JP2005152279A - Cushion unit and cushion body - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cushion unit 1 and a cushion body capable of preventing an uneven distribution of enclosed substance so as not to generate so called bottoming, and also capable of adjusting hardness as needed and changing hardness of each part of the cushion body separately. <P>SOLUTION: The cushion unit 1 comprises the enclosed substance 3 enclosed in an enclosing body 2 formed at least partially of a flexible membrane-like body 2a, and a hardness adjusting means 4 provided so as to press the enclosing body 2 from outside by adjusting degrees of pressing. A plurality of the cushion units 1 are inserted in a unit storing body composed at least partially of the flexible membrane-like body so as to form the cushion body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cushion body suitable for use as a cushion, a pillow, a mattress for bedding (a mattress for bed and a futon type mattress), a mattress for sofa, a cushion, a headrest, a cushioning material, a sealing material, a soundproofing material, a heat insulating material, and the like. The present invention also relates to a cushion body unit constituting the cushion body.

  Conventional cushion bodies are roughly classified into the following four types.

(A) Foams such as urethane foam, cotton, etc., materials that have many internal voids, rubber-like materials such as rubber, springs, etc. are used, and air, liquid, and gel substances are used. Non-fluid / non-gel type,
(B) An air pillow, an air-enclosed type in which air is encapsulated like an air mat,
(C) A liquid-filled type in which a liquid is sealed, such as a water mattress or water pillow of a water bed,
(D) A gel-encapsulated type encapsulating a gel substance.

  However, the conventional non-fluid / non-gel type cushion body (a) has a characteristic that when it is pressed against a human body or the like, only the pressed portion locally increases the pressure. Therefore, for example, when used for the purpose of providing a cushion function to the human body such as a cushion, a pillow, a mattress for bedding (bed mattress and mattress of a futon type), a sofa mattress, a cushion, a headrest, There was a problem that the local pressure increase was not comfortable for the human body. When used in a mattress for bedding, blood circulation is disturbed to bedridden people, causing bed slips. In addition, when pressed by a human body or the like, only the pressed portion locally bears the load, so that there is a problem that it is partially apt to be loosened.

  The conventional air-filled cushion body of (b) has a high elastic modulus of air, so when used for a cushion body used for the purpose of performing a cushion function on the human body, it is unstable and has a good feeling of use. There wasn't.

  The conventional (c) liquid-filled type cushion body, when pressed against a human body or the like, not only the pressed portion, but also the pressure is increased uniformly throughout, and the vicinity of the pressed portion is also on the cushion body side. The pressed object such as a human body is brought into contact with the cushion body, and the pressed object such as the human body is supported by the entire cushion body. For this reason, when used in a cushion body used for the purpose of performing a cushion function on the human body, the human body is supported comfortably, and in the case of a water mattress of a water bed, even a bedridden person is less likely to cause bed slippage. .

  However, the conventional liquid-filled cushion body has the following drawbacks.

(B) The weight becomes heavier (for example, in the case of a water bed, it becomes so heavy that it cannot be used in a wooden house where the load capacity of the floor is insufficient)
(B) Since the viscosity of the liquid is low, water largely flows and shakes inside, so that when used in a cushion body used for the purpose of performing a cushion function on the human body, the human body is uncomfortable. Especially in the case of a water bed, this liquid shaking may cause seasickness.
(C) I feel cold,
(D) In order to maintain the shape, it is necessary to take measures such as providing a large number of reinforcing walls, reinforcing ribs and the like inside the enclosure that encloses the liquid, and the manufacturing cost increases.

  The conventional gel-encapsulated cushion body (d) has the following drawbacks.

(E) Like the liquid-filled type, the weight increases.
(F) As with non-fluid / non-gel type, when pressed against the human body etc., only the pressed part has a high pressure locally. Disadvantages arise,
(G) I feel cold.

  The present applicant has proposed a novel cushion body in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 as a cushion body that can eliminate such conventional drawbacks.

  The cushion body proposed in Patent Document 1 is obtained by enclosing a mixture of a microballoon (micro hollow sphere) and a liquid in an enclosure made of a flexible film-like body.

  The cushion body proposed in Patent Document 2 is formed by encapsulating a granular material with a high-viscosity liquid attached to the surface in an encapsulant made of a flexible material.

  The cushion body proposed in Patent Document 3 includes an enclosure that is at least partially configured by a flexible film-like body, and a gas chamber surrounded by the flexible film-like body, and is enclosed in the enclosure. A gas chamber structure, a gas sealed in the gas chamber, and a liquid or semi-solid high viscosity agent attached to an outer surface of the gas chamber structure, A plurality are enclosed in the inclusion body.

As described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, these cushion bodies can solve the problems of the conventional cushion bodies.
JP-A-9-140507 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-11686 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-159374

  However, in the cushion body proposed by the applicant, the encapsulated material (a mixture of a microballoon and a liquid, a granule having a high-viscosity liquid attached to the surface, or a high-viscosity agent) enclosed in the encapsulated body. There is a problem in that the attached gas chamber structure) tends to be unevenly distributed in a specific portion in the enclosure.

  Further, in the cushion body proposed by the applicant, the so-called “bottom” occurs because the object to be encapsulated largely escapes from the strongly pressed part of the encapsulant to the other part of the encapsulant. There was also a problem that there was something.

  Further, in the conventional general cushion body excluding the cushion body and the air-filled type proposed by the applicant, the hardness (relation between the magnitude of pressure applied from the outside and the magnitude of deformation of the cushion body) is determined. There is a problem that it is difficult to adjust as necessary.

  Further, for example, in a mattress for bedding, in order to support the human body in a state where it is extended as straight as possible, it is preferable to harden a portion where a large load acts such as a buttock or a shoulder while softening a portion where a small load acts. However, in the cushion body proposed by the applicant and the conventional general cushion body, the hardness of the entire cushion body is basically uniform, and it is difficult to change the hardness for each part of the cushion body. There was a problem of being.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a conventional situation, and the objective of this invention is providing the cushion unit and cushion body which can prevent that the to-be-enclosed object will be unevenly distributed.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a cushion unit and a cushion body that hardly cause “bottom”.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a cushion unit and a cushion body that can be adjusted in hardness as needed.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a cushion unit and a cushion body that can change the hardness of the cushion body for each portion.

  Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

  The cushion unit according to the present invention includes an enclosure that is at least partially composed of a flexible film-like body, an object to be encapsulated in the enclosure, and a pressure that allows the degree of compression of the enclosure to be adjusted from the outside. Hardness adjusting means.

In addition, the cushion body according to the present invention includes a unit housing body that is at least partially configured from a flexible film-like body, and a plurality of cushion units housed in the unit housing body,
Each of the cushion units compresses at least a part of an inclusion body composed of a flexible membrane-like body, an object to be enclosed enclosed in the inclusion body, and the inclusion body so that the degree of compression can be adjusted from the outside. And a hardness adjusting means.

  In the present invention, it is possible to prevent the objects to be encapsulated from being unevenly distributed by housing a plurality of cushion units in the unit housing. In addition, since the capacity of the enclosure of each cushion unit can be made smaller than the total capacity of the unit container, the object to be enclosed can escape greatly from the strongly pressed part of the enclosure to the other part of the enclosure. Since it becomes impossible, it becomes difficult to produce "bottom".

  Further, when the degree to which the hardness adjusting means presses the enclosing body from the outside increases, the tension of the film-like body constituting the enclosing body increases, thereby increasing the hardness of the cushion unit (in some cases, the enclosing body may be enclosed) It is thought that the hardness of the cushion unit is also increased by the fact that the volume of the body is reduced or the inclusion body is deformed and the inclusion object is difficult to move). On the contrary, if the degree to which the hardness adjusting means presses the enclosure from the outside is reduced, the hardness of the cushion unit is reduced.

  Therefore, the hardness of the cushion unit and thus the cushion body can be appropriately adjusted as necessary by changing the degree by which the hardness adjusting means presses the enclosure from the outside.

  Furthermore, by individually changing the hardness of the plurality of cushion units accommodated in one unit container, the hardness can be easily changed for each part in one cushion body.

In the cushion unit and the cushion body of the present invention,
(A) The inclusions can be prevented from being unevenly distributed,
(B) It can be made difficult to produce “bottom”.
(C) Hardness can be adjusted as necessary.
(D) The hardness of the cushion body can be changed for each part.
Such excellent effects can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

  1 to 9 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Among these, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cushion unit 1 in the present embodiment, and this cushion unit 1 includes an enclosure 2, an inclusion 3, and a hardness adjusting means 4.

  The inclusion body 2 is formed into a bag shape by connecting both ends of a flexible urethane film 30a to 100m thick tubular urethane film 2a (film-like body in this embodiment) (5 is both ends) In this way, by sealing the both ends, it is sealed so that air does not enter and exit the inside and outside of the enclosure 2. In this embodiment, the encapsulated object 3 encapsulated in the encapsulant 2 is a granule 7 having a liquid or semi-solid high viscosity agent 6 (see FIG. 3) attached to the surface. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the granule 7 in the present embodiment (the granule 7 is also schematically shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2).

  In this example, water (hereinafter referred to as PVA solution) in which PVA (polyvinyl alcohol, trade name Gohsenol NH-26R, manufactured by Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was used as the high viscosity agent 6 was used. This PVA solution was obtained by mixing PVA and water in a ratio (weight ratio) of PVA: water = 1: 9, boiling it with stirring and completely dissolving it, and was a paste-like liquid. is there.

  In the present embodiment, expanded polystyrene (expanded polystyrene) beads (apparent specific gravity 0.06) are used as the granules 7, and the expanded polystyrene beads and the PVA solution are combined in a ratio of expanded polystyrene beads: PVA solution = 1: 2. By mixing well at a weight ratio), granules (styrofoam beads) 7 having a high viscosity agent (PVA solution) 6 attached to the surface were obtained.

  The hardness adjusting means 4 includes a string (clamping body in the present embodiment) 8 and a fastener 9. In addition, instead of the string 8, a linear body such as a thread or a wire can be used as a tightening body in this case. 4 to 6, the fastener 9 includes a fastener body 10 and a movable piece 11, and the movable piece 11 is placed in a movable piece receiving hole 12 provided in the fastener body 10. It is movably fitted so that the amount of protrusion from the main body 10 is variable. The fastener body 10 and the movable piece 11 are each provided with two sets of string insertion holes 13 and 14. An urging means 15 comprising a compression spring is provided between the fastener body 10 and the movable piece 11, and this urging means 15 is movable with respect to the string insertion hole 13 of the fastener body 10. The movable piece 11 is urged against the fastener body 10 in a direction in which the position of the string insertion hole 14 is shifted (direction of arrow A in FIGS. 6 and 7). As shown well in FIGS. 1 and 2, the string 8 is inserted through two sets of string insertion holes 13 of the fastener body 10 and two sets of string insertion holes 14 of the movable piece 11, and is connected to both ends. Thus, it is formed into a ring shape (8a indicates the knot of the string 8), and is wound around the outer side of the enclosure 2 and the central portion in the length direction.

  The cushion unit 1 has cushioning properties by accommodating the granular material 7 with the high viscosity agent 6 attached to the surface in the enclosure 2. 2 and 7, when the knot 8a of the string 8 is pulled, the loop of the string 8 wound around the enclosure 2 becomes small, and the string 8 pulls the enclosure 2 from the outside. The degree of compression (degree of tightening) increases, and the tension of the membrane-like body 2a constituting the enclosure 2 increases, whereby the hardness of the cushion unit 1 increases (in this case, the enclosure 2 is a gourd). It is thought that the hardness of the cushion unit 1 also increases due to the constriction and deformation of the particles 7 and the difficulty in moving the particles 7). Since the biasing means 15 biases the string insertion hole 13 of the fastener body 10 and the string insertion hole 14 of the movable piece 11 in a direction that shifts the position, the pulling of the knot 8a of the string 8 is stopped. However, the string 8 does not loosen.

  On the other hand, the movable piece 11 is pushed against the urging means 15 and tightened while moving the movable piece 11 in a direction in which the positions of the string insertion hole 13 of the fastener body 10 and the string insertion hole 14 of the movable piece 11 coincide. When the tool body 10 is moved to the knot 8a side of the string 8, the string 8 is relatively movable in the direction in which the ring of the string 8 wound around the enclosure 2 becomes larger and the string insertion hole 13 of the fastener body 10 is movable. Since the string insertion hole 14 of the piece 11 is moved, the degree that the string 8 presses the inclusion body 2 from the outside (degree of tightening) is reduced, and the tension of the film-like body 2a constituting the inclusion body 2 is reduced. The hardness of the cushion unit 1 is reduced (in this case, when the hardness of the cushion unit 1 is reduced by reducing the gourd-like constriction deformation of the inclusion body 2 and facilitating the movement of the granule 7). Conceivable).

  8 and 9 show a cushion body 16 in this embodiment, which is an example in which the present invention is applied to a mattress for bedding, and is composed of a flexible film-like body 17a such as a cloth, a plastic film or a sheet. A plurality of the cushion units 1 are accommodated in the unit accommodating body 17.

  In the cushion body 16, since the plurality of cushion units 1 are accommodated in the unit accommodating body 17, it is possible to prevent the inclusions 3 from being unevenly distributed in the unit accommodating body 17.

  Further, since the capacity of the enclosure 2 of each cushion unit 1 can be made smaller than the total capacity of the unit container 17, the object to be encapsulated from the strongly pressed part of the enclosure 2 to the other part of the enclosure 2 Since 3 cannot escape greatly, “bottom” can be made difficult to occur.

  Moreover, the hardness of the cushion unit 1 and thus the cushion body 16 can be appropriately adjusted as necessary by changing the degree to which the hardness adjusting means 4 presses the enclosure 2 from the outside as described above.

  Furthermore, the hardness of each cushion body 16 can be changed by individually changing the hardness of the plurality of cushion units 1 housed in the unit housing body 17. Therefore, in order to support the human body in a state where the human body is stretched as straight as possible, a portion to which a large load acts such as a buttocks and a shoulder can be hardened, while a portion to which a small load acts can be softened.

  In addition, the cushion unit 1 and the cushion body 16 of a present Example show | play the outstanding effect as described in patent document 2 as a basic characteristic.

  That is, since the granular material 7 having the high-viscosity agent 6 attached to the surface is enclosed in the enclosure 2, the elastic modulus does not become too high as in a conventional air-enclosed cushion body.

  Further, since the high-viscosity agent 6 is attached to the surface, the particles 7 behave like a fluid having a higher viscosity and are pressed against the human body or the like in the same manner as a conventional liquid-filled cushion body. In this case, not only the pressed portion but also the pressure is uniformly increased over the entire portion, the vicinity of the pressed portion comes into contact with the pressed object such as the human body from the cushion body 16 side, and the pressed object such as the human body is the cushion body. 16 is supported throughout. Therefore, when used for the cushion body 16 used for the purpose of performing a cushion function with respect to the human body such as a bed, mattress, pillow, cushion, etc., the human body is supported by the cushion body 16 as a whole and is comfortably supported. . And when it is used for a bed or a mattress, even a bedridden person is less likely to cause a floor slip.

  Further, a space 18 (see FIG. 3) is formed between the granules 7, and the granules 7 themselves have a small apparent specific gravity, so that the weight is reduced.

  Moreover, the granular material 7 having the high viscosity agent 6 attached to the surface does not flow and shake as much as a low viscosity liquid such as water. Therefore, even if it is used for a cushion body used for the purpose of performing a cushion function for the human body such as a bed, mattress, futon, cushion, pillow, cushion, etc., it does not cause discomfort to the human body, especially for a water bed. When used, it is possible to prevent the seasickness phenomenon caused by the shaking of the liquid (water), which has been a problem in the past.

  Further, since the space 18 is formed between the particles 7 and the particle 7 itself is also made of a porous material containing a lot of air inside, the heat insulating property is very high and it does not feel cold.

  Further, when pressed, not only the pressed portion but also the entire pressure is increased uniformly, and the load is supported as a whole.

  Further, since the granular material 7 having the high viscosity agent 6 attached to the surface has high shape retention, it is not necessary to provide a large number of reinforcing walls, reinforcing ribs, etc. inside the encapsulated body 2, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. (However, also in the present invention, a reinforcing wall, a reinforcing rib, or the like may be provided inside the enclosure 2).

  Further, since the space 18 is formed between the particles 7 and the particle 7 itself is also made of a porous material containing a large amount of air inside, it is only used as a cushioning material in order to achieve soundproofing and heat insulating effects. It can also be used as a sealing material, a soundproofing material, a heat insulating material and the like.

  In this embodiment, it should be noted that the particles 7 are completely immersed in the high viscosity agent 6 and the high viscosity agent 6 must not be completely filled between the particles 7. If the high-viscosity agent 6 is completely filled between the granules 7, the space 18 is lost between the granules 7, and various characteristics are close to those of a liquid only. You can not get the characteristics.

  Further, the high viscosity agent 6 is not limited to the water in which the PVA is dissolved, and various materials can be used, such as polybutene, α-olefin oligomer, silicone oil and other high viscosity oils, PEG (polyethylene glycol), and the like. Water in which a water-soluble polymer is dissolved, water thickened with a thickening agent such as Metrose or smectite, or a semi-solid viscous substance such as grease can be used. The kinematic viscosity of the high viscosity agent 6 is preferably 50 to 1,000,000 cSt.

  Moreover, as a film-like body constituting the encapsulant 2, as long as it is flexible and not adversely affected by the encapsulated material 3, it is not limited to the urethane film as in the present embodiment, and various materials can be used. A film-like body such as rubber, various thermoplastic elastomers, flexible PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or a stretchable film or sheet can also be suitably used. In some cases, a film-like body having poor stretchability can also be used.

  Moreover, the enclosure 2 does not necessarily need to be composed of a flexible film-like body as a whole, as long as at least a part thereof is constituted of a flexible film-like body.

  The granules 7 are not limited to the above-mentioned expanded polystyrene beads, and various types can be used. For example, granules made of various plastics other than polystyrene (polystyrene) can also be used. In addition, porous materials such as foamed beads as in this example, and hollow particles such as plastic microballoons and shirasu balloons can reduce the apparent specific gravity and increase heat insulation and soundproofing. Although preferred, solid granules can also be used. Further, different types of particles may be mixed and used at an appropriate ratio. The outer shape of the particles 7 is preferably spherical or a shape close to it, but may be non-spherical.

  In general, the particle size of the granule 7 is preferably 0.1 to 10 mm. When the particle size is too small, a characteristic close to that when only the liquid is sealed is exhibited. On the other hand, when the granule 7 is too large, it becomes lumpy. However, the preferable size of the particle 7 varies depending on the purpose of use, the capacity of the sealed gas chamber constituting body 2 and the like.

  10-14 has shown Example 2 of this invention. The present embodiment is an example in which a plurality of gas chamber constituting bodies 19 having a high viscosity agent 6 attached to the surface instead of the granules 7 in the first embodiment are enclosed in the enclosure 2 as the inclusion 3. 10 to 14 show only one gas chamber structure 19 taken out. The configuration other than the object 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  Each gas chamber component 19 is entirely composed of a plastic film (for example, a film of polyester, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol or polyvinylidene chloride, or a composite film coated with them) or a plastic film and the other. It is comprised by the film-like body 20 which consists of films with high gas barrier properties, such as a film (For example, aluminum foil composite film, an alumina vapor deposition film, a silica vapor deposition film, etc.) which compounded material. Specifically, each gas chamber constituting body 19 is formed into a bag shape by heat-welding the peripheral edges of the film-like bodies 20 facing each other (21 indicates this heat-welded portion), and 1 inside is formed. Two gas chambers 22 (see FIGS. 13 and 14) are formed, and air is sealed in the gas chambers 22 in a sealed state. Thereby, the gas chamber 22 is in a swelled state. As shown in FIG. 14, spaces 18 are formed between the gas chambers 22. The same high viscosity agent 6 as that in Example 1 is attached to the outer surface of each gas chamber constituting body 19.

  FIG. 14 schematically shows the gas chamber constituting body 19 with the high viscosity agent 6 attached to the outer surface in order to clearly show the state in which the gas chamber constituting body 19 is enclosed in the enclosure 2. The thickness of the adhesion layer of the high-viscosity agent 6 with respect to the structure 19, the thickness of the film-like body 20, the thickness of the enclosure 2, and the like are different from the actual dimensional ratio. In particular, since the thickness of the adhesion layer of the high-viscosity agent 6 is drawn very exaggeratedly, it should be noted that the space 18 formed between the gas chamber constituents 19 is drawn relatively small. In addition, although each gas chamber structure 19 is drawn so as to be stacked in an orderly and regular manner, in practice, in many cases, even if the gas chamber structure 19 is first stacked regularly, the enclosure Even if it encloses in 2, each gas chamber structure 19 will be in the state accommodated in the enclosure 2 by irregular arrangement | positioning.

  Also in this embodiment, it should be noted that the gas chamber 22 is completely immersed in the high viscosity agent 6 and the high viscosity agent 6 must not be completely filled between the gas chambers 22.

  The cushion unit 1 in the present embodiment and the cushion body (not shown) in which these units 1 are housed in the unit housing are also used in the first embodiment because each gas chamber 22 functions as the granule 7 in the first embodiment. Excellent basic characteristics similar to those of. In addition, since the hardness adjusting means 4 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained with respect to the hardness adjustment.

  FIG. 15 shows an object to be encapsulated 3 in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a plurality of gas chambers 22 are formed in a bag shape in a gas chamber constituting body 19 having a sheet shape. The film-like body 20 between the gas chambers 22 constitutes a flexible connecting portion 23 that connects the gas chambers 22 to each other. Then, one or a plurality of sheet-like gas chamber constituting bodies 19 are enclosed in the same enclosure 2 as in the first and second embodiments in an appropriately wound state. The same high viscosity agent 6 as that in Examples 1 and 2 is attached to the surface of the gas chamber constituting body 19. Other configurations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

  In the present embodiment, since each gas chamber 22 is connected through the flexible connecting portion 23, each gas chamber 22 can move relatively to some extent. Therefore, when pressed by a human body or the like, each gas chamber 22 exhibits a behavior similar to that of a fluid with higher viscosity and slowly flows to some extent as in the case of the second embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same function and effect as in the second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the relative movements of the gas chambers 22 are restricted by the flexible connecting portion 23 and cannot move as freely as in the second embodiment. Although various performances are inferior, shape stability is improved. Moreover, since many gas chambers 22 can be handled collectively at the time of manufacture, productivity is good.

  FIG. 16 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a mixture of a microballoon and a liquid is enclosed in the enclosure 2 as the enclosure 3. In this embodiment, in particular, a microballoon made of polyvinylidene chloride is used as the microballoon, and water is used as the liquid. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The cushion unit 1 in the present embodiment and the cushion body (not shown) in which these units 1 are housed in the unit housing body also exhibit excellent basic characteristics as described in Patent Document 3.

  That is, since liquid (water) is enclosed in the enclosure 2 together with the microballoon, the conventional liquid enclosure type in which only the liquid is enclosed while the elastic modulus is not high as in the conventional air enclosure type cushion body. Similarly to the cushion body, when pressed against the human body etc., not only the pressed part, but also the pressure increases uniformly across the whole, and the vicinity of the pressed part contacts the pressed object such as the human body from the cushion body side. In addition, a pressed object such as a human body is supported by the entire cushion body. Therefore, when used for a cushion body used for the purpose of performing a cushion function for a human body such as a bed, mattress, pillow, cushion, etc., the human body is supported by the entire cushion body and is comfortably supported. And when it is used for a bed or a mattress, even a bedridden person is less likely to cause a floor slip.

  In addition, the elastic modulus is not high as in the conventional air-filled type cushion body, and as already described, when pressed, not only the pressed part, but the pressure increases uniformly throughout, When used as a sealing material, the vicinity of the unpressed part also comes into contact with the material to be sealed from the cushion body side, so it does not contact the material to be sealed locally and the cushion body is uniform. It can come into contact with the entire surface with a sufficient pressure, and an excellent sealing performance can be obtained.

  Further, since the microballoon is hollow, the weight is reduced. Specifically, when the mixture ratio of the microballoon and water in the mixture is 95 to 40% of the microballoon with respect to 5 to 60% of the water in the volume ratio, only water is sealed in the enclosure 2 1/5 to 1/2 of the weight.

  Further, since the mixture is a mixture of a microballoon and a liquid (water), the viscosity is higher than that in the case of the liquid (water) alone, so that the mixture does not greatly flow and shake in the enclosure 2. Therefore, even if it is used for a cushion body that is used for the purpose of performing a cushion function on the human body such as a bed, mattress, pillow, cushion, etc., it does not cause discomfort to the human body, especially when used for a water bed It is possible to prevent the seasickness phenomenon caused by the shaking of liquid (water), which has been a problem in the past.

  In addition, since the microballoon is hollow, the mixture exhibits a heat insulating property and thus does not feel cold.

  In addition, since the mixture has a high viscosity as described above, it has a high shape retaining property, so there is no need to provide a large number of reinforcing walls, reinforcing ribs, etc. inside the enclosure 2, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. (However, also in the present invention, a reinforcing wall, a reinforcing rib or the like may be provided inside the enclosure 2).

  The material constituting the microballoon is not limited to polyvinylidene chloride in the present embodiment, and can be appropriately selected depending on the use conditions. For example, the microphone balloon is composed of phenol, carbon, silica, shirasu, glass, alumina, zirconia, or the like. can do.

  Further, the liquid mixed with the microballoon is not limited to water in this embodiment, and can be appropriately selected according to the use conditions. For example, various hydrocarbon oils, various plasticizers, silicone oil, vegetable oil, and the like can be used.

  The size of the microballoon is preferably about 1 μm to 5 mm in diameter, and particularly preferably about 5 to 300 μm. When it is too small, the same characteristics as in the case where the mixture consists of only a liquid are exhibited. On the other hand, if the microphone balloon is too large, it becomes lumpy.

  The mixing ratio of the microballoon and the liquid in the mixture is preferably about 95 to 40% of the microballoon with respect to the liquid of 5 to 60% in volume ratio. If the volume ratio of the liquid is less than 5 percent, the microballoon becomes hardened due to blocking, and the fluidity becomes too low or not at all. Further, when the volume ratio of the liquid is smaller than 25%, a space exists between the microballoons, and the mixture exhibits compressibility. And when this compressibility becomes large, the same fault as the conventional air enclosure type cushion body will arise. On the other hand, when the volume ratio of the liquid is 25% or more, there is no space between the microballoons, and the mixture becomes incompressible. Therefore, the mixing ratio of the microballoon and the liquid is particularly preferably in the range of 25 to 40% liquid and 75 to 60% microballoon in volume ratio.

  In addition, since the present embodiment also includes the same hardness adjusting means 4 as in the first embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved with respect to the hardness adjustment.

  17 and 18 show the cushion unit 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hardness adjusting means 4 is composed of a band 25 (clamping body in this embodiment) provided with a hook-and-loop fastener 24. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the band 25 is wrapped around the enclosure 2 and the male part 24a of the hook-and-loop fastener 24 provided on the back side of the band 25 and the female part 24b provided on the front side of the band 25 are engaged, The inclusion body 2 can be pressed (tightened) from the outside with the band 25. The degree to which the band 25 presses (tightens) the inclusion body 2 from the outside can be adjusted by changing the engagement position between the male portion 24a and the female portion 24b of the hook-and-loop fastener 24. And the hardness of the cushion unit 1 can be adjusted similarly to the case of each said Example by adjusting the degree to which the band 25 presses the enclosure 2 from the outside in this way.

In the present invention, the shape of the enclosure 2 is not limited to the cylindrical shape as shown in the above embodiments. In each of the above embodiments, the opening portion of the enclosure 2 is closed by the knot 5, but the opening portion may be closed by other means. For example, the enclosure can be sewn by thermal welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like. The two open portions may be closed.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the cushion unit 1 is accommodated in one stage without being stacked on the unit housing 17. However, in the present invention, the cushion unit is stacked in a plurality of stages on the unit housing and accommodated. Also good.

  Also, the hardness adjusting means is not limited to those shown in the above embodiments. For example, instead of the band 25 of the fifth embodiment, a plastic binding band whose degree of tightening can be adjusted may be wound around the cushion unit to tighten the cushion unit (in this case, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-57). 141, which is also capable of loosening tightening, such as a binding band (attachment) disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 141616 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-73411. Further, the inclusion body 2 may be compressed from the outside so that the degree of compression can be adjusted by a mode other than winding the fastening body such as a string, a thread, a wire, or a band around the inclusion body 2 to tighten the inclusion body 2. .

  As described above, the cushion unit and the cushion body according to the present invention are useful for use as a cushion, a pillow, a mattress for bedding, a mattress for sofa, a cushion, a headrest, a cushioning material, a sealing material, a soundproofing material, a heat insulating material, and the like.

It is a front view which shows the cushion unit in Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the II-II line of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which shows typically the granule with which the high viscosity agent in the said Example 1 was adhered to the surface. It is a perspective view which shows the fastener of the hardness adjustment means in the said Example 1. FIG. It is a top view which shows the said fastener. It is sectional drawing in the VI-VI line of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the fastening operation | movement of the cushion unit by the said fastener. It is sectional drawing which shows the cushion body in the said Example 1. FIG. It is a top view which shows the said cushion body. It is a top view which takes out and shows only one gas chamber structure which comprises the to-be-sealed object of a cushion unit in Example 2 of this invention. It is a front view which takes out and shows only one said gas chamber structure. It is a side view which takes out and shows only one said gas chamber structure. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows a part of said gas chamber structure. It is an expanded sectional view showing a part of cushion unit in Example 2 typically. It is sectional drawing which shows the gas chamber structure which comprises the to-be-enclosed object of a cushion unit in Example 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cushion unit in Example 4 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the hardness adjustment means vicinity of the cushion unit in Example 5 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cushion unit in the said Example 5.

Explanation of symbols

1 Cushion unit 2 Inclusion body 2a Urethane film (film-like body)
3 Encapsulated material 4 Hardness adjusting means 6 High viscosity agent 7 Granules 8 String (clamping body)
9 Fastener 10 Fastener body 11 Movable piece 13, 14 String insertion hole (tightening body insertion hole)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Energizing means 16 Cushion body 17 Unit container 17a Membrane body 19 Gas chamber structure 20 Membrane body 22 Gas chamber 24 Hook fastener 24a Hook fastener male portion 24b Hook fastener female portion 25 Band (clamping body)

Claims (8)

An enclosure comprising at least a part of a flexible film-like body, an object to be encapsulated in the enclosure, and hardness adjusting means for compressing the enclosure from the outside so that the degree of compression can be adjusted. A cushion unit. The cushion unit according to claim 1, wherein the film-like body constituting the enclosure has stretchability. The cushion unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hardness adjusting means includes a fastening body that is wound around the enclosure and fastens the enclosure. The hardness adjusting means further includes a fastener, and each of the fasteners includes a fastener body and a movable piece each having a fastening body insertion hole, and tightening of the movable piece with respect to the fastening body insertion hole of the fastener body. Urging means for urging the movable piece against the fastener body in a direction to shift the position of the body insertion hole, and the fastening body is formed in a ring shape, and the fastening body of the fastener body at two locations The cushion unit according to claim 3, wherein the cushion unit is inserted through the insertion hole and the fastening body insertion hole of the movable piece. The cushion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the encapsulated material includes particles and a liquid or semi-solid high viscosity agent attached to the surfaces of these particles. The sealed object includes a gas chamber structure including a gas chamber surrounded by a flexible film-like body and sealed with a gas, and a liquid or semi-solid high viscosity attached to the surface of the gas chamber The cushion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of the gas chambers are enclosed in the enclosure. The cushion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealed object is a mixture of a microballoon and a liquid. Comprising at least a unit container composed of a flexible membrane and a plurality of cushion units housed in the unit container;
Each of the cushion units compresses at least a part of an inclusion body composed of a flexible membrane-like body, an object to be enclosed enclosed in the inclusion body, and the inclusion body so that the degree of compression can be adjusted from the outside. A cushion body comprising hardness adjusting means.

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