INFANT MASSAGE GARMENT

Abstract

An infant massage garment including a body portion, sleeves, a hood, and first and second inwardly folding chest flaps having an arcuate shape, the garment defining openings therethrough for accessing the wearers skin through the garment. The garment may further include detachable blanket and towel layers that may also include corresponding openings therethrough.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/154,868 filed Feb. 24, 2009 and entitled “INFANT MASSAGE GARMENT”, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of infant massage, and more particularly, to a multi-layered infant massage garment including a garment and detachable towel and blanket layers, wherein predetermined openings are defined through at least several of the layers of the garment for accessing the skin therethrough, while keeping the infant covered, comfortable and warm.

2. Description of the Related Art

Massage therapy includes various techniques of soft tissue manipulation for physical, functional and psychological purposes. As is well known in the art, massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure, tension, motion or vibration, and may be accomplished either manually with the hands, fingers, etc., or with mechanical aids. Massage techniques may be therapeutic, targeting sore or injured tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints and other tissues. Massage may also be performed on healthy tissue for comforting and bonding purposes, such as the touch between a mother and her child. It is with regard to both types of massage that the present invention finds particular application.

In professional settings, massage typically involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table or sitting in a massage chair. The massage subject may be fully or partly unclothed, and parts of the body not being massaged may be covered with a towel or sheet. At home, infant massage is often performed after a bath, and commonly when applying lotion to the skin. After being removed from a warm bath, an infant is especially susceptible to the discomfort of being cold, and is typically quickly wrapped in a towel or blanket for warmth and comfort. To massage an infant, it is undesirable to then have to remove the towel to access the skin, or to remove the towel and replace it with a garment or blanket, which then also has to be moved or removed to access the skin. In either situation, portions of the infant are uncovered and exposed to the cold. In this regard, it would be desirable to provide a garment that includes all of the benefits of a garment, towel and blanket, without having to expose the infant to the cold, and while providing access to the infant's skin.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a multi-layered infant massage garment including inner detachable towel and blanket layers. The garment further defines predetermined openings through at least several of the layers for providing access to the skin through the garment, thus obviating the need to remove the garment to administer massage. The garment may further define a hood portion, slit sleeves for providing access to the upper arms through the sleeve ends, and a detachable pillow for cushioning the head.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, an infant massage garment is provided for keeping an infant substantially covered during massage.

In another aspect, a multi-layered infant massage garment is provided including a plurality of detachable layers.

In yet another aspect, a multi-layered infant massage garment is provided including an outer layer and at least one of a detachable blanket and towel layer.

In yet another aspect, a multi-layered infant massage garment is provided including an outer layer, a middle blanket layer and an inner towel layer, wherein at least one of the blanket and towel layers are detachably fastened utilizing conventional hook-and-loop fasteners.

In yet another aspect, an infant massage garment is provided defining body, sleeve and hood portions.

In yet another aspect, the infant massage garment includes a detachable pillow.

In yet another aspect, the infant massage garment includes a plurality of openings defined through at least one or more of the layers for accessing the skin through the garment.

In yet another aspect, the garment defines flared and/or partially slit sleeves for accessing the lower arm, upper arm and portions of the shoulder through the sleeve end.

In yet another aspect, the garment includes inwardly foldable, overlapping first and second chest flaps.

In yet another aspect, the garment includes indicia corresponding to predetermined massage locations and/or techniques.

To achieve the foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the present invention, in one embodiment a multi-layered infant massage garment is provided having a body, sleeve and hood portions, and at least one of an inner detachable blanket and towel layer, wherein predetermined openings are defined through at least one of the layers for providing access to the skin through the garment.

In another embodiment, an infant massage garment is provided including a body portion, sleeves, a hood, and first and second inwardly folding chest flaps, each of the first and second chest flaps having an arcuate shape such that when folded inwardly a double layer of material is provided over an abdomen portion of the garment while only a single layer of material is provided over a chest portion of the garment, the first and second chest flaps each having an elongate opening therethrough positioned on a non-overlapping portion of the respective flap, and the body portion having a plurality of elongate openings defined therethrough.

In a further embodiment, the garment includes a removable blanket attached to the body portion and having a shape corresponding to a shape of the body portion, the blanket defining a plurality of elongate openings therethrough corresponding in position with the plurality of openings defined through the body portion. In a further embodiment, the garment includes a removable towel attached to the blanket and having a shape corresponding to the shape of the blanket. In the embodiment including the blanket, the corresponding openings defined through each of the body portion and the removable blanket include an opening positioned aligned along the longitudinal centerline of the garment and openings positioned on either side of the longitudinal centerline and at an angle thereto.

The garment further includes a removable pillow attached within the hood, and the ends of the sleeves have at least one of a flaring and a slit for access. The garment may optionally include any indicia on an exterior surface of the garment corresponding to at least one of massage location and massage technique.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present various embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are better understood when the following detailed description of the invention is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a multi-layered infant massage garment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the garment shown with the inwardly foldable chest flaps open to expose the underlying detachable towel layer;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the garment shown with a portion of the towel layer folded back to expose the underlying blanket layer;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the garment showing a plurality of openings defined through the garment and blanket layers for providing access to the skin through the layers;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the garment detailing the plurality of openings; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the various layers of the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the representative embodiments set forth herein. The exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be both thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention and enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make, use and practice the invention. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, an infant massage garment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown generally at reference numeral 20. The garment 20 includes a main body portion 22, a pair of sleeves 24, and a hood 26. The garment 20 is essentially symmetrical about an inherent longitudinal centerline. The garment may have any scale, and is preferably sized to accommodate an infant while being loosely fitting and comfortable. The garment preferably defines ample room about the intersection of the arms and body to permit entry of the hands to massage the shoulder region, either accessing through the sleeves, front or rear of the garment. The garment may be constructed from any material or combination of materials, and is preferably constructed from soft materials including, but not limited to, soft cottons and fleece. The garment may be constructed from one of more pieces of material sewn together to provide the desired shape. Although shown as a garment including a single bottom opening, it is envisioned that an alternative embodiment may include individually defined leg portions. Although not shown, the garment may optionally include a tie about the waist for maintaining the chest flaps in a closed configuration as desired. The back of the body portion may be slightly longer than the front.

The garment 20 includes first and second inwardly folding (i.e. towards the center), overlapping chest flaps 28 and 30 each having an arcuate shape. The arcuate shape of the flaps 28, 30 provides a double layer of material over the abdomen portion of the garment, and a single layer of material over the chest portion of the garment, when the flaps are in their closed configuration. The arcuate flap shape further allows for ease of abdominal massage. Access to the skin through the front of the garment is achieved by either inserting the hands between the first and second flaps 28, 30, or through first and second openings 32, 34, defined through corresponding flaps 28, 30, respectively. As shown, the openings 32, 34 are elongated slits positioned near the intersection of the chest and arms, and more specifically, openings positioned diagonally intersecting the chest portion. The openings 32, 34 define a length sufficient to permit at least one hand to pass therethrough, thus permitting the chest to be massaged through the garment 20 when the flaps 28, 30 are in the closed configuration.

It is envisioned that the openings 32, 34 may differ in length, position, orientation and number to accommodate access to other desired areas of the body. The openings may be sewn with a flap or overlap so that they remain substantially closed when not in use. As the flaps 28, 30 are arcuate and do not overlap at the openings 32, 34, access to the chest is achieved through a single opening and layer of material in one of the flaps.

Each of the pair of sleeves 24 preferably defines an oversized width for permitting access to the upper arm and shoulder through the sleeve end. To further facilitate access to the arm and shoulder through the sleeve end, the ends are flared and/or include and a slit 36. In one embodiment, the “back” portion of each sleeve end may be longer than the front to cushion the infant's hand from underneath. In an exemplary embodiment, to massage the shoulder, one hand may enter through the end of the sleeve and the other through its corresponding opening defined through one of the flaps, all the while keeping the infant substantially covered.

The hood 26 functions to substantially cover the infant's head and provide cushioning from beneath when the infant is laid down flat. To further cushion the head, a pillow 38 is provided and removably attaches, such as with conventional hook-and-loop fasteners, within the hood. The pillow 38 is preferable covered in a soft and washable material. The conventional fasteners are preferably hidden beneath a flap when the pillow is removed to avoid direct fastener contact with the skin.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded perspective view of the multi-layered garment 20 is shown. A towel layer 40 is removably attached to an underlying blanket layer 42, which is in turn removably attached to the underlying body portion 22. The towel layer 40 is optional, and may be used when the garment is applied subsequent to a bath. The towel layer 40 preferably includes one portion of a conventional hook-and-loop fastener positioned on the underside of the towel, thus away from the skin, for engaging the underlying blanket to secure the towel in place thereto. As shown, the fastener is a strip spanning the width of the towel along one side 44. To attach the towel to the blanket, end portion 46 of the towel 40 is folded over a portion of the underlying blanket layer 42, and fastened to the underside thereof. Thus, with each layer, it is preferred that the fasteners be positioned so that they do not contact the skin to cause discomfort. As shown, the towel layer 42 does not define openings therethrough.

The underlying blanket layer 42 has a size and shape substantially corresponding to that of the towel layer and the main body portion 22 of the garment 20. The blanket layer 42 includes an underlying, conventional hook-and-loop fastener for detachable attachment with the garment. The blanket layer 42 further defines a plurality of openings therethrough for accessing the skin through the blanket layer. As shown, there are three predetermined openings defined through the blanket layer. Openings 48 and 50 are positioned adjacent the rear of the intersection of the arms and chest and at an angle with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the garment. Opening 52 is positioned in alignment with the longitudinal centerline and about midway down the back. As stated above, the openings allow a hand to pass through to contact the skin, and substantially remain closed when not in use. The positions of openings 48, 50 and 52 are aligned with and correspond to openings defined through the garment, such that access to the skin is permitted through both the garment and blanket simultaneously. While only three openings are shown having specific positions, it is envisioned that additional openings and their positions may be altered without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the garment 20 is shown with the towel layer 40 attached and the inwardly folding chest flaps 28 and 30 in their open configuration. Referring to FIG. 4, the garment 20 is shown with the chest flaps 28 and 30 open and with the towel layer 40 partially pulled back to reveal the underlying blanket layer 42. As shown, and in an alternative embodiment, the hook-and-loop fastener is positioned on the backside of the towel layer and the front of the blanket layer, however, in the preferred embodiment the towel layer may be folded over the blanket layer to conceal the fastener. Referring to FIG. 5, the garment is shown with both the towel and blanket layers removed to reveal the underlying openings 48, 50 and 52 defined through the garment. Referring to FIG. 6, a rear view of the garment 20 is shown to illustrate corresponding openings 48, 50 and 52. As stated above with respect to FIG. 2, the openings 48, 50 and 52 in each of the garment and blanket align.

The garment may include any suitable indicia on any part thereof for instructing the giver where to massage and what technique is to be applied. Suitable indicia include, but are not limited to, symbols, printing, text, labels, tags and colors. Indicia may correspond to a key provided along with the garment. The key may include techniques, instructions, etc. The garment may optionally be provided with an inner lining or pouch adapted to carry a removable thermo therapy pack. The garment may optionally include a drawstring bottom for substantially closing or decreasing the opening to the feet.

While an infant massage garment has been described with reference to specific embodiments and examples, it is envisioned that various details of the invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the openings through the at least one layers may be strategically placed or optimized to allow for maximum benefits of therapeutic massage. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. An infant massage garment comprising a body portion, sleeves, a hood, and first and second inwardly folding chest flaps, each of the first and second chest flaps having an arcuate shape such that when folded inwardly a double layer of material is provided over an abdomen portion of the garment while only a single layer of material is provided over a chest portion of the garment, the first and second chest flaps each having an elongate opening therethrough positioned on a non-overlapping portion of the respective flap, and the body portion having a plurality of elongate openings defined therethrough.

2. The infant massage garment according to claim 1, further comprising a removable blanket attached to the body portion and having a shape corresponding to a shape of the body portion, the blanket defining a plurality of elongate openings therethrough corresponding in position with the plurality of openings defined through the body portion.

3. The infant massage garment according to claim 2, wherein the corresponding openings defined through each of the body portion and the removable blanket include an opening positioned aligned along the longitudinal centerline of the garment and openings positioned on either side of the longitudinal centerline and at an angle thereto.

4. The infant massage garment according to claim 2, further comprising a removable towel attached to the blanket and having a shape corresponding to the shape of the blanket.

5. The infant massage garment according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings defined through the garment include an opening aligned along about the longitudinal centerline of the garment and openings positioned about either side of the longitudinal centerline and an angle thereto.

6. The infant massage garment according to claim 1, further comprising a removable pillow attached within the hood.

7. The infant massage garment according to claim 1, wherein ends of the sleeves have at least one of a flaring and a slit.

8. The infant massage garment according to claim 1, wherein the elongate opening through each of the first and second chest flaps is positioned such that it diagonally intersects the chest portion of the garment to provide access to the chest through the garment.

9. The infant massage garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment further includes indicia on an exterior surface of the garment corresponding to at least one of massage location and massage technique.