Patent Application
20240016305
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The instant disclosure relates to bedding, namely coordinated bedding sets. More particularly, the instant disclosure relates to the manufacture of a bedding set with a coordinating fabric protection system.
It is common to safeguard mattresses from stains, tears, and other forms of damage. Typically, in order to accomplish this, a mattress cover is employed to fully envelop the top, sides, and bottom of the mattress. Most mattress covers employ a zipper or a similar fastening mechanism to enclose the cover on one side or around the bottom portion of the mattress. Others may be manufactured similarly to a fitted sheet having an absorbent side and a barrier or water-resistant side and conform to the mattress via an elastic band beneath the mattress. While these mattress covers generally serve their protective purpose, replacing a soiled, torn, or damaged cover with a new or clean one can prove to be exceptionally challenging. Furthermore, mattress covers are typically constructed from protective materials like plastics and rough fabrics that may shield the underlying mattress from harm, but may also can cause irritation or discomfort to the user's skin upon contact.
To address these concerns, mattress covers are often paired with a fitted sheet that covers the top, sides, and a small portion of the bottom edge of the cover. The fitted sheet may generally be secured by tucking its lower edge under the mattress, providing a softer surface for the user's body and offering an easily removable layer that can be cleaned or replaced if it becomes stained, torn, or damaged. However, fitted sheets frequently slide off the mattress cover and the underlying mattress, compromising their ability to provide an adequate additional layer of protection. Furthermore, these fitted sheets are often made from materials that fail to fully shield the underlying mattress cover, as any staining or damage to the fitted sheet tends to affect the mattress cover as well. This arrangement then requires the change, relaundering, and replacement of both the fitted sheet and the mattress cover after a spill or soiling event.
Other attempts to protect mattresses use an absorbent and/or waterproof sheet simply placed atop the bedding on which the user sleeps. So long as these sheets can absorb a spill or at least hold and prevent the spill from leaking onto the bedding, these may require less work and laundering. However, these sheets may shift during a user's overnight sleep, as sheets, blankets, and other bedding are known to do, thereby causing the absorbent/waterproof sheets to be totally ineffective.
Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognized unmet need for improvements to allow for a bedding protection system which stays in place during use but does not require multiple textiles be laundered after a spill or soiling event. The current disclosure is designed to address this need through various improvements to a bedding protection system, which includes components disclosed herein while addressing at least some of the aspects of the problems discussed above.
Briefly described, in a possibly preferred embodiment, the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a bedding system by introducing various improvements to the manufacture, construction, and design of a bedding set to include at least a fitted sheet and a coordinated runner. The coordinated bedding protection system of the disclosure, in a potentially preferred embodiment, may feature a multi-layer runner and a coordinating fitted sheet. The multi-layer runner may be designed to be placed partially beneath a mattress, extend therefrom to cover a portion of the top and surrounding sides, then be placed again beneath the mattress. The runner may further be designed to attach or otherwise operably combine to a fitted sheet, which may be placed on the mattress via a constricting aperture in advance of installing the runner. The bottom portion of the mattress may remain uncovered by either of the runner or coordinating fitted sheet. A protective barrier may be formed across the mattress on the portions covered by the runner and may prevent both the fitted sheet and the mattress from being dirtied or wetted during a soiling and/or spill event. The multi-layer runner may be able to be laundered separately from the remaining portions of the protection system, or alternatively, be exchanged for another compatible runner. The runners may be re-usable and/or disposable.
In at least one aspect of the bedding system of the disclosure, it may drastically change the manner in which fitted sheets, bed runners, and flat sheets are designed and secured to provide a seamless, snug, and aesthetically pleasing look for a well-made bed. Full implementation of the disclosed bedding protection system may, if standardized, significantly benefit individuals and their cleanliness, as well as diminish societal stress upon individuals suffering incontinence. The protection system, in one aspect may include a fitted sheet having a fastener system facing away from a mattress bottom during installation. Such a fastener system may be positioned in one or more strips opposite the opening of the fitted sheet, which may be elastically constricted. Such a fastener system, in a potentially preferred embodiment of the fitted sheet of the disclosure, may be a hook-and-loop fastener system with the engagement side facing outward from the mattress during an installation. Further preferred embodiments may include multiple strips of hook-and-loop fastener material installed about at least two sides of an installed fitted sheet (e.g., a right and left side).
In another aspect, such a fitted sheet may coordinate with a waterproof mattress protector, which may be a simple runner extending from one side of the mattress to the other during an installation, and operably combining with the fastener system of the fitted sheet of the disclosure. The runner may be designed to match the sheet set or may be designed to coordinate with and/or otherwise augment the aesthetic nature of a luxurious bedding arrangement. This bed runner may incorporate a subsequent absorbent layer and/or a waterproof layer. In a potentially optimal arrangement, a coordinating fabric layer and a hydrophobic layer may sandwich an absorbent layer such that the bedding runner coordinates with the fitted sheet, the middle layer receives a spill volume, and a waterproofing layer prevents a spill from penetrating to the fitted sheet. In order to best coordinate with the fitted sheet in a potentially preferred embodiment, it may feature one or more strips of hook-and-loop material in order to operably combine with the coordinating strip(s) about a receiving aperture of the fitted sheet, when installed about a mattress. Then, when soiled or wetted, such a runner may be taken off. In some embodiments, the runner may be discarded, though waste may be avoided and the overall sustainability augmented while convenience maintained, through the storage of multiple replacement runners and laundering as necessary. This may allow an individual suffering frequent incontinence to preserve a majority of their bedding for a weekly, rather than daily, chore. Additionally, such an individual may benefit from purchasing multiple, less expensive, runners, thereby increasing their purchasing power for the acquisition of premium and/or luxurious bedding, when such an individual may avoid such bedding options, given the propensity they may have to stain them. Such additional benefits may include the ease by which a runner of such a configuration may be replaced when compared to the chore individuals endure when exchanging a fitted sheet or enveloping mattress protector.
Overall, the present bedding system may offer a comprehensive solution to various challenges faced with conventional bedding setups and waterproofing strategies thereof. By integrating fastening strips in strategic locations and introducing a waterproof bed runner, this innovative design delivers improved functionality, enhanced comfort, and a refined appearance to elevate the overall bedding experience. The modular nature of the system allows for easy customization to suit different mattress sizes and bedding styles, making it an attractive solution for consumers and manufacturers alike.
The present disclosure may further address concerns desired by those seeking an innovative bedding system designed to cater to individuals of all age groups, but specifically those who may be susceptible to bed wetting and/or other tendencies that may benefit from a bedding protection system during infancy, elderly ages, and for adults during intimacy. Such bedding protection systems may discretely and even luxuriously protect bedding from moisture, stains, spills, or other soiling, in order to facilitate pleasurable experiences for adults needing extra protection during during sexual activities and/or discretely and confidently addressing incontinence issues during adulthood. A primary objective of the disclosure may be to enable users to indulge in sexual pleasure and climax experiences at any time without the hassle of dealing with soiled bedding, and to enable the quick, discrete tidying thereof with suitable, perhaps identical, replacement bedding. The proposed bedding set may further ensure that the bed remains consistently fresh, clean, and stain-free, offering multiple benefits, including but not limited to the delay of the immediate replacement of sheets through use of an absorbent/protective bed runner, the elimination of permanent mattress and/or fitted sheet stains, reduction in overall laundering, preservation of dignity and décor, encouragement of sleep and/or sexual activity via the lack of a discouraging detriment (i.e., wet sheets), reduction/elimination of household chores, reduction of expenses related thereto (e.g., water, electricity), increase in beneficial hygiene, the like and/or combinations thereof.
These and other features of the coordinated protection system will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the prior Summary and following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and Claims when read in light of the accompanying Drawings or Figures.
The coordinated bedsheet and fabric protection system will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed disclosure.
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Various features then may be observed and understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. For instance, various sizes for each feature of the coordinated protection system of the disclosure may be appropriate, given standard bed and mattress sizing that may be available across the globe. By way of example and not limitation, these may include King, California King, Queen, Full, Twin, and long Twin-sized mattresses and/or beds. Measurements for coordinated fitted sheet 200 of a California King may, for instance be 72″ wide×84″ long×17″ deep to accommodate, for instance a 12″ thick mattress or larger. Multi-layer runner 10 for a corresponding mattress may measure 116″ wide×38″ high. A full California King bedding set having a flat sheet then may include such a sheet measuring 116″ wide×112″ long and a King-sized pillow case which may measure 20″×40″. King-sized mattresses may be accommodated via coordinated fitted sheet 200 measuring 78″ wide×80″ long×17″ deep to accommodate, for instance, 12″ king mattress, multi-layer runner 10 which may be 120″ wide×38″ high, flat 116″ 112″ sheet, and corresponding King-sized pillow cases. Queen-sized mattresses may be coordinated with coordinated fitted sheet 200 measuring 60″ wide×80″ long×17″ deep, multi-layer runner 10 measuring 104″×38″ high, and a flat 98″×112″ sheet with Queen (e.g., 20″×35″) cases. Other various sizes may be variously adapted to accommodate other various sizes, to include at least those known, standard mattress sizes available at the time of the disclosure, as well as may be adapted to custom-sized beds and/or bedding.
In various example constructions of the system of the disclosure, other various features may possess other various properties. Coordinated fitted sheet 200 with and in combination with multi-layer runner 10 and various other accessories, combinations, modifications, and bedding accessories may combine into a customizable kit in order to accommodate various mattress depths while seamlessly integrating a bed runner into the bedding ensemble. Such constructions may additionally include multi-layer runner 10 having multiple points of attachment, laterally, along its length so as to accommodate various depths by increasing the overall length of multi-layer runner 10, or lengths by which multi-layer runner 10 may interoperate with coordinated fitted sheet 200. Additionally, coordinated fitted sheet 200 may additionally feature additional points of anchoring/attachment with multi-layer runner 10 such that additional depths of standard-sized beds may be accommodated. Such additional anchoring points may provide the additional benefit of constricting and/or tightening multi-layer runner 10 and/or coordinated fitted sheet 200 about mattress M.
A potential key feature of the combination of multi-layer runner 10 and coordinated fitted sheet 200 may be an incorporation of five parallel hook-and-loop fastening strips, which may exist as ¾″×6″ strips, and may be positioned along the sides coordinated fitted sheet 200 in order to “catch” multi-layer runner 10 during an assembly. In such an embodiment, multi-layer runner 10 may be first secured at one end as herein described (after mattress M is installed into coordinated fitted sheet 200) and then at its other end, multi-layer runner 10 may be tossed to or placed on the opposite bedding side. Then, multi-layer runner 10 may be stretched and/or pulled taught to mattress M and pushed beneath it at the opposite side. Further adjustment to multi-layer runner 10 and coordinated fitted sheet 200 may then be made and multi-layer runner 10 may be then installed at the opposite attachment area of coordinated fitted sheet 200 and stretched to “catch” on the innermost hook-and-loop fastener strip. Should sufficient pressure be applied to a top portion of mattress M, and correspondingly upon multi-layer runner 10 and/or coordinated fitted sheet 200, one or more strips may detach and/or fail, but succeeding strips may in turn “catch” to prevent multi-layer runner 10 from detaching from coordinated fitted sheet 200. These hook-and-loop fastener strips of such an embodiment, may further be thought of as removable-attachment points for multi-layer runner 10, allowing it to be effortlessly secured onto coordinated fitted sheet 200 without the need for additional fasteners or pins. Such hook-and-loop strips may further be precisely spaced two inches apart, which may further ensure optimal compatibility with mattresses of varying depths. This arrangement may further guarantee that coordinated fitted sheet 200 can comfortably accommodate mattresses with thicknesses of up to, for example, 17 inches. As may be generally understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, certain hook-and-loop fasteners may further benefit from properties of self-adhesion without attaching to other fabrics. This attribute may be integral in preventing coordinated fitted sheet 200 and multi-layer runner 10 from sticking to other nearby items, or items being laundered therewith, which may enhance user convenience and maintain the overall aesthetics of the bedding arrangement.
In yet another variation on such an embodiment, attachment means on coordinated fitted sheet 200 may separately or additionally reside in parallel strips along a mattress side when so installed on mattress M. Such an embodiment may then feature hook-and-loop fastening strips to receive multi-layer runner 10, which may be secured at each side via corresponding fastening strip(s) thereupon said multi-layer runner 10, and the remaining portions of multi-layer runner 10 may then be tucked beneath mattress M, further securing multi-layer runner 10 upon coordinated fitted sheet 200 and mattress M.
With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, position, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. Various combinations of the disclosed coordinated protection system may be adapted to various mattress sizes, including, by way of example and not limitation, King, California King, Queen, Full, Twin, the like and/or combinations thereof.
Preferably, the coordinated protection system and methods of use may include the standard and/or expanded components of a traditional bedding set, including but not limited to conventional pillowcases, top sheets, fitted sheets, mattress covers, duvets, bed skirts, pillows, blankets, comforters, packaging, the like and/or combinations thereof. Additional components of the disclosed system, in a potentially preferred embodiment may include additional features of coordinated fitted sheet 200 having additional attachment means along a first and opposing side that interoperates with one or more multi-layer runner 10 via an attachment means to coordinated fitted sheet 200 as herein described. Each component of the disclosed bedding system may include water- and/or liquid-repelling barriers, though only the runners of the disclosure may include this barrier in other embodiments. Various materials and/or fabrics may be used in the manufacture of the disclosed bedding system, including, by way of example and not limitation: linens, cotton, polyester, rayon, natural fibers, natural fabrics, non-woven materials, synthetic fabrics, the like and/or combinations thereof. Attachment means may preferably include hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®), or alternatively, by way of example and not limitation, may also include: zippers, snaps, buttons, magnets, the like and/or combination thereof. Runners as may be understood herein may extend from a mattress foot to a mattress head or from a right side to a left side, but the disclosure is not so limited. Furthermore, a bedding system of the disclosure may include runners designed to cover an entire mattress surface or a portion(s) thereof, and not only smaller areas as may be illustrated herein and described. For example, a king and queen mattress protection system of the disclosure may each feature a runner which only covers half of a mattress surface such that mattresses having two sleep sections may also include two runners. However, the disclosure is not so limited to a single combination of runner configurations. A bedding system of the disclosure may preferably include redundant runners, such that soiled runners may be replaced with clean runners without having to launder the clean runners and/or purchase multiple bedding sets. The disclosed systems, apparatuses, sets, and method may be used with and/or in combination with other systems, apparatuses, and methods such as, but not limited to bed-in-box systems, mail order/express delivery/subscription surfaces, spring/foam/air/water mattresses, the like and/or combinations thereof. It is contemplated that the disclosed apparatus, system, and method may further include a method of use of those aspects and further including providing a custom solution based on a customer's reported mattress size and soiling frequency/needs, providing the corresponding runners or combinations of runners to achieve a convenient method of use, and making recommendations to systematize laundering, along with other processes, methods, and systems. An additional benefit of such a method may be to lower the likelihood that the bedding set will be returned. While various features of the coordinated protection system may be laundered and/or launderable, the disclosure is not limited to only materials which can be traditionally washed and/or laundered, but may also feature components which are designed to be made refuse, recycled, reused, sterilized, and/or disposed/replaced.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation. Moreover, the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.
To the full extent permitted by law, the present United States Non-Provisional patent application hereby claims priority to and the full benefit of, United States Provisional application entitled “NO WET SHEETS,” having assigned Ser. No. 63/390,006, filed on Jul. 18, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63390006 | Jul 2022 | US |
