Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/160,295, filed May 12, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to mattress covers and particularly to a fabric mattress cover with an opening sufficient to receive a mattress and a zipper closure for said opening, where the zipper closure includes a buckle lock, preferably a quick release lock, for ensuring that the zipper remains closed. In one embodiment, the fabric and the zipper of said mattress cover are intended to bar travel of bed bugs through the cover or any space between the zipper into or out of the mattress or from feeding or biting through the mattress cover. Although generally described in the context of a mattress cover, the invention is applicable to any covering or encasement intended to prevent entry of bed bugs into or escape by bed bugs therefrom through a fastened closure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Mattress covers are generally known for basic protection of mattresses, and to provide a removable and cleanable encasement when soiled. As it became known that bed bugs may reside and multiply within mattresses, and come out and bite and feed off humans while they are sleeping or bite or feed through the cover, mattress covers have been developed which are intended to prevent egress or ingress of bed bugs through the mattress cover. 
         [0004]    Bed bugs may reside not only in mattresses but in upholstery of furniture and are found in homes, theaters, luggage and vehicles, and have been carried in the clothing of people who have gotten them from any of many possible sources. 
         [0005]    Mattress covers designed to protect against bed bugs are of great interest lately because of a recent epidemic in the United States, Europe and elsewhere of bed bugs not only in mattresses but in offices and even in seats in a large movie theater in New York City. The epidemic is so severe and widespread that, for example, New York State recently passed a law designated The Bed bug Disclosure Act which requires owners and lessors of residential space to notify new rental tenants of any bed bug infestations that have occurred in the building and in the specific rental unit during the past year, where a tenant is contemplating residence. 
         [0006]    An article in The New York Law Journal dated Sep. 2, 2010 shows that complaints of bed bug infestations in New York were more than twenty times as high in 2009 as they were in 2004, the source of this information being the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development. 
         [0007]    There are a number of reasons for this epidemic, including (a) the massive amount of international travel where bed bugs are imported unwittingly by persons or in luggage, and (b) current statutes barring certain insecticides which previously tended to keep the bed bug population under control. There may be additional reasons regarding the sources of this massive infestation of bed bugs or explanations for how they are transported from place to place; however, the focus of the present invention concerns first, efforts to contain bed bugs that are already in mattresses, mattress platforms and box springs, cushions, pillows, and covers and encasements therefore, and thus to prevent bed bugs from escaping to feed on humans sleeping or sitting on such articles, and second, to prevent bed bugs from entering such articles and encasements. As will be appreciated, the benefits of this invention may be utilized also for upholstered furniture and other products. Since fabrics resistant to bed bug penetration are known, the area of concern of this invention is escape of bed bugs or entry of bed bugs through the closure devices such as due to an incomplete zipper closure or a failure to properly position the zipper lockdown tab of a zipper closure. 
         [0008]    The prior art includes numerous conventional mattress covers with zipper closures intending to address this problem, one particular example being prior art patent U.S. Pat. No. 7,552,489 disclosing a mattress cover with an inner bed bug barrier strip that is situated below the zipper tracks, extends a short distance in the proximal direction from the closed end of the zipper toward the open end, and is sewn to the cover along parallel paths outward of the zipper tracks to form a tunnel below the tracks, intended to block or isolate bed bugs. 
         [0009]    In another prior art mattress cover the zipper tracks of the zipper closure section extend beyond the mattress cover encasement, and the extending zipper track portion folds back on itself with Velcro® (hook and loop) type fastening. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE NEW INVENTION 
       [0010]    In recognizing the great potential for discomfort, inconvenience, expense and danger from bed bugs exiting mattresses while persons sleep on such mattresses or attack humans with their feeding tubes extended through a mattress cover into human skin, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a mattress cover whose zipper closure blocks bed bugs from exiting a mattress and also blocks bed bugs from entering a mattress, and thus blocks these bed bugs from biting and feeding on persons sleeping on such mattresses. It is presumed that the fabric of the mattress cover will be bed bug-proof against bed bugs biting or feeding through the fabric or passing through the fabric. 
         [0011]    A further object is to provide a mattress cover with a buckle closure for ensuring that the zipper remains closed. The buckle closure includes a first part that is attached to the mattress cover and a second part that is attached to the zipper pull, also known as a zipper tab. The second part can be attached at any location of the zipper pull, including the zipper pull loop. Alternatively, the second part can be attached directly to the zipper in place of the zipper pull, so that a separate zipper pull is not used. 
         [0012]    A further object is to provide a mattress cover with an external barrier flap having an adhesive surface that can be folded down to overlie the end portion of the closed zipper, and adhere tightly onto attachment strips fixed to the cover adjacent the closure ends of the zipper tracks and the zipper pull. This structure is designed to block egress of any bed bugs that have traveled past and outward of the zipper in the area of the closed zipper pull. 
         [0013]    A still further object is to provide a more bed bug-proof mode of closure by the zipper tab at the closure end of the zipper tracks. A preferred embodiment of the present invention employs an external barrier flap having an adhesive surface that folds down onto the zipper tab in its closed position at the closure end of the zipper tracks, this flap then holding the tab in its locked down state which bars it from moving away from its closed position. The flap also serves as a visual confirmation that the tab is closed and locked down. Also the flap&#39;s adhesive surface is moldable onto the tab and the zipper tracks and into grooves adjacent said tracks to further block any possible avenues of egress of bed bugs. A still further function of the adhesive surface is to capture any bed bugs that come in contact with it. Thus, the fold-down adhesive flap can provide a plurality of different combinations of sealing functions against egress of bed bugs from within or entry of bed bugs into a mattress cover or other encasements. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide a mattress cover as described above, where the external barrier flap has its adhesive surface covered by a peel-off protective sheet to prevent the adhesive surface from inconveniently adhering to parts of the cover or to other things it may contact prior to the time when the zipper is closed and ready for sealing with the flap. 
         [0015]    An additional object is to form the above-described attachment strips of a vinyl plastic with a smooth external surface to which the adhesive surface of said external barrier strip will readily, tightly and releasably adhere. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide a mattress cover as described above with an external barrier flap that is attached distally or downstream of the zipper closure before it is folded down to seal atop the closure ends of the zipper tracks and the zipper pull. In this embodiment, the external barrier flap can be positioned so that the end of the zipper track is positioned (i) near the midpoint of the length of the flap or (ii) near either end of flap or (ii) anywhere else relative to the flap that is suitable to provide the intended results as discussed herein. 
         [0017]    An additional object is to provide an external barrier flap that is attached laterally of said zipper closure area and folded down transversely across the ends of the zipper tracks and the zipper pull in its closed state. In this embodiment, the external barrier flap can be positioned so that the end of the zipper track is positioned (i) near the midpoint of the length of the flap or (ii) near either end of flap or (ii) anywhere else relative to the flap that is suitable to provide the intended results as discussed herein. 
         [0018]    A still additional object is to provide an external barrier strip as described in any of the objects above where adhering material is on one or both of (a) said inner surface of said external barrier flap, or (b) said outer surfaces of said attachment strips, with a protective peel-off strip removably secured onto each of said adhering surfaces. 
         [0019]    A further object is to provide a mattress cover as described above with an internal barrier strip in addition to said external barrier flap, the internal strip fixed to said cover along one side of one zipper track and adapted to lie transversely across and beneath both tracks to serve as a further barrier or at least obstacle to egress of bed bugs from an encased mattress. 
         [0020]    An additional object is to provide in kit form a mattress cover according to any of the above-described embodiments where the external barrier flap is initially unattached to the mattress cover, but is removably attachable to the attachment strips or to cover areas adjacent the zipper tracks. The adhesive coating on the bottom or underside of the external barrier flap, besides sealing the closure area of the zipper, can provide a flypaper-like benefit for capturing any bed bugs that reach that point of egress. Also, the flap when sealed closed provides a visual affirmation that the zipper has been closed and the external seal is in place. 
         [0021]    Objects and advantages of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a fragmentary top end perspective view of the new mattress cover with the zipper shown in a closed state, 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  is an enlarged fragmentary top end perspective view of the new mattress cover of  FIG. 1A , showing the zipper in partially closed state and attachment strips exposed, 
           [0024]      FIG. 1C  is similar to  FIG. 1B , showing the zipper in fully closed state, with the external barrier flap in partially folded down position, 
           [0025]      FIG. 1D  is similar to  FIG. 1C , with the external barrier flap fully folded down and adhered to attachment strips, 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary end elevation view of the mattress cover of  FIGS. 1A and 1C , showing the zipper in closed state and the external barrier flap in its partially folded-down position, 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A  is a fragmentary sectional elevational view taken along line  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 2 , showing said zipper closure with the external barrier flap in its partially folded-down position, 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B  is similar to  FIG. 3A , showing said external barrier flap sealed down onto said zipper closure, and the internal barrier strip pressed up against the underside of the zipper tracks, as it would be by an encased mattress, 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view generally similar to  FIG. 1C , but representing a second embodiment of the new mattress cover, and 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a fragmentary perspective view generally similar to  FIG. 1C , but representing a third embodiment of the new mattress cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    For convenience and clarity in describing these embodiments, similar elements or components appearing in different figures will have the same reference numbers. 
         [0032]    The new mattress cover  10  shown in  FIG. 1A  has top wall  12 , bottom wall  13 , side walls  14 ,  15  and openable end wall  16  with zipper  17  formed of zipper tracks  18 ,  19 , extending along the length of end wall  16  and further extending partially around the corners  20 A,  20 B of the cover and along the side walls  14 ,  15  respectively. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D  illustrate stages of zipper closure, where  FIG. 1B  shows the zipper  17  closed in the area  17 A and open in the area of  17 B all the way to the end  17 C. Thus, zipper pull  21 , alternately called zipper tab, has closed area  17 A of the zipper upstream in the direction of arrow  17 D. At the open end  17 C zipper tracks  18 ,  19  are slightly spaced apart. Also in  FIG. 1B  the external barrier flap  23  is shown in its upward partially folded-down position with its bottom adhesive coated surface  23 A covered by a protective strip  24 .  FIGS. 1B and 1C  show vinyl strips  26 ,  27  fixed to cover  10  adjacent the end portions of zipper tracks  18  and  19 . 
         [0034]    A buckle closure is provided and has a first part  51  that is attached to the side wall  14  of the mattress cover and a second part  52  that is attached to the zipper pull  21 , whereby said first part and said second part are securely engaged by a user when said zipper is closed (see  FIGS. 1C and 1D ). In the illustrated example, the first part  51  and second part  52  include the following components. The first part  51  includes a durable piece of fabric  51 A that is stitched or otherwise secured to the side wall  14  of the mattress cover. A first connection part  51 B is secured to the fabric  51 A at its free end. The first connection part  51 B includes two lateral prongs having a memory retaining quality and which spring back to their original orientation after being pressed inward. The second part  52  also includes a durable piece of fabric  52 A having a first end and a second end. The first end of the fabric  52 A is secured to the zipper pull  21 . A second connection part  52 B is secured to the second end of the fabric  52 A. The second connection part  52 B includes a cavity forming an opening at its distal end. The cavity is adapted to receive the two lateral prongs, which snap into position and lock the buckle closure together (see  FIGS. 1C and 1D ). 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1C and 1D  illustrate completion of the zipper closure process of  FIG. 1B , showing zipper pull  21  moved into its final closure position, drawing together zipper tracks  18 ,  19 . The buckle closure is shown in its locked position, where connection parts  51 B and  52 B are joined together in a snap-fit relationship. The buckle closure will remain locked until a user manually squeezes together the two lateral prongs to allow the separation of the parts. 
         [0036]    Reviewing the zipper closure stages,  FIGS. 1C and 3A  show exterior barrier flap  23  in its partially folded-down position, and  FIGS. 1D and 3B  show external barrier flap  23  in its fully folded-down and sealed position atop vinyl strips  26 ,  27  and zipper tracks  18 ,  19 . In this sealed or closed position adhesive surface  23 A of flap  23  tightly adheres to the outer surfaces of vinyl strips  26 ,  27  and to exposed top surfaces of zipper tracks  18 ,  19 , and to any exposed upper surface of zipper pull  21 , thus sealing off any opening that might have existed in the area of the terminal end zipper closure where pull  21  is positioned adjacent the terminal ends of zipper tracks  18 ,  19 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 1C and 3A  further illustrate peel-off strip  24  exposing adhesive surface  23 A of barrier flap  23 . As indicated, strip  24  is peeled off flap  23  just before flap  23  is fully folded down to engage vinyl strips  26 ,  27 . It would be an optional alternative to have the adhesive surface and peel-off strip on vinyl strips  26 ,  27  for subsequent adherence to flap  23  instead of peel-off strip and adhesive on flap  23 . 
         [0038]    In still further variations attachment strips  26 ,  27  are not required to be vinyl, but could be any material, surface or coating to which external barrier flap can be securely adhered. 
         [0039]    In a still further alternative structure the adhesive surface would be replaced with Velcro® (hook and loop) or similar engageable layers on the flap and vinyl strips respectively. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a further feature and embodiment of the present invention, namely the above-disclosed structure with the further element of an internal barrier strip  40  which is an elongated strip extending the full or partial length of the zipper opening. Strip  40  has opposite side edges  41  and  42 , with only one edge sewn to the cover  10 , and accordingly the remainder of internal flap  40  can hang down freely away from the zipper closure. In  FIG. 3B  internal barrier strip  40  is shown horizontally as it would appear if a mattress were inside the mattress cover, and the mattress was then pushing upward as indicated by arrows  44  against the bottom of internal barrier strip  40 . Otherwise, the barrier strip  40  is free to hang as seen in dashed line representation  40 A in  FIG. 3A . This strip  40  may be sewn at one or both of its ends which correspond to ends of the zipper tracks themselves. When employing both external barrier flap  20  and internal barrier strip  40  along with attachment strips  26 ,  27 , all potential openings for bed bugs to exit a mattress cover are restricted, namely any path beneath and toward the zipper closure, the junction of the zipper pull with the ends of the zipper tracks, any path beyond the zipper pull. 
         [0041]    A second embodiment of the above-described invention is shown in  FIG. 4  where external barrier flap  30  is secured to cover  10  on one side of zipper track  19 , and adapted to fold transversely across and seal to both attachment strips. Peel-off strip  32  exposes adhesive surface  31 . 
         [0042]    A third embodiment of the above-described invention is shown in  FIG. 5 , where the external barrier flap and attachment strips described above are not utilized or required. In this embodiment the buckle closure is secured between the side wall  14  and the zipper pull  21  as described above. The buckle closure ensures that the zipper remains closed when said zipper is in its closed state to prevent penetration or passage therethrough by bed bugs. The buckle closure should be attached at an appropriate location on the side wall  14 , such that the zipper pull  21  is unable to move after the snap fit closure of the buckle is made by the user. 
         [0043]    The new mattress cover is preferably constructed of polyester knit fabric and urethane laminate that is impervious to penetration or passage therethrough by bed bugs; however other fabrics may be used if they are bed bug proof against bed bugs feeding through, biting through or traveling through the fabric. Conventional zippers may be used, so long as they too are bed bug proof. The attachments strips are preferably vinyl sheet material, but other materials are acceptable they are suitable for releasable attachable to the external barrier flap. The external barrier flap is preferably a conventional fabric tape with an adhesive material or coating on one side and a peel-off protection sheet on the adhesive side. 
         [0044]    The above-described mattress cover structures provide apparatus embodiments of the present invention, which can also be defined as a method of achieving secure releasable closure against exit of bed bugs from within a mattress cover. 
         [0045]    Such method, with a mattress cover having a zipper closed opening, comprises the steps:
       a. providing generally flat attachment strips on the outer surfaces of the mating zipper tracks near their closure end,   b. providing an external barrier flap with a first part thereof fixed to said cover near said zipper closure end, with a main part thereof extending from said first part and situated in its open position spaced apart from said zipper closure end, where said main part has one adhesive surface covered by a peel-off protective sheet,   c. closing said zipper, after inserting a mattress within said cover, by moving the zipper pull to the closure ends of said tracks,   d. securing a buckle closure having a first part that is attached to the mattress cover, and a second part that is attached to the zipper pull, whereby said first part and said second part are securely engaged by a user when said zipper is closed, and   e. removing said peel-off protective sheet and folding said main part adhesive surface down onto said attachment strips for sealing said zipper closure.       
 
         [0051]    While the invention has been described in conjunction with several embodiments, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1