WO2003010068A2

WO2003010068A2 - Food dispenser and feeding spoon and heater therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2003010068A2
Application number: PCT/GB2002/003390
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Mailling
Original assignee: Lwm Products Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-24
Filing date: 2002-07-24
Publication date: 2003-02-06
Also published as: GB2377919A; WO2003010068A3; GB0117935D0; GB2377919B

Abstract

One aspect of the invention concerns a combined food dispenser and feeding spoon which comprises : a collapsible food container (16) having an opening (20) for dispensing food ; a substantially rigid spoon (12) having at least a bowl portion (22) ; and, a connection means for attachably/detachably connecting the spoon to the container. Food is dispensed through the opening of the container onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the walls of the container. In a preferred embodiment the container also comprises a substantially rigid neck portion (18) at least partially surrounding the opening, and the connection means attachably/detachably connects the spoon to the neck of the container. The invention also provides a heater device (40) for warming food in the container. The heater comprises a means for weighing the contents of the food container in a heating chamber, and a processor for determining a heating cycle suitable for heating the food to a pre-determined temperature in accordance with the weight of the food in the container. The heater can be powered by a rechargeable battery and an in-car adapter.

Description

FOOD DISPENSER AND FEEDING SPOON AND HEATER THEREFOR

This invention relates to a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination, and in particular concerns a food dispenser and feeding spoon for baby food which enables controlled quantities of food to be dispensed on the spoon for feeding a baby or infant in a single- handed operation.

Food containers are manufactured in many shapes and sizes using many different types of packaging materials such as glass, plastic, metals and metal foils depending on the foodstuff to be stored and the intended shelf life for the foodstuff in the container.

Pureed and mashed baby food is usually packaged in glass containers such as jars with removable screw top lids which enable the contents to be warmed by heating the filled containers in hot water to warm the food to the required temperature for feeding. It is often difficult to ensure that the food is heated to the correct temperature and underheating or overheating can occur and since the food is contained in a separate container the food must be removed before feeding. This requires the mother or person feeding the baby to use one hand to hold the container and the other hand to spoon the food from the container for feeding. Glass is not entirely suitable for storing baby food due to its brittleness and this is a major concern for baby food manufacturers. US-A-4, 830,222 describes a combination spoon and food container which addresses a number of problems associated with glass jar containers for baby food and in particular the requirement for a "third hand" to help keep the baby from knocking the spoon away from its mouth during the feeding process. In this document the combination spoon and food container comprises a rigid spoon element having a bowl portion and an elongate handle which has a curved cross-section. The spoon is manufactured using moulded plastics such as PNC and the food container comprises a thin film PNC envelope which is joined to the handle portion of the spoon by heat or adhesive. Food is placed in the envelope prior to sealing of the envelope at an open end thereof. The way in which the food is packaged is comparable to that used to package condiments in PNC envelopes. In the spoon and food container combination described in US-A-4,830,222 the handle of the spoon provides substantial longitudinal rigidity to the sealed envelope. A tear strip is provided at the end of the envelope adjacent to the bowl of the spoon so that the contents of the envelope can be moved into the bowl once the tear strip has been severed by the application of hand pressure, particularly by the feeder's thumb, to the thin film envelope.

There are a number of disadvantages associated with the spoon and food container combination described in US-A-4,830,222. In particular, there is always the possibility that the tear strip will not sever completely as required, for instance the envelope may be severed along a line which results in the food contents of the envelope being dispensed over the rim of the spoon bowl or handle resulting in mess and waste of the baby food. In addition, the tear strip may present difficulties to the elderly, for instance grandparents, or the disabled and those suffering with arthritis or 3 similar conditions, and this may exacerbate the problems associated with incorrect severing of the envelope. These problems are well known to people who have had to contend with opening PNC envelopes used for condiments in the catering industry.

The container and spoon combination described in US-A-4,830,222 is manufactured to be disposable since the food containing envelope is bonded directly to the moulded spoon and the whole entity is discarded after use. This is particularly wasteful since the moulded spoon constitutes the greater part of the spoon and container combination. The non-resealable design of the envelope underlies the disposable nature of the spoon and food container which requires the spoon and food container to be discarded even when only part of the contents have been dispensed. A partially used container could of course be placed in a rigid air tight container for later use but this would not prevent the contents of the envelope being dispensed by movement of the envelope against the air tight container or by pressure being applied to the envelope through a resealable bag like container in which the spoon and food container had been sealed within.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination comprising: a collapsible food container having an opening; a substantially rigid spoon having at least a bowl portion; and, a resilient inter-connection means for attachably/detachably connecting the spoon to form the said container, whereby food is dispensed through the said opening onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the said container.

By connecting the spoon to a container by means of a "snap-fit" resilient clip type interference connection it is possible to reduce waste since the spoon may be readily detached from the container and re-used after the contents of the food container have been dispensed. The two-part device also enables a single detachable spoon to be used for different food types stored in separate food containers. This may be particularly advantageous when feeding is to take place away from the home when storage space for the dispenser and feeding spoon combination is limited, that is to say in circumstances where the responsible adult must carry an appropriate supply of food in a number of collapsible containers for feeding the baby over an extended period of time, for example when travelling or visiting friends or relatives. This aspect of the invention readily enables the spoon to be detached from the food container for cleaning after use or between dispensing different food types from different containers and also enables the used containers to be flattened for disposal or otherwise after use.

In the context of the present invention the term collapsible container includes any container that is deformable which enables the contents of the container to be dispensed by deforming the container, for example by squeezing. In preferred embodiments, the said container further comprises a substantially rigid neck portion surrounding the said opening, and the said connection means attachably/detachably connects the spoon to the neck of the said container. The rigid container neck readily permits the spoon to be connected to the container and detached therefrom after use. The rigid neck portion also enables the contents of the container to be dispensed in a more controlled manner through the opening which it surrounds in a direction determined by the geometry of the opening in rigid neck portion. The opening also enables the container to be filled in a production environment by food processing machines which can readily hot fill the container with commercially prepared baby food, etc. In this respect it is preferred that the opening has a relatively large diameter or cross-sectional area.

Preferably, the spoon further comprises a handle portion which lies substantially along the length of the container on at least one side or around at least part of the periphery of the container. The handle readily enables the feeding spoon to be held in a way that enables the contents of the container to be dispensed by the application of hand pressure to the container. In such an embodiment the handle may support the container with respect to the bowl of the spoon such that the food dispenser and spoon combination is substantially rigid along its length with the food being dispensed by the application of hand pressure to the side of the collapsible container opposite the side that lies adjacent to the handle portion of the spoon.

In preferred embodiments the handle comprises an annular part which surrounds the neck portion of the container for improved rigidity of the combination and greater stiffness in the region of the connection means. The handle may further comprise a non-return valve and or system in one region of the connection means for controlling the rate of food flow from the container.

Preferably, the said resilient connection means comprises a resilient collar, integral with the spoon, which extends at least partially around the container neck to connect the spoon to the container. The collar may define or form part of an annulus for connection to the neck of the container. In embodiments where the collar is formed as a part annulus, arcuate arms provided on both sides of the collar enable a resilient connection to be made with the container by flexure of the arms to accommodate the neck of the container. In embodiments where the collar is defined by a full annulus, a resilient connection may be formed by engagement of the collar with a flexible and resilient part of the container in the region of the neck or opening. In both these embodiments the collar defines part of a "snap-fit" connection between the spoon and the container.

In preferred embodiments, the container comprises a flexible bag-like envelope and the resilient connection means may further comprise a resilient skirt depending on one side of the said envelope for resilient engagement with a lip on the periphery of the said handle portion. In this way it is possible to readily connect the flexible envelope to the handle portion of the spoon by stretching the envelope material forming the resilient skirt over the lip on the handle. In this way the food container can be constructed entirely using thin film, flexible plastics material to form a bag-like container or "pouch" without rigid connection components, for example a rigid neck portion or the like. By forming the container as a flexible bag-like envelope (pouch) the containers can be readily stored and transported prior to filling and readily disposed of after use. In other embodiments, the bag-like envelope may be sealed along one edge with a rigid insert, preferably a rigid plastics material insert sealed therein, which forms the neck of the container for inter-connection with the spoon,

also preferably of a rigid plastics material. The bag-like envelope may be of a standard "stand up" type where a base portion is joined by heat or adhesive or both to the side or sides of the envelope with a substantially stiff flange being formed around the bag along the joint so formed.

In preferred embodiments, the dispenser and spoon combination further comprises a container engagement means for urging the contents of the container out of the said container opening onto the said bowl. In this way it is possible to dispense the contents of the container in a controlled manner and avoid waste due to incomplete emptying of the container in use.

In preferred embodiments, the said container engagement means comprises a slide which is movable along the length of the container towards the said opening. The slide can be moved along the length of the container to cause the contents to flow towards the opening for dispensing on to the bowl.

Preferably, the said container engagement means comprises a pair of pivotal members pivotally connected with respect to the spoon and positioned on respective sides of the container for engaging the container on opposite sides thereof. In this embodiment the contents of the container can be dispensed by a pump action on the container by movement of the pivotal members against the container on opposite sides thereof.

In preferred embodiments, the said container comprises a flexible tube. By 8 constructing the container as a flexible tube the contents of the container may be readily dispensed when the tube is held in the user's hand by application of finger and/or thumb pressure to the tube depending on the orientation of the handle with respect to the tube and the bowl of the spoon.

In other preferred embodiments, the said container comprises a bag-like flexible envelope. By manufacturing the container as a bag-like flexible envelope it is possible to reduce production costs, transport costs, storage costs and disposal costs. The bag-like envelope readily enables printed matter to be provided on the surface of the container such as instructions of use, nutritional information and/or indicia for marketing and advertising purposes.

Preferably the said container comprises at least two separate container elements. By separating the container into two or more container elements it is possible to fill the elements with different types of food, for example a first element could be filled with a main course food and a second element may contain a dessert food. The two elements may be sized to contain one half portion each to avoid waste if a half portion proves to be sufficient when feeding. In this embodiment it is envisaged that the handle portion comprises a rigid spline extending between the two containers to restrict food flow in one container while the other is being used.

In preferred embodiments, the container comprises a resealable lid. This further prevents waste and less that they be caused as a result of a part empty container. In arrangements where two or more container are used the resealable lid(s) also prevent 9 food being dispensed from the other(s) container(s) when food is being dispensed.

Preferably food is dispensed through a non-return valve in the region of the opening onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the said container. The non-return valve readily enables food to be squeezed out of the food container in a controlled manner by the application of hand pressure and can prevent air entering the container when only partly full following part of the contents of the container being dispensed. This readily enables the contents of the container to be re- sealed in an air tight manner when only part of the food is used during feeding so that the re-sealed contents remain fresh and sterile within the sealed container for later feeding. For example, food that has not been warmed may be refrigerated up to 48 hours.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination comprising: a refillable food container having a food dispensing opening; a substantially rigid spoon having a bowl portion positioned with respect to the said container for receiving food dispensed from the container through the said opening; and, a plunger means for urging food from the container onto the concave surface of the said bowl portion.

The refillable food container of the above mentioned aspect of the invention readily enables food to be prepared at home for the baby or infant and the container to be cleaned and reused. For example, home-prepared food may be filled in the container(s) of the above aspect of the invention and frozen or refrigerated for later use. This can assist parents plan and prepare a range of nutritious meals in advance.

According to another aspect of the invention there is a feeding spoon for attachable/detachable connection with a collapsible food container; the said spoon comprising a bowl portion; and, a resilient connection means for attachably/detachably connecting the spoon to the said container, whereby, in use, food is dispensed through an opening in the container onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the said container.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination comprising a collapsible food container having a substantially rigid neck portion defining an opening for dispensing food from the container onto the bowl of a substantially rigid spoon integral with the said neck portion of the container.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a heater device for warming food in a food container; the said device comprising at least one heating chamber having a heater element for heating food in a food container positioned therein, a weighing means for weighing the contents of the said food container in the

11 heating chamber, and a processor means for determining a heating cycle suitable for heating the food in the said container to a pre-determined temperature in accordance with the weight of the food in the said container.

The heater device readily enables the correct amount of heat to be transferred to a food container according to the weight of the foodstuff within the container and/or the type of foodstuff so that the food is heated to an appropriate temperature to prevent discomfort and/or bums if the food is overheated.

Preferably the heater further comprises a battery means for powering the heater elements. In this way the heater device can be portable and used in environments away from the mains power supply.

In preferred embodiments, the battery is rechargeable and the device further comprises an in-car adaptor for recharging the battery for operating the device from a vehicle's 12 volt power supply.

It is to be understood that the term "resilient inter-connection means" used herein means any "snap-fit" or "clip-on" connection which allows easy attachment and detachment of the spoon portion from the container.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 a is a perspective view of a dispenser and feeding spoon combination similar to that of Figure 3 but with a modified inter-connection;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the dispenser and spoon combination shown in Figure 3 inserted in a heater device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a further heater device capable of receiving a plurality of the food dispenser and feeding spoon combination devices of Figure 3 for heating the contents of the food containers.

Figures 6 to 10 are schematic perspective views showing various food container and feeding spoon combinations.

Referring to Figure 1, a food dispenser and feeding spoon combination 10 comprises a substantially rigid spoon 12 and a tubular food container 14. The container 14 comprises a main cylindrical body section 16 manufactured from a thin film flexible plastics material such as PNC and a substantially rigid neck portion 18 which includes an opening 20 at one end of the container 14 for dispensing the contents of the container on to the upwardly facing concave surface of a bowl portion 22 of the spoon 12. The container may alternatively comprise an oval cross-section cylinder. This may eliminate hot/cold spots during heating. In one embodiment the container 13 material comprises a polypropylene, Bynel tie layer, and ENOH multi-layer. The bowl portion 22 is integrally formed with a handle portion 24 which extends along the length of the container from the region of the opening 20 to the opposite end thereof. The handle defines part of a cylinder, the shape in size of which corresponds to the external dimensions of the container 16 such that the container is in close contact with and supported by the handle along its length. The handle tapers from its end adjacent the bowl portion 22 to its opposite end at the end of the container 14. A collar portion 26 is integrally formed with the handle and bowl portion. The collar 26 completely suιτounds the neck 18 of the container and a resilient connection means (not shown) is provided between the collar and container neck for providing a resilient snap fit connection between the collar 26 and the neck 18. The connection means may take the form of an upstanding annular member on the radially inner surface of the collar 26 which engages a corresponding annular groove in the neck portion 18 to provide a snap-fit connection when the spoon 12 and container 14 are moved towards one another in axial alignment. Resilient snap-fit connections of the above-mentioned type are well known to those skilled in the art.

The container further comprises a non-return valve (not shown) in the neck of the container in the region of the opening 20 to prevent air entering the container once a removable foil or plastics seal (not shown) sealing the opening 20 is removed. Νon return- valves suitable for use in food and/or drink containers are well known to those skilled in the art and may take the form of a valve which only opens on the application of pressure on one side of the valve, for example due to pressure being applied to the collapsible container. 14

In use, the container and spoon are connected and the removable seal sealing the opening 20 is removed so that pureed or mashed food in the container 14 can be dispensed in to the bowl 22 before feeding by the application of fmger pressure to the underside (to the bottom of the drawing in Figure 1) of the container 14.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the container 14 may be disposable or reusable as desired but it is generally preferred that a re-usable container is constructed to form a substantially flexible container as will be more particularly described with reference to Figure 2. The container material may comprise polypropylene, preferably further comprising a relatively small amount of LDPE to provide the required amount of flexibility.

In Figure 2 the container 14 comprises a generally rectangular container made of a substantially rigid transparent plastics material such as ABS or polycarbonate or the like and comprises a plunger element 30 also of a substantially rigid plastics material which is movable within the interior of the rectangular container 16 to provide a ram action for dispensing food from the container through the opening 20 on to the spoon bowl 22. In this embodiment the spoon bowl is integrally formed with a neck or collar portion 26 which similarly forms a snap-fit connection with the neck of the rectangular container 16. The container 16 is provided with a plurality of parallel protrusions 32 on the inside surface thereof which extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the plunger 30 so that the peripheral surface of the ram of the plunger engages the protrusions at predetermined positions along its length 15 of movement. This enables predetermined quantities of food to be dispensed from the container 16 onto the spoon 22 by an indexed movement of the plunger 30 between the protrusion positions 32.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the spoon comprises a part annular collar 26 which defines a pair of arcuate resilient arms 28 for engagement with the rigid neck portion 18 of the tubular container 16. The arcuate arms 28 are similarly provided with an upstanding annular protrusion 34 on the radially inner surface thereof which engages an annular groove 36 in the neck portion 18 of the container 14. In the embodiment of Figure 3 the spoon may be provided with an axially extending handle portion 24 for supporting the tubular container. In embodiments where the container has a sufficiently rigid casing or reinforcing spine member, such that it is able to support its own weight and that of the food contents, the handle portion 24 may be dispensed with to provide a shorter spoon component 12, for example as shown in the upstanding dispenser and spoon combination to the right of the drawing in Figure 3. In other embodiments the reinforcing spine member can be formed integrally with the container lid so that when the lid is removed the spine is also removed and the container is supported along its length by the elongate handle and retained at its end furthest from the opening 20 by engagement with a resilient clip (not shown) on the handle.

In the embodiment of Figure 3 a the handle portion comprises a full annular part which surrounds the neck portion of the container for rigidity of the combination and greater stiffness in the region of the inter-connection. In this arrangement the neck portion 16 of the container comprises a relatively wide opening with an external circumferential groove 36 surrounding the neck portion for inter-engagement with a corresponding annular projection 34 on the interior surface of the annular collar.

In one embodiment, a base portion 36 of the container can comprise electrical contacts which form part of a circuit including a heater element (not shown) provided on the interior surface of or in the container for heating the contents of the container in use. A suitable heater for a single food dispenser and feeding spoon combination is shown in Figure 4.

In Figure 4 a thermostatically controlled heater canister 40 is provided with an internal chamber 42 for receiving the dispenser and spoon combination of Figure 3. The chamber is formed as a blind bore, the base of which is, in one embodiment, provided with electrical contacts (not shown) for supplying power to the heater element of the container 16. In other embodiments the containers are warmed by heater elements in the walls of the chamber 42. The heater chamber is further provided with a weighing means (not shown) at the base of the bore so that the contents of the container can be weighed before heating. A signal or data relating to the weighed contents is processed by a microprocessor (not shown) incorporated within a heater control (not shown) so that the con-ect amount of heat energy required to heat the food contained in the container can be determined so that the food will always be heated to substantially the correct temperature by the heater 40. In an alternative embodiment the heater element(s) may be provided in the chamber walls of the chamber 42 to simplify the construction of the container 16 and the weighing 17 means may be replaced by a sensing means for sensing the quantity of food in the container, for example an optical sensor for sensing the level of food in a partially empty container comprising a transparent material. In other embodiments the user may input a heat setting according to the type and quantity of food to be heated in the same way that an appropriate program is selected on a microwave oven depending on the food to be heated. The heater may also have a defrost program and/or sterilisation program if desired.

As shown in Figure 4, the container 16 may be inserted in the heater 40 with or without the spoon connected to the container and may be inserted with a re-sealable lid 44 connected to the neck of the container 16 instead of the spoon. The heater can be further provided with a separate sterilisation unit for sterilising the spoon or spoons and where appropriate container(s) and dispensing plungers (Figure 2) before use.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the heater 40 comprises a plurality of chambers 42 for heating and/or storing a complete meal set for a day or more for feeding a baby or infant over an extended period of time.

The heaters of Figures 4 and 5 may be provided with a battery power source for portable use and may also be provided with a rechargeable battery and battery recharger, for example, an in-car recharger adapter for recharging the batteries of the heater using a vehicle's electrical power supply for example 12, 24 or 43 volt supply. In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5 the spoon or container material may comprise a polymer material which changes colour when the correct temperature of the food 18 is reached in the container being heated in the heater chamber.

Further embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10. Referring to Figure 6 the container is formed as a bag-like structure from a flat sheet of thin plastics material such as PNC that has been sealed along its edges and provided with an elastic skirt member 50 which extends around the periphery of the container on an underside thereof for engagement with a lip 52 formed around the periphery of a correspondingly shaped handle portion of the spoon 12. In this embodiment the container is formed entirely of flexible thin film plastics material with the opening being provided by a removable (peelable) seal 54 at the end of the container in the region of the spoon bowl portion 22. In this embodiment the spoon resembles a spatula and the intention of this spatula type design is to have a soft pliable plastic material stretched over a rigid spine/spoon combined so that the food can be caressed out. The opening may have a removable (peelable) seal at the end, but the elastic skirt may have a small flap detail at the beginning of the spoon. Especially for pureed foods, this acts as barrier so that the user can control the food flow-rate thus preventing the food from instantly squirting out.

Referring to Figure 7, in this embodiment the container is also formed as a bag-like structure in the form of a pouch with an injection moulded rigid plastics insert 56 sealed, by heat and/or adhesive, in one side edge of the bag. The insert 56 defines the neck of the container and the opening 20. A re-sealable screw top 58 is provided on the opening 20 for sealing and re-sealing the contents of the unused or undispensed food. As in the embodiment in Figure 6, the bag shown in Figure 7 may comprise a thin film PNC plastics material or other polymer optionally coated with a metal film for food preservation. The bag material may comprise a laminate sheet material including a barrier film, for example PNDC coated polyester, laminated to a heat sealing polyester film with a more caulking type sealant for sealing to the rigid neck component. This technology is well established in the food packaging industry especially in relation to "pouch" type packages. As shown in Figure 7, the bag-like container is connected to the spoon by the connection in the form of arcuate resilient arms 28 which engage the neck of the container to enable the combined dispenser and spoon to be handled in an easy and efficient manner. In another embodiment the spoon, or at least the spoon bowl, maybe integrally formed with the container by joining the spoon to the container neck by heat welding. The spoon may also be integral with the injection moulded rigid plastics insert 56. The spoon material may comprise a polymer which is capable of changing colour when subject to varying temperature such that once the food is heated to the required temperature the colour of the spoon bowl changes to provide a visual indication of this.

With reference to Figure 8 the handle portion 24 of the spoon may be provided with an axially moveable slide cam element 60 which can be moved in the user's hand in the direction of the opening 20 to urge the contents of the container to flow through the opening 20. The slide cam element 60 is provided by an annular ring type member which is slidably mounted on the axially extended handle 24 provided on the side of the container.

In the embodiment of Figure 9 the handle portion 24 comprises a pair of pivotal

20 handle members 62 which are pivotally connected with respect to one another at the collar of the spoon so that movement of the members together causes the contents of the container to flow through the opening 20 onto the bowl portion 22.

In the embodiment of Figure 10 the container 14 comprises a pair of separate tubular container elements 64 either integrally formed or bonded to each other by heat or adhesive or other means to form a single unit. Each separate container element 64 is provided with a rigid neck portion 18 receiving either a re-sealable screw cap or a detachable spoon 12 comprising the bowl 22 and the collar portion 26 only. In a further embodiment (not shown) a rigid spline is positioned between the two containers to enable the contents of the selected container to be squeezed out. The spoon attaches to the spine between the containers and may be rotated to receive the contents of a container depending on which container is being used.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that changes and modifications may be effected without the exercise and further inventive skill and effort. For example, the spoon and food container can be manufactured from biopolymer materials that are biodegradable and/or compostable for reduced impact on the environment. In addition the spoon and container combination is not necessarily restricted to applications for feeding babies and infants. The invention also envisages embodiments for feeding the elderly or infirm and/or for dispensing controlled amounts (doses) of oral medicines and/or semi-solid foods. The spoon and container 21 combination can also be adapted for the convenience food market, for instance for Yoghurt, Fromage frais, soup, pureed food etc.. It is envisaged that the container size may be sufficient to hold 1 lOg or 210g of food content.

Claims

22CLAIMS

1. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination comprising: a collapsible food container having an opening; a substantially rigid spoon having at least a bowl portion; and, a resilient inter-connection means for attachably/detachably connecting the spoon to form the said container, whereby food is dispensed through the said opening onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the said container.

2. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said container further comprises a substantially rigid neck portion at least partially surrounding the said opening, and the said inter-connection means attachably/detachably connects the spoon to the neck of the said container.

3. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the spoon further comprises a handle portion which lies substantially along the length of the container on at least one side or around at least part of the periphery of the container.

4. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the said resilient connection means comprises a resilient collar, integral with the spoon, which extends at least partially around the container neck to connect the spoon to the container.

5. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the said resilient connection means comprises a pair of resilient arcuate arms, integral with the spoon, which extend around part of the container neck to connect the spoon to the container.

6. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the container comprises a flexible bag like envelope.

7. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the container comprises a flexible bag like envelope and the resilient connection means comprises a resilient skirt depending on one side of the said envelope for resilient engagement with a lip on the periphery of the said handle portion.

8. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in any preceding Claim further comprising a container engagement means for urging the contents of the container out of the said container opening onto the said bowl.

9. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the said container engagement means comprises a slide which is movable along the length of the container towards the said opening.

10. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in Claims 8

24 wherein the said container engagement means comprises a pair of pivotal members pivotally connected with respect to the spoon and positioned on respective sides of the container for engaging the container on opposite sides thereof.

11. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said container comprises a flexible tube.

12. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said container comprises at least two separate container elements.

13. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a re-sealable lid.

14. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the said collapsible food container further comprises a non-return valve; and whereby food is dispensed through the non-return valve and the opening onto the concave surface of the said bowl portion.

15. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination comprising: a refillable food container having a food dispensing opening; a substantially rigid spoon having a bowl portion positioned with respect to the said container for receiving food dispensed from the container through the said opening; and, a plunger means for urging food from the container onto the concave surface of the said bowl portion.

16. A feeding spoon for attachable/detachable connection with a collapsible food container; the said spoon comprising a bowl portion; and, a resilient connection means for attachably/detachably connecting the spoon to the said container, whereby, in use, food is dispensed through an opening in the container onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the said container.

17. A food container for a food container and feeding spoon combination; the said dispenser comprising: a collapsible food container having an opening for dispensing food from the container; connection means for attachably/detachably connecting the container to a resilient container connector on a substantially rigid spoon, whereby food is dispensed through the said opening onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the said container.

18. A food container for a food container and feeding spoon combination; the said dispenser comprising: a collapsible food container having an opening for dispensing food from the container; resilient connection means for attachably/detachably connecting the container to a container connector on a substantially rigid spoon, whereby food is dispensed through the said opening onto the concave surface of the bowl portion by application of pressure to the said container.

19. A food dispenser and feeding spoon combination comprising a collapsible food container having a substantially rigid neck portion defining an opening for dispensing food from the container onto the bowl of a substantially rigid spoon integral with the said neck portion of the container.

20. A food dispenser as claimed in Claim 19 wherein the container comprises a bag-like structure with the said neck portion sealed along an edge of the bag.

21. A heater device for warming food in a food container; the said device comprising at least one heating chamber having a heater element for heating food in a food container positioned therein, a weighing means for weighing the contents of the said food container in the heating chamber, and a processor means for determining a heating cycle suitable for heating the food in the said container to a pre-determined temperature in accordance with the weight of the food in the said container.

22. A heater device as claimed in Claim 16 wherein further comprising a battery means for the said heater element(s).

23. A heater device as claimed in Claim 17 wherein said battery means is re-chargeable.