Abstract:
Disclosed is a two-zone comforter system enabling two individuals sharing a bed to regulate individual temperatures separately. The two-zone comforter system comprises a lower panel that is continuous across the width of the two-zone comforter system. A first upper panel and a second upper panel extend lengthwise from the lower panel and define a first and second sleeping zone. The first and second upper panels further comprise a compartmentalized overlapping flap containing magnets. The magnets of the first upper panel and the magnets of the second overlapping panel are of opposing polarity.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    A common situation arising when two persons share a bed relates to differences in temperature preference. Some individuals prefer a warmer temperature whereas other prefer a cooler temperature. A problem can arise when one of these individuals makes an adjustment to suit their preference by shifting the position of a common blanket or comforter. For example, if a warm individual chooses to down-regulate their body temperature by pushing the blanket towards their feet, this can partially uncover the individual desiring to remain warm. This tension can result in loss of sleep. A need exists for a two-zone (or bifurcated) comforter system that will accommodate individual temperature preferences. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates, in one aspect, to a two-zone comforter having a defined length and width. The two-zone comforter comprises a lower panel that is continuous across the width of the two-zone comforter and a first upper panel and a second upper panel extending lengthwise from the lower panel and defining a first sleeping zone and a second sleeping zone. The first upper panel and the second upper panel each comprise a compartmentalized overlapping flap containing oppositely charged magnets for reversibly joining the first and second upper panels. In preferred embodiments, the oppositely charged magnets are neodymium magnets which are commonly available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the two-zone comforter system of the present invention. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a magnified view of a region of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view shown along line  3  of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to a two-zone comforter system designed and constructed for use with a sleeping mattress designed to accommodate two persons. In the United States, common mattress nomenclature used to describe such mattresses are double, queen or king-sized mattresses. The two-zone comforter system of the present invention is sized with an overall length and an overall width to adequately cover two individuals lying on a mattress of the type described. 
         [0007]    Materials employed in the construction of the two-zone comforter system of the present invention are ordinary textiles, threads and insulating materials. There is no limitation on color or ornamental design features. Other elements of the two-zone comforter system of the present invention that will be described more fully below are oppositely charged magnets, preferably neodymium magnets. The term “comforter” as used herein, is intended to encompass a blanket, as well as a comforter. Comforters typically comprise an outer textile cover with an insulating filler layer, whereas a blanket is typically a monolayer. 
         [0008]    A neodymium magnet is a type of rare earth permanent magnet produced from an alloy of neodymium, boron and iron to form a crystalline structure of Nd 2 Fe 14 B. Neodymium magnets are generally recognized as the strongest type of permanent magnet available and have supplanted other types of magnets in many commercial applications. Neodymium magnets are broadly available in a wide array of shapes and sizes including block or bar; disc or cylinder; ring and sphere. Any shape may be employed in connection with the present invention although, as discussed in greater detail below, disc or ring shapes are preferred. 
         [0009]    The two-zone comforter system of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 1  is a top view of the two-zone comforter system ( 1 ) of the present invention. The two-zone comforter system comprises a lower panel ( 3 ) that is continuous across the width of the two-zone comforter system. Although there is no formal requirement for stitching across the upper boundary ( 5 ) of the lower panel ( 3 ) in preferred embodiments reinforcing stitching is provided across the width of the two-zone comforter system ( 1 ) to define the upper boundary ( 5 ) of the lower panel ( 3 ) thereby reducing the likelihood of textile ripping during use. 
         [0010]    The two-zone comforter system ( 1 ) further comprises a first upper panel ( 7 ) and a second upper panel ( 9 ). The first and second upper panels ( 7  and  9 , respectively) extend lengthwise from the upper boundary ( 5 ) of lower panel ( 3 ) thereby defining a first sleeping zone and a second sleeping zone. It is not a strict requirement of the present invention that the first and second upper panels ( 7  and  9 , respectively) be of equivalent dimension, although this will be the case in common embodiments. While the length of the first and second panels will be equivalent by design, the width may be skewed to provide a greater width in either the first or the second panel in situations wherein a large size differential exists between the two individual who intend to use the two-zone comforter system ( 1 ). 
         [0011]    In all embodiments, the width of the first upper panel ( 7 ) plus the width of the second upper panel ( 9 ) exceeds the overall width of the two-zone comforter system ( 1 ). Because the exterior lengthwise edge ( 11 ) of the first upper panel ( 7 ) and the exterior lengthwise edge ( 13 ) of the second upper panel ( 9 ) align with the two exterior edges ( 15  and  17 ) of the lower panel ( 3 ), the fact that the combined overall width of the first and second upper panels ( 7  and  9 ) exceeds the overall width of the two-zone comforter system ( 1 ) creates an overlapping portion of the first and second upper panels ( 7  and  9 ) in the area defined by their respective interior lengthwise edges ( 19  and  21 ). This overlapping portion may be referred to herein as the magnetic zone ( 23 ). 
         [0012]    The magnetic zone ( 23 ) is preferably between  0 . 5  inch and  6  inches in width, and more preferably between  1  and  3  inches in width. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the magnetic zone ( 23 ) of both the first upper panel ( 7 ) and the second upper panel ( 9 ) is stitched to form a plurality of magnet compartments ( 25 ).  FIG. 2  shows neodymium magnets of the disc variety ( 27 ) in broken lines within the magnet compartments ( 25 ). The magnet compartments ( 25 ) of the first and second upper panels ( 7  and  9 ) will contain magnets of opposing polarity. The attractive forces of the magnets of opposing polarity will function to hold the magnetic zones ( 23 ) of the first upper panel ( 7 ) and the second upper panel ( 9 ) together in overlapping fashion to provide maximum warmth to both individual using the two-zone comforter system. Spacing between same-polarity magnets within the magnetic compartments ( 25 ) of the first and second upper panels can be variable and need not be uniform. This spacing is preferably from 0.5 inch to 12 inches between same-polarity magnets, with 1 inch to 3 inch spacing being more preferred. What is important is that the magnets of the first and second upper panels align with one another when the blanket/comforter is spread evenly. This alignment is important to allow opposite polarity magnets to pair. 
         [0013]    If one of the individuals becomes warm, a gentle force applied to the magnetic zone ( 23 ) will reversibly separate the paired neodymium magnets allowing the warm individual to uncover themselves while not disturbing the insulation of the other individual. This step can be easily reversed if the uncovered individual desires more warmth by simply recovering and aligning the magnetic zones ( 23 ) of the first upper panel ( 7 ) and second upper panel ( 9 ). Use of the compartmentalized magnets is superior to alternative methods (e.g., zipper or Velcro) by virtue of the relative silence of operation and lack of irritation by contact. 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section of the magnetic zone ( 23 ) along line  3  of  FIG. 2 . Overlapping portions of first upper panel ( 7 ) and second upper panel ( 9 ) are shown with a pair of oppositely charged neodymium magnets ( 27 ) maintaining the overlapping alignment. Stitching is shown on both sides of each magnet and this stitching defines boundaries of the magnetic compartments ( 25 ). While  FIG. 3  shows a comforter having a cover and a distinct insulating layer, one skilled in the art will recognize that the term comforter, as used herein, encompasses a blanked produced from a monolayer of material, such as fleece.