Abstract:
A bedding case including a plurality of pockets, each pocket incorporating a pair of flexible sheets, wherein each pocket opens longitudinally or opens oppositely longitudinally, wherein each flexible sheet has a face side and a reverse side, wherein each flexible sheet pair&#39;s sheets have their reverse sides facing away from each other; and including stitching interconnecting the pockets, the stitching vertically stacking the pockets so that, upon an eversion of one of the pockets, the one pocket&#39;s paired flexible sheets invert and outwardly display their face sides, the one pocket&#39;s eversion storing each of the other pockets within the one pocket.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to bedding such as bed pillows and bed covering duvets, and broadly including decorative pillows, cushions, and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to flexible cases, enveloping covers, and closures for such items. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Conventional pillow cases and duvet covers comprise paired upper and lower flexible sheets, each such sheet having a finished or face side and a reverse side. Such paired flexible sheets commonly form a pocket which typically presents only two decorative or finished outer appearances, one decorative side being at a first side of the pillow or duvet, and the other decorative side being at a side opposite the first side. 
         [0003]    The instant inventive bedding case, through special arrangements of provided flexible pockets and their component sheets, preserves the above described functionality of conventional duvet and pillow cases while enabling the case to alternatively present and display multiple additional finished surfaces. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The types of bedding which are intended to be receivable and encaseable within instant inventive case include common bed pillows and bed covering duvets or continental quilts. Other types of pillows and cushions, including those found in living spaces outside of bedrooms are considered as constituting “bedding” items which are served by the instant inventive case. 
         [0005]    A first structural component of the instant inventive bedding case comprises a plurality of flexible and evertable pockets. In a suitable embodiment, the pocket plurality may include as few as two pockets. Alternatively, the pocket plurality may comprise a stacked array of as many as four pockets. In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, each of the case&#39;s pockets comprises a pair of rectangular and longitudinally oblongated flexible sheets. Alternatively, the side lengths of such sheets may be substantially equal, squaring their rectangular configurations. 
         [0006]    In a preferred embodiment of the inventive bedding case, each of the pockets&#39; flexible sheet pairs is composed of fabric, each such sheet preferably having a face side and a reverse side (i.e., the fabric&#39;s respective “right” and “wrong” sides). The paired face surfaces or sides of each flexible sheet pair are preferably initially arranged in direct abutting contact with each other (i.e., facing each other) while such sheets&#39; reverses or “wrong sides” correspondingly face away from each other. 
         [0007]    Further structural components of the inventive bedding case comprise attaching means (preferably stitching, and suitably alternatively adhesive bonds, thermally fused bonds, stapled seams, riveted seams, “Velcro” seams, or cross laced seams) which securely interconnect the pockets&#39; paired sheets. In the preferred embodiment, the attaching means position and hold the pockets in a vertically stacked array or series. Such arrangement of the pockets advantageously allows a selection and eversion of one of the pockets to invert and outwardly display both of the selected pocket&#39;s finished faces, and to simultaneously draw each of the other pockets into the selected pocket. 
         [0008]    The inventive case&#39;s facilitation of a selection and eversion of one pocket advantageously allows the selected pocket to dually function as a decorative cover and as container for compact and convenient storage of each of the case&#39;s other pockets. Each of the other pockets incorporated within the inventive case is preferably capable of, upon its alternative selection and eversion, similarly performing such dual functions. In a preferred embodiment, a zipper closure is sewn at each of the pockets&#39; openings. Snaps, buttons, “Velcro” fasteners, or lacings may suitably be used in place of a zipper. 
         [0009]    In use of the instant inventive bedding case, an interior decorator may initially manually splay the openings of each of the case&#39;s pockets and may successively view their finished interior wall surfaces. Such interior viewing of the pockets facilitates the decorator&#39;s selection of a pair of fabric faces which will temporarily function as decorative outer pillow case or duvet cover surfaces. 
         [0010]    Following the selection of such pair of finished pillow or duvet outer surfaces, the decorator may simply and conveniently evert the pocket which includes the selected surfaces. Upon such pocket eversion, the two chosen decorative finished faces are advantageously inverted for outward display, while each of the case&#39;s other pockets are simultaneously drawn into and are stored within the selected everted pocket. Thereafter, a pillow or duvet may be stuffed into the newly defined interior of the selected everted pocket adjacent the other stored pockets. The everted pocket may then be closed by means of, for example, an attached zipper fastener. 
         [0011]    Reversal of steps described above, including a re-eversion of the previously selected pocket, advantageously reconfigures the inventive bedding case at the above described initial configuration. Thereafter, a different or alternative pocket selection and eversion may proceed. 
         [0012]    Accordingly, objects of the instant invention include the provision of a bedding case which incorporates features and structures as described above, and which arranges those features and structures in relation to each other in manners described above for the achievement of benefits, as described above. 
         [0013]    Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages of the instant invention will become known to those skilled in the art upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, and upon review of the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of paired sheet components of the instant inventive bedding case. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  presents alternate perspective views of the structures depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  presents an assembled view of the structures depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  redepicts the structures of  FIG. 3 , the view of  FIG. 3  alternatively showing an attachment of an additional pair of flexible sheets. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  presents an alternative perspective view of the structures depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  presents an alternate configuration of the structures of  FIG. 3 , the view of  FIG. 5  showing an upper pocket component everted. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  redepicts the structure of  FIG. 5 , the view of  FIG. 6  showing the structure of  FIG. 5  rotated 180° about a vertical axis. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  presents an alternate configuration of the structure of  FIG. 6 , the view of  FIG. 7  showing a zipper closure opened. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  presents a second alternate configuration of the structures of  FIG. 3 , the view of  FIG. 8  showing a lower pocket component everted. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  presents an alternate configuration of the structure of  FIG. 8 , the view of  FIG. 9  showing a zipper closure opened. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view as indicated in  FIG. 9 , the view of  FIG. 10  additionally showing a pillow or duvet received within an interior pocket space. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a magnified partial view as indicated in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular simultaneously to Drawing  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a preferred embodiment of the instant inventive bedding case is referred to generally by Reference Arrow  1 . The case  1  preferably comprises, as depicted, a plurality of pockets stacked in a vertical array or series. In the example of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an uppermost pocket among such pocket plurality has a longitudinal opening whose lips are bordered by attached zipper halves  12  and  28 . Correspondingly, a lowermost pocket among such pocket plurality has an oppositely longitudinal opening whose lips are bordered by zipper halves  42  and  60 . The zipper closures  12 , 28  and  42 , 60  are intended as being representative of other releasable fastening means such as “Velcro” or flexible hook and loop pad fasteners, button and buttonhole combination fasteners, snap fasteners, button and button loop combination fasteners, hook and eye combination fasteners, and lacings which may be suitably substituted. 
         [0027]    Referring simultaneously to  FIGS. 1-3 and 4 , the upper and lower longitudinally opening and oppositely longitudinally opening pockets preferably comprise pairs of flexible sheets  2  and  16 , and  30  and  46 , each sheet among said pairs of sheet preferably being configured substantially rectangularly, such configurations including a square configuration. The base or floor ends of such pockets are preferably permanently closed by laterally extending lines of stitching  68  and  70 . 
         [0028]    Each of the sheets  2 ,  16 ,  30 , and  46  has a face or “right” side identified by reference numerals  14 ,  18 ,  44 , and  48  respectively. Correspondingly, such sheets have reverse or “wrong” sides  2 ,  17 ,  32 , and  62 , respectively. The face sides  14 ,  18 ,  44 , and  48 , of the sheets  2 ,  16 ,  30 , and  46 , preferably have varying finished and decorative surfaces which are respectively represented by the checkerboard pattern of finished face  14 , the broad striped pattern of finished face  18 , the solid color feature of finished face  44 , and the narrow striped pattern of finished face  48 . Referring in particular to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , such face side patterns and features  14 ,  18 ,  44 , and  48 , are represented as thin layers or stratums which decoratively overlie their underlying sheet matrices  2 ,  16 ,  30 , and  46 , each such sheet matrix having a “wrong” or reverse side  3 ,  17 ,  32 , and  62 , respectively. Such right side face stratums may commonly comprise fabric print patterns and appliques. Suitably, such face sides may alternatively comprise finished textures such as the cut pile of velour, finished sides of woven cloth, finished embroidery, finished patchwork, the grain side of leather or other finished fabric and cloth surfaces. The depicted face surface examples  14 ,  18 ,  44 , and  48  are intended as being representative of all of the various decorative finished fabric surfaces which may be incorporated into the face sides of material having “right” and “wrong” sides. According to the orientation of sheets as drawn in  FIGS. 1-3 and 4 , sheets  2 ,  16 ,  30 , and  46  respectively have longitudinal ends  8 ,  26 ,  38 , and  54 ; oppositely longitudinal ends  10 ,  24 ,  40 , and  56 ; lateral ends  6 ,  22 ,  36 , and  52 ; and oppositely lateral ends  4 ,  20 ,  34 , and  50 . 
         [0029]    Referring simultaneously to  FIG. 1-3 , the instant inventive bedding case  1  preferably further comprises attaching means which interconnect the plurality of pockets (e.g. sheet pair  2  and  16  connected with sheet pair  30  and  46 ), such attaching means arranging the pockets so that they are stacked in a vertically extending series or array. The attaching means may suitably comprise longitudinally extending lines of sewn stitching  66  and  64  which are respectively positioned at the lateral and oppositely lateral ends of the sheets  2 ,  16 ,  30 , and  46 . Such lines of stitching  66  and  64  are intended as being representative of other attaching means which may be suitably substituted such as adhesive bonds, thermally fused bonds, riveted seams, stapled seams, snap fastened seams, buttoned fastened seams, and flexible hook and loop pad fastened seams. 
         [0030]    In use of the instant inventive bedding case, an interior decorator may initially manually splay the longitudinal ends  8  and  26  of upper pocket  2 , 16  in order to view such pocket&#39;s initially inwardly oriented finished faces  14  and  18 . Thereafter, the decorator may splay the oppositely longitudinal ends  40  and  56  of the lower pocket  30 , 46  in order to view such pocket&#39;s initially inwardly oriented finished surfaces  44  and  48 . Following viewing such inward pairs of finished sheet surfaces, the decorator may select a pair of surfaces which will aesthetically compliment the case&#39;s usage environment. Thereafter, the decorator may evert the pocket which includes the selected pair of finished surfaces. 
         [0031]    Upon executing the above splaying and viewing steps, the decorator may, for example, initially select finished sheet faces  14  and  18  for display at the opposing outer surfaces of the bedding case. Thereafter, the decorator may evert the upper pocket which includes the selected faces, such eversion reorienting the bedding case&#39;s sheets  2  and  16  at their  FIG. 5  configurations. Such upper pocket eversion advantageously inverts sheet  2  longitudinally end to end and causes such sheet&#39;s finished face  14  to be reoriented upwardly with zippered end  8  reoriented oppositely longitudinally. Such upper pocket eversion simultaneously inverts sheet  16  to cause its finished face  18  to be displayed downwardly with its zippered longitudinal end  26  reoriented oppositely longitudinally. Simultaneously with such eversion of the upper pocket from the  FIG. 3  configuration to assume the  FIG. 5  configuration, the lower pocket consisting of sheets  30  and  46  is drawn between the newly outwardly facing sheets  2  and  16 , such sheets  30  and  46  being conveniently stored therebetween. 
         [0032]    A re-everting reversal of the steps described above may advantageously return the bedding case  1  to the  FIG. 3  configuration, such re-eversion allowing a successive re-decorating selection and eversion of the case&#39;s lower pocket.  FIGS. 4 and 8  represent such alternative pocket eversion (and alternative outer facing surface reconfiguration) wherein the lower pocket consisting of sheets  30  and  46  are positioned at their  FIG. 8  configuration. As indicated in  FIG. 9 , such alternative pocket eversion compactly inwardly stores sheets  16  and  2 . 
         [0033]    Referring simultaneously to  FIGS. 1-3 and 4 , it may be seen that the upper pocket including sheet pair  2 , 16 , opens longitudinally and the lower pocket comprising sheet pair  30 , 46  opens oppositely longitudinally. Such alternating longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal positioning of the pockets&#39; openings desirably assures that an eversion of the upper pocket causes zipper closure  12 , 28  to overlie the stitched pocket floor  70  of the inwardly encased lower pocket, and alternatively assures that, upon eversion of the lower pocket, zipper  42 , 60  overlies stitched pocket floor  68 . Such alternating longitudinal and oppositely longitudinal positionings of the pockets&#39; openings advantageously prevents each pocket&#39;s zipper closure (or other releasable closing means) from contacting and interfering with that of the other pocket. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 8-10 , upon an everting configuration of the bedding case  1  for decorative use as indicated in  FIG. 9 , a bedding pillow, couch pillow or cushion, or duvet  90  having a cloth cover  91  may be slidably inserted into the formed interior concavity  92 . Thereafter, zipper  42 , 60  may be closed as indicated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , all structures identified by a reference numerals having the suffix “A” are configured substantially identically with similarly numbered structures appearing in  FIG. 3 . In the  FIG. 3A  alternative, a third evertable pocket  82 , 84  is stitched to the first and at least second evertable pockets which are represented in  FIG. 3 . Similarly with sheets  30 A and  46 A, sheets  82  and  84  form a zipper adapted oppositely longitudinally opening end  86 . The abutting inwardly facing surfaces of such third pocket  82 , 84  preferably include a pair of different decorative or finished fabric faces (not shown in view) which, upon eversion, will face outwardly from the pillow&#39;s or duvet&#39;s surfaces. The addition of such third pocket  82 , 84  is intended as being representative of further and additional pocket additions. For example, a four pocket version of the inventive case will allow the decorator to select among four pairs of different fabric faces. 
         [0036]    Referring further to  FIG. 3A , while sheets  82 ,  84 ,  2 A,  16 A,  30 A, and  46 A are drawn as relatively thin fabric sheets, such sheets may alternatively comprise soft quilted material having an increased loft between ¾ inch and 1½ inches. Where, for example, the sheets  82 ,  84 ,  2 A,  16 A,  30 A, and  46 A have 1½″ lofts, the total thickness of the six layer stratification becomes nine inches. Such cumulative loft of the sheets may advantageously eliminate any need for an additional insertion of pillow cushioning. Accordingly, upon increasing the loft of the sheet components of the instant inventive case, the inventive case may advantageously further function as a duvet or pillow without any separate insertion of a duvet and pillow component. 
         [0037]    While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those skilled in the art may make modifications in the structure, arrangement, portions and components of the invention without departing from those principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the description and drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in the limiting sense, and that the invention be given a scope at least commensurate with the appended claims.