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
An article which provides for pressure release and thermal transfer, comprising:
- a bladder;
- and
- a plurality of gel beads;
- wherein the bladder is operable to inflate and deflate by adding or removing fluid;
- wherein the plurality of gel beads are configured to be hydrated by a fluid;
- wherein the plurality of gel beads are configured to absorb the fluid and expand;
- wherein the plurality of gel beads are configured to move through the bladder;
- and
- wherein the movement of the plurality of gel beads provides for thermal transfer.
An article which provides for pressure release and thermal transfer, comprising:
- a bladder;
- a plurality of internal foam support structures;
- and
- a plurality of gel beads;
- wherein the bladder is operable to contain fluid;
- wherein the plurality of internal foam support structures are operable to attach to an interior surface of the bladder;
- wherein the plurality of internal foam support structures are operable to compress and expand;
- wherein the compression and the expansion of at least one of the plurality of internal foam support structures applies a force to beads surrounding the at least one of the plurality of the internal foam support structures;
- wherein movement of the surrounding beads induces movement of additional beads of the plurality of gel beads, and wherein the movement of the surrounding beads and the additional beads throughout the bladder provides for thermal transfer;
- and
- wherein the plurality of gel beads are configured to absorb fluid and expand.
A method of creating an article which provides for pressure release and thermal transfer, comprising:
- filling a bladder with gel beads;
- delivering fluid into the bladder through a valve, wherein the valve is coupled to the bladder with a valve port;
- and
- the gel beads absorbing the fluid and expanding.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.