U.S. patent application number 12/726771 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for clothes for infants.
Invention is credited to Dominique Aris, Sandra Aris.
Application Number | 20110126337 12/726771 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44067743 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110126337 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aris; Sandra ; et
al. |
June 2, 2011 |
Clothes for Infants
Abstract
An infant or child garment comprising spacer mesh.
Inventors: |
Aris; Sandra; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Aris; Dominique; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Family ID: |
44067743 |
Appl. No.: |
12/726771 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61264932 |
Nov 30, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/75 ;
112/475.09; 2/111; 2/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/067 20130101;
A41D 13/0581 20130101; A41B 13/005 20130101; A41D 13/065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/75 ; 2/80;
2/111; 112/475.09 |
International
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00; D05B 23/00 20060101 D05B023/00 |
Claims
1. An infant or child garment comprising spacer mesh.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein said spacer mesh is provided on
the inner portion of a region selected from the knee region, the
tummy region, the elbow region and the buttock region.
3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the spacer mesh is provided at a
plurality of said regions.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein said spacer mesh is sewn into
the garment.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein said space mesh is sewn to the
outside of the garment.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the spacer mesh is sewn to said
garment at the top and side edges of the mesh.
7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the spacer mesh is tacked to the
garment at the lower edge of the mesh.
8. The garment of claim 1, wherein said spacer mesh is formed with
one layer of the mesh having a pattern selected from honeycomb,
circles, diamonds and squares.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from the
group consisting of a sleepwear, jumper, jumpsuit, pajamas,
rompers, bodysuit, one-piece garment, trouser, pant, sweatpant,
legging, short, skirt, dress, bottom, shirt, tee shirt, sweatshirt,
sweater, jacket, coat, top.
10. A collection of different garments of claim 1.
11. Method of manufacture of a garment comprising attaching fabric
mesh to an infant or child garment.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said attaching is by sewing,
gluing, or soldering.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said sewing comprises tacking of
the fabric mesh at its lower edge to the garment.
14. The garment of claim 2, wherein said spacer mesh is sewn into
the garment.
15. The garment of claim 2, wherein said space mesh is sewn to the
outside of the garment.
16. The garment of claim 2, wherein the spacer mesh is sewn to said
garment at the top and side edges of the mesh.
17. The garment of claim 2, wherein said spacer mesh is formed with
one layer of the mesh having a pattern selected from honeycomb,
circles, diamonds and squares.
18. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from
the group consisting of a sleepwear, jumper, jumpsuit, pajamas,
rompers, bodysuit, one-piece garment, trouser, pant, sweatpant,
legging, short, skirt, dress, bottom, shirt, tee shirt, sweatshirt,
sweater, jacket, coat, top.
19. A collection of different garments of claim 2.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit of Clothes for Infants filed
by Sandra Aris and Dominique Aris U.S. provisional application No.
61/264,932 filed 30 Nov. 2009, the entirety of which including
drawings is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to protective clothing for infants
and children.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As infants begin to develop they start to move. They start
with rolling over and movements on their stomach then crawling,
standing and ultimately walking, running and jumping. An infant's
development may be slowed by injury received learning to perform
the activities mentioned above. Injuries include, but are not
limited to the following: abrasions on the knees and shins from
crawling, impact on the knees, elbows, shoulder and buttocks from
falling when learning to stand, walk, run or jump, and impact with
other objects within the child's environment. The types and
seriousness of the injuries change as an infant (defined as ages
0-2 years; clothing sizes 0 through 24 months) develops into a
child (ages 2-6 years; clothing sizes 2 toddler through 5 toddler,
and 4 kids through 7 kids) and as they grow through various stages
of movement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention described herein relates to improved garments
that will assist in reducing the chance of injury. The invention
particularly relates to use of appropriately located and shaped
padding material, in particular spacer mesh, in infant and
childrens clothing. Such clothing is constructed and arranged such
that the mesh is sewn in a manner to alleviate stress on the fabric
during use, and to provide comfort.
[0005] By incorporating age/activity appropriate protection into
the garment for the infant and child, they will experience less
injury and will therefore learn activities more easily and can
develop more quickly. Since the padding can be incorporated in a
non-intrusive way into the garment, it will constantly protect
them. It is not necessary to put on special clothing (e.g. padded
garments that go over other clothing) or attachments (e.g. knee
pads or elbow pads) which are not always available to protect
during development/learning stages.
[0006] Thus, in a first aspect the invention features spacer mesh
attached to infant and children's garments so key areas of the body
are protected from injury. The attachment method can be performed
using stitching, glue, sonic weld or any other type of construction
which attaches two fabrics together.
[0007] In a second aspect the spacer mesh is attached to the
infant's/children's clothing by sewing the top and sides of the
mesh to the garment, and use of one to many tacks at the bottom
(rather than sewing the bottom as well). Optionally one can include
one or more lines of quilting through the mesh to attach inner
portions of the mesh to the garment. This allows airflow/cooling,
moisture management, improved flexibility, and a better fit/look by
avoiding wrinkles. In preferred embodiments, the infant is from
ages 0-2 years and the clothing sizes are 0 through 24 months; a
child is from age 2-6 years and the clothing sizes are 2 toddler
through 5 toddler, and 4 kids through 7 kids.
[0008] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a system of
age/activity appropriate based protection in a collection of
garments for infant and children which targets injury prone areas
in a specific way. This invention targets all appropriate parts of
the body based on age/activity--not simply just one part. For
example:
[0009] 6 month (crawler)--protection at belly, knee, and
buttocks.
[0010] 12 month (walker)--protection at knee, buttocks, and
elbow.
[0011] 24 month (troublemaker)--protection at knee, buttocks, and
elbow.
[0012] Spacer mesh is used as the padding component in this design
because it is flexible, light-weight, breathable, does not retain
moisture, and is relatively inexpensive, unlike Air Pads, Gel Pads,
Rubber, Honeycomb Padding, EVA, Foam, Additional Layers of Fabric,
and Neoprene.
[0013] The best way to ensure that padding will protect children is
to incorporate it into their everyday clothing. In order to do
this, the fabric needs to be flexible since the primary areas to
protect are joints (knee, elbow, waist and buttock). It must also
be light-weight so that it can be comfortably incorporated into
everyday garments. It must also be breathable so the infant/child
does not overheat or sweat in the padded areas. Since the padding
is permanently fixed to the clothing, it needs to be washer and
dryer safe. Spacer mesh does not retain moisture and will wash and
dry similar to the fabrics it will be attached to. Finally, spacer
mesh is relatively inexpensive which is necessary to achieve an
appropriate sellable price for infant and children's clothing.
[0014] The spacer mesh is attached using stitching on the upper and
both sides of the mesh. For the lower part we use a bar tack only.
This stitching method allows for air flow, moisture management,
increased flexibility, and provides for a better fit which avoids
wrinkling which is uncomfortable and looks bad.
[0015] The specific need for protection changes as an infant/child
develops. Currently products simply attempt to protect one item
(e.g. Infant Crawling Pants, Infant Pants Having Knee Pockets and
replaceable Knee Pads). The present invention looks at the
age/development of the infant/child and incorporates appropriate
protection into garments they would wear everyday. The line of
clothing works so that clothing at 6 months protects activities
appropriate for an infant at that stage of development (e.g. belly,
knee and buttocks for crawling and sitting). At 12 month, the
system adds protection for elbows and drops protection for belly
since the infant crawling is replaced by walking. Each clothing
item in the line protects high priority injury areas covered by the
garment, and when used with other items from our line of clothing
protects all priority high priority areas appropriate for that
age/size.
[0016] Specifically, the invention relates to an infant and child
garment having spacer mesh included therein. Preferably, the spacer
mesh is provided on the inner or outer portion of the garment in
the region selected from the knee region, the tummy region, the
elbow region and the buttock region, and more particularly at a
plurality of those regions. Generally, the spacer mesh is sewn into
the garment, e.g., at the top and side edges of the mesh, and the
spacer mesh is tacked to the garment at the lower edge of the mesh.
The spacer mesh is formed with one layer of the mesh having a
pattern e.g., selected from honeycomb, circles, diamonds and
squares, and the garment is selected from a jumpsuit, pajamas, a
top and a bottom.
[0017] In a related aspect, the invention features a collection of
different garments as above.
[0018] In a further related aspect, the invention features a method
of manufacture of a garment by attaching fabric mesh to an infant
garment, e.g., by sewing, gluing, or soldering, with the sewing
including tacking of the fabric mesh at its lower edge to the
garment.
[0019] As used herein, the term fabric mesh is as used in the art
to refer to the trilayer structure formed generally as shown in
FIG. 9 with two outside planar sheets held together by a generally
thicker sandwich layer of elastomeric and collapsible material.
Those in the art will recognize that such materials are commonly
used in shoes, mattresses and other structures but to date have not
been used in infant garments. The structure of the planar sheets
can be the same or different and will provide different properties.
The pattern on such sheets allows the material to be more
breathable and provides some rigidity, for example in the shapes
noted above.
[0020] When referring to the mesh herein, the top part refers to
that located closer to the top of a garment when worn, and the
bottom and sides correspond to the bottom edge compared to the top,
with the sides therebetween. The shape of the mesh is generally
aligned with the shape of the garment and body portion as shown in
exemplary form in the drawings. For example the elbow region will
have a generally rectangular mesh on the outside of the elbow
extending about half way to the shoulder on the one side and the
wrist on the other. Similarly in the knee region the mesh is also
generally rectangular and applied from a region near the top of the
legs to a region half way between the knee and the ankle. For the
buttocks the mesh is generally rectangular with cut out in the
groin area, and is applied from just around the waist region to the
top of the legs. Finally in the tummy region the mesh is generally
rectangular with a more triangular portion nearer to the groin
region and is applied from near the tummy button region to the area
above the groin. Such mesh will extend a large part of the width of
the garment to about half way or three quarters of the way to the
side seams of the garment.
[0021] With regard to the sewing that is preferably used such
sewing can be in any preferred stitch to allow solid holding of the
mesh in place, or may have some flexibility to allow slight
movement of the fabric within the garment. In those areas where
there is extended mesh used such stitching can be used not just at
the edges of the mesh but also in parallel or other sections to
provide more flexibility to the fabric during use. This is
illustrated for example in FIG. 11 in both the arm and buttock
regions. The lower stitching of the mesh is preferably using tack
stitches so that more flexibility is provided to the garment, as
shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 2. Such stitching provides a
specific look to the garment and specific designs which also form
part of the inventions herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a three dimensional front, top and side view of an
infant/child's pajama according to the invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a back view of an infant/child's pajama according
to the invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view being shown inside out of an
infant/child's pajama according to the invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a back view being shown inside out of an
infant/child's pajama according to the invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken from line 64 of FIG. 3
showing the attachment of spacer mesh to the inner surface of an
infant/child's pajama.
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed sectional view of spacer
mesh.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a front view of spacer mesh taken from line 91 of
FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a back view of spacer mesh taken from line 90 of
FIG. 6.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a sectional view picture of spacer mesh.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a printout of various examples of spacer mesh
known in the art.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a back view of an infant/child's bodysuit
according to the invention.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a three dimensional front, top and side view of
an infant/child's t-shirt according to the invention.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a three dimensional front, top and side view of
an infant/child's pants according to the invention.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a back view of an infant/child's pants according
to the invention.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a three dimensional front, top and side view of
an infant/child's pajama according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] The diagrams used herein is intended to illustrate examples
of garments for infants and children that cover the legs, arms,
tummy, or buttock of infants or children, such as pajamas,
bodysuits, t-shirts, pants, bibbed overalls and the like. These
diagrams are intended as examples; the invention is intended to
encompass any infant or child garment with spacer mesh.
[0038] The diagrams used herein only show one size of each garment,
but is intended to encompass any size of garment for infants and
children.
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates the front, top and side views of the
outside of an infant/child pajama 10. The elbow (the area from just
below the shoulder to just above the wrist spanning 3/4 of the
circumference of the outer portion of the arm 11, shows the general
area where the spacer mesh to pad the elbow is attached to the
inside of the pajama for protection. On the top part of the elbow
area two rows of stitching appear through the fabric 14, 15 which
show where the padding is attached to the pajama fabric 16.
Depending on the size of the elbow pad, these lines could appear
either higher or lower on the arm 19 of the pajama. The side of the
padding is attached to the inside front arm of the pajama by seam
17. The padding is attached at the lower point by two bar tacks 18.
It is also possible to use more than two bar tacks. The bar tacks
(rather than a solid stitching) on the bottom of the elbow pad
allows for air flow, moisture management, increased flexibility,
and provides for a better fit which avoids wrinkling which is
uncomfortable and looks bad.
[0040] The buttock (the area between the waist upper thigh on the
back half of an infant or child) 12, shows the general area where
the spacer mesh to pad the buttock is attached to the inside of the
pajama for protection. On the outer portion of the padded area,
stitching appears through the pajama showing where the padding on
the inside of the pajama is attached 20. On the top of the padded
area, 2 stitch lines are used to ensure the padding as anchored
securely 27.
[0041] The knee (the area between the upper thigh and lower shin on
the front 3/4 of the circumference of the leg) 13, shows the
general area where the spacer mesh to pad the knee is attached to
the inside of the pajama for protection. On the top part of the
knee area two rows of stitching appear through the fabric 21, 22
which show where the padding is attached to the pajama fabric 16.
Depending on the size of the knee pad, these lines could appear
either higher or lower on the leg 23 of the pajama. It is important
that the protection cover the knee and shin area to prevent injury
when crawling, or for falls when learning to walk, run or jump. The
side of the padding is attached to the outside of the leg of the
pajama by seam 24. The padding is attached at the lower point by
two bar tacks 25, 26. It is also possible to use more than two bar
tacks. The bar tacks (rather than a solid stitching) on the bottom
of the elbow pad allows for air flow, moisture management,
increased flexibility, and provides for a better fit which avoids
wrinkling. The bar tack stitching method is represented in the
diagram in a exemplary way, but is intended to represent all types
of stitching that would create a bar tack to anchor spacer mesh to
the garment fabric. Such bar tacks are also shown in other Figs
herein, e.g., FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, and 15.
[0042] Another attachment method can be used to attach the spacer
mesh to the inside fabric of the pajama, in which cases stitching
14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 and bar tacks 18, 25 and 26 may not appear on
the outside of the garment.
[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates the back of an infant/child pajama 40.
The elbow 41 shows the general area where the spacer mesh to pad
the elbow is attached to the inside of the pajama for protection.
On the top part of the elbow area two rows of stitching appear
through the fabric 42 and 43 which show where the padding is
attached to the pajama fabric 44. The side of the padding is
attached to the outside back arm of the pajama at seam 45. The
padding is attached at the lower point by two bar tacks 46, 47.
[0044] The buttock 48 shows the general area where the spacer mesh
to pad the buttock is attached to the inside of the pajama for
protection. On the outer portion of the padded area, stitching
appears through the pajama showing where the padding on the inside
of the pajama is attached 49. On the top of the padded area, 2
stitch lines are used to ensure the padding as anchored securely
50.
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates the back view of an infant/child's pajama
60 according to the invention. The elbow 61 shows the general area
where the spacer mesh to pad the elbow will be attached to the
inside of the pajama for protection. From the front of the pajama,
the front edge 65 of the elbow padding is visible as it wraps
approximately 3/4 of the circumference of the arm.
[0046] The spacer mesh to pad the knee 62 is shown attached to the
inside leg 63 of the pajama. The padding is represented in this
figure is a specific shape or size, but may be done in any shape or
any size. The outside edge of the padding 66 is visible outside
stitching lines 67, 68.
[0047] The inside of the garment can be lined so that a layer of
fabric is attached to the inside of the padding so the infant/child
will not directly come in contact with the spacer mesh, as it may
not be comfortable next to the skin.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates the back view being shown inside out of
an infant/child's pajama 70 according to the invention. The spacer
mesh 71 to pad the elbow is shown attached to the inside arm 72 of
the pajama. Spacer mesh 73 to pad the buttock is shown attached to
the inside buttock area 74 of the pajama. The padding is
represented in this figure in a specific shape or size, but may be
done in any shape or any size.
[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view taken from line 64 of
FIG. 3 showing the attachment of spacer mesh 81 to the inner
surface of an infant/child's pajama 80. The upper stitching 82
shows the upper attachment of the mesh to the pajama using two
horizontal stitch lines. The bar tack 83 shows the lower
attachment, but does not extent the entire length of the lower
portion of the padding.
[0050] The attachment method represented in this diagram uses
stitching, but is intended to encompass any method which attaches
two fabrics together such as adhesive, sonic weld, etc.
[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed sectional view of spacer mesh.
Spacer mesh is 3d knitted fabric. It is constructed by connecting
two flat mesh panels 90, 91 with a fabric placed between the mesh
panels 92 to create space, breathability and cushioning between the
two mesh panels.
[0052] The two flat panels are constructed in a mesh pattern to
ensure both the front and back surfaces of the spacer mesh is
breathable. The fabric placed between the mesh panels is porous,
provides cushioning and comfort. The thickness of spacer mesh
varies from 2 mm to 30 mm and is usually made from 100%
polyester.
[0053] Spacer mesh is also known by a number of other names
including, but not limited to; air mesh, sandwich mesh, 3d mesh
fabric, spacer fabric, and XD-spacer fabric. It is commonly used in
sporting goods, athletic shoes, back pack straps and back supports,
outdoor products; mattress pads, cushions, car seats, and pillows.
Spacer mesh has not previously been used as padding in infant
clothing, particularly as shown herein.
[0054] Examples of factories who construct spacer mesh include but
are not limited to; Jinntex Technical Textiles Co., Ltd in
Zhongshan City, China, D.W. Mesh in Jiangsu, China, and Tsuen Lin
Industrial, Co. LTD in Yun Lin Hsien Taiwan. R.O.C.
[0055] FIG. 7 is a front view of spacer mesh taken from line 91 of
FIG. 6. The mesh panel is constructed to ensure the fabric is
breathable, flexible and light-weight. Spacer mesh can have any
number of patterns on the front and back surface. This diagram
represents one possible pattern, and can be any pattern.
[0056] FIG. 8 is a back view of spacer mesh taken from line 90 of
FIG. 6. The mesh panel is constructed to ensure the fabric is
breathable, flexible and light-weight. Spacer mesh can have any
number of patterns on the front and back surface. This diagram
represents one possible pattern, and can encompass any pattern.
[0057] FIG. 9 is a sectional view picture of spacer mesh. It is a
detailed picture of a manufactured product available for purchase
within the category of spacer mesh.
[0058] FIG. 10 is a printout of an internet search for spacer mesh
representing many different manufactures and products within the
category of spacer.
[0059] FIG. 11-15 represents other embodiments of the invention.
Specifically, there is shown an elbow mesh region in FIGS. 11, 12,
15, knee region in FIGS. 13, 15, buttock region in FIGS. 11, 13,
14, 15.
[0060] FIG. 11 illustrates the back view of an infant/child's
bodysuit 102 according to the invention. In this example, optional
anchor stitch lines 100 101 are used to attach the spacer mesh to
the bodysuit. This will be required in all embodiments of the
invention where the size of the garment and spacer mesh becomes
large enough that the top stitch 103, side stitch 104, and bar tack
105 do not adequately secure the mesh. While the optional anchor
stitch lines represented in this illustration are 2, they could be
1 to many, and could be used on the knee and buttock padding as
well as the elbow as represented.
[0061] FIG. 15 illustrates the front, top and side view of an
infant/child's pajama 110 as an alternate embodiment of the
invention. The elbow pad 111, buttock pad 112 and knee pad 113 are
attached to the outside of the pajama instead of the inside as
represented in the previous figures. This alternate embodiment of
the invention is only illustrated in an infant/child pajama, but
can be used for any infant/child garment that covers the elbow,
buttock or knee.
[0062] Other embodiments are within the following claims.
* * * * *