Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PILLOW AND MATTRESS PAD SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE ZONES OF
ELASTICITY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to United States
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/508,274 filed July 15, 2011 under the
title
PILLOW AND MATTRESS PAD SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE ZONES OF ELASTICITY
and to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61/542,458 filed
October
3, 2011 under the title PILLOW AND MATTRESS PAD SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE
ZONES OF ELASTICITY.
[002] The content of the above patent applications is hereby expressly
incorporated by reference into the detailed description hereof.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[003] The present application relates to pillows, mattresses, and mattress
pads, and specifically to pillows, mattresses, and mattress pads having a
plurality of zones formed from materials having different properties.
BACKGROUND
[004] High resilience foams in a pillow are effective in supporting the
weight of a sleeper's head but often do not provide an entire night's comfort.
As
HRFs respond with reactive force to the applied weight, they develop a
resistance to deflection directly in proportion to the load applied. Points of
greater deflection accordingly exert a greater reactive force. These uneven
return pressures in such pillows can lead to "hot spots", where the sleeper
may
experience reduced blood circulation resulting in physical discomfort or
fatigue.
[005] A large number of "composite" pillows with multiple layer
construction -vertical and/or horizontal - for therapeutically supporting the
head
and neck of a person lying in a supine position are known in the art.
Representative examples are afforded by United States patents 4,777,855
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(Cohen); 4,803,743 (Greenawalt); 5,307,532 (Connell); 5,638,564 (Greenawalt
et al.); and 5,689,844 (Liu).
[006] With the relatively recent advent of viscoelastic foam materials,
pillows and mattresses have been produced which take advantage of the
"memory" and other properties of VEFs. U.S. patent publication 2004/0074008
(Martens et al.) entitled MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS SYSTEM describes a mattress
system having a core layer of polyurethane or latex foam to provide a base
support and a top layer of VEF disposed atop the core layer, as well as a
pillow
comprising a body of viscoelastic foam, with a top side contoured to the head
and neck of the sleeper and one or more HEF inserts adapted to be inserted in
a
pocket through the VEF body of pillow.
[007] U.S. patent publication 2005/0278852 (Wahrmund et al.) describes
a pillow having a urethane foam core with sufficient firmness to provide
effective
support for a user and a hypersoft, high- airflow viscoelastic foam shell
surrounding the core with sufficient firmness to maintain a conventional outer
pillow shape when supporting only a pillowcase or other bed coverings.
[008] U.S. patent publication 2006/0064819 (Mollett) is directed to an
orthopedic therapeutic memory form pillow having upper and lower sections
made of memory foam, both of essentially crescent shaped outer perimeter, with
a quarter-round cut out section removed from the lower surface of the bottom
section, adapted to receive a patient's head and neck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[009] A foam pillow is provided. The design relies on a model for an
optimal foam pillow based on chiropractic and biomechanical expertise, which
prescribes a pillow of conventional shape, but having an optimized profile of
effective spinal pressure across its width. Such a pillow can be made by using
a
two-stage mold for HEF and VEF portions meeting seamlessly along a semi-rigid
skin across the pillow interior, thereby creating zones of differing
elasticity based
on the differing thicknesses of each HRF and VEF portion at each zone.
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[0010] According to a first aspect, there is provided a pillow, the p1pTM
having a first zone of elasticity for supporting the head of a sleeper and a
second
zone of elasticity for supporting the neck and upper thoracic spine, said
pillow
comprising a firm high resistance foam lower portion and a viscoelastic foam
upper portion matingly contoured to the lower portion and internally sealed to
the lower portion along a surface of predetermined curvature.
[0011] According to a second aspect, the pillow includes an array of
parallel cylindrical perforations therethrough, for modification of the
weight,
softness and/or firmness of the pillow to suit the subjective preferences of
the
sleeper.
[0012] According to a further aspect, the pillow has a substantially
rectangular shape corresponding to a conventional bed pillow.
[0013] According to a further aspect, the pillow has a substantially
horseshoe-like shape for supporting the neck of a sitting sleeper.
[0014] According to a further aspect, there is provided a mattress
pad, the
SSR (Sleep Surface Rejuvenation) 1 system, for providing a selected
distribution
of pressure across all spinal levels of a sleeper.
[0015] According to a further aspect, the mattress pad comprises a
bottom
portion comprising a polyurethane foam core of uniform thickness; a recessed
central portion adapted to receive viscoelastic pads of selected firmness for
support of sub-cervical regions of the spine of a sleeper; and a top portion
concavely recessed to receive a pillow such that the top surface of the pillow
is
presented to the head of a sleeper at a desired height above the generally
coplanar upper surfaces of said central and lower portions.
[0016] According to a further aspect, said pillow is as defined above.
[0017] According to a further aspect, the mattress pad further
comprises a
plurality of viscoelastic pads for placement in the recessed central portion
of the
mattress pad, each viscoelastic pad being shaped to provide support to a
single
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sleeper on either a left half or a right half of the central portion of the
mattress
pad.
[0018] According to a further aspect, the mattress pad defines an
array of
parallel cylindrical perforations therethrough for modification of the weight,
softness, and/or firmness of the mattress to suit the subjective preferences
of
the sleeper.
[0019] According to a further aspect, there is provided a multi-zoned
reversible mattress, the OMF (Orthopedic Memory Foam) mattress, for providing
a selected distribution of pressure across all spinal levels of a sleeper,
comprising a top layer comprising a mattress pad as described above; a middle
layer comprising a uniform pad or mattress having substantially uniform
firmness and resilience across its entire area; and a bottom layer comprising
a
mattress pad as described above.
[0020] According to a further aspect, there is provided a mattress
pad and
pillow system, the SSR 2 system, for providing a selected distribution of
pressure across all spinal levels of a sleeper, comprising a fitted fabric
mattress
cover having at least one pocket corresponding to each of a body zone and a
head zone of a sleeping surface, each pocket being adapted to receive at least
one pad insert.
[0021] According to a further aspect, the at least one pocket
corresponding
to each of a body zone and a head zone comprises a single pocket corresponding
to the body zone for receiving a body pad insert; and two side-by-side pockets
corresponding to the head zone for receiving a left-side pad to elevate a
pillow
on the left side of the mattress protector and a right-side pad to elevate a
pillow
on the right side of the mattress protector.
[0022] According to a further aspect, the mattress pad and pillow system
further comprises a composite body zone insert pad having a central zone
portion and a lower zone portion, the lower zone portion comprising a
polyurethane foam core of uniform thickness, and the central zone portion
comprising two viscoelastic pads of selected firmness for support of sub-
cervical
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regions of the spine of a sleeper.
[0023] According to a further aspect, the mattress pad and pillow
system
further comprises one or more pillow elevation pads for insertion into the
head
zone pockets to elevate the pillow on one or both sides.
[0024] According to a further aspect, the mattress pad and pillow
system
further comprises two pillows as defined above.
[0025] According to a further aspect, each pocket further comprises a
fastener for securing an inserted pad or pillow to the pocket.
[0026] According to a further aspect, there is provided a knee pillow
having at least one knee support zone for supporting at least one knee of a
sleeper, said pillow comprising a firm high resistance foam lower portion; and
a
viscoelastic foam upper portion matingly contoured to the lower portion and
internally sealed to the lower portion along a surface of predetermined
curvature.
[0027] Further aspects will be apparent to a skilled person based on
the
description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The present application in its aspects of pillow composition
and
design, mattress surface composition and design and the integration of the two
will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings of example embodiments in which:
[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective drawing in transverse
cross-
section of an example embodiment of the dual-zoned pillow according to the
invention.
[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic depiction in top perspective view of
an
example embodiment of a mattress pad [SSR 1] according to the invention, with
central drop-in pads displaced to one side of the mattress pad core.
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[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic representation in longitudinal cross-
section
of an example embodiment of a full mattress [OMF] according to the invention,
with central drop-in pads shown in place for use.
[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a pillow corresponding to
the pillow of Figure 1, but provided with an array of top-two-bottom
ventilation
holes (perforations) 40 [PIP Light].
[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic representation in longitudinal cross-
section
of a mattress pad corresponding to that of Figure 2, but provided with
perforations through the bottom and central portions thereof and the
rectangular
central drop-in pads for placement on the central portion of the mattress pad
[SSR Light].
[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic depiction in top perspective view of an
inverted modular zoned mattress protector and pad/pillow system according to
an example embodiment [SSR 2].
[0035] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional front view of a modular zoned
mattress
protector and pad/pillow system [SSR 2] viewed through the middle or lower
zone.
[0036] Figure 8 is a front cross-sectional view of a zoned neck
pillow
showing the user's head and shoulders in dashed lines.
[0037] Figure 9 is a top view of a zoned neck pillow showing the
user's
head and shoulders in dashed lines.
[0038] Figure 10 is a top view of a zoned knee pillow.
[0039] Figure 11 is a front cross-sectional view of a zoned knee
pillow.
[0040] Figure 12 is a front cross-sectional view of a zoned knee
pillow
folded in half.
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[0041] Figure 13 is a schematic depiction in top perspective view of
an
inverted modular zoned mattress protector and pad/pillow system according to
an alternate example embodiment [SSR 2].
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The present application relates to an integral, dual-zoned
molded
pillow composed of high resilience foam (HRF) and viscoelastic foam (VEF)
contoured to form selected zones of elasticity; to a separate tri-zoned HRF
and
VEF mattress pad; to a reversible mattress having a tri-zoned sleep surface;
and
to a mattress protector having one or more pouches for accommodating pad
inserts to create a multi-zoned sleep surface. The shape and thickness of the
HRF and VEF portions are selected to achieve integration of the pillow with
the
sleep surface to provide optimal support for the entire spinal column of a
sleeper, namely upper back, cervical and cranial therapeutic support by the
pillow and superior spinal support by the mattress surface.
(i) Dual Zoned Pillow
[0043] Referring to Fig. 1, a pillow 10 according to an example
embodiment is of a standard shape - typically 21" width, 16" length and 5"
inch
thickness - with tapered edges 12a and 12b along its length and width
respectively. The pillow is formed by a two-stage molding process to produce
an
upper portion 14 of soft VEF and a lower portion 16 of firm HRF. By proper
selection and control of the chemistry and the molding process the body of the
pillow emerges from the mold, after curing, with a thin, semi-rigid "skin" 15
intimately sealing portion 14 to portion 16.
[0044] Unique shaping of the pillow HRF and VEF portions and their
volumes are designed to provide improved orthopedic benefit over prior known
pillows. The HEF inner/lower part 16 appears in vertical cross section as an
upwardly concave asymmetrical "paisley" or "dumbell" shape which forms the
bottom portion, foot 10a, and crown 10b of pillow 10. The softer VEF
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outer/upper part 14 of the pillow overlies lower part 16 and embraces and
encapsulates the transverse edges thereof, defining the transverse edges 12b
of
pillow 10.
[0045] In use, the cranial region of the sleeper subsides into the
soft foam
and is brought to rest by impinging against the firm HRF. The cranium is
effectively and comfortably cradled in the concave "valley" formed between the
differently thickened ends of portion 14. Thus, the pillow provides two
different
zones of support for the head and for the upper neck and spine: each zone has
differing elasticity based on the thicknesses of HRF and VEF underlying that
zone.
[0046] In one example embodiment, the p1pTM 5, the polymer foaming
chemistry is selected to specify about 5 lb/ft3 density VEF for the outer core
14
and about 3 lb/ft3 density HRF for the inner core 16. The total weight of the
p1pTM 5 is approximately 5 lbs. In another embodiment, the p1pTM 4, the
polymer
foaming chemistry is selected to specify about 3 lb/ft3 density VEF for the
outer
core 14 and about 3 lb/ft3 density HRF for the inner core 16. The total weight
of
the p1pTM 4 is approximately 4 lbs.
[0047] The choice and design of high resilience foam for the inner core
may be made with a view to the modulus ("sag factor" ) of the material, i.e.
its
ability to support weight with an ever-increasing resistance (force of
reaction) so
that the head does not bottom out. This consideration is of particular
importance
for supporting the head of a side-sleeper above the surface of the mattress.
[0048] The choice and design of viscoelastic memory foam for the
outer
core may be made with a view to fitting the pillow, in use, as closely as
possible
to suit the personal morphology of the sleeper. Indeed the two-foam molding
process to produce pillows of the invention lends itself to customization over
a
variety of upper body, neck and cranial types.
[0049] The density of the VEF and HRF portions may be chosen
independently of the choice of modulus or firmness.
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[0050] In alternate embodiments, the pillow may be varied as to its size
and/or shape. In one embodiment, the pillow has a thickness between 3" and 4",
and is referred to as the p1pTM Silhouette. The p1pTM Silhouette retains the
same
essential structure as the p1pTM described above, but uses proportionally
thinner
portions of the two foam sections.
[0051] In another example embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8 and Fig.
9, the
pillow comprises a neck pillow 100 for travel having a substantially horseshoe-
like shape. This travel pillow comprises a section of HRF 102 shaped to
provide a
base of support for the body of the pillow on the user's shoulders and neck,
and
a crown section of VEF 104 positioned on top of the HRF section 102 and on the
inside surfaces facing the user's head to provide padding and support for the
user's head as it leans against the top and inside surfaces of the pillow 100.
Fig.
8 shows a front cross-sectional view of the neck pillow 100 showing a user's
head and shoulders in dashed lines. Fig. 9 shows a top view of the neck pillow
100 showing a user's head and shoulders in dashed lines.
[0052] In another example embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10 through
Fig.
12, the pillow comprises a knee pillow 152 designed for placement between a
user's knees and presenting two zones of elastic resistance integrally formed
of
HRF and VEF portions contoured for optimizing support of the knees and legs of
a user. This knee pillow 152 has a substantially rectangular and elongate
profile
in top view, as seen in Fig. 10, with two raised knee-support mounds 154 for
supporting the knees of a user lying on his or her back with the pillow 152
placed under the knees. In front cross-sectional view, as shown in Fig. 11,
the
pillow 152 is seen to comprise two HRF sections 156 underlying the two knee-
support mounds 154, covered with a VEF section 158 that extends across the
entire length of the pillow 152. In some embodiments, the HRF sections may be
approximately 1/2 inch in thickness at their apices, while the VEF section has
a
uniform thickness of 1 inch. Fig. 12 shows the knee pillow 152 being used as a
knee support, e.g., for a user lying on his or her side, to provide padding
between the user's knees. The pillow 152 is folded in half lengthwise,
creating a
doubly thick support zone comprising both mounds 154. The user's knees can
then be separated by this doubly-thick support zone.
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(ii) Zoned Mattress Pad and Pad/Pillow System
[0053] In a mattress pilot study related to the pillow embodiments
described above, a three-zoned mattress or mattress pad is found to provide a
desirably even distribution of pressure across all spinal levels, leading to
the
development of a three-zone mattress/pillow system for healthful support and
comfort along the entire vertebral chain.
[0054] Referring to Fig. 2, an example embodiment of an SSR 1
mattress
topper pad of rectangular dimensions 79"x 59" or 80" x 60" is illustrated,
indicated generally by reference numeral 20. The mattress pad 20 is a unitary
core fabricated of a conventional bedding foam such as polyurethane foam, over
and around which a quilted or non-quilted fabric (not shown) may be placed. A
bottom portion 20a, for supporting the lower body of the sleeper, extends over
about one-half the length of mattress pad 20 and comprises the thickest part
thereof, in this example embodiment having a thickness of about 3".
[0055] A central downwardly-recessed central portion 20b of the core
is
about 2" thick in this example embodiment and extends longitudinally about 20"
from its lower margin 21a to upper margin 21b. As may be seen in Fig. 2, the
1"
drop from bottom portion 20a to central portion 20b allows for the side-by-
side
insertion placement of 1" thick rectangular central drop-in pads 22b and 23b
of
selected firmness, not necessarily the same for each pad. Drop-in pads 22b and
23b are fabricated of extra high density VEFs. The resulting double layer
constitutes a second zone which is best suited for therapeutic support of the
sub-cervical regions of the spine and contributes to the sleeper's comfort,
the
firmness of the various insert pads being selected to meet individual needs.
By
using two side-by-side pads, two sleepers lying side-by-side may use insert
pads
having different thicknesses or different densities.
[0056] The top portion 20c of the core is concavely depressed from the
upper margin 21b of central portion 20b and ends at the top in a horizontal
retainer ledge 25. Top portion 20c constitutes the third zone of the SSR 1 and
is
designed as a cradle to receive and hold a pillow and to select the vertical
level
of the pillow's upper surface relative to the adjacent upper surface of the
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mattress pad in use, by choosing a pillow of a desired thickness.
[0057] The zoned mattress pad/pillow system thus provides a sleep
surface
covering for a conventional innerspring mattress affording superior spinal
support. The pillow fully integrates with the sleep surface and may in some
embodiments provide the particular advantages and customizability described
above.
[0058] The dimensions of the pad 20 may vary in different embodiments,
as may the relative dimensions of the various zones 20a-c. In some
embodiments, the pad is 59"-60" wide and 79"-80" long, with a lower portion
20a 38" long, a central portion 20b 20" long, and a top portion 19"-20" long,
with a retainer ledge 2" long. In some embodiments, the lower portion 20a is
3"
thick, the central portion 20b is 2" thick, and the top portion 20c is 1.25"
thick.
In other embodiments, the lower 20a and central portions 20b may each be
closer to 30" in length.
(iii) Zoned Mattress and Mattress/Pillow System
[0059] A further embodiment is the OMF mattress, a reversible
orthopedic
mattress composed partially of memory foam with equivalent topside and
underside sleeping surfaces featuring a pillow cradle (as in the SSR 1) and
respective central regions to accommodate VEF insert pads.
[0060] Referring to Fig. 3, an OMF mattress of conventional
rectangular
dimensions (double, queen, or king) is schematically illustrated in cross-
section
and indicated generally by reference numeral 30. The main body (core) of the
OMF mattress 30 is fabricated of a conventional bedding foam such as
polyurethane foam. As oriented in Figure 3, relative to a sleeper, mattress 30
has a bottom portion 30a for supporting the lower body of the sleeper,
extending
over about one-half the length of the mattress and comprises the thickest part
thereof, typically about five inches.
[0061] Downwardly-recessed central region 30b of the core constitutes
the
second zone of the mattress where therapeutic support of the sub-cervical
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regions of the spine is provided by virtue of a side to side pair of drop-in
pads
32. The top most portion 30c of the mattress core, as in the SSR 1 pad, is
configured to receive and hold a pillow, in particular a pillow according to
the
present application, and to set the vertical level of the pillow's upper
surface
relevant to the adjacent upper surface of the mattress in use, through the
choice
of a pillow of desired thickness.
[0062] The flip-side sleeping surface of mattress 30 has
corresponding
bottom, central and top most portions 30'a, 30'b, and 30'c, respectively.
Since
each of recessed portions 30b and 30'b accommodate the ready insertion and
removal of adjacent drop in pads 32 and 32' ("inserts"), which may be provided
in preselected levels of firmness from soft to hard, each double, queen or
king
OMF mattress can have "his and hers" insert selections to accommodate the
preferences of two sleepers situated side by side. As each side of a sleeping
surface is ideally provided with a pillow as described above (i.e. having an
optimized profile of effective spinal pressure for the sleepers' head, neck,
and
upper thoracic spine), a truly customized mattress/pillow sleeping system can
be
provided on order. If, over time, a different level of firmness is required,
replacement inserts are readily available and easy to install.
[0063] With each reversible mattress 30 having two pairs of pads, each
pad potentially of a different density and firmness, pads can be shifted from
one
side to another if the users wish to trade positions.
[0064] In some embodiments, the OMF mattress may comprise an SSR 1
mattress topper pad as described above, bonded or placed on top of a mattress
core having a pocketed coil construction, a bonne!! (conventional open-coil
inner-spring) construction, a latex construction, a foam construction, or a
continuous coil construction. In some embodiments, the mattress core is
encapsulated in foam. In some embodiments, the SSR 1 has an overall thickness
of approximately 3.5", and it is bonded to a mattress core of approximately 6"
thickness.
[0065] In a further embodiment, the mattress core as described above
may have multi-zone SSR 1 structures bonded to both sides, thereby
reproducing the reversibility feature described above.
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[0066] A potential advantage of both the SSR 1 pad and the OMF
mattress
in some embodiments stems from the economical use of costly memory foam
where it is really of therapeutic need and value.
(iv) "Light" Variants of Manufactures (i) to (iii)
[0067] In the testing of pillows and mattresses according to the
present
application, it was found that some of the consumers who would benefit
therapeutically from their use preferred the characteristic of firmness and
feel of
pillows and mattresses which have additionally been made with ventilation
holes
40 tunneled thereth rough, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
[0068] The ventilating perforations 40 may be produced by a "clicker"
punch apparatus that forms circular holes of about 1/4 inch diameter through
the
memory foam.
[0069] Comfort-testing of variants on a number of subjects may extend
the range of those properties for the PIPTm, SSR 1 pad, SSR 2, and OMF
mattress
favoured by different individuals. No quantitative relationship between the
tensile properties of the product and the diameter and areal density of
cylindrical
voids is postulated here. Evidently, the reduction in weight of the p1pTM and
the
other embodiments resulting from the removal of foamed material is
economically and ecologically desirable, particularly if the punched-out
cylinders
are used as padding in other cushioning products. Most importantly, however,
the "light" products have been found to afford the same therapeutic benefits
as
the unperforated, while affording changes in the sense of "softness" and
"firmness" which better suited the preference of some test users.
(v) Modular Zoned Mattress Pad/Pillow System with Skirt
[0070] Referring to Fig. 6, a fitted modular zoned mattress pad and
pillow
system of rectangular dimensions 79"x 59" is illustrated, indicated generally
by
reference numeral 60. The mattress pad and pillow system comprises several
foam inserts attached to the bottom surface of a fitted fabric mattress
protector
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or cover having a skirt to secure it to the top of a mattress. The mattress
cover
60 is a substantially flat, rectangular piece of fabric fitted with pockets
62a, 62b,
62c corresponding to various body zones 64a, 64b, 64c. Each pocket in the
fabric mattress cover 60 is adapted to receive a single foam insert 66a, 66b,
66c. The cover 60 has a pair of pockets 62a corresponding to a bottom zone
64a, for supporting the lower body of the sleeper, which extends over about
30"
in the illustrated embodiment. The inserts 66a used in this zone may comprise
rectangular, 5 lb. HRF pads having a thickness of about 3" or less.
[0071] The cover has a second pair of pockets 62b corresponding to
central region 64b where therapeutic support of the sub-cervical regions of
the
spine is provided by virtue of another pair of inserts 66b. The topmost zone
64c
of the cover has two pockets 62c each configured to receive and hold one or
more elevational insert pads 66c to elevate a pillow. In some embodiments, the
cover 60 is configured to work with a multi-zoned pillow according to the
present
application, and to set the vertical level of the pillow's upper surface
relevant to
the adjacent upper surface of the inserts in use, through the choice of a
multi-
zoned pillow of desired thickness and/or the use of one or more elevational
insert pads 66c.
[0072] The pockets 62a-c each has means for receiving the inserts 66a-c,
such as openings 68. In some embodiments, these openings 68 may be
releasably sealable by mechanisms such as buttons, zips, snaps, or strips or
pads of hook and loop fasteners 70 such as VelcroTM.
[0073] The cover 60 is secured to the mattress by means of a skirt 72
which may be fitted about the perimeter of the mattress. It may be assisted in
this function by an elastic portion 74 about its bottom edge.
[0074] The cover 60 illustrated in Figure 6 is upside-down, with the
skirt
inverted, to show detail; the pockets 62a-c have their openings 68 situated on
the underside of the cover next to the mattress. However, in some
embodiments, the pockets may instead open on their top sides.
[0075] In some embodiments, the fasteners 70 may be situated along
the
central spine of the cover 60 separating the left and right sides. In some
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embodiments, these fasteners 70 or additional fasteners may be used for
securing the inserts 66a-b and/or pillows instead of, or in addition to,
sealing the
pocket openings 68. In such embodiments, the inserts 66a-b and/or pillows may
be fitted with complementary fastener parts, such as complementary hook-and-
loop fastener patches or strips.
[0076] Such an example embodiment is shown in Figure 7. The system is
seen cross-sectionally through either the middle zone 64b or lower zone 64a,
showing two inserts 66 in place in their respective pockets 62. Each insert 66
has a strip of hook and loop fasteners 80 affixed or molded along its upper
surface near the inner edge, the strip running lengthwise and seen in narrow
cross-section. The strip 80 corresponds to a complementary strip of hook and
loop fasteners 78 affixed to the inside upper surface of each pocket 62. In
use,
the inserts 66 are received into the pockets 62 via openings 68, and they are
then fixed in place using the corresponding strips of hook and loop fasteners
78,
80. The skirt 72 is allowed to drape down from the upper fabric surface or pad
76 of the cover 60, and it is secured in place around the mattress using the
elastic portion 74.
[0077] In other embodiments, the pockets of the upper zone 64c,
middle
zone 64b, and/or lower zone 64a may comprise only a single pocket rather than
two pockets side-by-side. Further embodiments may combine two or more
zones, such as the lower and middle zones 64a-64b, into a single pocket or a
pair of side-by-side left and right pockets. In one example embodiment, the
middle and lower zones 64a-b use only a single pocket that accommodates a
single large pad providing a sleep surface for the bodies of both sleepers.
The
body zone pad may in some embodiments be a multi-zoned pad having a
uniform, medium-resistance HRF lower portion and a variable-resistance middle
zone having its level of resistance on one or both sides determined by the use
of
one or two VEF insert pads. Fig. 13 shows an example embodiment of the
protector comprising a cover 60 having two side-by-side pockets 62c for the
upper zone 64c and a single large pocket 62d for the entire body zone
comprising both left and right middle and lower zones 64a-b. The two upper
zone pockets 62c are adapted to accommodate pillow elevational insert pads.
The body zone pocket 62d is adapted to receive a multi-zoned body zone pad
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66d having a lower portion 67a comprising a polyurethane foam core of uniform
thickness, and a central zone portion 67b comprising two VEF pads 69b of
selected firmness for support of sub-cervical regions of the spine of each
sleeper. The multi-zoned body zone insert pad 66d in some embodiments may
join the central zone portion insert pads 69b to the lower portion 67a of the
multi-zoned pat 66d using suitable fasteners, including hook and loop
fasteners,
or by permanent joining through adhesives, bonding or integral molding.
[0078] In some embodiments, the protector cover 60 may be quilted to
a
layer of synthetic or natural fiber, or of foam. In some embodiments, it may
be
formed from a stretchable material to maximize the transmission of the
resilient
properties of the underlying foam pads and pillows to the user's body. In some
embodiments, the skirt 72 may be replaced with other means for fastening or
securing the cover 60 to the bed or mattress, such as a system of straps or
other suitable fastening or securing means.
[0079] In some embodiments of the SSR 2 mattress pad and pillow
system, the body zone is 59"-60" wide and 60" long, with a lower zone 30" long
and a central zone 30" long, and the top zone is 20" long. In some embodiments
of the body zone insert pad, the lower portion is 3" thick, and the central
portion
is 2" thick, leaving 1" for central zone portion insert pads 69b. Other
embodiments may vary these dimensions.
[0080] While the SSR 1 is described above as being approximately 3"
thick
at its thickest portion, it may in practice vary from 2" to 4" in various
embodiments. Similarly, in the case of the OMF mattress, the thickness of the
mattress core bonded to the SSR 1 may vary from 2" to 15". The thickness of
this mattress core may vary depending on whether one or two SSR 1 pads are
bonded to it, and also based on the thickness of those SSR 1 pads. The insert
pads, and the corresponding drops in SSR 1 pad or OMF mattress thickness at
the various zones, is described above as being approximately 1", but may vary
in different embodiments between .5" and 5".
[0081] The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the full scope of the claims. The described embodiments
are to be considered in all respects as being only illustrative and not
restrictive.
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The present disclosure intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in
technology.
17
