Patent Publication Number: US-9895009-B2

Title: Storage blanket for use with a baby pacifier

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments herein relate generally to devices for attaching and storing pacifiers. 
     Pacifiers typically are rubber or plastic nipples used by babies to chew or suck on. This produces a soothing or calming effect on the baby. Since pacifiers are relatively small devices that are easy to misplace or lose, there is the need to properly store these devices for an easy retrieval. In addition, there is the need to keep the pacifier in a sanitary condition since the device is placed within the mouth of the baby. 
     Several pacifier securement devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,522,849 and 6,269,502, and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2011/0224730. These publications disclose pacifiers that are secured to either a cloth or blanket member, or holder. However, in these configurations, the pacifier is exposed to the environment and can be easily contaminated. 
     As such, there is a need in the industry for a storage blanket that effectively stores a pacifier and permits a user to easily fold the blanket over to prevent the pacifier from being contaminated. In addition, there is a need for the storage blanket to permit a baby to use the pacifier and snuggle with the blanket at the same time. 
     SUMMARY 
     A storage blanket for use by a user to store a pacifier is provided. The storage blanket is configured to enclose the pacifier with enhanced efficiency to minimize contamination to the pacifier and effort by the user. The storage blanket comprises a flexible base sheet comprising a front side and a back side, a second flexible sheet mechanically coupled to edges of the front side of the flexible base sheet to create a pocket defined by space between the flexible base sheet and the second flexible sheet, the second flexible sheet being positioned to create an exposed portion on the front side of the base sheet, a first fastener coupled to a corner region of the exposed portion, and a second fastener coupled to the corner region of the exposed portion proximate the first fastener, wherein the corner region is configured to fold around a ring of the pacifier to permit the first fastener to engage with the second fastener to secure the pacifier thereto, wherein the secured pacifier is configured to be inserted into the pocket to enclose the pacifier. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket shown in use in an unfolded configuration; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket shown in use in a folded configuration; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a bottom perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the storage blanket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 , storage blanket  10  is configured to secure pacifier  26 . Pacifier  26  may be any type of pacifier known in the field with pacifier ring  28 . Storage blanket  10  comprises a generally rectangular base fabric sheet comprising front fabric side  20 , back fabric side  22  and pocket  24 . It shall be appreciated that the base fabric sheet may either be a single sheet or alternatively two sheets coupled together. Pocket  24  is formed by a generally triangular fabric sheet that is coupled to edges of the base fabric sheet. However, pocket  24  may be formed by a sheet having any alternative shape. The fabric sheets may be coupled together along seams on the outer edges of the sheets. In a preferred embodiment, the fabric sheets used are made from materials including, but not limited to, cotton, fleece, flannel, or the like. 
     Pacifier male snap fastener  12  and pacifier female snap fastener  14  are affixed to a corner region of front fabric side  20 . Pocket male snap fastener  16  is affixed to the interior face of pocket  24 . Pocket female snap fastener  18  is affixed to an intermediate portion on back fabric side  22 . Pacifier male snap fastener  12  is configured to detachably engage with pacifier female snap fastener  14 . Pocket male snap fastener  16  is configured to detachably engage with pocket female snap fastener  18 . It shall be appreciated that the snap fasteners may be replaced with any alternative types of fasteners known in the field including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, loop components, or the like. For example, in an alternative embodiment, a loop (not shown) can be affixed to the corner region of front fabric side  20  instead of pacifier male snap fastener  12  and pacifier female snap fastener  14 . In this configuration, the loop can then be used to secure an alternative pacifier (not shown) with a slit by inserting the loop through the pacifier&#39;s slit. 
     To use storage blanket  10 , the corner region of the base fabric sheet is folded around pacifier ring  28  to permit pacifier male snap fastener  12  to engage with pacifier female snap fastener  14  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this configuration, a baby (not shown) can insert pacifier  26  in his/her mouth and snuggle with the fabric sheets of storage blanket  10  at the same time. To store a clean or used pacifier  26 , the corner region of the base fabric sheet is folded and tucked into pocket  24  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . This completely encloses pacifier  26  and prevents its exposure to the outside environment, thereby minimizing the chance pacifier  26  becomes contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens. In this folded configuration, back fabric side  22  can be pressed against the interior of pocket  24  to permit pocket male snap fastener  16  to engage with pocket female snap fastener  18 . This helps to maintain pacifier  26  enclosed and stored within pocket  24 .  FIG. 7  depicts a section view illustrating the engagement of pacifier male snap fastener  12  and pacifier female snap fastener  14  within pacifier ring  28 .  FIG. 8  depicts a section view illustrating the engagement of pocket male snap fastener  16  and pocket female snap fastener  18 . 
     Pocket male snap fastener  16  can be easily disengaged from pocket female snap fastener  18  to permit a user to untuck pacifier  26  outside of pocket  24  for use. Similarly, pacifier male snap fastener  12  can be easily disengaged from pacifier female snap fastener  14  to separate pacifier  26  from storage blanket  10 . This is beneficial to permit a user to clean and/or dry the components separately as needed. 
     It shall be appreciated that the components of storage blanket  10  described in several embodiments herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of storage blanket  10  described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field. Although storage blanket  10  has been described for use with pacifier  26 , the blanket may be beneficial in other applications or uses. For example, support blanket  10  may be secured to other items such as loops on water bottles, wheel chairs, baby carriers, or the like. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.