BEDDING ASSEMBLY, DUVET COVER AND FIXATION DEVICE

Abstract

A bedding assembly comprises an at least substantially rectangular insulating coverlet (1), an at least practically fitting sleeve (2) with which the duvet is covered. The sleeve (2) is closed on a first side (3) and open on an opposite side (4) in order to receive the coverlet (1). Provided in or at least close to a first and a second corner on the first side (3) of the assembly are manually releasable fixation means (10) which connect the coverlet (1) to the sleeve (2) in or close to the corners.

Claims

1. Bedding assembly comprising an at least substantially rectangular insulating coverlet, an at least practically fitting sleeve with which the duvet is covered, which sleeve is closed on a first side and open on an opposite side in order to receive the coverlet, wherein manually releasable fixation means are provided in or at least close to a first and a second corner on the first side of the assembly, which connect the coverlet to the sleeve in or close to the corners.

2. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixation means are provided inside the sleeve between the coverlet and the sleeve.

3. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixation means comprise first and second connecting means which are connected in corresponding manner to the sleeve and the coverlet and which mutually co-act in order to bring about a manually breakable connection.

4. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second connecting means comprise attaching strips, in particular complementary hook and loop fastening parts, which on a back side are connected permanently to one of the coverlet and the sleeve and are provided on a visible side with manually releasable attaching means.

5. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fixation means comprise a fixation device with a base part which is connected directly or indirectly to the sleeve and has on a free distal end one or more fixation members which are able and configured to receive and fix a free outer end of at least the coverlet.

6. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fixation device comprises a clamping device which carries at the distal end at least one clamping member into which an edge of at least the coverlet is clamped.

7. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one clamping member comprises a resilient, at least pivoting jaw in which the edge of at least the coverlet is clampingly received.

8. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fixation device comprises a housing with a recess in which the resilient, at least pivoting jaw is received with clamping closure of the jaw round an edge of at least the coverlet.

9. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein a tongue extends proximally from one of the housing and the jaw, and the tongue is connected to the cover.

10. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein snap members are provided on the at least one clamping member which co-act mutually in order to realize a snap connection while enclosing the edge of at least the coverlet.

11. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one clamping member comprises a number of spatially separated fins which extend from the fixation device and which lie alternately on an upper side and an underside of at least the coverlet.

12. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fins are provided on mutually facing flanks with gripping means.

13. Bedding assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sleeve comprises a stitched seam on the closed first side and that the fixation device comprises a proximal tongue which protrudes into the stitched seam, in particular is stitched therein.

14. Bedding assembly as claimed in one or more of the claims 5-13, wherein the fixation device comprises a monolithic body of one material, in particular a thermoformed body of a thermoplastic material, an extruded body or a punched body.

15. Duvet cover comprising a textile sleeve, wherein in or close to opposite corners located at an at least substantially closed first side the sleeve is provided with fixation means for a manually releasable connection to a duvet to be received in the sleeve.

16. Fixation device of the type as applied in the bedding assembly as claimed in claim 5.

Description

[0018] The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to several exemplary embodiments and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a fixation device according to the invention;

[0020] FIG. 2A shows a second exemplary embodiment of a fixation device according to the invention in open state;

[0021] FIG. 2B shows a second exemplary embodiment of a fixation device according to the invention in closed state;

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a fixation device according to the invention;

[0023] FIGS. 4A/4B show a fourth exemplary embodiment of a fixation device according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 5A shows the fixation device of FIGS. 4A and 4B in opened state;

[0025] FIG. 5B shows the fixation device of FIGS. 4A and 4B in closed, clamping state; and

[0026] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a bedding assembly according to the invention in which the fixation device of FIG. 3 is applied.

[0027] It is otherwise noted here that the figures are purely schematic and not always drawn to (the same) scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated in the figures with the same reference numeral.

[0028] FIGS. 1 to 3 show different embodiments of a fixation device according to the present invention such as can be applied advantageously in a bedding assembly according to the invention. This is particularly a coverlet in the form of a duvet which is covered with a duvet cover of cotton, linen or other suitable textile. These embodiments have in common that they all comprise a monolithic body of a suitable plastic such as polyethylene or other thermoplastic, and can thereby be manufactured for instance by means of injection moulding in a single thermoforming operation.

[0029] Each of the fixation devices shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 has on a proximal side a planar, relatively flat base part 11 with which it can be secured in a sleeve of a bedding assembly. Base part 11 comprises for instance a flat tongue extending monolithically from the fixation device. The fixation device is advantageously stitched with base part 11 into a hem of the sleeve/duvet cover with stitching, preferably the same stitching as that with which the sleeve/duvet cover has also been closed along a stitched seam at a head end.

[0030] On a distal side each of the shown fixation devices is provided with suitable fixation means in which an edge of the duvet can be clamped. In the example of FIG. 1 this is a resilient jaw 12 with a toothing 21 in which an edge of a coverlet, such as duvet, of the bedding can be received. Resilient jaw 12 grips round the edge of the duvet and exerts a clamping force thereon in order to thus fix the duvet in the duvet cover. Toothing 21 arranged on the jaw provides here for extra grip and likewise an extra-strong fixation. In order to free the duvet from jaw 12, the jaw can be opened manually with the bare hands in order to thus release the duvet.

[0031] An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In this case the fixation device comprises a jaw of approximately two halves 12 mutually connected by a film hinge 25. Film hinge 25 is formed here by an intentional thickness reduction of the material over a width of the body. The fixation device is thus also formed in this case by a single monolithic body, wherein film hinge 25 allows both halves 12 thereof to pivot toward each other. A relatively flat tongue 11 formed on one of the halves 12 also provides in this case for a proximal attachment base with which the device can be secured, in particular stitched, in a duvet cover or the like.

[0032] On a distal side both parts 12 of the device of FIGS. 2A/2B are provided with mutually co-acting snap members 22,23. By moving the device from the open state shown in FIG. 2A to the closed state shown in FIG. 2B while overcoming a resistance of the mutually co-acting snap members 22,23 the device can be manually clicked shut and, vice versa, also manually opened again. Snap members 22,23 are dimensioned here such that they allow an edge of a coverlet, such as a duvet, to be clamped therebetween while the snapping action is maintained. The coverlet can thus be fixed efficiently at the edge in an enveloping cover.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a wholly planar, flat embodiment of a fixation device according to the invention. In addition to being formed by means of injection moulding, this device can if desired also be formed for instance by being punched from a sheet material or being removed from an extruded body. A relatively flat base part 11 on a proximal side also provides in this case for an attachment base with which the device can for instance be stitched into a seam or elsewhere inside a textile sleeve which will envelop a coverlet.

[0034] On a distal side the device comprises a number of successive fins or fingers 24 spatially separated from each other. The intermediate spaces 26 therebetween allow an edge of a duvet to be received therein. The edge of the duvet is received alternately on and under the fins/fingers 24 and is thus threaded therebetween. This achieves a fixation of the duvet in the device which avoids migration of the duvet in the cover during use. This is further enhanced by a toothing which is arranged on the fins and which will exert extra grip on the edge of the duvet.

[0035] Shown in FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a bedding assembly equipped with a set of the fixation devices shown in FIG. 3. The bedding assembly comprises a normal, non-modified duvet 1 of a suitable size with a duvet cover 2 fitting thereover. The cover is closed at a first end surface 3, but is open at an opposite side 4 so that duvet 1 can be introduced therein. The closed first side 3 will normally be used as head end.

[0036] Fixation devices 10 are arranged close to opposite corners of the closed first end surface 3. The two fixation devices 10 are in this case located at the first end surface 3 of the cover, although it is also possible instead to opt for a position close to the respective corner on a longitudinal side 5,6 with which the first side 3 forms the corner. End surface 3 will generally comprise stitching 7 with which an upper side and a back side of the cover are sewn to each other so as to thus form a sleeve. A proximal base part 11 of each device 10 advantageously lies in this stitched seam and the devices are thus connected permanently and firmly to duvet cover 2.

[0037] An edge of the duvet 1 is threaded through the intermediate spaces 26 between the fins or fingers 24 of fixation device 10, see also FIG. 3. The fins thus lie alternately on an upper side and a back side of duvet 1 and fix the duvet between fingers 24, and thereby fix duvet 1 inside cover 2. The toothing provided on fingers 24 provides for extra grip and thus contributes toward this fixation. Migration of the duvet in the cover during use is thus effectively prevented, which enhances sleep comfort.

[0038] The fixation device according to the invention can also be arranged externally instead of inside the duvet cover. FIGS. 4A and 4B show a particular embodiment of the fixation device which can be applied for this purpose. This fixation device comprises a housing 40 with a recess 45 in which a resilient, at least pivoting jaw 41 is movable. Jaw 41 carries on its outer end a toothing 42 for the purpose of additional grip on duvet assembly 1,2.

[0039] In the open state shown in FIG. 5A an edge of duvet cover 2 with duvet 1 therein is placed inside jaw 41. Jaw 41 is subsequently pushed inside recess 45, whereby the jaw will close. The dimensions of jaw 41 and recess 45 are adapted to each other here such that the jaw will grip here round the edge of the duvet cover with the duvet therein and will fixedly clamp the whole, as shown in FIG. 5B. The duvet now lies fixed inside the cover. Housing 40 and jaw 41 of the device preferably each comprise a monolithic body of a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. In addition to being formed by injection moulding, both parts can also be formed by means of extrusion and for instance be detached from a greater length. A greater wall thickness is advantageously applied for housing 40 for the purpose of a desired dimensional stability and rigidity. The jaw 41 on the other hand is kept relatively thin at the location of the hinge therein in order to allow a flexible jaw action of the wings of the jaw. Different plastics can optionally be applied for the two parts, i.e. the housing and the jaw, of the device so as to be optimally suitable for the respective functions thereof.

[0040] Jaw 41 can be pushed laterally as well as from the front into recess 45 of housing 40. A frontal insertion has the advantage here that a lateral displacement of duvet 1 in duvet cover 2 is avoided. On the front of the recess a transverse rib, shoulder or set of protrusions can optionally be provided here which preferably extends inward from either side (i.e. from above and from below) in order to lock the jaw therebehind and fix it in the recess. In the case of a front insertion the jaw will in that case snap behind the respective rib(s), shoulder(s) or protrusions, whereby a discernible, i.e. tangible and audible, fixation is obtained.

[0041] Although the device shown in FIGS. 4A-5B can in principle also be applied externally, it is preferably provided internally. A flat extension, in the form of for instance the tongue 49 further shown in FIG. 5B, can be provided proximally here which, as well as extending from jaw 41, can if desired extend from housing 40 as shown here. In the former case jaw 41 protrudes movably with tongue 49 through a gap 47 provided for the purpose in housing 40. Such a tongue 49 can, in similar manner as base part 11 of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, be secured (stitched) in a seam of the cover so that fixation device 40,41 thus lies inside the duvet cover so as to receive an edge of the duvet in the manner described above for the assembly.

[0042] Although the invention has been further elucidated above with reference to only several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.

[0043] Instead of one or more of the shown fixation devices, use can also be made for the fixation of a duvet inside a cover of differently designed fixation devices, which may or may not be of one material. Instead of being formed from plastic, a fixation device can also be formed from a metal or a natural material such as wood, rubber or bamboo. Other attaching or connecting means are also suitable within the scope of the invention, such as for instance semi-permanently attaching fastening strips arranged on overlapping parts in corresponding manner in the cover and the duvet.

[0044] Nor is the invention limited to use with duvets usually assembled from a textile ticking with a loose material inside such as cotton, wool, down or feathers. The invention can likewise be applied in combination with a woven, non-woven or otherwise assembled blanket or coverlet. The invention generally provides a solution to unintended migration of a coverlet inside a sleeve with which the coverlet is enveloped.