TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a bead structure.
BACKGROUND
A variety of pellet filled personal products include buckwheat or bean filled pillows, blankets and lumbar supports. For example, in Japan patent application JP 2020 006154A by Inventor Noboru Hayakawa, entitled Cushioning Material, diatomite granules are used for pillow cushioning material filed Jun. 16, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Also, for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,499 to inventor Chan, entitled Massaging Mattress, issued Jun. 28, 1994, teaches a massaging mattress having an array of wooden beads alternating with magnets to provide a massaging surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A bead structure has a retaining shell. The retaining shell is a fabric hollow structure. A bead interior is retained within the retaining shell. The fabric hollow structure can be formed in the shape of a flat elongated row. The fabric hollow structure retains a set of beads. The bead interior includes the set of beads. The set of beads includes a bamboo bead, a bodhi bead, a sequoia bead, a cypress bead, and a cork bead. The bead grooves are formed on the set of beads. The bead grooves increase the surface roughness of a bead surface.
Bead grooves from different beads contact each other and have some frictional engagement. The bead passages are preferably formed through bead bodies of the set of beads. The bead passages allow aromatic release from the bead bodies such as from natural oils. Oils can also be added in the bead passages. An outer cover covers the retaining shell. The retaining shell is preferably formed in elongated rows. The set of beads are stuffed into at least a first bead row, a second bead row, a third bead row and a fourth bead row.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a view of a bead.
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a bead.
FIG. 3 is a view of the bead interior showing a group of beads.
FIG. 4 is a view of a pillow mode of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a lumbar upper portion in a lumbar support mode.
FIG. 6 is a view of a lumbar lower portion.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a blanket mode of the present invention.
The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the element numbers of the drawings.
- 21 bead
- 22 bead opening
- 23 bead groove
- 24 bead opening edge
- 25 bead body
- 26 bead surface
- 28 bead passage
- 31 bamboo bead
- 32 bodhi bead
- 33 sequoia bead
- 34 cypress bead
- 35 cork bead
- 40 pillow
- 41 pillow cover
- 42 bead interior
- 45 lumbar support
- 46 first bead row
- 48 second bead row
- 47 third bead row
- 49 fourth bead row
- 50 fifth bead row
- 51 lumbar lower portion
- 52 lumbar upper portion
- 60 blanket
- 61 fabric outer cover
- 62 retaining shell
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention includes a bead 21 having a bead opening 22. The bead opening 22 can be a circular opening with a circular bead opening edge 24. The surface of the bead can have bead grooves 23 that extend along the length of the bead outer surface.
As shown in FIG. 2, the bead 21 when seen from a cross-section shows a bead body 25 with a bead passage 28 through it. The bead passage 28 has a bead opening edge 24. The bead surface 26 preferably has bead grooves 23.
As shown in FIG. 3, the bead structure includes a plurality of beads which include a bamboo bead 31, a fig bead 32, a sequoia bead 33, a cypress bead 34, and a cork bead 35. The five different types of bead structures have different material properties. The bamboo bead 31 is more rigid and has a greater density than the cork bead 35. The mix of the beads depends on the article to be filled. For example, for a pillow, a greater number of bamboo beads 31 and cork beads 35 can be used as they are more renewable and have improved properties. The mix of the bamboo beads 31 improve heat dissipation while the cork beads 35 improve sound absorption.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pillow 40 has a pillow cover 41 which retains a bead interior 42. The bead interior 42 is a mix of beads. Although the bamboo bead 31 and cork bead 35 can provide both heat dissipation and sound absorption qualities, a variety of other beads can be added for improved structure, weight and mass. A fig bead 32 can be made of a rounded fig seed having grooves on it. The fig bead 32 can be a Bodhi meditation bead having the scientific name of Ficus Religiosa made of Bohdi tree seeds. The fig bead 32 having grooves allows the bead mixture to form a matrix where the grooves engage with grooves on other neighboring beads so as to provide friction between the beads which can provide structure for a pillow bead interior 42. Bohdi meditation wood has also been known as mediation wood or sacred fig wood.
Additionally, the sequoia bead 33 can add strength and durability. Preferably, the sequoia bead can be made of presswood or lumber cutoffs to be more environmentally renewable and of greater density. A cypress bead 34 has similar properties to the sequoia bead 33 and has natural oils that resist mold and fungal growth. The combination of the bead elements provides a unique smell and feel for the bead structure.
As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the bead structure can be made as a lumbar support 45. The lumbar support can have a first bead row 46 that has a partial filling of a bead interior 42. A second bead row 48 can be empty or less filled than the first bead row 46. A third bead row 47 can be filled to a level similar to the first bead row 46. The fourth bead row is preferably the largest row of bead filled interior 42. The fifth bead row 50 can be a smaller row. The lumbar lower portion 51 can also have the same rows of bead supports as the lumbar upper portion 52.
As shown in FIG. 7, the bead structure can be formed as a blanket 60. The blanket also has bead rows similar to the lumbar support. The bead rows are fabric cavities that are filled with beads. The beads provide support for the structure. The beads are also weighted and can support or bear down on a user. The fabric outer cover 61 of the blanket can be removable from a retaining shell 62. The retaining shell 62 can be filled with beads until the beads fill and support the structure of the retaining shell.
During movement of the retaining shell and outer cover, the beads may roll around relative to each other as they are loose. When the beads are in use, such as when a user presses a head against a pillow filled with beads, the beads have surface roughness and lock together for support. When the retaining shell having beads are used as a blanket, the beads are loose and can have improved airflow. When the retaining shell having beads are used as a lumbar support, the beads are pressed together which locks them together and provide support. The same retaining shell can be modified by physical movement to provide a pillow in a pillow mode, a lumbar support in a lumbar mode, and then a blanket in a blanket mode. The retaining shells can be detachable or separable for the lumbar mode. Then the retaining shells can be bunched together and put in a pillowcase for the pillow mode. Also the retaining shells can be spread out to be used as a blanket. The user can reform the retaining shell by physical manipulation. In the lumbar support mode, the two lumbar portions can separate for use in lumbar mode, and then recombined for pillow mode or blanket mode.
Patent Application
20250082119
