Patent Description:
The use is known of paddings to improve the comfort of chairs, benches and armchairs, but also of counters and decks on which a user can lean with his or her elbows, head, or other parts of the body.

The document <CIT> discloses a padding according to the state of the art.

Paddings offer the advantage of making the surface soft and therefore more comfortable.

For padding to be effective it is necessary to use fairly extensive thicknesses thereof, a characteristic that can act as a detriment to the design or to the structural requirements of the component that comprises the surface.

Furthermore, padding can be comfortable only for a predefined length of time, at the end of which its thickness may be reduced to the point where it no longer offers the necessary damping.

Among other things, the comfort in some cases can also be compromised by the fact that the heat emanating from the body of the user determines a slight softening of the padding which then cannot ensure the constancy of its elastic performance during use.

The main aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a comfortable covering for surfaces for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user that maintains its mechanical characteristics unchanged for a long time.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a comfortable covering for surfaces of limited thickness for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comfortable covering for surfaces for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user that does not modify the overall design of the product on which it is installed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comfortable covering for surfaces for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user that does not undergo a degradation of its mechanical performance when it is continuously exposed to a temperature close to the body temperature of a user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comfortable covering for surfaces for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user that adapts optimally to the anatomy of the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a comfortable covering for surfaces for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user that is of low cost, easily and practically implemented, and safe in use.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a comfortable covering for surfaces for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user, according to claim <NUM>.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description that follows of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the comfortable covering for surfaces for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein.

With reference to the figures (although they constitute only one of the possible embodiments envisaged, which are many and different from each other), in which identical reference numerals correspond to identical elements, the reference numeral <NUM> generally designates a comfortable covering for surfaces A, B, C, D, E, F, G for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user.

The comfortable covering <NUM> according to the invention comprises at least one substantially laminar pad <NUM> which can be coupled to the surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G and at least one stratified insert <NUM> which is integral with the pad <NUM>.

The insert <NUM> will be constituted by at least one first layer <NUM> made of material preferably chosen among leather, polymeric material (of these, of particular interest are fabrics coated in PVC and other polymers with similar characteristics), fabric, microfiber, rubber, natural fibers and the like, and at least one second layer <NUM> being made of material of a heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam.

In an embodiment of particular practical and applicative interest, the pad <NUM> and the outer layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM> partially coincide (only at some points or for the entire covering <NUM>).

In particular it should be noted that a possible example of a heat-sensitive viscoelastic foam is the material known as "memory foam", although the possibility is not ruled out of using different viscoelastic foams that offer a mechanical behavior that is similar or, for specific applications, more viscous or more elastic than memory foam.

The covering <NUM> according to the invention can be provided in place of traditional paddings, but also in combination with them, in order to obtain optimal ergonomics of the product comprising the surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G on which it will be installed, thus also ensuring the maintenance of an ideal posture of the user.

The second layer <NUM>, made of material of the type preferably chosen from a heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam, a polymeric gel, a silicone gel and the like, will be such as to maintain its mechanical characteristics in the long term (as it does not undergo a degradation owing to prolonged use or owing to the body temperature of the user) and this will make it possible to maintain constant over time the properties that make it adapted to ensure optimal ergonomics (thus ensuring that the user maintains an ideal posture even after a protracted use over time or even after several years after installation).

With particular reference to an embodiment of undoubted practical and applicative interest, it should be noted that the heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam that constitutes the second layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM> is of type preferably chosen from a polyurethane foam, a low-resilience polyurethane foam, a polyethylene terephthalate foam, a low-resilience polyethylene terephthalate foam, a sorbothane foam, a low-resilience sorbothane foam, a polychloroprene foam (better known with the commercial name "neoprene", a low-resilience polychloroprene foam and the like.

All the materials cited in the preceding paragraph, in particular the materials classified as "low resilience", have optimal viscoelastic properties, especially if conveniently combined with specific additives designed to increase their viscosity and density (thickening agents, such as for example acrylic thickeners, and blowing agents, for example water-based isocyanate optionally in combination with liquid carbon dioxide).

In materials technology, resilience is identified as resistance to breakage by dynamic stress, determined with a special impact test, the opposite of which is the fragility index.

For the purpose of providing a description of one of the possible embodiments of the second layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM>, it should be noted that "memory foam" (foam with a memory effect) is a material developed by the aeronautics industry in the <NUM>. Memory foam is effectively a polymeric foam with slow elastic return, upon cessation of the deforming stress. This type of foam has been created by adding gas to a polymeric matrix: the foam has a solid open-cell structure that is sensitive to temperature: that is to say, it is a viscoelastic foam that modifies itself in relation to the heat of the stressing body, modeling itself perfectly to the curvature thereof in a short time and uniformly distributing the pressures exerted.

Particular versions of foam with memory effect (memory foam) also ensure an optimal redistribution of the pressures exerted even though they have very slender thicknesses: such specific versions are particularly indicated for some of the possible applications of the covering <NUM> according to the invention.

If the second layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM> is constituted by a polymeric gel, a silicone gel and the like, a conventional gel is adopted that is already used in various sectors of the art.

Then, with reference to an embodiment suitable for applications wherein the deforming stresses applied to the surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G are particularly high and last for longer or are applied in succession for cycles of extensive duration, the heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam of the second layer <NUM> can profitably comprise particles of gel.

In such case the second layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM> will be constituted by a gelatinous elastomeric foam of polymers that contains at least one phase change material.

Viscoelastic polymeric foams tend to retain heat and this can be a disadvantage, therefore, in many cases, the use of gelatinous elastomeric foam of polymers containing at least one phase change material (also known as viscous gel or foam gel with shape memory) can be an advantageous choice of particular interest.

Such material is constituted by particles of gel merged with viscoelastic foam which help accelerate the elastic return time, thus making it independent of the temperature of the body that exerted the deforming stress.

This gel-based viscoelastic foam can be identified as a viscoelastic foam of the type of those described previously in which "capsules" are dispersed containing the gel which, as a phase change material, ensures the stabilization of the desired temperature by passing from a solid state to a fluid state (by virtue of the latent phase change heat necessary to change state) within the capsule.

In any case the covering <NUM> can comprise a single insert <NUM> or a plurality of these, arranged according to any pattern, according to the specific application requirements. In addition, the inserts <NUM> can have any shape.

An additional physical characterization of the heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam that constitutes the second layer <NUM> relates to the density of such material, which will need to be comprised between <NUM>/m<NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM>.

It should be noted that heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foams that have a greater density will be suitable for the provision of inserts <NUM> of slender thickness, while similar foams which however have much lower density will be more indicated for the provision of inserts <NUM> of high thickness (obviously all possible variants of inserts <NUM> of many thicknesses fall between the two density limits indicated in the range given above).

It should be noted that, from a practical point of view, the insert <NUM> (or inserts <NUM>) can conveniently be coupled to the pad <NUM> by way of a process preferably chosen from adhesive bonding, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, stitching and the like.

The coupling between the pad <NUM> and the insert <NUM> will be carried out so as to define a substantial regular continuity of the increase in thickness between a first face <NUM> of the pad <NUM> and the lateral edges of the at least one insert <NUM>.

It is essential, for some specific applications, that the material that constitutes the first layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM> is thermoplastic in nature, so as to allow the heat welding or ultrasonic welding thereof to the first face <NUM> of the pad <NUM>.

In other cases in which adhesive bonding can be used (including via the interposition of bi-adhesive sheets), there will be no specific restrictions on the type of material to use for the first layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM>.

According to a particular embodiment, the first face <NUM> of the pad <NUM> which comprises the insert <NUM> (or inserts <NUM>) can be stably coupled to the surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user.

According to further and separate embodiments, the first face <NUM> of such pad <NUM> will be arranged opposite from a second face of the pad <NUM> which will be stably coupled to the surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

In practice therefore the insert <NUM> (or inserts <NUM>) can be directed toward the outside or surmounted by the pad <NUM>, in the possible installation configurations of the covering <NUM> according to the invention on the surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

In the first case illustrated (insert <NUM> directed outward) it is possible for the covering <NUM> to also comprise, advantageously, at least one additional stratification <NUM> (optional) of overlay of the pad <NUM>.

It should be noted that each covering <NUM> can comprise a single insert <NUM> or a plurality thereof, distributed homogeneously or designating zones with a greater presence of inserts <NUM> and zones with a lesser presence thereof.

The inserts <NUM>, in turn, can have any shape, such as for example that of geometric figures (circles, polygons) or even specific outlines designed to provide a better adaptation to the part of the body of the user that is to be placed on the surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G.

It should be noted that each insert <NUM> can comprise, in addition to the layer of covering <NUM> and to the inner layer <NUM>, a further damping layer (not shown in the accompanying figures).

The further damping layer can, in turn, be constituted by expanded polymers, a fluid (for example a water-filled cushion), a gas (for example a gas-filled cushion), feathers, wool (both natural and artificial) and combinations thereof.

In this manner the insert <NUM> will combine the softness typical of the materials that constitute the damping layer, with the comfort typical of the layer <NUM> of heat-sensitive viscoelastic material.

The possibility is not ruled out of applying an optional continuous damping layer to the pad <NUM> on which to then place the insert <NUM> or inserts: any option that envisages the presence of a damping layer is included in the present discussion.

If the damping layer is constituted by a bag filled with fluid or a bag filled with gas, the possibility is not ruled out of varying its pressure (by way of an external conveyance circuit) in order to obtain massaging effects and antidecubitis effects and/or in order to heat/cool the covering itself.

The present invention also relates to an item of furniture A, B, C, F that advantageously comprises a surface for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user which is at least partially covered by a comfortable covering <NUM> according to what explained above.

In practice the covering <NUM> can be applied to the sitting surface A and/or to the backrest B of a chair, to the sitting surface of a bench C, to a counter F of any commercial concern (on which the user could place his or her elbows), and to any other item of furniture (including urban furnishings) that is designed to support (at least partially) a user.

Similarly the present invention also relates to any user-supporting portion D of an apparatus for sports training (such as for example a bench for gyms, the seat portion of a rowing machine, the seat portion of a multifunctional training apparatus and the like) that positively comprises a surface at least partially covered by a comfortable covering <NUM> according to what explained above.

The scope of protection defined by the present invention also comprises an operating chair E, G for health and personal care services (such as for example the chair E of a dentist or of an ophthalmologist, the operating table G of a beauty center, physiotherapy center or medical center and the like) that comprises a resting contact surface that is at least partially covered by a comfortable covering <NUM> according to what explained above.

In any case further applications are not ruled out, such as in surfaces on which the operator of industrial or agricultural machinery can sit or rest, or in the automotive industry (both for the seats and for the coverings of the interior surfaces in order to make them more original and pleasant to the touch) or for a passenger of a vehicle (by way of example the benches or seats of a coach, the bridge or the sun deck of a boat and the like).

The present invention also relates to a method for increasing the comfort of surfaces A, B, C, D, E, F, G designed to accommodate or support at least one part of the body of a user that consists of a series of consecutive steps.

During a first step it is necessary to provide at least one stratified insert <NUM> that comprises at least one outer first layer <NUM> made of material preferably chosen among leather, polymeric material, fabric, microfiber, rubber, natural fibers and the like, and at least one second layer <NUM> being made of material of the type preferably chosen from a heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam, a polymeric gel, a silicone gel and the like.

In a subsequent second step it is necessary to juxtapose the insert <NUM> (or inserts <NUM>) with a first face <NUM> of a laminar pad <NUM> and couple it thereto by way of a process preferably chosen from adhesive bonding, heat welding, ultrasonic welding, stitching and the like. After coupling, a substantial regular continuity will be defined of the increase in thickness between the first face <NUM> of the pad <NUM> and the lateral edges of the at least one insert <NUM>.

At this point it will be possible, during a third step, to use the pad <NUM> (provided with the at least one insert <NUM> coupled to its first face <NUM>) to cover a surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G that is designed to accommodate or support at least one part of the body of a user.

Such third step necessitates the juxtaposition on such surface A, B, C, D, E, F, G of one of the faces (the face <NUM> or the one arranged opposite) of the pad <NUM> which is provided with the at least one insert <NUM>.

The method according to the invention also envisages an optional fourth additional step during which the deployment is carried out of at least one additional stratification <NUM> of overlay of the pad <NUM>. By applying an additional stratification <NUM> the covering <NUM> will be overlaid and the inserts <NUM>, even if they are facing outward, will be protected from impacts and wear.

Advantageously the present invention solves the above mentioned problems, by providing a comfortable covering <NUM> for surfaces A, B, C, D, E, F, G for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user that maintains its mechanical characteristics unchanged for a long time, by virtue of the viscoelastic properties of the second layer <NUM> that constitutes the insert <NUM>.

Conveniently the comfortable covering <NUM> according to the invention can have limited thickness, even very limited thickness, in particular if the material that constitutes the second layer of the insert <NUM> is high density (with reference to the possible ranges of this parameter indicated previously).

Usefully the comfortable covering <NUM> according to the invention does not modify the overall design of the product on which it is installed, in particular in the case of inserts <NUM> of slender thickness which will be scarcely noticeable in the overall appearance of the product on which they are installed.

Positively the comfortable covering <NUM> according to the invention does not undergo a degradation of its mechanical performance when it is continuously exposed to a temperature close to the body temperature of a user, and this is related to the fact that the second layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM> is made of a heat-sensitive viscoelastic foam, which, by comprising additives constituted by phase change (or state change) materials, makes it possible to maintain the temperature of the insert <NUM> substantially constant, thus stabilizing the respective mechanical properties.

Usefully the comfortable covering <NUM> according to the invention adapts optimally to the anatomy of the user, given that the viscoelastic foams that constitute the second layer <NUM> of the insert <NUM> are adapted to be deformed without problems of a hysteretic nature, by optimally hugging the stressing body (of which they homogeneously redistribute the pressure).

Advantageously the comfortable covering <NUM> according to the invention is easily and practically implemented and is of low cost: such characteristics make the comfortable covering <NUM> (and all the products that can be equipped with same) an innovation that is certain to be put into practical use.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments, within the scope of the present claims.

In practice, the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Claim 1:
A comfortable covering for surfaces (A, B, C, D, E, F, G) for resting and accommodating at least one part of the body of a user, comprising:
- at least one substantially laminar pad (<NUM>) which can be coupled to said surface (A, B, C, D, E, F, G),
- at least one stratified insert (<NUM>) which is integral with said pad (<NUM>),
at least one first layer (<NUM>) of said insert (<NUM>) being made of material chosen from among leather, polymeric material, fabric, microfiber, rubber, natural fibers, and at least one second layer (<NUM>) of said insert (<NUM>) being made of material of a heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam, said heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam of said second layer (<NUM>) comprising particles of gel, constituting a gelatinous elastomeric foam of polymers that contains at least one phase change material, and said heat-sensitive viscoelastic polymeric foam of said second layer (<NUM>) having a density comprised between <NUM>/m<NUM> and <NUM>/m<NUM> .