WO2022155155A1

WO2022155155A1 - Moisture wicking mattresses, body-support pads or mats, and mattress coverings

Info

Publication number: WO2022155155A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/012043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark SMIDERLE; Lloyd Wilson; Danielle IGNAZZI; Christine MCKIERNAN; Erik Sanchez
Original assignee: Soft-Tex International, Inc.
Priority date: 2021-01-12
Filing date: 2022-01-11
Publication date: 2022-07-21

Abstract

Moisture wicking mattresses, body-support pads or mats, and mattress coverings are disclosed. The mattress (400) includes a cover (402) that includes at least one cover side (406), a proximal cover portion (414), and a distal cover portion (416). At least the proximal cover portion (414) includes sublayer(s) and at least one sublayer of the sublayer(s) includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries (430) capable of wicking moisture. A plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries (430) extend from a median plane (436) of the mattress (400) to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side (406). The plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries (430) is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane (436) and for a distance that extends from the median plane (436) to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side (406).

Description

MOISTURE WICKING MATTRESSES, BODY-SUPPORT PADS OR MATS, AND MATTRESS COVERINGS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/136,364, filed on January 12, 2021, and entitled Moisture Wicking Mattresses, Body-Support Pads or Mats, and Mattress Coverings, the entire contents of both of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] The present disclosure generally relates to bedding products, and more particularly to mattresses, body-support pads or mats, and mattress coverings having a moisture wicking capability to wick moisture away from user(s) during use. BACKGROUND [0003] Due to various conditions such as hyperhidrosis, over-insulation, warm environmental temperature, or other factors, a person may perspire as they rest. For instance, a sleeping system can insulate a person’s body as the person sleeps, thereby creating a microclimate around the person. The sleeping system can include bedclothes, mattress coverings such as fitted sheets and mattress protectors/covers, mattress pads, blankets, and the mattress itself. The user’s body also generates heat, which traditionally becomes trapped in the sleeping system due to, for example, the density of the materials of the sleeping system. When the heat becomes trapped within the sleeping system, the temperature of the microclimate rises, which may cause the person to perspire. Various other elements of the sleeping system may also contribute to the amount of heat being trapped in the sleeping system. For example, a warming blanket may also generate heat, which becomes trapped and raises the temperature of the microclimate. [0004] The person’s perspiration may saturate portions of the sleeping system. For instance, perspiration may saturate portions of the fitted sheets, the mattress protectors/covers, mattress pads, and/or mattresses depending on the quantity and duration of the perspiration. Perspiration (i.e., sweat) is made up mostly of water, but also includes minerals, lactic acid, and urea. Over time, the saturated portions of the sleeping system cause the water, minerals, lactic acid, and urea to accumulate in the materials of the sleeping system. In particular, this accumulation becomes localized to the portions of the sleeping system that are in regular contact with the person’s perspiration, which may lead and/or contribute to various adverse effects including, for example, localized degradation of regions in regular contact with the person’s perspiration. Thus, a need exists to reduce localized buildup of minerals in the mattress, body-support pad or mat, and mattress covering near where the user repeatedly rests. SUMMARY [0005] Existing materials such as clothing or other accessories having moisture wicking capability are typically designed to wick moisture away from the user’s body; however, the distance that the moisture is wicked is typically a relatively small distance. Further, the moisture that is wicked away from the user’s body is often merely designed to increase surface area of the moisture across the material to facilitate more rapid evaporation of the moisture. However, if the moisture from the perspiration is not necessarily traveling sufficiently far from the user’s body to exit the microclimate formed by the sleeping system this moisture not only may affect the microclimate but it may retain the moisture in the mattress, the mattress pad, or the mattress covering. Over time, the moisture retention may contribute to degradation of this region of the mattress where the person typically rests as well as increase the overall weight of the mattress. Therefore, a need exists to wick or otherwise transport the moisture farther away from the region of the mattress where the person usually rests in order to reduce the amount of moisture and minerals that accumulate in the region of the mattress where the user rests. Existing bedding technologies fail to provide a simple, efficient, and economical process to wick or otherwise transport the moisture away a sufficient distance so that there is not a localized buildup of these minerals in the region where the user rests. [0006] The present inventions disclosed herein address one or more of the problems or deficiencies of the art associated with localized buildup of moisture and minerals from perspiration in the region where the user rests. Certain embodiments of the presently-disclosed moisture wicking mattresses, body support pads or mats, and mattress coverings have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the liquid moisture wicking mattresses, body support pads or mats, and mattress coverings as defined by the claims that follow, some of the more prominent features of the invention will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section of this specification entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the various embodiments disclosed herein provide a number of advantages over the current state of the art. [0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a mattress that satisfies the need for an improved sleeping system by reducing localized buildup of minerals in the mattress near where the user repeatedly rests by moving moisture (e.g. perspiration) that comes in contact with the mattress away from the user. The mattress includes: a plurality of mattress layers, which extend in a depth direction from a proximal portion of the mattress that is proximate to one or more users of the mattress to a distal portion of the mattress that is distal to the one or more users of the mattress, and that include one or more cover portions of a cover that encompasses an outer surface of the mattress, at least one cover side of the cover that extends along one or more sidewalls that comprise a periphery of the plurality of mattress layers, a proximal cover portion of the one or more cover portions of the cover that corresponds to the proximal portion of the mattress and that is bound at a first edge to the at least one cover side, and a distal cover portion of the one or more cover portions of the cover that corresponds to the distal portion of the mattress and that is bound at a second edge to the at least one cover side, wherein at least the proximal cover portion comprises one or more sublayers and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers comprises multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking moisture, wherein a plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the mattress, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side. [0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a body-support pad or mat that satisfies the need for an improved sleeping/body-support system by reducing localized buildup of minerals in the body-support pad or mat near where the user repeatedly rests by moving moisture (e.g. perspiration) that comes in contact with the mattress away from the user. The body-support pad or mat includes: a cover that encompasses the body-support pad or mat and that comprises a depth extending from a proximal portion of the body-support pad or mat that is proximate to one or more users of the body-support pad or mat to a distal portion of the body-support pad or mat that is distal to the one or more users of the body-support pad or mat, at least one cover side of the cover comprising an edge that extends along a periphery of the body-support pad or mat, a proximal cover portion of the cover that corresponds to the proximal portion of the body-support pad or mat, and the proximal cover portion is bound at the edge to the at least one cover side, and a distal cover portion that corresponds to the distal portion of the body-support pad or mat, and the distal cover portion is bound at the edge to the at least one cover side, wherein at least the proximal cover portion comprises one or more sublayers and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers comprises multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking moisture, wherein a plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the body-support pad or mat, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side. [0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a mattress covering that satisfies the need for an improved sleeping system by reducing localized buildup of minerals in the mattress covering near where the user repeatedly rests by moving moisture (e.g. perspiration) that comes in contact with the mattress away from the user. The mattress covering includes: at least one cover side that extends along one or more sidewalls that comprise a periphery of a mattress, and a proximal cover portion that corresponds to a proximal portion of the mattress proximate to one or more users of the mattress and that is bound at an edge to the at least one cover side, wherein at least the proximal cover portion comprises one or more sublayers and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers comprises multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking moisture, wherein a plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the mattress, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Aspects described herein are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which: [0011] FIG.1 depicts an elevational perspective view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress, according to the present disclosure; [0012] FIG.2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.1, according to the present disclosure; [0013] FIG.3A depicts an elevational perspective view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress, according to the present disclosure; [0014] FIG.3B depicts an elevational perspective, transverse cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.3A, according to the present disclosure; [0015] FIG.3C depicts an elevational perspective, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.3A, according to the present disclosure; [0016] FIG.4A depicts an elevational perspective view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress having a cover that includes plurality of liquid-moisture wicking capillaries, according to the present disclosure; [0017] FIG.4B depicts an elevational perspective, transverse cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.4A, according to the present disclosure; [0018] FIG.4C depicts an elevational perspective, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.4A, according to the present disclosure; [0019] FIG.5A depicts a top view of an exemplary moisture wicking mattress having a cover that includes a plurality of liquid-moisture wicking capillaries, according to the present disclosure; [0020] FIG.5B depicts a top view of the exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG. 5A that includes only a first set of multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries, according to the present disclosure; [0021] FIG.5C depicts an elevational perspective, transverse cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.5A, according to the present disclosure; [0022] FIG.5D depicts an elevational perspective, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.5A, according to the present disclosure; [0023] FIG.5E depicts a top, transverse cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.5A, according to the present disclosure; [0024] FIG.6A depicts a top view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress having a cover that includes a plurality of moisture wicking capillaries, according to the present disclosure; [0025] FIG.6B depicts an elevational perspective, transverse cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.6A, according to the present disclosure; [0026] FIG.6C depicts an elevational perspective, longitudinal cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.6A, according to the present disclosure; [0027] FIG.7 depicts a top view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress having a cover that includes a plurality of moisture wicking capillaries, according to the present disclosure; [0028] FIG.8A depicts a side, transverse cross-sectional view and an enlarged view of a liquid-moisture wicking mattress, according to the present disclosure; [0029] FIG.8B depicts the enlarged view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress of FIG.8A with arrows indicating direction of liquid that is reflected from a barrier layer, according to the present disclosure; [0030] FIG.9A depicts an elevational perspective view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking body-support pad or mat, according to the present disclosure; [0031] FIG.9B depicts an elevational perspective, transverse cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking body-support pad or mat of FIG.9A, according to the present disclosure; [0032] FIG.10A depicts an elevational perspective view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking body-support pad or mat, according to the present disclosure; [0033] FIG.10B depicts an elevational perspective, transverse cross-sectional view of the liquid-moisture wicking body-support pad or mat of FIG.10A, according to the present disclosure; and [0034] FIG.11 depicts an elevational perspective view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress covering overlaid over a mattress, according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0035] Aspects of the present disclosure and certain features, advantages, and details thereof, are explained more fully below with reference to the non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known materials, fabrication tools, processing techniques, etc., are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the details of the inventions. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific example(s), while indicating embodiments of inventions of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, and are not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and/or arrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concepts will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. [0036] Approximating language, as used herein throughout disclosure, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about” or “substantially,” is not limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. [0037] Described herein are mattresses, body-support pads or mats, and mattress coverings having a liquid-moisture wicking capability to wick liquid moisture away from user(s) during use of the mattresses, body-support pads or mats, and mattress coverings. In one aspect, disclosed herein are mattresses that include a plurality of mattress layers, that include one or more cover portions of a cover that encompasses an outer surface of the mattress and where at least a proximal cover portion of the cover includes one or more sublayers, at least one of which includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking liquid moisture. As described herein, “hydrophilic capillaries” include materials that have a high affinity for or a high ability to absorb water and/or perspiration/sweat, and that are arranged in channels, continuous patterns, or other arrangements that draw the water across a distance. A plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the mattress, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of at least one cover side of the mattress. The plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side of the cover. The speed at which the liquid moisture is wicked over a given distance may be derived using formulas and properties described herein. [0038] Although some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed mattress of the present disclosure are illustrated and/or described as a mattress for a bed, it is contemplated that the aspects and features described therewith are equally applicable to other forms of furniture including, but not limited to, futon mattresses, couch/chair cushions, and seat cushions, as well as other textile-related applications such as sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, and the like. [0039] Similarly, in another aspect, disclosed herein are body-support pads or mats such as, for example, any and all such objects having a size and shape, and that are otherwise capable of or are generally used to support a body of a person or a portion thereof. Although some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed body-support pads or mats of the present disclosure are illustrated and/or described as mattress pads and/or mattress mats, and thereby may be dimensionally sized to support the entire or the majority of the body of a user (i.e., a person), it is contemplated that the aspects and features described therewith are equally applicable to furniture (e.g., rugs), pet accessories (e.g., pet beds), blankets, construction materials (e.g., flooring), outdoor camping equipment (e.g. a camping cot, tent flooring, or sleeping pad), exercise equipment (e.g., gymnastic mats, folding mats, landing pads, yoga mats/pads), and the like. The body-support pad or mat includes a cover that encompasses the body-support pad or mat. The cover includes a depth extending from a proximal portion of the body-support pad or mat that is proximate to one or more users of the body-support pad or mat to a distal portion of the body-support pad or mat that is distal to the one or more users of the body-support pad or mat. The body-support pad or mat includes at least one cover side of the cover that includes an edge that extends along a periphery of the body-support pad or mat. The body-support pad or mat further includes a proximal cover portion of the cover that corresponds to the proximal portion of the body-support pad or mat, where the proximal cover portion is bound at the edge to the at least one cover side, and a distal cover portion that corresponds to the distal portion of the body-support pad or mat, where the distal cover portion is bound at the edge to the at least one cover side. Additionally, at least the proximal cover portion includes one or more sublayers and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking liquid moisture. A plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the body-support pad or mat, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side. The plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side. [0040] In another aspect, disclosed herein is a mattress covering such as, for example, any and all such objects having a size and shape, and that are otherwise capable of or are generally used to cover a mattress. Although some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed mattress coverings of the present disclosure are illustrated and/or described as fitted sheets, mattress protectors, mattress ticking, and mattress covers, it is contemplated that the aspects and features described therewith are equally applicable to coverings for other forms of furniture (e.g., couches), pet accessories (e.g., pet beds), exercise equipment pads/mats (e.g. gymnastic mats, landing pads) construction materials (e.g., flooring), outdoor camping equipment (e.g. a camping cot cushion or sleeping pad), and the like. [0041] Wicking of liquid moisture in a mattress, body-support pad or mat (e.g. mattress pad), and/or mattress covering (e.g. mattress protector) may improve a user’s sleep by reducing localized buildup of minerals in the mattress, body-support pad or mat, or mattress covering near where the user’s body rests by moving moisture (e.g. perspiration from the user) that comes in contact with the respective mattress, body-support pad or mat, and/or mattress covering, away from the user. In some embodiments, the moisture is wicked to a removable/detachable segment, which may be removed by the user and laundered or replaced. By directing the moisture to the removable/detachable segment, the buildup of minerals that may form in the mattress, mattress pad, etc. may be removed. This may facilitate preventing, for example, increases in the mattress weight, which may result from mineral buildup due to perspiration/sweat or may reduce the weight increase that may result from mineral buildup in the mattress due to perspiration/sweat. [0042] When a dry medium, such as a mattress cover, is brought into contact with a liquid, such as perspiration/sweat, the cumulative volume of the liquid absorbed by the dry medium decreases over time and is represented by the following equation: where V is the

volume, A is the cross-sectional area, S is the sorptivity (measure of the capacity of the medium to absorb liquid by capillarity), and t is the time. An outer sublayer of the cover of the mattress may include material having a relatively high sorptivity to prevent or substantially reduce any pooling of a liquid on top of the cover. [0043] Further, during rest, user(s)/person(s) of a mattress, body-support pad or mat, and/or mattress covering typically form multiple depressions in a portion of the mattress, body-support pad or mat, and/or mattress covering that is proximal to the user. The respective depressions form at multiple contact points where the user’s body is in contact with the mattress, body- support pad or mat, and/or mattress covering. When the user perspires while resting on the mattress, body-support pad or mat, and/or mattress covering, liquid moisture from the perspiration collects or otherwise accumulates at these contact points. By having a mattress cover that includes an outer sublayer with a relatively high sorptivity, the liquid will be able to be absorbed past the outer sublayer and to another sublayer that includes a plurality of liquid- moisture wicking capillaries that may then wick the liquid moisture away from these contact points through the capillaries and to the sides of the mattress. [0044] Due to the trough/depression formed by the contact points of the user and in order to move the liquid moisture that accumulates at these contact points and reduce localized buildup of minerals, the liquid moisture initially has to move substantially upward from the trough (i.e., region around the minimum of the curve) formed by the depression from the user’s body. The upward movement is achieved by modifying the Poiseuille equation, otherwise known as Darcy’s Law: to account for gravitational forces, where

Which can be

used to calculate instantaneous flux, q, incorporates the volumetric flow rate, of a fluid

(e.g. the liquid moisture from perspiration from the user) across a distance L per unit time t through a cross-sectional area, A. The Poiseuille equation accounts for the dynamic viscosity, η, of the fluid (e.g. perspiration/sweat) as it moves through a porous network (e.g., the hydrophilic capillaries) having a permeability of k, which is multiplied by the cross-sectional area, A, to produce the permeability across the cross-sectional area of the network, K. Textile materials such as those used in mattress covers of mattresses and/or mattress pads as well as other mattress coverings are typically arranged as a porous media that has capillaries that naturally form due to the yarns having space between fibers or filaments oriented along the yarn axis. The capillaries of the cover are defined by the aforementioned space that exists between hydrophilic walls of fibers/filaments from the yarn. Other possible capillary formations may include, for example, a hydrophilic fiber/filament that is wrapped/encased by a hydrophobic coating designed to channel liquid moisture along the hydrophilic fiber/filament while inhibiting or otherwise preventing moisture from dispersing across multiple fibers/filaments. The capillary pressure, P_C, that is applied to the liquid is opposed by hydrostatic pressure, P_h, which continuously and proportionally increase with the distance, L. Similarly, the viscous drag also opposes movement of the liquid moisture in the hydrophilic capillaries, which also increases as the distance L traveled by the liquid moisture along the hydrophilic capillaries increases. [0045] Modifying the Poiseuille equation to account for gravity, the respective pressures can be expressed in terms of the distance traveled by the liquid:

and where ρ is

the fluid/liquid density, L_C is the equivalent of capillary pressure and represents the length of the liquid column within the hydrophilic capillary, L is the height/distance of the rise to get the liquid moisture up from the lowest point of the trough formed by the depression from the user’s body, and g is the gravitational constant. Therefore, ^ௗ ௗ ntegrating

from L=0 to L=L produces the following Linear Motion Equation, which can be used to calculate linear motion of the liquid moisture in the hydrophilic capillaries: [0046]

[0047] Further, the Linear Motion Equation can be modified to represent uptake capillary volume, V_c, using the volume equation to produce where A is the cross-

sectional area of the capillary and ε is the porosity of the capillary material, this results in the following: [0048]

[0049] Additionally, the complimentary expressions for capillary weight uptake, W_c, would be and for weight which when applied to the prior equation results in the

following: మ [0050]

[0051] The aforementioned equations may be used to compare wicking rates for different hydrophilic materials having different capillary pressures that may be used for the hydrophilic capillaries in the cover of the mattress, body-support pad or mat, and/or mattress covering. [0052] Additionally, capillary induced flow in a single capillary channel (i.e. pore) converts Poiseuille’s Law for viscous flow through a singular circular capillary channel, which is ^{ௗ^} ௗ ൌ గோ^ర

^ where R is the radius of curvature of the single capillary channel and ΔP is the change in ௗ^{^} ோ^ర

pressure, to a linear flow rate and combines the linear flow rate with the LaPlace

expression for capillary pressure, which is

_ோ where γ is the surface tension, to produce the following:

_{ௗ௧ ଶ} The surface tension, γ, of perspiration/sweat would fall within the range of 60.61 dynes/cm to 75.83 dynes/cm, and more particularly within the range of 69 dynes/cm to 70 dynes/cm. Some studies have arrived at a value of 69.3 dynes/cm for the surface tension of perspiration/sweat. Further, ρg of sweat/perspiration is expected to be similar to water, which is approximately 10³ dynes per cubic centimeter. Additionally, the dynamic viscosity, η, of sweat/perspiration is believed to be similar to water, which is approximately 1.0 centipoise. [0053] When the liquid moisture is flowing against gravity for the portion of the single capillary channel that is in the depression formed by the contact point of the user, an opposing hydrostatic pressure ο _ு^ should be incorporated into the equation. Thus, the rate equation becomes and since Rearranging and

integrating produces the following: [

[0055] The constants for perspiration can be applied to these equations and for any particular hydrophilic capillary channel radius, ^, a specific ^ versus ^ relationship can be derived. [0056] In some embodiments, the capillaries may be arranged such that they slightly slope downward in the direction of gravitational forces across the length of the capillary, in which case once the liquid has risen from the trough formed by the contact points, the liquid flow may no longer be moving against gravity and gravitational forces may assist in moving the liquid through the capillaries. For instance, once the initial upward wicking rate has been calculated for the liquid to rise from the trough formed by the contact points, a downward wicking rate may then be calculated. [0057] The capillary pressure, P_c, and permeability, K, may be derived by determining a ratio of two flow rates based on having a different starting point, L_o, a relationship between the two flow rates can be determined. In particular, for the liquid to travel a distance from L_o (where L_o is the starting point at which the downward wicking begins) to L_c (where L_c is the length of the liquid column within the capillary), the following may be used: where

cos β is a constant. Further, the ratio for the two flow rates may be calculated using

which mav then be modified to produc

This equation may then be used to solve for L_c such that Once L_c has been

determined this value may then be used to calculate permeability, K, using: K = Upon determining a value for L_c, K, the capillary pressure, P_c and thus

the wicking rate of the material may be derived.

[0058] The aforementioned equations can, therefore, be used to select a product-appropriate material for the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries based on the depth that the mattresses, body-support pads or mats, and mattress coverings is depressed (which is product dependent), the distance (which is product dependent) from the median plane to the respective most proximate lateral portion of at least one cover side of the cover. Existing studies have shown wicking rates for various materials and how those rates vary depending on whether the wicking occurs in a warp or weft direction. For instance, a 1993 study entitled The Vertical and Horizontal Wicking of Water in Fabrics (U) by Rita M. Cro w and Malcolm M. Dewer, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference, used the following fabric properties to test wicking rates (shown in Table 1 and Table 2): Fiber Weave Yarn Thickness Mass (g/m²) Count (mm) Yarns/cm

Fiber % Water in % Water in Twist of Warp Twist of Weft Warp Yarns Weft Yarns Yarns per 10 cm Yarns per 10 cm

[0059] Based upon these fabric properties in the Crow and Dewer study, the wicking behavior of Nylon Knit had: a warp horizontal distance of approximately 48 mm over 700 seconds; a weft horizontal distance of approximately 43 mm over 800 seconds; a warp vertical distance of approximately 27 mm over 2900 seconds; and a weft vertical distance of approximately 17 mm over 2800 seconds. The vertical distance traveled by the liquid with the nylon knit is relatively low, so this material would not be particularly desirable near common contact points of a user, but the horizontal distance traveled is somewhat better and there may be reasons to incorporate nylon knit in regions closer to the sides of the mattress, mattress pad/mat, or mattress covering. In contrast, the Cotton Lightweight material had: a warp horizontal distance of approximately 45 mm over 100 seconds; a weft horizontal distance of approximately 45 mm over 220 seconds; a warp vertical distance of approximately 30 mm over 55 seconds; and a weft vertical distance of approximately 38 mm over 55 seconds. The Cotton Lightweight material tested considerably better than the Nylon Knit, so material having properties similar to the Cotton Lightweight material would likely travel a farther distance over a shorter period of time. Further, modifications to the thickness of the material and the diameter of the capillaries may be used to obtain the optimal distance and time relationship. Various combinations of material may also be used such that one material having optimal vertical wicking rates may be used near areas most commonly in contact with the user that may depress due to the user’s weight, whereas a different material having optimal horizontal wicking rates may be used farther away from the midline and closer to the sides of the mattress to obtain a relatively optimal wicking speed in areas less likely to be in contact with the user’s body. [0060] The capillaries may be arranged such that liquid moisture is wicked away from the midline (median plane) of the mattress towards the sides of the mattress. Thus, the maximum distance the liquid would need to travel in a given capillary would be approximately half of the width of the mattress, mattress pad/mat, or mattress covering. For instance, the Alaskan King mattress may have a total width of approximately 108 inches (274.32 cm) and half of that width, e.g.54 inches (137.16 cm) would be the approximate distance the liquid moisture would need to travel in order to reach the sides of the mattress, mattress pad/mat, or mattress covering. In some capillary configurations, the capillaries may be arranged at an angle, rather than a direct line from the mid so the distance may be a little longer than 54 inches to account for the angle of the capillaries. Because most mattresses, mattress pads/mats, or mattress coverings are not nearly as wide as the Alaskan King mattress, the distance traveled by the liquid moisture may be much less, so manufacturing costs and other determinations may be used to identify optimal materials for the different sizes. For instance, a twin mattress may have a total width of approximately 38 inches (96.52 cm), and if the capillaries again are configured to wick moisture away from the midline, the maximum distance traveled by the liquid moisture may be approximately 19 inches (48.26 cm). Various other mattress sizes may incorporate different capillary distances. [0061] Referring now to FIG.1, an elevational perspective view of an exemplary liquid- moisture wicking mattress 100 is depicted, according to the present disclosure. The liquid- moisture wicking mattress 100 includes a plurality of mattress layers (see FIG.2). The plurality of mattress layers (see FIG.2) extend in a depth direction D1 from a proximal portion 110 of the mattress 100 that is proximate to one or more users of the mattress 100 (i.e., the portion upon which the user rests) to a distal portion 112 of the mattress 100 that is distal to the one or more users of the mattress 100 (i.e. spaced from the user, and potentially opposing the proximal portion 110). Further, the plurality of mattress layers (see FIG.2) include one or more cover portions of a cover 102 that encompasses an outer surface 104 of the mattress. [0062] The cover 102 has at least one cover side 106 that extends along one or more sidewalls 120 that traverse the entire thickness T1 of the mattress 100 around the periphery of the mattress having a length of L1 and width of W1, where the one or more sidewalls 120 form the periphery of the plurality of mattress layers (see FIG.2). In one embodiment, the mattress 100 may be circular, oblong, and/or include a continuous curve such that the one or more sidewalls 120 is a single sidewall extending along the periphery of the mattress 100 without any demarcations representing corners that would separate the single sidewall into multiple sidewalls. In another embodiment, the mattress 100 may include one or more corners 122 whereby the one or more sidewalls 120 include a plurality of sidewalls each separated by the one or more corners 122. For instance, a rectangular mattress 100 having four corners would include four sidewalls (e.g.120A, 120B, 120C, 120D) each corresponding to a different side of the mattress 100. [0063] FIG.2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress 100 of FIG.1. The mattress 100 includes a plurality of mattress layers 108, which include one or more cover portions of a cover 102. In particular, the one or more cover portions include a proximal cover portion 114 that corresponds to the proximal portion 110 of the mattress 100 and a distal cover portion 116 that corresponds to the distal portion 112 of the mattress 100. The proximal cover portion 114 is bound at a first edge 108 to at least one cover side 106 and the distal cover portion 116 is bound at a second edge 118 to at least one cover side 106. According to one embodiment, the cover 102 may encompass a fire sock layer 126 of the plurality of mattress layers 108 such that the cover 102 and the fire sock layer 126 are contiguous layers and where the fire sock layer 126 also surrounds additional layers of the plurality of mattress layers 108. [0064] FIGS.3A-3C depict an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress 300 that includes a cover 302, which is not necessarily drawn to scale, forming an outer surface of the mattress 300. At least the proximal cover portion 314 includes one or more sublayers 324, although the distal cover portion 316 may also include one or more sublayers (not shown) according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, the one or more sublayers 324 may also extend across at least one cover side 306. In other embodiments, the one or more sublayers 324 may traverse only a portion of at least one cover side 306. Other embodiments may have discontinuous sublayer regions such that a sublayer of the one or more sublayers 324 only traverses predetermined regions of the proximal cover portion based on, for instance, mattress regions where a user most often rests. Various other distributions of the one or more sublayers 324 within the cover 302 are also contemplated herein. Further, at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers 324 includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking liquid moisture. According to various embodiments, the one or more sublayers 324 may be a single sublayer such that the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries are interwoven or otherwise distributed within the single sublayer. [0065] FIGS.4A-4C depict an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress 400 having a cover 402 that includes plurality of liquid-moisture wicking capillaries 430. At least the proximal cover portion 414 includes one or more sublayers 424 that include multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 capable of wicking liquid moisture away from the median plane 436 of the mattress 400. In particular, a plurality of the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 extend from the median plane 436 of the mattress to a respective most proximate lateral portion 438, 440 of at least one cover side 406. For instance, a first set 432 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 may extend from approximately the median plane 436 to a first most proximate lateral portion 438 of at least one cover side 406 and a second set 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 may extend from approximately the median plane 436 to a second most proximate lateral portion 440 of at least one cover side 406. [0066] The plurality of multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane 436. Additionally, the distance that the liquid moisture is wicked extends from the median plane 436 to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion 438, 440 of at least one cover side 406 of the mattress 400. [0067] According to one embodiment, the first set 432 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 is located on an opposite side of the median plane 436 of the mattress 400 than the second set 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430. In this example, the first set 432 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 may be geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking in an opposite direction from the second set 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430. Additionally, a central region 442, which includes the median plane 436, of the proximal cover portion 414 of the cover 402 may include a hydrophobic partition separating the first set 432 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 from the second set 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430. As described herein, “hydrophobic” includes materials and/or chemicals that have an aversion to water and/or perspiration/sweat. The hydrophobic partition may act as a barrier, which may prevent liquid moisture from traversing the median plane 436. This hydrophobic partition may also include a substantially water repellant material (e.g. a superhydrophobic material) and/or coating that repels the liquid moisture to facilitate a “push” effect along the first set 432 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 towards the first most proximate lateral portion 438 of at least one cover side 406 and along the second set 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 of the second most proximate lateral portion 440 of at least one cover side 406. [0068] According to one embodiment, and as depicted in FIG.4B, a plurality of the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 may be geometrically arranged in a declivous and substantially striated arrangement that is perpendicular to the median plane 436. In particular, the plurality of the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 may arranged in a substantially striated arrangement that extends from the median plane 436 to at least one cover side 406 of the cover 402. The hydrophilic capillaries 430 may further be arranged in a downward sloping arrangement such that as the hydrophilic capillaries 430 extend laterally across the mattress 430 they also slope downward in a depth direction D1. [0069] According to various embodiments, the hydrophilic capillaries 430 are interconnected with or in communication with a surface membrane of at least one cover side 406 that increases the surface area of the liquid moisture across the respective most proximate lateral portion 438, 440 of the cover 402. Additionally, the surface membrane may include a plurality of water permeable pores 444 that are configured to and otherwise capable of releasing gaseous moisture via evaporation of the liquid moisture that has been wicked to the respective most proximate lateral portion 438, 440 of at least one cover side 406 of the cover 402. [0070] According to various embodiments, the outer surface of the proximal cover portion 414 of the cover 402 may include a permeable material capable of receiving liquid moisture (e.g. perspiration/sweat) from the user and channeling the liquid moisture to the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 that are capable of wicking the liquid moisture to the respective most proximate lateral portion 438, 440 of at least one cover side 406 of the cover 402. For instance, the outer surface of the cover 402 may include one or more receiving pores 446 into which liquid moisture (e.g. perspiration/sweat) from the user enters the hydrophilic capillaries 430. According to one embodiment, the one or more receiving pores 446 may include hydrophilic threads or fibers that are separated by hydrophobic surface regions 448. The combination of hydrophilic materials and hydrophobic materials in different regions or configurations may enable the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 to provide a “push-pull” integrated knit fabric that is geometrically arranged to “push” the liquid in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane 436 that extends along the length of the mattress and “pull” the liquid moisture towards at least one cover side 406. [0071] According to one embodiment, the geometric arrangement of the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 include a density gradient of hydrophilic material that increases in a lateral direction away from the median plane 436 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portions 438, 440 of at least one cover side 406 of the cover 402. For instance, this increasing density gradient of hydrophilic material may be achieved by having hydrophilic capillaries 430 with a varying cross-sectional area along the length of the capillary. In particular, the cross-sectional area of multiple capillaries of the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 may gradually increase in diameter as the capillary extends farther away from the median plane 436 and towards at least one cover side 406. [0072] According to one embodiment, at least one cover side 406, in particular the first most proximate lateral portion 438 or the second most proximate lateral portion 440 of at least one cover side 406, may include one or more water-absorbent polymers. For example, the water- absorbent polymers may include water-insoluble hydrophilic polymers that are able to absorb liquid moisture that may accumulate on the first most proximate lateral portion 438 or the second most proximate lateral portion 440 of at least one cover side 406 due to liquid moisture being wicked to the respective most proximate lateral portions 438, 440. For instance, the one or more water-absorbent polymers may be located along the second edge 418 of the cover 402. Additionally, a removable attachment (not shown) may include the one or more water-absorbent polymers, where the removable attachment (not shown) may attach along the second edge 418 of the cover 402. For example, the removable attachment (not shown) may attach to at least one cover side 406 via a zipper mechanism or various other fastener mechanisms. Further, the one or more water-absorbent polymers absorb the liquid moisture and may be capable of forming a hydrogel when contacted or by the liquid moisture. To facilitate removal of the hydrogel for disposal, at least one cover side 406 of the cover 402 may include a pocket and/or flap within which the water-absorbent polymer is placed and within which the hydrogel deposits. The pocket and/or flap may be located on an external surface of at least one cover side 406 of the cover 402 to facilitate external access to the hydrogel for removal. [0073] The respective most proximate lateral portions 438, 440 may also include one or more removable segments, attachment(s) or membrane(s) on an external surface that may not necessarily contain water-absorbent polymers, but within which minerals and/or liquid moisture from the perspiration/sweat may otherwise accumulate. The ability of the attachment(s) or membrane(s) to be removed may facilitate removal of mineral deposits or other buildup that results from the perspiration/sweat being wicked to the respective most proximate lateral portions 438, 440. According to various embodiments, the removable attachment(s) or membrane(s) may be machine washable, include machine washable materials, be disposable and replaceable, or able to be cleaned in a way that removes mineral deposits or other buildup in the removable attachment(s) or membrane(s). The one or more removable segments may, according to various embodiments, merely include the cover side(s) 406. For instance, the one or more removable segments may have a first removable segment corresponding to the first most proximate lateral portion 438 and a second removable segment corresponding to the second most proximate lateral portion 440. Alternatively, the one or more removable segments may be a single removable segment that encompasses all sides of the cover sides 406. According to one embodiment, the one or more removable segments is a single removable segment that includes the entire proximal cover portion 414 of the cover 402 as well as a first removable segment corresponding to the first most proximate lateral portion 438 and a second removable segment corresponding to the second most proximate lateral portion 440 or as well as all cover sides 406. [0074] The one or more removable segments may include, according to various embodiments, a first zipper track of a zipper, and the first zipper track may correspond to a second zipper track of the zipper that is located at a first edge region of the first edge 408 proximate to the proximal cover portion 414 of the cover 402. Further, the one or more removable segments may also include a third zipper track of another zipper, where the third zipper track corresponds to a fourth zipper track of the other zipper where the fourth zipper track is located at a second edge region of the second edge 418 and proximal to the distal cover portion 416 of the cover 402. In another embodiment, the one or more removable segments only includes a first zipper track of a zipper, where the first zipper track corresponds to a second zipper track of the zipper and the second zipper track is located at a second edge region of the second edge 418. [0075] According to one embodiment, the hydrophilic capillaries 430 may include various hydrophilic materials such as, for example, polypropylene, a polypropylene blend, hydrophilic- coated polyester, hydrophilic-coated nylon, cotton, rayon, blends of hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, wool, Merino wool, hydrophilic coated 100% polyester, rayon and cotton filament or polyester, rayon and cotton blended non-woven, spandex, elastane, Lycra® fiber with Lycra® being a registered trademark of The LYCRA Company, synthetic polymers, polyurethane, polyester with diisocyanate, hemp, linen, bamboo, X-Static® yarn with X-Static® being a registered trademark of Noble Fiber Technologies, LLC, and/or combinations thereof, or the like. For instance, all of the hydrophilic capillaries 430 may be made from a same hydrophilic material or, alternatively, some hydrophilic capillaries 430 in one region or section of the hydrophilic capillaries may be made from one hydrophilic material and other hydrophilic capillaries 430 in another region or other section(s) of the hydrophilic capillaries 430 may be made from another hydrophilic material. In some embodiments, the hydrophilic material itself may include a blend or other combination of different hydrophilic fibers that is dispersed substantially uniformly across the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430. In other embodiments the first set 432 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 may include a different hydrophilic material than the second set 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430 based on, for example, user preferences for how the mattress 400 is constructed, user sensitivity to specific hydrophilic material(s), user preferences on cover breathability, etc. [0076] According to various embodiments, the hydrophilic capillaries 430 may include one or more hydrophilic chemical treatments that have been applied the one or more sets of the multiple sets 432, 434 of hydrophilic capillaries 430. The hydrophilic chemical treatments may increase the surface energy of the hydrophilic capillaries 430 by, for example, forming additional hydroxyl groups on the surface of the hydrophilic material, which may thereby increase the polarity of the hydrophilic material and enhance the hydrophilic material’s adhesion to liquid moisture. [0077] For embodiments of the cover 402 that include hydrophobic material and/or hydrophobic regions/sections, the hydrophobic material may include nylon, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, cellulosic fabrics such as modal, high wet modulus rayon (HWM rayon), lyocell such as Tencel® a registered trademark of Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, rayon from bamboo, hydrophobic-coated 100% cotton filament, hydrophobic-coated cotton-blend non-woven material, hydrophobic-coated 100% rayon filament, hydrophobic-coated rayon-blend non-woven material, Gore-Tex® materials with Gore-Tex being a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, and/or combinations thereof, or the like. [0078] FIGS.5A-5E depict an exemplary moisture wicking mattress 500 having a cover 502 that includes a plurality of liquid moisture wicking capillaries 530. In particular, according to one embodiment, one or more sublayers 524 of the proximal cover portion 514 of the cover 502 may include a lattice 550 that includes multiple sets 532, 534 of hydrophilic capillaries 530 and also includes one or more hydrophobic materials/regions 548 that may be, for example, interwoven within the lattice 550 and define the arrangement of hydrophilic capillaries 530. [0079] According to one embodiment, a portion 552 of the lattice 550 further extends over the first edge 508 and across at least one cover side 506 of the cover 502. For instance, the portion 552 of the lattice 550 may extend across the first most proximal lateral portion 538 (not shown) of the cover 502 and second most proximal lateral portion 540 of the cover 502. Further, the portion 552 of the lattice 550 that extends across at least one cover side 506 of the cover 502 may be geometrically arranged to disperse and capable of dispersing the liquid moisture along an outer surface of at least one cover side 506 of the cover 502. Dispersion of the liquid moisture along the outer surface of the cover side 506 may facilitate, according to one embodiment, evaporation of the liquid moisture by increasing the surface area of the liquid moisture across at least one cover side 506. [0080] According to one embodiment, the geometric arrangement of the multiple sets 532, 534 of hydrophilic capillaries 530 include a density gradient of hydrophilic material that increases in a lateral direction away from the median plane 536 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portions 538, 540 of at least one cover side 506 of the cover 502 due to an increasing plurality of branch channels 554 that increase in number in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane 536 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion 538, 540 of the at least one cover side. [0081] As depicted in FIG.5A, the first set 532 of hydrophilic capillaries 540 may not necessarily be physically separated from the second set 534 of hydrophilic capillaries 540. As depicted in FIG.5B, which depicts only the first set 532 of hydrophilic capillaries 540 and not the second set (see FIG.5A), the first set 532 of hydrophilic capillaries 540 may terminate at the median plane 536 and be directionally arranged to wick the liquid moisture toward the first most proximate lateral portion 538 of at least one cover side 506 of the cover 502. [0082] FIGS.6A-6C depict an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress 600 having a cover 602 that includes a plurality of hydrophilic capillaries 630 arranged in a substantially striated arrangement that is perpendicular to the median plane 636. Although not necessarily drawn to scale, the hydrophilic capillaries 630 include a varying cross-sectional area 660 that has a diameter that varies along the length of the respective capillaries 630. In particular, the cross- sectional area 660 of multiple capillaries of the multiple sets 632, 634 of hydrophilic capillaries 630 may gradually increase in diameter as the respective capillaries extend farther away from the median plane 636 and towards at least one cover side 606 of the cover 602. Alternatively, based on the desired speed of the liquid moisture and the distance through which the liquid moisture must travel, the hydrophilic capillaries 630 may gradually decrease in diameter as the respective capillaries extend farther away from the median plane 636 and towards at least one cover side 606 of the cover 602. [0083] According to one embodiment, the varying cross sectional area 660 of the capillaries may have intermittent segments of larger and smaller diameters (i.e., intra-sample variability) that may facilitate pulling of the liquid moisture along the length of the capillaries as needed based on the distance the liquid moisture needs to travel. Other embodiments may include textiles weaves with yarns having fibers/filaments that form different size capillaries such that there are different capillaries having different diameters (i.e. inter-sample variability). Thus, the capillaries may have diameters with intra-sample variability and/or inter-sample variability. [0084] According to one embodiment, a portion 652 of the hydrophilic capillaries 630 extend to an outer surface of at least one cover side 606 of the cover 602. Further, the portion 652 of the hydrophilic capillaries 630 that extends to the outer surface of at least one cover side 606 of the cover 602 may be geometrically arranged to disperse and capable of dispersing the liquid moisture across the entire outer surface of at least one cover side 606 of the cover 602. Dispersion of the liquid moisture across the outer surface of at least one cover side 606 may facilitate, according to one embodiment, evaporation of the liquid moisture by increasing the surface area of the liquid moisture across at least one cover side 606. [0085] FIG.7 depicts a top view of an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress 700 having a cover 702 that includes a plurality of moisture wicking capillaries 730. In particular, the plurality of the multiple sets 732, 734 of hydrophilic capillaries 730 is geometrically arranged in a mesh 770 such as, for example, a triangular mesh 770. Various other mesh patterns such as a structured grid arrangement (e.g., triangular arrangement, polygon arrangement, circular arrangement, etc.), unstructured grid arrangement, hybrid grid arrangement, or the like. As depicted in FIG.7, the mesh 770 of hydrophilic capillaries 730 may include an increasing density gradient that increases as the hydrophilic capillaries 730 move extend away from the median plane 736 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portions 738, 740 of at least one cover side 706 of the cover 702. [0086] FIGS.8A and 8B depict a side, transverse cross-sectional view and an enlarged view of a liquid-moisture wicking mattress 800. In particular, the liquid-moisture wicking mattress 800 includes a cover 802 having barrier layer 870 configured and otherwise capable of reflecting liquid moisture away from the barrier layer 870. According to one embodiment, one or more sublayers 824 of the proximal cover portion 814 of the cover 802 may include the barrier layer 870, and the barrier layer 870 may be located more distal to one or more users of the mattress 800 than at least one sublayer 872 of the one or more sublayers 824 that includes the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries 830. Further, the barrier layer 870 may, according to one embodiment, be at least substantially impermeable to liquid moisture. According to one embodiment, the barrier layer 870 may be permeable to water vapor such that the barrier layer 870 is capable of dissipating water vapor through the barrier layer 870. [0087] The barrier layer 870 may have various configurations based on maximizing the efficacy of the barrier layer 870 and/or manufacturing cost considerations. For instance, the barrier layer 870 may occupy an entire area of the proximal cover portion 814 of the mattress 800, where the entire area includes a full length L1 of the mattress 800 and a full width W1 of the mattress 800 to fully protect a plurality of mattress layers 808. In other embodiments, the barrier layer 870 may only cover one or more parts of the mattress 800 that occupy less than the entire area of the proximal cover portion 814 of the mattress 800. For instance, when the barrier layer 870 occupies less than the entire area of the proximal cover portion 814, the barrier layer 870 may be located at a middle part of the proximal cover portion 814 of the mattress 800 that includes the median plane 836. In other examples, the barrier layer 870 may be located at one or more parts of the mattress most commonly in contact with the user’s contact points. In other examples, the barrier layer 870 may only be positioned near areas of the user’s body where the user typically sweats/perspires. Various other barrier layer configurations are also contemplated herein. [0088] The barrier layer 870 may include one or more hydrophobic materials, such as sheet of hydrophobic material and/or a hydrophobic coating. In particular, the one or more hydrophobic materials may be oriented or otherwise positioned to face the proximal portion 810 of the mattress 800. For instance, the hydrophobic material of the barrier layer 870 may be positioned in between the user and one or more mattress layers 808, and the barrier layer 870 may be oriented towards the user so that the barrier layer 870 may repel liquid moisture in an upward direction towards the user. [0089] FIG.8B depicts the enlarged view of the liquid-moisture wicking mattress 800 of FIG. 8A with an arrow 874 indicating direction of liquid that is reflected from the barrier layer 870. For instance, the barrier layer 870 of the one or more sublayers 824 may include one or more hydrophobic materials that are initially capable of repelling liquid moisture in the proximal direction (as shown by arrow 874) and away from the distal portion 812 of the mattress 800 to at least one sublayer 872 of the one or more sublayers 824 that includes the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries 830, which may then move the liquid laterally towards at least one cover side 806. In one embodiment, the hydrophobic material may include a superhydrophobic material and/or coating that has static contact angles that are greater than 150 degrees. Example superhydrophobic material may include a manganese oxide polystyrene (MnO₂/PS) nano- composite, a zinc oxide polystyrene (ZnO/PS) nano-composite, precipitated calcium carbonate, carbon nano-tube structures, silica nano-coating, fluorinated silanes, and/or fluoropolymer coatings. In particular, the barrier layer 870 may include one or more hydrophobic coating treatments. Some of the example superhydrophobic material may be gel-based coatings that may be applied to the barrier layer 870 by dipping the barrier layer 870 into the gel. Other superhydrophobic materials may be applied to the barrier layer 870 via aerosol spray. Alternatively the nano-composite may not require dipping or gel-based coatings. [0090] According to one embodiment, the barrier layer 870 may be in direct contact with at least one sublayer 872 that includes the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries 830. In some embodiments, when the barrier layer 870 includes hydrophobic materials, the hydrophobic materials may extend beyond the first edge 808 and to at least one cover side 806. For instance, if the hydrophilic capillaries 830 are arranged in a lattice that includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and one or more hydrophobic materials, the hydrophobic materials may extend across at least one cover side 806 of the cover 802, and may be geometrically arranged to disperse the liquid moisture along an outer surface of at least one cover side 806 of the cover 802 to facilitate evaporation of the liquid moisture across at least one cover side 806 of the cover 802. [0091] FIGS.9A and 9B depict an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking body-support pad or mat 900. The body-support pad or mat 900 may be, for example, a mattress pad, a sleeping pad, gymnastics mat, etc. and includes a cover 902, which is not necessarily drawn to scale, forming an outer surface of the body-support pad or mat 900. The body-support pad or mat 900 includes a depth that extends from a proximal portion 910 that is proximate to one or more users of the body-support pad or mat 900 to a distal portion 912 that is distal to one or more users of the body-support pad or mat 900. The cover 902 includes at least one cover side 906 that includes at least one edge 919 that extends along a periphery of the body-support pad or mat 900. [0092] The cover 902 of the body-support pad or mat 900 includes a proximal cover portion 914 that corresponds to the proximal portion 910 of the body-support pad or mat 900. The proximal cover portion 914 is bound to at least one edge 919 of at least one cover side 906. Additionally, the cover 902 includes a distal cover portion 916 that corresponds to the distal portion 912 of the body-support pad or mat 900. The distal cover portion 916 is bound to at least one edge 919 of at least one cover side 906 of the cover 902. According to one embodiment, the at least one edge may include a first edge 908 and a second edge 918. Other embodiments may only include a single edge (see 1019 of FIGS.10A & 10B). [0093] At least the proximal cover portion 914 includes one or more sublayers 924 and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers 924 include multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries (not shown) capable of wicking liquid moisture. The hydrophilic capillaries of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include various configurations that extend from a median plane 936, which extends along a length L1 of the body-support pad or mat 900, to a respective most proximate lateral portion 938, 940 of at least one cover side 906. [0094] The various configurations of the hydrophilic capillaries may include a lattice, a substantially striated arrangement, a mesh, etc. similar to the configurations discussed above for the cover of the mattress. Multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries are geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane 936 and for a distance that extends from the median plane 936 to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion 938, 940 of at least one cover side 906. [0095] According to various embodiments, one or more sublayers 924 of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include a barrier layer that is substantially impermeable to liquid moisture. In particular, the barrier layer may be located more distal to one or more users of the body-support pad or mat 900 than at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers 924, the at least one sublayer including multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. Further, the barrier may be permeable to water vapor, which facilitates dissipating water vapor through the barrier. Further, according to one embodiment, the barrier layer may occupy an entire area of the proximal cover portion 914 of the cover 902. In particular, the entire area occupied by the barrier layer may extend from a full length L1 of the body-support pad or mat 900 and a full width W1 of the body-support pad or mat 900. According to other embodiments, the barrier layer includes one or more parts of the body-support pad or mat 900 where the one or more parts occupy less than an entire area of the proximal cover portion 914 of the cover 902. For instance, one or more parts of the barrier layer may include a middle part of the body-support pad or mat 900, where the middle part includes the median plane 936. According to one embodiment, the barrier layer may include one or more hydrophobic materials that face the outer surface of the proximal portion 910 of the body-support pad or mat 900. For instance, one or more hydrophobic materials may be capable of repelling liquid moisture from the user in the proximal direction back towards the user and away from the distal portion 912 of the body-support pad or mat 900 to at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers 924 that includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. An example hydrophobic material that may be included in the barrier layer is a superhydrophobic material and/or a superhydrophobic coating, where the superhydrophobic material/coating has static contact angles that are greater than 150 degrees. Other embodiments of the barrier layer may include one or more hydrophobic coating treatments. Additionally, the barrier layer may be in direct contact with at least one sublayer that includes the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. [0096] Similar to the mattress described above, the body-support pad or mat 900 may include a first set of hydrophilic capillaries that is located opposite the median plane 936 than a second set of hydrophilic capillaries. Further, the first set of hydrophilic capillaries may be geometrically arranged to provide and be capable of providing unidirectional wicking in an opposite direction than the second set of hydrophilic capillaries. In one embodiment, a central region that includes the median plane (e.g. the midline) 936 of the cover 902 of the body-support pad or mat 900, may include a hydrophobic partition that separates the first set of hydrophilic capillaries from the second set of hydrophilic capillaries. [0097] As described above with the different capillary arrangements for the mattresses, the proximal cover portion 914 of the cover 902 of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include one or more sublayers 924, at least one of which, according to one embodiment, may include a lattice that has multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries in addition to one or more hydrophobic materials. Further, according to one embodiment, a portion of the lattice may extend across at least one edge 919 of the body-support pad or mat 900. Additionally, the portion of the lattice that extends across at least one edge 919 may be geometrically arranged to disperse the liquid moisture along an outer surface of at least one edge 919 to facilitate evaporation of the liquid moisture across at least one edge 919. [0098] The hydrophobic material of the cover 902 of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include one or more of any one of the same hydrophobic materials referenced above for the mattresses, namely: nylon, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, cellulosic fabrics such as modal, high wet modulus rayon (HWM rayon), lyocell such as Tencel® a registered trademark of Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, rayon from bamboo, hydrophobic-coated 100% cotton filament, hydrophobic-coated cotton-blend non-woven material, hydrophobic-coated 100% rayon filament, hydrophobic-coated rayon-blend non-woven material, Gore-Tex® materials with Gore- Tex being a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, and/or combinations thereof, or the like. [0099] Another embodiment of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include a plurality of multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries geometrically arranged in a mesh. Further, according to one embodiment, the plurality of multiple sets of capillaries may be geometrically arranged in a declivous and substantially striated arrangement substantially perpendicular to and extending from the median plane 936 to at least one edge 919. [0100] According to one embodiment, at least one edge 919 of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include a removable attachment. Additionally, or alternatively, at least one edge 919 of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include one or more water-absorbent polymers, which may, in one example, be capable of forming a hydrogel when contacted by liquid moisture. Further, at least one edge 919 may also include a pocket and/or flap within which the water- absorbent polymers are deposited, and upon formation of the hydrogel, the hydrogel may deposit or otherwise collect in the pocket and/or flap to facilitate external access to the hydrogel for removal. [0101] Similar to what was described above with the “push-pull” integrated knit fabric of the mattresses, the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries of the cover 902 that are capable of wicking the liquid moisture may include a “push-pull” integrated knit fabric geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing a lateral “push” to the liquid moisture such that the liquid moisture moves away from the median plane 936 and a “pull” of the liquid moisture towards at least one edge 919. [0102] According to one embodiment, the body-support pad or mat 900 may include a geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries that includes a density gradient of hydrophilic material that increases in a lateral direction away from the median plane 936 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion 938, 940 of at least one cover side 906. Further, the density gradient of the hydrophilic material may include an increasing cross- sectional area of multiple capillaries of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. Additionally, or alternatively, the geometric arrangement that includes the density gradient may include a plurality of branch channels that increase in number in a lateral direction away from the median plane 936 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion 938, 940 of at least one cover side 906. [0103] According to one embodiment, the proximal cover portion 914 of the cover 902 of the body-support pad or mat 900 may include an outer surface that includes a moisture permeable material capable of receiving liquid moisture (e.g. sweat/perspiration) and channeling the liquid moisture to the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries that are capable of wicking the liquid moisture. The multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may include one or more of any one of the same hydrophilic materials referenced above for the mattresses, namely: hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, wool, Merino wool, hydrophilic coated 100% polyester, rayon and cotton filament or polyester, rayon and cotton blended non-woven, spandex, elastane, Lycra® fiber with Lycra® being a registered trademark of The LYCRA Company, synthetic polymers, polyurethane, polyester with diisocyanate, hemp, linen, bamboo, X-Static® yarn with X-Static® being a registered trademark of Noble Fiber Technologies, LLC, and/or combinations thereof, or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may include one or more hydrophilic chemical treatments that have been applied to one or more sets of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. [0104] According to one embodiment, at least one segment of the cover 902 may be removable. For instance, the removable segment may include one or more machine-washable materials. Further, the removable segment may include at least one edge 919, which may be where the liquid moisture is directed during the moisture wicking process. By removing the removable segment, to wash or replace, the buildup of minerals, oils, etc. from the sweat/perspiration may be removed, which may, according to one embodiment, lessen increases in body-support pad/mat weight that result from mineral buildup in the body-support pad/mat. In particular, the removable segment may include a first zipper track of a zipper that corresponds to a second zipper track of the zipper and the second zipper track may be located at the region of at least one cover side 919 of the cover 902. According to one embodiment, the removable segment may further include the proximal cover portion 914 of the cover 902 rather than just merely the cover side 919. Another embodiment having the removable segment may include a first zipper track of a zipper that corresponds to a second zipper track of the zipper and the second zipper track is located at an edge region of the distal cover portion 916. [0105] FIGS.10A and 10B depict an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking body-support pad or mat 1000 similar to the body-support pad or mat 900 described above. The body-support pad or mat 1000 may have a much shallower depth, D1, than the body-support pad or mat 900 described above. In particular, rather than having multiple edges (see 908 and 918 of FIGS.9A & 9B), body-support pad or mat 1000 only includes a single edge 1019, which may be analogous to at least one edge 919 described above for FIGS.9A & 9B. [0106] FIG.11 depicts an exemplary liquid-moisture wicking mattress covering 1101 positioned over a mattress 1100. Specifically, in FIG.11, the mattress covering 1101 is depicted as being pulled back such that a corner of the mattress 1100 is shown. The mattress covering 1101 may be, for example, a fitted sheet, a mattress protector, mattress ticking, or a mattress cover. The mattress covering 1101 may include at least one cover side 1106, such as a mattress covering skirt, which extends along one or more sidewalls 1120 that make up the periphery of the mattress 1100. The mattress covering 1101 also includes a proximal cover portion 1114 that corresponds to a proximal portion 1110 of the mattress 1100 that is proximate to one or more users of the mattress 1100. The proximal cover portion 1114 is bound at an edge 1119 to at least one cover side 1106 of the mattress covering 1101. Further, similar to the mattresses and body- support pads/mats described above, at least the proximal cover portion 1114 includes one or more sublayers (not shown) and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries (not shown) capable of wicking moisture. A plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane 1136, which extends along a length, L1, of the mattress 1100 to a respective most proximate lateral portion 1138, 1140 of at least one cover side 1106 of the mattress covering 1101. The plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may be geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane 1136 and for a distance that extends from the median plane 1136 to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion 1138, 1140 of at least one cover side 1106. The mattress covering 1101 includes at least one cover side 1106 having a cover side depth, D1, which extends from the proximal portion 1110 of the mattress 1100 to a distal portion 1112 of the mattress 1100 that is distal to one or more users of the mattress 1100. [0107] According to one embodiment, one or more sublayers of the mattress covering 1101 may include a barrier layer that is at least substantially impermeable to liquid moisture and is located more distal to one or more users of the mattress covering 1101 than at least one sublayer that includes multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. Although the barrier layer may be impermeable to liquid moisture, the barrier layer may be permeable to water vapor such that the barrier layer is capable of dissipating water vapor through the barrier layer. According to one embodiment, the barrier layer may occupy the entire area of the proximal cover portion 1114 of the mattress covering 1101. In other embodiments, the barrier layer may include one or more parts of the mattress covering 1101 that occupy less than an entire area of the proximal cover portion 1114 of the mattress covering 1101. For instance, the one or more parts of the mattress covering that occupy less than the entire area of the proximal cover portion 1114 may include a middle part of the mattress covering 1101 that includes the median plane 1136. Further, the barrier layer may include one or more hydrophobic materials facing the proximal cover portion 1114 of the mattress covering 1101. The one or more hydrophobic materials may be capable of repelling the liquid moisture in the proximal direction to at least one sublayer that includes the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries, which may then wick the moisture towards at least one cover side 1106 of the mattress covering 1101. According to one embodiment, the barrier layer may include at least one hydrophobic material that includes a superhydrophobic material and/or coating, such as those described above, that has static contact angles greater than 150 degrees. The barrier layer may be, according to one embodiment, in direct contact with at least one sublayer that includes the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. [0108] According to one embodiment, a first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries of the mattress covering 1101 may be located on an opposite side of the median plane 1136 than a second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. Further, the first set of hydrophilic capillaries may be geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking in an opposite direction than the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. A central region of the proximal cover portion 1114 of the mattress covering 1101, which may include the median plane may include a hydrophobic partition that separates the first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries from the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. [0109] According to one embodiment, one or more sublayers of the proximal cover portion 1114 may include a lattice that has the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries as well as one or more hydrophobic materials. The hydrophobic materials may include one or more of: nylon, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, cellulosic fabrics such as modal, high wet modulus rayon (HWM rayon), lyocell such as Tencel® a registered trademark of Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, rayon from bamboo, hydrophobic-coated 100% cotton filament, hydrophobic-coated cotton-blend non- woven material, hydrophobic-coated 100% rayon filament, hydrophobic-coated rayon-blend non-woven material, Gore-Tex® materials with Gore-Tex being a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, and/or combinations thereof, or the like. A portion of the lattice may extend across at least one cover side 1106 of the mattress cover 1101, and the portion of the lattice that extends across at least one cover side 1106 may be geometrically arranged to disperse liquid moisture along an outer surface of at least one cover side 1106 to facilitate evaporation of the liquid moisture across at least one cover side 1106. [0110] In another embodiment, the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may be geometrically arranged in a mesh. In other embodiments of the mattress covering 1101, the plurality of multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may be geometrically arranged in a declivous and substantially striated arrangement perpendicular to and extending from the median plane 1136 to at least one cover side 1106. [0111] Another geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may include a density gradient of hydrophilic material such that the density gradient increases in a lateral direction away from the median plane 1136 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion 1138, 1140 of at least one cover side 1106 of the mattress covering 1101. In one example, the density gradient of hydrophilic material may include an increasing cross-sectional area of multiple capillaries of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. In one embodiment, the geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may include an increasing plurality of branch channels that increase in number in a lateral direction away from the median plane 1136 and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion 1138, 1140 of at least one cover side 1106. [0112] At least one cover side 1106 of the mattress covering 1101 may include one or more water-absorbent polymers. The water-absorbent polymers may assist in pulling liquid moisture towards at least one cover side 1106 of the mattress covering 1101. In some embodiments, the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries of the mattress covering 1101 that may be capable of wicking the liquid moisture may include a “push-pull” integrated knit fabric that is geometrically arranged to laterally “push” the liquid moisture away from the median plane 1136 that extends along the length of the mattress 1100. Further, the geometric arrangement of the integrated knit fabric may facilitate “pulling” the liquid moisture towards at least one cover side 1106. [0113] According to one embodiment, the outer surface of the proximal cover portion 1114 of the mattress covering 1101 may include a moisture permeable material that is capable of receiving liquid moisture and channeling the liquid moisture to the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries that are capable of wicking the liquid moisture towards at least one cover side 1106. [0114] The multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may include one or more of the following materials: polypropylene, a polypropylene blend, hydrophilic-coated polyester, hydrophilic- coated nylon, hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, cotton, rayon, blends of hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, wool, and Merino wool, hydrophilic coated 100% polyester, rayon and cotton filament or polyester, rayon and cotton blended non-woven, spandex, elastane, Lycra® fiber with Lycra® being a registered trademark of The LYCRA Company, synthetic polymers, polyurethane, polyester with diisocyanate, hemp, linen, bamboo, X-Static® yarn with X-Static® being a registered trademark of Noble Fiber Technologies, LLC, and/or combinations thereof, or the like. Further, the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries may include one or more hydrophilic chemical treatments that have been applied to one or more sets of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries. [0115] Although various embodiments are described above, these are only examples. [0116] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), “contain” (and any form contain, such as “contains” and “containing”), and any other grammatical variant thereof, are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or article that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of an article that “comprises”, “has”, “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. [0117] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” "has," “including,” "containing," and other grammatical variants thereof encompass the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.” [0118] The phrase “consisting essentially of” or grammatical variants thereof when used herein are to be taken as specifying the stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof but only if the additional features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed compositions or methods. [0119] All publications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference herein as though fully set forth. [0120] Subject matter incorporated by reference is not considered to be an alternative to any claim limitations, unless otherwise explicitly indicated. [0121] Where one or more ranges are referred to throughout this specification, each range is intended to be a shorthand format for presenting information, where the range is understood to encompass each discrete point within the range as if the same were fully set forth herein. [0122] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of one or more embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain various aspects and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. * * * * *

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A mattress, comprising: a plurality of mattress layers, which extend in a depth direction from a proximal portion of the mattress that is proximate to one or more users of the mattress to a distal portion of the mattress that is distal to the one or more users of the mattress, and that comprise one or more cover portions of a cover that encompasses an outer surface of the mattress; at least one cover side of the cover that extends along one or more sidewalls that comprise a periphery of the plurality of mattress layers; a proximal cover portion of the one or more cover portions of the cover that corresponds to the proximal portion of the mattress and that is bound at a first edge to the at least one cover side; and a distal cover portion of the one or more cover portions of the cover that corresponds to the distal portion of the mattress and that is bound at a second edge to the at least one cover side; wherein at least the proximal cover portion comprises one or more sublayers and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers comprises multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking liquid moisture; wherein a plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the mattress, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side; wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

2. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the one or more sublayers of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a barrier layer; wherein the barrier layer is at least substantially impermeable to the liquid moisture; wherein the barrier layer is located more distal to the one or more users of the mattress than the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

3. The mattress of claim 2, wherein the barrier layer is permeable to water vapor thereby being capable of dissipating water vapor through the barrier layer.

4. The mattress as claimed in either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the barrier layer occupies an entire area of the proximal cover portion; wherein the entire area of the proximal cover portion comprises a full length of the mattress and a full width of the mattress.

5. The mattress in either claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more parts of the mattress that occupy less than an entire area of the proximal cover portion; wherein the one or more parts of the mattress that occupy less than the entire area of the proximal cover portion comprise a middle part of the mattress that comprises the median plane.

6. The mattress as claimed in one of claims 2-5, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more hydrophobic materials facing the proximal portion of the mattress; wherein the one or more hydrophobic materials are capable of repelling the liquid moisture in the proximal direction to the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and away from the distal portion of the mattress.

7. The mattress as claimed in one of claims 2-6, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one hydrophobic material comprising a superhydrophobic material and/or coating having static contact angles greater than 150 degrees.

8. The mattress as claimed in one of claims 2-7, wherein the barrier layer is in direct contact with the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

9. The mattress as claimed in one of claims 2-8, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more hydrophobic coating treatments.

10. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is located on an opposite side of the median plane of the mattress than a second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries; wherein the first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking in an opposite direction than the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

11. The mattress of claim 10, wherein a central region, which comprises the median plane, of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a hydrophobic partition separating the first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries from the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

12. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sublayers of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a lattice comprising the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and one or more hydrophobic materials.

13. The mattress of claim 12, wherein a portion of the lattice comprising the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and the one or more hydrophobic materials further extends across the at least one cover side of the cover; wherein the portion of the lattice that extends across the at least one cover side of the cover is geometrically arranged to disperse the liquid moisture along an outer surface of the at least one cover side of the cover to facilitate evaporation of the liquid moisture across the at least one cover side of the cover.

14. The mattress as claimed in either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the one or more hydrophobic materials comprises one or more of: nylon, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, cellulosic fabrics such as modal, high wet modulus rayon (HWM rayon), lyocell such as Tencel® a registered trademark of Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, rayon from bamboo, hydrophobic-coated 100% cotton filament, hydrophobic-coated cotton-blend non-woven material, hydrophobic- coated 100% rayon filament, hydrophobic-coated rayon-blend non-woven material, Gore-Tex® materials with Gore-Tex being a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, and/or combinations thereof, or the like.

15. The mattress as claimed in one of claims 1-11, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged in a mesh.

16. The mattress as claimed in one of claims 1-11, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged in a declivous and substantially striated arrangement perpendicular to and extending from the median plane to the at least one cover side of the cover.

17. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover side of the cover comprises one or more water-absorbent polymers.

18. The mattress of claim 17, wherein the one or more water-absorbent polymers is located along the second edge of the cover.

19. The mattress as claimed in either claim 17 or claim 18, wherein a removable attachment comprises the one or more water-absorbent polymers.

20. The mattress as claimed in one of claims 17-19, wherein the one or more water- absorbent polymers are capable of forming a hydrogel when contacted by the liquid moisture; wherein the at least one cover side of the cover comprises a pocket and/or flap within which the hydrogel deposits; wherein the pocket and/or flap is located on an external surface of the at least one cover side of the cover to facilitate external access to the hydrogel.

21. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking the liquid moisture comprise a “push-pull” integrated knit fabric geometrically arranged to laterally “push” the liquid moisture away from the median plane that extends along the length of the mattress and “pull” the liquid moisture towards the at least one cover side.

22. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprise one or more hydrophilic chemical treatments that have been applied to one or more sets of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

23. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises a density gradient of hydrophilic material that increases in a lateral direction away from the median plane and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

24. The mattress of claim 23, wherein the density gradient of the hydrophilic material comprises an increasing cross-sectional area of multiple capillaries of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

25. The mattress as claimed in either claim 23 or claim 24, wherein the geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises an increasing plurality of branch channels that increase in number in a lateral direction away from the median plane and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

26. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer surface of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a liquid moisture permeable material capable of receiving the liquid moisture and channeling the liquid moisture to the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking the liquid moisture.

27. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one segment of the cover is removable.

28. The mattress of claim 27, wherein the at least one removable segment comprises one or more machine-washable materials.

29. The mattress as claimed in either claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the at least one removable segment comprises the at least one cover side.

30. The mattress of claim 29, wherein the at least one removable segment comprises: a first zipper track of a zipper that corresponds to a second zipper track of the zipper and the second zipper track is located at a first edge region of the first edge proximate to the proximal cover portion of the cover; and a third zipper track of an other zipper that corresponds to a fourth zipper track of the other zipper and the fourth zipper track is located at a second edge region of the second edge proximal to the distal cover portion of the cover.

31. The mattress of claim 29, wherein the at least one removable segment further comprises the proximal cover portion of the cover.

32. The mattress of claim 31, wherein the at least one removable segment further comprises: a first zipper track of a zipper that corresponds to a second zipper track of the zipper and the second zipper track is located at a second edge region of the second edge.

33. The mattress of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises one or more of: polypropylene, a polypropylene blend, hydrophilic-coated polyester, hydrophilic-coated nylon, hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, cotton, rayon, blends of hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, wool, and Merino wool, hydrophilic coated 100% polyester, rayon and cotton filament or polyester, rayon and cotton blended non-woven, spandex, elastane, Lycra® fiber, synthetic polymers, polyurethane, polyester with diisocyanate, hemp, linen, bamboo, X-Static® yarn, and/or combinations thereof.

34. A body-support pad or mat, comprising: a cover that encompasses an outer surface of the body-support pad or mat and that comprises a depth extending from a proximal portion of the body-support pad or mat that is proximate to one or more users of the body-support pad or mat to a distal portion of the body-support pad or mat that is distal to the one or more users of the body-support pad or mat; at least one cover side of the cover comprising at least one edge that extends along a periphery of the body-support pad or mat; a proximal cover portion of the cover that corresponds to the proximal portion of the body-support pad or mat, and the proximal cover portion is bound at the at least one edge to the at least one cover side; and a distal cover portion that corresponds to the distal portion of the body-support pad or mat, and the distal cover portion is bound at the at least one edge to the at least one cover side; wherein at least the proximal cover portion comprises one or more sublayers and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers comprises multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking liquid moisture; wherein a plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the body-support pad or mat, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side; wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

35. The body-support pad or mat of claim 29, wherein the one or more sublayers of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a barrier layer; wherein the barrier layer is at least substantially impermeable to the liquid moisture; wherein the barrier layer is located more distal to the one or more users of the body-support pad or mat than the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

36. The body-support pad or mat of claim 35, wherein the barrier layer is permeable to water vapor thereby being capable of dissipating water vapor through the barrier layer.

37. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in either claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the barrier layer occupies an entire area of the proximal cover portion; wherein the entire area of the proximal cover portion comprises a full length of the body-support pad or mat and a full width of the body-support pad or mat.

38. The body-support pad or mat in either claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more parts of the body-support pad or mat that occupy less than an entire area of the proximal cover portion; wherein the one or more parts of the body-support pad or mat that occupy less than the entire area of the proximal cover portion comprise a middle part of the body- support pad or mat that comprises the median plane.

39. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in one of claims 35-38, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more hydrophobic materials facing the proximal portion of the body-support pad or mat; wherein the one or more hydrophobic materials are capable of repelling the liquid moisture in the proximal direction to the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and away from the distal portion of the body-support pad or mat.

40. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in one of claims 35-39, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one hydrophobic material comprising a superhydrophobic material and/or coating having static contact angles greater than 150 degrees.

41. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in one of claims 35-40, wherein the barrier layer is in direct contact with the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

42. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in one of claims 35-41, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more hydrophobic coating treatments.

43. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is located on an opposite side of the median plane of the body-support pad or mat than a second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries; wherein the first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking in an opposite direction than the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

44. The body-support pad or mat of claim 43, wherein a central region, which comprises the median plane, of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a hydrophobic partition separating the first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries from the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

45. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sublayers of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a lattice comprising the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and one or more hydrophobic materials.

46. The body-support pad or mat of claim 45, wherein a portion of the lattice comprising the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and the one or more hydrophobic materials further extends across the at least one edge; wherein the portion of the lattice that extends across the at least one edge is geometrically arranged to disperse the liquid moisture along an outer surface of the at least one edge to facilitate evaporation of the liquid moisture across the at least one edge.

47. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in either claim 45 or claim 46, wherein the one or more hydrophobic materials comprises one or more of: nylon, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, cellulosic fabrics such as modal, high wet modulus rayon (HWM rayon), lyocell such as Tencel® a registered trademark of Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, rayon from bamboo, hydrophobic-coated 100% cotton filament, hydrophobic-coated cotton-blend non-woven material, hydrophobic-coated 100% rayon filament, hydrophobic-coated rayon-blend non-woven material, Gore-Tex® materials with Gore-Tex being a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, and/or combinations thereof, or the like.

48. The body-support pad or mat of as claimed in one of claims 34-44, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged in a mesh.

49. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in one of claims 34-44, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged in a declivous and substantially striated arrangement perpendicular to and extending from the median plane to the at least one edge.

50. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one edge comprises a removable attachment.

51. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one edge comprises one or more water-absorbent polymers.

52. The body-support pad or mat of claim 52, wherein the one or more water- absorbent polymers are capable of forming a hydrogel when contacted by the liquid moisture; wherein the at least one edge comprises a pocket and/or flap within which the hydrogel deposits to facilitate external access to the hydrogel.

53. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking the liquid moisture comprise a “push- pull” integrated knit fabric geometrically arranged to laterally “push” the liquid moisture away from the median plane that extends along the length of the body-support pad or mat and “pull” the liquid moisture towards the at least one edge.

54. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprise one or more hydrophilic chemical treatments that have been applied to one or more sets of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

55. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises a density gradient of hydrophilic material that increases in a lateral direction away from the median plane and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

56. The body-support pad or mat of claim 55, wherein the density gradient of the hydrophilic material comprises an increasing cross-sectional area of multiple capillaries of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

57. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in either claim 55 or claim 56, wherein the geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises an increasing plurality of branch channels that increase in number in a lateral direction away from the median plane and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

58. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer surface of the proximal cover portion of the cover comprises a moisture permeable material capable of receiving the liquid moisture and channeling the liquid moisture to the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking the liquid moisture.

59. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one segment of the cover is removable.

60. The body-support pad or mat of claim 59, wherein the at least one removable segment comprises one or more machine-washable materials.

61. The body-support pad or mat as claimed in either claim 59 or claim 60, wherein the at least one removable segment comprises the at least one edge.

62. The body-support pad or mat of claim 61, wherein the at least one removable segment further comprises: a first zipper track of a zipper that corresponds to a second zipper track of the zipper and the second zipper track is located at the at least one cover side of the cover.

63. The body-support pad or mat of claim 61, wherein the at least one removable segment further comprises the proximal cover portion of the cover.

64. The body-support pad or mat of claim 63, wherein the at least one removable segment comprises: a first zipper track of a zipper that corresponds to a second zipper track of the zipper and the second zipper track is located at an edge region of the distal cover portion.

65. The body-support pad or mat of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises one or more of: polypropylene, a polypropylene blend, hydrophilic-coated polyester, hydrophilic-coated nylon, hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, cotton, rayon, blends of hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, wool, and Merino wool, hydrophilic coated 100% polyester, rayon and cotton filament or polyester, rayon and cotton blended non-woven, spandex, elastane, Lycra® fiber, synthetic polymers, polyurethane, polyester with diisocyanate, hemp, linen, bamboo, X-Static® yarn, and/or combinations thereof.

66. A mattress covering, comprising: at least one cover side that extends along one or more sidewalls that comprise a periphery of a mattress; and a proximal cover portion that corresponds to a proximal portion of the mattress proximate to one or more users of the mattress and that is bound at an edge to the at least one cover side; wherein at least the proximal cover portion comprises one or more sublayers and at least one sublayer of the one or more sublayers comprises multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking moisture; wherein a plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries extend from a median plane, which extends along a length of the mattress, to a respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side; wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking of the liquid moisture in a substantially lateral direction away from the median plane and for a distance that extends from the median plane to at least the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

67. The mattress covering of claim 66, wherein the one or more sublayers of the proximal cover portion comprises a barrier layer; wherein the barrier layer is at least substantially impermeable to the liquid moisture; wherein the barrier layer is located more distal to the one or more users of the mattress covering than the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

68. The mattress covering of claim 67, wherein the barrier layer is permeable to water vapor thereby being capable of dissipating water vapor through the barrier layer.

69. The mattress covering as claimed in either claim 67 or claim 68, wherein the barrier layer occupies an entire area of the proximal cover portion.

70. The mattress covering in either claim 67 or claim 68, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more parts of the mattress covering that occupy less than an entire area of the proximal cover portion; wherein the one or more parts of the mattress covering that occupy less than the entire area of the proximal cover portion comprise a middle part of the mattress covering that comprises the median plane.

71. The mattress covering as claimed in one of claims 67-70, wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more hydrophobic materials facing the proximal cover portion of the mattress covering; wherein the one or more hydrophobic materials are capable of repelling the liquid moisture in the proximal direction to the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

72. The mattress covering as claimed in one of claims 67-71, wherein the barrier layer comprises at least one hydrophobic material comprising a superhydrophobic material and/or coating having static contact angles greater than 150 degrees.

73. The mattress covering as claimed in one of claims 67-72, wherein the barrier layer is in direct contact with the at least one sublayer that comprises the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

74. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is located on an opposite side of the median plane of the mattress covering than a second set the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries; wherein the first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged to provide and capable of providing unidirectional wicking in an opposite direction than the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

75. The mattress covering of claim 74, wherein a central region, which comprises the median plane, of the proximal cover portion comprises a hydrophobic partition separating the first set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries from the second set of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

76. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more sublayers of the proximal cover portion comprises a lattice comprising the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and one or more hydrophobic materials.

77. The mattress covering of claim 76, wherein a portion of the lattice comprising the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries and the one or more hydrophobic materials further extends across the at least one cover side; wherein the portion of the lattice that extends across the at least one cover side is geometrically arranged to disperse the liquid moisture along an outer surface of the at least one cover side to facilitate evaporation of the liquid moisture across the at least one cover side.

78. The mattress covering as claimed in either claim 76 or claim 77, wherein the one or more hydrophobic materials comprises one or more of: nylon, polyester, acrylic, modacrylic, cellulosic fabrics such as modal, high wet modulus rayon (HWM rayon), lyocell such as Tencel® a registered trademark of Lenzing Aktiengesellschaft, rayon from bamboo, hydrophobic-coated 100% cotton filament, hydrophobic-coated cotton-blend non-woven material, hydrophobic-coated 100% rayon filament, hydrophobic-coated rayon-blend non-woven material, Gore-Tex® materials with Gore-Tex being a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates, and/or combinations thereof, or the like.

79. The mattress covering as claimed in one of claims 66-75, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged in a mesh.

80. The mattress covering as claimed in one of claims 66-75, wherein the plurality of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries is geometrically arranged in a declivous and substantially striated arrangement perpendicular to and extending from the median plane to the at least one cover side.

81. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cover side comprises one or more water-absorbent polymers.

82. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking the liquid moisture comprise a “push-pull” integrated knit fabric geometrically arranged to laterally “push” the liquid moisture away from the median plane that extends along the length of the mattress and “pull” the liquid moisture towards the at least one cover side.

83. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprise one or more hydrophilic chemical treatments that have been applied to one or more sets of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

84. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises a density gradient of hydrophilic material that increases in a lateral direction away from the median plane and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

85. The mattress covering of claim 84, wherein the density gradient of the hydrophilic material comprises an increasing cross-sectional area of multiple capillaries of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries.

86. The mattress covering as claimed in either claim 84 or claim 85, wherein the geometric arrangement of the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries comprises an increasing plurality of branch channels that increase in number in a lateral direction away from the median plane and towards the respective most proximate lateral portion of the at least one cover side.

87. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer surface of the proximal cover portion comprises a moisture permeable material capable of receiving the liquid moisture and channeling the liquid moisture to the multiple sets of hydrophilic capillaries capable of wicking the liquid moisture.

88. The mattress covering of any one of the preceding claims, polypropylene, a polypropylene blend, hydrophilic-coated polyester, hydrophilic-coated nylon, hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, cotton, rayon, blends of hydrophilic nylon and conventional nylon, wool, and Merino wool, hydrophilic coated 100% polyester, rayon and cotton filament or polyester, rayon and cotton blended non-woven, spandex, elastane, Lycra® fiber, synthetic polymers, polyurethane, polyester with diisocyanate, hemp, linen, bamboo, X-Static® yarn, and/or combinations thereof. * * * * *