Washable mattress topper

Abstract

Embodiments relate generally to a washable mattress topper. The washable mattress topper typically comprises a cushion element and a fabric cover enclosing and attached to the cushion element in a manner which divides the cushion element into a plurality of compartments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A washable mattress topper for use on a top surface of a mattress, comprising:
 a cushion element comprising open cell foam; and   a fabric cover enclosing the cushion element configured to divide the cushion element into a plurality of compartments;   wherein the entire fabric cover is configured to resist shrinking and stretching when washed or dried.   
     
     
         2 . The topper of  claim 1 , wherein the cushion element has an uncompressed thickness less than about 2.5 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The topper of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric cover is attached to the cushion element with stitching, and wherein the stitching is applied through both the fabric cover and the cushion element between top and bottom surfaces of the fabric cover. 
     
     
         4 . The topper of  claim 3 , wherein the thickness of the cushion element at the stitching is approximately a thickness at which the cushion element is compressed. 
     
     
         5 . The topper of  claim 3 , wherein the stitching divides the cushion element into the plurality of compartments, and wherein the stitching comprises a combination of tack-and-jump stitching and channel stitching; and wherein the channel stitching connects points tacked by the tack-and-jump stitching, and wherein the channel stitching comprises 4 to 8 stitches per inch. 
     
     
         6 . The topper of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compartments comprises a border compartment and one or more central compartments, wherein the central compartments each comprise a rectangular shape, and wherein the single border compartment extends around a perimeter of the topper to surround the one or more central compartments. 
     
     
         7 . A washable mattress topper for use on a top surface of a separate mattress, comprising:
 a cushion element; and   a fabric cover enclosing the cushion element and attached to the cushion element with stitching that divides the cushion element into a plurality of compartments;   
       wherein:
 the stitching is applied through both the fabric cover and cushion element between top and bottom surfaces of the fabric cover; and 
 the plurality of compartments all have approximately the same thickness of cushioning, resulting from being formed by division of the same cushion element via stitching. 
 
     
     
         8 . The topper of  claim 7 , wherein the cushion element material comprises open cell foam. 
     
     
         9 . The topper of  claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the cushion element at the stitching is approximately a thickness at which the cushion element is compressed. 
     
     
         10 . The topper of  claim 7 , wherein the entire fabric cover is configured to resist shrinking and stretching when washed. 
     
     
         11 . The topper of  claim 7 , wherein two or more of the plurality of compartments are approximately rectangular shaped. 
     
     
         12 . The topper of  claim 11 , Wherein the ratio of the length and the width of the rectangular compartments is between about 0.5 and about 2.0. 
     
     
         13 . The topper of  claim 7 , wherein two or more of the plurality of compartments are approximately triangular shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The topper of  claim 7 , wherein the stitching forms an approximately helical pattern and the compartments are irregularly shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The topper of  claim 7 , wherein the stitching comprises a combination of tack-and-jump stitching and channel stitching. 
     
     
         16 . The topper of  claim 15 , wherein the channel stitching comprises approximately six stitches per inch. 
     
     
         17 . A washable mattress topper separate and apart from a mattress for use on a top surface of the mattress, comprising:
 a cushion element comprising open cell foam; and   a fabric cover attached to the cushion element with stitching in a manner that divides the cushion element into a plurality of compartments;   
       wherein:
 the entire fabric cover is configured to resist shrinking and stretching when washed. 
 
     
     
         18 . The topper of  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of the compartments are approximately rectangular shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The topper of  claim 17 , wherein the fabric cover comprises natural material, synthetic material, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The topper of  claim 17 , wherein the cushion element has an uncompressed thickness between approximately 1 inch and approximately 2.5 inches.