Patent Publication Number: US-2016227947-A1

Title: Shaped covering blanket with pocket

Description:
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
     All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Present Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to blankets, and, in particular, to throw blankets for personal use. 
     2. Background 
     Blankets and throws are well-known and have been staples of the home goods and bedding industry for many, many years. Whether on a camping trip in cooler weather or just simply curling up on your favorite chair, throw blankets have always provided users with an extra layer of personal comfort—both in terms of the added warmth that the blanket provides as well as the comfortable feeling of being fully covered. However, it is just as commonplace for users to become frustrated at the difficulty in keeping a throw blanket in proper position when the user maneuvers him or herself beneath the blanket. No one enjoys the feeling of their feet becoming exposed, which is a sensation that is unfortunately familiar to many. As a result, users are faced with the decision of leaving their feet exposed or resituating themselves beneath the blanket all over again. This difficulty is complicated even further when the user has drifted off to sleep only to wake up and find that their feet have become exposed. 
     In view of the shortcomings common to existing throw blankets, a need exists for a blanket that comfortably covers a user and simultaneously provides a way for the user to keep his or her feet snugly covered beneath the blanket. A need also exists for a blanket capable of comfortably covering a user in a seated position or while lying down. These, and other needs, are addressed by one of more aspects of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a covering blanket. Broadly defined, the present invention according to one aspect includes a covering blanket comprised of a fabric material. The covering blanket has a tapered shape such that a width at a top of the covering blanket is greater than a width at a bottom of the covering blanket. The covering blanket includes a pocket disposed at the bottom thereof for providing an extra layer of covering for the feet of a user. 
     In features of this aspect, the covering blanket may be generally V-shaped; the covering blanket may have a length measuring about 60 inches; the width at the top thereof may measure about 50 inches and the width at the bottom thereof may measure about 16 inches; the tapered shape may include a straight-line taper; and/or the pocket may have a depth measuring about 12 inches. 
     In another feature of this aspect, the pocket may include a thermal regulation means for keeping the feet of a user warm when kept within the pocket. In further features, the thermal regulation means may be integrated into a fabric material that forms the pocket; the thermal regulation means may be embedded into a fabric material that forms the pocket; the thermal regulation means may be housed in a separate pouch attached to the fabric material that forms the pocket; the thermal regulation means may operate without an external power source; and/or the thermal regulation means may be a material that stores thermal energy. In another feature, the thermal regulation means may be a phase-change material. 
     Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect includes a covering blanket comprised of a fabric material. The covering blanket has a tapered shape such that a width at a top of the covering blanket is greater than a width at a bottom of the covering blanket. The covering blanket includes a pocket formed from a separate fabric material that is disposed at the bottom thereof for providing an extra layer of covering for the feet of a user. The separate fabric material that forms the pocket includes a means for thermal regulation for keeping the feet of a user warm when kept within the pocket. 
     In features of this aspect, the covering blanket may be generally V-shaped; the covering blanket may have a length measuring about 60 inches; the width at the top thereof may measure about 50 inches and the width at the bottom thereof may measure about 16 inches; the tapered shape may include a straight-line taper; and/or the pocket may have a depth measuring about 12 inches. 
     In other features of this aspect, the thermal regulation means may be integrated into the fabric material that forms the pocket; the thermal regulation means may be embedded into the fabric material that forms the pocket; the thermal regulation means may be housed in a separate pouch attached to the fabric material that forms the pocket; the thermal regulation means may operate without an external power source; and/or the thermal regulation means may be a material that stores thermal energy. In another feature, the thermal regulation means may be a phase-change material. 
     Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect includes a covering blanket substantially as shown and described. 
     Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect includes a covering blanket having a tapered shape and a pocket that includes a means for thermal regulation. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a shaped covering blanket in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the shaped covering blanket of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the shaped covering blanket of  FIG. 1 , shown covering a person; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a shaped covering blanket in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a shaped covering blanket in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. 
     Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein. 
     Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail. 
     Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element. 
     Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.” 
     When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers,” “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese,” and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.” 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components throughout the several views, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a shaped covering blanket  10  in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The covering blanket  10  is sized and shaped to at least substantially fully cover the body of a person. The covering blanket  10  is made from a large piece of fabric material. Along edges of the blanket  10 , the fabric material may be folded over to form a border or seam  24 . Though a wide variety of different fabric materials can be selected, the fabric material in one contemplated embodiment is a plush, synthetic fiber material. Suitable plush fabric materials for use in connection with the covering blanket  10  are available from Ellery Homestyles, LLC of New York, N.Y. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the covering blanket  10  is generally V-shaped, or tapered, such that the top part of the blanket  10  is wider than the base of the blanket  10 . In a contemplated embodiment, the covering blanket  10  has a length measuring about 60 inches, a width at the top  14  measuring about 50 inches, and a width at the bottom  16  measuring about 16 inches. The blanket  10  has a straight-line taper at each side  12  thereof such that the blanket  10  has the general shape of a “V.” 
     As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the covering blanket  10  includes a pouch or pocket  20  disposed toward the base  16  thereof. The pocket  20  is formed of a separate piece of fabric material that is stitched, sewn, or otherwise attached to the large piece of fabric material. In a contemplated embodiment, the separate piece of fabric material that forms the pocket  20  is attached along the base  16  and along lower portions of the sides  12  of the blanket  10 . The upper edge  18  of the pocket  20  is left unattached, thereby defining an opening into the pocket  20 . In a contemplated embodiment, the pocket  20  has a depth measuring about 12 inches. Additionally, it is contemplated that the upper edge  18  of the pocket  20  measures between about 16 inches to about 24 inches. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear view of the shaped covering blanket  10  of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3  is a rear view of the shaped covering blanket  10  of  FIG. 1 , shown covering a person  30 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the covering blanket  10  is sized and shaped to at least substantially fully cover the body of a person  30 . Because the blanket  10  is wider at the top  14 , sides  12  of the blanket  10  can be wrapped around the arms and upper torso of the person  30  using the blanket  10 . At the base  16  of the blanket  10 , where the blanket  10  is narrower, the person  30  using the blanket  10  can tuck his or her feet  32  into the pocket  20 . As such, the person  30  using the blanket  10  is able to keep his or her feet  32  covered and warm beneath the blanket  10  even while re-positioning. The “V” shape facilitates effective use of the covering blanket  10  while the person  30  is seated or lying down. 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a shaped covering blanket  110  in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. As with the covering blanket  10  of  FIG. 1 , the covering blanket  110  of  FIG. 4  is sized and shaped to at least substantially fully cover the body of a person. The covering blanket  110  is made from a large piece of fabric material. Along edges of the blanket  110 , the fabric material may be folded over to form a border or seam  124 . Though a wide variety of different fabric materials can be selected, the fabric material in one contemplated embodiment is a plush, synthetic fiber material. Suitable plush fabric materials for use in connection with the covering blanket  110  are available from Ellery Homestyles, LLC of New York, N.Y. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the covering blanket  110  is generally V-shaped, or tapered, such that the top part of the blanket  110  is wider than the base of the blanket  110 . Dimensions of the sides  112 , top  114  and base  116 , as well as the degree of tapering along the sides  112  are at least similar to those of the covering blanket  10  of  FIG. 1 . In a contemplated embodiment, the covering blanket  110  has a length measuring about 60 inches, a width at the top  114  measuring about 50 inches, and a width at the bottom  116  measuring about 16 inches. The blanket  110  has a straight-line taper at each side  112  thereof such that the blanket  110  has the general shape of a “V.” 
     As further shown in  FIG. 4 , the covering blanket  110  includes a pouch or pocket  120  disposed toward the base  116  thereof. The pocket  120  is formed of a separate piece of fabric material that is stitched, sewn, or otherwise attached to the large piece of fabric material. In a contemplated embodiment, the separate piece of fabric material that forms the pocket  120  is attached along the base  116  and along lower portions of the sides  112  of the blanket  110 . The upper edge  118  of the pocket  120  is left unattached, thereby defining an opening into the pocket  120 . In a contemplated embodiment, the pocket  120  has a depth measuring about 12 inches. Additionally, it is contemplated that the upper edge  118  of the pocket  120  measures between about 16 inches to about 24 inches. 
     The covering blanket  110  is sized and shaped to at least substantially fully cover the body of a person. Because the blanket  110  is wider at the top  114 , sides  112  of the blanket  110  can be wrapped around the arms and upper torso of a person using the blanket. At the base  116  of the blanket  110 , where the blanket  110  is narrower, the person using the blanket  110  can tuck his or her feet into the pocket  120 . As such, the person using the blanket  110  is able to keep his or her feet covered and warm beneath the blanket  110  even while re-positioning. The “V” shape facilitates effective use of the covering blanket  110  while the person is seated or lying down. 
     The covering blanket  110  of  FIG. 4  further includes a means for thermal regulation  140 . In the contemplated embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the thermal regulation means  140  is integrated or embedded into the separate fabric material that forms the pocket  120 . In this regard, when the thermal regulation means  140  is activated to a heated state, a person using the covering blanket  140  is able to keep his or her feet warm when kept within the pocket  120 . It is contemplated that the thermal regulation means can be activated to the heated state without an external power source. In this regard, a user is free to use the covering blanket  140  without restriction and is not required to be within a certain proximity range to a power outlet. It is further contemplated that the thermal regulation means  140  can be activated to the heated state without the aid of a battery, fuel cell, or other direct current power source. As shown in  FIG. 4 , it is contemplated that the thermal regulation means  140  is embedded or integrated into the fabric material that forms the pocket  120  in a generally evenly dispersed manner. 
     A variety of different structures or materials are contemplated for use as the means for thermal regulation  140  in the covering blanket  110 . In one contemplated embodiment, the thermal regulation means  140  is a material that stores thermal energy. One suitable class of materials that store thermal energy and is capable of use as a means for thermal regulation  140  is the class of phase change materials. Phase change materials facilitate storage of thermal energy by absorbing heat when matter changes from one state to another. For instance, melting a solid material to become a liquid material can absorb a large amount of energy during the phase change. Likewise, a liquid material that freezes to return to a solid material releases that stored energy as heat. One suitable phase change material capable of use as the thermal regulation means  140  is the BioPCM™ phase change material available from Phase Change Energy Solutions, Inc. of Asheboro, N.C. Technical background information for the BioPCM phase change material is also available in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/582,542, filed Jan. 3, 2012; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/582,549, filed Jan. 3, 2012; International Application Serial No. PCT/US2012/071980, filed with the U.S. Receiving Office on Dec. 28, 2012 and published as WO 2013/103595 A1 on Jul. 11, 2013; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/370,282, which entered the U.S. national phase on Jul. 2, 2014 and published as US ______ on ______. Each of the foregoing patent applications and patent application publications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a shaped covering blanket  210  in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The covering blanket  210  of  FIG. 5  is similar in form, function and operation to the covering blanket  110  depicted in  FIG. 4 . Just as with the covering blanket  110  of  FIG. 4 , the covering blanket  210  of  FIG. 5  also includes a means for thermal regulation  240 . In the contemplated embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , the thermal regulation means  240  is packaged within a separate pouch or sleeve  250  that is sewn, stitched or otherwise attached to the fabric material that forms the pocket  220 . It is contemplated that the pouch or sleeve  250  is attached to an interior-facing side of the pocket  220  so as to be adjacent to the feet of a person using the blanket  210 . It is further contemplated that the pouch or sleeve  250  can be attached to an exterior-facing side of the pocket  220 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the thermal regulation means  240  is packaged within the pouch or sleeve  250  in a generally evenly dispersed manner. Just as with the covering blanket of  FIG. 4 , the thermal regulation means  240  includes, but is not limited to, a material that stores thermal energy, such as a phase change material. 
     Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.