Pillowcase with Protecting Flap

Abstract

A pillowcase comprising a main body formed by stitching together a front panel and a rear panel along the side edges and a bottom edge for creating a housing for accommodating a pillow. A top opening is located along the longer side of the main body, eliminating the need to forcefully insert the pillow. The pillowcase also features a flexible flap which can be folded and tucked into the housing to secure the pillow, preventing the pillow from slipping out during use. Furthermore, when the pillow is inserted into the main body, the flap is folded and inserted between the front panel and the front surface of the pillow. The free edge of the flap is tucked in between the pillow and the bottom edge of the pillowcase, securely positioning the flap in a closed position, which covers the pillow and prevents the pillow from slipping.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tuck flap pillowcase comprising:
 a pillowcase having a main body formed of a front panel, a rear panel, a flexible flap, and a top opening between said front panel and said rear panel;   wherein said front panel and said rear panel stitched together along a pair of side edges and along a common bottom edge of a housing for storing a pillow;   wherein said pair of side edges form shorter opposing sides of said pillowcase;   wherein said top opening formed between a top edge of said front panel and a top edge of said rear panel;   wherein said top opening and said common bottom edge formed along opposing longer sides of said housing;   wherein said pair of side edges formed along opposing shorter sides of said housing;   wherein the pillow is slid into said housing through said top opening;   wherein said flexible flap extends from said top edge of said rear panel; and   further wherein said flexible flap folds and tucks into said housing for securing the pillow in said housing.   
     
     
         2 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible flap and said rear panel are of one-piece construction. 
     
     
         3 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 1 , wherein said flexible flap is sewn to said top edge of said rear panel. 
     
     
         4 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 2 , wherein said flexible flap having a flap length of at least 95% of a length of said housing. 
     
     
         5 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 4 , wherein said flexible flap having a flap length from 95% to 101% of a length of said housing. 
     
     
         6 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 5 , wherein said flexible flap having a flap width from 95% to 104% of a width of said housing. 
     
     
         7 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 6 , wherein said housing having a length of at least 130% of a width of said housing. 
     
     
         8 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 7 , wherein said front panel and said rear panel are generally rectangular. 
     
     
         9 . A tuck flap pillowcase comprising:
 a pillowcase having a main body formed of a front panel, a rear panel, a flexible flap, and a top opening between said front panel and said rear panel;   wherein said front panel and said rear panel stitched together along a pair of side edges and along a common bottom edge of a housing for storing a pillow;   wherein said pair of side edges form shorter opposing sides of said pillowcase;   wherein said top opening formed between a top edge of said front panel and a top edge of said rear panel;   wherein said top opening and said common bottom edge formed along opposing longer sides of said housing;   wherein said pair of side edges formed along opposing shorter sides of said housing;   wherein the pillow is slid into said housing through said top opening;   wherein said flexible flap extends from said top edge of said rear panel;   wherein said flexible flap folds and tucks into said housing for securing the pillow in said housing;   wherein said flexible flap having a flap length of at least 95% of a length of said housing; and   further wherein said flexible flap having a flap width from 95% to 104% of a width of said housing.   
     
     
         10 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 9 , wherein said flexible flap and said rear panel are of one-piece construction. 
     
     
         11 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 9 , wherein said flexible flap is sewn to said top edge of said rear panel. 
     
     
         12 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 9 , wherein said flexible flap having a flap length from 95% to 101% of a length of said housing. 
     
     
         13 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 12 , wherein said housing having a length of at least 130% of a width of said housing. 
     
     
         14 . The tuck flap pillowcase of  claim 12 , wherein said front panel and said rear panel are generally rectangular. 
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a pillowcase having a main body formed of a front panel, a rear panel, a flexible flap, and a top opening between said front panel and said rear panel;   wherein said top opening formed between a top edge of said front panel and a top edge of said rear panel;   stitching together said front panel and said rear panel along a pair of side edges and along a common bottom edge of a housing for storing a pillow;   wherein said pair of side edges form shorter opposing sides of said pillowcase;   wherein said top opening and said common bottom edge formed along opposing longer sides of said housing;   wherein said pair of side edges formed along opposing shorter sides of said housing;   sliding the pillow into said housing through said top opening;   wherein said flexible flap extends from said top edge of said rear panel;   folding and tucking said flexible flap into said housing between said front panel and the pillow; and   securing the pillow in said housing.   
     
     
         16 . The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of  claim 15 , wherein said flexible flap having a flap length of at least 95% of a length of said housing; and further wherein said flexible flap having a flap width from 95% to 104% of a width of said housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of  claim 15 , wherein said flexible flap and said rear panel are of one-piece construction. 
     
     
         18 . The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of  claim 15 , wherein said flexible flap is sewn to said top edge of said rear panel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of  claim 15 , wherein said flexible flap having a flap length from 95% to 101% of a length of said housing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of forming a pillowcase and placing a pillow into the pillowcase of  claim 15 , wherein said housing having a length of at least 130% of a width of said housing.