Patent Publication Number: US-2018049480-A1

Title: Multifunctional Baby Garment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/377,645, filed Aug. 21, 2016, which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to baby garments, and in particular, to a multifunctional article of clothing for babies and toddlers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Most babies need multiple naps a day, and toddlers need at least one, if not more. Naps are typically preceded and followed by playtime, necessitating a change of clothes from a romper (which allows the baby or toddler to enjoy playtime without a foot covering that could interfere with balance or sure footing when the baby or toddler attempts to walk) to a sleeper (which keeps the baby&#39;s feet more comfortably warm, allowing for better sleep). However, changing the baby&#39;s or toddler&#39;s clothes from a romper to a sleeper at the time when he or she is becoming drowsy and ready to sleep wakes him or her up, requiring another period of calming down before the baby or toddler is ready to sleep again. This makes putting the baby or toddler down for a nap a needlessly prolonged and frustrating process for the parent or caregiver. 
     Thus, there is a need for a clothing item that obviates the necessity of changing what a baby is wearing when transitioning from playtime to naptime, saving time and frustration for the parent or caregiver. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional article of clothing for babies and toddlers. In an example, a one-piece bodysuit includes both a set of fold-over mitten cuffs and a set of fold-over foot cuffs, which enables a parent or caregiver to change the function of the garment from a romper-style playsuit into a loungewear-style sleeper, thereby reducing the number of wardrobe changes required for the baby or toddler throughout the day. The set of mitten cuffs can fold over the baby&#39;s or toddler&#39;s hands to prevent it from scratching its face and to keep them warm, and the set of foot cuffs can fold over the baby&#39;s or toddler&#39;s feet to keep them warm so that he or she can sleep comfortably. Both the mitten cuffs and foot cuffs can further be folded up and out of the way when the baby awakes and is ready for active playtime or walking, without requiring an additional wardrobe change for the transition. 
     These illustrative embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define the limits of the present subject matter, but to provide examples to aid in the understanding thereof. Unless the meaning is clearly to the contrary, all ranges set forth herein and in the claims are deemed inclusive of the endpoints. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in the Detailed Description, and further examples are provided there. Advantages offered by various embodiments may be further understood by examining this specification and/or by practicing one or more embodiments of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front-view of a first embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a full zipper and a snap closure mechanism that serves as a zipper guard; 
         FIG. 2  is a back-view of the multifunctional baby garment, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show two views of the mitten cuff in an open position, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the mitten cuff in a folded position that would cover the baby&#39;s hand and the foot cuff in a folded position that would cover the baby&#39;s foot, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a baby wearing the first embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with the mitten and foot cuffs in the open position; 
         FIG. 6  shows a baby wearing the first embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with mitten cuffs in the open position and foot cuffs in the folded position; 
         FIG. 7  shows a baby wearing the first embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with both the mitten and foot cuffs in the folded position; 
         FIG. 8  is a front-view of a second embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with no closure mechanism and a stretchy neck; 
         FIG. 9  is a front-view of a third embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with no closure mechanism, a stretchy neck, and a breast pocket; 
         FIG. 10  is a front-view of a fourth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with no closure mechanism, a stretchy neck, and a kangaroo pocket; 
         FIG. 11  is a front-view of a fifth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons at the top of the garment; 
         FIG. 12  is a front-view of a sixth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons that extend along the length of the garment; 
         FIG. 13  is a front-view of a seventh embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons that extend along the length of the garment and a kangaroo pocket; 
         FIG. 14  is a front-view of an eighth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons that extend along the length of the garment and a breast pocket; 
         FIG. 15  is a front-view of a ninth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons at the top of the garment and a breast pocket; 
         FIG. 16  is a front-view of a tenth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons at the top of the garment and a kangaroo pocket; 
         FIG. 17  is a front-view of an eleventh embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a full zipper, a zipper guard, and a kangaroo pocket; 
         FIG. 18  is a front-view of a twelfth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a full zipper, a zipper guard, and a breast pocket; 
         FIG. 19  is a front-view of a thirteenth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a zipper at the top of the garment and a zipper guard; 
         FIG. 20  is a front-view of a fourteenth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with zipper at the top of the garment, a zipper guard, and a kangaroo pocket; 
         FIG. 21  is a front-view of a fifteenth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with zipper at the top of the garment, a zipper guard, and a breast pocket; and 
         FIG. 22  is a back-view of an embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with only foot cuffs. 
     
    
    
     Like labels are used to refer to the same or similar modules in the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a front-view of a first embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment comprising a one-piece bodysuit  190  with a neck opening  105 . The one-piece bodysuit further comprises a long right arm sleeve  110 , a long left arm sleeve  130 , a long right pant leg  170 , and a long left pant leg  150 . The long right and left arm sleeves terminate in a right mitten cuff  120  and a left mitten cuff  140 , respectively. Similarly, the long right and left pant legs terminate in a right foot cuff  180  and a left foot cuff  160 , respectively. In an embodiment, the multifunctional baby garment may be made from a single-ply fabric that comprises 95% viscose from bamboo and 5% spandex. 
     The mitten and foot cuffs are fold-over cuffs that are at the ends of the long sleeves and long pant legs, respectively. In an embodiment, the mitten and foot cuffs may be located on the rear side of the garment and can be folded over the hands and feet to the front side of the garment when the baby&#39;s hands and feet need to be covered, respectively. In another embodiment, both sets of cuffs may be located on the front of the garment, and can be folded over the hands and feet to the back side of the garment. In yet another embodiment, the cuffs may be located on the outer side of the garment, and may be folded over the hands and feet to the inner side of the garment. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  further comprises a zipper  125  on the front of the one-piece bodysuit  190 , which extends from the neck opening  105  to the middle of the long left pant leg  150 . In another embodiment, the zipper  125  may extend from the neck opening to the middle of the long right pant leg  170 . Having the zipper  125  not extend all the way down to the seam of the foot cuff  180  ensures that the baby&#39;s feet remain comfortable even when the foot cuff is folded over the baby&#39;s right foot. If the zipper were to extend down to the seam of the foot cuff, there would be a visual imbalance in that there the other pant leg would appear different than the one with the zipper. Terminating the zipper  125  at the middle of the long pant leg provides a more visually appealing product. 
     The top stop of the zipper (not explicitly shown in  FIG. 1 ) near the neck opening  105  may be covered by a zipper guard  115 , which comprises a rectangular piece of two layers of the single-ply fabric sewn around the edges. The zipper guard further comprises a snap button to ensure that the zipper guard remains closed. The zipper guard in  FIG. 1  is shown as folding over the top of the zipper from right to left. In another embodiment, it may fold over the zipper from left to right. In another embodiment, the zipper guard  115  may have a hook and loop fastener (commonly known as “Velcro”) or a regular button, for the same purpose. In another embodiment, the zipper guard may be a piece of fabric without a snap button or similar fastening mechanism. Alternatively, the zipper guard may be a piece of fabric without a fastening mechanism that extends along the length of the entire zipper. In yet another embodiment, a zipper guard may not be present. 
       FIG. 2  shows a back-view of the first embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment, and includes some features and/or components that are similar to those shown in  FIG. 1 . At least some of these features/components may not be separately described in the context of this embodiment. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the right mitten cuff  220  and the left mitten cuff  240  are located on the rear side of the garment, and may be folded over to the front when the baby&#39;s hands need to be covered. Similarly, the right foot cuff  280  and the left foot cuff  260  are also located on the rear side of the garment. In another embodiment, the set of mitten cuffs and the set of foot cuffs may be located on different sides of the garment. For example, the mitten cuffs may be located on the rear side of the garment (and folded over to the front), whereas the foot cuffs may be located on the inseam side of the garment (and folded over to the outer side). 
     In another embodiment, the back of the multifunctional baby garment may comprise a drop seat (also referred to as a butt flap) that allows convenient access to a baby&#39;s diaper. The drop seat feature is a portion of the rear surface of the one-piece bodysuit that is cut on three sides and fastened to the bodysuit using snap buttons or regular buttons, and which can be easily folded down to enable easier diaper changes. 
       FIG. 3A  is a back-view of the mitten cuff and arm sleeve  310  from the cuff toward the arm hole (not shown). As seen therein, the mitten cuff is a pocket  320 - 1  that is placed on the rear surface  310 - 1  of the sleeve, and does not continue on to the front surface  310 - 2 . That is, the pocket  320 - 1  that forms the mitten cuff only covers half the circumference of the sleeve near the opening of the sleeve.  FIG. 3B  is a back-view of the mitten cuff and arm sleeve  310  from the arm hole (not shown) toward the cuff. As seen therein, the pocket  320 - 1  that forms the mitten cuff only covers the rear surface  310 - 1  of the sleeve. 
     The foot cuffs are similarly constructed, and the pockets for both the mitten and foot cuffs are made from the same material as the one-piece bodysuit, the long arm sleeves and long pant legs. In an embodiment, using the same single-ply fabric composed of 95% cotton and 5% spandex for the entire baby garment (including the pockets of the mitten and foot cuffs) provides a snug-fitting and comfortable multifunctional baby garment, and prevents over-heating. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a close-up of the mitten cuff  420  and foot cuff  460 , respectively, in the folded position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the mitten and foot cuffs are made of the same material as the one-piece bodysuit, and comprise a pocket that can be folded over the opening on the long arm sleeve  410  and long pant leg  450 , respectively. The folded over mitten and foot cuffs do not increase the lengths of the long arm sleeves and long pant legs, respectively. In an embodiment, the mitten and foot cuffs may be made of a different material than the rest of the garment, and may optionally comprise other features. For example, either the mitten cuffs or the foot cuffs, or both, may be ribbed, and/or made from a fabric that may be stretchy, waterproof, or water-resistant. In another embodiment, the cuffs may be lined and/or multi-layered. In yet another embodiment, the mitten and/or foot cuffs may comprise rubber grips, plastic grips, grip features, anti-slip features, or other accents or features. 
       FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  show a baby wearing the multifunctional baby garment in different configurations, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and include some features and/or components that are similar to those shown in  FIG. 1 . At least some of these features may not be separately described in the context of these embodiments. 
       FIG. 5  shows the baby wearing an embodiment of the present invention with both the mitten cuffs and foot cuffs in the open position. The foot cuffs may be folded over the baby&#39;s feet, with the mitten cuffs remaining in the open position, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Both the mitten cuffs and the foot cuffs may be folded over as shown in  FIG. 7 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the multifunctional baby garment may only have foot cuffs and no mitten cuffs, in which case, a baby wearing the garment can transition from  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 6 , but the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  would not be realizable. 
     The multifunctional baby garment, according to embodiments of the present invention, may be made from a blended fabric that is comprised of 95% viscose from bamboo and 5% spandex (with the percentage compositions varying from 60-99% viscose from bamboo, or organic bamboo, and 1-40% spandex). In another embodiment, the blended fabric may further comprise between 10-40% cotton or organic cotton. For example, the blend may be 67% viscose from organic bamboo, 28% organic cotton and 5% spandex. In yet other embodiments, the garment may be made from 100% organic cotton, a cotton blend (wherein the cotton content ranges may from 20% to 99%) or a polyester blend. 
     According to other embodiments, a single fabric or a blend of fabrics may be used from the group comprising cotton, organic cotton, bamboo, organic bamboo, spandex, jersey, polyester, mesh, nylon, rayon, acrylic, modacrylic, olefin, acetate, flannel, terry, velour, muslin, elastane, triacetate, ramie, fleece, neoprene, wool, and silk. Any combination of these fibers, regardless of weight, may be used to manufacture embodiments of the present invention. 
     In certain embodiments, the fabric may be treated with one or more nonflammable fire retardants. For example, “No-Burn Fabric Fire Gard Spray” (or industrial or generic equivalents) may be used to treat the fabric. In other embodiments, stain-proof or waterproof treatments (such as commercially available Scotchguard and Teflon spray and/or liquid products) may be applied to the fabric based on the needs of the parent or caregiver. 
     In other embodiments, the one-piece bodysuit comprises a neck opening, a pair of long arm sleeves, and a pair of long pant legs, with each of the long arm sleeves and long pant legs terminating in a cuff, as described above, on the rear exterior surfaces. The one-piece bodysuit may further comprise crotch snap closures for easy changing. That is, the inner seam of both long pant legs including in the crotch area may be separable and have snap buttons. The snap closures of a long pant leg run adjacent to one edge of the pocket of the respective foot cuff 
     Embodiments of the multifunctional baby garment described above may comprise alternate closing mechanisms, or other features like a breast pocket or a kangaroo pockets, or combinations of these features, as will be described below.  FIGS. 8-21  show embodiments of the present invention that include some features and/or components that are similar to those shown in  FIG. 1 . At least some of these features/components may not be separately described in the context of each embodiment. These embodiments show the mitten and foot cuffs located at the rear of the garment and in the open position. In other embodiments, the mitten and foot cuffs may be located on any side of the garment. 
       FIG. 8  shows a front-view of a second embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment that comprises a stretchy neckline  805  in addition to the mitten and foot cuffs that are located on the rear of the garment, and shown in the open position. In other embodiments, the multifunctional baby garment may comprise long pant legs with foot cuffs and short sleeves without mitten cuffs. In yet other embodiments, the one-piece bodysuit may be sleeveless and without mitten cuffs. 
       FIG. 9  shows a front-view of a third embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment that comprises a breast pocket  955 . In an embodiment, the breast pocket may comprise an opening and be functional, whereas in other embodiments, it may be sewn shut and be decorative in nature. Decorative emblems or motifs may be used to highlight the breast pocket on some embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  shows a front-view of a fourth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment that comprises a kangaroo pocket  1035 , which is typically located on the lower front section of the garment. In some embodiments, the kangaroo pocket is open on either side, whereas in other embodiments, one or both ends may be sewn shut for decorative purposes. 
       FIG. 11  shows a front-view of a fifth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment that comprises buttons  1145  that start at the neckline  1105  and continue down the length of the chest. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 12 , wherein the buttons  1245  run from the neckline  1205  to the middle of the long left pant leg  1250 . For both the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the buttons may be snap buttons, regular buttons or hook and eye fastenings. 
     As discussed above, the fastening mechanism that extends from the neckline to the middle of either the left or right long pant leg may be a either a zipper or buttons. In other embodiments, the fastening mechanism may be a two-way zipper. 
     The embodiments shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 9-12 , and described above, show the basic multifunctional baby garment embellished with a singular feature that may be either functional or decorative. Some of the following embodiments are embellished with more than one feature. For example,  FIG. 13  shows a front-view of a seventh embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons  1345  that extend along the length of the garment and a kangaroo pocket  1335  that is divided into two pieces to accommodate the buttons that run through the middle of the garment. The divided kangaroo pocket may either be open and functional, or sewn shut and decorative. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show a front-view of an eighth and ninth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a breast pocket ( 1455  and  1555 , respectively), as well as buttons that extend along the length of the garment  1445  or only along the length of the chest  1545 , respectively. As discussed above, the breast pocket may either be open and functional, or sewn shut and decorative. 
       FIG. 16  shows a front-view of a tenth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with buttons  1645  at the top of the garment, which extend the length of the chest, and a kangaroo pocket  1635 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a front-view of an eleventh embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a zipper  1725  that runs from the neckline  1705  to the middle of the long left pant leg  1750 , a snap closure mechanism  1715  that serves as the zipper guard, and a kangaroo pocket  1735  that is divided to accommodate the zipper than runs most of the length of the garment. 
       FIG. 18  shows a front-view of a twelfth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a zipper  1825  that runs from the neckline  1805  to the middle of the long left pant leg  1850 , a zipper guard  1815 , and a breast pocket  1855 . 
       FIG. 19  shows a front-view of a thirteenth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with a zipper  1925  at the top of the garment, which extends the length of the chest, and a zipper guard  1915  that may be implemented using a snap button, regular button, or a hook and loop fastener. 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  show a front-view of a fourteenth and fifteenth embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with zipper at the top of the garment that runs along the chest portion of the garment ( 2025  and  2125 ), a zipper guard ( 2015  and  2115 ), and a kangaroo pocket  2035  or a breast pocket  2155 , respectively. 
       FIG. 22  shows a back-view of an embodiment of the multifunctional baby garment with foot cuffs located on the front of the garment, and shown folded over to the back so that they would cover the baby&#39;s feet. 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily produce modifications to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. For example, features of one or more embodiments of the invention may be combined with one or more features of other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of example rather than limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of such modifications to, variations on, and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.