Patent Application
20200375378
The disclosure relates to bedding for beds and sleeping apparatus. In particular, the disclosure relates to duvets, which have a thicker profile than other bedding, and which are useful for thermal insulation.
Bedding useful for beds and sleeping apparatus includes coverings for a bed, such as sheets, blankets, comforters, and quilts. Bedding is alternatively called bedclothes, bed linen, bedcovers, or covers. “Bedding” as used herein excludes the bed frame or bed base. Bedding is a removable bed covering that is applied to a mattress of a bed or other sleeping apparatus to protect the bed surface, promote hygiene, provide warmth, and provide decoration. A typical bedding set includes a flat or fitted bed sheet that covers a mattress; a flat top sheet; and a blanket, quilt, duvet, or a combination thereof.
A duvet typically includes a soft, flat bag filled with down, feathers such as from duck or geese, wool, silk, a synthetic material, or a combination thereof. Duvets were originally used in rural Europe where eiden duck feathers were used to line duvets due to their superior thermal insulating capabilities.
Manufacturers presently measure thermal insulating performance of duvets in togs. Tog ratings assist purchasers in selecting duvets appropriately for specific seasons. A duvet with a higher tog rating, for example, is more appropriate for colder temperatures than a duvet with a lower tog rating. Multiple duvets having lower tog ratings may be combined to form a complete duvet having a higher tog rating.
Because a duvet is filled to provide an insulating function, the duvet has a relatively thick profile, and is bulky in comparison with the flat or fitted sheets and blankets, for example. Accordingly, cleaning a duvet in a conventional consumer washing machine is difficult and impracticable in some circumstances. The duvet may be associated with a duvet cover. The duvet cover facilitates easier cleaning by providing a protective layer having a flexibility and profile more conducive to cleaning in consumer washing machines than the duvets themselves. Yet, the duvet cover delays the need to clean the duvet that it covers.
A need has been recognized for duvets that are configured for easier cleaning in conventional washing machines. In an embodiment of a duvet apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, a duvet apparatus includes a plurality of separable segments. Each of the segments is reversibly attachable to an adjacent segment. The plurality of segments form a complete duvet when attached to each other. Thus, the duvet configured in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein can be disassembled for packaging, storage, or cleaning, and reassembled for use. Accordingly, an improved duvet is provided that meets the need for easier cleaning in conventional washing machines.
Modular bedding including comforters, blankets, or other bedding having a thick or bulky profile making cleaning in conventional washing machines difficult are within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments. For example, comforters or blankets having a thick or bulky profile in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein may include a plurality of reversibly separable segments that form a complete comforter or blanket when attached to each other, and form separate smaller segments when disassembled. The segments may include attachments devices configured and arranged for enabling reversible attachment to an adjacent segment. The segments may include a cover configured to cover the attachment device and/or an fastening device configured to operate the attachment device to prevent external contact during use of the assembled comforter or blanket.
An embodiment of a duvet apparatus in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein includes a first duvet segment having a width and/or height less than a width and height of the whole duvet. The first duvet segment includes a first surface and a second surface, aligned and sealed or semi-permanently or permanently attached at four side edges to form a segment interior. The segment interior is filled with a fill material such as feathers, down, cotton, or a synthetic material, or a combination thereof to a relatively thick profile sufficient to provide thermal insulation.
Apparatus include an attachment device disposed on a first side of the segment at the first side edge. In an embodiment, a second attachment device is disposed at a second side opposite the first side. In another embodiment, a third attachment device is disposed at a third side of the segment perpendicular and adjacent to the first and the second sides. In yet another embodiment, a fourth attachment device is disposed at a fourth side of the first segment. In other embodiments, the segment may include attachment devices at plural sides. In embodiments, the attachment device(s) permit reversible attachment to an adjacent segment with a compatible attachment device. For example, the attachment devices may include zippers, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, or other now known or later developed fasteners suitable for reversible fastening. The above-described first segment may therefore be reversibly attached to a second segment. Two or more segments may be sized to form together a whole duvet. The separability of the duvet into multiple smaller segments makes washing in conventional washing machines more convenient, and washing more effective and efficient. A cover is configured to cover the fastening device to prevent external contact of the fastening device during use of the assembled duvet.
An embodiment of duvet methods of manufacture in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein includes forming a first duvet segment having a width and height less than a width and height of the duvet. The forming includes forming a first surface and a second surface, aligning the first and second surfaces and sealing the aligned first and second surfaces at four side edges to form a segment interior. The surfaces may be formed of any suitable material such as fabric or other material useful for bedding. Methods include filling the interior with a fill material such as feathers, down, cotton, or a synthetic material, or a combination thereof to a relatively thick profile sufficient to provide thermal insulation.
Methods include applying an attachment device to a first side of the segment at the first side edge. Methods include, in an embodiment, applying a second attachment device to a second side opposite the first side. Methods include, in another embodiment, applying a third attachment device to a third side of the segment perpendicular and adjacent to the first and the second sides. In yet another embodiment, methods include applying a fourth attachment device to a fourth side of the segment. In embodiments the attachment device(s) permit reversible attachment to an adjacent segment with a compatible attachment device. For example, the attachment devices may include zippers, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, or other now known or later developed fasteners suitable for reversible fastening. Methods include applying a cover configured to cover the fastening device to prevent external contact of the fastening device.
Additional features and technical effects of the present disclosure will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description wherein embodiments of the present disclosure are described simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated to carry out the present disclosure. In addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, other and different embodiments are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure, and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects.
The disclosure is shown by way of example in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments. It should be apparent, however, that exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring exemplary embodiments. In addition, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, ratios, and numerical properties of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.”
Embodiments of modular duvets and methods of manufacture of the same are disclosed. Apparatus of embodiments advantageously provide duvets configured for enhanced hygiene and optimized usage through a modular configuration with separable segments suitable for cleaning in conventional consumer washing machines.
As shown in
The joined first and second surfaces including fill material form a first segment of a plurality of segments that each have dimensions smaller than typical dimensions of a whole duvet sized to fit various conventional bed sizes. At S4009, an attachment device is attached to one or more side edges of the first segment. The attachment device is configured for reversible attachment to a mating attachment device of a second segment. Accordingly, the first segment may be joined to the second segment, and if necessary one or more further segments to form a whole duvet. The duvet may thus be advantageously disassembled for convenient cleaning in conventional washing machines. The attachment device includes a covering for preventing external contact of aspects of the attachment device to enhance comfort and usability.
Embodiments are shown by way of example, and not by way of limitation in the figures and drawings. While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.
