System for assisting the personalized preparation of infant formula including a connected electronic scale

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing infant formula lack personalized coaching based on individual infant needs, leading to potential nutritional deficiencies and health issues due to improper product choice and inconsistent preparation, and do not provide real-time feedback or historical tracking.

Innovation Solution

A computer program and electronic scale system that pairs infant formula products with individual infant profiles, providing coaching instructions for accurate preparation and monitoring consumption, using a connected electronic scale to ensure precise measurement and temperature control, with real-time feedback and historical tracking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual preparation method is used, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision and preparation accuracy deteriorate leading to dosing errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An electronic scale acts as an intermediary device between the manual preparation process and precise measurement requirements. The scale provides automated weight measurement while integrating with a computer program to deliver coaching instructions, combining simplicity of manual operation with precision of electronic measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual volume-based measurement (graduated vessels) with electronic weight-based measurement. This substitution of mechanical measurement systems with electronic systems achieves higher precision while maintaining ease of use through the connected scale and coaching software.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If general automated dispensing system is used, then productivity is improved, but adaptability to individual infant needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts preparation instructions based on individual infant profiles stored in the computer program. Rather than fixed automated dispensing, the system adjusts water volume, powder amount, and coaching instructions according to each infant's specific needs, making the system versatile while maintaining relatively simple hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If manual preparation without tracking is used, then ease of operation is high, but loss of information about feeding history increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloss of informationVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic scale automatically records preparation data and feeds it to the computer program, which maintains feeding history without requiring manual entry by the caregiver. The system serves itself by automatically capturing and storing information, minimizing the burden on users while preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by recording preparation information and feeding history in the computer program. This creates an information loop where past feeding data is stored and can be referenced for future preparations, reducing information loss while maintaining ease of operation through automated tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3749934B1System for assisting the personalized preparation of infant formula including a connected electronic scale
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
  • EP3749934B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3749934B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3749934B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer program executable on a computer (4) for assisting the preparation of infant formula in an infant feeding container using an electronic scale (2) arranged in communication with the computer. The invention also relates to an electronic scale (2) for assisting the preparation of infant formula comprising a communication module (16) arranged to communicate with the computer (4) hosting the computer program.