COVERING WITH POCKETS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME
A covering with pockets and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. The covering includes at least one pocket that is coupled to a base material. At least one slit is formed through the base material, wherein the slit is positioned with respect to an opening defined by the pocket.
This invention generally relates to coverings and, more specifically, to coverings with pockets.
Coverings are used by individuals when sleeping, relaxing, reading, or performing some other leisurely activity. Coverings are also used by individuals to keep warm, protect them from inclement weather, or in some way protect the individuals from something on the other side of the covering. At times the upper body and arms of an individual can be exposed when the individual is using an object, such as a book, remote control, pen, or other device, which may be uncomfortable to a user desiring warmth or protection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, a covering is provided. The covering includes at least one pocket coupled to a base material, and at least one slit formed through the base material. The slit is positioned with respect to an opening of the pocket.
In another aspect, a sleeping bag is provided. The sleeping bag includes at least one pocket coupled to a base material, and at least one slit formed through the base material. The slit is positioned with respect to an opening of the pocket.
In another aspect, a blanket is provided. The blanket includes at least one pocket coupled to a base material and at least one pocket defining an opening. At least one slit is formed through the base material, and the slit(s) is/are positioned with respect to the pocket opening(s). Pocket flap(s) is/are positioned to enclose the slit(s) and the pocket opening(s).
In another aspect, a method for manufacturing a covering is provided. The method includes providing a base material and a pocket material; forming a slit in the base material; and coupling the pocket material to the base material. The pocket material forms a pocket having a pocket opening, and the pocket opening is near the slit.
The present invention relates to coverings and a method for manufacturing coverings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that a covering can be construed broadly, such as a blanket, cover, comforter, quilt, sleeping bag, or as a protective covering for use in a field where the user desires protection or ease of use.
Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the possible embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in connection with and the manufacturing of a covering. However, the embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the covering includes a marking thereon including, without limitation, indicia that communicates the product, a manufacturer of the product and/or a seller of the product. For example, the marking may include printed text that indicates a product's name and briefly describes the product, logos and/or trademarks that indicate a manufacturer and/or seller of the product, and/or designs and/or ornamentation that attract attention (e.g., sports logo).
The covering may have any suitable size, shape and/or configuration, i.e. number of edges or curvature of material, whether such sizes, shapes and/or configurations are described and/or illustrated herein. For example, in one embodiment, the covering includes a shape that facilitates transporting the covering (e.g., easily folded) and/or a shape that facilitates stacking and/or arrangement of a plurality of coverings.
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Base material 138 has a top material side 140 and a bottom material side (not shown). As shown in
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In some embodiments, edges 160, 170, 180, and 190 are reinforced with any suitable reinforcement, such as serge.
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In alternative embodiments, covering 100 is a baby's or child's blanket or a covering for a baby or child in a car seat.
Referring to
In some embodiments (as shown in
In alternative embodiments, pocket 110 includes a pocket back (not shown) that at least partially couples to base material 138. In these embodiments, pocket 110 is formed from pocket material 148 with pocket edges 120, but pocket edges 120 are not necessarily coupled to base material 138.
Although two pockets 110 are shown in
In alternative embodiments, pocket 110 has a first pocket opening (not shown) and a second pocket opening (not shown). In these embodiments, the first and second pocket openings of pocket 110 share pocket space of pocket 110.
In some embodiments, additional pockets 110 can be used to hold smaller objects, such as remote controls and/or pens. As shown in
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Generally, the size of slit 112 should allow the user to fit his or her hands through slit 112. In some embodiments, the size of slit 112 allows the user to comfortably fit his or her hands and at least partially his or her arms through slit 112. In some embodiments, slit 112 has a length of about 3 inches to about 10 inches long.
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In some embodiments, pocket flap 126 removably attaches to base material 138 near slit 112 and pocket opening 116. More specifically, pocket flap 126 removably attaches to base material 138 above slit 112 and pocket opening 116. In other embodiments, pocket flap 126 is coupled to base material 138 along flap crease 125 and above pocket opening 116, and removably attaches to pocket material 148.
Pocket flap 126 can removably attach to any material using a suitable attachment mechanism, such as a Velcro® fastener, loop fastener, or hook. It is apparent to those skilled in the art and guided by the teachings provided herein that many suitable attachment mechanisms may be used to removably attach pocket flap 126 to base material 138 or pocket material 148.
Pocket flap 126 includes a pocket flap material (not shown) having a pocket flap edge 128. The pocket flap material is not limited to a flexible material like that of base material, but any material that is suitable for operating as a flap may be used to form pocket flap 126. In some embodiments, the pocket flap material is the same material as pocket material 148. In some embodiments, the pocket flap material extends from pocket 110 along flap crease 125 and is a portion of pocket material 148. In other embodiments, the pocket flap material is different from pocket material 148 and couples to pocket material 148 along flap crease 125. In some embodiments, the pocket flap material is thicker and/or sturdier than pocket material 148.
Pocket flap edge 128 defines a perimeter of pocket flap 126. In some embodiments, pocket flap edge 128 is a portion of pocket edge 120 that is not coupled to base material 138. In some embodiments, pocket flap edge 128 has a curved top 129 (shown in
In some embodiments, pocket flap 126 extends from pocket 110 and is a portion of pocket material 148. In other embodiments, as shown in
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Pocket flap 126 is positioned in order to at least partially enclose or substantially enclose slit 112 and pocket opening 116 simultaneously. In other embodiments, pocket flap 126 is positioned in order to at least partially enclose or substantially enclose slit 112 when removably attached to base material 138 or, alternatively when not removably attached to base material 138, to at least partially enclose or substantially enclose pocket opening 116 (for example, when pocket flap 126 couples to base material 138 below slit 112 but above pocket opening 116).
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A method for manufacturing a covering with pockets is also provided. A more detailed discussion for manufacturing an exemplary embodiment (as shown in
Base material 138 is provided. Base material 138 includes fleece and includes top edge 160, bottom edge 170, and opposing side edges 180, 190. Edges 160, 170, 180, 190 of base material 138 form a rectangular shape. Widths 162, 172 of top edge 160 and bottom edge 170, respectively, are each about 60 inches. Lengths 182, 192 of opposing side edges 180, 190, respectively, are each about 90 inches. At least one of edges 160, 170, 180, and 190 are reinforced with serge.
Two slits 112 are cut into base material 138 creating openings through base material 138. Slits 112 are at a 45 degree angle with respect to opposing side edges 180, 190, and converge downwardly towards each other as shown in
Two pockets 110 are attached to top material side 140 of base material 138 by sewing pocket material 148 to base material 138 partially along pocket edge 120. Pocket opening 116 is defined as the gap between partially sewn pocket material 148 and base material 138. Each pocket 110 has a pocket flap 126 extending from the pocket material along a flap crease 125.
Each pocket 110 is positioned such that pocket opening 116 runs generally parallel to and at a distance of about a half inch (½) from a corresponding slit 112, such that flap crease 125 of each pocket 110 is generally aligned with a corresponding slit 112. Each pocket 110 defines opening 116, interior edge 121 which is nearer to the longitudinal centerline, a bottom edge 122, and an outside edge 123 which is nearer to a side edge. Each pocket opening 116 is about 11.5 inches long and each bottom edge 122 is about 7 inches wide. Bottom corners of the pocket, formed by bottom edge 122 and the outside edge 123 and interior edge 121, are rounded.
Each pocket flap 126 has a curved pocket flap edge 128 extending a distance of about 5 inches from the pocket opening 116 at the apex of the curve. Pocket flap edge 128 extends into edges 121, 123 at a pair of opposing ends 131, 132 of flap crease 125.
Pocket flap 126 is made from the same piece of material as the pocket 110, but with additional layer of material for added stiffness. The additional layer is made of a fusible layer. These layers are sewn together along flap crease 125. Velcro® attached along the top of the pocket flap 126 attaches to Velcro® sewn to base material 138 allowing the pocket flap to close over and cover the pocket opening. A height of the pocket, from bottom edge 122 to an apex of a pocket flap edge 128 is about 13 inches.
Exemplary embodiments of coverings and methods for manufacturing are described and/or illustrated above in detail. The coverings and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each covering and steps of each method may be utilized independently and separately from other coverings and steps described herein. Each covering component and method step can also be used in combination with other covering components and/or method steps.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A covering comprising:
- at least one pocket coupled to a base material, said at least one pocket defining an opening;
- at least one slit formed through said base material, said slit positioned with respect to said opening of said pocket.
2. A covering in accordance with claim 1 wherein said covering further comprises a pocket flap positioned to enclose said slit and said pocket opening.
3. A covering in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pocket flap is coupled to said pocket.
4. A covering in accordance with claim 1 wherein said covering comprises at least two pockets coupled to the base material.
5. A covering in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least two pockets are positioned for suitable and comfortable use by an individual.
6. A sleeping bag comprising:
- at least one pocket coupled to a base material, said at least one pocket defining an opening;
- at least one slit formed through said base material, said slit near said opening of said pocket.
7. A sleeping bag in accordance with claim 6 wherein said sleeping bag further comprising a pocket flap positioned to enclose the slit and the pocket opening.
8. A sleeping bag in accordance with claim 6 wherein said sleeping bag comprises at least two pockets coupled to said base material.
9. A sleeping bag in accordance with claim 6 wherein said at least two pockets are positioned for suitable and comfortable use by an individual.
10. A sleeping bag in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pocket flap extends from said pocket.
11. A method of manufacturing a covering, the method comprising:
- providing a base material and at least one pocket material;
- forming a slit in the base material;
- coupling the pocket material to the base material, the pocket material forming a pocket having a pocket opening positioned near the slit.
12. A method in accordance with claim 11 further comprising providing a pocket flap and attaching the pocket flap to one of the pocket material and the base material, the pocket flap positioned to enclose the slit and the pocket opening.
13. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein attaching the pocket material to the base material further comprises forming a pocket flap, the pocket flap positioned to enclose the slit and the pocket opening.
14. A method in accordance with claim 11 further comprising providing at least two pocket materials and attaching the at least two pocket materials to the base material, each pocket material of the at least two pocket materials forming pockets.
15. A method in accordance with claim 14 further comprising positioning the pockets formed from the at least two pocket materials for suitable and comfortable use by an individual.
16. A blanket comprising:
- at least one pocket coupled to a base material, said at least one pocket defining an opening;
- at least one slit formed through said base material, said slit positioned near said pocket opening; and
- at least one pocket flap, said pocket flap positioned to enclose said slit(s) and said pocket opening(s).
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 19, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2008
Inventors: Sam Miotke (Mclean, VA), John Edson Putnam (Midland, MI)
Application Number: 11/458,604
International Classification: A47G 9/02 (20060101); A47G 9/08 (20060101);