DUAL PERFORMANCE PILLOW

A dual performance pillow performs similar to a pillow having a memory foam fill and also performs similar to a pillow having a non-memory foam fill, such as a fiber fill. The pillow includes top and bottoms panels each having a plurality of sides and at least one gusset panel extending between and connected to the top panel and the bottom panel at at least one top and bottom panel side. A closure is positioned on the at least one top and bottom panel side to close and open the pillow at the gusset. The others of the top and bottom panel sides are joined to one another. The pillow includes a fill. The gusset panel is formed from a material having less resistance to air flow than the top and bottom panel material. When the closure is closed and the gusset panel is concealed, air flow into and out of the pillow is restricted and when the closure is open and the gusset panel is exposed, air flow into and out of the pillow is unrestricted.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of and priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/405,696, filed Sep. 12, 2022, titled Dual Performance Pillow.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to a dual performance pillow, and more particularly, to a pillow that performs similar to a pillow having a memory foam fill and to a pillow that performs similar to a pillow having a non-memory foam fill, such as a fiber fill.

Different types of pillow have their fans. Some individuals prefer memory foam pillows, pillows that have a slow matching profile and likewise, a slow return or spring-back profile. These materials match the pressure applied to or against the foam material, but respond slowly to the applied pressure. Once the pressure is removed from the material, it slowly returns to its original shape.

Other individuals prefer fiber fill pillows. These materials provide consistent support or pressure against a compressive force. They do not have a delayed response in return or spring back, do not conform to the body part on pillow and may not return to their original shape. Fiber fill pillow typically “sleep” cooler than memory foam pillows.

In addition to memory foam and fiber fill, other pillows may have down or feather fill, and still other pillows are hybrid, having a combination of fiber and foam or down/feather and foam. All of these pillows have one thing in common, they all have singular characteristics. That is a pillow cannot function or perform having multiple characteristics.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a dual performance pillow that performs similar to a pillow having a memory foam fill and also performs similar to a pillow having a non-memory foam fill, such as a fiber fill.

SUMMARY

A dual performance pillow performs similar to a pillow having a memory foam fill and also performs similar to a pillow having a non-memory foam fill, such as a fiber fill. According to one aspect, the dual performance pillow includes a top panel having a plurality of sides, a bottom panel having a plurality of sides and at least one gusset panel extending between and connected to the top panel and the bottom panel at at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side.

A closure is positioned at the at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side to close and open the pillow at the at least one gusset panel. The others of the top panel sides and bottom panel sides are joined to one another. The pillow includes a fill, such as a compressible fill, such as a polyester fill, such as a loose polyester fill. Examples of other suitable fill include foam, such as shredded foam, memory foam and combinations thereof.

The gusset panel is formed from a material having less resistance to air flow than a material of the top panel and a material of the bottom panel. When the closure(s) is (are) closed and the gusset panel(s) is (are) concealed, air flow into and out of the pillow is restricted and when at least one closure is open and at least one gusset panel is exposed, air flow into and out of the pillow is unrestricted.

In an embodiment, the at least one closure is one closure that fully surrounds the top panel sides and the bottom panel sides and extends about a periphery of the pillow, and the at least one gusset panel is one gusset panel that extends about all of the sides of the top panel and the bottom panel. When the closure is open, the gusset panel is exposed and conversely, when the closure is closed, the gusset panel is covered.

In an embodiment, the at least one closure is two closures that extend along opposing sides of the top panel sides and the bottom panel sides, and wherein the at least one gusset panel is two gusset panels that extend between the sides of the top panel and the bottom panel. The opposing sides can be the short sides of the pillow or the long sides of the pillow. When the closures are open, the gusset panels are exposed and conversely, when the closures are closed, the gusset panels are covered or concealed.

In an embodiment, the top and bottom panel material is the same material. To restrict air flow, the top and bottom panels can be coated or formed as a laminate with a mostly air flow resistant material. For example, the top and bottom panels can be coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, a polyethylene (PE) material or the like. The top and bottom panels can also be formed as a laminate with a material resistant to provide the air resistant characteristics. The gusset panel material can be, for example, a mesh or other breathable material.

In another aspect, a dual performance pillow includes a top panel having a plurality of sides, a bottom panel having a plurality of sides and at least one gusset panel extending between and connected to the top panel and the bottom panel at at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side. The others of the plurality of top panel sides and bottom panel sides are joined to one another.

A closure is positioned at the at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side to close and open the pillow at the at least one gusset panel. The closure can be a zipper. The pillow includes a fill, such as a compressible fill, such as a polyester fill, such as a loose polyester fill. Examples of other suitable fill include foam, such as shredded foam, memory foam and combinations thereof.

In embodiments, the gusset panel is formed from a material having less resistance to air flow than the top and bottom panel material. When the closure(s) is (are) closed and the gusset panel(s) is (are) concealed, and when a force is applied to the pillow air flow out of the pillow is delayed relative to when the at least one closure is open and the at least one gusset panel is exposed.

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

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic illustration showing an embodiment of a dual performance pillow in which the ventilating gussets are closed;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of the pillow of FIG. 1 with the ventilating gussets open;

FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of the pillow with the ventilating gussets are closed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of the pillow with the ventilating gussets partially open;

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration of a pillow with a single closure and shown with the ventilating gusset open;

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the dual performance pillow having ventilating gussets on two short sides of the pillow;

FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the dual performance pillow having ventilating gussets on two long sides of the pillow; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the dual performance pillow having ventilating gussets on four sides of the pillow.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment described or illustrated.

A dual performance pillow 10 performs similar to a pillow having a memory foam fill and also performs similar to a pillow having a non-memory foam fill, such as a fiber fill.

FIG. 1 is cross-sectional schematic illustration showing an embodiment of a dual performance pillow 10. The pillow 10 includes top and bottom panels 12, 14 that can be identical to each other and one or more breathable gusset panels 16 that extend between and connect the top and bottom panels 12, 14 to define an interior 18 of the pillow 10. The pillow 10 includes a fill 20. One suitable fill 20 is a compressible fill, such as a fiber fill, such as a loose polyester fill. Examples of other suitable fill include foam, such as shredded foam, memory foam and combinations thereof. Other suitable fill materials will be recognized by those skilled in the art.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the pillow 10 includes two closures 22, such as zippers that, when closed, cover or conceal the gusset panels 16. When the closures 22 are open, as seen in FIG. 2, the gusset panels 16 are uncovered or exposed. The closure portions, that is, the zipper halves 22a, 22b are positioned at about the junctures 24 of the top panel 12 and gusset panels 16 and the junctures 26 of the bottom panels 14 and the gusset panels 16. Conversely, when the closures 22 are closed, the gusset panels 16 are covered or concealed.

In embodiments, the top and bottom panels 12, 14 are formed from a material that is resistant or relatively resistant to air flow. To restrict air flow, the top and bottom panels can be coated or formed as a laminate with a mostly air flow resistant material. For example, the top and bottom panels can be coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, a polyethylene (PE) material or the like. The top and bottom panels can also be formed as a laminate with a material resistant to provide the air resistant characteristics.

Conversely, the gusset panels 16 are formed from a material that is less resistant to air flow, i.e., allows air flow, such as a mesh material. In such embodiments, when the gusset panels 16 are exposed, air readily flows into and out of the pillow interior 18 through the gusset panels 16 and when the gusset panels 16 are covered or concealed, there is resistance to the flow of air into and out of the pillow 10 interior 18 through the top and/or bottom panels 12, 14. That is, air slowly moves into and out of the pillow interior 18. The gusset panel 16 material can be, for example, a mesh or other suitable breathable material.

In this manner, the pillow 10 exhibits dual performance, exhibiting the characteristics similar to a traditional fill pillow, and characteristics similar to a memory foam pillow. When one or more of the gusset panels 16 are exposed, air readily moves into and out of the pillow interior 18. That is, the pillow 10 will readily fill with air or empty of air as pressure is removed from or applied to the pillow 10, as when a user lifts their head from, or rests their head on, the pillow. This performs similar to a traditional or conventional fiber fill pillow in that the pillow 10 provides consistent support or pressure against a compressive force, conforms quickly to the body part on the pillow, and does not have a delayed response in return or spring back.

Conversely, when the gusset panels 16 are closed or concealed, there is resistance to air flow into and out of the pillow interior 18 through the top and/or bottom panels 12, 14. The pillow 10 will slowly fill with air or empty of air as pressure is removed from or applied to the pillow 10, as when a user lifts their head from, or rests their head on, the pillow 10. This performs similar to a memory foam pillow in that the pillow 10 provides a slow matching profile and likewise, a slow return or spring-back profile. Such a pillow 10 matches the pressure applied to or against the pillow, but responds slowly to the applied pressure. And, once the pressure is removed from the pillow 10, the pillow 10 slowly returns to its original shape slowly, similar to a memory foam pillow, with air slowly entering the pillow 10 through the top and/or bottom panels 12, 14.

Various embodiments of the pillow 10 are disclosed in the figures. For example, FIGS. 1 and 2 show closures 22 (zippers) on two sides of the pillow 10, which can be on the short sides 28 of the pillow 10 (see, for example FIG. 6) or on the long sides 30 of the pillow 10 (see, for example, FIG. 7), with breathable gusset panels 16 behind the closures 22 extending between the top and bottom panels 12, 14. The pillow 10 can also be constructed with zippers 22 on both the short and long sides 28, 30 (see, for example, FIG. 8) with breathable gusset panels 16 behind the closures 22 extending between the top and bottom panels 12, 14. The pillow 10 can also be constructed with one zipper 22 that fully surrounds the pillow 10 with a breathable gusset 16 panel fully between the top and bottom panels 12, 14 (see, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5).

The present dual performance pillow 10 performs similar to a pillow having a memory foam fill by restricting air flow into and out of the pillow interior 18, through the top and/or bottom panels 12, 14 when the closure(s) 22 is (are) closed and the gusset panel(s) 16 is (are) concealed or covered, and also performs similar to a pillow having a non-memory foam fill, such as a fiber fill by not restricting air flow into and out of the pillow interior 18 when the closure(s) 22 is (are) open and the gusset panel(s) 16 is (are) exposed.

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.

All patents referred to herein, are incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure.

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.

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.

Claims

1. A dual performance pillow, comprising:

a top panel having a plurality of sides;
a bottom panel having a plurality of sides;
at least one gusset panel extending between and connected to the top panel and the bottom panel at at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side;
a closure at the at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side to close and open the pillow at the at least one gusset panel; and
a fill;
wherein the others of the plurality of top panel sides and bottom panel sides are joined to one another,
wherein the gusset panel is formed from a material having less resistance to air flow than a material of the top panel and a material of the bottom panel, and
wherein when the at least one closure is closed and the at least one gusset panel is concealed, air flow into and out of the pillow is restricted and when the at least one closure is open and the at least one gusset panel is exposed, air flow into and out of the pillow is unrestricted.

2. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the at least one closure is one closure that fully surrounds the top panel sides and the bottom panel sides and extends about a periphery of the pillow, and wherein the at least one gusset panel is one gusset panel that extends about all of the sides of the top panel and the bottom panel.

3. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the at least one closure is two closures that extend along opposing short sides of the top panel sides and the bottom panel sides, and wherein the at least one gusset panel is two gusset panels that extend between the short sides of the top panel and the bottom panel.

4. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the at least one closure is two closures that extend along opposing long sides of the top panel sides and the bottom panel sides, and wherein the at least one gusset panel is two gusset panels that extend between the long sides of the top panel and the bottom panel.

5. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the material of the top panel and the material of the bottom panel are the same material.

6. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom panels are coated.

7. The dual performance pillow of claim 6, wherein the coating is a thermoplastic polyurethane coating.

8. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom panels are formed as a laminate

9. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the gusset material is a breathable material.

10. The dual performance pillow of claim 9, wherein the gusset panel material is a mesh material.

11. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the at least one closure is a zipper.

12. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the fill is a compressible fill.

13. The dual performance pillow of claim 12, wherein the compressible fill is a polyester fill.

14. The dual performance pillow of claim 1, wherein the fill is a foam.

15. The dual performance pillow of claim 14, wherein the foam is a shredded foam.

16. A dual performance pillow, comprising:

a top panel having a plurality of sides;
a bottom panel having a plurality of sides;
at least one gusset panel extending between and connected to the top panel and the bottom panel at at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side;
a closure at the at least one respective top panel side and bottom panel side to close and open the pillow at the at least one gusset panel; and
a fill;
wherein the others of the plurality of top panel sides and bottom panel sides are joined to one another,
wherein the gusset panel is formed from a material having less resistance to air flow than a material of the top panel and a material of the bottom panel, and
wherein when the at least one closure is closed and the at least one gusset panel is concealed, and when a force is applied to the pillow air flow out of the pillow is delayed relative to when the at least one closure is open and the at least one gusset panel is exposed.

17. The dual performance pillow of claim 16, wherein the least one closure is one closure that fully surrounds the top panel sides and the bottom panel sides and extends about a periphery of the pillow, and wherein the at least one gusset panel is one gusset panel that extends about all of the sides of the top panel and the bottom panel.

18. The dual performance pillow of claim 16, wherein the at least one closure is two closures that extend along opposing sides of the top panel sides and the bottom panel sides, and wherein the at least one gusset panel is two gusset panels that extend between respective opposing sides of the top panel and the bottom panel.

19. The dual performance pillow of claim 16, wherein the material of the top panel and the material of the bottom panel are the same material.

20. The dual performance pillow of claim 16, wherein the gusset panel material is a mesh material.

21. The dual performance pillow of claim 16, wherein the at least one closure is a zipper.

22. The dual performance pillow of claim 16, wherein the fill is a compressible fill.

23. The dual performance pillow of claim 22, wherein the compressible fill is a polyester fill.

Patent History
Publication number: 20240081559
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 7, 2023
Publication Date: Mar 14, 2024
Inventors: Jing Lou (San Francisco, CA), Ning Xu (South San Francisco, CA)
Application Number: 18/463,107
Classifications
International Classification: A47G 9/10 (20060101); A47G 9/02 (20060101);