Body pressure distribution mat

Abstract

To provide a body pressure dispersion mat capable of enlarging pressure to be applied onto a body surface.SOLUTION: A body pressure dispersion mat is the mat for dispersing pressure to be applied onto a body surface, such as a cushion, a backrest, a mattress (bedding mat), a pillow, and an ottoman, for example. The body pressure dispersion mat includes: first elastic bodies having projections / recessions; second elastic bodies having projections / recessions; and adhesive layers each of which joins the first elastic body with the second elastic body in the projections / recessions. The second elastic bodies are harder than the first elastic bodies.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a body pressure relieving mat. [Background technology]

[0002] The prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 for a body pressure distribution mat made of an elastic material includes a slab urethane with an uneven back surface and a soft polyurethane foam bonded to the uneven surface of the slab urethane, with the uneven surface being impregnated with a polyurethane resin and hardened. The hardened portion of the uneven surface is hard near the surface of the slab urethane and soft away from the surface. When a person applies weight to the surface of the slab urethane, the soft portion deforms and sinks, while the hard portion deforms only slightly and has high resistance to the load, allowing the hard portion to apply pressure to the body surface (providing what is known as acupressure). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 5-38900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Compared to the prior art, there is a demand for increased pressure applied to the body surface to enhance the effectiveness of acupressure.

[0005] The present invention has been made to meet this demand, and has as its object to provide a body pressure distribution mat that can increase the pressure applied to the body surface. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this objective, the body pressure distribution mat of the present invention comprises a first elastic body having unevenness, a second elastic body having unevenness, and an adhesive layer that joins the first elastic body and the second elastic body at the unevenness, and the second elastic body is harder than the first elastic body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the first aspect, the first elastic body and the second elastic body are bonded together by an adhesive layer at the concave-convex portion. The adhesive layer of the concave-convex portion is hard near the surface of the first elastic body and soft far from the surface of the first elastic body. Because the second elastic body is harder than the first elastic body, when a person's weight is applied to the surface of the first elastic body, the resistance to the load at the hard portion can be increased compared to when the second elastic body is softer than the first elastic body or when the hardness of the first elastic body and the second elastic body are the same. This allows for greater pressure to be applied to the body surface.

[0008] According to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the second elastic body includes an edge portion surrounding the concave and convex portions, and the first elastic body is disposed inside the edge portion. The edge portion of the second elastic body can reduce damage to the edge of the first elastic body.

[0009] According to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the cross-sectional area of ​​the unevenness when cut along a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first elastic body changes continuously, which can buffer changes in pressure on the body surface when the position or magnitude of the load applied to the first elastic body changes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a body pressure distribution mat. [Figure 3] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat according to a third embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat according to a fourth embodiment, and (b) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 5]10(a) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in a sixth embodiment, (b) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in a seventh embodiment, and (c) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in an eighth embodiment. [Figure 6] 10(a) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in the ninth embodiment, FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 10(c) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in the eleventh embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in a twelfth embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat in a thirteenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. A body pressure distribution mat is a mat that distributes pressure on the body surface, and examples thereof include cushions, backrests, mattresses (bedding mats), pillows, and ottomans.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body pressure distribution mat 10 according to the first embodiment. The body pressure distribution mat 10 is a bedding mat divided into three sections, a shoulder section 11, a lumbar section 12, and a leg section 13, corresponding to the body parts that are primarily supported when a person lies down. The shoulder section 11, the lumbar section 12, and the leg section 13 are rectangular parallelepipeds of the same size. The shoulder section 11, the lumbar section 12, and the leg section 13 may be separate or connected. When the shoulder section 11, the lumbar section 12, and the leg section 13 are separate, the positions of the shoulder section 11, the lumbar section 12, and the leg section 13 can be interchanged. The shoulder section 11 and the leg section 13 each include a first elastic body 14, a second elastic body 17, and a third elastic body 22, respectively. The lumbar section 12 includes a second elastic body 17 and a third elastic body 22.

[0013] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the body pressure distribution mat 10 (shoulder section 11 and leg section 13). Examples of elastic bodies 14, 17, and 22 include soft foamed materials (porous bodies) made of synthetic resins such as polyurethane foam, latex foam, and melamine foam; three-dimensional mesh structures such as Breath Air (registered trademark), in which elastic synthetic resin fibers are intertwined three-dimensionally; and solid cotton sheets made by compressing natural fibers such as synthetic fibers or wool through resin processing or heat processing. Examples of porous bodies include slab molded bodies obtained by cutting a block of foamed raw material; molded molded bodies obtained by foaming raw material in a mold; and chip molded bodies made by mixing scraps such as scraps from the manufacturing process of slab molded bodies with adhesive and compressing the mixture.

[0014] In this embodiment, the elastic bodies 14, 17, and 22 are each made of polyurethane foam. The first elastic body 14 is made of a slab molding (slab urethane), the second elastic body 17 is made of a molded molding (molded urethane), and the third elastic body 22 is made of a chip molding (chip urethane). The hardness of the third elastic body 22 is greater than the hardness of the first elastic body 14 and the second elastic body 17, and the hardness of the second elastic body 17 is greater than the hardness of the first elastic body 14. The second elastic body 17 arranged in the shoulder region 11 and the second elastic body 17 arranged in the waist region 12 have the same hardness. The hardness of each part represents the resistance to deformation when force is applied to that part, and is the maximum load when each part is compressed in the thickness direction by a fixed amount.

[0015] When measured in accordance with Method A specified in JIS K6400-2:2012, for example, the hardness of the first elastic body 14 is 10-150N, the hardness of the second elastic body 17 is 80-200N, and the hardness of the third elastic body 22 is 150-1000N.

[0016] The first elastic body 14 includes irregularities 15 and a surface 16 opposite to the surface on which the irregularities 15 are provided. The cross-sectional area of ​​the irregularities 15, when cut along a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first elastic body 14 (the vertical direction in FIG. 2), changes continuously, and both the convex and concave surfaces are spherical crown-shaped, for example. The shape of the surface 16 is rectangular. The irregularities 15 are arranged in a grid pattern with concave and convex portions in the direction in which the surface 16 expands.

[0017] The second elastic body 17 includes irregularities 18, a bottom surface 19 opposite the surface on which the irregularities 18 are provided, and an edge portion 20 surrounding the irregularities 18. The irregularities 18 correspond to the irregularities 15 of the first elastic body 14, and the concave portions and convex portions are each provided in a grid pattern. The edge portion 20 is provided at a higher position than the irregularities 18.

[0018] The adhesive layer 21 is provided between the portion of the first elastic body 14 including the irregularities 15 (excluding the surface 16) and the portion of the second elastic body 17 inside the irregularities 18 and edge portion 20, and bonds the first elastic body 14 and the second elastic body 17 together. The irregularities 15, 18 are in close contact with each other via the adhesive layer 21. The adhesive layer 21 has elasticity, and the hardness of the adhesive layer 21 is greater than the hardness of the first elastic body 14 and the second elastic body 17.

[0019] The edge 20 of the second elastic body 17 is exposed around the surface 16 of the first elastic body 14, and the surface 16 of the first elastic body 14 and the surface of the edge 20 of the second elastic body 17 form the same plane. The object in which the first elastic body 14 and the second elastic body 17 are integrated via the adhesive layer 21 is a rectangular parallelepiped with the same shape and size as the third elastic body 22. Because the thickness of the first elastic body 14 is smaller than the thickness of the second elastic body 17, the distance between the irregularities 15, 18 and the surface 16 of the first elastic body 14 is shorter than the distance between the irregularities 15, 18 and the bottom surface 19 of the second elastic body 17. As a result, the irregularities 15, 18 and the adhesive layer 21 provide a lattice-like arrangement of hard and soft areas near the surface 16 of the first elastic body 14.

[0020] The body pressure redistribution mat 10 is manufactured, for example, as follows: First, the third elastic body 22 made from a chip molding, the first elastic body 14 made from a slab molding, and the raw materials for the second elastic body 17, which contain polyol, isocyanate, a blowing agent, and a catalyst, are prepared. Next, the first elastic body 14 is attached to a mold (not shown) so that irregularities 15 appear in the cavity of the mold, and the second elastic body 17 is molded in the mold by a polyurethane-producing reaction of the raw materials placed in the mold.

[0021] During molding of the second elastic body 17, the polyurethane of the second elastic body 17 penetrates into the open pores of the cells of the irregularities 15 of the first elastic body 14 and hardens, creating an adhesive layer 21 between the first elastic body 14 and the second elastic body 17. This integrates the first elastic body 14 and the second elastic body 17, which is a molded body. The integrated first elastic body 14 and second elastic body 17 are removed from the mold, and the second elastic body 17 is placed on top of the third elastic body 22, thereby obtaining the shoulder portion 11 and the leg portion 13.

[0022] Separately, the raw material is placed in a mold without attaching the first elastic body 14 to it, and a polyurethane-forming reaction of the raw material is carried out to form a second elastic body 17 having the same shape and size as the third elastic body 22. The second elastic body 17 is placed on top of the third elastic body 22 to obtain the lumbar region 12. The body pressure distribution mat 10 is obtained by arranging the shoulder regions 11, lumbar region 12, and leg regions 13 in this order.

[0023] The shoulders 11, waist 12, and legs 13 may each be covered with a cover, or the entire shoulders 11, waist 12, and legs 13 may be covered with a cover, or a mattress pad may be placed over the entire shoulders 11, waist 12, and legs 13. A sheet of nonwoven fabric, woven fabric, knitted fabric, or a plate-shaped elastic body made of rubber or synthetic resin may be interposed between the second elastic body 17 and the third elastic body 22. In this embodiment, the second elastic body 17 and the third elastic body 22 are in contact with each other. The third elastic body 22 may or may not be fixed to the second elastic body 17 by adhesive, hook-and-loop fastener, or the like.

[0024] In this embodiment, the thickness of the third elastic body 22 is 50-100 mm. The lattice pitch of the irregularities 15, 18 is 10-20 mm. The height of the irregularities 15, 18 is 10-20 mm. The thickness of the first elastic body 14 is 5-10 mm at the concave portions (thin portions) of the irregularities 15, and 15-40 mm at the convex portions (thick portions) of the irregularities 15.

[0025] When a person lies stretched out on the body pressure distribution mat 10 and a load is applied to the shoulders 11, lower back 12, and legs 13, the thick portions of the first elastic body 14 deform and sink. The thin portions of the first elastic body 14 undergo little deformation and resist the load because the adhesive layer 21 and the second elastic body 17 are located near the surface 16. The person feels a sensation according to the shape of the unevenness 15, 18, and receives acupressure on the shoulders and legs through the thin (hard) portions of the first elastic body 14. Because the second elastic body 17 is harder than the first elastic body 14, the resistance to load of the hard portions is greater, and the pressure applied to the body surface can be increased, compared to when the second elastic body 17 is softer than the first elastic body 14 or when the hardness of the first elastic body 14 and the second elastic body 17 are the same.

[0026] Edge 20 of second elastic body 17 surrounds irregularities 15, 18, and first elastic body 14 is disposed inside edge 20. Since first elastic body 14 is no longer present at the edges of shoulder portion 11 or leg portion 13, the edges of first elastic body 14 are less likely to be damaged.

[0027] Because the irregularities 15, 18 are spherical crown-shaped, the cross-sectional area changes continuously when cut in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first elastic body 14. Compared to when the cross-sectional area of ​​the irregularities 15, 18 cut in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first elastic body 14 changes discretely, this can cushion changes in pressure on the body surface when the position or magnitude of the load applied to the first elastic body 14 changes, such as when turning over in bed.

[0028] A second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3(a). In the second embodiment, parts that are the same as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the following description will be omitted (the same applies to the third to thirteenth embodiments). The body pressure distribution mat 30 comprises shoulders 11, a lumbar region 12, and legs 13, and the lumbar region 12, like the shoulders 11 and legs 13, includes a first elastic body 14 and a second elastic body 17. When a person lies stretched out on the body pressure distribution mat 30, the unevenness 15, 18 of the lumbar region 12 (see Figure 2) can apply pressure to the body surface of the lumbar region.

[0029] A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3(b). Body pressure distribution mat 31 comprises shoulder region 11, lumbar region 12, and leg region 13. In lumbar region 12, fourth elastic body 23 of the same size as third elastic body 22 is placed on third elastic body 22. Fourth elastic body 23 is made of, for example, a slab molding, and has a density lower than that of second elastic body 17. This allows for a lighter weight lumbar region 12 compared to body pressure distribution mat 10 in the first embodiment.

[0030] The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4(a). Body pressure distribution mat 32 has shoulders 11, a waist 12, and legs 13. In shoulder 11, fourth elastic bodies 23 of the same size as third elastic bodies 22 are placed on top of third elastic bodies 22. Because the density of fourth elastic bodies 23 is lower than the density of second elastic bodies 17, shoulder 11 can be made lighter than body pressure distribution mat 31 in the third embodiment.

[0031] A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 4(b). Body pressure distribution mat 33 comprises shoulders 11, a lumbar region 12, and legs 13. In shoulders 11, first elastic bodies 14 are arranged spaced apart on both sides of second elastic bodies 17 in the width direction. Because first elastic bodies 14 are not arranged in the center of shoulders 11, sinking due to deformation of shoulders 11 when resting the head on a pillow (not shown) placed in the center of shoulders 11 can be reduced.

[0032] In the lumbar region 12, the first elastic body 14 is disposed in the widthwise center of the second elastic body 17, and the fourth elastic bodies 23 are disposed spaced apart on both sides of the second elastic body 17 in the widthwise direction. When a person lies stretched out on the body pressure distribution mat 33, the unevenness 15, 18 (see FIG. 2) of the lumbar region 12 can apply pressure to the body surface of the lower back. When a person turns over and their lower back moves to the edge of the lumbar region 12, the pressure on the body surface can be reduced by the fourth elastic body 23. Furthermore, because the density of the fourth elastic body 23 is lower than the density of the second elastic body 17, the lumbar region 12 can be made lighter than the body pressure distribution mat 30 in the second embodiment.

[0033] In the body pressure distribution mat 30 of the second embodiment (see FIG. 3), it is of course possible to place a fourth elastic body 23 of the same size as the third elastic body 22 in place of the first elastic body 14 and second elastic body 17 arranged in the shoulders 11 and legs 13. Also, in the body pressure distribution mat 30 of the second embodiment, it is of course possible to place a fourth elastic body 23 of the same size as the third elastic body 22 in place of the first elastic body 14 and second elastic body 17 arranged in the shoulders 11. These can be made lighter than the body pressure distribution mat 30 of the second embodiment.

[0034] A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5(a). The body pressure distribution mat 34 is a pillow mainly made up of a second elastic body 17. In the body pressure distribution mat 34, first elastic bodies 14 are arranged at intervals on both sides of the upper surface of the second elastic body 17 in the width direction. When the head is placed on the first elastic body 14, pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the head by the unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2). When the head is placed on the second elastic body 17, the stimulation from the unevenness 15, 18 can be eliminated.

[0035] The seventh embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5(b). Body pressure distribution mat 35 is a pillow mainly made up of second elastic bodies 17. Body pressure distribution mat 35 has first elastic bodies 14 arranged on the sides of second elastic bodies 17. When the head is placed on body pressure distribution mat 35, the neck and shoulders come into contact with first elastic bodies 14, and pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the neck and shoulders by means of the unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2).

[0036] An eighth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5(c). The body pressure distribution mat 36 is a pillow in which a plate-shaped third elastic body 24 is placed under the second elastic body 17. Because the third elastic body 24 is harder than the second elastic body 17, the third elastic body 24 allows the height of the body pressure distribution mat 36 to be adjusted and reduces sinking of the body pressure distribution mat 36 due to deformation of the bedding mat or futon when the head is placed on it. The body pressure distribution mat 36 has first elastic bodies 14 placed from the center of the upper surface of the second elastic body 17 to both sides in the width direction. When the head is placed on the first elastic body 14, pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the head by the unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2).

[0037] It is of course possible to arrange the third elastic body 24 described in the eighth embodiment on the body pressure distribution mat 34 in the sixth embodiment or the body pressure distribution mat 35 in the seventh embodiment.

[0038] A ninth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6(a). The body pressure distribution mat 37 is a cushion mainly made up of the second elastic body 17. Cushions are used in vehicle seats for automobiles, trains, airplanes, ships, etc., as well as in home and office chairs and sofas. The body pressure distribution mat 37 has the first elastic body 14 arranged on the upper surface of the second elastic body 17 in the area where the thighs mainly come into contact. When sitting on the body pressure distribution mat 37, the back of the thighs come into contact with the first elastic body 14, so that pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the thighs by the unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2).

[0039] A tenth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6(b). Body pressure distribution mat 38 is a cushion mainly made up of second elastic bodies 17. In body pressure distribution mat 38, first elastic bodies 14 are arranged on the side surfaces of second elastic bodies 17 in the areas where the calves mainly come into contact. When sitting deeply on body pressure distribution mat 38, the backs of the calves come into contact with first elastic bodies 14, so that pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the calves by means of the unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2).

[0040] An eleventh embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 6(c). Body pressure distribution mat 39 is a cushion mainly made up of second elastic bodies 17. In body pressure distribution mat 39, first elastic bodies 14 are arranged at intervals on both sides of the width direction of the upper surface of second elastic bodies 17. When sitting on body pressure distribution mat 39, the outer parts of the calves come into contact with first elastic bodies 14, so that pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the calves by means of unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2).

[0041] A twelfth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7(a). The body pressure distribution mat 40 is a backrest mainly made up of the second elastic body 17. Backrests are used in vehicle seats such as those for automobiles, trains, airplanes, and ships, as well as in home and office chairs and sofas. The body pressure distribution mat 40 has the first elastic body 14 disposed in the portion of the second elastic body 17 that mainly comes into contact with the lower back. When leaning against the body pressure distribution mat 40, the back of the lower back comes into contact with the first elastic body 14, so that pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the lower back by the unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2).

[0042] A thirteenth embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7(b). Body pressure distribution mat 41 is a backrest mainly made up of second elastic bodies 17. Body pressure distribution mat 41 has first elastic bodies 14 arranged in the portions of second elastic bodies 17 that mainly come into contact with the sides of the back and arms. When leaning against body pressure distribution mat 41, the sides of the back and arms come into contact with first elastic bodies 14, so that pressure (stimulation) can be applied to the back and arms by means of the unevenness 15, 18 (see Figure 2).

[0043] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, it is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is easy to imagine that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the shapes and dimensions of the elastic bodies of the body pressure distribution mats 10, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 are examples. These can be set as appropriate.

[0044] In the embodiment, a case has been described in which polyurethane of the second elastomer 17 penetrates into the open pores of the cells of the first elastomer 14 and hardens to form an adhesive layer 21 between the first elastomer 14 and the second elastomer 17, but this is not necessarily limited to this. It is of course possible to provide an adhesive layer 21 having elasticity due to hardened adhesive between the first elastomer 14 and the second elastomer 17. Examples of adhesives include silicone-based, modified silicone-based, and urethane-based adhesives. When the first elastomer 14 or the second elastomer 17 has a three-dimensional network structure, it is of course possible to provide an adhesive layer 21 in which the interface between the first elastomer 14 and the second elastomer 17 is welded.

[0045] In the embodiment, the body pressure distribution mats 10, 30, 31, 32, 33 have been described as having a three-layer structure including the first elastic body 14, the second elastic body 17, and the third elastic body 22, respectively, but this is not necessarily limited to this. Of course, it is also possible to further layer another elastic body to make at least one of the shoulder region 11, the waist region 12, and the leg region 13 four or more layers, or to omit the third elastic body 22 and make at least one of the shoulder region 11, the waist region 12, and the leg region 13 a two-layer structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41 Body pressure distribution mat 14 First Elastic Body 15 Unevenness 17 Second Elastic Body 18 Unevenness 20 Edge 21 Adhesive layer

Claims

1. a first elastic body having projections and recesses; a second elastic body having projections and recesses; an adhesive layer that bonds the first elastic body and the second elastic body at the projections and recesses, the adhesive layer has elasticity, and the hardness of the adhesive layer is greater than the hardness of the first elastic body and the second elastic body; The second elastic body is a body pressure distribution mat that is harder than the first elastic body.

2. the second elastic body includes an edge portion surrounding the concave and convex portions, 2. The body pressure redistribution mat according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic body is disposed on the inside of the edge portion.

3. 3. The body pressure distribution mat according to claim 1, wherein the unevenness has a cross-sectional area, when cut in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first elastic body, that changes continuously.

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