U.S. patent application number 16/737562 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-09 for cover for a support cushion.
The applicant listed for this patent is Comfort Revolution, LLC. Invention is credited to Freda Elliott.
Application Number | 20200214479 16/737562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 71403422 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200214479 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elliott; Freda |
July 9, 2020 |
Cover for a Support Cushion
Abstract
Present embodiments relate to a support cushion which allows a
user to touch and feel the fill material of the cushion, such as a
pillow, wherein the pillow has an opening in a cover wherein the
surface of the fill material is accessible for visual inspection
and touching.
Inventors: |
Elliott; Freda; (Holmdel,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Comfort Revolution, LLC |
Eatontown |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
71403422 |
Appl. No.: |
16/737562 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62790159 |
Jan 9, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1036 20130101;
A47G 9/0253 20130101; A47G 2009/1018 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/02 20060101
A47G009/02; A47G 9/10 20060101 A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A support cushion, comprising: a fill material; a cover having a
plurality of layers each having peripheral edges, and an opening
centrally disposed in one of said plurality of layers; said cover
having a flap which is connected along one side of said flap, said
flap being disconnectable along at least one side to reveal said
opening; said fill material being removable from said cover through
said opening when said flap is opened; wherein said flap may be
opened and said fill material exposed or said flap disposed in a
closed position.
2. The support cushion of claim 1 further wherein said fill
material comprises a foam layer and a gel disposed on a surface of
said foam layer.
3. The support cushion of claim 2, said gel being a plurality of
protrusions.
4. The support cushion of claim 3, said gel being defined by one of
bubbles, microbubbles, squares, triangles, or rectangles.
5. The support cushion of claim 3, wherein the gel is a sheet.
6. The support cushion of claim 3, said plurality of protrusions
being circular.
7. The support cushion of claim 1 further comprising a closure.
8. The support cushion of claim 7 wherein said closure comprises at
least one of a button, a hook-and-loop, a zipper, snaps, or
hook-and-eye.
9. The support cushion of claim 1, said cover having a gusset
disposed at said peripheral edges of said plurality of layers.
10. A support cushion, comprising: a fill material; a cover having
a plurality of layers and an opening in one of said plurality of
layers; said fill material being removable from cover through said
opening; a surface of said fill material being exposed through said
opening of said cover.
11. The support cushion of claim 11 wherein said cover is an inner
cover.
12. The support cushion of claim 11 wherein said cover is an outer
cover.
13. A cover for a pillow, comprising: a first layer and a second
layer; an opening formed in one of said layers; said opening
disposed at a location other than along a seam of said first and
second layers and wherein at least a portion of said one of said
layers defining a frame for said opening; wherein said opening is
configured to expose a surface of a fill material which may be
positioned within said opening.
14. The cover of claim 13 further comprising a flap connected to
one of said plurality of layers which may reveal or hide said
opening.
15. The cover of claim 13, further comprising at least one closure
between said first and second layers.
16. The cover of claim 13 further comprising a gusset.
17. The cover of claim 13 further comprising a rope material along
a seam between said first and second layers.
Description
CLAIM TO PRIORITY
[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims priority to
and benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/790,159, filed Jan. 9, 2019 and
titled "Cover for a Support Cushion", all of which is incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] Present embodiments relate to a cover for a body support
cushion. More specifically present embodiments relate to a cover
for body support cushions, for non-limiting example pillows, having
at least one cushioning fill material that may be exposable to an
end user through the cover.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Pillows are usable as support cushions for users and
primarily are used to support a user's head or other body portion
during sleep or relaxing. Some users desire an ability to see,
touch, and/or feel the material which is providing support.
[0004] Further, it may be desirable to provide a material which
provides a temperature difference, or at least a temporary feeling
of such, to the user. For example, and without limitation, some
cushions may be formed of foam. One perceived issue with the use of
foam however in body support cushions is that foam can "sleep
hot."
[0005] Additionally, there is an aesthetic appeal to the use of gel
and/or phase change material (PCM). These materials may provide
temperature benefits, or sensory benefits, to a user. However many
pillows require removal of a pillow from its cover in order to be
able to feel the material within.
[0006] It would be desirable to address these desires and provide a
cover for a support cushion, which allows for the touching or
feeling of a surface of the pillow internals.
[0007] The information included in this Background section of the
specification, including any references cited herein and any
description or discussion thereof, is included for technical
reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by
which the scope of the invention is to be bound.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present application discloses one or more of the
features recited in the appended claims and/or the following
features which alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable
subject matter.
[0009] Present embodiments relate to a cover for a support cushion
which allows a user to touch and feel an exterior surface of an
interior fill material of the support cushion, such as a pillow,
wherein the pillow has an opening in the cover and wherein the fill
material is accessible for visual inspection and touching.
[0010] According to some embodiments, a support cushion may
comprise, a fill material, a cover having a plurality of layers
each having peripheral edges, and an opening centrally disposed of
one of the plurality of layers. The cover may have a flap which is
connected along one side of the flap. The flap may be
disconnectable along at least one side to reveal the opening. The
fill material may be removable from the cover through the opening
when the flap is opened. The flap may be opened and the fill
material exposed or the flap disposed in a closed position.
[0011] Various optional embodiments may also be utilized alone with
the support cushion and cover or in combination with other optional
embodiments and the support cushion and cover. The fill material
may comprise a foam layer and a gel disposed on a surface of the
foam layer. The gel may comprise a plurality of protrusions. For
example, the gel may be defined by one of bubbles, microbubbles,
squares, triangles, or rectangles. The gel may be a sheet. The
plurality of protrusions being circular. The cover may further
comprise a closure. The closure may comprises at least one of a
button, a hook-and-loop, a zipper, snaps, or hook-and-eye. The
cover may have a gusset disposed at the peripheral edges of the
plurality of layers.
[0012] According to some embodiments, a support cushion may
comprise a fill material, a cover having a plurality of layers and
an opening in one of the plurality of layers. The fill material may
be removable from cover through the opening and a surface of the
fill material may be exposed through the opening of the cover.
[0013] Various optional embodiments may also be utilized alone with
the support cushion and cover or in combination with other optional
embodiments and the support cushion and cover. In some embodiments,
the cover may be an inner cover and in some embodiments, the cover
may be an outer cover.
[0014] According to some embodiments, a cover for a pillow may
comprise a first layer and a second layer, an opening formed in one
of the layers wherein the opening may be disposed at a location
other than along a seam of the first and second layers and wherein
at least a portion of the one of the layers defining a frame for
the opening. The opening may be configured to expose a surface of a
fill material which may be positioned within the opening.
[0015] In some optional embodiments, the cover may further comprise
a flap connected to the one of the plurality of layers which may
reveal or hide the opening. The cover may further comprise at least
one closure between the first and second layers. The cover may
further comprise a gusset. The cover may further comprise a rope
material along a seam between the first and second layers.
[0016] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. All of the above outlined features are to be
understood as exemplary only and many more features and objectives
of the various embodiments may be gleaned from the disclosure
herein. Therefore, no limiting interpretation of this summary is to
be understood without further reading of the entire specification,
claims and drawings, included herewith. A more extensive
presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the
present invention is provided in the following written description
of various embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, and defined in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In order that the embodiments may be better understood,
embodiments of a cover for a support cushion will now be described
by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of
the claims as other embodiments of the cover for a support cushion
will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon
reading the instant description. Non-limiting examples of the
present embodiments are shown in figures wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a body
support cushion such as, for non-limiting example, a pillow;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the body support cushion of
FIG. 1, wherein a flap is partially pulled back to reveal an
opening in the cover and for non-limiting example, a gel portion of
the body support cushion internals;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the body support cushion of
FIG. 1, wherein the flap is fully exposing the opening and gel body
support cushion;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic section view of one embodiment of a
body support cushion, such as a pillow;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic section view of a second embodiment of
a body support cushion; and,
[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic section view of another body support
cushion comprising an alternate fill material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] It is to be understood that a pillow with gel is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The described embodiments are capable
of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms
"connected," "coupled," and "mounted," and variations thereof
herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect
connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms
"connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted
to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1-6, a body support cushion is
provided, for non-limiting example a pillow, which provides an
exposed area of a cover in which a gel portion of the body support
cushion may be seen and felt. Some users desire the ability to see
and touch an interior portion of the support cushion, such as a
surface of the fill material which is internal to the cover. The
present embodiments provide a support cushion, for non-limiting
example a pillow, having a cover with an opening formed in a
surface of the cover, allowing visual and physical access to the
surface of the fill material of the pillow. The opening is formed
in the cover, which may be an inner cover or an outer cover. The
cushion may comprise a flap for closure of the opening and may
further allow for removal of the pillow internals, or fill
material, from the cover.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a body
support cushion 10. The body support cushion 10 may take various
forms and functions but for purpose of clarity and ease of
description is shown as a pillow. However, one skilled in the art
should realize that the body support cushion 10 is not limited to a
pillow as depicted but may also take other forms. Accordingly, it
is contemplated that the body support cushion 10 may also be formed
as mattresses, seat cushions, seat backs, neck pillows, leg spacer
pillows, mattress toppers, overlays, and the like. As such, the
phrase "support cushion" is used herein to refer to any and all
such objects having any size and shape, and that are capable of or
are generally used to support the body of a user or a portion
thereof. The support cushion 10 includes a cover 12 which may or
may not include surface ornamentation, as generically indicated by
the surface lines and ovals. Further, as described herein, the body
support cushion 10 may comprise a fill material 40 (FIG. 2) that
may take various forms. The fill material 40 may comprise foam(s),
fiber(s), feathers, buckwheat, and/or combinations thereof and may
further comprise gel(s), phase change material(s) and/or unique
textiles or combinations of any of the preceding.
[0027] The cushion 10 comprises the cover 12 having a plurality of
layers or panels 14, 15 each of which have an inner surface, an
outer surface and a peripheral edge 16. The surfaces 14, 15 may
each be formed by a panel with each having an inward and an outward
facing panel surface. The peripheral edges 16 may be joined along
seams, sometimes referred to as side seams where the layers join or
are joined by a gusset, in order to connect the layers 14, 15 along
the periphery of the cushion 10. For example, the cushion 10 may
comprise at least two layers 14, 15 joined along at least one
peripheral edge 16 of the cushion 10. According to some
embodiments, the edges 16 may also be connected indirectly by a
gusset 18. The cover 12 may be formed of various types of material
including, but not limited to, a woven or non-woven material, a
knitted material, a material comprising cotton, wool, or other
natural fiber, polyester, rayon, nylon, foam, or other synthetic
material, and a material that is vapor impermeable, liquid
impermeable or vapor permeable, or liquid and vapor permeable.
[0028] The instant embodiment may optimally utilize a flap 26 which
is pulled over the layer 14 (FIG. 2) and cover 12. The flap 26 is
optional, as will be described further herein. However, it should
be understood that the surface 14 may be the outermost surface or
the flap 26, if used, may be the outermost surface. The flap 26 may
be formed of various material, which may be similar to layers or
panels 14, 15, or may be different material. The flap 26 may be
defined by a single material or multiple materials in order to
define the outer and inner surfaces of the flap 26. Further, the
flap 26 may entirely cover the body support cushions described
herein or may only partially cover the body support cushion so as
to only cover an opening 30 (FIG. 2) or only one of the layers 14,
15.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the body support cushion 10
may also comprise an opening 30 in one of the plurality of layers
14, 15. However, where prior art covers for example have openings
formed along or at edges of the cover or within gussets for
example, for slidable insertion of the pillow internals, the
instant body support cushion 10 includes an opening formed within
an upper or lower layer.
[0030] The instant embodiment provides the opening 30 is in a layer
14 which is an upper or a lower side of the pillow, rather than an
end. In some embodiments, the opening 30 may be defined in the
layer 14, for non-limiting example, in the center and beneath an
optional flap 26. In other embodiments, the opening 30 may not be
covered by flap 26. The opening 30 is formed within a frame 34
defined by, or alternatively, connected to of one of the layers 14,
15. The cover 12 may be free of opening 30 along seams or gussets
but instead is formed in the surface of the layer 14 or 15. The
fill material 40 is therefore insertable through the layer and
through the opening 30, rather than at a seam.
[0031] The layer having the opening 30, for example the upper layer
14 as depicted, may comprise the outermost surface or may have
additional material placed over. For example, the instant
embodiment provides the upper layer 14 with the flap 26 there over.
In other embodiments, the upper layer 14 may be the outermost
surface, as will be described further herein, and shown in FIG. 6
so that the fill material 40 is always exposed. The upper layer 14
instant embodiment provides a frame 34 having an inward edge 32 to
define the opening 30. The upper layer 14 of the cover 12 of this
embodiment is not the outermost surface, and as shown in FIG. 2,
the flap 26 is partially folded back to reveal the opening 30 in
the frame 34, defined by the upper layer 14. The frame 34 may be
defined by one or more pieces of fabric or material which connect
to the lower layer 15 or to the gusset 18. The fill material 40
(FIG. 2), also referred to as cushion internals may be inserted
through the opening 30 which is generally in a portion of the
cushion 10 which supports a user.
[0032] With reference to FIG. 3, the opening 30 is fully revealed
by the flap 26 being partially folded back away from the layer 14.
The flap 26 is optional as mentioned previously and may be attached
along one or more of the cushion edges in a non-releasable manner.
Alternatively, the remaining edges of the flap 26 may be releasably
connected by a closure (shown in FIG. 4) in order to allow for the
release from the closed position of FIG. 1, to the open position of
FIGS. 2 and 3. The closure may be disposed where the flap 26
engages either the top layer 14, for example but without limitation
near the frame 34 or at the bottom layer 15. Various types of
closures may be utilized including, but not limited to, zipper,
hook-and-loop, snaps, buttons, or hook-and-eye fasteners. Others
may also be used as this listed is non-exhaustive. Further, the
flap 26 may also be removable rather than connected to one
edge.
[0033] According to some embodiments, the flap 26 may be connected
by zipper or other closure about the seam where the first and
second layers or panels 14, 15 meet. As shown, the flap may be
folded back and under the pillow 10 if desired or may be shut with
the closure so that the surface of the inner fill material 40 is
not visible.
[0034] With reference now to FIG. 4, a section view of one
embodiment of the cover 12 and the fill material 40 is depicted. As
noted previously, the fill material 40 may comprise various
materials and/or combinations. The fill material 40 may comprise a
single material or multiple materials. The fill materials 40 may
include feathers, fillers, foams, buckwheat, and/or combinations
thereof and additionally or optionally, may comprise gels, phase
change materials, and/or other unique textiles or combinations of
any of the preceding. In one non-limiting embodiment, the pillow
fill materials 40 may comprise at least one layer of foam 50 and at
least one gel 60. The foam 50 may be defined by at least one layer,
but may also be a plurality of layers. The foam 50 may comprise,
but is not limited to, latex foam, reticulated or non-reticulated
visco-elastic foam (sometimes referred to as memory foam or
low-resilience foam), reticulated or non-reticulated
non-visco-elastic foam, standard polyurethane foam, polyurethane
high-resilience foam, expanded polymer foams (e.g., expanded
ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or
polyethylene), and the like. This list is exemplary and
non-exhaustive. The foam 50 of the illustrative cushion is
generally comprised of a flexible foam capable of suitably
distributing pressure from a user's body or portion thereof across
the pillow. The viscoelastic foam layer provide, the
body-conforming and low-resilience qualities associated with
viscoelastic foam, while the non-viscoelastic foam layer enhances
and/or provides some degree of resilience or "bounce" to the
cushion 10. While the foam 50 is shown in a solid layer, the foam
50 may be formed of multiple pieces to define the layer or
alternatively, in foam chunks, not necessarily defining a single
layer.
[0035] The fill material 40 may be sized of one or more pieces to
define the cushion 10 and may be formed of various sizes depending
on the size of the cushion 10. In the instant embodiments, the fill
material 40 is oversized relative to the opening 30 so that the
fill material 40 needs to be squeezed or deformed temporarily to
fit through the opening 30. Otherwise stated, the fill material 40
is sized to expand to a normal configuration which is larger than
the opening 30 and therefore is retained in the opening 30.
[0036] In some embodiments, the viscoelastic foam layer may have a
hardness of at least about 10 N and no greater than about 80 N for
desirable softness and body-conforming qualities. In other
embodiments, the viscoelastic foam layer may have a hardness of at
least about 30 N and no greater than about 70 N. In still other
embodiments, the viscoelastic foam layer may have a hardness of at
least about 40 N and no greater than about 60 N. Unless otherwise
specified, the hardness of any foam material referred to herein is
measured by exerting pressure from a plate against a sample of the
material to a compression of 40% of an original thickness of the
material at approximately room temperature (e.g., 21-23 Degrees
Celsius), wherein the 40% compression is held for a set period of
time, following the International Organization of Standardization
(ISO) 2439 hardness measuring standard. The foam may also be
defined under American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
standards.
[0037] The viscoelastic foam layer may include a density providing
a relatively high degree of material durability. The density of the
viscoelastic foam layer can also impact other characteristics of
the foam, such as the manner in which the viscoelastic foam layer
responds to pressure, and the feel of the foam. In some
embodiments, the viscoelastic foam layer has a density of no less
than about 30 kg/m.sup.3 and no greater than about 150 kg/m.sup.3.
In other embodiments, the viscoelastic foam layer may have a
density of at least about 40 kg/m.sup.3 and no greater than about
135 kg/m.sup.3. In still other embodiments, the viscoelastic foam
layer may have a density of at least about 50 kg/m.sup.3 and no
greater than about 120 kg/m.sup.3.
[0038] Further, the viscoelastic foam layer may include a cellular
structure in which the walls of the individual cells are
substantially intact (i.e. non-reticulated viscoelastic foam). In
other embodiments, the viscoelastic foam layer may be reticulated.
Reticulated viscoelastic foam has characteristics that are well
suited for use in the cushion, including an enhanced ability (i.e.,
when compared to non-reticulated viscoelastic foam) to permit the
movement of air therethrough, thereby providing enhanced air and/or
heat movement within, through, and away from the viscoelastic foam
layer. Reticulated foam is a cellular foam structure in which the
cells of the foam are essentially skeletal. In other words, the
cells of the reticulated foam are each defined by a plurality of
apertured windows surrounded by cell struts. The cell windows of
reticulated foam can be entirely gone (leaving only the cell
struts) or substantially gone. In some embodiments, the foam is
considered "reticulated" if at least 50% of the windows of the
cells are missing (i.e., windows having apertures therethrough, or
windows that are completely missing and therefore leaving only the
cell struts). Such structures can be created by destruction or
other removal of cell window material, or preventing the complete
formation of cell windows during the manufacturing process of the
foam.
[0039] According to the section view of FIG. 5, an alternate
embodiment is provided wherein the fill material 40 may comprise
two layers of foam 50, 150. For example, a non-viscoelastic foam
layer 150 includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top
surface is positioned adjacent the bottom surface of the
viscoelastic foam layer 50, such that the non-viscoelastic foam
layer 150 supports the viscoelastic foam layer 50. In some
embodiments, the viscoelastic foam layer 50 can rest upon the
non-viscoelastic foam layer 150 without being secured thereto.
However, in other embodiments, the layers 50, 150 may be secured to
one another by adhesive or cohesive bonding material, and/or by
being bonded together during formation of the layers 50, 150. Tape,
a hook and loop fastener material, conventional fasteners, stitches
extending at least partially through the layers 50, 150, or any of
a number of different structures or processes may be utilized to
secure the layers 50, 150 to each other. For example, thin adhesive
strips (not shown) may be positioned between the layers 50, 150.
Such adhesives may extend across the entire width and length of the
layers 50, 150, or in some embodiments may instead extend only
across discrete portions of the width and/or length of the layers
50, 150. Such adhesive strips are flexible enough to form a softer
structure than other, more conventional adhesive glues. It should
be understood that other foams and configurations may be used and
this is merely illustrative.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment of the body support cushion 10
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, both foam layers 50, 150 are
substantially planar. In other embodiments, at least one of the
surfaces may be non-planar, including without limitation surfaces
having ribs, bumps, waves, and other protrusions of any shape and
size, surfaces having grooves, and other apertures that extend
partially or fully through one or both of the foam layers 50, 150,
and the like.
[0041] In some embodiments of the cushion 10, the non-viscoelastic
foam layer 150 includes latex foam having a hardness of at least
about 30 N and no greater than about 130 N for a desirable overall
cushion firmness and "bounce" when used in conjunction with the
viscoelastic foam layer 50 described above. In other embodiments,
the non-viscoelastic foam layer 150 includes high-resilience
polyurethane foam having a hardness of at least about 80 N and no
greater than about 200 N. In still other embodiments, the
non-viscoelastic foam layer 150 has hardness of at least about 40 N
and no greater than about 120 N for this purpose. In other
embodiments, the non-viscoelastic foam layer 150 may have a
hardness of at least about 50 N and no greater than about 110 N.
Again, however, this is illustrative and other foams and/or other
configurations may be used.
[0042] Additionally, the instant embodiments may provide feather
materials disposed around the foams 50 or 150. Any of the fill
materials previously listed, or others, may be utilized.
[0043] In some embodiments, the non-viscoelastic foam layer 150
includes latex foam having a density of no less than about 40
kg/m.sup.3 and no greater than about 100 kg/m.sup.3. In other
embodiments, the non-viscoelastic foam layer 150 includes
high-resilience polyurethane foam having a density of no less than
about 10 kg/m.sup.3 and no greater than about 80 kg/m.sup.3. In
still other embodiments, the non-viscoelastic foam layer 150 may
have a density of at least about 50 kg/m.sup.3 and no greater than
about 100 kg/m.sup.3. In other embodiments, the non-viscoelastic
foam layer 150 may have a density of at least about 60 kg/m.sup.3
and no greater than about 100 kg/m.sup.3.
[0044] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the gel 60 may be defined in
various forms. The gel 60 may be a panel comprising a cured gel
layer that is disposed on the foam layer 50. As used herein, the
term "gel" refers to a gel elastomer--a highly viscoelastic polymer
gel that is flowable prior to setting, and that assumes a
deformable and elastic shape when set. In some embodiments, the gel
60 is generally comprised of a substantially uniform layer of
elastomeric gelatinous material. In some embodiments, the gel 60
may be capable of providing a cooling effect by acting as a thermal
dump or heat sink into which heat from a user's body, or portion
thereof positioned on the cushion 10, can dissipate. For example,
in some embodiments, a polyurethane-based gel may be made by
combining Hyperlast.RTM. LU 1046 Polyol, Hyperlast.RTM. LP 5613
isocyanate, and a thermoplastic polyurethane film, which are each
manufactured and sold by Dow Chemical Company Corp. (Midland,
Mich.). It is also contemplated, however, that numerous other types
of gels or other materials capable of absorbing an amount of heat
and providing a cooling effect can be used in accordance with the
present invention, and can be produced to have desired thermal
conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and volumetric specific heat
without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter
described herein. The gel 60 may comprise one or more gel materials
such as a polyether gel that is cured and bonded to the foam layer
50. The gel 60 may be in the form of a panel which is a flat layer
or may have a plurality of protrusions 62 along at least one
surface. As shown in the depicted embodiments, the protrusions 62
may take various forms such as bubble shape, microbubble shape,
squares, rectangles, triangles, cylinders, semi-cylindrical, ribs,
waves, or others. One skilled in the art will recognize that
various shapes may be utilized. With additional reference to FIG.
5, a gel 160 is shown having an alternate shape and various shapes
may be used. It may be that curved surfaces or limited edges be
provided, for example, for user comfort. The gel 60, 160 may be
formed in one or more pieces which is sized to be the same or
similar to the foam in total, or may differ. The gel 60, 160 is
also sized to be larger than the opening 30 so that the gel may be
inserted and retained within the opening 30 by the frame 34.
Further, one skilled in the art will realize that various shapes on
the gel 60, 160 may be utilized.
[0045] Also shown in FIGS. 4-5 are fabric ropes 70. The fabric
ropes 70 may be used to hide seams where layers 14, 15 are joined
or to provide a decorative finish.
[0046] With reference to FIG. 6, a further alternate embodiment of
a body support cushion 210 is depicted wherein the cushion 210
comprises a fill material formed at least in part formed of
feathers. The feathers are depicted schematically. The fill
material 240 may be surrounded and retained by a retaining fabric
244 which may comprise various materials or combinations of
materials. In some embodiments, the fabric 244 may be formed at
least in part of a downproof material to inhibit escape of the
feathers from the fabric 244.
[0047] In this embodiment, the body support cushion 210 comprises
an upper layer 14 and a lower layer 15, one of which includes an
opening 230. As in previous embodiments, an opening 230 may be
provided in one of the layers 14, 15. The body support cushion 210
may also comprise an exposed surface of the fill material 240,
which is defined by the retaining fabric 244. In some embodiments,
the fill material 240 may comprise a phase change material disposed
on the retaining fabric 244. Alternatively, there may be a gel (not
shown), as in previous embodiments, disposed along the top surface
of the retaining fabric 244. Further, while the fill material 240
is shown solely of the feathers 242, an additional layer or layers
of foam may be utilized in combination for this embodiment.
Additionally, as with any of the embodiments, the instant
embodiment may or may not include a gusset between the upper and
lower layers.
[0048] While several inventive embodiments have been described and
illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing
the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the
advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or
modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the invent of
embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the
art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions,
materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be
exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,
and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or
applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those
skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no
more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific
inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be
understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of
example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and
equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced
otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive
embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if
such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods
are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive
scope of the present disclosure.
[0049] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms. The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used
herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly
indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least
one." The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
[0050] Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed
in the same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so
conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the
elements specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether
related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when
used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising"
can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including
elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only
(optionally including elements other than A); in yet another
embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements);
etc.
[0051] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as
defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of,"
or "exactly one of." "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
[0052] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0053] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated
to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more
than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method
is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts
of the method are recited.
[0054] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining
Procedures.
[0055] The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has
been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or
forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations
are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that
the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *