PILLOW ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a pillow insert. The pillow insert includes a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is substantially filled with a soft material and attached to an adjacent sleeve at least at one end and partially or completely unattached along an adjacent side. Each sleeve is substantially against the adjacent sleeve such that a pillow surface is provided. Also provided is a pillow assembly comprising the pillow insert, a padding component, and a cover.

Claims

1. A pillow insert comprising: a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is substantially filled with a soft material and attached to an adjacent sleeve at least at one end and partially or completely unattached along an adjacent side, wherein, each sleeve is substantially against the adjacent sleeve such that a pillow surface is provided.

2. The pillow insert of claim 1, wherein each sleeve has a shape substantially of a triangle, a rectangle, a square, a hexagon, an octagon, a cylindrical tube, or a cross.

3. The pillow insert of claim 2, wherein each sleeve has the shape of the cylindrical tube, and the pillow insert is about 2 to about 3 inches in height in an uncompressed state.

4. The pillow insert of claim 1, wherein each sleeve is attached to the adjacent sleeve at a first end.

5. The pillow insert of claim 1, wherein each sleeve is completely unattached along each adjacent side.

6. The pillow insert of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis across the pillow insert.

7. The pillow insert of claim 1, wherein the soft material comprises polyester fiberfill, down, feather, foam, or combination thereof.

8. A pillow assembly comprising: a pillow insert comprising a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is substantially filled with a soft material and attached to an adjacent sleeve at least at one end and partially or completely unattached along an adjacent side, wherein each sleeve is substantially against the adjacent sleeve such that a pillow surface is provided; a padding component arranged on at least one outer side of the pillow insert; and a cover, wherein the pillow insert and the padding component are encased in the cover.

9. The pillow assembly of claim 8, wherein each sleeve has a shape substantially of a triangle, a rectangle, a square, a hexagon, an octagon, a cylindrical tube, or a cross.

10. The pillow assembly of claim 9, wherein each sleeve has the shape of the cylindrical tube, and the pillow assembly is about 2 to about 3 inches in height in an uncompressed state.

11. The pillow assembly of claim 8, wherein each sleeve is attached to the adjacent sleeve at a first end.

12. The pillow assembly of claim 8, wherein each sleeve is unattached along each adjacent side.

13. The pillow assembly of claim 8, wherein the plurality of sleeves are arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis across the pillow insert.

14. The pillow assembly of claim 8, wherein the padding component is arranged on both a first outer side and a second outer side of the pillow insert.

15. The pillow assembly of claim 16, wherein the padding component comprises a first padding component substantially covering the first outer side of the pillow insert, and a second padding component substantially covering the second outer side of the pillow insert.

16. The pillow assembly of claim 8, further comprising an outer cover.

17. The pillow assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover is configured to encase the pillow insert and the padding component to limit movement therebetween, and the outer cover is configured to encase the cover.

18. A pillow assembly comprising: a pillow insert comprising a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve has a shape of a cylindrical tube, is substantially filled with a soft material, and each sleeve is attached to an adjacent sleeve at a first end and unattached along each adjacent side, wherein each sleeve is substantially against the adjacent sleeve such that a pillow surface is provided; a first padding component substantially covering a first outer side of the pillow insert; a second padding component substantially covering a second outer side of the pillow insert; a cover configured to encase the pillow insert and the first and second padding components to limit movement therebetween; and an outer cover configured to encase the cover, wherein the pillow assembly is about 2 to about 3 inches in height in an uncompressed state.

19. The pillow insert of claim 1, wherein the pillow insert is about 3 inches to about 6 inches in height in an uncompressed state.

20. The pillow insert of claim 1, wherein upon applying pressure to one or more outer sides of the plurality of sleeves, the substantially flat planar pillow surface is substantially seamless.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments hereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings may not be to scale.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a pillow insert according to an embodiment herein.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down view of a pillow insert including sleeves having a shape of a rectangle or cylindrical tube and attached in various configurations according to embodiments herein.

[0013] FIG. 3 further illustrates a top-down view of a pillow insert including sleeves having a shape of a rectangle or cylindrical tube and attached in various configurations according to embodiments herein.

[0014] FIG. 4 further illustrates a top-down view of a pillow insert including sleeves having a shape triangle and attached in various configurations according to embodiments herein.

[0015] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, FIG. 5D, FIG. 5E, and FIG. 5F illustrate top-down views of pillow inserts including sleeves having various shapes, according to embodiments herein.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a pillow assembly including a pillow insert and a padding component, according to an embodiment herein.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a pillow assembly including a pillow insert and a cover, according to an embodiment herein.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a pillow assembly including a cover, which is encasing a pillow insert and padding component, according to an embodiment herein.

[0019] FIG. 9 shows a curved pillow shape in accordance with embodiments hereof.

[0020] FIG. 10 shows a contoured pillow shape in accordance with embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding field of the invention, background, summary or the following detailed description.

[0022] As used in this specification, the singular forms a, an and the specifically also encompass the plural forms of the terms to which they refer, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term about is used herein to mean approximately, in the region of, roughly, or around. When the term about is used in conjunction with a numerical range, it modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. In general, the term about is used herein to modify a numerical value above and below the stated value by a variance of 20%. It should be understood that use of the term about also includes the specifically recited number of value.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a pillow insert suitable for a pillow assembly. The pillow insert includes a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is substantially filled with a soft material and attached to an adjacent sleeve at least at one end and partially or completely unattached along an adjacent side. Each sleeve is substantially against the adjacent sleeve such that a pillow surface is provided.

[0024] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate top views of a pillow insert 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In such embodiments, pillow insert 100 includes a plurality of sleeves 110. Each sleeve 110 includes first end 116, second end 115, outer side 114, and adjacent side 112. Each sleeve 110 is attached to an adjacent sleeve 110 at first end 116 via attachment point 118. The plurality of sleeves 110 are arranged adjacent to one another along a longitudinal axis LA.

[0025] As described herein, each sleeve is substantially against the adjacent sleeve. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, each sleeve 110 is suitably within about 1-2 inches apart from an adjacent sleeve, such that each sleeve is substantially against the adjacent sleeve. In embodiments, sleeves can be substantially against each other in that they are touching or have less than about 1-2 inches, suitably less than about 1 inch, or suitably less than about 0.5 inches between adjacent sleeves.

[0026] In embodiments, upon applying pressure to one or more outer sides of the plurality of sleeves, each sleeve under pressure presses against the adjacent sleeve such that a pillow surface is provided. By applying pressure to one or more outer sides of the plurality of sleeves, it is understood that the pressure is not required to be applied while in direct contact with the outer sides 114 of the sleeves 110. Thus, in some embodiments, the plurality of sleeves is in contact with a padding component and/or a cover provided herein, and the pressure is applied to the outer side 114 of the plurality of sleeves via contact with the cover and/or the padding component. In other embodiments, the pillow insert is part of a pillow assembly, and the pressure is applied to the outer sides 114 of the plurality of sleeves via contact to the pillow assembly. In yet further embodiments, the pillow assembly is covered, and the pressure is applied to the outer sides 114 of the plurality of sleeves via contact to the covered pillow assembly. The amount and/or method of applying the pressure is not limited, so long as the pressure is not too great such that the sleeves burst, thereby breaking the pillow insert and/or pillow assembly. The amount of pressure required to burst the sleeves, or to break the pillow insert and/or pillow assembly, can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0027] As used herein a pillow surface refers to a structure that is any shape shorter in height than in width and depth, suitable for use in sleeping. By substantially flat planar pillow surface, it is meant that the pillow insert 110 varies in height P.sub.H (see FIG. 7) by less than 25%, preferably less than 20%, or more preferably less than 10% across the entire length and width of the pillow insert. Thus, a user of a pillow assembly having the pillow insert would not feel bumps or ridges on the pillow surface.

[0028] Advantageously, the pillow surfaces provided herein, and suitably the substantially flat planar pillow surface, provides neutral alignment of the user's head, neck, and spine when resting on the pillow assembly. In some embodiments, the pillow insert is about 2 to about 3 inches in height P.sub.H (see FIG. 7) in an uncompressed state. In alternate embodiments, the pillow insert is about 3 to about 6 inches in height P.sub.H in an uncompressed state. In further embodiments, the pillow insert is about 2 to 6 inches, about 2 to 5 inches, about 2 to 4 inches, or about 2 to 3 inches in height P.sub.H in an uncompressed state. In further embodiments, the pillow insert is about 2, about 2.25, about 2.5, about 2.75, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, about 5, about 5.5, or about 6 in height P.sub.H in an uncompressed state. In embodiments, the pillow insert does not change substantially in height in a compressed state compared to the uncompressed state, i.e., the pillow insert changes in height by less than about 40%, less than about 35%, less than about 30%, less than about 25%, less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, or less than about 5% when compressed from the uncompressed state.

[0029] A further benefit provided by the pillow insert 110 of the present invention is the lack of seams felt by the user, which provides increased comfort and also does not leave undesirable marks or lines on the skin of a user, which may occur when using pillows that have seams either on the pillow cover or pillow insert. In embodiments, with each sleeve being substantially against an adjacent sleeve of the pillow insert, the pillow surface is substantially seamless. Accordingly, in some embodiments, upon applying pressure to one or more outer sides 114 of the plurality of sleeves of the pillow insert, the substantially flat planar pillow surface is substantially seamless. As used herein, substantially seamless means that seams are not visible in the surface of the pillow assembly, and/or that seams are not felt by a user of the pillow assembly, or that seams can be felt, but at a minimal level such that the comfort of the user is not impacted, or that seams do not leave marks or lines on the skin of a user. In embodiments, the pillow inserts do not comprise any seams at their adjacent sides, and are prepared from a single piece of continuous fabric such that no seams are visible or can be felt at the adjacent sides.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, sleeves 110 can have any suitable shape. In embodiments, each sleeve has a shape substantially of a triangle, a rectangle, a square, a hexagon, an octagon, a cylindrical tube, or a cross. In an embodiment, each sleeve has the shape of a cylindrical tube (see, e.g., FIG. 1). In general, a cylindrical tube suitable for the pillow sleeves 110 has a substantially circular cross-section and has a length typically greater than its diameter, e.g. the length of the cylindrical tube is longer than the diameter by about 10% or more, about 50% or more, about 100% or more, about 150% or more, about 200% or more, or about 500% or more. In embodiments, the length of the cylindrical tube is about 2, about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, or about 10 times the diameter of the cylindrical tube. In another embodiment, each sleeve has the shape of a triangle (see, e.g., FIG. 4). Further exemplary embodiments of sleeve shapes are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5F. The sleeves may have any shape, so long as they are capable of being attached at least at one end, partially or completely unattached along an adjacent side, and, upon applying pressure to one or more outer sides of the plurality of sleeves, each sleeve under pressure presses against the adjacent sleeve such that a substantially flat planar pillow surface is provided. As described herein, in embodiments, the pillow inserts do not comprise any seams at their adjacent sides, and each insert is prepared from a single piece of continuous fabric (or otherwise manufactured) such that no seams are visible or can be felt at the adjacent sides.

[0031] In additional embodiments, the lengths of sleeves 110 can be varied such that different shapes can be created (e.g., crescent, curves (see FIG. 9), shell-shapes, circular shapes, etc.) as may be desired or beneficial as a pillow surface. In further embodiments, the diameter and/or thickness of sleeves 110 can be varied throughout the pillow insert, and connected with different height sleeves, so as to generate contour-shaped pillow surfaces, etc. (see FIG. 10).

[0032] Attachment point 118 between adjacent sleeves can be positioned at any suitable end of each sleeve. In some embodiments, each sleeve 110 is attached to an adjacent sleeve at a same end, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein each sleeve 110 is attached to an adjacent sleeve at a first end 116. In other embodiments, sleeves 110 are attached to one another at alternating ends, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3, showing that a first sleeve of the plurality of sleeves is attached to a second sleeve via attachment point 118 at a first end 116; the second sleeve is then attached to a third sleeve via attachment point 118 at a second end 115; etc. This alternating attachment can continue throughout the entire pillow insert length (longitudinal axis (LA)).

[0033] In further embodiments, the sleeves are attached to one another at a first end 116 and a second end 115. For example, each sleeve is attached to an adjacent sleeve at first end 116 and second end 115. In some embodiments, the sleeves are attached to one another at the first and/or second ends in any combination or configuration. For example, each sleeve in the plurality of sleeves may be attached to an adjacent sleeve at a first end 116, a second end 115, or both ends 116 and 115, in any combination, throughout the entire length (longitudinal axis (LA)) of the pillow insert.

[0034] According to certain embodiments illustrated herein, e.g., in FIGS. 1-4, each sleeve is completely unattached along an adjacent side 112. In these embodiments, each sleeve is not forced to move along the longitudinal axis LA even when its adjacent sleeve may be moving or expanding along LA, thus allowing each sleeve to be substantially against an adjacent sleeve, and to press against the adjacent sleeve when under pressure and form a pillow surface and suitably a substantially flat planar pillow surface.

[0035] In further embodiments, a sleeve 110 may be partially attached to an adjacent sleeve along an adjacent side 112. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, an adjacent point of attachment 150 can exist along an adjacent side 112 between each sleeve and an adjacent sleeve. In such embodiments, sleeves 110 are still capable of expanding and/or moving along the longitudinal axis LA without forcing an adjacent sleeve to move along LA, thus allowing each sleeve to be substantially against an adjacent sleeve, and to press against the adjacent sleeve when under pressure and form a pillow surface and suitably a substantially flat planar pillow surface.

[0036] Methods of attaching a sleeve at attachment point 118 to its adjacent sleeve can be selected by the ordinarily skilled artisan. In some embodiments, the ends of the sleeves are directly sewn together. For example, when the sleeves have corners at their ends, the corner of one sleeve may be sewn to the adjacent corner on the adjacent sleeve. In further embodiments, the sleeves are attached via a connecting means. Non-limiting examples of connecting means include, e.g., a ribbon, thread, rope, or a length of fabric material that spans the ends of the sleeves to be attached; or a fastener at the ends of the sleeves to be attached, such as hook and loop fasteners, magnets, buttons, snapping fasteners, clips, and the like. In embodiments wherein the adjacent sides of the sleeves are partially unattached, any means of attachment provided herein is suitable for partial attachment of the adjacent sides. FIGS. 5A-5C also illustrate exemplary locations of attachment points 118 of each pillow insert 110.

[0037] In embodiments, the plurality of sleeves 110 are arranged adjacent to one another along longitudinal axis LA across the pillow insert 100, i.e., the sleeves are not stacked such that their outer sides 114 are in contact with one another, but are placed such that adjacent sides are substantially against each other to provide a pillow surface. Accordingly, in embodiments wherein pressure is applied to one or more outer sides 114 of the plurality of sleeves 110, each sleeve under pressure presses against the adjacent sleeve along an adjacent side 112, thereby providing a substantially flat planar pillow surface across LA.

[0038] The plurality of sleeves 110 are substantially filled with a soft material. Any suitable soft material filing may be used for the present invention. In some embodiments, the soft material comprises polyester fiberfill, down, feather, foam (e.g., shredded memory foam), or combination thereof. Further exemplary soft materials for filling the plurality of sleeves include, but are not limited to, buckwheat hull, microbead, shredded latex, kapok, cotton, gel, wool, and the like. Any combination of the materials described herein can be used to fill the plurality of sleeves, and each sleeve in the plurality of sleeves may be filled with the same or a different material. As described herein, the amount of material filled into sleeves can also be varied to create different shapes or contours of pillows as desired.

[0039] In some embodiments, provided herein is a pillow assembly, comprising: a pillow insert comprising a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is substantially filled with a soft material and attached to an adjacent sleeve at least at one end and partially or completely unattached along an adjacent side, wherein each sleeve is against the adjacent sleeve to provide a pillow surface. Suitably, upon applying pressure to one or more outer sides of the plurality of sleeves, each sleeve under pressure presses against the adjacent sleeve such that a substantially flat planar pillow surface is provided. The pillow assembly suitably further comprises a padding component arranged on at least one outer side of the pillow insert; and a cover, wherein the pillow insert and the padding component are encased in the cover.

[0040] A pillow assembly according to an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, pillow assembly 200 includes pillow insert 100 comprising a plurality of sleeves 110, as described herein, and padding component 120. The padding component 120 may be substantially filled with a soft material or padding component 120 may itself be made directly of a soft material. In embodiments, the padding component comprises polyester fiberfill, down, feather, foam (e.g., shredded memory foam) or combination thereof. Further exemplary soft materials for the padding component are provided herein and include, but are not limited to, buckwheat hull, microbead, shredded latex, kapok, cotton, gel, wool, and the like. In some embodiments, the padding component 120 and sleeves 110 comprise the same soft material. In other embodiments, the padding component 120 and sleeves 110 comprise different soft materials.

[0041] In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6, padding component 120 is arranged on an outer side of the pillow insert 100. The outer side of the pillow insert comprises the surface formed by the outer sides 114 of the plurality of sleeves. In embodiments, the padding component 120 substantially covers the outer side 114 of the pillow insert 100. By substantially covers, it is meant that at least 80% of the surface area formed by the outer sides 114 of the plurality of sleeves of the pillow insert 100 is covered by the padding component 120. In some embodiments, substantially covers means that at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or about 100% of the surface area formed by the outer sides 114 of the plurality of sleeves 110 of the pillow insert 100 is covered by the padding component 120.

[0042] Each sleeve of the plurality of sleeves in the pillow insert comprises two outer sides 114. When viewing the pillow insert in a top-down view such as in FIG. 2, first outer side 114a of the plurality of sleeves faces the viewer, while the second outer side 114b faces away from the viewer. Thus, in some embodiments, padding component 120 is arranged on both a first outer side 114a and a second outer side 114b of the pillow insert. In certain embodiments, padding component 120 is configured to fold along the length of one end of the plurality of sleeves so as to be arranged on both first outer side 114a and second outer side 114b of the pillow insert (i.e., padding component 120 is a continuous padding layer). In alternative embodiments, padding component 120 comprises a first padding component and a second padding component (i.e., separate components). In such embodiments, the first padding component substantially covers the first outer side 114a of the pillow insert, and the second padding component substantially covers the second outer side 114b of the pillow insert.

[0043] Cover 132 according to embodiments herein is illustrated in FIG. 7. Cover 132 may be provided to limit movement of the plurality of sleeves 110, so as to facilitate handling of the pillow assembly 200. For example, cover 132 may limit movement of the individual sleeves in the plurality of sleeves, such that when the pillow assembly is moved by a user, the plurality of sleeves remain substantially in place. In a further example, when cover 132 encases both the pillow insert 100 and padding component 120, cover 132 is configured to limit movement between the pillow insert and the padding component. Accordingly, in embodiments, cover 132 comprises a stretchable material capable of stretching to encase the pillow insert 100 and padding component 120. Cover 132 may be made of any material, so long as it is capable of encasing the pillow insert 100 and/or the padding component 120. In some embodiments, cover 132 comprises polyester, cotton, ticking, nylon, cotton muslin, muslin, TENCEL lyocell, bamboo, cooling fabric, or combination thereof.

[0044] In some embodiments, cover 132 encases the pillow insert 100 and padding component 120. In alternative embodiments such as illustrated in FIG. 7, cover 132 encases the pillow insert 100 directly. In further embodiments, cover 132 of the pillow assembly 200 encases the pillow insert 100, and the padding component 120 is arranged over the cover.

[0045] In embodiments, pillow assembly 200 comprises cover 132 and an outer cover 134. A pillow assembly 200 comprising outer cover 134 is illustrated in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, outer cover 134 encases cover 132, which encases the pillow insert 100 and padding component 120. In other embodiments, outer cover 134 encases a padding component 120 arranged over cover 132, which encases the pillow insert 100. The outer cover 134 may be made of any suitable material, so long as it is capable of encasing the pillow insert 100 and padding component 120, one or both of which may be encased in the cover 132. Accordingly, in some embodiments, outer cover 134 comprises a stretchable material capable of stretching to encase the pillow insert 100 and padding component 120, one or both of which may be encased in the cover 132. In some embodiments, outer cover 134 comprises polyester, cotton, ticking, nylon, cotton muslin, muslin, TENCEL lyocell, bamboo, cooling fabric, or combination thereof.

[0046] In some embodiments, the pillow assembly has a height P.sub.H of about 2 to about 3 inches in an uncompressed state (see FIG. 8). In some embodiments, the pillow assembly has a height P.sub.H of about 3 to about 8 inches. In further embodiments, the pillow assembly has a height P.sub.H of about 3 to about 6 inches, about 2 to about 6, about 2 to about 5, about 2 to about 5, or about 2 to about 3 inches in an uncompressed state. In yet further embodiments, the pillow assembly is about 2, about 2.25, about 2.5, about 2.75, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, about 5, about 5.5, or about 6 in height P.sub.H in an uncompressed state. In embodiments, the pillow assembly does not change substantially in height in a compressed state compared to the uncompressed state, i.e., the pillow assembly changes in height by less than about 20%, less than about 15%, less than about 10%, or less than about 5% when compressed from the uncompressed state. In other embodiments, height P.sub.H can vary within the same sleeve 110 to create a contour or other shaped pillow surface, suitably over the range of about 2-6 inches within the same sleeve.

[0047] As described herein, in embodiments, the pillow assembly of the present disclosure advantageously provides a substantially flat planar pillow surface upon applying pressure. In some embodiments, the substantially flat planar pillow surface of the pillow assembly is formed by the sleeves of the pillow insert pressing against an adjacent sleeve along an adjacent side. In certain embodiments, the substantially flat planar pillow surface of the pillow assembly is substantially seamless. In other embodiments, providing each sleeve substantially against the adjacent sleeve provides a desirable pillow surface, including a flat planar pillow surface, as described herein.

[0048] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented only as illustrations and examples of the present invention, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment.