GB2510154A

GB2510154A - Temperature regulating layer for mattress or similar support

Info

Publication number: GB2510154A
Application number: GB201301378A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darren Potterton
Original assignee: GNG GROUP
Current assignee: GNG GROUP
Priority date: 2013-01-25
Filing date: 2013-01-25
Publication date: 2014-07-30
Also published as: GB201301378D0

Abstract

A mattress, cushion, pillow or similar item for supporting a seated or reclining user includes a supporting core portion 2, an outer cover 3, and a removable temperature-regulating intermediate layer or interliner 4 formed from phase change material and disposed between the supporting portion and outer cover, such that the phase change material is in contact with an inner surface of the outer cover so as to assist in regulating the skin temperature of a user (not shown) lying or sitting on an outer surface of the cover layer by absorbing and releasing heat. In a preferred embodiment the item comprises a mattress 1 for use by bedridden or similarly incapacitated patients at risk from bed sores or other ailments associated with spending long periods lying in bed 10. The outer cover 3 preferably comprises fluid impermeable, washable material such as PVC, rubber, polyurethane. The phase change material preferably has a transition temperature range from 26 to 32 Celsius. The intermediate layer 4 may be retrofitted to the supporting core portion 2. An interliner comprising phase change material and a method of regulating the skin temperature of a sitting or reclining person using phase change material are also claimed.

Description

SUPPORTING DEVICE

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to supporting devices for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position. The present invention is particularly concerned with the thermal and moisture control of supporting devices.

Background to the Invention

Supporting devices such as mattresses, overlays, pillows, cushions, seat pads etc. typically comprise a supporting portion for providing a supporting effect and an outer cover for protecting the supporting portion and for providing a supporting surface on which a user reclines or sits. The construction and configuration of supporting devices may vary depending on their application. For example, supporting devices suitable for use in the healthcare, childcare or animalcare industry conventionally comprise a cover that is fluid resistant and easily cleanable.

During use, heat and moisture accumulate between the cover and user. The heat increases the temperature of the user's skin.

If the skin temperature is raised above the optimum skin temperature range of approximately 28uC to 35°C it has been found that ischemia and tissue damage may occur and the risk of developing pressure ulcers is increased. The raised temperature may cause the user to perspire which, in turn, increases the moisture on the user's skin. Excessive moisture on the user's skin can cause maceration and make the skin susceptible to infection, it can reduce the resilience of the skin making it vulnerable to friction and shear stress and it can increase the risk of developing pressure ulcers Embodiments of the invention seek to provide an alternative and improved supporting device. Embodiments of the present invention seek to address or ameliorate at least some of the problems caused by using conventional supporting devices.

Embodiments of the invention seek to provide a supporting device that supports a user in a reclining or sitting position and is able to control the temperature and moisture (microclimate) at the skin of the user.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the invention relates to a supporting device for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position.

The supporting device comprises: a supporting portion; an cuter cover; a removably mountable thermally regulating interliner comprising phase change material whereby the interliner is removably mounted between the supporting portion and the outer cover and in thermal contact with an inner surface of the cover so as to form indirect thermal contact with skin of the user, when the user is reclining or sitting on an opposing cuter surface of tbe cover.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a removably mountable thermally regulating interliner comprising phase change material, whereby the interliner is removably mountable between a supporting portion and an outer cover of the supporting device for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position and in direct thermai contact with an inner surface of the cuter cover so as to form indirect thermal contact with skin of the user, when the user is reclining or sitting on an opposing outer surface of the outer cover.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a method of forming thermal contact between the skin of a user reclining or sitting on an outer surface of an outer cover cf a supporting device and phase change material for regulating the temperature of the skin, comprising the steps of: providing a removably mountable fabric interliner incorporating the phase change material; removably mounting the interliner in the supporting device between a supporting portion and the outer cover of the supporting device and in direct thermal contact with an opposing inner surface of the outer cover so as to form indirect thermal contact with the skin of the user via the outer cover.

The supporting device may be a mattress, overlay, pillow, cushion or seat pad or any other item suitable for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position.

The supporting portion provides a comfortable supporting effect on the user. The supporting portion may comprise foam, air chambers, coil springs, gel and/or filler such as wadding, down or feathers.

The cover forms a protective covering over the supporting portion and interliner. The cover may at least substantially encase the supporting portion and interliner. The cover may be a one piece cover. The cover may be fluid resistant or impermeable to minimise the ingress of fluid. The cover may comprise a material comprising rubber, polyvinyl, chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), silicone elastoirtr or any other suitable waterproofing or water resistant material. The cover may be wipe cleanable. The cover may be washable. The cover may be designed to minimise cross-contaminaticn.

Due to the thermal contacts formed between the interliner, the cover and the user skin, the phase change material is able to absorb, store and transfer latent heat between the interliner, the cover and the skin of user in accordance with the temperature gradient. The reversible thermal properties of the phase change material allow the interliner to regulate the temperature of the cover, regulate the skin temperature of the user portions supported by the cover and control the formation of moisture on the skin of the user. By managing the microclimate at the skin of user, the interliner helps to reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers and/or other adverse effects caused by raised temperatures, diminished temperatures or excessive moisture The interliner may comprise a fabric incorporating microcapsules of phase change material. The interliner may comprise fabric that is integrated, coated or dispersed with phase change material. The interliner may be fluid resistant or impermeable.

The interliner preferably comprises phase change material with a predetermined transition temperature range so as to help maintain the user's skin within a predetermined temperature range. The predetermined temperature range is preferably an optimum skin temperature range for the comfort and health of the skin. To achieve the optirrnm skin temperature range, the transition temperature range of the phase change material is preferably 26C to 32t.

The interiiner may be configured to be retrofitted in a supporting device.

The interiiner may extend at least substantially between the supporting portion and one or more inner surfaces of the outer oover. The interliner may at least substantially envelop the supporting portion.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how in may be carried into effect, reference shall now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mattress type supporting device aocording to the present invention; Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of the mattress depicted in Figure 1 arranged in a bed.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The supporting device according to the present invention is suitable for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position. Due to the insertion of the removably mountable thermally regulating interliner, the supporting device is also able to control the skin microclimate of the user. As a result, the supporting device is able to regulate the temperature of the skin, restrict the build-up of moisture on the skin and conseguently reduce the risk for developing pressure ulcers where the skin is in contact the supporting device.

The supporting device may be a mattress for a bed or cot, an overlay for a stretcher, trolley or table, a pillow, cushion, seat pad for a chair or wheelchair or any other item suitable for supporting a user. As an example, the supporting devioe may be a mattress for a bed having a depth of approximately 10cm, 15cm, 15.8cm or 17.5cm. The supporting device may be a seat pad having a depth of approximately 5cm, 9cm or 10cm.

The supporting device may be designed for use in the healthcare industry, childcare industry, animal care industry, commercial, industrial, non-domestic and/or domestic environments.

As shown in Figure 1, the supporting device (1) comprises a supporting portion (2), an outer cover (3) and a thermal regulating interliner (4) The supporting portion is configured to provide a comfortable supporting effect for a user. The supporting portion may comprise coil springs, foam, air chambers, gel and/or fillers such as wadding, down or feathers or any other suitable material for providing a supporting effect. The foam may comprise polyurethane foam and/or visco-elastic memory foam.

The supporting portion may comprise one or more supporting layers or elements. Each layer or element may be configured to provide a different supporting and/or cushioning effect.

The cover is configured to form a protective covering for concealing the supporting device and the interliner. The cover may be a one piece cover. The characteristics of the cover are selected according to the application of the supporting device and environment. The cover nay be a material comprising polyester, rayon, cotton, silk, wool and/or and other suitable yarns or fibres. The cover may be fluid resistant or impermeable. The cover may comprise rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), silicone elastomer and/or any other suitable waterproofing or fluid resistant material. The oover may be wipe cleanable. The cover may be washable. The cover may be designed to minimise crcss-contaminaticn. The cover may comprises a sealable aperture to allow for the mounting, removal, replacement or retrofitting of the interliner. The cover may be removable from the supporting portion to allow for the mounting, removal, replacement and retrofitting of the interliner.

In use, an outer surface (3a) of the cover forms a supporting, contact surface for a user. Depending on the type of supporting device and position of a human user, one or more regions of the user body contact the outer surface of the cover. For example, the head, shoulders, torso area, sacrum and/or heels of the user body may contact the outer surface.

The configuration of the cover is dependent on the type and location of the supporting device. The cover may be a protective layer that can extend over the supporting portion and interliner thereby concealing them or a protective enclosure that envelopes the supporting portion and interliner. For example, if the supporting device is a seat pad for a wheelchair then the cover may have the form of a protective layer that extends over the supporting portion and interliner and is removably mounted to the seat frame or seat base. If the supporting device is a pillow, then the cover may be a flexible casing that envelops the supporting portion and interliner.

The interliner is a discrete element that is removably mountable in the supporting device between the support portion and outer cover. When inserted in the supporting device, the interliner is arranged in direct thermal contact with an inner surface (3b) of the outer cover that opposes the outer surface on which the user is supported. The iriterlirier extends at least substantially across the inner surface. The interliner may form direct thermal oontact with one or more inner surfaces. When the user is supported by the outer surface of the cover, the interliner forms an indirect thermal contact with the skin of the parts of the user in contact with the outer oover.

Following the formation of the thermal contacts, the phase change material is able to absorb, store and transfer latent heat in accordance with the temperature gradient between the phase change materials, cover and the skin of the user. For example, if the phase change material has a lower temperature than the cover and the skin of the user, then the phase change material spontaneously absorbs heat from the cover and skin of the user until a thermal balance is reached between phase ohange material, the cover and the skin. Likewise, if the phase change material has a higher temperature than the cover and the skin of the user then the phase change material spontaneously transfers heat to the cover and skin until a thermal balance is reached.

The interliner may comprise any suitable phase change material. The interliner may comprise a fabric incorporating microcapsules of phase change material. The interliner may comprise phase change material integrated with the fibres of a fabric, phase change material coated on a fabric and/or phase change material dispersed throughout the fabric.

Due to the reversible thermal regulating properties of the phase change material, the interliner is able to regulate the temperature of the cover. Since the interliner is arranged in indirect thermal contact with the user's skin, the interliner is able to regulate the temperature of the user's skin via the outer cover. For example, the interliner may reduce the temperature of the oover and the skin of the user if it was initially raised to a temperature that has an adverse effect on the condition of the skin. The interliner may increase the temperature of the cover and the skin of the user if it was initially diminished to a temperature that has an adverse effect on the condition of the skin or health of the user.

The interliner is preferably designed to regulate the temperature of the cover and user's skin so as to help maintain the user's skin at a predetermined temperature or within a predetermined temperature range. The interliner is preferably configured to help maintain the user's skin within the optimum skin temperature range for skin comfort and health. Hence, the interliner enhances the thermal comfort of a user. Moreover, the interliner helps to minimise, or even avoid, the adverse effects caused by excessive heat or insufficient heat acting cn skin Fcr example, the interliner helps to reduce the risk of a user developing pressure ulcers.

So as to maintain the temperature of the cover and/or user's skin within a predetermined temperature range, the interliner preferably comprises phase change material with reversible thermal properties across a predetermined transition temperature range. To help maintain the temperature of the user's skin within the optimum skin temperature range, the interliner may comprise phase change material with a transition temperature range of approximately 26°C to 32°C. For example, the interliner may comprise a first phase change material having a first transition temperature of approximately 32t and a second phase change material having a second transition temperature of approximately 26°C. r7hereby, if The temperature of the user's skin and the cover of the supporting device exceeds the temperature of phase change materials (due, for example, by an accumulaticn cf heat between the cover and user over a prolonged time period, by a spike in user core body temperature, by a high ambient temperature etc.) then the phase change materials will spontaneously absorb latent heat energy from the oover and user's skin until a thermal balance is achieved. If the temperature of the phase change material reaches 32°C during the absorbing process then all the phase change materials will have melted from a solid to a liquid. Likewise, if the temperature of the user's skin and therefore the cover of the supporting device is lower than the temperature of the phase materials (due, for example, by a dip in the user core body temperature, by a low ambient temperature etc.) then the change materials spontaneously transfer latent heat energy to the cover and user's skin until a thermal balance is achieved.

If the temperature of the phase change materials drops to 26°C during the transfer process then all the phase change materials will have solidified from a liguid to a solid. Thus, the phase change materials control the temperature of the cover and skin by eliminating the temperature extremes such that they are stabilised within a limited temperature range.

By regulating the temperature of the cover and thereby the user's skin with an optimum temperature range, the perspiring of the user is limited and so moisture generated by a user's perspiration is reduced. Hence, the interliner is able to regulate the moisture/humidity at the contact surface of the cover and therefore the moisture on the user's skin. By restricting the build-up of moisture, interliner helps to reduce adverse effects on the user's skin associated with excessive moisture/humidity. For example, the interliner preferably regulaces the moisture/humidity so as to limit the formation of pressure ulcers on the region of the skin that is in contact with the cover.

The interliner can be used in conjunction with a supporting portion and cover of any type of supporting device. As a result, the interliner may be configured to be retrcfitted between the supporting porticn and the ccver of existing supporting devices so as to control the skin temperature, reduce the build-up of moisture on the skin and therefore help lower the risk of developing pressure sores on the skin.

The internal mounting arrangement of the interliner advantageously avoids any obscuring or shielding of the cover.

Hence, when retrofitted to conventional supporting devices the cover still forms a protective outer covering and the features (attributes) of the cover are not compromised. For example, the inclusion of the interliner does non compromise the impermeability of a cover or wipeclean features of a cover.

Figure 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a medical mattress (1) device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of the medical mattress of Figure 1 mounted on a healthcare bed (10) The medical mattress (1) comprises a supporting core portion (2), an cuter cover (3) and an interliner (4).

The supporting core portion comprises multiple layers, including a layer of tubular elements made from polyurethane foam. The supporting core portion provides & low pressure supporting effect for a user. The supporting core portion is substantially cuboid in shape and comprises an upper face (2a), lower face (2b), opposing end faces and opposing side faces (2c, 2d) As can be seen in Figure 1, the cuter cover is configured to form a protective casing that encapsulates the supporting core portion and interliner. In this example, the cover is a polyurethane coated cover that is fluid resistant, wipe cleanable, washable at 7lC and has a four-way stretch. The outer face (3a) of the upper surface of the cover provides a supporting surface on which a user may lie or sit. The outer cover comprises a sealable opening (Bc) along a side face to allow for the removal and insertion of the interliner.

The medical mattress further comprises a thermally regulating interliner (4) . The interliner is a removably mountable discrete element. In this particular embodiment the interliner is in the form of a closable sleeve that fits snugly around the supporting core portion. Due to the configuration of the interliner, the interliner helpfully forms a barrier between the supporting core portion and outer cover that further protects the supporting core portion.

The interliner is removably mounted between the supporting core portion and the inner faces (3b) of the cover. Hence, when the user is supported by the opposing outer face (3a) of the cover, the interliner forms indirect thermal contact with the user via the cover.

The interliner comprises a fabric coated in phase change material. The reversible thermal regulating properties of the phase change material regulate the temperature of the cover and the temperature skin where the use contacts the covers of the user so that they are maintained within a comfortable temperature range. Thus, the generation of moisture by perspiration is limited. Moreover, the occurrence of pressure sores forming from the regulation of skin temperature and restricted moisture is diminished.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain", and any variations of the words, means "including but not limited to" and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other features, elements, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context requires otherwise. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers or characteristics described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

Claims 1. A supporting device for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position, the supporting device comprising: a supporting portion; an outer cover; a removably mountable thermally regulating interliner comprising phase change material, wherein the interliner is removably mounted between the supporting portion and the cuter cover and in direct thermal contact with an inner surface of the outer cover so as to form an indirect thermal contact with skin of the user when the user is reclining or sitting on an opposing outer surface of the outer cover.
2. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the supporting device is a mattress, overlay, pillow, cushion or seat pad or any other item suitable for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position.
3. The supporting device according to claim 1 wherein the supporting portion comprises foam, air chambers, coil springs, gel and/or filler such as wadding, down or feathers to provide a supporting effect.
4. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the cover is fluid resistant or impermeable, wipe cleanable, washable and/or configured to minimise cross-contamination.
5. The supporting device according claim 4, wherein the cover comprises rubber, polyvinyl, chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU) , silicone elastomer or any other suitable waterproofing or water resistant material.
6. The supporting devioe aocording to claim 1, wherein the interliner comprises a fabric incorporating phase change material.
7. The supporting device according to claim 1, wherein the phase change material has a predetermined transition temperature range so as maintain the skin of the user within a predetermined temperature range.
8. The supporting device according to claim 7, wherein the transition temperature range of the phase change material is 26°C to 32°C.
9. The supporting device aocording to claim 1 wherein the interliner can be retrofitted in the supporting device.
10. A removably mountable thermally regulating interliner comprising phase change material whereby, in use, the interliner is removably mountable between a supporting portion and an outer cover of a supporting device for supporting a user in a reclining or sitting position, and in direct thermal contact with an inner surface of the outer cover so as to form an indirect thermal contact with skin of the user when the user is reclining or sitting on an opposing outer surface of the outer cover.
11. The interliner according to claim 10 comprising any of the features as defined in claims 6 to 9.
12. A method of forming thermal contact between the skin of a user reclining or sitting on an outer surface of an outer cover of a supporting device and phase change material for regulating the temperature of the skin, comprising the steps of: providing a removably mountable fabric interliner incorporating the phase change material; removably mounting the interliner in the supporting device between a supporting portion and the outer cover of the supporting device and in direci thermal oontaot with an opposing inner surface of the outer cover so as to form indirect thermal contact with the skin of the user via the outer cover.
13. A supporting device as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
14. An interliner for regulating the temperature and moisture on the cover of a supporting device as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
15. A method of forming thermal contact between the skin of a user and a phase change material for regulating the temperature of the skin as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.