Mattress

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a mattress the inside of which can be sterilized and washed in a state where a bed is installed. [Solution] The solution is a bed mattress comprising: a base part that has a hollow boxed shape and an open upper surface; a spring part that is disposed in the base part; and a waterproof cover part that is disposed on the open upper surface of the base part and covers the opening part. The waterproof cover part has a waterproof structure. The waterproof cover part and the base part have a sealed structure. The base part has at least one opening portion. When the waterproof cover part is disposed on the upper surface of the base part, the space between an end side of the waterproof cover part and an opening peripheral edge on the upper surface of the base part is sealed, and a cleaning fluid or a sterilizing fluid is caused to flow in from the opening portion during washing or sterilization.

Description

mattress

[0001] The present invention relates to a mattress for a bed, and more particularly to a technology for a mattress that has a sealed structure and can be sterilized and washed while placed on the bed.

[0002] Conventionally, for bed mattresses, particularly those for medical or nursing care use, frequent sterilization and cleaning are sometimes required for hygiene reasons. However, sterilization and cleaning of the inside of a mattress is generally difficult unless done by a specialized company. Even if a company is hired, the mattress must be removed and cleaned at a specialized facility, which takes several days and is time-consuming. Therefore, there has been a demand for technology that can sterilize and clean mattresses while the bed is still in place.

[0003] Various techniques have been proposed to address these problems. For example, a breathable resin mattress (see Patent Document 1) has been proposed and is a publicly known technique. More specifically, this technique relates to a breathable body pressure distribution cushion and mattress, in which the mattress is made of an elastically deformable resin material and is configured from a columnar member having a first pressure-receiving surface and a second pressure-receiving surface that receive a load, and a sheet member having openings that open outward and are bonded to the inner surfaces of the first pressure-receiving surface and the second pressure-receiving surface. However, there is no description of sterilization or cleaning of the mattress, and the above-mentioned problem has not been solved.

[0004] JP 2017-158798 A

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a mattress whose interior can be sterilized and cleaned while the bed is in place.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mattress for beds, which comprises a hollow box-shaped base portion with an open top, a spring portion disposed within the base portion, and a waterproof cover portion disposed on the open top surface of the base portion to cover the open portion, the waterproof cover portion having a waterproof structure, the waterproof cover portion and the base portion having a sealed structure, the base portion having at least one opening, when the waterproof cover portion is disposed on the top surface of the base portion, the gap between the edge of the waterproof cover portion and the open peripheral edge on the top surface of the base portion is sealed, and means is employed for allowing cleaning or sterilizing fluid to flow through the opening during cleaning or sterilization.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention employs a means in which the base portion has a waterproof structure.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention employs a means in which the opening is provided with at least two openings, an inlet for letting the fluid in and an outlet for discharging the fluid.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention employs a means for providing a gap in the spring portion that allows the fluid to pass through.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention employs a means for providing a sleeping cover portion, which can be placed on the open upper surface of the base portion in place of the waterproof cover portion when the bed is in use.

[0011] According to the mattress of the present invention, the inside of the mattress can be easily sterilized and cleaned while the bed is still in place, which has the excellent effect of contributing to maintaining and improving the hygiene of the mattress.

[0012] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a mattress according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing a cleaning process for the mattress according to the present invention;

[0013] The greatest feature of the mattress of the present invention is that the interior of the mattress can be sterilized and cleaned while it is still installed on the bed. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the mattress of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The overall configuration and configuration of each part of the mattress of the present invention are not limited to the embodiment described below, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, i.e., within the scope of the shape, dimensions, structure, etc., that can achieve the same operational effect.

[0014] The present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a mattress according to the present invention, with (a) showing a mattress with one opening and (b) showing a mattress with two openings. Figure 2 is a process diagram illustrating the cleaning process for a mattress according to the present invention, showing a series of steps including (a) a state of use during sleep, (b) conversion to a waterproof version, (c) a state during cleaning, and (d) conversion to a mattress with a sleeping version.

[0015] The mattress 1 can be sterilized and cleaned while still installed on the bed. The mattress 1 is composed of a base portion 10, a spring portion 20, a waterproof cover portion 30, and a sleep cover portion 40.

[0016] The base portion 10 is the frame of the mattress 1 and has a hollow box-like structure with an open top. It is made of materials such as heat-resistant vinyl or foamed polypropylene. The waterproof cover portion 30 and the base portion 10 form a sealed structure. A spring portion 20 is disposed inside the base portion 10 ( FIG. 1 ). A fastener 50 is disposed around the open periphery of the open top surface. The fastener 50 connects the waterproof cover portion 30 and other components to form a sealed space between the waterproof cover portion 30 and other components. The fastener 50 is waterproof. By fastening the waterproof cover portion 30 to the four open edges of the top surface of the base portion 10 with the fastener 50, a waterproof seal is formed between the fastener 50 and the waterproof cover portion 30. By making the base portion 10 waterproof, the waterproof cover portion 30 and the entire base portion 10 can be made waterproof. Instead of using the fastener 50, Velcro (registered trademark) may also be used to fasten the waterproof cover portion 30 to the top surface of the base portion 10. Alternatively, a zipper and Velcro (registered trademark) may be combined. Combining both can further enhance waterproofing. The base portion 10 can also be constructed to allow water and air to pass through, i.e., to be sealed with the waterproof cover portion 30. This allows hot air to be distributed throughout the entire base portion 10 and pass through it to the outside during sterilization and disinfection with hot air.

[0017] At least a first opening 11 is opened on the side of the base portion 10 (FIG. 1(a)). When there are two openings, the first opening 11 and the second opening 12 are opened (FIG. 1(b)). By having only one opening, opening and closing of the lid and the like only needs to be done through one opening, making it easier to manage the holes. In addition, since fluid is allowed to flow in and out through one opening, it is also easier to manage the fluid pipes. When flowing in and out simultaneously, for example, the fluid pipe can be divided into two pipes, one for flow in and the other for flow out. The inlet side is at a relatively high pressure because it is necessary to fill the mattress 1. The outlet side is at a relatively low pressure because it is used to discharge excess fluid from the mattress 1. Therefore, even if the inlet and outlet pipes are adjacent to each other within one pipe, the inside of the mattress 1 can be cleaned without any problems. When there are two openings, the first opening 11 and the second opening 12, the first opening 11 is used as an inlet, through which fluid flows in, and the second opening 12 is used as an outlet, through which fluid is discharged. By using each opening exclusively for inflow and outflow, the amount of fluid that can flow in and out can be maximized.

[0018] By locating the opening on the bottom surface, the opening can be made less noticeable. In the case where there is one opening, the fluid enters and is discharged through the opening on the bottom surface, which is preferable because the opening is less noticeable in appearance. Furthermore, since the opening is on the bottom surface, the fluid is discharged by its own weight, which is preferable because there is less residual fluid left behind. In the case where there are two openings and one of the openings is on the bottom surface, the opening on the bottom surface is used exclusively for discharge. Therefore, the opening on the bottom surface can be left open at all times to allow discharge, which is preferable because there is no need to attach a lid.

[0019] The spring section 20 is disposed within the hollow portion of the base section 10 and provides cushioning to the mattress 1. The spring section 20 is disposed across the entire wide surface of the base section 10. The spring section 20 can be of any shape or material as long as it can continuously maintain cushioning. For example, it can be a coil spring, pocket coil, bonnell coil, or solidified resin fiber. The material can be either metal or resin. There are gaps between the springs that allow fluids such as gases and liquids to pass through, and fluids can pass through these gaps throughout the springs.

[0020] The waterproof cover 30 covers the open top surface of the base 10 when the mattress 1 is sterilized and cleaned. The waterproof cover 30 has a waterproof structure and is made of a material such as heat-resistant vinyl or foamed polypropylene. It has fasteners 50 on all four sides and is fastened to the open periphery of the base 10 by the fasteners 50.

[0021] The sleeping cover 40 covers the top surface of the base 10 when the mattress 1 is used as a normal bed. The sleeping cover 40 is almost the same as the top cover of a normal mattress. It is breathable and flexible. It has fasteners 50 on all four sides and is fastened to the open periphery of the base 10 by the fasteners 50. The waterproof cover 30 and sleeping cover 40 can also be attached to the base 10 at the same time. By attaching the base 10, waterproof cover 30, and sleeping cover 40 in that order, the user can use the bed even while it is being washed.

[0022] Next, the cleaning process will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2(a) shows the mattress 1 in a state in which it is being used for normal sleeping. The sleeping cover portion 40 is placed on the base portion 10, and the base portion 10 and the sleeping cover portion 40 are fastened together with a fastener 50. In this process, the case in which the base portion 10 has a waterproof structure is described, but the base portion may also have a structure that allows water and air to pass through. In addition, there are two openings, a first opening 11 and a second opening 12. The two openings are not normally used and are therefore covered with lids 13.

[0023] 2(b) shows the process of removing the sleeping cover 40 and attaching the waterproof cover 30 for cleaning. The sleeping cover 40 can be easily separated by removing the fasteners 50 on all four sides. Instead of the sleeping cover 40, the waterproof cover 30 is fixed to the base 10. The fasteners 50 allow the base 10 and the waterproof cover 30 to be easily fixed together. By fixing the base 10 and the waterproof cover 30 together, the entire mattress 1 is sealed, and the hollow interior of the base 10 is in communication with the outside only through the first opening 11 and the second opening 12. The lids 13 are removed from the first opening 11 and the second opening 12.

[0024] 2(c) shows the state during cleaning. High-temperature steam is introduced through the first opening 11 and discharged through the second opening 12. Similar to a steam cleaner, high-temperature steam is sprayed onto dirty areas to remove dirt. Since there are gaps in the spring portion 20, the high-temperature steam can pass through the gaps in the spring portion 20 thoroughly, removing the dirt. The dirt is discharged from the second opening 12 together with the high-temperature steam.

[0025] After the dirt removal is complete, moisture due to water vapor may remain inside the base portion 10. In this case, damage to the spring portion 20 can be prevented by making the spring portion 20 out of resin or anti-rust treated metal. To thoroughly dry the base portion 10, hot air or the like may be introduced through the first opening 11 to circulate the air. By blowing hot air, the moisture inside the base portion 10 evaporates, thereby removing any moisture present inside the base portion 10. Using hot air is also advantageous because it allows for sterilization at the same time as cleaning. Furthermore, instead of high-temperature steam, water such as warm water, hot water, or cold water may be used. Water may also be mixed with detergent to enhance the cleaning effect. These methods can be used depending on the degree of dirt on the mattress and the level of cleaning required. If the mattress material cannot withstand high-temperature steam or hot water, cleaning with warm or cold water is required. For example, high-temperature steam is steam at around 100° C., cold water is water at or below 10° C., warm water is water at about 40° C. to 60° C., and hot water is water at about 100° C. After using liquid water, hot air or the like is used as a finishing touch to dry the inside of the base portion 10.

[0026] Figure 2(d) shows the process of returning the mattress 1 to its original sleeping configuration. The waterproof cover 30 is removed and the sleeping cover 40 is attached. The attachment process can be easily performed by operating the fasteners 50. The lids 13 are attached to the first opening 11 and the second opening 12. This series of steps allows the interior of the mattress 1 to be cleaned while it is still installed on the bed. This significantly reduces the effort required for users and other related parties to clean the mattress.

[0027] Furthermore, if the mattress is incontinent or vomited, the sleeping cover 40 can be removed, the spring 20 can be directly showered with water to wash away the dirt, and a new, cleaned sleeping cover 40 can be attached, allowing for rapid restoration to its original state. This is suitable for frequent use in hotels, care homes, and nursing homes. In addition, a system that can centrally manage all beds in a room is also suitable for use in cases with a large number of beds. By connecting a large-scale high-temperature steam generator, drainage channeling device, etc. to each bed mattress via high-pressure piping or drainage pipes, sterilization and cleaning can be performed simultaneously. A centralized management system that monitors the status of each bed using sensors, remote control, etc. and performs operations centrally can also be used. In massage parlors, the introduction of pleasant-smelling gases, such as aromatherapy, can enhance the relaxation effect of users. Furthermore, bed dirt, such as oil used during massage, can be washed away with a shower from the bed, making cleaning easy and convenient.

[0028] When only sterilization and disinfection are required, the work can be performed in the state shown in FIG. 2( a), i.e., with the sleeping cover 40 placed on top of the base 10. By removing the covers 13 for the first and second openings 11 and introducing hot air at 50°C to 80°C through the first opening 11, the interior of the base 10 becomes hot, allowing for sterilization and disinfection of the interior. Alternatively, the cover 13 for the second opening 12 can remain attached and the hot air for sterilization and disinfection can be introduced through the first opening 11. The introduced hot air passes through the interior of the sleeping cover 40 and is released from the top without being discharged through the second opening 12. This allows sterilization and disinfection of the sleeping cover 40 itself at the same time. Furthermore, by carrying out the work while a comforter or pillow is placed above the sleeping cover 40 in use, the comforter or pillow can also be kept at a high temperature, enabling the entire bedding to be sterilized and disinfected. Alternatively, the sleeping cover 40 may be washed as usual, and the waterproof cover 30 may be attached to the base 10 to disinfect and sterilize only the base 10. By using the waterproof cover 30, the inside of the base 10 can be kept at a higher temperature without hot air leaking out from the cover.

[0029] It is also possible to design the base 10 so that it is permeable to water and air. In this case, as described above, consider the case where work is performed with the sleeping cover 40 placed on top of the base 10. By introducing hot air at 50°C to 80°C through the first opening 11, the interior of the base 10 becomes hot, allowing for sterilization and disinfection of the interior. By designing the base 10 so that it is permeable to water and air, the hot air can be passed deep inside the base 10, allowing for sufficient sterilization and disinfection of the base 10. Similarly, by placing a comforter or pillow above the sleeping cover 40 in use, the comforter or pillow can also be kept at a high temperature, allowing for sterilization and disinfection of the entire bedding. Furthermore, when the waterproof cover 30 is used, the waterproof cover 30 has a waterproof structure, and the waterproof cover 30 and the base 10 form a sealed structure, so the hot air passes only through the base 10 to exit. Therefore, the inside of the base portion 10 can be more thoroughly disinfected and sterilized, which is preferable.

[0030] Spring mattresses tend to lose spring strength over time in areas where a load is applied. For this reason, mattresses are often turned over or rotated periodically. Therefore, using a shape-memory alloy or shape-memory resin for the spring portion 20 can improve this loss. Specifically, the spring portion 20 is designed to return to its original shape at temperatures not normally used, such as 60°C or 80°C. After using the mattress for a certain period of time, hot air between 60°C and 80°C is blown into the base portion 10 through the opening. The interior of the base portion 10 becomes hot, and when it reaches a temperature at which the springs change to their shape-memorized form, the springs deform and return to their original shape. The cover portion can be a waterproof cover portion 30 or a sleeping cover portion 40. Thus, the shape-memory properties of the springs prevent the spring portion 20 from losing its shape.

[0031] When cleaning the inside of the base unit 10 by injecting a fluid such as high-temperature steam through an opening, corners of the base unit 10 may not be cleaned sufficiently depending on the fluid flow. Therefore, it is also preferable to install a partition plate inside the base unit 10 to regulate the direction of fluid flow. By installing the partition plate, a flow path can be created from the first opening 11 to the second opening 12 in a single stroke, allowing the inside of the base unit 10 to be cleaned uniformly from edge to edge. The partition plate may be pre-positioned inside the base unit 10 along the gap between the spring unit 20, or may be inserted during cleaning. Alternatively, the partition plate may be pre-positioned on the bottom surface of the waterproof cover unit 30, so that the partition plate automatically divides the inside of the base unit 10 when the waterproof cover unit 30 is attached to the base unit 10. Another possible configuration is to install pipes with holes inside the base unit 10 in advance. The fluid flows into the base 10 through holes drilled in various locations on the pipes, allowing the fluid to flow evenly into the base 10 in accordance with the arrangement of the pipes. Furthermore, if only a portion of the bed is soiled, a partition can be added to allow the fluid to flow only to that portion, or to concentrate on that portion. This allows the fluid to flow efficiently.

[0032] When the waterproof cover 30 is placed over the base 10 and the waterproof cover 30 is used for cleaning with high-temperature steam or the like, a person can lie face up on the waterproof cover 30 to achieve a sauna-like effect. In this case, a double-layered waterproof cover 30 is also suitable, allowing the person to receive the heat of the high-temperature fluid inside the base 10 in a similar manner to a sauna. Instead of high-temperature steam, dry hot air of approximately 40°C to 80°C or high-humidity steam, such as that used in a loyly sauna, can also be used. The temperature of each fluid flowing through the openings can be adjusted as needed, allowing for temperature control tailored to the user. This provides a more comfortable and personalized environment than a typical sauna, providing a more personalized experience. Furthermore, when the waterproof cover 30 is double-layered, the outer layer can be further doubled and fluid can flow through the gap, allowing the person inside the waterproof cover 30 to receive heat from both above and below. Furthermore, when the waterproof cover 30 is double-layered, small holes can be drilled in the back portion, allowing the person to be directly exposed to some of the fluid inside the base 10, creating a high-temperature environment similar to that of a sauna.

[0033] During normal use, the bed can improve the user's sleep environment by introducing cool air, warm air, air with a certain humidity, or water, rather than high-temperature steam. Cool air, warm air, and air with a certain humidity can be used without any problems, even when using the sleeping cover 40. By introducing cool air through the opening, the cool air reaches the user through the sleeping cover, allowing the user to sleep comfortably, even on tropical nights. Similarly, in cold winter weather, by introducing warm air through the opening, the warm air reaches the user through the sleeping cover, allowing the user to sleep comfortably. Similarly, in seasons with low humidity, using air with a certain humidity level provides an appropriate humidity level, allowing for comfortable sleep. In the case of water, the waterproof cover 30 can be used and the sleeping cover 40 placed on top of it to improve the sleep environment in a manner similar to that of a water bed. By allowing the user to adjust these temperature and humidity settings, the temperature and humidity can be changed sequentially according to the user's preferences, thereby improving the user's comfort. In addition, you can further improve your comfort by using a timer to set the temperature and humidity to your desired level before going to bed. For example, this is ideal for warming your bed before going to sleep in winter.

[0034] As an example of its normal use, it can be used to remove moisture and prevent mold from a bed. That is, by periodically dehumidifying the mattress with low-humidity air set by the user, moisture can be removed from the mattress and bed and mold can be prevented. For example, by setting a timer to allow low-humidity air to flow through the openings during times when the user is not using the bed, moisture can be removed from the entire bed and cleanliness can be maintained. A deodorizing function can also be provided using a sensor that detects odors such as farts. For example, when two people sleep in a double bed, the sensor can react and deodorize to avoid disturbing the other person. It can also be used to deodorize as needed in hospital beds, etc.

[0035] Thus, according to the mattress 1 of the present invention, the inside of the mattress can be easily sterilized and cleaned while the bed is still in place, thereby improving the hygiene of the mattress 1.

[0036] Furthermore, when there is only one opening, only one pipe is required for the inflow and outflow of fluid, which makes handling easier and reduces the burden of cleaning work.

[0037] Furthermore, since the fluid passes through the gaps in the spring portion 20, the fluid can reach every corner of the inside of the base portion 10, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0038] Furthermore, cleaning can be easily performed by simply replacing the sleeping cover with the waterproof cleaning cover.

[0039] Furthermore, by doubling up the waterproof cover and allowing a person to enter inside, it can be used not only for cleaning but also for thermotherapy.

[0040] Furthermore, by using hot air at 50°C to 80°C or high-temperature steam at about 100°C as the fluid, sterilization and cleaning can be carried out relatively easily.

[0041] The mattress of the present invention can be sterilized and washed while still attached to the bed, and can be used in a wide variety of fields, including general households, facilities requiring a large number of beds such as hotels, care homes, and nursing homes, as well as massage beds, etc. Therefore, it is believed that the present invention has great industrial applicability.

[0042] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Mattress 10 Base portion 11 First opening 12 Second opening 13 Lid 20 Spring portion 30 Waterproof cover portion 40 Sleeping cover portion 50 Fastener

Claims

1. A mattress for a bed, comprising: a base portion having a hollow box shape with an open upper surface; a spring portion disposed within the base portion; and a waterproof cover portion disposed on the open upper surface of the base portion to cover the open portion, wherein the waterproof cover portion has a waterproof structure, the waterproof cover portion and the base portion form a sealed structure, the base portion has at least one opening, and when the waterproof cover portion is disposed on the upper surface of the base portion, the space between the edge of the waterproof cover portion and the open periphery on the upper surface of the base portion is sealed, and a cleaning or sterilizing fluid is allowed to flow in through the opening during cleaning or sterilization.

2. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein the base portion has a waterproof structure.

3. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein the opening has at least two openings, namely, an inlet through which the fluid flows in and an outlet through which the fluid is discharged.

4. The mattress according to claim 1, wherein the spring portion has a gap through which the fluid can pass.

5. The mattress according to claim 1, further comprising a sleep cover portion, wherein when the bed is used, the sleep cover portion can be disposed on the open upper surface of the base portion instead of the waterproof cover portion.

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