U.S. patent application number 10/961671 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-13 for pillow within an outer pillow shell.
Invention is credited to Shelley A. DiGirolamo.
Application Number | 20060075562 10/961671 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36141758 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060075562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DiGirolamo; Shelley A. |
April 13, 2006 |
Pillow within an outer pillow shell
Abstract
The pillow includes first and second substantially identical
inner shell layers and first and second substantially identical
outer shell layers. The first and second inner layers and first and
second outer layers are secured together around the peripheries
thereof. Extending laterally across the pillow in the width
dimension are two spaced baffle members which are secured to the
two inner layers and extend between the two inner shell layers,
defining three chambers along the length of the pillow. The three
chambers defined between the two inner layers are filled with
feathers, while the space between the two inner layers,
respectively, and the adjacent outer layers are filled with
down.
Inventors: |
DiGirolamo; Shelley A.;
(Bellevue, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JENSEN + PUNTIGAM, P.S.
SUITE 1020
2033 6TH AVE
SEATTLE
WA
98121
US
|
Family ID: |
36141758 |
Appl. No.: |
10/961671 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/645 ;
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/645 ;
005/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/00 20060101
A47G009/00 |
Claims
1. A pillow, comprising: first and second substantially identical
inner shell layers, each having a length and width, secured
together around the peripheries thereof; at least one baffle member
extending between and secured to the first and second inner shell
layers, the baffle member extending for substantially one entire
dimension of the pillow and defining interior chambers between the
first and second inner shell layers; first and second substantially
identical outer shell layers, secured around the peripheries
thereof to the peripheries of the first and second shell layers;
and pillow filling located in the spaces between the inner and
outer shell layers and in said interior chambers.
2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first and second outer shell
layers are substantially identical in size and configuration to the
first and second inner shell layers.
3. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the interior chambers are filled
with feathers, and wherein the spaces between the inner shell
layers, respectively, and the adjacent outer shell layers are
filled with down.
4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the interior chambers, and the
spaces between the inner shell layers, respectively, and the
adjacent outer shell layers are filled with fiber material.
5. The pillow of claim 1, including two baffle members spaced at
equal intervals within the pillow.
6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the baffle members extend
laterally across the pillow in the width dimension of the
pillow.
7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the baffle members extend
longitudinally of the pillow in the length dimension of the pillow.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally to pillows, and more
particularly concerns a pillow with interior chambers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Pillow design/construction includes considerations which can
vary significantly. For instance, it is often desirable to restrict
the movement of the pillow filling, particularly feathers and down,
within a pillow during use. Sometimes this is done with interior
walls or baffles, which form interior chambers. Various interior
chamber arrangements are known; some examples of relatively simple
baffle arrangements defining several interior volumes are shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,816, owned by the assignee of the present
invention. Pillows with more complex interior baffle arrangements
are known, which provide specialized filling control, but they are
expensive to manufacture and therefore for most cases are
impractical.
[0003] In general, good support for the user is also desirable;
support involves not only the structure and configuration of the
pillow, but also the particular filling used for the pillow. For
instance, feathers traditionally provide good support; polyester
foam, another filling, provides a particular kind of support which
some consumers prefer.
[0004] Still further, the comfort, i.e. "feel" of the pillow, is
often an important consideration. The type of filling is important
to the feel of a pillow, with down typically providing the best
comfort, although with less support than other types of
filling.
[0005] The present pillow arrangement includes a pillow structure
for restricting the movement of the filling during use, while at
the same time providing good support and a high degree of comfort
for the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is a pillow, which
comprises: first and second substantially identical inner shell
layers, each having a length and width, secured together around the
peripheries thereof; at least one baffle member extending between
and secured to the first and second inner shell layers, the baffle
member extending for substantially one entire dimension of the
pillow and defining interior chambers between the first and second
inner shell layers; first and second substantially identical outer
shell layers, secured around the peripheries thereof to the
peripheries of the first and second shell layers; and pillow
filling located in the spaces between the inner and outer shell
layers and in said interior chambers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top view of the pillow of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the
pillow of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0009] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the pillow of the
present invention. The pillow, referred to generally at 10,
includes two identical inner fabric layers or shells 12 and 14. In
the embodiment shown, the inner fabric layers are typically a
cotton or similar fabric, such as polycotton, or a non-woven
fabric, and are 26 inches long by 20 inches wide, although these
dimensions can be varied, depending upon the desired size of the
pillow. The two inner fabric layers 12 and 14 are stitched together
around most of the respective peripheries thereof, leaving an open
space along one longitudinal edge 16 of sufficient length to permit
filling of the pillow.
[0010] Connected interiorly between the two inner fabric layers 12
and 14 are two identical baffles 18 and 20. In the embodiment
shown, the baffles are also a cotton or similar fabric and are
typically 6-8 inches high, although this can vary, depending on the
particular design. Baffles 18 and 20 extend for the full width
laterally of the pillow and are located so as to define three
chambers, 21, 23, 25 of equal size along the length of the pillow
10.
[0011] While the embodiment shown includes two spaced baffles, it
should be recognized that a single baffle or more than two baffles
could be used. Further, the baffles could be positioned differently
to produce different size chambers. Still further, while the baffle
members are shown extending laterally, i.e. across the width, of
the pillow, they could also extend along the length, i.e.
longitudinally, of the pillow. Also, while it is preferred that
baffle members 18 and 20 extend for the full width (or length) of
the pillow, it is possible that the baffle members could extend to
within a small distance of the opposing edges of the pillow,
attached to the inner fabric layers, and therefore not extend for
the full width or length of the pillow.
[0012] The baffle members 18 and 20 are attached to the inner
fabric layers by stitching or other similar means. The baffle
members are intended to provide a barrier for the filling, to
prevent migration of the filling in the pillow during use,
particularly from the center of the pillow outward toward the
opposing lateral edges 28 and 30 of the pillow.
[0013] The pillow 10 also includes two outer fabric layers or
shells 24 and 26. Outer fabric layers 24 and 26 in the embodiment
shown are substantially identical in size and configuration and are
the same material as inner fabric layers 12 and 14. The outer
fabric layers 24 and 26 are secured around their respective
peripheries to the inner fabric layers 12 and 14.
[0014] Filling is then blown into the pillow, such as by
conventional blowing techniques. In the embodiment shown, chambers
21, 23, and 25 defined between the inner fabric layers 12 and 14
and the baffle members 18 and 20 are filled with feathers. The
space between the inner fabric layers 12 and 14 and the outer
fabric layers 24 and 26 are filled with down. This arrangement
provides the combination of good internal support, with the feather
filling and the baffle members preventing migration of the feathers
during use, while the down filling between the inner and outer
layers provides comfort and a good "feel" for the user, as well as
a feather barrier.
[0015] However, it should be understood that other fillings can be
used as well, including polyester filling, other fiber material and
PLA (polylactic acid) or any combination of the above. The concept
of the pillow described herein is not necessarily limited to a
particular filling arrangement.
[0016] After the pillow has been filled, the open portion of the
longitudinal edge 16 is closed, completing the pillow.
[0017] Accordingly, a pillow has been described and shown which
includes an interior structure with two inner layers, two internal
baffle members and two outer layers which provides good comfort
with good support while at the same time being practical to
manufacture.
[0018] Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood
that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be
incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of
the invention which is defined by the claims which follow.
* * * * *