| CLAIMS: 1. A duvet cover for placing over a person lying on a lower sheet on a bed and comprised of an upper layer and a lower layer and having two sides, and a headward end and a footward end oriented, when in use, to the head and to the foot of the bed respectively, wherein the two layers are reversibly and completely separable from time to time by operation of at least one reversible fastening means, and wherein the headward end and the footward end of one layer includes second internal fastening means capable of forming a second reversible fastening to a removable, internal thermally insulating layer. 2. A duvet cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper layer includes second internal fastening means capable of forming a second reversible fastening to a removable, internal thermally insulating layer. 3. A duvet cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are comprised of different textile materials; the upper layer being used to (a) contain the internal thermally insulating layer if present and (b) to present a visually appealing surface to a viewer, and the lower layer being used to (a) contain the internal thermally insulating layer if present and (b) to present an appropriate contact surface to the skin of an occupant of the bed. 4. A duvet cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the upper layer and the lower layer are effective as thermally insulating layers. 5. A duvet cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein the or each removable, internal thermally insulating layer has a width that is slightly more than half of the width of the bed so that each side of the bed may be provided with a different amount of thermal insulation as provided by a selected type of removable, internal thermally insulating layer including an absence of an added thermal insulating layer. 6. A duvet cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the duvet cover is capable of being used as a cover over the lower sheet of a bed in a variety of thermally insulating configurations selected from (a) enclosing a full width internal thermally insulating layer fastened at the headward end and at the footward end to an inner edge of the duvet cover, or (b) enclosing either one or two half width internal thermally insulating layers fastened at the headward end and to a corresponding side, and at the footward end to the same side of an inner edge of the duvet cover, including the option of having no internal layer on one side, or (c) enclosing no internal thermally insulating layers or (d) using the lower layer alone, so that, when in use, the duvet cover is versatile in relation to variation of the amount of thermal insulation provided. 7. A duvet cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are reversibly attached to each other by means of a detachable zipper extending along the perimeter of each layer. 8. A duvet cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lower layer of the duvet cover is provided with an extension beyond the line of the zipper along the headward edge; the extension providing a panel of the same material as comprises the lower layer which may be extended, or may be folded back and reversibly held in place, thereby protecting the attached upper layer adjacent the headward edge from contamination during use, providing the occupant with an appropriate contact surface for the face and the arms, and thereby extending the service life of the upper layer between washing procedures. |
Technical Field
The present invention relates to textile products, to bedding, and in particular to covers to be placed over beds while enclosing blankets, or duvets, or which can be used as covers for beds in the absence of any enclosed layer.
Background of the Invention
A "duvet" is a soft flat bag traditionally filled with down or feathers (originally the down feathers of the Eider duck) and used as an insulating cover over sleeping persons. Synonyms for a duvet include: "quilt", "continental quilt" and "doona". A "comforter" (US usage) is functionally the same as a duvet; the insulating filling including polyester batting, down feathers, wool or silk. A "duvet cover" or "duvet enclosing cover" is a soft flat bag which holds a duvet. The duvet cover, without an enclosed duvet may alternatively be used as a less effective insulating cover over sleeping persons in warmer weather. Hence one side of the cover comes into contact with the persons in the bed. There are a variety of bed sizes in common use, such as: cots, bassinets, single bed, king single bed, double bed, king-size, queen-size, super king-size or Californian king. The names that are in common use are often not consistent between countries. Specific measurements that are appropriate for this invention will vary with the bed size or sizes that it is intended for use with, since the perimeter length depends on the area of the sleeping surface.
Duvets have become popular in the last 20-30 years in the Western world as a warm yet lightweight substitute for blankets. A duvet comprises a generally rectangular thick layer comprised of an insulating material such as down, sealed inside a cover made of a textile. It is preferably sufficiently wide and long to cover and overlap a bed that it has been designed for, whether the bed is a single bed, double bed, king-size, queen-size or super king-size or other size. The duvet is normally used inside a duvet cover which can be washed and dried and then replaced over the duvet. However stuffing a duvet into a cover has been found to be difficult to perform.
Many people have trouble in managing the process of putting a duvet inside its cover without any creases, folds, misorientation and the like, including getting the comers of the cover filled. Elderly people may find this task impossible. Laundering bed clothes including a duvet cover is difficult, because the insulation within a duvet is generally not suitable for washing, and dry cleaning is more expensive. There is a particular requirement to launder the sheets or other surfaces that have been in contact with a sleeping person at their home or in a hotel, motel, hospital or other institutions where a variety of people use the same bed.
Further, stuffing a duvet into a cover has been found to be difficult to perform. This operation may be required on purchase, after washing, or when adapting to warmer or cooler sleeping conditions. Moreover, varying the appearance (including colour, pattern or texture) of a bed from time to time, by changing the textile forming the cover of the bed, is difficult. Some decorative covers such as embroidered covers are poorly suited to laundering. Additionally, varying the insulating properties of a duvet cover from time to time or from side to side is difficult.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.
Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect the present invention provides a duvet cover for placing over a person lying on a bed and comprised of an upper layer and a lower layer and having two sides, and a headward end and a footward end oriented, when in use, to the head and to the foot of the bed respectively, wherein the two layers are reversibly and completely separable when desired by operation of a first releasable fastening means, and wherein one layer includes second internal fastening means at the headward end and the footward end of that layer, the second internal fastening means being capable of forming a second releasable fastening to a removable internal thermal insulating layer so as to secure the insulating layer within the duvet cover.
Preferably said concealed second reversible attachment means comprises a linear reversible attachment means, attached to a free edge of a secondary panel comprised of a fabric; the panel having an opposite edge attached to a perimeter of the upper layer adjacent the first reversible attachment means and placed under the surface of the upper layer, in combination with a complementary linear reversible attachment means located along a corresponding edge of said planar thermally insulative means, so that when the second reversible attachment means is used, the planar thermally insulating means remains attached to the perimeter of the enclosing cover and cannot become displaced.
Preferably said concealed second reversible attachment means is attached to a head end and to a foot end of the upper layer of the enclosing cover. Preferably said concealed second reversible attachment means is selected from (a) buttons and button holes, (b) press studs and sockets, (c) hooks and eyes, and (d) Velcro. Preferably any reversible attachment means that may be felt by an occupant of the bed is mounted on the panel on a surface that when in use will face upward and away from any occupant of the bed located under the enclosing cover.
Alternatively, said concealed second reversible attachment means may be attached to a panel having one edge attached to a perimeter of the lower layer. Also alternatively, said concealed second reversible attachment means may be attached directly to a perimeter of the upper layer.
Preferably said concealed second reversible attachment means is attached to a head end and to a foot end of the upper layer of the enclosing cover, so that the thermally insulative means may be provided in half-width portions divided along the length of the duvet such that one side of the enclosing cover provides greater thermal insulation than the other side of the enclosing cover so that, when in use, the enclosing cover provides for different perceptions of heat or cold by different sleeping persons.
In a second broad aspect, the upper and lower layers are provided with a first reversible attachment means comprising a standardised separable zip fastener extending around substantially the entire perimeter of both surfaces; one side of the zip fastener being secured by sewing the tape of the zip fastener to the periphery of the corresponding layer, starting and ending at one corner adjacent the foot end and concealing the retainer box of the zip fastener, and the slider when the zip fastener has been closed, inside a pocket so that said fastener is concealed from the body of an occupant, so that the surfaces may be separated by operation of the zip fastener, for example for the purposes of (a) receiving a thermally insulating means including a duvet or a fabric sheet, (b) to provide for interchanging various examples of each layer, (c) for the purpose of cleaning or laundering the lower layer, or (d) for the laundering or drycleaning of the upper layer, which may need to be laundered or drycleaned at less frequent intervals than the bottom layer, and thereafter brought together again as an enclosed cover.
Accordingly, all instances of layers provided as options for the enclosing cover are provided with one half of a standardised separable zip fastener extending around the entire perimeter of the layer. Preferably the slider of the zipper is always attached to an upper layer component. Preferably the planar insulating layer is almost as wide as, and as long as the enclosing cover so that when included within the enclosing cover and when attached to the enclosing cover by means of the second reversible attachment means, the enclosing cover provides a consistent thickness of thermal insulation over an entire bed.
Optionally the planar insulating layer is about half as wide, and as long as the enclosing cover so that when included within the enclosing cover and when attached to the enclosing cover at one side or another side by means of the second reversible attachment means, the enclosing cover provides a consistent thickness of thermal insulation over one side of a bed, so that two persons having different perceptions of warmth when in bed will be able to separate an appropriate thickness or type of planar insulating layer, if any, for each side.
Preferably the lower layer of the enclosing cover is made of a textile fabric selected from a range including cotton, polyester/cotton, flannelette, percale, sateen, jersey, Polar Fleece, "Minklon" or any other man made or naturally produced (eg bamboo) textiles; the fabric being capable of being used in contact with the skin and tolerant of repeated laundering.
Preferably the lower layer of the enclosed cover is provided with a flap along and extended from the head edge; the flap being joined to the adjacent side edges of the lower surface over the length of the flap and being retractable so that, when in use, the flap is concealed beneath the cover as when the bed is in a daytime or "made-up" mode, or is folded out from under the cover and use as a pocket to cover the head end of the upper layer of the enclosed cover, so that the head end of the upper layer is not in contact with any occupant when the bed is in use.
Preferably the lower layer of the enclosing cover emulates a sheet that will be used in contact with and over a sleeping person, and may be removed and laundered from time to time, and the retractable flap is attached to the lower layer at the headward end of the enclosing cover, so that it also removes simultaneously with the lower layer for laundering purposes. In a third broad aspect the invention provides a method for covering a bed in a public environment, the public environment including hotels, motels and hospitals, wherein the method includes the steps of providing an enclosable cover in accordance with the first aspect and of removing and laundering the lower layer of the enclosed cover at least whenever the occupant of the bed is changed.
According to the third aspect the enclosed blanket, duvet or the like may also include an absorbent layer optionally having disinfectant, deodorising, or antiseptic properties. The present invention may thus provide an improved duvet cover, or a covering for a bed which cover offers a range of insulating options with also decorative surfaces adapted to cover a sleeping person.
Optionally said enclosing cover can be used without an internal insulating layer as a single layer only during warm weather, and preferably that layer is the lower layer.
In another aspect the present invention provides a planar enclosing cover for covering a bed; the enclosing cover having a head end, and a foot end, and two sides, the enclosing cover comprising a first upper layer and a second lower layer, both layers being reversibly attachable to each other about a perimeter by first reversible attaching means of a type including a zipper, and capable when in use of holding and enclosing an insulating means, wherein said enclosing cover provides (a) as a function of the lower layer, a contact surface for covering one or more persons using the bed, (b) as a function of the upper layer, a decorative surface, (c) as a function of either or both layers, a thermally insulative cover for one or more persons using the bed, and (d) when the lower layer is attached to the upper layer, a flat, closed cavity optionally capable of enclosing at least one planar thermally insulating means selected from a range of a blanket, a duvet, or a thermally insulating fabric, and (e) wherein one layer also includes concealable second reversible attachment means capable of being attached to opposite edges of said planar thermally insulating means. Brief Description of the Drawings
An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig 1 is an exploded diagram of an enclosing cover according to the invention, in relation to a bed;
Figures 2a and 2b diagrammatically show how an insulating layer is internally buttoned to the head and foot ends of the upper layer of the enclosing cover; and
Figures 3 a, 3b and 3 c diagrammatically show button placement for locating a half-width and full-width insulating layer such as a duvet within an upper layer of the enclosing cover.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
This invention provides a planar enclosing cover, for covering a bed and for enclosing a blanket or a duvet or some other planar insulating layer. For orientation purposes the inventor has named a head end, and a foot end, and two sides for the enclosing cover, since the head end and the foot end are different. The enclosing cover has a first upper layer and a second lower layer which may be completely separated from time to time.
Each surface is comprised of a selected textile as described below. When the lower layer is attached about its perimeter to the upper layer, a flat, enclosed cavity is formed. This cavity is optionally capable of enclosing at least one planar thermally insulating means selected from (for instance) a range of a blanket, a duvet, or a thermally insulating fabric. With reference to Fig 1, a view 100 of the invention in general, 101 is a base of a bed for supporting a mattress 103, 102 is a headboard of the bed, defining which way around the invention is oriented, and 104 is a lower flat or fitted sheet which is placed on the mattress and tucked around the mattress as is conventional. Those parts shown above the lower sheet in Fig 1 comprise parts of the invention in this embodiment. 105 is the lower layer of the enclosing cover, and includes a retractable flap 108 A at the head end 108. 107 refers to the foot end of the lower layer. The entire perimeter is provided with a fastening device. In this example it is one half of a long zipper or zip fastener having its start and end in the pocket 106. Due to the length of a zip fastener which encircles the entire perimeter of the duvet cover, providing the zip slider with a ring-pull to receive a user's finger has been found to be advantageous. 109 is the upper layer of the enclosing cover, and does not normally include a flap like 108A at the head end 110. I l l refers to the foot end of the upper layer which, like the head end 110, is provided with a secondary fastening means for holding in place an enclosed insulating layer 115 (see figs 2 and 3).
Note that the enclosed insulating layer may be absent, and, when in use, only the lower layer may be placed on the bed such as during warm weather. Again, the entire perimeter is provided with a fastening device; in this example it is the other half of a long zipper or zip fastener having its start and end in the pocket 112. A zipper is preferred for the purpose of joining the upper and lower layers together since it has been found that a long zip fastener is economic, easy to use, has style, and does not detract from a bed user's comfort in the same way that prior art fasteners such as buttons, press studs and sockets, strips of hook and eye fasteners ("Velcro®" for instance) do, because they are easily felt.
The upper layer 109 and the lower layer 105 are comprised of a selected fabric which need not be the same fabric, although each layer would normally have the same length and breadth. In the exploded view of Fig 1, the upper and lower layers are shown widely separated for clarity. They are reversibly attachable to each other about their perimeter, optionally enclosing an insulating planar material 115 in between. The length of a selected enclosing cover 100 is sufficient to cover the length of a bed (which may for example be 83 inches (211 mm) or shorter or longer varying by differing countries), and preferably at least the width of a selected duvet cover is sufficient to cover the width of a bed upon which the cover is to be used and where preferred drape over the sides. There is a variety of bed sizes in common use, such as: single bed, double bed, king-size, queen-size or super king-size - or other names in common use for various sizes in a particular country. As shown in Fig 1, the lower sheet 105 may, for protection of the upper cover, have an extension flap 108A (see later). The lower surface normally serves the purpose of a top bed sheet and comes into contact with the people in the bed, when in use, and so should be washed weekly or after each use or as otherwise required.
One advantage of this invention is that it is very easy for a person making a bed to disassemble and reassemble the enclosing cover around an enclosed planar thermal blanket of any conventional kind, such as, but not limited to, a duvet. The enclosing cover provides a number of options for covering and for protecting a sleeping person such as from the cold. These options include:
1. using one selected upper layer 109 together with one selected lower layer 105 and a selected planar insulating material 115 such as a duvet filled with any conventional duvet filling. A "faux silk" sheet which is a commercially available polypropylene material in a very loose felted arrangement with a substantial amount of air space is another option; as is a blanket, or any other acceptable and effective insulating sheet, using a selected upper layer 109 and a selected lower layer 105 but with different planar insulating materials on each side of the enclosing cover,
2. so that two people having different tolerances to heat each can select an appropriate thickness of insulation - note that Fig 1 depicts no median division,
3. using a selected upper layer 109 together with a selected lower layer 105 but without any enclosed planar insulating material so that there is just the upper and the lower layer in place, since at least some of the available types of layer materials have useful thermal insulating properties on their own, or
4. using just the lower layer 105 over the sleeping person on the hottest occasions.
These variations mean for example that the same basic enclosing cover or parts thereof can be used over a wide range of seasons. A selected upper layer 109 is a fabric having a decorative appearance so that a user can leave the first surface exposed when the bed is not in use for sleeping. Example fabrics include cotton or polyester or blends thereof, and may include wool, silk or any other popular textile. Colours and lustre may be varied according to fashion and demand. Patterns may be created by use of colours, embroidery, applied textures and the like. Beads and reflective materials may be used, since this surface is laundered only occasionally. Quilted surfaces may be used.
A selected lower layer 105 is a fabric having a pleasing feel to a person using the bed, since this layer is serving as the top sheet of a made-up bed. It is the contact surface that covers one or more persons using the bed. Perhaps this would be chosen to match the lower sheet 104, which is generally not part of the invention although it may be practical to supply a user with one or more sets of a lower sheet 104 together with a lower layer 105, for commercial convenience.
Example fabrics for use as lower layer 105 include a woven cotton sheet or a polyester- cotton blend sheet, a flannelette sheet, or an equivalent. The selected sheet should tolerate repeated laundering and should preferably be easy to wash well. Contact with this surface should feel nice to an occupant (or occupants as the case may be) since this surface is likely to be in contact with the occupant for extended periods. This sheet might have a thread count of at least 100 per inch; more preferably about 300 threads per inch (375 threads per 10 cm 2 ). The textile known as "percale" (a closely woven plain- weave fabric) is an example that is suitable for use as the second surface. It may be dyed as appropriate, such as to match or be complementary to the colours of the top or first surface 101. The false fur material called "Minklon" is a further option; said to have a sensual feel, however any suitable fabric may be used, preferably giving a comfortable feeling when against the skin.
EXAMPLE 1
Fig 2 (as 2a and 2b) shows detail along either a head end 1 10 or a foot end 111 of upper layer 109. The inventor has provided, along these two edges, concealed second reversible attachment means intended to connect the head and foot ends of the enclosing cover to the planar insulating sheet within. This addition has the effect of preventing the insulating sheet from moving about during use and spoiling the thermal insulating properties expected of a cover over a person asleep. If the insulating sheet deforms the external edge, the person can use the external edge as a grip and can manipulate the insulating sheet, if required. Fig 2a is a cross-section through a portion of the head end upper layer of the enclosing cover 109, also including one side half 202 of the zip fastener along a free edge of the upper layer. The tape of the zip fastener and one side of a strip or panel of a cloth 201 are sewn together along the entire edge, thereby incorporating the panel in the structure. The free edge of the panel 201, also shown in the surface view of Fig 2b has a number of buttonholes 206 sewn along it, in about the same pitch as the buttons 203 sewn onto the edge of the planar insulating layer 115.
As shown in Fig 2a, the buttons are preferably sewn onto the upper exterior of the insulating layer 115, which will help ensure that the duvet provides good coverage for the person below. Preferably they are sewn on to the upper side of that layer, so that they are not easily perceptible to the person below. Other positions for placement of reversible fasteners at these positions will become apparent to a reader skilled in the relevant arts. The same arrangement is provided at the foot end, but it is not expected that buttons are required along the sides of the upper layer of the enclosing cover. Of course the inventor cannot rule out situations in which the second reversible attachment means is best attached to a lower layer of the enclosing cover.
Each button may be located about 20-25 cm from the adjoining button, although some insulating sheets may not have sufficient inherent strength to hold the button holes in place and then a closer button spacing may be used, or the button holes may be included in a reinforcing tape, as long as the completed assembly is relatively imperceptible to a user.
When the second reversible attachment means is used, a person making the bed or assembling the enclosing cover will pass the buttons attached to the headward and footward end of the planar insulating sheet through the button holes in the strips or panels of cloth 201 attached ot the headward and footward ends of the upper layer 109, so that the insulating sheet is held in place at its full length and cannot get wrinkled or migrate. It will be appreciated that buttons are but one example of a suitable attachment means although they are likely to be the most convenient option. Some alternatives are hooks and eyes such as "Velcro®" strips, press studs and sockets, or knotted ties passed through holes, may be used.
This enhancement is fully compatible with the concept of having a different amount of insulation on each side of a bed, because the buttons can be used to hold different thermal sheets on either left or right sides, or no thermal sheet on either or both sides, as required. In the case of half-bed- width planar insulating sheets, the inventor prefers that any half-sheet is perhaps 5% greater in width than the half- width of the enclosing cover so that if two such half-sheets are used there is no gap down the middle. Then, should two persons happen to have different perceptions of hotness when in bed, they will be able to separate an appropriate thickness or type of planar insulating layer, if any, for each side. See Fig 3 - as diagrams 3a, 3b and 3c. Fig 3a shows a top view of a full width planar insulating sheet such as a blanket or duvet, with nine buttons on the head end and nine buttons on the foot end. Fig 3b shows a top view of a half-width planar insulating sheet such as a blanket or duvet, with five buttons on the head end and five buttons on the foot end. Fig 3c is an underneath view of an upper layer 109, showing the corresponding disposition of a row of buttonholes 206 each made through the thickness of the inserted panel.
EXAMPLE 2
Zip fastening means for joining the upper and lower layers along all their edges yet allowing the two layers to be completely separated as for laundering or for changing purposes have been described. However the present invention has optimised the kind of zip fasteners (or zippers) to be used and how and where they are to be attached. A preferred YKK zip fastener is used and preferably the same tooth spacing or pitch is used on all compatible upper and lower layers. One side of a standardised, separatable zip fastener is sewn on to the entire perimeter of any one layer. One side of the zip fastener is secured by sewing the tape of the zip fastener to the periphery of the corresponding layer, so that the teeth of the fastener form the very edge of the completed enclosing cover. The zipper is preferably located substantially right at the edge of the sheets of material comprising the duvet cover.
From time to time the lower layer 105 may be detached from the other components of the enclosable cover thereby allowing a person to separately clean or launder the surface that has been in direct contact with a person or people in the bed.. This has been found to provide minimal interference with the enclosing cover functions as a duvet holder, or an empty duvet holder, while also acting as a bed cover. Other options include hiding the zip fastener under a flap so that it is not externally visible. Also, zip fasteners can be selected as to their colour, so that they merge into the appearance of the material. It is also useful to standardise the "polarity" of the zip fastener so that the slider of the zip fastener is always sewn on to the upper layer, for instance so that no person is inadvertently faced with a lack of a slider on either layer. It is also useful to standardise the "handedness" of the zip fastener as sewn on to either an upper layer or a lower layer so that progress of a zipping action from the start to the end of the zip fastener is always in the same direction, whether clockwise or anti-clockwise as seen from above.
Placing the slider on the upper layer is preferred for (a) laundering purposes, since the slider is slightly more prone to damage, and (b) because it tends to be felt less easily by a user. The zip fastener is attached with both the start and the end located at one corner adjacent the foot end of the enclosing cover. The retainer box of the zip fastener, and the slider when the zip fastener has been closed, are placed inside a small pocket 112 so that said fastener is concealed from the body of an occupant. Preferably the single zipper slider and box are placed so as to lie at one foot corner of the duvet cover, and optionally a pocket 112 is formed around them at the footward end 111 in the material similar to the second surface, but folded over from its attachment at the corner of the upper layer so as to prevent contact between the zipper parts and the toes of an occupant. The edges may be separated by operation of the zip fastener for the purposes of (a) receiving a thermally insulative means including a duvet or a fabric sheet, (b) to provide for interchanging various examples of each layer, and for the purpose of cleaning or laundering the lower layer, and brought together again as an enclosed cover.
Preferably the lower layer of the enclosed cover is provided with a flap along and extended from the head edge; the flap being joined to the adjacent side edges of the second surface over the length of the flap and being retractable so that, when in use, the flap is concealed beneath the cover as when the bed is in a daytime or "made-up" mode, or is folded out from under the cover and used as a pocket to cover the head end of the upper layer of the enclosed cover, so that the head end of the upper layer is not in contact with an occupant's head face hair or arms etc when the bed is in use. An additional aspect of the invention is that the lower layer - the sheet replacement is optionally provided with a pocket formed by a flap extended from the headward edge that will be next to the occupier's head and shoulders. This flap 108A is preferably joined to the three adjacent side edges over the length of the flap and the depth of both sides (which is typically 35 cm), so that, when in use, the flap can be either folded one way and concealed beneath the cover as when the bed is in a daytime or "made-up" mode, or folded out from under the cover and placed over the near-pillow edge of the top surface, like a pocket, when the bed is in a night-time or "occupied" mode; thereby protecting the cover from wear or personal soiling and providing a better "user feel" around the head or pillow end of the bed when occupied, just like a turned-down sheet. The zipper track is at the perimeter of the lower sheet but the lower sheet has a fold supporting the track.
This invention provides a hygienically acceptable method for covering a bed for use in a public environment such as in a hotel, motel, or a hospital, where different people use the same bed at different times, having a view to minimising unnecessary laundering operations. While there could be an obligation to launder all layers namely the upper layer, the planar insulating layer, and the lower layer on a daily basis or when the bed is changed between uses, it is most clear that the lower layer should be changed while the upper layer may not require changing as often. The concealed insulating layer, if present, may be relatively difficult to wash and dry. Hospital patients in particular should have a warm, protective cover over their beds which is not inherently heavy.
This application provides an enclosable cover, optionally filled with a duvet or other planar insulating medium. As an extra for certain patients the enclosable cover may include either as an extra layer or possibly as an alternative, a further planar layer having a primary function of absorbing any spilled liquids. Such an absorbing layer should also span the entire area of the enclosable cover and may incidentally have insulative properties. Insulation may be a secondary function. The absorbing layer may be washable or may be disposable. The absorbing layer may also have antiseptic or disinfective properties, preferably in the form of absorbed disinfectants which do not have a smell and which do not have allergenic properties.
The absorbing layer may be the same physical object as the lower layer as previously described - in other words a flannelette sheet or a fabric of similar type.. Bedmaking to hospital standards is now a great deal easier. A lower bedsheet is placed around a mattress. The enclosable cover is assembled by placing a newly laundered lower layer on top of the mattress as a working surface. Then any intermediate planar layers are placed on top. Then the upper layer is aligned over the assembly with its edges in line with the zip. Any top and bottom buttons of the second reversible fastener are attached to the head and foot edges of the immediate planar layers. Finally the zip is zipped up and the cover is aligned with the bed.
Thus, advantages of this invention include that it is easier to cover and contain a duvet with this duvet cover. The duvet cover of the invention allows more flexibility of modes - it is useful on its own (that is, without an enclosed duvet) in warmer weather. The sheet side (the second surface) of this duvet cover can be taken off and laundered without the problems associated with laundering a polyester fill (or down) because the two parts can be completely separated. Hence the invention promotes hygiene. A purchaser may own several instances of the lower sheet, such as for spares or for different seasons or for different decors. . A bed is made more presentable - by means of the decorative upper cover, when not actually occupied. For hotel or hospital use in particular, maintenance of hygiene between one occupier and the next is greatly facilitated.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. For example, instead of a single zip fastener around the entire perimeter of the duvet cover, two or more zip fasteners may be provided to effect separable top and bottom layers of the duvet cover. For example two zip fasteners may be provided, with the ends of each respective zip fastener being at diagonally opposed corners of the duvet cover. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.