GB2527900A

GB2527900A - Infant sleep bag and set of sleeves

Info

Publication number: GB2527900A
Application number: GB1507377.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Debbie Mercy
Original assignee: Gro Group International Ltd
Current assignee: Gro Group International Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-01
Filing date: 2015-04-30
Publication date: 2016-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-30
Also published as: AU2015254592A1; GB201507377D0; WO2015166053A1; GB2527900B

Abstract

An infant sleep bag, comprises a main body to receive the torso and legs of an infant and sleeves107 to receive the arms of the infant, wherein the bag includes an opening or ventilation portion 109 at the intersection between at least one of the sleeves and the main body so as to allow warm air or heat to escape from the inside of the bag in use. The opening or ventilation portion may be provided at the armpit of the sleeping bag and may be covered by an air-permeable mesh material. Also disclosed is a pair of removable sleeves for such an infant sleeping bag.

Description

INFANT SLEEP BAG AND SET OF SLEEVES

TECHNICAL HELD

The present invention relates, in general, to infant sleep bags, and more particularly, S although not exclusively to infant sleep bags with sleeves, and to sleeves for such bags.

BACKGROUND

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to overheating, and such thermal stress has been linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs) and other serious, potentially fatal consequences.

Baby sleep or sleeping bags, and more generally infant and child sleeping bags, are a convenient and safe alternative to traditional blankets, and are typically recognised as safer alternatives compared to more traditional bedding as they prevent an infant's head from getting covered by bedding. In addition, they prevent the infant from kicking off bedding and waking tip because they are cold for example.

In use, if the infant's body core temperature becomes too hot within such a sleep bag, excess hot air can escape through the neck openings and through openings at the arm holes of the bag. Accordingly, bags with such sleeveless design are intended to provide ventilation to reduce the risk of overheating by allowing an infant's arms to be uncovered.

In colder climates, sleeveless designs have the disadvantage that an infant's arms may become too cold. However, the provision of sleeves, even in such climates, can still result in overheating because of a lack of ventilation, particularly since infants and young children undergo a period of thermoregulatory imbalance and are typically unable to properly regulate their temperature.

SUMMARY

According to an example, there is provided an infant sleep bag, comprising a main body to receive the torso and legs of an infant, and sleeves to receive the arms of the infant, wherein the bag includes an opening or ventilation portion at the intersection between at least one of the sleeves and the main body whereby, in use, to allow warm air or heat to escape from the inside of the bag. The opening or ventilation portion can be positioned at the armpit or underarm region of the bag. The opening or ventilation portion can be provided with an air-permeable covering material. The covering material can be a mesh material. The sleeves can be removable from the main body of the bag. The sleeves can have cuffed hems whereby to allow the sleeves to be adjusted in position on the infant's arms when in use. The sleeves can have bound hems. The main body can be narrower S at the neck end than the opposite end whereby, in use, to allow freedom of leg movement. The main body can include front and back portions to define an interior region for accommodating the infant. The front portion can include a closure mechanism extending from a neck opening of the main bag to a lower region of the front portion. The closure mechanism can include one of a zip or poppers. The back portion can include one or more openings to receive, in use, a harness or strap, whereby to enable an infant to be secured whilst in situ in the sleep bag to a seat or other device upon which the harness or strap is mounted. The bag can include respective openings or ventilation portions at the intersections between the sleeves and the main body whereby, in use, to allow warm air to escape from the inside of the bag. The or each opening or ventilation portion extends from the front to the back of the bag The opening or ventilation portion can be partially or fully closed. The opening or ventilation portion can be in the form of one or more holes in the material of the sleeves and/or body.

According to an example, there is provided a set of sleeves for an infant sleep bag.

including means to removably attach the sleeves to a bag, wherein respective ones of the sleeves include an opening or ventilation portion such that, when aftached to a bag at the intersection between respective ones of the sleeves and a main body of the bag warm air or heat can escape from the inside of the bag. The opening or ventilation portion can be formed by way of a cut-out portion at the armpit or underarm region of the sleeves. The means to removably attach the sleeves can be selected from one of hook and loop fasteners, a zip or poppers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRANGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 a is a schematic representation of an infant sleep bag according to an example; Figure lb is a schematic representation of an infant sleep bag according to an example; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a set of sleeves for an infant sleep bag according to an example; S Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the set of sleeves as shori in figure 2 including a covering over openings of the sleeves; Figure 4a is a schematic representation of the rear of an infant sleep bag according to an

example; and

Figure 4b is a schematic representation of an infant sleep bag according to an example.

DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various altemative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed.

On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Elements of the example embodiments are consistently denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and

detailed description where appropriate.

The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope.

The articles a," "an," and "the" are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in S an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Figure 1 a is a schematic representation of an infant sleep bag according to an example.

The sleep, or sleeping, bag can be provided in various sizes and with various tog ratings so that it is suitable for use at various times of the year in various climates and can be used by infants and children of various ages and sizes and so on. Accordingly, a bag as depicted in figure la and other figures as provided herewith can be provided in various sizes and with various different thermal properties. The specific shape of the bag can also vary. For example, a bag can be narrower at a neck end and have a relatively wider bottom region in which the legs and feet typically sit so as to provide freedom of movement for an infant. However, it will be appreciated that a bag may be of the same width along its length, or can have some other suitable profile or shape. A bag according to an example is not therefore intended to be limited to the specific shapes depicted and to specific materials and thermal properties The bag 100 includes a main body 101 to receive the torso and legs of an infant or child.

The main body 101 can include front 103 and back 105 portions to define an interior region for accommodating the infant or child. In an example, the front and back portions can be provided as separate portions with the same or respective different thermal properties that can be attached to one another, such as by sewing for example along their respective edges to form the main body 101, or the front and back portions can be a single portion that can be attached to itself along one edge for example to form the main body. Various other suitable configurations are possible as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, such as having multiple portions that can be attached together to form a front and/or back portion for example.

The bag 100 includes sleeves 107 to receive the arms of the infant or child. Sleeves 107 can be integral, inasmuch as they are fixedly attached to the main body 101, or can be provided as removable items that can be removed from and reattached to the main body 101 as desired. For example, the sleeves 107 can be provided with zips, hook and loop fastenings or poppers or the like, and the corresponding portion of the main body 101 can be provided with matching zips or poppers and so on so that the sleeves 107 can be attached or removed, and so that the sleeves 107 will be secure when attached so that there is no risk of an infant or child removing them or of them working their way loose in use and coming away from the bag 100.

S

According to an example, the bag 100 includes an opening or ventilation portion 109 at or generally around the intersection between at least one of the sleeves 107 and the main body 101 whereby, in use, to allow warm air or heat to vent or escape from the inside of the bag 100. An opening 109 can be provided at or generally in the region of each intersection of a sleeve with the main body 101. Other ventilation portions or openings (not shown) can be provided in the body or sleeves in order to increase ventilation.

In an example, the opening is positioned at the armpit or underarm region of the bag, and can be in the form of a cut-out that extends part way from the front of the bag to part way up the back of the bag for example. The opening or cut-out can be provided in any number of suitable shapes, and the size of the opening can be adapted to provide multiple options for different climates and/or different child/infant ages and so on, such that the ventilation provided by the openings whilst the bag is in use can be tailored to the specific needs or desires of a parent or carer taking into account the environmental conditions to be experienced and the characteristics of the infant/child in question.

According to an example, an opening is an underarm opening that allows warm air or excess heat to escape or vent from the underarm region of an infant. When the infant's arm are down, the openings are effectively in a closed configuration, although some warm air may still vent depending on the extent to which the openings extend from the front to the back of the bag. When the infant's arms are up or raised to a suitable degree, the openings will be an open configuration, or a more open configuration than In an example the opening can be a slit that extends across the armpit or underarm region of the bag. Accordingly, when an infant's arms are down the slit will, broadly speaking, be in a substantially closed configuration. However, when an infant's arm or arms are raised up, the slit can open slightly to enable more warm air to vent.

S

According to an example, an opening extends from a frontal region to a rear region of the bag, and may extend into the front and/or back of the bag. An opening may extend down the side of bag, and an opening can be configured such that the extent that an opening extends down the side of a bag or from front to back of the bag can be S controlled or modified. For example, a closure mechanism can be provided, such as a zip, poppers or hook and loop fastenings for example. This can enable the extent to which an opening extends, for example, down the side of a bag to be selected. For example, by opening up some poppers, an opening can be made larger by allowing it to extend further down the side of a bag or further into the front/back of the bag. Similar considerations apply to the lateral nature of an opening, in which the extent to which an opening extends into the front and rear of a bag can be selected using similar closure mechanisms to those described above.

An opening 109 can be provided with an air-permeable covering material, such as a mesh material for example. Alternatively, an opening 109 can be covered using the same or a different material as the rest of the bag 100, but which has a different thermal rating or weight such that it is more readily able to allow heat to escape compared to the rest of the bag 100. For example, a bag may be composed primarily of cotton and/or bamboo material, perhaps with some padding or wadding to form quilting in the main areas such as the main body 101 and the sleeves 107 for example. Accordingly, an opening 109 can be covered with a relatively thinner layer, such as a single lightweight layer, of the same material. As such, an opening will enable warm air to escape and cooler air to circulate within the main body 101 of the bag 100, whilst providing a degree of insulation, which may be desirable in cooler climes.

In an example, the sleeves 107 can have cuffed or bound hems 111. This can enable the sleeves to be adjusted in position on the infant's arms when in use. For example, the hems 111 can be cuffed or hemmed so as to reduce the circumference of the sleeves at the ends thereby providing some degree of grip on an arm when in situ in the sleeve for example. Alternatively, a sleeve can be provided with an elasticated hem for example to achieve the same effect. Further alternatively, a sleeve can simply be hemmed or cuffed to provide a sleeve circumference that does not grip or otherwise hold an arm.

In an example, the sleeves 107 and main body 101 can be provided with securing means 113 to enable an opening 109 to be closed. For example, a zip, hook and loop fastenings or poppers and the like can be provided on opposing portions of a sleeve 107 and the main body 101 at the opening in order to enable the opening to be secured closed, or reduced in size. For example, on a particularly cold night, where full ventilation may not be required, an opening can be reduced in size so as to provide some venting of warm air and cool air circulation, but to a lesser degree than would otherwise S be the case if the opening was fully open. Alternatively, an opening can be closed.

In an example, the front portion 103 can include a closure mechanism 115 extending from a neck opening 117 of the main bag 101 to a lower region 119 of the front portion 103. The closure mechanism 115 can include one of a zip or poppers for example, and can be arranged so that the mechanism is generally provided straight down the front of the bag 100, as sho'cti in figure la, or can be arranged in any other suitable manner, such as at an angle so that it veers to one side or other of the bag for example.

Alternatively, the closure mechanism can be provided at the side of the bag 100, such as on the main body 101 from the bottom of an opening 109 to the lower region 119 of the bag at the side thereof.

Figure lb is a schematic representation of an infant sleep bag according to an example.

Similar features of the bag 1000 of figure lb are labelled with the same reference numerals as figure la. A closure mechanism 215 can extend around the bag 100. For example, with reference to figure lb, a closure 215, such as a zip for example can extend from point A to point B, or thereabouts (that is, the exact location of the points is not intended to be limited to that depicted -rather, the locations are indicative of positions for end points of a closure mechanism, such as a zip). Points A' and B' show possible alternative positions for closure end points in an example. Any position between point A" and B" may be used for end points. As depicted by dotted lines 217, 219, a closure 215 can extend across arm portions of the bag 1000, and the front portion of the bag 103 may therefore be completely removable. Suitable fabric chin/face guards may be provided to protect an infant from a zip of other closure mechanism when part of such a mechanism is in a position in which it could contact the infant.

As depicted in figure lb, a closure mechanism can enable the front portion 103 of the bag 1000 to be opened relative to the back to enable infant changing. For example, to change an infant's nappy or clothing, the closure mechanism 215 can be opened so that the front portion 103 can be moved to enable easy access to the infant without having to completely remove the bag.

The closure of the bag may follow a path such as depicted by line 1003 for example.

S That is, the closure may extend around the outside of the bag to point B, B', B" or any other point in between or outside these points, and may follow a circuitous/curved route over the front of the bag and towards the neck region of the bag, such as depicted in figure lb. This can enable access into the front of the bag when needed, without having to open the entire bag up. In an example, a closure mechanism can be provided that is operable to open and close from either end point of the mechanism. For example, a zip may be used that can be opened from either of point B or point A. In an example, an upper region of a bag, generally depicted in figures la and lb above the transverse doffed lines, can be lined and/or fabricated from a materiaL that is different to the rest of the bag. For example, the upper region can be lined and/or fabricated from a material to provide extra stability and/or result in a more restrictive environment for an infant in the bag. A lining can be used to reduce the internal space of the bag at the tipper region. Alternatively, or in addition to a lining, a material such as an elasticated or stretchy' material can be used. Accordingly, the tipper region can provide a tighter fit for an infant compared to the rest of the bag.

The lower region 119 of the bag can be flared, such as depicted in figures la and lb. This effectively provides a pouch at the lower region which enables freedom of movement for an infant in this region. Particularly, the lower region can enable freedom of movement of an infant's legs, which can reduce the occurrence of problems such as hip dysplasia for example. The lower region may be composed of several sections that can be so profiled as to define a cavity for the lower region of the bag that enables an infant to move their freely in any number of directions.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a set of sleeves for an infant sleep bag according to an example. The set of sleeves 200, forming a pair of sleeves suitable for use with a sleeveless sleep or sleeping bag for an infant or child includes means to removably attach the sleeves 200 to such a bag (not shori). For example, the sleeves can be provided with attachment means 201 such as zips, hook and loop fastenings or poppers or the like that can be used to attach them to corresponding means on a bag, thereby enabling the sleeves to be fixed and removed as desired.

The sleeves 200 each include a cut-out portion 203 at the armpit or underarm region S thereof to form an opening or ventilation portion at the intersection between respective ones of the sleeves 200 and a main body of a bag when they are attached, whereby, in use, to allow heat/warm air to escape from the inside of the bag through the openings that are formed by portions 203, and to allow cool air to circulate within the main body a bag.

The sleeves 200 can be provided with various differing thermal ratings or weights so as to enable a parent or carer to select an appropriate set of sleeves for use with a sleep bag taking into account the environmental conditions. For example, sleeves can be selected to provide more or less thermal insulation than the bag to which they are intended to be attached. Sleeves 200 can be provided with a covering as described above with reference to figure 1, which covering can similarly be a mesh material and so on, and which can attach to the main body of a bag using any suitable attachment means such as described above, Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the set of sleeves as shown in figure 2 including a covering 300 over the openings 203, which in the example of figure 3 is shown as a mesh type material, but as noted above could be any suitable material covering, and indeed, could be a mesh or other material which includes some ventilation holes for example. In this connection, it is possible, in an example, for the openings or ventilation portions as described herein to be composed of ventilation holes, for example, multiple holes in each underarm area. The material in the underarm portion could then be the same as the rest of the sleeves and/or body of the bag.

Figure 4a is a schematic representation of the rear of an infant sleep bag according to an example. The bag 400 is shown from the back portion 105 and includes one or more openings 401 to receive, in use, a harness or strap (not shown), whereby to enable an infant to be secured whilst in situ in the sleep bag 400 to a seat or other device (not shown) upon which the harness or strap is mounted. For example, a five point harness typically used in baby prams, buggies car seats or carriers and so on can be fed through the openings 401 in order to enable an infant in situ in the bag 400 to be secured to the pram, buggy, car seat or carrier and so using the straps of the harness.

Figure 4b is a schematic representation of the rear of an infant sleep bag according to an S example. The bag 400 is shown from the back portion 105 and includes an alternative opening 4010 to receive, in use, a harness or strap (not shown), whereby to enable an infant to be secured whilst in situ in the sleep bag 400 to a seat or other device (not shown) upon which the harness or strap is mounted. For example, a five point harness typically used in baby prams, buggies car seats or carriers and so on can be fed through the openings 4010 in order to enable an infant in situ in the bag 400 to be secured to the pram, buggy, car seat or carrier and so using the straps of the harness.

The words infant and child are used interchangeable herein, and the use of one over the other is not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, the use of sleep or sleeping bag is also used interchangeably, and again the use of one term over the other is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the term tog relates to a unit of measurement of the warmth or thermal resistance of a fabric or material in question. Typically, the higher the tog rating, the warmer (more thermally insulating) the material or fabric.

As used herein, an armpit region, or underarm region, is generally the area under the region where a sleeve is connected or otherwise attached to the shoulder part of the main body a bag. It will be appreciated that an opening positioned broadly at an armpit or underarm region of a bag can be arranged in various ways to provide an opening that extends more or less around or away from the underarm region to provide a larger or smaller opening as may be required. Furthermore, an opening can be arranged to extend to a larger or smaller extent into' a main sleeve portion and/or main body of a bag.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An infant sleep bag, comprising: a main body to receive the torso and legs of an infant; and S sleeves to receive the arms of the infant; wherein the bag includes an opening or ventilation portion at the intersection between at least one of the sleeves and the main body whereby, in use, to allow warm air or heat to escape from the inside of the bag.
2. An infant sleep bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening or ventilation portion is positioned at the armpit or underarm region of the bag.
3. An infant sleep bag as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening or ventilation portion is provided with an air-permeable covering material.
4. An infant sleep bag as claimed in claim 3, wherein the covering material is a mesh material.
5. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeves are removable from the main body of the bag.
6. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeves have cuffed hems whereby to allow the sleeves to be adjusted in position on the infant's arms when in use.
7. An infant sleep bag as claimed in of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sleeves have bound hems.
8. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the main body is narrower at the neck end than the opposite end whereby, in use, to allow freedom of leg movement.
9. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the main body includes front and back portions to define an interior region for accommodating the infant.
10. An infant sleep bag as claimed in claim 9, wherein the front portion includes a closure mechanism extending from a neck opening of the main bag to a lower region of the front portion.S
11. An infant sleep bag as claimed in claim 10, wherein the closure mechanism includes one of a zip or poppers.
12. An infant sleep bag as claimed claim 9, wherein the back portion includes one or more openings to receive, in use, a harness or strap, whereby to enable an infant to be secured whilst in situ in the sleep bag to a seat or other device upon which the harness or strap is mounted.
13. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the bag includes respective openings or ventilation portions at the intersections between the sleeves and the main body whereby, in use, to allow warm air to escape from the inside of the bag.
14. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each opening or ventilation portion extends from the front to the back of the bag.
15. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the opening or ventilation portion can be partially or fully closed.
16. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the opening or ventilation portion is in the form of one or more holes in the material of the sleeves and/or body.
17. An infant sleep bag as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeves are removable attachable to the bag using a closure mechanism.
18. A set of sleeves for an infant sleep bag, including: means to removably attach the sleeves to a bag, wherein respective ones of the sleeves include an opening or ventilation portion such that, when attached to a bag at the intersection between respective ones of the sleeves and a main body of the bag warm air or heat can escape from the inside of the bag.
19. A set of sleeves as claimed in claim 18, wherein the opening or ventilation portion is formed by way of a cut-out portion at the armpit or underarm region of the sleeves.
20. A set of sleeves as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the means to removably attach the sleeves is selected from one of hook and ioop fasteners, a zip or poppers.
21. An infant sleep bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
22. A set of sleeves for an infant sleep bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.