Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MATTRESS ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MATTRESS OVERLAY AND MULTIPLE
COVERS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[00011 This application claims priority to U.S, Provisional Application Serial
No.
62/029,871, filed July 28, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by this
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[00021 The present invention relates to mattress assemblies including a
mattress overlay
and multiple covers. In particular, the present invention relates to mattress
assemblies that
make use of a first cover for enclosing the mattress and a second cover for
covering a
mattress overlay and at least a top panel of the first cover.
BACKGROUND
100031 To protect a mattress and prevent it from becoming stained, torn, or
otherwise
damaged, mattresses are often surrounded by a mattress cover that completely
covers the top,
sides, and the bottom of the mattress. In most mattress covers, a zipper or
other similar
fastener is used to enclose the mattress cover on a single side or around a
bottom portion of
the mattress. Such mattress covers are often sufficient for protecting a
mattress. However, in
the event that the mattress cover does become stained, torn, or otherwise
damaged, it may be
exceedingly difficult to remove the mattress cover from the mattress and then
replace it with
a new or clean mattress cover. Additionally, mattress covers are almost always
made from
protective materials, such as plastics and coarse fabrics that prevent the
underlying mattresses
from becoming stained, torn, or otherwise damaged, but that can be irritating
or
uncomfortable to the skin of a user that comes into contact with such a
mattress cover.
[00041 In this regard, mattress covers are often covered with a fitted sheet
that completely
covers the top of the mattress cover, the sides of the mattress cover, and a
small portion of the
bottom edge of the mattress cover (as a result of a lower edge of the fitted
sheet being tucked
under the mattress). Those fitted sheets typically provide a softer surface on
which to rest the
body of a user, and also typically provide a layer of material that can easily
be removed and
then cleaned or replaced should the fitted sheet become stained, torn, or
otherwise damaged
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Nevertheless, it is often the case that fitted sheets slip off of the mattress
cover and the
underlying mattress, particularly when a mattress overlay is being used, and
can thus
potentially fail to provide a sufficient additional layer. Moreover, such
fitted sheets are often
made from materials that ultimately fail to protect the underlying mattress
cover or mattress
overlay as any staining or damage to the fitted sheet will also typically
affect the mattress
cover, mattress overlay, or both. Accordingly, a cover assembly that can be
used with a
mattress overlay, and that can be securely fastened to a mattress, or other
support cushion,
and provide a more sufficient layer of protection and functionality would be
both highly
desirable and beneficial.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention includes mattress assemblies comprising a
mattress overlay
and multiple covers. In particular, the present invention includes mattress
assemblies that
make use of a first cover for enclosing the mattress and a second cover for
covering a
mattress overlay and at least a top panel of the first cover.
[0006] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mattress
assembly is
provided that includes a mattress and a first cover having a top panel, a
bottom panel, and a
continuous side panel. The continuous side panel of the first cover can be
characterized as
including a head panel, a foot panel, and two opposing side panels that, with
the top panel
and bottom panel collectively define a cavity for enclosing the mattress, The
first cover
further includes a brand tag extending vertically along a portion of the foot
panel, as well as a
zipper that extends around a periphery of the bottom panel and is used to
secure the first
cover around the mattress.
[0007i The mattress assembly further includes a mattress overlay positioned
atop the top
panel of the first cover. Additionally included in the mattress assembly is a
second cover.
The second cover has a top surface and a bottom surface, and also defines a
perimeter. The
second cover of the mattress assembly is generally positioned over the
mattress overlay and
the top panel of the first cover and is dimensionally-sized to cover at least
the mattress
overlay and the top panel of the first cover. For example, in some
embodiments, the second
cover is dimensionally-sized to cover the mattress overlay, as well as the top
panel, the upper
halves of each opposing side panel, an upper edge of the foot panel, and an
upper edge of the
head panel of the first cover. By including such a second cover in an
exemplary mattress
assembly, the second cover is thus configured to cover and protect both the
mattress overlay
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and the portions of the underlying first cover and, consequently, the portions
of any mattress
underlying the first cover, that would be exposed to excessive wear and would
be at an
increased risk of becoming stained or damaged. Further, by including such a
second cover in
the mattress assembly, the second cover causes the upper halves of each
opposing side panel
to assume a more rounded configuration upon attachment of the second cover to
the first
cover.
100081 With respect to the mattresses and overlays that can be included in a
mattress
assembly of the present invention, various types of mattresses and mattress
overlays can be
used in accordance with the present invention including, but are not limited
to, mattresses and
mattress overlays comprised of flexible foam, mattresses and mattress overlays
that include a
number of inner springs, mattresses and mattress overlays that include one or
more air
bladders (e.g., one or more air bladders contained within a firm foam shell),
and
combinations of each of the foregoing. Regardless of the type of mattresses or
mattress
overlays included in an exemplary mattress assembly of the present invention,
however, an
exemplary mattress assembly further includes a fastener, such as a two-way
separating
zipper, that connects the second cover to the first cover along the perimeter
of the second
cover. By incorporating such a two-way separating zipper into the mattress
assembly, not
only can the second cover be easily removed from the first cover by moving the
zipper pulls
and slider bodies in opposite directions and unzipping the second cover from
the first cover
(e.g., to clean or replace the second cover), but the second cover can also be
easily reattached
to the first cover,
100091 To further take advantage of the configuration of the second cover and
to provide
an increased level of protection to the mattress overlay and the first cover,
as well as any
underlying mattress enclosed by the first cover, the bottom surface of the
second cover can,
in some embodiments, also include a water-impervious and vapor-permeable
material that
prevents liquids from traveling through the top surface and the bottom surface
of the second
cover into the mattress overlay, the first cover, and any underlying mattress,
but yet allows
vapors or moisture in the first cover or in any underlying mattress to
evaporate and travel
though the second cover. In this regard, to provide a first cover and a second
cover that is
sufficiently "breathable" and allows air, heat, and moisture to travel through
the mattress
assembly, but yet is also is sufficiently soft and durable, such that the
covers can be easily
cleaned and used to help prevent damage to any portion of the mattress
assembly, the first
cover, the second cover, or both are typically comprised of a textile. For
example, in some
embodiments, the second cover is comprised of cotton in order to make the
second cover
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sufficiently-durable and capable of protecting the mattress overlay and the
first cover, but yet
machine-washable and easily cared for, such that the second cover can be
removed from the
first cover, cleaned, and then reconnected to the first cover. In addition to
using a textile to
provide a level of protection to an underlying mattress, the first cover and
the second cover
also typically incorporate one or more flame-retardant materials into the
first cover and the
second cover to provide a flame-retardant barrier that completely surrounds an
underlying
mattress.
[00101 As a further refinement to the mattress assemblies of the present
invention, in
some embodiments, an exemplary mattress assembly also includes a brand tag
that is secured
to the foot panel of the first cover. An exemplary mattress assembly can also
include an
indicia on either the first cover, the second cover, or both the first cover
and the second cover
that is indicative of and that allows a user to visually identify a
characteristic of the particular
mattress and/or mattress overlay included in the mattress assembly. Such
indicia can include
patterns, colors, or combinations of patterns and colors, and can be
positioned at a variety of
different locations on the first and second cover. Regardless of the type or
location of the
indicia, however, the indicia is preferably used to indicate a characteristic
of the particular
mattress and/or mattress overlay that is included in the mattress assembly of
the present
invention. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, the firmness
or the type of a
particular mattress or mattress overlay that is included. Moreover, in some
embodiments,
multiple indicia can be included to indicate multiple characteristics of a
mattress or overlay.
100111 By placing indicia on the covers of the present invention, each of the
covers
described herein can also be used as part of a method for marking a mattress
assembly to
allow for visual identification of a characteristic of a mattress and/or a
mattress overlay. In
some implementations, a method for marking a mattress assembly to allow for
visual
identification of a characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay
includes first
providing a mattress assembly having a first cover for enclosing a mattress
and a second
cover positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover a mattress overlay and
at least the top
panel of the first cover. The top surface of the second cover is then marked
with a first
indicia that is indicative of a first characteristic of the mattress and/or
the mattress overlay,
such that a user can then visually identify a characteristic of the mattress
and/or the mattress
overlay by simply observing the mattress and associating the indicia with the
characteristic
(e.g. the firmness or type of the mattress and/or mattress overlay). In some
implementations,
a second indicia can then also be marked on the foot panel of the first cover,
the two
opposing side panels, or both the foot panel and the two opposing side panels,
where the
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second indicia is indicative of either the first characteristic of the
mattress and/or a mattress
overlay or is indicative of a second characteristic of the mattress and/or a
mattress overlay.
[00121 Further features and advantages of the present invention will become
evident to
those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of the description, figures,
and non-limiting
examples in this document.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. I is a perspective view of an exemplary mattress assembly made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary mattress
assembly of
FIG. 1, showing the second cover removed from the first cover and positioned
over a
mattress overlay;
100151 FIG, 3 is another perspective view of the exemplary mattress assembly
of FIG. 1,
showing the second cover partially removed from the first cover and folded
back over the
mattress overlay;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the mattress assembly of
FIG. I;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial, enlarged right side elevational view of the
mattress assembly of
FIG. I; and
100181 FIG. 6 is bottom view of the mattress assembly of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention includes mattress assemblies comprising a
mattress overlay
and multiple covers. In particular, the present invention includes mattress
assemblies that
make use of a first cover for enclosing the mattress and a second cover for
covering a
mattress overlay and at least a top panel of the first cover.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1-6, in one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a mattress assembly 10 is provided that includes a first cover 20
having a top panel
22, a bottom panel 24, and a continuous side panel 30. The continuous side
panel 30 of the
first cover 20 can be characterized as including a head panel 32, a foot panel
34, and two
opposing side panels 36, 38 that, with the top panel 22 and bottom panel 24,
collectively
define a cavity for enclosing a mattress (not shown). The first cover 20
further includes a
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brand tag 62 extending vertically along a portion of the foot panel 34. Also
included on the
first cover 20 is a zipper 60 that extends around a periphery 25 of the bottom
panel 24 and is
used to secure the first cover 20 around a mattress, as best shown in FIG. 6.
10021] The mattress assembly 10 further includes a mattress overlay 70 as well
as a
second cover 40. The second cover 40 has a top surface 42 and a bottom surface
44, and also
defines a perimeter 46. The second cover 40 of the mattress assembly 10 is
generally
positioned over the mattress overlay 70 and the top panel 22 of the first
cover 20 and is
dimensionally-sized to cover at least the mattress overlay 70 and the top
panel 22 of the first
cover 20, the area of which is indicated by the hatching that is partially
shown in FIG. 2 and
that designates a blue color for the top panel 22 of the first cover 20. In
particular, in the
mattress assembly 10, the second cover 40 is dimensionally-sized to cover the
mattress
overlay 70, the top panel 22, the upper halves 37, 39 of each opposing side
panel 36, 38, an
upper edge 35 of the foot panel 34, and an upper edge 33 of the head panel 32.
BY including
such a second cover 40 in the mattress assembly 10, the second cover 40 is
thus configured to
cover and protect both the mattress overlay 70 and the portions of the
underlying first cover
20 and, consequently, the portions of any mattress underlying the first cover
20, that would
be exposed to excessive wear and would be at an increased risk of becoming
stained or
damaged, namely the top panel 22, the upper halves 37, 39 of each opposing
side panel 36,
38, the upper edge 35 of the foot panel 34, and the upper edge 33 of the head
panel 32.
Further, by including such a second cover 40 in the mattress assembly 10, the
second cover
40 causes portions of the mattress overlay 70 and the upper halves 37, 39 of
each opposing
side panel 36, 38 to assume a more rounded configuration upon attachment of
the second
cover 40 to the first cover 20. Of course, numerous other sizes and
configurations for the
second cover 40 can also be readily selected as desired and can be
incorporated into a
particular mattress assembly to prevent damage or staining to a mattress
and/or mattress
overlay, or to alter the appearance of a mattress and/or mattress overlay
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. For
additional information
regarding cover assemblies that similarly include multiple covers, see, e.g.,
U.S. Patent
Application Serial Nos, 14/145,876, 14/145,863. 14/145,854, and 14/145,867,
each of which
was filed December 31, 2013, and each of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its
entirety,
100221 With respect to the mattresses and mattress overlays that can be
included in a
mattress assembly of the present invention, various types of mattresses and
mattress overlays
can be used in accordance with the present invention and covered by the
exemplary mattress
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covers described herein. Such types of mattresses and mattress overlays
include, but are not
limited to, mattresses and mattress overlays comprised of flexible foam,
mattresses and
mattress overlays that include a number of inner springs, mattresses and
mattress overlays
that include one or more air bladders (e.g., one or more air bladders
contained within a firm
foam shell), and combinations of each of the foregoing. For example, in the
exemplary
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, the overlay is comprised of a flexible visco-
elastic foam,
while the mattress (not shown) covered by the first cover 20 is an inner
spring mattress.
100231 With respect to the flexible foams used in the mattresses and mattress
overlays of
the present invention, to the extent that flexible foam is utilized, the
mattresses and overlays
are generally comprised of a flexible foam that has a low resilience as well
as a sufficient
density and hardness, which allows pressure to be absorbed uniformly and
distributed evenly
across the various mattresses and overlays. Such flexible foams include, but
are not limited
to: latex foam; reticulated or non-reticulated visco-elastic foam (sometimes
referred to as
memory foam or low-resilience foam); reticulated or non-reticulated non-visco-
elastic foam;
high-resilience polyurethane foam; expanded polymer foams (e.g., expanded
ethylene vinyl
acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene); and the like.
[00241 With respect to the hardness of the visco-elastic foams used in certain
of the
mattresses and flexible foam layers, suitable visco-elastic foams typically
have a hardness of
at least about 10 N to no greater than about 80 N, as measured by exerting
pressure from a
plate against a sample of the material to a compression of at least 40% of an
original
thickness of the material at approximately room temperature (i.e., 21 C to 23
C), where the
40% compression is held for a set period of time as established by the
International
Organization of Standardization (ISO) 2439 hardness measuring standard. In
some
embodiments, the viseo-elastic foam can have a hardness of about 10 N, about
20 N, about 30
N, about 40 N, about 50 N, about 60 N, about 70 N, or about 80 N to provide a
desired degree
of comfort and body-conforming qualities.
100251 With respect to the density of the visco-elastic foams used in certain
of the
mattresses and flexible foam layers, suitable visco-elastic foams have a
density that also
assists in providing a desired degree of comfort and body-conforming
qualifies, as well as an
increased degree of material durability. In some embodiments, the density of
the visco-
elastic foam used in the mattresses and overlays is no less than about 30
kg/Tn3 to no greater
than about 150 kg/m3. In some embodiments, the density of the visco-elastic
foam that is
used is about 30 kg/m3, about 40 kWat3, about 50 kg/m3, about 60 kg/m3, about
70 kg/in3,
about 80 kg/na3, about 90 kg/T(13, about 100 kg/m3, about 110 kg/m3, about 120
kg/m3, about
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130 kg/m3, about 140 kg/m3, or about 150 kg/ms. Of course, the selection of a
visco-elastic
foam having a particular density will affect other characteristics of the
foam, including its
hardness, the manner in which the foam responds to pressure, and the overall
feel of the
foam, but it should be appreciated that a visco-elastic foam having a desired
density and
hardness can readily be selected for a particular application or assembly as
desired.
[0026] Additionally, it should be appreciated that the visco-elastic foam used
in the
mattresses and overlays described for use with the mattress assemblies of the
present
invention need not be comprised of a single piece of visco-elastic foam, but
can be comprised
of multiple layers of visco-elastic foam with the layers having different
densities and
hardnesses. For example, in some embodiments, a visco-elastic foam mattress
can be utilized
that includes a lower supporting layer of visco-elastic foam with a density of
about 80 kgitn3
and a hardness of about 13 N, and an upper comfort layer of visco-elastic foam
with a density
of about 35 kg/m3 and a hardness of about 10 N.
[0027] Regardless of the type of mattresses or mattress overlays included in
an exemplary
mattress assembly of the present invention, and referring still to FIGS. 1-6,
the mattress
assembly 10 further includes a fastener in the form of a two-way separating
zipper 50 that
connects the second cover 40 to the first cover 20 along the perimeter 46 of
the second cover
40. As best shown in FIGS. 4-5, the two-way separating zipper 50 includes two
slider bodies
52a, 52b that are each connected to a zipper pull 53a, 53b. The zipper pulls
53a, 53b
preferably have an increased size relative to other zipper pulls used for
traditional mattress
covers to allow the slider bodies 52a, 52b to be easily moved along the
perimeter 46 of the
second cover 40. The slider bodies 52a, 52b are also each connected to the
track of the two-
way separating zipper 50, such that the slider bodies 52a, 52b can slide
around the track of
the zipper 50 and can be used to separate the second cover 40 from the first
cover 20 at any
desired position along the length of the two-way separating zipper 50. In this
regard, by
incorporating such a two-way separating zipper 50 into the mattress assembly
10, not only
can the second cover 40 be easily removed from the first cover 20 by moving
the zipper pulls
53a, 53b and slider bodies 52a, 52b in opposite directions and unzipping the
second cover 40
from the first cover 20 (e.g., to clean or replace the second cover 40), but
the second cover 40
can also be easily reattached to the first cover 20.
[0028] Further, by making use of a two-way separating zipper 50, the slider
bodies 52a,
52b and zipper pulls 53a, 53b can be positioned on the two-way separating
zipper 50, such
that the slider bodies 52a, 52b and zipper pulls 53a, 53b can be hidden from
sight when not in
use or can be positioned along the perimeter 46 of the second cover 40 where
the risk of the
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slider bodies 52a, 52b and zipper pulls 53a, 53b causing damage to the
mattress assembly 10,
or any underlying mattress, is minimized. For example, the slider bodies 52a,
52b can be
positioned adjacent to a panel of reinforcing fabric 54 on the perimeter 46 of
the second cover
40, as shown best in FIG. 5. The panel of reinforcing fabric 54 helps to
protect the second
cover 40 when a user grabs one or both of the zipper pulls 53a, 53b and begins
to move the
slider bodies 52a, 52b along the track of the zipper 50, but yet also helps to
identify the
location of the slider bodies 52a, 52b and zipper pulls 53a, 53b.
[00291 To further take advantage of the configuration of the second cover 40
and to
provide an increased level of protection to the mattress overlay 70 and the
first cover 20, as
well as any underlying mattress enclosed by the first cover 20, and referring
again generally
to FIGS. 1-6, the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40 can also include a
water-
impervious and vapor-permeable material. The water-impervious and vapor-
permeable
material included in the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40 can include
materials such
as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE, e.g., Gore-Tex , W. L. Gore &
Associates,
Inc., Newark, Delaware). In this regard, the water-impervious and vapor-
permeable material
included in the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40 thus prevents liquids
from traveling
through the top surface 42 and the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40
into the mattress
overlay 70, the first cover 20, and any underlying mattress, but yet allows
vapors or moisture
in the first cover 20 or in any underlying mattress to evaporate and travel
though the second
cover 40.
100301 To provide a first cover 20 and a second cover 40 that is sufficiently
"breathable"
and allows air, heat, and moisture to travel through the mattress assembly 109
but yet is also is
sufficiently soft and durable, such that the covers 20, 40 can be easily
cleaned and used to
help prevent damage to any portion of the mattress assembly 10, the first
cover 20, the second
cover 40, or both are typically comprised of a textile. For example, in the
embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-9, the second cover 40 is comprised of cotton in order to
make the second
cover 40 sufficiently-durable and capable of protecting the mattress overlay
70 and the first
cover 20, but yet machine-washable and easily cared for, such that the second
cover 40 can
be removed from the first cover 20, cleaned, and then reconnected to the first
cover 20. Of
course, 100% cotton materials, as well as numerous other textiles, including
silk and textiles
having varying percentages of cotton can also be readily used in any of the
mattress
assemblies described herein and can be selected for a particular mattress
assembly or a
particular application or type of mattress as desired.
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(0031] In addition to using a textile to provide a level of protection to an
underlying
mattress, the first cover 20 and the second cover 40 also typically
incorporate one or more
flame-retardant materials into the first cover 20 and the second cover 40. By
incorporating a
flame-retardant material (e.g., a fire sock) into the first cover 20, the
first cover 20 and the
second cover 40 thus provide a flame-retardant barrier that completely
surrounds an
underlying mattress, such as a visco-elastic foam mattress. Moreover, by
incorporating a
flame-retardant material into the second cover 40, the second cover 40 helps
to prevent any
flames or heated materials contacting the second cover 40 from damaging the
underlying
mattress overlay 70 and the first cover 20.
[00321 As an even further possible addition to the mattress assembly 10 that
increases the
comfort of a user, the first cover 20 can further include a charcoal sheet
that is incorporated
into the top panel 22 of the first cover 20, and is thus positioned to
eliminate or mitigate the
presence of any odors or chemicals present in or being emitted from the
mattress assembly 10
or, in particular, in a mattress enclosed by the first cover 20. For instance,
in some
embodiments, in which the first cover 20 is used to surround a newly-produced
mattress
comprised of a flexible foam, the charcoal sheet provides an effective means
to eliminate or
mitigate the gases and odors that are initially present in such mattresses. Of
course, such
charcoal sheets can also be incorporated into a second cover of an exemplary
mattress
assembly of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope
of the subject
matter described herein. In addition, although a charcoal sheet is preferably
used in
connection with mattress assemblies of the present invention as it is
sufficiently non-toxic
and can readily be incorporated into a cover for a mattress, it is
contemplated that the present
mattress assemblies can also readily incorporate other odor or gas eliminating
agents,
including more chemical-based coatings for eliminating odors or gases.
[0033] In yet further exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the
second cover
40 of the mattress assembly 10 can also include an amount of phase change
material
incorporated into the top surface 42 of the second cover 40. The phase change
material that
is incorporated into the top surface 42 of the second cover 40 is typically
comprised of
microspheres that include substances having a high heat of fusion and that
store or release
heat as the substances oscillate between solid and liquid form (i.e., phase
change materials).
As the phase change material included in the top surface 42 of the second
cover 40 changes
from solid to liquid form (i.e., melts) as the result of heat generated by a
user lying on the
mattress assembly 10, the phase change material thus continually absorbs heat
and provides a
cooling effect to the user until all of the phase change material has been
transformed from a
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solid to a liquid form. In the top surface 42 of the second cover 40, the
phase change material
can be incorporated into the top surface 42 by infusing and coating the top
surface 42 of the
second cover 40 with the microspheres of phase change material. However, it
is, of course,
contemplated that the phase change material need not be infused into and/or
used to coat only
the top surface 42 of the second cover 40, but could also be infused into
and/or used to coat
the bottom surface 44 of the second cover 40, or the top panel 22 of the first
cover 20 to
provide a sufficient amount of cooling to the body of a user lying on the
mattress assembly
10.
100341 As a further refinement to the mattress assemblies of the present
invention, the
mattress assembly 10 also includes a brand tag 62 that is secured to the foot
panel 34 of the
first cover 20. The brand tag 62 has a size sufficient to display a logo and
can be secured to
the foot panel 34 using a variety of means including glue, hook-and-loop
fasteners, stitching,
and the like. In some embodiments, unlike traditional brand tags in which a
fabric logo is
sewn to a cover or mattress, the brand tag 62 is typically made of a
sufficiently rigid material
(e.g., a plastic) and includes an interior pocket. In this regard, the brand
tag 62 can also be
used to store various materials in the interior pocket that may be associated
with the mattress
assembly 10 including, for example, warranty information for the underlying
mattress.
[00351 As an additional refinement to the mattress assemblies of the present
invention,
the mattress assemblies can also include an indicia on either the first cover,
the second cover,
or both the first cover and the second cover that is indicative of and allows
a user to visually
identify a characteristic of the particular mattress and/or mattress overlay
included in the
mattress assembly. Such indicia can include patterns, colors, or combinations
of patterns and
colors, and can be positioned at a variety of different locations on the first
and second cover.
For example, the mattress assembly 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 includes an indicia
in the form of
an interlocking circle pattern 80 that is positioned on the top surface 42 of
the second cover
40.
100361 Regardless of the type or location of the indicia, as noted, the
indicia is preferably
used to indicate a characteristic of the particular mattress and/or mattress
overlay that is
included in the mattress assembly of the present invention. Such
characteristics include, but
are not limited to, the firmness or the type (e.g., spring, foam, etc.) of a
particular mattress or
mattress overlay that is included. Moreover, in some embodiments, multiple
indicia can be
included to indicate multiple characteristics of a mattress or overlay.
[00371 By placing indicia on the covers of the present invention, each of the
covers
described herein can also be used as part of a method for marking a mattress
assembly to
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allow for visual identification of a characteristic of a mattress and/or a
mattress overlay. In
some implementations, a method for marking a mattress assembly to allow for
visual
identification of a characteristic of the mattress and/or a mattress overlay
includes first
providing a mattress assembly having a first cover for enclosing a mattress
and a second
cover positioned over and dimensionally-sized to cover a mattress overlay and
at least the top
panel of the first cover. The top surface of the second cover is then marked
with a first
indicia that is indicative of a first characteristic of the mattress and/or
the mattress overlay,
such that a user can then visually identify a characteristic of the mattress
and/or the mattress
overlay by simply observing the mattress and associating the indicia with the
characteristic
(e.g. the firmness or type of the mattress and/or mattress overlay). In some
implementations,
a second indicia can then also be marked on the foot panel of the first cover,
the two
opposing side panels, or both the foot panel and the two opposing side panels,
where the
second indicia is indicative of either the first characteristic of the
mattress and/or a mattress
overlay or is indicative of a second characteristic of the mattress and/or a
mattress overlay.
100291 Throughout this document, various references are mentioned. All such
references
are incorporated herein by reference, including the references set forth in
the following list:
REFERENCES
1. U.S. Patent No. 8,034,445 to Landvik, et al, issued Oct. 11, 2011, and
entitled
"Laminated Visco-Elastic Support."
2. U.S. Patent No, 8,025,964 to Landvik, et al., issued Sept. 27, 2011, and
entitled
"Laminated Visco-Elastic Support,"
3. U.S. Patent No. 7,979,374 to Landvik, issued July 12, 2011, and entitled
"Product
Demonstration System and Method for Using the Same."
4. U.S. Patent No. 7,735,169 to VVassilefsky, issued Jun. 15, 2010, and
entitled "Comfort
Pi I low."
5. U.S. Patent No. 7,707,670 to Fogg, issued May 4, 2010, and entitled
"Pillow top for a
Cushion."
6. U.S. Patent No. 7,555,615 to Landvik, issued June 30, 2009, and entitled
"Product
Demonstration System and Method for Using the Same."
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7. U.S. Patent No. 79507,468 to Landvik, et al., issued Mar. 24, 2009, and
entitled
"Laminated Visco-Elastic Support."
8. U.S. Patent No. 7,469,437 to Mikkelsen, et at, issued Dec. 30, 2008, and
entitled
"Reticulated Material Body Support and Method."
9. U.S. Patent No. 7,444,702 to Fogg, issued Nov. 4, 2008, and entitled
"Pillow top for a
Cushion."
10. U.S. Patent No. 7,415,742 to Wassilefsky, issued Aug. 26, 2008, and
entitled
"Comfort Pillow."
11. U.S. Design Patent No. D558,499 to Maarbjerg, issued Jan. 1, 2008, and
entitled
12. U.S. Patent No. 7,155,765 to Fogg, issued Jan. 2, 2007, and entitled
"Pillow top for a
Cushion."
13, U.S. Design Patent No. D529,325 to Maarbjerg, issued Oct. 3, 2006, and
entitled
14. United States Patent No. 7,082,633 to Maarbjerg issued Aug. 1, 2006 and
entitled
"Pillow."
15. U.S. Patent No. 7,051,389 to Wassilefsky, issued May 30, 2006, and
entitled
"Comfort Pillow."
16. U.S. Patent No. 6,866,915 to Landvik, issued Mar. 15, 2005, and
entitled "Cushion,"
17. U.S. Patent No. 6,602,579 to Landvik, issued Aug. 5, 2003, and entitled
"Cushion."
18. U.S. Patent No. 6,578,218 to Wassilefsky, issued Jun. 17, 2003, and
entitled "Leg
Spacer Pillow."
19. U.S. Patent No. 6,541,094 to Landvik, et al., issued Apr. 1, 2003, and
entitled
"Laminated Viseo-Elastic Support."
20. U.S. Design Patent No. D456,660 to Landvik, issued May 7, 2002, and
entitled
"Contoured Head Pillow."
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21, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0252562 by Mikkelsen, et
al., published
Oct 20, 2011, and entitled "Adjustable-Firmness Body Support and Method."
22. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0094803 by Fogg, published
May 3,
2007, and entitled "Pillow top for a Cushion."
23, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0288490 by Mikkelsen, et
al., published
Dec. 28, 2006, and entitled "Reticulated Material Body Support and Method."
24, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0277684 by Wassilefsky,
published
Dec. 14, 2006, and entitled "Comfort Pillow."
25. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0174414 by Maarbjerg,
published Aug.
10, 2006, and entitled "Pillow."
26. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2005/0202214 by Landvik,
published Sep.
15, 2005, and entitled "Cushion."
27. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0084667 by Landvik, et
al., published
Apr. 21, 2005, and entitled "Laminated Visco-Elastic Support."
28. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0076446 by Fogg, published
Apr. 14,
2005, and entitled "Pillow top for a Cushion."
29. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0073931 by Trussel Jr., et
al., published
Apr. 15, 2004, and entitled "Interactive Bed Display."
30. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0033351 by Landvik, et
al., published
Feb. 19, 2004, and entitled "Laminated Visco-Elastic Support."
31. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0171954 by Guerin, et al.,
published
Sep. 11, 2003, and entitled "Method of Managing the Provision of Healthcare
and
System for Effecting Same."
32. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0021438 by Landvik,
published Sep.
13, 2001, and entitled "Cushion."
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100301 One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional
embodiments or
implementations are possible without departing from the teachings of the
present invention or
the scope of the claims which follow. This detailed description, and
particularly the specific
details of the exemplary embodiments and implementations disclosed herein, is
given
primarily for clarity of understanding, and no unnecessary limitations are to
be understood
therefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in the art
upon reading this
disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
claimed
invention.
