Patent Grant
9167923
The following description relates to a pillow, and in particular, a pillow having mesh inserts to allow for a cross-flow of air through the pillow.
A pillow typically includes an outer layer or cover, such as a pillow shell, generally made of a fabric material. The outer layer defines an internal space configured to house a padding or filler material. The outer layer may include one or more pieces of fabric stitched around the inner padding or filler material. Further, or alternatively, the outer layer may include a zipper, slide fastener or other similar fastener along at least a portion of one or more sides to selectively provide or restrict access to the internal space. In some pillows, a gusset may be provided that extends around a perimeter of the pillow generally between an upper half and a lower half of the pillow. The gusset may be used to increase a volume of the internal space by increasing a thickness of the pillow.
The fabric of the outer layer may be generally homogenous such that similar properties are found across the outer layer. For example, the fabric may have generally the same stiffness, softness and/or density across the outer layer. Accordingly, a breathability of the fabric, i.e., an ability to allow air to flow between the internal space and external atmosphere may be generally constant across the outer layer.
In use, a person may lean, lie, sit or otherwise support a portion of their body on or against the pillow. Heat from the person may be transferred to the pillow via contact between the person and the outer layer. With limited or restricted breathability through the outer layer, i.e., with limited airflow through the outer layer, the heat may be retained by the pillow, both in the outer layer and the inner padding or filler. As result, a temperature of the pillow may increase to a point where it may not be comfortable for the person using the pillow, particularly at a location where the person is in contact with the pillow.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a pillow that allows for increased breathability, i.e., airflow through the outer layer, to limit or prevent an undesirable increase in temperature of the pillow.
According to one aspect, there is provided a pillow having a cover layer defining an interior volume. The cover layer has a first side facing outward substantially in a first direction, a second side facing outward substantially in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and a perimeter formed at a boundary of the first side and the second side. The cover layer includes a body portion, a first mesh portion and a second mesh portion formed separately and spaced apart from the first mesh portion. A filler material is disposed in the interior volume, and the interior volume is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the first and second mesh portions.
According to another aspect, there is provided a pillow cover having a cover layer defining an interior volume. The cover layer has a first side facing outward substantially in a first direction, a second side facing outward substantially in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and a perimeter formed at a boundary of the first side and the second side. The cover layer includes a body portion, a first mesh portion and a second mesh portion formed separately and spaced apart from the first mesh portion. The interior volume is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the first and second mesh portions.
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.
The cover layer also includes a perimeter 20 or peripheral edge formed at a boundary of the first side 16 and the second side 18. That is, the perimeter 20 may separate a portion of the cover layer 12 that faces generally in the first direction D1, i.e., the first side 16, from a portion of the cover layer 12 that faces generally in the second direction D2, i.e., the second side 18. The perimeter 20 generally corresponds to an outer periphery of the pillow 10 in a plan view, such as the top view shown in
The cover layer 12 also includes a body portion 22, a first mesh portion 24 and a second mesh portion 26. The body portion 22, first mesh portion 24 and second mesh portion 26 may be formed on one or more of the first side 16, the second side 18 and the perimeter 20 of the cover layer 12. The body portion 22 may be constructed of one or more panels of material. In one embodiment, a single panel of material may extend substantially about the interior volume 14 and may have opposing ends secured together, directly or indirectly, at a seam or similar joint 28. In another embodiment, the body portion 22 may be constructed of multiple panels. For example, the body portion 22 may be constructed of two panels that are secured to one another. In one embodiment, opposite edges of one panel may be secured to corresponding opposite edges of the other panel, directly or indirectly, at corresponding seams or similar joints 28.
In one embodiment, the seam or seams 28 may be formed on one of or both the first side 16 and the second side 18. Alternatively, or in addition, the seam or seams 28 may be formed at the perimeter 20. It is understood that the body portion 22 may include additional panels and is not limited to the examples above. The one or more panels may be secured to one another at the one or more seams or joints 28, for example, by stitching, adhesive, buttons, snaps, a slide fastener, a hook and loop fastener and the like.
The one or more panels of the body portion 22 may be formed as a single ply or multiple plies of material overlaying one another. In one embodiment, two plies of material may quilted, i.e., stitched together, to form a plurality of boxes that may be filled with batting. In other embodiments, the body portion 22 may be formed having only a single ply that is not quilted, or a combination of single ply, multiple ply, quilted and/or non-quilted sections.
With further reference to
Accordingly, the mesh portions 24, 26, via the openings 32, are configured to allow an increased flow of air into and out of the interior volume 14, per unit area, than the body portion 22. The cover layer 12, including the body portion 22, the first mesh portion 24 and the second mesh portion 26 may be made from, for example, a fabric material, such as a knitted fabric, a sateen weave, or any flat weave fabric. In some embodiments, the mesh portions 24, 26 may also, or alternatively, be made from nylon, polyester or another similar material.
The mesh portions 24, 26 may be secured to the body portion 22, for example, by stitching, adhesive or other similar known fastening technique. As shown in
In one embodiment, the first side 16 and second side 18 are identically formed, such that the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 have the same shape and dimensions on both the first side 16 and the second side 18. Likewise, the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 may be formed having the same dimensions as one another. The first and second mesh portions 24, 26 may also be formed in a mirrored relationship to one another on each of the first side 16 and the second side 18. However, it is understood that the present description is not limited to these embodiments and that sizes and shapes of the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 may vary on the first and second sides 16, 18 and relative to one another.
With further reference to
In the embodiments above, when viewed from the top or bottom, the pillow 10 may be formed substantially in a rectangular shape. That is, the perimeter 20 may define a substantially rectangular shape. However, it is understood that different shapes are envisioned, including, but not limited to, square, circular, oval, arched and the like.
In the embodiments above, the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 may be separately or discretely formed. It is understood that additional mesh portions are envisioned as well. Additional mesh portions may be formed discretely from the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 and one another.
In one embodiment, the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 are spaced apart so that, in use, a user may lie or support a portion of their body on a central section of the pillow 10, for example, at the body portion 22, between the first and second mesh portions 24, 26. Thus the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 may remain open and unobstructed during use. The interior volume 14 may be in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the first and second mesh portions 24, 26. In one embodiment, the filler material 30, including interior portions thereof, disposed within the interior volume 14 is also in fluid communication with the external atmosphere via the first and second mesh portions. As such, a fluid, for example, air, may flow into and out of the interior volume 14 and/or the filler material 30.
In the embodiments above, by positioning the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 over the first and second sides 16, 18 and the perimeter 20, a cross-flow of a fluid, such as air, may be accommodated through the interior volume 14 and/or filler material 30. For example, a fluid, such as air, may flow through a thickness of the pillow 10 between the first side 16 and the second side 18. In addition, the fluid, such as air, may flow in the length direction of the pillow 10 through opposing ends of the pillow 10 where the first and second mesh portions 24, 26 are positioned. By allowing the fluid, such as air, to flow in the cross-flow patterns described above, a cooling effect, or reduction of undesirable heat build-up within the pillow 10 may be provided.
Because sufficient airflow, and in particular, a cross-flow of air, between the interior volume 14 and the external atmosphere may be provided via the first and second mesh portions 24, 26, in some embodiments, the body portion 22 may be made from materials or constructed in a way to enhance certain characteristics, including cushioning, softness and stiffness, that may restrict breathability through the body portion 22. Accordingly, in the embodiments above, the cover layer 12 may be sufficiently breathable so as to limit or prevent increases in temperature that a user may consider uncomfortable.
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.
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