U.S. patent application number 13/229247 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-15 for pillow cover.
Invention is credited to Renee Fiore, Katherine Kelly.
Application Number | 20120060280 13/229247 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45805228 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120060280 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelly; Katherine ; et
al. |
March 15, 2012 |
PILLOW COVER
Abstract
A pillow cover comprising a panel of fabric sewn together to
form an enclosure comprising one open end; and a closing mechanism
for closing the open end of the enclosure, wherein the closing
mechanism is positioned within the enclosure at a distance from the
open end so that closing the closing mechanism forms a closed
portion of the enclosure for containing a pillow and an open end of
the enclosure for hiding the closing mechanism.
Inventors: |
Kelly; Katherine;
(Smithtown, NY) ; Fiore; Renee; (Lighthouse Point,
FL) |
Family ID: |
45805228 |
Appl. No.: |
13/229247 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61381273 |
Sep 9, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0253
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/490 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20060101
A47G009/02; A47G 9/10 20060101 A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A pillow cover comprising: a panel of fabric sewn together to
form an enclosure comprising one open end; and a closing mechanism
for closing the open end of the enclosure, wherein the closing
mechanism is positioned within the enclosure at a distance from the
open end so that closing the closing mechanism forms a closed
portion of the enclosure for containing a pillow and an open end of
the enclosure for hiding the closing mechanism.
2. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises a zipper.
3. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises buttons.
4. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises snaps.
5. A pillow cover according to claim 1 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises a strip of a material comprising hook-and-loop
connectors.
6. A pillow cover comprising: a first panel of fabric and a second
panel of fabric sewn together to form an enclosure comprising one
open end; and a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the
enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the
enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the
closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for
containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the
closing mechanism.
7. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises a zipper.
8. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises buttons.
9. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises snaps.
10. A pillow cover according to claim 6 wherein the closing
mechanism comprises a strip of a material comprising hook-and-loop
connectors.
Description
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/381,273, filed Sep. 9,
2010 by Katherine Kelly and Renee Fiore for BOX SPRING COVERING AND
PILLOW KEEPER (Attorney's Docket No. KR-1 PROV), which patent
application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to bedding in general, and more
particularly to a pillow cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional pillow covers or cases are typically
constructed from one or two rectangular panels of fabric which are
sewn together at some of the edges so as to create an enclosure
with one open end. The open end of the pillow cover is typically
left open so as to facilitate removing a pillow from, or inserting
a pillow into, the pillow cover so that when the pillow is inserted
into the pillow cover, the pillow cover surrounds the pillow on
three of the four edges of the pillow. The conventional pillow
cover may then be used to protect the pillow from dust, dirt and
bodily fluids (e.g., sweat, drool, etc.) from the person resting
his or her head on the pillow. The conventional pillow cover may
also be used to decorate a bed and/or make the pillow more
aesthetically pleasing.
[0004] Despite the utility and ease of use of the conventional
pillow cover, a number of shortcomings exist, particularly with
regard to the open end of the conventional pillow cover.
[0005] First, the open end of a conventional pillow cover can
expose a portion of the pillow otherwise contained within the
cover. This can be aesthetically displeasing, as the pillow itself
may be of a color or have a pattern that does not match the pillow
cover or other bedding garments.
[0006] In addition, the portion of the pillow that faces the open
end may contain tags, zippers, large seams or other abrasive
features, which can scratch the face of, or otherwise cause
discomfort to, a person who is lying on the pillow.
[0007] Furthermore, because one end of the pillow cover is open,
portions of the pillow tend to migrate out of the open end of a
conventional pillow cover, typically while a person is sleeping, so
that eventually the person is resting on the pillow itself rather
than the pillow cover.
[0008] In addition to the foregoing, the pillow inside of the
pillow cover with at least one open end tends to become misshapen
after a period of use since the filling of the pillow is free to
spread out (e.g., migrate toward the open end of the pillow cover)
when the pillow cover is not tightly positioned around a pillow on
all four edges of the pillow. This can allow the pillow to assume a
flatter profile, which may cause the pillow to offer less elevation
of the head of the user and potentially lead to a less desirable
sleeping position.
[0009] Hence, there is a need for a new and improved pillow cover
which provides for improved aesthetics and increased comfort for
the user and which better contains a pillow within a pillow
cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] These and other objects of the present invention are
addressed by the provision and use of a new and improved pillow
cover which provides for improved aesthetics and increased comfort
for the user, and which better contains a pillow within a pillow
cover.
[0011] Among other things, this new and improved pillow cover
performs the traditional functions of a conventional pillow cover
(i.e., decorating a pillow and keeping a pillow clean) while also
providing for a means to keep the pillow and any appendages thereof
(e.g., product tags) contained within the pillow cover.
[0012] In one form of the present invention, there is provided a
pillow cover comprising:
[0013] a panel of fabric sewn together to form an enclosure
comprising one open end; and
[0014] a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the
enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the
enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the
closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for
containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the
closing mechanism.
[0015] In another form of the present invention, there is provided
a pillow cover comprising:
[0016] a first panel of fabric and a second panel of fabric sewn
together to form an enclosure comprising one open end; and
[0017] a closing mechanism for closing the open end of the
enclosure, wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the
enclosure at a distance from the open end so that closing the
closing mechanism forms a closed portion of the enclosure for
containing a pillow and an open end of the enclosure for hiding the
closing mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying
drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further
wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pillow cover formed in
accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillow cover shown in
FIG. 1 with a portion of the pillow cover cut away to show the
closure mechanism; and
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pillow cover shown in
FIG. 1 with a portion of the pillow cover pulled back upon
itself.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention provides a new and improved pillow
cover which provides for improved aesthetics and increased comfort
for the user, and which better contains a pillow within a pillow
cover.
[0023] Among other things, this new and improved pillow cover
performs the traditional functions of a conventional pillow cover
(i.e., decorating a pillow and keeping a pillow clean) while also
providing for a means to keep the pillow and any appendages thereof
(e.g., product tags) contained within the pillow cover.
[0024] Looking now at FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a pillow cover 5.
Pillow cover 5 generally comprises one or two rectangular panels of
fabric which are sewn together at some of the edges so as to create
an enclosure with one open end 10. The open end of pillow cover 5
is provided so as to facilitate removing a pillow from, or
inserting a pillow into, pillow cover 5 so that when the pillow is
inserted into the pillow cover, the pillow cover surrounds the
pillow on three of the four edges of the pillow. In the preferred
embodiment, a closing mechanism, preferably a zipper 15, is
positioned approximately four or five inches from the edge of open
end 10 of pillow cover 5. Zipper 15 serves to close pillow cover 5
at a distance from the edge of open end 10, thereby creating a
closed portion 20 of pillow cover 5 and an open portion 25 of
pillow cover 5, with zipper 15 being hidden between the opposing
panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5.
[0025] In use, a pillow may be inserted into pillow cover 5 and
zipper 15 closed so as to contain the pillow within closed portion
20 of pillow cover 5. Since zipper 15 is positioned between the
opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5 rather than at
the edge of opening 10, zipper 15 will remain hidden between the
opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5.
[0026] Positioning the closing mechanism, e.g., zipper 15, between
the opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5 provides a
number of improvements over a conventional pillow cover with an
open end.
[0027] First, the closing mechanism serves to close the open end of
a pillow cover so as to contain a pillow within a pillow cover and
prevent any portion of the pillow from migrating out of the pillow
cover. This includes the pillow itself, tags, zippers, large seams
or other abrasive features attached to the pillow and/or the pillow
filling, all of which could be aesthetically displeasing or
potentially uncomfortable for a person lying on the pillow.
[0028] Furthermore, by positioning the closing mechanism between
the opposing panels of open portion 25 of pillow cover 5 rather
than at open end 10 of pillow cover 5, the aesthetic functions of a
conventional pillow cover (e.g., decorating a pillow) are still
maintained because the unsightly zipper 15 of pillow cover 5 is
hidden from view.
[0029] Additionally, concealing zipper 15 within pillow cover 5
also helps to prevent zipper 15 from scratching or otherwise
injuring the user of pillow cover 5 by providing a piece of fabric
between the closing mechanism and the sleeping surface of pillow
cover 5.
[0030] While the foregoing description refers to the closing
mechanism as a zipper 15, the closing mechanism may also be a
number of other closing mechanisms known to those skilled in the
art. By way of example, but not limitation, the closing mechanism
could be a row of buttons or snaps, a strip (or strips) of a
material comprising hook-and-loop connectors (e.g., VELCRO.RTM.),
or any other closing mechanism which could be positioned between
the opposing panels of pillow cover 5, at a distance from open end
10 of pillow cover 5, in order to contain a pillow within pillow
cover 5 while still remaining hidden from view.
[0031] Closing mechanism may be attached between the opposing
panels of pillow cover 5 in ways known to those skilled in the art.
By way of example, but not limitation, an approximately 18-20 inch
length of zipper 15 may be attached between the opposing panels of
pillow cover 5 by sewing the appropriate components of the zipper
to the interior portions of each of the opposing panels.
MODIFICATIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] It should be understood that many additional changes in the
details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have
been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the
nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in
the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of
the invention.
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