SEGNESTAM ROSENGREN, Helena (Arnöberg Säteri, Strängnäs, S-645 93, SE)
| Claims 1 . A method for facilitating fitting a covering member (106) over a bedding item (104) by means of a fitting device (102, 202), the covering member having a hole pattern (1 13, 1 14, 1 15) and defining a cavity (108) being capable of at least partly enclosing the bedding item, the fitting device comprising at least one coupling device (1 1 1 , 1 12, 21 1 ) being capable of releasably coupling the fitting device to the bedding item, the method comprising: inserting the fitting device into the cavity by means of the hole pattern such that at least a portion (103, 132, 141 , 132, 142) of the at least one coupling device protrudes from at least one hole (1 13, 1 14) in the covering member, the at least a portion of the at least one coupling device being capable of being releasably coupled to the bedding item; releasably coupling the fitting device to the bedding item by means of the at least a portion of the at least one coupling device; and extracting the fitting device from the cavity via an access/extraction hole (1 15) in the covering member. 2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one hole and the access/extraction hole are different. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one coupling device comprises a first coupling element (1 1 1 ) and a second coupling element (1 12), each of the first and second coupling elements being capable of being releasably coupled to the bedding item; wherein inserting the fitting device into the cavity further comprises: inserting the fitting device into the cavity by means of the hole pattern such that the first coupling element protrudes from a first hole (1 13) in the covering member and the second coupling element protrudes from a second hole (1 14) in the covering member; and wherein coupling the fitting device to the bedding item further comprises: coupling the fitting device to the bedding item by means of the first and second coupling elements. 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the first coupling element is arranged on a first portion of the at least one coupling device and the second coupling element is arranged on a second portion of the at least one coupling device. 5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are arranged on separate parts of the at least one coupling device. 6. A method according to any one of claims 3-5, wherein coupling the fitting device to the bedding item further comprises: coupling the fitting device to the bedding item at at least two regions (1 16, 1 18) on the bedding item by means of the first coupling element and the second coupling element, respectively. 7. A method according to any one of claims 1 -6, further comprising: arranging the covering member such that inner surface (120) and outer surface (122) of the cavity, respectively, are reversed with respect to a user by means of the access/extraction hole in the covering member. 8. A method according to any one of claims 1 -7, wherein the at least one coupling device comprises a closed loop (131 , 132) having an adjustable length, the method further comprising: receiving a portion (1 16, 1 18) of the bedding item through an opening of the closed loop; and adjusting the length of the closed loop such that the closed loop releasably couples the fitting device to the bedding item. 9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising: selectively impeding any change of the length of the closed loop. 10. A method according to any one of claims 1 -9, wherein the at least one coupling device comprises one or more of a clamping coupling element (21 1 ) and a pinching coupling element (21 1 ) configured to releasably couple the fitting device to the bedding item by means of a clamping or pinching action, respectively. 1 1 . A method according to any one of claims 1 -10, wherein the covering member comprises a blanket cover, such as a quilt cover or a duvet cover. 12. A method according to any one of claims 1 -1 1 , wherein the bedding item comprises a blanket, such as a quilt, a duvet or a comforter. 13. A method according to claim 12 as appended to claim 6, wherein the at least two regions on the bedding item comprise two corner regions of the blanket. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the two corner regions of the blanket are selected from two corners of the blanket situated on a same side along a length of the blanket. 15. A fitting device (102, 202) for facilitating fitting a covering member (106) over a bedding item (104), the fitting device comprising at least one coupling device (1 1 1 , 1 12, 21 1 ) configured to releasably couple the fitting device to the bedding item, the fitting device being configured to cooperate with the covering member and the bedding item for facilitating fitting the covering member over the bedding item in accordance with a method according to any one of claims 1 -14. 16. A fitting device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one coupling device comprises a closed loop (131 , 132) having an adjustable length, wherein the closed loop is configured to receive a portion (1 16, 1 18) of the bedding item through an opening of the closed loop such that, on adjustment of the length of the closed loop, the closed loop is capable of releasably coupling the fitting device to the bedding item. 17. A fitting device according to claim 16, wherein the at least one coupling device further comprises a locking member (141 , 142) adapted to selectively impede any change of the length of the closed loop. 18. A fitting device according to any one of claims 15-17, wherein the at least one coupling device comprises one or more of a clamping coupling element (21 1 ) and a pinching coupling element (21 1 ) configured to releasably couple the fitting device to the bedding item by means of a clamping or pinching action, respectively. 19. A bedding kit (100) comprising: a fitting device (102, 202) according to any one of claims 15-18; a bedding item (104); and a covering member (106) having a hole pattern (1 13, 1 14, 1 15) and defining a cavity (108) being capable of at least partly enclosing the bedding item; wherein the fitting device is configured to cooperate with the covering member and the bedding item for facilitating fitting the covering member over the bedding item in accordance with a method according to any one of claims 1 -14. |
Technical field
The present invention generally relates to bedding equipment, particularly removable bedding such as blankets for use in beds. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for facilitating fitting a covering member over a bedding item by means of a fitting device.
Background
Changing a covering member for a blanket, such as a quilt, duvet or a comforter, i.e. removing the covering member (or 'cover' for short) and fitting a fresh cover over the blanket, can be time-consuming and/or tiring. Such a covering member may for example be a quilt cover or a duvet cover adapted so as to allow for insertion of the quilt or duvet within the quilt cover or duvet cover, respectively. Once inserted into the cover, the quilt or duvet is protected from dust, filth and/or grime, such that washing of the quilt or duvet may be performed less frequently compared to extensively and/or exclusively using the quilt or duvet as it is (i.e. on its own, without protective cover) in the bed.
The process of changing a covering member can be cumbersome in that two persons may be required to change the covering member. Changing the covering member may require work steps to be performed with hands above shoulder level, which may entail an increased risk for repetitive strain injuries, especially in situations where a great number of covering members are to be changed, situations that for example may arise in establishments such as hotels, in hospitals, in military bases, etc.
SE500508C2 discloses a device for fitting a quilt cover onto a quilt and for removing the quilt cover from the quilt.
Summary
It is with respect to the above considerations and others that the present invention has been made. The present invention seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-mentioned deficiencies and disadvantages singly or in combination. In particular, it would be desirable to achieve a method for faciliating fitting a covering member over a bedding item that enables a user to relatively easy and quickly fit a covering member over a bedding item, possibly on his or her own.
To achieve this, a method having the features as defined in the independent claim is provided. Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.
Fitting a covering member over a bedding item is usually done with the bare hands, i.e. without any aid, such as any mechanical aid.
The present invention is based on the realization of a fitting device that, when used by a user in cooperation with a bedding item and a covering member, enables facilitating fitting the covering member over the bedding item in a manner similar to operations performed when fitting the covering member over the bedding item with the bare hands but in a manner that may not entail cumbersome operations and/or require working steps or elements carried out with hands above shoulder level.
Thus, the fitting device according to the present invention can be used by a user in cooperation with a bedding item and a covering member in order to faciliate fitting the covering member over the bedding item. Compared to a procedure where the user fits the covering member over the bedding item by means of his or her bare hands, the fitting device enables an improved procedure for fitting the covering member over the bedding item.
Namely, a user may use the fitting device in cooperation with the bedding item and the covering member with the result that the process of fitting the covering member over the bedding item is facilitated, e.g., such that any steps remaining to completely fit the covering member over the bedding item are few and/or relatively easy to perform, or even that the covering member becomes completely or at least partly fitted over the bedding item.
In the context of some embodiments of the present invention, by the wording "bedding item" or "bedding" it is meant material(s) laid over or above a mattress of a bed, for example for providing warmth, comfort and/or decoration.
Such a bedding item may for example comprise a blanket, such as a quilt, a duvet or a comforter.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for facilitating fitting a covering member over a bedding item by means of a fitting device. The covering member has a hole pattern and defines a cavity being capable of at least partly enclosing the bedding item. The fitting device comprises at least one coupling device being capable of releasably coupling the fitting device to the bedding item.
The method comprises inserting the fitting device into the cavity by means of the hole pattern, such that at least a portion of the at least one coupling device protrudes from at least one hole in the covering member. The at least a portion of the at least one coupling device is arranged such that it is capable of being releasably coupled to the bedding item.
The fitting device is releasably coupled to the bedding item by means of the at least a portion of the at least one coupling device.
The fitting device is extracted from the cavity via an access/extraction hole in the covering member.
Once the fitting device has been extracted from the cavity, the fitting device may be releasably mounted on or attached to a suitable fixture, for example a door handle. Then, a user may grasp a portion of the covering member and pull the covering member over the bedding item such that the covering member becomes fitted over the bedding item.
Depending on the particular construction or configuration of the fitting device, the releasable mounting or attachment may be performed in different manners. For example, in a case where the fitting device comprises a flexible elongate member such as a strip of fabric, the flexible elongate member can be hooked over the fixture (e.g., door handle) so that the fitting device substantially remains in the same position when the covering member is pulled over the bedding item.
After the covering member has been pulled over the bedding item, it can then be used in a bed, where the covering member covers at least a portion of the bedding item, and, e.g., protects it from dust, dirt and/or grime.
Thus, by means of a method according to the present invention, an improved procedure for facilitating fitting or even fitting a covering member over a bedding item may be achieved, in comparison to a procedure where the user fits the covering member over the bedding item by means of his or her bare hands.
Thus, by means of a method according to the present invention a user can use the fitting device in cooperation with the bedding item and the covering member, with the result that the process of fitting the covering member over the bedding item is facilitated. Any steps remaining to completely fit the covering member over the bedding item may then be few and/or relatively easy to perform, or the covering member may even become completely or at least partly fitted over the bedding item.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fitting device for facilitating fitting a covering member over a bedding item. The fitting device comprises at least one coupling device configured to releasably couple the fitting device to the bedding item. The fitting device is configured to cooperate with the covering member and the bedding item for facilitating fitting the covering member over the bedding item in accordance with a method according to the first aspect of the present invention or any embodiment thereof.
It is contemplated that a fitting device according to the second aspect of the present invention or any embodiment thereof may be used to advantage in situations where a relatively large number of covering members are to be changed, such that an increased risk for repetitive strain injuries for a worker may exist. Such situations may for example arise in establishments such as hotels, in hospitals, in military bases, etc. This list is not exhaustive.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bedding kit comprising a fitting device according to the second aspect of the present invention or any embodiment thereof, a bedding item and a covering member having a hole pattern and defining a cavity being capable of at least partly enclosing the bedding item. The fitting device is configured to cooperate with the covering member and the bedding item for facilitating fitting the covering member over the bedding item in accordance with a method according to the first aspect of the present invention or any embodiment thereof.
The bedding kit may comprise instructions for a user intending to use the fittting device in a process of fitting the covering member over the bedding item. Such instructions, e.g. written instructions, may for example comprise instructions for the user how to perform the method according to the first aspect of the present invention or any embodiment thereof.
The at least one hole in the covering member that the at least a portion of the at least one coupling device protrudes from may be different from each other. It is also possible that the access/extraction hole and the above- mentioned at least one hole are the same, depending on the particular hole pattern arrangement on the bedding item. The at least one coupling device may comprise a first coupling element and a second coupling element, where each of the first and second coupling elements is capable of being releasably coupled to the bedding item.
According to one example, the fitting device may be inserted into the cavity defined by the covering member by means of its hole pattern such that the first coupling element protrudes from a first hole in the covering member and the second coupling element protrudes from a second hole in the covering member. The fitting device may then be coupled to the bedding item by means of the first and second coupling elements, respectively.
The first coupling element may be arranged on a first portion of the at least one coupling device and the second coupling element may be arranged on a second portion of the at least one coupling device. Thus, the first and second coupling elements may be arranged on a single element (i.e. the coupling device), at different portions thereof.
Alternatively or optionally, the first coupling element and the second coupling element may be arranged on separate parts of the at least one coupling device. In other words, the coupling device may comprise several parts that may not be interconnected or form an integral element.
Thus, the coupling device may be configured in different manners, depending on the particular operating environment or mode of operation suited in view of the particular circumstances or application.
By means of the first coupling element and the second coupling element, respectively, the fitting device may be coupled to the bedding item at at least two regions on the bedding item.
The at least two regions may be different.
As mentioned in the foregoing, the bedding item may comprise a blanket, such as a quilt, a duvet or a comforter.
Where the bedding item comprises a blanket, the at least two regions may comprise two corner regions of the blanket.
The two corner regions may be selected from two corners of the blanket situated on a same side along a length of the blanket.
For example, for a blanket comprising a substantially rectangular shape, the two corners may be selected as two corners on the same side of the blanket, e.g., as one corner at the 'foot-end' of the blanket and one corner at the 'head-end' of the blanket. By 'foot-end' and 'head-end' of the blanket it is referred to the ends of the blanket in proximity to where the feet and heads of a user, respectively, would be during use of the blanket in a bed.
The covering member may be arranged such that inner surface and outer surface of the cavity, respectively, are reversed with respect to a user by means of the access/extraction hole in the covering member. In other words, the covering member may be completely or partially turned inside out using, e.g., the access/extraction hole with respect to the user handling the covering member.
The at least one coupling device may comprise a loop having an adjustable length.
In the context of the present application, by the wording "loop" it is meant a curving or doubling of a line, generally comprising a flexible material, such as a string or rope, so as to form a closed or partly open curve within itself through which another line can be passed, on which a hook can be hooked, etc.
According to one example, the loop is a closed loop.
A locking member may be arranged so as to enable selective impeding of any change of the length of the loop. In other words, the loop may be reversibly fixed with respect the length of the loop.
A portion of the bedding item may be received though an opening of the loop.
The length of the loop may then be adjusted such that the loop releasably couples the fitting device to the bedding item. In other words, the loop may be tightened, i.e. the size of the loop may be reduced, so as to fasten the loop around the portion of the bedding item.
According to one example, once having been tightened around the portion of the bedding item to a desired degree, the loop may then be locked or impeded against any change of the length of the loop.
Alternatively or optionally, the at least one coupling device may comprise a clamping coupling element configured to releasably couple the fitting device to the bedding item by means of a clamping action.
Alternatively or optionally, the at least one coupling device may comprise a pinching coupling element configured to releasably couple the fitting device to the bedding item by means of a pinching action.
The present invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims. Further objects and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention will be described below by means of exemplifying
embodiments. Brief description of the drawings
Exemplifying embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 a is a schematic view of a bedding kit according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 1 b is a schematic view of a covering member and a fitting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a fitting device according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements throughout the views.
Detailed description
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, like numbers refer to like or similar elements throughout.
Referring now to Fig. 1 a, there is shown a schematic view of a bedding kit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The bedding kit 100 comprises a fitting device 102, a bedding item 104 and a covering member 106. The fitting device 102 is configured to cooperate with the covering member 106 and the bedding item 104 for facilitating fitting the covering member 106 over the bedding item 104 in accordance with a method according to the present invention.
The covering member 106 can for example comprise a blanket cover, such as a quilt cover or a duvet cover.
The bedding item 104 can for example comprise a blanket, such as a quilt, a duvet or a comforter.
According to the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 a, the fitting device 102 comprises a fitting device body 103 having a first end and a second end. As indicated in Fig. 1 a, the fitting device body 103 may for example comprise a flexible elongate member such as a strip of fabric or cloth or another flexible material.
The fitting device 102 comprises at least one coupling device 1 1 1 , 1 12 that is capable of releasably coupling the fitting device 102 to the bedding item 104.
According to the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 a, at the first end of the fitting device body 103 there is arranged a first coupling element 1 1 1 comprising a closed loop 131 having an adjustable length and a locking member 141 adapted to selectively impede any change of the length of the closed loop 131 .
At the second end of the fitting device body 103 there is arranged a second coupling element 1 12 comprising a closed loop 132 having an adjustable length and a locking member 142 adapted to selectively impede any change of the length of the closed loop 132.
The covering member 106 comprises a hole pattern 1 13, 1 14, 1 15. Holes that define the hole pattern 1 13, 1 14, 1 15 will be described further in the following.
The covering member 106 defines a cavity 108 that is capable of at least partly enclosing the bedding item 104. Thus, the covering member 106 is arranged such that the bedding item 104 can be at least partly inserted in the covering member 106.
General principles of operating the fitting device 102 so as the fitting device 102 cooperates with the covering member 106 and the bedding item 104 for facilitating fitting the covering member 106 over the bedding item 104 in accordance with a method according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.
By means of the hole pattern 1 13, 1 14, the fitting device 102 can be inserted into the cavity 108, i.e. within the covering member 106, such that the first coupling element 1 1 1 protrudes from a first hole 1 13 in the covering member 106 and the second coupling element 1 12 protrudes from a second hole 1 14 in the covering member 106.
This situation is depicted in Fig. 1 b (the second hole 1 14 not shown in Fig. 1 b). In Fig. 1 b, the covering member 106 is turned inside out compared to the covering member depicted in Fig. 1 a (as indicated by the letter "F" in Figs. 1 a and 1 b, respectively). Alternatively or optionally, the first coupling element 1 1 1 and/or the second coupling element 1 12 do not protrude from the first hole 1 13 and second hole 1 14, respectively, but can be arranged within the cavity 108 so as to enable a user to reach and grasp the first coupling element 1 1 1 and/or the second coupling element 1 12 via the first hole 1 13 and second hole 1 14, respectively.
Either way, the fitting device 102 can then be releasably coupled to the bedding item 104 by means of the first coupling element 1 1 1 and the second coupling element 1 12.
According to the embodiment, the releasable coupling of the fitting device 102 to the bedding item 104 by means of the first coupling element 1 1 1 and the second coupling element 1 12 can be effectuated by the closed loops 131 , 132 receive a portion 1 16 and 1 18, respectively, of the bedding item 104 through an opening of the respective closed loop 131 , 132. On adjustment of the length of the respective closed loop 131 , 132, the
respective closed loop 131 , 132 can then couple the fitting device 102 to the bedding item 104.
With further reference to Fig. 1 a, once the fitting device 102 has been coupled to the bedding item 104, the fitting device 102 may be extracted from the cavity 108 via an access/extraction hole 1 15 in the covering member. That is, the fitting device 102 may be brought out from the cavity 108 by the user inserting a hand within the cavity 108 and grasping the fitting device 102, e.g. the fitting device body 103, and pulling the fitting device 102 through the cavity 108 and out from the cavity 108 via the access/extraction hole 1 15.
The user may then arrange the covering member 106 such that inner surface 120 and outer surface 122 of the cavity 108, respectively, are reversed with respect to the user by means of the access/extraction hole 1 15 in the covering member 106. In other words, the user may, once having grasped the fitting device 12 and brought it out from the cavity 108, pull the covering member 108 over itself, i.e. turn the covering member 108 inside out. After this operation, the fitting device 102 may be situated outside the covering member 106 with respect to the user, with the fitting device 102 still being coupled to the bedding item 104.
Any steps remaining in proceeding fitting the covering member 106 over the bedding item 104 may then be few and/or relatively easy to perform, or the covering member 106 may even become completely or at least partly fitted over the bedding item 104. For example, once the fitting device 102 has been extracted from the cavity 108, the fitting device 102 may be releasably mounted on or attached to a suitable fixture, for example a door handle (not shown in Fig. 1 ). Where the fitting device 102 comprises a flexible elongate member such as a strip of fabric or cloth or another flexible material as indicated in Fig. 1 a, the fitting device 102 can for example be hooked over the fixture, e.g. a door handle or another relatively sturdy item.
Then, the user may grasp a portion of the covering member 106 and pull the covering member 106 over the bedding item such that the covering member 106 becomes partly fitted over the bedding item 104 or even completely fitted over the bedding item 104.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown a schematic view of a fitting device 202 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The fitting device 202 comprises a fitting device body 203 having a first end and a second end. As indicated in Fig. 1 a, the fitting device body 203 may for example comprise a flexible elongate member such as a strip of fabric or cloth or another flexible material.
The fitting device 202 comprises at least one coupling device 21 1 that is capable of releasably coupling the fitting device 202 to a bedding item (not shown in Fig. 2). In the depicted embodiment, the coupling device 21 1 comprises two coupling elements 21 1 arranged at each of the two ends of the fitting device body 203. Each of the two coupling elements is configured to enable a releasable coupling of the fitting device 203 to the bedding item by means of a clamping and/or pinching action.
The examples of coupling elements shown in the drawings as described in the foregoing are provided by way of example only. It is contemplated that any other suitable coupling element, capable of
effectuating coupling of the fitting device to a bedding item, may be utilized.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made.
For example, where the first coupling element and the second coupling element of the fitting device are arranged on separate parts of the at least one coupling device, i.e. the coupling device comprises two parts which are separately arranged relatively each other, each of the separate parts may be fixedly arranged in relation to a fixture such as a bed, e.g. by means of a hook-and-loop fastener such as a Velcro hook-and-loop fastener. The fitting device may then be used in cooperation with a bedding item and a covering member so as to enable facilitating fitting the covering member over the bedding item, according to a method of the present invention.
Thus, the above description of the various embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings are to be regarded as non-limiting examples of the invention and the scope of protection is defined by the appended claims. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.