Comfort mattress for an animal, especially for equines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a comfort mattress (1), for an animal, particularly equines. The comfort mattress (1) comprises two sheets (2, 3), made of elastic material, which define: - a folding strip (5), adapted to allow the comfort mattress (1) to be moved between a folded state (in half) 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 the abstract: 1

Description

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

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of comfort mattresses for animals, 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 regard, 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 not currently managed satisfactorily, with the resulting physiological and behavioral risks.

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

[0006] In order to remedy the aforementioned drawback of the prior art, the present invention proposes 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 comfort, and

[0009] - a lower sheet, intended to form an underside of the comfort mattress which is designed to rest on the ground.

[0010] The leaves are joined together and define:

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

[0012] - two sealed cavities, each containing a resilient layer and arranged on the and the other part of the 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 stall 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 is comforted during its travels. 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 strengthens its confidence and decreases its susceptibility to environmental disturbances.

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

[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 includes a peripheral band, 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 joined at said folding strip and / or, where applicable if necessary, of said peripheral strip, for example by vulcanization;

[0021] - said resilient layer is made of a foam plate, for example in recycled or non-recycled material, for example elastomeric 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 comprises a top face, a bottom face and some lateral faces, which lower sheet conforms to the lower face of said resilient layer, and which upper sheet conforms to the upper face and the lateral faces of said resilient layer;

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

[0025] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments of The inventions can be associated with each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] In addition, various other features of the invention become apparent from the attached description made with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments 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 cross-sectional view of the comfort mattress according to [Fig.1], 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.1], 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 comfort 1, and

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

[0036] Generally, sheets 2 and 3 are joined together and define:

[0037] - a folding strip 5, adapted for folding 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 features of this comfort mattress 1 are further detailed below. Rectangular outline

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

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

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

[0043] - a width dimension ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 mm (measured parallel to the edges transversals 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 of at least one material capable of undergoing elastic deformation, also called an "elastic material", chosen from:

[0046] - elastomeric materials, namely for example natural rubber, the ca synthetic natural rubber (or synthetic polyisoprene), polybutadiene or styrene-butadiene, or

[0047] - plastic materials or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), namely by Examples include 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 of different materials).

[0049] Each sheet 2, 3 may also contain at least one reinforcing underlayer (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, advantageously made of a material chosen from nylon, cotton, polyester, polyamide or any other reinforcing textile.

[0051] In addition, 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 applicable, of a peripheral strip 8.

[0053] The assembly technology can be chosen, for example, from vulcanization, but also from bonding 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, advantageously planar state, as illustrated in particular in [Fig. 1], and

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

[0057] The comfort mattress 1 thus comprises two flaps la, which are connected by the band folding 5.

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

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

[0060] In general, the folding strip 5 has a longitudinal axis 5', coinciding with a median line 1' of the comfort mattress 1. The folding strip 5 is thus advantageously straight.

[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 flap advantageously comprises a rectangular outline which is delimited by:

[0066] - the folding line 5,

[0067] - a longitudinal edge 11, and

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

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

[0070] - the folding line 5,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0079] Again, for example, this foam plate is made up of rubber granules, agglomerated or non-agglomerated, 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] More 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] - lateral faces 73.

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

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

[0089] - the upper sheet 2 fits 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 includes at least one handle 9 which is adapted for handling the comfort mattress 1.

[0092] Said at least one handle 9 is preferably provided in the peripheral band 8, for example in the form of a cutout, along the longitudinal edges 11 ([Fig.1] in particular).

[0093] Said at least one handle 9 can still 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 floor in its unfolded state ( [Fig.1]), for example on the floor of a box.

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

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

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

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

[0099] In general, the handling of the comfort mattress 1 is facilitated by said at least one handle 9. Manufacturing 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 monobloc type assembly.

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

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

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

[0104] - intermediate means capable of locally preventing the binding of said surfaces opposite said sub-layers 2, 3 to form the watertight cavities 6, or

[0105] - at least two resilient layers 7,

[0106] then

[0107] (ii) a step of bonding the contact surfaces of said superimposed sub-layers 2, 3, outside the bulk of the intercalated means and / or the resilient layers 7.

[0108] The intercalating means advantageously consist of any means avoiding the bonding between the surfaces opposite the sub-layers 2, 3 to be assembled.

[0109] In the case of vulcanization, the intercalating 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, acrylic lonitrile butadiene styrene,

[0111] - a layer of silicone,

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

[0113] These intercalated means are in particular arranged between two elastomeric sublayers 2, 3 to be assembled with each other.

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

Claims

Demands

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 an under face of the comfort mattress (1) which is adapted to rest on the ground, which sheets (2, 3) are joined together and define: - a folding strip (5), adapted to a maneuver of 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 contour 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 band (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 band (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 joined at the level of said folding strip (5) and / or, where applicable, 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 made up of a foam plate, made up for example of 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 of 10 to 20 MPa, and - an elongation capacity of 300 to 500%.

11. Comfort mattress (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each resilient layer (7) has 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) has at least one handle (9), adapted for handling said comfort mattress (1), which at least one handle (9) is preferably provided: - in said peripheral band (9), for example in the form of a cutout, in combination with claim 6, and / or - at the level of the folding band (5), on the side of the lower sheet (3), for example in the form of a loop.

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