BEDDING MATERIAL HAVING A BED BUG MONITOR SYSTEM

Abstract

Bedding material having a bed bug monitor. The bedding material includes at least one bed bug monitoring interface adapted to receive a bed bug monitor, whereby the monitor gathers bed bugs and/or evidence thereof and is subject to visual inspection.

Claims

1. A bed bug monitoring system comprising: bedding material that includes: a top component for covering a top surface of a mattress or a box spring; and a side component downwardly depending from the top component; a bed bug monitoring interface adjacent the top component or side component; and a bed bug monitor received within the bed bug monitoring interface.

2. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the bed bug monitoring interface is adjacent an inner surface of the top component or an inner surface of the side component.

3. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the bed bug monitoring interface includes openings for permitting access of bed bugs to the bed bug monitor.

4. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the bed bug monitoring interface is a mesh pouch, a strap harness, or an elastic strap.

5. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the bed bug monitoring interface is selectively closable.

6. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the bed bug monitoring interface includes a fastener for selectively enclosing the bed bug monitor.

7. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the fastener is selected from a zipper, a slot, a flap, a hook and loop-type fastener, a snap, or a button.

8. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the bed bug monitor is a glue trap, a pitfall trap, fibrous materials, or textured materials that retain pesticides.

9. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the bed bug monitor further includes at least one lure sufficient to attract bed bugs.

10. The bed bug monitoring system of claim 9, wherein the lure is pheromones, blood, heat, vapor, or gas.

11. A bed system comprising: at least one of a mattress and a box spring; a bed bug monitoring interface adjacent the mattress or box spring; and a bed bug monitor received within the bed bug monitoring interface.

12. The bed system of claim 11, wherein the bed bug monitor is a glue trap, a pitfall trap, fibrous materials, or textured materials that retain pesticides.

13. The bed system of claim 12, wherein the bed bug monitor further includes at least one lure sufficient to attract bed bugs

14. The bed system of claim 13, wherein the lure is pheromones, blood, heat, vapor, or gas.

15. The bed system of claim 11, wherein the bed bug monitoring interface is disposed between the mattress and box spring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing embodiments, as well as the following detailed description of the present disclosure, will be better understood when considered in view of the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the disclosure, there are shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0013] In the drawings:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side partial cross-sectional view of a bed covered with bedding materials incorporating a plurality of bed bug monitors in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the subject disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a bed bug monitor in accordance with an embodiment of the subject disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is an internal view of a side component of a bedding material including a mesh pouch for removably retaining the bed bug monitor of FIG. 2; and

[0017] FIG. 4 is an internal view of a top component of a bedding material including an elastic band harness for removably retaining the bed bug monitor of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the various aspects of the present disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any manner not explicitly set forth. Additionally, the term a, as used in the specification, means at least one. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0019] The term about, as used herein when referring to a measurable value, such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of 20%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate.

[0020] The term substantially, as used herein, shall mean considerable in extent, largely, but not wholly, that which is specified, or an appropriate variation therefrom as is acceptable within the field of art.

[0021] Throughout this disclosure, various aspects thereof can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range, such as from 1 to 6, should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges, such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0022] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the present disclosure can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a bed system 10 including a mattress 12, a box spring 14, a headboard 16 and a footboard 18. As is known, headboard 16 and footboard 18 are joined by a frame including a plurality of frame members 20, one of which is shown in FIG. 1.

[0024] As described in greater detail below, the bed system 10 includes at least one bed bug monitoring interface 44, 46 adjacent the mattress 12 or box spring 14. A bed bug monitor 50 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is received within the bed bug monitoring interface 44 or 46.

[0025] In sum, the present disclosure provides a bed bug monitoring system comprising bedding material, described in greater detail below, including a top component for covering a top surface of the mattress or box spring, and a side component downwardly depending from the top component. The bed bug monitoring system additionally comprises a bed bug monitoring interface adjacent the top component or side component, and a bed bug monitor received within the bed bug monitoring interface.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, both the mattress 12 and box spring 14 are covered by bedding material. More particularly, the box spring is covered by a box spring skirt 22 having a top component 24 covering the top surface of the box spring. The top component 24 is bounded by a side component 26 connected to the top component and downwardly depending from the top component around several vertical sides of the box spring 14, preferably contiguously around all sides of the box spring.

[0027] FIG. 1 further shows that the mattress 12 is covered by bedding material including a mattress cover or protector 28 having a top component 30 covering the top surface of the mattress. The top component 30 is bounded by a side component 32 connected to the top component and downwardly depending from the top component around all vertical sides of the mattress. In certain embodiments, the side component 32, in turn, can be connected to a bottom component 34, which covers at least a portion of the bottom surface of the mattress. In FIG. 1, the mattress cover or protector 28 has an open bottom. It is understood, however, that the mattress cover or protector 28 may be a mattress encasement having a fully enclosed bottom component whereby the mattress would be fully encased within the mattress cover or protector. The mattress cover or protector 28 may also have a slippery side component such as the mattress cover or protector disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,179,783 and 9,808,095, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.

[0028] FIG. 1 additionally shows that the mattress 12 is covered by bedding material including a fitted sheet 36 having a top component 38 covering the top surface of the mattress cover or protector 28. The top component 38 is bounded by a side component 40. The side component 40 is connected to the top component and downwardly depends from the top component and surrounds the side component 32 of the mattress cover or protector 28. In certain embodiments, the side component 40, in turn, can be connected to a bottom component 42 which covers at least a portion of the bottom surface of the mattress cover or protector 28. In FIG. 1, the bottom component 42 of fitted sheet 36 covers less area than the bottom component 34 of the mattress cover or protector 28.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the mattress cover or protector 28 includes a plurality of monitoring interfaces 44, 46 that receive a bed bug monitor, as described in greater detail in connection with FIGS. 2-4. The bed bug monitoring interface can be positioned adjacent an inner surface of the top component of the bedding material or an inner surface of the side component of the bedding material. For example, in FIG. 1, the monitoring interface 44 supports a bed bug monitor adjacent an inner surface of the side component 32 of the mattress cover or protector 28, whereas the monitoring interface 46 supports a bed bug monitor adjacent an inner surface of the top component 30 of the mattress cover or protector 28. It is understood that there may be more than one monitoring interface provided in mattress cover or protector 28. Indeed, in certain embodiments, at least two monitoring interfaces can be provided in the mattress cover or protector 28 at opposite sides of the bed near the headboard 16. It is also understood, however, that additional monitoring interfaces may be provided near the footboard 18 if such is desired or necessary. Moreover, at least one bed bug monitoring interface may be provided on either of the mattress and box spring and disposed between the mattress and box spring.

[0030] The monitoring interfaces may be selectively closable. In this regard, the monitoring interfaces may comprise a fastener 48, such as a slot, a flap, a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a button, and/or a zipper for selectively enclosing the bed bug monitor.

[0031] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that the bed bug monitoring interfaces 44, 46 include openings for permitting access of bed bugs to the bed bug monitor 50. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a monitoring interface 44 situated against an inner surface 52 of a side component of a bedding material, such as mattress cover or protector 28. As seen in FIG. 3, monitoring interface 44 is constructed as a mesh pocket or pouch, which removably retains a bed bug monitor and is selectively closable at its top by a fastener 48 in the form of a zipper. It is understood that by being formed of mesh, the monitoring interface 44 affords bed bugs ready access though the openings in the mesh to a bed bug monitor, such as monitor 50 of FIG. 2 contained in the monitoring interface. Alternatively, the bed bug monitoring interface as any porous or permeable material sufficient to allow bed bugs and other similar insects to readily traverse to reach the enclosed bed bug monitor 50.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows another exemplary embodiment of a monitoring interface 46 situated against an inner surface 54 of a top component of a bedding material, such as mattress cover or protector 28. As seen in FIG. 4, monitoring interface 46 is constructed as a strap harness, including, e.g., at least one elastic strap 56, the ends of which are sewn or otherwise fixedly attached to bedding material 28. The harness may also include another elastic or inelastic strap 58 to serve as a stop against over-insertion of a bed bug monitor 50 into the monitoring interface. Monitoring interface 46 retains the bed bug monitor 50 by sliding the monitor underneath the strap 56 and releases the bed bug monitor upon sliding the monitor out from under the strap. Unlike monitoring interface 44, monitoring interface 46 does not require a fastener in order to gain access to the bed bug monitor 50. That is, a user merely lifts the bedding material 28 proximate the monitoring interface 46 from the bed 12 in order to gain access to the inner surface 54 of the top component of the bedding material and, thus, to the monitoring interface 46.

[0033] It is understood that the positions of monitoring interfaces 44, 46 could be reversed, i.e., monitoring interface 44 may be situated against the inner surface 54 of the top component of bedding material such as mattress cover or protector 28 and monitoring interface 46 may be situated against the inner surface 52 of a side component of bedding material such as mattress cover or protector 28.

[0034] In addition, in accordance with other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, monitoring interfaces similar to monitoring interfaces 44, 46 may be provided in or on other bedding material, such as box spring skirt 22, fitted sheet 36, mattress 12, and/or box spring 14, or directly attached the mattress, box spring or component of the bed frame.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a bed bug monitor 50 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, bed bug monitor 50 may be in the form of a bed bug harborage, such as a fibrous material, e.g., corrugated cardboard. It is understood, however, that bed bug monitor 50 may assume other forms, including, without limitation, a glue trap or a pitfall trap such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,144,233 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes), and textured materials that retain pesticides in a fashion that allows bed bugs to pick up the pesticides on their bodies when exposed thereto, any or all of which may also include at least one lure 51 sufficient to attract bed bugs. Such lure(s) may include, without limitation, any solid, liquid, gas or vapor state attractants such as pheromones, blood, heat, vapor, or gas (e.g., CO.sub.2) which may be applied to the bed bug monitor by suitable solid, liquid or gaseous delivery systems described below.

[0036] When constructed of fibrous material such as corrugated cardboard, the bed bug monitor 50 may be constructed as a substantially planar and flexible to rigid member having varying dimensions to suit the needs of the bed bug monitoring system. For example, the areal dimensions of the bed bug monitor may range from inch by inch, 1 inch by 1 inch, 2 inches by 2 inches, 3 inches by 3 inches, 4 inches by 4 inches, 5 inches by 5 inches, 6 inches by 6 inches, 7 inches by 7 inches, 8 inches by 8 inches, 9 inches by 9 inches, 10 inches by 10 inches, 11 inches by 11 inches, 12 inches by 12 inches, or any dimensions or shapes therebetween. Suitable thicknesses of the bed bug monitor may range from inch, inch, inch to 1 inch.

[0037] In addition, the at least one lure 51 may be disposed in and/or on the bed bug monitor 50, by coating, dipping, spraying, or sputtering which covers the exterior surfaces and/or interior corrugations or pores.

[0038] In all of the embodiments of the subject disclosure shown and described herein, there is provided bedding material with at least one integrated bed bug monitor that can be easily removed and inspected at will. The bed bug monitor(s) may remain in their monitoring interfaces for as few as 7 days or for as long as 30-60 days, as necessary to gather tangible evidence of bed bug infestation.

[0039] While the subject disclosure has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.

[0040] It is to be understood, therefore, that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular aspects disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the scope of the claims set forth herein.