DUVET COVER SYSTEM HAVING INTEGRATED SIZE IDENTIFICATION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to linens used with bedding and, more specifically, to cover systems used with bedding in various contexts.

BACKGROUND

Blankets and comforters, such as down comforters, provide an extra layer of comfort and warmth to those who choose to use them while sleeping. For example, a down comforter provides more warmth and comfort as compared to sleeping under only a top sheet of a sheet set applied to a bed. However, because of the bulk/size of comforters and blankets, these bedding elements can be very difficult to properly clean. To diminish the need for direct cleaning and extend the life thereof, these blankets and comforters are often covered with (and/or inserted within) what is known as a duvet cover. The duvet cover protects the blanket or comforter while, at the same time, contributes an aesthetically appealing element to the bed when positioned atop the bed. When used in place of a top sheet, as many persons choose to do, the duvet cover is in regular contact with the human body and therefore should be cleaned on a regular basis. This cleaning typically necessitates removal of the duvet cover from the blanket or comforter.

One conventional version of a duvet cover includes top and bottom panels of fabric material, which are generally permanently coupled together, such as by stitching, along a first portion of the periphery thereof, and which define an opening along a second portion of the periphery thereof. This opening may be permanently open, or in some embodiments, may be selectively closed by a connection mechanism such as a zipper. The blanket or comforter, or some other similar type of fill layer, is pushed through the opening to be sandwiched between the top and bottom panels in a similar fashion as inserting a pillow into a pillowcase. However, unlike a pillow, the fill layer is substantially large and capable of bunching up or folding over itself when being inserted into the duvet cover through the opening. This can cause significant difficulties and delays when an operator tries to properly position the fill layer within the duvet cover, or when removing the fill layer from the duvet cover. These deficiencies are exacerbated in commercial contexts such as hotels and hospitals, where bedding materials can require washing every day, in some circumstances.

Furthermore, in both commercial contexts and residential/home contexts, bedding materials are often mixed together and cleaned for various sizes of beds (e.g., twin, full, queen, king, and other sizes). Some of these sizes are sufficiently similar that it can be difficult to identify the size of fill layers and duvet covers, and thereby match corresponding pairs of these items. Significant time and energy is expended identifying and sorting these bedding materials based on the size thereof. For example, if a fill layer and a duvet cover of different size are matched together during sorting of bedding materials, an operator will waste significant time trying to assemble these differently-sized components together before realizing that re-sorting is necessary.

Conventional duvet covers therefore do not find as significant of use as would be expected in places like hotels, because of complications resulting from the potential need to remove and replace a duvet cover on a plurality of beds every single day of operation. Additionally, the conventional designs for duvet covers are fairly labor-intensive to assemble and thus come with added costs. The management of various sizes of duvet covers for various sizes of beds also adds to the difficulty and time needed to clean a mixture of bedding materials on a regular basis. Accordingly, bedding options and decorative options that can be offered are often reduced in these settings. Similar deficiencies also reduce the use of such duvet covers in the residential/home context.

It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a new duvet cover system that addresses these and other drawbacks of conventional designs of duvet covers.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, a duvet cover system is provided for use in covering a bed. The system includes a cover assembly with first and second fabric layers configured to define a pocket between the fabric layers. The system also includes a fill layer configured to be inserted into and retained within the pocket to be substantially hidden from external view by the cover assembly. Fastening elements are provided on the cover assembly and the fill layer, and these fastening elements are configured to engage with one another to secure the fill layer in position within the pocket. At least one of the fastening elements on each of the cover assembly and the fill layer are color-coded based on a size of the duvet cover system. As such, a user can identify and match the cover assembly to the fill layer to assure that these components are the same size before inserting the fill layer into the pocket. In contexts where a plurality of different bed sizes are used, the duvet cover system allows for quick and easy identification and assembly of duvets for use with the appropriate-size beds.

In one aspect, each of the fastening elements on the cover assembly that include the color-coding engages with a corresponding fastening element on the fill layer that includes the color-coding when the fill layer is secured within the pocket using the fastening elements.

In another aspect, the cover assembly and fill layer collectively define a head end configured to be arranged adjacent a head end edge of the bed and a foot end configured to be arranged adjacent a foot end edge of the bed. Only the fastening elements positioned along one of the head end and the foot end include the color-coding. In such embodiments, the color-coding along only one of the head end and the foot end provides a visual indicia that assists a user in identifying a width and length of the duvet cover system so that the duvet cover system can be properly oriented when positioned on the bed. In one example, the color-coding is provided only to the fastening elements at the foot end of the system. The lack of color-coding at the head end of the system allows the color-coded fastening elements to remain hidden from view when the system is positioned on the bed, even if the head end of the system is turned down, as is typical in normal use.

In a further aspect, all fastening elements on the cover assembly and the fill layer include the color-coding. To this end, in such embodiments it is possible to provide a modified version of the color-coding on fastening elements located along a head end of the system as compared to the fastening elements located along a foot end of the system. The modified version of the color-coding on fastening elements along the head end provides a visual indicia that assists a use in identifying a width and length of the system so that the system can be properly oriented on the bed. These embodiments make it easier to properly use the duvet cover system on the corresponding bed, while retaining the advantages of size identification during system assembly as noted above.

In yet another aspect, the cover assembly and the fill layer define four corner regions where the fastening elements are located. The color-coded fastening elements are configured to be positioned at any corner of the bed when the system is positioned on the bed.

In one aspect, the fastening elements include fabric knot buttons provided on one of the cover assembly and the fill layer, with corresponding retention slots provided on another of the cover assembly and fill layer. Alternatively, or in addition, the fastening elements are configured to secure the first and second fabric layers of the cover assembly and the fill layer. For example, the fastening elements may include snaps connecting the first fabric layer to the fill layer, and snaps connecting the second fabric layer to the fill layer. It will be understood that other types of fastener configurations may be used in association with the duvet cover system.

In another aspect, the color-coding of the fastening elements is configured to match the duvet cover system to a bed size that the duvet cover system is configured to be placed upon. For example, a different set color may be used on the fastening elements for each standard bed size in a given area. The color-coding is advantageously only provided at the fastening elements and not along other portions or elements of the cover assembly and the fill layer. Accordingly, a desirable aesthetic appearance provided by the duvet cover system is unaffected by the color-coding.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a duvet cover system is provided for use in covering a bed. The system includes a cover assembly with first and second fabric layers configured to define a pocket between the fabric layers. The system also includes a fill layer configured to be inserted into and retained within the pocket to be substantially hidden from external view by the cover assembly. The cover assembly and the fill layer collectively define a head end configured to be arranged adjacent a head end edge of the bed and a foot end configured to be arranged adjacent a foot end edge of the bed. Fastening elements are provided on the cover assembly and the fill layer, and these fastening elements are configured to engage with one another to secure the fill layer in position within the pocket. At least some of the fastening elements on each of the cover assembly and the fill layer are color-coded. The color-coding is different between fastening elements along the head end and fastening elements along the foot end. As such, the color-coding provides a visual indicia that assists a user in identifying a width and length of the duvet cover system so that the duvet cover system can be properly oriented when positioned on the bed.

In one aspect, only a subset of the fastening elements include the color-coding. In another aspect, all the fastening elements on the cover assembly and the fill layer include the color-coding. The various aspects and features described above can be combined in any combination to achieve the technical advantages and benefits described herein.

In another embodiment of the invention, a method of assembling a duvet cover system for use in covering a bed is provided. The method includes matching a cover assembly and a fill layer using color-coding provided on at least one of a plurality of fastening elements provided on the cover assembly and the fill layer. The fastening elements are configured to engage with one another to secure the fill layer in position within the cover assembly to form the system. The method also includes inserting the fill layer into a pocket defined within the cover assembly and securing the fill layer in the pocket by engaging the fastening elements of the fill layer with the fastening elements of the cover assembly. The fastening elements are color-coded based on a size of the duvet cover system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, with a detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a duvet cover system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, with the system shown in a fully assembled state combining a cover assembly and a fill layer while spread over a bed.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the duvet cover system of FIG. 1, with the fill layer removed from a pocket defined within the cover assembly to provide an exploded view, with this view showing further details of an opening at a first fabric layer of the cover assembly.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the duvet cover system of FIG. 1, with the fill layer removed from a pocket defined within the cover assembly to provide an exploded view, with this view showing further details of fastening elements on the second fabric layer of the cover assembly and on the fill layer.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the duvet cover system of FIG. 1, with the system laid out in a completely horizontal orientation, and the fill layer inserted into the pocket of the cover assembly with a plurality of fastening elements on the fill layer engaged with retention slots at corner portions of the cover assembly.

FIG. 5A is a detailed cutaway perspective view of one of the corner portions defined by the duvet cover system, as identified in detail block “5” of FIG. 4, with the fill layer and cover assembly engaged to show the coupling of one of the plurality of fastening elements with one of the retention slots.

FIG. 5B is a detailed cutaway perspective view of one of the corner portions (like that shown in FIG. 5A) of the system of FIG. 4, with the fill layer and the cover assembly in a disassembled state.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation cross-sectional view through one of the corner portions of the duvet cover system of FIG. 5, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4, to reveal the pocket enclosing the fill layer, as well as further details of one of the plurality of fastening elements engaged with one of the retention slots.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a plurality of duvet cover systems of varying sizes in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, with the fill layer and the cover assembly combined in the fully assembled state and the systems laid out in a completely horizontal orientation.

FIG. 8A is a detailed perspective view of one of the corner portions of a first duvet cover system included in the plurality of duvet cover systems in FIG. 7, as identified in detail block “8A” in FIG. 7, showing a first color coding on the fastening elements and the retention slots associated with the size of the first duvet cover system.

FIG. 8B is a detailed perspective view of one of the corner portions of a second duvet cover system included in the plurality of duvet cover systems in FIG. 7, as identified in detail block “8B” in FIG. 7, showing a second color coding on the fastening elements and the retention slots associated with the size of the second duvet cover system.

FIG. 8C is a detailed perspective view of one of the corner portions of a third duvet cover system included in the plurality of duvet cover systems in FIG. 7, as identified in detail block “8C” in FIG. 7, showing a third color coding on the fastening elements and the retention slots associated with the size of the third duvet cover system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 8C show a duvet cover system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The duvet cover system 10 is similar in construction to the “central access” duvet cover system as shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/451,827, which is owned by the original Assignee/Applicant as this invention, and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The following description explains such a duvet cover system 10 in detail in a similar manner as the '827 application, with modifications made from the design in the '827 application explained as well. Advantageously, the components defining the system 10 are secured in position relative to one another with a plurality of fastening elements to prevent misalignment, shifting, bunching up and the like. At least some of these fastening elements are color-coded in accordance with the size of the bed upon which the system 10 is to be used, thereby enabling easy identification of matching sets of components following cleaning of the duvet cover system 10. Moreover, each standard size of bed (e.g., twin, full, queen, king) uses fastening elements of a specific color, such as red for king, blue for queen, etc., and this arrangement helps a user quickly identify and install a proper-sized embodiment of the system 10 on a bed of one of the standard sizes. Accordingly, the duvet cover system 10 of this invention significantly reduces the management work needed to clean, sort, and replace various sizes of duvet materials on a plurality of beds.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, one embodiment of the duvet cover system 10 is shown in further detail. The system 10 includes a cover assembly 12 defined by a first fabric layer 14 and a second fabric layer 16, which are assembled together to enclose and retain a fill layer 18 (defined by a blanket or a comforter) and thereby simulate the performance, functionality, and general external appearance of a conventional duvet cover. Advantageously, cover assembly 12 is configured for quick and easy assembly/disassembly with the fill layer 18. To this end, the system 10 includes an opening 20 in the first fabric layer 14 that extends across a majority of the width of the cover assembly 12 while also being positioned part way along the longitudinal length of the cover assembly 12. That sizing and positioning of the opening 20 makes it easy to insert or remove a full-size blanket or comforter into a pocket 22 defined between the fabric layers 14, 16 of the cover assembly 12, particularly compared to conventional duvet covers with end openings.

Moreover, the system 10 of this embodiment also includes a plurality of retention slots 24 in the form of buttonholes located at corner portions 26 of the cover assembly 12, with these retention slots 24 being configured to engage with a plurality of fastening elements 28 located on the fill layer 18. By securing the fill layer 18 at the corner portions 26 of the cover assembly 12, the fill layer 18 is reliably maintained in a desired position within the pocket 22 without shifting, bunching up or folding over itself during use on a bed 30. Additionally, the retention slots 24 and fastening elements 28 are color-coded based on the size of the bed 30 the system 10 is designed for, thereby enabling quick matching of fill layer 18 to cover assembly 12 following cleaning of these components. The fill layer 18 remains substantially hidden from view when the system 10 is laid out on the bed 30, thereby simulating the desirable appearance of a conventional duvet cover, while overcoming the various disadvantages in assembly, and use of such conventional designs as set forth above.

Use of several descriptive terms, such as top, bottom, head, foot, side, upwardly, downwardly, horizontal, and/or vertical, for example, as it pertains to/describes the system 10 and its components, is from the viewpoint of when the system 10 is laid out on the bed 30, unless otherwise noted. Furthermore, it will be understood that the fill layer 18 may be considered part of the system 10 in some embodiments, and a separate component in other embodiments where it is desired to provide the cover assembly 12 as a separate element from a pre-existing blanket or comforter.

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate the system 10 in further detail in accordance with this embodiment. The first fabric layer 14 and the second fabric layer 16 are generally parallel to one another when the cover assembly 12 is assembled as shown in these views. The first fabric layer 14 is configured to be the top of the cover assembly 12, but this orientation may be reversed in other embodiments (e.g., the opening 20 may be provided in a downward-facing fabric layer in other embodiments of the system). The first fabric layer 14 is shown in further detail at FIGS. 1 and 2. To this end, the first fabric layer 14 includes one or more generally rectangular sheet(s) of fabric collectively defining a top side 34 configured to face upwardly and away from the bed 30 when the system 10 is in use, and a bottom side 36 opposite the top side 34. As shown in this embodiment and most clearly at FIG. 1, the top side 34 of the first fabric layer 14 may include a decorative pattern that adds a desirable or specific aesthetic look when the system 10 covers the bed 30. The decorative pattern may be applied to the first fabric layer 14 by any known method, including dyeing, printing, and the like. Furthermore, the decorative pattern may define any color and sequence as desired by the end user of the system 10.

The second fabric layer 16 is defined by a rectangular sheet of fabric that is secured to the first fabric layer 14 along a plurality of side edges to define a closed periphery 38 of the cover assembly 12. For example, the second fabric layer 16 and the first fabric layer 14 may be stitched together (shown schematically by sew lines 39 in FIGS. 2 through 4) along the plurality of side edges. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of side edges defined by the cover assembly 12 includes a head end edge 40a, a foot end edge 40b, and first and second side edges 40c, 40d extending between the head and foot end edges 40a, 40b. As will be readily understood from FIG. 1, the head end edge 40a is configured to extend along a head end of bed 30 when the system 10 is placed on the bed 30, while the foot end edge 40b is configured to extend along a foot end of the bed 30 in the same circumstance. A portion of the system 10 is typically folded down at the head end edge 40a as shown in FIG. 1, to provide space for persons to enter the bed and to provide space for pillows. The second fabric layer 16 includes a bottom side 48 that faces downwardly towards the bed 30 when the system 10 is in use, and a top side 50 that faces in an opposite direction from the bottom side 48. Thus, the top side 50 of the second fabric layer 16 and the bottom side 36 of the first fabric layer 14 face one another as will be described in further detail with reference to a cross-sectional view below.

Additional features of the first fabric layer 14 are shown in further detail in FIGS. 1 and 2. The first fabric layer 14 of the embodiment shown in these Figures includes a first portion 42 and a second portion 44 that extend over different portions of the cover assembly 12. In this regard, the first portion 42 is shown to extend from the head end edge 40a and along about a quarter of the length of the opposing pair of side edges 40c, 40d to meet the second portion 44 at a junction 46. The junction 46 extends along a width of the cover assembly 12 between the opposing pair of the side edges 40c, 40d, and the opening 20 into the pocket 22 is defined between the first and second portions 42, 44 at the junction 46. Likewise, the second portion 44 extends from the foot end edge 40b and along about three-quarters of the length of the opposing pair of side edges 40c, 40d to the junction 46. The first and second portions 42, 44 collectively define the top side 34 and the bottom side 36 of the first fabric layer 14 described above. It will be understood that while the junction 46 is located closer to the head end edge 40a than the foot end edge 40b in this embodiment, the relative sizes of the first and second portions 42, 44 and the corresponding position of the junction 46 may be modified in other embodiments consistent with the scope of this invention.

The junction 46 is tailored in this embodiment to be spaced from the head end edge 40a by no more than a predetermined maximum distance so that the opening 20 is positioned to remain hidden from view during normal use of the system 10 on the bed 30. In this regard, it is typical during normal use to turn over a portion of the top coverings on the bed 30, and this may typically reveal about 12 to 18 inches of the second fabric layer 16 adjacent the head end edge 40a. Consequently, the predetermined maximum distance that the junction 46 is spaced from the head end edge 40a is generally set to be about 24 inches, or less for shorter systems used in full size and twin-size beds, which is double the 12 inches because the fold back is folding that revealed length of the system 10 over itself. This positioning of the junction 46 is configured to avoid the potential that the opening 20 and the junction 46 will be visible after turning over a portion of the system 10 during use as shown in FIG. 1 (where the opening is hidden within the fold over). The location of the junction 46 and the opening 20 therefore provides both a benefit in facilitating the easy assembly and disassembly of the fill layer 18 with the cover assembly 12, and a benefit in aesthetics that appear to simulate a regular, conventional duvet cover. Because the opening 20 is not positioned in the second fabric layer 16 and does not face towards the bed 30 in this embodiment, persons who cover themselves with the system 10 when getting into the bed 30 will not come into contact with or otherwise be exposed to the opening 20.

The first and second portions 42, 44 are provided as separate pieces of fabric that are connected such as by stitching 39 at the junction 46. To this end, the first portion 42 and the second portion 44 at least partially overlap at the junction 46 in this embodiment, and the stitching 39 connecting the first and second portions 42, 44 together extends inwardly from the opposing pair of side edges 40c, 40d. The opening 20 is specifically located in a central portion 54 of the junction 46 between the stitching 39 extending from the side edges 40c, 40d. To this end, the opening 20 and central portion 54 are spaced from the opposing pair of side edges 40c, 40d by the portions of the junction 46 containing the stitching 39. The opening 20 is therefore spaced from all the plurality of side edges on the cover assembly 12 and centrally located to make it easier to insert and remove the large fill layer 18. The opening 20 may include hook and loop fastener panels in some embodiments to hold the opening 20 closed when insertion or removal of the fill layer 18 is not required, but such fastener panels are not shown in the Figures.

Furthermore, the opening 20 extends along a majority of the width of the cover assembly 12 as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the stitching 39 of the overlap portions of the first and second portions 42, 44 may extend about 6 to 12 inches inwardly from the corresponding opposing pair of side edges 40c, 40d in this embodiment. The length of the stitching 39 is chosen to be sufficient to establish a definitive solid edge of the pocket 22 defined within the cover assembly 12, such that the fill layer 18 does not tend to dislodge out of the edges of the opening 20 when placed within the cover assembly 12. It will be understood that the length of stitching 39 on opposite ends of the junction 46 relative to the opening 20 may be modified in other embodiments consistent with the scope of this invention.

Although the first and second portions 42, 44 of the first fabric layer 14 are shown as separate pieces of fabric in the Figures, it will be understood that these may be formed from the same piece of fabric as the second fabric layer 16, just folded over into the first and second portions 42, 44 and stitched together at the closed periphery 38 and at the junction 46. In still further embodiments, the first and second portions 42, 44 are integrally formed by a unitary piece of fabric material rather than two pieces connected together at the junction 46, in which case the opening 20 would be cut into the unitary piece of fabric material at the junction 46 rather than automatically formed by an overlap of two fabric layers. In such embodiments, there is no overlap of the first and second portions 42, 44, but these portions still extend to and meet one another at the junction 46. The unitary piece of fabric material of such embodiments may be a folded over same piece as the second fabric layer 16, or it may be a separate piece of fabric material later connected by stitching 39 to the second fabric layer 16. Regardless of the configuration defining the first and second portions 42, 44, the opening 20 is still advantageously placed to make insertion and removal of the fill layer 18 easy, while also keeping this opening 20 and the fill layer 18 hidden from view during regular use of the system 10 on the bed 30.

As described initially above, the fabric layers 14, 16 and the closed periphery 38 formed by the stitching of these layers together collectively define a pocket 22 sized to receive the fill layer 18 in the form of a full-size blanket or comforter. The pocket 22 can most easily be seen in the partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 6. The pocket 22 is designed such that the first and second fabric layers 14, 16 enclose substantially the entirety of the fill layer 18, which hides the fill layer 18 and avoids having the fill layer 18 contact users of the bed 30 in normal operation. This allows the fill layer 18 to be washed and laundered much less frequently than the cover assembly 12, thereby reducing the workload for using the system 10.

As shown most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the retention slots 24 in this embodiment are provided at the corner portions 26 in the second fabric layer 16. The retention slots 24 are similar in construction to reinforced button holes, e.g., they are defined by a slit opening surrounded by reinforcement stitching. The reinforcement stitching is color-coded to help identify the size of the cover assembly 12 and the bed 30 that the cover assembly 12 is designed to cover, as set forth in further detail below. The slit opening of the retention slot 24 in this embodiment is configured to resiliently or otherwise expand to a size large enough to permit passage of a fastening element 28 as described in further detail below, but then return to a position where the fastening element 28 is compressed at an inner end thereof to retain the fastening element 28 in position. The specific construction and arrangement of the retention slots 24 may be modified to other known designs for retaining various fastening elements 28 in other embodiments of the invention, as this is just one example of what can be used to help retain the fill layer 18 in a desired position within the pocket 22 following assembly of the system 10. For example, the retention slots 24 in another embodiment consistent with the invention would be placed at the corner portions 26 but in the first fabric layer 14 instead of the second fabric layer 16. Moreover, alternative types of fastening elements such as snaps may be used in other embodiments of the system, while retaining the benefits of securing the components of system 10 in position and providing color coding that helps a user readily identify the size of the components after cleaning.

The first and second fabric layers 14, 16 defining the cover assembly 12 can be constructed of various fabrics such as conventional materials that are typically used in the construction of sheets and similar bedding materials. Fabric construction can be woven, non-woven, or knitted. In one example, the fabric construction is a woven plain weave. The fabric can include natural and/or synthetic fibers and may be lint free, as desired. In one example, the fabric includes polyester, polypropylene, and/or cotton. In another example, the fabric is substantially polyester, substantially cotton, or a polyester/cotton blend (e.g., a 50/50 or other specialized mixtures or weaves as commercially available from Standard Textile Co., Inc., the original assignee of this application). The fabric also may incorporate additional elements such as, but not limited to: ESD (electrostatic dissipative)/anti-static yarns, including nylon or carbon fibers, and the like; liquid resistant material, such as polyester or polypropylene; liquid resistant coatings or finishes that conform to at least minimum standards established for Level 1 classification by AAMI PB70 Standard, such as a fluorocarbon-based finish; and/or an antimicrobial finish. These additional elements can comprise about 1% of the total material of the system 10 but may be provided in a greater or lesser amount as desired. The fabrics used for the cover assembly 12 may include some resiliency to help facilitate the easy assembly and disassembly with the fill layer 18. These are but some examples of the materials that can be used to form the cover assembly 12. It will be understood that the fabric layers 14, 16 may be provided in the same material in some embodiments, but the second fabric layer 16 may also be provided in a different material that may be more inexpensive, for example, in other embodiments consistent with the scope of this disclosure. To this end, the materials chosen for the cover assembly 12 and its construction can be tailored to meet the needs of various end users in various settings.

Now turning to the fill layer 18, this element is visible at FIGS. 2 and 3. The fill layer 18 is defined by a blanket or comforter 56, which is configured to provide a thickened layer of insulating filler that insulates the bed 30 and persons located under the system 10 from the external environment about the bed 30. In this regard, the fill layer 18 is sandwiched in this embodiment of the system 10 between the fabric layers 14, 16 of the cover assembly 12, with the fill layer 18 also typically defining a larger thickness than either of these other layers. The blanket or comforter 56 includes a peripheral edge 57 that generally matches the shape and size of the closed periphery 38 defined by the cover assembly 12, albeit typically with slightly smaller overall width and length dimensions such that the fill layer 18 can fit within the pocket 22. To this end, the fill layer 18 of the illustrated embodiment has a generally rectangular shape and the peripheral edge 57 thereof includes various side edges like the head end edge 40a, the foot end edge 40b, and the side edges 40c, 40d of the cover assembly 12. Accordingly, the fill layer 18 when spread out has roughly the same size in plan view as the cover assembly 12, which can be seen in the exploded views of FIGS. 2 and 3.

The blanket or comforter 56 further includes a top surface 58 and a bottom surface 60 each delimited by the peripheral edge 57. The top surface 58 of the blanket or comforter 56 faces towards the first fabric layer 14 when the system 10 is fully assembled, while the bottom surface 60 of the blanket or comforter 56 faces towards the second fabric layer 16 when fully assembled. Advantageously, the fill layer 18 is substantially enclosed around its entirety and effectively hidden from view when the system 10 is in normal use, as shown at FIG. 1. In this regard, even when the system 10 is used on the bed 30 without a top sheet of a standard sheet set, the fill layer 18 remains out of contact with any persons located in the bed 30, because of this enclosure of the blanket or comforter 56.

The system 10 of this embodiment includes fastening elements 28 on the fill layer 18 to interact with the retention slots 24 described above. Those fastening elements 28 may be provided in corner portions 62 of the rectangular-shaped blanket or comforter 56, to thereby match the positions of the retention slots 24. For example, FIGS. 5A through 6 illustrate the fastening elements 28 and the retention slots 24 of this embodiment in further detail. It will be understood that these views show the system 10 in a reversed orientation from its use on the bed 30, e.g., with the second fabric layer 16 facing upwardly to show these additional details. In this embodiment, the fastening elements 28 are defined by fabric knot buttons located on the bottom surface 60 of the fill layer 18. It will be understood that in alternative embodiments in which the retention slots 24 are provided in the first fabric layer 14, the fabric knot buttons would be located on the top surface 58 of the fill layer 18 (but the fill layer 18 is typically reversible in orientation before placement in the pocket 22, so the specific side usually does not matter). The fabric knot buttons are highly deformable or compressible to enable insertion and removal through the retention slots 24, which also allows for these elements on the fill layer 18 to go through industrial laundering equipment without being damaged by this equipment, and without causing damage to this equipment. Even though the fill layer 18 does not need to be laundered as often as the cover assembly 12, it is still desirable to make the fill layer 18 capable of such laundering when the need arises for such cleaning. Despite having the ability to deform or compress in laundering equipment, the fabric knot buttons defining the fastening elements 28 are configured to reliably stay retained when inserted through the retention slots 24 as shown in FIGS. 5A and 6.

Thus, by putting a plurality of matching pairs of the fabric knot buttons (fastening elements 28) and the retention slots 24 on the fill layer 18 and on the second fabric layer 16, respectively, the system 10 reliably retains the fill layer 18 in a desired location within the pocket 22, while nevertheless still allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of the system 10. For example, the fill layer 18 is accurately located at each of the corner portions 26 of the cover assembly 12, which thereby prevents unintended shifting, bunching, or folding upon itself by the fill layer 18 within the pocket 22. When it is desired to disassemble the fill layer 18 from the cover assembly 12, a user must simply push the fastening element 28 back through the retention slot 24 and then pull the corner portion 62 of the fill layer 18 away from the corner portion 26 of the cover assembly 12, as shown by movement arrows 66 in FIG. 5A. The disassembled fill layer 18 and cover assembly 12 are shown at FIG. 5B, for example, and it will be readily understood that the fastening element 28 will not add significant resistance to removal of the fill layer 18 from the pocket 22 at this stage. Advantageously, the cover assembly 12 and the fill layer 18 with these additional components remain cost-efficient to manufacture in such an arrangement as compared to designs that must incorporate zippers or other complex items, which reduces the overall cost of using the system 10.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 5A through 6, the fastening elements 28 are located only at certain positions on the cover assembly 12 and on the fill layer 18, thereby reducing the total number of assembly points needed when assembling the system 10. By securing the fill layer 18 at the corresponding corner portions 62, the fill layer 18 is effectively prevented from dislodgment in any direction. Of course, it will be understood that more or fewer fastening elements 28 and different configurations of positions for the fastening elements 28 may be used in other embodiments consistent with the scope of this disclosure, such as when the shape of the fill layer 18 and/or cover assembly 12 are modified from those shown.

At least some of the fastening elements 28 and the retention slots 24 (which may also be collectively referred to as fastening elements) of this invention are color-coded such that the material defining the fabric knot buttons 28 and the stitching around the retention slots 24 have a readily identifiable color. The color is chosen to correspond to the size of the bed 30 that the system 10 is designed to cover. For example, the fastening elements provided on the fill layer 18 and the cover assembly 12 of a system 10 sized for a twin-size bed may be red, while the same fastening elements on components for a full-size bed may be blue, queen-size green, king-size gold, and so on. When sorting and matching cover assemblies 12 for multiple size beds after washing, the color coding of the fastening elements enables easy size identification and proper matching of fill layers 18 to cover assemblies 12. Thus, a user will not waste time manually comparing the size of these elements, or waste time trying to assemble a fill layer 18 and a cover assembly 12 that are not the same size. This significant time savings enables management and use of improved aesthetic bedding materials provided by the duvet cover system 10, even if a plurality of different size beds is to be maintained. Further examples of the color coding will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 through 8C.

It should also be appreciated that any pair of the fabric knot buttons 28 and retention slots 24 may be replaced or interchanged with a different type of fastening element, while still retaining the overall benefits of the system 10. For example, while the fastening elements 28 have been discussed in this embodiment as fabric knot buttons, other types of fastening elements such as hook and loop closures (e.g., VELCRO®), silicone buttons, and/or other alternatives like ties or clasps may be used in place of some or all the fabric knot buttons, while still retaining the overall benefits of the system 10. Further types of fastening elements such as metallic snaps and buttons could also be used with other embodiments of the system 10. Regardless of the fastening elements chosen, the fastening elements advantageously enable easy and simple separate connection of the cover assembly 12 to the fill layer 18, with the fastening elements still being color-coded to be configured to enable quick size identification for users of the system 10.

When the system 10 is assembled and laid on the bed 30 as shown in FIG. 1, at least some of the fastening elements 28 and retention slots 24 are not visible, so these elements do not detract from the desirable aesthetic appearance simulating a conventional duvet cover. Even though a pair of these fastening elements 28 may become visible when a user turns down the system 10 along the head end edge 40a, these elements are small and are located along the edges of the bed 30, so therefore may go largely unnoticed by the user of the bed 30. In any event, the potential for negative impacts on the aesthetic appearance of the system 10 is minimized thanks to the positioning in the corners shown in this embodiment. Consequently, the appearance of a conventional duvet cover is achieved, while defining an assembly of components that is easy and quick to assemble and disassemble, and sort by size, enabling regular cleanings of the cover assembly 12 without significant additional work.

The fill layer 18 may be comprised of similar fabric materials as described above, as well as of various fillers as well known in the art of bedding and blanket materials. If the fill layer 18 is formed independently from the cover assembly 12 and is provided to be removable easily from the remainder of system 10, the specific materials chosen will not affect the principal beneficial functionalities of the system 10, which are discussed throughout this application. For example, the fill layer 18 will avoid most contact with persons and other sources that lead to a need to clean or launder the fill layer 18, which is beneficial for all the reasons set forth above. Furthermore, the fill layer 18 is readily identified in size by the color coding provided on the fastening elements 28, thereby allowing for matching with a corresponding cover assembly 12 before assembling these elements together and placing the system 10 on the bed 30.

With reference to FIGS. 7 through 8C, various sizes of the duvet cover system in accordance with the embodiment described in detail above are shown schematically laid out in a horizontal orientation on top of each other. For example, the system 10 at the bottom level of FIG. 7 may be sized to cover a “California king” bed (typically defined by a 72×84-inch size), while the system 10′ shown directly above that in FIG. 7 may be sized to cover a queen-size bed (typically defined by a 60×80-inch size), and the system 10″ shown at the top level of FIG. 7 may be sized to cover a twin-size bed (typically defined by a 39×75-inch size). For each of these standard bed sizes, the width and length of the mattress and support structure varies, and the duvet cover system 10, 10′, 10″ also should be varied in size to cover these different dimensions. It will be understood that while the examples of standard bed sizes above are used in Canada and the United States, other standard bed sizes in other countries may also use the color-coded fastening elements for size identification as described herein, as this is just one example illustrating the general concept. Although the difference in size between the systems 10, 10′, 10″ shown in FIG. 7 may be clear when fully laid out horizontally, it is difficult, if not impossible, to evaluate the size difference when not in this orientation because the systems 10, 10′, 10″ are otherwise identical in components and structure. Furthermore, some standard bed sizes like king and queen have the same length and somewhat similar widths (the same can be said of full and twin-size beds) and differentiating between these different sizes is even more difficult. Therefore, it can be difficult when cleaning and sorting a plurality of cover assemblies 12 to match those to corresponding sizes of fill layers 18 after the cleaning process.

However, the systems 10, 10′, 10″ of the invention address this difficulty by providing color coding to the fastening elements used to secure the components of the systems 10, 10′, 10″ in place relative to one another. Using the example provided above, which FIGS. 7 through 8C are consistent with, the fastening elements are defined by fabric knot buttons 28 and retention slots 24 with stitching around the retention slots 24. As shown in the detail corner views of FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the color of these fastening elements matches when the fill layer 18 is the same size as the cover assembly 12. Thus, a system 10″ designed to cover a first size of bed such as twin-size may include a first color (e.g., red) on the fabric knot buttons 28″ and the retention slots 24″ as shown in FIG. 8A. By contrast, a system 10′ designed to cover a second size of bed such as queen-size may include a second color (e.g., green) on the fabric knot buttons 28′ and the retention slots 24′ as shown in FIG. 8B by the dotted cross-hatching on these elements. A system 10 designed to cover a third size of bed such as California king-size may include a third color (e.g., purple) on the fabric knot buttons 28 and the retention slots 24 as shown in FIG. 8C by the striped cross-hatching on these elements. A specific color can be assigned for each standard bed size in a country or region, thereby enabling different cover assemblies 12 and fill layers 18 to be mixed and used together (assuming all include the color-coded fastening elements).

It will be understood that in some embodiments, all the fastening elements on the fill layer 18 and the cover assembly 12 are color-coded, while in other embodiments, only a partial subset of the fastening elements may be color-coded without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, only the fastening elements located along the foot end edge 40b may be color-coded, while the other fastening elements are not colored in the same manner. If at least one of the fastening elements on each of the fill layer 18 and the cover assembly 12 are color-coded to identify the size of the system 10, these components of the system 10 can be readily identified and matched based on the size indicated by the color of the color-coded fastening elements. Likewise, when these fastening elements are provided at corner portions of a rectangular-shaped duvet cover system 10, the color-coding can be positioned in use at any corner of the bed when the duvet cover system 10 is placed on the bed.

Advantageously, the color coding enables easy size identification of the elements of a duvet cover system 10 without requiring additional costs/steps and without affecting the desirable aesthetic appearance provided by the system 10. To this end, by applying dye or otherwise forming the fastening elements (fabric knot buttons 28 and retention slots 24 in the embodiments above) of a colored material corresponding to the size of the bed 30 that the system 10 is to cover, these elements that must already be manufactured to provide a reliable retention of the fill layer 18 in position serve a second purpose of size identification as well. There is no requirement for further added tags or other elements, or complex/expensive additional steps of manufacture to provide the color coding at the fastening elements. The small size of these fastening elements does not significantly detract from the desirable aesthetic appearance of the system 10, particularly when laid out on a bed 30 as shown in FIG. 1. In this regard, the color coding of this invention does not necessitate application of color across all or a substantial portion of the fabric material defining the cover assembly 12 (and the fill layer 18), and that allows for the desirable aesthetic appearance of the system 10 to be unaffected by this invention.

It will be understood that color coding of fastening elements on cover assemblies 12 and fill layers 18 may be used in other embodiments of duvet cover systems beyond the one embodiment shown in the Figures. To this end, other types of duvet cover systems include multiple layers that snap together or are otherwise secured to one another along the respective layer peripheries (see U.S. application Ser. No. 15/223,025 for example, which is co-owned by the original Assignee/Applicant of this application), and color coding can be applied to the at least some of the snaps or other similar fastening elements in a similar fashion to identify the bed size for these types of systems. In this regard, any duvet cover system that uses fastening elements to secure components or a fill layer 18 in position may be modified to include color-coded fastening elements in accordance with the principles of this invention. By providing such color coding, the sorting and management of different size duvet cover systems 10 is made easier, which allows for the use of such duvet cover systems 10 in more contexts.

In combination with the above embodiments, it will be understood that some of the fastening elements on the cover assembly 12 and the fill layer 18 may be differently color-coded from one another to assist with orientation of the fill layer 18 relative to the cover assembly 12, and/or to assist with orientation of the system 10 on the bed. For example, in embodiments where the system 10 defines a head end configured to be positioned along a head end edge of the bed and a foot end configured to be positioned along a foot end edge of the bed, the fastening elements along the head end may be different color-coded than those along the foot end such that a user can differentiate between the length and width of these elements and of the system 10. To this end, the different color-coding provides a visual indicia that assists a user in identifying a width and length of the duvet cover system so that the duvet cover system can be properly oriented when positioned at the bed. In one example, the fastening elements at only the head end or the foot end can be color-coded to provide this effect, while in another example, the color-coding on the fastening elements at the head end is a modified version of the color-coding from the fastening elements at the foot end (such as different shading of the same color, etc). It will be understood that these features related to proper orientation of the system 10 may be combined in any combination with the color-coding used for size identification according to the invention.

Thus, it can readily be appreciated that the assembly of the system 10 can be quickly accomplished to positively secure the fill layer 18 in an enclosed position sandwiched between fabric sheets of the cover assembly 12. The fabric knot buttons 28 and retention slots 24 used as fastening elements prevent unintended shifting of the fill layer 18 within the pocket 22, while also providing color coding to allow for quick size identification of these elements relative to bed size. The cover assembly 12 is easily removable and replaceable for cleaning and other purposes, and the system 10 in normal use hides the appearance of the opening 20 into the pocket 22, to provide the desirable appearance of a conventionally-constructed duvet cover. The color coding of the fastening elements does not detract from this desirable aesthetic appearance. However, the color coding does allow for rapid sorting and matching of same-size pairs of fill layer 18 and cover assembly 12, even when many systems 10 are to be cleaned daily for multiple sizes of beds 30. Furthermore, the relatively simple construction of the cover assembly 12 provides a lower cost for the system 10.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

DUVET COVER SYSTEM HAVING INTEGRATED SIZE IDENTIFICATION

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