SleepTech July - August 2018

types include: stretch knits, woven
damasks, knits and nonwovens.
Torsion bars: A type of spring system
used in box springs characterized
by square-shaped wire forms.
Trundle bed: A low bed that is
rolled under a larger bed. In
some constructions, the lower bed
springs up to form a full bed or two
single beds as in a high riser.
Tufting: Consists of passing twine,
cords or tape vertically through
the mattress from top to bottom,
knotting and securing the loops
thus formed with tufts, buttons, or
lacing. The purpose is to hold the
mattress filling in place.
Uniflex grid: A steel wire grid used
to bridge the “mouth” of the coils
on an innerspring unit to prevent
“pocketing” of insulation down into
the coil and to eliminate “coil feel.”
Also helps to distribute the body
weight of a person.
Urethane foam: Synthetic (chemically
foamed) flexible urethane
used for mattress cores and as a
cushioning material. As a core, it’s
the main support system. Generic
term covering both polyester and
polyether foams.
Ventilator: Metal or plastic screens
attached to the sides and sometimes
the ends of mattresses to
permit the passage of air. Unnecessary
with normal high quality
materials used today, except for
hospital type mattresses with wetproof
covers.
Visco-elastic foam: Also known
as “memory foam.” Slow recovery
urethane foams that are temperature
sensitive. They conform to
the body and distribute pressure
according to body heat and dynamics.
Waterbed: A sleep system
employing a water-filled vinyl
bladder as its primary support
system. Original models relied on
rigid framing to contain the vinyl
components and were known as a
“hardside”. Newer styles consist
of vinyl components (bladder and
liner) typically encased in foam and
121
made to look like a conventional
mattress, usually paired with a
regular upholstered foundation.
Also called a “softside” waterbed.
All versions are sometimes referred
to as “flotation beds.”
Welded grid top: Basic wire
welded into a lattice to which box
spring coils, formed wire or modules
are fastened. Offers even
weight distribution, yet allows
some flex and give.
Wood bed: A bed with a headboard
and footboard made of
wood, having side rails of wood or
metal that support the foundation
and mattress.
Wood frame (for box springs): The
wood frame in a box spring on
which the spring construction is
mounted.
Woven stripe: A once ubiquitous
woven ticking with colored stripes.
The style was referred to as “ACA”,
the traditional designation for
the 8 oz. blue- and white-striped
ticking that has mostly fallen out of
favor and is seldom produced.