GB2522645A

GB2522645A - Duvet assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2522645A
Application number: GB1401629.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sophia Park
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-31
Filing date: 2014-01-31
Publication date: 2015-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2034-01-31
Also published as: GB201401629D0; GB2522645B

Abstract

A duvet assembly 1 comprises a duvet cover 2 having an upper sheet 3 and a lower sheet 4 with a duvet 5 adapted to be housed between the upper and lower sheets. Each of the upper and lower sheets has at least one continuous slide fastening 17 that is adapted to attach to a corresponding continuous slide fastening 18 located around at least part of the periphery 13,14,16 of the duvet. The slide fastenings on the upper and lower sheets are set back from the edges of the sheets. The continuous slide fastening may extend along at least two sides up to along three sides of the duvet assembly. The upper and lower sheets may be permanently secured to one another along one side. In use, the duvet makes changing the duvet cover more convenient and helps prevent the duvet moving within the cover in use.

Description

Duvet Assembly The present invention relates to a duvet assembly.

The use of duvets and duvet covers is so widespread that many of the attendant problems associated therewith are very well known.

The five principal problems associated with duvets and duvet covers are as follows.

Firstly, the insertion of a duvet into a traditional cover can be cumbersome if the cover has only a single entrance at one of its ends.

Secondly, once a duvet has been inserted into a duvet cover, it is prone, over time, to be displaced, thereby necessitating the frequent rearrangement of the duvet inside the cover.

Thirdly, should the assembly provide a fastening mechanism to keep the duvet in place, these are usually only located on the four corners on the duvet and inside the cover which are typically ties or button loops which can be displaced during use, bunching inward in a given corner due to uneven weight distribution and break as a result of too much tension.

Fourthly, in addition to the duvet becoming displaced, protrusion of the duvet can occur from the point of insertion.

Lastly, stationary fasteners (buttons and snaps) used to close a cover can break or fall off over time causing the duvet to spill out, especially if they are not anchored within the cover.

The present invention seeks to address these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a duvet assembly comprising a duvet cover having an upper sheet and a lower sheet and a duvet adapted to be housed between the upper and lower sheets, wherein: each of the upper and lower sheets comprise at least one continuous slide fastening that is adapted to attach to a corresponding continuous slide fastening located around at least part of the periphery of the duvet the slide fastenings on the upper and lower sheets are set back from the edges of the sheets.

The provision of a continuous slide fastening means on each duvet cover sheet allows the sheet to evenly distribute tension along the attachment to the duvet, and allows for a duvet to be rapidly installed within a cover such that it does not move or protrude relative to the duvet cover sheets. Furthermore, by setting the slide fastenings on the sheets back from the edges of the sheets the slide fastenings are concealed when the assembly is in use.

Preferably the slide fastenings are set back from the edges of the sheets by at least 5cm.

More preferably the slide fastenings are set back from the edges of the sheets by at least 10cm.

Preferably one edge of the duvet assembly does not comprise a continuous slide fastening.

Preferably the upper and lower sheets are substantially permanently attached to each other along one side of the duvet assembly.

By having one side wherein the upper and lower sheets are substantially permanently attached the assembly is easily handled without it falling apart during assembly. Furthermore, for the comfort of a user a side that has no attachments may be positioned adjacent to a user's upper body when the assembly is in use.

Preferably at least one continuous slide fastening extends along at least pad of two sides the duvet assembly.

Preferably a continuous slide fastening extends along at least part of three sides the duvet assembly.

Preferably a continuous slide fastening extends along at least pad of two substantially perpendicular sides of the duvet assembly, the slide fastening being curved adjacent a corner of the duvet assembly where the sides meet.

Preferably a continuous slide fastening extends along at least part of three sides of the duvet assembly, with adjacent pairs of sides being substantially perpendicular to each other, the slide fastening being curved adjacent each corner of the duvet assembly where the sides meet.

Preferably the corners of the duvet are curved in accordance with the curvature of the slide fastening.

In some embodiments where a slide fastening is curved adjacent a corner of the duvet assembly corresponding sides of at least the upper sheet of the duvet cover form a substantially perpendicular corner.

In some embodiments where a slide fastening is curved adjacent a corner of the duvet assembly corresponding sides of both the upper and lower sheets of the duvet cover form a substantially perpendicular corner.

By configuring the one or both sheets of the duvet to form substantially perpendicular corners a seemingly rectangular duvet assembly is created even if the duvet itself comprises curved corners.

Preferably the continuous slide fastenings are zips.

In one embodiment the upper and lower sheets are formed in one piece.

In one embodiment the upper and lower sheets are formed separately and subsequently attached.

Preferably the duvet is substantially rectangular.

Preferably the upper and lower sheets are substantially rectangular.

A specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a duvet assembly made in accordance with the present invention in a configuration wherein the duvet is not attached to the duvet cover; Figure 2 shows a close-up view of the part of the duvet assembly of Figure 1 that comprises the sliders of the zippers of the duvet assembly; Figure 3 shows a duvet assembly made in accordance with the present invention in a configuration wherein the duvet is semi-attached to the duvet cover; Figure 4 shows a close-up view of the part of the duvet assembly of Figure 3 that comprises the sliders of the zippers of the duvet assembly; Figure 5 shows a duvet assembly made in accordance with the present invention in a configuration wherein the duvet is fully attached to the duvet cover and encased within; and Figure 6 shows a close-up view of the part of the duvet assembly of Figure 5 that comprises the sliders of the zippers of the duvet assembly.

Referring to the drawings, it can be seen that a duvet assembly 1 made in accordance with the present invention comprises a duvet cover 2 having an upper sheet 3 and a lower sheet 4. Duvet assembly 1 also comprises a duvet 5 that is adapted to be housed within duvet cover 2.

Upper sheet 3 of duvet cover 2 is substantially rectangular and substantially permanently attached to lower sheet 4 along joining edge 6. Along with joining edge 6, because upper sheet 3 is substantially rectangular it also comprises side edges 7. 8 and end edge 9.

Lower sheet 4 is substantially the same dimensions as upper sheet 3. Along with joining edge 6, because lower sheet 3 is substantially rectangular it also comprises side edges 10, 11 and end edge 12.

Duvet cover 2 is formed of any suitable textile material, such as cotton.

Duvet 5 is of smaller dimensions than upper and lower sheets 3, 4 of duvet cover 2.

Because duvet 5 is substantially rectangular it comprises side edges 13, 14 and end edges 15, 16.

Upper sheet 3 of duvet cover 2 comprises first row 17 of zipper teeth running adjacent three sides 7, 8, 9 of its periphery except for along joining edge 6.

First row 17 of zipper teeth are set back from the edge of upper sheet 3 as defined by sides 7. 8. 9.

Thus in between first row 17 of zipper teeth and sides 7, 8, 9 of upper sheet 3 of duvet cover 2 is first flap of material 23 that runs around three sides of duvet assembly 1.

First row 17 of zipper teeth extends substantially the full length of all three sides 7, 8, 9 of upper sheet 3, albeit with first row 17 of zipper teeth being spaced from the three sides 7, 8, 9 so as to define first flap 23.

Duvet 5 comprises corresponding second row 18 of zipper teeth that may be releasably attached to first row 17 of zipper teeth by means of first zipper slider 19. Second row 18 of zipper teeth runs around three sides 13, 14, 16 of the periphery of duvet S except for along end edge 15, which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to joining edge 6 of duvet cover 2 when assembly 1 is in use.

Lower sheet 4 of duvet cover 2 comprises third row 20 of zipper teeth running around three sides 10, 11, 12 of its periphery except for along joining edge 6.

Third row 20 of zipper teeth are set back from the edge of lower sheet 4 as defined by sides 10, 11, 12.

Thus in between third row 20 of zipper teeth and sides 10, 11, 12 of lower sheet 4 of duvet cover 2 is second flap of material 24 that runs around three sides of duvet assembly 1.

Third row 20 of zipper teeth extends substantially the full length of all three sides 10, 11, 12 of lower sheet 4, albeit with third row 20 of zipper teeth being spaced from the three sides 10, 11, l2so as to define second flap 24.

Duvet 5 comprises corresponding fourth row 21 of zipper teeth that may be releasably attached to third row 20 of zipper teeth by means of second zipper slider 22. Fourth row 21 of zipper teeth runs around three sides 13, 14, 16 of the periphery of duvet 5 except for along end edge 15.

Rows 17, 18, 20, 21 of zipper teeth are curved adjacent corners 25, 26 of duvet assembly 1 so as to ease operation of the zip fastenings. Although duvet 5 is substantially rectangular in shape it can be seen to comprise two curved corners accordingly.

Rows 17, 18, 20, 21 of zipper teeth extend substantially the full length of three sides duvet assembly 1, albeit leaving a gap adjacent sides 9, 12 of duvet cover 2 in order to form flaps of material 23, 24.

It will be noted that upper sheet 3 and lower sheet 4 are not curved at corners 25. 26. Instead upper sheet 3 and lower sheet 4 are substantially perpendicular corners at corners 25, 26.

Thus the curved corners of duvet 5, much preferred to aid operation of the zip fastenings, are cloaked by duvet cover 2.

This arrangement allows for the illusion of a perfectly rectangular duvet, whilst permitting a single zip fastening to run around three sides of duvet S. Turning to duvet assembly 1 in use, and as can be seen from Figure 1 to 6, a user first positions duvet 5 such that it is lying on lower sheet 4 of duvet cover 2. Duvet 5 is positioned such that first zipper slider 19 on second row 18 of zipper teeth may be engaged with first row 17 of zipper teeth on upper sheet 3 of duvet cover 2. In this position second zipper slider 22 on third row 20 of zipper teeth may be engaged with fourth row 21 of zipper teeth.

Thus, in this position the user may begin to attach lower sheet 4 of duvet cover 2 to duvet S and also may begin to attach upper sheet 3 of duvet cover 2 to duvet 5.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, by means of zipper sliders 19, 22 the user may attach simultaneously sides 7, 8, 9 of upper sheet 3 and sides 10, 11, 12 of lower sheet 4 to duvet 5 by sliding zipper sliders 19, 22 along their respective zips around three sides of the periphery of duvet assembly 1.

In doing so, not only is duvet cover 2 closed but duvet S is simultaneously attached along three sides 10, 11, 12 of its periphery to duvet cover 2.

Once the user has completed sliding zippers 19, 22 around three sides of the periphery of duvet assembly 1, the configuration of duvet assembly 1 as shown in Figure 5 is obtained. A flap can also be employed to house the zipper slider heads when fully assembled. Duvet assembly 1 may then be deployed upon a bed or other apparatus as desired.

Joining edge 6, along which there is no zipper may lie adjacent to the neck and upper body of a user such that the user is not caused discomfort or irritation by one or more zippers.

In order to deconstruct duvet assembly 1 the operation is simply reversed so as to allow duvet cover 2 to be removed and washed and replaced by a fresh cover. The cover can also be closed within itself using the opposing zip and slider for aid in laundering.

It will be appreciated that although in the present embodiment there are two zippers each extending around three sides of the periphery of duvet assembly 1 it might be possible in other embodiments for more zippers to be deployed in order to close duvet cover 2 and simultaneously attach it to duvet 5.

For example, two zippers might run down each of the three sides of the assembly where the cover is attached to the duvet, making a total of six zippers. Alternatively four zippers could be employed, with two zippers running down each of side edges 13, 14 of duvet 5 and no attachment between duvet Sand cover 2 along edge 16 of duvet 5 and edge 12 of cover 2.

Many variations are possible, but it is believed that the presently disclosed embodiment is most advantageous as it allows for the duvet to be attached and detached to the cover with a single continuous sliding fastening mechanism, and for the duvet to be encased within the duvet cover in a fixed position relative to the duvet cover along three of its peripheral edges, whilst equally distributing the weight of the duvet preventing bunching on any given side and enclosing the duvet within the cover with no apparent gaps or openings.

It will be appreciated that the use of zippers allows for the cover 2 to be attached to duvet 5 single fluid motion. This is in contrast to stationary fasteners such as toggles, press-studs, hook and loop, or buttons, which must each individually be attended to by a user.

Furthermore provision of a zipper is beneficial in comparison to stationary fasteners such as toggles, press-studs, hook and loop, or buttons, which may individually become undone, thereby permitting the duvet to move around within the cover and become unevenly distributed, leading to areas of the duvet assembly containing too much of the duvet. and other areas containing to little and bunching due to uneven tension distribution and protrusion of the duvet from the cover.

Further attachments between duvet 5 and cover 2 could of course be employed, for example, one or more buttons (or a zipper) might be positioned along joining edge 6 such that they may be attached to end edge 15 of duvet and retained within duvet cover 2 when the assembly is in use. However, such arrangements are not preferable.

Although in the present application only the use of zippers as fasteners are discussed, it will be apparent that other slidable fasteners might be employed.

The term rectangular' in this application is intended to include reference to a square.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A duvet assembly comprising a duvet cover having an upper sheet and a lower sheet and a duvet adapted to be housed between the upper and lower sheets, wherein: each of the upper and lower sheets comprise at least one continuous slide fastening that is adapted to attach to a corresponding continuous slide fastening located around at least pad of the periphery of the duvet the slide fastenings on the upper and lower sheets are set back from the edges of the sheets.
2. The duvet assembly of claim 1 wherein the slide fastenings are set back from the edges of the sheets by at least 5cm.
3. The duvet assembly of claim 1 wherein the slide fastenings are set back from the edges of the sheets by at least 10cm.
4. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein one edge of the duvet assembly does not comprise a continuous slide fastening.
5. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein the upper and lower sheets are substantially permanently attached to each other along one side of the duvet assembly.
6. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein at least one continuous slide fastening extends along at least part of two sides the duvet assembly.
7. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein a continuous slide fastening extends along at least part of three sides the duvet assembly.
8. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein a continuous slide fastening extends along at least part of two substantially perpendicular sides of the duvet assembly, the slide fastening being curved adjacent a corner of the duvet assembly where the sides meet.
9. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein a continuous slide fastening extends along at least part of three sides of the duvet assembly, with adjacent pairs of sides being substantially perpendicular to each other, the slide fastening being curved adjacent each corner of the duvet assembly where the sides meet.
10. The duvet assembly of claim S or 9 wherein the corners of the duvet are curved in accordance with the curvature of the slide fastening.
11. The duvet assembly of any of claims 8 to 10 wherein where a slide fastening is curved adjacent a corner of the duvet assembly corresponding sides of at least the upper sheet of the duvet cover form a substantially perpendicular corner.
12. The duvet assembly of any of claims S to 10 wherein where a slide fastening is curved adjacent a corner of the duvet assembly corresponding sides of both the upper and lower sheets of the duvet cover form a substantially perpendicular corner.
13. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein the continuous slide fastenings are zips.
14. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein the upper and lower sheets are formed in one piece.
15. The duvet assembly of any of claims ito 13 wherein the upper and lower sheets are formed separately and subsequently attached.
16. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein the duvet is substantially rectangular. ii
17. The duvet assembly of any preceding claim wherein the upper and lower sheets are substantially rectangular.
18. A duvet cover adapted for use with the duvet assembly of any preceding claim.
19. A duvet adapted for use with the duvet assembly of any preceding claim.
20. A duvet assembly substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.