Infant Supporting Pillow

Abstract

An infant supporting pillow for situating an infant in a reclined and secured position for optimum colic-free feeding. The infant supporting pillow comprises of a wedge-shaped pillow portion and an U-shaped pillow portion. The wedge-shaped pillow portion is configured to have a top slanted surface, bottom flat surface, a back surface, two triangular-shaped sides, a thin edge where the top slated surface is closest to the bottom surface, and a thick edge where the top slanted surface is farthest from the bottom surface. The U-shaped pillow portion is configured to have a curved portion and two arm portions. The curved portion and the two arm portions of the U-shaped pillow portion are abutted to the thin edge and the two triangular-shaped sides of the wedge-shaped pillow portion respectively. Each arm portions of the U-shaped pillow portion having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, wherein at least part of the inner sidewall of each arm is adjoined to one of the triangular-shaped sides of the wedge-shaped pillow portion.

Claims

1. An infant supporting pillow, comprising: a wedge-shaped pillow portion having a top slanted surface, a bottom flat surface, a back surface, two triangular-shaped sides, a thin edge where the top slated surface is closest to the bottom surface, and a thick edge where the top slanted surface is farthest from the bottom surface; and an U-shaped pillow portion having a curved portion and two arm portions that are abutted to the thin edge and the two triangular-shaped sides of the wedge-shaped pillow portion respectively, each arm portions of the U-shaped pillow portion having an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, wherein at least part of the inner sidewall of each arm is adjoined to one of the triangular-shaped sides of the wedge-shaped pillow portion.

2. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein the at least part of the inner sidewall of each arm the U-shaped pillow portion is adjoined to one of the triangular-shaped sides of the wedge-shaped pillow portion by sewing.

3. The infant supporting pillow of claim 2, wherein the adjoined U-shaped pillow portion and the wedge-shaped pillow portion forms a single chamber for pillow filling material.

4. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein at least part of the inner sidewall of each arm portion forming a slanted supportive surface for a sitting infant.

5. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein the curved portion of the U-shaped pillow portion is configured to be lower than the two arm portions, whereby a leg-resting platform is provided by the curved portion of the U-shaped pillow portion for a sitting infant.

6. The infant supporting pillow of claim 5, wherein the top surface of the curved portion of the U-shaped pillow is rounded to provide an ergonomic leg-resting platform for a sitting infant.

7. The infant supporting pillow of claim 5, wherein the leg-resting platform is between 3 inches and 7 inches in width from side-to-side.

8. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein a seatbelt is provided to secure a sitting infant to the infant supporting pillow.

9. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein the outer sidewall of each arm is slanted outwardly from top to bottom, thereby providing additional stability for the infant supporting pillow.

10. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein the front to back length of the infant supporting pillow is between 16 inches to about 22 inches.

11. The infant supporting pillow of claim 10, wherein the front to back length of the infant supporting pillow is about 20 inches.

12. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein the width of the infant supporting pillow from side to side is tapered from back to front whereby the widest section is in the back.

13. The infant supporting pillow of claim 1, wherein the width of the infant supporting pillow from side to side is between 12 inches and 18 inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Like numbers represent the same elements throughout the figures.

[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary infant supporting pillow in accordance with the present invention.

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the supporting pillow of FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the supporting pillow of FIG. 2.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a 3D model of the supporting pillow of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the supporting pillow of FIG. 1 by showing an infant sitting on the device.

[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the supporting pillow of FIG. 5.

[0012] FIG. 7 illustrates the supporting pillow of FIG. 1 with an optional fitted cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and photographs. However, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0014] The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently know embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognized and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.

[0015] As used throughout, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges can be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0016] As used herein, the terms optional and optionally mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[0017] In one broad aspect, the present disclosure comprises a freestanding infant supporting pillow that situates the infant at an inclined position for an optimal feeding posture that minimizes colic inducing conditions such as infant gas buildup and acid reflux. More particularly, one aspect the present disclosure comprises an infant supporting pillow having a body comprising a wedge-shaped pillow portion that is at least partially enveloped by an U-shaped pillow portion. In a further aspect, the wedge-shaped pillow portion is configured to support the head of an infant, who is reclined on the top, inclined surface of wedge-shaped pillow while being further supported and secured in place by the U-shaped pillow portion. In another further aspect, the wedge-shaped pillow portion is configured to support at least a portion of the infant's body. In light of the present disclosure, one skilled in the art will appreciate the infant supporting pillow described herein will situate the infant in a comfortable inclined position that is conducive to colic-free feeding.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, in which like numerals indicate like parts, the preferred embodiments of the new and improved supporting pillow for feeding infants are disclosed as follows.

[0019] In one aspect and referring to FIGS. 1-4, an infant supporting pillow 100 comprises a structured pillow shell filled with resilient fill material. In one aspect, the structured pillow shell comprises a wedge-shaped pillow portion 106 (as indicated by vertices a, b, c, d, e, and f in FIGS. 1 and 4) that is configured to support at least a portion of an infant's body and an U-shaped pillow portion 102 that partially encircles the wedge-shaped portion 106. The U-shaped-pillow portion 102 comprises of an outer sidewall 103, an inner sidewall 104, and a leg rest 108 that are configured to partially encircle the wedge-shaped portion 106 so as to form a retaining and supportive structure that keeps the infant stably situated within in the pillow. The inner sidewalls 104 of the U-shaped pillow portion 102 are joined to the two triangular-shaped sidewalls (as defined by vertices a, b, and f on one side and d, c, and e on the other) of the wedge-shaped pillow portion 106. The outer sidewall 103 and the inner sidewall 104 may be made of one continuous fabric or they may be made of two separate pieces of fabric that are sewed together to form a seam 105. In one aspect, the outer sidewall 103 is slanted outwardly from top to bottom so as to provide additional stability for the supporting pillow 100. In another aspect, a three-point seatbelt 110 is provided to securely hold the infant in place during and after feeding. In one aspect, the wedge-shaped portion 106 and the U-shaped portion 102 are joined to form an integral piece in which there is only one chamber inside for pillow fill material. In another aspect, the wedge-shaped portion 106 is a separate pillow that is functionally attached to the U-shaped portion 102 to form the supporting pillow 100.

[0020] In one aspect as illustrated in FIG. 3, which shows a cross-section of the supporting pillow 100, the wedge-shaped pillow portion 106 comprises a top surface 116, a bottom surface 114, and a back surface 112. In aspects, the top surface 116 forms an inclined plane on which the infant rests. In some aspects, the top surface 116 comprises a substantially flat surface as shown in FIG. 3. In another aspect, the top surface 116 comprises a convex surface. In yet another aspect, the top surface 116 comprises a concave surface. In one aspect, the top surface 116 is rectangular in shape. In another aspect, the top surface 116 is in a V shape, with the upper area of the top surface 116 being wider than the lower area of the top surface 116.

[0021] In one aspect, the resilient fill material may comprise at least one of cotton, polyester fiber, feathers, foam, wool, viscoelastic material, beads, and beans. In further aspects, the foam can comprise, for example and without limitation, at least one of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, a memory foam, a natural latex rubber foam, viscoelastic foam and the like. In further aspects, beads can comprise, for example and without limitation, polystyrene beads and the like.

[0022] It is contemplated that in one aspect, the front to back length of the support pillow is about 16 inches to about 22 inches, and, more preferably, about 20 inches. In another aspect, the width of the support pillow at the widest section, from one outer sidewall 103 to the opposite outer sidewall 103 in the back of the supporting pillow, is about 12 inches to 18 inches, and, more preferably, about 14 inches. In yet another aspect, the width of the support pillow 100 tapers down from the widest section in the back to a narrower section in the front, near the leg rest 108. In one aspect, the width of leg rest 108 between the two inner sidewalls 104 is about 3 inches to about 7 inches, and, more preferably, about 4 inches.

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates the positioning of an infant in one aspect of the supporting pillow 100. As shown in the figures, in one aspect, the head of the infant is rested on the top portion of the wedge-shaped portion 106. In one aspect, the infant's leg is supported by the leg rest 108. In another aspect, the infant is kept from rolling over the support pillow 100 by the two inner sidewalls 104 and the three-point seatbelt 110. FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional view of the infant supporting pillow and the sitting infant as shown in FIG. 5. In one aspect, a fitted cover 118 wraps around the supporting pillow 100. The fitted cover 118 is substantially sized and shaped to conform to the supporting pillow 100. In further aspects, the fitted cover 118 can be water resistant, waterproof, stain resistant and the like. FIG. 7 shows the fitted cover 118 movable outfitted onto one aspect of the supporting pillow 100. Through holes 120 are provided for allowing the three-point seatbelt 110 to pass through.

[0024] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.