The present invention relates to seat covers, and in particular to seat covers for use with a stadium seat or chair.

Seats that are provided at a sports stadium or arena are uncomfortable, particularly after extended periods of sitting, as such seats are usually made out of a hard plastic material, which does not provide any cushioning. Therefore, it is not uncommon for spectators at stadium-based sports and musical events to carry portable cushions into the stadium in order to provide additional comfort when seated for long periods of time. A problem with existing portable cushions is that they have a tendency to slip and fall off the stadium seat on which they have been placed.

Furthermore, when spectators attend outdoor sports or musical events, the stadium seats can become very cold, particularly during the winter months. This problem can become compounded when the spectator uses a seat that is located high up in the stadium where it can often become very windy. Hence, heated cushions, which consist of a rechargeable battery, may also be taken into the stadium in order to provide additional warmth to the spectator. However, a problem with using re-chargeable batteries is that they require a minimum of six hours charging in order to provide sufficient heat energy to warm a spectator for two hours, ie the minimum amount of time required for an average sporting event or concert. Hence, the user must remember to recharge the batteries before taking the heated cushion to the event.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art, whether identified herein or elsewhere, and to provide an improved stadium seat cover.

The inventor has appreciated that the seats that are provided at a sports stadium or arena are uncomfortable, and that they can become very cold, particularly during the winter months. The inventor has therefore solved these problems by developing a portable, heatable seat cover, which includes a convenient self- heating mechanism which does not consist of rechargeable batteries. Instead, the heating mechanism may be activated to generate heat to warm the spectator, and then removed from the cover and regenerated, for example, by placing in boiling water. Hence, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable, heatable seat cover comprising a base portion which, in use, is adapted to be placed against a seat, and on which a user sits, the base portion comprising an internal pouch in which re-useable heating means is received, the heating means being adapted to be activated, in use, to provide heat energy to the user sitting on the base portion, wherein the heating means is adapted to be removed from the pouch to enable it to be regenerated for re-use.

Advantageously, the seat cover according to the first aspect of the invention provides a convenient, easily rechargeable, and portable cushion which may be taken to and from a stadium or arena (for example for sports or musical events), and used on the seats provided in order to improve the comfort and warmth of a spectator. The re-useable heating means may be inserted into the pouch that is provided in the base portion, and then triggered to heat the cover and hence the spectator sitting thereon. Once the heating means runs out of energy, and goes cold, it may be simply removed from the pouch, re-generated, and then replaced into the pouch for subsequent use. Advantageously, the cover according to the invention does not involve the use of a fixed heating element or rechargeable batteries, and does not require mains electricity. Accordingly, the heating means is much easier to recharge, and hence the cover is much easier to use.

Typically, seats at a stadium or arena consist of a tip-up seat member with a backrest. A person sits on the seat member and leans against the backrest. The seat member may be hingedly mounted for rotation between an open position wherein the seat member is substantially horizontal and a folded position wherein the seat member is tilted upwardly toward the backrest. The seat may include biasing means for biasing the seat member toward the folded position, so that the seat member and the backrest are substantially upright when the seat is not in use.

Hence, preferably, the base portion of the cover according to the invention is adapted to be placed on a seat member of the seat, which seat member is substantially horizontal when a user sits thereon.

Preferably, the cover comprises a back support portion, which back support portion is adapted to be placed against a backrest of the seat, which backrest is substantially vertical when a user leans against it.

Preferably, the base portion is suitably shaped and sized so that it substantially covers the seat member of the seat. Preferably, the back support portion is suitably shaped and sized so that it substantially covers the backrest of the seat. Preferably, the base portion and, preferably the back portion, is covered by a flexible plastic material. The plastic material is preferably waterproof, and hard- wearing. Preferably, the base portion and the back support portion are connected to each other by a hinge about which the base portion and back support portion may mutually pivot. Preferably, the base portion and the back support portion are adapted to be folded along the hinge so that they separate, thereby enabling them to be attached to the seat. The base portion is preferably placed on top of the seat member, and the back support portion is preferably urged to contact the backrest. The angle formed between the base portion and the back support portion will be determined by the angle between the seat member and the backrest, but is likely to be about 90°.

The cover may comprise retaining means for retaining the cover in position on the seat. The retaining means may be provided on the base portion, and adapted to retain the base portion on the seat member of the seat. For example, the retaining means may comprise at least one strap, which may be attached either directly to the seat, or to itself underneath the seat member. For example, a first strap may be attached to one side of the base portion and a second strap may be attached to an opposite of the base portion. The first and second straps may be mutually engageable to thereby secure the base portion to the seat member of the seat.

Alternatively, or additionally, the retaining means may be provided on the back support portion, and is adapted to retain the back support portion adjacent the backrest of the seat. The retaining means may comprise a flap provided on a rear surface of the back support portion of the cover, which flap is adapted to receive at least an upper region of the backrest of the seat, to thereby maintain the seat cover thereon. Preferably, the flap extends from at least a peripheral edge of a rear face of the back support portion that is distal from the hinge. Preferably, the flap extends from at least one, and preferably two side peripheral edges of the rear face of the back support portion. It will be appreciated that when the flap extends from the two side edges and the distal edge, the proximal edge is left unattached thereby forming a pocket suitably sized to receive at least the top of the backrest of the seat, to thereby maintain the seat cover thereon. Once the base portion and the back support portion of the cover have been secured in position, the spectator may then activate the heating means.

Preferably, an external surface of the base portion comprises an opening which extends transversely into the base portion and leads to the pouch therein.

Preferably, the opening of the pouch is provided along part of a peripheral edge of the base portion. The opening may comprise closing means for ensuring that that the heating means is kept inside the pouch. The closing means may comprise a zip by which the opening may be opened and closed. The closing means may comprise Velcro or buttons or the like. Hence, the spectator may open the opening to thereby obtain access to the pouch inside the base portion. It is through this opening that the spectator may insert and remove the heating means.

The heating means may comprise a re-useable self-heating pad. Examples of suitable self-heating pads are known, for example, Salvio Ltd (London, UK) or Emori Products Co., Ltd (Hong Kong). The heating pad may comprise a super-saturated or super-cooled salt solution and trigger means, which trigger means, when activated, causes the salt solution to crystallise and thereby generate heat energy. The heat energy is released on solidification, which is triggered by activating the trigger means. The salt solution and the trigger means may be contained within a sealed flexible bag. The salt solution is preferably hydrated and may comprise sodium acetate. The trigger means may comprise ferrous metal. Preferably, the trigger means comprises stainless steel. Actuating the trigger means releases tiny adhered crystals of sodium acetate into the solution which then act as nucleation sites for the recrystallisation of the remainder of the salt solution.

Hence, the trigger means causes a single molecule of the liquid to crystallise, which starts a chain reaction causing the entire salt solution to change from a liquid into a solid. Crystallisation causes the pad to heat to about 50-55 °C, and once activated, the pad stays hot for up to two hours or so. Hence, the heating pad provides a very convenient way to heat the stuffing means provided in the base portion of the cover, and hence, the spectator sitting on thereon. When the pad becomes cold, it may be simply removed from the pouch, and re-charged by placing it into boiling water for several (10-15 minutes) minutes. The crystals are returned to a liquid state, and the pad may be used again, and so is replaced back into the pouch.

Preferably, the base portion comprises stuffing means. The stuffing means may be contained within the pouch. Preferably, the back support portion comprises an internal pouch, having substantially similar dimensions to those of the back support portion itself. Preferably, the back support portion comprises stuffing means. The stuffing means may comprise a cushion. The stuffing means may comprise a suitable foam material, for example, polyurethane or the like. The stuffing means may comprise a memory foam.

By the term "memory foam", we mean pressure and temperature sensitive foam that adopts the shape of the person sitting or lying on it. Memory foam is usually made from polyurethane and comprises additional chemicals that add to its viscosity level, thereby increasing its density. Memory foam may also be referred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. Higher density memory foam reacts to body heat which allows it to mould itself to the shape of a warm body within a few minutes. A lower density memory foam is pressure-sensitive and will mould more quickly to the shape of the body.

As shown in Figure 1 , when the cover according to the invention is not in use (ie it is not attached to a seat), it may be manipulated to adopt a configuration which facilitates portability thereof. Preferably, the base portion and the back support portion are adapted to be folded along the hinge so that their respective planar faces contact each other, thereby reducing the overall size of the cover.

Preferably, the back support portion and the base portion comprise retaining means for maintaining them substantially adjacent each other. For example, the back support portion may comprise engagement means, and the base portion may comprise receiving means, wherein mutual engagement between the engagement means and the receiving means causes the back support portion and base portion to remain substantially adjacent each other. The engagement means may comprise a clasp and the receiving means may comprise a catch, or vice versa. Alternatively, the engagement means and receiving means may comprise

Velcro™. Preferably, the retaining means is disposed substantially centrally on the distal edge of the back support portion and base portion of the cover.

Preferably, the flap on the back support portion is adapted to receive at least a peripheral edge of the base portion that is distal from the hinge. Most preferably, the peripheral edge of the base portion is received by the pocket on the back support portion. Preferably, the cover comprises carry means by which the cover may be picked up and carried. Preferably, the carry means comprises a carry strap, which may be attached to each side of the base portion. The length of the strap may be adjustable depending on whether the user wishes to carry the cover by hand or over the shoulder, and depending on whether the user is an adult or a child. Hence, the seat cover according to the invention may be very conveniently folded into the configuration shown in Figure 1 for transportation purposes.

Preferably, an outer surface of either the back support portion and/or the base portion is provided with an area on which the user may affix details of their favorite sports team, pop group, name or logo of a manufacturer or sponsor, such as Nike™, or Addidas™ etc.

Hence, it is preferred that the configuration of the cover may be modified between a first configuration in which the base portion and the back support portion

(preferably planar surfaces thereof) contact each other for transportation purposes, and a second configuration in which the base portion and the back support portion do not contact each other for attachment to the seat.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of heating a seat, the method comprising attaching a seat cover according to the first aspect to a seat, and activating the heating means. All of the features described herein (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination, except

combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a seat cover according to the invention in a first configuration, ie in a portable configuration; Figure 2 is a partially cross-sectional view of the seat cover in a second

configuration, ie in use attached to a seat; Figure 3 is a schematic rear view of the seat cover in a third configuration, ie flattened out;

Figure 4 is a schematic front view of the seat cover in the third configuration; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of a self-heating pad used in combination with the seat cover.

Example

The inventor has appreciated that the seats that are provided at a sports stadium or arena are uncomfortable, particularly after extended periods of sitting, as such seats are usually made out of a hard plastic material, which does not provide any cushioning. Furthermore, the inventor has noticed that when spectators attend outdoor sports or musical events, the stadium seats can become very cold, particularly during the winter months. This problem can become compounded when the spectator uses a seat that is located high up in the stadium where it can often become very windy. The inventor therefore set out to address these problems suffered by current stadium seating, and has developed a portable, heatable seat cover 2, as shown in the Figures. Referring to Figure 1 , there is a shown a perspective view of a seat cover 2 according to the invention. Figures 3 and 4 shows front and rear sides of the seat cover 2, and Figure 2 shows the seat cover 2 in use attached to a seat 20, for example, one that may be found at a sports (or music) stadium or arena. The seat cover 2 will now be described in more detail.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seat cover 2 according to the invention comprises a square-shaped base portion 4, and a square shaped back portion 6. The base portion 4 and the back portion 6 of the cover 2 are each suitably shaped and sized so that they substantially cover a seat 20 found at a sports stadium.

Such stadium seats 20 have a horizontal surface 24 on which a spectator may sit, and usually a back support 26 against which the spectator may lean. Hence, the base portion 4 of the cover 2 is ideally about the same shape and size as the horizontal surface 24 of the seat 20, and the back portion 6 of the cover 2 is ideally about the same shape and size as the back support 26 of the seat 20. The base and back portions 4,5 are covered by a flexible plastic material, which is not only comfortable to sit on and lean against, but also waterproof, and tough enough so that it does not rip during repeated use.

The base portion 4 includes an internal pouch area having similar dimensions to that of the base portion 4 itself. A stuffing material or cushion 5 is contained inside the pouch, and provides comfort to the spectator sitting on the cover 2 attached to a seat 20. The cushion 5 may be made of a suitable foam material, for example, a memory foam. Memory foam is made from polyurethane with additional chemicals that add to its viscosity level, thereby increasing its density. It is often referred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. Depending on the chemicals used and its overall density, it is firmer in cooler temperatures and softer in warmer

environments. Higher density memory foam reacts to body heat which allows it to mould itself to the shape of a warm body within a few minutes. A lower density memory foam is pressure-sensitive and will mould more quickly to the shape of the body.

As shown in Figure 4, the back portion 6 of the cover 2 also includes an inner pouch in which stuffing material, such as a cushion 7, is kept. The cushion 7 may also be made of a foam material. However, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention, the back portion 6 may not include any stuffing material, and simply consists of a sheet of material for attachment to the seat 20.

In addition to the stuffing material 5, the pouch in the base portion 4 also contains a re-useable self-heating pad 16, which is used to heat the cushion 5 in the base portion 4, when the cover 2 is in use. Referring to Figure 5, the heating pad 16 comprises a sealed flexible, plastic bag 19 which encloses a supercooled hydrated salt solution 21 , such as sodium acetate, and a small stainless steel trigger 17. Flexing the trigger 17 causes a single molecule of the liquid to crystallise, and this starts a chain reaction causing the entire solution 21 to change from a liquid into a solild. Crystallisation causes the pad 16 to heat to about 50-55 °C, and once activated, the pad 16 will stay hot for up to two hours. The temperature is comfortable for the human body and the skin. Hence, the heating pad 16 provides a very convenient way to heat the cushion 5 in the base portion 4 of the seat cover 2, and hence, the spectator sitting on the cover 2. When the pad 16 becomes cold, it may be re-charged by placing it into boiling water for several minutes. The crystals are returned to a liquid state, and the pad 16 can be used for hundreds of times.

Referring to Figure 4, an external surface of the base portion 4 includes an elongate opening 12 which extends transversely into the base portion 4 and leads to the pouch, and the cushion 5 therein. The opening 12 of the pouch is provided along part of an edge of the base portion 4, and is provided with a zip by which the opening 12 may be opened and closed. Hence, the spectator may unzip the opening 12 obtaining access to the pouch and the cushion 5 inside the base portion 4. It is through this opening 12, that the spectator may insert and remove the heating pad 16.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the base portion 4 and the back portion 6 of the cover 2 are separated by a straight folding line or hinge 22 about which the base and back portions 4,6 may mutually pivot with respect to each other. As shown in Figure 1 , when the cover 2 is not in use (ie it has not yet been attached to a seat 20), the base portion 4 and the back portion 6 are folded along hinge 22 so that their respective faces contact each other thereby halving the overall size of the cover 2. A clasp or area of Velcro™ 10 is centrally disposed on the distal edge of the back portion 6 of the cover 2, and engages with a correspondingly positioned clasp or area of Velcro™ on the base portion of the cover 2, thereby maintaining the two portions 4,6 adjacent each other as shown in Figure 1 . A carry strap 8 is attached to each side of the base portion 4, the length of which may be adjusted depending on whether the user wishes to carry the cover 2 by hand or over the shoulder. Hence, the seat cover 2 may be very conveniently folded into the configuration shown in Figure 1 for transportation purposes. The outer surface of the back portion 6 of the cover 2 is provided with an area 30 on which the user may affix details of their favorite sports team, or pop group etc. Alternatively, the area 30 may include the name or logo of a manufacturer or sponsor, such as Nike™, or Addidas™ etc. It will be appreciated that when the seat cover 2 is being carried to and from events, area 30 will be visible. This area 20 therefore provides a very useful advertising area. Referring to Figure 2, when the cover 2 is being attached to a seat 20, the base portion 4 and the back portion 6 are folded along hinge 22 so that they separate, thereby enabling them to be attached to the seat 20. The base portion 4 is placed on top of the support surface 24 of the seat 20, and the back portion 6 is pushed back so that it contacts the back support 26. The angle formed between the base portion 4 and the support portion 6 will be determined by the angle between the support surface 24 and the back support 26, but is likely to be about 90°. As shown in Figure 2, the cover 2 may include retaining straps 32 attached to the base portion 4, which straps 32 can be attached either directly to the chair 20 or to each other underneath the support surface 24. However, the weight of the spectator sitting on the base portion 4 should be enough to keep it in position on the support surface 24, and so the straps 32 may not always be necessary.

As shown in Figure 3, a flap 18 is provided on the rear surface of the back portion 6 of the cover 2. The flap 18 extends from three peripheral edges of the rear face of the back portion 6, and is placed over the top of the back support 26 of the seat 20 to maintain the seat cover 2 in position. Once the base portion 4 and the back portion 6 of the cover 2 have been secured in position, the spectator may then access the self-heating pad 16 through the opening 12 in the side of the base portion 4 by unzipping the zip. The spectator simply flexes the trigger 17 in order to cause the liquid to crystallise, so that the pad 16 heats up. Once activated, the pad 16 stays hot for up to two hours, which is long enough for the duration of the sports event or concert being viewed from the seat 20.

After the event, the spectator simply unhooks the flap 18 from the back support 26 of the chair 20 and detaches the retaining straps 32, if present. The base portion 4 and back portion 6 may then be folded about hinge 22 until they are brought together, and are then secured in position by the clasps 10. The cover 2, now adopting the configuration shown in Figure 1 , may then be easily carried home. At home, the pad 16, which will now be cold, may be re-charged by placing it into boiling water to remove the crystals.

In summary, advantages of the seat cover 2 reside in the effective manner in which the base and back portions 4,6 may be folded, and carried about by the strap 8. In addition, the flap 18 and the retaining straps 32 ensure that the cover 2 is firmly secured to the seat 20 when in use. The cushions 5,7 provide sufficient comfort to the user, and the re-useable, self-heating pad 16 is a convenient way to heat the cushions 5,7.