Abstract:
A photo wrist band consisting of band of material that fastens around the wrist and one or more pockets integrated with the wrist band to hold photos or other objects of interest. A young child in daycare or preschool may take comfort from wearing this wrist band when it contains a picture of someone that child loves, such as a parent(s). The band is easy and comfortable to wear and is designed to release if necessary and so does not pose any danger to a child. The concept is not limited to young children as similar bands of varying sizes and appearance may be worn anyone who is interested in doing so.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a band that can be worn around the wrist and that has a one or more pockets in which can be placed photos or other items of interest to the wearer.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Typically between the ages of 8 and 18 months, toddlers will go through a period of “separation anxiety.” This is stage when the child now recognizes her parents and becomes concerned when they are out of sight since she is not yet able to anticipate reunions in the future.  
         [0003]     As the child grows, he will learn from his memories that the missing parent will return, though even this does not always prevent separation anxiety. Especially in instances of the child being dropped off at daycare or pre-school, he can now recognize that he will be away from his parents for an extended period of time and may become distressed.  
         [0004]     A common piece of advice for parents to help ease their child is to leave behind a photo or a small photo album that the child can take comfort from. In daycare and school settings, these may be posted in the room or put in the child&#39;s “cubby” where the child can access it when desired. Neither of these situations is optimal since children often leave the main room to go to a park or to other activities in the building and either can&#39;t take photo with them or they may lose or damage it if they do. For older children, particularly girls, a locket may be worn with pictures that comfort them. However, for young children, it can be dangerous to wear jewelry around their neck.  
         [0005]     Thus, there is a need for a product that allows young children in daycare and pre-school settings to carry comforting photos with them in a safe manner. The design and features of the present invention described below satisfy these and other needs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention generally comprises a band of material that fastens around the wrist and one or more pockets integrated with the wrist band.  
         [0007]     The wearer or the wearer&#39;s caregiver can place a photo or other item into the pocket(s) and then fasten it around the wrist. This photo or item can be removed and replaced at any time.  
         [0008]     The pocket is to be made of a clear plastic that will not shatter if impacted. Ideally, it is to be made of a material such as polypropylene so that any inks or dyes on the items placed in the pocket are not transferred to the pocket material. The pocket could form a water-tight compartment or it may be designed to minimize the likelihood of liquid access through use of flaps or other means. The photo wrist band is not intended to be worn while bathing, swimming or other times of significant liquid contact.  
         [0009]     The photo wrist band may be fastened using Velcro. This method allows for ease of taking the photo wrist band on and off if desired. It is also a “break-away” means of fastening so that if a child wearing the wrist band should get the band tangled in something, it will come loose allowing the child to free their arm. Other fastening methods can also be used, such as snaps, buttons, or buckles, though if these are intended for wear by a child they should also be able to break-away. Another possibility is to use an elastic material for the wrist band so that it is stretched over the hand rather than using a fastener. This approach is not recommended for wear by small children.  
         [0010]     The material of the wrist band itself could be any number of textures or patterns to allow the wearer to choose something that suits them. The patterns could include properly licensed designs such as cartoon characters or sports teams. There may also be options for customizing the wrist band through embroidery or some other means to personalize it for an individual or for a specific group of people. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of the photo wrist band.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the photo wrist band.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an embodiment of the photo wrist band.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of the photo wrist band.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the photo wrist band. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the photo wrist band  10  which is broadly comprised of a band of material  12  and one or more pockets. In this particular view is shown a single pocket  14 .  
         [0017]     In a preferred embodiment, the band of material  12  is a single layer of material. In another embodiment, the band of material may have multiple layers such as a top flexible layer  16  and a base flexible layer  18  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The top flexible layer  16  and the base flexible layer  18  may be the same material or different materials. The materials used in the band can be any material suitable for use with a young child. These materials may be woven or non-woven, they may be of natural or synthetic fibers, or combinations of natural and synthetic fibers.  
         [0018]     The size of the photo wrist band  10  may vary from a size to fit a small child up to a size to fit a large man.  
         [0019]     In one preferred embodiment, the photo wrist band fastens together using a hook and loop fastener  20 ,  22  such as Velcro. Other options for fastening include but are not limited to snaps, buttons and button-holes, and buckles. Another possible embodiment is that the wrist band material  12  itself is elastic and stretches over the hand, thus eliminating the need for additional fastening features.  
         [0020]     In the preferred embodiment, the pocket  14  is made of clear polypropylene. Other clear plastic materials may be used as long as they will not shatter upon impact.  
         [0021]     The foregoing detailed description of the characteristics and advantages of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only. It is to be understood that changes may be made to the structure and arrangement of the various embodiments by those skilled in the art, and that such changes are to be considered within the overall scope of this invention.  
         [0022]     The preferred embodiment wristband  10  is made out of 1.5 inch wide grosgrain ribbon. Grosgrain ribbon is a sturdy, snag-resistant ribbon that is often woven into stripes, dyed a solid color or may have patterns that have been silk-screened on.  
         [0023]     On one side of the ribbon or band  12  pocket  14  is formed by, a square piece  30  having bottom edge  32 , first and second edges  34 ,  36  and top edge  38 . Piece  30  is preferably formed of polypropylene and measures about 1.5×1.5 inches with a thickness of about 0.004 inch, functionally a thickness that permits adequate strength for fastening bottom  32  and side  34 , or  36  and top  38 , but which permits flexibility as band or ribbon  12  is bent around the wrist of the wearer.  
         [0024]     The plastic piece  30  is sewn on the bottom  32  and side  34 , or side  36  and top  38 , leaving an opening on the remaining side  36  or  34  that receives a photo inserted in a direction perpendicular to the length of the ribbon. A picture, or other small keepsake item, may be slid into pocket  14 . The picture, or item, is removable and can be replaced by an alternate picture or item. Four small pieces of self-sealing laminate material are packaged with the wristband in case the user wishes to laminate the photo before inserting it. The laminate cannot be removed from the picture once applied.  
         [0025]     A piece of Velcro hook material  22 , measuring 1.5×0.5 inches, is sewn onto one end  52  of the ribbon  30  on the inside face  54 . A piece of Velcro loop material  20 , measuring 1.5×1 inches, is sewn onto the other end  58  of the ribbon  30 , on the outer face  60 , the same face having pocket  14  such that when the wristband  10  is wrapped around the wrist, the hook and loop pieces  22 ,  20  line up and adhere to each other. Because the hook and loop sections do not need to completely overlap to adhere, and because the loop section  20  is 0.5 inches wider than the hook section  22 , a single wristband  10  can accommodate a range of wrist sizes. The preferred embodiment can be produced in  5  different sizes in addition to the above described flexibility for a given size. Sizes can include XS, 5.0-5.5 inches long for a typical child ages 18-24 Months, S, 5.25-5.75 inches long for a typical child clothing sizes ranging 2T-3T, M, 5.5-6.0 inches long for a typical child clothing sizes ranging 3T-5T, L, 6.0-6.5, inches long for a typical child clothing sized for Youths and XL, 7.0-7.5 inches long for a typical Teen. Three sizes may be adequate and provide a more economical manufacture and inventory arrangement.  
         [0026]     The Preferred embodiment is also packaged with a small iron-on label  62  that can be used to include contact information. The label  62  is approximately 0.75×2 inches same size as the pocket  14 .  
         [0027]     The label  62  is formed to prompt and provide a field for recording identification of the child, contact, phone and medical information.  
         [0028]     The user can fill in the information on the label using an indelible fabric marker and then iron the label to the inside  54  of the wristband  10 , opposite the plastic pocket  14 . Other pens/markers can be used, but they will fade over time and with washing. A permanently affixed panel or label, or a writable inner layer  18  may provide similar function.  
         [0029]     The alternative embodiment  110  is similar to the preferred embodiment with a few variations: it is ⅞ inches wide rather than 1.5 inches; the polypropylene pocket  114  measures approximately ⅞×1.5 inches; it is not typically shipped with laminating sheets; it is not typically shipped with the iron-on label for contact info, although the label fits on this wristband, too it comes in a single length of 7.25 inches rather than 5 sizes; there is a hook and eye style clasp  122  rather than Velcro.  
         [0030]     An additional alternative embodiment is not a wristband. A clip version provides means to carry and display up to 6 pictures. There are three, double-sided picture “pages.” Each page is made of a pieces of 1.5 inch wide grosgrain ribbon that has been folded in half width-wise and sewn, such that when finished it measures approximately 1.5×2.5 inches tall. On each side is sewn the same size polypropylene plastic pocket. The opening is still perpendicular to the length, but now it is also in the “up” position. A small circular hole is cut near one of the upper corners of the page piece and an eyelet installed. A split key ring goes through the eyelet of each of the three pages. A keychain style carabineer is attached to the key ring.  
         [0031]     The user can slide in their pictures (or other small keepsake items) and use unit as a keychain, or they may simply clip it to a purse or bag purely for decoration and enjoyment. It is possible to combine the pages of multiple clip units so that more than 3 pages, or 6 pictures, may be attached to one split ring at a time. The user may also choose to remove the carabineer and use just the pages and split ring. Other styles of clips may also be used.