Field

[0001] The garment described herein relates to an infant garment.

Background

[0002] Many examples of infant garments are known. One example is the SLEEPSACK ^® wearable blanket available from Halo Innovations, Inc. of Minnetonka, Minnesota. Another example is the wearable blanket described in ET.S. Patent 7246392 or the wearable blanket described in ET.S. Patent 8347432.

[0003] Additional examples of infant garments include those disclosed in U.S. Patent 9179711 and in WO 2007/098558. The infant garment in US 9179711 includes wing portions at each shoulder that are intended to receive the infant’s hands and maintain the infant’s arms in a raised position. The infant garment in WO 2007/098558 is described as including pockets to receive the infant’s hands and arms.

Summary

[0004] An infant garment is described that is sized and configured to be worn by an infant. The infant garment has one or more hand/arm restraining mechanism that are suitably positioned on the infant garment to be able to restrain the infant’s hand(s)/arm(s) so that the infant’s hand(s)/arm(s) can be positioned up and next to his/her face and/or head while the infant’s hand(s)/arm(s) remain within the infant garment. For sake of convenience, the language hand/arm restraining mechanism will be shortened to arm restraining mechanism throughout the following description and in the claims.

[0005] The infant garment can include one or more arm restraining mechanisms. In one embodiment, the arm restraining mechanism can be one or more inner pockets located on an inside surface of a front side of the infant garment for secure placement of the infant’s hand(s) in an upward position. In another embodiment, instead of inner pockets, the arm restraining mechanism can be one or more soft cuffs for secure placement of the infant’s hand(s) in the upward position.

[0006] The arm restraining mechanisms can help the placement of the infant’s hand(s) inside the infant garment. The placement of the infant’s hand(s) inside the infant garment allows for self- soothing and helps control the Moro reflex. Moro reflex is an infantile reflex normally present in infants or newborns as a response to a sudden loss of support. Moro reflex typically occurs when, for example, the infant feels as if he/she is falling. In a Moro reflex, the infant would typically spread out the arms (also referred as to“abduction”, the movement of arm(s) away from the midline of the body or from another part), un-spread the arms (also referred as to “adduction”, movement of arm(s) toward the midline of the body or toward another part), or crying. The infant garment is designed with the arm restraining mechanisms (such as inner pockets, soft cuffs, or the like) for holding the infant’s hands up toward his/her face and/or head position to help control the Moro reflex. The hand position of the infant (due to the arm restraining mechanisms) can also help with transitioning from the traditional arms down (at the side of the body) swaddling.

[0007] In one embodiment, the infant garment can be tapered at the waist position thereof to keep the bottom of the body from moving up in the infant garment. The leg(s) area of the infant garment is wide enough for hip development and leg movement. The infant garment can also include a zipper, such as a two-way zipper, on the front thereof for easy dressing and/or diaper changing.

[0008] In one embodiment, the infant garment can further include one or more teethers incorporated into the infant garment, either in addition to the arm restraining mechanisms, or in the infant garment without the arm restraining mechanisms.

[0009] An infant garment described herein can include a front panel and a rear panel defining a space for receiving a body of an infant except for the infant’s head. The front panel and the rear panel define an upper body portion that includes a neck hole. In addition, the front panel and the rear panel define an exterior facing surface that faces away from the space and an interior facing surface that faces toward the space. The infant garment further includes at least one of the following: at least one arm restraining mechanism disposed on the interior facing surface at the upper body portion and/or at least one teether disposed on the exterior facing surface at the upper body portion.

Drawings

[0010] Fig. 1 is a front view of an infant garment according to one embodiment described herein, with a front zipper thereof zipped closed.

[0011] Fig. 2 is a front view of the infant garment of Fig. 1 with the front zipper unzipped, with an infant positioned therein and showing one of the infant’s hands placed in one of the arm restraining mechanisms in the form of an inner pocket.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a front view similar to Figure 2 of another embodiment of an infant garment that uses arm restraining mechanisms in the form of inner cuffs instead of inner pockets.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a back view of the infant garment of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, or Fig. 3

Detailed Description

[0014] Referring to Figures 1 and 4, the infant garment 10 includes a front panel 20 and a rear panel 30 connected to one another. The front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 define a space or pouch for receiving the infant’s body (i.e. the torso, legs and arms) except for the infant’s head as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 can have any construction that is suitable to define the space or pouch to receive the infant with the infant’s neck and head disposed outside the garment 10 as depicted in Figures 2 and 3. For example, in one embodiment, the infant garment 10 can be a one-piece construction where the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 can be initially separate from one another but joined together (for example, by sewing or via other suitable process) along substantially an entire perimeter edge of the garment 10 except for a region that defines a neck hole 18 at a top portion of the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 that allows the infant’s neck to extend through as depicted in Figures 2 and 3. In another embodiment, the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 can be integrally formed whereby the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are not initially separate from one another, but are instead formed from a single piece of material.

[0015] The front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 can be made of any material that is suitable for use with an infant. The material used should be soft and comfortable to wear, safe for the infant, and washable (for example, hand-wash or machine wash). Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to, cotton (organic or non-organic version), polyester, cotton/polyester blends, corduroy, silk, rayon, knits, chambray, tulle, or any suitable infant apparel fabrics.

[0016] The infant garment 10 is illustrated as having an overall“peanut-shape” but other shapes are possible. The garment 10 includes an upper body portion 11, a waist portion 12, a lower body portion 13, and a perimeter edge 22. The upper body portion 11 is big enough to fit the infant’s upper body with both arms/hands in the upward position (see Figures 2 and 3). In addition, the upper body portion 11 is sized so that the infant can move his/her hand(s) and self soothe, but the movement of getting his/her hand(s) towards his/her waist should be limited.

[0017] The waist portion 12 tapers inwardly from the upper body portion 11 and the lower body portion 13 so that the width of the garment 10 at the waist portion 12 is less than the width of the upper body portion 11 and the lower body portion 13. The waist portion 12 provides for a stable fit of the infant’s body within the infant garment 10. In addition, the tapering of the waist portion 12 helps to prevent the infant’s hand(s)/arm(s) from moving to his/her sides and into the lower body portion 13 and/or helps to prevent the infant’s hip and/or leg(s) from moving into the upper body portion 11.

[0018] The lower body portion 13 is configured to be wide enough to permit freedom of movement of the infant’s leg(s) to promote healthy hip development.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the front panel 20 is illustrated as being split into a right or first section 20a and a left or second section 20b. A binding mechanism 14 is provided on the right and left sections 20a, 20b for selectively opening and closing the garment 10 via the right and left sections 20a, 20b. The binding mechanism 14 can be for example, a zipper, buttons, clasps, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or the like. The split of the right and left sections 20a, 20b extends from the neck hole 18 toward the lower body portion 13. In the illustrated example, the split of the right and left sections 20a, 20b extends to near the bottom of the lower body portion 13. The split between the right and left sections 20a, 20b can extend any extent to permit the garment 10 to be sufficiently opened to permit entry and exit of the infant from the interior space or pouch. The binding mechanism 14 selectively controls the opening and closing of the right and left sections 20a, 20b. In one embodiment, when the binding mechanism is closed, the only opening of the infant garment 10 can be the neck hole 18. However, in other embodiments, one or more other openings can be provided in the garment, for example on the rear panel 30.

[0020] The neck hole 18 is illustrated as being positioned in the middle of the garment 10 at the top thereof. The neck hole 18 can have any shape that is suitable to comfortably allow passage of the infant’s neck. Examples of suitable shapes include, but are not limited to, a half-circle, half-oval, oval, or the like. When the binding mechanism 14 is closed, the neck hole 18 is small enough to prevent the infant’s upper body from moving out of the upper body portion 11 of the infant garment 10 through the neck hole 18 and to prevent the infant’s head from moving into the upper body portion 11 of the infant garment 10 through the neck hole.

[0021] In an embodiment where the binding mechanism 14 is a zipper, the zipper can be a two- way zipper (which can also be referred to as dual zipper, double zipper, or two-head zipper) that can be closed or opened in two opposite directions (i.e., from both ends of the two-way zipper). The two-way zipper can allow the right and left sections 20a, 20b to be opened from the neck hole 18 down for entry and exit of the infant, and allow the right and left sections 20a, 20b to be opened starting from the bottom end thereof in a direction toward the neck hole 18 to facilitate dressing of the infant and diaper changes. The opposite parts of the zipper can be sewn into the right and left sections 20a, 20b.

[0022] The binding mechanism 14 is illustrated as being located along the middle of the front panel 20 so that the right and left sections 20a, 20b are symmetrical relative to the line along the binding mechanism 14. However, in other embodiments, the binding mechanism 14 can be positioned at an offset location on the front panel 20 so that the right and left sections 20a, 20b are not symmetrical.

[0023] Referring to Figure 4, the rear panel 30 can be solid with no openings. However, in another embodiment, the rear panel 30 can have a closable opening, for example at the lower body portion 13, to facilitate diaper changing.

[0024] Returning to Figure 2, the infant garment 10 can include one or more arm restraining mechanisms 16. The arm restraining mechanisms 16 are positioned and configured to hold the infant’s hands up toward his/her face and/or head position as shown in Figure 2. Preferably, two arm restraining mechanisms 16 are provided, one for each hand/arm. The arm restraining mechanisms 16 are located on the inside surfaces of the right and left sections 20a, 20b of the front panel 20.

[0025] The arm restraining mechanisms 16 can have any configuration that is suitable for holding the infant’s hands up toward his/her face and/or head position as shown in Figure 2. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the arm restraining mechanisms 16 comprise inner pockets. Figure 2 shows one of the two inner pockets located on the inside or interior surface of the right section 20a of the front panel 20. A similar inner pocket (not visible) is located on the inside or interior surface of the left section 20b of the front panel 20. In this embodiment, the inner pockets can be made of cotton, synthetic, or any suitable material. The inner pockets are configured such that the infant’s hands can be placed inside the two inner pockets as depicted in Figure 2.

[0026] In the illustrated example, each of inner pockets includes an upper end l6a, a left end l6b, a lower end l6c, and a right end l6d. The lower end l6c is an open end through which the infant’s hands, lower arm can be inserted into the pocket. The upper end l6a, the left end l6b, and the right end l6d are closed for example by sewing the ends l6a, l6b, l6d to the inside surface of the respective right or left section 20a, 20b. In the illustrated example, the upper end l6a and the left end l6b can be aligned with the upper seam and the side seam of the infant garment 10, respectively. [0027] The infant’s hand(s) can be placed into the pocket through the open lower end l6c thereof. If desired, an elastic band can be provided at the open lower end l6c of each pocket to restrict the size of the opening at the lower ends l6c. The sizes of the spaces formed by the pockets are big enough so that the infant can still move his/her hands within the pockets and self soothe. However, movement of his/her hands towards his/her waist should be limited.

[0028] Other locations of the pockets other than on the inside surface of the right and left sections 20a, 20b are possible. For example, the pockets could be attached to the inside surface of the rear panel 30, or the pockets could be attached to both the inside surfaces of the right and left sections 20a, 20b as well as to the rear panel 30.

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates a different embodiment of the arm restraining mechanism 16. In this embodiment, instead of the two inner pockets as shown in Figure 2, the arm restraining mechanism 16 comprises two soft cuffs. Figure 3 shows one of the two soft cuffs secured to the inside surface of the right section 20a of the front panel 20. A similar cuff will be disposed on the inside surface of the left section 20b of the front panel 20. Each of the cuffs can be made of, for example, fabric or any suitable material. The cuffs can include some elastic, an elastic polyurethane fabric such as spandex or LYCRA ^® (or any suitable material) for stretch of the cuffs. For each cuff, the ends thereof can be secured to the inside surface, for example by sewing or other form of connection.

[0030] In the illustrated example of Figure 3, each cuff includes a left end l7a, a right end l7b, a lower end l7c, and an upper end l7d. Both the left end l7a and the right end l7b can be fastened to the inside surface. The lower end l7c and the upper end l7d are open so that the infant’s hand and lower arm can pass through as illustrated.

[0031] In use, each of the infant’s hands and lower arm is placed through the two cuffs. For example, the infant’s arms can be positioned so that the cuffs cover the wrists or lower arms of the infant. The cuffs are sized so that the infant can move his/her hands and self soothe but limit the ability of the infant to move his/her hands towards his/her waist. [0032] Other locations of the cuffs other than on the inside surface of the right and left sections 20a, 20b are possible. For example, the cuffs could be attached to the inside surface of the rear panel 30, or the cuffs could be attached to both the inside surfaces of the right and left sections 20a, 20b as well as to the rear panel 30.

[0033] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the infant garment 10 can also include one or more teether(s) 15 attached thereto. The teethers 15 can be used together with the arm restraining mechanisms 16, or used on the garment 10 by themselves without the arm restraining mechanisms 16. In the illustrated example, two teethers 15 are shown. However, the infant garment 10 can include a single one of the teethers 15 or more than two of the teethers 15. The teether(s) 15 can be located anywhere on the infant garment 10 that can be accessed by the infant for sucking/chewing by the infant. In the illustrated example, the teether(s) 15 can be located at or near both upper hand(s) positions (see Figures 2 and 3) on an outer part of the infant garment 10. In one embodiment, the teether(s) 15 can be located at or near the shoulders of the garment 10, at or near the intersection of the side seam and the upper seam of the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30.

[0034] The teether(s) 15 are safe teether(s) for an infant to chew on while wearing the garment 10. The teethers 15 can be made of a material that is different than the material forming the infant garment 10. For example, the teether(s) 15 can be made of BP A (bisphenol A) and/or phthalate-free, food-grade silicone, or any other material that is considered safe for an infant to chew on. The material used for the teethers 15 should meet or exceed all U.S. federal safety requirements, including Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) regulations, and/or the most current Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in both the U.S. and Canada.

[0035] In one embodiment, the teether(s) 15 are integrally attached to the infant garment 10 so that the teether(s) 15 is/are not intended to be removable. For example, the teether(s) 15 can be sewn into the infant garment 10 or otherwise permanently attached to the infant garment 10. In another embodiment, the teether(s) 15 can be removably attached to the infant garment 10, for example using hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, or any other form of removable attachment. The teether(s) 15 can be attached entirely to the front panel 20 or, as illustrated in Figure 4, some or all of the teether(s) 15 can be attached to a portion of the rear panel 30.

[0036] While wearing the garment 10, the infant can move his/her hand(s) inside the arm restraining mechanisms 16 toward his/her face and/or head. The teether(s) 15 are located at or near both upper hand(s) positions on the outer part of the infant garment 10. Thus, the infant is able to use his/her hands and movements of his/her head to bring the teether(s) 15 to his/her mouth for sucking on the teether(s) 15.

[0037] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the teether(s) 15 and/or the arm restraining mechanisms 16 are positioned and configured so that uppermost portions of the teether(s) 15 and/or uppermost portions of the arm restraining mechanisms 16 are aligned with or below a line L which is at or near the neck of the infant. Accordingly, the infant’s hands are retained below the line L. This design/configuration can help to prevent the teether(s) 15 and/or a portion of the infant garment 10 (near the upper portions of the arm restraining mechanisms 16) from covering the infant’s nose (which may cause breathing problem) and/or from touching the infant’s eyes (which may be a safety concern) when the infant moves his/her hand(s) toward his/her face and/or head.

[0038] The infant garment 10 illustrated in Figures 1-4 is devoid of arm holes in the upper body portion 11 thereof. So in the illustrated embodiment, the infant’s arms cannot extend out of the infant garment 10 through arm holes. However, in other embodiments, the infant garment may include arm holes that allow the infant’s arms to extend from the sides of the garment 10 such as found in the SLEEPSACK ^® wearable blanket available from Halo Innovations, Inc. of Minnetonka, Minnesota.

[0039] The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.