AU2019283927A1

AU2019283927A1 - Waterproof bed sheet

Info

Publication number: AU2019283927A1
Application number: AU2019283927A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anita Stevens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-12-21
Filing date: 2019-12-19
Publication date: 2020-07-09

Abstract

A sheet, including: a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering. C:\temp\ad62c514-69e1-45ce-bfa7-3ccccad3d2l9.docx - 19/12/19 6/8 Ii, U U: 0~ U-

Description

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A SHEET FOR BED COVERING TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The present disclosure generally relates to a sheet for a bed covering, a sheet kit, a bed covering and sheet kit, and a method of attaching the sheet to a bed covering.

BACKGROUND

[002] A bed covering, for example a duvet or a blanket, is a piece of soft material large enough to cover or to enfold a great portion of a person's body, usually when sleeping or otherwise at rest, thereby trapping body heat that otherwise would be lost through convection, and so keeping the body warm.

[003] A duvet (also known as a "doona", "comforter" or "quilt") is a type of bedding consisting of a soft flat bag typically filled with down, feathers, wool, silk or a synthetic alternative. A blanket is a thinner type of bed covering, usually made of wool, woven acrylic, knitted polyester, mink, cotton, or fleece.

[004] Most existing duvets and blankets are made of non-waterproof materials, and thus may be difficult to clean once wet or stained by liquid, e.g., urine or blood.

[005] Waterproof bed sheets and bed pads have been developed for protecting mattresses; however, as these products are placed beneath the occupant of the bed, they cannot provide effective protection for duvets or blankets. Waterproof top sheets may have also been developed, aimed at protecting duvets; however, such top sheets may fail to stay in place if the occupant is a wriggly sleeper.

[006] Waterproof duvet covers or encasements for completely encasing a duvet and sealing it inside have also been designed; however, applying such products to a duvet may be complicated and time-consuming, i.e., most toddlers' and children's bedwetting happens at night and parents of toddlers or young children may find these products inconvenient and time-consuming to use or change.

[0071 It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more disadvantages or limitations associated with the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

[008] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sheet (a piece of cloth used as bedding) including: a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering.

[009] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sheet kit, including: a sheet (a piece of cloth used as bedding), including: (i) a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; and (ii) a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering.

[010] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a bed covering and sheet kit, including: a sheet (a piece of cloth used as bedding), including: (i) a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; and (ii) a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and a bed covering including one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering.

[011] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of attaching a sheet to a bed covering, including: inserting a head end of a bed covering into a pocket of a sheet; and securing the sheet to the bed covering using one or more fastening elements, wherein the sheet includes a flexible waterproof material for protecting the bed covering from liquids or moisture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[012] Some embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0131 Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a sheet;

[014] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a bed covering;

[015] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the sheet of Fig. 1 applied to the bed covering of Fig. 2;

[016] Figs. 4A - 4F are schematic diagrams showing an exemplary method of attaching and securing the sheet to the bed covering; and

[0171 Fig. 5 is a photograph of an example of the sheet with a pocket of the sheet held open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Sheet

[018] Described herein is a sheet 100 suitable to be attached to a bed covering, such as a duvet, a blanket, or the like. An example of the sheet 100 is illustrated in Fig. 1. The sheet 100 may be referred to as a bed sheet, flat sheet or a top sheet. The sheet 100 protects the bed covering (e.g., a duvet or a blanket) from liquids or moisture, and allows easy and convenient attachment to or detachment from the bed covering.

[019] The sheet 100 includes a flexible waterproof material for protecting the bed covering from liquids or moisture.

[020] Fig. 2 shows an example of the bed covering in the form of a duvet 200. Fig. 3 shows the sheet 100 attached to the duvet 200.

[021] As illustrated in Figs. 1 - 3, the sheet 100 includes a pocket 102 for receiving a head end 202 of the duvet 200. The head end 202 is the end of the duvet 200, when being used, positioned towards the head of the occupant of the bed.

[022] The sheet 100 includes a back portion 104 and a front portion 106, between which the pocket 102 is formed.

[0231 The front portion 106 has the same width as the back portion 104 (in a transverse direction of the sheet 100, as shown by arrow "W" in Fig. 1), while it is shorter than the back portion 104 (in a longitudinal direction of the sheet 100, as shown by arrow "L" in Fig. 1). The front portion 106 is joined to the back portion 104 on their shared top edge 108 and two side edges 110. The shared top edge 108 may be formed by a fold or a sewn seam in the waterproof material. The side edges 110 may be formed by sewn seams.

[024] As shown in Fig. 3, the pocket 102 has a width substantially the same as the width of the duvet 200 (in a transverse direction of the sheet 100, as shown by arrow "W" in Fig. 3), and the back portion 104 is shorter than the duvet 200 in the longitudinal direction of the sheet 100 (as shown by arrow "L" in Fig. 3).

[025] The pocket 102 has a depth (which is the length of the front portion 106) substantially the same as or less than the length of a user's forearm, i.e. of an adult human. This allows a user to easily insert the head end 202 of the duvet 200 into the pocket 102, and thus facilitates easy application of the sheet 100 to the duvet 200.

[0261 The pocket helps secure the sheet 100, i.e., stops it from slipping under the duvet in the event that the occupant wriggles in their sleep and the duvet falls down. Furthermore, even if the duvet drops down to the waist and bunches up, due to the front portion 106 (which provides a "turn-down" look), the sheet 100 will continue to protect the duvet.

[0271 The back portion 104 of the sheet 100 is made of flexible waterproof material that can protect the duvet 200 from liquid, e.g., urine or blood.

[0281 The flexible waterproof material may include one or more of the following: polyester, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and polyurethane laminate (PUL). Alternatively, the back portion 104 may be made of any other waterproof material(s) that provides sufficient flexibility and is suitable for using contacting an occupant's body.

[029] The back portion 104 may include at least two layers of fabric; an inner layer contacting the duvet 200 being waterproof, and an outer layer contacting the occupant's body being non-waterproof, soft and breathable (e.g., cotton and bamboo).

[030] The front portion 106 of the sheet 100 may also be made of the flexible waterproof material, which provides better protection to the duvet 200. In other words, both the front portion 106 and the back portion 104 may have waterproof material on the inside and breathable non-waterproof material on the outside where it can touch the occupant,. Alternatively, both the inside and outside of sheet 100 may have non-waterproof fabric that is soft and breathable (such as cotton or bamboo) but contain a waterproof component such as a "waterproof membrane" in the middle "sandwiched" between the two layers e.g. "sandwich" style TPU or PUL fabric.

[0311 As shown in Figs. 1 - 3, the sheet 100 further includes one or more fastening elements 112 for securing the sheet 100 to the duvet 200.

[032] The one or more fastening elements 112 cooperate with one or more corresponding fastening elements 204 provided on the duvet 200 to secure the sheet 100 to the duvet 200.

[0331 Each fastening element on the sheet 100 may be a snap fastener (also known as a "snap button") element, such as a male half (or a female half) of a snap fastener, while each fastening element on the duvet 200 is a corresponding snap fastener element, such as a female half (or a male half) of the snap fastener. The male half has a projection with a groove which "snaps" in place when "pressed" into the female half.

[034] Alternatively, the fastening elements may include any other suitable type of fasteners that is suitable for attachment to a fabric and allows easy fastening, e.g., a button/ button hole, hooks or loops of a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., VELCROTM), a cord, a magnet, a zipper element, a safety pin, or a clip (having cooperating sprung arms that clip onto edges of the sheet 100 like a clothes peg) and a cooperating fabric loop, tag or piece onto which the clip can hold.

[0351 The one or more fastening elements 112 include: a first group of fastening elements (112A, 112B and 112C) for securing a head portion 114 of the sheet 100 to a head portion 206 the duvet 200; and a second group of fastening elements (112D and 112E) for securing a foot portion 116 of the sheet to a foot portion 208 of the duvet 200. The head portion 114 (or 206) is a portion on the sheet 100 (or the duvet 200) that is, when the sheet 100 (or the duvet 200) is being used, positioned closer to the occupant's head. The foot portion 116 (or 208) is a portion on the sheet 100 (or the duvet 200) that is, when the sheet 100 (or the duvet 200) is being used, positioned closer to the occupant's feet.

[0361 The first group of fastening elements (112A, 112B and 112C) is positioned on a back side (i.e. the side that faces the duvet 200) of the front portion 106, on or proximate to anedge 118 ofthe pocket 102.

[0371 The first group of fastening elements include three fastening elements 112A, 112B and 112C, positioned on or proximate to the left end, the midpoint, and the right end of the edge 118 (i.e., an opening edge or rim) of the pocket 102.

[038] The second group of fastening elements (112D and 112E) is positioned on an upward-facing side (i.e., on the waterproof side that faces the duvet 200, which is opposite to the breathable side that faces the occupant) of the front portion 106, on or proximate to a foot end 120 of the sheet 100.

[039] The second group of fastening elements includes at least two fastening elements 112D and 112E, positioned at or proximate to the two corners on the foot end 120 of the sheet 100, respectively.

[040] Alternatively, the first and second group of fastening elements may include any other suitable number of fastening elements, which may be located in any other suitable manner, as long as they allow securing the sheet 100 to the duvet 200 in the pocket 102 and the foot end 120 respectively.

[041] For example, the first or second group of fastening elements may include a single fastening element being an elongated hook strip or loop strip of a hook-and-loop fastener.

[042] Alternatively, the first or second group of fastening elements may include more than two or three fastening elements each and/or be located in a suitable location either in addition to or instead of the placements indicated in [038]

Method

[043] Figs. 4A - 4F illustrate an exemplary method of attaching the sheet 100 to the duvet 200.

[044] First, a user lays the sheet 100 on a substantially flat surface (e.g., a bed), and places the duvet 200 on top of the sheet 100, such that a head end of the duvet 200 aligns with a head end of the sheet 100 (as shown in Fig. 4A). For the duvet 200, the front side

(i.e., the side having the first group of fastening elements 204A, 204B and 204C) faces up. For the sheet 100, the front portion 106 faces up.

[045] Next, the user inserts the head end 202 of the duvet 200 into the pocket 102 of the sheet 100, and aligns the two comers of the head end 202 with the two comers of the pocket 102 respectively (as shown in Fig. 4B). As the depth of the pocket 102 is substantially the same or less than the length of a user's forearm, the user can easily insert the head end 202 of the duvet 200 into the pocket 102.

[046] The user then fastens the first group of fastening elements (112A, 112B and 112C) of the sheet 100 to the corresponding first group of fastening elements (204A, 204B and 204C) on the duvet 200 (as shown in Fig. 4C).

[0471 Similarly, the user fastens the second group of fastening elements (112D and 112E) of the sheet 100 to the corresponding second group of fastening elements (204D and 204E) on the duvet 200 (as shown in Fig. 4D).

[048] After all the fastening elements are fastened, the user may give the duvet 200 a shake so that the sheet 100 fully aligns to the duvet 200 (as shown in Fig. 4E).

[049] The sheet 100 is now secured to the duvet 200 and ready for an occupant to sleep under.

[050] When the sheet 100 needs to be changed (e.g., if the occupant has wet the sheet 100), the user can simply unfasten the fastening elements and pull the sheet 100 away from the duvet 200. A clean sheet 100 may then be attached to the duvet 200 following the same steps as described hereinbefore.

[051] In this way, the sheet 100 can be easily and conveniently attached to or detached from the duvet 200.

[052] The sheet 100 as described herein can be used for toddlers' or children's night time toilet training. Alternatively, the sheet 100 may be used for other suitable circumstances, e.g., in hospitals or aged care homes for patients or occupants who may experience incontinence or have difficulties in toileting at night

Alternatives

[0531 The sheet 100 protects the bed covering (e.g., a duvet or a blanket) from liquids or moisture, and allows easy and convenient attachment to or detachment from the bed covering.

[054] In the above-described embodiments, the bed covering takes the form of the duvet 200. Alternatively, the bed covering may take other forms, e.g., a blanket or the like.

[055] Further, in the above-described embodiments, both the sheet 100 and the duvet 200 are of a rectangular shape. Alternatively, the sheet 100 and the duvet 200 may be formed in any other shape that is suitable for covering an occupant of the bed, e.g., a circular, scalloped, or trapezoidal shape.

[0561 Further, in the above-described embodiments, the back portion 104 of the sheet 100 is shorter than the duvet 200 in the longitudinal direction, which is suitable for covering a toddler or child who is usually shorter than the standard length of a duvet, and the length of the back portion 104 may be adjusted based on the height of the occupant of the bed to cover down to at least the occupant's groin-this may be referred to as "three quarter length". In some embodiments, the back portion 104 of the sheet 100 may have the same length as the duvet 200-this may be referred to as "full length". For a toddler's bed covering, the sheet width W may be between 80 and 100 centimetres (cm), including 88 to 94 cm (or 91 cm, or 35 inches), and the sheet length L may be between 120 and 140 cm, including 128 to 136 cm (or 132 cm, or 32 inches) for full length, or between 70 and 110 cm, including 84 to 93 cm (or 88 cm, or 35 inches) for three-quarter length. For a child or adult single bed covering, the sheet width W may be between 120 and 160 cm, including 136 to 144 cm (or 140 cm, or 55 inches). For a double-sized bed covering, the sheet width W may be between 160 and 200 cm, including 176 to 184 cm (or 180 cm). For a queen sized bed covering, the sheet width W may be between 190 and 230 cm, including 206 to 214 cm (or 210 cm). For a king-sized bed covering, the sheet width W may be between 225 and 265 cm, including 241 to 249 cm (or 245 cm). For a child or adult single bed covering, and for a double-, queen- or king-sized bed covering, and the sheet length L may be between 190 and 230 cm, including 206 to 214 cm (or 210 cm) for full length, or between 120 and 160 cm, including 123 to 131 cm (or 127 cm, or 50 inches) or 136 to 144 cm (or 140 cm, or 55 inches) for three-quarter length.

[0571 Further, in the above-described embodiments, the depth of the pocket 102 is substantially the same or less than the length of a user's forearm, which facilitates the insertion of the head end 202 of the duvet 200 into the pocket 102. Alternatively, the depth of the pocket 102 may be greater than the length of a user's forearm, or less than the length of a user's forearm, at least so it provides the appearance of a turn-down sheet when attached to the bed covering. For a toddler's bed covering, the pocket depth may be between 10 and 30 cm, including 16 to 24 cm (or 20 cm, or 8 inches). For a child or adult bed covering, including double-, queen- or king-sized bed coverings, the pocket depth may be the same as for the toddler's bed, or larger, including between 20 and 40 cm, including 26 to 34 cm (or 30 cm, or 12 inches).

[0581 Further, in the above-described embodiments, the one or more fastening elements 112 of the sheet 100 cooperate with one or more corresponding fastening elements 204 provided on the duvet 200 to secure the sheet 100 to the duvet 200. Alternatively, the fastening elements 112 of the sheet 100 may not require the cooperating fastening elements 204, but can be fastened to the fabric of the duvet 200 directly or may require the user to attach them to the duvet 200. For example, one or more of the fastening elements 112 may be one or more safety pins or clips that can hold the fabric of the duvet 200 directly. In another example, the sheet is provided with Velcro (female) on it, with matching Velcro pieces (male) so the user can attach the sheet to their own duvet.

[059] Further, the fastening elements 112 may be provided as independent and separate fastening elements instead of being attached to the sheet 100. For example, the sheet 100 may be provided to the user in the form of a sheet kit, which includes: a sheet 100, including: a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; and a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet 100 to the bed covering.

[0601 The sheet 100 may include no fastening elements 112, and the fastening elements may be provided on the duvet 200 only. For example, the duvet 200 may include a plurality of safety pins or clips, which can be applied to the fabric of the sheet 100 so as to secure the sheet 100 to the duvet 200.

[0611 Accordingly, the sheet 100 and a cooperating bed covering such as the duvet 200 may be provided together to the user as a bed covering and sheet kit, which includes: a sheet 100, including: a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering (e.g., the duvet 200) from liquids or moisture; and a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering (e.g., the duvet 200); and a bed covering (e.g., the duvet 200) including one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering.

Interpretation

[062] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[063] Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A sheet (a piece of cloth used as bedding), including: a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering.

2. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening elements secure the sheet to the bed covering by cooperating with one or more corresponding fastening elements on the bed covering.

3. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the one or more fastening elements include: a first group of one or more fastening elements for securing a head portion of the sheet to a head portion of the bed covering; and a second group of one or more fastening elements for securing a foot portion of the sheet to a foot portion of the bed covering and/or side portion of the sheet to securing the side portion of the bed covering

4. The sheet of claim 3, wherein the first group of fastening elements is positioned on or proximate to an edge of the pocket to help secure the sheet to the bed covering.

5. The sheet of claim 4, wherein the first group of fastening elements includes at least three fastening elements, positioned on or proximate to the left end, the midpoint, and the right end of the edge of the pocket.

6. The sheet of claim 3, wherein the second group of fastening elements is positioned on or proximate to a foot end of the sheet.

7. The sheet of claim 6, wherein the second group of fastening elements includes at least two fastening elements, positioned at or proximate to the two comers on the foot end of the sheet respectively.

8. The sheet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more fastening elements include: a snap fastener element, a button, a button hole, hooks or loops of a hook-and-loop fastener, a cord, a magnet, a zipper element, safety pin or a clip.

9. The sheet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket has a width substantially the same as a width of the bed covering.

10. The sheet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket has a depth substantially the same as or less than the length of a user's forearm.

11. The sheet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pocket is formed between: a back portion of the sheet; and a front portion of the sheet shorter than the back portion, the front portion being joined to the back portion on the top edge and both side edges.

12. The sheet of claim 11, wherein the back portion is shorter than the bed covering.

13. The sheet of claim 11, wherein the back portion is made of the flexible waterproof material.

14. The sheet of claim 13, wherein the front portion is made of the flexible waterproof material.

15. The sheet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible waterproof material protects the bed covering from urine.

16. The sheet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible waterproof material includes one or more of the following: polyester, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and polyurethane laminate (PUL).

17. A sheet kit, including: a sheet, including: (i) a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; and (ii) a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering.

18. A bed covering and sheet kit, including: a sheet, including: (i) a flexible waterproof material for protecting a bed covering from liquids or moisture; and (ii) a pocket for receiving a head end of the bed covering; and a bed covering including one or more fastening elements for securing the sheet to the bed covering.

19. A method of attaching a sheet to a bed covering, including: inserting a head end of a bed covering into a pocket of a sheet; and securing the sheet to the bed covering using one or more fastening elements, wherein the sheet includes a flexible waterproof material for protecting the bed covering from liquids or moisture.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein securing the sheet to the bed covering using the one or more fastening elements includes: securing a head portion of the sheet to a head portion of the bed covering by a first group of fastening elements; and securing a foot portion of the sheet to a foot portion of the bed covering by a second group of fastening elements.

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

100 108 114 112B (inside)

106

110 110

W 112A 112C (inside) (inside)

102 L 1/8

118

104

112D 112E

116 120

Fig. 1

2019283927 19 Dec 2019 200 204B 202

204A 204C 2/8

204D 204E (underneath) (underneath)

Fig. 2 208

112B, 204B

100 106

112A, 112C, 204A 204C W 102

L

104 3/8

200

112D, 112E, 204D 204E

Fig. 3