US20170238717A1

US20170238717A1 - Mattress assembly including mattress overlay and multiple covers

Info

Publication number: US20170238717A1
Application number: US15/329,812
Authority: US
Inventors: Ida T. Jensen; Elger Oberwelz; Thomas D.C. Overthun; Martin Schnitzer; Kara W. Johnson; Brent P. Pfister; Isabela Dias de Mello Sa; Thomas Brisebras; Eric Lopez
Original assignee: Tempur Pedic Management LLC
Current assignee: Sealy Technology LLC; Ideo LP; Tempur World LLC; Tempur Pedic Management LLC
Priority date: 2014-07-28
Filing date: 2015-07-23
Publication date: 2017-08-24
Also published as: EP3174437A1; JP2017522131A; CA2956140A1; CN106572756A; WO2016018703A1; EP3174437A4

Abstract

Mattress assemblies are provided that include a mattress, a mattress overlay, and a mattress cover that is comprised of a first cover and a second cover. The first cover includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and a continuous side panel that collectively define a cavity and enclose the mattress. The mattress overlay is positioned atop the mattress and the first mattress cover. The second cover, which defines a perimeter, is positioned over and is dimensionally-sized to cover the mattress overlay and at least the top panel of the first cover. The second cover can then be connected to the first cover by a fastener that extends along the perimeter of the second cover.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/029,871, filed Jul. 28, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to mattress assemblies including a mattress overlay and multiple covers. In particular, the present invention relates to mattress assemblies that make use of a first cover for enclosing the mattress and a second, cover for covering a mattress overlay and at least a top panel of the first cover.

BACKGROUND

To protect a mattress and prevent it from becoming stained, torn, or otherwise damaged, mattresses are often surrounded by a mattress cover that completely covers the top, sides, and the bottom of the mattress. In most mattress covers, a zipper or other similar fastener is used to enclose the mattress cover on a single side or around a bottom portion of the mattress. Such mattress covers are often sufficient for protecting a mattress. However, in the event that the mattress cover does become stained, torn, or otherwise damaged, it may be exceedingly difficult to remove the mattress cover from the mattress and then replace it with a new or clean mattress cover. Additionally, mattress covers are almost always made from protective materials, such as plastics and coarse fabrics that prevent the underlying mattresses from becoming stained, torn, or otherwise damaged, but that can be irritating or uncomfortable to the skin of a user that comes into contact with such a mattress cover.
In this regard, mattress covers are often covered with a fitted sheet that completely covers the top of the mattress cover, the sides of the mattress cover, and a small portion of the bottom edge of the mattress cover (as a result of a lower edge of the fitted sheet being tucked under the mattress). Those fitted sheets typically provide a softer surface on which to rest the body of a user, and also typically provide a layer of material that can easily be removed and then cleaned or replaced should the fitted sheet become stained, torn, or otherwise damaged.
Nevertheless, it is often the case that fitted sheets slip off of the mattress cover and the underlying mattress, particularly when a mattress overlay is being used, and can thus potentially fail to provide a sufficient additional layer. Moreover, such fitted sheets are often made from materials that ultimately fail to protect the underlying mattress cover or mattress overlay as any staining or damage to the fitted sheet will also typically affect the mattress cover, mattress overlay, or both. Accordingly, a cover assembly that can be used with a mattress overlay, and that can be securely fastened to a mattress, or other support cushion, and provide a more sufficient layer of protection and functionality would be both highly desirable and beneficial.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes mattress assemblies comprising a mattress overlay and multiple covers. In particular, the present invention includes mattress assemblies that make use of a first cover for enclosing the mattress and a second cover for covering a mattress overlay and at least a top panel of the first cover.
In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mattress assembly is provided that includes a mattress and a first cover having a top panel, a bottom panel, and a continuous side panel. The continuous side panel of the first cover can be characterized as including a head panel, a foot panel, and two opposing side panels that, with the top panel and bottom panel collectively define a cavity for enclosing the mattress. The first cover further includes a brand tag extending vertically along a portion of the foot panel, as well as a zipper that extends around a periphery of the bottom panel and is used to secure the first cover around the mattress.
The mattress assembly further includes a mattress overlay positioned atop the top panel of the first cover. Additionally included in the mattress assembly is a second cover. The second cover has a top surface and a bottom surface, and also defines a perimeter. The second cover of the mattress assembly is generally positioned over the mattress overlay and the top panel of the first cover and is dimensionally-sized to cover at least the mattress overlay and the top panel of the first cover. For example, in some embodiments, the second cover is dimensionally-sized to cover the mattress overlay, as well as the top panel, the upper halves of each opposing side panel, an upper edge of the foot panel, and an upper edge of the head panel of the first cover. By including such a second cover in an exemplary mattress assembly, the second cover is thus configured to cover and protect both the mattress overlay and the portions of the underlying first cover and, consequently, the portions of any mattress underlying the first cover, that would be exposed to excessive wear and would be at an increased risk of becoming stained or damaged. Further, by including such a second cover in the mattress assembly, the second cover causes the upper halves of each opposing side panel to assume a more rounded configuration upon attachment of the second cover to the first cover.
With respect to the mattresses and overlays that can be included in a mattress assembly of the present invention, various types of mattresses and mattress overlays can be used in accordance with the present invention including, but are not limited to, mattresses and mattress overlays comprised of flexible foam, mattresses and mattress overlays that include a number of inner springs, mattresses and mattress overlays that include one or more air bladders (e.g., one or more air bladders contained within a firm foam shell), and combinations of each of the foregoing. Regardless of the type of mattresses or mattress overlays included in an exemplary mattress assembly of the present invention, however, an exemplary mattress assembly further includes a fastener, such as a two-way separating zipper, that connects the second cover to the first cover along the perimeter of the second cover. By incorporating such a two-way separating zipper into the mattress assembly, not only can the second cover be easily removed from the first cover by moving the zipper pulls and slider bodies in opposite directions and unzipping the second cover from the first cover (e.g., to clean or replace the second cover), but the second cover can also be easily reattached to the first cover.
To further take advantage of the configuration of the second cover and to provide an increased level of protection to the mattress overlay and the first cover, as well as any underlying mattress enclosed by the first cover, the bottom surface of the second cover can, in some embodiments, also include a water-impervious and vapor-permeable material that prevents liquids from traveling through the top surface and the bottom surface of the second cover into the mattress overlay, the first cover, and any underlying mattress, but yet allows vapors or moisture in the first cover or in any underlying mattress to evaporate and travel though the second cover. In this regard, to provide a first cover and a second cover that is sufficiently “breathable” and allows air, heat, and moisture to travel through the mattress assembly, but yet is also is sufficiently soft and durable, such that the covers can be easily cleaned and used to help prevent damage to any portion of the mattress assembly, the first cover, the second cover, or both are typically comprised of a textile. For example, in some embodiments, the second cover is comprised of cotton in order to make the second cover sufficiently-durable and capable of protecting the mattress overlay and the first cover, but yet machine-washable and easily cared for, such that the second cover can be removed from the first cover, cleaned, and then reconnected to the first cover. In addition to using a textile to provide a level of protection to an underlying mattress, the first cover and the second cover also typically incorporate one or more flame-retardant materials into the first cover and the second cover to provide a flame-retardant barrier that completely surrounds an underlying mattress.
As a further refinement to the mattress assemblies of the present invention, in some embodiments, an exemplary mattress assembly also includes a brand tag that is secured to the foot panel of the first cover. An exemplary mattress assembly can also include an indicia on either the first cover, the second cover, or both the first cover and the second cover that is indicative of and that allows a user to visually identify a characteristic of the particular mattress and/or mattress overlay included in the mattress assembly. Such indicia can include patterns, colors, or combinations of patterns and colors, and can be positioned at a variety of different locations on the first and second cover. Regardless of the type or location of the indicia, however, the indicia is preferably used to indicate a characteristic of the particular mattress and/or mattress overlay that is included in the mattress assembly of the present invention. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, the firmness or the type of a particular mattress or mattress overlay that is included. Moreover, in some embodiments, multiple indicia can be included to indicate multiple characteristics of a mattress or overlay.
By placing indicia on the covers of the present invention, each of the covers described herein can also be used as part of a method for marking a mattress assembly to allow for visual identification of a characteristic of a mattress and/or a mattress overlay. In some implementations, a method for marking a mattress assembly to allow for visual identification of a characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay includes first providing a mattress assembly having a first cover for enclosing a mattress and a second cover positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover a mattress overlay and at least the top panel of the first cover. The top surface of the second cover is then marked with a first indicia that is indicative of a first characteristic of the mattress and/or the mattress overlay, such that a user can then visually identify a characteristic of the mattress and/or the mattress overlay by simply observing the mattress and associating the indicia with the characteristic (e.g. the firmness or type of the mattress and/or mattress overlay). In some implementations, a second indicia can then also be marked on the foot panel of the first cover, the two opposing side panels, or both the foot panel and the two opposing side panels, where the second indicia is indicative of either the first characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay or is indicative of a second characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of the description, figures, and non-limiting examples in this document.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mattress assembly made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary mattress assembly of FIG. 1, showing the second cover removed from the first cover and positioned over a mattress overlay;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the exemplary mattress assembly of FIG. 1, showing the second cover partially removed from the first cover and folded back over the mattress overlay;

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the mattress assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged right side elevational view of the mattress assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is bottom view of the mattress assembly of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention includes mattress assemblies comprising a mattress overlay and multiple covers. In particular, the present invention includes mattress assemblies that make use of a first cover for enclosing the mattress and a second cover for covering a mattress overlay and at least a top panel of the first cover.
With reference to FIGS. 1-6, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mattress assembly 10 is provided that includes a first cover 20 having a top panel 22, a bottom panel 24, and a continuous side panel 30. The continuous side panel 30 of the first cover 20 can be characterized as including a head panel 32, a foot panel 34, and two opposing side panels 36, 38 that, with the top panel 22 and bottom panel 24, collectively define a cavity for enclosing a mattress (not shown). The first cover 20 further includes a brand tag 62 extending vertically along a portion of the foot panel 34. Also included on the first cover 20 is a zipper 60 that extends around a periphery 25 of the bottom panel 24 and is used to secure the first cover 20 around a mattress, as best shown in FIG. 6.
The mattress assembly 10 further includes a mattress overlay 70 as well as a second cover 40. The second cover 40 has a top surface 42 and a bottom surface 44, and also defines a perimeter 46. The second cover 40 of the mattress assembly 10 is generally positioned over the mattress overlay 70 and the top panel 22 of the first cover 20 and is dimensionally-sized to cover at least the mattress overlay 70 and the top panel 22 of the first cover 20, the area of which is indicated by the hatching that is partially shown in FIG. 2 and that designates a blue color for the top panel 22 of the first cover 20. In particular, in the mattress assembly 10, the second cover 40 is dimensionally-sized to cover the mattress overlay 70, the top panel 22, the upper halves 37, 39 of each opposing side panel 36, 38, an upper edge 35 of the foot panel 34, and an upper edge 33 of the head panel 32. By including such a second cover 40 in the mattress assembly 10, the second cover 40 is thus configured to cover and protect both the mattress overlay 70 and the portions of the underlying first cover 20 and, consequently, the portions of any mattress underlying the first cover 20, that would be exposed to excessive wear and would be, at an increased risk of becoming stained or damaged, namely the top panel 22, the upper halves 37, 39 of each opposing side panel 36, 38, the upper edge 35 of the foot panel 34, and the upper edge 33 of the head panel 32. Further, by including such a second cover 40 in the mattress assembly 10, the second cover 40 causes portions of the mattress overlay 70 and the upper halves 37, 39 of each opposing side panel 36, 38 to assume a more rounded configuration upon attachment of the second cover 40 to the first cover 20. Of course, numerous other sizes and configurations for the second cover 40 can also be readily selected as desired and can be incorporated into a particular mattress assembly to prevent damage or staining to a mattress and/or mattress overlay, or to alter the appearance of a mattress and/or mattress overlay without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. For additional information regarding cover assemblies that similarly include multiple covers, see, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/145,876, 14/145,863, 14/145,854, and 14/145,867, each of which was filed Dec. 31, 2013, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
With respect to the mattresses and mattress overlays that can be included in a mattress assembly of the present invention, various types of mattresses and mattress overlays can be used in accordance with the present invention and covered by the exemplary mattress covers described herein. Such types of mattresses and mattress overlays include, but are not limited to, mattresses and mattress overlays comprised of flexible foam, mattresses and mattress overlays that include a number of inner springs, mattresses and mattress overlays that include one or more air bladders (e.g., one or more air bladders contained within a firm foam shell), and combinations of each of the foregoing. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, the overlay is comprised of a flexible visco-elastic foam, while the mattress (not shown) covered by the first cover 20 is an inner spring mattress.
With respect to the flexible foams used in the mattresses and mattress overlays of the present invention, to the extent that flexible foam is utilized, the mattresses and overlays are generally comprised of a flexible foam that has a low resilience as well as a sufficient density and hardness, which allows pressure to be absorbed uniformly and distributed evenly across the various mattresses and overlays. Such flexible foams include, but are not limited to: latex foam; reticulated or non-reticulated visco-elastic foam (sometimes referred to as memory foam or low-resilience foam); reticulated or non-reticulated non-visco-elastic foam; high-resilience polyurethane foam; expanded polymer foams (e.g., expanded ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene); and the like.
With respect to the hardness of the visco-elastic foams used in certain of the mattresses and flexible foam layers, suitable visco-elastic foams typically have a hardness of at least about 10 N to no greater than about 80 N, as measured by exerting pressure from a plate against a sample of the material to a compression of at least 40% of an original thickness of the material at approximately room temperature (i.e., 21° C. to 23° C.), where the 40% compression is held for a set period of time as established by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 2439 hardness measuring standard. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam can have a hardness of about 10 N, about 20 N, about 30 N, about 40 N, about 50 N, about 60 N, about 70 N, or about 80 N to provide a desired degree of comfort and body-conforming qualities.
With respect to the density of the visco-elastic foams used in certain of the mattresses and flexible foam layers, suitable visco-elastic foams have a density that also assists in providing a desired degree of comfort and body-conforming qualifies, as well as an increased degree of material durability. In some embodiments, the density of the visco-elastic foam used in the mattresses and overlays is no less than about 30 kg/m³to no greater than about 150 kg/m³. In some embodiments, the density of the visco-elastic foam that is used is about 30 kg/m³, about 40 kg/m³, about 50 kg/m³, about 60 kg/m³, about 70 kg/m³, about 80 kg/m³, about 90 kg/m³, about 100 kg/m³, about 110 kg/m³, about 120 kg/m³, about 130 kg/m³, about 140 kg/m³, or about 150 kg/m³. Of course, the selection of a visco-elastic foam having a particular density will affect other characteristics of the foam, including its hardness, the manner in which the foam responds to pressure, and the overall feel of the foam, but it should be appreciated that a visco-elastic foam having a desired density and hardness can readily be selected for a particular application or assembly as desired.
Additionally, it should be appreciated that the visco-elastic foam used in the mattresses and overlays described for use with the mattress assemblies of the present invention need not be comprised of a single piece of visco-elastic foam, but can be comprised of multiple layers of visco-elastic foam with the layers having different densities and hardness. For example, in some embodiments, a visco-elastic foam mattress can be utilized that includes a lower supporting layer of visco-elastic foam with a density of about 80 kg/m³and a hardness of about 13 N, and an upper comfort layer of visco-elastic foam with a density of about 35 kg/m³and a hardness of about 10 N.
Regardless of the type of mattresses or mattress overlays included in an exemplary mattress assembly of the present invention, and referring still to FIGS. 1-6, the mattress assembly 10 further includes a fastener in the form of a two-way separating zipper 50 that connects the second cover 40 to the first cover 20 along the perimeter 46 of the second cover 40. As best shown in FIGS. 4-5, the two-way separating zipper 50 includes two slider bodies 52 a, 52 b that are each connected to a zipper pull 53 a, 53 b. The zipper pulls 53 a, 53 b preferably have an increased size relative to other zipper pulls used for traditional mattress covers to allow the slider, bodies 52 a, 52 b to be easily moved along the perimeter 46 of the second cover 40. The slider bodies 52 a, 52 b are also each connected to the track of the two-way separating zipper 50, such that the, slider bodies 52 a, 52 b can slide around the track of the zipper 50 and can be used to separate the second cover 40 from the first cover 20 at any desired position along the length of the two-way separating zipper 50. In this regard, by incorporating such a two-way separating zipper 50 into the mattress assembly 10, not only can the second cover 40 be easily removed from the first cover 20 by moving the zipper pulls 53 a, 53 b and slider bodies 52 a, 52 b in opposite directions and unzipping the second cover 40 from the first cover 20 (e.g., to clean or replace the second cover 40), but the second cover 40 can also be easily reattached to the first cover 20.
Further, by making use of a two-way separating zipper 50, the slider bodies 52 a, 52 b and zipper pulls 53 a, 53 b can be positioned on the two-way separating zipper 50, such that the slider bodies 52 a, 52 b and zipper pulls 53 a, 53 b can be hidden from sight when not in use or can be positioned along the perimeter 46 of the second cover 40 where the risk of the slider bodies 52 a, 52 b and zipper pulls 53 a, 53 b causing damage to the mattress assembly 10, or any underlying mattress, is minimized. For example, the slider bodies 52 a, 52 b can be positioned adjacent to a panel of reinforcing fabric 54 on the perimeter 46 of the second cover 40, as shown best in FIG. 5. The panel of reinforcing fabric 54 helps to protect the second cover 40 when a user grabs one or both of the zipper pulls 53 a, 53 b and begins to move the slider bodies 52 a, 52 b along the track of the zipper 50, but yet also helps to identify the location of the slider bodies 52 a, 52 b and zipper pulls 53 a, 53 b.
To further take advantage of the configuration of the second cover 40 and to provide an increased level of protection to the mattress overlay 70 and the first cover 20, as well as any underlying mattress enclosed by the first cover 20, and referring again generally to FIGS. 1-6, the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40 can also include a water-impervious and vapor-permeable material. The water-impervious and vapor-permeable material included in the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40 can include materials such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, e.g., Gore-Tex®, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, Del.). In this regard, the water-impervious and vapor-permeable material included in the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40 thus prevents liquids from traveling through the top surface 42 and the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40 into the mattress overlay 70, the first cover 20, and any underlying mattress, but yet allows vapors or moisture in the first cover 20 or in any underlying mattress to evaporate and travel though the second cover 40.
To provide a first cover 20 and a second cover 40 that is sufficiently “breathable” and allows air, heat, and moisture to travel through the mattress assembly 10, but yet is also is sufficiently soft and durable, such that the covers 20, 40 can be easily cleaned and used to help prevent damage to any portion of the mattress assembly 10, the first cover 20, the second cover 40, or both are typically comprised of a textile. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, the second cover 40 is comprised of cotton in order to make the second cover 40 sufficiently-durable and capable of protecting the mattress overlay 70 and the first cover 20, but yet machine-washable and easily cared for, such that the second cover 40 can be removed from the first cover 20, cleaned, and then reconnected to the first cover 20. Of course, 100% cotton materials, as well as numerous other textiles, including silk and textiles having varying percentages of cotton can also be readily used in any of the mattress assemblies described herein and can be selected for a particular mattress assembly or a particular application or type of mattress as desired.
In addition to using a textile to provide a level of protection to an underlying mattress, the first cover 20 and the second cover 40 also typically incorporate one or more flame-retardant materials into the first cover 20 and the second cover 40. By incorporating a flame-retardant material (e.g., a fire sock) into the first cover 20, the first cover 20 and the second cover 40 thus provide a flame-retardant barrier that completely surrounds an underlying mattress, such as a visco-elastic foam mattress. Moreover, by incorporating a flame-retardant material into the second cover 40, the second cover 40 helps to prevent any flames or heated materials contacting the second cover 40 from damaging the underlying mattress overlay 70 and the first cover 20.
As an even further possible addition to the mattress assembly 10 that increases the comfort of a user, the first cover 20 can further include a charcoal sheet that is incorporated into the top panel 22 of the first cover 20, and is thus positioned to eliminate or mitigate the presence of any odors or chemicals present in or being emitted from the mattress assembly 10 or, in particular, in a mattress enclosed by the first cover 20. For instance, in some embodiments, in which the first cover 20 is used to surround a newly-produced mattress comprised of a flexible foam, the charcoal sheet provides an effective means to eliminate or mitigate the gases and odors that are initially present in such mattresses. Of course, such charcoal sheets can also be incorporated into a second cover of an exemplary mattress assembly of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. In addition, although a charcoal sheet is preferably used in connection with mattress assemblies of the present invention as it is sufficiently non-toxic and can readily be incorporated into a cover for a mattress, it is contemplated that the present mattress assemblies can also readily incorporate other odor or gas eliminating agents, including more chemical-based coatings for eliminating odors or gases.
In yet further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the second cover 40 of the mattress assembly 10 can also include an amount of phase change material incorporated into the top surface 42 of the second cover 40. The phase change material that is incorporated into the top surface 42 of the second cover 40 is typically comprised of microspheres that include substances having a high heat of fusion and that store or release heat as the substances oscillate between solid and liquid form (i.e., phase change materials). As the phase change material included in the top surface 42 of the second cover 40 changes from solid to liquid form (i.e., melts) as the result of heat generated by a user lying on the mattress assembly 10, the phase change material thus continually absorbs heat and provides a cooling effect to the user until all of the phase change material has been transformed from a solid to a liquid form. In the top surface 42 of the second cover 40, the phase change material can be incorporated into the top surface 42 by infusing and coating the top surface 42 of the second cover 40 with the microspheres of phase change material. However, it is, of course, contemplated that the phase change material need not be infused into and/or used to coat only the top surface 42 of the second cover 40, but could also be infused into and/or used to coat the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40, or the top panel 22 of the first cover 20 to provide a sufficient amount of cooling to the body of a user lying on the mattress assembly 10.
As a further refinement to the mattress assemblies of the present invention, the mattress assembly 10 also includes a brand tag 62 that is secured to the foot panel 34 of the first cover 20. The brand tag 62 has a size sufficient to display a logo and can be secured to the foot panel 34 using a variety of means including glue, hook-and-loop fasteners, stitching, and the like. In some embodiments, unlike traditional brand tags in which a fabric logo is sewn to a cover or mattress, the brand tag 62 is typically made of a sufficiently rigid material (e.g., a plastic) and includes an interior pocket. In this regard, the brand tag 62 can also be used to store various materials in the interior pocket that may be associated with the mattress assembly 10 including, for example, warranty information for the underlying mattress.
As an additional refinement to the mattress assemblies of the present invention, the mattress assemblies can also include an indicia on either the first cover, the second cover, or both the first cover and the second cover that is indicative of and allows a user to visually identify a characteristic of the particular mattress and/or mattress overlay included in the mattress assembly. Such indicia can include patterns, colors, or combinations of patterns and colors, and can be positioned at a variety of different locations on the first and second cover. For example, the mattress assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 includes an indicia in the form of an interlocking circle pattern 80 that is positioned on the top surface 42 of the second cover 40.
Regardless of the type or location of the indicia, as noted, the, indicia is preferably used to indicate a characteristic of the particular mattress and/or mattress overlay that is included in the mattress assembly of the present invention. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, the firmness or the type (e.g., spring, foam, etc.) of a particular mattress or mattress overlay that is included. Moreover, in some embodiments, multiple indicia can be included to indicate multiple characteristics of a mattress or overlay.
By placing indicia on the covers of the present invention, each of the covers described herein can also be used as part of a method for marking a mattress assembly to allow for visual identification of a characteristic of a mattress and/or a mattress overlay. In some implementations, a method for marking a mattress assembly to allow for visual identification of a characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay includes first providing a mattress assembly having a first cover for enclosing a mattress and a second cover positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover a mattress overlay and at least the top panel of the first cover. The top surface of the second cover is then marked with a first indicia that is indicative of a first characteristic of the mattress and/or the mattress overlay, such that a user can then visually identify a characteristic of the mattress and/or the mattress overlay by simply observing the mattress and associating the indicia with the characteristic (e.g. the firmness or type of the mattress and/or mattress overlay). In some implementations, a second indicia can then also be marked on the foot panel of the first cover, the two opposing side panels, or both the foot panel and the two opposing side panels, where the second indicia is indicative of either the first characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay or is indicative of a second characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay.
Throughout this document, various references are mentioned. All such references are incorporated herein by reference, including the references set forth in the following list:

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30. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0033351 by Landvik, et al., published Feb. 19, 2004, and entitled “Laminated Visco-Elastic Support.”
31. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0171954 by Guerin, et al., published Sep. 11, 2003, and entitled “Method of Managing the Provision of Healthcare and System for Effecting Same.”
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One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional embodiments or implementations are possible without departing from the teachings of the present invention or the scope of the claims which follow. This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiments and implementations disclosed herein, is given primarily for clarity of understanding, and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A mattress assembly, comprising:

a mattress;

a mattress overlay; and

a mattress cover including

a first cover having a top panel, a bottom panel, and a continuous side panel collectively defining a cavity for enclosing the mattress,

a second cover having a top surface and a bottom surface, the second cover defining a perimeter, and the second cover positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover the mattress overlay and at least the top panel of the first cover, and

a fastener connecting the second cover to the first cover along the perimeter of the second cover.

2. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the mattress, the mattress overlay, or both are comprised of a flexible foam.

3. The mattress assembly of claim 2, wherein the flexible foam is a visco-elastic foam.

4. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the mattress, the mattress overlay, or both include one or more air bladders.

5. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the mattress, the mattress overlay, or both include a plurality of inner springs.

6. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the continuous side panel can be characterized as including a head panel, a foot panel, and two opposing side panels.

7. The mattress assembly of claim 6, wherein the second cover is dimensionally-sized to cover the mattress overlay, the top panel, and an upper half of each opposing side panel.

8. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises one or more zippers extending around the perimeter of the second cover.

9. The mattress assembly of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a two-way separating zipper.

10. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the second cover includes an amount of phase change material.

11. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein at least the bottom surface of the second cover includes a water-impervious and vapor-permeable material.

12. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover, the second cover, or both the first cover and the second cover are comprised of a textile.

13. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover, the second cover, or both the first cover and the second cover are comprised of a flame-retardant material.

14. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover, the second cover, or both the first cover and the second cover includes an indicia indicative of a characteristic of the mattress, the mattress overlay, or both.

15. The mattress assembly of claim 14, wherein the indicia is a pattern or a color.

16. The mattress assembly of claim 15, wherein the indicia is a pattern, and wherein the pattern is positioned on the top surface of the second cover.

17. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover further includes a zipper for securing the first cover around the mattress, the zipper extending around a periphery of the bottom panel.

18. The mattress assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cover further includes a brand tag attached to the first cover.

19. A mattress assembly, comprising:

a mattress;

a first mattress cover enclosing the mattress;

a mattress overlay positioned atop the mattress and the first mattress cover;

a second mattress defining a perimeter, the second cover positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover the mattress overlay and at least the top panel of the first cover; and

20. A mattress cover, comprising:

a first cover having a top panel, a bottom panel, and a continuous side panel collectively defining a cavity for enclosing a mattress,

a second cover having a top surface and a bottom surface, the second cover defining a perimeter, and the second cover dimensionally-sized to be positioned over and cover a mattress overlay and at least the top panel of the first cover, and