U.S. patent application number 11/223903 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for portable infant feeding and sleeping unit.
Invention is credited to Sharon Forshpan.
Application Number | 20070056109 11/223903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37853554 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070056109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forshpan; Sharon |
March 15, 2007 |
Portable infant feeding and sleeping unit
Abstract
An infant sleeping and nursing unit is described. The unit
includes a base, which includes two side walls and a rear wall and
a platform extending between the side walls and the rear wall,
where the base is substantially rigid, a cover, where the cover
substantially overlays at least the platform of the frame, and
where the overlaying cover is removably secured to the base. Also
included is at least one positioning support that is removably
securable to the platform.
Inventors: |
Forshpan; Sharon; (Malibu,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
REED SMITH LLP
2500 ONE LIBERTY PLACE
1650 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
37853554 |
Appl. No.: |
11/223903 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/008 20130101;
A47D 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/655 |
International
Class: |
A47D 7/00 20060101
A47D007/00; A47D 13/02 20060101 A47D013/02 |
Claims
1. An infant sleeping and nursing unit, comprising: a base, said
base comprising two side walls and a rear wall and a platform
extending between the side walls and the rear wall, said base being
substantially rigid; a cover, wherein said cover substantially
overlays at least said platform of said frame, and wherein said
overlaying cover is removably secured to said base; at least one
positioning support, wherein said at least one positioning support
is removably securable to said platform.
2. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
at least one positioning support is removably securable to a
mattress pad, and wherein said mattress pad is removably securable
to said base.
3. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 2, wherein said
mattress pad is removably securable to said cover, wherein when
said mattress pad is removably secured to said cover, and said
cover is secured to said base, said mattress pad is secured to said
base.
4. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, further
comprising at least one handle.
5. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
frame further comprises a removably securable front wall.
6. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
platform comprises at least one molded region.
7. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
cover comprises a protective liner.
8. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
cover is machine washable.
9. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
at least one positioning support is machine washable.
10. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
at least one positioning support comprises a removable cover.
11. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 1, wherein said
frame further comprises a plurality of support legs on the bottom
surface of said base.
12. An infant sleeping and nursing unit, comprising: a base having
two side walls, a rear wall, and a platform extending between said
side walls; a cover, wherein said cover substantially overlays at
least said platform of said base, and wherein said overlaying cover
is removably secured to said base; at least one positioning
support, wherein said at least one positioning support is removably
securable to said covered platform; and wherein said base limits
substantial deformations of said platform when said platform is
lifted.
13. The sleeping and nursing unit of claim 12, wherein said
sleeping and nursing unit further comprises a mattress pad, and
wherein said positioning support is removably secureable to said
mattress pad.
14. The sleeping and nursing unit of claim 12, wherein said
platform comprises a substantially planar structure, said
substantially planar structure having ribs to stiffen said
substantially planar structure, and wherein said platform further
has a left and a aright edge and a rear edge, and wherein said
platform is joined to said right side wall along said first edge
and joined to said left side wall along said second edge.
15. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 14, wherein said
platform is further joined along said rear edge to said rear
wall.
16. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 15, further
comprising a first handle disposed on said right side wall and a a
second handle disposed on said left side wall.
17. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 16, wherein said
base further comprises a removably securable front wall.
18. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 16, wherein said
base is formed from a moldable plastic.
19. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 12, wherein said
cover comprises a protective liner.
20. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 12, wherein said
at least one positioning support comprises a removable cover.
21. A sleeping and nursing unit according to claim 12, wherein said
frame further comprises a plurality of support legs on the bottom
surface of said base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to infant carriers, and, more
particularly, to a portable baby bed designed for feeding and
moving sleeping infants.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] No matter what equipment a parent or caregiver has at their
disposal, caring for and meeting the needs of an infant child will
always be a challenge. For example, a nursing mother must create a
suitable environment conducive to breastfeeding. Such an
environment involves comfortable positioning of the baby, as well
as comfortable positioning for the mother. Also, because breastfed
babies typically feed around naptimes or even in the middle of the
night, and because infants often fall asleep near or at the end of
their feeding time, the process of breastfeeding must accommodate
the needs and safety requirements of a sleeping infant.
[0003] In an effort to minimize the possibility of sudden infant
death syndrome and other infant death ("SIDS/OID"), many doctors
recommend that infants sleep in particular positions, to increase
the flow of oxygen into the infant as well as reduce the number of
episodes of apnea. Numerous products have been designed to help
position a sleeping baby. For example, such products often involve
foam props and/or materials that may be molded to the shape of an
infant to hold or support the infant in specific positions, such as
lying on their back or on their side.
[0004] Another infant care issue relates to the movement of a
sleeping infant. A parent or caregiver will at times be required to
go to great lengths to get their infant to sleep. In these
situations, the infant invariably will fall asleep in an
undesirable location and will need to be moved without disturbing
the sleeping child. For example, a nursing mother may need or
choose to breastfeed their infant in the mother's bed in the middle
of the night. In such a case, the mother may wish to move the
infant back to a crib or bedside bassinette without waking the
infant up. In another example, the baby may fall asleep in a living
room and may need to be moved to a nursery. Such transporting of
the baby must be done with minimal disturbance to the infant's
sleeping position, lest the infant awaken, and require the parent
to start the process over again.
[0005] While there are many products available to address some of
these infant care issues, no single product answers all of these
needs. For example, a nursing pillow, while providing a comfortable
position for the baby and mother during breastfeeding, does not
provide a safe sleeping environment, should the infant fall asleep
after feeding. The mother must then move the infant to a safer
sleeping environment, which requires disturbing the sleeping infant
by lifting the infant from the pillow and moving the infant to the
new location. Thus, the nursing pillow does not provide enough
rigidity and other safety supports to allow the pillow to be picked
up without the position of the infant being disturbed. In another
example, an "infant nest" which may be similar to a bassinet, but
with an assortment of added foam supports and positioners, can
provide a safe sleeping environment. However, while such infant
nests may decrease the occurrence of SIDS/OID, they do not provide
suitable access to a nursing mother who wishes to breastfeed the
infant in the infant nest.
[0006] Thus, a need exists for a device that provides for both the
ease and comfort of breastfeeding, or even bottle feeding, as well
as, an infant sleeping environment that not only provides for safe
positioning of the infant, but also allows for transport of the
device without disturbing the position of a sleeping baby in the
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention describes an infant sleeping and
nursing unit. The unit includes a base having two side walls, a
rear wall, and a platform extending between the side walls, a
cover, where the cover substantially overlays at least the platform
of the base, and wherein the overlaying cover is removably secured
to the base. Also included is at least one positioning support,
where the at least one positioning support is removably securable
to the covered platform. Also, the base limits substantial
deformations of the platform when the platform is lifted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Understanding of the present invention will be facilitated
by consideration of the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to
like parts:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an internal base according to
the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a top view of an outer cover according to the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a positioning insert placed
inside the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of a cover illustrating
one method of fastening the cover to a base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, many
other elements found in infant feeding and sleeping units. Those of
ordinary skill in the art may recognize that other elements and/or
steps are desirable and/or required in implementing the present
invention. However, because such elements and steps are well known
in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better
understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such
elements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is
directed to all such variations and modifications to such elements
and methods known to those skilled in the art.
[0015] The present invention is a multi-functional unit for the
care of infants. While an infant as described herein may generally
be thought of as a child of less than one year of age, the present
invention may be most suitable for infants of approximately six
months of age or less, or for those infants who cannot yet crawl.
For example, the present invention may be used to increase the
comfort of both a nursing mother and a feeding infant. The present
invention also provides a safe sleeping environment designed for
sleeping in selective positions. Additionally, the present
invention provides for the movement of a sleeping infant inside the
same unit without disruption of the infant's sleeping position.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is shown. In this embodiment, a multi-functional unit 10
may have a horizontal, planar surface area 140, defined on three
sides by a back wall 120 and two end walls 130, and an opening 150.
Planar surface area 140 may be roughly rectangular in shape to
accommodate an infant lying down within surface area 140. Surface
area 140 may vary in length between end walls 130, but should be
suitable to fit a fully extended infant from head to toe within
surface area 140 without touching end walls 130. The width of
surface area 140 between back wall 120 and opening 150 may also
vary, though this width should be suitable for an infant lying
lengthwise between end walls 130 to fit with slightly extended arms
between back wall 120 and opening 150.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, unit 10 may be composed of
an internal base 200 (shown in FIG. 2) and a removable outer cover
300 (shown in FIG. 3), which may cover at least the walls and top
surfaces of internal base 200. The general shape of unit 10 may be
defined by internal base 200. Therefore, the three wall design and
dimensions of planar surface area 140 as described for unit 100
above may also apply to internal base 200. Internal base 200 may be
made of a plastic mold, or constructed from any sturdy, preferably
lightweight material, however, internal base 200 must provide
enough rigidity such that when an infant is lying within surface
area 140, the infant's sleeping position will be minimally
disturbed should unit 10 be picked up and moved to a new
location.
[0018] Internal base 200 may have attachment sites 210 on surface
area 140 near end walls 130 and back wall 120 for securing outer
cover 300 to internal base 200. Attachment sites 210 may also be
located on any portion of surface area 140, including back wall 120
and/or end walls 130, provided the attachment sites are placed so
that outer cover 300 does not significantly shift when placed over
top and attached to internal base 200. Such attachment sites may
be, for example, Velcro, snaps, buttons, reusable adhesives, or any
other attachment mechanism as understood by those skilled in the
art.
[0019] Internal base 200 may also contain ridges, grooves or
additional structures on surface area 140 or any of end walls 130
and back wall 120. For example, multiple ridges running parallel to
back wall 120 may form part of surface area 140 to help create a
better contact surface for outer cover 300 to rest on, as well as
to act as stiffeners for the platform.
[0020] The bottom surface of internal base 200, and consequently
the bottom surface of unit 10 (not shown in Figure), may be flat,
such that unit 10 may be placed on a table, floor, bed, co-sleeper,
or even the lap of an adult. Alternatively, the bottom surface may
contain fixed or foldable supports, such that unit 10 may be
slightly raised off the surface it is placed on. Such supports may
provide space for blankets or other items to pass under or around
unit 10 without decreasing the stability of unit 10.
[0021] As can be seen in FIG. 3, outer cover 300 may be defined by
two portions, a fitted portion 330 and an underneath portion 340,
where both portions are differentiated by a folding region 310.
Fitted portion 330 may generally conform to the shape of internal
base 200 when placed overtop of internal base 200, and underneath
portion 340 may fold at folding region 310 along opening 150 of
internal base 200, such that underneath portion 340 may cover the
bottom of internal base 200. Fixed to the inside surface of outer
cover 300 (not shown), the reciprocal portions of the attachment
system for attachment to attaching regions 210 may be found, such
that when the attachment system is engaged, outer cover 300 may fit
smoothly and not significantly shift along the surface of internal
base 200. Outer cover 300 may be made of any sort of fabric or
other flexible material that is generally soft to the touch and is
machine washable, such material may also include desirable features
such as fire retardation, water resistance, and anti-staining.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, outer cover 300 may also contain
a zipper 320 or other securing mechanism. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
zipper 320 or other securing mechanism may be located along the
perimeter of underneath portion 340 and the bottom edge of fitted
portion 330, such that when outer cover 300 is placed over top of
internal base 200 and underneath portion 340 is folded underneath,
outer cover 300 may zip shut and enclose internal base 200.
Alternative securing mechanisms may be used in place of zipper 320,
such as Velcro, snaps, buttons, or any other attaching mechanism
that allows outer cover 300 to be detachable from internal base 200
and suitable for machine washing.
[0023] Alternatively, outer cover 300 need not fully enclose
internal base 200. For example, attachment sites may be located
along the bottom edge of back wall 120 and end walls 130, or on any
portion of the bottom surface of internal base 200, with the
reciprocal attachment portions placed on the corresponding inside
surface of outer cover 300. Thus, an underneath portion 340 may be
partially or even entirely eliminated. As long as fitted region 330
of outer cover 300 provides a smooth and comfortable, secured
surface over surface area 140, any remaining portion of internal
base 200 may be exposed.
[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, outer cover
300 may further contain a rubber, plastic, or other water resistant
layer built into outer cover 300 or as an additional lining of
outer cover 300. Also, a mesh or open-weave section may make up any
portion of outer cover 300, such as, for example, a mesh side panel
along the inner surface fitted over end walls 130 and/or back wall
120. Such a mesh or open-weave portion may promote better airflow
inside surface area 140.
[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, handles or
other grasping regions may be provided. For example, handles may be
attached or form part of outer cover 300 on the portion covering
the outside vertical surface of end walls 130. In another example,
handles or indented grasping regions may be placed directly into
the outside vertical surface of end walls 130 of internal base 200.
In this embodiment, a hole or cut out portion may be placed in the
corresponding portion of outer cover 300, such that when outer
cover 300 is secured to internal base 200, the handles or grasping
regions extend through or are accessible through the holes in outer
cover 300. In yet another example, long loops may be attached to
end walls 130, such that these loops may be held at one point
centered above unit 10, much like a basket. It should be understood
that any additional handles or grabbing regions may be placed
strategically about the unit, such that the unit may be easily
picked up when empty or when holding an infant.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4, an insert 400 placed within unit 10
is shown. Insert 400 may be of a dimension such that it may fit
within surface area 140. However, when insert 400 is placed within
surface area 140 of unit 10 with an infant placed atop insert 400,
the infant should not be raised above the height of end walls 130
and back wall 120, such that the infant could potentially fall out
of unit 10. Insert 400 may include a machine washable surface that
may also provide other desirable features, such as flame
retardation, water resistance, anti-staining, and the like.
[0027] Insert 400 may provide additional comfort and support to an
infant when insert 400 is placed inside surface area 140 of unit
10. Such supports are important for attaining safer infant sleeping
positions, such as on the infant's back or side. Additionally, the
success of any breastfeeding session is greatly affected by the
positioning of the infant in relation to the mother, as the correct
position promotes a stronger latch, as well as ease of swallowing
for the infant.
[0028] Insert 400 may include any number of positioning supports
410 to assist in the positioning of an infant when the infant is
lying atop insert 400. For example, insert 400 may include two
wedges or rolls positioned such that an infant may be placed
between the wedges and held from rolling to one side or the other.
In another example, a pair of wedges or rolls may be placed such
that an infant's head may rest comfortably between or on one of the
wedges. In yet another example, a flexible and/or expandable roll
may be positioned on insert 400, such that when an infant is placed
on insert 400, the flexible and/or expandable roll may wrap or
conform to the shape of the infant which is in contact with the
roll, such as wrapping around the periphery of the head, for
example.
[0029] Any positioning supports may be permanently attached to
insert 400, or may be separately attachable to surface insert 400
via an attachment mechanism, such as Velcro, buttons, snaps or the
like. Also, positioning supports 410 may be composed of foam,
sponge, fabric, or any other soft and/or impressionable
material.
[0030] The top surface of insert 400 may also include molded
regions 420.
[0031] These molded regions may be designed to conform to portions
of an infant's body when the infant is lying atop insert 400. For
example, an indented region may be located at the resting point of
the infant's head.
[0032] Such a mold may reduce the occurrence or severity of "flat
head", as well as provide better ergonomic support and better
posturing for the resting infant. To create a molded region 420
within the surface of insert 400, a breathable and impressionable
foam may be used, or any other material that may hold the molded
form.
[0033] Insert 400 may be a single structure, or alternatively, may
be composed of an internal base and a removable and machine
washable outer cover, similar to the construction of unit 10.
[0034] Insert 400 may be removable from unit 10, such that
different inserts may be used as desired with unit 10. Also, insert
400 may further include on its bottom surface an attachment system
for attachment to outer cover 300 of unit 10. Such attachment
system may be the same as any attachment system described herein,
such as Velcro, buttons, snaps, or the like.
[0035] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
equivalent sleep positioning supports 410 and/or molds 420 may be
directly attached to outer cover 300, without the use of insert
400. In such a construction, it would require an attaching
mechanism, such as Velcro, snaps or buttons, on both sleep
positioning supports 410 and the outside surface of outer cover
300.
[0036] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an
additional wall or barrier may be attached to unit 10, such that
the additional wall or barrier may cover opening 150. For example,
if a parent or caregiver places unit 10 on a tabletop with an
infant inside unit 10, the additional wall may block opening 150 to
help prevent the infant from rolling out of unit 10. Such
additional wall or barrier may be a sturdy fabric stretched along
opening 150 and attached to each of end walls 130, or it may be a
plastic or other rigid retainer wall that fastens to each of end
walls 130.
[0037] With the above described exemplary embodiments in mind, unit
10 may provide for an array of uses while minimizing the disruption
of the infant's environment. In an exemplary scenario of use, a
nursing mother may place her infant into unit 10, such that the
baby is strategically positioned at an angle optimal for both
breastfeeding and safe sleeping, and place unit 10 on the mother's
bed. In such a scenario, the infant may be facing toward opening
150 of unit 10, and the mother may comfortably breastfeed by lying
up against opening 150. When the infant falls asleep at the end of
the feeding, the mother may simply lift unit 10 with the sleeping
baby inside, and place unit 10 into a co-sleeper, crib, bassinet,
or other location designated as the infant's bed. Because the baby
is already in a safe sleeping position within unit 10, and because
unit 10 is structurally rigid, the infant is moved to the new
location without disrupting the current sleeping position.
[0038] In another exemplary scenario of use, a nursing mother may
awake in the middle of the night to breastfeed the infant. In this
situation, the infant may be positioned and fed as described above,
but instead of the mother getting up and moving unit 10 to another
location, the mother may simply leave unit 10 on the bed with the
infant inside it. Because unit 10 may be an independent
safe-sleeping device, and may furthermore provide rigidity and
containment walls, it is unlikely to be "rolled on top of" by an
adult. Therefore, a safe sleeping environment may be created in the
parental bed, which may make the process of multiple nightly
feedings less tiring for the mother.
[0039] Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many
modifications and variations of the present invention may be
implemented without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers
the modifications and variations of this invention provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *