U.S. patent application number 12/035435 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for mattress, mattress topper and mattress cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to RKD PREMIUM PRODUCTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Dennis Healy.
Application Number | 20080229507 12/035435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39773230 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080229507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Healy; Dennis |
September 25, 2008 |
MATTRESS, MATTRESS TOPPER AND MATTRESS COVER
Abstract
A mattress comprises a first and second memory foam layer, with
a gel or elastomeric web layer therebetween. One of the foam layers
may be substantially thicker than the other, providing either a
firmer or softer mattress, depending on which side is employed as
the mattress top.
Inventors: |
Healy; Dennis; (Portland,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENTTM.US
P. O. BOX 82788
PORTLAND
OR
97282-0788
US
|
Assignee: |
RKD PREMIUM PRODUCTS, INC.
Clackamas
OR
|
Family ID: |
39773230 |
Appl. No.: |
12/035435 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60891215 |
Feb 22, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/691 ;
5/740 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/15 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/691 ;
5/740 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/15 20060101
A47C027/15 |
Claims
1. A mattress comprising: a first layer memory foam having a first
thickness; a second layer memory foam having a second thickness;
and an elastomeric layer therebetween.
2. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein a face of at least
one of said first and second layers of memory foam away from the
faces thereof adjacent said elastomeric layer, has a "breathable"
polyurethane, or a thermo-mechanically expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer thereon.
3. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein said elastomeric
layer comprises plural cells having walls and open areas
therebetween.
4. The mattress according to claim 3, wherein said cell walls
define triangular shape open areas.
5. The mattress according to claim 3, wherein said cell walls
define circular shape open areas.
6. The mattress according to claim 3, wherein said cell walls
define hexagonal shape open areas.
7. The mattress according to claim 3, wherein said cell walls
define rectangular shape open areas.
8. The mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a fastener
to enable securing of said mattress when placed on top of box
spring or on another mattress.
9. The mattress according to claim 8, wherein said fastener
comprises a peripheral skirt member adapted for extending over at
least corners of said box spring or said another mattress.
10. A mattress pad, comprising: a first layer memory foam having a
first thickness; a second layer memory foam having a second
thickness; and an elastomeric layer therebetween.
11. The mattress pad according to claim 10, wherein a face of at
least one of said first and second layers of memory foam away from
the faces thereof adjacent said elastomeric layer, has a
"breathable" polyurethane, or a thermo-mechanically expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer thereon.
12. The mattress pad according to claim 1, wherein said elastomeric
layer comprises plural cells having walls and open areas
therebetween.
13. The mattress pad according to claim 12, wherein said cell walls
define triangular shape open areas.
14. The mattress pad according to claim 12, wherein said cell walls
define circular shape open areas.
15. The mattress pad according to claim 12, wherein said cell walls
define hexagonal shape open areas.
16. The mattress according to claim 12, wherein said cell walls
define rectangular shape open areas.
17. The mattress pad according to claim 10, further comprising a
fastener to enable securing of said mattress when placed on top of
box spring or on another mattress.
18. The mattress pad according to claim 17, wherein said fastener
comprises a peripheral skirt member adapted for extending over at
least corners of said box spring or said another mattress.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
application 60891215, filed Feb. 22, 2008.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to mattresses, mattress toppers and
mattress covers, and more particularly to an improved mattress,
mattress topper and mattress cover.
[0003] So called "memory foam" mattresses have become popular,
where the mattress is made from visco elastic foam, commonly
referred to as memory foam, a high density foam product.
[0004] While comfortable to sleep on, mattresses made of such foam
have several points about which user complaints are raised. First,
the mattresses have no firmness and can be difficult to get out of
for some, especially those who are less agile. Second, some users
also complain that the mattresses are too hot, especially in warmer
weather or climates, resulting from the insulating properties of
the foam. Further, the weight of the high density foam can result
in a very heavy mattress that can be difficult to move or
position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the invention, an improved mattress
employs an outer memory foam layer with an inner gel or elastomeric
layer.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved mattress.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved mattress topper.
[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an improved mattress cover.
[0009] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of
this specification. However, both the organization and method of
operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description
taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like
reference characters refer to like elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a mattress in accordance
with the invention; and
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating the gel layer of the
mattress;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The system according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention comprises a memory foam outer layer with a gel or
elastomer inner layer. When configured as a mattress, a thicker and
thinner foam layer may be employed on opposite sides of the
mattress, with a gel or elastomer layer in between, to provide
different cushion and insulation properties to the mattress,
depending on which side is used as the top.
[0013] Referring now to FIG. 1, a side sectional view of a mattress
in accordance with the invention, the mattress 10 comprises a first
layer 12 of memory foam, and a second thinner layer 16 of memory
foam, with a central gel web layer 14 positioned therebetween. The
outer surfaces of one or both of the foam layers 12, 16 may be
provided with a cover layer 18, 20, suitably of a "breathable"
polyurethane, or a thermo-mechanically expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), to provide a breathable yet
moisture proof layer.
[0014] While the illustration of FIG. 1 does not include side
panels to the mattress, it will be understood that the mattress
sides may be provided with panels of foam, fabric or the like to
present an aesthetic appearance to the mattress as well as for
protecting the layers and their assembly from tampering and dust
and dirt.
[0015] An advantage provided by the mattress configuration is that
the mattress may be positioned with either layer 12 or layer 16 as
the top layer, to give a firmer or softer mattress. With thinner
layer 16 as the top, the mattress is firmer, and as a result of the
thinner foam, more likely to provide a cooler sensation to the
user. The mattress can thus be position with the thinner layer as
the top during summer or in warmer climates.
[0016] Alternatively, for a softer configuration, the mattress is
positioned for use with thicker layer 12 as the top layer (by
flipping the mattress over). This position may also be desirable in
colder climates or in winter, providing a more insulative
experience than with the thinner layer side up.
[0017] The configuration of the gel web layer 14 may be in the form
of a web of diamond shaped cells or, as in FIG. 2, a top view
illustrating the layer 14 in the preferred embodiment, hexagonal
cells. In FIG. 2, the top foam layer 12 is peeled away to show the
placement and configuration of layer 14 relative to layers 12, 16.
Further, other shapes such as rectangles, oblong shapes, circles,
etc., may be employed for the shape of the cells. The cells
comprise walls 22 and open areas 24 therebetween, providing support
yet enabling a reduced overall weight to the mattress. The shape of
the cells helps determine the firmness of the layer 14, which also
contributes to the overall response of the mattress. Layer 14 is
suitably a gelatinous elastomer or gelatinous viscoelastomer.
Suitable compositions for the gelatinous layer are such as
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,456,072, 5,362,834, 5,334,646,
5,191,752, 4,913,755, 5,334,646, 4,369,284, 5,262,468, 4,618,213,
5,336,708. The gels described in these patents that can be suitable
are typically 100 parts by weight of a high viscosity triblock
copolymer and 200 to 1600 (approximately) parts plasticizing oil by
weight (e.g., mineral oils), with changes in the amount of oil
changing the flexibility of the gel.
[0018] In addition to use as a stand alone mattress, the concept of
the present invention may be applied to use as a mattress topper,
wherein a somewhat thinner set of layers is employed for
positioning on top of an existing mattress. For example, a stand
alone mattress in accordance with the invention is 5 or 6 inches in
thickness, while a mattress topper is 3 inches thickness.
[0019] Still further, the configuration may be employed as a
mattress pad, with the addition of a side skirt adapted to fit
around at least the corners of an existing mattress, so as to
maintain the pad in position on top of a mattress.
[0020] Suitably the memory foam employed is a 4 or 5 or 6 pound
foam.
[0021] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that many changes and modifications may be made without
departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended
claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and
modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
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