Pocketed Fitted Bedsheet

Abstract

The disclosed principles provide for an improved bedsheet capable of staying attached to any mattress, and thus not be removable from the mattress during normal use. A sheet as disclosed herein replaces the conventional fitted sheet on which a person sleeps and is attached at the four corners around the bed's mattress. A sheet as disclosed herein features a "pocket" formed at the head of the sheet that is used to secure the sheet, rather than the typical elasticized corners of a conventional fitted sheet that merely grasps the corners and/or bottom at the head of the mattress. By replacing the elasticized parts at the head of the lower bedsheet with the disclosed pocket, the entire head of the mattress, not just the corners, are secured within the pocket of the disclosed sheet. Thus, the disclosed pocketed lower bedsheet will not come loose from the mattress during its normal use.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/978,025, filed Feb. 18, 2020, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of bedsheets, and more particularly to a pocketed fitted bedsheet.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The use of bedsheets in each of our beds has been common place for centuries. Generally speaking, bedsheets are used not only to cover the user in order to provide warmth during sleeping, but also, in the case of the bottom sheet, to protect the sleeper from coming into direct contact with the mattress. In most cases, bed mattresses are kept for a number of years, if not decades, and are seldom, if ever, cleaned in any way. Thus, the bottom bedsheet is used to isolate the sleeper from the potentially dirty mattress.

[0004] In addition, improvements in bed sheet technology have been seldom over the years. One improvement that occurred many years ago was the creation of the "fitted" bedsheet. A fitted bedsheet is a bottom sheet that a user lies upon, and that is sized for a particular size mattress. The fitted sheet has elastic in the lower corners of the sheet to grasp, or "fit", around the corners of the mattress. In some conventional embodiments, the elastic may even be affixed along the entire lower edge of the fitted sheet in order to grasp around the entire mattress, as opposed to just the corners. The goal of such conventional fitted bedsheets is to stay mounted on the mattress throughout its use during sleeping, so as not to come free from the mattress and cause the sleeper to come in direct contact with the mattress itself.

[0005] Unfortunately, even the highest quality fitted sheets do not always succeed in their purpose in that the fitted sheet's grip on the lower edge and/or corners of the mattress still often comes loose during sleep. For example, the elastic installed at any or all of the corners of conventional fitted sheets may wear over time and multiple washings, and thus lose the strength of its grip on the mattress. Also, the initial quality of the elastic may be low, and thus the fitted sheet's grip could be less than desired at the outset. Furthermore, the user of the fitted sheet could be any excessively active sleeper that tosses and turns throughout the night, which can be sufficient to detach even the strongest gripping fitted sheets in certain circumstances. Still further, modern mattresses are available in many different thicknesses, which can affect the sufficiency of the grip that a conventional fitted sheet has on a mattress. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved bottom sheet for use with modern mattresses, and that does not suffer from the deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY

[0006] The disclosed principles provide for an improved bedsheet capable of staying attached to any mattress, and thus not be removable from the mattress during normal use. Specifically, a novel sheet in accordance with the disclosed principles replaces the conventional fitted sheet on which a person sleeps and is attached at the four corners around the bed's mattress. However, a sheet according to the disclosed principles features a "pocket" formed at the head of the sheet that is used to secure the sheet, rather than the typical elasticized corners of a conventional fitted sheet that merely grasps the corners and/or bottom at the head of the mattress. By replacing the elasticized parts at the head of the lower bedsheet with the disclosed pocket, the entire head of the mattress, not just the corners, are secured within the pocket of the disclosed sheet. As a result, the disclosed pocketed lower bedsheet will not come loose from the mattress during its normal use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of the top view of one embodiment of a pocketed bedsheet in accordance with the disclosed principles;

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the side view of the pocketed sheet illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the pocketed sheet illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 placed on a king size mattress;

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of a pocketed sheet in accordance with the disclosed principles placed on a king size mattress;

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of a pocketed sheet in accordance with the disclosed principles placed on a king size mattress; and

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of another embodiment of a pocketed sheet in accordance with the disclosed principles placed on a king size mattress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the disclosed principles, a pocketed bedsheet comprises a head portion, a foot portion and opposing side portions joining the head portion and the foot portion. In such an embodiment, the head portion of the sheet comprises a pocket configured to receive a head portion of a mattress therein. In accordance with the disclosed principles, the pocket comprises an amount of material that is sufficient to extend around a width and thickness of the head portion of the mattress along a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces of the head portion of the mattress. As such, the pocket of the disclosed bedsheet wraps around the entirety of the head portion of the mattress it receives. In addition, the pocket includes a depth extending from an end of the head portion of the sheet towards the foot portion of the sheet, and in exemplary embodiments the depth of the pocket extends along about 20% of the length of the mattress it receives or 20% of the overall length of the bedsheet. Of course, other lengths for the depth of the pocket may also be employed. Also, the foot portion of the sheet is sized sufficient to downwardly extend from a top surface of the mattress along a thickness of a foot portion of the mattress and beyond a bottom surface of the mattress. Similarly, the side portions of the sheet are sized sufficient to downwardly extend from the top surface of the mattress along a thickness of side portions of the mattress and beyond the bottom surface of the mattress. In all, the pocket in such embodiments is sized such that the sheet cannot be removed from the head portion of the mattress received therein without first removing the sheet from the foot portion and side portions of the mattress.

[0015] Various embodiments of the disclosed bedsheet are possible, each having the unique pocket formed at the head of the sheet. For example, the disclosed sheet can be sized to fit any size mattress, with the dimensions of the pocket at the head of the sheet sized to receive or fit around the head portion of any such mattress. Moreover, the central/sides and foot portions of the disclosed pocketed sheet may be formed in varying manners, while maintaining the advantages of the disclosed pocket. Still further, the pocketed bedsheet may be made of any desirable material, without detracting from the functionality of the disclosed pocket.

[0016] Looking now at FIG. 1, illustrated is a schematic diagram of the top view of one embodiment of a pocketed bedsheet 100 in accordance with the disclosed principles. At the head of the illustrated sheet 100 on the left side of the schematic is the novel pocket 105 designed and constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles to receive the head portion of a mattress. As shown in the schematic view, the sheet 100 is sized to account for the size and thickness of the mattress on which it is fitted, as well as to provide ample additional material for tucking underneath the mattress along both sides and around the corners along the foot of the mattress. In this embodiment, the disclosed pocketed sheet 100 has been formed with 90 degree angles at both corners 110 of the foot portion 115 of the sheet 100, where each end of the foot portion 115 meets a side portion 120 of the sheet 100, to allow for tucking underneath the mattress without having any excess material bunched or folded at the corners. However, in other embodiments, both sides 120 and the corners 110 at the foot 115 of the sheet 100 may simply be left squared, with the user simply tucking any excess material underneath the bottom edges and the corners of the foot of the mattress. In still other embodiments, both sides 120 and the corners 110 at the foot 115 of the sheet 100 may include elastic to grasp the lower/bottom edges of the corners, or both the corners and bottom linear edges of the sides of the mattress.

[0017] In this illustrated embodiment, the pocket 105 at the head of the sheet 100 is about 20% of the overall head-to-foot length of the mattress to be used with the sheet 100. However, no specific length for the pocket 115 is intended or should be inferred, and thus a pocketed sheet 105 in accordance with the disclosed principles may be formed with the pocket 105 at the head of the sheet 100 made to any desired and advantageous length so long as the length of the pocket 105 is sized such that the pocketed sheet 100 cannot be removed from the head of the mattress without first removing the sheet from the foot and sides of the mattress. The width of the pocket 105, however, may also be sized to fit any size or thickness of mattress intended for use with the pocketed sheet 100. For example, the pocket 105 of the disclosed sheet 100 may be made to fit any mattress size, such as king, queen or twin sized mattresses.

[0018] In addition, the depth or height of the pocket 105 may also be constructed to account for the thickness of any size mattress (standard or custom) on which the disclosed sheet is to be used. Turning to FIG. 2, illustrated is a schematic diagram of the side view of the pocketed sheet 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. From this side view, the thickness of a mattress 125 can be accounted for when forming the depth or height of the pocket area in the disclosed sheet 100. For example, a "pillow top" mattress is typically several inches thicker than a traditional mattress, and thus the disclosed sheet 100 may be formed with a pocket 105 of sufficient height or depth to accommodate such thicker mattresses. In other embodiments, a pocketed sheet 100 as disclosed herein may simply be formed with a pocket 105 large enough to accommodate any thickness of mattress 125, with the length of the pocket 105 sized so that any additional space within the pocketed area that remains when a thinner mattress is used still does not result in the disclosed sheet coming free from the mattress 125 during use. Also visible from this side view is the additional material that may be provided on a pocketed sheet 100 as disclosed herein and tucked underneath the sides and foot of the mattress 125 once the pocket sheet 100 is placed over the head of the mattress 125.

[0019] In alternative advantageous embodiments, a pocketed sheet as disclosed herein may be formed with elastic along the corners and/or bottom edge(s) of the foot portion of the sheet, similar to the elasticized corners and/or bottom edge(s) of a conventional fitted sheet. In these embodiments, once the head of the mattress is placed within the pocket portion of the disclosed sheet, the elasticized corners and/or bottom edge(s) at the foot of the sheet may then be tucked under the bottom edges of the mattress and wrapped around corners at the foot of the mattress to finish securing the disclosed sheet on the mattress. In such embodiments, any additional sheet material along the sides of the bedsheet may then be folded and tucked underneath the bottom of the mattress along its sides. In still other embodiments, a pocketed sheet as disclosed herein may be formed with elastic along or around bottom edges of both sides and the foot portion of the sheet, which may all be secured around the corresponding bottom and foot of the mattress. In all embodiments, however, the disclosed principles provide that the length of the pocket is sized such that the disclosed sheet cannot be removed from the head of the mattress without first removing the sheet from the foot and sides of the mattress, whether the sides and foot of the sheet are elasticized or simply folded and tucked underneath the mattress.

[0020] Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an isometric view 300 of the embodiment of the pocketed sheet 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 placed on a king size mattress. As illustrated, the head of the disclosed sheet 100 has a pocket 105 formed and sized to receive the head portion of the mattress therein. In addition, in this embodiment, the disclosed sheet 100 is manufactured to have sides 120 and a foot portion 115 significantly longer than the thickness of the mattress, where the additional material may be tucked underneath the corresponding sides and foot of the mattress once the head of the mattress is placed within the pocket 105 of the sheet 100. In addition, this embodiment of the pocketed sheet 100 is formed as illustrated in FIG. 1 where the corners 110 at the foot of the sheet 100 are formed with 90 degree corners 110 such that the sides 120 and foot 115 of the disclosed sheet 100 hang straight down the sides and end of the mattress without any folded material. Of course, as also discussed above, the disclosed sheet 100 may be formed to have a traditional squared shape at the foot portion 115, with any additional material being folded and tucked under the mattress in the traditional manner.

[0021] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated is an isometric view 400 of another embodiment of a pocketed sheet 200 in accordance with the disclosed principles placed on a king size mattress. As illustrated, in this embodiment the disclosed pocketed sheet 200 again includes a pocket 205 at the head of the sheet 200. In addition, in contrast to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, this embodiment of the pocketed sheet 200 includes elastic 215 integrated in the two corners 210 at the bottom edge of the foot of the sheet 200. These elasticized corners 215 are constructed to grip around and fit partially under the foot-side corners of the mattress on which the pocketed sheet 200 is mounted. Moreover, in this embodiment the edges of the sheet 200 extending along the sides from the pocket to the elasticized corners are simply straight and following along the bottom edges of the mattress, or perhaps located partially under these bottom side edges. Similarly, the edge of the pocketed sheet 200 extending along the bottom edge of the foot end of the sheet 200 between the two elasticized corners 215 is also formed straight similar to conventional fitted sheets. As discussed above, in other embodiments of a pocket bedsheet 200 in accordance with the disclosed principles elastic may be integrated along bottom edges of both sides and the foot portion/edge of the sheet, in addition to the corners, if desired and as described in detail below.

[0022] Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated is an isometric view 500 of another embodiment of a pocketed sheet 300 in accordance with the disclosed principles placed on a king size mattress. As illustrated, in this embodiment the disclosed pocketed sheet 300 again includes a pocket 305 at the head of the sheet 300. In addition, this embodiment is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4; however, this embodiment of the pocketed sheet 300 includes elastic 315 integrated in the bottom edges of the two corners 310 at the foot portion of the sheet 300 as well as elastic 315 fitted along the bottom edges at the sides and along the length of the foot portion of the sheet 300. These elasticized corners 310 and sides are constructed to grip around and fit partially under the sides and foot-side corners, as well as the length of the foot portion, of the mattress on which the pocketed sheet 300 is mounted.

[0023] Looking now at FIG. 6, illustrated is an isometric view 600 of another embodiment of a pocketed sheet 400 in accordance with the disclosed principles placed on a king size mattress. As illustrated, in this embodiment the disclosed pocketed sheet 400 again includes a pocket 405 at the head of the sheet 400. However, in this embodiment of the pocketed sheet 400 includes folded corners at the two corners 410 at the foot portion of the sheet 400, rather than elasticized corners. In addition, the side portions of the sheet 400, as well as the length of the sheet 400 along the foot portion of the sheet 400, may also be folded under the mattress to secure the disclosed pocketed sheet 400 to the mattress.

[0024] While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with any claims and their equivalents issuing from this disclosure. Furthermore, the above advantages and features are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages.

[0025] Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically, and by way of example, although the headings refer to a "Technical Field," the claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called field. Further, a description of a technology as background information is not to be construed as an admission that certain technology is prior art to any embodiment(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the "Summary" to be considered as a characterization of the embodiment(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to "invention" in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple embodiments may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the embodiment(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of such claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein.

[0026] Moreover, the Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. .sctn. 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A pocketed bedsheet, comprising: a head portion, a foot portion and opposing side portions joining the head portion and the foot portion; wherein the head portion of the sheet comprises a pocket configured to receive a head portion of a mattress therein, the pocket comprising: material sufficient to extend around a width and thickness of the head portion of the mattress along a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces of the head portion of the mattress, and a depth extending from an end of the head portion of the sheet towards the foot portion of the sheet; wherein the foot portion of the sheet is sized sufficient to downwardly extend from a top surface of the mattress along a thickness of a foot portion of the mattress and beyond a bottom surface of the mattress; wherein the side portions of the sheet are sized sufficient to extend from the top surface of the mattress along a thickness of side portions of the mattress and beyond the bottom surface of the mattress; and wherein the pocket is sized such that the sheet cannot be removed from the head portion of the mattress received therein without first removing the sheet from the foot portion and side portions of the mattress.

2. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the pocket comprises 20% of the length of the sheet from the head portion to the foot portion.

3. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 1, wherein bottom edges of corners at the foot portion of the sheet comprise elastic, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress at corners of the foot portion of the mattress.

4. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 1, wherein bottom edges of corners at the foot portion of the sheet and a bottom edge of the foot portion of the sheet all comprise elastic, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress along the foot portion and corners of the foot portion of the mattress.

5. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 1, wherein bottom edges of the opposing side portions of the sheet comprise elastic, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress along sides of the mattress.

6. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 1, wherein bottom edges of corners at the foot portion of the sheet and bottom edges of the opposing side portions of the sheet all comprise elastic, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress along sides and the foot portion of the mattress.

7. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 1, wherein the foot portion of the sheet extends from a top surface of the mattress along a thickness of a foot portion of the mattress and beyond a bottom surface of the mattress by an amount at least as long as the thickness of the foot portion of the mattress.

8. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 7, wherein the side portions of the sheet extend from the top surface of the mattress along the thickness of side portions of the mattress and beyond the bottom surface of the mattress by an amount at least as long as the thickness of the side portions of the mattress.

9. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 8, wherein the sheet comprises a 90 degree angle at areas of the sheet where each end of the foot portion of the sheet meets a side portion of the sheet.

10. A method of manufacturing a pocketed bedsheet having a head portion, a foot portion and opposing side portions joining the head portion and the foot portion, the method comprising: forming a pocket in the head portion of the sheet configured to receive a head portion of a mattress therein, said forming the pocket comprising: forming material sufficient to extend around a width and thickness of the head portion of the mattress along a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces of the head portion of the mattress, and forming a depth extending from an end of the head portion of the sheet towards the foot portion of the sheet; forming the foot portion of the sheet sufficient to downwardly extend from a top surface of the mattress along a thickness of a foot portion of the mattress and beyond a bottom surface of the mattress; forming the side portions of the sheet sufficient to extend from the top surface of the mattress along a thickness of side portions of the mattress and beyond the bottom surface of the mattress; and wherein the pocket is sized such that the sheet cannot be removed from the head portion of the mattress received therein without first removing the sheet from the foot portion and side portions of the mattress.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein forming the depth of the pocket comprises forming the depth to comprise 20% of the length of the sheet from the head portion to the foot portion.

12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising forming elastic at bottom edges of corners at the foot portion of the sheet, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress at corners of the foot portion of the mattress.

13. A method according to claim 10, further comprising forming elastic at bottom edges of corners at the foot portion of the sheet and a bottom edge of the foot portion of the sheet, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress along the foot portion and corners of the foot portion of the mattress.

14. A method according to claim 10, further comprising forming elastic at bottom edges of the opposing side portions of the sheet, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress along sides of the mattress.

15. A method according to claim 10, further comprising forming elastic at bottom edges of corners at the foot portion of the sheet and bottom edges of the opposing side portions of the sheet, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress along sides and the foot portion of the mattress.

16. A method according to claim 10, further comprising forming the foot portion of the sheet to extend from a top surface of the mattress along a thickness of a foot portion of the mattress and beyond a bottom surface of the mattress by an amount at least as long as the thickness of the foot portion of the mattress.

17. A method according to claim 16, further comprising forming the side portions of the sheet to extend from the top surface of the mattress along the thickness of side portions of the mattress and beyond the bottom surface of the mattress by an amount at least as long as the thickness of the side portions of the mattress.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising forming a 90 degree angle at areas of the sheet where each end of the foot portion of the sheet meets a side portion of the sheet.

19. A pocketed bedsheet, comprising: a head portion, a foot portion and opposing side portions joining the head portion and the foot portion; wherein the head portion of the sheet comprises a pocket configured to receive a head portion of a mattress therein, the pocket comprising: material sufficient to extend around a width and thickness of the head portion of the mattress along a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces of the head portion of the mattress, and a depth extending from an end of the head portion of the sheet towards the foot portion of the sheet; wherein the foot portion of the sheet is sized sufficient to downwardly extend from a top surface of the mattress along a thickness of a foot portion of the mattress and beyond a bottom surface of the mattress; wherein the side portions of the sheet are sized sufficient to extend from the top surface of the mattress along a thickness of side portions of the mattress and beyond the bottom surface of the mattress; wherein bottom edges of corners at the foot portion of the sheet, bottom edges of the opposing side portions of the sheet, and a bottom edge of the foot portion of the sheet all comprise elastic, said elastic configured to contact the bottom surface of the mattress along the foot portion, the opposing side portions, and corners of the foot portion of the mattress; and wherein the pocket is sized such that the sheet cannot be removed from the head portion of the mattress received therein without first removing the sheet from the foot portion and side portions of the mattress.

20. A pocketed bedsheet according to claim 19, wherein the depth of the pocket comprises 20% of the length of the sheet from the head portion to the foot portion.