Patent Publication Number: US-8539620-B1

Title: Baby swaddling apparatus

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference any and all U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications cited or referred to in this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Aspects of this invention relate generally to devices that can be used for clothing a baby, specifically for swaddling purposes. For the purposes of this application, the inventor uses the terms baby, infant and newborn interchangeably. In addition, the inventor uses the terms device and apparatus interchangeably. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Swaddling devices are commonly used by hospitals, parents and baby caretakers in an effort to prevent a baby&#39;s arms and legs from moving in an uncontrolled manner. The unrestrained movement can cause a baby&#39;s limbs, particularly the arms, to hit the baby&#39;s face or other areas causing potential injury and interrupting the baby&#39;s ability to obtain restful and uninterrupted sleep. Swaddling also intends to mimic the tight/compact environment within the mother&#39;s womb in which further soothes the baby to allow for better sleeping behavior. Swaddles can be as simple as a blanket that is wrapped around the baby or more complex comprising of individual straps that wrap around the baby and secured commonly by hook and fasteners or other similar coupling mechanisms. Simple swaddles such as a blanket become loosened easily and lose their effectiveness and also risk that portions of the blanket may be loosened in such a way where a portion of the blanket may interfere with a baby&#39;s breathing. More complex swaddles that require straps to be pulled tightly around the baby&#39;s limbs often cause uneven pressure on the baby&#39;s limbs and if the fastening mechanism becomes loosened can cause portions of the straps to be loosened in a way where a portion of the straps may push up against a baby&#39;s throat area whereby causing the potential risk of choking and suffocation. Instead of incorporating the use of straps, some swaddles are in the form of a sack that can be zipped up to enclose the baby&#39;s limbs. Although convenient, often times the sack type swaddles do not provide sufficient swaddle support for the baby&#39;s limbs thereby providing poor immobilization of the baby&#39;s limbs, in particular the baby&#39;s arms. 
     Moreover, all of the aforementioned swaddling devices require the baby to be placed within the device in which the baby&#39;s legs are confined within the swaddling device without options to allow the baby&#39;s legs to be free and unrestrained. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention remedies the deficiencies of known swaddling devices by providing an easy-to-use baby swaddling apparatus that provides different levels of immobilization of a baby&#39;s arms without excessive pressure and while leaving the baby&#39;s head unencumbered. 
     Another aspect of at least one exemplary embodiment disclosed herein includes the ability to provide a variety of swaddle configurations in regards to accommodating changes in temperature thereby adjusting the comfortability for the baby in a variety of environments. 
     Another aspect of at least one exemplary embodiment disclosed herein includes the realization that a baby swaddling apparatus can be designed in a way that allows the lower portion of the swaddle to be modified while the baby is inside the swaddle without having the need to remove the baby from the swaddling device which risks waking up or disturbing the baby during sleep periods. 
     Another aspect of at least one exemplary embodiment disclosed herein includes the ability to provide a baby swaddling apparatus that allows for a legs-free configuration which improves comfortability and accommodates for changes in temperature. 
     Thus, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a baby swaddle apparatus can comprise generally a torso portion, a blanket portion, and a pouch portion. The torso portion having a plurality of panels and containing a torso waist opening and neck opening to receive a baby inside of the torso portion. The front panel of the torso also comprising at least one fastener. 
     The blanket portion coupled to the torso rear panel comprising of a blanket panel containing an exterior and interior side and at least one fastener. 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the pouch portion can contain a pouch opening which receives the baby&#39;s legs. The pouch comprising of a pouch front and rear panel and a pouch front panel which contains a plurality of fasteners which allow the pouch to be modified in a way to allow for at least one leg opening. 
     In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a method of swaddling a baby can comprise providing a baby swaddling device comprising a torso portion having a neck opening and a torso waist opening and being selectively openable and closeable between the neck and waist openings; a blanket portion having a blanket panel joined to the rear of the torso portion and configured to selectively wrap at least partially around the torso portion and a pouch portion having a pouch front panel with a selectively foldable pouch front panel flap whereby in a first operable configuration of the apparatus the pouch front panel flap is folded substantially upwardly in the direction of the torso portion so as to form a first and second space within the apparatus bounded by the torso portion and the pouch portion, thereby enabling the legs of the baby to be positioned substantially within the pouch portion between the pouch front and rear panels allowing for a legs-free configuration. 
     A primary objective inherent in the present invention and method of use is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art. 
     Another objective inherent in the present invention and method of use is to provide a baby swaddle apparatus that can be used in a variety of configurations to accommodate different comfortability levels of a baby without the need for the caretaker to remove the baby from the swaddling apparatus. 
     Other features and advantages of aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of aspects of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the present invention. In such drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter showing the torso portion in a closed position, a blanket portion and the pouch front panel in a fastened positioned; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter showing the pouch front panel flap in an unfastened position exposing the zipper pull of the torso portion; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter showing the torso portion in an unfastened position and pouch front panel flap in an unfastened position; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter depicting the blanket portion proximal edge coupled to the torso rear panel; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a baby being swaddled inside the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter whereby the blanket portion being wrapped around the torso portion; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter showing the torso portion in an unfastened position and both pouch corners folded substantially upward in the direction of the torso portion; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter showing the torso portion in an unfastened position and both pouch corners folded substantially upward in the direction of the torso portion and being removably joined therewith thereby creating right and leg openings; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a baby being swaddled inside the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter depicting a legs-free and unwrapped blanket configuration; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a baby being swaddled inside the baby swaddle apparatus according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter depicting a legs-free and wrapped blanket configuration; 
     
    
    
     Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects, in accordance with one or more embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the invention defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the invention as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. 
     Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed herein even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
     The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an elements can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself. 
     The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims therefore include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a baby swaddle apparatus  20  according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter comprising generally a torso portion  30 , a blanket portion  60 , and a pouch portion  80 . In particular, the torso portion containing a front right panel  32 , and a front left panel  40  where both said panels can be fastened together via a front right panel zipper  36  (not shown) and a torso neck opening  52 . In one preferred embodiment, the torso portion  30  may contain at least one front panel fastener  48 .  FIG. 1  further shows the blanket portion  60  having a blanket panel proximal edge (not shown) and a blanket panel distal edge  72  comprising of a blanket panel  62 , blanket exterior side (not shown), and a blanket interior side  66 . In one preferred embodiment, the blanket interior side  66  may contain at least one fastener panel  68  which may allow the blanket to securely fasten to the torso portion  30  at the at least one fastener panel  48  on the torso portion  30 . In one preferred embodiment, the fasteners may be in the form of a hook and loop type fastener but one can appreciate that any similar like fastener means can be used to accomplish an equivalent like result of securing the blanket portion  60  to the torso portion  30 . Moreover, any and all such means for removable or temporary engagement fasteners, now known or further developed, can be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention including but not limited to fasteners such as zippers, buttons, snaps, and hook and loop. 
     Moving further down on  FIG. 1  reveals a pouch portion  80  comprising of pouch front panel  82 , a pouch front panel flap  84 , a plurality of fasteners ( 86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ), a pouch rear panel (not shown), a pouch right lengthwise edge  96 , a pouch left lengthwise edge  98 , and a bottom edge  100  in a fastened position.  FIG. 2  depicts the same exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  but with the pouch front panel flap  84  unfastened from the front right panel fastener  38  and the front left panel fastener  46  which reveals the zipper pull  56  of the torso portion  30  and also reveals the torso waist opening  54  which is an opposite opening to the torso neck opening  52 . In one preferred embodiment, the zipper pull may be covered to provide for better protection. In one exemplary preferred embodiment, the pouch portion  80  having a pouch front panel  82  joined to a substantially opposite pouch rear panel, the pouch rear panel being further joined to the torso rear panel adjacent the torso waist opening  54 , the pouch front panel  82  further having a selectively foldable pouch front panel flap  84 , whereby in a first operable configuration of the baby swaddle apparatus  20  the pouch front panel flap  84  is folded substantially upwardly in the direction of the torso portion  30  so as to form a first space within the apparatus bounded by the torso portion  30  and the pouch portion  80 , thereby enabling the legs L of the baby to be positioned substantially within the pouch portion  80  between the pouch front and rear panels ( 82 ,  94 ) and thus the apparatus to substantially enclose the baby B other than the head H, and whereby in a second operable configuration of the apparatus the pouch front panel flap  84  is folded substantially downwardly away from the torso portion  30 , the pouch front and rear panels ( 82 ,  94 ) are brought substantially adjacent, and the pouch portion  30  is gathered and folded substantially upwardly in the direction of the torso portion  30  so as to be removably joined therewith so as to form a second space bounded by the torso portion with right and left leg openings between the torso portion  30  and the pouch portion  80 , and further whereby whether in the first or second operable configuration of the apparatus, the blanket portion is selectively wrapped substantially at least partially around the torso portion so as to further confine the baby within the apparatus, whereby in both the first and second operable configurations of the apparatus  20  and irrespective of the position of the blanket portion  60 , the baby B may be accessed via the pouch portion  80  for diaper changing with minimal disruption to the baby. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3  shows an exemplary embodiment of the baby swaddle apparatus  20  according to an aspect of the inventive subject matter whereas the torso  30  contains a front right panel  32  comprising of a front right panel edge  34  and a left panel  40  comprising of a front left panel edge  42  thereby having the torso neck opening  52  and the torso waist opening  54  being selectively openable and closable between the neck and waist openings along the torso front right and left panels edges ( 36 ,  42 ) via the front left panel zipper  44 . 
       FIG. 4  clearly depicts an exemplary embodiment of the baby swaddle apparatus  20  showing a baby B being swaddled inside the baby swaddle device with the baby&#39;s head H exposed. the blanket portion  60  being coupled to the torso rear panel  50  at the blanket panel proximal edge  70  regions which extends from the top rear of the torso real panel  50  and extending down to the pouch rear panel  94 . Here, the blanket panel exterior side  64  is shown which becomes the exterior of the blanket portion  60  when the blanket portion  60  is wrapped around the torso portion  30 . In another preferred embodiment, when not in use, the user may fold the blanket  60  and secure it to the torso rear panel  50  by attaching at least one blanket panel fastener panel  68  to at least one of the torso left panel fastener panel  48 . The ability to safely secure the blanket portion  60  when not in use is advantageous to prevent or decrease the chance that the loose blanket portion  60  may unintentionally cover or disturb portions of the baby&#39;s mouth area whereby causing complications with the baby&#39;s breathing. 
     It should be noted that the baby B is considered swaddled in  FIG. 4  and the user may find that this configuration and level of immobilization of the baby&#39;s arms resulting from the fastened torso portion  30  is sufficient and thus choose not to use the blanket portion  60  as additional swaddling support. 
       FIG. 5  continues the scenario of  FIG. 4  and provides an exemplary embodiment of the baby B being swaddled within the baby swaddle apparatus  20  and showing a configuration in where the user has chosen to wrap the blanket portion  60  around the torso portion  30  and has secured the blanket portion  60  to the torso left panel  40  by the aforementioned fastener panels ( 48 ,  68 ). In this configuration, the baby&#39;s B arms are given additional immobilization by the use of the blanket portion  60  in combination with a fastened torso portion  30 . In another preferred embodiment, to accommodate in changes in temperature, the user may choose to choose this blanket wrapped configuration to not only provide additional swaddling support but to also provide additional warmth for the baby. In another preferred embodiment, the blanket portion  60  may come in a variety of thicknesses and materials to accommodate different temperature environments. In one exemplary embodiment, the baby swaddle  20  may contain a lighter thin blanket portion  60  for use in warmer environments while another exemplary embodiment may contain a thicker blanket portion  60  for use in colder environments. 
     Turning to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , an exemplary embodiment of the baby swaddle apparatus  20  is shown wherein the torso portion  30  is in a fastened position but the pouch is in a converted configuration where the pouch right lengthwise edge  96 , the pouch left lengthwise edge  98 , the pouch bottom edge  100 , the pouch right corner  102  and the pouch left corner  104  are folded substantially upward in the direction of the torso portion  30  so as to form a first space  106  and a second space  108  enabling the legs of a baby to be positioned substantially within the pouch portion between the pouch front and rear panels ( 82 ,  94 ) and pouch front panel flap  84 . To secure the pouch bottom edge  100  area to the torso portion  30 , the user would secure one of the pouch front fasteners ( 90 ,  92 ) to the torso front panel fasteners ( 38 ,  46 ). Depending on the desired size of the first space  106  and second space  108  to accommodate the baby&#39;s legs, the user would select the appropriate fasteners  90 ,  92  to use to secure the pouch to the torso front panel. For example, in one preferred embodiment, if the user wanted a larger first and second space ( 106 ,  108 ), the user would simply select the fasteners ( 90 ,  92 ) that are closest to the pouch bottom edge  100  and attach them to the torso portion  30  by torso front panel fasteners ( 38 ,  46 ). However, in another preferred embodiment, if the user wanted a smaller first and second space ( 106 ,  108 ) to fit a smaller baby for instance, the user would select the middle fasteners ( 90 ,  92 ) closer to the torso portion  30  and attach them to the torso portion  30  by torso front panel fasteners ( 38 ,  46 ). 
       FIG. 8  then depicts an exemplary embodiment of a baby B being swaddled in the baby swaddle apparatus  20  in a torso portion  30  fastened and blanket portion  60  un-fastened legs-free type of swaddling configuration. As seen clearly here, the baby&#39;s legs L are free and unencumbered by the pouch portion  80  of the baby swaddle device  20 . In this configuration, the pouch rear panel  94  is now seen as the front when secured to the torso portion  30  by fasteners ( 38 ,  46 ,  90 ,  92 ). The ability of the baby swaddle device  20  to allow the user to adjust the pouch portion  80  to fit a variety of size babies is one of the objects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  depicts the same exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  but now with the baby swaddle apparatus  20  being in both the fastened torso portion  30  and the fastened blanket portion  60  thereby maximizing the immobilization features of the baby swaddle device  20 . Still, even in this swaddle configuration, there may be times when it is desirable to allow the baby&#39;s legs L to be free and unencumbered for comfortability purposes. 
     While aspects of the invention have been described with reference to at least one exemplary embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s) believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention. 
     Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a baby swaddling apparatus have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not being restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention. In addition, where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from a group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N etc.