Co-sleeping comforter for infant protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bed comforters pose a suffocation risk when infants are brought into bed due to the inability to keep a significant portion away from them, despite covering other occupants, leading to unsafe co-sleeping conditions and associated infant deaths.

Innovation Solution

A comforter divided into three sections, where the center panel can be pulled down to create a gap for an infant sleeper crib without covering the infant, while the outer panels remain up to cover other bed occupants, using adjustable seams and securing mechanisms to maintain safety and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a blanket is used to cover all bed occupants including infants, then all occupants are covered and kept warm, but the infant is at risk of being covered and smothered by the blanket

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewarmth coverageVSAvoidsuffocation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blanket is divided into multiple sections with at least one section being detachable or repositionable, allowing the blanket to be segmented such that the infant area can be kept clear while other sections remain covered for warmth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the blanket is made larger to cover more occupants, then all bed occupants are covered, but the infant is more likely to be accidentally covered and smothered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblanket coverage areaVSAvoidsuffocation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The larger blanket is segmented into detachable sections, allowing the full coverage area to be maintained while the infant-specific section can be removed or repositioned to eliminate suffocation risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blanket incorporates adjustable or repositionable sections that can dynamically change configuration based on whether an infant is present in the bed, transitioning from full coverage to infant-safe configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If soft bedding materials are used around the infant for comfort, then the infant is more comfortable, but the risk of accidental suffocation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfant comfortVSAvoidsuffocation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The soft bedding is provided as a separate detachable section that can be positioned for infant comfort while allowing the infant to be easily accessed and the section to be removed if needed, rather than being permanently covering the infant

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11503923B2Co-sleeping comforter for infant protection

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 HINTON DANYELLE

AI summary

The present invention is a system and method for providing a comforter that is divided into three sections or panels, wherein a center panel of the comforter may be pulled down while allowing the remaining two outer panels to remain up and on top of the other occupants of the bed on either side of the center panel, wherein a small infant sleeper crib may be placed in the gap between the two outer panels of the comforter without any danger of the infant being covered by the center panel.