GB2522687A

GB2522687A - Bedding system

Info

Publication number: GB2522687A
Application number: GB1401781.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Diana Grant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-03
Filing date: 2014-02-03
Publication date: 2015-08-05
Also published as: GB201401781D0

Abstract

A bedding system comprises a sheet for covering a mattress, the sheet having a rectangular upper panel and two side panels each of the side panels extending from the longer edges of the upper panel and at least two blankets. Each blanket has a first surface, an opposing second surface and two opposing side edges. First separable fasteners 36 are provided on at least a part of an outer surface of both of the side panels and/or a part of the upper panel proximate the longer edges. Second separable fastenings (not shown) are provided on a part of the first surface of each blanket proximate its side edges, the second separable fastenings being engageable with the first separable fasteners so as to secure the blanket to the sheet. Third separable fasteners 48 are provided on a part of the second surface of each blanket proximate the side edges, the third fastening means being engageable with the second fastening means so as to secure one blanket to another. The sheet may have a second, lower surface that forms a tube within which a mattress 16 is placed. The bedding system is especially suited for use with babies, infants or young children.

Description

Bedding System

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a bedding system comprising a sheet and blankets suitable for a baby or young child. The bedding system of the present invention may also be suitable for use by the elderly or infirm.

b. Related Art It is known to use blankets to keep a baby or young child at the correct temperature as they sleep. Often, however, the child will kick the blankets off during the night, such that they wake up because they are cold or because they are feeling insecure.

One way to solve this problem is to tuck the edges of longer blankets under the edges of the mattress to keep them in position. However, typically, the child is still able to kick the blankets off, and furthermore, if it is necessary to remove one of the blankets to help regulate the child's temperature, then this is difficult to do without disturbing the child.

Additionally, it is now common to install a heart monitor plate under a baby's mattress. Tucking the blankets under the mattress as described often prevents this monitor from detecting correctly.

One known product for children on the market is a GrobagTM or similar system, which is essentially a sleeping bag for a child which they wear. These sleeping bags are not, however, suitable for very small children and babies, for example premature babies.

It is, therefore, an aim of the present invention to provide an improved bedding system suitable for small children and babies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a bedding system comprising: -a sheet for covering a mattress, the sheet comprising a substantially rectangular upper panel of material having two opposing longer edges and two opposing shorter edges for covering an upper surface of said mattress, and two side panels of material for covering sides of said mattress, each of the side panels extending from the longer edges of the upper panel; -at least two blankets, each blanket having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and two opposing side edges; -first separable fastening means provided on at least a part of an outer surface of both of the side panels and/or a part of the upper panel proximate the longer edges; -second separable fastening means provided on a part of the first surface of each blanket proximate said side edges, said second fastening means being engageable with said first fastening means to secure the blanket to the sheet; and -third separable fastening means provided on a part of the second surface of each blanket proximate said side edges, said third fastening means being engageable with said second fastening means.

Preferably the first and second separable fastening means are such that the blankets can be secured to the sheet in different positions with respect to the sheet.

Preferably the first, second and third separable fastening means comprise hook and loop material. In other embodiments the first, second and third separable fastening means may comprise clips, buttons, press studs or magnets.

Preferably the first separable fastening means extends along the full length of the side panels.

Preferably the sheet comprises a substantially rectangular lower panel of material having two opposing longer edges and two opposing shorter edges, and the side panels connect the upper and lower panels along respective longer edges, such that the upper, lower and side panels together form a tube for receiving a mattress.

In these embodiments the first separable fastening means may additionally be provided on a part of an outer surface of the lower panel of the sheet.

In some embodiments the sheet may further comprise an end panel, the end panel connecting the upper and lower panels along respective shorter edges and extending between an end of each of the side panels. In these embodiments the first separable fastening means are preferably also provided on at least a part of the end panel.

Preferably the upper panel of the sheet includes a flap that is securable to the lower panel to cover, in use, an end of a mattress.

The blankets typically include opposing end edges, and preferably the second separable fastening means is also provided proximate one of the end edges.

In a preferred embodiment the first, second and third separable fastening means comprise hook and loop material, and the lower panel, both side panels and the end panel comprise loop material and the second separable fastening means comprises hook material.

Preferably the upper panel comprises a cotton material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a bedding system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a sheet and two blankets; Figure 2 is a view of the underside of one of the blankets of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative sheet according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of an alternative sheet according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5a to Sd shows a particularly preferred embodiment of a bedding system of the present invention, Figure Sa showing a top side of a blanket, Figure Sb showing an underside of a blanket, Figure Sc showing a top perspective view of a sheet, and Figure Sd showing an underside perspective view of the sheet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 illustrates a bedding system 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bedding system 10 comprises a sheet 12 and at least two blankets 14. This bedding system 10 is ideally suited for use as a baby's or child's bedding system. Each of the sheet 12 and blankets 14 comprises complementary separable fastening means such that a first blanket 14a may be secured to the sheet 12 and a second blanket 14b may be secured to the first blanket 14a. This enables layers of blanket to be easily added or removed, whilst being securely attached to the underlying layer. Additionally, by securing the blankets 14 to the sheet 12, a child is less likely to kick the blankets 14 off as they sleep.

It will be appreciated that this bedding system may also be used by adults, and in particular may be used by the elderly or infirm.

In this embodiment the sheet 12 is in the form of a sleeve or tube sized and configured to receive a mattress 16. Typically the sheet 12 will be formed to receive a standard size of mattress 16, such as a mattress for a baby's cot or crib, or a mattress for a child's bed. The sheet 12 comprises an upper panel 18, a lower panel 20 and two side panels 22. Both the upper panel 18 and lower panel are substantially rectangular, having two opposing longer edges 24 defining sides of the panels 18, 20 and two opposing shorter edges 26 defining ends of the panels 18, 20. The side panels 22 are also substantially rectangular, having two opposing longer edges 28 and two opposing shorter edges 30. The side panels 22 connect the upper and lower panels 18, 20 along their respective long edges 24, thereby forming a substantially rectangular sleeve.

The sheet 12 may be made from separate panels or alternatively may be formed from a single piece of material. At least the upper panel 18 is preferably made from a cotton material.

In preferred embodiments the length of the upper and lower panels 18, 20, i.e. the distance between the shorter edges 26, is substantially equal to the length of the mattress 16 to be covered by the sheet 12, and the width of the upper and lower panels 18, 20, i.e. the distance between the longer edges 24, is substantially equal to the width of the mattress 16 to be covered by the sheet 12. In this way, the upper and lower panels 18, 20 fully cover upper and lower surfaces 32, 34 of the mattress 16.

The sheet 12 further comprises separable fastening means 36. The separable fastening means 36 extend over a region of an outer surface of each of the side panels 22. In this embodiment the separable fastening means 36 do not fully cover the side panels 22 and do not extend for the full length of the sheet 12. In other embodiments, however, the separable fastening means 36 may extend for the full length of the side panels 22 and in some embodiments may fully cover the side panels 22. The purpose of the separable fastening means 36 will be explained below.

Each of the blankets 14 has a substantially rectangular shape, with opposing side edges 38 and opposing end edges 40. The width of the blankets 14, i.e. the distance between opposing side edges 38, is preferably greater than the width of the upper panel 18 of the sheet 12. The length of the blankets 14, i.e. the distance between opposing end edges 40, is typically less than the length of the upper panel 18 of the sheet 12.

The blankets 14 may be formed of any suitable material and may comprise one or more panels or layers of material. In preferred embodiments the blankets comprise cotton material or fleece material. Each of the blankets 14 has a first, upper surface 42 defining a top side of the blanket 14, and an opposing second, lower surface 44 defining an underside of the blanket 14 (the underside of a blanket 14 is illustrated most clearly in Figure 2).

Each blanket 14 comprises first and second separable fastening means 46, 48.

The first fastening means 46 is accessible from the underside of the blanket 14 and the second fastening means 48 is accessible from the top side of the blanket 14. In this embodiment the first separable fastening means 46 extends over a region of the lower surface 44 of the blanket 14 and the second separable fastening means 48 extends over a region of the upper surface 42 of the blanket 14. The separate fastening means 46, 48 are positioned proximate the side edges 38 of the blanket.

In this embodiment the separable fastening means 36, 46, 48 comprises hook and loop material. In particular the separable fastening means 36, 48 provided on the sheet 12 and on the upper surface 42 of the blankets 14 is loop material and the separable fastening means 46 provided on the lower surface 44 of the blankets 14 is hook material. In this way the separable fastening means 46 on the lower surface 44 of the blanket 14 is designed to engage with and secure to the separable fastening means 36 on the sheet 12, as well as to the separable fastening means 48 on the upper surface 42 of a blanket 14.

This enables a first blanket 14a to be secured to the sheet 12, by attaching regions of the hook material 46 on the lower side of the blanket 14 to the regions of loop material 36 on the sheet 12. A second blanket 14b may then be layered over the first blanket 14a and attached thereto by securing the hook material 46 on the underside of the second blanket 14b to the regions of loop material 48 on the upper surface 42 of the first blanket 1 4a.

In preferred embodiments the hook and loop material is an AplixTM hook and loop material. Use of the term loop material will be understood to include any materials capable of engaging with and securing to hook material. The loop material may, in preferred embodiments, comprise AplixTM receptive material.

It will be appreciated that the separable fastening means 46, 48 provided on the blankets 14 may be in discrete regions along the length of the blanket 14, or alternatively the fastening means 46, 48 may be provided continuously along the length of the blanket 14. Furthermore, although the fastening means 46, 48 have been described and illustrated as being spaced from the side edges 38 of the blankets 14, the fastening means 46, 48 may be provided at or in contact with the side edges 38.

The use of separable fastening means 36, 46, 48 such as hook and loop material allows blankets 14 to be easily added to or removed from the bedding to regulate a child's temperature without disturbing the child. Furthermore, because all of the blankets 14 of the bedding system 10 include the same first and second fastening means 46, 48, the blankets 14 may be layered in any order, or any one blanket 14 may be secured to the sheet 12. In embodiments in which the blankets 14 are made of different materials this allows great flexibility in the covers that may be secured over a sleeping child.

Although the separable fastening means 36, 46, 48 have been described as comprising hook and loop material, it will be appreciated that the separable fastening means 36, 46, 48 may comprise any suitable fastening means that may be repeatedly secured together and separated. Additionally, the fastening means 36, 48 provided on the sheet 12 and those accessible from the top side of the blanket 14 are preferably substantially identical, and the fastening means 46 accessible from the underside of the blanket 14 are preferably complementary to the fastening means 36, 48 provided on the sheet 12 and accessible from the top side of the blanket 14, such that the fastening means 46 accessible from the underside of the blanket 14 may be engaged with and secured to either the fastening means 36 provided on the sheet 12 or the fastening means 48 accessible from the top side of the blanket 14.

Accordingly, the fastening means 36, 46, 48 may comprise complementary clips, snap fasteners or press studs, buttons, zips, or magnets.

In embodiments in which the fastening means 36, 48, 48 comprise buttons and button holes, these may be provided on further flaps of material that extend from the side panels of the sheet 12 and from the blankets 14, proximate the side edges. For example, a row of buttons may be provided on a flap of material extending from the side panel of the sheet, a complementary row of button holes may be provided in a flap of material that extends from the lower surface of the blanket proximate the side edge, and a further row of buttons may be provide on the upper surface of the blanket proximate the side edge. In embodiments in which the fastening means 36, 46, 48 comprise magnetic means, the magnetic means may be provided in sealed pockets or pouches provided on the sheet and on the blanket in suitable and complementary positions.

Figure 3 shows a sheet 112 according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Many of the features of this sheet 112 are substantially identical to features of the sheet 12 of the first embodiment, and like features have been indicated with reference numbers incremented by 100.

The sheet 112 comprises opposing upper and lower panels 118, 120. The upper panel 118 is substantially longer than the lower panel 120, i.e. the distance between the two opposing shorter edges 126 of the upper panel 118 is greater than the distance between the two opposing shorter edges 126 of the lower panel 120. The upper panel 118 is preferably between 10% and 70% longer than the lower panel 120, more preferably between 40% and 60% longer, and most preferably about 50% longer.

The additional length of the upper panel 118 forms a flap 150 that extends beyond one end of the lower panel 120 and side panels 122. At an opposite end of the sheet 112 from the flap 150, an end panel 152 connects the shorter edges 126, of the upper and lower panels 118, 120 and side panels 122. In this way, the upper and lower panels 118, 120, side panels 122 and end panel 152 form a pocket into which the mattress 16 is inserted.

In use, after a mattress has been inserted into the sheet 112, the flap 150 is folded over the exposed end of the mattress. In preferred embodiments complementary separable fastening means (not shown) are provided on the flap 150 and on a part of the outer surface of the lower panel 120 of the sheet 112. The fastening means allow the flap 150 to be secured to the lower panel 120 to fully cover the mattress and to retain the mattress within the sheet 112.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 separable fastening means 154 are provided on an outer surface of the end panel 152. The end panel fastening means 154 are preferably of the same type as the fastening means 136 on the side panels 122 of the sheet 112. The fastening means 154 on the end panel 152 allow a blanket (not shown) to be secured to the end panel 152 in addition to, or instead of, a side panel 122.

In some embodiments, therefore, it is describable if the blankets (not shown) comprise separable fastening means located proximate both the side edges and one of the end edges. These separable fastening means are positioned so as to be engageable with and securable to the fastening means provided on the sheet.

Discrete regions of fastening means may be provided along the side edges and end edge, or alternatively a continuous, U-shaped region of fastening means may be provided along the edges of the blanket.

Figure 4 shows a further preferred embodiment of a sheet 212 according to the invention. Similar to the sheet 112 of the second embodiment, this sheet 212 comprises an end panel 252 such that the sheet 212 is in the form of a pocket for receiving a mattress (in the same way as a pillow may be inserted into a pillowcase). The sheet 212 also comprises a portion of the upper panel 218 in the form of a flap 250 that is able to be folded and secured to a lower panel 220 of the sheet 212.

In this embodiment separable fastening means 256 are provided on a first, lower surface 258 of the flap 250, and a complementary separable fastening means 260 are provided on the lower panel 220 of the sheet 212. When the flap 250 is folded over the separable fastening means 256, 260 engage to secure the flap 250 to the lower panel 220.

Also in this embodiment, regions of separable fastening means 262 that are provided on the side panels 222 of the sheet 212 extend so as to cover a region of the lower panel 220. Because the separable fastening means are provided both on the side panels 222 and the lower panel 220, a user can secure side edges of a blanket to either the side panels 222 or the lower panel 220, by tucking the blanket edges under the mattress, thereby allowing the blankets to be secured as tightly or as loosely over a child or baby as desired.

Although in the above-described embodiments the regions of separable fastening means 36, 136, 154, 260, 262 provided on the side panels 22, 122, 222, end panel 152 and lower panel 20, 220 have been described and illustrated as discrete regions, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments a single, continuous region of separable fastening means may be provided extending over the lower panel, side panels and end panel (if provided) of the sheet. In preferred embodiments, the whole of the lower panel, side panels and end panel of a sheet comprises separable fastening means. In particular the lower panel, side panels and end panel may include or may be made from loop material. In further embodiments, separable fastening means may also be provided on the upper panel of the sheet proximate or at the side edges and/or end edge. It is preferred, however, if the upper panel of the sheet remains free of separable fastening means in order to provide a comfortable and suitable surface on which a baby or child can lie.

Figures 5a to Sd illustrate a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the sheet 312 (shown in Figures 5c and Sd) comprises upper and lower panels 318, 320, side panels 322 and an end panel 352. A continuous area of separable fastening means 364 is provided that extends over the full surface of the lower panel 320, both side panels 322, the end panel 352, as well as over regions of the upper panel 318 adjacent to both of the side edges 324 of the upper panel 318.

A central region or band 366 of the upper panel 318, on which a child or baby will lie, is made from a cotton material, which is preferably organic cotton.

Complementary separable fastening means 356 are provided on a lower surface 358 of a flap 350. When the flap 350 is folded over, as described above, the separable fastening means 356, 364 engage to secure the flap 350 to the lower panel 320.

Each blanket 314 of this embodiment (shown in Figures 5a and 5b) includes first and second separable fastening means 346, 348. The first separable fastening means 346 are provided on a lower surface 344 of the blanket 314 adjacent to each of the side edges 338. The second separable fastening means 348 are provided on an upper surface 342 of the blanket 314 adjacent to each of the side edges 338. The first and second separable fastening means 346, 348 each extend along the full length of the side edges 338.

The separable fastening means 364, 346, 348, 356 comprises hook and loop material. In particular, the separable fastening means 364, 348 provided on the sheet 312 and on the upper surface 342 of the blankets 314 is loop material and the separable fastening means 346 provided on the lower surface 344 of the blankets 314 is hook material. In this way the separable fastening means 346 on the lower surface 344 of the blanket 314 is designed to engage with and secure to the separable fastening means 364 on the sheet 312, as well as to the separable fastening means 348 on the upper surface 342 of a blanket 314.

Because the separable fastening means 364 are provided over the side panels 322, the end panel 352, the lower panel 220 and edge regions of the upper panel 318, a user can secure the side edges 338 of a blanket 314 to any part of the separable fastening means 364, thereby allowing the blankets 314 to be secured as tightly or as loosely over a child or baby as desired.

In other embodiments of the invention, the sheet may be a fitted sheet having an elasticated edge portion for securing to a mattress.

In selecting suitable separable fastening means for use in the present inventions it is desirable if the blankets can be secured in different positions with respect to the sheet and to each other. This enables, for example, the blanket to be secured to the sheet so that only one third of the sheet is covered when a baby is very small, but allows the blanket to be secured to cover a greater length of the sheet as the child grows. The blanket may be securable to the sheet in different discrete positions if, for example, buttons are used as the fastening means, or the blanket may be securable to the sheet in a continuous range of positions if, for example hook and loop material is used as the fastening means.

The present invention, therefore, provides an improved bedding system suitable for small children and babies.

Claims

CLAIM S1. A bedding system comprising: -a sheet for covering a mattress, the sheet comprising a substantially rectangular upper panel of material having two opposing longer edges and two opposing shorter edges for covering an upper surface of said mattress, and two side panels of material for covering sides of said mattress, each of the side panels extending from the longer edges of the upper panel; -at least two blankets, each blanket having a first surface, an opposing second surface, and two opposing side edges; -first separable fastening means provided on at least a part of an outer surface of both of the side panels and/or a part of the upper panel proximate the longer edges; -second separable fastening means provided on a part of the first surface of each blanket proximate said side edges, said second fastening means being engageable with said first fastening means to secure the blanket to the sheet; and -third separable fastening means provided on a part of the second surface of each blanket proximate said side edges, said third fastening means being engageable with said second fastening means.
2. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first and second separable fastening means are such that the blankets can be secured to the sheet in different positions with respect to the sheet.
3. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the first, second and third separable fastening means comprise hook and loop material.
4. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the first, second and third separable fastening means comprise clips, buttons, press studs or magnets.
5. A bedding system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first separable fastening means extends along the full length of the side panels.
6. A bedding system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet comprises a substantially rectangular lower panel of material having two opposing longer edges and two opposing shorter edges, and the side panels connect the upper and lower panels along respective longer edges, such that the upper, lower and side panels together form a tube for receiving a mattress.
7. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the first separable fastening means is additionally provided on a part of an outer surface of the lower panel of the sheet.
8. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the sheet further comprises an end panel, the end panel connecting the upper and lower panels along respective shorter edges and extending between an end of each of the side panels.
9. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the first separable fastening means are also provided on at least a part of the end panel.
10. A bedding system as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the upper panel of the sheet includes a flap that is securable to the lower panel to cover, in use, an end of a mattress.
11. A bedding system as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, in which the blankets include opposing end edges, and wherein the second separable fastening means is also provided proximate one of the end edges.
12. A bedding system as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 11, in which the first, second and third separable fastening means comprise hook and loop material, and wherein the lower panel, both side panels and the end panel comprise loop material and wherein the second separable fastening means comprises hook material.
13. A bedding system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the upper panel comprises a cotton material.
14. A bedding system substantially as herein described with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.