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(11) | EP 1 190 631 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Cloth assembly for swaddling children |
| (57) Cloth assembly for swaddling babies or infants, comprising an inner cloth (40,50)
for at least partially wrapping the child, which inner cloth (50) is provided with
means for securing to it at least an arm of the child and with means (10) for securing
the inner cloth onto itself, furthermore comprising an outer cloth (2), for entirely
wrapping the child for at least the area below the head, in which the inner cloth
(40) and the outer cloth (2) are detachably attached to each other. |
[0002] Infants, including babies, are swaddled when they have trouble falling asleep and/or continuing sleeping. When swaddled the child is more or less tightly enveloped by a cloth, as a result of which it is given a sense of security and safety so that it falls asleep better or sleeps better.
[0003] Swaddling is a traditional provision. In some regions, such as Asian Russia and South-America, a strip-shaped cloth is used, in which the child is wrapped. The strip is finally secured onto itself, for instance by a knot or a safety pin.
[0004] Swaddling also occurs in Europe, though not as often. Two cloths are usually used. The first cloth is wrapped around the trunk, passing under the arms. Subsequently the second cloth is wrapped, outside around the arms and secured onto itself by means of a number of safety pins. Arranging both cloths requires considerable skill of the user, not in the least because of the (restless) movements of the child.
[0006] It is a further object of the invention to provide a cloth assembly of the kind mentioned in the preamble, that has a wide range of uses.
[0007] Yet a further object of the invention is providing a cloth assembly of the kind mentioned in the preamble that is easy to arrange.
[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a cloth assembly of the kind mentioned in the preamble, which on the one hand is versatile, and on the other hand can be arranged around a child in a manner that remains tight as much as possible, in which the assembly cannot be loosened by the child's movements.
[0009] At least one of these object is achieved according to the invention with a cloth assembly for swaddling babies or infants, comprising an inner cloth - that may or may not be composed- for at least partially wrapping the child, which inner cloth is provided with means for securing to it at least an arm of the child and with means for securing the inner cloth onto itself, furthermore comprising an outer cloth, for entirely wrapping the child for at least the area below the head, in which the inner cloth and the outer cloth are attached to each other.
[0010] With the cloth assembly according to the invention the outer cloth is already in the correct position and in a reliable manner ready during wrapping the inner cloth. Immediately after wrapping and securing the inner cloth the user can wrap and secure the outer cloth, without being hampered by the arm movements of the child.
[0011] Preferably the inner cloth and the outer cloth are provided with first and second connection means cooperating with each other for detachable connection to each other, as a result of which exchange of cloths is possible, for instance to be washed or for changing the cloth type or cloth design.
[0012] Preferably the inner cloth forms an assembly and comprises a first cloth part for enveloping at least the chest of the child, passing under the arms, and a second cloth part for enveloping and securing at least an arm of the child. The arms can simply be laid beside the body, without forced movement through for instance an armhole. The child keeps a free feeling on the shoulders here. In the next step the arm or arms are enveloped by the second cloth part.
[0013] In an embodiment the first cloth part and the second cloth part are provided with detachable third and fourth connection means cooperating with each other, so that a safety pin, which -particularly in the given situation- requires the necessary dexterity, and furthermore a risk of injuries, is not needed.
[0014] Preferably the inner cloth, particularly the second cloth part, is provided with flaps for enveloping and securing the child's arms. The arms are then fixated during wrapping the outer cloth, which can then easily take place.
[0015] Preferably the flaps are formed to cover the hand of the arm, so that the child can feel optimally secure.
[0016] In an embodiment the first cloth part extends from the armpits over the trunk. Wrapping the outer cloth is further facilitated, when the (inside or outside) climate conditions allow the increased quantity of cloth. The first cloth part may then extend further to a place below the feet.
[0017] In another embodiment the second cloth part extends from the armpits over the trunk. The second cloth part may extend further, until over the trunk or further over the feet. In that case the second cloth part may be provided with an extended flap in the leg area, which can be wrapped around the legs, preferably independent of the cloth part situated above it. It is possible here that the first cloth part extends just as far in body direction.
[0018] In general said inner cloth, with either the first of the second inner cloth, may have the aforementioned extension.
[0019] The wrapping and securing of the cloths is facilitated when the first and the second and/or the third and fourth connection means are a Velcro connection, possibly of a different colour for each cloth.
[0020] Preferably the outer cloth as well is provided with means for securing it to itself, such as cords, which are provided at least at the location of the leg area. The outer cloth may to that end also be provided with Velcro connections, possibly also for connection with the inner cloth.
[0021] When the outer cloth comprises a collar extending around the shoulders of the child, which collar preferably is provided with an elastic band, a - moderate- security is also provided at the location of the shoulder, but it is also prevented in a slightly resilient and thus pleasant manner that the child is able to pull the arms up and free.
[0022] The outer cloth and the inner cloth may be made of a material that is soft to the touch, such as flannel. This material smoothly adapts to the body. For warm climates another light fabric may be chosen, such as cotton.
[0023] From another aspect the invention provides a cloth assembly for swaddling babies or infants, comprising at least one cloth for wrapping the child, as well as added cloth parts for securing the arms, which cloth parts are provided with means for detachable attachment onto each other.
[0024] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached figures, in which:
Figure 1 shows a cloth assembly according to the invention in an almost entirely unfolded position;
Figures 2A-D show the cloth assembly of figure 1, during consecutive stages of swaddling a child that is not further shown;
Figures 3A-C show the situations of the aforementioned cloth assembly in the stages of figures 2A, 2B and 2D but now with a child;
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a swaddling cloth assembly according to the invention;
Figures 5 and 6A-D show a further embodiment of a swaddling cloth assembly according to the invention, and consecutive stages in the swaddling of a child that is not further shown; and
Figures 7 and 8A,B show yet another embodiment of a swaddling cloth assembly according to the invention and some consecutive stages in the swaddling of a child that is not further shown.
[0025] The cloth assembly 1 of figure 1 comprises an outer cloth 2 of relatively thin and cool material, such as cotton. The outer cloth is substantially rectangular, having a length that is larger than the distance shoulder-feet of the child to be swaddled. It is noted here that the sizes of the cloth assembly may vary, for instance a size for children/babies up to 9 months, a size for children of 9 months to approximately 2 years and a size for children of 2 years and upwards.
[0026] On the inner surface of the outer cloth an inner cloth assembly 33 is placed, consisting of a rectangular first cloth part 40, that can be built up from a middle strip 9, and two side strips 7 and 8, as well as a second cloth part 50, that is also rectangular and extends horizontally with its longest length, in which also a middle section 6 and two side sections 4 and 5, also called arm flaps, can be recognized. The first cloth part 40 has been attached by means of Velcro connection 10 onto the second cloth part, which itself is attached on the outer cloth 2 with Velcro strips that are not shown. Both cloth parts 40 and 50 may be made of thin, strong flannel, that feels smooth and can be washed well.
[0027] At the inner surface of the strip 7, the first cloth part is provided with a Velcro surface 11a, and 12a and at its outside with Velcro strips 13a, 16a and 17a. At the outside the strip 8 is provided with Velcro strips 11b, 12b and 13b.
[0028] At the inner surface of the flap 4, the second cloth part 50 is provided with Velcro strips 14a, 15a in a comparable manner, and at the inner surface of the flap 5 with Velcro strips 16b and 17b. At its outer surface the flap 5 is furthermore provided with Velcro strips 14b and 15b.
[0029] The outer cloth 2 itself is provided with cords 18 and 19 attached to it (see figure 2A), which cords have a minimal length in order to prevent that the cords are used for securing to the bed.
[0030] Swaddling takes place as follows. The child is laid on the inner surface of the first cloth part 40, with its head outside of it and the armpits at the level of the upper edge of the cloth part 40. First the flap 8 is then wrapped around the child, and subsequently from the other side flap 7 is folded over the flap 8, the Velcro strips 11a and 11b being attached to each other at the wanted place, and the same holds good for the Velcro strips 12a and 12b. Furthermore, at a location more downward, the Velcro strips 13a and 13b are brought into engagement with each other. As can be seen in figure 3A the arms of the child now extend over the outside of the first cloth part 40 that is now folded onto itself.
[0031] One can now choose to secure one or both arms by folding the flaps 4 and 5 around the child's arms extending along the body, the flaps 4 and 5 being attached to each other by engagement of the Velcro strips 14a, 14b and 15a, 15b. The Velcro strips 16b and 17b of the flap 5 here adhere to the Velcro strips 16a and 17a of the strip 7 of the first cloth part 40. In this way the second cloth part 50 is not only secured onto itself, but also additionally secured at the front to the front of the wrapped first cloth part 40.
[0032] Now the situation that is shown in figure 3B has been achieved. Then the outer cloth is wrapped, in which it is ensured that the collar 20, that is provided with an elastic band 21, falls around the child's shoulders. At the location of the child's trunk the outer cloth is secured onto itself by means of Velcro strips 22a, 22b and 23a, 23b (see figure 2B), and more downwards, at the location of the child's heels or calves, by means of cord 19, and below the feet by means of cord 18. Then the situation shown in the figures 2D and 3C has been achieved, and the child is completely swaddled.
[0033] With the cloth assembly according to the invention the swaddling can take place in a reliably and secure and also familiar way. The inner cloth assembly is for the fixation, particularly of the child's arms and legs. The user can easily adjust the tightness of the wrap by him/herself.
[0034] The various parts can be closed piece by piece by means of Velcro. With one hand the arms or legs can be kept at the right place while the other hand closes the enveloping material.
[0035] The outer cloth gives the child a sense of being entirely enveloped, like in the womb, which gives it a sense of security and falls asleep better and sleeps on. The elastic 21 is provided to move along a little, without release, with the shoulders of the agile child. Thus it is prevented that children worm their arms out of the cloth assembly.
[0036] In figure 4 an alternative embodiment is shown of a cloth assembly in which the invention is embodied. The cloth assembly 101 is of a relatively small size, and particularly meant for the prematurely born or very small children. The cloth assembly 101 can be used before the cloth assembly of the previous figures is used.
[0037] The cloth assembly 101 comprises an outer cloth 102 made of flannel, that is provided with securing cords 118 and 119. At the upper side, two arm flaps 104, 105 are attached to the cloth 102 by means of stitches 103a, 103b. At the outside, the flap 104 is provided with Velcro strips 111a and 112a, and at the inner surface the flap 105 is provided with Velcro strips 111b and 112b cooperating therewith. At the lower surface, as seen in the drawing, the flap 105 is provided with a Velcro strip 116b.
[0038] At the upper surface, as seen in the drawing, the cloth 102 at the level of flap 104 is provided with a Velcro strip 116a and at the other side provided with Velcro strip 117a. At the level of the flap 105 the cloth 102 is provided with a Velcro strip 117b at the upper surface.
[0039] The prematurely born child is laid with its trunk and arms on the cloth 102 between the flaps 104 and 105. Then the flap 104 is wrapped, in which a first arm is enveloped, after which the flap 105 is wrapped to also envelop the other arm and to attach the flaps 104 and 105 to each other by means of the Velcro connection 111 and 112. Subsequently the right side of the cloth 102 is wrapped, the Velcro strip 116a being attached to the Velcro strip 116b. Then the left side of the cloth 102 is wrapped, the Velcro strip 117b being attached to the Velcro strip 117a. Finally the cords 118 and 119 are tied and the swaddling is completed.
[0040] The cloth assembly 201 of figure 5 comprises an outer cloth 202 made of flannel, which is provided with securing cords 218 at the lower end and two securing cords 219 more upwards, and which has a substantially rectangular shape, and furthermore an inner cloth assembly 203, consisting of a relatively short, flap-shaped first cloth part 240 and a relatively long second cloth part 250, which are attached to each other by means of stitches 260. The second cloth part 250 is detachably attached to the outer cloth 202 by means of Velcro connection 210. The first cloth part as it were lies on the second cloth part.
[0041] Parts comparable to parts in the previous embodiments have the same reference numbers increased by 200.
[0042] Swaddling takes place as follows. The child is laid on the inner cloth 240/250 and the upper surface of the outer cloth 202, and subsequently the strip 207 forming the first cloth part 240 is wrapped over the child's chest, passing under the arms. The situation shown in figure 6A is then achieved, it being understood that the child's arms lie outside along the first cloth part 240. The Velcro strips 216a and 217a have come to lie on top here.
[0043] Subsequently the flap 205 is wrapped to bring the Velcro strips 216b and 217b in engagement with the strips 216a and 217a. The right arm is secured between the cloth part 240 and the flap 205. Subsequently the flap 204 is wrapped to bring the Velcro strips 214a,b and 215a,b in engagement with each other. The left arm is enclosed here between cloth part 250 and the flap 204. The situation shown in figure 6B is then achieved, and the outer cloth 202 can be closed in the same way as described in relation to the embodiment of figure 1. The cords 218 and 219 here close the outer cloth 202 around the child's legs, when the child is a little older.
[0044] Said embodiment of the cloth assembly according to the invention leaves more room for the child's legs by leaving the cord 219 loose (cord 218 is again tied), which is advantageous for children up to six months, for whom it should be made sure that the legs are not wrapped too tightly, in connection with the prevention of hip dysplasia.
[0045] As from 6 months the tight wrapping of the child's legs is no longer harmful to the hips and it is indeed recommended by experts to give the legs freedom of movement, in connection with the increased possibility to turn over onto the belly. With the model of figure 5, the freedom of movement can be reduced a little or be adapted by means of the cords 219. The embodiment of figure 5 has the further advantage with respect to the one of figure 1 that at the location of the trunk and the legs fewer layers of cloth are present as a result of which the whole is less warm.
[0046] It is of course also possible to replace the inner cloth assembly of figure 1 by the one of figure 5 or the other way around.
[0047] The cloth assembly 301 shown in figure 7 is particularly suitable for children over 6 months old, particularly children in the age of 8-9 months, because their legs can be wrapped tightly and firmly. The parts comparable to the ones in figure 1 have the same reference numbers increased by 300. The cloth assembly 302 comprises a substantially rectangular outer cloth 302, corresponding to the outer cloths mentioned earlier. By means of Velcro connection 310 another inner cloth assembly 303 is now detachably attached on it. The inner cloth assembly 303 comprises a first cloth part 340- that extends beyond the feet and in transverse direction merges into the second cloth part 350, to which a flap 304 is attached by means of stitched seam 360, which flap 304 extends under the first cloth part 340. The second cloth part is thus composed. At the side facing away from the flap 304, the second cloth part 350 is provided with two flaps 305 and 360 that are separated from each other by slits 361 so that they can be wrapped separately.
[0048] The swaddling takes place as follows. The child is laid on the inner surface of the first cloth part 340 and the second cloth part 350. Then the first cloth part 340 is wrapped around the child's chest, trunk and legs, and on the other side more or less tucked in. The situation shown in figure 8A is then achieved, in which the child's arms extend at the outside along the cloth part 340. Subsequently the flap 305 is wrapped, to bring the Velcro strips 316a,b and 317a,b into engagement with each other. The child's right arm is then secured. After that the other flap 304 is wrapped, in order to bring the Velcro strips 314a,b and 315a,b into engagement with each other and thus enclose the child's left arm.
[0049] Subsequently the legs are further secured by wrapping the flap 360, said flap being wrapped passing underneath, while slightly lifting the child's legs, to the situation shown in figure 8B.
[0050] The outer cloth 302 can then be wrapped in the way described above, and the cords 318 and 319 can be tied.
[0051] Yet another Velcro strip 370b is provided on the outside of the flap 360, which Velcro strip can be used to secure the flap 360 onto itself, on Velcro strip 370a, which may be a help when closing the outer cloth 302.
[0052] The extended second cloth part 350 with flap 360 provides several layers for around the legs, as a result of which -in combination with the outer cloth- an increased firmness is provided, as a result of which it is less easy for children to push off against the cloths with their legs/feet, so that the possibility of rolling over to a belly position is reduced.
[0053] The heat insulating properties and the water vapour permeability of the materials (for instance flannel) of the cloths may be comparable to a usually thick cotton blanket or with thick cotton underwear with long legs and sleeves.
[0054] Because in the embodiments of the figures 1, 5 and 7 there is actually question of an assembly of two detachably connected, separate cloths, of which at least the one, the inner cloth, consists of several cloth parts that form a unity with each other, the inner cloth being made available in several embodiments, the combination of both cloths as to build-up but also quality can be varied with in accordance with what is desired. In this way the age, build and behaviour of the child and the season and location where the swaddling takes place (consider holidays) can be adjusted to.
[0055] The variation can also be useful in case there would be a contraindication, hip dysplasia (or an increased possibility of it) or a breach birth. In that case the cloth assembly can be limited to -in the embodiment of figure 1-the second cloth part and the outer cloth, or to -in the embodiment of figures 1, 5 and 7- only the outer cloth, when the swaddling is cut down on or when it is warm.
[0056] In the examples of figures 1, 5 and 7, in the inner cloth, built up from two parts -fixedly attached to each other-, the first cloth part forms a means for enveloping the chest, passing under the arms, and the second cloth part a means for enveloping one or both arms along the outside. The outer cloth is detachably attached to the inner cloth.
1. Cloth assembly for swaddling babies or infants, comprising an inner cloth for at least
partially wrapping the child, which inner cloth is provided with means for securing
to it at least an arm of the child and with means for securing the inner cloth onto
itself, furthermore comprising an outer cloth, for entirely wrapping the child for
at least the area below the head, in which the inner cloth and the outer cloth are
attached to each other.
2. Cloth assembly according to claim 1, in which the inner cloth and the outer cloth
are provided with first and second connection means cooperating with each other for
detachable connection to each other.
3. Cloth assembly according to claim 1 or 2, in which the inner cloth forms an assembly
and comprises a first cloth part for enveloping at least the chest of the child, passing
under the arms, and a second cloth part for enveloping and securing at least an arm
of the child, in which the second cloth part preferably is at least partially situated
under the first cloth part.
4. Cloth assembly according to claim 3, in which the first cloth part and the second
cloth part are provided with third and fourth connection means cooperating with each
other.
5. Cloth assembly according to claim 1-4, in which the inner cloth, preferably the second
cloth part, is provided with flaps for enveloping and securing the arms of the child,
which flaps are formed to cover the hand of the arm.
6. Cloth assembly according to claim 3, in which the first and/or the second cloth part
extends from the armpits over the trunk.
7. Cloth assembly according to claim 6, in which the first and/or second cloth part extends
to a place below the feet.
8. Cloth assembly according to claim 7, in which the inner cloth, in particular the second
cloth part has an extended flap in the leg area, which can be wrapped around the legs,
preferably independent of the cloth part situated above it.
9. Cloth assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and
the second connection means and/or the third and fourth connection means are a Velcro
connection.
10. Cloth assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer cloth
is provided with means for securing it to itself, such as cords, that are at least
provided at the location of the leg area.
11. Cloth assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer cloth
comprises a collar extending around the shoulders of the child, which collar preferably
is provided with an elastic band.
12. Cloth assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outer cloth
and/or the inner cloth are made of a material that is soft to the touch, such as flannel.
13. Cloth assembly for swaddling babies or infants, comprising at least a cloth for wrapping
the child, as well as added cloth parts for securing the arms, which cloth parts are
provided with means for attachment onto each other.
14. Cloth assembly according to claim 13, in which the cloth parts are flap-shaped, and
preferably extend under the arms leaving the shoulders free.
15. Cloth assembly according to claim 13 or 14, in which the cloth parts are attached,
preferably detachably, to the cloth.