Clamshell-type duvet cover and related methodologies

Abstract

Disclosed are improvements to duvet cover apparatus and related methods. The disclosed duvet cover and methodologies are suitably hygienic, quick and easy to put onto a bed, efficient for patronage turnover in hospitality industries. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed apparatus is a clam-shell type duvet cover.

Claims

1. A method of making a bed comprising the steps of: a. providing a duvet to between a top sheet and a bottom sheet so that a headboard side of the duvet cover is enclosed by the top and bottom sheets, two lateral edge seams, and a header seam; b. folding the top sheet over the duvet cover so that the whole duvet cover is positioned between the top and bottom sheets; and, c. folding a header over the header seam.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamshell-type duvet cover 1000 and pillows 2000 made-up on a mattress 3000 positioned on a bedframe 4000;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamshell type duvet cover 1000;

[0028] FIG. 3A is diagram of a first step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000;

[0029] FIG. 3B is diagram of a second step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000;

[0030] FIG. 3C is diagram of a third step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000;

[0031] FIG. 3D is diagram of a fourth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000;

[0032] FIG. 3E is diagram of a fifth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000;

[0033] FIG. 3F is diagram of a sixth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000;

[0034] FIG. 3G is diagram of a seventh step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000; and,

[0035] FIG. 3H is diagram of an eighth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000.

[0036] In the figures, the following components of the disclosed apparatus are identified below with corresponding reference numerals:

[0037] Clamshell-type duvet cover1000; [0038] Header1100; [0039] Header seam1150; [0040] Top sheet1200; [0041] Lateral edge seams1250; [0042] Bottom sheet1300;

[0043] Duvet or comforter1500;

[0044] Pillow2000;

[0045] Mattress3000; and,

[0046] Bed frame4000.

[0047] It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Disclosed are improvements to duvet cover apparatus and related methods. The disclosed duvet cover and methodologies are suitably hygienic, quick and easy to put onto a bed, efficient for patronage turnover in hospitality industries. In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed apparatus is a clam-shell type duvet cover. The more specific features of the disclosed clamshell type duvet cover are disclosed below with reference to the drawings.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamshell-type duvet cover 1000 and pillows 2000 made-up on a mattress 3000 positioned on a bedframe 4000. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clamshell type duvet cover 1000. As shown, the depicted clamshell type duvet cover comprises: embellished header 1100, a top sheet 1200, and a bottom sheet. As discussed below, the clamshell-type duvet cover is defined by the embellished header 1100, the top sheet 1200, and the bottom sheet 1300 where the top and bottom sheets 1200, 1300 (a) both connected to the header 1100 along a header seam 1150 (not shown in FIG. 1 or 2) and (b) connected to each other along two lateral edge seams 1250 (not shown in FIG. 1 or 2).

[0050] FIG. 3A is diagram of a first step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown, the header 1200 suitably defines a flap with embellishments (e.g., stripes) on one side and a blank on the other side. In a default configuration, the header 1100 may be folded blank-side down over the headboard side margin of the top sheet 1200 of the duvet cover 1000 around the header seam 1150 as a hinge point. In one mode of manipulation of the duvet cover 1000, the header 1100 may be hinged around the header seam 1200 to expose the lateral edge seams 1250 where each of the lateral edge seams 1250 is positioned proximate to the header seam 1150 along a portion of the respective lateral edges of the top and bottom sheets 1200, 1300.

[0051] FIG. 3B is diagram of a second step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000 of FIGS. 1 through 3A. As shown, the top sheet 1200 suitably defines a flap. In a default configuration, the top sheet may be folded away from the bottom sheet 1300 over the headboard side margin of the top sheet 1200 of the duvet cover 1000. Suitably, the ends of the lateral edge seams 1250 operates as a hinge 1251 so that the two sheets may be opened and provided around a duvet. In one mode of manipulation of the duvet cover 1000, the top sheet 1200 may be hinged around the hinge 1251 at the ends of the lateral seams 1250 to expose the lower sheet 1300.

[0052] FIG. 3C is diagram of a third step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000. FIG. 3D is diagram of a fourth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000. In use, the duvet cover 1000 is configured to accept a duvet or comforter 1500 between the sheets 1200, 1300 and within the lateral edge seams 1250 and header seam 1150.

[0053] FIG. 3E is diagram of a fifth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000. Suitably, the top sheet, bottom sheet, lateral edge seams, and header seam 1150, and hinge 1251 may operate like a pocket and hinge process so that the sheets 1200, 1300 may be completely closed around the duvet or comforter 1500 to keep the same from being exposed to a user's face or body (not shown). Preferably, the lateral edge seams 1250 result in closed upper sides of the duvet cover 1000 which creates stability and non-movability of the duvet or comforter. In use, ends of the lateral edge seams operates as both a closure and a hinge so that the two sheets may be opened and provided around a duvet.

[0054] FIG. 3G is diagram of a seventh step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000. FIG. 3H is diagram of an eighth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000. As shown, the duvet cover 1000 containing a duvet may be positioned over a mattress 3000, tucked under the mattress 3000 and above a bed frame 4000, and provided with pillows 2000.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the disclosed clamshell-type duvet cover is constructed with a header that extends six (6) inches from the header seam 1150 and with the lateral edge seams extending twelve (12) to eighteen inches (18) along the lateral sides of the two sheets from the header seam 1150. Additionally, there is more added length to the side drape than the conventional standard flat sheet and conventional standard size comforter/duvet 1500 (shown in dashed lines under top sheet 1200) to keep the comforter/duvet 1500 (shown in dashed lines under top sheet 1200) well-hidden and covered. In a preferred mode, duvet cover 1000 is configured to standard flat sheet sizes plus about five (5) inches more drape. Specifically, the dimension are: (1) for a king size, one hundred and sixteen inches wide by one hundred and twenty issues long; (2) for queen size, one hundred inches wide by one hundred eighteen inches long; (3) for full size, ninety inches wide by one hundred and ten inches long; and (4) for twin size, seventy five inches wide by one hundred and ten inches long.

[0056] FIG. 3F is diagram of a sixth step in the process of manipulating the clamshell-type duvet cover 1000. As shown, the figure illustrates the folding of the header 1100 around the hinge 1150. Suitably, the header seam 1150 defines a hinge for the embellished header 1100 so that it may be folded over (blank side down) a contained duvet 1500 to add aesthetic patterns to the headboard side margin of a made-up bed.

[0057] FIGS. 3A through 3G illustrate a preferred mode of making up a bed using the disclosed clamshell-type duvet cover 1000. As shown in the figures, the clamshell-type duvet cover header seam 1150, and lateral edge seams 1250 create a completely closed headboard side of the duvet cover 1000 that may accept and hinge 1251 over a duvet or comforter to keep it from being exposed to a sleeping person's face and body. Along with the enclosed portion of the clamshell-type duvet cover, is the twelve to eighteen-inch closed upper sides of the duvet cover which creates stability and non-movability of the comforter. Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3G, the preferred methodology is accomplished according to the following steps: (A) a flat bed sheet (not part of the duvet cover) is spread out over a mattress and all four sides of the sheet tucked under the corresponding sides of the mattress; (B) the duvet cover 1000 is spread out over the flat bed sheet on the mattress; (C) the header 1100 is hinged along the header seam 1150; (D) the top sheet 1200 is lift around the hinge 1251 and the duvet or comforter 1500 is inserted into the between the sheets so that it is partially enclosed against the lateral edge seams 1250 and the header seam 1150; (E) the top sheet 1200 is hinged downward; (F) the header 1100 is hinged over the lateral edge seams 1250 of the duvet cover 1000, blank side down; (G) the sides and foot of the enclosed duvet 1500 and duvet cover are tucked under the mattress 3000 or otherwise left hanging over the side of the mattress 3000; and (H) cased pillows 2000 are provided to the head of the bed 4000.

[0058] Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

[0059] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term including should be read as meaning including, without limitation or the like, the term example is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms a or an should be read as meaning at least one, one or more, or the like, and adjectives such as conventional, traditional, normal, standard, known and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

[0060] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as one or more, at least, but not limited to or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term assembly does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

[0061] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

[0062] All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.