U.S. patent application number 12/256093 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for zipper systems for infant sleepwear.
Invention is credited to Cynthia Wise.
Application Number | 20090293169 12/256093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41377906 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090293169 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wise; Cynthia |
December 3, 2009 |
ZIPPER SYSTEMS FOR INFANT SLEEPWEAR
Abstract
Two individual zipper systems for infant's and children's
clothing such as onesies and sleepwear include a straight zipper
system and a curved zipper system.
Inventors: |
Wise; Cynthia; (Carmel,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TAFT STETTINIUS & HOLLISTER LLP
ONE INDIANA SQUARE, SUITE 3500
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
41377906 |
Appl. No.: |
12/256093 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61058063 |
Jun 2, 2008 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/80 ; 2/243.1;
2/83 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/005 20130101;
A41B 2300/322 20130101; A41D 2300/322 20130101; A41D 10/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/80 ; 2/83;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00; A41D 10/00 20060101 A41D010/00; A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. An article of children's or infant's clothing or sleepwear
comprising: a fabric body having a neckline and an ankle area; and
a zipper apparatus including: a track incorporated in the fabric
body and extending from a first end to a second end, the first end
being openable and being disposed at the neckline, the second end
being closed and being disposed at the ankle area; and first and
second independently moveable zipper pulls coupled to the
track.
2. The article of claim 1 wherein the zipper track is disposed on a
front side of the fabric body.
3. The article of claim 1 wherein the first zipper pull is
configured to hold the first end of the track closed when the first
zipper pull is disposed at the first end.
4. The article of claim 1 wherein the zipper track is substantially
linear.
5. The article of claim 1 further comprising a fabric cover having:
a first end attached to a first area of the fabric body; and a
second end coupleable to a second area of the fabric body such that
the fabric cover covers the first end of the track, the first and
second areas of the fabric being disposed on opposite sides of the
track.
6. The article of claim 1 further comprising a fabric cover having:
a first end attached to a first area of the fabric body; and a
second end attached to a second area of the fabric body such that
the fabric cover covers the second end of the track, the first and
second areas of the fabric being disposed on opposite sides of the
track.
7. An article of children's or infant's clothing or sleepwear
comprising: a fabric body having a neckline and an ankle area; a
zipper apparatus including: a track incorporated in the fabric body
and extending from a first end to a second end, the first end being
openable and being disposed at the neckline, the second end being
closed and being disposed at the ankle area; and first and second
independently moveable zipper pulls coupled to the track; a first
fabric cover having: a first end attached to a first area of the
first fabric body; and a second end coupleable to a second area of
the first fabric body such that the first fabric cover covers the
first end of the track, the first and second areas of the fabric
being disposed on opposite sides of the track; and a second fabric
cover having: a first end attached to a third area of the fabric
body; and a second end attached to a fourth area of the fabric body
such that the second fabric cover covers the second end of the
track, the third and fourth areas of the fabric being disposed on
opposite sides of the track.
8. The article of claim 7 wherein the zipper track is disposed on a
front side of the fabric body.
9. The article of claim 7 wherein the first zipper pull is
configured to hold the first end of the track closed when the first
zipper pull is disposed at the first end.
10. The article of claim 7 wherein the zipper track is
substantially linear.
11. The article of claim 7 wherein the first fabric cover is
configured to selectively allow access to the first zipper pull at
the first end of the track.
12. The article of claim 7 wherein the first and second ends of the
second fabric cover comprise right and left side ends, the second
fabric cover having top and bottom end that are unattached to the
fabric body.
13. The article of claim 12 wherein the second fabric cover and the
fabric body define a channel therebetween, the channel being sized
to receive therein only a single adult finger.
14. The article of claim 12 wherein the top end of the second
fabric cover is about one inch above the second end of the track,
and the bottom end of the second fabric cover is about one inch
below the second end of the track.
15. The article of claim 7 wherein the first and second ends of the
second fabric cover comprise right and left side ends, the second
fabric cover having a top end unattached to the fabric body and a
bottom end attached to the fabric body.
16. An article of children's or infant's clothing or sleepwear
comprising: a fabric body having first and second ankle areas and a
crotch area; and a zipper apparatus including: a track incorporated
in the fabric body and extending through the crotch area from a
first end to a second end, the first end being closed and being
disposed at the first ankle area, the second end being closed and
being disposed at the second ankle area; and a zipper pull coupled
to the track.
17. The article of claim 16 further comprising a fabric cover
having: a first end attached to a first area of the fabric body;
and a second end coupleable to a second area of the fabric body
such that the fabric cover covers the first end of the track, the
first and second areas of the fabric being disposed on opposite
sides of the track.
18. The article of claim 17 wherein the fabric cover is configured
to selectively allow access to the zipper pull at the first end of
the track.
19. The article of claim 17 wherein the first and second ends of
the fabric cover comprise right and left side ends, the fabric
cover having top and bottom end that are unattached to the fabric
body.
20. The article of claim 16 wherein the zipper apparatus includes a
second track incorporated in the fabric body and extending between
a first end and a second end, the first end being open and being
disposed at a neckline, the second end being closed and being
disposed at a midsection of the fabric body.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application 61/058,063 filed Jun. 2, 2008, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this
invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of embodiments of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0003] FIG. 1: is a front orthographic view of the invention
10.
[0004] FIG. 1A: is a detailed view of the neckline shown in FIG.
1.
[0005] FIG. 1B: is a detailed view of the left ankle shown in FIG.
1.
[0006] FIG. 2: is a second alternative, front orthographic view of
the invention 10.
[0007] FIG. 3: is a third alternative, front orthographic view of
the invention 10.
[0008] FIG. 3A: is a detailed view of the left ankle shown in FIG.
1.
[0009] FIG. 4: is a fourth alternative, front orthographic view of
the invention 10.
DESCRIPTION LIST
[0010] 10: is the overall invention. [0011] 12: is the one piece
garment. [0012] 14: are the infant pants. [0013] 16: is the blanket
sleepwear. [0014] 18: is the two way zipper. [0015] 20: is the one
way zipper. [0016] 22: is the protective fabric flap with snap
closure. [0017] 23: is the protective fabric cover. [0018] 24: is
the separating end of a zipper track. [0019] 26: is the top zipper
pull. [0020] 28: is the bottom zipper pull. [0021] 30: is the
closed end of a zipper track. [0022] 32: is the closed end without
a protective fabric flap. [0023] 34: is the left ankle of the
garment. [0024] 36: is the right ankle of the garment. [0025] 38:
is the neckline of the garment. [0026] 40: is the crotch of the
garment. [0027] 42: is the zipper track.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present invention is two individual zipper systems for
infant and children's clothing. The first system, I will call the
"Straight Zip" system, and the second system, I will call the
"Curved Zip" system.
[0029] The "Straight Zip" system comprises the following elements:
[0030] Infant or children's one piece footed sleeper 12 or other
garment, washable or dry clean only fabric, preferably washable
fabric such as cotton, nylon, polyester, or blends of the
aforementioned, or fire resistant material per US Consumer Products
Safety Commission guidelines [0031] Custom two way zipper 18, that
is, one zipper track 42 with two zipper pulls 26 and 28 originating
at opposite ends and opening from opposite ends and comprising one
separating end 24 and one closed end 30. [0032] A protective fabric
flap 22, with a snap or Velcro closure, at the neckline 38 where
the first or top zipper pull 26 rests at a separating end 24.
[0033] A protective fabric cover 23, at the ankle where the second
or bottom zipper pull 28 rests at a closed end 30 at the left ankle
34.
[0034] These elements are related as follows: As shown in FIGS. 1,
1A, and 1B, the one piece garment 12, commonly known as a footed
sleeper, incorporates a custom, two way zipper 18 along the front
towards the left side. This custom, two way zipper 18 is comprised
of one zipper track 42 with two zipper pulls 26 and 28 originating
at opposite ends and opening from opposite ends. One zipper pull 26
originates and separates at the middle front of neckline 38. The
zipper pull 26 unzips and opens from the top of the garment 12 down
to the left ankle 34 meeting the second zipper pull 28. The zipper
pull 26 will reverse direction and close back to the neckline 38.
The zipper pull 26 enables the zipper track 42 to completely
separate at the neckline 38 or separating end 24; i.e. in the same
manner as a jacket or hooded sweatshirt zipper. The second zipper
pull 28 originates approximately one inch upward from the bottom of
the left ankle 34 of the garment. This end of the zipper track 42
is a closed end 30; known in the industry as a closed bottom, and
will not separate. The zipper pull 28 travels on the same zipper
track 42 as the first or top zipper pull 26. The zipper pull 28
will open the two way zipper 18 by pulling up towards the neckline
38, while the closed end 30, where the zipper track42 originates,
will remain together; i.e. the zipper end of a V-neck zipper on a
pull over sweatshirt. Once closed and reversed back to its original
position, the zipper pull 28 will stop and rest at a closed end 30.
A protective fabric flap 22 is located at the neckline 38 where the
first or top zipper pull 26 rests. The protective flap 22 is a
rectangular or square piece of fabric that is the same material as
the garment 12. The protective flap 22 opens to allow access to the
zipper pull 26. The protective flap bridges the zipper track 42.
The protective flap 22 is sewn to the garment 12 on its right side
and has a snap closure or Velcro closure on its left side to enable
the caregiver access. The protective fabric flap 22 is used to
cover the zipper pull 26 so it is not exposed and accessible by the
infant. An additional protective fabric cover 23 is located at the
left ankle end 34 where the second zipper pull 28 rests and the
zipper track 42 terminates at the closed end 30. The protective
fabric cover 23 is a rectangular or square piece of fabric made of
the same material as the garment 12. The protective fabric cover 23
is sewn to the garment 12 on its right and left side, but not at
its top or bottom ends. The protective fabric cover remains open at
its top and bottom ends to enable the caregiver to reach in a
finger to either push up or pull up the zipper pull 28. The
protective fabric cover 23 bridges the zipper track 42. The
protective fabric cover 23 is used to keep the zipper pull 28 from
being exposed to and accessible by the infant. The protective
fabric cover 23 will allow access of one adult finger. The
protective fabric cover 23 will extend far enough, e.g., one inch,
past the closed end 30 of zipper pull 28 at the top and bottom so
that it is not easily reached by an infant's fingers.
[0035] Further, this invention 10 may also be used on additional
infant and children's garments including, but not limited to, as
shown in FIG. 2, a blanket sleeper 16, and not shown, non-footed
pajamas, and coveralls or one piece rompers not intended for
sleepwear.
[0036] It should be further noted, the protective fabric cover 23
at the left ankle end 34 may be replaced by a protective fabric
flap 22 with a snap or Velcro closure. The protective fabric cover
23 may also be replaced by a protective fabric pocket, wherein the
piece of rectangular or square fabric is sewn on its right and left
side and on its bottom end. One or both of the protective fabric
flap 22 and protective fabric cover 23 may be eliminated. The
protective fabric flap 22 and protective fabric cover 23 are
recommended and described herein as a safety feature to keep the
zipper pulls 26 and 28 from being possible choking hazards when
exposed to and accessible by the infant.
[0037] It should be further noted, the two way zipper 18 described
on the garment 12 indicates the closed end 30 at the left ankle 34.
However, this two way zipper 18 may be designed to have the closed
end 30 on the right side ankle 36.
[0038] It should be further noted, the weight, size, brand and
material of the two way zipper 18 depends on the fabric used in
each garment design. It is for that reason that these specifics are
not indicated.
[0039] Finally, the two way zipper 18 described in this invention
is not readily available, but is used on some clothing and other
items. Depending on the garment specifications, this two way zipper
18 will need to be custom made. The invention 10 is the manner in
which this two way zipper 18 is being described for specific use on
the infant sleeper 12, blanket sleeper 16 and additional garments
listed, but not shown.
[0040] The "Curved Zip" System comprises the following
elements:
[0041] Infant or children's pants 14 or other garment, washable or
dry clean only fabric, preferably washable fabric such as cotton,
nylon, polyester, or blends of the aforementioned, or fire
resistant material per US Consumer Products Safety Commission
guidelines.
[0042] Common one way zipper 20, that is, one zipper track 42 with
one zipper pull 28 and opening from one end only, but comprising
two closed ends 30 and 32.
[0043] A protective fabric cover 23, at the left ankle 34 where the
zipper pull 28 rests at the closed end 30.
[0044] These elements are related as follows: As shown in FIGS. 3
and 3A, the garment commonly known as infant and children's pants
14 or bottoms, incorporates a common one way zipper 20, which is,
one zipper track 42 with one zipper pull 28 and opening from one
end only at the left ankle 34 and comprised of two closed ends 30
and 32. The zipper pull 28 originates approximately one inch upward
from the bottom of garment's 14 left side ankle 34. This closed end
30 of the zipper track 42 will not separate. The zipper pull 28
rests at the left side ankle 34 when the one way zipper 20 is in
the closed position. The zipper pull 28 unzips and opens from the
left side ankle 34, up through the crotch 40 and to approximately
one inch upward of the right side ankle 36. Each ankle end is a
closed end 30 and 32, that is, it will not separate; i.e. in the
same manner as a zipper on a duffel bag. A protective fabric cover
23 is located at the left side ankle 34 where the zipper pull 28
rests. The protective fabric cover 23 is a rectangular or square
piece of fabric made of the same material as the garment 14. The
protective fabric cover 23 is sewn to the garment 14 on its right
and left side, but not at top and bottom ends. The protective
fabric cover remains open at its top and bottom ends to enable the
caregiver to reach in a finger to either push up or pull up the
zipper pull 28. The protective fabric cover 23 bridges the zipper
track 42. The protective fabric cover 23 is used to keep the zipper
pull 28 from being exposed to and accessible by the infant. The
protective fabric cover 23 will allow access of one adult finger.
The protective fabric cover 23 will extend far enough past the
closed end 30 of zipper pull 28 at the top and bottom so that it is
not easily reached by an infant's fingers.
[0045] Further, this invention 10 may also be used on any type of
infant and children's garments regardless of material, including,
but not limited to, as shown in FIG. 4 a one-piece footed or
non-footed sleeper, and not shown, coveralls, overalls and one
piece rompers not intended for sleepwear. If used on a one piece
garment 12, this one way zipper 20 is located on the leg or pant
portion of the garment 12. The top half or chest portion of the
garment might incorporate, but is not limited to, an additional,
i.e., second, one way zipper 20 originating at the neckline 38 and
ending with a closed end 32 at the mid-chest of the garment 12, or
snaps originating at the neckline 38 and ending mid-chest.
[0046] It should be further noted, the protective fabric cover 23
at the closed end 30 of the left ankle 34 may be replaced by a
protective fabric flap 22 with a snap or Velcro closure. The
protective fabric cover 23 may also be replaced by a protective
fabric pocket, wherein the piece of rectangular or square fabric is
sewn on its right and left side and on its bottom end. The
protective fabric cover 23 may be eliminated. The protective fabric
cover 23 is recommended and described herein as a safety feature to
keep the zipper pulls 26 and 28 from being possible choking hazards
when exposed to and accessible by the infant.
[0047] It should be further noted, the weight, size, brand and
material of the zipper 20 depends on the fabric used in each
garment design. It is for that reason that these specifics are not
indicated.
[0048] It should be further noted, the one way zipper 20 described
on the garment 14 originates at the left ankle 34. However, this
one way zipper 20 may also originate from the right side ankle
36.
[0049] Finally, the one way zipper 20 described in this invention
10 is readily available, and is used on many clothing and other
items. The invention 10 is the manner in which this one way zipper
20 is being described for specific use on infant and children
clothing listed.
[0050] The "Straight Zip" system is unique in that no other infant
or children's one piece footed or non-footed sleeper, blanket
sleeper, coveralls or one-piece rompers or other infant or
children's garments, regardless of material, incorporate a two way
zipper system. This two way zipper design is an improvement to
traditional existing straight zippered and snapped sleepers, which
allows for additional ease when changing the diaper on an infant or
diaper age child. The separating zipper at the neckline enables the
garment to be laid open, the infant or child placed on top of the
garment in the opening, their arms and legs fitted easily into each
arm and leg opening, then zipped or closed up. The unique and
integral component of the "Straight Zip", the additional zipper
pull at the ankle, allows the caregiver the option of unzipping or
opening the garment from the bottom end only. Changing a diaper
becomes easier, and only the legs will be exposed. In conclusion,
the traditional straight zipper from the neckline to the ankle on
infant and children's garments lack an additional zipper pull at
the ankle allowing the option of unzipping or opening the garment
from the bottom end only. Additionally, a traditional snap system
is cumbersome and difficult to align in an efficient manner,
especially if the infant or child is moving during the diaper
change. If the caregiver prefers midnight or early morning diaper
changes, done in the dark so as not to stimulate the child, snaps
are even harder to manage.
[0051] The "Curved Zip" system is unique in that no other infant or
children's pants, one piece footed or non footed sleeper, blanket
sleepers, coveralls or one-piece rompers, or other infant or
children's garments, regardless of material, incorporate a zipper
from one ankle to the opposite ankle through the crotch area. The
"Curved zip" system is an improvement to traditional snapped leg
and crotch sleepers, and other infant and children's garments, that
allows for ease of diaper changing on an infant or diaper aged
child. By replacing snapped leg and crotch closures with a single
zipper from ankle to ankle, opening and closing of the garment for
access to the diaper area becomes an efficient, more easily managed
movement. In conclusion, the traditional snap system is cumbersome
and difficult to use and align in an efficient manner when an
infant or child is moving. Additionally, if the caregiver prefers
midnight or early morning diaper changes, done in the dark so as
not to stimulate the child, snaps are even harder to manage.
[0052] The embodiments hereinafter disclosed are not intended to be
exhaustive or limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in
the following description. Rather the embodiments are chosen and
described so that others skilled in the art may utilize its
teachings.
[0053] While this invention has been described as having an
exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains.
* * * * *