AU5831499A - Cooling fluid container - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Applicant(s): KIRK STANLEY ERIC STANLEY Actual Inventor(s): KIRK STANLEY ERIC STANLEY Address for Service: PATENT ATTORNEY SERVIC 26 Ellingworth Parade Box Hill Victoria 3128 Australia IP Australia ES Documents received on: (D 5 NOV 1999 Batch No: Title: COOLING FLUID CONTAINER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- COOLING FLUID CONTAINER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fluid filled container which slides between a pillow case and the top of a pillow to provide a constant cool spot for a pillow user. The fluid container pillow insert is ideally suited for enhancing sleep when air temperatures are uncomfortably high and to soothe sunburns, fevers, headaches and the like. The present invention can also be used as a cooling pet bed to make animals and family pets more comfortable.

BACKGROUND ART Most people have difficulty sleeping when air temperatures are high. At present, the main solution to this 15 problem is to use powered devices such as air conditioning, fans, etc., to cool air temperatures. Fans and air conditioning require electricity and are noisy.

The present invention solves this problem by using a fluid saturated foam filled container as a pillow insert.

20 While others have designed pillows for various purposes, no one has developed a fluid filled container to conduct a person's or animal's lost body heat away from the body. The following patents are representative of the art.

U.S. Design Patent No. 25786 (1896) to Stoll discloses a water bag pillow having a large central hole and a tube ac each of its four corners. The four tubes serve as both inlets and outlets and are closed by stoppers. The present invention la is filled with both foam and fluid and does not possess a large hole or cavity anywhere in its design.

U.S. Patent No. 4,847,931 (1989) to Bard discloses a pillow with a thin water envelope contained in its bottom half. A dry compressible filler material lies between the pillow's top surface and the water envelope. The present invention does not contain an isolated internal water envelope. Fluid permeates the entire present invention which is placed on top of the pillow, rather than the bottom, so that heat transfer may occur between the insert and the sleeping person.

U.S. Patent No. 4,896,388 (1990)to Bard discloses an alternative embodiment of U.S. Patent No. 4,847,931 described above. The alternative embodiment uses a conventional pillow as the compressible filler material between the bottom water envelope and the top surface. The present invention does not contain an isolated fluid envelope, rather, fluid permeates the entire invention. Further, the present invention is placed on top of a pillow so that only a pillow case comes between 20 the invention and the sleeping person.

U.S. Patent No. 4,887,326 to O'Brien et al. discloses a crescent shaped neck pillow containing dry filling and pockets. The pockets receive gel packs which can be heated or cooled. The present invention is not a neck pillow and is permeated with cooling fluid which is used at room temperature. The fluid does not have to be externally heated or cooled.

U.S. Patent No. 5,231, 720 (1993) to Benoff discloses a pillow having an internal air bag for adjustable firmness.

The present invention does not contain an air bag. The present invention is entirely filled with fluid saturated foam.

U.S. Patent No. 4,908,893 to Smit discloses a beauty pillow with a concave area on its top surface to prevent pillow contact with delicate facial skin. An optional water, air or gel filled bladder can be substituted for conventional pillow stuffing material. The present invention is a fluid and foam filled container that can be inserted between a pillow and case and is not itself a pillow. The cresent invention does not contain a concave area and is filled with both foam and fluid.

15 Disclosure of Invention The primary object of the present invention is to provide a pillow insert which creates a pillow surface which is cooler than human body temperature. Other objects of the invention may be achieved in preferred embodiments.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pillow insert that continuously provides comfortably cool sleeping conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling pillow insert which induces sleep.

25 Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling pillow insert which enhances sleep.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pillow insert that provides comfortably cool sleeping conditions without using electricity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling pillow insert which is filled with fluid saturated foam.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling pillow insert which is filled with a non toxic fluid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid filled cooling pillow insert which is leak resistant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid filling cooling pillow insert which is refillable and temperature adjustable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pillow insert which cools a person noiselessly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling pillow insert that is held in thile proper orientation by traction, a pillow case, and the weight and uniform fluid distribution within the insert.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling pillow insert which soothes headaches, fevers, sunburns and alcohol hangovers, or anytime a cooling sensation is desired, e.g. after exercise, sunbathing, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cooling pet bed that continuously provides comfortably cool sleeping and lounging conditions for an animal or pet.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this

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55 S S @5 5 15 20 specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a thermal regulating cushioning device including: a non-compartmentalized flexible outer membrane readily able to allow flow of heat therethrough and encasing an open celled foam filler; a liquid surrounded by said flexible outer membrane functioning to absorb a user's lost body heat and act as a weight sink to maintain the cushioning device in its proper orientation; and said open celled foam filler having an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane and, permeated by said liquid, which is readily able to flow therein and functioning to eliminate wave motion in said liquid and to reduce an amount of said liquid required for filling.

The invention also provides in combination with a conventional pillow and pillow case covering said conventional pillow a thermal regulating cushioning device including: a non-compartmentalized outer membrane encasing an inner foam core said inner foam core having an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane; a liquid permeating said inner foam core wherein said liquid is readily able to flow therein; and said cushioning device is located between said pillow and said pillow case.

Also the invention provides a thermal regulating cushioning device including: a flexible non-compartmentalized outer membrane with a top and a bottom surface encasing an open celled foam filler; a liquid surrounded by said flexible non-compartmentalized outer membrane finctioning to absorb a lost body heat of an animal user; said open celled foam filler having an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane permeated by said liquid which is readily able to flow therein, functioning to eliminate wave motion in said liquid, to reduce leakage and to reduce an amount of said liquid required for filling; and said cushioning device further comprising a flat shape at least twice as large as the animal.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a thermal regulating cushioning device including: a flexible, deformable non-compartmentalized outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid material therein; a foam core being disposed within said flexible, deformable non-compartmentalized 15 outer membrane wherein said foam core has an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane; a liquid material being sealable contained within said flexible, deformable non-compartmentalized outer membrane and saturating said foam core, said liquid material being at least partially circulatable through said foam core; wherein the cooperation of said saturated foam core and said sealably flexible non-compartmentalized membrane provide a uniform, thermal regulating medium and structural support such that said cushioning device is readily uniformly deformable when a load is applied thereto.

In summary, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of presently used pillows and powered cooling devices. Powered cooling devices are typically noisy and require electricity. The present invention cools a person noiselessly and without electricity by providing a fluid filled container which slides between the top of a pillow and the pillow case.

The container is entirely filled with a layer of porous foam which is saturated with ordinary tap water. The container temperature is initially lower than body temperature and remains so for several hours. The container cools a person by allowing convective heat exchange between a person's head and the water in the insert. This heat is passively dissipated to the surrounding environment. The water moves freely through the foam, therefore, "hot spots" do not occur and temperature remains uniform throughout the fluid container pillow insert. A pillow, without the present invention, traps body heat causing thermal discomfort and pillow flipping.

Further, the saturated foam prevents water leakage in case of a puncture, prevents .noise by preventing waves, minimising bubbles and acts as a weight sink to maintain the container's proper orientation on a pillow. The container can also be used with or without a pillow as a cooling pet bed to provide cool sleeping and resting conditions for animals and "family pets.

In the preferred embodiment, a fluid filler container is used as a cooling pillow insert and is placed between a pillow case and a pillow. The insert consists of a vinyl bag snugly surrounding a porous foam core which has been saturated with fluid. Only the pillow case separates the insert from the user's head. The insert temperature is lower than human body temperature. The close contact between the pillow user and the insert, therefore, allows heat to be transferred from the pillow user to the insert by conduction.

6a The fluid moves freely through the foam core, and, therefore, heat is dispersed throughout the pillow insert and passively lost to the surrounding environment, resulting in a uniformly cool surface with no "hot spots". As a result the pillow surface remains uniformly cool. The user is thus afforded a continuous cool spot, which enhances relaxation and sleep.

The saturated foam core further acts to prevent noise by preventing wave action, reduce the possibility of leakage and act as a weight sink to maintain the insert in its proper orientation on the pillow.

The container can also be used with or without a pillow to provide a sleep and relaxation enhancing cool surface for an animal or pet.

*i 00 00 0 *0 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a partial cut-away of the fluid container pillow insert enclosed between a pillow and pillow case.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the fluid container pillow insert enclosed between a pillow case and pillow.

FIG. 3(a) is a top perspective view of the bottom side of an alternative embodiment of the fluid container pillow insert.

FIG. 3(b) is a top plan view of the traction material which is fixed to the bottom side of the alternative embodiment of the fluid container pillow insert.

FIG. 4(a) is a top perspective view of the bottom side of the preferred embodiment of the fluid container pillow insert.

S 15 FIG. 4(b) is a top plan view of the flocked vinyl traction material which is fixed to the bottom side of the preferred embodiment of the fluid container pillow insert.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reticulated foam 20 contained in the fluid container pillow insert.

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a partial cut-away of an alternative embodiment of the fluid container being used a as a cooling pet bed.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable 7 of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring first to FIG. 1 a top perspective view of a partial cut-away of the fluid container pillow insert enclosed between a pillow 12 and pillow case 11 is shown. The pillow insert consists of a foam core 15 that is saturated with fluid 20 and enclosed in a vinyl bag 13.

In the preferred embodiment of the fluid container pillow insert 10, the foam core 15 is fourteen inches wide dl, twenty-one inches long d2 and one half inch thick d3. A vinyl bag 13 fits snugly around the reticulated foam core 15. These are the approximate dimensions of a conventional bed pillow.

These dimensions are substantially larger than a human head 15 (60) and provide enough volume and surface area to dissipate the body heat transferred to the container The vinyl bag 13 consists of two layers of vinyl which have been sealed together along their perimeters by radio frequency. Flexible vinyl sheets are available in thickness ranging from 2 mm to 100 mm. The preferred embodiment uses 8 mm thick vinyl sheets. The resulting radio frequency seal 14 is water tight and stronger than a heat seal. The top vinyl sheet 32 is noiseless, translucent and soft to the touch.

Referring next to FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view of the foam core 15 contained in the fluid container pillow insert is shown. The core 15 consists of reticulated foam composed of pclyurethane which is filled with cores 16. The a reticulated foam core 15 is saturated with fluid Reticulated foam is processed with an acid treatment of sonic treatment to result in larger pore sizes and is available in pore densities ranging from ten pores per inch (PPI) to sixty PPI. The preferred embodiment of the pillow insert 10 uses a foam core 15 with a pore density of twenty PPI. At a pore density of twenty PPI, essentially all of the fluid contained in the fluid container pillow insert 10 is retained in the foam core 15. This reduces both noise and the risk of leakage if the container 10 is punctured or torn. Noise is reduced because fluid 20 is retained in the foam core 15 and not free to audibly slosh or splash. Risk of leakage is reduced because fluid is retained in the reticulated foam and not free to leak out of a puncture or a cut. The foam core 15 will not release the fluid 20 to result in leakage unless pressure is applied at or near a puncture or cut.

Additionally, because all the fluid is evenly distributed throughout the core 15, the fluid 20 does not pool in one spot. This allows the core 15 to act as a weight sink which 20 holds the invention in place and prevents the invention from slipping out of place.

9 The fluid 20 used in the preferred insert embodiment is water. Water is non toxic and readily available to fill the insert Referring next to FIG. 2 a front cross-sectional view of the fluid container pillow insert 10 enclosed between a pillow 12 and a pillow case 11 is shown. The container 10 ccnsists a of a top vinyl sheet 17 and bottom vinyl sheet 18 which are radio frequency sealed 14 to enclose a reticulated foam insert A backing 19 is fixed to the bottom vinyl sheet 18. The container 10 is placed on a conventional pillow with the backing 19 contacting the pillow 12 and the top vinyl sheet 17 facing up.

Referring again to FIG. 1 the only layer between the fluid container pillow insert 10 and a person's head 60, is the pillow case 11. This close contact allows a user's body heat to be absorbed by the insert (10) and conducted throughout the fluid 20 and finally passively transferred to the surrounding environment as indicated by arrows 91. The fluid 20 disperses body heat from the point where the head contacts the pillow and diffuses the heat throughout the fluid container pillow insert 10 as indicated by arrows 92.

The fluid temperature may initially be at room temperature which is lower than human body temperature and remains so for hours. A user may also adjust the initial

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temperature of the fluid 20 by filling the container 10 with a fluid 20 at the desired temperature. By dispersing a person's body heat throughout the fluid container pillow insert 10, the pillow surface remains uniformly cool providing a person with a constant cool surface to sleep on. The fluid container pillow insert 10 warms slight during use, and therefore does not overcool a sleeping user. If a container user desires an initial temperature lower than room temperature, the user can fill the container with colder water.

Heat transfer to the pillow insert 10 helps to enhance sleeping comfort by conducting heat away from a person's head 60. Over 50% of a person's body heat is lost through the head The container 10, therefore enhances the overall comfort of the user by conducting lost body heat away from the user.

A pillow case 11 fits securely around the insert 10 and a conventional pillow 12. The combination of the traction backing 19, the snug pillow case 11 and the weight of the insert 10, securely holds the container 10 flat against the pillow 12.

Referring next to FIG. 3(a) a top perspective view of the bottom side of an alternative embodiment of the fluid 0@O* container pillow insert 50 is shown. The alternative *0 00.* embodiment of the container 50 consists of a reticulated foam core 22 which is saturated with fluid 31, preferably water, and snugly enclosed by a 8 millimeter thick vinyl bag 24. The So 0 vinyl bag 24 consists of two vinyl sheets fused together around their perimeters by a radio frequency seal 23.

In the alternative embodiment 50, a simple fluid inlet 29 is attached to the bottom 25 of the vinyl bag 24. The inlec 29 is a plastic tube which is easily opened and closed by a pop cap 30 using a pull tab 33. The pop cap 30 is attached to the inlet by thin plastic strips 34 to prevent the loss of the pop cap _i Strips of traction material 26 are attached to the bottom of the vinyl bag 24 to help maintain the container properly oriented flat against a pillow.

Referring next to FIG 3(b) a top plan view of the traction material 26 which is fixed to the bottom side of the alternative embodiment of the pillow insert 50 is shown. JIFFY GRIP brand traction material 26 is used in the alternative insert embodiment 50. JIFFY GRIP consists of cloth 28 studded with raised vinyl dots 27. The JIFFY GRIP traction material 26 contacts the top of a pillow and keeps the insert 50 from slipping out of position. Similar traction material with rubber dots is also available from other manufacturers. The JIFFY GRIP combined with the weight of the insert 50 and the tension of the pillow case, keeps the insert 50 properly 15 oriented on the pillow. Additionally, because the fluid 31 is uniformly distributed throughout the foam core 22, the fluid 31 does not pool. The container 50, therefore, acts as a weight sink and is not pulled out of orientation by pooled fluid 31.

20 Referring next to FIG. 4(a) a top perspective view of the bottom side of the preferred embodiment of the fluid container pillow insert 10 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, a recessed finger-well style valve 43 is inserted through the bottom vinyl sheet 18 of the container 10. The seal 41 between the valve 43 and the bottom vinyl sheet 18 is water tight. The valve 43 is one half to one inch in diameter and is sealed by a threaded screw cap 42. The cap 42 is unscrewed

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when fluid is added to or removed from the insert 10. The bottom sheet 18 also comprises a traction material Referring next to FIG. 4(b) a top plan view of the traction material 40 which is fixed to the bottom vinyl sheet 18 of the preferred pillow insert embodiment 10 is shown. The traction material 40 is composed of flocked vinyl. The traction material 40 contacts the top surface of a pillow 12 and prevents the container 10 from slipping out of position.

The combination of the flocked vinyl 40 bottom sheet 18, the weight of the container 10, the lack of fluid 20 pooling and the tension of the pillow case 11, keeps the container 10 in the proper orientation on the pillow 12.

Referring next to FIG. 6 a top perspective view of a partial cutaway of an alternative embodiment 70 of the insert i 15 being used as a pet bed is shown. The pet bed embodiment 9 of the present invention is substantially similar to the other two embodiments 10, 0.0": The pet bed embodiment consists of a foam core 73 which **o may or may not be reticulated foam. The foam core 73 is saturated with fluid 74 and snugly enclosed by a vinyl bag 72.

The vinyl bag is composed of an upper 77 and lower vinyl sheet o: 78 fused together with a strong water tight radio frequency seal 79. The flexible vinyl sheets are available in thicknesses that range from 2 millimeters to 100 millimeters.

20 millimeter thick vinyl sheets are used in the pet bed embodiment to help prevent an animal's claws from tearing or puncturing the insert 70. The pet bed embodiment 70 has a i simple fluid inlet and outlet 76 attached in a water tight fashion to its lower vinyl sheet 78. The pet bed embodiment saturates the reticulated foam core 73 with water as the preferred fluid 74.

The pet bed embodiment has a dimension substantially larger than the body size of the pet 71 or animal. The pet bed embodiment should be twice the size of the pet's body size in order to provide enough volume and surface area to dissipate the pet's 71 body heat.

The pet bed embodiment 70 will be at room temperature unless used in the prior few hours. The pet bed 70 can be made cooler by adding cooler fluid 74 to the bed The pet's 71 body heat is transferred to the fluid 74 in the present invention 70 as indicated by arrows 82. The heat is 15 then dispersed throughout the fluid 74 of the pet bed 70 as indicated by arrows 83 and passively transferred to the surrounding environment as indicated by arrows Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and 20 variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

Claims (21)

1. A thermal regulating cushioning device including: a non-compartmentalized flexible outer membrane readily able to allow flow of heat therethrough and encasing an open celled foam filler; a liquid surrounded by said flexible outer membrane functioning to absorb a user's lost body heat and act as a weight sink to maintain the cushioning device in its proper orientation; and said open celled foam filler having an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane and, permeated by said liquid, which is readily able to flow therein and functioning to eliminate wave motion in said liquid and to reduce an amount of said liquid required for filling.

2. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 1 wherein: said flexible outer membrane further comprises a lower outer membrane; said lower outer membrane further comprises a nonsliding surface functioning to hold 15 the cushioning device in a predetermined orientation on a pillow.

3. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 2, wherein: said lower outer membrane further comprises a reclosable liquid inlet and outlet valve.

4. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 3, wherein: said outer dimension of said flexible outer membrane further comprises a rectangular 20 shape having approximate dimensions of width 14 inches, length 21 inches, and height inches.

5. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 4, wherein: said flexible outer membrane fiurther comprises a retaining volume having a range of two to three quarts. __lj

6. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 3, wherein: said nonsliding surface further comprises a studded cloth; and said studded cloth is chosen from a group of rubber studded cloth and vinyl studded cloth.

7. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 3, wherein: said nonsliding surface further comprises a flocked vinyl.

8. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 3, wherein: said open celled foam filler comprises reticulated polyurethane foam.

9. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 8, wherein: said open celled foam filler has a porosity ranging from ten pores per inch to 60 pores per inch.

In combination with a conventional pillow and pillow case covering said conventional pillow a thermal regulating cushioning device including: a non-compartmentalized outer membrane encasing an inner foam core said inner foam 15 core having an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane; a liquid permeating said inner foam core wherein said liquid is readily able to flow therein; and said cushioning device is located between said pillow and said pillow case. 20

11. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 10 wherein: the dimension of said inner foam core further comprises a rectangular shape having approximate dimensions of width 14 inches, length 21 inches, and height .5 inches.

12. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 11, wherein: 16 1 said cushioning device further comprises a lower non-sliding surface tinctioning to stick to a top plane of the conventional pillow.

13. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 12 wherein: said lower nonsliding surface of said cushioning device fiurther comprises a resealable liquid inlet and outlet valve.

14. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 13, wherein: said lower nonsliding surface further comprises a studded cloth; and said studded cloth is chosen from a group of vinyl studded and rubber studded cloth.

The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 13, wherein: said lower nonsliding surface further comprises a flocked vinyl.

16. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 13, wherein: said inner foam core further comprises reticulated polyurethane foam; and said inner foam core further comprises a porosity 5 ranging from 10 pores per inch to 60 pores per inch. 1 5

17. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 3, wherein: the outer membrane of said cushioning device further comprises vinyl; and said outer membrane further comprises a thickness ranging from two to one hundred S• millimeters. a

18. A thermal regulating cushioning device including: 20 a flexible non-compartmentalized outer membrane with a top and a bottom surface encasing an open celled foam filler; a liquid surrounded by said flexible non-compartmentalized outer membrane functioning to absorb a lost body heat of an animal user; 17 said open celled foam filler having an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane permeated by said liquid which is readily able to flow therein, functioning to eliminate wave motion in said liquid, to reduce leakage and to reduce an amount of said liquid required for filling; and said cushioning device further comprising a flat shape at least twice as large as the animal.

19. The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 18, wherein: said flexible outer membrane further comprises a vinyl; said vinyl having a thickness ranging from 2 to 100 millimeters; and said bottom surface further comprises an inlet and outlet valve.

The thermal regulating cushioning device of claim 19, wherein: said open celled foam filler further comprises reticulated polyurethane having a porosity ranging from 10 pores per inch to 60 pores per inch.

21. A thermal regulating cushioning device including: 15 a flexible, deformable non-compartmentalized outer membrane being adapted to sealably receive a liquid material therein; a foam core being disposed within said flexible, deformable non-compartmentalized outer membrane wherein said foam core has an incompressed volume substantially similar to the internal maximum volume of the flexible outer membrane; 20 a liquid material being sealable contained within said flexible, deformable Snon-compartmentalized outer membrane and saturating said foam core, said liquid material being at least partially circulatable through said foam core; 1 wherein the cooperation of said satUrated fo6am core and said sealably flexible non-compartmentalized membrane provide a unifiorm, thermal regulating mnedium and structural support such that said cushioning device is readily unifiormly defibrmnable when a load is applied thereto. Dated this 5th day of November 1999 PATENTr ATTORNEY SERVICES Attorneys for KIRK STANLEY AND ERIC STANLEY