EP1902650A2

EP1902650A2 - Improved mattress

Info

Publication number: EP1902650A2
Application number: EP07116735A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Max Naturgut S.r.l. Hoffer
Original assignee: Naturgut Srl
Current assignee: Naturgut Srl
Priority date: 2006-09-20
Filing date: 2007-09-19
Publication date: 2008-03-26
Also published as: EP1902650A3; ITVR20060143A1

Abstract

A mattress comprising a cover (1), at least a pair of layers (2) of latex or other soft material and a flexible member (3), made up of a plurality of staves (31), inserted into latex bands (32), said flexible member (3) being interposed between each layer of said pair of layers (2).

Description

The present invention refers to an improved mattress.
In the field of mattresses a plurality of contrivances have been developed which are apt to increase user's comfort and sleep quality in general. Moreover, solutions have been studied allowing to lie down without the supine - or anyhow lying down - position causing aches and, long-term, problems to the back, shoulders and cervical zone.
In particular, in order to comply with the above-described requirements of comfort and well-being, a mattress has to concomitantly offer optimum features of compactness and softness.
Though getting closer to good compromise solutions between the two aforementioned features, known-art mattresses by themselves are unable to ensure a compactness and a softness - properties rather conflicting therebetween - such as to maximize the degree of comfort, relax and well-being that would be desirable by a user.
Examples of such constructive solutions are given by the use of springs or of latex layers, giving specific properties to the mattress in terms of consistency.
In general, however, in order to improve the resting condition, many beds use a system with wooden staves to support the mattress, so that mattress softness be compensated for by wooden stave stiffness.
However, evidently such a solution - though assuredly effective - clearly proves rather costly, requiring also the use of a stave support; likewise, it does not solve the problem in case of use of the mattress on sprung bed bases or other surface.
In other words, certainly several constructive solutions have been singled out assuredly providing a comfortable and relaxing sleep; however, there is a demand for a mattress that may completely solve the above-described problems, in particular offering optimal results during use on any surface.
Therefore, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a mattress allowing to overcome the drawback mentioned above with reference to the known art.
Such a problem is solved by a mattress according to claim 1.
The present invention provides several relevant advantages. The main advantage lies in that the mattress according to the present invention ensures excellent features in terms of sleep comfort and relax, it being however usable on any surface without altering the product qualities in any way. Moreover, the mattress according to the present invention ensures such optimal compactness/softness ratio as to effectively prevent aches to the back, neck and cervical zone that may arise when lying down.
Other advantages, features and operation modes of the present invention will be made apparent in the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view, illustrating a mattress according to the present invention.

Referring initially to Figure 1, a mattress according to the present invention comprises a cover 1, a pair of layers 2 of latex or other soft materials, and a flexible intermediate stave member 3, interposed to said latex layers 2.
The cover 1 acts as envelope and covers the assembly comprised of the latex layers and the stave member, so as to protect said components from external agents. Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the cover 1 is made of a cotton/Lyocell fabric, having a padding that allows to improve feeling on contact with the body.
Always according to a preferred embodiment, the cover may be removed, so as to allow its washing. For this purpose the cover comprises a zipper, arranged on the four sides of the mattress and not shown in Figure, which, besides the removal option, also allows easy access to the internal members of the latter.
Therefore, such a feature makes the mattress according to the present invention perfectly hygienic and of easy maintenance.
The cover also comprises handles 11 allowing to easily grab and move the mattress.
Always referring to Figure 1, the layers 2 of latex or of other materials with analogous features provide softness to the mattress and are made up of perforated modules of latex.
In addition, the layers 2 preferably have a different thickness and, optionally, a different hole density, so as to exhibit different softness features. Thus, depending on the mattress side of use, a more or less soft mattress may be used according to the user's needs and specifically depending on his/her weight.
Such a feature proves particularly important, as allowing the utmost adaptability of the mattress to different needs.
Accordingly, interposed to the latex layers a wooden flexible member 3 is present, made up of a plurality of wooden staves 31, inserted into latex bands 32. The staves 31 develop substantially along the entire width of the mattress, it being evident that by "width" it is meant the transversal extension of the mattress or, in other words, the extension along the direction perpendicular to that in which the user normally lies down.
Wood use ensures excellent flexibility and strength properties, together with reasonable weights. However, evidently there may be used other materials equivalent under the standpoint of mechanical features.
Such a flexible member adapts to any build, regardless of user's height and weight, though ensuring the flexibility required to the mattress, and an optimal compactness, in particular thanks to the independent action of each stave 31,.
Moreover, the flexible member 3 performs an important function of supporting the spine inch by inch, fostering a slight lengthening action.
According to a preferred embodiment, the wooden staves are inserted into at least two containment bands 33 of raw cotton, which keep the structure compact.
Always thanks to the presence of the flexible member, the sinking undergone in the course of time by the mattress during use is limited, the features of such a member being substantially inalterable over time.
The mattress thus made ensures optimal comfort and relax conditions, thanks to the option of being arranged on sides having a different degree of softness.
Moreover, the action of the flexible stave member effectively prevents aches and problems to the back, shoulder and cervical zone.
In addition, the mattress according to the present invention, besides ensuring an excellent quality of rest, is also particularly practical, as the presence of the zipper in the cover allows to adequately air the latex layers and the flexible member, arranged internally to the cover.
Lastly, the presence of a stave member internal to the mattress, makes the use of a stave support or of other external stiffening means unnecessary, thereby making the mattress according to the present invention perfectly adaptable to any bed type.
The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the same inventive kernel, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

A mattress comprising a cover (1), at least a pair of layers (2) of latex or other soft material, characterised in that it further comprises a flexible member (3), made up of a plurality of staves (31), inserted into latex bands (32), said flexible member (3) being interposed between the layers of said pair (2).
The mattress according to the preceding claim, wherein each stave (31) of said plurality is arranged along a substantially transversal direction of development of the mattress.
The mattress according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said plurality of staves (31) are inserted into one or more containment bands (33).
The mattress according to the preceding claim, wherein said containment bands (33) are made of raw cotton.
The mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cover (1) comprises handles (11) apt to grab the mattress.
The mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cover (1) comprises a zipper apt to allow the removal of said cover (1).
The mattress according to the preceding claim, wherein said zipper is arranged on the four sides of the mattress.
The mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each layer (2) of said pair has different thicknesses.
The mattress according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said layers (2) are made up of perforated modules of latex.