The present invention relates to an article of clothing for infants, in particular to be worn when sleeping. The invention is particularly useful in combination with a baby sleep bag.

Baby sleep bags are a convenient and safe alternative to traditional blankets (for example Grobag® baby sleep bags produced by The Gro Company®) . Baby sleep bags are recognised by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death (FSID) as safer than traditional bedding, particularly as they prevent the baby's head from getting covered by bedding. In addition, they prevent the baby from kicking off bedding and waking up because they are cold.

Figure 1 shows a typical baby sleep bag 10. The sleep bag 10 is a soft fabric receptacle, typically (but not exclusively) made of cotton, which has two arm holes 12 and a neck opening 14. The baby 'wears' the sleep bag, with its body situated inside the bag and with its head and arms protruding from the appropriate openings. In this embodiment, access to the interior of the sleep bag is via poppers 16 at the shoulder and a side zip 18, alternatively, access may be via a central zip. An age

appropriate size of baby sleep bag is chosen, so that the infant cannot wriggle down into the sleep bag. There is therefore no risk of the infant's head being covered by bedding. Baby sleep bags come in a range of tog values, so that the appropriate bag can be chosen depending on the time of year.

Whilst the parent or carer is given guidance of the appropriate tog value of sleep bag to use depending on the time of year, the parent / carer may use a baby sleep bag with an inappropriately high tog value. If the infant's body core temperature becomes too hot within the sleep bag, excess hot air can escape through the arm holes and neck openings. Generally there is more room at the arm holes than at the neck opening for air to escape; the neck size is snugger so that it fits under the infant's chin to prevent it from slipping down into the sleep bag.

A disadvantage of baby sleep bags is that as the infant's arms are positioned outside the baby sleep bag, they may become cold.

A parent or carer may add extra layers to keep the baby' s arms warm. However, this has the risk of causing the baby' s core temperature to become too hot.

There are sleep bags available with sleeves, including a detachable option which fastens onto the main body of the baby sleep bag using zippers. However, it is believed that sleeves on a baby sleep bag can produce overheating, in particular if an inappropriate tog rating of sleep bag and/or inappropriate sleeves are used by parents or carers. Where the infant's body core temperature becomes too high, warm air can no longer exit via the arm holes and can only exit via the smaller neck opening. In addition, the detachable sleeves are typically padded and restrict movement. Another danger of this style of sleep bag is the re-inhalation of the baby' s own breath, which is a concern attributed to cot death.

A first aspect of the present invention provides an article of clothing for an infant, comprising:

a main body to cover the torso;

sleeves to cover the arms; and

legs to cover the infant's legs;

wherein the sleeves provide a higher thermal insulation than the main body, and the sleeves comprise at least two layers .

Throughout this application, the references to a first item (e.g. a sleeve) "providing higher thermal insulation" than a second item (e.g. a main body) mean that the construction of the first item has a higher thermal resistance per unit area than the construction of the second item; in other words, the first item has a higher tog value than the second item. For example, if, in the article of clothing of the first aspect of the invention, the sleeves consist of three layers of fabric and the main body consists of a single layer of fabric, the combined three layers of the sleeves have a higher thermal resistance per unit area than the single layer of the main body. When used with a baby sleep bag, the invention can allow a baby' s arms to remain warm, while minimising the risk of the baby overheating.

The article of clothing may be a sleepsuit. A sleep suit typically includes legs and typically has a poppered crotch fastening to keep the article of clothing in position

(alternative fasteners such as buttons may also be used) .

The legs of the article of clothing may be integral with the main body. Alternatively, the legs may be detachable. The article of clothing can, for example, be a body suit comprising detachable legs, for example with cooperating fasteners, such as poppers, on the body suit and detachable legs. The legs may comprise integral feet.

In one embodiment, the sleeves are provided with antiscratch cuffs. In an embodiment, the antiscratch cuffs are fold back cuffs which are arranged to be able to cover the infant's hands, which can prevent the infant from scratching themselves.

Whilst a range of natural or synthetic fabrics may be used for the sleeves, main body and legs, natural fabrics have the advantage of good breathability . The sleeves may comprise a fabric selected from cotton and bamboo. The body may comprise a fabric selected from cotton and bamboo. The legs may comprise a fabric selected from cotton and bamboo.

The sleeves and body may comprise either the same or a different fabric type. In addition to this, the legs may comprise either the same or a different fabric type to the body and/or at least one layer of the sleeves. In an embodiment, the legs comprise the same fabric type as the body and/or at least one layer of the sleeves. In an embodiment, the legs comprise the same fabric type as the body. In an embodiment, the legs comprise a different fabric type to the body and/or at least one layer of the sleeves.

Throughout this specification, the term "the same fabric type" means that the yarn in each fabric contains the same kind of fibres, such as for example cotton, but one of the fabrics may, for example, have a denser weave, use a thicker yarn and/or have been treated to entrap more air per unit area.

The sleeves comprise at least two layers. In an embodiment, the sleeves comprise two layers. In an embodiment, the sleeves comprise at least three layers. In an embodiment, the sleeves comprise three layers. The sleeves may, for example, comprise a ^sandwich' structure, comprising two outer fabric layers and an inner layer. In an embodiment, the inner layer is an insulating material. In an embodiment, the insulating material is a material other than air. In an embodiment, the insulating material is an insulating fabric. In an embodiment, the inner layer is fire retardant . In an embodiment, the inner layer is a fire retardant wadding. In an embodiment, the inner layer is made of polyester. In an embodiment, the inner layer is a fire retardant polyester wadding. In an embodiment, the inner layer is a cotton wadding. In an embodiment, at least the two outer fabric layers are made of cotton or bamboo. In an embodiment, at least the two outer fabric layers are made of cotton. In an embodiment, the main body is made of a single layer of fabric. In an embodiment, the legs are made of a single layer of fabric. In an embodiment, the main body and legs are made of a single layer of fabric. In an embodiment, the main body and legs are made of cotton or bamboo. In an embodiment, the main body and legs are made of cotton.

The higher thermal insulation of the sleeves may be provided in different ways, for example the sleeves may contain more layers of fabric than the body. In an embodiment, the sleeves comprise at least two layers of fabric. In an embodiment, the main body is made of a single layer of fabric, and the sleeves comprise at least two layers of fabric. In an embodiment, the main body is made of a single layer of fabric, and the sleeves comprise three layers of fabric. Alternatively, the material of the yarn in at least one layer of the sleeves may be a better thermal insulator than the material of the yarn in the main body. In an

embodiment, the sleeves comprise at least one layer of an insulating material, which is a better thermal insulator than the material of the yarn in the main body. In an embodiment, the sleeves comprise two outer fabric layers and an inner layer of insulating material, which insulating material is a better thermal insulator than the material of the yarn in the main body. Alternatively the fabric of at least one layer of the sleeves may have a denser weave or use a thicker yarn (which creates a heavier weight fabric) than the fabric of the main body. In this case either the same or different material may be used for the yarn in the at least one layer of the sleeves and main body. Alternatively, either the yarn or fabric of at least one layer of the sleeves or of the main body may have undergone a treatment to change its thermal insulation properties, for example the sleeves may comprise brushed fabric (e.g. brushed cotton) and the main body may comprise unbrushed fabric.

The fabric of at least one layer of the sleeves may be heavier weight than the fabric of the main body. In one embodiment, the body is fabricated from a light weight fabric and at least one layer of the sleeves is fabricated from a heavy weight fabric. For example, the fabric of the body may have a weight of 160- 200g and the fabric of at least one layer of the sleeves may have a weight of 250-300g.

Throughout this specification, where fabric weight is given in grams, this refers to grams per meter squared.

The higher thermal insulation of the sleeves may be due to more air entrapped between the fibres of the sleeves than the fibres of the main body (per unit area) . In an embodiment, the sleeves comprise fabric in which the yarn or fabric is treated so that it entraps more air per unit area than the fabric or yarn of the main body. The more air that is entrapped between the fibres, the better the fabric is as an insulator of heat. Suitable fabrics for use in the sleeves comprise fabrics that are thick and soft, as these contain a large proportion of air, and textured fabrics, which spring out after being compressed. In one embodiment, the sleeves comprise a textured fabric (e.g. a brushed fabric) and the main body may comprise a non-textured fabric (e.g. an unbrushed fabric) . For example, the sleeves may comprise brushed cotton and the main body may comprise non- brushed cotton.

In all embodiments of the first aspect, the sleeves can provide a higher thermal insulation than both the main body and the legs .

In all embodiments of the first aspect, the legs can comprise the same fabric as the body or a different fabric. In an embodiment, the legs comprise the same fabric as the body. In an embodiment, the legs comprise a different fabric from the body . A second aspect of the present invention provides an article of clothing for an infant, comprising:

a main body to cover the torso; and

sleeves to cover the arms;

wherein the sleeves provide a higher thermal insulation than the main body, both the main body and the sleeves consist of a single layer of fabric, and the fabric of the body and the sleeves is the same fabric type.

When used with a baby sleep bag, the invention can allow a baby' s arms to remain warm, while minimising the risk of the baby overheating.

In an embodiment, the article of clothing comprises legs to cover the infant's legs. The legs may be integral with the main body. Alternatively, the legs may be detachable.

The article of clothing may be selected from a sleepsuit, body suit and pyjama top. A sleep suit typically includes legs, whilst a body suit typically does not; both typically have a poppered crotch fastening to keep the article of clothing in position (alternative fasteners such as buttons may also be used) . The body suit or pyjama top can be used in combination with pyjama trousers, which may have integral feet. The body suit may comprise detachable legs, for example with cooperating fasteners, such as poppers, on the body suit and detachable legs .

The legs may comprise integral feet.

In one embodiment, the sleeves are provided with antiscratch cuffs. In an embodiment, the antiscratch cuffs are fold back cuffs which are arranged to be able to cover the infant's hands, which can prevent the infant from scratching themselves. Whilst a range of natural or synthetic fabrics may be used for the sleeves and main body, natural fabrics have the advantage of good breathability . The sleeves and body may comprise a fabric selected from cotton and bamboo.

The high thermal insulation may be provided in different ways, for example the fabric of the sleeves may have a denser weave or use a thicker yarn (which creates a heavier weight fabric) than the fabric of the main body. Alternatively, either the yarn or fabric of the sleeves or main body may have undergone a

treatment to change its thermal insulation properties, for example the sleeves may comprise brushed fabric (e.g. brushed cotton) and the main body may comprise unbrushed fabric.

The fabric of the sleeves may be heavier weight than the fabric of the main body. In one embodiment, the body is fabricated from a light weight fabric and the sleeves are fabricated from a heavy weight fabric. For example, the fabric of the body may have a weight of 160-200g and the fabric of the sleeves may have a weight of 250-300g.

The higher thermal insulation of the sleeves may be due to more air entrapped between the fibres of the sleeves than the fibres of the main body (per unit area) . In an embodiment, the sleeves comprise fabric in which the yarn or fabric is treated so that it entraps more air per unit area than the fabric or yarn of the main body. The more air that is entrapped between the fibres, the better the fabric is as an insulator of heat. Suitable fabrics for the sleeves comprise fabrics that are thick and soft, as these contain a large proportion of air, and textured fabrics, which spring out after being compressed. In one embodiment, the sleeves comprise a textured fabric (e.g. a brushed fabric) and the main body may comprise an non-textured fabric (e.g. an unbrushed fabric) . For example, the sleeves may comprise brushed cotton and the main body may comprise non- brushed cotton. If the article of clothing of the second aspect further

comprises legs, in all embodiments of the second aspect, the sleeves can provide a higher thermal insulation than both the main body and the legs .

The fabric type of the legs and the fabric type of the body and sleeves can be the same or different. In an embodiment, the fabric of the legs is the same fabric type as that of the body and sleeves. In an embodiment, the fabric of the legs is a different fabric type from the body and sleeves.

In an embodiment, the legs consist of a single layer of fabric.

In an embodiment, the legs consist of a single layer of fabric and the fabric of the legs is the same fabric type as that of the body and sleeves.

In all embodiments of the second aspect, the legs can comprise the same fabric as the body or a different fabric. In an embodiment, the legs comprise the same fabric as the body. In an embodiment, the legs comprise a different fabric from the body .

A third aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing according to the first or second aspect of the invention, in combination with a baby sleep bag.

A fourth aspect of the invention provides a sleep system for an infant, comprising:

a baby sleep bag comprising a receptacle with two arm holes and a neck opening;

an article of clothing comprising a main body to cover the torso and sleeves to cover the arms, wherein the sleeves provide a higher thermal insulation than the main body. In an embodiment, the article of clothing is an article of clothing according to the first aspect of the invention.

In an embodiment, the article of clothing is an article of clothing according to the second aspect of the invention.

Appropriate choice of the fabric tog values helps ensure that the infant's arms remain warm without the infant's core body temperature becoming too high. Any excess heat within the sleep bag can exit through the arm holes of the sleep bag.

In an embodiment, the baby sleep bag has a tog value of 0.5 to 4 tog, or 0.5 to 3.5 tog, or 0.5 to 3 tog, or 0.5 to 2.5 tog, or 1 to 4 tog, or 1 to 3.5 tog, or 1 to 3 tog, or 1 to 2.5 tog, or 1.5 to 4 tog, or 1.5 to 3.5 tog, or 1.5 to 3 tog, or 1.5 to 2.5 tog .

Baby sleep bags generally come in wider age ranges than the articles of clothing. For example, baby sleep bags may come in 0-6 months, 6-18 months, 18-36 months, 3-6 years, and 6-10 years, whereas the articles of clothing typically come in 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years, 5-6 years, 6-7 years, 7-8 years, 8-9 years, and 9-10 years. If detachable sleeves were used on a baby sleep bag, then it would need to come in much smaller age ranges, so that the sleeves fitted properly. The combination of sleeveless sleep bag and sleeved article of clothing allows the age range of the sleeveless sleep bag to be greater. This has the advantage that the more expensive product (baby sleep bag) lasts longer, whilst the cheaper product (the article of clothing) , can be changed more regularly, ensuring the sleeves have a good fit.

In an embodiment, the baby sleep bag has a wider size range than the article of clothing. The baby sleep bag may, for example, have a size range spanning six months, twelve months, eighteen months, two years, three years, or four years, and the article of clothing may, for example, have a size range spanning three months, six months, or one year. The baby sleep bag may have a size range spanning six months and the article of clothing may have a size range spanning three months. The baby sleep bag may have a size range spanning twelve months and the article of clothing may have a size range spanning six months. The baby sleep bag may have a size range spanning eighteen months and the article of clothing may have a size range spanning one year. The baby sleep bag may have a size range spanning two years and the article of clothing may have a size range spanning one year. The baby sleep bag may have a size range spanning three years and the article of clothing may have a size range spanning one year. The baby sleep bag may have a size range spanning four years and the article of clothing may have a size range spanning one year.

The baby sleep bag may comprise an opening and a zip to fasten and unfasten the opening. The zip may open from the bottom of the opening. This prevents the baby or toddler from undoing the zip. The sleep bag may comprise a cover for the zip slider at the bottom of the opening, which prevents the baby or toddler access to the zip slider when the zip is fastened. The cover may be fastened by a popper or other suitable fastener.

The opening may be located at the front of the sleep bag, for example centrally. Alternatively, the opening may be located at the side of the sleep bag. In this case, the sleep bag may be provided with one or more fastenings at one or both shoulders. Thus access can be gained by undoing the zip of the side opening and the one or more fastenings at one or both shoulders .

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", mean "including but not limited to", and do not exclude other components, integers or steps .

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following example. Generally speaking the invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims and drawings) . Thus features, integers, characteristics, described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Moreover unless stated otherwise, any feature disclosed herein may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same or a similar purpose.

Preferred features of the third and fourth aspects of the invention may be as described above in connection with the first or second aspect.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings .

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art baby sleep bag;

Figure 2 illustrates a baby sleep suit;

Figure 3 illustrates a baby body suit;

Figure 4 illustrates a baby body suit with detachable legs; Figure 5 illustrates baby pyjamas; and

Figure 6 illustrates a baby sleep bag. Figures 2 to 5 illustrate different articles of clothing according to the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a sleep suit 20. The sleep suit 20 comprises a main body 22, arms 24 and legs 26, including integral feet 28. Poppers 30 are provided at the front and crotch of the sleep suit in conventional fashion.

In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the main body, legs and integral feet can be made of a single layer of cotton, which can for example be interlock jersey cotton, whilst the sleeves can comprise two outer layers made of cotton, which can for example be single jersey cotton, and an inner layer of insulating material, which can for example be a fire retardant polyester wadding.

In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the main body, legs and integral feet can for example be made of 160-200g jersey cotton whilst the arms can for example be made of 250- 300g brushed cotton.

Figure 3 illustrates a body suit 32 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, which comprises a main body 34 and sleeves 36. The body suit is fastened by poppers 38 at the crotch in convention fashion. In this embodiment, the main body is made of 160-200g jersey cotton, whilst the arms are made of 250-300g brushed cotton.

Figure 4 illustrates a body suit with detachable legs 38. This comprises a body suit 32 as illustrated in Figure 3 with the addition of separate legs 40. The separate legs have integral feet 46. Poppers 42,44 or other fasteners (e.g. buttons or Velcro) are provided around the leg opening of the body suit 32 and at the top of the detachable legs 40, so that when fastened together, a sleepsuit is formed. In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the main body can be made of a single layer of cotton, which can for example be interlock jersey cotton, whilst the sleeves can comprise two outer layers made of cotton, which can for example be single jersey cotton, and an inner layer of insulating material, which can for example be a fire retardant polyester wadding. In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, the main body can be made of 160-200g jersey cotton, whilst the sleeves can be made of 250-300g brushed cotton. In accordance with either aspect, the detachable legs can be made of 160-200g jersey cotton. Whilst in this embodiment the main body and the detachable legs are the same warmth, the fabric could be selected so that the detachable legs could, for example, be less thermally insulating than the main body . Figure 5 illustrates pyjamas comprising the body suit 32 of

Figure 3 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, with pyjama trousers 50. The pyjama trousers 50 have an

elasticated waist 54 to hold them in position and integral feet 52. As with the embodiment illustrated in Fig 3, the main body is made of 160-200g jersey cotton, whilst the arms are made of

250-300g brushed cotton. In this embodiment, the pyjama trousers are made of 160-200g jersey cotton. Whilst in this embodiment the main body and the pyjama trousers are the same warmth, the fabric could be selected so that the pyjama trousers could, for example, be less thermally insulating than the main body.

Whilst all the articles of clothing illustrated in Figures 2 to 5 show an envelope neck, poppers, studs, buttons or flap style openings could also be used.

All of the articles of clothing illustrated in Figs 2-5 are suitable for use with a baby sleep bag, for example as

illustrated in Fig 1. By using a heavy weight fabric for the sleeves and a light weight fabric for the main body, a parent or carer can be confident that when used with a baby sleep bag, the baby' s arms will be warm without the baby' s core temperature becoming too hot. As the sleeves in the articles of clothing of the invention are well fitting, there should be sufficient room for hot air to escape from the sleep bag through its arm holes and there is no risk of the baby re-inhaling its own breath.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative design of baby sleep bag 60 for use with the article of clothing. As with the baby sleep bag of Figure 1, the sleep bag has two arm holes 12 and a neck opening 14. A central opening 62 fastened by a zip is provided for access into the sleep bag. The zip opens from the bottom 64 of the opening, keeping the zip slider (not shown) out of reach of the baby or toddler in the sleep bag. A flap of fabric 66 acts as a cover for the zip slider when the zip is fastened. The fabric flap is rectangular, sewn to the sleep bag on two sides; a popper 68 allows it to be fastened in place.