GB2563446A

GB2563446A - Bedding apparatus and associated method

Info

Publication number: GB2563446A
Application number: GB1709635.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Omar Saidi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-16
Filing date: 2017-06-16
Publication date: 2018-12-19
Also published as: GB201709635D0

Abstract

Bedding apparatus comprises a cover 5 and a filler 6 such as a quilt or duvet. The cover comprises internally projecting attachment tab 1 portions 2 and the filler comprises complementary external attachment sections 4, 7. The sections and portions may be provided with press-studs, poppers or ferromagnetic portions. In an embodiment, the attachment sections comprise holes provided with reinforcement rings through which attachment sections are clipped together. In use, the cover is turned inside out, attached to the filler and turned right side out again, the attachment portions and sections facilitating this and subsequently preventing the filler shifting within the cover.

Description

BEDDING APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bedding apparatus and an associated method of deployment. In particular the invention relates to an apparatus for forming a bed with multiple items; more particularly but not exclusively the apparatus comprising a duvet and duvet cover.

Background

Increasingly ageing populations across many societies causes many problems, for example in housing and caring for users incapacitated by age.

Many of such users however wish to maintain independence. This in turn can be problematic with respect to daily or periodic tasks.

Such tasks may include making or dressing beds, where although simpler bed clothing is becoming the norm across the world, even duvets require covers changing. The problems with changing the covers of duvets can include ensuring the duvet is correctly located within the duvet cover, which typically have an opening only down one side, and that it remains so during usage, so as to limit discomfort from twisting and bunching of the duvet within the cover.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

US 20 150 282 645 (SORGELOOS) discloses an improved duvet cover system which comprises a duvet cover which is washable, reversible, and which may include one or more clips for attaching to and detaching from a duvet or comforter. The one or more clips minimize slippage of the duvet or comforter, prevent uncomfortable bunching, and facilitate keeping the duvet or comforter and duvet cover in a relatively fixed position while duvet cover is opened and closed, while the edges of the duvet cover are at least partially sealed, and while the duvet or comforter is removed from or placed within the cover.

CN 203 852 126 (LI) discloses a fixable quilt which comprises a quilt core and a quilt cover sleeving on the quilt core, and the quilt cover comprises an upper layer and a lower layer. The fixable quilt is characterized in that four corners of the quilt core are provided with male snap-fastener elements; mushroom-like tops of snap-fasteners are arranged on positions, corresponding to the male snap-fastener elements of the quilt core, on the outer side of the upper layer of the quilt cover; colours of the four mushroom-like tops are different but same with the colours of the corresponding male snap-fastener elements; female snap-fastener elements connected with the mushroom-like tops are arranged on the inner side of the upper layer of the quilt cover; the male snap-fastener elements can be inserted into the female snapfastener elements.

The fixable quilt, the quilt core can be put into the quilt cover conveniently, the quilt core can be fixed in the quilt cover, furthermore, a quilt can be fixed on the quilt cover, the quilt can be prevented being kicking away, the structure is simple, and the use is convenient.

GB 2 377 376 (MACKINNON) discloses a plurality of pairs of attachment elements attach a duvet to the inside of a duvet cover at its closed end. Further pairs may be arranged along the sides as shown. The attachment elements may be press fasteners fitted to an existing duvet and cover, or stud and socket connectors with the socket built into the duvet. The attachment element comprises two triangular shaped components on opposite faces of the duvet, each carrying three press studs. The attachment element is attached to the inside of the duvet cover and comprises a backing strip and two triangular shaped components attached to it by elastic strips and carrying sets of press studs which cooperate with the press studs. In some embodiments a square head on the stud fits through a square hole in the socket and is then rotated. Disengagement is prevented by a spring loaded piston. In some embodiments spring loaded wedges on the stud engage in recesses in the socket.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided bedding apparatus comprising in use a cover and a filler, wherein the cover comprises internal attachment portions, and the filler comprises external attachment sections, wherein the sections and portions are arranged perimetrically and the portions are provided on tabs extending from the cover.

In the associated method the cover is inverted, the filler sections are attached to the cover portions and the cover reversed.

In this way the apparatus may comprise sections and portions that are integral to fillers and/or covers, or may be connected onto fillers and covers in order to provide the apparatus in use. For example the sections and portions may comprise clip-on temporary or semi-permanent parts, for attaching via a resiliently deformable mechanism or ferromagnetic means.

The apparatus his provides a useful solution for elderly and or disabled for ease of dressing the bed, wherein the apparatus enables easy changing of covers and furthermore advantageously limits discomfort from movement of the filler within the cover.

The tabs extend from the cover such that the external appearance of the cover and apparatus in use is not compromised.

In some embodiments the attachment sections of the filler extend from the perimeter of the filler.

In other embodiments the filler’s sections are contained within the filler perimeter. The filler’s sections may be provided on tabs, which tabs may be inset into the corners or perimeter of the filler.

In some embodiments the sections comprise two tabs, which tabs may be envisaged to close over the cover’s tabs or attachment portions, so as to make attachment.

In some embodiments the attachment portions may comprise two tabs, which tabs may close over the attachment sections so as to make attachment.

In this way the bipartite tabs may comprise an attachment that has a mechanism that is easily manipulated. The attachment mechanism may comprise male and female parts, which may attach together using friction, interference or tolerance fitting.

For example in some embodiments the attachment mechanism comprises pressstuds, for example thermoplastic or metal or alloy. In other embodiments the attachment mechanism may comprise ferromagnetic parts in addition or the alternative. In other embodiments the attachment mechanism may comprise hooks and eyes or buttons.

In some embodiments the attachment portions and sections are located in the four corners of the cover and filler respectively. In this way the cover and filler may remain together at the four corners at all time, limiting slippage down, or creep up of the filler during use. In other embodiments the sections and portions may be located solely at one end of the filler and cover respectively, so as to allow for easy use and effective and simple bed making.

As the attachment mechanism is at least partly provided on tabs advantageously any local twisting does not affect the filler and cover arrangement, wherein twisting is contained within the attachment mechanism.

In use therefore:

Firstly the cover is turned inside out and the far side of the filler, such as a duvet, is clipped into the cover.

The cover is then turned around the correct way and the final end of the duvet is clipped into the cover.

The cover may then be closed using the cover end its closure means.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic isometric view of the apparatus in use;

Figure 2 shows an exploded isometric view of attachment parts for an embodiment similar to that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows an isometric exploded sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, in use;

Figure 5 shows an isometric sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, in use; and

Figure 6 shows a sketch isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2, in use.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is provided bedding apparatus comprising a cover 5 and a filler 6, wherein the cover 5 comprises attachment portions 2, and the filler comprises attachment sections 4, 7, wherein the sections 4, 7 and portions 2 are arranged perimetrically and the portions 2 are provided on tabs 1 extending from the cover 5.

The pictured embodiment relates to a duvet cover and a duvet as the cover and filler respectively.

In use the cover is inverted and the duvet sections 4, 7 are attached to the cover portions 2 and the cover is then reversed for utilisation, such that the corners of the duvet are anchored in the corners of the cover. Advantageously this limits movement of the cover and filler at the corners, but enables movement central to sides of the duvet and cover.

Advantageously therefore the apparatus provides a simple yet effective way to prevent the duvet from twisting inside the duvet cover by simply clipping the duvet to the duvet cover with plastic poppers.

The pictured embodiment thereby comprises a simple but effective solution for securing the corners of the duvet into the corners of a duvet cover. This implements a simple and reliable solution designed for easier bed changing.

Advantageously as pictured the sections 2 and portions 4, 7 are permanently formed on the duvet 6 and cover 5 respectively, so they are always in place, and such that the duvet and cover may be washed and dried and reused indefinitely.

In some embodiments the sections and portions, or tabs comprising the sections and portions, are provided in an attachable aftermarket format, for example comprising ferromagnetism or clip mechanisms; which may be temporary or semi-permanent.

The duvet 6 has corners that secure to the duvet cover 5 using snap fasteners. In turn this stops the duvet 6 from twisting and moving around inside the cover 5.

The pictured embodiment is a 15 TOG premium down filled duvet that clips in all four corners to the duvet cover 5. The portions and sections fasten using a simple but effective thermoplastic popper design, which secures the duvet 6 from movement.

The embodiment therefore comprises the following:

Duvet 6

Duvet Top Tag 3

Duvet Cover 5

Duvet Bottom Tag 8

Male Popper 7

Female Popper 4

Duvet Cover Tag 1

Reinforced Hole 2

In particular these are:

Strong Nylon (RTM) webbing tabs which are coloured, for example bright red so easily spotted, strong box stitched to duvet and cover.

Poppers comprising caps 41, 73 with pins arranged to engage with thermoplastic rings 42, 72 (such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) to prevent fraying of holes.

A thermoplastic grip ring 22 and cover ring 21 so as to provide the hole reinforcement 2 (such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) to prevent fraying of hole.

The duvet 6 has both male and female poppers that are permanently clipped through tabs 1 located on the inside of the duvet cover 5, extending out from adjacent the corners, longitudinally at the closed end of the duvet cover, and laterally at the open end, in the first embodiment. This secures the corners of the duvet 6 into place wherein the closed end tabs engage axially, and the open end tabs orthogonally, and folded over the duvet 6.

In the first embodiment the duvet’s tabs are inset in indentations at the corners of the duvet, with the tabs comprising two flaps extending longitudinally.

In the second embodiment the duvet’s tabs are inset in indentations at the corners of the duvet, with the tabs comprising two flaps extending laterally.

The pictured embodiment has specially designed poppers which hold the duvet cover tab in place. The poppers have been designed in four halves, with the two halves permanently deformed around the fabric securing them to the fabric.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

Claims

1. Bedding apparatus and an associated method, comprising a cover and a filler, wherein the cover comprises attachment portions, and the filler comprises attachment sections, wherein the sections and portions are arranged perimetrically; and wherein the portions are provided on tabs extending from the cover.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the portions extend wholly internal the cover in use.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sections are provided on tabs extending from the filler.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the sections and portions comprise press-studs.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tabs are inset in indentations.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tabs are inset in indentations at the corners of the filler, comprising flaps extending longitudinally.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the tabs are inset in indentations at the corners of the filler, comprising flaps extending laterally.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, formed in use.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the portions comprise ferromagnetic connection.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the sections comprise hole reinforcement rings.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the portions clip together through the sections.

12. A method for use of the apparatus according to any of the preceding claims the cover is inverted, the filler sections are attached to the cover portions and the cover reversed.