Improved spring padding for mattresses and upholstered furniture in general

Abstract

The invention is a new filling for mattresses (100) or upholstered furniture in general, comprising one or more compression springs (200, 300), among which one or more springs (200) with carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre, distributed in a homogeneous or non-homogeneous manner in all or part of its volume.

Description

[0001] IMPROVED SPRING PADDING FOR MATTRESSES AND UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE IN GENERAL

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present patent relates to sprung mattresses and upholstered furniture, and in particular it concerns a new improved spring padding / filling for mattresses and upholstered furniture in general.

[0004] The known mattresses and upholstered furniture mainly comprise an outer fabric cover containing a supporting structure, which can be made up in various ways.

[0005] Traditionally, said structure was made of a natural material, typically wool, which was then gradually replaced by more modem and technological materials.

[0006] Currently, mattresses and upholstered furniture are known in which said supporting structure consists of metal compression springs surrounded by a filling made of a natural or synthetic elastic material. Said springs can be mechanically constrained to one another so as to form the supporting structure, or they can be the so-called “pocket” springs, meaning springs that are individually encased in fabric pockets that allow each spring to be constrained in a specific position within the mattress, while still allowing it to move independently of the others.

[0007] Mattresses and upholstered furniture are also known, in which the filling is made up of one or more layers in a natural or synthetic material, such as latex or foam materials with different degrees of stiffness.

[0008] Many users prefer sprung mattresses, as they give the mattress a certain degree of stiffness while at the same time also ensuring sufficient breathability. However, the metal springs currently used have some drawbacks. First of all, sprung mattresses are very heavy, and the springs make them stiffer compared to other foam materials that adapt to the user's body and thus ensure a better position during sleep.

[0009] Furthermore, many users believe that the presence of metallic material inside the body of the mattress or piece of furniture can generate or transmit / amplify electromagnetic fields that could affect the quality of sleep or rest in general, in addition to being harmful to health under several aspects.

[0010] On the other hand, some users do not appreciate foam mattresses, because they perceive them as too soft, and in addition foam mattresses may not be breathable enough.

[0011] The present patent relates to a new improved spring filling for mattresses and / or upholstered furniture in general, in which the springs are completely or partially made of carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre.

[0012] The main task of the present invention is to improve the mechanical performance of the mattress compared to the known sprung mattresses, in particular by using springs with carbon fibre. According to the invention, said springs with at least one part in carbon fibre can also be used in combination with springs of a different type. According to the invention, carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre springs can be used in combination with or as an alternative to other types of springs.

[0013] Another important object of the present invention is to avoid or at least limit the use of springs made of metallic materials, such as the steel springs currently used in the mattresses of known type.

[0014] Another important object of the present invention is to reduce the overall weight of the mattress with the new filling, since the springs used in the new filling are lighter than the known metal springs, while at the same time providing suitable strength.

[0015] Another important object of the present invention is to provide a mattress with differentiated stiffness over the length and width of the filling, thanks to the possibility of distributing the springs and combining the use of springs with the use of foam layers with different elasticity and / or with springs of other types.

[0016] These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new improved spring filling for mattresses or upholstered furniture in general, comprising one or more springs with carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre.

[0017] The new filling is particularly suited to be used to make a mattress and comprises at least one outer cover, inside which there is a plurality of compression springs, wherein all or part of said springs are made of a material including carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre.

[0018] Said springs, for example, are completely made of carbon fibre or are made of carbon fibre and glass fibre, or are the result of the other possible combinations of carbon fibre, glass fibre and bamboo fibre.

[0019] In a possible solution, the new filling comprises, inside said cover, a bottom layer and a top layer made of a natural or synthetic elastic material, for example a foam material, between which there is a plurality of said compression springs.

[0020] According to the invention, said springs can be distributed in a homogeneous or non-homogeneous manner in all or part of the volume of the filling.

[0021] According to the invention, additional layers of elastic material can possibly but not necessarily be interposed between said bottom layer and said top layer, distributed in all or part of the volume of the filling.

[0022] For example, according to the invention, in the case where the filling is used to make a mattress, one or more areas of the mattress, for example the central area, which is subjected to higher loads, can be provided with said compression springs, while the head and foot areas and / or the perimeter areas can be provided with springs of a different type and / or layers of an elastic material, for example foam material.

[0023] The resulting mattress or upholstered furniture is therefore preferably produced without using metal springs, or using a smaller number of metal springs, with the advantage of reducing the weight while still ensuring adequate strength and breathability. Furthermore, it will be possible to combine the advantages deriving from the use of springs in a single mattress, while reducing or even eliminating the drawbacks resulting from the use of common metal springs.

[0024] The characteristics of the new mattress are better clarified in the following description, making reference to the drawings, which are attached by way of nonlimiting example.

[0025] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a possible embodiment of a mattress made with the new filling. The arrangement of the springs and the presence and arrangement of any layers of elastic material may differ from those shown in the drawings, while nevertheless adhering to the same inventive concept.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a side view of the mattress as configured in Figure 1, while Figure 3 shows a horizontal sectional view of the mattress illustrated in Figure 1.

[0027] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the mattress according to section line B-B drawn in Figure 3, while Figure 5 shows a detail of the cross section of the mattress according to section line A- A drawn in Figure 3.

[0028] In a possible solution, shown by way of example in the attached figures, the mattress (100) comprises at least one first bottom layer or base layer (110) and at least one second top layer (120). Said bottom and top layers (110, 120) are made, for example, of an elastic material such as polyurethane foam.

[0029] Compression springs (200) are interposed between said bottom layer (110) and said top layer (120) and are generically arranged so that they are orthogonal to said bottom and top layers (110, 120).

[0030] Said springs (200) are made of carbon fibre, with or without the addition of other materials, and more particularly they can be made of carbon fibre and glass fibre. Said springs (200) can have any diameter, for example and preferably included between 1 and 20 cm.

[0031] All or part of said springs (200) with carbon fibre can be encased in fabric pockets or not.

[0032] In the solution shown in the figures, said springs (200) are homogeneously distributed in a central area (155) of the mattress (100), but this distribution is only an example, and they can be distributed otherwise, in a homogeneous or non- homogeneous manner, in all or part of the mattress interior.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment, said mattress (100) can comprise a third inner lower layer (130), directly or indirectly facing said bottom layer (110) towards the inside of the mattress, and a fourth inner upper layer (140), directly or indirectly facing said top layer (120) towards the inside of the mattress.

[0034] Said third and fourth layers (130, 140) are made, for example, of an elastic material such as polyurethane foam.

[0035] According to an optional embodiment, said third and fourth layers (130, 140) can be conveniently shaped so as to accommodate said springs (200).

[0036] For example, as shown in the detail of Figure 5, said third and fourth layers (130, 140) are provided with seats (131, 141) facing towards the centre of the mattress, inside which the ends (210) of the springs (200) are inserted. This configuration of the layers (130, 140) allows the springs (200) to be correctly positioned inside the mattress (100), thus limiting any unwanted movement of the springs (200) themselves.

[0037] In the solution shown in the figures, the new mattress (100) can optionally also include a reinforcing structure (150), also made of an elastic material, such as polyurethane foam, comprising a perimeter frame (151) which defines the vertical sides of the mattress (100) and possibly one or more intermediate partitions (152, 153) which can serve the function of stiffening elements and / or containment / separation elements for any areas with a different degree of stiffness.

[0038] In the example shown in the figures, said mattress (100) is in fact divided into three area (154, 155, 156) lengthwise, wherein the central area (155), as mentioned, is occupied by said springs (200), being the area of the mattress that is usually subjected to higher loads.

[0039] The mattress is also divided, for example, into a head area (154) and a foot area (156), where additional springs, for example steel pocket springs (300), can be positioned.

[0040] According to the invention, however, layers of elastic material or other springs with carbon fibre (200) can be placed inside the mattress, in combination with or as an alternative to said pocket springs (300).

[0041] The same inventive concept can be applied to the production of upholstered furniture in general.

[0042] Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are made.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Filling for mattresses (100) or upholstered furniture in general, characterized in that it comprises one or more compression springs (200, 300), among which one or more springs (200) with carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre, distributed in a homogeneous or non-homogeneous manner in all or part of its volume.

2. Filling according to claim 1, characterized in that said springs (200) are made of carbon fibre and glass fibre.

3. Filling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that all or part of said springs (200) with carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre are or are not encased in fabric pockets.

4. Mattress (100) comprising the filling according to claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that said springs (200) with carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre are at least distributed in a central area (155) of the mattress (100) lengthwise.

5. Mattress (100) or upholstered furniture comprising the filling according to claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a first bottom layer (110) and a second top layer (120), both made of a natural or synthetic elastic material, for example foam material, between which there is a plurality of said springs (200) with carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre.

6. Mattress (100) or upholstered furniture according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises one or more layers of elastic material, for example foam material, between said bottom layer (110) and said top layer (120).

7. Mattress (100) or upholstered furniture according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a third inner lower layer (130), directly or indirectly facing said bottom layer (110) towards the inside of the mattress or of the furniture filling, and a fourth inner upper layer (140), directly or indirectly facingsaid top layer (120) towards the inside of the mattress, and wherein said third and / or fourth layer / s (130, 140) comprises / comprise housings (131, 141) facing towards the centre of the mattress or of the furniture filling, inside which the ends (210) of said springs (200) with carbon fibre and / or glass fibre and / or bamboo fibre are inserted.

8. Mattress (100) or upholstered furniture according to any of the claims from 4 to 7, characterized in that it also comprises a reinforcing structure (150), also made of an elastic material, such as polyurethane foam, comprising a perimeter frame (151) which defines the vertical sides of the mattress (100) or of the furniture filling, and possibly one or more intermediate partitions (152, 153) which can serve the function of stiffening elements and / or containment / separation elements for any different areas.

9. Mattress (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more pocket springs (300) made of a metallic material, for example steel.

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