MATTRESS COVER

Abstract

A mattress cover that enhances an existing mattress is comprised of a skirt and a pad formed from textile material and dimensioned to cover a non-pillow top mattress. The pad is formed from textile material and includes a compressible fill material. The pad is for being positioned over the top of the mattress and is secured to the skirt. The pad includes a trough that extends around at least part of the outer periphery of the pad. The trough has a generally planar lower face that extends generally perpendicular to the skirt and includes an outward end secured to the skirt. The trough has a generally planar upper face connected to the lower face at an inward seam and angled from the lower face at an acute angle such that the trough is generally v-shaped in cross section.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/804,474 filed Jun. 12, 2006 entitled “Mattress Cover” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a mattress cover and, more particularly, to a mattress cover that resembles a pillow-top mattress.

The quality of sleep and the rest and relaxation derived from such sleep are primarily dependent upon the comfort of a sleeping surface. Mattresses are often used as the sleeping surface. Accordingly, attempts to improve the comfort of mattresses have been ongoing for an extended period of time. One form of mattress that has become popular is a pillow-top mattress 14 (See FIG. 1). Pillow-top mattress sets have many layers of cushioning upholstery on top of a firmer innerspring core. Pillow-top mattresses are formed by inserting soft resilient filling materials into a sleeve or enclosure which is interconnected with a top surface of the mattress. Pillow-top construction serves to essentially cushion the innerspring coils and allows for more independent and unrestrained articulation resulting in improved conformability and interface pressure.

A significant disadvantage of conventional pillow-top mattresses is that the filling material becomes compressed and loses a significant portion of its original thickness over time. Additionally, the top of the mattress is most prone to damage such as water damage or the like. Pillow-top mattresses are often expensive and replacement of the pillow-top surface requires replacement of the entire mattress.

Mattress covers and feather top comforters for covering a standard mattress are know. Such covers and tops are often used in combination, the feather top comforter for cushioning and the cover for damage protection, and give the mattress a cheap, tacky or otherwise undesirable appearance.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a removable mattress cover that covers the mattress top to give the mattress the appearance and feel of an integral pillow-top mattress.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to a mattress cover that enhances an existing mattress. The existing mattress has a predetermined size, a top, a bottom, and an endless sidewall. The mattress cover comprises a skirt formed from textile material and dimensioned to cover at least the sidewall. A pad is formed from textile material and includes a compressible fill material. The pad is for being positioned over the top of the mattress and is secured to the skirt. The pad includes a trough that extends around at least part of the outer periphery of the pad. The trough has a generally planar lower face that extends generally perpendicular to the skirt and includes an outward end secured to the skirt. The trough has a generally planar upper face connected to the lower face at an inward seam and angled from the lower face at an acute angle such that the trough is generally v-shaped in cross section.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a mattress cover that enhances an existing mattress. The mattress has a predetermined size, a top, a bottom, and an endless sidewall. The mattress cover comprises at least one interior sheet formed from textile material for covering the top and sidewalls of the mattress. The interior sheet forms a skirt. At least one exterior sheet formed from textile material is secured to the at least one interior sheet at an inward seam. The inward seam is spaced inwardly from the skirt forming a trough. The trough has a generally planar lower face extending generally perpendicular to the skirt and includes an outward end. The trough has a generally planar upper face connected to the lower face at the inward seam and angled from the lower face at an acute angle such that the trough is generally v-shaped in cross section. A compressible fill material is disposed between the at least one interior sheet, the at least one exterior sheet and the inward seam to form a pad on the top of the mattress and to give the appearance of an integral pillow-top mattress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a pillow-top mattress set known in art;

FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of a mattress cover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side perspective view of a portion of the mattress cover of FIG. 2, showing an edge portion of the mattress cover, including an edge pocket shown in a partially opened configuration;

FIG. 4 is a lower perspective view of the mattress cover of FIG. 2, showing an interior surface of the mattress pad portion and an exterior surface of a skirt portion of the mattress cover with the mattress removed; and

FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged, cross-sectional view of an edge portion of the mattress cover taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a mattress cover in accordance with the present invention, and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 2-5 a presently preferred embodiment of a mattress cover 10. The mattress cover 10 includes a pad 16 and a skirt 18. The pad 16 and skirt 18 are joined together to form a trough 34 along an upper periphery of the mattress cover 10 as discussed below. With the mattress cover 10 installed on a conventional mattress 12, the trough 34 gives the mattress cover 10 and mattress 12 combination the appearance and feel of a conventional integral pillow-top mattress 14 shown in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the mattress cover 10 is generally rectangular, having a length and width such that the cover 10 snugly or closely fits over the conventional mattress 12. The mattress cover 10 may be sized to fit a range of conventional mattress sizes. Thus, the mattress cover 10 is preferably provided in multiple styles, sized to fit conventional twin, full, queen, king, and California king-sized mattresses, respectively (only one, non-specific, size shown). The conventional mattress 12 has a predetermined top 12a , a bottom 12b and an endless side wall 12c to form a generally rectangular shape. Although the mattress cover 10 is capable of being inverted, the mattress cover 10 has a preferred exterior surface 20 and a preferred interior surface 22. Preferably, the mattress cover 10 is installed on a conventional mattress 12, generally, any non-pillow-top mattress, such that the interior surface 22 is in facing engagement with the top 12a of the mattress 12, and the exterior surface 20 faces away from the mattress 12. Preferably, the exterior surface 20 is formed by at least one exterior sheet 24 and the interior surface 22 is formed by at least one interior sheet 26. Preferably, the interior and exterior sheets 26, 24 are high-quality cotton (over 250 thread count), satin, or other conventional bedding material similar to those used in a pillow-top mattress 14. The exterior sheet 24 may also include a design, woven or stitched into the exterior sheet material to enhance the appearance of the exterior sheet 24. The interior sheet 26 is preferably waterproof or water-resistant or at least a portion of the interior sheet 26 disposed over the top 12a of the mattress 12 is waterproof or water-resistant, to help protect the underlying mattress 12. The exterior and interior sheets 24, 26 may also be multi-layered and quilted.

The pad 16 preferably includes a fill material 28 disposed between the exterior and interior sheets 24, 26. The fill material 28 is preferably a high quality, soft, resilient, hypoallergenic, polyester, down alternative fiberfill. Preferably, at least the top of the fill material 28 is treated with an anti-microbial treatment (not illustrated). Though fiberfill material is preferred, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the fill material 28 be comprised of other bedding material such as polyester, down, or foam. Preferably, the exterior and interior sheets 24, 26 are connected together, for example, by quilting 30, to prevent significant shifting of the fill material 28 and provide a pillow-like surface that gives the cover 10 the appearance and feel of an integral pillow-top mattress 14. Additionally, the exterior and interior sheets 24, 26 are preferably quilted or otherwise connected together at the skirt 18. The pad 16 is preferably in the range of approximately one to three inches thick, but may be of greater or lesser thickness without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The skirt 18 preferably includes an elastic band 32 along a bottom periphery of the skirt 18. The elastic band 32 is similar to that of a conventional mattress cover or sheet band and helps retain the mattress cover 10 in place over the mattress 12 upon which the mattress cover 10 is installed. Preferably, the skirt 18 at least covers the sidewalls 12c of the mattress 12 but the skirt 18 may cover at least a portion of the bottom 12b as well. Though an elastic band 32 is preferred to keep the mattress cover 10 secured to the mattress 12, it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that an alternative method of attachment is used such as a tie cord, buttons, zippers or that the cover 10 not include any attachment device at all.

The pad 16 includes a trough 34 that extends around at least part of the outer periphery of the pad 16 between the pad 16 and the skirt 18. The trough 34 preferably extends inwardly and is disposed over the top 12a of at least the peripheral portion of the mattress 12 when the mattress cover 10 is positioned over the mattress 12. The trough 34 has a generally planar lower face 36 extending generally perpendicular to the skirt 18 when the mattress cover 10 is installed on a mattress 12. The lower face 36 includes an outward end 36a secured to the skirt 18. The trough 34 also has a generally planar upper face 38 connected to the lower face 36 at an inward seam 40. The inward seam 40 is preferably comprised of at least one row of stitching 40a connecting at least the exterior sheet 24 to at least the interior sheet 26. The upper face 38 is preferably angled from the lower face 36 at an acute angle 42 such that the trough 34 is generally V-shaped in cross section (See FIG. 5). The angle 42 is preferably less than 50 degrees but it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the angle 42 be greater than or less than 50 degrees. The upper and lower faces 38, 36 are preferably in the range of about 1 inch to four inches in length, and in a preferred embodiment are about 2 inches in length. Thus the trough 34 is preferably about 1 inch to four inches deep, and a preferred embodiment is about 2 inches in depth.

An upper binding 44 preferably extends along the outer periphery of the pad 16 and the outer edge of the upper face 38. A lower binding 46 extends along the outward end 36a of the trough 34. The upper and lower bindings 44, 46 are preferably comprised of material similar to the exterior and interior sheets 24, 26 and are preferably secured over outward ends of the lower and upper faces 36, 38. The upper and lower bindings 44, 46 are preferably secured by stitching 46a and 44a respectively but it is within the spirit and scope of the present invention that the upper and lower bindings 44, 46 be secured in another manner such as by an adhesive. The upper and lower bindings 44, 46 help to define the shape of the trough 34 and give the mattress cover 10 the appearance of the binding used in a conventional integral pillow-top mattress 14.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, in use, the mattress cover 10 is installed on an appropriately sized mattress 12. The dimensions of the mattress cover 10 can be varied, for making the trough 34 shallower or deeper or biased into a preferred orientation when the mattress cover 10 is installed on a mattress 12 with the mattress cover 10 snugly in position on the mattress 12, the trough 34 gives the combination of the mattress cover 10 and the mattress 12 the appearance and feel of a conventional pillow-top mattress 14. Though the lower and upper faces 36, 38 are preferably generally planar and include the orientation described above, curves, creases and bulges may appear within the trough 34 and skirt 18 due to the flexible nature of the thin textile material and the size, orientation and curved or bound edges of the underlying mattress 12.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mattress cover that enhances an existing mattress having a predetermined size, a top, a bottom, and an endless sidewall, the mattress cover comprising:

a skirt formed from textile material, the skirt dimensioned to cover at least the sidewall;

a pad formed from textile material, the pad including a compressible fill material, the pad for being positioned over the top of the mattress and being secured to the skirt, the pad including a trough extending around at least part of the outer periphery of the pad, the trough having a generally planar lower face extending generally perpendicular to the skirt and including an outward end secured to the skirt, the trough having a generally planar upper face connected to the lower face at an inward seam and angled from the lower face at an acute angle such that the trough is generally v-shaped in cross section.

2. The mattress cover of claim 1, wherein the skirt has at least one elastic band secured to a lower periphery of the skirt for partially wrapping the skirt over at least a portion of the bottom surface of the mattress.

3. The mattress cover of claim 1, wherein the lower face of the trough is at least 1.5 inches in length.

4. The mattress cover of claim 1, wherein the upper face is angled from the lower face at an angle less than 50 degrees.

5. The mattress cover of claim 1, wherein an upper binding extends along the outer periphery of the pad and an edge of an upper face.

6. The mattress cover of claim 5, wherein a lower binding extends along the outward end of the trough.

7. The mattress cover of claim 1, wherein an exterior sheet of the pad is multi-layered and quilted.

8. The mattress cover of claim 7, wherein when quilted, the exterior sheet forms pillow-like cushions.

10. The mattress cover of claim 1, wherein the skirt is multi-layered and quilted.

11. The mattress cover of claim 1, wherein an interior layer of the cover is water-resistant to help protect the underlying mattress.

12. A mattress cover that enhances an existing mattress having a predetermined size, a top, a bottom, and an endless sidewall, the mattress cover comprising:

at least one interior sheet formed from textile material for covering the top and sidewalls of the mattress, the interior sheet forming a skirt;

at least one exterior sheet formed from textile material, the at least one exterior sheet secured to the at least one interior sheet at an inward seam, the inward seam spaced inwardly from the skirt forming a trough, the trough having a generally planar lower face extending generally perpendicular to the skirt and including an outward end, the trough having a generally planar upper face connected to the lower face at the inward seam and angled from the lower face at an acute angle such that the trough is generally v-shaped in cross section;

a compressible fill material disposed between the at least one interior sheet, the at least one exterior sheet and the inward seam to form a pad on the top of the mattress and appearing to be an integral pillow-top mattress.

13. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein the at least one exterior sheet is at least partially secured to the at least one interior sheet from a lower periphery of the skirt to the inward seam.

14. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein the skirt has at least one elastic band secured to a lower periphery of the skirt for partially wrapping the skirt over at least a portion of the bottom surface of the mattress.

15. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein the lower face of the trough is at least 1.5 inches in length.

16. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein the upper face is angled from the lower face at an angle less than 50 degrees.

17. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein an upper binding extends along the outer periphery of the pad and an edge of an upper trough surface.

18. The mattress cover of claim 17, wherein a lower binding extends along the outward end of the trough.

19. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein an exterior sheet of the pad is multi-layered and quilted.

20. The mattress cover of claim 19, wherein when quilted, the exterior sheet forms pillow-like cushions.

21. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein the skirt is multi-layered and quilted.

22. The mattress cover of claim 12, wherein an interior layer of the at least one interior sheet is water-resistant to help protect the underlying mattress.