WO2010030174A2

WO2010030174A2 - Mattress element and child mattress

Info

Publication number: WO2010030174A2
Application number: PCT/NL2009/000180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannis Adriaan Berger
Original assignee: Asc N.V.
Priority date: 2008-09-12
Filing date: 2009-09-14
Publication date: 2010-03-18
Also published as: WO2010030174A3; NL1035928C

Abstract

Mattress element (1) for supporting a body during rest or sleep, comprising: - a base plate (21) for holding at least a frame (2) mounted thereon on a first side; - a first frame (2), wherein the frame (2) is mounted on the base plate (21) and together with the base plate (21) forms a first placing space for placing a first support member (3) therein; and - a first support member (3) for placing thereof in the first placing space, wherein: - the first support member (3) can be placed removably and can be placed by the end user of the mattressl in the placing space for removal for cleaning thereof.

Description

MATTRESS ELEMENT AND CHILD MATTRESS

The present invention relates to a mattress element for supporting a body during rest or sleep. The pre- sent invention further comprises a child' s mattress comprising a mattress element according to the present invention.

Many variants of mattresses are known, which are all adapted in a specific manner to enable sleeping or resting thereon. It is known to apply mattresses with foam materials, inner spring materials and 3D materials. Such mattresses are however limited in respect of cleaning and ventilating options.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of such limita- tions and to improve the properties, the present invention provides a mattress element for supporting a body during rest or sleep, comprising:

- a base plate for holding at least a frame mounted thereon on a first side; - a first frame, wherein the frame is mounted on the base plate and together with the base plate forms a first placing space for placing a first support member therein; and

- a first support member for placing thereof in the first placing space, wherein:

- the support member can be placed removably and can be placed by the end user of the mattress in the placing space for removal for cleaning thereof, and wherein an air-permeability of the mattress is provided during use by substantially the frame and at least one of the support members .

Such a mattress element has the significant advantage that, in the case of a baby and a toddler, an essential ventilation is achieved in order to prevent suffoca- tion. Preferably achieved is that the baby or the toddler can breathe fully even when sleeping face-down. Rebreath- ing is more preferably prevented or at least greatly re- duced. Such a mattress also has the advantage that a full washability is achieved, since washing liquids and agents can be flushed through the whole structure. Applying removably placeable support members provides the option of taking the mattress element apart, wherein the individual components can be separately cleaned. Cleaning is hereby simplified. It also hereby becomes possible to treat the different parts individually, for instance in a washing machine. In a first preferred embodiment the frame and/or the base plate comprise a reticulated foam for a free ventilation of the frame and the base plate. A further advantage is hereby provided to a device according to the present invention. This further advantage relates to an opti- mal discharge of moisture, and therefore a very good drying of the parts of the mattress element. The development of mites, such as dust mites, is strongly inhibited by a high degree of dryness or low moisture level. Fungal growth is also prevented, among other reasons because the nutrients provided by mites are not created. The reduced quantity of waste products from the greatly limited number of mites will not contribute toward allergies.

In a further preferred embodiment a mattress element also comprises: - a second frame, wherein the frame is mounted on the base plate on the second side remote from the first frame and forms, together with the base plate, a second placing space for placing a second support member therein; and - a second support member for placing thereof in the second placing space.

Using such a second frame it becomes possible to provide the mattress element with different properties on two sides by applying two different support members. Dif- ferent possibilities for this purpose are discussed here- inbelow on the basis of further preferred embodiments. It is for instance possible in principle to provide the sup- port member with a more air-permeable insert. A further advantage of such a dual arrangement is that the resulting mattress can be used for two different applications. The first side is for instance optimized for the baby phase, with a strong, air-permeable 3D element, while the second side can be optimized for the toddler phase, with a highly comfortable latex element for very soft sleeping comfort.

In a further preferred embodiment the first and/or second support member comprises a 3D fabric. Advantages of a 3D fabric include anti-allergenic properties, a very small solid volume, and thereby a very high air- permeability and good resilient properties. The positive effect of the interchangeability by the user is a further significant advantage within the scope of this invention and preferred embodiment.

In a further preferred embodiment the first and/or second support member comprises a- foamed material, such as a foam rubber or polyether, more preferably a Talalay latex. These materials have per se known advantages, such as a very high level of comfort. The Talalay latex provides per se a very high air-permeability and, in combination with the frame material according to the present invention, a very high air-permeable and drying capacity is provided for the whole device, some of the advantages of which have been stated in the foregoing. With a conventional frame the inherent ventilating capacity of such a latex remained unused.

The first and/or second support member more preferably comprises a number of spring elements, such as pocket springs or mattress inner springs, which are arranged in a casing suitable for separate handling and placing in the space. An inner spring element or pocket spring element which can be removed by the user is hereby obtained, with the advantages per se known in such spring systems. In combination with the advantages of the re- placeability in the present invention a very luxurious mattress can be obtained. The reticulated foam more preferably has a wholly open-cell structure. The ventilation is hereby optimized. During use the mattress element is preferably provided with a removable mattress cover, comprising a closing mem- ber such as a zip or velcro. The accessibility of the frame with the support members is hereby realized in simple manner and the advantages stated in the foregoing can be achieved in simple and practical manner.

The first support member, the second support mem- ber, the mattress cover and/or the frame preferably comprise anti-allergenic materials. These components can hereby almost always be applied without risk of oversensi- tivity of the user. These parts are more preferably washable in a washing machine. The mattress element according to the present invention can hereby be cleaned in practical manner in a normal household. These parts are more preferably substantially fully air-permeable. The parts having this property therefore contribute optimally toward the removal of moisture from the mattress element as a whole.

In a further preferred embodiment the mattress cover comprises a 3D material. According to this specification, such a mattress cover forms a reduced moisture barrier or, due to the air-permeability of the 3D mate- rial, allows through moisture in substantially unobstructed manner to the open-cell further parts thereunder. Such as the support members and the frame. Such a 3D material preferably has a thickness between 1.5 and 15 mm, more preferably 1-10 mm, more preferably 2-8 mm, more preferably 3-6 mm, more preferably 3-5 mm.

In further preferred embodiments the first and/or the second placing space, the first and/or second support member and/or the mattress cover comprise a water barrier. Moisture lost in large quantities can hereby be held back in order to prevent further leakage to lower-lying parts and/or the bed. The thereby limited air-permeability can form an acceptable alternative for determined applications .

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a mattress element for supporting a body during rest or sleep, comprising:

- a base plate for holding at least a frame mounted thereon on a first side;

- a first frame, wherein the frame is mounted on the base plate and together with the base plate forms a first placing space for placing a first support member therein; and

- the frame and/or the base plate are manufactured from a reticulated foam. An advantage of such an embodiment in light of the prior art is that a highly open-cell frame can be applied in combination with per se known systems such as inner springs, pocket springs, latex and polyether and the like. The breathing of such a mattress is hereby better than in known mattresses with conventional frames.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a frame for a mattress element according to the present invention. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a baby mattress comprising a mattress element according to the present invention. Alternatively, this aspect relates to a toddler mattress, child's mattress or adult mattress. In the application as a baby and/or toddler mat- tress the further advantage is provided that possible breathing problems are alleviated or prevented. Such advantages are provided particularly when the child turns over.

Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a description of several embodiments, with reference to the accompanying figures. - Fig. 1 relates to a perspective view of a cutaway preferred embodiment as seen from a first side;

- Fig. 2 relates to a perspective view of the cutaway preferred embodiment as seen from the second side; - Fig. 3 is a side view of a component of the embodiment of figure 1;

- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a component of the preferred embodiment of figure 1.

A preferred embodiment (Fig. 1-4) according to the present invention relates to a mattress element 1 comprising a frame element 2, and an insert element 3 and an insert element 4. It should be stated that the present invention is described in the appended claims and that this preferred embodiment is described in greater detail than the scope of protection of these claims. The frame element of this preferred embodiment is embodied for two-sided functionality. A preferred embodiment according to the present invention can also take a single-sided form. Such single-sidedness manifests itself in only one receiving space for a support element 3, 4 on one side of base plate 21.

Frame element 2 is built up from a base plate 21. On the one side of the base plate a deep receiving space is formed by means of beam parts 52-55. These beam parts 52-55 are adhered to base plate 21 along the peripheral edge thereof by means of a suitable adhesive. The beam parts are arranged in each case with end faces against each other. This means that the beam parts are adhered relative to each other at adhering locations 46-49. A cer- tain strength is hereby provided deriving from the structure. The receiving space on this side is therefore formed by the base plate and these four beam parts 52-55 for the purpose of receiving support element 4 between the beam parts . Four beam parts 22-25 are situated on the other side of base plate 21 (fig. 1) by means of adhering in similar manner, the beam parts likewise being adhered relative to each other at adhesive locations 26-29. Support element 3 can be placed in the thereby formed receiving space.

Support element 3 is shown in greater detail in the side view of fig. 3. Support element 3 is a three- dimensional structure, such as a three-dimensional crochet or knitted structure, comprising an upper air-permeable layer, a lower air-permeable layer and a connecting layer which is built up of a plurality of connecting filaments extending between the upper and lower layers. This three- dimensional structure is per se known and provides the advantage that a resilient surface becomes available on which to support having thereunder a minimum amount of solid material formed by the filaments. A very good venti- lation and moisture transport are hereby possible.

Fig. 4 shows support element 4 in greater detail. This relates to a very comfortable, fully air-permeable open-cell foam of a high-quality type of latex. Talalay latex is applied in this case. A high comfort is achieved by applying such a latex and, due to the substantially full openness, a very great measure of air and moisture transport is made possible. This openness is increased further by the drilled holes 45 extending through the whole foam body. Such holes can also be manufactured by pouring foam into a mould in which the shape of the holes is defined.

In addition to this application of a latex element, it is also possible to apply an inner spring inlay or a pocket spring inlay. Such a pocket spring inlay is not shown but has substantially the same form on the outer side as beam-like foam element 4. Such a pocket spring element can also be manufactured with a relatively high air-permeability. In a particular preferred embodiment the pocket spring element is defined on the outside by a 3D material for the purpose of providing a further improved air-permeability. During use as a baby mattress or as toddler mattress the latex part is preferably arranged on the upper side of the mattress. This provides a very great comfort for the baby or toddler given the material properties of this latex, which are per se known. The application of the open-cell frame element improves the firmness of the mattress and provides a substantially unlimited air- permeability and moisture transport to the outside of the mattress and the underside of the mattress. The inlay of the 3D material arranged thereunder provides a further improvement in the air and moisture transport. The frame walls on either side of this 3D material are likewise open-cell and suitable for a high degree of air and moisture transport. The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of several preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed as described in combination with each other, wherein all combinations which can be made by a skilled person on the basis of this document should be included. These preferred embodiments are not limitative for the scope of protection of this text. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Mattress element for supporting a body, such as the body of a toddler or baby, during rest or sleep, com- prising:

- a base plate for holding at least a frame mounted thereon on a first side;

2. Mattress element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame and/or the base plate comprise a reticulated foam for a free ventilation of the frame and the base plate.

3. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising:

- a second frame, wherein the frame is mounted on the base plate on the second side remote from the first frame and forms, together with the base plate, a second placing space for placing a second support member therein; and

- a second support member for placing thereof in the second placing space.

4. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and/or second support member comprises a 3D fabric.

5. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and/or second support member comprises a foamed material, such as a foam rubber or a polyether, more preferably a Talalay latex.

6. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and/or second support member comprises a number of spring elements, such as pocket springs or mattress inner springs, which are arranged in a casing suitable for separate handling and placing in the space.

7. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the reticulated foam has a wholly open-cell structure.

8. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, comprising a washable, removable mattress cover comprising a closing member such as a zip or velcro.

9. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first support member, the second support member, the mattress cover and/or the frame comprise anti-allergenic materials.

10. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first support member, the second support member, the mattress cover and/or the frame are washable in a washing machine.

11. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first support member, the second support member, the mattress cover and/or the frame are substantially fully air-permeable.

12. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the mattress cover comprises a 3D material.

13. Mattress element as claimed in claim 10, wherein the 3D material preferably has a thickness between 0.5 and 15 mm, more preferably 1-10 mm, more preferably 2- 8 mm, more preferably 3-6 mm, more preferably 3-5 mm.

14. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and/or the second placing space comprise a water barrier.

15. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims, wherein the first and/or the second support member comprise a water barrier.

16. Mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims 7-15, wherein the mattress cover comprises a water barrier.

17. Mattress element for supporting a body, such as the body of a toddler or baby, during rest or sleep, comprising:

- the frame and/or the base plate are manufactured from a reticulated foam.

18. Baby mattress comprising a mattress element as claimed in one or more of the foregoing claims.