AU2008100368B4 - Brest mate - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Innovation Patent Applicant: Brooke Amber Nicol IP Australia 2 4 JUN 2008 'iM l Invention Title: TIMING DEVICE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me: 2 00 TIMING DEVICE

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This invention relates to a timing device for use when breast feeding.

00 1-1 Efficient breast feeding requires close consideration of the feeding habits of the baby. New mothers need to ensure that babies are fed at regular three or four hour 00 10 intervals and it is usually desirable that breasts are alternated to make certain that the baby is getting the hind milk. Often mothers are sleep deprived and in a stressed state and have difficulty in remembering when the baby was last fed, which breast the baby finished on and the feeding time on each breast.

When reporting the progress of a baby to a doctor or infant welfare centre, it is desirable to have a full history of the baby's feeding habits.

It is these issues which have brought about the present invention.

According to the present invention there is provided a timing device for breast feeding comprising a timer, display means to show elapsed time at two time zones, a memory to record information on elapsed times at each zone and, a data port to allow the device to be coupled to a computer to download the information.

The timing device preferably has a front face plate which includes the display means, the face plate being interchangeable. In a preferred embodiment, the front CADocuments and SettingskBrooke\My Documentsainvention'FinaI Versions\Specifwafion.doc 20/6108 3 00 face plate simulates a face with the eyes defining the (C display means. The face may have ears which constitute on/off switches for the elapsed time displayed at each display means. The data port is preferably a universal C 5 serial bus (USB) port.

00 O An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 11 which are schematic illustrations of a timing device for breast 00 10 feeding.

The timing device for use with breast feeding mothers in accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings constitutes: A round face like shape which acts as a nightlight during the night feeds. To activate the nightlight simply push the top of the head. Springs at the base activate the light bulb which is connected to circuits wired to batteries or outlet power. The outside of face lights up, push again to turn off. See Figure 1.

Each part of the face has a different function. The two round eyes are LCD displays recording left side feeding information in left eye and right side in the other. The mouth displays date and time information. To start the feeding clock for the left breast, push the left ear button. This automatically displays the time the feed started according to the clock in the mouth display and initiates the feeding timer which continues to run indicating how long the feed is going for. See Figures to 8.

CADocuments and SettingsBrookeWy Documentsinvention'FinaI VersionsSpecificaion.doc 20106108 4 00 O Once the mother has finished on the left side she cI pushes the left ear button again which stops the feeding clock. The feeding clock will record total feeding time, the time the feed finished along with the start time of N1 5 feed. See Figure 2.

00 0O Once the mother changes to the right side and repeats

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the same process from the left side she is able to see _total feeding time on both sides and which side baby 00 10 finished on, see Figure 3. By displaying total time on Seach side the mother can either feed from the side she finished on after last feed or decide if baby did not feed for long enough from one side to start on that side for next feed. This way she will always be able to keep track of exactly how long baby feeds for every time and which side to start on for the next feed. This information is important as it allows mother to drain each breast making certain that baby is getting the hind milk. See Figure 4.

The nose in the middle acts as the menu with a rotating wheel like function, similar to an iPod® wheel.

The middle is the enter button. This button is pushed to start and confirm any details which are being entered for date, time and alarm. The top button is to set/change date and time. To do this you simply click the top of the wheel to make the date/time details flash, then rotate the wheel until it reaches desired hour, push the date/time button again to set the hour and move to the minutes etc.

Once the time and date is set you simply push the menu button in the middle. See Figures 9 to 12.

The right side of the nose button is to check the history of past feeds. By pressing the H button the CADocuments and SettingskBrooketMy Documents\Invention\Final Versions\Specification.doc 20106/08 00 history of each feed is displayed with the date and time in the mouth area and the total time in each eye. Each ;time you push the history button it will continue to go backwards displaying past feeds in the eyes and mouth areas up to 7 days (up to a maximum of 50 feeds). To return to normal operation press the reset button on 00 IND the left side. See Figure 6.

The bottom of the wheel is the alarm function. To 00 10 set the alarm you press the alarm bell which will bring up an alarm clock below the time in the mouth area, rotate the wheel until you reach desired time then push the alarm button again to set and activate. The alarm allows the mother to have a set reminder each time the baby is due for their next feed. When the alarm sounds at the desired set time simply push the middle enter button to stop. See Figure 7.

The left side of the wheel is the which is to clear the memory and reset the timers. Simply hold this button down for 5 seconds and it will clear the 7 day history and start storing information again once the next feed commences. See Figure 8.

By connecting the USB cord from the device to a computer the information recorded can be downloaded to an Excel spreadsheet. This spreadsheet, which shows feeding patterns for every feed, also has sections for mother to record information such as weight, immunization etc to look back on when needed or take to their next health centre visit. This file will be provided with the device as an Excel program on a CD-ROM for users to install to their computer. See Figure 9.

C:Documents and SettingsBmokeWy Documentsnvention\inal VersionsXSpecification doc 20106/08 6 00 c (10) Once music files have been uploaded on to the user's SUSB device and connected to the USB port, the device acts as an MP3 player recognizing the music files and playing C 5 music directly through the two speakers in the middle of the cheeks. See Figure 00

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(11) The feet at the bottom of the face act as a stand and also fold down to function as a clip with springs which 00 S10 can hold on to a pocket in a bag.

(12) The power supply can be by way of batteries or mains supply and the batteries can be rechargeable.

The device needs to be durable and is preferably made in plastics. The face should be bright coloured plastics which would fit in with a nursery with the option of users being able to select their preferred colour.

Around the outside of the face should be clear/white and illuminate when the top is pushed to act as a night light.

Each area on the face needs to light up to display information in the dark. There needs to be buttons on each side of the face to start/stop the left and right side functions. The nose needs to have an iPod® type wheel and the mouth must be a display window.

The device needs to be hard wearing to ensure it can survive the portability of it. It should have a diameter of approximately 10cm and be easy enough and lightweight to carry around. It has to allow for either 2 or 3 AAA batteries, outlet power and a USB port.

C:\Documents and Settings\Brooke\My Documents\lnvention\Final Versions\Specification.doc 20106/08 7 00 SThe device is a breast feeding timer and recording device.

c It is every parent's answer to relieving the stress of Sremembering and recording a baby's feeding habits. It performs the following functions: c- Displays Time and Date; 00 INs Displays and records how long baby fed for; S* Displays and records total feeding time on each breast; Displays which side baby finished on by recording the 00 finish times on both sides; C- Displays which breast to start on for next feed; Displays and can record seven day history of feeding pattern; Nightlight; USB port for downloading data direct to any computer with a USB storage device. Data will be in Excel (.xls) format for users to be able to update with additional information; Speakers to play music uploaded from a USB storage device.

The focus for all new mothers is to ensure babies are fed at regular three or four hour intervals and the breasts are alternated to make certain baby is getting the hind milk, the device takes the guess work out of how good and reliable is the mother's memory.

The device alleviates the following problems: Remembering when the last feed was; Recording how long the baby fed for; Remembering which side the baby finished on; C:Documents and SettingsNBrookefy DocumentsNnvenfion'FinaI VersionsSpecificaion.doc 20106108 8 00 Reminder for when the next feed is due.

SThe device will also store up to seven days worth of feeding information allowing mother to check back on how r 5 baby performed during the week.

00 NO The biggest problem answered is that all information is downloadable in Excel (.xls) format from a USB port to record straight to any computer with a USB storage device.

This is significant advantage as it allows all data to be Srecorded accurately and enables additional information to be added alongside each feed.

By relieving some of the stress which comes with breast feeding, the device will allow mothers to be more rested, more confident and more focused for their other mothering activities.

The key users would be the breast feeding mother. The device would also be useful in maternity wards in hospitals where both mothers and nurses can track the feeding patterns of new born babies and child care centres.

The device is not limited to breast fed babies as it can also be useful for bottle fed babies. By utilising the timers, alarm, nightlight, downloadable history and music functions the device will act as a reminder and accessory for any mother, father, grandparent or even babysitter.

The Features, Advantages and Benefits of the Device a) F Nightlight A Easy to read in the dark to check time etc.

CADocuments and SettingsfBrooke'My Documents~nvention1inaI VersionskSpecification.doc 20106/08 9 00 B No need to turn the light on and risk waking up c the baby b) F USB Port 5 A All information can be transferred directly to an excel spreadsheet 00 0\ B Feeding history can be recorded and updated to ensure accuracy.

00 10 c) F Battery operated SA Portable and cost effective B Inexpensive way to store information on the go d) F Records 7 day history A If a computer is not available to download, it allows the user to go back and check the feeding patterns on previous days to compare B The user can check up on any day to try and develop a routine.

e) F Left side Right side functionality A Allows the mother to record which breast was fed from last and which one to start on for the next feed.

B Ensures baby is getting the nutritional hind milk and that the breasts are being alternated.

f) F Interchangeable face plate A Various different colour face plates to choose from B Co-ordinate the device to the baby's nursery CMDocuments and SettinasXBrookeWy Documents~Invention\inaI VersionsSpecification.doc 20/06/08

Claims (4)

1. A timing device for breast feeding comprising a timer to record elapsed time, display means to display elapsed time at two time zones, a memory to record information on elapsed times at each zone, and a data port to allow the 00 device to be coupled to a computer to download the Sinformation. 00 S10

2. The timing device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a front face plate which includes the display means, the face plate being interchangeable.

3. The timing device according to either claims 1 or 2, wherein the front face plate simulates a face, having eyes which contain the display means.

4. The timing device according to claim 3 wherein the face has ears which constitute on/off switches for the elapsed time displayed at each display means. The timing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device includes a night light and an on/off switch that controls operation of the light. C:\Docurnents and Settings\Bmoke\My Documentsnventn\Final VersionsSpeciication.doc 20/06/08