TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of premature babies. More particularly, the invention relates to bedding for the premature babies.

BACKGROUND ART

In humans, premature birth is the birth of a baby of less than 37 weeks gestational age. These babies require intensive care, which may be handled while the premature baby is disposed within an incubator or on a bed for a grown up premature baby.

However, the incubator or the bed is significantly larger than the premature baby, and thus it does not provide secure feeling, since it lacks adjacent borders similar to the borders within the womb.

The solution to this problem is placing the premature baby within and special bedding accessories within the incubator.

According to one prior art embodiment, the premature baby bedding includes a mattress surrounded by a stationary soft wall. However, this bedding has a pre-determined size.

According to another prior art embodiment, the premature baby bedding includes a mattress surrounded by a soft wall. The soft wall is not stationary, but rather allows adjusting the size, by shrinking the length of the soft wall. However, the shrinking characteristic of the wall lacks several advantaged features of non-shrinkable walls.

According to another prior art embodiment, the premature baby bedding includes a mattress as a first product, and an elongated pillow as a second separate product. However, this bedding as well does not provide the secure feeling of the borders, since it does not include physical connection between the mattress and the elongated pillow.

All the methods described above have not yet provided satisfactory solutions to the problem that the bedding does not truly fit the size and position of the premature baby.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for fitting the size and position of the premature baby.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a premature baby bedding (10), comprising:

- a mattress (12), for laying a premature baby (32, 32A) thereon; and

- at least two elongated pillows (14),

wherein a relatively small zone (30) of each elongated pillow (14) is attached to another side (16) of the mattress (12), and the rest (42) of the elongated pillow (14) is loose and not attached to the mattress (12), thereby the attached zones (30) of the at least two elongated pillows (14) form elevated borders, providing the premature baby (32) secure feeling of borders,

and loose zones (42) of the at least two elongated pillows (14) allow free disposition thereof about the premature baby (32, 32A). The free disposition of the loose zones (42) of the at least two elongated pillows (14) may comprise three-dimensional placement thereof.

The free disposition of the loose zones (42) of the elongated pillows (14) thereof about the premature baby (32, 32A) may comprise rolling the at least two elongated pillows (14) towards the premature baby (32, 32A) lying within the mattress (12),

thereby reducing the effective size of the premature baby bedding (10).

The free disposition of the loose zones (42) of the elongated pillows (14) thereof about the premature baby (32, 32A) may comprise surrounding the premature baby (32, 32A) lying within the mattress (12) by the elongated pillows (14).

The free disposition of the loose zones (42) of the elongated pillows (14) thereof about the premature baby (32, 32A) may comprise laying the elongated pillows (14) on top of the stomach or back or other desired zones of the premature baby (32, 32A) lying within the mattress (12).

The size of the mattress (12) preferably is slightly larger than a large premature baby (32),

thereby allowing accommodating a large premature baby (32), and

thereby the free disposition of the loose zones (42) of the elongated pillows (14) thereof about the premature baby (32, 32A) allows accommodating a smaller premature baby (32A).

The free disposition of the at least two elongated pillows (14) may comprise:

- laying two elongated pillows (14) one above the other, and/or

- folding one elongated pillow (14) for laying two zones thereof one above the other, thereby providing an elongated pillow (14) characterized by increased thickness.

The free disposition of the at least two elongated pillows (14) may comprise forming walls in an adjustable manner.

The relatively small zone (30) of each of the at least two elongated pillows (14) may comprise substantially the center (30) thereof,

thereby the loose zones (42) of the at least two elongated pillows (14) comprise at least four ends (34).

The attachment of the at least two elongated pillows (14) to the mattress (12) may comprise disposition of the at least two elongated pillows (14) substantially parallel to the length of the mattress (12).

The mattress (12) may comprise at least two sleeves (16) disposed at the sides thereof, each for attaching one elongated pillow (14).

The at least two sleeves (16) are sufficiently wide in relation to a perimeter of the elongated pillows (14),

thereby allowing shifting each elongated pillow (14) therealong, and thereby allowing removing each elongated pillow (14) from the mattress (12).

Each of the at least two elongated pillows (14) preferably is cylindrically shaped.

The diameter of each elongated pillow (14) is larger than a thickness of the mattress (12),

thereby forming the elevated borders. The ends (34) of the at least two elongated pillows (14) may comprise a detachable fastener (24), for fastening two ends (34) one to the other, thereby allowing forming, from two elongated pillows (14), an elevated border surrounding substantially the entire mattress (12).

The detachable fastener (24) may comprise:

- a male member (18) at an end (34) of one of the at least two elongated pillows (14); and

- a female member (22) at an end (34) of another of the at least two elongated pillows (14), the female member (22) comprising at least one elastic band (20).

The mattress (12) may be foldable at the sides (44, 16) thereof, for allowing rolling the at least two elongated pillows (14) thereupon towards a center of the mattress (12),

thereby reducing the effective size of the premature baby bedding (10).

The at least two elongated pillows (14) are characterized in containing a substance having a weight non-negligible to the premature baby (32, 32A), thereby the premature baby (32, 32A) may feel weight of the free disposition of the loose zones (42) of the elongated pillows (14) thereon.

The premature baby bedding (10) may further comprise:

- a bed sheet (26), for removably covering the mattress (12).

The bed sheet (26) may comprise at least two sleeves (38), each for wrapping the mattress sleeve (16).

The reference numbers have been used to point out elements in the embodiments described and illustrated herein, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. They are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. Also, the foregoing embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: - Fig. 1 depicts a premature baby bedding, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1 accommodating a premature baby which has grown.

Fig. 3 depicts one function of the premature baby mattress of Fig. 1.

- Fig. 4 further depicts the function of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1 accommodating a premature baby smaller than that of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 depicts the second step of accommodating the premature baby of Fig. 5.

- Fig. 7 depicts the third step of accommodating the premature baby of Fig.

5.

Fig. 8 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1, partially covered by a bed sheet.

Fig. 9 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1, from the back, completely covered by the bed sheet of Fig. 8.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that other views and positions may be available. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments ("best mode"), which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail.

Fig. 1 depicts a premature baby bedding, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A premature baby bedding 10 according to the present invention includes a mattress 12 and at least two elongated pillows 14, preferably cylindrically shaped, attached to mattress 12, one at a side, preferably being one at the right and one at the left. Preferably, the length of mattress 12 is longer than the width thereof in a ratio of a premature baby; and preferably, elongated pillows 14 are disposed parallel and connected to the length of mattress 12.

Mattress 12 includes a sleeve 16 for each elongated pillow 14, for holding thereof at a certain zone 30. Only this zone 30 of each elongated pillow 14 is tied to mattress 12, whereas the rest 42, being the other zones of each elongated pillow 14, especially the ends 34 thereof, are loose.

Each of sleeves 16 defines a limited length or zone 30, along which the elongated pillow 14 thereof is held, and the rest, being zone 42 of that elongated pillow 14, is loose. Typically zone 30 is at the center of elongated pillow 14. However, sleeves 16 may be sufficiently wide in relation to the perimeter of elongated pillow 14, to allow shifting elongated pillow 14 therealong, such that the held zone 30 may not be disposed at the center of elongated pillow 14. According to another embodiment, elongated pillows 14 and mattress 12 are tied together without sleeves, but rather inherently or via connectors.

The diameter of each elongated pillow 14 is larger than the thickness of mattress 12, thus elongated pillow 14 together with sleeve 16 function as physical elevated borders to mattress 12, for providing a premature baby 32 secure feeling of borders, similar to the borders within the womb.

Thus, premature baby bedding 10 includes fixed or stationary elements, namely mattress 12 and attached zones 30 of elongated pillows 14; and loose movable elements, namely zones 42 of elongated pillows 12, providing borders accommodating various sizes and positions of premature baby 32. The borders provide secure feeling, similar to the borders within the womb.

Fig. 2 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1 accommodating a premature baby which has grown. Premature baby bedding 10 is designed to suit all phases of growth of a premature baby, and thus the size of mattress 12 is slightly larger than the largest premature baby 32, shown in Fig. 2, for accommodating the largest available premature baby 32.

Since mattress 12 is only slightly larger than the premature baby 32, and since sleeve 16 prevents removal of elongated pillows 14 from mattress 12, and since elongated pillows 14 are thicker than mattress 12, each of elongated pillows 14, substantially gently presses or touches, at the held zone 30 thereof, the large premature baby 32, as depicted in Fig. 2.

This gentle pressure or touch provides premature baby 32 secure feeling of borders, similar to the borders within the womb, like a nest.

Fig. 3 depicts one function of the premature baby mattress of Fig. 1. Another available function is to surround mattress 12 by linking two ends 34 of two elongated pillows 14 one to the other, thus making a link 24.

According to one embodiment, link 24 includes a detachable fastener. According to one embodiment, the detachable fastener includes a male member 18 at one end 34 of one elongated pillow 14 being inserted into a female member 22 at an end 34 of the other elongated pillow 14, and embraced by elastic bands 20, cloth or jersey.

Fig. 4 further depicts the function of Fig. 3.

Mattress 12 may be entirely surrounded by making a first link 24 at the top and a second link 24 at the bottom.

Fig. 5 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1 accommodating a premature baby smaller than that of Fig. 2.

Premature baby bedding 10 is designed to also suit a smaller premature baby 32A, shown in the figure. At the first step, small premature baby 32A is placed on mattress 12.

Since mattress 12 is significantly larger than the small premature baby 32A, gaps 44 at the sides of mattress 12 are present, separating elongated pillows 14 from small premature baby 32A, as depicted in Fig. 5, and thus, at this first step there is yet a lack of the gentle pressure or touch, being a significant function of premature baby bedding 10 as a nest.

Fig. 6 depicts the second step of accommodating the premature baby of

Fig. 5.

At the second step, the caregiver or parent or nurse rolls each of elongated pillows 14 towards the center of mattress 12, together with sleeves 16, as illustrated by arrows 36, until elongated pillows 14 substantially touch small premature baby 32A, thus reducing the effective size of premature baby bedding 10. This rolling of elongated pillows 14 is available since sleeves 16 of mattress 12 are foldable. According to another embodiment, this rolling is available if gaps 44 (shown in Fig. 5) are resilient.

Fig. 7 depicts the third step of accommodating the premature baby of

Fig. 5. At the third step, the caregiver may place the loose ends of elongated pillows 14 in a free manner, such as depicted in Fig. 7. However this placing is limited by sleeves 16 of mattress 12, determining a right and a left extreme border.

The example of Fig. 7 depicts laying elongated pillows 14 to adjacently surround premature baby 32A, forming a reduced extent of walls in an adjustable manner, like a changeable sized nest.

Elongated pillows 14, except for being soft and gentle, preferably are characterized in including non-negligible weight substance, such that premature baby 32A feels the placement of elongated pillows 14 thereon, providing the secure feeling of borders, similar to the borders within the womb.

According to one example, the diameter of each elongated pillow 14 is about the thickness of premature baby 32A when lying, i.e., the length between the stomach and the back. According to this example, in order to lay premature baby 32A on the side thereof, thus increasing the height of lay premature baby 32A, elongated pillow 14 may be laid on top of another elongated pillow 14. According to another use, the end 34 of the elongated pillow 14 may be placed above the same pillow 14, by folding thereof, for doubling the height of the border. These examples of placing elongated pillows 14 one above the other, together with the adjacent surrounding of premature baby 32A to forming the small extent of walls in an adjustable manner, may be generalized as three- dimensional placing of elongated pillows 14. Fig. 8 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1, partially covered by a bed sheet.

Premature baby bedding 10 may be accompanied by a bed sheet 26, which may be changed and laundered separately. Bed sheet 26 includes a sheet element 40, which is depicted folded in

Fig. 8, and a sleeve 38 for wrapping each sleeve 16 of mattress 12.

Fig. 9 depicts the premature baby bedding of Fig. 1, from the back, completely covered by the bed sheet of Fig. 8.

For wrapping sleeve 38 of bed sheet 26 on sleeve 16 of mattress 12, elongated pillow 14 must be removed, as shown in Fig. 9. Then, after wrapping sleeve 38 of bed sheet 26 on sleeve 16 of mattress 12, elongated pillow 14 may be inserted into both sleeves 38 and 16.

Sheet element 40 is deployed over mattress 12, such that from the back shown in Fig. 9, only the end 42 of sheet element 40 of bed sheet 26 is shown. Thus, bed sheet 26 is the first to be laundered and replaced with another. However, elongated pillows 14 preferably are removable, by taking them out of sleeves 16 of mattress 12, and thus mattress 12 may then be laundered.

In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals (Reference Signs List) have been mentioned: numeral 10 denotes a premature baby bedding, according to one embodiment of the present invention; the bedding may include a mattress, elevated borders to the mattress, and a bed sheet;

■ numeral 12 denotes a mattress;

numeral 14 denotes an elongated pillow, preferably cylindrically shaped; numeral 16 denotes a sleeve, being an integral element of the mattress; numeral 18 denotes a male member of the end of the elongated pillow; this male member may be a part of a fastener;

numeral 20 denotes an elastic band, for embracing the male member;

numeral 22 denotes a female member of the end of the elongated pillow; this female member may be a part of a fastener or a link;

numeral 24 denotes a link, linking two ends of the elongated pillow;

numeral 26 denotes a bed sheet, for covering the mattress;

numeral 30 denotes a zone of the elongated pillow, which is disposed within the sleeve of the mattress, for being held by the sleeve;

■ numeral 32 denotes a premature baby which has grown;

numeral 32A denotes a small premature baby;

numeral 34 denotes an end of the elongated pillow;

numeral 36 denotes an arrow in the drawing showing rolling direction of the elongated pillows;

■ numeral 38 denotes a sleeve of the bed sheet;

numeral 40 denotes the bed sheet not including the sleeve thereof; it is referred to as "sheet element";

numeral 42 denotes the end of the sheet element; and

numeral 44 denotes the side of the mattress, being internal to the sleeve of the mattress.

The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.

Any term that has been defined above and used in the claims, should to be interpreted according to this definition.

The reference numbers in the claims are not a part of the claims, but rather used for facilitating the reading thereof. These reference numbers should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any form.