Integrated Mattress Encasings and Apparatuses and Methods to Encase Mattress Topper

Abstract

Mattress cover systems are disclosed. One such system includes a mattress encasing configured to fit snugly over a mattress and a mattress topper encasing coupled to the mattress encasing. The mattress topper encasing is configured to fit snugly around a mattress topper. The mattress cover system restricts the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress. Also disclosed are beds, and methods of incorporating the disclosed mattress cover system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Integrated Mattress Encasings and Apparatuses and Methods to Encase Mattress Topper,” having Ser. No. 60/721,893, filed Sep. 29, 2005, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to technology, materials, and methods for protecting and increasing the comfort of bedding products, particularly a mattress. More specifically, the disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods involving mattress encasings and mattress toppers.

BACKGROUND

The use of mattress toppers and pillowtop mattresses is popular among certain consumers who desire to increase the comfort of a bed or bedding products. Mattress toppers are typically used in conjunction with a conventional mattress, and are typically slim relative to the thickness of a mattress (approximately 1 to 5 or more inches in thickness). A mattress topper is generally substantially coextensive with the length and width of a mattress and the various sizes of mattresses. The mattress can be any size, including, but not limited to: crib, twin, extra-long twin, full, double, queen, king, European queen, and California king. The mattress topper is further usually positioned on top of the surface of a mattress and can be constructed out of a cover made of fabric or similar material, which is filled with feathers, fabric filling, foam, or other materials. A mattress topper can also be made without a cover and entirely of foam or other materials.

One disadvantage of using of a mattress topper is that a mattress topper may often shift in response to weight being placed upon it or upon the application of a mattress pad or bed sheet after the mattress topper is positioned on a mattress. A mattress topper may shift or warp in response to these or other forces, lessening the performance of a mattress topper in increasing the comfort or support or altering other characteristics of the mattress that a consumer may desire. The shifting leads to less than ideal placement of a mattress topper where one or more sides of the mattress topper overhangs the edge of a mattress or where the mattress topper rests in a position off-center of a mattress. Warping results in reduced performance of a mattress topper by causing an uneven surface of a bed. Further, the mattress topper is often left relatively unprotected from potential soiling or infiltration by dust-mites, dust-mite allergens or other allergens when resting atop a mattress and secured only by a bed sheet. Also, a consumer may desire to protect a mattress topper with a material having one or more of the following features: water resistant, fire-retardant, breathable, or non-allergenic.

Pillowtop mattresses are popular among certain consumers desiring a more comfortable, durable, or otherwise improved bedding product and who prefer the properties of such a mattress. A pillowtop mattress typically comprises an enclosed panel substantially coextentive with the length and width of a mattress containing additional padding or foam that is sewn or otherwise affixed to a mattress innerspring or to the edges of the mattress. However, a pillowtop mattress can often cost considerably more than a mattress without a pillowtop, and as a result, consumers may have to choose a mattress without a pillowtop despite preferring the characteristics and features offered by a pillowtop mattress. One potential reason for the higher cost of a pillowtop mattress can be increased manufacturing complexity, increased material, and increased labor costs that arise when permanently attaching the pillowtop section to the mattress innerspring or mattress edges. The pillowtop section may also be attached in other ways apparent to those skilled in the art, most of which add to the cost of manufacturing the mattress and hence a higher retail price to the consumer.

A pillowtop mattress further offers little consumer flexibility in choosing the properties of the material enclosed in a pillowtop section of a such a mattress, and also offers little flexibility in easily replacing the pillowtop section with a different padding or support material should the consumer desire such a change. One reason for this lack of flexibility is that the pillowtop section is typically permanently affixed or sewn to the mattress innerspring or mattress edges.

Accordingly, there is a heretofore unaddressed need to overcome the deficiencies and shortcomings described above.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, embodiments of the present disclosure include beds, mattress cover systems for mattresses and mattress toppers, as well as systems and methods for protecting mattresses and mattress toppers. In particular, one embodiment of the disclosed systems is a mattress cover system that includes a mattress encasing configured to fit snugly over a mattress, a mattress topper encasing coupled to the mattress encasing, the mattress topper encasing configured to fit snugly around a mattress topper, and the mattress cover system substantially covering the mattress and the mattress topper and restricts the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress.

One embodiment of the disclosed beds is a bed including a mattress and a mattress cover system, the mattress cover system comprising a mattress encasing configured to fit snugly over a mattress, a mattress topper encasing coupled to the mattress encasing, the mattress topper encasing configured to fit snugly around a mattress topper, and the mattress cover system fitting over the mattress and the mattress topper and restricts the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress.

One embodiment of the disclosed methods includes disposing a mattress encasing coupled to a mattress topper encasing on a mattress, disposing the mattress topper encasing on a mattress topper, the mattress topper encasing fitting snugly around the mattress topper, the at least one edge of the mattress topper encasing being opened to allow for removal or insertion of the mattress topper.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of this disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed mattress cover systems.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed mattress cover systems.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed mattress cover systems.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the disclosed mattress cover systems.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for covering a mattress and securing and covering a mattress topper to a mattress. One exemplary system includes an encasing for a mattress and an encasing for a mattress topper, the mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing coupled together. One exemplary method includes encasing a mattress and mattress topper including fitting at least one encasing piece snugly around a mattress and a mattress topper while allowing for insertion and removal of the mattress topper.

A mattress topper is often desired by consumers to increase the comfort of or to alter the properties of a consumer's bedding. A mattress topper is a device overlaid onto a mattress, having a width and length substantially coextensive with the underlying mattress and having a varying thickness (e.g., typically about 1 to 5 inches). A mattress topper can be comprised of viscous elastic foam, down feather inserts, faux down feather inserts, cotton, polyester, or any material desired by a consumer or known in the art. A mattress topper can also be constructed in various shapes and textures, including but not limited to flat and “egg-crate.” A mattress and mattress topper of varying sizes known in the art can be used with the disclosed methods and systems. The mattress and mattress topper can be any size, including, but not limited to: crib, twin, extra-long twin, full, double, queen, king, European queen, and California king.

One embodiment of a mattress cover system includes a mattress encasing coupled to a mattress topper encasing. The mattress cover system of FIG. 1, similar to the remaining figures, is depicted in a cutaway view such that a person of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate the various components of the system and how a mattress cover system may be implemented in practice. The mattress encasing 108 can completely surround the underside of a mattress 106, as depicted in FIG. 1. The mattress topper encasing 102 may be accessed via a zipper 104 to reveal a mattress topper 107 disposed within. Other similar fastening or securing devices such as buttons, anchor straps, hook and loop fasteners or other devices that should be appreciated can be used to allow the mattress topper encasing to be accessed. The mattress topper encasing may enclose a mattress topper 107 to offer additional protection for the mattress topper 107 relative to a bed sheet or other bedding material.

In the depicted embodiment, the zipper 104 may span all four sides of the mattress cover system and cause the mattress cover system to be split into at least two pieces. In this way, the mattress cover system may be removed and/or installed. Together, a mattress topper encasing 102 and a mattress encasing 108 may form a mattress cover system of FIG. 1 by completely surrounding a mattress and mattress topper while providing access for the mattress topper via a compartment that surrounds the mattress topper 107. It should also be appreciated that the zipper 104 may span less than four sides of the mattress and mattress topper while still providing access to insert and/or remove a mattress topper.

Alternatively, rather than completely surrounding a mattress the mattress encasing of a mattress cover system can substantially or partially surround a mattress as depicted in FIG. 2. The mattress cover system of FIG. 2 may be secured to the mattress 206 in a similar fashion to a fitted bed sheet. Elastic material 212 shown in FIG. 3 may be integrated into a portion of the mattress encasing 208 to secure the system to at least one side of the mattress. The mattress cover system may still include a zipper 204 or other similar fastening system to provide access to insert or remove a mattress topper 207. The zipper 204 may span less than four sides of the mattress cover system while still providing access to a mattress topper 207 disposed within.

The mattress encasing may serve more than one purpose, for example, it can serve to cover and protect the mattress by completely or substantially surrounding the surface of the mattress. The mattress encasing can also be used to secure the mattress cover system to the mattress. The mattress encasing may comprise a material that completely covers all sides of a mattress, as in FIG. 1, or partially covers a mattress like a fitted bed sheet, as shown in FIG. 2. The mattress encasing may exhibit elastic properties around one or more edge or corner to aid in securing the system to the mattress. The mattress encasing can also comprise at least one strap or anchor band that secures the mattress cover system to at least one edge or corner of the mattress, as depicted in FIG. 4. The mattress cover system of FIG. 4 includes at least one anchor band or strap 414 that secures a mattress topper encasing 402 to a mattress 406. In this manner a lower cost mattress cover system that leaves the mattress 406 exposed while covering the mattress topper 407. It should be appreciated that the at least one strap 414 can be made of an elastic material to assure the mattress cover system is securely fastened to the mattress 406.

In the above embodiments, the mattress encasing is preferably coupled to a mattress topper encasing by stitching; however, this coupling can also be accomplished by hooks, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro® brand fasteners, or other fasteners known in the art. The mattress topper encasing and mattress encasing are preferably separated by at least one layer of material; however, the mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing may also be communicatively coupled. A mattress topper encasing is adapted to accept and substantially or partially surround a mattress topper of varying thickness (e.g., about 1 to 5 inches or more). It would be appreciated by one possessing ordinary skill in the art that the mattress topper encasing could be adapted pursuant to this disclosure to accept a mattress topper of virtually any thickness desirable to consumers or available on the market. Preferably, as depicted in the drawings, the mattress topper encasing is configured to completely surround a mattress topper. In addition, the mattress topper encasing might comprise at least one strap or similar structure that secures the mattress topper relative to the mattress. Alternative embodiments of the aforementioned mattress cover system can include a mattress topper encasing that covers only one or more edge or comer of the mattress topper, restricting the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress while surrounding and/or covering the mattress topper only minimally. The mattress topper encasing can extend over any portion of the mattress topper to restrict the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress.

The mattress topper encasing preferably comprises a proximal edge, two side edges, and a distal edge. As shown in the drawings, it can include a fastener, such as a zipper, spanning at least one edge or preferably three edges (the two side edges and the distal edge) to allow for access into the inner portion of the mattress topper encasing, providing for removal or insertion of a mattress topper without removing the mattress cover system from a mattress. Alternatively, the mattress topper encasing may be configured with Velcro® brand fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, hooks, or other fasteners known in the art that allow for the opening and closing of the mattress topper encasing. The mattress topper encasing may alternatively provide no edge that can be opened or closed. Instead, the mattress cover system can be disposed on top of a mattress and mattress topper without allowing for insertion or removal of the mattress topper while still restricting the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress and preventing warping of the mattress topper.

A mattress cover system can be comprised of a fabric that can be woven material, non-woven material, knits made of polyester and/or blends with other textile fibers, and fabrics such as cotton, nylon, rayon, fiber cotton, polyester, nylon blends, or other materials known. The mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing can be comprised of the same or similar materials; however, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing could be comprised of different materials or a combination of different materials. Further, the mattress cover system may or may not be comprised of a material that possesses one or more of the following characteristics: fire retardant, waterproof, non-allergenic, breathable, substantially impermeable to dust-mites, substantially impermeable to mold, substantially impermeable to bacteria, and/or substantially impermeable to fungi. A mattress cover system can be comprised of materials offering other features desirable to consumers, including the above-mentioned features and others known in the field.

Also disclosed is a bed incorporating the disclosed mattress cover system. A bed pursuant to the present disclosure includes a mattress of a standard size known in the art or a custom-sized mattress. A mattress cover system according to the present disclosure is disposed on the mattress of the bed. The mattress can be any size, including, but not limited to: crib, twin, extra-long twin, full, double, queen, king, European queen, and California king.

Also disclosed is a method of installing a mattress topper, which generally includes disposing the disclosed mattress cover system on a mattress. The method can also include disposing the mattress topper in or on the mattress cover system after the mattress cover system is in place on the mattress.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the mattress cover systems, beds, and methods are merely possible examples of implementations of the mattress cover systems, beds, and methods, and are merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles set forth herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other similar materials can be used pursuant to the present disclosure, and the teachings of the present disclosure can be adapted to accommodate other sizes of mattresses, mattress toppers and beds. Many variations and modifications may be made to the mattress cover systems, beds, and methods disclosed herein without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

1. A mattress cover system, comprising:

a mattress encasing configured to fit snugly over a mattress; and

a mattress topper encasing coupled to the mattress encasing, the mattress topper encasing configured to fit snugly around a mattress topper;

wherein the mattress cover system fits over the mattress and the mattress topper and is configured to restrict the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress and prevent warping of the mattress topper.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing are separated by at least one layer of material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing share at least one layer of fabric material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress topper encasing is configured such that the mattress topper is removable and insertable when the mattress cover system is installed.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the mattress topper encasing comprises at least one zipper, wherein the zipper is configured to provide access within the mattress topper encasing for removal and insertion of the mattress topper.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the mattress topper encasing comprises a hook and loop fastener, the hook and loop fastener being configured to provide access within the mattress topper encasing for removal and insertion of the mattress topper.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the mattress topper encasing comprises a fastener configured to provide access within the mattress topper encasing for removal and insertion of the mattress topper.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing are substantially comprised of a non-allergenic material.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing are substantially comprised of a fire-retardant material.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing are substantially comprised of a material substantially impassable by dust-mites and dust-mite allergens.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing are substantially comprised of a material substantially impassable by at least one of the following: insects and vermin.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing are substantially comprised of a substantially waterproof material.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and the mattress topper encasing are fastened together by stitches.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress cover system is configured to fit at least one of the following mattress sizes: crib, twin, extra-long twin, full, double, queen, king, European queen, and California king.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing are substantially made of woven polyester.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing are substantially made of a material chosen from at least one of: cotton, nylon, rayon, fiber cotton, polyester, nylon blends, and combinations thereof.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing are substantially made of a material designed to prevent the passage of allergens.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the mattress topper encasing comprises:

a distal edge, a proximal edge and two side edges, wherein at least one edge is configured to allow for removal and insertion of a mattress topper.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the proximal edge and the two side edges are coupled by a zipper spanning the proximal edge and two side edges, the zipper configured to allow for opening and closing of the proximal edge and the two side edges.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the proximal edge and the two side edges are coupled by a fastening system spanning the proximal edge and two side edges, the fastening system configured to allow for opening and closing of the proximal edge and the two side edges.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the fastening system is chosen from at least one of the following: zipper, hook and loop fasteners, hooks, buttons, and combinations thereof.

22. A bed comprising:

a mattress; and

a mattress cover system, wherein the mattress cover system comprises a mattress encasing configured to fit snugly over a mattress, a mattress topper encasing coupled to the mattress encasing, the mattress topper encasing configured to fit snugly around a mattress topper,

wherein the mattress cover system fits over the mattress and the mattress topper, thereby restricting the movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress and preventing warping of the mattress topper.

23. The bed of claim 22, wherein the mattress cover system substantially comprises material chosen from at least one of the following: cotton, nylon, rayon fiber cotton, polyester, nylon blends, and combinations thereof.

24. The bed of claim 22, wherein the mattress cover system substantially comprises a material configured to prevent dust mites and dust mite allergens from passing therethrough.

25. The bed of claim 22, wherein the mattress cover system substantially comprises a fire-retardant material.

26. The bed of claim 22, wherein the mattress cover system comprises a material configured to prevent dust mites and dust mite allergens from passing therethrough.

27. The bed of claim 22, wherein:

the mattress is chosen from at least one of the following sizes: crib, twin, extra-long twin, full, double, queen, king, European queen, and California king.

28. A method of installing a mattress topper, comprising:

disposing a mattress encasing coupled to a mattress topper encasing on a mattress; and

disposing the mattress topper encasing on a mattress topper, the mattress topper encasing fitting snugly around the mattress topper,

wherein the mattress topper encasing restricts movement of the mattress topper relative to the mattress and prevents warping of the mattress topper.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein at least one of the mattress encasing and mattress topper encasing are comprised of a fabric that has one of the following properties: fire retardant, water resistance, impermeability to dust-mites and dust-mite allergens, non-allergenic, hypo-allergenic, breathability, and combinations thereof.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the mattress topper encasing has at least one edge that opens, allowing for removal and insertion of the mattress topper.