Abstract:
A cover adapted to calm and comfort an infant. The cover has two panels layered on top of each other. The first panel is disposed at a substantially central position on a second panel. An outer thinner layer is defined around the periphery of the first panel and is a breathable material thin enough to provide ample ventilation to the wearer of the cover. The cover may include a fastener for attaching the cover to an object.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/646,189, filed May 11, 2012; the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety into this disclosure. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The subject disclosure relates generally to a garment cover for infants, and more specifically to a versatile swaddle blanket cover. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In an effort to keep an infant comforted and warm, swaddling of newborns has been provided for a number of years. Most infants are typically swaddled for three to four months after birth in order to allow the baby to sleep more soundly. The snugness and binding of the arms in a swaddle is thought to be comforting to the newborn, much like the confinement of the womb. The swaddle provides a sense of security to the infant. It is also believed that pressure across the abdominal and chest area has a calming effect and is thought to relieve colic. Likewise, in a swaddle, a caregiver is able to handle and carry the infant more easily. 
         [0004]    It is suggested that swaddling of the infant and positioning them on their back will reduce the risk of SIDS when the infant is sleeping. Overheating can contribute to an increased risk of SIDS. Unfortunately, overheating is also a risk related to swaddling since newborns have difficulties regulating their body temperature. That is, the infant can dangerously overheat and not be able to cool their body temperature down. Unfortunately, conventional swaddle designs have failed to address this problem. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary cover according to the subject disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the cover. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts another configuration for cover. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a folded view of the cover. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the cover. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  demonstrates an enlarged application view of a fastener attached to the cover. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 7-10  depict a method for swaddling an infant with the cover according to the subject disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 11  shows the cover being used as a protective covering over an infant may lie. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 12-13  illustrate the cover being utilized with an infant carrier according to the subject disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 14-15  show the cover being implemented as a protective covering for a stroller according to the subject disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 16  depicts the cover being utilized as a burp cloth according to the subject disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 17-18  illustrate the cover being utilized as a nursing shield according to the subject disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 19-21  depict the cover utilized as a wearable garment according to the subject disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary cover  10 . The cover  10  shown is a multi-panel construction having at least a first panel  12  and a second panel  14 . The first panel  12  is attached to the second panel  14  at approximately a central position as shown in  FIG. 1 . The second panel  14  is substantially larger than the first panel  12 . 
         [0021]    In position, an outer layer  15  is formed that surrounds the inner first panel  12 . The inner first panel  12  is layered by the second panel  14 . As such, the inner portion of the cover  10  is thicker than the outer layer  15  which surrounds the first panel  12  because of the layering of the first panel  12  on top of the second panel  14  as shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown, the outer layer  15  of the second panel  14  is contiguously disposed completely around the first panel  12 . In this case, the outer layer  15  may be thinner as it is comprised of only the thickness of the second panel  14 . 
         [0022]    In  FIG. 2 , although described as a first panel and a second panel, it is to be understood that the first panel  12  and the second panel  14  may independently include a one or more plurality of various additional panels. As such, a first area defined by the area of the first panel  12  layered on top of the second panel  14  will have a first combined material weight thickness associated with a first thermal property. Likewise, a second area defined by the outer layer  15  of the second panel  14 , not considering the overlapping portion of the first panel  12  and second panel  14 , has a second material weight thickness associated with a second thermal property, different from the first thermal property. In one instance, the second area of the outer layer  15  may have a material thickness that is thinner than the material thickness defined by the inner panel  12  area allowing the first area to keep the infant warmer while not being overly heated by the outer layer  15  portion of the cover  10  when used as a swaddle, or the like. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3-4  demonstrate that the shape of the first panel  12  and/or the second panel  14  may take a variety of different sizes and shapes in accordance with the cover  10  of this subject disclosure. For example, as shown, the first panel  12  in this illustration is in the shape of a cross. Although, only the first panel  12  is shown modified in shape, it is to be understood that the size or shape of either the first panel  12 , or the second panel  14  may take any number of various sizes and/or shapes. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , when the cover  10  is folded over for use as a swaddle, the cross shape of the first panel  12  folds over into a flattened “angel-like” configuration resembling a pair of out-stretched wings  12   a,    12   b  and a caped torso  12   c.  The angel-like figure may serve as a positioning template for placing the infant&#39;s torso and arms onto the cover  10  to be swaddled. That is, the infant&#39;s torso may be aligned with the torso caped-shape of the angel-like torso and the infant&#39;s arms may be aligned with the extending angel-like wings. 
         [0025]    Various material and fabrics may be used in accordance with the subject disclosure. For example, various natural and/or man-made fabrics may be employed, such as knits and woven fabrics selected from at least one of a light weight, medium weight, and/or heavy weight fabric and/or other suitable material fabric. The cover  10  can also be made from a light, stretchable material, such as elasticized cotton, muslin, fleece, blended materials and/or other suitable material. Other materials may include the use of organic and/or unbleached materials which are suitable for infant care. 
         [0026]    Alternatively, the cover  10  may be made from sheet material. Many fabrics known in the art may be used depending on the desired characteristics such as elasticity, warmth, weight, breathability, stain resistance, absence of allergens, visual appeal and other factors. The cover may be made of a single or multiple layer material or parts of different materials. Flexible, non-fabric materials may also be used to provide special characteristics. Likewise, the various materials may be made of the same or different material weight. 
         [0027]    The first panel  12  and the second panel  14  may be attached to each other in a variety of different ways, such as for example, by stitching with a thread, an adhesive, bonding, fusing, and/or other suitable method for attaching various material fabrics to each other in accordance with the subject disclosure. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  depicts a rear view of the cover  10 . As shown, various fasteners  17  may be employed around the peripheral edge of the cover  10 . The fasteners  17  may be provided to attach the cover  10  to various objects  11 , such as the handle of a stroller as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0029]    Although the object  11  is shown as a handle, it is to be understood that the fastener  17  may be attached at various locations of the object. Likewise, the fastener  17  may be used to attach an edge of the cover  10  to another portion of the cover  10  itself as will be described in more detail later. 
         [0030]    A variety of different types of fasteners  17  may be employed on the cover  10 . For example, the fastener  17  may be a cloth band, an elastic band, a snap connection, a hook and loop fastener connection and/or any other suitable fastener capable of securing and/or connecting the cover  10  to an object and/or to itself. 
         [0031]    In a weave construction of the fabric for the cover  10 , the first panel  12  portion may be constructed to be thicker or thinner in material weight than the second panel  14  portion of the cover  10 . The finished material is preferably an ultra soft fabric so that when placed against a baby&#39;s skin, the material is extremely soft and soothing to the infant. In order to obtain a soft fabric construction, various softening processes may be applied to the fabric, such as for example, using silicon to soften the fabric, washing the material, mechanically brushing the fabric to soften the material fabric and/or any other suitable type of softening process in accordance with the subject disclosure. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 7-10  illustrate an exemplary process for swaddling an infant  8  in accordance with the subject disclosure. In particular,  FIG. 7  shows the infant&#39;s arms placed downward, along the sides of the body. As shown, the cover  10  may be folded into a triangular shape forming a wider body portion  20 , a narrowing left-side wing  21 , a narrowing right-side wing  22  and a lower tail  23  section. In this configuration, the body of the infant  8  may be positioned substantially over the first panel  12  so that the thinner outer layer  15  of the second panel  14  is positioned around the infant  8  and the peripheral edge of the first panel  12 . 
         [0033]    The first panel  12  is located adjacent to the body of the infant  8  to provide the most coverage over the body to keep the infant  8  comfortably warm. The outer layer  15  of the second panel  14  may be comprised of a thinner construction to allow ample ventilation of the infant  8  and to prevent the infant  8  from overheating when completely swaddled. 
         [0034]    One exemplary method of using the cover  10  may be to position the infant  8  centrally on top of the folded first panel  12  as shown in  FIG. 7 . A first wing, such as the left-side wing  21  shown in  FIG. 8  is snugly wrapped over the torso of the infant  8  in a first direction. 
         [0035]    In  FIG. 9 , the lower tail  23  portion of the cover  10  may then be snugly folded upward just below the legs of the infant  8  to comfortably, albeit firmly secure the legs of the infant  8 . 
         [0036]    In  FIG. 10 , the second wing, such as the right-side wing  22  is snugly wrapped back over the torso of the infant  8  in a second opposite direction. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10 , a substantial portion of the left-side wing  21 , the right-side wing  22  and the lower tail  23  are comprised of the thinner outer layer  15 . As such, when the infant  8  is wrapped in the swaddle cover  10 , the thickness of the swaddle is substantially reduced outside of the location of the center first panel  12  portion so that the body temperature of the infant  8  can be better controlled. The advantage being that the thinner outer layer  15  provides ample ventilation to the infant  8  when snugly wrapped in the swaddle cover  10 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  portrays the infant  8  being swaddled with her arms at her side, while maintaining an even, gentle pressure across the chest and abdominal area. The snug swaddle encourages comforting support and allows the infant  8  to be less restless by minimizing any disturbing reflex jerks that can interrupt her sleep when an infant is not comfortably swaddled. Likewise, the snug swaddle can otherwise prevent a loose blanket from migrating over their face causing a risk of suffocation, or strangulation. Unlike conventional swaddles that put an infant at risk for overheating and an increased risk of SIDS, the thinner outer layer  15  of the cover  10  dramatically reduces that risk of SIDS by allowing the infant  8  to moderate their body temperature. 
         [0038]    In accordance with this subject disclosure, the size and shape of the wings in the first panel  12  or second panel  14  may be varied. That is, the cover can be configured so that one of the wings is shorter than the other. As such, the shorter wing may be first wrapped across the infant  8 , and the longer wing may then be folded over the shorter wing. A similar process can be used if both wings are of the same or similar length. 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  illustrates the versatility of the cover  10  according to this subject disclosure. That is, the cover  10  may be employed for a variety of different purposes. For example, in  FIG. 11 , the cover  10  may be used as a blanket onto which an infant can explore and spend some “tummy time” in a safe, comfortable, padded and soft feeling environment. The thicker first panel  12  provides greater protection from objects disposed on the surface immediately below the cover  10  just beneath the infant  8 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 12  shows the cover  10  adapted for use with an infant carrier  11   a.  According to this embodiment, the cover  10  may include an opening  18  through which a caregiver can grasp on to a handle  19  of the infant carrier  11   a  unimpeded by the cover  10 . Conventionally, it has been difficult to carry an infant carrier  11   a  with a cloth draped there-over. This construction of the cover  10  eliminates this problem and allows the caregiver to make a more secure grip directly onto the handle  19  of the infant carrier  11 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  shows the cover  10  placed over the infant carrier  11   a  with the handle  19  of the infant carrier  11   b  protruding through the opening  18  in the cover  10 . The cover  10  is situated over the infant carrier  11   a  so that the first panel  12  is primarily positioned to provide the most coverage from the sun and ultraviolet rays over the infant  8  in the infant carrier  11   b.  Likewise, the thinner outer layer  15  is positioned just below the first panel  12  and adapted to ventilate the space just under the cover  12 . In this way, the infant  8  will be able to receive ventilated air through the thinner outer portion  15  of the cover  10 , while avoiding the danger of direct sun light exposure by the sun. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 14 and 15  depict the cover  10  being used with an infant stroller  11   b.  As shown in  FIGS. 5-6  and in hidden line in  FIG. 14 , the cover  10  may include various fasteners  17  along the edge of the cover  10 . When the cover  10  is placed over the stroller  11   b,  the edges of the cover  10  may be strategically positioned so that they can be secured to various locations on the stroller  11   b.  For example,  FIGS. 6 and 15  show the fastener  17  being secured to the handle  19  of the stroller  11   b.  Other fasteners  17  may be secured to various parts of the stroller  11   b,  such as near the front wheels or anywhere else on the frame of the stroller  11   b.  Likewise, the cover  10  may be wrapped around the various objects so that the cover  10  is wrapped and secured back on to itself. 
         [0043]    As mentioned above with respect to  FIGS. 12-13 , the cover  10  in  FIGS. 14-15  may be selectively positioned over the stroller  11   b  to provide the most coverage from the sun and ultraviolet rays over an infant  8  in the infant stroller  11   b.  Likewise, the thinner outer layer  15  is positioned just below the first panel  12  and adapted to provide ventilation just under the first panel  12 . In this way, the infant  8  is able to receive a cool breeze through the thinner surrounding outer layer  15  while avoiding the danger of direct sun light exposure. 
         [0044]      FIG. 16  shows the cover  10  being adapted for use as a burping or shoulder blanket. In  FIG. 16 , the thicker first panel  12  area of the cover  10  may be positioned to cover the caregivers shoulder area just under the infant&#39;s  8  mouth to prevent any soilage onto the caregivers clothing should the infant express his food. In another embodiment, the first panel  12  may be lined with a water resistant material, such as a polymer sheet and/or other suitable water resistant material to prevent soiling across the cover  10 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 17 and 18  show the cover  10  being used as a nursing blanket. In  FIG. 17 , the fastener  17  may be used to conveniently tie a first end of the cover  10  back around another portion of the cover  10  to create a nursing apron covering with the cover  10 . 
         [0046]    As shown in use in  FIG. 18 , the cover  10  can be selectively shifted so that the darker first panel  12  strategically covers more sensitive areas of the nursing infant and mother. That is, the thicker opaque first panel  12  area can be maneuvered to cover the caregiver&#39;s chest area and to provide a level of privacy to the nursing mother and infant in a convenient and secure manner. The nursing mother can conveniently shift the cover  10  around so that they will be able to view their infant  8  nursing through the thinner outer layer  15  viewable only to them from above, while positioning the opaque first panel  12  over so that passerby&#39;s cannot see through to the nursing infant or the mothers&#39; breast. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 19-21  illustrate the cover  10  being utilized as a wearable garment. In  FIGS. 19 and 20 , the cover may be wrapped as a sarong or skirt. Likewise, in  FIG. 21 , the cover may be worn as a dress. As mentioned before, the darker first panel  12  may be selectively positioned to privately conceal a portion of the body while the thinner outer layer  15  provides ample ventilation on warmer days. 
         [0048]    The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment which is described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.