TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to bedding, and more particularly to pillowcases configured for disposal of a pillow in a manner that prevents the pillow from slipping out of the pillow case unintentionally.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Sleep is critical for people to feel and perform their best, in every aspect of their lives. Sleep is an essential path to better health and reaching personal goals. Indeed, sleep affects everything from the ability to commit new information to memory to weight gain. It is therefore essential for people to use bedding that is comfortable, in order to achieve restful sleep.

[0003] Typically, pillowcases are cavities having an opening in one end to insert and/or remove a pillow from the cavity. However, factors such as, for example, size, shape, material, etc. of the pillow and/or pillowcase may cause the pillow to slip out of the pillowcase unintentionally when the user is asleep and/or may cause the pillow to shift within the pillowcase, for example. That is, the pillowcases lack any structural element that could function to prevent the pillow from slipping out of the pillowcase unintentionally and/or prevent the pillow from shifting within the pillowcase. This disclosure describes an improvement over these prior art technologies.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, pillowcases are provided. The pillowcases each include top and bottom panels having four sides. Inner surfaces of the top and bottom panels define a cavity. The top and bottom panels are joined to one another along three of the four sides of each panel. The fourth sides of the panels are not joined and define an opening that is in communication with the cavity to allow a pillow to be inserted into the cavity and/or a pillow to be removed from the cavity. The pillowcase includes one or a plurality of power bands within the cavity that function to hold the pillow within the cavity and/or prevent the pillow from shifting within the pillowcase. That is, the power band(s) will hold the pillow within the cavity to prevent the pillow from slipping out of the cavity unintentionally and/or prevent the pillow from shifting within the pillowcase as a user sleeps. In some embodiments, the pillowcase includes only one power band. In some embodiments, the pillowcase includes a plurality of power bands. In some embodiments, the power bands are spaced apart from one another. In some embodiments, the power bands each engage the inner surface of the top panel and the inner surface of the bottom panel such that the power bands each extend across the opening. In some embodiments, the power bands only partially block the opening. In some embodiments, the power bands completely block the opening. In some embodiments, the power bands are biased to a closed position in which the power bands overlap one another. The power bands are moved away from one another to move the power bands from the closed position to an open position. When the power bands are in the open position, a pillow may be positioned between the power bands and pushed into the cavity. Once the power bands are released, they will move from the open position to the closed position to maintain the pillow within the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bedding system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a component of the bedding system shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a component of the system shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a component of the system shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; [0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a component of the system shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, in part phantom, of one embodiment of a component of the system shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the component shown in FIG. 6; and

[0013] FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of a component of the system shown in FIG. 1 , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

[0014] Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

[0016] Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the references "upper and "lower" or "top" and "bottom" are relative and used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily "superior and "inferior".

[0017] The following discussion includes a description of bed sheets in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Turning to FIGS. 1 -8, there are illustrated a bedding system 20.

[0018] Bedding system 20 includes one or a plurality of pillowcases 22 and may include one or a plurality of pillows 24, wherein each of pillows 24 is configured for disposal in one of pillowcases 22, as shown in FIG. 1 . Pillowcases 22 each include at least one power band 26 configured to prevent pillow 24 from slipping out of pillowcase 22 unintentionally and/or prevent pillow 24 from shifting within pillowcase 22 as a user sleeps, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, power bands 26 are made from an elastic material. In some embodiments, power bands 26 are made from an inelastic material.

[0019] Pillowcase 22 includes opposite top and bottom panels 28, 30. Inner surfaces of top and bottom panels 28, 30 face one another and define a cavity 32 configured for disposal of a pillow, such as, for example, pillow 24. Top panel 28 is substantially rectangular and includes edges, such as, for example, sides 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d that define a perimeter of top panel 28, as shown in FIG. 2. Bottom panel 30 is substantially rectangular and includes edges, such as, for example, sides 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d that define a perimeter of bottom panel 30, as also shown in FIG. 2. Side 28a is joined with side 30a; side 28b is joined with side 30b; and side 28c is joined with side 30c, as shown in FIG. 2. The sides of top panel 28 may be joined with the sides of bottom panel 30 by stitching, for example. Side 28d is not joined with side 30d such that sides 28d, 30d define an opening 34 that is communication with cavity 32. A pillow, such as, for example, pillow 24 is configured to be positioned through opening 34 for disposal in cavity 32. In some embodiments, top panel 28 and/or bottom panel 30 is variously shaped, such as, for example, circular, oval, oblong, triangular, square, polygonal, irregular, uniform, non-uniform, undulating, arcuate, variable and/or tapered.

[0020] In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, pillowcase 22 includes two power bands 28 that are spaced apart from one another. Power bands 26 each include a first end that directly engages the inner surface of top panel 28 and an opposite second end that directly engages the inner surface of bottom panel 30 such that power bands 26 each extend across opening 34 to prevent pillow 24 from slipping out of cavity 32 and/or prevent pillow 24 from shifting within cavity 32, as can be seen in FIG. 1 . Power bands 26 are each planar strips of material. In some embodiments, power bands 26 extend parallel to one another across opening 34. In some embodiments, power bands 26 may be disposed at alternate orientations, relative to one another, such as, for example, transverse, perpendicular and/or other angular orientations such as acute or obtuse, and/or may be offset or staggered.

[0021] Pillowcase 22 includes a body portion 36 and a cuff 38 that is coupled to body portion 36 by stitching 40. Cuff 38 defines opening 34. In some embodiments, stitching 40 extends continuously about an entire diameter of pillowcase 22. In some embodiments, stitching 40 may include piping or other features to reinforce stitching 40 and/or provide an improved appearance. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first ends of power bands 26 are coupled to the inner surface of top panel 28 at stitching 40 and the second ends of power bands 26 are coupled to the inner surface of bottom surface 30 at stitching 40. It is envisioned that attaching power bands 26 to pillowcase 22 at stitching 40 will provide durability that will prevent power bands 26 from ripping pillowcase 22 when one or more of power bands is pulled or otherwise manipulated. In some embodiments, power bands 26 are attached to pillowcase 22 by stitching that goes directly over stitching 40.

[0022] In operation and use, power bands 26 are moved in opposite directions to increase the maximum distance between power bands 26. A first end of a pillow, such as, for example, one of pillows 24 is positioned through opening 34 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned between power bands 26. Pillow 24 is then pushed into cavity 32 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned adjacent to sides 28b, 30b of top and bottom panels 28, 30. The force that was applied to power bands 26 to increase the maximum distance between power bands 26 may be removed to allow the maximum distance between power bands 26 to decrease such that power bands 26 engage an opposite second end of pillow 24, as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0023] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, pillowcase 22 includes body portion 36, but does not include a cuff, such as, for example, cuff 38 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, sides or edges 28d, 30d define opening 34. Pillowcase 22 includes two power bands 26 that are spaced apart from one another. Power bands 26 each include a first end that directly engages edge 28d of top panel 28 and an opposite second end that directly engages edge 30d of bottom panel 30 such that power bands 26 each extend across opening 34 to prevent pillow 24 from slipping out of cavity 32 and/or prevent pillow 24 from shifting within cavity 32. Power bands 26 are each planar strips of material. In some embodiments, power bands 26 extend parallel to one another across opening 34. In some embodiments, power bands 26 may be disposed at alternate orientations, relative to one another, such as, for example, transverse, perpendicular and/or other angular orientations such as acute or obtuse, and/or may be offset or staggered.

[0024] In operation and use, power bands 26 are moved in opposite directions to increase the maximum distance between power bands 26. A first end of a pillow, such as, for example, one of pillows 24 is positioned through opening 34 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned between power bands 26. Pillow 24 is then pushed into cavity 32 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned adjacent to sides 28b, 30b of top and bottom panels 28, 30. The force that was applied to power bands 26 to increase the maximum distance between power bands 26 may be removed to allow the maximum distance between power bands 26 to decrease such that power bands 26 engage an opposite second end of pillow 24. [0025] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 4, pillowcase 22 includes two power bands 26 that are spaced apart from one another. Power bands 26 each include a first end that directly engages top panel 28 and an opposite second end that directly engages bottom panel 30 such that power bands 26 each extend across opening 34 to prevent pillow 24 from slipping out of cavity 32 and/or prevent pillow 24 from shifting within cavity 32. Power bands 26 are each curved between the first end and the second end of power band 36. As shown in FIG. 4, power bands 26 are each curved toward the other one of power bands 26.

[0026] Pillowcase 22 shown in FIG. 4 can include a body portion, such as, for example, body portion 36 and a cuff, such as, for example, cuff 38 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body portion may be joined with the cuff by stitching, such as, for example, stitching 40. In such embodiments, the first ends of power bands 26 are coupled to the inner surface of top panel 28 at stitching that joins 40 the cuff with the body portion and the second ends of power bands 26 are coupled to the inner surface of bottom surface 30 at the stitching that joins 40 the cuff with the body portion.

[0027] Pillowcase 22 shown in FIG. 4 can include a body portion, such as, for example, body portion 36, but does not include a cuff, such as, for example, cuff 38 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Power bands 26 each include a first end that directly engages edge 28d of top panel 28 and an opposite second end that directly engages edge 30d of bottom panel 30 such that power bands 26 each extend across opening 34 to prevent pillow 24 from slipping out of cavity 32 and/or prevent pillow 24 from shifting within cavity 32.

[0028] In operation and use, power bands 26 are moved in opposite directions to increase the maximum distance between power bands 26. A first end of a pillow, such as, for example, one of pillows 24 is positioned through opening 34 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned between power bands 26. Pillow 24 is then pushed into cavity 32 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned adjacent to sides 28b, 30b of top and bottom panels 28, 30. The force that was applied to power bands 26 to increase the maximum distance between power bands 26 may be removed to allow the maximum distance between power bands 26 to decrease such that power bands 26 engage an opposite second end of pillow 24, as shown in FIG. 1 .

[0029] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, pillowcase 22 includes only one power band 26. Power band 26 includes a first end that directly engages top panel 28 and an opposite second end that directly engages bottom panel 30 such that power band 26 extends across opening 34 to prevent pillow 24 from slipping out of cavity 32 and/or prevent pillow 24 from shifting within cavity 32. In particular, the first end of power band 26 may be coupled to an interface of sides 28a, 30a and the second end of power band 26 may be coupled to an interface of sides 28c, 30c. In some embodiments, the first end of power band 26 is stitched to stitching that joins sides 28a, 30a and the second end of power band 26 is stitched to stitching that includes sides 28c, 30c.

[0030] Pillowcase 22 shown in FIG. 5 can include a body portion, such as, for example, body portion 36 and a cuff, such as, for example, cuff 38 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body portion may be joined with the cuff by stitching, such as, for example, stitching 40. In such embodiments, power band 26 is recessed inwardly of sides or edges 28d, 30d.

[0031] Pillowcase 22 shown in FIG. 5 can include a body portion, such as, for example, body portion 36, but does not include a cuff, such as, for example, cuff 38 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In such embodiments, power band 26 is flush with edges 28d, 30d.

[0032] In operation and use, power band 26 may be moved toward edge 28d to increase the maximum distance between power band 26 and edge 30d. A first end of a pillow, such as, for example, one of pillows 24 is positioned between edge 30d and power band 26. Pillow 24 is then pushed into cavity 32 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned adjacent to sides 28b, 30b of top and bottom panels 28, 30. The force that was applied to power band 26 to move power band 26 toward edge 28d may be removed to decrease the distance between power band 26 and edge 30d such that power band 26 engages an opposite second end of pillow 24. Alternatively, power band 26 may be moved toward edge 30d to increase the maximum distance between power band 26 and edge 28d. A first end of a pillow, such as, for example, one of pillows 24 is positioned between edge 28d and power band 26, Pillow 24 is then pushed into cavity 32 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned adjacent to sides 28b, 30b of top and bottom panels 28, 30. The force that was applied to power band 26 to move power band 26 toward edge 30d may be removed to decrease the distance between power band 26 and edge 28d such that power band 26 engages an opposite second end of pillow 24.

[0033] In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, pillowcase 22 includes a first power band 26a that extends along edge 28d and a second power band 26b that extends along edge 30d. First power band 26a is positioned relative to second power band 26b such that an end surface 42 of first power band 26a overlaps an end surface 44 of second power band 26b. In some embodiments, first power band 26a extends continuously along the entire length of edge 28d and second power band 26b extends continuously along the entire length of edge 30d. First and second power bands 26a, 26b are movable relative to one another between a closed configuration in which end surface 42 overlaps end surface 44 to close opening 34, as shown in FIG. 6, and an open configuration in which end surface 42 is spaced apart from end surface 44 to define opening 34 therebetween, as shown in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, power bands 26a, 26b are biased to the closed configuration.

[0034] In operation and use, power bands 26a, 26b are moved in opposite directions to move power bands 26a, 26b from the closed configuration to the open configuration and space power bands 26a, 26b apart such that end surfaces 42, 44 of power bands 26a, 26b define opening 34. A first end of a pillow, such as, for example, one of pillows 24 is positioned through opening 34 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned between power bands 26. Pillow 24 is then pushed into cavity 32 such that the first end of pillow 24 is positioned adjacent to sides 28b, 30b of top and bottom panels 28, 30. The force that was applied to power bands 26a, 26b to space power bands 26a, 26b apart may be removed to move power bands 26a, 28b from the open configuration shown in FIG. 7 to the closed configuration shown in FIG. 6.

[0035] In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, pillow 24 includes a first panel 46, an opposite second panel 48 and a gusset 50 that joins panels 46, 48. Gusset 50 is configured to allow air that enters a cavity of pillow 24 though panel 46 and/or panel 48 to exit the cavity through gusset 50. Gusset 50 extends continuously around entire perimeters of panels 46, 48 to space panel 46 apart from panel 48. In some embodiments, panels 46, 48 are each made a first material and gusset 50 is made from a second material that is different than the first material. In some embodiments, the first material is a breathable fabric. In some embodiments, the second material has a porosity that is greater than a porosity of the first material. In some embodiments, pillow 24 has a rectangular footprint. In some embodiments, pillow 24 includes a fill material positioned within the cavity of pillow 24 that provides pillow 24 with a rectangular footprint.

[0036] In some embodiments, panel 28 and/or panel 30 comprises an inelastic material. In some embodiments, panel 28 and/or panel 30 comprises a performance fabric. In some embodiments, the performance fabric is warp knitted. In some embodiments, the performance fabric is warp knitted and includes many yarns that are knit to together, as opposed to one yarn knit to the end. In some embodiments, the performance fabric is produced by circular knitting. In some embodiments, the circular knitting process includes circularly knitting yarn or other material into a fabric, such as, for example, a performance fabric. Circular knitting may include organizing knitting needles into a circular knitting bed. The knitting needles produce a circular fabric that is in a tubular form through the center of the cylinder.

[0037] In some embodiments, the performance fabric is a 100% polyester knit jersey cotton fabric. In some embodiments, the performance fabric includes a single layer. In some embodiments, the performance fabric includes a plurality of layers. In some embodiments, the periormance fabric includes three layers, such as, for example, a top layer, a bottom layer and a middle layer between the top and bottom layers. In some embodiments, the bottom layer is a flat layer. In some embodiments, the bottom layer is a flat layer that contains more than 500 yams. In some embodiments, the middle layer is a kind of filling that links the top and bottom layers. In some embodiments, the top layer is less dense than the bottom layer. In some embodiments, the top layer includes less yarns than the bottom layer. In some embodiments, the top layer has about 375 yarns. In some embodiments, the performance fabric comprises a material selected from a group consisting of acrylic, acetate, cotton, linen, silk, polyester, other polymers, wool, nylon, rayon, spandex, lycra, hemp, manmade materials, natural materials and blends or combinations thereof.

[0038] In some embodiments, pillowcase 22 is made from a performance fabric that allows heat and moisture that radiates from the sleeper's head and/or body to dissipate through pillowcase 22. In some embodiments, the performance fabric is a knitted fabric, including, but not limited to, a warp knitted performance fabric, a weft knitted performance fabric and a circular knitted performance fabric. In some embodiments, the periormance fabric is a circular knitted performance fabric having a plurality of spaced apart ventilation ports. The circular knitted performance fabric has a gauge per square inch, grams per square meter, air permeability and material content that are pre-selected to provide the circular knitted performance fabric with one or more selected physical features. In some embodiments, the material is one or more of the materials discussed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/141 ,223, which is incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

[0039] In some embodiments, one or more of the power bands discussed herein, such as, for example, power band 26 is/are attached to pillowcase 22 via stitching. In one embodiment, at least one of the power bands is/are attached to panels 28, 30 by stitching boxes into each of panels 28, 30 at ends of the power band, wherein the stitching resembles a square box that then possesses an "X" shape within it. In this configuration, each final point on the radius of the "X" shape touches one respective interior corner of the square so that all four corners are connect to each other across the interior span of the square. This evenly distributes any pulling pressure from any tension on any of the power band in all directions and across pillowcase 22. That is, it reduces or removes pressure from the seam between panels 28, 30, thus reducing the likelihood of tearing pillowcase 22, and increasing overall grip, stability and durability of the power band(s).

[0040] It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, features of any one embodiment can be combined with features of any other embodiment. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.