Modularly packaged newly born infant and mother basic needs system

Abstract

A modularly packaged mother and newly born infant needs system includes two sets of soft baby items and hardware items for during birth related hospital stay, consecutive hospital release, travel home and up to at least the first three days at home. Also included are diapers and eventual nursing items and/or formula feeding items. The system is highly compacted for shelf storage and or hand luggage air plane transportation. In an overall container are fitted a carry-on bag, a stationary bag and a hardware container. The carry-on bag contains a first set with items for the hospital and travel home and the stationary bag contains a second set with soft baby items for at home. The hardware container may be packed into the carry-on bag.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present invention claims priority to Provisional Applications No. 60/619,217 filed Oct. 14, 2004 under the title “Newly Born Infant and Mother Basic Needs Bag” and No. 60/684,002 filed May 23, 2005 under the title “Modular Bag System for Baby and Mother Basic Needs Items” both of the above inventor.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to basic needs sets and bag system for a newly born infant and her mother.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The time a pregnant woman prepares for going to the hospital and giving birth is usually quite stressful. After returning home, the mother is commonly very exhausted and has limited move ability. It has been observed that it takes about three days after hospital release, for a young family to settle in. During hospital stay, travel home and the first three days at home there are likely insufficiently prepared basic needs items for the mother and the newly born infant recognized. Therefore, there exists a need for basic needs items combined in a system specifically for during birth related hospital stay, home travel and initial home return. The present invention addresses this need.

To limit the amount of luggage to be taken to the hospital it is desirable to bring only those basic needs items to the hospital that are needed during the stay there. These items should be clearly identifiable and separable from all other items. Therefore there exists a need for a modularly packaged basic needs system. The present invention addresses also this need.

Finally, it is desirable to have the bag system configured for further use following the first three days at home. The bag system should be usable for other travel such as air plane travel. The present invention addresses also this need.

SUMMARY

A basic needs bag includes two sets of basic needs items and a booklet with checklists and various information. The first set includes items related to the baby's and mother's initial needs during their hospital stay, release from the hospital and travel home. The second set includes items related to the baby's and mother's continuing needs during up to at least the first three days at home after the hospital release. The two sets are separable and contained within a single bag. The two sets may be additionally contained in separate enclosures such that for example the first set may be taken out of the bag and be brought to the hospital while the second set may remain at home.

The initial needs of the newly born infant in the context of the present invention include needs for clothing, feeding, feeding related hygiene, hygiene related to the baby's urination and release of alimentary end products, body care, comforting and pacifying during a travel period between release from the hospital and arrival at home. The initial needs of the mother in the context of the present invention include needs for information about items necessary for the mother and/or the father at the hospital, needs for organizing documents and papers received at the hospital, and needs associated with feeding and/or breast feeding the baby.

The continuing needs of the baby in the context of the present invention are similar to the baby's initial needs with additional needs for a basic monitoring of the baby's health, and for cleaning the baby. The continuing needs of the mother in context of the present invention are similar to the mother's initial needs with an additional need for personal body care such as for example for breast feeding, and for information related to early childcare.

The first and second set may have a first configuration optimized with a minimum number of total items resulting in a minimum overall volume of the bag. In that case, items of the first set may be also used in combination and/or complementary with items of the second set. Alternately, in a second configuration of the first and second set each set may be independently configured with a complete set of items such that the first set may be disposed of after arriving at home.

The booklet may be preferably stored in the bag to be immediately accessible upon initial opening of the bag such that essential information about items required at the hospital may be brought to the mother and/or father's attention. The booklet may also include coupons and information from companies as part of a business method for attracting the parents' attention at a time of retreat after returning home from the hospital.

Basic needs items of a mother and her newly born infant may be contained in a modular bag system including an overall container in which a carry-on bag, and a stationary bag are fitted. The carry-on bag is configured for mobile use and to provide sufficient space for items related to the baby's and mother's initial needs during their hospital stay, release from hospital and travel home. The stationary bag is configured for stationary use and provides easy access and overview of soft items related to the baby's and mother's continuing needs during up to at least the first three days at home after the hospital release.

Also part of the modular bag system may be a hardware container for medical and/or body care hardware items. At least one but preferably both the overall container and the carry-on bag are configured for containing the hardware container such that it may be directly retrieved from the overall container in case of a combined use of overall container and carry-on bag. Alternately, the hardware container may be contained within the carry-on bag in cases where the carry-on bag alone is utilized.

The overall container may provide additional storage volume for an amount of diapers that may be needed for up to at least the first three days after hospital release of the newly born baby. The overall container and/or the carry-on bag may also be configured for storage and easy access of a baby bottle.

The modular bag system is configured such that the overall container may fit in fully packed configuration within a maximum space envelope commonly defined by airlines for hand luggage to be brought onto the airplane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a first and second set according to the first configuration, separable contained together with a booklet in a single bag.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary assortment of items of the first set of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary assortment of items of the second set of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a representative overall container.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a representative modular bag system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a representative stationary bag.

FIG. 7 shows the bag system of FIG. 5 including a changing pad within a schematic overall container of FIGS. 1, 4, 5 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows soft baby items of a first set according to the second embodiment of the invention within a schematic carry-on bag of FIGS. 5, 7.

FIG. 9 depicts hardware items of first and second set within a schematic hardware container of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 illustrates soft baby items of a second set according to the second embodiment of the invention within a schematic stationary bag of FIG. 6, 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a bag 10 contains a first transportation set 2 of items specifically needed by a mother and her newly born infant during the hospital stay and release from the location or hospital where the mother has given birth. The first set 2 may also contain items specifically needed by the mother and her baby during their travel home. The bag 10 may further contain a second stationary set 3 of items specifically needed by the mother and her newly born child during up to at least the first three days at home. In the FIGS. 1-3, the first and second set 2, 3 are depicted in accordance with a first configuration, in which items of the first set 2 may be utilized together and/or complementary with items of the second set 3 after arrival at home or the location where the mother and her newly born baby intend to stay for up to at least three days after release.

The bag 10 may also contain a booklet 4 preferably immediately accessible upon initial opening of the bag 10. The booklet 4 may be configured to attract immediate attention of the person to a checklist of general items required at the hospital. Such general items are unrelated to the first and second set 2, 3. General items may include for example, social security number, picture ID, credit card, general clothing for the mother at the hospital, telephone numbers.

The booklet 4 may further contain for example, information for the mother and eventually the father about what to expect during the first few days at home, information about easy cooking recipes, physical activities. Also included may be a checklist of things for the baby to take care of such as obtaining a birth certificate, a social security card, college savings account and other child related financial planning.

The booklet 4 may also include coupons and information as part of a business method for attracting the parents' attention at a time of retreat after initially returning home from the hospital. Coupons may be included from manufacturers of baby products and related convenience products for parents. Informational material may be included from financial institutions, companies supplying baby products, makers of household products, and home entertainment companies.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary assortment of the first set 2 may include a first romper 201, a t-shirt 202, and a cap 203 to address the initial needs of the baby for clothing. Further included may be a first baby feeding bottle 204 and a first baby food formula 208 to provide for the baby's feeding during travel home. The first baby bottle 204 may already contain the formula 208. The first bottle 204 may be big enough to provide for a single feeding.

The need for feeding hygiene is additionally addressed by inclusion of a bib 205 and a first burp cloth 214. Hygiene items related to the baby's urination and release of alimentary end products may include first diapers 206, and wipes 210. A plastic bag 215 may be included to dispose of used diapers and used wipes. Preliminary baby body care items may include a baby nail dipper 207. Items for comforting and pacifying the baby during release and travel home may include a first receiving blanket 213 and a pacifier 209.

Items of the first set 2 for the mother may include a document organizer 211 for documents and papers received at the hospital or location of birth and nursing pads 212. The first set 2 may be specifically configured for particular travel periods, methods and conditions, such as for example over night travel, travel by air plane, or travel during winter conditions.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary assortment of the second set 3 of the first configuration includes groups of items similar to the first set 2 to accommodate for the baby's and mother's specific basic needs during up to at least the first three days at home. Clothing items of the baby during up to at least the first three days at home may include a second romper 301, a sleeper 302, a second t-shirt 303, a body suit 305 and socks 319. A second bottle 304 and a second baby food formula 308 may be included to address baby feeding needs during at least the first three days at home. The second bottle 304 may be sufficiently large to provide several feedings with one filling. Food formula 308 may be in, sufficient quantity for up to at least the first three days.

Feeding hygiene for up to at least the first three days may be provided with the bib 205 and second burp cloth 314. A second receiving blanket 313 and second diapers 306 are included in the second set 3 to take care for the baby's urination and release of alimentary end products during up to at least the first three days. Baby body care items for up to at least the first three days include a washcloth 316, a sanitizer 317 and baby shampoo and lotions 318. A thermometer 320 may assist with basic baby health monitoring. Items of the second set 3 for the mother may include well known nursing accessories 312, for example, regular nursing pads and special pads against pain associated with initial breast feeding. First and second sets 2, 3 of the first configuration may fit within a spatial envelope of about 19″×11″×8″ with an approximate volume of up to 1,500 cubic inches, such that the bag 10 may be sufficiently small for an on shelf sale presentation in conventional retail markets. In a second configuration of the basic needs bag, the second set 3 may feature an additional pacifier, bib, hat, romper, t-shirt, burp cloth and receiving blanket such that the first set 2 may be disposed after returning home from hospital.

As shown in FIG. 5, a modular bag system 1 includes at least the overall container 10, a carry-on bag 20, a hardware container 30 and a stationary bag 40. The overall container 10 may be in a preferred configuration similar to a well-known messenger bag as depicted in FIGS. 1, 4. The overall container 10 may be made of foldable material such as nylon fabric and may feature a bag cover 11 secured in closed position by quick acting closures 12 in the preferred configuration of a well known catch. The overall container 10 may further feature a shoulder carrying strap 13 and/or a hand carrying strap 14. The overall container 10 is preferably of a sturdy configuration readily exposed to varying weather conditions. The overall container 10 may also have a rigid bottom and/or well known studs (not shown) such that it may stand on its own with its bottom eventually slightly above the ground. The overall container 10 may also have additional pockets for wallet, one or more bottles, food and the like. The overall container 10 may also feature an information tag.

While the cover 11 is open, the overall container 10 may provide direct access to the carry-on bag 20, the stationary bag 40 and eventually the hardware bag 30 as depicted in FIG. 5. Well known diapers (not shown) commonly needed in size and number during a three day period after initial release of the hospital or after birth may also be included in the overall container. At the time of the present invention, up to 12 disposable diapers with an approximate package envelope of 16″×6″×2″ or a volume of about 192 cubic inches are considered sufficient for at least the first three days. Keeping the diaper volume to a minimum contributes significantly to a compact size of the fully packed overall container, which in turn provides for minimum shelf space in retail stores and contributes also to keeping the overall container's 10 fully packed size within a maximum space envelope commonly defined by airlines for hand luggage. At the time of the present invention, a common airline formula for defining the maximum hand luggage size is a maximum number of 45″ as a sum of length, width and height of the luggage. The dimensions of a fully packed overall container 10 may be about 19.5″×11″×9″ having an edge sum of 39.5″ or having a volume of preferably about 1930 cubic inches.

In an original configuration, the overall container 10 may provide direct access only to the carry-on bag 20 with the hardware bag 30 being stored inside the carry-on bag 20. Alternatively or additionally, a tag (not shown) may be affixed on the carry-on bag 20. The tag may display an immediately identifiable information that the carry-on bag 20 is the one to be taken to the hospital. The purpose of this is to warrant during a stress situation that items initially needed by the mother and the newly born infant at the hospital may be immediately identified. It is well known that at the moment when labor pains start, the upcoming mother and/or father may be under considerable stress that may impair their ability to divert their attention from the primary task of getting to the hospital as quickly as possible. The tag may also function as a seal assuring the user that the carry-on bag 20 is in its original packaged configuration.

The carry-on bag 20 is preferably made of foldable material and of sturdy configuration readily exposed to varying weather conditions. The carry-on bag 20 may also have a rigid bottom and/or studs such that it may stand on its own with its bottom eventually slightly above the ground. The carry-on bag 20 may feature carrying straps 21 and a quick acting closure 22 such as a zipper. The carry-on bag 20 may also have additional pockets for wallet, a bottle, food and the like. The carry-on bag 20 in fully packed condition may fit in a space envelope of about 17″×14″×4″ in a free standing condition outside the overall container 10, Fully packed and stored within the overall container 10, the carry-on bag may fit within a space envelope of 17″×11″×4″ or having a volume of about 748 cubic inches.

The hardware container 30 is configured to securely store and keep together within the overall container 10 or the carry-on bag 20 medical and/or body care hardware items such as lotions, thermometer, nail clipper and nasal aspirator. The hardware container 30 may feature a quick acting closure 31 such as a draw string closure. The hardware container 30 may be of foldable material such as nylon fabric or may be a rigid or partially rigid case in which the individual hardware items are arrayed and held with tabs and/or within pockets.

The stationary bag 40 is preferably configured for storage and organizing of soft items. It provides easy access and overview of soft items related to the baby's and mother's continuing needs during up to at least the first three days at home or at any location where the baby's needs have to be attended to after the hospital release and eventually later on. Such soft baby items may include a nightgown, an undershirt, a burp cloth, a receiving blanket, a wash cloth and the like as described in the above. The stationary bag 40 is preferably made of foldable material such as nylon fabric. The stationary bag 40 is made of a bottom layer 41 that extends into a cover 45. A number of pockets are provided by a top layer 42 sewed on or combined with the back layer 41 along seams 43 that define the pocket contours. The cover 45 may be secured in dosed position on top of the pockets via a contact closure 44 such as a well known Velcro. The top layer 42 may be transparent for improved visibility of the pocketed items. The stationary bag 40 in fully packed condition may occupy a space envelope of 18″×18″×2″ or may have a volume of about 648 cubic inches.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10 a second embodiment of the invention is described. As shown in FIG. 7, the basic needs system 1 includes the overall container 10 in which are separable packaged and together contained the carry-on bag 20, the stationary bag 40 an eventual hardware container 30, and an eventual well known unfolding changing pad 50 having an unfolded size of about 12″ wide by 27″ long by 0.25″ thick. The changing pad 50 may be held in folded configuration by a quick release closure 51 such as Velcro.

As also depicted in detail in FIG. 10, the stationary bag 40 may be fully packed with soft baby items of the second set 3 in an assortment of two of the body suit 305, one of the second romper 301, two of the second sleeper or nightgown 302, three of the second t-shirt 303, two of the second burp cloth 314, one of the second receiving blanket 313, one of the washcloth 316, one pair of the socks 319 and one pair of mittens 323. At least one of the three second t-shirts 303 may have long sleeves. The soft baby items may be sorted in three shrink wrapped stacks for minimum space consumption and inserted in compartments of the stationary bag 40 such that they are at least partially visibly while the cover 45 is open.

According to FIG. 8, soft baby items of the first set 2 in an assortment of one of the cap 203, one of the first romper 201, one of the first receiving blanket 213, one of the first burp cloth 214, one of the bib 205. The soft baby items of the first set 2 may be packed together with the organizer 211 in the carry-on bag 20. The cloth items 203, 201, 213, 214, 205 may be combined in a fourth shrink wrapped stack again for minimum space consumption. The shrink wrapping may be in a transparent fashion facilitating also inspection prior to purchase of the basic needs system 1.

As shown in FIG. 9, hardware items of first and second sets 2, 3 in an assortment of a baby shampoo 3182, a baby cream 3183, a hydrosol aromatized mist spray 3184, a moisturizer 3185 contained in a pouch 3181, one of the thermometer 320, one of the baby nail clipper 207 and a baby nasal aspirator 321 may be packed in the hardware container 30. Pouch 3181, baby shampoo 3182, baby cream 3183, mist spray 3184, moisturizer 3185 are part of the baby shampoo and lotion items 318 as described further above. Separation of soft baby items and hardware items in separate packaging assists in minimizing the overall volume of the basic needs system 1.

Also part of the second embodiment of the invention may be two of said diapers. Baby bottles 204, 304, baby formula 208, 308, pacifier 209 may be optional components omitted in cases where the basic needs system 1 is configured specifically for promoting breast feeding of the newly born infant. Nursing pads 212, and nursing accessories 312, may be optional components omitted in cases where breast feeding must be substituted by formula feeding.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention described in the specification above is set forth by the following claims and their legal equivalent:

Claims

1. A mother and newly born infant needs system comprising:

a. soft baby items;

b. mother and baby hardware items; and

wherein said soft baby items and said hardware items are divided in a first transportation set and a second stationary set, said sets being separable packaged and together contained in an overall container.

2. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 1,

wherein said transportation set is packaged in a carry-on bag and said stationary set being packaged in a stationary bag.

3. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 2, wherein said carry-on bag has a carrying strap, wherein at least said soft baby items of said second set are stacked and inserted in said carry-on bag, and wherein said overall container has substantially a messenger bag configuration.

4. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 2, wherein said stationary bag has a flexible bottom layer combined along seams with a flexible top layer such a compartment is defined between said bottom layer and said top layer, wherein said bottom layer includes a cover folded and dosed on said top layer via a contact closure, and wherein said soft baby items of said second set are stacked and inserted in said compartment.

5. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 2, wherein said soft baby items of said first set include a baby cap, a first romper, a bib, a receiving blanked, a burp cloth, and wherein said set further includes a document organizer.

6. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 5, wherein said first set further comprises a t-shirt, wipes and a plastic bag.

7. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 5, wherein said mother and newly born infant needs set is configured for breast feeding and wherein said first set further comprises nursing pads.

8. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 5, wherein said mother and newly born infant needs set is configured for other than breast feeding and wherein said first set further comprises a first baby feeding bottle, a first baby formula and a pacifier.

9. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 2, wherein said soft baby items of said second set include a body suit, a second romper, a nightgown, a second t-shirt, a second receiving blanket, a second burp cloth, a wash cloth, socks and mittens.

10. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 9, wherein said mother and newly born infant needs set is configured for breast feeding and wherein said second set further comprises nursing accessories.

11. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 9, wherein said mother and newly born infant needs set is configured for other than breast feeding and wherein said second set further comprises a second baby feeding bottle.

12. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 2, wherein said hardware items are packaged in a hardware container and wherein said hardware items include a nasal aspirator, a baby nail clipper, a thermometer, a baby shampoo and a lotion.

13. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 12, wherein said baby shampoo and said lotion are contained in a pouch, and wherein said lotion includes a baby cream, a hydrosol aromatized mist spray and a moisturizer.

14. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 12, wherein said hardware items further comprise a sanitizer.

15. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 1, wherein said second set includes soft baby items in an up to at least three days lasting quantity and assortment of at least one of a group consisting of a baby clothing, a receiving blanket, a burp cloth, and a washcloth.

16. The mother and newly born infant needs system of claim 1 being packaged in an overall container having the lesser of an edge sum of up to 45 inches and a volume of up to 1930 cubic inches.

17. A modular bag system, comprising an overall container containing a carry-on bag, a hardware container and a stationary bag, said overall container having in fully packaged condition the lesser of an edge sum of up to 45 inches and a volume of up to 1930 cubic inches.

18. The modular bag system of claim 17, wherein said overall container is made of foldable material having at least one of a shoulder carrying strap and a hand carrying strap.

19. The modular bag system of claim 17, wherein said carry-on bag is made of foldable material and has carrying straps.

20. The modular bag system of claim 17, wherein said stationary bag has a flexible bottom layer combined along seams with a flexible top layer such a compartment is defined between said bottom layer and said top layer.