AU2018101575A4 - Breast feeding water bottle. No product name has been selected as yet - Google Patents

Abstract

A drink bottle having a controllable indicator with a plurality of indicator states, wherein the indicator is controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by one or more actions of the user. The indicator may be singlehandedly controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand when the bottle is gripped by said single hand. The bottle may include means to recognise whether it is gripped by a left or right hand.

Description

A DRINK BOTTLE AND ACCESSORY DEVICE THEREFOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[1] The invention relates to a drink bottle, and an accessory device for a drink bottle.

BACKGROUND ART

[2] Breastfeeding women may face a variety of challenges associated with providing breast milk to a baby. Regular supply of milk may be difficult to establish and maintain, and a breastfeeding women's overall health and wellbeing may be adversely affected in an effort to prioritise the baby's needs.

[3] Difficulties which breastfeeding women may face include mastitis, blocked ducts, engorged breasts, irregular production of milk in one breast or both breasts, and irregular feeding habits of babies. There are also stresses which may impact breastfeeding women, particularly where a breastfeeding woman perceives that their supply is inadequate for the nutritional demands of the baby being breastfed. Babies may also deprive breastfeeding women of sleep as they care for the baby.

[4] The health considerations of breastfeeding women also include keeping up the hydration levels, as dehydration of a breastfeeding woman can lead to decreased supply and potentially dehydration in the baby. Mild to moderate dehydration may result in headaches, constipation, dizziness, muscle cramps or dry skin; severe dehydration may result in irritability, low blood pressure, fever and in serious cases, delirium or unconsciousness. There have been instances of newborn babies suffering serious health concerns due to dehydration, including death. [2]

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[5] The present invention arises from a recognition that improvements in relation to the management of the health and wellbeing of breastfeeding women or babies can be achieved by devices which encourage improved supply of breast milk and encourage the maintenance of good hydration levels of a breastfeeding woman.

Technical problem [6] It has been established that good management of breast milk supply can be encouraged by alternating breasts when feeding [1], One way that breastfeeding women may manage this aspect of their breastfeeding activity is by placing a physical 'reminder' on the left or right side of the body corresponding to the left or right breast from which the baby last fed. Such 'reminders' may include placing a rubber band around the hand (i.e. the left hand if the baby last fed from the left breast), or placing a pin on the left or right side of the women's clothing. Breastfeeding women may also mark down in a book the last side from which the baby fed.

[7] The technical problem resides in recognising improvements in the way breastfeeding women can be reminded of the feeding history of a baby, and in creating a device which desirably has advantages of being easy to use while breastfeeding and encouraging good hydration levels in breastfeeding women.

Solution to problem [8] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a drink bottle including a controllable indicator, the indicator having a plurality of indicator states, wherein the indicator is controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by one or more actions of the user.

[9] The indicator may be singlehandedly controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand.

[10] The indicator may be singlehandedly controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand when the bottle is gripped by said single hand.

[11] The drink bottle may be singlehandedly operable for drinking and, at the same time, the indicator may be singlehandedly controllable, by action of the same single hand when the bottle is gripped by said single hand.

[12] The drink bottle may include means to recognise whether it is gripped by a left hand or a right hand. The means to recognise whether the bottle is gripped by a left or a right hand may include touch sensitive componentry. The touch sensitive componentry may be adapted to recognise the relative locations of one or more fingers and/or the thumb of a left hand gripping the bottle, and to recognise the relative locations of one or more fingers and/or the thumb of a right hand gripping the bottle. The touch sensitive componentry may include one or more pads, panels or screens incorporating touch sensitive technology such as resistive layers, capacitive sensing (e.g. surface or mutual capacitance), piezo-electric sensing (e.g. dispersive signal technology) or variable resistors, preferably in conjunction with finger location modelling or hand location modelling and detection algorithms.

[13] Upon recognising that the drink bottle is being gripped by a right hand, a first indicator state may be activated, and upon recognising that the bottle is being gripped by a left hand, a second indicator state may be activated.

[14] The indicator may include a timer function capable of recording a period of time in which an indicator state has been activated.

[15] Where the drink bottle includes means to recognise whether it is gripped by a left hand or a right hand, a first period of time in which a first indicator state is recorded by the timer function as being activated may start when the bottle recognises a left hand grip and it may continue to run in the event of multiple consecutive instances of left hand grip recognition such that the first period of time may stop when the bottle recognises a right hand grip succeeding the left hand grip recognition(s). Alternatively, the bottle may include other means, such as a pressable, slidable or touchable means, to start and stop the timer function. The bottle may include a touch sensitive sensor on an upper surface that, when tapped by the user, operates to start or stop the timer function.

[16] The indicator may include communication means to communicate via visual, auditory, or other means, information in relation to the indicator states. The communication means may be located on the bottle.

[17] The communication means may include a screen, or other visual communication means. The visual communication means may comprise a LCD or LED screen. The screen may be illuminated to communicate the information in low level background light.

[18] The information may include an indication whether one or more indicator states are presently activated, or whether one or more indicator states have been activated over time.

[19] The information may include one or more time periods for which one or more indicator states have been activated.

[20] The information may include a history of indicator states which have been activated. The history may include the one or more time periods for which the one or more indicator states have been activated.

[21] The information may include a weighted history of activated indicator states, such that the weighted history compares the time periods in which indicator states have been activated, over a set length of time.

[22] The information in the weighted history may include whether any one indicator state has been activated more regularly, or for a relatively longer period of time, compared with other indicator states. The more regular use of one indicator state than another, may be determined by the one indicator state being activated a greater number of times compared with any other indicator state, over a set length of time. The user may be able to set the length of time over which the more regular use is determined (e.g. 24 hours).

[23] The relative length of the periods of time in which the indicator states are activated may be determined by comparing the sum of each time period for which any one indicator state has been activated, with the sum of the time periods for which the other indicator states have, individually or collectively, been activated.

[24] The indicator may include slidable, pressable or otherwise moveable means, to activate the plurality of indicator states. The slidable, pressable or otherwise moveable means may additionally, or alternatively, operate to control the timer function.

[25] The drink bottle may include a bi-directional slidable indicator.

[26] The slidable indicator may include a tab which is slidable in a first direction to communicate a first indicator state, and slidable in a second direction to communicate a second indicator state.

[27] The bottle includes a permanently open mouth or outlet to permit drinking; alternatively, the bottle may include a closable mouth or outlet which may be opened and closed by the user. The closable mouth or outlet is preferably operable without requiring use of the hands, such as by the mouth and/or teeth of the user, or by use of a single hand only where that single hand may be the same hand which may control the indicator.

[28] In another aspect, the invention provides an accessory device for a drink bottle including a controllable indicator, the indicator having a plurality of indicator states, wherein the indicator is controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by one or more actions of the user.

[29] The indicator may be singlehandedly controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand.

[30] The indicator may be singlehandedly controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand when the bottle and/or accessory device is gripped by said single hand.

[31] The drink bottle may be singlehandedly operable for drinking and, at the same time, the indicator may be singlehandedly controllable, by action of the same single hand when the bottle and/or accessory device is gripped by said single hand.

[32] The accessory device may be adapted to fit around part of the drink bottle. The accessory device may include a ring adapted to engage with the drink bottle. The ring may be made of a flexible or stretchable material. The ring may be made from stretchable plastic materials such as polyurethane or synthetic rubber; natural rubber or latex may also be used.

[33] The ring may be able to be retained in position on a bottle by a pressure fit arrangement, for example, where the ring is stretchable and in a stretched arrangement the ring exerts a force on the bottle which retains it in position on the bottle. The ring may be able to be retained in position on a bottle by a form fit arrangement, for example, where the ring and/or bottle includes one or more hook, clip, catch or other fastener such that the form of the ring and bottle can engage to retain the ring in position on the bottle.

[34] The diameter of the ring may be adjustable.

The accessory device may include means to recognise whether it is gripped by a left hand or a right hand. The means to recognise whether the accessory device is gripped by a left or a right hand may include touch sensitive componentry. The touch sensitive componentry may be adapted to recognise the relative locations of one or more fingers and/or the thumb of a left hand gripping the bottle, and to recognise the relative locations of one or more fingers and/or the thumb of a right hand gripping the bottle. The touch sensitive componentry may include one or more pads, panels or screens incorporating touch sensitive technology such as resistive layers, capacitive sensing (e.g. surface or mutual capacitance), piezo-electric sensing (eg. dispersive signal technology) or variable resistors, preferably in conjunction with finger location modelling or hand location modelling and detection algorithms.

[35] Upon recognising that the accessory device is being gripped by a right hand, a first indicator state may be activated, and upon recognising that the accessory device is being gripped by a left hand, a second indicator state may be activated.

[36] The indicator may include a timer function capable of recording a period of time in which an indicator state has been activated.

[37] Where the accessory device includes means to recognise whether it is gripped by a left hand or a right hand, a first period of time in which a first indicator state is recorded by the timer function as being activated may start when the bottle recognises a left hand grip and it may continue to run in the event of multiple consecutive instances of left hand grip recognition such that the first period of time may stop when the accessory device recognises a right hand grip succeeding the left hand grip recognition(s). Clearly, this starting and stopping of the timer function may equally apply in the scenario where a left-hand grip is recognised after a succession of right hand grip recognitions. Alternatively, or possibly in combination with the foregoing, the accessory device may include other means, such as a pressable, slidable or touchable means, to start and stop the timer function. The accessory device may include a touch sensitive sensor on an upper surface that, when tapped by the user, operates to start or stop the timer function.

[38] The indicator may include communication means to communicate via visual, auditory, or other means, information in relation to the indicator states which have been activated. The communication means may be located on the accessory device.

[39] The communication means may include a screen, or other visual communication means. The visual communication means may comprise a LCD or LED screen. The screen may be illuminated to communicate the information in low level background light.

[40] The information may include whether one or more indicator states are presently activated, or whether one or more indicator states have been activated over time.

[41] The information may include one or more time periods for which one or more indicator states have been activated.

[42] The information may include a history of indicator states which have been activated. The history may include the one or more time periods for which the one or more indicator states have been activated.

[43] The information may include a weighted history of activated indicator states, such that the weighted history compares the time periods in which indicator states have been activated over a set length of time.

[44] The information in the weighted history may include whether any one indicator state has been activated more regularly, or for a relatively longer period of time, compared with other indicator states. The more regular use of one indicator state than another, may be determined by the one indicator state being activated a greater number of times compared with any other indicator state, over a set length of time. The user may be able to set the length of time over which the more regular use is determined (e.g. 24 hours).

[45] The relative length of the periods of time in which the indicator states are activated may be determined by comparing the sum of each time period for which any one indicator state has been activated, with the sum of the time periods for which the other indicator states have, individually or collectively, been activated.

[46] The indicator may include slidable, pressable or otherwise moveable means, to activate the plurality of indicator states. The slidable, pressable or otherwise moveable means may additionally, or alternatively, operate to control the timer function.

[47] The indicator may include a bi-directional slidable indicator.

[48] The slidable indicator may include a tab which is slidable in a first direction to communicate a first indicator state, and slidable in a second direction to communicate a second indicator state.

[49] It is contemplated that any of the above described features in relation to the first aspect of the invention may be combined, individually or collectively, with the features of the second aspect of the invention, and vice-versa.

Advantageous effects of invention [50] Manifold advantages are achieved by the present invention, many of which will be well appreciated by a skilled person - and some of which are outlined below. The use of the bottle or accessory device can provide for better regulation of breastfeeding by providing current and historical information in relation to the breastfeeding activity of a particular woman. The invention provides a convenient solution to allow the recording and communication of information relevant to breastfeeding activity which involves minimal effort by the user, which may be conveniently associated with a drinking bottle to encourage hydration of breastfeeding women, and for this and other reasons explained previously in this application, baby health and women's health.

[51] The health-related advantages may include a range of physical benefits such as assisting with hydration, increasing and/or regulating supply in order to minimise mastitis, blocked ducts and/or engorgement. Health related benefits may also extend to include the peace of mind which is provided to a breastfeeding woman, as she is more informed about her breastfeeding activity and can make decisions accordingly; this can be particularly useful in the context of post-natal depression which may be correlated with negative feelings towards breastfeeding including wondering whether the baby is receiving enough milk or feeling unhappy where breastfeeding is painful or difficult due to mastitis, blocked ducts, engorgement, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[52] FIG 1 is a schematic drawing of a bottle according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[53] FIG 2 is a schematic drawing of a bottle according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[54] FIG 3 is a schematic drawing of a bottle according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[55] FIG 4 is a schematic drawing of an accessory device for a bottle according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[56] FIG 5 is a schematic drawing of an accessory device for a bottle according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS A bottle and accessory device for a bottle as described and depicted herein in connection with illustrative but non-limiting preferred embodiments.

[57] The structure, operation and technical performance of the bottle and accessory device is described below, and will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Structure [58] FIGS 1 to 3 depict a first, second and third preferred embodiment of the invention, respectively: each bottle 110, 210, 310, includes a controllable indicator 120, 220, 320 respectively.

[59] In relation to FIG 1, the indicator 120 of the bottle 110 includes: a display screen 125 and computer processor (located underneath the display, and not shown); two touch sensitive controllers comprising a touch sensitive side controller 130 and a touch sensitive top controller 135; a verbally responsive controller 140 comprising a microphone controller 145; and a speaker 150. Each controller is functionally connected to the computer processor (not shown). The indicator can be controlled by any of: the touch sensitive side controller 130 including an array 132 of capacitive sensing panels 133 (just three of which are numerically referenced in FIG 1), the touch sensitive top controller 135 including a plurality of capacitive sensing panels 133 (just two of which are numerically referenced in FIG 1), or the verbally responsive controller 140 which is able to receive verbal input via the microphone 145. In an alternative embodiment, the touch sensitive top controller may include a single capacitive sensing panel (not shown).

[60] The indicator 120 has two indicator states: "left" and "right" corresponding to the left breast and the right breast. The user is able to activate the indicator states via the touch sensitive side controller 130 by gripping the bottle with a left or right hand (not shown). The array 132 of capacitive sensing panels 133 extends around the entire circumference of the bottle and is organised so that that it can reliably recognise and distinguish between a left or right-hand grip of the touch sensitive panels 133 by the relative spacing of the fingers and/or thumb of a left or right hand, or recognition of relative location of the palm of the hand and the fingers of a left or right hand.

[61] The computer processor (not shown) of the indicator 120 is able to carry out processing steps for a timer function and is able to record one or more periods of time in which either the "left" or the "right" indicator state is activated. The touch sensitive top controller 135, when tapped once, starts the timer function and, when tapped a second time, stops the timer function.

[62] The bottle 110 includes a LCD screen 125 able to visually communicate the "left" and "right" indicator states, the period of time during which an indicator state has been activated, a history of such periods of time, and the weighted history of the number of recent recordings such that the relative time periods for activation of each indicator state over these recordings are calculated and presented on the screen 125. To calculate these time periods, the indicator, via its computer processor, sums each of the last 5 time periods for each indicator state to obtain two totals (a "left" total, and a "right" total), and then subtracts the larger total (e.g. 1 hour for the "left" indicator state) from the lesser total (e.g. 59 minutes for "right" indicator state), and communicates which indicator state has the larger total (e.g. "L: 1 min", which corresponds to the "left" indicator state being activated for 1 minute longer than the right indicator state over the last ten time period readings).

[63] In FIG 2, the bottle 210 includes an indicator which comprises a screen 225 with a functionally connected computer processor (not shown), a pressable button 260 for controlling the timer function, a slidable tab 270 including a projection 280 to assist the hand of the user to slide the tab 270.

[64] The indicator can be controlled by movement of the slidable tab 270, wherein the user slides the tab between two indicator states: "left" and "right" corresponding to the left breast and the right breast. The symbol for the left indicator state "L", and the symbol for the right indicator state, "R", are printed on a surface underneath the tab 270, and are revealed when the tab, which includes a window 275, is moved over the either symbol by the user, and in this way the indicator states are activated.

[65] The computer processer (located underneath the display, and not shown) of the indicator 220 includes provision for a timer function which is able to record one or more periods of time in which either the "left" or the "right" indicator state is activated. The pressable button 260, when pressed once, starts the timer function and, when pressed a second time, stops the timer function.

[66] The bottle 210 includes a LCD screen 225 able to represent the "left" and "right" indicator states, the period of time during which an indicator state has been activated, a history of such periods of time, and the weighted history of the number of recent recordings, calculated and communicated to the user as described in relation to the first preferred embodiment.

[67] FIG 3 depicts a third embodiment of the invention, namely a bottle which is substantially the same as the second preferred embodiment depicted in FIG 2, except that it does not include a pressable button to activate the tinner function, nor a screen to display certain information about the activated states such as the history or weighted history. The bottle 310 of FIG 3 includes a slidable tab 370, including a projection 380 to assist the hand of the user to slide the tab 370 and a window 375 through which the symbol "R" is visible to the user to communicate that the "Right" state is activated.

[68] FIGS 4 and 5 show an accessory device for a bottle in the form of a fourth and fifth preferred embodiment of the invention, respectively.

[69] The accessory device 410 depicted in FIG 4 includes a stretchable ring 415 made of synthetic rubber. The indicator 420 is located on the stretchable ring. The stretchable ring is sized so that it may fit around a bottle of approximately 5 cm to 7 cm in diameter.

The accessory device 410 includes substantially the same indicator 420 as depicted in FIG 3, except instead of revealing a symbol to represent an activated indicator state, a coloured surface (which corresponds to a first indicator state) is revealed. The indicator includes a slidable tab 470, including a projection 480 to assist the hand of the user to slide the tab 470 and a window 475 through which the coloured surface (indicated by the shaded region in FIG 4) is revealed when the slidable tab 470 is located in the position as depicted. A second colour is revealed with the slidable tab 470 is moved to the left, the second colour corresponding to a second indicator state (not shown).

[70] The accessory device 510 depicted in FIG 5 includes a stretchable ring 515 made of synthetic rubber. The indicator 520 of the accessory device 510 includes a touch sensitive controller 530 which can (i) detect and distinguish the grip of a left and right hand; and (ii) respond to manual actions of the user to start and stop a timer function. The touch sensitive controller 530 includes an array 532 of variable resistors 533. The indicator 520 includes a display 525 which can visually communicate the same information as the above described display 125 in relation to the first preferred embodiment.

Technical performance [71] There is disclosed above a bottle and accessory device for a bottle. The bottle and accessory device each include an indicator having a plurality of indicator states, and the indicator is controllable such that each indicator state can be activated by actions of the user. The bottle and accessory device facilitate the process of remembering which indicator state was last activated, and in some preferred embodiments, the history of the activated indicator states can be communicated to the user by the bottle or accessory device. The bottle and accessory device provide the user one or more of the advantages described, such as in relation to health and/or convenience benefits associated with a user's access to information in relation to breastfeeding activity and means to remains hydrated. In the preferred forms of the invention disclosed above, the user may grip the bottle or accessory device to permit drinking, and at the same time control the indicator with the use of a single hand.

GENERAL STATEMENTS

[72] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[73] Throughout the specification and claims, the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated, or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word "comprise" and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features, that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated, or the context requires otherwise.

[74] In the present specification, terms such as "component" or "means" may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where a "component" or "means" or similar term is described as consisting of a single item, then a functionally equivalent object consisting of multiple items is considered to fall within the scope of the term; and similarly, where a "component" or "means", or similar term is described as consisting of multiple items, a functionally equivalent object consisting of a single item is considered to fall within the scope of the term. The intended interpretation of such terms described in this paragraph should apply unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[75] The term "connected" or a similar term, should not be interpreted as being limitative to direct connections only. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A connected to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Connected", or a similar term, may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other yet still co-operate or interact with each other.

[76] The dimensions provided in relation to the illustrative bottle and accessory device are not intended to be prescriptive of all bottles and accessory devices falling within the scope of the invention. The dimensions are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed otherwise.

[77] The mere disclosure of a product element in the specification should not be construed as being essential to the invention claimed herein, except where it is either expressly stated to be so or expressly recited in a claim.

[78] The terms in the claims have the broadest scope of meaning they would have been given by a person of ordinary skill in the art as of the relevant date.

[79] The terms "a" and "an" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[80] Neither the title nor any abstract of the present application should be taken as limiting in any way the scope of the claimed invention.

[81] Where the preamble of a claim recites a purpose, benefit or possible use of the claimed invention, it does not limit the claimed invention to having only that purpose, benefit or possible use.

References [1] See Australian Breastfeeding Association, Breastfeeding Information, including in relation to Mastitis: https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/common-concerns%E2%80%93mum/mastitis; see also Narramore, Naomi. "Supporting breastfeeding mothers on children's wards: an overview." Paediatric Care 19.1 (2007): 18-21; and Murphy, Pamela K. "Mastitis and Thrush." [2] See the FED IS BEST FOUNDATION: https://fedisbest.org/2017/02/given-just-one-bottle-still-alive/

Claims (22)

1. PROVISIONAL CLAIMS

   1. A drink bottle including a controllable indicator, the indicator having a plurality of indicator states, wherein the indicator is controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by one or more actions of a user.
2. 2. The drink bottle according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is singlehandedly controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand.
3. 3. The drink bottle according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand when the bottle is gripped by said single hand.
4. 4. The drink bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drink bottle is singlehandedly operable for drinking and, at the same time, the indicator is singlehandedly controllable, by action of the same single hand when the bottle is gripped by said single hand.
5. 5. The drink bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drink bottle includes means to recognise whether it is gripped by a left hand or a right hand.
6. 6. The drink bottle according to claim 5, wherein the means to recognise whether the bottle is gripped by a left or a right hand includes touch sensitive componentry.
7. 7. The drink bottle according to claim 6, wherein the touch sensitive componentry includes one or more pads, panels or screens incorporating touch sensitive technology such as resistive layers, capacitive sensing, piezo-electric sensing or variable resistors.
8. 8. The drink bottle according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein upon recognising that the drink bottle is being gripped by a right hand, a first indicator state is activated, and upon recognising that the bottle is being gripped by a left hand, a second indicator state is activated.
9. 9. The drink bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator includes a timer function capable of recording a period of time in which an indicator state has been activated.
10. 10. The drink bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator includes communication means to communicate via visual, auditory, or other means, information in relation to the indicator states.
11. 11. The drink bottle according to claim 10, wherein the information includes an indication whether one or more indicator states are presently activated, or an indication whether one or more indicator states have been activated over time.
12. 12. The drink bottle according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the information includes a history of indicator states which have been activated, the history including one or more time periods for which the one or more indicator states have been activated.
13. 13. The drink bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the indicator includes slidable, pressable or otherwise moveable means, to activate the plurality of indicator states.
14. 14. The drink bottle according to claim 13, wherein the indicator is slidable and includes a tab which is slidable in a first direction to communicate a first indicator state, and slidable in a second direction to communicate a second indicator state.
15. 15. An accessory device for a drink bottle, the accessory device including a controllable indicator and the indicator having a plurality of indicator states, wherein the indicator is controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by one or more actions of a user.
16. 16. The accessory device according to claim 15, wherein the indicator is singlehandedly controllable such that the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand.
17. 17. The accessory device according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of indicator states can be activated by action of a single hand when the bottle and/or accessory device is gripped by said single hand.
18. 18. The accessory device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the device includes a ring adapted to engage with, and fit around part of, the drink bottle.
19. 19. The accessory device according to claim 18, wherein the ring is made of a flexible or stretchable material.
20. 20. The accessory device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the ring is able to be retained in position on a bottle by a pressure fit arrangement.
21. 21. The accessory device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the is ring able to be retained in position on a bottle by a form fit arrangement.
22. 22. The accessory device according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the diameter of the ring is adjustable.