US20130025061A1

US20130025061A1 - Ventilation pad for a toddler carrier

Info

Publication number: US20130025061A1
Application number: US13/640,792
Authority: US
Inventors: In-Young Yoo
Original assignee: Total Kids Corp
Current assignee: Total Kids Corp
Priority date: 2010-04-12
Filing date: 2011-04-07
Publication date: 2013-01-31
Also published as: KR20110009832U; WO2011129546A3; KR200458506Y1; WO2011129546A2

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a ventilation pad, and more particularly, to a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier, which is installed inside a toddler carrier such as a baby sling, wherein a three-dimensional mesh pad having a sufficient predetermined thickness is inserted between a mother and a baby, thereby alleviating heat and preventing discomfort when using a baby sling or carrier during the summer months.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a ventilation pad, and more particularly, to a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier, which can be used to bear the heat in the summer time.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, in the case where a parent take her or his toddler who has a difficulty walking to somewhere, when she or he holds her or his toddler in her or his arms or carries her or his toddler on her or his back, her or his both hands are inconvenient as well as their physical strength is great and it is arduous. For this reason, there frequently occur many cases where most parents are reluctant to go out along with their toddling children.
In order to address and solve this problem, a method is mainly proposed in which parents carries their baby more snugly using a toddler carrier such as a baby carrier or sling, a wadded baby wrapper, and the like. However, such a toddler carrier entails a problem in that in the case where it is used during the summer months, the bodies of a mother and her baby are bathed in perspiration due to heat and moisture emitted from she and her baby's body that are in close contact with each other, making them physically exhausted easily as well as making them feel mentally fatigued, and thus causing an annoyance to them.
As a result, since such physical and metal fatigues have a serious effect on the mother and her baby such as injuring their health, the mother restrains the use of the toddler carrier such as the baby sling, or the like and is reluctant to go out during the summer time.
In order to overcome this adverse effect of the conventional toddler carrier on the mother and her baby, a product in which a mesh is attached to a rear surface portion of the toddler carrier has been put on the market. However, the ventilation effect of the conventional toddler carrier is not great in light of the characteristics of the baby sling that the bodies of mother and her baby are in completely close contact with each other, and as a result, the problem involved in the conventional toddler carrier still remains.
In particular, a textile fabric material of the toddler carrier is positioned between the mother and her baby, but heat and moisture generated from the bodies of the mother and her baby who are in close contact with each other are not mixed with the outside air. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a ventilation means that can be used in the toddler carrier

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier, which is installed inside the toddler carrier such as a baby sling, wherein a three-dimensional mesh pad having a sufficient predetermined thickness is inserted between a mother and her baby, thereby preventing discomfort when using the toddler carrier such as the baby sling even during the summer months.

Technical Solution

To accomplish the above objects, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier, including: a mat having a front portion 11 and a rear portion formed thereon in such a manner as to be connected integrally with each other, the front portion being brought at a top surface thereof into close contact with an abdominal region of a baby and the rear portion being brought at a top surface thereof into close contact with a back region of the baby, and a central portion whose both side edges are bent inwardly, wherein the mat includes an upper layer and a lower layer that are respectively coupled in a continuous loop shape, and an intermediate pillar layer that interconnects the upper layer and the lower layer with loops, respectively.
In addition, preferably, the ventilation pad for a toddler carrier may further include a protective member coupled respectively to the bent both sides of the central portion of the mat and extending inwardly in a direction in which the mat is folded.
Moreover, preferably, the ventilation pad for a toddler carrier may further include a fastening unit formed at both sides of the rear portion of the mat, respectively. The fastening unit includes a first connecting portion formed at an end thereof, and the protective member includes a second connecting portion formed at one side end thereof, so that the fastening unit and the protective member can be engaged with each other by the engagement between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.
Additionally, the front portion and the rear portion of the mat may be formed separately from each other in a curved shape in which the width of a lower end of each of the front portion and the rear portion is relatively smaller than that of an upper end of each of the front portion and the rear portion.

Advantageous Effects

The present invention as constructed above has an advantageous effect in which a three-dimensional mesh pad is inserted between a mother and her baby to enable sufficient ventilation to be induced, and thus heat emitted from the bodies of the mother and her baby can be released to the outside and the humidity can be lowered, thereby preventing discomfort even when using the toddler carrier during the summer months.
In addition, in the case where a baby wears the ventilation pad for a toddler carrier, the baby's skin can be protected owing to the protective member adopted to prevent a soft region of the baby's skin from touching the pad and being chafed, and thus both amenity and safety can be achieved.
Additionally, the fastening unit having the first second connecting portion and the protective member having the second connecting portion are formed at both sides of the ventilation pad for a toddler carrier of the present invention, so that the posture of the baby can securely fixed easily, and thus the safety accident can be prevented and the ventilation pad can be used more conveniently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the state in which a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention is used;

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a mat of a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to the present invention, taken along the line A-A;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are use state views illustrating the process in which a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to the present invention is worn; and

FIG. 9 is a use state view illustrating the state in which a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to the present invention has been worn.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, a preferred embodiment of according to the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ventilation pad 100 for a toddler carrier according to the present invention includes a mat 10 which has a front portion 11 and a rear portion 12 formed thereon in such a manner as to be connected integrally with each other, the front portion 11 being brought at a top surface thereof into close contact with an abdominal region of a baby and the rear portion 12 being brought at a top surface thereof into close contact with a back region of the baby, and a central portion whose both side edges are bent inwardly. The mat 10 includes an upper layer 13 and a lower layer 14 that are coupled in a continuous loop shape, and an intermediate pillar layer 13 that interconnects the upper layer 13 and the lower layer 14 with loops, respectively.
The mat 10 is preferably manufactured in a simple shape so as to be able to be easily positioned at a portion against which the bodies of a mother and her baby abut. In addition, the front portion and the rear portion 12 are preferably formed in a generally quadrangular shape.
Preferably, the rear portion 12 of the mat 10, which is positioned at a back region of the baby is relatively larger than the front portion 11 positioned at an abdominal region of the baby in view of the activity and the wearing feeling of the baby. The front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 are preferably formed in such a manner as to be connected integrally with each other like a diaper for infants to facilitate the putting on and off of the toddler carrier.
In addition, the mat 10 is formed in a shape in which a portion where the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 are connected to each other has the width that is relatively smaller that of each of the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 so that both side edges of the connected portion are bent inwardly to prevent the mat 10 from touching the baby's legs and increase the activity of the baby.
Besides, a protective member 20 is preferably formed at the inwardly bent portions of the mat 10 against which the baby' legs abut so as to extend inwardly in a direction in which the mat 10 is folded. In order to prevent the inner side of the thigh as the softest region of the skin of the baby who does not wear a clothing from touching the mat 10 and being chafed during the sultry summer time months, the protective member 20 is preferably formed of a densely woven fabric material that is softer than that of the mat 10.
Furthermore, the protective member 20 which the baby's skin touches directly may include a cushion material such as sponge embedded therein to achieve a better cushion feeling.
The front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 are formed separately from each other so that such a ventilation pad can be inserted into the contact portions between a mother and her baby and between the baby's back and the toddler carrier to attain a sufficient ventilation efficiency even in a state in which the mother hold her baby in her arms or carries her baby on her back using a toddler carrier such as a baby sling.
In this case,
the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 of the mat 10 are preferably formed separately from each other in a curved shape in which the width of a lower end of each of the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 is relatively smaller than that of an upper end of each of the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12. Therefore, the front portion 11 is easily inserted into the contact portion between the mother and her baby and the rear portion 12 is easily inserted into the baby's back and the toddler carrier in terms of the structure of the toddler carrier, and thus the ventilation pad 100 for a toddler carrier can be used very conveniently although the mother does not put off the toddler carrier.
Additionally, although only any one of the front portion 11 and the rear portion 12 of the mat 10 is manufactured and used, a partial ventilation effect can be obtained. The mat 10 may be manufactured in plural pieces or into a more increased thickness so as to be inserted into the contact portions, so that a sufficient space through which air can pass can be secured, thereby attaining a more efficient ventilation capability.
In addition, the ventilation pad 100 for a toddler carrier includes a fastening unit 30 formed at both sides of the rear portion 12 of the mat 10, respectively. The fastening unit 30 includes a first connecting portion 31 formed at an end thereof and the protective member 20 includes a second connecting portion 21 formed at one side end thereof, so that the fastening unit 30 and the protective member 20 can be engaged with each other by the engagement between the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 21.
That is, the fastening unit 30 is partly formed at both sides of the rear portion 12 of the mat 10, which abuts against the baby's back. In the case where the mat is folded to fit the baby, the fastening unit 30 is coupled to the front portion 11 or the protective member 20 to cause the rear portion 12 and the front portion 11 to be connected to each other and securely fixed.
In this embodiment, although it has been illustrated that the fastening unit 30 is fixedly coupled to the end of the protective member 20, the first connecting portion 31 is formed at the end of the fastening unit 30 and the second connecting portion 21 is formed at one side end of the protective member 20, so that the mat 10 can be securely fixed by the engagement between the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 21.
The first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 21 may use various means that can be detachably mounted such as a Velcro tape or fixed button. In this embodiment, it has been illustrated that the Velcro tape is used as the first connecting portion 31 and the second connecting portion 21, and
The fastening unit 30 having the first connecting portion 31 is formed at both sides of the rear portion 12 of the mat 10 and the second connecting portion 21 is formed at the end of the protective member 20, so that the posture of the baby can be easily fixed, and thus the safety accident can be prevented and the ventilation pad is used more conveniently.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a mat of a ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 5, an upper layer 13 and a lower layer 14 of the mat 10 are coupled to form a mesh structure in which loops having a predetermined size are coupled to each other in a continuous and uniformly repeated pattern.
Preferably, such a repeated mesh structure has a sufficient space through which air can pass. The inventive mesh structure enables air to easily pass through the relatively large space as compared to other fabric structure having a small space. For this reason, the mat 10 of the present invention is excellent in the ventilation capability, is easy to wash and dry, makes it difficult for germs and fungi to proliferate, and thus a superior antibacterial effect can be obtained even though a separate antimicrobial agent, an antifungal agent, or the like is not added.
As shown in FIG. 6, a reference to the cross-section of the mat 10 used in the present invention will be made. The upper layer 13 and the lower layer 13 are connected by loops, respectively, and an intermediate pillar layer 13 having a predetermined thickness is formed therebetween.
The intermediate pillar layer 13 interconnects the upper layer 13 and the lower layer 13 so that the upper layer 13 and the lower layer 13 are coupled to each other in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other by regular intervals. By virtue of this structure, many spaces through which air can pass can be secured, and the present invention is very useful since an excellent cushion feeling can be provided to the baby when the mat 10 touches the baby.
Further, such an woven fabric is made such that pillars of the intermediate pillar layer 13 are connected to the loops of the upper layer 13 by loops, and these pillars of the intermediate pillar layer 13 are connected to the loops of the lower layer 13 to form a multi-layered structure. Then, the pillars of the intermediate pillar layer 13 are connected to the loops formed in the upper layer 13 and then are connected to the loops formed in the lower layer 13. This process is repeatedly performed so that the upper layer 13, the intermediate pillar layer 13, and the lower layer 13 are simultaneously continuously connected to one another with the loops to form a continuous three-dimensional structure.
The material of the mat 10 may use various materials including natural fiber such as seed fiber, bast fiber, silk fiber, or the like, and synthetic fiber such as nylon fiber, polyester fiber, polyurethane fiber, polyethylene fiber, polyvinyl chloride fiber, polyvinylidene fiber, polyvinyl alcohol fiber, polypropylene fiber, or the like.
While the present invention has been described with respect to the certain specific embodiments, it will be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but various equivalent modifications and variations to the disclosed embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A ventilation pad for a toddler carrier, comprising:

a mat having a front portion and a rear portion formed thereon in such a manner as to be connected integrally with each other, the front portion being brought at a top surface thereof into close contact with an abdominal region of a baby and the rear portion being brought at a top surface thereof into close contact with a back region of the baby, and a central portion whose both side edges are bent inwardly, wherein the mat comprises an upper layer and a lower layer that are respectively coupled in a continuous loop shape, and an intermediate pillar layer that interconnects the upper layer and the lower layer with loops, respectively.

2. The ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a protective member coupled respectively to the bent both sides of the central portion of the mat and extending inwardly in a direction in which the mat is folded.

3. The ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a fastening unit formed at both sides of the rear portion of the mat, respectively, wherein the fastening unit comprises a first connecting portion formed at an end thereof and the protective member comprises a second connecting portion formed at one side end thereof, so that the fastening unit and the protective member can be engaged with each other by the engagement between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.

4. The ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to claim 1, wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the mat are formed separately from each other in a curved shape in which the width of a lower end of each of the front portion and the rear portion is relatively smaller than that of an upper end of each of the front portion and the rear portion.

5. The ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to claim 2, wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the mat are formed separately from each other in a curved shape in which the width of a lower end of each of the front portion and the rear portion is relatively smaller than that of an upper end of each of the front portion and the rear portion.

6. The ventilation pad for a toddler carrier according to claim 3, wherein the front portion and the rear portion of the mat are formed separately from each other in a curved shape in which the width of a lower end of each of the front portion and the rear portion is relatively smaller than that of an upper end of each of the front portion and the rear portion.