Mattress or mattress overlay

Abstract

A mattress or mattress overlay is provided, which is formed from several layers of spacer fabric. At least two layers of the spacer fabric are arranged such that the microfilaments in the layers curve in the same direction, towards the foot of the bed. Another layer can be provided, with layers which curve in the same, or a different direction, e.g. orthogonal. The top layer is more compressible than the bottom layer and the surface of the top layer of spacer fabric is provided with cuts in the heel region to reduce pressure at this high-risk bony prominence.

1 . A mattress or mattress overlay having a head end to be located at the head of a bed and a foot end to be located at the foot end of the bed, and comprising a layer of spacer fabric, wherein the spacer fabric comprises monofilaments which curve towards the foot end of the mattress or mattress overlay. 
     
     
         2 . A mattress or a mattress overlay comprising at least two layers of spacer fabric, wherein the first layer of spacer fabric has monofilaments which curve in a first direction and the second layer of spacer fabric has monofilaments which curve the same first direction. 
     
     
         3 . A mattress according to  claim 2  wherein the first direction is towards the foot of the mattress or mattress overlay. 
     
     
         4 . A mattress or a mattress overlay according to  claim 2  wherein the first layer of spacer fabric has a greater compressibility than the second layer of spacer fabric. 
     
     
         5 . A mattress or a mattress overlay comprising a plurality of layers of spacer fabric, wherein a first layer of spacer fabric has a greater compressibility than a second layer of spacer fabric. 
     
     
         6 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 4  wherein the first layer has a compressibility of between 7 and 11 kPa. 
     
     
         7 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 4  wherein the second layer has a compressibility of between 8 and 14 kPa. 
     
     
         8 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 2  further comprising a third layer of spacer fabric. 
     
     
         9 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 8  wherein the third layer of spacer fabric has a different compressibility to the first layer of spacer fabric and the second layer of spacer fabric. 
     
     
         10 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 9  wherein the third layer has a compressibility of between 12 and 18 kPa. 
     
     
         11 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 9  wherein the third layer of spacer fabric has monofilaments which curve in a second direction which is not the same as the first direction. 
     
     
         12 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 9  wherein the third layer of spacer fabric has monofilaments which curve in the same first direction as the first and/or the second layer of spacer fabric. 
     
     
         13 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to any of the preceding claims further comprising a cover, covering the layers of spacer fabric and formed from a liquid impermeable and/or moisture vapour permeable material. 
     
     
         14 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 13  wherein the cover is formed from stretch textile coated with polyurethane. 
     
     
         15 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 13  wherein the cover comprises an opening and the opening is covered by an overlap which extends over the opening, from the upper surface of the mattress or mattress overlay towards the lower surface of the mattress or mattress overlay. 
     
     
         16 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 13  further comprising an interlayer surrounding the plurality of layers of spacer fabric and surrounded by the cover. 
     
     
         17 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 2  wherein the layers of spacer fabric are connected at anchor points spaced around the periphery of the mattress or mattress overlay. 
     
     
         18 . A mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 2  wherein a cut heel region is provided in the spacer fabric, in which cuts are provided in one face of the spacer fabric. 
     
     
         19 . A bed comprising a mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 2 . 
     
     
         20 . A hospital bed capable of profiling comprising a mattress or mattress overlay according to  claim 2 .