EP0928583B1 - Washable mattress cover - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a washable cover for mattresses or the like of textile material containing one Water vapor permeable, allergen and waterproof Barrier layer and an upper and a mattress with such a washable cover.

The suitability of waterproof, water vapor permeable Membranes or films for mattress covers are known (EP 0 761 715 A1, DE 43 39 475 A1). In this way, the Part of the sweat secreted by the user that does not adhere to the Environment and in the cover can escape into the Mattress core are removed, which in times of Not using this moisture back to the environment emits. It has been found that one night from Mattress users average about 400 ml of sweat is secreted and about a third of this sweat from Mattress core must be included in order for the user to achieve a comfortable climate. Because a lot of the sweat in the air surrounding the user in the form of steam, can this through these membranes or films in the Mattress core arrive. The waterproofness of these membranes or foils are of particular importance here because of this on the one hand it effectively prevents sweat in the form of Liquid can penetrate into the mattress core and on the other hand liquids of the human body in the form of Blood, urine, or others that contaminate the mattress core and would also be a breeding ground for allergens, also cannot penetrate into the mattress core.

In this way, contamination of the mattress core, which contamination is a breeding ground for allergens avoided. The cover of the mattress must then be in regular Intervals from the mattress and washed to the secretions of the human body, which are also one Form a breeding ground for allergens, also from the cover again remove.

It is also known that such membranes or foils can be allergy-proof, that is, close to mites, Bacteria, or other microorganisms or Solid particles, which can also be in gaseous form, and the have a negative effect on the human body (EP 714 950 A2, WO 96/21379, DE 40 27 798). This in turn becomes a part of the sweat secreted by the user in the form of steam the mattress core dissipated, but avoiding that allergens in sweat and others Liquids of the human body in the mattress core reach.

On the other hand, in the prior art this is often the case pointed out that such membranes or foils none have sufficient strength and therefore these membranes or foils can be reinforced by further textile fabrics must, which is why such membranes or foils usually in Form of laminates, the membranes or foils often only in places with the reinforcing textile fabrics are laminated together to allow water vapor permeability obtained, used (WO 96/21379, WO 94/19178, WO 93/14929, WO 90/00969, EP 0 732 073 A1, EP 0 622 488 A1, DE 195 22 333 A1, DE 40 27 798 A1, DE 38 35 016 A1, NL 9200790).

The structures of washable covers from Although mattresses are effective for the user To create a comfortable climate, but they do not offer enough Lying comfort, because with the help of the previously known membranes or Films only thin-film covers were made and on a padding between the mattress core and the upper the cover was waived. Such padding, which should be made of a voluminous, textile material, usually tends to clump, so the padding can only be used if this is with the others Fabric can be quilted (sewn) to a Avoid moving the padding to lumps. A Quilting with waterproof membranes or foils is however not possible because this makes these membranes their Losing water resistance.

DE 38 34 797 A1 describes a multilayer, surrounded by an envelope Composite body for incontinence prevention, especially bed insert made of several layers of cellulose wadding arranged one above the other, the surrounding ones Shell consists of an upper and a lower layer, of which the upper Layer through a moisture-resistant but permeable textile Spunbond and the bottom layer through a moisture-proof Foil is formed, but is also impermeable to water vapor.

The object of the present invention is to provide a reference for Mattresses and a mattress with such a cover to provide the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which not only effective protection against allergens but also one high lying comfort is given.

This task is with a washable cover for mattresses or the like of textile material containing one Water vapor permeable, allergen and waterproof Barrier layer and an upper material, solved in that the Cover at least one other textile fabric and a bulky, at least 3 mm thick cotton fleece contains that Cotton fleece between the upper and the other textile Fabric is arranged that the upper, the Cotton fleece and the other textile fabrics at least are connected to each other at points via threads, and that the Barrier layer on the further textile fabric its connection with the upper material and the cotton fleece is laminated on at least at certain points.

Because first the upper material, the cotton fleece and the other textile fabrics connected by threads and then only the barrier layer on the textile Laminated fabrics will damage the Water resistance of the barrier layer effectively avoided and nevertheless the textile reinforcement of the barrier layer (membrane or foil) over the further textile fabric ensured. At the same time, the upper part, the Cotton fleece and the other textile fabric connecting Threads a shifting of the cotton fleece and thus a lump of the cotton fleece effectively prevented.

Are preferred in the washable cover according to the invention Cotton fleece and the other textile fabric together sewn at least at certain points, whereby it has proven particularly useful if the sewing is done at regular intervals. The Sewing with lines arranged in a line has been the case here especially proven. The appearance of the invention washable covers and the resistance to displacement of the cotton fleece can be improved if the cotton fleece and the other textile fabrics are sewn together using seams are a pattern in the form of rectangles, squares, rhombuses or the like.

The lying comfort of the washable cover can be increased in particular if the cotton fleece has a thickness between 3 and 40 mm, preferably between 5 and 25 mm and a basis weight between 100 and 500 g / m ² , preferably between 200 and 400 g / m ² ,

In order to create a favorable comfort climate, it is particularly favorable if the barrier layer has a water vapor permeability of at least 800 g / m ² 24 hours. The water vapor permeability is determined in accordance with ASTM E96-66 (Procedure B), although 30 ° C is chosen as the water temperature and a temperature of 30 ° C and a relative air humidity of 60% for the air climate.

It is particularly favorable if, in the washable cover according to the invention, the barrier layer has a water vapor permeability of 1000 to 8000 g / m ² 24 hours, in particular 1000 to 5000 g / m ² 24 hours.

For keeping the washable cover according to the invention in shape it has proven particularly useful when it has an upside, a Bottom and one between the top and bottom circumferential path that connects the top and bottom, it is advantageous if the top, the bottom and the orbiting web at least the face material that Cotton fleece, the other textile fabrics and the Barrier layer included. It goes without saying that the orbiting path in the direction of its length from several pieces is composed, it being particularly expedient that to assemble orbital path from pieces that in their Length of the length of the top and bottom Correspond to circumferential lines. The sections of the circulating orbit can with each other and with the top and bottom can be easily sewn together if this for example in the form of an outwardly projecting bead takes place, the on the inside of this bead Barrier layer of adjacent parts tightly over the seam be pressed together so that no moisture over them Seams can penetrate to the mattress core. It also increases Sewing to such a bead the dimensional stability of the cover according to the invention and the aesthetic appearance.

A washable cover is particularly preferred, in which the Top and bottom connecting web of two circumferential Paths is formed, preferably with one another Zipper are designed to be connectable. It is recommended here itself, especially if the zippers are not tight enough apply that the two lanes on the Overlap the side facing the mattress core. These overlaps can also be done by an additional circulating path (Zipper overlap).

In the washable cover according to the invention, it has Particularly proven when the other textile fabric is a Knitted fabric with one stitch side and one stitch foot side, and that the mesh base side faces the barrier layer is arranged. It is also an advantage if the Barrier layer has a reversible stretch, at least is the same size as the reversible elongation of the further textile fabric to reduce the risk of injury Minimize barrier layer.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a mattress that has a washable cover according to the invention having. It has proven particularly useful here if the washable cover smooth on the surface of the mattress core is applied.

For the upper material, also called drell, there are fabrics or terry goods made from threads made of natural fibers, synthetic polymers or mixtures thereof. In the case of synthetic polymers, polymers made of polyester have proven to be particularly favorable. For fabrics with a basis weight of 150 to 400 g / m ² , for terry fabrics those with a basis weight of 80 to 300 g / m ^{2 are} regarded as particularly suitable. The upper material should be flame retardant according to DIN 54336.

For the cotton fleece, voluminous fleeces are recommended, which have good structural elasticity and a high degree of resilience even after prolonged use and after frequent washing. The fiber fineness of the short and / or continuous fibers forming the cotton fleece should preferably be between 3.3 and 17 dtex, the basis weight between 100 and 500 g / m ² , preferably between 200 and 400 g / m ² , for example 300 g / m ² and the Thickness between 3 and 40, especially 5 and 25 mm. In the simplest case, the cotton fleece can be consolidated by needles. However, solidification via thermal or chemical bonding of the fibers to one another at their crossing points is favorable. In the case of chemical bonding, care must be taken that the chemical products used are harmless to the user with regard to allergic and toxic reactions. Acrylic resins have proven themselves particularly well for the consolidation of the cotton fleece. Polyester fibers have proven particularly useful.

It is advantageous for the further textile fabric if it is designed as a knitted fabric. Favorable basis weights are in the range from 20 to 150 g / m ² . Fibers made of polyester have also proven to be particularly favorable here.

Membranes such as are particularly suitable for the barrier layer they are described in WO 94/19178 and EP 0 622 488 A1. Membranes such as those under the brand name DURETA® are well proven. A Thickness between 10 and 30 microns, for example 15 microns has for these membranes turned out to be particularly favorable. Especially it is favorable if the barrier layer is tight against Particles with dimensions larger than 10 nm, preferably larger 1 nm. Such references are surprisingly dense against unpleasant smells that arise in the mattress core can.

The composite formed from the outer material, cotton fleece and other textile fabrics should be formed from such materials that the composite has a water vapor permeability between 1500 and 4000 g / m ² 24 hours. Water vapor permeabilities in the range from 2300 to 3000 g / m ² 24h, in particular from 2650 to 2700 g / m ² 24h, have proven their worth. A thickness of the finished composite in the range of 6 to 16 mm if the upper material is made of a fabric and in the range of 7 to 20 mm if the upper material is made of terry cloth has been found to be sufficient for most requirements with regard to lying comfort exposed.

Another advantage of the washable cover according to the invention can be seen in the fact that surprisingly no shift the reference to the mattress is found, as is often the case is observed when the one facing the mattress core Page is formed from a textile fabric. This "Walking" of the mattress cover leads to the edges of the Wander in relation to the lying surface and perceived as disturbing become. This walking is almost completely eliminated, if stated above, that in WO 94/19178 and EP 0 622 488 A1 membranes used as a barrier layer become.

The invention is illustrated by the following examples explained.

example 1

A fabric with multifilament threads made of polyester and a weight per unit area of 216 g / m ² is used as the upper material. The cotton fleece consisted of short polyester fibers and was spray-bonded with acrylic resin as a cross-ply fleece, had a weight per unit area of 300 g / m ² and a thickness of 12 mm. As a further textile fabric, a knitted fabric made of textured polyester filaments with a basis weight of 40 g / m ^{2 was} used. Fabric, cotton fleece and knitted fabric were quilted together in such a way that the quilting seams formed a diamond pattern. The resulting composite had a water vapor permeability of 2650 g / m ² 24h. A 15 µm thick membrane made of polyetherester (Dureta ®) was laminated onto the mesh foot side of the knitted fabric, which was arranged away from the cotton fleece, using grid-shaped adhesive dots. Before it was laminated, the membrane had a water vapor permeability of about 3000 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours.

The resulting composite material had a water vapor permeability of 1300 g / m ² 24h and was water and allergen-proof. After using it as a mattress cover, the material composite could be made largely allergen-free by simply washing it at 60 ° C. The cover was rated by the user as pleasant in terms of climate and lying comfort.

Example 2

A terry cloth made of textured polyester multifilament threads was chosen as the upper material. It had a weight per unit area of 130 g / m ² . The bats described in Example 1 were used for cotton fleece, further textile fabrics and membranes. The outer material, cotton fleece and other textile fabrics were quilted by longitudinal seams arranged in parallel, after which the composite material had a water vapor permeability of 2700 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours. After the membrane had been laminated on point by point, the resulting composite material had a water vapor permeability of 1500 g / m ^{2 for} 24 hours. A cover made from this material composite was also rated as pleasant by the users in terms of climate and lying comfort. After using the cover around a mattress, the material composite could be made largely allergen-free by simply washing it at 60 ° C.

Claims (17)

1. Washable cover for mattresses or similar objects, made from textile material and containing a water vapor permeable, allergen- and waterproof barrier layer, and an outer material, characterized in that the cover has at least one additional textile fabric and a voluminous batting at least 3 mm thick, that the batting is arranged between the outer material and additional textile fabric, that the outer material, batting, and additional textile fabric are joined together at least pointwise by threads, and that the barrier layer is laminated onto the additional textile fabric at least pointwise after the latter is joined to the outer material and batting.
2. Washable cover according to Claim 1, characterized in that the outer material, batting, and additional textile fabric are sewn together at least pointwise.
3. Washable cover according to Claim 2, characterized in that the outer material, batting, and additional textile fabric are sewn together at regular intervals.
4. Washable cover according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the outer material, batting, and additional textile fabric are sewn together in a linear manner.
5. Washable cover according to Claim 4, characterized in that the outer material, batting, and additional textile fabric are joined together via seams that form a rectangular, square, diamond, or similar pattern.
6. Washable cover according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the batting has a thickness between 3 and 40 mm and a weight per unit area between 100 and 500 g/m².
7. Washable cover according to Claim 6, characterized in that the batting has a thickness between 5 and 25 mm and a weight per unit area between 200 and 400 g/m².
8. Washable cover according to one or more of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the barrier layer has a water vapor permeability of at least 800 g/m² 24h.
9. Washable cover according to Claim 8, characterized in that the barrier layer has a water vapor permeability of 1000 to 8000 g/m² 24h.
10. Washable cover according to one or more of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it has a water vapor permeability of 1000 to 5000 g/m² 24h.
11. Washable cover according to one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it has a top, an underside, and a width running circumferentially between the top and underside and joining the top and underside.
12. Washable cover according to Claim 11, characterized in that the top, underside, and circumferential width contain at least the outer material, batting, additional textile fabric, and barrier layer.
13. Washable cover according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the width connecting the top and underside consists of two circumferential widths that can be joined together.
14. Washable cover according to Claim 13, characterized in that the two circumferential widths are joinable via a zipper.
15. Washable cover according to one or more of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the additional textile fabric is a knit with a loop side and a loop underside and that the loop underside is arranged facing the barrier layer.
16. Washable cover according to one or more of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the barrier layer exhibits a reversible elongation that is at least as high as the reversible elongation of the additional textile fabric.
17. Mattress with a washable cover according to one or more of Claims 1 to 16.