Beds – Bedclothing – Sheet
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-11
2002-05-07
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Bedclothing
Sheet
C005S484000, C005S496000, C005S499000, C005S500000, C005S502000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06381778
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to fitted sheets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose fitted sheet for use as a fitted crib or bed sheet with an integral protective structure for covering and for protecting a mattress and to a safe fitted sheet for use as a crib sheet that completely and positively encases and engages the entire mattress such that a corner or any portion of the crib sheet can not be inadvertedly pulled loose by an infant and thereby significantly reduces the risk of an infant's chance of suffocation due to entanglement in the crib sheet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Children's cribs are provided with a mattress which is protectively covered by a crib sheet. The usual practice is to position a separately disposed protective rubber mat or pad between the crib sheet and the mattress to maintain the surface of the mattress in a clean and sanitary condition when an infant or a young child occupying the crib wets or soils the crib sheet. Unfortunately, such rubber mats or pads are usually sized to fit under a portion of the top surface of the crib mattress and therefore do not adequately and completely protect the surfaces of the mattress left uncovered. Since the crib sheet is frequently soiled, it must be repeatedly washed, and the separate rubber mat must also be cleaned. The typical crib sheet is fabricated of cotton or other natural or synthetic textile material, or a composite thereof. In fitting the sheet to the mattress, one must manipulate the sheet and tuck it in to form corners which conform to the corners of the mattress. Frequently, the crib sheet does not completely encase the mattress, rather the crib sheet often only covers the sleeping surface, the sides and ends of the mattress and only a small portion of the bottom of the mattress, leaving the major bottom portion uncovered by the crib sheet. Oftentimes, even if some attachments such as elastic materials, hooks or the like are used to secure the mattress corners or edges by extending partially around the peripheral bottom edge mattress surface, children can undo the insecurely fastened crib sheet and become entangled in it and may suffocate.
Similar problems occur regarding maintaining ordinary bed sheets used in hospitals, nursing homes and in other situations in a clean and sanitary condition when the occupant of the bed is incontinent and wets or soils the sheet covering the mattress.
One problem associated with conventional crib sheets is that such sheets are permeable to liquid, and one must, therefore, after each use, strip the sheet off the mattress, often at inopportune times, and clean it for reuse.
Another problem associated with conventional crib sheets is that they are unsafe because they are partially disposed on the crib mattress are not adequately and positively secured to the crib mattress thereby allowing the crib sheet to be pulled off by an infant or child who can become entangled in it and suffocate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,753 to Lunt, shows a fitted crib or bed sheet with a liquid impermeable backing plastic film with an absorbent top layer laminated to the film and being attachable to a mattress with elastic strips. A problem with such an arrangement is that elastic strips can weaken after repeated laundering and jeopardize their attachment effectiveness thereby making the potentially loosely secured sheet susceptible to unwanted removal by a child which can cause injury or death.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,408 to Illingworth shows a bedding system for a baby crib having a waterproof pad with elastic and Velcro mattress attachments. Elastic mattress attachments can deteriorate with repeated use and from laundering. The exposed bottom surface of the mattress does not permit the bedding system to be reversibly used.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,375 to Bull shows a mattress deck waterproof cover with a zipper(s); so that both the top and bottom mattress portions can be removed. The invention generally refers to a removable mattress cover or mattress pad which forms an integral portion of the mattress. It would not be practical for use as an integral fitted sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,853 to Turnbull shows a fitted sheet with a zipper and elastic bands. The zipper is used to secure the bottom panel to the opposite side panel to hold the sheet to the mattress. The elastic bands are used to hold a portion of the sheet on a part of the bottom of the mattress. Elastic mattress attachments can deteriorate with repeated use and from laundering. The, exposed bottom surface of the mattress does not permit the fitted sheet to be reversibly used.
Other patents showing moisture proof sheets or the like includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,320 to Mortez et al which shows a spot welded moisture managing bed pad and bed sheet. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,565 to Blake shows a separable moisture proof sheet and U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,959 to Dagenais et al shows a stitched absorbent bed pad.
A transcript from Burrelle's Information Services of the NBC TV show “Dateline NBC” of Oct. 21, 1998 highlights the tragic problem of infant deaths caused by ill fitting crib sheets which are pulled off the crib mattress by infants and small children who become entangled in them and die by suffocation caused by asphyxiation. This reportedly happened to a child who had somehow managed to pull his sheet up and then wrapped himself in it so tightly that it cut off his air supply and suffocated him to death. It was reported that most crib sheets fit the mattress to the point that they probably touch the bottom corners but do not go under the corners. This may be due to the fact that there are no present federal safety standards for crib sheets. The Good Housekeeping Institute staffers bought 22 name-brand crib sheets and subjected them to an industry-accepted laundry-type test for shrinkage and were very surprised to find that only 4 of the 22 sheets tested ended up holding their fit properly after repeated washings. The sheets that shrunk couldn't be wrapped around and they don't fit completely over the mattress. Technicians demonstrated that a poorly fitting sheet could be readily detached by a one year old infant with a force of as little as three pounds. Although some efforts reportedly have been made to eliminate the problem, it is apparent that no practical crib sheet is available which solves the problem satisfactorily and that there is an immediate need for a practical safe crib sheet.
In view of the above mentioned problems and limitations associated with conventional crib sheets or the like, it was recognized by the present inventor that there is a need for an improved fitted sheet, that has an integral protective structure, rather than a separate bed pad, and preferably, an integral structure disposed on the underside on at least the top panel of the fitted sheet, and preferably on at least both the top and bottom panels and even more preferably, on the. interior perimeter of the fitted sheet, for reversibly covering and for completely protecting a mattress from wetting by an infant or by incontinent persons.
Also, the present inventor recognized the unfulfilled need to provide a safe fitted sheet for use as a crib sheet that completely and positively encases and engages the entire mattress such that a corner or any portion of the crib sheet can not be inadvertedly pulled loose by an infant and thereby significantly reduces the risk of an infant's chance of suffocation due to entanglement in the crib sheet.
Accordingly, it becomes clear that there is a great need for a fitted sheet that has an integral pad, rather than a separate pad, for reversibly covering and for protecting a mattress from wetting by an infant or by incontinent persons and a safe fitted sheet for use as a crib sheet which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art sheets and pads. Such a fitted sheet should be one that is easy to use, is readily launderable, is positively securable to a mattress and is economically manufactured.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object
Birkner Joseph R.
Browne Lynne H.
Hewitt James M.
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