Reversible sheets and pillowcases

Abstract

A reversible bedding article such as a top sheet, a fitted sheet, or a pillowcase, comprises at least one single layer fabric sheet having a first face, a second face opposite the first face, a main piece, and one or more edge pieces, wherein a first design motif is applied to the first face and a second design motif is applied to the second face, and each face has a finished surface. The main piece and one or more edge pieces are joined by at least one seam to produce a bedding article presenting a finished appearance on either face of the article.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/705,006 filed Aug. 2, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to bedding articles such as sheets and pillowcases, and more particularly, to top sheets, fitted sheets, and pillowcases that are reversible in the sense that each side of the sheet or pillowcase presents a different design motif in a finished appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bed sheet sets typically include a top sheet, a fitted sheet and at least one pillowcase. The sheets and pillowcase are conventionally made from fabric and stitched in a manner that the product is cosmetically acceptable only on one face. Turning over a sheet, or turning a pillowcase inside out, is undesirable because the exposed face is unfinished, the stitching work is exposed, or the face is aesthetically displeasing. Thus, use of prior art sheets and pillowcases is problematic for at least two reasons. First, the life of the sheet or pillowcase is shortened because it is dependent on how long the finished side remains acceptable. Second, it limits the design options of the product to those which are displayed on the finished side; the obverse side being cosmetically unpresentable.

There is therefore a need for sheets and pillowcases which can be turned over or inside out, respectively, to present alternative design motifs in an attractive, finished appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Reversible bedding articles according to the invention comprises single layer fabric sheet material having a first design motif applied to a first face and a second design motif applied to a second face. Each face of the sheet is finished during the manufacturing process in a manner appropriate for use as a bedding article such as a top sheet, a fitted sheet or a pillowcase. Each of these articles comprises, generally, a main piece or portion and one or more edge pieces, which may be a continuation of the main piece or may be sewed to the main piece, e.g., the trim pieces of a pillowcase or top sheet, or the top, bottom and side portions of a fitted sheet. All seams used in the manufacturing of reversible bedding articles employ a stitched seam that presents a finished appearance on both faces of the sewed sheets.

A top sheet includes a main piece or portion to which a trim piece is joined at a stitched seam. The main piece has a first face and a second face. The trim piece has a first trim face and a second trim face. The first trim face is oriented in the same direction as the main sheet's first face. Thus, the second trim face is oriented in the same direction as the main sheet's second face. The first design motif is applied to the first face of the main piece and the second trim face of the trim piece. The second design motif is applied to the second face of the main piece and the first trim face of the trim piece. In this fashion each face of the sheet shows a primary design motif on the main piece of the sheet and a second design motif on the trim piece. Each face of the sheet thus presents a viable design alternative in a finished appearance.

A reversible pillow case according to the invention comprises two single layer fabric sheets of similar, albeit appropriately smaller, dimensions than the reversible top sheet discussed above. A fitted sheet comprises a single fabric sheet sewn at the corners in familiar construction using a stitched seam referred to above such that the fitted sheet may be inverted to display an alternate design motif in a finished appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a flat sheet, on the top of the figure, and a fitted sheet, on the bottom of the figure, according to the invention.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view a flat sheet and a fitted sheet similar to that shown in FIG. 1A, wherein the design motifs applied to the trim pieces have been reversed.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a reversible pillowcase according to the invention.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a Felled Seam Stitch.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a Sleeve Set Stitch.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a reversible pillowcase according to the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but with reversed design motifs on the trim pieces.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the reversible pillowcase depicted in FIG. 4 shown fully assembled.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the reversible pillowcase depicted in FIG. 2A after having been turned inside out.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a reversible pillowcase according to the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but with four design motifs applied to the faces of the main pieces.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a reversible pillowcase according to the invention similar to that shown in FIG. 6 but with four trim design motifs applied to the faces of the trim pieces.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a two tone stripe pattern which can be applied to the faces of a fabric sheet according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a two tone cross-stripe pattern which can be applied to the faces of a fabric sheet according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Reversible bedding articles according to the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawing figures. The invention is made using fabric sheets having different color tones on each side of the sheet. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric is 100% cotton. Nevertheless, the invention is intended to embrace other fabrics, including blended fabrics such as cotton-polyester blends. In the simplest form, such sheets have a dark tone of a selected color on a first side of the sheet and a lighter tone of the selected color on the second side of the sheet. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, however, that single layer fabric having a finished appearance on both faces may bear myriad designs and that this invention is not limited to fabric sheets having a dark tone on one side and a light tone on the other side of the sheet. For example, any color may be applied in a solid pattern to each face of the sheet rather than the darker-lighter selection in the preferred embodiment. Alternatively, stripe and cross-stripe patterns may be applied to the faces of the sheet, representative examples of which are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively.

The invention makes beneficial use of stitching techniques which present a stitched seam that looks finished on either side of a stitched piece or pieces of fabric. It has been determined that a Felled Seam, ISO 4916 number 2.04.06, shown in FIG. 3A, is ideal for the purposes of this invention. Generally a two or three needle 301 chain stitch is used. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to Felled Stitches and that any stitch which provides a finished look on either side of stitched fabric is encompassed by the invention, including “Sleeve Set” ISO 4916 number 2.06.02 seen in FIG. 3B. Additionally a similar result may be achieved by joining and taping using, for example, ISO 4916 number 2.14.02.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a pillowcase, indicated generally at 10, comprises a first fabric sheet 12 and a second fabric sheet 14. Each sheet 12, 14 comprises first and second main pieces 16, 18 and first and second trim pieces 20, 22. The trim pieces 20, 22 are sewn to the main pieces 16, 18 at stitched seams 24 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer face 26 of the first main piece 16 and the outer face 28 of the second main piece 18 are outwardly facing. Correspondingly, the inner face 30 of the first main piece 16 and the inner face 32 of the second main piece 18 are inwardly facing.

The first and second fabric sheets 12, 14 are sewn together using one of the stitched seams discussed above, at first and second bottom edges 34, 36 and at first and second side edges 38, 40, leaving an opening 42 defined by first and second top edges 44, 46. See FIGS. 5A and 5B. When fully assembled (FIGS. 5A and 5B), an outer trim face 48 of the first trim piece 20 and an outer trim face 50 of the second trim piece 22 face outwardly, and an inner trim face 52 of the first trim piece 20 and an inner trim face 54 of the second trim piece 22 face inwardly. It will be readily understood by those of skill in the art that a pillowcase may also be formed using a single fabric sheet double the size of the first and second fabric sheets 12, 14, folding it over upon itself and sewing one, rather than two, side edges, as well as the bottom edge, to form the opposing sheets.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, a first design motif D1 is displayed on the outer faces 26, 28 of the main pieces 16, 18 and on the inner trim faces 52, 54 of the trim pieces 20, 22. Conversely, a second design motif D2 is displayed on the inner faces 30, 32 of the main pieces 16, 18 and on the outer trim faces 48, 50 of the trim pieces 20, 22.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, the pillowcase is shown inverted to present a color-reversed version of the design shown in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B. Thus, the second design motif D2 is shown on the exterior surfaces, formerly the inner faces 30, 32, of the main pieces 16, 18, and the first design motif D1 is shown on the exterior surfaces, formerly the inner trim faces 52, 54, of the trim pieces 20, 22.

In a second embodiment of a reversible pillowcase according to the invention, shown in FIG. 2, the outer trim faces 48, 50 of the trim pieces 20, 22 have the same design motif as the outer faces 26, 28 of the main pieces 16, 18 and, similarly, the inner trim faces 52, 54 of the trim pieces 20, 22 have the same design motif as the inner faces 30, 32 of the main pieces 16, 18, respectively. Hence, each configuration of the pillowcase presents a single design motif on the entire outside surface of each fabric sheet.

In a third embodiment of a reversible pillowcase, shown in FIG. 6, the outer face 60 of the second main piece 62 has a third design motif D3 and the inner face 64 of the second main piece 62 has a fourth design motif D4. The outer trim face 66 of the second trim piece 68 has the fourth design motif D4 and the inner trim face 70 of the second trim piece 68 has the third design motif D3.

A fourth embodiment of a reversible pillowcase, seen in FIG. 7, is similar to the third embodiment, except that the trim design motifs applied to the trim pieces are not drawn from the design motifs applied to the main pieces. Thus, the outer trim face 80 of the first trim piece 82 may have a first trim design motif TD1, the inner trim face 84 of the first trim piece 82 may have a second trim design motif TD2, the outer trim face 86 of the second trim piece 88 may have a third trim design motif TD3, and the inner trim face 90 of the second trim piece 88 may have a fourth trim design motif TD4.

Referring next to FIG. 1A, a reversible top sheet 98 has a construction nearly identical to one half of a pillowcase, comprising a main piece 100 and a trim piece 102 joined to the main piece at a stitched seam 104. A first design motif D1 may be applied to the first face 106 of the main piece 100; a second design motif D2 being applied to the second face 108 of the main piece 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second design motif D2 is applied to the first trim face 110 of the trim piece 102 and the first design motif D1 is applied to the second trim face 112 of the trim piece 102. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 1B, the first design motif D1 is applied to the first trim face 110 of the trim piece 102 and the second design motif D2 is applied to the second trim face 112 of the trim piece 102.

A reversible fitted sheet 120 is shown in FIG. 1A comprising a main body portion 122, opposite side portions 124, a top portion 126 and bottom portion (not shown) opposite the top portion. The lateral edges 128 of the side, top and bottom portions are sewn together forming corner seams 130 using a stitched seam as discussed above such that the fitted sheet may be inverted to present a finished appearance in first and second configurations having a first design motif D1 and a second design motif D2.

A significant advantage of the invention is that a single sheet embodying the invention can be used to present two different looks. For example a consumer may have one sheet set with a blue color on one side and a green color on the other side of the fabric, either side of which may be selected.

Consumers must buy two prior art sheet sets to have two design options for their bed sheet set. This invention reduces the number of sheets and pillowcases a consumer must purchase to acquire two different color choices. The invention can be sold as a conventional sheet set, viz. a flat sheet, a fitted sheet and two pillowcases, or as individual items.

There have thus been described certain preferred embodiments of reversible bed sheets and pillowcases. While preferred embodiments have been described and disclosed, it will be recognized by those with skill in the art that modifications are within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications.

Claims

1. A reversible bedding article such as a top sheet, a fitted sheet or a pillowcase, comprising:

at least one single layer fabric sheet having a first face, a second face opposite said first face, a main piece, and one or more edge pieces, a first design motif applied to said first face, and a second design motif applied to said second face, each face having a finished surface, and

at least one seam joining one of said edge pieces to one of said main piece and another one of said edge pieces, said seam presenting a finished appearance on either face of said pieces of said fabric sheet joined by said seam.

2. The reversible bedding article of claim 1 further comprising:

a pillowcase having a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, said first fabric sheet having a first main piece, a first trim piece, a first bottom edge, a first top edge, and two opposite first side edges, said first trim piece joined to said first main piece at a first seam, and

said second fabric sheet having a second main piece, a second trim piece, a second bottom edge, a second top edge, and two opposite second side edges, said second trim piece joined to said second main piece at a second seam,

said first and second fabric sheets joined together at said first and second bottom edges and at said first and second side edges, forming an opening at said first and second top edges,

said first and second main pieces each having an outer face and an inner face,

said outer faces of said first and second main pieces having a first design motif, and said inner faces of said first and second main pieces having a second design motif.

3. The reversible bedding article of claim 2 wherein:

said first and second trim pieces each have an outer trim face and an inner trim face, said outer trim face having said first design motif and said inner trim face having said second design motif.

4. The reversible bedding article of claim 2 wherein:

said first and second trim pieces each having an outer trim face and an inner trim face, said outer trim face having said second design motif and said inner trim face having said first design motif.

5. The reversible bedding article of claim 2 wherein:

said first and second bottom edges are joined together at a bottom edge seam, said first and second side edges are joined together at first and second side edge seams, and

said first and second seams, said bottom edge seam, and said first and second side edge seams each comprise a stitched seam that presents a finished appearance on either face of fabric sheets joined with said seam.

6. The reversible bedding article of claim 5 wherein:

said stitched seam comprises a Felled Seam.

7. The reversible bedding article of claim 6 wherein:

said stitched seam comprises Felled Seam ISO 4916 number 2.04.06.

8. The reversible bedding article of claim 6 wherein:

said stitched seam comprises “Sleeve Set” ISO 4916 number 2.06.02.

9. The reversible bedding article of claim 1 wherein:

said first design motif is dyed on said first face and said second design motif is subsequently dyed on said second face.

10. The reversible bedding article of claim 1 wherein:

said single layer fabric comprises a twill weave woven from pre-dyed yarn.

11. The reversible bedding article of claim 1 wherein:

said at least one single layer fabric sheet is 100% cotton.

12. A reversible bedding article of the type made with single layer fabric sheets having a first face and a second face, the reversible bedding article comprising:

a pillowcase having a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, said first fabric sheet having a first main piece, a first trim piece, a first bottom edge, a first top edge, and two opposite first side edges, said first trim piece joined to said first main piece at a first seam,

said second fabric sheet having a second main piece, a second trim piece, a second bottom edge, a second top edge, and two opposite second side edges, said second trim piece joined to said second main piece at a second seam,

said first and second fabric sheets joined together at said first and second bottom edges and at said first and second side edges, forming an opening at said first and second top edges,

said first main piece having a first main piece inner face and a first main piece outer face, said first main piece outer face having a first design motif and said first main piece inner face having a second design motif,

said second main piece having a second main piece outer face and a second main piece inner face, said second main piece outer face having a third design motif and said second main piece inner face having a fourth design motif.

13. The reversible bedding article of claim 12 wherein:

said first trim piece has a first trim piece outer face and a first trim piece inner face, said first trim piece outer face having said second design motif and said first trim piece inner face having said first design motif, and

said second trim piece has a second trim piece outer trim face and a second trim piece inner trim face, said second trim piece outer trim face having said fourth design motif and said second trim piece inner trim face having said third design motif.

14. The reversible bedding article of claim 12 wherein:

said first trim piece has a first trim piece outer face and a first trim piece inner face, said first trim piece outer face has a first trim design motif and said first trim piece inner face has a second trim design motif, and

said second trim piece has a second trim piece outer trim face and a second trim piece inner trim face, said second trim piece outer trim face has a third trim design motif and said second trim piece inner trim face has a fourth trim design motif.

15. A reversible pillowcase of the type made with single layer fabric sheets, the reversible pillowcase comprising:

a first fabric sheet having a first main piece, a first trim piece, a first bottom edge, a first top edge, and two opposite first side edges, said first trim piece joined to said first main piece at a first seam, and

a second fabric sheet having a second main piece, a second trim piece, a second bottom edge, a second top edge, and two opposite second side edges, said second trim piece joined to said second main piece at a second seam,

said first and second fabric sheets joined together at said first and second bottom edges and at said first and second side edges, forming an opening at said first and second top edges,

said first and second main pieces each having an outer face and an inner face,

said outer faces of said first and second main pieces having a first design motif, and said inner faces of said first and second main pieces having a second design motif.

16. A reversible sheet of the type made with single layer fabric sheet material having a first face and a second face, the first face having a first design motif, the second face having a second design motif different from the first design motif, the reversible bed sheet comprising:

a main piece and a trim piece, said trim piece joined to said main piece at a seam such that said first face of said main piece and said first trim face of said trim piece share the same directional orientation,

said main piece having a first face and a second face, said first face having the first design motif and said second face having the second design motif.

17. The reversible sheet of claim 16 wherein:

said trim piece having a first trim face and a second trim face opposite said first trim face,

said first trim face having the first design motif and said second trim face having the second design motif.

18. The reversible sheet of claim 16 wherein:

said trim piece having a first trim face and a second trim face opposite said first trim face,

said first trim face having the second design motif and said second trim face having the first design motif.

19. The reversible sheet of claim 16 wherein:

said seam comprises a stitched seam that presents a finished appearance on either face of fabric sheets joined with said seam.

20. A fitted sheet of the type made with single layer fabric sheet material having a first face and a second face, a main body portion, opposite side portions, and top and bottom portions, said side, top and bottom portions each having a longitudinal dimension and lateral edges disposed generally in perpendicular relation to said longitudinal dimension, said lateral edges of said side portions each joined to one of said lateral edges of one of said top and bottom portions forming a corner seam disposed in approximate perpendicular relation to said main body portion, the fitted sheet comprising:

a first design motif applied to the first face, and

a second design motif applied to the second face.

21. The fitted sheet of claim 20 wherein:

the corner seams each comprise a stitched seam that presents a finished appearance on either face of fabric sheets joined with said seam.

22. A set of reversible bed sheets and a pillowcase comprising a top sheet, a fitted sheet, and a pillowcase, each made with single layer fabric sheet material having a first face and a second face, the first face having a first design motif, the second face having a second design motif different from the first design motif, the set of bed sheets and a pillowcase comprising:

a pillowcase having a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet, said first fabric sheet having a first main piece, a first trim piece, a first bottom edge, a first top edge, and two opposite first side edges, said first trim piece joined to said first main piece at a first seam, and

said second fabric sheet having a second main piece, a second trim piece, a second bottom edge, a second top edge, and two opposite second side edges, said second main piece having an outer face and an inner face, said second trim piece joined to said second main piece at a second seam,

said first and second fabric sheets joined together at said first and second bottom edges and at said first and second side edges, forming an opening at said first and second top edges,

said first and second main pieces each having an outer face and an inner face,

said outer faces of said first and second main pieces having a first design motif, and said inner faces of said first and second main pieces having a second design motif, and

a top sheet having a main piece and a trim piece, said trim piece joined to said main piece at a seam such that said first face of said main piece and said first trim face of said trim piece share the same directional orientation, said main piece having a first face and a second face, said first face having said first design motif and said second face having said second design motif.

23. The set of reversible bed sheets and a pillowcase of claim 22 further comprising:

a fitted sheet having a main body portion, opposite side portions, and top and bottom portions, said side, top and bottom portions each having a longitudinal dimension and lateral edges disposed generally in perpendicular relation to said longitudinal dimension, each lateral edge of said side portions joined to one of said lateral edges of one of said top and bottom portions forming a seam disposed in approximate perpendicular relation to said main body portion.