EP3795035A1 - Pouffe, in particular pouffe for a child - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an ottoman (1) comprising an outer casing (2), the outer casing (2) containing a filling material (3) or a filling fluid and a base (4) housed in a bottom of the. envelope (2), said base (4) having an upper face (6) and a lower face (7). The base (4) has a first stable shape according to which the lower face (7) of the base (4) is substantially planar and a second stable shape according to which at least a central portion of the lower face (7) of the 'base (4) is rounded and convex from a point of view located below the underside (7). This makes it possible to keep the pouf (1) flat on the ground or to tilt it, depending on the shape of its base (4).

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an ottoman, that is to say by definition a low padded seat or a thick cushion serving as a seat. The invention relates in particular to an ottoman for a child, more particularly a ottoman for a baby.

State of the art

Such a pouf is for example known from the document WO2013 / 020171 . The pouf described in this document comprises an envelope containing a padding material and, according to a particular embodiment, a base housed in the bottom of the pouf to ensure the stability of the latter when it is placed on the ground. Such a pouf is provided so that its user can sit there comfortably, this in particular thanks to the presence of flexible and foldable panels located above the base and able to conform to the user's body. Such a pouf can be used in order to comfortably seat and / or lay down a baby or a child therein, the padding material and / or the flexible and foldable panels conforming to the body of the baby or the child and ensuring its support / maintenance.

Unfortunately, a pouf according to the document WO2013 / 020171 is limited to its one and only seat function while the market demand is very clearly in favor of multi-use or multifunctional objects and devices. This is all the more true for all the objects and devices developed for babies and young children, these objects and these devices being frequently carried by parents who logically seek to minimize their number.

It is well known that a rocking motion is soothing and helps babies, young children and even adults to fall asleep. However, an ottoman as described above is not suitable for this function, on the contrary since it has a base provided to ensure its stability.

This therefore means that in addition to such a known pouf, it will for example be necessary to have another seat and / or an additional device allowing this rocking movement.

Summary of the invention

An object of the invention is to provide a pouf which can fulfill several functions, in particular a pouf which can either swing or not swing and remain stable on the ground, and this without the need for accessories external to the pouf.

The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention, there is provided a pouf, in particular a pouf for a child, comprising an envelope, the envelope containing a padding material or a filling fluid, and a base housed in a bottom of the envelope, said base having an upper face and a lower face. Said base has a first stable shape according to which the lower face of the base is substantially planar and a second stable shape according to which at least a central portion of the lower face of the base is rounded and convex from a situated point of view. below the underside.

Thanks to these two stable shapes of the base, the pouf can therefore either swing or not swing and remain stable on the ground, and this without the need for accessories outside the pouffe. By stable form, it is necessary to understand a form in which the base will remain if no force originating outside the base is applied to it. This notion of stable form will also be clarified by the examples of embodiments provided below.

Preferably, the pouf according to the invention comprises a means of connection between a first part of the base and a second part of the base, the first part of the base being at a distance from the second part of the base, a first portion of said connecting means being fixed to the base at the level of the first part.

This in fact allows the user to pull on the connecting means to bend the base and give it a shape such that at least a central portion of its lower face is rounded and convex from a point of view situated in- below the underside. By releasing the connecting means, the base will regain its first stable shape, for example under the effect of the weight of the padding material and / or of the person resting on the ottoman.

More preferably, the first part of the base is located at one end of the base. This increases the leverage effect and therefore reduces the force to be applied to the connecting means to give the base its second shape.

Preferably, the connecting means comprises a cord and / or a strap and / or a chain and / or a flexible strip or any other equivalent element making it possible to pull the first part of the base towards you.

Preferably, the pouf comprises fixing means for removably fixing a second portion of said connecting means to the base. This makes it possible to maintain the base in its second form after having actuated the connecting means, for example by pulling on it, and then to release everything so that the base resumes its first shape, for example under the effect of the weight of the padding material and / or the person resting on the ottoman.

Preferably, the cushioning material or the filling fluid is contained in a bag, said bag being contained in said envelope, above the base. This is to prevent the cushioning material or the filling fluid from coming into direct contact with the base and impairing its proper functioning.

Brief description of the figures

Fig.1

montre schématiquement un pouf selon l'invention, vu en perspective ;

Fig.2

montre schématiquement une vue en coupe du pouf de la Fig.1;

Fig.3

montre schématiquement un exemple d'embase d'un pouf selon l'invention lorsqu'elle est dans la première forme stable;

Fig.4

montre schématiquement une coupe l'embase de la Fig.3 lorsqu'elle est dans la deuxième forme stable;

Fig.5

montre schématiquement un autre exemple d'embase d'un pouf selon l'invention lorsqu'elle est dans la première forme stable;

Fig.6

montre schématiquement une coupe de l'embase de la Fig.5 lorsqu'elle est dans la deuxième forme stable;

Fig.7

montre schématiquement une vue en coupe d'un exemple d'embase d'un pouf selon un mode préféré de l'invention;

Fig.8

montre schématiquement une vue en perspective de l'embase de la Fig.7 lorsque l'embase est dans la première forme stable;

Fig.9

montre schématiquement une vue en coupe de l'embase de la Fig.8 lorsque l'embase est dans la deuxième forme stable;

Fig.10

montre schématiquement une vue en perspective d'un exemple d'embase selon un mode préféré de l'invention lorsque l'embase est dans la première forme stable;

Fig.11

montre schématiquement une vue en coupe de l'embase de la Fig.10 lorsque l'embase est dans la deuxième forme stable.

These and other aspects of the invention will be clarified in the detailed description of particular embodiments of the invention, with reference being made to the drawings of the figures, in which:

Fig. 1

schematically shows a pouf according to the invention, seen in perspective;

Fig. 2

schematically shows a sectional view of the pouf of the Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

schematically shows an example of a base of an ottoman according to the invention when it is in the first stable form;

Fig. 4

schematically shows a section through the base of the Fig. 3 when it is in the second stable form;

Fig. 5

schematically shows another example of a base of an ottoman according to the invention when it is in the first stable form;

Fig. 6

schematically shows a section of the base of the Fig. 5 when it is in the second stable form;

Fig. 7

schematically shows a sectional view of an example of a base of an ottoman according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8

schematically shows a perspective view of the base of the Fig. 7 when the base is in the first stable form;

Fig. 9

schematically shows a sectional view of the base of the Fig. 8 when the base is in the second stable form;

Fig. 10

schematically shows a perspective view of an example of a base according to a preferred embodiment of the invention when the base is in the first stable form;

Fig. 11

schematically shows a sectional view of the base of the Fig. 10 when the base is in the second stable form.

The drawings of the figures are neither to scale nor proportionate. Generally, similar or identical elements are denoted by identical references in the figures.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

The Fig. 1 schematically shows an ottoman (1) according to the invention, seen in perspective. This pouf (1) comprises an outer envelope (2), for example a fabric envelope. The envelope (2) contains within it a cushioning material (3) or a filling fluid. It may for example be polystyrene beads or a liquid such as water for example. The envelope (2) also contains within it a base (4) housed in a bottom of the casing (2). This base (4) has for example the general shape of a cake, which may be circular, oval, triangular or have any other shape which would be suitable for example depending on the shape of the pouf (1). As can be seen better on the Fig. 2 , which schematically represents a section of the ottoman of the Fig. 1 , the base (4) has an upper face (6) and a lower face (7).

According to the invention, the base (4) has (a) a first stable shape according to which the lower face (7) of the base is substantially planar and (b) a second stable shape according to which at least a central portion of the lower face (7) of the base is rounded and convex from a point of view located below the lower face (7). Thus, when the base (4) has the first stable shape, the ottoman (1) will be held stably on the ground, and when the base (4) has the second stable shape, the ottoman (1) will be able to swing , for example like a rocking chair.

The Fig. 3 schematically shows an example of a base (4) of an ottoman (1) according to the invention when it is in the first stable form, that is to say a form according to which the lower face (7) of the 'base (4) is substantially flat. The Fig. 4 schematically shows a section of the base (4) of the Fig. 3 when it is in the second stable shape, that is to say a shape in which at least a central portion of the underside (7) of the base (4) is rounded and convex from a point of view located below the underside (7).

By stable form, it is necessary to understand a form in which the base (4) will remain if no force originating outside the base is applied to it. The force applied to the base (4) by the connecting means (10) therefore does not form part of said external forces.

The Fig. 5 schematically shows another example of a base (4) of an ottoman (1) according to the invention when it is in the first stable form.

The Fig. 6 schematically shows a section of the base (4) of the Fig. 5 when it is in the second stable form.

The pouf can include different means for giving the two stable shapes to the base (4), as will be described below by examples.

Preferably, the pouf (1) comprises a connection means (10) between a first part (11) of the base (4) and a second part (12) of the base (4), the first part (11) ) of the base (4) being at a distance from the second part (12) of the base (4), a first portion (21) of said connecting means (10) being fixed to the base (4) at the level of the first part (11) of the base (4).

More preferably, the connecting means (10) comprises a cord and / or a strap and / or a chain and / or a flexible strip.

The Figures 3, 4 , 5 and 6 show exemplary embodiments of the connecting means (10).

The Fig. 3 shows for example a cord (10) of which a first portion (21) is fixed to the base (4) at the level of a first part (11) of the base (4) and of which a second portion (22) is left free, so that the rope is slack. Under the effect of its own weight and / or under the effect of the weight of the padding material (3), the base (4) will then adopt said first stable shape. The Fig. 4 shows the same rope (10) after pulling the second portion (22) of the rope, so that the rope is tight. Under the effect of this voltage, the base (4) will adopt said second shape.

In order to be able to maintain this second shape, the pouf (1) preferably comprises fixing means (30) for removably fixing the second portion (22) of said connecting means (10) to the base (4). Different fixing means (30) can be used. In the example of Fig. 3 and 4 , it is a ring fixed to the base (4) at the level of the second part (12) of the base (4) and around which the second portion (22) of the rope (10) can be tied to keep the rope taut. This ring does not necessarily have to be where it is shown on the Figs. 3 and 4 . The ring, and therefore in general the fixing means (30), can for example be located closer or further from the place where the first portion (21) of the rope is fixed to the base ( 4), or even on a section of the base (4) or even on the underside (7) of the base (4) when the rope goes around the base (4) via its edge. If use is made of means for returning the rope, such as for example one or more pulleys or equivalent means, the fixing means (30) can be located anywhere on the base (4). One can for example use a return means - such as a pulley for example - located at a distance from the place where the first portion (21) of the rope is fixed to the base (4) and provide for placing the means fixing (30) downstream of the location of the return means relative to the path of the rope. In such a case, provision can even be made for the fixing means (30) to be located at the same place as that where the first portion (21) of the cord is fixed to the base (4).

Preferably, the fixing means (30) comprise a Velcro, one part of which is attached to the base (4) and the other part of which is attached to the second portion (22) of the connecting means (10). By joining said two parts of the Velcro, the user will removably fix the second portion (22) of said connecting means (10) to the base (4). In the case of the use of a Velcro, the connecting means (10) is preferably a strap.

Although not illustrated, the connecting means may also comprise several cords and / or straps and / or chains and / or flexible strips, a first portion (21) of each of them being fixed to the base (4) at the level of the first part (11) of the base (4). The fixing means (30) will then preferably be provided for removably fixing a second portion (22) of each of them to the base (4), as described above. This can make it possible to better control the curvature of the base (4) when it is in its second form, in particular when the base (4) is made of a flexible material.

The Fig. 5 schematically shows another example of a base (4) of an ottoman (1) according to the invention when it is in the first stable form. The Fig. 6 schematically shows a section of the base (4) of the Fig. 5 when it is in the second stable form.

This example is identical to that of the Fig. 3 and 4 , except that here the base (4) has a plurality of grooves (40) parallel to each other, preferably V-shaped or U-shaped grooves (40). The presence of these grooves (40) indeed facilitates the bending of the base (4) when the user pulls on the connecting means (10), in particular in the case where the base (4) is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. These grooves (40) may nevertheless also be suitable in the case where the base (4) is made of a flexible material.

Said grooves (40) can have different depths. Preferably, said grooves (40) extend vertically from the upper face (6) of the base (4) to substantially the lower face (7) of the base (4) or vice versa, and the apex of each groove (40) forms a hinge (41). The hinge (41) can be formed by the presence of a thickness of the material of the base (4) and / or by the fixing of a layer of a material, preferably elastic, on the upper face (6) or lower of the base (4), depending on the location of the hinge (41). As shown in Fig. 5 and 6 , the hinges (41) are for example formed by the presence of a small thickness of the material of the base (4) on the underside (7) of the base (4), at the level of the apex of the " V ”of each groove (40).

Preferably, the base (4) comprises a groove (50) and / or a tunnel formed between the upper face (6) and the lower face (7) of the base (4) and extending at least between the first part (11) and second part (12) of the base (4), and the connecting means (10) is housed at least partially in the groove (50) and / or the tunnel.

The Fig. 7 schematically shows a sectional view of an exemplary base (4) of an ottoman (1), the base (4) of which has a groove (50) in its lower part. In this figure, the base (4) also comprises one or more grooves (40), but these are not essential in the presence of the groove (50).

The Fig. 8 schematically shows a perspective view of the base (4) of the Fig. 7 when it does not have grooves (40) and when the base (4) is in the first stable form. The Fig. 9 schematically shows a sectional view of the base (4) of the Fig. 8 when the base (4) is in the second stable form.

As seen on the Fig. 8 and even better on the Fig. 9 , the connecting means (10) is housed at least partially in the groove (50). This preferred arrangement makes it possible to prevent the connecting means (10) from stretching above the upper face (6) of the base (4) (as is the case with the examples illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 ) and disturb the padding material (3) or its container (5), when such a container is used.

As seen on the Fig. 8 and even better on the Fig. 9 , the base (4) preferably comprises two mouths (60a, 60b) giving access to two opposite portions of the groove (50) or of the tunnel, from the upper face (6) of the base (4). This makes it possible to pass the connecting means (10) into the first mouth (60a) from the upper face (6) of the base (4), then to pass it into the groove (50), then to bring it out through the second mouthpiece (60b).

The base (4) can also include a third mouth (not shown) near the second mouth, to re-enter the connecting means (10) in the base (4) after leaving the second mouth ( 60b). In this case, the base (4) will preferably also include a second groove (50) or a second tunnel formed in an upper part of the base (4) and connecting the second and the third mouth. This makes it even better to prevent the connecting means (10) from disturbing the padding material (3) or its container (5), when such a container is used.

The Fig. 10 schematically shows a perspective view of the base (4) of the Fig. 5 when it is provided with said groove (50) or tunnel and the base (4) is in the first stable form. The Fig. 11 schematically shows a sectional view of the base (4) of the Fig. 10 when the base (4) is in the second stable form.

As seen on the Fig. 10 and even better on the Fig. 11 , the base (4) preferably comprises two mouths (60a, 60b) giving access to two opposite portions of the groove (50) or of the tunnel, from the upper face (6) of the base (4).

The base (4) can also include a third mouth (not shown) near the second mouth, to bring the connecting means (10) into the base (4) after it has taken out the second mouth ( 60b). In this case, the base (4) will preferably also include a second groove (50) or a second tunnel formed in an upper part of the base (4) and connecting the second and the third mouth.

The base (4) can be made of a flexible and elastic material, such as for example silicone. The base (4) can also be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as for example expanded polypropylene (sometimes called EPP), expanded polystyrene, polyurethane or polyether. Preferably, the base (4) is made of expanded polypropylene.

Preferably, the stuffing material (3) or the filling fluid of the ottoman (1) is contained in a bag (5), said bag (5) being contained in the envelope (2) of the ottoman (1), at the -above the base (4), as shown in Fig. 1 and 2 for example. The padding material (3) may for example comprise polystyrene beads. The filling fluid can for example be water.

Preferably, the casing (2) has an opening at the level of the base (4). Preferably, said opening is reclosable and is for example provided with a zipper or a Velcro. This allows easy access to the base.

The invention can also be described as follows: a pouf (1) comprising an outer casing (2), said casing (2) containing a padding material (3) or a filling fluid and a base (4) housed in a bottom of the casing (2), said base (4) having an upper face (6) and a lower face (7). The base (4) has a first stable shape according to wherein the lower face (7) of the base (4) is substantially planar and a second stable shape according to which at least a central portion of the lower face (7) of the base (4) is rounded and convex of a point of view below the underside (7).

The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. In general, it will appear obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and / or described above. The presence of reference numbers in the drawings cannot be considered as limiting, including when these numbers are indicated in the claims.

The use of the verbs "to understand", "to include", "to include", or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, can in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned.

The use of the indefinite article "a", "a", or of the definite article "the", "the" or "the", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

Claims (14)

Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, comprising an outer casing (2), the outer casing (2) containing a stuffing material (3) or a filling fluid, and a base (4) housed in a bottom of the casing (2), said base (4) having an upper face (6) and a lower face (7), characterized in that said base (4) has (a) a first stable shape according to which the lower face (7) of the base (4) is substantially planar and (b) a second stable shape according to which at least a central portion of the lower face (7) of the base (4) is rounded and convex at a point sight located below the underside (7). Pouf (1), in particular pouf for children, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a connecting means (10) between a first part (11) of the base (4) and a second part (12). ) of the base (4), the first part (11) of the base (4) being at a distance from the second part (12) of the base (4), a first portion (21) of said connecting means (10) being fixed to the base (4) at the level of the first part (11). Pouf (1), in particular pouf for children, according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means (10) comprises at least one cord and / or one strap and / or one chain and / or one flexible strip. Pouf (1), in particular a children's pouf, according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises fixing means (30) for removably fixing a second portion (22) of said connecting means (10) to the base (4). Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing means (30) for removably fixing the second portion (22) of the connecting means (10) to the base ( 4) comprise a Velcro, one part of which is attached to the base (4) and the other part of which is attached to the second portion (22) of the connecting means (10). Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said base (4) has a plurality of grooves (40) parallel to each other, preferably grooves (40) V-shaped or U-shaped. Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to claim 6, characterized in that said grooves (40) extend vertically from the upper face (6) of the base (4) to the lower face ( 7) of the base (4) or vice versa, and in that the apex of each groove (40) forms a hinge (41). Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the base (4) comprises a groove (50) and / or a tunnel formed between the upper face (6 ) and the lower face (7) of the base (4) and extending at least between the first part (11) and the second part (12) of the base (4), and in that the means of link (10) is housed at least partially in the groove (50) and / or the tunnel. Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to claim 8 when dependent on claim 6, characterized in that the groove (50) and / or the tunnel extends transversely with respect to the grooves (40), preferably perpendicular to said grooves (40). Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (4) is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to claim 10, characterized in that the base (4) is made of expanded polypropylene. Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the base (4) is made of a flexible and elastic material. Pouf (1), in particular children's pouf, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stuffing material (3) or the filling fluid is contained in a bag (5), said bag (5) being contained in said envelope (2), above the base (4). Pouf (1), in particular a children's pouf, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (2) has an opening at the level of the base (4).

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