FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a cover for covering a person on a seat.

BACKGROUND [0002] For long haul flights, particularly overnight flights, a passenger is normally provided with a blanket for comfort and to keep warm. However, in use, these blankets are difficult to maintain on the passenger while sitting down. The blankets in particular tend to slide downwards while in use. In addition, when the blanket is on a passenger on the seat, that person is restricted from any hand movement (e.g. from interacting with any in-flight entertainment devices) as such movement would likely cause the blanket to slide downwards off the passenger. As a result, these blankets are generally a hassle to use and do not provide efficient coverage for the passenger.

[0003] There is a need for improved cover for covering a person on a seat, or a need to at least provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover for a seat, the cover including: a body portion for covering a person on the seat, the body portion being securable to the seat.

[0005] Preferably, the body portion is securable to the seat such that when the body portion covers the person, the body portion is prevented from any movement relative to the seat. For example, the body portion is restricted from sliding downwards or from falling off the person. Thereby, in preferred embodiments, when the body portion covers the person on the seat, the cover can be securely maintained on the person.

[0006] The cover preferably includes a headrest portion that is configured or adapted to be secured to a headrest portion of the seat, wherein the body portion is extendable from the headrest portion. Preferably, the headrest portion includes a pouch (or pocket or sleeve) portion in which the body portion can be stored, the pouch portion being locatable over a headrest portion of the seat to secure the cover thereto.

[0007] The body portion is preferably a blanket portion for covering a body, hands, and legs of the person. The blanket portion can be configured to form a cocoon (or pod) around the person on the seat. For example, the body portion may have engagement features on opposite sides thereof that are engageable with each other to form the cocoon.

[0008] The cover preferably has a strap arrangement for strapping around the seat to secure the cover to the seat. The strap arrangement may be provided at a headrest portion of the cover for example for strapping around a headrest portion of the seat. Preferably, when the body portion is in a stored configuration, the strap arrangement is exposed and can be worn around the person’s body.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover configured or adapted for a seat, the cover comprising: a pouch portion; and a body portion extendable from the pouch portion, the body portion configured or adapted to cover a person on the seat, wherein the body portion is storable in the pouch portion when not in use.

[0010] The cover is preferably securable to the seat.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the pouch portion, when the body portion is extended from the pouch portion for positioning on the seat, forms a headrest portion. The pouch portion, in preferred embodiments, is reversible between a first configuration in which the body portion can be stored in the pocket, and a second configuration in which the pocket can be positioned onto the headrest portion of the seat to secure the cover to the seat.

[0012] The cover may include a strap arrangement for securing the cover to the seat. In a preferred embodiment, the pouch portion has a strap arrangement for strapping around the headrest portion of the seat to secure the cover to the seat. Preferably, when the body portion is in a stored configuration, the strap arrangement is exposed and can be worn around the person’s body. [0013] The cover of any of the previously described embodiments preferably includes a ventilation region at or near a rear lower region of the cover. The ventilation region may be a mesh region for example. The ventilation region may be a hidden region that is concealed by an outer layer of the cover. [0014] One or more of the portions of the cover of any of the previously described embodiments includes an antibacterial coating. For example, the cover portion(s) may be coated with a coating comprising silver ions. The portion(s) of the cover may be made from a water-repellent material. The cover may be made from a synthetic insulation fabric material. For example, the cover may include a polyester insulation. At least a back portion of the body portion may include an anti-slip material to stop the material from slipping off the chair when located thereon.

[0015] The body portion of the cover of the previously described embodiments comprises a back portion, a first side portion extending from one side of the back portion, and a second side portion extending from an opposite side of the back portion, wherein each of the first and second side portions wraps at least partially around respective sides the person on the seat. The back portion, first side portion, and the second side portion preferably forms a pod or cocoon for the person on the chair. The back portion is locatable between the person on the seat and the seat surface.

[0016] The first side portion and the second side portion may be engageable with each other to define an enclosure or bag on the seat for enveloping the person. Preferably, the first side portion and the second side portion can be fastened together to define an enclosure, cocoon, or bag on the seat for enveloping the person. By way of example, the first and second side portions may be fastened together by a zipper arrangement.

[0017] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover configured or adapted for a seat, the cover including: a body portion forming, or configured to form, a cocoon for the person on the seat, the cover being securable to the seat.

[0018] The body portion may include a back portion, a first side portion extending from one side of the back portion, and a second side portion extending from an opposite side of the back portion, wherein each of the first and second side portions wraps at least partially around respective sides the person on the seat. The first side portion and the second side portion are preferably engageable with each other to define the cocoon. In a preferred embodiment, the first side portion and the second side portion can be fastened together to define the cocoon.

[0019] The cover includes a pouch portion from which the body portion extends, the body portion being storable in the pouch portion. The pouch portion preferably forms a headrest portion for the person. The headrest portion is preferably securable to the seat. By way of example, the headrest portion slips onto the headrest portion of the seat. Additionally or alternatively, the cover includes a strap arrangement for strapping around the seat. The strap arrangement is preferably provided on the pouch portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the cover according to an embodiment of the present invention in a stored configuration;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the cover shown in Figure 1 in a partially expanded configuration;

Figures 3 to 5 show different views of the cover shown in Figure 1 in a fully expanded configuration;

Figure 6 shows a rear view of the cover shown in Figure 1 in a fully expanded configuration;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the cover on a seat;

Figure 8 shows a rear view of the cover shown in Figure 1 in the expanded configuration with the ventilation region open; and

Figures 9 and 10 show the cover shown in Figure 1 in the stored configuration on a luggage handle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figures 1 to 10 show a cover 100 for a seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover 100 is securable to a seat and can be configured to form a cocoon for covering a person seated on the seat. The cover in particular envelopes the person on the seat to keep the person warm and/or comfortable while on the seat. The seat may be a seat of an aircraft, train, bus, car, marine vessel, or any other transportation vehicle. Alternatively, the seat may be a seat in a cinema or other entertainment facility. The cover 100, when in its expanded (or in-use) configuration, can be configured to envelope the person on the seat and to form a cocoon for the person. The cover is made from a suitable material for keeping the person comfortable while on the seat, particularly where the person may be sitting on said seat for prolonged durations. The cover 100, in preferred embodiments, provides comfort to the user while on the seat, while also being easily storable and transportable when not in use. The cover in its stored configuration is lightweight, weighing less than about 1kg.

[0022] The cover 100 has a pouch portion 120 for storing a body portion (or main portion) 160 for covering a person seated on the seat. The pouch portion 120 is in the form of a bag with a fastener arrangement 122 for storing the body portion therein. The fastener arrangement 122 (shown in Figure 1) can be manipulated to a closed position to trap the body portion in the pouch portion in the storage configuration, and can be manipulated to an open position to allow for the body portion to be removed and extended from the body portion or for the body portion to be stored in the body portion. The body portion may, for example, be rolled for storage in the pouch portion 120. Alternatively, the body portion may be folded into the pouch portion. [0023] The pouch portion has a pocket (or compartment) 124 in which the person may store their items (e.g. their passport, mobile electronic device, or other personal items). The pocket 124 is attached, preferably stitched, to the pouch portion 120 at its left and right sides. An upper end and lower end of the pocket 124, on the other hand, are free ends that are not attached to the pouch portion 120 to define a sleeve portion of the pouch portion 120 rearward of the pocket 124. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the sleeve portion behind the pocket 124 is for receiving a handle 320 of a suitcase 300 to locate the cover, when in its stored configuration, on the suitcase 300. In particular, the handle 320 of the suitcase 300 can pass through the sleeve behind the pocket 124. The suitcase handle 320 snugly fits through the sleeve portion.

[0024] The cover 100 in its stored configuration, as shown in Figure 1, can be worn as a waist pouch, a shoulder bag, or as a cross-body bag (i.e. a sling bag across the person’s body). The cover 100 in its stored configuration could also be positioned around the handle bar(s) of a luggage bag as shown in Figures 9 and 10 for example. The cover 100 in its expanded configuration, as shown in the remaining figures, is securable to the seat.

[0025] The cover 100 has a strap arrangement 140, which includes a first strap portion and a second strap portion extending from opposite sides of the pouch portion 120. The strap portions are exposed when the cover 100 is in the stored configuration (as shown in the Figure 1) or when the cover 100 is in the expanded configuration (as shown in the remaining figures). The first and second strap portions are engageable with each other to define a loop. For example, the first strap portion may include a buckle portion while the second strap portion may include a tongue portion that is removeably engageable with the buckle portion to define the loop. In other examples, the first strap portion and the second strap portion may each have an engaging feature, the engaging features of the first and second strap portions being engageable with each other to define the loop. In other examples, the strap portions may include a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®.

[0026] In the stored configuration of the cover 100, the strap arrangement 140 can be configured and used to strap the stored cover around the person (e.g. around the person’s waist or across/over the person’s shoulder). In the expanded configuration of the cover 100, the strap arrangement 140 can be configured and used to strap the expanded cover to the seat such that when the cover is on the seat the cover is secured to the seat and does not sag or fall off the seat especially when enveloping the person on the seat. Alternatively, when in the expanded configuration, the strap arrangement may not be used to secure the cover 100 to the seat.

[0027] The pouch portion 120 is, or is part of, a headrest portion of the cover 100 that is locatable at a headrest portion of the seat on which the cover 100 is to be located. The pouch portion 120, in preferred embodiments, is reversible between a first configuration in which the body portion can be stored in the pouch portion as shown in Figure 1, and a second configuration in which the pouch portion can be positioned over and onto the headrest portion of the seat to secure the cover to the seat as shown in Figure 7. When the pouch portion is located over the upper portion of the seat, the cover would not slide off the seat when a person sits thereon. The strap arrangement 140 can additionally, in some examples, be used to secure the cover 100 in its expanded configuration to the seat.

[0028] The pouch portion 120 is reversible between a first configuration (as shown in Figure 1) in which the body portion 160 can be stored in the pouch portion and the fastener arrangement 122 can be readily accessible to trap the body portion in the pouch portion, and a second configuration (as shown in Figure 2) in which the pouch portion 120 can be positioned over and onto the headrest portion of the seat to secure the cover to the seat. The pouch portion 120 is in the form of a pocket or sleeve defining a space in which the headrest portion of the seat is locatable to secure or anchor the cover to the seat.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the body portion 160 in a partially expanded configuration from the pouch portion 120. The body portion 160 is rolled out from the pouch portion 120 from the stored configuration to the expanded configuration. Similarly, the body portion 160 is rolled into the pouch portion 120 from the expanded configuration to the stored configuration. The body portion 160 is storable in the pouch portion 120 when not in use.

[0030] The body portion 160 and the pouch portion 120 (which is or is part of the headrest portion) of the cover 100 are portions of a single continuous fabric material. In particular, the body portion and the pouch portion are not separable from each other. In other examples, the pouch/headrest portion may be separable or detachable from the body portion of the cover.

[0031] The cover 100 has an antibacterial coating. The antibacterial coating comprises silver ions for example. The cover is preferably made from a water-repellent material. The cover includes a synthetic insulation fabric material or a polyester insulation. For example, the cover is made from ThermoLite® material. The material used to form the cover has hollow-core features for trapping warm air for insulation. In a preferred embodiment, the cover has an outer shell (which may be a nylon shell such as Prueco™ nylon shell), with the insulation material (which may be a synthetic insulation material such as ThermoLite® material) contained in the shell. The outer shell includes an antibacterial coating (such as the Slivadur™ antibacterial shield).

[0032] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the body portion 160 includes a back portion 162, a first side portion 164 extending from one side of the back portion 162, and a second side portion 166 extending from an opposite side of the back portion 162. The back portion, first side portion, and second side portion are portions of a single continuous fabric material as previously described above. The back portion, first side portion, and the second side portion forms a pod or cocoon for the person on the chair.

[0033] Referring to Figure 8, the back portion 162 includes a ventilation or mesh region 161 at or near a lower end of the back portion, which is near where the person’s calves would be located when the person is the cocoon. The ventilation region 161 allows for a flow of air through the lower (leg) region of the cover. In particular, the back portion of the cover includes a multilayer region having an outer layer that does not allow for airflow therethrough and an inner ventilation (or mesh) layer that allows for airflow. The outer layer of the back portion 162 of the cover has an opening that can be adjusted to provide access to the mesh layer. For example, the opening may be adjusted by a fastener such as a zipper. When the opening is open (as shown in Figure 8), the outer layer does not conceal or cover the ventilation material and air can flow through the ventilation material and into the cocoon. When the opening is closed (as shown in Figure 4), the outer laver covers the ventilation layer thereby preventing air circulation through the lower region of the cocoon. In other examples, the opening in the back portion of the cover may be provided without the ventilation (or mesh) layer.

[0034] Each of the first and second side portions 164, 166 wraps at least partially around respective sides the person on the seat. The first side portion and the second side portion are engageable with each other to define an enclosure or bag on the seat for enveloping the person. As shown in Figure 3 and 4, the first side portion and the second side portion can be fastened together to define the cocoon for enveloping the person. By way of example, the first and second side portions may be fastened together by a zipper arrangement. The zip of the zipper arrangement in preferred embodiments has an elongate tag or grip portion attached thereto that can be easily grabbed and manipulated by the person when the zip is at a foot region while the person is sitting on the seat, whereby pulling the tag (or grip) portion upwards from the foot region also pulls the zip upwards to fasten the first and second side portions together. The tag (or grip) portion may be accessible from an exterior of the cocoon and/or from an interior of the cocoon.

[0035] As shown in Figure 7, the cover 100 is configured or adapted for a seat 200. The body portion 160 forms, or is configured to form, a cocoon (or pod or enclosure) for the person on the seat 200. The cover 100 is securable to the seat by at least one of the pouch portion that can be slipped onto the headrest portion of the seat 200 and by the strap arrangement 140 that can be manipulated to form a loop around the seat 200.

[0036] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word ‘comprise’, and variations such as ‘comprises’ and ‘comprising’, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0037] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0038] The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims which follow.