Cushion body

Abstract

To provide a cushion body for achieving a cushion having proper roundness while keeping a comfortable use by using a cushion member.SOLUTION: A cushion body is formed by allowing an inner unit to be enclosed by a cover member, so as to be used as a cushion. The inner unit is formed by arranging a pad member having repulsive force lower than that of a cushion member on at least one of the upper and lower parts of the cushion member. The pad member has an extension part extending outward from an outer edge of the cushion member when viewed from above. The extension part in the pad member forms the cushion body to be vertically bent inward by the cover member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cushion body formed using a cushion member. [Background technology]

[0002] Cushions have been widely used in a variety of applications to provide elastic support to users. While various shapes can be adopted as the overall shape of the cushion depending on the application, a generally plate-like shape is often adopted, as it is convenient for use by placing it on a floor, chair, etc.

[0003] Furthermore, various cushion materials suitable for forming such cushions have been developed. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a three-dimensional filament bonded body obtained by three-dimensionally fusing and bonding filaments made of thermoplastic resin, and a method for producing the same. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6527602 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4966438 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Conventionally, cushions, which are used as a cushion to sit on, have been widely used. Generally, cushions are formed into the characteristic rounded shape of cushions by stuffing cotton or the like inside the cover. However, when using a cushioning material such as a filament three-dimensional bonded body instead of cotton or the like, it is not easy to form a cushion with an appropriate roundness while maintaining a comfortable feel. Without the appropriate roundness, there is a risk of discomfort when using the cushion.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a cushion body that uses a cushion member to realize a cushion that is moderately rounded while maintaining good comfort when used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The cushion body according to the present invention is a cushion body used as a seat cushion, formed by encasing an internal unit in a cover member, wherein the internal unit is formed by arranging a pad member having a lower resilience than the cushion member on at least one of the top and bottom of the cushion member, the pad member having an extension portion that extends outward from the outer edge of the cushion member when viewed from above, and the extension portion of the pad member is configured to bend inward in the vertical direction by the cover member. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a seat cushion that is moderately rounded while maintaining good usability using the cushion member.

[0008] More specifically, the internal unit may be formed by disposing the pad members above and below the cushion member, and the extensions of the upper and lower pad members may be bent inward in the vertical direction by the cover member. This configuration makes it easier to achieve the rounded shape characteristic of a zabuton.

[0009] More specifically, the extensions of the upper and lower pad members may extend outward from the entire outer periphery of the cushion member when viewed from above. This configuration makes it easier to achieve the rounded shape characteristic of a zabuton.

[0010] More specifically, the cushion member may be a three-dimensional filament assembly obtained by three-dimensionally fusing and bonding filaments made of thermoplastic resin. This configuration makes it possible to realize a cushion that takes advantage of the advantages of three-dimensional filament assembly.

[0011] More specifically, the internal unit may be washable, and the cover member may have an opening / closing part that switches the state of the cover member between an open state in which an opening is formed to allow the internal unit to be inserted and removed, and a closed state in which the opening is closed. This configuration allows the cushion to be used more hygienically. More specifically, the opening / closing part may be a zipper that extends along the outer edge of the cover member when viewed from above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the cushion body of the present invention, it is possible to realize a cushion that is moderately rounded while maintaining a good comfort when used with the cushion member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cushion body 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of the cushion body 1 as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic perspective view of each member that can be used as an internal unit U of the cushion body 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration example of a cushion body 2 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic perspective view of each member that can be used as an internal unit U of the cushion body 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to another example of the configuration of the cushion body 2. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a configuration example of a cushion body 3 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 8] 2 is a schematic perspective view of each member that can be used as an internal unit U of the cushion body 3. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to another example of the configuration of the cushion body 3. FIG. [Figure 10]FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cushion body 1a according to a modified example of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, up-down, left-right, and front-back directions (directions that are perpendicular to each other) are as shown in Figure 1 etc. In this embodiment, the up-down direction corresponds to the thickness direction of the cushion.

[0015] 1. First embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cushion body 1 according to the first embodiment. Note that each cross-sectional view in this application is shown as a cross-sectional view when the cushion body 1 is cut along a plane that divides the cushion body 1 into front and rear halves. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cushion body 1 as viewed from above.

[0016] The cushion body 1 is configured to be used as a cushion that a user places under when sitting. The cushion body 1 is formed by enclosing an internal unit U, which includes a cushion member 11 and two upper and lower pad members 12, in a cover member 13. Note that Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of each member that can be used as the internal unit U.

[0017] The cushion member 11 is a three-dimensional filament bonded body obtained by three-dimensionally fusing and bonding filaments made of thermoplastic resin. The cushion member 11 has a rectangular shape with opposite sides extending front to back and opposite sides extending left to right when viewed from above, and is formed like a plate with its thickness extending from top to bottom.

[0018] The three-dimensional filament bonded body has good breathability and is easy to wash with water, making it excellent for hygienic use. Note that the manufacturing method of the three-dimensional filament bonded body is well known, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0019] The upper and lower pad members 12 are rectangular plate-shaped members with opposite sides extending front to back and opposite sides extending left to right when viewed from above, and have the same shape and dimensions. Each pad member 12 is made of, for example, a polyester material, is washable, has a sufficiently low resilience compared to the cushion member 11, and is very soft to the touch.

[0020] The upper pad member 12 is disposed above the cushion member 11, and the lower pad member 12 is disposed below the cushion member 11. In this way, the internal unit U has a configuration in which the upper pad member 12, cushion member 11, and lower pad member 12 are stacked vertically in this order from the top.

[0021] The dimensions of each pad member 12 when viewed from above are larger than those of the cushion member 11, and the pad members 12 and the cushion member 11 are arranged so that their centers coincide when viewed from above. Therefore, each of the upper and lower pad members 12 has an extension portion 12a that extends outward from the entire outer periphery of the cushion member 11 when viewed from above.

[0022] Note that various measures may be taken to easily align the center positions of the pad members 12 and the cushion members 11 when viewed from above. For example, a shallow depression aligned with the outer edge of the cushion members 11 may be provided in the central region of each pad member 12, and the cushion members 11 may be positioned by fitting them into the depression, so that the center positions of the pad members 12 and the cushion members 11 when viewed from above align.

[0023] The cover member 13 is made of a thin fabric (preferably double raschel fabric or the like) and is a bag-shaped member that covers the entire internal unit U. A zipper 13a is provided on the right edge of the cover member 13, extending in the front-to-rear direction from the front end to the rear end. This allows the internal unit U to be freely inserted and removed from the cover member 13 through an opening formed by opening the zipper 13a, and the opening can be closed by closing the zipper 13a. In this way, the zipper 13a serves to freely switch the state of the cover member 13 between an open state in which an opening that allows the internal unit U to be inserted and removed is formed, and a closed state in which the opening is closed.

[0024] The cushion body 1 provided with the fastener 13a allows the internal unit U to be removed from the cover member 13 as needed for washing. The cushion member 11, the pad members 12, and the cover member 13 that constitute the internal unit U are all washable, and all parts of the cushion body 1 can be washed with water using a home or commercial washing machine. Therefore, the cushion body 1 can be used more hygienically as a cushion than a typical conventional cushion. Furthermore, the three-dimensional filament bonded structure of the cushion member 11 is washable and has good breathability, making it less likely to retain moisture than materials such as cotton. This also makes the cushion body 1 advantageous for keeping clean.

[0025] In addition, in the cushion body 1, the size of the inner space of the cover member 13 is set to be slightly smaller than the size of the internal unit U (the size of the entire internal unit U when it is assumed that the dimensions of the cushion member 11 viewed from above are the same as those of the pad member 12). As a result, as shown in Fig. 1, the extension portions 12a of the upper and lower pad members 12 are pressed by the inner surface of the cover member 13 and bend inward in the vertical direction.

[0026] That is, the extending portion 12a of the upper pad member 12 bends downward, and the extending portion 12a of the lower pad member 12 bends upward. Therefore, the shape of the cushion body 1 resembles the rounded shape that is characteristic of a zabuton, making it possible to use the cushion body 1 as a zabuton as comfortably as possible. Note that the thickness of each pad member 12 may be gradually reduced from the center region toward the edges when viewed from above, and the upper and lower surfaces of the cushion body 1 may be made even more rounded (so that they have an arc shape that protrudes gently in the vertical direction when viewed from the side), thereby making the cushion body 1 even more similar to the shape of a zabuton.

[0027] Furthermore, the internal unit U of the cushion body 1 has pad members 12 arranged above and below the cushion member 11. Therefore, the cushion body 1 has a soft feel due to the upper pad member 12, which is relatively close to the user, while the cushion member 11 provides a moderate resilience, making it comfortable to use as a cushion.

[0028] Furthermore, while ordinary cushions are often placed under the buttocks, zabuton cushions are often used when sitting upright, and are often in contact with the shins, which are harder than the buttocks. In light of this, the cushion 1 has a soft pad member 12 positioned close to the user, which is designed to reduce the strain on the shins. Furthermore, by positioning the pad member 12 with low resilience close to the user, there is also the advantage that posture is less likely to become unstable when sitting upright on the cushion 1. Note that, because the internal unit U also has a lower pad member 12, the same feeling of use can be obtained even when the cushion 1 is used upside down.

[0029] In this embodiment, pad members 12 having lower resilience than the cushion member 11 are disposed on both the top and bottom of the cushion member 11, but it is also possible to dispose pad members 12 on only one of the top and bottom. Also, in this embodiment, the upper and lower pad members 12 are each provided with an extension portion 12a, but it is also possible to provide an extension portion 12a on only one of the pad members 12. Also, in this embodiment, the extension portion 12a extends outward from the entire outer edge of the cushion member 11 when viewed from above, but it may also extend outward from only a part of the outer edge of the cushion member 11 (for example, only two opposing sides of the rectangular outer edge).

[0030] The specific size of the cushion body 1 is preferably set appropriately according to the specifications of various types of cushions. For example, in the case of conforming to the specifications of a meisen-ban (Japanese traditional cushion), the cushion member 11 should have a width (left-right dimension) of 450 mm, a length (front-back dimension) of 500 mm, and a thickness (up-down dimension) of 35 mm, the pad member 12 should have a width of 520 mm, a length of 560 mm, and a thickness of 35 mm, and the cover member 13 should have a width of 550 mm and a length of 590 mm.

[0031] As another example, in the case of a half-size meisen-sized cushion, the width should be 450 mm, the length 250 mm, and the thickness 35 mm, the pad member 12 should be 420 mm wide, 420 mm long, and 35 mm thick, and the cover member 13 should be 450 mm wide and 450 mm long. The half-size cushion body 1 is also suitable for use as a cushion placed under the buttocks during zazen meditation to reduce the strain on the body when maintaining posture.

[0032] 2. Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the differences from the first embodiment will be emphasized, and descriptions of the commonalities with the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one configuration example of the cushion body 2 according to the second embodiment. The cushion body 2 is formed by using at least one of the cushion member 21 and the two pad members 22 as an internal unit U, and the internal unit U is enclosed in a cover member 23. Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of each member that can be used as the internal unit U.

[0034] 5, the cushion member 21 and the two pad members 22 are rectangular plate-shaped members with opposite sides extending front to back and opposite sides extending left to right when viewed from above, and have the same dimensions when viewed from above. The material and thickness of the cushion member 21 are the same as those of the cushion member 11 of the first embodiment, and the material and thickness of each pad member 22 are the same as those of each pad member 12 of the first embodiment.

[0035] The cover member 23 is made of a thin fabric and is a bag-shaped member that covers the entire internal unit U. A fastener 23a is provided on the right edge of the cover member 23, extending from the top end to the bottom end. This allows the internal unit U to be freely inserted and removed from the cover member 23 through an opening formed by opening the fastener 23a, and the opening can be closed by closing the fastener 23a.

[0036] The cushion body 2 provided with the fastener 23a allows the internal unit U to be removed from the cover member 23 as needed, and all parts of the cushion body 1 to be washed with water. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the cushion body 2 can be used as a cushion more hygienically than a typical conventional cushion.

[0037] Furthermore, the internal unit U of the cushion body 2 shown in Fig. 4 has pad members 22 arranged above and below the cushion member 21. Therefore, the cushion body 2 has a soft feel due to the upper pad member 22, which is relatively close to the user, while also having a moderate resilience due to the cushion member 21, making it comfortable to use as a cushion. Note that, because the internal unit U also has a lower pad member 22, the same feeling of use can be obtained even when the cushion body 2 is used upside down.

[0038] The cushion body 2 can have various configurations by changing the shape of the internal unit U. Other configuration examples of the cushion body 2 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0039] In the configuration example of the cushion body 2 shown in Fig. 6(a), the internal unit U has a configuration in which two pad members 22 are stacked on top of a cushion member 21. When this configuration is adopted, the pad member 22 is provided double on the upper side closer to the user, making it possible to obtain an even softer feel when using the cushion body 2 than in the configuration example shown in Fig. 4.

[0040] In the configuration example of the cushion body 2 shown in Fig. 6(b), the internal unit U has a configuration in which the cushion member 21 is stacked on top of two pad members 22. When this configuration is adopted, it is possible to obtain a firmer feel when using the cushion body 2 compared to the configuration example shown in Fig. 4 while ensuring the same height as the configuration example shown in Fig. 4.

[0041] In the configuration example of the cushion body 2 shown in Fig. 6(c), the internal unit U has a configuration in which the cushion member 21 is stacked on top of one pad member 22. When this configuration is adopted, it is possible to achieve a lower height compared to the configuration example shown in Fig. 4, while still providing a firmer feel when using the cushion body 2 compared to the configuration example shown in Fig. 4.

[0042] In the configuration example of the cushion body 2 shown in Fig. 6(d), the internal unit U has a configuration in which one pad member 22 is placed on top of the cushion member 21. When this configuration is adopted, it is possible to obtain a soft feel in use equivalent to that of the configuration example shown in Fig. 4 while reducing the height compared to the configuration example shown in Fig. 4.

[0043] In the configuration example of the cushion body 2 shown in FIG. 6(e), the internal unit U is in the form of only the cushion member 21. When this configuration is adopted, it is possible to obtain a firmer feel when using the cushion body 2 compared to the configuration example shown in FIG. 4 while keeping the height sufficiently low. In this way, the cushion body 2 can be configured in various ways depending on the user's preferences, etc. In any of the configuration examples described above, it is preferable that the cover member 23 be made of a stretchable material so that the cover member 23 fits the internal unit U.

[0044] 3. Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the differences from the first embodiment will be emphasized, and descriptions of the commonalities with the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one configuration example of the cushion body 3 according to the third embodiment. The cushion body 3 is formed by using at least one of the cushion member 31 and the pad member 32 as an internal unit U, and the internal unit U is enclosed in a cover member 33. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of each member that can be used as the internal unit U.

[0046] As shown schematically in FIG. 8 , the padding member 32 is rectangular in shape with opposite sides extending front-to-rear and opposite sides extending left-to-right when viewed from above, and is formed into a cylindrical shape with a cavity 32a penetrating from front to back, rather than a plate-like shape with a thickness extending up and down. Instead of being formed into a cylindrical shape, the padding member 32 may be formed into a bag-like shape with one of the front and rear ends of the cavity 32a closed. The left and right sides of the cavity 32a are covered by thin side surfaces, the upper side of the cavity 32a is covered by an upper surface portion 32U, and the lower side of the cavity 32a is covered by a lower surface portion 32D. The material of the padding member 32 is the same as that of the padding member 12 of the first embodiment, and the thicknesses of the upper surface portion 32U and the lower surface portion 32D are the same as those of the padding member 12 of the first embodiment.

[0047] As shown schematically in Fig. 8, the cushion member 31 is a rectangular plate-shaped member having opposite sides extending front-to-rear and opposite sides extending left-to-right when viewed from above, with the thickness direction being vertical. The dimensions of the cushion member 31 are set to be roughly the same as those of the cavity 32a of the pad member 32, and are the same as those of the pad member 32 in the front-to-rear direction, but are slightly smaller than those of the pad member 32 in the vertical and left-to-right directions. This allows the cushion member 31 to be freely inserted and removed from the cavity 32a, and the cushion member 31 inserted into the cavity 32a fits into the pad member 32. The material and thickness of the cushion member 31 are the same as those of the cushion member 11 of the first embodiment.

[0048] The cover member 33 is made of a thin fabric and is a bag-shaped member that covers the entire internal unit U. A zipper 33a is provided on the right edge of the cover member 33, extending from the top to the bottom. This allows the internal unit U to be freely inserted and removed from the cover member 33 through an opening formed by opening the zipper 33a, and the opening can be closed by closing the zipper 33a.

[0049] The cushion body 3 provided with the fastener 33a allows the internal unit U to be removed from the cover member 33 as needed, and all parts of the cushion body 3 to be washed with water. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the cushion body 3 can be used as a cushion more hygienically than a typical conventional cushion.

[0050] 7, the internal unit U of the cushion body 2 has pad members 32 arranged above and below the cushion member 31. Therefore, the cushion body 3 has a soft feel due to the upper portion of the cavity 32a of the pad member 32, which is relatively close to the user, while also having a moderate resilience due to the cushion member 31, making it comfortable to use as a cushion. Note that even when the cushion body 3 is used upside down, the same feeling of use can be obtained because the lower portion of the cavity 32a of the pad member 32 is positioned closer to the user.

[0051] The cushion body 3 can have various configurations by changing the shape of the internal unit U. Other configuration examples of the cushion body 3 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0052] In the configuration example of the cushion body 3 shown in Fig. 9(a), the internal unit U has a configuration in which a pad member 32 is layered on a cushion member 31. When this configuration is adopted, an upper surface portion 32U and a lower surface portion 32D are provided on the upper side closer to the user, making it possible to obtain an even softer feel when using the cushion body 3 than in the configuration example shown in Fig. 7.

[0053] In the configuration example of the cushion body 3 shown in Fig. 9(b), the internal unit U has a configuration in which the cushion member 31 is layered on top of the pad member 32. When this configuration is adopted, it is possible to obtain a firmer feel when using the cushion body 3 than in the configuration example shown in Fig. 7, while ensuring the same height as in the configuration example shown in Fig. 7.

[0054] In the configuration example of the cushion body 3 shown in FIG. 9(c), the internal unit U is in the form of only the cushion member 31. When this configuration is adopted, it is possible to obtain a firmer feel when using the cushion body 3 compared to the configuration example shown in FIG. 7 while keeping the height sufficiently low. In this way, the cushion body 3 can be configured in various ways depending on the user's preferences, etc. In any of the configuration examples described above, it is preferable that the cover member 33 be made of a stretchable material so that the cover member 33 fits the internal unit U.

[0055] 4.Other As described above, the cushion body according to each embodiment is formed by encasing an internal unit U in a cover member and is used as a cushion. The internal unit U includes a three-dimensional filament assembly as a washable cushion member. Furthermore, the cover member has an opening / closing part that allows the cover member to be switched between an open state in which an opening is formed to allow the internal unit to be inserted and removed, and a closed state in which the opening is closed. Therefore, the cushion body can be used as a cushion in a more hygienic manner.

[0056] In each embodiment, the opening and closing section employs a zipper that extends along the outer edge of the cover member when viewed from above. In this way, the zipper is positioned in an inconspicuous location, allowing the cover member to be opened and closed freely without impairing the cushion's appearance as much as possible. In each embodiment, the zipper is positioned along the entire right edge (one side) of the cover member. However, it may also be positioned so that it forms an L-shape when viewed from above, extending along both the right and front edges (two sides). In this case, a large opening is formed in the cover member, making it easier to insert and remove the internal unit. To make the zipper less noticeable, it may be concealed by the fabric of the cover member, or a so-called reverse zipper design may be used, or a concealed zipper may be used.

[0057] In addition, the cushion body of each embodiment can omit the cushion member and use only the pad member as the internal unit U, which can be sandwiched between the buttocks and calves when sitting upright. In each embodiment, in order to form a bulge in the cushion body, no R (roundness) is formed at the four corners of the cushion member, which is rectangular when viewed from above.

[0058] As a modification of the cushion body 1 of the first embodiment, instead of using only one pad member 12, the left-right dimension of the pad member 12 may be approximately doubled, and a cushion body 1a formed as shown in Fig. 10 may be employed. In the internal unit U of the cushion body 1a, the pad member 12 is folded back at a left-right central portion 12b near the right end of the cushion member 11, and the cushion member 11 is sandwiched between the upper and lower portions of the pad member 12. In the cushion body 1a, the portion near the left-right central portion 12b is rounded in a front view, and plays a role equivalent to the right-side extension portion 12a of each pad member 12 in the first embodiment.

[0059] Furthermore, although the cushion body in each embodiment is provided with one cushion member, multiple cushion members may be provided. Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In other words, the above embodiments are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The present invention can be used for a cushion body used as a seat cushion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Cushion body (first embodiment) 11 Cushion member 12 Pad member 12a Extension 13 Cover member 13a zipper 2 Cushion body (second embodiment) 21 Cushion member 22 Pad member 23 Cover member 23a zipper 3 Cushion body (third embodiment) 31 Cushion member 32 Pad member 32a cavity 32U top part 32D bottom part 33 Cover member 33a zipper U Internal unit

Claims

1. A cushion body formed by encasing an internal unit in a cover member and used as a seat cushion, The internal unit comprises: The cushion member is formed by disposing a pad member having a lower resilience than the cushion member on at least one of the upper and lower sides of the cushion member, the pad member has an extension portion that extends outward from an outer edge of the cushion member when viewed from above, The cushion body is characterized in that the extension portion of the pad member is bent inward in the vertical direction by the cover member.

2. The internal unit is formed by disposing the pad members above and below the cushion member, 2. The cushion body according to claim 1, wherein the extending portions of the upper and lower pad members are bent inward in the up-down direction by the cover member.

3. 3. The cushion body according to claim 2, wherein the extending portions of the upper and lower pad members extend outward from the entire outer periphery of the cushion member when viewed from above.

4. 4. The cushion body according to claim 1, wherein the cushion member is a three-dimensional filament bonded body obtained by three-dimensionally fusing and bonding filaments made of a thermoplastic resin.

5. The internal unit is washable, The cover member is 5. The cushion body according to claim 1, further comprising an opening / closing portion that allows the state of the cover member to be switched between an open state in which an opening is formed to allow the internal unit to be inserted and removed, and a closed state in which the opening is closed.

6. 6. The cushion body according to claim 5, wherein the opening and closing portion is a fastener provided so as to extend along the outer edge of the cover member when viewed from above.

Images