GB2383948A

GB2383948A - Duvet cover

Info

Publication number: GB2383948A
Application number: GB0124735A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Robert Fothergill; Julia Ann Fothergill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-16
Filing date: 2001-10-16
Publication date: 2003-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-16
Also published as: GB0124735D0; GB2383948B

Abstract

A duvet cover 1, in the form of a bag formed from two sheets of fabric, in which one sheet has a preformed aperture 3 coverable by at least one fastenable flap 6. The opening is positioned such that a continuous peripheral pocket is created around the duvet cover, into which the corresponding edges of the duvet may be inserted. Closure of the flap or flaps may be secured using fasteners located along one or more free edges. Types of fasteners used may include zips, press studs, buttons, ties or hook and loop tape. The flaps may be detachably hinged. The aperture may be of any shape, with correspondingly shaped flaps. The aperture may also be closed by the overlapping of a pair of flaps which may or may not require fastenings.

Description

BEDDING IMPROVEMENTS This invention relates to duvet covers.

The purpose of duvet covers is to protect a duvet from soiling and to improve its appearance. Duvets are bulky items of bedding and as such are generally difficult to handle making washing and drying operations both laborious and time consuming this latter resulting from the relatively large absorbency of water during washing.

By employing a duvet cover when using a duvet the frequency of removal of the duvet for washing is significantly reduced since bedding cleanliness and hygiene may be preserved by more frequent washing of the protective duvet cover itself this process being relatively non-laborious and quick.

Duvet covers consist of a fabric bag of dimensions almost identical to the duvet they protect and exist in three main sizes each to cover a single, double or king size bed respectively the beds having respective approximate lengths of 1828mm, 1828mm, and 1981 mm and respective approximate widths of 914mm, 1372mm and 1524mm. Existing duvet covers generally possess a single opening at the'foot end'which extends over the entire, or most of the width of the cover, the cover and enclosed duvet draping over the end and sides of a bed when in use. Because of the size and bulk of a duvet particularly for double or king size beds and the floppiness of both the cover and duvet, inserting a duvet into a cover and distributing it evenly and uniformly within its cover is laborious and time consuming and frequently frustrating but the process of both insertion and removal of a duvet from its protective cover must be carried out each time the cover is to be washed.

It is the purpose of this invention to significantly reduce the time and effort necessary to fit a duvet into a cover by eliminating the existing end opening in

the cover as herein described and providing an alternative less strenuous means to fit and evenly distribute the duvet within its cover. The prior art includes mechanical devices one design involving two substantial clips connected by a cord, Patent No. WO 9321802. In operation the duvet is inserted into the cover and partly manipulated within the cover to bring the'head end'corners of the duvet and cover into correspondence. The aforementioned clips are attached to each head end corner of the duvet and outer cover and secured around the bed headboard or similar by means of the cord connecting the clips. To provide complete and even coverage of the duvet the cover is pulled downwards away from the restraining clips and on completion of the operation the clips are removed and the connecting cord uncoupled from the head board.

A second mechanical method to facilitate fitting a duvet into a cover is described in EP1 090569A1 and comprises a horizontal orientated elongate carrier which may be supported by a door and with provision including clamps for supporting from the head end both the duvet and cover such that the cover may be drawn downwards over the duvet prior to the removal from the supporting frame and relocation to a bed for use.

Both the aforementioned methods to assist duvet fitting within a cover require substantial manhandling of the duvet particularly the second one involving a horizontally orientated support member. Further each method requires the provision of mechanical devices to effect the fitting process which requires substantial fasteners to attach to a thick duvet and in the latter method a rigid elongate mechanical support member.

According to this invention there is provided a duvet cover comprising a fabric bag with an aperture or opening in its upper horizontal surface layer coverable by at least one flap secured to or integral with or detachable from said cover creating a maximum aperture with such flap or flaps open or removed and

complete aperture closure with said flap or flaps closed or attached said configuration providing a continuous pocket around the entire periphery of the cover into which when said flap or flaps are open corresponding peripheral regions of a duvet when lying on top of said cover may be readily inserted with the remaining inner uncovered upper surface area of the duvet being covered by folding back or replacing said flap or flaps into its or their closed configuration and securing them with fasteners, including snap together types, zips, ties or the like and thus providing complete coverage of the duvet by an outer cover and thereby minimising the effort required to install a relatively bulky and heavy duvet into an outer protective cover as well as avoiding the requirement for associated mechanical aids.

It will be appreciated that this invention avoids the need to manipulate a duvet through a single edge opening in a cover and throughout the volume of the cover to provide continuous and even distribution of the duvet within the cover this process typically involving strenuous shaking of the duvet by grasping adjacent corners or side edges of the corresponding regions of the duvet and cover. The current invention also enables the entire duvet installation process to be carried out by a single person with relative ease. The duvet to be fitted would preferably lie on the bed on top of the cover prior to insertion of outer regions of the duvet into corresponding regions of the relatively shallow peripheral pocket in the duvet cover. Alternatively, though a little less conveniently, the duvet may be fitted into its cover on a suitable horizontal surface such as a carpet prior to relocation to a bed for use.

This invention may be performed in various ways but specific embodiments will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fia. 1 Shows a perspective of a bed with an empty duvet cover with an open single rectangular aperture cover flap hinged along a line towards the foot end of the cover.

Fig. 2 Shows a perspective of a bed with a duvet fitted into the peripheral pocket in an underlying duvet cover and with an open foot end hinged flap.

Fig. 3 Shows a perspective of a bed with an empty duvet cover with a single aperture cover flap hinged along a line towards the head end of the cover.

Fig. 4 Shows a perspective of a bed with a duvet cover containing a single aperture cover flap hinged along a line parallel to and towards a side edge of the bed.

Fig. 5 Shows a perspective of a bed with an empty duvet cover with two parallel opposing aperture cover flaps each hinged along lines towards their corresponding side edges of the bed.

Fig. 6 Shows a perspective of a bed with an empty duvet cover with an arched aperture and an open aperture cover flap, geometrically similar to the aperture and hinged along the base at a position parallel to and towards the foot end of the bed.

Fie. 7 Shows a perspective of a bed with a duvet cover containing a rectangular, shown in solid line, or oval, shown in broken line, aperture with correspondingly shaped detachable aperture covers or flaps each in their closed position.

Fig. 1 shows a duvet cover 1 on a bed 2 with a rectangular aperture 3 fabricated in the upper membrane of the cover 1 the lower membrane being continuous and in contact with the upper horizontal surface 4 of the bed 1 or some

intervening over cover. This configuration provides a shallow continuous pocket 5 extending around the periphery of the cover into which corresponding edges of a duvet, not shown, may be inserted when the latter is placed preferably uniformly over the cover 1.

Integral with or secured to the cover is a flap 6 hinged about a line 7 towards the foot end of the bed. The flap 6 may occupy an open position draping over the foot end of the bed as shown in Fig. 1 or a closed position, not shown, covering the aperture 3. The dimensions of the flap 6 are such that when in the closed position its edges overlap the corresponding edges of the duvet cover aperture 3 this position being secured by means of fasteners 8 which may be of the'snap'variety, hook and loop, buttons, ties, zips or other possible types.

Preferably the region 9, shown in parallel lines, around the outer bounding edge of the aperture 3 which supports fasteners 8 is reinforced to prevent damage to the fabric. Similarly the outer unhinged edges of the flap supporting matching fastener parts are also reinforced to prevent fabric damage.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective of a bed 2 with a duvet 10 fitted into the peripheral pockets 5 in a cover 1 the arrows 11 representing the insertion in any convenient order of the duvet edges into the corresponding pocket 5 locations with access being provided by the open aperture flap 6 as shown in the Figure this flap 6 being closed over the aperture 3 as described above after fitting the duvet 9.

Instead of securing or fastening a flap 6 close to the foot end of a bed forming a hinge 7 alternative hinging positions may be employed to suit the user. Fig. 3 shows the flap 6 secured along a hinge line 12 normal to the length of the bed and situated towards the head end. In this case the duvet access aperture 3 may be uncovered by draping the flap 6 over the head board 13 of the bed to enable a duvet 10, not shown in this figure, overlaying the cover 1 to be progressively

fitted into the peripheral pockets 5. As with the foot end hinged option 7 the exposed upper area of a fitted duvet 10 lying directly under the aperture 3 may be covered by the flap 6 which would again extend a little beyond the boundaries of the apertures 3 when in the closed position and secured in this position for use by fasteners 8 situated around the non hinged edges of the flap 6 and aperture 3.

A second alternative flap 6 hinge arrangement is shown in Fig. 4 in which a single flap 6 shown in an open position draped over the bed side is secured to a duvet cover 1 along a line 14 parallel to the length of the bed 2 and at a position across the bed 2 towards one edge. This example shows the right hand edge 15 when viewed from the foot end of the bed 2 but a similar flap arrangement may be applied to the other side 16 of the bed 2. Fitting a duvet into its cover 1 and closing and securing the flap 6 to cover the exposed region under the aperture 3 is similar to that for the previous arrangements shown in Figs 1 and 2.

Instead of using a single flap 6 to cover the exposed region of a duvet when fitted into a cover pocket 5 two flaps may be used. Fig. 5 shows a schematic of such an arrangement with two flaps 17 secured on opposite sides of a bed on the upper horizontal surface of the cover 1 forming hinges 18 parallel to the length of the bed 2 and laterally displaced towards corresponding side edges 15 and 16 of the bed 2. Fig. 5 shows the flaps 17 in their open position each draping over the corresponding side of the bed 2. When in their closed position with the duvet fitted, not shown, corresponding edges of the flaps 17, reinforced for fastener 8 support, will meet or preferably overlap and be secured together along the line 19 shown broken line. Additionally though not essentially fasteners may also be located along the foot 20 and head end 21 edges of each cover 17.

An alternative arrangement, not shown, employing two independently hinged aperture 3 covering flaps involves securing flaps at opposite ends and across the bed conveniently at position 7 in Fig. 1 and 12 in Fig. 3 and after fitting a duvet securing them together in the aperture closed position in a manner similar to that described for transverse opening flaps in Fig. 5.

The aperture cover 3 flaps described here have all been of a rectangular geometry with one edge fastened or secured to a duvet cover the flap or flaps effectively hinging about this secured edge. However alternative geometrical shapes of aperture 3 and corresponding cover flaps may be employed. Fig. 6 shows a single flap with an arch shape geometry 22 at the head end, the other foot end being secured or fastened in a linear fashion along the line 7. This figure shows the flap in the open position draped over the base of the bed 2.

Fig. 7 shows a closed aperture covering flap of round or oval geometry 23 shown in broken line. This geometry would not allow a linear securing or a hinge line to be implemented and therefore an aperture cover flap of this geometry or indeed any other geometry including those discussed herein may be made totally detachable with fasteners, not shown for clarity, extending around the entire periphery of the flap. The solid line 24 in this figure shows a rectangular closed aperture flap again with fasteners not showing. As for all aperture and flap geometries fasteners 8 may be hidden by decorative tape, ribbon or frills or the like to enhance the overall appearance. As with all flap geometries and configurations there must exist sufficient overlap between a flap or flaps on the corresponding edge of the aperture to facilitate the incorporation of fasteners. For large overlaps fewer fasteners may be used and in some cases the use of fasteners may be avoided altogether.

Where the geometry permits aperture cover flaps may be secured along one of the available linear edges using the corresponding linear array of fasteners 8 to

provide an effective fabric hinge thereby providing versatility in hinge line position and orientation hence convenience for the user.

Claims

BEDDING IMPROVEMENTS Claims 1 A duvet cover comprising a fabric bag with an aperture or opening in its upper horizontal surface layer coverable by at least one flap said aperture or opening creating a continuous peripheral pocket around said duvet cover into which, when said flap or flaps are open the corresponding peripheral regions of a duvet, initially overlaying said aperture or opening, may be inserted the remaining upper exposed region of said duvet after insertion being covered by closure of said flap or flaps over said aperture or opening.
2 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein one or more flaps are integral with the cover forming a permanent hinge along one edge.
3 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein a flap is detachable from said cover.
4 A duvet cover according to either of claims 2 or 3 wherein flap closure is secured using fasteners.
5 A duvet cover according to Claim 4 wherein fasteners include snap together types.
6 A duvet cover according to Claim 4 wherein fasteners include zip types.
7 A duvet cover according to Claim 4 wherein fasteners include tie types.
8 A duvet cover according to Claim 4 wherein hook and loop fastener types are included.
9 A duvet cover according to Claim 4 wherein fastener types include buttons.
10 A duvet cover according to Claims 2 or 3 wherein a single rectangular flap is hinged along a line parallel to the bed width and at a position along the bed length towards the foot end.
11 A duvet cover according to Claims 2 or 3 wherein a single rectangular flap is hinged along a line parallel to the bed width and at a position along the bed length towards the head end.
12 A duvet cover according to Claims 2 or 3 wherein a single rectangular flap is hinged along a line parallel to and towards a side edge of the bed cover.
13 A duvet cover according to Claims 2 or 3 wherein two parallel opposing rectangular flaps are each hinged along lines parallel to and along lines towards their corresponding side edges of the bed and on closure meet or overlap along their common edge.
14 A duvet cover according to Claims 2 or 3 wherein two rectangular flaps are hinged towards opposite head to foot ends of the duvet cover and on closure meet or overlap along their common edge.

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15 A duvet cover according to Claims 10 to 14 wherein fasteners may be located solely along edges of the flap or flaps opposite a hinge line.
16 A duvet cover according to Claims 2 or 3 wherein flap and corresponding aperture geometries other than those described in Claims 10 to 14 may be employed but each geometry maintaining at least one linear edge to facilitate hingeing.
17 A duvet cover according to Claim 3 wherein a flap or flaps may be detachably hinged along any linear array or arrays of fasteners as appropriate.
18 A duvet cover substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18 A duvet cover according to Claims 2,3 and 16 wherein the flap and aperture has an arched geometry at the edge opposite the hinged edge.

19 A duvet cover according to Claim 3 wherein corresponding aperture and flap geometries may be of any design or shape including round or oval shapes.

20 A duvet cover according to any of the Claims 10 to 19 wherein the aperture is of similar geometry to the cover flap or flap combination when closed but smaller along corresponding free edges of flap or flaps to facilitate the flap or flaps free edges overlapping the corresponding edges of the underlying aperture when flaps are closed.

21 A duvet cover according to Claim 20 wherein the overlapping regions of cover flap or flaps and aperture are reinforced to provide security for associated fasteners along those regions.

22 A duvet cover according to Claim 21 wherein associated fasteners are hidden by means including decorative tape, ribbons or frills or the like to enhance decorative appearance.

23 A duvet cover according to Claim 20 wherein the degree of overlap of a flap permanently or detachably hinged along one linear edge is sufficiently large to avoid the need for fasteners along free edges of the flap and corresponding aperture edges in order to maintain coverage of the aperture.

24 A duvet cover substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A duvet cover comprising a fabric bag with an aperture or opening in its upper horizontal surface creating a continuous peripheral pocket around said duvet cover into which a duvet initially overlaying said aperture may be progressively inserted prior to closure of said aperture using one or more aperture cover flaps which may be completely removable or detachable but where a linear edge portion in an aperture cover exists and the cover consists of two similar rectangular geometry flaps or a single essentially non rectangular geometry flap attachment to said duvet cover may also be along said linear edge portion and integral with said duvet cover.

2 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein aperture flap closure is secured using fasteners.

3 A duvet cover according to Claim 2 wherein fasteners include snap together types.

4 A duvet cover according to claim 2 wherein fasteners include zip types.

5 A duvet cover according to Claim 2 wherein fasteners include tie types.

6 A duvet cover according to Claim 2 wherein fasteners include hook and loop types.

7 A duvet cover according to Claim 2 wherein fasteners include buttons.

8 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein a single rectangular completely detachable aperture cover flap is employed.

9 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein two rectangular cover flaps are each hinged along opposing aperture edges parallel to the side edges of a bed such that upon closure said flaps meet or overlap along their common edge.

10 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein two rectangular cover flaps are each hinged along opposite aperture edges each normal to the side edges of a bed such that upon closure said flaps meet or overlap along their common edge.' 11 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein detachable flap or flaps may

be hinged along any linear array or arrays of fasteners as appropriate i 12 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein the flap and aperture each have an arched geometry opposite a permanently hinged linear edge.

13 A duvet cover according to Claim 1 wherein detachable flap and corresponding aperture geometries are essentially the same but of any shape including round or oval.

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14 A duvet cover according to Claims 1 and 8-13 wherein free edges of aperture cover flap or flaps corresponding to aperture edges overlap said corresponding aperture edges when the flap or flaps are in the closed position.

15 A duvet cover according to Claim 14 wherein the overlapping edge regions of aperture cover flap or flaps and aperture edges are reinforced to provide security for associated fasteners along those regions.

16 A duvet cover according to Claim 15 wherein associated fasteners are hidden by means including decorative type ribbons or frills or the like to enhance decorative appearance.

17 A duvet cover according to Claim 14 wherein the extent of overlap of the free edges of an aperture cover over corresponding edges of an underlying aperture is sufficiently large to avoid the need for fasteners along said free edges of the flap and along corresponding aperture edges in order to maintain coverage of the aperture.