Multi-use blanket with attached fastening device

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a blanket that can be used as a nursing shield, as well as a baby blanket. In one embodiment of the present invention, two corners of the blanket contain reversible corner flaps with two sides: a covering side, and an attaching side with one or more attached clips. In a first position, the attachment sides of the corner flaps are exposed and the attached clips can be used to attach the blanket to a nursing woman's clothing to hold the blanket in place while the woman nurses a child. When the corner flaps are folded inside out to a second position, the attached clips become concealed between the corner flaps and the blanket. The clips are out of view and unobtrusive, thus allowing the blanket to be used as a baby blanket.

1 . A blanket comprising: 
 a reversible corner flap having a covering side and an attaching side; and    a fastening device connected to the attaching side of the corner flap, the fastening device on an outer surface of the blanket when the corner flap is in an exposed position and covered when the corner flap is in a concealed position.    
   
   
       2 . The blanket of  claim 1  wherein the fastening device is selected from among: 
 an alligator clip;    a paper-clip-style clip;    a bobby-pin-style clip;    a broach-style pin; and    a magnetic fastener.    
   
   
       3 . The blanket of  claim 1  wherein the corner flap further includes a corner-flap fastener to maintain the corner flap in a concealed position.  
   
   
       4 . The blanket of  claim 3  wherein the corner-flap fastener is selected from among: 
 a hook and loop fastener;    a snap;    a magnetic fastener;    a hook;    string and grommets; and    self-adhesive strips.    
   
   
       5 . The blanket of  claim 1  further including one or more additional corner flaps.  
   
   
       6 . The blanket of  claim 1  wherein one or more additional fastening devices are connected to the corner flap.  
   
   
       7 . A method for shielding a woman nursing a child, the method comprising: 
 providing a blanket with a reversible corner flap having a covering side and an attaching side, and a fastening device connected to the attaching side of the corner flap, the fastening device on an outer surface of the blanket when the corner flap is in an exposed position and covered when the corner flap is in a concealed position;    transitioning the blanket from a concealed position to an exposed position by turning the corner flap inside out;    attaching the fastening device to the clothing of a nursing woman; and    positioning the child under the blanket.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the fastening device is one or more of: 
 an alligator clip;    a paper-clip-style clip;    a bobby-pin-style clip;    a broach-style pin; and    a magnetic fastener.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the corner flap further includes a corner-flap fastener to maintain the corner flap in a concealed position.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the corner-flap fastener is one or more of: 
 a hook and loop fastener;    a snap;    a magnetic fastener;    a hook;    string and grommets; and    self-adhesive strips.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  further including one or more additional corner flaps.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein one or more additional fastening devices are connected to the corner flap.