U.S. patent application number 11/959135 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for infant carrier.
Invention is credited to Prasanga D. Hiniduma-Lokuge.
Application Number | 20080149674 11/959135 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39541402 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080149674 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hiniduma-Lokuge; Prasanga
D. |
June 26, 2008 |
INFANT CARRIER
Abstract
An infant carrier includes a plurality of sections to wrap
around a wearer's torso, in order to hold an infant against a chest
of a wearer. The sections include a front panel, to enclose the
chest, and a back section, extending from the front panel, to
traverse across a back of the wearer. An inner seat for the infant
is attached to an interior surface of the front panel. The front
panel may include a layer of insulation and be waterproofed so that
the infant carrier may function as an incubator. The carrier may be
held around the torso by an attachment element having first and
second mating parts, located along a width of the front panel and
along the back section, respectively. The sections may also include
a sash to wrap across the front panel from beneath a first shoulder
to over a second shoulder of the wearer.
Inventors: |
Hiniduma-Lokuge; Prasanga D.;
(Minneapolis, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP;FREDRIKSON & BYRON, P.A.
200 SOUTH SIXTH STREET, SUITE 4000
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
39541402 |
Appl. No.: |
11/959135 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60871579 |
Dec 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/215 20180101;
A47D 13/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/159 |
International
Class: |
A47D 13/02 20060101
A47D013/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus to carry an infant against a chest of a person, the
apparatus comprising: a flexible wrapping member including a free
side edge and a plurality of sections, which extend from the free
side edge, the plurality of sections adapted for wrapping around a
torso of the person; the plurality of sections including a front
panel, to enclose the chest of the person, when the member is
wrapped around the torso, and a back section extending from the
front panel to traverse across a back of the person, when the
member is wrapped around the torso; the front panel including a top
terminal edge, a bottom terminal edge and an interior surface, that
faces the chest when the member is wrapped around the torso; the
front panel having a width from the top terminal edge to the bottom
terminal edge, the width extending along a height of the torso when
the member is wrapped around the torso; a reversible attachment
element including first and second mating parts to hold, when
mated, the wrapping member around the torso when the member is
wrapped around the torso, such that the bottom terminal edge of the
front panel is held snugly against the torso; the first part of the
attachment element located along the width of the front panel, and
the second part of the attachment element located along the back
section of the wrapping member; and an inner seat for the infant
attached to the interior surface of the front panel, the inner seat
located to hold the infant against the chest of the person, when
the member is wrapped around the torso and the first and second
parts of the attachment element are mated together.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes a
waterproof exterior surface.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back section includes an
interior surface and the interior surface of the front panel is a
different color from the interior surface of the back section.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back section is formed by
a plurality of straps.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the back section includes an
elastic portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the front panel is formed by
an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material; and the
inner layer of material is soft and breathable.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the front panel is further
formed by an insulating layer extending between the inner layer and
the outer layer.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the front panel is further
formed by a waterproof layer extending between the inner layer and
the outer layer.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the front panel is further
formed by layer of padding extending between the inner and the
outer layer.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front panel is formed by
a material layer including a phase change material.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the front panel is formed by
an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material such that
a pocket exists between the inner and outer layers of material.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pocket forms a container
for another member and the front panel further includes an opening
into the pocket to accommodate insertion of the other member into
the pocket.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the front panel
is separable from the wrapping member; and the inner seat is
attached to the interior surface of the front panel at a location
coinciding with the separable portion thereof.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner seat is reversibly
attached to the interior surface of the front panel.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one
additional inner seat attached to the interior surface of the front
panel.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wrapping member further
includes an elastic waist band coinciding with the bottom terminal
edge of the front panel.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first part of attachment
element is located in proximity to the free side edge of the
wrapping member.
18. An apparatus to carry an infant against a chest of a person,
the apparatus comprising: a flexible wrapping member including a
free side edge and a plurality of sections, which extend from the
free side edge, adapted for wrapping around a torso the person; the
plurality of sections including a front panel, to enclose the chest
of the person, when the member is wrapped around the torso, a back
section extending from the front panel, to traverse across a back
of the person, when the member is wrapped around the torso, and a
sash, adapted for wrapping across the front panel, from beneath a
first shoulder of the person to over a second shoulder of the
person, when the wrapping member is wrapped around the torso; the
front panel including an interior surface, that faces the chest,
when the wrapping member is wrapped around the torso; a reversible
attachment member to hold the wrapped sash in place; and an inner
seat for the infant attached to the interior surface of the front
panel, the inner seat located to hold the infant against the chest
of the person, when the member is wrapped around the torso.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: the front panel of the
wrapping member extends from the free side edge thereof; the
wrapping member further includes another free side edge; and the
sash of the wrapping member extends from the back section of the
wrapping member and terminates at the other free side edge of the
wrapping member.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the front panel includes a
waterproof exterior surface.
21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the back section includes an
interior surface and the interior surface of the front panel is a
different color from the interior surface of the back section.
22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the back section includes an
elastic portion.
23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: the front panel is formed
by an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material; and
the inner layer of material is soft and breathable.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the front panel is further
formed by an insulating layer extending between the inner layer and
the outer layer.
25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the front panel is further
formed by a waterproof layer extending between the inner layer and
the outer layer.
26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the front panel is further
formed by a layer of padding extending between the inner layer and
the outer layer.
27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the front panel is formed by
a material layer including a phase change material.
28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the front panel is formed by
an inner layer of material and an outer layer of material such that
a pocket exists between the inner and outer layers of material.
29. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the inner seat is reversibly
attached to the interior surface of the front panel.
30. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising at least one
additional inner seat attached to the interior surface of the front
panel.
31. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: an elastic waist
band; and wherein the front panel of the plurality of sections of
the wrapping member includes a top terminal edge and a bottom
terminal edge, the front panel having a width from the top terminal
edge to the bottom terminal edge, the width extending along a
height of the torso, when the wrapping member is wrapped around the
torso; and the elastic waist band coincides with a bottom terminal
edge of the front panel.
32. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the wrapped sash has a width
to support a head of the infant, which infant is held in the inner
seat of the apparatus, when the wrapping member is wrapped around
the torso.
33. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a back shoulder
strap extending from the back section of the plurality of sections
of the wrapping member to traverse over the second shoulder of the
person, when the wrapping member is wrapped around the torso; the
back shoulder strap including an attachment member to mate with the
reversible attachment member of the sash to hold the wrapped sash
in place.
34. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a reversible
attachment element, the attachment element including first and
second mating parts to hold, when mated, the wrapping member around
the torso when the member is wrapped around the torso; and wherein
the first part of the attachment element is located in proximity to
the free side edge of the wrapping member; and the second part of
the attachment element is located along the back section of the
wrapping member.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein: the sash has a width to
reach over the second shoulder of the person and across the back of
the person to beneath the first shoulder of the person; and the
reversible attachment member of the sash mates with the reversible
attachment element to hold the wrapped sash in place.
36. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein: a portion of the front
panel is separable from the wrapping member; the inner seat is
attached to the interior surface of the front panel at a location
coinciding with the separable portion thereof; and the front panel
is formed by an inner layer of material, an outer layer of material
and a layer of padding extending between the inner and outer layers
at a location coinciding with the separable portion
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the sash is attached to an
exterior surface of the separable portion of the front panel, so as
to wrap around the infant held within the inner seat, when the
portion is separated from the wrapping member.
38. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the sash is further adapted
for wrapping over around the front panel and the infant held within
the inner seat, when the wrapping member is unwrapped from around
the torso.
39. A method to simultaneously carry and incubate a prematurely
born infant, the method comprising: placing the infant in an inner
seat, which inner seat is attached to an interior surface of a
front panel of a flexible wrapping member; wrapping the wrapping
member around a torso of a person such that the interior surface of
the front panel faces a chest of the person; and securing the
wrapping member around the torso, by coupling mating parts of a
reversible attachment member, in order to hold the infant, which is
placed in the inner seat, against a chest of the person so that the
person may carry and incubate the infant; wherein at least the
front panel of the wrapping member has a width to extend along a
height of the torso and to enclose the chest of the person, when
the wrapping member is secured around the torso.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein securing the wrapping member
further comprises wrapping a sash of the wrapping member across the
front panel from beneath a first shoulder of the person to over a
second shoulder of the person, and securing the sash so that a head
and neck of the infant, held in the inner seat, are supported by
the sash.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application claims priority to provisional
application Ser. No. 60/871,579, entitled: BABY CARRIER, which was
filed on Dec. 22, 2006, and which is hereby incorporated, by
reference, in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention pertains to infant carriers and more
particularly to those facilitating skin-to-skin contact between the
infant and mother, for example, according to the concept of
Kangaroo Care.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Because babies born prematurely frequently have difficulty
in maintaining their body temperatures, the premature babies of
developed countries are kept warm using typical modern-day
incubators, for example, which are powered by electricity. However,
incubators, as such, are not available in all parts of the world.
In developing countries, areas affected by war, refugee camps and
rural areas of some countries, where access to technology and/or a
reliable source of electricity is limited, an alternative to these
incubators is required. Thus, the concept of Kangaroo Maternal
Care, or Kangaroo Care, has been developed as an alternative method
for keeping prematurely-born infants warm.
[0004] The Kangaroo Care method involves holding a premature infant
in skin-to-skin contact with the mother's chest and/or abdomen such
that the mother's body heat provides warmth to the baby. Typically,
towels, linen or other fabric or cloth materials are used to wrap
and hold the infant against the mother. The method not only keeps
the infant warm but is believed to have other benefits including
providing the infant with a comforting environment that may feel
more like the womb, increasing breast feeding incidence and
duration, increasing infant weight gain, and strengthening the bond
between the mother and child. Because of these additional benefits,
Kangaroo Care is believed to be beneficial not only to premature
infants but also to full term infants. Although there are many
commercially available infant carriers that can hold an infant
against the front of a parent, some of which may be compatible with
Kangaroo Care, there is still a need for new types of infant
carriers that better facilitate the implementation of Kangaroo
Care.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The following drawings are illustrative of particular
embodiments and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention.
The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended
for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following
detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will
hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,
wherein like numerals denote like elements.
[0006] FIG. 1A is a front view of a mother wearing an infant
carrier, which holds an infant, according to some embodiments of
the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 1B is a rear view of the mother of FIG. 1A, showing a
back side of the infant carrier, according to some embodiments.
[0008] FIGS. 1C-D are additional front views of the infant carrier
shown in FIGS. 1A-B, according to some embodiments.
[0009] FIGS. 2A-B are plan views of an interior and exterior,
respectively, of an infant carrier, according to some additional
embodiments of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a section view through a front panel of an infant
carrier, according to some embodiments.
[0011] FIGS. 4A-E are schematics outlining some steps in a method
for wrapping the infant carrier of FIGS. 2A-B around a torso,
according to some embodiments of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an interior of an interior
of an infant carrier, according to some alternate embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the infant carrier of FIG.
5A, having been fastened in a wrapped configuration, according to
some embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 6A is a plan view of an interior portion of front panel
of an infant carrier, according to some alternate embodiments of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6B is a plan view of the portion of the carrier shown
in FIG. 6A, wherein a sash is shown wrapped around an infant, held
therein, according to some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 6C is a plan view of an interior of a front panel
portion of an infant carrier, according to some additional
alternate embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following detailed description is exemplary in nature
and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following
description provides practical illustrations for implementing
exemplary embodiments. Examples of constructions, materials,
dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected
elements, and all other elements employ that which is known to
those of skill in the field of the invention. Utilizing the
teaching provided herein, those skilled in the art will recognize
that many of the examples have suitable alternatives that can be
utilized.
[0018] Infant carriers, according to embodiments of the present
invention, hold an infant against a chest of its mother, for
skin-to-skin contact between the infant and mother, and preferred
embodiments may be used as an incubator for a premature infant,
provided the infant does not have any underdeveloped organs, by
enclosing the infant in the skin-to-skin contact with the mother.
An infant carrier, according to any of the described embodiments,
while keeping the infant warm, also securely holds the infant
against the mother, so that the mother may have confidence in using
the carrier to transport the infant from one location to another,
for example, from their home in a rural setting to a hospital or
clinic in an urban setting. Thus, embodiments of the present
invention may be used as transport incubator, for the
aforementioned relatively long distance travel, or for travel
between two places at a single locale, for example from a delivery
unit to a typical, modern-day, incubator in an infant ICU. The
carrier may also provide a comforting environment for the infant,
may lead to increased breast feeding incidence and duration,
increased infant weight gain, and a strengthened bond between the
mother and child. Although embodiments of the invention are
generally described in the context of a mother as a wearer, it
should be appreciated that anyone else, of either the female or
male sex, may utilize any carrier of the present invention to
provide at least some of the aforementioned benefits to an
infant.
[0019] FIG. 1A is a front view of a mother wearing an infant
carrier 2, which holds an infant 10, according to some embodiments
of the present invention; and FIG. 1B is a rear view of the mother
of FIG. 1A, showing a back side of infant carrier 2, according to
some embodiments. FIGS. 1A-B illustrate a flexible wrapping member
20 of carrier 2 wrapped around a torso of the mother and including
a plurality of sections. The plurality of sections include a front
panel 4, whose exterior surface 32, according to some embodiments,
is waterproofed, and a back section 6; front panel 4 is shown
enclosing an infant 10 and a chest of the mother to hold infant 10
in skin-to-skin contact therewith; and back section 6 is shown
traversing across a back of the mother. Back section 6 may extend
directly from front panel 4, being integral therewith, or may have
been formed independently from a separate material, for example
being attached to front panel at a stitched seam 404. According to
the illustrated embodiment, wrapping member 20 is held wrapped
around the torso by coupling a free side edge 22 of front panel 4
to a side edge 12 of back section 6, which has been brought around
from the back side of the mother, under an arm of the mother to
meet with front panel 4. FIG. 1A illustrates an attachment element
62, in the form of a zipper, which extends along a width of front
panel 4, which width traverses a height of the torso; element 62
reversibly couples back section 6 to front panel 4, for holding
wrapping member 20 around the torso. Attachment element 62 may be a
two-way zipper so that the mother may unzip element 62 from either
a top end or a bottom end thereof. Alternative types of attachment
elements for such a purpose will be described below, in conjunction
with FIGS. 2A-B and FIGS. 5A-B.
[0020] FIG. 1B illustrates back section 6 including side portions
34 and a central portion 94, which portion 94 may be elasticized,
either being formed by a single elastic panel or by including a
plurality of elastic straps 904. Alternatively, or in addition, one
or both of side portions 34 are elasticized. According to some
embodiments, back section 6 encloses the mother's back to retain
warmth, while according to alternate embodiments, back section 6 is
more open to allow air flow along the mother's back, for example,
wherein central portion 94 is formed by straps 904 only, or wherein
all, or a portion of back section 6 is formed from a vented
material, such as a mesh fabric. It should be noted that, according
to some embodiments, back section 6 is formed from a single solid
piece of material.
[0021] FIGS. 1A-B further illustrate wrapping member 20 including
an optional waist band 8, which is coincident with a bottom
terminal edge 28 of front panel 4 and further extends along a
bottom terminal edge of back section 6 to encircle a waist, or
hips, of the mother, and being in close contact therewith. A snugly
fitted waist band 8 can help to keep infant 10 warm, by preventing
air entry between bottom edge 28 and the mother's chest, and can
help to support the weight of infant 10 against the mother's hips
and distribute the weight evenly. Waist band 8 may be a separate
band, elastic or non-elastic, which is adjoined to front panel 4
and back section 6, or may be formed from lower portions of front
panel 4 and/or back section 6. For example, the lower edges of the
front panel 4 and/or back section 6 may be folded back onto
themselves and stitched to form a tubular opening, which tubular
opening may contain a drawstring, elastic, a belt, for example,
secured by a buckle or hook-and-loop type (e.g. Velcro.RTM.)
fastener, or any other suitable material for making waist band 8
adjustable around the mother, according to some embodiments.
Alternatively, or in addition, side portions 34 may include draw
strings, elastic or otherwise, or other types of fasteners, such as
buttons, snaps, or hook-and-loop type fasteners, to facilitate size
adjustment of wrapping member 20 around the torso. Also, it should
be noted that the mother may also loosen waist band 8 via
attachment element 62, which is in the form of the aforementioned
two-way zipper.
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates wrapping member 20 also including a sash
40; sash 40 is shown transparent in FIG. 1A, for the purposes of
illustration, in order to facilitate the viewing of infant 10 and
other elements of carrier 2, for description herein. According to
some embodiments, sash 40 is joined in proximity to edge 12 of back
section 6, and is configured to wrap over and across front panel 4
from beneath a first shoulder of the mother to over a second
shoulder of the mother, when back section 6 is coupled to front
panel 4, as illustrated. According to the illustrated embodiment,
sash 40, when wrapped, helps to secure infant 10 inside front panel
4 and against the mother's chest; sash 40 covers the head of infant
10 and provides support to the neck and head of infant 10. A
tightness of wrapped sash 40 may also be adjustable to allow the
mother to adjust the proximity of infant 10 to her chest, for
example, via a reversible attachment member 50, shown in FIGS.
1C-D, which holds sash 40 in place. According to some preferred
embodiments, sash 40 is attached to front panel 4, in proximity to
attachment element 62, and may also be used to keep infant 10 warm,
when wrapping member 20 is unwrapped and separated from the mother.
According to these embodiments, when front panel 4 has been
separated from back panel 6, at attachment member 62, sash 40 may
be wrapped around front panel 4 and infant 10, in order to cover
and keep warm infant 10, who rests against the interior surface of
front panel 4, for at least five to ten minutes. As will be
described below, in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-B, front panel may
further include a mattress-like padding for infant 10 to rest on
when wrapping member is unwrapped and separated from the mother;
the padding may further function as a heat source, which will be
described below.
[0023] FIGS. 1C-D are additional front views of infant carrier 2,
wherein a back shoulder strap 44 is shown extending from back
section 6. FIGS. 1C-D illustrate a first part 50A of attachment
member 50 coupled to sash 40, and a second part 50B of attachment
member 50 coupled to back shoulder strap 44. According to the
illustrated embodiment, first part 50A is formed by a plurality of
buttons 105, and second part 50B is formed by a looped fastener
configured to mate with any of buttons 105, for example, as
illustrated in FIG. 1D. FIG. 1D illustrates sash 40 extending over
front panel 4 to meet with back shoulder strap 44 at the second
shoulder, and second part 50B of attachment member 50 holding sash
40 in place, by mating with one of buttons 105. With reference to
FIGS. 1C-D, it should be appreciated that a tightness of wrapped
sash 40 may be adjusted by fastening second part 50B to a different
button 105; however, it should be noted that alternative reversible
attachment members, for securing sash 40 in place, which are formed
by any other type of fastener know in the art, are within the scope
of the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 1A and 1C further illustrate front panel 4 including a
pocket 90, for example, formed between an inner layer of material
and an outer layer of material, which is accessible via an opening
91 in front panel 4. Although FIG. 1A illustrates opening 91
located on an exterior side of front panel 4, opening 91 may
alternately be located along a top terminal edge 26 of front panel
4, or on an interior side of front panel 4. Pocket 90 may extend
over an entirety of front panel 4 or over just a portion thereof.
Pocket 90 may be used for holding a source of heat, such as a hot
water bag or a layer of phase change material, which is described
in greater detail, below, to supply extra warmth to infant 10,
and/or a layer of insulative material, for example, Thinsulate.TM.
(3M), any of which may be inserted or removed as desired, for
example, to regulate a temperature of the space between front panel
4 and the mother's chest. According to some embodiments, opening 91
into pocket 90 is sealable, such as with snaps, buttons, a zipper,
or a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g. Velcro.RTM.).
[0025] According to preferred embodiments of the present invention,
carrier 2 further includes an inner seat, which is attached to an
interior surface of front panel 4, and in which infant 10 may be
held so as to maintain a suitable position of infant 10, as
illustrated; the seat may be configured like a pair of underwear
pants to support hips of infant 10 and having leg holes through
which legs of infant 10 may extend. Inclusion of an inner seat in
carrier 2 may be particularly important for premature infants, who
otherwise might slide about within the space between front panel 4
and the mother's chest, and, if the inner seat is constructed with
a waterproof inner lining and/or to include a hygroscopic material,
frequent changing of the infant may not be required. Various
embodiments of inner seats will be described below, in conjunction
with FIGS. 2A, 5A, 6A and 6C.
[0026] FIGS. 2A-B are plan views of an interior and exterior,
respectively, of an infant carrier 200, according to some
embodiments of the present invention, wherein a wrapping member 210
thereof is depicted in an opened, unwrapped configuration. FIGS.
2A-B illustrate a plurality of section of wrapping member 210
including a front panel 204 extending from a first free edge 220 of
wrapping member 210, a back section 206, extending from front panel
204, and a sash 240, extending from back section 206 to a second
free edge 224 of wrapping member 210. FIG. 2A further illustrates
an inner seat 280 attached to an interior surface 214 of front
panel 204, for holding an infant, which seat 280 includes two leg
openings 282 and an upper opening 281 through which the infant may
be inserted. According to some embodiments, inner seat 280 is
reversibly attached to front panel 204 via fasteners, for example,
located at edges 285; some suitable fasteners include, without
limitation, hook-and-loop type, snaps, and buttons. Although not
shown, according to some embodiments, at least one vertical row of
fastening members is attached to interior surface 214 for mating
with corresponding fastening members attached to seat 280, so that
seat 280 may be repositioned higher or lower within carrier 200 to
accommodate babies of different sizes, or a single baby as it
grows. Reversible fastening members may further facilitate
adjustment of a size of seat 280, and/or the placement of the
infant into seat 280, for example, by detaching one side of seat
280 at one of edges 285; the fastening members further allow seat
280 to be removed for washing, separate from wrapping member 210.
Inner seat 280, and alternate embodiments thereof, will be
described in greater detail below, in conjunction with FIGS. 6A and
6C.
[0027] According to FIGS. 2A-B, each section of wrapping member 210
has a similar width, which is defined from a top terminal edge 216
to a bottom terminal edge 218 of front panel 204, but, according to
alternate embodiments, each section may have a different width.
According to some embodiments, each section shares a continuous
length of material that extends from first free edge 220 to second
free edge 224, but according to alternate embodiments, each section
is formed from an independent length of material stitched together
at edges of each section. Some suitable alternative material layers
for wrapping member 210 will be described below, in conjunction
with FIG. 3. FIGS. 2A-B further illustrate carrier 200 including an
attachment element, which is formed by first and second parts 262A,
262B, which, when coupled, or mated together, hold wrapping member
210 around a torso of a person; first part 262A is shown as a
vertical row of buttons 226 located on an exterior surface 232 of
front panel 204, and second part 262B is shown as a vertical row of
mating button holes 227, located in proximity to an edge 211 of
back section 206. With further reference to FIGS. 2A-B, it should
be noted that an additional row of button holes 228, which are
located along sash 240, in proximity to second free edge 224, form
an attachment member 262C for holding sash 240 in place, when
wrapped, via coupling with first part 262A of the attachment
element. Turning now to FIGS. 4A-4E, a sequence of steps for
assembling carrier 200 around the torso will be described, so that
the coupling of parts 262A and 262B, and member 262C, may be better
understood.
[0028] FIGS. 4A-E are schematics outlining some steps in a method
for wrapping infant carrier 200 around a torso, according to some
embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 4A-B illustrate a back
side and a front side, respectively of a person, for example, a
mother, wherein wrapping member 210 is positioned such that back
section 206 extends across the back side of the person, above a
waist, or hips, for wrapping around the torso. With reference to
FIG. 4B, infant 10 may be placed in seat 280 prior to wrapping
front panel 204 over the front side of the person, as shown in FIG.
4C. Alternatively, infant 10 may be positioned in seat 280 after
front panel 204 is wrapped over the front side of the person. FIG.
4C further illustrates arrows that indicate the coupling, or
mating, of the row of buttons 226 with button holes 227 in order to
hold back section 206 and front panel 204 around the torso. Once
back section 206 and front panel 204 are held around the torso,
sash 240 is wrapped across front panel 204 from beneath a first
shoulder to over a second shoulder, as shown in FIG. 4D. According
to the illustrated embodiment, a length of sash 240 is sufficient
to then reach across the back side of the torso, per the arrow of
FIG. 4D, so that button holes 228 can be brought around to mate
with buttons 226, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 4E.
According to some embodiments, sash 240 includes a plurality of
rows of button holes, which are spaced apart at different distances
from free edge 224 (FIG. 2A) in order to make a length of the
wrapped sash 240 adjustable; thus, a tightness about a single
person can be adjusted, or a fit for a variety of different persons
can be provided. With further reference to FIG. 4E, it may be
appreciated that carrier 200 can allow for hands-free carrying of
the enclosed infant 10.
[0029] In order to help the person to properly position wrapping
member 210 for wrapping, as shown in FIGS. 4C-E, according to some
embodiments, interior surface 214 of front panel 204 is a different
color than that of an interior surface 260 (FIG. 2A) of back
section 206; a color of interior surface 214 may further help to
identify the surface as that which interfaces with the person, who
wears carrier 200, and the infant, as opposed to an exterior
surface 232 (FIG. 2B) of wrapping member 210. A color of sash 240
may match that of interior surface 214 of front panel 204, in order
to identify both sash 240 and front panel 204 as those sections of
wrapping member 210, which interface with the infant to be held by
carrier 200. Alternatively, a texture, or feel of materials that
form each section and surface of wrapping member 210 may be
sufficient, without color coding, to help a person identify each
section. With reference back to FIGS. 1A, 1C, 2A-B and to FIG. 3
some alternative material layers for wrapping members 20, 210 will
now be described. It should be noted that the types of materials,
colors and patterns selected for wrapping members 20, 210 may be
tailored to a particular climate and to a particular culture.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a section view through front panel 4, 204 of
wrapping member 20, 210 according to some embodiments. FIG. 3
illustrates front panel 4, 204 formed from three layers of
materials, a first, outer layer 301, which forms exterior surface
32, 232, a second, inner layer 302, which forms interior surface
214, and an insulating layer 300, for example, Thinsulate.TM.,
extending therebetween. FIG. 3 further illustrates optional air
pockets extending between outer layer 301 and middle layer 300, and
between inner layer 302 and middle layer 300 for added insulation,
which added insulation may be important when carrier 2, 200 is used
as an incubator that retains the wearers body heat to keep a
premature infant, carried therein, sufficiently warm.
Alternatively, the air pockets may be filled with a gel material to
provide added insulation; the gel may incorporate a phase change
material, as described below. Material layers 300, 301, 302 may
also muffle surrounding noise and keep out light, in order to make
the space between front panel 204 and a mother's chest more
comfortable for the infant.
[0031] Outer layer 301 is preferably formed from a relatively light
weight material that will protect the carried infant from the
environment, for example, a waterproof material such as
Cordura.RTM. nylon (INVISTA Inc.), or other types of nylon, or
polyesters, such as Mylar.RTM., or plastics, such as vinyl or
polyethylene. Exterior surface 232 of outer layer 301 may have a
dark color, which can be useful for absorbing heat from the sun.
According to preferred embodiments, inner layer 302 is formed from
a relatively soft material that conforms to both the wearer's and
the infant's shape, provides a gentle and comfortable interface
with the infant, and is breathable in order to reduce the risk of
bacterial growth; examples of suitable materials for forming inner
layer 302 include, without limitation, cotton, polar fleece,
spandex, nylon, polyester, and/or any other natural or synthetic
fibers that are safe for infants. Inner layer 302, may further
include a waterproofing across entire inner surface 214, or just a
portion thereof, for example, in the area of seat 280. Alternately,
an additional layer of waterproof material, for example, a suitable
flexible plastic, be inserted between layers 301 and 302. According
to preferred embodiments, any or all of layers 301, 302, 300
include a waterproof material so that front panel 4, 204, can
prevent dehydration of the infant carried within carrier 2, 200.
Alternatively, or in addition, a removable waterproof layer may be
included, for example, in pocket 90 of front panel 4 (FIG. 1A), or
in one of the air pockets shown in FIG. 3, to accommodate for
various humidity levels of the surrounding environment.
[0032] According to some embodiments, at least front panel 4, 204
includes a phase change material (PCM), for example, as available
from Outlast Technologies, Inc. of Boulder, Colo.
(www.outlast.com). The PCM may be applied as a finishing on
fabrics, or infused into fibers during the manufacturing process,
for example, to form part of inner layer 302 and/or insulating
layer 300; or the PCM may be incorporated in a gel-like material
which may be contained within the air pockets. The thermal
properties of a phase change material cause the material to absorb
heat, in case a temperature rises above a particular maximum
desired temperature, such as approximately 38.degree. C., and to
release heat if the temperature falls below a minimum desired
temperature, such as approximately 36.degree. C. Thus carrier 2,
200, which includes a PCM, can maintain a desired temperature, or
temperature range, for the infant carried within the carrier 2,
200, such as between approximately 36.degree. C. and approximately
38.degree. C. Carrier 2, 200 may further include a temperature
monitor, for example, a thermometer, so that the wearer may monitor
the temperature within the carrier 2, 200; thus, if a pocket is
included in carrier 2, 200, for example, pocket 90, which was
previously described for carrier 2 (FIGS. 1A and 1C), the wearer
will know when to insert or remove an insulative member from the
pocket. The various layering options afforded by embodiments of the
present invention allow use in a variety of climates.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 2A-B, any or all of material layers
300, 301, 302 may extend from front panel 204 to form back section
106; alternatively, back section 106 may be formed from one or more
separate material layers, which are attached to front panel 204 at
an edge 212, for example, via a stitched seam; in either case, back
section 206 preferably includes an elastic portion, for example,
according to any of the embodiments previously described for back
section 6 of carrier 2 (FIGS. 1A-B), and a construction of back
section 206 is preferably tailored to a particular climate, for
example, being insulated, like front panel 204, in colder climates,
or open, to allow air flow therethrough for warmer climates, as
previously described in conjunction with FIG. 1B. Furthermore, sash
240 may be an extension of layers 300, 301, 302, or be formed from
one or more separate material layers attached to back section 206
at edge 211, for example, via a stitched seam. According to
preferred embodiments, an entirety of sash 240 is formed from a
comfortable and relatively soft and draping material, for example,
cotton or nylon, which may include a native print; and, preferably,
that portion of sash 240 which extends over front panel 204, when
wrapped, includes a lining to provide warmth and comfort to infant
10, for example, formed from a polar fleece or wool material. For
colder climates, another layer of insulative material, for example,
Thinsulate.TM., may be included in sash 240. When wrapping member
210 is unwrapped and separated from the mother, sash 240 may be
used as blanket for infant 10, who remains held against interior
surface 214 of front panel 204, as previously described above, in
conjunction with FIG. 1A, and similar to that shown in FIG. 6B.
[0034] Turning now to FIGS. 5A-B, an infant carrier 5, according to
some alternate embodiments, will be described. FIGS. 5A-B
illustrate a wrapping member 500 of carrier 5 including a plurality
of sections extending between a first free edge 522 and a second
free edge 524; the plurality of sections includes a front panel 504
and a back section, which is divided into a first portion 506A,
extending from a first side of front panel 504, and a second
portion 506B, extending from a second side of front panel 504. FIG.
5A further illustrates front panel 504 including a top terminal
edge 526 and a bottom terminal edge 518, such that panel 504 has a
width that would extend along a length of the a torso, for example,
similar to wrapping members 20, 210 of FIGS. 1A and 4A-E,
respectively. FIGS. 5A-B further illustrate carrier 5 including
first and second mating parts 562A, 562B of a reversible attachment
element 562; first part 562A is shown formed from a plurality of
loops 597 and located along the width of front panel 504, between
front panel 504 and first portion 506A of the back section; and
second part 562B is shown formed by a plurality of straps and
located along second portion 506B of the back section, in proximity
to second free edge 524. According to the illustrated embodiment,
each strap 595 mates with a corresponding loop 597 so that
attachment element 562 holds wrapping member 500 around a torso of
a wearer; all or a portion of bottom terminal edge 518 may be
elasticized to keep bottom terminal edge 518 of front panel 504
snug against a waist of the wearer. FIG. 5B further illustrates a
first end of each strap 595, which end has been passed through a
corresponding loop 597, per the arrow, being folded back onto the
corresponding strap 595, in order to mate with a corresponding
strip of fastening material 509 coupled to an opposite end of the
corresponding strap 595; according to an exemplary embodiment,
strips 509 are formed from a hook-and-loop type material and mating
strips of this material are coupled to the first end of each strap
595.
[0035] With reference to FIG. 5A, an inner seat 580 is shown
attached to an interior surface 514 of a portion 530 of front panel
504. Seat 580 is constructed, similar to the previously-described
seat 280 of carrier 200 (FIG. 2A), including two leg openings and
an upper opening, through which the infant may be inserted, for
example, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. According to some embodiments,
portion 530 may be separated from the rest of wrapping member 500
along edges 620 and 640, for example, via zipper mechanisms.
Separation of portion 530 may be desirable in order to wash
separately portion 530, and/or, when infant 10 is still held within
seat 580, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, to separate
infant 10 from the mother's chest, while maintaining portion 530 as
an interface between infant 10 and a surface on which the infant is
laid, for example, for feeding the infant or for the purpose of
performing a medical checkup. As such, portion 530 may be
constructed to include an extra thick insulation layer (reference
layer 300 of FIG. 3), for example, a layer of Thinsulate.TM.
insulation sandwiched between two layers of fabric, such as cotton,
or constructed to include a separate, extra layer of padding
between the outer and inner layers (reference layers 301, 302 of
FIG. 3), to make portion 530 more mattress-like. It should be noted
that, for any of the other previously described carriers 2, 200,
such a padding may be included in front panel 4, 204, and either or
both of front panels 4, 204 may also include a separable portion
like portion 530.
[0036] Although not shown in FIGS. 5A-B, it should be appreciated
that a sash 740, which is shown in FIG. 6B, may be attached to
portion 530 of front panel 504; when portion 530 is separated from
wrapping member 500, sash 740 may be wrapped around portion 530 and
over infant 10, as shown in FIG. 6B, in order to function like a
blanket or a shawl to completely cover infant 10 and thereby keep
infant 10 warm; alternately, even if portion 530 is not separated
from the rest of wrapping member 500, sash 740 may be wrapped about
infant 10, as shown, and also engulf the rest of wrapping member
500. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, when wrapping
member 500 is wrapped around a torso, sash 740 wraps over an
exterior surface thereof, similar to sash 40 of wrapping member 20
(FIGS. 1A and 1D), or sash 240 of wrapping member 210 (FIG. 4E), to
further support infant 10 carried in carrier 5. With reference back
to FIGS. 2A-B and 4A-E, it may be appreciated that, when device 200
is separated from around the torso of the person, that infant 10
may continue to be held in device 200, being wrapped within
wrapping member 210 so that front panel 204, for example, including
a cushioning layer, acts as an interface between infant 10 and a
surface, on which the infant is laid, and sash 240 can be wrapped
around infant 10 to completely cover the infant in a manner similar
to that illustrated in FIG. 6B.
[0037] FIG. 6A further illustrates optional additional seats 581
and 582, which are provided to either accommodate infants of
different sizes, or to accommodate infant 10 as he grows, rather
than a single detachable/adjustable seat, like the
previously-described seat 280. Thus, according to the embodiment of
FIG. 6A, inner seats 580, 581 and 582 may be fixedly attached to
interior surface 514. According to an alternate embodiment, which
is illustrated in FIG. 6C, an optional additional seat 583 is not
only positioned lower on section 530 but is sized larger, in order
to accommodate the grown infant 10 or another larger infant. Like
inner seats 580, 581, 582 of FIG. 6A, inner seats 580 and 583 of
FIG. 6C may be fixedly attached to interior surface 514. According
to some preferred embodiments of the present invention, any or all
of seats 280, 580, 581, 582, 583, are detachable from interior
surface 214, 514 of wrapping member 210, 500 for separate washing
and/or disposal and replacement. According to some embodiments, the
seats are formed from a modern day diaper material, for example,
which includes a hygroscopic substance such as polyacrylate, that
can be washed and dried over two to three times, but which does not
include any non-biodegradable plastics.
[0038] In the foregoing detailed description, the invention has
been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it
may be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be
made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth
in the appended claims.
* * * * *