# US 9,433,301 B2 · Furniture element, in particular a seat or cushion, and associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,301 B2 - Document ID: US9433301B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/426,373 - Filed: 2013-09-05 - Published: 2015-09-10 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-06 - Assignees: Vdj Import - Applicants: Olivier Brechet; Nathalie Brechet - Inventors: Olivier Brechet; Nathalie Brechet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433301B2 ## CPC - A47C 27/086: {with fluid-like particles, e.g. filled with beads} - A47C 3/16: of legless type, e.g. with seat directly resting on the floor (A47C3/14 takes precedence); Hassocks; Pouffes - A47C 4/54: Inflatable chairs - A47C 27/081: {of pneumatic type} - A47C 31/11: for chairs {(for headrests only A47C7/386)} - F17C 13/00: Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels - Y10T 137/0402: Cleaning, repairing, or assembling - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS - F17C: VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES (storing fluids in natural or artificial cavities or chambers in the earth B65G5/00; construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil-engineering techniques E04H7/00; variable-capacity gas-holders F17B; liquefaction or refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A furniture element is characterized in that it comprises a first flexible inner envelope (30) defining therein a first volume (22) adapted to receive a material comprising a fluid with a first density and a second flexible outer envelope (10), the inner envelope and the outer envelope defining together a second volume (21) surrounding the first volume (22) and adapted to receive a second material comprising a fluid and flexible particles with a second density higher than the first density, a first closable port (40) for entry or exit of fluid into/from said first volume, opening to the outside, and a second closable port (50) for the entry or exit of fluid into/from said second volume, opening to the outside. The invention can be used in particular for improving the comfort and facilitating the transportation of large volume seat-type or cushion type elements (typically from 0.2 to 1 m2) for outdoor use (terraces, swimming pools, etc.). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A furniture element, comprising a first flexible inner envelope defining therein a first volume adapted to receive a first material comprising a fluid with a first density and a second flexible outer envelope, the inner envelope and the outer envelope defining together a second volume surrounding the first volume and containing a second material comprising a mixture of gas and flexible particles with a second density higher than the first density, a first closable port for entry of fluid into said first volume or exit of fluid from said first volume, opening to the outside, a second closable port for the entry of gas only into said second volume or exit of gas only from said second volume, opening to the outside, and a third port between the second volume and the outside, allowing the injection of the mixture of gas and flexible particles therethrough and the discharge of excess gas through the second port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An element according to claim 1, wherein the two envelopes are locally attached to each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An element according to claim 2, wherein the two envelopes are made of a flexible weldable synthetic material, the two envelopes being locally welded to each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An element according to claim 3, wherein the two envelopes are welded in the generally opposite regions of the element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An element according to claim 2, wherein the inner envelope is made of panels assembled so as to provide thereto a general shape when the first volume is pressurized. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An element according to claim 5, wherein the outer envelope is made of panels assembled so as to provide thereto a general shape similar to that of the outer envelope. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) An element according to claim 2, wherein the first port is located in a region where the two envelopes are attached to each other, so as to simultaneously extend through both envelopes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An element according to claim 1, wherein the first material is a gas. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An element according to claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a material capable of self-expansion when the first port is open, so as to make the first volume at least partially self-inflating. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An element according to claim 1, wherein the second material comprises a mixture of gas and particles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An element according to claim 10, wherein the particles comprise a mixture of foam chips and fibers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An element according to claim 11, wherein the average particle size is between 5 and 30 mm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) An element according to claim 10, wherein a grid is associated with the second port to prevent the escape of the particles when said port is open. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An element according to claim 1, wherein a one-way valve is associated with the third port. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An element according to claim 1, further comprising a third envelope forming a cover envelope removably surrounding the second envelope. ### Claim 16 A method for compacting a furniture element, comprising a first flexible inner envelope defining therein a first volume adapted to receive a first material comprising a fluid with a first density and a second flexible outer envelope, the inner envelope and the outer envelope defining together a second volume surrounding the first volume and containing a second material comprising a mixture of gas and flexible particles with a second density higher than the first density, a first closable port for entry of fluid into said first volume or exit of fluid from said first volume, opening to the outside, a second closable port for the entry of gas into said second volume or exit of gas from said second volume, opening to the outside, and a third port between the second volume and the outside, allowing the injection of the mixture of gas and flexible particles therethrough and the discharge of excess gas through the second port, the method comprising the following steps: extracting from the first volume substantially all of the fluid contained therein, and extracting from the second volume substantially all of the fluid contained therein while leaving therein said flexible particles. ### Claim 17 A method of bringing into usage a furniture element, comprising a first flexible inner envelope defining therein a first volume adapted to receive a first material comprising a fluid with a first density and a second flexible outer envelope, the inner envelope and the outer envelope defining together a second volume surrounding the first volume and containing a second material comprising a mixture of gas and flexible particles with a second density higher than the first density, a first closable port for entry of fluid into said first volume or exit of fluid from said first volume, opening to the outside, a second closable port for the entry of gas into said second volume or exit of gas from said second volume, opening to the outside, and a third port between the second volume and the outside, allowing the injection of the mixture of gas and flexible particles therethrough and the discharge of excess gas through the second port, the method comprising the following steps: injecting a fluid into the first volume, and bringing the second volume into communication with the atmospheric pressure. ### Claim 18 A method of manufacturing and compacting a furniture element, comprising a first flexible inner envelope defining therein a first volume adapted to receive a first material comprising a fluid with a first density and a second flexible outer envelope, the inner envelope and the outer envelope defining together a second volume surrounding the first volume and containing a second material comprising a mixture of gas and flexible particles with a second density higher than the first density, a first closable port for entry of fluid into said first volume or exit of fluid from said first volume, opening to the outside, a second closable port for the entry of gas into said second volume or exit of gas from said second volume, opening to the outside, and a third port between the second volume and the outside, allowing the injection of the mixture of gas and flexible particles therethrough and the discharge of excess gas through the second port, the method comprising the following steps: manufacturing the two envelopes, injecting a mixture of gas and flexible particles into the second volume through the third port, while allowing excess gas to escape through the second port, closing the third port, and extracting gas from the second volume by application of a vacuum source, while leaving said flexible particles therein.