GB2376410A

GB2376410A - Child feeding utensil with mouth guard

Info

Publication number: GB2376410A
Application number: GB0108114A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Diane Musgrave
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-30
Filing date: 2001-03-30
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: GB0108114D0; WO2002078495A1

Abstract

A feeding utensil comprises a straight handle 1 with a safety guard 3 at each end of the handle 1 and extending beyond each safety guard a feeding implement such as a spoon bowl 2 or knife or fork. The safety guards 3 are preferably formed to follow the contours of an infant's mouth, and prevents the utensil from being pushed too far into the infant's mouth no matter which way the utensil is picked up. The feeding implement and safety guard 3 may be identical in form at either end of the utensil and moulded as one unit from a deformable non-toxic plastic. Raised fibs 4 on the handle 1 of the utensil may be used to improve the user's grip.

Description

23764 1 0

SAFETY FEEDING UTENSIL

The present invention relates to a double-ended feeding utensil, with safety guards, and more particularly to double ended spoons or other similar utensils, with safety guards, suitable in the safe weaning and self-feeding of infants. A further embodiment of the invention is in the provision of a double ended feeding utensil, with safety guards, for elderly and infirm people or those in some way disabled, who have difficulty in picking up and /or holding and using traditional cutlery.

Weaning and feeding spoons are well known in the art, and are essential articles for infants when first learning to self-feed. They have closely followed the conventional design of spoons found in many homes throughout the world.

Variations in the angle of spoon bowl to handle, curvature of handle, and material used in manufacture, have all been implemented. These implementations do not provide for effective safety when used by persons with undeveloped or impaired coordination skills. Infants develop different skills at different ages. Whilst one child will have the ability to pick

up a suitably shaped object at four months, another child may not be able to pick up the same object until the age of six months: this applies particularly to feeding utensils. Similarly, those persons with some form of impaired coordination will have different degrees of ability. Infants, when given any object, will attempt to put that object in their mouths, sometimes pushing the object as far into their mouths as they are able, often to try and alleviate the pain and discomfort of teething. This can cause distress to the infant as well as to the parent or caret. The infant feeding utensil G Curtis Watson US 6134790 takes a positive step toward safety with the provision of a mouth guard. This in itself is not a new concept US5890223, but does go someway to providing for a safer feeding experience for the infant.

Furthermore, double-ended spoons are not aMew concept US 442571 l, US 6115923. The present invention, whilst allowing the infant to feed itself, prevents it from inserting the spoon into its mouth beyond a point that is both safe and appropriate, no matter which way the spoon is picked up.

Although I have little prior knowledge relating to the feeding or selffeeding of physically or mentally handicapped persons, or to the feeding and self feeding of elderly and infirm persons, I am of the belief that this invention, when suitably configured, will benefit the said groups.

Spoons or similar utensils that can be usefully picked up only one way, are common in the art. Furthermore, spoons or similar utensils that can be usefully picked up and used in either orientation are prior in the art.

Furthermore, spoons or similar utensils that provide a safety guard are prior in the art. The present invention provides for a simple spoon or similar utensil that can be picked up and used in either orientation, can be picked up with either hand and used without further manipulation, and has a safety guard effective in either orientation.

According to the present invention there is provided a simple doubleended, safety, feeding utensil, formed from a single homogeneous amount of non toxic dishwasher-proof plastic or other suitable material. Comprising a straight or otherwise handle, ribbed or otherwise, the said ribs, when present, to be suitably spaced along the partial or complete length of the said handle, as a means to providing a secure and comfortable grip. At either end of the handle is a flange, suitably configured to approximate the contours of the face, in the mouth region. Adjacent and extending beyond the flange, there is a spoon shaped utensil or other such feeding utensil. The flange, when suitably configured, will prevent the spoon bowl or other feeding utensil

from entering the mouth, further than is necessary for safe and effective assisted or self, feeding. The present invention has neither moving, nor detachable parts, both of which are potentially hazardous. Furthermore, has an easy to grip handle, furthermore, is suitable for infants, and adults with impaired coordination skills, and furthermore, having no excessive recesses, nor cavities, is easy to clean and sanitize.

Preferably, the present invention is made from a pliable or semi-rigid plastic that is rugged, and non-toxic. The present invention may be made froth other suitable materials such as metal or wood. Furthermore it may be manufactured in a range of colours attractive to both infants and parents / carers alike.

Because of the one-piece design of the invention, it is inexpensive to produce. A preferred embodiment of the invention suitable for the weaning and self feeding of infants, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a plan viewed from above the spoon.

FIGURE 2 shows a shallow perspective of the spoon.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the spoon FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the underside of the spoon.

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation of the spoon.

It should be recognised that all the separate parts of the invention, described hereinafter, are moulded from a single homogeneous piece of plastic.

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention comprises a straight handle 1 of suitable length and circumference, having a cross section of circular or other formA plurality of ribs 4 project from the handle 1 and are formed circumferentially thereon, being suitably spaced along the length of said handle. At either end of handle 1 is a flange 3 typically at a right angle to the longitudinal plane of said handle. The said handle meeting the flange at its convex surface about its centre point. The aforementioned flange being suitably formed in the vertical plane see Figure 3 and the horizontal plane see Figure 4, to approximate the contours of a child's face in the mouth region. Both aforementioned flanges 3 having identical form and dimension, the one being a mirror image of the other in this embodiment of the invention. The contour, form and dimension of either flange 3 in this embodiment, is typical of those in the art and therefore is accorded no further description.

At either extremity of the described article, extending beyond and adjacent

the flange 3 and aligned along the same plane as the aforementioned handle 1, and in this embodiment ofthe invention, is a concave ellipse or similar shape, suitably formed as a spoon bowl 2.

At the junction of the handle 1 and flange 3 the body of the handle increases uniformly in its circumference to form a fillet 6 which reinforces the said junction and provides a uniform transition from the end of the handle 1 to the convex surface of the flange 3.

Similarly, at the junction of the spoon bowl 2 and the flange 3 the body of the spoon bowl 2 increases uniformly in its circumference to form a fillet 5 that likewise reinforces the said junction and provides a uniform transition from the spoon bowl 2 to the concave surface of the flange 3.

Referring to Figure 3. At its extremity, the spoon bowl has a generally smooth horizontal upper peripheral rim 7, the said rim lying on the line of longitude drawn through the centre of the handle 1. Referring to Figure 4. At the widest point of the spoon bowl concavity, the upper peripheral rim curves upward from the horizontal, to a point 8, midway between the longitudinal centre line of the spoon handle, and the uppermost contour of the flange.

At the widest point of the spoon bowl concavity 9, the body of the spoon bowl tapers uniformly toward the concave surface of

the flange to achieve a diameter slightly in excess of that of the handle 1.

In further embodiments of the invention, the flanges, handle, and spoon bowl, by modifications to form and dimension, can be suitably configured to approximate the contours of the face, hands, and mouth, of infants of different ages, an older child, or adult.Furthermore, the spoon bowl may be configured with some other feeding utensil such as a suitably designed safety fork or knife.

In further embodiments of the invention, the aforementioned opposing flanges may be dissimilar in one or more respects.

It can be seen that what has been described is a one-piece moulded plastic safety and convenience spoon with a handle of suitable form and dimensions. Either end of the handle being of identical construction, each comprising a concave oval shape for holding food, and a flange to prevent excessive intrusion of the spoon into the mouth, thereby preventing choking.

The spoon can be picked up either way round and with either hand.

Claims

s 1. I claim, a feeding utensil, including a feeding implement at each end of a

straight handle, furthermore, safety-guards are provided at the inward bound portion of each of said feeding implements.
2. A feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1, where said feeding implements are identical in form and dimension.
3. A feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1 where said safety-guards are 15 identical in form and dimension.
4. A feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1 where said safety-guards are so formed as to follow the contours of an infants face in the mouth region.

20
5. A feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1 where said feeding implements are in the form of a spoon bowl.
6. A feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1 where said feeding implements are of alternative type such as a knife or fork.
7. A feeding utensil as claimed in all preceding claims, where said handle has a plurality of ribs raised from the body of said handle and formed circumferentially thereon.

3u
8. A feeding utensil according to any preceding claim, suitable for use as an infant self-feeding and weaning utensil.
9. A feeding utensil as claimed in any preceding claim, which is formed from a single homogeneous quantity of suitably deformable non-toxic plastic.
JO. A feeding utensil as claimed in claim 1 which is made from any suitable material including wood or metal or any combination thereof.
11. A feeding utensil substantially as herein described above and illustrated in 40 the accompanying drawings.