U.S. patent application number 16/356963 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-26 for pillow construction.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOWN & COUNTRY LINEN CORP.. Invention is credited to Gina Barnaba, Jeffrey Beyda.
Application Number | 20190290034 16/356963 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67984379 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190290034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beyda; Jeffrey ; et
al. |
September 26, 2019 |
PILLOW CONSTRUCTION
Abstract
A pillow includes an inner pillow core that includes a first
portion that has a first firmness and a second portion that has a
second firmness. The first firmness is greater than the second
firmness resulting in the first portion having a firmer feel
relative to the second portion. An outer case is provided for
placement over the inner pillow core and is configured to receive
the inner pillow core and is removable therefrom. The outer case
has a first side and an opposing seconds side. The first side has
heat retention properties, while the second side has cooling
properties.
Inventors: |
Beyda; Jeffrey; (New York,
NY) ; Barnaba; Gina; (New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOWN & COUNTRY LINEN CORP. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67984379 |
Appl. No.: |
16/356963 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62645500 |
Mar 20, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1036 20130101;
A47G 9/10 20130101; A47G 2009/1018 20130101; A47G 9/0253
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10; A47G 9/02 20060101 A47G009/02 |
Claims
1. A pillow comprising: an inner pillow core that includes a first
portion that has a first firmness and a second portion that has a
second firmness, the first firmness being greater than the second
firmness resulting in the first portion having a firmer feel
relative to the second portion; and an outer case that is
configured to receive the inner pillow core and is removable
therefrom, the outer case having a first side and an opposing
seconds side, the first side having heat retention properties,
while the second side having cooling properties.
2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a
non-memory foam sheet and the second portion comprises a memory
foam.
3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises a 25D
polyurethane foam and the second portion comprises a 40D memory
foam.
4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first side comprises two
layers and the second side comprises two layers.
5. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first side comprises an inner
layer and an outer layer, the inner layer comprising a reflective
heat sheet.
6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the second side comprises an
inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer comprising a spacer
mesh layer.
7. The pillow of claim 6, wherein the outer layer comprises a
moisture management fabric.
8. The pillow of claim 7, wherein the outer layer has moisture
wicking properties.
9. The pillow of claim 5, wherein the inner layer and the outer
layer have the same footprint.
10. The pillow of claim 6, wherein the inner layer and the outer
layer have the same footprint.
11. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second
portion have the same thickness.
12. The pillow of claim 6, wherein the spacer mesh layer has a
thickness of 3 mm.
13. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the inner pillow core further
includes a covering that surrounds the inner pillow core.
14. The pillow of claim 13, wherein the covering is formed of a
jersey knit fabric.
15. A pillow providing a number of different user experiences
depending upon an orientation of the pillow comprising: an inner
pillow core that includes a first portion that is formed of a
non-memory polyfoam material that has a first density and a second
portion formed of a memory foam that has a second density, the
second density being greater than the first density; and an outer
case that is configured to receive the inner pillow core and is
removable therefrom, the outer case having a first side and an
opposing seconds side, the first side having heat retention
properties as a result of having a reflective heat element disposed
along an inner face of the first side of the outer case, while the
second side having cooling properties as a result of being formed
of a spacer mesh inner layer and an outer layer that has moisture
wicking properties; wherein the pillow has: (1) a first orientation
in which the first portion of the inner pillow core faces upward
and is covered by the first side of the outer case; (2) a second
orientation in which the second portion of the inner pillow core
faces upward and is covered by the second side of the outer case;
(3) a third orientation in which the second portion of the inner
pillow core faces upward and is covered by the first side of the
outer case; and (4) a fourth orientation in which the second
portion of the inner pillow core faces upward and is covered by the
second side of the outer case.
16. An outer case for a pillow comprising: a first side and an
opposing seconds side that are joined together along peripheral
edges thereof except for a first end which is open for receiving
the pillow, the first side having heat retention properties as a
result of having a reflective heat element disposed along an inner
face of the first side of the outer case, while the second side has
cooling properties as a result of being formed of a spacer mesh
inner layer and an outer layer that has moisture wicking
properties.
17. The outer case of claim 16, wherein the reflective heat
elements comprises a reflective heat sheet that is layered along
the inner face and wherein an outer layer of the first side is
formed of a different material than the outer layer of the second
side of the outer case.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to and claims the
benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/645,500, filed Mar.
20, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to pillows and more
particularly, relates to a pillow and pillow case that provide
different user experiences depending upon which side of the pillow
is used.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pillows are commonly used as part of bedding and people
typically have two or three pillows on their bed. Pillows typically
include a main inner pillow core and a pillow cover (outer case)
that covers the main pillow core. Today, pillows are stuffed
primarily with materials such as polyester (a synthetic), feathers,
down, or a combination of the latter two. The least expensive
pillows to manufacture are polyester, although they are the most
durable, easily washed, and cause few allergic reactions. The most
expensive is the pillow filled with goose down. Feathers are a
moderately priced stuffing. Some higher-end pillows may be filled
with a combination of goose feathers and down, and that ratio may
be varied extensively according to price point (the more down, the
more expensive). The traditional filler for pillows was, until
recently, down and feather. However, as fabrics changed, so too did
yarns. Synthetic polyester filling has replaced natural batts as it
is has acceptable loft and shape retention, is relatively
inexpensive, may be washed, and few people are allergic to it.
[0004] Conventional pillows offer one type of user experience since
they are typically uniformly formed. There is a need and desire to
offer a pillow that offers multiple user experiences.
SUMMARY
[0005] In accordance with one embodiment, a pillow is provided and
includes an inner pillow core that includes a first portion that
has a first firmness and a second portion that has a second
firmness. The first firmness is greater than the second firmness
resulting in the first portion having a firmer feel relative to the
second portion. An outer case is provided for placement over the
inner pillow core and is configured to receive the inner pillow
core and is removable therefrom. The outer case has a first side
and an opposing seconds side. The first side has heat retention
properties, while the second side has cooling properties.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURE
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pillow in
accordance with the present invention showing the various parts
thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0007] The pillow 100 is formed mainly of two parts, namely, a
first part in the form of an inner pillow body (pillow core) 200
and an outer case (covering) (pillow case) 300 that envelopes the
pillow body 200 and is removable therefrom.
[0008] The inner pillow body 200 can take any number of different
shapes and come in different sizes. The inner pillow body 200 is
constructed so that a first portion 210 has a firm construction,
while a second portion 220 has a softer construction. In other
words, the inner pillow body 200 has a firm side on one side of the
pillow and a softer side on the other side of the pillow 100. Thus,
when the user wants to experience a softer feeling pillow, the user
simply rests his or her head against the second portion 220, while
if the user wants to experience a firmer feeling pillow, the user
simply rests his or her head against the first portion 210.
[0009] In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 210
comprises a first half of the pillow body 200 and the second
portion 220 comprises a second half of the pillow body 200.
However, it will be appreciated that the first portion 210 and the
second portion 220 can have different relative sizes in that one of
the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 can be larger than
the other portion. For example, 2/3 of the pillow body 200 can be
formed of one of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220
and the remaining 1/3 of the pillow body 200 can be formed of the
other of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220. In other
words, the thickness of the first portion 210 and the second
portion 220 can be selected and varied.
[0010] In one exemplary embodiment, the first portion 210 comprises
10 mm thick 25D regular foam (e.g., a polyurethane based foam or
other suitable foam)(e.g., a non-memory foam) (which can be a block
of foam), while the second portion 220 comprises 10 mm thick 40D
memory foam (e.g., a polyurethane based foam or other suitable
foam). Thus, the pillow body 200 is formed of foam having two
different densities which results in the pillow body 200 having
different properties, including different stiffness. It will also
be appreciated that the first portion 210 can be made with
firm/harder memory foam as opposed to regular foam. The second
portion 220 can also be formed of other materials including use of
a 10 mm thick 28D memory foam.
[0011] In one embodiment, the first portion 210 and second portion
220 define a shell that can contain pieces of cut foam, such as
memory foam chips or clusters of various qualities and densities.
The first portion 210 can be filled with memory foam clusters of a
first type, while the second portion 220 can be filled with memory
foam clusters of a second type that is different than the first in
at least one characteristic, such as density, size, etc.
Alternatively, the first portion 210 and second portion 220 can be
formed of blocks of material having different properties as
described herein, such as a block of regular (non-memory) foam and
a block of memory foam.
[0012] As shown, the first portion 210 and the second portion 220
can be coupled to one another using traditional techniques, such as
adhesively bonding, heat bonding, etc., so as to form, in one
embodiment, a joined inner pillow body.
[0013] The inner pillow body 200 can also include an interior
pillow cover 230 that is disposed about the first portion 210 and
the second portion 220 which are integral to one another to form
the pillow body 200. Any number of suitable interior pillow covers
230 can be used to surround and protect the inner pillow body. For
example, the interior pillow cover 230 can be formed of jersey knit
100 GSM material; however, other materials can be equally used. The
jersey knit material thus provides an inner case structure that
encapsulates the inner pillow body (core) 200 and provides
structural integrity for the pillow body (core) 200. The jersey
knit material is intended not to open and instead is attached about
the pillow body 200 and therefore, the jersey knit structure (inner
pillow cover 230) can be formed of multiple panels that are
stitched to one another. However, in certain embodiments, the inner
pillow cover 230 can be capable of separation from the inner pillow
body (core) 200.
[0014] The interior pillow cover 230 helps to ensure that the core
(pillow body 200) doesn't rip when the user is removing the outer
case 300 either to wash or change cool and warm sides of the outer
case 300 as discussed below.
[0015] The outer case (covering) 300 functions like a traditional
pillow case in that it is intended to receive and envelope the
inner pillow body (core) 200 including the inner pillow cover 230
and is intended to be freely removable from the inner pillow body
200. In accordance with the present invention, the outer case 300
has a non-uniform construction and has different properties to
provide different functionality to the user. In particular, the
outer case 300 has a cool side 310 and has a warm side 320 and
depending upon whether the user wishes to have: (1) a warming
experience in which heat is better contained within the pillow 100
and as a result, the pillow 100 feels warm to the user or (2) a
cooling experience in which improved air flow along this side of
the pillow results in a cooling effect.
[0016] As discussed herein, the cool side 310 and the warm side 320
of the outer case 300 can be formed of panels that are joined
together along select edges using conventional techniques, such as
stitching, to form a joined case structure with an inner space
(compartment) that receives the inner pillow body 200. The pillow
is constructed such that along at least one side of the outer case
300, an opening is formed to allow access into the hollow interior
space (inner compartment). In the illustrated embodiment, the outer
case 300 is joined along three side with the opening being formed
along a fourth side. Any number of different types of closures can
be used to close off the fourth side including but not limited to a
zipper, buttons, snaps, hook and loop material, etc.
[0017] The cool side 310 of the outer case 300 is formed of two
discrete layers and more specifically, is formed of an inner layer
312 and an outer layer 314. The inner layer 312 is the layer that
faces the inner pillow body 200, while the outer layer 314
comprises the layer that the user's head rests against. The cool
side 310 is designed to provide moisture management and have
increased airflow and more particularly and according to one
embodiment, the outer layer 314 is formed of a moisture wicking
fabric such as cooling polyester with specially designed yarns that
wicks away moisture and keeps the user's skin cool. For example,
the outer layer 314 can be formed of 280 GSM 40% etched poly/60%
reg. polyester; however, other materials can be used. The inner
layer 312 is a layer that provides increased airflow and more
specifically, the inner layer 312 can be in the form of a layer of
spacer (3D) mesh material. For example, the inner layer 312 can be
in the form of a 3 mm thick layer of 120 GSM spacer mesh material
(e.g., AdaptiveAir mesh). It will be appreciated that the open mesh
side of layer 312 faces up towards the user. As is known, spacer
mesh, also called 3D mesh and sandwich mesh is essentially three
separate layers of fabric knit together--a face and a back
connected by a monofilament yarn to produce the "connecting
cushion".
[0018] The footprint of the inner layer 312 and the outer layer 314
can be the same or in other embodiment, they can differ. For
example, the inner layer 312 can occupy less area than the
footprint of the outer layer 314 and can be patched onto the outer
layer 314.
[0019] The warm side 320 of the outer case 300 is formed of two
discrete layers and more specifically, is formed of an inner layer
322 and an outer layer 324. The inner layer 322 is the layer that
faces the inner pillow body 200, while the outer layer 324
comprises the layer that the user's head rests against. In one
embodiment, the outer layer 324 is formed of 210 GSM micro velboa
material (fabric, such as polyester and/or polyester blend);
however, other materials can be used. The inner layer 322 is a
reflective heat sheet which is designed to reduce thermal radiation
and trap the user's body heat within the outer layer 324 to provide
a warm feel to the user's head. The reflective heat sheet 322 can
be in the form of metallic printing (printed layer) formed on a
substrate, such as 110 GSM knit fabric. It will be appreciated that
the reflective heat printing of layer 322 faces up towards the
user. One type of reflective heat sheet is commercially available
under the name TEMPTEXX; however, other heat reflective elements
can equally be used. The inner layer 322 thus faces the inner
pillow (pillow core) and serves to reduce thermal radiation.
[0020] The footprint of the inner layer 322 and the outer layer 324
can be the same or in other embodiment, they can differ. For
example, the inner layer 322 can occupy less area than the
footprint of the outer layer 324 and can be patched onto the outer
layer 324.
[0021] The first portion 210 and second portion 220 can be adhered
to one another using any number of conventional means including but
not limited to bonding, such as adhesives, heat bonding, etc.
[0022] The footprint of the first portion 210 and second portion
220 can differ in that the height of one of the first portion 210
and second portion 220 can be different than the height of the
other of the first portion 210 and second portion 220. In the
illustrated embodiment, the two portions 210, 220 have essentially
identical footprints; however, this is only exemplary and not
limiting of the present invention.
[0023] It will be appreciated that the pillow 100 offers the user a
number of different properties and features that alter the
performance of the pillow 100. In particular, the inner pillow core
(inner pillow body 200) allows the user to choose either a firm
pillow feel by placing the first (firm) portion 210 in an upward
facing position or a softer pillow feel by placing the second
(softer) portion 220 in an upward facing position.
[0024] The user has a second choice to make in that the user can
choose between a cooling experience or a warming experience. Since
the outer case 300 is removable from the inner pillow body 200, the
user simply selects which side of the outer case 300 faces upright
against the selected first portion 210 or second portion 220 that
likewise faces upright.
[0025] There are thus at least four pillow modes that can be
selected, namely, a first mode which that comprises a firm cool
pillow, a second mode that comprises a soft cool pillow; a third
mode that comprises a firm warm pillow, and a fourth mode that
comprises a soft warm pillow. The user can thus easily alter and
customize the performance and characteristics of the pillow 100
based on individual preference.
[0026] The user can also a different, more traditional type of
cover (pillow case) with the inner pillow described herein and the
cover (pillow case) can be used with a traditional inner
pillow.
[0027] Notably, the figures and examples above are not meant to
limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, as
other embodiments are possible by way of interchange of some or all
of the described or illustrated elements. Moreover, where certain
elements of the present invention can be partially or fully
implemented using known components, only those portions of such
known components that are necessary for an understanding of the
present invention are described, and detailed descriptions of other
portions of such known components are omitted so as not to obscure
the invention. In the present specification, an embodiment showing
a singular component should not necessarily be limited to other
embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and
vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover,
applicants do not intend for any term in the specification or
claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless
explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention
encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known
components referred to herein by way of illustration.
[0028] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others
can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the relevant art(s)
(including the contents of the documents cited and incorporated by
reference herein), readily modify and/or adapt for various
applications such specific embodiments, without undue
experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the
present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore
intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the
disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented
herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology
herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation,
such that the terminology or phraseology of the present
specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light
of the teachings and guidance presented herein, in combination with
the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art(s).
[0029] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example, and not limitation. It would be
apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes
in form and detail could be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention
should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the
following claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *