Apparatus and method for sterilizing infant feeding equipment

Abstract

Provided is an infant feeding equipment-sterilizing apparatus (100). The apparatus comprises a chamber (102, 104) for receiving infant feeding equipment to be steam sterilized. A vent (108) is provided for venting air and/or steam from the chamber, e.g. to atmosphere. A valve assembly (110) restricts venting via the vent during steam sterilizing and allows venting from the chamber via the vent following the steam sterilizing. The venting being allowed following the steam sterilizing may assist to dry the infant feeding equipment following the steam sterilizing. However, by the valve assembly restricting, e.g. blocking, venting from the chamber via the vent during steam sterilizing, more of the steam supplied into the chamber can be retained therein during the steam sterilizing, thereby assisting to make the steam sterilization more energy efficient. Further provided is a chamber wall portion, e.g. lid, for an infant feeding equipment-sterilizing apparatus, and a method for sterilizing infant feeding equipment using such an apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.