US20090070933A1

US20090070933A1 - Comforter and sheet bedding system

Info

Publication number: US20090070933A1
Application number: US12/125,467
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael J. Hall
Original assignee: Quixote Design Inc
Current assignee: Quixote Design Inc
Priority date: 2007-05-22
Filing date: 2008-05-22
Publication date: 2009-03-19

Abstract

A bedding system includes a comforter and at least one sheet. One of the comforter and the sheet includes a fastening element and/or a flap adapted to work in conjunction with features of the other to hold the sheet against the comforter. The sheet may include apertures facilitating reversible coupling of first and second parts of comforter fastening elements, to hold the sheet against the comforter.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/939,444, titled COMFORTER AND SHEET BEDDING SYSTEM, filed May 22, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is related to bedclothes and more particularly to bedding systems.

BACKGROUND

Comforters have long been used in layering over sheets and/or blankets to give added warmth for sleeping. To provide comfort, as well as insulation, comforters typically include a goose down or synthetic fill, or a wool, cotton, or synthetic batting enclosed by a shell, which may be formed by sewn-together top and bottom panels.
Light-weight comforters of durable and water-resistant construction, being compactable for packing in tight spaces, are desirable, particularly to frequent travelers. Due to the relatively slippery and ‘un-breathing’ nature of tightly woven synthetic micro-fibers, which may be used to form durable and water-resistant panels of such comforters, the traveler may pack a sheet to use as a softer and/or a more breathable interface between himself and the comforter.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention include bedding systems wherein a sheet and a comforter are reversibly attached to one another such that the sheet extends along a panel of the comforter to provide a more comfortable interface for a person resting beneath the comforter.
According to one aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention, a comforter includes a pair of fastening elements, one of the pair being disposed in proximity to a first perimeter edge of the comforter, and another of the pair disposed in proximity to a second perimeter edge, which is opposite the first edge. A sheet adapted to be held against a bottom panel of the comforter, by means of the fastening elements, includes a pair of apertures extending through the sheet; one of the apertures is disposed adjacent a first perimeter edge of the sheet, and the other is disposed adjacent an opposite perimeter edge, so that the apertures may be simultaneously aligned with the fastening elements of the comforter, which each include first and second parts adapted for reversible coupling with one another through the apertures of the sheet.
According to another aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention, a sheet includes a secured end flap joined across a length of a first perimeter edge of the sheet and joined along a portion of opposing perimeter edges of the sheet, which each extend from the first perimeter edge. The secured end flap allows insertion of a perimeter edge of a comforter therein such that a top panel of the comforter is disposed against an inner surface of the flap and a length of the sheet extends at least along a length of the comforter, being disposed against a bottom panel of the comforter. Such a system may further include a second sheet that includes the same type of secured end flap so that another perimeter edge of the comforter, opposite the edge inserted within the flap of the first sheet, may be inserted within the flap of the second sheet; thus, the second sheet may extend below the first sheet to provide a space therebetween for a person to rest upon the second sheet and beneath the first sheet and the comforter. Alternately, a sheet which includes the secured end flap, as described above, may further include a secured central flap joined along and between the opposing perimeter edges of the sheet; the central flap is disposed at a distance from the end flap such that the other perimeter edge of the comforter may be inserted therein. Sheets including the end flap and the central flap may further include a first length extending between the flaps and a second length extending beyond the central flap to be folded back beneath the first length in order to provide a space therebetween for person to rest upon the second length of the sheet and beneath the first length of the sheet and the comforter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present invention and therefore do not limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1A is plan view of a comforter portion of a bedding system according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a plan view of a sheet suitable for combination with the comforter shown in FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1C is a plan view of a bedding system including the comforter of FIG. 1A and the sheet shown in FIG. 1B, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 1D-E are plan views of a comforter portion and a corresponding sheet, respectively, according to some alternate embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is section view, through section line A-A of FIG. 1A, of a segment of the comforter shown in FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a perspective detail view of a portion of a comforter panel, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a sheet portion of a bedding system, according to some alternate embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of a comforter which may be combined with the sheet shown in FIG. 3A to form a bedding system, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a side section view of a bedding system including two of the sheets shown in FIG. 3A and the comforter of FIG. 3B, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a sheet portion of a bedding system, according to additional embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a side section view of a bedding system including the sheet shown in FIG. 4A and the comforter of FIG. 3B, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides practical illustrations for implementing exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for selected elements, and all other elements employ that which is known to those of skill in the field of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that can be utilized.
FIG. 1A is plan view of a comforter portion 10 of a bedding system 120 (FIG. 1C) according to some embodiments of the present invention; and FIG. 1B is a sheet portion 20 of bedding system 120. FIG. 1A illustrates comforter 10 including perimeter edges 101, 102, 103 and 104 along which a stitched seam 11 couples a bottom panel 12 (i.e., a panel typically facing a user during use) to a top panel 14 (FIG. 2A) of comforter 10; panels 12 and 14 are further coupled together by a first plurality of spaced apart stitched seams 19, which extend width-wise between perimeter edges 101 and 102, and a second plurality of spaced apart stitched seams 16, which extend length-wise between perimeter edges 103 and 104. FIG. 1A further illustrates reversible fastening elements 121, 122 and 123 associated with corresponding flaps 111, 112, 113, which are joined in proximity to edge 101, and reversible fastening elements 124, 125 and 126 associated with corresponding flaps 114, 115 and 116, which are joined in proximity to edge 102; reversible fastening elements 121-126 each include a first part 1 and a second part 2 which are adapted for reversible coupling with one another. FIG. 1B illustrates sheet 20 including perimeter edges 201, 202, 203 and 204, apertures 215, 216 and 217 extending through sheet 20 and disposed adjacent edge 201, apertures 225, 226 and 227 extending through sheet 20 and disposed adjacent edge 202. FIG. 1B further illustrates sheet 20 including an optional reinforced trim 29 extending about a perimeter of sheet 20 and about perimeters of each aperture 215-217 and 225-227; a material of comforter panels 12, 14, examples of which are provided below, in conjunction with FIG. 2B, may be used for optional trim 29.
According to the illustrated embodiment, when sheet 20 is placed in apposition to bottom panel 12 of comforter 10, each aperture 215, 216, 217, 225, 226 and 227 may be aligned with second part 2 of a corresponding fastening element 121-126, such that when flaps 111-116 are folded over, first part 1 of each fastening element 121-126 reversibly couples with second part 2, through the corresponding aperture of sheet 20, thereby holding sheet 20 against bottom panel 12 of comforter 10, for example, to form a bedding system 120 as illustrated in FIG. 1C. Examples of suitable reversible fastening elements include, but are not limited to, snap-type, hook-and-loop-type, button-type, adhesive-type, and magnetic-type. In some embodiments, the reversible fastening elements are designed to release when a force is applied to them before the force is large enough to damage the sheet. With reference to FIGS. 1A-C it will be appreciated that, due to the symmetry of comforter 10 and sheet 20, that sheet 20, being flipped about either a length-wise or width-wise axis, may be oriented to have either side facing comforter bottom panel 12. Although FIGS. 1A-C illustrate comforter 10 including six flaps and corresponding fastening elements, it should be noted that the scope of the invention is not so limited, and alternate embodiments may include any number or combination of the illustrated comforter flaps and fastening elements; likewise, sheet 20 may have any number and/or combination of the illustrated apertures.
FIGS. 1D-E are plan views of a comforter portion 10′ and a corresponding sheet 20′, respectively, according to alternate embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 1D-E illustrate comforter 10′ including reversible fastening elements 130, 160, 230 and 260, each associated with a respective secured corner flap 13, 16, 23, 26, and sheet 20′ including corner apertures 213, 236, 223 and 246. Since corner flaps 13, 16, 23, 26 are shown being secured along two sides to corresponding comforter edges, first and second parts of the fastening elements cannot be seen, however, it should be appreciated that each fastening element 130, 160, 230, 260 includes a first and second part, similar to parts 1,2 shown for flaps 112 and 115. According to the illustrated embodiment, each corner of sheet 20′ may be inserted into a corresponding corner flap 13, 16, 23, 26 such that the first and second parts of each fastening element 130, 160, 230, 260 may mate with one another through the corresponding aperture 213, 236, 223, 246 at each corner of sheet 20′ to hold sheet 20′ against bottom panel 12 of comforter 10′. As with system 120, shown in FIG. 1C, fastening elements 122 and 125 associated with flaps 112 and 115 may further serve to hold sheet 20′ against bottom panel 12 of comforter 10′.
FIG. 2A is section view, through section line A-A of FIG. 1A, of a segment of the comforter shown in FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2B is a perspective detail view of a portion of one of comforter panels 12, 14, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A illustrates seam 11 including a double line of stitching to couple panels 12 and 14 together and to further couple, to panels 12, 14, a piping 15, which extends around comforter perimeter edges (FIG. 1A). FIG. 2A further illustrates a fill material 100, for example, goose down, synthetic down, polyester, poly fiber, cotton, or wool, held between panels 12 and 14, and, with reference to FIG. 1A, it will be appreciated that, according to the illustrated embodiment, material 100 is segregated between panels 12 and 14 by stitched seams 16 and 19. According to some embodiments of the present invention, seam 11 includes gaps allowing air to flow out from between bottom panel 12 and top panel 14 when the panels are forced together.
According to certain embodiments of the present invention, in order to make comforter 10 durable and water-resistant, panels 12 and 14 are formed by fairly tightly woven yarns 245, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, of thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyamide, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). Thus, sheet 20 being held against bottom panel 12 of comforter 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, provides a more comfortable interface for a person sleeping beneath comforter 10. Suitable materials for sheet 20 include, but are not limited to, cotton, linen, nylon, fleece Polartec®, jersey knit, and polyester.
FIG. 3A is a plan view of a sheet portion 30, and FIG. 3B a plan view of a comforter portion 100, of a bedding system 310 (FIG. 3C), according to some alternate embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3A illustrates sheet 30 including perimeter edges 301, 302, 303 and 304, a first aperture 316 extending through sheet 30 and disposed adjacent perimeter edge 301, and a second aperture 326 extending through sheet 30 and disposed adjacent perimeter edge 302 (of course, as previously discussed, other apertures could be included). FIG. 3A further illustrates a secured end flap 35 joined along perimeter edges 301, 302 and 303 of sheet 30, and a third aperture 319 extending through end flap 35 adjacent to an edge 350 of end flap 35; edge 350 forms an opening 352 into which an edge of a comforter may be inserted, for example, an edge 1003 of a comforter 100, which is shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3B illustrates comforter 100 including a reversible fastening element 321 associated with a flap 320 that is attached to top panel 14 of comforter 100. In some embodiments, an additional reversible fastening element is attached to the top panel 14 of comforter 100 proximate a perimeter edge 1004 of the comforter so that it is fully reversible. FIG. 3B further illustrates fastening element 321 including first and second parts 1,2, as previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-C, so that when edge 1003 of comforter 100 is inserted into opening 352 of sheet end flap 35, aperture 319 of sheet end flap 35 may be aligned with fastening element 321 so that first and second parts 1,2 can mate with one another through aperture 319, when flap 320 is folded over edge 350 of sheet end flap 35. (Mating of parts 1,2 are illustrated for comforter 100 with another sheet embodiment in FIG. 4B.) The dashed line in FIG. 3A indicates an alternative contour for sheet end flap edge 350. Such a contour, or radiused edge, may be useful for reducing the likelihood that a user will rest an arm on the seam junction between the sheet and the comforter when using the system 120. It should be noted that sheet end flap 35 may include one or more additional apertures, and comforter 100 one or more additional reversible fastening elements for mating through corresponding apertures of end flap 35.
FIG. 3C is a side section view of bedding system 310, wherein comforter 100 is shown, having been inserted within opening 352 of secured end flap 35 of sheet 30, such that a top panel 14 of comforter 100 faces an inner surface of end flap 35. With reference to FIG. 3B, it should be appreciated that comforter flaps 115 and 112, may be folded down over perimeter edges 301 and 302 of sheet 30, such that the first and second parts 1, 2 of fastening elements 122 and 125 (FIG. 1A) may couple together through apertures 326 and 316, as previously described; however, according to alternate embodiments, sheet 30 need not include apertures 326, 316, and comforter 100 need not include fastening elements 122, 125 and flaps 115, 112. FIG. 3C further illustrates bedding system 310 including two of sheets 30, wherein a perimeter edge 1004 of comforter 100, which opposes comforter edge 1003, is inserted within end flap 35 of the second sheet. According to the illustrated embodiment, a person may rest within a space 300 formed between sheets 30, having comforter 100 and the upper sheet 30 over him, and the lower sheet 30 beneath him.
Referring back to FIGS. 3A-B, X's indicate general locations where additional reversible fasteners may be coupled to sheet end flap 35; each fastener may have a mating fastener coupled to comforter 100, in proximity to locations Y, in order to further secure comforter 100 within sheet end flap 35. Examples of suitable mating fasteners include, but are not limited to, button-type, hook-and-loop-type, snap-type, adhesive-type and magnetic-type.
FIG. 4A is a plan view of a sheet portion 40 of a bedding system 410, which is shown in a side section view in FIG. 4B, according to alternative additional embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4A illustrates sheet 40 including perimeter edges 401, 402, 403 and 404, a first aperture 416 extending through sheet 40 and disposed adjacent perimeter edge 401, and a second aperture 426 extending through sheet 40 and disposed adjacent perimeter edge 402. FIG. 4A further illustrates a secured end flap 45, joined along perimeter edges 401, 402 and 403 of sheet 40, and a secured central flap 47 disposed between end flap 45 and sheet perimeter edge 404, being spaced from flap 45 by a first length and joined along and between sheet perimeter edges 401 and 402. According to the illustrated embodiment, each of end flap 45 and central flap 47 include an aperture 418 extending therethrough and being disposed adjacent to corresponding edges 450 and 470; edges 450, 470 form openings 452 and 472, respectively, which face one another, and into which opposing edges of a comforter may be inserted. As for sheet 30 illustrated in FIG. 3A, dashed lines in FIG. 4A indicate an alternate contour for flap edges 450 and 470. In some embodiments, the opening 472 is not included and the remaining features of this embodiment are maintained.
Referring to FIG. 4B in conjunction with FIG. 4A, it may be appreciated that when opposing edges of comforter 100 (FIG. 3B) have been inserted within openings 452, 472 of secured flaps 45, 47, a second length of sheet 40, extending between a junction 49 of flap 47 and sheet perimeter edge 404, may be folded back towards sheet perimeter edge 403, beneath comforter 100, to form a space 400 between the two lengths of sheet 40. FIG. 4B further illustrates comforter 100 including two reversible fastening elements 321, and corresponding flaps 320, wherein parts 1,2 mate with one another through corresponding apertures 418, one of end flap 45 and another of central flap 47.
FIG. 4A further shows X's indicating general locations where additional reversible fasteners may be coupled to sheet-secured flaps 45 and 47 for reversible coupling with mating fasteners of comforter 100, as previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-B. Alternately, or additionally, comforter 100 may be coupled to sheet 40 via comforter flaps 115, 112 (FIG. 3B) and apertures 416, 426, as previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-C and 3A-B; furthermore, the second length of sheet 40, between junction 49 and edge 404, may include similar apertures, which become aligned with comforter flaps 115, 112 when the second length is folded back under the first length of sheet 40. However, other embodiments of sheet 40 need not include any of these apertures.
In the foregoing detailed description, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it may be appreciated that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bedding system, comprising:

a comforter including a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge opposing the first perimeter edge, a top panel and a bottom panel, each panel extending between the perimeter edges;

a first fastening element disposed in proximity to the first perimeter edge of the comforter;

a second fastening element disposed in proximity to the second perimeter edge of the comforter; and

a sheet including a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge opposing the first perimeter edge, a first aperture extending through the sheet and disposed adjacent to the first perimeter edge, and a second aperture extending through the sheet and disposed adjacent to the second perimeter edge;

the first and second apertures further disposed for simultaneous alignment with the first and second fastening elements, respectively, when the sheet is placed against the bottom panel of the comforter, so that the fastening elements may hold the sheet against the bottom panel of the comforter; and

wherein the first and second fastening elements each include first and second parts adapted for reversible coupling with one another through the apertures of the sheet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second parts of each of the first and second fastening elements is coupled to the bottom panel of the comforter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fastening element comprises:

a first flap and a second flap, each flap including an inner surface facing the bottom panel of the comforter, when the flaps are closed, the first flap joined in proximity to the first perimeter edge of the comforter and extending to a first flap free end, which is disposed between the first and second perimeter edges of the comforter, when the first flap is closed, the second flap joined in proximity to the second perimeter edge of the comforter and extending to a second flap free end, which is disposed between the first and second perimeter edges of the comforter and spaced apart from the first flap free end, when the second flap is closed; and

wherein the first part of each of the first and second fastening elements is coupled to the first and second flap, respectively; and

the second part of each of the first and second fastening elements is coupled to the bottom panel of the comforter in proximity to the first and second flap, respectively.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second flaps are each joined along a length of the comforter which is less than an overall length of the first and second perimeter edges of the comforter.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the length along which the flaps are joined is less than half of the overall length of the first and second perimeter edges.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second flaps is joined along a middle section of the first and second perimeter edge, respectively.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second flaps is joined in proximity to an end of the first and second perimeter edge, respectively.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein an area defined by the perimeter edges of the sheet is no greater than an area defined by the perimeter edges of the comforter.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the area defined by the perimeter edges of the sheet is approximately equal to the area defined by the perimeter edges of the comforter.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the comforter further includes a third perimeter edge extending from the first comforter perimeter edge to the second comforter perimeter edge, and a fourth perimeter edge, opposite the third comforter perimeter edge, and extending from the first comforter perimeter edge to the second comforter perimeter edge;

the sheet further includes a third perimeter edge extending from the first sheet perimeter edge to the second sheet perimeter edge, and a fourth perimeter edge, opposite the third sheet perimeter edge, and extending from the first sheet perimeter edge to the second sheet perimeter edge; and

a length from the third sheet perimeter edge to the fourth sheet perimeter edge is greater than a length from the third comforter perimeter edge to the fourth comforter perimeter edge.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second apertures are recessed within the first and second perimeter edges, respectively, of the sheet.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the sheet further includes a reinforcing trim extending along the first and second perimeter edges of the sheet adjacent the first and second apertures.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the comforter further includes a third perimeter edge extending from the first perimeter edge of the comforter to the second perimeter edge of the comforter;

the sheet further includes a third perimeter edge extending from the first perimeter edge of the sheet to the second perimeter edge of the sheet; and

further comprising a secured end flap joined along the first, second and third sheet perimeter edges of the sheet, the end flap including an inner surface facing a first side of the sheet and an opening allowing insertion of the third comforter perimeter edge therein, such that the top panel of the comforter is disposed against the inner surface of the end flap and the first side of the sheet is disposed against the bottom panel of the comforter.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the secured end flap further includes a third aperture extending therethrough; and

further comprising a third fastening element disposed along the top panel of the comforter in proximity to the third aperture when the comforter is inserted within the secured end flap;

the third fastening element including first and second parts adapted for reversible coupling with one another through the third aperture.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

a flap joined to the top panel of the comforter and including an inner surface facing the top panel of the comforter, when the flap is closed; and

wherein the first part of the third fastening element is coupled to the flap, and the second part of the third fastening element is coupled to the top panel of the comforter in proximity to the flap.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein:

the comforter further includes a fourth perimeter edge opposing the third perimeter edge of the comforter and extending from the first perimeter edge of the comforter to the second perimeter edge of the comforter;

the sheet further includes a fourth perimeter edge opposing the third perimeter edge of the sheet and extending from the first perimeter edge of the sheet to the second perimeter edge of the sheet; and

a length from the third to the fourth perimeter edge of the sheet, is greater than a length from the third to fourth perimeter edge of the comforter; and

further comprising a secured central flap joined along and between the first and second perimeter edges of the sheet, the central flap being disposed between the secured end flap and the fourth perimeter edge of the sheet, and including an inner surface facing a first side of the sheet, and an opening facing the opening of the end flap;

the opening of the central flap allowing insertion of the fourth comforter perimeter edge therein, such that the top panel of the comforter is disposed against the inner surface of the central flap and the first side of the sheet is disposed against the bottom panel of the comforter.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein a length from the fourth perimeter edge of the sheet to the junction of the central flap is approximately equal to the length from the third perimeter edge of the comforter to the fourth perimeter edge of the comforter.

18. The system of claim 3, wherein the comforter is symmetrical about a line extending across the comforter from the first flap to the second flap.

19. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second apertures of the sheet are aligned with one another and the first and second flaps of the comforter are aligned with one another.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom panels of the comforter are coupled together by a stitched seam extending along each of the perimeter edges of the comforter, the seam further coupling a piping to the top and bottom panels of the comforter, the piping extending along the comforter perimeter edges.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the stitched seam includes gaps between the top and bottom panels, the gaps allowing air to flow out from between the top and bottom panels when the top and bottom panels are forced together.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom panels of the comforter each comprise a thermoplastic material.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the comforter further comprises a fill material held between the top and bottom panels of the comforter.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom panels of the comforter are coupled together by a first plurality of spaced apart stitched seams extending between the first and second perimeter edges of the comforter and a second plurality of spaced apart stitched seams extending approximately parallel with the first and second perimeter edges of the comforter and approximately orthogonal to the first plurality of stitched seams.

25. A bedding system, comprising:

a comforter including a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge opposing the first perimeter edge, a third perimeter edge extending from the first perimeter edge to the second perimeter edge, a top panel and a bottom panel, each panel extending between the perimeter edges;

a second fastening element disposed in proximity to the second perimeter edge of the comforter;

a first sheet including a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge opposing the first perimeter edge of the sheet, a first aperture extending through the first sheet and disposed adjacent to the first perimeter edge of the sheet, and a second aperture extending through the first sheet and disposed adjacent to the second perimeter edge of the sheet;

the first and second apertures disposed for simultaneous alignment with the first and second fastening elements, respectively, when the sheet is placed against the bottom panel of the comforter so that the fastening elements may hold the sheet against the bottom panel of the comforter;

a second sheet including a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge opposing the first perimeter edge of the second sheet, and a third perimeter edge extending from the first perimeter edge of the second sheet to the second perimeter edge of the second sheet; and

a secured end flap joined along an entire length of the third perimeter edge of the second sheet and along a fraction of a length of the first and second perimeter edges of the second sheet, the end flap including an inner surface facing a first side of the second sheet and an opening allowing insertion of the third comforter perimeter edge therein, such that the top panel of the comforter is disposed against the inner surface of the end flap.

26. A bedding system, comprising:

a comforter including a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge opposing the first perimeter edge, a third perimeter edge extending from the first perimeter edge to the second perimeter edge, a top panel, and a bottom panel, each panel extending between the perimeter edges;

a first sheet including a first perimeter edge, a second perimeter edge opposing the first perimeter edge of the first sheet, and a third perimeter edge extending from the first perimeter edge of the first sheet to the second perimeter edge of the first sheet; and

a first secured end flap joined along an entire length of the third perimeter edge of the first sheet and along a fraction of a length of each of the first and second perimeter edges of the first sheet, the first end flap including an inner surface facing a first side of the first sheet, and an opening allowing insertion of the third perimeter edge of the comforter therein, such that the top panel of the comforter is disposed against the inner surface of the first end flap, and the first side of the first sheet is disposed against the bottom panel of the comforter.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the comforter further includes a fourth perimeter edge opposing the third perimeter edge of the comforter and extending from the first perimeter edge of the comforter to the second perimeter edge of the comforter, and further comprising:

a second secured end flap joined along an entire length of the third perimeter edge of the second sheet and along a fraction of a length of each of the first and second perimeter edges of the second sheet, the second end flap including an inner surface facing a first side of the second sheet, and an opening allowing insertion of the fourth perimeter edge of the comforter therein, such that the top panel of the comforter is disposed against the inner surface of the second end flap and the first side of the second sheet is disposed against a second side of the first sheet.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the fraction of the length of the first and second perimeter edges of the first sheet is less than one half.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein:

the comforter further includes a fourth perimeter edge opposite the third perimeter edge of the comforter and extending from the first perimeter edge of the comforter to the second perimeter edge of the comforter;

the first sheet further includes a fourth perimeter edge opposite the third perimeter edge of the first sheet and extending from the first perimeter edge of the first sheet to the second perimeter edge of the first sheet; and

a length from the third to the fourth perimeter edge of the first sheet is greater than a length from the third to the fourth perimeter edge of the comforter; and

further comprising a secured central flap joined along and between the first and second perimeter edges of the first sheet, the central flap being disposed between the first secured end flap and the fourth perimeter edge of the first sheet and including an inner surface facing the first side of the first sheet, and an opening facing the opening of the end flap;

the opening of the central flap allowing insertion of the fourth comforter perimeter edge therein, such that the top panel of the comforter is disposed against the inner surface of the central flap and the first side of the first sheet is disposed against the bottom panel of the comforter.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein a length from the fourth perimeter edge of the first sheet to the junction of the central flap is approximately equal to the length from the third perimeter edge of the comforter to the fourth perimeter edge of the comforter.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein:

the first secured end flap further includes an aperture extending therethrough; and

further comprising a fastening element disposed along the top panel of the comforter in proximity to the aperture, when the comforter is inserted within the secured end flap;

the fastening element including first and second parts adapted for reversible coupling with one another through the aperture.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

a flap joined to the top panel of the comforter and including an inner surface facing the top panel, when the flap is closed; and

wherein the first part of the fastening element is coupled to the flap, and the second part of the fastening element is coupled to the top panel of the comforter in proximity to the flap.