Comfort apparatus for a mother and an infant

Abstract

A comfort apparatus for use by a parent and an infant. The comfort apparatus has a parent support and comfort arrangement and an infant portion. The parent support and comfort means is operable to support at least part of the back of an individual when the individual is lying laterally. The infant portion can support an infant. The parent support and comfort arrangement and the infant portion are joined or are adapted to be joinable to one another.

Claims

1. A comfort apparatus for use by a parent and an infant, the comfort apparatus comprising a parent support and comfort means, the parent support and comfort means comprising an elongate cushion apparatus, wherein the elongate cushion apparatus comprises a middle section, a first end section and a second end section, and wherein the first end section and/or the second end section are separable from the middle section, wherein the comfort apparatus further comprises an infant portion and wherein the infant portion comprises a support mat for supporting the infant, an infant support and safety means for supporting an infant and preventing the infant from falling out of the infant portion, and a barrier for preventing the parent from rolling onto the infant when in use, the barrier and the infant support and safety means being spaced apart defining a space therebetween, and wherein the support mat and the parent support and comfort means are releasably joinable to one another by a joining means or are joined by a joining means.

2. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parent support and comfort means is sized such that it is operable to support both the head and legs of a parent simultaneously.

3. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infant portion is sized to accommodate all of the body of an infant lying on the infant portion.

4. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining means is adapted to be releasably fixable to a parent such that it can be used as a privacy cover when breastfeeding.

5. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the joining means comprises a neck strap such that it can be used as a cover when breastfeeding.

6. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infant support and safety means is substantially wedge-shaped.

7. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the infant support and safety means is substantially crescent shaped.

8. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a barrier support means.

9. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the barrier comprises a barrier support means cover.

10. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the barrier support means comprises a base portion and an upwardly extending portion that extends upwardly from the base portion.

11. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the infant portion comprises a means for locating the barrier support means relative to the support mat.

12. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for locating the barrier support means comprises a retaining arrangement such as a strap, pocket or hook-and-loop fasteners operable to receive and/or retain at least a part of the barrier support means on the infant portion.

13. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support mat comprises a cushioning layer and wherein the infant portion comprises a protective layer, wherein the protective layer envelops the cushioning layer.

14. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base portion of the barrier support means has a flat portion and wherein the flat portion is located between the cushioning layer and the protective layer.

15. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cushioning layer is shaped to accommodate the barrier support means, and wherein the cushioning layer comprises one or more grooves or an aperture for accommodating the barrier support means.

16. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the infant portion comprises a pocket for receiving the flat portion, the flat portion further having two grooves sized to accommodate the dimensions of the pocket for locating and retaining the flat portion within the pocket.

17. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support mat is shaped to support the head of an infant when the comfort apparatus is being used for feeding.

18. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining means is adjustable such that the distance between the parent support and comfort means and the infant portion can be adjusted.

19. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infant portion and/or the parent support and comfort means are joined to the joining means via a zip, buttons, snap buttons or fasteners, hook-and-eye arrangements, adhesives and/or pins.

20. The comfort apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the distance between the infant portion and the parent support and comfort means can be altered by altering where on the joining means the infant portion and/or the parent support and comfort means are connected.

Description

(1) The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which shows by way of example only two embodiments of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a comfort apparatus according to an aspect of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the comfort apparatus of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the comfort apparatus of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the parent support and comfort arrangement of the comfort apparatus of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the parent support and comfort arrangement of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the parent support and comfort arrangement of FIG. 4.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first end section and the second section of the parent support and comfort arrangement of FIG. 4 shown detached from the middle section.

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first end section and the second section as shown in FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 9 is a plan view of the first end section and the second section of FIG. 8.

(11) FIG. 10 is a plan view of the infant portion of the comfort apparatus of FIG. 1.

(12) FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the infant portion of FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the infant portion of FIG. 10.

(14) FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the infant portion of FIG. 10.

(15) FIG. 14 is an expanded view of the infant portion of FIG. 10.

(16) FIG. 15 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a comfort apparatus according to the invention.

(17) FIG. 16 is a perspective exploded view of the comfort apparatus in FIG. 15.

(18) FIG. 17 is a plan view of the parent support and comfort arrangement of the comfort apparatus shown in FIG. 15.

(19) FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the joining arrangement of the comfort apparatus shown in FIG. 15.

(20) FIG. 19 is a plan view of the infant portion of the comfort apparatus of FIG. 15.

(21) FIG. 20 is an expanded view of the infant portion in FIG. 19.

(22) In the FIGS. 1 to 14 there is shown a first embodiment of a comfort apparatus indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The comfort apparatus 1 has an infant support and safety arrangement 2, barrier 3 and a parent support and comfort apparatus 4. In use, the infant support and safety arrangement 2 supports an infant and prevents the infant from falling out of the comfort apparatus 1, the barrier 3 prevents the adult from moving substantially towards the infant, and the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 supports and comforts the adult when the adult is breastfeeding the infant. The parent support and comfort apparatus 4 supports the back of an adult when the adult is lying laterally. The comfort apparatus 1 is adaptable for use as a headrest, leg-rest, footrest and pregnancy pillow. The parent support and comfort apparatus 4 is soft and resilient and has an elongate cushion apparatus 5. The elongate cushion apparatus 5 is modifiable such that the length of the elongate cushion apparatus 5 can be modified by a user. Reducing the length of the elongate cushion apparatus 5 makes it suitable for use as a multi-functional pillow shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, adaptable to support an infant for breastfeeding, “tummy time” and for sitting upright.

(23) The comfort apparatus 1 is modular, having multiple different separable components. In addition, the elongate cushion apparatus 5 is itself modular. The elongate cushion apparatus 5 has a first end 6 and a second end 7. The elongate cushion apparatus 5 has a middle section 8, a first end section 9 and a second end section 10. The first end section 9 terminates in the first end 6 and the second end section 10 terminates in the second end 7. Both the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 are connected to the middle section 8 via a zip and are separable from the middle section 8 by unzipping the zips. Releasable fastening arrangements other than zips, such as buttons, hook-and-eye arrangements, and/or pins may be used. The first end section 9 is also connectable to the second end section 10 via a zip as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The elongate cushion apparatus 5 also has a fabric flap covering which extends over and conceals the zips in use (not shown). When the first end section 9 is connected to the second end section 10 it provides a pillow of an arcuate shape that can be used to support an infant sitting in an upright position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(24) The middle section 8 is elongated, linear and cylindrical. The middle section 8 terminates in a cross-section that is geometrically similar to the cross-section of the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 where the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 are connectable to the middle section 8. The first end section 9 and the second end section 10 are curved such that a portion 11a, 11b of the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the middle section 8 when the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 are connected to the middle section 8 respectively. The cross-sectional area of the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 is inconsistent along their lengths. The first end section 9 and the second end section 10 has a smaller cross-sectional area where the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 are connectable to the middle section 8 and a larger cross-sectional area at the first end 6 and the second end 7. Specifically, the cross-sectional area of the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 increases from where the first end section 9 and the second end section 10 are connectable to the middle section 8 to the first end 6 and second end 7 respectively. The first end 6 and second end 7 have a substantially elliptical cross-section whereas the ends connectable of the middle section 8 are substantially circular.

(25) The comfort apparatus 1 has an infant portion 12 which is sized to support the entire body of an infant. The infant portion 12 has an infant support and safety arrangement 2 and a barrier 3. The infant support and safety arrangement 2 is wedge-shaped and crescent shaped. It further has an upright portion 13 that is vertical and defines an outermost wall of the comfort apparatus 1. The upright portion 13 is also arcuate and variable in height. The infant support and safety arrangement 2 has two opposing endpoints 14a, 14b and the upright portion 13 has its greatest height midway between the opposing endpoints 14a, 14b. The upright portion 13 increases in height from the upright support end points 14a, 14b. The infant portion 12 has a support mat 16 for supporting an infant. The support mat 16 is sized to accommodate the entirety of the body of an average 18-month-old infant. The infant support and safety arrangement 2 has a sloping portion 15 extending downwards from the upright portion 13 the support mat 16. The upright portion 13 and the sloping portion 15 are formed together as a single unitary component. In use, an infant will be positioned between the infant support and safety arrangement 2 and the barrier 3, the sloping portion 15 providing support and comfort to the infant.

(26) The infant support and safety arrangement 2 has an infant support and safety arrangement cover 17 which is made from a soft fabric. The infant support and safety arrangement cover 17 extends over the upright portion 13 and the sloping portion 15. The support mat 16 is soft and has a cushioning layer 18 and a protective layer 19. The protective layer 19 is formed from 100% polypropylene fibre and extends around and envelops the cushioning layer 18. The protective layer 19 has an upper protective layer 20a and a lower protective layer 20b. The upper protective layer 20a is in contact with the infant support and safety arrangement 2. The support mat 16 has an even surface and is roughly oval in shape. The support mat 16 further has an edge which defines a perimeter 21 and the infant support and safety arrangement 2 is shaped such that the upright portion 13 is aligned with the perimeter 21 of the support mat 16.

(27) The barrier 3 extends upwards from the support mat 16 and it is positioned near an opposing portion of the perimeter 21 to the location of the infant support and safety arrangement 2. The barrier 3 is rigid and has a barrier support arrangement 22 that provides form and rigidity to the barrier 3. The barrier support arrangement 22 is located within the support mat 16 in an interlocking arrangement therewith. The barrier support arrangement 22 has a flat portion 23. The flat portion 23 rests on the lower protective layer 20b of the support mat 16. The barrier support arrangement 22 has an upwardly extending portion 24 which extends orthogonally from the surface of the support mat 16 and from the flat portion 23. The upwardly extending portion 24 is formed with the flat portion 23 and the flat portion 23 is located between the cushioning layer 18 and the lower protective layer 20b. The infant portion 12 comprises a pocket 70 for receiving the flat portion 23 of the upwardly extending portion 24. The flat portion 23 further has two grooves 71 sized to accommodate the dimensions of the pocket 70 for locating and retaining the flat portion 23 within the pocket 70. The barrier support arrangement 22 provides a fin-shaped shaped form to the barrier 3. The barrier support arrangement 22 is formed from a plastic, perforated material. The cushioning layer 18 has an aperture 26 for accommodating the barrier support arrangement 22. The barrier 3 further has a barrier support arrangement cover 25, the barrier support arrangement cover 25 being a soft material that is located over the barrier support arrangement 22. An additional cover 27 is provided by the outer protective layer 20a of the support mat 16.

(28) The support mat 16 and the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 are joined by a distance-adjustable joining arrangement 28 which prevents the support mat 16 and the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 from moving substantially apart when in use. The distance-adjustable joining arrangement 28 has a joining mat 29 extending from the parent support and comfort arrangement 28 to the support mat 16. In use, the adult lays on top of the joining mat 29. The distance between the support mat 16 and the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 can be altered by altering where on the joining mat 29 the support mat 16 and/or the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 are connected. The parent support and comfort apparatus 4 is separable from the support mat 16, this is done by separating the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 and/or the support mat 16 from the joining mat 29. The parent support and comfort apparatus 4 is joined to the joining mat 29 via a zip and the support mat 16 via a series of snap fasteners as described in further detail below in relation to the second embodiment of the invention. The distance between the support mat 16 and the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 can be adjusted by folding the joining mat 29 under the support mat 16 and/or under then parent support and comfort apparatus 4. Additionally or alternatively, the distance may be adjusted by altering the series of snap fasteners that are engaged with the support mat. The joining mat 29 is rollable such that it can be rolled for storage.

(29) The comfort apparatus 1 has a storage arrangement 30 for storage of muslins, toys and other items, the storage arrangement 30 optionally having a zipped pocket 31 located on the parent support and comfort apparatus 4.

(30) In FIGS. 15 to 20 there is shown a second embodiment of a modular comfort apparatus indicated generally by the reference numeral 101. The comfort apparatus 101 has a parent support and comfort arrangement 104 and an infant portion 112 (see FIG. 19), with a barrier 103 and a support mat 116. The support mat 116 has a cushioning layer 118 and a substantially squared portion 150a, 150b at either side of the barrier 103. This provides substantial space to support the head of an infant when the infant portion 112 is being used for breastfeeding. The barrier 103 has a barrier support arrangement 122 having a flat portion 123 and an upwardly extending portion 124. The upwardly extending portion 124 has a first face section 151, a second face section (not shown), and a side section 152 extending therebetween. The side section 152 extends upwards from the flat portion 123 but not the first face section 151 or the second face section, which are supported by the side section 152. This defines a region below the first face section 151 and the second face section wherein a portion 153 of the cushioning layer 118 is inserted. The cushioning layer further comprising grooves 154a, 154b for accommodating the side section 152 of the upwardly extending portion 124. This further prevents movement of the barrier support arrangement 122 at least in a vertical direction.

(31) The comfort apparatus 101 has a joining mat 129 which is substantially square in shape and further has a neck strap 155 thus enabling the joining mat 129 to be used as a privacy cover for breastfeeding. The comfort apparatus 101 has a series of snap fasteners 156, each snap fastener having a female component situated on the joining mat 129 and a male component on the underside of the infant portion (not shown). The joining mat 129 has three, spaced apart rows of four snap fastener female components and the underside of the infant portion 112 has a single row of four snap fastener male components. The distance between the infant portion 112 and the parent support and comfort arrangement 104 can be adjusted by changing the row of snap fastener female components on the joining mat 129 that are engaged with the snap fastener male components on the underside of the infant portion 112. The parent support and comfort arrangement 104 further has a pocket 157 with a centered stitch 158. This prevents the pocket 157 from sagging.

(32) In use, an infant can lie on the support mat 16 and a mother can lie laterally on the joining mat 29 and position her head and legs on or around the parent support and comfort apparatus 4. The mother can place her head on the first end section 9 and place the second end section 10 between her legs. The second end section 10 or the middle section 8 could alternatively be removed. The curvature of the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 and the support mat 16 enables the mother to curl around the infant and to get close enough to the infant to enable comfortable breastfeeding. The barrier 3 prevents the mother from moving too close to the infant support and safety arrangement 2 prevents the infant from rolling off the support mat 16. The mother can therefore safely and comfortably breastfeed the infant. The distance between the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 and the barrier 3 can be adjusted as discussed previously. To use the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 as a support for an infant when sitting upright, or as a support for an infant when being held by the mother during breastfeeding, the parent support and comfort apparatus 4 is first removed from the joining mat 29 by unzipping the support mat 16. The first end section 9 and second end section 10 are then removed from the middle section 8 by unzipping them. Then the first end section 9 is then joined to the second end section 10 by zipping them together. This forms an arcuate pillow as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The arcuate pillow can be set on a surface and an infant can be placed in the middle, either with the infant's back abutting the cushion, thereby using it as a lounger, or the infant's front, thereby using it is a support for “tummy time”. The arcuate pillow may also be placed around the waist of a breastfeeding mother and the infant can be set on the pillow, supporting the weight of the infant as the mother breastfeeds. The middle section 8 can also be used as a support, by placing it in an underarm position, and the infant can be supported in the underarm/rugby-ball hold, which is often used with small or pre-term babies.

(33) Various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the infant portion 12 may or may not have an infant support and safety arrangement 2 or a barrier 3.

(34) In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment.

(35) In the preceding discussion of the invention, unless stated to the contrary, the disclosure of alternative values for the upper or lower limit of the permitted range of a parameter, coupled with an indication that one of the values is more highly preferred than the other, is to be construed as an implied statement that each intermediate value of the parameter, lying between the more preferred and the less preferred of the alternatives, is itself preferred to the less preferred value and also to each value lying between the less preferred value and the intermediate value.

(36) The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.