AU2021218113A1

AU2021218113A1 - Bed covering

Info

Publication number: AU2021218113A1
Application number: AU2021218113A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matt Griffin
Original assignee: Bedsmade Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Bedsmade Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-09
Filing date: 2021-08-19
Publication date: 2022-04-28
Also published as: WO2022073076A1

Abstract

A top sheet or bed covering (1) including a tailored pocket (2). The pocket (2) is sized and shaped to be fitted to the foot of a mattress (4). The tailored pocket (2) includes a top portion (10), an end portion (11), a bottom portion (12) and a pair of side portions (13). Each of the portions (10, 11, 12, 13) are sized and shaped to define a substantially box shaped pocket (2). A pair of side flaps (15) may depend from one side of a main portion (10) so as to extend over a side of and be tucked under the mattress (4) and display the appearance of a hospital corner (18). (Fig. 1)

Description

Bed Covering

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a bed covering, and in particular a bed sheet. In particular, the present invention relates to a bed covering which includes a tailored pocket which is adapted to be fitted to the foot end of a mattress, and which may have the appearance of having perfectly formed 'hospital corners' thereon.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a tailored bed covering or bed sheet, and, to a method for fitting a tailored bed covering or sheet to the mattress.

Background

[0003] Currently, bed sheets are typically available in two basic varieties, that is, a fitted bottom sheet, and a flat top sheet. The fitted bottom sheet typically includes an elastic strip at each corner or a single continuous elastic strip surrounding the open edge of the sheet, so that the bottom sheet may be fitted to the mattress by stretching the elasticised edges over the bottom corners of the mattress.

[0004] The flat top sheet is typically laid over the fitted bottom sheet, and is required to be carefully adjusted so that its side and bottom edges can then be evenly tucked beneath each side edge and the foot end of the mattress. Thereafter, the top sheet is then required to be tucked in around the foot end and the side edges of the mattress.

[0005] The process of tucking in the top sheet has, over the years, actually become quite an art, and, it has long been generally accepted that the proper way of correctly making a bed is to form 'hospital corners' on the foot end corners of the mattress. The process of forming hospital corners is taught worldwide to hotel, hospital and other bed making staff.

[0006] When properly performed, forming hospital corners results in not only a pleasing aesthetic appearance to the bed, but also, results in achieving the function that the top sheet does not become readily dislodged when a restless sleeper kicks and turns in the bed, so that therefore there is less chance of the sleeper becoming totally or partially uncovered and therefore potentially becoming cold during the night which may result in discomfort and sometimes even result in illness. Having properly fitting sheets and perfectly forming these has also increasingly become more tedious with the relatively recent advent of inconsistent mattress depths, which may nowadays vary widely from around 18 to 50 cm.

[0007] It will therefore be appreciated that the routine and tedious task of making and remaking a bed on a daily basis, particularly for the making or remaking of a bed of a restless sleeper, can be quite a time consuming and tedious process. Nowadays, the top sheet is often completely removed as making the bed has become too much of a chore, leaving blankets and doonas/duvets to become dirty and sweaty, easily harbouring bacteria and other unpleasant organisms, which can be problematic, particularly in hot climates.

[0008] Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

[0009] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention seeks to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of these aforementioned problems.

[0011] In a broad form, the present invention provides a bed covering comprising a tailored pocket which is adapted to be fitted to the foot of a mattress.

[0012] Preferably, the tailored pocket comprises: a top portion; an end portion; a bottom portion; and, a pair of side portions, wherein said portions are sized and shaped to define a substantially box-shaped pocket which substantially corresponds to the size and shape of the foot of the mattress.

[0013] In a preferred version, the tailored pocket further comprises: a gusset portion interconnecting each said side portion with said top portion.

[0014] Preferably, the bed covering further comprises: a pair of side flaps, each side flap depending from one side of a main portion of the bed covering and adapted to extend over a side of and be tucked under the mattress.

[0015] Preferably, each side flap comprises a foot side edge which is tailored to have the visual appearance of hospital corner.

[0016] Preferably, the bed covering further comprises: a pair of side markers, each side marker adapted to mark a boundary between a main portion and a respective side flap the bed covering.

[0017] Preferably, the bed covering is a top sheet.

[0018] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a bed covering comprising a tailored pocket, the method comprising the steps of: cutting a fabric material to a predetermined shape to define a top portion, an end portion, a bottom portion, and, a pair of side portions; and, sewing said portions to form a substantially box-shaped pocket at the foot end of the bed covering.

[0019] Preferably, the cutting step further comprises cutting a pair of gusset portions, and, the sewing step further comprises interconnecting each gusset portion between each side portion and said top portion.

[0020] Preferably the method for manufacturing the bed covering further comprises the step of: providing a side marker on each boundary between a main portion and a side flap of the bed covering.

[0021] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a bed covering, including the steps of: overlaying a premade bed covering cut-out pattern on a centre-folded piece of fabric and cutting out excess fabric to create an unassembled bed covering; optionally overlaying a premade gusset cut-out pattern on a piece of fabric and cutting out excess fabric to create a gusset; hemming, bonding and/or stitching one or more edge portions of the unassembled bed covering and/or the gusset to the underside of the unassembled bed covering and/or the gusset separately; positioning the gusset on a first fold portion, located between the side portion and bottom portion on the underside of the unassembled bed covering, and stitching a first side of the gusset to a first side of the first fold portion; folding a second fold portion, located on the side portion of the topside of the unassembled bed covering, outwards and stitching together the two faces of the second fold portion; folding the first portion inwards and stitching together a second side of the gusset to a second side of the first fold portion; joining together one or more sides of the bottom portion of the unassembled bed covering to form a pocket of the unassembled bed covering; and folding a third fold portion, located on the top portion of the topside of the unassembled bed covering, inwards and stitching together the two faces of the third fold portion.

[0022] Preferably, the bed covering is a top sheet.

[0023] In a further broad form, the present invention provides a method of fitting a bed covering to a bed mattress, wherein the bed covering comprises a tailored pocket, the method comprising the steps of: installing the tailored pocket of the bed covering over a foot portion of the mattress; aligning a main section of the bed covering over a top surface of the mattress; and, tucking a side flap on each side of a main section of the bed covering under a respective side of the mattress.

[0024] Preferably, in the aligning step, side markers provided on said bed covering are used to visually align the bed covering centrally over the mattress.

[0025] Preferably the bed covering is a top sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described herein below in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, from which further features, embodiments and advantages may be taken, and in which:

[0027] Fig 1 illustrates a top sheet with a tailored pocked, in accordance with the present invention, about to be installed onto a mattress;

[0028] Fig 2 illustrates the top sheet with a tailored pocket of Fig 1, being fitted to the foot of a mattress;

[0029] Fig 3 illustrates the top sheet of Figs 1 and 2, in which the pocket is installed on the mattress and the top sheet is aligned over the mattress, before being tucked in;

[0030] Fig 4 illustrates the top sheet of Figs 1 to 3, tucked in and displaying the appearance of hospital corners;

[0031] Fig 5 illustrates a portion of an example pattern for manufacturing the top sheet incorporating the tailored pocket, in accordance with the present invention;

[0032] Fig 6 illustrates exemplary steps in the method of manufacturing a top sheet which incorporates a tailored pocket in accordance with the present invention;

[0033] Fig 7 illustrates exemplary steps in the method of fitting the top sheet having a tailored pocket to a mattress in accordance with the present invention; and,

[0034] Fig 8 illustrates, in Figs 8(a) to 8(h) exemplary steps in the method of manufacturing the top sheet of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0035] Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be used to identify like features, except where expressly otherwise indicated. Whilst the invention is hereinafter described with reference to a bed sheet, it should be appreciated that the invention may more generally relate to a bed covering of any type.

[0036] Figs. 1 to 4 show a top sheet 1 incorporating a tailored pocket 2, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] As best shown in Fig 1, the tailored pocket 2 of the top sheet 1 includes a top portion 10, an end portion 11, a bottom portion 12, and, a pair of side portions 13.

[0038] These various portions 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the sheet 1, may be sized and shaped to form a box-like pocket 2, as shown.

[0039] The pocket 2 is preferably formed to be of substantially similar size and shape to the end portion 4 of the mattress 3 to which the pocket 2 is adapted to be fitted. That is, the various dimensions of the mattress 3 to which the sheet 1 is to be fitted, such as the depth, length and width of the mattress 3 may be measured so that the pocket 2 may then be formed to have substantially similar dimensions thereto, so as to achieve an optimal fit.

[0040] In an example embodiment, the tailored pocket 2 may further include a pair of gusset portions 14 on either side of the sheet 1. Each gusset portion 14 is inserted to interconnect a respective side portion 13 of the sheet 1 to a top portion 10 of the top sheet 1, so as to achieve an optimal fit, as will be described hereinafter.

[0041] As shown Figs 1 to 4, each top sheet 1 includes a pair of side flaps 15. Each side flap 15 depends from a respective side of a main portion 16 of the top sheet 1, and is adapted to extend over a side of the mattress 3 so that it may be tucked in under the mattress 3.

[0042] When the flaps 15 are tucked in under the mattress 3, as shown in Fig 4, the end corners 18 of the top sheet 1 appear substantially identical to the appearance of a traditional flat top sheet which has been folded to have hospital corners.

[0043] In an example embodiment, the top sheet 1 may additionally further include side markers 17. Each side marker 17 is adapted to mark a boundary line between the main portion 16 and the respective side flap 15 of the top sheet 1, so as to provide a visual guide for alignment of the top sheet 1 centrally on to the mattress 3. The markers 17 may, for example, be formed by including a stitch line at the appropriate position to where the main portion 16 and the side flap 15 should be aligned. Alternative methods of forming the markers 17 bay be used, for example, by printing a visual marker onto the sheet.

[0044] Fig 5 shows a portion of an example pattern 1a which may be used to form the top sheet 1. Specifically, the pattern la shown in Fig 5 shows half of the pattern to form the top sheet 1, the other half being the mirror image thereof. As can be seen in Fig 5, the pattern includes a main pattern 1a as well as a gusset pattern 19. Once the pattern is cut, the gusset 19 is attached to the main body 1, by sewing or otherwise attaching corresponding lines 51 to 5, and, lines 52 to 6. Various fold lines and hem lines are also shown in Fig 5, these being well understood to persons skilled in the art.

[0045] Fig 6 shows a flow chart which outlines exemplary steps in making or manufacturing a top sheet 1 in accordance with the present invention. Likewise, Figs 8a to 8h provide a visual and detailed explanation of the exemplary steps of Fig. 6. As shown in Fig 8a and 8b, firstly, the pattern 1a is overlayed on a centred folded piece of fabric, in which excess fabric is cut out to create the pieces of the top sheet 1. Portions 22a may be initially hemmed and stitched to the underside of the top sheet pieces, 1 and 19, via fold lines 22.

[0046] In Fig. 8c, after making the pieces, 1 and 19, of the top sheet 1, the gusset 19 is placed on the underside of the main body of the top sheet 1, where lines 51 and 5 are aligned and stitched together. Conveniently, line 7 of the top sheet 1 is folded such that portions 14a and 14b face outwards, and lines 14 are aligned and sewn together via stitching of related line 18.

[0047] In Fig 8d, line 52 of the Gusset 5 is aligned with line 6 of the top sheet 1, and sewn together via stitching of related line 18, which provides sewn guides for alignment with the bed mattress 3. With the gusset 5 installed, Fig. 8e shows why the gusset is used, as it creates a structure of the side wall of the box-shaped pocket, creating the unique sewn-in hospital corner fold as shown in Fig 8f.

[0048] The box-shaped pocket, as shown in Fig. 8g and Fig. 8h, is made when lines of the top sheet 1 are aligned and joined together, such that portion 20a is on the underside of the top sheet 1.

[0049] Finally, the top sheet is completed when line 9 of the top sheet 1 is folded such that portion 9a is on the underside of the top sheet 1, where stitching is made on related lines 18, with a through stitching at portion 21.

[0050] In Fig 7 shows a flow chart which outlines exemplary steps in fitting the top sheet 1 to a mattress 3. As shown, firstly, the box-shaped pocket 2 of the top sheet 1 receives an end 4 of the bed mattress 3, in which portion 12 abuts the underside of the bed mattress 3. The top sheet 1 is placed on top of the bed mattress 3, and aligned according to the sewn guides located at the top portions, 10 or 16, of the top sheet 1. As is commonly known to a person skilled in the art, the hospital corners look is thus completed when portion 15a of the side portion 15 of the top sheet 1 is tucked into the underside of the bed mattress.

[0051] Whilst the present invention has hereinbefore described with reference to specific example embodiments, it should be understood that numerous variations and modifications may be made thereto. In particular, with reference to an exemplary embodiment of a bed sheet, it should be understood that the invention should not be limited to the traditional form of a bed sheet, but rather, may encompass any form of bed covering. It should be apparent that the invention has specific advantages over the prior art process of achieving the visual appearance of having hospital corners and the functional advantages of such hospital corners, without have to undergo the tedious task of making a bed using a conventional flat sheet to achieve these aesthetic and functional aspects.

[0052] The present invention therefore improves the bed making experience through the time saving innovation of having all folds and tucks related to achieving the look of hospital corners on the top sheet integrally formed within the product. With the product preferably being made to match different size mattress, the top sheet therefore remains substantially secure through the roughest night's sleep to ensure maximum comfort.

[0053] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A bed covering comprising a tailored pocket which is adapted to be fitted to the foot of a mattress.

2. The bed covering according to claim 1, wherein the tailored pocket comprises: a top portion; an end portion; a bottom portion; and, a pair of side portions, wherein said portions are sized and shaped to define a substantially box-shaped pocket which substantially corresponds to the size and shape of the foot of the mattress.

3. The bed covering according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tailored pocket further comprises: a gusset portion interconnecting each said side portion with said top portion.

4. The bed covering according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a pair of side flaps, each side flap depending from one side of a main portion of the bed covering and adapted to extend over a side of and be tucked under the mattress.

5. The bed covering sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each side flap comprises a foot side edge which is tailored to have the visual appearance of hospital corner.

6. The bed covering according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a pair of side markers, each side marker adapted to mark a boundary between a main portion and a respective side flap the bed covering.

7. The bed covering according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bed covering is a top sheet.

8. A method of manufacturing a bed covering comprising a tailored pocket, the method comprising the steps of: cutting a fabric material to a predetermined shape to define a top portion, an end portion, a bottom portion, and, a pair of side portions; and, sewing said portions to form a substantially box-shaped pocket at the foot end of the bed covering.

9. The method of manufacturing the bed covering according to claim 8, wherein the cutting step further comprises cutting a pair of gusset portions, and, wherein the sewing step further comprises interconnecting each gusset portion between each side portion and said top portion.

10. The method of manufacturing the bed covering according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising the step of: providing a side marker on each boundary between a main portion and a side flap of the bed covering.

11. A method of manufacturing a bed covering, including the steps of: overlaying a premade bed covering cut-out pattern on a centre-folded piece of fabric and cutting out excess fabric to create an unassembled bed covering; optionally overlaying a premade gusset cut-out pattern on a piece of fabric and cutting out excess fabric to create a gusset; hemming, bonding and/or stitching one or more edge portions of the unassembled bed covering and/or the gusset to the underside of the unassembled bed covering and/or the gusset separately; positioning the gusset on a first fold portion, located between the side portion and bottom portion on the underside of the unassembled bed covering, and stitching a first side of the gusset to a first side of the first fold portion; folding a second fold portion, located on the side portion of the topside of the unassembled bed covering, outwards and stitching together the two faces of the second fold portion; folding the first portion inwards and stitching together a second side of the gusset to a second side of the first fold portion; joining together one or more sides of the bottom portion of the unassembled bed covering to form a pocket of the unassembled bed covering; and folding a third fold portion, located on the top portion of the topside of the unassembled bed covering, inwards and stitching together the two faces of the third fold portion.

12. A method of manufacturing a bed covering according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the bed covering is a top sheet.

13. A method of fitting a bed covering to a bed mattress, wherein the bed covering comprises a tailored pocket, the method comprising the steps of:

installing the tailored pocket of the bed covering over a foot portion of the mattress; aligning a main section of the bed covering over a top surface of the mattress; and, tucking a side flap on each side of a main section of the bed covering under a respective side of the mattress.

14. The method of installing the bed covering according to claim 11, wherein, in said aligning step, side markers provided on said bed covering are used to visually align the bed covering centrally over the mattress.

15. The method of installing the bed covering as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the bed covering is a top sheet.