U.S. patent application number 12/378576 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for cushy wrap.
Invention is credited to Brad Pollack.
Application Number | 20100205714 12/378576 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42558589 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100205714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pollack; Brad |
August 19, 2010 |
Cushy Wrap
Abstract
The Cushy Wrap represents the first blanket which provides the
user with full coverage and support, while enabling full range of
motion for arms and hands. The Cushy Wrap was designed to be used
while sitting up in bed, on a couch or on the floor. Current
blankets available in the market that provide the user with full
range of motion for arms and hands do not provide full coverage
like the Cushy Wrap. The Cushy Wrap is uniquely designed with
strategically positioned insulation sections that provide support
to the entire body when wrapped in the blanket. The shape and
dimensions of the insulation sections are determined to provide
optimal comfort to each of the main body parts, head and neck,
arms, back, and legs. The insulation section shapes include squares
and rectangular shapes with a size that provides focused comfort to
the body part it is positioned to support.
Inventors: |
Pollack; Brad; (E.
Brunswick, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brad Pollack
37 Appleby LN
E. Brunswick
NJ
08816
US
|
Family ID: |
42558589 |
Appl. No.: |
12/378576 |
Filed: |
February 18, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. For use in providing warmth and comfort to human beings, a
blanket wrap comprising: A fabric cut in a square shape with holes
cut for the strategically placed sleeves, with sleeves, hood,
insulation section pockets which are filled with insulation section
inserts and regular pockets sewn onto the interior and exterior of
the blanket wrap. Said fabric may be manufactured using any woven
natural or man-made fabric type. The blanket wrap fabric may or may
not be the same fabric for the sleeves, hood, insulation section
pockets, insulation section inserts shell and regular pockets. Said
holes cut out of the blanket wrap are strategically located to
allow the ability to completely wrap the blanket around a human
body, enabling the arms to be placed through the sleeves. Said
sleeves are sewn onto the exterior of the blanket wrap along the
cuts in the holes of the blanket. Said hood is sewn onto the
exterior of the blanket wrap centered along the top of the fabric.
Said insulation section pockets have three different shapes which
are strategically sewn along three of the four sides onto the
interior of the blanket wrap in specific areas. The fourth side of
the insulation section pocket that is not sewn onto the interior of
the blanket wrap has a device that enables the ability to open and
close the insulation section pocket. Insulation section pockets
have the ability to hold an insulation section insert which
provides focused comfort and warmth to the specific area of the
blanket wrap. Said insulation section inserts are comprised of a
fabric shell that is sewn along the edges and filled with a type of
insulation to provide focused comfort and warmth for the specific
area of the body that the insulation section insert is located.
Insulation section inserts may be placed in the insulation section
pockets desired to provide focused comfort and warmth to that
section of the blanket wrap. Said regular pockets are sewn onto the
exterior of the blanket strategically positioned at the end of the
sleeves when being worn.
6. A blanket wrap as set forth in claim 5 wherein the blanket has
the ability to completely wrap around the user while still having
full range of motion for the arms and hands through the use of the
sleeves.
7. A blanket wrap as set forth in claim 5 wherein the location of
the insulation section pockets enable the user to create focused
comfort and warmth to specific sections of the blanket by inserting
the insulation section inserts into the desired insulation section
pocket.
8. A blanket wrap as set forth in claim 5 wherein the insulation
section inserts are filled with cushioning comprised of either
expanded polystyrene beads, shredded memory foam or a combination
of both, which produces a unique feeling of comfort and support
while providing additional warmth.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Traditionally, people desiring to be warm utilize a blanket
by wrapping the blanket around the body. When either lying down or
sitting up with a blanket around the body, people commonly will
utilize pillows to provide the body with comfort and support. There
are various types of blankets and pillows utilized by people that
provide unique levels of warmth, comfort and support
individually.
[0005] The problem with traditional blankets is that they restrict
arm movement, and therefore restricts the ability of the user to
use their arms freely while wrapped in a blanket. In 2008 the
Snuggie was introduced to the retail market, with a design for a
blanket that has sleeves, similar to another product known as the
Slanket. The design of the Snuggie represents the identical design
of a bathrobe that is worn backwards. The design flaw of the
Snuggie is that the user of the Snuggie has their entire back
exposed and not covered by the blanket. This design flaw makes the
Snuggie an inferior blanket when compared to alternative blankets
based on not providing an equivalent level of warmth by leaving the
back of the user exposed. After an extensive search no patent for
the Snuggie was found, though one is expected to be in
existence.
[0006] Based on the design flaw of the Snuggie, combined with a new
invention named the Cushy Blanket (which the patent application is
being simultaneously submitted along with this patent by the same
inventor), the Cushy Wrap was developed. The Cushy Blanket
represents the first blanket ever to utilize expanded polystyrene
beads as the insulation, along with detailed insulation and sewing
parameters that ensure equal distribution of the insulation through
out the blanket. The goal of the Cushy Blanket is to create a
blanket that is as or more comfortable than a down feather blanket,
that uses an insulation that provides the user equivalent or
superior warmth when compared to traditional blanket insulation,
provides support to the human body never before present in any
other blanket, and available to be purchased by the user for a
reasonable price.
[0007] During the design of the Cushy Blanket, the Cushy Wrap was
developed as a blanket that would wrap around the body. The design
intentions of the Cushy Wrap involve manufacturing a blanket that
will wrap around the body providing the user with equivalent or
superior warmth when compared to alternative blanket styles of
similar fabric, insulation and thickness. Additional design
intentions include manufacturing a blanket that provides the user
with superior levels of comfort and support when compared to
alternative blankets. The final design intention involved
manufacturing a blanket that will enable the user full range of
motion for their arms and hands while wrapped completely in the
blanket.
[0008] By combining the attributes of the Cushy Blanket with these
specific intentions, the Cushy Wrap was invented. The Cushy Wrap
design began as a model of the Cushy Blanket, but as the model was
developed the unique design and manufacturing characteristics of
the Cushy Wrap required a separate patent to be filed for this
invention. Though the goal of the Cushy Blanket and the Cushy Wrap
are identical, the design and manufacturing process of the Cushy
Wrap is distinctly unique when compared to the Cushy Blanket.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The Cushy Wrap represents the first blanket which provides
the user with full coverage and support, while enabling full range
of motion for arms and hands. The Cushy Wrap was designed to be
used while sitting up in bed, on a couch or on the floor. Though
this models design is intended to be used while sitting up, this
model is also suitable for use while lying down. Current blankets
available in the market that provide the user with full range of
motion for arms and hands do not provide full coverage like the
Cushy Wrap. The Cushy Wrap is designed with sleeves to allow the
full range of motion for arms and hands while the user is
completely wrapped in the blanket.
[0010] The Cushy Wrap is uniquely designed with strategically
positioned insulation sections that provide support to the entire
body when wrapped in the blanket. The Cushy Wrap is designed with
two main options, permanent insulation sections and removable
insulation sections. Insulation sections involve various shapes and
are sewn to specific areas of the blanket in order to provide
warmth and support to the entire body. The shape and dimensions of
the insulation sections are determined to provide optimal comfort
to each of the main body parts; head and neck, arms, back, and
legs. The insulation section shapes include squares and rectangular
shapes with a size that provides focused comfort to the body part
it is positioned to support.
[0011] The Cushy Wrap is manufactured by permanently sewing the
insulation sections into specific locations on the blanket. The
positioning of the insulation sections are selected in order to
provide additional warmth and support to the main body parts.
Square insulation sections located in the center of the blanket
provide support to the upper, middle and lower back, and buttocks.
A rectangle insulation section is located at the top center of the
blanket providing support to the head and neck. Long rectangular
insulation sections are located horizontally below the sleeves to
provide additional upper body comfort and support by creating an
arm rest when the blanket is wrapped around the user.
[0012] The other manufacturing option involves permanently sewing
insulation section pockets into specific locations on the blanket,
and manufacturing separate insulation section inserts. This
manufacturing option enables the user to select which insulation
section pockets are filled with the inserts. This ability allows
the user to adapt the Cushy Wrap to multiple positions that offer
optimal comfort and support. Insulation section pockets that are
not filled with inserts will lay flat against the blanket fabric
without interfering with the Cushy Wrap experience. The insulation
section shapes and dimensions used in this manufacturing option are
identical to the permanent manufacturing option.
[0013] Insulation sections will be manufactured and available in
three different options. The material of the insulation is
comprised of either expanded polystyrene beads, solid or shredded
memory foam. The selection of these two insulation materials not
only provides comfort and support to the user, but additional
warmth due to the characteristics of the insulation material
selected. The Cushy Wrap design utilizes uniform shapes and
dimensions which allow the user the ability to receive numerous
levels of comfort and support for a variety of positions. Each
insulation material is utilized by itself and never mixed with
other materials. The fabric for the insulation section pockets will
represent the same fabric used in the blanket. The insulation
section inserts are manufactured using a thin and flexible fabric
selected by the manufacturer. The standard Cushy Wrap insulation
section inserts will be manufactured using a blended lining fabric.
The standard Cushy Wrap blanket and insulation section pockets will
be manufactured using a thick fleece fabric. The user can select
from a variety of colors, with the ability to customize the order
by selecting any desired fabric. The Cushy Blanket is manufactured
in two sizes, child and adult in order to ensure a design that
provides the proposed warmth, comfort and support for various body
sizes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0014] For a complete understanding of this invention, reference
should be had to the following detailed description taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1: Cushy Wrap Interior View. Illustrates the location
and shapes of the insulation section pockets that hold the
insulation section inserts. Illustrates the location and shapes of
the fabric cuts for access to the sleeves. The sleeve holes at 10,
the neck pocket at 12, the arm pockets at 14, the upper 16a, middle
16b and lower back 16c pockets.
[0016] FIG. 2: Cushy Wrap Exterior View. Illustrates the presence
and shape of a hood, the location and shapes of the sleeves, and
location and shapes of the regular pockets. The hood at 20, the
sleeves at 22 and the regular pockets at 24.
[0017] FIG. 3: Cushy Wrap Neck Insulation Section Insert.
Illustrates the shape and stitching for the rectangular insulation
section insert to be inserted into the neck insulation section
pocket. The end of the insulation section insert that does not
illustrate stitching represents the location where the insulation
is inserted to fill the insulation section insert. After the
insulation is filled into the insulation section insert, the
stitching is completed in order to lock in the insulation into the
insulation section insert.
[0018] FIG. 4: Cushy Wrap Arm Insulation Section Inserts.
Illustrates the shape and stitching for the rectangular insulation
section inserts to be inserted into the arm insulation section
pockets. The ends of the insulation section insert that does not
illustrate stitching represents the locations where the insulation
is inserted to fill the insulation section insert. The center
section which illustrates a completed stitching section will not
have any insulation. After the insulation is filled into the
insulation section insert, the stitching is completed in order to
lock in the insulation into the insulation section insert.
[0019] FIG. 5: Cushy Wrap Back Insulation Section Inserts.
Illustrates the shape and stitching for the square insulation
section insert to be inserted into the back insulation section
pocket. The ends of the insulation section insert that does not
illustrate stitching is the location where the insulation is
inserted to fill the insulation section insert. After the
insulation is filled into the insulation section insert, the
stitching is completed in order to lock in the insulation into the
insulation section insert.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The Cushy Wrap is manufactured using fabric, thread and the
insulation sections. These insulation sections can be manufactured
using expanded polystyrene beads, memory foam, or shredded memory
foam. All materials used in the manufacturing process of a Cushy
Blanket can be purchased by their respective manufacturers. The
initial step in manufacturing a Cushy Wrap is determining the size
of the blanket. The Cushy Wrap is available in two sizes, child and
adult. Both sized Cushy Wraps will be offered in a variety of
colors using the standard fleece fabric and using the same color
thread as the fabric. The user has the ability to custom order a
Cushy Wrap with any desired fabric material. Additional options
involve the ability to include pocket(s) and a hood onto the
exterior of the Cushy Wrap as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0021] The child sized Cushy Wrap is manufactured using one sheet
of thick fleece fabric 4 feet in length by 4 feet in width. There
will be a total of two sleeves and six insulation section pockets
that are available to be permanently sewn, or allow the user to use
removable insulation section inserts. The sleeves will be sewn to
the blanket using fabric that is 26 inches wide and 22 inches in
length. The blanket will have a 8 inch diameter oval cut out at 6
inches and 14 inches below the top border of the blanket, two
inches from each side of the top back pillow. These fabric
dimensions will create a sleeve with an approximate 8 inch
diameter, leaving one inch for sewing.
[0022] There will be three square insulation sections (upper,
middle and lower back) and three rectangle insulation sections
(neck and arms). The square insulation section pockets will use
fabric measuring 14 inches wide by 10 inches in length. There will
be three square insulation section centered on the blanket, with
one located below the other with a space of two inches between the
bottom of one pocket and the top of the next pocket. The upper back
square insulation section pocket will be centered and sewn at 6
inches and 14 inches below the top border, and at 18 inches from
each side border. The middle and lower back square insulation
section pockets will be sewn at 16 and 24 inches, and 26 and 34
inches below the top border of the blanket. The square insulation
section inserts will measure 12 inches wide by 8 inches in length
by 1 inch thick.
[0023] There will be two arm rectangle insulation section pockets
symmetrically positioned on the blanket. These insulation section
pockets will be manufactured using fabric 18 inches in width by 6
inches in length. These pockets will be sewn with one end along the
side border of the blanket. The arm rectangular insulation section
will be sewn at 16 and 20 inches below the top border of the
blanket, along the side border and 16 inches from the side border.
The arm rectangular insulation section inserts will measure 16
inches wide by 4 inches in length by 1 inch thick. The neck
rectangle insulation section pocket will be manufactured using
fabric 18 inches in width by 6 inches in length. This pocket will
be centered and sewn along the top border of the blanket and 4
inches below the top border, and 16 inches from the side borders.
The neck rectangle insulation section insert will measure 16 inches
in width by 4 inches in length by 1 inch thick.
[0024] The adult sized Cushy Wrap is manufactured using one sheet
of thick fleece fabric 6 feet in length by 6 feet in width. There
will be a total of two sleeves and six insulation section pockets
that are available to be permanently sewn, or allow the user to use
removable insulation section inserts. The sleeves will be sewn to
the blanket using fabric that is 32 inches wide and 30 inches in
length. The blanket will have a 10 inch diameter oval cut out at 7
inches and 17 inches below the top border of the blanket, two
inches from each side of the top back pillow. These fabric
dimensions will create a sleeve with an approximate 10 inch
diameter, leaving one inch for sewing.
[0025] There will be three square insulation sections (upper,
middle and lower back) and three rectangle insulation sections
(neck and arms). The square insulation section pockets will use
fabric measuring 24 inches wide by 14 inches in length. There will
be three square insulation sections centered on the blanket, with
one located below the other with a space of two inches between the
bottom of one pocket and the top of the next pocket. The top square
insulation section pocket will be centered and sewn at 7 inches and
17 inches below the top border, and 26 inches from the side
borders. The other square insulation sections will be sewn between
19 and 29 inches, and 31 and 41 inches below the top border of the
blanket. The back square insulation section inserts will measure 20
inches wide by 10 inches in length by 2 inches thick.
[0026] There will be two arm rectangle insulation section pockets
symmetrically positioned on the blanket. These insulation section
pockets will be manufactured using fabric 25 inches in width by 9
inches in length. These pockets will be sewn with 3 and 24 inches
from the side border of the blanket, and at 19 and 24 inches below
the top border of the blanket. The arm rectangular insulation
section inserts will measure 21 inches wide by 5 inches in length
by 2 inch thick. The neck rectangle insulation section pocket will
be manufactured using fabric 28 inches in width by 9 inches in
length. This pocket will be centered and sewn along the top border
of the blanket and 5 inches below the top border, and 24 inches
from the side borders. The neck rectangle insulation section insert
will measure 24 inches in width by 5 inches in length by 2 inch
thick.
[0027] The standard Cushy Wrap will be manufactured using
insulation section pockets that are not permanently sewn with the
insulation section inserts as illustrated in FIG. 1. All pockets
will be opened and secured closed using either Velcro strips or
buttons. This provides the user the freedom to select which pockets
are filled with the inserts, ensuring optimal comfort and warmth in
any position. Removable insulation section inserts will be sold
either separately, or in package deals with the Cushy Wrap. Custom
ordered Cushy Wraps allow the user to determine which insulation
section pockets are permanently sewn with the corresponding
insulation section inserts, and the positioning of the insulation
section pockets. Two regular pockets will be sewn onto the exterior
of the blanket measuring 6 inches in length by 6 inches in width,
and sewn 12 inches from the side border and 26 inches from the top
border of the blanket. There will also be a hood sewn centered on
the exterior of the blanket along the top border.
[0028] Square and rectangular insulation section inserts will be
filled using any one of the following three materials, expanded
polystyrene beads, shredded or solid memory foam. The parameters
for either three of the materials used as insulation can be
determined by the manufacturer, as the size and density of the
material will produce unique levels of comfort and warmth. The
manufacturer will order the insulation material from their
respective manufacturers with the determined parameters involving
the insulation size, density and volume to fill the insulation
section inserts being manufactured.
[0029] The insulation material is secured into the insulation
section insert using fabric and thread. The standard blended lining
fabric selected by the manufacture will be cut and sewn to the
dimensions illustrated for each insulation section insert. The
insulation section insert fabric is sewn together leaving one end
not sewn as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The back square
insulation section inserts will be sewn vertically every 4 inches
to ensure equal distribution of the insulation material through out
the insert. The end that was not sewn will be utilized to fill the
insert with the insulation material. Expanded polystyrene beads
will loaded into the partially sewn insert either manually using a
funnel, or automatically using a vacuum system that pulls the beads
from the storage silo, through a flexi tube system and out of the
nozzle controlling the flow of beads. Once the insert is filled
with the beads, the insert is sewn shut capturing the beads. A
similar process is used when filling the insert with shredded foam,
except a funnel is not appropriate for manual filling. Solid memory
foam inserts do not require any fabric to cover this material, and
can be directly inserted into the insulation section pockets. The
solid memory foam insulation inserts can be covered by any desired
fabric if custom ordered by the user.
[0030] The Cushy Wrap is manufactured without consideration of the
insulation material used in the inserts. Once the Cushy Wrap size
is selected, the standard thick fleece fabric is cut to the
dimensions of the blanket size being manufactured. Due to the
design of the Cushy Blanket, a fabric roll that is wide enough to
avoid cutting and seaming is recommended. The same fabric is
utilized to cut the sleeves and insulation section pockets to the
dimensions illustrated for each size blanket. Once the fabric is
cut, it will be sewn to the blanket fabric at the locations
illustrated for each size blanket as illustrated in FIG. 1. Once
all fabric is cut and sewn together, the assembly of the Cushy Wrap
is complete. Once the fabric is filled with insulation and
completely sewn together to the dimension illustrated for each size
Cushy Wrap, the insulation section inserts are completed. The
standard Cushy Wrap insulation section is filled with expanded
polystyrene beads no larger than 1 mm in diameter and approximately
2 lbs per cubic foot in density.
[0031] The user will have the ability to custom order a permanently
sewn Cushy Wrap. Under this option, the user will select which
insulation section pockets will be filled with inserts, along with
the size and the location of the insulation section pockets. The
user will also select which type of insulation section insert
material will be utilized. Once these selections are made, the
manufacturer will create a Cushy Wrap, sewing only the insulation
section pockets that were selected, and filling them with the
selected insulation section inserts. The areas of the Cushy Wrap
that do not have a filled insulation section pocket will be absent
of any unfilled insulation section pockets.
* * * * *