EP2628413B1 - Topper and bed with targeted fluid flow distribution and preferential fluid flow distribution - Google Patents
Topper and bed with targeted fluid flow distribution and preferential fluid flow distribution Download PDFInfo
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- EP2628413B1 EP2628413B1 EP20130155265 EP13155265A EP2628413B1 EP 2628413 B1 EP2628413 B1 EP 2628413B1 EP 20130155265 EP20130155265 EP 20130155265 EP 13155265 A EP13155265 A EP 13155265A EP 2628413 B1 EP2628413 B1 EP 2628413B1
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- topper
- flowpath
- fluid
- passages
- target region
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
- A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
- A47C21/042—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling
- A47C21/044—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps
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- Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
- Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
Description
- The invention relates to a microclimate control topper of the kind used in connection with beds, in particular, to a topper for a bed, the topper extending in longitudinal and lateral directions and including a fluid flowpath for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet to an outlet, the flowpath configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region of the topper.
- Microclimate control toppers are typically used in conjunction with the mattresses of beds found in hospitals, nursing homes, other health care facilities, or in home care settings. The topper rests atop the mattress and is secured thereto by, for example, straps, snaps or zippers, or may be more permanently integrated into the mattress, for example by stitching or welds appropriate to the materials from which the mattress and topper are made. A fluid flowpath having an inlet and an outlet extends through the interior of the topper. A pump or similar device supplies a stream of air to the topper so that the air flows into the flowpath by way of the inlet, flows through the flowpath, and exhausts from the flowpath by way of the outlet. The airstream establishes a microclimate in the vicinity of the occupant's skin. Specifically, the airstream helps cool the occupant's skin thereby reducing its nutrient requirements at a time when it is compressed by the occupant's weight and therefore likely to be poorly perfused. The airstream also helps reduce humidity in the vicinity of the occupant's skin thus combatting the tendency of the skin to become moist and soft and therefore susceptible to breakdown.
- A topper member is known from
WO 2008/046110 A2 . - The need for microclimate control is not uniformly distributed over the occupant's skin. For example skin temperature on the occupant's torso can be considerably higher than skin temperature on the occupant's arms and legs. In addition, nonuniform distribution of sweat glands causes perspiration to accumulate on the skin of the occupant's back and pelvic region. Moreover, many modern beds are profile adjustable. When the bed profile is adjusted the occupant's tissue is exposed to shear which distorts the vasculature and further degrades perfusion.
- The topper of the invention is characterized in that it includes sensors distributed on the topper, the sensors being capable of sensing a parameter useable for determining weight distribution of a person whose weight bears on the topper. The topper may, preferably, include a blower connected to the topper inlet for supplying air to the flowpath.
- The subject matter described herein also includes a bed comprising a mattress and a topper resting atop the mattress and extending in longitudinal and lateral directions. The topper has a fluid flowpath having an inlet and an outlet. The flowpath exhibits a nonuniform resistance to fluid flow in at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions. The bed also includes a blower connected to the inlet for supplying air to the flowpath. The resistance may be a monotonically varying resistance to fluid flow in at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions and configured to preferentially drive fluid flow through the topper so that a larger proportion of the fluid flowing through the topper flows under a target region and a relatively smaller portion bypasses the target region. The subject matter described herein also includes a topper for a bed, the topper extending in longitudinal and lateral directions and including a fluid flowpath having an inlet and an outlet. The flowpath exhibits a nonuniform resistance to fluid flow in at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions.
- Any feature in one embodiment of the invention may be applied to other embodiments of the invention. In particular, bed aspects may be applied to topper aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one embodiment or aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other embodiment or aspect in any appropriate combination.
- Although the invention is described below in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments, and that a feature or features of one described embodiment may be equally applicable to one or more other embodiments described herein.
- Embodiments of the invention in its various aspects will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIGS. 1-4 are simplified perspective, plan, side elevation and end elevation views of a mattress and a conventional topper having a fluid flowpath extending therethrough. -
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a topper having linear margins and a laterally symmetric fluid flowpath for distributing fluid flowing through the flowpath to a preferred target region of the topper. -
FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along section line 6--6 ofFIG. 5 showing a first alternative construction of the topper. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross sections taken along section line 7--7 ofFIG. 5 showing a second alternative construction of the topper. -
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a topper having contoured margins and a laterally symmetric fluid flowpath for distributing fluid flowing through the flowpath to a preferred target region of the topper and also showing a pattern of fluid flow through the topper. -
FIGS. 9-10 are cross sections taken along section lines 9--9 and 10--10 ofFIG. 8 showing a first alternative construction of the topper. -
FIGS. 11-12 are cross sections taken along section lines 11--11 and 12-12 ofFIG. 8 showing a second alternative construction of the topper. -
FIGS. 13-15 are plan views similar to that ofFIG. 8 showing other variants of contoured margins and laterally symmetric fluid flowpaths. -
FIG. 16 is a plan view similar to that ofFIG. 8 showing another variant of a topper with contoured margins but with a laterally asymmetric fluid flowpath. -
FIGS. 17-19 are plan views similar to that ofFIG. 8 each showing a longitudinally foreshortened flowpath. -
FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a topper with longitudinally extending, coflowing fluid flow passages, an array of sensors capable of sensing a parameter useable for determining weight distribution of a person whose weight bears on the topper, a blower and a controller. -
FIG. 21 is a view in thedirection 21--21 ofFIG. 20 . -
FIGS. 22-25 are plan views similar to that ofFIG. 21 showing laterally extending coflowing passages (FIGS. 22 ,24 ) and counterflowing passages (FIGS. 23 ,25 ). -
FIGS. 26-27 are a plan view and a cross sectional view of a topper having coflowing nested keyhole passages whose inlets and outlets are at the foot end of the topper. -
FIG. 28 is a plan view similar to that ofFIG. 26 showing counterflowing keyhole passages. -
FIG. 29 is a plan view similar to that ofFIG. 26 showing coflowing keyhole passages whose inlets and outlets are at the right edge of the topper. -
FIG. 30 is a plan view similar to that ofFIG. 29 showing counterflowing, laterally extending passages with a central bulge so that the passages, taken collectively, define a two-sided keyhole configuration. -
FIGS. 31-34 are end elevation views of variants of a topper for use in an arrangement similar to that shown inFIGS. 1 to 4 and as described herein, each exhibiting a spatially nonuniform resistance to fluid flow through the topper as a result of a spatially nonuniform distribution of the properties of a filler material. -
FIG. 35 is a plan view showing a fluid flow pattern representative of the fluid flow pattern attributable to the spatially varying resistance characteristics of the toppers ofFIGS. 31-34 . -
FIGS. 36A and 36B are plan views of a variant of a topper as described herein exhibiting a spatially nonuniform fluid flow resistance as the result of pores or tubules in a filler material which are locally oriented to encourage an airstream to flow in a desired direction and impede it from flowing in other directions. -
FIG. 37 is a plan view similar to that ofFIG. 35 showing a fluid flow pattern attributable to longitudinally nonuniform fluid flow resistance rather than the laterally nonuniform resistance ofFIGS. 31-34 . -
FIGS. 38-40 are views similar to those ofFIG. 32 in which partitions divide the flowpath into channels. -
FIG. 41 is a plan view showing a fluid flow pattern representative of the fluid flow pattern attributable to the spatially varying resistance characteristics of the toppers ofFIGS. 38-40 . -
FIGS. 42-43 are end elevation views showing an alternate topper construction comprising an insert and a cover or ticking. -
FIGS. 1-4 show aconventional topper 20 resting atop amattress 24. The topper extends longitudinally from ahead end 26 to afoot end 28 and spans laterally from aleft side 32 to aright side 34. A longitudinally extendingcenterline 40 andcenterplane 42 and aspanwise centerplane 44 are shown for reference. The topper has an upper oroccupant side surface 46 and a lower ormattress side surface 48. Atarget region 50 onupper surface 46 is a region corresponding to a portion of an occupant's body judged to be especially needful of local climate control. The illustrated target region corresponds approximately to the torso of a representative patient lying face up (supine) and centered on the topper. Afluid flowpath 60 having aninlet 62 and anoutlet 64 spans laterally across the topper from itsleft side 32 to itsright side 34 and extends longitudinally through the topper. In the illustratedtopper inlet 62 is a local inlet port at the foot end of the topper andoutlet 64 is a wide vent opening at the head end of the topper. Other inlet and outlet designs may be used. - In the illustrated topper a
filler material 70 occupies the flowpath but does not prohibit fluid, particularly air, from flowing through the topper frominlet 62 tooutlet 64. Alternatively, the filler material may be absent. Ablower 72 or similar device is connected to the inlet by ahose 74 having ablower end 76 and atopper end 78 so that the blower can impel astream 88 of air to flow through the flowpath. The illustrated topper has no provisions for preferentially directingairstream 88 or any portion thereof to the target region. In particular, the airstream can spread out laterally across the entire span S of the topper through the entire longitudinal length of the topper. -
FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of aninnovative topper 38 for a bed. As with the previously described topper the improved topper is configured to rest atop a mattress such asmattress 24 ofFIGS. 1, 3 and 4 . The topper extends in longitudinal and lateral directions and includes afluid flowpath 60 for channeling a stream ofair 88 through the topper from aninlet 62 to anoutlet 64. In the illustratedtopper inlet 62 is a pair of inlet ports at the foot end of the topper andoutlet 64 is a wide vent opening at the head end of the topper. Other inlet and outlet designs may be used. Unlike the topper ofFIGS. 1- 4, the topper ofFIG. 5 is configured to distribute air flowing through the flowpath to apreferred target region 50 of the topper, specifically aregion 50 corresponding approximately to the torso of a supine person substantially laterally centered on the topper, although other target regions can be defined, if desired. In particular, the topper includes left andright margins flowpath 60. As a result airstream 88 cannot spread across the entire span S of the topper but instead is confined to span S1 through the entire longitudinal length of the topper. As a result the airstream is more concentrated under the target region than is the case with the conventional topper ofFIGS. 1-4 . -
FIG. 6 is a cross section in the direction 6--6 ofFIG. 5 showing a first alternative construction of the topper. The topper comprises acentral region 96 corresponding to flowpath 60 and themargins seam 98. Example margins include foam or an inflated static bladder, i.e. a bladder through which air does not flow. The nature ofseam 98 depends on the materials used to make the central region and margins. -
FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross sections in the direction 7--7 ofFIG. 5 showing two variants of a second alternative construction of the topper. In the second alternative,central region 96, which corresponds to flowpath 60, andmargins insert 100 enclosed by a ticking 104 (FIG. 7A ) or covered by a ticking 104 (FIG. 7B ). The central region and margins are attached to each other at aseam 98 or other suitable connection. -
FIG. 8 shows another topper configured to distribute air flowing through the flowpath to preferredtarget region 50 of the topper. In particular, the topper includes left and rightarcuate margins flowpath 60. The margins converge toward each other with increasing distance from the head and foot ends 26, 28 of the topper to define a throat T (coincident with section lines 9-9 and 11-11). As a result of the flowpath shape arising from the curved borders,airstream 88 is more concentrated under the target region than is the case with the conventional topper ofFIGS. 1-4 . -
FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross sections taken along section lines 9--9 and 10--10 ofFIG. 8 and correspond to the first alternative construction shown inFIG. 6 .FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross sections taken along section lines 11--11 and 12--12 ofFIG. 8 and correspond to the second alternative construction shown inFIG. 7A . -
FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the margins diverge away from each other with increasing distance from the head and foot ends 26, 28 of the topper. The resulting flowpath allows airstream to diffuse laterally as it moves frominlet 62 toward plane 106 of maximum flowpath cross section and then to accelerate as it flows from plane 106 tooutlet 64. -
FIG. 14 shows an embodiment having adual inlets 62 anddual intake conduits 110 for channelingairstream 88 to a workingregion 112 of the flowpath, and asingle outlet 64 and asingle discharge conduit 114 for exhausting the airstream from the working region. The working region corresponds approximately to the target region which may correspond to the torso of a supine person substantially laterally centered on the topper. -
FIG. 15 shows an embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 14 but havingdual outlets 64 and a pair ofdischarge conduits 114 for channelingairstream 88 away from workingregion 112 of the flowpath. The working region corresponds approximately to thetarget region 50 which may correspond to the torso of a supine person substantially laterally centered on the topper. -
FIG. 16 shows an embodiment having asingle inlet 62 and asingle intake conduit 110 for channelingairstream 88 to workingregion 112 and asingle outlet 64 and asingle discharge conduit 114 for exhausting the airstream from the working region. The working region corresponds approximately to the target region which may correspond to the torso of a supine person substantially laterally centered on the topper. Unlike the embodiments ofFIGS. 5-15 in which the flowpath is symmetric with respect tocenterplane 42, the flowpath ofFIG. 16 is asymmetric with respect tocenterplane 42. -
FIG. 17 shows an embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 8 but withdual inlets 62 and a longitudinally foreshortenedflowpath 60. -
FIG. 18 shows an embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 17 but with a workingregion 112 having an arched planform and adischarge conduit 114 extending obliquely from the target region. -
FIG. 19 shows an embodiment similar to that ofFIG. 18 but with a workingregion 112 having a rectangular planform. -
FIGS. 20 and 21 show a topper in which flowpath 60 is divided into a set of five longitudinally extending, laterally distributed fluid passages 120. The topper also includes an array ofsensors 122 capable of sensing a parameter useable for determining weight distribution of a person whose weight bears on the topper. One example is an array of pressure sensors. Ablower 72 is in fluid communication withtopper flowpath 60 by way of a plumbing network featuring amain feed pipe 124 and a set of branch pipes 126 each outfitted with a valve 130 and each connected to the foot end of one passage. The passages are coflowing passages, i.e. airflow in all the passages is in the same direction -- from the foot end toward the head end. Acontroller 132 is in communication with the sensors, the valves and the blowers as indicated bycommunication pathways communication pathways blower 72 equally among the passages, the controller could be programmed to meter only 10% of the air to each ofpassages channels - The controller of
FIG. 20 is an on-board controller in that it is mounted on the bed itself. Alternatively the controller could be an off-board controller. Off-board controllers include controllers that are components of facility communication and data processing networks. - The foregoing describes topper embodiments in which the flowpath extends predominantly longitudinally through the topper. Alternatively (e.g.
FIG. 22 ) the flowpath can extend predominantly laterally through the topper. -
FIG. 22 shows a topper similar to that ofFIGS. 20-21 except with laterally extending, longitudinally distributed fluid passages 120. In general the passages are distributed across one of the directions (laterally as inFIG. 20 or longitudinally as inFIG. 22 ) and extend in the other of the directions (longitudinally as inFIG. 20 or laterally as inFIG. 22 ). -
FIGS. 20 and22 illustrate the use ofsensors 122 so that the topper, with the assistance ofcontroller 132 and valves 130, can adapt to changes in the position of the patient. Alternatively, the sensors can be dispensed with, and airflow can be distributed non uniformly among the passages with appropriately designed, nonadjustable flow restrictions governing airflow through each branch pipe (e.g. as seen inFIG. 23 where the branchpipes feeding passages -
FIG. 23 shows a topper similar to that ofFIG. 22 but with counterflowing passages, i.e. air flows right to left inpassages FIG. 23 also illustrates the use of appropriate flow restriction to regulate airflow distribution among the passages. -
FIG. 24 shows a topper similar to that ofFIG. 23 but with a flowpath that increases in longitudinal dimension with increasing lateral distance from the inlets and outlets. The passages are coflowing passages. The illustrated topper does not use sensors, valves or flow restrictions to govern the distribution of airflow through the passages, however such use is within the scope of this disclosure. -
FIG. 25 shows a counterflowing variant of the topper ofFIG. 24 . -
FIGS. 26-27 show a topper in which aprincipal topper flowpath 60P has a keyhole shape as seen in a plan view. The principle flowpath has three nested, coflowingfluid passages secondary flowpath 60S comprising passage 120A outboard of the primary flowpath. A nonflowing region could be used in lieu of the secondary flowpath. -
FIG. 28 shows a counterflowing variant of the topper ofFIGS. 26-27 , -
FIG. 29 shows a topper embodiment having a coflowing, keyhole shapedprincipal flowpath 60P with nested passages 120 whoseinlets 62 andoutlets 64 are at the side of the bed rather than at a longitudinal end of the bed. The region outside the flowpath is a nonflowing region. -
FIG. 30 shows a topper similar to that ofFIG. 29 but with counterflowing, laterally extending passages having a bulging workingregion 112 so that the passages, taken collectively, define a two-sided keyhole configuration. -
FIG. 31 shows atopper 538 whose flowpath exhibits a purposefully nonuniform resistance to fluid flow, specifically to airflow, in the lateral direction. The nonuniformity arises from afiller material 70 which airstream 88 can flow through from inlet 66 tooutlet 64 but whose height H varies laterally. Height H is relatively large atcenterplane 42, diminishes with increasing distance from the centerplane and then increases with further increase in distance from the centerplane. Resistance to fluid flow and height H are related monotonically, i.e. as height increases, flow resistance decreases and vice versa. Accordingly, although the dominant direction of fluid flow is the longitudinal direction, a greater proportion ofairstream 88 flows under the target region than is the case in the conventional topper ofFIGS. 1-4 . This is evident by comparing the flow pattern ofFIG. 35 to that ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 32 shows another topper whose flowpath exhibits a purposefully nonuniform airflow resistance in the lateral direction. The nonuniformity arises from afiller material 70 such as a mesh or batting which airstream 88 can flow through frominlet 62 tooutlet 64 but whose density varies laterally as signified by the density of the horizontal dashes used to represent the material. The material density is relatively low atcenterplane 42 and increases with increasing distance from the centerplane. Resistance to fluid flow and density are related monotonically, i.e. as density increases, flow resistance decreases and vice versa. Accordingly, although the dominant direction of fluid flow is the longitudinal direction, a greater proportion ofairstream 88 flows under the target region than is the case in the conventional topper ofFIGS. 1-4 . This is evident by comparing the flow pattern ofFIG. 35 to that ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 33 shows another topper whose flowpath exhibits a purposefully nonuniform airflow resistance in the lateral direction. The nonuniformity arises from aporous filler material 70 which airstream 88 can flow through frominlet 62 tooutlet 64 but whose pore density (pore count per unit area) varies laterally. The pore density is relatively high nearcenterplane 42, and diminishes with increasing distance from the centerplane. Resistance to fluid flow is related monotonically to pore density, i.e. as pore density decreases, flow resistance increases and vice versa. Accordingly, although the dominant direction of fluid flow is the longitudinal direction, a greater proportion ofairstream 88 flows under the target region than is the case in the conventional topper ofFIGS. 1-4 . This is evident by comparing the flow pattern ofFIG. 35 to that ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 34 shows another topper whose flowpath exhibits a purposefully nonuniform airflow resistance in the lateral direction. The nonuniformity arises from aporous filler material 70 which airstream 88 can flow through frominlet 62 tooutlet 64, whose pore density is constant in the lateral direction, but whose pore size varies laterally. Pore size is relatively large nearcenterplane 42, and diminishes with increasing distance from the centerplane. Resistance to fluid flow is related monotonically to pore size, i.e. as pore size decreases, flow resistance increases and vice versa. Accordingly, although the dominant direction of fluid flow is the longitudinal direction, a greater proportion ofairstream 88 flows under the target region than is the case in the conventional topper ofFIGS. 1-4 . This is evident by comparing the flow pattern ofFIG. 35 to that ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 36A shows another topper whose flowpath exhibits a purposefully nonuniform airflow resistance in the lateral direction. The nonuniformity arises from afiller material 70 having flow directing features such as tubules 586 (illustrated) fibers or high aspect ratio (high length/diameter ratio) pores having a length sufficient to influence the direction of fluid flow and which are oriented to encourage the airstream to flow in a desired direction and impede it from flowing in other directions. - Combinations of varying height, material density, pore density, pore size, pore or tubule or fiber orientation and other properties affecting resistance to fluid flow can be used to achieve the above described spatial variation in airflow resistance.
- In the foregoing examples of
FIGS. 31 to 36 the dominant direction of airflow is the longitudinal direction, although it will be appreciated that because of the laterally varying resistance to airflow (i.e. resistance variation perpendicular to the the dominant direction of fluid flow) the fluid streamlines also have a lateral directional component to preferentially drive a relatively larger proportion of the airstream to flow under the target region and a relatively smaller portion to bypass the target region. Alternatively, as seen inFIG. 37 , the dominant direction of airflow can be the lateral direction with the fluid streamlines having a more modest longitudinal directional component for preferentially driving a relatively larger proportion of the airstream to flow under the target region and a relatively smaller portion to bypass the target region. In general the resistance varies spatially in a direction substantially perpendicular to a dominant fluid flow direction through the flowpath. - Because the target region is a region corresponding to the torso of an occupant approximately laterally centered on the topper, the flowpaths of the toppers of
FIGS. 31 to 37 exhibit a resistance gradient across the target region such that airflow resistance is lower at relatively more inboard locations and higher at relatively more outboard locations. That is, resistance is relatively lower nearcenterplane sides -
FIGS. 38-40 and 41 illustrate toppers similar to those ofFIGS. 32-34 but with longitudinally extending, laterally distributedpartitions 592 joined to upper and lower topper surfaces 46, 48. The partitions divideflowpath 60 into longitudinally extending, laterally distributed parallel flow passages each occupied by a filler material. The four dividers in each illustration divide the flowpath into aninboard passage 594, a pair ofintermediate passages 596 flanking the inboard passage, and a pair ofoutboard passages 598 each laterally between an intermediate passage and either the left or right side of the topper. The filler material is selected to impart a relatively low fluid flow resistance to the inboard passage, an intermediate fluid flow resistance to the intermediate passages and a relatively high fluid flow resistance to the outboard passages. These flow resistances are achieved with low, medium and high material density (FIG. 38 ) high, medium and low pore density (FIG. 39 ) and large, medium and small pore size (FIG. 40 ). Thus, airflow resistance differs from passage to passage but in a given passage is constant in the direction in which the passages are distributed, i.e. in the lateral direction. Alternatively a laterally nonuniform flow resistance can be established across each passage if desired. In addition although the illustrated passages are co-flowing passages (fluid flows from the foot end toward the head end in all passages) counter flowing passages can be employed. Forexample passages passages 596 could receive air from an inlet at their head ends. In all cases each passage would have an outlet at its opposite end for exhausting the air. - As already noted in connection with the nonpartitioned embodiments of
FIGS. 31-36 the dominant direction of fluid flow can be lateral rather than longitudinal. Similarly, the partitions of the partitioned embodiments ofFIGS. 38-40 can be oriented so that they extend laterally and are distributed longitudinally with the result that the dominant direction of fluid flow is lateral rather than longitudinal. In general the passages extend in one direction (longitudinal or lateral) and are spatially distributed in the other direction (lateral or longitudinal) and the flow resistance differs from passage to passage but is constant in any given passage in the direction of passage distribution. Alternatively a nonuniform flow resistance can be established across each passage in the direction of passage distribution if desired. -
FIGS. 42-43 shows a possible variation on the construction of the topper. The toppers ofFIGS. 42-43 each comprise aninsert 5110 which exhibits the nonuniform resistance and a cover or ticking 5112 that covers the insert. InFIG. 42 the ticking encloses the insert by circumscribing it. InFIG. 43 the ticking covers the insert but does not enclose it as inFIG. 42 . - Although this disclosure refers to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the subject matter set forth in the accompanying claims. It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any of the described embodiments of the invention can be implemented and/or used independently.
Claims (19)
- A topper (20) for a bed, the topper (20) extending in longitudinal and lateral directions and including a fluid flowpath (60) for channeling fluid through the topper from an inlet (62) to an outlet (64), the flowpath (60) configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper (20); the topper being characterized in that it includes sensors (122) distributed on the topper (20), the sensors (122) being capable of sensing a parameter useable for determining weight distribution of a person whose weight bears on the topper (20).
- The topper (20) of claim 1 in which the flowpath (60) is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper (20) as a result of being shaped to distribute fluid to the target region (50).
- The topper (20) of claim 1 or claim 2 in which the target region (50) corresponds approximately to the torso of a supine person substantially laterally centered on the topper (20).
- The topper (20) of any preceding claim in which the flowpath (60) has a keyhole shape.
- The topper (20) of any preceding claim in which the flowpath (60) includes two or more fluid passages (120).
- The topper (20) of claim 5 in which the fluid passages (120) are distributed across one of the directions and extend in the other of the directions.
- The topper (20) of claim 4 wherein the flowpath (60) includes at least two nested passages (120B, 120C, 120D).
- The topper (20) of claim 7 in which the passages (120B, 120C, 120D) are counterflow passages.
- The topper (20) of claim 1 including a controller (132) which receives a signal representing a value of the sensed parameter and causes fluid to be metered to the passages in response to the signal such that a larger proportion of fluid supplied to the flowpath (60) is directed to the target region (50) and a smaller proportion bypasses the target region.
- The topper (20) of any preceding claim wherein the flowpath (60) is configured to distribute the fluid to a preferred target region (50) of the topper as a result of exhibiting a nonuniform resistance to fluid flow in at least one of the longitudinal and lateral directions.
- The topper (20) of claim 10 in which the resistance varies spatially in a direction substantially perpendicular to a dominant fluid flow direction through the flowpath (60).
- The topper (20) of claim 10 or 11 wherein the nonuniform resistance has a gradient such that the resistance in a target region (50) of the topper is lower at relatively more inboard locations of the topper (20) and higher at relatively more outboard locations.
- The topper (20) of any of claims 10-12 in which the flowpath (60) includes fluid flow passages (120) distributed across one of the directions and extending along the other of the directions and wherein the resistance differs from passage to passage and is constant in a given passage in the direction of passage distribution.
- The topper (20) of claim 10 in which the nonuniform resistance is attributable to a spatially varying material height.
- The topper (20) of claim 10 in which the nonuniform resistance is attributable to a spatially varying material density.
- The topper (20) of claim 10 in which the nonuniform resistance is attributable to a spatially varying porosity.
- The topper (20) of claim 10 in which the nonuniform resistance is a flow directing feature.
- The topper (20) of any preceding claim in which the fluid flowpath (60) is an insert (100; 5110) and wherein a ticking (104; 5112) encloses or covers the insert.
- A bed including a mattress, and the topper of any of the preceding claims.
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EP14181760.1A EP2805646B1 (en) | 2012-02-14 | 2013-02-14 | Topper and bed with tatgeted fluid dlow distribution and preferential fluid flow distribution |
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US13/396,224 US9131780B2 (en) | 2012-02-14 | 2012-02-14 | Topper with preferential fluid flow distribution |
US13/401,401 US20130212808A1 (en) | 2012-02-21 | 2012-02-21 | Topper with Targeted Fluid Flow Distribution |
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EP2628413B1 true EP2628413B1 (en) | 2014-08-27 |
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EP20130155265 Active EP2628413B1 (en) | 2012-02-14 | 2013-02-14 | Topper and bed with targeted fluid flow distribution and preferential fluid flow distribution |
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US11389006B2 (en) | 2019-06-18 | 2022-07-19 | Perfectly Snug Inc. | Air-conditioned mattress topper |
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US7914611B2 (en) * | 2006-05-11 | 2011-03-29 | Kci Licensing, Inc. | Multi-layered support system |
EP2921083A1 (en) * | 2006-10-13 | 2015-09-23 | Gentherm Incorporated | Air conditioned bed |
GB2446572B (en) * | 2007-02-15 | 2011-09-07 | Richards Morphy N I Ltd | Temperature controlled mattress pad |
US20080263776A1 (en) * | 2007-04-30 | 2008-10-30 | Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. | Low air loss moisture control mattress overlay |
US8332975B2 (en) * | 2009-08-31 | 2012-12-18 | Gentherm Incorporated | Climate-controlled topper member for medical beds |
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- 2013-02-14 EP EP14181760.1A patent/EP2805646B1/en active Active
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EP2805646A1 (en) | 2014-11-26 |
EP2805646B1 (en) | 2016-01-06 |
EP2628413A1 (en) | 2013-08-21 |
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