GB2589379A

GB2589379A - Changing mat

Info

Publication number: GB2589379A
Application number: GB1917483.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Prescott Lyndon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-29
Filing date: 2019-11-29
Publication date: 2021-06-02
Also published as: GB201917483D0

Abstract

A baby changing mat 1 comprises a generally rectangular compliant membrane 2 with peripheral edges 3. A cross member 4 spans a smaller dimension of the mat 1. The edges 3 and the cross member 4 are thicker than the base 2. The peripheral edges 3 and the cross member 4 may be thickened in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the central membrane 2. The membrane 2 to one side of the strut 4 may be replaced with one or more thickened areas optionally coinciding in thickness with the edges 3 and cross member 4. At least one edge 3 or the strut 4 may vary in cross section across their length. The membrane 2 may be fabricated from foam rubber or neoprene, covered with a waterproof fabric. The mat 1 aims to contain excrement at the end corresponding to undergarments to avoid contamination of clean clothes.

Description

Changing Mat

Field of the Invention.

This invention relates to a changing mat for providing a clean changing surface on which to change the undergarments of a baby or infant.

Background of the Invention.

It is often essential to be able to change the undergarments such as nappies or diapers when they become soiled with urine and / or faecal material collectively referred to as excrement henceforth. Conventionally, a changing mat can be employed. This provides a soft waterproof surface on which to safely change the baby's undergarments.

A changing mat comprises a generally rectangular compliant membrane. This membrane can be thickened on its peripheral edges thus providing a barrier against leakage of any excrement. Advantageously the thickening can be provided on one of the short and both longer edges of the generally rectangular shape, in this way the thickened short edge provides a soft rest or pillow for the baby's head whilst the opposite end allows for more room as the baby grows and may also serve as an easier way to clean the mat. The compliant membrane may be made from a soft foam material such as foam rubber or neoprene, covered with a waterproof fabric or sheet which may be fully bonded at its edges. This cover may also be bonded to itself on the inner edge of the thickened areas. The inner foam padding may be constructed in sections such that the thinner central area is one piece of foam material and the thicker edges are separate thicker pieces. The covering is then fully bonded at the rectangle's perimeter and its inner surfaces are bonded to one another where the thinner padding is next to the thicker padding.

However, changing mats do suffer from a significant drawback. Firstly, excrement can flow towards the end of the mat where the baby's head is situated thus contaminating the otherwise clean clothing that the baby is wearing. This is particularly apparent when the baby further soils the area during the process of changing. Such contamination means that all the baby's clothes need changing in addition to the undergarments.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to contain the excrement at the end corresponding to the undergarments such that it cannot contaminate the otherwise clean clothes.

Summary of the Invention.

According to the present invention there is provided a changing mat comprising a generally rectangular compliant membrane with peripheral edges that are thicker, there is also a thicker cross member. All the thicker sections including the peripheral edges or beams and the cross member, are thickened in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the central compliant membrane. The thicker sections advantageously have thicknesses that are similar to one another, but this does not have to be so.

Advantageously the thicker edges can be provided all around the periphery and the thicker cross member traverses the narrow dimension of the mat, The thicker cross member is advantageously positioned on or near to the centre of the whole product such that it divides the surface into two equal or nearly equal areas. However, it is to be understood that it is not essential for the full periphery to be bounded with thicker sections and some or all could be omitted.

The compliant membrane may be fabricated from a soft foam material such as foam rubber or neoprene, covered with a waterproof fabric or sheet. The covering sheet may be continuous or bonded all around the extreme periphery and in addition may also be bonded to itself where the internal surfaces touch at the extremities of the central compliant membrane. The inner foam padding may be constructed in sections such that the thinner central areas either side of the thicker cross member are each made from one piece of foam material and the thicker edges and thicker cross member are separate thicker pieces. The covering is then fully bonded at the rectangle's perimeter and its inner surfaces are bonded to one another where the thinner padding is next to the thicker padding.

The thicker cross member's aim is to contain the excrement at the end corresponding to the undergarments such that it cannot contaminate the otherwise clean clothes.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A is an isometric view of a conventional changing mat according to the prior art; Figure 1B is a plan view of a conventional changing mat according to the prior art; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the changing mat according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of the changing mat according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a section view of the changing mat sectioned on the line D-D shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a close-up view of an area of Figure 4 showing part of the central compliant membrane and one of the thicker peripheral edges both with the covering sheet.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of a further embodiment with cross members and thickened end edges of varying cross section Figure 7 is an isometric view of a further embodiment in which the compliant membrane to one side of the cross member is replaced by a thickened area.

Detailed Description of the Invention.

The present invention provides a changing mat which contains any excrement at the end corresponding to the undergarments such that it cannot contaminate the otherwise clean clothes.

Figures 2, 3, 4 & 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a changing mat according to the present invention.

The changing mat 1 comprises a generally rectangular compliant membrane 2 with peripheral edges 3 that are thicker, there is also a thicker cross member 4. All the thicker sections including the peripheral edges (or beams) 3 and the cross member 4, are thickened in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the central compliant membrane 2.

Advantageously the thicker edges 3 can be provided all around the periphery and the cross member 4 traverses the narrow dimension of the mat. Advantageously the cross member 4 is positioned on or near the midline of the changing mat.

The compliant membrane 2 may be fabricated from a soft foam material 5 such as foam rubber or neoprene, covered with a waterproof fabric or sheet 6. The covering sheet 6 may be continuous or bonded all around the extreme periphery, this may be with a weld or seam 7 and in addition may also be bonded to itself where the internal surfaces touch at the extremities of the central compliant membrane 8. The inner foam padding 5 may be constructed in sections such that the thinner central area is one piece of foam material and the thicker edges 3 are separate thicker pieces. The covering can then be fully bonded at the perimeter of the approximate rectangle and the inner surfaces of the covering are bonded to one another where the thinner padding is next to the thicker padding.

In a further embodiment shown in Figure 6 the cross member 104 and the thickened end edges 103 have a cross-sectional shape that changes along the length of the member. The cross member 104 is concave on both its long, generally vertical, faces. The wider ends 110 of the cross member 104 serve to keep excrement away from clean clothing. The thickened end edges 103 have a wider area 111 on or near the centre which serves as a head rest at one end.

In a further embodiment shown in Figure 7 the compliant membrane 202 to one side of the cross member 204 is replaced by a thickened area 212.

It is to be understood that the cross member 4 has a stiffness that means its deflection does not take its surface below the compliant membrane 2 such that it always contains any excrement, It is also to be understood that the crossmember 4 has a stiffness (conversely compliance) and rounded edges such that it presents a comfortable surface to the baby or infant.

It is to be understood that the changing mat is, but does not have to be, generally symmetrical about a horizontal central plane.

Claims

Changing Mat Claims.1 A changing mat comprising a generally rectangular compliant membrane with peripheral edges, some of which are thicker than the compliant membrane, and a cross member spanning the smaller dimension, which is also thicker than the compliant membrane 2. A changing mat as in claimed in claim 1 wherein the thicker cross member is positioned close to the midline of the changing mat.3. A changing mat as claimed in claim 2 wherein the compliant membrane is positioned close to the central plane such that the thickened sections are thickened approximately equally away from it.4. A changing mat as in claim 1 wherein the thicker peripheral edges extend around the complete periphery.5. A changing mat as claimed in claim 4 wherein the thicker cross member is positioned close to the midline of the changing mat.6. A changing mat as claimed in claim 5 wherein the compliant membrane is positioned close to the central plane such that the thickened sections are thickened approximately equally away from it 7. A changing mat as claimed in claim 1 or 4 wherein the compliant membrane to one side of the cross member is replaced by one or more thickened areas.8. A changing mat as claimed in the preceding claim wherein the thickened area to one side of the cross member is coincident in thickness with the peripheral edges and cross member.9. A changing mat as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein one or more of the thickened peripheral edges varies in cross section along their length.10. A changing mat as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the cross member varies in cross section along its length.11.A changing mat as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is generally symmetrical about a horizontal central plane.12. A changing mat as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the compliant membrane and thickened sections are constructed from a soft core covered in a waterproof sheet.13. A changing mat as in the preceding claim wherein the outer sheet or covers are bonded or attached together.