GB2493150A - Valve for waterproof cushions - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve 1 that allows free movement of air from a first side to a second side of a barrier layer 2 and which hinders movement of liquid from the first to the second side of the barrier layer has an impermeable membrane 8 attached to the first side of the barrier layer 2 so as to define a chamber 9. The membrane 8 has a plurality of apertures (10, Fig. 2) that allow air to flow into the chamber 9. The valve has an opening 3 in the barrier layer 2 through which air may flow, the opening having a collar 6 extending from the first side of the barrier layer towards the membrane 8. The valve also has means (11, Fig. 3) to prevent the membrane 8 from forming a seal with the collar 6.

Description

The present invention relates to a valve. More particularly, the present invention relates to a valve adapted to allow free movement of air from a first side to a second side of a barrier layer, and also adapted to hinder movement of liquid from the first side to the second side of the barrier layer.

Waterproof cushions designed for continual outdoors use have made several significant advances in recent years. However, the problem of ingress of water into a cushion via the zip still remains.

Furthermore, in some instances it is desirable to allow air to pass freely between one side of a barrier layer to another whilst at the same time hindering or preventing movement of water from one side to the other.

The present invention seeks to address these issues According to the present invention there is provided a valve adapted to allow free movement of air from a first side to a second side of a barrier layer, and also adapted to hinder movement of liquid from the first side to the second side of the barrier layer comprising: i) an impermeable membrane attached to the first side of the barrier layer so as to define a chamber wherein the membrane comprises a plurality of apertures so as to allow the flow of air into the chamber; ii) an opening in the barrier layer through which air may flow housed within said chamber, the opening having a collar extending from the first side of the barrier layer towards the membrane; and Hi) means to prevent the membrane from forming a seal with the collar.

Provision of a collar extending from the barrier layer prevents water that enters the chamber from passing through the opening. Furthermore, provision of means to prevent the membrane forming a seal with a collar allows for air to pass through the opening without a pressure differential sealing the opening. Thus the valve is able to selectively allow air but not water to pass through the opening.

Preferably the barrier layer is waterproof. More preferably the barrier layer is formed of PVC coated fabric.

Preferably the membrane is formed of PVC.

Preferably the membrane is attached around its periphery to the barrier layer.

By attaching the membrane around its periphery to the barrier layer the membrane is securely held in position.

Preferably the apertures are located adjacent to the periphery of the membrane. Preferably the apertures are formed in substantially diametrically opposed pairs.

By providing apertures adjacent to the periphery of the membrane any water that enters the chamber cannot pass into the opening. Further, by forming the apertures in diametrically opposed pairs when water enters the chamber one aperture it is able to exit the chamber by the aperture formed opposite it.

Preferably the opening comprises a grill.

Provision of a grill prevents other bodies, such as insects from passing through the opening.

Preferably the collar is formed of PVC.

Preferably the means to prevent the membrane from forming a seal with the collar comprises an elongate member positioned between the collar and the membrane.

Provision of an elongate strip provides a simple way to prevent the membrane forming an air-tight seal with the collar.

In one embodiment the member is a strip of PVC.

Preferably the strip is attached to the barrier layer or to the membrane at points on opposing sides of the collar.

Preferably the strip is attached at the periphery of the membrane. Preferably the strip protrudes from opposing apertures of the membrane.

By having the strip protrude from opposing apertures of the membrane the strip may be heat welded in place simultaneously as the membrane is attached to the barrier layer.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a cross section through a valve made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the valve of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the interior of the valve of Figure 2; and Figure 4 shows a cushion fitted with two of the valves of Figures 1 to 3.

Referring to the Figures, there is provided a valve 1 in a barrier layer 2. In the present embodiment the barrier layer is an oilcloth, which is fabric coated with PVC on its external surface.

The valve comprises an opening 3 in barrier layer 2. Opening 3 is substantially circular in formation.

Positioned at opening 3 is vent 4, comprising a flange 5, collar 6 and grill 7.

Flange 5 is substantially circular and is attached to barrier layer 2 around the periphery of opening 3.

Collar 6 is also substantially circular and runs around the periphery of opening 3. Collar 6 extends away from barrier layer 2. Grill 7 is formed in the plane of flange 5 and extends across opening 3.

Vent 4 is formed in one piece from PVC, but of course other materials could be used.

Membrane 8 is a substantially circular flexible disc of PVC of greater circumference than the circumference of vent 4. Membrane 8 is positioned such that it covers vent 4 and vent 4 is substantially centrally located under membrane 8. Membrane 8 is attached around its periphery to barrier layer 2 so as to form a chamber 9 in which vent 4 is housed.

Membrane 8 comprises a plurality of apertures 10 spaced adjacent to its periphery. In the present embodiment the membrane comprises eight apertures, equally spaced circumferentially so as to form four diametrically opposed pairs. Each aperture is substantially circular in shape, but other shapes of configurations could of course be employed.

Although membrane 8 is substantially circular in shape other configurations could of course be used. The most important aspect of the membrane is that it sufficiently covers vent 4 and opening 3, and that the apertures 10 are sufficiently spaced from opening 3 and vent 4 such that water entering the openings cannot move directly into opening 3. That is to say that apertures 10 are sufficiently spaced from collar 6 of vent 4 towards the periphery of membrane 8 that if water enters chamber 9 via a aperture 10 it will be deflected from entering opening 3 by collar 6.

Housed within chamber 9 and positioned between vent 4 and membrane 8 is spacer strip 11. Spacer strip 11 is an elongate strip of PVC that extends diametrically over vent 4 and under membrane 8. Spacer strip 11 extends through diametrically opposed apertures in membrane 8, where the ends of strip 11 are terminate adjacent to the periphery of membrane 8.

Spacer strip 11 acts as a means to prevent membrane 8 from forming an airtight seal with collar 6 and thereby inhibiting or preventing air from entering opening 8. Thus spacer strip 11 acts to maintain airflow through opening 3.

In order to construct a valve made in accordance with the present invention an opening 3 is first formed in a barrier layer 2 where the valve is required. PVC vent 4 is then high frequency welded to the barrier layer 2 by means of flange 5.

Membrane 8 is then positioned over vent 4, with elongate spacer strip 11 positioned such that it lies between membrane 8 and vent 4 and its ends 12, 13 extend from diametrically opposed apertures 10 in membrane 8.

The periphery 14 of membrane 8 is then high frequency welded to barrier layer 2. Simultaneously ends 12, 13 of strip 11 are high frequency welded to periphery 14 of membrane 8 so as to secure strip 11 in position.

Turning to now to one example of an application of valve 1, Figure 4 shows an outdoor cushion 15 comprising two valves 16, 17 made in accordance with the present invention.

Walls of cushion 15, e.g. front wall 18, are formed of oilcloth and the walls are sewn and then high frequency welded together so as to hermetically seal the cushion apart from valves 16, 17. Thus the cushion has no zip through which water might ingress to the inside of the cushion.

Prior to sealing cushion 16 will have been filled with a stuffing such as hollow fibre or wool, which may or may not have been treated with one or more biocides.

When the cushion (and thus the valve of the present invention is in use) it may be left in any position without fear of water entering the inside of the cushion.

This is owing to the operation of the valve, which will now be more fully explained.

During rainfall, when water runs down wall 18 of the cushion, water may enter valve chamber 9 through one of apertures 10, the water may then encounter vent 4, but instead of passing through opening 3, it is diverted around opening 3 by collar 6, which is raised above the surface of barrier layer 2. The water may then run around collar 6 and exit chamber 9 by passing through a aperture diametrically opposed to the aperture through which it entered.

Thus during precipitation it is not possible for water to enter the interior of cushion 15.

Furthermore, when the cushion 15 is compressed during use, valves 16 and 17 allow for air to pass from the inside of the cushion to the outside by movement through opening 3 and apertures 10. Similarly, when the cushion is not compressed, air is able to flow from the outside of cushion 15 to the inside without membrane 8 blocking opening 3 owing to the differential in air pressure. This is due to elongate spacer strip 11 preventing membrane 8 from fully contacting and thus creating a seal with collar 6.

Thus, it can be seen that valves made in accordance with the present invention allow for free air flow from one side of a barrier layer to another and vice versa, yet at the same time prevent ingress of water through the opening.

Thus valves made in accordance with the present invention are ideal for situations where both air flow and water resistance are desirable.

Evidently other means to prevent membrane 8 from forming an airtight seal with collar 6 could be employed. For example, flange 5, collar 6 or grill 7 may comprise one or more protrusions that prevent membrane 8 from forming a seal. For example, collar 6 may be crenellated such that membrane 8 cannot form a seal with collar 6.

Although in the present embodiment the apertures formed in the membrane are essentially circular perforations other configurations of aperture could be employed. For example cutaway sections around the periphery of membrane 8 might be employed.

Many variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims: 1. A valve adapted to allow free movement of air from a first side to a second side of a barrier layer, and also adapted to hinder movement of liquid from the first side to the second side of the barrier layer comprising: a. an impermeable membrane attached to the first side of the barrier layer so as to define a chamber wherein the membrane comprises a plurality of apertures so as to allow the flow of air into the chamber; b. an opening in the barrier layer through which air may flow housed within said chamber, the opening having a collar extending from the first side of the barrier layer towards the membrane; and c. means to prevent the membrane from forming a seal with the collar.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The valve of claim 1 wherein the barrier layer is waterproof.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The valve of claim 1 or 2 wherein the barrier layer is formed of PVC coated fabric.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the membrane is formed of PVC.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the membrane is attached around its periphery to the barrier layer.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the apertures are located adjacent to the periphery of the membrane.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the apertures are formed in substantially diametrically opposed pairs.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the opening comprises a grill.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the collar is formed of PVC.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The valve of any preceding claim wherein the means to prevent the membrane from forming a seal with the collar comprises an elongate member positioned between the collar and the membrane.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. The valve of claim 10 wherein the elongate member is a strip of PVC.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The valve of claim 10 or 11 wherein the strip is attached to the barrier layer or to the membrane at points on opposing sides of the collar.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The valve of any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the strip is attached at the periphery of the membrane.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. The valve of any of claims 10 to 13 the strip protrudes from opposing apertures of the membrane.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A soft furnishing comprising at least one valve according to any preceding claim.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A valve substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A soft furnishing substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>