The present invention relates to a containment and/or transportation device for children, particularly for strollers, baby carriages, cradles, infant seats or the like. Background Art Containment and/or transportation devices for children are known which are provided with systems for protecting the children contained therein against the polluted atmosphere.

In particular, containment devices are known which can be associated with frames, typically baby carriages and strollers provided with devices or systems for protecting children.

One known device accommodates the child in a closed containment body, into which a jet of filtered air is blown so as to generate an overpressure effect (reference should be made in this regard to GB 9511505). This type of device has the drawback of indeed closing the child within a closed container, with evident contraindications due to the possibility of overheating in case of high temperatures or strong sunlight and the possibility of onset of sensations of the claustrophobic type; further, it is evident that in case of malfunction of the air recirculation device the risks for the child contained therein are high.

Devices have also been proposed which use air jets directly on the face of the child. These devices do not have the drawbacks noted above, but often cause a state of discomfort in the child struck for a long period by a current of air directly on its face and therefore at the respiratory apparatus. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a containment and/or transportation device for children that is capable of eliminating or at least reducing drastically the drawbacks noted above. Within this aim, an object of the invention is to devise a containment and/or transportation device for children which is provided with devices or systems for protecting children against the polluted atmosphere that are safe and effective.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a containment and/or transportation device for children which is provided with a device for protecting the child against the polluted atmosphere that is constructively simple and reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a containment and/or transportation device for children, particularly for strollers, baby carriages and the like, which has a competitive production cost, so that its use is advantageous also from the economic standpoint.

This aim, these objects and others that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a containment and/or transportation device for children, particularly for strollers, baby carriages, cradles, infant seats or the like, which comprises a containment body that forms a containment receptacle for a child, characterized in that it comprises at least one nozzle which is connected, by means of a supply circuit, to a device for generating a flow of air, said at least one nozzle being adapted to emit at least one respective jet of air in order to generate an air barrier designed to separate from the outside at least one portion of the containment receptacle.

Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the frame according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame for a stroller according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the frame for strollers shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the frame associated with a bassinet/baby carriage according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view in which the hood of the frame associated with the bassinet shown in Figure 3 has been omitted for the sake of greater clarity in illustration;

Figure 5 is another perspective view of a further embodiment of the frame for strollers according to the invention, where a handrail also provided with nozzles is provided;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the frame for strollers according to the invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the frame for strollers shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a side elevation view of a further embodiment of the frame associated with a bassinet according to the invention; Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a further embodiment of the frame associated with a bassinet according to the invention;

Figures 10 and 1 1 are partially sectional side elevation views of different types of containment body;

Figures 12 and 13 are schematic side elevation views, partially in phantom lines, of a sequence for coupling the containment body to the frame and in general to any supporting framework. Ways of carrying out the invention

In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments. Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

With reference to the figures, a containment and/or transportation device, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , particularly suitable for infants and children, is illustrated.

The device 1 can be associated, as illustrated besides in the embodiments that will be described in greater detail hereinafter, on strollers, baby carriages and the like, but of course nothing prevents the application of the same inventive concept to cradles, infant seats for cars, baby slings and similar devices.

According to the present invention, the containment and/or transportation device 1 comprises a containment body 5, which forms a containment receptacle 6 for a child 7. According to the present invention, the containment and/or transportation device 1 has at least one nozzle 8, which is connected, by means of a supply circuit 9, to a device 10 for generating a flow of air.

The nozzle 8, in particular, is adapted to emit a respective jet of air 1 1 in order to generate an air barrier that is designed to separate from the outside at least one portion of the containment receptacle 6.

With reference now to the practical embodiments shown in the figures, a containment and/or transportation device 1 can be associable (or is associated) with a frame I a, particularly for strollers, baby carriages or the like. Typically, the frame Ia comprises a supporting framework 2, which is associated in a lower region with wheels 3 (constituted by wheel clusters or individual wheels) and forms, in an upper region, at least one portion 4 that can be gripped by the user in order to maneuver the frame 2.

The frame 2 can be connected (or is stably connected) to the containment body 5 that forms the containment receptacle 6 for the child 7. By way of example, the containment body 5 can be constituted by a seat 5 a, which can optionally be reclined, in order to obtain a stroller, by a bassinet 5b used to provide for example a baby carriage or cradle, or by an in-car infant seat 5c. As already mentioned, the nozzle 8 (or nozzles 8) are connected, through the supply circuit 9, to the device 10 for generating a flow of air, typically of filtered air; the nozzle or nozzles 8, in particular, are adapted to emit a respective jet of air (indicated schematically with the arrows designated by the reference numeral 1 1 ) to generate an air barrier designed to separate from the outside at least one portion of the containment receptacle 6.

This solution allows the jet 11 to not strike the child 7 directly but rather ensures the formation, in front of the child 7 and typically in front of the child's face, of a region of high pressure, which in practice creates an air barrier that protects the child 7 from the outside, separating it from the polluted air.

Advantageously, the air barrier cooperates with at least one portion of the containment body 5, so as to separate from the outside the containment receptacle 6. Conveniently, the frame 1 has a plurality of nozzles 8 which are mutually spaced along for example a flexible supply duct associated with the hood and/or armrest of the containment body 5, in order to facilitate the generation of the air barrier.

In greater detail, the containment body 5 can be provided, substantially at the plane of arrangement of the air barrier and on the opposite side with respect to the region or regions in which the nozzles 8 are located, with at least one port 12 for aspirating the air generated by the nozzles 8.

The generation device 10 is advantageously associated with an air filter, and further on the frame I a there are means (typically of the pushbutton type) for activating the device 10 for generating the air stream in order to allow the user to activate it only when he wishes.

The method of power supply of the generation device 10 may be various: battery, dynamo devices, solar panels, et cetera. In order to ensure optimum operation in any condition, an air recirculation device (which also can be activated on command) can be provided and is adapted to send the air drawn by the intake port or ports 12 to the nozzle or nozzles 8 through the supply circuit 9.

It has been found that it is particularly advantageous to be able to use the invention to provide conditioning, by adjusting the temperature, of the interior of the containment receptacle 6.

In this regard, it is possible to send to the nozzles 8 air, even unfϊltered air, whose temperature is lower or higher than the ambient temperature in order to obtain a warm barrier (to be used with low outdoor temperatures) or a cold barrier (to be used with high outdoor temperatures or when excessive irradiation occurs).

According to a particularly important aspect of the present invention, illustrated in particular in Figures 12 and 13, the supporting framework 2 supports directly the device 10 for generating the air stream associated with a duct 20 for conveying the air stream.

The conveyance duct 20 leads into at least one conveyance connector 21.

Advantageously, quick coupling means 22 are provided between the conveyance connector or connectors 21 and a supply circuit 24, which is carried by the containment body 5 and leads into the nozzle or nozzles 8.

By way of example, the nozzles 8 can be point-like or slot-shaped and optionally orientable.

Advantageously, at least one portion of the supply circuit 9 (and in particular of the supply circuit 24) comprises an interspace 9a that is formed at least partially within the containment body 5 (reference should be made in this regard to Figures 10 and 1 1).

Replacement, even only a partial one, of the ducts with the interspaces 9a produces first of all a substantial reduction in load losses.

Conveniently, the nozzle or nozzles 8 are arranged at the outlet of the interspace 9a.

Another advantage of this solution consists in greater freedom in the design of the placement of the nozzles 8, with the possibility furthermore to act on the cross-sections of the interspaces to obtain differentiated pressures along the extension of the containment body 5. Another advantage is that an air interspace is created which contributes to create thermal insulation when the containment receptacle is subjected to intense irradiation, or can be used advantageously to warm or cool the accommodation receptacle if suitably heated or chilled air is blown, as already explained earlier. For example, it is possible to condition the air by means of known

Peltier cell systems.

Another advantage is that the forced air interspace can be used conveniently to control the humidity or condensation of the child.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a frame 1 a particularly for strollers, baby carriages or the like, which comprises the supporting framework 2 which is associated, in a lower region, with wheels

3 and forms, in an upper region, at least one portion 4 that can be gripped by the user to maneuver the frame 1 a.

The frame Ia supports the containment body 5 that forms the containment receptacle 6 for the child 7.

According to this aspect, on the supporting framework 2 there is the device 10 for generating a flow of air, which is associated with the air flow conveyance duct 20 that leads into at least one conveyance connector 21.

Means 22 are further provided for quick coupling between the or each conveyance connector 21 and a conditioning circuit 24 that is carried by the accommodation body 5 and leads into at least one nozzle 8 designed to emit at least one respective air jet 1 1 to condition the containment receptacle 6.

The advantage of this embodiment (be it associated with the nozzles 8 that provide the air barrier or used independently thereof) resides in that the weight of the generation device 10 (fan-filter-power supply means assembly) is kept on the supporting framework 2, while the accommodation body 5, which is typically handled by the user, remains lightweight.

A further advantage is that the quick coupling means 22 do not interfere with the means for connecting the child accommodation means on the frame Ia.

In practice, when the user associates the bassinet 5b with the frame, the coupling of the conveyance connector 21 to the supply circuit 24 is also produced automatically.

Nothing prevents the quick coupling means 22 from acting themselves as a coupling for connecting the accommodation body 5 to the frame Ia.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a containment and/or transportation device 1 , which is particularly adapted for infants and children. The device 1 can be associated, as further shown in the embodiments that will be described in greater detail hereinafter, on strollers, baby carriages and the like, but of course nothing prevents applying the same inventive concept to cradles, in-car infant seats, baby slings and similar devices. According to the present invention, the containment and/or transportation device 1 comprises the containment body 5, which forms the containment receptacle 6 for the child 7.

With reference in this case also to what is shown in the figures, we can see that a containment and/or transportation device 1 can be associable (or is associated) with the frame Ia, particularly for strollers, baby carriages or the like.

Typically, the frame Ia comprises the supporting framework 2, which is associated in a lower region with wheels 3 (constituted by wheel clusters or by individual wheels) and forms, in an upper region, at least one portion 4 that can be gripped by the user to maneuver the frame 2.

The frame 2 is connectable (or is stably connected) to the containment body 5 that forms the containment receptacle 6 for a child 7.

By way of example, the containment body 5 can be constituted by a seat 5a, which can optionally be reclined, to obtain a stroller, by a bassinet 5b used to provide for example a baby carriage or cradle, or by an in-car infant seat 5c.

Conveniently, at least partially inside the containment body 5 there is at least one interspace 9a designed to be crossed, conveniently on command, by a flow of forced air that is typically produced by the generation device 10.

In this particular case, it is not necessary for the air that passes through the interspace or interspaces 9a to be filtered, but rather it is advantageous if such air can be heated or cooled in order to be able to "condition" appropriately the containment receptacle 6. In this particular embodiment, the interspace 9a crossed by the flow of air contributes to create thermal insulation when the containment receptacle 6 is subjected to intense irradiation, or can be used advantageously to heat or cool the containment receptacle 6 if suitably warmed or chilled air is blown. For example, it is possible to condition the air by way of known

Peltier cell systems.

Another advantage is that the forced air interspace can be used conveniently to control the humidity or condensation of the child.

In this case, nozzles and/or air intakes might be provided also on the bottom of the containment receptacle 6 and might cooperate with the nozzles 8 or even work autonomously.

The operation of a containment and/or transportation device for children, particularly for strollers, baby carriages, cradles, infant seats or the like according to the present invention is evident from what has been described above.

All the characteristics of the invention indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Thus, for example, the power supply circuit 9 can be associated with a switch that is capable of allowing the user to exclude the filters in order to use only forced air. Moreover, it is possible to provide systems for monitoring external relative wind speed; as a function of said speed it is possible to adjust the flow-rate of the air that passes through the supply circuit 9 so as to manage the air barrier in front of the child.

In this manner it is possible to control in an optimum way the flow- rate and consequently the energy consumption depending on the contrasting wind, which would tend to break the air barrier.

In practice it has been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects in all of its embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

All the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. VR2008A000106 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.