AU2011211349A1

AU2011211349A1 - Shield for use During Baby Burping

Info

Publication number: AU2011211349A1
Application number: AU2011211349A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Riki Kim Mcconaghy; Ross Alexander Mcconaghy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-20
Filing date: 2011-08-09
Publication date: 2012-03-08
Also published as: NZ594519A; US20120042430A1

Abstract

Abstract A wearable burping shield has a torso portion and an over-shoulder portion. The over-shoulder portion comprises a layered construction having an outer moisture absorbent layer, and a second waterproof layer. Together the torso portion and over-shoulder portion define an armhole for receiving an arm therethrough so that the shield may be readily worn while holding an infant. 1 5 3 16 25 19 13 9 11 15 17 23 7 21

Description

AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 Complete Patent Specification SHIELD FOR USE DURING BABY BURPING The following statement is a full description of the best method of performing this invention known to the applicants: 1 SHIELD FOR USE DURING BABY BURPING TECHNICAL FIELD 5 The present invention relates to a shield for use by an adult whilst burping a baby. BACKGROUND 10 The discussion of any prior art documents, techniques, methods or apparatus is not to be taken to constitute any admission or evidence that such prior art forms, or ever formed, part of the common general knowledge. 15 Burping is useful in helping a baby release excessive air from its stomach after feeding. A common technique for burping a baby is to hold the baby so that it rests with its head supported on the carer's shoulder. The carer can then rub or gently pat the baby's back in order to encourage the baby to burp. 20 A problem that arises when burping a baby in the fashion described above is that the carer's clothes are likely to become soiled. This occurs because babies are prone to dribble and also because a baby may vomit liquid during the burping procedure. One approach to addressing this problem is to place a towel over the shoulder before burping the baby. However, towels and the 25 like have a propensity to shift from the shoulder as the baby moves and also to become damp and soak through to the carer's underlying clothing. It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above described problems. 30 2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a wearable burping shield adapted to complement a user's shoulder and 5 including an armhole for receiving an arm therethrough. Preferably said shield includes an over shoulder portion. Preferably the over-shoulder portion comprises a material that prevents the 10 transmission of moisture therethrough. The over-shoulder portion may include a waterproof material. In a preferred embodiment the waterproof material comprises polyurethane 15 film (TPU film). The over-shoulder portion may be comprised of a three layer construction wherein the medial layer comprises the waterproof material. 20 In a preferred embodiment the opposing outer layers of the three layer construction are made of a moisture absorbent material. The moisture absorbent material may comprise a cotton or bamboo fabric material for example. Preferably the absorbent layer comprises a 25 bamboo/cotton blend which may comprise about 70% bamboo and about 30% cotton. Preferably the opposing outer layers of the three layer construction are made of readily visible different colors, although the outer layers may also be of the 30 same or similar colour. Preferably the shield includes a torso portion with sides that attach to opposing ends of the over-shoulder portion to thereby define the armhole.

3 The torso portion may include a cut out which cooperates with the over shoulder portion to define the armhole. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a 5 method for making a burping shield comprising the steps of: a) forming an over-shoulder portion including material that prevents the transmission of moisture therethrough; b) forming one or more parts of a torso portion; c) joining sides of the one or more parts of the torso portion to ends of the 10 over-shoulder portion to define an armhole therebetween. The step a) may include forming an over-shoulder portion comprised of a number of layers of material including outer moisture absorbent layers and an intermediate waterproof layer. 15 The step b) preferably includes forming two lateral parts of the torso portion each having a side for joining to the ends of the over-shoulder portion. Where the torso portion comprises two or more parts then a further step will 20 preferably be included in the method of joining said two or more parts together to comprise the torso portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the 30 preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure 1. Illustrates a burping shield according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 Figure 2 . Illustrates the burping shield of Figure 1 being worn. Figure 3. Illustrates a diagram illustrating steps in a preferred 5 method for the manufacture of the burping cloth of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4. illustrates patterns for cutting portions of the burping cloth out of material for manufacture. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Figure 1, a burp shield 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an over-shoulder portion 3 15 having opposing ends 5 and 7 which are stitched to sides 9 and 11 of first and second torso portion panels 13 and 15. The torso portion panels 13 and 15 are in turn stitched (or otherwise fastened) together medially along stitch line 17 to form a torso portion 19. 20 It will be observed that an edge 16 of the over-shoulder portion 3, in conjunction with arcuate cutouts 21 and 23 of torso portion panels 13 and 15 define an armhole 25. Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown the burping shield 1 being worn by 25 on the shoulder of a carer 27. Figure 3 illustrates the steps in a preferred method for making the burping shield. In step 1 a three layer over-shoulder portion 3 is formed comprising outer layer moisture absorbent materials. For example micro fibre woven 30 fabric of cotton or bamboo fibre might be used. In the non-limiting embodiment the outer layers 30,31 are of contrasting colors, for example green and white as shown in step 1 of Figure 3.

5 This is because the burping shield can be reversible and by having contrasting colors on the opposing sides of the shoulder portion a user can keep track of which side has been most recently used and reverse the garment if necessary. 5 The intermediate layer 32 of the over-shoulder portion is made of a material that is waterproof and prevents the transmission of water from one side to the other. For example the intermediate layer 32 may be comprised of polyurethane (TPU) film. 10 Accordingly, it will be realised that step 1 illustrates the formation of an over shoulder portion including material, namely the intermediate layer of TPU film, that prevents the transmission of moisture therethrough. 15 Step 2 shows the provision of two panels 13 and 15 being parts of the torso portion 19 (Figure 1). Other numbers of panels might be used or alternatively the torso portion could be formed from a single portion in which case joins 17A and 17B would not be present. 20 Step 3 shows how the over-shoulder panel 3 and first and second panels 13 and 15 are arranged ready for joining along edges 9, 5 and 11, 7 respectively. Step 4 indicates how sides 17A and 17B of first and second torso panels 13 and 15 are to be brought together and joined to assemble the torso portion. 25 Figure 4 shows patterns for maximising the number of over-shoulder portions and torso panels that may be cut out from sheets of material. It will be realised that by providing a burping shield that is adapted to 30 complement a user's shoulder and which includes an armhole for receiving an arm therethrough, the problem of the burping shield sliding about on the user is addressed.

6 Furthermore, since in a preferred embodiment at least the shoulder portion is made of a material which does not allow for the transmission of water therethrough, the problem of the carer's clothes becoming soiled may also be alleviated. 5 In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any 10 additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in 15 any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A wearable burping shield adapted to complement a user's shoulder comprising an armhole for receiving an arm therethrough, and an over shoulder portion.

2. A burping shield according to claim 1, wherein the over-shoulder portion comprises a material that prevents the transmission of moisture therethrough.

3. A burping shield according to claim 2, wherein over-shoulder portion includes a waterproof material.

4. A burping shield according to claim 3, wherein the waterproof material comprises polyurethane film (TPU film).

5. A burping shield according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a three layer construction wherein a medial layer comprises the waterproof material.

6. A burping shield according to claim 5, wherein opposing outer layers of the three layer construction are made of a moisture absorbent material.

7. A burping shield according to claim 6, wherein the moisture absorbent material comprises a cotton or bamboo fabric material for example.

8. A burping shield according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the opposing outer layers of the three layer construction are made of readily visible different colors.

9. A burping shield according to any one of the preceding claims, including a torso portion with sides that attach to opposing ends of the over shoulder portion to thereby define the armhole. 8

10. A burping shield according to claim 9, wherein the torso portion includes a cut out that cooperates with the over-shoulder portion to define the armhole.

11. A method for making a burping shield comprising the steps of: a) forming an over-shoulder portion including material that prevents the transmission of moisture therethrough; b) forming one or more parts of a torso portion; c) joining sides of the one or more parts of the torso portion to ends of the over-shoulder portion to define an armhole therebetween.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein step a) includes forming an over-shoulder portion comprised of a number of layers of material including outer moisture absorbent layers and an intermediate waterproof layer.

13. A method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the step b) includes forming two lateral parts of the torso portion each having a side for joining to the ends of the over-shoulder portion.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the torso portion comprises two or more parts including a further step: d) joining said two or more parts together to comprise the torso portion.

15. A burping shield substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures.