Patent Application
20150082545
The following description relates to a bedding article having a cooling insert, and in particular, a bedding article such as a pillow shell, pillow protector, blanket, comforter and/or a mattress pad having an insert for providing increased comfort.
Bedding articles may include pillow shells, pillow protectors, blankets, comforters and mattress pads. A pillow shell may refer to a stitched piece or pieces of fabric, typically rectangular in shape, and formed with an opening to receive padding or other filling. The opening may be closed by, for example, a zipper. A pillow protector may refer to a stitched piece or pieces of fabric having an open end configured to receive the pillow shell. A mattress pad generally includes a padded surface top surface configured to be disposed across a top surface of a mattress. The mattress pad may also include four depending sides configured to fit around corresponding sides of a mattress. The depending sides may include an elastic material so that the depending sides snuggly engage the sides of mattress to secure the mattress pad to the mattress.
Bedding articles are typically made from a single fabric or blend of fabrics, and may include a filling or other padding material therein. These fabrics and/or filling may retain heat, causing an increase in temperature as a result of a person remaining in contact with, or being covered by, the bedding article. In addition, some bedding articles may restrict the flow of air so that heat may build up due to body heat from a user. In some cases, the bedding article or area enclosed by the bedding article may reach an uncomfortable temperature.
Accordingly, is desirable to provide a bedding article that may maintain a comfortable a temperature and/or provide a cooling effect as perceived by the user.
According to one embodiment, there is provided a bedding article having a first layer including a first edge region defining a size and a shape of the first layer, the first layer comprising a gel pack, the gel pack having an outer surface storing a gel therein.
The gel pack may define the first edge region of the first layer.
The first layer may further include a first material and the gel pack is secured to the first material. The first material may define the first edge region, and include an opening having a size and shape, wherein the gel pack has a size and shape substantially the same as the size and shape of the opening, and is positioned in the opening and secured to the first material about a periphery of the gel pack.
The first material may define the first edge region and an area of the first layer and the gel pack may be disposed on the first material. The gel pack may be secured to the first material by stitching or adhesive. The stitching may form at least one seam about a periphery of the gel pack.
The bedding article may also include a cover layer having a cover layer edge region, wherein a first portion of the cover layer edge region may be secured to the first material to define a pocket between the cover layer and first material, and an opening to the pocket is formed along a second portion of the cover layer edge region such that the gel pack may be received in the pocket through the opening and secured to the first material by the cover layer. The cover layer may be made from a fabric or mesh material.
A fastener may be disposed along the second portion of cover layer edge region and a mating fastener may be disposed on the first material adjacent to the second portion of the cover layer edge region, such that the opening to the pocket may be selectively opened or closed with the fastener and mating fastener.
The bedding article may also include a skirting extending around the first edge region, wherein the skirting may be a material extending from the first edge region, and the first layer may be configured to be disposed on a top side of a mattress and the skirting may be configured to extend around sides of the mattress to maintain the bedding article in a desired position.
The bedding article may further include a second layer, the second layer having a second edge region defining a size and shape of the second layer, wherein the size and shape of the second layer may be substantially the same as the size and shape of the first layer. A first portion of the second edge region may be secured to a first portion of the first edge region so as to define a receptacle between the first layer and the second layer. An article opening may be formed between a second portion of the first edge region and a second portion of the second edge region through which a filler may be received in the receptacle. The filler may be a pillow or a natural or polyester fiber fill.
A closure fastener may disposed along the second portion of the first edge region and a mating closure fastener may disposed along the second portion of the second edge region adjacent to the second portion of the first edge region of the first layer, such that the receptacle opening to the receptacle may be selectively opened or closed with the closure fastener and the mating closure fastener.
A gusset may be positioned between the first edge region of the first layer and the second edge region of the second layer to space the first edge region from the second edge region, wherein the gusset may be secured to the first portion of the first edge region and the first portion of the second edge region. The gusset may also be secured to one of the second portion of the first edge region and the second portion of second edge region such that the receptacle opening is formed between a free edge of the gusset and the second portion of the first edge region or the second portion of the second edge region to which the gusset is not secured.
According to another embodiment, a bedding article may include a first side facing outward, a second side facing inward and a mesh insert including a plurality of apertures configured to allow ambient air adjacent to the first side to fluidly communicate with air adjacent to the second side.
The mesh insert may be formed as a strip of material extending along a length or width of the bedding article. A filler may be disposed between the first side and second side. A plurality of baffles may be formed in the bedding article. The baffles may container the filler therein, and the mesh insert may extend between adjacent baffles.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps, and processes.
While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described one or more embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment described or illustrated.
With further reference to
In some examples, the first material 22 may define the first edge region 14. The first material 22 may include an opening, for example, a substantially centrally located opening, having a size and a shape. The gel pack 16 may have a size and shape substantially the same as the size and shape of the opening, and may be positioned in the opening. The gel pack 16 may be secured to the first material 22 at, for example, a portion of the gel pack 16 that overlaps with the first material 22. For instance, in some configurations, the outer periphery 24 of the gel pack may overlap with the first material 22. In other configurations, a plurality of tabs may extend from the gel pack 16 to over lap with the first material 22. The gel pack 16 may be secured to first material 22, as noted above, by way of stitching, adhesive, or other suitable securing mechanism. Alternatively, the gel pack 16 may be disposed entirely, or substantially entirely, on the first material 22 and secured thereto by stitching, adhesive or other suitable fastener.
A fastener 40 may be disposed along the second portion 38 of cover layer edge region 30 and a mating fastener 42 may be disposed on the first material 22 adjacent to the second portion 38 of the cover layer edge region 30. Accordingly, the opening 36 to the pocket 34 may be selectively opened or closed with the fastener 40 and mating fastener 42. The fastener 40 and mating fastener 42 may be, for example, a slide fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a snap or a button. It is understood, however, that the fastener 40 and mating fastener 42 are not limited to these examples.
In one example, the bedding article 10 may be a mattress pad. The mattress pad may be disposed on top of a mattress such that a user in a supine or a prone position, for example, may be positioned on the first layer 12, and in particular, on at least a portion of the gel pack 16. The gel 20 stored in the gel pack 16 may be configured to provide a cooling effect to enhance the user's comfort. For example, the gel may generally be at a temperature of the ambient air. The physical properties of the gel allow the gel resist temperature change or to remain at the temperature of ambient air for a greater period of time than a simple fabric material when a user is positioned on the mattress pad. That is, the gel material may resist a temperature change caused by a user's body heat more than a simple fabric material, so that the user may perceive a cooling effect from the gel pack 16.
Referring to
In the embodiments above, it is understood that the gel pack 16 could cover or form the entire surface of the bedding article, or may be limited to specifically zoned areas. It is also understood that multiple gel packs 16 may be used at different locations on the bedding article 10, and that the specific configuration of the bedding article 10 may vary accordingly to accommodate multiple gel packs 16. The bedding article 10 may also include a layer of polyester batting (not shown), for example, below the first layer 12. The bedding article 10 may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape such that the first edge region 14 includes four (4) edges.
Referring to
A closure fastener 64 may be disposed along the second portion 58 of the first edge region 14 and a mating closure fastener 66 may be disposed along the second portion 60 of the second edge region 48 adjacent to the second portion 58 of the first edge region 14 on the first layer 12, such that the receptacle opening 56 to the receptacle 54 may be selectively opened or closed with the closure fastener 64 and the mating closure fastener 66.
Referring to
In the embodiments shown in
As in the examples above, the first material 22 and gel pack 16 may be secured to one another. For example, in
Referring to
The mesh insert 116 may be formed as a strip of material extending along at least a portion of a length or width of the bedding article 110. In some examples, the mesh insert 116 may extend the entire length or width of the bedding article 110. More than one mesh insert 116 may be provided for a bedding article 110. Multiple mesh inserts 116 may extend parallel to one another or intersect with one another.
In the examples shown in
It is understood that the present invention is not limited to the examples above, and other configurations are envisioned. For example, the mesh insert 116 may take any shape, such as a square or circle, and may be positioned, for example, at a central portion, or equally spaced apart portions, of the bedding article 110.
In use, a user may cover themselves with the bedding article 110 such that the first side 112 faces outward and is exposed to ambient air, and the second side 114 faces inward toward the user. The bedding article 110 may trap a portion of air between the second side 114, the user, and a surface on which the user is positioned. This portion of air, adjacent to the second side, may increase in temperature due to body heat of the user. The air adjacent to the second side 114 may flow outward through the plurality of apertures 118 to the cooler ambient air adjacent to the first side 112. Similarly, the cooler ambient air adjacent to the first side 112 may flow through the plurality of apertures 118 to an area adjacent to the second side 114 and the user's body. Accordingly, a cooling effect may be provided to the user.
In the embodiments above, a bedding article may be a mattress pad, pillow shell and/or a pillow protector. It is understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and other bedding articles having the features described above are envisioned. For example, the features above may also be implemented on a bottom sheet or fitted sheet. In use, the gel material in the gel packs may initially be at an ambient room temperature. Because the gel does not conduct heat as quickly as traditional fabrics, the gel may provide a cooling effect to a user who is in contact with, and nearly in contact with the gel packs. Accordingly, the bedding articles with the gel packs as described above may enhance a user's comfort with respect to temperature. Further, by using a mesh insert in a blanket or comforter, air may flow from the first side to second side and vice versa, such that warmer air, for example air nearest a user, may escape from the second side to the first side, and cooler, ambient air, may circulate from the first side to the second side to provide a cooling effect. It is understood that the various features described with respect to certain embodiments above may be implemented across the other embodiments as well, and vice versa.
It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
