Patent Application
20070062990
The present disclosure relates generally to food dispensing systems, and more particularly to a hands-free food dispensing apparatus that is wearable by a person.
Certain long-term activities make it impossible or impractical for a person to feed themselves using their hands. For example, activities such as: playing video games, constructing models, flying a plane, or assembling electronics components all involve activities that require long periods where both hands are busy. It is also undesirable to take occasional breaks to eat, because it wastes time and transfers food residue to the subject of the work. Reading a book is an example of an activity where using one hand to eat snacks would transfer grease and crumbs back to the book.
It is similarly impossible for a person to feed themselves if they have lost the use of their arms due to injury or disease. A quadriplegic generally must relinquish a level of independence by relying on another to feed him. A prisoner whose arms are immobilized is another example of a situation where it would be desirable to provide the person with the means to feed himself without the use of his hands.
There is currently no known device available that attaches to a user and allows them to feed themselves while their hands are busy. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a hands-free wearable food dispensing apparatus that addresses one or more of the drawbacks enumerated above.
The present disclosure addresses the drawbacks mentioned above by providing a hands-free wearable food dispensing apparatus.
The wearable food dispensing apparatus disclosed herein is attached directly to the user's body. The apparatus positions a food dispenser conveniently near the user's mouth. When the apparatus is filled, the user can access the food and/or beverage in the apparatus by simply moving their head towards the dispensing portion and accessing the food with their mouth.
The disclosed device allows users to feed themselves without the use of their hands. Potential benefits of this system are: ability to perform time-consuming activities without having to pause for breaks; improved productivity and enjoyment of activities; elimination of food residue transferred to items in the user's hands; and increased independence of users to feed themselves when they are unable to use their hands.
Features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to similar, though not necessarily identical components. For the sake of brevity, reference numerals or features having a previously described function may not necessarily be described in connection with other drawings in which they appear.
There is currently no known apparatus that will mount to a person's body and allow him to eat while it is impractical or impossible for him to use his hands.
The embodiments disclosed herein substantially solve the problem above by providing a wearable hands-free food and/or beverage dispensing apparatus. The apparatus mounts to the wearer's body with a mounting harness. The mounting harness portion of the apparatus supports and positions the food dispensing portion in a position that is convenient for the wearer to access the food with his mouth. When the user desires food, he need only rotate his head towards the food dispensing portion of the apparatus to access food with his mouth. The user is thereby able to eat without using his hands.
Turning now to
When the food dispensing unit is located at the proper height, the user has a clear line of sight to an activity they may be performing. It is also the proper height for the user to rotate his head slightly downwards or forward to grab food from the hollow trough. For example, if the user is engaged in playing a video game, the user can see the screen and use his hands in their normal position. The user can then rotate his head slightly downwards towards the trough section and access food with his mouth. In this embodiment, the harness has an optional feature of a chest support, 18, which further supports the trough and keeps it in a position convenient to the wearer.
The hollow trough, 16, in this embodiment is a substantially curved container with an open top. It is designed with the lower part of the curve near the center for gravity to carry food towards the center for mouth access as food is taken from the center. It is also designed to sit along the wearer's chest, parallel to the coronal body plane. However, the trough section can be any type of food container or holder. Alternate embodiments tested include: a substantially rectangular section, a substantially v-shaped trough, a substantially v-shaped trough with a flat center section, troughs with some portion of the top area closed to keep food contained, a round bowl-like trough, or combinations thereof. The trough can be constructed of any metal, plastic, or composite materials.
This embodiment also shows an optional beaded edge, 26, on the trough which helps channel the food towards the center while preventing spillage of food over the side of the trough. Other designs that were more sharply angled were tested and rejected because the food spilled out of the trough too easily.
In yet another embodiment, the trough shapes above are oriented away from the user's mouth, parallel to the sagittal plane of the wearers body.
In another embodiment, the food dispensing portion of the apparatus can be simply a food container holding structure in which a bowl or similar food container is placed.
In a further embodiment, the trough section can be a hollow container that is curved around the user's head, such that he can access food by rotating his head to the side, in addition to rotating his head downwards toward the trough.
Turning now to
These hooks are curved inward at the middle portion toward the wearer's back for a snug fit and then curved outward at the ends for comfort. Shorter, non-curved hooks were discarded because they were not snug enough and did not provide enough support. These straps can be constructed of metal, plastic, composite, fabric, cloth, or any combinations thereof. Obviously, a fabric harness would be flexible while the harness could also be plastic straps that are somewhat stiff. The “shepards hooks” would be made of a material that is somewhat stiff, with enough elasticity to comfortably grab the wearer's body. The “knee bends” on the back of the shepards hooks,” as shown in the figure would be designed for comfortable and secure holding to the wearer.
Additionally, it would be possible to adjust the shepards hooks to the size of the wearer by putting a size adjustment at the top of the hooks—lengthening or shortening the width of the harness to match the thickness of the body.
In alternate embodiments, the harness portion could also attach to the user's body by using: a harness that secures around the wearer's neck, a harness that rests on the wearer's head, harness straps that attach to the wearer's belt, harness straps that form suspenders that attach to the wearer's clothing, a harness that is secured around the wearer's torso, or combinations thereof.
A further embodiment of the harness is adjustable for length, width, or curvature for a secure fit to the particular size and shape of the user. The trough dispenser section of this embodiment, shown as 34 in
In an alternate embodiment, the securing straps could be a single front and rear strap or any number of securing straps.
The size and height adjustment features of the above embodiment can be a number of different adjustment technologies, including: nuts and bolts; buckles; buttons; hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro); dowels; pins; pegs and keyholes; flexible materials; or the “button snaps” as used on standard baseball caps.
Turning now to
In an alternate embodiment, the container holding structure can be attached to the harness portion of the apparatus. In yet another embodiment, the beverage container can be part of the food dispensing apparatus itself, and refilled.
Turning now to
Turning now to
In an alternate embodiment, this actuator can be an electrically or electromechanically triggered actuator which moves food into close proximity with the user's mouth. This feature is particularly useful where the user has limited movement of his head or neck. When activated, the actuator would move food on the platform nearer to the wearer's mouth. Alternatively, the platform could be a “shovel,” which would shovel food upwards towards the wearer's mouth when the actuator is triggered.
In an alternate embodiment, the actuator in the food dispensing trough can be used to push food at the ends of the trough closer to the center of the trough. As food is eaten from the center section of the trough by the wearer, the actuator would replenish the supply of food at the center for more convenient access.
In yet another embodiment, the actuator, 72, would be triggered by a remote electrical signal. For example, when used in conjunction with a video game system, a button on the video game controller could be used to dispense food directly near the user's mouth and keep the user from having to move his head very far while playing the game.
Turning now to
While several embodiments have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered exemplary rather than limiting.
