Patent Publication Number: US-11045010-B2

Title: Pillow cover and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application No. 29/695,610 filed Jun. 20, 2019, and claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/804,894 filed Feb. 13, 2019, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a pillow cover and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a pillow cover with extended ends functioning as a covering. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Blankets and pillows are common bedding items. However, both items perform a singular function. While there are products which transform a blanket into other objects, including pillows, there is a need for a pillow cover which provides the functionality of sheets and blankets. 
     Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a pillow cover with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides a pillow cover which includes a pocket for receiving a pillow and blanket or sheet material extending away from the pocket to provide a combination pillow and blanket. This provides a comfortable sleeping object which allows for additional covering of the arms and/or body while also providing a sleeping surface for the user&#39;s head. 
     The blanket or sheet material may end in a covering flap along one or more of its edges. These covering flaps provide a cavity for receiving a portion of the user&#39;s body, such as an arm. These flaps may further be secured on one end with a seam to form a partially closed pocket, or the flaps may be free along their ends. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear plan view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a side sectional view taken about the line of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in a typical environment of a pillow being inserted into the embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in a typical environment of a pillow inserted into the embodiment and a portion of a sleeve element being lifted. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
     II. Preferred Embodiment Pillow Covering  2   
     As shown the figures, the present invention provides a combination pillow covering and blanket device  2 . A sleeve  4  forms a pocket  6  within the covering  10  which receives a pillow  26  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . A flap  8  may optionally be included to fold over the end of the pillow once inserted into the pocket  6 . 
     The edges of the covering  10  provide a blanket or sheet to be used to cover a portion of the user&#39;s body. The covering  10  extends away from the sleeve  4  some distances such that it can be used as a covering, at least six inches on either side. These edges include a covering flap  12  along the side  18  and rear  20  edge of the covering  10 . The front edge  22  does not include a covering flap  12  in the preferred embodiment. This covering flap  12  covers a pocket  14  for receiving a portion of a user&#39;s body, such as their arm. Thus, this covering flap  12  must be wide enough to cover a user&#39;s arm, at least 4 inches wide. 
       FIG. 3  shows the rear face  24  of the covering  10 . 
     The ends of the flaps  12  can be sewn along a seam  16  to close those ends off, or they may be left open in an alternative embodiment. 
     An embodiment of the invention could leave the flaps  12  off of the covering  10 , and the covering  10  edges could still be used to wrap about portions of the user&#39;s body while still using the pillow insert sleeve  4 . 
     It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.