WO2014001578A1

WO2014001578A1 - Bedding

Info

Publication number: WO2014001578A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/063862
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adele Mcginley
Original assignee: Adele Mcginley
Priority date: 2012-06-29
Filing date: 2013-07-01
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: GB2503511A; GB201211621D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination mattress and blanket (1) comprising an upper fabric layer (2) and a lower fabric layer (3) connected at outer edge regions thereof to form a bag (1) having a top opening (8), a foot edge (10), side edges (4) and an interior space defined between the fabric layers, and a fastening means (7) is provided to releaseably connect the upper fabric layer (2) and the lower fabric layer (3) along at least one side edge (4) of the bag (1). The fastening means (7) extends partially along the side edge (4) such that a side opening (9) to the interior space is provided through the side edge (4) of the bag (1) adjacent to the bottom edge (10) when the side edge (4) is closed by the fastening means (7). The provision of one or more side openings (9) provides a venting means to enable air to circulate through the interior space of the bag (1) and also provides users with access to the interior space to, for example, retrieve an infants toys, dummies, bibs or the like without having to open the bag (1) and disturb an infant.

Description

BEDDING

The present invention relates to bedding. Travel cots and cot beds used by children typically have blankets for bedding. However, children are often able to get free of the blankets and this leaves them uncovered and susceptible to the cold whilst sleeping.

Furthermore, as the base of a cot normally operates as a cot mattress it is usually quite hard since it also functions to provide structural rigidity to the cot, and is therefore uncomfortable for a sleeping child. The use of a separate mattress with a cot is quite awkward since it is cumbersome to stow and transport when not in use.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved bedding, and more particularly, a combined mattress and blanket for a travel cot or a cot bed, which goes at least someway towards overcoming the above disadvantage.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

According to the invention, there is provided a combination mattress and blanket comprising: an upper fabric layer and a lower fabric layer connected at outer edge regions thereof to form a bag having a top opening, a foot edge, side edges and an interior space defined between the fabric layers, and a fastening means is provided to releaseably connect the upper fabric layer and the lower fabric layer along at least one side edge of the bag, characterised in that the fastening means extends partially along the at least one side edge such that a side opening to the interior space is provided through the side edge of the bag adjacent to the foot edge when the side edge is closed by the fastening means. The present invention provides numerous advantages.

The provision of a combination mattress and blanket removes the need for separate sheet type blankets. The provision of one or more openings through the side wall adjacent to the foot end of the combination mattress and blanket provides a venting means to enable air to circulate through the interior space between the upper and lower fabric layers of the bag. It also provides users with access to the interior space to, for example, retrieve an infants toys, dummies, bibs or the like that from time to time end up at the bottom of bedding, and are difficult to remove without having to open the bag and disturb the infant. Moreover, the head and foot ends of cots are typically made of panels of material and so do not provide access to bedding, unlike the sides of cots, which usually comprise bars through which parents may insert their hands to gain access to the infant and the bedding. The combination mattress and blanket is also portable and able to be folded up and optionally placed in a carrier bag for ease of transport.

Preferably, side openings to the interior space of the bag are provided through each side edge of the bag adjacent to the foot edge of the bag.

Preferably, the lower fabric layer is heavier than the top fabric layer.

Preferably, the combination mattress and blanket further comprises securing means for releasably securing the combination mattress and blanket to a surface, such as a surface of a bed, travel cot or a cot bed. Such securing means may be in the form of elasticated of adjustable straps which are provided on the bag so that a user fits the straps around corners of a mattress or a cot to secure the combination mattress and blanket.

Preferably, the lower layer has a size in plane at least corresponding to the size in plane of the upper layer or greater.

Preferably, the lower layer has a size in plane greater than the size in plane of the upper sheet. Preferably, the fabric layers are permanently fastened together along a side edge and/or the foot edge of the bag. For example, the top layer may optionally be permanently hingedly fastened along the bottom edge of the two layers. Preferably, the side opening or openings are covered with a netting material. The netting may be hinged to the side opening. The netting may also be removable.

Preferably, the upper and lower layers comprise a duvet and a duvet cover. Preferably, the duvet cover is made of a fleece material.

Preferably, the duvet of the upper layer has a lower tog than the duvet of the lower layer.

The provision of a lower layer that is heavier or has a high tog facilitates its use as a comfortable mattress on an otherwise hard uncomfortable cot or bed base.

It will be appreciated that, although a conventional rectangular shape is preferred for the combination mattress and blanket, other geometrical shapes are envisaged within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the openings to be of the same geometrical shape. Furthermore, it is not essential that the upper layer has the same geometrical shape as the lower layer.

The invention will now be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the combination mattress and blanket of the present invention in an open configuration;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 in which the combination mattress and blanket is in a fastened configuration;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a side view of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the combination mattress and blanket of Fig. 2 in a cot bed;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the combination mattress and blanket of Fig. 1 in a cot bed;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, showing an alternatively shaped combination mattress and blanket of the present invention in an open configuration and in a fastened configuration,

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the combination mattress and blanket of the present invention in an open configuration, and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the combination mattress and blanket of of Fig. 9 in a closed configuration.

Referring to the Figs there is shown a combination mattress and blanket 1 comprising an upper fabric layer 2 and a lower fabric layer 3. In the instance shown, the lower layer 3 has a size in plane greater than the size in plane of the upper layer, although it will be understood that the lower layer 3 may be of the same planar dimensions as the upper layer 2. It will be understood that the layers 2, 3 may be any planar size or dimension as required and optionally depending on the size of a bed or cot or person using it.

The lower fabric layer 3 is optionally heavier than the top fabric layer 2 so that the lower layer may act as a mattress on the base 6 of a cot 5 (see Fig. 5). The fabric layers 2, 3 comprise a duvet, optionally covered with a duvet cover, in which the duvet cover may be made of a fleece material, although it will be understood that the covering may be of any suitable material as required or as desired. The duvet of the upper layer 2 has a lower tog than the duvet of the lower layer 3. The lower fabric layer 3 is thus optionally heavier than the top fabric layer 2.

The upper layer 2 and lower layer 3 are joined together at outer edge regions thereof to form a bag 1 having a top opening 8, a bottom edge 10, side edges 4 and an interior space defined between the fabric layers 2, 3. A head end 1 1 and a foot end 12 for the bag are also shown. Also shown is a fastening means 7 which is provided to releaseably connect the upper fabric layer 2 and the lower fabric layer 3 along at least one side edge 4 of the bag 1 . The fastening means 7 extends partially along at least one side edge 4 of the bag 1 at the interface or joining region between the corresponding outer edge regions of the upper layer 2 and lower layer 3 such that a side opening 9 to the interior space is provided through the side edge 4 of the bag adjacent to the foot edge 10 when the side edge 4 is closed by the fastening means 7. Opening the fastening means 7 will enable the top layer 2 to be folded back, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be understood that the fastening means 7 may be provided at one or at both side edges 4 of the bag. If a fastening means 7 is provided at one side edge 4 then it will be understood that the fabric layers 2, 3 at the other side edge 4 will be connected by being sewed together or with the use of other suitable non-releasable jointing means. Side openings 9 may nevertheless be provided at each side edge 4 of the bag 1 . The releasable fastening arrangement 7 suitable for use with the combination mattress and blanket of the present invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, such as, for example, poppers, zips, buttons, laces, VelcroTM fasteners, etc.

The top layer 2 may also be permanently fastened to the lower layer 3 along one or more edges of the layers 2, 3. In the instance shown, the top layer 2 is integrally connected to the lower layer 3 and is provided as a single piece of material that is folded over to form the top layer 2 and the lower layer 3. The present invention could however be formed from two separate pieces of material forming the top and lower layers. The side opening(s) 9 of the combination mattress and blanket 1 are also optionally covered with a netting material.

The combination mattress and blanket further comprises securing means, such as elastic bands, ties, straps and the like, for releasably securing the combination mattress and blanket 1 to a surface of a bed, travel cot or a cot bed.

It will be appreciated that, although a conventional rectangular shape is shown for the combination mattress and blanket 1 , other geometrical shapes are envisaged within the scope of the present invention, such as the oval shape arrangement shown in Figs. 7 and 8. Furthermore, it is not necessary for the openings to be of the same geometrical shape. Furthermore, it is not essential that the upper layer has the same geometrical shape as the lower layer.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A combination mattress and blanket comprising: an upper fabric layer and a lower fabric layer connected at outer edge regions thereof to form a bag having a top opening, a foot edge, side edges and an interior space defined between the fabric layers, and a fastening means is provided to releaseably connect the upper fabric layer and the lower fabric layer along at least one side edge of the bag, characterised in that the fastening means extends partially along the at least one side edge such that a side opening to the interior space is provided through the side edge of the bag adjacent to the bottom edge when the side edge is closed by the fastening means.

2. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in Claim 1 , in which side openings to the interior space of the bag are provided through each side edge adjacent to the bottom edge of the bag.

3. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the lower fabric layer is heavier than the top fabric layer.

4. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising securing means for releasably securing the combination mattress and blanket to a surface, such as a surface of a bed, mattress, travel cot or a cot bed.

5. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in Claim 4, in which the securing means comprises straps, elastic bands, ties and the like.

6. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lower layer has a size in plane at least corresponding to the size in plane of the upper layer or greater.

7. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fabric layers are permanently fastened together along a side edge and/or the bottom edge of the bag.

8. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each side opening is covered with a netting material.

9. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper and lower fabric layers each comprise a duvet.

10. A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in Claim 8, in which the duvet of the upper layer has a different tog to the tog of the duvet of the lower layer.

1 1 . A combination mattress and blanket as claimed in any preceding claim, substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.