US20080134432A1

US20080134432A1 - "Binket" miniature security blanket with attachment device for a pacifier or other soothing apparatus for children

Info

Publication number: US20080134432A1
Application number: US11/636,792
Authority: US
Inventors: Lorrie R. Brandon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-12-12
Filing date: 2006-12-12
Publication date: 2008-06-12

Abstract

“Binket” A miniature Security blanket with an attachment device to be used to attach a soothing apparatus such as a pacifier or teething toy, to aid in the comforting of children. It consists of two fabric sheets sewn together, small in size to be held by the child and easy for travel. One or both of the sheets preferably is a very soft or silky feeling washable fabric. Additionally, one corner of the blanket body has an attachment device comprised of child friendly material, such as snap ribbon or Velcro to attach a soothing apparatus (such as pacifier of teething device.) The device used to attach a soothing apparatus is firmly attached to the fabric sheets. The attachment device creates a loop which will open and close allowing a pacifier or other soothing toy to be attached and detached.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to child care comfort devices, more exact security blanket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that often times a young child will become attached to a small, personal object as a means of coping with stress. Such a “security” item, which will typically be in the form of a favorite doll or a blanket, can actually provide substantial psychological and physiological benefits, especially when the child is out of the presence of a parent. For example, studies have found that if a child undergoes medical treatment without parents present, the child will be much calmer and more cooperative, and will actually have a reduced heart rate and blood pressure level, if the child has a security blanket or other item in his or her possession during the exam or treatment.
Typically, the chosen security blanket or item will be something with which the child is familiar and uses or plays with every day. Frequently, it will be a crib blanket or baby blanket also used for bedding during nap time or during the night. Although such blankets are functional, both as bedding and as security objects, they are typically disadvantageous for several reasons. The first of these is that the security blankets might not be conveniently portable. Because of the child's affection for the security blanket, it is usually taken along with the child wherever he or she goes. If the particular security blanket is relatively large, this may pose a problem for parents and the child, and the blanket may be dragged along the ground (thus getting dirty), or it may knock things over in stores. Another drawback to traditional blankets is that they may be less than ideally sturdy or appropriate for frequent use. For example, even if a hand-knit baby blanket given as a gift from a grandparent is occasionally used as bedding, parents may want to ensure it survives as a keepsake and is not “loved to death” as a security blanket.
It is also known that many children use other means to comfort themselves. They use pacifiers, suck their thumbs, etc. Parents then have to keep track of the security blanket as well as the pacifier to comfort the child. There are devices to attach the pacifier to the child such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,298, Shefflin. These devices can be cumbersome when they get wrapped around baby's arm, or baby pulls on the ribbon or string the pacifier is attached to. In most cases if a device is not used to attach a pacifier to the child, the pacifier is constantly be lost.
It is also noted that children may even prefer a smaller blanket. Just something soft against their skin the can rub and feel often is enough.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a miniature security blanket that is easily portable, that is sturdy and that includes advantageously feature of allowing a soothing apparatus to be attached to it, with which a parent can use to provide their child with the extra comfort and soothing they may need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a miniature security blanket that provides a comforting experience for young children. Each miniature security blanket preferably comprises two sheets of fabric sewn together to provide a miniature blanket body that is machine washable. Each piece of fabric is preferably soft or silky and may or may not have design. Additionally, an attachment device is sewn into one edge of the miniature blanket body. The attachment device could be snap ribbon which is very durable and is made of polyester and plastic. Other attachment devices can be used such as soft Velcro or string ribbon. The attachment device does not exceed 2 inches so there is no choking hazard.
The present invention provides parents with the option to have their child use their pacifier without worry of losing it or having to use the clips. The child can hold the blanket and rub it between their fingers or hold it to their face, which provides the child with a sense of comfort and relaxation. If the child drops the pacifier, it will be easily identified and easy to grasp.
The present invention is also very attractive to adults purchasing the miniature security blankets for children, for several reasons. First, they are constructed to be safe for young children, thereby making excellent security items that can be used in a safe and conventional manner and that are easily transported (children with security blankets or other security items often wish to bring their items with them to new environments such as school, the doctor's office, or a new babysitter's house). Parents also love the fabrics used, which are top quality soft or silky fabrics. Furthermore, they provide a convenient and non-invasive way to help soothe a child by attaching a pacifier or other comforting toy to the miniature security blanket.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Shows fabric sheet (A). (Size will vary between 5″-10″ not to exceed 10″ in circumference)
FIG. 2. Shows fabric sheet (B). (Size will vary between 5″-10″ not to exceed 10″ in circumference)
FIG. 3. Shows snap ribbon (C). (Shows 3 snaps. Length not to exceed 2 inches)
FIG. 4. Shows (A) and (B) sewn together with a plurality of stitches with snap ribbon (C) attached with a plurality of stitches and unsnapped.
FIG. 5. Shows (A) and (B) same as FIG. 4., snap ribbon (C) is closed
FIG. 6. Shows (A) and (B) same as FIGS. 4 & 5, it also shows and example of the snap ribbon (C) being used to attach a pacifier.

Claims

1. A miniature security blanket with an attachment device to be used to attach a soothing apparatus such as a pacifier or teething toy, to aid in the comforting of small children comprising: a. a fabric blanket body no larger than 10″×10″ having a periphery and comprising: a first fabric sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface; and a second fabric sheet having substantially the same dimensions as the first fabric sheet and b. a single attachment device attached to the fabric body wherein: c. the attachment device extends from about one inch to about two inches past the periphery of the fabric body, such that the attachment device does not create a choking hazard, but are long enough to attach a pacifier or other soothing device for children. The attachment device creates a loop which will open and close allowing a pacifier or other soothing toy to be attached and detached.

2. A miniature security blanket with attachment device to provide comfort for children comprising and having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of the second fabric sheet facing the bottom surface of the first fabric sheet and the second fabric sheet being non-removable attached to the first fabric sheet proximate a common boundary edge of the two sheets such that a peripheral area of the top surface of the first sheet is in contact with a peripheral area of the bottom surface of the second sheet;

b. a single attachment device attached to the fabric body wherein: the attachment device is provided in a number of different patterns, colors, and textures; such as snap ribbon or Velcro, but not limited to those. The attachment device creates a loop which will open and close allowing a pacifier or other soothing toy to be attached and detached.

3. A miniature security blanket with attachment device to provide comfort for children comprising and having a top surface and a bottom surface a. fabric sheets will have different shapes and sizes staying within the spectrum of the original dimensions noted in 1.