US20140352043A1

US20140352043A1 - Bed bug protective garment

Info

Publication number: US20140352043A1
Application number: US14/293,449
Authority: US
Inventors: Kathy Harvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-04
Filing date: 2014-06-02
Publication date: 2014-12-04

Abstract

A bed bug protective garment configured to be worn by a user. The garment includes a body portion that is configured to wrap around a user's arms, legs, and torso. A first closure mechanism is connected to an opening of the body portion and is configured to close the body portion around the user. The first closure mechanism extends along the length of the body portion to a top of the body portion. A hood portion of the garment is connected to the top of the body portion. The hood portion includes a face mask connected to the hood portion that covers the face of a user. A second closure mechanism is positioned between the face mask portion and the hood portion of the garment and secures at least a portion of the face mask portion to the hood portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/830,680, filed Jun. 4, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bed bug protective garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bed bugs, parasitic insects that feed on blood, are known to infest beds and other sleep areas within buildings such as homes, hotels, hospitals and other lodgings. Bed bugs are primarily active at night and feeding on their hosts while they sleep.
Bed bugs cause a number of adverse health effects resulting from bites such as skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychological effects. While bed bugs may be eradicated from a person's home, if a person travels to various other lodgings and comes in contact with one or more bed bugs, that person may carry the bed bugs back to their home. When a lodging becomes infested with bed bugs it is very difficult to eradicate them because they are hard to locate and are resistant to many types of pesticides.
What is needed, therefore, is a protective bed bug garment to prevent contact with bed bugs during sleep.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bed bug protective garment configured to be worn by a user. The garment includes a body portion that is configured to wrap around a user's arms, legs, and torso. A first closure mechanism is connected to an opening of the body portion and is configured to close the body portion around the user. The first closure mechanism extends along the length of the body portion to a top of the body portion. A hood portion of the garment is connected to the top of the body portion. The hood portion includes a face mask connected to the hood portion that covers the face of a user. A second closure mechanism is positioned between the face mask portion and the hood portion of the garment and secures at least a portion of the face mask portion to the hood portion. When the second closure mechanism is in a closed position the second closure mechanism will overlap at least a portion of the first closure mechanism. This overlap feature creates a double lock feature that further helps to prevent bed bugs from entering the garment when the first closure mechanism and second closure mechanism are in the closed position.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a protective bed bug garment according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front perspective environmental view of protective bed bug garment worn by a user according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A shows a front perspective close up view of the facemask portion of the garment according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B shows a front perspective close up view of the facemask portion of the garment according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of a bed bug garment with a first closure mechanism and second closure mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of a facemask portion of the protective bed bug garment according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of a facemask portion in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A shows a close up view of an alternate embodiment of a facemask portion of the protective bed bug garment according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7B shows a close up view of an alternate embodiment of a facemask portion of the protective bed bug garment according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
Referring now to all of the drawings, with particular reference to FIG. 1 shows a second embodiment of a protective bed bug garment 10. The protective garment 10 includes a body 12, a hood portion 14, and a facemask 16. The protective garment 10 further includes a closure mechanism 18 for enclosing a user within the protective garment 10 while preventing bed bugs from entering the protective garment 10. The bed bug protective garment 10 also includes two arm portions 17 connected to the body 12, with each of the two arm portions 17 having gloves 19 fixed to the end of one of the two arm portions 17 so that a user puts his or her hands into the respective gloves 19 by sliding their arm through one of the two arm portions 17. The gloves 19 shown in the present embodiment have five fingers, however, it if within the scope of this invention for the gloves 19 to have other configurations such as mittens or less than five finger portions depending on the need of a particular application.
The body 12 also has two leg portions 20 connected to the body 12. Each of the two leg portions 20 have a foot covering portion 21 fixed to each of the two leg portions 20 to that a user puts his or her foot into a respective one of the foot covering portions 21 by sliding their leg through one of the two leg portions 20. A bottom surface of each foot covering 23 has traction features which can be treads, rubber heads, sticky film or any suitable structure capable of providing traction to the person using the protective garment 10.
The foot coverings 21 are connected to the leg portions and the gloves 19 are connected to their respective arm portions 17 by micro-stitching or adhesives. Alternatively the foot coverings 21 and gloves 19 are removably connected using zippers and hook and loop type fasteners (i.e., Velco®).
Exemplary closure mechanisms 18 may be, for example, a zipper, Velcro®, buttons, or other various fasteners. In the present embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the closure mechanism 18 is a zipper having a chain 24 and a slider 30. A first end 26 of the chain 24 is located between the face mask portion 16 and the hood portion 14. The second end 28 of the chain 24 is located in a groin area 32 of the body 12. The slider 30 is connected to the chain 24 in a manner that is moves the chain 24 between the open position when the slider 30 slides in a first direction and a closed position when the slider slides in a second direction. In the present embodiment of the invention the first direction is when the slider 30 slides from the second end 28 toward the first end 26, which opens the chain 24. The slider 30 slides in the second direction when it moves from the first end 26 toward the second end 28, thereby closing the chain 24. In a second embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the chain 24 is configured to operate in the opposite manner such that the first direction is when the slider 24 slides from the first end 26 of the chain 24 toward the second end 28 of the chain 24, which causes the chain to open. In this alternate embodiment of the invention the second direction is when the slider 30 slides from the second end 28 of the chain 24 toward the first end 26 of the chain 24, which causes the chain 24 to close.
The body portion 12 and hood portion 14 of the garment 10 are formed of a lightweight breathable material that prevents bed bugs from contacting the user's skin while preventing the user from overheating during sleep as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a user sleeping while wearing the garment 10. Bed bugs (shown enlarged) are crawling on the user but cannot penetrate the garment 10. After wearing the garment the user can remove the garment 10 and place it in a clothes dryer on high heat, which will kill any bed bugs, their eggs and larvae. For example, in the present embodiment of the invention the body portion 12 and hood portion 14 may be formed of a one-piece suit, made from polyester or cotton or any type of fabric having a pore size of generally less than 10 microns and preferably between 2 to 6 microns. It is also within the scope of this invention for the body 12 and hood 14 to be made from a high density polyethylene fiber material such as a material sold under the brand name Tyvek®. The facemask portion 16 of the garment 10 is formed of a fine mesh, the mesh preferably having a density that allows the user to easily see through the mesh while preventing bed bugs from entering the garment 10 through the facemask portion 16. The facemask portion 16 is connected to the hood portion 14 by adhesives or stitching.
The body portion 12 of the garment 10 covers the arms, legs, and torso of a user as shown in FIG. 2. In another aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 2 the body portion 12 includes cuffs adjacent the ankles and wrists of the user to prevent bed bugs from entering the garment 10. In this particular embodiment the gloves 19 and foot coverings 21 are separate components that tuck into the cuffs 34. Alternatively the foot coverings 21 and gloves 19 are removably connected using zippers and hook and loop type fasteners (i.e., Velco®).
The hood portion 14 of the garment 10 is secured to the body portion 12 adjacent the user's head. The hood portion 14 extends around the back of the user's head and includes an opening around the face of the user.
The facemask portion 16 of the garment 10 is secured around the opening of the hood portion 14 adjacent the user's face. The hood portion 14 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B show a close-up view of the facemask portion 16 including the second closure mechanism 20. The facemask portion 16 may be at least partially secured to the hood portion 14 of the garment by sewing the facemask portion 16 around the opening of the hood portion 14.
Referring to an alternate embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5, the facemask portion 16 may also be at least partially secured to the hood portion 14 of the garment 10 using the second closure mechanism 36, thereby allowing the user to open the facemask portion 16 to facilitate the user putting on the garment 10. The second closure mechanism 36 shown is a zipper that operates in a manner similar to the zipper of the first closure mechanism 18 described above.
The facemask portion 16 includes a facemask portion means that includes a piece of sheer drapery or hosiery (e.g. nylon) type fabric having a pore size large enough to allow the user to breath and see as shown in FIGS. 1-6, a two eyelet openings 40 and a nose opening 42 connected to a hood 14′ as shown in FIG. 7 a and a single eyelet opening 40′ and a mouth and nose opening 42 on hood portion 14″ as shown in FIG. 7 b. While drapery or hosiery type fabric is described it is possible to use any suitable type of fabric that is breathable, see-through and elastic to accommodate the users face. The face mask portion 16 is cut into a circular shape having a diameter of from about eight inches to about twelve inches, and preferably having a diameter of approximately ten inches. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 there is half inch wide piece of piping or framing 38 secured around the perimeter of the facemask portion 16. The framing 38 is a semi-rigid piece of covered foam, bunched material or plastic rod that puts partially stretches the material of the facemask portion 16 and keeps the material away from the user's mouth and nose. It is also within the scope of this invention for the framing not to be present as show in FIG. 1.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 optionally includes a second closure mechanism 48 secured around at least part of the facemask portion 16. The second body closure mechanism 48 preferably has a length of from about six inches to about ten inches, and more preferably a length of about eight inches. However, it is also understood that the second body closure mechanism 48 also may extend substantially completely around the facemask portion 16 of the garment.
The first closure mechanism 18 and second body closure mechanism 248 overlap to substantially prevent the entry of bed bugs. As shown in FIG. 4, the first closure mechanism 18 and second closure mechanism 48 are in a closed position. When in the closed position, the second closure mechanism 48 extends over the first closure mechanism 18. Further, the facemask portion 16 is secured adjacent the first closure mechanism 18 while the second closure mechanism 48 is secured adjacent the first closure mechanism 18 thereby substantially sealing either side of the point at which the first closure mechanism 18 and second body closure mechanism 48 overlap.
To put on the protective garment 10, the user first ensures that both the first closure mechanism 18 and second body closure mechanism 48 are in an open position. The user inserts their arms and legs into the body portion of the garment 10 and pulls the hood portion 14 over the user's head. Next, the first closure mechanism 18 is moved to a closed position to secure the body portion 12 of the garment 10 to the user's body. After closing the first closure mechanism 18, the second body closure mechanism 48 is moved to a closed position thereby securing the facemask portion 16 adjacent the user's face. The user may then fold the flap 50 into any existing gap created where the first closure mechanism 18 and second body closure mechanism 48 overlap to substantially prevent entry of bed bugs into the garment 10.
Two additional alternate embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 7 a, 7 b. As shown there is a hood portion 14′, 14″. In FIG. 7 a that does not have a facemask portion but instead has two eyelet openings 40 and a mouth and nose opening 42. The eyelet openings 40 are covered by a transparent material such as vinyl or polycarbonate that is connected to the hood portion 14′. FIG. 7 b shows a single eyelet opening 40′ and a mouth and nose opening 42 on hood portion 14″. These embodiments provide a more transparent surface for a user to see his or her surroundings. The mouth and nose opening in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b have a cover of breathable sheer type material or micro-screen mesh material that is connected to the hood portion 14′, 14″ by adhesives, stitching or other suitable connection mechanisms. It is also within the scope of these embodiments for the mouth and nose cover 40, 40′ to have a zipper 44 and eyelets 40 to have a zipper 46 so that they can be opened and a user can access their eyes, mouth and nose without having to remove the hood portion 14′, 14″. The present invention also includes a face mask means which is a means for covering the face, while allowing the user to see and breath. The facemask means includes the facemask portion 16, eyelet openings 40, 40″, mouth and nose opening 42, mouth and nose zipper 44 and eye zipper 46.
The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bed bug protective garment configured to be worn by a user comprising:

a body portion including a hood portion connected to a top of the body portion of the garment;

a face mask portion connected to the hood portion for covering a face of the user;

a closure mechanism extending along a length of the body portion between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is located between the face mask portion and hood portion of the garment for securing at least a portion of the face mask to the hood portion.

2. The bed bug protective garment of claim 1 further comprising:

two arm portions connected to the body and having gloves fixed to the body.

3. The bed bug protective garment of claim 1 further comprising:

two leg portions connected to the body;

a foot covering portion fixed to each of the two leg portions, wherein a bottom surface of each foot covering has traction features.

4. The bed bug protective garment of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism is a zipper having a chain and slider, wherein the first end of the chain is located between the face mask portion and the hood portion and the second end of the chain is located in a groin area of the body and the slider is connected to the chain in a manner that is moves the chain between the open when the slider slide in a first direction and a closed position when the slider slides in a second direction.

5. The bed bug protective garment of claim 4, wherein the first direction is when the slider moves toward the second end of the chain and the second direction is when the slider moves toward the first end of the chain.

6. The bed bug protective garment of claim 4, wherein the first direction is when the slider moves toward the first end of the chain and the second direction is when the slider moves toward the second end of the chain.

7. The bed bug protective garment of claim 1 wherein the first direction is when the slider moves toward the first end of the chain and the second direction is when the slider moves toward the second end of the chain.

8. A bed bug protective garment comprising:

a body portion including a hood portion connected to a top of the body portion of the garment, wherein the body portion is made of a material that has a pore size of less than 10 microns;

a face mask portion connected to the hood portion for covering a face of the user, wherein the face mask portion is made of material that has a pore size of less than 10 microns.

9. The bed bug protective garment of claim 8 further comprising:

two arm portions connected to the body and having gloves fixed to the body.

10. The bed bug protective garment of claim 8 further comprising:

two leg portions connected to the body;

11. The bed bug protective garment of claim 8, wherein the closure mechanism is a zipper having a chain and slider, wherein the first end of the chain is located between the face mask portion and the hood portion and the second end of the chain is located in a groin area of the body and the slider is connected to the chain in a manner that is moves the chain between the open when the slider slide in a first direction and a closed position when the slider slides in a second direction.

12. The bed bug protective garment of claim 11, wherein the first direction is when the slider moves toward the second end of the chain and the second direction is when the slider moves toward the first end of the chain.

13. The bed bug protective garment of claim 11, wherein the first direction is when the slider moves toward the first end of the chain and the second direction is when the slider moves toward the second end of the chain.

14. The bed bug protective garment of claim 8 wherein the first direction is when the slider moves toward the first end of the chain and the second direction is when the slider moves toward the second end of the chain.

15. The bed bug protective garment of claim 8 further comprising a closure mechanism extending along a length of the body portion between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is located between the face mask portion and hood portion of the garment for securing at least a portion of the face mask to the hood portion.

16. A bed bug protective garment configured to be worn by a user comprising:

a face mask portion means connected to the hood portion for covering a face of the user;