Ventilated Latex Comfort Layer With Stretch-Opened Passages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing comfort layers in pillows and mattresses, such as those made of polyester fibers, natural or synthetic latex, and viscoelastic polyurethane foam, lose resilience and fail to provide adequate ventilation, leading to discomfort due to compression and heat retention.

Innovation Solution

An air-permeable comfort layer is created by making interrupted incisions along parallel lines in elastic materials like polyurethane foam or latex, allowing stretching to form passages for improved ventilation and adjustability, eliminating the need for additional support frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a closed cell structure comfort layer (natural or synthetic latex, viscoelastic polyurethane foam) is used, then the comfort layer maintains its shape and does not quickly become compressed, but ventilation is blocked and perspiration cannot be vented leading to overheating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape retentionVSAvoidheat retention and lack of ventilation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies porous materials by creating an open-cell structure through incisions in the comfort layer. The incisions penetrate the closed-cell foam material, transforming it into a porous structure that allows air and moisture to pass through while maintaining the structural integrity and shape retention of the original material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The comfort layer is segmented by introducing incisions that divide the continuous closed-cell structure into sections. These incisions create passage ways through the material, allowing ventilation and moisture removal while preserving the overall shape and support function of the comfort layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If polyester fibers are used for the comfort layer, then the comfort layer feels nice and is soft, but the fibers quickly lose resilience when repeatedly compressed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftness and comfortVSAvoidresilience

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining the softness of polyester fibers with the resilience of foam materials. The comfort layer integrates both fiber and foam components, allowing the product to maintain both softness for comfort and structural resilience for long-term durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the comfort layer is made solid without openings, then it maintains structural integrity, but it cannot provide adequate ventilation and moisture removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmoisture accumulation and heat retention

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The comfort layer is designed as a porous material with incisions that create passage ways. These openings allow air circulation and moisture removal while the surrounding material maintains structural integrity, preventing both suffocation and structural collapse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The comfort layer applies local quality by having different properties in different regions. The incisions create localized openings for ventilation while the surrounding areas maintain full structural integrity. This allows the material to provide both support and breathability in appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances comfort by allowing for efficient moisture removal and air circulation, maintaining softness while reducing material waste and production costs, with adjustable zones for customized support and softness.

Implementation Method 1

a comfort layer which is provided around a core of the pillow or other object and which is made of natural or synthetic latex, polyurethane foam or another elastic material, whereby interrupted incisions are provided through the inventive comfort layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

This type of soft foam has properties that are subject to change caused by variations in temperature and behaves like a sort of thermoplastic, such that comfort layers formed of such viscoelastic polyurethane foam become softer as a result of the influence of body temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8607391B2Pillow or mattress with closed comfort layer having openings

Publication Date: 2013.12.17 ELISANA S A R L

AI summary

Pillow or mattress having a comfort layer (5) which is made of natural or synthetic latex, polyurethane foam or another elastic material. The comfort layer 5 is provided with interrupted incisions (6) through the layer 5, along mainly parallel lines 7, and the layer (5) forms at least a part of a jacket around a core (2) of the pillow or mattress that is stretched in a lateral direction (P) which is mainly transverse to the direction of the above-mentioned lines (7) in order to open the incisions (6) so as to form passages (8) through the comfort layer (5).