlling communication with a computer processor adapted to control the operation of the volume controlling means according to one or more preprogrammed protocols. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the processor is in electronic data communication with at least one rewritable storage medium adapted to contain the one or more preprogrammed protocols, and wherein the at least one rewritable storage medium is in data communication with one or more data input components adapted to communicate the one the one or more preprogrammed protocols to the rewritable storage medium, the one or more data input components being selected from one or more of an onboard key pad, an onboard touch screen, a USB port, or an Ethernet port.