Enhanced washable mattress topper

Abstract

An enhanced washable mattress topper is disclosed, which allows the entire topper (including the cushion element) to be washed and/or dried. The topper typically comprises a cushion element, which may include of a fiber-foam layer and a spacer fabric layer, within a cover. The cover is typically permanently attached to the cushion element, for example with stitching which may form a plurality of compartments by segmenting the cushion element

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mattress topper, comprising:
 a cushion element comprising a fiber-foam layer and a spacer fabric layer; and   a 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 fiber-foam layer comprises fibers distributed approximately evenly throughout foam;   wherein the fibers of the fiber-foam layer are the same material as the foam of the fiber-foam layer;   wherein the spacer fabric layer is laminated to a surface of the fiber-foam layer; and   wherein all of the plurality of compartments have approximately the same thickness of cushioning, resulting from being formed by division of the same cushion element by the stitching.   
     
     
         2 . A mattress topper, comprising:
 a cushion element comprising a fiber-foam layer and a spacer fabric layer; and   a cover enclosing the cushion element and attached to the cushion element with stitching that divides the cushion element into a plurality of compartments.   
     
     
         3 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the spacer fabric layer underlies the fiber-foam layer; and wherein all of the plurality of compartments have approximately the same thickness of cushioning, resulting from being formed by division of the same cushion element by stitching. 
     
     
         4 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the stitching is applied through both the fabric cover and the cushion element between top and bottom surfaces of the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the stitching comprises a combination of tack-and-jump stitching and channel stitching, 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 2  wherein a plurality of the compartments are each sized and shaped identically, and are rectangular, triangular, or helical in shape. 
     
     
         7 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the fiber-foam layer comprises fibers distributed approximately evenly throughout foam. 
     
     
         8 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the fiber-foam layer comprises polyurethane foam and polyurethane fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the fiber-foam layer has a thickness range of about 1-1.5 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the spacer fabric layer is permanently attached to a surface of the fiber-foam layer. 
     
     
         11 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the spacer fabric layer comprises a 3D warp knit fabric product. 
     
     
         12 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the spacer fabric layer comprises an upper surface of mesh fabric, a lower surface of mesh fabric, and 3D spacer yarn layer between and connecting the upper and lower mesh fabric surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The topper of  claim 12  wherein the spacer fabric upper and lower mesh fabric surfaces each comprise open mesh weave material; and wherein the upper and lower mesh fabric surfaces of the spacer fabric comprise an open mesh with openings approximately 0.5-1.0 cm. size. 
     
     
         14 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the spacer fabric layer has a thickness of approximately 1-1.5 cm. 
     
     
         15 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the cover comprise fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The topper of  claim 2  wherein the cushion element further comprises a second spacer fabric layer, and wherein the two spacer fabric layers sandwich the fiber-foam layer. 
     
     
         17 . The topper of  claim 16  wherein the second spacer fabric layer and the first spacer fabric layer are formed of the same material. 
     
     
         18 . The topper of  claim 2  further comprising a non-slip layer. 
     
     
         19 . The topper of  claim 18  wherein the non-slip layer is located on the side of the fiber-foam layer opposite the spacer fabric layer. 
     
     
         20 . The topper of  claim 18  wherein the non-slip layer forms the bottom surface of the cover.