OVAL STITCH PATTERN FOR A FILLED BLANKET

Abstract

A filled blanket includes a shell having a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an outer periphery. The first and second fabric layers are coupled together proximate the outer periphery. Fill material is disposed between the first and second fabric layers. A plurality of stitch members are disposed at predetermined positions on the shell. Each stitch member is formed of at least one thread alternately woven between the first and second fabric layers to couple the first and second fabric layers. A periphery of each stitch member forms a generally oval shape on the first and second fabric layers. A portion of the fill material is disposed within the periphery of each stitch member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/258,346, filed on Nov. 5, 2009, titled “Oval Stitch Pattern for Filled Blanket,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a stitch pattern for filled blankets, and more particularly, to an oval stitch pattern for filled blankets.

Filled blankets, such as comforters, duvets, quilts, and the like, are often manufactured having various stitching designs or patterns for connecting the top and bottom layers of the shell together and/or creating divisions of fill material. Such conventional filled blankets have the disadvantage that the fill material tends to migrate during washing as and when the stitching becomes unraveled. It is therefore desirable to provide a filled blanket with a stitching pattern that prevents the fill material migration but is still aesthetically pleasing and simple to manufacture.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a filled blanket including a shell having a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an outer periphery. The first and second fabric layers are coupled together proximate the outer periphery. Fill material is disposed between the first and second fabric layers. A plurality of stitch members are disposed at predetermined positions on the shell. Each stitch member is formed of at least one thread alternately woven between the first and second fabric layers to couple the first and second fabric layers. A periphery of each stitch member forms a generally oval shape on the first and second fabric layers. A portion of the fill material is disposed within the periphery of each stitch member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a filled blanket in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the filled blanket of FIG. 1 taken through a stitch member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the apparatus and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “an”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, mean “at least one.”

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a preferred embodiment of a filled blanket 10. The filled blanket 10 includes a shell 12 formed by a first fabric layer 14 and a second fabric layer 16. The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 are preferably made from 100% polyester, but may also be made from cotton, silk, polyester blends, or the like. The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 are coupled to one another, preferably around an outer periphery 12a of the shell 12. The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 may therefore be two separate fabric pieces that are sewn together, may be one fabric piece folded over, or the like. A fill material 18 is disposed within the shell 12 between the first fabric layer 14 and the second fabric layer 16. The fill material 18 is preferably comprised of 100% polyester fibers, but other fill materials may be used. In the preferred embodiment, the blanket 10 includes a peripheral stitch pattern 11 that couples the first and second fabric layers 14, 16 together. The peripheral stitch pattern 11 is preferably located approximately one inch (in.) from the periphery 12a of the shell 12, but could be at some other distance if desired.

A plurality of spaced apart stitch members 20 are disposed at predetermined locations on the shell 12. A periphery of each stitch member 20 preferably forms a generally oval shape in plan view (when viewed from either the top or bottom side of the shell 12). Each stitch member 20 is formed by one or more threads 22 alternately woven between the first and second fabric layers 14, 16, thereby coupling the first and second fabric layers 14, 16 together at the location of the stitch member 20 and trapping a portion of the fill material 18 within a periphery of the oval-shaped stitch member 20. The stitching of the threads 22 is preferably locked in place by overlapping a portion of the stitching. Thus, the threads 22 can provide enhanced security during washing and will prevent the fill material 18 from migrating.

Each stitch member 20 preferably has a length dimension L of approximately three inches and a width dimension W of approximately one inch. In a preferred embodiment, the stitch members 20 form rows across the shell 12. For example, beginning from a selected corner C of the blanket 10, the closest stitch member 20 is preferably located a horizontal distance D₁ from the peripheral stitch 11 of about seven inches and a distance D₂ from the peripheral stitch 11 of about six and one half inches. Stitch members 20 in the same row are spaced a distance D₃ of about twelve inches apart from one another. Subsequent rows of stitch members 20 are preferably spaced apart a distance D₄ of about twelve inches. Other distances between stitch members 20 may be employed if desired.

The stitch members 20 in adjacent rows may be vertically aligned with one another. Preferably, however, the stitch members 20 in adjacent rows are vertically offset from one another, as shown in FIG. 1. For example, a stitch member 20 in the second row may be located at a midpoint between two stitch members 20 in the first row.

The blanket 10 may have any dimensions as desired, such as conventional twin, queen/full, and king sizes, or other non-conventional dimensions. The number of stitch members 20 of the blanket therefore may vary depending the blanket 10 dimensions and the desired spacing of the stitch members 20 from the periphery 12a and each other. The blanket 10 is preferably reversible, such that either the first fabric layer 14 or the second fabric layer 16 may be presented as the top of the blanket 10. The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 therefore both preferably include ornamental and/or color designs, which may be the same or different between the first and second fabric layers 14, 16. Other modifications as conventionally known may also be made to the blanket 10.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A filled blanket comprising:

(a) a shell including a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and an outer periphery, the first and second fabric layers being coupled together proximate the outer periphery;

(b) fill material disposed between the first and second fabric layers; and

(c) a plurality of stitch members disposed at predetermined positions on the shell, each stitch member being formed of at least one thread alternately woven between the first and second fabric layers to couple the first and second fabric layers, a periphery of each stitch member forming a generally oval shape on the first and second fabric layers, a portion of the fill material being disposed within the periphery of each stitch member.

2. The filled blanket of claim 1, wherein the first fabric layer is formed from a first fabric piece and the second layer is formed from a second fabric piece, the first and second fabric pieces being different.

3. The filled blanket of claim 2, wherein a peripheral stitch spaced approximately one inch from the outer periphery of the shell couples the first and second fabric pieces together, the peripheral stitch being formed of at least one thread alternately woven between the first and second fabric pieces.

4. The filled blanket of claim 3, wherein each stitch member is spaced apart from the peripheral stitch by about six and one half inches.

5. The filled blanket of claim 1, wherein the plurality of stitch members form a plurality of rows on the shell.

6. The filled blanket of claim 5, wherein adjacent stitch members in a row are spaced apart by approximately twelve inches.

7. The filled blanket of claim 5, wherein adjacent rows are spaced apart by approximately 12 inches.

8. The filled blanket of claim 1, wherein the at least one thread in each stitch member overlaps itself along a portion of the periphery of the respective stitch member.

9. The filled blanket of claim 1, wherein the first fabric layer includes a first ornamental design and the second fabric layer includes a second ornamental design, the first and second ornamental designs being different.