GB2544980A

GB2544980A - Sun lounger with cooling material

Info

Publication number: GB2544980A
Application number: GB1521181.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ventham Jay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-01
Filing date: 2015-12-01
Publication date: 2017-06-07
Also published as: WO2017093734A1; GB201521181D0

Abstract

A sun lounger 10 with a cushion 20 comprising a cooling gel layer (30, figure 3) for dissipating body heat in use. The cooling gel may be a polyurethane gel and the cushion may further comprise a foam layer, such as memory foam (40, figure 3) wherein the cooling gel may be located between the foam layer and an upper user-facing surface of the cushion. The cushion may have holes or depressions (80, figure 4) which extend at least partway through the cushion, or forming open channels through the cushion. The upper surface of the cooling gel layer may be of a fabric material and the cushion may be permanently attached to a frame of a sun lounger. The Sun lounger may comprise a thermochromic material, such as thermochromatic crystal, or glow in the dark material. The cushion may be resistant to UV rays, saltwater, sun lotions and chlorine.

Description

SUN LOUNGER WITH COOLING MATERIAL

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to sun loungers.

BACKGROUND

When sun bathing in a hot climate, for example to get a sun tan or enjoy the benefits or sensation of the sun’s heat, it is desirable to maximise comfort. Sun bathing is usually enjoyed on holiday when relaxation is paramount. Particularly in holiday resorts, the sun bather may often intermittently break to cool off in a swimming pool or the sea and regularly apply sun protection lotion.

Sun loungers or sun beds typically comprise a waterproof frame made from moulded plastic, metal or treated wood and are covered with a mesh or removable, fibre filled cushion for added comfort.

Sun lounger cushions usually have limited water resistance and must be removed when not in use to avoid rain damage. Also, a user returning with wet skin and clothing from a swim or who has recently applied sun lotion needs to remove the cushion or place a towel over the cushion to prevent water/oil damage thereto.

Such cushions also have a tendency to get very hot in direct sunlight and thus are uncomfortable to the user when first in contact. Cushions, which minimise this effect by using light coloured material, need to be regularly machine-washed due to visible staining from sun lotions etc.

Cooling mattresses for beds are known and usually comprise memory foam infused with gel beads in order to increase heat dissipation and regulate body temperature in the night. However, these mattresses are not suitable for use on a sun lounger. For example, in order to aid breathability the memory foam surface is water permeable rendering it unsuitable for a sunbather returning from a swim. Such mattresses are likely to stain or degrade when repeatedly exposed to oils present in sun lotion. Mattresses for bed are not suitable for machine washing due to their size and the materials used.

Accordingly, the applicant has identified that it is desirable to have a sun lounger that is comfortable for spending long periods lying thereon in the sun and is compatible with other leisure activities such as swimming.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sun lounger having a cushion wherein the cushion comprises a cooling gel layer.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a cushion for a sun lounger, the cushion comprising a cooling gel layer and a plurality of holes extending therethough.

The invention in accordance with one aspect may include any of the features described in respect of any other aspect if not mutually inconsistent.

Cooling gels are known in the art to include a variety of semi-rigid jelly-like colloids in which a liquid is dispersed in a solid resulting in a material having a high thermal conductivity. The thermal properties of the cooling gel help dissipate body heat when in direct or indirect contact with the skin (i.e. through clothes or a cover). This absorption of heat from the user’s body imparts a pleasant, cooling feeling and relieves discomfort from overheating.

The cooling gel layer of the invention absorbs body heat and dissipates it back out into the air through natural evaporation from the areas of the cooling gel layer that are not in contact (direct or indirect) with the user.

Cooling gels are particularly advantageous over other methods for cooling the body as they do not require activation i.e. no additional step such as adding water, refrigeration or initiating a reaction is required. The gel does not use power, and is therefore environmentally friendly and makes no noise.

Known cooling gels that are effective in this function include but are not restricted to polyurethane gels, silicone gels and PVC gels.

The cooling gel layer is a homogenous region extending over a substantial proportion of the surface area of the cushion consisting almost exclusively of cooling gel material although small amounts (less than 20%) of filler or other material may be present.

The cooling gel layer may be formed from a solid gel cut from a block or may be moulded or extruded into the final shape. Alternative the cooling gel layer may be formed from a liquid or semi-solid gel and may be contained in a plastic pouch, bag or bladder that surrounds the cooling gel material to maintain its form. The gel and/or containment means is desirably flexible and/or deformable to allow the layer to also provide pressure relief and comfort for the user.

Desirably the cooling gel layer forms an upper layer of the cushion i.e. is on a top, user-facing surface thereof and is therefore in direct contact with the user or the user’s clothing to provide maximum heat dissipation. However in some embodiments the cushion may also include an intermediate layer on top of the gel layer that provides softness or helps wick moisture such as water or sweat away from the body. This layer may include a natural or synthetic fabric material such as microfibre on an upper surface of the cooling gel layer.

The cushion may further comprise a memory foam layer. Preferably the memory foam layer is beneath the cooling gel layer i.e. the cooling gel layer is on an upper surface of the memory foam layer between the memory foam layer and the user-facing surface and therefore in closer proximity with the user for maximum heat dissipation benefits. Memory foam layer reacts to varying pressure from the body and conforms to body shape therefore providing further comfort to the user when lying on the sun lounger cushion for long periods of time.

In an embodiment, the cushion includes holes extending though the thickness of the cushion from its upper surface. Having holes extending from an upper surface allows water and/or sweat to drain away from the user more quickly. Preferably, the holes extend all the way through the cushion to a lower surface thereof allowing additional airflow or ventilation to the user’s skin or clothing. This not only facilitates drying by draining water away from the skin but the additional air circulation also facilitates evaporation of water and/or sweat to speed up drying and provide further cooling of the user’s skin when sun bathing. Such holes may also enhance efficacy of the cooling gel layer.

In preferred embodiments, the holes have a diameter greater than 5mm in order to maximise ventilation. For example the holes may have a diameter between 5mm and 50mm or between 5mm and 20mm. Additionally or alternatively the holes are arranged in a pattern of 5 or more holes positioned in a central region of the cushion upon which a user is likely to sit or lie when sun bathing. Preferably, 10 or more holes are arranged in a regular pattern over a central region of the cushion.

The cushion preferably has an outer surface that is resistant to UV rays i.e. does not degrade or discolour when in direct sunlight for a prolonged time.

Preferably the outer surface is also resistant to saltwater such that contact with saltwater does not degrade the cushion, making it suitable for use on a beach where users may frequently use the sun lounger and cushion shortly after swimming in the sea.

The upper, outer surface of the cushion may be made from any material in the art known to be resistant to ingredients such as oils typically found in sun lotions such that when sun lotion is in contact with the surface of the cushion it can be easily wiped off and does not permanently stain and/or degrade the cushion.

The upper outer surface of the cushion is desirably made from a material that is additionally or alternatively resistant to chlorine such that repeated contact with chlorinated water from a swimming pool does not degrade the cushion.

The cushion may further comprise a reflective layer to minimise absorption of the sun’s heat when in direct sun light. The reflective layer may be on the upper, user-contacting surface of the cushion or may be between other layers of the cushion. Preferably, the reflective layer is above the cooling gel layer i.e. between the cooling gel layer and an upper, user-contacting surface of the cushion.

In an embodiment, the cushion further comprises a thermochromic material. Thermochromic materials change colour in response to a temperature change and can be used to indicate a temperature change in the cushion. Desirably the thermochromic material changes colour in response to contact with the user to provide an indication of the surface temperature of the sun lounger.

The thermochromic material may include thermochromic crystals.

The sun lounger and/or cushion may further include a glow in the dark material on an upper surface in order to give the sun lounger a different appearance at night from day.

The various layers of the cushion may be co-formed (monolithic) or adhered to each other by various methods known in the art. For example the layers may be glued to one another in a manner that does not affect the function of the layers for example adhesive might be applied in a pattern over a small surface area of the layers or just at an outer periphery thereof. The layers may alternatively be laminated, sewn together or mechanically fixed such as by clips, hook and loop fasteners, zips or other mechanical fasteners.

In an embodiment, the cushion covers the entire upper surface of the sun lounger and the cooling gel layer covers more than 50% of the upper surface of the cushion and preferably more than 80% of the upper surface to provide maximum surface area for its cooling effects. However, to minimise costs of materials the cushion may be shaped to fit the user’s profile, for example the cushion may have a central section for the torso, a narrower head portion at one end and/or two narrower leg portions at the other end.

In preferred embodiments the cushion has a thickness from an upper surface to a lower surface of less than 25 cm or preferably less than 15cm to minimise its size and weight.

The sun lounger and/or cushion may have a width suitable for supporting an average male or female in relative comfort. It is also desirable to minimise the size and weight of sun loungers as they are regularly moved into or out of the sun or their position is adjusted to face into or away from the sun. In resorts, a large number of sun loungers may be arranged in an area, for example next to a swimming pool therefore smaller loungers allow more to be arranged in a particular space. In one example the sun lounger and/or cushion may have a width of less than 85cm, more desirably the sun lounger may have a width of between 50cm and 75cm, more specifically between 60 and 70cm. These widths provide support and comfort to the user but minimise size and therefore weight of the sun lounger.

The sun lounger may also comprise a frame made from two or more parts and comprising a seat portion designed to support the legs and lower lumbar part of the user and a head rest portion designed to support the shoulders and head of the user. The headrest portion may be angled relative to the seat portion to define a sitting position for the user. This angle may be fixed or may be adjustable such the angle of the headrest portion relative to the seating portion may be adjusted to a number of distinct sitting positions. In such an embodiment the headrest portion may be hinged with the seating portion and the sun lounger may further comprise an adjusting means to fix the relative angle while under the weight of a user. In preferred embodiments the adjusting means is a simple mechanical rod or catch that can be adjusted manually without the use of a motor or power source. Alternatively, the adjusting means could include a wind-up handle or pump on the side of the frame such that a user can easily adjust the seating position without getting up.

In embodiments where the headrest portion is adjustable relative to the seating portion, the cushion is desirably flexible such that the cushion can also form an angle defining a sitting position. Additionally or alternatively, the cushion may include a thinner portion or hinge to help the cushion conform to the angle forming the seating position.

The cushion may be permanently attached to the frame of the sun lounger, i.e. non-removable or integrally formed with the frame. A permanently attached cushion will prevent slipping during movement of the user. Due to the durable nature of the cushion this further negates the need to remove the cushion for washing or in case of bad weather.

It is also desirable that the sun lounger may be adjusted such that the headrest is substantially level with the seating portion such that the sun lounger is substantially flat. Such a position allows the user to lie comfortably on his or her front while sun bathing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a top view of a sun lounger in accordance with the invention Figure 2 shows a side view of the sun lounger of Figure 1 Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a further embodiment of the invention Figure 4 shows a top view of a cushion according to the invention Figure 5 shows a top view of a further cushion according to the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a top view of a sun lounger 10. The sun lounger has a frame 12 which provides a seating portion 18 for supporting a person seated thereon. The frame 12 is formed from moulded plastic and includes legs 14 which elevate the seating portion 18 from the ground and arm rests 16 at either side for comfort. At one end of the sun lounger 10, adjacent the seating portion 18 there is a headrest 19 which can be angled relative to the seating portion 18 to provide support to the user’s back and head at various sitting positions (best shown in Figure 2).

The sun lounger 10 includes a number of auxiliary features to improve the user’s sunbathing experience. For example, the sun lounger includes a drink cooler 60, a docking station 62 for charging a smartphone or music storage device and playing music therefrom. Speakers 64 are positioned in the headrest 19 for playing music from a music storage device to the user and other people nearby. The sun lounger 10 also includes a solar panel 66 mounted on the headrest 19 and battery compartment 68 to provide power to the auxiliary features.

The sun lounger 10 also includes a cushion 20 positioned on top of the frame 12 and covering part of the seating portion 18 and headrest 19 to provide physical comfort to the user. As can be seen in Figure 1, the cushion 20 is shaped to match a profile of the user having a wide body portion to accommodate the torso of the user, a narrower head portion at one end and two leg portions at an opposite end to the head portion. The narrow head portion allows the speakers 64 to be mounted into the headrest either side thereof such that the cushion 20 does not distort or muffle sound from the speakers 64. The cushion 20 is permanently attached to the frame 12 (cannot be easily removed) and includes a cooling gel material which is explained in more detail with reference to Figure 3.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of cushion 20 made from multiple layers. The cushion 20 includes a memory foam layer 40 adjacent the frame 12. A cooling gel layer 30 is positioned on a top surface of the memory foam layer 40. The cooling gel layer 30 includes a polyurethane cooling gel. A microfiber polyester fabric layer 50 is positioned on a top surface of the cooling gel layer 30. A thermochromic layer 52 is positioned on a top surface of the polyester layer. The thermochromic layer 52 includes thermochromic crystals therein.

The cushion layers are attached to each other by an adhesive applied around the periphery of the cushion 20. The cushion 20 is attached to the plastic frame 12 also by an adhesive.

Figures 4 and 5 show top views of a cushion 20 having circular cooling holes 80. Cooling holes 80 extend all the way through the cushion 20 from its top, usercontacting surface to its bottom, frame facing surface and have a diameter of approximately 5mm. The cushion includes 15 holes 80 that are evenly spaced from each other and in areas which are likely to be in contact with the user. There are 3 holes 80 across the width of the cushion in a central region of its length where a user’s torso is likely to lie. The fewer holes 80 are arranged across a narrower width of the cushion 20 in upper and lower positions where the user’s head and legs are likely to lie.

The cushion 20 includes a glow in the dark fabric material on its upper surface which displays a glowing pattern 90 at night (shown in Figure 4) which is different to the pattern 95 visible during the day (shown in Figure 5).

Although the invention is described in relation to a particular size and pattern of holes, it is envisaged that smaller or larger holes may be used in order to provide the required draining and/or ventilation holes. It is further envisaged that other shapes of holes, for example slots or ridges may be used either instead of or in addition to the holes described above.

Claims

1. A sun lounger having a cushion wherein the cushion comprises a cooling gel layer for dissipating body heat in use.

2. The sun lounger of claim 1, wherein the cooling gel is a polyurethane cooling gel.

3. The sun lounger of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cushion further comprises a foam layer, for example a memory foam layer.

4. The sun lounger of claim 3, wherein the cooling gel is between the foam layer and an upper, user-facing surface of the cushion.

5. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, wherein the cushion comprises holes extending from an upper surface at least part way through the thickness of the cushion.

6. The sun lounger of claim 5, wherein the holes extend all the way through the cushion to a lower surface thereof so as to form open channels through the cushion.

7. The sun lounger of claim 5 or 6, wherein the holes have a diameter greater than or equal to 5mm, for example greater than or equal to 15mm.

8. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, wherein the cushion comprises a fabric material on an upper surface of the cooling gel layer

9. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, wherein the cushion has a length greater than 90cm and a width greater than 50cm.

10. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, wherein the cushion is permanently attached to a frame of the sun lounger.

11. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, wherein the sun lounger further comprises a thermochromic material, for example thermochromic crystals.

12. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, further comprising a glow in the dark material.

13. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, having a width of less than 85cm, for example between 50 and 75cm or between 60 and 70cm.

14. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, wherein the cushion is resistant to UV rays, saltwater, sun lotions and chlorine.

15. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, wherein the cushion has a thickness from an upper surface to a lower surface of less than 25cm, for example less than 15cm.

16. The sun lounger of any preceding claim, having a seat portion and a headrest portion, the headrest portion being angled relative to the seat portion.

17. The sun lounger of claim 18, wherein the angle of the headrest portion is adjustable relative to the seat portion to define distinct sitting positions.

18. A cushion for a sun lounger, the cushion comprising: a cooling gel layer; and a plurality of holes extending therethrough.