Patent Application
20250098880
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods to create active cooling for a pillow. More particularly, it relates to systems and methods for creating positive pressure in a pillow to remove heat and perspiration from a user's head actively.
Body temperature naturally fluctuates up and down throughout a 24-hour period and is tied to circadian rhythms. A body's temperature drops around bedtime and continues to drop through the night, reaching its lowest point before dawn, typically around 5 a.m., before rising again prior to waking. Current observations have settled on an “ideal” range where temperatures that are warmer or cooler can interfere with a body's thermostatic regulation by preventing it from bringing its internal temperature to the ideal level for comfortable sleep.
Impeding the body's natural temperature regulation can disrupt the sleep cycle. If the ambient temperature is too hot or too cold, the body can struggle to achieve its ideal set point for sleep. The body's internal temperature drops during non-REM sleep and reaches its lowest point during REM sleep.
It is during REM sleep that the body loses some of its ability to regulate temperature. Sleeping in a room that is too warm or too cold can disrupt the normal sleep cycle. If the body is unable to lower its internal temperature sufficiently due to a hot environment, or if a too-cold environment causes body temperature to drop too much, this can cause disturbed, fragmented sleep and prevent natural cycling through the different stages of sleep.
A 2012 study found1 that cold affects sleep more than warmth. Being too cold will not necessarily affect your sleep cycle, but it does make it more difficult to fall asleep. However, if your environment is too cold while you are sleeping, this can cause your body to alter its response, disrupting the regular sleep pattern. 1 Okamoto-Mizuno K, Mizuno K. Effects of thermal environment on sleep and circadian rhythm. J Physiol Anthropol. 2012 May 31; 31(1):14. doi: 10.1186/1880-6805-31-14. PMID: 22738673; PMCID: PMC3427038.
An environment that is too warm can cause trouble getting to sleep. A rise in body temperature is associated with wakefulness. If a body is unable to reach its optimal sleep temperature, then the quality of that sleep will be diminished. Sleep disruptions may be experienced, which is not beneficial to obtaining REM sleep.
A common problem for many people is overheating at night. Some people naturally “run hot” compared to others, which can extend to “sleeping hot.” For many hot sleepers, night sweats can be a problem. It's not always just down to the individual person's naturally hot sleeping. Overheating at night can be a result of many factors, including environmental. Living in areas with a hot or humid climate, inadequate bedroom ventilation, and poorly ventilated mattresses are just some of the factors that can contribute to disrupted sleep.
Poor General Health may also be a factor in sleep disruption. For example, conditions such as obesity, inactivity, and lack of general fitness can cause elevated body temperature, thanks to carrying excess body fat and the strain that being overweight and unfit can put on the body. This can extend to the respiratory system, as being overweight is a significant risk factor for sleep apnea, which results in periods where breathing is obstructed or stops altogether, resulting in frequent disruptions to sleep. Furthermore, acute or chronic illnesses may add temporary suffering from being too hot or cold at night from the roller coaster ride of fever, sweats, and chills.
Generally, run-of-the-mill illnesses result in temporary sleep disruption. The body can naturally regulate its temperature again once it has fought off the sickness. However, medications and supplements can sometimes cause night sweats and overheating. For example, antidepressants, drugs for diabetes, hormone blockers, and supplements like fat burners can all cause unwanted sweating and sleep disruption.
Additionally, hormonal imbalances can have the unwanted effect of night sweats. For example, menopause can cause hot flashes due to hormone changes, which affect both the temperature-regulating abilities of the hypothalamus and thyroid issues like hyperthyroidism. Other hormone imbalances can affect both sexes and result in night sweats and disturbed sleep.
A solution for such problems needs to be able to provide the right temperature at night, which is one of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure a refreshing, uninterrupted sleep
The following description should be read with reference to the drawings. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of the following description with respect to various examples in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present disclosure relates to cooling pillows and, more particularly, to active cooling pillow systems and methods for providing exhaust air via a pattern of exhaust holes created in and through a pillowcase. Various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals may be used to represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the systems and methods disclosed herein. Examples of construction, dimensions, and materials may be illustrated for the various elements; those skilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives that may be utilized. Any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the systems and methods. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover applications or embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring to
The slipcover 102 of the active cooling pillow system 100 may be constructed of 100% polyester microfiber. This material may provide advantages during production as such material is less likely to fray when the pattern of holes 110 holes are created within the surface of the slipcover 102 of the active cooling pillow system 100. Such holes may be created by inserting a slipcover into a heat press. The active cooling pillow system 100 may also include two openings, where the first opening 130 can include a zipper, or other closure mechanism, and a second opening 120 that may be structured to connect to a hose (not shown in
The heat press can comprise a pattern of spaced-apart projections that are structured and configured to transfer heat from the heat press onto the surface of the active cooling pillowcase, thereby melting the polyester microfiber, leaving a pattern of holes in the same configuration as the spaced-apart projections. Exhaust holes produced in such a manner may provide an unfrayed circumference, which may not be achievable without the use of heat. Other production methods involving the cutting of the polyester microfiber can leave un-even exhaust holes that include ragged edges, which can reduce the longevity of the pillowcase. Other fabric cutting methods know in the art that use heat to produce the holes have been contemplated and may also be appropriate to produce a pattern of holes in a slipcover.
Referring to
Other methods of making have been contemplated to create a pattern of exhaust holes is such a way as to not leave any frayed fibers in the pattern of exhaust holes. Any method that can provide sufficient heat that can melt the fabric of a slipcover may be used as long as it can also generate a pattern of exhaust holes within the surfaces of the slipcover.
In any of the embodiments of the active cooling pillow system, an exhaust fan may connect to an exhaust hose (the exhaust hose may have a diameter of about 3 inches). Such an exhaust fan can be configured to provide an ideal CFM via an exhaust hose to the active cooling pillow system. The air intake of the exhaust fan may include a safety cover to prevent foreign objects from being inserted without restricting the flow rate. Other embodiments may include a filter material to reduce the transmission of dust through the system.
Additional embodiments may be portable, where the power source for the exhaust fan is an integrated battery. For example, a 12-volt DC batter may disposed within or upon the exhaust fan. Other envisioned embodiments may be structured and configured to work with a pet's bedding. For example, an active cooling pillow case may be constructed to conform to a small or large dog's bedding to provide a cooling pad.
The active cooling pillow system can be designed to circulate air around a pillow, allowing the surface of the slipcover to stay cool. A method of using the active cooling pillow case can include the following steps. First, the opening may be unzipped on the first end of the active cooling pillow case, and a standard-sized pillow may be inserted therein. Next, a standard pillowcase may be placed over the active cooling pillowcase. Then, an oval hose connector can be inserted into the second end of the active cooling pillow case and further connected to a side of an exhaust hose. Using a Velcro® attachment, the hose connector inserted into the second end of the slipcover can be secured therein; the opening on the second end may need to have a raised ring on the hose connector fully inserted for the Velcro® attachment to provide a proper air-tight seal. The Velcro® may be tightened so the hose connector cannot be pulled off when connected to the exhaust hose. An opposite side of the exhaust hose may be connected to an exhaust fan. The opposite side may comprise a larger diameter than the case connection side. Placing the exhaust fan in an arca free of air constrictions. Followed by turning on the exhaust fan to inflate the active cooling pillowcase.
In some embodiments, the active cooling pillowcase may not include an external pillowcase; this may allow for additional airflow, which may provide additional cooling from the system.
Persons of ordinary skill in arts relevant to this disclosure and subject matter hereof will recognize that embodiments may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described by example or otherwise contemplated herein. Embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of ways in which various features may be combined and/or arranged. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. Furthermore, it is also intended to include features of a claim in any other independent claim, even if this claim is not directly made dependent to the independent claim.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63585327 | Sep 2023 | US |
