DESCRIPTION

The present patent relates to mattresses and in particular concerns a new improved mattress with a temperature control system.

Currently mattresses with internal padding made of foamed material such as polyurethane or the like, or made of other materials, such as latex, are becoming more common and used.

Mattresses made of foam material are typically formed of several layers with different levels of stiffness so as to ensure adequate support and simultaneous comfort.

The feeling of comfort is, however, extremely subjective and variable for each user as a function of his/her habits, physical structure, weight, possible pathologies, usual sleeping positions, and so on.

Another extremely subjective aspect is the user's feeling of heat, sometimes requiring light blankets and very breathable mattresses for greater comfort during sleep.

On the other hand, there are situations where people in a state of illness or those who are unable to move for periods of time must remain bed-bound. A lying position and prolonged immobility contribute to lowering blood pressure and body temperature, so that the subject may experience a sensation of coldness, even though the ambient temperature is warm enough.

In this regard, the current art includes warming blankets, or bed warmers, generally comprising an electrically powered heating element embedded in a layer of soft material. The object of the present patent is a new type of improved mattress with a temperature control system.

The main aim of the present invention is to adjust the surface temperature of the mattress according to the user's needs.

Another object of this invention is to release heat or, alternatively, to cool the mattress, according to the user's needs.

Yet another object of the present invention is to adjust the temperature thereby preventing the formation of condensation inside the mattress.

Still another object of the present invention is to contain energy consumption.

A further object of the present invention is to be able to adapt not only the temperature but also the stiffness of the mattress to the user's needs.

These and other aims, direct and complementary, are achieved by the new improved mattress with a temperature control system, comprising in its main parts:

• at least one support layer, comprising, on the upper side, that is, on the side facing upwards, a plurality of recesses or grooves or seats in general to house at least one pipe arranged in any way, for example in a coil;

· at least one circuit, preferably closed, for the circulation of a heat exchange fluid or liquid, for example water, in turn comprising the at least one pipe for the circulation of the liquid, suited to be arranged, for example in a coil, in the recesses or seats created on the upper side of the support layer,

• at least one system for the heating and/or cooling of the exchange liquid.

This system, or temperature control system of the exchange liquid, in turn comprising at least one tank for the heat exchange liquid or water, directly or indirectly connected to the circuit, at least one means of pumping the liquid in the circuit, at least one electric element able to heat the liquid and/or one or more Peltier cells suited to cool the exchange liquid. Said at least one pipe, in particular, acts as a delivery and return for said heat exchange liquid and is preferably made of silicone.

In the preferred embodiment, said recesses are such that said at least one pipe of the circuit is embedded in the support layer.

Said components of the temperature control system are conveniently arranged inside a containment body or box.

Said tank has, for example, a capacity of about 3-4 litres, and in its interior contains said one or more elements to heat the heat exchange liquid. Said tank also comprises at least one opening for refilling.

Said one or more Peltier cells are preferably applied to the wall of said tank, for example at the bottom, with the cold side in contact with the tank itself, to cool the liquid in its interior, while the heat produced by the opposite side of the Peltier cell is eliminated by the action of one or more fans that push the air preferably upwards.

Thus said temperature control system advantageously also includes one or more fans suited to cool the hot side of said one or more Peltier cells, said fans being mounted in the containment box.

In the preferred embodiment said circuit comprises said at least one pipe housed in the support layer and includes attachment means, preferably quick coupling, to the containment box, for the indirect coupling to said tank.

Alternatively, it is possible that said circuit may comprise said at least one pipe housed in said recesses of said support layer, and additional ducts connected to said containment box and suited to be attached with couplings, preferably quick couplings, to corresponding quick couplings of said at least one pipe.

Said system comprises in the tank at least one detector of the amount of liquid in the circuit that checks for the presence of the minimum optimal quantity of liquid needed for the correct operation of the system.

Said system preferably comprises a safety system to interrupt operation in the case in which the amount of liquid is less than the minimum necessary value, to prevent the system components from being damaged.

Said containment box can be in whole or in part made of plastic or wood or another material with thermal insulating capacity.

Said system also comprises one or more humidity and temperature detectors inside said containment box, and, as a function of the environmental parameters, the temperature of the exchange liquid is adjusted so that the formation of condensation on the pipe is prevented.

Nonetheless temperature limit values inside said containment box are envisaged, for example a maximum value not exceeding 40-42°C, for safety reasons and to avoid overheating the devices. Once this temperature limit is reached, the operation of the heating element or of the entire system is interrupted.

It is also possible to specify limit values for the temperature of the liquid, which for example may not be higher than 30-35°C.

The temperature control system is turned on/off by acting on at least one button present on the containment box.

It is also envisaged that the containment box preferably comprises at least one display, useful for displaying, for example, the temperature of the liquid and/or the environment and/or the interior of the box, etc.

The selection of the heating or cooling function takes place preferably by remote control or Wi-Fi, for example by means of an electronic device like a Smartphone, or tablet, or PC. In the preferred embodiment, said new mattress comprises the support layer made of a material suitable to be in contact with said at least one circulation pipe of the exchange liquid.

For example the support layer comprises at least one sheet of high elasticity polyether or polyurethane foam.

Above said support layer, the new mattress also comprises at least one upper layer suited to be interposed, directly or indirectly, between the upper side of the support layer, on which the recesses or grooves are formed to house said at least one pipe, and the user's body.

Said at least one top layer is preferably made of a viscoelastic material and preferably comprises a plurality of through holes distributed across its entire or part of its surface. Said upper layer has the function of preventing the user's body from coming into direct contact with the pipe, but nevertheless enabling the user to perceive the sensation of hot/cold, and also protecting said pipe.

In the preferred embodiment, said mattress further comprises one or more layers underlying said support layer, suited to ensure the correct structure and support of the mattress. For example, said mattress comprises a lower layer made of viscoelastic material in general.

In the preferred embodiment, said mattress further comprises a lower layer of foam material, for example high elasticity polyether or polyurethane.

On said lower layer, there are preferably some recesses for the insertion of inserts made of foam material, preferably in the crosswise direction to the direction of maximum length of the mattress, that is, crosswise to the direction in which the user normally lies on the bed. Said inserts can be variously rigid, determining the stiffness and the overall supportiveness of the mattress.

Said layers are bound to each other preferably by means of glue. Said inserts are in turn secured in said recesses of the lower layer preferably by interlocking for their possible removal and replacement.

In the preferred embodiment, the new mattress is composed as follows:

• upper layer 0.5 cm thick;

• support layer 6.5 cm thick;

· underlying layer 5.5 cm thick;

• lower layer 14 cm thick.

The new improved mattress is particularly suited for use in the normal domestic sphere but also as a hospital bed, for example at home, in hospital or in another care facility, to meet the particular needs of the temporary user.

The characteristics of the present invention will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawing, attached by way of non-limiting example.

In the attached drawing, a practical embodiment of the invention is presented, by way of a non-limiting example.

Figure 1 shows the new mattress (1) with the temperature control system (4).

The new mattress (1) comprises at least one support layer (2), comprising, on the upper side (21), a plurality of recesses or grooves or seats in general (22) to house at least one pipe (31) arranged in any way, for example, as a coil.

The new mattress (1) also comprises at least one circuit (3) for the circulation of a fluid or heat exchange liquid, the circuit (3) in turn comprising said at least one delivery and return pipe (31) of said heat exchange liquid, said pipe (31) being housed on the upper side (21) of said support layer (2).

The new mattress (1) also comprises at least one thermoregulation system (4) for the heating and/or cooling of said exchange liquid, where said thermoregulation system (4) in turn comprises a containment box (41), at least one tank for said heat exchange liquid or water, directly or indirectly connected to the circuit (3) and housed in said containment box (41), at least one electric element able to heat said exchange liquid and housed in said tank, one or more Peltier cells suited to cool said exchange liquid, applied to at least one wall or the bottom of said tank with the cold side facing the tank itself, and at least one means of pumping said liquid in said circuit (3).

Said system (4) also includes one or more fans (42) mounted in said containment box (41), to cool the hot side of the Peltier cells.

Said circuit (3) comprises said at least one pipe (31) housed on said support layer (2) and ducts (51) and/or quick-fit connection (52) means to said tank in said containment box (41).

Said tank comprises refilling means (43) located on said containment box (41).

On said containment box (41) there is preferably at least one display (44) to display data in general and at least one on/off button (45).

The functioning of said system (4) is also operated and controlled remotely by remote control (45) or by electronic devices communicating via Wi-Fi, such as a Smartphone (46) or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, said mattress (1) comprises:

• said at least one support layer (2), in turn comprising at least one sheet of high elasticity poly ether or polyurethane foam;

• at least one upper layer (6) suited to be interposed, directly or indirectly, between the upper side (21) of said support layer (2) and the user's body, and where said at least one top layer (6) is made of viscoelastic material and preferably comprises a plurality of through holes distributed across the entire or part of its surface;

• one or more additional underlying layers (7) made of viscoelastic material in general, placed below said support layer (2);

• one lower layer (8) made of high elasticity poly ether or polyurethane foam.

Said lower layer (8) comprises one or more seats (81) for the removable insertion of one or more inserts of foam material (9), preferably placed in the crosswise direction with respect to the direction of maximum length of the mattress, that is, crosswise to the direction in which the user normally lies down, where the stiffness of the inserts determine the stiffness and the overall supportiveness of the mattress (1).

Said layers (2, 6, 7, 8) can be variously shaped according to the requirements of stiffness and support to be given to the mattress (1).

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawings the following claims are made.