EP3621495B1

EP3621495B1 - Expandable bed pillow

Info

Publication number: EP3621495B1
Application number: EP18704375.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Russ Holbrook; Chun Leung Chan; Jing Chen
Original assignee: STANDARD FIBER LLC
Current assignee: STANDARD FIBER LLC
Priority date: 2017-05-11
Filing date: 2018-01-25
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-25
Also published as: US20220079358A1; AU2018264843B2; WO2018208343A1; MX2019013447A; NZ757633A; US20180325291A1; BR112019022271A2; CA3058125A1; BR112019022271B1; EP3621495A1; AU2018264843A1; CN110662461A

Description

BACKGROUND

The following description relates to an expandable pillow and pillow cover, for example, an expandable pillow and pillow cover of the type configured for use with a bed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. An expandable pillow cover and an expandable pillow according to the prior art.are disclosed in US 2014/0373276 A1 .
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

According to the invention, there is provided an expandable pillow cover according to claim 1 and an expandable pillow according to claim 7. The expandable pillow includes an expandable pillow cover according to claim 1 and at least one insert disposed in the interior space.
According to the invention, 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 two opposing openable sides and 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.
Gusset panels are positioned between the first layer and the second layer in the interior space and adjacent the two opposing openable sides. Two fasteners for fastening the first and second layers, one at each of the two opposing openable sides are movable independently of each other between an open unfastened condition and a closed fastened condition,
wherein the cover is adjustable between a first condition where both 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 unfastened to expand its respective gusset panel and the interior space has a second volume greater than the first volume.
The expandable pillow cover can include two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides between the opposing long sides, and the two openable sides are the two opposing short sides. Alternately, the two openable sides can also be the two opposing long sides. The pillow cover can have two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides between the opposing long sides and four fasteners, one fastener positioned on each of the long sides and the short sides and all of the sides are openable sides.
The fasteners can be, for example, zippers. The zippers can extend fully to the corners of the pillow cover.
In a preferred embodiment of the expandable pillow the expandable cover includes an opening for allowing access to the interior space.
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 a side of the cover or completely about the side of the cover.
In a preferred embodiment, 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.
A preferred expandable pillow cover includes an opening which allows access to the interior space.
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.
The two fasteners may be included in zippers 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.
In an embodiment, each zipper extends to its respective corners. The cover can include an opening for allowing access to the interior space.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an expandable pillow in a first, unexpanded condition according to an embodiment described herein;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the pillow in a second, expanded condition according to an embodiment described herein;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a pillow in a second, expanded condition according to another embodiment described herein;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a pillow insert for a pillow;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the pillow insert of FIG. 4 partially inserted into a pillow cover;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the pillow cover of figure 5 closed with the pillow insert therein;
FIG. 7 is a figure similar to FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pillow cover of in a partially expanded condition, according to an embodiment described herein
FIG. 9 is a side view showing the pillow cover of FIG. 8 in the expanded condition;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a gusset panel of the pillow cover of FIGS. 8 and 9;
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;
FIGS. 12A and 12B show a short side of the pillow cover of FIG. 11A, showing the zipper open in FIG. 12A and the zipper closed in FIG. 12B; and
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

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described one or more embodiments with the understanding that they are to be considered illustrative only and not intended to limit the invention to any specific embodiment described or illustrated.
FIGS. 1-3 are cross-sectional views showing expandable 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.
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.
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 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.
The fastener 18 extends about either a portion or an entirety of a side 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.
In one embodiment the fastener 18, and in particular, the first and second sections 30, 32 generally extend about a side of the first layer 20 and second layer 22, respectively. Thus, in the first condition, 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 second layers 20, 22. That is, 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. 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 gusset 24 is directly exposed to ambient atmosphere and forms a portion of the periphery of the pillow cover 12, or an expanded pillow.
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 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 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).
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 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.
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 is 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 are 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 is also positioned in the cover 12.
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.
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.
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 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.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the pillow 10 and pillow cover 12 in the second condition. Referring to 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 an additional or a large pillow insert received within the pillow cover 12.
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. A gusset panel 324 is present extending between and affixed to the first and second panels 320, 322, interior of each fastener 318. 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).
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.
In this 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.
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 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 fasteners about the openable sides of the pillow cover so that the gusset is folded or otherwise disposed in the interior space.
The directional references of top, bottom, upper and lower are provided for reference to one another only and are not intended to limit the invention in any other way.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation of the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The invention is intended to cover modifications which fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

An expandable pillow cover (12) comprising:
a first layer (20);

a second layer (22) positioned opposite to the first layer (20) to define an interior space (16) therebetween, the first (20) and second (22) layers being joined to one another at at least junctures of two opposing openable sides and two other sides, the two opposing openable sides being between the two other sides, wherein the openable sides and the other sides define four corners at which the first (20) and second (22) layers are joined to one another;

gusset panels (24) positioned between the first layer (20) and the second layer (22) in the interior space (16) and adjacent the two opposing openable sides; and

two fasteners (18) for fastening the first (20) and second (22) layers, one at each of the two opposing openable sides, the two fasteners (18) movable independently of each other between an open unfastened condition and a closed fastened condition,

wherein the cover (12) is adjustable between a first condition where both fasteners (18) are fastened to contract its respective gusset panel (24) and the interior space has a first volume, and a second condition where one or both of the fasteners (18) are unfastened to expand its respective gusset panel (24) and the interior space has a second volume greater than the first volume.
The expandable pillow cover of claim 1 wherein the pillow cover (12) has two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides between the opposing long sides, and wherein the two openable sides are two opposing short sides.
The expandable pillow cover of claim 1 wherein the pillow cover (12) has two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides between the opposing long sides, and wherein the two openable sides are two opposing long sides.
The expandable pillow cover of claim 1 wherein the pillow cover (12) has two opposing long sides and two opposing short sides between the opposing long sides, the pillow cover (12) having four fasteners, one fastener positioned on each of the long sides and the short sides and wherein all of the sides are openable sides.
The expandable pillow cover of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fasteners (18) are zippers.
The expandable pillow cover of claim 5 wherein the zippers extend fully to the corners of the pillow cover (12).
An expandable pillow (10) comprising an expandable pillow cover (12) according to claims 1 to 6 and at least one insert (14) disposed in the interior space.