Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
EXPANDABLE BED PILLOW
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to US
Patent
Application Serial No. 15/724,982, filed October 4, 2017 and to Provisional US
Patent
Application Serial No. 62/504,815, filed May 11, 2017, the disclosure of which
is incorporated
herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following description relates to a pillow and pillow
cover, for
example, an expandable pillow and pillow cover of the type configured for use
with a bed.
[0003] A pillow typically includes an outer layer or cover defining
an interior
volume configured to have a pillow insert received therein. The pillow insert
is typically a self-
contained unit having, for example, a woven, knit or non-woven exterior having
a fill such as
foam, fiber or down/feather disposed therein. The pillow cover with the pillow
insert disposed
therein is configured to provide support, cushioning and/or comfort to a user
resting on the
pillow.
[0004] The pillow cover typically includes a first sheet of
material and a second
sheet of material secured to one another along their respective peripheral
edges, for example, by
stitching. Some pillow covers may include a gusset between the first sheet and
the second sheet.
The dimensions of the first and second sheets of material, and the gusset
(when included)
determine the interior volume. Some pillow covers include an opening through
which the pillow
insert may be received into the interior volume. The opening may be
selectively opened and
closed, for example, with a slide fastener, hook and look fastener, or
buttons. Other pillow
covers are closed to prevent insertion, removal or replacing the pillow insert
or fill.
[0005] Pillow covers are typically manufactured in different fixed
sizes
corresponding to different standard sizes of pillow inserts. That is,
conventional pillow covers
are sized to fit only a single pillow insert in a corresponding size. Thus,
pillow covers of
different sizes are required to hold pillow inserts of different sizes. As
such, when a user prefers
a pillow of a different size, for cushioning, comfort, and the like, the user
must obtain a different
pillow insert and a different pillow cover corresponding in size to the
different insert.
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[0006] A pillow cover may receive a pillow insert of a size smaller
than the cover
is sized to fit. However, this results in excess pillow cover material that
may bunch, fold or
crease around the smaller-sized insert. The excess material may be
uncomfortable and/or
aesthetically displeasing.
[0007] In addition, the loft or height and firmness of a pillow are
important
characteristics. Some users prefer a pillow with grater loft if, for example,
they sleep on their
side. Others, for example, those that sleep on their back may prefer a pillow
will less loft. And,
the desired firmness is a very singular characteristic that can vary greatly
from one user to the
next.
[0008] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an expandable pillow
and pillow
cover for receiving and fitting multiple and/or differently sized inserts or
to increase or decrease
the loft and firmness of the pillow.
SUMMARY
[0009] According to one aspect, there is provided an expandable
pillow. The
expandable pillow includes a cover having a first layer, a second layer, and
one or more gussets
positioned between one or more portions of the first layer and the second
layer. The cover
defines an interior space.
[0010] In an embodiment, the expandable pillow cover includes a
first layer and a
second layer positioned opposite to the first layer to define an interior
space therebetween. The
first and second layers are joined to one another at at least junctures of the
at least two opposing
openable sides, and at least two other sides. The at least two opposing
openable sides are
between the two other sides, such that the openable sides and the other sides
define four corners
at which the first and second layers are joined to one another.
[0011] In an embodiment, gusset panels are positioned between the
first layer and
the second layer in the interior space and adjacent the at least two opposing
openable sides. At
least two fasteners, one at each of the at least two opposing openable sides
are movable
independently of each other between an open condition and a closed condition,
[0012] In such an embodiment, the cover is adjustable between a
first condition
where one or both of the fasteners are fastened to contract its respective
gusset panel and the
interior space has a first volume, and a second condition where one or both of
the fasteners are
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unfastened to expand its respective gusset panel and the interior space has a
second volume
greater than the first volume.
[0013] The expandable pillow cover can include two opposing long
sides and two
opposing short sides between the opposing long sides, and the at least two
openable sides are the
two opposing short sides. Alternately, the at least two openable sides can
also be the two
opposing long sides. In an embodiment, the pillow cover has two opposing long
sides and two
opposing short sides between the opposing long sides, the pillow cover having
four fasteners,
one fastener positioned on each of the long sides and the short sides and all
of the sides are
openable sides.
[0014] The fasteners can be, for example, zippers. The zippers can
extend fully
to the corners of the pillow cover.
[0015] In an embodiment of the expandable pillow a cover having a
first layer, a
second layer, and a gusset positioned between the first layer and the second
layer, cover defines
an interior space. The cover includes an opening for allowing access to the
interior space.
[0016] A fastener extends about a periphery of the cover and at
least one insert is
disposed in the interior space. The cover is movable between a first condition
where the fastener
is fastened and the interior space has a first volume, and second condition
where the fastener is
unfastened and the interior space has a second volume greater than the first
volume.
[0017] The fastener includes first and second spaced apart sections
configured to
engage one another to fasten the fastener and disengage one another to
unfasten the fastener.
The fastener can extend about a portion of the periphery of the cover or
completely about the
periphery of the cover.
[0018] In an embodiment, the gusset is expandable between a closed
position
within the interior space corresponding to the first condition, and an open
position spacing apart
the first and second layers, corresponding to the second condition. The at
least one insert
includes a first insert having a first insert volume, and is disposed in the
interior space in the first
condition. The expandable pillow can include a second insert having a second
insert volume,
such that the first and second inserts are disposed in the interior space in
the second condition.
[0019] An embodiment the expandable pillow cover includes a first
layer and a
second layer positioned opposite to the first layer to define an interior
space therebetween. A
gusset is positioned between the first layer and the second layer. An outer
periphery is defined
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by at least one of the first layer, the second layer and the gusset and an
opening allows access to
the interior space. A fastener extending about the outer periphery such that
the cover is
adjustable between a first condition where the fastener is fastened and the
interior space has a
first volume, and second condition where the fastener is unfastened and the
interior space has a
second volume greater than the first volume.
[0020] In such an embodiment, the pillow cover includes a fastener
having first
and second spaced apart sections configured to engage one another to fasten
the fastener and
disengage one another to unfasten the fastener. Such a fastener can extend
about a portion of the
outer periphery or completely about the outer periphery. The gusset is
expandable between a
closed position within the interior space corresponding to the first
condition, and an open
position spacing apart the first and second layers, corresponding to the
second condition.
[0021] An embodiment of the expandable pillow cover has a first
layer, a second
layer positioned opposite to the first layer to define an interior space
therebetween, a first pair of
opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides, the first and second
layers being joined to
one another at corners of the first and second layers.
[0022] Zippers are positioned on each side of the first pair of
opposing sides and
on each side of the second pair of opposing sides to releaseably engage the
first and second
layers with each other and to define four openable and closable sides. A
gusset is positioned
between the first layer and the second layer at each of the openable and
closeable sides. Each of
the zippers is operable independently of the others of the zippers, to expand
and contract each
side independently of each other side.
[0023] In an embodiment, each zipper extends to its respective
corners. The
cover can includes an opening for allowing access to the interior space.
[0024] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a pillow in a
first, unexpanded
condition according to an embodiment described herein;
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[0026] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the pillow in a
second, expanded
condition according to an embodiment described herein;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a pillow in a
second, expanded
condition according to another embodiment described herein;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a pillow
insert for a
pillow;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the pillow insert of
FIG. 4 partially
inserted into a pillow cover;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the pillow cover closed
with a pillow
insert therein;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a figure similar to FIG. 5;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pillow cover of in a
partially expanded
condition, according to an embodiment described herein
[0033] FIG. 9 is a side view showing the pillow of FIG. 8 in the
expanded
condition;
[0034] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a gusseted portion of the
pillow
cover of FIGS. 8 and 9;
[0035] FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an embodiment of the expandable
bed
pillow in which FIG. 11A illustrates a pillow with the fasteners in the form
of a zipper on the
short sides of the pillow cover and FIG. 11B illustrates a pillow with the
fasteners in the form of
a zipper on the long sides of the pillow cover;
[0036] FIGS. 12A and 12B the short sides of the pillow cover of
FIGS. 11A and
11B, showing the zipper open in FIG. 12A and the zipper closed in FIG. 12B;
and
[0037] FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of an embodiment of
the
expandable bed pillow the fasteners in the form of zippers on all of the
sides, that is, on both
long sides and both short sides of the pillow cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] 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
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only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment
described or
illustrated.
[0039] FIGS. 1-3 are cross-sectional views showing examples of
pillows 10
according to the embodiments described herein. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the
pillow 10 generally
includes a pillow cover 12 and at least one pillow insert or fill 14, 114.
FIG. 4 is a perspective
view of the pillow insert 14, 114. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the pillow cover 12
defines in interior
space 16 in which the pillow insert 14 is received. The pillow cover 12 also
includes a fastener
18 extending about at least portion of its periphery. The pillow cover 12 is
movable between a
first condition where the fastener 18 is fastened (FIG. 1) and the interior
space 16 has a first
volume and a second condition where the fastener 18 is unfastened (FIGS. 2 and
3) and the
interior space 16 has a second volume greater than the first volume. The
pillow cover 12 includes
a first layer 20, a second layer 22 and a gusset 24 connected to and extending
between the first
layer 20 and the second layer 22. In another embodiment, the first layer 20,
the second layer 22
and the gusset 24 may be formed continuously as a single unit.
[0040] Each of the first layer 20 and second layer 22 may be formed
by one or
more sheets of material, such as a fabric material. The material may be, for
example, woven,
non-woven or knitted. In one embodiment, the fabric material may be a mesh
fabric. Each layer
20, 22 may be formed from one or plies of the material. In addition, multiple
sheets of material
may be connected together to form each layer 20, 22. The first layer 20
includes a first surface 26
generally facing in a first direction, outwardly or away from the interior
space 16, and the second
layer 22 includes a second surface 28 generally facing in a second direction,
opposite to the first
direction, outwardly and away from the interior space 16. In one embodiment
first surface 26 is a
top surface of the pillow 10 and the second surface 28 is a bottom surface of
the pillow 10.
Further, in one embodiment, first and second layers 20, 22 have substantially
the same
dimensions as one another.
[0041] The gusset 24 is positioned between the first layer 20 and
the second layer
22 and generally extends along at least parts of the respective peripheries of
the first and second
layers 20, 22. In one embodiment, the gusset 24 is connected to the first
layer 20 and the second
layer 22 by way of suitable fastening methods, such as, but not limited to,
stitching or adhesive
bonding. Referring to FIG. 1, in the first condition, the gusset 24 is folded
or otherwise disposed
in the interior space 16 so that it is enclosed in the interior space 16 by
the first layer 20, the
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second layer 22 and in some configurations, the fastener 18. In the second
condition, the gusset
24 is expanded and, together with the first and second layers 20, 22, bounds
the interior space 16.
That is, in the second position, the gusset 24 forms a portion of the
periphery of the pillow cover
12.
[0042] The fastener 18 extends about either a portion or an
entirety of a periphery
of the pillow cover 12. In one embodiment, the fastener 18 is a two-part
fastener that includes a
first section 30 and an opposed second section 32. In a preferred embodiment,
the fastener 18 is a
slide fastener, such as a zipper, and the first and second sections 30, 32 are
opposed rows of
zipper teeth configured for mutual engagement. However, other two-part
fasteners are
envisioned as well, such as a hook and loop fastener, buttons, snaps, hooks
and the like.
[0043] In one embodiment the fastener 18, and in particular, the
first and second
sections 30, 32 generally extend about a periphery of the first layer 20 and
second layer 22,
respectively. Alternatively, one of or both of the first and second fastener
sections 30, 32 may be
positioned on the gusset 24 and extend about a periphery thereof. Thus, in the
first condition, the
gusset 24 or a portion of the gusset 24 positioned between the first and
second sections 30, 32 is
received within the interior space 16 and enclosed in the interior space 16 by
the first and layers
20, 22. That is, the gusset 24 or a portion of the gusset 24 may be folded or
otherwise positioned
in the interior space 16 and closed from direct exposure to ambient atmosphere
in the first
condition. The fastener 18 and/or a portion of the gusset 24 not positioned
between first and
second fastener sections 30, 32 may also enclose the gusset 24 within the
interior space 16. In the
second condition, the gusset 24 is expanded to extend between, and space apart
the first and
second layers 20, 22. In this condition, the condition, the gusset 24 is
directly exposed to ambient
atmosphere and forms a portion of the periphery of the pillow cover 12, e.g.,
an expanded pillow.
[0044] Thus, in the embodiments above, in general, in the first
condition the first
and second fastener sections 30, 32 are engaged with one another to close at
least a portion of the
gusset 24 in the interior space 16. In the second condition, the first and
second fastener sections
30, 32 are disengaged and may be spaced apart from one another by at least a
portion of the
gusset 24 in a thickness direction of the pillow 10 (i.e., a direction
extending from the first layer
20 toward the second layer 22 or vice versa).
[0045] The one or more inserts 14, 114 that are received in the
pillow cover 12
generally include an outer layer formed by a woven, non-woven or knit fabric,
and contain a
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filler material such as a natural or synthetic fiber, foam, down, feathers,
gel and the like. The
inserts 14, 114 may be identically formed and have the same properties (e.g.,
firmness, density,
material, and the like). The inserts 14, 114 may be differently formed and
have different
properties so that a user may select inserts having different properties as
desired.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, at least one pillow insert
14, 114 may be
received in the pillow cover 12. For example, in the first condition, as shown
in FIG. 1, the first
pillow insert 14 may be received in the pillow cover 12. In the first
condition, the interior space
16 has a volume that substantially corresponds to, or is slightly greater,
than a volume of the first
insert 14. In the second condition, as shown in FIG. 2, first and second
inserts 14 may be
received in the interior space 16. In the second condition, the interior space
16 has a greater
volume than in the first position due to expansion of the gusset 24.
Optionally, the second insert
114 may also be positioned in the cover 12.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the first insert 14
partially received
in the pillow cover 12. The pillow cover 12 further comprises an opening 36
through which a
pillow insert may be received into the interior space 16. The opening 36 may
be selectively
opened or closed by way of a releasable fastener, such as, but not limited to,
a slide fastener, a
hook and loop fastener, snaps, buttons, hooks, an elastic closure and other
similar releasable
fasteners. In one embodiment the opening 36 may be formed in the gusset 24 or
at a border of the
gusset 24 and either first layer 20 or the second layer 22. The opening 36 may
be formed along a
portion or entirety of one side only, or may extend across more than one side.
In other
embodiments, the opening may be formed in the first layer 20 or the second
layer 22.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the pillow 10 in the
first condition,
having the first insert 14 received in the pillow cover 12. The pillow cover
12 may further
include peripheral flaps 38 configured to extend partially over respective
first and second
sections 30, 32 of the fastener 18 along the length of the fastener 18. The
peripheral flaps 38 are
configured to limit exposure of the fastener 18 to a user of the pillow 10.
Piping 40 may also be
included to extend along the periphery of the first layer 20, second layer 22
and/or gusset 24.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the opening 36 in an
open condition
configured to receive the pillow insert 14, and FIG. 8 is a perspective
showing the pillow cover
12 partially moved to the second condition. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the
opening 36 is opened
to receive the pillow insert 14 in the interior space 16. Referring to FIG. 8,
the fastener 18 is
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disengaged or opened to allow the gusset 24 to expand or unfold, thereby
increasing a volume
within the interior space 16. As the fastener 18 is opened, the gusset 24
becomes directly
exposed to the ambient atmosphere and forms a portion of the periphery of the
pillow cover 12.
FIG. 9 shows the pillow 10 in the second condition with the fastener 18 and
the gusset 24
expanded, according to one embodiment described herein.
[0050] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the pillow
10 and pillow
cover 12 in the second condition. Referring to the example in FIG. 10, in one
embodiment, the
first and second fastener sections 30, 32 may originate from a substantially
central region 42
along the periphery of the pillow cover 12 and diverge to extend generally
along a joint of the
first and second layers 20, 22, respectively and the gusset 24. Still
referring to FIG. 10, the first
and second fastener sections 30, 32 may overlap in the peripheral direction
along a segment
where the first and second sections 30, 32 are diverging. FIG. 10 is a
perspective view of the
pillow 10 in the second, expanded condition, with the exposed gusset 24 and
additional or a large
pillow insert 14 received within the pillow cover 12.
[0051] Another embodiment of the pillow 310 is illustrated in FIGS.
11A,B and
12A,B. In this embodiment, the pillow 310 includes a pillow 312 cover and at
least one insert or
fill 314. The pillow cover 312 includes first and second layers 320, 322 that
define an interior
space 316 to accommodate the fill or insert(s) 314. In the illustrated
embodiment, the pillow
cover 312 includes two fasteners 318 on opposing sides of the cover 312 from
one another. The
fasteners 318 such as the illustrated zippers (or buttons, snaps, hook and
loop fasteners and the
like), can be positioned on the long sides 319 (FIG. 11B) of the pillow cover
312 or on the short
sides 321 (FIGS. 11A, 12A,B) of the pillow cover 312. It will be understood
that the sides 319
or 321 having the fasteners 318, e.g., the zippers, are openable sides and the
others of the sides
312 or 319 are closed sides, as indicated at 323, which closing can be
effected by stitching or the
like. In some embodiments a gusset panel 324 is present extending between and
affixed to the
first and second panels 320, 322, interior of each fastener 318. In such an
embodiment, opening
the fasteners 318 allows the pillow cover 312 and pillow 310 to expand at the
gusset panels 324
so that the loft and/or height h310 of the pillow 310 can be increased, and
conversely can be
decreased by closing the fasteners 318 to collapse the gusset panels 324. The
fasteners 318 can
extend fully to the corners 325 of the pillow cover 312 (as seen in FIGS. 11A
and 11B) or they
may extend nearly, but not fully to the corners 325 (as seen in FIGS. 12A and
12B).
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[0052] Still another embodiment of the pillow 410 and cover 412 is
illustrated in
FIGS. 13A and 13B. In this embodiment, the cover 412 includes fasteners 418 on
both of the
short sides 428a,b and both of the long sides 426a,b. The fasteners 418 can be
such as the
illustrated zippers (or buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners and the like).
That is, e.g., zippers
418 are on all four sides of the pillow cover 412. The fasteners (zippers) 418
can all function,
open and close, independently of each other.
[0053] In such an embodiment, the expandable pillow 412 cover
includes the first
and second layers 420, 422 positioned opposite to each other to define the
interior space 416
therebetween. The first and second layers 420, 422 are joined to one another
at the junctures of
the openable sides 426a,b and 428a,b and define four corners 431, 433, 435 and
437 at which the
first and second layers 420, 422 are joined to one another. The zippers 418,
extend along each of
the sides 426a,b and 428a,b between respective corners 431, 433, 435, and 437.
Gusset panels
438 are positioned at each of the openable sides 426a,b and 428a,b, inside of
the zippers 418,
such that the gusset panels are in the interior space 416 of the pillow 410
when their respective
zippers 418 are closed, and are exposed when their respective zippers 418 are
open.
[0054] In another contemplated configuration, the 418 can be an "L"-
shaped
zipper extending along both a short side 426a and a long side 428a. A gusset
panel, such as, for
example, a mesh panel can be positioned in the interior of the pillow, just
inside of the zipper so
that when in the expanded condition, the gusset panel, e.g., mesh panel, is
exposed. It is also
contemplated that a pillow can include two such "L"-shaped zippers 418 in
opposition to one
another (that is one zipper extends along one short side and one long side and
the other zipper
extends along the other short side and the other long side), and that gusset
panels are positioned
on the interior of the pillow along both openings (the openings being formed
by both of the
zippers).
[0055] Accordingly, in the embodiments above, a pillow may be
expanded or
contracted. In some embodiments, the expanded pillow can include additional or
larger pillow
inserts or fill. As such, the pillow may be customized based on a user's
preference for
cushioning, comfort, support and the like. In some embodiments, this may be
accomplished
using a single pillow cover that is expandable by releasing one or more
fasteners to allow a
gusset to expand. In some embodiments this allows opening to the interior of
the pillow to
increase an interior volume so that the pillow cover may accommodate
additional or larger
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inserts or fill. Conversely, fewer or smaller pillow inserts may be used with
some of the pillow
covers described herein by removing additional inserts as desired, or
replacing with smaller
inserts. Excess pillow cover material may be substantially avoided by closing
or engaging the
fastener about the periphery of the pillow cover so that the gusset is folded
or otherwise disposed
in the interior space.
[0056] The directional references of top, bottom, upper, lower and
side are
provided for reference only and are not intended to limit the disclosure in
any way.
[0057] All patents referred to herein, are incorporated herein by
reference,
whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure.
[0058] In the present disclosure, the words "a" or "an" are to be
taken to include
both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items
shall, where
appropriate, include the singular.
[0059] From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous
modifications and
variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope
of the novel
concepts of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that no limitation
with respect to the
specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The
disclosure is intended to
cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope
of the claims.
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