Mars/venus/blanket/comforter

Abstract

This product is designed to provide a blanket/comforter with a closure slit extending approximately two-thirds of the way from the top, center to the bottom, center of the blanket/comforter. The blanket/comforter will also have a fastening system to seal the closure slit and that allows the blanket/comforter to function as a full blanket/comforter if the user(s) so desire.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/600,219 filed on Aug. 10, 2004 entitled “Mars/Venus/Blanket/Comforter.”

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosures made herein relate generally to bed coverings. The invention discussed herein is in the general classification of bed furnishings.

BACKGROUND

Sharing a bed with another person can be an uncomfortable occasion. Often, both occupants of the bed may become cold during sleep and may attempt to pull the bed linen to their respective sides of the bed. Similarly, one person may become too hot for the bed linen and wish to remove some of the layers. Removal of layers by one occupant can allow cool air to filter under the covering and reach the other occupant who may then become too cold.

Typical bed coverings are simply uniform sheets and blankets that require both parties to use the same amount of bed covering. Alternatively, one bed occupant must remove the covering and fold it over on top of the other occupant or sleep on top of the covering altogether if he becomes too hot.

Previous attempts to solve the problems associated with conventional blankets and comforters have relied on a closure slit that extends from the top, center of the blanket toward the bottom, center of the blanket or comforter. This closure slit allows one bed occupant to fold the blanket down or away from the other occupant of the bed. However, the prior solutions require the use of an extra piece of material connected to the top of the blanket to prevent the closure slit from uncomfortably touching the bed occupants. This extra material is held over the closure with the use of buttons or snaps which also may contact the bed occupants and may come loose and allow the extra material to extend over the top of the blanket.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, the Mars/Venus/Blanket/Comforter has a closure slit down its center to allow the occupants of the bed to adjust the comforter to suit their personal preferences. The comforter or blanket can come in a variety of sizes to be utilized with different sized beds. The comforter or blanket is preferably made of high quality, durable material that is easily laundered.

Generally, the blanket/comforter has a closure slit approximately two-thirds of the way from the top, center to the bottom, center of the blanket/comforter. It should be understood that any closure slit that extends beyond half-way to the bottom of the blanket/comforter will suffice for purposes of this invention. It should further be understood that “blanket” includes “comforters” and the like and vice versa. The blanket/comforter will also have a fastening system that allows it to function as a full blanket/comforter if the user(s) so desire.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening system will be encased in the fabric of the blanket/comforter to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the blanket/comforter. When the fastening system is utilized, the blanket/comforter will resemble a single, complete blanket/comforter. In addition, encasing the fastening system in fabric will prevent it from uncomfortably contacting users of the blanket/comforter.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a blanket/comforter that is capable of operating like an ordinary blanket/comforter and also capable of being adjusted to allow both users individually to remove or replace the blanket/comforter as the need arises.

Another object of this invention is to provide an easily laundered blanket or comforter that is reliable and long-lasting, yet relatively inexpensive.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blanket/comforter with a closure slit that can quietly be opened and closed and will blend into the material if desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a blanket/comforter with a closure slit that will not contact the occupants of the bed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a blanket/comforter that operates like two separate blankets/comforters but allows the users the ease and simplicity of a single blanket/comforter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of the blanket/comforter.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up, top view of one embodiment of the closure slit for the blanket/comforter.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the fastening mechanism for the closure slit.

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up, top view of another embodiment of the closure slit for the blanket/comforter.

FIG. 5 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the fastening mechanism for the closure slit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The blanket/comforter of the present invention comprises at least some of the following: a fabric material, a closure slit extending approximately two-thirds of the way from the top, center to the bottom, center of the fabric material, and plastic strips located on either side of the closure slit that permit the closure slit to be sealed together.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 1, a rectangular or square fabric material 2 has a centrally located closure slit 3 extending approximately two-thirds of the way from the top, center of the blanket/comforter 1 to the bottom, center of the blanket/comforter 1. The closure slit 3 has interlocking strips 4 sewn into the fabric material 2 and located on each side of the closure slit 3. In this preferred embodiment, the strips 4 are made of plastic.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up of the preferred embodiment of the interlocking plastic strips 4 located on each side of the closure slit 3. The interlocking plastic strips 4 have a corresponding fastening mechanism 5 that permits a user to connect or disconnect the interlocking plastic strips 4. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism 5 extends the length of the plastic strips 4. In the preferred embodiment, the fastening mechanism 5 is formed from a protrusion on one plastic strip 4 that interlocks with channels or grooves on the other plastic strip 4. These protrusions and corresponding grooves or channels often extend the length of the plastic strips 4 but may extend only for a portion of the plastic strips 4.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the preferred embodiment of the fastening mechanism 5. One side of the fastening mechanism 5 is shaped like an arrow with the other side of the fastening mechanism 5 having a channel suitable for accepting the arrow shaped side of the fastening mechanism 5. However, it should be understood that any male and corresponding female shaped fastening mechanism would suffice for purposes of this invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a close-up of another embodiment of the interlocking strips 6 located on each side of the closure slit 7. The interlocking plastic strips 6 have a corresponding fastening mechanism 8 that permits a user to connect or disconnect the interlocking strips 6. The fastening mechanism 8 extends the length of the strips 6. As with the preferred embodiment, the strips 6 are preferably formed from plastic.

FIG. 5 shows a close-up of another embodiment of the fastening mechanism 8. One side of the fastening mechanism 8 has an upward facing hook shape with the other side of the fastening mechanism 8 having a downward facing hook shape suitable for accepting the upward facing hook shape of the other side of the fastening mechanism 8.

The fastening mechanism for the closure slit could also be made with velcro, snaps, magnets, metal zippers, plastic zippers, hooks, buttons, etc. The fastening mechanism also need not extend the length of the strip or be connected to any strip at all. Instead, the fastening mechanism may simply attach to the fabric of the blanket/comforter and operate to seal the closure slit.

Many of the articles related to this invention have the form of a standard blanket/comforter. As such, the invention can vary in length and width just as standard blankets and comforters vary in size to fit certain bed types. The typical width of the blanket/comforter is eighty-six (86) inches to ninety (90) inches and the typical length of the blanket/comforter is eight-six (86) inches to ninety-five (95) inches. The typical thickness of the blanket/comforter is one-half (½) an inch to two (2) inches. The blanket/comforter is also designed to be light weight and durable. Of course, any size or shape blanket or comforter is acceptable for the present invention.

The fabrics utilized for the blanket/comforter can vary widely but will often be made of cotton, silk, polyester or other suitable bedding material. The comforter could be stuffed with cotton batting or other material to allow the comforter to retain body warmth.

Plastic may also be used in the production process of the blanket/comforter. The plastic used in the production will ideally be selected for durability and longevity. Thermoplastics are commonly used in the manufacturing of components similar to those used in this invention. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other similar thermoplastic materials would be among those with the necessary traits. Members of this family are recognized universally as being versatile and of high quality.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A blanket comprising:

(a) a fabric material;

(b) a closure slit extending approximately two-thirds of the way from approximately the top and center of the fabric material to approximately the bottom and center of the fabric material;

(c) a first strip attached to the fabric material located on a first side of the closure slit; and

(d) a second strip attached to the fabric material and located on a second side of the closure slit opposite the first strip.

2. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the first strip and second strip are made of plastic.

3. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the first strip has a protrusion extending at least a portion of the first strip that interlocks with a corresponding channel that extends at least a portion of the second strip.

4. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the first strip has a first hook-shaped protrusion that extends at least a portion of the first strip that interlocks with a second hook-shaped protrusion that extends at least a portion of the second strip.

5. The blanket of claim 1 wherein the fabric material is filled with cotton batting.

6. A blanket comprising:

(a) fabric material;

(b) a closure slit extending approximately two-thirds of the way from approximately the top and center of the fabric material to approximately the bottom and center of the fabric material; and

(c) a first fastening mechanism connected to the fabric on a first side of the closure slit with a corresponding second fastening mechanism connected to the fabric on a second side of the closure slit.

7. The blanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the first side of the closure slit is a hook and the second fastening mechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a loop.

8. The blanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the first side of the closure slit is a first magnet and the second fastening mechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a second magnet.

9. The blanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the first side of the closure slit is a zipper and the second fastening mechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a guide.

10. The blanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the first side of the closure slit is a button and the second fastening mechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a hole.

11. The blanket of claim 6 wherein the first fastening mechanism on the first side of the closure slit is a velcro hook and the second fastening mechanism on the second side of the closure slit is a velcro loop.

12. A blanket comprising:

(a) a fabric material;

(b) a closure slit extending approximately two-thirds of the way from approximately the top and center of the fabric material to approximately the bottom and center of the fabric material;

(c) a first strip attached to the fabric material located on a first side of the closure slit and having a protrusion extending at least a portion of its length; and

(d) a second strip attached to the fabric material and located on a second side of the closure slit opposite the first strip and having a channel that extends at least a portion its length corresponding with the protrusion of the first strip.