Patent Publication Number: US-2016235216-A1

Title: Multi-Function Infant Pillow and Mat

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/117,559,entitled “Multi-Function Infant Pillow and Mat”, filed on Feb. 18, 2015, and currently co-pending. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains generally to infant care devices for use in feeding and caring for an infant. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a multi-function support sleeve and cover for a mother to increase the amount of time a person can hold a baby and to provide a cover for privacy when breast feeding or the baby is sleeping. The Present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a head and neck support for an baby when being held in a person&#39;s arm, as well as providing a pillow and blanket for a child to play and sleep on. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mothers and caregivers of infants and small children have carried and cradled children since the earliest recordings of human history. When a child is carried, the person carrying the child must support the weight of the child while keeping the child in a comfortable position. For instance, a person may carry a child across theft front with the child being in the supine position. In this situation, the child&#39;s head is typically resting in the elbow area of the person&#39;s arm. In another situation, the baby may be carried in the upright position while facing the person such that the baby&#39;s head lies on the person&#39;s shoulder. While carrying a child, a caregiver typically becomes uncomfortable from constantly supporting the child, which may lead to arm pain, tiredness, numbness, or even a pinched nerve, resulting in a shorter period of time a child may be supported. 
     Typically, a mother or caregiver needs to carry several items to support caring for a child. For instance, a caregiver will typically carry a nursing shawl or cover, a mat for napping or changing, a blanket, and a pillow. To aid in carrying a child, a caregiver may use a baby sling or a backpack-like device to hold the baby while it is being carried. However, this results in the caretaker still being required to carry several separate items to care for the child. What is missing in the industry is a device that serves multiple functions for a caregiver thereby reducing the number of individual items required to be carried by the caregiver. 
     Over time, others have developed items to aid in the carrying and caring of a child. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,148, issued to Auxilla on Jul. 19, 2005, discloses an arm pillow for holding a child. The pillow has an elastic support sleeve located behind it to allow a user to slide their arm through it to better support the child. The pillow works to support the child&#39;s head when nursing or when the child is just being held, including during sleep. Auxilla&#39;s invention only addresses the issue of supporting a child while it is being held. If a child needs a blanket or the mother needs a cover to breast feed, a separate item is needed. Further, Auxilla&#39;s invention fails to address the need to transfer some of the child&#39;s weight from the mother&#39;s arm to other parts of the body, such as the shoulder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,156, issued to Walker-Craft on Nov. 7, 2006, discloses a multipurpose pillow for use in caring for a child. The pillow includes a tubular body with a central channel for a user&#39;s arm to go through. When in use, a child&#39;s head is supported by the tubular body. Walker-Craft&#39;s invention also includes a cover extending from the tubular body, where the cover can be used as a blanket while the child is held and as a privacy screen when breast feeding in public. When the cover is not in use, it is stored between an outer an inner layer of the pillow. However, this invention also fails to address the need to transfer some of the child&#39;s weight from the arms to other parts of the body, such as the shoulder. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,245, issued to Franco on Feb. 12, 1991, discloses a portable pillow/lounge set that folds into a tote bag for carrying items. The pillow/lounge set consists of a single piece of material, either cloth or plastic, that can be used as a pillow and matt. When in use, the pillow/lounge set is unfolded to create a pouch where a pillow may be inserted and a mat to lie upon. Following use, the set is folded such that a tote bag is formed capable of holding various items. In some embodiments, a second mat is attached to the end of the first mat to either create a longer mat for a tall person or to be used as a blanket by puffing to extra mat over the person lying on the first mat. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,786, issued to Taniguchi on Jan. 17, 1978, discloses a shoulder bag having a fold out mat and a harness with leg holes to place a baby when being carried. When being used as a mat, the bag portion can be used as a pillow. However, this invention also fails to address the needs of a nursing mother when nursing in public. The shoulder bag does not have any accommodations to support a baby&#39;s head when being nursed nor does it have any type of cover that can be used to provide privacy with breast feeding in a public area. 
     As there are many inventions that cover a foldable mat that can be folded to create an area for a pillow, there are no inventions that provide a foldable and storage friendly mat forming an area for a pillow and a separate area parallel to the pillow area for a user&#39;s arm to pass through. Further, there are no inventions that combine these characteristics also having an extended mat area that can be used as a blanket as well as a nursing shawl. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary use of the present invention is to provide comfort and head/neck support to a baby while feeding, sleeping, or relaxing in a caretaker&#39;s arms. Another use is to provide relief and comfort to the caretaker. Since the present invention provides support to a baby, a caretaker may relax their arm while holding the baby as well as the caretaker will not feel the direct pressure from the child&#39;s head resting directly on the caretaker&#39;s arm. A result of this is the caretaker can hold the child for a longer period of time thereby providing an enhanced bonding experience between the child and the caretaker. This may also allow a child to sleep for a longer period of time without being disturbed. The invention is ambidextrous in that a user can insert either their right or left arm through the arm area behind the pillow, thereby allowing the invention to be used as a pillow and blanket or as a privacy shawl regardless of which arm the user puts through the arm area. Further, the ambidextrous nature of the invention allows it to be used by a nursing mother when feeding from either breast. The present invention is also useful when either setting down or picking up a child since the present invention allows a caretaker&#39;s arm to pass behind the pillow and child&#39;s head thereby minimizing any disturbance felt by the child, This will allow the child to sleep longer and more confortable. 
     The present invention is a foldable mat made from a rectangular soft and comfortable fabric. In certain embodiments, the mat is bound by a satin or satin-like ribbon around the edge of the fabric. In use, a caretaker may use the invention to provide a sleeping surface and a blanket, to help in holding a child in the caretaker&#39;s arms, and to provide a privacy cover if a mother needs to nurse in a public area. The mat can be folded upon itself at predetermined locations to form two pass through areas: one for a pillow, the other to allow a user&#39;s arm to pass through parallel to the pillow thereby providing support for a child&#39;s head. The fabric used to make the invention is plush, soft, gentle, and comforting to a child&#39;s sensitive skin. The fabric can be used as a blanket to keep the child warm. The fabric can also be used as a barrier to block perspiration transfer between the child and the caretaker. The fabric also minimizes heat transfer between the caretaker and the child, thereby providing a more comfortable and relaxing environment for a child to sleep. 
     After a period of extended use, or if the present invention becomes soiled, it can be machine washed and dried. If a pillow was inserted into the pillow area, it may be removed before being washed. If the pillow is a washable type, it may be washed and dried with the present invention. 
     In certain embodiments of the present invention, the mat also consists of one or more fastening devices to allow a user to secure the invention around them when being used as a privacy shawl. The fastening devices may be attached directly to the caretakers clothing to allow the caretaker flexibility in orienting the present invention to maximize its use. The fastening devices can also be used to aid in storage of the invention when the mat is folded or rolled up. In practice, the fastening device consists of two clasps/clips/fasteners, one at each end of a ribbon. When attached to the present invention, the fastening device can be used as a handle to carry the invention when it is closed up. 
     Certain embodiments also consist of finger straps or loops strategically located around the invention. The straps or loops allow a user to put a finger or thumb through the loop during use to provide enhanced support, stability, and control of the invention. 
     When a child is asleep in the present invention, the design of the invention allows for the child to be transferred from the arms of a caretaker to a crib with minimal impact on the comfort of the child. The present invention is configured such that there is minimal head jostling when the caretaker slides an arm into or out of the invention. If a child is asleep, the present invention minimizes that chance that the child will be awoken during the transfer to the crib. This may also be used in reverse when it is desired to pick the child up from the crib with jostling the child. Another advantage of the present invention is that the fabric will retain the scent of a caretaker thereby providing consistency and comfort to a child. 
     The present invention has additional features that make it novel and unique. Since people hold babies in different ways, the present invention provides a constant and uniform feel to a child being held. The present invention also provides confidence to a caretaker less experienced with a child in that it provides a feeling that the child is secure in the caretakers arms thereby reducing apprehension on the part of the caretaker. The present invention also acts as a barrier to prevent the spread of germs between the child and the caretaker since adults come into daily contact with a broad variety of germs, bacteria, and viruses. Since a child may have a weak immune system, minimizing the child&#39;s exposure can have positive effects on the child&#39;s overall health. In addition, if a child is sick, the present invention will act as a barrier to minimize the spread to the caretaker holding the child. 
     The present invention can also be used as a mat upon which a baby can be changed. It is also usable as a soft and comfortable place for an infant to do Tummy Time exercises to strengthen their head, neck, and backside. Also, the present invention can be placed into a stroller behind a child to provide additional support and comfort. The present invention also provides an easier way to put a child in or take a child out of a stroller or crib. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the invention unfolded and lying flat; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the preferred embodiment after the invention has been folded to form a pillow area and a tail area; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section view taken along line  3 - 3  of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 2  showing the pillow area, the arm pass through area, and finger straps; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the preferred embodiment showing the various connection points for closing the pillow area, securing the invention around a user, or tying around the invention after it has been rolled up or folded for storage; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a child using the invention as a sleeping mat with a pillow; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a caretaker using the present invention to hold a baby where the tail section is wrapped around the caretaker and clasped in place; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the present invention being used to support a baby and to provide cover while breastfeeding; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the present invention showing a user&#39;s arm and hand inserted through the pillow section with a thumb engaged with a thumb strap for enhanced control and stability; 
         FIG. 9  is top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the alternative embodiment unfolded and lying flat; 
         FIG. 10  is a cut-away side view of the alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the detachable nature of the tail section from the pillow area; and 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed view of the interface between the pillow section and the tail section described in  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  100  and typically referred to as “Armapillow”. Armapillow  100  consists of one continuous piece of cloth having a first section  102 , a second section  104 , a third section  106 , and a tail section  108 . First fold  110  lies between first section  102  and second section  104  and allows first section  102  to be folded onto second section  104 . Second fold  112  lies between second section  104  and third section  106  and allows second section  104  to be folded in either direction. Third fold  114  lies between third section  106  and tail section  108  and allows third section  106  to be folded in either direction. Located on the back side of first section  102  are thumb straps  120 . When, as discussed below, Armapillow  100  is used for its intended purpose, thumb straps  120  allow a user to place their thumbs or fingers through the thumb straps  120  to provide additional stability and control to a child being held by the user. Since Armapillow  100  is an ambidextrous device, thumb straps  120  are located at approximately the four (4) corners of first section  102 . In a preferred embodiment, Armapillow  100  is approximately 10″×19″, however other dimensions are fully contemplated without deviating from the spirit of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , Armapillow  100  is shown in the folded condition. First section  102  is first folded forward onto second section  104  along first fold  110 . The first and second sections  102  and  104  are then folded along second fold  112 . The back of second section  104  becomes the resting place for a child&#39;s head (not shown). The child&#39;s body is placed on tail section  108  in such a way that the child&#39;s head rests on second section  104 . If, as discussed below, a pillow is inserted in pillow area  116  (not shown, see  FIG. 3 ), the child&#39;s head will be supported as if lying directly on a pillow. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . Shown is pillow section  130  and tail section  108 . Pillow section  130  consists of first, second, and third sections  102 ,  104 , and  106  when folded along first fold  110  and second fold  112 . When folded, pillow area  116  is formed between first section  102  and second section  104 . Arm area  118  is formed between first section  102  and third section  106 . In use, pillow  134  may be inserted into pillow area  116  to provide support for a child&#39;s head and neck. To keep pillow  134  in place, pillow area  116  may be held shut with snaps  124 . It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that many types of fasteners can be used to hold pillow area  116  closed and that the use of snaps  124  is to be considered as exemplary and not limiting. When a caretaker is to hold a child, the caretaker passes one of their arms through arm area  118 . After placing their arm in arm area  118 , the user may insert a thumb or finger through thumb strap  120  to provide increased control and stability to the child. Thumb straps  120  are located on the back side approximate to the four corners of first section  102 . It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that additional thumb straps  120  may be located at various locations on Armapillow  100  to aid a caretaker in the use of Armapillow  100 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of Armapillow  100 . Shown is pillow section  130  and tail section  108 . In addition to the components making up Pillow section  130  discussed above. Pillow section may also consist of snaps  124 . Snaps  124  (not shown, see  FIG. 3 ) may be used to close pillow area  116  when a pillow  134  (not shown) is inserted into the area. Alternatively, buttons, hook and loop material, and other methods of fastening may be used in place of snap  124  to close pillow area  116 . It is also to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that multiple snaps  124  or other fasteners may be used to keep pillow area  116  closed. Pillow  134  may be left in pillow area  116  when Armapillow  100  is both used and stored. When either the pillow  134  or Armapillow  100  is soiled or otherwise needs to be cleaned, fastening device  122 , or whatever is used to hold pillow area  116  closed, is released to allow pillow  134  to be removed from pillow area  116 . As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , arm area  118  is located behind pillow area  116  such that when a caretaker puts their arm through arm area  118 , the child&#39;s head is better supported and controlled by the caretaker. A caretaker also has the choice to place their arm on the outside of and behind pillow section  130  yet still provide support and control of a child&#39;s head than without the use of Armapillow  100 . Fastening devices  122  may also be used to hold Armapillow  100  closed when folded or rolled up for storage or transport. Fastening devices  122  may also be used as a handle to carry Armapillow  100  when it is rolled up or folded. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 4  is fastening device  126 . In an alternative embodiment, fastening device  126  consists of two straps extending from the surface of tail section  108 . When Armapillow  100  is folded or rolled up for transport and storage, the straps of fastening device  126  can be wrapped around the center of Armapillow  100  and tied, thereby maintaining Armapillow  100  in a rolled up or folded condition. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that various fastening devices may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also shown in  FIG. 4  are fastening points  128 , located at the corners of tail section  108 . In certain embodiments, a separate fastener may be used to secure tail section  108  to the clothing of caretaker  136  (not shown). 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a folded Armapillow  100  being used by a child  130  as a sleeping mat. A pillow  134  is inserted into pillow area  116  to provide head and neck support to child  130 . The body of child  130  is resting on tail section  108 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a preferred embodiment with caretaker  136  using the Armapillow  100  to provide support and control for a resting child  130 . As shown, caretaker  136  inserts an arm  138  through arm area  118  and tail section  108  extends from pillow section  132  across the front of a caretaker  136 . Child&#39;s  130  head is placed against pillow section  132  with the body of child  130  positioned across the front of caretaker  136  on tail section  108 . When a child  130  is sleeping on Armapillow  100 , the design of pillow section  132  allows caretaker  136  to gently insert or remove their arm  138  from arm area  118  without disturbing the sleeping child  130 . Without the use of Armapillow  100 , a caretaker  136  would need to disturb the child  130  to either pick them up or put them down when an arm is inserted or removed from under a child&#39;s head. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a caretaker  136  using Armapillow  100  as a support and as a privacy cover while breast feeding child  130 . In use, Armapillow  100  is oriented such that tail  108  points to the outside of caretaker  136  where tail section  108  is pulled over the top of pillow section  132  to cover child  130  thereby blocking light from directly shining on child  130 . To ensure that privacy is maintained during breastfeeding, tail section  108  may be attached to the clothing of caretaker  136 . After properly orienting Armapillow  100 , caretaker  136  inserts her arm  138  through arm area  118 . It is to be appreciated that caretaker  136  inserts her arm from the left side of pillow section  132 , through arm area  118 , and out the right side. Caretaker  136  may insert a thumb or finger through thumb strap  120  (not shown). Tail section  108  may be attached to the caretaker&#39;s  136  clothing through the use of a fastening device  122 . In certain embodiments, fastening device may clip directly to Armapillow  100  and the caretaker&#39;s  136  clothes. In other embodiments, fastening device  122  attaches to fastening point  128  and the caretaker&#39;s  136  clothes. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that any type of fastener may be used to hold tail section  108  in place during use, including buttons, hooks, hook and loop, and snaps, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A caretaker&#39;s arm and hand  138  is inserted through arm area  118 . The thumb of the caretaker&#39;s hand  138  is inserted through thumb strap  120  to provide the caretaker  136  with greater control and stability when holding a child  130  (not shown). As shown in  FIG. 1 , thumb straps  120  are located at the four (4) corners of first section  102 . When Armapillow  100  is used, the plurality of thumb straps  120  provide any user, whether using Armapillow  100  with the left arm or the right arm, access to a thumb strap  120  so additional control and stability can be applied by any user of the invention. Pillow  134  is inserted into pillow area  116 . Located in pillow area  116  are snaps  124 , which are used to hold pillow area  116  closed when pillow  134  is inserted to prevent pillow  134  from slipping out of pillow area  116  during use, transport, and storage. It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that both the left and right sides of pillow area  116  may have snaps  124  or other fastening devices configured to keep pillow section  116  closed, such as hook and loop, clips, and buttons. It is also to be appreciated that multiple snaps  124  or other fastening devices may be used on each side of pillow section  116  to hold pillow section  116  closed. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, an additional section may be attached to tail section  108  using fastening points  128  to create a longer tail section  108 . It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that the additional section may be attached to tail section  108  by any means known in the industry, including, but not limited to, hook and loop, clips, and zippers. A longer tail section  108  may be needed when a child  130  is sleeping on tail section  108  of Armapillow  100  and a blanket is needed for the child  130 . A longer tail section  108  may also be needed when tail section  108  is not long enough to provide sufficient privacy when a caretaker  136  is breast-feeding in a public place. 
     Moving to  FIG. 9 , a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally designated  200 . Armapillow  200  comprises pillow section  232  and tail section  208 . Pillow section  232  further comprises first section  202 , which connects to second section  204  at fold  210 . Second section  204  connects to third section  206  at fold  212 . Located along the bottom edge of third section  206  are snaps  214 . First section  202  further comprises thumb straps  120  located approximately at the corners of first section  202 . Tail section  208  is configured to attach to pillow section  232  using snaps  214  located along the top edge of tail section  208  in conjunction with the snaps  214  on third section  206 . It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that snaps may be replaced with any fastening means known in the industry without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, snaps  214  may be replace with a hook and loop type fastener. Alternatively, a bi-directional zipper may be used such that tail section may be attached to pillow section  232  face up or face down. Other types of fasteners contemplated include hooks, magnets, clips, and buckles. 
     The detachable nature of tail section  208  from pillow section  232  allows for different pillow and tail sections  232  and  208  to be attached to each other. For example, a user may require a longer tail section  208  as a child grows. Another example is detaching pillow section  232  from tail section  208  so a child may use pillow section  232  as a pillow and tail section  208  as a blanket. 
     Alternative to using a longer tail section  208 , a user may attach an extension to tail section  208  by attaching the extension using fastening points  228 . Fastening points  228  may be any means of fastening known in the industry, which includes snaps, cups, hooks, and hook and loop. Alternatively, fastening points  228  may be replaced with a bi-directional zipper, thereby allowing an extension to be zipped together with tail section  208 . 
     Similar to Armapillow  100 , Armapillow  200  is folded along folds  210  and  212  to form pillow section  232  having pillow area  216  and arm area  218 . If a pillow is inserted into pillow area  216 , snaps  124  are used to hold the pillow in pillow area  216 . Tail section  208  is then attached to pillow section  232 . When not in use, Armapillow  200  may be unfolded then rolled up and secured using fastening device  226  (see  FIG. 10 ), which may be two strings long enough to wrap around a rolled-up Armapillow  200 , or an elastic loop that can be stretched around a rolled-up Armapillow  200 . Alternatively, Armapillow  200  may not be unfolded before being rolled-up for storage and transport thereby allowing for quicker and easier use. 
       FIG. 10  is a cut-away side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the detachable nature of the Armapillow  200 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , when Armapillow  200  is folded to form pillow section  232 , pillow area  216  is formed between first section  202  and second section  204  and arm area  218  is formed between first section  202  and third section  206 . As with Armapillow  100 , a user may pass his or her arm through arm area  218  to provide stable support for a child. For added support, a user may insert a thumb into one of the thumb straps  120 . Also shown is fastening device  226 , which allows for Armapillow  200  to be secured in a closed condition to allow for ease of transport and storage. 
     Tail section  208  is connected to pillow section by attaching snaps  214 , It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that alternative attachment methods, such as hooks, clips, hook and loop, and zippers may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Lastly,  FIG. 11  is a detailed view of Detail  11  designated in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 11  shows tail section  208  connected to the third section  206  of pillow section  232  using snaps  214 . 
     It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that the items identified in the preferred embodiments and the alternative embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments of the present invention. The designation of a preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments is not to be considered limiting. 
     While there have been shown what are presently considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.