Bedding cover for preventing pest escapement or infestation via a zipper opening

Abstract

A bedding cover made of pest-impermeable fabric provides a zippered opening for insertion of mattresses, pillows, upholstered cushions and other bedding. At the end of the zipper track, where there may be a small opening when closed, a flap is attached to a plastic collar, which is stitched to the fabric cover at and around the end of the zipper track. The flap is adapted to fold over the end when the zipper is closed, providing a seal that prevents pests, such as bed bugs, from escaping the bedding cover or infesting the bedding.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bedding cover for preventing pest escapement or infestation, the bedding cover comprising:
 a bedding cover comprising an opening and a zipper that includes a zipper head and opposing zipper tracks surrounding the perimeter of the opening, wherein the zipper comprises an open position and a closed position;   an end location where the zipper head is positioned when the zipper is in the closed position,   a closure assembly including a collar and a flap, wherein the collar is mounted on the bedding cover and around and proximate the end location of the zipper, and further wherein the flap is mounted on one side to the bedding cover proximate the collar and is adapted to cover the end location of the zipper; and   wherein the collar and the flap comprise a sealing mechanism that attaches the flap to the collar and over the end location of the zipper.   
     
     
         2 . A bedding cover as described in  claim 1 , wherein the flap is mounted on one side to the collar. 
     
     
         3 . A bedding cover as described in  claim 1 , wherein the flap and collar comprise mating hook and loop fasteners on respective surfaces thereof for releaseably sealing and unsealing the flap onto the collar and over the end location of the zipper. 
     
     
         4 . A bedding cover as described in  claim 1 , wherein the flap is coated with a releasable adhesive for releasably sealing the flap to the collar and over the end location of the zipper. 
     
     
         5 . A bedding cover as described in  claim 1 , wherein the flap is coated with a pest repellant. 
     
     
         6 . A bedding cover as described in  claim 1 , wherein the flap is coated with a permanent adhesive for permanently sealing the flap to the collar and over the end location of the zipper. 
     
     
         7 . A bedding cover as described in  claim 1 , wherein the flap is comprised of a pest repellant. 
     
     
         8 . A bedding cover as described in  claim 1 , wherein the collar is mounted on the bedding cover around three sides of the end location of the zipper. 
     
     
         9 . A bedding cover for preventing pest escapement or infestation, the bedding cover comprising:
 a bedding cover comprising an opening and a zipper that includes a zipper head and opposing zipper tracks surrounding the perimeter of the opening, wherein the zipper comprises an open position and a closed position;   an end location where the zipper head is positioned when the zipper is in the closed position,   a closure assembly including a collar and a flap, wherein the collar is mounted on the bedding cover and around and proximate the end location of the zipper, and further wherein the flap is adapted to cover the end location of the zipper; and   wherein the collar and the flap comprise a sealing mechanism that attaches the flap to the collar and over the end location of the zipper.