Abstract:
An aromatic cover is provided. An aromatic cover includes a flexible enclosure defining an outer surface and an inner surface. A cartridge fastener is attached to the inner surface. The cartridge fastener is configured to releasably retain an aromatic cartridge containing a quantity of aromatic material at a semi-fixed position along the inner surface. An aroma-permeable region of the flexible enclosure is proximate to the semi-fixed position, wherein the aroma-permeable region is configured to allow for a release of the aromatic material from the aromatic cartridge to the outer surface.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to an aromatic cover, and more particularly to an aromatic cover for use as bed linen, such as a mattress or pillow protector. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Certain aromatic materials are known to induce sleep and have been incorporated into bed linens, including mattress and pillow protectors, for such purposes. However, regular aromatic bed linens usually do not allow for control over the placement and release of aromatic materials. For example, aromatic pillows generally do not allow for aromatic materials to be directed to a particular area of the body for maximized comfort. 
         [0003]    While providing a larger quantity of aromatic materials or lining an entire bed linen with aromatic materials may ultimately deliver more aromatic material to a user, there is always a possibly that such an untargeted solution can cause discomfort for certain users. In some cases, the unpleasantness may cause some users to avoid aromatic bed linens altogether. Further, unprotected aromatic materials may introduce dust mites, mold (via moisture infiltration) and other allergens to bed linens that, unless controlled, can make certain aromatic bed linens harmful to a user. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In an embodiment, a moisture and dust mite-resistant cover comprises a flexible enclosure defining an outer surface and an inner surface. A cartridge fastener is attached to the inner surface. The cartridge fastener is configured to releasably retain an aromatic cartridge at a semi-fixed position along the inner surface. An aroma-permeable region of the flexible enclosure is proximate to the semi-fixed position. An aromatic cartridge may be attached via the cartridge fastener at the semi-fixed location. The aromatic cartridge may comprise a quantity of aromatic material, and an aroma-permeable surface enclosing the aromatic material. The aromatic material may be controllably released via the aroma-permeable surface. The aroma-permeable region may be substantially equal in size and shape to the aromatic cartridge. The cartridge fastener may be one of a button, zipper, tie-string, or hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro®) type fastener. 
         [0005]    In accordance with an embodiment, the aromatic material may be infused with one of a lavender dry bud, potpourri, rose, sagebrush or chamomile aroma. 
         [0006]    In accordance with an embodiment, the flexible enclosure further comprises an open end and a closure means for closing the open end. The closure means may be one of a button, zipper, tie-string, or hook-and-loop (e.g., Velcro®) type fastener. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an embodiment, the flexible enclosure may be fabric and multi-sided, while the aroma-permeable region may be made of a microfilament (e.g., Evolon®) material. An intersection of at least two sides of the flexible enclosure may define an outer edge, and the aroma-permeable region may be directed along an outer edge of the flexible enclosure. The flexible enclosure may be sized and shaped to at least partially enclose one of a pillow or mattress. 
         [0008]    These and other advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an outer surface of an aromatic cover in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is another perspective view of an outer surface of an aromatic cover in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an inner surface of an aromatic cover in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a multi-sided aromatic cover in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a five-sided aromatic mattress cover in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a six-sided aromatic mattress cover in accordance with an embodiment; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another six-sided aromatic mattress cover in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIGS. 1-6  illustrate an aromatic cover in accordance with embodiments herein. The aromatic cover of the various embodiments allows for control over the placement and release of aromatic materials, including allowing for aromatic materials to be directed to a particular area of the body for maximized comfort in bed linens, such as mattress and pillow protectors. Further, the aromatic cover of the various embodiments includes protection against dust mites, mold (via moisture infiltration) and other allergens that can otherwise make bed linens harmful to a user. It should be noted that while the term linen as used herein may include bedding sheets, covers, spreads, etc. made of linen fabric, linen is also used herein as a general term for bedding sheets, covers, spreads, etc. which may incorporate, or be made wholly out of, other materials such as cotton, polyester knit, polyurethane (plastic), wool, cashmere or the like. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an outer surface of an aromatic cover in accordance with an embodiment. An aromatic cover  100  includes a flexible enclosure  102 . Flexible enclosure  102  defines an outer surface  104  and an inner surface, which is further described below. In one embodiment, flexible enclosure  102  may be substantially made of any flexible material, including fabrics such as cotton, polyester knit, linen, wool, cashmere or the like. 
         [0018]    Flexible enclosure  102  further includes one or more aroma-permeable regions  106 . In one embodiment, aroma-permeable regions  106  may be positioned at various locations along flexible enclosure  102 . In particular, aroma-permeable regions  106  may be positioned based on how aromatic cover  100  may be typically used. For example, aroma-permeable regions  106  may be positioned at head, foot and side locations relative to a typical user. 
         [0019]    An aroma-permeable region  106  includes a porous material for releasing aromatic material from an inner surface of flexible closure  102  to outer surface  104 . For example, the porous material of aroma-permeable region  106  may be a microfilament (e.g., Evolon®) material that is different from the material of the remainder of outer surface  104 . 
         [0020]    Flexible enclosure  102  may also include an open end  108 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . Open end  108  may be included for receiving, and at least partially enclosing within flexible enclosure  102 , a pillow, mattress or the like. For example, flexible enclosure  102  may include a fastener  110  for releasably closing open end  108 , such as a button, zipper, tie string, or hook-and-loop type fastener. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an inner surface of an aromatic cover in accordance with an embodiment. The inner surface  200  of flexible enclosure  102  includes aroma-permeable region  106 , a laminated fabric portion  202  and one or more cartridge fasteners  204 . In one embodiment, laminated fabric portion  202  reinforces flexible enclosure  102  in areas proximate to aroma-permeable region  106 . For example, laminated fabric portion  202  may prevent aroma-permeable region  106  from compromising the structural integrity of flexible enclosure  102 . As such, laminated fabric portion  202  may frame one or more edges of aroma-permeable region  106  as shown or, alternatively, extend along the entire length of aroma-permeable region  106 . 
         [0022]    The one or more cartridge fasteners  204  are configured to receive a cartridge  206 . Cartridge  206  comprises an aroma-permeable shell  208  that encloses and secures a quantity of aromatic material  210 . For example, aromatic material  210  may be a material infused with an aroma that is generally known to induce sleep or relaxation such as lavender dry bud, potpourri, rose or sagebrush. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, aroma-permeable shell  208  of cartridge  206  is substantially made of a fabric material (e.g., a brushed polyester knit material), such that cartridge  206  may be received by cartridge fasteners  204 . For example, cartridge fasteners  204  may be hook-and-loop type fasteners (e.g., one or more Velcro® strips) for releasably retaining cartridge  206  at a semi-fixed position along inner surface  200 . Alternatively, cartridge fasteners  204  may be button, zipper, or tie-string type fasteners. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, cartridge  206  may be received by cartridge fasteners  204  such that aroma-permeable region  106  is proximate to a semi-fixed position of cartridge  206 . For example, aroma-permeable region  106  may be substantially equal in size and shape to cartridge  206 , thereby contributing to a controlled release of aromatic material  210  from inner surface  200  to outer surface  104  via aroma-permeable region  106 . Alternatively, aroma-permeable region  106  may be positioned, sized or shaped to direct a controlled release of aromatic material  210  to specified locations along outer surface  104 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a multi-sided aromatic cover in accordance with an embodiment. Flexible enclosure  102  may be sized and shaped to partially or fully enclose various bed linens. In one embodiment, flexible enclosure  102  may comprise a multi-sided aromatic cover  300  for receiving and at least partially encasing a pillow. For example, an intersection of at least two sides of flexible enclosure  102  may define an outer edge  302 , and one or more aroma-permeable regions, e.g.,  106 A &amp; B, may be directed along one or more outer edges  302  (e.g., at head, foot and side locations relative to a typical user) such that a user may benefit from a release of aromatic material  310  via one or more cartridges (e.g.,  306 A &amp; B) regardless of the orientation of aromatic cover  300 . Alternatively, one or more aroma-permeable regions may be located along any surface of aromatic cover  300 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a five-sided mattress cover in accordance with an embodiment. Flexible enclosure  102  may be sized and shaped to enclose the top and skirt (i.e., side) surfaces of a mattress. For example, flexible enclosure  102  may enclose the top and skirt surfaces of a mattress, while leaving an open end  400  at an underside surface such that flexible enclosure  102  may be fitted over the mattress. For example, open end  400  of flexible enclosure  102  may be secured to a mattress via a fastener  402 , such as an elastic band-type lining. Alternatively, fastener  402  may be one of a button, zipper, tie string, or hook-and-loop type fastener. In one embodiment, one or more aroma-permeable regions  106  may be directed along one or more outer edges  404  of flexible enclosure  102  to controllably release aromatic material  410  from one or more cartridges  406 A &amp; B at a semi-fixed position along inner surface  200 . 
         [0027]    Alternatively, as shown in the perspective view of  FIG. 5 , flexible enclosure  102  can be sized and shaped to enclose all six sides of a mattress. For example, flexible enclosure  102  may enclose all six sides of a mattress by including a fastener  500  for closing open end  502 . Fastener  500  may be one of a button, zipper, tie string, or hook-and-loop type fastener that allows the flexible cover  102  to encase the mattress and be releasably sealed (e.g., to remove cover  102  from the mattress). In one embodiment, fastener  500  may be configured to prevent dust mites, mold and other allergens from entering flexible enclosure  102 . As in  FIG. 4  above, one or more aroma-permeable regions  106  may be directed along outer edges  504  of flexible enclosure  102  (e.g., at head and foot locations relative to a typical user) to controllably release aromatic material  510  from one or more cartridges  506 A &amp; B at a semi-fixed position along inner surface  200 . 
         [0028]    The perspective view of  FIG. 6  illustrates another alternative flexible enclosure  102  that can be sized and shaped to enclose all six sides of a mattress. For example, flexible enclosure  102  may enclose all six sides of a mattress by including a fastener  600  for closing open end  602 , and one or more aroma-permeable regions  106  may be directed along outer edges  604  of flexible enclosure  102  (e.g., at side locations relative to a typical user, such as at a location proximate to fastener  600 ) to controllably release aromatic material  610  from one or more cartridges  606 A &amp; B at a semi-fixed position along inner surface  200 . 
         [0029]    One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual aromatic cover may have other structures and may contain other components as well, and that  FIGS. 1-6  are a high level representation of some of the components of an aromatic cover for illustrative purposes. 
         [0030]    The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the invention disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure.