STRESS RELIEVING INSERT FOR BEDSHEETS

Abstract

A bedsheet having a stress relieving foam insert around a sewn edge. The foam insert is preferably constructed from closed-cell polyurethane foam rubber and may include a fluid bladder when the foam insert is formed for segments. The fluid bladder for use in enlarging the foam inserts, and may include reed apertures positioned between segments wherein audible sounds are created when fluid is transferred between segments. The squeezing of the foam inserts providing stress relief to an individual and promoting restful sleep. The foam inserts attached to bedsheet to prevent misplacement.

Claims

1. A stress relief bedsheet comprising: a bedsheet formed from a substantially rectangular piece of fabric material having a proximal end terminating with a first hem, and a distal end terminating with a second hem; and at least one foam insert positioned within one said hem.

2. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 1 wherein said foam insert comprised of a plurality of segments, said segments including valleys constructed and arranged to allow a pattern folding of said form insert.

3. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 2 including at least one bladder formed in at least one segment, said bladder for receipt of a fluid.

4. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 3 including a reed aperture positioned between a first bladder segment and a second bladder segment, said reed aperture capable of producing an audible sound when fluid is transferred between said first bladder segment and second bladder segment.

5. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 4 wherein said fluid is a liquid.

6. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 5 wherein said liquid is a gel.

7. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 6 wherein said gel is formed from a super absorbent polymeric and water composition.

8. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 7 wherein said super absorbent polymeric is a cross-linked modified polyacrylamides/potassium acrylate or polyacrylamides/sodium acrylate.

9. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 1 wherein said stress foam insert is about two inches in diameter.

10. The stress relief bedsheet according to claim 1 wherein said foam insert is selected from the group consisting of: closed-cell polyurethane foam rubber, food-grade rubber, natural rubber, silicone rubber, silicone and latex, or a polymer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bedsheet with a foam insert placed within a hem;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foam insert; and

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bedsheet with a single foam insert secured to one end and a plurality of foam inserts secured to an opposite end.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0022] Referring to the Figures, disclosed is the bedsheet 10 of the instant invention defined by a rectangular piece of flat-woven textile having an upper surface 12 and a lower surface 14, bounded along a first end 16 by hem 18, and a second end 20 by hem 22. The hem is defined as the sewn edge formed on each end of the bedsheet which has been turned under and sewn together. The term bedsheet may be interchanged with the term “blanket” or “pillow cover” for purposes of this specification. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the invention can be placed in the sewn hem of a pillow case, blanket, comforter, covers, covering, and the like bedding materials.

[0023] The hem 22 receives a stress foam insert 24 which, in one embodiment, is about two inches in diameter and extends along a width W of the bedsheet. The foam insert being captured in the portion of the bedsheet that has been turned under and sewn together. The stress foam insert 24 is preferably constructed of segments which allow folding of the bedsheet when not in use, and facilitate washing of the bedsheet. Alternatively the foam insert can be temporarily removed from the hem area by use of a zipper, hook and loop, or snap fastener allowing removal of the foam insert for washing or storage. Segments are formed by a plurality of valleys 26 that allow folding of the foam insert 24. The valleys 26 are constructed and arranged to nest providing a compact shape for washing or storage. Each valley 26 has an offset sidewall 28, allowing the foam insert to fold in a predetermined pattern. In another embodiment the stress form inserts 25 are of a circular shaped, formed from multiple ball shaped foam inserts, or a continuous form insert with segments resembling a ball shape.

[0024] In another embodiment, a bladder 30 can be positioned within the stress foam insert 24 which, upon inflation, will provide the foam insert 24 with additional resistance when squeezed. The inflated bladder can be placed in individual sections 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40 wherein fluid, either air or liquid, operates to fill an inner section of the foam insert 24 providing both enlargement and resistance functions. The fluid providing a variable resistance and, depending upon the interconnecting reed aperture 29 design, provide a smoothing sound caused by the passage of air or liquid between sections. For instance, the squeezing of one section can cause the displacement of air that, with the appropriate reed placed between segments, will make the sound of whales at sea. In an embodiment using liquid, passage of liquid can be made to sound like ocean waves. The liquid can be water or preferably a gel formed from a super absorbent polymeric and water composition. The composition utilizes a biodegradable super absorbent aqueous based polymer, namely a cross-linked modified polyacrylamides/potassium acrylate or polyacrylamides/sodium acrylate. Other suitable polymers include, albeit are not limited to, carboxy-methylcellulose, alginic acid, cross-linked starches, and cross-linked polyaminoacids.

[0025] The bedsheet can be made of linen, cotton, synthetics, silk or the like. The foam insert is made from a biocompatible, non-toxic material capable of providing a desired resistance. In the preferred embodiment, the foam is selected from the group consisting of closed-cell polyurethane foam, food-grade rubber, natural rubber, silicone rubber, silicone and latex, or any other FDA-approved rubber, latex or suitable polymer.

[0026] The resistance provided is similar to a stress ball, and can be measured as the force per unit area required to deform the device so that the outer circumference of the foam insert can be squeezed to a point where the opposing side walls just about touch each other. The foam is soft enough that laying on it would not disturb sleep, but would provide progressively sufficient resistance, wherein an elderly individual would be able to cause partial collapse of the foam, and a muscular individual would be challenged to completely collapse the foam. The resistance can be measured by placing the foam on a scale and pressing down on the foam with a one inch square surface area to determine the weight on the scale at which the top and bottom walls of the foam nearly touch each other. When the scale is calibrated in pounds, the resistance associated with the foam is expressed as pounds per square inch (psi). When resistance is measured in this manner, the preferred foam will have a resistance between about 20 psi and about 100 psi. Preferred resistance is between about 40 psi, but can vary based upon the diameter of the foam, if round, or other shape employed. The resistance of a device depends on the size of the foam, and the material from which the foam is made. One of skill in the art can readily vary these parameters to produce the devices of the invention.

[0027] In use, an individual would install the bedsheet having the stress foam insert in the ordinary and conventional manner by placement over a bed. If the stress foam insert is positioned within a blanket, the blanket is typically placed over the bedsheet. With the stress relieving foam formed in the end of the bedsheet, an individual can grasp or clench the foam with multiple repetitions; such repetitions can be with a planned number of sets or until the individual falls asleep. Should the individual wake up during the night and become restless, the individual will easily find the stress relieving foam, as it will remain in the hem of the bedsheet or blanket.

[0028] The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more” or “at least one.” The term “about” means, in general, the stated value plus or minus 5%. The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs.

[0029] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and that the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

[0030] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.