U.S. patent application number 12/757446 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-05 for portable pad with memory foam insert.
This patent application is currently assigned to AH-GOO-BABY, LLC. Invention is credited to George Telegadis, Karin Telegadis.
Application Number | 20100192305 12/757446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37571877 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100192305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Telegadis; Karin ; et
al. |
August 5, 2010 |
PORTABLE PAD WITH MEMORY FOAM INSERT
Abstract
A portable diaper changing pad with a memory foam insert. The
diaper changing pad comprises a mat with a panel having a body of
memory foam as a cushion. The memory foam insert preferably
comprises a raised head rest section. In one embodiment, the diaper
changing pad further comprises two side section panels which may be
folded over the middle panel. When the side section panels are
folded over the middle panel, the diaper changing pad may be rolled
and securely closed for easy storage and portability. The diaper
changing pad preferably has a terry cloth cover. Other preferred
embodiments include a nonskid bottom surface, a storage bag, and
accessories, such as toys.
Inventors: |
Telegadis; Karin; (Yardley,
PA) ; Telegadis; George; (Yardley, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VEDDER PRICE P.C.
222 N. LASALLE STREET
CHICAGO
IL
60601
US
|
Assignee: |
AH-GOO-BABY, LLC
Yardley
PA
|
Family ID: |
37571877 |
Appl. No.: |
12/757446 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12046765 |
Mar 12, 2008 |
7694371 |
|
|
12757446 |
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|
|
11153483 |
Jun 15, 2005 |
7350252 |
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12046765 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/655 ; 5/655.9;
5/658 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 5/925 20130101;
A47D 15/003 20130101; A47D 5/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/655 ; 5/655.9;
5/658 |
International
Class: |
A47D 5/00 20060101
A47D005/00; A47D 15/00 20060101 A47D015/00 |
Claims
1. A pad comprising a generally rectangular middle panel with two
sides, a top and a bottom, the sides having a length and the top
and bottom having a width that is relative to the length of the
sides such that the length of the sides is approximately two to
three times the width of the top and the bottom, the middle panel
having a top surface and a bottom surface, which surfaces enclose a
foam cushion, two generally rectangular side panels having inner
and outer edges, the inner edges of each side panel attached to a
side of the middle panel, the width of the side panels being about
one half of the width of the middle panel, whereby when the side
panels are folded over the middle panel, the outer edges of the
side panels meet at the center of the middle panel, and a securing
flap attached to the bottom surface of the middle panel, said flat
comprising connectors adapted to maintain the pad in a rolled
condition when the side panels are folded over the middle
panel.
2. The pad of claim 1, wherein the foam cushion comprises a body of
memory foam.
3. The pad of claim 2, wherein said body of memory foam is
approximately 1/8''-1/2'' thick.
4. The pad of claim 2, wherein said body of memory foam comprises a
water-resistant covering.
5. The pad of claim 2, wherein said cushion further comprises a
head rest having a top surface raised above a top surface of said
body of memory foam.
6. The pad of claim 5, wherein said head rest comprises a second
body of memory foam.
7. The pad of claim 6, wherein said body of memory foam is
approximately 1/8''-1/2'' thick and said second body of memory foam
is approximately 1/8''-1/4'' thick.
8. The pad of claim 5, wherein said head rest is a part of said
body of memory foam.
9. The pad of claim 8, wherein the top surface of the head rest
slopes downward to the top surface of said body of memory foam and
wherein the top surface of the head rest is raised no more than
1/4'' above the top surface of said body of memory foam.
10. The pad of claim 1, wherein said cushion is attached to said
middle panel between the top surface and the bottom surface of the
middle panel.
11. The pad of claim 1, wherein said cushion is removable from said
middle panel.
12. The pad of claim 1, wherein said bottom surface comprises an
area of nonskid material.
13. The pad of claim 1, further comprising a bag for holding the
pad in the rolled position.
14. The pad of claim 1, further comprising a strap for holding the
pad in the rolled position.
15. The pad of claim 1, wherein the bag has pockets for
accessories.
16. The pad of claim 1, further comprising at least one attached
accessory.
17. The pad of claim 16, wherein said accessory comprises a toy.
Description
RELATED CO-PENDING APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/046,765, filed Mar. 12, 2008, entitled
"PORTABLE DIAPER CHANGING PAD WITH MEMORY FOAM INSERT", having as
inventors Karin Telegadis et al., owned by instant assignee and
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/153,483 (now U.S. Pat.
No. 7,350,252), filed Jun. 15, 2005, entitled "PORTABLE DIAPER
CHANGING PAD WITH MEMORY FOAM INSERT", having as inventors Karin
Telegadis et al., owned by instant assignee and incorporated in its
entirety herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a diaper changing pad
apparatus, in particular a portable diaper changing pad with a
memory foam insert. Other aspects of the invention are met through
the use of soft, cloth covers.
[0003] A number of diaper changing pads are known in the art.
However, one common problem in the prior art is the lack of comfort
for the baby or infant placed on the changing pad. For example, the
changing pad of U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,150 lacks a comfortable
surface. Moreover, no known prior art diaper changing pads utilize
both a terry cloth cover and a memory foam insert to maximize the
comfort of the baby or infant. Thus, there is a need for such a
diaper changing pad.
[0004] In addition, other prior art changing pads do not
incorporate useful features that would improve the versatility and
portability of a changing pad. For example, the changing pad of
U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2004/0211003 does not incorporate useful
accessories such as toys and baby wipes. The changing pads of U.S.
Patent Pub. No. 2004/0211003 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,552 do not
conveniently roll up for easy transportation and storage.
Therefore, there is a need for a comfortable diaper changing pad
that incorporates such features.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] These needs and others may be met by embodiments of the
present invention which is an improved diaper changing pad having a
memory foam insert.
[0006] In general, the present invention is a diaper changing pad
that comprises a mat and a cushion within said mat, said cushion
comprising a body of memory foam. The disclosed embodiment of this
invention provides a comfortable, portable, water-resistant surface
for changing a baby or infant.
[0007] A preferred embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a mat with several panels that can be folded into a
folded position, and rolled and secured into a rolled position in
order to provide for maximum portability.
[0008] Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention
further comprises a head rest comprising a raised portion or second
body of memory foam, to provide additional comfort to the baby or
infant on the changing pad. Yet another preferred embodiment of the
present invention further comprises accessories, such as toys.
[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are not limiting
but are intended to provide further explanation of the invention
claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate
and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the
invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to
explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will be more readily understood with reference
to the accompanying drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of one open embodiment of the diaper
changing pad of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of one open embodiment of the diaper
changing pad of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of a memory foam insert of one
embodiment of the diaper changing pad of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one partially-folded
embodiment of the diaper changing pad of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one folded embodiment of the
diaper changing pad of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one folded, rolled
embodiment of the diaper changing pad of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of one open embodiment of the diaper
changing pad of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] While the present invention is capable of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrates.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows, generally, a
top view of a diaper changing pad that is one example of the
present invention. The diaper changing pad comprises a mat having a
rectangular middle panel [1] flanked on each side by one of two
similar side panels [2], which preferably have a width no more than
one half the width of the middle panel [1]. In the preferred
embodiment, the middle panel [1] is approximately 10-12 inches wide
and approximately 24-28 inches long, which will comfortably
accommodate most babies. The middle panel [1], which is preferably
made of a soft, comfortable, durable material such as cloth,
encloses a body of memory foam [10]. In order to prevent moisture
damage to the memory foam [10], the middle panel [1] preferably
includes a layer of water-resistant material between the external
cloth surface of the middle panel [1] and the body of memory foam
[10]. Such water-resistant layer can be a coating applied to the
surface of the body of memory foam or a layer connected to the
inside surface of the cloth exterior of the middle panel [1].
[0021] The middle panel [1] also preferably accommodates a raised
head rest section [4] of the memory foam insert, for extra head
comfort. The raised head rest may be a raised portion of the memory
foam insert [10] or a separate body of memory foam connected to the
insert. The raised head rest is described in more detail below in
connection with FIG. 3. When changing a baby's diaper, the user
preferably places the baby on the middle panel [1], with the baby's
head resting on the raised head rest section [4].
[0022] The side panels [2] are attached to the middle panel [1]
such that they may be folded over the middle panel [1]. Most
preferably, the width of the side panels [2] is exactly half of the
width of the middle panel [1], so that the outside edges [3] of the
side panels [2] meet at the center of the middle panel [1] when the
side panels [2] are folded onto the middle panel [1].
The side panels [2], or flaps, are preferably made of thin,
comfortable, durable, soft, and sturdy fabric or other material
(e.g. terry cloth, fine cotton, or canvas), and may alternatively
be lined with a material such as a durable, waterproof plastic.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the same open diaper changing
pad. The bottom of the middle panel [1] preferably comprises a
slide-proof or nonskid surface area [5] such as a pattern or group
of rubber nubs. The bottom edge of the middle panel also preferably
comprises an opening [6] for inserting and removing the memory foam
insert inside the middle panel [1]. The ability to remove the
memory foam insert enables the user to clean or replace the memory
foam, if necessary. The opening [6] is preferably closed with
snaps, but a flap closure or other closure means such as a zipper,
buttons, hook and loop fastener, or other conventional means known
in the art could also be employed to keep the memory foam insert
inside the middle panel [1]. The bottom of the diaper changing pad
also preferably comprises a flap [7] (preferably made of a thin,
durable fabric or other material such as cloth, mesh, nylon, or
spandex) with snaps [8] or some other closure means to secure the
diaper changing pad in the closed, rolled position. In one
embodiment, the flap [7] is a short (approximately 2-4 inches)
section of durable material that is attached to the bottom surface
of the middle panel at the top edge [21] and the side edges [22,
23]. The bottom edge [24] of the flap [7] is not attached to the
middle panel.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a memory foam insert [31], which preferably
comprises a body of memory foam (or visco-elastic polyurethane
foam) which is most preferably 1/8-1/2 inch thick. The memory foam
insert [31] conforms to the shape of the baby or infant's body and
reduces the number of pressure points on the infant. The memory
foam insert [31] may be made of any type of memory or visco-elastic
foam known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the memory foam
insert comprises a raised head rest section [32] which is most
preferably raised 1/8 inch above the main body of the memory foam
insert. The raised head rest section [32] may be formed by the same
piece of memory foam as the memory foam insert [31] or may be a
separate body of piece of memory foam attached to the main body of
the memory foam insert [31]. Preferably, the raised head rest
section [32] swells or slopes upward from the main body of the
memory foam insert [31] to a height of no more than 1/4'' (most
preferably between 1/8'' and 1/4'') above the top surface of the
main body of the memory foam insert [31] measured at the middle of
the top surface of the raised head rest section [32]. Most
preferably, the raised head rest section [32] slopes upward
beginning 3 inches from the top and sides of the memory foam insert
[31]. In the most preferred embodiment, the raised head rest
section [32] is no more than 6 inches in width (from side to side)
and 3 inches in length (from top to bottom). Preferably, the memory
foam insert [31] is covered with a water-repellant coating [33] to
protect the memory foam from moisture and enable the user to easily
wipe and clean the memory foam insert. Most preferably, the
water-repellant coating [33] covers the entire top surface of the
memory foam below 10 inches from the top edge of the memory foam
insert.
[0025] FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 show the same diaper changing pad
embodiment in various stages of closure. In FIG. 4, the side panels
[2] are partially folded toward the middle panel [1]. In FIG. 5,
the side panels [2] are completely folded over the middle panel [1]
into a folded position. In FIG. 6, the completely folded diaper
changing pad of FIG. 5 has been rolled lengthwise and securely
closed with a flap [61] (depicted as part [7] in FIG. 2) in a
rolled position. With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 6, the bottom
edge [24] of the flap [7, 61] secures the diaper changing pad in
the rolled position by folding the bottom edge [24] of the flap [7,
61] over and around the top edge [21] of the middle panel in the
rolled position, in the manner of a folding plastic sandwich bag.
Other suitable means for securing the diaper pad in the rolled
position include snaps or other closure means such as a zipper,
buttons, hook and loop fastener, or other conventional means known
in the art. The portable diaper changing pad is rolled in order to
preserve the integrity of the memory foam insert and create a
compact and portable assembly. The cylindrical rolled diaper
changing pad is preferably approximately 10-12 inches long and 2
inches in diameter, to provide for convenient portability.
Preferably, the rolled diaper changing pad may be stored and
transported in a bag that is sized to hold the changing pad in the
rolled position. The bag preferably has pockets for storing
accessories, such as toys, baby wipes, pacifiers, food, and other
useful articles.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows the bottom view of an alternative embodiment of
the present invention. A strap [81] is attached (by detachable
clips, stitching, or other connection means known in the art) to
the side edges [82, 83] of the middle panel [84] near the top (or,
alternatively, bottom) edge of the middle panel [84]. Most
preferably, the strap [81] is detachably attached with plastic
clips. The strap [81] is preferably adjustable in length, or made
of an elastic material. When the diaper changing pad is folded and
rolled into the rolled position, the strap may be wrapped around
the diameter of the rolled diaper changing pad to the opposite side
of the diaper changing pad to secure the diaper changing pad in the
rolled position. Most preferably, the strap [81] may be slung over
the user's shoulder or around the user's waist in order to
conveniently transport the rolled diaper changing pad. If the user
transports the diaper changing pad around his or her waist, then
the diaper changing pad can be unrolled on a surface in front of
the user without removing the strap [81] from the user's waist, or,
the strap can be removed (if attached with clips or another
removable connection means known in the art). FIG. 6 shows a view
of a strap [62] on one embodiment of the present invention in the
rolled position. The strap [62] is attached to the rolled diaper
changing pad with detachable clips [63].
[0027] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention
further comprising accessories, such as a toy [71] and a pacifier
[72]. Such accessories may be attached to hooks [70] on the mat, or
by other attachment means such as straps, snaps, hook and loop
fasteners, pockets, or other conventional means known in the
art.
[0028] It is to be understood that numerous changes and
modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of this
invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *