Passive mattress encasement

Abstract

A passive mattress encasement is disclosed which can be relatively easily installed or removed over a mattress supported by a foundation. The encasement is formed to encapsulate a mattress and includes a top panel, a bottom panel and multiple side panels. One or more of the side panels are zippered together. The unzippered side panels, i.e., the panels without zippers, fixedly connect the top panel to the bottom panel. The top and bottom panels as well as the side panels may be made from 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 thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU/PU), silicone, or urethane to form a waterproof membrane. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the bottom panel is formed with a slick interior surface and a non-slick exterior surface. The exterior non-slick surface allows a mattress to be rotated without affecting an optional underlying bed skirt while the slick interior surface facilitates rotation of the mattress. The present invention also facilitates easy installation and removal of the encasement over a mattress. Optional straps may be provided, fixedly attached to the encasement. The straps allow the encasement to be snugged against the mattress to enable the encasement to be used with a relatively wide range of mattress depths perimeter lengths and still provide a snug fit.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An encasement for a mattress or foundation comprising:
 a rectangular top panel defining an exterior surface and an interior surface;   a rectangular bottom panel having a slick interior surface and a non-slick exterior surface;   a fixed side panel connecting one side of said top panel to one end of said bottom panel;   a plurality of side panels, each side panel defining an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portions connected to said upper panel and said lower portions connected to said bottom panel; and   a zipper for connecting said upper portions to said lower portions.   
     
     
         2 . The encasement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said top panel, bottom panel and said side panels including said fixed side panel are made from a launderable material. 
     
     
         3 . The encasement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said top panel, bottom panel and said side panels including said fixed side panel are made from encasement material or a material commonly used for mattress protectors, as well as conventional bedding material. 
     
     
         4 . The encasement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface of said top panel is made from a launderable material and said interior surface is formed from a waterproof material. 
     
     
         5 . The encasement as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said upper portions and said lower portions of said side panels are formed as continuous strips. 
     
     
         6 . A method for installing an encasement on a mattress supported by a foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) removing the mattress from the foundation;   (b) placing an unzipped encasement on the foundation so that an 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 foundation so that a bottom surface of the mattress is in contact with an interior surface of the bottom panel of the encasement;   (d) placing the top panel of the encasement over a ytop surface of a mattress; and   (e) zipping up the encasement.   
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 6  further including the step of installing a bed skirt after the mattress has been removed in step (a) and placing the encasement on top pf the bed skirt so that an exterior surface of the encasement is in contact with the bed skirt. 
     
     
         8 . A method for rotating a mattress encased by an encasement and supported by a foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) unzipping the encasement;   (b) placing a top panel of the encasement on the floor adjacent one end of the mattress;   (c) rotating the mattress 180 degrees; and   (d) zipping up the encasement.   
     
     
         9 . A method for rotating a mattress encased by an encasement and supported by a foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) attaching a cover having a slick side and a non-slick side to an underside of the mattress encased by an encasement so that the slick side is in contact with the foundation and the non-slick side is in contact with the encasement;   (b) rotating said mattress 180 degrees with respect to the foundation.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 9  further including step (c) as follows:
 (c) detaching said cover from said mattress and attaching said cover to said foundation so that said slick side is in contact with said foundation and said non-slick side is in contact with said encasement. 
 
     
     
         11 . An encasement for a mattress or foundation comprising:
 a rectangular top panel defining an exterior surface and an interior surface;   a rectangular bottom panel;   a fixed side panel connecting one side of said top panel to one end of said bottom panel;   a plurality of side panels, each side panel defining an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portions connected to said upper panel and said lower portions connected to said bottom panel;   a zipper for connecting said upper portions to said lower portions; and   one or more straps coupled to said upper and lower portions of one or more of said side panels in order to tighten the encasement with respect to said mattress or foundation.   
     
     
         12 . The encasement as recited in  claim 11 , further including a cover having a slick side and a non-slick side for cooperating with said encasement to allow a mattress encased with an encasement to be rotated without removing the encasement, said cover configured to be strapped to said encasement. 
     
     
         13 . The encasement as recited in  claim 1 , further including a cover having a slick side and a non-slick side for cooperating with said encasement to allow a mattress encased with an encasement to be rotated without removing the encasement. 
     
     
         14 . A method for rotating a mattress encased in an encasement supported on a foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) unzipping the encasement and rotating the mattress on an interior surface of a bottom panel of the encasement; and   (b) rotating the mattress.   
     
     
         15 . A method for rotating a mattress encased in an encasement supported on a foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) attaching a cover having a slick surface and a non-slick surface so that the slick surface is in contact with the foundation and the non-slick surface is in contact with the encasement; and   (b) rotating the mattress.