Tubular Wrap And Methods For Its Use

Abstract

A tubular wrap is provided for enclosing the outside surfaces of a folded flat pillow. The tubular wrap includes a tubular body formed of a soft and resilient material with a central tunnel passing through longitudinally. The fabric tube has an opening on both ends. The tube surrounds the body of the folded pillow by passing through the central tunnel and bringing each end of the pillow to meet each end of the pillowcase, so that the pillowcase embodies the folded pillow.

1 . A tubular wrap for covering an outer surface of a pillow, the wrap comprising a tubular body having a first open end and a second open end, the tubular body having a selected length and a selected circumference defining a central tunnel,
 wherein the circumference of the tubular body is selected to have a ratio of circumference to pillow volume of 1:20 to 1:450.   
     
     
         2 . The tubular wrap of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body includes a longitudinal seam. 
     
     
         3 . The tubular wrap of  claim 1  wherein the length of the tubular body is selected such that each of the first and second open ends extends beyond a length of the pillow. 
     
     
         4 . The tubular wrap of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body is formed from a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, silk and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The tubular wrap of  claim 1  wherein the circumference of both the first open end and second open end is hemmed. 
     
     
         6 . The tubular wrap of  claim 1  wherein the tubular body includes at least one connector. 
     
     
         7 . A method for shaping a formable object to a generally tubular shape, the method comprising placing the formable object inside of a tubular wrap, the tubular wrap having a tubular body having a first open end and a second open end, the tubular body having a selected length and a selected circumference defining a central tunnel,
 wherein the tubular wrap is effective for covering an outer surface of the formable object and conforming the formable object to a generally tubular shape, the tubular wrap having a circumference that is effective for contacting the formable object and frictionally maintaining the wrap in a position surrounding the formable object.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the circumference of the tubular body is selected to have a ratio of the circumference to deformable object volume of 1:20 to 1:450. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the formable object is an object selected from the group consisting of a pillow, a deformable flat type water bottle, a deformable hot or cold pack, stuffed animals, towels, and blankets. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the tubular body includes a longitudinal seam. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the length of the tubular body is selected such that each of the first and second open ends extends beyond a length of the deformable object. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the tubular body is formed from a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, silk and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the circumference of both the first open end and second open end is hemmed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the tubular body includes at least one connector. 
     
     
         15 . A method for maintaining an appendage in a desired position, the method comprising:
 placing a pillow inside of a tubular wrap to form a wrapped pillow, the tubular wrap having a tubular body having a first open end and a second open end, the tubular body having a selected length and a selected circumference defining a central tunnel; and   positioning the wrapped pillow in a manner effective for maintaining the appendage in the desired position.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the circumference of the tubular body is selected to have a ratio of the circumference to deformable object volume of 1:20 to 1:450. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the tubular body includes a longitudinal seam. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the length of the tubular body is selected such that each of the first and second open ends extends beyond a length of the deformable object. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the tubular body is formed from a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, silk and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  the tubular body includes at least one connector.