REGULATED INTAKE MEANS

A regulated intake apparatus for providing a means for a person to regulate a rate of intake of liquid such as water over an extended time period. The first regulated intake means (11) can include a first and second gauging means for use by the user depending on whether the bottle is the first of the day or the second of the day. The first gauging means includes a timing period being morning as identified by indicator (AM) at (31) and further including graduated markings (32) down the bottle. However those graduated markings are predetermined time intervals but are identified by hours in the morning which in this case are indicated as (8 AM) down to (12) Midday and to (1 PM). Due to the bottle (15) being substantially transparent, the level of the water remaining is clearly determinable. However instead of needing to undertake any calculations the first gauging means (31, 32) shows that by (8 AM) the volume from the top to this marking should have been consumed. Graduated volumes should then be consumed hourly according to the graduated markings (32) down the bottle till (1 PM) while the remaining volume below this marking should be consumed by (2 PM).

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a regulated intake means and a method of indicating and regulating fluid intake. It is particularly related to a drink means but is not limited to such.

BACKGROUND

To this day, there have been numerous studies undertaken to suggest recommended intake of foods for healthy living. However, a primary consideration is the liquid intake, and in particular the water intake, of a person to maintain an hydration regime.

Such an intake is seen to be required to fulfil healthy living. The studies have shown there is a recommended daily intake (RDI) or an adequate intake (AI). However it is particularly difficult for people to fulfil the daily intake as they only think about the necessity possibly once a day. At that time they then need to drink a substantial quantity at one time. It is therefore preferable if there was a way of assisting a person to fulfil a regular RDI of water.

It should be noted that the RDI is further complicated due to the sex of the person, the metabolism of the person, or the work place or exertion level of the user. It is therefore of a further importance to assist a person to achieve a recommended rate of intake of liquids over predetermined time periods.

For example in one US study the RDI or AI for hydration, which is similar to Australia in that they differ between men and women, but are different to the US in their actual values. Conveniently they work out to approximately 2×1.1 litres for women, and 2×1.5 litres for men.

However it should be further noted that the required hydration regime could be the RDI as made suitable in different countries or for different groups of users but it could merely be the AI (adequate intake). Therefore throughout this document the RDI or RDI* (related to particular country or group of people) or the AI are interchangeable for the purpose of this invention, as the research to date is not sufficient for RDI for water intake (however there may be a RDI for other liquid based items).

Referring to an Australian study the RDI or more particularly AI is different to the US results. Recommendations in the Nutrient Reference Values publication for Australia and New Zealand updated in September 2005, has determined AIs. Investigation of recommended daily fluid intake revealed men and women to have different requirements with a base level hydration of:

    • Men aged 19 and over—3.4 litres per day; and
    • Women aged 19 and over—2.8 litres per day.

The research supporting the above recommendation also revealed 25% of the amounts are typically achieved through food intake, suggesting the amounts to be achieved by fluid intake are:

    • Men aged 19 and over—2.55 litres per day; and
    • Women aged 19 and over—2.1 litres per day.

Clearly as there is no single level of water intake that would ensure adequate hydration and optimal health, figures are estimated by use of median population intakes in Australia. That means though that a large proportion of people do not have an adequate level and cannot readily achieve such levels. Others cannot maintain a regime to have a good hydration level at most times.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method of assisting a person regulating their rate of intake of liquid to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided a regulated intake apparatus for providing a means of a person regulating their rate of intake of liquid such as water, the apparatus including:

    • a container having a volume related to the users expected intake over a particular time period;
    • a gauging means for statically indicating the remaining contents;
    • wherein the gauging means includes a time indication such that the user can determine the remaining volume and the remaining time to achieve consumption of the remaining volume.

In one form the gauging means includes a time indicator having intervals predetermined to a predetermined rate of consumption over the particular time period.

The expected intake over a particular time period can be an RDI. Thereby the rate is an average recommended daily rate of consumption.

The volume of the container can be the RDI. However preferably it is a divisional amount of the RDI such that the container has a handy carryable volume. In one particular form the RDI for a man can be 2550 millilitres and the bottle can have a volume with a half of the RDI.

However the gauging means can include a time indicator such that the user need not assess the time to go and quantity to go but merely reviewing the quantity left indicates if the right quantity has been consumed to present time.

The time indicator can be an hourly clock indicator beginning at predefined starting time to a predefined end time.

If the container has a volume that is a proportional amount the container can include a plurality of gauging means to represent the more than one time period. In the usage of a bottle in the having half the RDI there can be a first half of the day time indicator and a second half day time indicator such that the user can readily assess the time rate left of consumption if in the first or second half of the day.

Time periods can also be displayed according to the time usage of the user. For example swimmers often start early in the day and therefore could have a time period starting at 4.00 am. Tradesman or shiftworkers start at different times to the 9 to 5 clerical or office workers and therefore different or adjustable indicators can be used on the gauging means.

The time indicator can be marked on the container, or moulded into the container or included on a label affixable to the container in such a way to match the contents of the container at a recommended rate of consumption.

Preferably the time indicator is an even rate over the time period.

However the predetermined rate can include fluctuations that are recommended in the intake over a predetermined period including less in the morning or less at meals or other variations. This can result in linear and non-linear (varied) rates of consumption.

In one particularly preferred embodiment there is provided a translucent container to allow ready viewing of the internal quantity of the liquid in the container. More preferably the container is transparent particularly when used with transparent liquids such as water.

The apparatus can further include an indicator means for indicating the recommended user for providing a means for that user to regulate their rate of intake of liquid such as water.

The indicator means can be a colour indicator such that different colours are indicative of the user that is to use the regulated intake apparatus. For example a standard man user can have a predetermined indicator that matches a proportional amount of the RDI of that man person. A different indicator for a standard woman user can have a predetermined indicator that matches a proportional amount of the RDI of that woman person.

Still further there can be different indicators for different hydration requirements of users. Such that a user undertaking high daily exertion or experiencing high temperatures could have a higher RDI and therefore a different indicator will indicate the apparatus with the relevant quantity and gauging means for that user.

Preferably the volume of the container is modified for the particular indicated user to more easily provide the differing RDI quantity of liquids.

A list of user variations in hydration can include but not limited to:

Age; Sex; Environment;

Physical activity;

Pregnancy; Lactation; and Illness.

The invention also provides a method of indicating and regulating fluid intake including the steps of:

    • providing a container with a volume that is related to a recommended intake of liquid;
    • providing a gauging means on the container for indicating the recommended rate of consumption of the liquid;
    • comparing actual time with the time indicated at the level of liquid remaining in the container and thereby determining if at the recommended rate of intake;
    • abstaining from or undertaking consumption of the remaining liquid to substantially match the time indicated at the level of liquid remaining in the container with the actual time; and
    • repeating comparison and consumption steps over regular intervals to maintain the recommended rate of intake of the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention can be more readily understood embodiments will be described by way of illustration only with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of a regulated intake means in accordance with a first embodiment for use by women;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of a regulated intake means in accordance with a first embodiment for use by men;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of a regulated intake means in accordance with a third embodiment for use by men in a non linear intake to cater for optimum hydration times;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view of a regulated intake means in accordance with a fifth embodiment for use by men according to different consumer lifestyles; and

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a regulated intake means in accordance with a fourth embodiment for use by sports people relative to their sporting activity

 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings there is shown an embodiment of a regulated intake apparatus for providing a means of a person regulating the rate of intake of liquid such as water. The method is particularly related to providing water provided in separately purchased disposable bottles but could be applied to refillable bottles.

As shown in FIG. 1 there is provided a first regulated intake means 11 being a plastic substantially transparent bottle 15 with dispensing “pop-top” lid 16 for containing water or sports drink or the like related to a particular hydration necessity or regulated liquid intake.

This first regulated intake means 11 is for women and is so indicated by indicator means 21 being a symbol on the front label. A further indicator can be a coloured lid 16 such as a pink lid or some other indication means including other writing in pink or other determinable colour.

The usage suitable for women is not merely choice but is related to a predetermined user's expected intake 24 over an expected time period. This can be the recommended daily intake RDI. The RDI therefore has an effect on the volume to be consumed and therefore the volume 23 of the bottle 15 of the first regulated intake means 11 for women is a particular handy divisional amount of that RDI. In this case as the RDI for women is 2200 ml per day then the handy volume is half being a 1100 ml bottle and thereby requiring two bottles of water per day for women to meet their RDI. However using the Australian figures of Women aged 19 and over—2.1 litres per day two bottles of 1.0 litres can be sufficient.

However apart from assisting the user in determining and obtaining the correct total consumption of water per day to maintain an effective hydration regime, the first regulated intake means 11 for women also assists the consumption of the water by providing assistance in steady consumption over an extended period.

The first regulated intake means 11 for women further includes a first and second gauging means for use by the user depending on whether the bottle is the first of the day or the second of the day. The first gauging means includes a timing period being morning as identified by indicator AM at 31 and further including graduated markings 32 down the bottle. However those graduated markings are predetermined time intervals but are identified by hours in the morning which in this case are indicated as 8 AM down to 12 Midday and to 1 PM. Due to the bottle 15 being substantially transparent, the level of the water remaining is clearly determinable. However instead of needing to undertake any calculations the first gauging means 31, 32 shows that by 8 AM the volume from the top to this marking should have been consumed. Graduated volumes should then be consumed hourly according to the graduated markings 32 down the bottle till 1 PM while the remaining volume below this marking should be consumed by 2 PM.

The second gauging means 35, 36 is also located on the bottle on the other side of the label and primarily relates to an afternoon consumption with a timing period being identified by indicator PM at 35 and further including graduated markings 36 down the bottle. These graduated markings are predetermined time intervals but are identified by hours in the afternoon which in this case are indicated as 3 PM down to 8 PM. The second gauging means 35, 36 shows that by 3 PM the volume from the top to this marking should have been consumed. Graduated volumes should then be consumed hourly according to the graduated markings 36 down the bottle till 8 PM while the remaining volume below this marking should be consumed by end of day.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a second regulated intake means 12 also being a plastic substantially transparent bottle 17 with dispensing “pop-top” lid 16 for containing water or sports drink or the like related to a particular hydration necessity or regulated liquid intake.

This second regulated intake means 12 is for men and is so indicated by indicator means 22 being a symbol on the front label. A further indicator can be a coloured lid 16 such as a blue lid or some other indication means including other writing in blue or other determinable colour.

The usage suitable for men is related to a predetermined user's expected intake 24 over an expected time period. This can be the recommended daily intake RDI. The RDI therefore has an effect on the volume to be consumed and therefore the volume 23 of the bottle 17 of the second regulated intake means 12 for men is a particular handy divisional amount of that RDI. In this case as the RDI for men is 3000 ml per day then the handy volume is half being a 1500 ml bottle and thereby requiring two bottles of water per day for men to meet their RDI. However using the Australian figures of men aged 19 and over—2.55 litres per day two bottles of 1.25 litres can be sufficient.

Similar related features to the first regulated intake means for women 11 are included in the second regulated intake means for men 12.

It can thereby be seen that a hydration regime is maintained by providing a container with a volume that is related to a recommended intake of liquid, providing a gauging means on the container for indicating the recommended rate of consumption of the liquid, comparing actual time with the time indicated at the level of liquid remaining in the container and thereby determining if ahead or behind recommended rate of intake, abstaining from or undertaking consumption of the remaining liquid to substantially match the time indicated at the level of liquid remaining in the container with the actual time, and repeating comparison and consumption steps over regular intervals to maintain the recommended rate of intake of the liquid.

In a variation shown in FIG. 3 there is a non linear scale to cater for optimum hydration times. This can include greater intake upon rising and before retiring, and little intake around meals. Other non linear scales can be predetermined due to health or activity regimes. Different scales can apply on either side of the apparatus to allow for changing conditions or circumstances.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a choice of scale to cater for variations in consumer lifestyle such as being an early riser and therefore requiring a pre 5 am period and hourly thereafter. Similarly night shift workers can use the apparatus under the moon scale where they might work different hours. General predetermined categories can be identified for labourers working 8 am to 3 pm or midnight to dawn workers and therefore it is possible for the consumer to have an apparatus that allows for their required choice of scale. The reference to “1 of 2” refers to the bottle being sized to be half the required intake and labelled by being the first of two bottles.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown an event based apparatus so that instead of the clock based system of the first and second gauging means of FIGS. 1 and 2 this includes a relative time component rather than the absolute time. In this example the event is not time limited but separated into four quarters and a pre event period 2 hours before the event and a final after event rehydration periods. Therefore on other events the use of the scale on sports waters etc, could show something like t−30 t+30 t+60 t+90 (where t is the exercise start time and the 30, 60, 90 reflect minutes from this point), rather than the actual time of day, as per the base hydration products. Whilst sports hydration is best to be based upon post-event weight loss for an individual, general guidelines recommend drinking a substantial amount 2 hours before the event, then drinking regularly (every 15-20 minutes) throughout the activity to maintain hydration levels.

While we have described herein a particular embodiment of a regulated intake means, it is further envisaged that other embodiments of the invention could exhibit any number and combination of any one of the features previously described. However, it is to be understood that any variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

For example the system can be for bottled water and bottled drinks as well as for refillable drink bottles. It can include a means of administering vitamins, minerals or pharmaceuticals particularly if using a fluid to administer them in a regulated intake.

It is also possible to start the timescale further down the bottle and later in the day (as well as ending higher up and earlier in the evening) as has the advantages of accommodating variances in user daily routines as well as supporting hydration guidelines that recommend a larger drink upon rising and before retiring to bed.

Claims

1. A regulated intake apparatus for providing a means for a person to regulate a rate of intake of liquid such as water over an extended time period, the apparatus including: wherein the user can readily observe the remaining volume and the remaining time to achieve consumption of the remaining volume according to a predetermined rate of intake.

a. a container having a volume related to the user's expected intake over a particular time period;
b. a gauging means providing graduations for statically indicating the remaining contents;
c. the gauging means including a time indication associated with the graduations;

2. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the gauging means includes a time indicator scale having the time indication associated with the graduations forming time intervals associated to a predetermined rate of consumption over the extended time period.

3. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the expected intake over a particular time period can be a recommended daily intake (RDI) such that the gauging means includes a time indicator having intervals predetermined to a predetermined rate of consumption corresponds to the rate of the average recommended daily rate of consumption.

4. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the volume of the container can be the RDI.

5. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a divisional amount of the RDI such that the container has a handy carryable volume.

6. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the RDI for a man can be about 2550 millilitres and the bottle can have a volume with about half of the RDI.

7. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the gauging means includes a time indicator relating to the time of day such that the user need not assess the time to go and quantity to go but merely reviewing the quantity left at a time of day indicates if the right quantity has been consumed to present time according to the predetermined rate of consumption.

8. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the time indicator is an hourly clock indicator.

9. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container has a volume that is a proportional amount to the volume related to the user's expected intake over a particular extended time period at a predetermined rate of consumption and the apparatus includes a plurality of gauging means to represent more than one time period wherein the container can be used for one or more of the proportional parts of the extended time period and a different one of the time gauges can provide the remaining volume and the remaining time to achieve consumption of the remaining volume according to the predetermined rate of intake for that particular proportion of the time period.

10. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 9 wherein in the usage of a bottle having half the RDI there is a first gauging means for half of the day with related time indicator and a second gauging means for second half of the day with related time indicator such that the user can readily assess the time rate left of consumption if in the first or second half of the day.

11. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein time period expended from or to or during an event time are displayed according to the time usage of the user.

12. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the time indicator is marked on the container.

13. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the time indicator is moulded into the container.

14. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the time indicator is included on a label affixable to the container in such a way to match the contents of the container at a recommended rate of consumption.

15. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the time indicator is an even rate over the time period.

16. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined rate can include fluctuations that are recommended in the intake over a predetermined period including less in the morning or less at meals or other variations which can result in linear or non-linear (varied) rates of consumption.

17. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 having a translucent container to allow ready viewing of the internal quantity of the liquid in the container.

18. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container is transparent particularly when used with transparent liquids such as water.

19. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes an indicator means for indicating the recommended user for providing a means for that user to regulate their rate of intake of liquid such as water.

20. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the indicator means is a colour indicator such that different colours are indicative of a different category of user that is to use the regulated intake apparatus such as a standard man user can have a predetermined indicator that matches a proportional amount of the RDI for a man and a different indicator for a standard woman user can have a predetermined indicator that matches a proportional amount of the RDI for a woman.

21. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 19 wherein different indicators are for different hydration requirements of users, such that a user undertaking high daily exertion or experiencing high temperatures could have a higher RDI and therefore a different indicator will indicate the apparatus with the relevant quantity and gauging means for that user.

22. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the volume of the container is modified for the particular indicated user to more easily provide the differing RDI quantity of liquids.

23. A regulated intake apparatus according to claim 19 wherein different indicators are for different hydration requirements of users include one or more but not limited to:

a. Age;
b. Sex;
c. Environment;
d. Physical activity;
e. Pregnancy;
f. Lactation; and
g. Illness.

24. A method of indicating and regulating fluid intake including the steps of:

a. providing a container with a volume that is related to a recommended intake of liquid;
b. providing a gauging means on the container for indicating spaced time intervals relative to the level of liquid remaining at that level to provide a predetermined recommended rate of consumption of the liquid;
c. comparing actual time with the time indicated at the level of liquid remaining in the container and thereby determining if user is consuming at the recommended rate of intake;
d. abstaining from or undertaking consumption of the remaining liquid to substantially match the time indicated at the level of liquid remaining in the container with the actual time; and
e. repeating comparison and consumption steps over regular intervals to maintain the recommended rate of intake of the liquid.

25. A method of indicating and regulating fluid intake according to claim 24 wherein the time indicated on the gauging means includes a time indicator relating to the time of day such that the user need not assess the time to go and quantity to go but merely reviewing the quantity left at a time of day indicates if the right quantity has been consumed to present time according to the predetermined rate of consumption.

26. A method of indicating and regulating fluid intake according to claim 24 wherein the time indicated on the gauging means is a relative time to an event.

27. A method of indicating and regulating fluid intake according to claim 24 wherein the time indicated on the gauging means is an event portion time.

28. A method of manufacture of a regulated intake apparatus including the steps of:

a. determining a hydration regime for a user, group of users or type of user;
b. selecting a container with a volume that is related to a recommended intake of liquid;
c. creating a scale relating the determined hydration regime with the selected container;
d. forming a gauging means providing graduations for statically indicating the remaining contents the gauging means including a time indication associated with the graduations;
wherein in use with the gauging means associated with the selected container the user can readily observe the remaining volume and the remaining time to achieve consumption of the remaining volume according to a predetermined rate of intake

29. A regulated intake apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

30. A method of indicating and regulating fluid intake substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

31. A method of manufacture of a regulated intake apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120097566
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 16, 2009
Publication Date: Apr 26, 2012
Inventor: Sally Steadman ( Victoria)
Application Number: 13/318,096
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Indicator (i.e., Variable Information Exhibiting Means) (206/459.1)
International Classification: B65D 90/00 (20060101);