Pillow With Foundation

Abstract

A pillow is provided. The pillow includes a top fabric panel extending to a bottom fabric panel, the bottom fabric panel having a greater width than the top fabric panel; and a first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel folded about a first axis, the first axis being a line parallel to the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel and the first axis being a first non-zero distance from the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel, the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel coupled to a first length-wise edge of the top fabric panel. Other embodiments are also included.

Description

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to a provisional application filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 21, 2014, and assigned U.S. Ser. No. 61/968,927, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to pillows with a foundation. More particularly, the present invention is directed to pillows with multiple chambers of different densities that support and/or prevent the pillow from collapsing or bottoming out when pressure is applied.

BACKGROUND

[0003] There are many types of pillows. There are pillows for infants, for children and for adults. There are pillows that have simple designs, and there are pillows with complex designs. More complicated designs include pillows with multiple internal compartments.

[0004] Moreover, there are firm pillows, soft pillows, pillows designed specifically for back sleepers, and pillows designed specifically for side sleepers. Generally, there are pillows designed for every type of preference. However, while pillows of various designs are currently available and/or have been previously proposed, there still remains the need for a pillow that can be utilized more universally, that is, be suitable for use by persons with different types of sleep preferences.

SUMMARY

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a pillow is provided, including a top fabric panel extending to a bottom fabric panel, the bottom fabric panel having a greater width than the top fabric panel; and a first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel folded about a first axis, the first axis being a line parallel to the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel and the first axis being a first non-zero distance from the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel, the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel coupled to a first length-wise edge of the top fabric panel.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, as pillow is provided, including a first panel coupled to a second panel, forming a first chamber, the first chamber filled with a first fill; and the second panel coupled to a third panel, forming a second chamber, the second chamber filled with a second fill, and a density of the second fill being higher than a density of the first fill.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, as pillow is provided, including a top fabric panel extending to a bottom fabric panel, the bottom fabric panel having a greater width than the top fabric panel; a first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel folded about a first axis, the first axis being a line parallel to the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel and the first axis being a first non-zero distance from the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel, the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel coupled to a first length-wise edge of the top fabric panel; and an inner fabric panel disposed between a top fabric panel and a bottom fabric panel, forming a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber filled with a first fill and the second chamber filled with a second fill, a density of the second fill being higher than a density of the first fill.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, as pillow is provided, including a first panel coupled to a second panel; and a baffle coupled to the first panel and the second panel, forming a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber filled with a first fill, the second chamber filled with a second fill, and the baffle being angled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best be appreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and parts, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a top view of a pillow with a foundation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 1B is a schematic illustration of an internal view of a pillow with a foundation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 1C is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a pillow with a foundation according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIGS. 1D and 1E are photographs of two sides of a pillow with a foundation according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of a top view of a pillow with a foundation according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of a back view of a pillow with a foundation according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a pillow with a foundation according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIGS. 2D and 2E are photographs of two sides of a pillow with a foundation according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of a top view of a pillow with a foundation according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of a back view of a pillow with a foundation according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 3C is a schematic illustration of an internal view of a pillow with a foundation according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 3D is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a pillow with a foundation according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIGS. 3E and 3F are photographs of two sides of a pillow with a foundation according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 4A is a schematic illustration of a top view of a pillow with a foundation according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 4B is a schematic illustration of a back (or bottom) view of a pillow with a foundation according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 4C is a schematic illustration of an internal view of a pillow with a foundation according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 4D is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a pillow with a foundation according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIGS. 4E and 4F are photographs of two sides of a pillow with a foundation according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a top view of a pillow with a foundation according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of an internal view of a pillow with a foundation according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 5C is a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a pillow with a foundation according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 5D is a photograph of a pillow with a foundation according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0032] FIG. 6 is a photograph of the top fabric of a pillow with a foundation according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C of the drawings, there are shown schematic illustrations of a pillow with a foundation in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a top view; FIG. 1B is an internal view; and FIG. 1C is an exploded. In addition, FIGS. 1D and 1E are photographs of the two sides of an exemplary pillow embodying the invention in accordance with this first embodiment.

[0034] As shown in the internal view of FIG. 1B, the pillow has three chambers formed by the pillow's outer and inner fabric panels. The three chambers are a top chamber 101, a middle chamber 103 (also called, center), and a bottom chamber 105.

[0035] In detail, the pillow in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention includes two inner fabric panels and, along with a top fabric panel and a bottom fabric panel, collectively forms the three chambers (i.e., top chamber 101, middle chamber 103, and bottom chamber 105). Moreover, as further described herein, the pillow in accordance with this first embodiment has no seams along the Y edges of the pillow, as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0036] Referring to the top view of FIG. 1A and the internal view of FIG. 1B, the top of the pillow includes a combination of three segments. But only two panels of material are utilized to make such three segments, such two panels being the panels identified as "Top fabric" 107 and "Bottom fabric" 109 shown in FIG. 1C, as further described below.

[0037] Referring particularly to the exploded view shown in FIG. 1C, the two shaded panels, that is, the top fabric 107 and the bottom fabric 109, collectively form, when sewn together, the outer portions of the pillow. The top fabric, which has a width "A", as shown in FIG. 1C, corresponds to the middle part 111 of the top of the pillow shown in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1A, as well as FIG. 1B, the top fabric does not extend along the entire width of the pillow (i.e., from top to bottom of the illustration shown in FIG. 1A, wherein the width is shown as "X"). That is, FIG. 1A shows a width-wise edge "X" and a length-wise edge "Y". The bottom fabric 109, as shown in FIG. 1C, has two folds and has a width equal to the sum of "X" plus two times "B", wherein the dimensions X and B are shown in FIG. 1A. That is, as shown in FIG. 1A, a first length-wise edge "Y" of the bottom fabric panel (bottom fabric) is folded about a first axis (i.e., each of seam lines), the first axis being a line parallel to the first length-wise edge "Y" of the bottom fabric panel (bottom fabric) and the first axis being a first non-zero distance ("B") from the first length-wise edge "Y" of the bottom fabric panel, the first length-wise edge "Y" of the bottom fabric panel coupled to a first length-wise edge of the top fabric panel (top fabric 107 shown in FIG. 1C). During construction, the larger, middle portion of the bottom fabric 109 (having a width X) forms the bottom of the pillow, and the two smaller portions (each having a width B) become part of the top of the pillow, with the top fabric 107 disposed between those two smaller portions.

[0038] In addition to the top fabric 107 and bottom fabric 109 shown in FIG. 1C, the pillow of the first embodiment further includes two additional panels, a top inner fabric panel 113 and a bottom inner fabric panel 115. The top inner fabric panel 113 (or, simply, the "top inner fabric") has a width A, which is the same width as the top fabric panel 107. During construction of the pillow, the edges of the top inner fabric 113 are sewn to the edges of the top fabric 107 which, in turn, forms the top chamber 101 of the pillow, which is identified in FIG. 1B.

[0039] The bottom inner fabric panel 115 (or, simply, the "bottom inner fabric") has the construction shown in FIG. 1C, which is the same construction of the bottom fabric 109. Like the bottom fabric 109, the bottom inner fabric 115 has a width that is equal to the sum of dimension X, plus two times dimension B (see X and B in FIG. 1A). The bottom inner fabric 115 is folded in the same manner as the bottom fabric 109, as shown in FIG. 1C, and the edges of the bottom inner fabric 115 are sewn (or otherwise coupled) to the edges of the top fabric 107. In such configuration, the top inner fabric 113 is disposed between the top fabric 107 and the bottom inner fabric 115, and the bottom inner fabric 115 is disposed between the top inner fabric 113 and the bottom fabric 109. A middle chamber 103 (identified in FIG. 1B) is formed between the top inner fabric 113 and bottom inner fabric 115, as shown in FIG. 1C. Moreover, a bottom chamber 105(identified in FIG. 1B) is formed between the bottom inner fabric 115 and the bottom fabric 109.

[0040] Therefore, give the herein-provided description and the illustrations shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, it is seen that the bottom fabric 109 extends along the entire width (and length) of the bottom of the pillow and also extends partially along both sides of the top of the pillow. That is, the two sections of the top of the pillow shown in FIG. 1A that have a width "B" are part of the bottom fabric. Accordingly, with the edges of all four panels shown in FIG. 1C sewn together in the manner described, there is no seam on the "Y" edges of the pillow, as shown in FIG. 1A. It is appreciated that all of the panels may be sewn together in a single instance or in multiple steps.

[0041] An exemplary pillow in accordance with the herein described first embodiment of the present invention may include top fabric 107 and bottom fabric 109 (representing the outer surfaces of the pillow) made of 330 tc, 100% Cotton, Twill, SPI 173.times.156/60.times.60, top inner fabric being a stretchable material as described above, and a bottom inner fabric of 230 tc, 100% polyester, 1.times.1 plainweave, 144.times.86/65D.times.65D. Exemplary dimensions of the pillow have the following dimensions: A=12 inches (''); B=4''; X=20''; and Y=26''. Other appropriate dimensions, as well as materials, may be employed.

[0042] After construction of the pillow shell as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the top chamber 101 shown in FIG. 1B is filled with a fill A, the middle chamber 103 is filled with a Fill B, and the bottom chamber 105 is filled with a Fill C, in which Fill C has a greater density than either Fill A or Fill B. In one version, Fill A and Fill B are the same. In another version, Fill A and Fill B are different. Accordingly, with the greater density fill, the bottom chamber serves as a bottom support base that provides foundation to the pillow and prevents the pillow from bottoming out during use. In a variation, the top chamber 101 (which is the smallest chamber of the three) has the greatest density fill and serves as the foundation chamber. In either version, the pillow may be used in which the user's head is placed directly on the foundation chamber. In another version, the pillow is used in which the user's head is placed on the larger section (i.e., with the pillow shown in FIG. 1B turned over). Therefore, there are two possible pillow configurations (with the smallest chamber used as the foundation chamber; or the opposite chamber used as the foundation chamber) and, further, for either configuration, a user may desire to place either surface of the pillow up, depending on the user's desires.

[0043] Moreover, the three chamber construction of the first embodiment extends a cushiony comfort to the pillow's edge by means of the comfort provided by the pillow's top chamber (in one configuration), provides an even support across the entire sleep surface by means of the pillow's center/middle chamber 103 (also called "inner core"), and further provides the above-mentioned foundation to prevent the pillow from bottoming out by means of the bottom support (also called "bottom support base").

[0044] An exemplary pillow in accordance with this first embodiment of the present invention has its top and center chambers filled with Lumera.TM. down alternative fiber fill, and the bottom chamber is filled a durable high loft fill, such as Voluma.TM. fiber fill, and wherein the density of the bottom chamber fill is greater than, or even substantially greater than the density of the top and center chambers fill. However, other fills may be employed. In addition, in a variation, the top and center chambers have different types of fill and/or different densities of fill.

[0045] As a particular example, a down/feather pillow in accordance with this embodiment includes fill in the amounts as follows: outer chamber: 2.5 oz.; inner/center chamber: 29 oz.; and foundation chamber: 4 oz. As another particular example, a polyester pillow includes fill in the amounts as follows: outer chamber: 14 oz.; inner/center chamber: 12 oz.; and foundation chamber 6 oz. In addition, in the exemplary pillows, the foundation chamber is 12'' high, by the length of the pillow (centered); the inner chamber is 20'' high, by the length of the pillow; and the outer chamber is 28'' total, 20'' high, by the length of the pillow while allowing for remaining 8'' of the outer chamber to wrap around the pillow. These numbers are exemplary.

[0046] FIGS. 2A through 2C show a pillow with a foundation in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The pillow shown in FIGS. 2A through 2C is a two-chamber pillow that employs a central panel that is sandwiched between the top and bottom panels of the pillow. FIG. 2A is a top view; FIG. 2B is a back view; and FIG. 2C is an exploded view.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2C, the three panels of the pillow have the same or nearly the same dimensions and are sewn together along their periphery to form the pillow shell. In this second embodiment, the central panel extends from end to end, that is, along the entire footprint of the pillow.

[0048] In an exemplary pillow embodying the second embodiment, the top fabric 201 (or fabric A) is approximately 60% polyester and 40% lyocell (or, more specifically, 63% polyester/37% lyocell (i.e., a form rayon that includes a cellulose fiber made from dissolving pulp (dissolving pulp is bleached wood pulp or cotton linters with a high cellulose content such as 90% or above))) circular knit fabric; weight: 240 g per yard; with a pattern as shown in FIG. 6; and the bottom fabric 203 (or fabric B) is 330 tc, 100% Cotton, Twill, SPI 173.times.156/60.times.60. In addition, the central panel 205 may be 230 tc, 100% polyester, 1.times.1 plainweave, 144.times.86/65D.times.65D. The dimensions X and Y may be 20'' and 26'', respectively. However, other materials may be employed and different dimensions for X and Y may be used.

[0049] After construction of the pillow shell as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the top chamber 207 formed between the top and inner fabric panels is filled with a fill (Fill A) that has a lower density than the fill (Fill B) of the lower chamber 209 formed between the inner fabric panel 205 and bottom fabric panel 203. Accordingly, with the greater density fill, the lower chamber serves as a bottom support base that provides foundation to the pillow and prevents the pillow from bottoming out during use.

[0050] FIGS. 2D and 2E are photographs of exemplary pillows in accordance with such a version of this second embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIGS. 3A through 3F show a pillow with a foundation in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. The pillow shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D, similar to the second embodiment, is a two-chamber pillow with a central panel, but differs as discussed below. As shown, FIG. 3A shows a top view of the two-chamber pillow; FIG. 3B shows a back view; FIG. 3C shows an internal view; and FIG. 3D shows an exploded view. In addition, FIGS. 3E and 3F are photographs of an exemplary two-chamber pillow in accordance with the third embodiment.

[0052] As best shown in the internal view of FIG. 3C, the pillow in accordance with this third embodiment includes top chamber 301 and bottom chamber 307, in which the top chamber 301 is disposed between fabric A of the top panel 305 and the inner fabric panel 303. As shown in FIG. 3D, fabric A represents a sub-portion, that is, not the entire portion, of the top panel 309 of the pillow. Referring back to FIG. 3C, the bottom chamber 307 is defined by and disposed between the inner fabric panel 303 and two sections--shown as fabric B--of the top panel, which collectively define the top surface of the bottom chamber 307, and the bottom panel 311 which defines the bottom of pillow (i.e., lower fabric B shown in FIG. 3C).

[0053] In one version, fabric A and fabric B are different materials. In one example of this version, fabric A is 63% polyester/37% lyocell circular knit fabric, with a weight of 240 g per yard, and a pattern such as shown in FIG. 6, and fabric B is 330 tc, 100% Cotton, Twill, SPI 173.times.156/60.times.60. In addition, the inner fabric panel, shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, may be 230 tc, 100% polyester, 1.times.1 plainweave, 144.times.86/65D.times.65D. But other types of materials may be employed.

[0054] Exemplary dimensions of the pillow are defined as A=18'' and B=4'' (dimensions A and B shown in FIG. 3A), and the outer pillow dimensions are X=20'' and Y=26'' (dimensions X and Y shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C).

[0055] After construction of the pillow shell as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the top chamber, shown in FIG. 3C, is filled (Fill A) with a fill that has a lower density than the fill (Fill B) of the bottom chamber. Accordingly, with the greater density fill, the bottom chamber serves as a bottom support base that provides foundation to the pillow and prevents the pillow from bottoming out during use.

[0056] FIGS. 3E and 3F are photographs of exemplary pillows in accordance with such a version of this third embodiment of the present invention. As clearly shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F, as well as in the schematic illustration of FIGS. 3A and 3C, two of the seam lines of the top chamber are not disposed at the end of the pillow, but instead, are disposed at a distance away from the edges. In the exemplary pillow identified above, and shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F, the two seam lines of the top chamber are disposed 4'' (B=4'') away from the outer edges of the pillow.

[0057] Moreover, as best shown in FIG. 3C, the pillow of this third embodiment is comprised of three types of fabric, that is, fabric A, fabric B, and an inner fabric, in which fabric B extends partially along the top of the pillow, then along the entire length of the bottom of the pillow, and then again partially along the top of the pillow (at the other end). Fabric A extends only along a partial length, but not the entire length, of the top of the pillow, and specifically does not extend to either the left side or the right side of the pillow (using the orientation of the pillow shown in FIG. 3C). The inner fabric likewise extends only partially along the width of the pillow and has a length (i.e., width) that is the same as or substantially the same as the length of fabric A, and in which the inner fabric is sewn or otherwise coupled along the edges of fabric A, as shown in FIG. 3C.

[0058] Fabric B may be a single piece of fabric or may be comprised of multiple pieces of fabric. In FIG. 3D, the pillow is shown to include three distinct panels, the top panel 309 that is comprised of a section of fabric A and two sections of fabric B, a middle panel 303 (shown as the inner fabric), and the lower panel 311 that is comprised solely of fabric B. As shown in FIG. 3C, the middle/inner panel 303 has a shape and size that is the same (or nearly the same) as the fabric A portion of the top panel 309.

[0059] In a different version, all of the fabric B sections are part of a single panel in which such single panel extends initially along a part of the top of the pillow, then folded (as described in various other embodiments), then extends along the entire bottom of the pillow, then folded again, and then extends partially along a part of the top of the pillow, such as best shown in FIG. 3C.

[0060] As described above, the bottom chamber 307 has a fill of greater density than the fill of the top chamber 301. However, in another version of this third embodiment, the top chamber 301 can include a fill of greater density than the fill of the bottom chamber 307.

[0061] In addition, other types of materials and dimension may be employed than that described above. In yet another version of this third embodiment, fabric A and fabric B are made from the same type of material.

[0062] FIGS. 4A-4D show a pillow with a foundation in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A shows a top view; FIG. 4B shows a back (or bottom) view; FIG. 4C shows an internal view; and FIG. 4D shows an exploded view. The pillow in accordance with this fourth embodiment is highly similar to the third embodiment described above, but in the fourth embodiment, the top chamber 401 extends along the entire width of the pillow, but does not extend along the entire length of the pillow, such as shown in FIG. 4A, whereas in the third embodiment it is reversed, that is, in the third embodiment, the top chamber 301 extends along the entire length of the pillow, but does not extend along the entire width of the pillow, such as shown in FIG. 3A.

[0063] FIGS. 4E and 4F are photographs of an exemplary pillow in accordance with the fourth embodiment.

[0064] Using the exemplary dimensions given above in connection with the third embodiment in this fourth embodiment, with X=20'' and Y=26'' (see FIGS. 2A, 2C), the top chamber extends only partially along one dimension, having an exemplary width of A=10'' (see FIG. 4A) and B=5''. Of course, other suitable dimensions and lengths may be employed, but where the entire top chamber does not extend fully across the width of the pillow.

[0065] Also like the third embodiment, the bottom chamber 407, shown in FIG. 4C, has a fill (Fill B) with a density greater than the fill (Fill A) of the top chamber so that the bottom chamber serves as a bottom support base that provides foundation to the pillow and prevents the pillow from bottoming out during use. In a variation, the top chamber 401 has a fill of greater density than that of the bottom chamber 407.

[0066] Also similar to the third embodiment, the dimensions and materials of the pillow in accordance with the fourth embodiment may differ from that described above.

[0067] FIGS. 5A-5C show a pillow with a foundation in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows the top view of the pillow; FIG. 5B shows an internal view; and FIG. 5C shows an exploded view. In addition, FIG. 5D is a photograph of an exemplary pillow embodying the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] As shown in the internal view of FIG. 5B, the pillow includes outer fabric panels and an inner stretch panel, which operates as a stretch baffle. The outer fabric panels, which collectively form the outer shell of the pillow, are shown in the exploded view of FIG. 5C. As particularly shown in FIG. 5B, the two outer fabric panels have the same dimensions, and both have the same fold line, which form no seam on each of the Y edges of the pillow.

[0069] The inner stretch panel operates as an interior stretch baffle 501. As shown in FIG. 5B, the interior stretch baffle extends from a portion of the top part of the pillow 503 (top panel) to the bottom part of the pillow 505 (bottom panel). In one version of this first embodiment, such as particularly shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the interior stretch baffle 501 extends diagonally from the top and bottom surfaces of the pillow so that the two chambers that are formed--chamber 1 507 and chamber 2 509 shown in FIG. 5B--are adjacent to one another via a slanted wall formed by the interior stretch baffle 501.

[0070] During construction, one end of the interior stretch baffle 501 is sewn to a first set of edges of the top panel 503 and bottom panel 505 and, likewise, the other end of the interior stretch baffle is sewn to the other set of edges of the top onale 503 and bottom panel 505. Accordingly, the above-mentioned two chambers 507 and 509 are formed within the pillow. The size and dimension of each chamber, in the version shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, are the same.

[0071] Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, the interior stretch baffle 501 is comprised of stretch fabric that provides greater spring and recovery of the chambers during use of the pillow and the angling of the interior stretch baffle provides yet even greater spring and recovery as compared to pillows without such a baffle.

[0072] Still further, by providing the baffle 501 angled as shown in FIG. 5B, the pillow provides different levels of support to a user depending on whether the pillow is placed to support a user's head, back or neck on the chamber that has a greater area on the top surface of the pillow (i.e., chamber 1 507 located on the left side of the pillow shown in FIG. 5B) or whether the pillow is placed to support a user's head, back or neck on the chamber that has a smaller area on the top surface of the pillow (i.e., chamber 2 509 located on the right side of the pillow shown in FIG. 5B). Accordingly, by providing an angled baffle, the pillow is able to provide different support characteristics depending on how it is used.

[0073] An exemplary pillow in accordance with this first embodiment of the present invention has both outer panels comprised of 330 tc, 100% Cotton, Twill, SPI 173.times.156/60.times.66, and the interior stretch baffle 501 comprised of 4-way stretch polyester (87% polyester/13% Spandex, 282 g/yard). In another example, the interior stretch baffle is stretch spandex fabric. Other suitable stretch and/or elastic materials may be employed. Exemplary dimensions are A=6'', B=8'', X=20'' and Y=26''. Of course, other sizes may be employed. In a variation, the interior baffle 501 is non-stretch.

[0074] After construction of the pillow shell as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, chamber 1 507 formed on the left side of the pillow as shown in FIG. 5B is filled with a fill (Fill A) that has a greater density than the fill (Fill B) of the other chamber 2 509. The user may use either side of the pillow depending on the user's desires.

[0075] In a variation, the interior baffle extends between the top and bottom portions of the pillow at an angle that is different from that shown in FIG. 5B. For example, the distance "A" from the edge of the pillow to the seam line (to which the interior baffle is sewn) may be half that shown in FIG. 5B, thus resulting in an interior stretch baffle 501 that is angled between the top and bottom surfaces of the pillow substantially more than that shown in FIG. 5B. As another example, the angle of the interior stretch baffle 501 is less than that shown in FIG. 5B. The angle of the baffle may be 45 degrees. In yet another variation, the interior baffle is offset on either or both of its ends. That is, the size and possibly shapes of the two chambers may be different.

[0076] In each of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and all variations thereof, the various described pillows of the invention may be manufactured, using the constructions and features described, in manners well known in the art. In particular, the manner in which the fabric panels are sewn together may be achieved in various ways and, thus, the inventions described herein are not limited to any particular manner of connection. In addition, upon such connection/assembly of the various panels/components, as discussed herein, the multiple chambers of the pillows are filled in any manner known in the art or in future-devised manners. For example, some of the figures show blow openings, but such blow openings are merely illustrative of particular manners of complete manufacture of the pillows. Moreover, the particular filling material may differ from that mentioned above. For example, other types of fill may be employed, such as Lyocell Down, partial Lyocell/Poly blend, to name just a few.

[0077] Still further, the various embodiments have been described as including multiple fabric panels, but the particular type of material used for the various panels, particularly the outer panels, may be different than the examples disclosed herein and, further, may be made of material that some may deem to not represent fabric, such as leather. Accordingly, the terms "fabric" or "fabric panel" are used for convenience to refer to a panel of material have the shape and size of that shown in the various embodiments described herein.

[0078] In addition, in select embodiments of the present invention, the pillows advantageously have constructions that cause the fill to move to the edge of the pillow. In particular, in those embodiments and variations in which some of the edges of the pillow do not have seams, but rather are formed by employing the herein-described and shown fold lines, such embodiments and variations result in pillows in which the filling material within the one or multiple chambers move outward towards such edges that do not have seams, which in turn provides additional neck support to users than otherwise would be the case. Moreover, the seamless edges provide curved edges on the pillows, which provides contoured support for a user's head and neck.

[0079] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pillow, comprising: a top fabric panel extending to a bottom fabric panel, the bottom fabric panel having a greater width than the top fabric panel; and a first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel folded about a first axis, the first axis being a line parallel to the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel and the first axis being a first non-zero distance from the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel, the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel coupled to a first length-wise edge of the top fabric panel.

2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein each length-wise edge of the pillow has no seams.

3. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising a second length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel folded about a second axis, the second axis being a line parallel to the second length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel and the second axis being a second non-zero distance from the second length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel, the second length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel coupled to a second length-wise edge of the top fabric panel,

4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first non-zero distance and the second non-zero distance are the same.

5. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the top fabric panel does not extend along an entire width of an outside portion of the pillow.

6. The pillow of claim 3, further comprising a bottom inner panel having same dimensions as a bottom fabric panel and a top fabric panel having same dimensions as a top fabric panel, wherein the bottom inner panel is folded about the first axis and the second axis.

7. The pillow of claim 3, wherein the bottom fabric panel extends along an entire width and length of a bottom of the pillow and extends partially along both sides of a top of the pillow.

8. A pillow, comprising: a first panel coupled to a second panel, forming a first chamber, the first chamber filled with a first fill; and the second panel coupled to a third panel, forming a second chamber, the second chamber filled with a second fill, and a density of the second fill being higher than a density of the first fill.

9. The pillow of claim 8, wherein the fill of the first chamber is 14 oz. and the fill of the second chamber is 6 oz.

10. The pillow of claim 8, wherein a fabric of the first panel comprises approximately 60% polyester and 40% lyocell.

11. The pillow of claim 8, wherein a fabric of the first panel comprises 63% polyester, 37% lyocell, is a circular knit fabric, with a weight of 240 g per yard.

12. A pillow, comprising: a top fabric panel extending to a bottom fabric panel, the bottom fabric panel having a greater width than the top fabric panel; a first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel folded about a first axis, the first axis being a line parallel to the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel and the first axis being a first non-zero distance from the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel, the first length-wise edge of the bottom fabric panel coupled to a first length-wise edge of the top fabric panel; and an inner fabric panel disposed between a top fabric panel and a bottom fabric panel, forming a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber filled with a first fill and the second chamber filled with a second fill, a density of the second fill being higher than a density of the first fill.

13. The pillow of claim 12, wherein the fill of the first chamber is 14 oz. and the fill of the second chamber is 6 oz.

14. The pillow of claim 12, wherein a fabric of the top fabric panel comprises approximately 60% polyester and 40% lyocell.

15. The pillow of claim 12, wherein a fabric of the top fabric panel comprises 63% polyester, 37% lyocell, is a circular knit fabric, with a weight of 240 g per yard.

16. The pillow of claim 12, wherein the first chamber extends along an entire length of the pillow but does extend along an entire width of the pillow.

17. The pillow of claim 12, wherein the first chamber extends along an entire width of the pillow but does extend along an entire length of the pillow.

18. A pillow, comprising: a first panel coupled to a second panel; and a baffle coupled to the first panel and the second panel, forming a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber filled with a first fill, the second chamber filled with a second fill, and the baffle being angled.

19. The pillow of claim 18, wherein a density of the first fill is higher than a density of the second fill.

20. The pillow of claim 18, wherein the angle of the baffle is 45.degree..

21. The pillow of claim 18, wherein a width of the first panel and the second panel is 20 inches and a height of the first panel and the second panel is 26 inches.

22. The pillow of claim 18, wherein a width of the baffle is 8 inches.

23. The pillow of claim 18, wherein the first panel and the second panel each comprise 330 tc, 100% Cotton, Twill, SPI 173.times.156/60.times.66.

24. The pillow of claim 18, wherein the baffle extends diagonally from a bottom of the first panel to a top of the second panel.

25. The pillow of claim 18, wherein the first chamber is adjacent to the second chamber and the baffle separates the first chamber and the second chamber.