Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sterile utensils in general and more particularly to a sterile baby spoon.

Background of the Invention

Baby food frequently consists of powders, for example, Materna®, Similac®, Neutrilon®, and the like. These food powders are generally contained in a metal can with a plastic lid, provided with a plastic spoon either attached to the lid or lying loose in the powder. After opening the box, spoonsfull of powder are repeatedly removed until the total amount of powder required for a meal is removed. This is repeated each time the baby is fed. As mentioned in many cases, a major portion of the spoon, if not the whole of the spoon, is inserted into the powder. Consequently, the powder loses its sterility due to the handling of the spoon by all the baby’s caregivers, unless they take the unusual precaution of wearing sterile gloves while preparing the formula. Similarly if the spoon is placed on non-sterile objects such as, for example, glasses and plates then it may pick up various microbes and viruses by contact with these surfaces.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a solution to the abovementioned problems.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sterile spoon suitable to extract the contents of a container, such as a container of infant formula, medicine, or any other powered solid or liquid that is preferably served sterile. In one embodiment, the spoon is foldable and for storage is positioned on the container so that a first section comprising the spoon handle hangs outside the container while a second section of the spoon comprising the bowl hangs inside the container. The first section may be used to allow a user to handle the spoon while the second section, which may be kept sterile by avoiding its manual handling, may be inserted into the powder or liquid to be served. The spoon may be configured so that a section thereof us of a shape and thickness to allow the container lid to be closed while the spoon hangs over the wall of the container. In this manner, sealing of the lid will still prevent air and contaminants from entering the container.

In some embodiments, the spoon may include a double hinge configuration which defines three sections, the middle of which may serve as a clamp. In this case the handle allows for a fully folded position and fully straight or extended position. Alternatively, the spoon may a include a handle which is integrally shaped to a folded position, obviating the use of the double hinge configuration.

In some embodiments, the first handle section which hangs outside the container may include a slot or groove which may accommodate a section of the rim edge of the lid when the lid is closed. Additionally or alternatively, the first section which hangs outside of the bowl may include at least a portion having a lesser thickness than the second section inside the container to allow the rim edge of the lid to slide over the thinner section in order to seal the lid.

In some embodiments, the spoon and the container may be integrally supplied in a kit form. Optionally, the container may include baby powder food.

The foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Furthermore, just as every particular reference may embody particular methods/systems, yet not require such, ultimately such teaching is meant for all expressions notwithstanding the use of particular embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the spoon with two hinges in a folded configuration

Figure 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the spoon with two hinges in an unfolded or opened configuration

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the exemplary sterile spoon folded over the side of a can. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the exemplary sterile spoon, can, and lid in an exploded view.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates the exemplary sterile spoon, can, and lid in an X- Ray view.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive yet not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary sterile spoon according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in the figure is a view (32) of the spoon with its handle in a folded position. The handle includes a double hinge configuration (20) and a groove (36) which accommodates a section of the rim of the lid of the baby food container, allowing a standard circular lid to be closed over the spoon handle. As will be clear to one skilled in the art, the double hinge section can be manufactured in such a way that a normal plastic lid can be fitted over it with no modification, maintaining the airtight nature of such a lid, preventing gas exchange between the interior of the can and the exterior environment.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates the exemplary sterile spoon, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in the figure is a view (34) of the spoon with the handle in the fully opened or extended position.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the exemplary sterile spoon as it would appear when not in use, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in the figure is a view (38) of the spoon hanging over the rim of the baby food container. The lid of the container fits into the groove of the handle (see Fig. 1) such that the lid seals the container. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the exemplary sterile spoon according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an exploded view. Shown in the figure is a view (42) where, after opening the lid and removing the spoon, the handle has a groove (36) adapted to accommodate the rim edge (40) of the lid and during closing, the rim edge fits into the groove.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates the exemplary sterile spoon according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an X-ray view. Shown in the figure is a view (44) of the baby food powder container filled with food powder and the spoon hanging on the inside of the can with part of the handle external hanging on the outside of the can. The groove in the spoon handle accommodates the lid edge such that a standard circular lid may be fully closed.

A number of advantages can be realized with the design disclosed herein.

First of all this design allows the powder or other material being dispensed from a canister to remain sterile even when the user is not wearing gloves, since the section that comes into contact with the user’ s fingers never comes into contact with the powder or material.

Second, in the case of a spoon attached to the lid, not only is the current option more sterile (since a spoon stored within the container volume will introduce contaminants into the air above the material to be dispensed, if not into the material itself), but the lid is of ordinary design having circular symmetry, while a lid adapted to hold a spoon or dispenser will have to be produced specially.

Third, the current design allows the spoon to be used in any container , even one without provision for attachment of a spoon. Thus the spoon may be supplied or sold separately from the powder.

Fourth, the azimuthal position of the spoon may be used to indicate a quantity or state. For instance if the periphery of the can is labelled with numbers from 0-24 then the position of the spoon can be used to indicate the time of last feeding, useful information for parents of a newborn for instance. After dosing out an amount of formula, the user can return the spoon to the position indicating the current hour (or indicating the amount of formula used), thus allowing the next user to discern this information. The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should be interpreted according to this definition.

The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.