London — Airbaby, a soft inflatable TPU lap seat for babies up to 6 months old that allows parents' hands to be free when traveling won second prize in the IOM(3) 2017 design awards.
TPU takes second place in IOM(3) design award
When inflated the Airbaby is shaped in a semi upright position to present acid reflux and colic. It features a large, multilayered valve on the underside to allow for rapid inflation and deflation. It packs away for storage inside a changing bag or hand luggage.
Covestro, which sponsored the award said the Airbaby was designed by Kayliegh Dobson of the University of Central Lancashire, to be made from thermoplastic polyurethane polymer with smaller tubes to be coated in a 50 denier polyester stretch-knit outer surface.
First prize in the competition went to Ellen Britton of the Glasgow School of Art who designed an interactive travel sunshade which uses thermochromic pigments to keep children entertained on long journeys.
Established in 1985, Design innovation in Plastics is the longest running student plastics design award in Europe and is sponsored by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM(3)), a UK engineering institution and professional body for polymer technologists. Other key participants are the worshipful Company of Horner's one of the oldest livery companies in the City of London. A number of other companies sponsor the event including Covestro.
