Patent Application
20240122784
The present invention relates to an article of clothing capable of providing a therapeutic effect. More specifically, the invention relates to a fashionable article of clothing capable of discreetly applying deep pressure therapy to the lower torso area.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes via the senses. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other developmental delays often also experience SPD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 6 million (9.8%) of children ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD, (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html downloaded Oct. 5, 2022) 1 in 44 children have been identified with ASD, and 1 in 6 (17%) children ages 3-17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html (downloaded Oct. 5, 2022).
A child (or adult) takes information in through her senses. These include auditory (sound/hearing), visual (sight), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), tactile (touch), vestibular (movement), proprioceptive (input from muscles and joints) and interoception (internal sensors indicating physiological conditions). Life with SPD makes at least some ordinary sights, textures, and noises unbearable. The body responds to these stimuli in an atypical way which can be observed in motor, language, or social-emotional difficulties. SPD can cause a lot of anxiety.
One of the most successful treatments of SPD is deep pressure therapy. Like how it sounds, DPT works by applying constant pressure around the whole body of the affected, which in turn reduces the stress hormone cortisol and releases dopamine in the body. While compression vests can be effective, they are difficult to get on and off, and typically can only be worn for 20 minutes to 50 minutes at a time. Also, the compression vests are not very fashion forward as they typically are not characterized by the latest trends in fashion.
There is a need for a deep pressure therapy garment that can be easily put on and taken off of a person with SPD. There is also a need for a deep pressure therapy garment that can be worn for an extended period of time. There is a need for a garment that provides a comforting squeeze, similar to a hug, in order to alleviate the stress of different stimuli. And there is a need for a garment with these therapeutic features that is discreet, and even fashionable.
In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a therapeutic torso garment comprising a compression layer and an outer layer. The compression layer has a compression-layer back, a compression-layer front-right side, and a compression-layer front-left side, wherein the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed compression-layer front. The outer layer has an outer-layer back, an outer-layer front-right side, and an outer-layer front-left side, wherein the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed outer-layer front. The compression layer is capable of applying uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the garment is configured with the closed compression-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the garment is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front.
In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a therapeutic jacket comprising: a compression layer and an outer layer The compression layer has a compression-layer back, a compression-layer front-right side, and a compression-layer front-left side, wherein the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed compression-layer front. The outer layer has an outer-layer back, an outer-layer front-right side, and an outer-layer front-left side, wherein the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed outer-layer front. The compression layer is capable of applying uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a therapeutic jacket comprising a compression layer and an outer layer. The compression layer has a compression-layer back, a compression-layer front-right side, a compression-layer front-left side, and a compression-layer zipper, wherein the compression-layer zipper is capable of adaptively connecting the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side to form a closed compression-layer front. The outer layer has an outer-layer back, an outer-layer front-right side, an outer-layer front-left side, and an outer-layer zipper, wherein the outer-layer zipper is capable of adaptively connecting the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side to form a closed outer-layer front. The compression layer is capable of applying uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front. The compression layer comprises 3 weight percent to 15 weight percent spandex based upon the total weight of the compression layer and further comprises nylon, polyester, and/or cotton. The compression layer is stretchable in a direction parallel to a bottom edge of the compression-layer back. The jacket, when configured with the closed compression-layer front, can be comfortably worn by a person for a time period from 1 to 14 hours.
The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like system components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which:
In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a therapeutic torso garment comprising a compression layer and an outer layer. The compression layer has a compression-layer back, a compression-layer front-right side, and a compression-layer front-left side, wherein the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed compression-layer front. The outer layer has an outer-layer back, an outer-layer front-right side, and an outer-layer front-left side, wherein the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed outer-layer front. The compression layer is capable of applying uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the garment is configured with the closed compression-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the garment is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Any and all patents and other publications identified in this specification are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein
Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.
As used herein, the term “and/or”, when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing compounds A, B, “and/or” C, the composition may contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
As used herein, the term “therapeutic torso garment” refers to an article of clothing to be worn on the torso that provides a therapeutic benefit to the person wearing the article of clothing. Non-limiting examples of a “therapeutic torso garment” and a therapeutic jacket and a therapeutic shirt.
As used herein, the term “compression layer” refers to the interior section of the garment that is capable of fitting snugly around at least part of the lower torso of a person wearing the garment.
As used herein, the term “outer layer” refers to the exterior section of the garment. The “outer layer” is readily visible and, among other things, provides the fashion discretion elements of the garment. As used herein, the term “capable of covering” refers to the ability to keep something from being visible.
As used herein, the terms, “back”, “front-left side”, and “front-right side” refer to sections of the “compression layer” and/or the “outer layer”. The “front-left side” and “front-right side” are the sides of the front as experienced by a person wearing the garment. As used herein, the terms “outside” and “inside” of a section of the garment, such as the “outside” of the “outer layer”, refers to the side of the “outer layer” that is visible when the garment is worn normally. The “inside” of the “outer layer” refers to the opposite side of the “outside” of the “outer layer”. The “inside” of the “compression layer”, refers the side of the compression layer closest to the torso, as worn. As used herein, the term “top” refers to the top of the garment, as worn, and the term “bottom” refers to the bottom of the garment, as worn. As used herein, the term “edge” refers to the area near the border of a section of the garment.
As used herein, the term “adaptively connectable” refers to the ability to repeatedly connect and disconnect two sections of the garment. For example, the outer-layer front-left side is “adaptively connectable” to the outer layer front-right side, refers to the fact that the two sides and be connected and separated over and over again. A non-limiting way to adaptively connect the outer-layer front-left side to the outer-layer front-right side is with a zipper. Correspondingly, as used herein, the term “closed outer-layer front”, refers to the outer-layer left-side front and outer-layer right-side front connected together.
As used herein, the term “is configured with” refers to the particular state of the sections of the garment that are adaptively connectable. For example, if the compression layer “is configured with the closed compression-layer front”, then the compression-layer right-front side and left-front side are connected.
As used herein, the term “corresponding parts” refers to the analogous parts in the compression layer and the outer layer. For example, the compression layer front-right side and the outer layer-front-right side are “corresponding parts”.
The compression layer is cable of providing deep pressure therapy to a person while wearing the therapeutic torso garment. In some aspects, when a person wears the garment configured with the closed compression-layer front, the compression layer provides deep pressure therapy to the person. In some aspects, when a person wears the garment configured with the closed compression-layer front, the compression layer provides deep pressure therapy to the person which leads to the person experiencing a reduction in anxiety. In some aspects, when a person wears the garment configured with the closed compression-layer front, the person experiences a reduction in anxiety.
The compression layer is stretchable. In some aspects, the compression layer exhibits 2-way stretch. In some aspects, the compression layer exhibits 4-way stretch. In some aspects, the compression layer is stretchable in a direction parallel to a back-bottom edge of the compression-layer. In other words, the compression layer stretches around the lower torso when worn. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises spandex. In some aspects, the compression layer also comprises nylon, polyester, cotton, and/or wool. In some aspects, the compression layer also comprises nylon, polyester, and/or cotton. In some aspects, the compression layer also comprises nylon and/or polyester. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises 3 weight percent to 15 weight percent spandex based upon the total weight of the compression layer. Other non-limiting examples of the amount of spandex are 3 weight percent to 12 weight percent, or 5 weight percent to 15 weight percent spandex based upon the total weight of the compression layer.
The construction of the compression layer is not particularly limited as long as the compression layer is capable of providing uniform pressure around an area of the lower torso. In some aspects, the compression-layer back, the compression-layer front right-side, and the compression-layer front left-side are three different pieces of material sewn together. In some aspects, the compression-layer back, the compression-layer front right-side, and the compression-layer front left-side are made from a continuous piece of material and there are no compression-layer side seams.
The therapeutic torso garment is constructed to provide a constant pressure by the compression-layer to an area of the lower torso when worn with the compression-layer configured with a closed compression-layer front. In some aspects, the uniform pressure applied by the compression layer is equivalent to a hug being given to a person. Unlike most compression tops, the relatively low level of uniform pressure allows a person to wear the therapeutic torso garment for extended periods of time. In some aspects, the garment, when configured with the closed compression-layer front is capable of being comfortably worn by a person for a period of time from 1 hour to 14 hours. In other non-limiting examples, the garment, when configured with the closed compression-layer front is capable of being comfortably worn by a person for a period of time from 1 hour to 12 hours, or 1 hour to 10 hours, or 1 hour to 8 hours, or 1 hour to 6 hours, or 1 hour to 4 hours, from 1.5 hours to 12 hours, or 1.5 hours to 10 hours, or 1.5 hours to 8 hours, or 1.5 hours to 6 hours, or 1.5 hours to 4 hours, or 2 hours to 12 hours, or 2 hours to 10 hours, or 2 hours to 6 hours, or 2 hours to 4 hours.
The therapeutic torso garment comprises a compression layer and an outer layer. The compression layer and outer layer are attached in a manner that does not disrupt the uniform pressure applied to an area of a lower torso by the compression layer when configured with the closed compression-layer front. How the attachment is done is not particularly limited. In some aspects, the compression layer is adaptively attached to the outer layer. In some aspects, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps and/or buttons are used to adaptively attach the compression layer to the outer layer. In some aspects, parts of the compression layer are sewn to the corresponding parts of the outer layer.
In some aspects, the compression layer fits within the outer layer. In some aspects, at least some parts of the outside of the compression layer contact corresponding parts of the inside of the outer layer. In some aspects, the top-back edge of the compression layer is attached to the top-back edge of the outer layer. In some aspects, the back-left armhole of the compression layer is attached to the back-left armhole of the outer layer, and the back-right armhole of the compression layer is attached to the back-right armhole of the outer layer. In some aspects, the left front of the compression layer is attached to the left front of the outer layer along a line parallel to a left-front edge of the compression layer and a left-front edge of the outer layer. As described thus far, the compression layer is basically hanging inside the outer layer. In some aspects, the left front of the compression layer is attached to the left front of the outer layer along a line parallel to a left-front edge of the compression layer and a left-front edge of the outer layer. In some aspects, the right front of the compression layer is attached to the right front of the outer layer along a line parallel to a right-front edge of the compression layer and a right-front edge of the outer layer. In some aspects, the attachment is made by sewing. In some aspects, the attachment is made using a zipper. In some aspects, the left armhole of the compression layer is attached to the left armhole of the outer layer, and the right armhole of the compression layer is attached to the right armhole of the outer layer. Attaching the compression layer to the outer layer in this manner allows the majority of the compression layer to freely stretch and provide uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso when the garment is configured with the closed compression-layer front.
The exact location of the attachment line parallel to the left-front edge and the left-front ledge is not particularly limited. Neither is the exact location of the attachment line parallel to the right-front edge and the right-front edge. The distance between these attachment lines and the corresponding edges is based upon the balance between needing room to perform the adaptable connection between the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side, and the desire to have the compression layer to stretch freely around as much of the lower torso as possible.
The compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed compression-layer front. This allows the compression layer to apply a uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the compression-layer front-right side and compression-layer front-left sides are connected. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and/or buttons to adaptively connect the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises a zipper to adaptively connect the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side.
The outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed outer-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the garment is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front. In other words, the compression layer is not visible when the compression layer is closed (i.e., the compression layer is configured with the closed compression-layer front) and the outer layer is closed (i.e., the outer layer is configured with the closed outer-layer front). In some aspects, the outer layer comprises a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and/or buttons to adaptively connect the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side. In some aspects, the outer layer comprises a zipper to adaptively connect the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side.
Many people who would benefit from the present invention and its treatment of sensory perception disorder have one or more other disorders. As such, is some aspects, the compression layer further comprising at least one port access point. In some aspects, the at least one port access point is capable of providing access to a vagus nerve stimulator and/or gastric tube.
In some aspects, the garment is a jacket, a vest, a sweater, or a shirt. In some aspects, the garment is a jacket or a vest. In some aspects, the garment is a jacket. In some aspects, the garment is capable of being the outermost layer of clothing worn by a person, making it convenient to put on and to take off. In some aspects, the garment is machine washable.
In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a therapeutic jacket comprising: a compression layer and an outer layer The compression layer has a compression-layer back, a compression-layer front-right side, and a compression-layer front-left side, wherein the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed compression-layer front. The outer layer has an outer-layer back, an outer-layer front-right side, and an outer-layer front-left side, wherein the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed outer-layer front. The compression layer is capable of applying uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front.
The compression layer is capable of providing deep pressure therapy to a person while wearing the therapeutic jacket. In some aspects, when a person wears the jacket configured with the closed compression-layer front, the compression layer provides deep pressure therapy to the person. In some aspects, when a person wears the jacket configured with the closed compression-layer front, the compression layer provides deep pressure therapy to the person which leads to the person experiencing a reduction in anxiety. In some aspects, when a person wears the jacket configured with the closed compression-layer front, the person experiences a reduction in anxiety.
The compression layer is stretchable. In some aspects, the compression layer exhibits 2-way stretch. In some aspects, the compression layer exhibits 4-way stretch. In some aspects, the compression layer is stretchable in a direction parallel to a back-bottom edge of the compression-layer. In other words, the compression layer stretches around the lower torso when worn. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises spandex. In some aspects, the compression layer also comprises nylon, polyester, cotton, and/or wool. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises nylon, polyester, and/or cotton. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises nylon and/or polyester. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises 3 weight percent to 15 weight percent spandex based upon the total weight of the compression layer. Other non-limiting examples of the amount of spandex are 3 weight percent to 12 weight percent, or 5 weight percent to 15 weight percent spandex based upon the total weight of the compression layer.
The construction of the compression layer is not particularly limited as long as the compression layer is capable of providing uniform pressure around an area of the lower torso. In some aspects, the compression-layer back, the compression-layer front right-side, and the compression-layer front left-side are three different pieces of material sewn together. In some aspects, the compression-layer back, the compression-layer front right-side, and the compression-layer front left-side are made from a continuous piece of material and there are no compression-layer side seams.
The therapeutic jacket is constructed to provide a constant pressure by the compression-layer to an area of the lower torso when worn with the compression-layer configured with a closed compression-layer front. In some aspects, the uniform pressure applied by the compression layer is equivalent to a hug being given to a person. Unlike most compression tops, the relatively low level of uniform pressure allows a person to wear the therapeutic jacket for extended periods of time. In some aspects, the jacket, when configured with the closed compression-layer front is capable of being comfortably worn by a person for a period of time from 1 hour to 14 hours. In other non-limiting examples, the jacket, when configured with the closed compression-layer front is capable of being comfortably worn by a person for a period of time from 1 hour to 12 hours, or 1 hour to 10 hours, or 1 hour to 8 hours, or 1 hour to 6 hours, or 1 hour to 4 hours, or 1.5 hours to 12 hours, or 1.5 hours to 10 hours, or 1.5 hours to 8 hours, or 1.5 hours to 6 hours, or 1.5 hours to 4 hours, or 2 hours to 12 hours, or 2 hours to 10 hours, or 2 hours to 6 hours, or 2 hours to 4 hours.
The therapeutic jacket comprises a compression layer and an outer layer. The compression layer and outer layer are attached in a manner that does not disrupt the uniform pressure applied to an area of a lower torso by the compression layer when configured with the closed compression-layer front. How the attachment is done is not particularly limited. In some aspects, the compression layer is adaptively attached to the outer layer. In some aspects, a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps and/or buttons are used to adaptively attach the compression layer to the outer layer. In some aspects, parts of the compression layer are sewn to the corresponding parts of the outer layer.
In some aspects, the compression layer fits within the outer layer. In some aspects, at least some parts of the outside of the compression layer contact corresponding parts of the inside of the outer layer. In some aspects, the top-back edge of the compression layer is attached to the top-back edge of the outer layer. In some aspects, the back-left armhole of the compression layer is attached to the back-left armhole of the outer layer, and the back-right armhole of the compression layer is attached to the back-right armhole of the outer layer. In some aspects, the left front of the compression layer is attached to the left front of the outer layer along a line parallel to a left-front edge of the compression layer and a left-front edge of the outer layer. As described thus far, the compression layer is basically hanging inside the outer layer. In some aspects, the left front of the compression layer is attached to the left front of the outer layer along a line parallel to a left-front edge of the compression layer and a left-front edge of the outer layer. In some aspects, the right front of the compression layer is attached to the right front of the outer layer along a line parallel to a right-front edge of the compression layer and a right-front edge of the outer layer. In some aspects, the attachment is made by sewing. In some aspects, the attachment is made using a zipper. In some aspects, the left armhole of the compression layer is attached to the left armhole of the outer layer, and the right armhole of the compression layer is attached to the right armhole of the outer layer. Attaching the compression layer to the outer layer in this manner allows the majority of the compression layer to freely stretch and provide uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front.
The exact location of the attachment line parallel to the left-front edge and the left-front ledge is not particularly limited. Neither is the exact location of the attachment line parallel to the right-front edge and the right-front edge. The distance between these attachment lines and the corresponding edges is based upon the balance between needing room to perform the adaptable connection between the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side, and the desire to have the compression layer to stretch freely around as much of the lower torso as possible.
The compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed compression-layer front. This allows the compression layer to apply a uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the compression-layer front-right side and compression-layer front-left sides are connected. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and/or buttons to adaptively connect the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side. In some aspects, the compression layer comprises a zipper to adaptively connect the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side.
The outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side are adaptively connectable to form a closed outer-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the garment is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front. In other words, the compression layer is not visible when the compression layer is closed (i.e., the compression layer is configured with the closed compression-layer front) and the outer layer is closed (i.e., the outer layer is configured with the closed outer-layer front). In some aspects, the outer layer comprises a zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and/or buttons to adaptively connect the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side. In some aspects, the outer layer comprises a zipper to adaptively connect the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side.
Many people who would benefit from the present invention and its treatment of sensory perception disorder have one or more other disorders. As such, is some aspects, the compression layer further comprising at least one port access point. In some aspects, the at least one port access point is capable of providing access to a vagus nerve stimulator and/or gastric tube.
In some aspects, the jacket is machine washable.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a therapeutic jacket comprising a compression layer and an outer layer. The compression layer has a compression-layer back, a compression-layer front-right side, a compression-layer front-left side, and a compression-layer zipper, wherein the compression-layer zipper is capable of adaptively connecting the compression-layer front-right side and the compression-layer front-left side to form a closed compression-layer front. The outer layer has an outer-layer back, an outer-layer front-right side, an outer-layer front-left side, and an outer-layer zipper, wherein the outer-layer zipper is capable of adaptively connecting the outer-layer front-right side and the outer-layer front-left side to form a closed outer-layer front. The compression layer is capable of applying uniform pressure to an area of a lower torso covered by the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front. The outer layer is capable of covering the compression layer when the jacket is configured with the closed compression-layer front and the closed outer-layer front. The compression layer comprises 3 weight percent to 15 weight percent spandex based upon the total weight of the compression layer and further comprises nylon, polyester, and/or cotton. The compression layer is stretchable in a direction parallel to a bottom edge of the compression-layer back. The jacket, when configured with the closed compression-layer front, can be comfortably worn by a person for a time period from 1 to 14 hours.
Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
