Support cushion cover assemblies for removing heat and humidity

Abstract

A support cushion cover assembly for removing humidity and heat from a contact surface of a support cushion is provided. The support cushion cover assembly comprises a support cushion cover that includes an upper panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a middle spacer layer positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface. The support cushion cover further includes an amount of hygroscopic material and at least one flexible tube that defines a plurality of fenestrations. Each fenestration is in fluid communication with the middle spacer layer of the upper panel. An air pump is further included in the cover assembly and is operably connected to the flexible tube, such that an amount of air is delivered into the flexible tube and the middle spacer layer of the cover. Methods for removing humidity from a contact surface of a support cushion are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A support cushion cover assembly, comprising:
 a support cushion cover including
 an upper panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a middle spacer layer positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, the upper panel including an amount of hygroscopic material, and 
 at least flexible tube extending along a length of the upper panel and defining, a plurality of fenestrations, each fenestration spaced at a predetermined distance from each adjacent fenestration, and each fenestration in fluid communication with the middle spacer layer of the upper panel; and 
   an air pump operably connected to the flexible tube, the air pump configured to deliver an amount of air into the flexible tube, through the fenestrations, and into the middle spacer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel of the support cushion cover can be characterized as including a first side edge, a second side edge, a head end, and a foot end. 
     
     
         3 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the foot end includes one or more release vents for releasing air from the middle spacer layer of the upper panel. 
     
     
         4 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the support cushion cover includes a first flexible tube extending along a length of the first side edge, and a second flexible tube extending along a length of the second side edge. 
     
     
         5 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the air pump comprises a first air pump operably connected to the first flexible tube and a second air pump operably connected to the second flexible tube. 
     
     
         6 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first air pump and the second air pump are independently controlled. 
     
     
         7 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fenestrations includes a first portion of fenestrations defined by a central portion of the flexible tube and a second portion of fenestrations defined by an upper portion and a lower portion of the flexible tube, and wherein the first portion of fenestrations has a diameter greater than a diameter of the second portion of fenestrations. 
     
     
         8 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of the upper panel defines a plurality of openings for releasing air from the middle spacer layer. 
     
     
         9 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings includes a central region of openings having a diameter greater than a diameter of the remainder of the openings. 
     
     
         10 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling an amount of air supplied to the flexible tube, through the fenestrations, and into the middle spacer layer. 
     
     
         11 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 10 . wherein the controller is configured to allow air to be supplied to the flexible tube and the middle spacer layer for a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         12 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a humidity sensor for providing moisture feedback to the controller. 
     
     
         13 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a temperature sensor for providing thermal feedback to the controller. 
     
     
         14 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a pressure sensor for providing pressure feedback to the controller. 
     
     
         15 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support cushion cover is comprised of a flame-retardant material. 
     
     
         16 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel further includes an amount of phase change material. 
     
     
         17 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support cushion cover further comprises a bottom panel and a continuous side panel, such that the upper panel, the bottom panel, and the continuous side panel collectively define a cavity for enclosing a mattress. 
     
     
         18 . The support cushion cover assembly of  claim 1 . wherein the upper panel has a thickness of about 5 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         19 . A support cushion cover, comprising:
 an upper panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a middle spacer layer positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, the upper panel including an amount of hygroscopic material, and   at least one flexible tube extending along a length of the upper panel and defining a plurality of fenestrations, each fenestration spaced at a predetermined distance from each adjacent fenestration, and each fenestration in fluid communication with the middle spacer layer of the upper panel such that the flexible tube is configured to deliver an amount of air into the middle spacer layer.   
     
     
         10 . A mattress assembly, comprising:
 a flexible foam mattress;   a mattress cover including
 an upper panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a middle spacer layer positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, the upper panel including an amount of hygroscopic material, and 
 at least one flexible tube extending along a length of the upper panel and defining a plurality of fenestrations, each fenestration in fluid communication with the middle spacer layer of the upper panel; and 
   an air pump operably connected to the flexible tube, the air pump configured to deliver an amount of air into the flexible tube and the middle spacer layer of the mattress cover.   
     
     
         21 . The mattress assembly of claim  20 , wherein the flexible foam is a visas-elastic foam. 
     
     
         22 . A method for removing humidity from a contact surface of a support cushion, comprising:
 providing a support cushion cover including
 an upper panel having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a middle spacer layer positioned between the top surface and the bottom surface, the upper panel defining one or more openings in the upper panel, and the upper panel including an amount of hygroscopic material, and 
 at least one flexible tube extending along a length of the upper panel and defining a plurality of fenestrations, each fenestration in fluid communication with the middle spacer layer of the upper panel; and 
   delivering an amount of air into the flexible tube and the middle spacer layer of the support cushion cover.