A breathable membrane

Abstract

A soft furnishing which is comprised of a wipeable, non-porous outer fabric having a cut-out, which is covered with a breathable membrane. The fabric may be tear resistant and / or fire resistant. The m

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the use of a breathable membrane in soft furnishings. More especially, the invention relates to a breathable membrane used in anti-ligature pillows and beanbags. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Recently, there has been a push to carefully design more humane environments in clinical and custodial settings which foster rehabilitation and reflection. It has been demonstrated that more humane environments are able to reduce the frequency and severity of anti-social behaviours and violence, in addition to stress and anxiety. Pillows and beanbags, (hereinafter referred to as ‘soft furnishings’, the term ‘soft’ refers to an article which is deformable upon the displacement of air) found in custodial and clinical settings are specifically designed to handle increased levels of wear and tear. Compared to conventional soft furnishings, these soft furnishings for use in custodial settings are required to be anti-ligature, easy to clean and disinfect, and be anti-vandal. Commonly, anti-ligature soft furnishings are typically upholstered in a hard-wearing synthetic fabric which are wipeable and thus easy to clean, however they are not breathable and therefore not comfortable for the user. Alternatively, some anti-ligature soft furnishings are upholstered in a ripstop fabric that is breathable but is not wipeable and thus not easily cleaned. The present invention seeks to provide anti-ligature soft furnishings having a wipeable cover making it easy to clean, but also having small apertures to provide breathability and prevent water ingress. STATEMENT OF INVENTION In one aspect, the invention comprises a soft furnishing having a wipeable, non-porous outer fabric including at least one cut-out covered with a breathable membrane. Preferably, the non-porous fabric is tear-resistant. Preferably, the non-porous fabric is fire-resistant. Preferably, the cut-out is a geometric shape. Preferably, the breathable membrane comprises a woven, monofilament polymeric material. Preferably, the breathable membrane is comprises polyethylene terephthalate. Preferably, the fastening means comprises seam welding. Preferably, the fastening means comprises double-stitching. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a soft furnishing in accordance with one embodiment of the invention which comprises, a beanbag with a discorectangular cut-out; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a soft furnishing in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention which comprises, a teardrop-shaped beanbag with a discorectangular cut-out; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a soft furnishing in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention which comprises, a cylindrical beanbag with a plurality of discorectangular cutouts; Figure 4 is a top view of a soft furnishing in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, which comprises a pillow with a discorectangular cut-out; DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is used for providing soft furnishings with a breathable membrane while preventing water ingress in clinical and custodial settings, and generally comprises an outer fabric 2, upon which is at least one cutout 4 that comprises a breathable membrane 6 covering the opening. The outer fabric 2 is made of a suitably hard-wearing fabric which has hydrophobic, tearresistant, and fire-resistant properties. The fabric is, for example, made from a polymeric material such as polyurethane. The cutout 4 is located on an exposed side of the furnishing and is typically geometric. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the cutout is by way of example, circular or discorectangular shape. The breathable membrane 6 is a woven monofilament polymeric material with a defined pore size. Preferably, the polymeric material is polyethylene terephthalate. The fabric and mesh are fastened together using permanent fastening means. This for example may include, but not limited to, double stitching or seam welding. It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of soft furnishings in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention as set in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A soft furnishing comprising;a wipeable, non-porous outer fabric having;including at least one cut-outcovered with a breathable membrane.

2. A soft furnishing according to claim 1, wherein the non-porous fabric is tear-resistant.

3. A soft furnishing according to claim 1, wherein the non-porous fabric is fire-resistant.

4. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutout is ageometric shape.

5. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the breathable membrane comprises a woven, monofilament polymeric material.

6. A soft furnishing according to claim 5, wherein the breathable mesh comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

7. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means comprises seam-welding.

8. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means comprises double stitching.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:03 05 24CLAIMS1. A soft furnishing comprising;a wipeable, non-porous outer fabric having;including at least one cut-out5 covered with a breathable membrane, wherein said membrane is fastened to theouter fabric using a permanent fastening means.

2. A soft furnishing according to claim 1, wherein the non-porous fabric is tear-resistant.

3. A soft furnishing according to claim 1, wherein the non-porous fabric is fire-resistant.

4. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutout is a10 geometric shape.

5. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the breathable membrane comprises a woven, monofilament polymeric material.

6. A soft furnishing according to claim 5, wherein the breathable mesh comprises polyethylene terephthalate.15 7. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fasteningmeans comprises seam-welding.

8. A soft furnishing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means comprises double stitching.

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