INFLATABLE DEVICE FOR USE AS A MATTRESS OR AS A SUPPORT FOR A MATTRESS

The invention refers to an inflatable device comprising a flexible top layer, a flexible bottom layer and flexible side layers, wherein the inside of said inflatable device comprises inflatable transverse chambers (8) arranged in series and longitudinally, separated by flexible transverse vertical separators (7). The flexible top layer is arranged on a slanted plane relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer, when the inflatable device is inflated. Preferably, the device comprises a flexible transverse vertical partition (14) a pair of filling channels (11,11a), a pair of entry mouthpieces of a filling fluid (12,12a) and a pair of filling valves (13,13a). The inflatable device optimizes the blood circulation of the lower limbs, without creating instability of the lumbar spine, minimizing the discomfort of the lower limbs resulting from a sedentary lifestyle, as well as circulatory, musculo-tendinous and osteoarticular recovery of the lower limbs, after intense physical exercise.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention refers to an inflatable device adapted for use as a mattress or as a support for a mattress.

PRIOR ART

The support devices for mattresses known, namely those configured to be used by individuals with blood circulation problems in the lower limbs, during nighttime and/or daytime rest period, with the aim of preventing or lessening the effects of Chronic Vein Disease (CVD), are electrically-operated, wedge-shaped devices and bed frames designed and manufactured with this objective in mind.

CVD results from an alteration in the function of the veins of the lower limbs, which progressively lose the capacity to counteract the force of gravity, in the return of the venous blood of the lower limbs to the heart, with consequent presentation of signs or symptoms, such as tired and heavy legs, especially at the end of the day, swelling of the ankles, varicose veins and in the more serious forms, chronic wounds and thrombophlebitis. This pathology is chronic and evolutionary.

Depending on the cases, the treatment includes various procedures, but only one is common to all situations, namely sleeping with the legs raised.

Physical activity, chiefly when practiced in a more intense and regular manner, as is the case of high-yield athletes, also exert on the lower limbs a circulatory and cellular stress, by virtue of the progressively evolving acid environment during intense physical strain, due to the release of acid catabolites and hydrogen ions, creating an inflammatory state with pain and sometimes edema. The recovery capacity during the rest period is slightly adversely affected, as a result of the venous return, in the lower limbs, if done against the force of gravity. In this context, the rest of about eight hours during the night in horizontal position, may not be enough for a full recovery. Elastic stockings for athletes, currently proposed by the big sporting brands, try to minimize this reality, though they present a temporary effect.

PROBLEMS OF THE PRIOR ART

Known support devices for mattresses and mattresses which are developed to facilitate blood circulation of the lower limbs during nighttime and/or daytime rest have one problem in common, as they are configured to raise just the lower limbs of the user, creating a constant instability of the lumbar spine, which systematically unleashes a persistent lombalgy in the user, that is, pains in the user's lumbar region.

The permanent instability of the lumbar spine results from the permanent flexion of the lumbar region, when the user rests in supine position, of the permanent extension when the user rests in prone position; and of the side curvature when the user rests in the lateral position.

Accordingly, there is a need to develop a device for use beneath the traditional mattress or that can also be used as a mattress, which eliminates the permanent instability of the lumbar spine of the user, during nighttime or daytime rest, simultaneously guaranteeing the elevation of the lower limbs.

Solution to the State of the Art Limitations

The present invention solves the problems of the state of the art by way of developing an inflatable device for use as a mattress or as a support for a mattress that includes a filling zone delimited by a flexible top layer, by a flexible bottom layer and by flexible side layers, wherein the inside of said inflatable device comprises a plurality of inflatable transverse chambers arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of said inflatable device, and the flexible top layer is arranged on a slanted plane relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer, when the inflatable device is inflated.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The inflatable device for use as a mattress or as a support for a mattress creates a slanted plane to support the user's entire body, guaranteeing an elevation of the lower limbs relative to the chest (heart), without any degree of flexion, extension or side curvature of the lumbar spine, whatever the user's rest position, meeting the objective of improving venous return in the circulation of the lower limbs.

Therefore, the problem of the instability of the lumbar spine, caused by the devices known in the state of the art, is definitively solved. With the device now claimed, in whatever position the user sleeps or rests, his or her lumbar spine maintains an anatomically stable posture.

The inflatable device also contributes to the circulatory, musculo-tendinous and osteoarticular recovery of the lower limbs, after intense physical exercise, performed either playfully or by professional athletes.

Another advantage arises from the constructive aspects and from the materials used in the manufacture of the inflatable device, which may have about 3 to 4 Kg in mass and a volume of about 0.015 m3 when deflated and folded, making the application thereof altogether simple, and can be easily stored or transported.

Therefore, the inflatable device enables the user to sleep in a relaxed way in any position without harming the lumbar spine, providing a surprising effectiveness in the functional recovery, after extended physical strain, as well as the disappearance of the daily symptoms of weight and tiredness of the lower limbs, resulting from CVD which affects one in two persons in the western world.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

With the purpose of providing an understanding of the principles according to the embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and to the terminology used to describe them. In any case, it should be understood that there is no intention of limiting the scope of the present invention to the contents of the drawings. Any subsequent alterations or modifications of the inventive characteristics illustrated herein, as well as any dimensions or additional applications of the principles and embodiments of the invention illustrated, which would normally occur to a person skilled in the art having the knowledge of this specification, are considered as being within the scope of the claimed invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an inflatable device for use as a mattress or as a support for a mattress;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the top face of an inflatable device with a transverse vertical partition;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of the inflatable device.

 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention refers to an inflatable device for use as a mattress or as a support for a mattress comprising:

    • a flexible top layer (1); and
    • a flexible bottom layer (2); and wherein
    • a first longitudinal edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a first longitudinal edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a first flexible longitudinal side layer (3); and wherein
    • a second longitudinal edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a second longitudinal edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a second flexible longitudinal side layer (4); and wherein
    • a first transverse edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a first transverse edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a first flexible transverse side layer (5); and wherein
    • a second transverse edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a second transverse edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a second flexible transverse side layer (6);
    • wherein
    • said inflatable support device comprises a plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8) arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of said inflatable device; and wherein
    • each inflatable transverse chamber (8) is delimited by a portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by two flexible transverse vertical separators (7) and by a portion selected from the group consisting of a portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3) and of a portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4); and wherein
    • a filling channel (11) is arranged inside said inflatable device in communication with the plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8); and wherein
    • a filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12) is connected to said filling channel (11) and a filling valve (13) is connected to said filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12); and wherein
    • the flexible top layer (1) is arranged on a slanted plane relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2), when the inflatable device is inflated.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the flexible transverse vertical separators (7) are simultaneously connected to the flexible top layer (1) and to the flexible bottom layer (2) and are arranged crosswise relative to the longitudinal direction of said inflatable device.

In order to contribute to the formation of the slanted plane of the flexible top layer (1) relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2), when the inflatable support device is inflated, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the heights of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4) and of the plurality of the flexible transverse vertical separators (7) are reduced linearly relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2), from one end of the flexible bottom layer (2) and along the longitudinal direction of the flexible bottom layer (2) to the other end. Even more preferably, said heights of each of the components mentioned have substantially the same value relative to each point of a cross section of the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2).

Preferably, the inflatable device includes a top transverse connecting element (9), which connects a top edge of the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) to the flexible top layer (1); and additionally includes a bottom transverse connecting element (10), which connects a bottom edge of the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) to the flexible bottom layer (2). The top transverse connecting element (9) and the bottom transverse connecting element (10) can be selected from the group consisting of a sewing thread, an adhesive or a plastic or thermal welding element.

In the other particularly preferred embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, inflatable device comprises a flexible transverse vertical partition (14), which is simultaneously connected to the flexible top layer (1), to the flexible bottom layer (2), to the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3) and to the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4); and wherein

    • said flexible transverse vertical partition (14) divides the inside of the inflatable support device, wherein said partition delimits the filling channel (11) and a second filling channel (11a); and wherein
    • the filling channel (11) is arranged inside said inflatable device in communication with a first plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8); and wherein
    • the filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12) is connected to said filling channel (11) and the filling valve (13) is connected to said filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12); and wherein
    • the second filling channel (11a) is arranged inside said inflatable device in communication with a second plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8); and wherein
    • a second filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12a) is connected to said second filling channel (11a) and a second filling valve (13a) is connected to said second filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12a).

The preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 have the advantage of providing the arrangement of two filling zones arranged inside the inflatable device, and each of said filling zones may have equal or different filling pressures. This embodiment enables, for example, the configuration of a filling zone with a higher pressure in the region of the inflatable device that receives the larger bodily mass of the user, namely his or her head, torso and upper members. A first filling zone is delimited by a first portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a first portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a first portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a first portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), by the first flexible transverse side layer (5) and by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14). A second filling zone is delimited by a second portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a second portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a second portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a second portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), by the second flexible transverse side layer (6) and by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14).

Preferably, each of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), of the first flexible transverse side layer (5), of the second flexible transverse side layer (6), of the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) and of the flexible transverse vertical partition (14) are arranged orthogonally relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the height of the second flexible transverse side layer (6) may be substantially equivalent to the thickness of the flexible top layer (1), of the flexible bottom layer (2) and of the connecting element which unites said flexible top layer (1) and said flexible bottom layer (2).

In the preferred embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of 10 to 60 inflatable transverse chambers (8), more preferably 10 to 20 inflatable transverse chambers (8), are arranged inside the zone delimited by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), by a portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a portion of the first flexible transverse side layer (5), by a portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4) and by a portion of the first flexible transverse side layer (5). In these embodiments, a plurality of 20 to 60 inflatable transverse chambers (8), even more preferably 25 to 35 inflatable transverse chambers (8), are arranged inside the zone delimited by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), by a portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a portion of the first flexible transverse side layer (5), by a portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4) and by a portion of the second flexible transverse side layer (6). Therefore, the first filling zone illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of 10 to 60 inflatable transverse chambers (8), more preferably 10 to 20 inflatable transverse chambers (8), whereas the second filling zone a plurality of 20 to 60 inflatable transverse chambers (8), even more preferably 25 to 35 inflatable transverse chambers (8).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the filling channel (11) is arranged along a first portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), of a first portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), of the first flexible transverse side layer (5) and of the flexible transverse vertical partition (14); and the second filling channel (11a) is arranged along a second portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), of a second portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), of the second flexible transverse side layer (6) and of the flexible transverse vertical partition (14).

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, preferably, the flexible top layer (1) is arranged on a slanted plane relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2), when the inflatable support device is inflated, wherein said slant is in the range of 2 to 10%, preferably 4 to 6%, even more preferably 4.5 to 5.5%. Preferably, the inflatable device has a height of about 0.5 to 2 mm in the second flexible transverse side layer (6), that is, at the head end; and has a height of about 8 cm to 12 cm in the first flexible transverse side layer (5), that is, in the zone near to the user's feet.

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the filling fluid is water or air, even more preferably air. When the filling fluid is air, the pressure of the air inside said inflatable device, relative to the atmospheric pressure, is in the range of 4 to 16 KPa.

In the particularly preferred embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressure of the air in the zone delimited by a first portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a first portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a first portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a first portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), by the first flexible transverse side layer (5) and by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), relative to the atmospheric pressure, is in the range of 4 to 8 KPa, more preferably about 6 KPa; and by the pressure of the air in the zone delimited by a second portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a second portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a second portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a second portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), by the second flexible transverse side layer (6) and by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), relative to the atmospheric pressure, is in the range of 8 to 16 KPa, more preferably about 12 KPa.

Preferably, at least one from the group selected between the flexible top layer (1), the flexible bottom layer (2), the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), the first flexible transverse side layer (5), the second flexible transverse side layer (6), the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) and the flexible transverse vertical partition (14) is produced from a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene rubber, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefins, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, composites thereof, mixtures thereof and copolymers thereof. Preferably, a supplementary layer of coating is optionally applied on said layers. In the particularly preferred embodiments, polyester is used, wherein polyurethane is lacquered on one face, providing a sealed and hermetic layer.

Alternatively, at least one from the group selected between the flexible top layer (1), the flexible bottom layer (2), the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), the first flexible transverse side layer (5), the second flexible transverse side layer (6), the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) and a flexible transverse vertical partition (14) is produced from at least one layer of a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene rubber, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefins, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, composites thereof, mixtures thereof and copolymers thereof, for example a layer of polyester coated with polyurethane

In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inflatable device is configured for use as a support for a mattress.

EXAMPLES

One example of an inflatable device configured for use as a support for a mattress with a length of 188 cm and a width of 140 cm comprises 33 inflatable transverse chambers (8), wherein the height of the flexible transverse vertical separators (7) varies from 95.00 mm in the zone near the user's feet up to 17.50 mm in the head end zone. The width of the inflatable transverse chambers (8) is 140 mm and the width of the flexible transverse vertical separators (7) is 136 mm, forming two filling channels (11) with a width of 20.00 mm respectively along the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3) and of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4). The top layer, the bottom layer, the side layers, the flexible transverse vertical separator and the flexible transverse vertical partition are produced from polyester lacquered with polyurethane.

As used throughout this description, the expressions “around” and “approximately” refer to a value range of more or less 10% the specified number.

As used throughout this patent application, the expression “or” is used in the inclusive sense instead of the exclusive sense, unless the exclusive sense is clearly defined in a specific situation. In this context, a sentence of the type “X uses A or B” must be interpreted as including all the pertinent inclusive combinations, for example “X uses A”, “X uses B” and “X uses A and B”.

As used throughout this patent application, the indefinite article “one” must be interpreted generally as “one or more”, unless the sense of a singular embodiment is clearly defined in a specific situation.

As presented in this specification, the expressions related to examples must be interpreted with the purpose of illustrating an example and not indicating a preference.

As used in this specification, the expression “substantially” means that the real value is within the range of values of about 10% the desired value, variable, or related threshold, particularly within about 5% of the desired value, variable, or related threshold or particularly within about 1% of the desired value, variable, or related threshold.

The subject matter described above is provided as an illustration of the present invention and must not be interpreted so as to limit it. The terminology used with the purpose of describing specific embodiments, according to the present invention, must not be interpreted to limit the invention. As used in the specification, the definite and indefinite articles, in their singular form, aim at the interpretation of also including the plural forms, unless the context of the description indicates, explicitly, the contrary. It will be understood that the expressions “comprise” and “include”, when used in this description, specify the presence of the characteristics, the elements, the components, the steps, and the related operations, however, they of the not exclude the possibility of other characteristics, elements, components, steps, and operations also being contemplated.

All the alterations, providing that they do not modify the essential characteristics of the claims that follow, must be considered as being within the scope of protection of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE INDICATIONS

    • 1. A flexible top layer
    • 2. A flexible bottom layer
    • 3. A first flexible longitudinal side layer
    • 4. A second flexible longitudinal side layer
    • 5. A first flexible transverse side layer
    • 6. A second flexible transverse side layer
    • 7. A flexible transverse vertical separator
    • 8. An inflatable transverse chamber
    • 9. A top transverse connecting element
    • 10. A bottom transverse connecting element
    • 11. A filling channel
    • 11a. A second filling channel
    • 12. A filling fluid entry mouthpiece
    • 12a. A second filling fluid entry mouthpiece
    • 13. A filling valve
    • 13a. A second filling valve
    • 14. A flexible transverse vertical partition

Claims

1.-14. (canceled)

15. An inflatable device for use as a mattress or as a support for a mattress comprising:

a flexible top layer (1); and
a flexible bottom layer (2); and wherein
a first longitudinal edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a first longitudinal edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a first flexible longitudinal side layer (3); and wherein
a second longitudinal edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a second longitudinal edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a second flexible longitudinal side layer (4); and wherein
a first transverse edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a first transverse edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a first flexible transverse side layer (5); and wherein
a second transverse edge of the flexible top layer (1) and a second transverse edge of the flexible bottom layer (2) are connected to a second flexible transverse side layer (6);
characterized in that
said inflatable support device comprises a plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8) arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of said inflatable device; and wherein
each inflatable transverse chamber (8) is delimited by a portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by two flexible transverse vertical separators (7) and by a portion selected from the group consisting of a portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3) and of a portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4); and wherein
a filling channel (11) is arranged inside said inflatable device in communication with the plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8); and wherein
a filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12) is connected to said filling channel (11) and a filling valve (13) is connected to said filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12); and wherein
the flexible top layer (1) is arranged on a slanted plane relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2), when the inflatable device is inflated.

16. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized by flexible transverse vertical separators (7) being simultaneously connected to the flexible top layer (1) and to the flexible bottom layer (2) and being arranged crosswise relative to the longitudinal direction of said inflatable device.

17. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized by the heights of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4) and of the plurality of the flexible transverse vertical separators (7) being reduced linearly relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2), from one end of the flexible bottom layer (2) and along the longitudinal direction of the flexible bottom layer (2) up to the other end.

18. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized by a top transverse connecting element (9) connecting a top edge of the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) to the flexible top layer (1); and by a bottom transverse connecting element (10) connecting a bottom edge of the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) to the flexible bottom layer (2).

19. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized by comprising a flexible transverse vertical partition (14), which is simultaneously connected to the flexible top layer (1), to the flexible bottom layer (2), to the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3) and to the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4); and wherein

said flexible transverse vertical partition (14) divides the inside of the inflatable support device, wherein said partition delimits the filling channel (11) and a second filling channel (11a); and wherein
the filling channel (11) is arranged inside said inflatable device in communication with a first plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8); and wherein
the filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12) is connected to said filling channel (11) and the filling valve (13) is connected to said filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12); and wherein
the second filling channel (11a) is arranged inside said inflatable device in communication with a second plurality of inflatable transverse chambers (8); and wherein
a second filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12a) is connected to said second filling channel (11a) and a second filling valve (13a) is connected to said second filling fluid entry mouthpiece (12a).

20. The inflatable device, according to claim 19, characterized by a plurality of 10 to 60 inflatable transverse chambers (8) being arranged inside the zone delimited by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), by a portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a portion of the first flexible transverse side layer (5), by a portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4) and by a portion of the first flexible transverse side layer (5).

21. The inflatable device, according to claim 17, characterized by a plurality of 20 to 60 inflatable transverse chambers (8) being arranged inside the zone delimited by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), by a portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a portion of the first flexible transverse side layer (5), by a portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4) and by a portion of the second flexible transverse side layer (6).

22. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized by a top transverse connecting element (9) connecting a top edge of the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) to the flexible top layer (1); and by a bottom transverse connecting element (10) connecting a bottom edge of the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) to the flexible bottom layer (2).

23. The inflatable device, according to claim 19, characterized by the filling channel (11) being arranged along a first portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), of a first portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), of the first flexible transverse side layer (5) and of the flexible transverse vertical partition (14); and by the second filling channel (11a) being arranged along a second portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), of a second portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), of the second flexible transverse side layer (6) and of the flexible transverse vertical partition (14).

24. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized in that the flexible top layer (1) is arranged on a slanted plane relative to the plane of the flexible bottom layer (2), when the inflatable support device is inflated, wherein said slant is in the range of 2 to 10%, preferably 4 to 6%.

25. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized in that the filling fluid is water or air.

26. The inflatable device, according to claim 25, characterized in that the filling fluid is air and the air pressure inside said device, relative to atmospheric pressure, is in the range of 4 to 16 KPa.

27. The inflatable device, according to claim 19, characterized in that the air pressure in the zone delimited by a first portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a first portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a first portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a first portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), by the first flexible transverse side layer (5) and by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), relative to the atmospheric pressure, is in the range of 4 to 8 KPa; and by the pressure of the air in the zone delimited by a second portion of the flexible top layer (1), by a second portion of the flexible bottom layer (2), by a second portion of the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), by a second portion of the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), by the second flexible transverse side layer (6) and by the flexible transverse vertical partition (14), relative to the atmospheric pressure, is in the range of 8 to 16 KPa.

28. The inflatable device, according to claim 15, characterized by at least one from the group selected between the flexible top layer (1), the flexible bottom layer (2), the first flexible longitudinal side layer (3), the second flexible longitudinal side layer (4), the first flexible transverse side layer (5), the second flexible transverse side layer (6), the flexible transverse vertical separator (7) and the flexible transverse vertical partition (14) is produced from a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene rubber, polyurethane, polyester, polyolefins, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, composites thereof, mixtures thereof and copolymers thereof

Patent History
Publication number: 20260256298
Type: Application
Filed: May 14, 2024
Publication Date: Sep 3, 2026
Inventor: Sérgio FERNANDO MARTINS DA COSTA PINHEIRO (Arcozelo)
Application Number: 19/489,161
Classifications
International Classification: A47C 27/08 (20060101);