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US 12,070,130 B1Granted
Bedding components including fluid absorbing gel beads
AssigneeYoungblood IP Holdings, LLC
InventorsTara Youngblood, Todd Youngblood, G. Peter Macon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mattress insert, able to be inserted into a traditional mattress, includes a plurality of compartments, each containing gel beads and water suitable for simulating the feeling, pressure relief, and temperature regulation of a waterbed. The mattress insert is placed into a foam structural material of the mattress, providing the mattress insert with support and preventing the spread of the gel beads within the insert. The foam core of the mattress may be either solid or rounded. This mattress technology and insert is useful for beds, including medical beds and dog beds, recliners, chairs, and sofas.
Claims20
A bedding system, comprising:
- an insert comprising a plurality of compartments;
- a tubing system coupled to a water delivery system via a valve;
- and
- a foam support structure;
- wherein the insert is configured to be placed within the foam support structure;
- wherein each of the plurality of compartments of the insert contains a plurality of gel beads;
- wherein the plurality of compartments are coupled via dividers, wherein the plurality of gel beads do not traverse dividers;
- wherein at least one compartment of the plurality of compartments is coupled to the tubing system;
- wherein the tubing system is contained within the foam support structure, wherein the tubing system comprises a first end coupled to the valve and at least one end coupled to the at least one compartment;
- wherein the valve is configured to be coupled to the water delivery system, wherein the tubing system is configured to deliver water from the valve to the at least one compartment;
- and
- wherein the plurality of gel beads are configured to absorb the water and expand.
9 more elements
A method of creating a mattress insert, comprising:
- filling a first compartment with gel beads and filling at least one additional compartment with gel beads;
- coupling the first compartment to the at least one additional compartment, wherein the first compartment and the at least one additional compartment contain a plurality of gel beads;
- dividers dividing the first compartment and the at least one additional compartment, wherein the dividers prevent the intercompartmental movement of gel beads;
- connecting a tubing system to the first compartment via a tubing port, wherein the tubing port is configured to receive a first end of the tubing system;
- feeding the tubing system through a foam support structure and coupling the tubing system to a valve port, the valve port comprises a valve protruding from an external surface of the foam support structure;
- coupling a water delivery system to the valve, the valve delivering water to the tubing system via the valve port and the tubing system delivering the water to the first compartment;
- the gel beads of the first compartment absorbing the water and expanding.
4 more elements
A bedding system, comprising:
- an insert comprising a plurality of compartments;
- a tubing system coupled to a water delivery system via a valve;
- and
- a foam support structure;
- wherein the insert is configured to be placed within the foam support structure;
- wherein each of the plurality of compartments of the insert contains a plurality of gel beads;
- wherein the plurality of compartments are coupled via dividers, wherein the dividers are semipermeable, and the plurality of gel beads do not traverse the dividers;
- wherein at least one compartment of the plurality of compartments is coupled to the tubing system via a tubing port;
- wherein the tubing system is contained within the foam support structure, wherein the tubing system comprises a first end coupled to the valve, at least one end coupled to the at least one compartment, and at least one additional end coupled to at least one additional compartment of the plurality of compartments;
- wherein the valve is configured to be coupled to the water delivery system, wherein the tubing system is configured to deliver water from the valve to the at least one compartment;
- wherein, upon delivery of the water to the at least one compartment, the water traverses the dividers and is dispersed through the plurality of compartments;
- and
- wherein the plurality of gel beads are configured to absorb the water and expand.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.