EP1648269B1 - Air-permeable mattress providing great lying comfort - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mattress, preferably used as a sleeping mattress, comprising a core (1) made of foam material, air-filled pressure cushions (5), and a top support area (3) and a bottom support area (4) made of particularly air-permeable material. Said mattress also comprises a plurality of through holes (6, 6a) that provide optimal air permeability and thus allow moisture which is secreted by the body to be conveyed away from the body and through the mattress. The inventive mattress also provides particularly great lying comfort while the pressure level thereof is adapted to the body zones and can be individually adjusted to the needs of the person lying thereupon even when said needs are subjected to individual variations and changes. Said mattress has a low weight and is free from metallic and electronic components. An integrated system encompassing pressure control valves and a pneumatic pump allows leakage losses to be compensated while increasing the pressure resistance. The pressure cushions can be embodied as hollow cylinders or solid cylinders or in several pieces consisting of superimposed toroidal segments. In a particular embodiment, the pressure cushion consists of an air-impermeable cover (5a) of the mattress core (1).

Description

The invention relates to an air-permeable mattress with high comfort and low weight, with at least one air-filled pressure pad, preferably used as a sleeping mattress whose basic structure allows a particularly good air circulation and thus a removal of segregated moisture of the lying down, which offers a particularly high level of comfort, the Pressure hardness is adapted to the body zones and can be adapted individually to the needs of the person lying on it, even if the needs are subject to individual fluctuations or changes, such as in the case of prolonged bed rest after illness or accident, which also has a low weight and which is completely free of metallic components.

Many efforts have been made to increase the comfort of sleeping mattresses and meet new requirements.

For example, conventional "pocket spring mattresses" have the highest levels of air permeability, and thus the ability to wick moisture released from the human body through the mattress during the sleep phase, so that even with increased perspiration due to higher ambient temperatures in contact with the mattress The mattress surface of the human body appears dry. As a serious disadvantage is considered in "pocket spring mattresses" the fact that the spring elements are basically constructed of metal wire. However, modern requirements are aimed at a metal-free mattress design. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that the spring characteristic and thus the suspension properties of the mattress can not be subsequently changed and therefore so designed sleeping mattresses on the individual needs of the sleeper can not be adjusted. Mattresses with different spring characteristics (mattress hardness) are available for the different weights of the persons.

The industry meets the new requirements with new design variants, which, however, always cover only individual requirements, but can not meet all essential requirements.

A measure to increase reclining comfort and to accommodate different hardness zones has been attempted with a system of coil springs of fiberglass material inserted in tubular recesses, oriented transverse to the body axis, and located approximately in the center of the mattress thickness are and occupy almost the entire width of the mattress reach. The mattress base material is foam and the diameter of the tubular recesses is about 1/3 to 1/2 of the mattress thickness. In this embodiment known as the "Aurora system" stands as a serious disadvantage of the fact that due to the closed foam core structure, which does not allow sufficient air circulation in the thickness direction of the mattress, the removal of separate moisture of the lying is insufficient. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the suspension comfort subsequently no longer changeable.

Other variants replace metallic springs by a system of air chambers. In such systems, a plurality of air chambers are provided, which are assigned to the different mattress areas and thus different hardness zones can be achieved. These include, inter alia, the 3-zone air bed of EP 0 992 206 A1 and an airbed frame design of EP 1 093 739 A1 for a mattress system called "airbed" which is additionally equipped with electrical and electronic components for air pressure monitoring and display as well as air pressure generation by means of electric air pump. Other variants with six air chambers or with 10 air chambers, such as the "air touch" designated mattress system, round off these mattress systems. A disadvantage of all these systems, the basic mattress construction, which is characterized in that these air chambers occupy a total of almost the entire lying area, and thus air circulation and removal of secreted body moisture of the recumbent through the mattress is not possible. Another disadvantage relates to the use of metallic components, electronics, electrically operated air pumps and display devices.

Another known embodiment of a mattress with air chambers consists of a single air chamber, the filling is achieved with a special manually operated air pump, which is integrated in the mattress border, and is operated under load due to displacement of the body weight. The air pressure built up in the air chamber can be changed by means of a continuously adjustable valve. This variant is without electronic components and without metallic components, but has the known disadvantage of preventing air circulation and thus a prevented removal of discharged body moisture.

Further variants relate to foam core mattresses, where attempts are made to achieve different pressure resistances in the individual lying areas by combining different patterns and foam variants with different degrees of hardness. With all imagination in the cut guide and foam selection is sufficient air circulation and Thus, a removal of secreted body moisture in closed Schaumkemmatratzen only very limited possible and the lying comfort and the suspension behavior are not changeable.

The US Pat. No. 6,487,739 B1 shows, for example, a multilayer mattress, which, for example according to Fig. 1 an air cushion layer having a plurality of so-called "air cells". The air circulation in this mattress is generated with a special air pump and is done via free spaces between the supporting air chambers, however, lacking a ventilation from the top to the bottom of the mattress, as this through the underlying layers of the embodiment according to US Pat. No. 6,487,739 B1 would be interrupted. Furthermore, the mattress does not have a foam core.

From the EP 0 453 363 A1 a mattress with spring elements and air chamber elements is known, which each extend over half in the middle region of a double mattress. With the help of the two air chamber elements, the two lying sides can be brought to different filling pressure and thus the lying comfort can be adjusted individually. However, the mattress does not have a foam core.

From the CH 687 806 A5 It is known to form a plurality of individual chambers in a mattress as a carrier cells, which have at least one compensation chamber on the bottom side. The carrier cells can be filled with a gaseous medium and communicate with the compensation chamber via passage openings (see Fig. 3 of the CH 687.806 A5 ). The mattress has neither a foam core nor the required ventilation, which is directed from the top to the bottom of the mattress. Thus, there is no possibility of dissipating moisture emitted by the body in a direction normal to the mattress surface.

From the FR 2 584 284 A For example, an air-permeable mattress is known, which consists of a combination of a foam core and a plurality of air-filled pressure pads, wherein the pressure pads are arranged in openings of the foam core. Furthermore, in the foam core are vertical through holes as ventilation channels, which are arranged parallel to the openings for the pressure pad.

From the US 5,408,711 A a mattress is known with which the bedsores of bedridden patients should be prevented. For this purpose, the mattress surface - starting from the mattress base - supplied ambient air. For this purpose, an inner part of the mattress enclosed by an edge region has a network of vertical, solid tubes which are connected to horizontal, rigid tubes. Ambient air occurs at the bottom of the vertical Tubes and is fed through the tube network of the mattress surface.

Finally, out of the US 5,907,878 A a mattress is known, which consists of a plurality of air spring elements which are connected by means of an airtight support layer. However, the airtight backing layers prevent air permeability across the mattress. Furthermore, a foam core is missing, which is to exercise a support and support function.

The object of the present invention is to provide a mattress which allows a maximum amount of lying comfort, allows for the body zones tuned pressure hardness, the pressure hardness can be adjusted individually to the needs of the person lying on it, even if the needs individual fluctuations or Changes are subject such as in the case of prolonged bed rest after illness or accident, allows a particularly high level of air circulation and thus the ability to carry away the body moisture of the person lying down through the thickness of the mattress, which also has a low weight and which is completely free of metallic and electronic components.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved in that the pressure pads are combined via connecting channels in zones with a uniform pressure level, wherein the pressure level is adjustable.

The mattress according to the invention thus consists of a foam core, which is provided with a plurality of holes which penetrate the thickness of the mattress, these holes are filled with air chambers or pressure pad, which in turn can be designed as a hollow body and connected by means of cross-miteinender in that air can be freely exchanged in this system of air chambers. These air chambers are connected to each other zone by zone (preferably three to seven zones), so that different, the body zones adapted pressures can be built. For each of the zones, a special air valve is provided, with the help of which the pressure in the air chambers can be limited individually. Integrated is a special device that is designed as an air pump, with the help of which pressure losses can be compensated by escaping air and an increase in pressure can be made in the system. An overpressure valve prevents bursting of the air chambers in case of accidental overload of the system.

It may also be the entire surface of the foam base body including the surface of the through holes are coated with a layer of air-impermeable material. In this way, a particularly large air chamber formed, which is filled with foam material. Under load, the air chamber and the foam material are compressed, the volume in the air chamber is reduced and a higher pressure level is built up. After relieving the foam material returns to its original shape, the volume in the air chamber increases again and the increased pressure is reduced. Deflated air can be automatically refueled (suctioned) by means of a special valve designed as a check valve when the air chamber resumes its maximum volume, creating a negative pressure in the interior due to a previous air loss and ambient air at a higher pressure level through the valve Inner flows until an approximate pressure equilibrium occurs.

The mattress top is provided with a pad layer of a particularly moisture-wicking and antibacterial material, the mattress underside consists of a particularly air-permeable layer. Laterally side elements are made of a foam material with higher pressure hardness, so that people can support better laterally if necessary.

Due to the continuous openings in the mattress body unimpeded air circulation and transport of secreted body moisture, even with increased perspiration due to increased ambient temperatures, through the mattress are possible.

For the comfort of lying next to the ability of unrestricted air circulation in the mattress, the pressure behavior and the individual pressure distribution essential.

Another advantage is due to the continuous transverse bores in the reduction of the material content and thus associated with a weight reduction.

The system overpressure in the pressure pad can be between 0.1 bar and 0.6 bar, preferably between 0.15 bar and 0.30 bar.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS.

• Fig. 4 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante eines Druckkissens 5 bzw. einer Luftkammer, ausgeführt als röhrenartiger Hohlkörper in Schrägansicht.
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante eines Druckkissens 5 bzw. einer Luftkammer, ausgeführt als Vollzylinder in Schrägansicht. Bei dieser Ausführungsvariante ist eine Luftzirkulation nur durch zusätzliche Öffnungen außerhalb des Druckkissens 5 bzw. der Luftkammer möglich.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine weitere Ausführungsvariante eines Druckkissens 5 bzw. einer Luftkammer mit einer Öffnung 6 für die Luftzirkulation, aufgebaut aus mehreren übereinander angeordneten, miteinander verbundenen Segmenten, vorzugsweise torusartiger Hohlkörper, die innere Verbindungsöffnungen für einen Druckausgleich aufweisen, in Ansicht, Fig. 6a zeigt dieselbe Ausführungsvariante im Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinie I-I gemäß Fig. 6 und Fig. 6b zeigt ein Detail X des Druckkörpers gemäß Fig. 6a.
• Fig. 7 zeigt Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern gemäß Fig. 4 mit Verbindungskanälen in Reihe, vorzugsweise ausgebildet als röhrenartige Verbindungen 7 zwischen den einzelnen Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern, die zu jeweils einer Zone zusammengefasst werden und ein einheitliches Druckniveau aufweisen, in Schrägansicht.
• Fig. 8 zeigt Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern gemäß Fig. 4 mit kreuzweise angeordneten Verbindungskanälen 7, 8, vorzugsweise ausgebildet als röhrenartige Verbindungen zwischen den einzelnen Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern, die zu jeweils einer Zone zusammengefasst werden und ein einheitliches Druckniveau aufweisen, in Schrägansicht.
• Fig. 9 zeigt Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern gemäß Fig. 5 mit Verbindungselementen in Reihe, vorzugsweise ausgebildet als röhrenartige Verbindungen 7 zwischen den einzelnen Druckkissen bzw. Luftkammern, die zu jeweils einer Zone zusammengefasst werden und ein einheitliches Druckniveau aufweisen, in Schrägansicht.
• Fig. 10 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante eines Schaumstoffkerns 1 mit Durchgangsöffnungen 6 für die Aufnahme der Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern und zusätzlichen Durchgangsöffnungen 6 für eine ausreichende Luftzirkulation in Draufsicht.
• Fig. 11 zeigt eine bevorzugte Ausführungsvariante eines Schaumstoffkerns 1, aufgebaut aus zwei Lagen Schaumstoff 1', 1" mit unterschiedlichen Härtegraden, mit durchgehenden Öffnungen zur Aufnahme von Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern, in Draufsicht und Fig. 11a zeigt eine Schnittdarstellung des Schaumstoffkerns entlang der Schnittlinie II-II gemäß Fig. 11.
• Fig. 12 zeigt eine Ausführungsvariante einer erfindungsgemäßen Matratze, ausgerichtet auf einen optimalen Liegekomfort, in Schrägansicht. Diese Ausführungsvariante ist mit zusätzlichen Einrichtungen versehen, die eine individuelle Regulierung des Liegekomforts erlaubt. Dazu sind Druckregeleinrichtungen vorgesehen, die individuelle Druckniveaus in den zu jeweils einer Zone zusammengefassten Druckkissen bzw. Luftkammern ermöglichen. Es sind mindestens eine Zone, vorzugsweise jedoch drei Zonen, den Körperbereichen Kopf/Nacken/- Schulter mittlerer Druckwiderstand, Rumpf hoher Druckwiderstand und Schenkel/Fuß mittlerer Druckwiderstand bzw. fünf Zonen, den Körperbereichen Kopf/- Nacken mittlerer Druckwiderstand, Schulter niedriger Druckwiderstand, Rumpf hoher Druckwiderstand, Schenkel niedriger Druckwiderstand und Fuß mittlerer Druckwiderstand vorgesehen (siehe Fig. 12a).
• Fig. 13 zeigt eine weitere Variante einer erfindungsgemäßen Matratze in einer Explosionsdarstellung. Bei dieser Ausführungsvariante, die für einen höchstmöglichen Liegekomfort konzipiert ist, bestehen die Druckkissen 5 bzw. Luftkammern aus Vollzylindern, die quer zur Matratzenlängsachse in Öffnungen 1d im Matratzenkern 1, parallel liegend, angeordnet sind.
• Fig. 14 zeigt die bevorzugte Ausführungsvariante einer Doppelmatratze in Schrägansicht.

Show it: Fig. 1 an embodiment variant according to the invention of a mattress with foam core 1, side parts 2a, 2b and tubular pressure pad 5 with passage openings 6, the upper support layer 3 being removed for better illustration, Fig. 2 a sectional view of the mattress according to embodiment according to Fig. 1 along the section line II and Fig. 3 an oblique view in exploded view.

• Fig. 4 shows a variant of a pressure pad 5 and an air chamber, designed as a tubular hollow body in an oblique view.
• Fig. 5 shows a variant of a pressure pad 5 and an air chamber, designed as a solid cylinder in an oblique view. In this embodiment, air circulation is possible only through additional openings outside the pressure pad 5 and the air chamber.
• Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment variant of a pressure pad 5 or an air chamber with an opening 6 for the air circulation, constructed of a plurality of superposed, interconnected segments, preferably toroidal hollow body having inner connection openings for pressure equalization, in view, Fig. 6a shows the same embodiment in section along the section line II according to Fig. 6 and Fig. 6b shows a detail X of the pressure hull according to Fig. 6a ,
• Fig. 7 shows pressure pad 5 or air chambers according to Fig. 4 with connecting channels in series, preferably formed as a tubular connections 7 between the individual pressure pad 5 and air chambers, which are combined into a respective zone and have a uniform pressure level, in an oblique view.
• Fig. 8 shows pressure pad 5 or air chambers according to Fig. 4 with obliquely arranged connecting channels 7, 8, preferably formed as a tubular connection between the individual pressure pad 5 and air chambers, which are combined into a respective zone and have a uniform pressure level, in an oblique view.
• Fig. 9 shows pressure pad 5 or air chambers according to Fig. 5 with connecting elements in series, preferably formed as a tubular connections 7 between the individual pressure pad or air chambers, which are combined into a respective zone and have a uniform pressure level, in an oblique view.
• Fig. 10 shows a variant of a foam core 1 with through holes 6 for receiving the pressure pad 5 or air chambers and additional through holes 6 for sufficient air circulation in plan view.
• Fig. 11 shows a preferred embodiment of a foam core 1, constructed of two layers of foam 1 ', 1 "with different degrees of hardness, with through holes for receiving pressure pad 5 and air chambers, in plan view and Fig. 11a shows a sectional view of the foam core along the section line II-II according to Fig. 11 ,
• Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of a mattress according to the invention, geared to optimal comfort, in an oblique view. This embodiment is provided with additional facilities that allow individual regulation of reclining comfort. For this purpose, pressure regulating devices are provided which allow individual pressure levels in the pressure pads or air chambers combined to form a respective zone. There are at least one zone, but preferably three zones, the body areas head / neck / shoulder medium pressure resistance, trunk high pressure resistance and leg / foot medium pressure resistance or five zones, the body areas head / neck medium pressure resistance, shoulder low pressure resistance, hull high pressure resistance, leg low pressure resistance and foot medium pressure resistance provided (see Fig. 12a ).
• Fig. 13 shows a further variant of a mattress according to the invention in an exploded view. In this embodiment, which is designed for maximum comfort, the pressure cushions 5 or air chambers consist of solid cylinders, which are arranged transversely to the mattress longitudinal axis in openings 1d in the mattress core 1, lying parallel.
• Fig. 14 shows the preferred embodiment of a double mattress in an oblique view.

The mattress according to embodiments according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 and 10 to FIG. 13 has a length L, a width B and a total height H and the mattress according to Fig. 14 (Double mattress) has a total width 2xB. Basically, the mattresses of a core 1 made of foam material, the side parts 2a, 2b made of foam material with higher pressure hardness, an upper support layer 3 of particularly air-permeable and hydrophobic material, preferably with antibacterial properties, and a lower support layer 4 made of air-permeable material. By means of a plurality of openings 6, which penetrate the height of the foam core 1 of the mattress, a high air circulation is made possible, with which a transport of secreted body moisture through the mattress takes place. The preferred transport direction 6a of body moisture is directed away from the body down through the mattress. To increase the comfort lying next to the air circulation, the pressure resistance that the mattress exercises on the lying on it, influenced by appropriate measures. The entire mattress is provided with a coating, not shown here, made of preferably antibacterial textile material, which, among other things, gives the mattress the necessary cohesion.

In a first embodiment according to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 are provided to achieve a high level of comfort tube-like pressure pad / air chambers 5, which are inserted into through holes 1d in the foam core 1, and have a free passage opening 6, so that a sufficient circulation of air and thus a removal of secreted body moisture of the lying can take place. The height of the pressure pad / air chamber corresponds to the height of the foam core, preferably in a range of 100 mm to 250 mm, and the outer diameter of the pressure pad / air chambers corresponds to the diameter of the openings 1d, preferably in a range of 30 mm to 100 mm. Essential for achieving a high level of reclining comfort is also the ability to oppose the individual body areas different pressure resistances. This is achieved by combining the individual pressure pads / air chambers 5 zone-wise and assigning each zone an individual pressure hardness. Preferably, in the embodiment with three zones of zone A, this corresponds to the head, neck and shoulder area to assign a lower pressure hardness, the zone B, this corresponds to the heavier trunk area to assign a higher pressure hardness and the zone C, this corresponds to Leg and foot area, in turn, assigned a lower pressure hardness or in the variant with five zones and three pressure levels of the zone A1, this corresponds to the head and neck area, a medium pressure hardness, the zone C1, this corresponds to the shoulder area, a low pressure hardness, zone B, this corresponds to the trunk area, a high compressive strength, zone C2, this corresponds to the leg area, a low pressure hardness and the zone A2, this corresponds to the foot area to assign a medium pressure hardness. Different pressure hardening / pressure resistances can be achieved in different ways. At approximately the same pressure conditions in the pressure pad / air chambers 5 different distances of the pressure chambers / air cushion from each other cause a different pressure resistance on the lying thereon. A comparable result can also be achieved if the pressure pad / air chambers 5 zone-wise different pressures are assigned. Another possibility is the combination of the first two variants.

An air circulation is through a tubular pressure pad 5 according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 6b possible. In the embodiment according to Fig. 4 the pressure pad 5 is constructed of an air-impermeable film material and consists of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder and an upper and lower end member. In this way, after air is filled into the chamber at a pressure level above the atmospheric air pressure, a "tube-like" pressure pad is formed. An air circulation 6a is freely possible through the passage opening 6. The height of the pressure pad corresponds to the height of the foam core 1 and the outer diameter corresponds to the diameter of the openings 1 d in the foam core. In the embodiment according to Fig. 6 to Fig. 6b is the pressure pad 5 of several, preferably constructed from 2 to 6 individual chambers 5a, which are arranged one above the other and connected so that a total of a pressure-tight pressure pad is formed, with internal openings 5b, 5c allow an air transport from a single chamber to another and thus allow pressure equalization in the pressure pad 5. The outer diameter D corresponds to the diameter of the openings 1d in the foam core 1. For the air circulation 6a, the through-opening 6 is provided.

In a further embodiment of a pressure pad according to Fig. 5 are additional openings 6 according to Fig. 10 required for air circulation 6a in the foam core. In this embodiment, the pressure pad 5 are formed as a solid cylinder. Diameter and height correspond to the embodiments according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 ,

In principle, a plurality of pressure pads 5 are combined to form a zone (eg A), the mattress lying surface being divided into several zones according to FIG Fig. 3 , preferably in three to five zones, may be divided. Within a zone, the pressure pads / air chambers have a uniform pressure level. This is achieved in that the individual pressure pad / air chambers 5 according to Fig. 7, 8 or 9 By means of special connecting channels 7, 8 are linear or crosswise connected to each other such that an air transport from one pressure pad / air chamber 5 to the next unhindered possible and thus a pressure equalization within the combined to a zone A, B, C pressure pad / air chambers 5 is achieved , These connecting channels 7, 8 are preferably arranged on the underside of the mattress, that is, the side facing away from the lying surface 3 side.

The foam core 1 of the mattress is in a particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of parts, preferably in two parts executed. According to embodiment according to Fig. 11 and Fig. 11a the foam core consists of two layers of foam material 1 ', 1 "with different hardness, the lower layer 1" preferably consists of a foam material of higher hardness. Thus, the suspension properties and comfort can be further influenced positively.

To increase the lying comfort is provided to divide the bed surface into several zones, preferably in three zones that can be assigned to the body areas, and to set different pressure resistances. For this purpose, special, metal-free pressure control valves are provided, which can be infinitely regulated, and are arranged laterally or at the foot of the mattress. With this pressure control valve, a system pressure is preset which corresponds to the maximum pressure resistance under load. In Fig. 12 is a mattress with a subdivision in three zones A, B, C shown. The three zones are each associated with a pressure control valve. In Fig. 12a an embodiment variant with five zones A1, C1, B, C2, A2 and three pressure control devices is shown. Leakage losses are compensated by means of an integrated air pump 12. This air pump is preferably integrated into the base of the mattress and presses under load after, for example, a weight shift of the lying compressed air volume from the pump body by means of air lines 15 via the pressure control valve 14a, 14b, 14c in the control unit 13 in the pressure pad or air chambers 5 to the preset Maximum pressure on. A pressure relief valve prevents bursting, z. B. due to overload, the pressure pad / air chambers. 5

In Fig. 13 is another embodiment of a mattress with a particularly high standard of comfort, while good ventilation, shown. Several pressure pads / air chambers 5 are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mattress, parallel to the lying surface in openings 1d in the mattress core 1 and formed as a solid cylinder. Between each adjacent pressure pad / air chambers 5 there is a defined gap, which allows air circulation through the mattress thickness; This air circulation is achieved on the one hand by the air-permeable foam material of the mattress core and can be supported by through openings 6, which penetrate the mattress according to the thickness. With additional, arranged parallel to the bed surface openings 6 ', which penetrate the mattress width, the natural air circulation and moisture transport are supported. Alternatively, it is provided, for example by means of a fan device (not shown), through these transverse openings 6 'warm air, for the purpose of Behelzung the mattress, or cold air, for the purpose of cooling the mattress during hot seasons to transport through the mattress. The transverse pressure pad / Luftkammem 5 can be subjected to different pressures and divided into several zones. Conveniently, depending on the subdivision, for example, three, six or seven zones can be distinguished. It has proved to be particularly favorable, a medium zone D with higher pressure resistance as lumbar support, two particularly soft zones C1 and C2 for the shoulder and knee area, two medium-hard zones B1 and B2 for the trunk and pelvic area and two other zones A1 and A2 provided for the head and foot area. The individual pressures are individually adjustable by the person lying by means of simple, preferably metal-free control valves. The compensation of leakage and pressure increases are by means of a pressure accumulator, which is automatically filled with every major weight transfer, possible.

• Matratze mit einer Vielzahl röhrenförmiger Luftkissen 5 in einem Schaumstoffkern 1, wobei die Durchgangsöffnungen 6 in den röhrenförmigen Luftkissen 5 ausgebildet sind (siehe beispielsweise Fig. 3). Dazu existiert eine Untervariante, bei welcher die röhrenförmigen Luftkissen aus torusförmigen Einzelringen (siehe beispielsweise Fig. 6a) aufgebaut sind.
• Matratze mit einer Vielzahl zylinderförmiger Luftkissen 5, welche in Öffnungen des Schaumstoffkerns 1 angeordnet sind, wobei die Durchgangsöffnungen 6 im Schaumstoffkern 1 neben den Luftkissen 6 angeordnet sind (siehe beispielsweise Ausführungsvariante Fig. 10).
• Matratze mit einer Vielzahl zylindrischer Luftkissen 5 in einem Schaumstoffkern 1, die quer zur Längsachse und parallel zur Liegefläche angeordnet sind, wobei parallel zur Liegefläche angeordnete, die Breite der Matratze durchsetzende Öffnungen 6' vorgesehen sind.

The invention thus comprises essentially the following main and sub-variants:

• Mattress with a plurality of tubular airbags 5 in a foam core 1, wherein the through-holes 6 in the tubular air cushion 5 are formed (see, for example Fig. 3 ). For this purpose, there is a sub-variant, in which the tubular air cushion of torus-shaped individual rings (see, for example Fig. 6a ) are constructed.
• Mattress with a plurality of cylindrical air cushion 5, which are arranged in openings of the foam core 1, wherein the passage openings 6 are arranged in the foam core 1 adjacent to the air cushion 6 (see, for example, variant embodiment Fig. 10 ).
• Mattress with a plurality of cylindrical air cushion 5 in a foam core 1, which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the lying surface, wherein arranged parallel to the lying surface, the width of the mattress passing through openings 6 'are provided.

Double mattresses according to Fig. 14 are basically constructed of single mattresses 1 and bonded by means of special connecting elements 15a, 15b, such that a large-area adhesive connection with shear stress is made possible and only a small remaining residual surface remains as a butt splice 15c, which has to fulfill only a subordinate strength requirement. The main load forces during transport or during a normal normal load are absorbed by the fasteners under shear load. For double mattresses the same design variants as for single mattresses are provided. An individual lying comfort is guaranteed by means of the pressure regulator valves provided for each mattress side.

Claims (18)

1. An air-permeable mattress with high lying comfort and low weight, having a combination of a foam core (1) and several air-filled pressure cushions (5) which are arranged in openings of the foam core (1), with pass-through openings (6, 6') being provided for removing humidity which are arranged parallel to the openings for the pressure cushions (5), characterised in that the pressure cushions (5) are combined via connecting channels (7, 8) into zones with uniform pressure level, with the pressure level being adjustable.
2. A mattress according to claim 1, characterised in that the mutually connected pressure cushions (5) are arranged as full cylinders and pass-through openings (6, 6') are provided outside of the pressure cushions (5) which increase the breathability of the mattress.
3. A mattress according to claim 1, characterised in that the mutually connected pressure cushions (5) are arranged as hollow cylinders which have a central pass-through opening (6).
4. A mattress according to claim 3, characterised in that the pressure cushions (5) are composed of several segments (5a) which are arranged to lie above one another, with pressure equalization occurring by means of inside connecting openings (5b).
5. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the lying surface is subdivided into several zones, preferably three (A, B, C) or five zones (A1, C1, B, C2, A2), with the pressure cushions (5) being connected with one another for each zone with the help of the connecting channels (7, 8) and are each associated with a control valve.
6. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the system of mutually connected pressure cushions (5) is connected with an air pump (12) made up of elastic elements and valves, which air pump is arranged beneath the mattress or is integrated in the foam core (1), and enables an air conveying process as a result of a weight displacement of the lying person.
7. A mattress according to claim 6, characterised in that the air pump (12) is connected with a pressure control device (13) for compensating a pressure loss due to leakage losses.
8. A mattress according to claim 6, characterised in that the air pump (12) cooperates with a pressure control device (13) for building up a purposeful increase in pressure in the pressure cushions (5).
9. A mattress according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the mutually connected pressure cushions (5) are arranged in openings (1d) in the foam core (1) transversally to the longitudinal axis and parallel to the lying surface, with pass-through openings (6') which penetrate the width of the mattress being arranged parallel to the pressure cushions.
10. A mattress according to claim 9, characterised in that at least one pressure cushion (5) is arranged as a lumbar support in a zone (D) with increased pressure hardness.
11. A mattress according to claim 9 or 10, characterised in that the lying surface of the mattress is subdivided into seven zones (A1, C1, B1, D, B2, C2, A2) with differently adjustable pressure level.
12. A mattress according to one of the claims 9 to 11, characterised in that a fan is provided for air conveyance for the pass-through openings (6').
13. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that a noise-insulating material in the inflow/outflow area of the pressure cushion (5) is provided for reducing flow noises during pressure equalization as a result of a change in position of the person lying on the mattress.
14. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the system overpressure in the pressure cushions (5) is between 0.1 and 0.6 bar, preferably between 0.15 bar and 0.30 bar.
15. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 14, characterised in that an upper support layer (3) made of an especially breathable material is provided which rests on the foam core (1).
16. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the foam core (1) rests on a bottom support layer (4) made of a breathable material.
17. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the foam core (1) consists of one layer.
18. A mattress according to one of the claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the foam core (1) is made up of at least two layers (1', 1") with different degrees of hardness.

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