Comfort mattress for an animal, especially for equines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a comfort mattress (1), for an animal, in particular for equines. The comfort mattress (1) comprises two sheets (2, 3), made of elastic material, which define: - a folding strip (5), suitable for maneuvering said comfort mattress (1) between a folded state, in two, and an unfolded state, and - two sealed cavities (6), each containing a resilient layer (7) and arranged on either side of said folding strip (5). Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Comfort mattress, for an animal, in particular for equines Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of comfort mattresses, for an animal, in particular for equines. State of the art

[0002] In the world of animal care, well-being and comfort are fundamental concerns.

[0003] In this sense, comfort mattresses have been developed for animals spending part of their time indoors. These mattresses have the advantage of providing adequate support, effective cushioning and appropriate thermal insulation.

[0004] However, in certain situations, animal comfort is currently not managed in a satisfactory manner, with the resulting physiological and behavioral risks.

[0005] This problem is encountered in particular when traveling by vehicle (truck or van), or when traveling to competitions. Presentation of the invention

[0006] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the state of the art, the present invention provides a comfort mattress for animals, in particular for equines.

[0007] The comfort mattress comprises two sheets, made of elastic material, namely:

[0008] - an upper sheet, intended to form an upper face of said mattress of comfort, and

[0009] - a lower sheet, intended to form a lower face of the comfort mattress which is suitable for resting on the ground.

[0010] The sheets are secured together and define:

[0011] - a folding strip, adapted to maneuver said comfort mattress between a state folded, in half, and an unfolded state, and

[0012] - two sealed cavities, each containing a resilient layer and arranged on either side and other of said folding strip.

[0013] Such a technical solution has the advantage of forming a transportable comfort mattress.

[0014] Such a comfort mattress can be installed in a box or in an equestrian vehicle. (horse truck or horse van).

[0015] The animal's comfort is thus improved: the comfort mattress can then follow the animal in its movements. When the animal returns to its resting place, it is exposed to a familiar olfactory and sensory environment, inducing a calming response. This sensory familiarity contributes substantially to stress reduction, which increases its confidence and reduces its susceptibility to environmental disturbances.

[0016] Other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the product according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are the following:

[0017] - said comfort mattress has a rectangular outline comprising two edges longitudinal and two transverse edges, and said folding strip is arranged along a median line, preferably parallel to said longitudinal edges; preferably, in its unfolded state, said comfort mattress has the following dimensions: a width dimension ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 mm, and a length dimension ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 mm; preferably, said folding strip has a longitudinal axis, and a width dimension, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm;

[0018] - in its folded state, said folding strip has a radius of curvature ranging from 40 to 80 mm;

[0019] - said comfort mattress comprises a peripheral strip, delimiting said mattress comfort and surrounding said sealed cavities; said peripheral strip preferably has a width dimension ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm;

[0020] - said sheets are secured at the level of said folding strip and / or, where appropriate where appropriate, of said peripheral strip, for example by vulcanization;

[0021] - said resilient layer is made of a foam plate, for example recycled or non-recycled material, for example made of elastomer material, for example polyurethane or latex, advantageously with shape memory;

[0022] - said resilient layer has a tensile strength ranging from 10 to 20 MPa, and an elongation capacity ranging from 300 to 500%;

[0023] - each resilient layer has an upper face, a lower face and side faces, which lower sheet conforms to the lower face of said resilient layer, and which upper sheet conforms to the upper face and the side faces of said resilient layer;

[0024] - said comfort mattress comprises at least one handle, suitable for handling of said comfort mattress, which at least one handle is preferably provided in said peripheral strip, for example in the form of a cutout and / or at the level of the folding strip, on the side of the lower sheet, for example in the form of a handle.

[0025] Of course, the various characteristics, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] Furthermore, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting forms of embodiment of the invention and where:

[0027] [Fig-1] is a general and perspective view of a comfort mattress according to the invention, in its unfolded state;

[0028] [Fig.2] is a schematic and sectional view of the comfort mattress according to [Fig.l], according to a cutting plane oriented perpendicular to the folding strip;

[0029] [Fig.3] is a general and perspective view of the comfort mattress according to [Fig.l], in its folded state;

[0030] [Fig.4] is a general and schematic view illustrating the layers adapted to the fa construction of the comfort mattress according to the invention.

[0031] It should be noted that, in these figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0032] The present invention thus relates to a comfort mattress 1 which is suitable for an animal, in particular for equines (for example for horses or donkeys).

[0033] This comfort mattress 1 comprises two sheets 2, 3, made of elastic material, namely:

[0034] - an upper sheet 2, intended to form an upper face of the mattress of comfort 1, and

[0035] - a lower sheet 3, intended to form a lower face of the comfort mattress 1 which is suitable for resting on the ground.

[0036] Generally speaking, the sheets 2, 3 are secured together and define:

[0037] - a folding strip 5, suitable for a folding maneuver of the comfort mattress 1, And

[0038] - two sealed cavities 6, each containing a resilient layer 7 and arranged in on either side of the folding strip 5.

[0039] Other advantageous technical characteristics of this comfort mattress 1 are further detailed below. Rectangular outline

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig.l], in particular in an unfolded state, the comfort mattress 1 advantageously has a rectangular outline comprising two longitudinal edges 11 (long sides) and two transverse edges 12 (short sides).

[0041] The folding strip 5 is arranged along a center line 1' of the comfort mattress 1, preferably parallel to the longitudinal edges 11.

[0042] In its unfolded state ([Fig.l]), said comfort mattress 1 advantageously has the following dimensions:

[0043] - a width dimension ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 mm (measured parallel to the edges transverse 12), and

[0044] - a length dimension ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 mm (measured parallel to the edges longitudinal 11). Sheets made of elastomeric material

[0045] Each sheet 2, 3 is made from at least one material capable of undergoing elastic deformation, also called “elastic material”, chosen from:

[0046] - elastomeric materials, namely for example natural rubber, ca “natural synthetic” or synthetic polyisoprene, polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene, or

[0047] - plastic materials or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), namely by example PVB (polyvinyl butyral), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) / SBR (styrene-butadiene), PP (polypropylene) / EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene monomer), TPU (polyurethane TPE).

[0048] Each sheet 2, 3 is advantageously made in one piece, either single-material (in a single material), or multi-material (with at least two superimposed sub-layers made in different materials).

[0049] Each sheet 2, 3 may also contain at least one reinforcing sub-layer (not shown), chosen for example from textile fibers, metal fibers or any other product providing stability and / or resistance to elongation.

[0050] These reinforcing underlayers consist, for example, of a textile reinforcement serving as reinforcement, advantageously made of a material chosen from nylon, cotton, polyester, polyamide or any other reinforcing textile.

[0051] Furthermore, each sheet 2, 3 advantageously has a thickness ranging from 0.5 to 4 mm.

[0052] The sheets 2, 3 are advantageously secured at the level of the folding strip 5 and / or, where appropriate, a peripheral strip 8.

[0053] The assembly technology can be chosen for example from vulcanization, but also from gluing or welding. Folding strip

[0054] The folding strip 5 is adapted to a folding maneuver of the comfort mattress 1 between two states:

[0055] - an unfolded state, advantageously flat, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.l], and

[0056] - a folded state, in two, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.3].

[0057] The comfort mattress 1 thus comprises two sections 1a, which are connected by the strip of folding 5.

[0058] These two flaps 1a are movable in rotation relative to each other, around the folding strip 5.

[0059] Preferably, in the folded state, the two flaps 1a come to overlap on the side of the upper sheet 2.

[0060] Generally speaking, the folding strip 5 has a longitudinal axis 5', coincident with a median line 1' of the comfort mattress 1. The folding strip 5 is thus advantageously rectilinear.

[0061] Preferably, this folding strip 5 has a width dimension, perpendicular to this longitudinal axis 5', ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm.

[0062] Preferably, this folding strip 5 has a rectangular shape, which is delimited by the sealed cavities 6.

[0063] In its folded state, said folding strip 5 advantageously has a radius of curvature ranging from 40 to 80 mm.

[0064] The folding strip 5 advantageously extends parallel to the longitudinal edges 11.

[0065] Each shutter advantageously has a rectangular outline which is delimited by:

[0066] - the fold line 5,

[0067] - a longitudinal edge 11, and

[0068] - half the length of the two transverse edges 12.

[0069] Furthermore, in the folded state, the comfort mattress 1 advantageously has a rectangular outline which is delimited by:

[0070] - the fold line 5,

[0071] - the two longitudinal edges 11, superimposed, and

[0072] - the two transverse edges 12, folded in two Peripheral strip

[0073] The comfort mattress 1 advantageously comprises a peripheral strip 8, delimiting the comfort mattress 1 and surrounding the sealed cavities 6.

[0074] This peripheral strip 8 advantageously extends along the contour of the comfort mattress 1, for example in a rectangular shape.

[0075] This peripheral strip 8 thus advantageously has sections which extend along the two longitudinal edges 11 and the two transverse edges 12.

[0076] The peripheral strip 8 advantageously has a width dimension (perpendicular to the adjoining edge 11, 12) ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm. Resilient layer

[0077] Generally speaking and for example, the resilient layer 7 is constituted by a foam board, for example made of recycled or non-recycled material.

[0078] This foam plate is for example made of elastomer material, for example polyurethane or latex, advantageously with shape memory.

[0079] For example, this foam plate is made up of rubber granules, agglomerated or not, for example in the form of a parallelepiped plate.

[0080] In particular for a resilient layer 7 made of rubber granules, the resilient layer 7 preferably has the following characteristics:

[0081] - a tensile strength ranging from 5 to 25 MPa, and

[0082] - an elongation capacity ranging from 300 to 500%.

[0083] Still generally, as illustrated in [Fig.2], each resilient layer 7 comprises:

[0084] - an upper face 71, on the side of the upper sheet 2,

[0085] - a lower face 72, on the side of the lower sheet 3, and

[0086] - side faces 73.

[0087] In this case, according to the illustrated embodiment:

[0088] - the lower sheet 3 matches the lower face 72 of the resilient layer 7, and

[0089] - the upper sheet 2 matches the upper face 71 and the lateral faces 73 of the resilient layer 7.

[0090] In other words, the resilient layers 7 protrude from the side of the upper sheet 2. Handle(s)

[0091] The comfort mattress 1 advantageously comprises at least one handle 9 which is suitable for handling the comfort mattress 1.

[0092] Said at least one handle 9 is preferably provided in the peripheral strip 8, for example in the form of a cutout, along the longitudinal edges 11 ([Fig.l] in particular).

[0093] Said at least one handle 9 can also be provided at the level of the folding strip 5, on the side of the lower sheet 3, for example in the form of a handle (not shown). Implementation

[0094] In practice, the comfort mattress 1 can be placed on the ground in its unfolded state ([Fig.l]), for example on the floor of a box.

[0095] In this case, the lower sheet 3 advantageously rests on the ground.

[0096] If necessary, the comfort mattress 1 can be folded into its folded state ([Fig.3]).

[0097] This folded state is for example useful for transporting the comfort mattress 1 or for form a floor covering in a vehicle.

[0098] For example, for a horse, the comfort mattress 1 can be folded in two, so as to be placed on the floor of an equestrian vehicle. At the arrival point, the comfort mattress 1 can be removed from the vehicle to be placed on the ground, in an unfolded or folded state depending on the space available.

[0099] Generally speaking, handling of the comfort mattress 1 is facilitated by said at least one handle 9. Making the elastic band

[0100] The comfort mattress 1 according to the invention can be manufactured by assembling a set of superimposed underlayers, to form a single-piece type assembly.

[0101] The assembly technology can be chosen for example from vulcanization, gluing, welding.

[0102] For example, as described in connection with [Fig.4], the manufacturing method comprises:

[0103] (i) a step of superimposing sub-layers 2, 3 made of elastic material comprising two facing surfaces, between which are reported:

[0104] - intermediate means capable of locally preventing the joining of said surfaces facing said sub-layers 2, 3 to form the sealed cavities 6, or

[0105] - at least two resilient layers 7,

[0106] then

[0107] (ii) a step of securing the contact surfaces of said superimposed sub-layers 2, 3, outside the space occupied by the intermediate means and / or the resilient layers 7.

[0108] The intermediate means advantageously consist of any means avoiding the joining between the facing surfaces of the sub-layers 2, 3 to be assembled.

[0109] In the case of vulcanization, the intermediate means consist, for example, of strips or tubes which are advantageously made of a material chosen from:

[0110] - a fire-resistant film containing a retardant, for example made of polypropylene, acry- lonitrile butadiene styrene,

[0111] - a layer of silicone,

[0112] - a layer of a vulcanized elastomeric material, for example a pipe made by example styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), natural rubber (NR), or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer.

[0113] These intermediate means are in particular arranged between two elastomer sub-layers 2, 3 to be assembled with each other.

[0114] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Comfort mattress (1), for an animal, in particular for equines, which comfort mattress (1) comprises two sheets (2, 3), made of elastic material, namely: - an upper sheet (2), intended to form an upper face of said comfort mattress (1), and - a lower sheet (3), intended to form a lower face of the comfort mattress (1) which is adapted to rest on the ground, which sheets (2, 3) are secured together and define: - a folding strip (5), adapted to maneuver said comfort mattress (1) between a folded state, in two, and an unfolded state, and - two sealed cavities (6), each containing a resilient layer (7) and arranged on either side of said folding strip (5).

2. Comfort mattress (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that said comfort mattress (1) has a rectangular outline comprising two longitudinal edges (11) and two transverse edges (12), and in that said folding strip (5) is arranged along a median line (1'), preferably parallel to said longitudinal edges (H).

3. Comfort mattress (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that, in its unfolded state, said comfort mattress (1) has the following dimensions: - a width dimension ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 mm, and - a length dimension ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 mm.

4. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said folding strip (5) has: - a longitudinal axis (5'), and - a width dimension, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (5'), ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm.

5. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, in its folded state, said folding strip (5) has a radius of curvature ranging from 40 to 80 mm.

6. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said comfort mattress (1) comprises a peripheral strip (8), delimiting said comfort mattress (1) and surrounding said sealed cavities (6).

7. Comfort mattress (1), according to claim 6, characterized in that said peripheral strip (8) has a width dimension ranging from 40 mm to 200 mm.

8. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said sheets (2, 3) are secured at the level of said folding strip (5) and / or, where appropriate, of said peripheral strip (8), for example by vulcanization.

9. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said resilient layer (7) is constituted by a foam plate, constituted for example by agglomerated or non-agglomerated rubber granules.

10. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said resilient layer (7) has: - a tensile strength ranging from 10 to 20 MPa, and - an elongation capacity ranging from 300 to 500%.

11. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each resilient layer (7) comprises an upper face (71), a lower face (72) and side faces (73), which lower sheet (3) fits the lower face (72) of said resilient layer (7), and which upper sheet (2) fits the upper face (71) and the side faces (73) of said resilient layer (7).

12. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said comfort mattress (1) comprises at least one handle (9), suitable for handling said comfort mattress (1), which at least one handle (9) is preferably provided: - in said peripheral strip (9), for example in the form of a cutout, in combination with claim 6, and / or - at the level of the folding strip (5), on the side of the lower sheet (3), for example in the form of a handle.

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