Anti-Microbial Mattress and Improved Support Core

Abstract

A mattress includes a liquid impermeable layer and at least one anti-microbial layer. A support core with expanded polystyrene beads is also disclosed.

1 . A mattress comprising:
 a support core;   an anti-microbial fabric layer for partially covering a portion of the support core;   a liquid impermeable layer below the anti-microbial fabric layer;   said anti-microbial fabric layer being completely removable from the liquid impermeable layer so that the anti-microbial fabric layer may be removed from the liquid impermeable layer for washing.   
   
   
       2 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  further including a removable, anti-microbial top cover removably secured to one of the anti-microbial fabric layer or the liquid impermeable layer. 
   
   
       3 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 2  wherein the anti-microbial top cover is quilted. 
   
   
       4 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the top cover includes anti-microbial fiber batting. 
   
   
       5 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 3  wherein the top cover includes a washable foam batting. 
   
   
       6 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the liquid impermeable layer is a plastic such as polyvinyl chloride. 
   
   
       7 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the liquid impermeable layer constitutes a barrier to body ash. 
   
   
       8 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  further including a secondary support layer disposed below the liquid impermeable layer. 
   
   
       9 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the secondary support layer consists of a sleep surface unit selected from the group consisting of an innerspring unit, a foam support unit, an air support unit, and a flotation support unit. 
   
   
       10 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the liquid impermeable layer is disposed above the support core. 
   
   
       11 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the liquid impermeable layer is disposed below the support core. 
   
   
       12 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least some of the materials constituting the mattress are fire resistant. 
   
   
       13 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support core includes a plurality of expanded polystyrene beads. 
   
   
       14 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the expanded polystyrene beads are partitioned into sections. 
   
   
       15 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the beads are partitioned by means of belts. 
   
   
       16 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the beads are partitioned by means of baffles. 
   
   
       17 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the support core includes a support core component selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, latex foam, memory foam, a fluid filled chamber, a gel layer, particulated foam, fiber, fiber with an oxygenating capability, polyethylene foam, an innerspring, and magnets. 
   
   
       18 . A mattress comprising:
 a resilient container defining an interior volume, said resilient container having a length and a width sufficient to support a human user;   a plurality of expanded polystyrene beads filling a substantial part of the interior volume.   
   
   
       19 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  further including a conventional mattress disposed below the mattress formed by the beads in the resilient container. 
   
   
       20 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the mattress formed by the beads in the resilient container is removably secured to the conventional mattress. 
   
   
       21 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  further including a plurality of baffles disposed in the resilient container to partition the interior volume into sections. 
   
   
       22 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 21  wherein at least one of the baffles has opening formed therein to allow limited movement of beads from one section to another. 
   
   
       23 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  further including a cover over the resilient container. 
   
   
       24 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein at least some of the beads have a first diameter and at least some of the beads have a second diameter. 
   
   
       25 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein at least some of the beads have a first density and at least some of the beads have a second density. 
   
   
       26 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein at least some of the beads have a first weight and at least some of the beads have a second weight. 
   
   
       27 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein at least some of the beads have a first value of a preselected physical characteristic and at least some of the beads have a second value of said characteristic, said beads having the first value being primarily disposed in a first section of the mattress, and said beads having the second value being primarily disposed in a second section of the mattress. 
   
   
       28 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  further including a base for the mattress and at least one belt for removably securing the mattress to the base, said belt further partitioning the mattress into at least two sections. 
   
   
       29 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 28  further including a hook and pile fastener on the mattress. 
   
   
       30 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the hook and pile fastener secures the mattress to the base. 
   
   
       31 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the hook and pile fastener secures the mattress to a second mattress. 
   
   
       32 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 28  wherein the base includes a layer of support foam. 
   
   
       33 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 28  further including a cover surrounding the mattress and at least a portion of the base. 
   
   
       34 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 33  wherein the cover is removable. 
   
   
       35 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the container is formed with three separate sections to prevent migration of beads from one section to another. 
   
   
       36 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the container is tufted. 
   
   
       37 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  further including a closeable opening into the container to permit the addition or removal of beads into and from the interior volume. 
   
   
       38 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the resilient container is disposed above a main support core of the mattress. 
   
   
       39 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the mattress includes a top quilted panel, the resilient container being disposed below the top quilted panel. 
   
   
       40 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the resilient container is removably disposed inside a mattress cover. 
   
   
       41 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 40  wherein the mattress cover includes a slide fastener which is openable to allow access to the resilient container. 
   
   
       42 . A mattress comprising:
 a top cover formed of an anti-microbial material that is permeable to liquid;   a liquid impermeable layer removably secured to the top cover, said liquid impermeable layer being disposed below the top cover so that a human user does not lay directly on the liquid impermeable layer;   a support core disposed below the liquid impermeable layer, so that the liquid impermeable layer prevents liquid moving through the top cover to the support core.   
   
   
       43 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 42  wherein the top cover is washable and removable from the support core. 
   
   
       44 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 42  wherein the liquid impermeable layer is removably secured to the top cover by a first fastener. 
   
   
       45 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 44  wherein the top cover is secured to the remainder of the mattress by a second fastener. 
   
   
       46 . The mattress as set forth in  claim 42  wherein the support core includes a support core component selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, latex foam, memory foam, a fluid filled chamber, a gel layer, particulated foam, fiber, fiber with an oxygenating capability, polyethylene foam, an innerspring, and magnets.