Peaceful Pillow Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel cooling pillow device. The device is an improved, temperature-regulated pillow that employs the use of cold water and/or ice to keep the user cool and comfortable throughout the night. The device resembles a standard pillow with insulated chambers to accommodate ice and/or water. Specifically, the device comprises an insulated tubular chamber that resembles a peace sign design with an opening at the top, creating four interior sections. The opening is seamless, located at one end of the pillow device and is used for the insertion or removal of ice and/or water. The opening will have a lock that can secure and prevent the ice and/or water contents from leaking.

Claims

1. A cooling pillow device for employing a quantity of cold water and ice to keep a user cool and comfortable throughout the night, the cooling pillow device comprising: a body component comprising an interior cavity and at least one insulated tubular chamber; and an opening in the at least one insulated tubular chamber for insertion or removal of the quantity of cold water and ice, wherein the quantity of cold water and ice act to cool the interior cavity.

2. The cooling pillow device of claim 1, wherein the body component comprises a top, a bottom, a set of opposing front and back walls, and a set of opposing side walls.

3. The cooling pillow device of claim 2, wherein the at least one insulated tubular chamber resembles a peace sign design, creating a set of four interior sections within the interior cavity.

4. The cooling pillow device of claim 3 further comprising a removable cap to positioning over the opening.

5. The cooling pillow device of claim 4, wherein the removable cap comprises a lock to secure and prevent the quantity of cold water and ice from leaking from the at least one insulated tubular chamber.

6. The cooling pillow device of claim 5, wherein the at least one insulated tubular chamber comprises an inner layer of plastic material.

7. The cooling pillow device of claim 6, wherein the at least one insulated tubular chamber comprises a second outer layer of an insulation material.

8. The cooling pillow device of claim 7, wherein the interior cavity comprises a thermally conductive material.

9. The cooling pillow device of claim 8, wherein the cooling pillow device is sized and configured to be inserted into a standard pillowcase.

10. The cooling pillow device of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

11. A cooling pillow device for employing a quantity of cold water and ice to keep a user cool and comfortable throughout the night, the cooling pillow device comprising: a body component; an interior cavity; at least one insulated tubular chamber, wherein the at least one insulated tubular chamber resembles a peace sign design and comprises a set of four interior sections within the interior cavity and an opening; a removable cap; and a lock.

12. The cooling pillow device of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

13. The cooling pillow device of claim 11, wherein the body component comprises a top, a bottom, a set of opposing front and back walls and a set of opposing side walls.

14. The cooling pillow device of claim 11, wherein the interior cavity comprises a thermally conductive material.

15. The cooling pillow device of claim 11, wherein the cooling pillow device is sized and configured to be inserted into a standard pillowcase.

16. The cooling pillow device of claim 11, wherein the at least one insulated tubular chamber comprises an inner layer of plastic material.

17. The cooling pillow device of claim 16, wherein the at least one insulated tubular chamber comprises a second outer layer of an insulation material.

18. A method of providing a temperature-regulated pillow, the method comprising the steps of: providing a cooling pillow device that comprises a plurality of insulated tubular chambers sized and configured to accommodate a quantity of cold water and ice to cool the cooling pillow device and an opening for filling the plurality of insulated tubular chambers; filling the plurality of insulated tubular chambers with the quantity of cold water and ice via the opening; securing and locking the opening once filled, to prevent the quantity of cold water and ice from leaking; and inserting the cooling pillow device into a standard pillowcase for use.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cooling pillow device further comprises a removable cap that can be threaded onto the opening to seal the quantity of cooling water and ice within the plurality of insulated tubular chambers.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of insulated tubular chambers can be filled completely or partially depending on a cooling relief desired by a user.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the cooling pillow device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the cooling pillow device of the present invention disclosing the opening in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the cooling pillow device of the present invention disclosing how cold water and ice are poured into the opening in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the cooling pillow device of the present invention inserted into a standard pillowcase in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the cooling pillow device of the present invention in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing one potential method of providing a temperature-regulated pillow in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0031] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0032] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a cooling pillow device that provides users with a modified pillow designed to offer a temperature-regulated resting and sleeping experience via ice and/or water. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a cooling pillow device that ensures anyone can utilize the pillow and maintain a cool, comfortable temperature without worry of leaks or stains on their bed. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a cooling pillow device that features an interior chamber, accessible along one edge of the pillow, in which users can pour water and/or ice into the chamber to experience a cool temperature while lying on the pillow. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that enables a user to insert the pillow into a standard pillowcase for a seamless look and feel while resting. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a cooling pillow device that prevents people from getting too warm and sweating during the night due to a hot, uncomfortable pillow. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a cooling pillow device that employs the use of cold water and/or ice to keep the user cool and comfortable throughout the night.

[0033] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel cooling pillow device. The device is an improved, temperature-regulated pillow that employs the use of cold water and/or ice to keep the user cool and comfortable throughout the night. The device resembles a standard pillow with insulated chambers to accommodate ice and/or water. Specifically, the device comprises an insulated tubular chamber that resembles a peace sign design with an opening at the top, creating four interior sections. The opening is seamless, located at one end of the pillow device and is used for the insertion or removal of ice and/or water. The opening will have a lock that can secure and prevent the ice and/or water contents from leaking. The present invention also includes a novel method of providing a temperature-regulated pillow. The method includes the steps of providing a cooling pillow device that comprises insulated tubular chambers which accommodate ice and/or water to cool the pillow and an opening for filling the tubular chambers. The method also comprises filling the insulated tubular chambers with ice and/or water via the opening. Further, the method comprises securing and locking the opening once filled, to prevent the ice and/or water contents from leaking. Finally, inserting the cooling pillow device into a standard pillowcase for use.

[0034] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the cooling pillow device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the cooling pillow device 100 is an improved cooling pillow device that provides a temperature-regulated pillow that employs the use of cold water and/or ice to keep the user cool and comfortable throughout the night. The device 100 is especially designed to allow any suitable user as is known in the art, to maintain a cool, comfortable temperature while sleeping. The device 100 resembles a standard pillow with insulated chambers 102 to accommodate ice and/or water. More specifically, the device 100 comprises at least one insulated tubular chamber 102 which partitions off the interior of the device 100 into interior sections 104. Further, the tubular chamber 102 comprises an opening 106 that is located at one end of the pillow device 100 and is used for the insertion or removal of ice and/or water.

[0035] Generally, the cooling pillow device 100 resembles a standard pillow and is rectangular in shape but can be any suitable shape as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. The cooling pillow device 100 comprises a body component 108 with a top 110, a bottom 112, a set of opposing front and back walls 114, and a set of opposing side walls 116. Typically, the walls 114, 116 are uniform in size and shape, but in some embodiments, the back wall 114 can be wider than the opposing front wall 114, creating a wedge-like shape. Any other suitable shape as is known in the art can be utilized depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

[0036] Furthermore, the thickness of the body component 108 is approximately 4.0 mm when filled with water and/or ice. However, the thickness of the body component 108 can be approximately between 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm, depending on the how full a user fills the device 100 with water and/or ice.

[0037] Additionally, the body component 108 comprises an interior cavity 118 and an insulated tubular chamber 102 that is positioned within the cavity 118. The tubular chamber 102 resembles a peace sign design, creating four interior sections 104 within the cavity 118. However, any suitable design can be utilized depending on the size and shape of the cooling pillow device 100. Further, any suitable number of tubular chambers 102 can be included as needed and/or desired, and the tubular chambers 102 can be any suitable size and/or shape as is known in the art. Additionally, the tubular chambers 102 can create any suitable number of interior sections 104 as is known in the art.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the tubular chamber 102 comprises an opening 106. Typically, there is one opening 106, but any suitable number of openings 106 can be used as is known in the art. Further, the opening 106 is typically positioned near the top of the device 100 but can be positioned at any place on the device 100. Generally, the opening 106 is seamless, located at one end of the pillow device 100, and is used for the insertion or removal of ice and water. Further, the opening 106 will have a cap 200 and a lock 202 that can secure and prevent the ice and/or water contents from leaking. Any suitable watertight cap 200 and lock 202 as is known in the art can be used, such as a plug with an 0-ring, etc. Typically, the cap 200 is a removable cap 200 that can be threaded into the opening 106, or any other suitable cap 200 as is known in the art. Thus, the cap 200 can be freely attached and detached as needed.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, each tubular chamber 102 will have an inner layer 300 of plastic material that will prevent the ice and/or water from leaking into the body component 108 of the device 100, along with preventing it from releasing any moisture due to condensation. Further, the tubular chamber 102 will also comprise a second outer layer 302 composed of an insulation material to insulate the ice and/or cold water and keep it cool longer, to release a continuous, steady flow of cool temperature. Both layers 300, 302 allow the ice and/or water to cool all four interior sections 104 of the cavity 118.

[0040] Further, the body component 108 of the device 100 is made of a flexible waterproof material, such as rubber or polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any other suitable material as is known in the art, such as, but not limited to, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, etc. Generally, the device 100 is also manufactured from a material that is water resistant or water permeable, or the body component 108 comprises a coating that is water resistant or water permeable. Further, in one embodiment, the interior cavity 118 comprises a thermally conductive material, such as closed-cell foam, foam gel, or any other suitable material as is known in the art. Therefore, when the user's head and/or body comes into contact with the interior cavity 118, the thermally conductive material prevents the user's head from becoming too cold and uncomfortable.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling pillow device 100, once filled, can then be inserted into a standard pillowcase 400 for use. Further, when a user's head is placed on the pillow device 100, typically water is displaced due to pressure. However, instead of water moving away to another part of the interior cavity 118, causing the water to bulge, thus leaving the part on which the head rests with very little water; the displaced water tends to remain within the tubular chamber 102, thereby maintaining the water balanced within the interior cavity 118. Furthermore, the tubular chambers 102 minimize sloshing about of the water by movement of the user's head.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, when using the cooling pillow device 100, cold water and ice is poured into the opening 106 into the tubular chambers 102. Water and ice are then moved through the tubular chambers 102 and held in place, balancing out the device 100. The opening 106 is then secured with a cap 200. The cooling pillow device 100 is then placed in a standard pillowcase 400. Accordingly, the user's head 500 is then placed on the cooling pillow device 100 for use.

[0043] As discussed above, the user would not have the feeling of pressure on his/her head 500 due to the concavity at the center of the cooling pillow device 100 from water being displaced. Instead, the tubular chambers 102 hold the water in place, allowing the cooling pillow device 100 to provide a feeling of softness and comfort for the user, as well as cooling.

[0044] In another embodiment, the cooling pillow device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 502. The body component 108 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 108, or any other indicia 502 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 502 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be sleep or brand related.

[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of providing a temperature-regulated pillow. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a cooling pillow device that comprises insulated tubular chambers which accommodate ice and/or water to cool the pillow and an opening for filling the tubular chambers. The opening comprises a removable cap that can be threaded onto the opening to seal the water and/or ice within the device. The method also comprises at 602, filling the insulated tubular chambers with ice and/or water via the opening. The tubular chambers can be filled completely or partially, depending on the cooling relief desired by a user. Further, the method comprises at 604, securing and locking the opening once filled, to prevent the ice and/or water contents from leaking. The cap is a watertight cap which seals the opening. Finally, at 606, inserting the cooling pillow device into a standard pillowcase for use.

[0046] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “cooling pillow device”, “pillow device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the cooling pillow device 100 of the present invention.

[0047] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the cooling pillow device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cooling pillow device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the cooling pillow device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the cooling pillow device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the cooling pillow device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0048] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0049] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.