BEDDING LOCATION IDENTIFICATION DEVICES, SYSTEMS, KITS, AND ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME
Bedding location identification devices, systems, kits, and assemblies, and methods of using the same. In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device comprises a first portion comprising at least one first piercing element and/or at least one first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and a second portion comprising at least one second piercing element and/or at least one second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, wherein when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned through a portion of bedding, the at least one first piercing element and the at least one second piercing element are engaged by the at least one first receiver and the at least one second receiver, respectively, to secure the device to the bedding.
The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/893,133, filed Aug. 28, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/814,254, filed Mar. 5, 2019. The contents of each of the aforementioned applications are which are incorporated herein directly and by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUNDWhen “making a bed,” such as the process of removing soiled, dirty, or otherwise slept-on bedding and replacing the bedding with fresh, washed, or different bedding, the person making the bed needs to make sure that the bedding (flat sheets, fitted sheets, blankets, comforters, duvets, duvet covers, etc.) are properly oriented, as the bedding generally does not properly fit if not properly oriented.
A device, or a system, kit, or assembly including devices, for use to identify locations of bedding and methods of using the same would be well received in the marketplace.
BRIEF SUMMARYIn an exemplary embodiment of a device for orienting bedding of the present disclosure, the device comprises a first portion comprising at least one piercing elements and/or at least one receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and a second portion comprising at least one piercing and/or at least one receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, such that when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned through bedding (such that the piercing elements pierce the bedding), the piercing elements are engaged by the receivers to secure the device in/on the bedding. One device can be used, such as positioned at a relative top, bottom, left side, or right side of bedding, or two or more devices can be used, such as positioned at two of a relative top, bottom, left side, and/or right side of bedding, to identify orientation. Devices can have indicia printed thereon or defined therein, identifying the location of the bedding where the device is positioned in/on.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device comprises a first portion comprising at least one first piercing element and/or at least one first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and a second portion comprising at least one second piercing element and/or at least one second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, wherein when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned through a portion of bedding, the at least one first piercing element and the at least one second piercing element are engaged by the at least one first receiver and the at least one second receiver, respectively, to secure the device to the bedding.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the at least one first piercing element is at least two first piercing elements, and wherein the at least one first receiver is at least two first receivers.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, at least one of the at least one first piercing element and/or the at least one second piercing element comprises a grip feature selected from the group consisting of a barb, a flange, a protrusion, and an indentation.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it resists separation due to pulling one part of the device away from another part of the device.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it remains secured to the bedding during and after being washed in a washing machine.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion comprises a first lateral component, wherein the second portion comprises a second lateral component.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, at least one of the first lateral component and the second lateral component has a coating thereon.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion and the second portion are identical and configured to engage one another to secure the device to the bedding.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device further comprises at least one grommet positioned around the at least one first piercing element and/or the at least one second piercing element.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device forms part of a system, the system further comprising a second device, the second device comprising a second device first portion comprising at least one second device first piercing element and/or at least one second device first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and a second device second portion comprising at least one second device second piercing element and/or at least one second device second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device has indicia present upon or within at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the indicia indicative of a location of the bedding the device is intended to be secured thereto.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured as a clamp.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device comprises a first portion comprising at least one first grip feature, and a second portion comprising at least one second grip feature, wherein the first grip feature and the second grip feature are selected from the group consisting of a barb and a flange, and wherein when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned adjacent to a portion of bedding, the first portion and the second portion can hingedly move toward one another to secure the device to the bedding.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion further comprises at least one first piercing element and/or at least one first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and wherein the second portion further comprises at least one second piercing element and/or at least one second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion is configured as a first clamp, wherein the second portion is configured as a second clamp, and wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are positioned adjacent to one another such that a direction of opening the first clamp and the second clamp are the same.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device has indicia present upon or within at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the indicia indicative of a location of the bedding the device is intended to be secured thereto.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it resists separation due to pulling one part of the device away from another part of the device.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it remains secured to the bedding during and after being washed in a washing machine.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, at least one of the first portion and the second portion has a coating thereon.
In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device forms part of a system, the system further comprising a second device, the second device comprising a second device first portion comprising at least one second device first grip feature, and a second device second portion comprising at least one second device second grip feature, wherein the second device first grip feature and the second device second grip feature are selected from the group consisting of a barb and a flange, and wherein when the second device first portion and/or the second device second portion are positioned adjacent to a second portion of the bedding, the second device first portion and the second device second portion can hingedly move toward one another to secure the second device to the bedding.
The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
As such, an overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described and some of these non-discussed features (as well as discussed features) are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. Furthermore, wherever feasible and convenient, like reference numerals are used in the figures and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The figures are in a simplified form and not to precise scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFor the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.
The present disclosure includes disclosure of devices configured to attach to bed linens (flat sheets, fitted sheets, blankets, comforters, duvets, duvet covers, etc.) so to provide guidance to a user of the device as to the orientation of said linens.
An exemplary device of the present disclosure is shown in
First portion 102 and second portion 110 can each comprise a lateral component 112, comprising metal, rubber, and/or plastic for example, acting as an effective substrate for piercing elements 104 and/or receivers 108. In at least one embodiment, lateral components 112, piercing elements 104, and/or receivers 108 comprise metal or plastic. Lateral components 112 may be rigid or relatively rigid, for example, so to provide strength and durability to device 100.
Furthermore, and as shown in
Devices 100 of the present disclosure can comprise two, three, four, five, or more piercing elements 104 and receivers 108, as may be desired. For example, and as shown in
The device 100 embodiment shown in
In at least some embodiments, and such as shown in
The device 100 embodiments shown in
Other device 100 embodiments of the present disclosure could be configured using a piercing element 104 comprising a spike or pin, and a receiver 108 configured to engage the piercing element 104, such as shown in
In at least another embodiment of a device 100 of the present disclosure, the devices comprise one or more grip features 106, but do not require piercing elements 104 or other portions of device 100 that operate to pierce bedding 300. For example, and as shown in
In some device 100 embodiments, first portion 102 and second portion 110 can be engaged by a user and pressed toward one another to facilitate opening of clamps 500, 502, so that, for example, clamps 500, 502 can receive and engage bedding 300 when first portion 102 and second portion 110 are released (so to allow clamps 500, 502 to close). In other embodiments, such as wherein the clamps 500, 502 are manually opened and manually closed, a user would manually open and close clamps 500, 502 to receive and engage bedding 300 therein. Bedding 300 is completely or substantially prevented from unintentionally becoming separated from device 100 once device 100 is positioned thereon, such as by way of one or more grip features 106 present within each clamp 500, 502. Grip features 106, as shown in
It is noted that devices having two (or more) clamps 500, 502, and/or two or more piercing elements 104 and receivers 108, or an elongated clamp 500 or 502, for example, would result in an overall larger device that can be readily seen and/or felt when laundering and/or positioning bedding 300. This is an advantage of any relative small device, such as one that only has one element that is used to couple the device to bedding 300, as such a device would not be readily seen/and/or felt when laundering and/or positioning bedding 300, and should that one element become detached, the device would no longer be coupled to bedding 300.
In at least one embodiment, and as shown in
In at least another embodiment, and as shown in
Furthermore, devices 100 of the present disclosure can be used for other purposes, such as to label towels. For example, devices 100 can have indicia 160 such as “kitchen,” “bathroom,” “toilet,” “car,” etc., so that when coupled to various towels or washcloths, for example, said towels or washcloths can be identified by the indicia 160 and used for their corresponding purposes. Devices 100 could be relatively smaller than other device 100 embodiments referenced herein.
Indicia 160 may also comprise one or more colors or designs instead of letters or words. For example, one device 100 with green indicia 160 could indicate the top of a sheet, and another device 100 with red indicia 160 could indicate the bottom of a sheet, and so forth (using various colors, for example).
While various embodiments of bedding location identification devices, systems, kits, and assemblies, and methods of using the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.
Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, comprising:
- first portion comprising at least one first piercing element and/or at least one first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein; and
- a second portion comprising at least one second piercing element and/or at least one second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein;
- wherein when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned through a portion of bedding, the at least one first piercing element and the at least one second piercing element are engaged by the at least one first receiver and the at least one second receiver, respectively, to secure the device to the bedding.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first piercing element is at least two first piercing elements, and wherein the at least one first receiver is at least two first receivers.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one first piercing element and/or the at least one second piercing element comprises a grip feature selected from the group consisting of a barb, a flange, a protrusion, and an indentation.
4. The device of claim 1, configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it resists separation due to pulling one part of the device away from another part of the device.
5. The device of claim 1, configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it remains secured to the bedding during and after being washed in a washing machine.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a first lateral component, wherein the second portion comprises a second lateral component.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first lateral component and the second lateral component has a coating thereon.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are identical and configured to engage one another to secure the device to the bedding.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one grommet positioned around the at least one first piercing element and/or the at least one second piercing element.
10. The device of claim 1, forming part of a system, the system further comprising a second device, the second device comprising:
- a second device first portion comprising at least one second device first piercing element and/or at least one second device first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein; and
- a second device second portion comprising at least one second device second piercing element and/or at least one second device second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein.
11. The device of claim 1, having indicia present upon or within at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the indicia indicative of a location of the bedding the device is intended to be secured thereto.
12. The device of claim 1, configured as a clamp.
13. A device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, comprising:
- a first portion comprising at least one first grip feature; and
- a second portion comprising at least one second grip feature;
- wherein the first grip feature and the second grip feature are selected from the group consisting of a barb and a flange; and
- wherein when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned adjacent to a portion of bedding, the first portion and the second portion can hingedly move toward one another to secure the device to the bedding.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first portion further comprises at least one first piercing element and/or at least one first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and wherein the second portion further comprises at least one second piercing element and/or at least one second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the first portion is configured as a first clamp, wherein the second portion is configured as a second clamp, and wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are positioned adjacent to one another such that a direction of opening the first clamp and the second clamp are the same.
16. The device of claim 13, having indicia present upon or within at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the indicia indicative of a location of the bedding the device is intended to be secured thereto.
17. The device of claim 13, configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it resists separation due to pulling one part of the device away from another part of the device.
18. The device of claim 13, configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it remains secured to the bedding during and after being washed in a washing machine.
19. The device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion has a coating thereon.
20. The device of claim 13, forming part of a system, the system further comprising a second device, the second device comprising:
- a second device first portion comprising at least one second device first grip feature; and
- a second device second portion comprising at least one second device second grip feature;
- wherein the second device first grip feature and the second device second grip feature are selected from the group consisting of a barb and a flange; and
- wherein when the second device first portion and/or the second device second portion are positioned adjacent to a second portion of the bedding, the second device first portion and the second device second portion can hingedly move toward one another to secure the second device to the bedding.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 5, 2020
Publication Date: Sep 10, 2020
Inventor: Christina Coe (Greenfield, IN)
Application Number: 16/810,715