GB2499800A

GB2499800A - Baby burping garment

Info

Publication number: GB2499800A
Application number: GB1203435.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Katy Ann Hymas
Original assignee: MUMLIN Ltd
Current assignee: MUMLIN Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-28
Filing date: 2012-02-28
Publication date: 2013-09-04
Also published as: GB201203435D0

Abstract

A baby burping aid or garment made from one-piece of material comprises a broad area 11 with a deep cut 12 for, in use, accommodating the neck of a user M, and shoulder portions 13 which diverge from either side of the deep cut. In a preferred use the broad area is worn 11 across a user's back with shoulder portions 13 extending forwards over the user's shoulders, such that the aid shields the wearer from regurgitation from a burping baby B. The shoulder portions may diverge outwardly form one another with the deep cut defining a substantially V-shape. One or both of the shoulder portions may comprise an enlarged area (13A, fig. 3b) which, in use, serves as a modesty cover, e.g. when breastfeeding a baby. A fastener (not shown), e.g. hook and loop or buttons, may attach the enlarged section of one shoulder portion to the other shoulder portion. The aid may be formed from thick cotton, muslin, towelling material or rubber, and may alternatively be worn in the manner of a conventional bib with the broad area 11 extending down the chest of the wearer (see figures 3a & 3d).

Description

A Baby Burping Aid

The present invention relates to a baby burping aid.

5 A common method for burping a baby, particularly after bottle-feeding, is to place a cloth (e.g. a "muslin square") over one shoulder and to hold the baby facing over the shoulder while patting their back to encourage a burp. The purpose of the cloth is to protect clothing from any 10 regurgitation.

The form of cloth to be used is usually not very ergonomic and can be generally inconvenient as it has multiple purposes. Therefore the present invention seeks to provide 15 an alternative baby burping aid to commonly available muslin squares or towels etc.

In a first broad aspect of the invention there is provided a baby burping aid comprised of one-piece of material having: a 20 broad area; a deep cut for, in use, accommodating the neck of a user; and shoulder portions extending either side of the deep cut from the broad area.

"Broad" in the present context generally means wide enough to 25 extend across the back of a user.

Preferably there are extending shoulder portions either side of the deep cut and, preferably, these shoulder portions diverge outwardly from each other.

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In a second broad aspect of the invention there is provided a method of use of a baby burping aid according to the first broad aspect above wherein the broad area is worn over a

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user's back and wherein the shoulder portions extend forwardly over the user's shoulders.

A baby burping aid according to the invention will be 5 described by the reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 illustrates a pattern/plan view of a baby burping aid according to the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a general view of a user wearing 10 the invention; and

Figures 3a to 3d illustrate alternative possibilities for wearing the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates an overview of a baby burping aid 15 according to the invention wherein a single piece of material has a broad area 11 and a roughly V-shaped deep cut area 12 with shoulder portions 13 either side that, in the preferred form, extend/splay outwardly from the broad area 11. A suggested dimension D is 44cm for the purpose of providing a 20 scale, however, other sizes can be considered within the scope of the invention.

It is intended that the preferred example of material pictured by the pattern in Figure 1 is a thick cotton (such 25 as is used in a "tea towel"); however it could alternatively be a loosely woven cotton fabric (i.e. commonly known as "muslin") or brushed cotton. Yet further fabric types, e.g. towelling, could be utilised and cut to the general pattern as illustrated. The chosen weave/weight/thread count is not 30 critical to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the most recommended method of use for the invention. Specifically, the burping aid is worn so that

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the broad area of material 11 covers a user's (in this case a mother M) back and the shoulder portions 13 are positioned forwards over the shoulders and around the neck. A baby B rests with a cheek against a shoulder portion 13 and can also 5 be held higher such that any regurgitation from the burping process is expelled over the rear-positioned broad area of material 11.

The burping aid is held in place on the user M by virtue of 10 its ergonomic shape. It is generally intended that the cloth construction of the invention will not have (or need) a fixing means (e.g. Velcro® or buttons etc) to hold the shoulder portions together in a way that would resemble a conventional "bib" as worn by children. Particularly, the 15 preferred method of use suggests placing the broad unitary piece of material over the back of a user which is counterintuitive to the usual nature of a bib which rests on the chest (and requires a neck fastening means).

20 The dimension E shown in Figure 1 represents that, in its generally preferred form, there is always a gap between the distal ends of the shoulder portions 13; unlike a conventional bib where a loop must be formed to secure it around a baby's neck.

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Figures 3a to 3d illustrate possible configurations for wearing the burping aid of the invention. For example, Figures 3a and 3b show conventional bib type configurations where the aid can be placed on a user M or baby B chest with 30 shoulder portions 13 over the shoulders. However, even in this configuration the shoulder portions do not form a closed loop.

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Figure 3b illustrates an important variation of the invention where at least one of the shoulder portions (13A) is enlarged to extend substantially over the breast of a mother M. This variation is able to perform as a "modesty" cover when 5 breastfeeding an infant in a public place. It is intended that the material is held in place by the ergonomic shape although it is a small matter to further include a Velcro® fastening at the overlapping part of the shoulder portions 13.

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Figure 3c illustrates a variation of use wherein the shoulder portions 13 are positioned on the chest and back respectively with the main broad surface 11 of material covering one shoulder. This configuration is possible when one particular

15 shoulder is favoured for burping over the other.

The baby burping aid of the invention is intended to be manufactured using available materials and processes, for example a hemmed pattern made to the shape of Figure 1.

20 However, it may be possible to mould or press the shape from other materials (e.g. rubber) as necessary.

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Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A baby burping aid comprised of one-piece of material having:

5 a broad area;

a deep cut for, in use, accommodating the neck of a user; and shoulder portions extending either side of the deep cut from the broad area.

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2. The baby burping aid of claim 1 wherein the shoulder portions diverge outwardly from each other.

3. The baby burping aid of claim 2 wherein the divergence 15 of the shoulder portions gives the deep cut a roughly

V-shape.

4. The baby burping aid of any preceding claim wherein at least one of the shoulder portions includes an enlarged 20 section that, in use, performs as a modesty cover.

5. The baby burping aid of claim 4 wherein a hook and pile fastener is utilised to attach an the enlarged section of one shoulder portion to the other shoulder portion.

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6. The baby burping aid of any preceding claim 1 to 4 wherein no fastening means is utilised to attach the shoulder portions together.

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7. A method of use of a baby burping aid according to any preceding claim wherein the broad area is worn over a user's back and wherein the shoulder portions extend forwardly over the user's shoulders.

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8. A baby burping aid substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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9. A method of use of a baby burping aid substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 2 and 3b of the drawings.

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