EP1159901A1

EP1159901A1 - Cover for a duvet

Info

Publication number: EP1159901A1
Application number: EP00201748A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chu-Yuan Yang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-18
Filing date: 2000-05-18
Publication date: 2001-12-05

Abstract

An improved cover for a duvet includes a bottom cover (40), an enclosure (30), an duvet (20), a top cover (10), and a plurality of tags (50). The tags (50) each include a body (52) and a finger (56), which each are reeved through devices of the covers (40,10), duvet (20) and enclosure (30). The duvet (30) is removably received in a central space defined by the enclosure (30), and secured to the enclosure (30) by the tags (50). The combined duvet (20) and enclosure (30) are removably secured to the bottom cover (40) by the tags (50) and adhesive pads. The top cover (10) is removably secured to the combined duvet (20), enclosure (30) and bottom cover (40) by the tags (50) and a plurality of double-headed studs.

Description

1. Field of the Invention.

The invention relates to a cover for a duvet, and more particularly a cover for a duvet, which is easy to wash and dry, and has a very wide range of permutations in fabrics and insulating materials.

2. Description of Related Art

In Europe, a duvet cover is used to isolate the duvet from the user so as to maintain the duvet clean, which has the same function as a sheet of quilt. However, using sheets will not he able to locate the duvet in position, such that users will have to examine the duvet from time to time to see if the duvet is in the wrong angle between the sheets.
Normally a quilt has a top cover and a bottom cover securely sawn together with the quilt. After a long period of time using the quilt, the top and the bottom covers needs to be cleaned and replaced with new covers. Users will have a hard time trying to detach the top and bottom covers from the quilt. To make the job easier, a cover formed as a pouch and having a top cover and a bottom cover whose edges are securely sewn to the edges of the top cover is provided to the market. Quilt with covers have long been popular as a cozy and comfortable object for a sleeper, yet, despite the popularity, there remains serious shortcomings in common quilt with covers, which are listed below:
A zipper or the like is provided at the opening of the cover to seal the opening after the duvet is inserted into the cover. However, even though the zipper is provided at the opening of the cover to seal the opening to entirely enclose the duvet therein, the user still has a hard time trying to maintain the duvet in the cover in place. Furthermore, when the cover needs to be cleaned or replaced with a new one, the user still has difficulty taking the duvet out from the opening of the cover. Still, the entire duvet cover needs to be washed even though there is only a little portion of the cover is dirty, which causes a waste of time and energy taking care of the conventional cover.
In order to obviate and mitigate the aforementioned problems, the present invention provide an improved cover for a duvet. With such an arrangement, the user is able to take the duvet out of the cover with easy.
The main objective of the invention is to provide a cover for a duvet which permits only one side thereof to be removed for washing. Such ease of removal for washing will encourage people to wash the bedclothes more often instead delaying the task until it must be done.
A further objective is to provide a wide variety of fabrics, and insulation materials of duvet which can be selected by internet shopping, whereby a consumer can have a duvet prepared in accordance with special preferences and needs without having to visit many stores and possibly then have to customize a purchased duvet.
A further objective is to provide a cover for a duvet which has a linked series of fasteners for easy removal of components.
The cover includes a top cover, an enclosure, a bottom cover and a variety of fasteners, handles and tags. The duvet is received in the enclosure and between the top cover and the bottom cover and is secured thereto by the handles and tags.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is an exploded,view of a cover for a duvet in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of a tag of the cover for a duvet shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a rear view of the tag shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the tag of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a first step in an assembly of the cover shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second step in an assembly of the duvet cover shown in Fig, 1;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a third step in an assembly of the duvet cover shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth step of an assembly of the duvet cover shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth step of an assembly of the duvet cover shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a sixth step of an assembly of the duvet cover shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 11 is a side view of the sixth step of the duvet cover shown in Fig. 10; and
Fig. 12 is an exploded view showing still another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 1, a cover for a duvet comprises a top cover (10), an duvet (20), an enclosure (30), a bottom cover (40) and a plurality of tags (50).
The top cover (10) is rectangular and four sides thereof all include a set of first slits (12) near a respective distal edge thereof. Each comer of the top cover (10) has an aperture (14) defined therein. The top cover (10) can be manufactured in a variety of appropriate sizes so as to cope with different requirements. Furthermore, the selection to pattern the top cover (10), the selection of padding material for duvet and the function finishing for the fabric of bottom cover (40) can vary widely to include aesthetics including ethnic textiles, comfort through different insulating materials, safety from fire, aroma therapy via fragrance-release capsules, and health via prevention of fungi and hacteria. Even treatment of illnesses may be possible by use of appropriately-treated materials. Selection of such a huge range of materials could be simplified by using computers and the internet, which would also allow costs to be minimized, as would retail by the manufacturer of the cover.
The duvet (20) is rectangular and has a size almost the same as that of the enclosure (30). Two long sides of the duvet (20) both have a pair of flexible handles (22) attached to distal edges thereof, near respective short ends thereof.
The enclosure (30) is slightly larger in width and length than the duvet (20), and includes an upper frame, and a lower frame secured at an outer periphery thereof to the upper frame. Inner peripheries of the upper and lower frames are open to define a continuous pouch (32) which receives therein peripheral edges of the duvet (20). Long side edges of the enclosure (30) both include two catches (34) dimensioned to align with a respective one of the flexible handles (22), and linear pockets (36). Both the linear pockets (36) have an inner top surface with a third pad of hooks (362) attached thereon
The bottom cover (40) has a rectangular main portion with two large flaps (42) extending respectively from short ends thereof, and two narrow side strips (44) extending respectively from long sides thereof. The side strips (44) both have an upper surface with a third pad of loops (442) attached thereto. The main portion is the same size and shape as the top cover (10). Both the flaps (42) arc rectangular with a long side integrally hinged to the main body, and four loops (422) are respectively disposed on the short sides of the flaps (42). Two tabs (443) are formed in each side strip (44), and near respective distal ends thereof. Each tab (443) has an upper surface with a fourth pad of hooks (444) and a fourth pad of loops (446).
Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, each tag (50) comprises a body (52) and a finger (56) extending from the body (52). As the tags (50) are identical, reference to hereinafter will be in the singular. Each body (52) is shaped somewhat as a human trunk and includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a waist. A "U"-shaped aperture (524) is defined through the lower portion and forms a tongue (526) integrally hinged to the waist. Referring to Fig. 2, a front of the body includes a female press stud (54) substantially formed at the waist thereof, and a male press stud (55) disposed near a bottom edge of the tongue (526). The finger (56) comprises a top part, a middle part, and a bottom part which is integrally connected to the top of the upper portion of the body (52). A fastening device is used to secure a top part of the finger (56) with a bottom part, and a bottom part of the body (52) with the waist. In this embodiment, the fastening device comprises pads of hooks and pads of loops, however it is to he appreciated that other forms of fastening will work equally well. Referring still to Fig. 2, the front of the bottom part of the finger (56) includes a first pad of hooks (562). It is noted that a through hole (501) is defined through the tag (50) for allowing the finger (56) to extend therethrough. Referring to Fig. 3, the rear of the top part of the finger (56) includes a first pad of loops (564). The rear waist of the body (52) has a second pad of loops (527) attached thereto, and the rear lower portion has a second pad of hooks (528) attached thereto.
In use, referring to Figs. 5 and 11, the enclosure (30) is placed on the bottom cover (40), and the tags (50) are secured to respective catches (34). As the catches (34) and tags (50) arc respectively identical, description of the sccurement thereof hereinafter is in the singular. The body (52) is entered into the pouch (32) such that the lower portion but not the tongue (526) of the body (52) is hooked around the catch (34) wherehy the second pad of hooks (528) is secured to the second pad of loops (527). Normally, when the top cover (10) and the enclosure (30) are about to be engaged together, the finger (56) extends through the apertures (14) of the top cover (10) and the strips (37) of the enclosure (30) and then attaches to itself by the combination of the hooks (562) and the hoops (564).
With such an arrangement, when extension of the finger (56) through the through hole (501) is necessary, the finger (56) is still able to attach to itself by the combination of the hooks (562) and the loops (564).
Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the duvet (20) is received in the pouch (32) and the handle (22) is partly extended through the catch (34), and then the tongue (526) is threaded over the catch (34), under and around the handle (22), so that the male press stud (55) can be engaged with the female press stud (54), whereby the catch (34) and the handle (22), are secured together. Still referring to Fig. 7, and further to Fig. 8, the third pad of loops (442) is secured to the third pad of hooks (362), whereby the bottom cover (40) is secured to the enclosure (30). The flap (42) is swung to rest on the combined duvet (20) and enclosure (30). The tab (443) is threaded over the loop (422), into the pocket (36), and reeved around the catch (34), whereby the fourth pad of loops (446) engages with the fourth pad of hooks (444), as shown in Fig. 9,
Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the long sides of the enclosure (30) each include a "V" shaped strip (37) formed by an upper length and a lower length which together define an open side. Each length defines therein a plurality of second slits (372) which correspondingly align respectively with one of the first slits (12) of the upper cover (10), and two slots (374) at each end thereof. The slots (374) respectively align with the apertures (14) of the top cover (10). A plurality of double-headed fasteners (376) each include a first head and a second head separated by an integral neck. Reference to the fasteners (376), and the first and second slits (12, 372) hereinafter is in the singular for brevity and clarity. The first head of the fastener (376) is inserted through the first slits (12) and the second slit (372) and the second head is inserted through the second slits (372). Thereafter, a folding (370) of the V-shaped is securely engaged with a face of the enclosure (30) to prevent the separation of the top cover (10) from the enclosure (30). The finger (56) of the tag (50) is sequentially fed through the lower length slot (374) nearer the open side, the aperture (14) of the top cover (10), the upper length slot (374) nearer the open side, the other upper length slot (374), and the other lower length slot (374), whereafter the first pad of loops (564) is attached to the first pad of hooks (562). Accordingly, the top cover (10), the duvet (20), the enclosure (30), and the hottom cover (40) are securely combined.
With reference to Fig. 12 of still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top cover (10) has a plurality of eyelets (101) defined in opposed sides thereof. The pocket (36) has multiple eyelets (361) defined in opposed sides thereof and each one being corresponding to one of the eyelets (101) of the top cover (10). The bottom cover (40) has multiple eyelets (401) each corresponding to one of the eyelets (101) of the top cover (10). With such an arrangement and taking reference to the previous description concerning the duvet being received in the enclosure (30), multiple double-headed fasteners (376) are used to respectively insert through the eyelets (101,361,401) of the top cover (10), the enclosure (30) and the bottom cover (40) to engage the top cover (10), the enclosure (30) and the bottom cover (40) together.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

An improved cover for a duvet comprising:

a top cover;

a bottom cover;

an attachment device detachably connected with the top cover and the bottom cover; and

a plurality of fasteners, wherein the duvet is detachably secured to the attachment device and the cover by the plurality of fasteners, whereby the top and bottom covers can be selectively removed for washing and ultimate disposal, leaving the remainder of the cover for continued use,
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a top cover and a bottom covet between which the attachment device is sandwiched.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment device comprises two clamp strips respectively formed on opposed sides thereof for securing the duvet.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fasteners includes two series of double-headed studs extended respectively through the attachment device, the item of bedclothes and the cover.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fasteners includes two series of double-headed studs respectively linked by two cords, and extended respectively through the attachment device, the item of bedclothes and the cover.
An improved cover for a duvet comprising;

a top cover;

a bottom cover;

an enclosure securable between the top cover and the bottom cover and defining a central space; wherein the duvet is detachably received in the central space and securable to the enclosure;

a plurality of fastening devices releasably securing the top cover to the enclosure;

and a plurality of retaining devices releasably securing together the enclosure and the bottom cover, whereby the top cover and the bottom cover are selectively removable from the duvet for washing and ultimate disposal due to wear, leaving the remainder of the duvet for continued use.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining devices each comprise a tag including:

a finger including a first adhesive male pad on a first surface and a first adhesive female pad on a second surface;

a body with an upper portion, a waist having a female press stud, a lower portion having a tongue, a male press stud formed on the tongue, a second adhesive male pad and a second adhesive female pad.
The improved cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastening devices comprise two sets of double-headed studs.
The improved cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fastening devices comprise two sets of double-headed studs, each set of studs being linked in series by a cord.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the enclosure further comprises:

a central space defined by an inner periphery of an upper frame and a lower frame thereof;

a continuous pouch formed in the inner peripheries of the upper and the lower frames;

multiple v-shaped strips mounted around the pouch and each having a folding securely engaged to a face of the enclosure;

two linear pockets extending along opposed outer peripheries of the upper and lower frames; and

a plurality of catches provided to connect the top cover to the enclosure.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bottom cover comprises:

a main portion;

two opposed end flaps each with two handles respectively formed at two opposed sides thereof;

two side strips respectively formed at two opposed sides thereof, each side strip including at least one tab with a male and female adhesive portion; and

a plurality of loops formed around a periphery thereof and corresponding to multiple hooks formed on the enclosure.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top cover comprises:

four apertures respectively defined near four comers thereof; and

multiple slits defined around edges thereof.
The cover for a duvet as claimed in claim 6, wherein four flexible handles are respectively formed at four corners of the duvet.
The cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the enclosure has a pocket provided to opposed sides thereof and having a plurality of eyelets defined in two opposed sides of the pocket.
The cover as claimed in claim 14, the top cover has a plurality of eyelets defined in two opposed sides thereof and the bottom cover has a plurality of eyelets each defined to correspond to one of the eyelets of the top cover.
The cover as claimed in claim 15, wherein a plurality of fasteners are used to insert into the eyelets of the top cover, the enclosure and the bottom cover to securely engage the top cover, the enclosure and the bottom cover together.