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(11) | EP 0 632 984 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Mattress or a like body-supporting element Matratze oder ähnliches körperstützendes Element Matelas ou similaire supportant le corps |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0003] For the sake of readability, the application will hereinafter only refer to a mattress. However, it is understood that the invention also relates to, for instance, seat cushions for couches and other body-supporting elements.
[0004] Conventional mattresses provided with cavities are rather expensive in manufacturing. Generally, the known mattresses with cavities functioning as ventilating ducts are manufactured from two layers of full-foam material, with parts being cut away from the full-foam layers to form the cavities, after which, subsequently, the full-foam layers are placed on top of each other and interconnected by means of, for instance, glueing. The parts cut away from the full-foam layers form waste, causing a considerable loss item in manufacturing.
[0005] DE-A-28 20 282 overcomes the disadvantages of the conventional mattresses for a large part. After displacing the foam core halves from the manufacturing position to the service position, the obtained body-supporting element needs to be cut at the longitudinal ends to obtain a rectangular block form.
[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a mattress of a like body-supporting element having a foam core assembly provided with at least one cavity, the intended mattress being producible at a price equal to that of a mattress having a full-foam core which is approximately 2-4 cm thinner and for which an equal quantity of foam material has been used.
[0007] To this end, in accordance with the invention, the mattress or the body-supporting element is characterized by the features of claim 1.
[0008] A thus composed foam core assembly can be manufactured from a layer of full-foam material which is divided into two foam core halves by means of a separating operation, such as, for instance, cutting or sawing. The contour surfaces are formed through the separating operation. Because the contour surfaces are completely complementary to each other, both foam core halves can be manufactured without any waste of foam material.
[0009] Further, the foam core assembly can be manufactured from a relatively thin layer of full-foam material, the displacement of the foam core halves, which are obtained through the separating operation, resulting in a foam core assembly of a greater thickness than the original layer of full-foam material and having ventilating ducts or like cavities. As the foam core halves form a rectangular block both in the service state and in the manufacturing state, no waste of material occurs whatsoever when the foam core assembly is being manufactured. Further, the foam core halves need only be displaced relative to each other and hence need not be rotated or turned. As a result, the handling of the foam core halves is limited considerably, which yields a considerable saving of time and cost.
[0010] For the simple manufacture, according to a further elaboration of the invention, the mattress is characterized by the features of claim 2.
[0011] In a thus composed foam core, the separating operation for manufacturing the foam core halves of the foam core assembly may consist of a simple sawing operation by means of, for instance, a cutting wire, extending through the entire width of the mattress, which is moved according to the desired contour in the longitudinal direction through the full-foam layer serving as the starting product.
[0012] To provide that both in the manufacturing state and in the service state the foam core assembly has the shape of a rectangular block, the mattress is characterized by the features of claim 3. The distance through which the foam core halves should be displaced relative to each other to change from the manufacturing state into the service state corresponds to the length of tread of the stepped contour surface at the head and foot ends. The increase in thickness of the foam core assembly when changing from the manufacturing state into the service state corresponds to the height of the riser of the stepped contour surface at the head and foot ends. In this manner, in both states, at the head end as well as the foot end, a solid full-foam core is obtained of the desired strength. This strength is important in particular during the manufacturing process, such as glueing, covering and, if necessary, stuffing the mattress, and moreover provides the required stability in the service phase, so that deformations are prevented.
[0014] The hardness and/or stiffness of such a mattress can be varied by means of the material layer or material parts included into the central cavity at the location of the hip-supporting part. At the points where the mattress may be slightly softer, i.e. at the location of the leg and shoulder-supporting parts, the mattress is more supple through the presence of ventilating ducts. At the location of the head end, the mattress is slightly stiffer or harder again, which is particularly important in an adjustable bed. In the sitting position, the back may sink into the softer shoulder-supporting part such that a separate head support is not necessary, because at the head end, the mattress is harder. Moreover, the addition material layer or the material parts in the hip-supporting part provide sufficient support and strength in the sitting position.
[0015] According to a further elaboration of the invention, it is particularly favorable if the ventilating ducts at the location of the shoulder and leg-supporting parts have a hexagonal section. In comparison with square or rectangular ducts, this leads to a better stability of the top parts, abutting against each other, of the contour surfaces of the foam core halves. After all, in the case of rectangular ducts, the walls of the contours supporting the top parts have a rectangular shape as well, due to the complementary form of the two contour surfaces. When there is an uneven load distribution on the mattress, the chance occurs that rectangular walls bend or tilt and then no longer provide any support. In the case of ventilating ducts of a hexagonal shape, the walls have a section having the shape of an isisceles trapezium, the base being wide and the top being narrow. Such a wall is much more stable than a wall having a rectangular section and will not tilt, even when there is an uneven load distribution. Another advantage of such a contour is that the length of the contour is shorter than that of a contour with which ventilating ducts of a rectangular section are formed. Due to the shorter length of the contour, the separating operation for forming the two foam core halves will take up less time, which results in lower manufacturing costs.
[0016] To allow the mattress to be rotated and turned, according to a further elaboration of the invention, it is particularly favorable if the contour surfaces at the location of at least the hip-supporting part and the leg and shoulder-supporting parts are symmetrical relative to the three orthogonal center planes of the foam core assembly in the service state.
[0017] To explain the invention, a number of exemplary embodiments of foam core assemblies of mattresses according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of a foam core assembly in the manufacturing state;
Fig. 2 is a similar section of the foam core assembly shown in Fig. 1 in the service state;
Fig. 3 is a similar section as shown in Fig. 2, with the central cavity including an additional material layer;
Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a foam core assembly in the manufacturing state;
Fig. 5 is a similar section of the foam core assembly shown in Fig. 4 in the service state;
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a third embodiment of a foam core assembly in the manufacturing state; and
Fig. 7 is a similar section of the foam core assembly shown in Fig. 6 in the service state.
[0018] All foam core assemblies 1 shown in the Figures comprise two foam core halves 2, 3. Through a separating operation, such as, for instance, cutting or sawing along a specific contour 4, the foam core halves 2, 3 are manufactured from a layer of full-foam material or a like resilient material. After the separating operation, the thus obtained foam core halves 2, 3 are displaced relative to each other and, if necessary with a local interposition of a layer of glue, placed on top of each other again, the contour surfaces 4 facing each other.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the contour 4 made by the separating operation extends through the entire width of the foam core assembly 1 to be manufactured. However, it is understood that the contour 4 may also extend lengthwise. In the first case, in the service state, openings are provided at the longitudinal sides of the foam core assembly, while if the contours 4 extend lengthwise of the foam core assembly 1, openings are formed in the end sides 5, 6 of the foam core assembly 1. A third possibility is that the contour surfaces 4, at least a part thereof, are curved in two directions. It can thus be provided that in the service state both the end sides and the longitudinal sides of the foam core assembly 1 do not contain any openings or, conversely, do contain openings. Obviously, the manufacture of such a foam core assembly is considerably more complicated and expensive than the manufacture of a foam core assembly 1 whose contour surfaces 4 extend lengthwise or crosswise only.
[0020] The contour surfaces 4 of the exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures, all of which extend uniformly crosswise and vary lengthwise, as mentioned above, have a stepped configuration at the head and foot ends 1a and 1b respectively. In the manufacturing state, the contour surface 4 begins and ends in the main surfaces 7, 8 of the foam core assembly 1 with a riser 9, while in the service state, the contour surface 4 begins and ends in the end faces 5 and 6 of the foam core assembly 1 with a tread 10. When changing from the manufacturing state into the service state, the two foam core halves 2, 3 are displaced lengthwise relative to each other through a distance corresponding to the tread 10 of the stepped contour parts. The thickness of the foam core assembly 1 in the service state increases relative to the manufacturing state by a height corresponding to the riser 9 of the stepped contour parts 4a, 4b. In a foam core assembly 1 having a contour surface 4 which has a stepped configuration at the head and foot ends 1a and 1b respectively, the foam core assembly 1 has a rectangular block shape in the manufacturing state as well as in the service state. Hence, the foam core assembly 1 can be manufactured without any loss of material.
[0021] For the stability of the parts of the foam core assembly 1, which parts are provided with ventilating ducts 11 or like cavities, it is particularly favorable if at least a number of top parts 12 of the contour surfaces 4 abut against each other. These top parts 12 may then be provided, before thefoam core halves 2, 3 are joined together into the service state, with a layer of glue. This offers the advantage that due to the interconnection created by the layer of glue, the walls 13, which are part of the countour surfaces 4 and carry the top parts 12, are less liable to tilt.
[0022] Figs 1-4 show variants of the differen contour surfaces 4 for the shoulder and leg-supporting parts 1c, 1d and the hip-supporting part 1e. The embodiments shown in figures 1-3 do not form part of the invention because the contour surfaces do not comprise top parts 12. In the service state, the embodiment shown in Figs 1 and 2 has one large central cavity 11 extending through the shoulder and leg-supporting parts 1c, 1d as well as the hip-supporting part 1e. If necessary, it is possible to include in this cavity 11 a material layer or additional material parts 14 of the same or of a different composition and stiffness than the two foam core halves 2, 3, as is shown in Fig. 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the material layer 14 only extends under the hip-supporting part of 1e of the f oam core assembly 1. An additional material layer 14 at the hip-supporting part 1e offers the advantage that the mattress, if it is used on an adjustable bed bottom, provides adequate support in a sitting position as well. The material layer of material parts 14 may have any composition, such as for instance peat, straw, foam material, natural or synthetic rubbers, etc. It is understood that such additional material parts 14, to be included into the cavities 11, may also be included at other locations in the foam core assembly 1.
[0023] Figs 6 and 7 show an embodiment which is most preferred. The contour surfaces 4e are crenellated at the hip-supporting part 1e, the crenellations having such dimensions relative to the contour surfaces 4 at the location of the shoulder and leg-supporting parts 1c, 1d, that an additional material layer 14 can be included herein for additional support, while due to the crenellated profile 4e in the service state of the foam core assembly 1, ventilating ducts 11 can still be formed at the location of the hip-supporting part 1e.
[0024] At the shoulder and leg-supporting parts 1c, 1d, the contour parts are of such design that in the service state, hexagonal ventilating ducts 15 are formed. The walls 13, forming the hexagonal ventilating ducts 15, have a section having the shape of an isisceles trapezium, the long side of each trapezium forming the base of each wall 13 and the short side of each trapezium forming the top of each wall. The top parts 12 of the walls 13 of the two foam core halves 2, 3 are disposed opposite each other and are preferably interconnected by means of a layer of glue. As the walls 13 have a wide base, they are not liable to tilt even in the case of uneven load of the foam core assembly 1, as a result of which the foam core assembly 1 also provides a stable support at the shoulder and hip-supporting parts 1c, 1d. Moreover, the contour surface 4 with the trapezoidal walls 13 has the advantage that a shorter contour 4 is obtained than in the case of a crenellated contour configuration, which has a favorable effect on the processing time of the separating operation during manufacturing.
[0025] At the head and foot ends 1a, 1b, this embodiment, which is preferred, compises a stepped contour configuration as well.
[0026] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described, but that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For instance, one or several outer surfaces of the foam core assembly may have been provided with additional layers, for instance to obtain rounded corners or to close off the ventilating openings in the longitudinal and/or end sides of the foam core assembly. Obviously, the foam core assembly will generally be covered with a mattress cover.
1. A body-supporting element comprising a foam core assembly having a lateral direction
and a longitudinal direction, a first longitudinal directon end and a second longitudinal
end and having at least one cavity, the foam core assembly (1) comprising at least
two foam core halves (2, 3) disposed on top of each other, each of the main surfaces
of the foam core halves (2, 3), which main surfaces face each other, being provided
with a contour surface (4) to form the cavities (11, 15), the contour surfaces (4)
of the two foam core halves (2, 3) comprising a number of top parts (12) and being
complementary to each other; with the complementary contour surfaces (4) substantially
completely adjoining each other in a manufacturing state; the two foam core halves
(2, 3) in the manufacturing state forming a rectangular block, the two foam core halves
(2, 3) in a service state being displaced relative to each other such that at least
a plurality of the top parts (12) formed by the contour surfaces (4) abut against
each other and characterized in that the two foam core halves (2, 3) in the service
state form a rectangular block having a greater thickness than the rectanglular block
of the manufacturing state, such that no waste of material occurs when the foam core
assembly is being manufactured.
2. A body-supporting element according to claim 1, characterized in that the contours
of the contour surfaces (4) extend only in the lateral direction of the foam core
assembly (1), the foam core halves (2, 3) in the service state being displaced relative
to each other in the longitudinal direction relative to the manufacturing state.
3. A body-supporting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contour
surfaces (4) at the location of the first and the second longitudinal ends (1a, 1b)
have a stepped configuration, the first riser (9) in the contour (4) in the manufacturing
state of the foam core assembly (1) starting in an outward facing main surface of
the foam core assembly (1), at the first end (1a) as well as the second end (1b).
4. A body-supporting element according to any of the preceeding claims, characterized
in that the body-supporting element is a mattress and that the contour surfaces (4)
are designed such that in the service state a central cavity (11) is formed at the
middle part of the foam core assembly (1) functioning as a hip-supporting part (1e),
the contour surfaces (4) at the location of the parts (1c, 1d) of the foam core assembly
(1) which function as shoulder and leg-supporting parts on either side of the middle
part (1e) being designed such that the top parts (12) of the contours (4) of the foam
core halves (2, 3) abut against each other, with cavities (15), functioning as ventilating
ducts, being formed between the top parts (12) abutting against each other, the contour
surfaces (4) of the ends (1a, 1b) of the foam core assembly (1) which function as
head and foot ends adjoining each other in the service state.
5. A body-supporting element according to claim 4, characterized in that in the central
cavity a material layer is, or material parts (14) of a different material are included.
6. A body-supporting element according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that cavities
(15) at the location of the shoulder and leg-supporting parts (1c, 1d) have a hexagonal
section.
7. A body-supporting element according to any one of the claims 4-6, characterized in
that the contour surfaces (4) and the leg and shoulder-supporting parts (1c, 1d) are
symmetrical relative to the three orthogonal center planes of the foam core assembly
(1) in the service state.
1. Körperstützendes Element, welches einen Schaumstoffkernaufbau mit einer seitlichen
Richtung und einer Längsrichtung, einem ersten Längsrichtungsende und einem zweiten
Längsrichtungsende und mit mindestens einem Hohlraum aufweist, wobei der Schaumstoffkernaufbau
(1) mindestens zwei Schaumstoffkernhälften (2, 3) aufweist, die aufeinander angeordnet
sind, wobei jede der Hauptoberflächen der Schaumstoffkernhälften (2, 3), welche Hauptoberflächen
einander gegenüberliegen, mit einer Umrißoberfläche (4) versehen ist, um die Hohlräume
(11, 15) zu bilden, wobei die Umrißoberflächen (4) der beiden Schaumstoffkernhälften
(2, 3) eine Anzahl an Oberteilen (12) aufweisen und zueinander komplementär sind,
wobei die komplementären Umrißoberflächen (4) im Zustand der Herstellung im wesentlichen
vollständig aneinander angrenzen, wobei die beiden Schaumstoffkernhälften (2, 3) im
Zustand der Herstellung einen rechteckigen Block bilden, wobei die beiden Schaumstoffkernhälften
(2, 3) im Betriebszustand relativ zueinander versetzt sind, so daß mindestens eine
Vielzahl der Oberteile (12), die durch die Umrißoberflächen (4) gebildet sind, aneinander
stoßen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden Schaumstoffkernhälten (2, 3) im Betriebszustand
einen rechteckigen Block bilden, der eine größeren Dicke aufweist als der rechteckige
Block im Herstellungszustand, so daß bei der Herstellung des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus
keine Materialverschwendung stattfindet.
2. Körperstützendes Element nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich die Umrisse
der Umrißoberflächen (4) nur in der seitlichen Richtung des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus
(1) erstrecken, wobei die Schaumstoffkernhälften (2, 3) im Betriebszustand in bezug
auf den Herstellungszustand relativ zueinander in Längsrichtung versetzt sind.
3. Körperstützendes Element nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Umrißoberflächen
(4) an der Stelle der ersten und zweiten longitudinalen Enden (1a, 1b) stufenförmig
ausgestaltet sind, wobei die ersten Stufenhöhe (9) im Umriß (4) im Herstellungszustand
des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus (1) sowohl am ersten Ende (1a) als auch am zweiten Ende
(1b) von einer nach außen gerichteten Hauptoberfläche des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus (1)
beginnt.
4. Körperstützendes Element nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das körperstütztende Element eine Matratze ist und daß die Umrißoberflächen (4)
so ausgebildet sind, daß im Betriebszustand ein zentraler Hohlraum (11) im mittleren
Teil des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus (1) gebildet wird, der als hüftstützendes Element
(1e) wirkt, wobei die Umrißoberflächen (4) an der Stelle der Teile (1c, 1d) des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus
(1), die als schulter- und beinstützende Teile auf jeder Seite des Mittelteils (1e)
wirken, so ausgebildet sind, daß die Oberteile (12) der Umrisse (4) der Schaumstoffkernhälften
(2, 3) aneinander stoßen, wobei Hohlräume (15), die als Belüftungsleitungen dienen,
zwischen den Oberteilen (12), welche aneinander stoßen, ausgebildet sind, wobei die
Umrißoberflächen (4) der Enden (1a, 1b) des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus (1), die als Kopf-
und Fußenden wirken, im Betriebszustand aneinander angrenzen.
5. Körperstützendes Element nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß im zentralen
Hohlraum eine Materialschicht oder Materialteile (14) eines unterschiedlichen Materials
enthalten ist/sind.
6. Körperstützendes Element nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Hohlräume
(15) an der Stelle der schulter- und fußstützenden Teile (1c, 1d) einen hexagonalen
Querschnitt aufweisen.
7. Körperstützendes Element nach einem der Ansprüche 4 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Umrißoberflächen (4) und die fuß- und schulterstützenden Teile (1c, 1d) im
Betriebszustand in bezug auf die drei orthogonalen zentralen Ebenen des Schaumstoffkernaufbaus
(1) symmetrisch sind.
1. Elément de soutien de corps comprenant un ensemble de noyaux en mousse ayant une direction
latérale et une direction longitudinale, une première extrémité de direction longitudinale
et une deuxième extrémité longitudinale, et ayant au moins une cavité, l'ensemble
de noyaux en mousse (1) comprenant au moins deux moitiés de noyau en mousse (2, 3)
disposées l'une au-dessus de l'autre, chacune des surfaces principales des moitiés
de noyau en mousse (2, 3), lesquelles sont en regard l'une de l'autre, étant munie
d'une surface de contour (4) servant à former les cavités (11, 15), les surfaces de
contour (4) des deux moitiés de noyau en mousse (2, 3) comprenant un certain nombre
de parties de sommet (12) et étant complémentaires l'une de l'autre ; les surfaces
de contour complémentaires (4) se joignant sensiblement complètement l'une l'autre
dans une condition de fabrication ; les deux moitiés de noyau en mousse (2, 3) formant,
dans la condition de fabrication, un bloc rectangulaire, les deux moitiés de noyau
en mousse (2, 3) étant, dans la condition de fabrication, déplacées l'une par rapport
à l'autre de telle sorte qu'au moins plusieurs des parties de sommet (12) formées
par les surfaces de contour (4) viennent en butée les unes contre les autres, et caractérisé
en ce que les deux moitiés de noyau en mousse (2, 3) forment, en condition de service,
un bloc rectangulaire ayant une épaisseur supérieure à celle du bloc rectangulaire
en condition de fabrication, de telle sorte qu'il n'y ait pas de déchets de matière
lorsque l'ensemble de noyaux en mousse est fabriqué.
2. Elément de soutien de corps selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le contour
des surfaces de contour (4) s'étend seulement dans la direction latérale de l'ensemble
de noyaux en mousse (1), les moitiés de noyau en mousse (2, 3) étant, en condition
de service, déplacées l'une par rapport à l'autre dans la direction longitudinale,
par rapport à la condition de fabrication.
3. Elément de soutien de corps selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que les
surfaces de contour (4), au niveau des première et deuxième extrémités longitudinales
(1a, 1b), ont une configuration en étage, le premier étage (9) aménagé dans le contour
(4), en condition de fabrication de l'ensemble de noyaux en mousse (1), commençant
dans une surface principale de l'ensemble de noyaux en mousse (1), qui fait face à
l'extérieur, au niveau de la première extrémité (1a) tout comme au niveau de la deuxième
extrémité (1b).
4. Elément de soutien de corps selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
caractérisé en ce que l'élément de soutien de corps est un matelas, et en ce que les
surfaces de contour (4) sont conçues de telle sorte que, dans la condition de service,
une cavité centrale (11) soit formée au niveau de la partie médiane de l'ensemble
de noyaux en mousse (1), jouant le rôle d'une partie de soutien de hanches (1e), les
surfaces de contour (4), à l'endroit des parties (1c, 1d) de l'ensemble de noyaux
en mousse (1) qui jouent le rôle de parties de soutien d'épaules et de jambes, de
chaque côté de la partie médiane (1e), étant conçues de telle sorte que les parties
de sommet (12) des contours (4) des moitiés de noyau en mousse (2, 3) viennent en
butée les unes contre les autres, les cavités (15), qui jouent le rôle de conduits
de ventilation, étant formées entre les parties de sommet (12) butant les unes contre
les autres, les surfaces de contour (4) des extrémités (1a, 1b) de l'ensemble de noyaux
en mousse (1), qui joue le rôle de parties de tête et de pied, se joignant l'une l'autre
en condition de service.
5. Elément de soutien de corps selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que, dans
la cavité centrale, se trouvent une couche de matière ou des parties de matière (14)
constituées d'une matière différente.
6. Elément de soutien de corps selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que les
cavités (15), à l'endroit des parties de soutien d'épaules et de jambes (1c, 1d),
ont une section hexagonale.
7. Elément de soutien de corps selon l'une quelconque des revendications 4 à 6, caractérisé
en ce que les surfaces de contour (4) et les parties de soutien d'épaules et de jambes
(1c, 1d) sont, en condition de service, symétriques par rapport aux trois plans centraux
orthogonaux de l'ensemble de noyaux en mousse (1).