About the Invention

In the 'olden days' flat bed sheets were used on mattresses, and they usually came untucked during the night. Then came what seemed to be the perfect answer — fitted corner bed sheets. But even fitted sheets often don't stay put. That is, until Gisele Jubinville invented a better fitted bed sheet corner that actually does what it's supposed to do.

Gisele was frustrated by the constant tucking needed to keep her bottom sheets snug to the bed. It wasn't until she watched a news show on television that was investigating complaints about sheets slipping off mattresses that she realized she was not alone in her frustration. During the TV show, the sheet manufacturers blamed the mattress makers while mattress makers blamed the sheet manufactures for the problem of wandering bed sheets. "I couldn't understand why they were passing the buck, so I decided to solve the problem myself," She says.

For two months, Gisele, who hardly knew how to sew, sewed hundreds of designs. "Everyone said I was crazy," she said. Experts told her, "You can't patent a sheet! Are you nuts?" Then one night she saw the perfect design in a dream. The new design uses slightly more fabric than conventional sheets and has a modified corner, which is stitched together using an unusual type of stitch. The secret is in the way the seam runs into the corner at an angle to form a pocket.

She borrowed $16,000 dollars and started the patent process. Her patent application was turned down three times by the American Patent Office. "They said that there were already more than 100 patented ways of sewing sheet corners, and mine wasn't really new." She said, "I've had enough!" She took a miniature mattress and her new sheet corner down to Washington and showed the American patent examiner that her design was really a new design. He agreed and she was awarded the patent in 1990.

Over the next three years Gisele set up production, but soon realized that she couldn't compete with the big sheet manufacturing companies. So instead of competing she looked for an ally. In 1993, Giselle sold the patent to sheet manufacturer Springs Industries Inc. for one million dollars (USD).


About the Inventor

A fitted corner bed sheet changed Gisele Jubinville's life forever. Because of the sale of her patent to a bed sheet manufacturer for one million dollars, she no longer has financial worries for herself, her husband and three children. More importantly, however, was the sense of total fulfillment that she acquired having achieved her goals.

She credits her success to her spiritual faith, her husband and extended family, all of whom provided important support. Both she and her husband come from very large families. When she was at the patent office in Washington her family prayed for her, which she believes contributed to her successful acquisition of a patent.

Her purpose in life now is to help other people. She provides patent consulting for other inventors and is writing a book about her experiences. However, her main focus is a new "soul therapy" company called Therapy Nouvelle that she started with her daughter. A firm believer in angels, through her company, Gisele provides guidance to groups and individuals looking for spiritual-based assistance.