Abstract:
A convertible bed covering made of a washable material, includes at least two reversible sections each with an transverse and longitudinal sides each of the transverse and longitudinal sides with an mating edge and an exterior edge. Each of the at least two reversible sections includes a zipper, stitched along said mating edge of each of said longitudinal edges. The reversible sections may be detached and reattached to each other by the zippers at said mating longitudinal edges allowing for easy cleaning in standard washers and driers. The bed covering may reconfiguring by either the reversible sections being turned inside out and still be detached and reattached at said mating longitudinal edge. Different weights of comforter panels allows for other reconfigurations.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY DOCUMENTS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 60/945,918, filed Jun. 23, 2007, and entitled DIVIDABLE AND CONFIGURABLE ZIPPERED COMFORTER, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There is a need for a large comforter that can be washed and dried easily in a regular-sized washing machine and dryer. Since homeowners with king-sized bed comforters currently have to hoist their large comforters into the car and take them to the Laundromat (if there are large washers available) to wash, such a comforter would save homeowners time and aggravation. This is also true of Queen size and double size comforters, as well as bedspreads, quotes blankets, and the like. Furthermore, these large comforters can take a long time to wash and dry. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In a first embodiment of the invention, a convertible bed covering made of a washable material, includes at least two reversible sections each with an transverse and longitudinal sides each of the transverse and longitudinal sides with an mating edge and an exterior edge. Each of the at least two reversible sections including a zipper, stitched along said mating edge of each of said longitudinal edges. The reversible sections may be detached and reattached to each other by the zippers at said mating longitudinal edges allowing for easy cleaning in standard washers and driers. The bed covering may reconfiguring by either the reversible sections being turned inside out and still be detached and reattached at said mating longitudinal edge. Different weights of comforter panels allows for increased versatility. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dividable and (re)configurable comforter according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in and in unzipped or detached state; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dividable and (re)configurable zippered comforter as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a dividable and (re)configurable zippered comforter according to a second embodiment and shown with three comforter sections in unzipped or detached state; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a dividable and (re)configurable zippered comforter according to one embodiment of the invention and shown in unzipped or detach state; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a dividable and (re)configurable zippered comforter according to an alternate embodiment and shown in unzipped or detached state; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  illustrates a dividable comforter system using different weights on the comforter panels; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  shows the dividable comforter system with an “attachable” bed skirt. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Various embodiments of the invention present solutions to the above-referenced problems by providing a large-sized washable bed comforter that is divided into two or more longitudinal, and generally reversible, sections. Each of the comforter section includes a member in the form of a central fastening device, such as his zipper, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and/or buttons. In order to wash the improved comforter, as taught in certain embodiments of the invention, the central fastener (in the form of a zipper, or hook and loop strips, in alternate embodiments) is unzipped and the two “matching” sections of the comforter are washed separately in a regular-sized washing machine and may be dried in a regular sized dryer. Thus, the dividable comforter allows for reducing the time and aggravation to clean large bed coverings. Another advantage in that the design of the dividable and reconfigurable comforter is that it is aesthetically versatile by allowing a user to reverse one or more of the comforter sections. Another advantage provided by the dividable and re-configurable comforter is for hotels and other locations with a great many duplicate comforters. By allowing for the replacement of a single section, a damage comforter or section (for example from cigarette burns or spilled drinks) can be discarded and replaced by another “mismatched” or “orphaned” (or surplus) comforter section. 
         [0012]    Various embodiments of the invention, prevent strain on the central zipper and allow the zippers to be generally hid from view, so the comforter is attractive. One variation, in a first embodiment, includes two opposed (and complementary) end-to-end zippers. Another variation includes a first long zipper on a top layer of the comforter and a second long zipper on the bottom layer of the comforter beneath the first long zipper, with a middle, insulation layer that is split in half lengthwise. Yet another variation includes additional zippers along two of the outer edges of the two (or more) sections. The sections of this latter variation can be superimposed on one another and zipped into a warm sleeping bag for use on a couch or for watching TV, for example (see  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c ). 
         [0013]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a comforter  100  in a first embodiment of the invention is divided into two comforter sections  111 ( a )/ 111 ( b ) along its longitudinal axis (herein marked as the y+/y− axis, the transverse axis is labeled as the x+/x− axis). The fastening device that attaches to comforter sections  111   a/b  together is shown in this embodiment as a zipper  112  (with a complementary components  112   a/b , which preferably extends substantially the full length longitudinal length of the connecting edges  113 ( a,x +),  113 ( b,x −) of the comforter  100 . (The non-connecting sides are shown as  119 ( a,x −) and  119 ( b,x +) of sections  111   a/b , respectively). In the comforter shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  show zipper halves  112   a/b  that are each sewn along the first, or connecting longitudinal side  113 ( a,x +)/ 113 ( b,x −) of each comforter sections  111   a/b , respectively. Two adjacent end-to-end zippers  112 ′ a /b may alternately be employed and provide for re-configurable versatility. The zipper(s) “halves”  112   a/b  preferably each have a zipper head  114   a/b  and tongue  115   a/b . The zipper halves  112   a/b  or complementary zippers  112 ′ a /b can be zipped from the top (y−) to the bottom (y+) or vice versa. 
         [0014]    Each of the sections  111 ( a )/(b) has corresponding exterior or first  117 ( a )/(b) and interior or reversible (reversed)  118 ( a )/(b) (shown in  FIG. 2 ) patterns of fabric. The reversible sections  118   a/b  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) allow for the multiple aesthetics of the comforter. For example one side can be a “boys theme”, such as “sports” and the interior section can be a “girls theme” such as “ballet.” Thus, the commercial and consumer appeal of the reversible and re-configurable comforter extends beyond the convenience of being able to wash the comforter in re-attachable sections. 
         [0015]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one or both of the comforter sections  111 ( a /b) preferably includes a flap  116  (which is shown, but need not be on the  111 ( b ) or x+ section as shown) is made from one layer of the comforter material (see  FIG. 1 ) The flap  116  extends out over the zipper  112   a/b  when the zipper “halves”  112   a/b  are attached in order to hide the zippers  112   a/b ,  112 ′ a /b. 
         [0016]    The dividable comforter, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  100  is made of two pieces of a suitable soft fabric, which are preferably cotton cotton/polyester blends, or polyester with batting between the two layers (not shown). In  FIG. 2 , the two layers or outside faces (as shown in  FIG. 2 )  117 ( b ),  118 ( a ), of the comforter  100 ′ are preferably printed with different but complementary patterns, which can include contrasting colors and patterns. For example, the first face  117 ( b ) of section  111 ( b ) of the comforter may be a red and white striped material, and the second or inside face  118 ( a ) of section  111 ( a ) may be a blue and white striped printed material with star pattern. The two comforter sections  111   a/b  can be zipped together with the same face  117 ( a /b) up, such as shown in  FIG. 1 , or, alternately, the first face  117 ( b ) on the first comforter section  111 ( b ) up, but the same pattern face on the second comforter section  111 ( a ) now facing the bed; see  FIG. 2 . Thus, when the comforter  100  is in use, a viewer sees either all red or white stripes, as shown in  FIG. 1  or the re-configured comforter  100 ′ that is half “stripe” and half “star” pattern, as seen in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, each detached comforter section  111   a/b  can be used to cover a twin bed, if desired. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a first alternate embodiment, dividable comforter may be divided into three comforter sections  211   a/b/c . The “middle” comforter section  211 ( b ) be includes to zipper house  212  on its opposite longitudinal sides  213  (b,x+) and  219 ( b,x −), each connectable to a zipper have  212   a/b/c  on a longitudinal side of an adjacent comforters section  211   a  or  211   c . Any of the comforter sections  211   a/b/c  can be used with the first phase  217  up or down. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the end comforter sections  211   a  and  211   c  have the first pattern striped face  217 ( a ) and  217 ( c ), and in middle comforter section  211 ( b ) be as the first, striped face  217 ( b ) down against the bed and the second (interior), starred face pattern  218 ( b ) up and showing. The interior, center section in this embodiment has two connecting longitudinal sides  213 ( b,x +),  213  (b, x−). 
         [0018]    In another alternate embodiment, which is illustrated by the comforter  300  shown in  FIG. 4 , the two comforter sections  311   a/b  are connectable to one another by hook and loop strips  321 ( a /b). The corresponding hook and loop strips  321   a/b  are attached along the first connecting sides  313 ( a,x +) and  313 ( b,x −) of each comforters section  311   a/b  (respectively). The comforter sections  311   a/b  can easily be attached for covering a large bed, or quickly pulled apart for washing. In place of zippers or hook and loop fasteners, the fastening devices or fastening means may be any assortment of attachment mechanisms such as buttons, snaps, laces or the like and may be dependent on the end-use of the comforter. The invention includes also covers quilts, blankets or bedspreads as described herein instead of a comforter. 
         [0019]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , another alternate embodiment of the dividable comforter  400  is shown. The alternate comforter  400  has three comforter sections  411   a/b/c  and include corresponding (sets of) hook and loop strips  421   a/b/c  of the x+, longitudinal sides  413   a/b/c  corresponding hook and loop strips  421   a/b/c  are also fixed a long one of their second, transversal side  420 ( j ) of the comforter sections  411   a/b/c . This enables the comforter sections  411   a/b/c  to be connected on either their first ( 413   a/b/c , x+/x−) and/or second sides,  420 ( j,k ), respectively, providing a variety of possibilities for the end user. A fourth comforters section  411 ( d ) is preferably included (but not shown), and fifth and sixth comforter sections (also not shown) may also be included without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0020]    In addition to being used to cover a bed, another alternate embodiment of the comforter can be folded in half crosswise latitudinal/transversally on or off the bed, so that the adjacent sides are connected and used as a sleeping bag, if desired. The zippers, hook and loop fasteners, or other fast devices may extend all the way around each comforter section to afford a variety of connections and applications. [014.] Referring now to  FIG. 6 , yet another embodiment of the invention in the form of a multi-weighted panel system  600 . In the multi-weight embodiment  600 , two comforter panels  611 ( a ) and  611 ( b ) are made of different “weights” of comforter material, allowing the user to customize their “section” of the bed covering without requirement two different bed covering. Thus, the user in the king bed under section  611 ( a ) enjoys a 10 lb weight comforter, but the user under section  611 ( b ) prefers a “lighter weight” such as a 5 lb. The attachments (as shown in the form of a zipper  612 ( a )/(b), zipper tongues  614 ( a /b) and zipper heads  615   a/b ). As can be appreciated the (re)configurable weights are just one aspect of the versatility of the innovative bed covering. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , yet another embodiment of the dividable comforter  500  can include zippers  529  on the exterior or unconnected sides  519   a/b  of the respective panels  519   a/b , so that a bed skirt or dust ruffle  549  may be attached to the exterior sides of the dividable comforter. 
         [0022]    While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, this description is for illustrative and exemplary purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and that such are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. 
       INDEX TO THE DRAWINGS 
       [0023]    The signifier (j) acts as an index and may mean there are multiple parts shown in the figures; 
         [0024]    The signifier (k) acts as an indicator of axis and location/direction (e.g. “x+”, “y−”)
     100 ,  100 ′,  200 ,  300 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 : the various dividable comforter embodiments;     111 ( j ),  211 ( j ),  311 ( j ),  411 ( j ),  511 ( j ),  611 ( j ): configurable comforter sections     112   a/b ,  112 ′(a/b):  212 , . . .  512 ,  612 ( j ): zipper halves and/or complementary zippers;     113 ( j,k ),  213 ( j,k ),  313 ( j,k ),  413 ( j,k ),  513 ( j,k ),  613 ( j,k ) connecting longitudinal sides     114 ( j ) . . .  614 ( j ) zipper tongue     115 ( j ) . . .  615 ( j ) zipper heads     116  . . .  616  flap (for covering zipper)     117 ( j ),  217 ( j ),  317 ( j ),  417 ( j ),  517 ( j ),  617 ( j ): first or exterior face;     118 ( j ),  218 ( j ),  318 ( j ),  418 ( j ),  518 ( j ),  618 ( j ): second or interior or reversible face;     119 ( j,k ),  219 ( j,k ),  319 ( j,k ),  419 ( j,k ),  519 ( j,k ),  619 ( j,k ): non-connecting longitudinal sides;     420 ( j,k ),  520 ( j,k ) connecting transversal side of each comforter section;     421  ( j,k ),  521 ( j,k ) non-connecting transversal side of each comforter section;     424 ,  524  zippers for connecting transversal sides;     321 ( x ),  421 ( x ),  521 ( x ): hook and loop strips;     529 ( j ): opposite side zippers