Abstract: A mattress core unit, such as an innerspring, is placed inside a foam envelope, which in turn is covered with fabric. The side and end rails of the envelope overlap the bottom panel, to provide good support for all edges of the mattress. The top panel of the envelope overlaps the side and end rails. To make a reversible mattress, an overlapping bottom foam panel is used. The method simplifies matress construction, reduces the number of required stock keeping units, and provides a comfortable, yet firm, feel at the edges of the mattress.

Abstract: A pillow top mattress is made by first folding a mattress core border strip lengthwise to form at least one integral pillow top border, cutting diamond-shaped notches out of the folded edge, and sewing the free edges of the notches together to form mitered corners. The strip is cut to length, and after its ends are joined together to form a band, it is pulled over the mattress core. The border strip is then secured to the core material, and pillow top insulation is added before a pillow top panel is sewn to the free edge of the border strip.

Abstract: A couple shopping for a mattress are helped to select a physiologically suitable mattress by a system which uses a questionnaire to elicit important information from the people. The questionnaire data is processed automatically, preferably in combination with physically measured data, to generate a recommendation of which available mattress system is most suitable for both people, or, if no mattress system is suitable for both people, then a recommendation for separate mattress systems which can conjoined or used together.

Abstract: A mattress core unit, such as an innerspring, is placed inside a foam envelope, which in turn is covered with fabric. The side and end rails of the envelope overlap the bottom panel, to provide good support for all edges of the mattress. The top panel of the envelope overlaps the side and end rails. To make a reversible mattress, an overlapping bottom foam panel is used. The method simplifies matress construction, reduces the number of required stock keeping units, and provides a comfortable, yet firm, feel at the edges of the mattress.

Abstract: At least one major surface of the core is covered with an inner layer of insulation, and at least one outer layer of material. The outer layer is secured to the inner layer by inserting flexible filament type fasteners through the hollow needle of an installation tool. If the core is made of foam, filamentary fasteners may also be used to secure the inner layer. The insulation layers are ultimately covered and secured in place by a fabric panel which conceals and secures the other components. Filamentary fasteners may also be used to secure a pillow top edge or a top panel to the mattress.

Abstract: A person shopping for a mattress is helped to select a physiologically suitable mattress by a system which uses a questionnaire to elicit important information from the person. The questionnaire is processed automatically to generate a recommendation of which available mattress system is most suitable for the person.

Abstract: A pillow top mattress is made by first sewing a mattress core border to respective pillow top borders, forming mitered corners on each, then pulling the combined borders over the mattress core, securing the combined borders to the core material, and then adding pillow top insulation and sewing a pillow top panel to the free edge of each pillow top border.