U.S. patent application number 11/676180 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for liquid-impermeable mattress cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to Handelshuset Alden & Olsson ApS. Invention is credited to Lars THYGSEN.
Application Number | 20070199155 11/676180 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38442655 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199155 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THYGSEN; Lars |
August 30, 2007 |
LIQUID-IMPERMEABLE MATTRESS COVER
Abstract
A mattress cover 1 comprising an upper layer 2a having a hem 5,
a padding 3 provided under the upper layer 2a, and a
liquid-impermeable backing layer 4, wherein the liquid-impermeable
layer 4 is fastened to the upper layer 2a, at the hem 5 of the
upper layer 2a and at least at two or more additional points
10.
Inventors: |
THYGSEN; Lars; (Havdrup,
DK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
1900 K STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1109
US
|
Assignee: |
Handelshuset Alden & Olsson
ApS
Glostrup
DK
|
Family ID: |
38442655 |
Appl. No.: |
11/676180 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60816874 |
Jun 28, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/737 ;
5/699 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/005 20130101;
A47C 31/105 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/737 ;
005/699 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/00 20060101
A47G009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2006 |
EP |
06120923.5 |
Jun 28, 2006 |
DK |
PA 2006 00866 |
Jun 12, 2006 |
DK |
BA 2006 00169 |
Claims
1. A mattress cover comprising an upper layer having a hem, a
padding provided under the upper layer, and a liquid-impermeable
backing layer, wherein the liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to
the upper layer at the hem of the upper layer and at least at two
or more additional points.
2. A mattress cover according to claim 1, wherein the upper layer
and the padding are joined by quilting.
3. A mattress cover according to claim 1, wherein the
liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper layer and the
padding by inverted stitching so that the liquid-impermeable layer
is not penetrated by the stitching.
4. A mattress cover according to claim 3, wherein the
liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper layer and the
padding by quilting.
5. A mattress cover according to claim 1, wherein the
liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper layer and the
padding by pin-sonic or other heat setting processes.
6. A mattress cover according to claim 1, wherein the padding is
made from polyester hollow fibres or other synthetic fibres.
7. A mattress cover according to claim 1, wherein the fabric of the
liquid-impermeable layer is made from polyester or other synthetic
composition.
8. A mattress cover according to claim 1, wherein the
liquid-impermeable layer comprises a laminated fabric.
9. A mattress cover according to claim 1, wherein the
liquid-impermeable layer comprises a fabric having a
liquid-impermeable coating.
10. A mattress cover according to claim 9, wherein the coating of
the liquid-impermeable layer is made from polyurethane, acrylic or
the like.
11. A mattress cover according to claim 1, further comprising a
peripheral skirt, adjustable straps, anchor style elastic bands in
combination or as individual methods for fixation of the mattress
cover on a mattress.
12. A method of manufacturing a mattress cover comprising an upper
layer having a hem, padding provided under the upper layer, and a
liquid-impermeable backing layer, said method comprising the steps
of: joining the upper layer and the padding; fastening a
liquid-impermeable layer to the upper layer at the hem of the upper
layer and at least at two or more additional points.
13. A method of manufacturing a mattress cover according to claim
12, wherein said liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper
layer and the padding by inverted stitching so that the
liquid-impermeable layer is not penetrated by the stitching.
14. A method of manufacturing a mattress cover according to claim
13, wherein the liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper
layer and the padding by quilting.
15. A method of manufacturing a mattress cover according to claim
13, wherein the liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper
layer and the padding by pin-sonic or other heat setting
processes.
16. A method of manufacturing a mattress cover according to any of
claim 12 wherein the liquid impermeable layer is provided by
coating a sheet of synthetic fibres.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to mattress covers, also known
as mattress protectors or pads, and in particular to mattress
covers that are impermeable to liquid such as water, sweat, urine
etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Different types of protection are used to protect bed
mattresses against e.g. urine. It is particularly relevant at
hospitals and nursery homes, but it may also be desired at e.g.
hotels or in private homes. A simple solution is to place a plastic
film under the sheet, but that is uncomfortable to lie on due to
the accumulated heat, the noise, and the relatively low friction
and thereby sliding of the sheet on the plastic film. Furthermore,
these products are often disposable or non-washable. The mattress
protection item is often desired to provide a certain comfort as
well as protecting the mattress from liquids such as urine and
sweat. Mattress covers are known in the art, having a quilted
padded bolster, and a liquid-impermeable layer fastened to the
bolster along the edges thereof. Such mattress covers are very
difficult to handle in a washing and drying process and in the
succeeding making of the beds. The reason is that the impermeable
layer and the rest of the mattress cover are movable relative to
each other and therefore easily form folds in the impermeable layer
and/or causes seam slippage. In order to provide a sufficiently
impermeable membrane, the impermeable backing layer of these known
mattress covers are formed by a laminated liquid-impermeable
membrane. A further disadvantage of the known mattress cover is
that the laminated impermeable layer makes a noise when the person
lying in the bed moves around.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
mattress cover which is impermeable to liquid, such as water,
sweat, urine etc. even after a large number of washes.
[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
mattress cover that is comfortable to lie on.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
mattress cover that is easy to handle in an industrial laundry.
[0006] It is a further object of the present innovation to provide
a mattress cover that can withstand washing and cleaning at
temperatures high enough to remove all unwanted kinds of bacteria,
without the cover loosing any of its properties necessary to
fulfill its purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the invention may be obtained by a mattress
cover comprising an upper layer having a hem, a padding provided
under the upper layer, and a liquid-impermeable backing layer,
wherein the liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper layer
at the hem of the upper layer and at least at two or more
additional points. The mattress cover may further comprise a lower
layer between the padding and the liquid-impermeable layer.
[0008] In one embodiment the upper layer and the padding are joined
by quilting.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment the liquid-impermeable layer is
fastened to the upper layer and the padding by inverted stitching
so that the liquid-impermeable layer is not penetrated by the
stitching. Hereby it is obtained that the liquid-impermeability of
the mattress cover is maintained and the layer is fixed.
[0010] The liquid-impermeable layer may be fastened to the upper
layer and the padding by quilting. Alternatively, the
liquid-impermeable layer may be fastened to the upper layer and the
padding by pin-sonic or other heat setting processes.
[0011] Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment the padding
is made from polyester hollow fibres or other synthetic fibres.
[0012] Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment the fabric
of the liquid-impermeable layer is made from polyester,
polyurethane or other synthetic composition.
[0013] In the choice of material for the mattress cover, it must be
ensured that it can be completely disinfected from unwanted
bacteria through an industrial washing process, and that the fibres
maintain their other properties (e.g. liquid-impermeability,
colour, softness, strength etc) when submitted to such washing
processes. By forming the various parts of the mattress cover in
synthetic fibres this can be obtained at lower washing temperatures
than what is necessary for natural fibres such as cotton or other
celluloid fibres.
[0014] In an embodiment, the liquid-impermeable layer comprises a
laminated fabric.
[0015] In another embodiment, the liquid-impermeable layer of the
mattress cover comprises a fabric having a liquid impermeable
coating. The coating of the liquid-impermeable layer may preferably
be made from polyurethane, acrylic or the like. Alternatively, the
liquid-impermeable layer may be formed by a laminated fabric.
[0016] In any of the above mentioned embodiments, the mattress
cover may further comprise a peripheral skirt, adjustable straps,
anchor style elastic bands in combination or as individual methods
for fixation of the mattress cover on a mattress.
[0017] The object of the invention may also be obtained by a method
of manufacturing a mattress cover comprising an upper layer having
a hem, a padding provided under the upper layer, and a
liquid-impermeable backing layer, said method comprising the steps
of: joining the upper layer and the padding; fastening a
liquid-impermeable layer to the upper layer at the hem of the upper
layer and at least at two or more additional points.
[0018] In one embodiment of the method of manufacturing a mattress
cover the liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper layer
and the padding by inverted stitching so that the
liquid-impermeable layer is not penetrated by the stitching.
[0019] In an embodiment the liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to
the upper layer and the padding by quilting. Alternatively, the
liquid-impermeable layer is fastened to the upper layer and the
padding by pin-sonic or other heat setting processes.
[0020] In an embodiment the liquid impermeable layer is provided by
coating a sheet of synthetic fibres.
[0021] The invention is particularly useful in hospitals, nursery
homes and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] In the following the invention and in particular preferred
embodiments thereof will be described in detail with reference to
the drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1, schematically and in a sectional view shows a prior
art mattress cover formed by a tick having a padding, and a
liquid-impermeable layer fastened thereto;
[0024] FIG. 2 shows schematically and in a sectional view a
mattress cover according to an aspect of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 3, in a perspective view, shows an embodiment of the
mattress cover shown in FIG. 2 before the liquid-impermeable layer
4 is fastened thereto;
[0026] FIG. 4, schematically and in a sectional view shows a
mattress cover according to another aspect of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 5, in a perspective view, shows an embodiment of the
mattress cover shown in FIG. 4; and
[0028] FIG. 6, in a sectional view shows the mattress cover shown
in FIG. 3, further comprising a peripheral skirt for fixation of
the mattress cover on a mattress;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a prior art mattress cover 1
comprising a tick 2 formed by an upper layer 2a and a lower layer
2b, a padding 3, and a liquid-impermeable layer 4. The
liquid-impermeable layer 4 is only fastened to the tick 2 at the
hem 5 thereof.
[0030] FIGS. 2 and 4 show a mattress cover 1 according to two
aspects of the invention. According to the first aspect of the
invention shown in FIG. 2, the tick of the mattress cover 1
comprises an upper layer 2a and a lower layer 2b, a padding 3 there
between and a liquid permeable layer 4, forming a backing of the
mattress cover 1.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows schematically that the tick 2 and the padding 3
are joined e.g. by quilting before the liquid-impermeable layer 4
is fastened thereto. The actual pattern of the quilting may differ
from the one illustrated in FIG. 3. The liquid-impermeable layer 4
is fastened to the tick 2 at the hems 5 and a number of positions
(10, see FIG. 6) across the surface, where the fastening positions
may follow the quilting pattern . The fastening should be carried
out by a method that does not destroy the liquid-impermeable
coating such as inverted quilting/stitching which does not
penetrate the liquid-impermeable layer 4. The quilting/stitching
must penetrate the padding 3 and the upper layer 2a for proper
fixation of these layers, or it may only involve the
liquid-impermeable layer 4 and the lower layer 2b adjacent thereto
(if layer 2b is used). The quilting/stitching may be made in any
desired pattern. An alternative method for fixation may be
pin-sonic or other known heat setting processes.
[0032] According to the second aspect of the invention shown in
FIG. 4, the mattress cover 1 comprises an upper layer 2a, a padding
provided under the upper layer 2a and a liquid permeable membrane
or layer 4 forming a backing for the mattress cover and
substituting the lower layer 2b in the first aspect of the
invention.
[0033] In both aspects, the liquid-impermeable layer 4 comprises a
fabric and a coating (not shown) or a laminated fabric. When a
coating is used, the coating is preferably added to the fabric
before the joining of the mattress cover 1 to ensure an even and
liquid-impermeable surface. The coating may typically be
polyurethane, but other materials, such as PTFE, that ensure the
liquid impermeability of the layer may also be used.
[0034] For all embodiments, the properties of the materials must
not be significantly influenced by a large number of washes at
temperatures high enough to ensure the necessary cleaning of the
actual material used for the mattress cover 1. As an example, the
mattress cover 1 may be made from polyester fabric for the tick 2
and hollow polyester fibres for the padding 3. The fabric of the
liquid-impermeable layer 4 may also be polyester which may have a
looser texture than the tick 2.
[0035] Fastening of the liquid-impermeable layer 4 to the rest of
the mattress cover 1 ensures that they do not move relative to each
other. Thereby both the handling of a mattress cover 1, such as
during washing and making of the bed is improved compared to a
mattress cover 1 where the layers are only joined at the hem 5.
[0036] The impermeability of the mattress cover 1 may be tested
e.g. by simply pouring a glass of water on the upper fabric 2a of
the mattress cover 1 and checking that is it does not penetrate the
liquid-impermeable layer 4. Since the product is expected to have
to be washed a large number of times, it must also be ensured that
it is still liquid-impermeable after a significant number of washes
at the necessary temperatures.
[0037] The impermeability of the mattress cover has been tested in
accordance with DS/EN 20811:1993 by accredited laboratory.
Furthermore the mattress cover has been tested in accordance with
and complies with DS/EN 1276 and DS/EN 1040. These tests performed
on mattress covers having tick made from synthetic fibres at both
60.degree. and 95.degree. wash.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows schematically a sectional view of a mattress
cover 1 having a peripheral skirt 6 to cover, wholly or partly, the
sides of a mattress (not shown) on which the mattress cover 1 is
placed. A purpose of such a skirt 6 is to keep the mattress cover 1
in place both when making the bed and when the bed is in use.
Another purpose may be to protect the sides of the mattress, and
still another purpose may be for aesthetic reason. The skirt 6 may
have an elastic band 7 at the hem 5 to ease the placing of the
mattress cover 1. It may also comprise other means for placing and
keeping the mattress cover in position, such as adjustable straps
or anchor style elastic bands (not shown). Such straps or elastic
bands may also be used for fastening a mattress cover not
comprising skirts.
[0039] The above describes a mattress cover but it is also within
the scope of the invention to concept for making other products
such as pillow covers/protectors/pads, seat covers for cars,
blankets etc.
* * * * *