Patent attributes
An active mattress encasement which can be relatively easily installed or removed or rotated over a mattress supported by a foundation is disclosed. The encasement is formed to encapsulate a mattress and may include a top panel, a bottom panel and multiple side panels. One or more of the side panels are zippered together, In one embodiment, the un-zippered side panels, i.e. side panels without zippers, fixedly connect the top and bottom portions of the side panels. In another embodiment, an inflatable volume is integrated into the bottom panel. Alternatively, the inflatable volume may be integrated with a separate detachable cover and attached to the bottom panel by conventional means. The top and bottom panels, as well as the side panels may be made from a conventional materials. The underside of the top panel and optionally the inside of the side panels may be coated with a waterproof coating, such as polyurethane (TPU/PU), silicone, and/or urethane to form a waterproof membrane. In accordance with an important aspect of one embodiment of the invention, an interior surface of the bottom panel is formed with a slick surface while the exterior surface of the bottom panel is integrated with an inflatable volume. The inflatable volume faces outwardly and is adapted to be in contact with the foundation or optional bed skirt. In this embodiment, the exterior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement is formed at least partially with a non-slick surface. The non-slick surface provides a frictional relationship between the exterior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement and the foundation or bed skirt while the encasement is being installed or removed over a mattress. The slick interior surface of the bottom panel allows a mattress to be rotated, installed, or removed, once the bottom panel is juxtaposed between the mattress and the foundation in an application in which the encasement is unzipped and the top panel is disposed on the floor adjacent one end of the mattress. Alternatively, a separate detachable cover may be used to allow the mattress to be relatively easily installed or removed or rotated with the encasement fully installed on the mattress. Optional straps may be provided, fixedly attached to the encasement, to allow the encasement to be snugged against the mattress. This enables the encasement to be used with a relatively wide range of mattress sizes and still provide a snug fit.
