Abstract:
A swaddling blanket serves to tightly wrap and enclose a young baby in a sheet of fabric to calm and soothe it. A swaddling blanket is a three-sided blanket that contains a pouch in the middle in which to contain the infant. The second portion of the blanket crosses over the front of the infant&#39;s torso, then is placed through a slit in the first portion of the blanket, and secured to the back of the blanket by cooperating hook and loop fasteners. The third portion of the blanket then crosses over the front of the infant&#39;s torso and chest, wraps around the entire body of the infant and is secured in the front by additional hook and loop fasteners.

Description:
The following references disclose various infant care devices. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               1. 218420 
               August 1879 
               Baker 
               2/69.5, 5/494 
             
             
               2. 965921 
               August 1910 
               Mercey 
               2/69, 5/413R 
             
             
               3. 1373378 
               March 1921 
               Backmann 
               2/69 
             
             
               4. 1583419 
               May 1926 
               Perl 
               5/413R 
             
             
               5. 1584853 
               May 1926 
               Dern 
               2/69 
             
             
               6. 1678125 
               July 1928 
               Petrescu 
               5/413R, 2/69 
             
             
               7. 1723644 
               August 1929 
               Collingbourne 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               8. D109371 
               April 1938 
               Friedman 
               D2/719 
             
             
               9. 2227751 
               January 1941 
               Idelman. 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               10. 2358410 
               September 1944 
               Matthesius 
               2/69.5, 5/413R 
             
             
               11. 2538420 
               January 1951 
               Junghans 
               2/69, 2/69.5, 5/413R 
             
             
               12. 2657387 
               November 1953 
               Ketcham. 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               13. 2701885 
               February 1955 
               Turco 
               5/494, , 2/69.5 
             
             
               14. 3034132 
               May 1962 
               Landsberger et al. 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               15. 3412407 
               November 1968 
               Key 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               16. 3477065 
               November 1969 
               Hoover 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               17. 3693190 
               September 1972 
               Hickling 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               18. 3739399 
               June 1973 
               Sheahon 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               19. 4125903 
               November 1978 
               Farrell 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               20. 4172300 
               October 1979 
               Miller 
               5/424 
             
             
               21. D269658 
               July 1983 
               Bor 
               D2/719 
             
             
               22. 4897885 
               February 1990 
               Lunt. 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               23. 4979250 
               December 1990 
               Troncone et al. 
               5/494 
             
             
               24. 5046204 
               September 1991 
               Mohler 
               5/413 R 
             
             
               25. 5058226 
               October 1991 
               Crosby 
               5/494 
             
             
               26. 5062168 
               November 1991 
               Kocib 
               5/413R 
             
             
               27. 5129406 
               July 1992 
               Magnusen et al. 
               128/873 
             
             
               28. 5243724 
               September 1993 
               Barnes 
               5/482 
             
             
               29. 5611095 
               March 1997 
               Schneider 
               5/482 
             
             
               30. 5722094 
               March 1998 
               Ruefer 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               31. D395188 
               June 1998 
               Rush. 
               D6/603 
             
             
               32. 5852827 
               December 1998 
               Lear 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               33. D405635 
               February 1999 
               Cohen et al. 
               D6/603 
             
             
               34. 5950261 
               September 1999 
               Hay et al. 
               5/482 
             
             
               35. 6009576 
               January 2000 
               Gramme et al. 
               5/413R 
             
             
               36. D422775 
               April 2000 
               Hurr 
               D2/719 
             
             
               37. D423760 
               May 2000 
               Sorenson 
               D2/719 
             
             
               38. D425288 
               May 2000 
               Cohen et al. 
               D6/603 
             
             
               39. D428683 
               August 2000 
               Davis 
               D2/719 
             
             
               40. D448142 
               September 2001 
               Callan 
               D2/719 
             
             
               41. D448914 
               October 2001 
               Caudill 
               D2/719 
             
             
               42. 6321389 
               November 2001 
               Sankey 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               43. 6341397 
               January 2002 
               Kliegl et al. 
               5/482, 2/69.5 
             
             
               44. 6415442 
               July 2002 
               Smith 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               45. 6640340 
               November 2003 
               Gibson 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               46. 6662390 
               December 2003 
               Berger 
               5/486 
             
             
               47. 6817033 
               November 2004 
               Bailey 
               2/69.5 
             
             
               48. 6928674 
               November 2004 
               Blackburn 
               5/482, 2/69.5 
             
             
               49. 6839924 
               January 2005 
               Sims 
               5/494, 2/69.5 
             
             
               50. D501350 
               February 2005 
               Kelly et al. 
               D6/603 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   OTHER REFERENCES 
   
       
       1. Swaddle Me—From Kiddopotamus 
       2. Cradle Me&#39;s™ from Baby Boo&#39;s™ 
       3. Swaddleaze from 2 Virtues 
       4. The Amazing Miracle Blanket from AMB Enterprises 
       5. The Ultimate Swaddling Blanket™ from Swaddle Designs 
       6. Loving Baby™ Swaddle Blanket by Loving Baby Inc 
       7. Cuddle Bug Cloverleaf Blanket™ by Cuddle Bug 
       8. First Years Swaddling Blanket from The First Years Inc. 
       9. Simple Swaddle.™ blankets by Simple Swaddle 
       10. Natural Swaddle™ Blanket by Beyond Baby Basics 
     
  
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Non-Applicable 
   REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
   Non-Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates to the field of blankets for wrapping and soothing babies, often referred to as swaddling. Swaddling is a practiced custom to soothe and pacify babies. Ensuring that a baby remains tightly enclosed is key to maintaining the baby&#39;s state of calmness. Typically, conventional four-sided receiving blankets have often been used to swaddle a baby. While such conventional blankets are often useful tools for swaddling newborns, use of such conventional blankets becomes increasingly difficult to ensure the tightness of a swaddled baby as the baby grows in size. 
   Other swaddling blankets that currently exist strive to safely and tightly contain the baby; however, many designs fall short of ensuring that the baby remains tightly swaddled. Often, babies are able to push or kick their arms out of the blanket, thus rendering the design and function of such blankets useless. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the problems and disadvantages of other conventional and known swaddling blankets by providing a blanket that precludes the swaddled baby from loosening the inventive blanket and releasing the swaddled baby&#39;s arms and/or legs. 
   Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a triangular shaped blanket that includes a pouch formed in a first portion of the blanket, which is located in the approximate center of the blanket. The pouch is sized to receive and contain the baby. The baby is placed in the pouch with its neck and head resting above the upper edge of the blanket. The pouch, of which the depth allows the blanket to grow with the baby, should extend up to the baby&#39;s upper torso. Preferred embodiments of the present invention further comprise a second portion of the blanket, which during use of the present invention is crossed over the front of the baby&#39;s upper torso, placed through a slit disposed on a first portion of the blanket, and then secured to the back of the blanket by cooperating hook and loop fasteners. Preferred embodiments of the present invention further include a third portion of the blanket, which is longer than either the first or second portions, and is adapted to cross over the front of the baby&#39;s torso and chest, wrapping around the entire body of the baby. The third portion then securely attached to the front of the blanket by additional hook and loop fasteners. The placement of both loop fasteners also allows the blanket to grow with the baby and offer a longer use of the blanket. The present invention provides a unique and necessary series of barriers that prevent a baby from releasing its arms and/or legs and likely waking itself. 
   A preferred embodiment of the present invention constructs the present invention from a material that keeps the baby warm, but permits “perspiration” to breathe. Moreover, the preferred embodiment employs fabrics, which are machine washable. Cotton knit fabrics and cotton flannels are preferred, but other fabrics may be used. Moreover, other embodiments may include guards or protective sheaths covering the hook components found on the first and second portions so as to prevent the unintended attraction to other garments when washing and drying the blanket. These guards are formed by providing additional loop fasteners to cover the hook components found on both of the second and third portions. These additional components of loop also ensure that the hook fasteners maintain their integrity and withstand long-term use of the blanket. 
   An ideally designed swaddling blanket would be easy to use, avoid any safety hazards, be made of a soft, but not excessively warm material, and keep a baby tightly bundled so that the swaddled baby is unable to release its arms and/or legs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the inner surface of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the outer surface of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3   a - b  illustratively depicts certain measurements of components of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 4   a  to  4   e  illustratively depict the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the guard components of one of the embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 , a swaddling blanket  101  includes a first portion  102 , a second portion  104  and a third portion  105 . A pouch  103  is disposed on the inner surface of first portion  102 . The pouch  103 , which is sized to receive and contain an infant, is defined by a horizontal open side  106  of the pouch  103  along the top edge, with an attached vertical side  107  along the right edge and an attached vertical side  108  along the left edge, in addition to a center bottom edge  122  and an adjoining bottom left edge  121  and an adjoining bottom right edge  123 . The outer dimension of the blanket  101  forms a generally triangular shape, although there is a total of eight distinct sides to the outer edge, and the corners of the two side sections are tapered. The blanket  101  also includes a hemmed edge  109  about its outer perimeter. 
   The second portion  104  has a tapered portion  114 . The tapered portion  114  of second portion  104  has hook and loop fasteners  110  and  120  respectively disposed thereon the inner surface. The third portion  105  has a tapered portion  116 . The tapered portion  116  of second portion  105  having hook and loop fasteners  117  and  119  respectively disposed thereon the inner surface. 
   A reinforced slit  111  is disposed adjacent to the pouch  103  on either the second or third portions  104 ,  105 . In  FIG. 1 , the reinforced slit  111  is shown to be preferably a vertical slit disposed adjacent to the pouch  103  on third portion  105 . However, it is noted that reinforced slit  111  may be a horizontal slit and may be located on either second or third portion  104 ,  105 . 
   An outer surface view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 , the outer surface  201  of swaddling blanket  101  includes an outer surface side  203  of first portion  102 , an outer surface side  204  of second portion  104  and an outer surface side  205  of third portion  105 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates the outer surface side  214  of the second portion tapered end  114  and the outer surface side  216  of the third portion tapered end  116 . Loop fastener  115  is located on the outer surface  203  of the first portion  102  of the blanket and adheres to hook fasteners  110  located on second portion tapered end  114 . Loop fastener  118  is located on the upper outer surface side  205  of third portion  105  and adheres to hook fasteners  117  located on third portion tapered end  116 . Moreover,  FIG. 2  shows reinforced slit  111  which provides a transit from the inner surface to the outer surface. 
     FIG. 3A  illustrates some preferable dimensions of the blanket  101 . For example, blanket  101  measures preferably between about 24″ to 28″ in overall vertical length and 59″ in overall horizontal width. The pouch section  103  of blanket  101  measures 16.5″ to 19.5″ in overall vertical length and 17″ to 20″ in overall horizontal width. However, such sizes and dimensions may vary in accordance with the particular size of an infant or toddler to be swaddled. Reinforced slit  111  is shown to preferably measure 4.5″ inches. 
     FIG. 3B  illustrates preferable dimensions of the loop fasteners disposed on the outer surface of the blanket  101 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , loop fastener  115  preferably measures 11″ in width and 4″ in height. This allows for an adjustable position for securing hook fastener  110 . By providing an adjustable position for securing hook fastener  110 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for a full range of infant sizes that can be accommodated. In addition, as shown in  FIG. 3B , loop fastener  118  preferably measures 8″ in width and 4″ in height. This also allows for an adjustable position for securing hook fastener  117 . By providing an adjustable position for securing hook fastener  117 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for a full range of infant sizes that can be accommodated. 
   The blanket  101  is preferably made with a soft, stretchable fabric, such as knit cotton. Preferably, blanket  101  would be made of 100% cotton, but may also contain small amounts of polyester or lycra to allow for stretching. The pouch  103  of blanket  101  is preferably made with a soft cotton flannel. This provides adequate “breathing” of the fabric to prevent overheating of the infant. 
     FIGS. 4A-4E  illustrate the method of using the present invention. An infant is placed into the pouch  103 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . As can be seen in  FIG. 4A , by sizing the pouch to extend at least to the infant&#39;s upper torso, the infant&#39;s arms and legs can be secured and prevented from kicking or flailing free from the pouch. Once the infant is placed in the pouch  103 , the second portion  104  is folded over the front of a baby, and the tapered end  114  is pulled through reinforced slit  111 , and the outer surface side of the second portion  204  becomes front facing, this is demonstrated in  FIG. 4B . Slit  111  is similar to a large button hole and is preferably about 4″ in length and located on the left side of pouch  103  and is located no higher than the horizontal edge  116  of pouch  103 . The combination of a deep pouch, a slit, and properly sized and placed hook and loop fasteners provides a unique and necessary series of barriers that prevent a baby from releasing its arms and/or legs and likely waking itself. 
     FIG. 4C  displays the outer surface side  201  of the preferred invention, the second portion tapered end  114 , which has been pulled through slit  111 , houses a hook fastener  110 , and now adheres to loop fastener(s)  115 , whose number and shape may vary, located on the outer surface side of blanket  101  ( FIG. 3B ). The loop fastener  115  preferably covers an area of space about 4″ wide and preferably about 11″ long and is placed parallel to slit  111  ( FIG. 3B ). The hook and loop fasteners are each sized and positioned to provide sufficient fastening strength so as to prevent loosening the baby when fastened as well as adjustability to provide room for infant growth. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4D , the third portion  105  is wrapped first across the front of the infant and then wrapped around the entire body. The third portion tapered end  116 , which houses left hook fastener  117 , is pulled tightly around and across the front of the infant and adheres to a second loop fastener  118 , whose number and shape may vary, and preferably covers an area of space about 4″ wide and about 8″ long ( FIG. 3B ). The hook and loop fasteners are each sized and positioned to provide sufficient fastening strength so as to prevent loosening by the infant when fastened as well as adjustability to provide room for growth. 
     FIG. 4E  displays the final view of the infant swaddled in the preferred embodiment, where it remains securely, safely, and warmly swaddled. 
   To remove the infant, the steps of  FIGS. 4A to 4E  are reversed as follows. The hook and loop fastener portions  117  and  118  are separated and the third portion  105  is unwrapped from around the infant. Next, the hook and loop fastener portions  110  and  115  are separated and the tapered edge  114  of second portion  104  is pulled back through reinforced slit  111 . The infant can then be pulled from pouch  103 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, the swaddling blanket of the present invention may be employed to swaddle an infant without the use of the pouch  103 . By placing the infant in the approximate center of the blanket not within the pouch  103 , the hook and loop fasteners found on tapered edge portions  114  and  116  along with the reinforced slit  111 , may be used to quickly and securely swaddle an infant. 
   Second and third portion tapered ends  114  and  116  also contain loop fastener components  119  and  120  ( FIG. 1 ), to which hook fasteners  110  and  117  can adhere by simply folding them over, see  FIG. 5 . By folding over hook tabs  110  and  117  to attach to loop fasteners  119  and  120 , the user of this invention can avoid attracting other fabrics to the hook fasteners when washing or drying the preferred embodiment. It also serves to uphold the integrity and long-term use of the hook fasteners  110  and  117  located on blanket  101 .