GB2413758A

GB2413758A - Baby changing mat incorporating a porous portion

Info

Publication number: GB2413758A
Application number: GB0410246A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yvonne Cavelier; Vanessa Lygo-Baker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-07
Filing date: 2004-05-07
Publication date: 2005-11-09
Also published as: GB0410246D0

Abstract

A baby changing mat 10 is disclosed that comprises an upper body supporting portion 12 having a generally impervious surface for supporting the upper body portion of a baby placed thereon, a perforated flap 13, and a porous portion (14, figure 5) juxtaposed the lower body portion of the baby. The arrangement is such that in the event of the baby urinating, urine is removed from the mat surface via the porous portion.

Description

Improvements in and relating to baby changing mats.

This invention relates to a baby changing mat of the type that generally consists of a plastic covered foam mat on which the baby lies to have it's nappy changed. The purpose of the mat is to provide an easy to clean, comfortable and discreet area on which to change the baby's nappy. The mat provides a surface on which the baby may lie during the course of a nappy change or maybe a comfortable resting place for the baby without a nappy for such periods of time as may be deemed to be desirable.

The Health Education Authority Publication, "Birth to Five" advises mothers (and fathers) to get organised and make sure that they have a spare set of clothes readily available for baby. It is the experience of many parents of young babies that as soon as the baby's nappy has been removed, they urinate. On average, a young baby needs changing between lo and 12 times a day and even for slightly older children six to eight times per day is not unusual. A major problem with young babies wearing pappies is the incidence of nappy rash; and the general advice by the Health Education Authority is to leave the nappy off for as long and as often as one can in order to allow fresh air to get access to the baby's skin.

One of the problems with existing baby changing mats is that they are covered with a non-absorbent plastic material. In the event that baby urinates, therefore, the liquid runs across the mat and under the baby usually soaking its hair and/or clothes. A towel placed under the baby may deal with small amounts of liquid but even so, there is still a tendency for the damp to pass through the towel leaving the baby lying on a moist or wet surface.

According to the present invention, there is provided a mat having a generally impervious surface and a porous portion towards one end of the mat the arrangement being such that in the event of the urination, the urine is removed from the mat surface via the porous portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, the impervious portion of the mat on which the baby's head and upper body is arranged to lie may comprise a foam mat covered with a non- porous material. The porous portion may also be made of an impervious material having a plurality of perforations of such a spacing and dimensions as to permit urine to drain from the other impervious surface. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the porous portion may be in the form of a flap, which is adapted to be raised or otherwise opened to reveal a cavity. The cavity may accommodate an absorbent material position for the purpose of absorbing urine entering the cavity via the perforations in the flap.

The absorbent material may then be removed for disposal or IS may be washed for re-use. In a further embodiment of the invention, the removable absorbent material may be a washable material such as Terry towelling. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent material may be formed of a high absorption fibrous structure similar to that used in disposable pappies. (RIM)

Fastening means such as Velcrotor a zip fastener may be used to retain the flap in position.

The changing mat in accordance with the present invention may be designed to fit on a conventional changing mat for use in conjunction with it. In another aspect of the invention, the changing mat may be used independently of conventional changing mats. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that the changing mat in accordance with the present invention may be provided with handles and may be constructed in such a way as to be capable of being folded or rolled and used as a travelling changing mat.

]5 A significant advantage of the changing mat in accordance with the present invention is that when the baby is placed on the mat with the porous part juxtaposed position with the baby's lower body, In the event of baby urinating, the urine will pass through the perforated part into the absorbent core and away from the baby itself. This has the advantage that the baby can be left on the changing mat without a nappy for a period of time with much less risk of clothing, hair and upper body parts coming into contact with urine.

In another aspect of the present invention, the mat may be incorporated in a zip up bag. The bag may comprise two hinged flaps which constitute the porous portion and the impervious portion of the mat and may be provided with a peripheral zip around three sides of thereof so that the two portions of the bag may hinged about the fourth side to lay flat. The bag may incorporated a Velcroiattachment on the porous portion for the attachment of an inner bag to carry wet wipes, nappy liners etc. An outer surface of one of said flaps may include a further Velcroitype portion for attachment of a small bag adapted to food and feeding equipment. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that other types of attachment for the inner and outer bag may be employed.

Following is a description by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of methods of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the absorbent changing mat in accordance with the present invention showing the perforated flap.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the absorbent changing mat in accordance with the chosen present invention attached to a traditional changing mat and again showing the perforated flap.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the absorbent changing mat in accordance with the present invention built into a traditional changing mat and again showing the perforated flap.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the disposable version of the absorbent changing mat showing the perforated surface.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the absorbent changing mat showing the perforated flap Figure 6 is a side view partly in section of the absorbent changing mat attached to a traditional changing mat showing the perforated flap.

Figure 7 is a side section of the absorbent changing mat built into a traditional changing mat showing the perforated flap.

lo Figure 8 is a side view partly in section of a disposable version of the absorbable changing mat showing the perforated surface.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the absorbent changing mat Is in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10 is an isometric view of the absorbent changing mat of figure 2.

Figure 11 is an isometric view of the changing mat of figure 3.

Figure 12 is a side view of a mat in accordance with the present invention incorporated within a zip-up bag.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the "zipped-up"ba3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of an auxiliary bag for use in conjunction with the bag as illustrated in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of an inner bag for use in conjunction with the mat of Figure 12.

Turning now to Figures 1 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, the baby mat in accordance with the present invention is illustrated generally at 10. The mat comprises two portions, namely an impervious portion 12 and a perforated portion 13. As viewed in cross-section in Figure 5 the impervious portion 12 comprises a central core 11 of a resilient material which is covered by an exterior layer of JO impervious plastics material which serves to support the body of the baby laid upon it with the lower part of the body juxtaposed perforated portion 13. The portion 13 comprises a perforated flap made of a generally impervious material the extremity of which flap extends away from portion 12 and carries a fastening devices 15 typically a (BAJA) Velcrofastener for the purpose of securing the perforated flap to the impervious underside of the mat. The cavity defined by the flap 13 and the underside of the mat is adapted to accommodate an absorbent material indicated generally at 14 whereby in the event that the baby lying on the mat urinates, the urine passes through the perforated flap 13 into the porous portion 14 for absorption thereby.

The absorbable material 14 may be a reusable material such, for example, as a Terry towel that, after use, may be washed and reused. Alternatively, the porous portion 14 may be disposable such for example as the absorbent layer of a disposable nappy. The underside of the mat may be provided with attachment means 16 for attachment to a work surface or like in order to position the changing mat for use.

Experience has shown that a baby laid upon the changing mat in accordance with the present invention will have a reduced chance of soiling its clothes and hair in the event of it urinating. By providing a disposable or removable absorbable portion 14 within the baby mat which is easily removable and either be replaced or washed, Happy changing can generally precede with much less chance of significant soiling of babies clothes or upper body. In accordance with the recommendations of the medical authorities, a baby may be left on such a mat and in the event of it's urinating; the chance of contamination by the urine is significantly reduced.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 2 and 6, the changing mat in accordance with the present invention and as described with reference to Figures 1 and 5 of the accompanying drawings is arranged for attachment to a conventional changing mat. This latter comprises a base sheet 20 comprising a foam filled layer having an outer surface consisting of a liquid impermeable layer; and an upstanding cushion portion disposed about the periphery of the mat on three sides thereof and indicated generally at 21. The cushion portion serves to locate the baby on the changing surface of the mat and at the same time serves to prevent the baby rolling off the mat.

In another aspect of the invention the changing mat in accordance with the present invention is made integral with the traditional changing mat. In this embodiment, a cavity is provided towards one end of the conventional mat that is adapted to accommodate the absorbent material 14, and flap 13 is provided of a generally impervious material that is perforated to allow access of the urine to the absorbent material 14. The perforated flap 13 is provided at its extremity with a fix7n)or securing means 15 such, for example, as a Velcrofastener to enable the flap 13 to be secured to the body of the traditional changing mat.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the changing mat may be an integral unit, with the absorbent material 14 secured within the unit; whereby after use the complete mat is disposed of. In this embodiment, there is no requirement lo for a hinged flap to allow access to the absorbable material 14.

The embodiment shown in figures 12 to 15 comprises a mat indicated generally at 50 as described above. The mat 15 is carried within a bag indicated "generally at 51 which comprises a pair of bag sides 53 and 54 hinged at 55 so that the two halves of the bag constitute the base of the mat and may be folded to produce a bag as shown generally in figure 13. The three sides of each flap constituting the bag is provided with a zip indicated at 60 and the outer surface of each side is provided with a handle portion 61 to aid carrying. The porous portion may carry a Velaropad 56 and while one or both side flaps of the bag may also be provided (arm) with a Velcropad 62. The outer pad 62 is adapted to carry, by engagement with a corresponding Velcrotpad, an external bag 63, see figure 14. Bag 63 is adapted to carry food and a bottle. A further Velcropad 56 disposed on the inside of the bag when the bag is in the zipped condition shown in figure 13, is adapted to engage with a corresponding pad 58 carried on the outside of a small bag 57 which latter is used to carry spare pappies and wet wipes etc. By using the bag in accordance with the present invention and as described above, the components for nappy changing can be readily and conveniently transported from place to place. s

Experience has shown that by using a changing mat in accordance with the present invention, a baby may be left safely on the mat without a nappy and in the event of the baby urinating, the urine flow passes through the perforated flap for absorption by the absorbable material 14 thereby leaving the baby's clothing, upper body and hair free from contamination by urine.

Claims

Claims: 1. A baby changing mat comprising an upper body supporting portion

having a generally impervious surface for supporting the upper body portion of a baby placed thereon and a porous portion juxtaposed the lower body portion of the baby, the arrangement being such that in the event of the baby urinating, urine is removed from the mat surface via the porous portion.
2. A baby changing mat as claimed in claim 1 wherein the upper body supporting portion of the mat comprises a foam substrate having a covering of a nonporous material.

IS
3. A baby changing mat as claimed in claim 2 wherein the nonporous material is a plastic material.
4. A baby changing mat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the porous portion comprises an impervious material having a plurality of perforations, the spacing and dimensions of which are such as to permit liquid to drain from the surface of the mat.
5. A baby changing mat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the porous portion further comprises absorbent means for absorbing liquid.
6. A baby changing mat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the absorbent means is removable and is located within a cavity below the porous portion.
7. A baby changing mat as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 ]O wherein the porous portion comprises a flap to allow access to the absorbent means.
8. A baby changing mat as claimed in claim 7 wherein the S flap is provided with means for securing it to a closed position whereby the flap overlays the absorbent means.
9. A baby changing mat as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the absorbent means is a material which may be JO removed from the mat for disposal or for washing.
10. A baby changing mat as claimed in claim 9 wherein the absorbent material is one or more of towelling, a foam, or a composite fibrous material of high liquid adsorbability.
11. A baby changing mat as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as here in described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings. ]]