WO2018036878A1

WO2018036878A1 - A carrycot and a stroller provided with at least a frame and such a carrycot

Info

Publication number: WO2018036878A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/070741
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wilhelmus Petrus Adriana Michael PIJNENBURG; Antonius Theodorus VAN HOUT; Gerjan Storm
Original assignee: Maxi Miliaan B.V.
Priority date: 2016-08-25
Filing date: 2017-08-16
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Also published as: CN109843696A; NL2017366B1; EP3504101A1; CN109843696B

Abstract

A carrycot (3) comprises a shell (7) provided with a bottom plate (11) and an endless wall (12) extending along the circumference of the bottom plate (11). At least the bottom plate (11) is self- supporting. The shell (7) bounds a space for accommodating a child. The shell (7) is made as a whole of at least four interconnected layers (31,32,33,34): - a first outer layer (31) made of a fabric, directed towards the space, - a comfort layer (32) made of a a foam like material, - a support layer (33) made of a non woven fabric, - a second outer layer (34) made of a fabric, located at a side of the shell (7) avert of the space. The compressibility of the comfort layer (32) is higher than the compressibility of the support layer (33). The stiffness of the comfort layer (32) is lower than the stiffness of the support layer (33). The layers are interconnected and formed into the desired shape of the shell (7).

Description

A carrycot and a stroller provided with at least a frame and such a carrycot

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a carrycot.

The invention also relates to a stroller provided with at least a frame and such a carrycot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A carrycot, which is laiown from EP2401942B1 of applicant, comprises a foldable frame, whereby flexible sidewalls can be made of a textile like cotton.

Such a foldable carrycot has the advantage that it can easily be stored and transported.

Each longitudinal side of the carrycot is provided with a connecting element for detachably connecting the cot to a stroller.

The foldable carrycot has the disadvantage that it comprises a number of different components that need to be assembled. Furthermore, the laiown carrycot comprises parts being movable with respect to each, which can wear and are due to maintenance. The laiown carrycot is relatively heavy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least one of the objects of the invention is to provide a carrycot, which can easily be produced, has a relatively low weight and/or comprises a limited number of different components.

This object is accomplished with the carrycot according to the invention in that the carrycot comprises a shell provided with a bottom plate and an endless wall extending along the circumference of the bottom plate, wherein at least the bottom plate is self-supporting, which shell bounding a space for accommodating a child is made as a whole of at least four interconnected layers:

- a first outer layer made of a fabric, directed towards the space,

- a comfort layer made of a foam like material,

- a support layer made of a non woven fabric,

- a second outer layer made of a fabric, located at a side of the shell avert of the space, whereby the compressibility of the comfort layer is higher than the compressibility of the support layer and the stiffness of the comfort layer is lower than the stiffness of the support layer

- wherein the layers are interconnected and formed into the desired shape of the shell.

Since the shell is made as a whole out of a number of interconnected layers of fabrics, the shell does not comprise separate components. Furthermore, since at least the bottom plate is self-supporting no additional frame is needed to provide the bottom plate and the carrycot with a desired stiffness to prevent collapsing of the carrycot. The shell is made as a whole in it's desired three dimensional shape bounding the space for accommodating a child and maintains this three dimensional shape due the interconnected layers. The shell also maintains its three dimensional shape in a hot car and withstands heat up to at least 80 degrees Celsius. Since the shell is made as a whole, the carrycot has a limited number of components. Due to the limited number of components and the lack of a separate frame in the shell, the weight of the shell is relatively low.

A child will lie in the space bounded by the shell, whereby his back or stomach will rest on the bottom of the shell and his arms and legs can rest against the endless wall.

The first and second outer layers form the outer cover of the carrycot. The main function of these layers is to hide the comfort layer and support layer from view. Furthermore, since a child may be located against the first outer layer, this layer preferably has a smooth comfortable feeling. The first and second outer layers can be made of a woven, laiitted or non-woven fabric. Preferably, these layers have a thickness between 0.5 and 2.5 millimetre, for example 0.95 millimetre. Additional, the fabric can be stretched in at least one direction. Other functions of the fabric are decoration, protection of the other layers, easy to be cleaned. As an additional feature it might be water and/or fire resistant.

The foam like material of the comfort layer is located below the first outer layer. A foam like material can easily be shaped into the desired form of the shell and be compressed during use of the carrycot. Furthermore, interconnecting of a foam with other layers by heat and compression is relatively easy. Due to the weight of the child resting against the first outer layer, the comfort layer will be reversibly compressed and be shaped to follow the profile of the body of the child. Since the foam like material of the comfort layer can easily be compressed, the child will comfortably be supported by this layer. Preferably, this comfort layer has a thickness between 3 and 25 millimetre, for example 6 millimetre. It has a compressibility measured in kPa by 10% deformation (ISO 844). The compressibility of comfort layer is between 3 and 15 kPa by 10% deformation, for example 4.5. For hygiene reasons, there might be a removable and washable mattress in the carrycot. In such case the comfort layer can be relatively thin. Without using a mattress in the carrycot, the comfort layer must be thicker, for example 20 millimetre.

Since the comfort layer can easily be compressed it has a relatively low stiffness.

To provide at least the bottom plate of the shell with sufficient stiffness to be self-supporting, the shell comprises a support layer located at a side of the comfort layer remote of the first outer layer. In the context of this application "self-supporting" means that at least the bottom plate of the shell does not require other components like a frame to prevent the bottom plate from being undesirably deformed under normal operation conditions of the shell.

The support layer has a thickness between 4 and 20 millimetre, for example 7 millimetre. The tensile strength is preferably between 5,0 and 23 MPa, for example 9,5 MPa, with strain at break between 20 and 75%, for example 47%. The values were measured according to ISO 527-4.

It has to be noted that GB2297915A shows a carrycot with a base, a pair of oppositely opposed longitudinal walls, a pair of oppositely opposed lateral walls , flexible hinge portions connecting the base to each wall, flexible corner portions connecting each lateral wall to its adjacent longitudinal wall, fastening means in the form of co-operating pairs of press studs and enabling the cot to stand rigidly in its operative state, where the flexible corner portions are folded outwardly and attached by the press studs and to the lateral walls.

Although the pair of oppositely opposed longitudinal walls and 1, the pair of oppositely opposed lateral walls and the flexible corner portions are connected to each other, they do not form an endless wall extending along the circumference of the bottom wall, since in each corner of the cot, the flexible corner portions are folded outwardly and attached by the press studs to the lateral walls. At those places the wall has thiclaiess similar to the thiclaiess of the lateral wall and two times the thiclaiess of the flexible corner portion. No such hinge portions, flexible corner portions and fastening means are needed by the carrycot according to the invention.

The carrycot according to GB2297915A is made by a two dimensional (2D) production method whilst by the carrycot according to the present invention the layers are interconnected and formed into the desired final and rigid shape of the shell, so that the shell is made by a three dimensional (3D) production method. Such a method is much more difficult since care must be taken that the fabric is smooth without wrinkles and equally strong also in the corners.

An embodiment of the carrycot according to the invention is characterized in that the carrycot further comprises at least one stroller connecting element for detachably connecting the carrycot to a frame of a stroller, which at least one stroller connecting element is provided on the endless wall at a side avert of the bottom plate. By connecting the carrycot with the at least one stroller connecting element to the frame of the stroller, the carrycot and the child located therein can easily be transported by means of the stroller.

Since the bottom plate is self-supporting, the stroller does not need to be provided with additional components to support the bottom plate. Only the at least one stroller connecting element is needed to connect the carrycot to the stroller and to provide sufficient support for the carrycot.

Another embodiment of the carrycot according to the invention is characterized in that at least four flat layers have been laid upon each other with an adhesive between each layer forming a stack of layers, where after the stack of layers has been heated, compressed and formed into the shell, whereby the at least four flat layers of the stack of layers have been formed into the at least four interconnected layers of the shell.

In this manner, the layers can easily be interconnected and formed into the desired shape of the shell.

Another embodiment of the carrycot according to the invention is characterized in that the foam like material of the comfort layer is made of a polyester foam, a polyurethane (PU) foam, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), extruded polystyrene (XPS), a rubber or a combination thereof.

Such kind of foams are relatively cheap, can easily be shaped in the desired form and are available in a large range of mechanical properties.

Another embodiment of the carrycot according to the invention is characterized in that the support layer is made of a fibre-reinforced composite comprising at least a matrix and fibres embedded in the matrix.

A fibre-reinforced composite can easily be made relatively stiff. In an initial state the fibres are located loose in the matrix. During heating and compressing the matrix and the fibres, the matrix and fibres melt and the support layer is forced into its final form. During cooling of the matrix and fibres solidify, whereby the fibre-reinforced composite obtains its desired stiffness. Another embodiment of the carrycot according to the invention is characterized in that the matrix and the fibres are made of a non woven polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polycaprolactam (PA6), PA66, Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), Meta-aramid, Nomex ®, Polyimide (PI) like P84, Preox ®, polylactide (PLA) or a combination thereof.

Such materials are relatively cheap. Furthermore if the at least four interconnected layers are made from the same material, the carrycot can easily be recycled

Another embodiment of the carrycot according to the invention is characterized in that the carrycot comprises two ring-shaped elements, wherein an edge of the endless wall at the side avert of the bottom plate is located between the two ring-shaped elements.

The whole edge of the endless wall can be clamped between the ring-shaped elements. This has the advantage that the whole edge of the shell is well protected. Each ring-shaped element can be made as a single unit or be made of a number of interconnected parts. By the ring-shaped elements the edge of the shell and thus the comfort layer and support layer can be hidden from view. Furthermore, the ring-shaped elements provide the carrycot with a nice appearance. An additional advantage is that the ring-shaped elements will provide the edge with an additional stiffness against deformation. The ring-shaped elements can also be used for the fixation of a cover or extra blanket to cover the child, a sunhood, and/or fixation of a handle to carry the carrycot.

Another embodiment of the carrycot according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one stroller connecting element forms part of at least one of the ring-shaped elements.

In this way, the number of components of the carrycot is further reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The carrycot according to the invention will further be explained with reference to the drawings, wherein,

figure l is a perspective view of a stroller with a carrycot according to the invention,

figure 2 is a perspective view of the carrycot as shown in figure l,

figure 3 is a perspective view of a shell of the carrycot as shown in figure l, figure 4 is a perspective view of a first upper ring-shaped element of the carrycot as shown in figure l,

figure 5 is a perspective view of a second lower upper ring-shaped element of the carrycot as shown in figure l,

Figure 6A is a cross section of the interconnected layers of the shell of the carrycot as shown in figure 3, before heating and compression of the stack of layers,

Figure 6B is a cross section of the interconnected layers of the shell of the carrycot as shown in figure 3, after heating and compression of the stack of layers.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a stroller 1 comprising a foldable frame 2 and a carrycot 3 detachably connected to the foldable frame 2. The frame 2 is provided at its lower side with wheels 4 and at its upper side with handles 5. Between the wheels 4 and the handles 5, the frame 2 is provided on both sides with carrier connecting elements 6 to detachably connect a child carrier element like a child seat or the carrycot 3 to the frame 2.

Such a foldable frame 2 is well known in the art and will not be explained in further details.

The carrycot 3 comprises a shell 7, a first upper ring-shaped element 8 and a second lower ring-shaped element 9. The second lower ring-shaped element 9 is provided on both longitudinal sides with stroller connecting elements 10. The stroller connecting elements 10 cooperate with the carrier connecting elements 6 of the frame 2 to detachably connect the carrycot 3 to the frame 2. Such stroller connecting elements 10 and carrier connecting elements 6 are well known in the art and will not be explained in the further details.

The figures 2-5 show respectively perspective views of the carrycot 3, the shell 7, the first upper ring-shaped element 8 and the second lower upper ring- shaped element 9.

The shell 7 is provided with a bottom plate 11 and an endless wall 12 extending along the circumference of the bottom plate 11. The endless wall 12 extends under an angle between 90 - 120 degrees, for example 101 degrees with the bottom plate 11. At least the bottom plate 11 is self-supporting. The shell 7 bounds a space for accommodating a child. Due to the endless wall 12 the child will be kept safely inside the space of the shell 7.

As can be seen in figure 3, the edge 13 of the endless wall 12 located avert of the bottom plate 11 extends outwardly. By the whole edge 13 is provided with a number of spaced apart holes 14. Furthermore, two holes 15 are located in opposite longitudinal parts 16 of the endless wall 12 for connecting the stroller connecting elements 10 to the endless wall 12. Additional holes can be provided in the endless wall 12, for example for fixation of other components or for ventilation.

The first upper ring-shaped element 8, as can be seen in figure 4, comprises a first ring-shaped plate 17 and a second ring-shaped plate 17' connected to the first ring-shaped plate 17 at a lower side thereof. The first ring-shaped plate 17 is further provided at the lower side with a number of spaced apart pens 18 provided with holes. Such pens 18 with holes are also called screw bosses. The pens 18 extend substantially parallel to the second ring-shaped plate 17' and are located on a side of the second ring-shaped plate 17' directed to the space bounded by the shell 7. The pens 18 and the second ring-shaped plate 17' extend under an angle with the first ring-shaped plate 17. The upper side of the first ring-shaped plate 17 is provided with connecting elements 19 for detachably connecting a sun shield (not shown) to the first upper ring-shaped element 8. The first upper ring-shaped element 8 is made of solid plastic like glass-filled Nylon (PA-GF), PP-GF, ABS, PA or PP or metal like aluminium.

The second lower ring-shaped element 9, as can be seen in figure 5, comprises a third ring-shaped plate 20 and a fourth ring-shaped plate 21 connected to the third ring-shaped plate 20 at an upper side thereof. The third ring-shaped plate 20 is further provided at the upper side with a number of spaced apart pens 22 provided with passages 23. The pens 22 extend substantially parallel to the fourth ring-shaped plate 21 and are located on a side of the fourth ring-shaped plate 21 directed to the space bounded by the shell 7. The second lower ring-shaped element 9 is provided with the two stroller connecting elements 10 for detachably connecting the carrycot 3 to the frame 2 of the stroller 1. The second upper ring- shaped element 8 is preferably made of the same material as the first upper ring- shaped element 8.

To connect the shell 7 to the ring-shaped element 8, 9, the shell 7 is inserted into the second lower ring-shaped element 9, whereby the holes 14 in the edge 13 of the shell 7 are aligned with the passages 23 in the second lower ring-shaped element 9. Subsequently, the first upper ring-shaped element 8 is mounted on top of the edge 13 of the shell 7, whereby the pens 18 with the holes are aligned with the holes 14 in the edge 13 of the shell 7 and with the passages 23 in the second lower ring- shaped element 9. Screws are inserted through the passages 23 and the holes 14 into the pens 18 with the holes to connect the ring-shaped element 8, 9 to the edge 13 of the shell 7 and to clamp the edge 13 between the ring-shaped element 8, 9. Screws are also inserted trough the holes 15 into the stroller connecting elements 10.

Figure 6B shows a cross section of the shell 7. The shell 7 is made as a whole of at least four interconnected layers:

- a first outer layer 31 made of a fabric, directed towards the space bounded by the shell 7,

- a comfort layer 32 made of a foam like material,

- a support layer 33 made of a non woven fabric, - a second outer layer 34 made of a fabric, located at a side of the shell avert of the space. The compressibility of the comfort layer 32 is higher than the compressibility of the support layer 33 and the stiffness of the comfort layer 32 is lower than the stiffness of the support layer 33.

The layers 31-34 have been connected to each as follows.

As can be seen in figure 6A, four layers 31-34 in initial flat and relatively thick conditions are laid upon each other in a stack with an adhesive between each layer 31-34, whereby a stack of layers is being formed. Subsequently the stack of layers is being heated, compressed and formed into the shape of the shell 7, whereby the initial flat layers 31-34 of the stack of layers are formed into the four interconnected layers 31-34 of the shell 7 as can be seen in figure 6B. For example, the stack can be preheated during 3 minutes at 170 degrees Celcius after which it is pressed into the desired shape in 200 seconds.

The first outer layer 31 and the second outer layer 34 are made of a fabric, for example a fabric knitted from polyester fibres. It is also possible to knit the fabric from natural fibres, man-made fibres or (bio based) synthetic fibres. Examples of these materials are polyurethane, polyester, cotton, wool, linen, viscose. Also woven fabrics can be used. Lycra can be added to improve the stretchability of the fabric.

The fabrics have a thickness of for example 0.95 millimetre and a good stretchability so that the fabrics will follow the profile of the shell 7 without forming wrinkles and ripples in the outer visible layers 31, 34.

The comfort layer 32 is made of a foam, for example a polyurethane foam. The foam can have open cells or closed cells. Other materials like polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene, rubber or a combination thereof can also be used as material for the comfort layer 32.

The support layer 34 is preferably made of a fibre-reinforced composite comprising at least a matrix and fibres embedded in the matrix. The matrix and the fibres are made of a polyester, for example. An example of a combination of layers 31-34 and the respective mechanical properties are given in the following table.

A wide range of technical matrixes or felts, ranging from 500 to 2000 g/m.2 in single or multiple layers, can be used.

A wide variation of fibres like PET, PP, PAN, PA6, PA66, PPS, Meta- aramid, Nomex, PI (P84) can be used.

It is also possible to add additional layers between the first and second outer layer 31, 34 to improve for example properties like fire retardant, heat conductivity and or breathability.

The person skilled in the art will realize that the present invention is by no means limited to the preferred embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the scope should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 stroller

2 frame

3 carrycot

4 wheel

5 handle

6 carrier connecting element

7 shell

8 first upper ring-shaped element

9 second lower ring-shaped element

10 stroller connecting element

11 bottom plate

12 endless wall

13 edge

14 hole

15 hole

16 longitudinal part

17 first ring-shaped plate

17' second ring-shaped plate pen connecting element third ring-shaped plate fourth ring-shaped plate pen

passage

first outer layer comfort layer

support layer

second outer layer

Claims

1. A carrycot (3), characterized in that the carrycot (3) comprises a shell (7) provided with a bottom plate (11) and an endless wall (12) extending along the circumference of the bottom plate (11), wherein at least the bottom plate (11) is self- supporting, which shell (7) bounding a space for accommodating a child is made as a whole of at least four interconnected layers (31, 32, 33, 34):

- a first outer layer (31) made of a fabric, directed towards the space,

- a comfort layer (32) made of a foam like material,

- a support layer (33) made of a non woven fabric,

- a second outer layer (34) made of a fabric, located at a side of the shell (7) avert of the space, whereby the compressibility of the comfort layer (32) is higher than the compressibility of the support layer (33) and the stiffness of the comfort layer (32) is lower than the stiffness of the support layer (33)

2. A carrycot (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrycot (3) further comprises at least one stroller connecting element (10) for detachably connecting the carrycot (3) to a frame (2) of a stroller (1), which at least one stroller connecting element (10) is provided on the endless wall (12) at a side avert of the bottom plate (11).

3. A carrycot (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least four flat layers (31, 32, 33, 34) have been laid upon each other with an adhesive between each layer forming a stack of layers (31, 32, 33, 34), where after the stack of layers (31, 32, 33, 34) has been heated, compressed and formed into the shell (7), whereby the at least four flat layers (31, 32, 33, 34) of the stack of layers (31, 32, 33, 34) have been formed into the at least four interconnected layers (31, 32, 33, 34) of the shell (7)·

4. A carrycot (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foam like material of the comfort layer (32) is made of a polyester foam, a polyurethane (PU) foam, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), extruded polystyrene (XPS), a rubber or a combination thereof.

5. A carrycot (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support layer (33) is made of a fibre-reinforced composite comprising at least a matrix and fibres embedded in the matrix.

6. A carrycot (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that the matrix and the fibres are made of a non woven polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polycaprolactam (PA6), PA66, Polyp henylene sulfide (PPS), Meta-aramid, Nomex ®, Polyimide (PI ) like P84, Preox ®, polylactide (PLA) or a combination thereof.

7. A carrycot (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrycot (3) comprises two ring-shaped elements (8, 9), wherein an edge of the endless wall (12) at the side avert of the bottom plate (11) is located between the two ring-shaped elements (8, 9).

8. A carrycot (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one stroller connecting element (10) forms part of at least one of the ring-shaped elements (8, 9).

9. A stroller (1) being provided with at least a frame (2) and a carrycot (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which carrycot (3) is detachable connected to said frame (2).