U.S. patent application number 14/380994 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-01 for sleeping bag for infants and children.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hana-Lia Krawchuk. Invention is credited to Hana-Lia Krawchuk.
Application Number | 20150000036 14/380994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49081461 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150000036 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krawchuk; Hana-Lia |
January 1, 2015 |
Sleeping Bag for Infants and Children
Abstract
A new or improved ventilation system for an infant sleeping bag
that overcomes the problem of inadequate ventilation while wholly
containing the legs within the sleeping bag and reducing the risk
of providing pressure points. The invention also provides a new or
alternative sleeping bag for infants and young children with an
improved air ventilation system, a new or alternative sleep garment
for infants and children, and a new or improved ventilation system
for sleeping bags generally.
Inventors: |
Krawchuk; Hana-Lia;
(Waterloo, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Krawchuk; Hana-Lia |
Waterloo |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
49081461 |
Appl. No.: |
14/380994 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
February 28, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2013/000178 |
371 Date: |
August 26, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/413R ;
5/421 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/08 20130101; A41B
13/06 20130101; A47C 21/046 20130101; A47G 9/083 20130101; A41D
11/00 20130101; A41B 2400/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/413.R ;
5/421 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/08 20060101
A47G009/08; A47C 21/04 20060101 A47C021/04; A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2012 |
AU |
2012900777 |
Claims
1. A ventilation system for a sleeping bag comprising: (a) a first
vent; (b) a second vent; said first and second vents being
positioned in opposing portions of fabric, the opposing portions of
fabric defining an interior for accommodating a person.
2. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein each of said first
and second vents comprises an air-permeable panel secured to said
opposing portions of fabric such that the air-permeable panel
secures said opposing portions of fabric together at each vent.
3. The ventilation system of claim 2 wherein said air-permeable
panel includes a panel of an air-permeable material.
4. The ventilation system of claim 3 wherein the air-permeable
material is from any one of the following groups: (a) a mesh
fabric; (b) an open-weave fabric; (c) a sheer fabric; (d)
criss-cross laces of any material.
5. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein said opposing
portions of fabric are is one or more of the following: (a) an
outer layer of fabric (b) an inner lining.
6. The ventilation system of claim 1 wherein: (a) the first vent is
positioned in a front portion of the sleeping bag, the front
portion intended to be positioned against a person's front and
front of the legs; (b) the second vent is positioned in a back
portion of a sleeping bag, the back portion intended to be
positioned against a person's back and back of the legs, wherein
each said first and second vents is positioned in a central part of
said front or back portions, the central part being any part of the
front or back portions other than an edge.
7. The ventilation system of claim 6 wherein said vents positioned
in a central part of said front or back portions, respectively, are
further positioned in one or more of the following ways: (a) a
first vent is positioned on an upper portion of said sleeping bag,
said upper portion being the portion of the sleeping bag for
accommodating a person's body, and a second vent is positioned in a
lowermost portion of the sleeping bag, the lowermost portion being
the portion of the sleeping bag for accommodating a person's lower
legs; (b) a first vent is positioned on one side of the sleeping
bag and a second vent is positioned on an opposing side of the
sleeping bag.
8. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein each said vent is an
opening of a shape and dimension capable of allowing air to enter
or escape said interior.
9. The ventilation system of claim 8 wherein said opening comprises
one of the following: (a) a slit of any shape; (b) a hole of any
shape.
10. The ventilation system of claim 9, wherein said slit runs in
one or more of the following directions in said central part of a
front or back portion: (a) horizontally; (b) vertically; (c)
diagonally; (d) spirally.
11. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said
vents is from one of the following groups: (a) an elongate-shaped
vent positioned diagonally across a front or back portion; (b) an
L-shaped vent positioned down and across a front or back
portion.
12. The ventilation system of claim 11 wherein said elongate-shaped
vent is of sufficient length to extend a significant proportion of
a person's torso accommodated in said interior.
13. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein each said first and
second vents is moveable between an open state and a closed
state.
14. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein each said vent is
moveable to a closed state through a vent closing means.
15. The ventilation system of claim 14 wherein the vent closing
means is one or more of the following: (a) a zip; (b) corresponding
sections of hook and loop fastener; (c) one or more press studs;
(d) one or more buttons; (e) a number of corresponding hooks and
eyes; (f) a flap of fabric.
16. The ventilation system of claim 15 wherein the zip is a
concealed zip.
17. The ventilation system of claim 14 wherein the vent closing
means is a flap of fabric and the flap is openable by lifting said
flap away from said vent, and wherein securing said flap in a
lifted position using fastening means maintains said vent in an
open state.
18. A sleeping bag comprising: (a) opposed front and back portions,
the front and back portions defining an interior for accommodating
a person; and (b) a ventilation system comprising at least one
vent.
19. A sleeping bag comprising: (a) an outer shell; (b) a
ventilation system according to any one of claim 1 to claim 17.
20. The sleeping bag of claim 18, wherein the sleeping bag further
includes a shortening means to restrict access to a lowermost
portion of the sleeping bag, the lowermost portion being the
portion of the sleeping bag for accommodating a person's lower
legs.
21. The sleeping bag of claim 20 wherein the shortening means
comprises fastening means positioned on the sleeping bag so that
the end of the sleeping bag can be folded up and secured in a
folded state.
22. The sleeping bag of claim 18, wherein said sleeping bag further
includes corresponding slots on said front and back portions to
allow passage of a child restraint belt through the sleeping
bag.
23. The sleeping bag of claim 18, wherein said sleeping bag further
includes one or more sleeves.
24. (canceled)
25. (canceled)
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to sleeping bags and sleep
garments and in particular, sleeping bags and sleep garments for
infants and children.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] This document is subject to copyright. The reproduction,
communication and distribution of this document is not permitted
without prior consent from the copyright owner, other than as
permitted under section 226 of the Patents Act 1990.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Overheating or thermal stress in infants and young children
has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs) and other
serious, potentially fatal consequences such as heatstroke, febrile
convulsions and encephalopathy. Other effects are also recognised,
ranging from additional discomfort, and fluid and salt loss during
illness. The factor in common appears to be wrapping a child too
well or warmly during the night--and the risks appear to increase
when a baby is already harbouring infection.
[0004] Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to
overheating. It is thought this is because infants and young
children undergo a period of thermoregulatory imbalance. Under the
age of around 10 months, the amount of heat production proportional
to a surface area reaches a peak (by around 5 months), while the
ability to lose heat by sweating seems to develop more slowly over
the first year of life.
[0005] Educational programs for parents and carers of children urge
care to avoid overheating a child or infant, and to avoid excessive
clothing, too heavy bedding or too warm a room--particularly when
an infant or young child already has a fever.
[0006] Accordingly, bedding for children differs from bedding for
adults and is typically manufactured with a lower "tog" rating than
comparable bedding for adults. A tog is the unit of measurement of
the warmth or "thermal resistance" of a fabric. This is important
because very young infants have limited ability to throw off heavy
bedding in order to cool down and underdeveloped thermoregulatory
control. In addition, children develop higher temperatures with
lower level of activity than is required to raise temperature in
adults. Research has shown that overheating by just a few degrees
could lead to heat stroke in infants and young children.
[0007] Various infant sleeping bags have been developed to assist
in addressing some of the disadvantages of using blankets or doonas
(duvets) for infants and young children. These disadvantages
include: [0008] (a) the risk of smothering from bedding that rides
up over a baby's face during sleep; or [0009] (b) bedding being
kicked or sliding off during the night, leaving the baby cold or
causing the baby to wake from the cold.
[0010] Thus sleeping bags for infants and children have been
developed as a "kick-proof" form of bedding that provides a
constant level of warmth and avoids the risk of smothering from
loose bedding. Sleeping bags for infants and young children differ
in design and purpose from those designed for adults, because
infant sleeping bags are designed for indoor rather than outdoor
use. Infant sleeping bags also usually include armholes or sleeves.
The relevant safety standards also differentiate infant sleeping
bags from garments with sleeves and feet (e.g. sleep suits or baby
gros).
[0011] As sleeping bags contain an infant's legs, they also have
the advantages of making it more difficult to roll onto the tummy
during sleep and preventing the legs from dangling through cot
rails.
[0012] However, a sleeping bag also has the disadvantage that if
the infant is too warmly dressed within the sleeping bag, the room
is too warm, the infant has a fever, the sleeping bag is too warm
for the climate or season, or the infant simply warms up too much
from wriggling then the infant is essentially "trapped" and cannot
escape the sleeping bag to cool down.
[0013] Infant sleeping bags with a sleeveless design are intended
to provide "ventilation" to reduce the risk of overheating. This
allows the infant's arms to be uncovered by the sleeping bag and
may often include a full-length zipper running along the side or
the front panel of the sleeping bag. The disadvantages of this
sleeping bag are that: [0014] if babies are too warmly dressed
within the closed sleeping bag, their torsos and lower limbs can
still become uncomfortably warm as warm air is trapped in the lower
levels of the sleeping bag (lower meaning towards the legs); [0015]
if the zip is unzipped, an infant's limbs can escape the sleeping
bag and too much heat can be lost. This is so even if the zip is
only partially unzipped, because during the night the zip can work
itself open further with movement of the baby.
[0016] Traditional adult sleeping bags allow the side zipper to be
opened for ventilation. Some, such as the mummy-style sleeping bag
of U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,834, include measures to prevent the bag
from working itself open completely during sleep. The bag U.S. Pat.
No. 3,959,834 includes velcro closures to keep the upper portion of
the sleeping bag closed and sitting around the shoulders for warmth
while allowing the bottom portion of the bag to be opened. However,
both infant sleeping bags with a full-length zipper (whether at the
side or front) and the sleeping bag of U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,834 fail
to fully contain the limbs when the zipper is opened. Therefore,
one or both limbs can escape or protrude from either of these
sleeping bags if the zipper that closes the bag is left open.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 was designed to overcome the problem
of an occupant becoming partially or entirely uncovered through a
night of normal movement if a sleeping bag closure is left
partially or fully open. U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 discloses a
ventilated sleeping bag with removable mesh panels that attach to
the outer edges of the sleeping bag--that is, along the side zipper
that closes the sleeping bag. The two rows of teeth making up the
side zipper of the sleeping bag closure are reversibly separable so
that the sleeping bag can be completely opened (known as a two-way
zip). Once the teeth of the zip are separated, a mesh panel is
attached along the full length of each edge of the zip. Each mesh
panel also has a row of teeth, allowing it to be attached to the
edge of the sleeping bag by moving a zip slider along the
corresponding teeth of the adjacent edges of the mesh panel and
sleeping bag. A mesh panel is attached along each edge of the
opening of the sleeping bag, then the two mesh panels are
attachable to each other by a second zipper. The mesh panel allows
the bag to be ventilated even while closed.
[0018] An additional disadvantage of U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 is
that zips are heavy and the arrangement of multiple zippers and
sliders in U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 is too bulky and cumbersome for
a sleeping bag for an infant or young child. The additional teeth
and sliders provide unwanted pressure points for infants, which can
reduce blood flow (circulation) to the area and thus be painful.
Exposure to prolonged pressure from the zips and/or sliders can
increase the risk of developing pressure ulcers in infants and
young children--particularly premature infants.
[0019] Coupled with the ability to remove and reattach the mesh
panels, the arrangement of multiple zips in the sleeping bag of
U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602, pose various entanglement risks for
infants and young children who risk getting extremities (e.g.
fingers or toes) or skin caught or entangled in a zip, between mesh
panels and/or between the mesh and the zip.
[0020] The sleeping bag of U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 suffers the
further disadvantage that the mesh sits along the opening edges of
the sleeping bag. This provides limited opportunity for airflow and
ventilation for trapped air, because the edges of the bag are prone
to collapsing together (and even more so under the weight of an
additional zip and when the zip sits along a side seam). The
collapsed edges further limit the ability for warm air to escape
from the sleeping bag and for cool air to circulate into the bag.
This is a disadvantage U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 shares with other
sleeping bags that rely on opening the side of the sleeping bag for
ventilation. As heat rises, opening one side of the sleeping bag
offers little by way of ventilation--particularly as the sides of
the sleeping bag often collapse around the sleeping person, at
least partially closing off the side opening and trapping air
within the bag. Indeed U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 may offer less
ventilation than traditional sleeping bags that open at the side.
This is because with traditional sleeping bags, the bag works
itself open during the night where the mesh panels of U.S. Pat. No.
5,386,602 prevent the sleeping bag from opening beyond the width of
the mesh panels, let alone completely.
[0021] Traditional sleeping bags that permit ventilation through
opening of the sleeping bag closure suffer the disadvantage that
the sleeping person eventually works him- or herself partially or
completely free of the bag during the night, leaving them exposed
to the cold as well as environmental hazards (e.g. insects such as
mosquitoes). For infants, this poses particular risks, including:
[0022] (a) as the legs can become "freed", the infant is better
able to wriggle over onto the tummy position (which poses a risk
for SIDS) and/or to extend a leg or foot out of the cot; [0023] (b)
the infant can also become uncomfortably entangled in a half
loosened sleeping bag (the upper part remaining in position while
the lower body works itself free and potentially up and around the
infant's face). An increased risk of entanglement in the fabric of
a sleeping bag increases the risk of SIDS; [0024] (c) if the infant
becomes too cold, there is a risk of hypothermia, which is yet
another risk factor for SIDs.
[0025] The sleeping bag closure of a traditional sleeping bag (e.g.
two-way zip) can also pose a pressure point risk that reduces or
cuts off circulation, thereby causing discomfort and pain to wake
the sleeping infant--particularly if the slider of the opened
sleeping bag ends up under the child's body or limb. The three most
common locations for paediatric pressure ulcers (in decreasing
order) are: the occiput, the sacrum then the foot area. Therefore,
a zip slider sitting under a foot (e.g. where the foot has
protruded through the open bag and come to rest on the slider) is a
significant pressure point risk for an infant, particularly a
premature infant.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 discloses a sleeping bag for adults
in which closeable mesh panels are attached to the sleeping bag
opening to allow ventilation while still containing the limbs.
However, the bag of U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,602 suffers the
disadvantages of limited air circulation and a bulky double-zip
construction that can potentially further limit air flow as well
pose a pressure point risk to infants and young children.
[0027] It would be useful to have a sleeping bag which provides
better airflow than existing sleeping bags and allows heat to
escape while containing the body and legs within the sleeping
bag.
[0028] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
sleeping bag for infants and young children that minimises the
pressure point risk of prior art sleeping bags and provides
improved air circulation than prior art sleeping bags to avoid the
risk of overheating.
SUMMARY
[0029] According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a
ventilation system for a sleeping bag comprising: [0030] (a) a
first vent; [0031] (b) a second vent said first and second vents
being positioned in opposing portions of fabric, the opposing
portions of fabric defining an interior for accommodating a
person.
[0032] Preferably, each of said first and second vents comprises an
air-permeable panel secured to said opposing portions of fabric
such that the air-permeable panel secures said opposing portions of
fabric together at each vent.
[0033] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided a sleeping bag comprising: [0034] (a) opposed front and
back portions, the front and back portions defining an interior for
accommodating a person, a ventilation system as hereinbefore
described.
[0035] According to yet another embodiment of the invention there
is provided a sleeping bag comprising: [0036] (a) an outer shell;
[0037] (b) a ventilation system as hereinbefore described.
[0038] According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is
provided an infant sleep garment comprising: [0039] (a) opposed
front and back portions, the front and back portions defining an
interior for accommodating a person, [0040] (b) a ventilation
system as hereinbefore described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] The invention thus provides a ventilation system for a
sleeping bag that overcomes the problem of inadequate ventilation
while wholly containing the legs within the sleeping bag and
reducing the risk of providing pressure points. The invention also
provides a new or alternative sleeping bag for infants and young
children with an improved air ventilation system while containing
the legs of a sleeping infant. The invention further provides a new
or alternative sleep garment for infants and children and a new or
improved air ventilation system for sleeping bags generally.
[0042] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
it may be performed, a preferred embodiment will now be described,
by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1A is a front view of a sleeping bag for an infant or
young child according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a
vent in a closed position.
[0044] FIG. 1B is a front view of a sleeping bag for an infant or
young child according to an embodiment of the invention, showing a
vent in an open position.
[0045] FIG. 2 is the sleeping bag of FIG. 1, showing a ventilation
system according to an embodiment of the invention. The ventilation
system includes a vent in the front portion and a vent in the back
portion of the sleeping bag. The vent in the back portion is shown
schematically (greyed out).
[0046] FIG. 3A is a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing
a vent in a closed position.
[0047] FIG. 3B is a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing
a vent in an open position.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 taken
along line Y-Y of
[0049] FIG. 3A, showing exemplary positions of two diametrically
opposed vents and air flow.
[0050] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a sleeping bag for
an infant or young child than in FIG. 1.
[0051] FIG. 6A is a cross section of a vent in an open state
according to an embodiment of the invention taken along line Z-Z of
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3B.
[0052] FIG. 6B is a cross section of a vent in an open state,
according to a different arrangement of the vent of FIG. 6A.
[0053] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary arrangement of shortening means on
the sleeping bag of FIG. 1.
[0054] The elements of the invention are now described under the
following headings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0055] The invention provides a new or alternative ventilation
system for sleeping bags, and a new or alternative sleeping bag for
infants and children. The invention also provides a ventilation
system for use in an infant sleep garment and for use in sleeping
bags generally.
[0056] FIG. 1A shows a sleeping bag 100 for infants and young
children according to a preferred embodiment. The sleeping bag 100
in FIGS. 1 to 4 is sleeveless. An alternative embodiment 500 is
shown in FIG. 5, in which the sleeping bag has sleeves 510. The
sleeves 510 can be any desired length (short, three-quarter or
full).
[0057] Where the same reference number is used, the feature is the
same. The ventilation system is described in most detail in
relation to an infant sleeping bag but the same features apply to a
ventilation system for a sleep garment or sleeping bags
generally.
[0058] The sleeping bag 100, 500 has a front portion (item 110 in
FIGS. 1A and 1n FIG. 5) and a back portion (item 300 in FIG. 3A),
being opposing portions of fabric. The opposing portions of fabric
define an interior for accommodating a person. The same applies for
a sleep garment.
[0059] The front portion 110 and back portion 300 of the sleeping
bag (or sleep garment) comprise an outer shell (shown in cross
section as item 400 in FIG. 4) and an inner lining (shown in cross
section as item 410 in FIG. 4). The front portion and back portion
can be: [0060] (a) a single continuous panel of fabric folded over
to form front and back portions; or [0061] (b) discrete panels sewn
together.
[0062] The front portion 110 is the portion of the sleeping bag (or
sleep garment) intended to be positioned against the user's front
(including chest, abdomen, legs). The back portion 300 is the
portion of the sleeping back that is positioned against the user's
back (including back, buttocks, legs).
[0063] The sleeping bag 100, 500 includes an improved ventilation
system 200 (refer FIGS. 2 and 6). The ventilation system 200 is the
same in embodiments 100 (FIG. 1) and 500 (FIG. 5) and also for use
in sleeping bags generally or sleep garments. FIGS. 2 and 4 show
the ventilation system 200 in embodiment 100 by way of example
only. FIG. 6A shows a cross section of a vent according to an
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6B shows a cross section of a
different arrangement of the same vent. The cross-sections of FIGS.
6A and 6B are taken along line Z-Z of FIGS. 2 and 3B to illustrate
the construction of a vent.
[0064] The ventilation system 200 includes: [0065] (a) a first vent
120; and [0066] (b) a second vent 310, [0067] one of each vent 120
and 130 being positioned in opposing portions of fabric.
[0068] In other words, a first vent 120 is positioned in the front
portion 110 of the sleeping bag (or garment) and a second vent 310
is positioned in the back portion of a sleeping bag (or garment).
Each said first and second vents is positioned in a central part of
said front or back portions, the central part being any part of the
front or back portions other than an edge. This is because the
vents are not used as access openings to the interior of the
sleeping bag or garment. The positioning of vents is discussed in
more detail further below in this document.
[0069] Shown in cross section in FIG. 4 (the cross section being
taken along line Y-Y of FIG. 3A), the front and back portions
define an interior of the sleeping bag 100 for accommodating a
person. The same applies for the mid-torso section of a sleep
garment. When in use, the approximate shape of the sleeping bag (or
sleep garment) in cross-section is an oval or ellipsis. The same
applies to embodiment 500 (not illustrated). The front portion 110
and the back portion 300 form diametrically opposed curves of the
sleeping bag in cross-section.
[0070] Accordingly, the vent 120 in the front portion 110 and the
vent 310 in the back portion 300 are also substantially
diametrically opposed. FIG. 1A and FIG. 5 show vent 120 (in the
front portion 110) in a closed state. FIG. 3A shows vent 310 (in
the back portion 300) in a closed state.
[0071] Each of vents 120 and 310 is reversibly openable to allow
air circulation in the interior of the sleeping bag 100, 500 (or of
a sleep garment). FIGS. 1B and 2 show vent 120 in an open state.
FIGS. 2 and 3B show vent 310 in an open state. Each vent is
moveable between a closed state and an open state, including to an
intermediate position.
[0072] FIG. 4 shows schematically how vents 120 and 310 traverse
both the inner lining 410 and outer shell 400 of the sleeping bag.
This is also seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, which show cross sections of
an open vent 600 (this could be either vent 120 or vent 310). A
vent closing means 610 (e.g. a zip, as depicted in FIG. 6A) is
opened in direction of arrows A. The teeth or coils of the opened
closing means 610 sit against the edges of the vent opening,
against the fabric of the outer shell 400 of the sleeping bag.
[0073] Below the outer shell 400 (below meaning towards the inside
of the sleeping bag) sits an air-permeable panel 130. The
air-permeable panel can be made of any suitable air-permeable
material, including: [0074] (c) a mesh fabric; [0075] (d) an
open-weave fabric; [0076] (e) a sheer fabric; [0077] (f)
criss-cross laces of any material.
[0078] The air-permeable panel is secured to the opposing portions
of fabric of the interior of the sleeping bag so that when a vent
is in an opened state, the opening is still covered by the
air-permeable panel. In other words, the air-permeable panel
secures the opposing portions of fabric together at the vent.
[0079] The air-permeable panel 130 can be secured between the inner
lining 410 and outer shell or outer layer of fabric 400, as shown
in FIG. 6A (or inside the outer shell if there is no inner lining).
Alternatively, the air-permeable panel 130 can sit below the inner
lining, inside the sleeping bag--as shown in FIG. 6B. The seams of
each layer are depicted as a double layer of fabric in each of
FIGS. 6A and 6B. In either case, the edges of the air-permeable
panel are enclosed to minimise the risk of entanglement or catching
of extremities or skin between the zip and air-permeable panel
within the sleeping bag.
[0080] When open, vents 120 and 310 allow convective heat transfer
through the circulation of air into and out of the sleeping bag.
Each vent is an opening of a shape and dimension capable of
allowing air to enter into or escape from the interior of the
sleeping bag. The opening can be of various sizes and shapes,
including a slit or hole of any shape such as a slit that runs in
one or more of the following directions in the central part of a
front or back portion: [0081] (a) horizontally; [0082] (b)
vertically; [0083] (c) diagonally; [0084] (d) spirally.
[0085] In exemplary embodiments: [0086] (a) an elongate-shaped vent
is positioned diagonally across a front or back portion, or [0087]
(b) an L-shaped vent is positioned down and across a front or back
portion.
[0088] For example, vent 120 is positioned to remove heat from the
sleeping infant's core by allowing air to circulate out from the
bag through vent 120 in the front portion of the sleeping bag. The
vent 120 crosses the body, from one side of the sleeping bag to the
other and also travels a sufficient length of the sleeping bag so
that the vent would cover a significant proportion of the length of
the body (torso). This allows warm air to escape up and out of the
sleeping bag, generated from different areas around the baby's
torso.
[0089] The actual shape and location of the vent 120 are depicted
in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 5 by way of example only. The vents 120 and
310 are positioned in the central part of the front and back
portions, the central part being any part other than the edges.
[0090] The vents 120 and 310 are further positioned in one of the
following ways: [0091] (a) a first vent is positioned on an upper
portion of the sleeping bag or garment, the upper portion being the
portion for accommodating a person's torso, and [0092] a second
vent is positioned in a lowermost portion of the sleeping bag or
garment, the lowermost portion being the portion for accommodating
a person's lower legs; or [0093] (b) a first vent is positioned on
one side of the sleeping bag (or garment) and a second vent is
positioned on an opposing side of the sleeping bag (or
garment).
[0094] In this way, a pair of vents is positioned with one of each
pair being on the front and back portions, and one of each pair
being on the upper and lowermost portions. It is important that a
first vent 120 is positioned on the front portion and allows warm
air to escape in a direction up and out of the sleeping bag--rather
than venting air sideways from the sleeping bag. Positioning a
second vent on an opposing portion of fabric assist to draw cool
air in and to circulate air within the interior of the sleeping bag
(or garment). An elongated shape that travels from one side of the
sleeping bag across to the other further assists to promote
convective heat transfer out of the sleeping bag.
[0095] Vent 310 is positioned to remove heat from around the feet.
The vent 310 travels across the lowermost part of the back portion
of the sleeping bag--the lowermost part being the part of the
sleeping bag that accommodates the lower legs and feet. As with
vent 120 in the front portion, vent 310 in the back portion is
depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 by way of example only. The precise shape
and position of vent 310 may vary from the illustrations. However,
it is important that vent 130 draws cool air into the sleeping bag
through the back portion around the foot area. The presence of a
vent on a diametrically opposed portion of the elliptically-shaped
sleeping bag assists to draw cool air in through the back portion
while expelling warm air out through the front portion. Air can
also circulate locally in and out through vent 310 but the presence
of another vent on the diametrically opposed surface increases the
efficiency of air circulation.
[0096] The ventilation system 200 is therefore more effective than
prior art ventilation measures in sleeping bags because of the
inclusion of a second vent. This performs a mechanical function of
allowing cool air to be pulled into the sleeping bag through the
second vent while heated air within the sleeping bag rises and
escapes out through the first vent. The dashed arrows labelled X in
FIG. 4 show the direction of air movement. FIG. 2 shows the outline
of an infant in the sleeping bag 100. Vents 120 and 310 are
positioned and shaped along and around the elliptical cross section
of the sleeping bag, to allow air to flow around the infant's body
within the sleeping bag and escape from a diametrically opposed
vent. This is shown schematically by the large arrow X in FIG.
2.
[0097] To protect a sleeping infant, air-permeable panel 130 is
secured within vents 120 and 310 so that when vents 120 and 310 are
opened, the sleeping bag 100, 500 still wholly contains the legs.
This prevents: [0098] (a) one or both legs from protruding from the
sleeping bag and becoming exposed to the cold, insects (e.g.
mosquitoes) [0099] (b) one or both legs from protruding from the
sleeping bag and becoming entangled in or hitting cot rails; [0100]
(c) one or both feet coming to rest on the zip or zip slider of the
sleeping bag closure (item 420 in FIG. 4), which poses a pressure
point risk; [0101] (d) the sleeping bag "riding up" the back of a
wriggling infant (the bulk of the sleeping bag posing a pressure
point risk) or otherwise posing an entanglement risk (smothering)
for an infant.
[0102] Vents 120 and 310 are reversibly closeable by any suitable
vent closing means (item 610 in FIG. 6A) to reduce the risk of the
baby becoming too cold or developing hypothermia. In a preferred
embodiment, the closing means for vents 120 and 310 is a zip
(ideally, a small-sized concealed zip to minimise bulk and reduce
the risk of posing a pressure point). However, other closing means
are also suitable, such as corresponding strips of hook and loop
fastener, press studs, buttons, a number of hooks and eyes. In an
embodiment, a flap of fabric sits over vents 120 and 310 when the
vents are in a closed state. In this embodiment, the fabric forms
the vent closing means. Lifting the fabric and securing it in the
lifted position away from the vent (through any suitable fastening
means such as a zip, corresponding strips of hook and loop
fastener, one or more press studs, one or more buttons, a number of
hooks and eyes, corresponding ties) keeps the vent in an open
state.
[0103] In an embodiment, the sleeping bag may also include
corresponding slots 140, 320 (see FIGS. 1A and 3B, respectively) to
allow passage of a child restraint belt (e.g. car seatbelt) through
the sleeping bag. The slot 320 enables a belt to pass through the
back portion and internal volume, then and exit through a
corresponding slot 140 of the front portion. This allows the infant
to be secured for transportation while in the sleeping bag 100,
500.
[0104] In an embodiment, the sleeping bag may further include
shortening means 700 to enable the lower portion of the sleeping
bag to be shortened if required, thereby further decreasing the
risk of an infant sliding down into the sleeping bag and becoming
entangled in the fabric of the lower portion of the sleeping bag.
An exemplary shortening means on the embodiment of FIG. 1 is
illustrated in FIG. 7. The shortening means comprises fastening
means (e.g. buttons, two pairs of press studs--as shown in FIG. 7,
corresponding sections of hook and loop fastener) positioned on the
sleeping bag so that the end of the sleeping bag can be folded up
and secured in a folded state (in the direction of arrows labelled
B) to restrict access to the end of the bag from within. This
reduces the risk of entanglement of in the lower portion of the
sleeping bag. The shortening means 700 can be used in any of the
embodiments described, not only the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0105] An advantage of the preferred embodiment is that it provides
improved ventilation to prevent overheating within a sleeping bag
while wholly containing the legs within the sleeping bag. The
sleeping bag includes separate vents in the front and back portions
of the sleeping bag to facilitate heat convection by creating air
currents that carry heat out of the sleeping bag while drawing cool
air into the sleeping bag.
[0106] Another advantage is that vents of the sleeping bag are
positioned and shaped to release heat from the torso and/or the
feet of a sleeping infant.
[0107] A further advantage is that because the sleeping bag does
not rely on opening the sleeping bag closure (zip) for ventilation,
it avoids the problems associated with entanglement within the
fabric of the open sleeping bag (a SIDS risk) as well as other
problems that may arise when legs can protrude out of the sleeping
bag. As such, the sleeping bag: [0108] (a) reduces the risk of
entanglement by containing the legs within the bag (which reduces
the risk of SIDs) and keeping the bag closed; [0109] (b) reduces
the risk of overheating by providing an improved ventilation system
that actively draws cool air into the sleeping bag while expelling
warm air; [0110] (c) avoids exposure to cold that can cause
discomfort or in extreme cases lead to hypothermia (another risk
factor for SIDS) from a sleeping bag that works itself open and
allows part or all of the sleeping infant to protrude out from the
sleeping bag; [0111] (d) prevents exposure to insects that can
occur when legs protrude out of a sleeping bag; and [0112] (e) also
reduces the risk of reducing blood flow (circulation) by minimising
the risk of creating pressure points posed by other sleeping
bags.
[0113] The invention provides a ventilation system for a sleeping
bag for infants and young children, for an infant sleep garment and
for sleeping bags generally. However, it will be appreciated that
the invention is not restricted to this particular field of use and
that it is not limited to particular embodiments or applications
described herein.
[0114] Comprises/comprising when used in this specification is
taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps
or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one
or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups
thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise,
throughout the description and the claims, the words `comprise`,
`comprising`, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive
sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to
say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to.
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