MATTRESS COMFORT SYSTEMS

Abstract

A mattress comfort system is disclosed. The mattress comfort system can include a mattress. The mattress can have at least one internal void into which a comfort member can be inserted through a mattress opening to fill the internal void.

Claims

1. A mattress comfort system comprising: a mattress defining an internal void extending into the mattress from a mattress opening; and a comfort member removably positioned in the internal void.

2. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the comfort member is visible from outside of the mattress.

3. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, further comprising a cover at least partially enclosing the mattress.

4. The mattress comfort system of claim 3, wherein the cover comprises a cover opening aligned with the mattress opening, the cover opening allowing access to the mattress opening from outside of the cover.

5. The mattress comfort system of claim 4, wherein the cover comprises at least one closure configured to secure the cover opening in a closed position.

6. The mattress comfort system of claim 5, wherein the at least one closure comprises a snap, hook-and-loop material, zipper, magnet, or a combination thereof.

7. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the internal void extends at least halfway through a width of the mattress.

8. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the internal void extends through at least three-quarters of a width of the mattress.

9. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the internal void extends across less than three-quarters of a height of the mattress.

10. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the internal void extends across less than half of a height of the mattress.

11. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the mattress comprises at least two internal voids, wherein the at least two internal voids are aligned.

12. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the mattress comprises a plurality of shaped mattress segments, and at least two of the plurality of shaped mattress segments cooperate to define the internal void.

13. The mattress comfort system of claim 12, wherein one of the plurality of shaped mattress segments encloses a top of the internal void, and the mattress further comprises a top cover positioned over the one of the plurality of shaped mattress segments.

14. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the mattress further comprises a cover removably secured to a top of the mattress.

15. The mattress comfort system of claim 14, wherein the mattress opening is defined by the top of the mattress, and the cover encloses the mattress opening when secured to the top of the mattress.

16. The mattress comfort system of claim 1, wherein the mattress further comprises an edge support member extending around a perimeter of the mattress.

17. A method of using a mattress comfort system, the mattress comfort system comprising a mattress defining an internal void and a comfort member configured to be removably positioned in the internal void, the method comprising: accessing the internal void; and inserting the comfort member into the internal void.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mattress comfort system further comprises a cover at least partially enclosing the mattress, the cover comprising a cover opening aligned with the internal void, and wherein accessing the internal void comprises opening the cover opening to access the internal void, the method further comprising: securing the cover opening after inserting the comfort member into the internal void.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the comfort member is a first comfort member, the method further comprising: opening the cover opening to access the mattress opening; removing the first comfort member; inserting a second comfort member different from the first comfort member; and securing the cover opening.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the mattress comprises a plurality of shaped mattress segments, one of the plurality of shaped mattress segments encloses a top of the internal void, and a cover is positioned over the one of the plurality of shaped mattress segments, and wherein accessing the internal void comprises: removing the cover to access the one of the plurality of shaped mattress segments; and removing the one of the plurality of shaped mattress segments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present disclosure will be more readily understood from a detailed description of some example embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 10 is two perspective views of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of material characteristics of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the apparatuses, systems, methods, and processes disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0021] Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0022] Technical solutions to the problems associated with comfortable bed components for sleep comfort can be achieved by the systems, apparatuses, and methods of the present disclosure. Example systems, apparatuses and methods provide for customizable, modular, and/or cost-effective solutions to the problem of sleeping comfort.

[0023] In general, the systems, apparatuses and methods provide a simple, unobtrusive, removable, replaceable, and/or non-visible components for bedding. Certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided herein.

[0024] The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus, method and system for bedding comfort. An example mattress comfort system 100 includes a mattress 112 having at least one internal void 114 into which a comfort member 116 can be inserted through a mattress opening 120 to fill the internal void 114. Thus, the internal voids, being accessible from an external surface of the mattress 112 can be considered as insertion passages of the mattress 112. Two comfort members 116 are shown in FIG. 1, each partially inserted into its respective internal void 114 through a mattress opening 120. The internals voids 114 may each have a sidewall extending between the mattress opening 120 and a closed end. In some embodiments, the internal voids 114 may extend at least halfway or three-quarters of the way through the width of the mattress 112. The internal voids 114, in some embodiments, do not extend through the entire width of the mattress 112. In some embodiments, the internal voids 114 may extend across less than three-quarters or less than half of the height of the mattress 112. The internal voids 114, in some embodiments, do not extend through the entire height of the mattress 112. In the example embodiment of FIG. 1, the comfort members 116 are inserted from a side of the mattress 112; however, in an embodiment, one or more of the comfort members 116 can be inserted from a different side, the top, or the bottom of the mattress 112. That is, the mattress openings 120 defined by an internal void 114 on the surface of the mattress 112 can be on any side of the mattress 112. The mattress 112 can be partially or fully enclosed by a cover 118, shown in partial view in FIG. 1.

[0026] The material and composition of the comfort members 116 may vary. The comfort members 116 can be made of, for example, a foam material. The foam material can be a closed cell foam or an open cell foam. The comfort members 116 can be made of polyurethane, elastomeric gel, latex, viscoelastic, or other types of foam. The comfort materials can also include springs, such as an inner spring and/or pocket coil spring. The comfort member 116 can be a composite material, including a layered material. In an embodiment, the comfort member 116 is a composite of materials of varying density. In an embodiment, the comfort member 116 is a composite of different foam types. In an embodiment, the comfort member 116 is a layered foam structure. In an embodiment, the comfort member 116 is a layered foam structure in which the foam layers differ in at least one physical characteristic, including, for example, density. In an embodiment, the comfort members 116 can be labeled to display physical characteristics or other consumer attributes. One or more of the comfort members 116 can be covered by a textile covering, such as a fabric casing.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the mattress 112 is fully enclosed by a cover 118, which when covering the portion of the mattress 112 at the mattress openings 120 of the internal voids 114 can conceal the comfort members 116. As shown in FIG. 3, in an embodiment, a cover 118 is not used, and a portion of the comfort members 116 can be visible from the outside of the mattress 112. The comfort members 116 may include indicia representing a feature of the comfort members relating to physical characteristics including weight, density, size, shape, softness and/or firmness. For example, each comfort member 116 can have a firmness in a range from relatively very soft to relatively very firm, including intermediate medium firmness. The range of physical characteristics, including firmness, for comfort members 116 can be predetermined, designed, and provided in a modular form such that they can be customizable for the comfort of individual users of a mattress comfort system of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an embodiment in which the comfort members 116 are each inserted from the top side of the mattress 112.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, in an embodiment where the cover 118 partially or fully covers each of the mattress openings 120 of the internal voids 114, the cover 118 can have cover access openings 122. The cover access openings 122 are aligned with the mattress openings 120 to allow comfort members 116 to be inserted or withdrawn from the internal voids 114 through the cover 118. The cover access openings 122 can include closures 126 for securing the cover at the cover access openings 122. The cover access opening 122 can be a simple slit in the cover 118. The cover access opening 122 can be a flap of material that can be secured on the cover 118, such as by one edge in a hinged flap. In various embodiments, closures 126 can be mating fasteners such as snaps, hook and loop (e.g., VELCRO®), zippers, magnets, and the like.

[0029] As can be understood from the description of FIGS. 1-5, the mattress 112 can have a non-visible (to an outside observer) compartment to insert a comfort member 116. In an embodiment, a portion of a cover 118 can be opened, e.g., by unsnapping, unzipping, unhooking, etc., to allow a comfort member 116 to be inserted, at which time the portion of the cover so opened can be closed and/or secured. The comfort member 116 can be inserted into the top or the side of the mattress 112. The cover 118 can have an opening or passage to insert the comfort members 116. The comfort member 116 can fit directly into the mattress to gain shape. To gain access to the comfort member 116 or the internal void 114, the cover 118 can be unfastened and refastened once the comfort member 116 is in place. In an example embodiment, comfort members 116 can be visible to an outside observer as a finished product.

[0030] In an embodiment, comfort members 116 can be inserted directly into a traditional pillow top or a traditional cover, such as with top of mattress access, portion of the mattress. The pillow top or cover can be removed by fasteners to place a comfort member 116 in the mattress. The pillow top or cover can be fastened back to an original state to cover the comfort members 116. Comfort members 116 can each have a longest dimension of between about 1 inch to about 60 inches, about 1 inch to about 30 inches, and about 30 inches to about 60 inches. The comfort members 116 can each have a height (height being a vertical distance as depicted in the figures), which can be considered the thickness of the comfort member 116, of between about ½ inch to about 15 inches, about ½ inch to about 10 inches, and about 5 inches to about 15 inches.

[0031] The shape of the mattress openings 120 may vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the mattress openings 120 can be circular and define a circular cylindrical internal void 114. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the mattress opening 120 can be rectangular and define a square rectangular shaped internal void 114. Other shapes for the internal voids 114, and their corresponding mattress openings 120 can include, without limitation, cone, truncated cone, cubic, ellipsoid, pyramid, wedge, and polygonal prism.

[0032] The number of internal voids and corresponding mattress openings may vary. For example, a mattress 112 can have from 1 to 20, 1 to 10, 1 to 5, 5 to 20, or 5 to 10 internal voids 114. The mattress 112 may include a corresponding number of mattress openings 120. Likewise, a cover 118 can have a corresponding number and placement of cover access openings 122. The internal voids 114 may be aligned with each other. For example, the internal voids 114 may have a same average height relative to a bottom of the mattress (e.g., the internal voids may be the same distance from the bottom of the mattress). In an embodiment, the internal voids 114 may be the same distance from a first side of the mattress. A cover opening can have a longest dimension of from about 1 inch to about 90 inches, about 1 inch to about 50 inches, about 10 inches to about 90 inches, about 30 inches to about 90 inches, and about 30 inches to about 60 inches. The cover opening can be located on either or both of the side or top of the mattress.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the mattress 112 can be a multi-part mattress comprised of various components that fit together to form the mattress 112. Further, the mattress 112 can be configured on a standard bed frame 132, and can be topped with a traditional mattress topper 134. For example, a generally standard-shaped mattress 112 can be achieved by the combination of shaped segments 130. Four such shaped segments 130 are shown and numbered 1 through 4 in FIG. 8. The segments 130 may cooperate to define the internal void 114. For example, in FIG. 8, segment numbers 2, 3, and 4 cooperate to define one of the internal voids 114, and segment numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 cooperate to define the other of the internal voids 114. In various embodiments, the number of shaped segments 130 can be from about 1 to about 50. The shaped segments can be made of foam, and can be shaped, sized, and configured when assembled to produce one or more internal voids 114, as described above.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 9, in an embodiment, the mattress 112 can have an edge support member 140. The edge support member 140 can be a single- or multi-component system, and can surround the perimeter of the mattress 112. In an embodiment, the edge support member 140 is a foam material having a relatively higher density, firmness, stiffness, or the like, with respect to the inner mattress portion. The edge support member 140 can have defined therein edge support member openings 142 that can correspond in size, shape, and placement, with the above-described mattress openings 120 and cover access openings 122.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of example mattresses 112 showing comfort members 116 partially inserted. As shown, a plurality of comfort members 116 can each have different comfort characteristics indicated thereon, such as levels of softness.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of varying physical characteristics of a comfort member 116, including a layered foam member. In various embodiments, the materials 150 of a comfort member 116 can include foam materials being described as “soft,” “medium,” “memory foam,” “cool,” “response,” and “alignment.”

[0037] In various embodiments disclosed herein, a single component can be replaced by multiple components and multiple components can be replaced by a single component to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative, such substitution is within the intended scope of the embodiments.

[0038] The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention to be defined by the claims appended hereto.