Patent Application
20200359713
The present disclosure is in the field of anxiety-reducing and comforting devices for humans. More particularly, systems and methods provide a swaddling, cocoon-like container to fully enclose adult humans below neck level, the container zipping from the inside.
Anxiety can cause many issues in one's life, including health-related problems. Even mild anxiety can make it difficult for a person to sleep, concentrate, and to function on a daily basis. Anxiety and stress have become almost second nature to many, leaving people searching for answers and looking for natural and synthetic aids.
Stressed persons naturally gravitate to warm, protected and secure environments when seeking to relieve stress and enjoy leisure time. They naturally seek reduction of anxiety and relief from physical and psychological stresses. Further, individuals with anxiety-related ailments such as sensory processing disorder and other psychological afflictions may be persistently tormented with an inability to relax and live “in the moment.” Hence, systems and methods are needed to provide relaxation and relief to such persons.
The prior art includes numerous previous implementations. A commercially available product named “Love to Dream Original Swaddle Up” is described at https://lovetodream.com/swaddle-up-original/ and comprises a zipper. The product can only be zipped from the outside and is intended for infants.
Another commercially available product is named “The Woombie For Adults.” It is described at http://wearableblankets.co.uk/the-woombie-for-adults-the-snuggies-creepier-cousin/ and is a swaddling blanket for adults. A zipper provided by this product can only be zipped from the outside.
A swaddling suit is described in World Intellectual Property publication WO/2011/000025. The suit comprises an upper portion for enclosing an infant's upper body and a lower portion for enclosing the infant's lower body. The swaddling suit further comprises a zipper for closing the suit. The zipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the suit.
The prior art also includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,341,069A which describes a sleeping bag having an inside zipper mechanism to close an opening through which a person can get inside of the sleeping bag. A zipper mechanism is operable only from the inside of the bag. However, this item is a sleeping bag instead of a swaddle.
The prior art further includes US Publication 20180007976A1 providing a swaddle safety system comprising a swaddle garment. The swaddle garment has an opening through which an infant can be inserted into the garment. A zipper can be provided to close the opening. The zipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the swaddle garment. Further, this invention is intended for infants.
The prior art also includes U.S. design patent U.S. D513357S1 that provides a swaddling sleeper comprising a body portion and a wing portion. The body portion comprises an opening which allows the insertion of an infant. The opening can be closed by a zipper. The zipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the swaddling sleeper. Further, this invention is intended for infants.
The prior art further includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,513 that describes foul weather apparel comprising a tubular enclosure, a circular panel and a circular hoop. The circular panel includes a radial split that is closable by a zipper. The zipper can be manipulated from the inside. But this is a protective apparel instead of a swaddle.
Systems and methods described herein provide a one-piece swaddling cocoon device for leisure and healthcare users for adult and adolescent humans. The device envelopes the user's body including legs to the neck with the user's head comfortably protruding. Body warmth is therefore contained. User skin surfaces are protected from contact with outside objects. The swaddling cocoon device may be referred to commercially and in other settings as the “swacoon.”
The user enters the device and grasps and raises a zipper or similar component to close the device up to the neck level. The user's body from the neck down is contained inside the device.
The device provides a comforting and womb-like environment for users who may be suffering from physical and/or psychological ailments or may be recovering from surgery or various types of trauma. For users suffering from psychological ailments such as sensory processing disorder, the device may promote reduction of anxiety and a sense of safety for the user. Users with physical illnesses or injuries are provided a protective environment wherein areas of ailment are shielded from potential external contact that could exacerbate such conditions.
The device may be made from at least one of a plurality of fibers and fabrics including muslin, spandex and fleece. The device is a respite device and provides a pliable enclosure. The device is a swaddle apparatus directed to adults and adolescent minors. The device encloses the user in an encapsulated state wherein hands and feet are limited in movement but wherein the user is still comfortable. The mouth of the device at a top area is the only section of the device where an area of the user's body, the head, is not enclosed.
The device is opened and closed using a zipper that begins at a bottom area of the device and zips vertically upward to the user's neck. The device is closed at that point. A flap may cover the zipper to reduce the chance of the zipper being moved back downward. The zipper may be positioned to zip upward at a central area of the device. The zipper may alternatively be positioned at a left-handed area of the device or at a right-handed area of the device, to effectively run up alongside the user's left leg or right leg, respectively.
The zipper is accessed by the user once inside the device. The zipper inward. This structure contrasts with that of infant swaddle devices wherein the zipper is accessed externally. In an embodiment, a zipper may also be located near the bottom of the device and move horizontally across the device near the user's feet. This structure may allow the user to walk without having to fully exit the device.
Once inside the device and with the zipper in a down and open position, the user may reach down between his/her legs. The user may then grasp the handle of the inward-facing zipper and pull the zipper upward to the neck level to completely close the device about his/her body below the neck level.
The device may have a slot on each side for the user to move each arm outside the device. The slots may have covering flaps for use in sealing the device when the user's arms are inside the device.
Turning to the figures,
As noted, systems and methods are directed primarily for individuals that would like to feel snug and secure while lounging as well as to users afflicted with sensory processing disorder to mimic the feeling of being hugged. The system 100, i.e. the device, can help limit distractions by the user being confined in the apparatus. The device can also be used to cover skin allergy spots, wounds and hotspots on individuals to limit the amount of friction on the sensitive areas. The device may limit distractions at night, such as discouraging the user from reaching for his/her mobile phone or other distraction while attempting to sleep.
The device may ease pain without drugs, encourage focus, and ease insomnia. The device may improve focus for sufferers of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may ease symptoms of restless leg syndrome and fibromyalgia, and reduce travel anxiety. Further the device may help a user cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism.
