Mattress having a light-transmissive cover and method of using

Abstract

A mattress with a light-transmissive cover directed at preventing the hiding of contraband in institutional facilities. The mattress has a solid or partially solid core and a light-transmissive cover that envelops the core. A light-transmissive reinforcement section may be provided in the cover. When provided as a mattress for an inmate in a confinement area, the mattress permits visual inspection for contraband hidden in the mattress by looking through the light-transmissive cover of the mattress.

1 . A mattress comprising: 
 a liquidless core that is at least partially solid; and    a cover that binds and envelops the core, the cover being light-transmissive to allow visual inspection of the core.    
   
   
       2 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the core is completely solid.  
   
   
       3 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of sections, each section joined to another section at a seam.  
   
   
       4 . The mattress of  claim 3 , wherein the seam is positioned substantially on a vertical side of the mattress.  
   
   
       5 . The mattress of  claim 3 , wherein the seam is light-transmissive.  
   
   
       6 . The mattress of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the sections is a reinforcing section.  
   
   
       7 . The mattress of  claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing section is comprised of scrim.  
   
   
       8 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the core is constructed of a plurality of pieces aligned and contained by the cover.  
   
   
       9 . A mattress comprising: 
 a core at least partially including a solid material; and    a cover that envelops the core, the cover having a light-transmissive section in direct contact with the solid material to allow visual observation of the solid material.    
   
   
       10 . The mattress of  claim 9 , wherein the cover further comprises an opaque section.  
   
   
       11 . The mattress of  claim 9 , wherein substantially the entire cover is light-transmissive.  
   
   
       12 . The mattress of  claim 9 , wherein the cover comprises a light-transmissive scrim.  
   
   
       13 . The mattress of  claim 9 , wherein the cover is comprised of a multiple pieces, at least one of which is a reinforcing material.  
   
   
       14 . The mattress of  claim 9 , wherein the cover binds the core.  
   
   
       15 . The mattress of  claim 14 , wherein the core is comprised of multiple members.  
   
   
       16 . A method of preventing the hiding of contraband in a mattress in institutional facilities, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a mattress for an inmate in a confinement area;    visually inspecting for contraband in the mattress by looking through a light-transmissive cover of the mattress;    wherein the light-transmissive cover allows visual detection of contraband within the mattress.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of visually inspecting for contraband occurs from a location exterior to the confinement area.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing any contraband detected during the visual inspection.  
   
   
       19 . A mattress for use in institutional facilities comprising: 
 an interior means within the mattress for supporting the weight of a body; and    a cover for enveloping the interior means, the cover including means for permitting visual inspection of the contents within the cover.    
   
   
       20 . A mattress comprising: 
 a partially solid core; and    a cover that envelops the core, the cover being at least partially light-transmissive to allow visual inspection of the contents within the cover, the cover being at least partially comprised of scrim.    
   
   
       21 . The mattress of  claim 20  wherein the scrim is light-transmissive.  
   
   
       22 . The mattress of  claim 20  wherein the scrim is positioned at a high stress area of the mattress.