Hair and scalp protected baby linen

A baby linen including a hair protection layer and an underlying fabric layer. The baby linen may take the form of a baby blanket or a crib sheet. The crib sheet also may be a single layer of material including two sections of material sewn together. The first section of material may include a hair protection material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to linens. More particularly, this invention relates to baby linens including a hair protection layer that minimizes hair loss and scalp irritation from friction as compared to traditional baby blanket and crib sheet materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the early stages of life, infants spend a considerable amount of time sleeping. When lying on the back or side position as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the baby's hair and scalp may become dry. Movement of the head against cotton sheets then may cause hair breakage. This is particularly true because cotton can be quite abrasive to the hair and scalp.

There is a desire, therefore, for a baby blanket or other device that minimizes the friction between an infant or toddler's head and the blanket. Such a device may minimize the baby's discomfort. More importantly, mothers may feel more comfortable with such a device. The device also should be economical, simple, easy to use, machine washable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a baby linen for protecting a baby's head and scalp from irritation. The baby linen includes a hair protection layer and an underlying fabric layer. The hair protection layer may be attached to the underlying fabric layer. The hair protection layer also may be made of charmeuse and the underlying fabric layer may include a plurality of fabric layers which could be made from cotton, polyester, or a cotton/polyester blend. The underlying fabric layer also may include at least one layer of batting.

The hair protection layer also may be sewn to the underlying fabric layer to make the baby linen. A plurality of ties may be attached to the baby linen to secure the baby linen to a baby device. In other embodiments, the underlying fabric layer may be fitted or may include elastic to create a snug fit about a crib mattress.

The hair protection layer also may be lesser in size than the underlying fabric layer, and the hair protection layer also may be positioned substantially on one half of the underlying fabric layer.

The present invention may also include a method for protecting a baby's scalp. The method may include the steps of attaching a hair protection layer to an underlying fabric layer, attaching an underlying fabric layer to a crib mattress, and placing the baby's scalp on the hair protection layer.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention may include a crib sheet made of a first section of hair protection material attached to a second section of material. The first section of the hair protection material may be made from charmeuse. The second section of material may be made from cotton, polyester, or a cotton/polyester blend.

The crib sheet may be formed by sewing the first section of material to the second section of material. The first section of material may be equal or lesser in size than the second section of material. The crib sheet also may be fitted or include elastic to create a snug fit about a crib mattress.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention provides baby linens that are designed to protect an infant's or toddler's scalp and head from abrasive surfaces such as traditional cotton sheets or other bedding. For the purposes of this invention, the term baby linen may include a baby blanket or a crib sheet as described below.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a baby blanket10that is an embodiment of this invention. Although the blanket10is shown as being rectangularly-shaped, the blanket10may have any desired shape. For example, the baby blanket10also may be squarely shaped, circularly shaped, or any other shape that may be used for a baby blanket. In the present embodiment, the baby blanket10may have dimensions of about 25.5 inches long by about 18 inches wide, but any size baby blanket10is contemplated.

The blanket10may include a top hair protection layer12. The hair protection layer12may be made of satin, charmeuse, or any other nonabrasive material and may be used to reduce friction between an infant or toddler's head and a traditional baby blanket or a crib sheet.

A number of underlying fabric layers may be attached to the hair protection layer12. The underlying fabric layers may include a batting layer16and a bottom layer18. Further, the underlying layers16,18may be made of any material, such as cotton, polyester, or a material blend such as a cotton/polyester blend, to form the baby blanket10. Any number of layers may be used.

The hair protection layer12and the underlying layers16,18may be sewn together in this respective order to form the baby blanket10. Adhesives or other types of attachment means also may be used. It is contemplated that the hair protection layer12also may be attached or sewn to any number of the underlying layers. The hair protection layer12may be of equal or lesser size than the underlying layers16,18.

A number of ties20or other types of restraining devices may be sewn to the corners of the baby blanket10. The ties20may be used to attach and secure the baby blanket10to a crib or to any other equipment used to hold the baby blanket10. The baby blanket10also may be used without the ties20as well. The ties20may be cloth or strings. Other types of ties20, such a hook and loop fasteners, also may be used.

The baby blanket10of the present invention also may be adapted to other types of baby devices such as baby equipment and furniture. For example, the present invention may be used with bouncer seat covers, bobby cushions, and any other surface that comes in contact with an infant or a toddler's hair or scalp.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, another embodiment of the present invention may provide a crib sheet30that is used to protect a baby's head and scalp. The crib sheet30may have any size or shape. The crib sheet30may include a top hair protection layer32. The hair protection layer32may be made of charmeuse, satin, silk, polyester, or any other material that reduces friction between an infant or toddler's head and a traditional crib sheet material.

The crib sheet30may be made by attaching the hair protection layer32to one or more underlying layers of fabric34. The underlying layers34may be fitted or have elastic so that they fit snugly on a standard or nonstandard baby crib mattress38. The underlying layers may be made of cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, or any other suitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The hair protection layer32may be attached to the underlying layers of fabric34by sewing, using adhesives, or by any other attachment method known in the art. The hair protection layer32may be of equal or lesser size than the underlying layers34. Further, the hair protection layer32may be substantially less than the size of the underlying layers to save costs. For instance,FIG. 4illustrates the hair protection layer32only being approximately half the size of the underlying layer34and being positioned only on the right or left half of the sheet. The baby's head may be placed on top of the hair protection layer32and other portions of the baby's body that do not require protection from abrasion may be placed on the underlying layers34. The hair protection layer32also may be less than half the size of the underlying layer34and may be any shape that can protect the baby's hair and scalp from abrasion. Shapes may include rectangularly shaped, circularly shaped, or any other adequately shaped arrangement.

As shown inFIG. 5, a crib sheet50also may include only a single layer of material. The single layer may include a plurality of materials that are attached together. The single layer may include two sections with different materials. The first section52may be made of a hair protection material such as charmeuse, satin, silk, or any other nonabrasive material that would protect the baby's head from friction. The second section54may be made of cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blend, or any other material that is appropriate for operating as a crib sheet. The first section of material52may be sewn to the second section of material54. However, any type of attachment means known in the art is contemplated.

The first section of material52and the second section of material54may be of equal size so that the first half of the crib sheet50is a first material and the second half of the crib sheet50is a second material. To save costs, the first section52containing the hair protection material may be smaller than the second section of material54. It is further contemplated that the first section of material52is substantially smaller than the second section of material54so that at least the head area of the baby is protected. However, if more hair protection material is desired, the first section52containing the hair protection material may be larger than the second section of material54. The first section of material52also may be any shape that can protect the baby's hair and scalp from abrasion. Shapes may include rectangularly shaped, circularly shaped, or any other adequately shaped arrangement. The first section of material52and second section of material54of the crib sheet may be fitted or have elastic so that the crib sheet fits snugly on a standard or nonstandard baby crib mattress.

It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.