GB2230457A - Equipment for carrying babies - Google Patents

Abstract

A cuboid consisting of substantially rectangular base with upstanding sides (2, 3, 4 and 5) for the holding and transportation of human babies. The shorter sides (2, 4) are of different heights. It may be provided with means to cradle the baby and means to entertain and stimulate the baby whilst it is in the container. The cuboid may be made from a foldable blank of cardboard or plastics. <IMAGE>

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR USE WITH BABIES This invention relates to equipment for use with babies.

The advantageous use of cardboard containers for holding and transporting human babies, once their primary use is over, for example, the reception and transportation of grocery, fruit and other agricultural produce, is known.

However, such containers are not adapted for that purpose and a primary object of the present invention is to provide a cardboard or like container which, whilst being convenient and inexpensive, is adapted for the purpose of holding and transporting human babies, and which may be designed to provide the baby with a stimulating environment.

According to the present invention, there is provided a container primarily intended to receive a human baby, the container comprising an open-top cuboid which has a substantially rectangular base, and from each of the four edges of the base there is an upstanding side wall, the length of the base exceeding the width, wherein the side wall at one shorter end of the base is taller than the side wall at the opposite shorter end thereof.

The container of the invention can be used as such.

However, it may also be used with a cradle which fits inside the cuboid and which is adapted to provide an offset valley with its bottom running parallel to the shorter ends of the base. Such a cradle is suitable for supporting new born or very young babies in a position where the hip joint is bent but the child is lying down with a straight spine, and is simply removed when unwanted or with older and larger babies who can sit up by themselves in the cuboid (usually from 4 to 5 months).

For a better understanding of the invention, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a container according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevation of the opposite side of the Figure 1 container; Figure 3 is an end elevation of the Figure 1 container; Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of the Figure 1 container; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a blank which is folded to form part of the Figure 1 container; Figure 6 shows a plan view of another blank which is folded to form another part of the Figure 1 container; Figure 7 shows a blank which can be folded to form a false bottom for the Figure 1 container; Figure 8 shows a blank which can be folded to form a cradle for use in the Figure 1 container;; Figure 9 shows the stages of assembling the blank to form the Figure 1 container complete with cradle; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a tray unit for use with the container of Figure 1; Figures 11a and b are perspective views of a side wall insert bezel and spinner respectively; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a further insert, and Figures 13 and 14 are respectively a side elevation and an underneath view of a base fitment to provide a rocking motion.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a container is shown which is similar in many respects to a conventional cardboard container which may be used to hold grocery, fruit, vegetables and other agricultural produce.

The container shown in Figures 1 to 4 is primarily intended to receive a human baby and is of a generally open top cuboid configuration.

The container comprises a substantially rectangular base 1 from which four upright walls 2, 3, 4 and 5 extend. End wall 2 is parallel to end wall 4 and both walls extend from the two shorter edges of the base 1. Side walls 3 and 5 are identical and join the two end walls 2 and 4 together. Wall 2 is shorter than wall 4 so that upper edges 6, 7 of side walls 3, 5 respectively slope upwardly from wall 2 to wall 4. Upper edges of end walls 2, 4 are labelled 8, 9 respectively. A hole 11 is cut in each end wall 2, 4 which allows the container to be lifted or carried.

Conveniently, and for the purposes of strength, the base 1 and all four of the walls 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the container at least are "double" walls throughout at least the greater part of their various areas. This has a number of advantages. If, as is preferred, the walls are folded over at the upper edges, there are no cut edges which can trap dirt, so providing improved hygiene. The double thickness also provides more give in the walls, which is more comfortable when the baby pushes or strikes the lining wall. The space between the walls may also be used for the reception of other parts of the unit as explained in more detail below. A further advantage is that the acoustic properties are, it is believed, enhanced, so improving comfort for the baby. The base 1 is provided with an initially separate false bottom 10 which is replaceable.The bottom 10 is spaced above the base 1 by a predetermined amount, typically 35 mm.

The main body of the container, i.e. not the false bottom 10, is formed from two substantially flat blanks 50, 60 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 respectively. Blank 50 (see Figure 5) forms part of the base 1 and walls 3, 4 and 5, and blank 60 (see Figure 6) forms part of base 1 and wall 2.

Blanks 50 and 60 are shaped as shown and are folded along the dotted lines to form the container, tab portions 51 of blank 50 being glued to blank 60 in known fashion to provide a continuous wall around the base. Referring also to Figure 9, portions 62, 53, 54 and 55 of the continuous wall are folded to be at 90" to the associated wall 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively to form base 1.

Portions 62 and 54 are basically rectangular and have respective generally T-shaped slots 22 and 24 (i.e. slots comprising crossbars and uprights) whose crossbars are parallel to the fold lines at the bottoms of upright walls 2 and 4 and whose uprights are perpendicular to those folds. The crossbars of the slots remote from the uprights are formed with symmetrically angled rebates as shown. Portions 53 and 55 are basically trapezoidal and have tabs 23 and 25 formed at their respective free edges as shown.

The base 1 is assembled by first bending inwardly the two substantially rectangular portions 62 and 54 (which correspond to the side walls 2 and 4). This brings the two T-shaped slots 22, 24 alongside one another, aligned centrally of the base, with the two uprights of the slots in line (see Figure 9(a)). The two trapezoidal portions 53 and 55 which correspond to the side walls 3 and 5 respectively are then bent upwardly and inwardly and the tab portions 23, 25 at their free edges are bent inwardly and upwardly to be entered through the slotted uprights of the aligned T-shaped slots 22, 24 (Figure 9(b)). The free ends of the tab portions 23, 25 are bent back through marginally less than 45" and are entered through the rebates formed in the crossbars of the T-shaped slots 22, 24. This keeps the base assembled as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, with the upwardly turned over free edges of the tab portions 23, 25 of the trapezoidal portions 53, 54 projecting upwardly substantially centrally of the interior of the container. These edges are then covered by the false bottom 10 and are not normally visible (see Figure 9(c)).

A blank 70 from which the bottom 10 can be folded is shown in Figure 7. The spacing of the bottom 10 from the base 1 is effected by bending downwardly along fold lines 72, 73, 74 and 75, the fold lines being an appropriate distance from the edge of the blank 70 (in this case, at 35 mm).

Four slots 32, 33, 34 and 35 are formed approximately centrally of respective ones of the four fold lines 72, 73, 74 and 75 and each slot extends approximately half of the length of each fold line as shown. The slots 32, 33, 34 and 35 are spaced inwardly (for example, by 10 mm) towards the centre of the false bottom 10 away from the corresponding fold lines. The slots 32, 33, 34 and 35 are connected to their associated fold lines by outwardly divergent cut lines as shown. Therefore, when each portion 42, 43, 44, 45 of the false bottom 10 is bent downwardly through substantially 90", a central lug 92, 93, 94, 95 coplanar with the associated portion 42, 43, 44, 45 respectively, will be turned upwardly from the bottom 10, leaving a slot (having a width of approximately 10 mm) alongside each lug 92, 93, 94, 95.

Each of the walls 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the container has a double thickness. This is formed by bending corresponding portions 2', 3', 4' and 5' of the continuous wall formed through 180 as shown in Figure 9(d). As this is done, the upper edges 6, 7, 8 and 9 are formed. The free edges of the portions 3', 5' are shaped to accommodate the inclination of the edges 6, 7 and when folded into position to form walls 3 and 5 lie parallel to the base 1.

Each of the four edges of the inwardly folded portions 2', 3', 4' and 5' has an outwardly directed short tongue 102, 103, 104, 105 at its centre, each tongue merging with the edge concerned by way of a short incline. These four tongues 102, 103, 104, 105 fit into respective ones of the slots 32, 33, 34, 35 formed in the false bottom 10. The lugs 92, 93, 94, 95 of the false bottom 10 lying alongside respective slots 32, 33, 34, 35 are hidden immediately behind portions 2', 3', 4', 5' of the respective side walls 2, 3, 4 and 5. This provides a rigid arrangement which prevents the container from coming apart unless a significant manual force is exerted on it.

Portions 21 are cut out of portions 2, 2', 4, 4' to provide the carrying holes 11. Portions may also be cut out as indicated by dotted lines 25 to provide circular holes in one or both side walls for a purpose described below.

A cradle arrangement for new-born or very young babies is shown in Figures 9(e) and (f). It comprises two elongate shaped members 15, three transverse members 16 and a cradle 17. The members 15 are positioned within the container parallel to the side walls 3, 5. Each member 15 has three slots spaced along its length into which the members 16 are placed, each member 16 having two slots.

As shown in Figure 9(e), each member 15 is shaped to have a generally V-shaped edge defined by two inclined edges 19, 20 which meet at an angle of substantially 112". The transverse members 16, together with the elongate members 15 into which they are slotted, provide a base for the cradle 17. A blank 80 is shown in Figure 8 from which the cradle 17 can be folded. Portions 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86 are folded down along the fold lines (shown as dotted lines) to form ridge folds. These portions lie parallel to the walls 2, 3, 4 and 5 when the cradle 17 is placed over members 15, 16. The blank 80 is also folded along fold line 87 (forming a valley fold) to coincide with the base of the V-shaped edge of members 15.

As an alternative to the cradle arrangement described with reference to Figures 9(e) and (f) and Figure 8, a cradle similarly shaped to cradle 17 can be used but which has edge portions adapted to fit over edges 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the container.

Whilst the dimensions of the container are not really critical and may be varied as required, the base 1 of the container shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings has dimensions of approximately 380 mm x 265 mm.

It is preferred, but is not absolutely essential, that the cardboard from which the container is made should initially be of "double" thickness, for example, each layer has two planar portions separated by a third planar portion, with corrugated cardboard between each pair of planar portions. This means that each side wall of the container actually exhibits six planar portions and four layers of corrugated cardboard.

Each hole 11 formed for carrying the container can be strengthened by the provision of adhesive paper or the like around it, or by a reinforcing ring or like frame.

In the embodiment shown the upper edge of each hole 11 is parallel to the corresponding edge 8 or 9 and spaced therefrom by approximately 50 mm. The shape and position may be varied if desired, however. The "double" formation of the walls 2 and 4 is readily visible in the region of holes 11 in Figure 1, but this is not very desirable as it leaves a gap and cut edges. If the cutouts are smaller and the edges folded inwards, a better appearance without the gap is achievable. Alternatively, a bezel or frame may be fitted in.

Although not shown, any or all of the exposed surfaces of the container may be printed or otherwise marked with an attractive scene, the nature of the scene or alternative pattern or even plain coloured depending on local tastes and presenting an almost infinite variety of possibilities to the manufacturer. Furthermore, the container can be treated to give it fire and/or water resistance, or make of suitably treated or resistant material. Cut edges of corrugated cardboard may be sealed against liquid ingress in known fashion.

Accessories may be provided for use with the container.

One example is a table top as shown in Figure 10 which rests or clips over at least two of the upper edges of the container to provide a surface from which a child can be fed. A further example is a beaker attachment which also clips over the edge of the container and can hold a beaker or bottle or other drinking vessel.

Apertures may be provided in the container into which attachments can be placed to amuse the child whilst it is in the container. For example, a drawer which can slide inside a rectangular aperture (for example, hole 11), or in a rectangular bezel set in such aperture, can be provided. Circular apertures (e.g. as formed by the dashed line circles indicated in Figure 5 are cut from the blank) can also be used for mounting a circular bezel which carries a mobile, rattle, mirror or other suitable toy, each toy being appropriately supported in the aperture. Figure 11a shows such a bezel 120 consisting of a cylindrical portion 125 and a flange 126 adapted to lie against the face of the container wall and Figure llb a spinner 121 which can be mounted freely rotatably in the bezel by use of two lugs 122 which engage in recesses 123 in the bezel 120. A musical box or other sound generating device actuable by the baby may also be included, and in place of a flat disc the spinner may be a sphere, cross shape or other rotatable unit, or e.g. a frame supporting bars on which balls are slidably mounted as on an abacus.

A further alternative is a product or like into which the child's hand may be inserted, such as is illustrated in Figure 12 where a ball is mounted at the end of a long pocket formed by a large soft spring covered within and without by cloth. The ball may be grasped and the unit everted. On release, it springs back to the position shown.

Further attachment points may be provided in order to enable the container to be converted further to a suitable toy or plaything as the child grows. Clearly this applies more to containers formed of plastics than of cardboard, as plastics ones can be expected to have a longer service life. For example the container of the invention can be adapted to take wheels to make it into a steerable toy.

Alternatively, a lockable top may be provided to convert the container into a treasure or toy box. Other more expensive and interchangeable accessories can be easily thought of. For the younger child, or for use with very small babies, a suitable base fitment, e.g. as shown in Figures 13 and 14, may be mounted on the base of the container to enable a rocking action to be provided.

Mounting points may also be provided for attaching a safety harness, for example, for mounting the container in a car.

Although never intended to take the place of a permanent cot or the like, a container in accordance with the invention is strong, light, warm in its interior, very inexpensive to manufacture and has sufficient strength to enable it to last, on average, for the length of time that a child or baby will need it before being promoted to a larger container or no longer wanting anything of the kind.

The inclined arrangement of the edges 6 and 7 has the considerable advantage that, once a baby can "sit up", it can lean back against the wall 4 with its head at such a level that it can very easily see out over the lower wall 2, thus avoiding any frustration from not being able to see what is going on around it.

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus primarily intended for the receipt of a human baby, comprising an open top cuboid wherein i) the cuboid has a substantially rectangular base with the length of the base exceeding the width; ii) from each of the four edges of the base there is an upstanding side wall; iii) the side wall at one shorter end of the base is taller than the side wall at the opposite end thereof.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 and including means forming an offset valley with its bottom running parallel to the shorter ends of the base.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2 and including means forming a flat table supported on the upper edges of the walls.

4. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein apertures are provided in at least one side wall to accommodate a amusement device.

5. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the cuboid is made of cardboard or plastics material.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the cuboid is folded from cardboard to give double thickness walls.

7. Apparatus for the receipt of a human baby substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A cardboard or plastics blank foldable to form apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.