Combination Linens Bedding Arrangement

Abstract

A combination linens bedding set comprising a flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcases, where the flat and fitted sheets are each comprised of two different materials attached lengthwise along a center of the sheets. The two different materials may be permanently seamed together or removably affixed using a zipper. The flat sheet is further comprised of a pair of opposed decorative hems such that there are two headers to the flat sheet allowing either end of the sheet to be positioned at a head of a bed. In the embodiment using a zipper, the decorative hems are further formed with a split along the center length immediately adjacent each end of the zipper to allow the decorative hem to lie flat when folded down.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE EFS WEB SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention is a combination linens bedding arrangement in which a set of linens for a bed is comprised of a pillowcase, flat sheet and fitted sheet in which each of the pillowcase, flat sheet and fitted sheet are comprised of a first material and a second material arranged such that half of the pillowcase, flat sheet and fitted sheet areas are comprised of the first material and a remaining half of the area is comprised of the second material, with the first material joined to the second material along a center length line of the fitted and flat sheet.

Background Art

Bed linens or linens bedding sets are sets of sheets, pillowcases, blankets, etc. for dressing a bed and a typical set of linens bedding is comprised of one or more pillowcases, a flat or top sheet and a second flat or more typically a fitted lower sheet having elasticized box corners. In this disclosure, the use of “linens” and “sheets” are interchangeable, however the inventor notes that blankets, quilts, duvet covers and other the term “linens”. Typically, the pillowcases, flat and fitted sheets are all made of a same material, such as cotton, and with a same type of weave or finish. For instance, a set of cotton sheets may be flannel, which is a medium weight cotton with a napped or fuzzy finish on one or both sides and feels soft and warm to the skin, or cotton satin, which is typically mercerized cotton using a satin weave to produce a silky, smooth fabric that is cool to the touch. Hence, the term “linens” is not referring to a type of fabric but to the set of sheets and pillowcases sold as a set for use with a bed.

One known issue with linens is that when dressing a bed sized for two people, often the bed occupants do not agree on the feel and type of fabric used for the sheets and pillowcases. For instance, some people like the fuzzy feel and texture of flannel and polyester fleece especially for winter, while others prefer the cool, smooth feel of cotton satin sheets. When a couple does not agree on the preferred type of linens used on the bed, invariably one person is unhappy with the linens. This is particularly difficult when the choice of material is directed by allergies or other sensitivities, and the other person thus is left with no choice of preferred linens. In particular, women are very sensitive and choosy about their linens, complaining of being cold in their 20s and then being too hot in their 50s. Men often complain the bed is too warm and prefer cooler, more breathable sheets.

Further, differences in visual and design preferences can also lead to struggles between couples sharing beds. Men often do not like sleeping in sheets covered with flowers or other feminine details, and may prefer more masculine patterns and colors, while women may find the aesthetics of solid sheets or striping boring or unimaginative and view linens as yet another way to express their design creativity.

Traditionally, when a bed is dressed, the “right” sides of the fitted and flat sheet are positioned facing one another so as to contact the sleeper's body, so the flat sheet is positioned on the bed so that the “wrong” side faces upwards away from the sleeper's body. All materials have a “right” and “wrong side” and particularly with patterned fabrics, the difference between the two sides is visually obvious and the feel of the two sides may differ dramatically particularly if the fabric is napped. The flat sheet is further comprised of a decorative trim portion at a top or header portion of the sheet that is folded downwards over a blanket, quilt, etc. but this trim, while referred to in this disclosure as the “decorative trim” is not merely decorative but rather serves important functional jobs: the trim positioned on top of the flat sheet and folded downwards to provide space for the sleeper's upper body, folding the trim downwards over blankets, etc. creates a convenient edge for the sleeper to grasp and adjust all bedding at once, the trim acts as definitive “right side” indicator particularly for solid fabrics to easily identify the “right” side without need of close examination of the sheet material, and a thickness of the trim provides a visual guide for judging how much of the flat sheet to fold downwards over the blanket. Decoratively, the trim and the tradition of the fold down is a way to display the sheet material and design. Further, the trim is often comprised of double thickness material, ribbon or other structural and decorative elements that reinforce the fabric along the header of the sheet. The uppermost edge of the trim may be straight, scalloped, or have other decorative shapes that when folded downwards, has a further decorative function.

In the prior art, several attempts have been made to create customizable linen sets however these attempts have failed for a variety of reasons, including design flaws that result in impractical linens when used day to day, the inability to truly customize each side of the linens, and finally, resolution of the flat sheet's header trim problem created by having two different fabrics separated along the center length seam of the linens, where the flat sheet either lacks the decorative trim or two flat sheets are required to ensure a proper left side-right side configuration of the flat sheet corresponding with the fitted sheet so that a same fabric is on a same side of the center length seam of both fitted and flat sheets when the bed is dressed. The lack of a decorative top trim on the flat sheet is visually unappealing, and the left side-right side issue of the materials, depending on the choice of positioning of the fitted sheet on the bed, complicates purchase and manufacturing of linen sets as either the sets must be sold without a flat sheet, which is then purchased separately, or specific left-right sets must be sold. Creating a double faced flat sheet is another option, but the double layer of material is undesirable particularly in warmer weather when it is too cool to sleep without a covering but a double sided flat sheet is too warm. Flipping the existing flat sheet so that the “right” side no longer faces the fitted sheet is also not a proper solution, since fabrics all have a “right” side and a “wrong” side, and especially with napped fabrics, flipping the sheet will result in a totally different feel and look that is undesirable. Similarly, rotating the sheet so that a footer of the sheet, usually located near the foot of the bed is now at the top of the bed, is also undesirable since the footer and header of the flat sheet are finished differently, and rotating the sheet results in the bed looking “wrong” or “upside down”.

What is needed is a combination linens bedding set in which the pillowcases, flat and fitted sheets all comprise two materials and the flat sheet retains its decorative and functional features without the need of extra sheets, or resorting to less than desirable workarounds.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A combination linens bedding set is comprised of a flat sheet having a width and a length, with a pair of opposed decorative trims formed at each end of the flat sheet length and a pair of pillowcases each pillowcase having a first material on a first side and a second material on a second side. The set may be further comprised of an additional flat sheet identical to or different in design from the flat sheet. The set may be further comprised of a flat sheet.

In one aspect of the invention, the flat sheet is made of a first material affixed to a second material along a center length of the flat sheet. The first and second materials are permanently affixed along the center length by a seam or alternatively removably affixed along the center seam by a centered zipper.

In a second aspect of the invention, the decorative trims of the flat sheet are split along the center length of the flat sheet in the embodiment where the first material is removably zippered to the second material, with the zipper positioned between the decorative hems but not extending into the hems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a combination linens bedding set according to the invention, shown in a typical embodiment for personal use with one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two identical pillowcases, a first pillowcase showing a top view of the first pillowcase, and a second pillowcase showing a bottom view of the second pillowcase.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a flat sheet according to the invention, where the flat sheet has a pair of opposed headers formed on a right side of the flat sheet such that there is no footer hem and no footer.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a flat sheet according to the invention, shown with a longitudinal center length and a right side of fabric and a wrong side of fabric.

FIG. 3 is a top view detail view of the flat sheet in FIG. 2, showing a first side material and a second side material of the sheet removably affixed via a zipper positioned along a center length of the flat sheet.

FIG. 4 is a top detail view of the flat sheet in FIG. 2, showing a first side material and a second side material of the sheet affixed via a center seam along the center length of the flat sheet.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 in FIG. 2, showing a decorative hem portion of the flat sheet as having an upper layer of material affixed to a lower layer of material, the lower layer of material being a body of the flat sheet.

FIG. 5A is a top detail view taken from FIG. 2, showing the decorative edge portion of the decorative hem.

FIG. 6 is a top detail view of the flat sheet in FIG. 1, showing the center length of the sheet configured as a zipper.

FIG. 7 is a top detail view of the flat sheet in FIG. 1, showing the center length of the sheet configured as a seam.

FIG. 8 is a top detail view of the flat sheet in FIG. 2A, showing the wrong side of the fabric facing and the right sides along the split hem, as it would appear when positioned on a bed.

FIG. 9 is a top detail view of the flat sheet in FIG. 2A, showing the right side of the fabric facing and the wrong sides along the split hem.

FIG. 10 is a prior art combination linen beddings set.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A combination linens bedding set according to the invention 100 is shown in FIGS. 1-9, with a prior art linens bedding set 200 shown in FIG. 10.

Turning to the Figures, it is instructive to first review the prior art linens bedding set 200 and its prior art flat sheet 220 and fitted sheet 210. The flat sheet 210 has a header 230, an opposed footer 234. The fitted sheet 220 has a header 230 at which there is a decorative hem 232 formed, a footer 234 and a footer hem 236 sewn into the footer end of the flat sheet 220. The footer hem 236 is different from the decorative hem 232 and the prior art teaches that the decorative hem 232 is always positioned at a head of a bed, where the pillows are positioned, and the footer hem 236 is always positioned at a foot of the bed. The decorative header 232 has three functions: (1) to visually indicate which end of the flat sheet 220 is the header, and (2) provide a reinforced edge at a header of the flat sheet 220, which is subject to more wear and tear as a user will touch and grab this portion of the flat sheet 220 more than any other portion thereof; and (3) to add visual interest to the bedding when the bed is made up with the sheets and blankets. The prior art linens bedding set 200 is made of a single material, and this material has a right side and a wrong side, with the right sides of the sheets 220210 positioned immediately adjacent one another when the bed is made up so the user's body is in contact with the right sides of the sheets. Thus the flat sheet 220 is positioned right side down on the fitted sheet 210 and the decorative hem 232 is folded down so as to position the wrong side of the decorative hem 232 against the wrong side of a remaining portion of the flat sheet 220 or against the blanket on top of the flat sheet 220 as a final step. The user grabs the decorative hem 232 to adjust the bedding 200 accordingly.

In contrast, the combination linens bedding set according to the invention 100 and shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of a flat sheet 20 having a pair of opposed headers 30 each formed with a decorative hem 32 and an edge portion 32b along an outermost end of each header 30. The edge portion 32b is shown in a majority of the Figures as a straight line, however in FIG. 5A, the edge portion is shown having a scalloped design as one embodiment of the edge portion 32b when a more decorative look is desired. The inventor notes that there are many types of decorative treatments that can be applied to the edge portion 32b as well as to parts of the decorative trim and the Figures are thus not meant to be limited the invention to the edge or decorative trims shown but rather to provide examples that are suitable for use with the flat sheet 20.

When the decorative hem 32 is folded downwards over the blanket (not shown), the edge portion 32b is visible against the blanket and adds another visual feature to the flat sheet 20. In FIG. 1, the flat sheet 20 and a fitted sheet 10 are each shown with a longitudinal center or center length 14 that when positioned on the bed (not shown), the center length 14 is positioned in a center of the bed with one end at a head of the bed and the opposed end at a foot of the bed. The center length 14 may be configured as a seam 16 as shown in FIG. 7, or as a zipper 18 as shown in FIGS. 6, and 8-9. For the zipper embodiment, the decorative hem 32 is further divided along the center length 14 by a split 32a that starts at one end of the zipper 18 and terminates at the edge portion 32b. For the seam embodiment, the seam 16 runs from one edge portion 32b to the opposed edge portion 32b and thus along an entire length of the center length 14 of the flat sheet 20. For the fitted sheet 10, both the zipper embodiment 18 and the seam embodiment 16 run from the header 30 to the footer 34. FIG. 1 shows the linens bedding set 100 having a first material 56 and a second material 58, and each material 5658 having a right side 22 and a wrong side 24. FIG. 2 shows a flat sheet 20 made of a single material but again having a pair of identical opposed headers 30 and decorative hems 32. The inventor notes that the opposed hems do not have to be identical in design, and can in fact have different design elements, if desired, allowing the user more choice. The inventor stresses that one embodiment of her invention is a single material flat sheet 20 having the pair of opposed decorative hems 32 and headers 30 to allow either end of the flat sheet 20 to be positioned at the head of the bed and thus simplifying bed making and additionally extending the life of the flat sheet 20, which has a tendency to show wear and tear along the decorative hem 32. When the flat sheet 20 is comprised of two materials 5658, as shown in FIG. 1, the flat sheet 20 can be reoriented so that the first material 56 is on a left side of the bed as viewed from the top view as shown in FIG. 1, or the entire flat sheet 20 can be rotated 180 degrees so that the first material 56 is on a right side as viewed from the top view. Since the flat sheet has a pair of identical opposed headers 30, the decorative hem is still usable regardless of the selection of the orientation of the fitted sheet 10 on the bed. The inventor also notes that while less common, a linens bedding set can also be comprised of a pair of identical flat sheets, and thus while the Figures show a set having a fitted and flat sheet, this is not meant to limit a linens bedding set to just having a fitted bottom sheet.

In prior art dual material sheet sets, the flat sheet lacks a decorative hem because of this very issue, but the lack of decorative hem is unattractive and undesirable. Since the decorative hem 32 is additionally functional in that it is a reinforced area of the sheet, the lack of this hem 32 means the upper end of the sheet is more prone to wear damage. Since the traditional prior art flat sheet always has this decorative hem 232, maintaining the hem 32 is important for aesthetics and function.

FIG. 2A shows the flat sheet 20 configured to have two different materials, but in this Figure, is shown with right side facing. When the bedding set 100 is configured with two different materials, and the center length 14 is in fact the zipper 18, the zipper's opposed ends are positioned immediately adjacent the decorative hem 32. The hem 32 is split 32a along the center length 14 so as to create a pair of flaps, with a first material header 30a and a second material header 30b created at each end of the flat sheet 20. The split 32a allows the hem 32 to be folded downwards in the traditional fashion, but allows the hem 32 to lie flat, whereas a zipper continuous from each edge portion 32b would result in a lump or bump in the flat sheet 20 that would be visually unappealing and potentially damage the zipper 18 which at this time is not configured to be folded. The zipper embodiment 18 also allows the user to switch out half a sheet as desired, such as in the case where a spill or other accident occurs on one side of the sheet but does not affect the other side, the affected side can be unzipped, removed, and washed, saving the entire sheet from unnecessary wear and tear and using less resources so as to be more environmentally friendly. Smaller sheet pieces are also more apartment friendly, where smaller sized washing and drying machines have difficulty processing large bedding and the ability to separate the sheets into smaller pieces is particularly suited to tighter living accommodations. In the embodiment where the set 100 has two flat sheets 20, the sheets may be identical or have different designs regarding the decorative hem, fabric and method of joining the fabrics along the center length. For instance, one flat sheet may have the first and second materials permanently stitched together, and the second flat sheet may have a zipper 18 with the decorative hem split within the same set 100. The inventor notes that for home use, the fitted sheet is more commonly used but in commercial situations such as with hotels, the bottom sheet is commonly a flat sheet to simplify the bedding.

The permanently seamed sheets also provide advantages to the manufacturer. Bed sheets are very wide and typically are a single piece of fabric. This wide width is very expensive to produce, requiring specialized machinery and contributes to the cost of sheets. The ability to use shorter widths of fabric to make sheets offers consumers a wider variety in sheets because widths of 45″ and 60″ for instance, are commonly available even to retail sewing customers. Currently, sheets are not commonly pieced together because there is a perception that a seam will be uncomfortable, but locating the seam along the center length is less likely to bother a couple sharing a bed because each is sleeping against an unseamed portion of the sheets. Also in the case of positioning the sheets so that the different materials are positioned along the width of the sheet, the natural shape of a body is less likely to be bothered by a seam or soft zipper between the neck and the upper thighs or at the knees, for instance. The inventor has found that soft fabric zippers are flexible, durable and very comfortable, and the inventor believes a centered zipper application, where the zipper teeth are covered by a pair narrow folds of fabric that meet in the center of the zipper, ensure that the teeth will not be bothersome to the sleeper or snag clothing, etc. There are many known ways to seam two pieces of fabric together and a variety of different seams will work for this combination linens set. The only requirement is that the seams are flat and strong. Different materials require different seaming techniques as appropriate to the fabric type, weight, and use.

In another advantageous embodiment, the split 32a could be configured with snaps or other durable and flat couplers to create a unitary decorative hem 32 for ease of use.

FIG. 1 shows a pair of pillows 50 as part of the set 100, where a first side 52 and a second side 54 are shown and are in fact opposite sides of each pillowcase. It should be noted that the pillows are either permanently seamed together, with the first fabric 56 on one side and the second fabric 58 on the other side, or alternatively, the two sides 5658 are removably affixed by another zipper (not shown) allowing the user to make one pillow with two same fabric sides or two pillows with as many as four different materials. The inventor notes this has some decorative advantages, where the look of the made up bed can be changed easily and again, the ability to unzip portions of the pillow would reduce unnecessary washings, etc. of the otherwise clean fabric to fix a spill or spot on only one side of the pillowcase.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, while the sheets are shown with the dividing line between fabrics along the center length 14, having the sheets divided along the width of the sheet allows for options such as having a different material in a center portion under a torso versus on the feet or head area. Many people complain about cold feet, for instance, and it might be useful to be able to unzip and replace a lower third of either the flat or fitted sheet with a warmer, softer hand feel material, for instance. Having the different materials permanently sewn together to make a single sheet is also still very useful, because it simplifies the bedding and provides a same function as the prior art bedding in terms of making the bed but with the advantage of customized fabric on either side. The inventor notes that the customized linens bedding set is ideally suited for beds having a width larger than 38 inches (twin bed width) since the dual material is for accommodating two people sharing the same bed and is ideally suited for queen and king sized beds.

Claims

1. A linens bedding set, comprising: a flat sheet having a flat sheet center length between a first header and a second header of the sheet;wherein the first header and second header are each further comprised of a decorative trim portion; andat least one pillowcase having a first side and a second side, the first side comprised of the first material and the second side comprised of the second material.

2. The linens bedding set in claim 1, further comprising a second flat sheet.

3. The linens bedding set in claim 1, further comprising a fitted sheet having a fitted sheet center length between a fitted sheet header and a foot portion; wherein the fitted sheet is further comprised of a first material and a second material, the first material attached to the second material along the fitted sheet center length.

4. The linens bedding set in claim 1, wherein the flat sheet is further comprised of the first material attached to the second material along the flat sheet center length.

5. The linens bedding set in claim 4, wherein the first material of the flat sheet is sewn to the second material of the flat sheet between the decorative trim portions of the flat sheet.

6. The linens bedding set in claim 5, wherein the decorative trim has a split aligned with seam on the flat sheet center length, whereby the decorative trim is bisected and forms two independent decorative trim segments.

7. The linens bedding set in claim 1, wherein the first material and the second material of the fitted sheet are removably affixed using a centered zipper.

8. The linens bedding set in claim 1, wherein the first material and the second material of the flat sheet are removably affixed using a centered zipper positioned along the flat sheet center length between the decorative trim portions of the flat sheet.

9. The linens bedding set in claim 1, wherein the decorative trim portion of the first header has a first outermost edge shape and the decorative trim portion of the second header has a second outermost edge shape.

10. A flat sheet for use with a bed having a width larger than 38 inches and a longitudinal center of the sheet measured from an uppermost edge to a lowermost edge of the sheet, the bed further comprising a head portion and a foot portion, the flat sheet comprising: a first material having a length between the uppermost edge and the opposed lowermost edge of the sheet, the uppermost edge formed with a first decorative trim and the opposed lowermost edge formed with a second decorative trim;whereby any of the uppermost edge and the lowermost edge of the sheet is positioned at the head portion of the bed.

11. The flat sheet in claim 10, further comprising a second material having a second material length; wherein the first material is affixed to the second material along the longitudinal center of the sheet;whereby the sheet is comprised of the first material and the second material in equal proportions.

12. The flat sheet in claim 10, wherein the first material is sewn to the second material along the longitudinal center of the sheet.

13. The flat sheet in claim 10, wherein the first material is removably affixed to the second material along the longitudinal center of sheet by a centered zipper.

14. The flat sheet in claim 10, wherein the decorative hem is split into two equal parts along the longitudinal center of the sheet.

15. The flat sheet in claim 13, wherein the centered zipper is positioned between each decorative hem along the longitudinal center of the sheet.