Self-storing bedding article

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6647570
  • Patent Number
    6,647,570
  • Date Filed
    Monday, May 20, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 18, 2003
    21 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Santos; Robert G.
    Agents
    • Thomas; Charles H.
Abstract
A self-storing article of bedding is constructed with a pair of pocket panels that overlie a limited surface area on the top of a cover, thereby defining a pocket region of the cover and a larger peripheral region extending beyond the pocket region. The pocket panels reside atop overlapping portions of the pocket region of the cover and have boundary edges that are sewn to the cover, thereby defining the perimeter of the pocket region. Linear, free, overlapping edges of the pocket panels extend between their respective boundary edges. Mutually engageable, releaseable fasteners are provided on the pocket panels in the area of mutual overlap. The pocket panels are reversible in orientation. When the pocket panels are oriented so that their reverse surfaces face each other, the peripheral region of the cover may the folded and stuffed in between the reverse surfaces of the pocket panels and the pocket region of the cover. Alternatively the orientation of the pocket panels may be reversed, thereby allowing the peripheral region of the cover to be spread out to extend laterally from the pocket panels, thereby leaving the reverse surfaces of the pocket panels facing outwardly and their obverse surfaces facing the top surface of the cover over the pocket region thereof.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present intervention relates to a self-storing article of bedding.




2. Description of the Prior Art




At present conventional articles of bedding such as blankets, sheets, comforters, sleeping bags, and other covers are formed of one or more layers of flexible fabric which may be spread out in a generally flat disposition to cover a wide, expansive area. Such covers may be folded for more compact storage. However, conventional covers lack any particular storage case that allows them to be conveniently transported or otherwise handled so that the cover does not readily unfold. Some articles of bedding, particularly children's bedding are frequently transported from one place to another. Parents frequently take children with them to visit friends and relatives. Since such visits frequently last past a child's bedtime, the child's articles of bedding are often taken along so that the child can temporarily sleep at the location being visited. Also, older children frequently love to engage in sleepovers with their friends. However, without some means of holding an article of bedding folded together, the bedding articles often unfold and become difficult to deal with during transport.




One expedient is to simply fold the article of bedding and stuff it into a paper or plastic bag. However, such a means for transporting an article of bedding is unsightly. Also, a suitable bag must be located each time the article of bedding is to be transported.




Some articles of bedding, such as sleeping bags, often come with their own separate storage and transportation sack. However, when the bedding article is unfolded, the sack becomes separated from it and is sometimes difficult to locate.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present intervention is a unique article of bedding that is formed in such a way that it can be used as a conventional cover, but which is also equipped with its own self-contained storage envelope or pouch. The article of bedding can be spread out in a sheet-like form so as to cover a rather large area. The bedding article may take the form of a comforter, blanket, sleeping bag, sheet, beach towel, afghan, or bedspread. Actually, the invention is not limited to an article of bedding, since the same structural arrangement can be applied to items such as tablecloths, curtains, picnic blankets, play pen pads, and to other fabric or flexible plastic articles as well.




In any application of use, the invention involves a cover that may be spread out over a relatively large area, but which may be folded into a relatively small volume. The invention also includes a pair of flexible fabric pouch panels having opposing obverse and reverse surfaces. The pouch panels are disposed atop a relatively small area or region of the cover and are secured to the cover throughout about their peripheral boundary edges, as by sewing the panels to the cover. The peripheral, boundary edges of the overlapping pouch panels thereby define the area of the pocket region of the cover. The free edges of the panels that extend between their respective boundary edges overlap each other. The pouch panels are preferably provided with mutually engageable releaseable fasteners where they overlap.




For identification purposes one of these panels may be considered to be a first panel and the other a second panel. The first panel covers slightly over one-half of the pocket region of the cover. In the construction of the bedding article the entire obverse surface area of the first panel resides in direct face-to-face relationship with the top surface of the portion of the pocket region of the cover over which it extends, when the panels are in a first orientation. The other panel may be considered to be the second panel and also covers slightly more than one-half of the pocket region of the cover. The second panel extends over the remaining area of the pocket region of the cover that lies beyond the first panel, and also over an overlapping portion of the pocket region that is also covered by the first panel which resides therebeneath when the panels are in the first condition of orientation.




The first and second pouch panels are preferably provided with mutually engageable releaseable fasteners, such as the flexible, resilient fabric hook and loop fasteners sold under the registered trademark Velcro®. When the releaseable fasteners are disengaged from each other, the orientations of the panels may be reversed. That is, in a first orientation the obverse surfaces of the first and second panels both face the top surface area of the pocket region of the cover and form a pocket therebetween. Small articles may be stored in this pocket if desired, for example, cloth or soft paper articles, such as tissues, bibs, wipes, and other soft articles may be stored in the pocket when the panels are in the first orientation. However, typically heavier or hard articles would not be stored in the pocket, since the article of bedding would then become uncomfortable to lie upon or lie beneath. When the panels are in the first orientation described, the article of bedding is typically deployed for use for its intended purpose as a cover, sheet, sleeping, bag or other article of bedding.




On the other hand, the releaseable fasteners holding the overlapping portions of the pouch panels together may be detached from each other so that the orientation of the pouch panels may be reversed. That is, the pouch panels may be turned inside out relative to each other so that the obverse surfaces of both the first and second panels are exposed and the reverse surfaces of the panels face each other. In this second orientation of the panels relative to each other the peripheral region of the cover that extends beyond the pocket region may be folded in toward the pocket region and compacted so that the entire peripheral region of the cover may be enveloped between the pair of panels and the pocket region of the cover. The releaseable fasteners are once again reengaged, thereby encapsulating the cover within the enclosed space defined by the two panels. The article of bedding thereby forms its own self-contained carrying case.




In some instances it may be desirable for both the first and second pouch panels to be formed of a waterproof or water repellent material. The article of bedding is thereby protected from rain and snow when carried outside in inclement weather.




When the pouch panels are disposed in their second orientation an article of bedding formed according to the present invention functions as a self-contained blanket or other cover and may also be used as a toss pillow or a cushion. When the cover is compacted within the enclosure formed between the two panels and the pocket region of the cover forming the opposing sides of the enclosure, the article may be handled extensively and serve as a pillow, cushion, or other soft support. The article may also be conveniently transported and moved from place to place in this compacted condition without danger of unfolding. On the other hand, when the releaseable fasteners are disengaged, the cover may be withdrawn completely from within the enclosure. The orientation of the pouch panels may again be reversed and the peripheral region of the cover may be spread from the pocket region to cover a desired area, such as an area on a bed or upon the floor.




In one broad aspect the present invention may be considered to be a self-storing bedding article comprising an expansive cover and a pouch formed with first and second panels. The cover has top and bottom surfaces and delineates a pocket region from a remaining peripheral region of the cover that projects outwardly from a demarcation boundary lying beyond the pocket region. Each of the pouch panels has an obverse and a reverse surface. The first and second pouch panels both have outer edges that are each permanently secured to the expansive cover along complementary portions of the demarcation boundary. In this way the pocket panels together overlie the pocket region of the cover completely. The first and second pocket panels also have linear, mutually parallel, overlapping free edges. The first and second panels may be oriented to reside with their obverse surfaces facing the top surface of the cover to form a pouch surmounting the top surface of the cover. In the alternative, the first and second panels are reversible and are positionable to reside with their obverse surfaces exposed, whereby the peripheral region of the expansive cover is foldable for insertion in between the reverse surfaces of the first and second panels and the pocket region of the cover for encapsulation therebetween.




Preferably, the first and second pouch panels both have a substantially rectangular shape and are permanently attached to the cover by stitches of thread completely along three of their sides. The fourth sides of the pouch panels are free and provide an access opening to the pocket formed with the top surface of the cover. The marginal portions of the pouch panels adjacent to their free edges overlap each other.




The pouch formed by the pouch panels and the pocket region of the cover is reversible. That is, the pouch may be turned inside out so that the reverse surfaces of the pouch panels face each other and the obverse surfaces of both pouch panels are exposed. When the panels are in this orientation, the peripheral portion of the cover can be folded in toward the bottom surface of the pocket region of the cover between the reverse surfaces of the pouch panels so that the cover can be folded and collapsed upon itself between the rear surfaces of the pouch panels and its own pocket region. The releaseable fasteners on the overlapping portions of the pouch panels can then be engaged to hold the entire cover in a compacted condition within the enclosed space defined between the first and second panels and the pocket region of the cover. Alternatively, the pouch panel orientation may be reversed relative to the cover so that the obverse surfaces of the panels face the pocket region of the cover. In this orientation of the pouch panels, the peripheral portion of the cover extends laterally outwardly from the pocket region of the cover and the second pouch panel overlaps the first pouch panel at the pocket region of the cover.




In a preferred arrangement, the releaseable fasteners are engageable with each other both when the reverse surfaces of the panels face each other and when the obverse surfaces of the panels face each other. This allows the pouch panels to be completely secured together throughout their edges irrespective of whether the obverse or reverse surfaces of the panels are in mutually facing relationship.




The cover itself is often rectangular with mutually parallel pairs of opposing cover edges. In some embodiments of the invention the pocket region of the cover at which the first and second pouch panels are secured to the cover is located adjacent one of the cover edges, typically midway between the two adjoining perpendicular cover edges. Alternatively, the pocket region may be centrally located in the cover. In such embodiments the peripheral region of the cover extends laterally in all directions from the pocket region.




In another aspect the invention may be considered to be a self-storing article of bedding comprising: an expansive cover having top and bottom surfaces and within which a pocket region is defined and which has a larger peripheral region extending beyond the pocket region, and a pouch. The pouch is formed of opposing first and second panels each having an obverse surface and a reverse surface. The first and second panels also both have boundary. edges that are permanently secured throughout to the cover to delineate an enclosing perimeter of the pocket region of the cover. The first and second panels each also have a free, linear edge. These free, linear, overlapping edges of the panels extended between their respective boundary edges to thereby divide the pocket region into a first area covered by the first panel, a second area covered by the second panel, and a third area covered. by both the first and second panels.




The panels are reversible between a first orientation in which their obverse surfaces face the pocket region of the cover and a second orientation in which their reverse surfaces face each other. When the pouch panels are in this second orientation the peripheral region of the cover is foldable toward the pocket region thereof. The peripheral region is collapsible for encapsulation between the first and second panels and the pocket region of the cover when the first and second panels are in the second orientation. The cover is alternatively withdrawable from between the first and second panels so that the peripheral region of the cover extends beyond the pocket region when the panels are in their first orientation previously described.




In a further broad aspect the invention may be considered to be a self-storing article of bedding comprising first and second pouch panels and an expansive cover formed of flexible fabric material having a top surface and in which a pocket area is delineated from a larger peripheral area. The first pouch panel has obverse and reverse surfaces overlying only a first portion of the pocket area. The first pouch panel is permanently secured about only a portion of its perimeter with the obverse surface thereof facing the top surface of the cover so as to leave a free, linear first pocket edge. The second pocket panel also has obverse and reverse surfaces and overlies the remaining portion of the pocket area beyond the first portion thereof. The second pocket panel is permanently secured about only a portion of its perimeter with the obverse surface thereof facing the top surface of the cover and also leaving a free, linear second pocket edge parallel to and overlapping the first pocket edge. In this way the pocket panels and the pocket area of the cover form a reversible pouch which resides atop the top surface of the cover when the obverse surfaces of the pocket panels are concealed facing the pocket area of the cover. Alternatively, when the pocket panels are reversed to expose their obverse surfaces, the peripheral area of the cover is foldable between the pocket panels for encapsulation between the reverse surfaces thereof and the pocket area of the cover.




The invention may be described with greater clarity and particularity by reference to the accompanying drawings.











DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of one embodiment of a self-storing bedding article according to the invention fully encased within its integral pouch.





FIG. 2

illustrates the bedding article of

FIG. 1

in which the cover has been withdrawn from the pouch panels and fully extended therefrom.





FIG. 3

is a sectional detail taken along the lines


3





3


of FIG.


2


.





FIG. 4

is a sectional detail taken along the lines


4





4


of FIG.


2


.





FIG. 5

is an exploded, perspective view of the bedding article shown in FIG.


2


.





FIG. 6

is a perspective view showing the cover of the bedding article of

FIG. 1

with an initial fold prior to encapsulation.





FIG. 7

illustrates the next step in folding the cover for encapsulation.





FIG. 8

illustrates the cover being folded further from the position illustrated in FIG.


7


.





FIG. 9

illustrates the cover completely folded prior to-encapsulation.





FIG. 10

illustrates the reversal in orientation of the pouch panels from a first orientation toward a second orientation.





FIG. 11

illustrates the pouch folded completely inside out with the pouch panels in their second orientation.





FIG. 12

illustrates the final step of securing the releaseable fasteners of the pouch panels in order to return the bedding article to the condition illustrated in FIG.


1


.





FIG. 13

illustrates an alternative embodiment of a self-storing bedding article constructed according to the invention in its compacted, encapsulated condition.





FIG. 14

is a perspective view of the bedding article of

FIG. 13

shown with the cover thereof fully extended and the pouch panels in their first orientation.





FIG. 15

is a perspective view that illustrates the underside of the bedding article of FIG.


14


.





FIG. 16

illustrates the initial steps of folding the cover of the bedding article of

FIG. 14

in preparation for encapsulation of the cover thereof.





FIG. 17

is a perspective view illustrating the next step in folding the cover from the condition shown in FIG.


16


.





FIG. 18

illustrates the bedding article of

FIG. 14

completely folded in preparation for self-encapsulation.





FIG. 19

illustrates the bedding article of

FIG. 14

with the first pouch panel returned to its first orientation while the second pouch panel still resides in its second orientation.





FIG. 20

illustrates the bedding article of

FIG. 14

with both pouch panels residing in their second orientation and just prior to engagement of the releaseable fasteners to return to the bedding article to the compacted condition shown in FIG.


13


.











DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT





FIGS. 1 and 2

illustrate a self-storing bedding article in the form of a blanket indicated generally at


10


. The blanket


10


is comprised of an expansive cover


12


, a first water repellant pouch panel


14


, a second water repellant pouch panel


16


, and a water repellant pocket region protection sheet


18


, as best illustrated in FIG.


5


. The cover


12


, the first and second pouch panels


14


and


16


and the pocket region protection sheet


18


are all rectangular in shape.




The blanket


12


is formed of a single layer of soft cotton or wool material, rectangular in shape and having mutually parallel opposing pairs of edges


20


,


22


and


24


,


26


. The cover


12


may, for example, have measurements of about forty-six inches as measured along the top and bottom edges


24


and


26


by sixty-two inches, as measured along the side edges


20


and


22


. The cover


12


has a top surface


28


, visible in

FIGS. 2 and 5

, and an opposite bottom surface


30


, indicated in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. The cover


12


is delineated into a pocket area


58


and a remaining peripheral area


60


. The pocket area


58


is covered by the protective, rectangular, water repellent sheet


18


and is located midway along the top edge


24


of the cover


12


. The pocket region of the cover


12


and the area of the protective sheet


18


are the same and are about fifteen inches wide as measured along the top edge


24


and twelve inches in length, as measured inwardly therefrom perpendicular to the top edge


24


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 4

, both the first pouch panel


14


and the second pouch panel


16


have obverse and reverse surfaces. The obverse surface of the first pouch panel


14


is indicated at


32


, while the reverse surface of the pouch panel


14


is designated as


34


. The second pocket pouch panel


16


likewise has an obverse surface


36


and a reverse surface


38


. Each of the pouch panels


14


and


16


is about fifteen inches in width and about seven inches in length.




The first pouch panel


14


has boundary edges


40


,


42


, and


44


while the second pouch panel


16


has boundary edges


46


,


48


, and


50


. The first pouch panel


14


has a free, linear edge


52


extending between the boundary edges


40


and


44


so that a free first pouch panel edge margin


53


having opposing ends


41


and


43


exists on the first pouch panel immediately adjacent to the free edges


52


thereof. The second pouch panel


16


has a free, linear edge


54


extending between the boundary edges


46


and


50


so that a free second pouch panel edge margin


55


having opposing ends


47


and


49


exists on the second pouch panel immediately adjacent to the free edge


54


thereof.




As illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 4

, all of the boundary edges


40


,


42


, and


44


of the first pouch panel


14


and the boundary edges


46


,


48


, and


50


of the second pouch panel


16


including the common overlapping portions of those edges where the ends


41


and


43


of the free edge margin


53


and the ends


47


and


49


of the free edge margin


55


, are secured to the cover


12


. These pouch panel edges are secured through the edge margins of the protective sheet


18


by stitching with thread, indicated at


56


. The rectangular line of thread stitching


56


delineates the enclosing perimeter of the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


from the remaining, peripheral region


60


thereof. As illustrated, the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


is much smaller than the peripheral region


60


.




As best illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the free, linear edges


52


and


54


of the first and second pouch panels


14


and


16


, respectively, mutually overlap to divide the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


into a first area


62


about fifteen inches wide and five inches in length covered by the first panel


14


, a second area


64


about fifteen inches wide and about five inches in length covered by the second panel


16


, and a third area


66


, about fifteen inches wide and two inches in length covered by both the first panel


14


and the second panel


16


. The end


41


of the free edge margin


53


of the first panel


14


and the end


47


of the free edge margin


55


of the second panel


16


are secured in overlapping fashion on the side of the third area


66


at which the boundary edges


40


and


46


meet and overlap. The end


43


of the free edge margin


53


of first panel


14


and the end


49


of the free edge margin


55


of the second panel


16


are secured in overlapping fashion on the side of the third area


66


at which the boundary edges


44


and


50


meet and overlap. The free side edge margins


53


and


55


thereby both overlap and cover the third area


66


at opposing locations on the demarcation boundary of the pocket region


58


.




As illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the first and second panels


14


and


16


are provided with mutually engageable, releaseable fasteners indicated generally at


68


where they overlap each other. The fasteners


68


are formed of flexible, fabric hook and loop fastening elements of the type sold under the registered trademark Velcro®. More specifically, each pouch panel


14


and


16


is provided with a pair of fastener elements. The first fastener elements


70


are located on the reverse surface


34


of the first panel


14


, while a pair of the second fastener elements


72


are located on the obverse surface


36


of the second panel


16


. The first fastener elements


70


are comprised of rectangular patches of dense, looped fabric pile sewn onto the reverse surface


34


of the first pouch panel


14


at laterally spaced intervals proximate the free edges


52


of the first pouch panel


14


. The second fastener elements


72


are formed of rectangular patches bearing a multiplicity of minute, flexible fabric hooks sewn onto the obverse surface


36


of the second pouch panel


16


. The second fastener elements


72


are likewise spaced at corresponding locations proximate the free edge


54


of the second house panel


16


in alignment with the first fastener elements


70


. The first and second fastener elements


70


and


72


are thereby located at positions on the first and second pouch panels


14


and


16


, respectively, in the mutually overlapping areas thereof. The flexible, fabric hooks of the second fastener elements


72


are engageable in the pile of the first fastener elements


70


when the first and second fastener elements


70


and


72


are brought into contact with each other.




Both the first panel


14


and the second panel


16


are reversible. That is, they may be oriented to reside with their respective obverse surfaces


32


and


36


facing the top surface


28


of the cover


12


in registration with the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


. Alternatively, the pouch or pocket located beneath the first and second panels


14


and


16


may be turned inside out from the first orientation illustrated in

FIGS. 2

,


3


, and


4


to a second orientation illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 11

in which the obverse surfaces


32


and


36


of the first and second pouch panels


14


and


16


, respectively, are exposed and the reverse surfaces


34


and


38


thereof face each other. With the pouch panels


14


and


16


in this second orientation, the peripheral region


60


of the expansive cover


12


is foldable for insertion in between the reverse surfaces


34


and


38


of the first and second pouch panels


14


and


16


and the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


for encapsulation therebetween.




Drawing

FIGS. 6 through 12

illustrate how the peripheral region


60


of the cover


12


may be folded and collapsed for encapsulation. As illustrated in

FIG. 6

, the cover


12


is first folded in half along a fold line parallel to the top and bottom edges


24


and


26


thereof while keeping the pouch panels


14


and


16


exposed. As shown in

FIG. 7

, the cover


12


is doubled over along a folding line extending in the same direction once again. The marginal portions of the cover


12


then located on either side of the pouch panels


14


and


16


are then sequentially folded one beneath another, as illustrated in

FIGS. 8 and 9

. As shown in

FIG. 9

, the pouch panels


14


and


16


are still in their first orientation, but with the cover


12


folded completely therebeneath. As illustrated in

FIG. 10

, the orientation of the pouch panels


14


and


16


is then reversed. That is, the first and second fastener elements


70


and


72


are first detached from each other. The free ends


52


and


54


of the pouch panels


14


and


16


, respectively, are pulled outwardly away from each other and over the ends of the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


. Once the pocket or pouch initially formed between the pouch panels


14


and


16


and the top surface


28


of the cover


12


at the pocket region


58


thereof has been turned inside out, the obverse surfaces


32


.and


36


of the pouch panels


14


and


16


are fully exposed and the peripheral region


60


of the cover


12


is encapsulated between the reverse surfaces


34


and


38


of the pouch panels


14


and


16


and the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


, as illustrated in FIG.


11


.




The bedding article


10


is then turned over from the position illustrated in

FIG. 11

to the position illustrated in

FIG. 1

, and the releaseable fastener elements


70


and


72


are then reengaged with each other. It should be noted that the mating fastener elements


70


and


72


of the releaseable fasteners


68


are mutually engageable with each other both when the obverse surfaces


32


and


36


of the panels


14


and


16


face the pocket region


58


of the cover


12


and when the obverse surfaces


32


and


36


of the panels


14


and


16


are exposed with the peripheral region


60


of the cover


12


fully encapsulated. In this orientation the protective sheet


18


, initially concealed beneath the pouch panels


14


and


16


, is fully exposed. Its water repellent surface serves to protect the cover


12


from moisture. Similarly, the first and second pouch panels


14


and


16


are also formed of a water repellent material. Thus the peripheral region


60


of the cover


12


may be completely collapsed and encapsulated when the first and second pouch panels


14


and


16


are in the second orientation, illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 11

.




Drawings

FIGS. 13 through 20

illustrate an alternative article of bedding


110


according to the invention, which is a comforter having a cover


112


formed of a plurality of sheets of fabric sewn together around their outer edges. As illustrated in

FIG. 15

, the cover


112


includes a bottom ply


130


of soft, flexible fabric material sewn about its edges to a top layer of fabric material


128


, visible in FIG.


14


. The comforter


110


includes a first fabric pouch panel


114


and a second fabric pouch panel


116


.




The first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


respectively have concealed surfaces


32


and


36


and reverse surfaces


34


and


38


, as in the bedding article


10


illustrated in

FIGS. 1 through 12

. Likewise, the first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


are respectively provided with first fastener elements


70


and second fastener elements


72


as in the other embodiment of the invention illustrated.




The bedding article


110


of drawing

FIGS. 13 through 20

differs from the bedding article


10


in several respects, however. Specifically, the pocket region


58


of the cover


112


is centrally located in the cover


112


of the comforter


110


. The cover


112


has top and bottom edges


24


and


26


and side edges


20


and


22


. However, the comforter is only about forty inches in length as measured along the side edges


20


and


22


and twenty-six inches in width, as measured along the top and bottom edges


24


and


26


. The pocket area


58


of the comforter


110


is centrally located and is about thirteen and half inches in width, as measured parallel to the top and bottom edges


24


and


26


, and thirteen inches in length, as measured parallel to the side edges


20


and


22


.




The peripheral region


60


of the cover


112


is likewise capable of complete encapsulation between the first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


and the pocket region


58


of the cover


112


. However, because the pocket region


58


in the cover


112


is centrally located, the folding technique is a bit different.




As illustrated in

FIG. 14

, the comforter


110


may be deployed for use as a bedding article with the first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


in their first orientation facing the top layer


128


of the cover


112


and overlying the pocket region


58


. With the releaseable hook and loop fabric fasteners


68


engaged, the comforter


110


is ready for use as a bedding article. Small, soft items, such as a pacifier or an extra diaper may be stored in the pocket created beneath the first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


and the underlying pocket region


58


of the cover


112


.




To store the cover


112


, the bedding article


110


is first turned over from the position of

FIG. 14

to the position of FIG.


15


. The longitudinal marginal portions of the cover


112


are then folded inwardly toward the center of the bedding article


110


, parallel to the side edges


20


and


22


, as illustrated in FIG.


16


. The end portions of the cover


112


are then folded inwardly on top of the pocket region


58


of the cover


112


, as illustrated in the sequential steps shown in

FIGS. 17 and 18

.




The orientation of the first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


is then reversed from the first orientation illustrated in

FIG. 14

in which the obverse surfaces


32


and


36


face the underlying pocket region


58


of the cover


112


. Specifically, the fastener elements


70


and


72


of the releaseable fasteners


68


are separated from each other and the pouch formed when the pouch panels


114


and


116


are in their first orientation is turned inside out. That is, the second pouch panel


116


is turned inside out and pulled around one end of the folded cover


112


, as shown in FIG.


19


. The first pouch panel


114


is then also turned inside out and pulled over the other end of the folded cover


112


to encapsulate the peripheral portion


60


of the cover


112


thereof between the first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


and the pocket region


58


of the top layer


128


of the cover


112


, as illustrated in FIG.


20


. The releaseable fastener elements


70


and


72


are then reengaged and the fully compacted bedding article


110


may be conveniently transported and stored with the cover


112


maintained in its tightly folded condition.




The first and second pouch panels


114


and


116


and the top and bottom layers


128


and


130


of the cover


112


are all formed of the same soft, flexible fabric material which may, for example, be cotton or polyester. As illustrated in

FIG. 13

, the top surface of the top layer


128


of the cover


112


is provided with surface ornamentation on the central, pocket region


58


thereof. In the embodiment shown, this surface ornamentation is in the form of a friendly hippopotamus face, indicated at


159


. The surface ornamentation


159


is formed of a circular patch of soft fabric that forms the outline of the face, and smaller fabric patches that form the projecting ears and the facial features of the decorative ornamentation


159


.




Undoubtedly, numerous variations and modifications of the invention will become readily apparent to those familiar with bedding and other sheet-like fabric materials that require storage. The invention is not limited to blankets and comforters, or the like. To the contrary, the invention has equal applicability to sleeping bags, beach towels, and other articles of manufacture that may be constructed in the same way.




Also, fasteners other than flexible hook and loop fabric fasteners may be employed to form the releaseable closure mechanism of the invention. For example, zippers, snap fasteners, and buttons may be utilized in place of the hook and loop fabric fasteners illustrated in the embodiments shown. In addition both the expansive cover and the pouch can have a variety of shapes. Either or both can be square, rectangular, round, or any other shape. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed as limited to the specific embodiments depicted and described, but rather is defined in the claims appended hereto.



Claims
  • 1. A self-storing bedding article comprising:an expansive cover having top and bottom surfaces and delineating a pocket region and a remaining peripheral region that projects outwardly from a demarcation boundary beyond said pocket region, a pouch formed with first and second panels each having an obverse and a reverse surface and said first and second panels both have outer edges that are each permanently secured to said expansive cover along portions of said demarcation boundary, whereby together said first and second panels overlie said pocket region of said cover completely, and said first and second panels have linear, mutually parallel overlapping free edges and overlapping free edge margins immediately against said free edges and said overlapping free edge margins both have opposing ends that are permanently secured to said expansive cover in overlapping fashion at opposing locations on said demarcation boundary, whereby a first area of said pocket region is defined that is covered by only said first panel, a second area of said pocket region is defined that is covered only by said second panel, and a third area of said pocket region is defined beneath said overlapping free edge margins that is covered by both said first panel and said second panel, and said first and second panels may be oriented to reside with their obverse surfaces facing said top surface of said cover to form a pouch surmounting said pocket region at said top surface of said cover and in the alternative are reversible so that said first and second panels are positionable to reside with their obverse surfaces exposed, whereby said peripheral region of said expansive cover is foldable for insertion in between said reverse surfaces of said first and second panels and said pocket region of said cover for encapsulation therebetween.
  • 2. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said panels are each provided with mutually engageable releaseable fasteners proximate their free edges.
  • 3. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 2 further characterized in that said releaseable fastener of said first panel is located on said reverse surface and adjacent said free edge thereof, and said releaseable fastener of said second panel is located on said obverse surface and adjacent said free edge thereof, whereby said releaseable fasteners are mutually aligned and engageable with each other both when said obverse surfaces of said panels face said top surface at said pocket region of said cover and when said obverse surfaces of said panels are exposed with said peripheral region of said cover fully encapsulated.
  • 4. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 3 wherein said releaseable fasteners are formed of flexible, fabric hook and loop fastening elements.
  • 5. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 1 wherein said cover is rectangular in shape with mutually parallel pairs of opposing cover edges and said pocket region is located adjacent one of said cover edges.
  • 6. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 1 wherein said pocket region is centrally located in said cover, and said peripheral region extends laterally in all directions from said pocket region.
  • 7. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sets of mutually engageable releaseable fasteners having first and second releaseably engageable elements, and further characterized in that said first fastener elements are located on said first panel on said reverse surface and adjacent said free edge thereof, and said second fastener elements are located on said second panel on said obverse surface and adjacent said free edge thereof, whereby said sets of releaseable fasteners are mutually engageable with each other both when said obverse surfaces of said panels face said top surface at said pocket region of said cover and when said obverse surfaces of said panels are exposed with said peripheral region of said cover encapsulated.
  • 8. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 1 wherein said first and second panels are formed of a water repellant material and further comprising a water repellant protection sheet secured to said top surface over said pocket region of said cover.
  • 9. A self-storing bedding article according to claim 1 wherein said cover has a surface ornamentation formed on said top surface at said pocket region thereof.
  • 10. A self-storing article of bedding comprising:an expansive cover having top and bottom surfaces and within which a pocket region is defined and which has a larger peripheral region extending beyond said pocket region, a pouch formed of opposing first and second panels each having an obverse surface and a reverse surface, and said first and second panels both have boundary edges that are permanently secured throughout to said cover to delineate an enclosing perimeter of said pocket region of said cover and free, linear, overlapping edges extending between their respective boundary edges and free edge margins immediately adjacent said free edges, and said overlapping free edge margins both have opposing ends that are permanently secured to said expansive cover in overlapping fashion at opposing locations on said encircling perimeter to thereby divide said pocket region into a first area covered by said first panel, a second area covered by said second panel, and a third area covered by both said first and second panels and bounded by said ends of said free edge margins and by said free edges of both said first and second panels, and said panels are reversible between a first orientation in which their obverse surfaces face said pocket region of said cover and a second orientation in which their reverse surfaces face each other and said peripheral region of said cover is foldable toward said pocket region thereof and collapsible for encapsulation between said first and second panels and said pocket region of said cover when said first and second panels are in said second orientation, and said peripheral region of said cover is alternatively withdrawable from said first and second panels so that said peripheral region of said cover extends beyond said pocket region when said panels are in said first orientation.
  • 11. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 10 wherein said first and second panels are provided with mutually engageable releaseable fasteners where they overlap each other.
  • 12. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 11 wherein said mutually engageable fasteners include a first element formed of a multiplicity of loops of fabric pile and a second element having a multiplicity of minute, flexible fabric hooks, and said hooks are engageable in said pile when said first and second elements are placed in contact with each other.
  • 13. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 12 wherein said panels are permanently secured to said cover by stitching together said panels and said cover with thread.
  • 14. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 10 wherein said cover has four peripheral edges and is rectangular in shape and said pocket region is located midway along one of said cover edges.
  • 15. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 10 wherein said pocket region is laterally surrounded on all sides by said peripheral region of said cover.
  • 16. A self-storing article of bedding comprising:an expansive cover formed of flexible fabric material having a top surface and in which a pocket area is delineated from a larger peripheral area by a pocket perimeter, a first pouch panel having obverse and reverse surfaces overlying only a first portion of said pocket area and permanently secured about only a first portion of said pocket perimeter with said obverse surface thereof facing said top surface of said cover and leaving a free, linear first pocket panel open edge with a first pocket panel open edge margin located immediately adjacent thereto, and a second pocket panel having obverse and reverse surfaces overlying the remaining portion of said pocket area beyond said first portion thereof and permanently secured about only a second portion of said pocket perimeter with said obverse surface thereof facing said top surface of said cover and leaving a free, linear second pocket panel open edge parallel to said first pocket panel open edge and said second pocket panel open edge has a second pocket panel open edge margin located immediately adjacent thereto and overlapping said first pocket panel open edge margin, and said first and second pocket panel open edge margins both have opposing ends that are secured in overlapping fashion across said pocket area of said expansive cover, so that said first and second portions of said pocket perimeter have common opposing sections to which both said first and second pocket panels are secured, whereby said pocket panels and said pocket area of said cover form a reversible pouch which resides atop said top surface of said cover when said obverse surfaces of said pocket panels are concealed facing said pocket area of said cover, and alternatively, when said pocket panels are reversed to expose their obverse surfaces, said peripheral area of said cover is foldable between said pocket panels for encapsulation between said reverse surfaces thereof and said pocket area of said cover.
  • 17. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 16 wherein said panels are both provided with mutually engageable releaseable fasteners proximate said free edges thereof where said panels overlap.
  • 18. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 16 wherein said cover is formed of a plurality of sheets of fabric material sewn together around their outer edges.
  • 19. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 18 wherein said top surface of said cover is provided with surface ornamentation at said pocket area of said cover.
  • 20. A self-storing article of bedding according to claim 16 wherein said panels are formed of a water repellent material and further comprising a water repellant protection sheet secured to said top surface over said pocket area of said cover.
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