Advanced support bedding element

Abstract

A bedding element (20) for a mattress, said mattress having a first end designated as the foot of the mattress and a second end designated as the head of the mattress, said bedding element (20) comprising a rectangular central portion (210), said central portion (210) comprising an upper face (210S), an underside (210F), a head edge (210BT), a foot edge (210BP), and two side edges (210BL), the bedding element (20) comprising at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) attached to the foot edge (210BP) or the head edge (210BT) extending from the central portion (210) and configured to receive the foot of the mattress (10P), respectively the head of the mattress (10T), in order to hold the bedding element (20) onto said foot of the mattress (10P), respectively said head of the mattress (10T). Figure for abbreviation: Figure 10

Description

Title of the invention: Advanced support bedding element Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of bedding and more particularly concerns a bedding element with advanced support. Prior art

[0002] In the field of bedding, certain covering elements such as fitted sheets are fixed to the four corners of the mattress by elastic bands while others, such as sheets, blankets and duvets are blocked under the mattress at their side edges and the foot of the bed.

[0003] However, it frequently happens that these elements become detached from the mattress, which can present disadvantages, particularly during use of the bedding, for example during the night.

[0004] A known solution described in US patent application US1959920A1 presents a mattress topper for a hospital bed having two pockets for attaching the mattress topper to the bed mattress. However, although made of a flexible material, the mattress topper and in particular the pockets are not extensible so that the foot and head of the mattress must be compressed to insert it into the pockets, which can be particularly difficult. Another solution described in US patent application US20070266495A1 describes a fitted sheet with pockets but which is not suitable for use as a bedding item under which a person can slide.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a simple and effective solution to at least partially remedy these drawbacks. Statement of the invention

[0006] For this purpose, the invention firstly relates to a bedding element for a mattress, said mattress having a first end designated the mattress foot and a second end designated the mattress head, said bedding element comprising a central portion of rectangular shape, said central portion comprising an upper face, a lower face, a head edge, a foot edge and two lateral edges, the bedding element being remarkable in that it comprises at least one extensible pocket fixed to the foot edge and / or to the head edge, preferably in the extension of the central portion, and being configured to receive the mattress foot, respectively the mattress head, in order to maintain the bedding element on said mattress foot, respectively said mattress head.

[0007] By the terms "in the extension of the central portion", we mean that the pocket includes five closed sides, made of a stretchy material, and one open side to receive a portion of the mattress.

[0008] By the term "expandable pocket" is meant that all the closed faces / walls of the pocket are made of an expandable material, in particular the upper face of the pocket.

[0009] The bedding element may for example be a fitted sheet, a sheet, a duvet, a blanket, a plaid or any other suitable bedding element. Several bedding elements according to the invention may be superimposed, for example a fitted sheet, a sheet, a blanket and / or a duvet cover, so that the bed is easy to make and the bedding elements are securely held in place on the mattress.

[0010] The advanced support bedding element allows the bedding element to be quickly, efficiently and securely fixed by the expandable pocket(s) which slip over the mattress. The bedding element being adapted to the dimensions of the mattress and the pocket(s) blocking the bedding element around one or more areas of the mattress, the bedding element cannot become detached during its use on a mattress. The expandable nature of the pocket(s) allows the bedding element to be removed when necessary, for example to clean it, without however allowing it to be removed while an individual is lying on the mattress, during standard use of the mattress. In addition, the use of a pocket which receives a portion of the mattress makes it possible to avoid excess thickness generated by the folding of the corners of a bedding element under the mattress, thus avoiding unnecessarily raising the mattress, in particular at its foot.An obvious solution based on the known solutions of the prior art with elastic bands would have been to modify the size or shape of the elastic bands, while keeping one elastic band per corner, which always has the disadvantage of possible detachment. By being placed in the extension of the foot edge of the central portion, the pocket has elasticity on all its faces in contact with the mattress, in particular its upper face, so that, when the bedding element is a sheet, a blanket, a plaid or a duvet, i.e. a bedding element intended to cover a person, comfort is increased for said person who does not have their feet compressed by the bedding element.

[0011] Preferably, the at least one expandable pocket has a parallelepiped shape in the position of use on the mattress so as to match the shape of the foot of the mattress, respectively of the head of the mattress.

[0012] Preferably, the bedding element comprises side edges whose height is greater than that of the pocket in order to be able to tuck said bedding element under the mattress.

[0013] In a first embodiment, the at least one expandable pocket is attached to the foot edge or the head edge and the side edges by extending under a portion of the underside of said central portion. An individual can thus rest only on the central portion of the bedding element for significant comfort.

[0014] In a second embodiment, the at least one extensible pocket is fixed in the extension of the central portion, only to the foot edge or only to the head edge, but not to the lateral edges and without extending under the lower face of said central portion in the position of use. In this embodiment, the pocket has five extensible faces (upper, lower, two sides and the bottom constituting the end). In other words, the entire pocket is extensible, which makes it possible to place the pocket on the foot or the head of the mattress even more easily compared to the first embodiment and above all to allow a person to have their feet less compressed when the bedding element is intended to be fixed to the foot of the mattress while covering the person (sheet, duvet, blanket, plaid, etc.).

[0015] Preferably, the at least one expandable pocket is made of a material whose elasticity is greater than 15%.

[0016] Advantageously, the at least one expandable pocket extends over at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, of the length of the side edges.

[0017] In one embodiment, the at least one expandable pocket is made from the same material as the central portion.

[0018] In another embodiment, the at least one expandable pocket is made of a material different from the material of the central portion.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one expandable pocket is made of mesh fabric or lycra.

[0020] In one embodiment, for example for a fitted sheet, the bedding element comprises an expandable foot pocket, attached to the foot edge, and optionally to the side edges by extending under the underside of the central portion, and being configured to receive the mattress foot in order to hold the bedding element on said mattress foot, and an expandable head pocket, attached to the head edge, and optionally to the side edges by extending under the underside of the central portion, and being configured to receive the mattress head in order to hold the bedding element on said mattress head.

[0021] The foot pocket and the head pocket can be made from the same material or from two different materials, in particular from two materials having different elasticity.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the central portion comprises at least one thickness of material.

[0023] Preferably, the at least one pocket comprises one or more organs of gripping means, for example handles, allowing it to be easily and quickly put on the mattress or other bedding elements. This or these gripping means can, for example, be sewn or fixed by any suitable means of attachment (rivets, heat sealing, etc.).

[0024] For example, one or more handles may be provided under the pocket and / or on each side of the pocket.

[0025] In one embodiment, the at least one pocket comprises a handle on each side face.

[0026] In one embodiment, the at least one pocket comprises at least one handle at its end to make it easier to remove the pocket from the mattress.

[0027] In one embodiment, the at least one pocket comprises at least one elastic band for holding the remainder of the bedding element once folded into said at least one pocket.

[0028] In one embodiment, the at least one pocket comprises a laminate, which is an elastic ribbon, fixed to its free edge, for example sewn, in order to protect it while making it possible to provide the desired elasticity.

[0029] The invention also relates to a bedding set comprising a mattress and a bedding element as presented above, fixed to said mattress.

[0030] Advantageously, the mattress is parallelepiped in shape.

[0031] Alternatively, the mattress may be of any other shape. Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0033] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates an embodiment of a bedding set according to the invention in which the bedding element is a fitted sheet.

[0034] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates the mattress of the bedding set of [Fig.l].

[0035] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates the fitted sheet of the bedding set of [Fig.l] in view in three-quarter and top perspective, the border not shown for clarity.

[0036] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates the fitted sheet of the bedding set of [Fig.l] in a bottom view.

[0037] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates another embodiment of a bedding element according to the invention in which the bedding element is a sheet or a blanket, in a three-quarter and top perspective view.

[0038] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] illustrates the bedding element of [Fig.5] in bottom view.

[0039] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates an embodiment of a bedding set according to the invention in which the bedding element is a sheet or a blanket.

[0040] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates the bedding element of figures 5 to 7 additionally comprising handles to facilitate the threading of said bedding element onto the mattress.

[0041] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates in transparency (for the sake of clarity) another example in which the bedding element according to the invention is a duvet cover or a bedspread.

[0042] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates another embodiment of the bedding element according to the invention, in which the pocket is fixed only to the foot edge of the central portion of a sheet, in its extension.

[0043] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates the bedding element of [Fig. 10] placed on a mattress, the foot pocket fully receiving the foot of the mattress.

[0044] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] schematically illustrates the bedding element of [Fig. 10] further comprising a retaining elastic band for keeping the pocket closed when the rest of the bedding element is folded into said pocket. [Description of at least one embodiment]

[0045] [Fig.l] shows a set of bedding 1 on which an individual 2 is lying.

[0046] The bedding set 1 comprises a mattress 10 and a bedding element 20.

[0047] In this non-limiting example, the mattress 10 comprises a single part and is of parallelepiped shape. In another embodiment, the mattress 10 could be of a completely different shape, for example rounded.

[0048] With reference to [Fig.2], the mattress 10 has a first end designated “mattress foot” 10P and a second end designated “mattress head” 10T, an upper face 10FS, a lower face 10FI and four side faces 10FL.

[0049] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 9, the bedding element 20 is a fitted sheet intended to be positioned on the mattress 10 in order to accommodate the individual 2 ([Fig.l]). In the embodiment of Figures 10 to 12, the bedding element 20 is intended to cover a person and may for example be a sheet, a blanket, a plaid, a duvet, etc.

[0050] With reference to [Fig. 3], the bedding element 20 comprises a central portion 210 of rectangular shape intended to rest on the upper face 210S of the mattress 10 and possibly at least partly on the side edges of the mattress 10 with a border as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 10 to 12.

[0051] The central portion 210 is made for example of cotton, fabric, satin or any suitable material. The central portion 210 may comprise one or more thicknesses of matter.

[0052] The central portion 210 comprises an upper face 210S, a lower face 210F (visible in [Fig.4]), a head edge 210BT, a foot edge 210BP, opposite the head edge 210BT, and two lateral edges 210BL.

[0053] The head edge 210BT is placed at the level of the mattress head 10T. The foot edge 210BP is placed at the level of the mattress foot 10P.

[0054] The bedding element 20 comprises a foot pocket 210P and a head pocket 210T.

[0055] The foot pocket 210P is configured to receive the mattress foot 10P in order to hold the bedding element 20 on said mattress foot 10P. For this purpose, the foot pocket 210P is adapted to take a parallelepiped shape when positioned on the mattress foot 10P.

[0056] In the example of Figures 1 to 9, the foot pocket 210P is attached to the foot edge 210BP and to the side edges 210BL of the central portion 210 by extending under the lower face 210F. This attachment can be done by sewing, heat sealing, welding or any suitable method.

[0057] In the example of Figures 10 and 11, the bedding element 20 is intended to cover a person 2 lying on the mattress 10, for example being of the sheet or blanket type and comprises a single pocket which is a foot pocket 210P. The foot pocket 210P is fixed to the foot edge 210BP of the central portion 210 by extending in the extension of said central portion 210 so that the upper face of the foot pocket 210P is extensible in order to avoid compressing the person's feet. This fixing can be done by sewing, heat-sealing, welding or any suitable method.

[0058] The head pocket 210T is configured to receive the mattress head 10T in order to hold the bedding element on said mattress head 10T. For this purpose, the head pocket 210T is adapted to take a parallelepiped shape when positioned on the mattress head 10T.

[0059] In the example of Figures 1 to 9, the head pocket 210T is attached to the head edge 210BT and to the side edges 210BL by extending from the central portion 210 under the lower face 210F. This attachment can be done by sewing, heat sealing, welding or any suitable method.

[0060] Preferably, the foot pocket 210P and / or the head pocket 210T each extend over at least 10% of the length of the central portion 210, preferably over at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%.

[0061] The foot pocket 210P and the head pocket 210T are made of a stretchable material, for example a stretchable fabric or a stretchable plastic material. The foot pocket 210P and the head pocket 210T may be made of two different stretchable materials, for example one of which has a greater elasticity than the elasticity of the other.

[0062] The stretch material may be a mesh fabric, i.e. a knitted fabric, unlike so-called “warp and weft” fabrics which are woven fabrics. For example, the stretch material may be a “jersey” fabric. Jersey has more or less elasticity depending on whether it is made of cotton, viscose, elastane, etc.

[0063] The stretchy material may be lycra, which is found for example on swimsuits or certain sportswear.

[0064] Advantageously, the elasticity of the extensible material is between 5 and 500%, preferably between 10 and 100%, more preferably between 15 and 50% in order to allow the pockets to be fixed easily while maintaining a solid hold to prevent the bedding element 20 from being removed from the mattress during its use.

[0065] Advantageously, the material is extensible in two directions, preferably in four directions.

[0066] Advantageously, the stretchable material is non-slip.

[0067] In one embodiment, the interior of the foot pocket 210P and / or the head pocket 210T may comprise one or more non-slip surfaces added, for example by sewing, welding or gluing, making it possible to prevent the movement of said pocket 210P, 210T during its use. The non-slip surface(s) may for example comprise shapes (ribs, grooves or any other suitable shape) making it possible to limit the movement of the pocket 210P, 210T relative to the mattress 10.

[0068] The first embodiment presented above with reference to figures 1 and 3 to 8 concerns a fitted sheet, which is in no way limiting of the scope of the invention, in particular in the dimensions and shapes presented.

[0069] Figures 5 to 7 show a bedding element of the sheet or blanket or plaid or duvet type. In this case, the expandable pocket(s) can be mounted over a fitted sheet, according to the invention or of the prior art, already fixed to the mattress 10. With reference to Figures 5 to 7, the bedding element 20 comprises a single expandable foot pocket 210P so as to lock the bedding area around the feet of the individual 2 while allowing him to free himself from the bedding element 20 at the head of the mattress 10T. In this case, the central portion 210 is no longer rectangular so that the side edges 210BL can hang over the sides of the mattress 10 or be tucked under the mattress 10.This embodiment makes it possible to reduce the size of the bedding element 10 at the foot pocket 210P, compared to a conventional sheet of the prior art, because it is no longer necessary to provide material to be edged in this area, which reduces the cost of the material forming the central portion 210. Similarly, the foot pocket 210P holding the bedding element 20 optimally on the mattress 10, the heights of the side edges 210BL of the central portion 210 can be reduced.

[0070] [Fig. 9] shows another example in which the bedding element 20 according to the invention is a duvet cover. The duvet cover comprises a foot pocket 21 OP adapted to be slipped over the mattress 10 (possibly with a fitted sheet as an interface). The foot pocket 210P is fixed to the inner surface of the duvet cover, for example by sewing, so as to be fixed to the mattress 10 invisibly when the duvet cover is placed on the mattress 10 while being securely slipped over the foot of the mattress 10. The edges of the duvet cover thus fall over the sides of the mattress in a standard manner.

[0071] In other embodiments, the expandable pocket(s) could extend along the lateral edges of the central portion 210, over their entire length, so as to secure the bedding element 20 along its two lengths.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, the expandable pocket 210P is attached only to the foot edge 210BP, but not to the side edges 210BL. In this embodiment, in the use position, the pocket 210P does not extend under the lower face 210F of the central portion 210. In this embodiment, the pocket 210P has five expandable faces (upper, lower, two sides and the bottom constituting the end). In other words, the entirety of the pocket 210P is extensible, which makes it possible to place the pocket 210P on the foot 10P or the head 10T of the mattress 10 even more easily compared to the embodiments presented in figures 1 to 9 and above all for a person 2 to be able to move their feet more easily, which are less compressed when they are covered by the bedding element 20 fixed on the foot of the mattress 10P.

[0073] In any embodiment of the bedding element according to the invention, the pocket 210P, 210T may comprise one or more handles allowing it to be easily and quickly put on the mattress 10. For example, one or more handles may be provided under the pocket, at the end of the pocket or on each side of the pocket to make it easier to put on and take off the pocket. By way of example, [Fig. 8] shows an example of a foot pocket 210P comprising a handle 211 on each side face (only one handle 211 being visible in this side perspective view).

[0074] In any embodiment of the bedding element 20 according to the invention, the pocket(s) 210P, 210T may each comprise a laminette, which is an elastic ribbon, fixed on its free edge, for example sewn, in order to protect said free edge while making it possible to provide the desired elasticity. An example of such a laminette 220 is illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12.

[0075] In any embodiment of the bedding element 20 according to the invention, each pocket 210P, 210T or the central portion 210 may each comprise an elastic band making it possible to keep the central portion 210 folded in the pocket 210P, 210T. With reference to [Fig. 12], the foot pocket 210P has an elastic 230 sewn by its two ends extending on the lower face of the pocket 21 OP.

[0076] The invention therefore has the advantage of being able to fix a bedding element 20 securely to a mattress 10 so as to prevent it from coming loose during use.

[0077] Advantageously, several bedding elements 20 according to the invention can be superimposed, for example a fitted sheet, a sheet and / or a duvet cover, so that the bed is easy to make and the bedding elements are securely held in place on the mattress 10.

[0078] The bedding element 20 according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the hotel industry in order to reduce the training of staff for making beds, in particular for tucking in sheets and duvets since the bedding element 20 is slipped onto the mattress 10.

[0079] The bedding element 20 according to the invention is also particularly advantageous for elderly or disabled people due to its rapid and simplified installation and its firm hold on the mattress 10.

[0080] The bedding element 20 according to the invention is also particularly advantageous for bunk beds which often cause complicated installation of sheets, blankets and duvets, in particular due to lack of space or height.

Claims

Claims

1. Bedding element (20) for mattress (10), said mattress (10) having a first end designated mattress foot (10P) and a second end designated mattress head (10T), said bedding element (20) comprising a central portion (210) of rectangular shape, said central portion (210) comprising an upper face (210S), a lower face (210F), a head edge (210BT), a foot edge (210BP) and two lateral edges (210BL), the bedding element (20) being characterized in that it comprises at least one extensible pocket (210P, 210T) fixed to the foot edge (210BP) and / or to the head edge (210BT) in the extension of the central portion (210) and being configured to receive the mattress foot (10P), respectively the mattress head (10T), in order to maintain the bedding element (20) on said mattress foot (10P), respectively said mattress head (10T).

2. A bedding element (20) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) is attached to the foot edge (210BP) or the head edge (210BT) and to the side edges (210BL) by extending under the lower face (210F) of said central portion (210).

3. The bedding element (20) of claim 1, wherein the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) is attached only to the foot edge (210BP) or only to the head edge (210BT).

4. A bedding element (20) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) is made of a material whose elasticity is greater than 15%.

5. A bedding element (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) extends over at least 10%, preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, of the length of the side edges (210BL).

6. Bedding element (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) is made from the same material as the central portion (210).

7. Bedding element (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) is made of a material different from the material of the central portion (210).

8. A bedding element (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T) comprises a laminate (220) sewn onto its free edge.

9. A bedding element (20) according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one pocket (210P, 210T) comprises one or more gripping members (211).

10. Bedding set (1) comprising a mattress (10) and a bedding element (20) according to one of the preceding claims fixed to said mattress (10) via the at least one expandable pocket (210P, 210T).

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