Patent Publication Number: US-2015064370-A1

Title: Floral-inspired bed linens, pillows and the like

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based on U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/871,003 filed Aug. 28, 2013. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to blankets, pillows, decorative coverings and the like, inspired by natural patterns, such as flower petals. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Floral prints, and even floral-shaped blankets, pillows, and decorative coverings are certainly nothing new. However, such products are typically printed with floral patterns and/or simply formed to simulate floral shapes and other naturally inspired shapes. The current invention is not merely a print or blanket shaped to simulate a floral shape, but instead is constructed with simulated “petals” that mimic the actual construction of a natural floral object. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, as shown the accompanying images,  FIGS. 1-5 , a segmented blanket, pillow or the like is created to mimic the natural arrangement of the petals of a chosen flower type. Unlike other designs to simulate a flower, a real flower is used as the template for the design of the blanket or pillow. 
     The petals can be removed from the original flower to better understand the geometry for the arrangement of the individual petals of a natural flower. Individual pieces of fabric are then constructed into simulated petals using the geometry of the petals of a natural flower as a pattern. The simulated petals thus constructed can now be arranged according to the arrangement of the real petals of a natural flower as shown in the original template flower. A center piece of fabric is then added, and the simulated petals are sewn together at the center only. The petals are not connected beyond the center area, and are free to move independently, similar to the petals in a real flower. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a real flower; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the individual petals of a real flower; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the arrangement of simulated petals used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the completed construction of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an alternate embodiment for the center-portion of the present invention, forming a pocket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     As shown in the accompanying images,  FIGS. 1-5 , a segmented blanket or pillow is created to mimic the natural arrangement of the petals of a specific flower type. The current images provide an example for creating the present invention to mimic a traditional “pansy” flower, and it should be understood that the same method and construction can be used to simulate any other natural floral petal arrangement, for example, the hibiscus flower. 
       FIG. 1  is an image of a standard pansy flower  10 , intact, with five distinct petals  11 - 15 . The five petals  11 - 15  can be separated into individual segments, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , each segment is than used to create a template for a fabric pattern, wherein a separate piece of fabric  21 - 25  is constructed to simulate each petal, and then the pieces of fabric, or simulated petals  21 - 25 , are arranged together to mimic the natural pattern of the original flower  20 . The arrangement for the simulated petals creates borders  30  which delineate each simulated petal. It should be understood that the fabrics for each simulated petal segment  21 - 25  can be of any material, and can be covered, or have added layers of quilting, or any other filling. By adding substantial filling to each layer, floral inspired pillows can be produced, or blankets, or other bed coverings and similar products. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the individual segments  21 - 25  are then secured together around a central area  40 , similar to the central connecting point of a flower in nature. The segments can either be secured to each other at a central focal point, or in the preferred embodiment, each segment is secured individually to a central fabric piece  41 . 
     In its finished form ( FIG. 4 ), the petals are only secured together at the central location  40  and  41 , with an optional circumferential sewing seam  42  added a short distance from the center. The circumferential seam  42  is located near the center, and the majority of each border  30  is left free, and unattached to the adjacent simulated petal. A small portion  31  of the border  30  is located between the center  41  and the circumferential seam  42 . Additional seams may be added along this inner portion  31  of each border, to secure the simulated petal segments together near the center. The individual segments (simulating petals) are otherwise free to move independently of one another. 
     It is preferred that the circumferential seam  42  is positioned such that the distance between the center point and the circumferential seam is no more than one-third the radius of the decorative fabric. 
     In another embodiment, pockets  45  can be added to any of the segments, or to the central portion. Ideally, such pockets are added to the central portion. A pocket-based center  40   a  is constructed of pocketed central piece  41   a.  The pocket is created simply by adding an additional layer of fabric  45  to the center portion  41   a,  with one side left open  46  for access and use as a pocket. An alternative placement for the pockets is on the underside of over-lapping portions of the segments, where the pocket is thus concealed from view, but easily accessed by lifting up the appropriate segment. 
     It should be understood that an exemplified embodiment of the present invention is a throw blanket. However, a similar product can easily be foreseen for full size blankets for any sized bed (including cribs), bed coverings, tapestries, or smaller pillows and pillow coverings.