Glossary

• Active Turns (Hypnos)

  The Hypnos Spring Unit is a special design. With a conventional spring, a continued application of pressure will compress the spring completely. With a Hypnos spring, you can apply a certain amount of pressure and collapse the spring only so far, you have to apply more pressure to compress the spring further.

  This gradual and progressive response from the spring allows for perfect support - not too firm, not too soft. The spring has been treated with various thresholds throughout, known as Active Turns, and it is these Active Turns that allow for the perfect amount of support.

• Guarantee (Hypnos)

  The Hypnos Guarantee extends for a Decade. Your new Hypnos mattress or base will have a leaflet with more information, as well as a form to be completed and sent to Hypnos directly.

• Hypoallergenic

  Put simply, Hypoallergenic materials do not cause the amount of irritation that non-hypoallergenic materials can. Hypoallergenic materials can still cause irritation in some cases, the chances of this are reduced greatly. People with severe allergies and asthma may still have problems with items called hypoallergenic, but the risk is greatly reduced.
  
  Hypoallergenic materials do not omit the same particles and fibres as other non-hypoallergenic materials. These particles are to blame for causing irritation and discomfort and in some cases the irritation can be dangerous. The Hypoallergenic properties of these materials can be created by number of techniques. Some materials (Memory Foam or Latex) are naturally hypoallergenic, others have been chemically treated.

• Orthopaedic

  Orthopaedic mattresses are usually the firmest mattresses on the market. A common mistake made by those with back pain, is to assume that a firm Orthopaedic mattress will be the solution. Personal comfort and a correct diagnosis of the cause of the pain should always be saught before purchasing an Orthopaedic mattress. 
  
  Many brands have 'Ortho' mattresses. Terms used include 'Backcare' or 'Orthocare' and the theme is generally to produce a firmer feeling mattress. The idea is to create a mattress that the body can rest on without sinking in and bending the spine, causing pressure to build up. However, if a lighter person lays on a firmer mattress, they will find the spine will not align correctly as the loaded parts of the body (shoulders, hips etc) are not sitting correctly. For more information on the causes of back pain, click here or read about another solution in the Zoning description.

• Orthos (Hypnos)

  Orthos is Hypnos' term for Orthopaedic. Hypnos use this term for several, Medium/Firm mattresses.

• Pillow Top

  A pillow top mattress is a relatively new development in the bedding industry. Originally the technique applied to the more expensive mattresses, the technique has been perfected to such an extent that the prices have fallen the Pillow Top is much more widely available. Known as the Euro Top by American retailers, the design was originally on the wider market a few years ago, and is now a common site in bedrooms around the World. The idea is to separate the surface fillings from the core of the mattress itself. This results in more support and more comfort. Many traditional mattresses fasten the surface fillings to the spring unit in the mattress. A Pillow Top mattress has a distinct separate layer for the fillings and therefore reacts independently to the spring unit, resulting in less dipping and a solid feel. The technique also offers greater edge-to-edge support.

  Pillow tops can take many forms nowadays. A deep layer on the surface which contains memory foam. Another technique of Pillow Top mattress is the Silentnight Treasure mattress. A shallower, quilt like style. All in all, this type of mattress is continuing to go from strength to strength and would appear to be here to stay.

• Pocket Sprung

  Pocket Sprung units are an adaption of the traditional open coil/continuous spring unit. By placing each spring in its own individual 'pocket' (a fabric sock-like pouch), the spring is not joined to any other part of the mattress. The pocket that supports the spring is then joined to its neighbouring pockets and this effect creates a unique feel.
  
  By creating a spring unit in this way, it allows the springs to move independently, rather than sharing the pressure with surrounding springs. This effect allows for much more accurate contour following and a more comfortable feel overall.
  
  If you were to push your hand into a traditionally sprung mattress, the area around your hand would dip/sink too. With Pocket Springs, this sunken area is much more remote and therefore more accurately follows the contours of the pressure source. There are differences in the techniques used to create Pocket Springs, but more or less they remain the same.

• UltraSens (Hypnos)

  Similar to the ReActive spring, but further refined. The UltraSens has more Turns (see above) and has a slightly softer finish on the extreme ends of the spring.