Field mattress

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns field mattresses, in particular foldable mattresses for operational purposes, the foldable mattress having a folded state and a non-folded state, and comprising a base fabric layer, a reinforcing layer comprising an aluminum-coated polymeric film, a thermal insulative layer comprising a closed-cell polymeric foam, and a top fabric layer, at least a portion of the base fabric layer defining an external layer of the mattress when the mattress is in the folded state.

Description

[0001] Field mattress

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure concerns field mattresses, in particular foldable mattresses for operational purposes.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Foldable, light weight mattresses are often used for various uses in field conditions, for example by travelers, hikers, or troops deployed in various combat scenarios. Such mattresses are often composed of various layers of fabrics and insulative materials, natural or synthetic.

[0006] For ease of carrying, such mattresses are often relatively thin, to permit rolling or folding of the mattress into a relatively small volume, making them easier to mount or securely fasten to a backpack. However, such reduced thickness is often obtained by utilizing relatively thin functional layers, that do not provide sufficient thermal insulation from the ground (once deployed thereover) and / or sufficient weight support of the user, resulting in reduced comfort for the user lying on the mattress.

[0007] GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0008] The present disclosure provides a foldable mattress, typically, albeit not exclusively, for use in field conditions. The foldable mattresses of this disclosure combine various functional layers, that provide improved thermal insulation, water resistance, and increased comfort for the user, while maintaining a foldable or rollable functionality and relatively low weight.

[0009] Therefore, in an aspect, the present disclosure provides a foldable mattress, having a folded state and a non-folded state, the foldable mattress comprising:

[0010] a base fabric layer;

[0011] a reinforcing layer comprising an aluminum-coated polymeric film;

[0012] a thermal insulative layer comprising a closed-cell polymeric foam; and a top fabric layer;at least a portion of the base fabric layer defining an external layer of the mattress when the mattress is in the folded state.

[0013] In other words, the mattress is composed of a combination of various functional layers, that provides the mattress with its thermal insulation properties and cushioning properties, while maintaining a relatively thin thickness and high foldability / rollability without hindering the mattress' durability for use in various field deployment scenarios.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the mattress has a thickness of between about 3 mm (millimeters) and about 10 mm in the non-folded state.

[0015] By some embodiments, the mattress has a thickness of between about 3 mm and about 8 mm in the non-folded state.

[0016] As noted, the mattress includes several functional layers. A base layer, typically made of synthetic durable fabric, forms the bottom-most layer in the stack of functional layers of the mattress, i.e. the layer that comes in direct contact with the surface onto which the mattress is deployed (e.g. ground, paving, concrete flooring, etcf When in the folded state, at least a portion of the base fabric layer defines an external layer of the mattress, providing increased durability of the mattress when carried.

[0017] By some embodiments, the base fabric layer is made of a natural -fibers fabric, a semi-synthetic fibers fabric, or a synthetic fibers fabric.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the base fabric layer is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon, polyester, and blends thereof.

[0019] By some embodiments, the base fabric layer is made of a woven fabric.

[0020] By some other embodiments, the base fabric layer is made of a non-woven fabric. According to some embodiments, the base fabric layer comprises a water-resistant or water repellant coating layer.

[0021] On top of the base fabric layer, there is a reinforcing layer that is made of aluminum-coated polymeric film. The reinforcing layer has a dual functionality. First, the reinforcing layer provides mechanical strengthening of the mattress, increasing its durability and making it suitable for use in combat situations - such as a frame-less stretcher for carrying a wounded person. Second, the reinforcing layer provides thermal insulation, as the aluminum coating reflects heat emitted from the user when lying on the mattress back towards the user.According to some embodiments, the reinforcing layer having a thickness ranging between about 50 gm and about 150 gm (micrometers).

[0022] By some embodiments, the reinforcing layer is made of an aluminum-coated polyethylene film.

[0023] Positioned on top of the reinforcing layer is a thermal insulative layer. The thermal insulative layer comprises a closed-cell polymeric foam, which is a foam structure in which the cells' volumes are not interconnected. In other words, a closed cell foam is made out of continuous scaffold of polymeric material, which encloses a plurality of cells, such that each cell defines an enclosed volume, distinct from adjacent cells.

[0024] Due to its closed cell structure, the thermal insulative layer has a dual functionality. First, the polymeric foam provides thermal insulation, forming a barrier layer between a cold or a hot surface and the user. By some embodiments, the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulative layer ranges between about 0.035 W / mK and 0.055 W / mK (as measured according to international standard EN 12667).

[0025] Second, the thermal insulative layer provides improved mechanical support and cushioning to a user lying on the mattress. According to some embodiments, the thermal insulative layer has a compressive strength of between about 80 kPa and about 130 kPa (as measured according to international standard ISO 844 at 25% compression). By some other embodiments, the thermal insulative layer has a compressive strength of between about 60 kPa and about 100 kPa (as measured according to international standard ISO 844 at 10% compression). By yet other embodiments, the thermal insulative layer has a compressive strength of between about 160 kPa and about 200 kPa (as measured according to international standard ISO 844 at 50% compression).

[0026] In some embodiments, the thermal insulative layer has a thickness ranging between about 2 mm and about 10 mm.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the thermal insulative layer has a density ranging between about 60 kg / m3and about 80 kg / m3(as measured according to ISO 845).

[0028] According to some embodiments, the thermal insulative layer is made of closedcell polyolefin foam. The polyolefin can be selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, and co-polymers or blends thereof.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the thermal insulative layer is made of crosslinked expanded polypropylene.Over the thermal insulative layer, there is provided a top layer, particularly a top layer. The top layer typically forms an external surface of the mattress, opposite to the surface defined by the base fabric layer. Namely, while the base fabric layer forms a bottom surface that comes into contact with the surface onto which the mattress is deployed, the top layer is the topmost, user-facing layer, which comes in direct contact with the user when the mattress is in its non-folded state.

[0030] The top layer typically has a camouflage printing, such that when required, a user can hide beneath the mattress and avoid detection by various means. The term camouflage printing means to denote camouflage at its broader sense, i.e. optic camouflage and / or thermal camouflage.

[0031] In some embodiment, the camouflage printing is an optical pattern. As a person of skill would appreciate, the optical pattern can vary depending on the desired camouflage degree or environment in which camouflage is required. For example, the camouflage optical pattern for a mattress to be used in forest environment is different from that used in desert conditions, urban environment, hunting purposes, etc. The mattresses disclosed herein are not limited by a particular camouflage pattern.

[0032] It is of particular note that in addition to optical camouflage, due to the combination of the reinforcing layer (that includes an aluminum coating) and the thermal insulative layer, effective thermal camouflaging can be obtained by both providing a thermal insulative environment to the user underneath the mattress, as well as thermal reflection from the aluminum coating of the reinforcing layer.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the camouflage layer has a thickness ranging between about 20 pm and about 250 pm.

[0034] Typically, the mattress has a longitudinal axis, that is defined between two terminal ends of the mattress. According to some embodiments, the mattress is rollable along the longitudinal axis thereby obtaining the mattress' folded state.

[0035] By some embodiments, one of the terminal ends comprises a cushioning section, that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in a plane defined by the mattress, such that the mattress can be rollable about the cushioning section along the longitudinal axis. In other words, the mattress can be rolled such that the cushioning section forms a center of the roll, about which the remaining portion of the mattress is rolled for obtaining the folded state.The mattress can comprise various functional elements. According to some embodiments, the mattress comprises one or more fastening elements fixed to the base fabric layer, and configured to maintain the foldable mattress at the folded state.

[0036] According to other embodiments, the mattress comprises one or more carrying elements fixed to the base fabric layer, permitting carrying of the mattress, either at the folded state or at the non-folded state. For example, such carrying elements can be used as handles, to permit the mattress to function as a frameless stretcher when the mattress is in its non-folded state.

[0037] According to some other embodiments, the mattress comprises one or more fixing elements fixed to the base fabric layer, configured for releasably fixing the folded mattress to a carrying platform, for example a backpack, a locomoting utility, etc.

[0038] As used herein, the singular form a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0039] As used herein, the term about is meant to encompass deviation of ±10% from the specifically mentioned value of a parameter, such as thickness, temperature, etc.

[0040] Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases ranging / ranges between a first indicate number and a second indicate number and ranging / ranges from a first indicate number to a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

[0041] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any integer or step or group of integers and steps.

[0042] Generally it is noted that the term ...at least one... as applied to any component of a composition of the invention should be read to encompass one, two, three, four, or more different occurrences of said component in a composition of the invention.

[0043] It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separatelyor in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

[0044] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] Figs. 1A-1B show illustrations of a mattress according to an embodiment of this disclosure, in a folded state (Fig. 1 A) and in a non-folded state (Fig. IB).

[0047] Fig- 2 is a schematic illustration showing the layered structure of the mattress according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0048] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0049] Turning first to Figs. 1A-1B, shown is an exemplary foldable mattress 100 according to an embodiment of this disclosure, in two operational states: a folded state shown in Fig. 1 A and a non-folded state shown in Fig. IB.

[0050] As seen in Fig. IB, mattress 100 has two terminal ends 102 and 104, that define therebetween a longitudinal axis X. In this particular exemplified embodiment, terminal end 102 comprises a cushioning section 106, that functions as a pillow for a person lying on the mattress. Cushioning section 106 is integral with body supporting section 108 of the mattress. However, it is noted that the cushioning section 106 can also be detachably attachable to the body supporting section 108, e.g. by fasteners, snap buttons, zipper arrangement, etc. It is also to be appreciated, that a similar mattress without a cushioning section can also be provided, as in intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] Cushioning section 106 is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X in the plane defined by the body supporting section 108, such that the mattress is rollable about the cushioning section along the longitudinal axis, to obtain the folded state shown in Fig.

[0052] 1A.Section 108 is defined between two opposite surfaces, a bottom, ground-engaging surface 110, which as will be explained below is defined by base fabric layer 130, and a top, user-facing surface 112, that is defined by top camouflage layer 140, as will be explained further below. Surface 110, when in the folded state, forms the external surface of the folded mattress, as seen in Fig. 1 A.

[0053] The mattress also comprises several additional functional elements.

[0054] Seen in Fig. IB is handle 114, that can be used as a carrying handle or as a hanging element, from which the mattress 100 can be hung when the mattress is at its non-folded state. Also seen in Fig. IB is integral pouch 116, which can be used as a storage chamber or as an external casing for the folded / rolled mattress.

[0055] Seen in Fig. 1 A are fastening elements 118, that are fixed to surface 110 by strips 120, and function to maintain the foldable mattress at the folded state. Also seen are carrying elements 122 that are also fixed to surface 110, and permit carrying of the mattress, either at the folded state or at the non-folded state. For example, such carrying elements can be used as handles, to permit the mattress to function as a frameless stretcher when the mattress is in its non-folded state. Fixing elements 124 are configured for releasably fixing the folded mattress to a carrying platform, for example a backpack.

[0056] Turning now to Fig. 2, shown is the layered structure of the mattress 100. It is noted that the schematic representation is for mere example, and the arbitrary dimensions therein are not to be regarded as limiting in any way.

[0057] Mattress 100 comprises several vertically stacked functional layers. Base layer 130 is typically made of synthetic durable fabric, and forms the bottom-most layer in the stack, i.e. the layer that comes in direct contact with the surface onto which the mattress is deployed (e.g. ground, paving, concrete flooring, etc.). The base fabric layer has a thickness T1 and can be made of any suitable durable fabric, typically a synthetic fabric, that is preferably coted by a water-resistant or water repellant coating.

[0058] On top of the base fabric layer 130, there is a reinforcing layer having a thickness T2, that is made of a polymeric film 132 (e.g. polyethylene film) coated by an aluminum foil 134. The reinforcing layer has a thickness of between about 50 pm and about 150 pm.

[0059] As noted, the reinforcing layer has a dual functionality. First, the reinforcing layer provides mechanical strengthening of the mattress, increasing its durability and making it suitable for use in combat situations - such as a frameless stretcher for carrying awounded person. Second, the reinforcing layer provides thermal insulation, as the aluminum coating reflects heat emitted from the user when lying on the mattress back towards the user.

[0060] Stacked on top of the reinforcing layer is a thermal insulative layer 136, that is made of a closed-cell polymeric foam, for example closed-cell polyolefin foam, preferably cross-linked expanded polypropylene. This layer also has a dual functionality, stemming from its closed-cell foam structure. The polymeric foam provides thermal insulation, forming a barrier layer between a cold or hot surface and the user. In the mattresses of this disclosure, the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulative layer ranges between about 0.035 W / mK and 0.055 W / mK (as measured according to international standard EN 12667).

[0061] In addition, the thermal insulative layer provides improved mechanical support and cushioning to a user lying on the mattress. In the mattresses of this disclosure, the thermal insulative layer has a compressive strength of between about 80 kPa and about 130 kPa (as measured according to international standard ISO 844 at 25% compression). By some other embodiments, the thermal insulative layer has a compressive strength of between about 60 kPa and about 100 kPa (as measured according to international standard ISO 844 at 10% compression). By yet other embodiments, the thermal insulative layer has a compressive strength of between about 160 kPa and about 200 kPa (as measured according to international standard ISO 844 at 50% compression).

[0062] The thermal insulative layer 136 has a thickness T3, that ranges between about 2 mm and about 10 mm.

[0063] The topmost layer is camouflage layer 140, that also defines the top surface 112 of the mattress when the mattress is in its non-folded state.

[0064] The top layer 140, as noted, typically has a camouflage printing, as exemplified in Fig. IB, such that when required, a user can hide beneath the mattress and avoid detection by various means.

[0065] It is of particular note that in addition to optical camouflage (demonstrated in Fig. IB), due to the combination of the reinforcing layer (that includes an aluminum coating) and the thermal insulative layer, effective thermal camouflaging can be obtained by both providing a thermal insulative environment to the user underneath the mattress, as well as thermal reflection from the aluminum coating of the reinforcing layer.The camouflage layer 140 has a thickness T4 of between about 20 gm and about 250 gm.

[0066] The mattresses of this disclosure are characterized by providing improved thermal insulation, water resistance, and increased comfort for the user, while maintaining a relatively thin configuration that permits the mattresses to be foldable / rollable and of relatively low weight. Thus, the total thickness of the mattress T (T1+T2+T3+T4) is typically between about 3 mm and about 10 mm in the non-folded state, enabling the mattress to be easily rollable while providing the combined functionality of thermal insulation and comfort of use.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A foldable mattress, having a folded state and a non-folded state, the foldable mattress comprising:a base fabric layer;a reinforcing layer comprising an aluminum-coated polymeric film;a thermal insulative layer comprising a closed-cell polymeric foam; and a top fabric layer;at least a portion of the base fabric layer defining an external layer of the mattress when the mattress is in the folded state.

2. The foldable mattress of claim 1 , wherein said reinforcing layer having a thickness ranging between about 50 pm and about 150 pm.

3. The foldable mattress of claim 1 or 2, wherein said thermal insulative layer having a thickness ranging between about 2 mm and about 10 mm.

4. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said thermal insulative layer is made of closed-cell polyolefin foam.

5. The foldable mattress of claim 4, wherein said polyolefin is selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, and co-polymers or blends thereof.

6. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the thermal insulative layer is made of cross-linked expanded polypropylene.

7. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thermal insulative layer has a thermal conductivity of between about 0.035 W / mK and 0.055 W / mK (as measured according to international standard EN 12667).

8. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the thermal insulative layer has a compressive strength of between about 80 kPa and about 130 kPa (as measured according to international standard ISO 844 at 25% compression).

9. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said base fabric layer is made of a natural -fibers fabric, a semi -synthetic fibers fabric, or a synthetic fibers fabric.

10. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said base fabric layer is made of a woven fabric.

11. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said base fabric layer is made of a non-woven fabric.

12. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the top layer having a thickness ranging between about 20 pm and about 250 pm.

13. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the top layer is an optic camouflage layer.

14. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 13, having a longitudinal axis, defined between two terminal ends of the mattress.

15. The foldable mattress of claim 14, wherein the mattress is rollable along said longitudinal axis.

16. The foldable mattress of claim 15, wherein one of said terminal ends comprises a cushioning section, the cushioning section being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis in a plane defined by the mattress.

17. The foldable mattress of claim 16, wherein the mattress is rollable about said cushioning section.

18. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising one or more fastening elements fixed to the base fabric layer, configured to maintain the foldable mattress at the folded state.

19. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising one or more carrying elements fixed to the base fabric layer, permitting carrying of the mattress, either at the folded state or at the non-folded state.

20. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising one or more fixing elements fixed to the base fabric layer, configured for releasably fixing the folded mattress to a carrying platform.

21. The foldable mattress of any one of claims 1 to 20, having a thickness of between about 3 mm and about 10 mm in the non-folded state.

22. The foldable mattress of claim 21, having a thickness of between about 3 mm and about 8 mm in the non-folded state.

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