PET BED |
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申请号 | US12117352 | 申请日 | 2008-05-08 | 公开(公告)号 | US20080277360A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2008-11-13 |
申请人 | William David ECKER; | 发明人 | William David ECKER; | ||||
摘要 | A system and method for displaying a pet bed at a point of sale location is provided including a display unit for displaying a plurality of mattresses having different volumes and differently sized covers corresponding to the different volume mattresses. The mattresses are preferably displayed at the point of sale location restrained in a compressed state having a reduced volume compared to the expanded state, which preferably reduces the amount of space occupied for the display unit. Furthermore, the variety of sizes of the mattresses and designs of the covers can facilitate a user personalizing the pet bed according to the user's preferences. | ||||||
权利要求 | What is claimed is: |
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说明书全文 | This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/916,751, filed on May 8, 2007, titled “PET BED,” the contents of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. This invention relates, in general, to a bed, more specifically to a bed suitable for a pet, such as a dog or cat. Beds currently available in the market for pets are generally limited to a small selection of beds that are available. The sizes are typically predetermined, as are the color and design. Accordingly, the choices for the consumer are limited, and the number of products that the retailer can display is also limited. In light of shortcomings described above, it is desirable to provide a bed suitable for a pet that facilitates customization. Generally speaking, the present invention is directed toward a bed product suitable for a pet, such as a dog or cat, wherein the bed includes a mattress component that is compressible into a smaller size for packaging and expandable into a larger size for use. One embodiment of the invention provides a variety of sizes of mattresses wherein the mattresses may be compressed to less than half, preferably less than one third their expanded volume, most preferably less than 15% of the size of the mattress when in use. In another embodiment of the invention, bed covers are sold separately from the beds, so that where space is limited a store can carry a wide variety of covers and customers can match selected covers to interchangeable beds. The invention is also directed to a method and system for displaying a pet bed including displaying a variety of sizes of mattresses, covers, accessories and the like, preferably in a single unit. Accordingly, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a mattress that is compressible into a smaller package than the size of the mattress when in use. It is further an advantage of the invention to provide a replaceable cover for a mattress to facilitate customization of a bed. It is also an advantage of the invention to provide a display system for displaying a selection of mattresses and covers for providing various options for a pet bed. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figure. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the devices, methods and objects are explained based on the enclosed figures. Here, In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a bed suitable for a pet, such as a dog or cat is provided. Preferably, the bed is at least partially customizable, for example, by providing a substantially wide selection of covers and sizes. These covers are presented on display at the store separated from interchangeable beds that can fit into multiple covers. Such options may permit the user to select a bed that best fits the pet and the space in which the bed will be placed, and may further permit the user to find a bed that is most aesthetically pleasing to the user. It also permits a store to stock a larger variety of covers, since the separate covers do not take up as much room as the beds. Referring to By way of non-limiting example, a process for compressing mattress 100 is illustrated in One example of a suitable retaining device includes a polyester bag 170, preferably a laminated polyester bag having relatively good barrier properties. Preferably, bag 170 is sealed to prevent the introduction of air into bag 170. Alternatively, a combination of retaining devices may be used. For example, mattress 100 may be sealed in a bag and packaged into a box 180, as a corrugated box, preferably a laminated high grade corrugated box, more preferably a folding box. Mattress 100 may also be strapped in the compressed state and placed into a bag or box, etc. without deviating from the scope of the invention. Preferably, once the retaining device is removed, for example, by taking mattress 100 out of the container, releasing the straps, etc., mattress 100 can expand to its natural, expanded state. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, mattress 100 is expanded naturally without the use of an external device. Alternatively, an expanding device may be used. This expanded state is preferably naturally maintained and is further substantially maintained while in use. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the volume of mattress 100 in the compressed state is approximately 5 to 50% of the expanded state, more preferably approximately 14 to 30%, most preferably approximately 20 to 25%. Once mattress 100 is in the expanded state, it may be placed on the floor or other desirable surface. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, mattress 100 is placed directly on the floor. Alternatively, mattress 100 may be placed on or in a support structure such as a basket, a frame, a stand, a housing, etc. without deviating from the scope of the invention. Referring to In accordance with an embodiment of the mattress illustrated in As shown in Referring to In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, liner 160 is removable, thus providing the user with flexibility in decorating the bed. Preferably, a relatively wide selection of liners 160 is made available for aesthetic purposes. For example, the selection of liners 160 may include different colors, patterns, fabric, etc., which may facilitate customizing the bed according to the needs and wants of the user and/or pet. Furthermore, a plurality of liners 160 may be used to change the look of the bed by alternating the liners by season to match the draperies and the like, at the whim of the user. Additionally, because only liner 160 is replaced, the cost of changing the appearance of the bed is reduced compared to replacing the bed entirely. Moreover, because liner 160 may be washed independently from mattress 100, liner 160 may be washed more often, which may be beneficial for the health of the pet as well as the air quality of room in which the bed is located. Referring to the embodiments illustrated in Referring to Preferably, the mattresses and liners are color-coded. For example, the small mattresses and liners may have a red label whereas the large mattresses and liners may have a blue label. Accordingly, a user may relatively easily select the mattress size and liner to meet the specific need or want of the user and/or pet. Moreover, the compressed mattress may facilitate transporting the mattress home from the store. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a display column 202 may be provided to display a mattress 100 in the expanded state, preferably covered with a liner 160. In the embodiment shown in Referring to Each column 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360 can include one or more shelves 312, 322, 332, 342, 352, 362 on which mattresses 100 or liners 160 can be provided. Preferably, the different liner shelves 322, 342, 362 provide different styles of liners separated by color, fabric, pattern, etc. A plurality of displays 304 can be provided, preferably identifying the size provided above or below the display 304. Another display 306, such as a graphic description of the system can also be provided, for example, spanning across multiple columns of display system 300. Reference is made to It is to be understood that mattress 100 may comprise a variety of shapes without deviating from the scope of the invention. For example, whereas a generally round mattress is illustrated herein, the mattress may have a generally rectangular shape, a hexagonal shape, etc., without deviating from the scope of the invention. Whereas a variety of sizes and shapes are contemplated, one example of a range of sizes of the mattress in the expanded state includes a “large” may have a diameter of about 44 inches. Preferably, a large in the compressed state can fit into a container such as a box having a width of about 15 in and a height of about 20 in. Additionally, the bed may include, by way of non-limiting example, scotch guard for stain protection, anti-microbial fiber fill that inhibits growth of known pet allergens, cedar wood chips for natural odor control, etc. as a matter of application specific design choice. Moreover, whereas the bed has been described herein as suitable for a pet, it is contemplated that the bed may be suitable for people without deviating from the scope of the invention. For example, the bed may be a bed for people, a seat cushion, and the like, without deviating from the scope of the invention. A method of providing a bed suitable for a pet is also provided herein. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one may provide a compressible mattress which can be compressed and expanded, wherein the mattress can preferably maintain its expanded state naturally. The mattress may be compressed from its expanded state into a compressed state, preferably to between 14-30% of the volume of the mattress in the expanded state. The mattress may be compressed by applying pressure on the mattress and restraining it. Alternatively, the mattress may be placed into a bag and the air from within the bag and the mattress may be removed. The mattress may then be restrained in the compressed state, for example, by sealing the mattress in a bag, such as a polyester bag. The compressed mattress may be shipped, distributed, sold, etc. utilizing a variety of packaging, for example, in a sealed bag, in a corrugated box, or both. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of sizes of mattresses may be provided. Furthermore, a variety of liners for covering the mattresses may also be provided. Preferably, the liners are washable and waterproof. In accordance with Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out novel features of embodiments of the present invention, materials, dimensions, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the shape, size of the mattress, the number of dividers, the number and type of retaining devices used to maintain the mattress in the compressed state, the number and arrangement of columns and shelves of the display system, etc. can be varied without deviating from the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. |