Infant Undergarment

Abstract

The infant undergarment includes a rear panel extending down from a neck curve and between lateral seams. A lower flap defines a lower portion of the rear panel which has lateral edges defined by leg curves giving the lower flap an hourglass form. A lower edge of the lower flap can be rotated up between legs of an infant and fastened back to other portions of the infant undergarment. A right front flap and left front flap extend from lateral seams of the rear panel to lateral edges of the front flaps which are adjacent to each other. Front fasteners adjacent these lateral edges allow for removable attachment of these lateral edges of the right front flap and left front flap to each other. The corner fasteners and front fasteners utilize complemental fasteners which can be removably attached from each other for convenient removal and replacement of the infant undergarment.

Claims

1: An infant undergarment, comprising in combination: a torso portion including a neck opening and a pair of arm openings; said torso portion including a rear panel extending down from said neck opening; a lower flap extending away from said rear panel of said torso portion to a rear lower edge; said torso portion including a left front flap and a right front flap extending laterally from lateral edges of said rear panel, said left front flap terminating at a lateral edge and said right front flap terminating at a lateral edge; said left front flap and said right front flap each having a front lower edge most distant from said neck opening; complemental fasteners located at said front lower edges of said left front flap and said right front flap and at said rear lower edge of said lower flap for selective attachment of said rear lower edge of said lower flap to said front lower edges of said right front flap and said left front flap; and complemental front fasteners located along said lateral edges of said left front flap and said right front flap for selective opening and closing of said right front flap and said left front flap together.

2: The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said lower flap has an hourglass shape.

3: The undergarment of claim 2 wherein said lower flap has leg curves on lateral sides thereof, said leg curves closer to each other on portions thereof than a length of said rear lower edge of said lower flap between said lateral sides of said lower flap.

4: The undergarment of claim 3 wherein said lower flap has a point of minimum width between said lateral sides thereof which is less than half of a width of said lower flap at said rear lower edge.

5: The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said corner fasteners include hook and loop fasteners.

6: The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said corner fasteners include snaps.

7: The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said corner fasteners include buttons.

8: The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said front fasteners include hook and loop fasteners.

9: The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said front fasteners include snaps.

10: The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said rear panel includes a visual inspection port between said neck opening and said lower flap.

11: A method for putting on an infant undergarment, including the steps of: placing arms of the infant through a pair of arm openings in a torso portion of an infant undergarment, the torso portion located below a neck opening, the torso portion also including a rear panel extending down from the neck opening with a lower flap on a portion of the rear panel most distant from the neck opening, the lower flap terminating at a rear lower edge, the torso portion including a right front flap and a left front flap extending from lateral sides of the rear portion of the torso portion and terminating at lateral edges located at lateral edges of the right front flap and left front flap; routing the lower flap between legs of an infant until the rear lower edge is brought adjacent to the lower edges of the right front flap and the left front flap; using complemental fasteners provided at a front lower edge of the left and right front flaps and at the lower edge of the lower flap to fasten the rear lower edge of the lower flap to the front lower edge of the right front flap and left front flap; bringing the lateral edges of the right front flap and left front flap together; and using front fasteners located at the lateral edges of the right front flap and left front flap to hold the lateral edges of the right front flap and the left front flap together.

12: The method of claim 11 including the further step of removing the front fasteners from each other and removing the complemental fasteners from each other before removing the infant undergarment from an infant.

13: The method of claim 11 wherein the undergarment includes the lower flap having an hourglass shape and wherein said lower flap has leg curves on lateral sides thereof, the leg curves closer to each other than a length of the rear lower edge of the lower flap between the lateral sides of the lower flap to allow the lower flap to fit between legs of the infant.

14: The method of claim 13 wherein the infant undergarment includes the lower flap having a point of minimum width between the lateral sides thereof which is less than half of a width of the lower flap at the rear lower edge.

15: The method of claim 11 wherein the infant undergarment includes the fasteners formed of hook and loop fasteners.

16: The method of claim 11 wherein the infant undergarment includes the fasteners having snaps.

17: The method of claim 11 including the further step of looking through a visual inspection port in the rear panel between the neck opening and the lower flap to see if a diaper change is required.

18: An infant undergarment, comprising in combination: a torso portion including a neck opening and a pair of arm openings; said torso portion including a rear panel extending down from said neck opening; a lower flap extending from said rear panel of said torso portion to a rear lower edge; a left front flap and a right front flap extending laterally from lateral edges of said rear panel, said left front flap and said right front flap terminating at lateral edges; said left front flap and said right front flap each having a front lower edge most distant from said neck opening; complemental fasteners located at said front lower edges of said left front flap and said right front flap and at said rear lower edge of said lower flap for selective attachment of said rear lower edge of said lower flap to said front lower edges of said right front flap and said left front flap; complemental front fasteners located along said lateral edges of said left front flap and said right front flap for selective opening and closing of said right front flap and said left front flap together; wherein said lower flap has an hourglass shape; wherein said lower flap has leg curves on lateral sides thereof, said leg curves closer to each other on portions thereof than a length of said rear lower edge of said lower flap between said lateral sides of said lower flap; and wherein said lower flap has a point of minimum width between said lateral sides thereof which is less than half of a width of said lower flap at said rear lower edge.

19: The undergarment of claim 18 wherein the infant undergarment includes the fasteners formed of hook and loop fasteners.

20: The undergarment of claim 18 wherein the infant undergarment includes a visual inspection port in said rear panel between said neck opening and said lower flap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the infant undergarment according to a preferred embodiment of this invention and shown on an infant.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the invention depicted in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a left side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of that which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with alternative complemental fasteners and with a rear panel shown in a detached configuration and with front flaps of a torso portion of the invention shown partially removed from each other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to an infant undergarment configured to be worn by an infant I and which is particularly configured to be easy to put on and take off to facilitate diaper changes, clothing changes, etc., and especially while allowing a sleeping infant I to remain sleeping during such a change.

[0029] In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, basic details of the infant undergarment 10 of this invention are described, according to a preferred embodiment. The undergarment 10 includes a torso portion which is formed of a rear panel 20 and a pair of front flaps including a right front flap 50 and a left front flap 70. A lower portion of the rear panel 20 transitions into a lower flap 30 which is shaped to pass between legs L of the infant I and wrap back up for attachment to lower portions of the front flaps 50, 70. The torso portion also includes a right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60 for wearing about arms A of the infant I. The rear panel 20 includes a strategically located visual access slot 80 which allows for visual inspection in a downward direction above a rear edge of a diaper to determine visually whether a diaper change is required. Complemental fasteners are strategically located to hold the lower flap 30 to the left and right front flaps 50, 70 and to hold the left and right front flaps 50, 70 together in a removable fashion. The resulting undergarment 10 thus does not need to be lifted up over a head of the infant I for removal thereof or for putting the infant undergarment 10 onto the infant I.

[0030] More specifically, and with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-3, 6 and 7, particular details of this invention are described, according to this preferred embodiment. The infant undergarment 10 is a flexible fabric structure which is formed of one or more sections of fabric strategically sewn together to form a geometry such as that depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8. In particular, this flexible fabric is cut and then sewn into a shape including the rear panel 20 with the lower flap 30 at a lower portion thereof and with the right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60 at upper portions of the undergarment 10, with the right front flap 50 and left front flap 70 extending from lateral sides of the rear panel 20.

[0031] The particular geometry of the rear panel 20 is shown best in FIG. 7. A neck curve 22 defines an upper edge of the rear panel 20. Various seams define perimeter portions of the rear panel 20 depending on how the overall infant undergarment 10 is constructed. In the embodiment depicted, lateral seams 24 define lateral edges of the rear panel 20. In one simple form of the invention these lateral seams 24 extend all the way up to the right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60. Optionally, seams can be provided on an uppermost portion of the rear panel 20 extending from the right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60 to the neck curve 22. Alternatively, continuos fabric can wrap over upper portions of the right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60 so that upper portions of the rear panel 20 wrap over the right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60 and transition into the right front flap 50 and left front flap 70.

[0032] A lower portion of the rear panel 20 transitions into the lower flap 30. The lower flap 30 has a somewhat hourglass shape with leg curves 32 on lateral sides thereof which cause a width of the lower flap 30 to transition from a width matching a width of the rear panel 20 to a lesser width (preferably less than half of full width) as the leg curves 32 curve toward each other, and then transitioning back to a greater width as the leg curves 32 continue to curve away from each other and approach the lower edge 34 of the lower flap 30. Typically, the leg curves 32 terminate and lateral edges of the lower flap 30 continue parallel to each other and at constant widths down to a lowermost portion of the lower flap 30 defined by the lower edge 34. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, this lower portion of the lower flap 30 below the leg curves 32 and above the lower edge 34 defines a region which can be folded up between legs L of the infant I (FIG. 1) and then overlap lower portions of the right front flap 50 and left front flap 70 on a front side of the infant I.

[0033] Fasteners are utilized to hold the lower flap 30 in this closed position in a removable fashion. A preferred form of such fasteners include corner fasteners 26 strategically located adjacent to the lateral seams 24 of the rear panel 20 on portions thereof most distant from the right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60. In one embodiment, two (or more) corner fasteners 26 are provided with one closer to the lateral seam 24 and the other(s) further from the lateral seams 24 and further toward a center of the rear panel 20. In this way, tighter and looser options can be selected for fastening the lower flap 30 closed. A middle fastener of similar construction can also be provided if desired, typically at a midpoint between the corner fasteners 26, 36. Complemental portions of this fastener 36 are also provided on portions of the lower flap 30 adjacent to the lower edge 34 and at lateral edges of the lower flap 30 adjacent to the lower edge 34 of the lower flap 30. These complemental fasteners are referred to as corner fasteners 26, 36 in that they are located at a lower corner of the rear panel 20 and at a corner of the lower flap 30 where lateral edges of the lower flap 30 come together with the lower edge 34.

[0034] The corner fasteners 26, 36 are complemental to each other. In the embodiment shown, the first corner fastener 26 (or series of corner fasteners 26) is on the rear panel 20 and a second corner fastener 36 is on the lower flap 30. The complementary nature of these fasteners 26, 36 can be provided in a variety of different ways. In one embodiment these corner fasteners 26, 36 are in the form of hook and loop fasteners with one of the fasteners 26, 36 providing hooks and the other of the corner fasteners 36, 26 in the form of loops, and with the hooks and loops configured to connect together in a removable fashion because the hooks are somewhat flexible. One such hook and loop fastener is provided under the trademark VELCRO by Velcro Industries B.V. of the Netherlands.

[0035] Other forms of complemental corner fasteners 26, 36 could include snaps or buttons (or magnets, zippers, etc.). In the case of snaps two physical structures would be provided, one with a knob and one with a recess, and with the knob being able to snap into the recess in a manner releasably holding the knob in the recess so that the snaps facilitate removable attachability for the fasteners 26, 36. In the case of buttons, one of the fasteners 26, 36 would be in the form of a button sewn to the fabric at the location where the button is to be provided, and the other of the fasteners 26, 36, would be formed as a button hole in the fabric of an appropriate size to allow the button to be removably fastened thereto. Other forms of complemental fasteners could alternatively be provided for the corner fasteners 26, 36.

[0036] When the corner fasteners 26, 36 are in the form of hook and loop fasteners, preferably the hook portion is on the corner fasteners 26 and the loop portion is on the corner fasteners 36. In this way, the softer loop fasteners will face toward the infant I so that if somewhat out of alignment and come into contact with the infant I, relatively soft loops would provide this contact, rather than the somewhat abrasive hooks. The shape of the patches forming such hook and loop fasteners can vary, with circular and rectangular shapes being two of the available options for the hooks or the loops.

[0037] Referring primarily to FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the right sleeve 40 and left sleeve 60 include a right arm opening 42 passing therethrough and a left arm opening 62 passing therethrough. These arm openings 42, 62 are sized sufficiently large to allow the arm A of the infant I to pass therethrough. Most typically the fabric is sufficiently flexible and the arm openings 42, 62 are sufficiently large so that one of the arms A of the infant I can be passed therethrough either “hand first” or “elbow first” with a forearm and upper arm of the infant I able to pass through the opening 42, 62 and then be pulled entirely through the opening 42, 62, so that the arms A of the infant I can be passed through the openings 42, 62 in a variety of different ways depending on the comfort of the infant. In other embodiments, the openings 42, 62 of the sleeves 40, 60 can be more “fitted” with smaller size and less flexibility and still function acceptably according to this invention. The sleeves 40, 60 can be “long sleeves” if desired either completely covering arms A and hands or just arms A. As an option, such long sleeve (or short sleeves) can have sleeve stitching circumscribing the sleeves 40, 60 to attach them to other portions of the garment.

[0038] The right front flap 50 and left front flap 70 extend from the lateral seams 24 of the rear panel 20 (or seamlessly if desired) toward each other. The right front flap 50 terminates at a lateral edge 52 most distant from the rear panel 20. The left front flap 70 extends to a lateral edge 72 most distant from the rear panel 20. These lateral edges 52, 72 are positioned based on a width of the right front flap 50 and left front flap 70 which is preferably selected to match a size of the infant I so that the lateral edges 52, 72 are directly adjacent each other and slightly overlap when placed upon the infant I.

[0039] The lateral edge 52 includes a front fastener 53 thereon. The lateral edge 72 includes a front fastener 73 thereon. These front fasteners 53, 73 preferably are similar in nature to the corner fasteners 26, 36. Thus, if the corner fasteners 26, 36 are in the form of hook and loop fasteners, the front fasteners 53, 73 are also hook and loop fasteners. Similarly, the front fasteners 53, 73 could be formed of snaps, buttons or other fasteners generally matching the character of the corner fasteners 26, 36 for the infant undergarment 10. Alternatively, different types of fastening technology could be utilized for the front fasteners 53, 73 than is utilized for the corner fasteners 26, 36. For instance, the lateral edges 52, 72 could be fitted with a zipper fastener and zip open and closed.

[0040] In the figures, the front fasteners 53 are depicted as a circular patch of hook and loop fastener material. The front fasteners 73 are depicted as a rectangular patch of loop portion of hook and loop fastener material. The front fastener 73 is on a lower surface of the left front flap 70 adjacent the lateral edge 72 and the front fastener 53 is located on an outer surface of the right front flap 50 adjacent the lateral edge 52. Broken lines are thus utilized to depict the front fastener 73. When these fasteners 53, 73 are brought into proximity to each other, they connect together in a removable fashion. Other shapes could be provided for these patches of hook and loop fastener material.

[0041] With particular reference to FIG. 7, details of the visual access slot 80 are described. The visual access slot 80 has a top edge 82 parallel to a bottom edge 84. These edges 82, 84 are preferably directly adjacent each other, but formed with the fabric of the infant undergarment 10 with sufficient flexibility so that this slot 80 can be easily opened by spreading the top edge 82 away from the bottom edge 84 slightly. A hole can be cut in the rear panel 20 to form the slot 80 or a horizontal seam can extend a full width of the garment 10 with the seam open at a midpoint to form the slot 80. Such spreading allows an individual to have visual access through the slot 80, particularly in a downward direction just above an upper edge of a diaper worn beneath the infant undergarment 10. A view can be made downward on the lower torso of the infant and inboard of the diaper to determine if the infant has soiled the diaper or not. As an alternative or in addition to visual inspection, an individual can reach through the slot 80 and determine to some extent if there is wetness in the diaper or not. The visual access slot 80 thus facilitates a determination of whether or not an infant requires a diaper change and the severity of the need for such a diaper change.

[0042] With particular reference to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment for the infant undergarment 10 is depicted where the corner fasteners 26, 36 are replaced with an alternative front lower hook fastener strip 126 and an alternative lower flap loop fastener strip 136. Rather than discreet locations for the corner fasteners 26, 36, an entire elongate strip 126, 136 is provided for attachment together and detachment, when the infant undergarment 10 is being placed on or removed from an infant I (FIG. 1). Similarly, in this embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, alternative right front hook fastener strips 153 and alternative left front loop fastener strips 173 are utilized of a continuous nature for securing the lateral edges 52, 72 of the right front flap 50 and left front flap 70 together, rather than discreet locations for the front fasteners 53, 73 as depicted in other embodiments.

[0043] In use and operation, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, details of the use and operation of the infant undergarment 10 are described, according to this preferred embodiment. Often an infant I is sleeping but still requires a change of an undergarment. For instance, if the infant I has soiled a diaper and/or has soiled the undergarment, it may be desirable to change the undergarment 10. However, if the infant I is sleeping it is desirable to keep the infant sleeping. Prior art undergarments typically require pulling the undergarment over the head of the infant I and it is difficult to keep the infant sleeping and/or clean during such a procedure.

[0044] With this invention, the undergarment is both placed on the infant I and removed from the infant I without ever requiring the undergarment to be pulled over the head of the infant I. Rather, and when putting the undergarment 10 on the infant I, one can initially place a left arm through the left sleeve 60 and a right arm A through the right sleeve 40. The rear panel 20 can be generally slid under the infant I carefully with the lower flap 30 beneath the legs L of the infant I. The lower flap 30 can then be wrapped up between the legs L until it is parallel with the rear panel 20 and the corner fasteners 26, 36 can be utilized to secure the lower flap 30 to the rear panel 20. Finally, the right front flap 50 and left front flap 70 can be brought together and the front fasteners 53, 73 utilized to complete the attachment of the infant undergarment.

[0045] While the legs and torso of the infant I are manipulated slightly during this process, the undergarment 10 never needs to be pulled over a head of the infant I to pull the head H through a neck opening. When the infant undergarment 10 is to be removed, first the corner fasteners 26, 36 can be detached and the lower flap 30 rotated downward between the legs L of the infant I into a position parallel with the rear panel 20. If only a diaper change is to be effectuated, the diaper change can then be performed and then the lower flap 30 reattached to the rear panel 20. If the infant undergarment 10 is to be completely removed, the lateral edges 52, 72 have the front fasteners 53, 73 separated therefrom and the right front flap 50 and left front flap 70 are rotated away from each other until they are generally parallel with the rear panel 20. Finally, the rear panel 20 can be slid, typically to one side and the arms A of the infant can be brought through the sleeves 40, 60 to complete the infant undergarment 10 removal process. Often a sleeping infant I can remain sleeping during this procedure.

[0046] This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thus described the invention in this way, it should be apparent that various different modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the identification is intended to include all structures which can perform the function specified. When structures of this invention are identified as being coupled together, such language should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being coupled directly together or coupled together through intervening structures. Such coupling could be permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative motion while still providing some form of attachment, unless specifically restricted.