Patent Application
20220167763
The present invention relates to a new method and system for a bedding system that includes a removable top panel and removable duvet cover having a unique zipper structure for easier use and increased cleanliness and overall protection of the surfaces and bedding material in an underlying duvet insert positioned within an interior of the removable duvet cover.
Duvets and duvet covers are commonly known and highly sought after. Duvets are a type of bedding that include a cloth sewn and formed into a large bag, which is then filled with down or other soft materials. The duvet is a substitute for a comforter and provides a warm, comforting bedding layer for a sleeper to sleep under. A duvet is used as the top layer of bedding to keep the sleeper warm as they rest.
Duvet covers are used to cover the duvet or duvet insert and protect the inserted duvet from getting wet or soiled. Duvet covers act as a protective sleeve to the duvet and are also used to provide an aesthetic appeal to the bedding because duvet covers may come in a variety of visually appealing colors and prints and designs. Duvet covers may be removed and washed and changed regularly by a user, even if the same duvet is used for different duvet covers.
While duvets and duvet covers are very popular for their versatility and comfortable fabrics, problems still persist with existing duvets and duvet covers. First, while it is beneficial that duvet covers are removable and can be washed easily, the process of inserting duvets within duvet covers is still considered to be very difficult and a cumbersome chore. Depending on the size of the duvet, duvets can be bulky and require a considerable amount of time and physical exertion to properly secure the duvet and arrange the duvet in place so that the duvet touches all of the corners and edges of the interior of the duvet cover. Even after inserting the duvet within the duvet cover, it is a common problem that duvets tend to slip and bunch up into particular areas of the duvet cover if not secured within an interior of the duvet cover properly.
A second issue with conventional duvet covers is that available duvet covers provide only a thin, minimal barrier or protection of the duvet. Duvets can be much more expensive in cost than duvet covers and protecting the duvet and its interior filler material from getting soiled or wet is of paramount concern to many duvet owners and users. There are many possible sources of contamination of a bedding system that includes a duvet and duvet cover. It is common for pets to join their owners on their bedding and pets often soil the bedding by wetting on the bedding, leaving a mess that is difficult to clean or remove. Even young children and adults can accidentally soil or stain their duvet cover and possibly cause unwanted moisture or wetness to penetrate from the duvet cover into the duvet.
Accordingly, in light of all the above factors, there is still a need for an improvement and alternative to existing duvets and duvet covers.
One or more non-limiting embodiments for a removable duvet cover, having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an interior empty surface defined by the top surface and the bottom surface, whereby the top surface and the bottom surface are coupled together and a U-shaped zipper track integrated into either the top surface or the bottom surface of the removable duvet cover that extends over a majority of the top surface or the bottom surface of the removable duvet cover. The removable duvet cover further comprises at least one zipper attached to the U-shaped zipper track, whereby the U-shaped zipper track is configured to be fully opened and fully closed shut with the at least one zipper, wherein when the U-shaped zipper track is fully opened, a semi-removable flap of the removable duvet cover is partially detached from the removable duvet cover, and the interior empty surface of the removable duvet cover is exposed. Further, a duvet insert is insertable within the interior empty surface of the removable duvet cover that is accessible from the U-shaped zipper track. In a non-limiting embodiment, the removable duvet cover can further comprises interior ties on each corner of an interior surface of the removable duvet cover. In a non-limiting embodiment, the U-shaped zipper track is generally centrally located on the top surface or the bottom surface of the removable duvet cover and may be oriented facing upwards or downwards.
The present description further includes one or more non-limiting embodiments for a removable top panel comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, whereby the bottom surface of the removable top panel includes one or more fasteners and a removable duvet cover. A removable duvet cover comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, an interior empty portion, and one or more complimentary fastener attachments located on the top surface of the removable duvet cover, whereby the one or more fasteners on the bottom surface of the removable top panel are configured to be attached to the one or more complementary fastener attachments on a top surface of the removable duvet cover and a duvet insert, whereby the duvet insert is configured to be inserted within the interior portion of the removable duvet cover. The removable top panel may be configured to be removed as needed from the bedding system without needing to remove the duvet cover, and the removable top panel provides additional protection to the removable duvet cover. The bedding system may further comprise a U-shaped zipper track integrated into either the top surface or the bottom surface of the removable duvet cover and at least one zipper attached to the U-shaped zipper track, whereby the U-shaped zipper track is configured to be fully opened and fully closed shut with the at least one zipper. Further, in a non-limiting embodiment, when the U-shaped zipper track is fully opened, a semi-removable flap of the removable duvet cover is partially detached from the removable duvet cover, and the interior empty surface of the removable duvet cover is exposed, whereby a duvet insert is insertable within the interior empty surface of the removable duvet cover that is accessible from the U-shaped zipper track. The removable duvet cover further comprises interior ties configured to tie to a pocket or other portion of the duvet insert, whereby the duvet insert is securable within the interior portion of the removable duvet cover by tying or otherwise coupling the interior ties or other fasteners to each corner of the duvet insert.
The present description further includes one or more non-limiting methods for using a bedding system, the bedding system comprising positioning a removable duvet cover on a bed, whereby the removable duvet cover further comprises a U-shaped zipper track on a top surface of the removable duvet cover with an attached zipper and a set of fasteners positioned on the top surface of the removable duvet cover. The method may further include unzipping the U-shaped zipper track to a fully opened position, whereby a semi-removable flap is partially detached from the U-shaped zipper track when the U-shaped zipper track is in the fully opened position and exposing an interior empty portion of the removable duvet cover. The method may further include inserting a duvet insert into the interior empty portion of the removable duvet cover by pushing or otherwise manipulating a duvet cover into each corner of the removable duvet cover via the exposed interior empty portion and tying or otherwise attaching an interior tie or other attachment on an interior of the removable duvet cover to a pocket or other portion of the duvet insert. After positioning the duvet insert within the interior empty portion and securing the duvet insert in place, the method may include zipping shut the U-shaped zipper track with the attached zipper and coupling a removable top panel to the top surface of the removable duvet cover further comprising coupling the set of fasteners on the removable duvet cover to a set of fastener attachments on an underside of the removable top panel.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, and steps, among others, are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.
Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)-(a second number),” this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm and upper limit is 100 mm.
Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.
The term “set” as used herein may refer to one or more items. The term “coupled to” can mean a direct connection between one or more items or an indirect connection whereby intermediary items may be connected in between a first or a second item.
The present description is drawn to one or more non-limiting embodiments for an improved bedding system. A bedding system as provided for in the present description may include a removable top panel that acts as an additional barrier and protective waterproof layer above a removable duvet cover of the bedding system. The bedding system can be removably fastened to the top layer of the duvet cover and may be quickly and easily unfastened when the removable top panel needs to be washed, replaced, or repaired. Additionally, the present description includes a design and structure for a duvet cover that makes it much easier for inserting and securing a duvet within a removable duvet cover due to the design and placement of a zipper assembly that is designed in the form of a U-shaped zipper track having an attached zipper that gives the owner increased reach and access to the bottom, middle, and top of an interior of a duvet cover.
Referring now to the drawings and the following written description of the present invention, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the detailed description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. This disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention.
It is noted that the term “removable top panel” may interchangeably be referred to as a “removable top sheet.” Further, the term “removable bottom sheet” may interchangeably be referred to as “removable bottom sheet.”
Duvet 106 may be any type of duvet as described above, which is a type of warm bedding that includes a cloth or other fabric that has been closed around filler material. Duvet 106 may include any type of filler material, including, without limitation, down, feathers, or wool.
The removable duvet cover 104 acts as a protective sleeve that may be made of cloth or other fabric and is configured to envelope or cover the duvet 106. The removable duvet cover 104 may be washable and removable and may further be waterproof in one or more non-limiting embodiments. The removable duvet cover 104 may include any kind of print, colors, or designs. Removable duvet cover 104 may include a top surface 116, a bottom surface 118, and an interior empty portion or cavity 124. The top surface 116 of the removable duvet cover 104 is attached to the bottom surface 118 of the removable duvet cover to form or define the interior empty cavity 124. In a non-limiting embodiment, the top surface 116 of the removable duvet cover 104 may be sewn to the bottom surface 118 of the removable duvet cover 104, although any other means of attachment may alternatively be used.
The duvet 106 is configured to be inserted and fit within the interior portion 124 of the duvet cover 104. The term “duvet” as used herein may interchangeably be referred to as “duvet insert.” The removable duvet cover 104 may include ties, such as ties 602, shown in
Notably, the user may insert the duvet 106 within the removable duvet cover 104 using any technique or method known in the art for inserting and securing the duvet 106 within the duvet cover 104, including pulling, pushing, or manipulating the duvet 106 with the user's hands in order to stretch the duvet 106 to each corner of the interior portion 124 of the removable duvet cover 104.
Notably, the bedding system 100 shown in
In some embodiments, there may be at least four fasteners 112 disposed on the bottom surface 110 of the removable top panel 102 with each fastener 112 being generally located on a corner edge of the bottom surface 110 of the removable top panel 102. In other embodiments, there may be more or less fasteners 112 on the removable top panel 102, including a design that includes fasteners 112 that are centrally located on a middle outer area of the removable top panel 102 and/or fasteners 112 located on each top or bottom edges of the removable top panel 102 to provide additional fastening security and connection when connected to the removable duvet cover 104.
The fasteners 112 on the removable top panel 102 are configured to attach to the complementary fastener attachments 120 on the removable duvet cover 106. In other embodiments, instead of fasteners 112 and complementary fastener attachments 120, the bedding system 100 may include ties on the bottom surface 110 of the removable top panel 102 and ties on the top surface 116 of the duvet cover 104 such that the two may be tied together at the corners or other locations. Alternatively, any other types of removable attachment methods may be used, including hook and loop strips (e.g., VELCRO), buttons, or magnets to a name a few non-limiting methods of attachment known in the art.
The removable top panel 102 acts as a protective layer over the removable duvet cover 104. The removable top panel 102 may include a moisture barrier along the underside 110 of the removable top panel 102. In other embodiments, the removable top panel 102 may be waterproof in addition to or alternative to inclusion of the moisture barrier. Accordingly, the material of the removable top panel 102 may incorporate moisture wicking or moisture resistant material to prevent moisture in the removable top panel 102 from affecting or penetrating the removable duvet cover 104 or the duvet 106 within the duvet cover 104. This may be particularly useful when a user has pets or young children who tend to like to sleep on or rest on a top surface of one's bedding. Having a waterproof removable top panel 102 may enable the user to only have to wash and remove the removable top panel 102 if the pet or young child has an accident and leaks onto the removable top panel. Rather than having to wash and replace an entire removable duvet cover, which may be more onerous and difficult, the user may simply remove the removable top panel that easily fastens to a top surface 116 of the removable duvet cover via the one or more fasteners 112. The removable top panel 102 can be easily detached from the removable duvet cover 104 by unfastening each fastener 112 on the removable top panel 102. The removable top panel 102 can then be returned and reattached by refastening each fastener 112 to the complementary fastener attachments 120 on the top surface 116 of the removable duvet cover 104 (or vice versa if the order of the fasteners 112 and fastener attachments 120 is reversed). The removable top panel 102 functions to prevent or minimize any stains, hair, liquid, or other unhygienic or undesirable elements from penetrating the surfaces of the removable duvet cover 104 and duvet 106 and possibly ruining them.
Any colors, text, logos, prints, or designs may be displayed on the removable top panel 102 and removable duvet cover 104. As such, the removable top panel 102 and removable duvet cover 104 can function as decorative and aesthetically pleasing components of the bedding system 100 and on a bed. Further, it may be easier for a user to alter the visual appearance of the bed by regularly changing out the removable top panel 102 with varying colors, prints, and designs.
As noted above, duvets 106 may be more expensive than removable duvet covers 104. Advantageously, the removable top panel 102 serves as an additional layer of protection for the duvet 106 and duvet cover 104 from unwanted stains or messes. Further, the user does not have to remove the removable duvet cover 104 from the duvet 106 when the user wants to remove solely the removable top panel 102 for washing, repairing, replacing, or for some other reason.
Further, the bedding system 100 may further include a removable bottom sheet 125 that can be fastened to an underside 118 of the removable duvet cover. In a non-limiting embodiment, the top surface 130 of the removable bottom sheet 125 may connect or attach to an underside 118 of the removable duvet cover 104 via one or more fasteners 120. Other alternative means of attachments may alternatively be used in other embodiments including ties, buttons, VELCRO, or any other means of attachment known in the art. The removable bottom sheet 125 may serve as a cover sheet on the bed 126 as well as be removably fastened to the bottom surface 118 of the removable duvet cover 104.
Thus, the design of the removable duvet cover 104, as shown in
The U-shaped track 204 may comprise zipper teeth 216 and may have a first terminal end point 210 and a second end point 212 with the zipper teeth 216 running in a U- shape between the first terminal end point 210 and the second terminal end point 212. There may be a lowermost central point 214 between the first terminal end point 210 and the second end point 212 as shown in
In some embodiments, the U-shaped zipper track 204 may be integrated into the top surface 116 of the removable duvet cover 104 facing upwards as shown in
Thus,
At step 1006, the method may include inserting a duvet 106 within the removable duvet cover 104 and securing the duvet 106 in place within an interior 124 of the removable duvet cover 104. It is noted that the removable duvet cover 104 may include various mechanisms and tools that the user may use to secure the duvet 106 within the interior 124 of the removable duvet cover 104, including, but not limited to, ties, magnets, buttons, fasteners, or VELCRO.
At step 1008, the method may include fastening or otherwise attaching the removable top panel 102 to the top surface 116 of the removable duvet cover 104. At step 1010, the method may include removing the removable top panel 102 as needed by unfastening or otherwise detaching the removable top panel 102 from the removable duvet cover 104. The user is provided with flexibility and convenience in easily attaching and detaching the removable top panel 102 from the removable duvet cover 104 when the user needs to wash, replace, or repair the removable top panel 102.
Additional steps for a method of using bedding system 100 may include unfastening a zipper, such as zipper 202 shown in
Many advantages and benefits are provided by the unique bedding system 100 as described in one or more non-limiting embodiments in the present description and as noted above. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention according to one or more embodiments described in the present description may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.
This application is a non-provisional application which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/119,252 filed on Nov. 30, 2020, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63119252 | Nov 2020 | US |
