Bedding article having a cooling insert

Abstract

A bedding article is provided. A bedding article may include a mattress pad, a pillow shell, comforter, blanket and/or a pillow protector. The bedding article includes a first layer having a first edge region defining a size and a shape of the first layer. The first layer includes a gel pack, the gel pack having an outer surface storing a gel therein. The gel is configured to provide temperature control, and in particular a cooling effect to a user in contact with the bedding article. The bedding article may alternatively include a mesh insert including a plurality of apertures configured to allow ambient air adjacent to a first side of the bedding article to fluidly communicate with air adjacent to a second side of the bedding article.

1 . A bedding article comprising:
 a first layer having a first edge region defining a size and a shape of the first layer, the first layer comprising a gel pack, the gel pack having an outer surface and storing a gel therein.   
     
     
         2 . The bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the gel pack defines the first edge region of the first layer. 
     
     
         3 . The bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer further comprises a first material and the gel pack is secured to the first material. 
     
     
         4 . The bedding article of  claim 3 , wherein the first material defines the first edge region, and includes an opening having a size and shape, wherein the gel pack has a size and shape substantially the same as the size and shape of the opening, and is positioned in the opening and secured to the first material about a periphery of the gel pack. 
     
     
         5 . The bedding article of  claim 3 , wherein the first material defines the first edge region and an area of the first layer and the gel pack is disposed on the first material. 
     
     
         6 . The bedding article of  claim 5 , wherein the gel pack is secured to the first material by stitching or adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The bedding article of  claim 6 , where the gel pack is secured to the first material by stitching, and the stitching forms at least one seam about a periphery of the gel pack. 
     
     
         8 . The bedding article of  claim 3 , further comprising a cover layer having a cover layer edge region, wherein a first portion of the cover layer edge region is secured to the first material to define a pocket between the cover layer and first material, and an opening to the pocket is formed along a second portion of the cover layer edge region such that the gel pack may be received in the pocket through the opening and secured to the first material by the cover layer. 
     
     
         9 . The bedding article of  claim 8 , further comprising a fastener disposed along the second portion of cover layer edge region and a mating fastener disposed on the first material adjacent to the second portion of the cover layer edge region, such that the opening to the pocket may be selectively opened or closed with the fastener and mating fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The bedding article of  claim 1 , further comprising skirting extending around the first edge region, wherein the skirting is a material extending from the first edge region, and the first layer is configured to be disposed on a top side of a mattress and the skirting is configured to extend around sides of the mattress to maintain the bedding article in a desired position. 
     
     
         11 . The bedding article of  claim 1 , further comprising a second layer, the second layer having a second edge region defining a size and shape of the second layer, wherein the size and shape of the second layer are substantially the same as the size and shape of the first layer, and a first portion of the second edge region is secured to a first portion of the first edge region so as to define a receptacle between the first layer and the second layer, and an article opening is formed between a second portion of the first edge region and a second portion of the second edge region through which a filler may be received in the receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The bedding article of  claim 11 , further comprising a closure fastener disposed along the second portion of the first edge region and a mating closure fastener disposed along the second portion of the second edge region adjacent to the second portion of the first edge region of the first layer, such that the receptacle opening to the receptacle may be selectively opened or closed with the closure fastener and the mating closure fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The bedding article of  claim 11 , wherein the filler is a pillow. 
     
     
         14 . The bedding article of  claim 11 , wherein the filler is a natural or polyester fiber fill. 
     
     
         15 . The bedding article of  claim 11 , further comprising a gusset positioned between the first edge region of the first layer and the second edge region of the second layer to space the first edge region from the second edge region, wherein the gusset is secured to the first portion of the first edge region and the first portion of the second edge region, and is secured to one of the second portion of the first edge region and the second portion of second edge region such that the receptacle opening is formed between a free edge of the gusset and the second portion of the first edge region or the second portion of the second edge region to which the gusset is not secured. 
     
     
         16 . The bedding article of  claim 15 , further comprising a closure fastener disposed along one of the second portion of the first edge region and second portion of the second edge region, and a mating closure fastener disposed along the free edge of the gusset, such that the receptacle opening to the receptacle may be selectively opened or closed with the closure fastener and the mating closure fastener. 
     
     
         17 . The bedding article of  claim 11 , wherein the first layer further comprises a first material and the gel pack is secured to the first material, and the first material defines the first edge region, and includes an opening having a size and shape, wherein the gel pack has a size and shape substantially the same as the size and shape of the opening, and the gel pack is positioned in the opening and secured to the first material about a periphery of the gel pack. 
     
     
         18 . The bedding article of  claim 17 , wherein the first layer further comprises a cover layer covering the gel pack, and the cover layer is made from a fabric or mesh material. 
     
     
         19 . The bedding article of  claim 11 , wherein the first layer further comprises a first material and the gel pack is secured to the first material, and the bedding article further comprises a cover layer having a cover layer edge region, wherein a first portion of the cover layer edge region is secured to the first material to define a pocket between the cover layer and first material, and an opening to the pocket is formed along a second portion of the cover layer edge region such that the gel pack may be received the pocket and secured to the first material by the cover layer. 
     
     
         20 . The bedding article of  claim 19 , wherein the cover layer is made from a fabric or mesh material. 
     
     
         21 . A bedding article comprising:
 a first side facing outward;   a second side facing inward; and   a mesh insert including a plurality of apertures configured to allow ambient air adjacent to the first side to fluidly communicate with air adjacent to the second side.   
     
     
         22 . The bedding article of  claim 21 , wherein a filler is disposed between the first side and second side. 
     
     
         23 . The bedding article of  claim 21 , wherein the mesh insert is formed as a strip of material extending along a length or width of the bedding article. 
     
     
         24 . The bedding article of  claim 21 , further comprising a plurality of baffles containing a filler therein, and the mesh insert extends between adjacent baffles.