AU2005100297B4

AU2005100297B4 - Baby change table

Info

Publication number: AU2005100297B4
Application number: AU2005100297A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Deborah Kalisse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-02
Filing date: 2005-04-08
Publication date: 2006-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 2009-04-24
Also published as: AU2005100297A5

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

00 0 oo 0 Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Deborah Kalisse The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: Freehills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Sydney 004828273 004811498v3 S1 SBaby Change Table Field of the invention 00 The present invention relates to a baby change table or baby support for supporting a baby while its nappy is being changed.

Background of the invention CI Gastroesophageal reflux is a common problem among young babies. This term describes the forcing of the stomach contents backwards up into the oesophagus and sometimes out of the t mouth. While it is common for infants to occasionally vomit after a feeding, if this occurs frequently, an infant may be diagnosed to have gastroesophageal reflux.

In the majority of cases reflux is caused by incoordination or immaturity of the upper part of the child's digestive tract, and in most cases children eventually grow out of this. However, while reflux persists a baby may suffer from colic or recurring abdominal pain, feeding problems, poor growth or choking. Reflux in babies may also increase the likelihood of pneumonia or other bronchial problems.

Clearly a baby displaying these symptoms after almost every feeding or between feedings will concern a parent and the persistence of the condition and may cause permanent damage to the infants digestive system. Additionally, a baby that vomits repeatedly requires more attention and effort to look after than an otherwise healthy baby, especially in terms of cleaning.

There are a number of known treatments for gastroesophageal reflux in infants these include various dietary treatments, changing feeding schedules of the baby, medication and in extreme circumstances, surgery. In some cases the symptoms of reflux in an infant may be alleviated by positioning the child such that it suffers less discomfort and vomits less due to reflux problems.

Many different types of baby change tables are known, and these typically provide a horizontal platform on which to place a baby while the baby's nappy is changed. In most known change tables the platform is held above the surface on which the table is resting by a support means. As well as positioning the baby at a comfortable height for the person changing the baby's nappy the support means may have a variety of storage compartments which can be used to store fresh nappies, moist paper towels, baby powder and the like.

30/03/2008 12:02 6/11 004M9479 2

IND

o Portable baby change tables and baby supports are also known. These provide similar (N features to those described above, however they additionally include means by which to Ct conveniently carry the change table. Additionally, portable baby supports may be collapsible so that they can be packed into a small space thereby aiding portability. Baby change mats are also known, These usually comprise a quilted or padded vinyl or rubber mat. Mats of this type are easily portable and can be used on most flat surfaces to change a baby's nappy. As baby change mats are not rigid they can usually be rolled or folded during transportation.

Fold out baby change tables are also known. These are commonly located in public bathrooms or rooms designated for changing babies. Tables of the fold out variety usually comprise V) 10 a wall-mounted unit having a mounting means and a hinged flap. The hinged flap is adapted to fold o out from the wall-mounted unit and lock in a horizontal position thereby providing a platform on which to change the baby's nappy.

Known baby change tables are not adapted to support a baby while its nappy is being changed in such a way that minrimises the baby's discomfort due to reflux symptoms. It can therefore be seen that there is a need for a baby change table which may alleviate reflux symptoms in an infant while allowing the baby's nappy to be change.

The applicant does not concede that the prior art discussed herein forms part of the common general knowledge in the art at the priority date of the application.

Summary of the invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a baby support configured to support a baby in an inclined pose during a nappy change, said baby support having a baby support surface having a front edge and a rear edge and longitudinal side edges extending therebetween that are raised with respect to a central portion of the baby support surface; and a generally wedge shaped body for supporting the baby support surface at an angle of inclination of between 3 and 20 degrees when the baby support is placed on a horizontal surface.

Preferably the generally wedge shaped body is shaped so as to define the shape of the baby support surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the elevation means supports the baby support panel at an angle of inclination of approximately 5 to 15 degrees.

Optionally the height of the elevation means is adjustable such that the angle of inclination of the baby support panel can be varied.

COMS ID No: SBMI-031 77395 Received by IP Australia: Time 10:54 Date 2006-03-30 30/03/2008 12:02 7/11 004795479 3 Preferably the baby support panel has a flat central portion with a raised shoulder along each (N longitudinal edge. Alternatively the cross sectional shape of the baby support panel is substantially Ct concave or curved.

In a preferred embodiment least a portion of said baby support panel is covered in a plastics material and/or at least a portion of said baby support panel, or said elevation means, or both, is made from foam or sponge.

Brief description of the drawings A number of embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: o 10 Fig 1 shows a baby support stand in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2A shows a front view of the baby support shown in Fig 1; Fig 2B3 shows a rear view of the baby support of Fig 1; Fig 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of the baby support shown in Fig 1; Fig 4A shows another embodiment of a baby support in accordance with the present invention; Fig 483 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Fig 4A; Fig 5 shows an embodiment of a baby support in accordance wit the present invention; Fig 6A shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Fig Fig 613 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in Fig COMS ID No: SBMI-031 77395 Received by IP Australia: lime (I-tm) 10:54 Date 2006-03-30 004811498v3 4 SFig 7 shows a baby support according to the present invention having a tilt adjustable support panel; 00 Fig 8 shows a baby support according to the present invention having a tilt adjustable support panel; C* Fig 9A shows the support panel of the embodiment shown in fig. 8; SFig 9B shows the elevation means of the embodiment shown in fig. 8.

t Detailed description of the embodiments Fig. 1 shows a baby support 10 comprising a baby support panel 26 integrally formed with an elevation means 24. The baby support 10 has a front end 14 and a rear end 16 with the baby support panel 26 extending therebetween, providing a surface on which a baby can be placed while its nappy is changed.

The entire baby support panel 26 slopes downward at an angle of approximately 5 degrees from its rear edge 19 to its front edge 19 providing an inclined platform on which to place the baby during changing. The baby support surface 26 has a flat central portion 12 with a raised shoulder 20, 21 along each of the longitudinal edges 22, 23 thereof. The shoulders each have an angled section 27, 28 extending from the longitudinal edges 22, 23 of the central portion 12 of the support panel to a small flat ledge 30, 31. In use the raised shoulders 20, 21 prevent the baby from rolling off the side of the baby support. In an alternative embodiment the cross sectional shape of the baby support panel can be concave or curved to reduce the possibility of the baby rolling off the support during changing or to make the baby support more comfortable for the baby.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in fig 1. In this embodiment the elevation means is formed integrally with the baby support panel giving the baby support 10 a generally trapezoidal shape with a fiat bottom edge 33 on which the baby support 10 can be rested during use.

In cross section the baby support 10 is generally rectangular with a channel shaped indentation in the top face of the rectangle. The cross-sectional shape of the baby support of this embodiment can be seen in figs 2A and 2B. Fig. 2A shows a cross-sectional shape of the baby support 10 at its front surface 14. The fiat central portion 12 of the baby support extends across a majority of the width of the baby support and bends smoothly to the angled sides 27, 28 of the 004811498v3 shoulders 20, 21 which in turn extend to join the flat ledges 30, 31 along on to the longitudinal edges 34, 35 of the support panel 26. In order to make cleaning simple it is preferable that the 00 baby support panel 26 is made from one piece of material with no folds or seams, thereby providing a smooth surface on which to change the baby.

Fig. 2B shows the cross-sectional shape of the baby support panel 26 at the rear end 16 of the baby support 10. It can be seen that the cross-section of the baby support panel 26 is the same O at the rear and the front of the baby support panel. However, the height of the support means 24 is much greater at the rear end 16 of the baby support 10 than at the front edge 14 thereof.

N, In use the baby is placed on the baby support 10 with its head adjacent to the rear end 16 of the baby support and its feet adjacent to the front end 14 of the baby support 10. In this position the baby's head is raised and its body is angled which may reduce the instances of vomiting due to reflux. Additionally placing a baby on this angle may also assist in easing the breathing of a baby suffering from bronchial congestion.

The ideal angle of inclination may vary for different children as some babies will not like being placed on a surface which is sloped too steeply and others will require a steeper angle in order to benefit from the angled support. Typically the support panel will be sloped on an angle of between 3 and 20 degrees. However, greater angles of inclination, up to 30 degrees, may be useful for some instances. Therefore, in the embodiments of the invention described in figs 7 to 9, the hight of the elevation means 24 of the baby support may be adjusted to vary the angle of the baby support panel 26 in order to allow for these preferences.

The baby support shown in figs I to 3 may be made from any suitable material, for example, the support could be injection moulded from a rigid plastics material, Additionally, this embodiment could be formed by covering a shaped foam insert with a cover made from a vinyl or plastics material. In order to increase the comfort of the baby the foam insert can be cushioned or padded. Clearly it is desirable that the chosen material for the outer cover of the baby support, and particularly the support panel 26, be able to be cleaned in an easy and hygienic manner Alternatively the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 could be formed from a single sheet of plastics material eg, perspex, or even a sheet of stainless steel, by simply cutting a blank to shape and folding the sheet along each of the corners running from the rear end 16 to the front end 14.

004811498v3 6 The ends of the baby support 16, 14 could be omitted from a baby support constructed in this way in order to simplify manufacture.

0 Fig. 4A shows a further embodiment of the present invention constructed from a single piece or sheet of perspex or other suitable plastics material. The piece of plastics material is folded in two positions to provide the baby support with a substantially J-shaped longitudinal cross-section. In this embodiment the baby support panel 26 is an angled flat panel with an 0 elevation means 24 comprising a vertical support 40 and a horizontal foot 42. The baby support Spanel 26 could be contoured to prevent a baby from rolling off the baby support during the nappy O changing and to provide greater comfort for the baby on the baby support.

Optionally, a baby change mat, as described above, could be fitted to the support platform 26. The mat can be attached over the support platform 26 in a removable manner using a strip of hook and loop fastener along the front and rear edges of the mat to provide additional padding of the baby and protection for the baby support.

The baby support depicted in Fig. 5 has a contoured baby support panel 26 which is formed from a single piece of suitable plastics or foam material, mounted on elevation means 24.

Elevation means 24 is a generally wedge-shaped foam block which is fixed to the underside of the baby support panel 26. The angle and height of the wedge shaped elevation means can be chosen to provide the desired elevation for the rear end 16 of the baby support.

Fig. 6A and 6B show front and rear views respectively of this embodiment of the baby support. Fig. 6B shows a rear view of this embodiment showing the wedge-shaped elevation means 24. The wedge-shaped elevation means can be formed of foam or any other suitably rigid material that will not crush when a baby is placed on the baby support panel.

Fig. 7 to Fig. 9B shows embodiments of the baby support according to the present invention with an adjustable elevation means. This allows the angle of the baby support panel to be adjusted to provide the baby with a more comfortable position while its nappy is being changed.

Fig. 7 shows a baby support comprising a baby support panel 26 connected via a hinge 38 to a base 50. The angle of the baby support panel 26 is able to be adjusted and locked in position by arm 52 which is hinged onto the base 50 via hinge 54. The baby support panel 26 is provided with a series of corrugations or teeth 42 which cooperates with the upper end of arm 52 to lock 004811498v3 tn 7 k the angle of inclination of the baby support panel 26. The phantom lines in Fig. 7 show this embodiment at one of its alternative angular positions.

00 Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention having a support panel 26 with an adjustable angle of inclination. A side view of the support panel and elevation means of this embodiment are shown in Fig 9A and Fig. 9B respectively. In this embodiment the support panel 26 has a plurality of channels or indentations 56 on its underside which are adapted _to cooperate with corresponding ridges 58 on the upper surface of the elevation means 24 to fix Sthe angle of baby support panel 26. To adjust the height of the rear of the support panel 26 the N elevation means 24 can be moved such that either more or less of the elevation means 24 is under the support panel 24. The elevation means 24 can be placed underneath baby support panel such that one or more of said ridges 58 is located in a channel 56 in the baby support panel 26. When the baby support of the embodiment shown, is in the position providing maximum elevation of the rear of baby support panel 26, all four of the ridges 58 are located in corresponding channels 56 in the underside of support panel 26. In the configuration with minimum angle of inclination of the support panel 26 only the frontmost ridge 58A is located in the rear most channel 56D of the baby support panel 26. Alternatively, the underside of the support panel 26 and the upper side of the elevation means could have corresponding corrugations over full length allowing a continuous range of elevations to be realised.

The examples of adjustable elevation means described in connection with the embodiments shown in Fig. 7 to Fig. 9B are made by way of example only, other means for providing a tiltable support panel will be known to the person skilled in the art.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

3. A baby support as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the generally wedge shaped body is shaped so as to define the shape of the baby support surface.
4. A baby support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the generally wedge shaped body is formed from a foamn or sponge material having a waterproof cover extending at least over the baby support surfhice. A baby support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings. Dated: 30 March 2006 Freohills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Patent Attorneys for the Applicant Deborah Kalisse COMS ID No: SBMI-03177395 Received by 11P Australia: Time 10:54 Date 2006-03-30