Multi-walled gelastic material

Elastic gel material with multiple walls

Invention Sector

The present invention relates to an elastic gel material.

Background of the invention

Elastic gel material

In US Pat. UU. No. 5,749,111, Pearce discloses a cushion that includes a cushion element. Said damping element has several elongate substantially parallel columns, formed in a gelatinous damping means. When a force is applied to said damping element, in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the columns, the walls of the columns located below a projection of the object being dampened tend to deform by buckling, allowing that the damping element conforms to the shape of the dampened object, while the support force is distributed evenly throughout the contact zone of the dampened object.

In US Pat. UU. No. 7,076,822, Pearce discloses the fact that "elastic gel" materials are "thermoplastic elastomeric compounds with low durometric value and viscoelastomeric compounds, which include [...] an elastomeric block copolymer component and a plasticizer component . [A plasticizer is a hydrocarbon molecule that is associated with the material in which it is incorporated. Additives can also be inserted into the formulation to obtain specific qualities.]

The elastomeric component of the example gel-type material includes a three-block polymer with the general ABA configuration, in which A represents a crystalline polymer, such as a monoalkenylrene polymer, including, but not limited to, polystyrene and polystyrene. functionalized, and in which B is an elastomeric polymer, such as polyethylene, polybutylene, poly (ethylene / butylene), hydrogenated poly (isoprene), hydrogenated poly (butadiene), Hydrogenated poly (isoprene + butadiene), poly (ethylene / propylene) or hydrogenated poly (ethylene / butylene + ethylene / propylene), or others. The components A of the material join together and provide resistance, while the components B provide elasticity. Higher molecular weight polymers are obtained by combining many of the components A of the parts A of each ABA structure and combining many of the components B of the part B of the ABA structure, together with the cross-linking of the ABA molecules in large polymer networks.

The elastomeric part B of the example ABA polymers has an exceptional affinity for most plasticizers, including, but not limited to, various types of oils, resins and others. When the ABA molecule network is denatured, plasticizers that have affinity for block B can easily be associated with blocks B. After the renaturalization of the ABA molecule network, the plasticizer remains highly associated with parts B, thereby reducing or even eliminating plasticizer drainage in the material compared to similar materials of the prior art, even for relationships oil: very high elastomer […]

The elastomer used in the example gel buffer medium is preferably a hydrogenated polystyrene-poly (isoprene + butadiene) ultra-high molecular weight polystyrene, such as those marketed by Kuraray under the trade names SEPTON 4045, SEPTON 4055 and SEPTON 4077, a hydrogenated polystyrene-polyisoprene-ultra-high molecular weight polystyrene, such as elastomers manufactured by Kuraray and marketed as SEPTON 2005 and SEPTON 2006, or a hydrogenated polystyrene-polybutadiene-ultra-high molecular weight polystyrene, such as that marketed by Kuraray as SEPTON 8006. Hydrogenated polystyrene-poly (isoprene + butadiene) elastomers of high to very high molecular weight, such as that marketed by Kuraray under the trade name SEPTON 4033, are also useful in some formulations of the example gel-type material, since they are easier to process than the example ultra-high molecular weight elastomers, due to their effect on the melt viscosity of the material. ”

Other examples of elastic gel material compositions are disclosed in other patents that indicate Pearce as an inventor or Chen as an inventor (e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,336,708). The present invention does not refer to the type of elastic gel material used, but to how said elastic gel material is formed and to the desired shape of said material.

Cushion material

Pearce also discloses the fact that, with the elastic gel material, a cushion can be formed. Such cushion can be used with many types of products, including pieces of furniture, such as office chairs, “sofas,

two-seater sofas, kitchen chairs, mattresses, garden furniture, car seats, theater seats, the padding that is placed under the carpet, padded walls for isolation rooms, padded exercise equipment, chair cushions of wheels, bed mattresses and others ”.

Conventional structure of elastic gel cushion

Pearce also states: “The damping element [...] includes gel damping means that usually have a rectangle shape with four sides, an upper part and a lower part, the upper and lower part being oriented towards the upper and lower part of the page, respectively. Within its structure, the damping element has a series of hollow columns [...]. As shown, the hollow columns [...] only contain air. The hollow columns are [...] open to the atmosphere, so they easily allow air circulation through them, through the cover fabric and [...] towards the damped object. The columns have column walls [...] that, in the embodiment shown, have a hexagonal configuration.

The total volume of the damping element may be occupied by no more than about 50% of gel damping means, and the rest of the volume of the damping element is gas or air. The total volume of the damping element may be occupied only by approximately 9% of gel damping means, and the rest of the volume of the damping element is gas or air. This provides a lightweight cushion with a low overall thermal transfer coefficient and a [low] overall thermal mass. It is not necessary that this percentage be met in all cases. ”

When a patient is placed on the elastic gel material, its protruding parts (the hip or hips, the shoulder or shoulders, the arm or arms, the buttock or buttocks, the shoulder blade or shoulder blades, the knee or knees and / or the heel or heels) cause the walls of the columns below them to be deformed by buckling. Said buckling-deformed spine walls should not collapse or break, since then the patient would sink to the bottom surface. Instead, the walls of the columns located below the protruding parts, which receive their weight, are deformed by buckling (flexing and / or compressing), and thus redistribute and / or decrease the load of said column walls buckled to other column walls of the elastic gel material. In other words, the buckling deformation of the column (or lateral) walls allows the damping element to adapt to the shape of the damped object, while (a) the support force is evenly distributed through the contact zone of the damped object, (b) pressure spikes on the user are avoided and (c) the possibility of the patient being sunk is reduced. In spite of everything, sometimes this sinking continues to occur.

Realization of elastic gel cushion with stepped columns

We are aware that Pearce has released numerous cushion embodiments to solve the occasional sinking problem. A cushion embodiment "represents a cross section of a damping element that uses alternate stepped columns. The damping element has a series of columns, [...] each of which has a longitudinal axis, [...] an upper part of the column [...] and a bottom of the column [...]. The top of the column [...] and the bottom of the column are [...] open, and the inside or passage of the column [...] has no restrictions in order to allow flow of air through the column [...]. The column [...] represented has side walls, [...] each of which has three different steps [...]. The columns are arranged so that the internal chamfering of a column, due to the step of its walls, is opposite to that of the adjacent column. This type of damping element can be obtained using a mold. ”

The realization of staggered Pearce columns presents the problem that the side walls do not deform by buckling uniformly due to the variety of thicknesses. As stated above, buckling deformation of the column (or lateral) walls allows the damping element to adapt to the shape of the cushioned object, while the support force is evenly distributed throughout the area. of contact of the damped object and pressure peaks on the user are avoided. Buckling deformation is difficult when the side walls are thick and chamfered, as described in the realization of elastic gel material with staggered Pearce columns. The thickest part of the walls does not decrease pressure peaks, on the contrary, it keeps them or makes them increase. Such pressure peaks should be avoided, which does not occur in the realization of elastic gel material with staggered Pearce columns.

Outgoing firmness

Pearce also discloses an elastic gel cushion that has a protruding device firmly located on the walls of the columns in order to avoid deformation due to excessive buckling of the same (and its collapse or breakage, which would cause the patient to sink altogether). In particular, Pearce wrote: “The damping element [...] presents a damping means [...] formed on the walls of the columns [...]. The walls of the columns [...] form a column interior. The column has an open top [...] and a closed bottom. [...] In the embodiment shown, the column [...] has a firmness overhang [...] that protrudes into the column [...] from the bottom of the column [...]. ]. Said firmness protrusion is [...] represented in the form of a wedge or cone, but it can take the desired shape, such as cylindrical, square or otherwise in cross-section along its longitudinal axis. The purpose of said firmness projection [...] is to provide additional support within a buckled deformation column for the part of the damped object that causes buckling deformation. When a column of this embodiment is deformed by buckling, the damping element will readily yield until the damped object begins to compress the firmness boss. At that time, the additional movement of the

5 cushioned object in the cushion is braked, since it becomes necessary that the damping means of the firmness support is compressed or that the firmness support itself is deformed to achieve additional movement of the dampened object in the damping means ”. The firmness overhang is a block of material designed to inhibit deformation by additional buckling of the column walls. At best, due to its shape and function, the firmness projection does not deform.

Realization of stacked elastic gel cushion

Another cushion embodiment consists of an embodiment of stacked elastic gel cushion, as claimed in US Pat. UU. No. 7,076,822. Said embodiment of stacked cushion, as claimed, has the following

fifteen limitations:

"(A) a first damping element and a second damping element stacked on each other sequentially to form a stacked cushion,

twenty (b) said stacked cushion having a stacked cushion bottom;

(c) including said first damping element

(i) an amount of a first gel buffer means formed such that it has a

25 first upper part of the damping element, a first lower part of the damping element and a first outer periphery, said first gel damping means being compressible so that it is deformed by buckling under the compression force of the damped object;

(ii) wherein said first gel damping means is flexible and elastic, has shape memory and is substantially solid and not fluid at temperatures below 130 ° Fahrenheit;

(iii) a series of first hollow columns formed in said first gel damping means, each of which has a first longitudinal axis according to its length, each of said hollow columns also presenting a first column wall defining a first inside

35 hollow column hollow and each of said first hollow columns presenting two ends;

(iv) in which each of said first column ends is located at two different points of said first longitudinal axis;

40 (v) wherein at least one of said first hollow columns of said first damping element is disposed within said first gel damping means, such that said first longitudinal axis is generally parallel to the direction. of a compression force exerted on the cushion stacked by a damped object in contact with the stacked cushion;

Four. Five [sic] (c) in which the stacked cushion is adapted to be able to have a cushioned object in contact with said upper part of the stacked cushion; and

(d) in which, at a minimum, one of said first column walls of said first damping element is capable of undergoing buckling below a projection located in the damped object ”.

fifty The stacked elastic gel cushion embodiment is unstable, unless the first cushion element and the second cushion element are fixed to each other. The fixing of the two cushions with each other can be achieved by means of adhesives and / or bands (rubber, fabric or equivalent), without fasteners (such as a rubber band) or with fasteners (that is, a hook and a loop, buckles and / or knots). The present invention avoids

55 these fixation devices, since they increase the possibility of pressure spikes on the patient.

How to prevent the elastic gel cushion from moving

60 It is known that the elastic gel cushion moves in response to the application of a force on it by a patient. To reduce this problem, elastic gel cushion users have heated a nonwoven material on the bottom surface thereof. Said non-woven material may cover the entire lower surface or only one area, including, but not limited to, an area close to the lower surface and on the perimeter thereof.

Nonwoven material can also extend beyond the perimeter of the bottom surface. Normally, the non-woven material that extends beyond the perimeter of the lower surface joins another part of the cushion, and said joint decreases the chances that the elastic gel cushion moves when the patient applies a force on it. This embodiment is very effective in controlling the position of the elastic gel cushion, but causes it to have a hammock effect on the patient. An embodiment of the present invention solves this problem.

Features of the present invention The present invention relates to an elastic gel cushion. As indicated in claim 1, the elastic gel cushion is constituted by a conventional elastic gel composition. The elastic gel cushion has a structure that has a first wall that defines an opening area and is deformed by buckling when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall is deformed by buckling to a predetermined degree, a second wall, interconnected to the first and also constituted by an elastic gel composition, is also deformed by buckling. The second wall reduces the possibility of the first wall sinking. Said sinking occurs when the patient essentially contacts the lower surface, which results in

an increase in pressure on said patient (i.e., of force), which is placed on the cushion of elastic gel Such an increase in pressure is not desirable. Brief description of the drawings Various crossed lines are used in the figures to identify different structural components. Sayings

structural components identified with different crossed lines in the figures may be constituted by the same material or for different materials. Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1, taking only compartment -2-.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2 along lines 3-3. Figure 4 shows a first embodiment of a top view of Figure 2 when an object deforms by Buckling only the first wall.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4 along lines 5-5.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of a top view of Figure 2 when an object deforms by Buckling the first and second walls, but not the third. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 6 along lines 7-7. Figure 8 is a top view of the mold components to form an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 is a front view of Figure 8 along lines 9-9, showing the component -102a- and a

part of the component -102d-. Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 3. Figure 11 shows Figure 10 along lines 11-11. Figure 12 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 3. Figure 13 shows Figure 12 along lines 13-13. Figure 14 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 3. Figure 15 shows Figure 14 along lines 15-15. Figure 16 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 3. Figure 17 shows Figure 16 along lines 17-17. Figures 18a and 18b show alternative embodiments of Figure 3 with a bottom layer (skin), an opening and

an interconnector Figure 19 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 8 with an additional mold placed in a component of mold or a notch of the mold component.

Figure 20 shows a front view of Figure 19 from arrow 20.

Figure 21 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 22 shows a mattress configuration using the present invention.

Figure 23 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 3, in which the cushion is used upside down.

Figure 24 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 2, which uses a puzzle-like embodiment.

Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 24 along lines 25-25.

Figure 26 is a view of Figure 24 along lines 24-24.

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 24 along lines 27-27 in a different embodiment from that of Figure 25.

Figure 28 is a view of Figure 24 along lines 28-28.

Figure 29 is an alternative embodiment of Figure 26.

Figure 30 is an alternative embodiment of Figure 28.

Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 19 along lines 31-31.

Figure 32 is an alternative embodiment of Figure 3.

Figure 33 is an alternative embodiment of Figure 3.

Detailed description of the present invention

Figure 1 shows an elastic gel cushion -10- having a first wall -20-, which defines opening areas -12- located throughout the elastic gel cushion -10-. To understand and appreciate the present invention, we must look at (1) Figure 2, which is a general view of Figure 1 in the area identified as compartment -2 (for clarity, only the first wall -20- of the compartment - 2- It has been defined as first walls -20a-d-, and a part of the opening area -12- of the compartment -2- is defined as the opening area -12a-) and (2) Figure 3, which is a cross-sectional view of figure 2 along lines 3-3.

Figures 2 and 3 show three walls -20-, -22-, -24-. The first wall -20- is the highest, and defines the first opening area -12a- (see figure 1) and has a height H1 (see figure 3). The first wall -20- has a width W1 that allows it to deform in the first opening -12a-, a second opening -12b- (defined below), a third opening -12c- (defined below) or, alternatively, in (a) a corresponding opening -12- (see Figure 1) and / or (b) towards the outside of the perimeter of the elastic gel cushion -10-. The first wall -20- has an upper surface -40- on which the patient is placed.

The second wall -22- (a) is an intermediate height wall having a height H2 and (b) defines, with the first wall -20-, at least two second openings -12b-. The difference between H1 and H2 is the distance D1. The second wall -22- has a width W2 that allows it to deform by buckling in the second opening -12b- or the third opening -12c- if the patient's weight (and / or a force applied to the elastic gel material) is sufficient to warp by buckling the first wall -20- at a distance D1 +. D1 + is any distance greater than D1, and W1 and W2 can be identical or different widths.

The third wall -24- (a) is a wall of lower height that has a height H3 and (b) defines, with the first wall -20- and the second wall -22-, at least four third openings -12c- . The difference between H1 and H3 is the distance D3, and the difference between H2 and H3 is the distance D2. The third wall has a width W3 that allows it to deform by buckling if the patient's weight (and / or a force applied to the elastic gel material) is sufficient to deform by buckling (a) the first wall -20- at a distance D3 + and (b) the second wall -22- in a distance D2 +. D2 + is any distance greater than D2, and D3 + is any distance greater than D3. W1, W2 and W3 can be the same width, different widths or combinations thereof.

Performance of elastic gel pad

Referring again to Figures 4 and 5, if an object (not shown) is placed on the elastic gel material -10-, the weight of said object causes the first wall -20- (each part of the first wall to be individually identified as -20a-, -20b-, -20c- and in other figures as -20d-) is deformed by buckling (B1) over a distance

D1-. D1- is a distance less than D1, or a distance D1. When the first wall -20- is only deformed by buckling at a distance D1-, the second wall -22- and the third wall -24- are not deformed by buckling, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Instead hence, the second wall -22- and the third wall -24- can be stretched (redistributing or decreasing the load) in order to accommodate the buckling deformation (B1) of the first wall -20-.

Figures 6 and 7 show the case in which an object (not shown) is placed on the elastic gel material -10- and the weight of said object causes the first wall -20- to be deformed by buckling (B2) in a distance D1 +, which means that the second wall -22- is also deformed by buckling (B3). In Figures 6 and 7, the second wall -22- is deformed by buckling (B3) at a distance D2- and the first wall is deformed by buckling (B2) at a distance D3-, so that the third wall -24 - it is not deformed by buckling, but can be stretched in order to accommodate the buckling deformation of the first wall -20- and the second wall -22-. D3- is a distance less than D3, and D2- is a distance less than D2. When the second wall -22- is deformed by buckling, the second wall -22- provides greater support for the objective of distributing the patient's weight when the first wall -20- is deformed by buckling over a predetermined distance D1 +.

When the second wall 22 is deformed by buckling, the present invention provides support similar to that of the stacked cushion embodiment, disclosed in the prior art. The present invention and the stacked cushion embodiment differ in the fact that in the first one no material is used to interconnect two different cushions. Such interconnection could (a) increase the pressure on the patient or (b) be defective, so that the stacked cushions would separate. The present invention avoids these potential problems by arranging buckling deformable walls of multiple heights in and around each opening area -12-.

This arrangement of the deformable walls by buckling of multiple heights in and around each opening zone -12- differs from the multilayer realization disclosed in the prior art. In said multilayer embodiment, each layer does not deform uniformly, since the thicker parts do not deform by buckling as easily as the thinner part. In the present invention, each wall of the deformable walls by buckling of multiple heights is deformed by buckling in an essentially uniform manner when the appropriate force is applied, which provides the desired weight distribution and decrease in pressure on the patient.

As indicated above, the third wall -24- is deformed by buckling when the first wall -20 is deformed by buckling at a distance D3 + and the second wall -22- is deformed by buckling at a distance D2 +. Although not shown, when the third wall -24- is deformed by buckling, said third wall -24- provides additional support to (1) decrease any pressure on the patient and (2) distribute the patient's weight when the first wall -20- is deformed by buckling at a predetermined distance D3 + and the second wall -22- is deformed by buckling at a distance D2 +.

Way of carrying out the present invention

The example shown in Figure 1 shows first rectangular walls (which includes a square shape). The first walls can take any shape, including circles, pentagons, hexagons (as mentioned in Figures 8 and 9) or any other shape that is desired and that allows the first wall and the second wall (and other possible walls) be deformed by buckling as desired.

Figures 8 and 9 show four components -102a, b, c, d- of a mold -100- that form an embodiment of the elastic gel cushion -10- with buckling deformable walls of multiple heights within an opening area and around it. Said mold -100- is a conventional mold with components that can resist the molten elastic gel material. Said material may be metallic, polymeric and / or combinations thereof.

As shown in Figure 8, the mold -100- has four components -102a, b, c, d- hexagonal in shape. The elastic gel material is poured onto the mold -100- and falls into (a) the holes -120- that form the first walls 20, (b) the holes -122- that form the second walls 22 and (c) the holes 124 forming the third walls 24. Figure 8 shows the upper part of the mold -100-, which shows the lower surface -90- of the elastic gel cushion.

Figure 9 shows the component -102a- and a part of the component -102d- from arrow 9 of Figure 8. As mentioned for Figures 2 to 9, the first wall -20- is defined by (a) the gap -120- located between the various components -102a, b, c, d- and (b) a lower surface -190- of the mold -100- (the upper part -90 of the elastic gel material -10-). On the other hand, the second wall -22- is defined entirely by the recess -122 in each component -102-, and the third wall -24- is defined entirely by the recess -124- in each component -102-.

As shown in Figures 3, 5 and 7, the second wall -22- has a flat top surface -42- and the third wall -24- has a flat top surface -44-. Said upper surfaces -42-, -44- can also be concave, convex, flat or combinations thereof. Figures 10 to 17 show

non-limiting examples of said embodiments. Said alternative embodiments for the upper surfaces -42-, -44- can be defined by modifying the shape of the gaps -122-, -124- in each component. It is well known that the concave, convex and flat upper surfaces can reinforce, weaken or maintain the support of the first wall -20-, the second wall -22- and / or the third wall -24-. By arranging upper surfaces -42-, -44- in various ways in different parts of the elastic gel cushion, said elastic gel cushion -10- can have various levels of support provided by the various walls -20-, -22 -, -24- arranged along the elastic gel cushion -10-.

Lower layer

The lower part -90- of the elastic gel material -10- can have a lower layer (also known as the surface layer) -150-, as shown in Figure 18a, which extends beyond the bottom part of the rest of the elastic gel material, or, as shown in Figure 18b, which is located in the same plane as the bottom surface -90- of the elastic gel material -10-. Said lower layer -150- has a thickness TH1. The bottom layer -150- can provide additional support to the elastic gel cushion -10-. The addition of the lower layer -150- can be easily obtained in the molding process by simply adding sufficient elastic gel material on the upper surface -104- of the components 102 (see Figure 9) until the desired thickness is reached, which is TH1. Alternatively, the molding process may have a notch in certain areas of the mold components -102- so that the surface layer has the desired thickness, or the mold can simply be overflowed so that the surface layer adopts the desired thickness.

It should be noted that the lower layer -150- can be placed in certain desired areas of the lower surface -90- of the elastic gel cushion -10-, or in the entire area of ​​the lower surface -90-. The above embodiment can be carried out by adding an excess of mold component -101a- in the mold components -102e-f-, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, or with a notch -101b- in mold components -120e-f-, as shown in Figures 19 and 31, to a desired area of ​​the upper surface -104- of mold components -120-, in order to allow the manufacturer the addition of elastic gel material to that particular area and not others. In the embodiment shown, the additional material is called the surface layer or lower layer -150-.

Connectors and / or openings

The lower layer -150- can have openings -152-, as shown in Figures 18a and 18b. Said openings -152- can be formed in the molding process and / or by inserting connectors -154- through the lower layer -150-. The connectors -154- connect the elastic gel cushion -10- to a desired device -156-, which can be another cushion (foam, air chambers), a support structure (furniture, such as chairs and mattresses, or materials cradle), or combinations thereof. The connectors -154- can be made of metal, plastic or combinations thereof. Examples of connectors -154- include nails, screws, rivets, hooks, loops or equivalent thereof.

By using the lower layer -150- with the connectors -154-, in the present invention it is not necessary to adhere the elastic gel cushion to a nonwoven or other material, as has been done in the prior art. . The connectors -154- ensure that the elastic gel material does not move, and also with fewer materials than are needed in the prior art method.

Independent column walls

In some embodiments, it is desired that each column wall (for example, of the first wall -20a-) be independent of the other column walls (first walls -20b, d-) thanks to openings (or gaps) -112 - located between the respective column walls, as shown in Figure 21. Said independence is limited by the fact that the column walls are interconnected to the second wall -22- and / or the third wall -24-. The opening -112- can be an opening of any size, as long as the column walls are independent of each other. This embodiment reduces deformation by excessive buckling and, consequently, reduces the effect of unwanted hammock.

Tailored upper cushion

It is well known that, normally, in a mattress-type cushion, the patient applies more pressure in the area of ​​the pelvis and torso than in the feet or head. Taking this information into account, applicants have designed a custom-made upper cushion -300-, as shown in Figure 22. The custom-made upper cushion -300- can be divided into at least three zones. The first zone -302- provides support to the patient's head area, the second zone -304- provides support to the patient's foot area and the third zone -306- supports the patient's heavy area, corresponding to the Pelvis and torso.

Since the third zone -306- supports the heavy area of ​​the patient, said third zone -306- uses the structures of the elastic gel cushion, according to the present invention. The structures of the elastic gel cushion, according to the present

invention, they have (1) a first wall -20- (a) having a height H1, (b) is capable of deformation by buckling when a force is applied, and (c) defines an opening -12- despite that the first wall -20- may have gaps at certain points, and (2) within the opening -12- there is a second wall -22- (a) that is less than H1 high, (b) is capable of warp by buckling when the first wall is deformed by buckling beyond a predetermined point, and (c) is interconnected with two points of the first wall -20-.

The first and second zones -302-, -304- can make use of conventional elastic gel cushion structures, already used in the prior art, or the elastic gel cushion structures, according to the present invention. Thus, the mattress -300- does not have to use so much elastic gel material.

Alternatively, the third zone -306- can have a thickness T1, while the first zone -302- and the second zone -304- can have a thickness T2, which is smaller than T1. That greater thickness in the third zone -306 provides more points for the second wall -22- and the additional walls, including the third wall -24-, to be placed within the respective opening areas -12-.

How is it used

The present elastic gel cushion material can be turned upside down when used. Turned upside down, the layer previously identified as lower layer -150- becomes the layer that is in contact with the patient. Thus, the present elastic gel cushion material applies a larger surface to the patient, which can reduce the pressure that is applied on said patient. When the cushion material is turned upside down, as shown in Figure 23, the first wall, the second wall and the third wall are deformed by buckling in the same manner described and shown above, only upside down.

Puzzle type realization

The present elastic gel cushion material can also be formed by interconnected parts. This embodiment of the puzzle type allows (1) that the first wall -20- is formed by a first elastic gel material with a durometric value a; (2) that the second wall -22- is formed by the first elastic gel material

or a second elastic gel material having (i) a durometric value a or b (where the durometric value b is different from the durometric value a) and / or (ii) a different composition of the first elastic gel material; and (3) that the third wall -24- is formed by the first elastic gel material, the second elastic gel material or a third elastic gel material having (i) a durometric value a, boc (where the durometric value c is different from the durometric values ​​a and b) and / or (ii) a different composition of the first and second elastic gel materials. Each wall material -20-, -22-, -24- is interconnected to the rest of the walls in the manner of a three-dimensional puzzle. Examples of these three-dimensional puzzle type embodiments are shown in figures 24 to 30. In particular, Figure 24 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 2, a top view of a designated upper section -40- of the present multi-wall elastic gel material with different heights. Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 24 along lines 25-25. In Figure 25, the third wall -24 maintains its height (h3) between the inner sections of the first walls 20b and 20c. Figure 25 implicitly shows the fact that the second wall -22- has a hollow area -224- (a high hollow area) that allows the third wall -24- to maintain its height between the inner sections of the first walls 20b and 20d.

Figures 25, 26 (a view of Figure 24 along lines 26-26) and 29 (an alternative embodiment of Figure 26) show that the third wall -24- has projections -242- with a height (Q1). Said height Q1 can be any level that allows the third wall -24- to be interconnected with the first wall -20-, as shown in Figures 26 and 29.

Figure 27 shows an alternative embodiment of Figure 24 along lines 27-27, in which the second wall -22- has a small hollow area -224- which requires that the third wall -24- does not maintain its height (h3) between the inner sections of the first walls 20b and 20d. Figures 27, 28 and 30 show that the second wall -22- has projections -222- with a height (Q2). Said height Q2 can be any level that allows the second wall -22- to be interconnected with the first wall -20-, as shown in Figures 28 and 30.

If this embodiment is used, each wall -20-, 22, 24 must be individually molded if the elastic gel materials have all elastic gel compositions and / or different durometric resistances. If two of the walls are formed of the same material and have the same durometric force, those two walls can be molded together, while the last wall is molded individually and then interconnected with the two walls.

Filling material

The elastic gel cushion material may have a filler material within the opening areas -12-. Said filling material may be a liquid, such as water or an aqueous liquid, a gel-like material, a ball-like material, such as polyethylene, down, mane and combination balls. The filler material can reinforce, maintain or weaken the elastic gel material of the walls.

Adjusting the resistance of the walls

If the embodiment is used with a surface layer -150-, the walls -20-, -22-, -24- of the present elastic gel cushion material can be reinforced by placing a plug -600-, as shown in figure 32,

5 under the surface layer -150-. Depending on the size of the plug -600-, the walls of the elastic gel cushion material can be reinforced by bringing the walls closer together when the surface layer -150- is placed on the plug -600-. The plug -600- can be of any material, such as wood, elastic, metallic, polymeric gel material or combinations thereof.

10 Alternatively, the plug -600- can be placed under an elastic gel material, without any surface layer -150-, but by placing the plug below the first wall -20-, the second wall -22-, the third wall -24- or combinations of these provisions.

Another embodiment of using the plug -600- is shown in Figure 33, according to which the material of the plug

fifteen -600- can be placed on a non-woven material -602- or equivalent and attached to it. The non-woven material -602-, together with the material of the plug -600-, can be placed below the elastic gel material and / or attached to the bottom surface -90- of the elastic gel material. An example of how the nonwoven material can be attached to the elastic gel pad is by ironing (heating) the nonwoven material onto the elastic gel material.

twenty Another embodiment of the present invention occurs when pins of different size and / or shape are arranged below certain points of the elastic gel material in order to reinforce some areas, and not others. This embodiment is a variation of the embodiments shown in Figures 32 and 33, but with more pegs of different shapes and / or sizes for different areas of the elastic gel material.

25 Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail in the above drawings and description, these should be considered illustrative and not limiting, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described.