Patent Publication Number: US-2015074907-A1

Title: Smart Fitted Sheets

Description:
1. DESCRIPTION 
     This invention relates to mattress coverings, more specifically a mattress covering that attaches a flexible panel in place of elastic bands, cords or strips within the four bottom corners hem of a traditional mattress covering, where they are sewn in order to secure a tighter fit, while keeping the application of said invention efficient. 
     2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is a known issue among users that fitted sheets can easily become loose. Even when they seem secure at first, they may shrink over time. Many Inventors have taken on the challenge to fix said problem while adding steps to the application of the fitted sheet or the manufacturing process. This has provided alternatives to the market that can either be more time consuming in bedding application and removal, more costly in the process of manufacture or for the customer to purchase. 
     Some examples include additional panels or gussets, that change the existing aesthetic of a simple mattress cover. Others require that you make folds, pull drawstrings, or secure straps to the bed. The Smart Fitted Sheets address the problem, while embodying all that is required in a secure fitted bed sheet. The flexible panels are attached in a way that the corners of the fitted sheet are still simply pinched with the hand and secured over the corners of the mattress. For removal of the fitted sheet, you simply grasp the bottom hem as you would a traditional cover. There are no gaps of material for the corners of the mattress to get stuck. 
     The flexible panels replace any elastic cord or strap that would typically be sewn into the bottom corner hem of fitted bed sheets. This replaces a step in normal manufacturing where the strip is enclosed in the corner hem and instead anchors the panel. It makes for simple application and removal, while still being affordable. While following proper care instructions; it would provide customers with a superior product. 
     3. PRIOR ART 
     In application US2005-0011007 A1, triangular panels were offered as a way to extend the pocket and provide a more secure fit. The panels to this application however, are made of sheet fabric, with an elastic hem. This would apply more pressure to the hem and not provide an additional pull from the fabric panels. With flexible fabric panels that are not made out of the standard bed sheet material would offer additional elasticity, making it easier to apply said covering to the corner of the mattress and allow for tug on a broader area while the sheet was in use. 
     In application US2011-0314604 A1, there are panels that extend up the side of the mattress in the shape of trapezoids. Said application also illustrates the panels running along the sides of the head and foot of the mattress. Flexible panels attached to the bottom portion of the mattress cover would simply add additional pocket, pull and friction to the standard bed sheet without changing the aesthetic of the fitted sheet. 
     In Patent U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,156 A, use a combination of an elastic gusset on the side and the bottom with the fitted sheet material and binding strips. There are multiple steps added to the manufacturing process in order to get the same result that a simple flexible panel would add without interfering with the top aesthetic of the bedding and the additional pieces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,454,463 describes a panel that is attached by two sides to the mattress cover. It would appear that adding a triangular panel would be common knowledge to someone skilled in the craft. The difference is the introduction of a panel that is entirely flexible on all four corners. It is not the same material as the fitted sheet in order to provide the additional flexibility to the invention during application and use. 
     In Patent U.S. Pat. No. 2,994,094 A, there are again triangular panels that do not have the elasticity offered by flexible panels. Instead they rely on strips of elastic material at the seams to provide additional stretch. 
     In Patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,941, There are flexible panels that extend over the sides of the corner and the mattress. This could add unneeded stress to the corners versus the tug coming from the bottom flexible panels that would serve as an anchor to the traditional fitted mattress cover. 
     In Patent U.S. Pat. No. 7,530,124 B1, there are elastic bands that are applied at the same 45 degree angle the flexible panels would cover. Application and removal over the corners would be simpler without the open space. The flexible panels would more evenly distribute the stress applied to the fabric for the overall crisscrossed tug under the mattress cover instead of targeting it to smaller points. 
     In Patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,847 A, elastic is being used to encircle the edges of the panels that are made of bed sheet material and around the entirety of the bottom hem, again relying more on the elasticity of the hem than allowing the panels themselves to serve as an added anchor, friction and pull applied to the fitted sheet. 
     4. SUMMARY 
     The benefit of this invention is that it provides the traditional fitted sheet in addition to the flexible panels that provide needed security, added pull and friction, while the application of the item is still efficient. The flexible panels are used in the corners of the fitted sheet in place of the standard elastic strip or cord. This application of support does not interfere with the desired aesthetic of bedding while creating a secure hold on the fitted sheet. 
    
    
     
       5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is the bottom side view of a mattress with covering attached, making clear the panels that are attached to the traditional fitted sheet 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective of an inside corner where the elastic panel is visibly anchored down by the bottom hem of the fitted bed sheet replacing an elastic cord or strap that is most traditionally used to serve as a tubular insert on the corner. 
         FIG. 2  also illustrates the continuation of the bottom hem that is not occupied by a flexible panel, more specifically where an elastic strip could be placed if desired. 
     
    
    
     6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a standard fitted bed sheet with four flexible panels anchored by the bottom corner hem of the sheet instead of elastic strip, cords or the like. 
     Specifically shown in  FIG. 1  a fitted sheet  3  that covers the tops ends and sides of the mattress stitched together as a singular unit. The body is composed of a top, corners, sides and sometimes a bottom portion sewn together at different angles and by various stitching methods. The mattress covering  3  may be comprised of different fabrics used in the trade, such as bamboo, linen, silk, cotton, sateen, cotton blends and the like. 
       FIG. 2  shows the bottom hem  5  of the fitted covering instead of encasing elastic cords or bands on the corner portion, anchoring flexible panel  4  into place. The panel  4  may also be comprised of different flexible fabrics such as Lycra, polyester, cotton blend, nylon, similar blends or the like, ranging in denier to best accommodate the type of fabric fitted sheet that it is applied to in order to anchor. There may be an elastic strip  6  or cord added along the bottom hems of the smart fitted sheet where the corner hem is not occupied by the flexible panels  4 , as some fitted sheets are made. The smart fitted sheet and the elastic panels may both be woven in a way that would best render the fitted sheet and flexible panel in the desired embodiment of fabric type and size of a unit. 
     Specifically shown in  FIG. 2  is the hem  5  that may encompass different forms of stitching, in a single or multiple stitch or fold in order to best anchor panel  4 . A secured stitch sewing machine, or the like, may be used to apply the bottom hem  5  and said panel  4  or any additional elastic rendering  6  to the hems that are not anchoring the panels. 
     Those skilled in the trade will understand the construction of and modifications that can be applied to the described embodiments that are within the spirit and the scope of the present invention.