Patent Application
20100059531
The present invention relates generally to the field of bedding products and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for storing bedding products.
Fitted sheets, sometimes referred to as bottom sheets, are the sheets that cover a mattress on a bed. Fitted sheets often have elastic sewn into each one of the four corners to help the sheet remain in place over the mattress. Because of their configuration, and particularly because of the elastic located in the corners, fitted sheets can be difficult to fold, for example, after cleaning.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a lightweight, collapsible storage apparatus for fabrics, such as bed sheets, includes a container movable between a collapsed position and a use position, and a fabric receiving member dimensioned to receive fabric wrapped therearound such that the fabric receiving member and fabric wrapped therearound can be removably stored within the container when the container is in the use position. In some embodiments, the container is formed from two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls, and a flexible (e.g., fabric) bottom section attached to bottom edge portions of the side and end walls. The two side walls are configured to fold such that the container has a flat configuration with the folded side walls sandwiched between the end walls when in the collapsed position. In some embodiments, the container has a substantially rectangular configuration with substantially rectangular side walls and end walls, and the fabric receiving member is substantially rectangular. In some embodiments, an outer and/or inner face of each of the walls is covered with fabric.
In some embodiments, the container includes one or more handles, each secured to a respective one of the walls. An outer face of a wall may be covered with fabric, and a respective handle may be formed by a strip of material attached to the fabric. The strip of material may be the same material as the fabric or may be a different material.
The fabric receiving member is dimensioned such that a peripheral gap exists between the fabric receiving member and the inside of the container when the fabric receiving member is stored within the container without fabric wrapped therearound. This gap is dimensioned to allow the fabric receiving member to be stored within the container with fabric wrapped around the fabric receiving member. An exemplary gap may be between about 0.25″ and about 1.25″.
The fabric receiving member is sufficiently rigid to permit fabrics to be wrapped therearound. In some embodiments, the fabric receiving member may be substantially rigid; in other embodiments, the fabric receiving member may be somewhat flexible.
In some embodiments, the fabric receiving member has a tube configuration (e.g., a rectangular cross-section), wherein the tube has an axial length that is less than a height of the rectangular container. In other embodiments, the fabric receiving member has an H-type frame including a pair of vertically disposed longitudinally spaced end members interconnected in upstanding relationship by a transverse member.
In some embodiments, the fabric receiving member includes written instructions for folding fabrics and storing folded fabrics in the container.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method of storing fabrics includes wrapping a fabric around a fabric receiving member, and storing the fabric receiving member with fabric wrapped therearound within a collapsible storage container. The container is movable between a collapsed position and a use position, and is formed from two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls, and a flexible bottom section attached to bottom edge portions of the side and end walls. The two side walls are configured to fold such that the container has a flat configuration with the folded side walls sandwiched between the end walls when in the collapsed position.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method of storing fabrics includes folding a fabric using a template, removing the template from the folded bedding fabric, placing the template within a collapsible storage container, and storing the folded fabric within the container on top of the template.
It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment, may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail in the specification set forth below.
The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention. The drawings and description together serve to fully explain the invention.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout the description of the figures.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification are taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
The term “bedding fabrics” as used herein is intended to include sheets, blankets and all other bed coverings that can be folded for storage.
In the drawings, the thickness of lines, layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of a device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of “over” and “under.” A device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, walls and/or sections, these elements, components, walls and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, wall or section from another element, component, wall or section. Thus, a “first” element, component, wall or section discussed below could also be termed a “second” element, component, wall or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Referring now to
The fabric receiving member 14 has sufficient rigidity to permit fabrics to be wrapped therearound. In some embodiments, the fabric receiving member 14 may be substantially rigid; in other embodiments, the fabric receiving member 14 may be somewhat flexible. As described further below, the fabric receiving member 14 can have various shapes and configurations.
The illustrated container 12 is formed from two opposed rectangular side walls 18, 20, two opposed rectangular end walls 22, 24, and a flexible bottom section 26. The flexible bottom section 26 is attached to bottom edge portions 18a, 20a, 22a, 24a of the side and end walls 18, 20, 22, 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the two side walls 18, 20 are configured to fold such that the container 12 has a flat configuration with the folded side walls 18, 20 sandwiched between the end walls 22, 24 when in the collapsed position (
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the flexible bottom section 26 may be the same decorative fabric 30 that covers the outer faces 18c, 20c, 22c, 24c of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24. However, in other embodiments different fabrics may be utilized for the flexible bottom section 26 and the outer surfaces 18c, 20c, 22c, 24c of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24. In other embodiments, different decorative fabrics may be used on the outer surfaces of one or more of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24.
In the illustrated embodiment, the decorative fabric 30 and liner fabric 28 are sewn together adjacent upper edge portions 18d, 20d, 22d, 24d of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24, and adjacent lower edge portions 18a, 20a, 22a, 24a of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24 to form sleeves that receive the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24 therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the side walls 18, 20 are each formed from two separate panels 32, 34 that are separated by a seam 36 attaching the decorative fabric 30 and liner fabric 28. The seam 36 acts as a hinge that permit the panels 32, 34 to fold in face-to-face contacting relationship as illustrated in
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated configuration of side walls 18, 20 and the decorative fabric 30 and liner fabric 28. In other embodiments, instead of separate panels 32, 34, side walls 18, 20 may each be a single panel that is scored to facilitate folding. In yet other embodiments, the separate panels 32, 34 of side walls 18, 20 may be hingedly connected together to facilitate folding thereof. In some embodiments, no fabric may be utilized to cover panels 32, 34.
In the illustrated embodiment, the fabric receiving member 14 is covered with the same liner fabric 28 as the inner faces 18b, 20b, 22b, 24b of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24. The fabric 28 on each side of the fabric receiving member 14 is sewn together along the peripheral edge 14a of the fabric receiving member 14. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the fabric receiving member 14 being covered with the same material as the inner faces 18b, 20b, 22b, 24b of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24. In some embodiments, other material may utilized. In some embodiments, the fabric receiving member 14 may remain uncovered. For example, the fabric receiving member 14 may be a non-covered material such as polymeric material, paperboard, cardboard, or any other suitable material.
In the illustrated embodiment, the storage container 10 includes a pair of handles 38, each secured to a respective end wall 22, 24. The handles 38 may be strips of the same decorative fabric that cover the outer surfaces 18c, 20c, 22c, 24c of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24. The handles 38 are sewn to the decorative fabric 30 in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, a fabric different from the fabric covering outer surfaces 18c, 20c, 22c, 24c may be utilized for the handles 38. Handles, however, are not required, and some embodiments of the present invention may not include handles.
Embodiments of the present invention do not require the use of a decorative fabric 30 on the outer surfaces 18c, 20c, 22c, 24c of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24, nor do embodiments require the use of a liner fabric 28 on the inner surfaces 18b, 20b, 22b, 24b of the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24. In some embodiments, the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24 may remain uncovered. For example, the side walls 18, 20 and end walls 22, 24 may be a non-covered material such as polymeric material, paperboard, cardboard, or any other suitable material.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, instructions regarding how to wrap and/or fold fabrics prior to being stored within the container 10 are provided on the fabric receiving member 14. Fabric receiving member 14 can also serve the function of an instruction card. Exemplary folding instructions for various fabrics are provided below.
To facilitate the width of fabric wrapped around the fabric receiving member 14, in some embodiments, the fabric receiving member 14 is dimensioned such that a peripheral gap of between about 0.25″ and about 1.25″ exists between the fabric receiving member 14 and the inside of the container 12 when the fabric receiving member 14 is inserted within the container 12 without fabric wrapped therearound. In other words, a length and width of fabric receiving member 14 is less than a corresponding internal length and width of the container 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, fabric receiving member 14 is a planar substrate having a generally rectangular configuration. However, in other embodiments, fabric receiving members can have different shapes and configurations for receiving bedding fabric wrapped therearound. For example, as illustrated in
Referring to
Embodiments of the present invention can facilitate easy storage of fabric products, particularly bedding fabrics that may be difficult to fold and store. Collapsible storage apparatus according to the present invention are lightweight and easy to use. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention also can promote the efficient use of storage space. Embodiments of the present invention can be sold with fabric products and can facilitate marketing and sales of various fabric products because of the novel storage apparatus provided.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/095,419, filed Sep. 9, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61095419 | Sep 2008 | US |
