Multi-Layered Protective Covers and Methods for Making the Same

Abstract

Multi-layered pillowcases and methods of making and using the same are discussed herein. The multi-layered pillowcase generally includes an outer pillowcase and an inner pillowcase, wherein the inner pillowcase is smaller in total size than the outer pillowcase so as to allow the inner pillowcase to float inside the outer pillowcase and wherein the inner pillowcase is secured to the outer pillowcase.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/978,385, filed May 14, 2018.

FIELD

[0002] Embodiments generally relate to devices and methods to prevent inhalation or contact with germs, viruses, body fluids, and other blood-borne pathogens (e.g., "contaminants").

BACKGROUND

[0003] Exposure to contaminants is frequent in public spaces. For example, such exposure can occur via contact with seating materials, such as movie theater seats, airplane sets, car rental seats etc. Additional exposure to contaminants can occur in childcare settings, such as via contact with nap mats and other soft articles. Prior attempts to address the issue of contaminant exposure have not specifically addressed the issue of blocking the passage of genus, viruses, body fluids and other blood-borne pathogens from the pillow to the person. Additionally, prior attempts did not address the need to use comfortable materials that come into contact with the persons head.

[0004] Therefore, a need exists to provide contaminant protection upon contact with soft surfaces in public settings.

SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments generally include a multi-layered pillowcase. The multi-layered pillowcase generally includes an outer pillowcase and an inner pillowcase, wherein the inner pillowcase is smaller in total size than the outer pillowcase so as to allow the inner pillowcase to float inside the outer pillowcase and wherein the inner pillowcase is secured to the outer pillowcase.

[0006] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of the preceding paragraph, wherein the outer pillowcase is made of a first material that is selected from cotton, polyester, silk, or a combination thereof.

[0007] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the inner pillowcase is made of a second material, wherein the second material is anti-microbial and adapted to block the flow of germs, viruses, body fluids and other blood-borne pathogens therethrough.

[0008] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the inner pillowcase is made of a second material, wherein the second material is water-resistant and exhibits a moisture vapor transmission rate from 0.1 and 30 g/m.sup.2 day, as measured by ASTM 2298.

[0009] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the inner pillowcase is secured to the outer pillowcase.

[0010] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the inner pillowcase is sealed via a zipper, a plurality of buttons, or a plurality of snaps.

[0011] One or more embodiments include a multi-layered pillowcase including a first panel; a second panel perimetrically joined with the first panel so that an inner surface of each of the first and second panels define a cavity having a void volume and one opening; a third panel perimetrically joined with a fourth panel so that the inner surface of the third and fourth panels define a cavity having a void volume and one opening, the perimetrically joined third and fourth panel connected to the perimetrically joined first and second panels along the opening such that the perimetrically joined third and fourth panel floats between the perimetrically joined first and second panels, wherein the perimetrically joined third and fourth panels are connected by a fastening mechanism adapted to seal the opening, wherein the first and second materials are formed of a first material and the third and fourth panels are formed of a second material, the second material being different from the first material, and wherein the perimetrically joined third and fourth panel are secured to the perimetrically joined first and second panels.

[0012] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the perimetrically joined third and fourth panels allows for a pillow to be inserted and sealed via a fastening mechanism.

[0013] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the fastening mechanism includes a zipper, a plurality of buttons, or a plurality of snaps.

[0014] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the void volume of the perimetrically joined first and second panels allows for a pillow to be inserted between the void of the perimetrically joined third and fourth panels, causing the multi-layered pillowcase to create two layers over a pillow.

[0015] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the first material is selected from cotton, polyester, silk and combinations thereof.

[0016] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the second material is an anti-microbial material.

[0017] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the second material has a moisture vapor transmission rate from 0.1 and 30 g/m.sup.2 day, as measured by ASTM 2298.

[0018] One or more embodiments include a method of forming a pillowcase including forming an outer pillowcase of a first material, the first material selected for comfort of a user; forming an inner pillowcase of a second material, the second material exhibiting anti-microbial properties; and securing the inner and outer pillowcases to one another such that the outer pillowcase forms an exterior surface and the inner pillowcase forms a void volume adapted for receipt of fill.

[0019] One or more embodiments include the pillowcase of any preceding paragraph, wherein the inner pillowcase is adapted to receive a standard queen, king, super standard, or European sized pillow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the cross-sectional view of the multi-layered pillowcase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction and Definitions

[0021] A detailed description will now be provided. Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain, specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims. Each of the inventions will now be described in greater detail below, including specific embodiments, versions and examples, but the inventions are not limited to these embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventions when the information in this patent is combined with available information and technology.

[0022] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition skilled persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing. Further, unless otherwise specified, all compounds described herein may be substituted or unsubstituted and the listing of compounds includes derivatives thereof.

[0023] Further, various ranges and/or numerical limitations may be expressly stated below. It should be recognized that unless stated otherwise, it is intended that endpoints are to be interchangeable. Further, any ranges include iterative ranges of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations.

[0024] Embodiments described herein generally include multi-layered pillowcases and methods of forming the same.

[0025] The multi-layered pillowcase is described herein. The multi-layered pillowcase generally contains an outer pillowcase and an inner pillowcase. The inner pillowcase is smaller than the outer pillowcase so as to allow the inner pillowcase to float inside the outer pillowcase. The inner pillowcase may be secured to the outer pillowcase. The inner pillowcase may be sealable.

[0026] The outer pillowcase may be formed of a first material, such as, for example, a breathable fabric. The term "breathable fabric" means any material that allows for the flow of air. The breathable fabric, may include cotton, polyester, silk or a combination thereof.

[0027] The inner pillowcase will be made from a second material, such as, for example, an anti-microbial, water-resistant material. The term "anti-microbial" will be material that is capable of blocking the flow of germs, viruses, body fluids and other blood-borne pathogens. The term "water-resistant" will be material that has a moister vapor transmission rate ("MVTR") from 0.1 and 30 g/m.sup.2 day, or 0.5 to 25 g/m.sup.2 day, or 1 to 20 g/m.sup.2 day, for example as measured by ASTM 2298. The inner pillowcase may be sealed via a fastening mechanism. The term "fastening mechanism" may be a zipper, a plurality of buttons or a plurality of snaps.

[0028] The method for making the multi-layered pillowcase is described herein. The multi-layered pillowcase generally contains a first and second rectangular panel, made of a first material, joined together perimetrically, which will herein be referred to as the outer pillowcase. As used herein, the term "perimetrically" means that one panel will be placed on top of the other panel so that they look as though they are one single panel. As used herein, the term "joined" will mean that the two panels will be sewn together along their perimeters with the exception of one of the shorter ends of the rectangular panel, which will not be sewn together. A third and fourth panel, made of a second material, will be perimetrically joined together, which will herein be referred to as the inner pillowcase. The inner pillowcase is smaller than the outer pillowcase so as to allow the inner pillowcase to float between the first and second panels making up the outer pillowcase. The inner pillowcase may be secured to the outer pillowcase via a securing mechanism. The term "securing mechanism" means any mechanism that will secure the inner pillowcase to the outer pillowcase in such a way that they will be connected. A preferred embodiment will be for the inner pillowcase to be sewn on to the outer pillowcase along both of their openings.

[0029] The method for using the multi-layered pillowcase is described herein. The multi-layered pillowcase may be used by people who are traveling and staying overnight in hotels, motels, and other temporary, overnight accommodations. In addition, the multi-layered pillowcase may be used by people staying overnight in hospital beds. As such, the inner pillowcase may be designed, to insert a standard queen, king, or super standard pillowcase inside it. Additionally, the inner pillowcase may also be designed to insert any type of international pillows inside it, for example, a European pillow. The outer pillowcase may be any color as to ensure that users will not confuse it with any pillowcases that are provided for by the hotel, motel, hospital, or other temporary, overnight accommodation. In addition, the outer pillowcase may also contain various designs that the user selects, such as the logo of their favorite sports team, college affiliation, corporation or inspirational sayings to further ensure that they will not mistake it for any pillowcases that are provided for by the hotel, motel, hospital, or other temporary, overnight accommodation.

[0030] An embodiment of a multi-layered pillowcase is illustrated in FIG. 1. The multi-layered pillowcase 100 includes a first panel 1 and a second panel 2 perimetrically joined with the first panel 1 such that inner surface 7 of first and second panels 1, 2 define a cavity having a void volume and at least one opening 9. A third panel 3 and a fourth panel 4 are perimetrically joined with the third panel 3 such that inner surface 8 of third and fourth panels 3, 4 define a cavity having a void volume and at least one opening 10. First and second panels 1, 2 each have a rectangular cross-sectional configuration such that cavity 7 has a size and shape that is larger than a fill pillow. Third and fourth panels 3, 4 each have a rectangular cross-sectional configuration such that cavity 8 has a size and shape that conforms to that of a fill pillow. The third and fourth panels 3, 4 are adapted for securing to the first and second panels 1, 2 at points 5 and 6. The opening formed by the third and fourth panel 10 will be sealed, via the fastening mechanism 11.

[0031] Incorporating the design features above, additional implementations can be used to incorporate the form and function of the anti-microbial fabrics, and the use of openings to cover the seat backs of airplanes, car rental seats, movie theater seats or any other public seating having a soft surface, creating a barrier between the patron's unprotected head and the seat material. There is a similar opening to slide over the seat back, with a rubber-band type of material to secure the device to the seat while being used. When using to cover nap-mats, the opening would cover the corners of the mat with a similar rubberized material to ensure the protective cover would remain in place.

[0032] Similar to the pillow design aforementioned, a hotel user may desire similar sheet sets to protect him/her from fluids. The multi-layer anti-microbial panels perimetrially connected can also provide similar protections and comfort when being used as a fitted and/or top sheet.

[0033] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A multi-layered covering comprising: an outer layer comprising a first opening; and an inner layer comprising a second opening; wherein the inner layer is smaller in total, size than the outer layer so as to allow the inner layer to float inside the outer layer and wherein opposite sides of the first opening of the outer layer are secured to opposite sides of the second opening of the inner layer.