JP2003135221A - Cushion using aggregate of small granular bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cushion capable of preventing the occurrence of positional shifting in view of the shape when it is used as a cushion material, and eliminating discomfort such as clinging in view of the touch, and convenient to storing and conveying when it is unused. SOLUTION: A number of small granular bodies 20 having a small granular shape and a shock absorbing function itself are accommodated in a bag-shaped package body 10 having gas barrier property, and the bag-shaped package body 10 is capable of attaining the evacuated state so that at least a number of small granular bodies 20 can hold their shapes as an aggregate.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cushion using an aggregate of small particles, which is convenient for maintaining shape during use and is suitable for increasing transportation efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional cushion, it is generally known that an air-permeable outer bag is filled with expanded polystyrene particles. a) In the seat furniture typified by bead cushions (patent application publication: Showa 47-31978), it is formed in conformity with the shape of the body of the person who sits down, so that a very comfortable sitting comfort can be obtained. Although it has excellent characteristics, it has the following drawbacks.

The sitting position is slightly deviated each time. Even if it shakes, the foam particles inside will always move and adapt. At first glance, it is a characteristic like an advantage, but there is always a feeling of clinging, and although that point is part that is left to the individual's sense, some people find it uncomfortable at present. Further, since the foamed particles in the bag move freely inside the bag, it is difficult to store the foamed particles when not in use.

Further, in the above-mentioned prior art publications,
"Since the shape of the seating part of this easy chair conforms to the shape of the body of the person who sits down, it gives a very comfortable sitting feeling. And even when the above shape is weak, that is, when the person stands up. Even if the chair is left, the shape will be maintained unless new force is applied.
It is also possible to obtain an easy chair having different sitting heights by changing the position of the chair shown in the figure so that the backrest portion serves as the seat portion and the seat portion serves as the backrest portion (FIG. 4). However, in order to keep almost that shape unless a new force is applied, the outer bag has a tetra shape, or urethane or foam rubber is used to suppress the movement of Styrofoam in the bag. It is mixed to increase the friction coefficient.

However, the force exerted on a chair when a person stands up is much larger than the energy used to adapt the shape when sitting, so the shape that can be held here is That is, it is not the shape it was when you were sitting. Therefore, it must be said that the fact that the shape can be maintained has no functional significance. Moreover, mixing urethane or foam rubber in order to eliminate the frictional noise generated when the foamed particles move makes it difficult to separately collect the resources when reusing them.

B) Next, a conventional cushioning material for underlay (Shokai Sho 5
7-98262), even if it has a very random uneven shape, the load due to the weight of the object to be packaged can be substantially evenly distributed and the foamed particles themselves have an appropriate elasticity. In addition, since it has a substantially spherical shape, it has a good feeling of contact with the object to be packaged, there is no danger of damaging the object to be packaged with a soft surface such as grapes, and the fluidity and elasticity of the expanded particles are extremely excellent. Although it has a feature that it can exert a buffering effect and suitably protects the object to be packaged, it has the following drawbacks.

That is, the foam particles in the outer bag move due to vibration during transportation, and when the object to be packaged is a considerable weight, and the filling amount of the foam particles in the outer bag is based on the reference volume rather than the reference volume. If it exceeds the limit, it may be bottomed out or laid flat. This means that there was no way to prevent the occurrence of events that could not be expected to have a buffering effect due to the flow of foam particles. c) In addition, as an example of a specific use for the cushioning material, when used in a stretcher (stretcher), the conventional product causes the cushion C ′ to largely bend due to the weight of the patient as shown in FIG. 11, and the body sinks. Since there are many things and they easily swing during movement, positional deviation occurs, and in the case of an injured person, the injured part cannot be securely fixed, and the injured person must be moved in an unfavorable state. It was something.

Therefore, in the present invention, the problems of the above a to c are solved, the positional deviation in the form when used as a cushion material is not caused, and the discomfort that clings to the touch is eliminated, and The purpose is to provide a cushion that is convenient for storage and transportation during use.

[0009]

The cushion using the aggregate of the small particles according to the present invention, which was invented as a result of intensive research to achieve the above object, is as follows.
As described in claim 1, a bag-shaped package having gas barrier properties contains a large number of small particles in the form of small particles having a cushioning function, and at least a large number of bag-shaped packages. It is characterized in that a state in which the air inside is evacuated to the extent that the small granules of (1) can be maintained as an aggregate can be obtained.

According to the cushion of the first aspect of the present invention, after the shape is once determined by sitting on the cushion and the air is evacuated, the small particles inside are aggregated and moved within the bag-shaped package. Can be cut off and the clinging touch can be eliminated. In addition, the amount of air removed can be adjusted to make the surface texture hard or soft. Therefore, there is a characteristic that the shape / texture can be easily fixed in a state according to the individual's sensitivity, and it becomes easy to use.

Further, in the case of the present invention, after the required amount of air in the bag-shaped package is extracted, the small particles inside can be completely fixed, so that the shape itself which can be held and the shape when sitting is itself. Becomes Moreover, in the case of the present invention, it is possible to cope with the object to be packaged having a very random uneven shape in the same manner as the known technology, and the packaging is performed while visually confirming the expected buffering effect at the initial installation stage. Work is
There is an advantage that the air remaining in the bag-like package can be fixed while being discharged by sucking in with a pump etc., and it is possible to avoid the above-mentioned conventional problems such as bottoming and sideways occurring during transportation. Becomes

Further, in the case of the present invention, it is possible to fix the whole shape to a plate or the like, because the small particles inside can be made into an aggregate (lump) and can not be moved by the action of removing the air mentioned above. , And can be easily stored by leaning against the gap between furniture and the like, and can be easily managed when not in use. Further, in the case of the present invention, since the small particles inside can be completely fixed by the above-mentioned action of extracting air, there is no sound during use. Therefore, a single material is sufficient for the small granular material to be put in the bag-like package, and a product with a low environmental load can be produced from the viewpoint of life cycle.

Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, which depends on the first aspect, the bag-shaped package containing the small particles is constructed so that air can be taken in and out. The feature is that the so-called reversible fixing method can be adopted, which allows you to select the state where air is contained and the state where the necessary amount is removed by providing an intake port and an exhaust port, and an intake and exhaust port. It becomes very easy to put in and take out, and it becomes easier to adopt a reversible fixing system for small particles, and it is possible to reuse different forms.

Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 3 which depends on claim 1, the bag-like package containing the small particles is sealed and fixed in shape with the inside air being evacuated. If the feature is that it is possible to remove the required amount of air in the bag-shaped package, it is possible to fix the state of maintaining the shape of a large number of small particles as an aggregate, the cushion of the present invention according to various applications. It has a great advantage that it can be easily formed into a different shape (described later), and that it can easily and diversify a shape similar to a conventional molded product.

Further, in the present invention, as described in claim 4 subordinate to claim 1, the large number of small particles may be synthetic or natural, and spherical foam made of synthetic resin, Spherical crushed foam and a short section of a cylindrical tube, and further granules of rice, wheat, corn, tapioca itself, or one or a combination of food foams utilizing these starches It is convenient to use a wide variety of small granules, and especially in the case of granules made of food such as rice itself or food foam, it is a portable cushion or stretcher. As a result, when the present invention product is carried on a mountain climbing or camping, these small particles can be eaten as emergency food by breaking the bag-shaped package in an emergency such as a disaster. As the above-mentioned small particles, for example, in the case of a spherical shape, it is preferable to use particles having a particle size of about 0.4 mm to 20 mm.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before air is removed from the bag-shaped package 10, and FIG. 2 is used as a cushion, for example, after a person's buttocks D are placed so as to have a predetermined seat shape and air is removed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the bag-shaped packaging body 10 is formed of a synthetic resin sheet having a gas barrier property, and the small granular bodies 20 housed in the bag-shaped packaging body 10 have a small granular form. In addition, since the bag itself has a buffer function, a large number of them are accommodated in the bag-shaped package 10, and when the air in the bag-shaped package 10 is evacuated, a large number of small particles 20 are individually separated. Instead, it can be held in a predetermined shape as an aggregate as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 30 in the figure denotes a combined intake / exhaust port for letting air in and out, and may be provided with a valve mechanism such as a check valve or a mesh-like filter so that small particulate matter is not discharged. In addition, it can be connected to a pump. Although the bag-shaped package 10 initially has an opening (not shown) for inserting a large number of the small granular bodies 20,
Is not shown because it is sealed and closed after the housing.

Next, in practice, the bag-shaped package 10 is molded by a known molding method using a plastic film or sheet in order to have a gas barrier property. For the film and sheet, for example, a blow molding method,
It is possible to use those molded by various conventionally known methods such as the inflation method and the T-die method. Further, the bag-shaped package 10 may have a multi-layered structure. For example, in the case of a double-layered package, at least one of the inside and the outside may have a gas barrier property.

Polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene are preferably used as the above-mentioned plastics because they have excellent moldability and safety is established, and they have gas barrier properties. ,
Various known laminates are used. For example, packaging materials having a high impermeability to air include a three-layer laminated film having layers of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer film and a polyvinylidene chloride film, and a laminated film having an aluminum layer. In the three-layer laminate film, it is preferable to laminate an unstretched polypropylene film or an unstretched polyethylene film on the inner layer of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer film, and the heat fusion property will be good. Further, it is preferable to laminate a biaxially oriented polypropylene film, a polyester film or the like on the outer layer of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer film. In addition, olefin resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and packaging materials having a large thickness such as polyester, polyurethane, and polyamide can be used, and it is preferable to use a laminated sheet made of these synthetic resins.

The small granular material 20 may be synthetic or natural, and may be a synthetic resin spherical foam, a spherical crushed foam, a short section of a cylindrical tube, rice, wheat, or the like. The present invention can be carried out using a granular body of food itself such as corn or tapioca, or a food foam utilizing these starches, or a combination of several kinds. The size of the small particles 20 can be variously used, but in the case of a spherical shape, the particle size is preferably about 0.4 mm to 20 mm. Also in the case of other shapes, the size according to this is preferable.

In practice, when the small granular body 20 is drawn to one side of the bag-shaped packaging body 10 as shown in FIG. 3 and the inside of the bag-shaped packaging body 10 is evacuated, it becomes a semi-cylindrical shape or a semi-square shape. Thus, a pillow-like bed with pillow P can be provided. Further, when the small particles 20 are evenly spread so as to form a single step as shown in FIG. 4 and then evacuated, a sheet shape for the purpose of cushioning, such as a sheet in which the particles are continuously provided (commonly called an air cap), is formed. Can provide a cushion. Also,
When a part of the bag-shaped packaging body 10 is deflated with the backrest portion (see chain line) 50 bent and raised,
A mat with a backrest can be provided as shown in FIG. As a shape application similar to this, there are cushioning corner pads of various sizes, and the angle of the bent form can be freely set.

Further, a groove-like slit 11 is formed at an appropriate position of the bag-like package 10 as shown in FIG. 6, and the other part is made into a bag-like shape, and a cushion C containing the small particles 20 therein is provided. When the user's head is covered with air to remove air (and in some cases, the extra small particles 20 are also removed), it is possible to provide a helmet as a user's made-to-order item or a cushion as a helmet inner. Of FIG. 6, the hem portion 6
Reference numeral 0 is a portion that serves as a surplus storage portion for adjusting the amount of the small particles 20 depending on the shape of the user's head, and is along the nape of the neck. If adjustment is unnecessary, seal at the chain line portion. And then remove it.

In addition, pillows for mountaineering, camping, and stretchers (stretchers) can be provided by partitioning and sealing appropriate places of the wide and slightly long bag-like package 10 (see FIGS. 7 (1) and 7 (2)). ). In addition, it can also be used as a stretcher mat (Fig. 8- (1)) for emergency transportation as shown in Fig. 8. In either case, it is easy to adapt to the body shape of the victim. The state will be described below with reference to FIG. 8 as an example.
First, before deflating the air in the bag-shaped package 10, the injured person is placed on the bag-shaped package 10 serving as the cushion C (Fig. 8-
(2)) Next, the air inside the bag-shaped package 10 is evacuated by a small pump (not shown) provided in the stretcher.
That is, when air is evacuated to a state in which the small granular bodies 20 inside can hold the shape as an aggregate, the shape is held in a state in which the concave portions 80 are formed along the body shape of the victim.
This clearly shows that when the victim is taken off the mat, the concave portion 80 is formed thereafter (Fig. 8-
(3)). Therefore, in the transportation state in which the injured person is placed, it is possible to prevent the injured person from moving on the mat. Further, a groove 90 for flowing blood or the like, and a recess 90 'for facilitating placement of a surgical instrument are shown in FIG.
The surgical mat formed as in (1) and (2) also has the groove 90.
If a member capable of forming the concave portion 90 'is evacuated from the bag-like package 10 by pressing it, the member can be easily formed in conformity with the shape. FIG. 10 shows a case where the cushion C of the present invention is used as a bed for CT examination.
In any of the above cases, the air intake / exhaust ports are omitted.

The main application areas of the present invention are listed below.
The cushions mentioned above are various cushioning materials (for packing home appliances, up to heavy items), seat furniture, helmet inners, foam products such as styrofoam (molded products, cuts) It can be replaced by all products (those with a large number of foam particles). Especially, it is effective for the ones with a small production quantity, those requiring a slightly different shape depending on the individual to be used, and those used repeatedly.

[0024] In addition, in the field of emergency medical care, especially in the emergency equipment loaded on a high-standard ambulance, the equipment for heat insulation is as follows: Main stretcher (on a stretcher with wheels, usually towed by two people). , It can be adjusted in several steps depending on the symptom and posture of the injured person. ・ Flexible stretcher (used for transportation in narrow places such as indoors and stairs) ・ Cloth stretcher (bend stairs that can not be supported even with flexible stretcher etc.)・ Scoop stretcher (stretcher for spinal cord injury) (used to store and transport a victim of spinal cord injury or suspected of having spinal cord injury. Open the stretcher like scissors and store it as a scoop) Although there are several types of stretchers and aluminum sheets, blankets, etc., the use of the cushion of the present invention makes it possible to satisfy the use of the cushion part as a stretcher without wheels. It made.

In particular, when transporting a patient who is in a situation where it is difficult to move the body due to cervical spinal cord / spinal cord injury, etc. It is dangerous that the
It is possible to make maximum use of the excellent characteristic that the cushioning effect according to the present invention can be held by the cushion according to the present invention because it has a cushioning effect rather than the support only by the belt.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, not only the small particles are contained in the bag-shaped package, but also the bag-shaped package can hold the shape of at least a large number of small particles as an aggregate. Since it is configured to remove the internal air, it can be used in a state where many small particles do not flow as an aggregate, can fix the small particles and stabilize the shape retention It can be widely used for the above-mentioned applications that need to be converted, and can exert a great effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state before evacuation of air.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view after air is removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view formed on a cushion that is a bed with a pillow.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flat cushion.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cushion serving as a mat with a backrest.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view when a cushion is formed as a helmet or a helmet inner.

7 (1) and (2) are a perspective view of a cushion formed as a stretcher mat and a perspective view of a use state.

8 (1), (2) and (3) are perspective views showing a cushion as a stretcher mat for emergency transportation.

9 (1) and 9 (2) are perspective views showing a cushion as a surgical mat.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cushion as a CT examination bed.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a use state of a conventional stretcher.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Bag-shaped package 20 small particles 30 intake and exhaust C cushion P pillow 50 Backrest 60 hem 90 groove 90 'recess

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A bag-shaped package having a gas barrier property, containing a large number of small particles in the form of small particles and having a cushioning function itself, and the bag-shaped package contains at least a large number of small particles. A cushion using an aggregate made of small particles, wherein the inside air is removed to the extent that the shape can be maintained as an aggregate. 2. The cushion using the aggregate of small particles according to claim 1, wherein the bag-like package containing the small particles is configured so that air can be taken in and out. . 3. The assembly of small granular bodies according to claim 1, wherein the bag-shaped packaging body containing the small granular bodies is sealed and fixed in shape with the inside air evacuated. Cushion using the body. 4. A large number of small granules, whether synthetic or natural, which are made of synthetic resin, such as spherical foam, spherical crushed foam and a short section of a cylindrical tube, and rice. 2. Small granules according to claim 1, characterized by comprising one or a combination of granules of the food itself such as wheat, wheat, corn, tapioca, etc. or food foams utilizing these starches. Cushion using an aggregate.