PROTECTIVE LINER

Abstract

A multilayer protective liner in the form of a cot bumper is provided to protect infants when sleeping or resting in a bedding arrangement such as a cot or crib. In one form, the cot bumper has two outer surfaces of a quilted padded mesh material which not only provides protection against accidental or inadvertent contact with exposed hard surfaces of the cot or crib, but also provides for air circulation around and through the protective layer so as to produce a healthier environment for the sleeping or resting infant. The cot bumper has at least one inner core layer of a perforated resilient panel located in a pocket or envelope of mesh material formed by rows of transverse stitching at spaced apart locations. The advantage of the cot bumper is that it provides more or less continuous protection whilst allowing air movement around and through the cot or crib.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to protective liners for bedding.

In one form the present invention relates to protective liners for bedding used by infants and small children, typically protective liners for use within cots, cribs and other similar bedding equipment that is used by babies, infants and young children.

In one form the present invention relates primarily to protective liners for location inside a cot or crib to improve the safety of the environment within which an infant, baby or young child is located. In one aspect, improvement in the safety of the environment is to provide protection for the occupant against contact with the rigid parts of the cot or crib including hard surfaces associated with the rigid members and structural parts of the cot. In another aspect, the improvement in the safety of the environment relates to increased air circulation or air movement within the sleeping environment.

The present invention finds particular application as an improved cot or crib bumper which is insertable inside the interior of the crib or cot to improve the safety of the sleeping environment by forming a resilient barrier preventing direct contact by the infant with the structural or rigid parts of the cot or crib, or hard exposed surfaces of the cot when the infant is located within the cot or crib such as when sleeping, resting or the like.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one or more forms of the cot bumper it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiments but rather the scope of the invention is more extensive to include other forms and variations of the protective liner, the use of a variety of diverse materials in the manufacture of the various arrangements of the protective liner and the use of the protective liner in applications other than described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cots, cribs and other bedding equipment for use by babies, infants and young children must be sturdy and strong in order to form a secure enclosure for receiving the infant such as when sleeping, particularly where the infant moves around the cot during sleeping which increases the risk to the infant coming into contact with a hard surface which may cause injury. The need for a secure enclosure demands that the cot be made from strong structural members having rigidity such as posts, rails, and similar members, such as for example, components made from metal, timber or the like, such as metallic tubes, timber posts and similar, having hard surfaces to ensure the cot has the required strength and integrity. Many of the hard surfaces are exposed.

In an attempt to provide protection for the infant against inadvertently striking a hard surface of the structural or rigid members of the cot, padding, known as cot bumpers, have been used in a variety of different forms to provide a barrier or protective layer. However, the protective layer as well as being protective and providing a layer of padding or similar between the infant and the hard structural member, must also result in a beneficial environment being produced around infants, and not be injurious or detrimental to the health and safety of the infant. Having a continuous layer of padding usually provides the best impact protection against striking the exposed hard surfaces of the cot. However, this continuous layer may not always provide the safest or healthiest environment for the health of the infant and may not be without safety concerns for the infant since the continuous surface in some instances can inhibit the movement of air or circulation of air in the vicinity of the sleeping infant when located in the sleeping enclosure since the continuous surface forms a barrier to air circulation. Preventing or restricting the flow or circulation of air can produce an unhealthy environment, such as for example an environment that is conducive to the development of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which is all too often fatal to the infant. One explanation for SIDS occurring is thought to be due to the rebreathing of carbon dioxide exhaled from the sleeping infant. It is thought that a build up of carbon dioxide in the area around the mouth and nose of the infant, such as could occur in a closed sleeping environment could be a health concern by resulting in an environment that could cause SIDS by the infant being located in an environment rich in exhaled carbon dioxide. Therefore, there is a need to provide a sleeping arrangement which is both protective of the infant by preventing the infant impacting or coming into contact with exposed hard surfaces or rigid structural members of the cot but also allows for the circulation of air through the sleeping arrangement so as to minimise or prevent the build up of concentrations of carbon dioxide in the immediate vicinity of the head of the sleeping infant in order to reduce the risk of the infant being subjected to SIDS. Until now it has been extremely difficult to provide a protective barrier which satisfies both of the conflicting requirements of (i) being sufficiently protective and continuous to provide increased protection, and (ii) allowing air circulation around and through the sleeping arrangement. If the barrier is made in a continuous form such as from continuous protective material in the form of padding or similar, the circulation and passage of air is blocked. However, if the barrier is made of a lightweight material which hinders the circulation and passage of air to a much lesser extent, the lightweight material provides little or no protection against accidental or inadvertent contact with the hard exposed surfaces. Thus, there is a need for a barrier which satisfies both of these apparent conflicting requirements by providing a barrier which is both protective of contact with hard objects and does not prevent circulation of air around the head region of the sleeping infant, or passage of air through the protective barrier.

Accordingly it is an aim of the present invention to provide a protective barrier for a sleeping arrangement which provides sufficient protection to reduce or eliminate injury but at the same time also provides for movement of air within and/or through the sleeping arrangement and/or protective barrier to provide a safe environment for the sleeping infant, and not subject the infant to an environment that is conducive to causing SIDS.

Accordingly, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a barrier in the form of a cot bumper which not only protects the infant against contact with exposed hard surfaces but also allows passage of air through the barrier to circulate through the sleeping arrangement.

Accordingly it is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of protecting an infant when sleeping in a sleeping arrangement by providing a barrier which provides sufficient protection against contact with exposed hard surfaces yet allows movement of air through the sleeping arrangement.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a barrier suitable for location within the interior of a bedding arrangement comprising a first outer layer made from an air permeable first material, a second outer layer made from an air permeable second material and at least one intermediate layer located intermediate the first outer layer and the second outer layer to form a core layer, the intermediate layer having a greater thickness than either of the first or second outer layers in order to provide a barrier between an infant located in the sleeping arrangement and the one or more structural components of the sleeping arrangement, wherein said first outer layer is connected to said second outer layer at spaced apart locations to maintain the intermediate layer intermediate the first and the second outer layers, and wherein said intermediate layer is air permeable such that when the protective barrier is located in place with respect to the bedding arrangement, air is able to move across and/or around the bedding arrangement to provide a safe and/or healthy environment for a person using the bedding arrangement.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cot bumper for use with a cot to provide protection for an infant located within the cot, said cot bumper having a first outer layer of a breathable mesh material, a second outer layer of a breathable mesh material and an intermediate layer located intermediate the first outer mesh layer and the second outer mesh_layer, said intermediate layer forming the core of the cot bumper and having the form of a multiplicity of perforated panels, at least some of the perforated panels having a multiplicity of air vents, wherein said first and second outer layers are connected to one another at spaced apart locations to form pockets for receiving individual perforated panels to form a segmented array of interconnected panels so that the cot bumper is permeable to air thereby allowing air to pass through and/or around the cot bumper.

According to the present invention there is a method of protecting an infant in a bedding arrangement comprising the steps of locating a protective barrier around at least part of the interior of the bedding arrangement so as to provide a protective barrier preventing or reducing contact by the infant with a hard or rigid member of the bedding arrangement and locating the infant in the bedding arrangement in which the protective barrier comprises a first outer breathable mesh layer, a second outer breathable mesh layer, and an intermediate core layer located intermediate the first and second outer breathable mesh layers, wherein the intermediate layer is in the form of a plurality of individual perforated panels, each panel having a multiplicity of air vents, and said intermediate layer is in the form of a_plurality of perforated panels received in pockets defined by the first and second outer mesh layers such that the barrier is air permeable to allow movement of air through the barrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In one form the bedding arrangement is a bedding enclosure, compartment or the like. Preferably the bedding enclosure is a self-contained bedding arrangement. In one form, the bedding arrangement is a cot, crib, bassinet, carry cot, portable cot, or other device in which infants, babies and young children can be located to sleep, rest, relax or the like. A preferred form of the bedding is a cot or crib forming a secure sleeping enclosure, cubicle or compartment.

In one form the barrier is locatable around the inside of the cot to protect the infant from contacting structural or rigid parts or components of the cot, such as for example, exposed hard surfaces of rigid structural support members, such as uprights, posts, rails, dowels, slats, balusters, sides, ends, or other parts of the cot or crib or the like including fittings provided to operate the cot or crib, such as the sliding side of the cot facilitating access to the cot, such as for placing the infant in the cot or withdrawing the infant from the cot.

In one form the barrier is a protective barrier around the inside of the cot. In one form, the barrier is a protective liner. In one form, the protective barrier is flexible so as to conform to the size, shape, style, and the like of the cot, including the protective barrier being able to adopt any suitable position or configuration to match the cot, including having perpendicular walls, sloping walls or the like.

In one form, the protective liner is a cot bumper. Typically, the protective liner is a single cot bumper or two or more cot bumpers, typically, two or more separate cot bumpers that optionally can be joined together or fastened or attached to each other to form the cot bumper.

In one form the protective liner is a cot bumper or similar, preferably a mesh cot bumper, and more preferably a breathable mesh cot bumper or the like allowing air to move through the cot bumper, across the sleeping infant or to circulate around the infant, particularly to reduce the amount or concentration of carbon dioxide which could accumulate around the mouth and nose of the sleeping infant, thereby reducing the incidence or risk of SIDS or similar conditions.

In one form, the first and second outer layers may be made from the same or different materials. The first and/or second outer layers can be selected from a wide range of different air permeable materials that are suitable for forming the cot bumper. In one form the first and second outer layers are made from open weave materials having a plurality of cavities, spaces, voids or the like defined between threads.

In one form the outer layer, whether the first outer layer, the second outer layer or both, is a flexible layer, such as for example made from a fabric or fabric-like material, including natural or synthetic materials, such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, polyester, or any suitable material. Preferably the outer layer is a breathable fabric which is air permeable allowing air, particularly oxygen to pass through the fabric. Typically, the fabric is permeable to air movement in both directions. More preferably, the outer fabric layer is a breathable mesh layer having an open weave construction of a plurality of pores, holes, apertures, vents, voids, cavities, spaces, channels, bores, or the like extending from one surface of the material to the outer surface of the material. In one form, the size of the pores is relatively small.

The mesh material can be made from any suitable material including natural materials, synthetic materials, artificial materials, handmade materials, or from naturally occurring materials. In one form the breathable mesh material includes gauze, voile, muslin, chiffon, georgette, mesh, tulle, netting, or similar fabric, including combinations of two or more such materials. In one form, the material or fabric is woven, non-woven, knitted or the like. Preferably, the fabric or material has a balance of breathability and coverage to conceal the internal workings as we well as having aesthetics with function. The preferred material is a mesh having a suitable breathability rating. In one form the fabric or material is also serviceable and has a continuity of spacing in the fabric.

In one form, one of the outer layers, i.e. the first outer layer, is an inwardly facing layer or a layer primarily adapted to form the inner layer in use when located within the cot. In one form, this inwardly facing or inwardly oriented layer is a single layer, double layer, triple layer or multiple layer having any number of layers of mesh material. The layers can be formed by a single sheet of suitable material being folded back upon itself to form the multiple layers. The layers can be formed by having a number of sheets superposed on one another to form a multilayered laminated structure. In one form, the inwardly facing layer is a padded layer or a layer having padding, such as for example, a quilted padded layer.

In one form, one of the outer layers, i.e. the second outer layer, is an outwardly facing layer or a layer which engages with the side of the cot. In one form, this outwardly facing or outwardly oriented layer is a single, double, triple or multilayer. In one form the voids of the mesh of each layer are designed with each other to be superposed either wholly or partially with each other or are in partial overlapping or staggered relationship with each other caused by the offsetting of the separate layers to form a network of voids to provide for air circulation through each layer, and through the entire surface of the cot bumper. The multiple layers can be formed from a single sheet folded over upon itself, or from multiple separate sheets superposed on one another to form the multilayer structure. In one form, the second outer layer is a padded layer or has padding, such as for example, a quilted padded layer.

In one form, the outer layer or layers of mesh material are soft, open weave, cotton material, typically 100% cotton material, which form a natural breathable cushioning layer or environment.

In one form, each or both outer layers are soft, open weave, bamboo material, typically 100% bamboo. However, in other forms, the mesh material is a blend of bamboo material and cotton. In one form, the bamboo material is a bamboo grass material, including fibres made from bamboo grass. The bamboo material or bamboo blend material forms a natural breathable cushioning layer or environment.

In one form the first and second outer layers are connected or fastened to one another, such as for example, by any suitable means including being sewn together by suitable threadlike or filamentary material, such as cotton thread, silk thread, or the like; by being bonded together by a suitable bonding agent, such as adhesive, glue, paste or the like; being fastened together by permanent fixing fasteners; being fastened together by removable fasteners, releasably securable fasteners, temporary fasteners or the like, including buttons, press studs, clips, snap lock fittings or fasteners or the like.

In one form the first and/or second outer layers are in the form of sheets, strips, or the like, typically being rectilinear in shape, such as being generally rectangular in which the length corresponds to the perimeter of the cot and the width corresponds to the height of the cot, or more particularly, to the height of the bumper when in the cot. In one form the sheets or strips are connected to each other at a plurality of spaced apart locations. In one form the side edges are stitched together along the longitudinal edges. In one form, the layers are divided into segments by spaced apart lines or rows of stitching extending transversely between the two longitudinal sides to form enclosed or sealed segments, envelopes, pockets, compartments or the like. In one form, there is a plurality of pockets arranged in side by side relationship to one another to form a segmented array extending more or less entirely along the longitudinal length of the bumper.

In one form the row or rows of transverse stitching forms hinges allowing two adjacent pockets containing individual perforated panels to hingedly move with respect to each other to allow the bumper to be folded upon itself for storage, for transportation, or to conform or adopt more closely to the actual shape and/or size of the interior profile or contour of the cot in order to provide adequate protection against contacting an exposed hard surface of the cot when located within the cot.

In one form the intermediate layer, located intermediate the two outer layers forms the core of the liner. In one form, the intermediate layer is a multitude or plurality of individual panels. The individual panels are located in respective ones of the pockets or envelopes formed between the two outer layers. The pockets or envelopes are closed or sealed along all four edges to contain and confine the panels within the pockets. In one form, the transverse lines of stitching forming the transverse sides of the pockets also form the hinges between adjacent panels.

In one form reinforcing or reinforcements, typically in the form of a reinforcement strip, bias binding or similar, is located along one or both of the longitudinally extending side edges, of the cot bumper to strengthen the cot bumper and to provide additional protection by way of additional layers or thickness of fabric material, padding or similar.

In one form the intermediate layer in the form of the individual panels have a thickness greater than the thickness of either of the two outer layers, preferably a thickness greater than the combined thickness of the two outer layers, even if each or both outer layers are themselves, a multilayered or laminated structure. In some embodiments, the thickness of the intermediate layer is considerably thicker than the thickness of either of the outer layers individually or collectively.

In one form, the individual panels received in the pockets formed from the two outer layers are air permeable, allowing air to pass through and/or around the individual panels and also the bumper. Preferably, the panels are perforated, such as for example, having a multiplicity of pores, vents, apertures, holes, voids, cavities, channels, bores, open cells, or the like through the thickness of the panel through which air can pass so as to allow air to move across the sleeping space of the cot and/or to be circulated around the infant, particularly around the head of the infant so as to reduce the incidence of SIDS by preventing the build up of carbon dioxide in the immediate vicinity of the face and/or head of the infant. In one form the size of the individual perforations is relatively large, such as for example, being greater, preferably considerably greater in size than the size of the pores or voids of the mesh of the outer layers. In one form, the voids of the panel are optimized to maximize airflow through the layer whilst maintaining padding. In one form the voids should result in the panels and the cot bumper being suitable for folding for packing, storage and transportation of the cot bumper. It is to be noted that the panel provides the majority of protection against accidental or inadvertent contact with the exposed hard surfaces of the cot, with the outer layers contributing to the protection by providing auxiliary padding for protection.

In one form the panel is typically in the form of a tablet, insert, inner padding, core, partition or the like having perforations in the form of circular holes which are spaced apart from each other. Typically, the perforations are sized and shaped to provide maximum airflow through the panel and the like, and through the cot bumper whilst permitting the panels and/or cot bumper to squash down, compact, deflate, collapse, crush, or the like, such as for example, when being stood upon by the infant in the cot, such as for example, to prevent the bumper from providing leverage or acting like a springboard, step, trampoline or the like for use by the infant to escape the confines of the cot by jumping on the cot bumper or otherwise using the bumper to gain height to project themselves over the side or end of the cot or to provide a “let up” to climb over the side or end of the cot.

Circular holes or apertures enable margins of solid padding to be formed around the solid panels whilst maximizing the hole or core volume, such as for example the holes or apertures being arranged in columns and rows in which adjacent columns are staggered with respect to each other and adjacent rows being staggered with respect to each other to form a repeating off set pattern of rows and columns.

The voids can have any suitable size, shape, pattern, cell structure, configuration or the like.

The panels can be made from any suitable material or have any suitable composition.

In one form, the material from which the individual panels of core material can be made includes soft material, padded material, resilient material, flexible material, elastomeric material, foamed material, elastically deformable material, resiliently deformable material or the like typically providing a soft feel barrier. Preferably, the core panels are a foam material, including polyester foam, polyether foam, polyurethane foam, or other suitable material having an open or closed cellular structure or reticular structure or combinations of open and closed cell structures.

In one form the core material is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) which is a material that approaches an elastomeric material in softness and flexibility. However, the resilience or ‘padding’ effect or EVA is towards the lower end of the spectrum of materials that can be incorporated into the liner of the present invention to provide safe protective padding. Other examples of suitable materials include EVA, polyurethane, rubber, both natural and synthetic, PTE, PLA, PET, PTU, foam or combinations thereof.

In one form, the material from which the inner core panels are made is a foam material having a range of densities. Typically, the range of densities of the foam is from 15 to 60 ppi or dpi. Preferably, the foamed material is a reticulated material. In one form, the foam material is a filter foam allowing air to pass through or circulate around whilst trapping and containing contaminant particles in the voids of the cellular structure of the foam material. In one form, the foam material could be a polyethylene terephthalate polymer (PET), being a thermoplastic polyester material in fibre form. Other materials can be used as the intermediate layer provided it is structured or perforated to permit air circulation of passage of air through the intermediate layer.

In one form the intermediate or core of the protective liner is a single layer, or a multiple layer of two, three, four or more individual layers. In one form, the individual layers can be of the same material or of different materials. In one form, the intermediate core is of a triple layer construction having a firmer inner core and two softer outer layers to provide an overall resilient material having a soft feel outer layer with a padding feel and structure but a strengthening inner core.

In one form, the intermediate layer is a triple layer construction of three separate sheets or a three layer laminate structure or the like in which, in one example, the two outside layers are formed from a single sheet being folded over itself. In one preferred form, the intermediate or core layer comprises two outer core layers in which each outer core layer is a high-tech three dimensional air permeable sheet constructed to exacting firmness using inherently anti bacterial and serviceable polyester. An inner core layer is located intermediate the two outer core layers.

In one form, the inner core layer is sandwiched between the two outer core layers which, in effect, form skins or coverings of the inner core layer. In one form, the inner core layer is a foundation layer comprising a plurality of flexible, sturdy, impact absorbing interlaced filaments which return to their original form after being deformed, deflected, crushed or the like.

In one form, the intermediate core material is a composite material which is resilient and has a padding effect to protect the infant against contact with the exposed rigid structural members or hard surfaces of the cot, crib or similar.

In one form the protective liner is made from one or more outer layers of air permeable material such as an open weave material or breathable mesh material and an inner core layer of padding or resilient material. In one form this combination of composite material is interconnected together by bonding such as adhesives or by fasteners or by stitching using threads or filaments. In one form the stitching is in one or more continuous line or lines or in a multiplicity of different lines such as for example, intersecting lines in a variety of different patterns, such as for example in the form of quilting or similar.

In one form the protective liner is made of a knitted construction or from one or more layers of knitted fabric. In one form, the knitted construction has bands of knitting of different properties and/or appearances. Typically the bands have different tensions. In one form the technical properties required of the protective liner are determined by the different knitting constructions within the one liner. In one form, the protective liner is quilted by having one or more lines of stitching joining the two outer layers to one another to alter the appearance and function of the quilted liner. In one form, the cot bumper is quilted to produce a padded intermediate core in which the core is of padding material and the lines of stitching define a pocket or envelope for containing the padding therein. Preferably, the padded intermediate core is provided with apertures, holes, bores, channels, voids, cavities or the like for passage of air therethrough. In other embodiments the outer layers are air permeable.

In one form, the pattern of stitching is a diamond quilting pattern involving stitching through all layers which combines all layers together thereby ensuring cross-dimensional stability, preferably, optimum cross-dimensional stability. In other forms, the diamond quilting pattern is through one or both of the outer layers only, and not through the core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of forms of the protective liner in the forms of cot bumpers will now be described to illustrate an example of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a cot bumper located around the interior of a cot.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cot bumper of FIG. 1 shown in isolation in an unfolded configuration prior to use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cot bumper of FIG. 1 shown in location in a partially folded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the part of the cot bumper of FIG. 3 shown in circle A showing more detail of the construction of the cot bumper.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cot bumper of FIG. 2 in a fully folded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-section view of the interconnection between two adjacent perforated panels of the cot bumper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a fragmented view of one form of a cot bumper showing in more detail, the method of construction or fastening of one form of the cot bumper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cot bumper showing one form of a quilting pattern of the outer layer.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the cross-section of another form of the layers forming one form of the cot bumper.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1 to 7 is shown one embodiment of the protective liner in accordance with the present invention, in the form of a cot bumper, generally denoted as 20 as an example of the invention. Before describing the form of cot bumper 20 in detail, the location and use of the cot bumper will be described in situ within a suitable sleeping arrangement, such as a cot. With particular reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a cot, generally denoted as 2, typically of a construction having four upright posts 4, located at or towards each corner of cot 2 to provide support for cot 2. A mattress and base 3 is provided on or towards the lower part of cot 2. Cot 2 has two ends, 6, 8 and two sides 10, 12. Each end 6, 8 and each side 10, 12 has both a top rail 14 and a lower rail 16. A multiplicity of vertical slats 18 are arranged to extend between upper rail 14 and lower rail 16 of each end 6, 8 and each side 10, 12 in spaced apart substantially parallel relationship to one another as shown in FIG. 1. Cot bumper 20 is attached to ends 6, 8 and sides 10, 12 in any suitable or convenient manner such as by being tied to selected posts 4 or the like by ties 19. In one form cot bumper 20 extends around the inside of both sides 10, 12 and both ends 6, 8 in the case of the cot 2 which embodiment is not shown in the drawings, having two fixed sides and two fixed ends whereas in another form cot bumper 20 has two separate sections with a first section extending along the inside of both ends 6, 8, and along one side 10 and a second section, separate from the first section, extending along the inside of side 12 only, to allow for raising and lowering movement of side 12 in the event that side 12 is a movable side capable of being raised and lowered to adopt an access configuration in which side 12 is in a lowered position and a containment configuration in which side 12 is in a raised position. The two sections of the cot bumper can be fastened together as required such as for example, by releaseably securable or separable fasteners or similar (not shown).

Bumper 20 can be attached to cot 2 by any suitable means, including fasteners, such as for example, ties 19, cords, strings, ribbons or the like, or may be interleaved between selected slats 18 and posts 4 or by the use of a hook and loop fastener, such as for example VELCRO® or similar. It is to be noted that bumper 20 may be secured by any suitable means or in any suitable manner.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 in one form, cot bumper 20 has a first outer layer of a breathable mesh material 22 and a second outer layer of a breathable mesh material 24. Layers 22, 24 may be from the same roll or sheet of material folded over upon itself to form two spaced apart layers. The two free ends of the sheet or strip cut from the roll can be connected to each other by being folded over one of their respective longitudinal side edges. In another form, the sheet or strip is folded over itself along one transverse edge and the two free edges or ends connected together. Alternatively two separate strips of the same breathable mesh material may be superposed over and interconnected to one another and fastened together such as by stitching around one or more edges to form an elongate flattened tube like structure of two superposed layers in an endless loop or similar. A reinforcing element in the form of a bias binding 26 or similar reinforcement is located at or along either longitudinal edge to provide additional protection, such as an extra layer of fabric, padding or similar for cot bumper 20.

Outer layers 22 and 24 are each of an open weave construction being made from a breathable mesh fabric having a plurality of pores 28 defined between interconnected threads of a suitable fibre, such as for example, cotton, in which pores 28 are located throughout the entire area of each layer as shown more particularly in FIG. 4 by the cross-hatching shading on the surface of the cot bumper. The myriad of pores 28 are formed by the knitting pattern employed to weave the mesh fabric and pores 28 are defined between the threads of the mesh fabric. In one form there is a single weave of threads to form the mesh pattern of voids 28 whereas in another form there is double weave of threads interwoven together to form a network of voids 28 in the mesh pattern. In still other forms, there are multiple strands or threads of material interwoven together to form an array of voids or layers of mesh superposed on one another to form the breathable mesh fabric constituting the first and/or second outer layers of the protective liner in the form of a cot bumper.

It is to be noted that any fabric either printed upon or plain (i.e. without printing), woven, knitted or even cast having sustainable breathing attributes can be used in the cot bumper.

A multitude of transverse lines of stitching 30 extend from one longitudinal side of cot bumper 20 to the other longitudinal side at spaced apart locations to join the outer layers 22, 24 to each other to form pockets, envelopes or similar between outer layers 22, 24 and to allow hinged connection of respective one section 32 of cot bumper 20 to respective other sections 34 located adjacent one another as shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 to 6. The multiple transverse lines of stitching form hinges between adjacent sections of cot bumper 20 allowing cot bumper 20 to be folded as shown in FIG. 5 and to be extended as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Cot bumper 20 has as many sections as required depending on the length of the cot bumper. Stitching 30 allows cot bumper 20 to be turned through about 90° to fit around each corner of cot 2 as shown in FIG. 1.

The intermediate layer of cot bumper 20 will now be described. One form of the intermediate layer is in the form of a perforated panel 40 made from a resilient foam material provided with a plurality of perforations in the form of circular vents 42 located at spaced apart intervals over the entire surface of panel 40. In one form, vents 42 are located in a regular array of vents in a pattern of multiple rows of vents and multiple columns of vents. Other patterns or arrays are possible. The foam material has a soft feel and is resilient being elastically deformable to provide padding for cot bumper 20. Each panel 40 is located in respective pockets formed between the two outer layers 22, 24 as shown in close up detail in FIG. 6. Panel 40 is confined between two rows of transverse stitching 30 on either transverse side of one section 30, and the two longitudinal edges of the same corresponding section 32 of bumper 20. Row of stitching 30 allows cot bumper 20 to be converted between a storage or folded configuration in which panels 40 are folded upon themselves to be superposed on each other to allow bumper 20 to be stored or transported when not in use, as shown in FIG. 5 and the extended or in use configuration in which panels 40 are arranged longitudinally in sequence from one end of cot bumper 20 to the other end for placement within cot 2 as shown in FIG. 1. In some form, there are multiple rows of stitching 30 at the one location extending transversely from one side of the bumper to the other to not only seal the core panel within the pocket of that section, but also to form a hinge allowing adjacent panels to fold with respect to each other.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, one form of cot bumper 20 will now be described. End portions 50, 52 of bumper 20 as shown in FIG. 3, are provided with suitable fasteners for attaching the respective ends of cot bumper 20 to the body of cot bumper 20. One suitable form of fasteners is in the form of VELCRO® strips 54 to join the respective ends 50, 52 of bumper 20 to each other or to the body of bumper 20 as shown in FIG. 7. VELCRO® strips 54 are stitched or otherwise adhered to one of the outer layers 20, 22 of bumper 20 by a suitable adhesive, bonding agent or by physical means, such as stitching. End portions 50, 52 which are provided at either end of bumper 20 are provided with suitable fasteners, such as Velcro strips to allow end portions 50, 52 to be joined together to form an endless loop for location within cot 2 to provide a continuous barrier inside cot 2 as described previously and as shown in FIG. 1.

Another form of cot bumper is shown in FIG. 8. This form is a quilted form 60 having an intermediate layer of padding held in place by one or more rows of stitching 62 arranged in any suitable or convenient pattern or arrangement. In one form the padding is reticulated (filter) PU (polyurethane) foam with DPI in the range of 15 to 100. However, any suitable material can be used to provide padding by being air permeable.

Another form of pattern of stitching is a generally diamond pattern as shown in FIG. 8 where two or more different lines of stitching intersect to form general diamond shapes 64 between the various intersections. It is to be noted that other patterns having other shapes are possible. End portions 66, 68 are provided at the respective ends of bumper 60 to allow the two ends of bumper 60 to be joined to one another to form a continuous bumper for location around the inside of cot 2 as shown in FIG. 1.

A further embodiment of the cot bumper is shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, cot bumper 70 comprises a first outer layer 72, having diamond quilting comprising stitching 74 extending through the thickness of layer 72 for forming a padding outer layer. In one form, stitching 74 extends through the entire thickness of all of the layers of cot bumper 70 to impart optimum cross-dimensional stability on cot bumper 70. Layer 72 having the diamond quilting is a soft, open weave, 100% cotton outer layer for forming a natural breathable cushioning environment for an infant when placed in cot 2.

The next layer is outer core layer 76 which is a mesh layer forming an outer layer or skin of core layer 78. Core layer 78 is a high technology three dimensional core layer having a predetermined firmness made from antibacterial and serviceable polyester having a predetermined thickness and resilience. In one form, core layer 78 is made from a foundation material comprising a plurality of flexible, sturdy, impact absorbing interlaced filaments which are resiliently connected together to form a network of fibres impacting resiliency to core layer 78.

A second outer core layer 80 is provided over the opposite side or face of core layer 78 to form a skin or outer surface of core layer 78. Layer 80 is a mesh that is identical or similar to mesh layer 76.

The combination of first outer core layer 76, core layer 78 and second outer core layer 80 form the intermediate layer of cot bumper 70 and constitute one form of the panel located between the first and second outer layers.

A second outer layer 82, similar or identical to first layer 72 is provided on the other side of the core. In one form, outer layer 82 is a second soft, open weave, 100% cotton layer providing protection and breathability. Layer 82 is provided with rows of stitching 84 forming a diamond shaped quilting pattern on layer 82 to provide increased padding against contact with a hard exposed surface.

In use of a protective liner in the form of a cot bumper 70, air can pass through the various layers of different materials of cot bumper 70. One pattern of air flow is shown by arrows “B” of FIG. 9 which indicate the direction in which air can flow through the layers of cot bumper 70.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A barrier suitable for location within the interior of a bedding arrangement having one or more unyielding structural components, comprising a first outer layer made from an air permeable first material located on one side of the barrier, a second outer layer made from an air permeable second material located on the other side of the barrier, and at least one intermediate layer located intermediate the first outer layer and the second outer layer to form a core layer, the intermediate layer having a greater thickness than either of the first or second outer layers in order to provide a barrier between an infant located in the sleeping arrangement and the one or more unyielding structural components of the sleeping arrangement, said first outer layer being connected to said second outer layer at spaced apart locations to form segments along one dimension of the barrier in order to maintain the location of the intermediate layer between the first and the second outer layers, to provide protection for the infant against contact with the unyielding components, wherein said intermediate layer is air permeable such that when the protective barrier is located in place with respect to the bedding arrangement, air is able to move across and/or around the bedding arrangement to provide a safe and/or healthy environment for the person using the bedding arrangement.

2. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the bedding arrangement is a cot, crib, bassinet, carry cot, portable cot or other device in which infants, babies or young children can be located to sleep, rest or relax.

3. A barrier according to claim 2 in which the barrier is located around the inside of the cot to protect infants form contacting exposed hard surfaces of structural or rigid parts or components of the cot.

4. A barrier according to claim 3 in which the protective liner is a cot bumper in which the cot bumper is a single item or two or more items which can be joined together to form the cot bumper.

5. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the first and second outer layers are air permeable layers being made from an open weave mesh material having a plurality of cavities, spaces, voids or the like defined between threads or filaments forming the mesh.

6. A barrier according to claim 1 in which either the first outer layer or the second outer layer, or both, is a flexible layer made from a fabric or fabric-like material including natural or synthetic materials such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, polyester or any other suitable material which is breathable.

7. A barrier according to claim 5 in which the mesh material is a knitted material.

8. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the first or the second or both outer layers are each a single layer, a double layer, a triple layer, or a multiple layer having a number of layers of material joined together.

9. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the outer layer is formed from a single sheet of suitable material by being folded back upon itself to form two or more layers superposed on one another.

10. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the outer layer is made from a multitude of separate sheets or strips joined together to form a laminate structure of multiple layers.

11. A barrier according to claim 5 in which the voids, cavities or similar of the mesh of each layer of the outer layer are superposed upon each other either wholly or partially so as to be in register with each other, or in partial overlapping or staggered relationship caused by the offsetting of the voids of the separate layers with each other to form a network of voids providing air circulation through the outer layer.

12. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the first and second outer layers are connected or fastened to one another by suitable fastening arrangement.

13. A barrier according to claim 12 in which the suitable fastening arrangement includes being sewn together by suitable threadlike or filamentary material, including cotton thread, silk thread or the like, by being bonded together using a suitable bonding agent such as an adhesive, glue, or the like, or the fastening arrangement includes a mechanical fastener.

14. A barrier according to claim 13 in which the two outer layers are fastened together by permanent fixed fasteners, by releasably securable fasteners, by removable fasteners, temporary fasteners or similar.

15. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the outer layer is in the form of a sheet, strip or the like, of a rectilinear shape in which one end of the sheet or strip is joined to the other end of the sheet or strip to form the protective liner.

16. A barrier according to claim 15 in which the sheets or strips of the outer layer are connected to each other at a plurality of spaced apart locations.

17. A barrier according to claim 16 in which the connection of the two outer layers is by stitching extending from one longitudinal side to the other longitudinal side so as to form a transverse row or line of stitching.

18. A barrier according to claim 17 in which the outer layers at least are divided into segments by spaced apart lines or rows of stitching extending transversely between two longitudinal sides to form enclosed or sealed pockets, envelopes, compartments or the like.

19. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the rows or lines of transverse stitching form a plurality of pockets arranged in side-by-side relationship to one another along the length of the barrier to form a segmented array or sections or panels.

20. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the rows of transverse stitching form hinges allowing two adjacent sections or segments of the barrier to hingedly move with respect to each other to allow the protective liner to be folded upon itself for storage, transportation or similar and to adopt an extended configuration for use with the sleeping arrangement.

21. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the intermediate layer is received within the pocket, envelope or similar formed between the two outer layers.

22. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the intermediate layer is a multitude or plurality of individual panels in which the individual panels are located in respective pockets or envelopes formed between the two outer layers.

23. A barrier according to claim 18 in which the pockets, envelopes or compartments are closed or sealed along all four edges to contain and confine the panels within the pockets.

24. A barrier according to claim 1 further including one or more reinforcing elements or reinforcements along one or both of the longitudinally extending side edges of the barrier to strengthen the barrier and provide additional protection by way of additional layers or thickness of fabric contributing to the padding and protective characteristics of the barrier.

25. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer in the form of individual panels has a thickness greater than the combined thickness of the two outer layers.

26. A barrier according to claim 22 in which the individual panels are perforated such as for example, by having a multiplicity of vents, apertures, perforations, holes, voids, cavities, channels, pores, open cells, or the like through the thickness of the panel allowing air to pass through the panel and to move across the sleeping space of the bedding arrangement to be circulated around the infant thereby reducing the concentration of carbon dioxides in the vicinity of the face or head of the infant.

27. A barrier according to claim 26 in which the size of the individual perforations of the panels or of intermediate layer is greater than the size of the voids of the mesh of the outer layers.

28. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer is made from a material which is resiliently deformable, elastically deformable, or the like.

29. A barrier according to claim 26 in which the apertures of the intermediate layer are arranged in a pattern or array having a multiplicity of rows and a multiplicity of columns.

30. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer is made from soft material, padded material, resilient material, flexible material, elastomeric material, foamed material, elastically deformable material, resiliently deformable material or similar for providing a soft feel barrier.

31. A barrier according to claim 1 in which the intermediate layer is in the form of a core panel in which the core panel is made from a foam material, including a polyester foam, a polyether foam, a polyurethane foam, or other suitable foam material having an open or closed cellular structure or reticular structure or a combination of open and closed cell structures.

32. A barrier according to claim 31 in which the intermediate layer is made from a foam material having a range of densities, typically the range of densities of the foam is from 15 to 20 dpi.

33. A barrier according to claim 1 in which one or both of the outer layers is a quilted material.

34. A cot bumper for use with a cot to provide protection for an infant located within the cot, said cot bumper having a first outer layer of a breathable mesh material on one side of the cot bumper, a second outer layer of a breathable mesh material located on the other side of the cot bumper and an intermediate layer located intermediate the first outer mesh layer and the second outer mesh layer, said intermediate layer forming the core of the cot bumper and having the form of a multiplicity of perforated panels, at least some of the perforated panels having a multiplicity of air vents, wherein said first and second outer layers are connected to one another at spaced apart locations to form pockets for receiving individual perforated panels to form a segmented array of interconnected panels so that the cot bumper is permeable to air thereby allowing air to pass through and/or around the cot bumper to provide a safe and/or healthy environment for the infant.

35. A method of protecting an infant in a bedding arrangement from potential injury from contacting a structural component of the bedding arrangement comprising the steps of locating a protective barrier around at least part of the interior of the bedding arrangement so as to provide a protective barrier preventing or reducing contact by the infant with the structural component of the bedding arrangement and locating the infant in the bedding arrangement in which the protective barrier comprises a first outer breathable mesh layer located on one side of the barrier, a second outer breathable mesh layer located on the other side of the barrier, and an intermediate core layer located intermediate the first and second outer breathable mesh layers, wherein the intermediate core layer is in the form of a plurality of individual perforated panels, each panel having a multiplicity of air vents, and said intermediate core layer is in the form of a plurality of perforated panels wherein the perforated panels are received in pockets defined by the first and second outer mesh layers such that the barrier is air permeable to allow movement of air through the barrier.