U.S. patent number 3,638,251 [Application Number 05/000,190] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-01 for combination bedsheet and pillowcase.
Invention is credited to Sidney Matthew Weiss.
United States Patent |
3,638,251 |
Weiss |
February 1, 1972 |
COMBINATION BEDSHEET AND PILLOWCASE
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a combination bedsheet and pillowcase.
A fitted-contour bedsheet is provided adjacent its head end with a
transverse gore, either integral or as a separate panel, providing
a pocket bulge at the head portion of the sheet. One or more
pillows, depending on the configuration of the sheet, may be
received between the mattress and the bedsheet within this pocket
bulge, and, in one advantageous form of the invention, the front of
the pocket tucks under the front edge of the pillow, providing the
appearance of a conventional separate sheet and pillow arrangement.
The fitted-contour sheet is self-holding on the mattress, so that
the pillow or pillows are totally enclosed and secured in place. To
particular advantage, the new combination bedsheet is constructed
of knitted fabric, mechanically preshrunk in the length direction;
in this way, a "no iron" sheet may be constructed using ordinary
knitted cotton fabrics, which are to be preferred over synthetic or
resin-fixed fabrics for the same purposes.
Inventors: |
Weiss; Sidney Matthew (New
York, NY) |
Family
ID: |
21690324 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/000,190 |
Filed: |
January 2, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/485; D6/603;
5/497; D6/602; 5/490 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G
9/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47G
9/02 (20060101); A47g 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;5/334,334C,335,354,354C |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gay; Bobby R.
Assistant Examiner: Calvert; Andrew M.
Claims
I claim:
1. A three-dimensional combination bedsheet formed of fabric of
stretchable construction which comprises
a. a pair of initially separate fabric sections forming head area
and body area portions, respectively, of the sheet,
b. said sheet including a surface cover area and head, side and
foot edge cover areas constituted for application over the top
surface and the head, side and foot edges of a bed mattress,
c. mattress corner engaging means formed by the edge cover areas at
the corners of the bedsheet for engaging the corners of a mattress
and holding said sheet firmly thereagainst,
d. at least portions of the bedsheet, adjacent the head areas
thereof, being engageable along and underneath side margins of a
mattress, whereby the edge cover areas of the sheet, at least
across the head area of the sheet and along the sides in the region
of the head area, are drawn snugly about the head edge and side
edges of a mattress,
e. the fabric sections forming said head area and body area
portions having confronting arcuate edges extending generally
transversely of the sheet substantially throughout the width of
said surface cover area and forming a panel area,
f. said panel area forming a pillow positioning pocket bulge in the
head area of said sheet,
g. said sheet including a line of stitching extending transversely
from one side edge of the sheet to the other and serving to join
said head area and body area,
h. said panel area being spaced a predetermined distance from the
head edge of the sheet,
i. said panel area, the edge cover area at the head, the edge cover
area of the sheet at the sides in the region of the head end, and
the surface cover portions of the sheet bounded by said edge cover
areas and said panel area, constituting a stretchable pillow
positioning pocket,
j. said pillow pocket being adapted to fully cover, and position a
pillow interposed between said pocket and the head end portion of a
mattress when said mattress corner engaging means are joined to an
underlying mattress.
2. The combination bedsheet of claim 1, further characterized
by
a. said sheet being constructed of knitted fabric, and
b. said fabric being mechanically compressively preshrunk in the
length direction.
3. The combination bedsheet of claim 1, further characterized
by
a. said sheet comprising head and foot portions of generally
similar construction but of different length,
b. said head and foot portions being permanently joined
together,
c. said panel area comprising a separate gore panel interposed
between and serving to join said head and foot portions in the
region of said surface cover area.
4. The combination bedsheet of claim 1, further characterized
by
a. said panel area comprises pocket-forming flaps of convex edge
contour formed on said head area and body area portions,
b. said flaps forming a deep pocket adapted to be tucked under the
front edge of a pillow.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In a conventional bed makeup, the mattress typically is covered by
a bedsheet, and one or more pillows, separately covered by
individual pillowcases, are merely placed at the head end of the
mattress, on top of the sheet. This conventional arrangement has
certain attendant disadvantages, in that the bedsheet and
pillowcases are separate items of purchase and require separate
handling, laundering, etc. There have been several proposals made
in the past for combining the bedsheet and pillowcase functions,
but none has achieved significant commercial acceptance because the
shortcomings of the proposed improvements have been as great as, or
greater than, those of the more conventional arrangements. For
example, some of the prior proposals for combining bedsheet and
pillowcase functions have required relatively complicated fabric
structures, thus adding materially to the overall cost. In
addition, many of the prior proposals have been mechanically
complicated, so as to have many of the handling disadvantageous
characteristics of the more conventional arrangements.
In accordance with the present invention, a novel, improved and
extremely simplified combination bedsheet and pillowcase
arrangement is provided which not only greatly simplifies and
expedites the bedmaking operation, but also enables significant
economies to be achieved in the purchase of "bed linen." In the
arrangement according to the invention, a bedsheet of largely
conventional construction is modified in a unique and advantageous
way to provide a pocket bulge at the head end of the sheet. When
the bed is made up, a pillow or pillows may be inserted between the
mattress and the sheet, in the region of the pocket bulge in the
sheet. The arrangement is neat and attractive, and greatly
simplifies and expedites the bedmaking operation.
Significantly, while the modification of the bed sheet involves a
modest additional manufacturing expense, the arrangement eliminates
entirely the need for utilizing separate covers for the pillows.
Accordingly, overall, important savings may be realized.
In one particularly advantageous form of the invention, the pocket
bulge in the sheet is formed by a pair of pocket-forming flaps,
provided in the head and foot portions of the sheet and having a
generally convex edge contour. The head and foot portions are
joined along an arcuate seam, defined by the convex edge contours,
forming a deep pocket. Depth and configuration of the pocket are
such that it may be tucked well underneath the front edge of the
pillow. This is desirable in some cases to provide a more
conventional appearance and to facilitate the tucking-in of a
covering bedspread.
In any of its principal forms, the combination bedsheet may
advantageously be constructed of plain cotton knitted fabric, while
at the same time providing "no iron" characteristics. In this
respect, synthetic fibers, such as polyesters, and also natural
fibers impregnated with so-called permanent press resins, have come
into widespread use for bedsheets, because such materials do not
require ironing after laundering. The bedsheet construction of the
present invention is significantly advantageous over such
conventional "no iron" sheets, in that the "no iron" characteristic
is achieved while utilizing ordinary cotton knitted fabric. The
cotton knitted fabric has been found to be a substantially more
"comfortable" material for this purpose, than synthetic fabrics or
fabrics treated with significant amounts of permanent press
resins.
For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference
should be made to the following description and to the accompanying
drawing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a "twin" size bed mattress having
installed thereon the combination bedsheet and pillowcase of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the combination
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating
construction details of a typical bedsheet according to the
invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, illustrating the
invention as applied to a "double" size bed mattress.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating the
principal components of an advantageously modified form of the
invention.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of combination
bedsheet and pillowcase constructed with the components of FIG.
6.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
generally along line 8--8 of FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawing and initially to FIGS. 1--4 thereof,
the reference numeral 10 designates generally a combination
bedsheet and pillowcase according to the invention, which is
applied over a standard bed mattress 11 (FIG. 3). In accordance
with one aspect of the invention, the bedsheet 10 is of a
fitted-contour construction, in itself well known. To this end, the
sheet includes a large, generally rectangular surface cover area
12, corresponding generally in size and shape to the top surface of
the mattress, and head, side, and foot edge cover areas 13-16, of a
size and shape generally corresponding to the dimensions of the
edges of the mattress.
As shown in FIG. 4, the edge cover areas typically may be provided
with arcuately cut end edges 17, 18 which, when joined together by
a corner seam 19 will tend to draw the lower edge extremities 20,
21 of the edge cover areas inward under the bottom of the mattress.
This is particularly true at the corners of the mattress, as
reflected at 22 in FIG. 2, and, depending on the particular
geometry of the sheet and the materials of its construction, will
be true to a lesser extent between the corners, as reflected at 23
in FIG. 3. This configuration causes the sheet to be "self-holding"
on the mattress. The specific techniques for constructing a
fitted-contour, self-holding sheet are well known and do not form
part of the present invention. However, it is a significant aspect
of the invention that the sheet be of the fitted-contour,
self-holding type.
In the simplest and most advantageous form of the invention, the
sheet 10 may be constructed substantially throughout in the same
manner and according to the same dimensions, etc., as a
conventional fitted-contour sheet. However, in accordance with one
aspect of the invention, there is incorporated in the otherwise
conventional sheet a gore panel 24 which extends transversely in
the surface cover area 12 of the sheet. The gore panel 24 is of a
narrow, elongated form, tapered at both ends, and forms a pocket
bulge 25 in the head portion of the sheet. The location and
disposition of the gore panel 24 is such that the width of the
pocket bulge 25 (measured in the lengthwise direction of the sheet
as a whole) is sufficient to readily accommodate one or more
pillows of conventional proportions. For example, the pocket bulge
typically may have a width of 20 to 24 inches, measured
approximately from the lower edge 26 of the gore panel to the head
end edge 27 of the mattress.
As reflected in FIG. 1, the length and width of the gore panel 24,
bear a general relationship to the configuration of a pillow. It
will be understood, however, that the relationship need not be a
precise one in view of the substantial distortability of the pillow
and the conforming ability and, desirably, elasticity of the sheet
fabric itself. In a combination bedsheet for a typical twin size
bed, the gore panel may be on the other of 28 to 30 inches in
length (measured in the widthwise direction of the bedsheet as a
whole) and a width on the order of 4 to 5 inches. The mattress to
which a sheet of this size is applied may be on the order of 36
inches in width, in which case the gore panel will be somewhat
narrower than the mattress, as reflected in FIGS. 1 and 2.
In the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the bedsheet is
either constructed in two principal parts, or is initially
constructed as a conventional fitted-contour sheet and then severed
transversely; in either case separate head and foot parts 28, 29
are provided. The head and foot parts 28, 29 of the sheet
advantageously will abut substantially along a straight line. The
sections thus may be secured together along straight seams 30, 31
at the sides. In the center portion of the sheet, the two sections
are joined by means of the interposed gore panel 24 along arcuate
upper and lower seams 32, 26, to provide the desired pocket bulge
25 in the head portion 28 of the sheet.
If desired, of course, the sheet may be constructed by simply
slitting the surface cover area 12 of the sheet between the points
33, 34, and inserting the gore panel 24 in place. This would
eliminate the side seams 30, 31.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a combination
bedsheet and pillowcase according to the invention, of a
construction suitable for a larger mattress, such as for a double
bed. In its essentials, the mattress cover 50 of FIG. 5 may
correspond to the construction of the smaller sheet of FIGS. 1-4.
However, the sheet 50 is constructed to form a pocket bulge 51, in
the head end section 52, which has sufficiently large dimensions to
easily accommodate two to four pillows. For this purpose, an
elongated gore panel 53 may be provided. For a typical double bed
size sheet, the gore panel 53 may have a length on the order of 60
inches or so (measured widthwise of the sheet as a whole). The
width of the gore panel may remain on the order of 4 to 5 inches,
as in the case of the smaller sheet.
In the double bedsheet illustrated in FIG. 5, the gore panel 53 is
shown to have a relatively uniform width over its entire length,
except at each end where the gore panel tapers to a point. However,
if desired, the gore panel for a double bedsheet may be necked-down
in the center area to provide, in effect, a separate pocket bulge
for each of the pillows.
Referring now to the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-8, the
reference numerals 60, 61 designate head and foot portions,
respectively, of a combination bedsheet and pillowcase. Most
typically, these sections will be formed of plain cotton knitted
fabric, but woven and other fabric constructions may also be
utilized. As shown in FIG. 6, the head and foot portions 60, 61 are
provided along their confronting edges with pocket-forming flaps
62, 63. The flaps are centrally located in the sheet sections and
may have a length on the order of 28 to 30 inches, for example, for
a twin bed size sheet. The free length of the flaps may be on the
order of 4 to 5 inches at their maximum.
As in the case of the modifications of FIGS. 1-5, the head and body
sheet sections 60, 61 are provided with straight transverse edges
64 at each side, which merge with edges 65, 66 of the respective
pocket-forming flaps 62, 63. Advantageously, the flap edges 65, 66
are generally of convex contour, as shown.
In the construction of the modified sheet of FIGS. 6-8, the
confronting edges of the head and foot portions 60, 61 are sewn
together across the entire width of the sheet. The two sheet
sections thus are joined essentially along a transverse line
determined by the straight edge portions 64. The convex flap
sections 62, 63 form a deep pocket 67 in the assembled sheet.
The depth of the pocket 67 which is a function of the free length
of the flaps 62, 63 provides a pillow positioning pocket bulge 68
in the head portion of the pillow, as in the case of the
modifications of FIGS. 1-5. In addition, the material of the flaps
62, 63 may be tucked under the front edge of a pillow 69, as
reflected in FIG. 8. The ability to tuck the deep pocket 67 under
the pillow edge is advantageous where a covering bedspread is
utilized, as it permits the bedspread to be tucked in under the
front edge of the pillow in the conventional manner. The tucked-in
pocket also lends a more conventional appearance to the bedsheet
and pillowcase combination, which may be desirable for some
applications.
Unique advantages are realized where the combination bedsheet and
pillowcase of the invention is constructed to a knitted fabric, and
where the fabric is constituted of cotton or a material based
substantially on cotton fibers. Such a material has an especially
high degree of elasticity and conformability, as will be
understood. These characteristics are highly desirable for a
fitted-contour sheet and are even more important for a
fitted-contour sheet according to the invention, incorporating an
integral pocket bulge serving as a pillowcase. The knitted
construction enables the sheet to be applied over a mattress and
one or more pillows in a manner to provide a substantially smooth
and wrinkle-free appearance.
One of the important advantages of the new bedsheet is that it is
made possible to provide a so-called "no iron" bedsheet utilizing
plain cotton fabric, rather than the conventional synthetic or
resin-treated fabric. The latter, while providing the advantages of
not requiring ironing after laundering, is less desirable than
plain cotton fabric from a standpoint of personal comfort. In
accordance with the present invention, a bedsheet may be
constructed to great advantage utilizing knitted cotton fabric. The
knitted cotton fabric inherently possesses substantial
stretchability. When a contour-fitted bedsheet of such construction
is applied over a mattress, it is stretched and placed under a
slight tension, which serves to remove wrinkles and provide a
made-up bed of a desired, smooth appearance.
In the construction of a bed sheet of knitted cotton fabric, the
factor of potential shrinkage must be dealt with effectively,
because typical cotton knitted fabrics are subject to a very high
percentage of shrinkage, e.g., 20 percent or more in length, after
processing by the knit goods finisher. The amount of inherent
residual shrinkage may, of course, be reduced through the use of
certain synthetic fibers. However, the use of a sufficient
percentage of such fibers to effectively counteract severe
shrinkage is considered disadvantageous for a bedsheet application,
because of the undesirable "feel" of many such materials.
Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, cotton
knitted fabric used in the construction of the new combination
bedsheet and pillowcase is first subjected to mechanical
compressive shrinkage in the lengthwise direction, sufficient to
substantially eliminate potential residual shrinkage in the
finished product. For this purpose, it has been found to be
particularly advantageous to utilize the method and apparatus of
the Eugene Cohn, et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,015,145, 3,015,146 and
3,083,435. The teachings of the before-mentioned patents are
particularly advantageous where the fabric is processed in the
tubular form, as is conventional in many finishing mills. By this
means, it is readily possible to achieve a finished article with a
residual shrinkage which can be guaranteed to be less than 1
percent.
It will be understood, of course, that the combination bedsheet and
pillowcase of the invention is not required to be constructed of
knitted fabric, even though unique advantages are realized
therefrom. It is possible to construct the sheet from conventional
woven bedsheet materials. It is also contemplated that the sheet
may be constructed of other materials, either woven or knitted,
which have been processed to impart a degree of elasticity. In this
connection, at least some degree of elasticity in the fabric is to
be preferred, as it tends to provide a sheet of smoother and more
wrinkle-free appearance, as will be understood.
One of the advantages of the invention is that it provides a
practical way to eliminate the need for separate pillowcases for
each of the pillows. Not only does this simplify bedmaking
operations, but it also enables significant savings to be realized
in the purchase of bedding materials.
It should be understood, of course, that the specific forms of the
invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be
representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without
departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly,
reference should be made to the following appended claims in
determining the full scope of the invention.
* * * * *