Abstract:
A swaddling towel has a major dimension and a minor dimension and fasteners are provided on the towel for securing the towel around a neck of a caregiver so that the towel may depend from the neck of the caregiver. First and second cooperating fasteners are spaced apart along the minor dimension and third and fourth cooperating fasteners are spaced apart along the major dimension. Securing the towel using the first and second cooperating fasteners, spaced along the minor dimension, results in the towel depending from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the major dimension, facilitating wrapping of a new-born/baby. Securing the towel using the third and fourth cooperating fasteners, spaced along the major dimension, results in the towel depending from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the minor dimension, facilitating wrapping of an infant/toddler.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority of Canadian Design Patent Application Serial No. 166365, filed Jan. 18, 2016, entitled “ Baby Towel,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to a swaddling towel. Examples of the disclosure provide a towel which may be arranged to attach to and depend from a caregiver to facilitate swaddling or wrapping of a child with the towel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    When bathing a child it is common practice for the caregiver to lift the child from the bath and then wrap the child in a towel. However, lifting the child from the bath will often result in the caregiver becoming wet. Also, safely and securely supporting a wet child while wrapping the child in a towel requires a degree of dexterity and strength. There have been numerous proposals for specialised towel configurations to facilitate such operations. See for example: U.S. Pat. No. 7,685,648, U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,554, U.S. Pat. No. 8,020,217, U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,367, CA 2,525,052, WO 03/099048, US 2011/0035857, U.S. Pat. No. 3,629,865, U.S. Pat. No. D591,931. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    According to an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a towel having a major dimension and a minor dimension and fasteners provided on the towel for securing the towel around a neck of a caregiver whereby the towel may depend from the neck of the caregiver, first and second cooperating fasteners being spaced apart along the minor dimension and third and fourth cooperating fasteners being spaced apart along the major dimension. 
         [0005]    Securing the towel using the first and second cooperating fasteners, spaced along the minor dimension, may result in the towel depending from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the major dimension, facilitating wrapping of a new-born/baby. Securing the towel using the third and fourth cooperating fasteners, spaced along the major dimension, may result in the towel depending from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the minor dimension, facilitating wrapping of an infant/toddler. Thus, the towel provides at least two alternative configurations suitable for children of different ages. 
         [0006]    As the towel is secured around the neck of the caregiver there is no requirement for the caregiver to hold the towel, such that certain aspects of the use of the towel may be substantially “hands-free”. The caregiver may also position the towel to provide a degree of protection from splashing while bathing, lifting and carrying a child. 
         [0007]    The major and minor dimensions may be oblique relative to one another. In one embodiment, the major and minor dimensions may be substantially perpendicular, but in other embodiments may be at any convenient or appropriate angle. 
         [0008]    The towel may be rectangular and comprise two major edges and two minor edges. This may provide for efficient use of material and allow the towel to be handled, stored and used in a similar manner to a conventional towel. 
         [0009]    The edges of the towel may be rectilinear. 
         [0010]    The towel may comprises a minor edge and the first and second fasteners may be provided adjacent the minor edge. The towel may comprise first and second corners and the first and second fasteners may be located adjacent the respective first and second corners. When secured using the first and second fasteners a major portion of the towel may depend from the neck of the caregiver. This may be convenient for wrapping a baby or smaller child being held against the chest of the caregiver by folding the towel around a generally horizontal axis. 
         [0011]    The towel may comprise a major edge and the third and fourth fasteners may be provided adjacent the major edge. When secured using the third and fourth fasteners a major portion of the towel may extend generally horizontally across the body of the caregiver. This may be convenient for wrapping a child being held against the chest of the caregiver by folding the towel around one or more generally vertical axes. 
         [0012]    The second and third fasteners consist of a single common fastener. This may assist in minimising manufacturing expense and simplifying the construction of the towel. 
         [0013]    The towel may comprise a corner and the second and third fasteners may consist of a single common fastener provided adjacent the corner. This may facilitate location of the fastener by the caregiver. This may be particularly advantageous if the fasteners are coupled together while located out of the line of sight of the caregiver as may be the case if the fastener spacing is such that the towel, with the fasteners coupled, cannot be easily passed over the head of the caregiver. 
         [0014]    The fasteners may comprise at least one button and at least one loop. Such fasteners may be secured to or formed from the towel material relatively easily and economically. Alternatively, or in addition, other forms of fasteners may be provided. For example, the fasteners may comprise a hook and loop configuration, such as sold under the Velcro trademark. 
         [0015]    The towel may be formed of any appropriate material or fabric and may comprise layers or portions of different materials having similar or different properties or characteristics. The towel may include one or more terry cloth layers, for example a bamboo, cotton or microfiber terry. The loops provided in terry cloth facilitate absorption of water. The towel may include one or more flannel layers. A flannel layer may facilitate provision of a degree of insulation. A flannel layer may also provide a surface which facilitates printing on the towel, although this feature may be provided by other materials. In one embodiment the towel comprises a first layer of bamboo baby loop terry and a second layer of cotton flannel. The bamboo baby loop terry absorbs water and has a soft and gentle surface; typically, the towel will be used with the bamboo baby loop terry facing outwards from the caregiver, towards the child. The multiple layers provide enhanced insulation for a child wrapped in the towel, while the cotton flannel facilitates transfer of body heat from the caregiver to the child. 
         [0016]    A particular example of the towel has a rectangular form and comprises two major edges, two minor edges and four corners. At least three fasteners are provided on the towel for securing the towel around a neck of a caregiver whereby the towel may depend from the neck of the caregiver. A corner fastener is located adjacent one of the corners of the towel, a major edge fastener is located on one of the major edges for cooperating with the corner fastener, and a minor fastener is located on one of the minor edges for cooperating with the corner fastener. 
         [0017]    A further aspect of the disclosure relates to a towel comprising a first layer and a second layer, the first layer comprising viscose bamboo rayon and the second layer comprising cotton. 
         [0018]    Further aspects of the disclosure relate to the use of the towel. One aspect relates to a method of using a towel having a major dimension and a minor dimension and first and second cooperating fasteners spaced apart along the minor dimension and third and fourth cooperating fasteners spaced apart along the major dimension, the method comprising at least one of: securing the towel around the neck of a caregiver using the first and second fasteners such that at least a portion of the towel depends from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the major dimension; and securing the towel around the neck of a caregiver using the third and fourth fasteners such that the towel depends from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the minor dimension. 
         [0019]    The towel may also be secured around the neck of a child using the first and second fasteners to form a cape. 
         [0020]    The towel may also be secured around the neck, shoulder or upper arm of a nursing mother to provide a nursing cover. 
         [0021]    The towel may be hung using one of the fasteners. 
         [0022]    Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of swaddling a child in a towel having a major dimension and a minor dimension, and first and second cooperating fasteners spaced apart along the minor dimension and third and fourth cooperating fasteners spaced apart along the major dimension, the method comprising: (a) securing the towel around the neck of a caregiver using the first and second fasteners such that at least a portion of the towel depends from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the major dimension and lies against the caregiver&#39;s chest; (b) securing the towel around the neck of a caregiver using the third and fourth fasteners such that the towel depends from the neck of the caregiver in the direction of the minor dimension and lies against the caregiver&#39;s chest; (c) placing the child against the towel on the user&#39;s chest; (d) folding the towel around the child while secured around the caregiver&#39;s neck; (e) separating the fasteners around the caregiver&#39;s neck; and (f) moving the child away from the caregiver while wrapped in the towel: wherein either of said securing steps (a) and (b) are performed before the other and performance of said securing steps (a) and (b) is spaced apart in time with any of steps (c)-(f) intervening. 
         [0023]    Following step (a), step (d) may further comprise folding a lower portion of the towel around the child. 
         [0024]    Following step (b), step (d) may further comprise folding a lateral edge of the towel around the child. 
         [0025]    Following step (b), step (f) may further comprise lowering the child onto a surface with the child in a standing position. 
         [0026]    The method may further comprise: (g) securing the towel around the neck of the child using the first and second fasteners such that at least a portion of the towel depends from the neck of the child in the direction of the major dimension and lies against the child&#39;s back to form a cape. 
         [0027]    The method may further comprise: (h) securing the towel around one of the neck, shoulder and upper arm of a nursing mother to provide a nursing cover. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: 
           [0029]      FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6  are views of a towel of the present disclosure; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10  illustrate the towel of  FIG. 1  being used in a first configuration to wrap a baby; 
           [0031]      FIGS. 11, 12 and 13  illustrate the towel of  FIG. 1  being used in a second configuration to wrap a toddler; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the towel of  FIG. 1  being used as cape; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 16, 17 and 18  illustrate the towel of  FIG. 1  being used as a nursing cover; and 
           [0034]      FIGS. 19, 20, 21 and 22  show alternative towel configurations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    Reference is first made to  FIGS. 1 to 6  of the drawings which illustrate a towel  10  of the present disclosure. The illustrated towel  10  is rectangular, that is the towel has a width or minor dimension  12  and two short edges  14 ,  16 , a length or major dimension  18  and two long edges  20 ,  22 , and first, second, third and fourth corners  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 . The towel  10  may be of any appropriate dimensions or proportions, but is typically approximately 30 inches wide by 43 inches long or approximately 35 inches wide by 55 inches long. Other towels may be, for example, 30 inches wide by 55 inches long 
         [0036]    The illustrated towel  10  comprises two layers of fabric: a terry cloth layer, for example a bamboo baby loop terry layer  32 , and a cotton flannel layer  34 . The bamboo baby loop terry layer  32  may be of, for example, a blend of bamboo and cotton yarn, and may incorporate other textile fibres. In one example the layer  32  comprises 70% viscose bamboo rayon, 27% cotton and 3% elastane or spandex. The layer  32 ,  34  are secured together by any suitable means, typically by stitching. 
         [0037]    The towel  10  may be left undyed or may coloured or patterned as desired. The cotton flannel layer  34  may be printed with any desired pattern, for example: a pattern having a baby or bath-time theme, which may be boy, girl or gender-neutral themed; a pattern or theme associated with a book, TV, film or game, or associated characters; colours or patterns associated with sports teams or events; and colours or patterns associated with a brand or trademark, facilitating provision of promotional or “sponsored” towels. 
         [0038]    If desired, only the visible, outer face of the cotton flannel layer  34  may be printed with a pattern or design. The bamboo baby loop terry layer  32  will thus cover the inner face of the cotton flannel layer  34  and conceal the “reverse” of the printed image which might otherwise have been visible when viewing the non-printed face of the layer  34 . 
         [0039]    The illustrated towel  10  comprises three fasteners: a loop  36  provided adjacent the first corner  24 , a button  38  adjacent the second corner  26 , and a loop  40  on the long edge  20  between the second and third corners  26 ,  28 . As will be described, the button  38  may be coupled with a selected one of the loops  36 ,  40 , allowing the towel  10  to be attached around a caregiver&#39;s neck. In the illustrated example the button  38  extends from the cotton flannel layer  34 , but in other examples could be provided to extend from the bamboo baby loop terry layer  32 . Furthermore, other examples could feature fasteners on alternative combinations of corners and edges, or indeed on all corners and edges. 
         [0040]    Reference is now made also to  FIGS. 7 to 10  of the drawings, which illustrate the towel  10  being used in a first configuration to wrap a new-born baby  48 .  FIG. 7  shows a caregiver  44  who has placed the short edge  14  around their neck  46  and secured the corner loop  36  to the button  38 , with the bamboo baby loop terry layer  32  facing outwards. The towel  10  may thus hang substantially vertically against the caregiver&#39;s chest and be arranged to cover the front of the caregiver&#39;s body and clothing. The caregiver&#39;s hands are free to, for example, lift the baby  48  into a bath and support and wash the baby. During bath time the towel  10  protects the caregiver&#39;s clothes from splashing. 
         [0041]    When bathing is finished, the baby  48  may be lifted by the caregiver  44 , again using both hands, and placed on the towel  10  against the caregiver&#39;s chest. The wet baby  48  will be placed on the soft moisture-wicking bamboo baby loop terry layer  32 . Any water which passes through the layer  32  is absorbed by the cotton flannel layer  34 , thus protecting the caregiver&#39;s clothing. 
         [0042]    Using one hand (in the drawings the right hand  50 ) the caregiver  44  may continue to support and hold the baby  48  against their chest while using their other hand (in the drawings the left hand  52 ) to grasp the lower short edge  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The lower edge  26  may then be lifted to fold the towel  10  around the baby  48  and held on the baby  48  with the left hand  52 . While supporting the baby  48  now wrapped in the towel  10  with the left hand  52 , the right hand  50  may be brought to the outside of the bundle, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The wrapped baby  48  may then be supported and held against the chest with the right hand  50  while the left hand  52  is used to unfasten the loop  36  and button  38 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0043]    The wrapped baby  48  may now be handled and supported using both hands  50 ,  52 . For example, the wrapped baby may be lowered onto a safe supporting surface to be dried. 
         [0044]    Reference is now also made to  FIGS. 11 to 13  of the drawings, which illustrate the towel  10  of  FIG. 1  being used in a second configuration to wrap an infant or toddler  56 .  FIG. 11  shows the caregiver  44  having placed the long edge  20  of the towel  10  around their neck  46  and secured the long edge loop  40  to the button  38 , again with the bamboo baby loop terry layer  32  facing outwards. The towel  10  may thus hang against the caregiver&#39;s chest with the minor dimension  12  extending generally downwards and the major dimension  18  extending generally horizontally. As with the first configuration, the caregiver&#39;s hands  50 ,  52  are free to, for example, lift, support and wash the toddler  56 , while the towel  10  protects the caregiver&#39;s clothes. 
         [0045]    As with the first configuration, the bathed child  56  may be lifted by the caregiver  44 , using both hands, and placed on the towel  10  against the caregiver&#39;s chest. Again, the wet child  56  will be placed on the soft moisture-wicking bamboo baby loop terry layer  32 . 
         [0046]    Using one hand (in the drawings the right hand  50 ) the caregiver  44  may continue to support and hold the child  56  against their chest while using their other hand (in the drawings the left hand  52 ) to grasp the third corner  28 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The towel  10  may then be folded around the child  56  and held on the child  56  with the left hand  52 . While supporting the child  56  now wrapped in the towel  10  with the left hand  52 , the right hand  50  may be moved to the outside of the bundle, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The wrapped child  56  may then be supported and held against the chest with the right hand  50  while the left hand  52  is used to unfasten the loop  40  and button  38 . 
         [0047]    The wrapped child  56  may now be handled and supported using both hands  50 ,  52 . As the child&#39;s feet are not wrapped from below by the towel  10 , the wrapped child  56  may be lowered onto a suitable surface, to be dried in a standing position. 
         [0048]    If preferred, the child may be lifted from the bath directly to a supporting surface, such that the caregiver always holds and supports the child with both hands. The towel  10  may be wrapped around the child  56 , and the loop  40  and button  38  unfastened, once the child is standing. Alternatively, or in addition, the loop  36  and button  38  may then be fastened to the front of the child&#39;s neck such that the towel  10  lies against the child&#39;s back to allow the child to wear the towel  10  as a cape (as noted above, the towel  10  may be printed to give the appearance of a “superhero” cape), as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  of the drawings. 
         [0049]    The ability to use the towel  10  in different configurations allows a caregiver to use the towel  10  in the first configuration for a newborn or baby, and in the second configuration for an infant or toddler. Thus, the towel  10  may be used for a single child, and the method of using of the towel changes as the child grows. Alternatively, or in addition, the towel  10  may be used as appropriate in a situation where a number of children of different ages are present, for example in a family with two or more children. 
         [0050]    After use, one of the loops  36 ,  40  may be used to hang the towel  10  from a coat or storage hook. 
         [0051]    Of course the towel  10  may be used to dry the baby or child, facilitated by the absence of additional pieces, such as hoods, apron-style ties, bib clasps and the like. 
         [0052]    The absence of any attachments also facilitates safe use of the towel  10  as a blanket. Further, the towel  10  may also be utilised as a nursing cover, as illustrated in  FIGS. 16, 17 and 18  of the drawings; the loop  40  and button  38  may be clasped around the mother&#39;s neck  46  or shoulder  47  (as illustrated) and the free-hanging portion of the towel  10  used to cover the nursing child  49 , the front of the mother&#39;s body and the arm  51  supporting the child. 
         [0053]    The above description relates to the use of the towel  10  by a lone caregiver. However, the towel  10  may be used by a caregiver receiving assistance from one or more other caregivers. Another caregiver may, for example, assist with one or more of: lifting of the child from the bath; placing the child against the towel on the caregiver&#39;s chest; folding the towel around the child; fastening and unfastening the loops and button, and in placing the child wrapped in the towel on a supporting surface. Of course the other caregiver may be provided with a second towel in accordance with the disclosure. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 19 to 22  show alternative towel configurations. In particular,  FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate a towel  110  of a generally isosceles trapezoid form. The towel  110  has a width or minor dimension  112  and two shorter edges  114 ,  116 , a length or major dimension  118  and two long edges  120 ,  122 , and first, second, third and fourth corners  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 . 
         [0055]    The towel  110  comprises three fasteners: a loop  136  adjacent the first corner  124 , a button  138  adjacent the second corner  126 , and a loop  140  on the long edge between the second and third corners  126 ,  128 . As with the first example, the button  138  may be coupled with a selected one of the loops  136 ,  140 , allowing the towel  110  to be attached around a caregiver&#39;s neck in two alternative configurations. 
         [0056]      FIGS. 21 and 22  illustrate a towel  210  of a generally oval form. The towel  210  has a width or minor dimension  212  and a length or major dimension  218 . The towel  210  comprises three fasteners: a button  238  and two loops  236 ,  240 . The button  238  and the first loop  236  are spaced apart along the minor dimension  212  and the button  238  and the second loop  240  are spaced apart along the major dimension  218 . The button  238  may be coupled with a selected one of the loops  236 ,  240 , allowing the towel  210  to be attached around a caregiver&#39;s neck in two alternative configurations. 
         [0057]    It will be apparent that the towels as described herein may be used in a number of different ways. Further, the towels are of relatively simple construction and capable of withstanding normal usage and laundering. 
         [0058]    It will also be apparent that the towels as described and illustrated are merely exemplary of the present invention and that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. 
         [0059]    The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is noted that in the present specification and claims appended hereto, conjunctive language such as is used in the phrases “at least one of X, Y and Z” and “one or more of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated or indicated otherwise, shall be taken to mean that each item in the conjunctive list can be present in any number exclusive of every other item in the list or in any number in combination with any or all other item(s) in the conjunctive list, each of which may also be present in any number. Applying this general rule, the conjunctive phrases in the foregoing examples in which the conjunctive list consists of X, Y, and Z shall each encompass: one or more of X; one or more of Y; one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Y; one or more of Y and one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Z; and one or more of X, one or more of Y and one or more of Z. 
         [0060]    Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention. 
         [0061]    Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.