Patent Application
20200022863
This invention relates to pillows for use in caskets, and more specifically to casket pillows having adjustable loft.
It is desirable for casket pillows to look substantially similar to typical bed pillows so that the deceased arranged upon the pillows have the appearance of resting peacefully in the casket. Accordingly, it is desirable for casket pillows to appear soft, supportive, and tidy while providing the appropriate amount of compression and loft for display. However, because casket pillows do not need to be comfortable, it is also desirable for pillows used in caskets to be made in a manner that reduces costs.
Pillows vary in terms of their compressibility and their loft. As used herein, “compressibility” refers to a relative amount of change in the volume of a material in response to an applied pressure or force. A higher compressibility refers to a greater change in the volume of the material in response to an applied pressure or force. Accordingly, a pillow having a higher compressibility will exhibit a greater change in volume in response to a set pressure or force than a pillow having a lower compressibility. Put another way, a material that is more compressible will exhibit a greater change in volume in response to a set pressure or force than a material that is less compressible. As used herein, “loft” refers to a relative thickness of a material under an applied pressure or force. A material having a higher loft refers to a material having a greater thickness under an applied pressure or force. Accordingly, a pillow having a higher loft will exhibit a greater height under a set pressure or force than a pillow having a lower loft. The compressibility and loft of a pillow are independent properties. Accordingly, a pillow can have high or low compressibility in combination with high loft or have high or low compressibility in combination with low loft. Additionally, separate materials within the pillow can each have an independent compressibility and/or loft.
A compressible casket pillow is one type of casket pillow that can be made in an economical manner. As in the case of a typical bed pillow, when the head of the deceased is laid on a compressible casket pillow, the casket pillow compresses under the weight of the head. In contrast with typical bed pillows, because the comfort and support provided by casket pillows are not priorities, compressible casket pillows are typically made and filled with less expensive materials than typical compressible bed pillows. One problem with such casket pillows is that the inexpensive materials and construction tend to compress more than in a typical bed pillow. This over-compression results in an unnatural appearance as the head of the deceased sinks too far down into the pillow. If the casket pillow is filled with a stiffer material to address this problem of over-compression, then compression at the center of the pillow, where the head is laid, makes the sides portions of the pillow on either side of the head lift upwardly, which actually accentuates the problem.
A pre-formed casket pillow is another type of casket pillow that can give the deceased the look of resting peacefully in the casket and can be made in an economical manner. A pre-formed casket pillow is less compressible than a compressible pillow, so it avoids the problems of over-compression and deformation mentioned above. Additionally, a pre-formed casket pillow has some shaping or indentations formed in the pillow that help to hold the head of the deceased in a particular position. However, pre-formed casket pillows are typically more expensive than compressible casket pillows due to the use of more expensive materials to provide the necessary structure while also maintaining an appearance of being soft and comfortable. Additionally, pre-formed casket pillows may not be a one-size-fits-all solution. People come in all shapes and sizes, but one pre-formed pillow may not work for various head sizes, head shapes, neck lengths, hair arrangements, etc. For example, indentations in a pre-formed casket pillow that are formed to receive the head and neck of the deceased may be too wide or too long for one person, but too narrow or too short for another. The person arranging the deceased within the casket will have relatively few options to adjust the fit of the deceased with a pre-formed pillow.
It is desirable to provide an inexpensive casket pillow that enables the deceased to be laid in a natural and comfortable looking pose. It is further desirable to provide an inexpensive casket pillow that is easily adjustable so that the person arranging the deceased can fine-tune the compression and loft of the pillow to provide the desired natural and comfortable looking pose.
One or more of the embodiments of the present invention provides a casket pillow combination including a casket and a pillow. The casket includes side walls and a base arranged to form an open topped box, and the pillow is arranged in the interior of the open topped box. The pillow includes a casing, an insert pad, and a support member. The insert pad is arranged to form a plurality of layers and is inserted into the casing. The support member is inserted into the casing between two of the layers. The support member is movable to various positions between the layers of the insert pad to adjust the compressibility and the loft of the pillow.
At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a pillow with adjustable loft. The pillow includes a casing, an insert pad, and a support member. The insert pad is arranged to form a plurality of layers and is inserted into the casing. The support member is inserted into the casing between two layers of the insert pad. The support member is movable to various positions between the layers of the insert pad to adjust the compressibility and the loft of the pillow.
At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a method of making a pillow with adjustable loft. The method includes rolling or folding an insert pad so that regions of the insert pad are arranged atop one another in layers. The method further includes inserting the rolled or folded insert pad into a casing. The method further includes inserting a support member into the casing between two layers of the rolled or folded insert pad.
The above-described features and advantages, as well as others, will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
As shown in
When the pillow 108 is arranged in the casket 104, the casing width We is generally aligned along the z-axis (shown in
The insert pad 128 of the pillow 108 is an elongated piece of flexible material having a high compressibility. The insert pad material can be, for example, a padding material such as batting. Batting is an advantageous material to use for the insert pad 128 of the pillow 108, because, unlike loose filler, which bunches and clumps unevenly, batting provides a smooth, continuous compressible surface.
The insert pad 128 is a single, continuous piece of the flexible material that is rectangularly shaped, having an insert pad length LIP that is larger than its insert pad width WIP. It is understood, however, that in alternative embodiments the insert pad 128 can have an elongated shape other than a rectangle, which has an insert pad length LIP that is larger than its insert pad width W1. One advantage of forming the insert pad 128 as a single, continuous piece is that the insert pad 128 can be formed with little to no wasted material. For example, in embodiments where the insert pad 128 is formed of batting, the insert pad 128 can be formed from an elongated piece of batting by making a single cut along the batting, which also requires a minimal amount of labor. Accordingly, making the insert pad 128 as a single, continuous piece is economical in terms of both material and labor.
When the insert pad 128 is inserted into the casing 124, the insert pad width WIP is generally aligned with the casing width WC and the insert pad length LIP is generally aligned with the casing length LC. The insert pad length LIP is larger than the casing length LC, and the insert pad width WIP is equal to or smaller than the casing width WC such that the insert pad 128 can be inserted entirely within the casing 124 when arranged as described below.
Along its length LIP, the insert pad 128 is divided into a plurality of regions 136, which are separated from one another by folds 148. As noted above, the regions 136 are arranged atop one another to form the layers 138 shown in
The support member 132 of the pillow 108 is a flat panel of material that is generally rectangularly shaped. The flat, smooth surfaces of the support member 132 facilitate insertion and removal of the support member 132 between layers 138 of the insert pad 128 without catching on the material of the insert pad 128. In the embodiment shown, the support member 132 also has rounded corners 152 to further facilitate insertion of the support member 132 between layers 138 of the insert pad 128, as is shown in
The support member 132 has a support member width WSM and a support member length LSM. When the support member 132 is inserted into the casing 124, the support member width WSM is generally aligned with the casing width WC and the support member length LSM is generally aligned with the casing length LC. The support member width WSM is smaller than the casing width WC and the support member length LSM is smaller than the casing length LC so that the entire support member 132 can be received within the casing 124. Additionally, the support member length LSM is smaller than the region length LR, so that, when the insert pad 128 is arranged within the casing 124, the support member 132 can fit entirely between two of the layers 138 formed by corresponding regions 136 of the insert pad 128.
The support member 132 is formed of a material that is stiffer than the insert pad 128. In other words, the support member 132 is more rigid and less compressible than the insert pad 128. Accordingly, as described in more detail below, when the support member 132 is arranged between two layers 138 of the insert pad 128, the support member 132 increases the rigidity and decreases the compressibility of the pillow 108.
In one embodiment, the support member 132 is a panel of corrugated fiberboard, such as corrugated cardboard, that can be die cut to form the rectangular shape having rounded corners 152. Corrugated fiberboard is an advantageous material to use for the support member 132, because it is lightweight and inexpensive. Furthermore, forming die cut panels of corrugated fiberboard requires relatively little labor. Accordingly, making the support member 132 as a flat die cut panel of corrugated fiberboard is economical in terms of both material and labor.
As noted above, the support member 132 provides a layer of rigidity within the pillow 108 to enable adjustment of the compressibility and/or loft of the pillow 108. For further increased rigidity and strength of the support member 132 made of corrugated fiberboard, the support member 132 is formed such that the flutes of the corrugation are arranged along the support member width WSM. More specifically, corrugated fiberboard consists of a fluted corrugated sheet arranged between two liners. The flutes of the fluted corrugated sheet are arranged linearly extending in one direction across the sheet, and therefore provide pre-formed lines along which the corrugated fiberboard is most likely to bend or buckle. By arranging the corrugated fiberboard such that the flutes are aligned along the support member width WSM, the fiberboard is less likely to bend or buckle under the downward force applied by the head and neck, which is more highly concentrated along the support member length LSM.
Because the casing 124 is rectangularly shaped, and because the insert pad 128 is formed of a compressible and flexible material, once the rolled and/or folded insert pad 128 is inserted into the casing 124 and is released, the insert pad 128 unfurls and relaxes to generally conform to the interior of the rectangular shape formed by the casing 124, as shown in
As shown in
To more clearly illustrate the separate elements of the pillow 108, the drawing shown in
One advantage of arranging the support member 132 between two layers 138 of the insert pad 128 is that the edges of the support member 132 that span the support member width WSM between rounded corners 152 are arranged within folds 148 of the insert pad 128, as shown in
Once the pillow 108 is completed, the open side 140D of the casing 124 can be folded over the insert pad 128 and the support member 132 and tucked in between the layers 138 of the insert pad 128 or between the insert pad 128 and the support member 132 to cover the insert pad 128 and the support member 132 and give the pillow 108 a tidy, finished appearance, as shown in
The number of layers 138 formed by the insert pad 128 depends on the relative dimensions of the insert pad 128 and the casing 124 and on the material properties of the insert pad 128, such as the flexibility and compressibility. For example, the longer the insert pad length LIP relative to the casing length LC, the more times the insert pad 128 can be rolled and/or folded within the casing 124, therefore forming more layers 138. Additionally, the more flexible and compressible the material of the insert pad 128, the more easily the insert pad 128 can be manipulated, and the greater the number of layers 138 that can be fit into the casing 124. However, the number of layers 138 that can be formed within the casing 124 is limited by the thickness T of the insert pad 128 (shown in
When the support member 132 is inserted between layers 138 of the insert pad 128, at least one layer 138 is arranged above the support member 132 and at least one layer 138 is arranged below the support member 132. The orientation terms “above” and “below” are used to indicate relative vertical positions along the y-axis shown in the figures. The compression and/or loft of the pillow 108 can be adjusted by changing the number of layers 138 above and below the support member 132. In other words, the compression and/or loft of the pillow 108 can be selected by selecting which layers 138 to insert the support member 132 between.
Because the support member 132 is more rigid and less compressible than the insert pad 128 and the casing 124, the support member 132 distributes the downward force F2 over the entire surface area SA2 (shown in
As shown in
Conversely, as shown in
In the present disclosure, the insert pad 128 forms at least three layers 138 within the casing 124. Forming three layers 138 with the insert pad 128 provides two different positions that the support member 132 can be inserted between layers 138 of the insert pad 128. (For example, the position shown in
As described above and shown in the embodiments of
A method 500 of making a pillow for use in a casket, such as pillow 108, is shown in
Once the arranged insert pad has been inserted into the casing, making the pillow includes inserting the support member between two layers of the insert pad such that the support member is in direct contact with the two layers of the insert pad (step 512). As described above, the support member is less compressible than the insert pad.
Accordingly, making the pillow includes determining which two layers of the insert pad between which to insert the support member. This determination is made based on the desired compressibility and/or loft of the pillow. Accordingly, one way to determine which two layers of the insert pad to insert the support member between is based on a desired amount of compressibility of the pillow. Another way to determine which two layers of the insert pad to insert the support member between is based on a desired amount of loft of the pillow.
As described above with respect to the pillow 108 shown in
The method 500 can be repeated as many times as desired based on different determinations of the desired amount of compressibility and/or loft of the pillow. One reason the pillow 108 is especially useful in a pillow casket combination 100 is the ease of adjustability of the compressibility and/or loft of the pillow 108. Because adjusting the compressibility and/or loft only requires determining which two layers 138 of the insert member 128 between which to insert the support member 132, the person arranging the deceased on the pillow 108 can easily adjust and readjust the pillow 108 to provide the most comfortable and natural arrangement of the neck and head of the deceased in the casket 104.
However, in alternative embodiments, the pillow 108 can be used without the casket 104 or separately from the casket pillow combination 100. Even in embodiments where the pillow 108 is used alone, the pillow 108 retains its benefits of having easily adjustable compression and/or loft. Thus, the pillow 108 is just as useful in many alternative instances where an economical pillow having easily adjustable compression and/or loft is desirable.
For example, the pillow 108 can be used as a bed pillow in one's home. In this case, the pillow user can easily adjust the compressibility and/or loft of the pillow 108 for different circumstances. A user may desire a higher loft for tasks such as reading or watching television, and a lower loft for sleeping. Additionally, the user's comfort may vary with higher and lower compressibility on different days. For example, if a user has a stiff neck temporarily, the user can temporarily adjust the compressibility of the pillow. This can also prevent a user from having to purchase a variety of pillows having different compressibilities and/or lofts, because one pillow can be adjusted as desired.
Additionally, the pillow 108 having adjustable compressibility and/or loft can be beneficial for hotels, hospitals, airplanes, cruise ships, and other places where persons sleep for a limited amount of time. Rather than having to provide a wide variety of pillows with varying compressibilities and/or lofts to meet their various guests or patient's needs, it is possible for hotels, hospitals, etc. to include adjustable pillows, which each guest or patient can adjust to fit their own comfort. For airplanes, where it is important that pillows provided to customers are very economical, it is possible to make the pillows from inexpensive materials, and to make the pillows smaller than a standard bed pillow, which will require even less materials. For hotels, cruise ships, and other instances where increased comfort and a more luxurious aesthetic may be desirable, it is possible to make the pillow 108 having a casing, insert pad, and/or support member made from more comfortable or visually appealing materials that may be more expensive. In other words, the pillow 108 can be made from a variety of different materials to meet different industry needs for balancing comfort, aesthetic, and cost.
The pillow 108 can also be useful for emergency shelters, for example in the case of natural disasters. Because the pillow 108 can be made with low cost materials and processing, it is economically viable for emergency service providers to offer a comfortable pillow to displaced persons.
Similarly, the pillow 108 can be useful for camping, because the pillow can be easily adjusted to make sleeping on a variety of ground surfaces more comfortable. Additionally, because of the low cost of materials and processing required to make the pillow, it is easy to replace the pillow if its use in camping environments shortens its longevity. Furthermore, because the pillow 108 is made of lightweight and compressible materials, it is ideal for backpacking, where the weight and volume of each item carried is sought to be minimized.
Additionally, the simple construction and lightweight, inexpensive materials of the pillow 108 enable low cost shipping and storage of the pillows 108, which further reduces the costs for purchasers of the pillows. For example, the pillow 108 can easily be compressed and shrink wrapped to maximize density to lower freight and storage costs, especially when shipping and/or storing in bulk.
Of course, numerous other adaptations are possible. Moreover, there are advantages to individual advancements described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other aspects described above. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.
