BEDDING SYSTEM

Abstract

Bedding systems comprising elements for creating sleeping nooks for individual sleepers and indicia for maintaining sanitary bedding conditions are provided.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to bedding systems including bed sheet systems that comprise individual nooks for bed users and bedding kits comprising pillow covers having identification indicia thereon.

Many people sleep in a bed having sheets. Often, these sheets can include separate top and bottom sheets. Typically, two people sleep together in a bed and thus share the sheets. Some people sleep with their pets.

During the night, it is common for a sleeping person to tug the top sheet such that the other person becomes uncovered. Conversely, during the course of the night, one person may remove the top sheet or blankets from their side of the bed, thus uncovering one or more other sleepers who are sharing the bed.

Further, many people suffer from “night sweats”, which may be caused by any number of medical conditions, including menopause. Such people often remove their sheets during a “hot flash” and replace their sheets when the “hot flash” has subsided because they can become cold from the evaporative effects of excess perspiration. Because human beings are homoeothermic, body temperature must be maintained in a relatively narrow range. Advantages of the instant invention will be apparent to people who desire to cover and uncover themselves numerous times during the night without disturbing other sleepers sharing a bed.

Some family arrangements require that one or more children share a bed. This sharing arrangement between children can lead to inequitable distribution of sheets, blankets or pillows. Some known bedding devices simply separate sleepers by use of an enclosed sleeping pocket, such as a sleeping bag or other such configuration.

Further, many people sleep with their pets, such as, for example, their cats or dogs. While many people enjoy such sleeping arrangements, pets can cause bedding, such as top sheets, bottom sheets, blankets, or pillows to become soiled or dislodged from a desired sleeping location. The present invention solves many problems associated with bed sharing between people or among people and their pets.

Most people sleep with one or more pillows. Often, such pillows are enclosed in a removable, washable cover or case. When one or more people share a bed, the pillows can easily become mixed up. In the case where one person has a contagious illness, for example, influenza or a common cold, it is important to control bed linens, such as pillow cases, to minimize the chances of spreading infection or disease.

Some bedding material have monograms, for example, monogrammed sheets, however, these devices do not solve the problem of tracking the location of each pillow case. One aspect of the present invention provides a novel solution using bedding system indicia to reduce the probability of mixing up pillows thus minimizing the chance of spreading illness among multiple users of a bed. Whereas known approaches simply do resolve the problems related to sharing beds, novel bedding systems that provide individual sleeping nooks and improved sanitary sleeping conditions are disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention an apparatus comprises a bottom sheet having a first top end, a first bottom end and a first longitudinal axis and a top sheet having a second top end, a second bottom end and a second longitudinal axis. The top sheet and bottom sheet have a connected portion along the first longitudinal axis of the top sheet and the second longitudinal axis of the bottom sheet, thereby creating two separate nooks.

In one embodiment of the invention the bottom sheet is a fitted sheet.

In another embodiment of the invention, the top sheet is a flat sheet.

In certain embodiments, the top sheet and the bottom sheet are connected along a longitudinal center line of each of the sheets.

In other embodiments, the sheets are connected along between about 10% and about 90% of the length of the sheets.

In yet other embodiments, the connected portion does not include the portion proximal to the first top end and the second top end of the sheets.

In some embodiments, the sheets are connected between the first bottom end and the second bottom end along a portion of the longitudinal axis of each of the sheets.

In other embodiments, the sheets are connected between about 50% and about 90% of the length of the sheets.

In yet other embodiments, the connected portion does not include the portion proximal to the first top end and said second top end.

In certain embodiments, the connected portion is detachable.

In some embodiments, the connected portion comprises a zipper.

In yet other embodiments, the system further includes a plurality of pillow cases. Each of the plurality of pillow cases has unique indicia for identification of the position of each of the pillow cases in relation to the nooks.

In some embodiments, the indicia are NeaNook L for indicating a left position and NeaNook R for indicating a right position.

In another aspect of the invention, an apparatus comprises a bottom sheet having a top end, a bottom end, a width and a longitudinal axis. A plurality of top sheets each has a top end, a bottom end and a longitudinal axis. The plurality of top sheets can be connected to the bottom sheet along a plurality of connected portions along the longitudinal axis of the top sheet and the longitudinal axis of the plurality of top sheets.

In one embodiment of this aspect, the bottom sheet is a fitted sheet.

In another embodiment of this aspect, the top sheet is a flat sheet.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of top sheets are connected to the bottom sheet.

In some embodiments, the bottom sheet and the plurality of top sheets are connected lengthwise between about 50% and about 90% of the length of the sheets at substantially equal distances across the width of the bottom sheet, thereby creating a plurality of nooks.

In another aspect of the invention, a bedding system kit comprises a bottom sheet having a first top end, a first bottom end and a first longitudinal axis. A top sheet has a second top end, a second bottom end a second longitudinal axis. The top sheet and the bottom sheet have a connected portion along the first longitudinal axis of the top sheet and the second longitudinal axis of the bottom sheet, thereby forming a bedding system nook, assembly. The kit can include a package for containing and displaying the kit.

In one aspect of this embodiment, the kit can include a plurality of pillow cases. Each of the plurality can have unique indicia for identification of a location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a plan view of an embodiment of the bedding system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing two system users.

FIG. 3 depicts a plan view of an embodiment of the bedding system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a plan view of another embodiment of the bedding system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 showing three system users.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the terms bedding and sheet are defined as any system used on a mattress or other similar sleeping surface that forms a barrier between a user of the bed and the sleeping surface. The terms bedding and sheet can be singular or plural and are used interchangeably herein.

As used herein, the terms nook and NeaNook define a space comprising at least one barrier that separates individuals in a bed. These terms may be singular or plural and are used interchangeably herein.

As used herein a mattress is defined as any case filled with resilient material such as cotton, hair, feathers, foam rubber, air, water, or an arrangement of coiled springs used either alone as a bed or on box spring or stand.

As used herein, a fitted sheet is defined as a sheet, usually with elastic edges, tailored to fit a particular size of mattress

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the present invention, bedding system 100 comprises bottom sheet 2 and top sheet 6, and. The top and bottom sheets are joined along longitudinal axis 14, thus forming a barrier and creating individual nooks 8. The top sheet 6 can be folded as shown in overlap area 10. The sheets can be joined along a portion of the lengthwise direction along axis 14 of the sheets to form a NeaNook bedding system assembly.

In this embodiment, the top and bottom sheets can be attached together by stitching or sewing using a durable fiber or by any known means for joining fabric together to create a durable joint along a portion of axis 14. The attachment can include a reinforcing strip of material (not shown) to enhance the strength of the joint if necessary.

Methods of attaching fabric are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of bedding, fabric, or garment manufacturing. The attachment can be made using any type or color of thread including glow in the dark thread, such as, for example polyester. Any type of luminescent material suited for bedding can be used for any component of the present invention. For example, the attachment between top and bottom sheet can comprise a sewn joint using a blue luminescent polyester thread or a white nylon thread or yarn or any other suitable material.

The top and bottom sheet can also be attached by detachable means such as zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fastener systems and the like. These methods of attaching fabric in a detachable way will be well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of bedding, fabric, garment manufacturing and the like. Luminescent materials suited for bedding are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

Components of the present invention can be fabricated from known bedding materials such as cotton, linen, silk, synthetic polymer fibers, natural fibers, blends of different types of fibers and the like. Materials that meet any applicable safety standard, such as, for example, flame retardant materials can be utilized.

Like-wise, the top and bottom sheets can be manufactured to include any color or pattern that may be desirable. The top sheet and bottom sheet can be fabricated individually from different materials or the same material and can be made to have different colors or patterns or the same color or pattern. The instant invention includes the use of any suitable bedding fabric and any color or pattern for each element of the bedding system assembly.

As depicted in FIG. 2, bedding system 100 is shown deployed on a mattress with two persons who are utilizing a typical double bed. It will be understood that the present invention can be used on any size bed.

In this embodiment, bottom sheet 2 can be tucked between mattress support 16 and mattress 18. Bottom sheet 2 can be adapted to be a fitted sheet having elastic retention means for engaging a mattress or can be a non-fitted sheet. The top sheet 6 can be folded as shown in overlap area 10.

In use, as shown in FIG. 2, a user 22 can lie comfortably between bottom sheet 2 and top sheet 6 while another user 26 can remove a portion of top sheet 6 without disturbing or pulling the sheet off user 22.

Because top sheet 6 and bottom sheet 2 are joined along a portion of the longitudinal axis 14, each user can adjust the top sheet in accordance with their personal preferences. The joined portion along axis 14 creates a barrier or NeaNook, thus minimizing the chance that one user will “hog” the sheet or any blankets that are on the bedding assembly.

Further, the bedding system can act as a barrier, when a barrier is desirable, but also allows for the comfort of individual users because they are able to snuggle or feel the bodily warmth of another user through the barrier. For example, if the bedding system is being used by a person and a dog, a barrier is desirable to keep the person's side clean. Likewise, a barrier can be desirable to prevent two child users from engaging in “tug of war” for the sheets or to separate children of different sexes.

In some embodiments, top sheet 2 and bottom sheet 6 can be joined both along a portion of longitudinal axis 14 and a portion of the width of the bedding assembly (not shown), that is, the direction substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis 14. Joining sheets 2 and 6 along the width is preferably located nearest to the foot end of the bed such that the barrier does not interfere with a user's feet.

As shown in FIG. 3, the bedding system can include bottom sheet 2, top sheet 6, and a joined portion along axis 14. An overlap fold 10 can be accommodated for aesthetics and functionality. As shown, the joined portion can be below fold 10. This aspect allows users to easily access the bed and also fold the top sheet down to create a neat appearance. The bedding system further comprises one or more pillow cases 30. The cases can be used to cover any number of pillows desired by the individual users. As shown, each pillow can include one or more indicia 34, 38 to indicate the proper position of each pillow and case on the bed.

The indicia can be anywhere on one or more pillow cases and may include the word NeaNook or a suitable code, or color, or location that can enable a user to recognize the correct position of any pillow case or pillow case assembly. The indicia can be part of the pillow case or can be a separate piece attached to the pillow case such as a label. Attachment means, such as for example, stitching, sewing, printing, or embroidering will be well know to those skilled in the art.

For example, indicia 34 can include a top right code, TR, for use with a top right side pillow, and indicia 38 can include a top left code, TL for use with the top left side pillow. It will be understood that any number of pillow cases can be marked with indicia for locating and tracking pillow use on a bed. The cases can also include strategically placed indicia 42, 46 such as NeaNook, a trademark, in lower right corner to indicate a right position, and in the lower left corner to indicate a left position. Other geometries for placement of indicia to indicate pillow positions are contemplated.

This feature of the present invention allows for a user to determine that they are using their own pillow, thus minimizing the chance of spreading disease, if for example, one user of a bed has a cold and the other does not. Identification and separation of pillow cases can be critical to maximizing cleanliness and sanitary conditions where one or more beings share a bed.

A plurality of geometries, configurations, and individual component configurations are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. As mentioned above, all of the components of the present invention can be manufactured using materials and manufacturing methods known to one of skill in the art of fabric, bedding, apparel manufacturing and similar arts.

Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, bedding system 200 comprises a three nook configuration having a bottom sheet 202 and top sheets 206 and 206A. The top and bottom sheets are joined along longitudinal axis 214, 214A thus forming two barriers and creating three individual nooks L, M, R. The top sheets 206, 206A can be folded as shown in overlap areas 210, 210A. The sheets 202, 206, and 206A, can be joined along a portion of the lengthwise or longitudinal direction along axis 214 and 214A to form a three nook bedding system assembly.

In this embodiment, as discussed above, the top and bottom sheets may be attached together by stitching or sewing using a durable fiber or by any known means for joining fabric together to create a durable joint. The attachment can include a reinforcing strip (not shown) to enhance the strength of the joint as necessary. Such methods of attaching fabric are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of bedding, fabric, or garment manufacturing.

The top and bottom sheets can also be attached by detachable means such as zippers, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fastener systems and the like. These methods of attaching fabric in a detachable manner will be well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of bedding, fabric, or garment manufacturing.

As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, bedding system 200 is shown in a configuration for three individuals, here, two persons and a pet. It will be understood that the present invention can be used on any size bed for any desired number of users. Further, the nooks may be configured to fit different size users depending on the size of the user. For example, the system can have two people size nooks and one pet size nook. Any number and any combination of different size nooks are contemplated.

In this embodiment, bottom sheet 202 can be tucked between a mattress support and a mattress (not shown). Bottom sheet 202 can be a fitted sheet having elastic retention means for engaging a mattress or a non-fitted sheet.

In use, as shown in FIG. 5, user 222 can lie comfortably between bottom sheet 202 and top sheet 206 while users 226 and 230 can remove a portion of top sheet 206, 206A without disturbing or pulling the sheet off other users.

Because top sheets 206, 206A and bottom sheet 202 are joined along longitudinal axis 214, 214A each user can adjust the top sheet in accordance with their personal preferences. The joined portion along axis creates a barrier or NeaNook, thus minimizing the chance that one user will “hog” the sheet or any blankets that can be on top of the bedding assembly and maintaining sanitary conditions and allowing for bodily proximity between users.

As discussed above, the bedding system can act as a barrier, when a barrier is desirable, but also allows for the comfort of users being able to snuggle or feel the bodily warmth of another user.

As shown in FIG. 5, the bedding system can be used by two persons and a pet when a barrier is desirable to keep the people's nooks clean. Likewise, as discussed above, a barrier can be desirable to prevent two or more child users from having a “tug of war”.

In some embodiments, top sheet 202 and bottom sheets 206, 206A can be joined both along a portion of longitudinal axis 214 and a portion of the width of the bedding assembly, that is, the direction substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis 214, 214A. Joining the sheets along the width is preferably located nearest to the foot end of the bed such that the barrier created by joining the sheets does not interfere with a user's feet.

System 200 can include pillows covers or cases 30 that have indicia, such as NNL, NNM, and NNR to indicate a left, a middle, and a right position, respectively.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the disclosure herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a bottom sheet having a first top end, a first bottom end and a first longitudinal axis; and

(b) a top sheet having a second top end, a second bottom end and a second longitudinal axis, said top sheet and said bottom sheet having a connected portion between said first longitudinal axis of said top sheet and said second longitudinal axis of said bottom sheet, thereby creating a barrier and two separate nooks.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bottom sheet is a fitted sheet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said top sheet and said bottom sheet are connected along a portion substantially perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said top sheet and said bottom sheet are connected along a portion of a longitudinal center line of each of said sheets.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connected portion is between about 10% and about 90% of said first longitudinal axis and said second longitudinal axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said connected portion does not include a portion proximal to said first top end and said second top end.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connected portion comprises a glow-in-the dark material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connected portion is between about 50% and about 90% of said longitudinal axis of said sheets.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said connected portion does not include a portion proximal to said first top end and said second top end.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said connected portion is detachable.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said connected portion comprises a zipper.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a plurality of pillow cases, wherein each of said plurality of pillow cases has indicia for identification of a position of each of said plurality of pillow cases.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said indicia comprise NeaNook L for indicating a left pillow position and NeaNook R for indicating a right pillow position.

14. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a bottom sheet having a top end, a bottom end, a width and a longitudinal axis; and

(b) a plurality of top sheets each having a top end, a bottom end and a longitudinal axis, said plurality of top sheets having a plurality of spaced apart connected portions between said bottom sheet and said plurality of top sheets.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said bottom sheet is a fitted sheet.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said top sheet is a flat sheet.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said connected portions comprise a glow-in-the-dark material.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said bottom sheet and said plurality of tops sheets are connected along between about 10% and about 90% of a length of said sheets at substantially equal distances across a width of said bottom sheet, thereby creating a plurality of separated nooks.

19. A bedding system kit comprising:

(a) a bottom sheet having a first top end, a first bottom end and a first longitudinal axis;

(b) a top sheet having a second top end, a second bottom end a second longitudinal axis, said top sheet and said bottom sheet having a connected portion along said first longitudinal axis of said top sheet and said second longitudinal axis of said bottom sheet, thereby forming an assembly having a plurality of nooks; and

(c) a package for containing and displaying said bedding system kit.

20. The kit of claim 19, further including:

(d) a plurality of pillow cases, each of said plurality of pillow cases having indicia for identification of a location.