GB2483215A

GB2483215A - A tray storage system

Info

Publication number: GB2483215A
Application number: GB1006761.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sharifa Sheka Ali Sardal
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-04-22
Filing date: 2010-04-22
Publication date: 2012-03-07
Also published as: GB201006761D0

Abstract

A system for the organising and storage of multiple items of varying nature, such as baby changing equipment or personal cleaning products, comprises a plurality of vertically spaced apart trays 1-5 which are detachably mounted to a central support column . Each tray 1-5 is designed to carry or store a different item, where the storage function of each tray may be determined by specially designed tray inserts 10,20,30,40,50. The inserts have a variety of different characteristics, each being suited to various stages of diaper changing. For instance, this may include an insert, e.g. a bowl 11,12, for the storage of liquids, the dispensing of antibacterial, baby or other wipes. A tray 3 may be provided with an elastic restraint 31 to secure an item on the tray. A tray 2,3 may also be provided with a hook enabling a towel to be hung from the tray. A carry handle 6 may also be provided so that the storage system can be transported. The storage system may also have a hook 7 enabling it to be suspended from an item of furniture, such as a cot [as shown in Fig. 1] or a bed. The tray may rotate about the central support column.

Description

A TRAY STORAGE SYSTEM

Held of Invention The present invention relates to storage system for multiple items of varying dimensions and format. More particularly the invention provides a storage system for changing babies nappies or diapers.

Background of Invention

Baby changing units are a necessity in a home with an infant or a baby and are frequently becoming required in public spaces such as coffee shops and shopping malls.

Baby changing units however require a variety of different items, having a variety of different parameters and physical storage needs.

Prior Art

Granted US Patent US 6 256 803 discloses a baby changing and washing station comprising: a frame, said frame designed to be attached to a wall; with a wall securing means; a table portion, said table portion being of a generally flat, rectangular configuration, similar in design to a conventional diaper Sn. changing station. The table portion attached to the frame is designed to fold * e5*5 0 down into a generally horizontal plane; an indented portion. The indented portion is located on the table portion. The indented portion is configured and designed to hold a baby's buttocks, thereby keeping water from spflling onto

the table portion.

Furthermore there is disclosed a hole located in the indented portion so that water can drain out; a catch basin located beneath the table portion and designed to receive liquid through said hole. The catch basin is capable of being removed and restraining straps are attached to the table portion, and

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designed to releasably secure an infant. There is also claimed a water supply means designed to provide warm water to wash a baby's buttocks.

US Patent Application US 2 010 043 138 discloses a baby or toddler changing station which includes three lower storage compartments, two of which are for materials related to baby changing. A third lower compartment contains slideable and retractable stairs which are usable by a toddler with assistance from baby changing personnel.

Granted US Patent US 6 256 803 discloses a baby changing and washing station designed as an apparatus to aid in the washing and/or cleansing of an infant. The system comprises a frame attached to a wall and providing a fold down table portion, similar in design to a conventional diaper changing station.

A padded vinyl area for the infant was provided along with restraining straps to hold the infant with a water bottle provided in a heated container to allow the water to be slightly warmed. Tubing was provided to carry the water through a release system at the end of the tube to allow cleansing of the infant after a diaper change used to wash the entire infant with a drain system in the fold down table collecting the waste water in a catch basin which may be removed and emptied after bathing was complete. ne. * .

US Patent Application US 5 299 336 discloses a portable diaper changing * s*** * station for enabling changing of a baby's diaper including a rigid member *.° having a handle portion formed therein and having an upper surface, a 4. cushioning pad, and a nonporous wipeable case attached to the upper surface, wherein the case defines an enclosure having at least one opening for receiving the cushioning pad within the enclosure. The station further * includes a first foldable flap member releasably secured to one edge of the rigid member, which first flap member has pockets formed therein, a second, foldable cushioned flap member releasably secured to an opposite edge of the rigid member for cushioning the protruding portion of the surface, and connecting means attached to the rigid member for releasably connecting the rigid member to the protruding portion of the surface.

The present invention arose to provide a more flexible solution to those described in the aforementioned documents and one which addresses problems not solved by the foregoing systems.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage system comprising: a plurality of vertically spaced trays, said trays adapted to engage and disengage with a support column, whereby each tray is adapted to receive a different item.

The items are those required in the stages of diaper changing.

Ideally the column is in the form of a backbone that has been extruded and upon which each tray is supported, facilitating user ease of access from all anterior directions and angles.

The system has vertical spacing alJowing the trays to form a stack that has a small footprint and is well disposed for a user, who would typically be fixed in one place by the position of the baby having his/her diaper changed. This is an advantage because a user in such a situation has more facility for vertical * n * movement than horizontal. In addition a small footprint utilises less worktop or floor space, not incidentally minimising the spread of accoutrements and/or waste.

Ideally the trays have inserts which provide the function of the tray when clipped or welded in place, to suit a stage of diaper changing.

In the preferred embodiment the inserts are replaceable and exchangeable, allowing the trays to have variable functions and characteristics. These functions and characteristics are adapted to stages of diaper changing.

This is optionally achieved by way of a combination of tray inserts comprising in a preferred embodiment: 1. a tray that removably and adjustably holds two small bowls for e.g. luke warm water, cotton; preferably held or seated with minimum chance of spilling in hemispherical cradles; 2. a tray that is adapted to hold antiseptic or baby wipes with at least one removably elasticated strap that stretches over the pack and holds it to enable one handed dispensing of wipes; 3. a tray that is compartmentalised horizontally, allowing a variety of goods to be stored contemporaneously wfthout cross contamination, such as cotton wool, cream, buds; 4. a perforated tray for nappies; and 5. a tray with a ring with hooks to hold nappy bag open.

In addition there may be provided: 6. at least one carriage means such as a handle or hook; * *S* 7. at least one means of attaching the system to a piece of furniture, such * as a clip, hook or catch; *St*

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8. a means of shortening the backbone extrusion in order to allow the system to be stacked, collapsed, flat packed, telescoped or otherwise St ** Se S minimised for storage or transport; and 9. side hooks for towels, preferably added on the sides of the trays wherein clips could also be fitted in the same way.

In alternative embodiments the trays may rotate about the backbone extrusion, or may be wholly removable from such in order to facilitate cleaning. These embodiments may have rotatable or removable parts applicable to whole or part of the tray.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures in which:

f Description of Figures

Figure 1 is an overall view of a mother changing a baby; Figure 2 shows a three quarter isometric view of an embodiment of the system from overhead; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment; Figure 4 show a close up isometric overhead view of the top tray of the embodiment; Figures 5 show a close up isometric overhead view of the third tray of the embodiment; and * *. ** * * Figure 6 shows a side view of the embodiment. *

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Deta fled Description of the preferred Embodiment of the Invenfion S. S. * S * I Figure 1 is an overall view of a mother changing a baby and illustrates how the invention assists in storing for simple and easy access and use, various items such as towels wipes, tissues and nappies (diapers).

Figures 2 to 6 show the system 100 in an arrangement with the fluid storage area insert 10 as the top tray 1, the two fluid storage bowls allowing the user to keep fresh water in one bowl 11, and use the other for dirtied water 12.

In the pictured embodiment the bowls are not attached to the tray but sit in hemispherical cradle profile bowls, either with a hole beneath or not. The bowls are therefore simply removable when they need to be refreshed. The insert supports the bowls on a shaped tray, to allow it to be positioned level storage around the edge. The bowls 11, 12 themselves are formed with a flat base that sits on flat surface when filling and emptying.

The rim 13 around the tray helps prevent the egress of water from the tray and the dip at the front of the rim of the tray assists the user's access. In some embodiments the rim may be sufficiently deep and combing with a backbone extrusion allowing telescoping and/or other height minimising action. This allows storage and/or transport in a reduced size. It may be possible for such an embodiment in a minimised format to be inclusive of tray contents.

The top tray 1 as shown in Figures 4 is of an oval footprint to prevent corners dangerous for babies and infants and in common with the other trays has a rim 13 that is arranged to prevent egress of the materials in the tray. I... * S t* S.

The second tray 2 has an insert 20 divided into different sections for different S.....

* items e.g. cotton wool, cream, buds preferably by the moulding of the insert.

In addition side hooks are provided for towels.

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Hooks may be added on the sides of any or all of the trays and on each tray there is positioning for clips which could also be fitted in the same way.

Tray three 3 is arranged with an insert 30 to hold a package, stack or pack of antiseptic or baby wipes. The insert 30 has a central hole to allow a user to more effectively grasp tissues or wipes. Elasticated restraints 31 prevent movement of the pack. The restraints 31 are fixed to the insert 30 in a manner that provides lock and release. In the pictured embodiment this is achieved by expanded ends to the restraints which are passed through keyhole apertures which allows for the restraint end to pass through at only one end of the aperture. When the insert is in use the elasticated restraints are typically under strain and therefore the expanded ends to the restraints are held in place, but when not under strain the ends of the restraints may be extracted easily from the apertures as required.

The fourth tray 4 has an insert 40 with perforations, for instance to receive a diaper in use.

In the pictured embodiment there is provided a hook 8 for locating or attachment to other articles such as furniture. The hook is provided with a soft plastic face 81 to prevent scratching furniture.

The fifth tray 5 is arranged with an insert 50 to receive diaper, garbage or other bag; with a means of holding the bag open.

A handle 6 to the system 100 is provided over the centre of the top tray. In this way when the handle is used to transport the system the handle is over the centre of gravity of the system. This makes transport of the system more controlled and minimises swaying of the system when in transit, thereby making it less likely that there will be spillages of any items or liquids stored in the system.

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: The handle and the majority of the backbone extrusion is formed from rigid plastics material with some embodiments having a central metallic core and trays formed from the same material. In addition the handle 6 has a soft 55555 cushioned grip formed from a rubberised plastic 62. There is provided a 1oop * handle (61) having a rubberised plastic end to prevent the possibility of snagging. The inserts are in an antiseptic, antibacterial or easy-wipe plastic.

There is provided on at least one tray having side hooks 7 for towels.

The fifth tray is seated, preferably removably, in the stand of the backbone extrusion 9. This stand raises the fifth tray from the floor, providing more space for full garbage bag when situate in the bottom tray such feature avoiding the necessity for a deeper depth tray.

Ideally the vertical spacing between the trays is not uniform, taking into account the varying nature of the inserts. In particular the spacing between the bottom tray and the penultimate tray to the bottom is larger, to make access to the garbage bag less problematic with garbage such as a dirty diaper.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. S. ** * * *

For example variation may be made to the invention by marking the product * with indicia in Braille so as to assist blind or partially sighted people. Such a modified system provides all necessary toiletry items, such as soaps and shaving items on specific shelves so that the location of items such as soaps, creams, toothpaste and brush are known and can be easily located by the blind or partially sighted person.

Likewise it will be understood that the system can be modified for use by medical staff so as to facilitate patient care or to enable patients to wash and care for themselves. 0** * S S... * S *555

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Claims

Claims 1. A storage system comprising: a plurality of vertically spaced trays, said trays adapted to engage and disengage with a support column, whereby each tray is adapted to receive a different item.
2. An item storage system according to claim 1 having tray inserts to change the function of the tray when inserted.
3. An item storage system according to claims 1 or 2 having a fluid storage portion.
4. An item storage system according to any of claims 1 to 3 having a tray arranged with elasticated restraints.
5. An item storage system according to any preceding claim having trays supported on a backbone extrusion
6. An item storage system according to any preceding claim having a hook arranged to attach to furniture.
7. An item storage system according to any preceding claim having a tray compartmentalised for varying items.
8. An item storage system according to any of the preceding claims * ** * ** * includes at (east one hook on which to hang a towel. 0**�9. An item storage system according to any of the preceding claims *** * wherein a carry handle is provided the system. ** ** * * S * *1O.An item storage system substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.