Abstract:
A mattress is disclosed that accommodates a side sleeper. The mattress includes an aperture defined therein and an insert that is disposed in the aperture. The insert includes a channel that receives an upper portion of a person&#39;s body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 14/497,874 entitled “SIDE SLEEPER MATTRESS” filed on Sep. 26, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/883,808 entitled “SIDE SLEEPER MATTRESS” filed on Sep. 27, 2013. The entireties of the above-noted applications are incorporated by reference herein. This application, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     ORIGIN 
       [0002]    The field of art disclosed herein pertains to a sleeping mattress and more particularly to a sleeping mattress that conforms to a shape of person. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The act of sleeping is a very important aspect of all individual&#39;s everyday lives. On average, the amount of sleep an individual gets totals to be a quarter to a third of the individual&#39;s life. Various studies have recently been made on sleeping habits in relation to health, posture, and quality of living. Researchers can all agree that both the amount of sleep, as well as the quality of sleep, has an incredible effect on an individual&#39;s well-being. Recent developments in mattresses have tended to focus on conforming to person&#39;s body in order to alleviate high pressure contact on small portions of their body. In general, such sleeping mattresses attempt to accommodate individuals with a wide range of sleeping habits. For example, fluid-filled bladders, pneumatically-adjustable bladders, and highly compressible foams have been used in many commercially successful mattress products to address these needs. 
         [0004]    However, these generally conforming mattresses do not address specific needs of individuals who sleep on their side. Proper support for the shoulder during sleep can be essential to daily upper-body movements. Individuals that primarily sleep in an orientation perpendicular to the mattress (side sleeping) have sought a solution that allows for greatly reduced/negative pressure in the shoulder region, and that relieve issues the individual may have with their spinal alignment in the upper torso/neck region. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview of the innovation. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the innovation. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the innovation in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
         [0006]    In one aspect of the innovation, a mattress is disclosed that includes a mattress body, an aperture defined in the mattress body that is oriented proximate to an upper torso portion of a person, and a contoured insert that is shaped to be received in the aperture, the contoured insert including a channel having a first portion that has a substantially constant width, a second portion at one longitudinal end of the first portion that increases in width as the channel approaches a perimeter of the contoured insert, and a second portion at an opposite longitudinal end of the first portion that increases in width as the channel approaches the perimeter of the contoured insert, the channel being dimensioned to receive an arm and a shoulder of the person. 
         [0007]    In another aspect of the innovation, a mattress to support a side sleeping person is disclosed that includes a mattress body having a top substrate and a bottom substrate separated by a resilient layer having a mattress thickness to resiliently conform to a body of a person, an aperture formed in the top substrate and the resilient layer mattress that is oriented proximate to an upper torso portion of the body of the person, and a contoured insert that is shaped to be received in the aperture and having a channel to receive an upper portion of the body of the person. 
         [0008]    In still another aspect of the innovation, a method of assembling a mattress to support a side sleeping person is disclosed that includes forming a mattress body having a top substrate, a bottom substrate, and a resilient layer disposed between the top and bottom substrate and having a mattress thickness to resiliently conform to a body of a person, forming an aperture in the top substrate and the resilient layer, and forming an insert that is shaped to be received in the aperture and that comprises a trough-shaped channel that is shaped to correspond to the upper portion of a shoulder and upper arm of the person. 
         [0009]    To accomplish the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the innovation can be employed and the subject innovation is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the innovation will become apparent from the following detailed description of the innovation when considered in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various systems, methods, and other embodiments of the disclosure. Illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. In some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a mattress having a contoured insert removed from the mattress and that includes an upwardly open recess to receive an upper portion of a person sleeping on the mattress according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a close-up view of the innovative contoured insert according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example mattress having two contoured inserts for supporting two persons that are side sleepers according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of the mattress of  FIG. 2  according to one or more embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the mattress of  FIG. 2  according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side view in longitudinal cross section through lines A-A of  FIG. 3  through the contoured insert according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front view in transverse cross section through lines B-B of  FIG. 3  through the contoured insert, according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of the contoured insert of  FIG. 1  according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the mattress of  FIG. 2  with one contoured insert and a flat contoured insert removed according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the mattress of  FIG. 8  with one contoured insert and a flat insert installed according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of another example mattress having four apertures that receive a contoured insert and three flat inserts according to one or more embodiments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a further example mattress having two trough-shaped channels formed directly into a top resilient layer according to one or more embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a flow diagram of a method of assembling a mattress having a trough-shaped channel for supporting a side sleeping person according to one or more embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject innovation. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the innovation. 
         [0025]    While specific characteristics are described herein (e.g., thickness), it is to be understood that the features, functions and benefits of the innovation can employ characteristics that vary from those described herein. These alternatives are to be included within the scope of the innovation and claims appended hereto. 
         [0026]    While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject innovation is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with the innovation, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the innovation. 
         [0027]    In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a side sleeper mattress with extensive health benefits addresses needs of a wide target audience. With over 70% of the world population being side sleepers, many of which having related sleep disturbances and health problems, the side sleeper mattress provides an adjustable indentation in a mattress body for shoulder displacement. The adjustable indentation allows for the individual to sleep on their side without undue pressure on the shoulder or upper torso. By providing this design feature to a traditional sleeping surface, the side sleeper mattress has demonstrated extensive health benefits to include relief from shoulder, neck and back nerve impingement, decreased snoring, relief of sleep apnea, and improved arterial flow. 
         [0028]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a mattress  100  with a removable innovative contoured insert  102  removed from an aperture  104  defined in the mattress  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the innovation. In example embodiments, the mattress  100  may be any size (e.g., twin, double, queen, king, etc.). As will be described in more detail further below, the insert  102  includes an upwardly open recess  106  to receive an upper portion of a person sleeping on the mattress  100 , according to one or more embodiments. The upwardly open recess  106  can be a trough-shaped channel  108  sized and positioned to receive a shoulder, an upper arm, etc. of the person. 
         [0029]    The mattress  100  includes a mattress body  112  having a top substrate  114  and a bottom substrate  116  separated by at least one resilient layer  118  to have a mattress thickness that resiliently conforms to a body of a person. In example embodiments, the mattress body  112  can be a selected one of an innerspring mattress, a waterbed mattress, foam mattress, an air bed, etc. The aperture  104  is formed in the mattress body  112  and in one embodiment may extend through the mattress body  112 , the top substrate  114 , and the bottom substrate  116 . In another embodiment, the aperture  104  may extend through the top substrate  114  and the mattress body  112 . 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the insert  102  can be removably inserted into the aperture  104  and may be supported by the bottom substrate  116  that serves as a structural layer to support and maintain a vertical position of the insert  102 . In an alternate embodiment, the insert  102  can be attached to the mattress body  112  inside the aperture  104 . The insert  102  and aperture  104  can be cylindrical, allowing the insert  102  to be rotated to present the trough-shaped channel  108  at a desired orientation. It is to be understood, however, that the shape of the insert and aperture can be any shape (e.g., square, rectangular, oval, etc.). Thus, the shape of the insert and aperture are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the innovation. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the innovative contoured insert  102  includes a perimeter  128  and, as mentioned above, is configured to be received in the aperture  104  and to receive an upper body portion of the person. The insert  102  includes a pair (first and second) of wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B. The channel  108  is defined between the pair of wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B. 
         [0032]    Each of the pair of wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B includes a first surface  120  that is essentially on a same plane as a first surface  115  of the top substrate  114  when the insert  102  is inserted into the aperture  104 . Each of the pair of wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B further include a first side wall  122 , a second side wall  124 , and a third side wall  126 . The first side wall  122  of each of the pair of wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B are oppositely opposed (i.e. face each other) and substantially parallel to each other. The second side  124  wall meets or intersects the first side  122  wall at one end of the first side  122  wall and the third side  126  wall meets of intersects the first side  122  wall at an opposite end of the first side wall  122 . The second and third side walls  124 ,  126  of each of the pair of wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B are angled such that the channel  108  increases in width as the channel  108  approaches the perimeter  128  of the insert. 
         [0033]    The channel  108  includes a first (middle) portion  130 , a second portion (first side portion)  132  defined at one longitudinal end of the first portion  130 , and a third portion  134  (second side portion) defined at a second (or opposite) longitudinal end of the first portion  130 . The first portion  130  is defined between the first side walls  120  of each of the pair of wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B, has width that is essentially constant, and includes a substantially flat bottom surface (floor)  136 . Thus, a depth of the first portion  130  of the channel  108  is substantially constant. In other words, the bottom surface  136  of the first portion  130  of the channel  108  is essentially flat and essentially parallel to the first surface  120  of the first and second wedge shaped supports  110 A,  110 B and essentially parallel to the first surface  115  of the top substrate  114 . 
         [0034]    The second and third portions  132 ,  134  of the channel  108  have a width that increases as the channel  108  approaches the perimeter  128  of the insert. Thus, the second and third portions  132 ,  134  form wider cavities on each longitudinal end of the channel  108 . Further, the second and third portions  132 ,  134  have a depth that is essentially the same as the depth of the first portion  130  where the second and third side walls  124 ,  126  meet with the first side wall  122 . The depth of the second and third portions  132 ,  134  of the channel  108 , however, decreases as the channel  108  approaches the perimeter  128  of the insert  102 . Thus, a bottom surface (floor)  138 ,  140  of the second and third portions  132 ,  134  slopes in a downward direction from the perimeter  128  toward the bottom surface  136  of the first portion  130  of the channel  108 . 
         [0035]    The configuration of the contoured insert  102  facilitates placement of the upper body (e.g., shoulder, arm, upper torso, etc.) portion into the insert. More specifically, the contoured insert  102  allows a side sleeper to comfortably rest their arm in the channel while having their shoulder slightly elevated. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 2-6  illustrate a perspective view of an example mattress  200  with a mattress body  212  having two inserts  102  for left and right apertures  204   a,    204   b  for supporting two persons that are side sleepers, according to one or more embodiments. Examples of mattresses  200  that have a lateral width that is sufficient to receive two persons includes full size, queen size, king size, and custom sized. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates the insert of  FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments. The insert  102  can be a molded foam, such as a natural latex foam. In some embodiments, the insert  102  and aperture  104  can have other geometric shapes to include a square, a rectangle, a triangle, an oval, etc. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 8-9  illustrate the mattress  200  of  FIG. 2  with one insert  102  and a flat insert  802 , according to one or more embodiments. One person that is not a side sleeper can sleep with a traditionally flat side of the mattress  200  by being supported by the flat insert  802 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  illustrates another example mattress  1000  with a mattress body  1012  having four apertures  104   a - 104   d  that receive an insert  102  and three flat inserts  802 , according to one or more embodiments. The additional apertures  104   c - 104   d  can allow rotating the mattress for more even wear. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  illustrates a further example mattress  1100  having two trough-shaped channels  1108  formed directly into mattress body  1112 , according to one or more embodiment. 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  illustrates a method  1200  of assembling a mattress having a trough-shaped channel for supporting a side sleeping person, according to one or more embodiments. The method  1200  includes forming a mattress body having a top substrate and a bottom substrate separated by a resilient layer having a mattress thickness to resiliently conform to a body of a person (block  1202 ). In various embodiments, forming the mattress body can be a selected one of an innerspring mattress, a waterbed mattress, foam mattress, and an air bed. In one embodiment, the method  1200  further includes forming an aperture forming an aperture in the top substrate and the resilient layer (block  1204 ). The method  1200  also includes forming an insert that is shaped to be received in the aperture and that comprises the trough-shaped recess (block  1206 ). The method  1200  includes forming upwardly open recess that is shaped to correspond to the upper portion of a shoulder and upper arm of the person (block  1208 ). Alternatively, the method includes forming the upwardly open recess directly into the mattress body. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the method  1200  includes forming the aperture comprises forming the aperture through the top and bottom substrates of the mattress body to receive the insert from either side of the mattress body. For example, the insert can comprise molding natural latex foam. In one embodiment, forming the bottom substrate includes forming as a structural layer that supports and maintains vertical position of the insert. 
         [0043]    In the above described flow chart of  FIG. 12 , the method may be embodied in an automated manufacturing system that performs a series of functional processes. In some implementations, certain steps of the methods are combined, performed simultaneously or in a different order, or perhaps omitted, without deviating from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, while the method blocks are described and illustrated in a particular sequence, use of a specific sequence of functional processes represented by the blocks is not meant to imply any limitations on the disclosure. Changes may be made with regards to the sequence of processes without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Use of a particular sequence is therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0044]    By virtue of the foregoing, the present disclosure provides is a mattress with a shoulder indentation component that allows for greatly reduced/negative pressure in the shoulder region. In one embodiment, shoulder indentation (both static and adjustable) within a mattress that allows for greatly reduced/negative pressure in the shoulder region, as compared to traditional mattresses. The disclosed innovation is for individuals that primarily sleep in an orientation that is perpendicular to the mattress (side sleeping) and/or have problems with spinal alignment in the upper torso/neck region and/or shoulder problems. By creating a pre-formed displacement for the shoulder, the side sleeper mattress allows for the immediate depression of the shoulder into the mattress without directly depending on the density or material of the existing traditional sleeping surfaces. By creating this indentation/depression within the mattress, the individual is able to almost entirely alleviate pressure that would normally be induced by mattresses currently available on the market. 
         [0045]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “colorant agent” includes two or more such agents. 
         [0046]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the innovation pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present innovation, the preferred materials and methods are described herein. 
         [0047]    As will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the methods and compositions of the innovation substantially reduce or eliminate the disadvantages and drawbacks associated with prior art methods and compositions. 
         [0048]    It should be noted that, when employed in the present disclosure, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” and other derivatives from the root term “comprise” are intended to be open-ended terms that specify the presence of any stated features, elements, integers, steps, or components, and are not intended to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof 
         [0049]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present innovation are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the innovation, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present innovation in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0050]    While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the innovation herein disclosed fulfill the objectives stated above, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments, which come within the spirit and scope of the present innovation.