WO2021095007A1

WO2021095007A1 - Combination mattress enclosure and top sheet

Info

Publication number: WO2021095007A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/060716
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karen Edwards
Original assignee: Karen Edwards
Priority date: 2019-11-15
Filing date: 2020-11-13
Publication date: 2021-05-20

Abstract

A combination mattress enveloping bottom sheet bag and attached top is sheet is disclosed for maintaining respective sheet orientation when the ensemble is installed for use on a dependent mattress inserted into the bottom sheet bag. The top sheet includes extra length vis-à-vis the attached bottom sheet bag such that the ensemble can be used when the top sheet is folded over either the top or bottom surfaces of the bottom sheet bag when a mattress is inserted therein. The various exposed sheet ensemble surfaces may be decorated to show affinity or association.

Description

COMBINATION MATTRESS ENCLOSURE AND TOP SHEET

Field of the Invention:

[0001] The invention relates to devices and materials for placing bed clothes, i.e., bedding, on a mattress. More particularly, the invention relates to a bottom sheet that is formed into a mattress container bag shape that also includes a top sheet attached thereto at one end thereof. Logos and other insignia may advantageously be placed onto the respective visible sheet surfaces to show affiliation and loyalty.

Background of the Invention:

[0002] Bed clothes typically take the form of a bottom sheet or sheeting, to partially wrap a dependent mattress, and an additional separate top sheet, and other additional bedding (blanket/comforter, etc.), to overlay the bottom sheet. The sheeting is usually tucked in various ways, i.e., hospital corners, etc., around the mattress edges and corners so allow ingress/egress from the space between the top sheet and the underlying bottom sheet. The sheets may have, respectively, various “fitted” aspects designed into the sheets to better retain the sheets in position on the mattress. The “fitting” aspects may take the form of elastic-gathered corners and edges and/or straps depending beneath the mattress.

[0003] The foregoing sheeting systems apply to conventional mattress arrangements for all uses, i.e., bunk type beds, sleeper sofa mattresses, singles, twins, doubles, queens, kings, and various extra-length or width varieties thereof. Sheets are “sized” (King, Queen, Single, Double, etc.) so as to provide adequate length and width to tuck-in and to also overlie a sufficient amount to be retained with the like sized dependent mattress while in use and not be too cumbersome to either make-up or remove when necessary.

[0004] The “bunk type” bed presents a particular challenge on many practical fronts. The making and unmaking of the bed is difficult owing to the orientation and spatial relationship of the respective mattresses and the fact that bunk beds are usually pushed against a wall or into a corner or other confined space. Either bunk mattress, upper or lower, presents unique challenges, which become more, or less, severe when also taking into account the stature and flexibility of the individual changing the bed clothes. I.e., a taller person will have an easier time with the upper bunk, while a shorter person will have an easier time with the lower bunk, but in neither instance will either person have any success at making the respective top and bottom sheets remain in their tucked positions for very long. The sheets may be hard to tuck, in the first instance, owing to necessity of the person having to lay or kneel onto the mattress to reach corners and ends thereof and, even if successful, the tucking will undo itself as a soon as a person enters the bed for use, and most certainly over the course of its use, most of the tucking will become undone.

[0005] These types of problems create a particular frustration with this type of bed arrangement and results in unmade beds, infrequently changed linens, and general untidiness.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The invention is a combination bottom sheet bag ensemble, and attached top sheet, that promotes a fixed association of the bed clothes with respect to a related mattress. The bottom sheet assembly is made up of a pair of sheets forming an enclosed bag that completely envelops the depending mattress while the top sheet is fixedly associated with a lower edge of the bag such that, both when made and when in use, the top sheet is maintained in position with respect to the bottom sheet. The top sheet is constructed with extra length vis-a-vis the underlying bottom bag sheet set so as to enable the entire mattress and sheet ensemble to be flipped, top to bottom or side-to-side, wherein the previous bottom surface of the lower sheet bag can be used as a top sheet and reverse side of the top sheet can now form the inner side of the top sheet also for continued use thereof.

[0007] This bag and extra length arrangement offer at least two advantages: 1) the sheets maintain their “made-up” positions, regardless; and, 2) they need to be changed half as often to maintain freshness and cleanliness owing to the flip operability and use. These are consequential improvements for any mattress or bedding arrangement when access and changing are difficult.

In addition to bunk type mattress arrangements, sleeper sofa, cribs, and various RV bedding installations would all benefit.

[0008] The bag and associated top sheet arrangement of the present invention is also advantageously decorated with logo and affinity type of printing for applications where such would be appropriate or desired. A camp/hostel/hotel may use such affinity labeling to track and keep bedding on campus, whereas a school may, in addition or in the alternative, promote itself to attendees and alumni, etc. Where such decorating or printing necessitates, the “top” sheet may be a double ply sheet so as enable decorations on both top and bottom surfaces thereof.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

[0009] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain principles of the invention. In such drawings:

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a sheet ensemble in accord with the present invention.

[0011] Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing insertion of a dependent mattress into the bottom sheet bag and attached top sheet ensemble of the present invention.

[0012] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the separate component parts of one embodiment of a bottom sheet bag in accord with the present invention.

[0013] Fig. 4 shows an oblique view of a bottom sheet bag and top sheet embodiment in accord with the present invention.

[0014] Fig. 5 shows the invention when the mattress is in a flipped orientation with the top sheet extended over an opposed side of the bottom sheet bag.

[0015] Fig. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the bottom sheet bag and top sheet are formed from a continuous length of sheet material.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments and exemplary methods as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not necessarily limited to the specific details, representative materials and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments and exemplary methods. [0017] This description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as "horizontal," "vertical," "front," "rear," “upper”, “lower”, "top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly,"

"upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion and to the orientation relative to a vehicle body. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term "operatively connected" is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. Additionally, the word “a” as used in the claims means “at least one”.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a sheet ensemble in accord with the present invention made up of a bottom sheet bag 20 and an associated top sheet 26. A mattress 10 for use with the associated bottom sheet bag 20 and top sheet 26 is shown inserted into the bottom sheet bag 20 and the top sheet 26 is shown attached to the upper surface of the bottom sheet bag 20 and extended from the gathered open end 22 of bag 20 towards the closed end thereof 27. The bottom sheet bag 20 and top sheet 26 are associated one to the other along an attachment line 24 using appropriate washable attachment features, i.e., continuous or interval stitching, or zip, or button, or snap, or Velcro, or fabric glue, etc. The gathered end 22 bottom bag 20 opening 21 may include a drawstring 33 or other suitable gathering feature to retain the open bottom sheet end in relative position to the inserted mattress 10. In such instance where a drawstring or elastic gathering 33 is used around opening 21, a string or elastic receiver 32 is shown. The top sheet includes an extra length portion vis-a-vis the bottom sheet bag 20 of approximately 6-12 inches, i.e., approximately a mattress thickness, which may be larger or smaller depending on the thickness of the contained mattress, such that the entire sheet and mattress combination may be inverted in position by being flipped side to side or end to end, as shown in Fig. 5, such that formerly opposed respective sides of the bottom sheet bag 20 and top sheet 26 may be used as the wearing or touching surfaces of the sheet 20, 26 combination when in use. This flip feature enables longer, time wise, use of the sheet ensemble without laundering and yet maintaining freshness to the end user.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows the sequence of placing the mattress 10 within the bottom sheet bag 20 through opening 21 in end 22 of the sheet bag 20. The bottom sheet bag is made up of 2 sheets 31 and 32 formed or stitched, along three edges thereof, into a bag shape receiver for mattress 10. The top sheet 26 is joined to the sheet bag 20 along fastening line 24. This fastening can be permanent, most advantageously, or can be fixed in use and removable for replacement or laundering. It has been found that most usefully, the top and bottom sheet are associated with permanent stitching. This enables laundering and continued association of the respective sheets 20 and 26 over the longer term. However, it is recognized that an optionally removable type of attachment, i.e., buttons, snaps, zipper, etc., may be useful where single top sheet replacement is desired or made necessary where staining or other damage or unacceptable wear has occurred to one or the other of the respective sheet bag 20 and/or sheet 26.

[0020] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a bottom sheet bag 20 in accord with the present invention. The sheet bag 20 is made up of 2 sheets 31 and 32 sewn together along 3 edges, leaving an open end with a drawstring receiver 34 formed from respective unsewn folded edges of the respective sheets 31 and 32. The drawstring/elastic gathering element 33 is contained within the receiver 34 and, when a mattress is inserted into the sheet bag 20, is used to secure the surrounding sheet bag 20 with respect to the mattress via drawing the bag opening closed. For a long single mattress, frequently used in University settings in bunk beds, for example, the dimensions of the sheets making up the bottom sheet bag 20 can be 82” in length by 45.25” in width and be made of any suitable natural or synthetic blend bed sheeting material. For example, Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, 100% polyester, 100% cotton sateen, cotton jersey, flannel, polyester, Egyptian cotton, upland cotton, Tencel, silk, bamboo and blends. Crib sheets and other sheet sizes would, of course, be sized to match those mattress dimensions and thicknesses with the flip feature accommodated.

[0021] Fig. 4 shows a complete sheet ensemble in accord with the present invention showing a bottom sheet bag 20 and associated overlying and attached top sheet 26. The drawstring/elastic gathering 33 and associated sheet bag end are shown in a drawn closed position. The top sheet 26 is shown sewn to the bottom sheet bag 20 along attachment line 24. For the long single mattress example, the top sheet is ideally 61” in width, allowing for side-to-side mattress overhang, and also 82” in length. The stitch line 24 connecting the top sheet and bottom sheet bag approximate the edge of the inserted underlying mattress and is 4-12” from the gathered opening end 22 of the sheet bag 20. This relationship of bottom and top sheet lengths allows for the top sheet 26 to extend beyond the opposed of the mattress, for example by 4-12 inches, when inserted into the sheet bag 20, in one orientation of the sheet bag and mattress, Fig. 4, and to line up more-or-less evenly with the mattress edge when flipped to be used on the opposed side as in Fig. 5. The even line up of the sheet edges being dependent on mattress thickness. A 6 inch thick mattress, when enveloped by the bottom sheet bag, allows for an identically dimensioned top sheet to extend 6 inches beyond the edge of the mattress in a first configuration and become more-or-less even with the top mattress edge when flipped. This difference in installed length is by virtue of the top sheet not having to wrap around all sides of the mattress whereas the sheet bag does so in both length and width. In flipped orientation, the top sheet accounts for one mattress depth dimension along its length, and thus, lines up more evenly with the top edge of the contained mattress.

[0022] Fig. 6 shows an alternative assembly of a sheet bag 40 and top sheet 46 in accord with the present invention. This embodiment is made up of a single length of sheeting material, sewn along an opposed set of two longitudinal edges of bottom bag sheets 44 and 41, respectively, leaving an opening 42 at the unsewn end and equipped with drawstring 43 so as to gather opening 42 when a mattress is inserted into the bottom bag 40. The top sheet 46, i.e., in Fig. 5, is shown with a logo 60 or other affinity indicator thereon. Where such a logo 60 requires a single sheet thickness for printing on one single side thereof, the top sheet may be doubled in thickness, Fig. 6, by adding another layer or ply 64, in any of the embodiments of the present invention described herein, to enable such printing to appear on the inner and outer surfaces of top sheet 46/64. Doubling the ply of the top sheet could be accomplished by adding an additional sheet element 64 sewn to the perimeter of the top sheets 46, 26 disclosed herein, and such doubling may optionally also advantageously include batting materials, i.e., cotton wool or synthetic fibre batting 62, for a quilted effect top layer for greater warmth to a user without the need, in some instances, for additional bedding. [0023] After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate that certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub combination.

Claims

Claims:

1. A bed clothing ensemble for enveloping and covering a dependent mattress, comprising: a pair of sheets connected together along three edges thereof to form a bag shape having a pair of longer sides and a pair of shorter sides, one of said shorter sides having an unattached pair of edges forming an entrance to said bag shape for receipt of said mattress into said bag shape, said entrance having a gathering along the edges thereof to retain said mattress in within said bag shape; and, a top sheet attached to said bag shape at one of either of said shorter sides, and having an additional length thereof vis-a-vis a mattress installed shape of said bag shape such that said top sheet extends to or beyond the opposite unattached end of the bag shape when the top is over-layed over either side of said bag shape when a mattress is inserted therein.

2. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 1, wherein: said gathering member is an elastic member.

3. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 1, wherein: said gathering member is a drawstring.

4. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 1, wherein: said top sheet exceeds a longitudinal dimension of the attached bag shape by 4-12 inches in length in a first orientation thereof on said mattress.

5. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 1, wherein: said bottom bag shape and top sheet are formed from a single continuous length of sheet material.

6. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 1, wherein: respective outer surfaces of either or both of said bag shape and top sheet have images thereon.

7. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 2, wherein: said top sheet exceeds a longitudinal dimension of the attached bag shape by 4-12 inches in length in a first orientation thereof on said mattress.

8. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 7, wherein: said bottom bag shape and top sheet are formed from a single continuous length of sheet material.

9. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 8, wherein: respective outer surfaces of either or both of said bag shape and top sheet have images thereon.

10. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 3, wherein: said top sheet exceeds a longitudinal dimension of the attached bag shape by 4-12 inches in length in a first orientation thereof on said mattress.

11. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 10, wherein: said bottom bag shape and top sheet are formed from a single continuous length of sheet material.

12. A bed clothing ensemble as in claim 11, wherein: respective outer surfaces of either or both of said bag shape and top sheet have images thereon.