WO2010088779A1

WO2010088779A1 - Customized pillow/cushion system

Info

Publication number: WO2010088779A1
Application number: PCT/CA2010/000193
Authority: WO
Inventors: Merylnn Erasmus
Original assignee: Merylnn Erasmus
Priority date: 2009-02-04
Filing date: 2010-02-04
Publication date: 2010-08-12

Abstract

The present invention provides an assortment of individual pillow fillers bearing indicia, such as colour coding, indicating their respective properties. The invention further provides for a pillow having a pillowcase which receives an assortment of the individual pillow-fillers selected by a user according to the user's criteria reflecting such things as the user's individual preferences in terms of height, firmness, density, choice of fillings, material and longevity etc.

Description

CUSTOMIZED PILLOW/CUSHION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to pillows or cushions, either of which are referred to herein as "pillow". More particularly the invention relates to a pillow which may be customized to satisfy an individual's pillow preferences and requirements to optimize the pillow for a particular user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Different persons have different preferences with respect to the properties they prefer in a pillow. Accordingly pillows and cushions come in all shapes, sizes, weights, heights, densities, materials and fibres, each having different properties making each one unique and different. Generally an individual will select a pillow based on their selection criteria with the hope that the selected pillow will meet their personal expectations and individual requirements over a period of time thereby allowing a satisfying rest and comfort with use.

[0003] Many factors are taken into consideration when selecting a pillow which include, without limitation, the following:

1. Firmness and Thickness

2. Biodegradability of the Material

3. Height and Density

4. Firmness and Shape Retention

5. Preference of Filler Material (Natural or Synthetic)

6. Quality

7. Safety

8. Price and Value 9. Anti- Allergenic Properties

10. Product Availability

11. Warranty

[0004] The search for the ideal pillow can be difficult and frustrating. It would be rare for a pillow user to be so satisfied with a given pillow choice that they would continue to purchase exactly the same make, style and choice of pillow time after time. Generally the purchaser of a pillow is seeking one which overcomes some deficiency in their past purchase yet heretofore generally some compromise has to be made because of the many pillow variables. When a pillow has the right firmness it may be too thin or too thick. If the thickness of the pillow is according to preference, it may be too soft or firm. Even should a user find a pillow matching their individual criteria, pillows generally change in property due to changes in characteristics arising from long term use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an assortment of individual pillow fillers bearing indicia, such as colour coding, indicating their respective properties. The invention further provides for a pillow having a pillowcase which receives an assortment of the individual pillow- fillers selected by a user according to the user's criteria reflecting such things as the user's individual preferences in terms of height, firmness, density, choice of fillings, material and longevity etc.

[0006] The invention further provides for a pillow which may be restored to its "as new" properties by enabling replacement of specific pillow-fillers as required. Accordingly this eliminates the need for replacing the entire pillow where only certain aspects of its characteristics require modification or replacement. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying illustrations in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pillow according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pillow according to the present invention in partly assembled configuration illustrating two pillow-filler elements;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pillow according to the present invention with an end of the pillowcase open and showing three different pillow-fillers;

Figure 4 is an end elevation corresponding to Figure 3 but showing different pillow-fillers;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing three pillow-fillers secured together with releasable fasteners;

Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 but with a different arrangement of pillow-fillers.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A pillow according to the present invention is generally illustrated by reference 10 in the accompanying illustrations. The outer surface of the pillow is defined by a pillowcase 20 which itself defines a cavity for containing pillow-fillers 30. The pillowcase may be from synthetic or natural fibres, a blend of synthetic and natural fibres, it may be reinforced, lined and/or padded.

[0008] The pillowcase 20 is joined on three sides 22 by any suitable means such as stitching. Other variants are possible such as being continuous along one side stitched along adjacent sides or being woven in a sleeve-like configuration with stitching or suitable fastening along one side. In any case, the pillowcase 20 has an open end 24 for receiving pillow-filler elements 30.

[0009] The open end 24 of the pillow case 20 has releasable fastening means 26 such as a zipper, buttons or a hook and loop fastener enabling releasable sealing after insertion of the pillow-filler elements 30. Other fastening means include hook-and-eye fasteners, an overlapping flap, laces or any other appropriate resealable fastening means.

[0010] The pillow case is sized to allow for preferably up to three pillow-filler elements

30 and may be sized for current market trends as to pillow sizes such as standard, queen and king sizes and may be changed from time to time as required by market forces or trends.

[0011] Each of the pillow filler elements comprises an outer sleeve 32 surrounding a suitable filler material. The sleeve 32 may, if required or desired, also include an inner lining to prevent a filler material contained therein from escaping through the sleeve which may be required for certain filler materials such as feather or down.

[0012] The sleeves 32 are sized to enable a plurality of the sleeves 32 to be inserted in the pillowcase 20. Each sleeve 32 bears indicia 34 indicating its respective filler material. The indicia may be colour coding or simply a label printed on or attached to the sleeve. Each sleeve is enclosed on all sides by sewing or other suitable means. Figure 2 illustrates a pillow 10 having two pillow-fillers 30a and 30b each containing different filler material. Figure 3 illustrates a pillow 10 having three pillow filler elements 30c, 30d and 30e, each representing different filler materials.

[0013] The filler materials are selected to impart desired pillow characteristics including, but not limited to the following:

i) Thickness and/or Firmness ii) Softness/Hardness iii) Density iv) Type of filling- Synthetic or Natural v) Hypo or Non- Allergenic vi) Biodegradable or Recyclable vii) Longevity viii) Safety ix) Availability x) Washability and Care.

[0014] By way of example, and bearing in mind that any suitable indicia may be utilized, colour may be utilized to show for example the following:

Type Colour i. Feathers Blue ii. Gel fibre Lemon iii. Synthetic/Polyester filler Violet iv. Biodegradable filler Pink v. Polyurethane Foam Rose vi. Fibre fill Turquoise vii. Buckwheat Brown viii. Bamboo Taupe ix. Viscose Elastic Foam Plum x. Granulated filler Lime xi. Recycled filler Green xii. Polystyrene Balls Sandstone xiii. Cotton Mauve

[0015] The pillow is customized to a user's individual preference by the user selecting a quantity of pillow filler elements 30 having desired properties which are inserted into the pillow case 20.

[0016] To prevent one pillow-filler from moving relative to its adjacent pillow-fillers, suitable releasable fastening members such as hook-and-loop material 40 may be placed on outer surfaces of each pillow sleeve filler 32 to maintain alignment between each of the pillow filler elements 32. [0017] The user may customize their pillow by selecting a colour combination and appropriate number of pillow-filler elements 30 to be inserted in the pillow case 20. The pillow- filler elements 30 are stacked one upon another and joined at each of their ends, and possibly also over their faces and adjacent sides by the releasable fastening members 40.

[0018] The pillow system of the present invention enables a user to replace individual pillow-filler elements 30 as desired to change the characteristics of the pillow. The change may be to a different pillow- filler element 30 or simply a new pillow-filler element 30 to replace one which has become worn through time.

[0019] The description is intended in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense as variations may be apparent to a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claim set out below.

Claims

I claim

1. A customizable pillow system comprising a pillowcase defining an enclosure for receiving pillow-filler elements; a plurality of pillow-filler elements including at least 2 elements having different respective pillow-filler materials having different pillow properties; the pillowcase having a releasably closable end for receiving said pillow-filler elements; each pillow-filler element having a sleeve surrounding a respective pillow-filler material; and each pillow-filler element bearing indicia indicating properties of its respective filler material.

HAM LAW\ 260729\l