Patent Publication Number: US-2007094794-A1

Title: Scented disposable bed liner and pillow liner

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The application claims the benefit of United States Provisional application, Ser. No. 60/732,362, filed Nov. 1, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Hotels and individuals have long utilized bed mattresses with bed coverings. However, a problem associated with the bed mattresses is that objectionable odors can permeate from the bed mattress after several months of use.  
      Further, hotels and individuals have long utilized pillows on beds. However a problem associated with pillows is that objectionable odors can also permeate from the pillows after several months of use.  
      Accordingly, the inventor herein has recognized a need for a disposable bed liner and a disposable pillow liner that are both constructed from a durable non-woven material that has a desired fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto such that the objectionable odors from the bed mattress and pillow are reduced.  
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      A disposable bed liner in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The disposable bed liner includes a disposable sheet of non-woven fabric configured to cover a portion of a bed mattress. The disposable sheet has a predetermined fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto. The disposable bed liner further includes at least one elastic band attached to the disposable sheet for affixing the disposable sheet on the bed mattress.  
      A method for utilizing a disposable bed liner on a bed mattress in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The method includes positioning a disposable sheet of non-woven fabric on the bed mattress. The disposable sheet having a predetermined fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto having a desired odor. The method further includes positioning a bed sheet over the disposable sheet on the bed mattress. The method further includes removing the disposable sheet from the bed mattress after use of the disposable sheet. The method further includes disposing of the disposable sheet in a trash receptacle.  
      A disposable bed liner in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The disposable bed liner includes a disposable sheet of non-woven fabric configured to cover a portion of a bed mattress. The disposable sheet has a predetermined bug repellant powder or liquid applied thereto. The disposable bed liner further includes at least one elastic band attached to the disposable sheet for affixing the disposable sheet on the bed mattress.  
      A disposable pillow liner for a pillow in accordance with another exemplary embodiment is provided. The disposable pillow liner includes a disposable bag constructed of a non-woven fabric configured to receive a pillow therein. The disposable bag has a predetermined fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of a bed having a box spring, a mattress, and a disposable bed liner;  
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the disposable bed liner of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the disposable bed liner and the mattress of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a disposable sheet utilized to construct the disposable bed liner of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are flowcharts of a method for manufacturing the disposable bed liner of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a method for utilizing the disposable bed liner of  FIG. 1  on a bed mattress;  
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a pillow and a disposable pillow liner in accordance with another exemplary embodiment;  
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing the disposable pillow liner of  FIG. 8 ; and  
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method of using the disposable pillow liner of  FIG. 8 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a bed  10  for supporting one or more persons thereon is illustrated. The bed  10  includes a box spring  12 , a mattress  14 , and a disposable bed liner  16  is illustrated. The bed liner  16  is configured to be disposed over the mattress  14  and thereafter a bed sheet (not shown) can be placed on top of the bed liner  16 .  
      The mattress  14  is disposed on top of the box spring  12  and is provided to support a person thereon. The mattress  14  has a generally rectangular shape and includes corners  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The mattress  14  can be one of a twin-sized mattress, a full-sized mattress, a queen-sized mattress, and a king-sized mattress. Of course, the mattress  14  can comprise other sizes known to those skilled in the art.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the disposable bed liner  16  is configured to be disposed over the mattress  14 . The disposable bed liner  16  includes a disposable sheet  40 , elastic bands  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  and stitches  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . The disposable sheet  40  is constructed from a rectangular sheet of non-woven fabric that is relatively durable and is disposable (e.g., can be thrown in a garbage receptacle after use). The non-woven fabric comprises a substantially randomly disposed array of fibers. The fibers comprise one or more of polyester fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyamide fibers, rayon fibers, or the like. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, the disposable sheet  40  can comprise non-woven polyester interfacing sold by Pellon Division at 3440 Industrial Drive, Durham, N.C. 27704. In another exemplary embodiment, the disposable sheet  40  can comprise non-woven polyester interfacing sold by Jiffy Flex at 141 Lanza Avenue, Garfield, N.J. 07026. In another exemplary embodiment, the disposable sheet  40  can comprise non-woven polyester interfacing sold by Shaping Aid at 141 Lanza Avenue, Garfield, N.J. 07026.  
      In one exemplary embodiment, the disposable sheet  40  has a fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto. The fragrant powder or liquid can comprise a hypo-allergenic fragrant powder or liquid. In another exemplary embodiment, the disposable sheet  40  has a bug repellent powder or liquid applied thereto. The bug repellent powder can comprise one or more of a pyrethoid powder, a pyrethrum powder, a pyrethrin powder, a permetherin powder, a permethrin powder, a diethyltoluamide powder, a deltamethrin powder, a chlorfenapyr powder, a diatomaceous powder, and a deet powder. The bug repellent liquid can comprise one or more of a pyrethoid liquid, a pyrethrum liquid, a pyrethrin liquid, a permetherin liquid, a permethrin liquid, a diethyltoluamide liquid, a deltamethrin liquid, a chlorfenapyr liquid, a diatomaceous liquid, and a deet liquid. Of course, in another exemplary embodiment, both the fragrant powder or liquid and the bug repellent powder or liquid could be applied to the sheet  40 . Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , in an exemplary embodiment, the disposable bed liner  16  is disposed over a top surface of the mattress  14 , the four side surfaces of the mattress  14 , and a portion of a bottom surface of the mattress  14 . In another exemplary embodiment, the disposable bed liner  16  is disposed over the top surface of the mattress  14  and portions of the four side surfaces of the mattress  14 . The disposable bed liner  16  can be configured to cover a twin-sized mattress, a full-sized mattress, a queen-sized mattress, and a king-sized mattress. Of course, the disposable bed liner  16  can be configured to cover mattresses having other sizes known to those skilled in the art.  
      The elastic bands  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  are utilized to snugly hold the disposable bed liner  16  against the four corners of the mattress  14 . The elastic bands  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  are stitched to the disposable sheet  40  proximate the pocket portions  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , respectively of the disposable sheet  40 . When the disposable bed liner  16  is placed on the mattress  14 , the pocket portions  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  are configured to receive corners  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 , respectively, of the mattress  14  therein. In another exemplary embodiment, the elastic bands  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48  are replaced with one elastic band (not shown) that is disposed around a periphery of the disposable sheet  40  and stitched to the disposable sheet  40 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 - 6 , a method for manufacturing the disposable bed liner  16  will now be described.  
      At step  110 , the disposable sheet  40  of non-woven fabric is cut into a generally rectangular shape having a predetermined size.  
      At step  112 , rectangular corner sections  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  of the disposable sheet  40  are removed from the disposable sheet  16 .  
      At step  114 , edge portions  70 ,  72  of the disposable sheet  40  are stitched together using stitches  50  to form the pocket portion  90 .  
      At step  116 , edge portions  74 ,  76  of the disposable sheet  40  are stitched together using stitches  52  to form pocket portion  92 .  
      At step  118 , edge portions  78 ,  80  of the disposable sheet  40  are stitched together using stitches  54  to form the pocket portion  94 .  
      At step  120 , the edge portions  82 ,  84  of the disposable sheet  40  are stitched together using stitches  56  to form the pocket portion  96 .  
      At step  122 , the elastic band  42  is stitched to the disposable sheet  40  proximate the pocket portion  90 .  
      At step  124 , the elastic band  44  is stitched to the disposable sheet  40  proximate the pocket portion  92 .  
      At step  126 , the elastic band  46  is stitched to the disposable sheet  40  proximate the pocket portion  94 .  
      At step  128 , the elastic band  48  is stitched to the disposable sheet  40  proximate the pocket portion  96 .  
      At step  130 , a fragrant powder or liquid is applied to the disposable sheet  40 .  
      At step  132 , a bug repellant powder or liquid is applied to the disposable sheet  40 . It should be noted that step  132  is an optional step. After step  132 , the method is exited.  
      Referring to  FIG. 7 , a method for using the disposable bed liner  16  will now be described.  
      At step  134 , a person queries a user of the bed  10  to determine a desired odor. In particular, the person can select a desired odor identifier from a list of odor identifiers, based on a desired odor that the user requests.  
      At step  136 , a person places the disposable bed liner  16 , constructed of a sheet of non-woven fabric, on the bed mattress  14 . The disposable bed liner  16  has a predetermined fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto having the desired odor.  
      At step  138 , a person places a bed sheet (not shown) over the disposable bed liner  16  disposed on the bed mattress  14 .  
      At step  139 , a person removes the bed sheet from the bed mattress  14  after use of the bed sheet by the user.  
      At step  140 , a person removes the disposable bed liner  16  from the bed mattress  14  after use of the disposable bed liner  16  by the user.  
      At step  142 , a person places the disposable bed liner  16  in a trash receptacle (not shown). After step  142 , the method is exited.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 , a pillow  160  and a disposable pillow liner  162  that can be utilized with the bed  10  is illustrated. The disposable pillow liner  162  is configured to fit over the pillow  160 . The disposable pillow liner  162  includes disposable sheet portions  164 ,  166  and stitches  170 ,  172 ,  174 . Both the disposable sheet portions  164 ,  166  comprise a rectangular sheet of non-woven fabric that is relatively durable and is disposable (e.g., can be thrown in a garbage receptacle after use). The non-woven fabric comprises a substantially randomly disposed array of fibers. The fibers comprise one or more of polyester fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyamide fibers, rayon fibers, or the like. The disposable sheet portions  164 ,  166  are stitched together along edges  176 ,  178 ,  180  utilizing stitches  170 ,  172 ,  174 , respectively. An open end  182  of the disposable pillow liner  162  has sufficient size to receive the pillow  160  therein.  
      In one exemplary embodiment, the disposable pillow liner  162  has a fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto. The fragrant powder or liquid can comprise a hypo-allergenic fragrant powder or liquid. In another exemplary embodiment, the disposable pillow liner  162  has a bug repellent powder or liquid applied thereto. The bug repellent powder can comprise one or more of a pyrethoid powder, a pyrethrum powder, a pyrethrin powder, a permetherin powder, a permethrin powder, a diethyltoluamide powder, a deltamethrin powder, a chlorfenapyr powder, a diatomaceous powder, and a deet powder. The bug repellent liquid can comprise one or more of a pyrethoid liquid, a pyrethrum liquid, a pyrethrin liquid, a permetherin liquid, a permethrin liquid, a diethyltoluamide liquid, a deltamethrin liquid, a chlorfenapyr liquid, a diatomaceous liquid, and a deet liquid. Of course, in another exemplary embodiment, both the fragrant powder or liquid and the bug repellent powder or liquid could be applied to the disposable pillow liner  162 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2, 8  and  9 , a method for manufacturing the disposable pillow liner  162  will now be described.  
      At step  190 , a disposable sheet of non-woven fabric is cut into rectangular sheet portions  164 ,  166  having a substantially similar size.  
      At step  192 , rectangular sheet portions  164 ,  166  are disposed on top of one another.  
      At step  194 , rectangular sheet portions  164 ,  166  are stitched together along edges  176 ,  178 ,  180  utilizing stitches  170 ,  172 ,  174 , respectively to form the disposable pillow liner  162 .  
      At step  196 , a fragrant powder or liquid is applied to the rectangular sheet portions  164 ,  166 . After step  196 , the method is exited.  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , a method for using the disposable pillow liner  162  will now be described.  
      At step  198 , a person queries a user of a pillow  160  to determine a desired odor.  
      At step  200 , a person places the disposable pillow liner  162 , constructed of a non-woven fabric, around the pillow  160 . The disposable pillow liner  162  has a predetermined fragrant powder or liquid applied thereto having the desired odor.  
      At step  202 , a person places a pillow cover (not shown) over the disposable pillow liner  162  disposed on the pillow  160 .  
      At step  203 , a person removes the pillow cover from the pillow  160  after use of the pillow cover by the user.  
      At step  204 , a person removes the disposable pillow liner  162  from the pillow  160  after use of the disposable pillow liner  162  by the user.  
      At step  206 , a person places the disposable pillow liner  162  in a trash receptacle (not shown). After step  206 , the method is exited.  
      The inventive disposable bed liner  16  and the disposable pillow liner  162  provide a substantial advantage over other bed covers and pillow covers. In particular, the disposable bed liner  16  is configured to emit a desired fragrance from a bed. The disposable bed liner  16  is constructed from a non-woven fabric which can be disposed of after a single use. The disposable bed liner  16  is particularly useful in a hotel environment where the bed liners could be disposed of after use by an occupant of the hotel room. Still further, the disposable pillow liner  162  is configured to emit a desired fragrance for reducing undesirable odors in the bed. The disposable pillow liner is also constructed from the non-woven fabric which can be disposed of after a single use.  
      While the invention is described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalence may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to the teachings of the invention to adapt to a particular situation without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the embodiment disclosed for carrying out this invention, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling with the scope of the intended claims. Moreover, the use of the term&#39;s first, second, etc. does not denote any order of importance, but rather the term&#39;s first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.