US20240366000A1

US20240366000A1 - Pillowcase with Protecting Flap

Info

Publication number: US20240366000A1
Application number: US18/432,248
Authority: US
Inventors: Anne McClard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-05-04
Filing date: 2024-02-05
Publication date: 2024-11-07

Abstract

A pillowcase comprising a main body formed by stitching together a front panel and a rear panel along the side edges and a bottom edge for creating a housing for accommodating a pillow. A top opening is located along the longer side of the main body, eliminating the need to forcefully insert the pillow. The pillowcase also features a flexible flap which can be folded and tucked into the housing to secure the pillow, preventing the pillow from slipping out during use. Furthermore, when the pillow is inserted into the main body, the flap is folded and inserted between the front panel and the front surface of the pillow. The free edge of the flap is tucked in between the pillow and the bottom edge of the pillowcase, securely positioning the flap in a closed position, which covers the pillow and prevents the pillow from slipping.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/500,028, which was filed on May 4, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of pillowcases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel pillowcase that has a housing for accommodating a pillow and has a flap for tucking inside the housing for securing the pillow. An opening is disposed along the longer side of the pillowcase for easily inserting and removing the pillow. The pillowcase enables users to quickly interchange pillows. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, pillowcases are designed to cover standard pillows and serve different purposes, ranging from maintaining the freshness and cleanliness of pillows to enhancing their longevity. Further, pillowcases also help in safeguarding the user's skin and respiratory system by providing a protective barrier against bacteria and allergens. Pillowcases act as a shield, preventing dirt, oils, sweat, and other substances from directly contacting the pillow itself. The pillowcase acts as a protective layer helping in reducing the risk of skin breakouts, asthma attacks, or allergic responses, thereby contributing to a healthier sleeping experience.
However, despite the numerous benefits of using pillowcases, there are challenges associated with application and removal of pillowcases. Standard pillowcases often have a tight fit around the pillow, making it difficult for individuals to keep the opening of the pillowcase wide enough to insert or remove the pillow easily. This is more challenging for people who struggle with dexterity or have limited mobility. In hotels and other professional settings, the task of removing and applying new pillowcases on a daily basis can become a laborious process. The challenge of maneuvering tight pillowcases repeatedly can be demanding and time-consuming for hotel staff members.
Conventional pillowcases use different closure techniques such as button closure, snap closure, zipper closure and more for closing or securing the pillowcase. Further, people have to force the pillows inside standard pillowcases which is difficult and time-consuming. People need an innovative solution to streamline the process of applying and removing pillowcases which can significantly enhance user convenience and improve efficiency.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that overcomes the problems associated with standard pillowcases. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that enables users to quickly interchange pillowcases. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a pillowcase that eliminates the need to force pillows inside standard pillowcases. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that makes the process of applying and removing pillowcases easier to enhance user convenience. Further, there is a long felt need in the art of a pillowcase that enables a user to easily slide a pillow inside the pillowcase without any force. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that includes a flap to tuck in the pillowcase to secure an accommodated pillow. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for pillowcases that can be designed in several colors, sizes to accommodate all types of pillows and are designed to make the process of changing pillowcases faster and easier.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pillowcase to expedite the pillow changing process. The pillowcase has a main body having a front panel and a rear panel stitched together along a pair of side edges that form the shorter side of the pillowcase and a common bottom edge that forms the longer side of the pillowcase. The sides and edge form a housing for storing a pillow therein and the main body has a top opening aligned with the longer side of the main body for easily sliding a pillow into the housing. The pillowcase has a flap that extends from top of the rear panel and has a length substantially equal to the length of the main body, wherein the flap can be folded and tucked into the housing to cover the top opening and secure the accommodated pillow.
In this manner, the improved pillowcase of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a pillowcase designed with a flap that can be tucked in to secure a pillow. The opening for the pillow is along the longer side and therefore eliminates the need to force pillows inside the pillowcase, saving people time and effort. The pillowcase enables users to quickly interchange pillowcases which can be especially useful for people making multiple beds a day and changing pillowcases in places like a hotel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a pillowcase for easily sliding a pillow therein. The pillowcase further comprising a main body having a front panel and a rear panel stitched together along a pair of side edges and a common bottom edge, thereby forming a housing for storing a pillow therein, a top opening aligned with the longer side of the main body for sliding a pillow into the housing, a flexible flap portion extending from the top of the rear panel and having a length substantially equal to the length of the main body, wherein the flap portion is designed to be folded and tucked into the housing to cover the top opening and secure the accommodated pillow. The top opening along the longer side of the main body eliminates forcing the pillow inside the housing by a user. The front panel and the rear panel are substantially rectangular, with the top opening and the common bottom edge forming the longer side of the main body and the side edges forming the shorter longitudinal side of the pillowcase.
In yet another embodiment, the pillowcase has one or more logos or indicia for personalization.
In yet another embodiment, a method for enclosing a pillow within a pillowcase is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of positioning the pillow to align the length thereof with the length of the pillowcase and align the width thereof with the width of the pillowcase, leaving a flap of the pillow in an extending or unfolded position, allowing a user to easily slide the pillow into a housing created by a main body of the pillowcase through a top opening, enclosing the pillow by the pillowcase to completely cover the pillow, wherein the pillow easily slides into the housing and abuts against the bottom edge of the main body, and wherein the panels of the pillowcase adhere to the pillow and provide protection against external elements.
In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises folding the flap and sliding the flap between the front panel of the pillowcase and the front surface of the pillow and tucking the free edge of the flap between the pillow and the bottom edge of the pillowcase to secure the pillow and position the flap in a tucked-in or installed position.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a tuck and done pillowcase of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the process of inserting a pillow inside the pillowcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the process of securing the pillow inside the pillowcase using the flap portion in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of securing a pillow using the tuck and done pillowcase of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that overcomes the problems associated with standard pillowcases. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that enables users to quickly interchange pillowcases. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a pillowcase that eliminates the need to force pillows inside standard pillowcases. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that makes the process of applying and removing pillowcases easier to enhance user convenience. Further, there is a long felt need in the art of a pillowcase that enables a user to easily slide a pillow inside the pillowcase without any force. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved pillowcase that includes a flap to tuck in the pillowcase to secure an accommodated pillow. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for pillowcases that can be designed in several colors and sizes to accommodate all types of pillows, and are designed to make the process of changing pillowcases faster and easier.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method for enclosing a pillow within a pillowcase. The method comprising the steps of inserting a pillow inside the pillowcase through a top opening for accommodating the pillow inside the main body of the pillowcase, folding a flap of the pillowcase to slide the flap between the pillow and front panel of the main body, tucking the free edge of the flap between the pillow and the bottom edge of the main body to secure the pillow and untucking and releasing the flap from the main body to remove the pillow from the pillowcase by pulling by a user.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of tuck and done pillowcase of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The tuck and done pillowcase 100 of the present invention is designed as an improved pillowcase 100 for making the process of changing pillowcases faster and easier. More specifically, the pillowcase 100 has a main body 102 formed of a front panel 104 and a rear panel 106. The front panel 104 and the rear panel 106 are stitched together along a pair of side edges 108, 110 and a common bottom edge 112 for forming a housing 114 for storing a pillow. A top opening 116 is used for sliding in a pillow for accommodating in the housing 114 wherein the stitched panels 104, 106 support the accommodated pillow.
The panels 104, 106 are substantially rectangular with the top opening 116 and the common bottom edge 112 forming the longer side of the housing 114. The side edges 108, 110 form the shorter longitudinal side of the pillowcase 100. A user can slide a pillow into the housing 114 through the top opening 116 as illustrated in FIG. 2 for the housing 114 to easily accommodate the pillow. It should be noted that the improved pillowcase 100 has the pillow opening 116 along the longer side of the main body 102 unlike conventional pillowcases, therefore eliminates forcing or manipulating a pillow inside the pillowcase 100. The pillowcase 100 has a flexible flap portion 118 extending from the rear panel 106. In the preferred embodiment, the flap portion 118 and the rear panel 106 have a one-piece construction or alternatively the flap portion 118 can be sewn to the top edge 120 of the rear panel 106.
The flap portion 118 has a length (shown by arrow A) which is at least 95% of the length of the main body 102 (shown by arrow B). The length of the flap portion 118 preferably ranges from about 95% to about 101% of the length of the main body 102. The width (shown by arrow C) of the flap portion 118 ranges from about 95% to about 104% of the width (shown by arrow D) of the main body 102. The flap portion 118 is designed to fold and tuck into the housing 102 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 to secure the accommodated pillow. The flap 118 prevents the pillow from slipping out of the pillowcase 100 during use.
In exemplary embodiments, the pillowcase 100 is approximately 20 inches in width and 26 inches in length. The 20- inch sides 108, 110 of the pillowcase 110 are sewn closed to provide a snug fit around the pillow. It should be appreciated that the tuck and done pillowcase 100 can come in different colors and designs to match preferences of users and complement bedding decor. The pillowcase 100 can have a logo or indicia 122 for providing personalization to the pillowcase.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the process of inserting a pillow inside the pillowcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. For enclosing the pillow 202 by the pillowcase 100, the pillow 202 is positioned to align a length 204 of the pillow 202 with the length of the pillowcase 100 and align a width 206 of the pillow 202 with the width of the pillowcase 100. The flap 118 remains in an extended or unfolded position as illustrated in FIG. 2 allowing a user to slide in the pillow 202 into the housing 114 through the top opening 116. The main body 102 encloses the pillow 202 to completely cover the pillow 202.
As illustrated, the pillow 202 easily slides into the housing 114 and can abut against the bottom edge 112 of the main body 102. The panels 102, 104 adhere to the pillow 202 and protect the pillow 202 from external elements.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view showing the process of securing the pillow inside the pillowcase using the flap portion in accordance with the disclosed architecture. An advantage of the pillowcase device with pillow securing flap 100 is that it secures the accommodated pillow 202 inside the main body 102, thereby preventing the pillow 202 from sliding out therefrom. More specifically, when the pillow 202 is accommodated inside the main body 102, the flap 118 is folded as shown by arrow “E” allowing the free edge 124 of the flap 118 to insert inside the main body 102. The flap 118 is inserted such that the flap 118 is slid between the front panel 104 and the front surface 208 (the surface to adhere front panel 104 as illustrated in FIG. 2 ) of the pillow 202. The flap 118 is tucked in with the free edge 124 of the flap 118 tucked in between the pillow 202 and the bottom edge 112 to secure the pillow 202 and to position the flap 118 in a tucked in or installed position. The flap 118 closes the top opening 116 covering the pillow 202 thus preventing slipping of the pillow 202.
For interchanging the pillow 202, the flap 118 can be pulled out from the main body 102 to release the pillow 202 and transform the flap 118 from the installed position to the extended or unfolded position. The pillow 202 can be removed from the pillowcase 100 and can be easily interchanged.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram depicting a process of securing a pillow using the tuck and done pillowcase of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. Initially, a pillow is inserted inside the pillowcase through the top opening for accommodating inside the main body of the pillowcase (Step 402). Then, the flap 118 is folded to slide between the pillow and front panel of the housing (Step 404). Thereafter, the free edge 124 of the flap 118 is tucked between the pillow 202 and the bottom edge 112 of the main body 102 to secure the pillow 202 (Step 406). Finally, to remove the pillow 202 from the pillowcase 100, the flap 118 is pulled by a user, thereby untucking and releasing the flap 118 from the main body 102 (Step 408).
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “tuck and done pillowcase”, “improved pillowcase”, “pillowcase”, and “pillowcase with pillow securing flap” are interchangeable and refer to the pillow securing tucking pillowcase 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the pillow securing tucking pillowcase 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the pillow securing tucking pillowcase 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the pillow securing tucking pillowcase 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the pillow securing tucking pillowcase 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the pillow securing tucking pillowcase 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tuck flap pillowcase comprising:

a pillowcase having a main body formed of a front panel, a rear panel, a flexible flap, and a top opening between said front panel and said rear panel;

wherein said front panel and said rear panel stitched together along a pair of side edges and along a common bottom edge of a housing for storing a pillow;

wherein said pair of side edges form shorter opposing sides of said pillowcase;

wherein said top opening formed between a top edge of said front panel and a top edge of said rear panel;

wherein said top opening and said common bottom edge formed along opposing longer sides of said housing;

wherein said pair of side edges formed along opposing shorter sides of said housing;

wherein the pillow is slid into said housing through said top opening;

wherein said flexible flap extends from said top edge of said rear panel; and

further wherein said flexible flap folds and tucks into said housing for securing the pillow in said housing.

2. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 1, wherein said flexible flap and said rear panel are of one-piece construction.

3. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 1, wherein said flexible flap is sewn to said top edge of said rear panel.

4. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 2, wherein said flexible flap having a flap length of at least 95% of a length of said housing.

5. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 4, wherein said flexible flap having a flap length from 95% to 101% of a length of said housing.

6. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 5, wherein said flexible flap having a flap width from 95% to 104% of a width of said housing.

7. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 6, wherein said housing having a length of at least 130% of a width of said housing.

8. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 7, wherein said front panel and said rear panel are generally rectangular.

9. A tuck flap pillowcase comprising:

wherein said pair of side edges form shorter opposing sides of said pillowcase;

wherein the pillow is slid into said housing through said top opening;

wherein said flexible flap extends from said top edge of said rear panel;

wherein said flexible flap folds and tucks into said housing for securing the pillow in said housing;

wherein said flexible flap having a flap length of at least 95% of a length of said housing; and

further wherein said flexible flap having a flap width from 95% to 104% of a width of said housing.

10. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 9, wherein said flexible flap and said rear panel are of one-piece construction.

11. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 9, wherein said flexible flap is sewn to said top edge of said rear panel.

12. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 9, wherein said flexible flap having a flap length from 95% to 101% of a length of said housing.

13. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 12, wherein said housing having a length of at least 130% of a width of said housing.

14. The tuck flap pillowcase of claim 12, wherein said front panel and said rear panel are generally rectangular.

15. A method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pillowcase having a main body formed of a front panel, a rear panel, a flexible flap, and a top opening between said front panel and said rear panel;

stitching together said front panel and said rear panel along a pair of side edges and along a common bottom edge of a housing for storing a pillow;

wherein said pair of side edges form shorter opposing sides of said pillowcase;

sliding the pillow into said housing through said top opening;

wherein said flexible flap extends from said top edge of said rear panel;

folding and tucking said flexible flap into said housing between said front panel and the pillow; and

securing the pillow in said housing.

16. The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of claim 15, wherein said flexible flap having a flap length of at least 95% of a length of said housing; and further wherein said flexible flap having a flap width from 95% to 104% of a width of said housing.

17. The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of claim 15, wherein said flexible flap and said rear panel are of one-piece construction.

18. The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of claim 15, wherein said flexible flap is sewn to said top edge of said rear panel.

19. The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of claim 15, wherein said flexible flap having a flap length from 95% to 101% of a length of said housing.

20. The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of claim 15, wherein said housing having a length of at least 130% of a width of said housing.