Method for manufacturing a cushion, basket, mat, or birthing crate for pets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cushion, basket, mat, hammock, or whelping box for pets or companion animals for use at home or in a professional setting, such as for breeders or veterinarians. The method for manufacturing a cushion, basket, mat, hammock, or whelping box for animals (1) consists of a memory foam receiving structure (2) whose geometric shape, width, length, height, and depth are predetermined. The resulting pieces are then glued together to form one or more sides conforming to the desired geometric shape and design (2A), and a base (2B) suitable for receiving a removable cover (3). Figure 1 is shown in the abstract.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for manufacturing a cushion, basket, mat, or birthing crate for pets

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cushion, basket, mat, hammock, or whelping box for pets or companion animals for use at home or in a professional setting such as for breeders or veterinarians. Products manufactured according to the method of the present invention consist of a receiving part and a customized, customizable cover.

[0002] Disadvantages have already been mentioned in patents FR 1600044, FR 1770479, FR1771341 and FR1800859.

[0003] The present invention of improvement will reinforce the techniques described by the inventions referenced above while providing new characteristics in the way of combining and assembling the different foams to form the receiving structure, the removable and customizable cover according to the destination and use for the pet.

[0004] By way of example, a resting cushion will not have the same characteristics as a birthing box or a comfort or therapeutic mat. Indeed, for a birthing box, the absorbency of urine must be greater than that of a normal cushion.

[0005] A method for manufacturing a cushion, basket, mat, or whelping box for pets (1) formed by a memory foam receiving structure (2) that determines the final geometric shape of the cushion, basket, hammock, mat, or box. The foam structure consists of different parts whose final shape, width, length, height, and depth are determined. The parts obtained after cutting are assembled by gluing to obtain the final product. It consists of one or more walls corresponding to the geometric shape and design to be adopted (2A) and a base (2B).

[0006] According to another preference or variant of the invention, the receiving foam structure (2) uses a memory foam that can be combined and assembled with open-cell or closed-cell foam of different densities. By way of example, one can easily imagine that the base (2B) is made of memory foam and that the walls (2A) are made of a more rigid or more flexible foam. It can also be assumed that the walls (2A) or the base (2B) have a covering on their external face that is bonded by hot or cold gluing or by thermofusion, and that part (2C) is a PE sheet. (polyethylene) or other rigid or semi-rigid solid, cellular, or micro-perforated plastics, or bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics. The addition of part (2C) provides extra impact protection and increased stability and rigidity when the final products are larger.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the foam structure that forms the receiver (2) is formed in one piece using molding, post-forming, thermoforming, rotomolding, injection molding, or machining techniques. In all cases, it may be overmolded or laminated by applying a flexible membrane that does not compromise the essential shape memory properties and simultaneously protects the foam against any organic or inorganic liquids. The foam forming the receiver base (2) allows for printing or markings, as well as the inclusion of an electronic identification and composition chip.

[0008] The structure (2) will adopt a removable and detachable cover (3) which is made so as to fit and cover perfectly the different parts made of foam according to the geometric shape and design.

[0009] The cover (3) is made of the following materials and has the following technical characteristics:

[0010] 1°) Knitted, meshed, or woven PUL fabric made of polyester or predominantly polyester with a Coated on at least one side, printable by sublimation and resistant to washing at 90° Celsius. It should be noted that preference is given to knitted or mesh PUL due to its greater resistance.

[0011] 2°) Microfiber fabric resistant to shrinkage, made of polyester or predominantly polyester with a coating on at least one of its sides, printable by sublimation and resistant to washing at 90° Celsius;

[0012] 3°) Standard or organic non-stretch cotton terry cloth with a coating on at least one of its face, dyed in the mass or printable by inkjet or screen printing and resistant to washing at 90° Celsius.

[0013] If the fabrics mentioned above and position 2 and 3 do not have a coating on at least one of the faces, including in particular the inner bottom (3A), they are associated and joined from below by the knitted and meshed or woven PUL fabric in order to provide the desired seal against urination or organic or inorganic fluids.

[0014] Depending on the case, the cover has the ability to be removable or detachable thanks to opening and closing systems of the snap button type, washable magnetic button, zipper (registered trademark), Velcro (registered trademark), zip closure and whether the devices are made of plastic or metal or alloy.

[0015] The cover (3) and / or the structure (2) accepts pretreatment with an organic or inorganic antimicrobial agent.

[0016] In addition, the cover may include a removable internal pocket to diffuse scents such as catnip or other substances familiar to pets.

[0017] When the cover consists of several parts according to a pattern, the parts are assembled by sewing and / or ultrasonic and / or gluing techniques.

[0018] According to another preference or variant of the invention, the cover will be permanently fixed. In this case, it can only be replaced by releasing the seam.

[0019] All the fabrics used in the making of the cover (3) are printable and customizable on both the uncoated and coated external surfaces.

[0020] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments or fields of activity previously described.

Claims

Demands

1. Pet cushion or basket or mat or whelping crate or hammock (1) formed by a receiving structure of memory foam (2) which determines the final geometric shape in which the foam structure consists of different parts which after cutting are assembled by gluing to obtain the geometric shape and design to be adopted (2A) and a base (2B) of memory foam and combined and assembled with open or closed cell foam of different densities, more rigid or softer which forms the walls (2A) and a removable cover (3).

2. A cushion or basket or a mat or a hammock or a birthing crate for animals according to claim 1 characterized in that the receiving structure in foam (2) has a base (2B) A cushion or basket or a mat or a hammock or a birthing crate for animals according to claim 2 characterized in that the walls (2A) and / or the base (2B) of the structure (2) accept on their external face a covering (2C) which is joined by hot or cold gluing or by thermofusion and in that said covering (2C) is a sheet of PE (polyethylene) or other rigid or semi-rigid solid or cellular or micro-perforated plastics or bio-based biodegradable and compostable plastics.

3. Cushion or basket or mat or hammock or birthing crate for animals according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the foam structure which forms the receiver (2) is designed in one piece by the techniques of molding or post-forming, or thermoforming or rotomolding or injection or machining and overmolding or laminating by laying a flexible membrane which does not remove the essential properties of shape memory as well as printing or markings as well as the inclusion of an electronic identification and composition chip.

4. A cushion, basket, mat, hammock, or birthing box for animals according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (3) is made so as to perfectly fit and cover the various parts made of foam according to the geometric shape and design, and in that that the cover (3) is made of the following materials and technical characteristics: 1°) Knitted or meshed or woven PUL fabric in polyester or predominantly polyester with a coating on at least one of its sides, printable by sublimation and resistant to washing at 90° Celsius, it being specified that preference is given to knitted or meshed PUL because of its greater resistance or 2°) Pull-resistant microfiber fabric in polyester or predominantly polyester with a coating on at least one of its sides, printable by sublimation and resistant to washing at 90° Celsius or 3°) Pull-resistant standard or organic cotton terry cloth with a coating on at least one of its sides, dyed in the solution or printable by inkjet or screen printing and resistant to washing at 90° Celsius;And in that the fabrics mentioned above and positions 2 and 3 do not have a coating on at least one of the faces, including in particular the inner bottom (3A), they are associated and joined from below by the knitted and meshed or woven PUL fabric.

5. Cushion or basket or mat or hammock or birthing crate for animals according to claims let 4 characterized in that the cover has the ability to be removable or detachable by means of opening and closing systems of the type snap button or washable magnetic button or zipper (registered trademark), Velcro (registered trademark) or zip closure and that the devices are made of plastic or metal or alloy.

6. Cushion or basket or mat or hammock or birthing crate for animals according to claims 1, 4 and 5 characterized in that the cover (3) allows personalized sublimation printing on both the uncoated and coated outer surface.

7. Cushion or basket or mat or hammock or birthing crate for animals according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the cover (3) and / or the structure (2) are treated with an organic or inorganic antimicrobial agent.

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