WO2015006778A1

WO2015006778A1 - Absorbent bed clothing

Info

Publication number: WO2015006778A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/046558
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heather Phillips
Original assignee: Heather Phillips
Priority date: 2013-07-12
Filing date: 2014-07-14
Publication date: 2015-01-15
Also published as: US20150013070A1

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for covering a mattress. A first layer (102) may include a bed sheet. A second layer (104) includes an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet. A third layer (106) may include a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet.

Description

ABSORBENT BED CLOTHING

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Number 61/845,870 entitled "ABSORBENT BED CLOTHING" and filed on July 12, 2013 for Heather Phillips, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure, in various embodiments, relates generally to bed clothing, and more particularly relates to absorbent bed clothing including multiple layers.

BACKGROUND

Bed clothing, such as sheets, blankets, mattress pads, and the like, may provide a sleeper with hygienic conditions and warmth, while protecting a mattress from wear. Some sleepers may experience discomfort from moisture in bed due to urinary incontinence, excessive perspiration, or the like. Often, an absorbent article of bed clothing is used to carry moisture away from a sleeper or to protect the mattress. For example, a child who is not yet toilet trained may sleep with bed clothing that includes an absorbent mattress protector. Regular cleaning of soiled or moist bed clothing provides continued comfort and hygiene. However, regular cleaning may become more inconvenient when using an absorbent article of bed clothing such as a mattress protector, due to the increased amount of work required to remove, clean, and replace each article on the bed.

SUMMARY

An apparatus is presented for covering a mattress. In one embodiment, a first layer includes a bed sheet. In a certain embodiment, a second layer includes an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet. In a further embodiment, a third layer includes a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet.

In one embodiment, the absorbent pad may include a moisture barrier. In a certain embodiment, a pillow case may be sized to receive a pillow. In a further embodiment, the pillow case may be integrated with the bed sheet and/or the blanket. In some embodiments, a pillow may be removably disposed within the pillow case.

In one embodiment, hook and loop fastener material for retaining the pillow within the pillow case, may be disposed along an opening for the pillow case. In another embodiment, a zipper for retaining the pillow within the pillow case may be disposed along an opening for the pillow case. In a certain embodiment, two overlapping layers of fabric for retaining the pillow within the pillow case may be disposed along an opening for the pillow case. In one embodiment, the opening for the pillow case may be positioned so that using the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket to cover a mattress disposes the opening at an edge of the mattress. In another embodiment, the opening for the pillow case may be positioned so that using the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket to cover a mattress disposes the opening at a side surface of the mattress. In a certain embodiment, a length of the opening for the pillow case may be less than an interior dimension of the pillow case in a direction parallel to the opening.

In one embodiment, the bed sheet may include a fitted sheet. In a certain embodiment, the absorbent pad may be coupled to the bed sheet and the blanket. In another embodiment, the absorbent pad may be removably disposed between the bed sheet and the blanket. In some embodiments, a thickness of the absorbent pad may be within a range from approximately two centimeters to approximately six centimeters

A system is presented for covering a mattress. In one embodiment, a first layer includes a bed sheet. In a certain embodiment, a second layer includes an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet. In a further embodiment, a third layer includes a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet and the absorbent pad. In some embodiments, a pillow case may be sized to receive a pillow. In further embodiments, the pillow case may be formed by sewing fabric to the bed sheet. In certain embodiments, a zipper for retaining the pillow within the pillow case may be disposed along an opening for the pillow case.

In one embodiment, the absorbent pad may include a moisture barrier. In a certain embodiment, a length of the opening for the pillow case may be less than an interior dimension of the pillow case in a direction parallel to the opening. In some embodiments, a thickness of the absorbent pad may be within a range from approximately two centimeters to approximately six centimeters.

A method is presented for covering a mattress. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a first layer that includes a bed sheet. In a certain embodiment, the method includes providing a second layer that includes an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet. In a further embodiment, the method includes providing a third layer that includes a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet. In some embodiments, the method includes disposing the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket on a mattress so that the blanket is above the bed sheet. In certain embodiments, the method includes reversing the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket on the mattress so that the bed sheet is above the blanket. In one embodiment, the method includes disposing a pillow within a pillow case integrated with the bed sheet. In a further embodiment, the method includes removing the pillow from the pillow case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross section view illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus for covering a mattress;

Figure 2 is a top view illustrating another embodiment of an apparatus for covering a mattress; and

Figure 3 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for covering a mattress.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments" unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to" unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "the" also refer to "one or more" unless expressly specified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.

Figure 1 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 100 for covering a mattress. In general, the apparatus 100 may be used as bed clothing to cover a mattress with multiple layers, including a layer of absorbent material. Bed clothing including multiple layers may provide the advantages of several separate articles of bed clothing while avoiding the inconvenience of removing, cleaning, and replacing multiple articles of bed clothing. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a first layer 102, a second layer 104, and a third layer 106.

In one embodiment, the first layer 102 may include a bed sheet. In certain embodiments, the bed sheet of the first layer 102 may be a piece of cloth sized to cover a mattress. For example, in one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be used as infant bedding, and the bed sheet may be sized to cover a crib mattress. In another embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be used as bedding for an incontinent adult, and the bed sheet may be sized to cover a queen size mattress. In various embodiments, the bed sheet may be sized to fit various sizes of mattresses.

In a certain embodiment, the bed sheet may be a flat sheet. The edges of a flat sheet may lie on top of a mattress or may be secured by tucking them underneath the mattress. Using a flat sheet for the first layer 102 of the apparatus 100 allows the apparatus 100 to cover a variety of mattress sizes by tucking more or less material under the mattress. In another embodiment, the bed sheet may be a fitted sheet. A fitted sheet may have dimensions selected to fit a particular bed size, and may include elastic, a drawstring, or the like at the corners and/or edges of the sheet, for securing the sheet to a mattress. Using a fitted sheet for the first layer 102 of the apparatus 100 allows the apparatus 100 to be secured to a mattress conveniently, and prevents the apparatus 100 from slipping when the mattress is in use. If the apparatus 100 is used as bedding for an infant or small child, securing the edges of the bed sheet may provide safety by preventing the apparatus 100 from covering the child, whether the first layer 102 includes a fitted sheet or a flat sheet with edges tucked under the mattress.

In some embodiments, the bed sheet of the first layer 102 may be woven on a wide loom to avoid seams. In another embodiment the bed sheet may include multiple pieces of fabric sewn together. In one embodiment, the bed sheet may be flat-woven, or woven without a pile. In various embodiments, the edges of the bed sheet may include side seams and/or selvages. In one embodiment, the bed sheet may comprise cotton fabric. For example, in a certain embodiment, the bed sheet may be a cotton bed sheet distributed under the CIRCO trademark. Bed sheets made of cotton or similar materials allow moisture to pass through the first layer 102 to the second layer 104. In various embodiments, the bed sheet may comprise various fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, cotton/polyester blends, rayon, linen, flannel, flannelette, or the like. In one embodiment, a thread count for the bed sheet may be between 200 and 600 threads per square inch. In certain embodiments, the material of the fabric for the bed sheet, or the fabric's other characteristics such as thread count, staple length, and the like, may be selected based on a user's preferences. Many other materials and characteristics of bed sheets suitable for the first layer 102 of the apparatus 100 will be clear in light of this disclosure.

In one embodiment, the second layer 104 may include an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet of the first layer 102. In general, the absorbent pad may absorb or trap moisture from urine, perspiration, or the like, to increase a sleeper' s comfort or to protect the mattress. In one embodiment, the absorbent pad may include fiber batting. For example, in a certain embodiment, the absorbent pad may include 75% polyester, 25% rayon fiber batting with an olefin interlining, as distributed by the Triboro Quilt Mfg. Corp. of White Plains, NY. In another embodiment, the absorbent pad may include one or more other materials in addition to, or in place of, the fiber batting, such as rubberized flannel, other woven fabric, sheepskin, or the like. Material for the fiber batting, woven fabric, or the like, may include various fibers such as cotton, polyester, rayon, wool, or other similar fibers. In light of this disclosure, many absorbent materials are clear which may be used to form an absorbent pad for the second layer 104 of the apparatus 100.

In general, the thickness of the absorbent pad for the second layer 104 may be selected to provide various attributes for the apparatus 100. For example, in one embodiment, the second layer 104 may include a thick, soft absorbent pad to provide comfort. In another embodiment, the second layer 104 may include a thin absorbent pad, to reduce the bulk of the apparatus 100 for easier handling. In one embodiment, the thickness of the absorbent pad may be within a range from approximately 2 cm to approximately 6 cm. (As used herein, a measurement is "approximately" equal to a stated value if it is within 10% of the stated value). In another embodiment, the thickness of the absorbent pad may be less than approximately 2 cm. In a certain embodiment, the thickness of the absorbent pad may be greater than approximately 6 cm.

In one embodiment, the absorbent pad may include a moisture barrier. In general a moisture barrier for the absorbent pad may prevent moisture from a sleeper from reaching and/or damaging the mattress. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus 100 sized to cover a twin size mattress for children who are not yet toilet trained may include an absorbent pad with a moisture barrier to protect the mattress from urine.

In one embodiment, the moisture barrier may include a water-repellent coating, surface treatment, or the like, applied to a portion of the otherwise absorbent material of the absorbent pad. In another embodiment, a moisture barrier for the absorbent pad may include a waterproof or water resistant layer, or lining. For example, in certain embodiments the absorbent pad may include a layer of rubber bonded to cotton fabric, an olefin interlining, a urethane laminate, a waterproof but breathable material, or the like.

In one embodiment, the moisture barrier may be applied to a lower surface of the absorbent pad, so that an upper portion of the absorbent pad absorbs moisture from a sleeper, and a lower portion prevents moisture from reaching a mattress. Applying the moisture barrier to a lower layer of the absorbent pad allows the full thickness of the upper portion to absorb moisture, but also makes the absorbent pad irreversible. Thus, in another embodiment, the moisture barrier may form a middle layer of the absorbent pad, with a layer of absorbent material on either side forming a reversible pad.

In various embodiments, the reversibility discussed below for the apparatus 100 may be related to, or independent of, the reversibility of the absorbent pad. For example, in one embodiment, the absorbent pad may be a non-removable part of the apparatus 100, and a moisture barrier applied to a lower surface of the absorbent pad may affect the reversibility of the apparatus 100 by preventing moisture from reaching the absorbent pad from the third layer 106. However, in another embodiment, the absorbent pad may be a removable part of the apparatus 100, and the correct orientation of the absorbent pad may be preserved when reversing the apparatus 100 by removing, reversing, and replacing the absorbent pad within the apparatus 100. In another apparatus, a reversible absorbent pad with a moisture barrier forming a middle layer may allow the apparatus 100 to be used reversibly, regardless of whether the absorbent pad is a removable or non-removable part of the apparatus 100.

In another embodiment, the absorbent pad may not include a moisture barrier or waterproof layer. Omitting a moisture barrier may be economical if moisture is prevented from reaching the mattress in another way. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus

100 for covering an infant's crib mattress may not include a moisture barrier, as many crib mattresses are already waterproof or water resistant.

The third layer 106, in one embodiment, may include a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet. In a certain embodiment, the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket may be sewn together or otherwise attached together as a single unit, so that the absorbent pad is non-removably coupled to both the bed sheet and the blanket. In another embodiment, edges of the blanket may be attached directly to the bed sheet, and the absorbent pad may be removably disposed between the bed sheet and the blanket.

In one embodiment, the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket may be approximately the same size, so that the edges of the blanket are coupled to the edges of the bed sheet. In another embodiment, the absorbent pad and the blanket may be approximately the same size as the top of a mattress, but the bed sheet may be larger to cover the sides of the mattress as well. For example, in a further embodiment, the bed sheet may be a fitted sheet, and the absorbent pad and the blanket may be sewn to the portion of the bed sheet that covers the top of a mattress.

In various embodiments, a blanket may refer to a cloth layer thicker than a bed sheet for providing warmth. Although the blanket for the third layer 106 is shown in the depicted embodiment as thicker than the absorbent pad for the second layer 104, the blanket may be the same thickness or thinner than the absorbent pad in a different embodiment. In one embodiment, the blanket may include a napped or piled fabric such as plush, minky-type plush, fleece, or the like. In another embodiment, the blanket may be knit or flat-woven, and may be thicker than a bed sheet due to including yarns thicker than the threads of a bed sheet. In various embodiments, the blanket may include various materials, such as wool, polyester, cotton, or the like. For example, in one embodiment, the blanket may include polyester plush, as distributed by Crown Crafts Infant Product, Inc., of Compton, CA. In another embodiment, the blanket may include polyester fleece, as distributed by Spring Creative Products Group, LLC, of Rock Hill, SC. In light of this disclosure, it is clear that various other types of blankets are suitable for the third layer 106 of the apparatus 100.

Using a blanket for the third layer 106 allows the apparatus 100 to be reversed to provide different sleeping experiences. For example, in one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be used to cover a mattress with the first layer 102 on the top, so that laying on top of the bed sheet provides a cool sleeping experience during summer months, and may be reversed to cover a mattress with the third layer 106 on top, so that laying on top of the blanket provides a warmer sleeping experience in winter months. Also, in a certain embodiment, the apparatus 100 may cover a crib mattress for an infant who is not old enough to safely sleep under a blanket, so having the blanket coupled to the bed sheet may allow an infant to stay warm while sleeping safely on top of the blanket.

In various embodiments, the first layer 102, second layer 104 and/or third layer 106 may include allergy relief material. In certain embodiments, allergy relief material may be material capable of containing allergens such as dust mites, mold spores, animal dander, pollen, or the like within the mattress. For example, in one embodiment, allergy relief material may include tightly woven fabric.

Figure 2 depicts another apparatus 200 for covering a mattress. The apparatus 200, in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to the apparatus 100 described above with regard to Figure 1. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 200 includes a first layer 202, a second layer, and a third layer (not visible in the depicted top view), which may be substantially as described above with regard to Figure 1. The apparatus 200, in the depicted embodiment, further includes a pillow case 208 with an opening 210.

The pillow case 208, in one embodiment, is sized to receive a pillow. In a further embodiment, the apparatus 200 may include a pillow removably disposed within the pillow case 208. In certain embodiments, the pillow case 208 may be integrated with the bed sheet and/or the blanket. In one embodiment, the pillow case 208 may be formed by sewing fabric to the bed sheet. For example, in a further embodiment, sewing a rectangular flap of fabric to the bed sheet along three edges may create a pocket-shaped pillow case 208 for receiving the pillow between the fabric flap and the bed sheet, while leaving at least a portion of the remaining edge unattached to the bed sheet may create an opening 210 for placing or removing the pillow. In another embodiment, a different shape of fabric may bulge outward slightly when sewn to the bed sheet, providing additional space in the pillow case 208 for receiving a thicker pillow.

In certain embodiments, the pillow case 208 may also be integrated with the bed sheet and/or the blanket in various other ways. For example, in another embodiment, the pillow case 208 may be formed by sewing fabric to the blanket instead of the bed sheet. In yet another embodiment, the pillow case 208 may be a commercially available pillow case attached to the bed sheet and/or the blanket. In a certain embodiment, the pillow case 208 may be formed between layers of the apparatus 200 by sewing the layers together along the edges of the pillow case 208 except at the location of the opening 210. Although the pillow case 208, in the depicted embodiment, is depicted in use with the first layer 202, second layer and third layer, the integrated pillow case 208 may, in various embodiments, be formed without the layered structure. For example, in certain embodiments, a pillow case 208 as described above may be integrated with a stand-alone bed sheet, blanket, or the like.

Bed clothing such as the apparatus 200 that includes an integrated pillow case 208 may assist in training a small child to use a pillow. Securing a pillow to the apparatus 200 prevents the pillow from moving so that a child may easily use it, and provides safety by preventing a child from sleeping under the pillow. In the depicted embodiment, the apparatus 200 may be used in stages to absorb moisture and train a child to use a pillow. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the pillow case 208 is shown integrated with the bed sheet of the first layer 202. In the first stage, the apparatus 200 may be disposed on the mattress so that the blanket is above the bed sheet, so that the infant can sleep warmly on the blanket, and so that the pillow case 208 is inaccessible. Placing the apparatus 200 with the blanket on top in the first stage provides safety for children under 12 months old, who should not use the pillow or have access to the pillow case 208. In the second stage, when it is safe for the child to use a pillow (as directed by a pediatrician, typically when the child is at least

12 to 24 months old and capable of sitting up and rolling around), the apparatus 200 may be reversed so that the bed sheet is above the blanket on the mattress and the pillow case 208 is accessible. Then, a pillow may be disposed within the integrated pillow case 208. In the second stage, the child may learn to sleep with the pillow while the pillow is safely secured in place. In the third stage, when the child has learned to sleep with the pillow, and when it is safe to do so, the pillow may be removed from the integrated pillow case 208, and placed normally on the bed, in a separate case.

In the depicted embodiment, the pillow case 208 includes an opening 210 allowing a pillow to be introduced into or removed from the pillow case 208. In one embodiment, the opening 210 is positioned on the apparatus 200 so that using the apparatus 200 to cover a mattress disposes the opening 210 at an edge of the mattress. In another embodiment, the opening 210 is positioned on the apparatus 200 so that using the apparatus 200 to cover a mattress disposes the opening 210 at a side surface of the mattress. As used herein, a side surface refers to a surface of the mattress other than the top or bottom. So for example, in the depicted embodiment, if the bed sheet of the first layer 202 is a fitted sheet, the opening 210 for the integrated pillow case 208 may be positioned at the back edge of the mattress, or may be positioned lower, along the back side surface of the mattress. Disposing the opening 210 at an edge or side surface of the mattress keeps a sleeper from inadvertently catching a body part in the opening 210, and avoids discomfort that might otherwise be caused if the opening

210 includes fasteners.

In various embodiments, the opening 210 may be closed to retain a pillow in the pillow case 208 in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, hook and loop fastener material (such as the hook and loop material distributed under the VELCRO trademark) may be disposed along the opening 210 to retain the pillow when the hook and loop material is fastened. In another embodiment, a zipper may be disposed along the opening 210 to retain the pillow when the zipper is closed. In a certain embodiment, two overlapping layers of fabric may be disposed along the opening 210 to retain the pillow when one layer is tucked underneath the other layer. In light of this disclosure, other methods or types of fasteners will be clear which are suitable for closing the opening 210 to retain a pillow.

The dimensions of the pillow case 208 and the opening 210 may be selected to accommodate a desired size of pillow. In one embodiment, the opening 210 may extend across the full length or width of the pillow case 208 for easy insertion or removal of the pillow. For example, in a certain embodiment, the pillow case 208 may be 10 inches long, and 14 inches wide, with a 14 inch opening 210 at the wide edge of the pillow case 208. In another embodiment, the length of the opening 210 may be less than an interior dimension of the pillow case 208 in a direction parallel to the opening 210, so that the smaller opening 210 tends to retain a pillow fitting the larger interior dimension of the pillow case 208, even if the opening 210 is open or unfastened. For example, in a further embodiment, the opening 210 may extend across part of an edge of the pillow case 208, so the edge tends to retain the pillow in the pillow case 208 even when the opening 210 is open. As a further example, in a certain embodiment, the pillow case 208 may be 12 inches wide, but the opening 210, along the width of the pillow case 208, may be 7 inches. In light of this disclosure, various dimensions will be clear which are suitable for the pillow case 208 and the opening 210. In one embodiment, an opening 210 that is shorter than the corresponding interior dimension of the pillow case 208 may be used with a zipper, hook and loop fastener material, overlapping fabric layers, or the like, to reduce the length of the fastener or overlapping layers, thus reducing the cost to produce the apparatus 200. In another embodiment, an opening 210 that is shorter than the corresponding interior dimension of the pillow case 208 may be sufficient to retain a pillow, allowing fasteners or overlapping fabric layers to be omitted from the apparatus 200.

Figure 3 depicts one embodiment of a method 300 for covering a mattress. The method 300 begins, and a user provides 302 a first layer 102, 202 comprising a bed sheet. The user provides 304 a second layer 104 comprising an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet. The user provides 306 a third layer 106 comprising a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet. The user disposes 308 the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket on a mattress so that the blanket is above the bed sheet. As described above, the user reverses 310 the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket on the mattress so that the bed sheet is above the blanket, and the method ends.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus for covering a mattress, the apparatus comprising:

a first layer comprising a bed sheet;

a second layer comprising an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet; and a third layer comprising a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the absorbent pad comprises a moisture barrier.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pillow case sized to receive a pillow, the pillow case integrated with one or more of the bed sheet and the blanket.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising the pillow removably disposed within the pillow case.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising hook and loop fastener material for

retaining the pillow within the pillow case, the hook and loop fastener material disposed along an opening for the pillow case.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a zipper for retaining the pillow within the pillow case, the zipper disposed along an opening for the pillow case.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising two overlapping layers of fabric for

retaining the pillow within the pillow case, the two overlapping layers of fabric disposed along an opening for the pillow case.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an opening for the pillow case is positioned so that using the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket to cover a mattress disposes the opening at an edge of the mattress.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an opening for the pillow case is positioned so that using the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket to cover a mattress disposes the opening at a side surface of the mattress.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a length of an opening for the pillow case is less than an interior dimension of the pillow case in a direction parallel to the opening.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bed sheet comprises a fitted sheet.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the absorbent pad is coupled to the bed sheet and the blanket.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the absorbent pad is removably disposed between the bed sheet and the blanket.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the absorbent pad is within a range from approximately two centimeters to approximately six centimeters

15. A system for covering a mattress, the system comprising:

a first layer comprising a bed sheet;

a second layer comprising an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet;

a third layer comprising a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet and the absorbent pad;

a pillow case sized to receive a pillow, the pillow case formed by sewing fabric to the bed sheet; and

a zipper for retaining the pillow within the pillow case, the zipper disposed along an opening for the pillow case.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the absorbent pad comprises a moisture barrier.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein a length of the opening for the pillow case is less than an interior dimension of the pillow case in a direction parallel to the opening.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein a thickness of the absorbent pad is within a range from approximately two centimeters to approximately six centimeters.

19. A method for covering a mattress, the method comprising:

providing a first layer comprising a bed sheet;

providing a second layer comprising an absorbent pad disposed adjacent to the bed sheet; providing a third layer comprising a blanket disposed adjacent to the absorbent pad and coupled to the bed sheet;

disposing the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket on a mattress so that the blanket is above the bed sheet; and

reversing the bed sheet, the absorbent pad, and the blanket on the mattress so that the bed sheet is above the blanket.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

disposing a pillow within a pillow case, the pillow case integrated with the bed sheet; and removing the pillow from the pillow case.