CUSHION CASE AND A CUSHION

Abstract

A cushion case 4 comprising a first compartment 8 having a pocket 14, a second compartment 10, a third compartment 12 and a hinge regions 20, 22 operatively connecting the respective first and second compartments 8, 10 and the second and third compartments 10, 12, wherein the cushion case 4 is movable from a first configuration in which the first, second and third compartments 8, 10, 12 are substantially unfolded about the hinge regions 20, 22 and a second configuration in which the second and third compartments 10, 12 are at least partially inserted into the pocket 14 such that the first, second and third compartments 8, 10, 12 are held in overlapping engagement by the pocket 14.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to International PCT Patent Application No. PCT/GB2011/050832 filed Apr. 27, 2011 designating the United States, which claims the benefit of United Kingdom Application GB 1007294.0 filed on Apr. 30, 2010, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

This invention relates to a cushion case and a cushion.

Cushions, for example pillows, are used to provide comfort and support in a variety of circumstances. The nature of their use means that they become soiled over time. It is therefore common to provide covers which can be removed periodically for cleaning. However, the covers do not prevent allergens, such as dust, or dust mites from accumulating within the pillow. Allergy sufferers must therefore clean or replace the pillows themselves on a regular basis. Pillows are bulky. It is therefore difficult to ensure that the cleaning process is effective. Furthermore, when pillows are washed their bulk means that it can take a significant amount of time to dry the pillows.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cushion case comprising a first compartment having a pocket, which may be an external pocket, a second compartment, and a hinge region operatively connecting the first and second compartments, wherein the cushion case is movable from a first configuration in which the first and second compartments are substantially unfolded about the hinge region to a second configuration in which the second compartment is at least partially inserted into the pocket such that the first compartment and the second compartment are held in overlapping engagement by the pocket.

The cushion case may be elongate and the hinge region extends across the width of the cushion case thereby defining the first and second compartments either side of the hinge region.

The cushion case may comprise two panels joined at their peripheries. The panels may have identical widths and lengths.

The first compartment and second compartments may have substantially identical widths and substantially identical lengths.

The pocket may be formed by a panel which extends across the width of the cushion case. The pocket may be secured to the periphery of the cushion case.

The hinge region may have a width separating the first and second compartments.

The width of the hinge region may be not less than a filled thickness of the first compartment and the second compartment.

The hinge region may be defined between two parallel seams which are spaced apart from each other in the lengthwise direction of the cushion case.

The first compartment, second compartment and external pocket are formed from a single sheet of material.

The cushion case may further comprise a third compartment and a second hinge region operatively connecting the second compartment and the third compartment such that, in the first configuration, the second compartment is disposed between the first and third compartments, and in the second configuration, the second and third compartments are at least partially inserted into the pocket such that the first compartment, second compartment and third compartment are held in overlapping engagement by the pocket.

The second hinge region may have a construction which comprises features or a combination of features of the hinge region operatively connecting the first and second compartments.

At least one of the compartments may be provided with a second pocket such that when the cushion case is in the second configuration the second pocket is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment.

The second pocket may be provided on the second compartment.

The second pocket may be provided on the third compartment and may open inwardly towards the second compartment.

The pocket may be suitable for receiving an aromatherapy sachet.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a cushion comprising a cushion case according to the first aspect of the invention, in which filler is disposed within the first and second compartments. The filler may comprise wool.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a plan view of a cushion;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a sectional of the cushion shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cushion in a first configuration;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the cushion shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cushion shown in FIG. 3 during transition between a first configuration and a second configuration;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a perspective view of the cushion shown in FIG. 3 in a second configuration.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cushion 2, which in this instance is a pillow, comprising cushion case 4 within which a filler 6 is provided. The cushion case 4 comprises three compartments: a first compartment 8, a second compartment 10 and a third compartment 12. The first compartment 8 is provided with an external pocket 14.

The cushion case 4 comprises two substantially identical top and bottom panels 16, 18 of cloth which are fastened together at their peripheries, for example by stitches. The top and bottom panels 16, 18 are oblong. The cushion case 4 is divided along its length into the three compartments 8, 10, 12 by two hinge regions 20, 22 which extend across the width of the cushion case 4. The hinge regions 20, 22 are spaced equally from each other and from the ends of the cushion case 4. The first, second and third compartments 8, 10, 12 are thus equal in size. The compartments 8, 10, 12 are fifty centimetres in width, which is measured in the lengthwise direction of the cushion case 4, and seventy-five centimetres in length, which is measured in the widthwise direction of the cushion case 4. Each hinge region 20, 22 is defined between a first seam 24 and a second seam 26. The seams 24, 26 secure the two panels of material together along the length of each hinge region 20, 22 and may, for example be stitched. The first and second seams 24, 26 are parallel and are spaced apart in the lengthwise direction of the cushion case 4. The width of the hinge regions 20, 22 is sufficient to allow adjacent compartments 8, 10, 12 to be folded against each other about the respective hinge regions 20, 22 without excessive impingement of the compartments 8, 10, 12 in the vicinity of the hinge regions 20, 22. In the embodiment shown, the hinge regions 20, 22 are between one and five centimetres in width.

Each compartment 8, 10, 12 contains the filler 6. The filler may, for example be wool. The filler 6 displaces the top and bottom panels 16, 18 away from each other to form a cushion compartments having a filled thickness which is determined by the length and width of the compartments 8, 10, 12 and amount of filler in each compartment 8, 10, 12. The thicknesses of the compartments 8, 10, 12 are substantially equal. Filler 6 is prevented from entering the hinge regions 20, 22 by the seams 24, 26 on either side of the respective hinge regions 20, 22. The absence of filler 6 in the hinge regions 20, 22 means that the hinge regions 20, 22 retain a greater flexibility than the filled compartments 8, 10, 12.

The external pocket 14 provided on the first compartment 8 comprises a pocket panel 28 having substantially the same width and length as the first compartment 8. The pocket panel 28 is made from the same cloth as the cushion case 4. The pocket panel 28 is fastened, for example by stitches, along three edges to the periphery of the first compartment 8. The pocket panel 28 and the top panel 16 define the pocket 14 such that the opening of the pocket 14 extends along the length of the hinge region 20 between the first and second compartments 8, 10. The external pocket 14 thus opens in a direction which is inward from the first compartment 8 towards the second and third compartments 10, 12.

The third compartment 12 is provided with a second pocket 30. The second pocket comprises a second pocket panel 32 which is fastened, for example by stitches, to the portion of the top panel 16 which forms the third compartment 12. The second pocket 30 is disposed adjacent the periphery of the third compartment 12. The second pocket 30 occupies the central third of the third compartment 12 and extends from the periphery towards the second compartment 10 to approximately midway across the third compartment 12. The second pocket 30 thus extends over approximately one sixth of the third compartment 12. The pocket panel 32 and the top panel 16 thus define the pocket 30 such that it opens in a direction which is inward towards the first and second compartment 8, 10. The size of the second pocket 30 is such that it is suitable for receiving an aromatherapy sachet or other similar package.

FIG. 3 shows a cushion 2 which is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, but does not have the second external pocket. The cushion 2 is shown in a first configuration in which the first, second and third compartments 8, 10, 12 are unfolded about the respective hinge regions 20, 22 such that the cushion 2 is substantially flat.

FIG. 4 shows the cushion 2 shown in FIG. 1 with the external pocket 14 held open.

FIG. 5 shows the cushion shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the second and third compartments 10, 12 are folded over and are in the process of being tucked into the external pocket 14. The seams 24, 26 prevent the filler from moving between compartments 8, 10, 12 and the width of the hinge regions 20, 22 allow adjacent compartments (i.e. the first and second compartments 8, 10, or second and third compartments 10, 12) to be folded over each other such that they overlap without impinging on each other in the vicinity of the hinge regions 20, 22. This allows the cushion 2 to be folded into the second configuration without uneven compression of the filler.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the cushion 2 in a second configuration in which the first, second and third compartments 8, 10, 12 are folded over and the second and third compartments 10, 12 are inserted into the external pocket 14. In this configuration the first, second and third compartments 8, 10, 12 combine to form an assembled cushion 2 having a thickness which is the sum of the thicknesses of the first, second and third compartments 8, 10, 12. It will be appreciated that further compartments could be added to increase the thickness of the cushion when in the second configuration.

When in the second configuration, the cushion 2 can be used as a conventional cushion having a substantial thickness which provides comfort and support. The cushion 2 can be returned to the first configuration for cleaning. The reduced thickness of the cushion 2 in this configuration improves efficiency of cleaning and drying of the cushion.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be configured in the same way as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5. However, an aroma therapy sachet or therapeutic substance can be inserted into the second pocket prior to arranging the cushion 2 in the second configuration. When the cushion 2 is in the second configuration, the sachet is disposed between the adjacent layers provided by the compartments 8, 10, 12. The aromas are thus dissipated by the layers before releasing from the cushion 2. This is reduces the intensity of the aromas which are inhaled by a person using the cushion 2. Alternatively, a sachet could be inserted between the layers formed by the compartments 8, 10, 12 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5.

It will be appreciated that the second and third compartments 10, 12 could be folded in opposite directions about the hinge region 22 when arranging the cushion 2 in the second configuration.

It will be appreciated that the second pocket 30 could be provided on the top or bottom panels 16, 18 of the second compartment 10 or the first compartment 12, or on the top layer of the first compartment.

One or both of the pockets 14, 30 may be formed as separate pockets which are fastened to the compartments 8, 10, 12. One or both of the pockets 14, 30 may be detachable.

The compartments 8, 10, 12 may be formed as boxed compartments. Each seam 20, 22 may comprise one or more webs which extend between the top and bottom panels 16, 18. Each seam 20, 22 may comprise two webs which define a box-like section between the top and bottom panels.

It will be appreciated that the cloth could be cotton, polyester, silk, linen or any combination of these or any fabric which is suitable for pillows. The filler may comprise polyester, down, feather, silk or any combination of these or any filling which is suitable for cushions/pillows.

The compartments may be other shapes and sizes. For example, the compartments may be triangular, or other type of polygon, or may have curved edges.

Claims

1. A cushion case comprising:

a first compartment having a pocket;

a second compartment; and

a hinge region operatively connecting the first and second compartments, wherein the cushion case is movable from a first configuration in which the first and second compartments are substantially unfolded about the hinge region to a second configuration in which the second compartment is at least partially inserted into the pocket such that the first compartment and the second compartment are held in overlapping engagement by the pocket.

2. A cushion case according to claim 1, in which the cushion case is elongate and the hinge region extends across the width of the cushion case thereby defining the first and second compartments either side of the hinge region.

3. A cushion case according to claim 1, in which the cushion case comprises two panels joined at their peripheries.

4. A cushion case according to claim 1, in which the first compartment and second compartments have substantially identical widths and substantially identical lengths.

5. A cushion case according to claim 2, in which the pocket is formed by a panel which extends across the width of the cushion case and is secured to the periphery of the cushion case.

6. A cushion case according to claim 2, in which the hinge region has a width separating the first and second compartments.

7. A cushion case according to claim 6, in which the width of the hinge region is not less than a filled thickness of the first compartment and the second compartment.

8. A cushion case according to claim 6, in which the hinge region is defined between two parallel seams which are spaced apart from each other in the lengthwise direction of the cushion case.

9. A cushion case in which the first compartment, second compartment and external pocket are formed from a single sheet of material.

10. A cushion case further comprising a third compartment and a second hinge region operatively connecting the second compartment and the third compartment such that, in the first configuration, the second compartment is disposed between the first and third compartments, and in the second configuration, the second and third compartments are at least partially inserted into the pocket such that the first compartment, second compartment and third compartment are held in overlapping engagement by the pocket.

11. A cushion case in which at least one of the compartments is provided with a second pocket such that when the cushion case is in the second configuration the second pocket is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment.

12. A cushion case according to claim 11, in which the second pocket is provided on the second compartment.

13. A cushion case according to claim 11, in which the second pocket is provided on the third compartment and opens inwardly towards the second compartment.

14. A cushion case according to claim 11, in which the pocket is suitable for receiving an aromatherapy sachet.

15. A cushion case substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

16. A cushion comprising a cushion case in which filler is disposed within the first and second compartments.

17. A cushion according to claim 16, in which the filler comprises wool.

18. A cushion substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.