Patent Application
20230397747
This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program.
The present invention relates generally to a portable and adjustable child feeding utensil for use with a child feeding station or system.
Babies, infants, or toddlers are notorious for tossing food, food receptacles, and utensils during a feeding session. It is well known that parents and/or caretakers struggle to keep food, bowls, plates, and utensils off the ground during any given feeding session. Parents and caretakers are required to repeatedly pick up these items during a feeding session or have to constantly monitor or feed a child at every meal.
Although others have tackled aspects of this problem, many of the methods or devices include a feeding system with specific mechanism(s) for attaching food receptacles and utensils. In addition, other methods focus on a vacuum cup or suction mechanism under a bowl or cup holding the food, but not much focus on the utensil used to retrieve the food. Further, other methods are limited to specific feeding systems such as highchairs with feeding trays which are used at home or in a home setting. Simply, the prior art does not teach a portable child feeding utensil device nor a combination of a portable and adjustable child feeding utensil device that is securely attached to traditional and/or non-traditional child feeding stations.
The present invention focuses on a device for securely attaching a child feeding utensil to any feeding system, or non-traditional feeding station. The novelty of this device is that it may be used inside or outside of a home setting, meaning it is portable and adaptable to settings such as restaurants, recreational settings, or homes of friends or relatives. The present invention also accommodates feeding systems or feeding stations that do not have a feeding tray or flat surface and are adaptable to non-traditional feeding stations or make-shift feeding stations.
The present invention aims to create a portable and adjustable child feeding utensil device comprised of one contiguous segment made of medical grade BPA free silicone or similar non-toxic, flexible, and malleable material, in combination with a means of connection to a feeding station. The child feeding utensil device is adjustable, having a first end, a second end, and a middle portion. At the first end of the child feeding utensil device is a feeding utensil, which may include a fork, spoon, or spork; and at the second end of the child feeding utensil device is a notch system for adjusting the length of the contiguous segment and creating a secure closure. The middle portion facilitates the adjusting of the length of the device upon closure. The notch system of the second end attaches the device to a feeding system, such as a highchair with a feeding tray, by way of the connecting means. In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting means is a suction cup apparatus consisting of a ring connected to a base suction portion or suction cup, whereby the suction cup portion is attached to a tray or flat surface of a highchair or similar child feeding station or non-traditional feeding station; and the second end of the child feeding utensil device is looped through the ring portion of the suction cup portion; and the notch system of the second end is used to secure the second end to the suction cup device. Thus, while a child is eating with the child feeding utensil, the device remains securely fastened to the highchair or non-traditional feeding station.
Another embodiment of this invention accommodates child feeding systems or non-traditional feeding stations that do not have a tray or flat surface. In this embodiment of the invention, the child feeding utensil is connected to the child feeding system by way of an adapter loop apparatus comprising a first end with a long loop, and a second end with a short loop, whereby the two ends are separated by a solid rectangular section which separates the loop from each other and closes each loop of the adapter apparatus. The adapter loop connects the child feeding utensil to a child feeding system or non-traditional feeding station that does not have a tray or flat service. The first end of the adapter loop is connected to the second end of the child feeding utensil device via the notch system, and the two loops of the adapter apparatus are securely interconnected to any extended or arm portion of a child feeding station.
Before the subject invention is described further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the art to which this invention belongs will recognize, however, that the techniques described can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.
In this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
As shown in
In one embodiment of the invention, the connection means is a suction cup apparatus 35 comprising a hollow ring 40 attached to a suction cup base 45, as shown in
In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in
As shown in
The adapter loop 55 is removable and portable. The adapter loop 55 may be easily removed from the feeding system at any time by a parent, caretaker, or other adult, but is securely fastened to prevent removal by an infant or toddler. The adapter loop 55 may be used in settings inside and outside of the home depending on the needs of the parent or caregiver.
In the preferred embodiments of this invention, the child feeding utensil device is made of medical grade BPA free silicone. In other embodiments of the invention the child feeding utensil may be composed of flexible plastic material that is safe for handling by infants, toddlers, or small children. As new materials are developed, the invention may be constructed from non-toxic materials with the same or similar properties as silicone and other plastics, meaning that the material is flexible, malleable, temperature resistant, and water resistant, as known by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs and/or to which this material belongs.
In other embodiments of the invention, the utensil portion 10 of the child feeding utensil device 5 may be detachable and interchangeable. In other embodiments of the invention, the child feeding utensil device 5 may comprise a non-contiguous segment, allowing for the interchanging of a fork, spoon, or spork at the first end 10. The invention would remain portable and adjustable.
Although the invention is designed to function with a child feeding system or non-traditional feeding station, it is adaptable to other applications. The child feeding utensil device 5 may be adapted for use with persons having temporary or permanent disabilities, or limited range of motion, or restricted mobility. In these instances, the utensil device 5 would be secured to a feeding tray or arm of a chair or other apparatus to facilitate a less stressful feeding experience for the individual and/or their caretaker.
Regardless of the application, the child feeding utensil device 5 is portable and adjustable to facilitate use in a setting inside a home or outside of a home, such as at a restaurant, outdoor location, short term care facility, or long term care facility.
As various changes may be made in the above-described subject matter without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention, it is intended that all subject matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, will be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims.
