US20120260430A1

US20120260430A1 - Cuddle me baby pillow systems

Info

Publication number: US20120260430A1
Application number: US13/271,536
Authority: US
Inventors: Vivian Hernandez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-19
Filing date: 2011-10-12
Publication date: 2012-10-18

Abstract

An arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly comprising at least one pillow-pad, the pillow-pad comprising a pillow assembly; a removable cover; at least one band acting as a securer. The pillow assembly is usable to provide a soft resting place for the head of the baby while the baby is being held by the user-wearer. The pillow assembly is useful for comfort-holding the baby such that the arm of the user-wearer and the baby are not in touch-contact, but the baby is still in close proximity to the caregiver. The pillow assembly comprises a spine with a flexible joint between the pillow-pad(s) such that the pillow-pad(s) moves in relation to each other about a joint-axis of the spine. The spine provides a space for receiving the head of the baby such that the pillow assembly contour-touches the head of the baby at a plurality of points.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/394,392, filed Oct. 19, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of pillows and more specifically relates to pillows and pads with securers for use in holding children and/or objects.
2. Description of the Related Art
Newborn human babies often love to be coddled and held. However, a newborn's head is very large in proportion to the rest of the body. At birth, many regions of the newborn's skull have not yet been developed to bone, leaving soft spots known as fontanels; the baby's head is very delicate and should be handled carefully.
Holding a baby can be a wonderful experience with the baby's head commonly held at or just above the crook of a caregiver's arm. A significant amount of time is required to hold a baby until they are able to walk such as for feeding, comforting, caressing, or rocking. Therefore, the caretaker of the baby may be required to be in a sitting or fixed position for long periods of time thereby potentially experiencing discomfort such as localized pressure along the crook of the arm for example. A further drawback of holding a baby with a bare arm is the potential for dirt, sweat and other forms of bacteria and microorganisms to easily be transferred to a baby's head from the caregiver's arm.
Individuals may also want a way to offer additional comfort to the baby's sensitive and undeveloped head with the baby's head and neck. Having a simple and efficient method to offer additional padding under a baby's head may assist consumers and babies in feeling more comfortable while remaining in close contact with each other. Examples of additional padding include the use of a pillow or blanket. The baby may be held with a pillow placed in between the caregiver's arm and the baby's head and neck; a pillow is a large cushion support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed, or for the body as used on a couch or chair. When a blanket is used for such support, the caregiver may wrap the blanket around their arm creating a make-shift arm cushion to distribute the weight of the baby's head. However, the use of a pillow or blanket to cushion a baby's head have their drawbacks. These drawbacks include the loosening and unwanted unwrapping of the blanket or the unwanted displacement of the pillow along the crook of the caregiver's arm thereby making these options virtually ineffective and uncomfortable. A safe, comfortable padded device, suitable for extended wear is desirable.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,393,520; 5,239,717; 5,440,769; 6,381,786; and 6,918,148. This prior art is representative of pillows and pads. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, cuddle me baby pillow systems should be user friendly and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable cuddle me baby pillow system that can be temporarily affixed at or just above the crook of a caregiver's arm to provide a soft resting place for a baby's head while being held thereby creating a buffer between the baby's head and the crook of the caregiver's arm and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known pillow and pad art, the present invention provides a novel cuddle me baby pillow system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a pillow-pad that can be temporarily affixed at or just above the crook of a caregiver's arm to provide a soft resting place for a baby's head while the baby is being held, thereby creating a buffer between the baby's head and the crook of the caregiver's arm.
The present invention, cuddle me baby pillow system, as disclosed herein, preferably comprises: at least one pillow-pad comprising a pillow assembly; a removable cover; and at least one band acting as a securer.
The pillow-pad(s) preferably comprise a fabric exterior and each pillow-pad has at least one inner volume. The fabric exterior preferably comprises flannel. The inner volumes comprise at least one filler. The filler comprises memory foam such that the head of the baby is pre-contoured into the filler. The pillow assembly is about 8″ long, by about 5″ wide and about 1½″ thick.
The pillow assembly is usable to provide a soft resting place for the head of the baby while the baby is being held by the user-wearer. The pillow assembly is useful for comfort-holding the baby (or another object) such that the arm of the user-wearer and the baby are not in touch-contact. Further, the pillow assembly comprises an isolator to remove contact-pressure caused by the baby on the arm crook. The isolator segregates the baby from bacteria, sweat and dirt present in the arm crook of the user-wearer.
The pillow assembly comprises a spine with a flexible joint between the pillow-pad(s) such that the pillow-pad(s) may move in relation to each other about a joint-axis of the spine (similar to how a book opens and encloses.) The spine provides a space for receiving the head of the baby such that the pillow assembly touches the head of the baby at a plurality of points to maximize surface area contact with the head of the baby. A profile of the pillow assembly across the flexible joint may comprise a contour graduation of the filler wherein the contour graduation is shaped to receive a head of a baby (or may comprise a curved V-shape it alternate embodiments.)
The removable cover encase-wraps the pillow-pad(s). The removable cover is machine washable to clean the removable cover from debris located thereon. Further, the removable coverings of the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly may showcase various decorative child motifs.
The band(s) comprise a first band and a second band in preferred embodiments and may comprise one or more than two bands in other embodiments. The band(s) also comprise stretchable elastic material. The first band and the second band are attachable about an elbow portion of an arm of a user-wearer such that the pillow assembly is located adjacent an arm crook of the user-wearer. Further, the first band is a forearm-band while the second band is an upper arm-band. A speaker and required electronics may be included such that songs are playable to sooth the baby.
A kit is also embodied herein for the cuddle me baby pillow systems preferably comprising: a pillow assembly comprising a filler; removable coverings having various child motifs with the removable coverings being machine washable; and a set of user instructions for installation and use. Certain embodiments may comprise a speaker that is able to audibilize soothing tunes to relax the baby.
A method of using an arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly is disclosed herein preferably comprising the steps of: donning the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly on an arm of a user-wearer; resting a head of a baby against pillow-pad(s) of the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly; holding the baby; setting down the baby; removing the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly; removing a removable covering from the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly; laundering the removable covering to clean the removable cover of debris located thereon; and re-using the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as cuddle me baby pillow systems. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, cuddle me baby pillow systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating cuddle me baby pillow systems in an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view illustrating an arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of the cuddle me baby pillow systems according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another perspective view illustrating the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of the cuddle me baby pillow systems according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a back perspective view illustrating the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of the cuddle me baby pillow systems according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of the cuddle me baby pillow systems according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a pillows and pads and more specifically relates to pillows and pads with securers suitable for comfortably and safely holding babies.
Referring now to the drawings FIG. 1, showing a perspective view of cuddle me baby pillow systems 100 in ‘in-use’ condition 106 according to embodiments of the present invention.
Cuddle me baby pillow systems 100 preferably comprises arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 that may be temporarily affixed at or just above crook 164 of arm 162 of user-wearer 160 to provide a soft resting place for head 174 of baby 170. Baby 170 may be held, as shown thereby creating a buffer between head 174 of baby 170 and crook 164 of arm 162 of user-wearer 160. User-wear 160 may include a caregiver such as a mother, father, or nanny for example. FIG. 3 shows placement of the present invention without baby 170 present.
Ann-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 is preferably designed to provide comfort for baby 170 and for user-wearer 160 holding baby 170 such that baby 170 and user-wearer 160 don't sweat from contacting one another. A further benefit of arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 preferably effectively prevents arm 162 of user-wearer 160 from going to sleep, becoming numb or the like. Further, arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 comprises an isolator to remove contact-pressure caused by baby 170 on crook 164 of arm 162. Crook 164 of arm 162 of user-wearer 160 is referring to the inside bend (opposing side to elbow) of arm 162 of user-wearer 160 at an elbow joint. The isolator effectively segregates baby 170 from bacteria, sweat and dirt present in crook 164 of arm 162 of user-wearer 160.
Referring now to the drawings FIGS. 2-4, showing perspective views of arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 according to embodiments of the present invention.
Arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 herein preferably comprises: at least one pillow-pad(s) 110 comprising pillow assembly 120; removable cover 130; at least one band 140 acting as a securer; and optionally speaker 150. Pillow assembly 120 is about 8″ long, by about 5″ wide and about 1½″ thick as shown best in FIG. 4.
Pillow-pad(s) 110 preferably comprises a fabric exterior and each pillow-pad 110 has at least one inner volume. The inner volume(s) comprise at least one filler or combination thereof. The filler may comprise foam (or memory foam) such that the filler is pre-contoured to generally match the shape of head 174 of baby 170. The fabric exterior of pillow-pad(s) 110 preferably comprises flannel. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other material arrangements such as, for example, cloth, cotton, feathers, different types of foam, etc., may be sufficient.
Pillow assembly 120 preferably comprises spine 124 with a flexible joint between pillow-pad(s) 120 such that pillow-pad(s) 110 may move in relation to each other about a joint-axis of spine 124 as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3. Spine 124 preferably provides a space for receiving head 174 of baby 170 such that pillow assembly 120 touches head 174 of baby 170 at a plurality of points to maximize surface area contact with head 174 of baby 170. A profile of pillow assembly 120 (across the flexible joint) comprises a contour graduation of the filler wherein the contour graduation is shaped to receive head 174 of baby 170. (Spine 124 functions as a spine on a book—as a hinging means; wherein the book covers rotate about an axis and open and close as moved in relation to each other.)
Ann-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 is removably-attachable to (crook of) arm 162 of user-wearer 160 via band(s) 140 as shown best in FIGS. 2 & 3. Band(s) 140 preferably comprise first band 144 and second band 148; however may comprise only one first band 144 or second band 148 in certain embodiments shown. Band(s) 140 also comprise stretchable elastic material for example to provide a customized, adjustable comfort-fit for the removeably-coupling of arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 to user-wearer 160. First band 144 and second band 148 are preferably attachable about elbow portion 168 of arm 162 of user-wearer 160 such that pillow assembly 120 is located adjacent crook 164 of arm 162 of user-wearer 160. Further, first band 144 is a forearm-band whereas second band 148 is an upper arm-band in embodiments with two bands.
Removable cover 130 preferably encase-wraps pillow-pad(s) 110 to protect pillow-pad(s) 110 and to keep them clean. Removable cover 130 is machine washable to clean removable cover 130 from debris located thereon accumulated from the environment. Removable cover 130 of arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 may showcase various child motifs such as cartoon characters, seasonal themes, or a color scheme to match an outfit of a child for example. Removable cover 130 may be changed as frequently as user-wearer 160 prefers for a new design and/or theme. Child motifs may or may not be removable.
Additionally, arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 of cuddle me baby pillow systems 100 may comprise speaker 150 as shown in FIG. 4. Speaker 150 may be included such that songs are playable to sooth baby 170 when the baby is restless or uncomfortable.
Cuddle me baby pillow systems 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4 may comprise kit 440. Kit 440 may comprise the following parts: pillow assembly 120 comprising a filler; removable cover 130 having various child motifs, wherein removable cover 130 is machine washable; and a set of user instructions for installation and use. Additionally, kit 440 may be sold as individual components depending on wholesaler/retailer-preference.
Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately.
A method of using adjustable cradle pillow system 100 may comprise the steps of: step one 501 donning arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102 on arm 162 of a user-wearer 160; step two 502 resting head 174 of baby 170 against pillow-pad(s) 110 of s arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102; step three 503 holding baby 170; step four 504 setting down baby 170; step five 505 removing arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102; step six 506 removing removable cover 130 from arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102; step seven 507 laundering removable cover 130 to clean removable cover 130 of debris located thereon; and step eight 508 re-using arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly 102. The method may or may not include playing music to soothe child while rocking the baby.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. An arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly comprising:

at least one pillow-pad comprising a pillow assembly;

a removable cover; and

at least one band acting as a securer;

wherein said pillow-pad(s) comprises a fabric exterior and each said pillow-pad having at least one inner volume;

wherein said removable cover encase-wraps said pillow-pad(s);

wherein said removable cover is machine washable to clean said removable cover from debris located thereon;

wherein said inner volumes comprise at least one filler;

wherein said pillow assembly comprises a spine with a flexible joint between said pillow-pad(s) such that said pillow-pad(s) may move in relation to each other about a joint-axis of said spine;

wherein said band(s) are attachable about an elbow portion of an arm of a user-wearer such that said pillow assembly is located adjacent an arm crook of said user-wearer;

wherein said pillow assembly is useful for comfort-holding a baby such that said arm of said user-wearer and said baby are not in touch-contact;

wherein said pillow assembly comprises an isolator to remove contact-pressure caused by said baby on said arm crook; and

wherein said pillow assembly is usable to provide a soft resting place for a head of said baby while said baby is being held by said user-wearer.

2. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said band(s) comprise a first band and a second band.

3. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 2 wherein said first band is a forearm-band.

4. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 2 wherein said second band is an upper arm-band.

5. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 2 wherein said band(s) comprise elastic material.

6. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 2 wherein said band(s) comprise at least one fastener.

7. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 6 wherein said fastener comprises a hook and loop said fastener.

8. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein a profile of said pillow assembly across said flexible joint comprises a contour graduation of said filler.

9. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said filler comprises soft foam.

10. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said filler comprises memory foam such that said filler is pre-contoured to said head of said baby.

11. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said fabric exterior comprises flannel.

12. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said pillow assembly is about 8″ long, by about 5″ wide and about 1½″ thick.

13. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said band comprises exactly one said band.

14. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said removable coverings of said arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly showcases various child motifs.

15. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said isolator segregates said baby from bacteria, sweat and dirt present in said arm crook of said user-wearer.

16. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 wherein said spine provides a space for receiving said head of said baby such that said pillow assembly touches said head of said baby at a plurality of points to maximize surface area contact with said head of said baby.

17. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 1 further comprising a speaker such that songs are playable to sooth said baby.

18. An arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly comprising:

at least one pillow-pad comprising a pillow assembly;

a removable cover;

at least one band acting as a securer; and

at least one speaker;

wherein said removable cover encase-wraps said pillow-pad(s);

wherein said inner volumes comprise at least one filler;

wherein said band(s) comprise a first band and a second band;

wherein said first band and said second band are attachable about an elbow portion of an arm of a user-wearer such that said pillow assembly is located adjacent an arm crook of said user-wearer;

wherein said first band is a forearm-band and said second band is an upper arm-band;

wherein said band(s) comprise stretchable elastic material;

wherein a profile of said pillow assembly across said flexible joint comprises a contour graduation of said filler wherein said contour graduation is shaped to receive a head of a baby;

wherein said filler comprises memory foam such that said head of said baby is pre-contoured into said filler;

wherein said fabric exterior comprises flannel;

wherein said pillow assembly is about 8″ long, by about 5″ wide and about 1½″ thick;

wherein said removable coverings of said arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly showcases various child motifs;

wherein said pillow assembly is useful for comfort-holding said baby such that said arm of said user-wearer and said baby are not in touch-contact;

wherein said pillow assembly comprises an isolator to remove contact-pressure caused by said baby on said arm crook;

wherein said isolator segregates said baby from bacteria, sweat and dirt present in said arm crook of said user-wearer;

wherein said spine provides a space for receiving said head of said baby such that said pillow assembly touches said head of said baby at a plurality of points to maximize surface area contact with said head of said baby;

wherein said pillow assembly is usable to provide a soft resting place for said head of said baby while said baby is being held by said user-wearer; and

wherein said speaker is included such that songs are playable to sooth said baby.

19. The arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly of claim 18 further comprising a kit including:

said pillow assembly comprising said filler;

said removable coverings having various child motifs, wherein said removable coverings are machine washable; and

a set of user instructions.

20. A method of using an arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly comprising the steps of:

donning said arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly on an arm of a user-wearer;

resting a head of a baby against pillow-pad(s) of said arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly;

holding said baby;

setting down said baby;

removing said arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly;

removing a removable covering from said arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly;

laundering said removable covering to clean said removable cover of debris located thereon; and

re-using said arm-crook-pillow-pad assembly.