Patent Publication Number: US-2020281378-A1

Title: Bedding location identification devices, systems, kits, and assemblies, and methods of using the same

Description:
PRIORITY AND RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to, and claims the priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/893,133, filed Aug. 28, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/814,254, filed Mar. 5, 2019. The contents of each of the aforementioned applications are which are incorporated herein directly and by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     When “making a bed,” such as the process of removing soiled, dirty, or otherwise slept-on bedding and replacing the bedding with fresh, washed, or different bedding, the person making the bed needs to make sure that the bedding (flat sheets, fitted sheets, blankets, comforters, duvets, duvet covers, etc.) are properly oriented, as the bedding generally does not properly fit if not properly oriented. 
     A device, or a system, kit, or assembly including devices, for use to identify locations of bedding and methods of using the same would be well received in the marketplace. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In an exemplary embodiment of a device for orienting bedding of the present disclosure, the device comprises a first portion comprising at least one piercing elements and/or at least one receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and a second portion comprising at least one piercing and/or at least one receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, such that when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned through bedding (such that the piercing elements pierce the bedding), the piercing elements are engaged by the receivers to secure the device in/on the bedding. One device can be used, such as positioned at a relative top, bottom, left side, or right side of bedding, or two or more devices can be used, such as positioned at two of a relative top, bottom, left side, and/or right side of bedding, to identify orientation. Devices can have indicia printed thereon or defined therein, identifying the location of the bedding where the device is positioned in/on. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device comprises a first portion comprising at least one first piercing element and/or at least one first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and a second portion comprising at least one second piercing element and/or at least one second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, wherein when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned through a portion of bedding, the at least one first piercing element and the at least one second piercing element are engaged by the at least one first receiver and the at least one second receiver, respectively, to secure the device to the bedding. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the at least one first piercing element is at least two first piercing elements, and wherein the at least one first receiver is at least two first receivers. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, at least one of the at least one first piercing element and/or the at least one second piercing element comprises a grip feature selected from the group consisting of a barb, a flange, a protrusion, and an indentation. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it resists separation due to pulling one part of the device away from another part of the device. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it remains secured to the bedding during and after being washed in a washing machine. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion comprises a first lateral component, wherein the second portion comprises a second lateral component. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, at least one of the first lateral component and the second lateral component has a coating thereon. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion and the second portion are identical and configured to engage one another to secure the device to the bedding. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device further comprises at least one grommet positioned around the at least one first piercing element and/or the at least one second piercing element. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device forms part of a system, the system further comprising a second device, the second device comprising a second device first portion comprising at least one second device first piercing element and/or at least one second device first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and a second device second portion comprising at least one second device second piercing element and/or at least one second device second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device has indicia present upon or within at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the indicia indicative of a location of the bedding the device is intended to be secured thereto. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured as a clamp. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device comprises a first portion comprising at least one first grip feature, and a second portion comprising at least one second grip feature, wherein the first grip feature and the second grip feature are selected from the group consisting of a barb and a flange, and wherein when the first portion and/or the second portion are positioned adjacent to a portion of bedding, the first portion and the second portion can hingedly move toward one another to secure the device to the bedding. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion further comprises at least one first piercing element and/or at least one first receiver extending therefrom or defined therein, and wherein the second portion further comprises at least one second piercing element and/or at least one second receiver extending therefrom or defined therein. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the first portion is configured as a first clamp, wherein the second portion is configured as a second clamp, and wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are positioned adjacent to one another such that a direction of opening the first clamp and the second clamp are the same. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device has indicia present upon or within at least one of the first portion and the second portion, the indicia indicative of a location of the bedding the device is intended to be secured thereto. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it resists separation due to pulling one part of the device away from another part of the device. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device is configured so that when it is secured to the bedding, it remains secured to the bedding during and after being washed in a washing machine. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, at least one of the first portion and the second portion has a coating thereon. 
     In at least one embodiment of a device for orienting bedding relative to a bed, the device forms part of a system, the system further comprising a second device, the second device comprising a second device first portion comprising at least one second device first grip feature, and a second device second portion comprising at least one second device second grip feature, wherein the second device first grip feature and the second device second grip feature are selected from the group consisting of a barb and a flange, and wherein when the second device first portion and/or the second device second portion are positioned adjacent to a second portion of the bedding, the second device first portion and the second device second portion can hingedly move toward one another to secure the second device to the bedding. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, and disclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, will become apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7  show side views of exemplary devices and/or systems, kits, or assemblies, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view of bedding having two devices positioned therein/thereon, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  shows various device embodiments having indicia thereon, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a side view of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  show side views of devices configured as clamps, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24  show various photographic views of devices configured as clamps, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  show embodiments of devices comprising or configured as clamps, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     As such, an overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described and some of these non-discussed features (as well as discussed features) are inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration. Furthermore, wherever feasible and convenient, like reference numerals are used in the figures and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The figures are in a simplified form and not to precise scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended. 
     The present disclosure includes disclosure of devices configured to attach to bed linens (flat sheets, fitted sheets, blankets, comforters, duvets, duvet covers, etc.) so to provide guidance to a user of the device as to the orientation of said linens. 
     An exemplary device of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , device  100  comprises a first portion  102  and a second portion  110 . First portion  102 , such as shown in  FIG. 1 , comprises one, two, or more piercing elements  104 , said piercing elements  104  configured to pierce bed linens, such as to pierce a bed sheet. Piercing elements  104  can comprise at least one grip feature  106 , such as one or more barbs, protrusions, indentions, etc., configured to be received by and engaged within at least one receiver  108  of second portion  110 , whereby said receiver  108  includes a corresponding barb element, protrusion element, indentation, etc. In at least one embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , first portion  102  can comprises two piercing elements  104 , and second portion  110  can comprise two receivers  108 , such that when the piercing elements of first portion  102  pierce a bed sheet or other linens, the two pierced piercing elements  104  can be engaged within two receivers  108  of second portion  110  and “permanently” retained therein. The term “permanently” is used herein to describe an engagement of first portion  102  and second portion  110  that resists separation, such as by pulling first portion  102  away from second portion  110 , or by washing and/or drying linens having first portion  102  and second portion  110  engaged with one another through said linens. Devices  100  of the present disclosure are intended to resist separation once first portion  102  and second portion  110  engage one another, so that said devices  100  remain attached to sheets or other bedding. 
     First portion  102  and second portion  110  can each comprise a lateral component  112 , comprising metal, rubber, and/or plastic for example, acting as an effective substrate for piercing elements  104  and/or receivers  108 . In at least one embodiment, lateral components  112 , piercing elements  104 , and/or receivers  108  comprise metal or plastic. Lateral components  112  may be rigid or relatively rigid, for example, so to provide strength and durability to device  100 . 
     Furthermore, and as shown in  FIG. 1 , exemplary devices  100  of the present disclosure can have a coating  114  at least partially (if not fully) surrounding lateral component(s)  112 . Such a coating  114 , comprising resin/epoxy, rubber, plastic (rigid or soft), etc., can protect lateral components  112 , such as to protect lateral components  112  from corrosion, and/or can protect a user by offering the user a softer, smoother, less sharp, etc., portion of device  100  to grip, such as instead of lateral components  112 , which could comprise metal or hard plastic, for example, and which could cause potential injury/cuts to the user. Coating  114  may also be used to generally provide a smooth and/or soft outer portion of device  100  so that, for example, if device  100  was positioned on a bed sheet that is laundered, other clothes being laundered with said sheet would not be damaged, such as by potential snags or punctures, in the washer and/or dryer. 
       FIG. 2  shows another exemplary embodiment of a device  100  of the present disclosure, whereby first portion  102  and second portion  110  each have at least one piercing element  104  and at least one receiver  108 . 
     Devices  100  of the present disclosure can comprise two, three, four, five, or more piercing elements  104  and receivers  108 , as may be desired. For example, and as shown in  FIG. 3 , and exemplary device  100  of the present disclosure may comprise four piercing elements  104  and four receivers  108 . Devices  100  of the present disclosure may also comprise one piercing element  104  and one receiver  108 , although an advantage of having at least two piercing elements  104  and receivers  108  is for device  100  to maintain its position relative to a bed sheet, for example, and an advantage to having more (versus fewer) piercing elements  104  and receivers  108  is that more punctures of a bed sheet, for example, would increase the likelihood of device  100  remaining secured to a bed sheet when coupled thereto. 
       FIG. 4  shows yet another embodiment of a device  100  of the present disclosure. As shown therein, device  100  comprises two lateral elements  112 , each having at least one piercing element  104  and/or at least one receiver  108  coupled thereto and/or defined therein. Such an embodiment would therefore have fewer components than other device  100  embodiments, as, for example, lateral elements  112  can be relatively smooth/rounded over to provide a more comfortable grip, such as if device  100  also had a coating  114 . 
     The device  100  embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  is configured such that, for example, both relative portions (first portion  102  and second portion  110 ) effectively mirror one another, such that only one component design can be manufactured, and whereby two of the same components can couple to each other. In view of the same, an exemplary device  100  of the present disclosure may comprise a first component  120 , said first component  120  comprising at least one piercing element  104  and at least one receiver  108  coupled thereto and/or defined therein. 
       FIG. 5  shows an additional exemplary embodiment of a device  100  of the present disclosure. As shown therein, device  100  comprises a first portion  102  and a second portion  110 , whereby one of the portions (first portion  102 , for example) has/comprises a plurality of piercing elements  104  (or at least just one piercing element, as in other embodiments), having at least one grip feature  106  (a flange, a notch, a protrusion, etc., configured to engage a receiver  108 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , receivers  108  can, instead of protruding from a first portion  102  and/or a second portion  110  as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , can be defined within first portion  102  and/or second portion  110 , so that when piercing element  104  engages receiver  108 , there is less of a gap between first portion  102  and second portion  110  as compared to, for example, device  100  embodiments having a protruding receiver  108 . 
     In at least some embodiments, and such as shown in  FIG. 7 , devices  100  of the present disclosure comprise a grommet  150  around at least one of the piercing elements  104  of device  100 , said grommet configured for positioning around piercing element  104  to prevent sheets from tearing when a device  100  is positioned within said sheet or other linens.  FIG. 7  also shows an alternative embodiment of piercing elements  104 , having a grip feature  106  that engages receiver  108 , which is defined within one or both lateral elements. As in all embodiments disclosed herein, piercing elements  104  are configured to pierce linens and engage receivers  108 , whereby the engagement resists separation. Piercing elements  104  can comprise barbs (such as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 ), notches (such as shown in  FIG. 7 ), spikes, etc., so to engage receivers  108  configured to receive the same and be securely coupled thereto. Also as shown in  FIG. 7 , two or more exemplary devices  100  of the present disclosure can be considered as an exemplary system, kit, or assembly  200  of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 8  shows a top view of exemplary bedding  300 , such as a flat sheet or other bedding referenced herein, wherein a first device  100  is positioned at a relative top of the bedding  300 , and wherein a second device  100  is positioned at a relative bottom of the bedding  300 . In at least one embodiment, one device  100  can be used, such as positioned at a relative top  302 , bottom  304 , left side  306 , or right side  308  of bedding  300 , or two or more devices  100  can be used, such as positioned at two of a relative top  302 , bottom  304 , left side  306 , and/or right side  308  of bedding, to identify orientation. In at least one embodiment, devices  100  have indicia  160  printed thereon or defined therein (as noted below and shown in  FIG. 9 ), identifying the location of the bedding  300  where the device  100  is positioned in/on. As noted herein, bedding  300  can include flat sheets, fitted sheets, blankets, comforters, duvets, duvet covers, etc. 
       FIG. 9  shows top views of exemplary devices  100  of the present disclosure. As shown therein, devices  100  can comprise indicia  160 , which can include one or more letters, one or more words, one or more colors, one or more shapes, etc., so to signify relative portions of bed linens, such as a flat sheets, fitted sheets, blankets, comforters, duvets, duvet covers, etc. Two or more devices  100 , or portions thereof, can also be considered as an exemplary system, kit, or assembly  200  of the present disclosure. Indicia  160 , for example, can be applied by a user of device  100 , such as by, for example, writing on said device  100 , or indicia can be pre-printed, such as with the words “top” or “bottom” or other words as may be desired. Also as shown therein, devices  100  can comprise elements with various shapes, such as round, oval, rectangular racetrack, rounded triangle, or other shapes not shown, such as square, hexagonal, octagonal, triangular, and the like. 
     The device  100  embodiments shown in  FIG. 9  could also be considered as iron-on embodiments, whereby said embodiments are configured to adhere to linens when applied thereto with an iron. 
     Other device  100  embodiments of the present disclosure could be configured using a piercing element  104  comprising a spike or pin, and a receiver  108  configured to engage the piercing element  104 , such as shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown therein, receiver  108  is configured as a security mechanism configured to engage and retain piercing element  104 , with release of piercing element from receiver  108  facilitated by placing a magnet at or near receiver  108 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  show device  100  embodiments configured as clamps. Said devices  100  have one or more elements as referenced herein, such as a first portion  102 , piercing elements  104  configured to engage receivers  109  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ), or two piercing elements  104  configured to engage one another, such as those comprising barbs or flanges. Said devices  100  can be positioned at a relative edge of linens to that the relative hinge portion of the device  100  is outside of the linens. 
     In at least another embodiment of a device  100  of the present disclosure, the devices comprise one or more grip features  106 , but do not require piercing elements  104  or other portions of device  100  that operate to pierce bedding  300 . For example, and as shown in  FIG. 17 , an exemplary device  100  of the present disclosure comprises a first clamp  500  and a second clamp  502  positioned adjacent to one another such that a direction of opening clamps  500 ,  502  are the same. Clamps  500 ,  502  can comprise any number of different clamps, such as self-closing clamps, manual opening and closing clamps, etc., including but not limited to suspender clamps. A first portion  102  is coupled to, or formed as part of, first clamp  500  and second clamp  502 , such as, for example, being coupled to a first side  510  of first clamp  500  and a first side  512  of second clamp  502 . A second portion  110  is coupled to, or formed as part of, first clamp  500  and second clamp  502 , such as, for example, being coupled to a second side  520  of first clamp  500  and a second side  522  of second clamp  502 , whereby first sides  510 ,  512  face outward in one direction, and whereby second sides  520 ,  522  face outward in another direction. First portion  102  and/or second portion  110  can be coupled to first clamp  500  and second clamp  502  using a bonding element  550 , such as glue, epoxy, tape, metal or plastic fasteners, etc. 
     In some device  100  embodiments, first portion  102  and second portion  110  can be engaged by a user and pressed toward one another to facilitate opening of clamps  500 ,  502 , so that, for example, clamps  500 ,  502  can receive and engage bedding  300  when first portion  102  and second portion  110  are released (so to allow clamps  500 ,  502  to close). In other embodiments, such as wherein the clamps  500 ,  502  are manually opened and manually closed, a user would manually open and close clamps  500 ,  502  to receive and engage bedding  300  therein. Bedding  300  is completely or substantially prevented from unintentionally becoming separated from device  100  once device  100  is positioned thereon, such as by way of one or more grip features  106  present within each clamp  500 ,  502 . Grip features  106 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , can be or comprise one or more teeth. 
     It is noted that devices having two (or more) clamps  500 ,  502 , and/or two or more piercing elements  104  and receivers  108 , or an elongated clamp  500  or  502 , for example, would result in an overall larger device that can be readily seen and/or felt when laundering and/or positioning bedding  300 . This is an advantage of any relative small device, such as one that only has one element that is used to couple the device to bedding  300 , as such a device would not be readily seen/and/or felt when laundering and/or positioning bedding  300 , and should that one element become detached, the device would no longer be coupled to bedding  300 . 
     In at least one embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 25 , an exemplary device  100  of the present disclosure can comprise one elongated width clamp  500  or  502 , whereby first portion  102  and second portion  110  are coupled thereto. A relatively wide clamp  500 ,  502  also provides for an overall larger surface and/or three-dimensional area, allowing device  100  to be readily seen and/or felt when laundering and/or positioning bedding. 
     In at least another embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 26 , an exemplary device  100  of the present disclosure can comprise one elongated width clamp  500  or  502 , having indicia  160  printed thereon or defined therein on the relative outsides of said clamp  500  or  502 . An optional coating  114  may be used to cover at least part of one or both of the relative outsides of said clamp  500  or  502 , whereby indicia  160  is either printed on or defined in the relative outsides of said clamp  500  or  502  or is printed on or defined in coating  114 . 
     Furthermore, devices  100  of the present disclosure can be used for other purposes, such as to label towels. For example, devices  100  can have indicia  160  such as “kitchen,” “bathroom,” “toilet,” “car,” etc., so that when coupled to various towels or washcloths, for example, said towels or washcloths can be identified by the indicia  160  and used for their corresponding purposes. Devices  100  could be relatively smaller than other device  100  embodiments referenced herein. 
     Indicia  160  may also comprise one or more colors or designs instead of letters or words. For example, one device  100  with green indicia  160  could indicate the top of a sheet, and another device  100  with red indicia  160  could indicate the bottom of a sheet, and so forth (using various colors, for example). 
     While various embodiments of bedding location identification devices, systems, kits, and assemblies, and methods of using the same have been described in considerable detail herein, the embodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of the disclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments, the present disclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition, disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences may be varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.