GB2531650B - Bedding - Google Patents

Description

Bedding

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to bedding.

Background of the Invention

Most people buy articles such as sheets, duvets and duvet covers for use on their bed. These are generally called bedding, or sometimes bed wear.

When sleeping in bed, there are problems associated with exposure from the cold and/or draughts, which can be prime offenders in causing back pain, muscle pain, colds, flu, arthritic conditions, sleeplessness and other ill-health issues.

An article by Nick Tumminello, published on Livestront.com, questions conventional wisdom surrounding the common affliction of lower back pain (LBP). It states: "Do you know someone with lower back pain? You probably will, and sooner than you think. It's one of the most common afflictions in the US. With roughly 85 percent of the population suffering from back pain at some point in their lives. These statistics are similar in other countries. 95 percent of back pain causes such as muscle spasm or a dull ache in the lower back are what experts call non-specific. That means the exact cause is usually elusive! And cannot be attributed to an identifiable condition (Such as infection, tumour, arthritis, or inflammation, which are specific cases and the minority). Non-specific lower back pain (LBP) being so common and elusive it has become big business with Americans spending at least $50 Billion each year on potential treatments and prevention strategies." This is one reason why parents tuck children into bed at bedtime. This is an attempt to avoid chills and protect them from cold draughts which are able to waft under blankets or duvets. In adulthood, we seldom have the luxury of being tucked-in at night to avoid chills. As a result, the cold, draughty and uneven air frequently assaults us through the night, resulting in uncomfortable, irregular and disruptive sleep patterns, causing us to wake-up feeling unwell with a cold, back-pain, muscular stiffness, spasms, and even arthritic symptoms.

These symptoms are major problems in colder climates of the world and the problem is caused by exposure to the cold.

Summary of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided bedding as defined in the appended claims.

Such bedding provides controllable and significantly improved peripheral thermal insulation protection all-round the body. As such, embodiments herein have been designed to complement and improve thermal performance at the described areas. The cased adaptations are envisaged as multifunctional stand-alone thermal bedding products.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of bedding according to a first embodiment of the invention, when fitted to a mattress on a bed; Figure 2 shows various configurations of the Figure 1 bedding, which are useful for understanding the invention; and Figure 3 is an exploded view of the Figure 1 bedding.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, bedding, or a bedding adaptation (as it may be known) according to a first embodiment is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The bedding 1 comprises an upper sheet 2 connected to a lower sheet 3 around three 11, 12, 13 sides thereby providing a compartment or pocket within which a user 10 can locate themselves as indicated. The top edge 14 is left open. Connecting the two lateral sides 11, 12 and the bottom side 13 of the upper and lower sheets 2, 3 is an elongate sheet of peripheral edging 4 or a gusset which is a strip of material that is preferably elasticated and joins the sheets. This edging 4 keeps the upper and lower sheets 2, 3 held close together by the elastication but also allows the user 10 to climb in-between the sheets 2, 3 which causes the edging 4 to stretch against its biasing but keeps the user 10 snug and warm within the casing.

Along at least one side of the edging 4, here the left-hand side as shown, is provided a user-operably fastening means, which is provided as a slide fastener such as a zipper comprising a teeth track 7 and the zipper 8. The zipper 8 may be single or double sided, i.e. so that a user can access the zipper from both inside and outside of the casing. Operation of the zipper 8 allows the user to create more room in-between the sheets 2, 3 for comfort or, perhaps, to permit some ventilation. The fastening means may extend half-way down the side, or all of the way down the side.

The edging 4 strip of material is a ventilated material.

The bedding 1 therefore provides a sleeping compartment which is easy to access at the top end 14.

An opening 9 is also provided near the bottom edge of the upper sheet 2 which permits access under said sheet, into a duvet pocket provided underneath. A third sheet (not shown in Figure 1) is present between the upper and lower sheets 2, 3 to create the duvet pocket. The opening 9 is selectively openable by means of a fastener, in this case a series of button fasteners 15 as shown. This permits a duvet to be fed into the pocket through the opening 9.

Attached beneath the lower sheet 3 is a mattress cover 5, which is a sheet of material larger in area than the lower sheet 3, arranged in use to fold beneath a mattress. The mattress cover 5 may be of the fitted sort, or the elasticated sort. When the edges of the mattress cover 5 are folded as shown, the sleeping compartment is secured into position on the mattress, here shown on top of a divan base 6. This keeps the sleeping compartment square relative to the mattress.

Referring to Figure 2a, it can be seen that the bedding 1 is anchored to the mattress by the mattress cover 5. Referring to Figure 2b, a duvet 16 is shown after being inserted through the opening 9. In Figure 2c, the opening 9 is closed using the buttons 15. In Figure 2d, the zipper 8 is shown being opened to allow the upper sheet 2, including the duvet held within the pocket, to be peeled back, e.g. for the user to enter the sleeping compartment. In Figure 2e, the zipper 8 can then be fastened back to the previous position to fasten the user inside the compartment. Figure 2f shows how draughts no longer disturb the user, as air wafts over the bedding 1.

Referring to Figure 3, which is an exploded view of the Figure 1 embodiment, below the upper sheet 2 is provided an intermediate third sheet 20, which creates the duvet pocket referred to above. An optional heat-reflective insulating layer 21 is here provided between the upper sheet 2 and the third sheet 20 to trap warm air between the duvet and the user's body.

The peripheral edging 4 is provided in the form of taping stitched between the upper and lower sheets 2, 3, in a U-shape around the sides 12,13,14.

The above-described embodiments provide an efficient and convenient way of providing a close-fitting, snug sleeping compartment in which the user can prevent draughts from entering, potentially making them ill or injured.

In some embodiments, there are provided a range of cased, multifunctional and easy fitting insulating bedding adaptations, such as cased sheet adaptations and/or blanket adaptations comprising upper and lower sheet(s) and/or blanketed embodiments. The sheets are connected to provide a sealed casing with an opening at a top end, and peripheral edging or an elasticated strip between the upper and lower sheets to enable the user to create more room, with improved thermal insulation and snugness in-between the cased sheets. A user-operable fastening means permits user opening of the casing. The fastenings are openable and closable at the sides via any suitable fastening or combination of fastening means, e.g. a robust double-handled zipper having handles on both the inner and outer surfaces of the zipper head. Alternatively, the fastening means may comprise exterior buttons, hook and loop fastening strips, lacings, or snap fasteners. This allows more comfort and warmth, and controllable warmth or ventilation between the casing adaptations when used on a bed.

In some embodiments, there is provided a range of integrated, easy to fit insulating cased sheet and/or blanket adaptations for beds, comprising either single cased upper and lower adaptations or comprising one or more upper and lower cased designs, dependant on the application. Such improved, thermally effective cased bedding adaptations including any of the previously described points are envisaged comprising one or more upper sheets, or one or more lower sheets, integrating one or more peripheral edge or side strips of any suitable material. These may comprise integrated upper and lower sheet(s) and/or blankets of any suitable material dependant on application or function. Such adaptations may be used in conjunction with convention colour co-ordinated blankets or duvets and pillow sets, or designed as various integrated combinations, and thus provide greater aesthetics. The adaptations are configured to be of any suitable size, shape and configuration to fit any bed size, including children's beds or cots. The sheets are stitched and/or fastened together making a sealed case design, which is open at the top. Alternatively, the described cased sheeting and/or insulating bedding adaptations may also include a top layer strip of added insulating material which extends the perimeter, providing further improved insulation at the feet end, and the sides of the bedding.

The upper and lower edges and sides of the adaptation can either be fixed by stitching. The upper layer may also be foldable for ease of entrance and exit when in use, e.g. at a 45 degree angle. Lightweight, but effective thermal insulation, evens out the warmth of the bedding and, importantly, provides greater thermal protection along the periphery and bottom of the bed.

The cased adaptations are envisaged as multifunctional stand-alone thermal bedding products for beds, particularly when the duvet case described above is integrated.

The described fastener, or fasteners, can be employed and located at one or both outside edges of the peripheral edging, or in the upper layer. The fastener or fasteners may run along the full length, or approximately half the length of the bedding, for manual adjustment and improved warmth, comfort and ventilation regulation levels. The top layer, being foldable, also helps with ease of entrance when in use.

The product compliments and improves standard duvets and bedding, helping to ease lower back pain and reduce illness.

The edging strips of the edging material may be configured on the perimeter in an elongate 45 degree shape on the exterior of the casing, providing more room, insulation and comfort.

In other embodiments, the duvet cover may also include a zipper fastener covering 50% of the periphery of the duvet area, which makes it easier to insert the duvet into the casing when fitted to the bed.

The bedding can be adapted and provided for a range of bed sizes and shapes.

The bedding duvet is either an integrated all-in-one bedding adaptation or an independent easy-fit duvet, designed specifically with a zipper and/or buttons or other suitable fastening means that extend up to half of the perimeter of the duvet case.

The zippers mentioned above may be durable zipper designs made from polymer and/or metal construction, with a head large enough to include a large handle on both sides. The zipper should be robust enough to withstand the stress of repeated use.

The bedding may also include a wired, electrically-heated system providing controlled heating, e.g. digitally controlled setting and selective shut-off programming, providing added further warmth and comfort which is vital for therapeutic health and well-being.

In some embodiments, there is included a suitably-sized flap or strip of material surrounding the lower sheet base, or extending therefrom, configured to be tucked under the mattress when in use. The material can be elasticated. This helps retain the bedding in place, centrally on a mattress, and helps stop irritating draughts that occur from the sides or corners of the bed, e.g. when bedding is disturbed. This also avoids problems due to inappropriately fitted sheets when wrinkled and also significantly improves comfort, as well as reducing illness.

The bedding adaptations can be made from any suitable materials, or combinations of materials, e.g., synthetic polyester, cotton, wool, silk, microfiber, flannelette and/or even water retentive materials dependent on application. Any colours or colour combinations can be provided. The materials can be machine washable, or made as throw-away products dependent on application.

The adaptations may comprise a range of bedding features comprising one, two or more compartmented layers. The top compartment is arranged for the inclusion of a duvet. The middle compartment is arranged to provide the sleeping area. The bottom compartment, or a bottom layer, may be arranged to provide for a variety of sleeping surfaces, from soft to firm surfaces. The compartment may be formed of water resistant materials to protect the mattress. Such adaptations may also include thin wired, electrically heated systems as mentioned above.

The adaptations may also comprise an adjustable thermal collar or hood at the open end, protecting the user's head and neck from the cold.

The bottom sheet may be cotton, and the top layer may comprise micro-fibre material for added warmth.

The bedding may include a lower sheet of foam lined material of different thickness forming a variety of extra comfort levels on a bed.

Bedding adaptations are also envisaged which have any suitable neutral, coloured, patterned or decorative printed design aesthetics, or sophisticated desirable design combinations. They may be machine washable, or disposable, throw away products, dependent on the application.

The upper and bottom layers may be formed of the same material. The bedding adaptations are configured to integrate a lower peripheral flat sheet, or elasticised side edging for fitting under the mattress, or which are attached to the sides of the mattress when in use.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly 113 disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or combination of such features.

Claims (13)

1. Claims

   1. Bedding comprising: an upper sheet of material; a lower sheet of material and an intermediate sheet configured to form a duvet case with the upper sheet; one or more strips of peripheral edging material connecting the upper and lower material sheets along their periphery, leaving an opening at one end for a user to locate themselves in-between the sheets of upper and lower material; and a user-operable fastener provided within the one or more strips of peripheral edging material to permit the user to separate the sheets of upper and lower material; the peripheral edging material further comprising ventilation holes.
2. 2. Bedding according to claim 1, wherein the one or more peripheral edging strips are formed of elasticated material.
3. 3. Bedding according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sheets of upper and lower material are substantially square or rectangular, and each comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges between the top and bottom edges, and wherein the one or more peripheral edging strips extend between the side edges and the bottom edges but not the top edges.
4. 4. Bedding according to claim 3, wherein the user-operable fastener extends along only one side edge of the sheets of upper and lower material.
5. 5. Bedding according to claim 3, wherein the fastener extends along the side edges and the bottom edge of the sheets of upper and lower material.
6. 6. Bedding according to any preceding claim, wherein the user operable fastener comprises exterior buttons, hook and loop fastening strips, lacings, or snap fasteners.
7. 7. Bedding according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the user operable fastener is a zipper.
8. 8. Bedding according to claim 7, wherein the zipper has handles on both inner and outer surfaces of the zipper head.
9. 9- Bedding according to any preceding claim wherein an opening of the duvet case has a user-adjustable fastener. Bedding according to any preceding claim, further comprising an electrical heating system. Bedding according to claim 10, wherein the electrical heating system is configured to be digitally controlled for selecting setting and shut-off programming.
10. 12. Bedding according to any preceding claim, further comprising a strip, flap or skirt of sheet-like material attached to the lower sheet of material and configured in use to be detachably fitted to a mattress.
11. 13. Bedding according to claim 12, wherein the strip, flap or skirt of material surrounds the lower sheet of material.
12. 14. Bedding according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the strip, flap or skirt of material is elasticated.
13. 15. Bedding according to any preceding claim, wherein a layer of insulating material is provided around a perimeter of the bedding.