AU2019100018B4

AU2019100018B4 - Bubba Blue Breathe Easy Infant Head Rest

Info

Publication number: AU2019100018B4
Application number: AU2019100018A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Jay Cheng
Original assignee: Bubba Blue Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Bubba Blue Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-01-09
Filing date: 2019-01-09
Publication date: 2019-09-26
Anticipated expiration: 2027-01-09
Also published as: AU2019100018A4

Abstract

Australia Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Innovation Patent Title: Bubba Blue Breathe Easy TM Infant Head Rest Applicant: Bubba Blue Australia Pty Ltd Inventor: Jay Cheng The Bubba Blue Breathe EasyTM Infant Head Rest is an aid to relieve pressure on an infant's skull to help decrease the risk of Flat Head Syndrome. The infant head rest is constructed from compressible, breathable 3D Spacer Mesh layers creating a contoured form that supports an infant's side & central occipital region of the skull in the supine position. It is used primarily in a cot, bassinet or cradle. A combination of specific compressible 3D Spacer Mesh layers allow air, heat & moisture to pass through the head rest creating a more comfortable head rest for the infant whilst also providing the support required in the occipital region of the infant's skull. The gentle decline in the near centre created by the cut 3D Spacer Mesh layers cradles the infant's head reduces pressure on the central occipital region; allows freedom of movement, so the head can easily move or turn from one side to another without restriction or aid. The head rest is constructed from compressible polyester 3D Spacer Mesh layers which does not significantly lift the head or neck unlike others in the market. By utilising the 3D Spacer Mesh it can be easily laundered at home to ensure the head rest is always hygienic & free from allergens & bacteria. Page 1 of 1

Description

HEAD REST FOR A BABY OR INFANT

Technical Field [0001] The present disclosure relates to a head rest for a baby or infant.

Background [0002] Developmental Flat Head Syndrome (also known as Plagiocephaly) is a common condition which sees the shape of a baby's or infant’s skull become mis-shaped and/or flattened due to the baby’s or infant’s skull being pressed against a hard mattress/cot for prolonged periods. Developmental Flat Head Syndrome typically occurs because a baby’s or infant’s skull may not be fully formed and may still be soft and flexible, thus making them prone to deformity. Some babies or infants prefer to lie with their heads facing one side, thus causing a flattening of that side of the baby’s or infant’s head.

[0003] The occurrence of Developmental Flat Head Syndrome has increased due to parents putting their baby or infant to sleep primarily on their back and on a relatively firm mattress to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). As babies or infants spend more time sleeping in the supine position (i.e. on their backs) to reduce the risk of SIDS, Developmental Flat Head Syndrome has thus become more prevalent.

[0004] Developmental Flat Head Syndrome does not affect the development of an infant’s brain, but if left untreated, may change the baby’s or infant’s physical appearance by causing uneven growth of the baby’s or infant’s face and head. In some cases, babies or infants with severe and persistent cranial deformity need to be treated with orthotic helmet therapy.

[0005] Solutions for Development Flat Head Syndrome have been devised in the form of baby or infant pillows. Typically, such baby or infant pillows are formed from memory foam, which allows the pillow to mould to the shape of the infant’s skull, thus reducing the risk of the infant’s skull being mis-shaped and/or flattened. Memory foam, however, has properties that retain heat and prevent air permeability therethrough. This poses dangers in baby or infant pillows as this may lead to babies or infants overheating when being in contact with memory foam for prolonged periods. The baby or infant may also roll over causing the baby’s or infant’s face to press against the pillow, which may lead to the baby or infant suffocating.

2019100018 21 Aug 2019

Summary [0006] In aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a head rest for a baby or infant, the head rest comprising:

an outer shell having upper and lower opposed surfaces, a central opening, and an inclined surface surrounding the central opening, the inclined surface being defined by a deformable core disposed in the outer shell;

a bottom layer disposed in the outer shell and below the deformable core, the bottom layer being a mesh layer having an open weave of microfilaments; and a flexible membrane attached to the outer shell and covering the central opening, wherein the inclined surface and the flexible membrane together define a depression for receiving and supporting a head of the baby or infant, and wherein the deformable core comprises a plurality of deformable layers, each of the deformable layers is in the form of a three-dimensional spacer mesh having upper and lower mesh portions and a microfilament portion sandwiched between the upper and lower mesh portions.

[0007] Each of the deformable layers may define an aperture.

[0008] The deformable layers may be formed from a polyester material.

[0009] The head rest may be dimensioned so that when the baby or infant is lying in the supine position, the head of the baby or infant is supported by the inclined surface and an occipital region of the head of the baby or infant is adjacent to or in contact with the flexible membrane.

Brief Description of Drawings [0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Fig. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a head rest for a baby or infant; and [0012] Fig. 2 is a front view of the head rest of Fig. 1.

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Description of Embodiments [0013] Figs. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a head rest 10 for a baby or infant. The head rest 10 may be suitable for use in a cot, bassinet or cradle. The head rest 10 comprises an outer shell 100 having upper and lower opposed surfaces 102, 104, a central opening 106, and an inclined surface 108 surrounding the central opening 106. The inclined surface 108 is defined by a deformable core (not shown) disposed in the outer shell 100. The head rest 10 further comprises a flexible membrane 110 attached to the outer shell 100 and covering the central opening 106. The inclined surface 108 and the flexible membrane 110 together define a depression for receiving and supporting a head of the baby or infant. The upper and lower surfaces 102, 104 are attached at the perimeter with a cotton bind 112 such that the head rest 10 is of apple shape.

[0014] The deformable core comprises a plurality of deformable polyester porous layers. Each of the deformable layers is formed from three-dimensional (3D) spacer mesh polyester material and has a sandwich-like construction that allows air permeability through the head rest 10. Specifically, each of the deformable layers comprises upper and lower mesh portions and a microfilament portion sandwiched between the upper and lower mesh portions. The microfilament portion acts as a mini-pressure relieving spring.

[0015] The head rest 10 further comprises a bottom layer (not shown) disposed in the outer shell and below the deformable core. The bottom layer is a microfilament mesh layer of an open weave construction, which provides a stable base of the head rest 10 and enhances air permeability therethrough. Unlike the deformable layers of the deformable core, the bottom layer does not have an upper or lower mesh portion. Air, heat & liquid can easily pass through the porous deformable layers of the deformable core.

[0016] The head rest 10 is dimensioned so that when the baby or infant is lying in the supine position, the head of the baby or infant is supported substantially by the inclined surface 108 and the occipital region of the head of the baby or infant is adjacent to or in contact with the flexible membrane 110. In this embodiment, the head rest 10 has a width of approximately 22.5cm and a height of approximately 21cm, and the flexible membrane has a width of 4cm and a height of 6cm. The upper and lower surfaces 102, 104 of the outer shell 100 define a maximum thickness T of approximately 3.5cm. The deformable layers are specifically cut and layered to define the inclined surface 108. In this embodiment, the head rest 10 has two

2019100018 21 Aug 2019 deformable layers. The upper deformable layer of the two deformable layers is cut to form a central aperture with a width of approximately 11cm and the lower deformable layer of the two deformable layers is cut to form a central aperture with a width of approximately 7cm so that the inclined surface 108 forms an angle of approximately 25 degrees relative to the horizontal. The distance between an uppermost part of the upper surface and the flexible membrane 110 is approximately 2.5cm. The inclined surface 108 cradles the side occipital region of the head of the baby or infant whilst in the supine position. This relieves direct pressure from the central occipital region and prevents the central occipital region from resting directly on a firm surface, such as a mattress, thus allowing the central occipital region of the baby’s or infant’s head to develop normally without restriction. These dimensions allow the head rest 10 to be suitable for babies or infants from the ages of approximately 0 to 4 months in the 50% percentile.

[0017] The above described head rest 10 has numerous advantages. The specific deformable core construction and use of microfilament portions allow for compressibility and resilience of the deformable layers, thus providing tailored support. Further, the porous deformable core allows air to easily pass therethrough and prevents heat retention, which keeps the baby or infant cool, and allows the head rest 10 to be easily washable preventing bacteria and allergens from breeding within the deformable layers. Moreover, the head rest 10 maintains the baby’s or infant’s spine alignment in its natural supine position and does not interfere with lifting the neck or spine. This ensures that the baby’s or infant’s air passages are not compromised. The area of the head rest 10 where the neck rests has been contoured gently to avoid any interference. This is unlike many known pillows with thicknesses that are quite significant causing the baby's or infant’s head and neck to be lifted. The depression also allows freedom of movement for the baby’s or infant’s head to rotate naturally without restriction.

[0018] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A head rest for a baby or infant, the head rest comprising:

an outer shell having upper and lower opposed surfaces, a central opening, and an inclined surface surrounding the central opening, the inclined surface being defined by a deformable core disposed in the outer shell;

a bottom layer disposed in the outer shell and below the deformable core, the bottom layer being a mesh layer having an open weave of microfilaments; and a flexible membrane attached to the outer shell and covering the central opening, wherein the inclined surface and the flexible membrane together define a depression for receiving and supporting a head of the baby or infant, and wherein the deformable core comprises a plurality of deformable layers, each of the deformable layers is in the form of a three-dimensional spacer mesh having upper and lower mesh portions and a microfilament portion sandwiched between the upper and lower mesh portions.
2. The head rest according to claim 1, wherein each of the deformable layers defines an aperture.
3. The head rest according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformable layers are formed from a polyester material.
4. The head rest according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the head rest is dimensioned so that when the baby or infant is lying in the supine position, the head of the baby or infant is supported by the inclined surface and an occipital region of the head of the baby or infant is adjacent to or in contact with the flexible membrane.