GB2560700A

GB2560700A - Securing arrangement and method

Info

Publication number: GB2560700A
Application number: GB1703414.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rafter Carol
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-03-03
Filing date: 2017-03-03
Publication date: 2018-09-26
Also published as: GB201703414D0

Abstract

A securing arrangement for securing together a duvet cover 1 and a duvet 2 comprises a plurality of first securing devices 3 for attachment to the inside of the duvet cover and a plurality of second securing devices 4 for attachment to the duvet. Each of the first and second securing devices comprises an attachment portion 13, 14 that attaches it to the duvet cover or duvet respectively and an engagement portion 6, 7. A pair of the securing devices comprising one of the first securing devices and one of the second securing devices have engagement portions which are mutually engageable. The first securing devices may have a first visual identifier, whilst the second securing devices may have a second visual identifier. The visual identifiers may be colours 8, 9 or a word or symbol 11, 12. The attachment portions may be iron-on fabric tabs, an adhesive surface or a clip. The engagement portions may be poppers, hook and loop fasteners, buttons and loops, hooks and eyes or magnets. In use, the securing arrangement inhibits movement of the duvet within the duvet cover, keeping it in place.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Securing arrangement and method

Abstract Title: Duvet and duvet cover securing arrangement comprising visual identifiers

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

1708 18 /1

FIG. 2

Securing Arrangement and Method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a securing arrangement and method for securing together a duvet cover and a duvet.

Background

Duvets are commonly used as a cover for beds. They are typically quilted sheets of fabric which can be provided with different thicknesses to provide different levels of warmth. Generally, a duvet will be white, or another neutral colour. A duvet cover will then be fitted over the duvet, to protect the duvet and colour co-ordinate with other bedclothes. When bedclothes are to be changed after use, then the cover can be removed and washed, without the duvet needing to be washed with it.

In use, duvets tend to move around within their covers, creating “empty” areas within the duvet cover, and areas in which the duvet is folded over. This causes discomfort to the user, and requires the user to partially open the duvet cover (which is typically closed with buttons, poppers or a zip) to rearrange the duvet inside.

The present invention is intended to address certain of these limitations.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a securing arrangement for securing together a duvet cover and a duvet, comprising:

a plurality of first securing devices for attachment to the inside of the duvet cover, each of the first securing devices comprising an attachment portion for attaching it to the duvet cover and an engagement portion; and a plurality of second securing devices for attachment to the duvet, each of the second securing devices comprising an attachment portion for attaching it to the duvet and an engagement portion; wherein a pair of the securing devices comprising one of the first securing devices and one of the second securing devices have engagement portions which are mutually engageable.

The securing devices inhibit movement of the duvet within the duvet cover, keeping it in place. The securing devices are not visually intrusive because they are inside the duvet cover.

The plurality of first securing devices and the plurality of second securing devices are preferably attached to the duvet cover and the duvet respectively at positions which substantially correspond with each other. For example, two first securing devices may be provided for attachment to the inside of the duvet covers at two of its four corners, and two second securing devices may be provided for attachment to the duvet at two of its four corners. The two first securing devices may be for attachment at the two corners of the duvet cover furthest from an opening into which the duvet is to be inserted. The use of two pairs of securing devices at these positions (which are the parts of the duvet most difficult to manipulate since they are furthest from the opening in the duvet cover. However, it will be appreciated that four pairs of (first and second) securing devices could be provided - one for each corner of the duvet. For large duvets, more than four pairs of securing devices could potentially be provided, in which securing devices are provided both at the corners and along the sides of the duvet and duvet cover.

Preferably, the first securing devices are visually distinguishable from the second securing devices. This makes it easier for a user to attach the correct securing devices to the correct one of the duvet and duvet cover. The first securing devices may have a first visual identifier and the second securing devices may have a second visual identifier. In one example, the first visual identifier comprises a first colour, and the second visual identifier comprises a second colour different to the first colour. In another example, the first visual identifier comprises a word or symbol indicating that the first securing devices are for attachment to the duvet cover and/or the second visual identifier comprises a word or symbol indicating that the second securing devices are for attachment to the duvet. It will be appreciated that alternative ways of providing a visual distinction could be provided, such as logos, shapes and the like.

The attachment portion of each securing device may be an iron-on fabric tab. Alternatively, the attachment portion of each securing device may be a fabric tab for stitching to the duvet or duvet cover. Alternatively, the attachment portion of each securing device may be a clip for clipping to the duvet or duvet cover. Alternatively, the attachment portion of each securing device may be an adhesive surface, or a surface to which an adhesive can be applied to attach it to the duvet or duvet cover.

The mutually engageable engagement portions may be poppers. Alternatively, the mutually engageable engagement portions may be hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro tabs). Alternatively, the mutually engageable engagement portions may be buttons and loops. Alternatively, the mutually engageable engagement portions may be hooks and eyes. Alternatively, the mutually engagement portions may be magnetically engageable.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a duvet, having a plurality of first securing devices attached thereto, the first securing devices for engagement with second securing devices attached to the inside of a duvet cover.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a duvet cover, comprising a plurality of second securing devices attached inside thereof, the second securing devices for engagement with first securing devices attached to a duvet.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of securing together a duvet and a duvet cover, the method comprising:

attaching a plurality of first securing devices to the inside of the duvet cover via attachment portions of the first securing devices;

attaching a plurality of second securing devices to the duvet via attachment portions of the second securing devices; and securing together each pair of the securing devices, each pair comprising one of the first securing devices and one of the second securing devices having engagement portions which are mutually engageable to secure together the first securing device and the second securing device of the pair.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings where like parts are provided with corresponding reference numerals and in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a duvet and duvet cover with securing devices attached thereto; and

Figure 2 schematically illustrates securing devices for the duvet and duvet cover.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figure 1, a duvet cover 1 is shown inside out. Securing devices 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are shown to be attached at each of the four corners of the duvet cover 1. Since the duvet cover 1 is inside out, it will be appreciated that the securing devices 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d will be located inside the duvet cover 1 when it is inverted into its normal configuration. The securing devices 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are provided on one internal face of the duvet cover 1 (it will be understood that in Figure 1 it appears as if the securing devices 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are on an external face of the duvet cover 1 due to it being inside out). The securing devices 3c and 3d, located near or adjacent an opening 5 into the duvet cover 1, are shown in dashed lines, to represent the fact that, in some embodiments, they may not be needed. As has been explained elsewhere, it may be sufficient to provide securement devices only at the corners most distant from the opening 5, since it is these corners of a duvet which it is difficult to manipulate once the duvet is inside the duvet cover 1.

A duvet 2 is also shown in Figure 1. Securing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are shown to be attached at each of the four corners of the duvet 2. The securing devices 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d are provided on one face of the duvet 2. The securing devices 4c and 4d are shown in dashed lines, to represent the fact that, in some embodiments, only two securing devices (that is, the devices 4a, 4b) may be required, for the reasons given above.

The securing devices 4a, 4b (and optionally 4c, 4d) of the duvet 2 are engageable with the securing devices 3a, 3b (and optionally 3c, 3d) of the duvet cover 1 to secure two or more of the corners of the duvet 2 into respective corners of the duvet cover 1, thereby inhibiting movement of the duvet 2 within the duvet cover 1. In particular, the securing devices 3a and 4a (first pair) are intended to engage with each other, and the securing devices 3b and 4b (second pair) are intended to engage with each other. Where present, the securing devices 3c and 4c (third pair) are intended to engage with each other, and the securing devices 3d and 4d (fourth pair) are intended to engage with each other. It should be appreciated that the pairs of securing devices could either be engaged with each other while the duvet cover 1 is inside out, and then the duvet cover 1 could be inverted with the duvet 2 attached so that the duvet 2 is inside the duvet cover 1. Alternatively, the duvet 2 could be inserted through the opening 5 and into the duvet cover 1, and the corners manipulated to engage the pairs of securing devices together while the duvet 2 is inside the duvet cover 1. In either case, the result is that the duvet 2 is fixed in place within the duvet cover 1 with the securing devices being visually concealed inside the duvet cover.

Referring to Figure 2, a close up view of a first securing device 3 and a second securing device 4 is shown. The first securing device 3 comprises an engagement portion 6 and an attachment portion 13. The second securing device 4 comprises an engagement portion 7 and an attachment portion 14. The attachment portions 13, in the present embodiment comprise a triangular fabric patch, of an iron-on material. A user is able to attach the patch to the duvet cover 1 or duvet 2 respectively by ironing (heating) the patch while it is applied to the duvet cover 1 or duvet 2. As mentioned elsewhere, this is merely one method of attachment, other methods including stitching, clips or the use of adhesives. While the attachment portions 13, 14 shown here comprise a patch of material, it will be understood that the fastenings may also be attached directly to the duvet/cover without a piece of material should they be provided with a suitable structure to do so. The engagement portions 6, 7 in the present embodiment comprise a pair of poppers, which are mutually complementary in shape and are thus mutually engageable with each other when pressed together. It will be appreciated that the engagement portions 6, 7 should be removably engageable with each other so that the duvet cover 1 and duvet 2 can be detached from each other when required, for example to change the duvet cover 1 or for washing one or both of the duvet cover 1 and duvet 2. As mentioned elsewhere, poppers are merely one method of engagement, other methods including buttons and loops, hooks and eyes, magnets (noting that in this case only one or other of the engagement portions 6 and 7 need be a magnet, the other simply being of a suitable material to be attracted to the magnet) or Velcro.

The securing device 3 comprises a colour coded area 8, and a text area 11, each of which indicate to a user that the securing device 3 is intended for attachment to a duvet cover. Similarly, the securing device 4 comprises a colour coded area 9, and a text area 12, each of which indicate to the user that the securing device 4 is intended for attachment to a duvet. It will be appreciated that the colour coded areas of all of the securing devices 3 for attachment to the duvet cover 1 will have the same (first) colour, while all of the colour coded areas of all of the securing device 4 for attachment to the duvet 2 will have the same (second) colour, the first and second colours being different. In this way, it is easy for the user to ensure that they do not confuse the securing devices 3 and 4.

It will be appreciated that the securing devices could be fixed to the duvet and/or duvet cover at the point of manufacture of the duvet and/or duvet cover.

Claims

1. A securing arrangement for securing together a duvet cover and a duvet, comprising:

2. A securing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first securing devices and the plurality of second securing devices are attached to the duvet cover and the duvet respectively at positions which substantially correspond with each other.

3. A securing arrangement according to claim 2, wherein two first securing devices are provided for attachment to the inside of the duvet covers at two of its four corners, and wherein two second securing devices are provided for attachment to the duvet at two of its four corners.

4. A securing arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the two first securing devices are for attachment at the two corners of the duvet cover furthest from an opening into which the duvet is to be inserted.

5. A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the first securing devices are visually distinguishable from the second securing devices.

6. A securing arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the first securing devices have a first visual identifier and the second securing devices have a second visual identifier.

7. A securing arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the first visual identifier comprises a first colour, and the second visual identifier comprises a second colour different to the first colour.

8. A securing arrangement according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first visual identifier comprises a word or symbol indicating that the first securing devices are for attachment to the duvet cover and/or the second visual identifier comprises a word or symbol indicating that the second securing devices are for attachment to the duvet.

9. A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment portion of each securing device is an iron-on fabric tab.

10. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the attachment portion of each securing device is a fabric tab for stitching to the duvet or duvet cover.

11 .A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the attachment portion of each securing device is a clip for clipping to the duvet or duvet cover.

12. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the attachment portion of each securing device is an adhesive surface, or a surface to which an adhesive can be applied to attach it to the duvet or duvet cover.

13. A securing arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the mutually engageable engagement portions are poppers.

14. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mutually engageable engagement portions are hook and loop fasteners.

15. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mutually engageable engagement portions are buttons and loops.

16. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mutually engageable engagement portions are hooks and eyes.

17. A securing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the mutually engagement portions are magnetically engageable.

18. A duvet, having a plurality of first securing devices attached thereto, the first securing devices for engagement with second securing devices attached to the inside of a duvet cover.

19. A duvet cover, comprising a plurality of second securing devices attached inside thereof, the second securing devices for engagement with first securing devices attached to a duvet.

20. A method of securing together a duvet and a duvet cover, the method comprising:

attaching a plurality of first securing devices to the inside of the duvet cover via attachment portions of the first securing devices; attaching a plurality of second securing devices to the duvet via attachment portions of the second securing devices; and securing together each pair of the securing devices, each pair comprising one of the first securing devices and one of the second securing devices having engagement portions which are mutually engageable to secure together the first securing device and the second securing device of the pair.

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Application No: Claims searched:

GB1703414.1

1-20