Active mattress encasement

Abstract

An active mattress encasement which can be relatively easily installed or removed or rotated over a mattress supported by a foundation is disclosed. The encasement is formed to encapsulate a mattress and may include a top panel, a bottom panel and multiple side panels. One or more of the side panels are zippered together, In one embodiment, the un-zippered side panels, i.e. side panels without zippers, fixedly connect the top and bottom portions of the side panels. In another embodiment, an inflatable volume is integrated into the bottom panel. Alternatively, the inflatable volume may be integrated with a separate detachable cover and attached to the bottom panel by conventional means. The top and bottom panels, as well as the side panels may be made from a conventional materials. The underside of the top panel and optionally the inside of the side panels may be coated with a waterproof coating, such as polyurethane (TPU/PU), silicone, and/or urethane to form a waterproof membrane. In accordance with an important aspect of one embodiment of the invention, an interior surface of the bottom panel is formed with a slick surface while the exterior surface of the bottom panel is integrated with an inflatable volume. The inflatable volume faces outwardly and is adapted to be in contact with the foundation or optional bed skirt. In this embodiment, the exterior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement is formed at least partially with a non-slick surface. The non-slick surface provides a frictional relationship between the exterior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement and the foundation or bed skirt while the encasement is being installed or removed over a mattress. The slick interior surface of the bottom panel allows a mattress to be rotated, installed, or removed, once the bottom panel is juxtaposed between the mattress and the foundation in an application in which the encasement is unzipped and the top panel is disposed on the floor adjacent one end of the mattress. Alternatively, a separate detachable cover may be used to allow the mattress to be relatively easily installed or removed or rotated with the encasement fully installed on the mattress. Optional straps may be provided, fixedly attached to the encasement, to allow the encasement to be snugged against the mattress. This enables the encasement to be used with a relatively wide range of mattress sizes and still provide a snug fit.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by a Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for installing an encasement on a mattress supported by a foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel, wherein an interior surface of said bottom panel is formed with a slick surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) removing the mattress from the foundation;   (b) placing an unzipped encasement on the foundation so that an interior surface of the bottom panel is exposed and the exterior surface of the bottom panel is in contact with the foundation and the top panel is placed adjacent one end of the foundation;   (c) sliding the mattress onto the slick surface on the interior of said bottom panel of the encasement;   (d) after the mattress is in place over the bottom panel of the encasement, placing the top panel of the encasement over a top surface of a mattress; and   (e) zipping up the encasement around said mattress.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , further including the step of installing a bed skirt after the mattress has been removed in step (a) and placing the exterior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement on top of the bed skirt so that an exterior surface of the encasement is in contact with the bed skirt. 
     
     
         11 . A method for rotating a mattress encased by an encasement and supported by a foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel selectively secured together by a plurality of sides by way of a zipper, an interior surface of said bottom panel formed with a slick surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) unzipping the encasement on said at least three sides;   (b) removing the top panel of the encasement from a top surface of said mattress;   (c) rotating the mattress with respect to the foundation; and   (d) re-installing the top panel over the top surface of the mattress; and   (e) zipping up the encasement.   
     
     
         12 . A method for rotating a mattress encased by an encasement and supported by a foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel selectively secured together by a plurality of zippered sides and further including an inflatable volume formed from said bottom panel and configured to be selectively connectable to an external source of air, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) securing a cover having a slick surface and a non-slick surface to an underside of an said bottom panel of said encasement so that the slick surface of said cover is in contact with the foundation and the non-slick surface of said cover is in contact with the inflatable volume formed from the underside of said bottom panel to protect the inflatable volume during rotation;   (b) enabling air from said external air supply to be directed into said inflatable volume to raise mattress with respect to said foundation to rotation of said mattress;   (c) rotating said mattress with respect to the foundation;   
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further including step (c) as follows:
 (c) unsecuring said cover from said bottom panel of said encasement and securing said cover to said foundation. 
 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for rotating a mattress encased in an encasement supported on a foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel, selectively secured together by way of a plurality of side panels and a zipper on at least three sides, said interior surface of said bottom panel having a slick surface, said encasement having an inflatable volume formed from its bottom surface and configured to be selectively connectable to an external source of air, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) unzipping said at least three sides of the encasement (b) removing the top panel from the mattress; and   (c) rotating the mattress on an interior surface of a bottom panel of the encasement.   
     
     
         16 . A method for rotating a mattress encased in an encasement supported on a foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel, selectively secured together with a plurality of side panels and a zipper on at least three sides, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) securing a cover to said foundation, said cover having an inflatable volume formed from its bottom surface and configured to be selectively connectable to an external source of air, said cover configured with a surface is in contact with the foundation; and   (b) rotating the mattress with respect to the cover.   
     
     
         17 . A cover for facilitating rotation of a mattress with respect to a foundation, the cover comprising:
 a panel formed with an integrated inflatable volume and configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply, and   a plurality of side walls secured to said panel to enable said panel and integrated inflatable volume to be selectively secured to an underside of the mattress in a non-rotate mode of operation, wherein one side of said panel is formed with a slick surface to facilitate rotation of said mattress in said rotate mode of operation.   
     
     
         18 . A method for maneuvering a mattress supported by a foundation, wherein said mattress is encased by an encasement formed with a top panel and a bottom panel and further including a cover disposed between said foundation and bottom of said encasement, said cover formed with an integrated inflatable volume configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply and said cover having at least one slick surface, said cover disposed so that said at least one slick surface is in contact with said encasement, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selectively securing the cover to the foundation; and   (b) sliding said mattress with respect to said slick surface of said cover.   
     
     
         19 . A method for maneuvering a mattress supported by a foundation, wherein said mattress is encased by an encasement formed with a top panel and a bottom panel and further including a cover disposed between said foundation and said encasement, said cover formed with an integrated inflatable volume configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selectively securing the cover to the encasement in a bed making mode of operation; and   (b) enabling air from said external air supply to be directed into said inflatable volume to raise mattress with respect to said foundation to facilitate bed making.   
     
     
         20 . An encasement system comprising:
 an encasement for encasing a mattress, said encasement including an inflatable volume configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply to lift said mattress with respect to a foundation and facilitate bed making in a bed making mode of operation; and   a cover having a slick surface on one side and a non-slick surface on an opposing side, configured to be disposed between an underside of said mattress and said inflatable volume of said encasement so that said non-slick side is in contact with said inflatable volume and said slick surface is in contact with said foundation wherein in a rotate mode of operation, said cover is secured to said mattress over said encasement, and in a normal mode of operation, said cover is secured to said foundation.   
     
     
         21 . The cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said inflatable volume includes an at least one adjustable air discharge valve. 
     
     
         22 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said inflatable volume includes an at least one air discharge hole. 
     
     
         23 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said inflatable volume includes an at least one adjustable air discharge valve. 
     
     
         24 . An cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said top panel or said bottom panel integrally forms at least a portion of at least one side panel. 
     
     
         25 . An encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least one of said top panel or said bottom panel integrally forms at least a portion of at least one side panel. 
     
     
         26 . A method for rotating a mattress encased by an encasement and supported by a foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel selectively secured together by a plurality of zippered sides and further including an inflatable volume formed from said bottom panel and configured to be selectively connectable to an external source of air, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) securing a cover having a slick surface and a non-slick surface to an underside of said bottom panel of said encasement so that the non-slick surface of said cover is in contact with the foundation and the slick surface of said cover is in contact with the inflatable volume formed from the underside of said bottom panel to protect the inflatable volume during rotation;   (b) rotating said mattress with respect to the foundation.   
     
     
         27 . The method as recited in  claim 26  further including step (c) as follows:
 (c) unsecuring said cover from said foundation and securing said mattress to said foundation. 
 
     
     
         28 . A method for rotating a mattress encased in an encasement supported on a foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel, selectively secured together with a plurality of side panels and a zipper on at least three sides, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) securing a cover to said foundation, said cover having an inflatable volume formed from its bottom surface and configured to be selectively connectable to an external source of air, said cover configured with a slick surface that is in contact with bottom panel of the encasement; and   (b) rotating the mattress.   
     
     
         29 . A method for maneuvering a mattress supported by a foundation, wherein said mattress is encased by an encasement formed with a top panel and a bottom panel and further including a cover disposed between said foundation and bottom of said encasement, said cover formed with an integrated inflatable volume-configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply and said cover having at least one slick surface, said cover disposed so that said at least one slick surface is in contact with said foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selectively securing the cover to the mattress; and   (b) sliding said mattress with respect to said foundation.   
     
     
         30 . A method for maneuvering a mattress supported by a foundation, wherein said mattress is encased by an encasement formed with a top panel and a bottom panel and further including a cover disposed between said foundation and said encasement, said cover formed with an integrated inflatable volume configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selectively securing the cover to the foundation in a bed making mode of operation; and   (b) enabling air from a said external air supply to be directed into said inflatable volume to raise mattress with respect to said to facilitate bed making.   
     
     
         31 . An encasement system comprising:
 an encasement for encasing a mattress, said encasement including an inflatable volume configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply to lift said mattress with respect to a foundation and facilitate bed making in a bed making mode of operation; and   a cover having a slick surface on one side and a non-slick surface on an opposing side, configured to be disposed between an underside of said mattress and said inflatable volume of said encasement so that said non-slick side is in contact with said inflatable volume and said slick surface is in contact with said inflatable volume wherein in a rotate mode of operation, said cover is secured to said to said foundation, and in a normal mode of operation, said cover is secured to said mattress over said encasement.   
     
     
         32 . The cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said inflatable volume includes an air valve. 
     
     
         33 . The encasement as recited in  claim 32 , further including a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         34 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said inflatable volume includes an air valve. 
     
     
         35 . The encasement as recited in  claim 34 , further including a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         36 . The cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said inflatable volume includes at least one attachment point within the perimeter of said inflatable volume. 
     
     
         37 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said inflatable volume includes at least one attachment point within the perimeter of said inflatable volume. 
     
     
         38 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said inflatable volume is formed from two sheet of material wherein both sheets are the same size. 
     
     
         39 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said inflatable volume is formed from two sheet of material wherein both sheets are not the same size. 
     
     
         40 . The cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said inflatable volume is formed from two sheet of material wherein both sheets are the same size. 
     
     
         41 . The cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said inflatable volume is formed from two sheet of material wherein both sheets are not the same size. 
     
     
         42 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein said exterior surface of said top panel is made from a waterproof material. 
     
     
         43 . The cover as recited in  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of said inflatable volume includes a slick surface. 
     
     
         44 . The encasement as recited in  claim 20 , wherein at least a portion of said inflatable volume includes a slick surface. 
     
     
         45 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein said inflatable volume includes an air valve. 
     
     
         47 . The encasement as recited in  claim 45 , further including a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         48 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein said exterior surface of said top panel is made from a waterproof material. 
     
     
         49 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein at least a portion of said inflatable volume includes a slick surface. 
     
     
         50 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein said inflatable volume includes at least one attachment point within the perimeter of said inflatable volume. 
     
     
         51 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein said inflatable volume includes at least one air discharge hole. 
     
     
         52 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein said inflatable volume includes an at least one adjustable air discharge valve. 
     
     
         53 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein said inflatable volume is formed from two sheet of material wherein both sheets are the same size. 
     
     
         54 . The encasement as recited in  claim 31 , wherein said inflatable volume is formed from two sheet of material wherein both sheets are not the same size. 
     
     
         55 . A method for installing a bed skirt on a foundation which supports a mattress, said mattress encased by an encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel and one or more side panels selectively secured together with a zipper on at least three sides, wherein an interior surface of said bottom panel is formed with a slick surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) installing a bed skirt on the foundation;   (b) placing an unzipped encasement on the bed skirt so that said interior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement is exposed and the exterior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement is in contact with the bed skirt;   (c) sliding a mattress onto the interior surface of said bottom panel over the bed skirt;   
     
     
         56 . A method for replacing a bed skirt on a foundation which supports a mattress, said mattress encased by an encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel and one or more side panels selectively secured together with a zipper on at least three sides, wherein an interior surface of said bottom panel is formed with a slick surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 (c) removing the existing bed skirt and replacing it with a Previously Presented or laundered bed skirt over the foundation;   (b) placing an unzipped encasement on the bed skirt so that said interior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement is exposed and the exterior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement is in contact with the bed skirt;   (c) sliding a mattress onto the interior surface of said bottom panel over the bed skirt;   
     
     
         57 . A method for rotating a mattress encased in an encasement supported on a foundation, wherein a bed skirt is in place over said foundation, said encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel, selectively secured together by way of a plurality of side panels and a zipper on at least three sides, said interior surface of said bottom panel having a slick surface, said encasement having an inflatable volume formed from its bottom surface and configured to be selectively connectable to an external source of air, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) unzipping said at least three sides of the encasement;   (b) removing the top panel of said encasement from the mattress;   (c) rotating the mattress on said interior surface of said bottom panel of the encasement over said bed skirt; and   (d) zipping up said encasement around said mattress.   
     
     
         58 . A method for maneuvering a mattress supported by a foundation, wherein a bed skirt covers the foundation and said mattress is encased by an encasement and further including a cover disposed between said bed skirt and bottom of said encasement, said cover formed with an integrated inflatable volume configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply and said cover having at least one slick surface, said cover disposed so that said at least one slick surface is in contact with an underside of said mattress encasement, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) selectively securing the cover to the foundation over said bed skirt; and   (b) maneuvering said mattress with respect to said foundation while said cover holds the bed skirt in place.   
     
     
         59 . The method as recited in  claim 58  wherein step (b) includes sliding said mattress with respect to said foundation. 
     
     
         60 . The method as recited in  claim 58  wherein step (b) includes rotating said mattress with respect to said foundation. 
     
     
         61 . A method for installing a bed skirt on a foundation used to support a mattress, said mattress encased by an encasement and further including a cover disposed between said bed skirt and bottom of said encasement, said cover formed with an integrated inflatable volume configured to be selectively inflated by an air supply and said cover having at least one slick surface, said cover disposed so that said at least one slick surface faces upwardly, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) installing a bed skirt on the foundation;   (b) securing said cover to said foundation over said bed skirt so that said slick surface of said cover faces upwardly;   (c) sliding a encased mattress over said slick surface of said cover over said bed skirt;   
     
     
         62 . A method for installing a bed skirt on a foundation which supports a mattress, said mattress having an encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel selectively secured together by way of a plurality of side panels and a zipper on at least three sides, wherein an interior surface of said bottom panel is formed with a slick surface, further including a cover having at least one slick surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) installing a bed skirt on the foundation;   (b) securing the cover to the foundation over said bed skirt so that its slick surface faces upwardly;   (c) sliding a encased mattress over said slick surface of said cover over said   
     
     
         63 . The method as recited in  claim 62 , further including the step of unsecuring the cover from the foundation and securing it to the underside of the mattress over the encasement. 
     
     
         64 . A method for maneuvering a mattress supported by a foundation which supports a mattress, said mattress encased by an encasement:
 (a) securing said cover to said foundation over said bed skirt so that its slick surface faces upwardly; and   (b) maneuvering said mattress with respect to said foundation while said cover holds said bed skirt in place over said foundation.   
     
     
         65 . The method as recited in  claim 64 , wherein step (b) includes sliding said mattress with respect to said foundation. 
     
     
         66 . The method as recited in  claim 64  wherein step (b) includes rotating said mattress with respect to said foundation. 
     
     
         67 . A method for installing a bed skirt on a foundation which supports a mattress, said mattress encased by an encasement having a top panel and a bottom panel and one or more side panels selectively secured together with a zipper on at least three sides, wherein an interior surface of said bottom panel is formed with a slick surface, further including a cover having at least one non-slick surface, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) installing a bed skirt on the foundation;   (b) installing a cover over the bed skirt supported by on the foundation so that said non-slick surface is in contact with the bed skirt.   (b) placing an unzipped encasement on the cover;