AU2012100383A4 - Allergen identifier - Google Patents

Abstract

UIP1005AUOO The invention provides an allergen identifier which assists in the identification of a person at risk having an allergy. The allergen identifier is worn in proximity to the head of a user.

Description

UIP1005AUOO 1 ALLERGEN IDENTIFIER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to an identifier and more particularly is concerned 5 with an allergen identifier. Whilst the allergen identifier of the present invention can be used in connection with any type of allergy, for example hay fever, dust mite allergies and the like, in this specification, as an example, the invention is described as being used in connection with anaphylaxis. 10 BACKGROUND Reactions to allergies can range from being mild to severe, which in worst case scenarios could lead to death. It is therefore important to correctly identify a person at risk, thereby reducing the likelihood of such a person being incorrectly given wrong medication or food types. 15 Although adults still have to monitor their allergies closely, often children can find it difficult to manage their allergies, and they are often reliant on carers to assist them in doing so. A classroom environment is no different. Schoolteachers are required to identify children in the classroom at risk of allergies, including anaphylaxis. To assist the schoolteachers in doing so, existing approaches 20 include the use of photographic records positioned about the classroom and/or handed to new teachers. Some schools supply hats of different colour to the school uniform so that children at risk of anaphylaxis wear different hats. Alternatively, some children at risk of anaphylaxis wear bracelets which specifically identify their condition. 25 It may be difficult for relief or emergency teachers to identify children in the classroom at risk of anaphylaxis using the above techniques. For example, a child at UIP1005AUOO 2 risk of anaphylaxis may be playing outside, thereby making it difficult for the relief teacher to access the photographic records positioned inside the classroom to determine whether the particular student is at risk. Wearing a hat may also be impractical in certain types of weather conditions and may not be worn in classroom 5 environments. Hats are easily be misplaced. Bracelets are also typically covered up with clothing which could make it difficult for the emergency teacher or another person to immediately identify whether the particular student is at risk. It is an object of the invention to provide improvements in the identification of those at risk of an allergic reaction, or at least to provide an alternative for those concerned 10 with allergies. It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way at the priority date. 15 SUMMARY In a first aspect, the invention provides a badge when used to identify a person at risk of an allergic reaction, the badge including: a securing mechanism by which the badge is releasably securable to a collar of the person; and 20 a display portion visible to others when the badge is so secured. The display portion may be triangular to fit the collar. The invention also extends to a method of identifying a person at risk of an allergic reaction including securing a badge to a portion of clothing of the person. The badge is preferably the badge as defined hereinabove. The portion of clothing 25 may be a collar.

UIP1005AUOO 3 In a further aspect, there is provided for a method of using an allergen identifier when used with a person at risk having an allergy, the method including the steps of: securing the allergen identifier to a portion of clothing of the person so that the allergen identifier is positioned adjacent a head of the person and is visible when 5 the person is clothed; and advising a predetermined authority (or other audience), associated with the person at risk, that the allergen identifier signals that the person has the allergy so that a representative of the authority is capable of determining, using the allergen identifier, whether a person is a person at risk. 10 The person at risk may be a student and the predetermined authority may be an educational facility. The invention also extends to a method of using an allergen identifier when used with a person at risk having an allergy, the method including the steps of: securing the allergen identifier to a collar of clothing, in use worn by the 15 person, so that the allergen identifier is positioned adjacent a head of the person and is visible when the person is clothed; and instructing a schooling authority of the person at risk of the proximate location to the head of the person and the symbolic meaning of the allergen identifier which identifies the person as having the allergy. 20 The piece of clothing may be a collar and the allergen identifier may be a badge. The badge may be detachably secured to the collar. The badge may be triangular shaped. The sides of the triangular shaped may be of equal length. Corners of the badge may be rounded. The badge may have at least one signage element adjacent each side, and wherein 25 the orientation of signage elements are different relative to each other thereby allowing the signage elements to be readable from a front, a back and above of the person.

UIP1005AUO0 4 The signage elements may include wording. In another aspect, the invention extends to a method of using an allergen identifier when used with a person at risk having an allergy, the method including the steps of: securing the allergen identifier to a portion of clothing of the person so that 5 the allergen identifier is positioned adjacent a head of the person and is visible when the person is clothed; and providing information to a predetermined authority of the significance of the identifier and the message conveyed of the allergy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 A is a front view showing a schematic representation of an allergen identifier or badge according to the one embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 B is a front view showing a schematic representation of an allergen identifier 15 or badge according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a front view showing a schematic representation of a second embodiment of an allergen identifier according to the principles of the invention; Figure 3 is a side view showing a schematic representation of a collar which carries in use the allergen identifier of Figure 2; and 20 Figure 4 is a front view showing a schematic representation of a garment having a collar to which a pair of badges, each according to Figure 2, is attached to either end of the collar. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT Referring to the accompanying representations, Figure 1 illustrates a badge 1 25 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The badge has a purple UIP1005AUOO 5 background, rounded corners, as well as a gold outer rim and includes a capital "A" which is incorporated as part of a symbol. Rounded corners reduce the risk of injury, e.g. during school sports. The badge when used to identify a person at risk of an allergic reaction will signify that the wearer of the badge has anaphylaxis. 5 A back portion 3 has a securing mechanism by which the badge 1 is releasably securable to a collar of the person. The securing mechanism may be in the form of a pin, VelcroTM (hook and loop) strips, or the like which allow the badge to be detachably secured to the collar, for example when going out or to school. A front portion of the badge is a display portion 4 and is visible to others when the badge is 10 so secured. The badge 1 will be worn by people on their garments fitted over their upper bodies. The types of garments include T-shirts, polo shirts, jackets and the like. The term "collar" as used herein refers to a portion of garment about a neck of a wearer. Optionally the collar may be folded as in polo or business shirt collars, or unfolded 15 such in casual wear, for example on T-shirts. Figure 1 B illustrates a badge in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 B shows a front view in which the badge's display portion is visible. The securing mechanism is concealed from view behind the display portion. As in the embodiment of Figure 1A the badge takes the form of an equilateral triangle 20 having round corners and oriented to have a vertically directed apex above a horizontal base. The badge carries insignia in the form of a large capital A positioned above but partly overlying a larger central X. "anaphalaxis" runs horizontally in the space between the X and the horizontal base. In the embodiment of Figure 1 B the insignia and wording "anaphalaxis" are presented in white against a purple 25 background. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an allergen identifier or badge 10 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The allergen identifier is used with a person at risk having an allergy, for example anaphylaxis. The badge is secured to a portion of clothing of the person so that the badge is positioned adjacent a head of UIP1005AUOO 6 the person and is visible when the person is clothed, for example when wearing a school uniform or the like. A predetermined authority, for example the school at which the person or student is attending class, or another authority, is instructed or notified that the badge signals that the person has an allergy. 5 Following a preferred approach, the predetermined authority normally will be notified using direct communication such as brochures, email correspondence, informational talks and seminars, newsletters and posters. The authority may be notified by a supplier (and/or manufacturer) of the badge. Most preferably, in the longer term, the badges will become uniformly recognised in the community per major commercial 10 brands. The badge 10 is triangularly shaped and in the illustrated example is an equilateral triangle. This allows sides 12 of the badge to be substantially equal in length. The badge 10 has one signage element 14 adjacent each side 12. The orientations of the signage elements are different relative to each other, thereby allowing the 15 signage elements to be readable from the front, back and above the person at risk. Each of the signage elements align with a respective side 12 of the badge. Furthermore, the wording of the signage elements flows in one direction around a periphery of the badge 10. This allows the wording to be readable from different angles of the badge. For example, wording on a back vertical side 16 of the badge, 20 when secured to the person, is readable from a front of the person, whereas an opposed, front vertical side 18 of the badge is readable from a back of the person. A bottom horizontal side 20 is visible from above the person, for example when the person is sitting or lying down. Figure 3 illustrates the badge 10 in use secured to a collar 24. Sides 12 of the badge 25 10 allow, when the badge is secured to the collar, to extend diagonally across a longitudinal axis 26 which extends between opposed ends 28 of the collar. The badge also includes a side which extends parallel with the longitudinal axis. For example, the back and front vertical sides 16 and 18 extend diagonally across the UIP1005AUOO 7 longitudinal axis whereas the bottom horizontal side 20 substantially aligns with the longitudinal axis. Thus, each side extends with a substantially straight line on an outer surface of the collar which allows the collar to adopt a natural curvature when bent around the neck of the person. 5 Nonetheless, attachment of the badge 10 to the collar 24 will have a rigidifying effect on the collar. This rigidifying effect promotes the collar or a portion 30 of the collar to adopt a substantially upright configuration 32. Figure 4 shows a front of the collar 24. A pair of badges is secured to the collar so that a badge 10 of the pair of badges is positioned at either end 28 of the collar to 10 provide visual identification of the person's allergy from either side of the person. The badge 10 is detachably secured to the collar to allow the badge to be used on different types of garments, for example a school shirt, a blazer or the like. It can therefore be seen that the invention could provide a number of benefits over the existing solutions used in the art. Positioning of the badge in proximity to the 15 head of a person or user increases the likelihood of a person, who may be assisting the person at risk dealing with an allergy, to notice or identify the badge. The badge is also dimensioned to provide a non-obstructive visual aid which is discreet and which still allows another person to see the badge and the message conveyed about the allergy of the wearer. The discreetness of the badge should allow a student to 20 operate and function more normally within the school environment and should be less likely to stand out, for example when wearing a different coloured hat or blazer. In other words, the student should be more visually similar to his fellow students. The signage elements including the wording are arranged around the sides of the badge to allow the message of the badge to be readable from multiple angles. The 25 signage element or wording on the badge can therefore be read from a front, a back or above the user. Reading from above should make it less difficult for a person to read the wording on the badge when the student is lying on the ground.

UIP1005AUOO 8 The sides of the badge are also shaped to facilitate normal bending of the collar around the neck of the user. A collar bearing a badge should therefore still have the normal feel when worn by a user. This should reduce the likelihood of the application of the badge to the collar causing discomfort to a wearer. 5 Although the sides of the badge are shaped and positioned on the collar to allow natural bending of the collar, application of the badge to the collar will still increase the stiffness of at least a portion of the collar to which the badge is applied. The increase in the structural rigidity of the collar should increase the likelihood of the collar adopting an upright configuration which should increase the likelihood of the 10 badge being visible to a third party. The following examples are intended to illustrate the scope of the invention and to enable reproduction and comparison. They are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. While the above description refers to one embodiment of an allergen identifier, it will 15 be appreciated that other embodiments can be adopted by way of different combinations of features. Such embodiments fall within the spirit and scope of this invention. The term "comprises" and its grammatical variants have a meaning that is determined by the context in which it appears. Accordingly, the term should not be 20 interpreted restrictively unless the context dictates so.

Claims (5)

1. A badge when used to identify a person at risk of an allergic reaction, the badge including: 5 a securing mechanism by which the badge is releasably securable to a collar of the person; and a display portion visible to others when the badge is so secured.

2. A badge according to claim 1, wherein the display portion is triangular to fit the collar. 10

3. A method of identifying a person at risk of an allergic reaction including securing a badge to a portion of clothing of the person.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the badge is the badge of claim 1 or 2.

5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the portion of clothing is a collar. 15