Elastic fitted cover

• US 20040172754A1
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xymid LLC
• Original Assignee: Xymid LLC
• Inventors: Spencer, Erik William, Tsiarkezos, Stephen Horace, Brooks, Lynwood Charles
• Granted Patent: US 6,883,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 5/499
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/002 Mattress or cushion tickings or covers bed linen, blankets or counterpanes A47G9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 11/004 Fitted table-cloths separate holding devices A47G21/167
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/0246 Fitted sheets loose furniture covers A47C31/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/3008 Woven fabric has an elastic quality

Abstract

A form-fitting cover has a top panel that has an elastic stretch in a least one linear direction in the range of 25 to 150% and a skirt attached to and depending from the periphery of the top panel. The skirt has an upper edge that has an elastic stretch at least equal to the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel. The skirt further has of an elastic and/or inelastic stretch that is at least as large as the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel.

Claims

1. An improved form-fitting cover that has a top panel for covering the top surface of an object and a skirt for covering the sides of the object, the skirt having an elastic upper edge that is attached to the periphery of the top panel so that the skirt depends from the top panel, the improvement comprising the top panel having an elastic stretch in at least one linear direction in the range of 25 to 150%, the upper edge of the skirt having an elastic stretch at least as equal to the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel, the skirt further having of an elastic and/or inelastic stretch that is at least as large as the elastic stretch of the periphery of the top panel.

2. A form-fitting cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elastic stretch of the top panel is at least 30% in at least one linear direction.

3. A form-fitting cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elastic stretch of the top panel is at least 50% in at least one linear direction.

4. A form-fitting cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elastic stretch of the top panel is in the range of 15 to 150% in two mutually perpendicular linear directions.

5. A form-fitting cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the skirt has an elastic bottom edge that pulls a portion of the skirt against the sides, or underneath the bottom, of an object to be covered.

6. A form-fitting cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elastic top panel is an elastic quilted composite fabric.

7. A form-fitting cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elastic top panel comprises a layer of polymeric foam or sponge rubber located adjacent to and intermittently attached to an upper and/or lower elastic of elastic fabric.

8. A form-fitting cover in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cover is a fitted mattress cover.

9. In a process for fabricating an elastic cover for objects of different cross-sectional dimensions, the process including the steps of forming a top panel is formed, forming a stretchable skirt having an elastic upper edge in which are incorporated elastic yarns extending parallel to the periphery of the top panel and attaching the elastic upper edge of the stretchable skirt to the periphery of the top panel, the improvement comprising,

forming the top panel with at least 25% elastic stretch in at least one linear direction of the panel and

attaching the upper edge of the skirt to the panel while each is held in a substantially non-tensioned condition.

10. In a process for fabricating an elastic cover for objects of different cross-sectional dimensions, the process including the steps of forming a top panel is formed, forming a stretchable skirt having an elastic upper edge in which are incorporated elastic yarns extending parallel to the periphery of the top panel and attaching the elastic upper edge of the stretchable skirt to the periphery of the top panel, the improvement comprising,

forming the top panel with latent elastic contraction,

attaching the upper edge of the skirt to the panel while the top panel is held in a substantially non-tensioned condition and the upper edge of the skirt is held under sufficient tension to assure that the edge will contract enough to match the contraction of the top panel when the latent elastic contraction is activated, and

activating the latent contraction to form a cover that is elastically stretchable by at least 25% in at least one linear dimension.