Patent Application
20240108151
The present invention relates generally to the field of fitted bed sheets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fitted bed sheet with elastic sides that secures around the edges of a mattress and provides a sheet layer between the users above and the mattress below. The fitted bed sheet includes a selectively securable multi-component sheet having an easily removable section for washing. The fitted sheet can be manufactured in a multitude of sizes to fit a multitude of mattress sizes. The fitted sheet includes a first portion for extending over the sides of the mattress and a removable second section for overlaying a majority of the top side of the mattress. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, beds and mattresses are generally slept on by the majority of individuals each night. Generally, a fitted sheet is placed over the mattress to provide a material layer between the user and the mattress. The fitted sheet typically includes elastic edges (i.e., sides) and corners to secure the fitted sheet to the mattress. The elastic edges of the fitted sheet maintain securement around the corners and sides of the mattress. In many circumstances, the terminal elastic edges of the fitted sheet wrap underneath the mattress. Changing the fitted sheet usually includes having to strip off all other sheets and blankets to expose the fitted sheet thereunder. The fitted sheet is then pulled from the mattress. Often times, the mattress must be manually elevated to release an edge or corner of the fitted mattress. Once all four corners have been released, the fitted sheet can be removed completely and then placed in a washer for cleaning. Once the fitted sheet has been washed and dried, the process is repeated with the fitted sheet being stretched and placed over the mattress. Each corner of the fitted sheet has to be manually addressed and secured around the respective corners of the mattress. Manually addressing each corner includes having to elevate each corner of the mattress while placing the respective corner of the fitted sheet therearound and thereunder. Changing sheets can therefore be challenging for younger adults, elderly, and those individuals with limited physical dexterity.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a protective fitted sheet that provides a comfortable sleeping layer over the mattress. There is also a long felt need in the art for a fitted sheet that includes an easily removable area or portion that can be separated and washed. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a fitted bed sheet that minimizes the number of times that the elastic corners and edges of the fitted bed sheet have to be secured around and under the mattress. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a fitted bed sheet that can provide for a one-person removal and installation of the removable area or portion. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a fitted bed sheet that includes a removable section that can be handled by the elderly or other individuals with limited physical mobility/dexterity.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fitted bed sheet with a semi-permanent elastic area or portion having elastic edges and corners; and further comprises an easily removable section or portion. The removable section can include a zipper therearound for selectively separating and removing same from the elastic section or portion. The removable section, once washed, can be easily reinstalled onto the elastic section using the circumferential zipper around the removable section or portion.
In this manner, the fitted bed sheet of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a relatively easy, convenient, and single-handedly manipulated protective sheet that can be easily deployed, installed, and removed with convenience. The fitted sheet provides a quick way to remove a portion of the bed sheet so that a majority of the fitted sheet can be removed and washed when desired.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fitted bed sheet with a semi-permanent elastic area or portion having elastic edges and corners; and further comprises an easily removable section or portion. The removable section can include a zipper therearound for selectively separating and removing same from the elastic section or portion. The removable section, once washed, can be easily reinstalled onto the elastic section using the circumferential zipper around the removable section or portion.
In yet another embodiment, the elastic area or portion includes a plurality of sizes to secure to an associated sized mattress. In exemplary arrangements, the plurality of sizes includes single, twin, double, queen, and king sized mattresses.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the fitted bed sheets having the elastic area or portion including an overlap area for positioning under the area adjacent to the edges of the mattress.
In yet another embodiment, the elastic area or portion having a first material and the removable section or portion having a second material, wherein the first material is different from the second material.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the removable section or portion having a material of soft cotton and including a generally rectangular shape with a upper edge to be placed near the upper edge of the mattress, a lower edge to be placed near the bottom edge of the mattress, and a pair of side edges for placement near the respective side edges of the mattress. A zipper for mating the elastic section and the removable section together.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the elastic area or portion of the fitted sheet can be made from a flexible, sturdy, durable, and non-stick material.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a fitted bed sheet is described. The method includes the steps of initially overlaying the fitted sheet over a mattress, including around the sides of the mattress and under the lower edges of the mattress, unfastening the removable section from the elastic section, washing and drying the removable section, and refastening the removable section to the elastic section.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a protective fitted sheet that provides a comfortable sleeping layer over the mattress. There is also a long felt need in the art for a fitted sheet that includes an easily removable area or portion that can be separated and washed. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a fitted bed sheet that minimizes the number of times that the elastic corners and edges of the fitted bed sheet have to be secured around and under the mattress.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a fitted bed sheet with a semi-permanent elastic area or portion having elastic edges and corners; and further comprises an easily removable section or portion. The removable section can include a fastener therearound for selectively separating and removing same from the elastic section or portion. The removable section, once washed, can be easily reinstalled onto the elastic section using the circumferential fastener around the removable section or portion.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Referring to
In one exemplary embodiment, the elastic section, area, or portion 102 having a first material and the removable section, area, or portion 120 having a second material. The first material can include a material selected from a group consisting of a plastic, a stretchable knitted polyester, a cotton, a bamboo, a linen, a silk, a microfiber, and a satin. Alternatively, the first material can be made from a more durable material selected from a group consisting of a flexible, durable, sturdy, water-resistant, and non-stick material including, but not limited to, a plastic material, a rubber material, a vinyl material, a flannel material, and a canvas material. The first material of the elastic section is machine washable. The second material can include a material selected from a group consisting of a stretchable knitted polyester, a cotton, a bamboo, a linen, a silk, a microfiber, and a satin. The first material can be different from the second material. It is to be appreciated that the removable section 120 includes all of the area (or nearly all of the area) that the user rests upon. Thus, the second material is preferably one of a soft fabric such as a cotton, a linen, a silk, a microfiber, or a satin. The second material of the removable section is machine washable. In another embodiment, the first material can be one of a more durable material such as a plastic, a stretchable knitted polyester, or a bamboo.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the removable section or portion 120 having a material of soft fabric and including a generally rectangular shape with an upper edge 140 to be placed near or proximal to the top upper edge of the mattress, a lower edge 142 to be placed near or proximal to the top lower edge of the mattress, and a pair of side edges 144, 146 for placement near or proximal to the respective top side edges of the mattress. The zipper or fastener 122 can be mated for securing the elastic section 102 and the removable section 120 together.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a fitted bed sheet is described. The method includes the steps of initially overlaying the fitted sheet 100 over a mattress, including around the sides of the mattress, over the corners of the mattress, and under the lower bottom edge(s) of the mattress, unfastening the removable section 120 from the elastic section 102, washing, and drying the removable section 120, and refastening the removable section 120 to the elastic section 102 (
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “fitted sheet”, “fitted bed sheet”, “mattress cover”, “fitted mattress cover”, “mattress sheet”, and “fitted sheet cover” are interchangeable and refer to the fitted bed sheet cover 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the fitted bed sheet cover 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the fitted bed sheet cover 100, as shown in the FIGS., are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the fitted bed sheet cover 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the fitted bed sheet cover 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the fitted bed sheet cover 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use, and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/411,703, which was filed on Sep. 30, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63411703 | Sep 2022 | US |
