U.S. patent application number 12/465281 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-19 for swaddling blankets.
This patent application is currently assigned to Brittany Comerford. Invention is credited to Brittany Comerford.
Application Number | 20090282599 12/465281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41314714 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090282599 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Comerford; Brittany |
November 19, 2009 |
SWADDLING BLANKETS
Abstract
A swaddling device can comprise a tapered, seamless infant
swaddling blanket with a first opening and a second opening. The
swaddling blanket can be pulled on over the head of the infant, and
restrict the infant's arms from moving, flopping, and/or rotating.
The swaddling blanket can allow a caretaker to easily slide a lower
portion of the material up towards the infant's stomach in order to
change the infant's diaper without having to completely remove the
swaddling blanket. The swaddling blanket can further include a seam
or seams to inhibit slippage. The swaddling blanket can be
comprised of fire-resistant material.
Inventors: |
Comerford; Brittany; (Aliso
Viejo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Assignee: |
Comerford; Brittany
Aliso Viejo
CA
|
Family ID: |
41314714 |
Appl. No.: |
12/465281 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61052868 |
May 13, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69.5 |
International
Class: |
A41B 13/06 20060101
A41B013/06 |
Claims
1. A swaddling device comprising a tubular elastic shell comprised
of thin, stretchable material, the shell comprising a first opening
one end of the shell, and a second opening on a second end of the
shell, the first opening being smaller than that of the second
opening.
2. The swaddling device of claim 1, wherein the tubular shell
tapers outwardly from the first opening to the second opening.
3. The swaddling device of claim 1, wherein the tube is
seamless.
4. The swaddling device of claim 1, wherein the tubular shell
comprises a single seam stretching circumferentially around the
tubular shell near the first opening, the seam forming a ridge
around an interior portion of the tubular shell.
5. The swaddling device of claim 1, wherein the thin, stretchable
material is fire-resistant.
6. The swaddling device of claim 1, further comprising an
adjustable strap located near the second opening and attached to
the tubular shell.
7. A swaddling device comprising a tubular, seamless elastic shell
comprised of thin, stretchable fire-resistant material, the shell
comprising a first opening one end of the shell, and a second
opening on a second end of the shell, the first opening being
smaller than that of the second opening.
8. A method of swaddling an infant comprising: providing a
swaddling device comprising a thin, stretchable material, the
material comprising a first opening on one end, and a second
opening on a second end, the first opening being smaller than that
of the second opening; pulling the second end over the infant's
head and down to its legs; and pulling the first end over the
infant's head, such that the first opening rests between the
infant's shoulders and head.
Description
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/052,868, filed
May 13, 2008, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] 1. Field of the Inventions
[0003] The present inventions are directed to devices that can be
used for swaddling, specifically infant swaddling.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Swaddling devices are commonly used by hospitals, parents,
and infant caretakers. These devices typically consist of a blanket
or item(s) of fabric wrapped around at least a portion of an
infant's body to prevent the infant's arms and/or legs from moving.
If unrestrained, an infant can move its arms and/or legs in an
uncontrolled manner. This unrestrained movement can cause the
limbs, particularly the arms, to hit the newborn's face or other
areas of the newborn's body, causing bruises, scratches, and/or
other injury.
[0006] Current swaddling devices typically require the infant to be
placed within the device while the device is in an open, or
unwrapped, position. The device is then closed, zipped, and/or
wrapped around the infant. Some devices require additional straps,
or snaps, which are fastened once the infant is inside to pull the
fabric of the device tightly around the infant's limbs and prevent
movement. Such straps and other devices can cause uneven pressure
on the infant's arms and limbs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0007] An aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed
herein includes the realization that a reusable, quickly attachable
and removable infant swaddling device can be provided with a
stretchable tube material. Despite the availability of many
swaddling designs, Hospitals and parents still use a flat generic
blanket to swaddle infants, which can require skillful wrapping and
tightening, and which often results in the infant breaking out of
the blanket unexpectedly.
[0008] Another aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed
herein includes the realization that a swaddling device can be
designed in such a way that it does not need to be removed during
diaper checks or changes. A caregiver may choose to change infants'
diapers while the infants are asleep and swaddled. However, if the
swaddling needs to be removed for the diaper change procedure, the
infants are more likely to awake. Additionally, for example, if the
infant swaddling device is wrapped around the infant and secured by
straps, snaps, or other fastening devices, a caretaker can be
forced to first undo the fastening devices and unwrap the infant
prior to changing its diaper, which can cause the infant to wake
up. Once the diaper has been changed, the caretaker then must place
the infant back within the swaddling device, wrap it back around
the infant, and secure it over the infant's limbs with the straps,
snaps, or other fastening devices.
[0009] Another aspect of at least one of the embodiments disclosed
herein includes the realization that not all infants are the same
size. Because not all infants are the same size, current infant
swaddling devices can be too large or small for a given infant.
Fastening devices such as straps or snaps can allow for some
adjustment, but it is still possible that these adjustments will
not adequately provide the proper security and tightness needed for
a given infant.
[0010] Thus, in accordance with at least one embodiment, a
swaddling device can comprise a tubular elastic shell comprised of
thin, stretchable material, the shell comprising a first opening on
one end of the shell, and a second opening on a second end of the
shell, the first opening being smaller than that of the second
opening.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment, a swaddling device
can comprise a tubular, elastic shell comprised of thin,
stretchable fire-resistant material, the shell comprising a first
opening one end of the shell, and a second opening on a second end
of the shell, the first opening being smaller than that of the
second opening.
[0012] In accordance with another embodiment, a method of swaddling
an infant can comprise providing a swaddling device comprising a
thin, stretchable material, the material comprising a first opening
on one end, and a second opening on a second end, the first opening
being smaller than that of the second opening, pulling the second
end over the infant's head and down to its legs, and pulling the
first end over the infant's head, such that the first opening rests
between the infant's shoulders and head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] These and other features and advantages of the present
embodiments will become more apparent upon reading the following
detailed description and with reference to the accompanying
drawings of the embodiments, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a swaddling
device in use on an infant.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top and front perspective view of the embodiment
of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a top and front perspective view of another
embodiment of a swaddling device including a seam.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] An improved swaddling device 10 is disclosed herein. The
embodiments disclosed herein are described in the context of an
infant swaddling blanket because the embodiments disclosed herein
have particular utility in this context. However, the embodiments
and inventions herein can also be applied to other types of
swaddling devices, and for use other than on an infant.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the swaddling blanket 10 can
comprise a piece of thin, elastic material which forms a tubular
elastic shell of stretchable material. Various types of elastic
material can be used, such as for example nylon, Lycra.RTM., or
spandex. While a particular uniform thickness of material is shown
in the present embodiment, other thicknesses of material can also
be used. Similarly, the swaddling blanket 10 need not have a
uniform thickness. In at least one embodiment, varying thicknesses
of material can be used. Furthermore, in some embodiments the
material, or at least a portion of the material, can comprise a
fire-resistant material, providing added benefit and safety.
[0020] Swaddling blanket 10 can have a first opening 12 and a
second opening 14. The first opening 12 can be smaller in area than
that of the second opening 14. This difference in opening size can
give swaddling blanket 10 a generally tapered shape, such that the
tubular shell tapers outwardly from a first end to a second end.
Other types of tapers and/or configurations are also possible. For
example, the tubular shell can taper inwardly at first when moving
from the first end to the second end, and then taper outwardly near
the second end. When the swaddling blanket 10 is pulled over the
head of an infant to place it on the infant, the second opening 14
can be pulled over the head first, followed by the first opening
12. Conversely, if the swaddling blanket 10 is pulled over the feet
of the infant, the first opening 12 can be pulled over the feet
first, followed by the second opening 14. Thus, regardless of how
the swaddling blanket is placed on the infant, first opening 12 can
generally be positioned on or near the infant's neck and shoulder
area.
[0021] Because of the tapered shape of swaddling blanket 10, the
material near first opening 12 can pull tighter around the arms,
shoulders, and/or body of the infant than the material around the
second opening 14. This tighter elastic fit around the shoulders
and arms of the infant can inhibit the infant's arms from moving,
flopping, and/or rotating in an undesired manner, and can inhibit
the infant from injuring himself or herself. The elastic material
of swaddling blanket 10 also can be used without straps, snaps, or
other fastening devices, since the swaddling blanket 10 can
naturally contract around the body of the infant. For this reason,
swaddling blanket 10 can be used on infants of various shapes and
sizes, without the added worry and hassle of having straps or
fastening devices which are adjusted for each and every infant the
device is used on.
[0022] Additionally, when the infant has soiled or has potentially
soiled his or her diaper, a caretaker can simply grab the elastic
material near the second opening 14, pull it up towards the
infant's stomach or chest, and care for the soiled diaper without
completely removing the swaddling blanket 10. Once the diaper has
been attended to, the caretaker can then simply pull the same
material back down around near the infant's legs. This provides an
advantage over swaddling devices that must first be removed from
the infant prior to checking or changing a diaper. For example,
with swaddling devices that incorporate straps and buckles, the
straps and buckles generally must first be released. Then the
swaddling device must be unwrapped, or the infant must be pulled
from the swaddling device, to reach the diaper area. Once the
infant's diaper has been changed, the entire swaddling device must
be reattached. Swaddling blanket 10 can bypass each of these
time-consuming steps by allowing the caretaker to simply roll up a
portion of the device, check and change the diaper, and then roll
that same portion of the device back down.
[0023] With reference to FIG. 4, an additional embodiment of a
swaddling blanket 110 can comprise a first opening 112 and a second
opening 114. The swaddling blanket 110 can comprise a seam 116
located near first opening 112. The seam 116 can act as a
frictional barrier near the infant's shoulders, and thus can
inhibit unwanted slippage of swaddle blanket 110. During use, if
the infant attempts to move its arms and/or legs, or tries to slide
out of the swaddling blanket 110, the seam 116 can help to hold the
swaddling blanket 110 in place on the infant's body. While the
embodiment shown in FIG. 4 utilizes a single seam, in other
embodiments multiple seams can be used. Furthermore, the seam or
seams can be positioned along areas of the swaddling blanket 110
other than the neck and shoulder area, and can have varying lengths
and configurations.
[0024] Because of the generally overall robust design, swaddling
blankets 10 and 110 can be reused on a regular basis. In at least
one embodiment, the swaddling blanket 10 and/or 110 can be folded
and stored in a shelf or closet, or carried neatly in an infant
caretaker bag. In some embodiments where the swaddling blankets 10
and 110 are made from nylon, Lycra.RTM., or spandex, the swaddling
blankets 10 and 110 can be rolled or balled up into a very small
shape and can be very light and similar in size and shape to a
single women's stocking. As such, multiple blankets 10, 110 can
easily be carried in a diaper bag with little inconvenience.
Further, if the blankets 10, 110 are used to replace a conventional
swaddling blanket, such as a stretchable blanket, the caregiver can
avoid carrying the bulky blanket altogether.
[0025] Also, while the swaddling blankets 10, 110 as shown in FIGS.
1-4 do not have straps or snaps, in at least some embodiments a
strap and/or snap can be incorporated and/or attached. For example,
but without limitation, a strap can be added near the infant's
crotch to help secure the infant within the swaddling blanket once
the device has been pulled on over the infant's body.
[0026] Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context
of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that the present inventions
extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other
alternative embodiments and/or uses of the inventions and obvious
modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several
variations of the inventions have been shown and described in
detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of these
inventions, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art
based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various
combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and
aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within the
scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various
features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined
with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes
of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of
at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not
be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described
above.
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