Bedding for infant and toddler

Abstract

The present invention provides bedding capable of giving a sense of security to an infant and toddler by providing a configuration imitating an outer shape of the umbilical cord. This bedding for an infant and toddler comprises a bedding body and a plurality of cord-shaped members. Each of the cord-shaped members is a twisted cord in which a plurality of strings are twisted and has: a joint end joined with the bedding body on one end; and a free end on the other end. A movable portion that can be gripped by an infant or toddler during use is formed between the joint end and the free end. The length of the cord-shaped member in the movable portion is 8-50 cm, and the thickness is 1.0-3.5 cm in diameter.

Description

Infant bedding

[0001] The present invention relates to bedding for infants.

[0002] In a famous surrogate mother experiment using baby monkeys, psychologist Harlow demonstrated that the sense of security provided by physical contact plays a major role in the formation of attachment (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] It is expected that tools that can stimulate the senses of infants through contact will have a favorable effect on the developmental process. As an example of such a tool, a toy equipped with a soft tail member, a handle member, and a teething ring that can be grasped by infants has been proposed (Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent No. 6165355, Publication No. 6165355, "Love - A Primatological Approach -", Psychological Review, Psychological Review Publishing Society, 1990, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 290-304

[0005] In modern society, promoting the healthy development of infants and reducing the burden of childcare are important issues, and there is a demand for better tools that can provide infants with appropriate sensations and stabilize their emotions.

[0006] The umbilical cord is generally about 50 cm long and 2 cm thick, with two arteries and one vein running through it. The umbilical cord is an important conduit that transports substances between the placenta and the fetus, and its outer periphery is protected by a tissue called Wharton's gelatin, giving it a slight physiological twist. It is thought that the fetus has many opportunities to come into contact with the umbilical cord while in amniotic fluid.

[0007] The inventors came up with the idea of ​​bedding that can give infants a sense of security by having a structure that mimics the external shape of the umbilical cord, and have completed the present invention.

[0008] That is, the present invention provides bedding for infants, which comprises a bedding body and a plurality of string-like members, each of which is a twisted string made up of a plurality of strings twisted together, with one end of the string-like member being joined to the bedding body and the other end being a free end, and the section from the joined end to the free end forms a range of motion that an infant can grasp when in use, and the length of the string-like members in the range of motion is 8 to 50 cm, and the thickness is 1.0 to 3.5 cm in diameter.

[0009] The baby bedding of the present invention is preferably selected from blankets, towel blankets, large mufflers, sheets, pillows, and pillowcases.

[0010] In the baby bedding of the present invention, each of the string-like members is preferably a twisted string twisted in a left-handed manner.

[0011] In the baby bedding of the present invention, each of the string-like members is preferably a twisted string formed by twisting two or three strings together.

[0012] In the baby bedding of the present invention, it is preferable that some of the string members are arranged at positions spaced apart from other parts of the string members.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for using the infant bedding of the present invention, which comprises the step of playing fetal sounds to an infant wearing the infant bedding of the present invention.

[0014] The present invention further provides a system for promoting sleep in an infant, comprising the infant bedding of the present invention and a source of fetal sounds playable by the device.

[0015] According to the infant bedding of the present invention, the feel of the string-like member that mimics the outline of the umbilical cord gives the infant a sense of security, thereby stabilizing the infant's emotions and promoting sleep.

[0016] According to the method of using the infant bedding of the present invention and the system including the infant bedding of the present invention, by having the infant wear the bedding and listen to fetal sounds, it is possible to more effectively promote sleep.

[0017] The bedding for infants, the method and system for using the same of the present invention can reduce the burden of child-rearing on parents.

[0018] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

[0020] The infant bedding of the present invention comprises a bedding body and a plurality of string-like members. The infant bedding 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 1 comprises a bedding body 20 and a plurality of string-like members 30, 40, 50 joined to the bedding body. The term "infant" includes infants under one year of age and infants from one year of age until they reach the age at which they begin elementary school. The infant bedding of the present invention is particularly effective when used for infants and infants approximately three years of age or younger, and particularly when used for infants.

[0021] The infant bedding of the present invention is preferably selected from a blanket, a towel blanket, a large scarf, a sheet, a pillow, or a pillowcase. In other words, the bedding body of the present invention can preferably be a blanket, a towel blanket, a large scarf, a sheet, a pillow, or a pillowcase, but is not limited to these. A blanket is a product made by thickly weaving or knitting wool, cotton, etc., and then brushing the fabric. A towel blanket is made of thick terry cloth and is a product used mainly in the summer. A sheet is a cloth used to cover a bed mattress. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the bedding body 20 is a blanket with long sides of approximately 80 cm and short sides of approximately 70 cm.

[0022] In the present invention, the blankets and towel blankets are sufficient as long as they are large enough to be draped over an infant's body as bedding, and may also serve as cold weather gear such as an adult's lap blanket. In the present invention, the term "large" in large muffler refers to a size that can be draped over an infant's body as a substitute for a blanket or towel blanket. In other words, the infant bedding of the present invention may also serve as an adult's muffler. In the present invention, the pillows and pillowcases are not particularly limited as long as they can be used for infants. A towel used as a pillow substitute is also included in the "pillow" of the present invention.

[0023] In the present invention, multiple string-like members are joined to the bedding body. The number of string-like members is preferably four or more, more preferably six or more, and even more preferably eight or more. The use of multiple string-like members makes it easier for the infant to have at least one string-like member within reach when the infant uses the bedding by draping it over the infant's body. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, each of the string-like members 30, 40, and 50 consists of four string-like members, for a total of 12 string-like members. While there is no particular upper limit on the number of string-like members, it is typically 20 or less, and preferably 15 or less.

[0024] In the present invention, each string-like member has one end connected to the bedding body and the other end free, and the area between the connected end and the free end forms a range of motion that the baby can grasp when in use. In other words, there is no additional connection to the bedding body between the connected end and the free end. This is to avoid the possibility that a loop formed by the connected end and the additional connection could entangle the baby's arms, etc.

[0025] The length of the string-like members within the range of motion is 8 to 50 cm, preferably 10 to 45 cm, and more preferably 15 to 40 cm. The multiple string-like members do not need to be of uniform length. Rather, by making the multiple string-like members have unequal lengths, a single infant bedding set may be adaptable to infants of different ages and months. Here, "unequal lengths" refers to a difference of 3 cm or more between the longest and shortest lengths of the multiple string-like members. The difference between the longest and shortest lengths is preferably 5 cm or more, more preferably 8 cm or more. Having the string-like members of an appropriate length improves the infant's accessibility to the string-like members. The thickness of the string-like members within the range of motion is 1.0 to 3.5 cm in diameter, preferably 1.1 to 3.0 cm, and more preferably 1.2 to 2.5 cm. Here, "diameter" refers to the diameter of a circumscribed circle relative to the cross section of the string-like member.

[0026] In the present invention, each string-like member is a twisted string made of multiple strings twisted together. By using a twisted string of an appropriate thickness, it is possible to easily remind an infant grasping the string-like member of the outline of an umbilical cord, providing a sense of security. While there are no limitations on the material of the string, from the viewpoints of feel and sweat absorbency, a material primarily composed of cotton (i.e., cotton is the largest weight component) is preferred, and 100% cotton is more preferred.

[0027] Each string-like member is preferably a twisted string twisted to the left (left twist). Because the umbilical cord is twisted in the left-handed direction, twisting the strings to the left makes it easier for infants to recall the external shape of the umbilical cord. The number of twists in each string-like member is preferably 15 to 50 twists / m, more preferably 20 to 45 twists / m, and even more preferably 25 to 40 twists / m.

[0028] Each string-like member is preferably a twisted string made of two or three strings twisted together. Because the two or three strings are twisted relatively loosely, infants can insert their fingertips into the gaps where the twisted strings become loose, and such stimulation of the fingertips is expected to promote the development of infants. Therefore, it is preferable that the strings of the twisted string are not glued together.

[0029] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each of the string-like members 30, 40, 50 has a length in the range of 30 to 40 cm, a thickness of about 1.5 cm, and is a twisted string in which three strings are twisted together in a left-handed manner with a twist number of about 30 T / m.

[0030] In the infant bedding of the present invention, it is preferable that some of the multiple string-like members are arranged at positions separated from other parts of the multiple string-like members. Here, "disposed at positions separated" means that the distance between different connected ends of the string-like members corresponds to at least one-fifth, preferably at least one-fourth, and more preferably at least one-third of the total length of the bedding body in the longitudinal direction. By connecting the multiple string-like members to the bedding body so that they are arranged at positions separated from each other, the string-like members are further easily reachable by infants.

[0031] Specifically, in the infant bedding of the present invention, some of the multiple string-like members can be joined to one end region in either the long or short direction of the bedding body (hereinafter also referred to as the "predetermined direction"), and other parts of the multiple string-like members can be joined to a region other than the one end region. Preferably, some of the multiple string-like members can be joined to a first end region and other parts of the multiple string-like members can be joined to a second end region in the predetermined direction. Here, "end region" refers to a region within a width of 10 cm, preferably within a width of 5 cm, from the corresponding extreme end. It goes without saying that a bedding body having the same length in the long and short directions, for example, a substantially square shape, can also be used in the present invention.

[0032] When the infant bedding of the present invention is a sheet, the end region can be defined by defining the portion of the sheet that abuts against the outermost edge of the upper surface of the bed mattress that it covers as the "outermost edge" of the sheet. In this case, it is preferable that the longitudinal direction of the bedding body be the predetermined direction.

[0033] When the infant bedding of the present invention is a blanket or towel blanket, another portion of the multiple string members can be joined to the central region in the predetermined direction. In this case, preferably, some of the multiple string members can be joined to the first end region, some of the multiple string members can be joined to the second end region, and still another portion of the multiple string members can be joined to the central region in the predetermined direction. Here, the "central region" refers to a region having a width of 20 cm or less, preferably 10 cm or less, centered on a line that bisects the bedding body in the predetermined direction.

[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the string-like members are joined to the right (first) end region, the central region, and the left (second) end region of the blanket in the longitudinal direction. Each of the string-like members 30, 40, and 50 is made up of four individual string-like members 31-34, 41-44, and 51-54. The string-like member 31 has a joined end 31a at one end and a free end 31b at the other end. Similarly, the string-like member 34 has a joined end 34a at one end and a free end 34b at the other end. The string-like members 31 and 34 are made by continuously joining the approximate center of a single string-like member (hereinafter also referred to as the "raw string"), i.e., the region from joined end 31a to joined end 34a, to the blanket. The free ends 31b and 34b are fixed to prevent the string from fraying (not shown). Similar to the string members 31 and 34, the other string members 32 and 33, 41 and 44, 42 and 43, 51 and 54, and 52 and 53 are also constructed (the symbols for the connected ends and free ends in FIG. 1 are omitted).

[0035] In the embodiment of Figure 1, as described above, a pair of string-like members is produced by continuously joining the approximate center of a single material string to the blanket. The reason for the continuous joining of the approximate center is to prevent the formation of a loop in the approximate center. The provision of the approximate center is not essential, and each string-like member may be produced from a single material string.

[0036] In the embodiment of Fig. 1, by sandwiching the approximate center, string members 31 and 32 are spaced apart from string members 33 and 34, and similarly, string members 51 and 52 are spaced apart from string members 53 and 54. Therefore, in the embodiment of Fig. 1, it can be said that string members 33, 34, 43, 44, 53 and 54 are joined to the upper end region in the short length direction of the blanket, and the other six string members are joined to regions other than the upper end region.

[0037] The infant bedding of the present invention, when it is a blanket, towel blanket, or large scarf, can be draped over an infant's body for sleeping or to keep warm. It can be draped so that the side without the string-like members (also referred to as the "front side") is in contact with the infant's body, or so that the side with the string-like members (also referred to as the "back side") is in contact with the infant's body. While observing whether the infant spontaneously grasps the string-like members, parents can select the optimal usage mode for each infant, allowing them to grasp the string-like members most easily, by experimenting with whether the front or back side is in contact with the infant's body, or whether the long or short side is aligned with the infant's height. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the infant bedding embodiment shown in Figure 1 being used on an infant.

[0038] When the baby bedding of the present invention is a sheet, it can be used to cover a bed mattress and place the baby's body on it for sleeping. The caregiver can select the optimal mode of use by observing whether the baby spontaneously grasps the string-like members and adjusting the position of the body within an appropriate range, or by trying to correct the direction in which the string-like members extend their range of motion.

[0039] When the infant bedding of the present invention is a pillow or pillowcase, it can be used as a pillow of an appropriate size for an infant, or together with the pillow, by placing it against the head when sleeping. When placing a pillowcase over the pillow that is the infant bedding of the present invention, it is necessary to select a pillowcase that does not cover the string-like members attached to the pillow. In these cases, too, parents can select the optimal mode of use by observing whether the infant grasps the string-like members voluntarily and trying to adjust the position of the pillow within an appropriate range or correct the direction in which the range of motion of the string-like members extends, etc.

[0040] In one embodiment of the infant bedding of the present invention, fetal sounds may be played and played to an infant wearing the bedding. Here, "wearing" refers to application in accordance with the intended purpose of the bedding itself, including draping it over the body, resting the body, and placing it on the head. Furthermore, "fetal sounds" refer to sounds created to mimic the sounds a fetus hears inside the mother's womb. It is said that fetuses begin to acquire hearing around the 20th week of pregnancy, hearing the sounds of the mother's heart beating and blood flowing. The string-like member attached to the infant bedding of the present invention can remind an infant grasping it of the outline of the umbilical cord. Playing back and playing fetal sounds can also give the infant the sensation of being inside the mother's womb, providing a greater sense of security. This can stabilize the infant's emotions and enhance the effect of promoting sleep.

[0041] Therefore, when selling the infant bedding of the present invention as a product, a statement can be included on the packaging or in an accompanying document that states that fetal sounds may be played and played to infants wearing the bedding.

[0042] As is clear from the above, one embodiment of the present invention provides a system for promoting sleep in infants, which includes the infant bedding of the present invention and a fetal sound source that can be played by a device. The format of the fetal sound source is not particularly limited, and includes sound sources recorded on media such as CDs and audio files that can be downloaded. An appropriate playback device can be selected depending on the properties of these sound sources.

[0043] The infant bedding, method of use, and system of the present invention can reduce the burden of child-rearing on parents, and contribute to solving important social issues in today's world where the birthrate is declining and the population is aging.

[0044] [Additional Notes] This specification further discloses the following additional notes in relation to the above description.

[0045] [1] Bedding for infants and toddlers, comprising a bedding body and a plurality of string-like members, each of which is a twisted string made up of a plurality of strings twisted together, with one end of the string-like member being joined to the bedding body and the other end being a free end, with the section from the joined end to the free end forming a range of motion that an infant can grasp when in use, and the length of the string-like members in the range of motion being 8 to 50 cm, and the thickness being 1.0 to 3.5 cm in diameter.

[0046] [2] The bedding for infants and young children described in [1], which is selected from a blanket, a towel blanket, a large muffler, a sheet, a pillow, or a pillowcase.

[0047] [3] Bedding for infants and young children according to [1] or [2], wherein each string-like member is a twisted string twisted in a left-handed direction.

[0048] [4] Bedding for infants and young children described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein each string-like member is a twisted string made of two or three strings twisted together.

[0049] [5] Baby bedding described in any one of [1] to [4], in which some of the multiple string-like members are arranged at a position separated from other parts of the multiple string-like members.

[0050] [6] A method of using infant bedding, comprising a step of playing fetal sounds to an infant wearing the infant bedding described in any one of [1] to [5].

[0051] [7] A system for promoting sleep in infants, comprising the infant bedding described in any one of [1] to [5] and a sound source of fetal sounds that can be reproduced by a device.

[0052] 10 Infant bedding 20 Bedding body 30 String-like member (right side) 31 Individual string-like member 31a Connected end 31b Free end 32 Individual string-like member 33 Individual string-like member 34 Individual string-like member 34a Connected end 34b Free end 40 String-like member (center) 41 Individual string-like member 42 Individual string-like member 43 Individual string-like member 44 Individual string-like member 50 String-like member (left side) 51 Individual string-like member 52 Individual string-like member 53 Individual string-like member 54 Individual string-like member

Claims

1. Bedding for infants and young children comprising a bedding body and a plurality of string-like members, each of which is a twisted string made up of a plurality of strings twisted together, with one end connected to the bedding body and the other end being a free end, the section from the connected end to the free end forming a range of motion that an infant can grasp when in use, the length of the string-like members in the range of motion being 8 to 50 cm, and the thickness being 1.0 to 3.5 cm in diameter.

2. The bedding for infants according to claim 1, which is selected from a blanket, a towel blanket, a large scarf, a sheet, a pillow, or a pillowcase.

3. The bedding for infants according to claim 1, wherein each of the string-like members is a twisted string twisted in a left-handed manner.

4. Baby bedding according to claim 1, wherein each string-like member is a twisted string made up of two or three strings twisted together.

5. Baby bedding according to claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of string-like members are positioned apart from other parts of the plurality of string-like members.

6. A method of using the infant bedding, comprising the step of playing fetal sounds to an infant wearing the infant bedding according to claim 1.

7. A system for promoting sleep in an infant, comprising the infant bedding of claim 1 and a source of fetal sounds playable by a device.

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