Bottle nanny

Abstract

A handling device for use by a human to allow the human to reposition an object coupled to the device without necessitating gripping by the human's hand, the device comprising: (a) a first strip including: a first end and a first opposing end, a first strip interface portion spanning between the first end and the first opposing end, and, a first strip fastener mounted to the first end and the first opposing end to allow for selectively coupling the first end to the first opposing end, thereby forming a first loop having a first axis; (b) a second strip including: a second end and a second opposing end, a second strip interface portion spanning between the second end and the second opposing end, and, a second strip fastener mounted to the second end and second opposing end to allow for selectively coupling the second end to the second opposing end, thereby forming a second loop having a second axis; and, (c) an interface fastener to couple the first strip interface portion to the second strip interface portion.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/337,485, entitled, “BOTTLE NANNY”, filed on Nov. 5, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates to devices utilized in the stabilization of food or drink dispensers for consumption by human beings. The invention may find application with humans having disfunctional hand regions, or the invention may be especially useful for children ages 4 months and older as a device for holding a nourishment dispenser enabling the child to feed or drink without fear of dropping the dispenser. The invention may also minimize other associated problems that are typical during infant feeding.

SUMMARY

[0003] This invention relates to a handling device for the stabilization of nourishment dispensers, such as baby bottles. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the handling device is worn by infants or younger children enabling a dispenser to be attached to the child such that the child can reposition the dispenser to the oral region by simply bending the arm at the elbow. In another aspect of the present invention, the handlingdevice is affixed to the dispenser and enables the user to bring the dispenser to the oral region via physical movement of the forearm. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the handling device is separable from the dispenser and freely transferable from dispenser to dispenser.

[0004] It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a handling device, for assisting an individual in drinking a contained beverage, comprising: a band taken from the group consisting of a wristband and an arm band; and, a fastener for fastening a dispenser to an outer circumferential surface of the band and adapted to orient the dispenser in approximately a perpendicular manner with respect to an individual's lower arm to facilitate allowing an end of the dispenser to be brought approximate the individual's mouth.

[0005] It is a second aspect of the present invention to provide a handling device for use by a human to allow the human to reposition an object coupled to the device without necessitating gripping by the human's hand, the device comprising: (a) a first strip including: a first end and a first opposing end, a first strip interface portion spanning between the first end and the first opposing end, and, a first strip fastener mounted to the first end and the first opposing end to allow for selectively coupling the first end to the first opposing end, thereby forming a first loop having a first axis; (b) a second strip including: a second end and a second opposing end, a second strip interface portion spanning between the second end and the second opposing end, and, a second strip fastener mounted to the second end and second opposing end to allow for selectively coupling the second end to the second opposing end, thereby forming a second loop having a second axis; and, (c) an interface fastener coupling the first strip interface portion to the second strip interface portion.

[0006] It is a third aspect of the present invention to provide an artificial grasping device for use by humans to allow the human to reposition an object coupled to the device without necessitating gripping by the human's hand, the device comprising: (a) a first strip including: a first end and a first opposing end, a first strip interface portion spanning between the first end and the first opposing end, and, means for fastening the first end to the first opposing end, thereby selectively forming a first loop; (b) a second strip including: a second end and a second opposing end, a second strip interface portion spanning between the second end and the s second opposing end, and, means for fastening the second end to the second opposing end, thereby selectively forming a second loop; and, (c) means for securing the first strip to the second strip.

[0007] It is a fourth aspect of the present invention to provide an artificial grasping device for use by humans that enables a human to reposition an object coupled to the device without necessitating gripping by the human's hand, the device comprising: (a) a selectively opened first loop comprising: a first loop end and a first opposing end when the first loop is open, a first loop fastener to selectively join the first loop end to the first opposing end to selectively close the first loop, a first loop interior surface spanning between the first loop end and the first opposing end, and having a portion conducive to gripping, a first loop exterior surface opposite the first loop interior surface; (b) a selectively opened second loop comprising: a second loop end and second opposing end when the second loop is open, a second loop fastener to selectively join the second loop end to the second opposing end to selectively close the second loop, a second loop interior surface spanning between the second loop end and the second opposing end, a second loop exterior surface opposite the second loop interior surface, and, a second padded portion disposed between the second loop interior surface and the second loop exterior surface; and, (c) a fastener coupling the first loop exterior surface to the second loop exterior surface.

[0008] It is a fifth aspect of the present invention to provide a method of drinking a beverage from a beverage dispenser, comprising the steps of: selectively enclosing a first strip of material around an appendage of a human by coupling a first end to a first opposing end to form a first closed loop around the appendage of the human; and, coupling the first loop to a beverage dispenser to be repositioned by the human.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a profile view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a profile view of an exemplary application of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a layout view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a first aspect facing upward;

[0012] FIG. 4 is an underneath view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a second aspect facing upward.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an overhead view of components utilized in the assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 6 is an overhead view of components utilized in the assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 7 is an overhead view of a first assembled sub-component of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 8 is an underneath view of the first assembled sub-component of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 9 is an overhead view of a second assembled sub-component of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 10 is an underneath view of the second assembled sub-component of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] It should be understood that the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention are exemplary in nature and are not intended to constitute limitations upon the invention. It is also to be understood that variations of the exemplary embodiments contemplated by one of ordinary skill in the art shall concurrently fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. Although certain aspects of the exemplary embodiments are shown in more detail, some features within the purview of one skilled in the art may have been omitted for the sake of clarity and brevity.

[0020] Referencing FIGS. 1-2, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a handling device 10, is shown having two strips of material 12, 14 attached to each other and having fasteners 16, 18 at the ends of each strip enabling the strips 12, 14 to form two adjustable loops 24, 26 approximately perpendicular in relation to one another (i.e. the axes of such loops are approximately perpendicular to each other).

[0021] Looking specifically to FIG. 2, an exemplary application of the handling device 10 is shown for use with a baby 28. In this exemplary application, the first loop 24 of the handling device 10 is donned around a baby's 28 forearm, and the bottle 30 is secured within the second loop 26. The baby 28 is thereafter able to drink from the bottle 30, preferably without the need of adult intervention, by bending his or her elbow such that the handling device 10 and bottle 30 are drawn toward the oral region. The handling device 10 substantially minimizes the likelihood of the baby 28 throwing the bottle 30 or having the bottle 30 fall to the ground. Of course, the handling device may be used to assist in the manipulation of other objects, such as, for example and without limitation, a food container, a food item and/or a pacifier.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the first strip 12 and second strip 14 are lying flat and oriented perpendicular to one another. FIG. 3 shows the first strip's 12 interior surface 32 facing upward and the second strip's 14 interior surface 34 facing downward, while FIG. 4 shows the second strip's 14 interior surface 34 facing upward and the first strip's 12 interior surface 32 facing downward. The fasteners 16, 18 include hook 36 and pile 38 components commonly known as VELCRO®. The interior surface 32 of the first strip 12 and the interior surface 34 of the second strip 14 include beads of gripping material 33 provided thereon. A first end 20 of the interior surface 32 of the first strip 12 includes a patch of the pile material 38 and the opposite end 22 of the exterior surface 42 of the first strip 12 includes a patch of the hook material 36. Likewise, the first end 21 of the interior surface 34 of the second strip 14 includes a patch of the pile material 39 while the opposite end 23 of the exterior surface 44 includes a patch of the hook material 37. In this detailed embodiment, the end 22 of the first strip 12 is positioned four and one half inches (4.5″) from the edge 40 of the second strip 14, while the end 23 of the second strip 14 is positioned three and three eighths inches (3.375″) from the edge 43 of the first strip 12. The middle portions of the strips 12, 14 are stitched to each other in the perpendicular (“cruciform”) orientation. The resultant is the handling device 10 exhibiting a first strip 12 in the XY plane and a second strip 14 in the YZ plane.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary structural embodiment of the present invention includes the following components: a first piece of fabric 46 and a second piece of fabric 48, each having dimensions of two and seven eighths inches (2.875″) in width by twelve inches (12″) in length; a third piece of fabric 50 and a fourth piece of fabric 52, each having dimensions of two and seven eighths inches (2.875″) in width by nine inches (9″) in length; a first piece of padding 54 having dimensions of two and one quarter inches (2.250″) in width by eleven and three eighths inches (11.375″) in length; a second piece of padding 56 having dimensions of two and one quarter inches (2.250″) in width by eight and three eighths inches (8.375″) in length; a first piece of gripping material 58 having dimensions of two and three eighths inches (2.375″) in width by seven (7″) inches in length, and a second piece of gripping material 60 having dimensions of two and three eighths inches (2.375″) in width by five and one half (5.5″) inches in length, each piece of gripping material having a texture conducive to gripping; a first hook and pile fastener 16 and a second hook and pile fastener 18, each having dimensions of two and three eighths inches (2.375″) in width by two and one half inches (2.500″) in length.

[0024] Referencing FIG. 6, assembly of the exemplary embodiment begins by cutting the first ends 20, 21 of the pieces of fabric 46, 48, 50, 52, the padding 54, 56 and the hook and pile fasteners 16, 18 such that the pieces exhibit an arcuate end. The fabric 46, 48, 50, 52, padding 54, 56, and hook and pile fasteners 16, 18 are cut such that first ends 20, 21 are arcuate and includes a circumferential point, twelve, nine, eleven and three eighths, eight and three eighths, and two and one half inches respectively from the opposing ends 22, 23. Thereafter, two pieces of fabric 46, 48 are sewn together to form the first strip 12, thereby mating corresponding first end 20 with its corresponding opposing end 22 and sandwiching the padding 54 therebetween. Likewise, the other two pieces of fabric 50, 52 are sewn together to form the second strip 14 in the same manner as discussed above for the first strip 12 as well as concurrently sandwiching the padding 56 therebetween.

[0025] The first and second strips 12, 14 after being constructed by sewing constituent components together have a width of two and three eighths inches (2.375″). This width corresponds with the width of the gripping material 58, 60 and the fasteners 16, 18. The hook and pile fasteners 16, 18 are separated into constituent parts; pile patches 38, 39 and minute hook patches 36, 37. Referencing FIGS. 7-8, after the strips 12, 14 have been constructed, the gripping material 58, 60 and the fasteners 16, 18 are attached thereto by way of stitching. As shown in FIG. 3, the first strip 12 is oriented such that the gripping material 58 is placed face up and flush with the opposing end 22, while the pile 38 is face up and circumferentially flush with the first end 20. The gripping material 58 and pile 38 are secured to the first loop 12 in this flush position by stitching. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the first loop 12 is flipped over and the minute hooks 36 are positioned face up and flush at the opposite end 22 and sewn into position. The first end 20 is then wrapped inward such that the pile patch 38 faces the gripping material 58, while the opposite end 22 is wrapped inward such that the minute hook patch 36 overlaps with the pile patch 38 to selectively close the strip 12 and form a first loop 24. Likewise, as shown in FIGS. 9-10, the second strip 14 is manipulated in much the same manner as the first strip 12 by utilizing the remaining aforementioned materials to selectively form a second loop 26.

[0026] The handling device 10 may be utilized in exemplary applications where a human has a disfunctional or prosthetic hand region so as to allow the human to position a nourishment dispenser 30 within the oral region of the human body. The hook and pile fasteners 16, 18 allow the device 10 to conform to various shapes and sizes (i.e. circumferences) of dispensers and appendages, while maintaining the level of fastening desired by the user. The second loop 26 can be custom fitted to the appendage of the user by closing the second loop 26 after the appendage has been placed adjacent to the interior surface 34 of the second loop 26, or can be fastened before the appendage is adjacent to the interior surface 34 of the second loop 26, thereby allowing the user to later place an appendage within the second loop 26.

[0027] It is also within the scope of this invention to have a single looped device that attaches to a dispenser. In this embodiment, the single looped device has an attached coupling that secures the loop to the dispenser. The user simply attaches the coupling to the device and closes the loop to provide a manner in which the dispenser can be utilized. It is also within the scope and spirit of the invention that the loop be substituted with alternate types of wrist-bands or arm-bands as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It should also be understood that the band need not form a closed loop and need not be adjustable.

[0028] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may have been described by utilizing precise dimensions, it is within the scope and spirit of the present invention to deviate from these aforementioned dimensions. It is concurrently within the scope and spirit of the present invention to substitute various forms of materials such as, without limitation, denim, rope, rubber strips, and various synthetics in lieu of, or in addition to, fabric. It is further within the purview of the present invention to utilize an adhesive or other form of known bonding technique to couple the pieces to one another in lieu of sewn stitches.

[0029] Additionally, it is within the scope and spirit of the present invention to utilize fasteners in place of or in addition to the hook and pile fasteners discussed herein, such as, without limitation, snaps, buttons, zippers, buckles, adjustable straps, or other devices enabling accommodation of objects having various geometries. The present invention may utilize a polyvinyl chloride material, for example, deposited on the material of the loop to form a rubber-like gripping aspect of the beaded gripping material. Alternatively, the polyvinyl chloride or other materials, such as rubber (or rubber-like materials), may be deposited directly to the inside of the loops 24, 26, without necessitating an additional piece of material.

[0030] Following from the above description and invention summaries, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the inventions contained herein are not limited to these precise embodiments and that changes may be made to them without departing from the scope of the inventions as defined by the claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein be incorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such limitations or elements are explicitly stated in the claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein and since the invention is defined solely by the claims.

Claims

1. A handling device, for assisting an individual in drinking a contained beverage, comprising:

a band taken from the group consisting of a wristband and an arm band; and

a fastener for fastening a dispenser to an outer circumferential surface of the band and adapted to orient the dispenser in approximately a perpendicular manner with respect to an individual's lower arm to facilitate allowing an end of the dispenser to be brought approximate the individual's mouth.

2. The handling device of claim 1, wherein the band is adjustable.

3. The handling device of claim 1, wherein the fastener includes an adjustable loop of material.

4. The handling device of claim 3, wherein the adjustable loop includes a hook and pile fastener fastening opposite ends of a strip of material to form the adjustable loop.

5. The handling device of claim 3, wherein the adjustable loop includes a textured inner surface providing increased friction between the adjustable loop and the dispenser.

6. The handling device of claim 5, wherein the textured inner surface includes beads of substantially rubber-like material deposited thereon.

7. The handling device of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is taken from the group consisting of:

a beverage container;

a food container;

a food item; and

a pacifier.

8. The handling device of claim 7, wherein the beverage container is a baby bottle.

9. A handling device for use by a human to allow the human to reposition an object coupled to the device without necessitating gripping by the human's hand, the device comprising:

a first strip including:

a first end and a first opposing end,

a first strip interface portion spanning between the first end and the first opposing end, and,

a first strip fastener mounted to at least one of the first end and the first opposing end, to allow for selectively coupling the first end to the first opposing end, thereby forming a first loop having a first axis;

a second strip including:

a second end and a second opposing end,

a second strip interface portion spanning between the second end and the second opposing end, and,

a second strip fastener mounted to at least one of the second end and second opposing end, to allow for selectively coupling the second end to the second opposing end, thereby forming a second loop having a second axis; and

an interface fastener coupling the first strip interface portion to the second strip interface portion.

10. The handling device of claim 9, wherein the first axis is substantially nonparallel with respect to the second axis.

11. The handling device of claim 10, wherein the first axis is angled with respect to the second axis at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to approximately 90 degrees.

12. The handling device of claim 9, wherein:

the first strip fastener includes a hook and pile fastener;

the second strip fastener includes a hook and pile fastener; and

the interface fastener includes stitching.

13. The handling device of claim 12, wherein the first strip interface portion includes a textured inner surface providing increased friction between the first strip interface and an object to be gripped.

14. The handling device of claim 13, wherein the textured inner surface includes beads of substantially rubber-like material deposited thereon.

15. The handling device of claim 9, wherein the first strip interface portion and the second strip interface portion includes fabric and padding.

16. A handling device for use by humans to allow the human to reposition an object coupled to the device without necessitating gripping by the human's hand, the device comprising:

a first strip including:

a first end and a first opposing end,

a first strip interface portion spanning between the first end and the first opposing end, and,

means for fastening the first end to the first opposing end, thereby selectively forming a first loop;

a second strip including:

a second end and a second opposing end,

a second strip interface portion spanning between the second end and the s second opposing end, and,

means for fastening the second end to the second opposing end, thereby selectively forming a second loop; and

means for securing the first strip to the second strip.

17. The handling device of claim 16, wherein:

the means for fastening the first end to the first opposing end includes at least one hook and pile fastener;

the means for fastening the second end to the second opposing end includes at least one hook and pile fastener; and

the means for securing the first strip to the second strip includes stitching.

18. The handling device of claim 16, wherein:

the first strip interface portion is fabric;

the second strip interface portion is fabric; and

an inner surface of the first strip interface portion includes a means for providing increased friction between the first strip interface and an object.

19. The handling device of claim 16, wherein the first strip interface portion is angled with respect to the second strip interface when the securing means are effectuated.

20. A handling device for use by humans that enables a human to reposition an object coupled to the device without necessitating gripping by the human's hand, the device comprising:

a selectively opened first loop comprising:

a first loop end and a first opposing end when the first loop is open,

a first loop fastener for selectively joining the first loop end to the first opposing end to selectively close the first loop,

a first loop interior surface spanning between the first loop end and the first opposing end, and having a portion conducive to gripping,

a first loop exterior surface opposite the first loop interior surface;

a selectively opened second loop comprising:

a second loop end and second opposing end when the second loop is open,

a second loop fastener for selectively joining the second loop end to the second opposing end to selectively close the second loop,

a second loop interior surface spanning between the second loop end and the second opposing end,

a second loop exterior surface opposite the second loop interior surface, and,

a second padded portion disposed between the second loop interior surface and the second loop exterior surface; and

a fastener coupling the first loop exterior surface to the second loop exterior surface.

21. The handling device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first loop fastener and the second loop fastener is adjustable, providing and adjustable diameter for the respective loop.

22. A method of drinking a beverage from a beverage dispenser, comprising the steps of:

selectively enclosing a first strip of material around an appendage of a human by coupling a first end to a first opposing end to form a first closed loop around the appendage of the human; and

coupling the first loop to a beverage dispenser to be repositioned by the human.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

selectively enclosing a second strip of material around the beverage dispenser by coupling a second end to a second opposing end to form a second closed loop around the beverage dispenser; and

mounting the first strip to the second strip to position the beverage dispenser approximately perpendicular to the human appendage.