Mattress ventilating foundation and sleep system

Abstract

Embodiments of a mattress ventilation foundation and sleep system are disclosed. Foundation embodiments typically may be configured to provide ventilation to a supported mattress, for example through an upper surface of the foundation allowing airflow therethrough. Sleep system embodiments typically have a mattress (which might be a ventilation mattress) atop such a ventilation foundation, with airflow therebetween.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress foundation comprising:
 a support structure;   an airflow unit; and   a foundation cover for the support structure comprising an upper surface;   wherein the upper surface comprises an air permeable element;   wherein the foundation cover encases the support at structure to form a hollow cavity;   wherein the foundation cover further comprises one or more port allowing fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an outside environment;   wherein the airflow unit is configured to induce fluid flow between the hollow cavity and the outside environment via the one or more port; and   wherein the airflow unit is located within the hollow cavity.   
     
     
         2 . A mattress foundation comprising:
 a support structure;   an airflow unit; and   a foundation cover for the support structure comprising an upper surface, and wherein the upper surface comprises an air permeable element.   
     
     
         3 . The foundation of  claim 2  wherein the foundation cover encases the support structure to form a hollow cavity; wherein the foundation cover further comprises one or more port allowing fluid communication between the hollow cavity and an outside environment; and wherein the airflow unit is configured to induce fluid flow between the hollow cavity and the outside environment via the one or more port. 
     
     
         4 . The foundation of  claim 2 , wherein the air permeable element comprises one or more high airflow mesh fabric panels. 
     
     
         5 . The foundation of  claim 4 , wherein the entire upper surface of the foundation cover is formed of high airflow mesh fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The foundation of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more port is located on a bottom surface of the foundation cover. 
     
     
         7 . The foundation of  claim 2 , wherein the airflow unit is located within the support structure. 
     
     
         8 . The foundation of  claim 6 , wherein the airflow unit is located within the hollow cavity over the port. 
     
     
         9 . The foundation of  claim 2 , wherein the airflow unit comprises a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         10 . The foundation of  claim 2 , wherein the airflow unit comprises a climate control unit operable to cool or heat air. 
     
     
         11 . The foundation of  claim 3 , wherein the cover is air impermeable except for the upper surface and the one or more port. 
     
     
         12 . A sleep system comprising a foundation as in  claim 2  and a mattress, wherein the mattress is located atop and in contact with the foundation and wherein the mattress and foundation are in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         13 . The sleep system of  claim 12 , wherein the mattress comprises:
 a mattress cover encompassing the mattress;   wherein the mattress cover comprises a bottom surface, and wherein the bottom surface comprises a mattress air permeable member.   
     
     
         14 . The sleep system of  claim 13 , wherein the mattress air permeable member comprises one or more high airflow mesh fabric panels. 
     
     
         15 . The sleep system of  claim 13 , wherein the mattress cover further comprises an upper surface, and wherein the upper surface comprises a second mattress air permeable member. 
     
     
         16 . The sleep system of  claim 13  further comprising one or more foam layers within the mattress cover; wherein the one or more foam layers each comprises a plurality of vertical air pathways which pass through the entire thickness of the corresponding foam layer. 
     
     
         17 . The sleep system of  claim 16 , wherein the mattress comprises a plurality of foam layers; and wherein at least some of the vertical air pathways in the foam layers align to provide continuous airflow paths from the bottom surface of the mattress to an upper surface of the mattress. 
     
     
         18 . The sleep system of  claim 17 , wherein the foundation cover encases the support structure to form a hollow cavity; wherein the foundation cover further comprises one or more port allowing fluid communication between the hollow cavity and the outside environment; and wherein the airflow unit is configured to induce fluid flow between the hollow cavity and the outside environment via the one or more port. 
     
     
         19 . The sleep system of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more port is located on a bottom surface of the cover; and wherein the airflow unit is located within the hollow cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The sleep system of  claim 19 , wherein the airflow unit comprises a HEPA filter; and wherein the airflow unit comprises a climate control unit.