Retention container

Abstract

A retention container swaddles an object, such as a baby, by partially immobilizing a generally median region, such as the torso of the object, while still enabling substantially free movement by peripheral regions, such as the head and legs. A panel provides a stable surface for supporting the office. A strap adjustably wraps around the panel and the object positioned on the panel. The strap is configured to apply a pressure proximally to the middle portion of the panel. The pressure is adjustable based on the tightness of the wrap. A barrier forms a contour around the edges of at least a portion of the first end portion, and/or a middle portion, and/or a second end portion of the panel. The barrier provides a pliable, comfortable surface that restricts movement of the object beyond the edges of the panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a generally elongated panel configured to support an object, said panel defined by a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion;   a strap configured to adjustably wrap around said panel and said object positioned on said panel, said strap further configured to apply a pressure proximally to said middle portion of said panel; and   a barrier configured to form a contour around at least a portion of said first end portion, and/or said middle portion, and/or said second end portion,   wherein said strap applies said pressure to a median region of said object while enabling free movement of a peripheral region of said object.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container is configured to swaddle. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , in which said panel is about 21 inches by 13 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein said panel is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein said first end portion is wider than said second end portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , in which said panel comprises edges. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said strap is substantially stretchable. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , in which said strap is about 29 inches by 2.5 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , in which said strap is fabricated from Spandex™, or nylon, or a cotton/polyester blend. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said pressure is formed directly from the tightness of said strap around said object and said panel. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein said barrier is fabricated from cotton and soft filler compost. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , in which said object comprises a baby. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , in which said median region is a torso. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , in which said peripheral region is a head and/or a pair of legs. 
     
     
         15 . A container comprising:
 means for forming a supportive surface for an object;   means for wrapping said supportive means and said object;   means for applying a restrictive pressure on a median region of said object, while enabling unrestricted movement for a peripheral region of said object; and   means for restricting movement beyond said supportive means.   
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , in which said supportive means has a generally elongated shape. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , further containing means for covering said object. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , in which said wrapping means has a length of about 21 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , further containing means for unwrapping said wrapping means from said supportive means. 
     
     
         20 . A container consisting of:
 a generally elongated panel configured to support an object, said object comprising a baby, said panel defined by a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion, wherein said first end portion is wider than said second end portion;   a strap configured to adjustably wrap around said panel and said object positioned on said panel, said strap further configured to apply a pressure proximally to said middle portion of said panel, said pressure adjustable based on the tightness of the wrap; and   a barrier configured to form a contour around said second end portion and a portion of said middle portion, said barrier comprising a generally pliable composition,   wherein said strap applies said pressure to a median region of said object while enabling free movement of a peripheral region of said object.