ADULT SWADDLING APPARATUS

Abstract

A swaddling apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a fabric container of size and dimensions to comfortably enclose a human below neck level. The apparatus also comprises a vertical zipper at a front area of the container, the zipper accessible from an interior area of the container. The apparatus also comprises slots below a shoulder area of the container, the slots enabling arms of a user to protrude externally from the container.

Claims

1. A swaddling apparatus, comprising: a fabric container of size and dimensions to comfortably enclose a human below neck level; a vertical zipper at a front area of the container, the zipper accessible from an interior area of the container; and slots below a shoulder area of the container, the slots enabling arms of a user to protrude externally from the container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises at least one of muslin, spandex, and fleece.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is of size and dimensions to contain one of an adult human user and an adolescent human user.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container contains the user in an encapsulated state.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is flexible, breathable, and bag-like.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container optionally includes at least one slot at a bottom area enabling legs of the user to protrude externally.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slots below the shoulder area are optional.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the container optionally includes flaps to cover the optional slots below the shoulder area.

9. A leisure garment, comprising: a flexible cloth pouch, the pouch sized and shaped to envelope an adult human; a closing apparatus; and an opening at an upper portion of the pouch for a user head to protrude.

10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the closing apparatus is internally accessible to the user.

11. The garment of claim 9, wherein the closing apparatus is a zipper.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the zipper moves vertically from a lower area of the pouch to a neck area of the user.

13. The garment of claim 9, wherein the pouch optionally contains slots below a shoulder area for protrusion of arms of the user.

14. The garment of claim 9, wherein the pouch optionally includes at least one slot at a bottom area enabling legs of the user to protrude externally.

15. A respite device for patients afflicted with sensory ailments, comprising: a pliable enclosure of dimensions to contain an adult human; an internal surface comprising a substance directed to contain body warmth and shield physical wounds; and an internally disposed zipper mechanism, the zipper positioned for access by a user situated inside the device.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the substance comprises at least one of muslin, spandex, and fleece.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the enclosure is flexible, breathable, and bag-like.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the dimensions of the enclosure enable full extension of the user's legs.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the enclosure optionally includes at least one slot at a bottom area enabling legs of the user to protrude externally.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the zipper moves vertically from a lower area of the enclosure to a neck area of the user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Systems and methods described herein provide a one-piece swaddling cocoon device for leisure and healthcare users for adult and adolescent humans. The device envelopes the user's body including legs to the neck with the user's head comfortably protruding. Body warmth is therefore contained. User skin surfaces are protected from contact with outside objects. The swaddling cocoon device may be referred to commercially and in other settings as the swacoon.

[0019] The user enters the device and grasps and raises a zipper or similar component to close the device up to the neck level. The user's body from the neck down is contained inside the device.

[0020] The device provides a comforting and womb-like environment for users who may be suffering from physical and/or psychological ailments or may be recovering from surgery or various types of trauma. For users suffering from psychological ailments such as sensory processing disorder, the device may promote reduction of anxiety and a sense of safety for the user. Users with physical illnesses or injuries are provided a protective environment wherein areas of ailment are shielded from potential external contact that could exacerbate such conditions.

[0021] The device may be made from at least one of a plurality of fibers and fabrics including muslin, spandex and fleece. The device is a respite device and provides a pliable enclosure. The device is a swaddle apparatus directed to adults and adolescent minors. The device encloses the user in an encapsulated state wherein hands and feet are limited in movement but wherein the user is still comfortable. The mouth of the device at a top area is the only section of the device where an area of the user's body, the head, is not enclosed.

[0022] The device is opened and closed using a zipper that begins at a bottom area of the device and zips vertically upward to the user's neck. The device is closed at that point. A flap may cover the zipper to reduce the chance of the zipper being moved back downward. The zipper may be positioned to zip upward at a central area of the device. The zipper may alternatively be positioned at a left-handed area of the device or at a right-handed area of the device, to effectively run up alongside the user's left leg or right leg, respectively.

[0023] The zipper is accessed by the user once inside the device. The zipper inward. This structure contrasts with that of infant swaddle devices wherein the zipper is accessed externally. In an embodiment, a zipper may also be located near the bottom of the device and move horizontally across the device near the user's feet. This structure may allow the user to walk without having to fully exit the device.

[0024] Once inside the device and with the zipper in a down and open position, the user may reach down between his/her legs. The user may then grasp the handle of the inward-facing zipper and pull the zipper upward to the neck level to completely close the device about his/her body below the neck level.

[0025] The device may have a slot on each side for the user to move each arm outside the device. The slots may have covering flaps for use in sealing the device when the user's arms are inside the device.

[0026] Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 depicts components of a system 100 of such a swaddling apparatus. System 100 comprises a container 102, a zipper 104, a neck line 106, and arm slots 108a-b. FIG. 1 provides a front view of the swaddling apparatus with the internally-accessible zipper 104 positioned in the center of the container 102, the zipper 104 extending vertically to the neck line 106. The arm slots 108a-b are optional and allow the user to push his/her arms through the slots 108a-b.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 depicts components of a system 200 of such a swaddling apparatus. Components in FIG. 2 through FIG. 5 are indexed to the components of the system 100 depicted in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a transparent rear view of the apparatus with the user depicted inside the apparatus. A container 202 is shown as are slots 208a-b with the user's arms protruding through and out of the slots 208a-b.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 depicts components of a system 300 of such a swaddling apparatus. FIG. 3 is a transparent front view of the swaddling apparatus with the container 302 shown.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 depicts components of a system 100 of such a swaddling apparatus in a closed front view. Components shown in FIG. 1 include a container 402, a zipper 404, a neck line 406, and arm slots 408a-b. FIG. 4 provides a front view of the swaddling apparatus with the internally-accessible zipper 404 positioned in the center of the container 402, the zipper 404 extending vertically to the neck line 406. The arm slots 408a-b are optional and allow the user to push his/her arms through the slots 408a-b. In FIG. 4, the user's arms remain inside the container 402.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 depicts components of a system 500 of such a swaddling apparatus in a closed front view. Components shown in FIG. 1 include a container 502, a zipper 504, a neck line 506, and arm slots 508a-b. FIG. 5 provides a front view of the swaddling apparatus with the internally-accessible zipper 504 positioned in the center of the container 502, the zipper 504 extending vertically to the neck line 506. The arm slots 508a-b are optional and allow the user to push his/her arms through the slots 508a-b. In FIG. 5, the user's arms are shown as protruding through the slots 508a-b.

[0031] FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are images of a user of the adult swaddling apparatus inside the device. In FIG. 6, the user's arms are inside the device and in FIG. 7, the user's arms are outside the device as described above.

[0032] As noted, systems and methods are directed primarily for individuals that would like to feel snug and secure while lounging as well as to users afflicted with sensory processing disorder to mimic the feeling of being hugged. The system 100, i.e. the device, can help limit distractions by the user being confined in the apparatus. The device can also be used to cover skin allergy spots, wounds and hotspots on individuals to limit the amount of friction on the sensitive areas. The device may limit distractions at night, such as discouraging the user from reaching for his/her mobile phone or other distraction while attempting to sleep.

[0033] The device may ease pain without drugs, encourage focus, and ease insomnia. The device may improve focus for sufferers of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may ease symptoms of restless leg syndrome and fibromyalgia, and reduce travel anxiety. Further the device may help a user cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and autism.