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&#39;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&#39;s lower arm to facilitate allowing an end of the dispenser to be brought approximate the individual&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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&#39;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]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a profile view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a profile view of an exemplary application of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a layout view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a first aspect facing upward;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is an underneath view of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a second aspect facing upward.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is an overhead view of components utilized in the assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is an overhead view of components utilized in the assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is an overhead view of a first assembled sub-component of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is an underneath view of the first assembled sub-component of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is an overhead view of a second assembled sub-component of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0018]    [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&#39;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&#39;s  12  interior surface  32  facing upward and the second strip&#39;s  14  interior surface  34  facing downward, while FIG.  4  shows the second strip&#39;s  14  interior surface  34  facing upward and the first strip&#39;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.