DUVET COVER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an improved duvet cover system. The duvet cover system comprises a duvet cover which is washable, reversible, and which may include one or more clips for attaching to and detaching from a duvet or comforter. The one or more clips minimize slippage of the duvet or comforter, prevent uncomfortable bunching, and facilitate keeping the duvet or comforter and duvet cover in a relatively fixed position while duvet cover is opened and closed, while the edges of the duvet cover are at least partially sealed, and while the duvet or comforter is removed from or placed within the cover.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/976,681, filed on Apr. 8, 2014.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/976,681, filed on Apr. 8, 2014, is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an improved duvet cover system and a method of using the improved duvet cover system, and is particularly related to duvet cover systems having clips for attaching to and detaching from a duvet or comforter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Duvets and comforters are a common form of bedding used both in the United States and abroad. Often, duvets and comforters are not washable or are inconvenient to wash. To keep a duvet or comforter from becoming soiled, a duvet cover is often used. Such covers contain the duvet or comforter therein and may be washed or changed. In this way, a user can prevent soiling of a duvet or comforter.

Duvet covers can often be time consuming and/or difficult to use and wash. Often, placing a duvet or comforter inside a duvet cover is complicated by slipping or relative movement between the duvet or comforter and the duvet cover. Further, the duvet or comforter can bunch while inside a duvet cover, causing a decrease in comfort level for the user.

In general, there exists a need for a duvet cover that is capable of being quickly and easily deployed to contain a duvet or comforter and is also capable of being washed, changed, or removed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The duvet cover system of the present disclosure may include a duvet cover having a top layer of material and a bottom layer of material that can be joined along a seam. The duvet cover may be adapted to receive a duvet or comforter between the top and bottom layer such that the duvet or comforter is contained within the duvet cover.

The duvet cover can be adapted to be opened and closed. Opening the cover consists of folding back the top layer so that a duvet or comforter can be placed upon the bottom layer and contained within the two layers when the top layer is folded back down.

The duvet cover may also include a means of attaching the top and bottom layers to form at least partially sealed edges around a duvet or comforter contained therein.

The duvet cover can include clips or fasteners that can attach to and detach from the duvet or comforter. The clips may also be detached and reattached so that top and bottom layers of material can be washed.

The top layer can include a first outer surface and an inner surface, and the bottom layer can include a second outer surface and an inner surface. The first outer and second outer surfaces may have a different appearance, such that the duvet cover may be flipped to obtain a different look or style.

The method of using the duvet cover system can include detaching the top and bottom layers from one another, folding back the top layer, placing a duvet or comforter on the bottom layer, folding the top layer back so that the duvet or comforter is contained between the top and bottom layers, attaching the clips or fasteners to the duvet or comforter, and reattaching the top and bottom layers to form at least partially sealed edges.

The method of using the duvet cover system can also include detaching the clips or fasteners from the duvet or comforter, detaching the clips or fasteners from the duvet cover, removing the duvet or comforter from the interior of the duvet cover, and washing the duvet cover without the clips or fasteners attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the duvet cover system disclosed herein showing the duvet cover in an open configuration before and after receiving a duvet or comforter, and in a closed configuration after receiving the duvet or comforter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective partial view of the duvet cover disclosed herein according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows components of one embodiment of the duvet cover system disclosed herein with the clip or fastener detached.

FIG. 4 shows components of one embodiment of the duvet cover system disclosed herein with the at least one strip of material threaded through the loop of the clip or fastener.

FIG. 5 shows components of one embodiment of the duvet cover system disclosed herein with the clip or fastener attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an improved duvet cover system including a duvet cover 10. The duvet cover 10 can include a top layer 14 having a first outer surface 30, a bottom layer 16 having a second outer surface 32, and an inner surface 34. The top and bottom layers are joined together along a seam 18.

References to top and bottom in this disclosure are not intended to be limiting, but rather are exemplary, and are for convenience of reference only. The orientation of the cover may be flipped or rotated such that the top and bottom are reversed without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

According to one embodiment, the duvet cover 10 is adapted to have an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the top layer 14 overlies the bottom layer 16 such that at least a portion of the inner surface 34 partially faces another portion of the inner surface 34. In this configuration, the cover has a first side edge 20 formed by the seam 18, a second side edge 22, a third side edge 24, and a fourth side edge 26.

In the open configuration illustrated in the left image of FIG. 1, the top layer 14 is folded back so that at least a portion of the inner surface 34 is exposed. In this configuration, the top layer 14 of the cover 10 may be bounded by the first side edge 20, as well as a first open top edge 36, a second open top edge 37, and a third open top edge 38.

Also in the open configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the bottom layer 16 of the cover 10 is bounded by the first side edge 20, as well as a first open bottom edge 46, a second open bottom edge 47, and a third open bottom edge 48.

In some embodiments, the top layer 14 and the bottom layer 16 further comprise a first sealed edge portion 42 and a second sealed edge portion 43. The first edge portion 42 and second edge portion 43 each comprise a seam connecting the top layer 14 and the bottom layer 16.

In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2, the first sealed edge portion 42 originates proximate the first side edge 20, extends towards the third side edge 24 along the second side edge 22, and terminates between the first side edge 20 and the third side edge 24. The second sealed edge portion 43 originates proximate the first side edge 20, extends towards the third side edge 24 along the fourth side edge 26, and terminates between the first side edge 20 and the third side edge 24. In some embodiments, the top and bottom layers may be attached along the first side edge 20 and also may be partially attached along part of the adjoining sides.

Referring now to the middle image of FIG. 1, the duvet cover 10 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is used in combination with a duvet or comforter 60 having a first duvet edge 62, a second duvet edge 64, a third duvet edge 66, and a fourth duvet edge 68.

Still with reference to the embodiment shown by FIG. 1, when the duvet cover 10 is in the open configuration, a duvet or comforter 60 is be placed on the bottom layer 16. When so placed, the duvet or comforter 60 is at least partially in a face-to-face relationship with the inner surface 34 of the duvet cover 10. Further, the first duvet edge 62 is proximate the first side edge 20, a portion of the second duvet edge 64 is proximate the first sealed edge portion 42, the remainder of the second duvet edge 64 is proximate the first open bottom edge 46, the third duvet edge is proximate the second open bottom edge 47, a portion of the fourth duvet edge 68 is proximate the second sealed edge portion 43, and the remainder of the fourth duvet edge 68 is proximate the third open bottom edge 48.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the duvet cover 10 according to one embodiment includes at least one clip or fastener attachment means 72 located proximate at least one edge 20, 22, 24, 26, 36, 37, 38, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48, and least one clip or fastener 70. The at least one clip or fastener 70 is be adapted to attach to and detach from both the duvet or comforter 60 and the at least one clip or fastener attachment means 72.

In some embodiments, the cover includes a pair of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and a pair of clips or fasteners 70, two pairs of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and two pairs of clips or fasteners 70, three pairs of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and three pairs of clips or fasteners 70, or any other number of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and clips or fasteners 70. The pairs of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and the pairs of clips or fasteners 70 may be configured symmetrically such that they are received adjacent opposite sides of the duvet cover 10, or they may be otherwise configured.

In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1, the duvet cover 10 includes three pairs of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and three pairs of clips or fasteners 70. In some embodiments, one pair of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and one pair of clips or fasteners 70 are each in a symmetrical configuration located proximate respective first and second sealed edge portions 42, 43.

In some embodiments, two pairs of clip or fastener attachment means 72 and two pairs of clips or fasteners 70 are spaced apart in a symmetrical configuration and are located proximate respective first and third open bottom edges 46, 48. However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the clip or fastener attachment means 72 and the clips or fasteners 70 could be otherwise numbered or configured without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

The at least one clip or fastener 70 includes a duvet attachment means 74, and a receiving means 72 capable of receiving the at least one clip or fastener attachment means 50.

In some embodiments, the clip or fastener attachment means comprises a strip of material 52 that is sown into the cover proximate at least one edge 20, 22, 24, 26, 36, 37, 38, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48. However, it will be apparent that the clip or fastener may be otherwise attached.

Referring again to FIG. 3 the duvet attachment means 74 of some embodiments comprises a snap clip, alligator clip, or other type of clip, spring-loaded or otherwise.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the receiving means 72 comprises a loop 73.

As is perhaps best illustrated by FIG. 5 the strip of material 52 according to some embodiments is threaded through the loop 73 and tied such that a clip or fastener 70 is attached to a clip or fastener attachment means 72 proximate at least one edge 20, 22, 24, 26, 36, 37, 38, 42, 43, 46, 47, 48.

However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the choices of clip or fastener attachment means 50, duvet attachment means 74, and receiving means 72 are not limited by the examples contained in this disclosure. Rather, the clip or fastener attachment means 50, the duvet attachment means 74, and the receiving means 72 could include buttons, clasps, ties, magnets, or other types of mechanisms, or could be otherwise configured without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the duvet cover includes an edge closing means 80. In the embodiment shown by FIG. 2, the edge closing means 80 includes a zipper slider 82, a first zipper chain 86, a second zipper chain 88, and a zipper slider pull tab 84. However, it will be appreciated that additional zipper sliders, chains, or pull tabs could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

According to some embodiments, the first zipper chain 86 is received continuously proximate to and along the first open top edge 36, the second open top edge 37, and the third open top edge 38. The second zipper chain 88 is received continuously proximate to and along the first open bottom edge 46, the second open bottom edge 47, and the third open bottom edge 48.

When the edge closing means 80 is engaged, the first open top edge 36 and first open bottom edge 46 are at least partially joined and, together with the first sealed edge portion 42, form the second side edge 22, the second open top edge 37 and the second open bottom edge 47 are at least partially joined to form the third side edge 24, and the third open top edge 38 and the third open bottom edge 39 are at least partially joined and, together with the second sealed edge portion 43, form the fourth side edge 26.

According to some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 1, the duvet cover system is used by partially detaching the top and bottom layers 14, 16 from one another, folding back the top layer 14 to cause the system to be in an open configuration, placing a duvet or comforter 60 on the bottom layer 16, unfolding the top layer 14 so that the duvet or comforter is contained between the top and bottom layers 14, 16, attaching the at least one clip or fastener 70 to the duvet or comforter 60, and at least partially reattaching the top and bottom layers 14, 16 using the edge closing means 80 to form at least partially sealed edges 22, 24, 26.

According to some embodiments, using the duvet cover system further includes disengaging the edge closing means 80, detaching the at least one clip or fastener 70 from the duvet or comforter 60, detaching the at least one clip or fastener 70 from the clip or fastener attachment means 50, removing the duvet or comforter 60 from the interior of the duvet cover 10, and washing the duvet cover 10 without the at least one clip or fastener 70 attached.

In some embodiments, the first outer surface 30 and the second outer surface 32 can have a different appearance such that the duvet cover 10 can be flipped or rotated to obtain two unique looks or styles.

The embodiments described by this disclosure are exemplary only and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other functional modifications and embodiments of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are hereby included in this disclosure.

Claims

1. An improved duvet cover system having a first layer, a second layer, at least one clip or fastener, and at least one clip or fastener attachment means.

2. The duvet cover system of claim 1, including an edge closing means.

3. The duvet cover system of claim 1, including at least one sealed edge portion

4. An improved duvet cover system including an improved duvet cover, the improved duvet cover being adapted to have both an open configuration and a closed configuration, and the improved duvet cover comprising;

a first layer and a second layer joined to one another along a seam, the first layer comprising a first outer surface, the second layer comprising a second outer surface, and the first layer and second layer comprising an inner surface wherein, when in the closed configuration, the first and second layer further comprise a first side edge along the seam, a second side edge, a third side edge, and a fourth side edge and wherein, when in the open configuration, the first layer comprises a first open top edge, a second open top edge and a third open top edge and the second layer comprises a first open bottom edge, a second open bottom edge, and a third open bottom edge;

at least one clip or fastener having a duvet or comforter attachment means and a receiving means capable of receiving a clip or fastener attachment means, wherein the at least one clip or fastener is capable of attaching to and detaching from the duvet or comforter and at least one clip or fastener attachment means;

at least one clip or fastener attachment means received proximate at least one edge of the duvet cover, the clip or fastener attachment means being capable of attaching to and detaching from the receiving means of the clip or fastener; and

at least one edge closing means received proximate at least one edge of the duvet cover, the edge closing means being adapted to at least partially secure at least a portion of one of the first, second, and third open top edges to at least a portion of one of the first, second, and third open bottom edges; wherein a comforter or duvet can be contained between the first layer and the second layer in an at least partial face-to-face relationship with the inner surface.

5. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the cover is washable.

6. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the cover is reversible.

7. The cover system of claim 6, wherein the appearances of the first surface and second surface are different.

8. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the clip or fastener attachment means comprises at least one strip of material adapted to be tied to and untied from the clip or fastener, wherein the at least one strip is washable and extends from the cover proximate at least one edge of the duvet cover.

9. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the edge closing means comprises a zipper assembly comprising a first zipper chain, a second zipper chain, a zipper slider, and a zipper slider pull tab, the first zipper chain is received continuously proximate to and along the first, second and third open top edges, the second zipper chain is received continuously proximate to and along the first, second, and third open bottom edges and engaging the edge closing means comprises at least partially joining the first open bottom edge to the first open top edge, the second open bottom edge to the second open top edge, and the third open bottom edge to the third open top edge.

10. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the at least one clip or fastener attachment means comprises at least one pair of clip or fastener attachment means proximate opposite respective edges, and wherein the at least one clip or fastener comprises at least pair of one clips or fasteners adapted to attach to and detach from the duvet or comforter and from the at least one pair of clip or fastener attachment means.

11. The cover system of claim 10, wherein the at least one pair of clip or fastener attachment means comprises three pairs of clip or fastener attachment means received in a symmetrical configuration proximate respective opposite edges of the duvet cover.

12. The cover system of claim 4, wherein the first layer and second layer comprise a first sealed edge portion along the second side edge and a second sealed edge portion along the fourth side edge, the first and second sealed edge portions originate proximate the first side edge and extend towards the third side edge and terminate between the first side edge and the third side edge.

13. The cover system of claim 12, wherein at least one clip or fastener attachment means is received proximate at least one of the first and second sealed edge portions and between the first side edge and the location at which the at least one of the first and second sealed edge portions terminates.