Breathable And Light Weight Mattress

Abstract

The problems of the prior art are addressed by a novel mattress for an infant play yard, crib, or bed. In one embodiment, a mattress for a play yard, crib, or bed, comprises a plurality of panels. Each panel can comprise a structural layer having a first surface area. The structural layer can comprise a plurality of structural components and a plurality of non-structural components. A supporting surface can be positioned above the structural layer and be in contact with and occupy a second surface area larger than the first surface area. A cushioning layer is supported by the supporting layer. The plurality of panels can be connected to one another to allow for folding and transport of the mattress. In certain embodiments, the structural components comprise ribs and the non-structural components comprise openings between the ribs. The panels may be formed of plastic, metal, wood, or other suitable materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress for a play yard, crib, or bed, comprising:
 a plurality of panels, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels comprises:
 a structural layer comprising a plurality of structural components and a plurality of non-structural components, each of the plurality of structural components and plurality of non-structural components having a width; 
 a supporting surface positioned above the structural layer, the supporting surface in contact with the plurality of structural components and further comprising openings having a width smaller than the width of the non-structural components, the openings positioned over and in communication with the non-structural components; and 
 a cushioning layer supported by the supporting surface; 
   wherein the plurality of panels are connected to one another to allow for folding of the mattress.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of structural components comprise ribs, and the plurality of non-structural components comprise open spaces between the ribs. 
     
     
         3 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of structural components and the supporting surface are adhered together. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the openings are in communication with the plurality of non-structural components of the structural layer. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress of  claim 4 , wherein the cushioning layer further comprises a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings in communication with one of the openings in the supporting surface. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting surface comprises a planar surface. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning layer comprises a foam material. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer layer enveloping each panel. 
     
     
         9 . The mattress of  claim 8 , wherein the outer layer comprises mesh. 
     
     
         10 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the structural layer, supporting surface, and cushioning layer each have a length and width that is substantially the same. 
     
     
         11 . The mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of structural components comprise a wall thickness of the panel surrounding the plurality of non-structural components. 
     
     
         12 . A mattress for a play yard, crib, or bed, comprising:
 a plurality of panels, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels comprises:
 a rigid layer having a first contact surface area, the rigid layer comprising a plurality of ribs and openings between the ribs; 
 a cushioning layer supported by the rigid layer, the cushioning layer configured to prevent an infant or child from substantially contacting the rigid layer; 
   wherein the plurality of panels are hingedly connected to one another to allow for folding of the mattress.   
     
     
         13 . The mattress of  claim 12 , wherein the cushioning layer further comprises openings in communication with the openings between the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         14 . The mattress of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of ribs further comprises a design. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress of  claim 14 , wherein the design is selected from the group consisting of hexagons, triangles, circles, squares, cross-hatch, and herringbone patterns. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress of  claim 14 , wherein the design is a repeated design. 
     
     
         17 . The mattress of  claim 12 , further comprising a supporting layer positioned above the ribs, the supporting layer in contact with the ribs and having a second contact surface area larger than the first contact surface area;
 wherein the supporting layer supports the cushioning layer.   
     
     
         18 . The mattress of  claim 12 , further comprising an open space in the interior at least one of the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         19 . The mattress of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of structural components comprise a material selected from the group consisting of machined aluminum and molded plastic. 
     
     
         20 . A panel for a play yard, crib, or bed, comprising:
 a structural layer having a first contact surface area, the structural layer comprising a plurality of structural components and a plurality of openings;   a supporting layer positioned above the structural layer, the supporting layer in contact with the first contact surface area and occupying a second contact surface area larger than the first contact surface area, the supporting layer further comprising openings in fluid communication with the openings in the structural layer;   a cushioning layer supported by the supporting layer, the cushioning layer in contact with the second contact surface area and having openings in fluid communication with the openings in the supporting layer; and   a mesh layer surrounding the structural layer, supporting layer, and cushioning layer;   wherein the structural layer, supporting layer, and mesh layer each have a length and width that is substantially the same.