US3765040A

US3765040A - Disposable cot sheet

Info

Publication number: US3765040A
Application number: US00257360A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Holstein
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-05-26
Filing date: 1972-05-26
Publication date: 1973-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-16

Abstract

This invention relates to a disposable cot sheet made of spun bonded olefin. The sheet has a pair of tie strips on each side and a pair of loops on each end for tieing the sheet onto a cot to provide a fitted sheet.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Holstein 14 1 Oct. 16, 1973 DISPOSABLE COT SHEET 2,720,269 10/1955 Diacos 5/334 R ux 2,816,054 12/1957 Howden 5/334 R ux [761 Invent Stephen suth 3,308,488 3/1967 Schoonman 5/335 Dallas Avenue, Plttsbufgh, 3,646,624 3/1972 Zipf 5/334 R 15208 3,654,059 4/1972 ZiSblatt 5/334 R x [22] Filed: May 1972 Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin [21] Appl. No.: 257,360 Attorney-William J. Ruano 52 U.S. c1 5/334 R [57 Q [51] Int. Cl A47g 9/00 Thls mvemlon relates to a dlsposable cot Sheet made [58] Field of Search 5/336, 335, 334 R, of spun bonded olefin- The Sheet has a p of tie 5 /334 B, 334 C strips on each side and a pair of loops on each end for tieing the sheet onto a cot to provide a fitted sheet. References Cited 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figures UNXTED STATES PATENTS 2,342,069 2/1944 Wilkinson s" 5/336 ux Patented Oct. 16, 1973 3,765,040

Fig.!. 3 3

DISPOSABLE co'r SHEET This invention relates to a disposable cot sheet, and, more particularly, to one having a chemical composition such as to make it disposable as well as to give the sheet optimum wear and comfort characteristics.

An outstandingdisadvantage of ordinary cotton or linen cot sheets used for day care centers, nurseries, and early childhood education programs in hospitals, is that they are expensive and require constant washing and ironing which increase the expense of maintenance, as well as being susceptible to spreading diseases when used by different patients unless unusual precautions are maintained.

The ordinary disposable material is paper based and while inexpensive, would be uncomfortable in feel to the ordinary sleeper or patient. Likewise it does not haveother desirable characteristics for a sheet, such as smoothness, moisture absorption, tensile strength, etc.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel disposable sheet which is particularly useful for day care or hospital cots and which will overcome the above named disadvantages.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a spun bonded olefin sheet, particularly a fitted sheet, having optimum characteristics and which overcomes the abovenamed disadvantages of ordinary disposable material that is, paper based material.

Other objects and advantages will become more ap-.

parent from a study of the following description, taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 'is'a plan view showing a spun bonded olefin sheet in spread out condition and embodying the present invention; and, i I

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view thereof shown tached to a cot.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, numeral 1 denotes a cot or mattress onto which a sheet 2 is strapped, which sheet is constructed according to the present invention.

Sheet 2 is provided with straps 3, sewed or bonded at 4 to the sheet, which straps may be continuous in length throughout the entire width of the sheet, if desired, to provide greater strength. A total of four. straps or extensions 3 are provided which may be passed through loops 5 stitchedto the two ends of the sheet, along a central. longitudinal line.

FIG. 2 shows how: the straps 3 are wrapped about the corners of the cot or mattress 1, then extended through loop Sand tied together to'form a'bow knot' 7. An: essential feature of the invention resides in the specific-composition of the sheet which, when wrapped about the cot or mattress as shown in FIG. 2, will provide a comfortable and relativelysmooth surface for a child or patient to lie on, particularly'on a day care or hospital cot.

The sheet 2 is made of spunbonded olefin, such as that sold under the trademark Tyvek by E.I. Dupont De Nemours E.I.. & Co. of Wilmington, Del. under different'types, such as Types l0, l4 and 16, however Types 1,4 and 16 being'preferable for the purpose of the present invention. Spunbonded olefin is a family of tough, durable sheet products of high density polyethylene fibers. The sheet is formed by first spinning continuous strands of very fine, interconnected fibers and then bondingthem together with heat and pressure. The resultant product combines surface smoothness, high opacity and toughness to a degree unique as compared to other commonly used sheet products. Types l4 and 16 are preferable since fiber bonding is restricted to discreet points on the sheet for producing a high degree of fiber mobility in the sheet, giving it a fabric-like drape. I

In contrast to Type 10 products, they have higher tear strengths but lower tensile strengths and less smooth surfaces. Also Types l4 and 16 products are perforated which give them higher porosity, additional softness and still better flexibility and drape at some expense of tear and tensile strength. They change less than 0.01 percent between 0 and 100 percent R.H. at constant temperatures to provide dimensional stability. The resistance to water born soils is excellent. They have good resistance to degradation from age, unless overly exposed to ultraviolet rays, although this can be improved with opaque coatings or by adding ultraviolet absorbers to coating formulations. They do not begin to shrink until they obtain a temperature of 245F.. The are inert to most acids. They meet the requirements of the Federal Flammable Fabrics Act CS-l9l-53).

The high opacity is due solely to the multiple refractionof light between the very fine polyethylene fibers and air withinthe densely packed sheet structure. No pigments delustrants or whiteners are added to the product, therefore it can be made transparent in processing by removing the air in the structure, using heat or pressure, or by filling the air spaces with various clear resins, polymers or oils. An important characteristic of Type 16 is that it has an air permeability comparable to that of shirting fabrics along with high moisture-vapor transmission. It does not produce free'lint particles under ordinary use. It is unaffected by water or highly polar solvents-therefore readily washable.

Style 1621B, which is one of the Type 16 styles,'of Dupont Tyvek has a weight of 1.15 ounce per square yard, a thickness of 6' mills, a strip tensile strength of 8/8 pounds per inch MD/XD and an elongation to break'percentage of 18/26, an opacity of percent, an MIT flex of M cycles, and a Frazier porosity of 50 Ft. air/ftF/ min. i

The above Tyvek styles are described for use in making paper sheet. products (.but not bed sheets or cots).

In view of the-abovenamed characteristics,'sheet 2 is uniquely suitable as. a bed or-'cot sheet since it is relatively inexpensive, therefore disposable, and .yet which can, be washed a number of times, if desired,";witho,ut altering its characteristics. Also it is somewhat smooth although not paper-like smooth, therefore comfortable in feel, comparable to a cotton sheet lts breathability and moisture absorptionis of particular benefit for use as a sheet material for beds. The characteristics are particularly maximized when the sheet is draped and held somewhat under tension inthe manner shown in 2- Thus it will be seen that l ave provided a disposable sheetuseful on cots or hospital'cotso r beds, or for general use, such as incottagesorv in ordinary homes, but particularly useful for day care cots so that diseases may not be spreadby the use of thesame sheet for different children. I

While 1' have illustrated and described a single specific embodiment of myinvention, it will be understood that this is by way of illustration only and. that various changes and modifications may be contemplated within end thereof, whereby the sheet may be draped about a the Scope of my invention and the followmg claimscot or mattress and held under tension by passing the I claim:

1. A sheet for a cot or bed consisting of spunbonded olefin and having two tie strips extending from each 5 them together the form Ofa side thereof and a loop extending centrally from each ends of said tie strips through the loops before tieing

Claims

1. A sheet for a cot or bed consisting of spunbonded olefin and having two tie strips extending from each side thereof and a loop extending centrally from each end thereof, whereby the sheet may bE draped about a cot or mattress and held under tension by passing the ends of said tie strips through the loops before tieing them together in the form of a bow.