No Popping-off and No Bunching-up Simple Bedding System

Abstract

A bedding system termed "No Hassle Bedding System" is disclosed to solve the issues of mattress pad and/or fitted/bottom sheet popping off a mattress, lifting mattress to put on a mattress pad and/or fitted/bottom sheet, and flat/top sheet bunching up in a simple and economical way. The system consists of a strap system that is built-in on a mattress or in a mattress-free form, matching flat mattress pad and flat bottom sheet that can be secured onto a mattress, a flat/top sheet with built-in ribbons and a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc with built-in loops so that they can be assembled and disassembled easily.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Most of the bedding systems in a home or hotel consist of the following components: bed and bedding sets. A complete bed contains a frame, a box spring (optional) and a mattress. A common mattress can be made of memory foam, inner spring, or a hybrid made of foam and spring. The common factors of those mattresses are that they are all very heavy and most do not have handles or straps built on them for ease of lifting. The bedding set can contain many items, but the major needed components are mattress pad, fitted/bottom sheet, flat/top sheet, blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc and pillow.

[0003] Many improvements have been made to make a bedding system healthier, safer, easier to make bed, and more comfortable for people young or old to have a good night sleep

[0004] For the problem of a fitted/bottom sheet popping off a mattress, many kinds of bed sheet fasteners have been invented, such as BedBand, SheetLock, and many other varieties of holders, suspenders, and grippers. Most of the aforementioned devices hold the corners of the fitted sheets around the corner areas under the mattresses, or some hold the sides of the fitted sheets using long suspenders going through the mattress bottoms. They all try to hold the rim or the edge of the fitted/bottom sheet under the mattress. Another solution is to have extra fabric on the wraparound part of a fitted/bottom sheet so that the sheet can wrap more of the mattress bottom and prevent a fitted/bottom sheet from popping off a mattress.

[0005] For the issue of difficulty in changing a fitted/bottom sheet due to heavy mattresses, and/or hard to access mattresses, such as a mattress in a bunk bed or crib, the product QuickZip definitely has solved the issue of lifting a mattress in order to change a fitted/bottom sheet. It also has solved the issue of fitted sheet popping off the mattress by making the base part/retention element covering more or the whole bottom of the mattress (US2017/0112292 A1).

[0006] For the task of how to put a duvet inside a duvet cover easily, the Nova Duvet cover is definitely one of the best solutions in solving this issue. The Easy-fit Duvet covers also solve the problem.

[0007] Another issue is that the flat/top sheet tends to separate from the blank/duvet/comforter/quilt/etc and bunch up after a night of sleep, making it time consuming to make bed every morning. The solution from Simplified Bedding and Smart Bedding both have solved the issue by attaching flat/top sheet to a duvet cover. In addition, Beddy's Zipper Bedding and Zipit Bedding both use the strategy of zipping the comforter to the fitted/bottom sheet to solve the above issue.

[0008] Despite of all the aforementioned inventions, there still exist many issues in our current bedding system.

[0009] Regarding fitted/bottom sheet popping off a mattress, some of the fasteners/holders/grippers will solve the problems, but you still need to lift the mattress in order to use them, which can be very difficult when dealing with heavy mattresses and/or hard to access mattresses, such as mattresses in bunk beds, cribs, or beds against walls, etc. Also, it does not solve the issue of a flat/top sheet separating from a comforter or duvet, etc and bunching up.

[0010] QuickZip definitely has solved the issues of lifting a mattress in order to change a fitted/bottom sheet and the sheet popping off a mattress. However, the solution comes with a very high price tag. For example, families using bunk beds can really benefit from the QuickZip sheet, but may not buy it because of the high cost. Also, you still need to lift the mattress in order to change the base as the zipper on the base may not work well with the matching Zip-on sheet because the Zip-on sheet is washed more frequently than the corresponding base. In addition, putting on a fitted mattress pad can be very hard with the base wrapping around a mattress. The flat mattress pad sold on their web site still involves lifting the mattress to put it on and it may still pop off the mattress and bunch up. Furthermore, it does not solve the issue of a flat/top sheet separating from a comforter or duvet, etc and bunching up.

[0011] Nova Duvet cover and Easy-fit Duvet cover solve the issue of fitting the duvet inside of its cover but not other issues.

[0012] Simplified Bedding and Smart Bedding both solve the issue of flat/top sheet bunching up, but they do not solve other issues.

[0013] Beddy's Zipper Bedding and Zipit Bedding both also eliminate flat sheet bunching issues and enable easy bed making, but they also do not solve all other issues. In fact, Beddy's Zipper Bedding and Zipit Bedding could introduce other problems in the bedding set. For example, it is difficult to wash the whole bedding even on a monthly basis as it is too bulky for the washing machine to clean thoroughly even if the top and bottom are washed separately. In summer time, the bedding can be too warm. Some people may not like the body to be bonded to a bed that tightly. Also, both of the bedding sets are expensive.

[0014] Consequently, the bedding system still has room for improvement. There is a great demand for an affordable, simple, user-friendly, comfortable, and easy-to-wash bedding system that solves the issues of fitted/bottom sheet popping off a mattress, lifting mattress in order to put on a fitted/bottom sheet or a mattress pad, and flat/top sheet bunching up. Therefore, there is a need in the art to develop such a bedding system. The present invention satisfies these long-unsolved needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] This application relates to the invention of an affordable, simple, user-friendly, comfortable, and easy-to-wash bedding system that the applicant has coined the "No Hassle Bedding System". It can stop mattress pad and/or fitted/bottom sheet from popping off a mattress. It eliminates the need to lift a mattress so as to put a mattress pad and/or a fitted/bottom sheet onto a mattress. Furthermore, it also stops a flat/top sheet from bunching up, and it enables the flat/top sheet to keep blanket, duvet, comforter, quilt, etc, clean. Any component of this bedding system can be washed easily in separation. This bedding invention will also use less fabric or expensive supplies in manufacturing the bedding system, which reduces cost.

[0016] One aspect of the invention is a mattress with built-in straps on the bottom and the side arranged vertically, horizontally and diagonally in a symmetrical way. Each of the on-mattress straps is further extended to form the off-mattress strap, which is split into two. The straps built on a mattress can also serve as handles for moving or lifting the mattress.

[0017] Another aspect of the invention is that the aforementioned strap system can be in a mattress-free form, which can be mounted onto a strap-free mattress.

[0018] Still other aspects of the invention include a flat mattress pad and flat bottom sheet that have loops or other type of anchor system built-in on the edges of a flat mattress pad and designated areas on a flat bottom sheet. The loops/anchors are arranged so that both the flat mattress pad and flat bottom sheet can be tied onto the extended split off-mattress straps in an organized manner. This design together with the strap system enables changing of the mattress pad and/or flat bottom sheet without the need to lift the mattress, and this design will keep the mattress pad and/or flat bottom sheet smooth and flat on the mattress. These aspects of the invention solve the issues of the fitted/bottom sheet popping off a mattress and the need to lift a mattress in order to change a fitted/bottom sheet or a fitted mattress pad.

[0019] Yet other aspects of the invention relate to built-in ribbons or other type of anchor system about one-foot down from the edge of the head-side of a flat/top sheet, and built-in loops or other type of anchor system on the edge of the head-side of a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. The aforementioned design enables attaching a flat/top sheet to a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc along the head-side in an organized manner. The approximate one-foot fabric on the head-side of the flat/top sheet can be folded back to cover the attachment sites and keep the head-side of the blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc clean. A few safety pins can be used to further secure the folded back part of the sheet near the head-side of a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. Some safety pins can also be used to further secure the flat/top sheet to a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc at the foot-side. These aspects of the invention solve in a simple way the issue of flat sheet bunching up and enable the flat/top sheet to keep a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc clean.

[0020] The current invention eliminates the need to have extra fabric on the side of a fitted/bottom sheet or a mattress pad, which serves to secure them on a mattress. It also makes it unnecessary to use a duvet cover to keep a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc clean. It does not use expensive supplies in making this bedding system. Therefore, it will reduce the cost of making the "No Hassle Bedding System". Also, every component can be assembled and disassembled easily, and each component can be washed separately as needed, making it easier to clean than some of the existing bedding inventions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0022] In the drawings/figures (Fig.):

[0023] FIG. 1A is a 3D view of a standard/current mattress.

[0024] FIG. 1B is a 3D view showing only the on-mattress part of the vertical and horizontal built-in straps.

[0025] FIG. 1C is a 3D view further showing the on-mattress part of the vertical, horizontal and diagonal built-in straps and two of the extended split off-mattress built-in straps.

[0026] FIG. 1D is 3D view showing the mattress-free vertical, horizontal, diagonal strap system that can be mounted on a mattress and two of the extended split off-mattress straps.

[0027] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a flat mattress pad with built-in loops on top of a mattress.

[0028] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of a flat bottom sheet with built-in loops facing a flat mattress pad, both of which are on top of a mattress.

[0029] FIG. 3A is a top plan view of a flat/top sheet with built-in ribbons near the head-side of a sheet.

[0030] FIG. 3B is a top plan view of a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc with built-in loops on the edge of the head-side.

[0031] FIG. 3C is a top plan view of a flat/top sheet assembled with a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc through tying the ribbons on the sheet to the corresponding loops on a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. The head-side of the sheet is folded back along line 20 to cover the head-side 22 of the blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. The folded-back part of the sheet can be further secured on the top layer of the blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc via safety pins in an invisible way. The flat/top sheet can further be secured to a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc on the side facing the body at the foot-side via safety pins in an invisible way.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of all the embodiments used together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Otherwise, certain terms used herein have the meanings as set forth in the specification.

[0034] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0035] One objective of the current invention is to build a mattress with built-in strap system. Another objective of the current invention is to make the mattress-free strap system that can be mounted onto a strap-free mattress. A further objective is to make the matching flat mattress pad and flat bottom sheet that can be tied onto the above strap system so as to solve the issues of mattress pad and/or fitted/bottom sheet popping off a mattress and the need to lift a mattress to put on a mattress pad and/or fitted/bottom sheet.

[0036] Yet another objective is to make flat/top sheet and matching blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc with built-in ribbons, loops or other anchor system so that a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc can be assembled and disassembled with a flat/top sheet easily as needed. This is to solve the issue of flat/top sheet bunching up. It will also achieve the goal of keeping a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc clean in a simple way.

[0037] The merits of the current invention will become apparent in the following description and claims.

[0038] The present invention provides a bedding system that can make the task of making a bed easier than the current system. The bedding system, referred to herein as the "No Hassle Bedding System", is useful in stopping mattress pad and/or fitted/bottom sheet from popping off a mattress, eliminating the need to lift a mattress so as to put a mattress pad and/or a fitted/bottom sheet onto a mattress, stopping a flat/top sheet from bunching up, enabling the flat/top sheet to keep blanket, duvet, comforter, quilt, etc clean, making it much easier to wash any component of the bedding system, and making it possible to use less material and a less complicated process in manufacturing the bedding system.

[0039] There are many different mattress types on the market. They can differ in mattress materials, surface areas, thickness, etc. Most common mattress materials are memory foam, inner spring, or a hybrid made of foam and spring. The sizes for the mattress surface areas are mainly crib (28''.times.52''), twin (75''.times.38''), twin XL (80''.times.38''), full/double (74''.times.54''), full/double XL (80''.times.54''), queen (80''.times.60''), king (80''.times.76''), California king (84''.times.72''), Wyoming king (84''.times.84''), and Alaska king (108''.times.108''). The thickness can be 2''-5'' for low profile mattress, 5''-8'' for thin mattresses, 8''-12'' for standard mattress, 12''-20'' for medium-to-thick mattresses, 20'' and above for very thick mattresses.

[0040] FIG. 1A is a 3D view of a mattress. Mattress 1 is illustrated with its length 2, width 3, height 4, top of a mattress 5, and bottom of a mattress 6. Despite the existence of different mattress types, there has not been any mattress with a built-in anchor system to enable the attachment of mattress pad and/or bottom sheet to the mattress cheaply and easily without the need to lift the mattress. One aspect of the "No Hassle Bedding System" invention is to make a mattress with a built-in anchor system. The built-in anchor system can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops attached on a mattress in a designated format. In a preferred embodiment, the built-in anchor system is consisted of a strap system.

[0041] FIG. 1B just shows the on-mattress part of vertical and horizontal built-in straps. There can be one, two or more vertical built-in straps 7. There can be one, two or more horizontal built-in straps 8. In a preferred embodiment, there are two vertical and horizontal built-in straps, which form 4 interaction joints 26 on a mattress bottom 6. FIG. 1C further shows built-in diagonal straps. The on-mattress part of diagonal straps 9 can be two of the one-piece diagonal straps, which will cross from each other and form joint 27 on a mattress bottom 6 as shown on FIG. 1D. The two diagonal straps will also cross over the 4 interaction joints 26. In a preferred embodiment for a mattress with built-in strap system, there will be 4 pieces of diagonal straps, each of which extends from one of the joints 26 as shown on FIG. 1C. The vertical 7, horizontal 8 and diagonal 9 straps are organized in a symmetrical manner to cover a mattress bottom 6 evenly.

[0042] Furthermore, FIG. 1C shows only two of the potential 12 off-mattress straps 10, which extend from the on-mattress vertical, horizontal and diagonal straps. The extension can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops, but a preferred embodiment is split-straps or ribbons for the off-mattress extended straps 10. Essentially, two pieces of narrow straps or ribbons are extended from the end of each built-in on-mattress strap to become the off-mattress straps 10. The off-mattress straps can start from 0, 1, 2 or more inches below a mattress top 5. The off-mattress straps can be 10 inches or longer in length.

[0043] Another aspect of the "No Hassle Bedding System" invention is to make a mattress-free anchor system. The mattress-free anchor system can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops that are attached on a flat sheet or set of straps, which can cover a mattress bottom 6 in a symmetrical and even manner. In a preferred embodiment, the mattress-free anchor system consists of a strap system. FIG. 1D shows the vertical strap 11, horizontal strap 12, diagonal strap 13, and extended split off-mattress strap 14 on a mattress-free strap system. This mattress-free strap system can be very useful for people who already have those strap-free mattresses as a mattress-free strap system can be mounted onto a strap-free mattress.

[0044] There can be one, two or more vertical mattress-free straps 11. There can be one, two or more horizontal mattress-free straps 12. In a preferred embodiment, there are two vertical and horizontal mattress-free straps, which form 4 interaction joints 26 as shown on FIG. 1D. There can be 4 pieces of diagonal straps, each of which extends from one of the joints 26. In a preferred embodiment for a mattress-free strap system, the diagonal straps 13 are two of the one-piece diagonal straps, which will cross each other to form joint 27. The two diagonal straps will also cross over the 4 interaction joints 26. The vertical 11, horizontal 12 and diagonal 13 straps are organized in a symmetrical manner to cover a mattress bottom 6 evenly when they are mounted onto a mattress.

[0045] In addition, FIG. 1D shows only two of the potential 12 extended split off-mattress straps 14. The extension can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops, but a preferred embodiment is split straps or ribbons for the extended straps 14. Essentially, two pieces of narrow straps or ribbons are extended from the end of each strap to become the off-mattress straps 14 while the other part of the strap system is mounted onto a mattress. The off-mattress straps can start from 0, 1, 2 or more inches below a mattress top 5. The off-mattress straps can be 10 inches or longer in length.

[0046] The third aspect of the invention is a matching flat mattress pad with built-in anchor system to attach to the mattress via the extended split off-mattress straps described above. FIG. 2A shows a flat mattress pad 15 on top of a mattress 1 and loops 16. The flat mattress pad can be in any size and made of any material. In a preferred embodiment, the flat mattress pad is about 2 inches to 4 inches shorter in length and width than the length 2 and the width 3 of a corresponding mattress. The materials for mattress pad will be those used in current mattress pads, or some new materials developed in the future. The anchor system can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops, but in a preferred embodiment, the built-in anchor system are made of fabric loops, which are distributed on the mattress pad in an order that can be tied to the corresponding off-mattress straps. The number of loops can be in any number, preferably the same number as that for the corresponding off-mattress straps. The loops can be stitched anywhere on a mattress pad, but preferably on the edge of a flat mattress pad with the location corresponding to the matching off-mattress straps.

[0047] The fourth aspect of the invention is a matching flat bottom sheet with built-in anchor system to attach to the mattress via the extended split off-mattress straps described above. FIG. 2B shows a flat bottom sheet 17 on top of a mattress pad 15 and loops 18. The flat bottom sheet can be in any size and made of any materials. In a preferred embodiment, the flat bottom sheet is about 8 inches to 30 inches longer in length and width than the length 2 and the width 3 of a corresponding mattress. The materials for flat bottom sheet will be those used in current bed sheets, or some new materials developed in the future. The anchor system can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops, but in a preferred embodiment, built-in anchor system are made of fabric loops, which are distributed on the flat bottom sheet in an order that can be tied to the corresponding off-mattress straps. The number of loops can be in any number, preferably the same number as that for the corresponding off-mattress straps. The loops can be stitched anywhere on the flat bottom sheet, but preferably on the side facing the corresponding mattress and/or mattress pad with the location corresponding to the matching off-mattress straps.

[0048] The fifth aspect of the invention is a flat/top sheet with built-in anchor system to attach to a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. FIG. 3A shows a flat/top sheet demonstrating the head-side 19, one foot down line 20 from the edge of head-side, and anchor system 21. Line 20 can be in any inches down from the head-side 19, but preferably one foot down. The flat/top sheet can be in any size and made of any materials. In a preferred embodiment, the flat/top sheet has the same size as those on the market and same materials used in the current bed sheets, or some new materials developed in the future. The anchor system can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops, but in a preferred embodiment, built-in anchor system are made of fabric ribbons. The ribbons can be in any location on a flat/top sheet. However, in a preferred embodiment, the ribbons are distributed on the side of a flat/top sheet facing away from a mattress along line 20. The number of ribbons can be in any number, preferably 5 or 7 and distributed along line 20 symmetrically and evenly.

[0049] The sixth aspect of the invention is a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc with built-in anchor system to attach to the aforementioned flat/top sheet. FIG. 3B shows a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc demonstrating the edge of the head-side 22, and anchor system 23. The blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc can be in any size and made of any material. In a preferred embodiment, the blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc has the same sizes as those on the market and same materials used in the current blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc, or some new materials developed in the future. The anchor system can consist of Velcro, straps, elastic, zippers, buckles, buttons, clips, pins, safety pins, hooks or loops, but in a preferred embodiment, built-in anchor system are made of fabric loops. The loops can be in any location on a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. However, in a preferred embodiment, the loops are distributed on the edge of the head-side 22. The distance between loop 1 and 2, 2 and 3, etc is the same as those for the ribbons on the matching top/flat sheet. The number of loops can be in any number. Preferably it has the same number as that for the ribbons on the matching flat/top sheet.

[0050] FIG. 3C is a top plan view of a flat/top sheet attached to a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc by tying the ribbons 21 on the sheet to the corresponding loops 23 on a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. The head-side of the sheet is folded back along line 20 to cover the head-side 22 of the blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc. The folded-back part of the sheet can be secured on the top layer of the blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc via safety pins 24 in an invisible way. The foot-side of the flat/top sheet 25 can also be secured on the side of a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc facing the body via safety pins 24 in an invisible way. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of all the embodiments used together.

[0051] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited only to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is also intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific dimensions or examples used to explain this invention. It is also to be understood that the dimensions can be modified so as to optimize the current invention. It is to be understood further that modification of the "No Hassle Bedding System" and its components may be adaptable to different uses, etc. Moreover, it is to be understood that the terminology or expressions used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is also to be understood that the drawings are not to the scale of the actual bedding system, and they are mainly used to provide some visual representations of the actual bedding components. Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by the current end users.

Claims

1. A mattress with built-in strap system containing extended split off-mattress straps that can secure a matching flat mattress pad and/or a flat bottom sheet, achieving the goal of stopping fitted/bottom sheet and/or mattress pad from popping off a mattress and no lifting a mattress in order to change fitted/bottom sheet and/or mattress pad.

2. The strap system of claim 1, wherein a version of the same but mattress-free strap system that can be mounted onto a strap-free mattress, which consequently can secure a matching flat mattress pad and/or a flat bottom sheet, achieving the goal of stopping fitted/bottom sheet and/or mattress pad from popping off a mattress and no lifting a mattress in order to change fitted/bottom sheet and/or mattress pad.

3. The strap system of claims 1 and 2, wherein matching flat mattress pad and flat bottom sheet with built-in loops to attach to the corresponding extended split off-mattress straps on a mattress.

4. A flat/top sheet with built-in ribbons and the matching blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc with built-in loops that enable the assembling of a flat/top sheet to a blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc, achieving the goal of preventing a flat/top sheet from bunching up and keeping the blanket/comforter/duvet/quilt/etc clean in a simple way.