US20070250978A1

US20070250978A1 - Moisture resistant infant clothing

Info

Publication number: US20070250978A1
Application number: US11/412,179
Authority: US
Inventors: Sheila Peterson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-26
Filing date: 2006-04-26
Publication date: 2007-11-01

Abstract

Clothing includes an exterior shell which contains an inset portion that substantially extends from a front half of a neck opening. The exterior fabric shell more easily passes moisture and quickly dries. Arranged in directly contact with an inner surface of the exterior shell is a second layer of absorbent material that is denser than the outermost layer. In one arrangement, the article of clothing includes an inner layer of material that is the same as the exterior shell. In another embodiment, a third layer of material is disposed against an inner surface of the second layer and includes water resistant properties that reduce or prevent moisture from passing from the second layer to the skin of the wearer. In an additional embodiment, an innermost layer, of preferably the same material as the exterior shell, is in contact with the third layer and is worn against the wearer's skin.

Description

There are no related patent applications.
This application did not receive federal research and development funding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a garment or an article of clothing for a child. More particularly, the invention relates to an article of clothing that includes reinforcement materials that absorb saliva from infants or toddlers when they drool. Excessive drooling is a common occurrence among infants and young children when they are teething. The invention may comprise various types of articles of clothing including, but not limited to, shirts or one-piece outfits which include at least an area around the neck of the garment that absorbs moisture and acts as a barrier to keep the moisture from the infant's skin.
Infants and toddlers, collectively referred to as children, can salivate excessively throughout the early part of their lives, and especially when they teethe. This behavior often causes the clothing worn on the child's neck and chest areas to become moist with saliva. Leaving moist clothing in contact with a child's skin may result in a rash being produced. Thus, parents often feel compelled to make the child wear a bib continuously, or frequently change the child's clothing, even when the clothes are not otherwise soiled. The bib eventually becomes soaked and may then also be changed frequently. The present invention provides an alternative to wearing bibs for drooling protection, by allowing for greater absorption of saliva in clothing for children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, an absorbent garment to be worn by children, is a new type of clothing that comprises an exterior fabric shell which contains an inset, absorbent portion that substantially extends from a front half of a neck opening in the clothing to a bottom of each armpit seam. In the preferred embodiment, this absorbent portion comprises three layers; in a second embodiment, the absorbent portion comprises four layers.
The first or outermost layer of material comprising the article of clothing includes a light-weight exterior fabric shell of material which extends to at least the waist of the wearer to create a shirt or other article of clothing such as a one-piece outfit, dress or the like. This exterior layer of material easily passes moisture and quickly dries. Thus, it is high in water and vapor transmission properties. The exterior shell transmits moisture there through in both directions such that liquid provided from the mouth of a child is quickly absorbed through the outer shell and into a second layer of moisture absorbing material.
Arranged in direct contact with an inner surface of the shell layer is a second layer of absorbent material such as cotton batting, which creates a saliva absorbing layer and includes an inner and an outer surface. This second layer of material catches and reduces the likelihood of liquid from flowing from the exterior shell region of the reinforced area to an interior layer that is arranged in contact with a wearer's skin. Moisture is absorbed into the second layer and stored until it can be dissipated into the atmosphere that is exterior to the exterior shell. By using the body temperature of the wearer, the moisture is heated and if conducive environmental conditions exist, then the moisture that is stored in the moisture absorbing material migrates through the external shell and is evaporated into a surrounding atmosphere. The second layer absorbs and diffuses any liquid that has passed through the exterior shell away from its source of origin to spread it across a larger surface area which is heated by the body heat of the wearer to more easily dissipate moisture without causing any build up of moisture on the skin of the wearer. The second layer is denser and includes greater absorbing or adsorbing ability than the outermost layer. Absorbent material may comprise terry cloth, cotton batting, quilting, artificial or natural sponge material, or a polymer material. An inner surface of the second layer of material may include Polyurethane that prevents a flowing of any liquid from the exterior shell to the third layer of material.
A third layer of material is disposed against an inner surface of the second layer of material. The third layer may comprise a material that is of the same type as the exterior shell. In additional embodiment, the third layer comprises water resistant properties that reduce or prevent moisture from passing from the second layer of material to the skin of the wearer. The third layer of material may comprise vinyl or plastic or water resistant material such as polypropylene and may be either woven or non-woven type. The polypropylene operates as a moisture barrier while wicking moisture away from the skin of the wearer. This third layer of material reduces the saliva from coming into contact with the wearer's skin, and thus prevents the discomfort of the feeling of wearing wet clothing.
In another embodiment, a fourth or innermost layer of preferably the same material as the first layer is in contact with the third layer and is worn against the wearer's skin. The exterior fabric shell is available in a variety of styles, materials, colors, and designs. Alternatively, the invention may be comprised by an embodiment which does not include a water resistant layer.
An object of the invention is to provide an alternative to wearing bibs to protect a child's clothing from saliva and/or other moisture sources.
Another object of the invention is to provide a type of child's clothing which has the capacity to absorb substantial amounts of saliva without soaking the garment through to the child's skin.
A further object of the invention is to reduce the need for parents to constantly change a child's saliva soaked garment of clothing.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned from practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means of instrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child wearing a shirt of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a child's shirt having an absorbent panel represented by the broken line in the front, neck area and incorporating the features of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a front view of another embodiment of a child's shirt having an absorbent panel incorporating the features of the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a cross section view of a first embodiment of the absorbent panel taken from line A-A of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B is a cross section view of a second embodiment of the absorbent panel taken from line A-A of FIG. 2A.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a dress that includes the absorbent panel.
FIG. 5 is a one-piece article of clothing that includes the absorbent panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is the preferred embodiment or best mode for carrying out the invention. It should be noted that this invention is not limited by the discussion of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 1 depicts the invention, an article of absorbent clothing 1, as worn on a child. The invention includes an absorbent portion 2 secured within the article of clothing by a stitched seam 15. The absorbent portion 2 is preferably formed in accord with the cross section views shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The absorbent portion 2 extends away from a neck opening 4 on a front of the article of clothing 1 and to the midpoint of each shoulder. Absorbent portion 2 is generally shaped in an arcuate shape as shown. Stitched seam 15 secures an absorbent material 7 in place The absorbent portion 2 extends from the neck opening 4 of the article of clothing as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B and is formed generally in the shape of a traditional bib.
FIGS. 2A and 2B discuss two embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 2A, the article of clothing includes both a frontal absorbent region 2 located in front of and extending to an upper shoulder region. A line A-A is included for providing a reference point for the cross section views of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Each article 1 includes a pair of sleeves 20 that attach to article 1 via seams 21. Each sleeve 20 includes an opening 22 through which a child's hand extends. A waist opening 25 is included in the article of clothing in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
FIG. 3A depicts the four layers which comprise the absorbent portion 2 of a further embodiment. The outermost shell layer 6 includes an inner and an outer surface and comprises a material that more easily passes moisture and quickly dries. The outermost shell layer 6 may comprise cotton knit, fleece, flannel, terry cloth, thermal knit, velour and the like. A layer of absorbent material 7 that includes an inner and outer surface rests directly under and in contact with the outermost shell layer 6. The layer of absorbent material 7 may comprise cotton batting and absorbs moisture that passes through layer 6. A layer of waterproof or water resistant material 9 which includes an inner surface and an outer surface rests directly underneath the layer of absorbent material 7. The layer of water resistant material 9 may be comprised of, but not limited to, vinyl or plastic or other material that prevents moisture from being exposed to the skin of the wearer. The innermost layer 8 comprises a fabric shell that rests directly underneath the water resistant layer 9 and includes an inner and outer surface. The innermost surface of layer 8 is worn against the wearer's skin.
Alternatively, the invention may be comprised by an embodiment which does not include a water resistant layer 9, as shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3B depicts a sectional view of embodiment of the invention whereby the absorbent portion 2, 3 comprises only three layers. A layer of absorbent material 7 rests directly under the outermost shell layer 6 and arranged as mentioned above with respect to FIG. 3A. The innermost layer 8 comprised of a fabric shell 1 rests directly underneath the absorbent material layer 7 and is worn against the wearer's skin. FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show a dress and a one-piece article of clothing having an absorbent region.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in limiting sense. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An article of clothing comprising:

an exterior fabric shell that easily passes moisture therethrough, said exterior fabric shell having an inner surface and an outer surface and that includes a neck opening and two arm openings;

an absorbent material comprising a pad having an inner surface and an outer surface and being arranged next to the exterior fabric shell such that the inner surface of the exterior fabric shell is in contact with an outer surface of the absorbent pad; and,

an innermost layer of fabric arranged in contact with a wearer's skin said innermost layer prevents moisture from passing from the absorbent pad to the skin of the wearer.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said absorbent material is one or more selected from a group consisting of terry cloth, cotton batting, quilting, artificial or natural sponge material, or a polymer material.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer is denser and includes greater absorbing or adsorbing ability than the exterior fabric shell.

4. The article of clothing of claim 1 further comprising a layer of waterproof material disposed against an inner surface of the absorbent layer that reduces or prevents moisture from passing from the absorbent layer to skin of a wearer.

5. The article of clothing of claim 4 wherein said layer of waterproof materials consists of one or more selected from a group consisting of vinyl, plastic and polypropylene.

6. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a shirt.

7. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a one-piece infant suit.

8. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a dress.

9. The article of clothing of claim 1 further comprising:

a fourth layer of water resistant material disposed between said absorbent material and said innermost layer.

10. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said innermost layer comprises water resistant material.

11. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein the exterior fabric shell passes moisture therethrough and more quickly dries such that moisture is passed in both directions.

12. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein moisture is absorbed into the absorbent layer of material and stored therein until it can be dissipated into the atmosphere that is exterior to the exterior fabric shell, by using the body temperature of the wearer, moisture retained in the absorbent layer of material is heated and is evaporated into a surrounding atmosphere.

13. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said absorbent layer absorbs and diffuses any liquid that has passed through the exterior fabric shell away from its source of origin to spread it across a larger surface area which is heated by body heat of the wearer to more easily dissipate moisture without causing any build up of moisture on the skin of the wearer wherein said absorbent layer is denser and includes greater absorbing or adsorbing ability than the exterior fabric shell.

14. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein an inner surface of the absorbent layer of material includes polyurethane that prevents a flowing of any liquid from the exterior fabric shell to the innermost layer of material.

15. An article of clothing for preventing drooling from a wearer from coming into contact with skin of the wearer, said article of clothing comprising:

a first layer comprising an exterior fabric shell that easily passes moisture therethrough, said first layer having an inner surface and an outer surface and that includes a neck opening and two arm openings;

a second layer comprising an absorbent material having an inner surface and an outer surface and being arranged next to the first layer such that the inner surface of the first layer is in contact with an outer surface of the second layer; and,

a third layer of fabric arranged against the inner surface of the second layer is in contact with the third layer that is in contact with a wearer's skin, said innermost layer preventing moisture from passing from the absorbent pad to the skin of the wearer.

16. The article of clothing of claim 15 wherein one or more of said first, second and third layers is one or more selected from a group consisting of terry cloth, cotton batting, quilting, artificial or natural sponge material, or a polymer material.

17. The article of clothing of claim 15 further comprising a layer of waterproof material disposed against the inner surface of the second layer that reduces or prevents moisture from passing from the second layer to skin of a wearer.

18. The article of clothing of claim 17 wherein said layer of waterproof materials consists of one or more selected from a group consisting of vinyl, plastic and polypropylene.

19. The article of clothing of claim 17 further comprising:

a fourth layer of water resistant material disposed between said second layer of material and said third layer of material.

20. An article of clothing comprising:

an exterior fabric shell that easily passes moisture therethrough, said exterior fabric shell having an inner surface and an outer surface and that includes a neck opening and two arm openings and more quickly dries such that moisture is passed in both directions;

an absorbent material comprising a pad having an inner surface and an outer surface and being arranged next to the exterior fabric shell such that the inner surface of the exterior fabric shell is in contact with an outer surface of the absorbent pad, wherein moisture is absorbed into the absorbent material and stored therein until it can be dissipated into the atmosphere that is exterior to the exterior fabric shell, said moisture being heated by warmth from a wearers' body temperature and the moisture that is stored in the absorbing material migrates through the external fabric shell and is evaporated into a surrounding atmosphere; and,