Weighted blanket for medical and dental use

Abstract

A weighted blanket having a weighted insert positioned between two outer layers with said weighted insert having a plurality of sealed pockets.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority on Provisional Application No. 63 / 539,001 filed on Sep. 18, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] This Invention relates to the field of weighted blankets that are used to calm patients who experience stress and anxiety when undergoing dental or medical treatment.

[0003] Weighted blankets provide calming relief and comfort for patients. Weighted blankets are traditionally made with soft, fibrous materials and are meant for home applications. The subject weighted blanket will be used in dental or medical settings to provide calming relief and comfort for patients, including patients with anxiety, who are undergoing dental or medical care. It is produced with high quality medical grade fabrics and materials that will be resistant to bacteria, waterproof, and able to withstand regular use of chemical cleaning products.

[0004] Weighted blankets are typically used in home applications and are either washable or have a cover that is washable. For medical and dental office use, the inventors have developed a disposable cover to serve as a sanitary barrier. A sanitary barrier will be required in dental and medical settings to protect the patient, provide comfort, and maintain the hygiene of the blanket for re-use with follow-on patients.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The subject blanket is configured to easily fit onto a patient's body while the patient sitting in a medical bed or dental chair. There are two sizes of the blanket that will fit the majority of adults and children. There is a cut out for the patients neck area with flaps that will cover the patient's shoulders, with the main section covering the body from the torso to the upper leg area.

[0006] The blanket is comprised of a weighted insert having a plurality of weighted pockets positioned within two outer layers or covers. The weighted blanket helps to reduce a patient's anxiety and bring down cortisol levels.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the subject invention;

[0008] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the subject invention;

[0009] FIG. 2A is a front side view of one embodiment of the subject invention;

[0010] FIG. 2B is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the subject invention;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of a cross section of one embodiment of the subject invention;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the subject invention;DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The subject weighted blanket is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The blanket 10 is generally rectangular in shape. The blanket 10 is formed with a cut-out portion 12 in the neck area of the blanket and rounded corners at the bottom of the blanket. Shoulder flaps 14 and 16 are formed on each side of the neck cutout 12. The blanket is designed to cover the patient from the neck and shoulder area down to the mid-section or waist area. An indentation 18 is formed in the side of the blanket to allow room to the patient to use his or her arm. The blanket is formed of a first outer layer 20 and a second outer layer 22. A weighted insert 24 is positioned between the two outer layers as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The combination of the outer layers and inner weighted insert are sealed together with a binding tape 26 or other binding known to those skilled in the art. The binding tape extends around the entire periphery of the blanket.

[0014] The exterior material is made from medical-grade synthetic nylon fabric that is waterproof and resistant to the use of cleaning products. A nylon binding tape 26 is used to seal weighted insert 24 between the blanket outer layers 20 and 22. There are no openings in the blanket 10 and the weighted insert is permanently sealed between outer layers 20 and 22.

[0015] As discussed above, the weighted blanket will preferably come in two sizes, one for adults and one for children.

[0016] The weighted insert 24 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The weighted insert 24 is filled with a glass beads which are encased in a non-woven polypropylene fabric. In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4 for the adult or larger blanket, the insert is comprised of 112 individual sealed pockets. Six of the pockets are empty. These are the pockets on the outer most edges of the blanket. The remaining pockets are filled with glass beads to provide weight to the blanket. In a preferred embodiment of the adult blanket the upper four pockets are filled with 3.2 ounces per pocket of the glass beads. The 16 pockets positioned just below and on each side of the neck are filled with 0.7 ounces per pocket of glass beads. The 12 pockets positioned across the waist over area of the blanket are filled with 1.0 ounces of glass beads per pocket. The remaining 76 pockets are each filled with 1.6 ounces of glass beads. The total weight of the blanket is 160 ounces or ten (10) pounds. Those skilled in the art will understand that fillers other than glass beads can be used. Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand the different weights of glass beads can be used provided the heavier weighted pockets are proportionally heavier than the remaining pockets.

[0017] In the child or smaller blanket shown in FIG. 3 there are a total of 81 pockets. There are ten (10) empty pockets which are positioned around the periphery of the blanket. There are four (4) pockets positioned at upper end of blanket, two on each side of the neck cut out. These are each filled with 1.6 ounces of glass beads. Below these are positioned twelve (12) pockets each which is filled with 0.5 ounces of glass beads. As shown in FIG. 3, twelve (12) pockets are positioned across the waist area of the blanket. Each of these is filled with 0.5 ounces of glass beads. The remaining 43 pockets are each filled with 1.4 ounces of glass beads. The total weight of the blanket is 80 ounces or five (5) pounds.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment the overall length of the adult blanket is approximately 44.8 inches while the width is 28.8 inches. The cut-out for the neck is 9.6 inches deep and 6.4 inches wide.

[0019] In the children's size blanket, the overall length is approximately 35.2 inches and the width is 25.6 inches. While the neck cut-out is 6.4 inches deep and 6.4 inches wide.

[0020] Those skilled in the art will understand that the dimensions or sizes of the blankets can be adjusted to accommodate patients of various sizes.

[0021] Although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the preferred embodiments and drawings thereof, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the detailed description and the accompanying drawings as set forth hereinabove are not intended to limit the breadth of the present invention.

Claims

1. A weighted blanket comprising:a weighted insert containing a plurality of sealed pockets wherein a majority of said sealed pockets are filled with weighted material;a first outer cover and a second outer cover where the weighted insert is sealed between said first and second outer covers; wherein a cut-out is provided in the upper portion of the blanket,2. The weighted blanket of claim 1 wherein, the sealed pockets are filled with glass beads.

3. The weighted blanket of Claim 1 wherein the blanket weighs approximately five pounds.

4. The weighted blanket of claim 1 wherein the blanket weighs approximately ten pounds.

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