U.S. patent application number 13/646929 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-10 for protective liner.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE LITTLE LINEN COMPANY PTY LTD. The applicant listed for this patent is THE LITTLE LINEN COMPANY PTY LTD. Invention is credited to Ben Wilson.
Application Number | 20140096320 13/646929 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50431569 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140096320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilson; Ben |
April 10, 2014 |
PROTECTIVE LINER
Abstract
A multilayer protective liner in the form of a cot bumper is
provided to protect infants when sleeping or resting in a bedding
arrangement such as a cot or crib. In one form, the cot bumper has
two outer surfaces of a quilted padded mesh material which not only
provides protection against accidental or inadvertent contact with
exposed hard surfaces of the cot or crib, but also provides for air
circulation around and through the protective layer so as to
produce a healthier environment for the sleeping or resting infant.
The cot bumper has at least one inner core layer of a perforated
resilient panel located in a pocket or envelope of mesh material
formed by rows of transverse stitching at spaced apart locations.
The advantage of the cot bumper is that it provides more or less
continuous protection whilst allowing air movement around and
through the cot or crib.
Inventors: |
Wilson; Ben; (Oakleigh South
VIC, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE LITTLE LINEN COMPANY PTY LTD |
Oakleigh South VIC |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE LITTLE LINEN COMPANY PTY
LTD
Oakleigh South VIC
AU
|
Family ID: |
50431569 |
Appl. No.: |
13/646929 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D 15/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/424 |
International
Class: |
A47D 15/00 20060101
A47D015/00 |
Claims
1. A barrier suitable for location within the interior of a bedding
arrangement having one or more unyielding structural components,
comprising a first outer layer made from an air permeable first
material located on one side of the barrier, a second outer layer
made from an air permeable second material located on the other
side of the barrier, and at least one intermediate layer located
intermediate the first outer layer and the second outer layer to
form a core layer, the intermediate layer having a greater
thickness than either of the first or second outer layers in order
to provide a barrier between an infant located in the sleeping
arrangement and the one or more unyielding structural components of
the sleeping arrangement, said first outer layer being connected to
said second outer layer at spaced apart locations to form segments
along one dimension of the barrier in order to maintain the
location of the intermediate layer between the first and the second
outer layers, to provide protection for the infant against contact
with the unyielding components, wherein said intermediate layer is
air permeable such that when the protective barrier is located in
place with respect to the bedding arrangement, air is able to move
across and/or around the bedding arrangement to provide a safe
and/or healthy environment for the person using the bedding
arrangement.
2. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the bedding arrangement
is a cot, crib, bassinet, carry cot, portable cot or other device
in which infants, babies or young children can be located to sleep,
rest or relax.
3. A barrier according to claim 2 in which the barrier is located
around the inside of the cot to protect infants form contacting
exposed hard surfaces of structural or rigid parts or components of
the cot.
4. A barrier according to claim 3 in which the protective liner is
a cot bumper in which the cot bumper is a single item or two or
more items which can be joined together to form the cot bumper.
5. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the first and second
outer layers are air permeable layers being made from an open weave
mesh material having a plurality of cavities, spaces, voids or the
like defined between threads or filaments forming the mesh.
6. A barrier according to claim 1 in which either the first outer
layer or the second outer layer, or both, is a flexible layer made
from a fabric or fabric-like material including natural or
synthetic materials such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, polyester or any
other suitable material which is breathable.
7. A barrier according to claim 5 in which the mesh material is a
knitted material.
8. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the first or the second
or both outer layers are each a single layer, a double layer, a
triple layer, or a multiple layer having a number of layers of
material joined together.
9. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the outer layer is
formed from a single sheet of suitable material by being folded
back upon itself to form two or more layers superposed on one
another.
10. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the outer layer is made
from a multitude of separate sheets or strips joined together to
form a laminate structure of multiple layers.
11. A barrier according to claim 5 in which the voids, cavities or
similar of the mesh of each layer of the outer layer are superposed
upon each other either wholly or partially so as to be in register
with each other, or in partial overlapping or staggered
relationship caused by the offsetting of the voids of the separate
layers with each other to form a network of voids providing air
circulation through the outer layer.
12. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the first and second
outer layers are connected or fastened to one another by suitable
fastening arrangement.
13. A barrier according to claim 12 in which the suitable fastening
arrangement includes being sewn together by suitable threadlike or
filamentary material, including cotton thread, silk thread or the
like, by being bonded together using a suitable bonding agent such
as an adhesive, glue, or the like, or the fastening arrangement
includes a mechanical fastener.
14. A barrier according to claim 13 in which the two outer layers
are fastened together by permanent fixed fasteners, by releasably
securable fasteners, by removable fasteners, temporary fasteners or
similar.
15. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the outer layer is in
the form of a sheet, strip or the like, of a rectilinear shape in
which one end of the sheet or strip is joined to the other end of
the sheet or strip to form the protective liner.
16. A barrier according to claim 15 in which the sheets or strips
of the outer layer are connected to each other at a plurality of
spaced apart locations.
17. A barrier according to claim 16 in which the connection of the
two outer layers is by stitching extending from one longitudinal
side to the other longitudinal side so as to form a transverse row
or line of stitching.
18. A barrier according to claim 17 in which the outer layers at
least are divided into segments by spaced apart lines or rows of
stitching extending transversely between two longitudinal sides to
form enclosed or sealed pockets, envelopes, compartments or the
like.
19. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the rows or lines of
transverse stitching form a plurality of pockets arranged in
side-by-side relationship to one another along the length of the
barrier to form a segmented array or sections or panels.
20. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the rows of transverse
stitching form hinges allowing two adjacent sections or segments of
the barrier to hingedly move with respect to each other to allow
the protective liner to be folded upon itself for storage,
transportation or similar and to adopt an extended configuration
for use with the sleeping arrangement.
21. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the intermediate layer
is received within the pocket, envelope or similar formed between
the two outer layers.
22. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the intermediate layer
is a multitude or plurality of individual panels in which the
individual panels are located in respective pockets or envelopes
formed between the two outer layers.
23. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the pockets, envelopes
or compartments are closed or sealed along all four edges to
contain and confine the panels within the pockets.
24. A barrier according to claim 1 further including one or more
reinforcing elements or reinforcements along one or both of the
longitudinally extending side edges of the barrier to strengthen
the barrier and provide additional protection by way of additional
layers or thickness of fabric contributing to the padding and
protective characteristics of the barrier.
25. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer
in the form of individual panels has a thickness greater than the
combined thickness of the two outer layers.
26. A barrier according to claim 22 in which the individual panels
are perforated such as for example, by having a multiplicity of
vents, apertures, perforations, holes, voids, cavities, channels,
pores, open cells, or the like through the thickness of the panel
allowing air to pass through the panel and to move across the
sleeping space of the bedding arrangement to be circulated around
the infant thereby reducing the concentration of carbon dioxides in
the vicinity of the face or head of the infant.
27. A barrier according to claim 26 in which the size of the
individual perforations of the panels or of intermediate layer is
greater than the size of the voids of the mesh of the outer
layers.
28. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer
is made from a material which is resiliently deformable,
elastically deformable, or the like.
29. A barrier according to claim 26 in which the apertures of the
intermediate layer are arranged in a pattern or array having a
multiplicity of rows and a multiplicity of columns.
30. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer
is made from soft material, padded material, resilient material,
flexible material, elastomeric material, foamed material,
elastically deformable material, resiliently deformable material or
similar for providing a soft feel barrier.
31. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer
is in the form of a core panel in which the core panel is made from
a foam material, including a polyester foam, a polyether foam, a
polyurethane foam, or other suitable foam material having an open
or closed cellular structure or reticular structure or a
combination of open and closed cell structures.
32. A barrier according to claim 31 in which the intermediate layer
is made from a foam material having a range of densities, typically
the range of densities of the foam is from 15 to 20 dpi.
33. A barrier according to claim 1 in which one or both of the
outer layers is a quilted material.
34. A cot bumper for use with a cot to provide protection for an
infant located within the cot, said cot bumper having a first outer
layer of a breathable mesh material on one side of the cot bumper,
a second outer layer of a breathable mesh material located on the
other side of the cot bumper and an intermediate layer located
intermediate the first outer mesh layer and the second outer mesh
layer, said intermediate layer forming the core of the cot bumper
and having the form of a multiplicity of perforated panels, at
least some of the perforated panels having a multiplicity of air
vents, wherein said first and second outer layers are connected to
one another at spaced apart locations to form pockets for receiving
individual perforated panels to form a segmented array of
interconnected panels so that the cot bumper is permeable to air
thereby allowing air to pass through and/or around the cot bumper
to provide a safe and/or healthy environment for the infant.
35. A method of protecting an infant in a bedding arrangement from
potential injury from contacting a structural component of the
bedding arrangement comprising the steps of locating a protective
barrier around at least part of the interior of the bedding
arrangement so as to provide a protective barrier preventing or
reducing contact by the infant with the structural component of the
bedding arrangement and locating the infant in the bedding
arrangement in which the protective barrier comprises a first outer
breathable mesh layer located on one side of the barrier, a second
outer breathable mesh layer located on the other side of the
barrier, and an intermediate core layer located intermediate the
first and second outer breathable mesh layers, wherein the
intermediate core layer is in the form of a plurality of individual
perforated panels, each panel having a multiplicity of air vents,
and said intermediate core layer is in the form of a plurality of
perforated panels wherein the perforated panels are received in
pockets defined by the first and second outer mesh layers such that
the barrier is air permeable to allow movement of air through the
barrier.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to protective liners for
bedding.
[0002] In one form the present invention relates to protective
liners for bedding used by infants and small children, typically
protective liners for use within cots, cribs and other similar
bedding equipment that is used by babies, infants and young
children.
[0003] In one form the present invention relates primarily to
protective liners for location inside a cot or crib to improve the
safety of the environment within which an infant, baby or young
child is located. In one aspect, improvement in the safety of the
environment is to provide protection for the occupant against
contact with the rigid parts of the cot or crib including hard
surfaces associated with the rigid members and structural parts of
the cot. In another aspect, the improvement in the safety of the
environment relates to increased air circulation or air movement
within the sleeping environment.
[0004] The present invention finds particular application as an
improved cot or crib bumper which is insertable inside the interior
of the crib or cot to improve the safety of the sleeping
environment by forming a resilient barrier preventing direct
contact by the infant with the structural or rigid parts of the cot
or crib, or hard exposed surfaces of the cot when the infant is
located within the cot or crib such as when sleeping, resting or
the like.
[0005] Although the present invention will be described with
particular reference to one or more forms of the cot bumper it is
to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not
restricted to the described embodiments but rather the scope of the
invention is more extensive to include other forms and variations
of the protective liner, the use of a variety of diverse materials
in the manufacture of the various arrangements of the protective
liner and the use of the protective liner in applications other
than described.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Cots, cribs and other bedding equipment for use by babies,
infants and young children must be sturdy and strong in order to
form a secure enclosure for receiving the infant such as when
sleeping, particularly where the infant moves around the cot during
sleeping which increases the risk to the infant coming into contact
with a hard surface which may cause injury. The need for a secure
enclosure demands that the cot be made from strong structural
members having rigidity such as posts, rails, and similar members,
such as for example, components made from metal, timber or the
like, such as metallic tubes, timber posts and similar, having hard
surfaces to ensure the cot has the required strength and integrity.
Many of the hard surfaces are exposed.
[0007] In an attempt to provide protection for the infant against
inadvertently striking a hard surface of the structural or rigid
members of the cot, padding, known as cot bumpers, have been used
in a variety of different forms to provide a barrier or protective
layer. However, the protective layer as well as being protective
and providing a layer of padding or similar between the infant and
the hard structural member, must also result in a beneficial
environment being produced around infants, and not be injurious or
detrimental to the health and safety of the infant. Having a
continuous layer of padding usually provides the best impact
protection against striking the exposed hard surfaces of the cot.
However, this continuous layer may not always provide the safest or
healthiest environment for the health of the infant and may not be
without safety concerns for the infant since the continuous surface
in some instances can inhibit the movement of air or circulation of
air in the vicinity of the sleeping infant when located in the
sleeping enclosure since the continuous surface forms a barrier to
air circulation. Preventing or restricting the flow or circulation
of air can produce an unhealthy environment, such as for example an
environment that is conducive to the development of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome (SIDS) which is all too often fatal to the infant.
One explanation for SIDS occurring is thought to be due to the
rebreathing of carbon dioxide exhaled from the sleeping infant. It
is thought that a build up of carbon dioxide in the area around the
mouth and nose of the infant, such as could occur in a closed
sleeping environment could be a health concern by resulting in an
environment that could cause SIDS by the infant being located in an
environment rich in exhaled carbon dioxide. Therefore, there is a
need to provide a sleeping arrangement which is both protective of
the infant by preventing the infant impacting or coming into
contact with exposed hard surfaces or rigid structural members of
the cot but also allows for the circulation of air through the
sleeping arrangement so as to minimise or prevent the build up of
concentrations of carbon dioxide in the immediate vicinity of the
head of the sleeping infant in order to reduce the risk of the
infant being subjected to SIDS. Until now it has been extremely
difficult to provide a protective barrier which satisfies both of
the conflicting requirements of (i) being sufficiently protective
and continuous to provide increased protection, and (ii) allowing
air circulation around and through the sleeping arrangement. If the
barrier is made in a continuous form such as from continuous
protective material in the form of padding or similar, the
circulation and passage of air is blocked. However, if the barrier
is made of a lightweight material which hinders the circulation and
passage of air to a much lesser extent, the lightweight material
provides little or no protection against accidental or inadvertent
contact with the hard exposed surfaces. Thus, there is a need for a
barrier which satisfies both of these apparent conflicting
requirements by providing a barrier which is both protective of
contact with hard objects and does not prevent circulation of air
around the head region of the sleeping infant, or passage of air
through the protective barrier.
[0008] Accordingly it is an aim of the present invention to provide
a protective barrier for a sleeping arrangement which provides
sufficient protection to reduce or eliminate injury but at the same
time also provides for movement of air within and/or through the
sleeping arrangement and/or protective barrier to provide a safe
environment for the sleeping infant, and not subject the infant to
an environment that is conducive to causing SIDS.
[0009] Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to
provide a barrier in the form of a cot bumper which not only
protects the infant against contact with exposed hard surfaces but
also allows passage of air through the barrier to circulate through
the sleeping arrangement.
[0010] Accordingly it is an aim of the present invention to provide
a method of protecting an infant when sleeping in a sleeping
arrangement by providing a barrier which provides sufficient
protection against contact with exposed hard surfaces yet allows
movement of air through the sleeping arrangement.
SUMMARY
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a barrier suitable for location within the interior of a
bedding arrangement comprising a first outer layer made from an air
permeable first material, a second outer layer made from an air
permeable second material and at least one intermediate layer
located intermediate the first outer layer and the second outer
layer to form a core layer, the intermediate layer having a greater
thickness than either of the first or second outer layers in order
to provide a barrier between an infant located in the sleeping
arrangement and the one or more structural components of the
sleeping arrangement, wherein said first outer layer is connected
to said second outer layer at spaced apart locations to maintain
the intermediate layer intermediate the first and the second outer
layers, and wherein said intermediate layer is air permeable such
that when the protective barrier is located in place with respect
to the bedding arrangement, air is able to move across and/or
around the bedding arrangement to provide a safe and/or healthy
environment for a person using the bedding arrangement.
[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a cot bumper for use with a cot to provide protection for
an infant located within the cot, said cot bumper having a first
outer layer of a breathable mesh material, a second outer layer of
a breathable mesh material and an intermediate layer located
intermediate the first outer mesh layer and the second outer
mesh_layer, said intermediate layer forming the core of the cot
bumper and having the form of a multiplicity of perforated panels,
at least some of the perforated panels having a multiplicity of air
vents, wherein said first and second outer layers are connected to
one another at spaced apart locations to form pockets for receiving
individual perforated panels to form a segmented array of
interconnected panels so that the cot bumper is permeable to air
thereby allowing air to pass through and/or around the cot
bumper.
[0013] According to the present invention there is a method of
protecting an infant in a bedding arrangement comprising the steps
of locating a protective barrier around at least part of the
interior of the bedding arrangement so as to provide a protective
barrier preventing or reducing contact by the infant with a hard or
rigid member of the bedding arrangement and locating the infant in
the bedding arrangement in which the protective barrier comprises a
first outer breathable mesh layer, a second outer breathable mesh
layer, and an intermediate core layer located intermediate the
first and second outer breathable mesh layers, wherein the
intermediate layer is in the form of a plurality of individual
perforated panels, each panel having a multiplicity of air vents,
and said intermediate layer is in the form of a_plurality of
perforated panels received in pockets defined by the first and
second outer mesh layers such that the barrier is air permeable to
allow movement of air through the barrier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In one form the bedding arrangement is a bedding enclosure,
compartment or the like. Preferably the bedding enclosure is a
self-contained bedding arrangement. In one form, the bedding
arrangement is a cot, crib, bassinet, carry cot, portable cot, or
other device in which infants, babies and young children can be
located to sleep, rest, relax or the like. A preferred form of the
bedding is a cot or crib forming a secure sleeping enclosure,
cubicle or compartment.
[0015] In one form the barrier is locatable around the inside of
the cot to protect the infant from contacting structural or rigid
parts or components of the cot, such as for example, exposed hard
surfaces of rigid structural support members, such as uprights,
posts, rails, dowels, slats, balusters, sides, ends, or other parts
of the cot or crib or the like including fittings provided to
operate the cot or crib, such as the sliding side of the cot
facilitating access to the cot, such as for placing the infant in
the cot or withdrawing the infant from the cot.
[0016] In one form the barrier is a protective barrier around the
inside of the cot. In one form, the barrier is a protective liner.
In one form, the protective barrier is flexible so as to conform to
the size, shape, style, and the like of the cot, including the
protective barrier being able to adopt any suitable position or
configuration to match the cot, including having perpendicular
walls, sloping walls or the like.
[0017] In one form, the protective liner is a cot bumper.
Typically, the protective liner is a single cot bumper or two or
more cot bumpers, typically, two or more separate cot bumpers that
optionally can be joined together or fastened or attached to each
other to form the cot bumper.
[0018] In one form the protective liner is a cot bumper or similar,
preferably a mesh cot bumper, and more preferably a breathable mesh
cot bumper or the like allowing air to move through the cot bumper,
across the sleeping infant or to circulate around the infant,
particularly to reduce the amount or concentration of carbon
dioxide which could accumulate around the mouth and nose of the
sleeping infant, thereby reducing the incidence or risk of SIDS or
similar conditions.
[0019] In one form, the first and second outer layers may be made
from the same or different materials. The first and/or second outer
layers can be selected from a wide range of different air permeable
materials that are suitable for forming the cot bumper. In one form
the first and second outer layers are made from open weave
materials having a plurality of cavities, spaces, voids or the like
defined between threads.
[0020] In one form the outer layer, whether the first outer layer,
the second outer layer or both, is a flexible layer, such as for
example made from a fabric or fabric-like material, including
natural or synthetic materials, such as cotton, hemp, bamboo,
polyester, or any suitable material. Preferably the outer layer is
a breathable fabric which is air permeable allowing air,
particularly oxygen to pass through the fabric. Typically, the
fabric is permeable to air movement in both directions. More
preferably, the outer fabric layer is a breathable mesh layer
having an open weave construction of a plurality of pores, holes,
apertures, vents, voids, cavities, spaces, channels, bores, or the
like extending from one surface of the material to the outer
surface of the material. In one form, the size of the pores is
relatively small.
[0021] The mesh material can be made from any suitable material
including natural materials, synthetic materials, artificial
materials, handmade materials, or from naturally occurring
materials. In one form the breathable mesh material includes gauze,
voile, muslin, chiffon, georgette, mesh, tulle, netting, or similar
fabric, including combinations of two or more such materials. In
one form, the material or fabric is woven, non-woven, knitted or
the like. Preferably, the fabric or material has a balance of
breathability and coverage to conceal the internal workings as we
well as having aesthetics with function. The preferred material is
a mesh having a suitable breathability rating. In one form the
fabric or material is also serviceable and has a continuity of
spacing in the fabric.
[0022] In one form, one of the outer layers, i.e. the first outer
layer, is an inwardly facing layer or a layer primarily adapted to
form the inner layer in use when located within the cot. In one
form, this inwardly facing or inwardly oriented layer is a single
layer, double layer, triple layer or multiple layer having any
number of layers of mesh material. The layers can be formed by a
single sheet of suitable material being folded back upon itself to
form the multiple layers. The layers can be formed by having a
number of sheets superposed on one another to form a multilayered
laminated structure. In one form, the inwardly facing layer is a
padded layer or a layer having padding, such as for example, a
quilted padded layer.
[0023] In one form, one of the outer layers, i.e. the second outer
layer, is an outwardly facing layer or a layer which engages with
the side of the cot. In one form, this outwardly facing or
outwardly oriented layer is a single, double, triple or multilayer.
In one form the voids of the mesh of each layer are designed with
each other to be superposed either wholly or partially with each
other or are in partial overlapping or staggered relationship with
each other caused by the offsetting of the separate layers to form
a network of voids to provide for air circulation through each
layer, and through the entire surface of the cot bumper. The
multiple layers can be formed from a single sheet folded over upon
itself, or from multiple separate sheets superposed on one another
to form the multilayer structure. In one form, the second outer
layer is a padded layer or has padding, such as for example, a
quilted padded layer.
[0024] In one form, the outer layer or layers of mesh material are
soft, open weave, cotton material, typically 100% cotton material,
which form a natural breathable cushioning layer or
environment.
[0025] In one form, each or both outer layers are soft, open weave,
bamboo material, typically 100% bamboo. However, in other forms,
the mesh material is a blend of bamboo material and cotton. In one
form, the bamboo material is a bamboo grass material, including
fibres made from bamboo grass. The bamboo material or bamboo blend
material forms a natural breathable cushioning layer or
environment.
[0026] In one form the first and second outer layers are connected
or fastened to one another, such as for example, by any suitable
means including being sewn together by suitable threadlike or
filamentary material, such as cotton thread, silk thread, or the
like; by being bonded together by a suitable bonding agent, such as
adhesive, glue, paste or the like; being fastened together by
permanent fixing fasteners; being fastened together by removable
fasteners, releasably securable fasteners, temporary fasteners or
the like, including buttons, press studs, clips, snap lock fittings
or fasteners or the like.
[0027] In one form the first and/or second outer layers are in the
form of sheets, strips, or the like, typically being rectilinear in
shape, such as being generally rectangular in which the length
corresponds to the perimeter of the cot and the width corresponds
to the height of the cot, or more particularly, to the height of
the bumper when in the cot. In one form the sheets or strips are
connected to each other at a plurality of spaced apart locations.
In one form the side edges are stitched together along the
longitudinal edges. In one form, the layers are divided into
segments by spaced apart lines or rows of stitching extending
transversely between the two longitudinal sides to form enclosed or
sealed segments, envelopes, pockets, compartments or the like. In
one form, there is a plurality of pockets arranged in side by side
relationship to one another to form a segmented array extending
more or less entirely along the longitudinal length of the
bumper.
[0028] In one form the row or rows of transverse stitching forms
hinges allowing two adjacent pockets containing individual
perforated panels to hingedly move with respect to each other to
allow the bumper to be folded upon itself for storage, for
transportation, or to conform or adopt more closely to the actual
shape and/or size of the interior profile or contour of the cot in
order to provide adequate protection against contacting an exposed
hard surface of the cot when located within the cot.
[0029] In one form the intermediate layer, located intermediate the
two outer layers forms the core of the liner. In one form, the
intermediate layer is a multitude or plurality of individual
panels. The individual panels are located in respective ones of the
pockets or envelopes formed between the two outer layers. The
pockets or envelopes are closed or sealed along all four edges to
contain and confine the panels within the pockets. In one form, the
transverse lines of stitching forming the transverse sides of the
pockets also form the hinges between adjacent panels.
[0030] In one form reinforcing or reinforcements, typically in the
form of a reinforcement strip, bias binding or similar, is located
along one or both of the longitudinally extending side edges, of
the cot bumper to strengthen the cot bumper and to provide
additional protection by way of additional layers or thickness of
fabric material, padding or similar.
[0031] In one form the intermediate layer in the form of the
individual panels have a thickness greater than the thickness of
either of the two outer layers, preferably a thickness greater than
the combined thickness of the two outer layers, even if each or
both outer layers are themselves, a multilayered or laminated
structure. In some embodiments, the thickness of the intermediate
layer is considerably thicker than the thickness of either of the
outer layers individually or collectively.
[0032] In one form, the individual panels received in the pockets
formed from the two outer layers are air permeable, allowing air to
pass through and/or around the individual panels and also the
bumper. Preferably, the panels are perforated, such as for example,
having a multiplicity of pores, vents, apertures, holes, voids,
cavities, channels, bores, open cells, or the like through the
thickness of the panel through which air can pass so as to allow
air to move across the sleeping space of the cot and/or to be
circulated around the infant, particularly around the head of the
infant so as to reduce the incidence of SIDS by preventing the
build up of carbon dioxide in the immediate vicinity of the face
and/or head of the infant. In one form the size of the individual
perforations is relatively large, such as for example, being
greater, preferably considerably greater in size than the size of
the pores or voids of the mesh of the outer layers. In one form,
the voids of the panel are optimized to maximize airflow through
the layer whilst maintaining padding. In one form the voids should
result in the panels and the cot bumper being suitable for folding
for packing, storage and transportation of the cot bumper. It is to
be noted that the panel provides the majority of protection against
accidental or inadvertent contact with the exposed hard surfaces of
the cot, with the outer layers contributing to the protection by
providing auxiliary padding for protection.
[0033] In one form the panel is typically in the form of a tablet,
insert, inner padding, core, partition or the like having
perforations in the form of circular holes which are spaced apart
from each other. Typically, the perforations are sized and shaped
to provide maximum airflow through the panel and the like, and
through the cot bumper whilst permitting the panels and/or cot
bumper to squash down, compact, deflate, collapse, crush, or the
like, such as for example, when being stood upon by the infant in
the cot, such as for example, to prevent the bumper from providing
leverage or acting like a springboard, step, trampoline or the like
for use by the infant to escape the confines of the cot by jumping
on the cot bumper or otherwise using the bumper to gain height to
project themselves over the side or end of the cot or to provide a
"let up" to climb over the side or end of the cot.
[0034] Circular holes or apertures enable margins of solid padding
to be formed around the solid panels whilst maximizing the hole or
core volume, such as for example the holes or apertures being
arranged in columns and rows in which adjacent columns are
staggered with respect to each other and adjacent rows being
staggered with respect to each other to form a repeating off set
pattern of rows and columns.
[0035] The voids can have any suitable size, shape, pattern, cell
structure, configuration or the like.
[0036] The panels can be made from any suitable material or have
any suitable composition.
[0037] In one form, the material from which the individual panels
of core material can be made includes soft material, padded
material, resilient material, flexible material, elastomeric
material, foamed material, elastically deformable material,
resiliently deformable material or the like typically providing a
soft feel barrier. Preferably, the core panels are a foam material,
including polyester foam, polyether foam, polyurethane foam, or
other suitable material having an open or closed cellular structure
or reticular structure or combinations of open and closed cell
structures.
[0038] In one form the core material is ethylene vinyl acetate
(EVA) which is a material that approaches an elastomeric material
in softness and flexibility. However, the resilience or `padding`
effect or EVA is towards the lower end of the spectrum of materials
that can be incorporated into the liner of the present invention to
provide safe protective padding. Other examples of suitable
materials include EVA, polyurethane, rubber, both natural and
synthetic, PTE, PLA, PET, PTU, foam or combinations thereof.
[0039] In one form, the material from which the inner core panels
are made is a foam material having a range of densities. Typically,
the range of densities of the foam is from 15 to 60 ppi or dpi.
Preferably, the foamed material is a reticulated material. In one
form, the foam material is a filter foam allowing air to pass
through or circulate around whilst trapping and containing
contaminant particles in the voids of the cellular structure of the
foam material. In one form, the foam material could be a
polyethylene terephthalate polymer (PET), being a thermoplastic
polyester material in fibre form. Other materials can be used as
the intermediate layer provided it is structured or perforated to
permit air circulation of passage of air through the intermediate
layer.
[0040] In one form the intermediate or core of the protective liner
is a single layer, or a multiple layer of two, three, four or more
individual layers. In one form, the individual layers can be of the
same material or of different materials. In one form, the
intermediate core is of a triple layer construction having a firmer
inner core and two softer outer layers to provide an overall
resilient material having a soft feel outer layer with a padding
feel and structure but a strengthening inner core.
[0041] In one form, the intermediate layer is a triple layer
construction of three separate sheets or a three layer laminate
structure or the like in which, in one example, the two outside
layers are formed from a single sheet being folded over itself. In
one preferred form, the intermediate or core layer comprises two
outer core layers in which each outer core layer is a high-tech
three dimensional air permeable sheet constructed to exacting
firmness using inherently anti bacterial and serviceable polyester.
An inner core layer is located intermediate the two outer core
layers.
[0042] In one form, the inner core layer is sandwiched between the
two outer core layers which, in effect, form skins or coverings of
the inner core layer. In one form, the inner core layer is a
foundation layer comprising a plurality of flexible, sturdy, impact
absorbing interlaced filaments which return to their original form
after being deformed, deflected, crushed or the like.
[0043] In one form, the intermediate core material is a composite
material which is resilient and has a padding effect to protect the
infant against contact with the exposed rigid structural members or
hard surfaces of the cot, crib or similar.
[0044] In one form the protective liner is made from one or more
outer layers of air permeable material such as an open weave
material or breathable mesh material and an inner core layer of
padding or resilient material. In one form this combination of
composite material is interconnected together by bonding such as
adhesives or by fasteners or by stitching using threads or
filaments. In one form the stitching is in one or more continuous
line or lines or in a multiplicity of different lines such as for
example, intersecting lines in a variety of different patterns,
such as for example in the form of quilting or similar.
[0045] In one form the protective liner is made of a knitted
construction or from one or more layers of knitted fabric. In one
form, the knitted construction has bands of knitting of different
properties and/or appearances. Typically the bands have different
tensions. In one form the technical properties required of the
protective liner are determined by the different knitting
constructions within the one liner. In one form, the protective
liner is quilted by having one or more lines of stitching joining
the two outer layers to one another to alter the appearance and
function of the quilted liner. In one form, the cot bumper is
quilted to produce a padded intermediate core in which the core is
of padding material and the lines of stitching define a pocket or
envelope for containing the padding therein. Preferably, the padded
intermediate core is provided with apertures, holes, bores,
channels, voids, cavities or the like for passage of air
therethrough. In other embodiments the outer layers are air
permeable.
[0046] In one form, the pattern of stitching is a diamond quilting
pattern involving stitching through all layers which combines all
layers together thereby ensuring cross-dimensional stability,
preferably, optimum cross-dimensional stability. In other forms,
the diamond quilting pattern is through one or both of the outer
layers only, and not through the core.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] Embodiments of forms of the protective liner in the forms of
cot bumpers will now be described to illustrate an example of the
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a cot bumper
located around the interior of a cot.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cot bumper of FIG. 1
shown in isolation in an unfolded configuration prior to use.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cot bumper of FIG. 1
shown in location in a partially folded configuration.
[0051] FIG. 4 is a close up view of the part of the cot bumper of
FIG. 3 shown in circle A showing more detail of the construction of
the cot bumper.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cot bumper of FIG. 2 in
a fully folded configuration.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of the
interconnection between two adjacent perforated panels of the cot
bumper of FIG. 1.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a fragmented view of one form of a cot bumper
showing in more detail, the method of construction or fastening of
one form of the cot bumper of FIG. 1.
[0055] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
cot bumper showing one form of a quilting pattern of the outer
layer.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the cross-section of another
form of the layers forming one form of the cot bumper.
SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE DESCRIPTION
[0057] In FIGS. 1 to 7 is shown one embodiment of the protective
liner in accordance with the present invention, in the form of a
cot bumper, generally denoted as 20 as an example of the invention.
Before describing the form of cot bumper 20 in detail, the location
and use of the cot bumper will be described in situ within a
suitable sleeping arrangement, such as a cot. With particular
reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a cot, generally denoted as 2,
typically of a construction having four upright posts 4, located at
or towards each corner of cot 2 to provide support for cot 2. A
mattress and base 3 is provided on or towards the lower part of cot
2. Cot 2 has two ends, 6, 8 and two sides 10, 12. Each end 6, 8 and
each side 10, 12 has both a top rail 14 and a lower rail 16. A
multiplicity of vertical slats 18 are arranged to extend between
upper rail 14 and lower rail 16 of each end 6, 8 and each side 10,
12 in spaced apart substantially parallel relationship to one
another as shown in FIG. 1. Cot bumper 20 is attached to ends 6, 8
and sides 10, 12 in any suitable or convenient manner such as by
being tied to selected posts 4 or the like by ties 19. In one form
cot bumper 20 extends around the inside of both sides 10, 12 and
both ends 6, 8 in the case of the cot 2 which embodiment is not
shown in the drawings, having two fixed sides and two fixed ends
whereas in another form cot bumper 20 has two separate sections
with a first section extending along the inside of both ends 6, 8,
and along one side 10 and a second section, separate from the first
section, extending along the inside of side 12 only, to allow for
raising and lowering movement of side 12 in the event that side 12
is a movable side capable of being raised and lowered to adopt an
access configuration in which side 12 is in a lowered position and
a containment configuration in which side 12 is in a raised
position. The two sections of the cot bumper can be fastened
together as required such as for example, by releaseably securable
or separable fasteners or similar (not shown).
[0058] Bumper 20 can be attached to cot 2 by any suitable means,
including fasteners, such as for example, ties 19, cords, strings,
ribbons or the like, or may be interleaved between selected slats
18 and posts 4 or by the use of a hook and loop fastener, such as
for example VELCRO.RTM. or similar. It is to be noted that bumper
20 may be secured by any suitable means or in any suitable
manner.
[0059] With particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 in one form, cot
bumper 20 has a first outer layer of a breathable mesh material 22
and a second outer layer of a breathable mesh material 24. Layers
22, 24 may be from the same roll or sheet of material folded over
upon itself to form two spaced apart layers. The two free ends of
the sheet or strip cut from the roll can be connected to each other
by being folded over one of their respective longitudinal side
edges. In another form, the sheet or strip is folded over itself
along one transverse edge and the two free edges or ends connected
together. Alternatively two separate strips of the same breathable
mesh material may be superposed over and interconnected to one
another and fastened together such as by stitching around one or
more edges to form an elongate flattened tube like structure of two
superposed layers in an endless loop or similar. A reinforcing
element in the form of a bias binding 26 or similar reinforcement
is located at or along either longitudinal edge to provide
additional protection, such as an extra layer of fabric, padding or
similar for cot bumper 20.
[0060] Outer layers 22 and 24 are each of an open weave
construction being made from a breathable mesh fabric having a
plurality of pores 28 defined between interconnected threads of a
suitable fibre, such as for example, cotton, in which pores 28 are
located throughout the entire area of each layer as shown more
particularly in FIG. 4 by the cross-hatching shading on the surface
of the cot bumper. The myriad of pores 28 are formed by the
knitting pattern employed to weave the mesh fabric and pores 28 are
defined between the threads of the mesh fabric. In one form there
is a single weave of threads to form the mesh pattern of voids 28
whereas in another form there is double weave of threads interwoven
together to form a network of voids 28 in the mesh pattern. In
still other forms, there are multiple strands or threads of
material interwoven together to form an array of voids or layers of
mesh superposed on one another to form the breathable mesh fabric
constituting the first and/or second outer layers of the protective
liner in the form of a cot bumper.
[0061] It is to be noted that any fabric either printed upon or
plain (i.e. without printing), woven, knitted or even cast having
sustainable breathing attributes can be used in the cot bumper.
[0062] A multitude of transverse lines of stitching 30 extend from
one longitudinal side of cot bumper 20 to the other longitudinal
side at spaced apart locations to join the outer layers 22, 24 to
each other to form pockets, envelopes or similar between outer
layers 22, 24 and to allow hinged connection of respective one
section 32 of cot bumper 20 to respective other sections 34 located
adjacent one another as shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 to 6.
The multiple transverse lines of stitching form hinges between
adjacent sections of cot bumper 20 allowing cot bumper 20 to be
folded as shown in FIG. 5 and to be extended as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3. Cot bumper 20 has as many sections as required depending on
the length of the cot bumper. Stitching 30 allows cot bumper 20 to
be turned through about 90.degree. to fit around each corner of cot
2 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0063] The intermediate layer of cot bumper 20 will now be
described. One form of the intermediate layer is in the form of a
perforated panel 40 made from a resilient foam material provided
with a plurality of perforations in the form of circular vents 42
located at spaced apart intervals over the entire surface of panel
40. In one form, vents 42 are located in a regular array of vents
in a pattern of multiple rows of vents and multiple columns of
vents. Other patterns or arrays are possible. The foam material has
a soft feel and is resilient being elastically deformable to
provide padding for cot bumper 20. Each panel 40 is located in
respective pockets formed between the two outer layers 22, 24 as
shown in close up detail in FIG. 6. Panel 40 is confined between
two rows of transverse stitching 30 on either transverse side of
one section 30, and the two longitudinal edges of the same
corresponding section 32 of bumper 20. Row of stitching 30 allows
cot bumper 20 to be converted between a storage or folded
configuration in which panels 40 are folded upon themselves to be
superposed on each other to allow bumper 20 to be stored or
transported when not in use, as shown in FIG. 5 and the extended or
in use configuration in which panels 40 are arranged longitudinally
in sequence from one end of cot bumper 20 to the other end for
placement within cot 2 as shown in FIG. 1. In some form, there are
multiple rows of stitching 30 at the one location extending
transversely from one side of the bumper to the other to not only
seal the core panel within the pocket of that section, but also to
form a hinge allowing adjacent panels to fold with respect to each
other.
[0064] With particular reference to FIG. 7, one form of cot bumper
20 will now be described. End portions 50, 52 of bumper 20 as shown
in FIG. 3, are provided with suitable fasteners for attaching the
respective ends of cot bumper 20 to the body of cot bumper 20. One
suitable form of fasteners is in the form of VELCRO.RTM. strips 54
to join the respective ends 50, 52 of bumper 20 to each other or to
the body of bumper 20 as shown in FIG. 7. VELCRO.RTM. strips 54 are
stitched or otherwise adhered to one of the outer layers 20, 22 of
bumper 20 by a suitable adhesive, bonding agent or by physical
means, such as stitching. End portions 50, 52 which are provided at
either end of bumper 20 are provided with suitable fasteners, such
as Velcro strips to allow end portions 50, 52 to be joined together
to form an endless loop for location within cot 2 to provide a
continuous barrier inside cot 2 as described previously and as
shown in FIG. 1.
[0065] Another form of cot bumper is shown in FIG. 8. This form is
a quilted form 60 having an intermediate layer of padding held in
place by one or more rows of stitching 62 arranged in any suitable
or convenient pattern or arrangement. In one form the padding is
reticulated (filter) PU (polyurethane) foam with DPI in the range
of 15 to 100. However, any suitable material can be used to provide
padding by being air permeable.
[0066] Another form of pattern of stitching is a generally diamond
pattern as shown in FIG. 8 where two or more different lines of
stitching intersect to form general diamond shapes 64 between the
various intersections. It is to be noted that other patterns having
other shapes are possible. End portions 66, 68 are provided at the
respective ends of bumper 60 to allow the two ends of bumper 60 to
be joined to one another to form a continuous bumper for location
around the inside of cot 2 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0067] A further embodiment of the cot bumper is shown in FIG. 9.
In this embodiment, cot bumper 70 comprises a first outer layer 72,
having diamond quilting comprising stitching 74 extending through
the thickness of layer 72 for forming a padding outer layer. In one
form, stitching 74 extends through the entire thickness of all of
the layers of cot bumper 70 to impart optimum cross-dimensional
stability on cot bumper 70. Layer 72 having the diamond quilting is
a soft, open weave, 100% cotton outer layer for forming a natural
breathable cushioning environment for an infant when placed in cot
2.
[0068] The next layer is outer core layer 76 which is a mesh layer
forming an outer layer or skin of core layer 78. Core layer 78 is a
high technology three dimensional core layer having a predetermined
firmness made from antibacterial and serviceable polyester having a
predetermined thickness and resilience. In one form, core layer 78
is made from a foundation material comprising a plurality of
flexible, sturdy, impact absorbing interlaced filaments which are
resiliently connected together to form a network of fibres
impacting resiliency to core layer 78.
[0069] A second outer core layer 80 is provided over the opposite
side or face of core layer 78 to form a skin or outer surface of
core layer 78. Layer 80 is a mesh that is identical or similar to
mesh layer 76.
[0070] The combination of first outer core layer 76, core layer 78
and second outer core layer 80 form the intermediate layer of cot
bumper 70 and constitute one form of the panel located between the
first and second outer layers.
[0071] A second outer layer 82, similar or identical to first layer
72 is provided on the other side of the core. In one form, outer
layer 82 is a second soft, open weave, 100% cotton layer providing
protection and breathability. Layer 82 is provided with rows of
stitching 84 forming a diamond shaped quilting pattern on layer 82
to provide increased padding against contact with a hard exposed
surface.
[0072] In use of a protective liner in the form of a cot bumper 70,
air can pass through the various layers of different materials of
cot bumper 70. One pattern of air flow is shown by arrows "B" of
FIG. 9 which indicate the direction in which air can flow through
the layers of cot bumper 70.
[0073] The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation
and many modifications may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel
feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.
[0074] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention
described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications
other than those specifically described. It is understood that the
invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall
within the spirit and scope.
* * * * *