PILLOW WITHIN AN OUTER PILLOW SHELL

OREILLER DANS UNE ENVELOPPE D'OREILLER EXTERIEURE

English Abstract

The pillow includes first and second substantially
identical inner shell layers and first and second substantially
identical outer shell layers. The first and second inner layers and
first and second outer layers are secured together around the
peripheries thereof. Extending laterally across the pillow in the
width dimension are two spaced baffle members which are secured to
the two inner layers and extend between the two inner shell layers,
defining three chambers along the length of the pillow. The three
chambers defined between the two inner layers are filled with
feathers, while the space between the two inner layers,
respectively, and the adjacent outer layers are filled with down.

Claims

5
Claims
1. A pillow, comprising:
first and second substantially identical inner shell
layers, each having a length and width, secured together around the
peripheries thereof;
at least one baffle member extending between and secured
to the first and second inner shell layers, the baffle member
extending for substantially one entire dimension of the pillow and
defining interior chambers between the first and second inner shell
layers;
first and second substantially identical outer shell
layers, secured around the peripheries thereof to the peripheries of
the first and second shell layers; and
pillow filling located in the spaces between the inner
and outer shell layers and in said interior chambers.
2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the first and second
outer shell layers are substantially identical in size and
configuration to the first and second inner shell layers.
3. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the interior chambers
are filled with feathers, and wherein the spaces between the inner
shell layers, respectively, and the adjacent outer shell layers are
filled with down.
9. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the interior chambers,
and the spaces between the inner shell layers, respectively, and the
adjacent outer shell layers are filled with fiber material.
5. The pillow of claim 1, including two baffle members
spaced at equal intervals within the pillow.
6. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the baffle members
extend laterally across the pillow in the width dimension of the
pillow.

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7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the baffle members
extend longitudinally of the pillow in the length dimension of the
pillow.

Description

CA 02523175 2005-10-11
Description
PTLLOW WITHIN AN OUTER PILLOW SHELL
Technical Field
This invention relates generally to pillows, and more
particularly concerns a pillow with interior chambers.
Background of the Invention
Pillow design/eonstruction includes considerations
which can vary significantly. For instance, it is often
desirable to restrict the movement of the pillow filling,
particularly feathers and down, within a pillow during use.
Sometimes this is done with interior walls or baffles, which
1S form interior chambers. Various interior chamber arrangements
are known; some examples of relatively simple baffle
arrangements defining several interior volumes are shown in U.S.
Patent No. 5,557,816, owned by the assignee of the present
invention. Pillows with more complex interior baffle
arrangements are known, which provide specialized filling
control, but they are expensive to manufacture and therefore for
most cases are impractical.
In general, good support for the user is also
desirable; support involves not only the structure and
configuration of the pillow, but also the particular filling
used for the pillow. For instance, feathers traditionally
provide good support; polyester foam, another filling, provides
a particular kind of support which some consumers prefer.
Still further, the comfort, i.e. "feel" of the
pillow, is often an important consideration. The type of
filling is important to the feel of a pillow, with down
typically providing the best comfort, although with less support
than other types of filling.
The present pillow arrangement includes a pillow
structure for restricting the movement of the filling during
use, while at the same time providing good support and a high
degree of comfort for the user.

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Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, the present invention is a pillow, which
comprises: first and second substantially identical inner shell
layers, each having a length and_ width, secured together around
the peripheries thereof: at least one baffle member extending
between and secured to the first and second inner shell layers,
the baffle member extending for substantially one entire
dimension of the pillow and defining interior chambers between
the first and second inner shell layers: first and second
substantially identical outer shell layers, secured around the
peripheries thereof to the peripheries of the first and second
shell layers; and' pillow filling located in the spaces between
the inner and outer shell layers and in said interior chambers.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a top view of the pillow of Figure 1.
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure
of the pillow of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carr~ring Out the Invention
Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the pillow of
the present invention. The pillow, referred to generally at 10,
includes two identical inner fabric layers or shells 12 and 14.
In the embodiment shown, the inner fabric layers are typically a
cotton or similar fabric, such as polycotton, or a non-woven
fabric, and are 26 inches long by 20 inches wide, although these
dimensions can be varied, depending upon the desired size of the
pillow. The two inner fabric layers 12 and 19 are stitched
together around most of the respective peripheries thereof,
leaving an open space along one longitudinal edge 16 of
sufficient length to permit filling of the pillow.
Connected interiorly between the two inner fabric
layers 22 and 14 are two identical baffles 18 and 20, In the
embodiment shown, the baffles are also a cotton or similar
fabric and are typically 6-8 inches high, although this can
vary, depending on the particular design. Baffles 18 and 20
extend for the full width laterally of the pillow and are
located so as to define three chambers, 21, 23, 25 of equal size
along the length of the pillow 10.

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While the embodiment shown includes two spaced
baffles, it should be recognized that a single baffle or more
than two baffles could be used. Further, the baffles could be
positioned differently to produce different size chambers.
Still further, while the baffle members are shown extending
laterally, i.e, across the width, of the pillow, they could also
extend along the length, i.e. longitudinally, of the pillow.
Also, while it is preferred that baffle members 18 and 20 extend
for the full width (or length) of the pillow, it is possible
that the baffle members could extend to within a small distance
of the opposing edges of the pillow, attached to the inner
fabric layers, and therefore not extend for the full width or
length of the pillow.
The baffle members 18 and 20 are attached to the
inner fabric layers by stitching or other similar means. The
baffle members are intended to provide a barrier for the
filling, to prevent migration of the filling in the pillow
during use, particularly from the center of the pillow outward
toward the opposing lateral edges 28 and 30 of the pillow.
The pillow 10 also includes two outer fabric layers
or shells 24 and 26. Outer fabric layers 29 and 26 in the
embodiment shown are substantially identical in size and
configuration and are the same material as inner fabric layers
12 and 14. The outer fabric layers 24 and 26 are secured around
their respective peripheries to the inner fabric layers 12 and
14.
Filling is then blown into the pillow, such as by
conventional blowing techniques. In the embodiment shown,
chambers 21, 23, and 25 defined between the inner fabric layers
12 and 14 and the baffle members 1$ and 20 are filled with
feathers . The space between the inner fabric layers 12 and 19
and the outer fabric layers 24 and 26 are filled with down.
This arrangement provides the combination of good internal
support, with the feather filling and the baffle members
preventing migration of the feathers during use, while the down
filling between the inner and outer layers provides comfort and
a good "feel" for the user, as well as a feather barrier.
However, it should be understood that other fillings
can be used as well, including polyester filling, other fiber

CA 02523175 2005-10-11
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material and PLA (polylactic acid) or any combination of the
above. The concept of the pillow described herein is not
necessarily limited to a particular filling arrangement.
After the pillow has been filled, the open portion of
the longitudinal edge 16 is closed, completing the pillow.
Accordingly, a pillow has been described and shown
which includes an interior structure with two inner layers, two
internal baffle members and two outer layers which provides good
comfort with good support while at the same time being practical
20 to manufacture.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has
been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be
understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions
may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the
spirit of the invention which is defined by the claims which
follow.
What is claimed is:

Representative Drawing