Yoga/Pilates mat cover

Abstract

An eco-friendly exercise mat cover for an exercise mat comprises a rectangular envelop made from a material with specific characteristics which renders the cover-mat combination useable in various environmental conditions. The cover comprises an opening flap for easy placement and removal of the mat. In an alternative embodiment, the exercise mat cover includes a carrying bag which may be used to conveniently transport the cover-mat combination.

1 . A cover for an exercise mat, comprising a substantially rectangular envelope made from a material comprising the following properties:
 (a) nonabsorbent;   (b) water resistant;   (c) odor resistant;   (d) capable of being recycled; and   (e) capable of being rolled;   
       said rectangular envelope comprising an upper panel, having an upper panel total surface area, and a lower panel, having a lower panel total surface area, said upper panel and lower panel stitched together along their entire perimeters; 
       said lower panel comprising a substantially rectangular cut along two longitudinal sides and one transverse side so as to provide an opening flap for easily placing and removing the mat; and 
       said opening flap comprising one or more fastener along the two longitudinal sides and one transverse side so as to tightly secure the mat inside the rectangular envelop thereby preventing the mat from unwanted movements within the rectangular envelop; 
       wherein the cover provides for fast placement and removal of the mat within the cover and wherein a combination of the cover and mat is utilizable in various environmental temperatures. 
     
     
         2 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a washable fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The cover of  claim 2 , wherein the washable fabric is dryable via a household drying machine. 
     
     
         4 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the rectangular cut is substantially long such that a total surface area of the opening flap is between 50% and 98% of the lower panel total surface area. 
     
     
         5 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fastener comprises at least one of a snap fastener, button fastener, zipper fastener, and hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The cover of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise mat is one of a Yoga mat and Pilates mat. 
     
     
         7 . The cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of surface grippers operable to maintain the combination of the cover and mat in position and to resist movement. 
     
     
         8 . The cover of  claim 1 , further comprising an extended lip attachable to a carrying bag via one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The cover of  claim 8 , wherein the carrying bag comprises a receiving port operable to receive the combination of the cover and mat when rolled. 
     
     
         10 . The cover of  claim 9 , wherein the receiving port comprises one or more fastener operable to close the receiving port following placement of the rolled combination of the cover and mat inside the carrying bag. 
     
     
         11 . A combination of a carrying bag and a cover for an exercise mat, said cover comprising a substantially rectangular envelope made from a material comprising the following properties:
 (a) nonabsorbent;   (b) water resistant;   (c) odor resistant;   (d) capable of being recycled; and   (e) capable of being rolled;   
       said rectangular envelope comprising an upper panel, having an upper panel total surface area, and a lower panel, having a lower panel total surface area, said upper panel and lower panel stitched together along their entire perimeters; 
       said lower panel comprising a substantially rectangular cut along two longitudinal sides and one transverse side so as to provide an opening flap for easily placing and removing the mat; 
       said opening flap comprising one or more fastener along the two longitudinal sides and one transverse side so as to tightly secure the mat inside the rectangular envelop thereby preventing the mat from unwanted movements within the rectangular envelop; 
       said cover comprising an extended lip attachable to the carrying bag via one or more fasteners; 
       said carrying bag comprising a receiving port operable to receive a cover-mat combination of the cover and mat when rolled; and 
       said receiving port comprising one or more fastener operable to close the receiving port following placement of the rolled cover-mat combination inside the carrying bag; 
       wherein the combination of the carrying bag and cover provides for convenient transportation of the cover-mat combination. 
     
     
         12 . A method of making a cover for an exercise mat, comprising:
 (a) providing a substantially rectangular envelope made from a material comprising the following properties:
 i. nonabsorbent; 
 ii. water resistant; 
 iii. odor resistant; 
 iv. capable of being recycled; and 
 v. capable of being rolled; 
   
       said rectangular envelop comprising an upper panel, having an upper panel total surface area, and a lower panel, having a lower panel total surface area;
 (b) stitching together the upper panel and lower panel along their entire perimeters; and 
 (c) cutting said lower panel along two longitudinal sides and one transverse side to provide for a substantially rectangular cut so as to create an opening flap for easily placing and removing the mat; 
 
       said opening flap comprising one or more fastener along the two longitudinal sides and one transverse side so as to tightly secure the mat inside the rectangular envelop thereby preventing the mat from unwanted movements within the rectangular envelop; 
       wherein the cover provides for fast placement and removal of the mat within the cover and wherein a combination of the cover and mat is utilizable in various environmental temperatures. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the rectangular cut is substantially long such that a total surface area of the opening flap is between 50% and 98% of the lower panel total surface area. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more fastener comprises at least one of a snap fastener, button fastener, zipper fastener, and hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the exercise mat is one of a Yoga mat and Pilates mat. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 (d) providing a plurality of surface grippers operable to maintain the combination of the cover and mat in position and to resist movement.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 (d) providing an extended lip attachable to a carrying bag via one or more fasteners.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the carrying bag comprises a receiving port operable to receive the combination of the cover and mat when rolled. 
     
     
         19 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein the receiving port comprises one or more fastener operable to close the receiving port following placement of the rolled combination of the cover and mat inside the carrying bag. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more fastener comprises at least one of a snap fastener, button fastener, zipper fastener, and hook and loop fastener.