INFANT GARMENT

Abstract

A baby garment that includes a tubular structure. The tubular structure includes a front portion. The front portion includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The front portion includes an opening located at a boundary between the upper portion and the lower portion. The opening is configured to be selectively opened to provide access to a baby received in the garment without removing the baby from the garment.

Description

FIELD

[0001] These teachings relate to a garment, and more particularly to a garment for an infant.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Swaddling is a practice of wrapping a baby to simulate the natural cocoon-like environment of the mother's womb to which newborn babies are accustomed. Swaddling has many additional benefits. For example, swaddling can be helpful for soothing and calming a fussy baby; keeping a baby warm; helping newborns sleep longer because it prevents sudden movements or reflexes that can cause waking; and restraining a baby's arms and legs which makes holding the baby easier during breastfeeding.

[0003] Swaddling can be accomplished by wrapping a baby in a blanket from shoulders to feet. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep a baby swaddled in a blanket as a baby grows older and is able to push with their arms and/or kick themselves free. While caretakers may choose to tightly wrap the blanket around the baby, generally encircling the baby a plurality of times such that the arms are tightly restrained within the blanket, tightly wrapping the blanket around the baby may not be comfortable for the baby, and in some instances, the baby may be wrapped too tightly in the blanket, which may lead to breathing problems for the baby. Moreover, to check and/or change a baby's diaper, the blanket must be un-wrapped and removed from the baby, which may be cumbersome and time-consuming, and may cause a sleeping baby to unnecessarily awaken.

[0004] In lieu of swaddling a baby by wrapping the baby in a blanket, various sacks or tubes have been introduced. While sacks or tubes may prevent a baby from pushing or kicking themselves free, checking and/or changing a baby's diaper generally requires removing the baby from the sack or tube, which may be cumbersome and time-consuming, and may undesirably cause a sleeping baby to awaken.

[0005] Some examples of garments are provided in US Patent Application Publication No. 20040139527A1 and 20160128392; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,254,849, 7,774,875, 8,191,188, and 8,793,813; and U.S. Design Patent Nos. 526,464 and 633,278, all of which are incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0006] Accordingly, it may be desirable to improve the state of the art. For example, it may be advantageous to have a garment for a baby that does not include at least the aforementioned shortcomings. For example, it may be desirable to have a garment that may be used to securely wrap a baby and simulate the environment of the mother's womb. It may be desirable to have a garment that a baby is unable to push or kick themselves free. It may be desirable to have a garment for securely swaddling a baby, and also allows for checking and/or changing the baby's diaper without requiring the baby to be removed from the garment.

SUMMARY

[0007] These teachings provide a comfortable and cozy garment that simulates the natural cocoon-like environment of the mother's womb to which newborn babies are accustomed. The garment advantageously provides an opening that can be manipulated for easy diaper access, without having to remove the entire garment. Therefore, a diaper can be checked or changed without waking a sleeping baby.

[0008] These teachings provide a baby garment that includes a generally tubular structure. The tubular structure includes a front portion. The front portion includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The front portion includes an opening located at a boundary between the upper portion and the lower portion. The opening is configured to provide access to a baby received in the baby garment without removing the baby from the baby garment.

[0009] These teachings also provide a method checking or changing a diaper of a baby that is received in a baby garment disclosed herein. The method includes a step of opening the opening in the garment by separating the lower portion from the upper portion and drawing the lower portion in a downward direction towards the feet of the baby and then around the feet of the baby so that the legs and feet of the baby are removed from within the garment while a torso and arms of the baby remain inside the garment. The method includes a step of checking or changing the diaper of the baby without removing the baby from the baby garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of a baby in a baby garment; the garment is illustrated in a closed position.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of a baby in a baby garment; the garment is illustrated in an open position.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of a baby being received into a baby garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings, its principles, and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present teachings as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

[0014] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/408,734, filed Oct. 15, 2016, the contents of that application being hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0015] These teachings provide a garment. The garment may at least partially cover a baby. The garment may be used to swaddle a baby. The garment may be used to at least partially restrain a baby. The garment may be used to at least partially restrain one or more arms, hands, legs, feet, a torso, or a combination thereof of the baby. The garment may restrict or inhibit startle reflex, which is a natural reflex that babies are born with, and can be triggered by loud noise or sudden movements. The garment may be used to comfort and keep a baby warm.

[0016] The garment includes a generally tubular structure. The garment or tubular structure may resemble a sock or a tube. The tubular structure includes an open end and a closed end. The open end may be at a top portion or region of the structure. The open end may provide for a head and neck of a baby to extend through. The closed end may be an area where the legs and feet of a baby are located. The closed end may be permanently closed (i.e., a single, integral material). Alternatively, the closed end may be selectively closed by securing one or more fasteners. In this regard, the closed end may be selectively opened by opening one or more fasteners to provide access to the baby's legs and feet.

[0017] The garment includes one or more openings. The openings provide access the baby without removing the baby from the garment or removing the garment from the baby. The openings may provide ventilation to an inside of the garment. The opening may be located on a front portion of the garment so that to access the baby, the lower portion is moved or drawn from the front portion around the feet and legs of the baby towards the back portion. However, it is understood that the opening may be located on a back portion of the garment so that to access the baby in the garment, the lower portion is moved or drawn down and around the baby feet and legs towards the front portion. The opening may be located on the front and back portion of the garment to provide access to the baby and/or the diaper from both sides. The opening may additionally or alternatively be located on one or both sides of the garment to access the baby and/or the diaper from the side.

[0018] The opening may extend across the entire front potion (and/or rear portion) of the tubular structure. For example, the opening may extend across the entire front of the baby, from side to side or hip to hip. However, in some configurations, the opening may be shorter than that and may only extend partially between the sides of the baby (i.e., a length shorter than between hip to hip). For example, the opening may only extend a few inches on each side of a baby's belly button.

[0019] While the garment illustrated and described herein resembles a sack or sock, it is understood the garment may also include one or more openings for the arms and hands of a baby to extend through. In this regard, these additional openings may be closed off with one or more fasteners and then opened when it is desired for the baby's hands and arms to extend out of the tubular structure. In these configurations, the garment may resemble a dress, for example. In some configurations, the garment may include short or long sleeves. These sleeves may be part of the tubular structure, or the sleeves may be attached to the tubular structure with one or more fasteners. In keeping with the spirit of the disclosure, however, it is understood that these additional configurations also include the opening located at the boundary of the upper and lower portion of the structure for checking and/or changing the diaper without removing the baby from the garment.

[0020] The garment may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials. The garment may be fabricated from one or more layers. For example, the garment may be fabricated from a cotton, elastane (e.g., spandex, Lycra) mesh, and/or polyester, material. For example, the material may be a blend of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. For example, the material may be a blend of 80% cotton and 20% polyester. The garment may be fabricated from a material including from about 2.5% spandex to about 8% spandex, for sufficient stretching to allow access to a diaper when the garment is worn, but to avoid significant stretching such that the garment is capable of so much stretch that the baby is not swaddled to substantially prevent arm and leg movement.

[0021] The material may be stretchable, expandable, compressible, breathable waterproof, or a combination thereof.

[0022] The garment may be virtually any color or combination of colors including, red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, brown, orange, grey, pink, purple, etc. The garment may have any pattern or combination of patterns, including polka-dot, checker-board, argyle, border tartan, plaid, digicam, herringbone, houndstooth, pin stripe, lightning bolt, zig-zag, etc. The garment may include any print, or combination of prints, including floral, nature, superhero, camouflage, etc. The garment may include various embroideries and/or stitching.

[0023] The garment preferably is free of any fasteners. That is, the garment is preferably free of any hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers, draw strings, wraps, straps, like fasteners, or a combination thereof. In other words, the garment is preferably an integral and seamless garment. The garment may be free of any corner portions. A garment that is free of fasteners advantageously ensures that a baby is not pinched or annoyed by the fasteners and removes any choking hazard.

[0024] However, the garment may include one or more fasteners. For example, one or more fasteners may be used to help ensure a snug or tight fit around the baby. For example, one or more fasteners may be used to secure and maintain the opening between the upper portion and the lower portion in a closed position. For example, one or more fasteners may be used to secure one or more portions of the garment together. The one or more fasteners may be used to secure one or more arms or sleeves to the tubular structure. The one or more fasteners may include hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers, draw strings, wraps, straps, or a combination thereof.

[0025] While the disclosure herein refers to various portions (i.e., top portion, bottom portion, front portion, back portion, upper portion, lower portion), it is understood the garment may be a seamless article. Thus, the various portions as discussed herein are used to describe certain features in relation to other features and/or the baby. Alternatively, the garment may be comprised of a plurality of portions that are joined together via one or more seams or fasteners.

[0026] In the open position, the garment may provide access to the baby. For example, in the open position, an upper portion of a baby may be contained in the garment, while a lower portion of the baby is exposed or can be accessed. For example, in the open position, the shoulders, arms, hands, and/or torso may be contained in the garment, while the legs, feet, pelvic or mid-section and/or diaper is exposed or can be accessed. This may be desirable to provide access to a diaper change, while the arms and hands are restrained to prevent the baby from interfering with the diaper change. In the open position, a diaper can be checked and/or changed without removing the baby from the garment the garment from the baby.

[0027] In the closed position, the garment may at least partially cover a baby. In the closed position, the legs and feet of the baby may be contained in the garment. In the closed position, the lower portion of the garment may form a pouch around the baby's feet and legs to contain the feet and legs in the garment. In the closed position, the garment may be used to swaddle a baby. In the closed position, the garment may be used to at least partially restrain a baby. In the closed position, the garment may be used to at least partially restrain one or more arms, hands, legs, feet, a torso, or a combination thereof of the baby.

[0028] The garment may be configured so that there are no corner portions (e.g., ends of the garment that form or are folded to form a right angle, or what is substantially similar to a right angle or a general section that narrows. Generally a swaddle required crosswise folding and tucking of corner portions, whereas the garment described herein is substantially free of any corner portions. The use of the garment is thus substantially free of any step requiring crosswise folding or wrapping of a corner portion.

[0029] FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate a baby garment 10 and a baby 100. FIG. 1 illustrates the garment 10 in the closed position 20, and FIG. 2 illustrates the garment 10 in the open position 34.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the garment 10 comprises a generally tubular structure 12. The tubular structure 12 is defined by a top portion 14 and a bottom portion 16. The top portion 14 includes an opening 18 for the head 102 and neck of the baby 100 to extend through. The bottom portion 16 is closed where the legs 104 and feet 106 of the baby 100 are located when the baby 100 is received in the garment 10 and the garment 10 is in the closed position 20.

[0031] The tubular structure 12 includes a front portion 22 and an opposing rear portion (not visible). The front portion 22 is defined by an upper portion 24 and a lower portion 26. An opening 28 is located at a boundary region that is generally defined between a lower edge 30 of the upper portion 24 and an upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26.

[0032] The opening 28 is located generally at or along about a midsection or a pelvic region 108 (FIG. 2) of the baby 100. When the baby 100 is received in the garment 10, the opening 28 is configured to provide selective access to the baby 100 without having to remove the baby 100 from the garment 10. For example, the opening 28 may provide selective access to the baby 100 to check or change a diaper 110 without having to remove the baby 100 from the garment 10. This may be especially advantageous when the baby 100 is sleeping.

[0033] The opening 28 may be configured as a flap so that in the closed position 20 illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper portion 24 and/or the lower edge 30 of the upper portion 24 at least partially overhangs the lower portion 26 and/or the upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26. Alternatively, in the closed position 20, the upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26 at least partially overhangs the upper portion 24 and/or the lower edge 30 of the upper portion 24. Alternatively, in the closed position 20, the upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26 may be near or "line to line" with the lower edge 30 of the upper portion 24. Alternatively, in the closed position 20, a gap may be defined between upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26 and the lower edge 30 of the upper portion 24.

[0034] With additional reference to FIG. 2, the garment 10 can be opened by separating the lower portion 26 of the front portion 22 from the upper portion 24 of the front portion 22, and then brining or drawing the upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26 in a downward direction towards the feet 106 of the baby 100 and then around the feet 106 so that the legs 104 and feet 106 are exposed and removed from within the garment 10. The pelvic region 108, the torso 112, and arms 114 remain within the garment 10. Accordingly, the garment 10 is thus in the open position 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the open position 34, access is provided to the midsection or pelvic region 108 of the baby 100 and/or the diaper 110. Accordingly, in the open position 34, the diaper 110 can be checked or changed without removing the baby 100 from the garment 10. Advantageously, the torso 112 and arms 114 of the baby 100 remain inside the baby garment 10, which may prevent an awake baby from moving their arms and hands and interfering with a diaper change.

[0035] After the diaper 110 has been checked or changed, the garment 10 can be put into the closed position 20 by drawing the upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26 in the downward direction around the feet 106 and then brought up to the lower edge 30 of the upper portion 24 so that the legs 104 and feet 106 are once again located inside the baby garment 10.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a baby 100 being placed into the baby garment 10. The baby 100 can be received into the baby garment 100 by inserting the legs 104 and feet 106 through the opening 18 in the tubular structure 12 and then pulling the baby garment 10 upwards towards the head 102 of the baby 100 and over the shoulders until the garment 10 is positioned as illustrated in FIG. 1

[0037] Alternatively, the baby the baby 100 can be received into the baby garment 10 by inserting the head 102 of the baby through the opening 28 and then pulling or drawing the garment 10 in a downward direction until the head 102 of the baby 100 extends through the opening 18 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The upper edge 32 of the lower portion 26 can be pulled in the downward direction and around the feet 106 before the upper edge 32 is brought up to the lower edge 30 of the upper portion 24 so that the legs 104 and feet 106 are once again located inside the baby garment 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0038] Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner. As can be seen, the teaching of amounts expressed as "parts by weight" herein also contemplates the same ranges expressed in terms of percent by weight. Thus, an expression in the Detailed Description of the Teachings of a range in terms of at "sx parts by weight of the resulting polymeric blend composition" also contemplates a teaching of ranges of same recited amount of "x" in percent by weight of the resulting polymeric blend composition."

[0039] Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. The use of "about" or "approximately" in connection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, "about 20 to 30" is intended to cover "about 20 to about 30", inclusive of at least the specified endpoints.

[0040] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The term "consisting essentially of" to describe a combination shall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified, and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the combination. The use of the terms "comprising" or "including" to describe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or steps herein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of the elements, ingredients, components or steps.

[0041] Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively, a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might be divided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps. The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element, ingredient, component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements, ingredients, components or steps.

[0042] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as many applications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0043] 10 garment

[0044] 12 tubular structure

[0045] 14 top portion (of tubular structure 12)

[0046] 16 bottom portion (of tubular structure 12)

[0047] 18 opening (in top portion 14)

[0048] 20 closed position

[0049] 22 front portion (of tubular structure 12)

[0050] 24 upper portion (of front portion 22)

[0051] 26 lower portion (of front portion 22)

[0052] 28 opening

[0053] 30 lower edge (of upper portion 24)

[0054] 32 upper edge (of lower portion 26)

[0055] 34 open position

[0056] 100 baby

[0057] 102 head

[0058] 104 legs

[0059] 106 feet

[0060] 108 pelvic region

[0061] 110 diaper

[0062] 112 torso

[0063] 114 arms

Claims

1) A baby garment, comprising: a tubular structure, the tubular structure comprising a front portion, the front portion including an upper portion and a lower portion; and an opening located at a boundary between the upper portion and the lower portion; wherein the opening is configured to be selectively opened to provide access to a baby received in the garment without removing the baby from the garment.

2) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein the tubular structure comprises a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion includes an opening for a head of the baby to extend through when the baby is received in the garment, the bottom portion is closed where the feet of the baby are located when the baby is received in the garment.

3) The baby garment according to claim 2, wherein the opening located at the boundary between the upper portion and the lower portion is configured to provide access to a diaper region of the baby while a torso and arms of the baby remain within the baby garment.

4) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein the opening is configured as a flap so that when the garment is in a closed position, the upper portion at least partially overhangs the lower portion, or the lower portion at least partially overhangs the upper portion.

5) The baby garment according to claim 4, wherein the opening includes one or more fasteners for maintaining the opening in the closed position.

6) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein when the baby is received in the garment, the opening is located at a pelvic region of the baby.

7) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein the opening is configured to provide access to the diaper of the baby for checking or changing the diaper without removing the baby from the garment.

8) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is seamless.

9) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is fabricated from a material comprising cotton and spandex.

10) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is fabricated from a material including from about 2.5% spandex to about 8% spandex, for sufficient stretching to allow access to a diaper when the garment is worn, but to avoid significant stretching such that the garment is capable of so much stretch that the baby is not swaddled to substantially prevent arm and leg movement.

11) The baby garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is fabricated from a material including about 5% spandex, for sufficient stretching to allow access to a diaper when the garment is worn, but to avoid significant stretching such that the garment is capable of so much stretch that the baby is not swaddled to substantially prevent arm and leg movement.

12) The baby garment according to claim 1 wherein the garment is free of any ties, snaps, buttons, straps, hook and loop, or other fastening means.

13) The baby garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is free of any corner portions.

14) A method of checking or changing a diaper of the baby received in the baby garment according to claim 1, the method comprising steps of: a) opening the opening in the garment by: i) separating the lower portion from the upper portion; and ii) drawing the lower portion in a downward direction towards the feet of the baby and then around the feet of the baby so that the legs and feet of the baby are removed from within the garment while a torso and arms of the baby remain inside the garment; b) checking or changing the diaper without removing the baby from the garment.

15) The method of claim 14, wherein after the step of b), the method includes a step of c) closing the opening in the baby garment, the closing step comprises: i) drawing the lower portion in the downward direction towards the feet of the baby and then around the feet so that the legs and feet are located inside the garment.

16) The method of claim 15, wherein the opening is configured as a flap where the upper portion at least partially overhangs the lower portion, or the lower portion at least partially overhangs the upper portion.

17) The method of claim 14, wherein the baby garment comprises a tubular structure having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion includes an opening for receiving the head and neck of the baby, and the bottom portion is closed.

18) The method of claim 15, where in before the step of a) the baby is received in the garment by inserting the legs and feet of the baby through an opening in a top of the garment and pulling the baby garment upwards towards a head of the baby.

19) The method according to claim 14, wherein the garment is seamless and is free of fasteners.

20) The method according to claim 14, wherein the method is free of folding a portion of material crosswise over a baby's torso.