Beds – Bedclothing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-09-25
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Bedclothing
C005S655000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292962
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to infant oral products and, more specifically, to infant teethers and pacifiers.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Infants universally enjoy sucking and chewing on various “oral elements.” An artificial nipple, commonly termed a “pacifier,” is a primary example. Another example is the large class of “teething” products designed to provide an infant relief from the pain and itching of cutting teeth.
Pacifiers and teething elements come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. However, virtually all pacifiers and teething elements are manufactured and sold as small, individual items. The problem with this is that, when the infant drops the element, the infant is unable to locate and re-grasp the element. This is frustrating for the infant, and it is also frustrating to the infant's caregiver who must go to the infant, relocate the oral element, and re-position the oral element into the infant's hand or mouth.
Another problem with the small individual pacifiers and teething elements of the prior art is that whenever the infant drops the pacifier or teething element, it frequently falls onto the floor, ground or other unsanitary surface.
Attempts have been made to alleviate these problems by attaching the oral element to the infant via some form of tether. Although such tethers tend to prevent the oral element from falling onto an unsanitary surface, they do little to assist the infant in relocating and re-grabbing the device.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simple and inexpensive infant product having an oral element that avoids the above-described problems with the present state of the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a small blanket or towel having the oral element attached directly thereto.
In a typical embodiment, the blanket or towel is a soft woven material having a rectangular shape with an area of at least about 25 square inches. Affixed to one or more of the corners of the blanket/towel is a teething element and/or pacifier.
The invention is conveniently used by draping the blanket/towel across the infant's chest and stomach and by thereafter placing one of the oral elements into the infant's hand. If and when the infant drops the oral element, the infant can frequently relocate the oral element. One reason for this is that the oral element does not tumble off of the infant's body to some location beyond the infant's reach. The natural tendency of the blanket/towel to remain draped across the infant results in the oral element always remaining within the infant's reach. A second reason for the infant's ability to relocate the oral element is that all infants have a natural tendency to grasp and fondle a blanket/towel draped across him or her. When this occurs, the infant also has a natural tendency to thrust the blanket/towel into its mouth. With the instant invention, this frequently results in the infant being able to relocate the oral element and re-position that oral element into its mouth.
The invention thus provides a simple and inexpensive method to minimize tie frustrations felt by both infant and caregiver due to the infant's frequent dropping of its pacifier or teething element. The invention also minimizes the chances that the oral element will be dropped by the infant onto an unsanitary surface, such as on the ground or floor.
These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 62152 (1923-03-01), Stokes
patent: D. 84810 (1931-08-01), Cowen
patent: D. 136167 (1943-08-01), Rubin
patent: D. 145896 (1946-11-01), Grosvenor
patent: D. 147852 (1947-11-01), Hyman
patent: D. 166051 (1952-02-01), Secter
patent: D. 166845 (1952-05-01), Bonafide
patent: D. 264630 (1982-05-01), Nakao et al.
patent: D. 291122 (1987-07-01), Grubb et al.
patent: D. 295654 (1988-05-01), Henn et al.
patent: D. 298958 (1988-12-01), Ulbrich
patent: D. 304237 (1989-10-01), Daykin
patent: D. 331786 (1992-12-01), Nadworny
patent: D. 348171 (1994-06-01), Keller
patent: D. 349345 (1994-08-01), Abrams
patent: D. 349346 (1994-08-01), Abrams
patent: D. 351471 (1994-10-01), Abrams
patent: D. 374468 (1996-10-01), Stevenson
patent: 1659720 (1928-02-01), Cate
patent: 2408735 (1946-10-01), Claflin
patent: 2827055 (1958-03-01), Carden
patent: 3279121 (1966-10-01), White
patent: 3392729 (1968-07-01), Lenoir
patent: 3977121 (1976-08-01), Goldfarb et al.
patent: 4277910 (1981-07-01), Kramer
patent: 4694510 (1987-09-01), Kamrath
patent: 4697589 (1987-10-01), King et al.
patent: 4884991 (1989-12-01), Terzian
patent: 4994075 (1991-02-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5147384 (1992-09-01), La Rocca
patent: 5288257 (1994-02-01), Zacherl
patent: 5344355 (1994-09-01), Silverstein
patent: 5385573 (1995-01-01), Wright
patent: 5507678 (1996-04-01), Chiang
patent: 5522849 (1996-06-01), Xiques et al.
patent: 5551952 (1996-09-01), Falgout
patent: 5649964 (1997-07-01), Berman et al.
patent: 5993285 (1999-11-01), Sofia
patent: 6041950 (2000-03-01), Soehnlein
patent: 985088 (1951-07-01), None
Dunn Steven
Fine Jennifer
Browne Lynne H.
Conley Fredrick
Knoble & Yoshida LLC
Munchkin, Inc.
LandOfFree
Infant blanket with teether/pacifier does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Infant blanket with teether/pacifier, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Infant blanket with teether/pacifier will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2505932