US20060200906A1

US20060200906A1 - Pillow blanket

Info

Publication number: US20060200906A1
Application number: US11/432,961
Authority: US
Inventors: Diane Deering; Bradley Deering
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-03-13
Filing date: 2006-05-11
Publication date: 2006-09-14
Also published as: US20020129445A1

Abstract

A pillow blanket comprises a blanket, foot pocket and a pair of sleeves. The foot pocket is made of a pocket panel secured at the side and bottom edges of the panel to the middle third portion of the blanket and the bottom edge of the blanket. A pair of sleeves is attached respectively to the perimeter of a pair of sleeve apertures in the blanket. The sleeve apertures have an oblong shape and oblique orientation. The blanket can be folded into the foot pocket to form a symmetrical pillow.

Description

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/805,539 filed Mar. 13, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to blankets that can be converted into a pillow without a stuff sack. More particularly, this invention pertains to blankets used in a seated or standing position that wraps from the anterior to the posterior of the user.
A variety of blanket constructions for use in an upright position evolved over many years. To keep a person warm while sitting upright in a chair or wheel chair, it is known to provide children with sleepers and also to provide sleeping bag-like structures with sleeves attached. However the restrictions presented by the use of a sleeper or bag would not work for a wheelchair bound person. Also, it is known to provide a blanket having one pocket permanently attached to one elongated edge of a blanket for permitting the blanket to be folded, rolled and tucked into the pocket to convert the blanket into a pillow as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,667 to Haverly et al. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,717 to Rudy that provides a blanket with sleeves to facilitate reading a book and a pocket attached to the blanket. More commonly, a regular blanket is draped over the front side of an elderly wheelchair patient's lap to warm lap and legs. However, known blanket constructions have several drawbacks.
Traditional blankets require an extra article for storage, the stuff sack itself, which can be inconvenient to find or use. A blanket that can be folded into a pillow oftentimes looks sloppy, asymmetrical and lumpy. Some blanket users in a wheelchair complain of cold feet with a blanket that doesn't extend down far enough to cover their feet or fails to remain covered. Other times the blanket is too long and gets caught underneath the front wheels of the wheelchair. Some stiff or immobile blanket users are forced to depend upon and wait for support staff assistance to tuck the blanket underneath the feet repeatedly. Many of the known blanket constructions employ the full wrap-around design which is extremely troublesome with wheelchair, bedridden, or incontinent users. Even if a full wrap-around design is not used, hard to reach and to manipulate straps, strings, and other connecting means are commonly used and located on the upright user's back to keep the blanket from failing forward or off that sitting or standing user.
A new blanket construction is needed to overcome those disadvantages and to provide an easier way of putting on, keeping on, and taking off a blanket, while providing more warmth protection to the upright user's anterior and lateral sides, from the user's neck down through the arms and legs to the feet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide a blanket construction for a variety of users engaged in a variety of activities, including a hospital patient in a wheelchair crocheting, a student in a dorm room studying, a driver in an initially cold car traveling in winter, or a spectator seated at a fall outdoor sporting event.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a blanket that reduces exposed areas over a wheelchair patient's neck, arms or feet.
A further objective is to provide a blanket that is easier for another person, such as a hospital support staff member, to put on and to take off an upright user.
An additional objective is to provide a blanket constructed to be easier to put on and kept on by a stiff or impaired mobility wearer.
A related objective of the invention is to provide a blanket which is firmly held over and onto the user's arms during normal work and play activities by the seated user without the need to tie strings or use retaining clips, safety pins and the like.
A further objective of the invention is to provide a blanket which is easily and neatly folded into a pillow, allowing the user to create a symmetrical pillow for decoration or for use as a headrest, footrest, lumbar support, seat cushion or lap tray.
The pillow blanket is used for covering from neck to feet the user in an upright position. The pillow blanket comprises a blanket, foot pocket, and pair of sleeves. The substantially rectangular blanket has a first surface and a second surface. The blanket also has two opposing first and second side edges and two opposing top and bottom edges that are shorter than the two opposing side edges. The blanket has a first rounded corner at the intersection of the bottom edge and the first side edge of the blanket. The blanket also has a second rounded corner at the intersection of the bottom edge and the second side edge of the blanket both for improving the result of folding the blanket into the foot pocket.
The blanket defines a pair of sleeve apertures in the half portion of the blanket adjacent to the top edge of the blanket. Each of the sleeve apertures has an oblong shape for facilitating freedom of arm movement within the sleeve. Each of the sleeve apertures has an oblique orientation relative to a horizontal centerline to facilitate arm movement. The horizontal centerline is defined by a line that runs through the pair of sleeves and is parallel to the top edge of the blanket. The first and second sleeve apertures are spaced apart along the horizontal centerline at a predetermined length so that the blanket lies flat across the chest of the user. The blanket also has a neck portion. The neck portion has predetermined length between each of the pair of sleeves and the top edge of the blanket so that the neck portion covers the user's neck without the need of fasteners.
The foot pocket is formed by a pocket panel and the second surface of the blanket. The pocket panel has two sides, two opposing first and second edges, and two opposing top and bottom edges. The pocket panel is connected to the first surface of the blanket at the first edge, second edge, and bottom edge of the pocket panel. The bottom edge of the pocket panel coincides with both the middle third portion of and the bottom edge of the blanket for warming feet and for converting the blanket into a pillow. The width of the pocket panel is approximately a third of the width of the blanket.
First and second sleeves are connected to the perimeter of respective first and second apertures on the blanket. The pair of first and second sleeves each includes an expandable first and second cuff for accommodating a variety of sleeve lengths and fist sizes.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be readily understood by a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures of the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been applied to designate like elements throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pillow blanket of the present invention in use with a person seated on a wheelchair;
FIG. 2 is a front plan view of an embodiment of the invention showing the foot pocket and cuffed sleeves;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open pillow blanket, viewed from the opposite side shown in FIG. 2, showing the starting position in a process of forming the blanket into a pillow;
FIG. 4 is a step, subsequent to the step in FIG. 3, which includes tucking the rounded corners into the pocket and folding the blanket lengthwise into thirds;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a step, subsequent to the step in FIG. 4; which includes folding the first and second sleeves over the middle third portion of the blanket 12; and,
FIG. 6 shows the last step of folding the blanket into four equal sections and tucking the folded pillow blanket into the foot pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pillow blanket 10 of the present invention, as opposed to a mere blanket, is depicted as including a blanket 12, pocket structure 18 a, a foot pocket 18 b, and a pair of first and second sleeves 70, 72. The pillow blanket invention is used for putting on, taking off, and keeping on without fasteners, a covering from neck to feet of a user in an upright position. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the pillow blanket 10 is generally rectangular in shape and is made of any suitable material such as fleece.
The substantially rectangular blanket 12 of the pillow blanket 10 has a first surface 20 and a second surface 22. The blanket 12 is defined by two opposing first and second side edges 24, 26 and two opposing top and bottom edges 28, 30, which are shorter than the two opposing side edges 24, 26. The blanket 12 can be folded into three equal portions; a middle portion 80 and two side portions 82, 84, with the middle third portion 80 of blanket 12 coincident with the longitudinal centerline 36 and defined by the longitudinal fold lines 86, 88 best seen in FIG. 4. The blanket 12 has a first rounded corner 32 at the intersection of the bottom edge 30 and the first side edge 24 of the blanket 12. The blanket 12 also has a second rounded corner 34 at the intersection of the bottom edge 30 and the second side edge 26 of the blanket 12 for improving the ease of tucking the blanket 12 into the foot pocket 18 b.
The blanket 12 also defines a pair of first and second sleeve apertures 40, 50. The sleeve apertures 40, 50 are located in the half portion of the blanket 12 adjacent to the top edge 28 of the blanket 12. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second sleeve apertures 40, 50 have an oblong shape for facilitating improved freedom of arm movement within the sleeve. The oblong shape of each of the sleeve apertures 40, 50 has an oblique orientation relative to a horizontal centerline 38 to accommodate a wider range of arm movement. The horizontal centerline 38 defines a line that runs through the first sleeve aperture 40 and second sleeve aperture 50, is parallel to the top edge 28 of the said blanket 12 and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline 36.
The first and second sleeve apertures 70, 72 are spaced apart along the horizontal centerline 38 at a predetermined length, such as 2 feet, so that the blanket 12 lies flat across the chest of the user. The blanket 12 also provides a neck portion 52. The neck portion has a predetermined length, such as one foot, between either the first or second sleeve apertures 40, 50 and the top edge 28 of the blanket 12 so that the neck portion 52 covers the user's neck without the need for fasteners.
The foot pocket 18 b of the pillow blanket 10 is formed by the second surface 22 of the blanket and pocket panel 16. More specifically, the pocket panel 16, which is attached to the first surface 20 of the blanket, has a first surface 21, a second surface 23, two opposing first and second side edges 62, 64, and opposing top and bottom edges 68, 66 as best seen in FIG. 2. Note, in FIG. 2, that when the pillow blanket is unfolded for use as a blanket, the first surface 21 of panel 16 forms an exterior surface of pocket structure 18 a. In one embodiment, the pocket panel 16 is attached to the first surface 20 of blanket 12 at the first side edge 62, the second side edge 64, and bottom edge 66 of the pocket panel 19. The bottom edge 66 of the pocket panel 16 substantially coincides with both the middle third portion 80 and the bottom edge 30 of the blanket 12, and the side edges 62, 64 of the pocket panel substantially coincide with the longitudinal fold lines 86, 88. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the pocket panel 16 has a generally square shape. Similarly, the width of the pocket panel 16 would be approximately ⅓ of the width of the blanket 12, as generally defined by the distance between the first and second side edges 24, 26 of the blanket 12.
A pair of first and second sleeves 70, 72 is also provided by the pillow blanket 10. Each of the first and second sleeves 70 and 72 is connected to the perimeter of the respective first and second sleeve apertures 40, 50 on the first surface 20 of blanket 12. The first sleeve 70 includes an expandable first cuff 74 for accommodating a variety of sleeve lengths and cuff widths. Similarly the second sleeve 72 includes an expandable cuff 76 for narrow or wide wrists, and slender or swollen, arthritically gnarled fists.
One working example for a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a blanket 12 having a width of about 60 inches and a length of about 72 inches. Along the elongated longitudinal axis of the first sleeve aperture 40 is a distance of about 13 inches from the top of first sleeve aperture 42 to the bottom of first sleeve aperture 44. The second sleeve aperture 50 generally has the same distance of about 13 inches but not necessarily the same orientation as the first sleeve aperture 40. The first sleeve 70 has a length of about 21 inches from the first sleeve aperture to the outer most edge of the first cuff 74. The diameter of the expandable first cuff 74 is about 5 inches and the length of the first cuff 74 is about 2.5 inches. The spaced apart distance of the chest portion 54 measured between the first sleeve aperture 40 and the second sleeve aperture 50 is on the order of about 24 inches. The neck portion 52 of the blanket from the horizontal centerline 38 to the top edge 28 of the blanket is about 12 inches. The longitudinal length of the pocket panel 16 is defined by the first and second side edges 62, 64, which have dimensions of about 18 inches. Similarly, the top edge 68 and bottom edge 66, which define the width of the panel 16, would also have dimensions of about 18 inches.
One preferred way of making the pocket structure 18 a is to provide a blanket 12 having a top edge 28 of about 60 inches, a length of about 72 inches, first and second rounded corners 32, 34, and an extended flap in the outline of the pocket panel 16, with the pocket panel 16 having a length of about 18 inches and a width of about 18 inches. Next, fold the pocket panel 16 upwardly and stitch the pocket panel 16 to the first surface 20 of the blanket 12 at the first edge 62 and the second edge 64 of the pocket panel 16. The folded bottom edge 66 of the pocket panel 16 has a substantially seamless connection with the blanket 12; the top edge 68 of the pocket panel 19 is left unsecured for access therein.
FIGS. 3 through 6 show a method for converting a blanket into a pillow, with the method comprising the following steps. First provide a pillow blanket 10 as described above and as shown in FIG. 2. Next, lay out the pillow blanket 10 with the first surface 20 contacting the ground, the first surface 21 of the pocket panel 16 contacting the ground, and the first and second sleeves 70, 72 contacting the ground and extending away from each other as shown in FIG. 3. Then, fold the pocket structure 18 a along the side and bottom edges 62, 64, 66 of the panel 16 so that the outer surface 21 of the panel confronts the second surface 22 of the blanket 12 and forms foot pocket 18 b. Note that this will have the effect of drawing the bottom middle edge of the blanket into the foot pocket 18 b. Then fold the side portions 82, 84 of the blanket along fold lines 86 and 88 in overlying relation over the second surface 22 of the middle third portion 80 of the blanket as shown in FIG. 4. Then, tuck the first rounded corner 32 and the second rounded corner 34 into the corners of the foot pocket 18 b. As will be appreciated, the steps of folding the side portions over the middle portion and then tucking the rounded corners into the pocket may be interchanged without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, fold the first and second sleeves 70, 72 over the exposed first surface 20 of the side portion (82 or 84 as the case may be) that overlays the middle third portion 80 of the blanket 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, divide the blanket into lengths substantially similar to the longitudinal length of foot pocket 18 b and fold the blanket in an end-over-end fashion into the foot pocket 18 b. Finally, tuck and smooth the folded blanket as it resides within the foot pocket 18 b so as to form a pillow 14. The result is a pillow having a smooth, symmetrical shape for decoration or use as a headrest, footrest, lumbar support, seat cushion or lap tray. It will be appreciated that other forming and folding arrangements may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
In one method of practicing the invention of the pillow blanket and its associated foot pocket, the user is presented with a view substantially similar to the view of FIG. 3 with the pocket structure 18 a and the pair of first and second sleeves 70, 72 located on the first surface 20 of the blanket and extending outwardly away from the user. In a manner similar to the step illustrated in FIG. 4, the pocket structure 18 a is then reconfigured by folding the side and bottom edges 62, 64, 66 of panel 16 so that the first surface 21 of the panel 16 confronts the second surface 22 of the blanket and forms foot pocket 18 b. The user's feet may then be positioned inside the foot pocket 18 b and the two rounded corners 32, 34 of the blanket 12 tucked inside the foot pocket 18 b behind the calves of the user's legs and in front of the first surface 21 of panel 16. Tucking the bottom of the blanket into the foot pocket 18 b has an additional advantage in that it prevents the bottom edge 30 from contacting soiled surfaces and/or by becoming entangled with various objects.
The first surface 20 of the blanket 12 is then positioned over the user's exposed anterior surfaces as shown in FIG. 1. Note that when the pocket structure 18 a is reconfigured or transformed into foot pocket 18 b, the second surface 23 of pocket panel 16 faces the user. Note also, that the first sleeve 70 and the second sleeve 72 still extend away from the user and remain adjacent the first surface 20 of the blanket 12. The arms of the user may then be extended through the first and second sleeves 70, 72. The first cuff 74 and second cuff 76 can be positioned anywhere along the arms from the wrist up to bicep depending upon how warm and how active the user wants to be. The sleeves 70, 72 and the cuffs 74, 76 serve as the primary means of keeping the blanket on the user without the use of other fasteners which may be hard to reach. The neck portion 52 of the blanket 12 is placed with top edge 28 of the blanket 12 under the chin of the user.
The pillow blanket 10 construction of the invention results in a blanket 12, which may be positioned over a user while the user is in a seated or supine position, and which is able to substantially cover a user's exposed torso and upper and lower appendages. That is, the blanket is able to cover the anterior and lateral sides of the neck, chest and waist, as well as arms, the lap, legs, and feet. The wide cuffed sleeve offers one-size-fits-all convenience. The wide cuffed sleeve can be worn as a full sleeve or half sleeve depending upon the warmth desired. The wide cuffed sleeve provides mobility for hands-on activities such as crocheting or playing cards. The wide cuffed sleeve helps keep the blanket from falling onto the ground and thus reduces the inconvenience of lost self-sufficiency waiting for a hospital staff member to come to the room to retrieve the blanket from the floor. Worse yet, the fallen blanket may become a contaminated reservoir of germs to the user from lying upon an unsanitary public hospital or nursing home floor and subsequently being held close to the user.
The foot pocket 18 b allows the user to quickly put the pillow blanket 10 away after use. It allows a user to create a smooth, neat, symmetrical pillow for decorative or functional uses such as a headrest, footrest, lumbar support, seat cushion or lap tray.
The foot pocket 18 b provides the blanket 12 additional warmth by way of a confined area for the user's feet. Alternatively, the foot pocket 18 b or the pocket structure 18 a could be used to provide storage for various items when not used for foot warmth. The two rounded corners 32, 34 on the blanket 12 allow the user to fold the blanket 12 into a pillow more easily to form a more symmetrical pillow.
The use of the fleece pillow blanket 10 material maximizes warmth and minimizes the bulk and weight of the insulating material used. The fleece blanket provides durable performance and advantageous washing qualities for a longer product life. The fleece blanket offers a soft nap for use as a blanket or pillow and is also helpful in cool indoor areas when conserving energy with a lower than normal temperature thermostat setting.
Even when used on relatively immobile and inflexible users, the pillow blanket 10 is easy to put on, and it stays on until the wearer or the hospital support staff intentionally removes it. The use of clips, straps, or other attachment means needed to keep the blanket on the user is avoided.
The pillow blanket 10 of the present invention is easily made from conventional fabrics and materials. Available materials such as fleece or POLAR FLEECE™, provide a high insulating value in a thin layer, are readily incorporated into the blanket.
Another preferred alternative embodiment of the invention provides a blanket 12 defining first and second sleeve apertures 40, 50 having a substantially vertical orientation relative to the horizontal centerline 38.
It is anticipated that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction, arrangement and method of construction of the pillow blanket disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims:

Claims

1. A convertible pillow blanket sized and shaped for substantially covering a user while the user is in a seated or supine position, and foldable for conversion into a pillow, the convertible pillow blanket comprising:

a substantially rectangular blanket having a first surface and a second surface, opposing first and second side edges that define the width of the blanket, and opposing top and bottom edges that define the length of the blanket, the blanket having an elongated middle portion with a width that is about one-third of the width of the blanket and is wholly divisible into the width of the blanket, the middle portion in alignment with and extending the length of the blanket along a longitudinal centerline, and with the width of the middle portion defined by longitudinal fold lines;

a panel having first and second surfaces, first and second side edges, and top and bottom edges, with the top and bottom edges of the panel having substantially the same length, and with only the first, second, and bottom edges of the panel being connected to the blanket, with the bottom edge of the panel being substantially coincident with the bottom edge of the blanket, and with the length of the bottom edge of the panel substantially defining the width of the middle portion of the blanket, and with the first and second side edges of the panel substantially coinciding with said longitudinal fold lines, the panel overlying the first surface of the blanket so that the second surface of the panel confronts the first surface of the blanket, the panel and the blanket forming a dual function pocket uninterrupted along its width between the panel side edges, wherein the pocket is constructed and arranged to receive at least one lower appendage of a user when the pillow blanket is used as a blanket, and wherein the pocket is constructed and arranged to receive a substantial portion of the pillow blanket when the blanket is folded in a predetermined pattern so that the pillow blanket may be converted into a pillow comprised of the folded blanket and the pocket; and,

a pair of apertures, with the apertures spaced from each other in generally horizontal alignment along either side of the longitudinal centerline of the blanket, with the apertures spaced a predetermined distance from the top edge of the blanket, and with the apertures configured and arranged to receive at least one upper appendage of a user such that the upper appendage may protrude substantially therethrough from one surface of the blanket to the other surface of the blanket.

2. The pillow blanket of claim 1, wherein at least one of the apertures has an oblong shape to facilitate movement of an upper appendage as it protrudes therethrough.

3. The pillow blanket of claim 2, wherein the oblong aperture has an elongated axis that is generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the blanket.

4. The pillow blanket of claim 1, wherein the first and second side edges of the panel are substantially the same length, and wherein the length of the first and second side edges is wholly divisible into the length of the blanket, whereby the first and second side edges of the blanket may be folded inwardly about said longitudinal fold lines into overlying relation to said blanket middle portion and the thus folded blanket being thereafter foldable end-over-end along it's length to a size and shape permitting it to be tucked into the pocket to form a pillow.

5. The pillow blanket of claim 1, further comprising at least one sleeve, with the sleeve operatively connected to one of the apertures of the blanket, the sleeve configured and arranged to receive the upper appendage of a user as it protrudes through the aperture.

6. The pillow blanket of claim 5, wherein the sleeve is located on the first surface of the blanket.

7. A convertible pillow blanket suitable for substantially covering a user while the user is in a seated or supine position, and suitable for folding to a size and shape that forms a pillow, the convertible pillow blanket comprising:

a substantially rectangular blanket having a first surface and a second surface, the blanket having first and second side edges that define the width of the blanket and top and bottom edges that define the length of the blanket, the blanket further comprising an elongated middle portion having a width that is about one-third the width of the blanket, the middle portion in substantial alignment with and extending the length of the blanket along a longitudinal centerline,

a dual function pocket having first and second surfaces, a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges, the pocket having an upwardly facing opening defined by the pocket top edge, the pocket second surface, and the first surface of the blanket, the pocket in substantial alignment with and extending along a portion of the longitudinal centerline of the blanket, with the bottom of the pocket extending towards the bottom edge of the blanket, wherein the pocket may be reconfigured so that the upwardly facing opening is defined by the pocket top edge, the pocket first surface, and the blanket second surface, with the reconfigured pocket configured and arranged so that it may receive at least one lower appendage of a user when the pillow blanket is used as a blanket, and wherein the blanket is foldable into the pocket to form a pillow;

a pair of apertures spaced a predetermined distance from the top edge of the blanket, with each of the apertures located along a horizontal center line that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline of the blanket, with the apertures spaced apart from each other along either side of the longitudinal centerline; and,

a pair of sleeves, wherein each of the pair of sleeves includes a first end and a second end, with the first end of each sleeve operatively connected to the blanket at a respective aperture, and wherein the second ends of the pair of sleeves extend away from each other in opposite directions when the blanket is arranged in a generally planar configuration.

8. The pillow blanket of claim 7, wherein the sleeves are located on the first surface of the blanket.

9. The pillow blanket of claim 7, wherein the second ends of each of the pair of sleeves extend beyond the respective side edges of the blanket when the sleeves are transversely aligned with respect to the middle portion of the blanket.

10. The pillow blanket of claim 7, wherein at least one of the second ends of the pair of sleeves comprises an expandable cuff.

11. The pillow blanket of claim 7, wherein each of the apertures comprises an oblong shape, and each of the apertures having an oblique orientation relative to the horizontal center line of the blanket.

12. A method for converting a blanket into a pillow, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a blanket having first and second surfaces, top and bottom edges, side edges, and a panel having first and second surfaces, top and bottom edges and side edges, with the panel attached at its bottom and side edges to the first surface of the blanket so as to form a pocket having its bottom edge adjacent the bottom edge of the blanket, and its side edges spaced equidistance from the longitudinal centerline of the blanket;

b. reconfiguring the pocket by folding the panel along the side and bottom edges so that the first surface of the panel confronts the second surface of the blanket;

c. tucking the corners of the blanket closest to the panel into opposite corners of the pocket;

d. folding the blanket so that the side edges of the blanket are aligned with the side edges of the panel to thereby divide the blanket into a longitudinal middle portion and two side portions, with the two side portions overlying the middle portion;

e. forming the thus folded blanket into a shortened length adjacent to the pocket; and,

f. inserting the thus formed shortened blanket into the pocket.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of forming the thus folded blanket into a shortened length adjacent to the pocket comprises the step of folding the blanket along the length of the middle portion of the blanket, with each fold spaced from the previous fold by a distance that is roughly the same as the height of the pocket.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of folding the blanket along the length of the middle portion of the blanket comprises the step of folding the blanket upon itself in an end-over-end manner.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

g. smoothing the folded blanket as it resides within the foot pocket so as to form a pillow.

16. A method for converting a blanket into a pillow, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a blanket having first and second surfaces, top and bottom edges, side edges, a panel having first and second surfaces, top and bottom edges and side edges, with the panel attached at its bottom and side edges to the first surface of the blanket so as to form a pocket having its bottom edge adjacent the bottom edge of the blanket, and its side edges are spaced equidistance from the longitudinal centerline of the blanket, and a pair of sleeves, with each sleeve operatively connected to the first surface of said blanket, and with each sleeve accessible from the second surface of the blanket through an aperture;

d. folding the blanket so that the side edges of the blanket are aligned with the side edges of the panel to thereby divide the blanket into a longitudinal middle portion and two side portions, with the side portions overlying the middle portion;

e. folding the sleeves towards each other so that they substantially overlay one of the overlying side portions of the blanket;

f. forming the thus folded blanket into a shortened length adjacent to the pocket; and,

g. inserting the thus formed, shortened blanket into the pocket.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of forming the thus folded blanket into a shortened length adjacent to the pocket comprises the step of folding the blanket along the length of the middle portion of the blanket, with each fold spaced from the previous fold by a distance that is roughly the same as the height of the pocket.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of folding the blanket along the length of the middle portion of the blanket comprises the step of folding the blanket upon itself in an end-over-end manner.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

h. smoothing the folded blanket as it resides within the foot pocket so as to form a pillow.