Compartmented Washable Mattress Topper for Foam Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mattress toppers made of open cell foam typically deteriorate when washed, as they lack durability and stability during the washing process, making it difficult to maintain hygiene and extend their lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A washable mattress topper design featuring a cushion element with a fabric cover that creates multiple compartments through stitching, allowing for machine or hand washing without substantial breakdown, using open cell foam and a fabric cover that resists shrinking and stretching, with a border compartment surrounding central compartments to enhance stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mattress topper is made of open cell foam for comfort, then comfort is improved, but durability during washing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecomfortVSAvoiddurability during washing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress topper is divided into multiple compartments through stitching that penetrates the fabric cover and cushion element, creating separate sections that restrict foam movement and prevent deterioration during washing while maintaining the open cell foam material for comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the mattress topper is made washable for hygiene maintenance, then hygiene is improved, but the cushion element deteriorates during washing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidcushion element durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion element is segmented into multiple compartments by stitching through both the fabric cover and cushion element, which restricts foam movement and prevents deterioration during washing, enabling safe machine or hand washing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A fabric cover enclosing the cushion element is used, with the cover and stitching working together to contain the foam compartments during washing, allowing the entire assembly to be washed without foam deterioration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If stitching is applied through both fabric cover and cushion element to create compartments, then stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mattress topper is divided into multiple compartments through stitching that penetrates the fabric cover and cushion element, creating separate sections that restrict foam movement and prevent deterioration during washing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stitching serves dual functions by simultaneously attaching the fabric cover to the cushion element and creating compartment divisions, eliminating the need for separate attachment and compartmentalization processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8966688B2Washable mattress topper
Publication Date: 2015.03.03 JIAJING USA
  • US8966688B2 patent drawing
  • US8966688B2 patent drawing
  • US8966688B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments relate generally to a washable mattress topper. The washable mattress topper comprises a cushion element and a fabric cover enclosing and attached to the cushion element in a manner which divides the cushion element into a plurality of compartments.