Mattress protector with removable top and having side supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mattress protectors with removable tops often have side walls that collapse when the top is removed for washing, making it difficult to reattach the top wall due to binding and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating side supports, such as elastic straps or stiffeners, to maintain the side walls upright when the top wall is removed, allowing for easy reattachment of the top wall using a zipper that prevents bed bugs from escaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the top wall is made removable for washing, then the mattress protector can be cleaned and maintained, but the side walls collapse when the top wall is removed making reattachment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing side supports that are pre-installed on the side walls before the top wall is removed. These supports automatically engage when the top wall is detached, preventing the side walls from collapsing and maintaining them in an upright position ready for reattachment of the top wall.
2Reliability
If the mattress protector is made fluid impervious to prevent bed bugs, then protection is improved, but the structure becomes more complex with zippers and seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mattress protector into distinct functional components: a removable top wall that can be washed, side walls with integrated bed bug prevention features, and a bottom wall. The zipper mechanism is segmented into specific locations (head and foot portions) rather than enclosing the entire mattress, reducing overall complexity while maintaining protection.
3Ease of operation
If side supports are added to maintain upright side walls, then reattachment is facilitated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing side supports that automatically perform their function without external intervention. The supports are integrated into the side wall structure and automatically engage to maintain the upright position when the top wall is removed, eliminating the need for manual adjustment or additional mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A mattress protector completely encloses a mattress. The top wall is removable from the side walls by operating a zipper. The zipper includes protective features designed to prevent bed bugs from leaving the interior of the mattress protector via the zipper slide. When the top wall is removed from the side walls, the present invention includes supports for the side walls so that when the top wall is removed, the side walls remain erect so that the top wall can easily be reattached by placing the top wall over the top surface of the mattress and then operating the zipper around the side walls to reattach the top wall. A number of different embodiments of structures designed to hold the side walls upright when the top wall is removed are disclosed.