Abstract:
The invention is a pillowcase for use in covering a conventional bed sleeping pillow. The pillowcase has a length and width, and an open edge running the length of the pillowcase and an interior pouch positioned at the open edge. The interior pouch is integral with the interior of the pillowcase, running along the entire length of the pillowcase and having a depth of less than about half of the pillowcase width. The pillowcase is configured to receive a pillow through the open edge and secure the pillow within the interior of the pillowcase by engaging a portion of the pillow with the interior pouch. A pillowcase of the invention speeds and facilitates pillowcase changes (for example, in the hospitality industry) while ensuring a completely covered pillow for the user.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure is directed to a pillowcase, more particularly an improved pillowcase having an interior pouch in which to secure a pillow, methods of manufacturing pillowcases, and methods for efficiently loading and unloading a pillow from a pillowcase. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various devices are known in the art for the covering or enclosing of a pillow such as in a pillowcase. Conventional pillowcases are generally rectangular in shape with a length and width. Such pillowcases are generally closed along each of the length edges and one of the width edges, and generally open along one of the width edges. Placing a pillow into a conventional pillowcase requires the entire length of the pillow to be positioned in the case without bunching or folding; removing a pillow from a conventional pillowcase requires the entire length of the pillow to travel through the entire length of the pillowcase. This can be a time-consuming and arduous task particularly in the hospitality industry where dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of pillowcases must be changed each day. 
         [0003]    One possible solution of using a pillowcase that is sized much larger than the pillow has disadvantages: conventional pillowcases with an entire wide edge open may not resist inadvertent displacement of the pillow from the pillowcase. Furthermore, oversized pillowcases may tend to appear wrinkled or floppy due to excess fabric. 
         [0004]    It would be advantageous to have a pillowcase that can be loaded (and unloaded) quickly and efficiently. It would be further advantageous to have such a pillowcase resist edge wrinkling. It would be advantageous to have a method of making such a pillowcase with a minimum of processing steps. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The invention is a pillowcase that may be loaded with a pillow quickly and efficiently. It is an object of the invention to provide an opening in the pillowcase along an edge of the pillowcase, preferably the length of the case, to facilitate ingress and egress of a pillow. It is an object of the invention to provide an internal pouch within the interior of the pillowcase to receive the pillow and secure the pillow from inadvertent displacement from the pillowcase. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide a method for making an inventive pillowcase with a minimum number of steps and from a minimum number of component materials. It is an object of the invention to provide a method of making an inventive pillowcase from a single sheet of fabric. 
         [0007]    A pillow may be easily loaded into the pillowcase by an inventive method of inserting the pillow into the pillowcase and subsequently securing the pillow within the interior of the pillowcase by ensuring the pillow engages the internal pillowcase pouch. A pillow may be easily removed from the pillowcase by disengaging the pillow from the internal pillowcase pouch and then removing the pillow from the pillowcase. 
         [0008]    The inventive methods of loading and unloading a pillow from the pillowcase is useful in the home or in an environment in which pillowcases are change frequently such as in hotels and hospitals. 
         [0009]    The inventive pillowcase may consist entirely of machine-washable fabrics and materials. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts an obverse view of a pillowcase of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts an obverse view of a pillowcase of the invention with a cut-away section revealing the interior of the pillowcase. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  depicts a reverse view of a finished pillowcase of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  depicts an unsewn pillowcase of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3C  depicts a method of making a pillowcase of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3D  depicts a pillowcase of the invention, fully inside-out to reveal stitching. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  depicts an obverse view of a pillowcase of the invention, with cords. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  depicts an obverse view of a pillowcase of the invention, with cords, with a cut-away section revealing the interior of the pillowcase. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  depicts a reverse view of a finished pillowcase of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  depicts a pillow being inserted into a pillowcase of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  depicts a pillow being inserted into a pillowcase of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  depicts a pillow inserted in a pillowcase of the invention with a portion of the pillowcase top lifted up to show the pillow and internal pouch. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  depicts a pillow inserted in a pillowcase of the invention with a portion of the pillowcase top pushed aside to show the pillow and internal pouch. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  depicts a pillow inserted in a pillowcase of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a pillowcase of the invention  100  is shown as generally rectangular in shape, having an overall external length “L 1 ” and an overall external width “W”. The pillowcase has a closed top edge  110 , a closed left edge  130  and a closed right edge  140 . Bottom edge  120  is open to allow ingress and egress of a pillow. Located at the bottom edge  120 , the pillowcase has a bottom edge on the top side  121  which may be hemmed (hem at  180 ), and a bottom edge on the bottom side  122  which may be folded in towards the interior of the pillowcase to form the internal pouch  150 . Internal pouch depth is shown as “L 2 ” with the top of the pouch depicted as a dashed horizontal line. Internal pouch  150  may be completely covered by the top side of the pillowcase or may have a small portion (at a fold at bottom edge  122 ) extend beyond the top side of the pillowcase (with a span of “L 3 ”), and visible from above. The obverse of the pillowcase has a span of “L 3 ” and the reverse of the pillowcase has a span of “L 1 ”. Internal pouch  150  is secured along the sides  130  and  140 , for example with stitching that is not visible from the exterior. 
         [0025]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , internal pouch span “L 2 ” is less than the span of “L 1 ”. Preferably “L 2 ” is about half the span or less of “L 1 ”. More preferably “L 2 ” is about a third or a quarter the span of “L 1 ”. In one embodiment, the span of “L 2 ” is between about a third the span of “L 1 ” and a quarter the span of “L 1 ”. In one embodiment, the span of “L 2 ” is about one third the span of “L 1 ”; in another embodiment, the span of “L 2 ” is about one quarter the span of “L 1 ”. In one embodiment the span of “L 2 ” is less than about one third the span of “L 1 ”. When the top surface of the pillow is lifted up, the interior of the pillowcase is revealed which is sized to receive a pillow and internal pouch  150  is lifted to secure the pillow within the interior of the pillowcase. 
         [0026]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , internal pouch span “L 2 ” is less than the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”. Preferably “L 2 ” is about half the span or less of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”. More preferably “L 2 ” is about a third or a quarter the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”. In one embodiment, the span of “L 2 ” is between about a third the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ” and a quarter the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”. In one embodiment, the span of “L 2 ” is about one third the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”; in another embodiment, the span of “L 2 ” is about one quarter the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”. In one embodiment the span of “L 2 ” is less than about one third the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”. 
         [0027]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , pillowcase obverse has a span of “L 3 ” and the reverse has a span of “L 1 ”. In  FIG. 1 , the span of “L 1 ” is slightly longer than the span of “L 3 ”. In another embodiment the span of “L 1 ” is approximately the same as the span of “L 3 ”. 
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the span of “L 1 ” is longer than the span of “W” so that the pillowcase of the invention  100  is generally rectangular with opening  120  along the longer edge of the pillowcase. In one embodiment the span of “L 1 ” is about the same as the span of “W” for a generally square shape. In an alternative embodiment, the span of “L 1 ” is shorter than the span of “W” so that the opening at edge  120  is on the shorter edge of generally rectangular pillowcase  100 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  depicts a cutaway of the pillowcase shown in  FIG. 1  and reveals a portion of the inside of the pillowcase  100 . The cutaway reveals a portion of the internal pouch  150  with a span of “L 2 ”. The top edge of the pouch is hemmed  185 , and edges of the pillowcase and internal pouch are shown stitched along  190 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3A  depicts the reverse of a finished pillowcase  100  of the invention with a span of L 1 .  FIG. 3B  depicts a schematic of one embodiment of an unfolded and unsewn pillowcase. The pillowcase  100  is formed of a single sheet of overall length “L 4 ” which may be divided into three segments—segment 1 with span “L 1 ”, segment 2 with span “L 2 ”, and segment 3 with span “L 3 ”. Preferably “L 1 ” is about the same span as “L 3 ”. Preferably, the span of “L 1 ” is slightly longer than the span of “L 3 ”. Segment 2 with span “L 2 ” will form part of the pouch in the finished pillowcase; segment 1 with span “L 1 ” will form the reverse surface of the finished pillowcase; segment 3 with span “L 3 ” will form the obverse surface of the finished pillowcase. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3C  depicts one method of forming inventive pillowcase  100  from a single sheet of material. In a first step (arrow 1), segment 3 with span “L 3 ” is folded down towards segment 1 with span “L 1 ” so that segment 3 lies on top of segment 1. In a second step (arrow 2), segment 2 with span L 2  is folded up towards segment 3 so that segment 2 lies on top of segment 3. In a third step, each side of the pillowcase is sewn. In a fourth step, the entire pillowcase is then inverted so that the stitching is on the interior of the pillowcase and so that the exterior of the pillowcase may be generally seamless. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3D  depicts a schematic of a fully inverted finished pillowcase  100  of the invention. Side stitching is shown at  190  securing the edges of pouch  150  to the pillowcase edges, and ensuring the edges of the pillowcase remain sealed.  FIG. 3D  shows edge stitching  190  which accounts for slightly more width to width “W” of the finished pillowcase when the pouch is placed on the inside of the pillowcase and ready for use. The stitching is visible when the pillowcase is inverted as shown in  FIG. 3D  but is not visible when the pillowcase is turned right-side out as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows a different embodiment of the inventive pillowcase  200 . The pillowcase is as constructed in  FIG. 1  and further includes internal piping cords  295  along left edge  230  and right edge  240 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , there are zero cords; in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , there are two cords; in another embodiment there may be three cords (for example along left edge  230 , top edge  210 , and right edge  240 ); in yet another embodiment there may be four cords (for example along left edge  230 , top edge  210 , right edge  240 , and bottom edge  222 ). Pillowcase  200  is comprised of segment 1 with span “L 1 ′”, segment 2 with span “L 2 ′”, and segment 3 with span “L 3 ′” and has an overall external width of “W′”. Edge piping cords  295  account for slightly extra width beyond the external width “W” of the finished pillowcase material. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  depicts a cutaway of the pillowcase shown in  FIG. 4  and reveals a portion of the inside of the pillowcase  200 . Piping cord  295  is shown sewn into the edge along  290 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  depicts the reverse of a finished pillowcase  200  of the invention depicted in  FIG. 4  with a span of L 1 ′. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8  each depict a pillow  300  being inserted into a pillowcase of the invention  200  of  FIG. 4 . The pillowcase  200  is shown open at opening  220  with the pillow at various stages of insertion. Pillow  300  enters generally rectangular pillowcase  200  along the widest edge at the bottom of the pillowcase. Internal pouch  250  is partially visible in  FIG. 7  as the top portion of the pillowcase is lifted. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, a method of loading pillow  300  into pillowcase  200  is provided. In a first step, pillow  300  is inserted into pillowcase  200  and subsequently in a second step pillow  300  is secured within the interior of pillowcase  200  by ensuring pillow  300  engages internal pouch  250 . In one embodiment, a method of removing pillow  300  from pillowcase  200  is provided. In a first step, pillow  300  is removed from the pillowcase  200  by disengaging pillow  300  from internal pouch  250 , and subsequently in a second step pillow  300  is removed entirely from pillowcase  200 . 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, a generally rectangular pillowcase has an opening along its longest edge. The pillow-less pillowcase may be opened at its opening to allow a pillow to be inserted into the pillowcase. The top side of a pillowcase may be separated to a distance from the back side of the pillowcase and from an internal pouch to reveal the interior of the pillowcase. A pillow is then inserted into the interior of the pillowcase through the pillowcase opening. After the pillow is placed into the interior of the pillowcase, the internal pouch of the pillowcase is separated to a distance from the back side of the pillowcase. The pillow may be slid or tucked into the open interior pouch so that a portion of the pillow is engaged with and secured by the pouch. The pillowcase may then be closed—the top side of the pillowcase is brought into contact with a portion of the pillow and the internal pouch to completely cover the pillow. In an embodiment where the pillowcase is non-permanently closable using fasteners (such as snaps or a zipper) the fastener may be engaged to securely retain the pillow within the pillow case. 
         [0039]    To remove a pillow from a pillowcase, the steps described may be generally performed in reverse order. In an embodiment where the pillowcase is non-permanently closable using fasteners (such as snaps or a zipper) the fastener may be disengaged to permit access to the pillow within the pillow case. The pillowcase may be opened at its opening—the top side of the pillowcase may be separated to a distance from the pillow and from the internal pouch. The pillow may then be untucked from the pouch, slid out, or otherwise disengaged and removed from the pouch, thereafter removed from the interior of the pillowcase through the pillowcase opening. The emptied pillowcase is now ready for laundering or may then be closed by bringing the top side of the pillowcase into contact with a portion of the back side of the pillowcase and into contact with the interior pouch. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  depicts a pillow  300  fully inserted into a pillowcase  200  of  FIG. 4 . A portion of the pillowcase top is lifted up at opening  220  to show the pillow  300  is secured in the pillowcase  200  as it engages internal pouch  250 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  depicts another view of a pillow  300  fully inserted into a pillowcase  200  of  FIG. 4 . Pillowcase  200  has piping along the short edges  230  and  240 . A portion of the pillowcase top pushed up at opening  220  to show the pillow  300  and internal pouch  250 . Pillow  300  engages internal pouch  250  and is thus secured within pillowcase  200 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  depicts a pillow  300  fully inserted into a pillowcase  200  of  FIG. 4 . Pillow  300  engages internal pouch  250  and is secured within pillowcase  200 . The covered pillow is ready for use. 
       FURTHER EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    In a preferred embodiment, the Width of the finished pillowcase is approximately 40 inches, the Length is approximately 20 inches, and the pouch length is approximately 6 inches. In another embodiment, the Width of the finished pillowcase is approximately 40 inches, the Length is approximately 20 inches, and the pouch length is approximately 10 inches. In another embodiment, the Width of the finished pillowcase is approximately 40 inches, the Length is approximately 20 inches, and the pouch length is between approximately 5 inches and approximately 7 inches. With reference to  FIG. 1 , the span of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ” in one embodiment may each be approximately 24 inches and “L 2 ” may be approximately 6 inches (about one quarter the length of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”) or “L 2 ” may be approximately 7 inches (between about one third and one quarter the length of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”), or “L 2 ” may be approximately 8 inches (about one third the length of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”), or “L 2 ” may be approximately 11.5 inches (less than about half the length of each of “L 1 ” and “L 3 ”). ° These dimensions are exemplary and it should be recognized that the pillowcase can be made in smaller or larger sizes as desired. 
         [0044]    In a one embodiment, the Width of the finished pillowcase is approximately the same size as a conventional pillowcase designed to hold a pillow of a given size; in a preferred embodiment, the Width of the finished pillowcase is about 33% larger than the width of a conventional pillowcase designed to hold a pillow of a given size. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, cuffs are sewn along the left and right edges. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment the pillowcase opening is freely openable and closable and may optionally be non-permanently closeable using fasteners such as snaps, buttons, zipper, hooks, or hook and loop fastener, or other convenient fasteners. In a preferred embodiment the pillowcase opening is freely openable and closable; in another embodiment the pillowcase opening is openable and closable using a zipper. 
         [0047]    The pillowcase is formed preferably using traditional stitching, for example, with a sewing machine. In a preferred embodiment the edges of the pillowcase and internal pouch are joined with stitching. In other embodiments the edges may be joined my other methods such as glue, heat sealing, or may be seamless (that is, the exterior pillowcase may be formed as a tube). In one embodiment the finished pillowcase has no piping and no external seams. 
         [0048]    In a preferred embodiment the pillowcase is made of a single piece of material or fabric. Examples of materials include cotton, polyester, satin, wool, brushed polyester microfiber, silk, spandex, linen, bamboo, rayon, nylon, cellulose acetate, carbon fiber, aramid, fleece, flannel, denim, velvet, hemp, plastic, acrylic, rubber or paper. In one embodiment the pillowcase may be 100% cotton; in one embodiment the pillowcase may be about 100% cotton; in one embodiment the pillowcase may be 100% polyester; in one embodiment the pillowcase may be about 100% polyester. In one embodiment the pillowcase may be 100% silk; in one embodiment the pillowcase may be about 100% silk. 
         [0049]    In another embodiment the pillowcase material may be made of blends or combinations of materials or fabrics such as those identified herein. Examples of such combinations include a cotton/polyester blend, a silk/cotton blend, and a bamboo/cotton blend. In one embodiment the pillowcase material is about 60% cotton and about 40% polyester; in another embodiment the pillowcase material is about 50% cotton and about 50% polyester; in another embodiment the pillowcase material is about 35% cotton and about 65% polyester. The material may be formed in a variety of colors and textures as desired. 
         [0050]    In another embodiment the pillowcase is made of two or more materials. Choice of materials may be based on considerations such as cost, ease of manufacture, material weight, or other material properties. In one embodiment a pillowcase is formed of a first fabric comprising segment 1 of span “L 1 ” and segment 3 of span “L 3 ” and a second fabric comprising segment 2 of span “L 2 ” joined to the first fabric at an edge of segment L 1 . In one embodiment segment 2 (of a second fabric) is stitched to segment 1 (of a first fabric). In this embodiment segment 3 folded down towards segment 1 so that segment 3 lies on top of segment 1; segment 2 is folded up towards segment 3 so that segment 2 lies on top of segment 3. Subsequently each side of the pillowcase is sewn. 
       EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
       [0051]    The following example is meant to be illustrative and prophetic only. In this example, a pillowcase is constructed from a single sheet of cotton. The cotton sheet has a width of about 41 inches. The top and bottom edges are hemmed along the width resulting in an overall length of about 45.75 inches. The length is divided into 3 segments—lowermost segment 2 is about 6 inches long, middlemost segment 1 is about 20 inches, and topmost segment 3 is about 19.75 inches long. Topmost segment 3 is folded down onto segment 1 so that segment 3 lies on top of segment 1 with edges aligned. Next segment 2 is folded up towards segment 3 so that segment 2 lies on top of segment 3 with edges aligned. Now each of the left and right edges of the pillowcase is sewn to secure segment 1 to segment 3 and to secure segment 2 to segment 3—the stitching along the right edge is about 0.5 inches, and the stitching along the left edge is about 0.5 inches. Finally, the entire pillowcase is inverted so that the stitching is on the interior of the pillowcase and so that the exterior of the pillowcase appears seamless. 
       Example 2 
       [0052]    The following example is meant to be illustrative and prophetic only. In this example a finished pillowcase is described. A pillowcase is constructed as described in Example 1. The finished pillowcase is generally rectangular in shape having four edges—a top edge, bottom edge, right edge and left edge. The final width of the finished pillowcase is about 40 inches—this accounts for the about 0.5 inches of stitching for the left edge and about 0.5 inches of stitching for the right edge which are now on the inside of the pillowcase and thus do not add to the overall width of the finished pillow case. The final length of the finished pillow case is about 20 inches. The interior pouch has a depth of about 6 inches and has a span of about 40 inches running from the left edge to the right edge. The pillowcase has an opening running the entire span of the bottom edge of the pillowcase and sized to receive a pillow. 
       Example 3  
       [0053]    The following example is meant to be illustrative and prophetic only. In this example a pillow is removed from an inventive pillowcase described in Example 2, and a pillow is inserted into an inventive pillowcase described in Example 2. A pillow positioned within the pillowcase is secured by the interior pouch of the pillowcase. In a first step the pillow is disengaged from the internal pouch and in a second step the pillow is entirely removed from the pillowcase. Next a pillow is loaded into the pillowcase by opening the bottom edge of the pillowcase and inserting the pillow into the pillowcase. In a subsequent step the pillow is secured within the interior of the pillowcase by engaging the internal pillowcase pouch with the pillow.