EP0793932B1 - Elastisches federndes Element und elastische Unterlage mit solchen elastischen federnden Elementen - Google Patents

Elastisches federndes Element und elastische Unterlage mit solchen elastischen federnden Elementen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0793932B1
EP0793932B1 EP97200607A EP97200607A EP0793932B1 EP 0793932 B1 EP0793932 B1 EP 0793932B1 EP 97200607 A EP97200607 A EP 97200607A EP 97200607 A EP97200607 A EP 97200607A EP 0793932 B1 EP0793932 B1 EP 0793932B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
springy
elastic
element according
foam
springy element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97200607A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP0793932A1 (de
Inventor
Willy Poppe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Imhold NV
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Imhold NV
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Imhold NV filed Critical Imhold NV
Publication of EP0793932A1 publication Critical patent/EP0793932A1/de
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Publication of EP0793932B1 publication Critical patent/EP0793932B1/de
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/14—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays
    • A47C27/148—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays of different resilience
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/04—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with spring inlays
    • A47C27/06—Spring inlays or spring units therefor
    • A47C27/065—Spring inlays or spring units therefor of special shape
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/14—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays
    • A47C27/142—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays with projections, depressions or cavities
    • A47C27/144—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays with projections, depressions or cavities inside the mattress or cushion
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
    • A47C27/14—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays
    • A47C27/20—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays with springs moulded in, or situated in openings in foamed material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
    • A47G9/10—Pillows

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns an elastic, springy element of the type containing a tubular foam body provided with inward directed cavities, which can be used for example to replace steel springs as assembly parts for armchairs, mattresses, pillows and such.
  • the foam can be both synthetic foam, such as for example polyurethane foam, or natural foam, such as natural latex.
  • Such springy elements offer excellent spring qualities and an optimal comfort and they can be easily processed.
  • the resistance of the springy element increases from the outside towards the inside.
  • Such springy elements are suitable as springs with a relatively large resistance, such as for a mattress, where said resistance can even be increased by applying a steel spring in the central cavity of the foam body.
  • foams which are sufficiently soft to make a qualitatively good, soft, springy element.
  • foams for example polyurethane foams
  • the softness is usually inversely proportionate to the specific gravity.
  • the invention aims a springy element which does not have these and other disadvantages and which consequently has a maximum softness and elasticity which are also maintained in time.
  • This outer perimeter decreasing from either end portion towards the central portion may be the result of internal tension differences in the body during the construction thereof, for example because the body is composed of layers with a different hardness, is provided with cavities in its wall which are bigger towards the far ends of the body than in the middle, has a wall thickness which is particularly large in relation to the perimeter, or is made of a piece of foam whose edges, which are fixed together during the formation of the body, are bent in a hollow manner.
  • this outer perimeter decreasing from either end portion towards the central portion is the result of external means, for example a ring or cylinder which surrounds the centre of the body and constricts it, or a plate provided with an opening through which the body extends with its centre part in the opening.
  • external means for example a ring or cylinder which surrounds the centre of the body and constricts it, or a plate provided with an opening through which the body extends with its centre part in the opening.
  • the ring or cylinder as well as the plate can be made of material which is either or not springy, such as foam.
  • This outer perimeter decreasing from either end portion towards the central portion may also be the result of internal means, namely one or several cores provided in the tubular body.
  • the invention also concerns a springy support containing springy elements according to any of the preceding embodiments which are anchored in relation to one another.
  • the springy support is a pillow containing a springy core which is formed of a foam plate provided with openings through which foam bodies extend which are constricted by the foam plate in the openings.
  • the springy element according to figures 1 to 3, 5, 6 and 9 contains a tubular body 1 of foam, for example polyurethane foam, or foam of natural or synthetic latex, provided with a central opening 2 which extends axially between the two far ends, which is provided with inwardly directed cavities 3 in its wall, and whose outer side narrows/widens from one end to the other.
  • foam for example polyurethane foam, or foam of natural or synthetic latex
  • the diameter in the middle preferably amounts to 85% or less of the diameter on the far ends.
  • the surfaces on the far ends are not flat either, but slightly conical on the outside, which of course promotes the springy capacity of the body 1.
  • the central opening 2 is practically cylindrical, except in the embodiment according to figure 8.
  • the cavities 3, which are preferably situated in a slanted symmetry, have for example a diamond-shaped section which decreases from the outside towards the inside to practically zero on the inside of the body 1.
  • the springy element will be softer than if the body 1 had the same perimeter over its entire height as on the far ends.
  • the decreasing from either end portion towards the central portion of the outer perimeter of the body 1 can be obtained in several manners, and the construction of said body 1 is partly determined by these construction methods which will be described hereafter.
  • the body 1 is made on the basis of a flat piece or block of foam which is provided with short cuts over its entire surface which extend through the thickness of the piece or block and which are preferably arranged according to a slanting pattern.
  • This piece or block is then folded such that its ends end up opposite one another, after which these ends are connected to one another, preferably by means of a suitable glue.
  • the body 1 consists of a number of foam layers with a different hardness, for example two, which are connected to one another.
  • the piece or block of which the body 1 is made also consists of two or several layers.
  • this piece or block is folded so as to form the body, with the hardest layer on the outside, differences in tension are created between the layers, so that the outer diameter becomes smaller in the middle than on the far ends, where the tension is translated into a conical shape of the surfaces on the far ends.
  • the cavities 3 have a larger section on the far ends of the body 1 than in the middle.
  • the narrowing/widening form of the body 1 can also be obtained by making the piece or block particularly thick in relation to the length, for example by providing it with a thickness which is equal to one quarter or more of the length, so that during the folding into a cylindrical body 1, large tensions are created on the outer surface, and consequently the outside is narrowing/widening and the surfaces on the far ends are conical.
  • the body 1 formed on the basis of a piece or block 4 as represented in figure 4 provided with cuts, also has the smallest section in the middle.
  • the longitudinal sides of this piece, which rest on the far ends of the body, are straight and parallel to one another.
  • the cross sides 5, which are fixed to one another, are bent in a hollow manner, however.
  • the body 1 may then be formed on the basis of a rectangular piece or block which consists of one layer or several layers of foam, which is provided with equal cuts, which is folded so as to form a cylindrical body 1 and whose ends are fixed to one another.
  • the external means consist of a sleeve or ring 6 which is provided in the middle around the body 1, which is practically cylindrical in rest position.
  • the inner diameter of the ring 6 is smaller than the diameter of the body 1 in rest position and thus smaller than and preferably equal to 85% or less of the diameter of the body 1 on the far ends.
  • the ring 6 For a body 1 with a height of about 10 cm and a diameter on the far ends of about 11 cm, the ring 6 has a height of for example 2 cm and a thickness of 0.5 cm.
  • the ring 6 may be elastic and it can be for example an elastic band.
  • the ring 6 is replaced by a plate 7 which is provided with a round opening 8 whose diameter is equal to the inner diameter of the ring and through which the body 1 extends.
  • This ring 6 or the plate 7 constrict the body 1 in the middle, so that a bi-conical body 1 with conical end surfaces is obtained on the outside.
  • the ring 6 or the plate 7 may be of foam, preferably of the same foam as the body 1, or of another material which is either or not springy.
  • the plate 7 can be common to two or several springy elements and thus ensure the connection between two or several foam bodies 1 which extend through several openings 8.
  • Such a plate 7, in particular a plate made of foam, with bodies 1 in the openings 8 is particularly suitable as the core of a springy support such as a pillow or such, although such a core may also consist of bodies 1 which are anchored in relation to one another in other ways.
  • Figure 7 represents such a pillow which consists of a core 9 and a casing 10.
  • the core 9 is formed of a foam plate 7 which is provided with openings 8 through which bodies 1 extend which are constricted by the plate 7 in their middles.
  • the outer bodies 1 are hereby less high than the other ones.
  • the bodies 1 are firmly anchored in their middles by the plate 7, there is less danger for these bodies to deflect when loaded, and consequently the bodies may be higher than without the plate 7. Thanks to the bi-conical shape of the bodies 1, a double springy action is obtained, both on the top side and on the bottom side of the plate 7.
  • Very good springy elements can also be formed according to the embodiment of figure 8, in which the outer perimeter decreasing from either end portion towards the central portion and the conical surfaces at the ends of the body 1 are not formed by external, but by internal means, namely by two cores 11 made of preferably softer foam than the body 1.
  • the piece or block from which the body 1 was formed and in which cuts were consequently made is made of hard foam in the embodiment represented, preferably polyurethane foam.
  • the cores 11 are provided in this cylinder along both ends.
  • these cores 11 are cylindrical with a diameter which is bigger than the diameter of the above-mentioned cylinder. In order to provide the cores 11 inside the body 1, the latter can be stretched somewhat open. After the application, the cores 11 will be slightly transformed, but especially the body 1 will have taken on a pronounced bi-conical shape, so that the springy element is very soft, whereas it still retains its form very well, especially thanks to the high specific gravity of the foam of the body 1.
  • one core instead of two can be provided inside the body 1, whereby this core in this case consists of two cylindrical ends which coincide with the above-mentioned cores 11 which are connected to one another by means of a narrower connecting piece.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Vibration Dampers (AREA)
  • Springs (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
  • Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
  • Hybrid Cells (AREA)
  • Surface Heating Bodies (AREA)
  • Structure Of Printed Boards (AREA)
  • Ventilation (AREA)

Claims (17)

  1. Elastisches, federndes Element, geeignet zur Anwendung in Sesseln, Matratzen, Kissen und dergleichen, umfassend einen röhrenförmigen Schaumstoffkörper, der eine mit zum Inneren des Körpers (1) hin gerichteten Hohlräumen (3) versehene Außenoberfläche umfasst, wobei der Außenumfang des Körpers (1) an den Endbereichen größer ist als im mittleren Bereich, sodass der Umfang von jedem Endbereich zum mittleren Bereich hin abnimmt, wobei jeder der besagten Endbereiche kegelstumpfförmig geformt ist, wobei der kleinste Durchmesser des Kegels vom mittleren Bereich abgewandt ist.
  2. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Körper (1) aus Schichten unterschiedlicher Härte zusammengesetzt ist.
  3. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hohlräume (3) in der Wand des Körpers (1) nächst dessen Endbereichen größer sind als im mittleren Bereich.
  4. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Körper (1) aus einem flachen Schaumstoffstück besteht, das gebogen eine Wanddicke aufweist, die gleich einem Viertel oder mehr der Länge des Stücks ist.
  5. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Körper (1) aus einem flachen Schaumstoffstück besteht, das gebogen ist, und wovon zwei einander gegenüberliegende Endbereiche aneinander befestigt sind, wobei diese Endbereiche auf hohle Weise gebogen sind.
  6. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Außenumfang des Körpers (1) aufgrund äußerer Mittel von jedem Endbereich zum mittleren Bereich hin abnimmt.
  7. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußeren Mittel eine Manschette bzw. Ring (6) umfassen, der den mittleren Bereich des Körpers (1) umgibt und ihn einschnürt.
  8. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußeren Mittel eine Platte (7) umfassen, die mit einer Öffnung (8) versehen ist, durch die sich der Körper (1), mit seinem mittleren Teil in der Öffnung (8), erstreckt.
  9. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß einem der Ansprüche 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußeren Mittel aus Schaumstoff gefertigt sind.
  10. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Außenumfang des Körpers (1) dank innerer Mittel von jedem Endbereich zum mittleren Bereich hin abnimmt.
  11. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die inneren Mittel aus zumindest einem Kern (11) geformt sind, der mindestens ein Teil umfasst, das vor dem Anbringen im Inneren des Körpers (1) einen Außendurchmesser aufweist, der größer ist als der Innendurchmesser an einem Ende des Körpers (1).
  12. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Kern (11) aus einem weicheren Schaumstoff als der Körper (1) gefertigt ist.
  13. Elastisches, federndes Element gemäß Anspruch 11 oder 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die inneren Mittel zwei Kerne (11) umfassen, die vor dem Einsetzen in den Körper (1) vorzugsweise zylindrisch sind.
  14. Federnde Unterlage, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie zumindest zwei elastische, federnde Elemente gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8 umfasst, die in Bezug zueinander verankert sind.
  15. Federnde Unterlage gemäß Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie einen federnden Kern (9) umfasst, der aus einer Platte (7) besteht, die mit Öffnungen (8) versehen ist, durch die sich Schaumstoffkörper (1) erstrecken, die von der Platte (7) in den Öffnungen (8) eingeschnürt werden und somit einen Außenumfang aufweisen, der von beiden Endbereichen zum mittleren Bereich hin abnimmt, welche Platte (7) auch die Körper (1) miteinander verbindet.
  16. Federnde Unterlage gemäß Anspruch 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein Kissen bildet und dass der Kern (9) von einem Überzug (10) umgehen ist.
  17. Federnde Unterlage gemäß Anspruch 15 oder 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (7) aus Schaumstoff gefertigt ist.
EP97200607A 1996-03-05 1997-03-03 Elastisches federndes Element und elastische Unterlage mit solchen elastischen federnden Elementen Expired - Lifetime EP0793932B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE9600192A BE1010041A3 (nl) 1996-03-05 1996-03-05 Elastisch verend element en verende steun voorzien van dergelijke elastisch verende elementen.
BE9600192 1996-03-05

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0793932A1 EP0793932A1 (de) 1997-09-10
EP0793932B1 true EP0793932B1 (de) 2002-08-07

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97200607A Expired - Lifetime EP0793932B1 (de) 1996-03-05 1997-03-03 Elastisches federndes Element und elastische Unterlage mit solchen elastischen federnden Elementen

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0793932B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE221744T1 (de)
BE (1) BE1010041A3 (de)
DE (1) DE69714492T2 (de)
DK (1) DK0793932T3 (de)
ES (1) ES2181980T3 (de)
PT (1) PT793932E (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202007008971U1 (de) 2007-06-27 2008-11-06 Weber, Erhard, Dr. Abstandshalter aus Schaumstoff zur Füllung von Matratzenkernen, Polsterungen und Kissen
US8353501B2 (en) 2009-04-24 2013-01-15 Willy Poppe Foam spring for pillows, cushions, mattresses or the like and a method for manufacturing such a foam spring

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE1012627A3 (nl) 1999-04-23 2001-01-09 Imhold Nv Hoofdkussen.
BE1015896A3 (nl) * 2004-02-06 2005-11-08 Imhold Nv Werkwijze voor het vervaardigen van een veerkrachtig lichaam dat kan worden toegepast in kussens, matrassen of dergelijke.
US9072390B2 (en) * 2007-08-21 2015-07-07 Elisana S.A.R.L. Method for manufacturing a foam spring for pillow, cushion, mattresses, or the like
US10920842B2 (en) 2007-09-21 2021-02-16 Elisana S.A.R.L. Foam spring for pillows, cushions, mattresses or the like and method for manufacturing such a foam spring
US8746662B2 (en) * 2007-10-23 2014-06-10 Elisna S.A.R.L. Foam spring for pillows, cushions, mattresses or the like and method for manufacturing such a foam spring
DE202008010984U1 (de) 2008-08-18 2008-12-24 Fränkische Schlafmanufaktur Zagefka GmbH Federkernauflage für ein Wasserbett
DE202009016130U1 (de) 2009-11-26 2010-04-08 Fränkische Schlafmanufaktur Zagefka GmbH Metallfreies Schaumstofffederelement für Matratzen, Polsterungen von Sitzmöbeln, Auflagen für Wasserbetten
US20240389762A1 (en) * 2023-05-26 2024-11-28 Rachel Liao Apparatus and method for supporting an object
US20250176732A1 (en) * 2023-12-04 2025-06-05 Purple Innovation, Llc Elastomeric cushioning elements with substantially cylindrical columns

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE859468A (nl) * 1977-10-07 1978-04-07 Poppe Willy Schuimveer
WO1995022922A1 (en) * 1994-02-23 1995-08-31 Franz Hoet Cushion, mattress or analogous element and resilient elements for use therein

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202007008971U1 (de) 2007-06-27 2008-11-06 Weber, Erhard, Dr. Abstandshalter aus Schaumstoff zur Füllung von Matratzenkernen, Polsterungen und Kissen
EP2050364A2 (de) 2007-06-27 2009-04-22 Erhard Weber Abstandshalter aus Schaumstoff zur Füllung von Matratzenkernen, Polsterungen und Kissen
US8353501B2 (en) 2009-04-24 2013-01-15 Willy Poppe Foam spring for pillows, cushions, mattresses or the like and a method for manufacturing such a foam spring

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69714492D1 (de) 2002-09-12
DE69714492T2 (de) 2003-05-22
EP0793932A1 (de) 1997-09-10
DK0793932T3 (da) 2002-11-25
BE1010041A3 (nl) 1997-12-02
ES2181980T3 (es) 2003-03-01
ATE221744T1 (de) 2002-08-15
PT793932E (pt) 2002-11-29

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