TWO-OPENING PILLOW CASE

Abstract

A pillowcase having two complementary sections are provided with multiple holes on the edges of the two sections or adjacent to the edges of the sections. A first hole is dimensioned to accept a pillow, as is common practice in the art, and can be the length of a transverse edge of the pillow case, or substantially the length of a transverse edge. A second hole is disposed on a second portion of the pillowcase, opposite to the pillow opening, and is optionally the size of the width of a human hand, such as between 3 inches and 6 inches in length. The second hole permits a user to access the interior of the pillowcase and simplifies insertion of a pillow and orientation of a pillow within the interior of the pillowcase.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/081,729, entitled “Easy Fit Pillowcase”, filed on Nov. 19, 2014; and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/081,748, entitled “Easy Fit Pillowcase”, filed on Dec. 24, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to pillow coverings. Specifically, the invention is a pillow case or covering having two opposing holes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pillows are commonly used to support the head or other body parts of a user, or for decoration. Modern pillows comprise an outer material, commonly a textile such as a natural or synthetic fabric, and an inner filler material, commonly feathers, synthetic foam, an air bladder, buckwheat, or synthetic beads. Most pillows used for sleeping, and occasionally decorative pillows and/or support pillows are encased in a fabric covering, known as a pillowcase or pillow case. In some instances, a pillow may be covered by a sham, which is similar to a pillow case, but typically possesses stitched, i.e. closed sides, with a slit in the back wall through which the pillow is inserted.

Pillow cases are used to protect a pillow from direct contact with a user or from direct contact with the general environment. The pillow cases permit easy and hygenic maintenance of the pillow through removal and laundering of the pillow case.

A pillow case may be manufactured with natural or synthetic textiles, or blends of natural and synthetic fibers. Examples include cotton cloth, silk, and sateen. A pillow case usually has a single enclosure that receives a single pillow, and is typically square, tubular or oblong, such as rectangular, to accommodate the shape of the pillow. Bed pillow cases commonly have an open edge for inserting the pillow into the pillow case. However, pillow cases may include a zippered opening, buttoned opening or a flap.

Bed pillow cases are typically made using two generally rectangular panels of fabric material enclosed along both longitudinal (long) edges and one transverse (narrow) edge, with the remaining transverse edge open tier inserting and removing a pillow. Although this type of pillow case has been in use for a considerable length of time, the design it not conducive to efficient insertion of a pillow. As such, the present invention is designed to address this shortcoming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As described herein, the novel pillowcase includes a first pillowcase section which is attached to a complementary, second pillowcase section, such as by stitching, heat bonding, or other attachment means known in the art. A pillow opening, dimensioned to accept a pillow of approximately the same shape and size as the interior void of the pillowcase, is disposed on a first portion of the pillowcase. A secondary, auxiliary opening is disposed on a second portion of the pillowcase, opposite to the pillow opening. The auxiliary opening is optionally the size of the width of a human hand, such as between 3 inches and 6 inches in length.

In specific variations of the invention, the pillowcase is quadrilateral in shape. In these variations, the first pillowcase section includes a first longitudinal edge, a second transverse edge, a third longitudinal edge, and a fourth transverse edge and the second pillowcase section includes a fifth longitudinal edge, a sixth transverse edge, a seventh longitudinal edge, and an eighth transverse edge. The first and second pillowcase sections are attached to one another, directly or indirectly via a wall section between the first and second pillowcase sections. The first and second pillowcase sections are attached via attachment of first and fifth longitudinal edges, the second and sixth transverse edges, third and seventh longitudinal edges, and fourth and eighth transverse edges. Moreover, in these variations, the pillow opening is disposed along the second and sixth transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the second transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the sixth transverse edge. Optionally, the pillow opening is substantially the length of the second transverse edge or sixth transverse edge. Alternatively, the pillow opening is between 6 inches and 20 inches in length. The auxiliary opening is disposed along the fourth and eighth transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the fourth transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the eighth transverse edge. In some variations, the auxiliary opening is substantially the length of the fourth transverse edge or eighth transverse edge.

The pillowcase is alternatively tubular in shape. In these variations, the first pillowcase section comprises a circular or substantially circular first edge, a complementary second pillowcase section having a circular or substantially circular second edge, and a pillowcase wall disposed between the first pillowcase section and the second pillowcase section and attached to the first circular edge and the second circular edge. The pillow opening is disposed on the first wall edge or on the pillowcase wall and dimensioned to accept a pillow. The auxiliary opening is disposed on the second wall edge or on the pillowcase wall.

The pillowcases of the invention can be cotton, polyester, cotton-polyester blend, percale, mercerized cotton, linen, acrylic, tencel, modal, flannel, cashmere, satin, velvet, fleece, silk, rayon, rayon-cotton blend nylon, nylon-cotton blend, suede, linen-rayon blend, rayon-cotton blend. Notable examples include where the pillowcase sections, and wall in those embodiments, are made from a 50% cotton-50% polyester cloth, 100% cotton, or a 100% nylon wipe-able fabric.

The auxiliary opening and pillow opening are optionally closed when not being used to insert a pillow. Useful materials for closing the openings include a flap or fasteners, as may be known in the art. Non-limiting examples of fasteners include buttons, zippers, snaps, hooks, buckles, fabric loops, or stitched loops, or hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro™.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the pillowcase.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening and pillow opening.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing the methods for inserting a pillow into the first embodiment of the pillowcase.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the pillowcase showing the alternative auxiliary opening.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing the methods for inserting a pillow into the first embodiment of the pillowcase showing the alternative auxiliary opening.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the pillowcase.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening and pillow opening.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the pillowcase showing the auxiliary opening and pillow opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The novel pillowcase provides a plurality of holes, permitting a user to access the interior void of the pillowcase opposite from the insertion point of a pillow. This allows for simpler insertion of pillows into the pillowcase, as the user can guide the pillow into the pillowcase.

As used herein, “complementary” means the strands or elements are sized and shaped to allow at least one element from one complementary half to engage at least one element from the opposing complementary half.

As used herein, “substantially” means more than 50%, such as 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 99%, or 100%. Preferably, “substantially” refers to at least 90%.

Example 1

Pillowcase 1 is comprised of pillowcase sections 4 and 7 attached by seam line 10, as seen in FIG. 1. Pillowcase sections 4 and 7 are shown as substantially rectangular in shape, but may be other shapes, such as tubular. The pillowcase sections are fabric, such as cotton, attached to form an envelope for protecting a pillow after such has been inserted through pillow opening 17.

Pillowcase 1 includes auxiliary opening 14, which is a slit along a partial traverse edge of seam line 10, shown in FIG. 2, a slit on pillowcase section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge of seam line 10, or is a slit found on a transverse wall attached to the transverse edge of pillowcase sections 4 and 7. Auxiliary opening 12 is dimensioned to be just large enough to permit a user to insert his or her hand through auxiliary opening 14. Pillow opening 17 is either a slit along a traverse edge of seam line 10, shown in FIG. 3, a slit on pillowcase section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge of seam line 10, or is a slit found on a transverse wall attached to the transverse edge of pillowcase sections 4 and

Pillowcase 1 simplifies insertion of a pillow into the pillowcase. User's hand 19 is placed through auxiliary opening 14 and into the interior void of pillowcase 1. A pillow is placed adjacent to, or just inside, pillow opening 17 and the user grasps the pillow and pulls it to the transverse edge of pillowcase 1 containing auxiliary opening 14, as seen in FIG. 4.

Alternatively, auxiliary opening 15 is larger than that required for a user to access the interior void of the pillowcase. For example, auxiliary opening 15 runs along the entire length of a transverse edge of seam line 10, a substantial portion of a transverse edge, a slit traversing the entire transverse length of pillowcase section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge of seam line 10, a slit traversing a substantial transverse length of pillowcase section 7 adjacent to a traverse edge of seam line 10, or is a slit found on a transverse wall attached to the transverse edge of pillowcase sections 4 and 7, as seen in FIG. 5. As with the previous embodiment, user's hand 19 accesses the interior void via auxiliary opening 15, thereby allowing the use to guide a pillow into the interior void of pillowcase 1, as seen in FIG. 6.

Example 2

Tubular pillowcase 2 is comprised of circular pillowcase sections 4 and 7, and pillowcase wall 12 attached by upper seam line 11a and lower seam line 11b, as seen in FIG. 7. Pillowcase 2 includes auxiliary opening 16, which is a slit along a partial section of seam line 11a, or a slit on pillowcase wall 12 adjacent to a seam line, shown in FIG. 7. Auxiliary opening 16 is dimensioned to be just large enough to permit a user to insert his or her hand through auxiliary opening 16. Pillow opening 18 is either a slit along a section of seam line 11a or 11b, or a slit on pillowcase wall 12 adjacent to a traverse edge of a seam line, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. As in Example 1, the user places his or her hand into the interior void of the pillowcase via auxiliary opening 16, and positions his or her hand adjacent to pillow opening 18. The user then grasps a pillow and guides the pillow into the interior void of pillowcase 2.

In the preceding specification, all documents, acts, or information disclosed do not constitute an admission that the document, act, or information of any combination thereof was publicly available, known to the public, part of the general knowledge in the art, or was known to be relevant to solve any problem at the time of priority.

The disclosures of all publications cited above are expressly incorporated herein by reference, each in its entirety, to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.

While there has been described and illustrated specific embodiments of a pillowcase cover and method of use, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible without deviating from the broad spirit and principle of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A pillowcase, comprising:

a first pillowcase section;

a second pillowcase section, wherein the second pillowcase section is complementary to the first pillowcase section;

a pillow opening disposed on a first portion of the pillowcase;

an auxiliary opening disposed on a second portion of the pillowcase, wherein the first portion of the pillowcase and the second portion of the pillowcase are disposed on opposite sides of the pillowcase.

2. The pillowcase of claim 1,

wherein the first pillowcase section further comprises: a first longitudinal edge, a second transverse edge, a third longitudinal edge, and a fourth transverse edge;

wherein the second pillowcase section further comprises: a fifth longitudinal edge, a sixth transverse edge, a seventh longitudinal edge, and an eighth transverse edge;

where the first and fifth longitudinal edges are attached, the second and sixth transverse edges are attached, third and seventh longitudinal edges are attached, and fourth and eighth transverse edges are attached;

wherein the pillow opening is disposed along the second and sixth transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the second transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the sixth transverse edge; and

wherein the auxiliary opening disposed along the fourth and eighth transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the fourth transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the eighth transverse edge

3. The pillowcase of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein the first pillowcase section further comprises: a circular or substantially circular first edge;

wherein the second pillowcase section further comprises: a circular or substantially circular second edge, wherein the second edge is complementary to the first edge;

a pillowcase wall disposed between the first pillowcase section and the second pillowcase section, having a first wall edge and a second wall edge; wherein the first wall edge is attached to the first pillowcase section and the second wall edge is attached to the second pillowcase section;

wherein the pillow opening is disposed on the first wall edge or on the pillowcase wall, and

wherein the auxiliary opening is disposed on the second wall edge or on the pillowcase wall.

4. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary opening is between 3 inches and 6 inches in length.

5. The pillowcase of claim 2, wherein the auxiliary opening is substantially the length of the fourth transverse edge or eighth transverse edge.

6. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the pillow opening is substantially the length of the second transverse edge or sixth transverse edge, or is between 6 inches and 20 inches.

7. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the pillowcase is cotton, polyester, cotton-polyester blend, percale, mercerized cotton, linen, acrylic, tencel, modal, flannel, cashmere, satin, velvet, fleece, silk, rayon, rayon-cotton blend nylon, nylon-cotton blend, suede, linen-rayon blend, or rayon-cotton blend.

8. The pillowcase of claim 7, wherein the pillowcase is a 50% cotton-50% polyester blend, 100% cotton, or 100% nylon.

9. The pillowcase of claim 1, further comprising at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is disposed on the edges of the pillow opening, the auxiliary opening, or a combination thereof.

10. The pillowcase of claim 9, wherein the at least one fastener is a button, a zipper, a snap, a hook, a buckle, a fabric loop, a stitched loop, or hook and loop fasteners.

11. A method of inserting a pillow into a pillowcase, comprising:

providing a pillowcase, where the pillowcase comprises: a first pillowcase section; a second pillowcase section, wherein the second pillowcase section is complementary to the first pillowcase section; a pillow opening disposed on a first portion of the pillowcase; an auxiliary opening disposed on a second portion of the pillowcase, wherein the first portion of the pillowcase and the second portion of the pillowcase are disposed on opposite sides of the pillowcase;

orienting a pillow adjacent to the pillow opening;

inserting a hand into the auxiliary opening and into an interior void of the pillowcase;

grasping the pillow with the hand inserted into the auxiliary opening; and

positioning the pillow in the interior void of the pillowcase.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising

providing an additional hand;

grasping the pillowcase adjacent to the pillow opening; and

sliding the pillowcase over the pillow.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising positioning a plurality of edges of the pillow into a plurality of complementary corners of the pillowcase, wherein the pillowcase is quadrilateral;

wherein the first pillowcase section further comprises: a first longitudinal edge, a second transverse edge, a third longitudinal edge, and a fourth transverse edge;

wherein the second pillowcase section further comprises: a fifth longitudinal edge, a sixth transverse edge, a seventh longitudinal edge, and an eighth transverse edge;

where the first and fifth longitudinal edges are attached, the second and sixth transverse edges are attached, third and seventh longitudinal edges are attached, and fourth and eighth transverse edges are attached;

wherein the pillow opening is disposed along the second and sixth transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the second transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the sixth transverse edge; and

wherein the auxiliary opening disposed along the fourth and eighth transverse edges, on the first pillowcase section adjacent to the fourth transverse edge, or on the second pillowcase section adjacent to the eighth transverse edge.

14. The pillowcase of claim 1, further comprising positioning a plurality of edges of the pillow into a plurality of complementary corners of the pillowcase, wherein the pillowcase is tubular;

wherein the first pillowcase section further comprises: a circular or substantially circular first edge;

wherein the second pillowcase section further comprises: a circular or substantially circular second edge, wherein the second edge is complementary to the first edge;

a pillowcase wall disposed between the first pillowcase section and the second pillowcase section, having a first wall edge and a second wall edge; wherein the first wall edge is attached to the first pillowcase section and the second wall edge is attached to the second pillowcase section;

wherein the pillow opening is disposed on the first wall edge or on the pillowcase wall, and

wherein the auxiliary opening is disposed on the second wall edge or on the pillowcase wall.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising securing the pillow in the pillowcase by joining two complementary portions of at least one fastener;

wherein the at least one fastener is a button, a zipper, a snap, a hook, a buckle, a fabric loop, a stitched loop, or hook and loop fasteners.