Central access duvet cover system

Abstract

A central access duvet cover system includes a cover assembly, defined by top and bottom fabric layers with a pocket defined between the layers, and which is configured to receive a separate fill layer, defined by a blanket or comforter. The bottom fabric layer includes first and second portions with an opening formed therebetween such that the fill layer can be inserted into and taken out of the pocket. The opening may be generally centrally located on the bottom fabric layer while extending over a majority of the width of the cover assembly. Furthermore, the bottom fabric layer may include retention slots at corner portions thereof, configured to receive fastening elements such as fabric knot buttons provided on the fill layer. The system hides the appearance of the fill layer when in use, thereby providing a similar appearance to a conventional duvet cover, while still being easy to assemble and disassemble.

1 . A central access duvet cover system to be used for covering a bed, comprising:
 a top fabric layer;   a bottom fabric layer including first and second portions, the bottom fabric layer being secured to the top fabric layer along a plurality of side edges to collectively form a cover assembly having a closed periphery, wherein the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer extend over different portions of the cover assembly to meet one another at a junction, which extends across a width of the cover assembly and between an opposing pair of the plurality of side edges;   a pocket defined between the top and bottom fabric layers and within the closed periphery, the pocket being sized to receive a fill layer in the form of a blanket or comforter to enclose the fill layer within the cover assembly and thereby hide the fill layer from view; and   an opening formed between the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer and located along a central portion of the junction that is spaced from the opposing pair of the plurality of side edges, to provide access to the pocket from outside the cover assembly, the opening extending along a majority of the width of the cover assembly to enable insertion and removal of the fill layer into and out of the pocket through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of side edges includes a head end edge configured to be positioned at a head end of the bed, and a foot end edge configured to be positioned at a foot end of the bed, wherein the junction is spaced from each of the head end edge and the foot end edge by at least a predetermined minimum distance such that the opening remains hidden from view when the central access duvet cover system is placed on the bed. 
     
     
         3 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 2 , wherein the junction is spaced from each of the head end edge and the foot end edge by the same distance such that the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer each extend over about a half of the cover assembly, and such that the opening is located at a center of the cover assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 2 , wherein the junction is spaced from the head end edge by a first distance that is greater than a second distance that the junction is spaced from the foot end edge, thereby positioning the junction and the opening closer to the foot end edge than the head end edge. 
     
     
         5 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined minimum distance is at least 24 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom fabric layers consist of generally planar pieces of fabric material such that the cover assembly can be laid flat for cleaning and processing by industrial laundering and ironing equipment, without being damaged by or causing damage to the industrial laundering and ironing equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover assembly includes corner portions adjacent connections of the plurality of side edges, and the bottom fabric layer further comprises:
 retention slots located at the corner portions, the retention slots configured to receive a plurality of fastening elements that may be provided on the fill layer to couple the fill layer to the cover assembly and thereby retain the fill layer in position within the pocket.   
     
     
         8 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 the fill layer, which includes at least one of a blanket or a comforter, and which is configured for insertion within the pocket of the cover assembly; and   the plurality of fastening elements, which are located adjacent corner portions of the fill layer and configured to be engaged with the retention slots when the fill layer is inserted into the cover assembly.   
     
     
         9 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of fastening elements are defined by fabric knot buttons. 
     
     
         10 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the top fabric layer comprises a decorative pattern for covering the bed. 
     
     
         11 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover system is configured to be omnidirectional, which is defined by having the cover assembly continue to hide the opening and the fill layer from view of users of the bed regardless of which of the plurality of side edges is positioned along a head end of the bed, with the top fabric layer facing upwardly away from the bed. 
     
     
         12 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 closure elements positioned on the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer adjacent the opening and configured to engage one another to hold the opening in a closed position after insertion of the fill layer into the pocket.   
     
     
         13 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer are integrally formed by a single, unitary piece of fabric material. 
     
     
         14 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 13 , wherein the top and bottom fabric layers of the cover assembly are integrally formed by a single, unitary piece of fabric material. 
     
     
         15 . A central access duvet cover system to be used for covering a bed, comprising:
 a top fabric layer;   a bottom fabric layer including first and second portions, the bottom fabric layer being secured to the top fabric layer along a plurality of side edges to collectively form a cover assembly having a closed periphery and corner portions adjacent connections of the plurality of side edges, the bottom fabric layer further including retention slots located at the corner portions; and   a pocket defined between the top and bottom fabric layers and within the closed periphery, the pocket being sized to receive a fill layer in the form of a blanket or comforter to enclose the fill layer within the cover assembly and thereby hide the fill layer from view,   wherein the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer extend over different portions of the cover assembly to meet one another at a junction, which extends between an opposing pair of the plurality of side edges, with an opening formed between the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer and located along a central portion of the junction that is spaced from the opposing pair of the plurality of side edges, to provide access to the pocket from outside the cover assembly, and   the retention slots are configured to receive a plurality of fastening elements that may be provided on the fill layer to couple the fill layer to the cover assembly and thereby retain the fill layer in position within the pocket.   
     
     
         16 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 15 , wherein the top and bottom fabric layers consist of generally planar pieces of fabric material such that the cover assembly can be laid flat for cleaning and processing by industrial laundering and ironing equipment, without being damaged by or causing damage to the industrial laundering and ironing equipment. 
     
     
         17 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 the fill layer, which includes at least one of a blanket or a comforter, and which is configured for insertion within the pocket of the cover assembly; and   the plurality of fastening elements, which are located adjacent corner portions of the fill layer and configured to be engaged with the retention slots when the fill layer is inserted into the cover assembly.   
     
     
         18 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of fastening elements are defined by fabric knot buttons. 
     
     
         19 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 closure elements positioned on the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer adjacent the opening and configured to engage one another to hold the opening in a closed position after insertion of the fill layer into the pocket.   
     
     
         20 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer are integrally formed by a single, unitary piece of fabric material. 
     
     
         21 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 20 , wherein the top and bottom fabric layers of the cover assembly are integrally formed by a single, unitary piece of fabric material. 
     
     
         22 . A method for covering a bed with a central access duvet cover system including a fill layer that is defined by at least one of a blanket or a comforter, comprising:
 inserting the fill layer through an opening defined in a cover assembly having a top fabric layer, a bottom fabric layer, a plurality of side edges defining a closed periphery, and corner portions adjacent connections of the plurality of side edges, wherein the opening is provided at a junction between first and second portions of the bottom fabric layer that extend over different portions of the cover assembly;   tucking the fill layer into a pocket defined between the top and bottom fabric layers and within the closed periphery, so as to retain the fill layer between the top and bottom fabric layers of the cover assembly and to hide the fill layer from view;   coupling a plurality of fastening elements located adjacent corner portions of the fill layer with retention slots located at the corner portions of the cover assembly, to hold the fill layer in a desired position within the pocket of the cover assembly; and   laying the central access duvet cover system onto the bed with the top fabric layer facing upwardly, the fill layer remaining hidden from view as a result of being tucked into the pocket with the opening facing towards the bed,   wherein the cover assembly is configured to be removed for cleaning separate from the fill layer.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of fastening elements are defined by fabric knot buttons, and coupling the plurality of fastening elements with the retention slots further comprises:
 deforming the fabric knot buttons such that the fabric knot buttons fit through the retention slots, and then releasing the fabric knot buttons to retain the fabric knot buttons at the retention slots.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of side edges includes a head end edge and a foot end edge, the junction is spaced from the head and foot end edges by a predetermined minimum distance, and the method further comprises:
 turning down a portion of the central access duvet cover system at the head end edge, wherein the junction remains hidden from view in this configuration.