Foam construction and mattress or pillow provided therewith

Abstract

Foam construction ( 1 ) for use in a mattress or pillow, that comprises a base ( 2 ) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) that is made of a flexible synthetic foam, whereby this base ( 2 ) comprises two arms ( 4 ) extending in the longitudinal direction that are connected by a breathable bridge ( 5 ) that extends in the said longitudinal direction (L).

1 . A foam construction ( 1 ) for use in a mattress or pillow, that comprises a base ( 2 ) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) that is made of a flexible synthetic foam, whereby this base ( 2 ) comprises two arms ( 4 ) extending in the longitudinal direction that are connected by a breathable bridge ( 5 ) that extends in the said longitudinal direction (L). 
     
     
         2 . The foam construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the base ( 2 ), in a cross-section transverse to the longitudinal direction (L), is V-shaped or U-shaped with a back ( 3 ) and the two twee arms ( 4 ), so that the foam construction ( 1 ) is formed as a tube extending in the longitudinal direction (L), whereby the bottom of the tube is formed by the back ( 3 ), the top of the tube is formed by the bridge ( 5 ) and the sides of the tube are formed by the arms ( 4 ). 
     
     
         3 . The foam construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the base ( 2 ) is formed from a strip of foam that is bent into a V-shape or U-shape and exerts a tensile force on the bridge ( 5 ) due to its elasticity. 
     
     
         4 . The foam construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the bridge ( 5 ) is provided with passages ( 6 ) that run from the space ( 7 ) between the arms ( 4 ) to the surface of the bridge ( 5 ) turned away from the base ( 2 ). 
     
     
         5 . The foam construction according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the bridge ( 5 ) is made of a strip of foam that is provided with cuts ( 13 ), whereby de base ( 2 ) is arranged to exert a tensile force on the bridge ( 5 ) such that the cuts ( 13 ) are pulled open and thereby form the said passages ( 6 ). 
     
     
         6 . The foam construction according to  claim 5 , characterised in that, when the bridge ( 5 ) is in an unstretched state, the bridge ( 5 ) is provided with two or more lines ( 8 ) with cuts ( 13 ), whereby the lines ( 8 ) essentially extend in the said longitudinal direction (L) and whereby the lines ( 8 ) are each defined by a succession of cuts ( 13 ) with a regular pitch (S), whereby the lines ( 8 ) extend parallel to one another and whereby the positions of the cuts ( 13 ) of adjacent lines ( 8 ) are staggered. 
     
     
         7 . The foam construction according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the positions of the cuts ( 13 ) of adjacent lines ( 8 ) are staggered over a distance that corresponds to a half pitch (S) of the cuts ( 13 ). 
     
     
         8 . The foam construction according to  claim 6 , characterised in that the cuts ( 13 ), when the bridge ( 5 ) is in an unstretched state, are straight and extend in the direction of the lines ( 8 ), so that approximately rhombic passages ( 6 ) occur in the stretched state of the bridge ( 5 ). 
     
     
         9 . The foam construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the base ( 2 ) comprises precisely two arms ( 4 ) that run parallel to one another, that are at a distance from one another and which extend in the longitudinal direction (L) of the foam construction ( 1 ), such that a channel is formed between the arms ( 4 ) that extends in the said longitudinal direction (L). 
     
     
         10 . The foam construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the foam construction ( 1 ) is tubular and extends in the said longitudinal direction (L). 
     
     
         11 . The foam construction according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the bridge ( 5 ) is made of a viscoelastic foam. 
     
     
         12 . A mattress that is provided with two or more foam constructions ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  placed next to one another sideways, whereby the bridge ( 5 ) is oriented upwards. 
     
     
         13 . A mattress that is provided with two or more foam constructions according to  claim 1  that are placed next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the foam constructions. 
     
     
         14 . The mattress according to  claim 12 , characterised in that the foam constructions ( 1 ) placed next to one another extend over the entire or practically entire surface of the mattress. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress according to  claim 13 , characterised in—that the foam constructions ( 1 ) that are placed next to one another sideways are glued or welded together. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress according to  claim 13 , characterised in that the said longitudinal direction (L) is transverse to the direction from the head end ( 11 ) to the foot end ( 12 ) of the mattress. 
     
     
         17 . The mattress according to  claim 13 , characterised in that the mattress is provided with means to impose an airflow in the space between the arms ( 4 ) of at least one of the foam constructions ( 1 ) or is equipped to be connected to such means. 
     
     
         18 . A pillow that is provided with one or more foam constructions ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , whereby the bridge ( 5 ) is oriented upwards. 
     
     
         19 . The pillow according to  claim 18 , characterised in that the foam constructions ( 1 ) are connected together sideways and are preferably glued together.