EP3639701A1

EP3639701A1 - Customisable mattress, slat, customising kit and configuration method for the mattress

Info

Publication number: EP3639701A1
Application number: EP19202496.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Caso
Original assignee: Materassificio Montalese SpA
Current assignee: Materassificio Montalese SpA
Priority date: 2018-10-17
Filing date: 2019-10-10
Publication date: 2020-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-10
Also published as: IT201800009529A1; ES2884944T3; EP3639701B1

Abstract

Described is a mattress (1) customisable for at least one user (U) comprising a main body (2) with a sheet-like shape comprising at least one layer (3a) made of porous and/or soft material and having, along a longitudinal dimension (L), at least one series of upper channels (4a) and at least one series of lower channels (4b) offset with respect to the upper channels (4a) and designed to house respective slats (6) in such a way as to define different configurations of the mattress (1) as a function of physical characteristics of at least one user (U), and a textile covering (7) equipped with reversible perimeter closing means, positioned in at least one lateral portion (7a) corresponding to a longitudinal side (5) of the main body (2), and designed to define a closed configuration and an open configuration wherein the lateral portion (7a) of textile covering (7) is away from the longitudinal side (5) in such a way that the channels (4a, 4b) can be reached in such a way as to extract and/or insert the slats (6) in the respective channels (4a, 4b).

Description

This invention relates to mattress customisable for at least one user. The invention also relates to a slat for the above-mentioned mattress. Moreover, the invention relates to a customisation kit comprising the above-mentioned mattress and a plurality of the above-mentioned slats.
The invention also relates to a configuration method for the above-mentioned mattress.
Various types of mattresses exist in the prior at which differ from each other in terms of dimensions, type of padding or the material with which it is made and a series of different characteristics which define specific properties for the above-mentioned mattresses.
The main aim of a mattress is to provide a comfortable support for a user who wants to lie on it and, in particular, avoid possible problems linked to a non-optimum posture during sleep.
Disadvantageously, the mattresses can be comfortable during an initial moment for a user who wishes to purchase them but can be uncomfortable and even harmful for the body of the user in the long term. The variety of mattresses currently available is such as to cover a vast range of needs and in order to resolve, at least partially, the above-mentioned problems trying to avoid the possible occurrence of pathologies linked to an unsuitable posture during sleep.
Nevertheless, the sensitivity of each individual differs from that of others as do the problems which a user can have with one type of mattress rather than with another. In this context there are various factors to take into consideration, such as, for example, the weight of the user and/or the position in which he/she prefers to sleep.
Moreover, a user who is not an expert or is not well informed regarding his/her needs could find it difficult to select a suitable mattress.
In addition it should be noted that, for example, in the case of a double mattress, a specific mattress might not be satisfactory for two users who must use it simultaneously, both from the point of view of comfort and from the point of view of the possible pathologies which could occur over time. The technical purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a customisable mattress, a slat, a customising kit and a configuration method for the above-mentioned mattress which are able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a customisable mattress, a slat, a customising kit and a configuration method for the above-mentioned mattress which allow a comfortable support for the user to be obtained even during long periods in order to prevent the occurrence of possible pathologies.
A further aim of the invention is therefore to provide a customisable mattress, a slat, a customising kit and a configuration method for the above-mentioned mattress which allow a wide range of customisation so as to satisfy the needs of the specific user (or of the specific users) during the use.
The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a customisable mattress, a slat, a customising kit and a configuration method for the above-mentioned comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.
The dependent claims can correspond to possible embodiments of the invention.
Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the non-limiting description which follows of customisable mattress, a slat, a customising kit and a configuration method for the above-mentioned mattress.
The description is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings which are provided solely for purposes of illustration without restricting the scope of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a mattress according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a mattress according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a schematic view of a slat according to the invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a customisable mattress for at least one user "U" which, for simplicity of description, will be referred to hereafter as the mattress 1. The mattress 1 according to the invention comprises a main body 2 with a sheet-like shape and defining a supporting surface 3 designed to support at least one user "U".
In particular, the supporting surface 3 is designed to support at least one user "U" when the user is resting on it along a longitudinal dimension "L" of the main body 2.
The longitudinal dimension "L" means the dimension which defines the length of the mattress 1.
The main body 2 can be designed to house one or more users.
The mattress 1 is defined as single or double according to the dimensions of the main body 2.
The main body 2 comprises at least one layer 3a (as shown in the accompanying drawings) made of porous and/or soft material.
The expression "porous and/or soft material" means any material which is soft to touch and/or which is made with a body the continuity of which is interrupted by the presence of small empty spaces.
For example, some materials corresponding to this definition can be wool or foam rubber or latex or polyurethane foam or cotton or cotton wool or polyester or natural fibres or synthetic fibres. According to an embodiment not illustrated, the main body 2 can comprise a plurality of layers. Preferably, the plurality of layers, when superposed on each other, define a multilayer mattress 1 with dimensions similar to that with a single layer described above.
The main body 2 has at least one series of upper channels 4a and at least one series of lower channels 4b. In other words, the main body 2 has in a relative upper portion at least one series of upper channels 4a and in a relative lower portion at least one series of lower channels 4b.
The term "series" means a row of channels (4a or 4b) positioned in succession along the longitudinal direction "L" as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Preferably, the upper channels 4a and the lower channels 4b are distributed along the entire length of the main body 2.
In other words, the upper channels 4a and the lower channels 4b are distributed along the entire longitudinal direction "L" of the main body 2.
In particular, the upper channels 4a and the lower the channels 4b are distributed in such a way as to be associated with critical portions of the supporting surface 3.
The term "critical portions" means those areas of the supporting surface 3 which enter into contact with particular portions of body of the user "U". For example, the term "critical portion" means the area of the supporting surface 3 which enters into contact with the backbone of the user "U".
As shown in the accompanying drawings, the upper channels 4a and the lower channels 4b are offset from each other.
Taking as reference the upper channels 4a, the lower channels 4b are offset with respect to the upper channels 4a.
Each lower channel 4b of the series of lower channels 4b is offset from a respective upper channel 4a of the series of upper channels 4a by a distance "D".
In other words, the series of lower channels 4b is offset from the series of upper channels 4a by the distance "D".
Preferably, the lower channels 4b are offset with respect to the upper channels 4a by a distance "D" of between 2 cm and 15 cm.
Even more preferably, the lower channels 4b are offset with respect to the upper channels 4b by approximately 5 cm.
Depending on the length of the main body 2 (that is, the extension of the longitudinal dimension "L") the number of upper channels 4a can be equal to the number of lower channels 4a.
Alternatively, the number of upper channels 4a can be more or less than the number of lower channels 4b.
Each of the series of channels 4a e 4b extends along a transversal direction "T" fro a longitudinal side 5 to an opposite longitudinal side of the main body 2.
The transversal direction "T" is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction "L" and their lengths define the extension of the supporting body 3.
In the case of a multilayer main body 2, the channels 4a and/or 4b can be partially defined by grooves present on the faces of each layer in such a way that, once superposed, they form the channels 4a and/or 4b like those described previously.
Moreover, the main body 2 can be equipped with a plurality of series of upper channels 4a and a plurality of series of lower channels 4b defining a greater coverage and/or a greater personalisation of the mattress 1. Advantageously, each series of channels 4a and 4b is designed to house a respective slat 6. Depending on which channels 4a and 4b house the slats 6 it is possible to define different configurations of the mattress 1 suitable for different users "U".
In other words, the upper channels 4a and/or lower channels 4b are designed to house respective slats 6 in such a way as to define different configurations of the mattress 1 as a function of physical characteristics of the at least one user "U".
The expression "physical characteristics" means all those characteristics of the user "U" such as height, weight and posture preferred during sleep. The expression "posture preferred during sleep" means all those positions which the user "U" can adopt during sleep and in particular those selected by him/her to reach the best rest condition.
These positions can, for example, comprise: the foetal position, the log, the yearner, the soldier, the freefaller and the starfish as well as the positions which couples can normally adopt during sleep.
The expression "physical characteristics" can also mean particular pathologies of the user which must be taken into account to obtain a configuration of the mattress 1 which is the best and optimum for the user, both from the point of view of immediate comfort and for beneficial effects in the long term.
Figure 1 shows a mattress the configuration of which comprises the presence of three slats 6 in the critical portion of the backbone (in particular two slats positioned in two lower channels 4b and one positioned in an upper channel 4a) and a slat 6 positioned in the critical portion of the legs (in particular the slat is located in a lower channel 4b).
Other configurations are obviously possibility as a function of the above-mentioned physical characteristics.
The mattress 1 also comprises a textile covering 7 defining a containment volume with a shape and dimensions similar to the those of the main body 2.
The textile covering 7 is designed to cover the main body 2 in such a way that the user does not have to come into direct contact with the main body 2.
In this regard, the term "supporting surface" 3 also means the portion of textile covering 7 with which the user "U" comes into contact.
The textile covering 7 is, for example, made like a special cover for the main body 2.
The textile covering 7 is equipped with reversible perimeter closing means positioned in at least one lateral portion 7a of the textile covering 7 corresponding to a respective longitudinal side 5.
As shown in the accompanying drawings, the lateral portion 7a has a shape and dimensions similar to those of the longitudinal side 5.
In particular, the reversible perimeter closing means are designed to define a closed configuration and an open configuration of the textile covering 7. In the closed configuration, the textile covering 7 completely encloses the main body 2.
According to this configuration, the textile covering 7 acts exactly like a special cover for the main body 2.
In the open configuration, the lateral portion 7a of the textile covering 7 is away from the longitudinal side 5 in such a way that the channels 4a and 4b can be reached (by the user or other individual) in order o extract and/or insert the slats 6 in the respective channels 4a and/or 4b.
In other words, once the configuration of the mattress 1 suitable for a specific user "U" (or for a pair of users "U") has been identified.
This configuration is particularly advantageous because a user "U" is able to insert or remove one or more slats 6 from respective channels 4a and/or 4b without the need to remove from the mattress 1 the covers for the night, such as, for example, the sheets and blankets. That is to say, it allows the configuration of the mattress 1 to be varied in a much faster and less complicated manner compared with traditional covers for mattresses and the covers having zips for example in the upper surface of the mattress. The textile coverings 7 (that is, the mattress 1) are shown in the accompanying drawings in the open configuration.
According to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the reversible closing means are made in the form of a perimeter hinge positioned on the sides in the lateral portion 7a of the textile covering in such a way as to be placed over three perimeter sides of the longitudinal side 5. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the three sides comprise the side of the side portion 7a which joins it to the supporting surface 3 (meaning the portion of the textile covering 7 corresponding to the supporting surface 3) and the two adjacent sides.
In other words, the reversible perimeter closing means allow a closable pocket to be made which not only allows the insertion of the main body 2 inside the textile covering 7, but also allows the textile covering 7 to be opened or closed as required so as to allow a user to access the channels 4a and/or 4b for the insertion or extraction of the slats 6.
The invention relates to a slat 6 for the above-mentioned mattress 1.
As shown in Figure 3, the slat 6 has at least one curvilinear portion 6a and at least two rectilinear portions 6b positioned in respective ends of the curvilinear portion 6a.
The curvilinear portion 6a defines a convex portion facing the supporting surface 3.
In other words, the curvilinear portion 6a defines an arc suitable to receive the weight "P" of a user "U" when the slat 6 is inserted inside a respective channel 4a or 4b.
The rectilinear portions 6b allow a redistribution of the weight "P" of the user "U" in order to avoid possibility breakages of the slat.
The rectilinear portions 6b have an overall extension in length of at least a third of the longitudinal extension of the curvilinear portion 6a.
In this way, it is possible to obtain a optimum distribution of the weight of the user "U" on the slat 6.
The particular shape of the slat 6 is particularly advantageous as it allows the user "U" to be supported in an adequate manner by the inside of the main body 2.
The particular shape of the slat 6 also allows the weight of the user "U" to be distributed at the ends of the mattress 1, that is, at the two rectilinear portions 6b.
In particular, the slat 6 can be inserted in a respective upper channel 4a or lower channel 4b according to the physical characteristics (listed above) of the at least one user "U".
In this way, the slat 6 will be inserted in the most appropriate channel 4a or 4b in order to obtain (in combination with other slats 6) the configuration of the mattress 1 which is to be obtained and which is most suitable for the specific user "U" (or users "U").
Preferably, the slats 6 described above are made from wooden material. The slats 6 can also be made of any rigid material such as, for example, plastic or alternative materials but with an adequate rigidity and elasticity for the specific function.
The invention relates to a customisation kit comprising a mattress 1 as described above and a plurality of slats 6 as described above.
As described above, the number of slats 6 to be inserted in specific channels 4a or 4b is selected as a function of the physical characteristics of at least one user "U".
In other words, a predetermined number of slats 6 can be inserted in respective upper channels 4a and/or lower channels 4b in such a way as to define different configurations of the mattress 1.
Preferably, the kit is also equipped with a processor (not shown in the accompanying drawings) configured for processing the physical characteristics of the at least one user "U" in such a way as to define the different configurations of the mattress 1.
The term "processor" means a dedicated device which is able to process the above-mentioned physical characteristics.
The term "processor" can also mean a personal computer or other device (such as, for example, a smartphone) in which is installed a dedicated program for processing the above-mentioned data and selecting the optimum configuration for the mattress 1.
The invention also relates to a configuration method for the mattress 1.
In particular, the method comprises the following steps.
Above all, the method comprises identifying the physical characteristics of the user "U" (or of the users "U").
The physical characteristics comprise the weight and/or the height and/or the posture during sleep of the at least one user "U".
Moreover, the identification step comprises identifying the possible pathologies from which the user "U" suffers.
The method allows a customisation kit to be prepared, such as the one described above, according the above-mentioned physical characteristics. Preferably, if the method is executed in a shop to allow the user "U" to purchase the mattress 1 suitable for his/her needs, the method comprises preparing for the kit a single or double mattress 1, and the suitable material and/or the number of layers and the material for each layer.
In particular, the method comprises selecting a configuration of the mattress 1 as a function of the physical characteristics mentioned above and a necessary number of slats 6 in order to cover the critical portions of the supporting surface 3 relative to the selected configuration of the mattress 1. Preferably, the selection step is performed by means of a processor as described above.
At this point, the method comprises inserting each slat 6 in the respective upper channels 4a and/or lower channels 4b as a function of the selected configuration.
It should be noted that the method comprises the opening of the side portion 7a of the textile covering 7 before the insertion of the slats 6 and the closing of the side portion 7a once the predetermined number of slats 6 has been inserted.
Advantageously, the invention is able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
Advantageously, the mattress 1 and in particular the channels 4a and 4b allow a high degree of personalisation in order to guarantee to a user a high degree of comfort and prevent the occurrence of pathologies linked to an unsuitable mattress.
Advantageously, the mattress 1 is able to achieve a high degree of personalisation even in the case of a relative use by two users. Advantageously, the slats 6 described allow, in combination with the mattress 1 described above, the weight of the user "U" to be adequately supported.
Advantageously, the kit and the method described above allow a user to obtain a mattress 1 which is suitable for the relative needs without running the risk of an incorrect purchase.

Claims

A mattress (1) customisable for at least one user (U) comprising:
- a main body (2) with a sheet-like shape and which defines a supporting surface (3) designed to support at least one user (U) lying along a longitudinal dimension (L) of the main body (2), the main body (2) comprising at least one layer (3a) made of porous and/or soft material and having, along the longitudinal dimension (L), at least one series of upper channels (4a) and at least one series of lower channels (4b) offset relative to the upper channels (4a), each of the series of channels (4a, 4b) extending along a transversal distance (T) from one longitudinal side (5) to an opposite longitudinal side of the main body (2) and being designed to house respective slats (6) in such a way as to define different configurations of the mattress (1) as a function of physical characteristics of at least one user (U), and

- a textile covering (7) defining a containment space of shape and dimensions similar to the main body (2) and designed to cover the main body (2), the textile covering (7) being equipped with reversible perimeter closing means, positioned in at least one lateral portion (7a) of the textile covering (7) corresponding to a respective longitudinal side (5), and designed to define a closed configuration, wherein the textile covering (7) completely encloses the main body (2), and an open configuration wherein the lateral portion (7a) of textile covering (7) is far from the longitudinal side (5) in such a way that the channels (4a, 4b) can be reached in such a way as to extract and/or insert the slats (6) in the respective channels (4a, 4b), wherein the reversible perimeter closing means are made in the form of a perimeter hinge positioned in the lateral portion (7a) of the textile covering (7) in such a way as to be placed over three perimeter sides of the of the longitudinal side (5).
The mattress (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper channels (4a) and lower the channels (4b) are distributed along the entire longitudinal dimension (L) of the main body (2) in such a way as to be associated with critical portions of the supporting surface (3) associated with points of contact of the at least one user (U) with the supporting surface (3).
The mattress (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the series of lower channels (4b) is offset by a distance (D) of between 2 cm and 15 cm relative to the series of upper channels (4a), preferably the series of lower channels (4b) being offset by a distance (D) equal to 5 cm relative to the series of upper channels (4a).
A slat (6) for a mattress (1) according to any one of the preceding claims having at least one curvilinear portion (6a) defining a convex portion facing towards the supporting surface (3) of the mattress (1) and at least two rectilinear portions (6b) positioned in respective ends of the curvilinear portion (6a), the slat (6) being insertable in a respective upper channel (4a) or a respective lower channel (4b) as a function of physical characteristics of at least one user (U), the rectilinear portions (6b) having an overall length of at least a third of the longitudinal extension of the curvilinear portion (6a).
A customising kit comprising:
- a mattress (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3;

- a plurality of slats (6) according to claim 5;
wherein a predetermined number of the plurality of slats (6) can be inserted in respective upper channels (4a) and/or lower channels (4b) in such a way as to define different configurations of the mattress (1) as a function of physical characteristics of the at least one user (U),

- a processor configured to process the physical characteristics of at least one user (U) in such a way as to define the different configurations of the mattress (1).
A method for configuring a mattress (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying physical characteristics of the user (U);

- preparing a customising kit according to claim 6 or 7 as a function of the physical characteristics;

- selecting a configuration of the mattress (1) as a function of the physical characteristics;

- opening the lateral portion (7a) of the textile covering (7) corresponding to the longitudinal side (5);

- inserting each slat (6) in the respective upper channels (4a) and/or lower channels (4b) of the mattress (1) as a function of the selected configuration;
reclosing the lateral portion (7a) of the textile covering (7).
The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of identifying the physical characteristics of the at least one user (U) comprises identifying the physical characteristics between weight and/or height and/or posture during sleep and/or illnesses of the at least one user.
The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the step of selecting the configurations of the mattress (1) is performed by entering the physical characteristics of the user (U) identified in a specific processor.