Cushion body and cushion

Abstract

To provide a cushion body and a cushion in which a cushioning property and use feeling are easy to maintain while the cushion body and the cushion being washable.SOLUTION: A cushion body 1 is filled with foam beads, and is formed of a polystyrene resin, a polyolefin-based resin, or a composite resin of these. The foam beads are filled inside a bag body 2 made of a polyester resin. The bag body 2 is formed in a bag shape obtained by sewing a fabric made of the polyester resin, and does not have a freely openable and closable opening part. The bag body 2 has a thick portion 3 obtained by sewing folded fabrics with each other. The thick portion 3 projects to the outside and extends in a stripe shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion body and a cushion, and particularly to a cushion body and a cushion used as pet supplies.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the pet field, dogs and cats are very popular and are kept in many households. Dogs and cats often lie down in the same place for a long time. To make the places where such pets stay comfortable, pet cushions have become widespread.

[0003] Pet cushions are likely to have pet hair, odors, and dirt such as mud adhering to them and getting dirty. Therefore, to keep the cushions clean, washing or replacement is carried out as necessary. Conventionally, many pet cushions have a cushion body that is a cushioning material part and an outer cover that covers it (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such cushions, when the surface of the cushion gets dirty, it is possible to maintain cleanliness by only removing the outer cover and washing it.

[0004] By the way, cushions are widely distributed not only for pets but also as human daily necessities and are used in a wide range of applications such as bedding, stuffed toys, and furniture. In recent years, many colorful and highly designed cushions have also been sold. Many of these cushions can also have their outer covers removed from the cushion body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As described above, the cushion can be used hygienically by washing the outer cover. However, for example, when a pet urinates or a person spills a drink, there are cases where the stain does not stay on the outer cover but seeps into the cushion body.

[0007] In such cases, in addition to the outer cover, the cushion body also needs to be washed. However, with conventional cushion bodies, there are concerns about the impact on cushioning performance when washed. For example, when the cushioning material is cotton, etc., there is a risk that the cotton may become uneven or entangled during washing, resulting in a decrease in cushioning performance. Also, during washing, for example, the filling material and the bag body may rub against each other and become charged, generating static electricity, which may also affect the usability.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a cushion body and a cushion that are washable and that easily maintain cushioning performance and usability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The cushion body of the present invention is a cushion body filled with foamed beads, wherein the foamed beads are made of a polystyrene-based resin, a polyolefin-based resin, or a composite resin thereof, and are filled inside a water-permeable bag body made of a polyester-based resin.

[0010] The water-permeable bag body is formed in a bag shape by sewing a fabric made of a polyester-based resin, and is characterized by not having an opening that can be opened and closed.

[0011] The water-permeable bag body has a thick portion where the folded fabrics are sewn together, and the thick portion protrudes outward and extends in a streak shape.

[0012] The foamed beads are characterized in that the average particle diameter is 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.

[0013] The above cushion body is characterized by being used for a pet cushion.

[0014] The cushion of the present invention is a cushion including a cushion body and an outer cover covering the cushion body, wherein the cushion body is the cushion body of the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] The cushion body of the present invention has foamed beads made of a polystyrene-based resin, a polyolefin-based resin, or a composite resin thereof, and the foamed beads are filled inside a water-permeable bag made of a polyester-based resin. Therefore, the entire cushion body serving as a cushioning material can be washed. Further, since the foamed beads are made of a predetermined resin such as a polystyrene-based resin and have low water absorption, it is difficult for stains caused by liquid substances to adhere to the foamed beads themselves, and they also have excellent dimensional stability. Furthermore, they have good drainage and are easy to dry after washing.

[0016] By the way, in the cushion body filled with foamed beads, during washing or the like, the foamed beads and the bag made of different materials rub against each other, so they are likely to be charged and static electricity is likely to be generated. In conventional bead cushions, many of the bags (inner bags) are made of cotton. Although cotton is a material that is not easily charged, for example, a polystyrene-based resin is a material that is easily negatively charged, so as a result, static electricity is likely to be generated.

[0017] On the other hand, in the cushion body of the present invention, a water-permeable bag made of a polyester-based resin is used for the foamed beads such as a polystyrene-based resin. Although the polyester-based resin is a material that is easily negatively charged, since the resin of the above foamed beads is also easily negatively charged, the generation of static electricity can be suppressed. Therefore, the cushion body of the present invention can be washed while easily maintaining the cushioning property and the feeling of use.

[0018] The above-mentioned water-permeable bag body is formed into a bag shape by sewing a fabric made of a polyester-based resin, and since it does not have an opening that can be freely opened and closed, by reducing the constituent members that can be different materials, it becomes easier to suppress the generation of static electricity. Also, there is no feeling of foreign matter and it is excellent in usability.

[0019] The above-mentioned water-permeable bag body has a thick portion where the folded fabrics are sewn together, and the thick portion protrudes outward and extends in a streak shape, so a portion with higher strength can be formed compared to other fabric parts. For example, when drying the cushion body, it is possible to hold and dry the said portion.

[0020] Since the cushion body is used for a pet cushion, it is particularly useful for pets that are likely to be rough.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] An example of the cushion body of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cushion body. As shown in FIG. 1, the external shape of the cushion body 1 is generally a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with rounded corners. Note that the external shape of the cushion body of the present invention is not particularly limited, and various shapes such as a substantially cylindrical shape and a disk shape can be adopted. Also, the size of the cushion body 1 is appropriately set according to various uses such as a pet cushion.

[0023] The cushion 1 has foamed beads (not shown) as a filling material, and the foamed beads are filled inside the bag body 2. The foamed beads are, for example, foamed beads obtained by foaming resin beads impregnated with a known foaming agent (such as propane, butane, pentane).

[0024] In the present invention, the expanded beads are made of a polystyrene resin; a polyolefin resin such as a polypropylene resin or a polyethylene resin; or a composite resin combining a polystyrene resin and a polyolefin resin. As such a composite resin, for example, a composite resin of a polystyrene resin and a polyolefin resin such as a butyl acrylate-styrene polymer can be used. The expanded beads made of these resins have a low water absorption rate, so it is difficult for liquid substances that cause dirt to adhere to the expanded beads, and they also have excellent dimensional stability. After washing, since the water drainage of the expanded beads is good, it is easy to shorten the time for drying the cushion body 1.

[0025] Among the above resins, the polystyrene resin is preferable for the expanded beads. The expanded polystyrene resin has a closer distance to the charging series of the polyester resin, which is the material of the bag body 2, and is preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing static electricity.

[0026] The expanded beads are, for example, spherical expanded beads with an average particle diameter of 0.1 mm to 8.0 mm. If the average particle diameter is less than 0.1 mm, it is likely to dissipate from the bag body 2, and if it exceeds 8.0 mm, the fluidity of the beads decreases, resulting in poor followability. The average particle diameter is the particle diameter at the point where the cumulative value is 50% when the particle size distribution is a cumulative distribution based on volume, and is a value measured by the laser diffraction / scattering method.

[0027] The average particle diameter of the expanded beads is preferably 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm, and more preferably 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. For example, depending on the type of the cushion, the average particle diameter of the expanded beads may be a small particle type of 0.5 mm or more and less than 1.0 mm, or a large particle type of 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. The shape of the expanded beads is not limited to spherical, and may be cylindrical, cuboid, ellipsoidal, flat, or a mixture of multiple types may be used.

[0028] The expansion ratio of the foamed beads is not particularly limited and is, for example, 20 to 70 times. Here, as the expansion ratio increases, continuous bubbles in which the closed cells are connected are likely to occur. Continuous bubbles have no partition walls between the bubbles, and as a result, the water absorption amount tends to increase. In consideration of this, in order to suppress water absorption during washing etc., the expansion ratio of the foamed beads is preferably 20 to 50 times, and may be 30 to 45 times.

[0029] The surface of the foamed beads is preferably subjected to a lubricity treatment. By performing the lubricity treatment, the fluidity of the foamed beads filled in the foamed bead filling space of the cushion is improved. Examples of the lubricity treatment method include a method of applying a highly viscous liquid, a solid lubricant, etc. to the surface of the foamed beads. The method of applying a highly viscous liquid is preferable in terms of workability. Examples of the highly viscous liquid include glycerin, polybutene, polyethylene glycol, liquid paraffin, silicone oil, etc. Examples of the solid lubricant include graphite powder, fluororesin powder, etc. Among these, glycerin is preferable in terms of workability. Further, the foamed beads can be blended with a fragrance, a negative ion generator, a far-infrared powder, etc. as necessary.

[0030] The bag body 2 has water permeability and air permeability, and water and air can pass through. For example, during washing, it can be washed while filled with foamed beads, and can be dried as it is after washing. The bag body 2 does not have an opening that can be opened and closed such as a fastener. For example, fasteners made of metal or resin are generally used, but it is preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing static electricity by excluding a configuration that is a different material from the bag body 2 etc. Further, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the feeling of use due to contact of a fastener etc. with the body when sitting on the cushion etc.

[0031] The bag body 2 is formed of a polyester-based resin. The polyester-based resin is less likely to be charged due to its relationship with the resin used for the foamed beads, and is also preferable because it has little shrinkage during washing. Specifically, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polylactic acid, etc. can be used as the polyester-based resin.

[0032] The bag body 2 is formed of a fabric made of polyester-based resin fibers. As the fabric, knitted fabrics such as warp knitted fabric, weft knitted fabric, and circular knitted fabric, woven fabrics such as plain woven fabric, twill woven fabric, and damask woven fabric, etc. can be used. For example, from the viewpoints of stretchability and durability, warp knitted fabric is preferable, and specifically, tricot fabric is preferable. The fabric constituting the bag body 2 preferably has stitches or weaves such that the foam beads do not dissipate.

[0033] In the present invention, the bag body is configured by combining a single fabric or a plurality of fabrics. In FIG. 1, the bag body 2 is formed in a bag shape by sewing the peripheral portions of a plurality of fabrics respectively. Specifically, the bag body 2 is formed by a first fabric 2a (upper side in FIG. 1) and a second fabric 2b (lower side in FIG. 1) that constitute the main plane of the cushion body 1, and a fabric 2c that constitutes the side surface of the cushion body 1. Here, the main plane refers to the plane having the largest area when the cushion body 1 is viewed in plan view.

[0034] For example, the first fabric 2a and the second fabric 2b are square fabrics of approximately the same size in a state before forming the bag body 2. The third fabric 2c is a strip-shaped fabric having a set of short sides and a set of long sides. The peripheral portion of the first fabric 2a and one long side portion of the third fabric 2c are sewn together and connected to each other. Also, the peripheral portion of the second fabric 2b and the other long side portion of the third fabric 2c are sewn together and connected to each other. Further, a set of short side portions of the third fabric 2c are sewn together and connected to each other.

[0035] As the connecting method, it is integrated by sewing together one or two or more fabrics or by simultaneous knitting. Sewing is formed by overlapping and sewing two fabrics, and simultaneous knitting is a method of forming connecting portions and the like during fabric formation.

[0036] In FIG. 1, in the bag body 2, a set of short sides of the third fabric 2c are sewn together so that the respective end portions T, T are accommodated inside. And the bag body 2 has a thick portion 3 where the folded fabrics are sewn together. The thick portion 3 protrudes outside the bag body 2 and extends in a streak shape.

[0037] Since the thick portion 3 is formed by folding fabrics, its strength is stronger than other parts. For example, when drying the cushion body 1 after washing, the portion including the thick portion 3 can be used as a gripping portion.

[0038] The filling ratio of the foamed beads in the bag body 2 is appropriately determined according to the use and function of the cushion, the material of the fabric, etc. For example, when enhancing the followability of the cushion, the filling ratio can be lowered, and when enhancing the resilience, the filling ratio can be increased.

[0039] An example of a method for filling the bag body 2 with foamed beads is shown. An opening is made at one location on the side surface (the location where the thick portion 3 is formed in FIG. 1) of the entire circumference of the bag body 2. At this time, the remaining portions of the pair of short sides are put outside, and the filling nozzle for the foamed beads is arranged so as to wrap around it in a cylindrical shape. After filling a predetermined amount of foamed beads from the filling nozzle, the remaining portions of the pair of short sides are respectively accommodated inside the bag body 2, and the folded fabrics are sewn together and sealed. As a result, the thick portion 3 is formed.

[0040] In this way, since the bag body 2 closes the entire circumference by sewing after filling with foamed beads, it can be sealed without the foamed beads dissipating. Also, the method of closing the entire circumference of the bag body 2 is not limited to sewing, and it may be a method of closing with a heat - fusible tape or the like that can fuse the fabrics by heating.

[0041] As described above, the cushion body 1 can be washed with the foamed beads installed by using the foamed beads and the material of the bag body 2 for filling the foamed beads in a predetermined combination, while suppressing a decrease in cushioning properties and a decrease in the feeling of use such as the generation of static electricity during washing.

[0042] The cushion of the present invention is a cushion comprising the cushion body of the present invention described above and an exterior cover that covers the cushion body. Note that the exterior cover only needs to be removable from the cushion body and washable, and a well-known one can be used. A polyester-based resin may be used as the material of the exterior cover.

[0043] Note that the cushion body and the cushion of the present invention are not limited to the forms illustrated above.

[0044] In FIG. 1, the inside of the bag body 2 is one space without partitions, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, a structure for restricting the movement of the foamed beads may be provided inside the bag body 2. By restricting the movement of the foamed beads, when drying the cushion body 1 after washing, the bias of the foamed beads is suppressed, and the drying time can be easily shortened. For example, the opposing fabrics of the bag body 2 may be joined partially (for example, in spots or linearly), directly or indirectly via other members. By being joined in this way, a partially narrow space is formed inside the bag body 2, and the movement of the foamed beads is restricted. Further, a partition film for restricting the movement of the foamed beads may be provided inside the bag body 2 to separate the internal space of the bag body 2 into a plurality of parts and prevent the flow of the foamed beads into separate chambers.

Industrial Applicability

[0045] The cushion body and the cushion of the present invention can be widely used because they can be washed while easily maintaining the cushioning property and the feeling of use. In particular, they are suitable as those for pets that are easily soiled.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0046] 1 Cushion body 2 Bag body (water-permeable bag body) 2a First fabric 2b Second fabric 2c Third fabric 3 Thick part

Claims

1. A cushion body filled with foamed beads, wherein the cushion body is made of a polystyrene-based resin, a polyolefin-based resin, or a composite resin thereof, and is filled inside a water-permeable bag made of a polyester-based resin. The cushion body is characterized by this.

2. The water-permeable bag is formed in a bag shape by sewing a fabric made of a polyester-based resin, and does not have an opening that can be freely opened and closed. The cushion body according to Claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. The water-permeable bag has a thick portion where the folded fabrics are sewn together, and the thick portion protrudes outward and extends in a streak shape. The cushion body according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 is characterized by this.

4. The foamed beads have an average particle size of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less. The cushion body according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 is characterized by this.

5. The cushion body is used for a pet cushion. The cushion body according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 is characterized by this.

6. A cushion comprising a cushion body and an exterior cover that covers the cushion body, wherein the cushion body is the cushion body according to Claim 1 or Claim 2. The cushion is characterized by this.

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