Patent Publication Number: US-2009217459-A1

Title: Mattress with a cavity and airway channel

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/067,481, filed Feb. 28, 2008, entitled “Non Limiting Size State of the Art Mattress With at Least One (1) Functionally Shaped Cavity for Face or Back of Head.” This patent application also claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/068,868, filed Mar. 10, 2008, entitled “Non Limiting Size State of the Art Mattress With at Least One (1) Functionally Shaped Cavity, Made in Varying Sizes and Shapes for the Face or Back of Head to Rest Without Mattress Interference.” The disclosures of each of the aforementioned priority documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mattresses, and in particular to mattresses with at least one cavity connected to a dedicated set of airway channels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Beds and mattresses are an important part of each individual&#39;s everyday life. A mattress&#39; main function is to provide the individual a comfortable platform for a restful sleep. The construction of the mattress is important to the comfort obtained by the individual during their sleep. To achieve maximum comfort the mattress&#39; construction should accommodate the various positions that a person might assume while resting on the mattress. These various positions include lying on the back, the left or right side, and the abdomen. 
     For some individuals, sleeping on their abdomen is the position which provides the most ideal comfort. However, conventional mattresses prohibit a full face-down sleeping position. As readily perceived, an individual encounters difficulty in inhaling fresh air with their face down on the conventional mattress. In order overcome this limitation of sleeping face down on a conventional mattress some people bend their neck so that their head rests to either side. Other people crook their elbow and place their forearm under their head to create a slight pocket of air between their face and the mattress. These approaches do not provide full satisfaction and fail to offer optimum comfort during the resting period of the individual. 
     By bending their neck, the individual&#39;s spinal column is not completely straight, and not in a natural position. Crooking the elbow can result in muscle strain and spasm. Each alternative position can result in less than optimal blood circulation. Without optimal positioning and comfort, the individual will assume new positions. This repeated change of position reduces the quality of sleep preventing the individual from achieving sufficient rest. Individuals could suffer stiff and sore necks, back aches, numb arms, and strained elbows. Sleep disturbances bring physical and psychological problems, e.g., tiredness, daytime sleepiness, and depression. These problems can cause a lot of daytime distress and disability, and can even lead to work disability. Individuals that suffer from these sleep disturbances experience a poor quality of sleep night after night without any resolution. 
     Missing from the art is a mattress that facilitates and accommodates an individual&#39;s desire to recline on their abdomen in a full face-down position. The present invention can satisfy this and other needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mattress comprises a mattress body having a first upper planar surface and a lower planar second surface connected by substantially perpendicular side walls. A vertical cavity is disposed within the mattress body extending from an aperture at the upper surface to the vicinity of the lower surface. A filter assembly is removably mounted transverse to the cavity vertical axis at a first distance from the upper surface. A first channel is disposed laterally within the mattress and has a distal end connected to a first opening in the cavity at a second distance from the upper surface which is greater than the first distance so as to be below the filter assembly, and a proximal end connected to an opening in the mattress side wall. 
     In one embodiment of the invention an aroma assembly is removably mounted within the cavity at a third distance from the upper surface which is greater than the second distance so as to be below the entrance of the first channel into the cavity. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the mattress further comprises at least a second channel disposed laterally within the mattress and having a distal end connected to a second opening into the cavity at a distance between the first distance and the third distance, and a proximal end connected to a second opening in the mattress side wall. The two channels may enter the cavity at the same distance below the upper surface and at a position below the filter assembly. 
     In a still further embodiment of the invention a first valve is disposed within the first channel and is configured to allow air to flow only in a first direction; and a second valve is disposed within the second channel and is configured to allow air to flow only in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second directions are opposing directions. As a result, air will follow through one channel into the cavity for the user to breath and the air exhaled by the user into the cavity will flow out of the cavity through the other channel. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, a fitted sheet is used in combination with the mattress with the cavity. The sheet comprises a sleeve corresponding in size and location to the cavity. The sleeve is made of an odorless washable material. A plastic ring may be inserted within the sleeve when it is located within the cavity so as to retain the sleeve within the cavity. 
     These and other aspects, features, steps and advantages can be further appreciated from the accompanying figures and description of certain illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a mattress with a face cavity in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a plug for the face cavity of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3-5  depict various sleeping positions a user can assume while using embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a face cavity with nylon netting along a portion thereof and along a side wall of the mattress to allow air to enter the cavity in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an exploded view of a portion of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a mattress with air channels connected between openings in the side walls of the mattress and a face cavity in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  depicts an exploded view of a portion of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a mattress with multiple face cavities and corresponding air channels in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10A  depicts an enlarged portion of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a cross sectional view of a cavity in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  depicts an air mattress in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a plug for the face cavity of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  depicts a fitted sheet in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 15  depicts a retaining ring for the fitted sheet depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     By way of overview and introduction, presented and described are embodiments of a mattress with a face cavity. The face cavity, made in varying sizes and proportions provides a comfortable fit with a user&#39;s face, enables sleepers to sleep flat on their stomachs while maintaining a straight spine from the lower back right through to the top vertebrae of their neck. A sleeper&#39;s spine is also maintained in a straight line if the user sleeps on their back and rests their head in a face-down position at the aperture of the cavity. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a mattress  100  with a cavity  110 . The mattress  100  can be of any size or construction. In typical use the mattress  100  has an upper surface  102 , a lower horizontal planar surface  104  and vertical side walls  106  that connect the upper and lower surfaces. As is common, the interior of the mattress is constructed with cushioning materials, e.g., coil springs, foam, air, etc. 
     The cavity  110  can be a blind hole (i.e., it does not pass through the opposite or lower surface of the mattress), or it can completely traverse the entire thickness of the mattress. Embodiments where the mattress  100  is completely traversed by the cavity  110  may be reversible. 
     The immediate area of the cavity  110  and its surroundings can be lined with an odorless, washable material which can be made removable to facilitate cleaning of the cavity lining. The cavity  110  can be filled with a removable plug  112  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The removable plug  112  allows for a smooth and continuous mattress surface to accommodate alternative sleeping positions. 
     The cavity  110  can be oval in cross section with the oval&#39;s long axis oriented to be parallel to a user&#39;s spinal column. In one embodiment, the oval has a width of 5″ and a length of 7″. However, the invention is not so limited, other sizes, shapes, and orientations of the cavity  110  are equally within the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 3-5  illustrate the positions a user can assume as they recline on mattress  100  due to the presence of cavity  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3  which shows the user from the side of the bed, a user is able to lie on mattress  100  in a completely prone position with their stomach down and their face nestled in a face-down position at the aperture of the cavity  110 .  FIG. 4  shows the same position for the user, except from the head of the bed. Should a user desire to sleep flat on their back, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the cavity  110  provides a receptacle for the back of their head so as to maintain a straight spine from their lumbar right through their cervical discs. 
     In  FIGS. 6 and 7  the cavity  110  is shown with a mesh  114 , e.g., nylon netting, in a lower portion which allows air communication with the interior of the mattress. In addition, a similar mesh  116  is provided along a portion of one or more of the side walls. If the interior of the mattress is not completely filled, e.g., as is a coil spring mattress, air can travel from outside the mattress through mesh  116  and the interior of the mattress, and can enter the cavity though mesh  114 . Likewise, when the user breaths out, the air can travel from the cavity into the mattress and out through mesh  116 . If the interior of the mattress is made of foam, air will not be able to travel through it and this method of providing and removing air from the cavity will not work. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a mattress  200  with a cavity  210  which has access to air through channels provided through the mattress, and thus would be suitable for a coil spring mattress or a foam mattress. As described previously, mattress  200  has one cavity  210  to accommodate a user&#39;s head. However, the invention is not so limited. As is readily understood, and depicted in  FIG. 10 , the mattress  200  can have more than one cavity  210  to simultaneously accommodate multiple users of the mattress  200 . Depicted in  FIG. 8  are multiple channels  220  which connect to a single cavity  210  through the mattress  200 . In an alternative embodiment a single channel  220  can be connected to the cavity  210 . Each cavity  210  and its respective channel(s)  220  are isolated from any other cavity  210  and its respective channel(s). By isolating the cavities and channels, the breaths of individual users are not comingled, thereby reducing the exposure of users to potentially infectious disease and unpleasant odors. Additionally, because the channels are isolated between the users, there is no conduit to expose one user to the breathing noises of another user. 
     In one embodiment, where the cavity  210  has two or more channels  220  connected, a single one-way valve  214  is disposed within each of the channels. The one-way valves  214 A,  214 B are placed in opposing configurations so that upon a user inhaling, only one path opens between the cavity  210  and the external air. Similarly, upon a user exhaling another path opens. In this manner fresh air and exhausted air are not commingled. In one embodiment, a set of one-way valves  214 A,  214 B can be configured by placing a simple flap on opposing sides of a flange or stop internal to their respective channels  220 . As air is inhaled, one of the valves will move away from the internal stop, and the complimentary valve will be drawn towards its corresponding internal stop. 
     The channel  220  is disposed through the interior construction of the mattress  200  to provide the cavity  210  with an air source external of the mattress  200 . The channel  220  can be made by boring out the internal material of the mattress, or it can be made by disposing tubing, piping, or hoses through the mattress&#39; internal material. As is understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, all materials need to be fireproof, fire retardant, and fire resistant in accordance with government and industry requirements. In one embodiment, channel  220  is made from a flexible material such as plastic or rubber. Additionally, the flexible material forming the channel  220  can have corrugations along its length to increase its flexibility. Forming the channel  220  from flexible and/or corrugated materials will reduce the likelihood of creating uncomfortable hard spots within the mattress  200 . In one embodiment, channel  220  is made from odorless material so as not to offend a user&#39;s sense of smell. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates channel  220  leading to the side of the mattress  200  where it terminates at the mattress sidewalls  206 A,  206 B, for example. Other embodiments which provide the cavity  210  with access to an air source are equally within the scope of the invention. For example the channel can extend to through the lower surface of the mattress, but this is considered less desirable. The terminating end of the channel  220  can be provided with a vent cap  224 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts an exploded view of the vent cap  224  which can include a screen  226  covering its opening so as to prevent dirt and insects from entering channel  220 . The screen  226  can be made from a soft, pliable material—e.g., a mesh fabric. The screen  226  is disposed over the opening at a proximal end of the vent cap  224  and extends towards a distal end of the vent cap. A clamp mechanism  228  secures the screen  226  to the vent cap  224  or to the channel  220  itself. The clamp mechanism  228  can be a metallic retaining ring, an elastic O-ring, a vinyl tie, a hose claim, or any other suitable mechanism of suitable material. The clamp mechanism can engage a groove (not shown) scored into the surface of the vent cap  224  for greater security of the screen  226 . The distal end of the vent cap  224  can be removably connected to channel  220  by engagement of threaded sections, bayonet mounts, or other mechanical mechanisms (not shown). Removal of the vent cap  224  can facilitate the replacement of the screen  226 . Further, disposed within the vent cap  224  can be filtration material capable of removing particulate and/or biological contaminant from the air as it enters channel  220 . This material could also be made to reduce dust, pollen, tobacco smoke and other irritants, thus providing more comfort to the user. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a mattress with multiple face cavities  210   a,    210   b.    FIG. 10A  depicts an enlarged portion of  FIG. 10  showing the features of the face cavities  210   a,    210   b.  Each of the face cavities has two channels  220 A,  220 B leading to a side of the mattress  200  where it terminates at a mattress sidewalls  206 A,  206 B, for example. As described above, complimentary one-way valves  214 A,  214 B are disposed within the channels so as to prevent the re-inhalation of previously exhaled air. 
     To maintain a circulation of fresh air in the channel  220 , the diameter of the channel is made of sufficient size, and the length of the channel from the cavity  210  to the vent cap  224  is made sufficiently short so that exhaled breath reaches the outside of the mattress, and is not re-inhaled by the user. The channel  220  has enough volume to provide an air flow that accommodates the breathing needs of the user. In one embodiment, the cross-sectional diameter of the channel  220  is 1½×3.0 inches. 
       FIG. 11  depicts a partial cross sectional view of a cavity  310  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The cavity  310  depicted in  FIG. 11  is a blind hole, however, embodiments that completely traverse the mattress  300  are within the contemplation of the invention. A portion of cavity  310  where it meets the upper surface  302  of the mattress  300  is slightly concave to better conform to the shape of a user&#39;s head. In addition, the side wall  330  of the cavity may be made, in part or whole, with an accordion shape to prevent the cavity from presenting a hard region on the upper surface of the mattress. 
     A filter assembly  330  is disposed laterally across the cavity at a location below the concave surface. The filter  330  is removably mounted to the sidewalls of the cavity by recesses  350  located in the cavity sidewall which mate with corresponding projections  352  along the outer perimeter of the filter  330 . Alternative approaches for removably mounting the filter  330  include mating screw threads and snap-fit mechanisms. At the bottom of the cavity  310  an aroma assembly  340  is removably mounted. The aroma assembly can introduce soothing aromas to enhance the user&#39;s rest, as well as act to adjust the humidity content of the air presented to the user for their personal comfort. An independent humidifying system (lacking aroma component can also be mounted within the cavity. Medicinal formulations can be introduced into the cavity&#39;s air through either the aroma assembly, the humidifying system, or the filter assembly. For embodiments of the cavity  310  that traverse the entire mattress, a plug  315  can be inserted to close off one end of the cavity  310 . 
     An air channel  320  enters the cavity  310  at a point between where the filter assembly  340  and the aroma assembly  350  are mounted. As will be readily understood, for mattresses  300  which are reversible, the locations of the filter assembly  340  and the aroma assembly  350  are reversed. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the mattress  400  is an air mattress that has a cavity  410  and an air plug  408 . Channels (not shown) within the mattress  400  connect the cavity  410  to air sources external to the mattress, and include the features of filters, aroma therapy inserts, and end caps as described above.  FIG. 13  depicts an inflatable plug  412  with an air plug  414 . Insertion of the inflatable plug  412  into the cavity  410  provides the mattress  400  with a smooth and continuous surface to accommodate alternative sleeping positions. 
       FIG. 14  depicts a mattress  500  with a cavity  510  in combination with a fitted sheet  520  that has a sleeve  512  that lines cavity  510 . The sleeve is retained in place by a retaining ring  522  ( FIG. 15 ) which presses the sleeve against the interior of the cavity  510 . The retaining ring has holes that correspond in position to the channel locations within the mattress cavity so that the retaining ring  522  does not impede a user&#39;s breathing. Alternatively, the retaining ring  522  can have a series of holes (about ⅛ inch diameter) spaced apart by about ⅜ inch. As would be understood by a person of skill in the art, the invention is not so limited and other alternative mesh configurations are contemplated as well. The sleeve itself can be made of a washable material. The sleeve  512  may also have a mesh section (e.g., nylon netting), which corresponds in position with the channels so as to allow air to travel to and from the cavity through the channels, or a coil-spring mattress interior. The sleeve also can be made entirely from the mesh material. 
     A thin mattress in accordance with the embodiments described above, can be made to lie over a conventional mattress so as to provide a user with the benefits of the present invention is also within the scope of the invention. 
     Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to several embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the illustrated embodiments, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. The invention is defined solely with regard to the claims appended hereto, and equivalents of the recitations therein.