US20200359713A1

US20200359713A1 - Adult swaddling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20200359713A1
Application number: US16/411,802
Authority: US
Inventors: Constandinos Bakouros
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-05-14
Filing date: 2019-05-14
Publication date: 2020-11-19

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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is in the field of anxiety-reducing and comforting devices for humans. More particularly, systems and methods provide a swaddling, cocoon-like container to fully enclose adult humans below neck level, the container zipping from the inside.

BACKGROUND

Anxiety can cause many issues in one's life, including health-related problems. Even mild anxiety can make it difficult for a person to sleep, concentrate, and to function on a daily basis. Anxiety and stress have become almost second nature to many, leaving people searching for answers and looking for natural and synthetic aids.
Stressed persons naturally gravitate to warm, protected and secure environments when seeking to relieve stress and enjoy leisure time. They naturally seek reduction of anxiety and relief from physical and psychological stresses. Further, individuals with anxiety-related ailments such as sensory processing disorder and other psychological afflictions may be persistently tormented with an inability to relax and live “in the moment.” Hence, systems and methods are needed to provide relaxation and relief to such persons.
The prior art includes numerous previous implementations. A commercially available product named “Love to Dream Original Swaddle Up” is described at https://lovetodream.com/swaddle-up-original/ and comprises a zipper. The product can only be zipped from the outside and is intended for infants.
Another commercially available product is named “The Woombie For Adults.” It is described at http://wearableblankets.co.uk/the-woombie-for-adults-the-snuggies-creepier-cousin/ and is a swaddling blanket for adults. A zipper provided by this product can only be zipped from the outside.
A swaddling suit is described in World Intellectual Property publication WO/2011/000025. The suit comprises an upper portion for enclosing an infant's upper body and a lower portion for enclosing the infant's lower body. The swaddling suit further comprises a zipper for closing the suit. The zipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the suit.
The prior art also includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,341,069A which describes a sleeping bag having an inside zipper mechanism to close an opening through which a person can get inside of the sleeping bag. A zipper mechanism is operable only from the inside of the bag. However, this item is a sleeping bag instead of a swaddle.
The prior art further includes US Publication 20180007976A1 providing a swaddle safety system comprising a swaddle garment. The swaddle garment has an opening through which an infant can be inserted into the garment. A zipper can be provided to close the opening. The zipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the swaddle garment. Further, this invention is intended for infants.
The prior art also includes U.S. design patent U.S. D513357S1 that provides a swaddling sleeper comprising a body portion and a wing portion. The body portion comprises an opening which allows the insertion of an infant. The opening can be closed by a zipper. The zipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the swaddling sleeper. Further, this invention is intended for infants.
The prior art further includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,513 that describes foul weather apparel comprising a tubular enclosure, a circular panel and a circular hoop. The circular panel includes a radial split that is closable by a zipper. The zipper can be manipulated from the inside. But this is a protective apparel instead of a swaddle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 108 a-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 108 a-b are optional and allow the user to push his/her arms through the slots 108 a-b.
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 208 a-b with the user's arms protruding through and out of the slots 208 a-b.
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.
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 408 a-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 408 a-b are optional and allow the user to push his/her arms through the slots 408 a-b. In FIG. 4, the user's arms remain inside the container 402.
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 508 a-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 508 a-b are optional and allow the user to push his/her arms through the slots 508 a-b. In FIG. 5, the user's arms are shown as protruding through the slots 508 a-b.
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.
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.
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.

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.