Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02316143 2000-08-17
CRIB SAFETY SACK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to infant crib bedding, and more particularly to
infant
blankets for use in cribs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Baby blankets and coverings are well known. Since baby blankets are intended,
foremost, to keep a sleeping infant warm, it has long been an objective of
blanket
designers to develop a blanket which will resist kicking off by a moving
infant.
In the past, attempts to develop kick-off resistant infant blankets have
yielded various
methods of attaching a sheet or blanket to a crib mattress (US Pat. 2,677,137
to Bergin,
US Pat. 2,729,831 to Fuld & Craig) or to the crib bumper pads (US Pat.
5,153,954 to
Ohman). Various types of infant jackets and fitted garments have been provided
to be
attached to crib sheets and blankets (US Pat. 3,845,513 to Hubner, US Pat.
4,202,052
to Bilanzich). The inventions are directed to maintaining the warmth of
infants while
sleeping.
Much more is known today about infant sleeping patterns. Concern for the
warmth and
comfort of the sleeping infant is now shared with a concern for the safety of
the infant
while sleeping. Since babies are known to frequently change position while
sleeping, it
is desirable to make the sleeping environment as free as possible of
suffocation and
injury risks and to keep the baby in a secure sleeping position within that
environment.
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), sometimes referred to as "crib death",
refers to
the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant usually less
than one
year of age, which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. It is
estimated
that 3 infants per week die of SIDS in Canada (Canadian Paediatric Society,
1999). The
American Academy of Pediatrics has reported that SIDS is responsible for more
infant
deaths in the US than any other cause of death during infancy beyond the
neonatal
period (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2000).
Although the exact causes of SIDS are unknown, various risk factors have been
consistently identified. These factors include, prone (tummy) sleeping, and
sleeping on
soft bedding surfaces. Health organizations in Canada and the US now recommend
that
babies be put to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Furthermore, it is recommended that firm, flat bedding be used with normal
healthy
infants, with sheets and light blankets as needed. Soft bedding, such as
pillows,
comforters, bumper pads, lambskins and similar products, is not recommended
due to
the risk of suffocation.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a bedding product which not only keeps
the infant
snug and warm while sleeping, but also promotes a secure back sleeping
position within
the crib environment. At the same time, it is desirable to avoid the
suffocation risks
associated with overly fluffy or soft bedding. A streamlined bedding product
should also
be resistant to displacement or disengagement from the crib mattress by the
infant in the
course of ordinary sleeping patterns.
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CA 02316143 2000-08-17
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a crib safety sack for securing an infant in a
back
sleeping position on a crib mattress.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a crib safety sack for
securing an infant
in a back sleeping position on a crib mattress is disclosed. The sack
comprises a fabric
sack including a top panel fastened to a bottom panel. The panels (which are
preferably
fastened together by sewing) form a pocket adapted to fit securely over part
of the infant
lying at an end of the crib mattress. The top panel exerts a gentle force on
the infant so
as to prevent rollover. To ensure a snug fit and adequate pressure on the
infant to
prevent rollover, the sack preferably comprises a pocket which wraps entirely
around the
foot end of the mattress and is substantially the same size as the end of the
crib
mattress to be covered.
Although the preferred embodiment of the sack is for infant use in a crib
setting, as a
blanket alternative, the sack may also have application on larger child- or
adult-size
beds.
The sack is preferably fastened on three sides by two downwardly extending
side panels
and a downwardly extending foot panel.
In a preferred embodiment of the sack, the sack comprises a stretchable
fabric. The
sack may comprise a fleece fabric, such as polar fleece, or any suitable non-
quilted
(non-fluffy) blanket material. Where regulations exist requiring infant
bedding to be
treated for flammability, the sack will preferably be treated to meet or
exceed the
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appropriate standard, such as that set by the American Society for Testing and
Materials, "Standard Method of Test for Flammability of Clothing Textiles".
In a preferred embodiment of the sack, to facilitate access, the sack
comprises at least
one opening flap. The flap comprises a slit extending lengthwise from an open
top edge
of the sack to a closed bottom edge of the sack. Two overlapping edges of the
slit are
resealably closeable by a fastening means. The fastening means preferably
comprises
one or more pairs of strips of hook and loop tape, such as Velcro hook and
loop tape.
However, the fastening means may alternatively comprise snaps, fabric or
string ties,
buttons or any other suitable means. The fastening means preferably allows for
a range
of closed sizes, allowing the sack to be extended to accommodate a growing
child. The
sack may comprise two opening flaps, positioned on opposite panels of the
sack, such
as the top and bottom panels of the sack.
In another preferred embodiment of the sack, the sack is rotatably reversible
around the
foot end of the crib mattress, about a horizontal axis defined by a head end
and a foot
end of the crib mattress. When the sack is flipped over (by tugging the sack
reversibly
around the end of the mattress, or by removing the sack and replacing it on
the mattress
in the reverse position), the relative top and bottom panels of the sack may
be reversed.
Alternatively, the entire mattress may be flipped over with the sack in place
to achieve a
similar effect. It is preferred to make the sack reversible in order to extend
the
usefulness of the blanket between washings. If the infant wets or soils one
side of the
sack, the sack is reversible so that the infant may be covered by a dry side
of the sack.
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According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of securing an
infant in a
back sleeping position on a crib mattress is disclosed. The method comprises
two
steps:
(a) covering an end of a crib mattress with a crib safety sack; and
(b) tucking a foot end of an infant between a top panel of the crib safety
sack
and a top surface of the crib mattress.
Within the crib safety sack, the infant is secured on the infant's back with
his or her
head, shoulders and arms remaining exposed. The crib safety sack exerts a
gentle
force on the infant to prevent rollover.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of securing an
infant in a
back sleeping position on a crib mattress is disclosed. The method comprises
four
steps:
(a) opening at least one flap on a crib safety sack;
(b) covering an end of a crib mattress with the crib safety sack;
(c) tucking a foot end of an infant between a top panel of the crib safety
sack
and a top surface of the crib mattress; and
(d) closing the at least one flap securing the infant on the infant's back
under
the top panel of the crib safety sack.
The infant is secured by the crib safety sack on the infant's back on the
surface of the
crib mattress with his or her head, shoulders and arms remaining exposed. The
crib
safety sack exerts a gentle force on the infant to prevent rollover. The flap
permits easy
removal and reversal of the sack, as well as, access to the infant occupant.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings in
which
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a crib safety sack according to the
present invention;
FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of the crib safety sack;
FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the sack with a
flap
(shown in flap open position);
FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment (shown in flap
closed
position);
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a crib safety sack on a crib mattress;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a crib safety sack in use on a crib mattress
positioned in a
crib; and
FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the crib safety sack in use on a crib
mattress in a
crib.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figures 1-3 show perspective views of a crib safety sack 1. The sack 1 is
comprised of
fabric, preferably stretchable and preferably sewn into a pocket shape.
Although the
preferred shape of the sack is a pocket adapted to enclose an end of a crib
mattress, it
is not intended to exclude partial enclosure configurations, such as a fabric
frame. The
sack I may be comprised of fleece fabric, such as polar fleece, or any other
suitable
non-quilted (non-fluffy) blanket material. Quilted and fluffy fabrics are not
desirable due
to the risk of the infant suffocating if ever face down on the fabric.
In the preferred embodiment, the pocket has a top panel 2, which is fastened
(preferably, sewn) to a bottom panel 2' (shown in Fig. 2A) by two downwardly
extending
side panels 3, 3' and a downwardly extending foot panel 4.
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The pocket is adapted to fit securely over part of an infant lying at the end
of a crib
mattress. The top panel 2 exerts a gentle force on the infant so as to prevent
rollover.
The sack thereby secures the infant in a back sleeping position on a crib
mattress, which
sleeping position is recommended by child health experts for the prevention of
SIDS.
The pocket is preferably substantially the same size as the end of the crib
mattress to be
covered, so as to fit securely and resist displacement or disengagement from
the crib
mattress in the course of ordinary sleeping patterns.
According to Figs. 2A-2B, a preferred embodiment of the crib safety sack 1
further
comprises at least one opening flap 5. The flap comprises a slit 6 extending
lengthwise
from the open top edge of the sack 7 to the closed bottom edge 8 of the sack
1. The two
overlapping edges of the slit 6 are resealably closeable by a fastening means
9, such as
one or more pairs of strips of Velcro hook and loop tape 9. The fastening
means
preferably allows for a range of closed sizes, allowing the sack to be
extended to
accommodate a growing child. The crib safety sack I may comprise two flaps 5
on
opposite panels of the sack 1, such as the top 2 and bottom 2' panels.
Fig. 2B shows the flap 5 in closed position with the two edges of the slit 6
sealed shut.
Fig. 3 shows the crib safety sack I on a crib mattress 10. The crib safety
sack 1 is
preferably positioned toward a foot end 12 of the mattress 10, such as the
bottom 1/3 to
%Z of the mattress. To ensure a snug fit and adequate pressure on the infant
to prevent
rollover, the sack preferably has a pocket-shape and wraps entirely around the
foot end
of the mattress. The sack is preferably substantially the same size as the end
of the crib
mattress to be covered. For use on a standard size crib mattress, the
dimensions of the
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sack may be approximately 6" by 28%2" by 18". It is not intended, however, to
exclude
sacks designed for smaller mattresses (such as, bassinet mattresses) or larger
mattresses.
The crib safety sack I is reversible around the end of the mattress 10. A
horizontal axis
is defined from the head end 11 to the foot end 12 of the mattress. The crib
safety sack
1 can be tugged around the axis, thus reversing the relative top 2 and bottom
2' panels
of the crib safety sack I on the mattress 10. Alternatively, the sack 1 can be
removed
and replaced in the reverse position, or the entire mattress 10 with the sack
1 in place
can be turned over, achieving the same effect. The advantage of reversibility
is that the
crib safety sack I provides extended wear over standard blankets between
washings. A
wet or soiled side of the sack 1 can be turned over to reveal a dry and fresh
side ready
for use.
Figs. 4 and 5 show the crib safety sack 1 in use on a crib mattress 10 within
a crib. The
top panel 2 of the crib safety sack I exerts a gentle pressure on the infant
13 enclosed
within to prevent the infant 13 from rolling over. The infant 13 is preferably
tucked under
the top panel of the sack, so as to lie in a back sleeping position on the
surface of the
crib mattress 10. The infant's 13 lower body is secured within the crib safety
sack 1,
while the infant's 13 head, shoulders and arms remain exposed.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention. Further,
since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
in the art, it
is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
applications shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted
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to, falling within the scope of the invention and the appended claims and
their
equivalents.
AII publications, patents and patent applications are incorporated by
reference in their
entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or
patent application
was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
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REFERENCES
American Academy of Pediatrics (2000). Policy Statement: Changing Concepts of
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Implications for Infant Sleeping Environment and
Sleep
Position. Pediatrics 105, 650-56.
Canadian Paediatric Society et al. (1999). Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant
Death
Syndrome in Canada: Joint Statement of the Canadian Foundation for the Study
of
Infant Deaths, the Canadian Institute of Child Health, the Canadian Paediatric
Society
and Health Canada. Paediatrics & Child Health 4(3), 223-4.
Health Canada (March 1998). Crib Safety Information Sheet.
National Institutes of Health (1998). News Alert: SIDS Rate Drops as More
Babies are
Placed to Sleep on their Backs or Sides.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Soft Bedding May Be Dangerous to
Babies.
US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Crib Safety Tips.
