Easily changeable absorbent panel for bed clothing

Abstract

The securing layer such as a fitted sheet is modified to provide one half of a fastener, such as a zipper, and a separable, absorbent panel as adapted to overlay the top surface of a mattress and to underlay and be in direct contact of the occupant on the mattress. The separable, absorbent panel includes another fastener portion, such as the other side of a zipper, so as to secure the absorbent panel to the securing layer. The first and second fastener portions are to be located on the side surface of the mattress at the top, outer circumference of the mattress when the securing layer is applied to the mattress. In this manner, the fastener cannot be easily accessed by an infant so as to prevent the infant from loosening and becoming entangled in the absorbent panel. However, the absorbent panel is easily removed for quick changes in case the occupant of the mattress such as a baby, soils the absorbent panel.

1 . Bed clothing comprising:
 a securing layer of material adapted to be in direct contact with a top surface and side surfaces of a mattress;   a separable, absorbent panel adapted to overlay all of said top surface of the mattress and to underlay and be in direct contact with an occupant on the mattress; and   a continuous, separable fastener including:   a first fastener portion mounted to an outer periphery of said absorbent panel; and   a second fastener portion mounted to said securing layer to be located on said side surfaces of the mattress at a top, outer circumference of the mattress when said securing layer is applied to said mattress,   wherein said first and second fastener portions are opposed, elongated, cooperating, configured surfaces intended to directly contact and interlock with each in a single plane, such that movement between said securing layer and said absorbent panel is restricted in the direction force is transmitted therebetween, and wherein said first fastener portion and said second fastener portion are easily associated and dissociated from each other.   
     
     
         2 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said continuous, separable fastener further comprises a slider. 
     
     
         3 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said slider includes a slide securing device that restricts the occupant from dissociating said first fastener portion and said second fastener portion from each other. 
     
     
         4 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said securing device is a lanyard fastenable to either said securing layer at a position an occupant on the mattress cannot easily reach or a bed structure at a position an occupant on the mattress cannot easily reach. 
     
     
         5 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent panel includes an absorbent layer to be in direct contact with the occupant on the mattress and a moisture restriction layer. 
     
     
         6 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent panel includes a first absorbent layer to be in direct contact with an occupant on the mattress when said absorbent panel is oriented one way and a second absorbent layer to be in direct contact with an occupant on the mattress when said absorbent panel is oriented another way, and a moisture restriction layer interposed between said first absorbent layer and said second absorbent layer. 
     
     
         7 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said a first absorbent layer includes a first applied decorative design and a second absorbent layer includes a second applied decorative design, wherein the first and second applied decorative designs are different from each other. 
     
     
         8 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said moisture restriction layer prevents moisture from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said moisture restriction layer resists moisture from passing therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said moisture restriction layer permits air to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent panel is embossed on at least one side. 
     
     
         12 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent panel is washable and reusable. 
     
     
         13 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent panel is disposable. 
     
     
         14 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said absorbent panel adapted to overlay all of and extend beyond said top surface of said mattress. 
     
     
         15 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said securing layer of material is adapted to cover all four side surfaces of a mattress. 
     
     
         16 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said securing layer of material is adapted to cover all four side surfaces of a mattress, and further comprises an elastic band secured to an outer edge of said securing layer. 
     
     
         17 . Bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said securing layer of material includes a corner which is preformed to surround the corner of a mattress. 
     
     
         18 . A crib sheet set comprising: bed clothing in accordance with  claim 1  and at least one of: bumper pads, pillow case, sconces, canopies, curtains, wall decorations and toys. 
     
     
         19 . An absorbent panel adapted to overlay all of a top surface of a mattress and to underlay and be in direct contact with an occupant on the mattress, said absorbent panel comprising:
 an absorbent layer to be in direct contact with the occupant on the mattress; and   a first fastener portion mounted to an outer periphery of said absorbent panel,   wherein said first fastener portion is adapted to engage a second fastener portion mounted to a securing layer, wherein the second fastener portion is to be located on side surfaces of the mattress at a top, outer circumference of the mattress when the securing layer is applied to the mattress, and   wherein first and second fastener portions are opposed, elongated, cooperating, configured surfaces intended to directly contact and interlock with each other in a single plane, such that movement between the securing layer and said absorbent panel is restricted in the direction force is transmitted thereto, and wherein said first fastener and the second fastener portion are easily associated or dissociated from each other in the form of a continuous, separable fastener.   
     
     
         20 . An absorbent panel in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising a moisture restriction layer.