AU2015100993A4 - Cover for a change mat - Google Patents

Abstract

-8 Abstract A cover (10) for a change mat (12) comprising a first portion (36a) and a second portion (36b). The first portion (36a) is made from a first material, while the second portion (36b) is made from a second, different, material. The second material has fluid and solid impervious properties. Figure 2 '4V

Description

- 1 "COVER FOR A CHANGE MAT" FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The invention relates to a cover for a change mat for a child. In the context of this invention a child can mean an infant or a toddler. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002]The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the application. [0003] Change tables were developed to facilitate the changing of diapers or nappies on infants as and when required. Such change tables come in one of two forms. [0004] In the first variety of change tables, the table has a rounded depression in which the infant is placed. While the purpose of this rounded depression is to prevent the infant from rolling off the change table, the awkward shape of the depression means that it is difficult to provide any sort of cushioning for the infant. This means that the infant is provided with little comfort during the changing process. [0005]The second variety of change tables introduce a contoured change mat designed to fit within an enclosed space defined by the change table. The contoured change mat incorporates the rounded depression provided in the change table of the first variety. In this configuration, however, the change mat is typically made of a semi-rigid cushioning material so as to provide at least some comfort to the infant during the changing process. [0006]The problem with this second approach is that if the infant urinates or defecates during the changing process, the change mat may become soiled. This may not pose a significant problem if the semi-rigid cushioning material is fluid and solid impervious, but presents significant additional work to the care giver if not through the need to hand or machine clean the change mat. At the same time, semi rigid cushioning material that is fluid and solid impervious does not provide a high level of comfort to the infant.

-2 [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cover for a change mat that solves, or at least ameliorates, one or more of the aforementioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of", and the like, are to be construed as non exhaustive, or in other words, as meaning "including, but not limited to". [0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is a cover for a change mat comprising: a first portion made from a first material; and a second portion made from a second material, where, the second material has fluid and solid impervious properties and the first material does not have fluid and solid impervious properties [0010]The first material may be a soft fabric. The first material may also be textured. Preferably, the first material is of size and shape as to accommodate the head of a child and the majority of the child's torso. [0011] The cover may include a hollow hem, the hollow hem housing an elastomeric band. In this configuration, it is preferable that the hollow hem have an opening and that the elastomeric band incorporates a tensioner positioned within the opening, the tensioner operable to tension the elastomeric band. [0012]The tensioner may incorporate an adjustor button such that depressing the adjustor button allows the elastomeric band to be tensioned as required to facilitate conformity of the cover to the size and shape of the change mat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013]The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the cover according to a first aspect of the invention.

-3 Figure 2 is a partial isometric view of the cover shown in Figure 1. The invisible lines represent a hem's seam line. Figure 3 is a first view of a tensioner forming part of the cover shown in Figure 1 with an adjustor button depressed. Figure 4 is a second view of a tensioner forming part of the cover show in Figure 3, but without the adjustor button depressed. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0014] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there is a cover 10 for a change mat 12. The cover 10 has no definitive form until fitted to the change mat 12. However, the cover 10 must be sized and shaped to roughly match the profile of the change mat 12. It is in this fitted state that the remainder of the cover 10 will be described. [0015]The cover 10 has a hollow hem 14. The hollow hem 14 has a single opening 16 provided therein. An elastomeric band 18 is received within the hollow hem 14. [0016]A portion 20 of the elastomeric band 18 exposed by the opening 16 is looped through a tensioner 22 in a manner as described below. [0017] The tensioner 22 has a body 24 and an adjustor button 26. The body 24 has a first through aperture 28 and a button aperture 30. The adjustor button 26 passes through the button aperture 30. The portion of the adjustor button 26 received within the body 24 is flared so as to prevent the adjustor button 26 from passing through the button aperture 30. [0018]The adjustor button 26 is physically connected to the body 24 by way of a helical spring 32. The helical spring 32 pushes a flared portion 38 of the adjustor button 26 against the button aperture 30 under normal bias. [0019]The adjustor button 26 has a second through aperture 34 provided therein. The first through aperture 28 and second through aperture 34 are aligned in the same direction. [0020]The first through aperture 28 is substantially larger than the second through aperture 34.

-4 [0021]The elastomeric band 18 passes through the second through aperture 34 and doubles back around the body 24 to pass through both the first and second through apertures 28, 34. [0022]While the cover 10 has a continuous hollow hem 14, the cover 10 actually comprises two mated portions 36a, 36b. In this embodiment, portion 36a forms the top half of the cover 10 while portion 36b forms the bottom half of the cover 10. Portion 36a is made from a first material, while portion 36b is made from a second material. [0023]In this embodiment, the first material is made from a soft fabric and the second material is made from a fluid and solid impervious material. [0024] The embodiment will now be described in the context of its intended use. [0025]The user (not shown) manipulates the cover 10 so as to place it over the change mat 12. In order to ensure a snug fit between the cover 10 and change mat 12, the user may need to depress the adjustor button 26. [0026] Proper depression of the adjustor button 26 causes the second through aperture 34 to align with the first through aperture 28. Alignment of the first through aperture 28 and the second through aperture 34 allows the elastomeric band 18 to be pulled there through without impediment. Pulling the elastomeric band 18 in this manner causes the hem 14 to bunch up and thus conform to the size and shape of the change mat 12. [0027]Once the elastomeric band 18 conforms to the size and shape of the change mat 12, the user then releases the adjustor button 26, which causes the helical spring 32 to again push the flared portion 38 towards the button aperture 30. [0028]With the flared portion 38 pushed towards the button aperture 30, the elastomeric band 18 is now secured in its conformed position (it no longer being able to freely be pulled through the first through aperture 28). [0029]The change mat 12, with cover 10 fitted thereto, is then placed by the user on a change table or other like surface (not shown) such that portion 36b is closest to the user and portion 36a is spaced from the user by portion 36b.

-5 [0030]An infant is then placed on the change mat 12 such that their head and torso region make contact predominantly with portion 36a. The infant is then in the prime position to have their nappy and/or diaper changed. [0031]If in the process of changing the infant's nappy and/or diaper the infant urinates or defecates, by virtue of the infant's position on the change mat 12 the urine or faeces is directed to portion 36b. With portion 36b being made out of a fluid and solid impervious material, it is possible to easily clean off the urine or faeces from the second portion 36b. [0032] It is also to be noted that during the process of changing the infant's nappy and/or diaper, the infant's head and torso region predominantly makes contact the soft fabric material of the first portion 36a. Thus, the infant's comfort is maintained at the most desirable locations at all times. [0033] It should be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiments described. In particular, the following modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention: * [0034] In a preferred embodiment, the portion 36a is made from polyester material while portion 36b is made from a polyurethane laminate material. * [0035]The tensioner 22 may be omitted in situations where the cover is specifically designed for close fitting to the change mat 12. * [0036] Means may be incorporated for adjusting the fit of the cover 10 to the change mat 12 other than the tensioner 22. For instance, a hook and loop fastener may be used to facilitate tensioning of the cover to the change mat 12. In some cases, the adoption of differing adjusting means may remove the need for the elastomeric band 18 and hollow hem 14. * [0037]The first material need not be a soft fabric, but should be relatively more comfortable than the second material. * [0038]The first material may be textured to provide additional stimulation to the infant during the process of changing their nappy or diaper. * [0039]While it is envisaged that the cover 10 will be divided in half, with each half forming a respective portion 36a, 36b, it is possible for the portions to be defined in other manners. For instance, the second portion 36b takes the -6 form of a closed off "U" in shape, and the first portion 36a surrounds the second portion 36b. [0040]It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Additions or modifications described, where not mutually exclusive, can be combined to form yet further embodiments that are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (7)

1. A cover for a change mat comprising: a first portion made from a first material; and a second portion made from a second material, where, the second material has fluid and solid impervious properties and the first material does not have fluid and solid impervious properties.

2. A cover according to claim 1, where the first material is a soft fabric.

3. A cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, where the first material is textured.

4. A cover according to any preceding claim, where the first material is of size and shape as to accommodate the head of a child and the majority of the child's torso.

5. A cover according to any preceding claim, where the cover includes a hollow hem, the hollow hem housing an elastomeric band.

6. A cover according to claim 5, where the hollow hem has an opening and the elastomeric band incorporates a tensioner positioned within the opening, the tensioner operable to tension the elastomeric band.

7. A cover according to claim 6, where the tensioner has an adjustor button, and depressing the adjustor button allows the elastomeric band to be tensioned as required to facilitate conformity of the cover to the size and shape of the change mat.