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10 Products Receive Innovation Awards
From JPMA During ABC Kids Expo
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) recently announced the winners of the 2012 Innovation Awards Competition. Internationally recognized, the Innovation Awards highlight some of the most exciting new products in the marketplace today.
The judging took place in Louisville, Kentucky, and winners were announced at a lunch meeting during the ABC Kids Expo there. More than 100 products were entered, some 50 were listed as finalists, and 10 winners were selected by a panel of industry judges. One company won the Parent Choice Award, voted on by moms and dads from across the country.
Clek for the Foonf
 Foonf is a no-compromise convertible car seat that allows for rear-facing children to 50 lbs. The anti-rebound bar will stop the seat from rebounding in a collision. Foonf's REACT™ (Rapid Energy-Absorbing Crumple Technology) safety system, significantly reduces forces transmitted to a child in a collision.www.clekinc.com.
Chicco for the Nextfit 65
The NextFit™ 65 is a new convertible car seat from Chicco. The NextFit™ 65 is designed to simplify correct installation. Correct installation is achieved with the ReclineSure™ 9-position Leveling System, SuperCinch™ LATCH tightener, and dual bubble level guides to verify correct positioning in both rear and forward-facing modes. www.chiccousa.com.
Chicco for the Liteway Plus
 The Liteway Plus functions as both an infant car seat carrier and a lightweight compact stroller offering extended use. As a carrier it offers a canopy, compact fold, and “click” ICS attachment. As a stroller it offers a full recline, adjustable leg rest, and parent cup holder. www.chiccousa.com.
BityBean for the BityBean
 Bitybean is a comfortable, convenient, and thoughtfully engineered ultra-compact child carrier for parents with on-the-go lifestyles. At 8 ounces and smaller than a water bottle, the Bitybean will fit into any bag, backpack, or purse. Available in 4 stylish colors. www.bitybean.com.
Safety 1st for the Boostapak
 The Boostapak is a portable on-the-go booster that converts to a backpack to provide on-the-go convenience and safety. The hollow shell holds a variety of items. It converts from a belt-positioning-booster to a backpack for children 40-80 lbs and 43-in. to 5-in. with a wipe clean cover. www.djgusa.com.
Dorel Juvenile Group for the Maxi Cosi Prezi
 The Maxi Cosi Prezi car seat offers superior safety protection featuring advanced, patented rebounding foam technology developed in conjunction with Bald Spot Sport, a leader in safety innovation design for Indy Racing. www.djgusa.com.
Munchkin for the Lulla Vibe
 The Lulla-Vibe™ vibrating mattress pad features innovative patent-pending technology that helps babies fall asleep quickly. Compact and portable for use under crib mattresses or nursing pillows, the Lulla- Vibe™ creates a soothing sensory experience for baby. With customizable options like a 30-minute battery-operated timer and two varying vibration speeds, parents are able to personalize their child’s sleep atmosphere with the simple push of a button. www.munchkin.com.
Naturepedic for the Lullaby Earth Mattress
 The lightest crib mattress at only 7 pounds, this Lullaby Earth mattress makes it easy to change sehets. The only crib mattress under $200 MSRP, it is certified to the highest greenguard select standard and recommended by Healthy Child Healthy World. It is also the only foam mattress with edge support that rivals innerspring border rods. www.lullabyearth.com.
Nested Bean for The Zen Swaddle
 The Zen Swaddle™ is an infant swaddle product that encourages sleep by mimicking a caregiver’s touch. Lightly weighted parts apply gentle pressure along either side of the infant's body and on the infant's chest provide the feeling of security found in being in the caregiver's arms. The 2-in-1 design offers longer use: an interior pouch keeps legs snug up to 23-in. while the sack offers ample room for an infant to grow up to 26-in. www.nestedbean.com.
Regal Lager for the Aton 2
 In this Cybex car seat, side impact protection has been optimized with the Linear Side Impact Protection (LSP) technology. Foldout side protectors reduce space between the Aton and vehicle so a transfer of crash forces happens much earlier; the forces are absorbed and distributed by the shell away from the child, improving safety up to 40 percent. Aton 2’s base features a height-adjustable load leg, a virtual standard in Europe, which absorbs and distributes energy to the floor of vehicle, reducing forces on the child up to 50 percent while preventing rebounding of the seat. www.regallager.com.
Keen I LLC for the Monkey Mat
 The Monkey Mat™is the only large clean surface easily transported as an accessory in an attached stylish, ultracompact pouch. Easy buckle strap secures to any bag/stroller while it can also be anchored by chairs and other nearby objects, and toys can be tethered to loops in its center. www.monkeymat.com.
Products are evaluated and judged on their innovation, marketability, trend-setting potential, appeal, and usefulness. Special thanks go to the selection committee of trade media representatives and retail buyers who included Paul Banas of Pregnancy Magazine.com, Jen Carofano of Fit Pregnancy, Nanci Gregg of Baby & Children's Product News, Eli Gurock of Magic Beans, Sheri Gurock of Magic Beans, Jane Kitchen of Kids Today, Tanya Meritte of Kids Today, Shannon Choe of International Baby Planner Association.
The Innovation Awards Competition started in 1989 as the Most Innovative Product Contest and has evolved through the years to a highly recognized competition. It was officially named the “Show Off” Product Competition in 1992, however in 2003 JPMA renamed the contest to the Innovation Awards to more accurately represent the focus on innovation.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is a national trade organization of more than 250 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico. These companies manufacture and/or import infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items.
For more information about JPMA or the 2012 Innovation Awards call 856/ 638-0420 or visit www.jpma.org.
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