DUVET ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a duvet assembly comprising a duvet (2) and a duvet cover (3), the duvet cover comprising a top sheet (T) and a separate bottom sheet (B), wherein:
the duvet comprises:
- a first cooperating part (C1)of a first releasable fastening means (F1), the first cooperating part being complementary to a second cooperating part (C2) located on the top sheet, and
- a third cooperating part (C3) of a second releasable fastening means (F2), the third cooperating part being complementary to a fourth cooperating part (C4) located on the bottom sheet (B),

wherein the top sheet for covering a top face of the duvet is connected to the duvet via the first releasable fastening means,
wherein the bottom sheet for covering a bottom face of the duvet is connected to the duvet via the second releasable fastening means,
wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet, when attached to the duvet, form a duvet cover for the duvet, and
wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are reversibly, completely and independently removable from the duvet by the releasing of the first releasable fastening means and/or the second releasable fastening means, and
wherein the top sheet comprises a left flap (14A) and a right flap (14B), wherein said both flaps are the parts of the top sheet which extend over a distance (16A, 16B) beyond both sides of the duvet (S, S'), wherein the flaps substantially cover and conceal the duvet and the first and second releasable fastening means.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of duvets and their covers, referred to herein as duvets covers. The combination of a duvet and its cover is referred to herein as duvet assembly. Specifically, the present invention provides a versatile duvet assembly suitable for covering one or two persons lying on a bed. Duvets per se are known.

[0002] Synonyms for a duvet include: "quilt", "continental quilt" and "doona". A "comforter", a word mainly used in the US, is functionally the same as a duvet; the insulating filling including polyester batting, down feathers, wool or silk.

Background of the invention

[0003] Duvet assemblies are widely used in the Western world as substitute for blankets. Duvet assemblies are particularly liked by people because of their light weight, warm properties and decorative appearance, which confer a feeling of comfort and luxury to the users.

[0004] Duvet assemblies are however not optimal as they have a range of limitations. One set of limitations relates to the duvet cover per se. Duvet covers are invariably used in combination with duvets as a protective envelop for keeping the duvet clean. Duvet covers, particularly the top layer, also serve as decorative elements. The top layer of the duvet cover often has different prints, motifs (e.g. embroideries), texture (e.g. rib effects, beads, reflective material) and/or different fabric composition than the bottom layer of the duvet. The bottom layer, which comes in contact with the sleeper, may be simpler and made of thinner and/or lighter fabric such as woven cotton, polyester-cotton blend, flannelette, and the like.

[0005] However, such duvet covers are problematic particularly when they have to be washed frequently, for instance in the hotel industry. This makes the laundry duty rather cumbersome, not only because of the size of the duvet cover (particularly for double- and king-size beds) but also because of special fabric and/or the presence of decorative elements (e.g. embroideries, beads, reflecting surfaces, colours, etc) that are fragile and/or not easy to wash or dry. Such duvet covers often require dry cleaning only, which is expensive and time-consuming. For these reasons, people may refrain from using or purchasing embellished duvet covers, and may instead prefer to use or purchase simpler duvet covers, i.e. devoid of decorative elements and made of a fabric that is easy to wash and dry. Overall, these drawbacks deprive the customers of options.

[0006] Another limitation with respect to duvet covers relates to the task of assembling the duvet assembly by inserting the duvet into the duvet cover. Most duvet covers have an opening at the foot end for the insertion of the duvet inside the duvet cover. Inserting a duvet in such duvet covers is generally cumbersome and tiresome for most people as it is difficult to properly orientate the duvet in its intended position and spread it evenly (bulge-free) within the duvet cover. This holds especially for duvets for double beds. The larger the duvet, the more difficult it is to properly insert it in the duvet cover.

[0007] Another problem is the difficulty to maintain the duvet in its intended position within the duvet cover during the night. Typically, the duvet tends to shift position when the sleeper moves during the night. This causes the duvet to crumple or bulge out into one corner or side of the duvet cover, leaving the user with floppy sections of just duvet cover and no duvet. This is inconvenient and frustrating for the user because frequent readjustments need to be made to reposition the duvet within the duvet cover when making the bed the next day. This is also inconvenient and time inefficient for the hotel industry, where the staff has to perform this duty on a daily basis.

[0008] Another limitation relates to the duvet perse. Duvets are typically made to have a uniform thermal insulation across their surface. This may be inconvenient for duvets intended for a two-person bed. More often than not, the two persons sleeping in a double bed may have different preferences and needs in terms of sleeping temperatures. Individual preferences and needs of sleepers also vary across seasons. Duvets with uniform thermal insulating properties cannot easily accommodate such preferences and needs.

[0009] Another limitation is the lack of duvet and duvet cover combinations or assemblies, which are devoid of all the above-mentioned limitations.

[0010] Over the past years, efforts have been devoted to improve duvets and duvets covers. For instance, an alternative duvet assembly of a duvet and duvet cover has been disclosed in WO2011146982. The duvet cover is composed of a separate top layer and bottom layer which are releasably fastened to each other e.g. by a zipper running around the entire periphery of the duvet cover. The duvet cover can also be releasably joined to the duvet by means of buttons and holes which located at the four corners of the top layer of the duvet cover. Although this duvet assembly solves a number of problems associated with standard duvets and their covers, it was recognized in the present invention that certain disadvantages remain.

[0011] In particular, the removal of the top cover of the duvet assembly according to WO2011146982 is quite cumbersome.

[0012] Further, the duvet assembly according to WO2011146982 is still not optimal because the duvet can still move within the duvet cover and cause the formation of bulges inside the duvet cover when the user moves during the night.

[0013] Further, it is difficult for some people, for lack of dexterity or patience, to connect the duvet according to WO2011146982 to the duvet cover.

[0014] The task of creating a proper duvet assembly remains difficult and labour-intensive because the user still has to properly place the duvet in its intended position inside the duvet cover before being able to secure it to the top layer of the duvet cover via buttons and holes located in the corners of the duvet cover. Further, such duvet and duvet cover combination still has uniform thermal insulating properties, which cannot be changed at all.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0015] It is an object of the invention to provide a duvet assembly comprising a duvet and a duvet cover for which the replacement of both the top cover and the bottom cover is relatively easy.

[0016] It is an object of the invention to provide a duvet assembly which makes the task of inserting the duvet inside the duvet cover easier and less labour-intensive.

[0017] It is an object of the invention to provide a duvet assembly which substantially prevents the movement of the duvet inside the duvet cover.

[0018] It is an object of the invention to provide a duvet assembly which allows the user to remove the duvet, so as to form a bed cover devoid of insulating properties.

[0019] It is a further object of the invention to provide a duvet assembly which allows the user to vary the insulating properties in one or more areas of the duvet to accommodate the needs of two persons having different preferences for sleeping temperatures and/or to accommodate the needs of one or two persons having different preferences for sleeping temperatures across seasons.

[0020] It is an object of the invention to provide a duvet assembly which is more versatile by having all the advantages as taught herein so as to offer customers more options.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In order to achieve at least one object, the invention provides a duvet assembly comprising a duvet and a duvet cover, the duvet cover comprising a top sheet and a separate bottom sheet, wherein:

the duvet comprises:

• a first cooperating part of a first releasable fastening means, the first cooperating part being complementary to a second cooperating part located on the top sheet, and
• a third cooperating part of a second releasable fastening means, the third cooperating part being complementary to a fourth cooperating part located on the bottom sheet,

wherein the top sheet for covering a top face of the duvet is connected to the duvet via the first releasable fastening means,
wherein the bottom sheet for covering a bottom face of the duvet is connected to the duvet via the second releasable fastening means,
wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet, when attached to the duvet, form a duvet cover for the duvet,

wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are reversibly, completely and independently removable from the duvet by the releasing of the first releasable fastening means and/or the second releasable fastening means, and
wherein the top sheet comprises a left flap and a right flap, wherein said both flaps are the parts of the top sheet which extend over a distance beyond both sides of the duvet, wherein the flaps substantially cover and conceal the duvet and the first and second releasable fastening means.

[0022] In an embodiment, the duvet assembly as taught herein has a configuration wherein the bottom sheet comprises a left flap and a right flap, wherein said both flaps are the parts of the bottom sheet which extend over a distance beyond both sides of the duvet, wherein the flaps substantially cover and conceal the duvet and the first and second releasable fastening means.

[0023] Assembly and disassembly of the duvet assembly is relatively easy as a result of the configuration of the fastening means. The duvet is connected to both the top sheet and the bottom sheet and stays in place quite well.

[0024] In an embodiment, the top sheet and the bottom sheet are disconnected from each other, the duvet assembly being free of any connection means for directly connecting the top sheet and the bottom sheet together when the duvet is present. . In this embodiment, the top sheet can be disconnected from the combination of the duvet and the bottom sheet relatively easy by a releasing a single releasable fastening means.

[0025] In an embodiment, the first cooperating part is connected to the top face of the duvet or is connected to an upper region of an edge of the duvet and wherein the third cooperating part is connected to the bottom face of the duvet or is connected to a lower region of an edge of the duvet. This arrangement provide a simple stacking of the three elements, bottom sheet, duvet and top sheet and allows a relatively simple assembling procedure.

[0026] In an embodiment, the second cooperating part of the first releasable fastening means is complementary to the fourth cooperating part of the second fastening means located on the bottom sheet, allowing the top sheet to be connected directly to the bottom sheet by connecting the second cooperative means of the first fastening means located on the top sheet to the fourth cooperating means of the second fastening means located on the bottom sheet. In an embodiment, a distance between a left part and right part of the first releasable fastening means is substantially the same as the distance between a left part and right part of the second releasable fastening means. The left and right part may extend along the left and right side of the duvet between the foot end and the head end. The duvet can be simply removed, for instance in the summer when the temperature is high, and the top sheet and bottom sheet can be interconnected relatively easy without the duvet.

[0027] In an embodiment, the first and second releasable fastening means extend around substantially an entire perimeter of the duvet. In this way, the duvet is connected to both the top sheet and the bottom sheet substantially all around its perimeter. This will secure the position of the duvet within the cover very well.

[0028] In an embodiment, the first and second releasable fastening means extend only along the longitudinal sides of the duvet. This is a simple configuration which still provides the benefits of proper securing of the duvet and an easy assembling and disassembling procedure.

[0029] In an embodiment, the first and second releasable fastening means are selected from a group consisting of zippers, velcro, hooks and eyes, press studs and sockets, buttons and button holes. In an embodiment, the first and second releasable fastening means are zippers. Zippers were found to be very practical for this purpose.

[0030] In an embodiment, the width of the top sheet is greater than a width of the duvet. This provides a visual concealment of the duvet even though the top sheet and bottom sheet are separate items. A width of the bottom sheet may also be greater than a width of the duvet. This prevents the user from contacting the duvet. The width of the top sheet may be greater than the width of the bottom sheet in order to conceal the bottom sheet by the top sheet. Alternatively, the width of the top sheet may be substantially the same as the width of the bottom sheet.

[0031] The top may comprise a left flap and a right flap and wherein the bottom top sheet comprises a left flap and a right flap, the flaps, wherein said flaps are the parts of the top sheet and bottom sheet which extend over a distance beyond the sides of the duvet and beyond the first and second releasable fastening means, wherein the flaps substantially cover and conceal the first and second releasable fastening means.

[0032] In an embodiment, the duvet comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part provides a thermal insulation that is different from the thermal insulation provided by the second part, and wherein the first part and second part are releasably connected by a third releasable fastening means comprising a fifth cooperating part located on the first part and a complementary sixth cooperating part located on the second part.

[0033] In an embodiment, the duvet assembly as taught herein has a configuration, wherein the top left flap and the top right flap are releasably connected to the bottom left flap and the bottom right flap, respectively, by a fourth left releasable fastening means and a fourth right releasable fastening means comprising a seventh left cooperating part located on the top left flap and a seventh right cooperating part located on the top right flap and a complementary eight left cooperating part located on the bottom left flap and a eight right cooperating part located on the bottom right flap.

[0034] In an embodiment, the third and fourth releasable fastening means is selected from the group consisting of zippers, velcro, hooks and eyes, press studs and sockets, buttons and button holes. The third and fourth releasable fastening means may in particular be a zipper.

[0035] In an embodiment, the top sheet and the bottom sheet are formed of a single layer of cloth selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, flannelette, percale, tencel, silk, satin, jersey, and polar fleece, and mixture thereof.

[0036] In an embodiment, the top sheet is a bed spread. The present invention is in particular suitable in combination with a bed spread for the top sheet, because it allows the disconnection of the bed spread in an easy manner.

[0037] The bottom sheet may be formed of a single layer of cloth selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, flannelette, percale, tencel, silk, satin, jersey, and polar fleece, and mixture thereof.

[0038] The present invention further relates to a method for covering a bed and/or one or two persons lying horizontally on a bed with a duvet assembly, the method comprising providing the duvet assembly according to the invention and covering the bed and/or the one or two persons with the duvet assembly.

[0039] The method has substantially the same advantages as the duvet assembly according to the invention.

[0040] In an embodiment of the method, the top sheet is exchanged for another top sheet by disconnecting the top sheet from the duvet and connecting another top sheet to the duvet.

[0041] In an embodiment of the method, the bottom sheet is exchanged for another bottom sheet by disconnecting the bottom sheet from the duvet and connecting another bottom sheet to the duvet.

[0042] In an embodiment, the method comprises providing the duvet assembly according to the invention and exchanging the first part or second part with a third part having different insulating properties than the insulating properties of the first part or second part in order to accommodate to a need of one of the two persons for a different sleeping temperature.

[0043] In an embodiment, the method comprises removing the duvet from the duvet assembly and connecting the top sheet and the bottom sheet of the duvet cover to each other so as to form a bed cover without the duvet.

[0044] These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] 

Figure 1A shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the duvet assembly according to the invention.

Figure 1B shows a diagrammatic view of the detail of an edge of the duvet.

Figure 1C shows a diagrammatic view of the detail of another embodiment of an edge of the duvet.

Figure 2A shows a diagrammatic isometric view of an embodiment of a duvet according to the invention.

Figure 2B shows a diagrammatic isometric view of another embodiment of a duvet according to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the duvet assembly without the duvet.

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic isometric view of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the duvet assembly according to the invention comprising top flaps for concealing the fastening means.

Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of the duvet assembly according to the invention comprising top and bottom flaps for concealing the fastening means.

[0046] In the present invention, all figures are intended to be representative schematic views (i.e. not drawn to scale) of various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the duvet assembly 1 according to the invention. The duvet assembly 1 comprises a duvet 2 and a duvet cover 3, the latter being formed of a top sheet T and a separate bottom sheet B. The duvet assembly 1 is suitable to cover one or two persons lying horizontally on a bed. The top sheet T is intended to cover the top face TF of the duvet 2 and a bottom sheet B is intended to cover the bottom face BF of the duvet 2, as depicted in figure 2.

[0048] In an embodiment, the top sheet T and the bottom sheet B are formed of a single layer of cloth selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, flannelette, percale, tencel, silk, satin, jersey, and polar fleece, and a mixture thereof.

[0049] In another embodiment, the top sheet T may be a bedspread comprising a relatively thick cloth with a visually attractive print, design, embroidery or the like. The bedspread is substantially thicker and heavier than the bottom sheet. The term 'bedspread' as used herein is well-known in the art and refers to a bed cover, usually decorative, which often serves the function of a blanket. Any bedspread may be used in the invention regardless of their composition. The cover 3 may comprise a bedspread for the top sheet and a single layer of cloth for the bottom sheet.

[0050] Obviously, the dimensions (length and width) of the duvet assembly 1, including the dimensions (length width, volume) of the duvet 2 and duvet cover 3 will vary depending on the size of the bed for which the bed assembly 1 is intended for, e.g. single bed, double bed, king-size bed, queen-size bed, and the like. The skilled person is well acquainted with bed size measurements in relation to bed assembly confection.

[0051] As further shown in figure 1, the duvet assembly 1 comprises a first fastening means F1 via which the top sheet is connected to the duvet and a second fastening means F1 via which the bottom sheet is connected to the duvet. The first fastening means F1 comprises a left part F1A and a right part F1 B and are jointly referred to as F1. In this document, the numeral A is generally used for the left part and the numeral B is generally used for the right part.

[0052] The first fastening means F1 comprises a first cooperating part C1 and a second cooperating part C2 which are complementary to one another and are constructed to interconnect. The first cooperating part C1 is connected to the duvet and the second cooperating part is connected to the top sheet. The first cooperating part C1 may be divided in a left part C1A and a right part C1 B. Likewise, the second cooperating part C2 may be divided in a left part C2A and a right part C2B.

[0053] The second fastening means F2 comprises a third cooperating part C3 and a fourth cooperating part C4 which are complementary to one another and are constructed to be connected to one another and form the connection between the duvet and the bottom sheet. The third cooperating part C3 is connected to the duvet and the fourth cooperating part C4 is connected to the bottom sheet. The third cooperating part C3 may be divided in a left part C3A and a right part C3B. Likewise, the fourth cooperating part C4 may be divided in a left part C4A and a right part C4B.

[0054] The first and second releasable fastening means F1, F2 may extend only along the longitudinal sides of the duvet assembly between the head end and the foot end.

[0055] Alternatively, the first and second releasable fastening means F1, F2 may extend fully around the perimeter of the duvet.

[0056] In the embodiment of figure 1 the width WT of the top sheet T is substantially the same as the width WB of the bottom sheet B. The width WT of the top sheet T and the width WB of the bottom sheet B are greater than the width WD of the duvet 2, and also greater than the distance W1 between the respective left parts C1A, C2A, C3A, C4A and right parts C1 B, C2B, C3B, C4B of the first and second releasable fastening means F1, F2.

[0057] The left portion C1A and the right portion C1 B of the first cooperating part C1 of the first releasable fastening means F1 are at an equal distance W1 from one another as the left portion C3A and the right portion C3B of third cooperating part of the second releasable fastening means F2. This also applies to the left portion C2A and the right portion C2B of the second cooperating part C2 and to the left portion C4A and the right portion C4B of the fourth cooperating part C4.

[0058] If the top sheet needs to be removed for cleaning or exchanged with another top sheet, only the first releasable fastening means needs to be released. Likewise, if the bottom sheet needs to be removed for cleaning or exchanged with another bottom sheet, only the second releasable fastening means needs to be released. The top sheet T and the bottom sheet B of the duvet cover 3 can be reversibly, completely and independently removed from the duvet 2. This configuration is advantageous as it allows the user to independently remove the top sheet T and/or the bottom sheet B of the duvet cover 3 when desired and according to different purposes such as for laundry (e.g. washing the bottom sheet B only) or for varying the aesthetic aspect of the top sheet T (e.g. replacing the top sheet T with another one having a different motif, colour, texture etc) or for other purposes.

[0059] Figure 1 further shows that the excess width 16A, 16B of the top sheet T forms a left flap 14A and right flap 14B which substantially covers and conceals the duvet including the first releasable means F1. Similarly, the excess width 17A, 17B of the bottom sheet B forms a left flap 15A and right flap 15B which substantially prevents contact between the user and the duvet.

[0060] In another embodiment, the width of the top sheet may be greater than the width of the duvet bottom sheet.

[0061] It will be understood from figure 1 that when the top sheet T is connected to the duvet 2 by the first releasable fastening means F1 and the bottom sheet B is connected to the duvet 2 by the second releasable fastening means F2, this arrangement forms the duvet assembly 1 with the cover 3. In this embodiment, the top sheet T and the bottom B sheet are not connected to one another, and there are no connection means to connect the top sheet directly to the bottom sheet. Both the top sheet and the bottom sheet can be disconnected by releasing a single fastening means, respectively F1 and F2. After the disconnection, the two parts which remain are still interconnected via the other releasable fastening means which prevents the two remaining parts from becoming untidy.

[0062] This configuration makes the task of placing the duvet 2 within the duvet cover 3 very simple because the three elements can simply be laid on top of one another and interconnected. The user does not need to reach inside anything. In use, the duvet 2 remains in place and does not require any further adjustments later on.

[0063] Turning to figure 1B, the first cooperating part C1 (divided in a left portion C1A and a right portion C1 B, only the right portion is shown) of the first releasable fastening means F1 is located on the top face TF of the duvet 2, preferably close to the edge S' of the top face TF. The third cooperating part C3 (divided in a left portion C3A and a right part C3B) of the second releasable fastening means F2 is located on the bottom face BF of the duvet 2, preferably close to the edge S' of the bottom face BF.

[0064] Turning to figure 1C, alternatively, the first cooperating part C1 may be located on an upper region 18 of the edge S' of the duvet 2. Only the left portion C1 B is shown. The third cooperating part C3 of the second releasable fastening means F2 may be located on a lower region 19 of an edge S' of the duvet 2. Only the left portion C3B is shown. The term 'upper region of an edge S' refers to the upper region on the left edge S and the edge S' of the duvet 2. In another embodiment, the fastening means F1, F2 may extend all around the duvet and the term 'upper region of an edge S' may also refer to the upper regions of the head end and foot end of the duvet.

[0065] Figure 2A shows an embodiment where the first and second fastening means F1, F2 only extend along the longitudinal sides of the duvet. Only the first cooperating part C1 (divided in a left portion C1A and right portion C1 B) on the duvet is shown, but obviously the third cooperating part C3 on the bottom face of the duvet, the second cooperating part C2 on the top sheet and the fourth cooperating part C4 on the bottom sheet have a corresponding arrangement. The left side L, the right side R, the head end H and the foot end F of the duvet 2 are also indicated.

[0066] Turning to figure 2B, the first cooperating part C1 (divided in left portion C1A, right portion C1 B, head end portion C1 C and foot end portion C1 D) of the first releasable fastening means F1 and the third cooperating part C3 (divided in left portion C3A, right portion C3B, head end portion C3C and foot end portion C3D) of the second releasable fastening means F2 extend all around the perimeter 12 of the duvet 2. Only the first cooperating part is C1 visible, but it will be clear that the third cooperating part C3 extends along the bottom side of the duvet in a manner similar to the first cooperating part C1. The second and fourth cooperating parts C2 and C4 of respectively the first and second releasable fastening means F1, F2 will have similar configurations.

[0067] Figure 3 shows an arrangement wherein, when the duvet 2 is removed from the assembly 1, the top sheet T and the bottom sheet B are directly attached to each other by connecting the second cooperating part C2 and the fourth cooperating part C4 located on the bottom sheet B to each other. This arrangement, in absence of the duvet 2, allows the user to form a bed cover suitable to cover one or two persons lying horizontally on a bed, and which is devoid of insulating properties.

[0068] In an embodiment, the first and second releasable fastening means F1, F2 may be any releasable fastening means selected from the group consisting of zippers, velcro, hooks and eyes, press studs and sockets, buttons and button holes.

[0069] Figure 4 shows an embodiment where the duvet 2 comprises a first part P1 and a second P2. The first part P1 provides a thermal insulation that is different from the thermal insulation provided by the second part P2. The first part P1 and second part P2 are releasably connected by a third releasable fastening means F3 comprising a fifth cooperating part C5 located on the first part P1 and a complementary sixth cooperating part C6 located on the second part P2.

[0070] It will be clear from figure 4 that either part P1 or P2 may be completely detached, in one piece, from the other part P1 or P2 by using the third releasable fastening means F3 and may be completely replaced, in one piece, by another part P3 (not shown) having different insulation properties than the original part P1 or P2. The embodiment shown in figure 4 is particularly suitable for two persons who have different preferences for sleeping temperatures. This embodiment is also suitable for user(s) having different preferences for sleeping temperatures across seasons.

[0071] The third releasable fastening means F3 may be selected from the same group as the first and second releasable fastening means, and may in particular be a zipper.

[0072] Figure 5 shows an embodiment where the duvet assembly 1 has a configuration wherein the top sheet T comprises a left flap 14A and a right flap 14B, wherein said flaps 14A,14B are the parts of the top sheet which extend over a distance 16A,16B beyond sides S, S' of the duvet 2, wherein the flaps substantially cover and conceal the duvet and the first releasable fastening means F1A, F1 B and second releasable fastening means F2A, F2B. In this embodiment, the bottom sheet B is devoid of left and right flaps. It is understood that the length of the flaps 14A and 14B may be adjusted so that the flaps 14A and 14B can substantially cover or conceal the duvet 2 and the first and second releasable fastening means F1A, F1 B, F2A, F2B. It is further understood that the flaps 14A and 14B will substantially cover or conceal the duvet 2 and the first and second releasable fastening means F1A, F1B, F2A, F2B simply by letting the flaps 14A and 14B hanging down on both sides of the duvet S and S' or by tucking the flaps 14A and 14B under the bottom sheet B.

[0073] Figure 6 shows an embodiment where the duvet assembly 1 has a configuration wherein the left flap 14A and the right flap 14B are releasably connected to the left flap 15A and the right flap 15B, respectively, by an additional left flap releasable fastening means F4A and an additional right flap releasable fastening means F4B comprising a left flap cooperating part C7A located on the left flap 14A and a right flap cooperating part C7B located on the right flap 14B and a complementary left flap cooperating part C8A located on the left flap 15A and a right flap cooperating part C8B located on the right flap 15B. It is understood that the length of the top flaps 14A and 14B and bottom flaps 15A and 15B may be adjusted so that can substantially cover or conceal the duvet 2 and the first and second releasable fastening means F1A, F1B, F2A, F2B when they are connected to each other. It is further understood that the top flaps 14A and 14B will substantially cover or conceal the duvet 2 and the first releasable fastening means F1A, F1 B simply by folding the top flaps 14A and 14B downwards on both sides of the duvet S and S' and the bottom flaps 15A and 15B will substantially cover or conceal the duvet 2 and the second releasable fastening means F2A, F2B simply by folding the bottom flaps 15A and 15B upwards on both sides of the duvet S and S', and by connecting the top flaps 14A and 14B and the bottom flaps 15A and 15B as taught above.

[0074] In an embodiment, the additional flap releasable fastening means F4A and F4B may be selected from the same group as the first, second and third releasable fastening means, and may in particular be a zipper.

[0075] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of the assembly 1 as taught herein for covering a bed and/or for covering one or two persons lying horizontally on a bed.

[0076] It was observed that the assembly 1 as taught herein may be used for varying the insulating properties in one or more areas of the duvet 2 to accommodate the needs of two person having different preferences for sleeping temperatures and/or to accommodate the needs of one or two persons having different preferences for sleeping temperatures across seasons.

[0077] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0078] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

[0079] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. Duvet assembly (1) comprising a duvet (2) and a duvet cover (3), the duvet cover comprising a top sheet (T) and a separate bottom sheet (B), wherein:

the duvet comprises:

- a first cooperating part (C1) of a first releasable fastening means (F1), the first cooperating part being complementary to a second cooperating part (C2) located on the top sheet, and

- a third cooperating part (C3) of a second releasable fastening means (F2), the third cooperating part being complementary to a fourth cooperating part (C4) located on the bottom sheet (B),

wherein the top sheet for covering a top face (TF) of the duvet (2) is connected to the duvet via the first releasable fastening means (F1),
wherein the bottom sheet (B) for covering a bottom face (BF) of the duvet (2) is connected to the duvet via the second releasable fastening means (F2),
wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet, when attached to the duvet, form a duvet cover for the duvet, and
wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are reversibly, completely and independently removable from the duvet by the releasing of the first releasable fastening means and/or the second releasable fastening means, and

wherein the top sheet comprises a left flap (14A) and a right flap (14B), wherein said flaps (14A,14B) are the parts of the top sheet which extend over a distance (16A,16B) beyond sides (S,S') of the duvet, wherein the flaps substantially cover and conceal the duvet and the first and second releasable fastening means.

2. Duvet according to claim 1, wherein the bottom sheet comprises a left flap (15A) and a right flap (15B), wherein said flaps (15A,15B) are the parts of the bottom sheet which extend over a distance (17A,17C) beyond sides (S,S') of the duvet, wherein the flaps substantially cover and conceal the duvet and the first and second releasable fastening means.

3. Duvet assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet are disconnected from each other, the duvet assembly being free of any connection means for directly connecting the top sheet and the bottom sheet together when the duvet is present.

4. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cooperating part (C1) is connected to the top face (TF) of the duvet or is connected to an upper region of an edge (S) of the duvet and wherein the third cooperating part (C3') is connected to the bottom face (BF) of the duvet or is connected to a lower region of an edge (S') of the duvet.

5. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second cooperating part (C2) of the first releasable fastening means is complementary to the fourth cooperating part (C4) of the second fastening means located on the bottom sheet, allowing the top sheet to be connected directly to the bottom sheet by connecting the second cooperative part of the first fastening means located on the top sheet to the fourth cooperating part of the second fastening means located on the bottom sheet.

6. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a distance (W1) between a left part (F1A) and right part (F1 B) of the first releasable fastening means (F1) is substantially the same as a distance (W2) between a left part (F2A) and right part (F2B) of the second releasable fastening means.

7. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second releasable fastening means (F2) extend only along the longitudinal sides (S,S') of the duvet.

8. Duvet assembly according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the first and second releasable fastening means (F1, F2) extend around substantially an entire perimeter (12) of the duvet.

9. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second releasable fastening means are selected from a group consisting of zippers, velcro, hooks and eyes, press studs and sockets, buttons and button holes.

10. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a width (WT) of the top sheet is greater than a width (WD) of the duvet.

11. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a width (WT) of the top sheet is greater than a width (WB) of the bottom sheet.

12. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a width (WB) of the bottom sheet is greater than a width (WD) of the duvet.

13. Duvet assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the duvet (2) comprises a first part (P1) and a second part (P2), wherein the first part (P1) provides a thermal insulation that is different from the thermal insulation provided by the second part (P2), and wherein the first part (P1) and second part (P2) are releasably connected by a third releasable fastening means (F3) comprising a fifth cooperating part (C5) located on the first part (P1) and a complementary sixth cooperating part (C6) located on the second part (P2).

14. Duvet assembly according to any one of claims 2-13, wherein the left flap (14A) and the right flap (14B) are releasably connected to the left flap (15A) and the right flap (15B), respectively, by a left flap releasable fastening means (F4A) and a right flap releasable fastening means (F4B) comprising a left flap cooperating part (C7A) located on the left flap (14A) and a right flap cooperating part (C7B) located on the right flap (14B) and a complementary left flap cooperating part (C8A) located on the left flap (15A) and a right flap cooperating part (C8B) located on the right flap (15B).

15. Method for covering a bed and/or one or two persons lying on a bed with a duvet assembly, the method comprising providing the duvet assembly of any of claims 1 - 14 and covering the bed and/or the one or two persons with the duvet assembly.

Drawing