GB2546744A

GB2546744A - Mattress protectors

Info

Publication number: GB2546744A
Application number: GB1601428.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Denness Peter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-26
Filing date: 2016-01-26
Publication date: 2017-08-02
Also published as: GB201601428D0

Abstract

A mattress protector 10 comprises a layer of flexible material (12, fig.2) with a major surface (14, fig.2) that has a surface area covered with an adhesive (16, fig.2) to cover a major surface 18 of a mattress 20 with said adhesive. A method of protecting a mattress comprises fitting the mattress protector 10 over a major surface 18 of the mattress 20. The adhesive (16, fig.2) may trap dust mites and adhere the mattress protector 10 to the mattress 20. The mattress protector 10 may be impregnated with an insecticide, disinfectant or perfume. The protector 10 may be disposed between the mattress 20 and a bed base 24.

Description

Mattress Protectors

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to mattress protectors.

Background to the Invention

Dust mites and germs may accumulate on a mattress to feed on reservoirs of human cells and may create dangerous bacteria causing illnesses that may include colds, flu, allergies, asthma and even salmonella. Dust mites produce waste products that may irritate the lining of the airways and lungs, particularly in children, and bring on allergic reactions and asthma or irritate skin conditions such as eczema.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a mattress protector comprising a layer of flexible material having a major surface comprising a surface area covered with an adhesive for covering a major surface of a mattress with said adhesive to, in use, provide an adhesive barrier between said major surface of a mattress and a bed base.

The invention also includes a method of protecting a mattress, said method comprising fitting a mattress protector over a major surface of the mattress, said mattress protector comprising a layer of flexible material having a major surface comprising a surface area that covers said major surface of the mattress protector, said surface area being covered by an adhesive.

The invention also includes a mattress and mattress protector, said mattress comprising a first major surface and a second major surface disposed opposite and spaced apart from said first major surface, and said mattress protector comprising a layer of flexible material having a major surface comprising a surface area covered by an adhesive which surface area covers said first major surface of the mattress.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be well understood, an example thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is schematic representation of a mattress protector, mattress and bed base; and

Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of the mattress protector.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a mattress protector 10 comprises a layer of flexible material 12 having a major surface 14 having a surface area covered by an adhesive 16. The surface area covered by the adhesive 16 corresponds to the surface area of a major surface 18 of a mattress 20 to which the mattress protector 10 is to be fitted. To prevent unwanted adhesion of matter or objects to the mattress protector 10 prior to use, the adhesive 16 may be covered by a protective layer, or sheet, 22.

The layer of flexible material 12 may be paper or linen based and in some examples may be coated, or otherwise covered, with a base material to facilitate covering by the adhesive. In other examples, the layer of flexible material may comprise a non-woven synthetic such as non-woven polypropylene. In some examples, the layer of flexible material 12 may be biodegradable.

The adhesive may be any suitable adhesive with sufficient adhesion to trap dust mites and the like and adhere the mattress protector 10 to the mattress 20, while allowing the mattress protector to be peeled away from the mattress when it is to be changed. The adhesive 16 may be a low-tack pressure sensitive adhesive.

The mattress protector 10 may be impregnated with an insecticide to kill dust mites and the like. The insecticide may be impregnated in the adhesive 16. The insecticide may be any insecticide that is effective to kill dust mites and the like while being safe for humans. The insecticide may be cypermethrin.

The mattress impregnator 10 may additionally be impregnated with a disinfectant or perfume. The disinfectant or perfume may be impregnated in the adhesive 16.

The protective layer, or sheet, 22 may be made of any suitable material that is capable of adhering to the adhesive 16 with a sufficiently low peel strength to allow easy removal to expose the adhesive when the mattress protector is to be used. A mattress protector 10 may be fitted to a mattress 20 disposed on a bed base 24 prior to turning the mattress. The protective layer, or sheet, 22 is peeled off to expose the adhesive 16. The mattress protector 10 is then placed over the upwardly facing major surface 18 of the mattress 20 so that the major surface 18 is covered by the mattress protector and the adhesive 16 is in contact with the major surface 18. The person, or persons, fitting the mattress protector 10 may press it against the mattress 20 to ensure that it adheres to the mattress. The adhesion provided is sufficient to hold the mattress protector 10 in place on the mattress 20, which can then be turned so that the mattress protector is between the bed base 24 and the mattress. Once installed, the mattress protector 10 and, in particular, the adhesive 16 provides a barrier to dust mites and the like so that they are prevented from reaching the mattress 20. Dust mites and the like trapped in the adhesive cannot feed and will die. When the mattress protector 10 is impregnated with an insecticide, the dust mites and the like may be killed by the insecticide. Similarly if the mattress protector 10 is impregnated with a disinfectant, this may assist in killing dust mites and the like, or germs and bacteria present in the mattress protector.

When it is desired to change the mattress protector 10, it can be removed from the mattress 20 by simply peeling it away and a fresh mattress protector fitted to the mattress. The fresh mattress protector 10 may be fitted to the mattress 20 prior to turning the mattress and removing the old mattress protector. While not essential, it is envisaged that the mattress protector will be disposed of after use and not cleaned or otherwise rejuvenated for reuse.

While it may be convenient to fit the mattress protector to a mattress when the mattress is resting on a bed base and then turning the mattress to put the mattress protector between the bed base and the mattress, it is to be understood that this is not essential. For example the mattress protector may be fitted to a mattress that is resting on the floor or propped against a wall or the like.

As shown in the drawings, the major surface 14 of the layer of flexible material 12 has a surface area corresponding at least substantially to the surface area of the major surface 18 of the mattress 20 so that when fitted the mattress protector at least substantially covers the major surface of the mattress with the adhesive. While the adhesive 16 may cover the entire surface area of the major surface 14 of the layer of flexible material 12, in some examples the major surface 14 may have a surface area greater than that of the major surface 18 of the mattress. This allows provision of adhesive 16 over a surface area corresponding at least substantially to the surface area of the major surface 18 of the mattress 20, while leaving a border, or one or more edges, of the layer of flexible material 12 free of adhesive to facilitate handling during fitting to a mattress. Alternatively, an overlapping portion, or portions, at least partially covered by adhesive may be provided so that the mattress protector can additionally adhere to one or more sides of mattress. A range of sizes of mattress protector may be produced corresponding to standard mattress sizes.

Claims

1. A mattress protector comprising a layer of a flexible material having a major surface comprising a surface area covered with an adhesive for covering a major surface of a mattress with said adhesive.

2. A mattress protector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a protective layer adhered to said adhesive such that said adhesive is between said flexible material and said protective layer.

3. A mattress protector as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said mattress protector is impregnated with at least one of: i) a disinfectant; ii) an insecticide; and iii) a perfume.

4. A mattress protector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said adhesive is impregnated with said insecticide.

5. A method of protecting a mattress, said method comprising fitting a mattress protector over a major surface of the mattress, said mattress comprising a layer of flexible material having a major surface comprising a surface area that covers said major surface of the mattress protector, said surface area being covered by an adhesive.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising disposing said mattress protector between said major surface of the mattress and a bed base.

7. A method as claimed in claim 5 or 6, further comprising adhering said mattress protector to said major surface of the mattress by said adhesive.

8. A mattress and mattress protector, said mattress comprising a first major surface and a second major surface disposed opposite and spaced apart from said first major surface, and said mattress protector comprising a layer of flexible material having a major surface comprising a surface area covered by an adhesive which surface area covers said first major surface of the mattress.

9. A mattress protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein said mattress protector is impregnated with at least one of: i) a disinfectant; ii) an insecticide; and iii) a perfume.

10. A mattress protector as claimed in claim 9, wherein said adhesive is impregnated with said insecticide.

11. A mattress protector substantially as herein defined with reference to the drawings.

12. A method of protecting a mattress substantially as herein defined with reference to the drawings.