IES80398B2

IES80398B2 - Animal rest mat

Info

Publication number: IES80398B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: William Michael Williams
Original assignee: William Michael Williams
Priority date: 1997-04-05
Filing date: 1998-04-02
Publication date: 1998-06-17
Also published as: GB2323811A; GB9706956D0; IES980239A2; GB2323811B

Abstract

A cushioned rest mat 1, for use in a rest stall by cattle or the like, comprises a shock absorbent foam pad 3, sandwiched between opposed layers of water-impermeable sheeting 2, the uppermost layer of sheeting being covered by a covering layer 4. The mat is laid by forming a laminate comprising, in the order specified, the first water-impermeable sheeting layer upon a ground surface, the shock absorbent foam pad; and the second water-impermeable sheeting layer; and covering the uppermost sheeting layer by the covering layer.

Description

The present invention relates to a mat or the like for placing in a rest stall for cattle or other animals.

During the winter months, cattle are usually brought off the land and placed in rest stalls to protect them from harsh external conditions.

Rest stalls of the prior art usually have ground surfaces or bases of materials such as clay, sand, muck, straw, sawdust or matting. Although some of these softer materials may provide initial comfort for the animal, they are difficult to clean. The softer materials also tend to retain animal excrement and this can be a factor leading to the spread of disease. These known materials are not very cost-effective, as they require frequent cleaning in order to maintain an acceptable level of hygiene. They also need fairly frequent replacing.

Harder bases, such as concrete, can cause damage to the animal’s knees, hocks and hooves and be a cause of mastitis or teat damage. Treatment of any of the above mentioned conditions can be expensive. Some of the conditions could lead, for example, to an early culling of a high yielding animal. Furthermore, there may be unseen discomfort to the animal which can result in a significant loss of production. It is therefore important to provide a comfortable environment for the cattle, because an animal displaying any of the above symptoms performs a great deal below potential. The animal is required to take considerable pressure on a small area, for example, on the knees. It therefore stands for long periods of time, resulting in the animal showing signs of fatigue. This is a situation which has gone on for a long time because the conditions have been widespread and are accepted as normal. A great deal of time and research has gone into animal breeding and feeding, which are the basis for increasing profit margins. Equally important, but inadequately dealt with, is the important aspect of animal comfort.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mat or the like for use in a rest stall, which mat alleviates some of the aforementioned problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cushioned rest mat for use in a rest stall by cattle or the like, comprising a shock absorbent foam pad sandwiched between opposed layers of substantially water-impermeable sheeting, the uppermost layer of sheeting being covered by a covering layer.

It is a preferred feature of the present invention that the impermeable sheeting layers which sandwich the foam pad are bonded to the foam pad by means of an adhesive bonding layer or the like (preferably comprising a hydrophobic hot melt pressuresensitive adhesive).

It is further preferred that the layers of substantially water-impermeable sheeting used to sandwich the foam pad comprise a vinyl thermoplastic material. Such a vinyl thermoplastic material is generally of the same kind as used for domestic flooring.

The foam pad, according to the present invention, preferably comprises a multiplicity of densely packed foam or sponge-like fragments all bonded together to form a firm, compact foam pad.

It is further preferred that the foam pad and the impermeable sheeting layers are all cut to substantially the same size.

The two impermeable layers of sheeting provide a semiflexible, waterproof layer covering the top and bottom of the absorbent foam pad. However, the sides of the foam pad remain exposed. This is overcome, according to the invention, by means of the covering layer.

A preferred feature of the present invention is to use a covering layer comprising a rubber sheet or other water resistant material of high tensile strength (relative to the foam pad), and high durability (again, relative to the foam pad). This covering layer is placed over the sandwiched pad in such a way as to conform to the shape thereof. The covering layer is then secured to the ground surface by means of nails or tacks.

Furthermore, the covering layer preferably provides a non-slip surface; it should also be hygienic and easy to clean. The covering layer helps prolong the life of the foam pad by providing a further layer of protection and preventing spoilage thereof and/or possible detachment of the vinyl layers from the foam pad.

The rest mat as a whole has the advantage of being soft whilst easy to clean and therefore hygienic. The soft surface also allows the animal to get up and down with ease. Additionally, the rest mat according to the invention provides effective insulation enabling the animal to maintain its own body heat.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of laying a rest mat in a rest stall, which,method comprises: forming a laminate comprising, in the order specified, a substantially water-impermeable sheeting layer upon a ground surface, a shock absorbent foam pad, and a substantially waterimpermeable sheeting layer; and covering the uppermost sheeting layer by a covering layer.

The sheeting layers may be attached to the foam pad by means of an adhesive or the like. This may be carried out in advance and the sandwiched pad laid down as a single unit in the rest stall in preparation for the covering layer to be attached.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 (not to scale) is a side view of an exemplary rest mat according to the present invention, without a covering layer; Figure 2 is a cross-section of the rest mat of Figure 1 with a covering layer.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a sandwiched pad 1, comprising an absorbent foam pad 3 sandwiched between two substantially water-impermeable layers 2.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a sandwiched pad as shown in Figure 1 covered by a covering layer 4.

Claims

1. A cushioned rest mat for use in a rest stall by cattle or the like, comprising a shock absorbent foam pad sandwiched between opposed layers of substantially water-impermeable sheeting, the uppermost layer of sheeting being covered by a covering layer.

2. Rest mat according to claim 1, wherein said waterimpermeable sheeting comprises a vinyl thermoplastics material; and/or wherein said sheeting layers are secured to said foam pad by means of an adhesive bonding layer.

3. Rest mat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said covering layer comprises a water-resistant material of high tensile strength relative to said foam pad, which covering layer covers the whole of said sandwiched pad.

4. A method of laying a rest mat in a rest stall, which method comprises forming a laminate comprising, in the order specified, a substantially water-impermeable sheeting layer upon a ground surface, a shock absorbent foam pad; and a substantially water-impermeable sheeting layer; and covering the uppermost sheeting layer by a covering layer.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said covering layer is secured to said ground surface of said rest stall by means of nails or tacks.