EP4659630A1 - Kit for renovating a used mattress, and method for implementing said kit - Google Patents

Abstract

The mattress (10) to be refurbished has a top surface (12) with sagging (14) resulting from prolonged use. The kit includes a foam comfort pad (20), the same size as the mattress (10) and placed on its top surface (12), and a set of foam cushions (30a-30d) of different sizes. After selection, one or more cushions are placed between the foam comfort pad (20) and the top surface (12) of the mattress in the area of sagging (14), so that the volume of the selected cushion(s) substantially fills the sagging (14) of the mattress. Finally, a cover is placed over the mattress (10).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the renovation of used mattresses.

After many years of using a mattress, when it becomes uncomfortable, the most common solution is to replace it with a new one. At this point, the old mattress, usually taken back by the supplier of the new mattress, is then disposed of.

Second-hand sales between individuals only concern mattresses in relatively good condition and, in practice, remain very marginal.

The same applies to mattresses that have been used very little, for example those that are returned to the seller "after 100 nights of trial", and which are then reconditioned by specialized providers for resale at a discount.

Prior art

THE EP 3 960 037 A1 (Tediber) describes a composite mattress structure that allows for renovation after a few years.

In this type of bed, a comfort mattress with a wool filling rests on a base mattress with a foam filling. Refurbishing such a mattress involves removing the wool filling from the comfort mattress, re-carding it, and then replacing it in its original cover or a new one. The foam base mattress, however, does not require refurbishment since, being positioned between the comfort mattress and the bed frame, it is not subject to much wear and tear over time.

However, this technique is only applicable to wool mattresses and requires the use of a professional for recarding, whether it is done in a workshop or at home.

The problem of the invention is, in this context of extending the lifespan of a mattress, to propose a renovation technique applicable to other types of mattresses than wool mattresses, particularly foam mattresses, which are the most common, and which can be implemented directly by the user, without recourse to a professional and without requiring specific tools or special skills.

The aim is to allow a user to extend the life of a mattress significantly, and at a lower cost, after a few years of use, instead of replacing it with a new mattress, an action which is obviously not very ecological given the disposal of the old mattress in most cases and the overall ecological footprint linked to the manufacture of a new mattress.

The starting point of the invention is the observation that the main causes leading a user to decide to change their mattress are i) the sagging of the mattress in the central region (permanent hollowing particularly in the buttock area), ii) the condition of the outer cover (faded by perspiration, stained, ...) and iii) the loss of quality (resilience in particular) of the surface material of the mattress, which is the most stressed and subjected to the humidity and heat of the sleeper, which are factors aggravating the deterioration of the materials.

If it were possible to mitigate the irreversible effects of prolonged mattress use without replacing it with a new one, it would become possible to significantly extend the lifespan of a mattress—for example, to 14 + 7 = 21 years instead of 14—ultimately resulting not only in savings for the user but also, more generally, in a reduction of the overall environmental footprint associated with the mattress manufacturing industry, transportation for the delivery of the new mattress, and the removal and disposal of the old one, etc. This is all the more true given that the core material of the mattress is often of superior quality and, in good mattresses, can easily remain usable for 20 years.

Description of the invention

To solve these problems and achieve the aforementioned goals, the invention proposes to provide users with a kit for renovating a used mattress, the latter having predetermined dimensions and having a top surface with a sagging area resulting from prolonged use. Characteristically, this set comprises: a foam support plate, having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress and suitable for placement on the top surface of the mattress; and a set of foam pads, the pads being of different dimensions and smaller than the dimensions of the mattress. These pads are suitable, after selection and possible stacking, for placement between the foam support plate and the top surface of the mattress in the area of sagging, such that the volume of the selected pad(s) substantially fills the sagging area of the mattress.

Very advantageously, the kit also includes a cover, with dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress, and suitable for wrapping the whole consisting of the mattress, at least one pad or stack of pads, and the comfort foam plate.

• le nécessaire comprend en outre un moyen de fixation des galettes de mousse à la plaque de mousse d'accueil et/ou au matelas, des galettes de mousse entre elles, et/ou de la plaque de mousse d'accueil au matelas, par exemple un moyen de fixation par adhésif ou par bande agrippante ;
• les galettes de mousse comprennent des prédécoupes pour permettre une réduction éventuelle de leur dimension par un utilisateur ;
• les galettes de mousse ont une forme arrondie circulaire ou ovale ;
• les galettes de mousse ont des bords périphériques amincis ; et/ou
• au moins une galette comprend une enveloppe plate remplie d'une garniture et mousse expansive.

According to various other advantageous subsidiary characteristics:

• The necessary equipment also includes a means of fixing the foam pads to the foam support plate and/or the mattress, the foam pads to each other, and/or the foam support plate to the mattress, for example a means of fixing by adhesive or by hook and loop fastener;
• The foam discs include pre-cuts to allow for possible reduction of their size by a user;
• the mousse cakes have a rounded, circular or oval shape;
• The foam patties have thinned peripheral edges; and/or
• at least one galette includes a flat shell filled with a filling and expanding mousse.

1. a) évaluation de l'étendue en surface et de la profondeur centrale de l'affaissement du matelas ;
2. b) sélection, parmi un ensemble de galettes de mousse de différentes dimensions, d'au moins une galette ou d'un empilement de galettes, dont le volume comble sensiblement l'affaissement du matelas ;
3. c) placement sur le matelas, dans la région de l'affaissement, de l'au moins une galette ou de l'empilement de galettes ; et
4. d) mise en place, sur la face supérieure du matelas, d'une plaque de mousse d'accueil ayant des dimensions correspondant aux dimensions du matelas, l'au moins une galette ou l'empilement de galettes étant pris en sandwich entre la face supérieure du matelas et la plaque de mousse d'accueil.
   Très avantageusement, ce procédé est complété par une étape finale de :
5. e) enveloppement, par une housse ayant des dimensions correspondant aux dimensions du matelas, de l'ensemble constitué par le matelas, l'au moins une galette ou l'empilement de galettes, et la plaque de mousse d'accueil.

The invention also proposes a method for renovating a used mattress by implementing the above-mentioned necessary steps, comprising the following steps:

1. a) assessment of the surface area and central depth of mattress subsidence;
2. b) selection, from a set of foam pads of different dimensions, of at least one pad or stack of pads, the volume of which substantially fills the sagging of the mattress;
3. (c) placing on the mattress, in the area of sagging, at least one pad or a stack of pads; and
4. d) placement, on the upper surface of the mattress, of a support foam plate having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress, with at least one pad or stack of pads sandwiched between the upper surface of the mattress and the support foam plate.
   This process is advantageously complemented by a final step of:
5. e) wrapping, by a cover having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress, of the assembly consisting of the mattress, at least one pad or stack of pads, and the foam support plate.

The process may also include a step of fixing the foam pads to the foam support plate and/or the mattress, the foam pads to each other, and/or the foam support plate to the mattress.

Brief description of the drawings

• La Figure 1 est une vue éclatée montrant la manière d'intercaler une ou plusieurs galettes de mousse entre le matelas et une plaque de mousse d'accueil afin de combler au mieux l'affaissement central du matelas à rénover.
• La Figure 2 illustre un exemple de préparation et de conditionnement pour la vente du nécessaire de rénovation selon l'invention, suivant quatre étapes successives (a) à (d).
• Les Figures 3 et 4 montrent la manière de rationaliser le choix des dimensions et du nombre des galettes intercalaires, en fonction des dimensions et de la forme de l'affaissement à combler.

We will now describe an example of implementation of the invention, with reference to the attached drawings where the same references designate identical or functionally similar elements from one figure to another.

• There Figure 1 is an exploded view showing how to insert one or more foam pads between the mattress and a foam support plate in order to best fill the central sagging of the mattress to be renovated.
• There Figure 2 illustrates an example of preparation and packaging for sale of the renovation kit according to the invention, following four successive steps (a) to (d).
• THE Figures 3 and 4 show how to rationalize the choice of dimensions and number of intercalated slabs, depending on the dimensions and shape of the subsidence to be filled.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

On the Figure 1 , reference 10 designates a used mattress, to be renovated using the necessary equipment of the invention.

This mattress exhibits, on its upper surface 12 (sleeping surface), a sagging 14 resulting from prolonged use of the mattress after several years. This sagging 14 is generally located towards the center of the mattress, in the area of the buttocks, where the pressure exerted on the mattress by the user during sleep is greatest and tends, over time, to compress the mattress material, particularly for foam or latex mattresses, as well as for spring mattresses with a foam, wadding, or wool top layer.

On the other hand, the upper surface 12 is often faded and has spots, halos, etc., particularly due to perspiration, with hygiene degraded by dust mites that feed on the sleeper's skin particles.

For these reasons, users tend to replace their mattresses after several years with new ones simply because the cover is worn and the central surface is sagging, even if the mattress core shows little or no wear. The typical maximum lifespan of a mattress is generally around 14 years.

The mattress renovation kit allows you to extend the life of this mattress by several years, for example by 7 additional years, so that the total life of the mattress will ultimately be about 21 years instead of 14 years, with all the advantages that follow, both directly for the user who can save the cost and procedures of buying and exchanging their mattress, and more generally from an environmental point of view by reducing the ecological footprint.

For this purpose, the device of the invention comprises a foam support plate 20, the length and width of which correspond to the dimensions of the mattress 10, and which is intended to be placed on the upper surface 12 of the latter. This foam plate has, for example, a thickness of approximately 2 to 3 cm, with standard dimensions of 90, 140 or 160 cm in width by 200 cm in length (the (plate that can possibly be cut to be used with 190 cm mattresses).

Several qualities can be offered to provide the user with a choice: softer, more premium, and even potentially latex. It is also possible to use a 20 cm layer of non-homogeneous foam elements, with varying firmness levels in different areas, to provide progressive support for the user's body when the mattress is refurbished.

Characteristically, the device of the invention also comprises a set of foam pads 30a ... 30d of different dimensions, each smaller than the dimensions of the mattress. The customer will choose which pad, or which stacked pads, to use depending on the depth and shape of the depression 14. These pads, after selection and possible stacking, are placed in the depression 14 and then covered by the comfort foam plate 20. The pads preferably, but not exclusively, have a rounded, circular, or oval shape. Advantageously, they may have tapered edges for a more gradual transition between the pad material and its immediate surroundings.

Another improvement involves using a flat cover filled with soft expanding foam padding for one or more of the pads in order to optimize the adaptation of the pad's shape and dimensions to the shape and dimensions of the sagging of the mattress being renovated.

The refurbished assembly, consisting of i) the original mattress 10, ii) the comfort foam layer 20, and iii) a pad or stack of pads 30a ... 30d sandwiched between the upper surface 12 of the mattress 10 and the comfort foam layer 20, can advantageously be covered by a cover with dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress. This cover is advantageously made of a stretchable textile material to securely fasten the various elements i) to iii) together and to adapt to the height of the original mattress 10, which may vary from one model to another. Alternatively, the cover may include gussets. held by zippers, which can be deployed to adapt to the greater or lesser volume of the mattress, in the manner of an expandable suitcase which can be deployed to accommodate a larger contents.

This cover will be offered in the same standard dimensions as the foam base plate, namely 90, 140, 160 cm wide by 200 cm long.

On the Figure 2 We have shown an example of preparation and packaging for sale of the renovation kit according to the invention.

• en (a), on a disposé sur la plaque de mousse 20, déployée, la housse 40, repliée, ainsi que les différentes galettes de mousse 30a ... 30d ;
• à l'étape suivante (b), l'ensemble est comprimé, de manière à enfoncer les galettes et la housse sur la plaque et réduire l'épaisseur e de cette dernière ;
• l'ensemble est alors plié, comme illustré en (c) ;
• puis il est enroulé, comme illustré en (d), de manière à constituer un rouleau 50 qui pourra ensuite être conditionné dans un tube en carton avec une notice, une indication des différentes matières, etc.

This set is advantageously presented in a single package obtained as follows:

• in (a), the folded cover 40 and the various foam pads 30a ... 30d were placed on the unfolded foam plate 20;
• in the next step (b), the assembly is compressed, so as to press the wafers and the cover onto the plate and reduce the thickness e of the latter;
• the whole thing is then folded, as illustrated in (c);
• then it is rolled up, as illustrated in (d), so as to form a roll 50 which can then be packaged in a cardboard tube with instructions, an indication of the different materials, etc.

Such packaging has the advantage of being both practical and optimized from an environmental impact perspective. However, it is described here only as an example.

Various additional accessories may be provided, for example a means of fixing the pads 30a ... 30d together (in the case of stacking) and/or to the upper face 12 of the mattress 10 and/or to the underside of the foam support plate 20.

This attachment can be achieved using various methods, such as adhesive (glue tube) or hook and loop fasteners. Other options include double-sided self-adhesive stickers, stickers with a hook and loop surface, etc.

The necessary equipment may include a cutting tool, so that the user can cut away the worn cover of the mattress to be renovated and expose the mattress itself, following instructions. specific to the nature of the mattress: is the top quilted?, is there a border?, etc.

Regarding the 30 foam discs, these can also be formed from a single sheet with pre-cuts allowing for reduction and selection of the disc diameter or size. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a model of the step of selecting the pad or n pads 30a ... 30d to be placed between the mattress 10 and the support foam plate 20.

To do this, the user evaluates several measurements of the sagging 14 of the mattress 10, in particular in M1 the maximum depth of the sagging, at its center, which will give a first indication of the number n of pads to stack, this number being higher the deeper the sagging, measured by M1.

In the width direction, measurements M2 and M3 of the ends of the slump, and M4 and M5 of its depth at mid-distance from the center, will allow the selection of the respective dimensions of the n discs to be stacked.

The same will apply lengthwise, for measurements MA, MB, MC and MD.

In particular, if the pancakes have an oval shape, the differences between the respective measurements M2 ... M5 and MA ... MD will allow the best orientation of the pancakes to be chosen so that the overall shape of the stack best matches the counter-shape of the slump 14.

In the illustrated example Figure 4 , we therefore chose, from among four 30a ... 30d pads offered in the kit, to stack three 30a, 30c and 30d pads to best fill the sagging 14 before the final placement of the foam support plate 20 and the wrapping of the whole by the cover 40.

Claims (11)

A kit intended for the renovation of a used mattress (10), the used mattress (10) to be renovated having predetermined dimensions and presenting an upper surface (12) with, on the upper surface, a sagging (14) resulting from prolonged use,
The necessary being characterized by what it includes: - a foam support plate (20), having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress (10) and suitable for being placed on the upper surface (12) of the mattress; and - a set of foam pads (30a-30d), the pads being of different respective dimensions and smaller than the dimensions of the mattress (10), the pads (30a-30d) being respectively suitable, after selection and possible stacking, to be placed between the 'foam support' plate (20) and the upper face (12) of the mattress in the area of the sagging (14), so that the volume of the selected pad(s) substantially fills the sagging (14) of the mattress. The necessary elements of claim 1, further comprising: - a cover (40), having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress (10) and being able to enclose the whole consisting of the mattress (10), at least one pad or stack of pads, and the comfort foam plate (20). The necessary of claim 1, further comprising a means of fixing the foam pads (30a-30d) to the foam support plate (20) and/or to the mattress (10), of the foam pads (30a-30d) to each other, and/or of the foam support plate (20) to the mattress (10). The necessary element of claim 3, wherein the fastening means comprises a fastening means by adhesive or by hook and loop tape. The necessary of claim 1, wherein the foam discs (30a-30d) include pre-cuts to allow possible reduction of their size by a user. The necessary of claim 1, wherein the foam wafers (30a-30d) have a rounded circular or oval shape. The necessary of claim 1, wherein the foam wafers (30a-30d) have thinned peripheral edges. The necessary components of claim 1, wherein at least one pancake comprises a flat envelope filled with a filling and expanding foam. A process for renovating a used mattress (10), the used mattress (10) having predetermined dimensions and having an upper surface (12) with, on the upper surface, a sagging (14) resulting from prolonged use, the process being characterized by the following steps: a) assessment of the surface extent and central depth of the mattress subsidence (14); b) selection, from a set of foam discs (30a-30d) of different dimensions, of at least one disc or stack of discs, the volume of which substantially fills the sagging (14) of the mattress; (c) placement on the mattress (10), in the area of the sagging (14), of at least one pad or stack of pads; and d) placement, on the upper face (12) of the mattress, of a support foam plate (20) having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress (10), at least one pad or stack of pads being sandwiched between the upper face (12) of the mattress and the support foam plate (20). The process of claim 9, further comprising a final step of:
e) wrapping, by a cover (40) having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mattress (10), of the assembly consisting of the mattress (10), at least one pad or stack of pads, and the comfort foam plate (20). The method of claim 9, further comprising a step of fixing the foam pads (30a-30d) to the foam support plate (20) and/or to the mattress (10), of the foam pads (30a-30d) to each other, and/or of the foam support plate (20) to the mattress (10).