Abstract:
A mat comprising a closed body portion comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, a left side edge, a right side edge, an upper edge and a lower edge; a blanket attached along a portion of one of said left side edge and said right side edge, wherein an open area on said top layer that is partially bordered by said upper edge remains uncovered when said blanket is fully extended across said top layer; and an articulable pillow attached along said upper edge and a method for making the same. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. § 1.72( b ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY  
       FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY  
         [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a mat adapted for sleeping and reclining.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY  
         [0002]    Numerous situations and environments call for a warm, comfortable cover a child may use while sleeping or otherwise reclining. For example, need for such a cover often arises in the daycare and kindergarten settings, as well in the child&#39;s home. Typically, the child uses a sleeping bag, a mat with a removable interior cushion, or a blanket. These various covers, however, present significant limitations. For example, a sleeping bag, while providing a resting surface and a body coverage, is confining to a child enclosed within the envelope of the bag. Further, soiled sleeping bags are difficult to machine wash due to the filler materials employed therein.  
           [0003]    Mats with removable interior cushions may be constructed so that the interior cushion can be removed and the outer covering may be washed. However, the step of removing the interior cushion is an additional cumbersome step and sacrifices convenience, especially when the mat is soiled repeatedly and the mat&#39;s outer covering must be washed frequently. In addition, sanitary issues also arise because the interior cushion may become soiled. This is particularly problematic if the cushion is not machine-washable.  
           [0004]    While often used to provide cover for a child or other user, single blankets do not provide a separate sleeping surface. In addition, as is the case with most sleeping bags, a separate pillow is needed when using a blanket. A child may misplace a pillow, and carrying both a blanket and a separate pillow may complicate transport.  
           [0005]    A sleeping mat constructed so as to avoid the difficulties just described would be highly advantageous.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    The present disclosure satisfies the above-described needs by providing a mat comprising a closed body portion comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, a left side edge, a right side edge, an upper edge and a lower edge; a blanket attached along a portion of one of said left side edge and said right side edge, wherein an open area on said top layer that is partially bordered by said upper edge remains uncovered when said blanket is fully extended across said top layer; and an articulable pillow attached along said upper edge. The present disclosure further addresses those needs by providing a method of making a mat comprising providing a closed body portion comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, a left side edge, a right side edge, an upper edge and a lower edge attaching a blanket along a portion of one of the left side edge and the right side edge so that an open area on the top layer that is partially bordered by the upper edge remains uncovered when the blanket is fully extended across the top layer; and attaching a pillow along the upper edge.  
           [0007]    As used herein, “open area” means an area on the top layer of the closed body portion of the present mat which is partially bordered by the upper edge and which remains uncovered by the blanket when the blanket is fully extended across the closed body portion of the mat.  
           [0008]    As used herein to describe the body portion of the present mat, “closed” means that all edges (the right edge, left edge, upper edge and lower edge) of the body portion of the mat are closed, i.e., they do not allow for insertion of an interior cushion or the like within the body portion.  
           [0009]    Further, the body portion or the present mat preferably contains no padding other than that provided by the material from which the body portion is formed. For example, the closed body portion may be formed from a single piece of material folded in half lengthwise back on itself to provide a top layer of material and a bottom layer of material, with the three open edges then being closed according to any method known to those of skill in the art, e.g., sewing the layers together at the open edges to form a seam. Alternatively, for example, the closed body portion may be formed from two separate pieces of material (providing a top layer and a bottom layer), which are placed one top of another and then joined along the length of all four edges by a sewn seam or using any other method known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
           [0010]    The reader will appreciate the foregoing details and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as others, upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments set forth in the disclosure. The reader also may comprehend additional details and advantages of the present disclosure upon using the method set forth in the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mat of the present disclosure in which the articulable pillow is shown folded inwardly about its connection to the upper edge of the closed body portion and assumes a first position wherein the pillow rests on the open area of the top layer of the closed body portion.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2( a ) is a top plan view of an embodiment of the mat of the present disclosure in which the articulable pillow is shown folded inwardly about its connection to the upper edge of the closed body portion and assumes a first position wherein the pillow rests on the open area of the top layer of the closed body portion.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2( b ) is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4( a ) is a right side view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4( b ) is a left side view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4( c ) is an end elevational view from the upper edge of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4( d ) is an end elevational view from the lower edge of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mat of the present disclosure in which the articulable pillow is shown folded outwardly about its connection to the upper edge of the closed body portion to assume a second position wherein the pillow extends beyond the upper edge of the closed body portion and does not rest on the open area of the top layer of the closed body portion.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the mat of the present disclosure in which the articulable pillow is shown folded outwardly about its connection to the upper edge of the closed body portion to assume a second position wherein the pillow extends beyond the upper edge of the closed body portion and does not rest on the open area of the top layer of the closed body portion.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8( a ) is a right side view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8( b ) is a left side view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 6.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 6, but wherein the blanket is shown folded back from the top layer of the closed body portion and extends outwardly from the right side of the closed body portion.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 6, but wherein the blanket is shown folded back from the top layer of the closed body portion and extends outwardly from the right side of the closed body portion.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2, but wherein the blanket is shown folded back from the top layer of the closed body portion and extends outwardly from the right side of the closed body portion.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the mat shown in FIG. 2, but wherein the blanket is shown folded back from the top layer of the closed body portion and extends outwardly from the right side of the closed body portion of an embodiment of the sleeping mat of the present disclosure, 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 1 through 4( d ) depict one embodiment of a mat  10  contemplated by the present disclosure wherein an articulable pillow  2  is placed in a first position. As used herein, “articulable” means that the pillow is moveable between first and second positions, which are described further below. The mat  10  generally comprises a closed body portion  3 , which includes a top layer  4  and a bottom layer  5 , a blanket  6  attached along one side edge of the closed body portion  3  and the articulable pillow  2 . The closed body portion  3  includes an upper edge  15 , a lower edge  16 , a right side edge  17  and a left side edge  18 , and may be made of any machine-washable material providing a surface that will be-comfortable to a user. Such machine-washable materials include, for example, 100% nylon formed on an insulating base, plush material and fabric. Two pieces of the selected material may be joined together to form the top layer  4  and bottom  5  layer of the closed body portion  3  according to any joining method known to those of skill in the art, e.g., sewing. In another embodiment, the closed body portion may fabricated from one piece of material folded in half lengthwise to form a top layer and a bottom layer, with the three open edges then being joined or closed according to any method known to those of skill in the art, e.g., sewing.  
         [0029]    The blanket  6  of the mat  10 , which can be made of a material similar to that forming the closed body portion  3 , may be attached to the closed body portion  3  by any method known to those of skill in the art, for example, sewing. In the embodiment shown, the blanket  6  is attached along the left side edge  18  of the closed body portion  3 . However, the blanket  6  may alternatively be attached to the right side edge  17  of the body portion  3 . The blanket  6  is attached along only a portion of the selected edge of the closed body portion  3  such that an open area  7  on the top layer  4  that is partially bordered by the upper edge  15 , a portion of the right side edge  17  and a portion of the left side edge  18  remains uncovered when the blanket  6  is extended across the top layer  4  as shown in FIG. 2( a ). In FIG. 2( a ) the open area of the top layer is designated generally as  7 .  
         [0030]    When folded over a user, blanket  6  provides both comfort and warmth. In addition, as the blanket  6  is attached to only a single edge of the closed body portion  3 , the user reclining on the closed body portion  3  can easily uncover himself by throwing back the blanket  6 . This feature can be particularly important where the user is a small child, who can thus extricate himself from between the closed body portion  3  and the blanket  6  with minimal effort. Accordingly, the mat  10  differs from a sleeping bag, for example, wherein a user may be required exert considerable effort to successfully remove himself from the sleeping bag envelope.  
         [0031]    The articulable pillow  2 , which has a right edge  23 , left edge  24 , upper edge  21  and lower edge  22 , includes a cover  8  that may be made from a material similar to that of the closed body portion  3  and the blanket  6 . The pillow cover  8  may be formed by placing a first piece of material on a second piece of material and then joining the pieces together along three edges by sewing or any other known joining method. In this way, an interior volume is provided within the pillow cover  8 . The remaining edge of the pillow cover  8  of the articulable pillow  2  may includes a closure, such as a zipper  9 , which allows access to the interior volume and through which a pillow insert (not shown) may be inserted and removed. In one of many possible forms, the pillow insert (not shown) is made from various materials and filled with a fiber composite.  
         [0032]    The articulable pillow  2  may rotated or “folded” about its connection to the upper edge  15  of the closed body portion  3  to assume either a first position or a second position. In the first position, the articulable pillow  2  is folded inwardly about its connection with the upper edge  15  and rests on the open area  7  of the top layer  4  of the closed body portion  3 . The articulable pillow  2  is shown clearly in the first position in, for example, FIGS.  1 ,  2 ( a ),  4 ( a ),  4 ( b ) and  11 . In the second position, the articulable pillow  2  is folded outwardly about its connection with the upper edge  15 , extends from the upper edge  15  and does not rest on the open area  7  of the closed body portion  3 . The articulable pillow  2  is shown clearly in the second position in, for example, FIGS.  5 - 10 .  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2( b ) depicts, in cross-section, an embodiment of a mat for sleeping and otherwise reclining contemplated by the present disclosure. The pillow  2 , blanket  6 , top layer  4  and bottom layer  5  are all shown. The top  4  and bottom  5  layers provide a cushioned surface of double thickness without the need to provide for an additional pad, cushion or other similar object within the closed body portion  3 . Notably, the sleeping mat  10  contemplated by the present disclosure may be placed, as a single unit, in a washing machine; the only component may require removal is the pillow insert (not shown) if such insert is not machine-washable.  
         [0034]    FIGS.  5 - 10  depict an embodiment of a mat  10  contemplated by the present disclosure wherein the articulable pillow  2  is disposed in the second position described above. When the articulable pillow is disposed in the second position and extends outwardly from the closed body portion  3 , the open upper area  7  of the closed body portion  3  is completely revealed, and additional space on the top layer  4  is thereby available to accommodate taller persons. Further, a small child reluctant or unable to use the articulable pillow  2  may place the pillow in the second position and lie on the top layer  4  with her head on the open upper area  7 .  
         [0035]    When the articulable pillow  2  is in the first position, the blanket  6  will not lie over a child&#39;s face when extended fully across the top layer  4  because the pillow is within the open area  7 . Likewise, when the articulable pillow is in the second position and the child&#39;s face lies on the top layer  4  within the open area  7 , the blanket  6  will not lie over the child&#39;s face. This feature of the mat  10  may be particularly beneficial in cases where small children use the mat  10 . By way of example, and without intending to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto, when the articulable pillow is in the first position, the sleeping mat may accommodate a child up to approximately 50 inches in height. As a further nonlimiting example, when the articulable pillow is in the second position, the sleeping mat may accommodate a child up to approximately 60 inches in height.  
         [0036]    The mat contemplated by the present disclosure may be of any size suitable to accommodate the body of a person, such as a child. By way of example, and without intending to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto, in one form the closed body portion may be about 23 inches by about 42 inches. As a further non-limiting example, the closed body portion of the mat may have dimensions of about 28 inches by about 42 inches. Again, a vast number of sizes are possible for the mat contemplated herein, including those sizes providing a mat sufficiently large to comfortably accommodate an adult. The various components of the mat, i.e., the top and bottom layers of the closed body portion, the blanket and the pillow may be joined together by any method known to those of skill in the art, as discussed above.  
         [0037]    The sleeping mat described herein may be modified in any number of ways. For example, it may include a carrying bag or fastener, such as a hook and fastener arrangement (e.g., Velcro®. Velcro® is a registered trademark of Velcro Industries of the Netherlands Antilles), a loop, snaps or any other type of gather, allowing the sleeping mat to be fixed in a rolled up condition so as to be easily transportable and storable. Those of skill in the art will be aware of techniques to readily employ such gathers and thereby provide the mat with ease of transport and storage.  
         [0038]    In addition to the foregoing, during construction of the sleeping mat, the bottom layer may be turned inside out prior to attachment of the pillow. By turning the bottom layer inside out, the sewing seam may be hidden from view, making the sleeping mat more aesthetically appealing and avoiding a possible source of irritation to a user&#39;s skin.  
         [0039]    The zipper may be located at any location on the pillow cover allowing for easy insertion and removal of the stuffed pillow insert. For example, the zipper may be located along the left edge, right edge or top edge of the pillow cover.  
         [0040]    The blanket may be attached to either the left side or the right side of the closed body portion. Further, a label, or any other suitable means, may be added to a portion of the sleeping mat allowing for markings to be placed thereon identifying the owner, e.g., the owner&#39;s name. For example, such tag may be placed on the bottom layer of the closed body portion.  
         [0041]    The sleeping mat contemplated by the present disclosure may be made according to any method known to those of skill in the art. One such procedure, without intending to limit the present disclosure in any way, is as follows. A material is cut into sections as follows: the bottom layer of the closed body portion is cut into a 23 inch by 54 inch section; the top layer of the closed body portion is cut into a 23 inch by 54 inch section; a 23×42 blanket is cut; a first pillow cover section (11 by 18 inch) and a second pillow cover section (11×18 inch) are cut, placed on top of one another and sewn together to form the pillow cover; a first stuffed pillow shell section (11 by 18 inch) and a second stuffed pillow shell section (11 by 18 inch) are cut to form the stuffed pillow shell. In addition, a 10-inch zipper is provided. The zipper is sewn into the pillow cover and the closed body portion, formed from the top layer and bottom layer, is overedged and lockstitched on three edges. After the zipper is sewn into the pillow cover, the pillow is sewn on the top edge and the edge opposite the zipper (3 edges total). The pillow cover is turned inside out to hide seams. The pillow cover and blanket are then attached to the top layer and bottom layer forming the closed body portion by overedging and lockstitching. The pillow goes on first, then the blanket, then the remaining edges of the body portion are closed. The remaining edge of the pillow and blanket are sealed when they are attached, e.g., sewn, to the bottom mat. The first stuffed pillow shell section is placed on top of the second stuffed pillow shell section and they are joined together by being sewn on three sides. Twelve ounces of fiber is then inserted into the shell, for example, by blowing, and the final side is sewn. The stuffed pillow insert is inserted into the pillow cover and the zipper is moved into the closed position.  
         [0042]    It is to be understood that the present description illustrates those aspects relevant to a clear understanding of the disclosure. Certain aspects that would be apparent to those skilled in the art and that, therefore, would not facilitate a better understanding have not been presented in order to simplify the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will, upon considering the foregoing disclosure, recognize that many modifications and variations may be employed. It is intended that all such variations and modifications are covered by the foregoing description and following claims.