EP1815770B1 - Waterbed mattress - Google Patents

Description

Field of engineering

The invention relates to the water mattress with a perfected construction solution with the optimized utilization properties.

State of the art

Compared with classic mattresses, the water mattress has the water filling which allows the upper surface of the mattress to be pressed down with a minimum of pressure. The value of this pressure equals zero at the beginning of depressing, increases with the depth of immersion of the body into the water mattress, and the amount of pressure is given by the body weight by the difference of the depth of depression and the density of the water.

The upper surface of conventional water mattresses forms a flexible membrane - usually a Polyvinilchloridfolie, which forms very well on the contours of the human body. When lying on the water mattress, the body is supported by a pressure which is almost constant over the entire surface of the body. The differences in pressure are very small, e.g. when lying on your back or on your stomach, up to 15 Pa (100 mm of water column).

This even distribution of pressure is the main advantage of the water mattress compared to classic mattresses and the principle that has led to the development, introduction and spread of water mattresses. Each classic mattress is filled with material that has greater or lesser resistance to depression. One uses e.g. Metal springs, coconut mats, foam or latex fillings or air. However, the air mattress must be filled with a high pressure, so that it is not pressed down to the bottom during the load. When lying on the classic mattresses then only certain body parts are supported. On these the weight of the whole body concentrates and the body parts are burdened by a multiple pressure. When you lie down, they will eventually go off and start to hurt and relieve pressure - changes in body position and turning around - according to research results, up to 80x per night.

The water mattresses were at the beginning of their development only by an outer shell, which was formed by an elastic membrane and a filling valve. Their disadvantage, however, was that after lying down and when changing the situation of the recumbent began the water filling fluctuated and oscillated for a longer time. Design improved mattresses were therefore equipped with damping cylinders with openings, which were usually made of the same material as the outer shell of the water mattress. These cylinders, which were fixed to the ground, dampen the vibration of the water mattress.

The other disadvantage of the older types of water mattresses was the odd position of the body when lying on these. The heavier parts dipped deeper, the body was bent and especially when lying on the side there was an undesirable bending of the spine.

The current construction types of water mattresses have inside the outer shell a filling that dampens the vibration of the water and supports the body evenly in the whole area or more in the lumbar area, where the center of gravity of the body is and so the deformed position of the spine is compensated. The filling of the water mattress nowadays usually forms a textile fleece, sheets of foam, plastic spirals or corrugating rolls. Next also plates or granules of the foam, which may have a closed cell structure. These materials, or combinations of their different composition and different thickness then form the fillings of the water mattresses, which effectively dampen the water swing and support the body so that it is in a straight, anatomically correct position.

Even so optimized fillings of the conventional types of water mattresses but have another disadvantage - they do not solve the difficult turning the body on the water mattress. Although, as a result of the even distribution of pressure on the water mattress and the elimination of the pressure points, the need for turning is much less frequent than with traditional mattresses, the elevation of the body and its turning, if that is to happen, is more difficult on the previous water mattress as on a classic mattress.

Sheeting (textile fleece) used to fill the water mattress can also be compressed by the low pressure and usually compressed to a value less than 15 percent of the original thickness. Wherein the course of the curve of the compression of the textile fabric as a function of the pressure is mostly linear substantially part of the interval of the compression. Such a textile fabric is pressed down to a fraction of the original strength even with a low pressure, but this does not allow to develop an effective force for lifting and for changing the body position on the mattress.

Some improvement of this state bring the fillings of the water mattresses with spiral or wave roller springs, described in the patents USA No. 4,245,363 . 5159725 and 5253377 , These fillings have the resistance to compression, which is sufficient for raising and changing the body position on the mattress. The course of compression of the filling as a function of the specific pressure is almost linear.

However, in those places where the springs have to be compressed to a greater depth in order to achieve a balanced anatomical body position, one must develop a greater specific pressure. However, this limits the basic effect of the water mattress - the even distribution of pressure over the entire surface of the body without reference to the depth of immersion in the water mattress and the depth of compression of the filling.

publications US-A-4 532 662 . US-A-4 905 331 and CH-A-688 502 reveal water mattresses with an interior filling of resilient foam material.

Inventory of the invention

The above-mentioned deficiencies of the known construction solutions of the water mattresses substantially eliminates the water mattress of the perfected construction solution with the optimized utilization properties according to the invention. The invention consists in the fact that the water mattress contains a filling which consists of a plate of resilient foam material which has characterized the course of compression as a function of the specific pressure through three different zones. In the first zone, which refers to the interval of the specific pressure, which is lower than the body weight relative to the area of the mattress when lying, this course has a character of a gradual start and the value of the compression of the filling is less than 10 percent their original strength. In the second zone, which refers to the interval of the specific pressure approaching the body weight relative to the area of the mattress loaded during lying, this course has a strongly increasing tendency and the value of the compression of the plate is between 10 and 60 percent the original strength. In the third zone, which refers to the interval of the specific pressure, which is greater than the body weight, relative to the area of the mattress loaded during lying, the curve has a flat course and the value of the compression of the plate is higher than 60 percent of its value original strength.

The proposed solution of filling the water mattress can be realized with a plate of resilient foam, with the advantage of foam polyurethane in the whole surface of the water mattress.

With the advantage, the plate can also be formed into vertical cylinders, which have the effect of plastic springs with increased water permeability through the structure of the material. For the filling of the mattress it is possible to choose the foam polyurethane so that the interval of compression in the second zone corresponds to the specific pressure while lying on the mattress. In practice, one can recommend the selection of a suitable type of foam polyurethane for the different body weight of the user. The filling of the mattress can be created by the combination of the plate of foam polyurethane in plastic springs molded with textile fleece.

The main advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the filling of the mattress supports the body in the whole area by a uniform pressure at different depth of immersion and maintenance of the balanced anatomical body position. At the same time this filling allows a subsequent increased pressure on the water mattress, which one needs for the development of the force which is necessary for raising and turning the body on the mattress. The type of filling can be chosen so that it corresponds to the body weight of the user of the water mattress and this in the whole range of adults and children.

The filling can be combined with textile nonwoven of different thickness of the layer, which allows the damping of water vibration in the mattress in the required time interval.

The further advantage to the difference from the known Kunststoffspiralen- or wave roller springs is the use of soft filler material, which can not cause the damage of the jacket of the water mattress.

Overview of the pictures on the drawings

• Abb. 1 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck HDPE der Wellenwalze
• Abb. 2 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck des Vlieses
  PES 1
• Abb. 3 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck des Vlieses
  PES 2
• Abb. 4 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck der Füllung PUR 1
• Abb. 5 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck der Füllung PUR 2
• Abb. 6 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck der Füllung PUR 3
• Abb. 7 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck der Füllung PUR 4
• Abb. 8 - Diagramm des Verlaufes des Zusammendrückens in der Abhängigkeit vom spezifischen Druck der Füllung PUR 5

To further clarify the existence of the invention serve the attached drawings, where is shown:

• Fig. 1 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure HDPE of the wave roller
• Fig. 2 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure of the fleece
  PES 1
• Fig. 3 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure of the fleece
  PES 2
• Fig. 4 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure of the filling PUR 1
• Fig. 5 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure of the filling PUR 2
• Fig. 6 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure of the filling PUR 3
• Fig. 7 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure of the filling PUR 4
• Fig. 8 - Diagram of the course of compression depending on the specific pressure of the filling PUR 5

Examples of implementation of the invention example 1

The water mattress in the exemplary embodiment has the outer shell of the elastic moldable membrane and the inner filling for limiting the water vibration and support of the body.

This filling is formed by a plate of foam polyurethane type PUR 1, which expresses the course of compression as a function of specific pressure through three different zones Fig. 4 has characterized.

The first zone includes the interval of lower specific pressure than the body weight of the recumbent relative to the area of the mattress when lying down. The course of compression is characterized by a gradual start, the compression is lower than 10 percent of the original strength and for the type PUR 1 the load includes 0 - 24 g / cm2.

The second zone contains the interval of the specific pressure, which is equal to the body weight of the lying person relative to the surface of the mattress, which is loaded when lying down. The course of the compression is characterized by a steep slope, the compression is in the interval 10 - 60 percent of the original strength and for the type PUR 1 the load includes 24 - 42 g / cm2. In this interval, the PU sheet is compressed to different depths according to the shape of the lying body. The difference in depth of depression, for example when lying on the back, is typically between the pelvis (deep depression) and the lumbar region (small depression). The PUR panel is thus compressed and formed into a curve copying the surface of the recumbent body and supports the body in the whole area with a force equal to the specific load of the mattress by the weight of the corresponding body part. (This varies and is higher under the pelvis and loins than under the legs, for example).

The specific load on the mattress is different for each person using the water mattress. Therefore, one has introduced the index of the body weight, which is expressed as the partial value of the body weight to the height of the body. For a different index of body weight, a different type of PUR is used, where the second zone interval accounts for 10-60 percent of the compression of the original thickness of the PUR plate the interval of the specific pressure of the body lying on the water mattress.

The third zone includes the interval of the specific pressure which is higher than the body weight relative to the area of the mattress which is loaded when lying down. The value of compression of the PUR sheet in this interval is higher than 60 percent of its original thickness, and for the PUR 1 type, the load includes 42-150 g / cm2 in the measuring range. In the further course, which is not included in the diagram, it comes to the minimum compression of the PUR - plate at the higher load. In this zone, the PUR plate is loaded with a high force, which is needed to lift the body on the mattress.

The PUR panel does not change its strength by a substantial amount in the third zone and thus forms a solid support for a comfortable lifting and turning over on the water mattress.

The optimization of the useful properties of the water mattress according to the invention is clear from the comparison of the course of compression as a function of the specific pressure of the filling used, which is obtained from a foam polyurethane type PUR 1 (See Fig. 4 ) and the course of compression as a function of the specific pressure of the HDPE wave roll (See Fig. 1 ) - until now the best dissolved fillings of the water mattresses - Solution according to patents USA No. 4,245,363 . 5159725 and 5253377 (see the treatise of the prior art).

It is also clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, which illustrate the course of the compression as a function of the specific pressure for two different types of polyester fleece-PES 1 and PES 2, that the polyester fleece itself is not an optimum filling of the water mattress can. However, it can be successfully combined with the filling described above on the basis of the foam polyurethane board - in the example embodiment of the PUR 1 type.

Example 2

The water mattress in the exemplary embodiment has the outer shell of the elastic moldable membrane and the inner filling for limiting the vibration of the water and supporting the body. This filling is formed by a plate of foam polyurethane type PUR 2, which expresses the course of compression as a function of the specific pressure through three different zones Fig. 5 has characterized.

The above filling can be repeated with polyester fleece - PES 1 or PES 2 with the course of compression depending on specific pressure Fig. 2 , respectively. Fig. 3 be combined.

This filling with the total surface plate PUR is suitable for the load of the mattress by the specific pressure 27-55 g / cm2 or with a PUR - plate, which is formed in vertical cylinder for the load 18-36 g / cm2.

Example 3

The water mattress in the exemplary embodiment has the outer shell of the elastic moldable membrane and the Innenfiillung for limiting the vibration of the water and support of the body. This filling is formed by a plate of foam polyurethane type PUR 3, which expresses the course of compression as a function of specific pressure through three different zones Fig. 6 has characterized.

The above filling can be repeated with polyester fleece - PES 1 or PES 2 with the course of compression depending on specific pressure Fig.2 , respectively. Fig. 3 be combined.

This filling with the total surface plate PUR is suitable for the load of the mattress by the specific pressure 38 - 56 g / cm2 or with a PUR - plate, which is formed in vertical cylinder for the load of 25 - 37 g / cm2.

Example 4

The water mattress in the exemplary embodiment has the outer shell of the elastic moldable membrane and the Innenfiillung for limiting the vibration of the water and support of the body. This filling is constituted by a polyurethane foam type PUR 4, which shows the course of compression as a function of the specific pressure through three different zones Fig. 7 has characterized.

The above filling can be repeated with polyester fleece - PES 1 or PES 2 with the course of compression depending on specific pressure Fig. 2 , respectively. Fig. 3 be combined.

This filling with the total surface area PUR is suitable for the load of the mattress by the specific pressure of 51-74 g / cm2 or with a PUR - plate, which is formed in vertical cylinder for the load of 34 - 49 g / cm2.

Example 5

The water mattress in the exemplary embodiment has the outer shell of the elastic moldable membrane and the inner filling for limiting the vibration of the water and supporting the body. This filling is formed by a plate of foam polyurethane type PUR 5, which expresses the course of compression as a function of the specific pressure through three different zones Fig. 8 has characterized.

The above filling can be repeated with the polyester fleece PES - 1 or PES 2 with the course of compression depending on the specific pressure Fig. 2 , respectively. Fig. 3 be combined.

This filling with the total surface area PUR is suitable for the load of the mattress by the specific pressure 53 - 105 g / cm2 or with a PUR - plate, which is formed in vertical cylinder for the load of 35-69 g / cm2.

Claims (4)

1. A water mattress comprising an external shell made from a flexible, shapeable membrane, and an internal filling for wave dampening and to support the body, char acterized by that the internal filling is composed of a panel of flexible polyurethane foam which, when subjected to the weight of a person lying on it, demonstrates three different compression zones depending on the specific pressure, while depending on the specific pressure the progress of the compression of the interior filling describes a curve with an "S" shape, while this S curve has, in the first and third zone, a pitch of under 1 and in the second zone the S curve has a pitch of over 1, under a pressure of 0-24 g/cm2 there is a gradual increase in compression and the compression value for the panel is less than 10% of its original thickness; under a pressure of 24-42 g/cm2 the compression increases sharply and the compression value for the panel is 10-60% of the original thickness; and under a pressure of 42-150 g/cm2 there is an even increase in compression and the compression value for the panel is in excess of 60% of its original thickness.
2. A water mattress according to claim 1, characterized by that the internal filling is composed of a panel shaped into vertical cylinders.
3. A water mattress according to claim 1,characterized by that the internal filling is composed of a panel combined with other filling materials such as a fleece of textile fibres or an expanded plastic filling with a sealed structure.
4. A water mattress according to claim 1, characterized by that the internal filling is composed of a panel shaped into vertical cylinders combined with other filling materials such as a fleece of textile fibres or an expanded plastic filling with a closed structure.

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