German firm receives ‘sleep comfort label’
The Hohenstein Institute, Germany, has awarded the first ‘sleep comfort label’ to German bed and mattress firm, ARO Artländer, for a children’s sleeping bag.
The firm, based in Osnabrueck, is bringing the outdoors in with its indoor sleeping bag for children.
Jörg Fricke of the Hohenstein Institute recently presented the label to managing director of the firm, Karl Rosenstengel. The children’s sleeping bag that was tested was awarded the mark 1.1 (meaning very good) for sleep comfort, at a sleeping temperature of 18 degrees Celsius or more.
The sleeping bag produced by ARO Artländer was tested by researchers at the Hohenstein Institute against three criteria: thermal insulation, breathability and the buffer effect during light perspiration. The thermal insulation of the sleeping bag was tested with the help of a thermal articulated manikin, ‘Charlene’. The manikin provided information about how well the sleeping bag insulates the child from the cooler ambient temperature.
The sleeping bag is designed for an ambient temperature of 18 degrees Celsius or more; the average temperature in a bedroom.
Breathability is particularly important for children’s bedding. Researchers at the Hohenstein Institute tested this using a ‘skin model’, which provides information about how quickly perspiration in the form of vapour passes through the material to the outside. In addition to the breathability, the buffer effect also ensures that it stays dry in the sleeping bag even during light perspiration. Only if the temperature in the sleeping bag is comfortable can children enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
