Patent Application
20220256940
The present invention relates to a blanket.
Conventionally, among blankets used for protecting an infant from the cold, there are blankets that can be used not only as coverlets but which can also be used attached to a carrier such as a baby sling or a stroller. In order that the feet of the infant not be exposed when using a carrier, a blanket that is provided with a pouch-like feet insertion part (see Patent Literature 1) and a blanket that is capable of taking the form of a pouch by drawing a string (see Patent Literature 2), and the like, have been proposed.
Furthermore, a blanket with which a pouch-like containing section can be temporarily formed by folding back the lower section of the blanket and closing the two sides using buttons has been proposed. For example, there is a blanket that is provided with locking members such as snap buttons on the two left and right sides of the lower section of a substantially square blanket, and that is capable, by folding the blanket so as to engage the locking members, of maintaining a folded state in which the feet of the infant are wrapped (see Patent Literature 3).
A blanket of the type that temporarily forms a containing section as mentioned above is capable of wrapping the feet of an infant by being folded back when used for a carrier and can be used as a coverlet such as a lap robe by unfolding the fold. The blanket can be used in forms that cater to multiple applications and is therefore highly convenient.
However, the buttons sometimes come undone due to the vigorous movement of the infant. For example, in the case of the blanket disclosed in Patent Literature 3 above, while a locking member and a locked member are made to engage with each other, if the feet of the infant make contact with the area of engagement, there is a large load during contact and disengagement sometimes occurs. Furthermore, because the area between the locking member and the folding position is open, the feet of the infant are sometimes exposed via the open area, thus rendering the cold protection performance inadequate.
An object of the present invention is to provide a blanket that readily maintains a folded state and that exhibits superior cold protection properties.
According to an aspect of the present invention, provided is a blanket (100A, 100B) that includes a first button group (31) on the two left and right sides of the lower section of the blanket (100A, 100B), in which the first button group (31) includes an upper button group (31a) and a lower button group (31b), the upper and lower button groups (31a, 31b) each including one or more buttons, an engagement part of the upper button group (31a) and an engagement part of the lower button group (31b) are provided on mutually different surfaces of the blanket (100A, 100B), and the lower section of the blanket (100A, 100B) is folded back and the upper button group (31a) and the lower button group (31b) engage with each other, thereby maintaining the folded state of the blanket (100A, 100B).
The present invention is capable of providing a blanket that readily maintains a folded state and that exhibits superior cold protection properties.
An embodiment of the blanket of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. The configuration described hereinbelow is an example (a representative example) of an implementation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to or by the configuration described hereinbelow. Note that, in the following description, up is referred to as direction Y1 in the drawings, and down is referred to as direction Y2 in the drawings. Further, right is referred to as direction X1 in the drawings, and left is referred to as direction X2 in the drawings.
The blanket 100A is versatile as a cold protection tool and can be used as a coverlet such as a swaddle blanket or a lap robe, for example. Furthermore, the blanket 100A can also be used attached to an infant carrier such as a baby sling, a stroller, or a child seat. The blanket 100A is substantially square when unfolded but is capable, by folding back the lower section of the blanket 100A, of temporarily forming a pouch-like containing section that wraps around the feet of an infant.
As illustrated in
Although there are no particular restrictions on the raw materials of the outer fabric 1A and the lining fabric 1B, raw materials which exhibit superior heat retention, waterproofing, and windproofing characteristics, or the like, may be used as the outer fabric 1A such as, for example, nylon, polyester, or other such synthetic fabrics.
Raw materials which exhibit a superior texture, flexibility, and heat retention, and so forth, such as fleece, boa, cotton, or the like, for example, may be used as the lining fabric 1B.
The blanket 100A includes a plurality of buttons such as a first button group 31, which is described subsequently. The various buttons used for the blanket 100A are, for example, snap buttons and are arranged in pairs, namely, a male button which has a protruding engagement part and a female button which has a recessed engagement part.
In
(First Button Group)
The first button group 31 is provided on the two left and right sides, respectively, of the lower section of the blanket body 1. The first button group 31 includes a button group 31a which is disposed on the upper side and a button group 31b which is disposed on the lower side.
The blanket 100A is folded back in a folding position J so that the lining fabric 1B is on the inside, and the button groups 31a and 31b engage with each other, thereby maintaining the folded state of the blanket 100A. Due to the feet of an infant being contained by the pouch-like containing section formed by the lower section of the blanket 100A as a result of this folding, the feet can be wrapped and cold protection properties are improved.
The engagement part of the upper button group 31a and the engagement part of the lower button group 31b are arranged on mutually different sides of the blanket 100A. Hence, the section where the upper button group 31a of the blanket body 1 is disposed and the folded section where the lower button group 31b is disposed are layered one atop the other so that the outer fabric 1A and the lining fabric 1B face each other when the foregoing engagement parts are made to engage with each another.
In the present embodiment, the engagement part of the upper button group 31a is disposed on the surface on a lining fabric 1B side and the engagement part of the lower button group 31b is disposed on the surface on an outer fabric 1A side, but the relationship between the arranged surfaces may also be reversed. Further, although the engagement part of the upper button group 31a is recessed and the engagement part of the lower button group 31b is protruding, the relationship between the shapes which are to engage with one another may also be reversed. When the engagement part disposed on the lining fabric 1B is recessed, there is minimal discomfort during contact with the engagement part, which is preferable.
The protruding engagement part of the lower button group 31b disposed on the surface on the outer fabric 1A side engages with the recessed engagement part of the upper button group 31a disposed on the surface on the lining fabric 1B side, thereby maintaining the folded state.
Thus, with the arrangement according to the present embodiment, the button groups 31a and 31b are not engaged simply in a folded state, rather, the same are engaged in a state in which the two left and right ends of the blanket body 1 where the button groups 31a and 31b are disposed, respectively, are layered one atop the other. The engagement parts of the button groups 31a and 31b are located between the sections of the blanket body 1 which are layered one atop the other, and since the area of engagement is not exposed inside the containing section, the feet of the infant can be prevented from making direct contact with the area of engagement inside the containing section.
Thus, the burden that acts during contact is alleviated, thus enabling disengagement to be suppressed and facilitating maintenance of the folded state. Furthermore, the opening between the two left and right sides of the containing section can be closed by the layering of the blanket body 1, thereby further enhancing the cold protection properties.
According to the present embodiment, the number of buttons in the upper button group 31a, which is four, is greater than the number of buttons in the lower button group 31b, which is three. Hence, three buttons for engagement with the lower button group 31b are selected from among the four buttons constituting the upper button group 31a, enabling the folding position J to be varied.
Thus, the length in the vertical direction of the blanket 100A in a folded state can be adjusted to suit the height of the infant, the height of the stroller seat surface, and so forth. For example, the length in the vertical direction of the blanket 100A can be shortened by selecting three upper buttons, and can be lengthened by selecting three lower buttons, from among the four buttons constituting the button group 31a.
Note that the number of buttons constituting each of the button groups 31a and 31b may also be the same. In this case, the folding position J may be adjusted by engaging some rather than all of the upper button group 31a and lower button group 31b.
A pair of sixth buttons 36a and 36b are arranged in the center in a left-right direction of the lower section of the blanket body 1. The pair of sixth buttons 36a and 36b are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the folding position J, respectively.
By causing each of the button groups 31a and 31b to engage with each other and the pair of sixth buttons 36a and 36b to engage with each other, it is possible to maintain the folded state of the blanket 100A more stably and prevent sagging of the center of the folded section.
Further, because the opening on the upper side of the folded section is partially closed, the cold protection properties are further enhanced. Furthermore, because the pouch-like containing section formed by the folding is divided in the left-right direction, both feet of the infant can be accommodated separately.
(Loop-Forming Sections)
Loop-forming sections 4L and 4R are provided on the two left and right sides, respectively, of the upper section of the blanket body 1. The loop-forming sections 4L and 4R form a loop for attaching the blanket 100A to an infant carrier such as a baby sling, a stroller, or child seat of a car or a bicycle. The loop-forming sections 4L and 4R each include an attachment member 41, a pair of second buttons 32a and 32b, and a pair of third buttons 33a and 33b.
The attachment member 41 of the present embodiment is a strap-shaped member that extends upward from the blanket body 1. The attachment member 41 may also extend to the two left and right sides of the blanket body 1. The attachment member 41 forms a loop by winding around an attachment-receiving member such as a band, belt, or frame of the carrier, and the blanket 100A is capable of attaching to the carrier as a result of the pair of second buttons 32a and 32b being made to engage with each other or the pair of third buttons 33a and 33b being made to engage with each other.
Of the pair of second buttons 32a and 32b, the second button 32a is disposed at the end of the attachment member 41 on the opposite side from the blanket body 1, and the second button 32b is disposed at the two left and right ends of the upper section of the blanket body 1.
Of the pair of third buttons 33a and 33b, the third button 33a is disposed close to the center of the attachment member 41, and the third button 33b is disposed toward the center in the left-right direction of the upper section of the blanket body 1.
The loop-forming section 4R resulting from the second buttons 32a and 32b engaging with each other and the loop-forming section 4L resulting from the third buttons 33a and 33b engaging with each other are illustrated in
On the other hand, when the third buttons 33a and 33b are made to engage with each other as per the loop-forming section 4L, because the two left and right sides of the blanket 100A are folded back toward the center in the left-right direction, the length of the blanket 100A in the left-right direction is then shortened.
Hence, the pair of second buttons 32a and 32b can be suitably used for attachment to a large carrier such as a stroller, and the pair of third buttons 33a and 33b can be suitably used for attachment to a small carrier such as a baby sling. Thus, the size of the blanket 100A at the time of attachment can be adjusted to suit the size of the carrier.
The second button 32a disposed on the attachment member 41 and the third button 33b disposed on the blanket body 1 do not engage with each other. For example, the respective engagement parts of the second button 32a and third button 33b are both the same recessed shape and do not engage with each other. Likewise, the third button 33a disposed on the attachment member 41 and the second button 32b disposed on the blanket body 1 both have an engagement part with the same protruding shape and do not engage with each other.
It is therefore possible to prevent buttons which do not form a pair from engaging with each other in error and to prevent a situation where the length of the blanket 100A in the left-right direction is unsuitable for a stroller or baby sling. Note that the recessed and protruding shapes of the engagement parts need not be the same, rather, the sizes and structures of the engagement parts can be varied in order to prevent the same from engaging with each other.
The second buttons 32a and 32b differ from the third buttons 33a and 33b in their appearance, such as in their color, pattern, size, or shape. It is thus easy to distinguish buttons which form pairs. For example, the second buttons 32a and 32b can be made white, the third buttons 33a and 33b can be made yellow, and the diameter of the second buttons 32a and 32b can be made larger than that of the third buttons 33a and 33b.
(Expandable Section)
An expandable section 5 is provided on each of the two left and right sides of the upper section of the blanket body 1. The size of a carrier in the left-right direction may differ depending on the manufacturer and so forth even for the same kind of carrier and may not match the size of the blanket 100A in the left-right direction when same is attached to the carrier. A match with the size of the carrier can be achieved through an expansion/contraction of the expandable section 5 even in such cases, thereby enhancing the versatility of the blanket 100A.
The expandable section 5 of the present embodiment is formed by providing an opening for an elastic tape to the upper end of the blanket body 1 and passing the elastic tape through the inside thereof. However, there are no restrictions on the method for forming the expandable section 5 as long as the same is expandable.
(Clasp Member)
The blanket 100A includes a clasp member 6 for storage and a pair of fourth buttons 34a and 34b. The clasp member 6 is a strap-shaped member that extends from the blanket body 1. The clasp member 6 of the present embodiment extends to the right (in direction X1) of the blanket body 1, but there are no particular restrictions on the direction of extension, which may also be to the left (direction X2) or downward (direction Y2).
The fourth button 34a is disposed on the clasp member 6 and the fourth button 34b is disposed on the blanket body 1. The fourth button 34b is located in the center in the left-right direction of the blanket body 1 and has a position in the vertical direction which corresponds to the clasp member 6. The engagement parts of the fourth buttons 34a and 34b are disposed on mutually different surfaces of the blanket 100A.
By rolling up the blanket 100A in the left-right direction after folding the same once or a plurality of times in the vertical direction and causing the pair of fourth buttons 34a and 34b to engage with each other, the rolled-up state of the blanket 100A is maintained. Thus, storing and carrying the blanket 100A is straightforward.
(Pocket)
A tunnel-shaped pocket 7 is provided on the outer fabric 1A side of the blanket 100A. The pocket 7 includes pocket openings 71, which are two openings connecting a tunnel. If the blanket 100A is attached to a baby sling, the person wearing the baby sling is able to place their hands inside the pocket 7 for protection from the cold. The infant, who is being supported by the baby sling, can also be supported by the hands inside the pocket 7.
(Hood)
The hood 10 is formed in a dome shape with an open bottom, and part of the open peripheral edge is removably attached to the upper end of the blanket body 1. The blanket 100A according to the present embodiment includes a pair of seventh button groups 37a and 37b for attaching the hood 10.
The seventh button 37a is disposed on part of the open peripheral edge of the hood 10, for example, on the semiperimeter of the peripheral edge, and the seventh button 37b is disposed at the upper end of the blanket body 1.
The seventh buttons 37a and 37b engage with each other, enabling the hood 10 to be attached to the blanket body 1. Note that the hood 10 may also be removably attached to the blanket body 1 using clasps other than buttons, such as fasteners.
The hood 10 includes a fifth button 35 which is disposed at the top of the head. The fifth button 35 includes an engagement part that engages with the fourth button 34b disposed on the blanket body 1 for storage purposes.
The fifth button 35 and the fourth button 34b engage with each other, enabling the hood 10 to be secured to the blanket body 1. Note that, as long as the hood 10 can be secured, the placement position of the fifth button 35 is not restricted to the top of the head.
(Usage Example 1)
The lower section of the blanket 100A is folded back and each of the button groups 31a and 31b engage with each other, thereby forming a containing section for the feet of the infant. The openings on the two left and right sides of the two left and right ends of the containing section are closed when the folded sections of the blanket body 1 are layered one atop the other, thereby enhancing the cold protection properties.
Furthermore, the fourth button 34b and the fifth button 35 engage with each other to secure the hood 10 to the blanket body 1 so that the hood 10 does not flap near the head of the infant when not in use.
(Usage Example 2)
Like the baby sling C1, in the case of the stroller C2, the lower section of the blanket 100A is folded back and each of the button groups 31a and 31b engage with each other, thereby forming a containing section for the feet of the infant. Further, the sixth buttons 36a and 36b engage with each other, and the containing section for the feet of the infant is divided into containing sections for the right and left feet, respectively. The upper opening of the containing section is partially closed due to this engagement, thus further enhancing the cold protection properties.
As mentioned earlier, for the blanket 100A according to the present embodiment, the button groups 31a and 31b engage with each other, thereby maintaining a state in which the lower section of the blanket 100A is folded back. The engagement parts of the upper button group 31a and lower button group 31b are arranged on mutually different sides of the blanket body 1.
Hence, the respective engagement parts of the button groups 31a and 31b are each located between the arranged sections of the blanket body 1 and are not exposed to the folded inner side. That is, because the engagement parts are not in direct contact with the feet of the infant, disengagement caused by the vigorous movement of the infant does not readily occur, thereby facilitating maintenance of the folded state.
Further, the pair of second buttons 32a and 32b and the pair of third buttons 33a and 33b, which are provided for attachment to a carrier, differ from one another in their appearance and do not engage with each other. Accordingly, it is easy to distinguish between the second buttons 32a and 32b for a stroller and the third buttons 33a and 33b for a baby sling, and engagement due to erroneous pairing thereof can also be prevented.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, rather, various transformations and modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.
(Modification Example 1)
Although the attachment member 41 of the blanket 100A is strap-shaped, as long as it is possible to form a loop for winding around the carrier, an attachment member which is triangular, substantially square, or another shape, may also be used.
The attachment member 42 has a right-angled triangle shape of which one of the two sides forming the right angle is attached to the blanket body 1 and the other side of which extends toward the two left and right sides of the blanket body 1.
The second button 32a and the third button 33a are arranged at the upper end of the attachment member 42, and the second button 32b and the third button 33b are arranged at the upper end of the blanket body 1. In the case of the blanket 100B, the expandable section 5 is disposed not only on the blanket body 1 but also at the upper end of the attachment member 42.
The second button 32a is disposed at the two left and right ends of the attachment member 42, and the second button 32b is disposed at the two left and right ends of the blanket body 1. The third button 33a is disposed in the center in the left-right direction of the attachment member 42, and the third button 33b is disposed toward the center in the left-right direction of the blanket body 1.
The length of the blanket 100B in the left-right direction when the second buttons 32a and 32b are made to engage with each other is greater than the length when the third buttons 33a and 33b are made to engage with each other. Accordingly, as per the foregoing embodiment, the second buttons 32a and 32b can be suitably used for a stroller and the third buttons 33a and 33b for a baby sling.
(Modification Example 2)
The blankets 100A and 100B are formed substantially square, and the button groups 31a and 31b are arranged vertically in one row. However, as long as the engagement part of the upper button group 31a and the engagement part of the lower button group 31b are arranged on mutually different sides of the blankets 100A and 100B respectively, there are no particular restrictions on the blanket shape and button placement.
For example, the blanket body 1 is formed such that the lower side thereof protrudes further from a folding position J than the upper side thereof in the left-right direction, and the lower button group 31b may be disposed on this protruding section. The button groups 31a and 31b can be made to engage with each other by folding back the lower section of the blanket body 1 and folding back further the protruding section of the folded section.
In this case also, by arranging the engagement part of the upper button group 31a and the engagement part of the lower button group 31b on mutually different surfaces of the blanket body 1, disengagement can be discouraged from occurring.
(Modification Example 3)
Although the upper button group 31a and the lower button group 31b of the blankets 100A and 100B each include a plurality of buttons and therefore disengagement is discouraged, which is preferable, the number of buttons which the button groups 31a and 31b each include may also be one.
The present application claims a right of priority on the basis of Japanese Patent No. 2019-121861, which is a Japanese Patent Application which was filed on Jun. 28, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-121861 | Jun 2019 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2020/022797 | 6/10/2020 | WO |
