Patent Publication Number: US-11375825-B2

Title: Support cushions including a pocketed coil layer with a plurality of fabric types for directing air flow, and methods for controlling surface temperature of same

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
     This 35 U.S.C. § 371 National Stage Patent Application claims priority to PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/018961, filed Feb. 21, 2019, and titled “Support Cushions Including A Pocketed Coil Layer With A Plurality Of Fabric Types For Directing Air Flow, And Methods For Controlling Surface Temperature Of Same” which claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/633,895, filed Feb. 22, 2018, titled “Support Cushions Including a Pocketed Coil Layer with a Plurality of Fabric Types for Directing Air Flow, And Methods for Controlling Surface Temperature of Same”, and all of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present embodiments relate to support cushions and methods for controlling the surface temperature of support cushions. In particular, the present embodiments include support cushions, such as mattress assemblies, that make use of a pocketed coil layer with a plurality of materials utilized to encase the individual coils in order to direct air to the surfaces of the support cushions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An aspect of successful and restful sleep is individual sleep comfort. Medical research suggests that sleep deprivation (“sleep debt”) can have significant negative impacts on longevity, productivity, and overall mental, emotional, and physical health. Chronic sleep debt has been linked to weight gain and, more specifically, has been observed to not only affect the way the body processes and stores carbohydrates, but has also been observed to alter hormone levels that affect appetite. Moreover, sleep debt may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness, which has led some researchers to suggest a link between sleep debt and worksite accidents, traffic incidents, and general afternoon inattentiveness. Furthermore, sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, increased stress hormone levels, and irregular heartbeat, and additional research has recently suggested that a lack of sleep can affect immune function, resulting in increased susceptibility to illness and disease, e.g., cancer. In all, researchers have now suggested that sleep debt has significant economic impact due to lost productivity from some of the various effects described herein. Accordingly, a support cushion that improves sleep comfort and lowers individual sleep debt would be both highly desirable and beneficial. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present embodiments include support cushions and methods for controlling air flow through the support cushions. In particular, the present embodiments include support cushions, such as mattress assemblies, that make use of a pocketed coil layer made with a plurality of fabric types to direct air to the surfaces of the support cushions. Thus, the support cushions described herein allow a user to individualize their level of comfort, including sleep comfort, by controlling the amount and/or temperature of the air flowing to the surface of the support cushions. 
     In one exemplary embodiment a support cushion is disclosed herein. Such a support cushion includes a body supporting layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a pocketed coil layer adjacent the second surface of the body supporting layer comprising a first group of pocketed coils defining a perimeter of the pocketed coil layer and a second group of pocketed coils positioned within the perimeter; a base layer positioned adjacent the pocketed coil layer; a fan operably connected through a conduit to an inlet hole of the base layer, the fan for providing air flow into the inlet hole of the base layer, where the air flow is directed from the inlet hole of the base layer into the pocketed coil layer, through the second group of pocketed coils, and into and through the body supporting layer. 
     In some embodiments, the first group of pocketed coils includes a first fabric that is substantially air impermeable. In other embodiments, the second group of pocketed coils includes a second fabric that is substantially air permeable. In still other embodiments, the body supporting layer defines a plurality of channels extending from the second surface to the first surface, the plurality of channels substantially aligned with the second group of pocketed coils. In some embodiments, the second group of pocketed coils are located in an interior section of the pocketed coil layer. 
     In some embodiments, the body supporting layer is comprised of a visco-elastic foam. 
     In some embodiments, the air flow is comprised of ambient air. In other embodiments, the support cushion further includes a heating unit, a cooling unit, or both a heating unit and a cooling unit configured to provide thermally controlled air flow into the inlet hole of the base layer into the pocketed coil layer, through the second fabric of the second group of pocketed coils, and into and through the body supporting layer. 
     In some embodiments, the support cushion further includes a third group of pocketed coils intersecting the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils, where the third group of coils divides the pocketed coil layer into two zones. In other embodiments, the third group of pocketed coils laterally intersects the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils, where the third group of pocketed coils includes a first fabric that is substantially air impermeable. In still other embodiments, the third group of pocketed coils longitudinally intersects the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils, where the third group of pocketed coils includes a first fabric that is substantially air impermeable. In some embodiments, the support cushion further includes a fourth group of pocketed coils intersecting the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils at an opposing axis to the third group of pocketed coils, where the third and fourth groups of coils include a first fabric that is substantially air impermeable and divide the pocketed coil layer into four zones. 
     In some embodiments, an individual pocketed coil of the first group of pocketed coils has a different diameter than an individual pocketed coil of the second group of pocketed coils. In other embodiments, the individual pocketed coil of the first group of pocketed coils has a smaller diameter than the individual pocketed coil of the second group of pocketed coils. 
     In another aspect, a mattress assembly is disclosed herein. Such a mattress assembly including a body supporting layer comprised of visco-elastic foam and having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the body supporting layer defining a plurality of channels extending from the second surface to the first surface; a pocketed coil layer adjacent the second surface of the body supporting layer comprising a first group of pocketed coils defining a perimeter of the pocketed coil layer and a second group of pocketed coils, where the first group of pocketed coils includes a first fabric, where the first fabric is substantially air impermeable, where the second group of pocketed coils includes a second fabric, where the second fabric is substantially air permeable; an impermeable base layer positioned adjacent the pocketed coil layer; a fan operably connected to an inlet hole of the base layer, the fan for providing air flow into the inlet hole of the base layer, where the air flow is directed from the inlet hole of the base layer into the pocketed coil layer, through the second fabric of the second group of pocketed coils, and into and through the body supporting layer. 
     In some embodiments, the mattress assembly further includes a third group of pocketed coils intersecting the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils, where the third group of coils divides the pocketed coil layer into two sections. In some embodiments, the third group of pocketed coils laterally intersects the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils. In other embodiments, the third group of pocketed coils longitudinally intersects the perimeter defined by the first group of pocket coils. In still other embodiments, the mattress assembly further includes a fourth group of pocketed coils intersecting the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils at an opposing axis to the third group of pocketed coil, where the third and fourth groups of coils divide the pocketed coil layer into four sections. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of controlling air flow through a support cushion is disclosed herein. Such a method includes the steps of: providing a support cushion having a body supporting layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a pocketed coil layer adjacent the second surface of the body supporting layer comprising a first group of pocketed coils defining a perimeter of the pocket coil layer and a second group of pocketed coils, where the first group of pocketed coils includes a first fabric and the second group of pocketed coils includes a second fabric, a base layer positioned adjacent the pocketed coil layer, a fan operably connected to an inlet hole of the base layer, the fan for providing air flow into the inlet hole of the base layer; supplying an electrical current to the fan such that the fan pushes a volume of air at a preselected velocity into the inlet hole of the base layer; and moving the volume of air from the inlet hole of the base layer through the second group of pocketed coils of the pocketed coil layer and out of the first surface of the body supporting layer 
     Further features and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of the description, figures, and non-limiting examples in this document. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a support cushion, in the form of a mattress assembly described herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the mattress assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the mattress assembly of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4A-B  are perspective views of additional embodiments of pocketed coil layers described herein. 
         FIG. 5A-B  are enlarged cross-sectional views of another exemplary embodiment of a mattress assembly.  FIG. 5A  illustrates a foam component disposed on top of a coil;  FIG. 5B  illustrates a foam component disposed below a coil. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Support cushions and in particular, mattress assemblies, may make use of a pocketed coil support layer. The pocketed coil support layer described herein may include a plurality of materials (e.g. air permeable fabrics and air impermeable fabrics) to direct the movement of air to the surface(s) of the support cushions. Therefore, the support cushions described herein may allow a user to individualize their level of comfort, including sleep comfort, by controlling the amount and/or temperature of the air flowing to the surface of the support cushions. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a support cushion in the form of a mattress assembly  10  is illustrated, where the mattress assembly includes a body supporting layer  20  having a first surface  22  and a second surface  24  opposite the first surface  22 . The mattress assembly  10  further includes a pocketed coil layer  40  positioned adjacent to the second surface  24  of the body supporting layer  20  and configured to support the body supporting layer  20 . The pocketed coil layer  40  includes an upper portion  42  and a lower portion  45 . Finally, the mattress assembly further includes a base layer  30  positioned adjacent to the lower portion  45  of the pocketed coil layer  40 . 
     The base layer  30 , which may take the form of a flexible (including foam) platform structure to allow for use on an adjustable base, or a hard bottom, platform structure, or the like, provides a support surface upon which the pocketed coil layer  40  may sit. In some embodiments, the base layer  30  may be substantially flat and stationary; while in other embodiments, the base layer  30  may be adjustable and capable of moving from a substantially flat position to any number of inclined positions as desired by a user and known in the art. In embodiments, where the base is adjustable, the mattress assembly  10  may also have locating features for aligning the mattress assembly  10  and an adjustable base (not shown). As perhaps best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the base layer  30  may also define at least one opening or an inlet hole  36 , as discussed further below. It is to be understood that although the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  contains only a single inlet, this is not intended to be limiting. In some embodiments, there may be multiple inlets  36  positioned in various locations of the base layer  30 ; in other embodiments, there may be one or more inlets  36  per zone (zones are discussed in detail herein). These multiple inlets  36  are represented by broken line holes. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2, 2A, and 3 , the pocketed coil layer  40  includes a plurality of individually “pocketed” coils  42   1-n . Each individually pocketed coil  42   1-n  may comprise a spring or coil  44  wrapped or encased within a fabric cover  47 . This cover  47  may be known in the art as a spacer fabric, and may be permeable. In some instances, the spacer fabric comprising the cover  47  may be formed of a bi-directionally stretched material, meaning it is stretchable in two dimensions, such as the horizontal directions, for example head to toe and laterally, side to side relative a bed. The spacer fabric may include a woven, or knit material, and/or may include extruded plastic materials including polyethylene, polyester, other plastics or combinations of any of these or others. These individually pocketed coils  42   1-n  may then be arranged in rows or columns within a perimeter and sewn together to form a cohesive unit, for example the pocketed coil layer  40 . In some embodiments, the rows and columns are aligned such that each row forms a straight line and each column forms a straight line. In other embodiments, the rows and columns are arranged so as to be offset from each other, for example forming a checkerboard-like pattern. The use of pocketed coils or a pocketed coil layer may provide for a more comfortable mattress surface as the coils become relatively individually flexible, so that each coil may flex separately without affecting the neighboring coils. 
     In some embodiments, the springs or coils  44  may be constructed of a steel wire, high carbon spring wire, high carbon piano wire, cooper coated high carbon wire, aluminum coated high carbon wire, cold drawn upholstery wire types “A”, “B”, or “C”, or any other types of wire known in the art. The wire used in the construction of the springs or coils  44  may range between 12 and 20 gauge. In other embodiments, the springs or coils may be constructed of a polymer material, for example plastic or polyurethane. In some embodiments, the springs or coils  44  may range in diameter from about 10 millimeters to about 150 millimeters. The raw height of the springs or coils  44  may range from about 0.5 inches to about 12 inches, and the height or the spring or coil in the pocket may also range from about 0.5 inches to about 12 inches. In some embodiments, the spring or coil  44  preload ranges from 0 to 5 pounds of force, and spring rate ranges from 0.25 to 5.0 pounds of force per inch. In some embodiments, the coil geometry may be linear compression; while in other embodiments the coil geometry may be variable compression, linear cylindrical, or variable diameter in order to achieve variable compression. In some embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-B , foam  610  of any variety described herein may also be used within the pockets  615 . For example,  FIG. 5A  illustrates the foam  610  disposed on top of the coil  620 ; while,  FIG. 5B  illustrates the foam  610  disposed below the coil. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the mattress assembly  10  further includes an air flow unit, here shown generally as a box  50 , which is operably connected to the inlet hole  36  of the base layer  30  by way of a conduit  52 . In some instances the air flow unit  50  may be embodied by a fan, although it is not so limited. In other instances, the air flow unit  50  may be an air pump, a blower, or a compressor. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a flange  56  is operably connected to and extending through the inlet hole of the base layer  30 . The conduit  52  further includes a proximal end  51  and a distal end  55 , where the distal end  55  includes a connector  54  that is configured to engage the flange  56  in order to provide fluid communication between the air flow unit  50  and the pocketed coil layer  40  through the inlet  36  of the base layer  30 . The conduit  52  may be rigid or may be flexible and may be formed of a variety of materials. The conduit  52  is shown schematically and may be of a length so that the air flow unit  50  is located under the mattress assembly  10  or may extend beyond the periphery of the mattress assembly  10 . 
     With respect to the air flow unit  50 , although not expressly shown, the air flow unit  50 , which in some instances may be embodied by a fan, provides air flow into the interior of the pocketed coil layer  40  by way of one or more conduits  52 . It is known that as a user contacts a mattress assembly the temperature and/or humidity of the air nearest the surface of the mattress may increase due to dissipation of heat and/or moisture from the user&#39;s body. In some embodiments, air flowing into the pocketed layer  40  may be ambient air that is solely moved by the air flow unit. Such movement may function to flush out warmer and/or higher humidity air from the area where the user contacts the mattress assembly. In other embodiments, air flowing into the pocketed layer  40  may be conditioned, for example by removing moisture from the air, in order to improve the humidity level of the air nearest where the user contacts the mattress assembly. 
     In still other embodiments, the air flow unit  50  may further include a heating unit, a cooling unit, or both a heating and cooling unit in order to provide thermally controlled air flow into the pocketed coil layer  40 . In such embodiments the air flowing into the pocketed layer  40  may be heated and/or cooled, for example to a user selected temperature. In such in embodiments, the user selected temperature may range from between about 15 degrees C. and 35 degrees C. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the pocketed coil layer  40  in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  includes a first group of pocketed coils  46  that define a perimeter of the pocketed coil layer  40  and a second group of pocketed coils  48  that may include at least a portion of the interior section of the pocketed coil layer  40 . As illustrated, this first group of pocketed coils  46  vary in size from the second group of pocketed coils  48 . In some embodiments, the individual pocketed coils  42   1-n  of the first group  46  may have a smaller diameter than the individual pocketed coils  42   1-n  of the second group  48 . The smaller diameter coils along the perimeter of the pocketed coil layer  40  may, in some instances, be desirable to increase stiffness around the perimeter, which may increase the aesthetic appearance and longevity of the pocketed coil layer  40 . However, this is not intended to be limiting, as the first group of pocketed coils may be any size desirable or known in the art, and further may or may not be the same size as the individual coils  42   1-n  of the second group of coils  48 . Although only a single size is shown, in some embodiments, the outermost coils (e.g. those that define the perimeter) may be of two or more different diameters in order to provide a desired stiffness. The size and/or diameter of both the outermost coils (e.g. those that define the perimeter) as well as the interior coils should not be limiting, as design characteristics of the mattress may dictate variation in size and shape. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 2A , as previously mentioned, each individually pocketed coil  42   1-n  may comprise a spring or coil  44  wrapped or encased within a cover or spacer fabric  47 . Conventionally, this cover or spacer fabric is a fabric material, and conventionally the same type of fabric material is utilized to encase each of the individual pocketed coils  42   1-n . The individual pocketed coils of the first  46  and second  48  groups of pocketed coils in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  are encased in different materials; for example, in some instances, the individual pocketed coils  42   1-n  of the first group of pocketed coils  46  are encased in a first type of material  47 , while the individual pocketed coils  42   1-n  of the second group of pocketed coils  48  are encased in a second type of material  49 . The first material  47  may be a substantially air impermeable material. In some embodiments, this first material  47  may be an impermeable fabric, such as certain non-woven fabrics, fabrics with a urethane backing, and/or knit fabrics backed with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) (for example, the Tempur-Pedic® Mattress Protector); however, this is not intended to be limiting, in other embodiments, the first material  47  may be an impermeable plastic, or some other flexible impermeable material. The second material  49  may be a substantially air permeable material. In some embodiments, this second material  49  may be a permeable fabric, such as certain non-woven fabrics, woven fabrics, and/or knit fabric; however, this is not intended to be limiting as any other flexible permeable material may be used. When used herein, the term “impermeable” is used herein to generally refer to a material which substantially prevents the movement of air through the material, including materials that are “low permeable” and may allow some vapor to escape; similarly, the use of the term “permeable” herein generally refers to a materially which substantially allows the movement of air through the material. ASTM Standard D737-04 “Test Method for Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics” is utilized in evaluating materials and classification of materials as permeable or impermeable. 
     Encasing the individual pocketed coils  42   1-n  of the first group of pocketed coils  46  in an air impermeable material  47  and the second group of pocketed coils  48  in an air permeable material  49  may allow air flow to be directed in to one or more desired locations of the mattress assembly  10 . For example, the air flowing into the pocketed coil layer  40  from the inlet  36  of the base layer  30  cannot readily escape through the first group of pocketed coils  46  defining the perimeter of the pocketed coil layer  40  as they encased in an air impermeable material  47 . This air impermeable material  47  forms a boundary or an envelope for air moving into and within the pocketed coil layer  40 . Furthermore, the air cannot readily escape the base layer  30 . Therefore, a substantial portion of the air flowing into the pocketed coil layer  40  will flow into the second group of coils  48 , which are encased in an air permeable material  49 , and ultimately through this second group of coils and through the overlying body supporting layer  20 . Further, while the impermeable material  47  is shown along the boundary, it may also be used to define zones for air flow. 
     To this end, and referring now to  FIG. 2  in particular, the body supporting layer  20  may include a plurality of channels  26  that extend from the second surface  24  to the first surface  22 . In some embodiments, this plurality of channels  26  may substantially align with the second group of pocketed coils  48  encased in an air permeable material  49 , allowing air to flow through the second group of pocketed coils  48  to the first surface  22  of the body supporting layer  20  through the plurality of channels  26 . 
     Although the channels  26  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  as having consistent density in either direction of the body supporting layer  20 , in some embodiments it may be desirable for the density to be varied. For example, the may be desirable to increase air flow in at an upper portion of the body supporting layer (e.g. the torso area) but decrease the air flow at other portions of the body supporting layer (e.g. the head and feet areas); in such an example the channels  26  corresponding to the upper portion of the body supporting layer (e.g. the torso area) may be more dense, while the channels  26  corresponding to other portions of the body supporting layer (e.g. the head and feet areas) are less dense. Thus, in some embodiments, the density of the channels may vary to support a desired air flow configuration. Furthermore, as a user lays on the mattress assembly, the body supporting layer  20  may depress resulting in the slight closure or blockage of one or more channels  26 , but air flow may still continue through other channels  26 . 
     In some embodiments, the second surface  24  of the body support layer  20  may also be substantially air impermeable. In some embodiments, air impermeability of the second surface  24  of the body support layer  20  may be achieved by sealing the second surface. In some embodiments, this sealing may be accomplished by using a layer of air impermeable material or a layer of a low permeable material (e.g. thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)) that is sealed using heat or ultrasonic techniques. This sealing may also be achieved by other means known in the art. In other embodiments, the second surface remains unsealed altogether. 
     With respect to the body supporting layer  20 , in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the body supporting layer  20  of the mattress assembly  10  is comprised of a continuous layer of flexible foam for suitably distributing pressure from a user&#39;s body or portion thereof across the body supporting layer  20 . Such flexible foams include, but are not limited to, latex foam, reticulated or non-reticulated visco-elastic foam (sometimes referred to as memory foam or low-resilience foam), reticulated or non-reticulated non-visco-elastic foam, polyurethane high-resilience foam, expanded polymer foams (e.g., expanded ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene), and the like. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the body supporting layer  20  is comprised of a visco-elastic foam that has a low resilience as well as a sufficient density and hardness, which allows pressure to be absorbed uniformly and distributed evenly across the body supporting layer  20  of the mattress assembly  10 . Generally, such visco-elastic foams have a hardness of at least about 10 N to no greater than about 80 N, as measured by exerting pressure from a plate against a sample of the material to a compression of at least 40% of an original thickness of the material at approximately room temperature (i.e., 21° C. to 23° C.), where the 40% compression is held for a set period of time as established by the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 2439 hardness measuring standard. In some embodiments, the visco-elastic foam has a hardness of about 10 N, about 20 N, about 30 N, about 40 N, about 50 N, about 60 N, about 70 N, or about 80 N to provide a desired degree of comfort and body-conforming qualities. 
     The visco-elastic foam described herein for use in the mattress assembly  10  can also have a density that assists in providing a desired degree of comfort and body-conforming qualities, as well as an increased degree of material durability. In some embodiments, the density of the visco-elastic foam used in the body supporting layer  20  has a density of no less than about 30 kg/m 3  to no greater than about 150 kg/m 3 . In some embodiments, the density of the visco-elastic foam used in the body supporting layer  20  of the mattress assembly  10  is about 30 kg/m 3 , about 40 kg/m 3 , about 50 kg/m 3 , about 60 kg/m 3 , about 70 kg/m 3 , about 80 kg/m 3 , about 90 kg/m 3 , about 100 kg/m 3 , about 110 kg/m 3 , about 120 kg/m 3 , about 130 kg/m 3 , about 140 kg/m 3 , or about 150 kg/m 3 . Of course, the selection of a visco-elastic foam having a particular density will affect other characteristics of the foam, including its hardness, the manner in which the foam responds to pressure, and the overall feel of the foam, but it is appreciated that a visco-elastic foam having a desired density and hardness can readily be selected for a particular application or mattress assembly as desired. Additionally, it is appreciated that the body supporting layers of the mattress assemblies need not be comprised of a continuous layer of flexible foam at all, but can also take the form of more traditional mattresses, including spring-based mattresses, without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the pocketed coil layer  40  is arranged so that there is a single “zone” of the second group of pocketed coils  48 , which are pocketed in an air permeable material. Such an arrangement creates a single zone where air can flow through the pocketed coil layer  40  and into and through the plurality of channels  26  that extend from the second surface  24  to the first surface  22  of the body supporting layer  20 . However, it is contemplated that in some instances other arrangements may be desirable. Non-limiting examples of some of these contemplated arrangements are illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , another embodiment of a pocketed coil layer  400  disclosed herein is illustrated. The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4A , similar to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , includes a first group of pocketed coils  402  defining a perimeter of the pocketed coil layer  400  and a second group of pocketed coils  404 . Also similar to the embodiments described above, the individual coils of the first group of pocketed coils  402  are encased in an air impermeable material and the individual coils of the second group of pocketed coils  404  are encased in an air permeable material. However, unlike the embodiment described in  FIGS. 1-3 , the pocketed coil layer  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is divided into a first zone  410  and a second zone  420 . These zones  410 ,  420  are created by a third group of pocketed coils  430  extending between two opposing sides of the perimeter defined by the first group of pocketed coils  402 . The individual coils of the third group of pocketed coils  430  are also encased in an air impermeable material such as described herein, creating a barrier to air flow between the first zone  410  and the second zone  420 . The third group of pocketed coils  430  is illustrated in  FIG. 4A  as extending between the two longer sides of the perimeter, which may create a different zone for each user of the overall mattress assembly. However, this is not intended to be limiting, as the third group of pocketed coils  430  may extended between any two sides of the perimeter to create desirable zones. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates an additional embodiment of a pocketed coil layer  500 , which includes a first group of pocketed coils  502  defining a perimeter of the pocketed coil layer  500  and a second group of pocketed coils  504 . The individual coils of the first group of pocketed coils  502  are encased in an air impermeable material and the individual coils of the second group of pocketed coils  504  are encased in an air permeable material. However, unlike the embodiment described in  FIG. 4A , the pocketed coil layer  500  illustrated in  FIG. 4B  is divided into a four zones: first zone  510 , a second zone  520 , a third zone  530 , and a fourth zones  540 . These zones  510 ,  520 ,  530 ,  540  are created by the perpendicular intersection of a third group of pocketed coils  550  and a fourth group of pocketed coils  560 . Each of the third  550  and the fourth  560  groups of pocketed coils extend between opposing sides of the perimeter of the pocketed coil layer defined by the first group of pocketed coils  502 . The individual coils of the third  550  and fourth groups  560  of pocketed coils are encased in an air impermeable material such as described herein, creating a barrier to air flow between the first zone  510 , second zone  520 , third zone  530 , and fourth zone  540 . In some embodiments, the pattern and/or density of the channels  26  may also vary in order to improve the control of the flow of air. 
     As a further refinement, the mattress assembly may further include a controller  60  for controlling the air flow unit which provides the air flow to the first surface of the body supporting layer. By including a controller in the mattress assembly, not only can the amount and/or velocity of air flow be controlled, but, in some embodiments, the temperature of the air flow may also be controlled to provide a desired amount of heating and/or cooling at the first surface of the body supporting layer of the mattress assembly. In some embodiments the controller may be wired; while in other embodiments, the controller may be wireless. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4A-B , the additional groups of pocketed coils  430 ,  550 ,  560  may create barriers to air flow between their respective zones  410 ,  420 ,  510 ,  520 ,  530 ,  540  of the pocketed coil layer  400 ,  500 . Because of these barriers, a user may further control and customize their experience to tailor their specific thermocomfort desires. In some embodiments, a user may control the temperature and/or air flow from one or more fans to each of the zones  410 ,  420 ,  510 ,  520 ,  530 ,  540  created by the plurality of groups of pocketed coils independent of each other. 
     For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the zones may be configured such that there is a zone for each bedmate, allowing each individual bedmate to independently control the temperature and/or airflow to their portion of the mattress assembly. In other embodiments, the pocketed coil layer may be “zoned” so has to create a zone for controlling the temperature and/or airflow to the lower portion (e.g. a feet portion) of the mattress assembly and a zone for controlling the temperature and/or airflow to the upper portion (e.g. a head portion) of the mattress assembly. 
     As an additional example, in other embodiments, such as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , zones may be configured such that there is a zone for each bedmate&#39;s upper portion (e.g. a head portion) and each bedmate&#39;s lower portion (e.g. a feet portion), allowing each individual bedmate to independently control the temperature and/or airflow to their portions of the mattress assembly. 
     As a refinement, although in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the air flow unit  50  is connected by the conduit  52  such that the air flow unit  50  is positioned a distance away from the rest of the mattress assembly  10 , other positions are contemplated including mounting the air flow unit  50  to the base layer  30  and/or within the confines of the support cushion assembly  10 . 
     As an additional refinement, and although not shown in the figures, additional components or layers may also be included with the mattress assembly of the present invention. For example, in some embodiments, the body supporting layer of the mattress assembly is further covered by a comfort portion or layer that is positioned atop the body supporting layer and provides an additional level of comfort to a body of a user or a portion of thereof that is resting on the mattress assembly. Such a comfort layer may also be comprised of a visco-elastic foam. However, the comfort layer typically has a density, hardness, or both that is less than that of the body supporting layer of the mattress assembly, such that the comfort layer provides a softer surface on which to rest the body of a user or a portion thereof. 
     As a further refinement, and in order to ensure that fresh air is entering the base layer, the mattress assembly may further include a filter, such that only filtered air is allowed to pass into the inlet hole, and that the pocketed coil layer is kept free of particulates such as smoke, dust, dirt, pollen, mold, bacteria, hair, or insects that may otherwise collect in the interior of the mattress and limit air flow. Of course, it is contemplated that various types of filters including, but not limited to, charcoal filters for removing chemicals and/or unpleasant odors may be readily incorporated into an exemplary mattress of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. In some embodiments, it is further contemplated that one or more air fresheners and/or perfumes may further be added to the mattress assemblies (e.g., before the fan) in order that scented air may be directed to the surface of the support cushion assemblies. 
     Each of the exemplary support cushions and/or mattress assemblies described herein can also be used as part of a method of controlling air flow through a support cushion. In some implementations, a method of controlling air flow through a support cushion includes first providing a support cushion of the present invention. Electrical current is then supplied to the air flow unit such that the fan of the air flow unit pushes a preselected volume of air into the inlet hole of the base layer. In some embodiments, the volume of air may range from 0.0 to about 2.0 cubic meters per minute. In some embodiments a user may select the desired volume of air to be delivered, while in other embodiments, the volume may be preselected. The adjustability in the volume of air flowing from the air flow unit may be accomplished a variety ways. For example, in some embodiments, this may be accomplished by varying the speed of a fan within the air flow unit in response to a user input. In other embodiments, this may be accomplished by altering the pitch of the blades of a fan within the air flow unit in response to a user input. In still other embodiments, this may be accomplished by altering the voltage supplied to a motor of the air flow unit in response to a user input. 
     The volume of air is then moved from the inlet hole of the base layer through a group of coils of the pocketed coil layer, where each of the individual coils of this group of pocketed coils are encased in an air permeable material, and out of the first surface of a body supporting layer. For embodiments where the air flow unit includes a heating unit and/or a cooling unit, electrical current may also be supplied to the heating and/or cooling unit such that the temperature of the air flowing out of the first surface of the body supporting layer may be adjusted, for example based on a user input to a controller. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional embodiments are also possible without departing from the teachings of the present invention or the scope of the claims which follow. This detailed description, and particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, is given primarily for clarity of understanding, and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.