WO2011051725A1

WO2011051725A1 - A feeding utensil strap

Info

Publication number: WO2011051725A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/051818
Authority: WO
Inventors: Imran M Hanif
Original assignee: Imran M Hanif
Priority date: 2009-10-29
Filing date: 2010-10-29
Publication date: 2011-05-05
Also published as: GB201018293D0; GB2475152A; GB0918936D0; GB2475038A

Abstract

A feeding utensil strap (100) comprising first and second end sections (102, 104) connected by a strip section (106). Each end section (102, 104) has a distensible elongate aperture (108, 110) adapted to grip a feeding utensil. The direction of elongation of the apertures (108, 110) is transverse to a line described along a longitudinal extent of the strap (100) and passing through the aperture (108, 110) in each end section (102, 104).

Description

A FEEDING UTENSIL STRAP

The present invention relates to straps that facilitate the use of feeding utensils by users, in particular being suitable for users with limited manual control or dexterity.

BACKGROUND

When training a young child in the use of feeding utensils, a commonly experienced problem is that the child lacks the manual dexterity and understanding necessary for the child to clasp the handle of the feeding utensil. Similarly, children and adults with manual physical disabilities may also experience difficulties with grasping a feeding utensil. Further, a frustrated infant may wilfully discard or throw away the feeding utensil. Accordingly the feeding utensil, such a spoon or other item of cutlery, may be released from the clasp of the infant, causing it to fall onto the floor, compromising the hygiene of the feeding utensil and distributing food from the utensil onto nearby clothing, furniture and the floor.

The designs of known devices intended for those with limited manual control or dexterity are unsatisfactory, as is illustrated by the following examples from the prior art. US5131 151 discloses an elastic cord with loops at each end, and friction controlled sliding beads retained between the loops. The handle of a conventional feeding utensil is inserted into a one loop, and a corresponding bead is slid along the cord to constrict the loop around the utensil. The bead engages with the cord and is held in place by friction, in order to maintain the constriction of the loop. The child's wrist is inserted into the other loop, which is similarly constricted about the wrist by use of a further bead. The cord is of sufficient length so as to permit movement of the utensil for eating. Accordingly, if during feeding the child should release its grasp upon the feeding utensil, it will fall from the child's hand, but the length of cord will arrest the utensil's fall before it reaches the floor. Disadvantageously, the cord of US5131 151 does not retain the utensil in the hand of the child, and accordingly food held on the utensil when it is dropped will nonetheless fall into the surrounding area. Further, the cord does not assist the child with learning to hold feeding utensils, but in contrast will make it more difficult for the child to manoeuvre the utensil and may irritate the child, which will impede use of the utensil and the learning process. Further disadvantageously, to permit the full range of movement of the utensil would typically provide a length of slack strap between the two loops, which is susceptible to snagging on furniture and items within the child's place setting, particularly problematically risking snagging on drinking vessels. Fitting and removing the strap from the feeding utensil and from the child's wrist is fiddly. Further, the device comprises multiple components, with significant consequences for manufacturing and assembly costs. With repeated use, the frictional engagement between the sliding bead and the cord is vulnerable to wear, reducing effectiveness and usable lifetime of the cord. Further, the beads may be difficult to clean and may retain spilt food internally. Also, it is noted that in use the strap would be inclined to rotate around the handle such that the point of the pear-shaped loop (where the of the loop is constricted by the bead) comes adjacent to the edge of a flat handled utensil, of the type common in infant feeding utensils.

US20020104202 discloses a slender, flexible strap having tube-like elasticated end loops adapted to stretch and fit around objects, such as the handle of a baby spoon. The strap has mating parts of fabric hook-and-loop fasteners (such as the well known product available under the brand Velcro®) variously distributed along its length, by which larger loops may be formed.

Disadvantageously, the slender strap of US20020104202 also does not retain the utensil in the hand of the child, permitting a released utensil to be dropped. Again, the slender strap does not assist the child with learning to hold a feeding utensil, but will impair use and learning. The risk of snagging is also a problem of the slender strap. Further, the tubular internal regions of the elasticated end loops are difficult to clean and may retain split food. Disadvantageously, it will be difficult to maintain the hygiene of the slender strap, due to the difficult of cleaning the hook-and-loop fasteners in order to remove ingrained food, typically being unsuitable for washing in dishwashers.

GB2229130 discloses a strap by which a feeding utensil can be strapped to a hand. The strap comprises mating parts of a fabric hook-and-loop fastener at opposite ends.

Disadvantageously, the strap of GB2229130 cannot be used with conventional feeding utensils, and in contrast the strap is only usable with specially adapted feeding utensils that are provided with apertures at either end of the handle, and through which the strap passes.

Further, a central portion of the strap runs along the length of the handle between the apertures, and within the grip of the user, providing a source of discomfort to the user.

Additionally, the hook-and-loop fastener of the strap is secured across the back of the user's hand, providing further discomfort. Disadvantageously, it will be difficult to maintain the hygiene of the strap, due to the difficult of cleaning the hook-and-loop fasteners in order to remove ingrained food, typically being unsuitable for washing in dishwashers. Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for an improved feeding utensil strap that seeks to address at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section, each end section having a distensible elongate aperture adapted to grip a feeding utensil, and the direction of elongation of the apertures being transverse to a line described along a longitudinal extent of the strap and passing through the aperture in each end section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section, each end section having a distensible elongate aperture adapted to grip a feeding utensil, and the direction of elongation of the apertures being transverse to a line described along a longitudinal extent of the strap and passing through the aperture in each end section, comprising cutting the strap from a sheet.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section, each end section having a distensible elongate aperture adapted to grip a feeding utensil, and the direction of elongation of the apertures being transverse to a line described along a longitudinal extent of the strap and passing through the aperture in each end section, comprising moulding the strap by an injection moulding process.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method using a feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section, each end section having a distensible elongate aperture adapted to grip a feeding utensil, and the direction of elongation of the apertures being transverse to a line described along a longitudinal extent of the strap and passing through the aperture in each end section, comprising inserting the handle of a feeding utensil through an aperture in each end section of the strap, and then inserting the hand of a user into a space defined between the handle and the strip section. At least one aperture may have rounded ends. At least one aperture may be a slot having straight sides and a substantially uniform width. At least one aperture may be a slot having curved sides and a substantially uniform width. At least one aperture may be oval. An aperture in the first section may be of substantially equal size to an aperture in the second end section. An aperture in the first section may be of a different size to an aperture in the second end section. An aperture in the first section may be of substantially equal shape to an aperture in the second end section. An aperture in the first section may be of a different shape to an aperture in the second end section.

The direction of elongation of the apertures may be substantially perpendicular to a length described through an aperture in each end section. The direction of elongation of the apertures may describe an acute angle of greater than 80 degrees with respect to a length described through an aperture in each end section.

An end section may comprises a plurality of apertures. Each end section may comprise a plurality of apertures. An end section may comprise apertures of different sizes.

The end sections and strip section may be of substantially equal width. The end sections may be wider than the strip section. The strap may have a narrow region between an end section and the strip section. An end section may comprise a plurality of apertures and a narrow region between the apertures.

The strip section may have a substantially uniform width. The strip section may have a narrow strip portion that is narrower than the width of the strip section adjacent the end sections. The strip section may have a broad strip portion that is wider than the width of the strip adjacent the end sections.

The strip section may be substantially straight. The strip section may be curved.

The regions of the strap adjacent the apertures may be of greater thickness than the thickness of the strap in regions spaced apart from the apertures. The end sections may have a greater thickness than the strip section. The strap may have a substantially uniform thickness. The strap may comprise an elastomeric polymer material. A surface of the strip section adapted to contact a user's hand may have a fabric covering. A surface of the strip section adapted to contact a user's hand may have a friction enhancing profile. The strap may be between 80 and 220mm long. In the case of a strap for infants, the strap may be between 80 and 120mm long, and is preferably about 95mm long. In the case of a strap for adults, the strap may be between 150 and 220mm long, and is preferably about 180mm long. The separation between an aperture in each end section may be between 50 and 150mm. In the case of a strap for infants, the separation between an aperture in each end section may be between 50 and 70mm, and is preferably about 64mm. In the case of a strap for adults, the separation between an aperture in each end section may be between 80 and 150mm, and is preferably about 1 10mm.

The strip section may be between 10 and 40mm wide, and is preferably about 23mm wide. The strip may be between 1 and 4mm thick, and is preferably about 2mm thick. The apertures may be between 8 and 18mm long, preferably between 10 and 16mm long, and is most preferably 13mm long. The apertures may be between 2 and 6mm wide, and are preferably 4mm wide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figures 1 A and 1 B show parallel-sided straps.

• Figures 2A to 2D show straps having narrow regions.

• Figures 3A to 3D show straps having a plurality of apertures in one or both end sections.

Figure 4 shows a strap having narrow regions between apertures in a common section.

• Figure 5 shows a strap having apertures of different sizes in a common end section.

• Figures 6A to 6C show side views of straps having different arrangements of thicknesses.

Figure 7 shows a strap having a dumbbell-like width pattern. • Figures 8A and 8B show straps having apertures that are non-perpendicular to the length of the strap.

• Figures 9A and 9B show a strap having arcuate apertures.

• Figure 10 shows a strap having a centrally broad strip section.

• Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B show end sections having differently shaped apertures.

• Figure 12 shows a strap having a profiled finish.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, albeit in many cases incremented by a integer multiple of 100. For example identification numerals 100, 200 and 300 all refer to straps in respective figures.

Figures 1A and 1 B illustrate a feeding utensil strap according to an embodiment of the present invention. The strap 100 comprises a first end section 102, a second end section 104, a strip section 106, a first aperture 108 and a second aperture 1 10.

The first and second end sections 102 and 104 are at opposite ends of the strap 100 and are connected by the strip section 106. The strap has a length L1 that is several times longer than the width W1 of the strap, and the width is in turn several times wider than the thickness T of the strap. In the illustrated embodiment the strap has a length L1 of about 95mm, a width W of about 23mm, a thickness T of about 2mm, and an aperture separation S (separation between the centres of the apertures 108 and 1 10) of about 64mm. Such a strap 100 is suitable for use by a six month old infant. The elongate apertures 108 and 1 10 are straight-sided slots having rounded ends, 13mm long and 4mm wide.

The line C along the longitudinal extent of the strap 100 passes centrally through the apertures 108 and 1 10. The apertures 108 and 1 10 are orientated with their lengths perpendicular to the line C. In plan view, the strap 100 is substantially mirror symmetric along each of its length and width.

The strip is formed from a thin strip of resiliency deformable material, that is soft to the touch. Advantageously, an elastomeric polymer material is used, such as tear resistant silicone rubber, which is suitable for use in food applications. Other distensible materials from which the strap may be manufactured include elastic fabric, natural rubber, neoprene (polychloroprene), and foamed neoprene. Accordingly, the strap is easy to wash, to avoid the accumulation of food, and may be dishwasher-proof.

Figure 2A illustrates a strap 200 that is similar to the strap 100 of Figures 1A and 1 B, that also has first and second narrow regions 220 and 222 between the central strip section 206 and respective first and second end sections 202 and 204. The narrow regions 220 and 222 may be shaped as V-shaped or U-shaped indentations 224, 226, 228 and 230 in the sides 232 and 234 of the strap 200. Advantageously the narrow regions 220 and 222 provide regions of enhanced flexibility relative to the end sections 202 and 204 and the strip section 206. Removing part of the width of the strap 200 in the narrow regions 220 and 222 provides regions that more easily bend both in the plane of the strap and perpendicular to the plane of the strap, as well as providing regions that are more easily able to warp (twist), such that the strip man twist relative to the end sections.

Figure 2B illustrates the strap 200 of Figure 2A fitted to an infant's feeding utensil 240. In this example the feeding utensil 240 illustrated is a spoon, having a handle 242 extending from a bowl section 246, although it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to other infant's feeding utensils, such as forks and spoons.

Infants' feeding utensils typically have handles 242 having generally flat top and bottom surfaces that are several times wider than the thickness of the handle, to facilitate grasping by an infant who is training to hold feeding utensils and to feed independently. Commonly the handles 242 of infants' feeding utensils have a constant width along the length of the handle or are gradually tapered.

The apertures 208 and 210 are advantageously the same size as or smaller than the width and/or thickness of a typical feeding utensil handle 242, such that tip 244 of the handle can be inserted through an aperture in each end section 202 and 204 of the strap 200 by pushing and/or pulling by a carer. The distensible apertures 208 and 210 expand and grip the received handle 242 with sufficient friction that they do not move during feeding use of the utensil 240. Advantageously the level of friction between the end sections of the strap 200 and the utensil 240 is such that an infant cannot easily move or remove the end sections of the strap from the positions into which they have been located on the handle 242 by a carer, e.g. a parent or other adult. Advantageously, when the strap 200 is fitted to the handle 242, the narrow regions 220 and 222 facilitate distension of the end sections 202 and 204 when the apertures 208 and 210 stretch to accommodate the handle. When fitted to a utensil handle 242, the narrow regions 220 and 222 bend perpendicular to the plane preferentially with respect to the strip section 206, providing a more convenient shape to the bow-shaped gap 248 described between the strap 200 and the handle 242. Further, the enhanced flexibility of the narrow regions 220 and 222 facilitates insertion of a hand between the fitted strap and handle 242, and facilitates flexing of the strap in use, thereby enhancing user comfort. Figure 2C illustrates a strap 200' that is similar to the strap 200 of Figure 2A, but in which the narrow regions 220' and 222' are longer than those of Figure 2A, in this example having parallel-sided indented regions 224', 226', 228' and 230'. The longer narrow regions 220' and 220' may provide regions of even greater flexibility. Figure 2D illustrates the strap 200' of Figure 2C in use, with the handle 242 of the feeding utensil 240 grasped by the hand 250 of an infant. The hand 250 of the infant is shown grasping the handle 242 between the palm of the hand and the fingers 252, which are curled around to the back of the handle. In use the fingers 252 are inserted through the gap 248 described between the strap 200' and the handle 242, such that once the handle is grasped, the band-like strip section 206' passes across the back of the hand 250.

The strap 200' is distensible and forms a snug fit around the back of the infant's hand 250, and presses the handle 242 against the palm of the hand. The firmness with which the strap 200' presses the handle 242 against the palm of the infant's hand 250 may be adjusted through adjusting the separation between the fitted end sections 202' and 204', e.g. by moving sliding the handle through the apertures 208' and 210' along the handle, towards or away from the infant's hand 250.

In the examples shown in Figures 2B and 2D, the entirety of the apertures may contact the handle. However, it will be appreciated that it is also possible that with alternative designs of handle or aperture, that the aperture may contact a handle only centrally or only at edge regions of a handle.

As illustrated in Figure 3A, the strap 300 may have more than one apertures 308A and 308B in an end section, such that there are two different aperture separations S1 and S2 that may be selected when the strap is fitted to a utensil handle. Advantageously, in use, a feeding utensil handle may be inserted through aperture 310 and either of 308A and 308B, giving a choice of differently sized bow-shaped gaps that may be formed between the strap and the handle, suited to comfortably accommodating differently sized hands. Advantageously such a strap, that fits a wider range of hands, may reduce manufacturing and retail costs by permitting the provision of only a single size of product suited to infants of different sizes or who are being trained to feed independently at different ages. Further, advantageously, in the case of feeding by older children and adults, where significant differences in hand size can occur (e.g. commonly between men and women), such a choice of aperture separations to accommodate hand size variations may also beneficial. Figure 3B illustrates a further variation, in which a strap 300' has more than one aperture 308A', 308B', 31 OA' and 310B' in each of the end sections 302' and 304', providing greater choice of aperture separations than in the strap 300 of Figure 3A. The pairs of apertures 308A, 308B', 31 OA' and 310B' may be equally spaced apart. Figure 3C illustrates a variant in which the strap 300" has a plurality of apertures 308A", 308B", 31 OA" and 310" in which the apertures in each end section 302" and 304" are spaced apart unequally, providing an even greater choice of four different aperture separations S1 ", S2", S3" and S4". Further, it will be appreciated that more than two apertures may be provided in one or each end section of a strap, as illustrated in Figure 3D, in which the strap 300"' has four apertures 308"' and 310"' in each end section 302"' and 304"'. In the illustrated embodiment the strap 300"' has a length L1 of about 180mm, a width W of about 23mm, and a thickness T of about 2mm. Subject to the choice of aperture from each end through which to insert the utensil handle, several different aperture separations can be selected. The minimum selectable aperture separation is about 1 10mm, and such a strap 100 is suitable for use by an adult.

Narrower regions may be provided between adjacent apertures within an end section. Such a strap 400 is illustrated in Figure 4, having narrower regions 420A and 422A provided between respective adjacent apertures 408A, 408B, 41 OA and 410B, in addition to the narrower regions 420B and 422B between the end sections 402 and 404 and the strip section 406. In the case that a plurality of apertures are provided in each end section of a strap, the strap may advantageously be trimmed to size, in the case that only a shorter aperture separation is required. Such trimming avoids long ends from projecting beyond the opposite side of the handle from the strip section, which may distract or irritate the user during feeding, or which may catch in food or against other items in the user's place setting. For example, in the case of the strap 400, if only the use of the inner apertures 408B and 410B is required, then the strap may be cut across at the positions indicated by the lines P and Q, such that the ends having the apertures 408A and 41 OA are cut-off.

Feeding utensil handles for children and adults vary in size, and the strap may have apertures of different sizes in correspondence with differently sized feeding utensil handles. Figure 5 illustrates such a strap 500, in which the inner apertures 508B and 510B are shorter than the outer apertures 508A and 51 OA. Alternatively, apertures of different sizes can advantageously be arranged such that pairs of apertures of equal sizes may be selected that have equal aperture separations, facilitating use of a single strap by infants with the same size of hand with a wider range of feeding utensil sizes. As illustrated in Figure 6A, the strap 600 may be of uniform thickness T. Such a design is particularly suited to manufacture by cutting from a sheet of uniform material, for example by being stamped out from a sheet in a die cutting process.

Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 6B, the strap 600' may have end sections 602' and 604' that are thicker than the strip section 606'. Advantageously, such a design provides regions of the material having greater strength around the apertures, which may be more resistant to tearing, thereby increasing usable product life, as well as increasing the grip between the strap and the handle. In a further alternative, illustrated in Figure 6C, the strap 600" may have reinforced regions localised around the apertures 608" and 610". The reinforced regions may conveniently be provided by regions of greater thickness T2" compared with the thickness T1 " of the strap spaced apart from the apertures 608" and 610", or might be provided by use of a different composition of the material adjacent the apertures. Such a strap 600" may conveniently be formed by an injection moulding process.

Greater grip between the strap 700 and a fitted utensil handle may also be provided by the end sections 702 and 704 being wider than the strip section 706, as shown in Figure 7. As illustrated in Figure 8A, the transverse apertures 808 and 810 may be orientated with their lengths (indicated by line D) other than perpendicular to line C, which is described along a longitudinal extent (e.g. length) of the strap 800, and passes centrally through the apertures. For example they may be orientated with an acute angle A of 80 degrees. The inclination of the apertures away from the perpendicular may in use provide a bow-shaped gap, described between the strap and the handle, that better fits a user's hand. It will be appreciated by a skilled person that in the case that an end section has a plurality of apertures, they may be provided at different angles to the length of the strap.

As with the strap 800 of Figure 8A, the strap 800' of Figure 8B also has apertures 808' and 810' that are not perpendicular to a line C passing centrally through the apertures. Further, the strap 800' has curved sides 832' and 834', to further enhance user comfort where the strip section 806' passes across the back of the hand of the user.

Figures 9A illustrates a strap 900 having curved slot-like apertures 908 and 910. When fitted to a utensil handle 942, such a design may provide a lateral curvature (across the width) of the strip section 906, such that the strip section is more comfortable to the user when the user's hand is in-place in the bow-shaped gap 948 described between the strap 900 and the handle 942, as shown in Figure 9B. Advantageously, an aperture shape that is not straight may further enhance the grip between the strap 900 and the handle 942.

Figure 10 illustrates a strap 1000 in which the strip section 1006 has curved sides 1032 and 1034 and is broader in a central section than adjacent the end sections 1002 and 1004, which may further enhance user comfort.

The apertures illustrated in Figures 1A to 10 are shown as parallel-sided slot-like apertures, as shown by the enlarged aperture 1 108 in the end section 1 102 of Figure 1 1 A. However, other shapes of generally elongate aperture may be suitable for gripping a utensil handle, such as the oval aperture 1 108' shown in the end section 1 102' of Figure 1 1 B.

The frictional contact between a contact surface 1260 of a strap 1200 and a user's hand may be enhanced by providing a profiled finish on at least the strip section, such as array of hemispherical projections 1262 illustrated in Figure 12. The skilled person will appreciate that other profiled designs may also be used, or the enhanced frictional contact may be provided by use of coatings or a fabric finish.

Although the present invention has in many cases been described with respect to a feeding utensil strap for use by an infant, it will be appreciated that the present invention is equally applicable to use by older children or adults with restricted manual control or dexterity. The figures provided herein are schematic and not to scale.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1 . A feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section,

each end section having a distensible elongate aperture adapted to grip a feeding utensil, and

the direction of elongation of the apertures being transverse to a line described along a longitudinal extent of the strap and passing through the aperture in each end section.

2. A strap according to claim 1 , wherein at least one aperture has rounded ends

3. A strap according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one aperture has a slot having straight sides and a substantially uniform width.

4. A strap according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one aperture has a slot having curved sides and a substantially uniform width.

5. A strap according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least one aperture is oval.

6. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein an aperture in the first section is of substantially equal size to an aperture in the second end section.

7. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an aperture in the first section is of a different size to an aperture in the second end section.

8. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein an aperture in the first section is of substantially equal shape to an aperture in the second end section.

9. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an aperture in the first section is of a different shape to an aperture in the second end section.

10. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the direction of elongation of the apertures is substantially perpendicular to a length described through an aperture in each end section.

1 1 . A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the direction of elongation of the apertures describes an acute angle of greater than 80 degrees with respect to a length described through an aperture in each end section.

12. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein an end section comprises a plurality of apertures.

13. A strap according to claim 12, wherein each end section comprises a plurality of apertures.

14. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein an end section comprises apertures of different sizes.

15. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the end sections and strip section are of substantially equal width.

16. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the end sections are wider than the strip section.

17. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the strap has a narrow region between an end section and the strip section.

18. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein an end section comprises a plurality of apertures and a narrow region between the apertures.

19. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip section has a substantially uniform width.

20. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the strip section has a narrow strip portion that is narrower than the width of the strip adjacent the end sections.

21 . A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the strip section has a broad strip portion that is wider than the width of the strip adjacent the end sections.

22. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip section is substantially straight.

23. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the strip section is curved.

24. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the regions of the strap adjacent the apertures are of greater thickness than the thickness of the strap in regions spaced apart from the apertures.

25. A strap according to claim 24, wherein the end sections have a greater thickness than the strip section.

26. A strap according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the strap has a substantially uniform thickness.

27. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the strap comprises an elastomeric polymer material.

28. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the strip section adapted to contact a user's hand has a fabric covering.

29. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the strip section adapted to contact a user's hand has a friction enhancing profile.

30. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the strap is between 80 and 220mm long.

31 . A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein a separation between an aperture in each end section may be between 50 and 150mm.

32. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip is between 10 and 30mm wide.

33. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the strip is between 1 and 4mm thick.

34. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the apertures are between 10 and 16mm long.

35. A strap according to any preceding claim, wherein the apertures are between 2 and 6mm wide.

36. A method of manufacturing a feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section,

the direction of elongation of the apertures being transverse to a line described along a longitudinal extent of the strap and passing through the aperture in each end section, comprising

cutting the strap from a sheet.

37. A method of manufacturing a feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section,

moulding the strap by an injection moulding process.

38. A method using a feeding utensil strap comprising first and second end sections connected by a strip section,

inserting the handle of a feeding utensil through an aperture in each end section of the strap, and then

inserting the hand of a user into a space defined between the handle and the strip section.

39. A feeding utensil strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference the accompanying description and any one of the Figures.

40. A method of manufacturing a feeding utensil strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and any one of the Figures.

41 . A method of using a feeding utensil strap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and any one of the Figures.