Patent Application
20110113553
(Not Applicable)
(Not Applicable)
The invention relates to a protective mattress cover and, more particularly, to a bed bug resistant cover for mattresses.
By the nature of how a mattress is used for rest or sleep, it is frequently in close contact with humans that may shed dead skin, for example, or discard other organic substances that are retained in the mattress. Insects such as dust mites or “bed bugs” can thrive on this organic matter and quickly develop into a significant population within the mattress. Dust mites or bed bugs can bite someone using a bed, resulting in substantial discomfort.
College dormitories, summer camps and the like provide housing for students/campers/etc. using an inventory of mattresses. It is burdensome to require individuals to bring their own mattresses, and it is expensive to regularly replace mattresses with new ones. A single mattress that has been purchased by a residence hall manager may be used as a sleeping surface by many individuals over the service life of the mattress. As a consequence dust mite and bed bug infestation in mattresses is an ongoing problem
It would be desirable for a mattress cover to prevent bed bugs and/or dust mites from developing a population within a mattress and also to prevent any dust mites within a mattress from reaching a person using the mattress.
According to preferred embodiments, a bed bug resistant cover has all its seams sealed and welded using radio frequency (RF) welding, resulting in a water-resistant, therefore bed bug resistant, cover. A water-resistant zipper is RF welded onto the opening of the cover, and a filter is added for breathability. The construction prevents dust mites from infesting the mattress and also prevents any dust mites within the mattress from accessing a person using the mattress.
In an exemplary embodiment, a bed bug resistant cover for a mattress includes a plurality of panels of fabric material connected by seams that are RF welded. The connected plurality of panels include a first opening for receiving the mattress and a second opening serving as a vent. A zipper assembly is cooperable with the panels of fabric material and RF welded to the qpening to close the panels of fabric material over the mattress. A filter is RF welded to an inside surface of the panels of fabric material and covers the vent. The zipper assembly may include a zipper pull and a zipper, where the zipper pull may be attached to the inside surface of the panels of fabric material.
The filter is preferably a dense fiber filter. A mesh screen, preferably formed of polypropylene may be disposed covering the filter. In one arrangement, the filter is disposed at a foot end of the cover.
Ends of the zipper assembly may be sealed with a sealant such as a silicone sealant.
In another exemplary embodiment, a bed bug resistant cover for a mattress includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and side panels connecting the top and bottom panels via RF welded seams. A first opening is provided between the top and bottom panels for receiving the mattress, and a second opening is provided and serves as a vent. A zipper assembly cooperable with the panels is RF welded to the opening. A filter formed of dense fiber is RF welded to an inside surface of one of the panels to cover the vent. A polypropylene mesh screen is provided to cover the filter. For standard size mattresses, the top cover and bottom cover may fold over the edge and meet at a center seam. Side panels are preferable for large mattresses.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method of assembling a bed bug resistant cover for a mattress includes the steps of connecting a plurality of panels of fabric material by RF welding seams between the plurality of panels and including a first opening for receiving the mattress and a second opening serving as a vent; RF welding a zipper assembly to the opening to close the panels of fabric material over the mattress; and RF welding a filter to an inside surface of the panels of fabric material to cover the vent.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to
A zipper assembly 22 is cooperable with the panels 12, 14, 16 and secured to the opening 20. As shown in
With reference to
In a preferred construction, all of the seams 18 between the panels 12, 14, 16 are RF welded to allow for a water-resistant, therefore bed bug resistant, seam. The zipper assembly 22 is also RF welded to the inside surface of one of the panels 12, 14, 16 over the opening 20.
The preferred cover material is transfer coated polyurethane (TCP) backed Nylon. The material may be coated with polyurethane.
In an alternative arrangement, with reference to
With the structure of the described mattress cover, by RF welding the seams between panels, a dust mite proof cover can be obtained that prevents infestation as well as access by any existing infestation to a person using the mattress. The RF welded zipper assembly facilitates insertion of a mattress within the cover and maintains the resistance to infiltration. Additionally, an RF welded filter with a protecting screen provides breathability to the mattress cover.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims
