DUVET COVER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a duvet cover. The duvet cover includes a top panel having side edges, and a bottom panel having side edges, the top and bottom panels being joined together along their side edges, at least one of the top panel and the bottom having a generally centrally located aperture sized for insertion of a duvet. The duvet cover may include a fastener disposed around the aperture, which allows coupling with a mating fastener on the duvet. The present invention relates also to a duvet and duvet cover combination and to a kit of a duvet and duvet cover.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to beddings. More particularly the present invention relates to a duvet cover that substantially facilitates the insertion of a duvet and prevents a duvet from slipping around inside the duvet cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A duvet is a type of bedding that consists of a soft flat tag filled with feathers, wool, silk or a synthetic alternative and protected with a removable cover, known as a duvet cover. The bottom (i.e. the part to be placed along the foot of the bed) of the duvet cover has an opening along the bottom edge that is not permanently closed. Typically, the bottom edge of the duvet cover has a plurality of buttons, snaps, zip or tie sewn to the cover, that allow for the insert to stay inside. The duvet can be inserted and removed via, the bottom opening of the duvet cover. The duvet is not fixed or secured inside the duvet cover.

Inserting a duvet into a duvet cover is difficult and time consuming. The duvet must be inserted so the corners of the duvet are fully inserted into the respective corners of the duvet cover. When the duvet is relatively large (e.g. queen or king sized), inserting the duvet properly becomes progressively more complicated, which is reflected in increased time and labor to complete the task of disassembling and reassembling the duvet and duvet cover.

Once inserted inside the duvet cover, the duvet tends to slip around inside the duvet cover. Many disclosures have been created to prevent the duvet from slipping around inside the duvet cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,549,682 describes a duvet cover assembly consisting of a duvet and duvet cover that are connected into a single unit that is entirely machine washable.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,389 describes a duvet cover having two openings on opposite side edges of the cover, instead of one.

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a duvet cover that allows for inserting the duvet inside the duvet cover without difficulty.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a duvet and a duvet cover combination that substantially prevents the duvet from slipping around the duvet cover.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a duvet cover that allows substantial viewing of a portion of an inserted duvet.

Further and other objects of the invention will be realized from the following Summary of the Invention, the Discussion of the Invention and the embodiments and Examples thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a duvet cover. The duvet cover, in one embodiment, includes a top panel having side edges, and a bottom panel having side edges, the top and bottom panels being joined together along their side edges, at least one of the top panel and the bottom having a generally centrally located aperture that allows for insertion of a duvet into the duvet cover.

In one embodiment of the duvet cover, the duvet cover includes a fastener means disposed around the aperture, the fastener means allowing coupling with a mating fastener means on the duvet. In one embodiment the fastener means of the duvet cover is a through hole and the mating fastener means of the duvet is a button. In another embodiment, the fastener means and the mating fastener means is a zipper, hook-and-loop devices (Velcro®), button and though hole, magnets or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment of the duvet cover of the present invention, the duvet cover includes a plurality of fasteners disposed at least in a border of the aperture, the plurality of fastener means allowing coupling with a plurality of mating fastener means disposed on the duvet.

In another embodiment of the duvet cover of the present invention, the generally centrally located aperture allows exposure of a portion of the duvet inside the duvet cover.

In another embodiment of the duvet cover of the present invention, the generally centrally located aperture is rectangular, circular, triangular, oval or diamond shaped.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a duvet and duvet cover combination. The duvet and duvet cover combination, in one embodiment, includes: (a) a duvet including: (i) a top duvet panel, (ii) a bottom duvet panel, and (iii) a first fastener part arranged on at least one of the top duvet panel or the bottom duvet panel; and (b) a duvet cover including: a top panel having side edges, and a bottom panel having side edges, the top and bottom panels being joined together along their side edges, at least one of the top panel and the bottom having a generally centrally located aperture that allows for insertion of the duvet into the duvet cover, and a second fastener part arranged proximal to the aperture, wherein the first fastener part and the second fastener arts complement to couple the duvet to the duvet cover.

It one embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover combination of the present invention, the first fastener part is a button and the second fastener part is a through hole for said button. In another embodiment, the first fastener part and the second fastener part is a zipper, hook-and-loop devices (Velcro®), button and though hole, magnets or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover combination of the present invention, the duvet includes <a plurality of first fastener parts and the duvet cover includes a plurality of mating second fastener parts.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover combination of the present invention, the generally centrally located aperture allows exposure of a portion of the duvet.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover combination of the present invention, the generally centrally located aperture is rectangular, circular, triangular, oval or diamond shape.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover combination of the present invention, the top duvet panel and the bottom duvet panel are of different colours.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover combination of the present invention, the top duvet panel and the bottom duvet panel are of substantially similar colours.

In one embodiment, the present application relates to a duvet and duvet cover kit. The duvet and duvet cover kit, in one embodiment, includes: (a) a duvet; and (b) a duvet cover, the duvet cover including a top panel having side edge and a bottom panel having side edges, the top and bottom panels being joined together along their side edges, at least one of the top panel and the bottom having a generally centrally located aperture that allows for insertion of the duvet into the duvet cover.

In one embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover kit, the duvet has a side that includes a first fastener part and the duvet cover includes second fastener part disposed around the aperture, wherein said first fastener part and said second fastener part cooperate to couple the duvet and the duvet cover.

In another embodiment of the duvet, and duvet cover kit, the firs fastener part is a button and the second fastener part is a through hole.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover kit, the duvet cover includes a plurality of fastener parts disposed at least in a border of the aperture, the plurality of fastener parts allowing coupling with a plurality of matins fastener parts disposed on t duvet.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover kit, the generally centrally located aperture allows exposure of a portion of the duvet inside the duvet cover.

In another embodiment of the duvet and duvet cover kit, the generally centrally located aperture is rectangular, circular, triangular, oval or diamond shaped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures illustrate various aspects and preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1. Plan view of a duvet and duvet cover combination in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2. Perspective view of an unassembled duvet cover of the duvet cover of the present invention.

FIG. 3. Perspective view of a duvet and a duvet cover of the present invention.

FIG. 4. Perspective view of a method of inserting a duvet of the present invention into a duvet cover of the present invention.

FIG. 5. Perspective view of a duvet and duvet cover combination in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6. Plan view of a duvet cover having a diamond shaped aperture in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7. Plan view of a duvet cover having a circular aperture in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8. Plan view of a duvet cover having a triangular aperture in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9. Plan view of a duvet cover having an oval aperture in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Also, unless indicated otherwise, except within the claims, the use of or includes “and” and vice versa. Non-limiting terms are not to be construed as limiting unless expressly stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise (for example “including”, “having” and ‘comprising typically indicate Including without limitation’). Singular forms including in the claims such as “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless expressly stated otherwise. In order to aid in the understanding and preparation of the within invention, the following illustrative, non-limiting, examples are provided.

The present invention relates to a duvet cover a duvet cover and duvet combination, and a kit including a duvet cover and a duvet. The present invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the duvet cover and duvets of the present invention.

The duvet cover of the present invention may be referred to as a “mirror opened” duvet cover because the duvet inserted in the duvet cover may be visible through an opening or aperture on one or both sides of the duvet cover. The opening or aperture may be centrally located on the duvet cover. The duvet and duvet cover may be coupled by fasteners or attachments located around the aperture.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is seen a duvet cover and duvet combination 100. The duvet cover and duvet combination 100 may include a duvet cover or sleeve 102 housing a duvet 140.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the duvet 140 may include a first panel 143 and a second panel 144 which may be joined along their side edges via suitable, substantially permanent attachment means such as stitches. At least one of the first 143 and the second 144 duvet panels may include an attachment or fastener means 145 for temporarily coupling the duvet to the duvet cover, as it will be explained below. The attachment or fastener means 145 may be arranged about a centrally located area or portion 147 of the first 143 or the second 144 surfaces, or both the first and the second surfaces, as shown in the figures. That is the fasteners may be included on one or both sides of the duvet. The textile forming the first 143 and the second 144 duvet panels may of the same colour or different colours. Alternatively or in combination, the first 14 and the second 144 panels may include similar or different pattern designs. The duvet may be filled with any suitable material. For example, the duvet may be filled with white goose down and white goose feather. In one embodiment, the duvet may be filled with about 15% white goose down and about 85% white goose feather.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the duvet cover 102 may include a top panel 103 and a bottom panel 104 which may be joined along their side edges including all of their side edges, via a suitable, attachment means such as stitches to form a seam or line 108 where the two panels 103, 104 are held together by stitches. The duvet cover may take any suitable shape, including a substantially rectangular shape. In the case of a rectangular shape, the two panels 103, 104 may be joined along their four side edges. In one embodiment, the two panels of the duvet cover of the present invention may be joined along all of their side edges. That is, unlike the duvet covers of the prior art, the duvet cover of the present invention may not include an opening along the edges. One or both of the top and bottom, panels of the duvet cover of the present invention may include a generally centrally located opening or aperture sized for insertion of a duvet into the duvet cover. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the top panel 103 of the duvet cover 102 of the present invention with a generally centrally located opening or aperture 105 sized for insertion of the duvet 140 into the duvet cover 102. Aperture 105 may e sized to expose a portion of the duvet 140, such as the central portion 147 of the duvet 140, thereby exposing the color design of the panel of the duvet 140 facing the aperture 105. The aperture 105 may, in one embodiment be substantially centrally located. An attachment or fastener means 107 may be arranged around aperture 105. The attachment or fastener means 107 may be arranged so that they correspond with the fastener means 145 of the duvet. In one embodiment, attachment or fastener means 107 may be arranged at least in a perimeter or border 106 of the aperture 105. In one embodiment, the duvet cover may include a border 106, which may be decorative, embroidered or lacy border. The border may be any width, for example about 3″. Fastener means 107 of duvet cover 102 and fastener means 145 of duvet 140 may cooperate and complement to temporarily couple the duvet 140 to the duvet cover 102. In one embodiment, the top and bottom panels of the duvet cover may include different aesthetic designs.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9 the aperture(s) of the duvet cover may take any shape: rectangular 105, diamond 605, circular 705, oval 805, triangular 905, and so forth. The aperture may be sized for insertion of the duvet, for viewing the side of the duvet exposed by the aperture, and, once the duvet is fastened to the duvet cover, for keeping the duvet from moving or slipping inside the duvet cover.

The attachment or fastener means for coupling the duvet a duvet cover may include zipper, buttons, hook-and-loop devices (Velcro®), magnets and the like. In the figures, the attachment or fastener means of the duvet are shown as buttons 145 disposed around the central portion 147 and mate through holes 107 disposed on the border portion 106 of the aperture 105 of duvet cover 102. The number of buttons and matching through holes may depend, among other things, on the size of the duvet cover, the size of the opening and the size of the duvet. For example, up to 30 buttons may be used. In another example up to 24 buttons may be used. For example, between 2 and 8 buttons and matching button holes may be used. In another embodiment, there may be more buttons placed on the duvet, than buttonholes on the duvet cover or vice versa. FIGS. 1-7 for example show 8 buttons and matching buttonholes. FIGS. 8-9 illustrate 6 buttons and matching buttonholes. The buttonholes may be placed proportional in the border of the opening. In the case where the fasteners are buttons, the buttons may be any suitable button. For example, the buttons may be Chinese knot button, which, for example, may be colored as the duvet surface, or not.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a possible method of inserting the duvet of the present invention in a the duvet cover of the present invention. The duvet 140 may inserted into the duvet cover 102 through the aperture 105 of the duvet cover 102 of the invention. For example one half of the duvet may be inserted first, followed by the other half, as shown in FIG. 4. Once inside the duvet cover 102, the duvet 140 is arranged so that its corners are positioned in corresponding corners of the duvet cover 102. The next step is to temporarily couple the duvet 140 to the duvet cover by coupling the attachment means 145 of the duvet to the corresponding attachment means 107 of the duvet cover 102.

The panels of the duvet cover 102 and the duvet 140 may be made of a suitable textile, preferably a washable soft bedding material, such as cotton or a cotton blend fabric.

Generally, due to the attachments, which may be centrally located, the previously positioned corners of the duvet 140 would stay in place, with small chance of one of them been dislodged. As such, unlike the duvet covers of the prior art, there would be no need to go back and straighten the duvet within the duvet cover. With the generally central aperture 105 available, positioning a duvet inside the duvet cover of the present invention becomes a simpler process, a process that one person may do without help. Without the generally central aperture of the invention, positioning of the duvet within the duvet cover is a much more difficult operation.

In one embodiment, any duvet available in the market may be used with the duvet cover of the present invention. The user may, preferably, add fastener means to the purchased duvet. Then the user may only need to insert the duvet into the duvet cover through the central aperture and fasten it to the duvet cover.

The present invention, in another embodiment, is a kit including: (a) a duvet; and (b) a duvet cover of the present invention. The duvet may be any duvet available in the market or a duvet of the present invention In the case where the fasteners are buttons, the kit may also include extra buttons.

Buttons 145 may provide a desired aesthetic and may be changed to create whatever desired appearance the duvet cover and duvet combination is to create. The buttons 145 may act to hold the duvet and duvet cover together.

The side or sides of the duvet cover that includes an aperture may be made from one or more then one pieces of fabric stitched together. For example, a panel having a rectangular aperture, may be made out of one piece of fabric, two pieces of fabric, three pieces of fabric, four pieces of fabric, and so forth. The duvet cover shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the top panel 103 made of four pieces of fabric 111 112, 113 and 114. Pieces 111, 112, 113 and 114 may be held together by any means such as stitches forming lines 115, 116, 117 and 118. In the case of a duvet cover having only one panel with an aperture, the other panel may be made from just one piece of fabric. In case where the aperture is an oval or circular, the panel having the aperture may be made of one piece of fabric (see for example FIG. 7) or two pieces of fabric 802, 803 as shown in FIG. 8, or more pieces of fabric (not shown).

The following is a list of non-limiting advantages of the duvet cover over the present invention. (a) A duvet cover that allows easy reaching to the corners of the duvet cover to accommodate a duvet, without having to fold the duvet cover. (b) Non-slipping of the duvet within the duvet cover. (c) Easy insertion and removal of the duvet into and from the duvet cover. (d) The duvet and duvet cover combination of the present invention offers a variety of designs and colour combinations. For example, the top and bottom panels of the duvet may have different colours. A user may expose one panel of the duvet having a first colour through the aperture of the duvet cover, and then reverse the duvet to expose the other panel having the second colour through the aperture. When two apertures are provided, one may simply turn the duvet cover over for a different look. In addition, the top and bottom panels of the duvet cover may include aesthetic designs and the aperture may take different shapes as illustrated in the figures.

Through the embodiments that are illustrated and described, the currently contemplated best mode of making and using the invention is described.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one of ordinary skill in the art can, based on the description presented herein, utilize the present invention to the full extent. All publications cited are incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A duvet cover comprising a top panel having side edges and a bottom panel having side edges, the top and bottom panels being joined together along their side edges, at least one of the top panel and the bottom having a generally centrally located aperture that allows insertion of a duvet into the duvet cover and view of a portion of the duvet disposed inside the duvet cover, the duvet cover including a duvet fastener means arranged along a perimeter or border of the generally centrally located aperture, the duvet fastener means configured for coupling of the duvet cover to the duvet when the duvet is inside the duvet cover.

2. (canceled)

3. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein the fastener means is a button, a through hole for a button, a zipper, hook-and-loop devices, magnets or any combination thereof.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The duvet cover of claim 1, wherein the generally centrally located aperture is rectangular, circular, triangular, oval or diamond shaped.

8. A duvet and duvet cover combination, comprising:

(a) a duvet cover including: (i) a top panel having side edges, (ii) a bottom panel having side edges, the top and bottom panels being joined together along their side edges, (iii) the top panel having a generally centrally located aperture that allows insertion of the duvet into the duvet cover, and (iv) a first fastener part arranged along a perimeter or border of the aperture, and

(b) a duvet inside the duvet cover, the duvet including: (i) a top duvet panel, (ii) a bottom duvet panel, and (iii) a second fastener part arranged around along a perimeter of a central portion of the top duvet panel, the central portion of the top duvet panel being an area of the top duvet panel that is exposed by the generally centrally located aperture of the duvet cover such that the second fastener part aligns with the first fastener part when the duvet is inside the duvet cover,

wherein said first fastener part is coupled to said second fastener part thereby securing the duvet inside the duvet cover along the perimeter or border of the generally centrally located aperture, and wherein said central portion of the top duvet panel is exposed through the centrally located aperture.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the second fastener part is a button and the first fastener part is a through hole for said button.

10. The combination of claim 8, wherein the first and second fastener part is a button and through hole for said button, a zipper, hook-and-loop devices, magnets or any combination thereof.

11. The combination of claim 8, wherein the duvet includes a plurality of second fastener parts and the duvet cover includes a plurality of mating first fastener parts.

12. (canceled)

13. The combination of claim 8, wherein the generally centrally located aperture is rectangular, circular, triangular, oval or diamond shape.

14. The combination of claim 8, wherein the central portion includes a design or colour, and wherein said design or colour is exposed though the generally centrally located aperture.

15. A duvet and duvet cover kit, comprising: (a) a duvet including: (i) a top duvet panel, (ii) a bottom duvet panel, and (iii) a first fastener part arranged around along a perimeter of a central portion of at least one of the top duvet panel or the bottom duvet panel; and (b) a duvet cover, the duvet cover including (i) a top panel having side edges, (ii) a bottom panel having side edges, the top and bottom panels being joined together along their side edges, (iii) at least one of the top panel and the bottom panel having a generally centrally located aperture that allows insertion of the duvet into the duvet cover, the central portion of the duvet being visible through the generally centrally located aperture when the duvet is secured inside the duvet cover, and (iv) a second fastener part arranged along a perimeter or border of the aperture, wherein said first fastener part and said second fastener parts align when the duvet is inside the duvet cover and cooperate to couple the duvet to the duvet cover along the perimeter or border of the generally centrally located aperture, while exposing the central portion of the duvet when the duvet is inside the duvet cover, wherein the perimeter of the central portion aligns with the perimeter or border of the aperture when the duvet is inside the duvet cover.

16. (canceled)

17. The duvet and duvet cover kit of claim 15, wherein the first fastener part is a button and the second fastener part is a through hole.

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The duvet and duvet cover kit of claim 15, wherein the generally centrally located aperture is rectangular, circular, triangular, oval or diamond shaped.

21. The duvet and duvet cover kit of claim 15, wherein the central portion of the duvet includes a design or colour, and wherein said design or colour is exposed through the generally centrally located aperture when the duvet is disposed inside the duvet cover.