GB2508618A

GB2508618A - A collapsible baby mat with a flexible loop frame

Info

Publication number: GB2508618A
Application number: GB201221874A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Calderbank
Original assignee: SMALLEST IDEAS Ltd
Current assignee: SMALLEST IDEAS Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-05
Filing date: 2012-12-05
Publication date: 2014-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-05
Also published as: GB2508618B

Abstract

A collapsible baby changing mat comprising a resiliently flexible frame forming a loop and a flexible material 6 attached to the loop which defines a surface on which a baby can be laid wherein the mat is collapsible by folding and twisting the loop such that it forms a plurality of sub loops with the material 6 arranged in layers. The mat may be resiliently biased to an expanded state and have means to hold it in a collapsed state such as a hook 8. The loop may be formed of two sub loops 6a and 6b and may be folded to form four coaxial loops. Also disclosed is a baby changing mat with means to attach a bag for receiving a nappy such that the bag can be opened single handed. The attachment means may be a hook 8.

Description

BABY CHANGING MAT

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to baby changing mats and methods of collapsing and expanding a baby changing mat.

Background to the Invention

Travelling with a baby generally requires several baby accessories to be carried for use when a nappy or diaper needs to be changed. These accessories typically include a changing mat, one or more unused nappies, baby wipes, moisturising products, and a container for soiled nappies. Such accessories can be bulky. Baby changing mats in particular, as well as being bulky, can be an awkward shape for carrying. An object of the present invention is to address this problem.

Disposal of used nappies or diapers is also a problem. Typically, a person changing a nappy puts the nappy into a bag and seals the bag. This can be difficult for a person to do alone, especially when a baby is demanding attention. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to facilitate the process of nappy changing and disposal.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible baby changing mat, comprising: a resiliently flexible frame comprising a loop; and a flexible material piece attached to the ioop, wherein when the baby changing mat is in an expanded state at least a portion of the flexible material piece extends across the loop to provide at least a part of a surface on which a baby can be laid; wherein the baby changing mat is collapsible by folding and twisting so that, when collapsed, the loop is in the form of a plurality of sub-loops and the flexible material piece is in a :1 plurality of layers.

Such a mat is readily and easily usable by a carer while attending to the baby. The mat is carried in a collapsed state in which is can be easily stored. In embodiments, the mat may resile from the collapsed state for use, without need for the carer to unfold it.

Such a mat can also be economically manufactured and can be reusable or disposable.

Preferably, the loop, in a collapsed state, may be twisted and folded into two or four overlying sub-loops.

The loop may be biased to a flat expanded state, so that, the baby changing mat at least in part conveniently resilcs to the expanded state when released from a collapsed state.

All of the sub-loops may be substantially coaxial when the baby changing mat is in a collapsed state.

The folding and twisting preferably comprises folding the baby changing mat about a transverse line substantially midway along a length of the material piece, and twisting and further folding the baby changing mat so that the frame is in the form of thc plurality of sub-loops, and the flexible material piece is in the plurality of layers.

A first portion of the material piece may extend across the loop to provide at least a part of the surface on which a baby can be laid, and the folding and twisting may include folding a second portion of the material piece, which also provides a part of the surface on which the baby can he laid, against the first portion of the material piece, and twisting and folding the loop so that in the collapsed state the frame comprises two sub-loops formed from the loop. The second portion of material may be narrower in width than the first portion, so that when folded against the first portion, thc second portion fits against a part of the first portion within the loop.

Alternatively, a first portion of the material piece may extend across the loop to provide a part of the surface on which a baby can be laid, and the frame may comprise a further loop, the material piece being attached to the fhrther loop, and a second S portion of the material piece extends across the loop to provide another part of the surface on which the baby can be laid, wherein the baby changing mat is collapsible by the folding and twisting so that, in a collapsed state, the loop is twisted and folded into two sub-loops and the further loop is twisted and folded into two sub-loops.

Alternatively, the frame may include a single loop attached to and providing a support structure for the material piece, and the loop may be twisted and folded in a first action into a pair of sub-loops, and the pair of sub-loops may be together twisted and folded in a second action each into another pair of sub-loops, so that in the collapsed state the frame comprises four substantially coaxial sub-loops.

The baby changing mat may thither couiptise means for releasably securing the baby changing mat in a collapsed state.

The baby changing mat may further comprise a hook attached to the flexible material piece and/or the frame, wherein the hook is configured to enable attachment of a nappy disposal bag when the baby changing mat is in an expanded state.

The securing means may comprise the hook, the hook being configured to enable both securing of the baby changing mat in a collapsed state and attachment of the nappy disposal bag.

An edge portion of the material piece may be stitched to an outer binding piece with a stitch line, and the material of the hook may be stitched to the material piece with the same stitch line.

According to an aspect of the prcscnt invention, there may be providcd a mcthod of collapsing a baby changing mat, the mat comprising a resiliently flexible frame comprising a loop, and a flexible material piece attached to the loop, wherein when the baby changing mat is in an expanded state the flexible material piece extends S across the loop to provide at least part of a surfitce on which a baby can be laid, the method comprising collapsing the baby changing mat by folding and twisting so that the frame is substantially in the form of a plurality of sub-loops and the flexible material piece is in a plurality of layers.

The collapsing a baby changing mat may comprise folding the baby changing mat about a transverse line substantially midway along the length of the mat, and twisting and further folding the baby changing mat so that thc loop is in the form of a plurality of sub-loops, and the flexible material piece is in the plurality of layers.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of cxpanding a baby changing mat, thc baby changing mat comprising a rcsilicntly flexible frame comprising a loop, wherein in a collapsed state the baby changing mat is folded and twisted such that the loop is in the kim of a plurality of sub-loops, and the flexible material piece is in a plurality of layers, and the baby changing mat is retained in said collapsed state by a rclcasablc securing means, comprising releasing the securing means.

The baby changing mat in the second or third aspects may be a baby changing mat according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a baby changing mat including a bag attachment means for enabling attachment of a bag for receipt ofanappy, wherein the attached bag can be opened single handedly.

The bag attachment means may be a hook and thc bag may be attached at one handle thereof to the hook According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a baby changing mat, comprising attaching bag attachment means to the baby S changing mat, attaching a bag for receipt of a used nappy to the bag securing means, and single handedly disposing of a nappy in the bag. The bag attachment means may be a hook.

Brief Description of the Figures

For better understanding of the invention, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1A is a plan, top view of a baby changing mat in an expanded state according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure lB is an underside view of the baby changing mat shown in Figure 1A; Figure 1C is a side view of the baby changing mat shown in Figures 1A and 1B; Figure ID is a cross-sectional view of a peripheral part of the mat, thmugh section X-X; Figure LD is an enlarged view of a hook attachment; Figure 2A-E are views of the hook attachment, as indicated; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the hook attachment attached to the baby changing mat; Figure 4A and 4B are views of sides of the baby changing mat in a collapsed state; Figures 5A to 5E depict stages in the expansion of the baby changing mat; Figures 6A to 6D depict stages in the collapse of the baby changing mat; Figure 7 illustrates a nappy being disposed in a nappy disposal bag attached to the baby changing mat; Figures 8A to SF are views of a clip suitable for attachment to a baby changing mat;and Figure 9 is an underside view of a baby changing mat in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

S

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only. For example, a baby changing mat has a conventional orientation in use and the words "top" and "underside" are to be construed in view of that orientation.

The baby changing mat can be collapsed from an expanded state to a collapsed state for storage or transport, and expandcd from the collapsed state to an expanded state for use in baby changing. Referring to Figures 1A to 1C, a baby changing mat is indicated generally at 2. The baby changing mat 2 comprises a resiliently flexible flat frame, and a base piece 6 of flexible material. The base piece 6 provides a surfacc onto which a baby can be laid for changing. The frame, when the mat 2 is in the expanded state, is in the form of a pair of fiat substantially circular loops located adjacent one another in the same plane. The loops are each attached to the base piece 6 by means of respective inner bindings 4a, 4b. The loops are not visible in Figures 1A to IC, but are enclosed in the respective inner bindings 4a, 4b. A first portion 6a of the base piece extends across a first of the loops and a second portion 6b of the base piece extends across a second of the loops. When flexed, the loops are each biased to return to their respective flat states. In this embodimea the base piece 6 is elongate with recessed longitudinal sides to follow the shape of the adjacent loops, but in variant embodiments, the base piece 6 can be other elongate shapes. The base piece includes a flexible portion between the first and second loops.

The loops need not be circular. For example, they may be oval. In variant embodiments, the loops may not be closed loops.

Referring additionally to Figure ID, the first loop, indicated at 5, is enclosed in its inner binding 4a. The inner binding 4a comprises a piece of material wrapped around the first loop 5 and whose edges 9; 9b are stitched flat together and to the base piece 6. A stitch line 13 extends around the periphery of the base piece 6 and a portion of S this line 13 stitches the edges 9; 9b together and to the base piece 6. The edges 9a, 9b of the inner binding 4a are attached to the underside of the base piece 6 between regions A and A' in Figure lB by means of a separate stitch line 7a.

An outer binding 15 is wrapped around the edge of the base piece 6 and is stitched to the base piece 6 using the stitch line 13. Thus the outer binding 15 is also stitched to the outer edges 9; 9b of the inner binding 4a. The outer binding 15 protects the edges 9; 9b of the inner binding 4; 4b from fraying.

The enclosure of the first loop 5 by the inner binding 4a prevents friction between the first loop and other parts of the mat. For example, if the inner binder 4a were absent between regions A and A', the first loop may rub on the outer binding 15 during expanding and collapsing at regions A and A', causing fraying and puckering of the outer binding 15.

The second loop, enclosed by the inner binding 4b, and the inner binding 4b are attached to the base piece 6 in the same way as the first loop and its inner binding 4a.

Edge portions (not shown) of the inner binding 4b are attached to the base piece 6 on the stitch line 13 and, between regions B and B', with a separate stitch line lb. The loops are each formed of a resiliently flexible metal wire, although the frame may be formed of other materials. The base material 6 is formed of a suitable plastic or fabric. For example, if the mat 2 is disposable, the base material 6 is formed of an absorbent material. If the mat 2 is reusable, the base material 6 may be formed of a suitable, wipeable plastics material.

As shown in greater detail in Figure IE, a hook attachment 8 is aftached to the base material 6. The hook attachment 8 is dual function, being for retaining the baby mat 2 in the collapsed state, and also enabling attachment of a bag into which a soiled nappy can be disposed. The baby changing mat 2 may include a strap to attach to the hook to facilitate securing of the baby mat 2 in the collapsed state.

The hook attachment 8 is shown in more detail in Figures 2A to 2E. The hook attachment 8 includes a portion 10 that can be stitched directly to the base material 6, and a hooked portion 12. Tn Figure 3, the hook attachmentS is stitched directly to the base material 6 at the periphery of the mat by means of the stitch line 13. The hook attachment 8 is made of thermoplastic elasiomer (TPU), although thermoplastic polyurethane or other materials may also bc suitable.

The baby mat 2 in the collapsed state is shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Tt is more conveniently shaped for storage in the collapsed state. In the collapsed state, the mat 2 is twisted and folded so that the frame is in the form of four sub-loops and the base piece is in several layers. A strap T T, mentioned above, is also shown in Figure 4B to facilitate retaining the mat 2 in a collapsed state.

Referring now to Figures 6A to 6D, to collapse the baby mat 2, the baby mat 2 is first folded in half; as indicated in Figures GB and 6C so that a top surface of the first portion 6a and a top surface of the second portion Gb are flush together, and the first and second loops are coaxial.

These two halves are then twisted and folded together so that the frame is essentially in the form of four sub-loops, as shown in Figure 6D. That is, both ioops are simultaneously twisted into respective figure-of-eight forms, and the figure-of-eight form is folded about a centre thereof such that the sub-loops are substantially coaxial.

The strap 11 (not shown in Figures GA to 6D) is then put over the hook portion T2 to secure the baby mat 2 in the collapsed state.

Referring to Figures 5A to 5E, once a carer releases the strap from the hook portion 12 the baby mat 2 resiles under the biasing action of the frame. Thus, initially the mat 2 springs open so that the first and second portions are folded together, as shown in Figure SC. Then those two halves are unfolded (Figure SD) until the mat 2 is in the fufly open state shown in Figure SE. The two halves may unfold themselves, since the resiling action of loops causes the loops to push apart.

Although not shown in the figures, the base piece 6 preferably includes padding to improve comfort for the baby. The padding is sufficiently thin and flexible and is arranged so as not to impede the ability to twist and fold the mat, as described.

Referring to Figure 7, a bag 14 is attached to the hook portion 12, when the baby mat 2 is in its expanded state. The hook portion 12 facilitates disposal of a nappy 16 in the bag 14 by the earer 18, since the bag 14 can easily be held open single handedly.

Referring to Figure 9, in an alternative embodiment, a mat 40 includes only the first of the resiliently flexible loops, which is attached to a base piece 42 to provide a support structure for a first portion 42a of the base piece. The ioop is attached in the same way as described above, by means of the inner and outer bindings 4a, 4b, 15.

The base piece 42 is similar to the base piece 6, although since no second loop (4b in Figures lA-iD) is present, no inner binding is present to enclose it. A second portion 42b of the base piece, which the loop does not cover, is not provided with the structural support of the frame. Although not essential, the second portion 42b is narrower in width than the first portion 42a. For example, the width of the first portion 42a may be 380mm and the width of the second portion 42b may be 360mm.

This results in the layers of material in the collapsed mat being closer together than otherwise. The mat 40 includes a hook attachment 8.

The mat 40 is collapsible in a first fold, then twist and further fold action, like the mats of the above described embodiments. However in this case, in the first fold action, the second portion 42b is folded against the first portion 42a, and thcn the first portion 42a with the loop is collapsed in the twist and fold action. The collapsed mat includes two substantially coaxial sub-loops formed from the original loop. The mat can expand from the collapsed state in a spring action to only be unfolded about a fold line between the first and second portions 42a, 42b.

In another embodiment, the frame (not shown) may be formed of a single elongate loop extending over both the first and second portions of the base piece. The inner binding is modified accordingly to enclose such a single loop. The single loop may be first collapsed into two sub-loops in a first twist and fold action, that is, wherein the loop is collapsed into a figure-of-eight which is folded about its centre so that it is in the form of two substantially coaxial sub-loops. Then, the two substantially coaxial sub-loops are together collapsed into four substantially coaxial sub-loops in a second similar twist and fold action.

Referring to Figures 8A-8F, in another embodiment a clip 20 that is attachable to and detachable from the baby mat 2 has an integral hook part 22. The clip 20 can be attached to any baby mat having a flat edge. It can be attached to the baby mat 2 described above, with or without the hook attachment means.

The clip 20 comprises two plates 24, 26 respectively pivotably attached. A hair spring 26 biases the plates 24, 26 so that attachment ends 24a, 26a of each plate 24, 26 arc biased together about a pivot. Pressing together of the other ends 24b, 26b of each plate 24, 26 respectively pivots the plates 24, 26, so that the attachment ends 24a, 26a come apart. When the attachment ends 24a, 26a are apart the edge of the baby mat 2 can be inserted between the attachment ends 24a, 26a. When the pressing is stopped, the attachment ends 24a, 26a are biased together, thereby to attach the clip 20 to the edge of the baby mat 2. The clip 20 can be detached by pressing the ends 24b, 26b together to open the attachment ends 24a, 26a.

A baby mat for use with the clip 20 and the clip 20 may be provided in the form of a kit. A plurality of bags with handles for attaching to the baby mat using the clip 20 may be provided in the kit.

In the above, the term "nappy" is predominantly used, but no distinction should be understood between the term "nappy" and the term "diaper".

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature or step described herein and any combination of two or more such features or steps, to the extent that such features or steps or combinations thereof are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or steps or combinations of features or steps solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or steps or combination of features and steps. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. :l1

Claims

CLAIMS1. A collapsible baby changing mat, comprising: a resiliently flexible frame comprising a loop; and a flexible material piece attached to the ioop, wherein when the baby changing mat is in an expanded state at least a portion of the flexible material piece extends across the ioop to provide at least a part of a surface on which a baby can be laid; wherein the baby changing mat is collapsible by folding and twisting so that, when collapsed, the loop is in the form of a plurality of sub-loops and the flexible material piece is in a plurality of layers.
2. A baby changing mat according to claim 1, wherein the loop, in a collapsed state, is twisted and folded into two or four sub-loops.
3. A baby changing mat according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the loop is biased to a flat expanded state, so that, the baby changing mat at least in part resiles to the expanded state when released from a collapsed state.
4. A baby changing mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all of the sub-loops are sUbstantially coaxial when the baby changing mat is in a collapsed state.
5. A baby changing mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding and twisting comprises: folding the baby changing mat about a transverse line substantially midway along a length of the material piece; twisting and ftirther folding the baby changing mat so that the frame is in the form of the plurality of sub-loops, and the flexible material piece is in the plurality of layers.
6. A baby changing mat according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first portion of the material piece extends across the loop to provide at least a part of the surface on which a baby can be laid, wherein the folding and twisting includes folding a second portion of the material piece, which also provides a part of the S surface on which the baby can be laid, against the first portion of the material piece, and twisting and folding the loop so that in the collapsed state the frame comprises two sub-loops formed fixm the loop.
7. A baby changing mat according to claim 6, wherein the second portion of material is narrower in width than the first portion, so that when folded against the first portion, the second portion fits against a part of the first portion within the loop.
8. A baby changing mat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a first portion of the material piece extends across the loop to provide a part of the surface on which a baby can be laid, wherein the frame comprises a fUrther loop, the material piece being attached to the further loop, and a second portion of the material piece extends across the loop to provide another part of the surface on which the baby can be laid, wherein the baby changing mat is collapsible by the folding and twisting so that, in a collapsed state, the loop is twisted and folded into two sub-loops and the further loop is twisted and fblded into two sub-loops.
9. A baby changing mat according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame includes a single loop attached to and providing a support structure for the material piece, wherein the loop is twisted and folded in a first action into a pair of sub-loops, and the -of sub-loops are together twisted and folded in a second action each into another pair of sub-loops, so that in the collapsed state the frame comprises four substantially coaxial sub-loops.
10. A baby changing according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for releasably securing the baby changing mat in a collapsed state.
11. A baby changing mat according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hook attached to the flexible material piece and/or thc frame, wherein the hook is configured to enable attachment of a nappy disposal bag when the baby changing mat is in an expanded state.
12. A baby changing mat according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 10, wherein the securing means comprises the hook, the hook being configured to enable both securing of the baby changing mat in a collapsed state and attachment of the nappy disposal bag.
13. A baby changing mat according to claim 12, wherein an edge portion of the material piece is stitched to an outer binding piece with a stitch line, and wherein the material of the hook is stitched to the material piece with the same stitch line.
14. A method of collapsing a baby changing mat, the mat comprising a resiliently flexible frame comprising a loop, and a flexible material piece attached to the loop, wherein when the baby changing mat is in an expanded state the flexible material piece extends across the loop to provide at least part of a surface on which a baby can *be laid, the method comprising: collapsing the baby changing mat by folding and twisting so that the frame is substantially in the form of a plurality of sub-loops and. the flexible material piece is in a plurality of layers.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the collapsing a baby changing mat, comprises: folding the baby changing mat about a transverse line substantially midway along the length of the mat; and twisting and further folding the baby changing mat so that the loop is in the form of a plurality of sub-loops, and the flexible material piece is in the plurality of layers.
16. A method of expanding a baby changing mat, the baby changing mat comprising a resiliently flexible frame comprising a loop, wherein in a collapsed state S the baby changing mat is folded and twisted such that the loop is in the form of a plurality of sub-loops, and the flexible material piece is in a plurality of layers, and the baby changing mat is retained in said collapsed state by a releasable securing means, comprising releasing the securing means.
17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the baby changing mat is a baby changing mat according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
18. A baby changing mat including a bag attachment means fbr enabling attachment of a bag!br receipt of a nappy, wherein the attached bag can be opened single handedly.
19. A baby changing mat according to claim 18, wherein the bag attachment means is a hook and the bag is attached at one handle thereof to the hook.
20. A method of using a baby changing mat, comprising: attaching bag attachment means to the baby changing mat attaching abagforreceiptofa usednappy to thebagseeuringmeans; and single handedly disposing of a nappy in the bag.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the bag attachment means is a hook
22. A baby changing mat substantially as hercinbcfore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
23. A method of collapsing a baby changing mat substantially as hcrcinbcforc described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A method of using a baby changing mat substantially as hercinbcfore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.SAmendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A method of using a baby changing mat, comprising: detachably attaching a separate bag for receipt of a used nappy to a bag attachment means, the bag attachment means being attached to the baby changing mat; and single handedly opening the bag, and disposing of a used nappy in the bag.2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the bag attachment means includes a hook and the bag is attached at one handle thereof to the hook.3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a prior step of attaching the bag attachment means to the baby changing mat.4. A method of using a baby changing mat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. r