TRI-LAYER BED COVER

Abstract

The bed cover includes a decorative top layer, a middle warming layer, and a bottom fabric layer. The bottom backing layer may be sewn to the middle warming layer using a functional stitch pattern. The decorative top layer may be sewn to the bottom fabric layer, or both the bottom fabric layer and middle layer using a perimeter stitch.

Claims

1. A tri-layer bed cover, comprising: a top layer; a middle layer disposed between the top layer and a bottom layer, the middle layer including a fill material; a perimeter stich securing each of the top layer, the middle layer, and the bottom layer substantially about an outer periphery thereof; and a stitch pattern further securing the bottom layer to the middle layer in a manner dividing the fill material in the middle layer into at least two subdivisions, wherein the fill material in one of the subdivisions is unable to cross the stich pattern into the other of the subdivisions.

2. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the top layer includes at least one decorative element comprising a woven design, a visible texture, or a printed design.

3. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 1, wherein the fill material comprises at least one of a polyester batting, a down material, a feather material, a wool material, a cotton material, or a synthetic fiber fill.

4. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer comprises a soft plain weave fabric comprising a cotton material, a cotton-polyester blend material, or a polyester microfiber material.

5. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 1, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the top layer has no stitching.

6. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 1, wherein the perimeter stitch comprises a width less than 1 inch.

7. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 1, wherein the stitch pattern comprises a grid, a box, a weave, or a channel pattern.

8. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 1, wherein each of the subdivisions comprises an area less than 100 square inches.

9. A tri-layer bed cover, comprising: a core portion having an area approximately the same as an area of a mattress, the core portion including: a top layer; a middle layer disposed between the top layer and a bottom layer, the middle layer including a fill material; a perimeter stitch securing each of the top decorative layer, the middle layer, and the bottom layer substantially about an outer periphery thereof; and a stitch pattern further securing the bottom layer to the middle layer in a manner dividing the fill material in the middle layer into at least two subdivisions, wherein the fill material in one of the subdivisions is unable to cross the stich pattern into the other of the subdivisions; and a border portion comprising two fabric layers sewn together along their respective outer edges and permanently closed to the core portion along two sides of the core portion and a foot end portion of the core portion, wherein the border portion has no fill therein.

10. The tri layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein each of the top layer, the bottom layer, and the middle layer secure about an outer periphery and the border portion comprises two fabric layers closed to the core portion along their respective inner edges.

11. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein an upper surface of the top layer includes at least one decorative element comprising a woven design, a visible texture, or a printed design.

12. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein the fill material comprises at least one of a polyester batting, a down material, a feather material, a wool material, a cotton material, or a synthetic fiber fill.

13. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein the bottom layer comprises a soft plain weave fabric comprising a cotton material, a cotton-polyester blend material, or a polyester microfiber material.

14. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein at least 80% of a surface area of the top layer includes no stitching.

15. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein the perimeter stitch comprises a width less than 1 inch.

16. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein the stitch pattern comprises a grid, a box, a weave, or a channel pattern.

17. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 9, wherein each of the subdivisions comprises an area less than 100 square inches.

18. A tri-layer bed cover, comprising: a top layer; a middle layer disposed between the top layer and a bottom layer, the middle layer including a fill material; a perimeter stich securing the top layer and at least one of the middle layer or the bottom layer substantially along a peripheral edge thereof; and a stitch pattern further securing the bottom layer and the middle layer to form a least two subdivisions in the middle layer separating the fill material, wherein the fill material in one of the subdivisions is unable to cross the stich pattern into the other of the subdivisions.

19. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 18, wherein the perimeter stitch comprises a width less than 1 inch.

20. The tri-layer bed cover of claim 19, wherein each of the subdivisions comprises an area less than 100 square inches.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the tri-layer bed cover;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top view of the tri-layer bed cover wherein a top corner is folded back;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a top view of the tri-layer bed cover; and

[0018] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the tri-layer bed cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The tri-layer bed cover is a bed covering that is easy to arrange over the flat sheet, making it easy for housekeeping to make the bed quickly. The housekeeper no longer needs to separately handle and change the filled comforter, duvet cover or double sheets. The tri-layer bed cover can further simplify the laundering and inventory maintenance costs in dealing with one product rather than two for each bed. Meanwhile, guest satisfaction is maintained through the appearance of a decorative top sheet or decorative duvet cover, along with the warmth of the middle warming layer. Guests may further have an enhanced experience in not having to deal with misalignment along separate layers.

[0020] As shown in the exemplary drawings for purposes of illustration, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tri-layer bed cover. The tri-layer bed cover referred to generally as 10 includes a top decorative layer 12, a middle warming layer 14, and a bottom backing layer 16.

[0021] The decorative top layer 12 provides the aesthetic functionality of a typical decorative top sheet or decorative duvet cover. The top face of the decorative top layer will incorporate decorative elements such as woven patterns, printed designs, and additional textures and/or embellishments on either one or both sides. The bottom face of the decorative top layer can, but does not necessarily feature decorative elements. In the embodiment shown, the top decorative layer is seersucker and hence both the top face and bottom feature a light, wrinkled texture and visual pattern.

[0022] The middle warming layer 14 provides warmth through insulation. In one embodiment, the middle warming layer includes a fiber batting made from various materials such as polyester, blown polyester fiber fill, down, feather or a combination of these materials.

[0023] The bottom backing layer 16 can be any durable, plain weave fabric, such as cotton, cotton blended polyester, or polyester microfiber. Softness may be desired because the bottom backing layer may directly contact the hotel guest if no flat sheet is used, or if the flat sheet becomes misaligned when the guest twists and turns in his or her sleep.

[0024] The middle warming layer 14 is above and concentric with the bottom backing layer 16 and sewn to the bottom backing layer 16 by functional stitch pattern 18. The functional stitch pattern 18 is shown to create a uniform box pattern In this particular embodiment, each box is between 6-10. In addition to joining the bottom backing layer to the middle warming layer, functional stitch pattern 18 subdivides the fiber batting of the intermediate warming layer into to smaller subsections limiting the areas where the filling can migrate or clump and achieving uniformity in the filling and hence warmth of the intermediate construction. The maximum spacing between functional stitching lines (or maximum area of each subdivision) shall not exceed the recommended or commonly known maximum quilting distance for the chosen filling. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various patterns or combinations of patterns can be used instead of a box pattern.

[0025] The top decorative layer 12 is above, concentric with, and joined to the middle warming layer 14 and bottom backing layer 16 at the perimeter of the tri-layer bed cover using a perimeter stitch 20. In one embodiment, the top decorative layer, middle filling layer, and bottom backing layer are the same size, and the perimeter stitch is sewn through all three layers with the middle warming layer between the top decorative layer and the bottom backing layer. In another embodiment, the middle filling layer is smaller than the top decorative layer and the bottom backing layer, and the perimeter stitch is sewn through only the top decorative layer and the bottom backing layer, with the middle warming layer in between the top decorative layer and the bottom backing layer. The perimeter stitch frames a decorative section 22 of the top decorative layer, that is uninterrupted by the functional stitch pattern 18 and resembles a typical hotel top sheet or duvet cover.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of the tri-layer bed cover 10 with the top right corner of folded back.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a top view of the tri-layer bed cover 10 with a different decorative top sheet 12.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the tri-layer bed cover 10.

[0029] The combination of the functional stitch to join the middle warming layer to the bottom backing layer, and the perimeter stitch to join the top decorative layer to the middle warming layer and bottom backing layer, allows the tri-layer bed cover to move with the cohesiveness and uniformity of a single article, provide warmth, and provide the aesthetic functionality of a separate uninterrupted decorative top sheet or duvet cover.

[0030] The decorative top layer can be designed specifically for the hotel brand incorporating its theme or trade dress. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize how to implement the perimeter stitch so that is easy to unravel and re-stitch to allow for easy updating of the decorative top layer.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the top decorative layer, middle warming layer, and bottom backing layer have the same dimensions and the perimeter stitch extends through all three layers. However, the uniformity of the middle warming layer may be chosen such that there will be less or no fiber batting between the perimeter stitch in the tri-layer bed cover.

[0032] In yet another embodiment, the tri-layer bed cover may be combined with the teachings of a Comforter With Fitted Border, as shown and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 9,451,839 (the '839 Patent), the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. Incorporating the teachings of the '839 Patent would allow even more ease in making the bed, as well as a reduction in the material required for construction.

[0033] In this respect, the tri-layer bed cover is further defined by a core portion and a border member. The core portion has dimensions approximately matching the top of the mattress on which it is to be placed. The border portion is connected to two longitudinal sides and a foot end of the core portion. The border member is further comprised of two layers of fabric sewn together along their respective outer edges and sewn closed at the inner edges where it connects to the core portion such that there is no migration of fill from the core portion into the border member. Accordingly, the border member is structurally defined and fixed relative to the core portion so that it can lay flat against the sides of the mattress when the core portion is positioned on the top of the bed.

[0034] A tri-layer bed cover having the core portion and border member allows the bed to be even more convenient to make and with a neater appearance because the housekeeper can quickly and easily feel where to arrange the core portion of the tri-layer bed cover on the top of the bed, and the border member will be automatically positioned.

[0035] In one embodiment, the core portion and border member are formed by choosing the size of the middle warming layer to match the size of the dimensions of the top of the mattress on which it is to be placed and the top decorative layer in the bottom backing layer remain the size of the desired tri-layer bed cover. Additionally, the core portion and border member are reinforced by further sewing through the decorative top layer, middle warming layer and/or the bottom backing layer around the perimeter of the middle warming layer.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the core portion is formed by choosing the size of the bottom backing layer, middle warming layer, and top decorative layer to match the size of the dimensions of the top of the mattress; and joining the bottom backing layer, middle warming layer, and top decorative layer as disclosed herein. The border member is formed by sewing two additional layers of fabric separated initially from the core portion and then sewn to the core portion as taught in the '839 Patent to complete the tri-layer bed cover.

[0037] The tri-layer bed cover is useful outside the hotel industry as well, e.g., in other situations where beds are frequently changed, including bed and breakfasts, short-term rentals hospitals, nursing homes, or in the individual home.

[0038] Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.