IL150674A - Aired mattress - Google Patents

Description

150674 I 453358 mx Aired mattress Aminach Bedding & Furniture o>mttt) ta>v»iii m>ttj> Manufacturing Ltd., C. 139633 AIRED MATTRESS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mattress, particularly a mattress that is aired or passively ventilated.

The terms 'mattress ' and 'mattresses ' as used herein the specification and claims are used in their broadest aspect and denote bed mattresses and a variety of cushioning structures including cushioning members, as well as pillows, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Two important goals in the design of a mattress are support and comfort. A quality mattress must provide good orthopedic support to the user, and preferably for a long life span.

It is required that a mattress retains its elastic properties and does not deform after extensive use under weight of the user and further, there is a requirement that the edges of a mattress be sufficiently stiff to support a person sitting on an edge of the bed or when bending to tie ones shoelaces.

Comfort can be related to support, but also to whether a mattress keeps a cool feel during sleep and when trying to fall asleep. A mattress that is not sufficiently self-ventilating can be uncomfortable, especially in a hot humid environment.

Furthermore, a person loses about a quarter of a liter of moisture per night while sleeping and thus a mattress is much more hygienic and less odorous if the moisture is removed from the mattress.

In addressing the above issues, the prior art has introduced various mattress designs. For example, US Patent No. 5,325,552 to Fong, discloses a bed having a ventilated mattress structure made of an integrally formed foamed polyethylene that is lightweight, washable and is cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The mattress has identical bottom and top layers each with channels crisscrossing the layers thereby defining a plurality of square-shaped projections. Between these layers are spaced-apart cylindrical members arranged with their axes perpendicular to the plane of the top and bottom layers. There are ventilation holes leading from the channels to the space between the cylindrical members to provide for air passage. However, the structure is designed to have a thin mattress or pad over it when in use.

US Patent No. 4,862,538 to Spann, discloses a polyurethane foam mattress overlay with multiple sections each comprising a plurality of rectangular-shaped projections designed to relieve the pressure on the bony projections of bed-ridden patients and mitigate the occurrence of bedsores. The overlay comprises air channels at the base of the projections for dissipating heat and moisture from a person using the overlay. Transverse and longitudinal cuts define the projections and provide for passage of the moisture to the channels. However, to ensure support of the body, the cuts are of minimal width.

US Patent No. 5,160,785 to Davidson, Jr. discloses a resilient padding body having a bottom and top layer each comprising a plurality of truncated pyramid-shaped projections that are defined by wedge-shaped slits in the transverse and longitudinal direction. At the base of these wedges are cuts into an intermediate layer that lead to tubular channels.

US Patent No. 4,796,316 to Boselli discloses a resilient polyurethane foam mattress layer designed to sit on a base mattress made of a flexible material with a plurality or arc-shaped or zigzagging grooves forming aeration cavities. The cavities are compressed by the weight of a body thereby expelling the air in the cavities. The air is renewed when the weight of the body compresses the cavities and while a person on the mattress is not moving, as when sleeping, the air in the mattress can be stagnant.

Furthermore, neither of the above references teaches edge support features for supporting a person sitting on the edge of the mattress It is an object of the present invention to provide an aired mattress that delivers good support while removing heat and moisture from the body of the user. It is a further object to provide the mattress with peripheral support that facilitates the aeration of the mattress.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention calls for a mattress comprising a supportive structure for comfortably supporting a body, and aerated for a comfortable feeling and for hygienic reasons, suitable for removing heat and moisture produced by the user of the mattress.

According to the present invention there is provided a mattress comprising a top face, a bottom face and side walls, the mattress comprising at least one support layer, a surface of which corresponding with a respective top or bottom face of the mattress, said support layer is formed with a plurality of through going apertures being in flow communication with a ventilation filter layer adjoining the support layer; an edge-support member co-planer with the ventilation filter layer and extending at , least along side walls of the mattress, said edge-support member comprising apertures being in flow communication with the ventilation filter layer, whereby air flow is facilitated between the respective top or bottom face of the mattress and the side walls.

The mattress of the present design has a number of advantages including, but not limited to, the following: The size of aeration openings is not significantly limited by support considerations.

The sides of the mattress have a relatively large cross-sectional open area for ventilation.

Aeration passageways at the periphery of the mattress are not significantly compressed by the weight of the body when in use.

- Channels adjacent the user are vertical and well supported by the surrounding material such that the channels do not collapse.

The edge-support members at the side edges of the mattress are relatively stiff and thus they also do not lose significant open area when in use.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the mattress comprises two support layers, one corresponding with the top face and the other corresponding with the bottom face, wherein the ventilation filter layer has one face adjoining a top support layer and an other face adjoining a bottom support layer. By one such particular embodiment, two ventilation filter layers are provided, sandwiched between a top support layer and a bottom support layer, each ventilation filter layer being associated with one of the top support layer and the bottom support layer, respectively. According to another embodiment, an intermediate cushioning layer is disposed between the ventilation filter layers.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the mattress has customizable support areas, which by a particular embodiment are user-changeable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric exploded view of a mattress according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the mattress of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is an isometric exploded view of a mattress according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a side view of the mattress of Fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a mattress generally designated 10, which would normally be received within a cover (not shown). However, at least side portions of the cover are made of a 'breathing material' e.g. fabric or any suitable material and which may further be provided with venting ports or apertures at various locations of the mattress e.g. corresponding with openings formed in the mattress, as will be illustrated hereinafter.

The mattress 10 is a multi-layered mattress, designed to provide a user with proper support and the removal of heat, moisture, and associated odor etc. The mattress 10 comprises a top support layer 12 comprising in turn a peripheral or frame member 14 and a center portion 16. The frame member 14 is made of a resilient supporting material, such as, for example, polyurethane with a density of 40 kg/m3 for example, designed to support an individual while laying or sitting on the periphery of the mattress 10. The center portion 16 comprises a plurality of removable comfort segments designated 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 and 40.

The comfort segments are made for example of a material, such as latex or polyurethane and may each have different density or stiffness, so as to suit the comfort preferences of an individual and provide different support areas along the longitudinal and axial directions of the mattress 10, corresponding to the weight of the person and section of the human body adjacent the corresponding support area. For this, support areas can be inserted in different locations of the center portion 16 of the mattress 10 corresponding to heavier body sections such as the hips and chest and lighter body sections such as the lower legs and head as well as to individual preference - as known in the art. However, where the mattress is a single mattress it is likely that no changes extend along the axial direction.

The center portion 16 of the top support layer 12 has a plurality of spaced-apart through going ventilation holes 50 dispersed throughout and extending essentially perpendicular to the plane of the support layer 12. It is appreciated that the number of the ventilation holes 50 and their size may be different in different areas of the mattress 10, for example more holes 50 at the body supporting areas and fewer holes 50 at the feet area, etc. For sake of clarity, the ventilation holes 50 are superimposed in Fig. 2 and are illustrated by dashed lines.

Fitted under support layer 12 there is a ventilation filter layer 48 made for example from fibers, such as polyester, that are woven or sintered together thereby forming a supportive layer with, a void or pore volume to facilitate flow and evacuation of air and moisture flowing from the top support layer 12, as will be explained hereinafter in more detail.

At the edges of the longitudinal sides of the mattress 10, adjacent the periphery of the ventilation filter layer 48, are provided edge-support members 52. The edge-support members 52, have a generally corrugated/undulated geometry thus giving rise to formation of a plurality of apertures 54 which offer flow communication between the adjoining ventilation filter layer 48 and the surroundings. The edge-support members 52 are made for example, of a flexible plastic. The edge-support members 52 also contribute to the support of a person laying or sitting on the edge of the mattress 10 as well as provide a large cross-sectional area for air to enter and air and moisture/humidity to exit the mattress 10. It is appreciated that the edge-support members may have different shapes, e.g. a bar of firm polyurethane formed with a plurality of through going apertures, possibly fitted with rigid sleeves to prevent collapse of the apertures, etc.

The ventilation filter layer 48 is sandwiched between, the top support layer 12 and a flat bottom support layer 56, made of any suitable material, e.g. polyurethane or latex.

End members 58 are fitted at the head and foot ends of the mattress 10, i.e. at the edges of the shorter sides of the mattress 10. The end members 58 are made for example of firm polyurethane and they play a role in reinforcing and stiffening the head and foot ends of the mattress 10. According to one particular design (not shown), the end members 58 may be integral with, or attached to respective end portions of the top support layer 12 or of the bottom support layer 56.

The end members 58 are in the same plane as the ventilation filter layer 48 and edge-support members 52. The end members 58, the ventilation filter layer 48 and the edge-support members 52 are typically of about the same thickness to provide a relatively flat support. However, if the mattress is used as part of furniture other than a bed (not shown), the ventilation filter layer 48, and/or edge- support members 52 and/or end members 58 may be of different thickness. One 5 example of an application that could utilize different thickness as described, is a vehicle seat of the type having side edges higher than its main center portion - typically in order to provide left-right stability to the users.

In use, for example during sleep, body moisture, heat and humidity are removed through the apertures 54 to the adjacently disposed ventilation filter layer 10 48 which receives the moisture and warm air expelled from the user, where air that passes in an out through the edge-support members 52 evaporates the moisture and refreshes the ventilation filter layer 48.

Arrows 70 illustrate air (potentially moist air) flowing through the ventilation holes 50 and into the ventilation filter layer 48, and arrows 64 illustrate 15 the air paths in and out of the sides of the mattress 10 via the edge-support members 52. In this flow, moisture and heat from the user(s) is removed to the surroundings and fresh air enters the mattress 10.

It is noted that the top and bottom faces of the mattress 10 in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 function differently, i.e. the top face is useful in 20 facilitating airing and moisture removal from the mattress 10, whilst the bottom face will facilitate only airing of the mattress, by means of air flowing in and out through the apertures 54.

Further attention is now directed to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, illustrating a different embodiment of a mattress generally designated 110, which is 25 principally similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2. In fact, the mattress 110 is symmetrical about its top and bottom faces, where both sides facilitate airing and removing moisting from the mattress.

Mattress 110 comprises a top support layer 112 and a bottom support layer 114, both of which being of similar construction as in the previous embodiment, 30 namely comprising a frame member 118 and a center portion 120 (seen only with reference to the top support layer 112). The center portion 120 of both support layers 112 and 114 hold a plurality of comfort segments as mentioned hereinabove. The center portion 120 of both the support layers 112 and 114 are formed with a plurality of spaced-apart through going ventilation holes 128 dispersed throughout the center portions 120 of both support layers 112, 114.

Associated with each of the support layers 112 and 114, there is provided a ventilation filter layer 132 and 134, respectively, with edge-support members 138 and 140, respectively, extending along the edges of the longitudinal sides of the mattress 10. The particulars and design of the ventilation filter layers 132 and 134 and the edge-support members 138 and 140 (forming apertures 136) are the same as those disclosed in connection with the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 and the reader is directed to the disclosure of these Figs, for further details.

Sandwiched between the ventilation filter layers 132 and 134 there is provided an intermediate cushioning layer 146, made for example of polyurethane, etc. Foam end members 150 and 152 are provided (in Fig. 3 only the far end members are shown), which end members 150 and 152 may be integral with the intermediate cushioning layer 146, thus having an I-beam like cross-section. According to one particular embodiment (not shown) the intermediate cushioning layer may be perforated so as to form flow communication paths between the top and bottom ventilation filter layers 132 and 134.

The mattress 110 is typically received within a cover (not shown). Typically, ate least side portions of the cover are made of a 'breathing material' e.g. fabric or any suitable material and which may further be provided with venting ports or apertures at various locations of the mattress, e.g. corresponding with at least some of the openings formed in the mattress, and preferably at least at locations corresponding with the openings formed by the respective edge-support members.

The arrangement is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, where air can flow in and out of the mattress 110 through the ventilation holes 128 to the respective ventilation filter layer 132 or 134 and either back out through ventilation holes 128 in the same outer layer or out through the ventilation holes 128 in the opposing outer layer as well as via the apertures 136 of the respective edge-support members 138 and 140. Body moisture can be carried away with the air via the same pathways.

It should be noted that various components of the mattresses described above are provided merely by way of illustration and are by no means exclusive, and many variations and modifications thereof are possible.

For example, the edge-support members could be disposed at the head and foot of the mattress (in addition to, or instead of, disposed at the sides of the mattress) in place of the end members, thereby increasing the cross-sectional opening for air exchange. The edge-support members could also be of various shapes that provide support while having a large cross-sectional open area. Furthermore, the edge-support members could alternatively be made of sheet metal, or other appropriate material, being dimensioned to provide proper support.

In another example, the foam end members could be integral with the support layers of the mattress.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (39)

CLAIMS:

1. A mattress having a top face, a bottom face and side walls, the mattress comprising: a) at least one support layer, a surface of which corresponds with a respective top or bottom face of the mattress, said support layer comprising a frame member and a central portion, said central portion containing a plurality of spaced apart ventilation holes; b) at least one ventilation filter layer adjacent the support layer, and; c) an edge-support member adjacent at least one side wall of said mattress and delimiting said ventilation filter layer; said edge- support member being formed with a plurality of apertures communicating between the side wall of the mattress and the ventilation filter layer.

2. A mattress according to claim 1, comprising two support layers, one corresponding with the top face and the other corresponding with the bottom face, wherein the ventilation filter layer has one face adjoining a top support layer and an other face adjoining a bottom support layer.

3. A mattress according to Claim 2, comprising two ventilation filter layers, sandwiched between a top support layer and a bottom support layer, each ventilation filter layer being associated with one of the top support layer and the bottom support layer, respectively.

4. A mattress according to Claim 3, wherein the mattress further comprises an intermediate cushioning layer disposed between the ventilation filter layers.

5. A mattress according to Claim 4, wherein the intermediate cushioning layer is formed with through going apertures giving rise to a flow path extending between the sandwiching ventilation filter layers.

6. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the holes perpendicularly extend with respect to a plane of the at least one support layer.

7. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member extends at least along longitudinal side edges of the mattress.

8. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member extends in the plane of the at least one ventilation filter layer.

9. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member and the ventilation filter layer are of uniform thickness.

10. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein there are end members at the head and foot ends of the mattress, extending in the plane of the edge-support member and the ventilation filter layer.

11. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member has a corrugated pattern.

12. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member is made of plastic.

13. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member is made of sheet metal.

14. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member is made of polyester fibers. ·

15. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the edge-support member is made of a stiff foamed material.

16. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the central portion of the at least one support layer comprises a customizable area of support, fitted with at least one comfort segment.

17. A mattress according to Claim 16, wherein the customizable area of support comprises a plurality of comfort segments having different stiffness.

18. A mattress according to Claim 17, wherein the plurality of comfort segments are interchangeable.

19. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the at least one frame member of the at least one support layer is made of polyurethane foam.

20. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the mattress is designed to be a bed mattress.

21. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the mattress is designed to be a cushion or pillow. 5

22. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the mattress is designed to be part of furniture.

23. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the frame member of the at least one support layer is stiffer then the central portion.

24. A mattress according to Claim 1, wherein the mattress is received within a 10 cover that readily allows air passage, at least at side portions of the mattress.

25. A mattress comprising a top face, a bottom face and side walls, the mattress comprising at least one support layer, a surface of which corresponding with a respective top or bottom face of the mattress, said support layer is formed with a plurality of through going apertures being in flow communication with a 15 ventilation filter layer adjoining the support layer; an edge-support member co- planer with the ventilation filter layer and extending at least along side walls of the mattress, said edge-support member comprising apertures being in flow communication with the ventilation filter layer, whereby air flow is facilitated between the respective top or bottom face of the mattress and the side walls. 20

26. A mattress according to Claim 25, comprising two support layers, one corresponding with the top face and the other corresponding with the bottom face, wherein the ventilation filter layer has one face adjoining a top support layer and an other face adjoining a bottom support layer.

27. A mattress according to Claim 26, wherein two ventilation filter layers are 25 provided, sandwiching between them a cushioning layer, where one ventilation filter layer adjoins the top support layer and the other ventilation filter layer adjoins the bottom support layer.

28. A mattress according to Claim 27, wherein the intermediate cushioning layer is formed with through going apertures giving rise to a flow path extending 30 between the sandwiching ventilation filter layers.

29. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the edge-support member has a corrugated pattern.

30. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the edge-support member is made of a stiff material. 5

31. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the central portion of the at least one support layer comprises a customizable area of support fitted with at least one comfort segment.

32. A mattress according to Claim 31, wherein the customizable area of support comprises a plurality of comfort segments having different stiffness. 10

33. A mattress according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of comfort segments are interchangeable.

34. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the mattress is received within a cover that readily allows air passage therethrough, at least at side portions of the mattress. 15

35. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein end members are provided at the head and foot ends of the mattress, extending in the plane of the edge-support member and the ventilation filter layer.

36. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the edge-support member and the ventilation filter layer are of uniform thickness. 20

37. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the edge-support member is made of plastic.

38. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the edge-support member is made of sheet metal.

39. A mattress according to Claim 25, wherein the edge-support member is 25 made of a stiff foamed material. For the Applicant 30 J:\01396332\01396332_00004_SPC.doc/8/07/2002