Latch-assist tool
AssigneeJlc Three Sixty LLC
InventorJulie Lopez Carty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for assisting a mother to ensure correct latching of an infant onto the breast or bottle during feeding. A latch-assist tool may include a hands-free warm, soft light that can be directed towards the baby's mouth so as to provide light for the mother to see to help with successful feeding, along with a spatula-like tip designed to help flange the baby's lips out for proper latch positioning. Optionally, the latch-assist tool can be used with a magnetic storage device and/or a magnetic holder that may also serve as a breast-feeding reminder clip.
Claims20
A wearable latch-assist tool comprising:
- an elongate body made of a BPA-free plastic and having a flattened tip at one end, the tip being configured to open an infant's lips and also adjust positioning of the infant's lips for latching to assist in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding the infant, wherein the flattened tip is thinner than the body;
- a light source accommodated in the body and configured to emit a low-intensity light comprising an amber or red wavelength;
- a power source accommodated in the body, the power source configured to supply operating power to the light source;
- a power button accommodated in the body and electrically connected to the power source, the power button being configured to activate and deactivate the light source;
- and
- an attachment mechanism coupled to the elongate body and positioned away from the tip, the attachment mechanism configured to attach the wearable latch-assist tool to an item of clothing.
A latch-assist kit comprising:
- a latch-assist tool including
- a body having a flattened, rounded tip at one end, the body being made of a BPA-free plastic and the tip configured to open and adjust positioning of an infant's lips for latching to assist in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding the infant, the flattened tip being thinner than the body,
- a light source accommodated in the body and positioned between the tip and an opposite end of the body, the light source configured to emit a low-intensity light towards the tip, the light comprising an amber or red wavelength;
- a battery accommodated in the body and configured to supply operating power to the light source, and
- a power button accommodated in the body and electrically connected to the battery, the power button being configured to activate and deactivate the light source, and
- a magnet accommodated in the body;
- and
- a magnetic holder configured to be attached to an item of clothing and including at least one holder magnet, wherein the latch-assist tool is configured to be magnetically attached to the magnetic holder via magnetic engagement between the magnet and the at least one holder magnet.
A wearable latch-assist tool for use in assisting breastfeeding or bottle-feeding of an infant, the wearable latch-assist tool comprising:
- a body having a flattened tip and an opposing end, the body being made of at least one of a BPA-free plastic or silicone, and the body including a luminescent pigment, wherein the flattened tip is thinner than the body and is configured to open and adjust positioning the infant's lips for latching to assist in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding the infant;
- a light source accommodated in the body and positioned along a length of the body between the tip and the opposing end of the body, the light source configured to emit a low-intensity light towards the tip, the light comprising an amber or red wavelength;
- at least one battery accommodated in the body and configured to supply operating power to the light source;
- a power button accommodated in the body and electrically connected to the at least one battery, the power button being configured to activate and deactivate the light source;
- and
- an attachment mechanism coupled to the body and positioned away from the tip, the attachment mechanism configured to attach the wearable latch-assist tool to an item of clothing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.