Abstract:
An amniotic infant blanket provides a feeling of fluid warmth coupled with the audible sounds of a human heartbeat. Behind a head or face portion of the blanket, a pocket is provided into which a bladder may be removably inserted. The pocket may be sealed by a zipper and has an aperture through which a hydrophone wire may pass. Likewise, the hydrophone wire may pass through the wall of the bladder without creating a leak therethrough. The bladder is filled with lukewarm tap water and the hydrophone connected to a playback unit that transmits signals that are transformed by the hydrophone into heartbeat sounds with which the infant is familiar.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to infant blankets and, more particularly, to an infant blanket that soothes the infant by offering it a warm fluid cushion within which heartbeat sounds may be heard. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Small blankets have frequently been used to provide warmth and comfort for infants during the first few years of life. In order to provide the infant with a more enjoyable blanket, improvements in infant blankets have arisen over the years. Generally, simulation of the amniotic environment experienced by the infant prior to birth tends to soothe and make quiet the infant so that both it and its parents may relax. 
         [0003]    Several attempts have been made previously in order to provide infants or young children with a warm and soothing environment. Some attempts have been made in the following listed art for which brief descriptions are given. 
         [0004]    B. J. Fornarelli. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,811 
         [0005]    This patent is directed to a baby blanket with a heartbeat simulator. The infant blanket is shown in  FIG. 1  and is formed from a padded material  12  with a pouch  13  with access by means of zipper  20 .  FIG. 2  shows the device that has been opened to receive heart simulator  18 . The simulator is cased within a foam form which is placed into the blanket recess and is activated when the baby is placed into the area overlying the pouch portion. 
         [0006]    L. Belkin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,611 
         [0007]    This reference describes an infant mattress that includes both a heating device and a mechanism to provide comfort to the child by means of a mechanical clock device. The ticking device is meant to convey to the child a feeling that resembles the mother&#39;s heartbeat. The ticking device  26  is placed directly beneath the child and may be operated by a winding or electrical mechanism. Heating unit  32  is used to provide heat to the infant. 
         [0008]    B. A. Reich. U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,042 
         [0009]    This patent is directed to a baby comforter which provides the child with a feeling of warmth and gives the feeling of being held by another individual. Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the apparatus  20  includes a body portion  22  which is constructed from a generally rectangular piece of soft, washable, durable cloth. A length  36  of one of the complementary forms of Velcro-type hook-and-eye material is attached adjacent to edge  28  on face  32 . The cloth  23  can be folded in a manner of a portfolio to form a pocket  42  for receiving a hot water bottle  44 . 
         [0010]    L. J. Clute. U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,642 
         [0011]    This patent describes a support pillow which is used to provide an infant with a generated sound that simulates that experienced by the infant when in the womb. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the device includes a chamber  136  with access by means of slit  138  designed to receive audio emitter  140 . The audio emitter  140  is designed to provide sounds that simulate a mother&#39;s heartbeat as well as other sounds such as music. The sound that is projected through the phone pad by the emitter also creates a vibration which can be felt by the infant using the device. This vibration has been found to be somewhat comforting and, along with the sounds produced, tends to provide comfort to the infant utilizing the pillow device. 
         [0012]    R. Cohen. U.S. Pat. No. 4,969.867 
         [0013]    The apparatus described in this reference is used in the form of a blanket to promote sleep. The blanket may be seen in  FIG. 1  and comprises a sandwiched structure wherein sound transducers  4  are distributed between layers  2   a  and  2   b.  The transducers  4  produce both sound and compressional waves so that the infant may sense a vibration as well as hearing sounds. One embodiment includes a signal generator which is intended to simulate the human heartbeat. 
         [0014]    B. L. Cummins. U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,072 
         [0015]    This patent is directed to a comfort cushion for infants, which is designed to simulate the temperature, sound, and other stimuli which a child would experience within the mother&#39;s womb. The system comprises a fluid-filled, flexible mattress  11  with a pulsating fluid pump  12  as well as other elements. Since the device uses a flowing fluid as well as operating valves, sounds and vibrations are emitted and the infant is provided with an environment that simulates prenatal experiences. A means is also provided to control the temperature so that the infant may be kept warmed to a comfortable temperature level. 
         [0016]    Despite the developments in previous devices related to infant blankets, sleeping surfaces, and heartbeat-sound generation, no previous devices are known where the heartbeat emanates from within a fluid-filled sac, or bladder, as would be present in the pre-birth amniotic environment. Therefore, it can be seen that greater infant comfort and care could be delivered by the provision of a pleasing, soothing, and comfortable infant blanket that lulls the infant into a relaxed state by providing some greater and more direct reminders of its previous amniotic environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention lies in a comforting and soothing infant blanket that uses a hydrophone to transmit heartbeat-like sounds to the adjacent infant through a fluid-filled sac, or bladder. A soft, outer shell provides the surface of the blanket and may be machine washable for easy cleaning. Generally, the soft, outer shell is in the shape of a sheep but may also have a shape of other friendly animals. The surface of the outer shell is generally soft and absorbent and possibly constructed of soft cotton, terry cloth, and/or fleecy sheepskin. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment resembling a sheep, the amniotic infant blanket of the present invention may have a silk-screened sheep face attached to a portion resembling the sheep&#39;s head. Behind the sheep&#39;s head, an opening in the soft, outer shell may lead into a chamber immediately behind the silk-screened face or other portions of the blanket front. Inside the chamber, a non-leaking bladder, or sac, may be provided in which warm fluid such as water may held. The warm bladder will remind the infant of its pre-birth environment. Such reminiscence is enhanced by the use of a hydrophone residing within the bladder. 
         [0019]    The hydrophone transmits sound into the surrounding fluid of the bladder and onto the infant so the infant may hear such sounds. Preferably, such sounds are those of the human heartbeat as would be heard by the infant in its pre-birth environment. A wire leading out from the hydrophone passes through the wall of the bladder. The interface between the wire and the bladder is well sealed to prevent any leakage of fluid therethrough. The wire of the hydrophone leads to a digital playback device having a digital recording of the heartbeat. When switched on, the digital playback unit continuously repeats the heartbeat sound for the benefit of the infant. In order to allow easy removal of the bladder from the chamber, a plug-and-socket combination may be used to disconnect the hydrophone from the digital playback unit. If the materials used in the bladder and the hydrophone can withstand such treatment, placement of the fluid-filled bladder in a microwave oven for fluid heating is contemplated. 
         [0020]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
       OBJECTS OF INVENTION 
       [0021]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a blanket that soothes and comforts an infant. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a blanket that soothes and comforts an infant by providing a soft, cuddly surface covering a warm fluid bladder through which the sounds of a heartbeat may continually be heard. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an amniotic infant blanket that is visually attractive. 
         [0024]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an amniotic infant blanket that is washable and durable. 
         [0025]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a front plan view of the amniotic infant blanket in a sheep-design embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a back plan view of the amniotic infant blanket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section view of the amniotic infant blanket of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows the bladder-hydrophone-player configuration with the cap of the bladder removed as for fluid flow through the open aperture. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the amniotic infant blanket  10  of the present invention is generally flat when spread out and may be configured in the shape of a stylized sheep having a head  12  with ears  14 . The ears  14  may have colored cotton  16  placed therein, one such color being pink. The head  12  may have a face  18  resembling a stylized face of a sheep. 
         [0032]    The head  12  is attached to a torso, or body section,  20  from which four appendages, the arms and the legs, are attached. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the blanket&#39;s right arm  22  is generally round in nature and may have attached thereto a toy lamb  24  by a string, or cord,  26 . The toy lamb may be used for play, teething, or the like by the infant. The left arm  28  of the sheep may hold a mirror  30  into which the infant may gaze and see itself. The mirror  30  is generally covered by a fabric or other material flap  32  and may allow a parent or other individual to play games of peekaboo with the infant as its face and eyes are turned toward the mirror. Such games sometimes provide endless fascination for infants. A bow tie  34  may decorate the juncture between the torso  20  and the head  12 . 
         [0034]    The right foot  36  and the left foot  38  may arise as lobes emanating from the torso  20 . The same may be similarly true for the right and left arms  22 ,  28 . 
         [0035]    The front and back portions of the blanket  10  are made of an outer shell in the shape of a stylized sheep. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the torso  20  and outer portions of the head  12  are made of a sheepskin material that is fleecy, warm, and soft. The same is true for the outer portion of the ears  14  with the inner portions having a surface of pink cotton. The arms  22 ,  28  of the blanket  10  may be made of a cotton material having a paisley design. The right and left legs  36 ,  38  may be made of soft cotton such as terry cloth or the like. 
         [0036]    The back  40  of the blanket  10  may also be made of soft cotton or other materials. Other materials such as polyester and wool may also be used in the present invention. Other materials will suggest themselves to those constructing the blanket of the present invention in order to create a soft, warm, and comfortable environment for an infant. The outer shell  50  of the blanket  10  is durable, washable, and stain resistant in light of its use with an infant. 
         [0037]    Infants are well-known for creating and causing many spills, stains, and messes; and the same should be easily removed as by washing the blanket  10  of the present invention. Likewise, such washing should serve to sterilize and make biologically safe the blanket for the infant as they are wont to chew upon the various parts of the blanket such as the toy lamb  24 . The blanket  10  of the present invention may be approximately 28 inches in height and 30 inches in width in order to allow an infant to comfortably lie upon the blanket  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in the back of the head  12  of the blanket  10  is a chamber  52  which is sealed by a zipper or other means  54 . The chamber  52  provides a space into which a bladder, or sac, filled with warm fluid (described in more detail below) may fit and provide soothing warmth and comfort to the infant lying upon the blanket  10 . The bladder pocket  52  may be of variable size and depth, but the present invention contemplates the bladder pocket as resting behind the silk-screened face  18  of the blanket  10 . The zipper  54  allows the bladder pocket  52  to be opened and closed at the parent&#39;s convenience. A back flap  56  covering the bladder pocket  52  may have a hole, or aperture,  58  through which a wire may pass, connecting a hydrophone to playback means. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 3 , the head  12  of the sheep is shown in a side view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . Here, it is shown that the bladder-hydrophone assembly  70  has a relatively low profile, such that the head of the infant is not propped up too far. The hydrophone  80  is placed within the bladder  72 , such that the hydrophone  80  is free-floating. The wire  82  extends from the hydrophone  80 , through the bladder  72  and out through the hole or aperture  58  for connection to a playback unit  84  (not shown). The bladder-hydrophone assembly  70  fits within the bladder pocket  52  and is secured therein by the back flap  56 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the bladder-hydrophone assembly  70  has a bladder  72  with a removable cap  74 . The removable cap  74  detachably attaches to a neck or other protuberance  76  that has a threaded aperture end  78 . Threaded aperture end  78  threadably attaches to the removable cap  74  by threads (not shown) along the interior of the removable cap  74 . The neck  76  provides means by which the bladder  72  may be filled with warm fluid, such as warm tap water, and emptied when the fluid becomes cold or when it is otherwise desired. 
         [0040]    The hydrophone  80  is of design and construction known in the art and resides within the interior of the bladder  72 . The hydrophone  80  is connected by a wire  82  to a playback unit  84 . The playback unit  84  is also of known design and construction. Wire  82  may be detachably attachable at some point along its length by means of a coupling  86 . The wire  82  may then be referred to as having two portions  82   a,    82   b  corresponding to the wire leading to the hydrophone and the wire leading to the playback unit, respectively. 
         [0041]    The hydrophone wire  82   a  passes through the wall of the bladder  72  and, in doing so, must pass through a sealed juncture  88  to ensure that no fluid leaks out past the point where the wire enters into the bladder  72 . The hydrophone  80  is an electroacoustic device that converts electrical signals into acoustic impulses. The hydrophone  80  may convert an electronic signal into a means that is best transmitted into a fluid environment such as that present in surrounding warm tap water and other fluids. 
         [0042]    If the hydrophone  80  and wire  82   a  are constructed so as to withstand microwave radiation and if the bladder  72  is likewise constructed to withstand microwaves, the neck  76  and removable cap  74  may be eliminated from the construction; and a fluid which absorbs microwaves to produce heat for a long period of time may be substituted for warm tap water or the like so that the sealed bladder  72  may be placed into a microwave oven and heated for a short period of time to provide a long-lasting source of fluid heat for the blanket  10  of the present invention. Precaution must be taken not to overradiate the bladder  72  and its contents with microwaves as catastrophic bursting may occur should the fluid expand and/or gasify. The coupling  86  may be a plug-and-socket configuration or other convenient configuration for the quick and easy detachable attachment of wire  82   a  with wire  82   b.  The wire  82   a  may be threaded through or from the hole in the flap  56  to insert or withdraw the bladder  72  from the bladder pocket  52 . 
         [0043]    The playback unit  84  is battery powered and is preferably as small as conveniently possible while preferably providing several tens of hours of playback transmissions to the hydrophone  80 . Preferably, the playback unit transmits the signal that, when converted into sound, closely resembles that of a heartbeat of a pregnant mother near her time of delivery. 
         [0044]    This sound is that with which the infant will have great familiarity as it would with the heartbeat of the mother when held close to the mother&#39;s chest. The playback unit derives its signal from a digital recording stored in a chip or other medium  90  that may store a digital recording of a single heartbeat that is endlessly repeated by the playback unit  84  while it is switched on by switch  92 . The playback unit  84  may be attached to the blanket  10  near where the right arm  22  meets the torso  20  or in some other convenient area where it would not be available to the infant lying on the blanket. It may be possible to have a hydrophone/playback unit combined into one device that may be magnetically switched through the wall of the bladder  72  so that no wire needs to pass through the wall of the bladder  72 . Under such circumstances, the combined playback/hydrophone device would be attached to an inside wall of the bladder  72  with a magnetic switch located as close as possible across the bladder wall. 
         [0045]    While the present invention has been described in terms of a sheep configuration, other friendly animals may also be used and also other textures, fabrics, materials, and placements of the bladder with its hydrophone in the present invention may be made without departing from the present invention. 
         [0046]    In order to use the present invention, the removable cap  74  is taken off the neck  76  at the threaded aperture end of the neck  78 . Lukewarm tap water may then be poured into the open neck  76  to fill the bladder  72 . The hydrophone  80  will then be immersed within the lukewarm water; and upon threading the cap  74  from the neck  76 , the bladder  72  may be placed in the bladder pocket  52 . 
         [0047]    Wire  82   a  is then threaded through aperture  58  and attached at the coupling  86  to wire  82   b.  The playback unit  84  is then switched on at switch  92  to transmit the heartbeat signals stored in the chip  90  to the hydrophone  80 . Hydrophone  80  then converts the signals transmitted to it by the playback unit  84  into acoustic signals that are transmitted to the surrounding lukewarm water. These signals should be loud enough to be audible to one pressing their ear to the face  18  of the sheep and hopefully a little louder so that one&#39;s ear adjacent to the head  12  of the blanket  10  would notice the sound. The back  40  of the blanket is then laid upon a floor or other flat surface; and the infant, in its pajamas or otherwise, is then laid upon the front of the blanket  10 . The soft, warm, and cuddly surface of the blanket  10  provides the infant with a comfortable environment; and the warmth from the water in the bladder  72  will radiate out from the head  12  or face  18  of the blanket  10 . As the infant becomes accustomed to its surroundings, it will notice the heartbeat sound of the hydrophone coming from the head  12  of the blanket  10  and will be soothed and comforted until ultimately lulled into a state of restful sleep. Should the infant remain alert, the toy lamb  24  or the mirror  30  can be used to entertain the infant. 
         [0048]    Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.