U.S. patent application number 14/704497 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-19 for two-opening pillow case.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dan Peter Montzka. Invention is credited to Dan Peter Montzka.
Application Number | 20160135623 14/704497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55960595 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160135623 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Montzka; Dan Peter |
May 19, 2016 |
TWO-OPENING PILLOW CASE
Abstract
A pillowcase having two complementary sections are provided with
multiple holes on the edges of the two sections or adjacent to the
edges of the sections. A first hole is dimensioned to accept a
pillow, as is common practice in the art, and can be the length of
a transverse edge of the pillow case, or substantially the length
of a transverse edge. A second hole is disposed on a second portion
of the pillowcase, opposite to the pillow opening, and is
optionally the size of the width of a human hand, such as between 3
inches and 6 inches in length. The second hole permits a user to
access the interior of the pillowcase and simplifies insertion of a
pillow and orientation of a pillow within the interior of the
pillowcase.
Inventors: |
Montzka; Dan Peter; (Palm
Harbor, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Montzka; Dan Peter |
Palm Harbor |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55960595 |
Appl. No.: |
14/704497 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62081729 |
Nov 19, 2014 |
|
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62081748 |
Dec 24, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/0253
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20060101
A47G009/02; A47G 9/04 20060101 A47G009/04 |
Claims
1. A pillowcase, comprising: a first pillowcase section; a second
pillowcase section, wherein the second pillowcase section is
complementary to the first pillowcase section; a pillow opening
disposed on a first portion of the pillowcase; an auxiliary opening
disposed on a second portion of the pillowcase, wherein the first
portion of the pillowcase and the second portion of the pillowcase
are disposed on opposite sides of the pillowcase.
2. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the first pillowcase section
further comprises: a first longitudinal edge, a second transverse
edge, a third longitudinal edge, and a fourth transverse edge;
wherein the second pillowcase section further comprises: a fifth
longitudinal edge, a sixth transverse edge, a seventh longitudinal
edge, and an eighth transverse edge; where the first and fifth
longitudinal edges are attached, the second and sixth transverse
edges are attached, third and seventh longitudinal edges are
attached, and fourth and eighth transverse edges are attached;
wherein the pillow opening is disposed along the second and sixth
transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the
second transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section
adjacent to the sixth transverse edge; and wherein the auxiliary
opening disposed along the fourth and eighth transverse edges, on
the first pillowcase section adjacent to the fourth transverse
edge, or on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the eighth
transverse edge
3. The pillowcase of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the first
pillowcase section further comprises: a circular or substantially
circular first edge; wherein the second pillowcase section further
comprises: a circular or substantially circular second edge,
wherein the second edge is complementary to the first edge; a
pillowcase wall disposed between the first pillowcase section and
the second pillowcase section, having a first wall edge and a
second wall edge; wherein the first wall edge is attached to the
first pillowcase section and the second wall edge is attached to
the second pillowcase section; wherein the pillow opening is
disposed on the first wall edge or on the pillowcase wall, and
wherein the auxiliary opening is disposed on the second wall edge
or on the pillowcase wall.
4. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary opening is
between 3 inches and 6 inches in length.
5. The pillowcase of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary opening is
substantially the length of the fourth transverse edge or eighth
transverse edge.
6. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the pillow opening is
substantially the length of the second transverse edge or sixth
transverse edge, or is between 6 inches and 20 inches.
7. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the pillowcase is cotton,
polyester, cotton-polyester blend, percale, mercerized cotton,
linen, acrylic, tencel, modal, flannel, cashmere, satin, velvet,
fleece, silk, rayon, rayon-cotton blend nylon, nylon-cotton blend,
suede, linen-rayon blend, or rayon-cotton blend.
8. The pillowcase of claim 7, wherein the pillowcase is a 50%
cotton-50% polyester blend, 100% cotton, or 100% nylon.
9. The pillowcase of claim 1, further comprising at least one
fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is disposed on the
edges of the pillow opening, the auxiliary opening, or a
combination thereof.
10. The pillowcase of claim 9, wherein the at least one fastener is
a button, a zipper, a snap, a hook, a buckle, a fabric loop, a
stitched loop, or hook and loop fasteners.
11. A method of inserting a pillow into a pillowcase, comprising:
providing a pillowcase, where the pillowcase comprises: a first
pillowcase section; a second pillowcase section, wherein the second
pillowcase section is complementary to the first pillowcase
section; a pillow opening disposed on a first portion of the
pillowcase; an auxiliary opening disposed on a second portion of
the pillowcase, wherein the first portion of the pillowcase and the
second portion of the pillowcase are disposed on opposite sides of
the pillowcase; orienting a pillow adjacent to the pillow opening;
inserting a hand into the auxiliary opening and into an interior
void of the pillowcase; grasping the pillow with the hand inserted
into the auxiliary opening; and positioning the pillow in the
interior void of the pillowcase.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing an
additional hand; grasping the pillowcase adjacent to the pillow
opening; and sliding the pillowcase over the pillow.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning a
plurality of edges of the pillow into a plurality of complementary
corners of the pillowcase, wherein the pillowcase is quadrilateral;
wherein the first pillowcase section further comprises: a first
longitudinal edge, a second transverse edge, a third longitudinal
edge, and a fourth transverse edge; wherein the second pillowcase
section further comprises: a fifth longitudinal edge, a sixth
transverse edge, a seventh longitudinal edge, and an eighth
transverse edge; where the first and fifth longitudinal edges are
attached, the second and sixth transverse edges are attached, third
and seventh longitudinal edges are attached, and fourth and eighth
transverse edges are attached; wherein the pillow opening is
disposed along the second and sixth transverse edges, on the first
pillowcase section adjacent to the second transverse edge, or on
the second pillowcase section adjacent to the sixth transverse
edge; and wherein the auxiliary opening disposed along the fourth
and eighth transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section
adjacent to the fourth transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase
section adjacent to the eighth transverse edge.
14. The pillowcase of claim 1, further comprising positioning a
plurality of edges of the pillow into a plurality of complementary
corners of the pillowcase, wherein the pillowcase is tubular;
wherein the first pillowcase section further comprises: a circular
or substantially circular first edge; wherein the second pillowcase
section further comprises: a circular or substantially circular
second edge, wherein the second edge is complementary to the first
edge; a pillowcase wall disposed between the first pillowcase
section and the second pillowcase section, having a first wall edge
and a second wall edge; wherein the first wall edge is attached to
the first pillowcase section and the second wall edge is attached
to the second pillowcase section; wherein the pillow opening is
disposed on the first wall edge or on the pillowcase wall, and
wherein the auxiliary opening is disposed on the second wall edge
or on the pillowcase wall.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising securing the pillow
in the pillowcase by joining two complementary portions of at least
one fastener; wherein the at least one fastener is a button, a
zipper, a snap, a hook, a buckle, a fabric loop, a stitched loop,
or hook and loop fasteners.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/081,729, entitled
"Easy Fit Pillowcase", filed on Nov. 19, 2014; and to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/081,748, entitled "Easy Fit
Pillowcase", filed on Dec. 24, 2014, the contents of which are
herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to pillow coverings. Specifically,
the invention is a pillow case or covering having two opposing
holes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pillows are commonly used to support the head or other body
parts of a user, or for decoration. Modern pillows comprise an
outer material, commonly a textile such as a natural or synthetic
fabric, and an inner filler material, commonly feathers, synthetic
foam, an air bladder, buckwheat, or synthetic beads. Most pillows
used for sleeping, and occasionally decorative pillows and/or
support pillows are encased in a fabric covering, known as a
pillowcase or pillow case. In some instances, a pillow may be
covered by a sham, which is similar to a pillow case, but typically
possesses stitched, i.e. closed sides, with a slit in the back wall
through which the pillow is inserted.
[0004] Pillow cases are used to protect a pillow from direct
contact with a user or from direct contact with the general
environment. The pillow cases permit easy and hygenic maintenance
of the pillow through removal and laundering of the pillow
case.
[0005] A pillow case may be manufactured with natural or synthetic
textiles, or blends of natural and synthetic fibers. Examples
include cotton cloth, silk, and sateen. A pillow case usually has a
single enclosure that receives a single pillow, and is typically
square, tubular or oblong, such as rectangular, to accommodate the
shape of the pillow. Bed pillow cases commonly have an open edge
for inserting the pillow into the pillow case. However, pillow
cases may include a zippered opening, buttoned opening or a
flap.
[0006] Bed pillow cases are typically made using two generally
rectangular panels of fabric material enclosed along both
longitudinal (long) edges and one transverse (narrow) edge, with
the remaining transverse edge open tier inserting and removing a
pillow. Although this type of pillow case has been in use for a
considerable length of time, the design it not conducive to
efficient insertion of a pillow. As such, the present invention is
designed to address this shortcoming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] As described herein, the novel pillowcase includes a first
pillowcase section which is attached to a complementary, second
pillowcase section, such as by stitching, heat bonding, or other
attachment means known in the art. A pillow opening, dimensioned to
accept a pillow of approximately the same shape and size as the
interior void of the pillowcase, is disposed on a first portion of
the pillowcase. A secondary, auxiliary opening is disposed on a
second portion of the pillowcase, opposite to the pillow opening.
The auxiliary opening is optionally the size of the width of a
human hand, such as between 3 inches and 6 inches in length.
[0008] In specific variations of the invention, the pillowcase is
quadrilateral in shape. In these variations, the first pillowcase
section includes a first longitudinal edge, a second transverse
edge, a third longitudinal edge, and a fourth transverse edge and
the second pillowcase section includes a fifth longitudinal edge, a
sixth transverse edge, a seventh longitudinal edge, and an eighth
transverse edge. The first and second pillowcase sections are
attached to one another, directly or indirectly via a wall section
between the first and second pillowcase sections. The first and
second pillowcase sections are attached via attachment of first and
fifth longitudinal edges, the second and sixth transverse edges,
third and seventh longitudinal edges, and fourth and eighth
transverse edges. Moreover, in these variations, the pillow opening
is disposed along the second and sixth transverse edges, on the
first pillowcase section adjacent to the second transverse edge, or
on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the sixth transverse
edge. Optionally, the pillow opening is substantially the length of
the second transverse edge or sixth transverse edge. Alternatively,
the pillow opening is between 6 inches and 20 inches in length. The
auxiliary opening is disposed along the fourth and eighth
transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the
fourth transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section
adjacent to the eighth transverse edge. In some variations, the
auxiliary opening is substantially the length of the fourth
transverse edge or eighth transverse edge.
[0009] The pillowcase is alternatively tubular in shape. In these
variations, the first pillowcase section comprises a circular or
substantially circular first edge, a complementary second
pillowcase section having a circular or substantially circular
second edge, and a pillowcase wall disposed between the first
pillowcase section and the second pillowcase section and attached
to the first circular edge and the second circular edge. The pillow
opening is disposed on the first wall edge or on the pillowcase
wall and dimensioned to accept a pillow. The auxiliary opening is
disposed on the second wall edge or on the pillowcase wall.
[0010] The pillowcases of the invention can be cotton, polyester,
cotton-polyester blend, percale, mercerized cotton, linen, acrylic,
tencel, modal, flannel, cashmere, satin, velvet, fleece, silk,
rayon, rayon-cotton blend nylon, nylon-cotton blend, suede,
linen-rayon blend, rayon-cotton blend. Notable examples include
where the pillowcase sections, and wall in those embodiments, are
made from a 50% cotton-50% polyester cloth, 100% cotton, or a 100%
nylon wipe-able fabric.
[0011] The auxiliary opening and pillow opening are optionally
closed when not being used to insert a pillow. Useful materials for
closing the openings include a flap or fasteners, as may be known
in the art. Non-limiting examples of fasteners include buttons,
zippers, snaps, hooks, buckles, fabric loops, or stitched loops, or
hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro.TM..
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference
should be made to the following detailed description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the
pillowcase.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the
pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the
pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening and pillow opening.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an illustration showing the methods for inserting
a pillow into the first embodiment of the pillowcase.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the
pillowcase showing the alternative auxiliary opening.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the methods for inserting
a pillow into the first embodiment of the pillowcase showing the
alternative auxiliary opening.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the
pillowcase.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the
pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening and pillow opening.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the
pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening and pillow opening.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] The novel pillowcase provides a plurality of holes,
permitting a user to access the interior void of the pillowcase
opposite from the insertion point of a pillow. This allows for
simpler insertion of pillows into the pillowcase, as the user can
guide the pillow into the pillowcase.
[0023] As used herein, "complementary" means the strands or
elements are sized and shaped to allow at least one element from
one complementary half to engage at least one element from the
opposing complementary half.
[0024] As used herein, "substantially" means more than 50%, such as
60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100%. Preferably,
"substantially" refers to at least 90%.
Example 1
[0025] Pillowcase 1 is comprised of pillowcase sections 4 and 7
attached by seam line 10, as seen in FIG. 1. Pillowcase sections 4
and 7 are shown as substantially rectangular in shape, but may be
other shapes, such as tubular. The pillowcase sections are fabric,
such as cotton, attached to form an envelope for protecting a
pillow after such has been inserted through pillow opening 17.
[0026] Pillowcase 1 includes auxiliary opening 14, which is a slit
along a partial traverse edge of seam line 10, shown in FIG. 2, a
slit on pillowcase section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge of seam
line 10, or is a slit found on a transverse wall attached to the
transverse edge of pillowcase sections 4 and 7. Auxiliary opening
12 is dimensioned to be just large enough to permit a user to
insert his or her hand through auxiliary opening 14. Pillow opening
17 is either a slit along a traverse edge of seam line 10, shown in
FIG. 3, a slit on pillowcase section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge
of seam line 10, or is a slit found on a transverse wall attached
to the transverse edge of pillowcase sections 4 and
[0027] Pillowcase 1 simplifies insertion of a pillow into the
pillowcase. User's hand 19 is placed through auxiliary opening 14
and into the interior void of pillowcase 1. A pillow is placed
adjacent to, or just inside, pillow opening 17 and the user grasps
the pillow and pulls it to the transverse edge of pillowcase 1
containing auxiliary opening 14, as seen in FIG. 4.
[0028] Alternatively, auxiliary opening 15 is larger than that
required for a user to access the interior void of the pillowcase.
For example, auxiliary opening 15 runs along the entire length of a
transverse edge of seam line 10, a substantial portion of a
transverse edge, a slit traversing the entire transverse length of
pillowcase section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge of seam line 10, a
slit traversing a substantial transverse length of pillowcase
section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge of seam line 10, or is a slit
found on a transverse wall attached to the transverse edge of
pillowcase sections 4 and 7, as seen in FIG. 5. As with the
previous embodiment, user's hand 19 accesses the interior void via
auxiliary opening 15, thereby allowing the use to guide a pillow
into the interior void of pillowcase 1, as seen in FIG. 6.
Example 2
[0029] Tubular pillowcase 2 is comprised of circular pillowcase
sections 4 and 7, and pillowcase wall 12 attached by upper seam
line 11a and lower seam line 11b, as seen in FIG. 7. Pillowcase 2
includes auxiliary opening 16, which is a slit along a partial
section of seam line 11a, or a slit on pillowcase wall 12 adjacent
to a seam line, shown in FIG. 7. Auxiliary opening 16 is
dimensioned to be just large enough to permit a user to insert his
or her hand through auxiliary opening 16. Pillow opening 18 is
either a slit along a section of seam line 11a or 11b, or a slit on
pillowcase wall 12 adjacent to a traverse edge of a seam line,
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As in Example 1, the user places his or her
hand into the interior void of the pillowcase via auxiliary opening
16, and positions his or her hand adjacent to pillow opening 18.
The user then grasps a pillow and guides the pillow into the
interior void of pillowcase 2.
[0030] In the preceding specification, all documents, acts, or
information disclosed do not constitute an admission that the
document, act, or information of any combination thereof was
publicly available, known to the public, part of the general
knowledge in the art, or was known to be relevant to solve any
problem at the time of priority.
[0031] The disclosures of all publications cited above are
expressly incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety,
to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference
individually.
[0032] While there has been described and illustrated specific
embodiments of a pillowcase cover and method of use, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and
modifications are possible without deviating from the broad spirit
and principle of the present invention. It is also to be understood
that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic
and specific features of the invention herein described, and all
statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of
language, might be said to fall therebetween.
* * * * *