Patent Publication Number: US-2006010600-A1

Title: Baby wrap blanket

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/588,681, filed on Jul. 16, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to a baby wrap blanket for swaddling a baby.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Currently, there are many swaddling blankets or receiving blankets available on the market for infants and newborn babies. Many of these blankets offer beautiful and soft fabrics and patterns that befit the occasion. While the aesthetics of the blankets are very important, existing blankets do not provide the necessary function for such a blanket.  
      Available blankets fail to meet the needs of infants in specific ways. For example, designs often have a square or rectangular shape. These shapes are not conducive to proper wrapping of the baby and are uncomfortable for the baby and inconvenient for the caregiver. Square or rectangular shaped blankets cannot be properly tucked to secure the babies so that they feel firmly wrapped. Additionally, these shapes leave extraneous material dangling that is both uncomfortable and hazardous to the baby and unsafe for the caregiver. Further, such blankets do not offer a safe and secure method of securing the blanket that avoids the use of safety hazards such as pins, snaps, buttons or zippers.  
      Therefore, there exists a need for a baby blanket that is safe and provides a comfortable and firm fit for the baby as well as quick and easy use for the caregiver.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A blanket providing a receiving region and a plurality of panels that are foldable and connectable in a predetermined sequence.  
      A blanket providing a receiving region, a first panel; a second panel and a third panel; wherein each of the panels is connectable to another of the panels or the receiving region in a predetermined sequence.  
      A blanket providing a receiving region, a first panel, a second panel and a third panel wherein each of the panels and the receiving region has at least one labeled fastener that corresponds to another of the at least one labeled fasteners on another of the panels or the receiving region to indicate a folding sequence of the panels and a connecting sequence of the fasteners.  
      A method of folding a blanket by connecting a first fastener on a first panel of a blanket to a second fastener on a receiving region of the blanket by folding the first panel over the receiving region. The method of folding further includes connecting a third fastener on a second panel to a fourth fastener on the first panel by folding the second panel over the first panel. The method of folding additionally provides for connecting a fifth fastener on a third panel to a sixth fastener on the first panel by folding the third panel over the second panel and the first panel.  
      The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the blanket on which the baby is placed.  
       FIG. 2  is a back view of the blanket if  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the blanket in which a first portion is folded.  
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the blanket in which a second portion is folded.  
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the blanket in which the third portion is folded.  
       FIG. 6   a  is a front view of the blanket having labeled fasteners.  
       FIG. 6   b  is a back view of the blanket of  FIG. 6   a  also having labeled fasteners. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a blanket  1  of the present invention includes a side  4 , an integral pillow  2  and a series of fasteners  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  having a pre-determined position and orientation. Blanket  1  also has a side  20 , opposite side  4  of blanket  1 , and a series of fasteners  22  and  24 , having a pre-determined position and orientation. Side  4  has a receiving region  15  to receive a human baby&#39;s torso. Blanket  1  has a built-in pillow  2  containing a soft material to cushion a baby&#39;s head. Blanket  1  has an approximately eight-sided shape for optimal swaddling of the baby.  
      Built-in pillow  2  is sewn between side  4  and side  20  of blanket  1  to create a perimeter  3  having a slightly rounded upper portion. Pillow  2  has an approximately square shape. The baby will be placed on side  4  at receiving region  15  with the back of his or her head on pillow  2 . Pillow  2  will provide a cushion when the baby is initially placed on the pillow and cushioning during transport and rest.  
      Fasteners  6 ,  8 ,  10  and  12  on side  4  and fasteners  22  and  24  on side  20  are loop and hook type fasteners. Each fastener will mate with a corresponding fastener to securely and firmly wrap blanket  1  around the baby. The loop and hook fasteners will ensure that the baby will not be harmed when he or she is placed in or removed from blanket  1  during transport. Additionally, by using a hook and loop type fastener, pins, snaps, zippers and buttons are avoided. Pins could become unsecured when the baby moves and could potentially stick the baby. Snaps and buttons could become unsewn and present a choking hazard. Zippers could easily catch the flesh and harm a baby.  
      The approximately eight-sided shape of blanket  1  ensures that the blanket can be neatly folded around the baby. Were a usual square or rectangular blanket used, loose edges would result. These loose edges would need to be tucked around the baby creating uncomfortable sources of pressure that would cause discomfort to the baby. Alternatively, were the excess material left untucked, it would either flap into the baby&#39;s face or dangle and potentially trip the caregiver. With squares or rectangular blankets, there is also not a predetermined folding pattern for the blanket. Thus, by quickly folding such blankets, there is a greater likelihood of the blanket being either too tight or too loose. Likewise, the pre-determined placement of the fasteners ensures that the baby will be firmly held in place yet still be allowed to move.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 5 , blanket  1  has panels  14 ,  16  and  18  that surround baby receiving region  15 . When panels  14 ,  16  and  18  are folded, corresponding fasteners  8  and  10 ,  12  and  22  and  6  and  24 , are sized to provide adequate overlap when they are connected to ensure a firm fit around the baby. Thus, panels  14 ,  16  and  18  can be adjusted during folding to accommodate the baby&#39;s growth without compromising the swaddling firm fit of blanket  1  around the baby. Fasteners  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  22  and  24  are sized and oriented to accommodate the baby&#39;s growth and to provide an optimal fit. Additionally, corresponding fasteners  8  and  10 ,  12  and  22  and  6  and  24  are oriented to ensure that maximum overlap is achieved. The maximum overlap of the fasteners will maintain the firm swaddling fit of blanket  1  around the baby during rest and transport. Blanket  1  can be made of a soft material such that sides  4  and  20  are comfortable and offer an aesthetically pleasing appearance.  
      The method of using blanket  1  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 through 6   b . The baby&#39;s back is initially placed on side  4  of blanket  1  at receiving region  15  and his or her head is placed on pillow  2 . In  FIG. 3 , panel  14  is folded over the baby and fastener  10  from side  4  is secured to fastener  8  also from side  4 . Panel  14  is secured in such a fashion that the baby&#39;s face will not be obstructed. When panel  14  is in the folded position, fasteners  22  and  24  from side  20  are in view of the caregiver. Panel  14  has a fastener  10  on side  4 , and two fasteners  22  and  24  on side  20 . Alternatively, additional fasteners could be provided on each side of panel  14  for added security.  
      In  FIG. 4 , panel  16  is folded towards the baby&#39;s face and fastener  12  from first side  4  will be connected to fastener  22  from second side  20 . When panel  16  is in the folded position, fastener  24  from side  20  is in view of the caregiver. Panel  16  has a fastener  12  on side  4 . Alternatively, additional fasteners could be provided on each side of panel  16  for added security.  
      In  FIG. 5 , panel  18  is folded over panels  14  and  16 , and fastener  6  from first side  4  is connected to fastener  24  from second side  20 . Panel  18  has a fastener  6  on side  4 . Alternatively, additional fasteners could be provided on each side of panel  18  for added security.  
      By folding the blanket in this predetermined method, the baby will be firmly secured in the blanket. The baby is particularly comfortable and feels as if he or she is still in the mother&#39;s womb. In a looser blanket, the baby would feel insecure and uncomfortable would become upset and agitated.  
      Additionally, the panels  14 ,  16  and  18  and/or fasteners  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  22  and  24  can be further labeled to simplify the folding process of blanket  1 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6   a , fastener  10  is labeled with numeral  1  to signify that it is first to be connected to corresponding fastener  8  also labeled with a numeral  1 . Similarly, fastener  12 , labeled with a numeral  2  is then connected to fastener  22  of side  20 , which also labeled with a numeral  2 . Then fastener  6  which is labeled with a numeral  3  is connected to fastener  24 , which is also labeled with a numeral  3  to signify that they correspond in the folding sequence. Fasteners  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  22  and  24  could also be labeled with corresponding letters A, B and C to signify the sequential connection of the fasteners.  
      Alternatively, panel  14  could have a letter A adjacent to fastener  10  and fastener  8  could also have a corresponding letter A on cushioning region  15  to signify that they correspond during the folding procedure. Similarly, panel  16  could have a letter B adjacent to fastener  12  and fastener  22  could have an adjacent letter B to signify that they correspond during the folding procedure. Panel  18  could have a letter C adjacent to fastener  18  and fastener  24  could have an adjacent letter C to signify that they correspond during the folding procedure. By labeling panels  14 ,  16 ,  18  and cushioning region  15 , the user is provided with the proper folding order of the panels and the corresponding fasteners to connect. The letters A, B and C could be alternatively be replaced with numerals  1 ,  2 , and  3  to indicate the proper folding sequence.  
      While the instant disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.