WO2011086187A1

WO2011086187A1 - Carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2011086187A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/050553
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rachel Arvanitis; Nico Arvanitis
Original assignee: Rachel Arvanitis; Nico Arvanitis
Priority date: 2010-01-15
Filing date: 2011-01-17
Publication date: 2011-07-21
Also published as: GB2477193A; GB201100731D0; GB2477192A; GB201100695D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a apparatus, particularly to a carrier apparatus for a baby or small child which is lightweight but at the same time also sturdy in design and easy to carry and store away, and which can be used, for example, when a family is travelling with a young child, and which allows for easy and convenient carrying and storage, as well as minimal disturbance for the baby. The invention also relates to an apparatus capable of containing a baby or small child, such as a child's bath or play equipment.

Description

Carrier

The present invention relates to an apparatus, particularly to a carrier apparatus for a baby or small child which is lightweight but at the same time also sturdy in design and easy to carry and store away, and which can be used, for example, when a family is travelling with a young child, and which allows for easy and convenient carrying and storage, as well as minimising the disturbance for the baby. The invention also relates to an apparatus capable of containing a baby or small child, such as a child's bath or play equipment.

Conventional carry cots and other such apparatuses for carrying or containing babies and young children which are commercially available are bulky in their design. This results in them being heavy and cumbersome to transport around. Traditional existing carry cots for babies are rather bulky and heavy, as they are designed to be clipped onto a pram frame. This is so when an adult takes the baby for a walk and the baby falls asleep, the carry cot can be undipped from the pram frame and removed so it can be brought into the house.

A normal commercially available carry cot apparatus weighs about 6 kg, which is a significant weight for a young mother to carry around. Also, they only fold in half across their central points, which means that they are still bulky and cumbersome, even in their reduced folded state, and take up a considerable amount of storage space either in a home or in a vehicle.

Also, according to the Office of National Statistics, the UK birth rate has been steadily increasing since 2001. There were 690,013 live births in 2007 and 708,71 1 in 2008. According to official statistics, there is a mean average in the UK (between 2007 and 2008) of just under 700,000 live births per annum. Further, the same statistics show that over 25% of these newborn babies have at least one parent who is not a UK national, i.e. around 175,000 new babies per annum.

Families with young babies regularly travel abroad for holidays. Additionally, with increasing movement of people between different countries, there are an increasing numbers of families which have married couples of different nationalities. This is particularly the case in the UK at present, with the extensive immigration of people from other nations into the UK in recent years contributing to the over 25% of babies currently being born in the UK having at least one parent who is not a UK national. Foreign travel is therefore becoming more commonplace with younger children, especially for such dual nationality families, who typically fly more frequently and with babies at a younger age to meet their family who live in another country.

Travelling with a young baby can be difficult and stressful for the parents as the baby's sleep is regularly disturbed as it is picked up and moved about during the travelling, such as when it is being carried on and off a plane and around airports. Of course, when a baby is disturbed, it can make a substantial amount of noise which, in turn, is a source of disturbance and irritation for fellow passengers.

Baby slings and sit up carriers are not favoured by all babies and can make quality sleep difficult when travelling. Also, airline seat belts cannot be fitted to the baby whilst they are in these devices. Although some airlines may have on board cots, there are hygiene concerns associated with these as the cots have been used by others. Additionally, the cots cannot be carried off the plane to continue the journey, so this means that the baby's sleep will often be broken when disembarking. A baby's typical sleeping hours are between about 7pm and 7am. Due to the likelihood of the baby's sleep being disturbed during journeys, many parents feel restricted to travelling outside of these times.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a carrier apparatus for a baby which is lightweight, yet sturdy, in its design, and which is easily able to be reduced to a more conveniently manageable size for transporting around.

It would also be desirable to provide a carrier apparatus for a baby which enables a baby to be easily carried around, but at the same time minimises the amount the baby is disturbed from restful sleep, which gives a greater peace of mind for the parents and which makes for a much more pleasant travelling experience for everyone. These desires are addressed by the present invention.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for carrying or containing a baby, the apparatus comprising a body, the body having two pairs of opposing sides and a base, wherein both sides in one of the pairs of the opposing sides and the base are configured with folds thereon in such a way to enable the body to reversibly collapse into a substantially flat arrangement.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is typically a carry cot or a travel bed for a child.

In its fully expanded state, i.e. in its unfolded and functional state (these terms may be used interchangeably herein), the body of the apparatus has a four-sided configuration, typically rectangular or square. According to one embodiment, when the body has pairs of opposing sides which are of unequal length, such as in a rectangular configuration, the folds are configured on the sides of the body which are longer rather than on the shorter 'ends' of the e.g. rectangle. According to one embodiment of the invention, when the apparatus is being reversibly collapsed, the folds are so configured as to make one of the sides of the opposing pair of sides collapse in an inwardly direction relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state, while the opposing side collapse in an outwardly direction relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the opposing sides configured with folds and the base have three fold lines thereon.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the pair of the opposing sides and the base each have a central axis running through them. This axis extends from the point at the top of one of the opposing sides which is approximately central along the length of the side, extending vertically down this side and across the centre of the base to the point at which the base meets the other opposing side, then extends up the other opposing side up to the point at the top of the other opposing side which is approximately central along the length of the side. This central axis represents one of the fold lines for the base and each of the opposing sides.

Further, the base and each of the pair of the opposing sides have diagonally angled fold lines bisecting them. Typically, two such diagonally angled fold lines bisect each of the base and each of the pair of the opposing sides. These diagonal fold lines typically extend from corners of the base and/or the pair of opposing sides to points on the central axis.

According to one embodiment, the side of the opposing pair of sides which collapses in an inward direction relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state is diagonally bisected by at least two fold lines directed from its lower corners adjacent the base to a point where the central axis meets the top edge of the side. The opposing side which collapses in an outward direction relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state is diagonally bisected by at least two fold lines directed from its upper corners - i.e. the corners at the top of the body and distant from the base - to a point where the central axis bisects the lower edge of the side where the side meets the base.

This arrangement of fold lines on the base and the two opposing sides allows for the body to be completely reversibly collapsed on itself. The other two opposing sides do not need to have any of the above described fold lines thereon for this, and therefore typically do not.

According to another embodiment, when the body is in its fully collapsed state, it is substantially flat, only being as thick as the cumulative layers of material which have been folded up. Its largest side is typically only as large or small as the size of the sides of the body which do not contain any fold lines, i.e. the smaller sides in the event the respective pairs of opposing sides are of unequal length. This makes for an extremely small product once the body has been collapsed, one which can easily be stored away and carried in a small bag or hand luggage.

Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus or body may be provided with an attachment mechanism which permits the collapsed body to be attached to a changing bag or hand luggage. This attachment mechanism may be, for example, a hook or clip, and is typically located on the underside of the apparatus at one end when it is its expanded form.

According to another embodiment, each side of the body, including the sides which need not have any fold lines thereon, comprises at least one, but typically only one, further foldable portion. These portions are situated at the top of each side and typically extend substantially around, the entire perimeter of the body.

These foldable portions are intended to be folded inwardly into the inside of the body when it is in its fully expanded state, and are typically folded over in such a way that the portions are positioned almost parallel to the sides they are each a part of. When these foldable portions are folded into this position, they engage with and abut against each other. This engaging and abutting arrangement helps to give the body a still greater structural stability as the foldable portions in this arrangement provide a resilient force to 'lock' the body in position in its fully expanded state against any efforts to collapse the body or threaten its structural integrity. It is not possible, without damaging the body, to collapse it when the foldable portions are in this arrangement; only when they are unfolded out of the inside of the body and returned to their unfolded positions can the body be collapsed again.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may be locked in its unfolded and functional state by employing one or more additional frames within the structure of the body, with vertical supports of the frame being positioned such that they coincide with the positions of the vertical folds in the apparatus's structure. The frames are typically U-shaped, and there may typically be one, two, or three of them used at any one time, in use, each U-shaped frame extends down from the top of the body, along a vertical fold line, across the base of the body of the apparatus, along the horizontal fold line connected to the vertical fold line, before extending upwards along the connected opposite vertical fold line.

The frames may be made of metal or plastic, and may be tubular in shape, and may be added and attached to the apparatus after the manufacture of its body. Each frame may be a single structure, or separate frame structures joined at convenient positions.

In the alternative, in order to lock the structure of the apparatus in its unfolded and functional state, there may be provided moulded sections along one or more of the same fold lines which are thicker than the rest of the apparatus. These thicker moulded sections can be created as part of the moulding manufacturing process.

There may be three frames or thicker moulded sections in use to secure the structure of the apparatus in its unfolded and functional state, one at each end of the apparatus and one across the middle fold lines. Alternatively, only one may be used, along the fold lines which run across the middle of the apparatus.

The presence of the rigid frame or thicker moulded sections mean that once the body of the apparatus is "popped" up erect into its unfolded and functional state, then it requires the twisting action to close it down and fold it back up. There should therefore be no need for any further locking out arrangement; however, such a further locking out arrangement could be employed, if desired, for still further safety assurances.

Of course, when the apparatus is being used as a bath, then the presence of the water in the bath will provide an extra degree of support. Typically, the embodiment employing one frame or thicker moulded section may be used for the embodiment when the apparatus is a bath, as the bath may only need the one frame or thicker moulded strip down the middle, because (unlike the cot embodiment), the bath won't have any padding associated therewith, as it is intended to keep that the bath as flat as possible when it is in its closed and folded state. The frame(s) or thicker moulded section(s) can be used in conjunction with the foldable portions which extend substantially around the entire perimeter of the body of the apparatus, or if desired, they need not be. Both alternatives are envisaged within the scope of this invention.

Additionally, the advantage of the thicker moulded section(s) is not only to increase the mechanical strength of the structure but also to provide a means of increasing the volume of the structure when folded. For example, in the embodiment of the invention wherein the apparatus is being used as a cot, the cot will typically have internal padding that must fit in some physical space when the cot is folded when not in use. It therefore follows that the folded cot must be able to accommodate this internal padding material when folded, while keeping a rectangular profile at the same time, The extra volume added by the added sections can serve this storage purpose. According to another embodiment of the invention, it is possible to vary the length of apparatus by partially collapsing or unfolding the body of the apparatus using the fold lines as detailed hereinabove.

In this way, the size of the apparatus may be varied to accommodate babies of different ages and sizes. For example, and purely by way of illustration, if the fully expanded and unfolded body is large enough to accommodate a baby that is 2 years old, and the baby the apparatus is bought for is, at the time, only 6 months old, the size of the body can be adjusted to make it smaller by partially collapsing the apparatus. Conversely, the body may be made longer by partially unfolding the apparatus to make it larger from its partially folded orientation. The design of the body to enable this adjustment need not be any different from the design as detailed already hereinabove.

The size adjustment aspect of the invention is achieved by rotating one of the sides which is not configured with fold lines thereon through approximately 90° when partially collapsing or unfolding the apparatus. This rotation allows the internal space within the container of the body to be halved in size, so that one of the sides not having fold lines configured thereon is adjacent the central axis.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the body may have more than one fold line extending across the base. As many such fold lines as required may be employed, the lines dividing the base into the appropriate number of sections, i. e. two fold lines across the base would create three sections, three fold lines would create four sections, etc.

Of course, in such embodiments, each section of the base has its own fold line which extends across the diagonal. Similarly, each immediately adjacent section of the opposing sides having the fold lines has their own fold lines. In all cases, the diagonal fold lines are arranged so that the direction of the diagonals alternates from section to section, thus creating a zig-zag appearance for the fold lines in the base and each immediately adjacent section of the opposing sides.

Typically, the fold lines are distributed substantially equally along the length of the body. By way of example, a body having three fold lines across the base and thus having four sections, can be reduced in size in this manner so that the body becomes only the length of three sections. Further folding can then be effected to reduce the length even more, as required. However, it will be appreciated that other folding configurations, using different numbers and orientations of fold lines, which still permit the reversible collapse of the apparatus, may be employed.

Additionally, the apparatus of the invention does not require the folds in the apparatus to comprise a flexible plastic material which is more flexible than the remaining parts, such as the sides, of the apparatus.

As mentioned above, conventional carry cot apparatuses and the like which are currently commercially available weigh about 6 kg, which is a significant weight for anyone, especially a young mother, to carry around for any prolonged period of time. Also, as they only fold in half across their central points, they are still bulky and cumbersome, even in their reduced folded state.

The present invention, as detailed above, is anything but bulky and cumbersome, being able to be reversibly collapsed and folded up to a minimal size and stored and carried in a small bag. Further, the apparatus of the invention weighs in the region of about 1.3 kg. This is over four times lighter than the conventional commercially available apparatuses. This therefore makes it much easier and convenient to carry around for parents and grandparents, together with the significantly reduced amounts of storage space which is required both in the home and in a vehicle.

The body may be made from any material which is suitable for providing the structural integrity required for the body but which also sufficiently flexible to permit the body to be reversibly collapsed. Exemplary, but non-limiting, material includes polymers or plastics, such as polypropylene, which may typically be provided in an extruded or moulded form. One such material is commercially available under the trade name Correx. Methods of making the apparatus include by using injection moulding techniques, or by plastics sheet fabrication, such as blow moulding or rotational moulding.

For the manufacturing of the apparatus of the invention, the fold lines are relatively deep slits formed in the surface of the body of the apparatus. With relatively thin material the fold lines can be lightly scored and are formed more or less naturally as the structure is urged into a final position.

However, if the material is relatively thick, the fold lines are typically impressed deeply into the material. In such embodiments, the transverse and horizontal fold lines must be on one surface of the material, and the diagonal fold lines on the opposite surface. This bias is essential to the folding operation when thicker materials are employed in making the body to ensure the smooth folding operation of the apparatus.

In such an embodiment of the invention, the transverse and horizontal fold lines are located on the outside of the body of the apparatus (when in its unfolded and functional state), while the diagonal fold lines are located on the inside of the body of the apparatus when the apparatus is in its unfolded and functional state. By having the fold lines impressed in one surface and not the other, the surface is forced to fold in one direction because of the physical dimensions (i.e. thickness) & properties (i.e. rigidity) of the material This forces the apparatus to fold up in a specific manner, allowing for the precise folding of the apparatus to a small and convenient size when not in use.

The horizontal and vertical folds are arranged in such a way that when the structure folds, the internal surfaces of the body of the apparatus come together, while the diagonal folds are arranged in such a way that when the structure folds, the external surfaces of the structure come together.

By 'thick', in terms of the apparatus of the invention, is meant any thickness about 1 mm.

Another manufacturing method for making the apparatus of the invention is to impress the folds on a flat sheet of a material, such as plastic, either by using moulding techniques to produce a flat sheet with the necessary folds already "built in", or by impressing the folds on an existing sheet of plastic by some other method (e.g. mechanical/chemical/thermal/laser etching). The structure can then be assembled from such a fiat sheet of plastic by attaching the adjacent erected sides of the structure to each other by using welding techniques (thermal, sonic or similar) or by employing suitable mechanical joint arrangements (dovetail joint, bridle joint or similar).

Alternatively, for some items which the present invention may be used to create, the material could be something as simple as some plastic scored along the correct fold lines, or plastic/material sheets attached to another material (such as, for example, medium-density fibreboard (MDF)) that has the correct 'fold lines' with hinges holding them together.

Once the body has been manufactured, as the fold line impressions will typically be part of the mould, it may be necessary for something or someone to fold the body in the correct manner to create the 'memory' in the plastic along the fold lines. This process is also known as creating a 'living hinge'.

One or more handles are typically also provided for carrying the apparatus. The handles are attached to the body of the apparatus, typically to each side thereof. According to one aspect, the handle(s) may be longer such that each end thereof is attached to the underside of the apparatus. At the points where the handle(s) is/are in contact with the underside of the apparatus, the width of the handle(s) may increase.

Once the apparatus has been collapsed and folded up on itself, it may also be provided with a fastening mechanism, such as but not limited to a zip mechanism, clasps, buttons or a Velcro® attachment, for securing the folded sections of the apparatus together. This fastening mechanism is typically located around the apparatus, either continuously or discretely, and is typically positioned approximately on a level with the base of the body. In the case of e.g. a zip mechanism, this extends substantially around the entire apparatus. In the case of e.g. a Velcro® attachment, one or more discrete Velcro® attachments may be located about the apparatus as required to secure the closure of the fastening.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the present invention also allows for an airline regulation seat belt to be fitted to the apparatus to secure the baby whilst it remains asleep in the apparatus, without disturbing its sleep. For this, the body of the apparatus may comprises one or more pairs of openings through which the seat belt can be guided, with one opening of any pair being located on one side of the body (typically one of the longer sides in the embodiments where the apparatus is not square in shape) and the other opening of the pair being correspondingly located on the opposing side of the body.

When securing a baby using these openings, the adult's seat belt is connected to the baby's seat belt (standard practice), and is then fed through the one or more seat belt guide openings in the side of the apparatus, before being guided over the baby and back out of the one or more seat belt guide openings in the opposing side of the apparatus, and then finally under the apparatus to close the loop and secure the baby. According to a further embodiment, these openings are provided with covers, which may be slidable over the openings, or which may fold over the openings and be fastened shut using a button, clasp or Velcro®, or the like. This is to prevent the baby from putting its hands through the openings when they are not in use and to minimise risks of any injury to the baby in this way.

Alternatively, securing mechanisms may be provided at either end of the body to secure it to a table top or to, for example, a bulkhead on an aeroplane.

Suitable handles for carrying the apparatus and baby may be attached to the body of the apparatus. Materials which may be used for the handles include, but are not limited to, leather, plastic, fabric, webbing and/or synthetic and/or organic fibres. However, any material which is sufficiently strong to enable the apparatus and baby to be carried safely may be used.

The apparatus may also be provided with a mattress upon which the baby sleeps, which may be made from materials including, but not limited to, foam, air, or organic and/or inorganic composite materials. The mattress may or may not remain within the apparatus when it is folded up.

The mattress will typically have a cover, which may be one or more of, but not limited to, removable, washable, wipe-clean and/or stain/water/fire resistant materials. The mattress may optionally also be attachable to the base of the body, by means of, for example, Velcro® or a webbing material. Other potential means of attaching the mattress to the base will be apparent to the skilled person.

The apparatus allows a baby to lie down in a bassinet-like environment. According to one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is also equipped with an expandable hood that shields out light and noise, and which is able to protect the baby from a parent falling asleep on top of the child and causing accidental suffocation. The same material is typically used for the hood as is used for the body of the apparatus, although different materials may of course be used if desired.

The base of the apparatus is typically padded underneath, so it is comfortable for an adult to rest it on their knees.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus may be equipped with a baby harness which can be put on the baby when it is in the apparatus. The harness is typically detachably connected to the body of the apparatus. This can minimise the baby sliding around within the apparatus if the interior of the apparatus is rather larger than the baby. Additionally, as the harness may be detachable from the apparatus, it can be used as a separate harness for the baby once it is awake and walking around, e.g. in an airport.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the body of the apparatus may comprise one or more pockets for storage of items, such as nappies or wet wipes. Such pockets may be located either on the interior and/or exterior surfaces of the body, and may by closable by way of a zip, button or Velcro® fastening mechanism. Having the pockets as a part of the apparatus can allow an adult to dispense with carrying a separate changing bag for the baby's necessities.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus may be equipped with or act as a flotation device. If an aeroplane were to land in water, the seat belt guide openings can be securely shut to render them watertight and the baby can remain safe while floating in the apparatus due to the flotation ability of the apparatus_> rather than having to be held above water by an adult. This is especially applicable for very young babies which would be too small for a child's life jacket. Additionally, the apparatus may be equipped with a strap or other attachment arrangement which would enable a parent to attach them to the apparatus by e.g. tylng the strap around their arm or waist.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus may be substantially watertight, sufficiently so that it can be used as a bath for a child.

The apparatus is typically suitable for babies up to about 12 months old, or alternatively for babies up to a certain size or weight, for example up to about 15 kg. Being lightweight, the apparatus is easy for a parent to carry around.

Another benefit of the invention is that the baby may be carried while sleeping in a lying down position rather than in a sitting position, which distributes its weight better and makes carrying the baby easier, as well as being more comfortable for the baby and helping it have a more restful sleep.

The present invention gives parents peace of mind when they are travelling with a young child that it will be able to have a night of restful sleep with the minimum of disturbance during periods of travelling and movement.

While the present invention has been developed with long distance or air travel in mind, it will be appreciated that it can also be used as a bed for a baby in the home, or as a travel bed for car or train travel.

It is also envisaged within the present invention that the apparatus may also be used for wendy houses and children's play houses and dolls' houses; children's play furniture, such as play kitchens (pack away); cubes or building blocks toys; children's puzzles, shape sorters; ball pits; pack away baby beach huts or sun shelters; paddling pools or children's swimming pools; children's steps (e.g. to stand up to toilets/kitchen units); or play pens. The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the following examples and figures which are intended to be illustrative only and in no way limiting upon the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a representation of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a representation of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention with the top foldable portions folded backwards.

Figure 3 shows a representation of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention with the top foldable portions folded inwards.

Figure 4 shows a representation of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention, showing the relative inwardly and outwardly directing orientations of the opposing folding sides during the collapse.

Figure 5 shows a side view representation of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention in its almost collapsed form.

Figure 6 shows an end-on view of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention in its almost collapsed form.

Figure 7 also shows an end-on view of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention in its almost collapsed form, but from the opposite side to that shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a representation of the body in its fully expanded flat form, together with all of the fold lines.

Figure 9 shows a side representation of the body in the process of having its size adjusted. Figure 10 shows an overhead representation of the body in the process of having its size adjusted.

Figure 11 shows a perspective representation of an apparatus of the invention which can be used as, for example, a ball or sand pit, in its fully expanded state.

Figure 12 shows a representation of an apparatus of the invention which can be used as, for example, a ball or sand pit, in a partially folded state.

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of an apparatus of the invention which can be used as a bath.

Figure 14 shows an overhead view of an apparatus of the invention which can be used as a bath.

Figure 15 shows a representation of an apparatus according to the invention which can be used as a roof for a small house structure for children, such as a wendy house.

Figure 16 shows a representation of an apparatus according to the invention in its unfolded and functional state, with one reinforcing moulded section across the central fold lines.

Figure 17 shows a representation of an apparatus according to the invention in its fiat state with one reinforcing moulded section across the central fold lines.

Figure 18 shows a representation of an apparatus according to the invention in its unfolded and functional state, with three reinforcing moulded sections across the central fold line and the corner and edge fold lines.

Figure 19 shows a representation of an apparatus according to the invention in its flat state with three reinforcing moulded sections across the central fold line and the corner and edge fold lines. In the overhead view of the rectangular- shaped body 2 of the apparatus of the invention shown in Figure 1, the two opposing sides 4, 6 having the fold lines configured thereon can be seen, alongside the two opposing sides 8, 10 which do not have the fold thereon. All of the sides 4, 6, 8, 10 are engaged with the base 12, which also has fold lines thereon.

It can be seen how the central axis fold 14 extends from the point at the top of one of the opposing sides 4 and is approximately central along the length of the side 4, before extending vertically down the side 4 and across the base 12 to the point at which the base 12 meets the other opposing side 6, then extends up the other opposing side 6 up to the point at the top of the other side 6 approximately central along the length of the side 6.

The side 4 also has two diagonally angled fold lines 16, 18. Fold 16 extends from the centre point at the top edge of the side 4 where the central axis fold 14 meets the edge, extending diagonally downwards to meet the lower corner of the side 4 where it meets the base 12 and the side 8; similarly, fold 18 extends from the centre point at the top edge of the side 4 where the central axis fold 14 meets the edge, extending diagonally downwards to meet the lower corner of the side 4 where it meets the base 12 and the other side 10.

The opposing side 6 also has two diagonally angled fold lines 20, 22. However, the orientation of the folds 20, 22 is opposite to fold 16, 18. Fold 20 extends from the point along the central axis fold 14 at the bottom edge of the side 6 adjacent the base 12, and extends diagonally upwards to meet the upper top corner of the side 6 where it meets the side 8; similarly, fold 22 extends from the point along the central axis fold 14 at the bottom edge of the side 6 adjacent the base 12, and extends diagonally upwards to meet the upper corner of the side 6 where it meets the other side 10.

The base also has two diagonally directed fold lines 24, 26. Both begin at the point where the central axis 14 meets the bottom of side 4 and extend diagonally towards the respective bottom corners of side 6.

Due to the design of the folds 16, 18, it is the side 4 which collapses inwards towards the inside of the body 2 when the body 2 is folded up. Conversely, side 6 collapses outwards away from the inside of the body 2 when the body 2 is folded up, At the same time, the two folds in the base 12 fold upwards towards the inside of the body 2.

In Figure 2, the foldable portions 28 at the top of each of the sides 4, 6, 8, 10 are more clearly depicted as they are folded back away from the vertical position they have in Figure 1. It is these foldable portions 28 which are folded inwardly into the body 2, as depicted in Figure 3, which provides the structural integrity of the body 2 when it is in its fully expanded state. The order that the foldable portions 28 are folded inwardly into the body 2 is of minimal importance concerning the strength of the structure of the body 2.

In Figure 4, it can be seen that the body 2 is in the process of being collapsed. The side 4 is collapsing inwards, as it is made to by the orientation of the folds 16, 18 either side of the central axis 14, while side 6 is collapsing outwards, as it is made to by the orientation of the folds 20, 22.

Figure 5 shows a side view representation of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention in its almost collapsed form. It can be seen how the side 4 having the fold lines 16, 18 configured thereon has collapsed inwardly relative to the inside of the body 2, being folded over along the central axis 14, bringing the two opposing sides 8, 10 not having the fold lines configured thereon closer together. It is these opposing sides not having the fold lines configured thereon which form the outside surfaces of the finally collapsed body 2.

Figure 6 shows an end- on view of a body as used in the apparatus of the invention in its almost collapsed form. Again, the side 4 having the fold lines 16, 18 configured thereon can be seen folded over along the central axis 14, collapsing inwardly relative to the inside of the body 2. The base 12 in its folded state along the central axis 14 and also the fold lines 24, 26 is also visible.

Figure 7 shows the reverse view to Figure 6, as viewed from the opposite side of the body 2, but at the same stage of the collapsing process.

Here, the side 6 having the fold lines 20, 22 configured thereon can be seen folded over along the central axis 14, collapsing outwardly relative to the inside of the body 2. The folded tip of the side 4 can also be seen.

The body 2 is illustrated in Figure 8 in its fully expanded and flat form. All of the sides 4, 6, 8, 10, folds 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and foldable portions 28 are clearly shown.

The size of the body 2 can be adjusted by rotating either one of the sides 8, 10 which are not configured with fold lines thereon through approximately 90° when either partially collapsing or unfolding the apparatus. This is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. This 90° rotation allows the space within the internal container of the body 2 to be reduced in size, so that one of the sides not having fold lines configured thereon is ultimately positioned adjacent the central axis 14. In Figure 9, it is the side 10 which is being moved towards the central axis 14, with the foldable portion 28 now rotated through 90°, and this half of the body 2 being folded along fold line 22.

Figure 10 shows an overhead view of the same folding process along fold line 22 and the reduced size of the body 2.

In the embodiment wherein the body is as shown above in Figure 1, the body is halved in size in this way. Of course, it will be appreciated that in embodiments wherein the body is longer, there may be two or more 'central axes' extending across the body 2, these axes being positioned substantially equidistantly along the length of the body 2, with the diagonal fold lines extending between each pair of adjacent vertical fold lines in the same alternate directional manner as shown in the Figures above. These central axes will thus allow the size of the body 2 to be reduced by a third or a quarter etc, as desired. This folding process is also entirely reversible, thus also making it possible to increase the size of the body.

When the apparatus of the invention is being used as, for example, a ball or sand pit for a small child, the folding mechanism is similar, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. In its arrangement when in use as a pit, the apparatus has a flat base 30, which may be of any suitable shape and dimensions, but it typically substantially square or rectangular in shape. Typically, three fold lines 32, 34 and 36 bisect the base 30; two of them (32 and 36) bisecting the base 30 from corner to corner through the centre of the base 30 across each diagonal, while the third fold line 34 extends from the halfway point on one of the sides 38 of the base 30 to the half-way point on the opposing side 40 of the base 30, bisecting the base 30 through its centre point. All three fold lines 32, 34 and 36 intersect at the centre point of the base 30. The bath also has sides 38, 40, 42 and 44, which, in use, extend vertically from the base 30 and in a substantially perpendicular orientation thereto. The fold line 34 joining the half-way points on the sides 38 and 40 of the base 30 extends further in both directions along and up the two sides 38 and 40 adjacent the base 30, and extends to the top of each side 38 and 40.

Further fold lines (46, 48, 50, 52) extend from the point where the fold line 34 meets the top of each side. These fold lines (46, 48, 50, 52) extend from these points to each corner of the base 30 each side 38 and 40 is adjacent.

There are also vertical fold lines 54, 56, 58, 60 extending upwards from the four corners of the base 30 to the top of the overall apparatus.

On the other two opposing sides 42, 44, fold lines (62, 64, 66, 68) extend from the two corners of the base 30 the sides 42, 44 are adjacent such that they intersect at the centre point at the top of each side 42, 44.

When the bail/sand pit is in its fully unfolded and operational orientation, as shown in Figure 11, and is ready to be folded up, this is a simple procedure. A little pressure applied to the edge of the bottom of the bath at each of the edges where the base 30 meets the sides 38,40 having the fold line 34 extending vertically along them causes the edges to 'pop' inwards. This gives the apparatus the arrangement shown in Figure 12, with the two sides 38,40 having the fold line 34 now creating 'V shapes in the sides 38,40 and in relation to the base 30 as the sides 38,40 cave inwardly. From this arrangement, the apparatus can simply collapse in on itself. By pushing the other two sides 42,44 towards each other, the apexes of the 'V shapes created by the sides 38,40 move closer together until they meet. In the collapsing of the apparatus, the two halves of the exterior of each of the other two sides 42,44 also move closer together until they meet and come into contact.

The ball/sand pit does not have folded edges on the tops of each of the sides; rather, it can be equipped with a moulded rim (not shown) around the top of the apparatus. The moulded rim may be integral with the apparatus or it may be provided separately.

When the apparatus of the invention is being used as a bath tub for a small child, the folding mechanism is similar, as shown in Figures 13 and 14.

In its arrangement when in use as a bath, the apparatus has a flat base 70, which may be of any suitable shape and dimensions, but it typically substantially square or rectangular in shape. Typically, three fold lines 72, 74, and 76 bisect the base; two of them (72 and 76) each bisecting the base from a centre point of one of the side 78 at the point where the base 70 meets the side 78, diagonally across the base 70 to a corner on the opposing side 80, while the third fold line 74 extends from the same centre point where the base 70 meets the side 78 across the centre of the base 70 to the equivalent opposing point where the base 70 meets the opposing side 80.

The sides 78 and 80, in use, extend vertically from the base 70 and in a substantially perpendicular orientation thereto, although they may also be oriented at a slight angle away from the vertical if desired. The fold line 74 joining the half-way points on the sides 78, 80 of the base 70 extends further in both directions along and up the two sides 78, 80, and extends to the top of each side 78, 80.

The arrangement of the folds on each of the sides 78, 80 is different. On one of the sides, shown as 78 in Figure 13, two further fold lines 82, 84 extend from the point where the fold line 74 meets the top of the side 78. These fold lines 82, 84 extend diagonally downwards from this point to each corner of the base 70 that the side 78 is adjacent.

On the opposite side 80, two further fold lines 86, 88 extend from the point where the fold line 74 meets the bottom of the side 80 on the base 70. These fold lines 86, 88 extend diagonally upwards from this point to the corners at the top of the side 80.

Neither of the other two sides 90, 92 have any fold lines thereon.

However, in each corner of the apparatus, there are foldable segments 94, 96, 98, 100, each having a vertical fold centrally positioned thereon and extending vertically from the corner of the base 70 upwards to the top of each foldable segments 94, 96, 98, 100. When the four vertical sides 78, 80, 90, 92 are arranged so that they are perpendicular to the base 70, these foldable segments 94, 96, 98, 100 are fully folded and substantially hidden from view. When the four vertical sides 78, 80, 90, 92 are arranged so that they are angled slightly away from the perpendicular to the base 70, these foldable segments 94, 96, 98, 100 are unfolded as shown in Figure 13, increasing the volume of the bath and allowing for greater flexibility.

When the bath tub apparatus is to be folded up, it can be folded in the same way as the baby cot apparatus shown in Figure 1.

The bath tub does not have folded edges on the tops of each of the sides; rather, it can be equipped with a moulded rim (not shown) around the top of the bath tub. The moulded rim may be integral with the bath tub or it may be provided separately. It will be appreciated that the folding mechanism for the ball or sand pit as shown in Figures 11 and 12 can also be used for a bath, and folding mechanism for the bath as shown in Figures 13 and 14 can also be used for a ball or sand pit.

The apparatus of the invention may also function as a doll house or wendy house for children to play with. The folding mechanism for the body of the house is the same as for the cot or bed detailed above. Openings may be created in the body of the apparatus to operate as doors and windows in the house.

The house may also be provided with a collapsible folding roof 102, as shown in Figure 15. The roof has a conventional roof shape, i.e. one piece of material is folded in such as way as to create a triangular shape to represent an apex 104 of the roof 102. Two triangular sections 106, 108 (only one of which is shown in Figure 15) are then affixed to each end of the triangular shape, one at each end, to create the full roof effect.

Again, the fold lines are arranged for optimum collapsibility of the roof structure. One fold line extends all the way along the roof along the apex 102. A second fold line 110 extends from the centre point on one edge of the roof, halfway in between the triangular sections, up the roof, across the apex, to the corresponding centre point on the opposite edge of the roof.

Each side 112, 1 14 of the roof 102 on each side of the apex 104 has a different arrangement of fold lines. One side, 114, only has two fold lines 1 16, 118. Fold line 1 16 extends from the point where fold line 110 meets the edge of the roof 102 and extends diagonally up the roof to a point where the apex 104 of the roof 102 meets the triangular end section 106. Fold line 118 extends from the point where fold line 110 meets the apex 104 of the roof 102 and extends diagonally down the side 114 of the roof 102 to the bottom corner of the roof 102.

The side 1 12 has a criss-cross pattern of fold lines thereon. Each half of the side 112 either side of the fold line 110 which bisects the side 112 in half, has two fold lines which form an 'X' pattern in each half of the side 1 12. In each set of ⁴X' fold lines, one of the fold lines extends from the point where fold line 110 meets the edge of the roof 102 and extends from the point where fold line 1 10 meets the edge of the roof 102 and extends from there diagonally up the roof to a point where the apex

104 of the roof 102 meets the triangular end sections 106 and 108; while the other set of fold lines extends from the point where fold line 110 meets the apex 104 of the roof

102 and extends diagonally down the side 114 of the roof 102 to the respective bottom corners of the roof 102.

To fold the roof into its collapsed state, this is optimally carried out by holding each end of the roof at its triangular sections 106, 108. Gently twisting the two ends in opposite directions causes the roof to fold in on itself such that each adjacent section of the roof which are separated by a fold line comes into contact with each other. The final collapsed roof is flat and substantially square shaped.

In Figure 16, it can be seen that the central fold lines possess a thicker reinforcing strip of material 120. The strip extends along the two vertical central fold lines on the sides of the apparatus and across the central horizontal fold line. This same embodiment is also shown in Figure 17, but with the apparatus in its completely flat state.

In Figure 18, the apparatus is shown in its unfolded and functional state with three thicker reinforcing strips of material 120. One is the central strip shown in Figure 16, while the other two are located at either end of the apparatus, extending down each corner and along the respective lower edges. This same embodiment is also shown in Figure 19, but with the apparatus in its completely flat state.

It will of course be appreciated that for all of Figures 16-19 that the references to the thicker strip(s) of material can also be equally applied to these features being the frame support(s) described hereinabove.

It is of course to be understood that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the foregoing examples which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. An apparatus for carrying or containing a baby or small child, the apparatus comprising a body, the body having two pairs of opposing sides and a base, wherein both sides in one of the pairs of the opposing sides and the base are configured with folds thereon in such a way to enable the body to reversibly collapse into a substantially flat arrangement.

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folds bisect the pair of the opposing sides and the base along a central axis and extend diagonally from corners thereof to points on the central axis.

An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, when the apparatus is being collapsed, one of the sides of the opposing pair of sides collapses inwardly relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state, while the opposing side collapses outwardly relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the side of the opposing pair of sides which collapses inwardly relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state is diagonally bisected by at least two fold lines directed from its lower corners adjacent the base to a point where the central axis bisects a top edge of the side, and the opposing side which collapses outwardly relative to the inside of the body of the apparatus in its fully expanded state is diagonally bisected by at least two fold lines directed from its upper corners distant from the base to a where the central axis bisects a lower edge of the side adjacent the base.

An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein when the body has pairs of opposing sides of unequal length, the folds are configured on the sides which are longer.

An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus, when in its collapsed state, is only as large as the size of the sides of the body which are smaller.

7. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each side comprises further foldable portions which can be folded inside the apparatus in its fully expanded state.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the further foldable portions which can be folded inside the apparatus in its fully expanded state aid in locking the apparatus in its fully expanded state.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more support structures along one or more fold lines, or further comprising one or more thicker sections of material corresponding to one or more fold lines.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of apparatus may be varied.

1 1. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, the length of apparatus may be varied by only partially collapsing or unfolding the apparatus.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the length of apparatus may be varied by rotating one of the sides not configured with folds thereon through approximately 90° when partially collapsing or unfolding the apparatus.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a fastening mechanism.

14. An apparatus accordmg to any preceding claim, further comprising an attachment for attaching the fastened, folded apparatus to another body,

15. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the body comprises a polymeric material.

16. An apparatus according to claim, wherein the polymeric material is polypropylene.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more openings in the body through which security equipment may be passed:

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the openings comprise covers to cover the openings when they are not in use.

19. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more storage pockets on the body of the apparatus.

20. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a baby harness detachably connected to the apparatus.

21. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is substantially watertight.

22. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is a carry cot, a child's travel bed, or a bath.

23. An apparatus according to any of claims 1-20, wherein the apparatus is able to be used for any one of the following: wendy houses or children's play houses or dolls' houses; children's play furniture; cubes or building blocks toys; children's puzzles, shape sorters; ball or sand pits; pack away baby beach huts or sun shelters; paddling pools or children's swimming pools; children's steps; or play pens.

24. An apparatus substantially as described herein in the description and drawings.