METHOD FOR PREPARING A MATTRESS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT

Abstract

In a method for preparing a mattress for storage or transport, a mattress is used in which an elastically deformable cushion structure and a support apparatus, adjustable by electric motor and having a dimensionally stable base body, are accommodated in a casing. The support apparatus has at least two support parts that are pivotable relative to one another. The mattress is introduced into an essentially gas-tight wrapping, and the wrapping is sealed essentially gas-tight, and a negative pressure is generated in the wrapping to achieve vacuum-induced compression of the cushion element of the mattress. In the compressed state of the cushion element or during the compression of the cushion structure, the support parts are folded together, and the casing is sealed essentially gas-tight so that the mattress in the compressed and folded-up state forms a compact storage and transport unit.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a mattress for storage or transport, the method comprising: a) providing a mattress, the mattress including an elastically deformable cushion structure and a support apparatus, adjustable by electric motor and having a dimensionally stable base body, are accommodated in a casing, and the support apparatus has at least two support parts that are pivotable relative to one another; b) introducing the mattress into an essentially gas-tight wrapping, and the wrapping is sealed essentially gas-tight; c) generating a negative pressure in the wrapping to achieve vacuum-induced compression of the cushion element of the mattress; d) in the compressed state of the cushion element or during the compression of the cushion structure, the support parts are folded together; and e) sealing the casing essentially gas-tight so that the mattress in the compressed and folded-up state forms a compact storage and transport unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: a) an at least three-membered support apparatus is used which has a middle first support part, one end of which is articulatedly connected to a second support part so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis, and the other end of which is articulatedly connected to a third support part so as to be pivotable about a second pivot axis that is parallel to the first pivot axis.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: a) either the second support part is folded onto the first support part and subsequently the third support part is folded onto the second support part, or the third support part is folded onto the first support part and subsequently the second support part is folded onto the third support part.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: a) a first intermediate support part which is connected to the second support part and to the first support part via mutually parallel pivot axes is situated between the second support part and the first support part, the second support part in the folded-up state of the mattress being situated essentially parallel to the first support part, and the length of the first intermediate support part being selected in such a way that in the folded-up state, including the cushion structure, the distance between mutually facing surfaces of the second support part and of the first support part corresponds essentially to the thickness of the third support part, including the cushion structure, and the surfaces of the third support part rest against the respective facing surface of the second support part and of the first support part.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: a) a second intermediate support part which is connected to the third support part and to the first support part via mutually parallel pivot axes is situated between the third support part and the first support part, the length of the second support part being dimensioned in such a way that when the second support part is folded onto the first support part, the third support part and the first support part are situated parallel or approximately parallel to one another.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: a) the cushion structure has at least two horizontal cushion layers situated one above the other.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: a) the support apparatus is accommodated in a sandwich-like manner between two cushion layers.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: a) the storage and transport unit is stackable.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: a) the casing is made of a recyclable material.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein: a) the casing is made of a plastic film.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: a) a transparent plastic film is used.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein: a) a slatted frame is used as the support apparatus.

13. A multi-membered support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor, for use in the method according to claim 1, the multi-membered support apparatus having: a) a middle first support part whose ends are pivotably or foldably connected on the one hand to a second support part and on the other hand to a third support part about mutually parallel pivot axes; and b) the connection between the second support part and the first support part on the one hand, and between the third support part and the first support part on the other hand, is designed in such a way that the third support part, including the cushion structure, is foldable onto the first support part and subsequently the second support part is foldable onto the side of the third support part facing away from the first support part.

14. The support apparatus according to claim 13, wherein: a) a first intermediate support part which is connected to the second support part and to the first support part via mutually parallel pivot axes is situated between the second support part and the first support part, the second support part in the folded-up state of the mattress being situated essentially parallel to the first support part, and the length of the first intermediate support part being selected in such a way that in the folded-up state the distance between mutually facing surfaces of the second support part and of the first support part corresponds essentially to the thickness of the third support part, including the cushion structure, and the surfaces of the third support part rest against the respective facing surface of the second support part and of the first support part.

15. The support apparatus according to claim 14, wherein: a) a second intermediate support part which is connected to the third support part and to the first support part via mutually parallel pivot axes is situated between the third support part and the first support part, the length of the second intermediate support part being dimensioned in such a way that when the third support part is folded onto the first support part, the third support part and the first support part are situated parallel or approximately parallel to one another.

16. The support apparatus according to claims 13, wherein: a) the second support part is adjustable relative to the first support part by use of at least one electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus.

17. The support apparatus according to claim 16, wherein: a) the adjustment apparatus has an adjustment element which is in drive connection with at least one electric motor, and which acts loosely on the second support part or on a component connected thereto.

18. A storage and transport unit that is formed according to the method according to claim 1.

19. A storage and transport unit that is formed according to the method according to claim 1, wherein: a) the storage and transport unit is provided with a roller means for rolling the storage and transport unit on the ground.

20. The storage and transport unit according to claim 19, wherein: a) the roller means has at least two laterally spaced-apart rollers or roller systems, in particular pairs of rollers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The drawings show the following:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a support apparatus that is adjustable by electric motor and used for carrying out a method according to the invention,

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the support apparatus according to FIG. 1 in a perspective view, with the support parts of the support apparatus illustrated in an unadjusted starting position,

[0035] FIG. 3 shows the support apparatus according to FIG. 1 in an illustration similar to FIG. 2, with the support parts of the support apparatus in a maximally adjusted adjustment position relative to one another,

[0036] FIG. 4 shows the support apparatus according to FIG. 1 in the folded-up state,

[0037] FIG. 5 shows the support apparatus according to FIG. 1 during introduction into a cushion structure of a mattress, in a perspective view,

[0038] FIG. 6 shows, in the same illustration as FIG. 5, the support apparatus that is introduced into the cushion structure,

[0039] FIG. 7A shows a step of successive method steps in carrying out one embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0040] FIG. 7B shows another step of successive method steps in carrying out one embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0041] FIG. 7C shows another step of successive method steps in carrying out one embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0042] FIG. 7D shows another step of successive method steps in carrying out one embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0043] FIG. 7E shows another step of successive method steps in carrying out one embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0044] FIG. 7F shows another step of successive method steps in carrying out one embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0045] FIG. 8 shows a storage and transport unit that is formed using the method according to FIGS. 7A through 7E, and

[0046] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the packaged storage and transport unit according to FIG. 8, ready for transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] One embodiment of a multi-membered support apparatus 2, in the form of a slatted frame, that is adjustable by electric motor and used for carrying out an embodiment of the method according to the invention is explained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the support apparatus 2 has a middle first support part 4 whose ends are connected on the one hand to a second support part 10 that forms an upper body support part, and on the other hand to a third support part 12 that forms a lower body support part, about mutually parallel pivot axes 6, 8, respectively. The connection between the second support part 10 and the first support part 4 on the one hand, and between the third support part 12 and the first support part 4 on the other hand, is designed in such a way that the third support part 12 is foldable onto the first support part and subsequently the second support part 10 is foldable onto the side of the third support part 12 facing away from the middle support part.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the connection between the first support part 4 and the second support part 10 is established via a first intermediate support part 14 that is connected to the first support part 4 so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis 6. The second support part 10 is connected to the first intermediate support part 14 via a pivot axis 16 that is parallel to the pivot axis 6.

[0050] In the folded-up state of the mattress (see FIG. 8), the second support part 10 is situated essentially parallel to the first support part 4, the length of the first intermediate support part 14 being selected in such a way that in the folded-up state, including the cushion structure of the mattress, the distance between a facing surface of the second support part 10 and of the first support part 4 essentially corresponds to the thickness of the third support part 12 together with the cushion structure, and the surfaces of the third support part 12 rest against the respective facing surface of the second support part 12 and of the first support part 4.

[0051] Correspondingly, the connection between the third support part 12 and the first support part 4 is established via a second intermediate support part 18 that on the one hand is connected to the first support part 4 so as to be pivotable about the pivot axis 8. The third support part 12 is connected to the other end of the second intermediate support part 18 via a pivot axis 20 that is parallel to the pivot axis 8, the length of the second intermediate support part 18 being dimensioned in such a way that when the third support part 12, including the cushion structure, is folded onto the first support part 4, the third support part 12 and the first support part 4 are situated essentially parallel to one another (see FIG. 8).

[0052] An electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is provided for adjusting the second support part 10 relative to the first support part 4. The design of such electric motor-driven adjustment apparatuses is generally known to those skilled in the art, and therefore is not explained here in greater detail. The electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus may be designed, for example and in particular, as known from EP 2 418 984 B1. However, other designs are also possible, depending on the particular requirements.

[0053] The electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus is designed in such a way that the second support part 10 together with the cushion structure may be folded onto the first support part 4 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 8). For this purpose, an adjustment element of the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus acts loosely on the second support part or on the first intermediate support part connected thereto to allow folding of the second support part 10 onto the first support part 4, beyond the maximally adjusted end position of the adjustment movement defined by the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the third support part 12 is foldably connected to the first support part 4 via the second intermediate support part 8 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 8), but is not adjustable by electric motor. If desired, however, depending on the particular requirements, the third support part 12 may also be adjustable by electric motor relative to the first support part 4.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows the support apparatus 2 in a perspective view, it being apparent that the support apparatus 2 in this embodiment is designed as a slatted frame. However, other designs are possible. The design and operating principle of such a slatted frame are generally known to those skilled in the art, and therefore are not explained here in greater detail.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows the support parts in an unadjusted starting position, in which the second support part 10 together with the first intermediate support part 14 in addition to the first support part 4 and the third support part 12 together with the second intermediate support part 18 span an essentially horizontal support plane.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows the support apparatus 2 in a maximally adjusted end position of the adjustment movement, in which the second support part 12 together with the first intermediate support part 14 is maximally pivoted relative to the first support part 4.

[0058] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the folding of the support parts 2, 12 onto one another and onto the first support part 4, with components of the support apparatus 2 omitted for reasons of clarity.

[0059] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the introduction of the support apparatus 2 into a mattress 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the mattress 28 has a cushion structure 30 which in the illustrated embodiment has at least two horizontal cushion layers situated one above the other, of which only one cushion layer, provided with reference numeral 32, is discernible in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0060] The cushion structure has a lower horizontal cushion layer on which the support apparatus 2 is laid, as illustrated in FIG. 6. After the support apparatus 2 is laid on the lower cushion layer, the upper horizontal cushion layer 32 may then be laid on the support apparatus 2, so that the support apparatus 2 is accommodated in a sandwich-like manner between the lower cushion layer and the upper cushion layer 32. The cushion structure 30 together with the inserted slatted frame may subsequently be introduced into a casing of the mattress 28, as illustrated in FIG. 7A.

[0061] One embodiment of a method according to the invention is explained below with reference to FIGS. 7A through 7F.

[0062] FIG. 7A shows the mattress 28 in its starting state. To form a compact transport and storage unit, the mattress 28 is introduced into an essentially gas-tight wrapping 34, which in this embodiment is formed by a transparent plastic film.

[0063] FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate how the wrapping is pulled over the mattress 28.

[0064] FIG. 7D shows the mattress in a state in which the mattress 28 is completely accommodated in the wrapping 34.

[0065] As is apparent from FIGS. 7B through 7D, the second support part 10 has been moved beforehand relative to the first support part 4, into the end position of the adjustment movement, by means of the electric motor-driven adjustment apparatus.

[0066] A negative pressure device is subsequently connected to the wrapping 34 via a tube 36 and a negative pressure is generated in the wrapping 34, whereupon the cushion structure 30 of the mattress 28 begins to compress.

[0067] FIG. 7F shows the mattress 28 in a state in which the cushion structure 34 is maximally compressed. In this state, the third support part 12 is folded onto the first support part 4, and subsequently the second support part 10 is folded onto the third support part 12, as indicated in FIG. 7F.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows the storage and transport unit 36 that is formed upon conclusion of the method. It is apparent that the third support part 12 is folded onto the first support part 4 and the second support part 10 is folded onto the third support part 12, so that the second support part 10 and the first support part 4 are situated essentially parallel to one another, and the surfaces of the third support part 12 rest against the respective facing surface of the first support part 4 and of the second support part 10. In this state, an opening in the wrapping 34 to which the tube 36 has been connected may be sealed gas-tight, for example by heat-sealing the plastic film.

[0069] It is apparent that a compact storage and transport unit has thus been formed, in which in particular the longest extension defined by the longitudinal extension of the mattress 28 is significantly reduced.

[0070] Due to its compactness, the storage and transport unit may be easily shipped via a parcel service. For self-pickup by a user, transport is likewise simplified due to the compactness of the storage and transport unit 38, and is easily possible in a passenger vehicle.

[0071] To simplify the transport even further, the storage and transport unit 38 may be provided with a roller means.

[0072] FIG. 9 shows one embodiment in which the storage and transport unit 38 is accommodated in an outer container 40 made of cardboard, for example, to protect the wrapping from damage during transport and storage. In the illustrated embodiment, the roller means 2 has two laterally spaced-apart rollers 42, 44 that are affixed to the outer container 40. For this purpose, a holder for each of the rollers 42, 44 may be provided by means of a dowel or a pin-like fastening element that is pushed or driven into the outer container 40.

[0073] After transport to a user, the user may unpack the storage and transport unit 38 from the outer container 40 and remove the wrapping 34, whereby the cushion structure 30 of the mattress 28 re-expands and assumes its original state, and the support parts 10, 12 may be unfolded. In this state, the mattress 28 is then ready for use.

[0074] The method according to the invention allows a mattress to be easily and inexpensively prepared for storage or transport by forming a space-saving, compact storage and transport unit.

[0075] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.