Bassinets, Bassinet Systems, and Methods

Abstract

This document relates to a foldable bassinet configured to provide a short-term, portable, safe environment for a young child.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a foldable die cut sheet configured to form an open top bassinet for receiving an infant when in an operative position, the sheet comprising a plurality of panels connected by fold lines and comprising:
 a base panel having a pair of transverse edges defined by spaced, parallel, transverse fold lines that extend along a transverse direction and a pair of longitudinal edges defined by longitudinal fold lines that extend along a longitudinal direction, the base panel adapted to form a bottom wall of the bassinet; 
 two end panels, each end panel extending from a respective one of the transverse fold lines of the base panel, each end panel comprising a primary portion hingedly connected at said transverse fold lines and a reinforcing portion hingedly connected to the primary portion, and each primary and reinforcing portion of each end panel defining a trapezoidal shape configured to form outwardly angled end walls of the bassinet; 
 two side panels, each side panel extending from a respective one of the longitudinal fold lines of the base panel, each side panel comprising a sidewall primary portion, two connecting portions, and one sidewall reinforcing portion for folding each side panel for engagement with the end panels and the base panel, and each of the primary and reinforcing portions of the end panel defining a trapezoidal shape configured to form outwardly angled side walls of the bassinet; and 
 wherein each connecting portion of each side panel is hingedly connected to the primary sidewall portion for folding toward the opposing connecting portion of the opposing side panel so that the reinforcing portion of the adjacent end panel contemporaneously engages with both the connecting portion and the opposing connecting portion; and 
   a padded member having a size and shape approximately equal to a rectangular perimeter of the base panel, the padded member configured to be positioned within an interior cavity of the bassinet to provide soft padding for the child.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the trapezoidal shape of the connecting portion of each said side panel is partially defined by cut lines that extend in an outwardly diverging relation from an intersection of the transverse fold lines and the longitudinal fold lines of the base panel and between the connecting portion of the side panel and primary portion of the end panel. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each fold line extends at an angle ranging from about 92 degrees to about 120 degrees relative to the transverse fold lines of the base panel. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each fold line extends at an angle ranging from about 95 degrees to about 100 degrees relative to the transverse fold lines of the base panel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the primary and reinforcing portions of each end panel is defined by a slot opening. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the slot opening has a width ranging from about 3.5 to about 4.5 inches and a height ranging from about 1 inch to about 2 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet has a uniform thickness ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a maximum transverse dimension of the end panel to a maximum longitudinal dimension of the side panel ranges from about 1.5 to about 1.75. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a minimum longitudinal dimension of the side panel to a maximum longitudinal dimension of the side panel ranges from about 0.75 to about 0.95. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a ratio of a minimum longitudinal dimension of the side panel to a maximum longitudinal dimension of the side panel ranges from about 0.88 to about 0.93. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of a minimum transverse dimension of the end panel to a maximum transverse dimension of the end panel ranges from about 0.80 to about 0.99. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the ratio of a minimum transverse dimension of the end panel to a maximum transverse dimension of the end panel ranges from about 0.95 to about 0.98. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a bassinet comprising:
 a substantially planar horizontal base having a plurality of edges; 
 a plurality of angled sidewalls, each angled sidewall aligned to an edge of the base and extending upwardly and outwardly from the base, the angled sidewalls defining an interior cavity; and 
   a padded member having a size and shape approximately equal to a rectangular perimeter of the base panel, the padded member configured to be positioned within an interior cavity of the bassinet to provide soft padding for a child;   wherein each angled sidewall is positioned at an angle relative to the base; and   wherein the angled sidewall are configured promote air flow through the interior cavity.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the angled sidewalls are inclined at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the angled sidewalls range from about 95 degrees to about 140 degrees relative to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the angled sidewalls range from about 98 degrees to about 100 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the angled sidewalls range from about 98 degrees to about 100 degrees. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the system further comprising an accessory electronic device configured to be anchored to at least one angled sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the accessory electronic device comprises a light fixture. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the angled sidewalls defines a plurality of apertures for promoting air flow through the interior cavity. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the angled sidewalls defines a plurality of mesh-reinforced slots for promoting air flow through the interior cavity.