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  Mattress protectorUSPTO Application #: 20070174962Title: Mattress protector Abstract: A mattress or surface protector is provided. The mattress or surface protector comprises a generally non-absorbent top layer and a waterproof/breathable bottom layer. The top layer and bottom layer are connected by borders providing a mechanism to inhibit spills from traversing the edges of the protector. The borders have straps that can be secured about the corners of the mattress or surface to anchor the protector. (end of abstract) Agent: Holland & Hart, LLP - Denver, CO, US Inventor: Mary Smith USPTO Applicaton #: 20070174962 - Class: 005484000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070174962. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to bedding and, more particularly, to a mattress protector or pad to prevent seepage of liquid to or soiling of a mattress or top sheet of a made bed. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Preventing fluid from contacting a bedding top sheet or seeping through to a mattress is an age-old problem. Many solutions have been presented, but those solutions leave much to be desired. [0003] One popular solution is a "mattress pad." Mattress pads, however, are typically waterproof vinyl sheets. While the waterproof vinyl sheet prevents liquid from passing or seeping through, large spills or accidents traverse the sides of the mattress pad and contaminate the underlying mattress or top sheet. Also, a vinyl back sheet is not breathable and causes the bedding to become hot and uncomfortable to a person. [0004] To inhibit liquid from traversing the sides of the mattress pad, some products include a super moisture absorbent material on the vinyl sheet. The waterproof vinyl sheet resides between the super absorbent material and the surface to be protected, such as the mattress. The super absorbent material wicks or pulls moisture from the source, for example, the person, and retains the liquid suspended in the material. The liquid moves from the source through the material by convection or the like. By pulling the moisture away from the source, a person (for example) would not feel the discomfort associated with the moisture. Over time, the super absorbent material may become saturated or traverse to the edge of the super absorbent material. At which time, the liquid may traverse the edge of the mattress pad or penetrate the mattress pad and contaminate the underlying mattress or top sheet. [0005] Moreover, with lesser amounts of liquid, the spill may be retained in the super absorbent material undetected by the users. The waterproof backing causes the moisture (whether retained in the super absorbent material or not) to stagnate. The stagnated liquid can become infected and is at a minimum unhygienic. Some pads with absorbent material include antibacterial materials to reduce the probability of bacteria growing. Adding antibacterial material partially solves the issue, but increases costs and complexity of the protector. Also, antibacterial material only partially inhibits the growth of bacteria. [0006] The conventional mattress pad provides limited protection and hygienic issues as described above in the best of situations. Most mattress pads suffer the additional drawback of being either fitted sheets, connectable only to bed posts or rails, or free standing. [0007] Fitted sheets work well to protect a mattress and prevent movement of the pad. But once liquid is spilled on the fitted sheet, the sheet is difficult to remove. In some instances, liquid contained by the fitted sheet can contact the mattress during the struggle to remove a contaminated sheet. Sheets connectable to bed posts or rails only have limited applicability. These pads have ties or snaps on the edges that hook around crib rails or bedposts. Freestanding sheets can be used on most beds. But they tend to move, bunch, or the like even if tucked under the mattress causing the underlying surface to become exposed. Other solutions to fix the pad to the mattress tend to involve complex attachment mechanisms. [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 1,621,149, to Blissitt, discloses an early mattress pad. Blissitt comprises a protective sheet above and below a mattress. The protective sheets each consist of a rubber, water impervious, non-breathable bottom layer closest to the mattress proper. The protective sheets are maintained in place by straps on the top sheet connectable to buckles attached to the bottom sheet. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 2,620,494, to Kay, discloses another mattress pad. Kay comprises rubber water impervious, non-breathable layer closest to the mattress. Sewn to the rubber layer is a pair of mesh materials. Loops coupled to the edges of the mesh materials allow a strap to be threaded through the loops. When placed on the mattress, the strap is tightened causing the loops to pull the edges down and secure the sheet to the mattress. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,973, to Leventhal, discloses another mattress pad. Leventhal provides a series absorption pads, with water impervious, non-breathable bottoms, sealed to each other. The series of absorption pads are attached to a bottom sheet, which can be tucked to secure the mattress pad protector. As each of the series are spoiled, they can be removed by ripping the soiled absorption pads away from the series of absorption pads. [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,002, to Strong, discloses a mattress pad including absorbent material. Strong provides a bottom non-liquid permeable sheet on which shredded material is located. The shredded material absorbs any spills. [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,010, to Kronman, discloses another absorbent mattress pad. Kronman provides a thin liquid impervious material that supports a liquid absorbent material. The sheet is sufficiently wide to allow it to be tucked under the mattress to secure the mattress pad in place. [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,474, to Svensson, discloses another absorbent mattress pad. In particular, Svensson provides filaments in the absorbent layer to section the absorbent layer and prevent it from stiffening while it becomes saturated with liquid to further the use of pad after it is soiled. [0014] United States Patent Application Publication 2002/0124313, to Cook et al., discloses another mattress pad. Cook et al. discloses a flexible sheet having a "pouch pair." The pouch pair releasable holds an absorbent article. As the absorbent article is soiled, it can be removed, replaced, and washed. The flexible sheet is secured to the mattress by tucking the flexible sheet under the mattress. [0015] United States Patent Application Publication 2003/0121101, to Corzani et al., and United States Patent Application Publication 2003/0163870, to Porter et al., disclose disposable mattress pads. In particular, the disposable pad comprises a moisture permeable fibrous layer having a waterproof/breathable thermoplastic coating. Corzani et al. and Porter et al. are disposable pads because the waterproof/breathable thermoplastic coating washes away after a few washings. [0016] Thus, it would be desirous to provide a mattress protector that is easily securable to any type of mattress and bed frame to prevent the protector from moving, bunching, and the like. Moreover, it would be desirous to provide a mattress protector that did not lose its waterproof/breathable backing after a few washes. Also, it would be desirous to provide a mattress protector that inhibited liquid from traversing the edges of the protector. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0017] To attain the advantages of and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, a surface protector is provided. The surface protector comprises a top water top water permeable layer having a first length and a second length. The lengths are typically consistent with the mattress or surface being protected. A waterproof/breathable bottom layer is substantially aligned with the top layer. The top and bottom layer are connected with at least one border connecting the top layer and the waterproof/breathable layer of the surface protector at an edge, the border forming a lip on the top layer. A pair of straps at a plurality of corners such that the pair of straps can be connected beneath the surface to be protected [0018] The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: [0020] FIG. 1 is an top side plan view of the invention; Continue reading... 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