Abstract: An inverting conveyor system includes a series of conveyors that can invert a flexible article of manufacture, such as a cushioning element (e.g., a cushioning element of a mattress, etc.) formed from an elastomeric gel. The inverting conveyor system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and an optional third conveyor. The first conveyor receives the flexible article of manufacture in an inverted orientation. The second conveyor is associated with the first conveyor in a manner that enables inversion of the flexible article of manufacture from the inverted orientation to an upright orientation. The third conveyor receives the flexible article of manufacture from the second conveyor and transports it to a desired destination. Methods for inserting flexible articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inverting conveyor system includes a series of conveyors that can invert a flexible article of manufacture, such as a cushioning element (e.g., a cushioning element of a mattress, etc.) formed from an elastomeric gel. The inverting conveyor system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and an optional third conveyor. The first conveyor receives the flexible article of manufacture in an inverted orientation. The second conveyor is associated with the first conveyor in a manner that enables inversion of the flexible article of manufacture from the inverted orientation to an upright orientation. The optional third conveyor receives the flexible article of manufacture from the second conveyor and transports it to a desired destination. Methods for inserting flexible articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress includes a cushioning element, a first rail, and an edge sensor. The cushioning element includes a first edge defining a head end, a second edge defining a foot end, and a third edge positioned between the first edge and the second edge. The first rail is adjacent to the third edge and includes a first receptacle positioned to open towards an outer top surface of the first rail. The edge sensor is positioned in the first receptacle of the first rail.

Abstract: A mattress includes a pressurizable layer positioned within a receptacle. The mattress further includes a top layer positioned over at least a portion of the pressurizable layer within the receptacle. The top layer includes an elastomer gel.

Abstract: A mattress includes one or more sensors. The sensor(s) may be positioned on a sleep surface of the mattress; for example, at locations where an individual's thorax and/or legs would be positioned when the individual assumes a sleeping position on the sleep surface. The sensor(s) may be positioned adjacent to an edge of the mattress, on the sleep surface or on the edge. A processor may be associated with the sensor(s) of the mattress. The processor may process signals received from the sensor(s) to provide information about the mattress, an individual on the mattress, and/or an environment in which the mattress is located.

Abstract: A composite mattress includes a pressurizable layer and a top layer. A coiled spring layer may also be included in the composite mattress. The composite mattress may also include a base layer and/or an intermediate layer. A foundation, or rail, may laterally surround the pressurizable layer and the top layer. The composite mattress may include a cover, including a base panel, a periphery, and a top panel. The cover may encase the other components of the composite mattress. The composite mattress may include a separable top and bottom; these elements may be modular, enabling individuals or couples customize a mattress by selecting one or more tops from a plurality of available for use with one or more bases from a plurality of available bases.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article includes providing a fabric layer; extruding, via at least one nozzle, a first cushion material on a surface of the fabric layer to form a first strip; moving the at least one nozzle along a first axis perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to an orientation of the first strip; and extruding, via the at least one nozzle, the first cushion material on the surface of the fabric layer to form a second strip.

Abstract: An inverting conveyor system includes a series of conveyors that can invert a flexible article of manufacture, such as a cushioning element (e.g., a cushioning element of a mattress, etc.) formed from an elastomeric gel. The inverting conveyor system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and an optional third conveyor. The first conveyor receives the flexible article of manufacture in an inverted orientation. The second conveyor is associated with the first conveyor in a manner that enables inversion of the flexible article of manufacture from the inverted orientation to an upright orientation. The optional third conveyor receives the flexible article of manufacture from the second conveyor and transports it to a desired destination. Methods for inserting flexible articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable, personal therapy chamber for provision of radiation therapy. The therapy chamber includes a pair of telescopically positionable units that are lightweight and easily portable by a single user. The therapy chamber is configured for use by a single person lying generally prone on a surface. The units are formed from a plurality of pivotably coupled panels that are foldable in a first direction to a rolled up, tube-like storage configuration and unfoldable in a second direction to an arched formation or use configuration. The units, in the use configuration, are disposed to overlie the user and include a plurality of emitters that direct infrared energy toward the user's body.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, such as a weighted blanket, a cushioning element, or the like, includes an elastomeric element that includes elongated elements that follow nonlinear, partially overlapping paths and voids between adjacent portions of the elongated elements. Such an elastomeric element may define a weighted layer of a weighted blanket, a cushioning layer of a cushioning element of the like. The elastomeric element may be secured directly to a substrate, such as a fabric layer. Alternatively, an adhesion layer may secure the elastomeric element to the substrate. An adhesion layer may cover only a portion of the substrate. A cover may be provided over the elastomeric element. Together, the cover and the substrate may contain the elastomeric element.

Abstract: A mattress assembly includes a base layer, a coil layer over the base layer, and an elastomeric cushioning element over the upper layer. The coil layer includes a plurality of pocketed coils with a coil and a coil topper formed from a compressible, resilient material over the coil. Methods of manufacturing mattresses with elastomeric cushioning elements over pocketed coils that include coil toppers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mattress assembly with a surface that is stabilized to prevent separation of rails (e.g., side rails, end rails) from edges of a primary cushion of the mattress assembly. A strip of scrim fabric may overlap each rail and an adjacent portion of the primary cushion to stabilize the interface or seam between an edge of the primary cushion and a rail positioned against that edge. Methods for stabilizing the upper surfaces of mattress assemblies are also disclosed, as are adjustable beds including mattresses with stabilized upper surfaces.

Abstract: A portable, personal therapy chamber for provision of radiation therapy. The therapy chamber includes a pair of telescopically positionable units that are lightweight and easily portable by a single user. The therapy chamber is configured for use by a single person lying generally prone on a surface. The units are formed from a plurality of pivotably coupled panels that are foldable in a first direction to a rolled up, tube-like storage configuration and unfoldable in a second direction to an arched formation or use configuration. The units, in the use configuration, are disposed to overlie the user and include a plurality of emitters that direct infrared energy toward the user's body.

Abstract: A mattress includes one or more sensors. The sensor(s) may be positioned on a sleep surface of the mattress; for example, at locations where an individual's thorax and/or legs would be positioned when the individual assumes a sleeping position on the sleep surface. The sensor(s) may be positioned adjacent to an edge of the mattress, on the sleep surface or on the edge. A processor may be associated with the sensor(s) of the mattress. The processor may process signals received from the sensor(s) to provide information about the mattress, an individual on the mattress, and/or an environment in which the mattress is located.

Abstract: A portable, personal therapy chamber for provision of radiation therapy. The therapy chamber includes a pair of telescopically positionable units that are lightweight and easily portable by a single user. The therapy chamber is configured for use by a single person lying generally prone on a surface. The units are formed from a plurality of pivotably coupled panels that are foldable in a first direction to a rolled up, tube-like storage configuration and unfoldable in a second direction to an arched formation or use configuration. The units, in the use configuration, are disposed to overlie the user and include a plurality of emitters that direct infrared energy toward the user's body.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, such as a weighted blanket, a cushioning element, or the like, includes an elastomeric element that includes elongated elements that follow nonlinear, partially overlapping paths and voids between adjacent portions of the elongated elements. Such an elastomeric element may define a weighted layer of a weighted blanket, a cushioning layer of a cushioning element of the like. The elastomeric element may be secured directly to a substrate, such as a fabric layer. Alternatively, an adhesion layer may secure the elastomeric element to the substrate. An adhesion layer may cover only a portion of the substrate. A cover may be provided over the elastomeric element. Together, the cover and the substrate may contain the elastomeric element.

Abstract: A composite mattress includes a pressurizable layer and a top layer. A coiled spring layer may also be included in the composite mattress. The composite mattress may also include a base layer and/or an intermediate layer. A foundation, or rail, may laterally surround the pressurizable layer and the top layer. The composite mattress may include a cover, including a base panel, a periphery, and a top panel. The cover may encase the other components of the composite mattress. The composite mattress may include a separable top and bottom; these elements may be modular, enabling individuals or couples customize a mattress by selecting one or more tops from a plurality of available for use with one or more bases from a plurality of available bases.

Abstract: A cushioning element includes pressurizable cells. The pressurizable cells of the cushioning elements are grouped into a plurality of sets, with each set of pressurizable cells being independently pressurizable from every other set of pressurizable cells of the cushioning element. The pressurizable cells may extend across a widths of the cushioning element and be arranged in series along the length of the cushioning element. Such a cushioning element may be part of a cushion, such as a mattress, a mattress topper, or the like. Methods for manufacturing the cushioning elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ventilated mattress includes a ventilation system with an air distribution layer and a gel cushioning layer over the air distribution layer. The air distribution layer may include channels in a surface thereof, while voids that extend through an entire thickness of the gel cushioning layer may include voids that communicate with the channels. As the ventilation system forces air into the air distribution layer, the air may flow through the channels, into and through the voids of the gel cushioning layer, and to a top of the ventilated mattress.

Abstract: A composite mattress includes a pressurizable layer and a top layer. A coiled spring layer may also be included in the composite mattress. The composite mattress may also include a base layer and/or an intermediate layer. A foundation, or rail, may laterally surround the pressurizable layer and the top layer. The composite mattress may include a cover, including a base panel, a periphery, and a top panel. The cover may encase the other components of the composite mattress. The composite mattress may include a separable top and bottom; these elements may be modular, enabling individuals or couples to customize a mattress by selecting one or more tops from a plurality of available tops for use with one or more bases from a plurality of available bases.