GB2556325A

GB2556325A - Duvet and bedding

Info

Publication number: GB2556325A
Application number: GB1614240.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ersal Mehmet Ahmet
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-08-19
Filing date: 2016-08-19
Publication date: 2018-05-30
Also published as: WO2018033567A1; GB201614240D0

Abstract

A duvet comprises an outer envelope 2 which defines at least one enclosed, airtight chamber 7, an insulating material within the outer envelope, and a pump unit 10 for adjusting the volume of the chamber so as to regulate a thermal resistance of the duvet. In a second aspect bedding is formed of a spunbond olefin. In a third aspect bedding comprises a main sheet section (101, fig 6) and at least one draw string (103, fig 6) attached to a peripheral edge of the main sheet section. The main sheet section fits to a mattress (105, fig 7) by drawing the at least one draw string beneath a lower surface of the main sheet section. The main sheet section draws closed providing an enclosed volume (106, fig 8), by drawing the at least one draw string above an upper surface of the main sheet section.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Ahmet Ersal Mehmet

2A Courtrai Road, Forest Hill, LONDON, SE23 1PL, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Ahmet Ersal Mehmet (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Fry Heath & Spence LLP

Unit A, Faraday Court, Faraday Road, Crawley,

West Sussex, RH10 9PU, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

A47G9/02 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2346581 A GB 2281031 A

US 4091482 A US 20040040087 A1

US 20030131967 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA47G

Other: EPO INTERNAL (WPIAP, EPODOC) (54) Title of the Invention: Duvet and bedding Abstract Title: Variable insulation quilt (57) A duvet comprises an outer envelope 2 which defines at least one enclosed, airtight chamber 7, an insulating material within the outer envelope, and a pump unit 10 for adjusting the volume of the chamber so as to regulate a thermal resistance of the duvet. In a second aspect bedding is formed of a spunbond olefin. In a third aspect bedding comprises a main sheet section (101, fig 6) and at least one draw string (103, fig 6) attached to a peripheral edge of the main sheet section. The main sheet section fits to a mattress (105, fig 7) by drawing the at least one draw string beneath a lower surface of the main sheet section. The main sheet section draws closed providing an enclosed volume (106, fig 8), by drawing the at least one draw string above an upper surface of the main sheet section.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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FIG. 1

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FIG. 5

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FIG. 6

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FIG. 7

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11 17

FIG. 8

7/7

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FIG. 9

- 1 The present invention relates to a duvet and bedding.

Various duvets and bedding exist. However, the present inventor has devised improved duvets and bedding.

In one aspect the present invention provides a duvet comprising an outer envelope which defines at ieast one enclosed, airtight chamber, an insulating material within the outer envelope, and a pump unit for adjusting the volume of the chamber so as to regulate a thermal resistance of the duvet.

In another aspect the present invention provides bedding, such as bed sheets and pillow cases, formed of a spunbond olefin.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a bedding, such as bed sheets and pillow cases, comprising a mam sheet section and at least one draw string attached to a peripheral edge of the main sheet section, which allows for the main sheet section to be fitted to a mattress by drawing the at ieast one draw string beneath a lower surface of the main sheet section and to be drawn closed, providing an enclosed volume, by drawing the at ieast one draw string above an upper surface of the main sheet section.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a duvet in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a vertical sectional view (along section M in Figure 1) through the duvet of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the duvet of Figure 1 in an expanded state;

Figure 4 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the duvet of Figure 1 in a compressed state;

Figure 5 illustrates a duvet in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates bedding in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 illustrates the underside of a mattress having the bedding of Figure 6 fitted thereto;

Figure 8 illustrates the bedding of Figure 6 when tied up using the draw strings; and

Figure 9 illustrates bedding in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a duvet in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

The duvet comprises an outer envelope 2 which is formed so as to define at least one enclosed, airtight chamber 7, an insulating material 9 within the outer envelope 2, and a pump unit 10 which regulates the volume of the chamber 7, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

In this embodiment the outer envelope 2 is formed of a flexible sheet material.

In this embodiment the outer envelope 2 comprises upper and lower sheets 15, 17, between which the insulating material 9 is sandwiched,

In this embodiment the sheets 15, 17 are joined at the peripheral edges thereof by pleats 19, which allow for movement of the sheets 15, 17 in a generally parallel manner at the peripheral edges thereof.

In an alternative embodiment the sheets 15, 17 could be bonded together at the peripheral edges thereof.

In this embodiment the outer envelope 2 Is formed of spunbond olefin sheet. This material advantageously Is very light and allows for the transfer of moisture, but prevents the transfer of liquids which could contaminate the inner Insulating material 9.

In this embodiment the outer envelope 2 includes at least one port 23 through which air can pass into and out of the at least one chamber 7 as defined by the outer envelope 2.

In this embodiment the insulating material 9 comprises at least one sheet of a compressible insulation material, such as Actis Hybrid (RTM),

In another embodiment the insulating material 9 could comprise at least one sheet of a compressible multi-foil insulation material, which comprises layers of foil and insulation, such as Actis TRISO-SUPER 10+ (RTM).

In this embodiment the pump unit 10 comprises a pump 31 which is fluidly connected to the at least one port 23 for drawing air into the at least one chamber 7 so as to expand the same, thereby increasing the spacing of the sheets 15, 17 and the thickness of the insulation material 9, and drawing air from the at least one chamber 7 so as to compress the same, thereby decreasing the spacing of the sheets 15, 17 and the thickness of the insulation material 9.

- 4 With this configuration, the effective insulation or TOG value of the duvet can be regulated by controlling the volume of the at least one chamber 7. Figure 3 illustrates a first, expanded configuration, in which the at least one chamber 7 Is Inflated, so as to have a larger spacing dl between the sheets 15, 17, which allows the insulation material 9 to expand to fill the available volume, and by virtue of the greater trapped volume of air provides a greater thermal resistance. Figure 4 illustrates a second, compressed configuration, in which the at least one chamber 7 is deflated, so as to have a smaller spacing d2 between the sheets 15, 17, which causes the insulation material 9 to be compressed, and by virtue of the greater trapped volume of air provides a greater thermal resistance.

Also, with this configuration, operation of the pump 31 to deflate the at least one chamber 7 acts to vent moisture, which passes into the at least one chamber 7 from the user through the lower sheet 17, to atmosphere.

In one embodiment the pump 31 can be manually operated by the user to provide a desired TOG value.

In this embodiment the pump unit 10 includes at least one temperature sensor 33 which senses a temperature of one or both of the external environment at an upper surface of the duvet and the internal environment at the lower surface of the duvet, which represents the temperature of the user, and a controller 35 which controls the pump 31 to regulate the volume of the at least one chamber 7, and so the TOG value of the duvet, in accordance with a predetermined protocol, based on the one or more sensed temperatures.

In one embodiment the controller 35 can be set to control the pump 31 to regulate the volume of the at least one chamber 7, and so the TOG value of the duvet, to maintain the internal environment at the lower surface of the duvet at a desired temperature.

- 5 In one embodiment the controller 35 can provide for operation of the pump 31 to re-fresh the volume of air in the at least one chamber 7, by a deflation and inflation cycle, so as to expel moisture-laden air from the at least one chamber 7 and re-fill the at least one chamber 7 with fresh ambient air, In one embodiment this operation can be manually triggered by a user, In another embodiment this operation can occur automatically at periodic intervals.

In this embodiment the pump unit 31 is powered by a battery 37,

In this embodiment the pump unit 10 is integrated within the duvet.

In an alternative embodiment the pump unit 10 could be remote from the duvet.

Figure 5 illustrates a duvet in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,

The duvet of this embodiment is very similar to the duvet of the abovedescribed embodiment, and, in the interests of expediency, only the differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by like reference signs.

The duvet of this embodiment differs from that of the above-described embodiment in that the outer envelope 2 defines a plurality of separate airtight chambers 7a-f, each having an associated port 23a-f, and in that the pump 31 ofthe pump unit 10 includes a plurality of temperature sensors 33af, each associated with a respective one of the chambers 7a-f, whereby the volume ofthe chambers 7a-f can be separately controlled.

With this configuration, desired temperature distributions can be achieved, such as providing for the region adjacent the feet of a user at a lower temperature, or for regions to opposite sides, corresponding to separate users, at different temperatures.

Figure 6 illustrates bedding In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

The bedding of this embodiment has particular use in hospital or care applications.

In this embodiment the bedding is a bed sheet.

In an alternative embodiment the bedding could be a pillow case.

The bedding comprises a main sheet section 101 and at least one draw string 103 attached to a peripheral edge ofthe main sheet section 101, which allows for the main sheet section 101 to be fixed to a mattress 105 by drawing the at least one draw string 103 beneath the mattress 105, as illustrated in Figure 7, and to be drawn closed, providing an enclosed volume 106, by drawing the at least one draw string 103 tight above the mattress 105, as illustrated in Figure 8.

With this configuration, if the bedding becomes contaminated, such as by personal waste, the at least one draw string 103 can be drawn tight above the mattress 105 and encloses the personal waste, allowing an operative to dispose ofthe contaminated bedding without any risk of spilling the waste.

In this embodiment the main sheet section 101 is formed ofspunbond olefin sheet. This material advantageously Is ve-y light, but prevents the transfer of liquids which could contaminate the mattress 105.

In this embodiment the at least one draw string 103 extends through at least one channel 107 at peripheral edges ofthe main sheet section 101.

~ 7 In this embodiment the at least one channel 107 is formed by an enclosed fold in the main sheet section 101.

In this embodiment the bedding includes a plurality of channels 107, here four channels 107, at respective peripheral edges of the main sheet section 101.

In this embodiment the bedding includes a plurality of drawstrings 103, here two drawstrings 103.

Figure 9 illustrates a bedding in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

The bedding of this embodiment is very similar to the bedding of the abovedescribed embodiment, and thus, In order to avo^d unnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated by like reference signs.

The bedding of this embodiment differs from that of the above-described embodiment in that the at least one channel 107 is formed by a plurality of loops 109.

Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1, A duvet comprising an outer envelope which defines at least one enclosed, airtight chamber, an insulating material within the outer envelope, and a pump unit for adjusting the volume of the chamber so as to regulate a thermal resistance of the duvet.

2. The duvet of claim 1, wherein the outer envelope is formed of a flexible sheet material

3 The duvet of claim 2, wherein the outer envelope comprises upper and lower sheets, between which the insulating material is sandwiched.

4« The duvet of claim 3, wherein the sheets are joined at the peripheral edges thereof by pleats, which allow for separation of the sheets at the peripheral edges thereof.

5, The duvet of claim 3, wherein the sheets are bonded together at the peripheral edges thereof,

6, The duvet of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer envelope is *ormed ofspunbond olefin sheet.

7, The duvet of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insulating material comprises at least one sheet of a compressible insulation material,

8, The duvet of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the insulating material comprises at least one sheet of a compressible multi-foil insulation material, which comprises layers of foil and insulation.

9, The duvet of any of claims 1 to S, wherein the pump unit comprises a pump which draws air into the at least one chamber so as to increase the volume of the same and cause expansion of the insulating material, providing increased thermal resistance, and drawing air from the at least one chamber so as to reduce the volume of the same and cause the compression of the insulating material, providing reduced thermal resistance.

10. The duvet of claim 9, wherein the pump is manually operated by a user to provide a desired thermal resistance.

11. The duvet of claim 9, wherein the pump unit includes at least one temperature sensor which senses a temperature of one or both of an external environment at an upper surface of the duvet and an internal environment at the lower surface of the duvet, and a controller which controls the pump to adjust the volume of the at least one chamber in response to the one or more sensed temperatures.

12. The duvet of claim 11, wherein the controller is set to control the pump to regulate the volume of the at least one chamber to maintain the the lower surface of the duvet at a desired temperature.

13. The duvet of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the pump unit is Integrated within the duvet.

14. The duvet of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the outer envelope defines a plurality of airtight chambers, and the pump unit includes a plurality of temperature sensors, each associated with a respective one of the chambers, whereby the volume of the chambers can be separately adjusted.

15. Bedding formed of a spunbond olefin.

16. The bedding of claim 15, wherein the bedding is a bed sheet.

17. The bedding of claim 15, wherein the bedding is a pillow case.

10

18. Bedding comprising a main sheet section and at least one draw string attached to a peripheral edge of the main sheet section, which allows for the main sheet section to be fitted to a mattress by drawing the at least one draw string beneath a lower surface of the main sheet section and to be drawn closed, providing an enclosed volume, by drawing the at least one draw string above an upper surface of the main sheet section.

19. The bedding of claim 18, wherein the main sheet section is formed of a spunbond olefin sheet.

20. The bedding of claim 18 or 19, wherein the at least one draw string extends through at least one channel at peripheral edges of the main sheet section,

21. The bedding of claim 20, wherein the at least one channel is formed by an enclosed fold in the main sheet section.

22. The bedding of claim 20, wherein the at least one channel is formed by a plurality of loops.

23. The bedding of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the bedding includes a plurality of channels at respective peripheral edges of the main sheet section.

24. The bedding of any of claims 18 to 23, wherein the bedding includes a plurality of drawstrings.

25. The bedding of any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the bedding is a bed sheet

- 11

26. The bedding of any of claims 2.0 to 24, wherein the bedding is a pillow case.

GB1614240.8

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