AU649775B2 - Pillow cover - Google Patents

Description

64 77

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT e o Invention Title: PILLOW COVER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: s o 2 9.

9 9 PILLOW COVER This invention relates to a pillow cover.

As is well known, pillows are formed from foam rubber, sponge material or other like substances and generally include a cover over that material to complete the pillow. The pillow together with its cover .s normally contained within a pillow slip for use.

The pillow cover is usually sewn in place so that it is not readily movable from the pillow. Although it is usual practise to remove a pillow case and to wash it from time to time, pillow covers are generally not removed and do become soiled which makes the pillow unsightly and also can present health problems. It has been known in some establishments, such as motels where pillows will be used by different people, to unpick the sewn on pillow cover so that it can be removed from the pillow for washing and then replace the cover and sew it back in place. Whilst this o e o eo eoe e *o *e *ILW O *hsivninrltst ilwcvr *e swl*nwplosaefre rmfa replace the cover and sew it back in place. Whilst this 3 does clean soiled covers and makes them more hygienic, the process is extremely time consuming.

Furthermore, in some hotels and motels, little thought is given to washing pillow covers in view of the difficulties involved and when they become too soiled for use the pillow is merely disposed of.

The object of this invention is to provide a cover which overcomes these problems.

The present invention may be said to reside in a pillow cover comprising a pillow cover comprising a first layer of material and a second layer of material, said layers of material being joined at least partly about their peripheries to define an inner space, the cover having an opening into which a pillow can be inserted so that the pillow is located in said space between the layers of material, the first layer having a flap portion exterior of the space, said flap portion, in use, being foldable over said opening and said second layer to overlap said second layer and be arranged exterior of said space when the 20 pillow is located in said space to close said opening and secure the pillow in said cover.

Since the cover includes the opening and the flap, the pillow can be removed from the cover by simply e00e folding back the flap to gain access to the pillow and remove from the cover. Thus, the cover can be readily washed and replaced on the pillow without the need for :unstitching the cover. Since the pillow cover can be readily removed and cleaned it is not necessary to dispose of pillows which have soiled covers. Alternatively, if a cover becomes too soiled for washing it can be easily replaced by a new cover.

S0A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a pillow cover embodying the invention; 3A Figure 2 is a view along the line Il-Il of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a. view along the line Ill-Ill of 0***0e 0 0* 4* 0*00*0 0 00 0 00 C 0 4 figure 1; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a pillow inserted into the pillow cover.

With reference to figures i, 2 and 3, the pillow cover 10 comprises a first layer of material 12 which is generally rectangular in shape and a second layer of material 14 which is integral with the first layer. The first layer 12 and second layer 14 are merely formed by folding a single piece of material. The first layer 12 is also provided with a flap 16 which is integral with the layer of material 12 and folded back upon the layer of material 12. The layers 12 and 14 and the flap 16 are stitched together around their side edges 15, 17 and 19, by stitching which is referenced by the numeral 21 in figure 3. The stitching shown in figure 3 is exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

End 23 of the pillow cover includes an opening .:o.e between the layers 12 and 14 which leads to an internal space 27 between the layers 12 and 14 for accommodating a pillow.

In order to locate the pillow cover 10 on a pillow 50 shown in figure 4, the pillow 50 is inserted into the opening 25 so that it is accommodated in the space 27 b6tween the layers 12 and 14. In order to secure the pillow the flap 16 is simply folded in the direction of arrow A in figure 4 so that it is brought down over the opening 25 into a position adjacent to the layer 14 to close the opening 25. The pillow can be readily removed from the cover by simply folding flap 16 back to the position shown in figure 2 and removing the pillow out off the opening 25. Thus, the pillow cover can be washed and replaced as required.

The pillow 50 and pillow cover 10 are adapted to be located in a pillow case (not shown) as is normal and, as is also normal, the pillow case would have an internal flap to hold the pillow case on the pillow and its cover.

It has been found that by providing the external flap on the pillow cover, the pillow 50 can be securely retained in the cover without the pillow protruding out of the cover which not only is unsightly but also could result in the pillow being completely separated from the cover.

The external flap has been found to neatly and securely hold the pillow 50 within the cover so that the pillow itself is not exposed to view should the pillow 50 and cover 10 slightly protrude from a pillow case as often happens during use of the pillow during a night's sleep.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

a o a sa e°° oo

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Claims (3)

1. A pillow cover comprising a first layer of material and a second layer of material, said layers of material being joined at least partly about their peripheries to define an inner space, the cover having an opening into which a pillow can be inserted so that the pillow is located in said space between the layers of material, the first layer having a flap portion exterior of the space, said flap portion, in use, being foldable over said opening and said second layer to overlap said second layer and be arranged exterior of said space when the pillow is located in said space to close said opening and secure the pillow in said cover.

2. A pillow cover according to claim 2 wherein the layers are rectangular and joined along three sides, a fourth side of the layers being left open to define said .opening, the flap being a continuation of said first layer adjacent said opening.

3. A pillow cover substantially as hereinbefore 20 described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 21st day of February 1994 G. GWEN HALL By Her Patent Attorneys: GRIFFITH HACK CO. 25 Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia. ABSTRACT A pillow cover for covering a pillow which is to be contained in a pillow slip is disclosed. The cover is adapted to enable the pillow to be easily removed so that the cover can be washed. The cover comprises a pair of panels (12 and 14) which define a space The cover has an opening An exterior flap (16) is provided on the panel (12) so that when a pillow is inserted into the space (27) the flap (16) can be closed over the opening to secure the pillow in the cover. I S* oe a 0 *000 a ft a