Mattress topper

Abstract

A mattress topper for use with a mattress includes a first planar layer having a first firmness; a second planar layer having a second firmness; wherein the second firmness is different than the first firmness; a peripheral edge layer connected with both the first and second layers and having a third firmness, wherein the peripheral edge layer follows perimeters of each of the first and second planar layers and wherein the first planar layer, second planar layer, and peripheral edge layer define an interior cavity; and an inner layer encapsulated within the interior cavity, and wherein the first and second planar layers have an interior surface adjacent to the interior cavity and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress topper for use with a mattress, comprising:
 a first planar layer having a first firmness;   a second planar layer having a second firmness;   wherein the second firmness is different than the first firmness;   a peripheral edge layer connected with both the first and second layers and having a third firmness, wherein the peripheral edge layer follows perimeters of each of the first and second planar layers and wherein the first planar layer, second planar layer, and peripheral edge layer define an interior cavity; and   an inner layer encapsulated within the interior cavity,   wherein the first and second planar layers have an interior surface adjacent to the interior cavity and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and wherein the distance between the exterior surface of the first planar layer and the exterior surface of the second planar layer is not more than 4 inches.   
     
     
         2 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the third firmness is at least equal to the higher of the first and second firmness. 
     
     
         3 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the third firmness is at least equal to the lower of the first and second firmness. 
     
     
         4 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the third firmness is less than the lower of the first and second firmness. 
     
     
         5 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises a first material having a first air permeability and the first planar layer, the second planar layer, and the peripheral edge layer comprise one or more materials each having an air permeability less than the first air permeability. 
     
     
         6 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises a first material having a first air permeability and the first planar layer, second planar layer, and peripheral edge layer comprise one or more materials each having an air permeability greater than the first air permeability. 
     
     
         7 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises at least one of a polyester fiber layer, a cotton layer, a wool cashmere layer, a non-organic fibrous layer, an organic fibrous layer, an air chamber, and a water chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises at least two layers of material. 
     
     
         9 . The mattress topper of  claim 7 , wherein the inner layer comprises at least one air chamber and further comprising a pump in fluid communication with an inlet of the at least one air chamber and configured to supply a flow of air to the at least one air chamber to maintain a positive pressure within the at least one air chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the first planar layer and the second planar layer are fixedly attached to the peripheral edge layer. 
     
     
         11 . The mattress topper of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second planar layers are permanently bonded to the peripheral edge layer. 
     
     
         12 . The mattress topper of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second planar layers are removable from the peripheral edge layer. 
     
     
         13 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the mattress topper is configured to be selectively positioned in:
 a first orientation wherein the first planar layer is positioned on top of the peripheral edge layer and the second planar layer, thereby representing a top side of the mattress topper when placed on a mattress; and   a second orientation wherein the second planar layer is positioned on top of the peripheral edge layer and the first planar layer, thereby representing the top side of the mattress topper when placed on the mattress.   
     
     
         14 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein perforations extend through at least one of the first planar layer and the second planar layer. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral edge layer consists of two or more separate components, and wherein each component follows a portion of the perimeters of the first and second planar layers and combine with the other components of the peripheral edge layer to enclose sides of the inner layer. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first planar layer and the second planar layer comprise at least one convoluted surface. 
     
     
         17 . The mattress topper of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first planar layer and the second planar layer comprise at least one textured surface. 
     
     
         18 . A method for making a mattress topper for use with a mattress comprising the steps of:
 providing a first planar layer;   connecting a peripheral edge layer with the first planar layer;   placing an inner layer within the peripheral edge layer;   connecting a second planar layer with the peripheral edge layer opposite the first planar layer;   wherein a perimeter of peripheral edge layer follows perimeters of the first planar layer and the second planar layer; and   wherein the peripheral edge layer, the first planar layer, and the second planar layer define an interior cavity, and wherein the inner layer is positioned in the interior cavity.   
     
     
         19 . The method for making a mattress topper of  claim 18 , wherein the inner layer comprises a material having a first air permeability and the first planar layer, second planar layer, and peripheral edge layer comprise one or more materials each having an air permeability less than the first air permeability. 
     
     
         20 . The method for making a mattress topper of  claim 18 , wherein the inner layer comprises multiple fibrous layers, and further comprising the step of connecting the multiple fibrous layers at edges of each of the multiple fibrous layers. 
     
     
         21 . The method for making a mattress topper of  claim 18 , wherein the inner layer comprises at least one air chamber having an inlet and further comprising the steps of:
 connecting a hose to a pump configured to provide a constant or selective flow of air through the hose;   connecting the hose with the inlet of the at least one air chamber; and   providing a flow of air to the at least one air chamber from the pump and through the hose to increase an air pressure within the at least one air chamber to provide the at least one air chamber with a desired firmness and/or maintain a positive air pressure in the at least one air chamber.