U.S. patent application number 14/161271 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for air mattress and inflatable product.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZHEJIANG NATURAL TRAVEL GOODS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is ZHEJIANG NATURAL TRAVEL GOODS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jinglong Cao, Jigui Xia, Yonghui XIA.
Application Number | 20140237727 14/161271 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49958229 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140237727 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
XIA; Yonghui ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
AIR MATTRESS AND INFLATABLE PRODUCT
Abstract
The present invention relates to an air mattress and inflatable
product. The air mattress includes top and bottom sheets made of a
flexible airtight material, and an airtight inflatable compartment
formed at least partially by the top and bottom sheets. The air
mattress further includes a plurality of elongated flexible strips
positioned within the airtight inflatable compartment, each of the
strips including a plurality of first bonding portions,
intermediate connecting portions and second bonding portions
arranged in order along the length direction of the strips, wherein
the first bonding portions are bonded to an inner surface of the
top sheet to form first bonding surfaces, the second bonding
portions are bonded to an inner surface of the bottom sheet to form
second bonding surfaces, and the intermediate connecting portions
are positioned between the first bonding portions and the second
bonding portions. The present air mattress is not only lightweight
and flat but also has a simple structure so as to be suited to
automated production, thereby reducing productions costs.
Inventors: |
XIA; Yonghui; (Zhejiang,
CN) ; Xia; Jigui; (Zhejiang, CN) ; Cao;
Jinglong; (Zhejiang, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ZHEJIANG NATURAL TRAVEL GOODS CO., LTD. |
Zhejiang |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
ZHEJIANG NATURAL TRAVEL GOODS CO.,
LTD.
Zhejiang
CN
|
Family ID: |
49958229 |
Appl. No.: |
14/161271 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/711 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 27/087 20130101;
A47C 27/081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/711 |
International
Class: |
A47C 27/08 20060101
A47C027/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2013 |
CN |
CN 201310058204.6 |
Apr 8, 2013 |
CN |
CN 201310118933.6 |
Claims
1. An air mattress, comprising top and bottom sheets made of a
flexible airtight material, and an airtight inflatable compartment
formed at least partially by the top and bottom sheets; wherein:
the air mattress further comprises a plurality of elongated
flexible strips positioned within the airtight inflatable
compartment, each of the strips includes a plurality of first
bonding portions, intermediate connecting portions and second
bonding portions arranged in order along the length direction of
the strips, wherein the first bonding portions are bonded to an
inner surface of the top sheet to form first bonding surfaces, the
second bonding portions are bonded to an inner surface of the
bottom sheet to form second bonding surfaces, and the intermediate
connecting portions are positioned between the first bonding
portions and the second bonding portions, wherein the intermediate
connecting portions are perpendicular to the first bonding portions
and the second bonding portions.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the length of the first
bonding portions is equal to the length of the second bonding
portions.
5. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the air mattress further
comprises at least one second elongated flexible strip which is
aligned with at least one of the elongated flexible strips; wherein
the second elongated flexible strip includes a plurality of first
bonding portions, intermediate connecting portions and second
bonding portions arranged in order along the length direction of
the strip, wherein the first bonding portions are bonded to the
inner surface of the top sheet to form first bonding surfaces, the
second bonding portions are bonded to the inner surface of the
bottom sheet to form second bonding surfaces, and the intermediate
connecting portions are positioned between the first bonding
portions and the second bonding portions; wherein at least one of
the first bonding portions of the second elongated flexible strip
is positioned between the adjacent first bonding portions of the at
least one of the elongated flexible strips, and at least one of the
second bonding portions of the second elongated flexible strip is
positioned between the adjacent second bonding portions of the at
least one of the elongated flexible strips.
6. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the air mattress further
comprises a side sheet, which is hermetically bonded to the top and
bottom sheets to form the airtight inflated compartment.
7. The air mattress of claim 6, wherein the air mattress further
comprises at least one elongated flexible strip arranged within the
airtight inflated compartment between opposite wall portions of the
side sheet, wherein the at least one elongated flexible strip
includes a plurality of first bonding portions, intermediate
connecting portions and second bonding portions arranged in order
along the length direction of the strip, wherein the first bonding
portions are bonded to an inner surface of one wall portion of the
side sheet to form first bonding surfaces, the second bonding
portions are bonded to an inner surface of the other wall portion
of the side sheet to form second bonding surfaces, and the
intermediate connecting portions are positioned between the first
bonding portions and the second bonding portions.
8. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the elongated flexible
strips are made of fabrics which are coated on both sides thereof
with Polyurethane (PU) material, fabrics laminated on both sides
thereof with a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) film, or a
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) film.
9. The air mattress of claim 1, wherein the first bonding portions
and the second bonding portions are bonded to the inner surfaces of
the top and bottom sheets respectively by a high frequency welding
process or a thermal welding process.
10-12. (canceled)
13. An inflatable product, comprising two opposite walls made of a
flexible airtight material, and an airtight inflatable compartment
formed at least partially by the walls; wherein, the inflatable
product further comprises at least one elongated flexible strip
positioned within the airtight inflatable compartment, the strip
includes a plurality of first bonding portions, intermediate
connecting portions and second bonding portions arranged in order
along the length direction of the strip, wherein the first bonding
portions are bonded to an inner surface of one wall to form first
bonding surfaces, the second bonding portions are bonded to an
inner surface of the other wall to form second bonding surfaces,
and the intermediate connecting portions are positioned between the
first bonding portions and the second bonding portions, wherein the
intermediate connecting portions are perpendicular to the first
bonding portions and the second bonding portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to Chinese
Patent Application for Invention No. 201310058204.6, filed on 25
Feb. 2013, and Chinese Patent Application for Invention No.
201310118933.6, filed on 8 Apr. 2013, both of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1) Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an air mattress, and also
relates to an inflatable product.
[0004] 2) Description of Related Art
[0005] An air mattress typically includes top and bottom sheets
formed of a flexible airtight material, the top and bottom sheets
being hermetically bonded to each other, thereby forming a sealed
inflatable compartment. When inflated, the sealed inflatable
compartment is approximately bed-shaped. Within the sealed inflated
compartment are provided intermediate connecting members which
connect the top sheet to the bottom sheet.
[0006] The former air mattress (referred to as "First Generation"
air mattress) includes top and bottom sheets formed of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) material and I-shaped or annular connecting bands
which are used to support and reinforce hollow portions of the
sealed inflatable compartment. However, the "First Generation" air
mattress has the following main drawbacks: (1) the air mattress of
this type is heavy and thus has poor portability; (2) PVC material
is easy to be pierced and worn out; (3) PVC material is brittle at
a low temperature and thus is not cold resistant; (3) the air
mattress is not environmentally friendly; (5) the air mattress has
a poor flatness owing to linear bonding between the I-shaped or
annular connecting bands and the top and bottom sheets; (6) the
production of the air mattress involves much labors, and thus the
automation degree of production is low.
[0007] Chinese Utility Model Patent specification CN201894413U
discloses an air mattress (referred to as "Second Generation" air
mattress). The air mattress includes top and bottom sheets formed
of TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) laminated fabrics, and
intermediate connecting units which are connected between the top
sheet and the bottom sheet. Each of the intermediate connecting
units includes a top band which is bonded to the top sheet, a
bottom band which is bonded to the bottom sheet, and segments of
rope which are connected between the top band and the bottom band.
The disclosed air mattress is lightweight and flat. However, much
labor is needed to connect the top and bottom bands by using the
segments of rope during the production process. Thus, the
automation degree of production remains low.
[0008] Therefore, there is needed an air mattress which is
lightweight, has flat surfaces and simple in its structure so as to
be easy to be manufactured automatically.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides an air
mattress, comprising top and bottom sheets made of a flexible
airtight material, and an airtight inflatable compartment formed at
least partially by the top and bottom sheets; the air mattress
further comprising a plurality of elongated flexible strips
positioned within the airtight inflatable compartment, each of the
strips including a plurality of first bonding portions,
intermediate connecting portions and second bonding portions
arranged in order along the length direction of the strips, wherein
the first bonding portions are bonded to an inner surface of the
top sheet to form first bonding surfaces, the second bonding
portions are bonded to an inner surface of the bottom sheet to form
second bonding surfaces, and the intermediate connecting portions
are positioned between the first bonding portions and the second
bonding portions.
[0010] Owing to the elongated flexible strips which are arranged in
a serpentine manner, the air mattress according to the present
invention (referred to as "Third Generation" air mattress) has the
following advantages: the air mattress not only requires fewer
materials and thus is lightweight, but only has surface bonding
between the strips and the sheets, instead of line bonding, thereby
resulting in high bonding strength and flat surface of the inflated
product; the step of manually connecting the segments of rope is
omitted, thereby saving labors; production is highly automated,
thereby reducing production costs.
[0011] In one preferred example, the intermediate connecting
portions may form a plurality of first angles with respect to the
first bonding portions and at least one of the first angles is a
blunt angle; and the intermediate connecting portions may form a
plurality of second angles with respect to the second bonding
portions and at least one of the second angles is a blunt
angle.
[0012] In one preferred example, the intermediate connecting
portions may be perpendicular to the first bonding portions and the
second bonding portions.
[0013] In one preferred example, the length of the first bonding
portions may be equal to the length of the second bonding
portions.
[0014] In one preferred example, the air mattress may further
comprise at least one second elongated flexible strip which is
aligned with at least one of the elongated flexible strips; the
second elongated flexible strip including a plurality of first
bonding portions, intermediate connecting portions and second
bonding portions arranged in order along the length direction of
the strip, the first bonding portions being bonded to the inner
surface of the top sheet to form first bonding surfaces, the second
bonding portions being bonded to the inner surface of the bottom
sheet to form second bonding surfaces, and the intermediate
connecting portions being positioned between the first bonding
portions and the second bonding portions; at least one of the first
bonding portions of the second elongated flexible strip may be
positioned between the adjacent first bonding portions of the at
least one of the elongated flexible strips, and at least one of the
second bonding portions of the second elongated flexible strip
being positioned between the adjacent second bonding portions of
the at least one of the elongated flexible strips.
[0015] In one preferred example, the air mattress may further
comprise a side sheet, which is hermetically bonded to the top and
bottom sheets to form the airtight inflated compartment.
[0016] In one preferred example, the air mattress may further
comprise at least one elongated flexible strip arranged within the
airtight inflated compartment between opposite wall portions of the
side sheet, the at least one elongated flexible strip including a
plurality of first bonding portions, intermediate connecting
portions and second bonding portions arranged in order along the
length direction of the strip, the first bonding portions being
bonded to an inner surface of one wall portion of the side sheet to
form first bonding surfaces, the second bonding portions being
bonded to an inner surface of the other wall portion of the side
sheet to form second bonding surfaces, and the intermediate
connecting portions being positioned between the first bonding
portions and the second bonding portions.
[0017] In one preferred example, the elongated flexible strips are
made of fabrics which are coated on both sides thereof with
Polyurethane (PU) material, fabrics laminated on both sides thereof
with a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) film, or a Thermoplastic
Polyurethane (TPU) film.
[0018] In one preferred example, the first bonding portions and the
second bonding portions may be bonded to the inner surfaces of the
top and bottom sheets respectively by a high frequency welding
process or a thermal welding process.
[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides an air
mattress, comprising top and bottom sheets made of a flexible
airtight material, and an airtight inflatable compartment formed at
least partially by the top and bottom sheets; the air mattress
further comprising a plurality of first and second elongated
flexible strips positioned within the airtight inflatable
compartment; each of the first elongated flexible strips including
a plurality of alternating first and second portions along the
length direction thereof, the first portions being bonded to the
top sheet and the second portions being not bonded to the top
sheet; each of the second elongated flexible strips including a
plurality of alternating first and second portions along the length
direction thereof, the first portions being bonded to the bottom
sheet and the second portions being not bonded to the bottom sheet,
wherein the second portions of the first elongated flexible strips
include connecting portions connected to the first portions of the
first elongated flexible strips adjacent to the connecting portions
and bonding portions between the connecting portions; wherein the
second portions of the second elongated flexible strips include
connecting portions connected to the first portions of the second
elongated flexible strips adjacent to the connecting portions and
bonding portions between the connecting portions; and wherein the
bonding portions of the second portions of the first elongated
flexible strips are bonded to the bonding portions of the second
portions of the second elongated flexible strips. Since the second
portions of the first elongated flexible strips are bonded at least
partially to the second portions of the second elongated flexible
strips, the segments of rope or other intermediate connecting
elements are omitted.
[0020] In one preferred example, the length of the second portions
of the first elongated flexible strips may be greater than a
distance between the adjacent first portions of the first elongated
flexible strips, and the length of the second portions of the
second elongated flexible strips may be greater than a distance
between the adjacent first portions of the second elongated
flexible strips.
[0021] In one preferred example, the length of the bonding portions
of the second portions of the first elongated flexible strips is
equal to or less than a distance between the adjacent first
portions of the first elongated flexible strips, or the length of
the bonding portion of the second portions of the second elongated
flexible strips is equal to or less than a distance between the
adjacent first portions of the second elongated flexible
strips.
[0022] In another aspect, an inflatable product, comprising two
opposite walls made of a flexible airtight material, and an
airtight inflatable compartment formed at least partially by the
walls; the inflatable product further comprising at least one
elongated flexible strip positioned within the airtight inflatable
compartment, the strip including a plurality of first bonding
portions, intermediate connecting portions and second bonding
portions arranged in order along the length direction of the strip,
wherein the first bonding portions are bonded to an inner surface
of one wall to form first bonding surfaces, the second bonding
portions are bonded to an inner surface of the other wall to form
second bonding surfaces, and the intermediate connecting portions
are positioned between the first bonding portions and the second
bonding portions.
[0023] The inflatable product may be an inflatable sofa, an
inflatable toy and so on.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The above and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be more apparent by way of example with reference to
the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first example of an air mattress
according to the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air mattress
of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the air mattress of
FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the
air mattress of FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a top view of a second example of an air mattress
according to the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the air mattress
of FIG. 5;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a side view of a third example of an air mattress
according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the air mattress of
FIG. 7;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth example
of an air mattress according to the present invention; and
[0034] FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view of the air mattress
of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The air mattress of the present invention will be described
below by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, it
is to be understood that the following examples and drawings are
illustrative, but not limiting to the scope of the invention.
Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for
purpose of clarity.
[0036] Herein, the terms "top" and "bottom" are used merely for the
purpose of facilitating the description of the examples shown in
the drawings, and not intended for limiting the scope of the
invention; the terms "first" and "second" are used merely for the
purpose of facilitating the description of the examples shown in
the drawings, and not intended for limiting the scope of the
invention.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first example of an air mattress
according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a longitudinal
sectional view of the air mattress of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a
transverse sectional view of the air mattress of FIG. 1. As shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3, an air mattress 1 comprises a top sheet 2 and a
bottom sheet 3, which are circumferentially bonded to form a
bonding joint 4, thereby forming an airtight inflatable compartment
5. Of course, the air mattress may further comprise a side sheet,
in addition to the top sheet and the bottom sheet. Within the
inflatable compartment 5 there is provided a plurality of elongated
flexible strips 6 (for example, five strips, as shown in FIG. 3),
for example which extend in the length direction of the air
mattress 1, as shown in FIG. 2. Of course, the elongated flexible
strips may extend in the width direction of the air mattress. It
will be understood by those skilled in the art that the flexible
strips may also extend at an angle to the length or width direction
of the air mattress. Herein, the length direction of the air
mattress means the direction of an edge which is longer in the
horizontal plane when the air mattress is positioned in a
horizontal state, and the width direction of the air mattress means
the direction which is perpendicular to the length direction in the
horizontal plane.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the elongated flexible strips 6
includes a plurality of first bonding portions 7, intermediate
connecting portions 8 and second bonding portions 9 arranged in
order along the length direction of the strip. The first bonding
portions 7 are bonded to an inner surface of the top sheet 2 to
form first bonding surfaces 10, the second bonding portions 9 are
bonded to an inner surface of the bottom sheet 3 to form second
bonding surfaces (not shown), and the intermediate connecting
portions 8 are positioned between the first bonding portions 7 and
the second bonding portions 9. The first and second bonding
surfaces may be rectangular or elliptic. It will be noted that gaps
between the first and second bonding surfaces 7, 9 of the elongated
flexible strip 6 and the top and bottom sheet 2, 3 are shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 for the purpose of simplifying the illustration, and
in fact, these gaps are not present (the same as other figures).
The air mattress 1 may also include means for feeding and
discharging air (not shown). When the air mattress is being
inflated, the elongated flexible strips 6 restricts the top and
bottom sheets 2 and 3 in such a manner that the inflatable
compartment 5 looks like a bed that can support the load in an even
manner when a user lies on the air mattress. Herein, the term
"elongated" means that the length is much greater than the width,
for example the length is at least ten times greater than the
width, preferably, at least twenty times, more preferably, at least
fifty times, most preferably, at least one hundred times.
[0039] The top and bottom sheets 2, 3 may be made of a flexible
airtight material. Preferably, the flexible airtight material may
comprise TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) laminated polyester, TPU
laminated nylon, TPU laminated with other fabrics, or other
macromolecular material laminated fabrics. The TPU laminated
fabrics may include a TPU film of a thickness of from 0.04 to 0.25
mm. The elongated flexible strips 6 may be made of fabrics which
are coated on both sides thereof with Polyurethane (PU) material,
fabrics laminated on both sides thereof with a TPU film, or a TPU
film. Techniques for bonding the top and bottom sheets 2, 3 are not
limited, provided that the inflated compartment is airtight.
Techniques for bonding the top and bottom sheets 2, 3 on one hand
and the top and bottom sheets 2, 3 on the other hand are not
limited. For example, a thermal welding process may be used by
heating molds and pressing the molds so as to bond them together.
Alternatively, a high frequency wave welding process may be used.
It is well-know to those skilled in the art that high frequency
wave means an electromagnetic wave which has a frequency greater
than 100 KHz, and the electromagnetic wave heats the objects by
generating intermolecular impacts within the objects, so as to
achieve the purpose of welding.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the intermediate connecting portions 8
of the elongated flexible strips 6 may form a plurality of first
angles .theta.1 with respect to the first bonding portions 7, and
at least one of the first angles .theta.1 may be a blunt angle; the
intermediate connecting portions 8 of the elongated flexible strips
6 may form a plurality of second angles .theta.2 with respect to
the second bonding portions 9, and at least one of the second
angles .theta.2 may be a blunt angle. Smaller are values of
.theta.1 and .theta.2, greater macro elasticity the intermediate
connecting portions 8 present when the air mattress is compressed.
Additionally, in the event that the first and second bonding
portions 7, 9 have a certain length, smaller are the values of
.theta.1 and .theta.2, smaller projections are present on the
surface of the air mattress, and more intermediate connecting
portions can be arranged in the length or width direction of the
air mattress, thereby increasing the shearing stability.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the
air mattress of FIG. 1. An air mattress 11 may comprise an
elongated flexible strip 61. Intermediate connecting portions 81 of
the elongated flexible strip 61 are perpendicular to first bonding
portions 71 of the elongated flexible strip 61, and the
intermediate connecting portions 81 of the elongated flexible strip
61 are perpendicular to second bonding portions 91 of the elongated
flexible strip 61. More preferably, the length of the first bonding
portions 71 may be equal to the length of the second boding
portions 91.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a top view of a second example of an air mattress
according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a longitudinal
sectional view of the air mattress of FIG. 5. As shown, an air
mattress 200 is different from the air mattress 1 of FIG. 1 in that
in addition to the elongated flexible strips 6, the air mattress
200 may further comprise at least one second elongated flexible
strip 161 which is aligned with at least one of the elongated
flexible strips 6. The second elongated flexible strip 161 may
include a plurality of first bonding portions 171, intermediate
connecting portions 181 and second bonding portions 191 arranged in
order along the length direction of the strip. The first bonding
portions 171 may be bonded to the inner surface of the top sheet 2
to form first bonding surfaces 110, the second bonding portions 191
may be bonded to the inner surface of the bottom sheet 3 to form
second bonding surfaces (not shown), and the intermediate
connecting portions 181 may be positioned between the first bonding
portions 171 and the second bonding portions 191. At least one of
the first bonding portions 171 of the second elongated flexible
strip 161 may be positioned between the adjacent first bonding
portions 7 of the at least one of the elongated flexible strips 6,
and at least one of the second bonding portions 191 of the second
elongated flexible strip 161 is positioned between the adjacent
second bonding portions 9 of the at least one of the elongated
flexible strips 6. Thus, the air mattress contains more bonding
areas within the whole surfaces, so that the air mattress has
flatter surface.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a side view of a third example of an air mattress
according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a horizontal
sectional view of the air mattress of FIG. 7. As shown, an air
mattress 300 consists of a top sheet 2, a bottom sheet 3 and a side
sheet 20. In addition to the elongated flexible strips (not shown)
disposed between the top and bottom sheets, the air mattress 300
may further comprise at least one elongated flexible strip 261
arranged between opposite wall portions 22, 24 of the side sheet
20, the at least one elongated flexible strip 261 including a
plurality of first bonding portions 271, intermediate connecting
portions 281 and second bonding portions 291 arranged in order
along the length direction of the strip. The first bonding portions
271 are bonded to an inner surface of one wall portion 22 of the
side sheet 20 to form first bonding surfaces 30, the second bonding
portions 291 are bonded to an inner surface of the other wall
portion 24 of the side sheet 20 to form second bonding surfaces
(not shown), and the intermediate connecting portions 281 are
positioned between the first bonding portions 271 and the second
bonding portions 291. It will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that in other examples, only at least one elongated
flexible strip may be disposed between the opposite wall portions
of the side sheet.
[0044] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
number of the elongated flexible strips, the length and width of
the first and second bonding portions, the length of the
intermediate connecting portions, and angles between the
intermediate connecting portions and the first and second bonding
portions may vary depending on the size of the air mattress and the
desired flatness thereof.
[0045] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth example
of an air mattress according to the present invention; FIG. 10 is a
transverse sectional view of the air mattress of FIG. 9. As shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10, an air mattress comprises a top sheet 2 and a
bottom sheet 3, which are circumferentially bonded to form a boding
joint 4, thereby forming an airtight inflatable compartment 5. Of
course, the air mattress may further comprise a side sheet, in
addition to the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The air mattress
further comprises a plurality of first and second elongated
flexible strips 47, 48 positioned within the airtight inflatable
compartment 5. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the first elongated
flexible strips 47 includes a plurality of alternating first and
second portions 51, 52 along the length direction thereof, the
first portions 51 being bonded to the top sheet 2 and the second
portions being not bonded to the top sheet 2. Each of the second
elongated flexible strips 48 includes a plurality of alternating
first and second portions 53, 54 along the length direction
thereof, the first portions 53 being bonded to the bottom sheet 3
and the second portions 54 being not bonded to the bottom sheet 3.
The first portions 51 of the first elongated flexible strips 47 are
bonded to an inner surface of the top sheet 2 to form bonding
surfaces (not shown), and the first portions 53 of the second
elongated flexible strips 48 are bonded to an inner surface of the
bottom sheet 3 to form bonding surfaces (not shown). The bonding
surfaces may be rectangular, rhombic or elliptic. The second
portions 52 of the first elongated flexible strip 47 are bonded at
least partially to the second portions 54 of the second elongated
flexible strip 48. For example, as shown, the second portions 52 of
the first elongated flexible strips 47 include connecting portions
52a connected to the first portions 51 of the first elongated
flexible strips 47 adjacent to the connecting portions, and bonding
portions 52b between the connecting portions 52a; the second
portions 54 of the second elongated flexible strips 48 include
connecting portions 54a connected to the first portions 53 of the
second elongated flexible strips 48 adjacent to the connecting
portions 54a, and bonding portions 54b between the connecting
portions 54a. The bonding portions 52b of the second portions 52 of
the first elongated flexible strips 47 are bonded to the bonding
portions 54b of the second portions 54 of the second elongated
flexible strips 48. The air mattress 400 may also comprise means
for feeding and discharging air (not shown). When the air mattress
is being inflated, the first and second elongated flexible strips
47, 48 restricts the top and bottom sheets 2, 3 in such a manner
that the inflatable compartment 5 looks like a bed that can support
the load in an even manner when a user lies on the air mattress.
Herein, the term "elongated" means that the length is much greater
than the width, for example the length is at least ten times
greater than the width, preferably, at least twenty times, more
preferably, at least fifty times, most preferably, at least one
hundred times.
[0046] Since the second portions of the first elongated flexible
strips are bonded at least partially to the second portions of the
second elongated flexible strips, the segments of rope or other
intermediate connecting elements are omitted. Techniques for
bonding the boding portions 52b of the first elongated flexible
strips 47 and the bonding portions 54b of the second elongated
flexible strips 48 are not limited. For example, an adhesive may be
used. Alternatively, a thermal welding process may be used by
heating molds and pressing the molds so as to bond them together.
Alternatively, a high frequency wave welding process may be used.
It is well-know to those skilled in the art that high frequency
wave means an electromagnetic wave which has a frequency greater
than 100 KHz, and the electromagnetic wave heats the objects by
generating intermolecular impacts within the objects, so as to
achieve the purpose of welding.
[0047] Preferably, the length of the second portions 52 of the
first elongated flexible strips 47 is greater than a distance D1
between the adjacent first portions 51 of the first elongated
flexible strips 47, and the length of the second portions 54 of the
second elongated flexible strips 48 is greater than a distance D2
of the adjacent first portions 53 of the second elongated flexible
strips 48. As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting portions 52a of the
second portions 52 of the first elongated flexible strips 47 may
form first angles .theta.1 with respect to the first portions 51 of
the first elongated flexible strips 47, and the first angles
.theta.1 may be blunt angles; the connecting portions 54a of the
second portions 54 of the second elongated flexible strips 48 may
form second angles .theta.2 with respect to the first portions 53
of the second elongated flexible strips 48, and the second angles
.theta.2 may be blunt angles. The length L of the bonding portions
52b of the second portions 52 of the first elongated flexible
strips 47 is equal to or less than a distance D1 between the
adjacent first portions 51 of the first elongated flexible strips
47, or the length L of the bonding portion 54b of the second
portions 54 of the second elongated flexible strips 48 is equal to
or less than a distance D2 between the adjacent first portions 53
of the second elongated flexible strips 48. Smaller are values of
.theta.1 and .theta.2, greater macro elasticity the connecting
portions 52a of the second portions 52 of the first elongated
flexible strips 47 and the connecting portions 54a of the second
portions 54 of the second elongated flexible strips 48 present when
the air mattress is compressed.
[0048] Although the above description shows that the elongated
flexible strips are used in the air mattress, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that the above elongated flexible
strips can also be used in other inflatable products, such as an
inflatable sofa, an inflatable toy and so on. In the inflatable
products, the first bonding portions of the elongated flexible
strips are bonded to one wall, and the second bonding portions are
bonded to the other opposite wall, thereby serving the function of
restricting the shape and supporting the load when the inflatable
products are inflated.
[0049] The above examples are only illustrative of the present
invention, not limiting to the scope of the invention which is
defined by the appended claims. Further, it is to be understood
that various modification and substitutions are possible without
departing from the spirit of the present invention.
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