WO2003065853A1

WO2003065853A1 - Bedding covers

Info

Publication number: WO2003065853A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Bullen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-05
Filing date: 2003-02-05
Publication date: 2003-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2004-08-05
Also published as: AUPS032102A0; AU2003202617A1

Abstract

The combination of a duvet (10) fitted within a duvet cover (12) wherein: the duvet cover (12) comprises: two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric (14, 16) joined to each other at three corresponding pairs of edges (18, 22, 24) of said sheets to form a pouch having an opening (25) at the fourth pair of edges (20) of said sheets, with a distal edge (18) opposite said opening (25), said opening adapted to allow the duvet (10) to be inserted into, and removed from, the pouch; and first attachment means (34) at the distal edge of the pouch; the duvet has second attachment means (33) on its corners positioned at said distal edge, and said first attachment means (34) is attached to said second attachment means (33) to attach the duvet (10) to the cover (12).

Description

BEDDING COVERS

Background and Summary of the Invention

This invention concerns the provision of means whereby a duvet cover may be releasably fastened to the duvet to retain corners of the duvet at the appropriate positions within the cover.

Duvets are well known and used throughout the world as bed covers. A duvet is a thick, soft quilt used instead of blankets and is commonly used together with a pouchlike cover which protects the duvet from soiling and is separately laundered. The cover may also carry a decorative design. A duvet in its cover is usually used to replace the traditional separate bedsheet, blanket and upper cover or bedspread. In Australia duvets are often referred to as doonas.

Duvet covers typically comprise two rectangular sheets of fabric sewn together along three sides to form a pouch with an opening at the fourth side to allow the duvet to be inserted into, and removed from, the cover. The opening is commonly fastened with ties, buttons, press studs or other closure means and is usually aligned at the foot of the bed. A duvet is traditionally loosely placed within its cover, expanding to fill the space available.

Removing a cover from a duvet is a relatively simple operation; the duvet is simply pulled out of the cover. But fitting a duvet into a cover is more difficult. When fitting a fresh cover to a duvet, the corners of the duvet are conventionally pushed into those corners of the cover furthest from the cover's opening and then clasped in place by hand while trying to shake the cover down over the duvet and trying not to lose one's grip from the corners. This is an awkward operation and commonly leads to the duvet being twisted or incorrectly located within the cover. It is relatively difficult for a small person to fit a cover onto a single bed duvet and particularly difficult for a small person with a duvet and cover for a large queen-size or king-size bed. Some people find it impossible to accomplish without a second person to assist with the operation. The problem is particularly relevant in a hospital or nursing facility where the rate of cover changes for each duvet is relatively high each day and there are many duvets requiring a cover change each day.

Attempts have been made to alleviate this problem by using duvet covers which have two adjacent edges open such that a corner of the top sheet of the cover can be opened widely, the duvet placed within, and the corner folded back and attached to the bottom face along the two open edges. However with this arrangement it has been found in practice that the relatively open duvet causes difficulties in maintaining a neat bed, the additional external fasteners caused a hindrance, and there is excessive wear and tear on the fasteners down the side edge of the cover.

The present invention facilitates quicker and more expedient fitting of covers to a duvet. It allows this task to be easily performed by a single person and also ensures correct location of the duvet within the cover. This invention also allows easier doubling-up, ie two duvets stacked face to face one on the other in the same cover. This may be done for extra warmth or to allow use of thinner duvets which are easier to launder. The invention also facilitates the use of multiple duvets, perhaps of different thicknesses, side by side in a queen size or king size cover.

Some people like the relatively light weight of a duvet but have difficulty with the ingress of cool air at the edges under the duvet. In this situation they like to use a duvet cover which spreads over a substantially larger area than does the duvet within it, so that the free side edges of the cover are able to hang down the sides of the bed and thus better restrict ingress of cool air. In such a situation, it is difficult to retain the duvet centrally and squarely within the cover.

An aim of the present invention is to provide duvets, duvet covers and methods of retaining duvets within covers which overcome or at least reduce the above mentioned difficulties. Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a duvet cover comprising:

- two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric joined to each other at three corresponding pairs of sheet edges to form a pouch having an opening at the fourth pair of sheet edges, and a distal edge opposite said opening, said opening adapted to allow a duvet to be inserted into, and removed from, the pouch, and

- first attachment means affixed to the inside of the pouch whereby the cover may be releasably attached to the duvet.

Said attachment means may be located at the comers of the cover opposite said opening. Said attachment means may be located along part or all of said edge of the pouch opposite said opening. Said attachment means may be located at or adjacent said distal edge of the pouch whereby the cover may be releasably attached to the corresponding edge of the duvet.

The attachment means may comprises a buttonhole at those corners of the pouch adjacent said distal edge adapted to engage with a button on each corresponding comer of the duvet. Alternatively the attachment means may comprise mating halves of press studs adapted to engage with mating halves of press studs affixed to the duvet.

Alternatively the attachment means may be portions of an engagable hook and loop type fabric fastening of the general type as that sold under the name Velcro, adapted to engage with mating portions of engageable hook and loop type fastening fabric affixed to the duvet. The first attachment means may be provided on tabs or flaps sewn on to the cover.

Alternatively the attachment means may comprise mechanical clamping devices adapted for fitting over each said comer of the cover to clamp comers of the duvet into respective comers of the cover. Alternatively the attachment means may be an adhesive which is sprayed or otherwise applied onto the cover and/or onto the duvet to provide adhesion between the duvet and the cover. Preferably said attachment means comprises a flexible loop or loops attached to said distal edge of the pouch, opposite said opening, inside the cover. The attachment means may comprise a row of flexible loops inside the cover and attached to the edge of the cover opposite the opening.

The attachment means on the duvet may comprise one or more toggles or hooks, preferably hooks with a spmng gate, which engage with respective flexible loops in the cover.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of retaining the location of a duvet within a duvet cover, wherein said cover comprises two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric joined to each other at three sides to form a pouch with an opening at the fourth side, and a distal edge opposite said opening, said opening adapted to allow a duvet to be inserted into and removed from the cover, said method comprising:

- providing first attachment means at the distal edge of the pouch;

- providing second attachment means on the comers of the duvet positioned opposite said opening; and

- releasably attaching said first attachment means to said second attachment means to attach the duvet to the cover.

Said second attachment means may comprise a plurality of toggles and said first attachment means may comprises flexible loops in the cover.

The first and/or second attachment means may together comprise an item which is removable from both duvet and cover so as to better facilitate laundering.

In a further aspect the invention provides a duvet fitted within a duvet cover wherein:

- the duvet cover comprises two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric joined to each other at three corresponding pairs of edges of said sheets to form a pouch having an opening at the fourth pair of edges of said sheets, and a distal edge opposite said opening, said opening adapted to allow the duvet to be inserted into, and removed from, the pouch; and a first attachment means at the distal edge of the pouch comprises mechanical clamping devices adapted for fitting over each said comers of the cover to clamp comers of the duvet into respective corners of the cover.

- the duvet cover comprises:

- two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric joined to each other at three corresponding pairs of edges of said sheets to form a pouch having an opening at the fourth pair of edges of said sheets, and a distal edge opposite said opening, said opening adapted to allow the duvet to be inserted into, and removed from, the pouch; and

- first attachment means at the distal edge of the pouch; - the duvet has second attachment means on its comers positioned at said distal edge, and

- said first attachment means is attached to said second attachment means to attach the duvet to the cover.

The duvet may comprise a conventional duvet or may be a conventional duvet fitted into a removable waterproof or water repellent cover with that cover carrying said second attachment means.

Said opening in the cover may not extend for the full length of said fourth pair of edges on said fourth side. Said fourth pair of edges may be sewn together for part of their length.

The cover may be waterproof and/or water repellent.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method of ensuring correct allocation of a first selection duvet covers, having a given first particular property, for use to cover a second selection of duvets having a given second particular property, said first selection of duvet covers being selected from a group of duvet covers having a variety of said first particular property and said second selection of duvets being selected from a group of duvets having a variety of said second particular property, said method comprising: - providing said first selection of duvet covers with a first configuration of first attachment means, providing said second selection of duvets with a second configuration of second attachment means adapted to releasably engage with said first configuration of first attachment means, and - ensuring configurations of similar attachment means on duvets and duvet covers not intended to be used together are such that the attachment means do not engage when such duvets are placed into such duvet covers in the non- intended manner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be more fully understood there will now be described, by way of example only, certain embodiments and other elements of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 is a cutaway plan view of a duvet fitted inside a duvet cover according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a detailed view of portion of the duvet shown in Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a cutaway plan view of two duvets fitted inside a single duvet cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Description of Examples of the Invention and the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a duvet 10 is fitted within a duvet cover 12 where the cover 12 is substantially wider than the duvet 10. The cover 12 has a top sheet 14 and bottom sheet 16 and the sheets are sewn together at three sides to form respectively the head edge 18 and two side edges 22 and 24. The remaining edge, ie the foot edge 20, of the cover 12 has its respective sides of the top and bottom sheets not sewn together forming an opening 25 into the cover 12.

The cover 12 thus forms a pouch with the opening 25 at the foot edge 20 to allow the duvet 10 to be inserted into, and removed from, the cover 12. The head edge 18 is on the opposite side of the cover 12 than is the opening 25. The opening 25 at the bottom edge 20 is held together when in use by buttons 26 and corresponding buttonholes.

The two sheets 14 and 16 may be separate sheets before sewing together along the edges 18, 22 and 24, or they may be comprised of a single sheet folded along one of the edges 18, 22 or 24 and sewn on the other two edges.

The head edge 18 of the cover is attached to the adjacent head edge 28 of the duvet by means of loops 34 attached to the inside of the head edge 18 of the cover. Permanently fitted to each of the head-end comers 29 of the duvet is a hook 33 which is engaged with an appropriately positioned loop 34. As best seen in Figure 2, each hook 33 is attached to its respective comer 29 by a loop of fabric 36 sewn onto the comer 29 of the duvet. Each hook 33 carries across its mouth a spmng gate 37 which prevents the hook releasing the respective loop 34 with which it is engaged.

The loops 34 extend in a row along the full length of the head edge 18. The row of loops 34 may be conveniently provided by means of sewing into the seam along edge 18 a fabric strip from which the loops 34 hang.

Duvets of various widths can thus be accommodated in the cover without concern for the duvet sliding around into an unwanted position within the cover. The duvet 10 shown in Figure 1 does not extend for the full width of the cover 12. The free edge portion 17 of the cover 12 beyond the duvet side edges 31 is thus able to hang down the side of the bed as a skirt or may be tacked under a mattress. Referring now to Figure 3, two duvets 40 and 41 are shown fitted side by side inside a single duvet cover 42 by means similar to those described in relation to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. The top sheet 44 and bottom sheet 46 of the cover 42 are sewn together along the head edge 48 and the two side edges 52 and 54. The foot edge 50 is sewn for a short distance in from the foot comers 51 so, although the foot edge 50 is not fully open, an opening 55 is still provided at its centre whereby the duvets 40 and 41 may be inserted into, and removed from, the cover 42. Buttons 26 are provided at the opening 55 to fasten the top and bottom sheets 44 and 46 together when in use.

The loops 34 extend in a row along the full length of the head edge 48. The two duvets 40 and 41 can thus be accommodated side by side in the single cover 42 without concern for the duvets sliding around into an unwanted position within the cover. It will be readily understood that two duvets could be fastened face to face at one side of the cover 42 while only a single duvet is attached on the other side, again without concern for the three duvets sliding around into unwanted positions within the cover. This provides great advantages for couples sleeping together who have different thermal insulation needs.

The invention also provides for easy fitting of two duvets, face to face one upon the other within a cover without the problem of one of the duvets sliding out of place.

The present invention enables the easy fitment of a cover on a duvet single handedly without the duvet moving about and falling out of the top comer when trying to shake the cover down. The invention will also stop unnecessary movement of the duvet while in use and there will be less need to remake a bed after a night's sleep.

Whilst the above description includes some embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that many variations, alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the essential features or the spirit or ambit of the invention. For example, instead of a row of loops being sewn onto the inside top edge of the duvet cover, a single loop may be provided at each comer. Further loops may also be provided, if desired, at the bottom comers of the cover. A duvet may be provided with appropriate attachment means at only two comers although, for the purposes of spreading use of the duvet, such fastening devices may be provided at all four comers even though only two may be in use at any one time.

Instead of using the hooks 33 and loops 34 as the means for attaching a duvet to its cover, attachment could be achieved by use of flat patches of hook and loop fastening fabric sewn to, or otherwise affixed to corresponding parts of the duvet and its cover. Such hook and loop fabric fastenings are of the general type which is widely sold under the trade mark Velcro. Patches of one gender of hook and loop fabric fastener may be attached at the comers 29, preferably by stitching, and corresponding portions of opposite gender fabric sewn to the duvet at appropriate places.

Also, although the duvet covers shown in the drawings have the openings 25 and 55 fastened by buttons and buttonholes, use of alternative fastenings, such as ties and zippers for example, is well known.

The invention is particularly applicable for bed coverings used in hospitals or nursing facilities. In such places it may be desirable for the duvet cover to be made of waterproof or water-repellent fabric in order to better protect the duvet inside the cover. The duvet itself may also or alternatively be constructed from waterproof or water-repellent fabric. In hospitals and nursing facilities there can be a need to ensure that only certain types of duvet covers are used on certain types of duvets, although there may be a variety of different types of duvets and duvet covers in use. The need for correct partnering of duvet type with cover type can be due to a desire or need to match water repellency or other fabric characteristics, or a need to prevent cross contamination between different medical wards or institutions.

The present invention provides for duvets and duvet covers to have affixed to them velcro-type pads or patches or tabs at specified places on the duvets and covers such that duvets and covers which are correctly partnered have their fastenings correctly mate whereas if an incorrect cover is placed on a duvet the fastenings do not physically abut and thus no fastening occurs between them.

A suitable pattern of patches and/or tabs may be provided along one edge (preferably the distal edge) or a plurality of edges, or may be provided by affixing patches inboard of the edges.

It will be also understood that where the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", are used in this specification, unless the context requires otherwise such use is intended to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or features but is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other feature or features.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. A duvet cover comprising:

2. A duvet cover according to claim 1 wherein said first attachment means is located at or adjacent said distal edge of the pouch whereby the cover may be releasably attached to the corresponding edge of the duvet.

3. A duvet cover according to claim 2 wherein said first attachment means comprises a button hole at those comers of the pouch adjacent said distal edge adapted to engage with a button on each corresponding corner of the duvet.

4. A duvet cover according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said first attachment means comprises halves of press studs adapted to engage with mating halves of press studs affixed to the duvet.

5. A duvet cover according to claim 4 wherein said press stud halves are fastened respectively at each said corner of the cover and on each corresponding comer of the duvet.

6. A duvet cover according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said first attachment means are mating portions of engageable hook and loop type fastening fabric adapted to engage with mating portions of engageable hook and loop type fastening fabric affixed to the duvet.

7. A duvet cover according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein said first attachment means are provided on tabs or flaps sewn on to the cover.

8. A duvet cover according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said first attachment means are provided at each comer of the pouch whereby the cover may be releasably attached to the corresponding each comer of the duvet.

9. A duvet cover according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said first attachment means is an adhesive which is sprayed or otherwise applied onto the cover to provide adhesion between the duvet and the cover.

10. A duvet cover according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said first attachment means comprises a flexible loop or loops attached to said distal edge of the pouch inside the cover.

11. A duvet cover according to claim 10 wherein said first attachment means comprises a row of flexible loops inside the cover and attached to the said distal edge.

12. A duvet cover according to claim 10 or 11 wherein said attachment means on the duvet comprises a plurality of hooks with sprung gates which engage with respective flexible loops in the cover.

13. A method of retaining the location of a duvet within a duvet cover, wherein said cover comprises two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric joined to each other at three sides to form a pouch with an opening at the fourth side, and a distal edge opposite said opening, said opening adapted to allow a duvet to be inserted into and removed from the cover, said method comprising: - providing first attachment means at the distal edge of the pouch; - providing second attachment means on the comers of the duvet positioned opposite said opening; and - releasably attaching said first attachment means to said second attachment means to attach the duvet to the cover.

14. A method according to claim 14 wherein said first attachment means is affixed at the distal end of the pouch and the second attachment means is affixed in the region of the comers of the duvet.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14 wherein said first and/or second attachment means comprise an item which is removed from both the duvet and the cover when said respective duvet or cover are laundered.

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15 wherein said second attachment means comprises a plurality of toggles and said first attachment means comprises flexible loops in the cover.

17. A combination of a duvet fitted within a duvet cover wherein:

- the duvet cover comprises two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric joined to each other at three corresponding pairs of edges of said sheets to form a pouch having an opening at the fourth pair of edges of said sheets, and a distal edge opposite said opening, said opening adapted to allow the duvet to be inserted into, and removed from, the pouch; and

- a first attachment means at the distal edge of the pouch comprises mechanical clamping devices adapted for fitting over each said comers of the cover to clamp comers of the duvet into respective comers of the cover.

18. A combination of a duvet fitted within a duvet cover wherein:

- the duvet cover comprises:

- two overlying rectangular sheets of fabric joined to each other at three corresponding pairs of edges of said sheets to form a pouch having an opening at the fourth pair of edges of said sheets, and a distal edge opposite said opening, said opening adapted to allow the duvet to be inserted into, and removed from, the pouch; and - first attachment means at the distal edge of the pouch;

- the duvet has second attachment means on its comers positioned at said distal edge, and

19. A combination according to claim 18 wherein the duvet has a water repellent casing whereby the water repellent casing carries said second attachment means.

20. A combination according to any one of claims 18 or 19 wherein said duvet cover is substantially waterproof.

21. A combination according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein said opening in the duvet cover does not extend for the full length of said fourth pair of sheet edges.

22. A combination according to claim 21 wherein said fourth pair of sheet edges are sewn together for part of their length.

23. A method of ensuring correct allocation of a first selection duvet covers, having a given first particular property, for use to cover a second selection of duvets having a given second particular property, said first selection of duvet covers being selected from a group of duvet covers having a variety of said first particular property and said second selection of duvets being selected from a group of duvets having a variety of said second particular property, said method comprising: - providing said first selection of duvet covers with a first configuration of first attachment means, providing said second selection of duvets with a second configuration of second attachment means adapted to releasably engage with said first configuration of first attachment means, and ensuring configurations of similar attachment means on duvets and duvet covers not intended to be used together are such that the attachment means do not engage when such duvets are placed into ^" such duvet covers in the non-intended manner.