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Scented utility cushionScented utility cushion description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070246992, Scented utility cushion. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to a cushioning apparatus and more particularly to a to a cushioning apparatus that facilitates the release of a pleasant scent during use. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Cushioned mats, pads, pillows and the like are well known and have been utilized to increase the comfort of sitting or lying down for millennia. More recently, such cushioning apparatus are made of resilient foam material and featuring water-resistant covers for providing comfort in wet conditions or where moisture such as perspiration may contact the cushioning apparatus. [0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,352 by Matsler et al. discloses a contoured foam cushion with a water-resistant cover that may be used for sitting or during meditation of exercise. Moreover, PCT Application WO97/45039 by Debellis et al. illustrates a contoured and vented pad for a wheelchair. With these and other pad devices, the cushion element and/or the cover material may have a chemical odor (e.g., "new foam smell") or may begin to harbor an unpleasant musty odor with use over time. [0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a cushioning apparatus that provides deodorization or a pleasant scent that is calming or otherwise useful in a variety of applications. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The invention relates in general to an apparatus that includes a resilient cushioning element, a scenting agent disposed upon the resilient cushioning element, and a cover material disposed atop the cushioning element. Preferably, the cushioning element is a polyurethane foam that "breaths" (allows the passage of air therethrough). Also preferably, the cover material is moisture proof. [0008] In one embodiment, the cushioning apparatus of the invention is designed as an apparatus having a cover material that substantially encases a resilient cushioning element. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the cover material is permeable to the scenting agent, such as through a mesh material or other openings disposed through the cover material. [0009] In another embodiment, the resilient cushioning element further includes a contour or depression disposed within the top of the cushioning element. Preferably, the contour is adapted to accommodate of at least one anatomical feature of a user of the cushioning apparatus, such as, for example, a head, a neck, a posterior, or the entire back areas of an infant. Also preferably, the cover material is coupled to the contour such that the cover material conforms in shape to the contour. [0010] In another embodiment of the invention, the resilient cushioning element is encased by a removable cover material so that the cover material may be cleaned or changed and the scenting agent or agents may be replenished or tailored to a particular application (e.g., calming essential oils being disposed upon the cushioning element for use during meditation). [0011] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method for increasing the concentration of a scenting agent proximal to a cushioning device is provided. Preferably, the method includes the steps of providing a resilient cushioning element, disposing a scenting agent upon the resilient cushioning element, substantially encasing the cushioning element within a cover material permeable to the scenting agent, and applying pressure to the resilient cushioning element such that the scenting agent permeates the cover material. Preferably, the cover material may be moisture proof and only partially permeable with regard to the scenting agent, thereby further limiting or concentrating the expulsion of the scenting agent at certain areas of the cover material when pressure is applied to the cushion apparatus. [0012] Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention includes the features hereinafter fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such description discloses only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 schematically depicts a first embodiment of the invention in elevational side view. [0014] FIG. 2 depicts a second embodiment of the invention in perspective view. [0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views taken along line 3A,B-3A,B in FIG. 2. [0016] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates in outline a method embodiment of the invention in block diagram form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0017] The invention generally relates to a comfort apparatus (such as for a chair or diaper changing station) that features a resilient cushion element that has disposed upon it a scenting agent and that is covered or encased in a material. The encasing cover is permeable to the scenting agent through, for example, small holes or vents. Moreover, the resilient cushion element may have a "depression" (i.e., a contoured area) into which, for example, a baby or someone's posterior is placed. Accordingly, one function of the comfort apparatus is to emit the scent from the resilient cushion element when pressure (e.g., the weight of a person or object) is applied to the apparatus or applied within the contour. [0018] Turning to the figures, wherein like numbers designate like elements, an apparatus 2 of the invention is depicted in FIG. 1. The apparatus 2 includes a resilient cushioning element 4 that, preferably, may be a polyurethane foam. Disposed upon the element 4 is a scenting agent 6. The scenting agent 6 may include one or more agents that impart an aroma in proximity to the apparatus 2. Preferred scenting agents include, but are not limited to, volatile and/or aromatic compounds, spices, eucalyptus leaves, and essential oils. [0019] Disposed atop the cushioning element 4 is a cover material 8. Preferably, the cover material 8 is moisture proof as symbolized by moisture bead 9. Thus, a preferred cover material includes vinyl. [0020] As seen in FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, a second embodiment of the invention is depicted. In this embodiment, the apparatus 12 includes a resilient cushioning element 14, a scenting agent 16 disposed upon the resilient cushioning element 14, and a removable (such as through VELCRO fasteners 15) cover material 18 that substantially encases the resilient cushioning element 14. Because the removable cover material 18 encases the resilient cushioning material 14, at least a portion of the cover material is permeable to the scenting agent 16. Continue reading about Scented utility cushion... Full patent description for Scented utility cushion Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Scented utility cushion patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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