Methods and apparatus for adaptable feeding systems with graduated connectors accommodating varying sizes of food containers

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for adaptable feeding systems comprising a graduated connector designed to accommodate varying sizes of food containers and feeding devices. The graduated connectors can be fixedly attached to feeding devices of varying sizes, featuring multiple connector steps on the opposite side to securely fit a wide range of food container sizes. Alternatively, the graduated connector can function as a standalone unit, with connector steps on both sides to accommodate varying sizes of both food containers and feeding devices. The apparatus offers flexibility and versatility, providing a secure and efficient feeding process for infants, children, and physically inhibited adults. The graduated connector's ability to handle different sizes of food containers and feeding devices makes it a convenient and user-friendly option for managing various feeding requirements, from home use to on-the-go situations, providing a practical and reliable solution that adapts to diverse feeding needs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for feeding viscous food to a person, the apparatus comprising:
 a feeding device comprising a feeding surface configured to deliver the viscous food to the person;   a food container configured to store the viscous food within a food storage portion, the food container comprising a food container end connector on an open end of the food storage portion; and
 a graduated connector including a first side and a second side, wherein: 
 a) the first side includes a first set of connector steps, each connector step of the first set of connector steps having a distinct size to accommodate varying sizes of food container end connectors; and 
 b) the second side is attached to the feeding device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the food container end connector is configured to be removably attachable to a connector step selected from the first set of connector steps. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein both of: the food container end connector and the selected connector step are threaded to engage with each other. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the food container end connector includes a snap-fit mechanism for attachment to the selected connector step of the graduated connector, wherein the selected connector step is part of the first set of connector steps. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the graduated connector is made of a flexible material that expands during snap-fitting to securely fit the food container end connector within the selected connector step. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the graduated connector comprises multiple connector steps on the first side, each connector step adapted to engage a different size of food container end connector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the feeding device is removably attached to the second side of the graduated connector. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the feeding device comprises a feeding device end connector for removably attaching to the second side of the graduated connector. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the graduated connector includes the second side with a second set of connector steps, each connector step of the second set of connector steps having a distinct size to accommodate varying sizes of feeding device end connectors. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the graduated connector is telescopic, allowing the second set of connector steps on the second side to retract. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the graduated connector is modular, allowing one or more connector steps on the second side to be replaced or added as needed. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprises a plurality of feeding devices, each of the plurality of feeding devices comprising a feeding surface of distinct size. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of feeding devices comprises a fixedly attached feeding device end connector of distinct size. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprises a plurality of food containers, each of the plurality of food containers comprising a fixedly attached food container end connector of distinct size. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of food containers is configured to store different types of viscous food within the food storage portion of each of the plurality of food containers. 
     
     
         16 . A method for feeding a person, comprising:
 selecting a feeding device comprising a feeding surface configured to deliver viscous food to the person;   selecting a food container configured to store the viscous food, the food container comprising a food container end connector;   providing a graduated connector comprising a first plurality of connector steps, each connector step of the first plurality of connector steps having a distinct size to accommodate varying sizes of food container end connectors, and a second side attached to the feeding device;   attaching the food container end connector to a selected connector step on the first side of the graduated connector, where the selected connector step is sized to securely fit the food container end connector; and   pressing or squeezing the food container to expel an amount of the viscous food from the food container, through the graduated connector, onto the feeding surface of the feeding device; and subsequently feeding to the person from the feeding surface.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the food container end connector is threaded to engage with a corresponding threaded connector step on the first side of the graduated connector. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the food container end connector includes a snap-fit mechanism for single-handed attachment to the selected connector step on the first side of the graduated connector. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removably attaching the feeding device to the second side of the graduated connector. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising providing a feeding device end connector fixedly attached to the feeding device for removably attaching the feeding device end connector to the second side of the graduated connector. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the graduated connector includes the second side with a second set of connector steps, each connector step of the second set of connector steps having a distinct size to accommodate varying sizes of feeding device end connectors. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting a plurality of feeding devices, each of the plurality of feeding devices comprising a feeding surface of distinct size. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein each of the plurality of feeding devices comprises a fixedly attached feeding device end connector of distinct size. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting a plurality of food containers, each of the plurality of food containers comprising a fixedly attached food container end connector of distinct size. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein each distinct-sized food container end connector is configured to be removably attached to a suitable connector step from the first plurality of connector steps on the graduated connector. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein each of the plurality of food containers is configured to store different types of viscous food. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first plurality of connector steps of varying sizes are configured such that when a larger food container end connector is removably attached to a larger connector step, and a smaller food container end connector is removably attached to a smaller connector step. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the graduated connector comprises one or more food-flow paths between the larger connector step and the smaller connector step. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of: enabling the viscous food to flow through the one or more food-flow paths when the larger food container end connector is removably attached to the larger connector step. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the graduated connector is modular, allowing the first plurality of connector steps on the first side to be replaced or added as needed.