Modular storage and containment system for infants

Abstract

Modular positioning and containment system for infants, comprising an outer body and an inner cushion that can be inserted therein, wherein the inner cushion has a wedge-shaped base or a functionally equivalent inclined arrangement with an inclined top, a central buttocks positioning zone, laterally arranged leg supports and a drainage zone running between the leg supports with a collection area arranged in the foot area, and wherein the interaction of the buttocks positioning zone, leg supports and drainage zone ensures a positionally stable positioning of the child and a targeted drainage of fluids.

Description

[0001] The solution is achieved through a modular positioning and containment system comprising a wedge-shaped inner cushion and an outer casing that completely encloses this inner cushion. The outer casing has a raised edge that is higher on all sides than the highest point of the inner cushion, thus preventing the child from turning sideways or rolling out. Towards the foot end, the edge of the outer casing rises, forming a transverse protective barrier across its entire width. This barrier is designed as a broad, arched shield spanning the width of the casing, effectively containing and preventing the spray and spread of excrement, particularly in the case of pressurized defecation.

[0002] The inner cushion has a top surface with a central buttocks positioning zone, laterally arranged leg supports, and a drainage zone running between the leg supports. The wedge-shaped base geometry creates a predetermined inclined position for the child, allowing fluids to be channeled by gravity towards a collection area.

[0003] The inner cushion forms the functional core of the system. Its geometry ensures a stable position for the child and directs excretions directly into the drainage zone. The arrangement of the bottom positioning zone, side leg supports, and the drainage zone between them creates a functional interplay upon which the system's drainage and retention function is based. The leg supports are positioned to guide the legs laterally and promote an ergonomic posture. Their shape reduces unwanted lateral leakage of fluids. The bottom positioning zone is designed to hold the child's pelvis in a defined position, allowing excretions to flow directly into the drainage zone.

[0004] The drainage zone is designed as a trough, basin, or channel-like structure. It runs from the buttock positioning zone towards a lower collection area and has a slope that facilitates the drainage of liquids by gravity. The collection area serves to hold the liquids and can be part of the inner cushion or designed as a separate element.

[0005] The drainage zone and collection area can be designed to either absorb or convey liquids. Alternatively, the drainage zone can have a receptacle for a replaceable insert element that serves to collect or convey liquids. The insert element is functionally integrated into the system and a component of the overall concept, and can be easily inserted, removed, or replaced without altering the basic geometric function of the inner cushion, drainage zone, and outer body.

[0006] The outer casing surrounds the inner cushion and, in addition to acting as a splash guard, also provides support and containment for the child. The raised edge, which is higher than the highest point of the inner cushion, effectively prevents the child from rolling out or turning sideways. The outer casing thus forms a protective barrier that keeps the child in the intended position and simultaneously protects the surrounding area from spills. The inner cushion and outer casing can be detachably connected or separated. This allows for individual components to be cleaned, replaced, or used in different combinations.

[0007] In one embodiment, the inner cushion can also be used without the outer casing, while retaining its drainage and collection function. Similarly, the inner cushion can consist of a single piece or of several functionally interacting sub-pieces that together form the buttock positioning zone, the leg supports, and the drainage zone.

[0008] The system can be used in an unheated version. Alternatively, only the inner cushion can be equipped with or have an integrated heating unit. The heating unit is attached to the inner cushion and positioned in such a way that the geometric drainage and protective function of the inner cushion remains unchanged. The outer casing remains unheated and, independent of the heating unit, serves solely as a containment and splash guard.

[0009] The system can be manufactured in different sizes, while maintaining the functional arrangement of the buttock positioning zone, leg supports, drainage zone, and collection area. The outer casing is designed as an integral part of the system and provides the boundary for the inner cushion. Designs and variants

[0010] In one embodiment, the inner cushion is designed as a wedge-shaped base body with a central buttocks positioning zone, lateral leg supports, and a drainage zone running between the leg supports. The inner cushion can be made of one piece or multiple pieces and may include interchangeable or combinable sections.

[0011] The outer casing can be designed as a rigid body, a foldable structure, or an inflatable version. The outer casing has a surrounding rim that at least partially encloses the inner cushion and whose height is preferably greater than the maximum height of the inner cushion to provide a limiting and stabilizing protective function. A rising section can be provided at the base to form a protective and splash guard.

[0012] The system can be used in an unheated version and alternatively can accommodate or integrate a heating unit assigned to the inner cushion without affecting the drainage and protective function.

[0013] The inner cushion can be designed as a rigid wedge cushion or alternatively as a flat cushion to which an adjustable or integrated tilting device is assigned, by which an inclined support geometry can be set.

[0014] The inner cushion can also be used without the outer casing and fulfill its functions independently.

[0015] In another embodiment, the system can be combined with additional functional elements for receiving, conveying, or collecting liquids. These functional elements can be permanently attached to the inner cushion or designed as replaceable inserts without altering the basic geometry and operation of the system.

[0016] In another embodiment, the inner cushion is prepared to accommodate a heating unit or can be combined with one. The heating unit can be detachably integrated, removable, or replaceable. Regardless of whether the design includes a heating unit or not, the drainage, collection, and containment functions of the system remain fully intact.

[0017] In another embodiment, the inner cushion itself can also be designed as a mobile or transport-optimized version. For this purpose, the inner cushion can be foldable, rollable, inflatable, or otherwise compressible, whereby the wedge-shaped basic geometry with buttock positioning zone, leg supports, drainage zone, and collection area is restored in its used state. This design is possible both unheated and with a heating unit integrated into the inner cushion.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the predetermined inclination of the inner cushion can be achieved not only by its wedge shape, but alternatively or additionally by a tilting device associated with the inner cushion. In this case, a fundamentally flat inner cushion can be arranged on a shaping or adjustable base that provides an incline in the operating state, thus ensuring the drainage and collection function in the same way.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the inner cushion can have at least one device for the detachable receiving or fixing of a cloth, cover element or similar receiving means, whereby the specific technical design of this device is not specified.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the outer body can have at least one device for the detachable receiving or fixing of a cloth, cover element or similar receiving means, whereby the specific technical design is not specified here either.

[0021] The aforementioned devices can be provided individually or in combination and are part of the system regardless of their specific design implementation. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. Figure 1 shows the outer body in perspective view. The outer casing forms a raised rim around the perimeter, serving as a lateral boundary and a splash guard and protective structure. The outer walls are preferably rounded and transition into a lower base. Inside, there is a flat receiving area for the secure, form-fitting insertion of the inner cushion. The geometry of the outer casing is designed to ensure the inner cushion is inserted in a stable position and to prevent the child from rolling sideways. A device may be provided in the upper rim area for holding or securing cloths, inserts, or accessories. The specific design of this device is variable and not limited to a particular technical solution. Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows the inner cushion in top and side view. The inner cushion has a wedge-shaped base with a sloping top and rounded outer contours. The top surface features a central buttocks positioning zone, laterally arranged leg supports, and a drainage area running between the leg supports, leading to a collection channel at the foot end. This design enables ergonomic positioning of the child, supporting drainage, and allows for the controlled drainage of fluids towards the collection area. The inner cushion may also include a device for holding or securing wipes, pads, or accessories, although the specific technical design of this device is not defined. Key to Figure 1 1 Outer body as the base for holding the inner cushion 2 Front lower edge of the body 3. Rising inner surface at the transition to the rear edge zone 4. Top edge area 5. Lateral outer edge section of the body 6 Interior floor area for the installation and positioning of the inner cushion 7. Rounded transition area between lower outer edge and inner floor 8 Upper inner edge section along the inner contour 9 Device for attaching or holding cloths, inserts or accessories Legend Figure 2 1 Wedge body (inner cushion) base body with inclined top. 2 Head end Raised front face of the wedge body. 3 Foot end Lower end face with remaining material height. 4. Top side: Continuously inclined lying surface. 5. Buttock positioning zone: Central depression for stable positioning of the pelvis. 6 leg rests: Lateral elevations to support leg and hip position. 7. Drainage or collection channel: Recess at the bottom end for collecting runoff liquids. 8 Side contours: Soft, ergonomically rounded outer shape without hard edges. 9. Drainage area: Sloping transition between butt positioning zone and collection channel. 10 Holding device area for receiving or fixing wipes, inserts or accessories, in variable technical design. Legend Figure 3 1 Wedge body (inner cushion) base body with inclined top. 2 Head end Raised front face of the wedge body. 3 Foot end Lower end face with remaining material height. 4 Top side view of inclined lying surface. 5 Leg support Side support zone in side view. 6 Side contour: Soft, ergonomically rounded outer shape.

Claims

Modular positioning and containment system for infants, comprising an outer body and an inner cushion that can be inserted therein, wherein the inner cushion has a wedge-shaped base or a functionally equivalent inclined arrangement with an inclined top, a central buttocks positioning zone, laterally arranged leg supports and a drainage zone running between the leg supports with a collection area arranged in the foot area, and wherein the interaction of the buttocks positioning zone, leg supports and drainage zone ensures a positionally stable positioning of the child and a targeted drainage of fluids. System according to claim 1, wherein the outer body forms a circumferential rim raised above the inner cushion, which serves as a lateral boundary as well as a splash and protective structure and prevents the child from turning sideways or rolling out. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a transverse protective and splash guard is formed in the foot area of ​​the outer body, which serves as an arc-shaped shield to limit directed excretions. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg supports of the inner cushion support an ergonomically favorable, slightly abducted and flexed leg and hip position of the child. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drainage zone is designed as a trough-, basin- or channel-like structure and has an inclination towards the collection area. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the collection area is part of the inner cushion or can be designed as a separate element associated with the inner cushion. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an interchangeable insert element can be used in the drainage zone or in the collection area, which serves to receive or convey liquids. System according to claim 7, wherein the insert element can be detachably inserted, removed or replaced without altering the basic geometric function of the inner cushion, drainage zone and outer body. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cushion and outer body are detachably connected to each other or are designed to be separable from each other in order to be able to clean or replace individual components. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cushion can also be used without the outer body and the drainage and collection function is retained. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cushion consists of one piece or of several functionally cooperating parts which together form a buttocks positioning zone, leg supports and drainage zone. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system can be implemented in different sizes and the functional arrangement of buttock positioning zone, leg supports, drainage zone and collection area is maintained. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a device for receiving or fixing cloths, cover elements or accessories is provided on the outer body and / or on the inner cushion, the specific technical design of which is not specified. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer body can be designed as a dimensionally stable body, as a foldable structure or as an inflatable version. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cushion is alternatively a) designed as a shape-giving wedge cushion or b) designed as a substantially flat cushion to which a separate or integrated support, wedge or substructure element is assigned to generate the required inclination, so that the functional effect of the inclined bearing is achieved regardless of whether the inclination is generated by the shape of the cushion itself or by an associated element. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cushion and / or the outer body is designed to be foldable, rollable, compressible or shape-changeable in order to enable space-saving storage and mobile use. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer body can be designed as an inflatable or ventable structure. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner cushion may be assigned a thermal functional element, in particular a heated or temperature-regulating module, wherein the basic function of support and dissipation is maintained regardless of its presence.

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