GB2245737A

GB2245737A - Nutritional aid device

Info

Publication number: GB2245737A
Application number: GB9012450A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marilyn Kaye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-06-05
Filing date: 1990-06-05
Publication date: 1992-01-08
Also published as: GB9012450D0

Abstract

An alarm is incorporated into a bracelet or ring and is activated when the arm of a person wearing the bracelet or ring is raised to the mouth to discourage the person from eating between meals. The alarm includes a sonic device 2, a battery 4 and a gravity-type electrical switch 5. <IMAGE>

Description

NUTRITIONAL AID The present invention relates to a device to aid persons trying to reduce their food intake, and in particular to prevent them eating unnecessary snacks.

A number of food products exist which are low in calories to help people lose weight. A number of people however suffer from taking small snacks during the day and hence overeat, whether or not they consume low calorie items at normal meal times.

Very often this act is done almost subconsciously. The present invention provides an alarm which activates itself when the hand of a person approaches their mouth, so as to remind and educate themselves that they should not be eating snacks and the like.

According to the invention there is provided a device for attachment to the arm of a person, said device comprising an alarm and an alarm activator, said alarm activator being adapted to activate the alarm when the lower arm is in the vertical or near vertical position when the hand places an item of food in the mouth. Preferably the device is in the form of a bracelet worn on the lower arm around the wrist. Preferably the alarm is powered by a battery contained in the device and said alarm activator is a form of gravity switch. The alarm preferably is sonic.

The invention, referred to as "Binge Beater Bracelets", will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the bracelet of the invention, and Figure 2 illustrated the device in use on a person.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a bracelet 1 for wearing on the lower arm such as around a wrist. The bracelet 1 houses a sonic alarm 2 behind a grill 3 in the surface of the bracelet 1. The alarm 2 is powered by a battery 4 also housed in the bracelet which is connected to an alarm activator in the form of gravity type electrical switch 5. As shown illustrated in Figure 2, switch 5 is designed so that during normal use the alarm remains silent, but as soon as the hand is brought up into a position to feed an item into the mouth, the alarm is activated.

In use, as the alarm is activated every time the wearer tries to eat, it makes them think about their action, and reminds them not to eat.

The alarm could be other than sonic and could be mechanical rather than electrical. The device of the invention could take a different form to a bracelet and could be worn on other parts of the body, e.g a ring for a finger. Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

The present invention relates to a device to aid persons trying to reduce their food intake, and in particular to prevent them eating unnecessary snacks.

A number of food products exist which are low in calories to help people lose weight. A number of people however suffer from taking small snacks during the day and hence overeat, whether or not they consume low calorie items at normal meal times.

Very often this act is done almost subconsciously. The present invention provides an alarm which activates itself when the hand of a person approaches their mouth, so as to remind and educate themselves that they should not be eating snacks and the like.

According to the invention there is provided a device for attachment to the arm of a person, said device comprising an alarm and an alarm activator, said alarm activator being adapted to activate the alarm when the lower arm is in the vertical or near vertical position when the hand places an item of food in the mouth. Preferably the device is in the form of a bracelet worn on the lower arm around the wrist. Preferably the alarm is powered by a battery contained in the device and said alarm activator is a form of gravity switch. The alarm preferably is sonic.

The invention, referred to as "Binge Beater Bracelets", will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the bracelet of the invention, and Figure 2 illustrated the device in use on a person.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a bracelet 1 for wearing on the lower arm such as around a wrist. The bracelet I houses a sonic alarm 2 behind a grill 3 in the surface of the bracelet 1. The alarm 2 is powered by a battery 4 also housed in the bracelet which is connected to an alarm activator in the form of gravity type electrical switch 5. As shown illustrated in Figure 2, switch 5 is designed so that during normal use the alarm remains silent, but as soon as the hand is brought up into a position to feed an item into the mouth, the alarm is activated.

In use, as the alarm is activated every time the wearer tries to eat, it makes them think about their action, and reminds them not to eat.

The alarm could be other than sonic and could be mechanical rather than electrical. The device of the invention could take a different form to a bracelet and could be worn on other parts of the body, e.g a ring for a finger. Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.