GB2430360A - An animal cushion - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal cushion, mat, pillow or mattress (10) includes a hook or a sleeve (18) into which a coat hanger (H) can be placed from which it can hang for display. Alternatively, an eyelet or other means of hanging may be provided. In a preferred form the cushion has a gusset wall (16) for improving the distribution of filler material.

Description

An Animal Cushion The present invention relates to an animal cushion of

the type that could be used in a dog bed.

A conventional cushion or mat for use in an animal bed (most commonly for a dog or cat) includes a single compartment with a suitable inner filler to provide a soft surface to sleep upon. The cushion is usually made from a durable material, but is prone to becoming dirty, odorous and/or covered by animal hair.

During a washing operation the inner filler often clumps together in a single mass or migrates to one side of the cushion. it is awkward to dry and smooth out ready for use again.

For display purposes in a reail outlet dog beds are stacked in piles on a shelf. This kind of display quickly becomes messy and consumes a great deal of expensive retail space.

The present invention seeks to address the above- identified problems with conventional animal beds/cushions or, at least, provide an alternative to the consumer.

In one broad aspect of the invention there is provided an animal cushion including a means adapted to hang from a hook.

In a preferred form of the invention the animal cushion includes a sleeve or pocket at a peripheral edge to receive a coat hanger. Preferably there will be two sleeves, each to receive an arm of the coat hanger, with the hanger hook protruding outwards.

In a second broad aspect the present invention provides an animal cushion comprised of at least two chambers separated by a gusset wall.

Cushion should be interpreted as any form of mat, pillow or mattress.

Preferably the gusset wall includes a wider section in a substantially middle portion. Preferably the gusset wall is at least as wide as a peripheral gusset side wall of the cushion.

In a preferred form the animal cushion according to either the first or second broad aspects of the invention in ludes an outer cover to substantially enclose the cushion. In one form the cover includes an aperture or closable opening to allow a hanging means to protrude from the cushion through the cover. The aperture may be closable by opposing slide fasteners (zips t.Q.cM)).

The animal cushion according to the present invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 is perspective view of an animal cushion according to the invention showing internal detail, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a hanging means appended to the cushion, and Figure 3 is a further perspective view showing an outer cover enclosing the cushion.

The basic features of the present invention are illustrated by Figure 1. The cushion 10 is constructed in a generally familiar way by taking two broad fabric pieces 11 and 12 (upper and lower surfaces respectively) and joining these by way of a gusset wall 13 surrounding the peripheral edge of the cushion. This creates a generally flat box shape.

According to the present invention the cushion is divided into at least two chambers 14 and 15 by an internal gusset wall 16 shown in dotted details. In the illustrated embodiment the box gusset 16 has a widened mid-section 17 that minimises creasing in the control of the cushion. However, the wider section is not necessarily essential to the invention.

The design differs from a common partitioned duvet construction because the gusset 16 provides a spacing function between upper and lower fabric 11/12, whereas duvets are comprised of the broad surfaces sewn directly together.

When the general construction of the cushion illustrated in Figure 1 is completed, each chamber 14 and 15 can be filled with a suitable filling material such as is known in the art.

It is preferable that gusset 16 be made from a similar material to the surrounding chamber fabric construction or, at least, provides a barrier to the filler material (not illustrated) moving from one chamber 14 to the other and vice-versa.

Alternative forms of the animal cushion may feature multiple gusseted chambers, either with gussets that span the whole width, diagonally or to form other pocket shapes.

In Figure 1 two sleeves 18 are visible in an end wall 13.

These are simply pieces of material sewn (preferably) into the cushion along a contact edge with upper and lower surfaces 11 and 12. They create a sleeve or pocket into which can slide a member up to the width of wall 13 as a maximum.

Figure 2 illustrates the use of sleeves 18 where a conventional coat hanger H has been inserted therebetween. While in place the hanger H provides a means adapted to hang from a hook or the like, e.g. in a retail outlet. It is probable that the hanger would be removed at the point of sale for the customer to take home.

Other means of hanging could be provided with the animal cushion according to the present invention (e.g. a permanent eyelet or like arrangement sewn into the cushion) but it is a coat hanger - with relatively straight arms - that is most preferable because such devices are readily available and able to be utilised with a minimum of complication to the design.

Display on a coat stand or equivalent is a more efficient use of space in a retail outlet, more noticeable and keeps the product tidy.

Figure 3 illustrates an outer cover 19 provided, optionally, to enclose and protect cushion 10 the rewi thin.

As noted above, cushions are prone to becoming dirty, smelly and/or embedded with hair and, furthermore, washing degrades the filler material over time.

Therefore, cover 19 is utilised that can be removable for more regular washing in turn prolonging the life of cushion 10 because it need not be washed as often.

In the illustrated form cover 19 includes a slide fastening opening 20 through which hanger H can protrude.

By using two opposed slide fasteners these can meet in the middle on either side of hanger H. The closed fasteners (e.g. zips)L hold hanger H in place within sleeves 18 when on display in a retail outlet.

The present invention can be manufactured from known materials or future fabrics (selected for durability etc) as they become available. It is expected the present invention will be primarily made from Corravin (trade name) because of its low cost and ease of filling, but could also be made from cotton or polyester.

Claims (12)

1. Claims: 1. An animal cushion including a means adapted to hang from a

   hook.
2. 2. The animal cushion of claim 1 wherein a sleeve or pocket is formed in a peripheral wall of the cushion, adapted to receive a coat hanger.
3. 3. The animal cushion of claim 2 wherein there are two such sleeves or pockets.
4. 4. The animal cushion of claim 1 wherein the cushion includes an eyelet adapted to receive a hook.
5. 5. The animal cushion of any of the preceding claims wherein it is comprised of at least two chambers separated by a gusset wall.
6. 6. The animal cushion of claim 5 wherein the animal cushion includes a peripheral wall, the gusset wall being at least as wide as that peripheral wall.
7. 7. The animal cushion of claim 5 or 6 wherein the gusset wall includes a wider section at a mid portion of the wall.
8. 8. The animal cushion of any of the preceding claims further including an outer cover to enclose the cushion.
9. 9. The animal cushion of claim 8 wherein the cover includes an aperture or closable opening through which a hanging means may protrude.
10. 10. The animal cushion of claim 9 wherein the closable opening is closable by a slide fastener.
11. 11. Use of an animal cushion according to any of the preceding claims wherein a coat hanger is coupled with the animal cushion and hung for display from a hook.
12. 12. An animal cushion substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.