U.S. patent application number 11/037600 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for particulate filler mattress.
Invention is credited to Williams, Carla M..
Application Number | 20050166330 11/037600 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34810511 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050166330 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams, Carla M. |
August 4, 2005 |
Particulate filler mattress
Abstract
One possible embodiment of the invention could be a particulate
filler mattress, which may be comprised of an outer envelope, a
fire resistant liner envelope, a particulate matter filler
envelope, and a foam pad. The foam pad could be made of a foam top
and foam base, each layer generally having a different type of foam
with corresponding essentially different qualities. The foam top
could be essentially affixed to the foam bottom. The particulate
matter filler envelope, generally affixed to the top of the foam
base, could be made from elastic and sheer materials to essentially
contain particulate matter filler, which could be bead-shaped and
made from material such as, but not limited to, oats, Latex,
Viscoelastic, Polyurethane, polystyrene or other materials. The
fire resistant liner envelope essentially encompasses the
particulate matter filler envelope and the foam pad. The outer
envelope essentially encompasses the fire resistant liner
envelope.
Inventors: |
Williams, Carla M.; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John D. Long
PATENT COUNSEL
2941 Sage Ridge Drive
Reno
NV
89509
US
|
Family ID: |
34810511 |
Appl. No.: |
11/037600 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60540829 |
Jan 31, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/740 ; 5/698;
5/951 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/12 20130101;
A47C 27/22 20130101; A47C 31/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/740 ;
005/698; 005/951 |
International
Class: |
A47C 027/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mattress comprising: A. an outer envelope, whose exterior
generally forms an interior; B. the interior encompasses a
particulate matter filler envelope containing particulate matter
filler; and C. a foam pad, the foam pad supporting the particulate
matter filler envelope.
2. A mattress of claim 2 wherein the particulate material filler
envelope is made from an elastic and sheer material.
3. A mattress of claim 1 wherein the outer envelope has elastic and
sheer qualities
4. A mattress of claim 1 wherein the foam pad is further comprised
of a foam sheet and a foam base.
5. A mattress of claim 2 further comprising a fire resistant liner
that encompasses both particulate material filler envelope and the
foam pad.
6. A mattress of claim 1 wherein the particulate matter filler is
comprised of beads, which are made from natural or synthetic
materials or blends thereof.
7. A mattress of claim 7 wherein the synthetic material is
comprised of one or more materials from a set of materials
consisting of latex, Viscoelastic, polyurethane, expandable
polystyrene.
8. A mattress of claim 7 wherein the natural materials selected
from one or more materials of set of materials consisting of oats,
crushed walnuts.
9. A mattress of claim 1 wherein the outer envelope is further
defined by a top, a bottom, and a side, the side connecting the top
to the bottom, wherein the bottom has at least one compartment to
impart resilience to the outer envelope.
10. A mattress of claim 9 wherein the compartment contains at least
one resilient element.
11. A mattress of claim 9 wherein the side has at least one
compartment to impart resilience to the outer envelope.
12. A mattress comprising: A. an outer envelope, the outer envelope
having an exterior, the outer envelope being made from elastic and
low friction material, B. a particulate filler material envelope
comprising a secondary fabric envelope containing a particulate
matter filler matter; C. a foam pad, which supports the particulate
matter filler envelope; wherein the outer envelope encompasses both
the particulate material filler envelope and the foam pad within
the interior of the fabric envelope.
13. A mattress of claim 12 further comprised of a fire resistant
liner, the fire resistant liner encompasses the particulate matter
filler envelope and foam pad, wherein the fire resistant liner is
encompassed by the fabric envelope.
14. A mattress of claim 13 wherein the secondary fabric envelope is
made of flexible material with low friction qualities.
15. A mattress of claim 12 wherein the particulate matter filler is
comprised of beads, which are made from one or more materials from
a set of materials consisting of latex, Viscoelastic, polyurethane,
polystyrene, oats, and crushed walnut.
16. A mattress of claim 12 wherein the particulate matter filler is
made up of at least in part of expandable polystyrene beads.
17. A mattress comprising: A. a particulate matter filler envelope
means for containing particulate matter filler means; B. a support
means for supporting the particulate matter filler envelope means;
and C. an envelope means for encapsulating both the particulate
matter filler envelope means and the support means.
18. A mattress of claim 17 further comprising a fire resistance
means for limiting the combustion of the mattress.
19. A mattress of claim 18 wherein the fire resistance means
includes an encompassing means for encapsulating the particulate
matter filler envelope means and the support means.
20. A mattress of claim 17 wherein the particulate matter filler
envelope means further includes an elastic means for stretching
when encountering at least a portion of the user's form.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to and incorporates by reference
the parent patent application, Ser. No. 60/540829, and claims by
priority the filing date of said parent patent application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A "MICROFICHE APPENDIX"
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to the field of body support
devices, particularly that of mattresses.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Ever since the earliest humans essentially found that
sleeping on hard dirt or stone floors led to stiffness and soreness
in the morning, they have pursued a means, which could provide them
with a more comfortable sleep. This search has generally resulted
in various developments, which may include but are not limited to:
sleeping on a pile of leaves and other soft organic matter that
could fit the resting human form for greater support and comfort;
the use of pads or beds made of straw or other natural fibers;
resting on cross rope beds with filler (e.g., feather) mattresses.
More modem times have essentially seen the progression to a spring
and foam based mattress systems (with accompanying box spring) as
well as futon-type mattresses.
[0008] The modem mattress, with countless variations, may be seen
as generally being comprised of various body support elements.
These elements may comprise of sides, which may hold resilient
members, such as springs, in essentially a vertical stance, on top
of which pad(s) of foam or other resilient materials being laid.
These elements generally being encompassed within some form of
covering (e.g., fabric covering). Such standardized mattress
construction has essentially led to the firm but sometimes stiff,
resilient support of a person utilizing the mattress. The
construction of such mattresses, in general, could be seen as being
essentially limited in their ability to adapt to, accept and
support the form of that portion of the user's body as it was
pressed into the mattress. Such limitations could be seen as
generally causing the user of the mattress to awaken with
stiffness, soreness and limited rest, comfort and relaxation.
[0009] One possible solution to this issue could be the
introduction of the waterbed. The waterbed essentially utilizes the
inherent fluid dynamics of a fluid filler to generally accommodate
and evenly support the person's form essentially much more
effectively than could a standard mattress. One possible limitation
to the usage of the waterbed could be the weight of liquid filler,
which in many cases could exceed the load bearing capacity of a
floor supporting the water mattress. Another possible limitation is
the leakage of liquid filler for the waterbed (a typical waterbed
being capable of holding about a hundred gallons of liquid filler)
could result in significant damage to the building housing the
leaking waterbed. For these and other reasons, the usage of
waterbeds may be limited. For example, many property owners,
property management companies, property insurers, and the like
specifically prohibit tenants from the placing any waterbeds in
their buildings due to various concerns of possible leakage and
overstressing floors.
[0010] What is generally needed therefore is a lightweight,
non-fluid based mattress that has the same or similar body support
and conforming properties as provided by a waterbed type
mattress.
SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present
Invention
[0012] The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do
not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following
advantages:
[0013] the ability to reduce foam sheet waste by the foam
manufacturers;
[0014] provide a comfort, form fitting and support of a fluid based
mattress without the weight and possibility of leakage damage that
may be found with a fluid base mattress;
[0015] provide a non-fluid based mattress with the comfort, form
fitting and support of a fluid-based mattress;
[0016] provide a mattress which could provide comfort levels that
meet or exceed traditional spring- based mattresses with less
weight, and bulk of spring-based mattresses;
[0017] provide a mattress that has waterbed type support and
comfort that is easily transportable;
[0018] provide a mattress that has waterbed type support and
comfort without the usage of liquid filler;
[0019] provide a mattress that is easier to lift, maneuver, move
and otherwise transport than a traditional spring based mattress;
and
[0020] provide a mattress that has waterbed type support and
comfort without the potential problems of liquid filler leakage and
heavy weight.
[0021] These and other advantages may be realized by reference to
the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and
abstract.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0022] One possible embodiment of the invention could be a mattress
comprising an outer envelope, whose exterior generally forms an
interior; the interior encompasses a particulate filler matter
envelope containing particulate filler material; and a foam pad
supporting the particulate filler material envelope.
[0023] Another possible version of the embodiment could be a
mattress comprising an outer envelope, the outer envelope is made
from elastic and low friction material, forming a hollow interior;
a particulate filler material envelope comprising a secondary
fabric envelope containing a particulate filler matter; a foam pad,
which supports the particulate filler envelope; wherein the outer
envelope encompasses both the particulate filler material envelope
and the foam pad within the interior of the fabric envelope.
[0024] Another possible version of the invention could be a
mattress comprising a particulate filler envelope means for
containing filler means; a support means for supporting the
particulate filler envelope means; and an envelope means for
encapsulating the particulate filler envelope means and the support
means.
[0025] The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary
of one embodiment of the present invention so that the detailed
description that follows may be better understood and contributions
of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some
of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of
the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There
are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be
described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this
respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its application to the details of the construction
and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of
illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0031] As substantially shown in FIG. 1, one possible embodiment of
the present invention could be a methodology and apparatus for a
particulate filler based mattress. The invention in this embodiment
could be comprised of an outer envelope 10 (e.g., an outer ticking)
essentially containing particulate filler material 13.
[0032] The particulate filler material 13 for the various
embodiments of the invention could be generally composed of beads
40, which could have generally a round or granular shape (e.g., a
sphere, toroid, cylinder, frustum, disk and the like) with a
generally uniform size. In at least one embodiment, the size of the
beads could be between 1 and 50 millimeters. Size range could be
selected upon factors which allow the beads 40 to readily adapt to
the contours of a body when the invention is in use.
[0033] The beads 40 could be selected from materials, which
essentially provide free flowing characteristics to the beads 40
with respect to one another. In at least one embodiment, the beads
40 could be manufactured so that they will be essentially resilient
(or may have limited compressibility) and generally be non-adhesive
(e.g., low friction) and low absorption. In at least one other
embodiment, the beads 40 could be manufactured to be compressible
to an extent and have low friction capabilities.
[0034] In general, most embodiments of the beads 40 will be
constructed generally to provide for a low friction passage amongst
themselves under pressure during the operation of the invention. In
this manner, the characteristics of the beads 40 could allow the
beads 40 to 20 essentially move freely past one another during
operation, so that beads 40 can essentially move from those
generally compressed areas of the invention (e.g., which are
conforming to a body impression or imprint of a user) to generally
uncompressed areas of the invention.
[0035] The beads 40 could be made from synthetic materials or
natural materials, or combinations thereof. Such synthetic
materials could be classes of materials such a polymers, which
could include thermoplastic resins, thermoset resins, and the like.
Specific examples of the synthetic materials could include latex,
Viscoelastic, polyurethane, expandable polystyrene and the like. In
at least one embodiment, of the invention, the beads 40 of the
particulate filler material 13 could be made from natural materials
such a grains (e.g. oat, flax seed, wheat), rice, beans, popping
corn, either whole or partial (e.g. crushed walnuts shells,
buckwheat husks) and the like.
[0036] The composition of the beads 40 could be further selected
from materials which could supply other characteristics such as:
general increase in flame retardancy; general reduction in smoke
generation capability; and a general reduction of the airborne
contaminates generation (e.g., caused by the mattress filler when
the outer envelope 10 is punctured or otherwise penetrated).
[0037] Although the various means of manufacturing the synthetic
versions of the beads 40 utilizing new and dedicated materials are
known to those versed in the art and need not be related to here,
the invention in at least one embodiment also provides for the
beads 40 made from secondary, non-dedicated synthetic materials.
Such secondary, non-dedicated synthetic materials could include
scrap or leftover cutout sheets of foam (not shown) from which
other foam-based products were previously cut, punched or otherwise
formed. These scrap cutout foam sheets (not shown) could be then be
fed into a shredder (not shown) to form the desired beads 40. In
this manner, a foam manufacturer, in making the particulate filler
matter 13 for the invention could generally be able to utilize
otherwise useless foam scrap sheets. It could be possible for a
foam manufacturer, while providing the beads 40 for the invention,
to generally to increase its profits, lower its costs, as well as
essentially reduce waste.
[0038] The outer envelope 10 essentially provides an exterior 11,
which generally defines an essentially hollow interior 12. The
exterior 11 may be seen as having top 14, a bottom 15, and a wall
16 that essentially connects the top 14 and bottom 15 together. The
top 14, a bottom 15, and a wall 16 can also be seen as generally
defining an essentially hollow interior 12, which may receive and
contain the particulate filler material 13. The outer envelope 10
could be made in a variety of shapes and sizes generally to provide
the invention with a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The outer
envelope 10 could be constructed from a material or composition
that has both low friction (e.g., sheer) and elastic (e.g., is
stretchable) qualities. At least one embodiment having such elastic
and low friction qualities could accordingly be made from material
composed of 86% nylon and 14% spandex with a 7.6-ounce weight. In
at least one embodiment, the outer envelope 10 could be constructed
to be cloth like (e.g., fabric). The outer envelope 10 could be
constructed using methods known to the art to conform to the
various industry standards for body support devices.
[0039] As generally shown in FIG. 1, the top 14 could be
constructed to allow for low friction and stretchable contact with
the particulate filler material 13 during the impact of the user's
body with the invention. The wall 16 in at least one version of the
present embodiment could be composed of a series of sealable side
compartments 17 containing resilient foam inserts 18 or the like.
The stiffness or resilience of such inserts 18 could be adjusted
generally to provide a desired rigidity to the wall 16. The desired
rigidity could be sufficient generally to maintain the overall
vertical positioning of the invention and to provide generally, a
shaped containment of the particulate filler material 13.
Additionally, the rigidity could have enough give or flexibility
generally to accommodate, in a comfortable manner, the form of the
user if the user should impact upon the top edge of the wall
16.
[0040] The bottom 15, in at least one embodiment, could similarly
feature one or more bottom compartments 19, which could also
contain resilient support elements 20. These elements 20 are
essentially of sufficient strength, size and resilience generally
to hold the invention within a bed frame (not shown in FIG. 1) as
the outer edges of the elements 20 could engage at least portions
of the rails of the bed frame (not shown in FIG. 1). The elements
20 could generally be placed and essentially sealed in the bottom
compartments 19 during manufacture.
[0041] During manufacture of the invention, the particulate filler
material 13 may be inserted (e.g., injected) into the interior 12
of the outer envelope 10, which is then essentially sealed
(permanent or otherwise) to prevent leakage of the beads 40 to the
environment outside of the outer envelope 10. Additionally, in
order to generally provide an additional safety against leakage, at
least one embodiment could use a secondary envelope (not shown) can
be utilized and placed within the interior 12 of the outer envelope
14 to generally receive and contain the particulate filler material
13. This "double bagging" helps generally to reduce the potential
for bead type particulate filler material 13 from being propelled
by electrostatic charges past a tear or rupture and spreading in
great quantities throughout a room where the invention is deployed.
In at least one version of this embodiment, the secondary envelope
(not shown) could be constructed to be fire resistant.
[0042] It is the inventor's belief, although the invention is not
limited in any way by the validity or invalidity of this belief,
that when a portion of an the envelope containing the particulate
filler matter 13 is compressed, the free flowing characteristics of
the beads 40 of the particulate filler matter 13, in combination
with the stretching and low friction qualities of the envelope
encapsulating same, essentially allows the invention in general to
quickly absorb and form to that portion of the user's body that is
in contact with the invention. These attributes in general also
provide in a greater degree of support from a greater portion of
the invention for a greater portion of the impacted part of the
user's body. In this manner, the envelope containing the
particulate filler material 13 could generally be seen as mimicking
the desired support qualities of a waterbed, to provide a user with
a more comfortable rest.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, another possible embodiment of the
invention has an outer envelope 10 that utilizes air compartments
22 to provide the rigidity for the wall structure 16. These air
compartments 22 could be essentially airtight envelopes 23, which
may be inflated and then generally sealed through a reversibly
sealed inflating inlet 24. The inflating inlet 24 generally
penetrates the air compartment and the exterior of the wall
structure 16 essentially to allow for inflation/deflation as by the
user. The inflated airtight envelopes 23 generally provide the user
with essentially adjustable rigidity and structural support for the
wall structure 16.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, another embodiment of the invention
generally utilizes an outer envelope 10 whose bottom 15 and wall 16
essentially lacks elements or inserts which may be used to provide
an essentially rigid structural support. This outer envelope 10
could be adapted to fit or nestle within a framework 25, which
essentially has its own essentially rigid sides 26 supported by an
essentially rigid bottom 27. The rigid sides 26 can be generally
constructed of side compartments 17 containing elements 20 or
inserts 18 as described above. Alternatively, the side compartments
17 can also be constructed as air compartments 22 made of
essentially airtight envelopes 23 with an inflating inlet 24. Using
this inflating inlet 24, the user, through inflation/deflation, can
generally provide the desired rigidity to the rigid sides 26.
[0045] The rigid bottom 27 could also be made of bottom
compartments 19, which essentially accept generally resilient
elements 20 to generally allow the invention to be essentially
placed upon by a bed frame 28. To accomplish this, the rails of a
bed frame 28 could reversibly engage portions of the rigid bottom
27.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, another embodiment of the invention
could be constructed so that outer envelope 10 could generally
envelope a fire resistant liner 46. The fire resistant liner could
then essentially encompass a particulate matter filler envelope 50
and a foam pad, generally denoted by reference numeral 29. The fire
resistant liner 46 could be made of appropriate fire resistant
material, treated with appropriate fire suppression elements or
combinations of both, as known in the art or which may become known
to the art in the future.
[0047] The particulate matter filler envelope 50, which essentially
contains a particulate filler material 13, which may then placed on
top of, and in at least one embodiment could be attached to and
supported by the foam pad 29. The particulate matter filler
envelope 50 could be, in at least one version of the embodiment,
made of sheer and elastic material for desired interaction with the
particulate filler material 13 during operations as denoted above.
The particulate matter filler envelope 50 could also be
constructed, in at least one version of the present embodiment, so
that its depth, in conjunction with the particulate filler material
13 could be generally sufficient essentially to accommodate that
the form of that portion of the user's body generally impressed
into the top of the invention during operation.
[0048] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the foam pad 29
could be comprised of a foam sheet 42 placed upon a foam base 44.
In one version of the present embodiment, the foam sheet 42 could
be made of softer, more compressible material than the foam base
44. Conversely, the foam sheet 42 could be made of material, which
is stiffer that the material used for the foam sheet 42. The foam
sheet 42 could be resilient enough to support the invention upon a
bed frame 28 (not shown in FIG. 4), when portions of the bottom of
the invention engage the portions of the bed frame 28 (e.g., the
railings).
[0049] In at least one version of the present embodiment of the
invention, the foam sheet 42 could be made from Pillowflex.TM. made
by Foamex, Addison, Pa., USA. In at least one version of the
present embodiment, the foam base 44 could be made from
polyurethane.
[0050] While these descriptions directly describe the above
embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may
conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific
embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or
variations that fall within the purview of this description are
intended to be included therein as well. It is understood that the
description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not
intended to be limitative.
CONCLUSION
[0051] Although the description above contains many specifications,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope
of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *