PARTIALLY FITTED SHEET

Abstract

A sheet is provided that functions as a flat sheet but that can be fitted to one end of a mattress and held securely in place in a similar manner as a fitted sheet. The sheet allows a person making a bed to quickly and easily position the sheet in a centered position on the mattress and firmly secure the sheet in place.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/132,971, filed on Mar. 13, 2015, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a sheet adapted for use on a standard sized mattress.

BACKGROUND

Commercially available sheets are generally sized to fit standard sized mattresses, such as king, queen, full, and twin sized mattresses. Sheets generally come in two types: fitted sheets and flat sheets. Fitted sheets cover the top side of the mattress and create a barrier between the mattress and the person sleeping on the mattress. Fitted sheets are designed to fit around each of the four corners of a rectangular shaped mattress, thereby holding the sheet securely in place on the mattress. Fitted sheets are not generally flat near the edges of the sheet, but instead are specifically tailored to have three-dimensional concave curved sections corresponding to each corner of the mattress. Each curved section is configured to substantially surround each corner of the mattress such that the top surface of the sheet remains substantially in place and completely covering the top surface of the mattress. Fitted sheets typically have an elastic band or cord incorporated into the sheet around the edges of the sheet generally in the area of each of the curved sections corresponding to each corner of the mattress. Alternatively, the elastic band or cord may extend all the way around the edges of the sheet between the corners, or along one or more edges between the corners of the sheet. The tailored configuration of the sheet, combined with the elastic band or cord, allows a person fitting the sheet onto a mattress to do so quickly and easily because each fitted sheet is specifically sized for use with a mattress of a standard size.

When making a bed, a flat sheet is typically placed on top of a fitted sheet and is used to cover a person sleeping on the bed. Thus, the person sleeping on the bed typically sleeps between the flat sheet and the fitted sheet. Flat sheets differ from fitted sheets because they are, as the name suggests, generally flat and rectangular. Flat sheets are not configured for easily surrounding the corners of a mattress, though they are commonly tucked under the mattress at the foot of the bed, i.e., at the end of the mattress where a person's feet are typically located when the person is sleeping on the mattress, when making the bed. Consequently, flat sheets cannot be quickly and easily aligned in a position centered on the mattress and cannot always be held in place in a fixed, centered position on the mattress. Thus, when making a bed, the step of positioning the flat sheet in a centered position on the mattress makes the overall bed-making process more time consuming and less efficient. This is especially true in situations where a person is making a large number of beds, such as in hotels or hospitals.

Thus, there exists a need in the art for a sheet used in the same manner as a flat sheet, but that can be positioned in the center of a standard sized mattress quickly and easily. Furthermore, there exists a need in the art for a sheet used in the same manner as a flat sheet, but that can be easily held securely in place in a fixed, centered position on a standard sized mattress.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, a sheet is provided that functions as a flat sheet but that can be fitted to one end of a mattress and held securely in place in a similar manner as a fitted sheet. The sheet allows a person making a bed to quickly and easily position the sheet in a centered position on the mattress and firmly secure the sheet in place.

The sheet of the present invention is used in the same manner as a typical flat sheet, meaning that a person making a bed will typically place the sheet on top of a traditional fitted sheet and a person sleeping in the bed will typically sleep between the fitted sheet and the sheet of the present invention. The sheet has a generally rectangular configuration and is sized for use with standard sized mattresses. The sheet comprises a fitted portion and a flat portion. The fitted portion comprises two corners corresponding to the corners of the mattress at the foot of the bed. The fitted portion is specifically tailored to surround each of the two corners of the mattress at the foot of the bed in a similar manner as a traditional fitted sheet. The fitted portion of the sheet further comprises an elastic element that firmly secures the sheet in place around the end of the mattress.

The flat portion of the sheet is generally flat and is not tailored to fit around the corners of the mattress. Thus, a person wanting to sleep under the sheet can simply lift the flat portion of the sheet and then get under the sheet. While the person is sleeping in the bed, the end of the sheet fitted around the mattress preferably remains in a position surrounding the corresponding end of the mattress. When the sheet is fitted to the end of the mattress at the foot of the bed, it will keep the entire sheet substantially in place even when a person is sleeping in the bed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet that can be used in a similar manner as a flat sheet, but that can be positioned in the center of a standard sized mattress quickly and easily. Another object of the present invention is to provide a sheet that can be used in a similar manner as a flat sheet, but that can be easily held securely in place in a fixed, centered position on a standard sized mattress. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using the sheet described herein. Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing the sheet described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet embodying principles of the present invention, the sheet being installed on a standard sized mattress.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sheet embodying principles of the present invention installed on a standard sized mattress that has been turned upside down.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet embodying principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features, including method steps, of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain only components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components.

Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).

In accordance with the present invention, a sheet is provided that functions as a flat sheet but that can be fitted at one end of a mattress and held securely in place in a similar manner as a fitted sheet. The sheet allows a person making a bed to quickly and easily position the sheet in a centered position on the mattress and firmly secure the sheet in place. FIGS. 1-3 illustrate preferred embodiments.

The sheet of the present invention is used in the same manner as a typical flat sheet, meaning that a person making a bed will typically place the sheet on top of a traditional fitted sheet and a person sleeping in the bed will typically sleep between the fitted sheet and the sheet of the present invention. In different embodiments, the sheet is sized for use with standard sized mattresses of different sizes. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the sheet is available in at least four sizes: king, queen, full, and twin sized mattresses. As used herein, a king size mattress is about 76 inches by about 79 inches; a queen size mattress is about 60 inches by about 82 inches; a full sized mattress is about 54 inches by about 75 inches; and a twin sized mattress is about 39 inches by about 75 inches. However, the sheet may be available in other sizes and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the mattress measurements above are approximate, and the sheet is sized to account for small variations in standard mattress measurements.

The sheet is made of a flexible fabric such as cotton or polyester. The sheet has a generally rectangular configuration and has two ends. When the sheet is positioned on a mattress, the first end corresponds to the foot of the bed, and the second end corresponds to the head of the bed. As used herein, the foot of the bed refers to the end of the mattress where a person's feet are typically located when the person is sleeping on the mattress, and the head of the bed refers to the end of the mattress where a person's head is typically located when the person is sleeping on the mattress.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the sheet of the present invention fitted on a mattress. FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment, but with the mattress 20 turned upside down. The sheet 10 comprises a flat portion 11 and a fitted portion 12. In FIGS. 1-3, the fitted portion is the dark shaded portion of the sheet, and the flat portion comprises the remainder of the sheet. The fitted portion comprises two corners corresponding to the corners of the mattress at the foot of the bed. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the fitted portion 12 of the sheet is specifically tailored to surround each of the two corners of the mattress 20 at the foot of the bed in a similar manner as a traditional fitted sheet. Illustrated in FIG. 2, the fitted portion 12 of the sheet comprises an elastic element 13 that firmly secures the first end 12 of the sheet in place around the end of the mattress 20. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the elastic element 13 extends along the edge of the sheet 10 around each of the corners and along the entire edge of the first end 12 of the sheet between the corners. In an alternative embodiment, the elastic element 13 may only be present around each of the corners.

As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic element 13 is incorporated into the fitted portion 12 of the sheet and causes the fitted portion 12 to form three-dimensional curved sections that surround each of the corners of the mattress 20 corresponding to the foot of the bed. The elastic element 13 may comprise an elastic cord, string, strap, band, or similar elongated elastic material. The elastic element 13 is preferably sewn into the fabric such that it is completely enclosed within the fabric. The elastic material 13 is located substantially near the edge of the fabric that will be positioned under the mattress 20 when the sheet 10 is set in place on a mattress 20. In an alternative embodiment, the fabric of the fitted portion 12 itself may be made of an elastic material such as spandex or similar fabrics having elastic properties.

The fitted portion 12 is located at the foot of the bed and does not extend a substantial distance along the length of the mattress toward the head of the bed. In a preferred embodiment, the fitted portion 12 extends no more than about one foot from the foot of the bed when the sheet 10 is fitted to a mattress 20. The material of the fitted portion 12 may also be sized to accommodate mattresses 20 of varying thickness. However, due to the elastic nature of the fitted portion 12, one size can typically fit onto mattresses having a range of thicknesses.

The flat portion 11 is a generally flat sheet that is attached to the fitted portion 12. The flat portion 11 extends from the fitted portion along the length of the mattress 20 substantially to the opposite end of the mattress 20 corresponding to the head of the bed. Unlike the fitted portion 12, the flat portion 11 is not tailored to fit around the corners of the mattress 20 and does not include an elastic element 13. The flat portion 11 simply lays flat on top of the mattress 20 and covers the mattress 20.

To manufacture the sheet 10 of the present invention, the fitted portion 12 as described herein is simply sewn or otherwise attached to a substantially flat sheet along a seam 14 as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

In order to use the sheet 10 of the present invention, a user will typically first install a traditional fitted sheet on a mattress. A person sleeping on the mattress will thus sleep on top of the fitted sheet, though the step of installing a fitted sheet is not required. The user then places the sheet 10 of the present invention on top of the mattress 20 (with or without the fitted sheet beneath) with the first end of the sheet 12, or the fitted portion, generally near the foot of the bed and the second end of the sheet 11 generally near the head of the bed. Next, the user stretches the elastic material 13 of the fitted portion 12 around each of the corners of the mattress 20 corresponding to the foot of the bed. The user may then pull the flat portion 11 taut by pulling the second end 11 of the sheet 10 toward the head of the bed. The sheet 10 is then ready for use. This process of installing the sheet 10 on a mattress 20 is very quick and easy compared to a standard flat sheet because the fitted portion 12 allows the user to quickly and easily position the sheet 10 in the proper position on the mattress 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the flat portion 11 is long enough that it extends substantially near the head of the bed while also allowing a person sleeping in the bed to comfortably fit his feet between the mattress 20 and the sheet 10 near the foot of the bed. In other words, a person can sleep comfortably in the bed using the sheet 10 while the fitted portion 12 is fitted to the mattress. Thus, the sheet 10 of the present invention will stay in position while a person is sleeping and will not be moved out of position by kicking or other inadvertent motions by the person during sleep.

An alternative embodiment further comprises a kit of sheets for a bed. The kit comprises at least two sheets. The first sheet is a fitted sheet. The second sheet 10 comprises a fitted portion 12 and a flat portion 13. In other embodiments the second sheet 10 has two corners and is configured to secure the fitted portion 12 to one end of a mattress 20. The fitted portion 12 of the second sheet may include an elastic element 13 such as elastic cord, string, strap, band, or similar elongated elastic material.

It is understood that versions of the invention may come in different forms and embodiments. Additionally, it is understood that one of skill in the art would appreciate these various forms and embodiments as falling within the scope of the invention as disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A sheet comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a fitted portion and the second end is devoid of a fitted portion.

2. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the fitted portion has two corners and is configured to secure the first end of the sheet to one end of a mattress.

3. The sheet of claim 2, wherein the fitted portion comprises at least one elastic element.

4. The sheet of claim 3, wherein the at least one elastic element is configured to secure the corners of the fitted portion to respective adjacent corners of one end of a mattress.

5. The sheet of claim 4, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises an elongated elastic cord extending around each of the corners and along the entire length of the first end of the sheet between the corners.

6. The sheet of claim 3, wherein the at least one elastic element is incorporated into the fitted portion of the sheet.

7. The sheet of claim 3, wherein the at least one elastic element is incorporated into the fitted portion such that the fitted portion forms a three-dimensional section configured to fit onto one end of a mattress.

8. A sheet comprising a fitted portion and a flat portion attached together.

9. The sheet of claim 8, wherein the fitted portion has two corners and is configured to secure the first end of the sheet to one end of a mattress.

10. The sheet of claim 9, wherein the fitted portion comprises at least one elastic element.

11. The sheet of claim 10, wherein the at least one elastic element is configured to secure the corners of the fitted portion to respective adjacent corners of one end of a mattress.

12. The sheet of claim 11, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises an elongated elastic cord extending around each of the corners and along the entire length of the first end of the sheet between the corners.

13. A kit comprising:

a first fitted sheet, and a second sheet comprising a fitted portion and a flat portion.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the fitted portion of the second sheet has two corners and is configured to secure the fitted portion to one end of a mattress.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the fitted portion comprises at least one elastic element.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the second sheet comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has the fitted portion, and the second end is devoid of a fitted portion.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the fitted portion has two corners and comprises at least one elastic element configured to secure the corners to respective adjacent corners of one end of a mattress.

18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises an elongated elastic cord extending around each of the corners and along the entire length of the first end of the second sheet between the corners.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the at least one elastic element is incorporated into the fitted portion of the second sheet.

20. The sheet of claim 19, wherein the at least one elastic element is incorporated into the fitted portion such that the fitted portion forms a three-dimensional section configured to fit onto one end of a mattress.