Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Eye examining or testing instrument – Eye exercising or training type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-12
2003-09-30
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Eye examining or testing instrument
Eye exercising or training type
C351S246000, C351S239000, C442S096000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06626536
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
In the most general sense, the present invention relates to devices that can be attached to infantile environment, such as incubators, cradles, cribs or bassinets. The invention is especially useful in hospital wards for newborns and premature babies. Due to the highly contrasted colors about or on the device, the training of the infant's visual acuity can be enhanced. In conjunction with the highly contrasted colors, a part of the present invention is created from fabrics or other supple materials which can absorb and thereafter transfer a portion of the scent of the infant's mother to a location apart from the mother. When the device is placed near the infantile environment, the mother's scent is vented about the infant's environment. In accordance with the present invention, in the absence of the mother, the infant's olfactory senses can be stimulated by the mother's scent.
2. Description of the Previous Art
a) U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,711—Dorland enables a convertible body garment with odor absorbing properties and process of using the convertible body garment. The Dorland garment is formed from a rectangular piece of fabric (16) which may be made from naturally occurring materials or blends thereof, such as cotton and/or blends with man made materials which absorb perspiration or body secretions. A pair of removable straps (18) are attached to the elongated side (20) of the rectangular shaped garment. Pockets (32) are attached to the inner surface of the garment in proximity to the breasts or axillae. The pockets are defined by a loose weave designed to retain body order absorbing material. After the mother's body odor has been absorbed, the garment (10) is attached to a crib's mattress (50). In another embodiment, the '711 garment is attached to an infant seat, carrier or swing. And Column 4, lines 23-44, teach, “In a preferred application of the invention, the use of body odor absorbing materials attached to the inner surface of the garment enhances the absorbency of odor . . . A process of promoting bonding between a person and an infant in accordance with the invention includes wearing a garment in contact with at least the person's body, such as the torso, comprising a material which absorbs odor from the body and a fastening means for attaching the garment to the body for a time sufficient to retain the odor; and attaching the worn garment to a garment support with fastening means sufficiently close to the infant so that the infant may smell the retained odor for a time sufficient to promote bonding.” By reference, the disclosure of the Dorland Patent is specifically incorporated into the current Application, and more particularly, the disclosure therein related to odor absorbing materials and the resultant olfactory bonding between infants and their mothers.
2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,749—Hall, et. al., discloses the use of an absorbent pad made of cotton, felt, paper, etc. that has been impregnated with an odor, preferably vanilla, that is pleasing to the infant. Application of moisture activates the odor dot on the baby bottle. In another embodiment, an odor ring rather than a dot is affixed to the baby bottle. The '749 device also enables a methods inducing greater consumption of liquids, as well as, enriching the olfactory environment of the bottle's user.
3) U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,011—Spector enables a scented sticker that can be applied to clothing. The Spector stickers are embedded with a volatile having the odor analogous to the shape of the sticker.
4) U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,285—Troncone, et. al., teaches a security blanket, preferably 35 centimeters by 45 centimeters, constructed to feel like the amnion lining in which the baby resides before birth. The Troncone blanket has one side that is soft brushed flannel and a second side made of charmeuse satin.
5) U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,492—Etter, et. al., enables a behavioral modification method using microencapsulation of odors on a patch. Dominant and subservient odors are microencapsulated onto disks. When the subject's urge becomes so strong that he feels as if he is loosing control, the disk is scratched which releases the subservient odor. After a period of time, the subservient odor fades and the dominant pleasant odor becomes pervasive once again and the subject is rewarded for avoiding the bad habit.
6) U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,866—Maeda describes a bed sheet or a lap robe including a cloth chart for learning characters. A plurality of pieces and kinds of cloth in color are connected in a continuous manner along the circumference of the face of the learning chart so that beautiful feelings for infants and children are formed. Pieces (41), (42), (43), (44) and (45) are respectively red, green, yellow, brown and blue.
7) U.S. Pat. No. 3,570,139—Ladd, et. al., enables an instructional apparatus for use in early child development. The Ladd book includes visual and chemical-odor producing stimuli that allow the child to associate the thing displayed with its aroma. The display sheets (28) include incentive means (14) that are integrated with the story line as well as illustrative material to encourage the student to operate the Ladd, et. al., apparatus. For example, the '139 Patent teaches that the candy canes exemplified therein also smell like peppermint.
8) U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,842—Watt et. al., describes a nursing scarf and enables a method of nursing an infant utilizing the scarf.
9) The Enfamil® Family of Formulas™ Baby Book© 1997, Mead Johnson & Company. The Mead Johnson soft plastic Baby Book teaches, “. . . black and white patterns are easier for babies to distinguish than colors. While they can see colors, the sharp contrast of black and white holds their attention for longer periods of time.” And the soft plastic Baby Book features pages of black patterns on white backgrounds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present device and method of using the device are directed toward assisting the developments of the infant's visual acuity and for transferring the mother's scent to an infantile environment. Infantile environments, include but are not limited to incubators, cradles, cribs or bassinets. Although select embodiments of the present invention can be practiced in home settings, it is expected that the invention will primarily be utilized in hospital settings.
Supple fabrics, such as, cottons, silks, or manmade blends that can absorb the scent of the mother are incorporated into the invention. Specifically, the supple fabrics will feel smooth to the skin, since practicing certain embodiments of the present invention require their insertion into the cup of a brassier. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the supple fabrics can also absorb the mother's scent when contacting other areas of the mother's body. However, it has been determined that insertion into the cup of the brassier provides for absorption of the mother's scent as well as ease of use.
Supple fabrics used to practice the present invention will have a breadth of no greater than 5 millimeters, preferably 1-2 millimeters, and will adequately absorb a transferable portion of the mother's scent, in minutes. Generally, the mother will wear the supple fabric inside the cup of the brassier for at least 4 hours, before attaching the device to the infantile environment where the mother's scent is to be transferred. Due to the length of time the mother will normally have the supple fabric inserted inside the cup of the brassier, it has been unexpectedly determined that the device should have a perimeter of less than 100 centimeters to prevent bulking.
According to The Enfamil® Family of Formulas™ Baby Book© 1997, Mead Johnson & Company, incorporated herein, by reference, sharply contrasted black and white colors hold an infant's attention longer. It is believed that this type of optical stimulation assists the development of the infant's visual acuity, and because of these facts, highly contrasted b
Lateef Marvin M.
Pearce Kenneth F.
Sanders John R.
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