INFANT CLOTHING WITH IMPROVED PROTECTIVE LINING

Abstract

An infant garment comprising a front and a back that are sewn together at edges of the front and back such that the garment can be worn by an infant. The back is entirely composed of a three layer compound material that is bonded together. The three layer compound material is composed of two layers of fabric that has been treated with an antimicrobial treatment and one layer of waterproof material between the two layers of fabric. The front can be partially composed of said three layer compound material in areas corresponding to the infant's belly when the garment is worn by the infant. The infant garment can be made so that the compound material is removable.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Present Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to infant clothing that has an improved protective inner lining.

Description of the Related Art

A baby's clothing can generally be characterized as composing of: (1) a diaper, (2) an undergarment (generally called an infant bodysuit) and (3) outerwear clothing. A baby diaper is typically a cloth or other absorbent material that is folded around a baby's bottom and legs. Diapers are traditionally used to contain and control the baby's body waste or excrement. As it is placed around the bottom of the baby, any liquid or solid excretions will be absorbed or contained by the diaper material.

The infant bodysuit is worn over the diaper and underneath any outer clothing, but can function as outerwear clothing as well as an undergarment. The infant bodysuit usually covers the entire torso of the baby. The infant bodysuit may optionally have arm and leg portions. The infant bodysuit will also have snaps or other closures around the diaper area to open the infant bodysuit in that area to allow easy access to the diaper. As the infant bodysuit is in direct contact with the baby's skin, it is usually made of a thin, flexible fabric that is soft so as to be comfortable to the touch.

Outerwear clothing is usually worn to protect the baby from the outside elements and to be aesthetically pleasing. The diaper and the infant bodysuit protect the outerwear clothing and anything outside of the infant bodysuit from the baby's excrement. However, in some instances, the baby's excretions are not contained by the diaper and will escape the confines of the diaper. Such instances can occur when the baby suffers from diarrhea or another abdominal ailment and the liquidity of the excrement allows it to seep outside of the diaper. While the infant bodysuit will offer an additional layer of protection, the excrement can soak through the infant bodysuit to reach things outside of the infant bodysuit and, in particular, the outerwear clothing.

If the excrement reaches the outerwear clothing, it may become visibly stained with the excrement. Some of these stains are not easily removed by washing the clothing. In addition, unhealthy and odor causing microbes in the excrement can ruin the outerwear clothing despite being washed repeatedly. Moreover, regardless of the effect on any outerwear, it is more pleasant and sanitary to have the excrement contained within the garment to protect other people and objects. It would be advantageous to have an undergarment that could prevent such occurrences from happening to save the outerwear clothing and protect things outside of the infant bodysuit.

An infant bodysuit exists bearing the trade name Poopsies®. The back of this infant bodysuit is comprised of three layers while the front side of the garment is composed of one layer of fabric. On the back, two of the layers are composed of rayon and spandex fabrics. The third layer is a waterproof material.

The two fabric layers are not treated to be anti-microbial. The two layers of fabric in the back are sewn together along the sides, top and bottom edges. The front of the garment is sewn to the back of the garment along the sides of the garment and at the top in the area corresponding to the shoulders creating seams along those areas. On the bottom of the garment, snaps were placed on both the front portion and the back portion connecting both portions to allow the garment to be closed around the bottom of the baby.

The third waterproof layer is inserted between the two layers of fabric on the back side of the bodysuit. This waterproof material is not present in the front side of the garment. In the back side, the waterproof material extends to the bottom of the garment, but only extends approximately three quarters of the way up the back. The waterproof material is attached to the two layers of fabric in the back by the same stitching at the side seams and the bottom seams where the two fabrics are sewn together. For the top edge of the waterproof material, stitching attaches the waterproof material only to the innermost fabric of the two fabrics that comprise the back of the garment and not the outer fabric layer. This creates a seam visible only in the inside of the garment that extends right across the back of the baby.

This design suffers from numerous disadvantages. As the three layers of material that comprise the back of the garment are only held together by stitching along the side and bottom edges of the materials, the three layers are separable from each other. This separation creates air pockets between the layers that will allow any excrement to pool in those pockets and to move more freely within those pockets to potentially escape the confines of the garment more easily.

In addition, having the waterproof material being able to freely move separate from the layers of fabric allows the waterproof material to potentially bunch up within those internal spaces, which could be uncomfortable to the baby laying on top of the bunched up material. The bunching up of the material will also create noises that are potentially disturbing and unpleasant to hear as well.

Having the waterproof material extending only partially up the back of the garment does not adequately contain the liquid excrement as the liquid excrement can travel up the back of the garment. However, the problems that exist by having the waterproof material bunch up and/or creating air pockets are also increased the further up the back the waterproof material is extended. In addition, the seam created by sewing the waterproof material only partially up the back could be uncomfortable to the baby lying on it.

An additional problem caused by the limited placement of the waterproof material and the existence of air pockets is that any excrement that goes beyond the seam along the edge of the waterproof material will now be able to move freely in the air pocket that exists between the waterproof material and the outer fabric to spread further soiling the outerwear clothing and things outside of the infant bodysuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved baby garment that will have a protective layer to prevent any excrement that escapes the confines of a diaper to reach outside the baby garment, including the outer clothing worn by a baby. The improved garment will have portions of the back of the garment constructed of a compound fabric that is both waterproof and have antimicrobial properties. That compound fabric will be comprised of cloth fabric laminated onto a polyurethane film. The compound fabric will be placed at key locations within the garment to target the areas where seepage most commonly occur.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description along with the accompanied drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of one embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIG. 3 shows a cutaway view of the layers of fabric in one embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show a front and back view of the invented baby garment showing the compound fabric.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a front and back view of another embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show a front and back view of another embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show front and back views of two embodiments of the invented baby garment.

FIGS. 8a and 8b show front and back views of two embodiments of the invented baby garment.

FIGS. 9a and 9b show front and back views of two embodiments of the invented baby garment.

FIG. 10a shows a cutaway interior view of the back of the garment from the inside of the garment of another embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIG. 10b shows a cutaway interior view of the front of the garment from the inside of the garment of another embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIG. 11 shows a cutaway view of the layers of fabric in one embodiment of the invented baby garment.

FIG. 12 shows a back view of another embodiment of the invented baby garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to an aspect of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the invented baby garment 100. The garment 100 will have a torso portion 101. The torso portion will be comprised of a lower region 103 and an upper region 105. The lower region generally corresponds to the crotch area of the garment. Optionally, the garment will have arm portions and leg portions. The garment will have upper flaps 107 and lower flap 109. The upper flaps can be flipped up over the shoulders to have a wider neck opening on the top of the garment. The garment will have snap closures 111 that closes/opens up the lower flap 109 at the bottom of the garment. The snap closures 111 allow the garment to be opened up quickly and access to the diaper is easily achieved in order to change the diaper. Other type of closures such as buttons, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, zippers and clasps can also be used.

The garment is a unitary piece that can be slipped over a baby's head to cover the baby's body. The garment 100 will have sufficient room to allow for a diaper to be worn underneath it. The garment will be made of a soft fabric such as cotton. However, fabrics such as fleece, terry cloth, wool, silk, flannel, cashmere, and satin can be used. Soft and flexible fabrics are ideal as it will contact the baby's skin.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the invented baby garment. It has corresponding portions to the front of the garment: torso portion 201, lower region 203 and upper region 205. The entire back of the garment will be composed of a different material than the front. The back of the garment is sewn to the front of the garment with the seams along the side of the garment.

FIG. 3 depicts the composition of the fabric of the back of the garment. The material of the back of the garment is a compound fabric made by laminating cloth fabric 301 to both sides of a thin film of polyurethane 303. The cloth fabric can be chosen to be extremely absorbent material. Having a cloth fabric on both sides of the polyurethane film will ensure that the garment maintains a soft touch for the baby and any person holding the baby. The cloth fabric can be organic cotton, but many other fabrics can be used and still be within the scope of this invention.

This compound fabric is waterproof due to the polyurethane layer 303. The compound fabric is also antimicrobial as the cloth fabric is treated with an appropriate substance such as silver ions. However, other suitable common actives such as zinc pyrithione, silver, and quaternary ammonium could be used as long as it has antimicrobial properties to inhibit the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. The antimicrobial treatment will primarily function to help prevent bacteria and other microorganisms from attaching to the fabric surface and growing on it.

Laminating the cloth fabric to the film of polyurethane will ensure that there is no separation between the layers and no air pockets between the layers will be created. Without any separation between the layers, the polyurethane layer will always remain flat against the cloth fabric and it cannot bunch up, which could cause discomfort to the baby lying on top of that bunched up material. Additionally, the lamination of the three layers creates a more durable and sturdy fabric that also militates against the compound fabric from bunching up as well.

Another benefit of having the cloth fabric laminated to the polyurethane is that it also helps retard the growth and spread of microbes. Since the cloth fabric that is laminated to the polyurethane layer is treated with the antimicrobial substance, contact with the cloth will inhibit the growth of microbes and bacteria. If there is a separation between the cloth material and the polyurethane layer as can occur in the prior garments, then the excrement will pool up against the polyurethane material in that space and not be in contact with the antimicrobial treated cloth fabric. Having the antimicrobial treated cloth laminated against the polyurethane film ensures that there will be contact with the antimicrobial agent.

FIGS. 4a and 4b depict the areas of the garment that are composed of the compound fabric. As shown by the grey scaled shading, the entire back of the garment 403, the lower flap 109 and upper flaps 107 of the front of the garment will be composed of the compound fabric. The sleeves are optionally not composed of the compound fabric, but can easily be and still be in the scope of the invention. Since any excrement will typically be towards the back of the baby, the entire back of the garment will have the compound fabric. The lower flaps and the upper flaps on the front of the garment will also be composed of this compound fabric because those areas will help contain the excrement in the garment especially if the excrement is ejected with any amount of force. Areas 401 and 405 are shaded to indicate that the interior portions of the back of the garment will be composed of the compound fabric.

An alternate embodiment of the invented bodysuit is depicted in FIGS. 5a and 5b. In this embodiment and depicted in FIG. 5b, the entire back of the garment is composed entirely of the compound fabric while a portion of the front of the garment is composed of the compound fabric. As depicted in FIG. 5a by the shaded areas, the bottom part of the front portion will be composed of the compound fabric and will be sewn to the top portion at an area roughly corresponding to the top of the belly of an infant to ensure that the protection extends a little above the top edges of a diaper. Having the compound material placed in the front of the garment will also enhance the protection of the infant bodysuit.

Another alternate embodiment of the invented bodysuit will have only a portion of the back to be composed of the compound fabric. As depicted in FIGS. 6a and 6b by the grey shading, the bottom part of back of the infant bodysuit will be composed of the compound fabric. When the front part of the garment is also partially composed of the compound fabric, the seams that connect the top part of the garment to the bottom part of the garment can be aligned to create a continuous seam from front to back.

By having these portions of the garment composed of the compound fabric, the invented garment targets the area that is most likely to experience the leak from the excrement. The waterproof nature of the polyurethane layer prevents the liquid waste from soaking through the garment to reach the outerwear clothing. Having an absorbent material as the first layer will also aid in protecting the outer clothing. The antimicrobial nature of the compound fabric will further protect the outerwear from any bacterial growth.

In another embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the garment has long sleeved arm portions and leg portions. In this embodiment, the compound fabric can extend through the entire back portion of the garment including the arms and legs. FIG. 7a shows an embodiment where the front of the garment does not contain any of the compound fabric. FIG. 7b shows an embodiment where the bottom portion of the front of the garment will be composed of the compound fabric and sewn to the top part at a point corresponding to around the top of the belly of the infant. Although the shading in FIGS. 7a and 7b depict specific portions of where the compound fabric will be incorporated in the arms and legs, the portion of the arms and legs that are composed of the compound fabric in the front and back of the garment can vary and still be in the scope of the invention.

While FIGS. 7a and 7b show a garment that has full length sleeves and full length legs, other embodiments having variable lengths for the sleeves and the legs can be utilized and still be in the scope of the invention. FIGS. 8a and 8b show two different embodiments where the garment is a infant romper. FIG. 8a shows that the front of the garment has portions of the compound fabric incorporated into the design. FIG. 8b shows the entire front of the garment without the compound fabric. The portion of the arm and legs that are composed of the compound fabric in the front and back of the garment can vary and still be in the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 9a and 9b show two more embodiments where the garment is a wearable blanket. In both embodiments, the back is composed of the compound fabric. FIG. 9a shows that the front of the garment is partially composed of the compound fabric while FIG. 9b show that the front of the garment is not composed of the compound fabric.

In another embodiment of the invention, part of the back of the garment will be removable. The back of the garment will be composed of three layers, but two of these layers are removable. FIG. 10a shows a cutaway interior view of the back of the garment from the inside of the garment. In that figure, outer layer 1003 is separable from inner layer 1001. As this figure shows an interior view of the garment, both outer layer 1003 and inner layer 1001 are still part of the back of the garment. Outer layer 1003 is composed of a cloth layer and inner layer 1001 is composed of a cloth fabric laminated to a polyurethane layer. The inner layer 1001 is attached to the outer layer 1003 by fasteners such as snaps 1005. Other types of fasteners can be used and still be in the scope of the invention.

FIG. 10b shows an interior view of the garment showing the front of the garment. Panel 1007 will be composed of a cloth fabric laminated to a polyurethane layer. As depicted by the shading, the rest of the front of the garment will be composed of a cloth layer. The panel 1007 will be removable from the front by fasteners such as snaps.

FIG. 11 shows the removable two-layer compound fabric that is depicted in FIG. 10 as inner layer 1001 and panel 1007. This two-layer fabric in composed of a polyurethane layer 1103 laminated to one layer of cloth fabric 1101. Referring back to FIG. 10, the inner layer 1001 and panel 1007 have the cloth layer facing the interior of the garment. With the polyurethane layer being between the interior of the garment and the outer layer 1003, the excrement will be contained from contacting the outer layer 1003. Since the inner layer 1001 and panel 1007 are removable and replaceable, the soiled portion of the garment can be easily removed and the garment remains intact. In addition, the protective layer can easily be replaced within the original garment to retain the protective nature of the garment. The removable layer can be easily accessed by flipping the upper flaps over the shoulders of the garment to widen the neck opening. Having the inner layer comprised of the two layer composite fabric that is laminated together eliminates the possibility of having air pockets between these two layers and the problems that occur when these two layers are separable.

While previous embodiments utilized a three layer laminated compound fabric as the protective layer, this two layer compound fabric can be used and be sewn to an outer fabric to comprise a three layer fabric. Having the two layer compound fabric as the inner layer ensures that the problems of having air pockets form due to any separation between the materials is minimized.

In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, the entire back 1203 of the garment can be removed and replaced. In that embodiment, the back will be attached to the front 1201 of the garment with fasteners such as buttons 1205, however, any fasteners can be used. FIG. 12 shows the sleeves are replaceable along with the back, but alternate embodiments can have the sleeves remain with the front portion of the garment. Flap 1207 will reach around to attach to the front of the garment with appropriate fasteners. Having a completely removable back will allow the back to be replaced easier than having the inner layer removable. In addition to a replacement garment back, it is within the scope of the invention that the garment back can be replaced with any fabric that will have the appropriate matching fasteners.

Claims

1. An infant garment comprising: a front side and a back side; the front side being comprised of a fabric and the entire back side being comprised of a compound material; the compound material being comprised of a first, second and third layers; the first, second and third layers being bonded together; wherein the second layer is composed of a waterproof material and the first and third layers are composed of fabric that has antimicrobial properties.

2. The infant garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front side is partially comprised of the compound material.

3. The infant garment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the front side that is partially comprised of the compound material would correspond to an infant's belly when the garment is worn by an infant.

4. The infant garment as claimed in claim 2 wherein the front side that is partially comprised of the compound material extends from a bottom of the garment to an area that is above a diaper that is being worn by an infant when the garment is worn by an infant.

5. The infant garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second layer is between the first and third layers.

6. The infant garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infant garment is a wearable blanket.

7. The infant garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infant garment is a romper.

8. The infant garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and third layers are fabric that has been treated with silver ions.

9. An infant bodysuit comprising: a front portion and a back portion; said front portion and said back portion each having an inward facing surface and an outward facing surface; said front and back portions being attached together along edges of the front portion and the back portion forming a cavity between the front portion and the back portion such that the bodysuit can be placed around and worn by an infant user; wherein said back portion is comprised of a plurality of layers; one of said plurality of layers being waterproof and another of said plurality of layers having antimicrobial properties;wherein the waterproof layer and the antimicrobial layer are bonded together; said plurality of layers extending from a top of the back portion to a bottom of the back portion and extending from one side to another side of the back portion.

10. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bonded waterproof and antimicrobial layers are removable from the bodysuit.

11. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the bonded waterproof and antimicrobial layers comprise the inward facing surface of the back portion.

12. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the front portion comprises of said plurality of layers.

13. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 12 wherein said plurality of layers extends from a bottom of the front portion to an area above a diaper being worn by an infant user and extends from a left side to a right side of the front portion.\

14. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 12 wherein said plurality of layers of the front portion is removable from the bodysuit.

15. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein said plurality of layers is attached to the bodysuit along edges of the front portion and back portion.

16. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein said outward facing surface of the back portion is a fabric.

17. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein said front portion is comprised of a fabric and not comprised of said plurality of layers.

18. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein a portion of the back portion will wrap around the infant user wearing the bodysuit and attach to the front portion of the bodysuit.

19. The infant bodysuit as claimed in claim 9 wherein said plurality of layers are bonded together.

20. An infant garment comprising: a front and a back; said front and back being sewn together at edges of the front and back such that the garment can be worn by an infant; said back being entirely composed of a three layer compound material that is bonded together; said three layer compound material being two layers of fabric that has been treated with an antimicrobial treatment and one layer of waterproof material between the two layers of fabric; said front being partially composed of said three layer compound material in areas corresponding to the infant's belly when the garment is worn by the infant.