Central access duvet cover system

Abstract

A central access duvet cover system includes a cover assembly, defined by first and second 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 first 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 first fabric layer while extending over a majority of the width of the cover assembly. 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A central access duvet cover system to be used for covering a bed, comprising:
 a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer, wherein the first fabric layer includes first and second portions, the second fabric layer being secured to the first 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 first 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 first and second 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 first 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 and the opening are positioned closer to the head end edge than the foot end edge. 
     
     
         3 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 2 , wherein the first fabric layer is configured to be placed facing upwardly away from the bed when the system is laid out on the bed, the junction and the opening are spaced from the head end edge by a predetermined length, and the predetermined length is sized such that the junction and the opening are concealed from view when the head end edge of the system is turned down and folded over a portion of the system in use on the bed. 
     
     
         4 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined length is in the range of 18 to 24 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 3 , wherein the first fabric layer comprises a decorative pattern for covering the bed. 
     
     
         6 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 5 , wherein the decorative pattern extends generally continuously across the first and second portions of the first fabric layer. 
     
     
         7 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second 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. 
     
     
         8 . 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 second 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.   
     
     
         9 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 8 , 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.   
     
     
         10 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of fastening elements is defined by fabric knot buttons. 
     
     
         11 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 closure elements positioned on the first and second portions of the first 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.   
     
     
         12 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions of the first fabric layer are integrally formed by a single, unitary piece of fabric material. 
     
     
         13 . The central access duvet cover system of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second fabric layers of the cover assembly are integrally formed by a single, unitary piece of fabric material. 
     
     
         14 . 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 first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and a plurality of side edges defining a closed periphery including a head end edge, wherein the opening is provided at a junction between first and second portions of the first fabric layer that extend over different portions of the cover assembly;   tucking the fill layer into a pocket defined between the first and second fabric layers and within the closed periphery, to thereby retain the fill layer between the first and second fabric layers of the cover assembly and to hide the fill layer from view;   laying the central access duvet cover system onto the bed with the first fabric layer facing upwardly; and   turning down a portion of the central access duvet cover system at the head end edge, to thereby conceal the junction and the opening in this configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the junction and the opening are spaced from the head end edge by a predetermined length, and turning down the portion of the central access duvet cover system further comprises:
 folding the head end edge back over a remainder of the cover assembly past the predetermined length such that the head end edge is located closer to a foot end edge than the junction and the opening.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the cover assembly includes corner portions adjacent connections of the plurality of side edges, and the method further comprises:
 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.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of fastening elements is 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.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 removing the fill layer from the cover assembly to clean the cover assembly separate from the fill layer.