GB2504287A

GB2504287A - Bedding system

Info

Publication number: GB2504287A
Application number: GB201213114A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sonia Boswell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-07-24
Filing date: 2012-07-24
Publication date: 2014-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-24
Also published as: GB2504287B; GB201213114D0

Abstract

A bedding system comprises at least two items 1,7 of bed clothing and an elongate flap 6 with two elongate edges. One elongate edge of the flap is attached to a first of the items of bed clothing and an opposing elongate edge has a releasable attachment 5 arranged to engage with a second of the items of bed clothing. The releasable attachment is preferably a zipper fastener and the elongate flap may extend along more than one side of the items of bedding. One of the items of bedding is preferably a duvet 4 cover that may be provided with fasteners allowing a duvet to be paced within the cover. A two-way zipper may be provided to allow the user to open the bedding system and extend or poke their legs from between the two items of bed clothing. In use, the bedding system helps to retain items of bed clothing on the bed.

Description

A SYSTEM OF BEDDING

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system of bedding, more particularly a system of bedding for aligning or connecting multiple items of bedding.

Background

Increasing levels of individualism and fragmentation in modern societies mean fewer people live in couples, and fewer users aregetting married.

At the same time, increasing numbers of users are sharing their lives and beds in less conventional arrangements.

However it is often a feature of many domestic arrangements that users will sleep together in the same bed. When two particularly individual users share a bed it can be problematic, particularly in light of modern domestic bedclothes which typically consist of eiderdowns, duvets or quilts that are not tucked in and are consequently easier to make up.

In particular it is frequently problematic that one user will be inclined often to pull.

such loose coverings, such as duvets, to one side of the bed1 to the detriment of bed partners.

In addition or the alternative increasing levels of obesity mean that an obese partner is also liable to mean that covers are not effective and draughts enter the bed.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Chinese utility model CN 201 683 536 (XIAOPING) discloses a kicking-quilt prevention quilt cover, which comprises a bed sheet laid on a bed and a quilt sheet covering a quilt. Connectors are arranged on the edge of the quilt sheet, fasteners matched with the connectors are correspondingly arranged on the bed sheet, and the bed sheet is fixedly connected with the quilt sheet through the connectors and the fasteners. The kicking-quilt prevention quilt cover fixedly connects the quilt sheet for covering and the bed sheet, leads a quick to constantly cover a sleeper's body, avoids falling of the quilt due to being kicked or because of turning of the sleeper, and prevents the sleeper from catching cold.

United States patent application US 2010 251 482 (MACDONALD) discloses a bedding apparatus, comprising: a top layer; a bottom layer; and a plurality of zippers; wherein said bottom layer is comprised of a fitted portion and a top portion; wherein said top portion of said bottom layer covers a top of a mattress; wherein said fitted portion of said bottom layer fits tightly around the sides of said mattress; and wherein said top layer extends over and beyond one or more edges of said top portion of said bottom layer; wherein said plurality of zippers have a top slide rail and a bottom slide rail; wherein said top slide rail of said zippers are attached to a bottom of said top layer; wherein said bottom slide rail of said zippers are attached to an outer surface of said top portion of said bottom layer; and wherein said plurality of zippers connect said top layer and said bottom.

In contrast the present invention provides failsafe easy to make up bedding that allows for a plurality of different users, bedding and sleeping styles.

Summary of the Invention

According to first aspect of the invention there, is provided a system of bedding comprising at least two items of bedclothing; in which the at least two items of bedclothing are connected by at least one elongate flap with two elongate edges, wherein one elongate edge is attached to a first item of bedclothing and an opposing elongate edge includes an attachment means arranged to engage a second item of bedclothing.

Typically the attachment means is a zipper wherein said zipper cooperates with a second zipper on the second item of bedclothing. , The first item of bedclothing may be a duvet cover and the second item of bedclothing may be a bedsheet. Alternatively! the first item of bedclothing may be a bedsheet and the second item of bedclothing may be a duvet cover.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention one elongate edge of the at least one elongate flap is sewn to a first item of bedclothing.

In all preferred embodiments where a bed is describable as having a top, bottom and two sides, the system provides a means of supplying a bottom sheet, a top sheet and an ability to provide at least one side sheet formed by an elongate flap, so that where a duvet moves draughts are not liable to be introduced to the bed and in addition or the alternative the duvet is not liable to be displaced or removed from covering any area of the bed.

Ideally therefore the attachment means comprises a single zipper which comes into minimal contact with a user whilst the user is in bed. In some further embodiments there is provided a comfort covering aver the zipper wherethe zipper is liable to be contactable by a user, so that cold metal is not liable to wake the user. Ideally for example the zipper is surrounded by or hidden within or behind at least one seam.

In other preferred embodiments the duvet cover is also dual layer and is provided with a zipper on at least two sides of the duvet cover. For example a zipper may be provided at either the top or bottom of the duvet cover and at a side, of the duvet cover so that a duvet may be easily inserted into the duvet cover and consequently the duvet cover may be easily changed, for example the düvet cover may provide a pocket dimensioned and arranged to receive a duvet.

Ideally in such embodiments the duvet cover has a zipper around three of the sides, for example along both sides of the duvet cover and along either the top or bottom.

In preferred embodiments of the invention there is provided a two-way zipper along the flap edge to allow a user to poke legs out, wherein dual zipper tabs may be able to move either way and consequently allow an edge to be opened.

In preferred embodiments the flap in use is fixed in position running around at least one side of a bed so that the duvet may move laterally on the bed as in natural night time movement, draughts are prevented from entering into the bed and the duvet is not displaceable from that side of the bed.

In Other embodiments there may be a flap running around the bottom so that draughts do not enter, and preventing undesired lateral movement of the duvet on the bed. In some embodiments the width of the flap may vary along the length of the flap, for example the flap may be narrower towards one end of the flap than at the opposing end. For example, the flap may be wider towards the bed top than at the bed bottom in order that lateral movement may be allowed in some way at the bed top alone. The width of the flap towards the bottom of the bed is therefore in such embodiments of a minimal width.

Ideally the flap zipper edge is on the duvet so that the user's leg will not be in contact with the zipper or laying on the zipper when the leg is outstretched. In other embodiments the zipper is on the bed sheet, which is ideally in other respects a fitted bed sheet or bedsheet with elasticated corners.

In embodiments such as these ideally the zipper will be on a side face of the bedsheet, for example a face which is orthogonal to the axis of the user, covering the mattress' side, so that the user is unlikely to come into contact with zipper.

In some embodiments of the system, part or whole of the flap or flaps may be elasticated or flexible. The flap may therefore be capable of stretching to accommodate movement of the item in regards tothe bed or user.

In preferred embodiments the edges of the elongate flap are sewn into the cover or bedsheet as appropriate, where not zippered.

In some embodiments the flap may be continuous along more than one side or bottom.

According to a second aspect of the piesent invention, there is provided a system of bedding comprising: a duvet cover; a bedsheet; and an elongate flap for connecting the duvet cover to the bedsheet, in which the duvet cover is formed by a pocket with a zipper projecting from and extending continuously along at least a side and bottom of the duvet cover.

In this way the bedsheet may be fitted to the bed by the user and subsequently the duve.t is inserted into the flap, and finally the attachment means or zipper(s) closed to keep the duvet in place. This allows the duvet to be zipped into and contained within the flap and subsequently maintained in place by the bedsheet.

In some embodiments the duvet may be included in a standard cover, wherein said duvet is inserted into the flap and for example an attachment means consisting of buttons or press-studs may be closed.

The flap and bedsheet in such embodiments are ideally reversed and reversible for laundry purposes, wherein for example *a single continuous seamed edge runs around two sides and the bottom of the bedsheet and is where the flap is sewn into the bedsheet.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the bove-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the system; Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a further embodiment of the system; and Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a furthher embodiment of the system with duvet / inserted.

Detailed Description of FiQures

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the system includes the following: Top duvet cover section 1 and bottom duvet cover section 2 having a zipper 3 that runs smoothly over rounded corners of the duvet 4 and is protected by a seam which prevents catching. The bottom duver cover section 2 provides an elongate flap 6 extending along at east a portion of one side of the cover. The elongate flap 6 extends from the top end (ie. the head end) of the bottom duvet cover section 2 towards the bottom end (ie. the foot end) of the bottom duver cover section 2. The system further includes a fitted bedsheet 7. The fitted bed sheet 7 and an elongate edge of the elongate flap 6 are arranged to attach together using zipper 5.

The elongate flap 6 provides dual direction zippers 5 which allow the user to sleep with one leg Out if they choose and that only come up as far as pillow height on the bed, for a comfortable and non-restricted feeling The pictured and preferred embodiment of the system is a simple, universal bedding system which prevents a user's bed-partner from pulling off the duvet whilst they are asleep, and in addition helps a process of making up a bed.

The duvet cover 1, 2 itself opens up completely due to a zipper 3 which as shown typically surrounds two sides and bottom, arid results in a much quicker and easier way to change the duvet cover 1, 2.

A seam around the duvet covers 1, 2 may protect the zipper 3 and stop the zipper 3 catching on anything when zipping up.

Typically located on both duvet cover and the bedsheet are colour coded tabs so that the user does not zip system the wrong way round. In some embodiments there may be provided colour coded zippers so that the user knows which zippers attach to where.

The zippers 3, 5 can either be made from polypropylene, plastics or from metal depending on user choice1 wherein plastics are less liable to cause discomfort to the user.

In use a user would: Unzip the duvet cover 1, 2, lay in the duvet 4 and simply zip the cover 1, 2 back up again with no need to struggle with pushing and pulling the duvet 4 into position.

Furthermore the user can easily attach the duvet 4 to the fitted sheet 7 by zipping up the flaps 6. Adjusting how far the zipper goes is facilitated by the dual zipper 5 that can be unzipped from either end of the bed.

The flaps 6 allow the user to sleep in their own way, one leg out or both, wherein the user may simply adjust the length of the zippers 5 on the flaps 7 and enjoy the freedom provided.

In some embodiments as pictured the duvet cover 1, 2 features rounded corners at its bottom to clarity which way the duvet cover 1, 2 should be attached.

Claims

Claims 1. A system of bedding comprising at least two items of bedclothing; in which the at least two items of bedclothing are connected by at least one elongate flap with two elongate edges, wherein one elongate edge is attached to a first item of bedclothng and an opposing elongate edge includes an attachment means arranged to engage a second item of bedclothing.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means is a zipper.
3. A system according to either of claims 1 and 2 wherein one elongate edge of.the at least one elongate flap is sewn to a first item of bedclothing.
4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first item of bedclothing is a duvet cover and the second item of bedclothing is a bedsheet.
5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first item of bedclothing is a bedsheet and the second item of bedclothing is a duvet cover.
6. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the attachment means comprises a two-way zipper.
7. A system according to any preceding claim, in which the at least one elongate flap extends along more than one side of an item of bedclothing 6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein in use the attachment means is arranged to engage a side face of a bedsheet.9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein in use the attachment means is arranged to engage a duvet cover.10.A system according to any preceding claim wherein a duvet cover is formed by a pocketand in which the at least one elongate flap extends along at least two sides of a bedsheet, in which a first elOngate side is sewn to the bedsheet and a second elongate side provides attachment means.11. A system according to claim 10, further comprising a duvet received within the duvet cover, wherein said duvet is inserted into the flap provided by the duvet cover, and in which the duvet cover provides further attachment means consisting of buttons or press-studs for closing the duvet cover.