Inflatable mattress

Abstract

The document concerns inflatable mattresses, in particular non-durable, inflatable mattresses. The inflatable mattress can be simply constructed from flexible sheet materials internally joined to form inflatable chambers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An inflatable mattress comprising:
 a flexible sheet of material encompassing an inflatable interior volume, the flexible sheet having an upper external surface, an upper internal surface, a lower internal surface and a lower external surface; wherein   the upper internal surface is joined to the lower internal surface in a pattern of join lines forming a plurality of inflatable chambers, each chamber having an inflation port, wherein said inflation ports are arranged to be permanently sealed once inflated.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable chambers are elongate and extend transverse across the width of the mattress. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable mattress of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein said inflation ports are aligned along a long side of the inflatable mattress, preferably so that the inflation ports can be sequentially sealed by passing that long side over, past or through a sealing element, preferably wherein the seal is a seal line across a plurality of said inflation ports. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable mattress of any preceding claim, wherein said inflatable chambers are adjoined by intermediate flexible portions, preferably wherein the flexible portion is non-inflated. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable mattress of any preceding claim wherein the plurality of inflatable chambers are a series of at least ten adjacent inflatable chambers, each of said chambers extending across a width of the inflatable mattress, each chamber having an inflation port, and wherein the inflation ports are aligned along a long edge of the inflatable mattress. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable mattress of any preceding claim wherein said pattern provides a longitudinal manifold on a long side of the inflatable mattress, said manifold fluidly joining the inflation ports of the inflatable chambers. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable mattress of any preceding claim comprising polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene furanoate, polyester, nylon, or polyvinyl chloride, preferably polyethylene, most preferably low density polyethylene (LDPE). 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable mattress of any preceding claim comprising at least 60 wt %, based on the total weight of the mattress components, of thermoplastic polymer, more preferably at least 70 wt %, still more preferably at least 85 wt %, still more preferably at least 95 wt %, and most preferably at least 98 wt %. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable mattress of any preceding claim, wherein the inflatable mattress is non-durable, preferably temporarily reusable, disposable, or single-use. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable mattress of any preceding claim, further comprising a sleeve of flexible material dimensioned to retain a head end of the inflated mattress in a pillow format. 
     
     
         11 . A package of at least 10 inflatable mattresses according to any of  claims 1  to  10  removably wound thereon, preferably at least 20, more preferably at least 30. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein two or more of the inflatable mattress are joined by a frangible line, for example a tearable line. 
     
     
         13 . An inflated mattress comprising the inflatable mattress of any of  claims 1  to  10 , wherein inflatable chambers of the mattress are inflated to a gauge pressure of greater than 0.2 bar up to 1 bar, preferably up to 0.5 bar, and are permanently sealed. 
     
     
         14 . A kit of parts comprising an inflatable mattress as defined in any of  claims 1  to  10  or a package according to any of  claims 11  to  12 , and a inflation device, preferably a pump or compressed gas source. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making an inflatable mattress according to claim any of  claim 1  to  10 , comprising the steps of:
 providing a flexible sheet of material having an upper external surface, an upper internal surface, a lower internal surface and a lower external surface; 
 joining the upper internal surface to the lower internal surface to form a plurality of inflatable chambers.