EXPANDABLE MATTRESS COVER

A mattress cover includes a bottom panel, a top panel, a fixed side panel joined to the bottom panel and an expansion side panel joined to the fixed side panel and to the top panel. A fully separable expansion closure has a first part at an expansion panel upper edge and a second part at an expansion panel lower edge. When the expansion panel closure parts are engaged, the expansion panel is in an unexpanded state to define a first interior volume of the cover and the cover accommodates mattresses of a height in a first range of heights. When the expansion panel closure parts are disengaged, the expansion panel is in an expanded state to define a second interior volume of the cover larger than the first interior volume, and the mattress cover accommodates mattresses of a height in a second range of heights larger than the first range of heights.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to a mattress cover or ticking, and more particularly to an expandable mattress cover that can be used with mattresses of differing heights.

Mattress covers, also referred to as ticking, are the outermost covering for a mattress. A typical mattress cover is fabricated from a tightly woven cotton, poly or cotton/poly blend textile material. These covers are designed to protect the mattress as well as to protect the person sleeping on the mattress. Mattress covers are distinguished from mattress pads or protectors in that they are part of the manufacture or fabrication of a mattress. That is, they are a manufacturer applied outermost covering of the mattress.

Mattresses are available in a wide variety of heights or thicknesses. Mattress heights can vary from 5 inches to as much as 21 inches, the most common mattress heights being 8, 10 and 12 inches. Typically, a mattress manufacturer will manufacture a variety of mattresses spanning all or some range of heights.

Standard mattress covers are likewise provided in distinct heights from 8 inches to as much as 18 inches for each distinct mattress height, with the most common heights being 8, 10 and 12 inches. As such, mattress manufacturers must maintain an inventory of mattress covers that span the range of mattress heights for mattresses that they manufacture. This can be problematic when covers for a given mattress height are not available in inventory for mattresses in production, or when there are too many covers for a mattress height that is not in demand or is no longer manufactured.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a mattress cover that can be used with a variety of mattress heights. Desirably, such a cover can be readily adapted for use with differing mattress heights with minimal labor required to make such a change. More desirably still, such a mattress cover can reduce the number of different covers needed in inventory to maintain manufacturing production levels.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an expandable mattress cover or ticking includes a bottom panel, a top panel opposite the bottom panel, a fixed side panel, an expansion side panel and a top panel. The fixed side panel has an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge of the fixed side panel is joined to the bottom panel. The expansion side panel has an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge of the expansion side panel is joined to the upper edge of the fixed side panel and the upper edge of the expansion panel joined to the top panel.

A fully separable expansion closure has a first part at the expansion panel upper edge and a second part at the expansion panel lower edge. When the expansion panel closure first and second parts are fully engaged with one another the expansion panel is in an unexpanded state to define a first interior volume of the mattress cover and the mattress cover accommodates mattresses of a first range of heights. When the expansion panel closure first and second parts are fully disengaged with one another the expansion panel is in an expanded state to define a second interior volume of the mattress cover larger than the first interior volume of the mattress cover and the mattress cover accommodates mattresses of a second range of heights larger than the first range of heights.

In an embodiment, the mattress cover further includes a mattress closure positioned between the bottom panel and the fixed side panel. The mattress closure is openable to access an interior of the cover for inserting a mattress into the interior space. The mattress closure can be, for example, a zipper. The zipper can be a closed end zipper. In embodiments, the fully separable expansion closure is a separating zipper.

The expansion panel has a height that can be about 20% to 25% of a height of the fixed side panel. Alternatively, the expansion panel can have a height that is less than about 20% of a height of the fixed side panel, or the expansion panel can have a height that is greater than about 25% of a height of the fixed side panel. In an embodiment, the fixed panel height is about 8 inches and the expansion panel height is about 2 inches. In another embodiment, the fixed panel height is about 10 inches and the expansion panel height is about 2 inches.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps, and processes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described one or more embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment described or illustrated.

FIGS.1and2are perspective schematic illustrations of an expandable mattress cover10according to an embodiment described herein.FIG.1shows the cover10in an unexpanded or contracted state on a mattress and FIG.2shows the cover10in an expanded state.

The cover10includes, generally, a base or bottom panel12, a fixed side panel14, an expansion side panel16(referred to herein as the expansion panel) and a top panel18. As described below, a variable volume interior region or space20is defined by the bottom panel12, fixed side panel14, expansion side panel16and top panel18.

The fixed side panel14is joined to and extends upwardly from the bottom panel18a predetermined height hf. A first or mattress closure22is positioned between the bottom panel12and the fixed side panel16and is configured to open to access the interior20of the cover10. The mattress closure22is provided for inserting a mattress into the cover10and is closed once the mattress is positioned in the cover10. This is intended to be a manufacturer carried out procedure.

In a current embodiment, the mattress closure22is a zipper, such as a closed bottom or closed end zipper, in which the mating teeth are retained joined to one another at an end or bottom of the zipper by, for example, a zipper stop. This is so that the zipper is opened for inserting a mattress into the cover and10is closed to contain the mattress.

The expansion panel16is joined to the fixed side panel14at about an upper edge24of the fixed side panel14, and a lower edge26of the expansion panel16. The top panel18is joined to the expansion panel16at about an upper edge28of the expansion panel16. The panels14/16can be joined to one another by stitching or the like. In embodiments, the expansion panel upper edge28is fully joined to the top panel18at a periphery29of the top panel18, and the expansion panel lower edge26is fully joined to the fixed side panel upper edge24. In this configuration there is no access to the interior20of the cover10at the top panel18/expansion side panel14juncture38or at the expansion panel16/fixed side panel14juncture40.

A second or expansion closure32has a first part34at about and joined to the expansion panel lower edge26and a second mating part36at about and joined to the expansion panel upper edge28. The expansion closure32is a fully separable closure such that when in an open state the first and second parts34,36are fully separated from one another.

In a current embodiment the expansion closure32is a zipper, such as a separating zipper. In this manner, the two portions of the zipper, that is, the two portions34,36of the zipper tape/teeth can be fully separated from one another. Such zippers typically include a retainer box on one tape/teeth end and an insertion pin on the other tape/teeth end. As such, when the expansion zipper32is closed, the expansion panel16is contracted or unexpanded as seen inFIG.1to define a first, smaller interior volume20a, and when the expansion zipper32is open, the expansion panel16can be fully expanded as seen inFIG.2to define a second, larger interior volume20b.

In a current embodiment, the fixed side panel14has a predetermined height hf, such as 8 inches, and in the unexpanded state, the cover10accommodates a lower height mattress. The expansion panel16likewise has a predetermined height he, such as 2 inches, so that in the expanded state, the cover10can accommodate mattresses having heights up to about 10 inches. In another embodiment, the fixed side panel14has a predetermined height hf, such as 10 inches, and in the unexpanded state, the cover10accommodates a lower height mattress. The expansion panel16likewise has a predetermined height he, such as 2 inches, so that in the expanded state, the cover10can accommodate mattresses having heights up to about 12 inches. That is, in these embodiments, the expansion panel can have a height that is about 20% to 25% of a height of the fixed side panel. Other embodiments are anticipated, for example, an 8 inch high fixed side panel14and a 4 inch high expansion panel16to accommodate mattresses from about 8 inches to about 12 inches, a 14 inch high fixed side panel14and a 4 inch high expansion panel to accommodate mattresses having heights of 14 inches to 18 inches.

This arrangement provides tremendous flexibility and economies of scale for mattress manufacturers. Having, for example, only 2 different size covers10, each of which can accommodate a range of mattress heights is a savings in inventory, inventory management, costs and labor. It also reduces the likelihood of waste when, for example, a particular height mattress is discontinued.

The ability to expand a cover10size also allows the manufacturer to add layers on top of a mattress, inside of the cover10. For example, one or more additional layers can, with the cover10unexpanded, create a Euro or tight-top mattress, while the same cover can be used in the expanded state to create a pillow top mattress. The layers can also be used to provide different comfort levels. These comfort layers can be used to increase or decrease softness and/or firmness of the mattress as desired. The expandable cover10also allows for changing from a pillow top mattress (extra layer of cushioning on top of the mattress with the cover in an expanded state or a Euro top mattress (additional layer of cushioning, as noted above, inside of the cover10, with the cover in an unexpanded state).

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the top panel18of the cover10can be formed from a wide variety of materials. It is anticipated that the top panel18, fixed side panel14, and bottom panel12will, for example, be formed from typical cover materials, such as tightly woven cotton, poly or cotton/poly blend textile material, or a knitted material. Likewise, it is anticipated that the expansion panel16will be made from tightly woven cotton, poly or cotton/poly blend textile material to provide the same wearability and durability as the top18, fixed side14and bottom12panels. It will also be appreciated that the various panels (bottom12, fixed side14, expansion16and top18panels) can be fabricated from different materials as desired by the cover or mattress manufacturer.

It is understood that the examples described above and shown in figures are not limiting. Various combinations of the different features described above, including different combinations of materials, layers and closures are envisioned. That is, various features from one of the embodiments above may be implemented and/or used together with other embodiments described herein.

It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.