U.S. patent application number 16/683052 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-14 for wearable infant sleep apparatuses.
The applicant listed for this patent is Susan Bortone. Invention is credited to Susan Bortone.
Application Number | 20200146370 16/683052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70552032 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200146370 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bortone; Susan |
May 14, 2020 |
WEARABLE INFANT SLEEP APPARATUSES
Abstract
Various embodiments for wearable infant sleep apparatuses
("WISA") are disclosed. The WISA includes a plurality of fasteners
that include a first and second fastener sets; a first side; and a
second side positioned opposite the first side. The first side
fastener is affixed to the first side. The second side fastener is
affixed to the second side. WISA's "open" state includes an
unfastened first side fastener, second side fastener, and the
plurality of fasteners. WISA's "closed" state includes a fastened
first side fastener, second side fastener, and plurality of
fasteners. A neck opening is positioned adjacent to the plurality
of fasteners. Arm openings are positioned adjacent to the first
fastener set and the first side fastener. Arm openings are also
positioned adjacent to a second fastener set and the second side
fastener. The first arm opening is positioned opposite the second
arm opening.
Inventors: |
Bortone; Susan; (Verona,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bortone; Susan |
Verona |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70552032 |
Appl. No.: |
16/683052 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62760317 |
Nov 13, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20130101;
A47G 9/083 20130101; A41B 13/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00 |
Claims
1. A wearable infant sleep apparatus comprising: a main body
configured to be worn on the person of an infant comprising: a
plurality of fasteners comprising a first fastener set and a second
fastener set; a first side; a second side positioned opposite the
first side; a first side fastener affixed to the first side; a
second side fastener affixed to the second side; an open state
wherein the first side fastener, the second side fastener, and the
plurality of fasteners are each unfastened; a closed state wherein
the first side fastener, the second side fastener, and the
plurality of fasteners are each fastened; wherein the closed state
comprises: a neck opening positioned adjacent to the plurality of
fasteners; a first arm opening positioned adjacent to the first
fastener set and the first side fastener; a second arm opening
positioned adjacent to a second fastener set and the second side
fastener; wherein the first arm opening is positioned opposite the
second arm opening; the main body is configured to receive the
infant in the open state only; and the main body comprises a
fabric.
2. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main
body unfolds into a first segment and a second segment when in the
open state; and the first segment is positioned adjacent to the
second segment.
3. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 2, wherein in the
open state, the first segment comprises: a first neck region
positioned opposite the second segment; a first arm region
positioned adjacent to the first neck region; and a second arm
region positioned adjacent to the first neck region and opposite
the first arm region.
4. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 3, wherein in the
open state, the second segment comprises: a second neck region
positioned opposite the first segment; a third arm region
positioned adjacent to the second neck region; and a fourth arm
region positioned adjacent to the second neck region and opposite
the third arm region.
5. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 4, wherein the neck
opening comprises the first neck region and the second neck region;
the first neck region is positioned adjacent to the second neck
region; the first arm opening comprises the first arm region and
the third arm region; the first arm region is positioned adjacent
to the third arm region; the second arm opening comprises the
second arm region and the fourth arm region; and the second arm
region is positioned adjacent to the fourth arm region.
6. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 5, wherein the
first segment comprises: a first fastener; a second fastener; the
first fastener is included in the first fastener set; adjacent to
the first arm region and the first neck region; the second fastener
is included in the second fastener set; and positioned at the end
of the first segment adjacent to the second arm region and the
first neck region.
7. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 6, wherein the
second segment comprises: a third fastener; a fourth fastener; the
third fastener is included in the first fasteners set; positioned
adjacent to the third arm region and the second neck region; the
fourth fastener is included in the second fasteners set; and
positioned adjacent to the fourth arm region and the second neck
region.
8. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 7, wherein the
second segment comprises a load component configured to provide
tactile input; and the load component is graspable and
weighted.
9. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 8, wherein the
first side fastener is configured to reversibly couple a first side
of the first segment to a first side of the second segment when the
main body is in the closed state.
10. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
second side fastener is configured to reversibly couple a second
side of the first segment to a second side of the second segment
when the main body is in the closed state.
11. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
first arm opening is configured to be oriented around a first arm
of the infant when the main body is in the closed state.
12. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 11, wherein the
second arm opening is configured to be oriented around a second arm
of the infant when the main body is in the closed state.
13. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 12, wherein the
load component comprises a polymer or a metal
14. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 13, wherein the
load component is a three-dimensional structure comprising pellets,
discs, and/or beads.
15. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 14, wherein the
load component comprises an animal, an animal face, a cartoon
character, or a toy.
16. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 15, wherein the
load component is 30-60 grams.
17. A wearable infant sleep apparatus comprising: a main body
configured to be worn on the person of an infant comprising a
plurality of fasteners comprising a first fastener set and a second
fastener set, a first side; a second side positioned opposite the
first side, a first side fastener affixed to the first side, a
second side fastener affixed to the second side, an open state
wherein the first side fastener, the second side fastener, and the
plurality of fasteners are each unfastened, a closed state wherein
the first side fastener, the second side fastener, and the
plurality of fasteners are each fastened; wherein the closed state
comprises a neck opening positioned adjacent to the plurality of
fasteners, a first arm opening positioned adjacent to a first
fastener set of the plurality of fasteners and the first side
fastener, a second arm opening positioned adjacent to a second
fastener set of the plurality of fasteners and the second side
fastener; wherein the first arm opening is positioned opposite the
second arm opening; the main body is configured to receive the
infant in the open state only; the main body comprises a fabric;
the second segment comprises a load component configured to provide
tactile input, and the load component is 30-60 grams; the load
component comprises one or more of pellets, discs, and beads; the
load component is graspable; the load component is a
three-dimensional structure; and the load component comprises an
animal, an animal face, a cartoon character, or a toy.
18. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 17, wherein in the
open state, the main body unfolds into a first segment and a second
segment; and the first segment is positioned adjacent to the second
segment.
19. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 18, wherein in the
open state, the first segment comprises: a first neck region
positioned opposite the second segment; a first arm region
positioned adjacent to the first neck region; and a second arm
region positioned adjacent to the first neck region and opposite
the first arm region; in the open state, the second segment
comprises: a second neck region positioned opposite the first
segment; a third arm region positioned adjacent to the second neck
region; and a fourth arm region positioned adjacent to the second
neck region and opposite the third arm region; the neck opening
comprises the first neck region and the second neck region; the
first neck region is positioned adjacent to the second neck region;
the first arm opening comprises the first arm region and the third
arm region; the first arm region is positioned adjacent to the
third arm region; the second arm opening comprises the second arm
region and the fourth arm region; and the second arm region is
positioned adjacent to the fourth arm region.
20. The wearable infant sleep apparatus of claim 19, wherein the
first segment comprises first fastener and a second fastener; the
second segment comprises a third fastener and a fourth fastener;
the first fastener is included in the first fastener set; adjacent
to the first arm region and the first neck region; the second
fastener is included in the second fastener set; and positioned at
the end of the first segment adjacent to the second arm region and
the first neck region; the third fastener is included in the first
fasteners set; positioned adjacent to the third arm region and the
second neck region; the fourth fastener is included in the second
fasteners set; and positioned adjacent to the fourth arm region and
the second neck region
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/760,317 filed Nov. 13, 2018 and incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to wearable
apparatuses and specifically to wearable infant sleep
apparatuses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Infants typically sleep for fifteen hours or more a day.
During this time, infants may be easily disturbed and require
frequent attention from care providers (e.g., parents, family
members, etc.). Infants may cry due to excessive heat, wet diapers,
hunger, desire for comfort items (e.g., pacifiers), as well as
similar contributing factors. However, some of the factors can be
addressed by providing tactile input from the care providers. For
example, an infant may be unhappy simply because its pacifier fell
out of its mouth or it sensed the absence of the care provider.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with
reference to the following figures, wherein like designations
denote like members, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a wearable infant sleep apparatus
("WISA") in the "open" state according to some embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the WISA in the
"open" state according to some embodiments.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the WISA in the "closed"
state according to some embodiments.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of the WISA in the "closed"
state according to some embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an infant wearing the
WISA in the "closed" state according to some embodiments.
[0010] Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in
the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Although certain embodiments are shown and described in
detail, it should be understood that various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the
appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way
be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials
thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof,
etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the
present disclosure. A more complete understanding of the present
embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to
the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate
like features.
[0012] As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted
that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents, unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise. Other technical advantages
may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
after review of the following figures and description. It should be
understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are
illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of
the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of
techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure
should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and
techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.
[0013] Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be
read together with the specification and are to be considered a
portion of the entire written description of this invention. As
used in the following description, the terms "horizontal",
"vertical", "left", "right", "up", "down" and the like, as well as
adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally",
"rightwardly", "upwardly", "radially", etc.), simply refer to the
orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing
figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms "inwardly,"
"outwardly" and "radially" generally refer to the orientation of a
surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as
appropriate. As used herein, the term "dorsal" refers to positions
that are located near, on, or towards the upper or top side of a
structure.
[0014] Infants typically sleep for fifteen hours or more a day.
During this time, infants may be easily disturbed and require
frequent attention from care providers (e.g., parents, family
members, etc.). Infants may cry due to excessive heat, wet diapers,
hunger, desire for comfort items (e.g., pacifiers), as well as
similar contributing factors. However, some of the factors can be
addressed by providing tactile input (i.e. input of, relating to,
or being the sense of touch) from the care providers. For example,
an infant may be unhappy simply because its pacifier fell out of
its mouth or it sensed the absence of the care provider.
[0015] Deep Pressure Stimulation ("DPS"), for example, is firm, but
gentle, squeezing, hugging, or holding that relaxes the recipient's
nervous system. This pressure can be applied with the hands,
special massage tools, or wearable products that children can wear
or wrap around themselves to provide pressure. DPS typically
triggers a chain reaction in the body that releases an overall
sense of calm and peace. Not to be limited by theory, as deep
pressure is applied to the body, the body switches from its
sympathetic nervous system to its parasympathetic nervous system.
This is the switch from "fight or flight" to "rest and digest". The
sympathetic nervous system ("SNS") is the "alert" system in the
body. SNS is the one in charge when one faces stressful situations
(e.g., driving through heavy traffic in a storm or when you receive
an unexpected bill in the mail).
[0016] On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system
("PSNS"), however, brings a sense of calm and peace to the mind and
body. For example, when the parasympathetic nervous system takes
over, heart rate slows, muscles relax, and circulation improves.
The body produces endorphins, which are the "happy" hormones that,
for example, induce positive feelings after a good run. As deep
pressure is applied to the body, PSNS comes online, inducing a
calming sensation and bringing a sense of well-being. In tandem
with the aforementioned change comes a release of dopamine and
serotonin, which are the feel-good neurotransmitters of the brain.
For example, these hormones help with motivation, impulse control,
attention, memory, social behavior, sleep, and digestion.
Unfortunately, when the SNS takes the lead for too long, feelings
of being anxious, tired, on edge, and irritable often result, which
can affect sleep as well as the digestive system.
[0017] Embodiments disclosed herein seek to provide wearable infant
sleep apparatuses ("WISA"). Some aspects of WISA seek to provide
DPS to stimulate the user's PSNS and thereby facilitate the release
of dopamine and/or serotonin in the users.
[0018] Referring now to the figures. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a
wearable infant sleep apparatus ("WISA"), generally 100, in the
"open" and "closed" states, respectively, according to some
embodiments. For example, to provide warmth and comfort to infants,
one or more components of WISA 100 are fabricated using textile
materials, including, but not limited to, cotton, muslin,
microfleece, velboa, fleece, pile fabrics, napped fabrics, natural
materials, synthetic materials, plush material, as well as other
apparel materials. WISA 100 is worn on the person of an infant.
WISA 100 has an "open" state and a "closed" state. As used herein,
the "open" state refers to a fastened configuration that exposes
the internal portion of WISA 100, for example, to thereby receive
the infant. As used herein, the "closed" state refers to a fastened
configuration that restricts access to the internal portion of WISA
100, for example, when the infant dons WISA 100. In certain
aspects, the fastened configuration resembles a wearable pouch-like
structure that, in the "closed" state, exposes the user's head and
arms and covers the torso and legs.
[0019] WISA 100 includes main body 101, which includes first
segment 110 and second segment 130. First segment 110 and second
segment 130 are affixed to and positioned adjacent to each other.
For example, first segment 110 is positioned proximate to second
segment 130. In other embodiments, first segment 110 includes first
neck region 112, first arm region 114, and second arm region 120.
For example, first neck region 112, first arm region 114, and
second arm region 120 are indentations formed on the periphery of
first segment 110 and positioned opposite (e.g., distal to) second
segment 130. In other embodiments, first neck region 112 is
positioned opposite second segment 130. First arm region 114 is
positioned adjacent to first neck region 112. Second arm region 116
is positioned adjacent to first neck region 112 and opposite first
arm region 114.
[0020] In yet still other embodiments, second segment 130 includes
second neck region 132, third arm region 134, and fourth arm region
136. For example, second neck region 132, third arm region 134, and
fourth arm region 136 are indentations formed on the periphery of
second segment 130 (e.g., distal to first segment 110). Second neck
region 132 is positioned opposite (e.g., distal to) first segment
110. Third arm region 134 is positioned adjacent to second neck
region 132. In some aspects, fourth arm region 136 is positioned at
the end of second segment 130, adjacent to second neck region 132,
and opposite third arm region 134.
[0021] As reflected in FIG. 3-4, in the "closed" state, main body
101 includes, first side fastener 146, second side fastener 148,
first side 240, second side 250, neck opening 200, first arm
opening 210, and second arm opening 220. In other embodiments,
first side 240 is positioned opposite second side 250. First side
fastener 146 is affixed to first side 240 and second side fastener
148 is affixed to second side 250. For example, first side 240 is
formed when first side fastener 146 couples first side 122 to first
side 142. In the same vein, second side 250 is formed when second
side fastener 148 coupled second side 124 to second side 144. As
discussed above, the "open" state reflects an unfastened
configuration where first side fastener 146 and second side
fastener 148 are unfastened.
[0022] The figures depict first side fastener 146 and second side
fastener 148 as zippers. For example, first side fastener 146 and
second side fastener 148 are affixed to main body 101 via stitching
with non-stretchable thread, bonding, or similar affixing method.
Applicable fasteners include, but are not limited to, zippers,
buttons, hook-and-loop type fasteners, snap type fasteners, and
similar reversibly interlocking fasteners. For example, in the
"open" state, first side fastener 146 and second side fastener 146
are unfastened to allow main body 101 to unfold into first segment
110 and second segment 130. In yet still other embodiments, in the
"closed" state, first side fastener 146 and second side fastener
148 are fastened. For example, when main body 101 is in the
"closed" state, neck opening 200 is positioned at an end of main
body 101, first arm opening 210 is positioned adjacent to neck
opening 200, second arm opening 220 is positioned adjacent to neck
opening 200, and first side fastener 146 and second side fastener
148 are fastened, which allow first segment 110 and second segment
130 to fold on to each other.
[0023] In yet still other aspects, first arm opening 210 and second
arm opening 220 are positioned adjacent to first side fastener 146
and second side fastener 148, respectively. Neck opening 200 is
positioned adjacent to first arm opening 210 and second arm opening
220. When first segment 110 and second segment 130 are brought
together they form components of the "closed" state. For example,
neck opening 200 includes first neck region 112 and second neck
region 132. In other words, first neck region 112 and second neck
region 132 come together to form neck opening 200. As such, in the
"closed" state, first neck region 112 is positioned adjacent to
second neck region 132, in some aspects. First arm opening 210
includes first arm region 114 and third arm region 134. In other
words, first arm region 114 and third arm region 134 come together
to form first arm opening 210. Hence, in the "closed" state, first
arm region 114 is positioned adjacent to third arm region 134.
[0024] In other embodiments, second arm opening 220 includes second
arm region 116 and fourth arm region 136. In other words, in the
"closed" state, second arm region 116 and fourth arm region 136
come together to form second arm opening 220. Here, in the "closed"
state, second arm region 116 is positioned adjacent to fourth arm
region 136.
[0025] Some aspects of main body 101 include a plurality of
fasteners, for example, first fastener 118, second fastener 120,
third fastener 138, fourth fastener 140. Here, applicable fasteners
include, but are not limited to, zippers, buttons, hook-and-loop
type fasteners, snap type fasteners, and similar reversibly
interlocking fasteners. For example, first fastener 118 is affixed
to and positioned at the end of first segment 110 that is
positioned adjacent to first arm region 114 and first neck region
112. In certain embodiments, second fastener 120 is affixed to and
positioned at the end of first segment 110 that is positioned
adjacent to second arm region 116 and first neck region 112. Third
fastener 138 is positioned at the end of second segment 130 that is
adjacent to third arm region 134 and second neck region 132, in
accordance with other embodiments. In some embodiments, fourth
fastener 140 is positioned at the end of second segment 130 that is
adjacent to fourth arm region 136 and second neck region 132.
[0026] For example, in the "closed" state, first fastener 118 is
reversibly coupled to third fastener 138 and thereby forms a first
fastener set, which is included in first shoulder region 260. First
shoulder region 260 is positioned adjacent to neck opening 200 and
first arm opening 210. Similarly, second fastener 120 is reversibly
coupled to fourth fastener 140 and thereby forms a second fastener
set, which is included in second shoulder region 270. Second
shoulder region 270 is positioned adjacent to neck opening 200 and
second arm opening 220. Second segment 130 includes load component
230, which is configured to provide tactile input (discussed above)
to thereby reduce anxiety and/or insomnia in infant users when the
infant wears the WISA 100 in the "closed" stated. For example, load
component 230 can be graspable by the infant while being worn. To
produce tactile input, load component 230 is preferably weighted
(e.g., 30-60 grams).
[0027] For example, to provide the desired weight, load component
230 includes polymer (e.g., polypropylene), metals, and/or alloys
in the form of pellets, discs, and/or beads. In certain
embodiments, load component 230 is a three-dimensional structure.
Load component 230 preferably configured as a child-friendly animal
(e.g., butterfly, lion, zebra, hippopotamus, unicorn, or other
animal capable of presentation in a child-friendly manner). In
other embodiments, load component 230 can include cartoon
characters, animals, animal faces, toys as well as other objects.
In some embodiments, load component 230 can be presented as an
animal face with components that are graspable by the
infant/toddler. For example, load component 230 can be a butterfly
having wings that extend from WISA 100 and are graspable. In other
embodiments, one or more loop components are affixed to WISA 100.
For example, the loop components can function as pacifier
attachment sites. First side fastener 146 reversibly couples first
side 122 of first segment 110 to first side 142 of second segment
130 when main body 101 is in the "closed" state. First side
fastener 146 is affixed to first side 122 and first side 142, in
accordance with certain embodiments.
[0028] Second side fastener 148 is reversibly coupled to second
side 124 of first segment 110 to second side 144 of second segment
130 when main body 101 is in the "closed" state. In the "closed"
state, first arm opening 210 and second arm opening 220 are each
oriented around an arm 310 of infant 300, reflected in FIG. 5.
Similarly, in the "closed" state, second arm opening 220 is
oriented around a second arm 310 of the infant.
[0029] In yet still other embodiments, WISA 100 includes openings
(e.g., elastic openings, zippered openings, fastenable openings,
and/or similar openings) at the bottom to allow infants/toddlers to
walk around while wearing the WISA 100. In certain embodiments,
WISA 100 is long sleeved.
[0030] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *