EP0316572B1 - Pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

The pillow (1), in particular a health pillow (1), has a cover (2) and a filling (3). It is distinguished by the combination of the following features: - the cover (2) consists of an essentially non-stretchable fabric and has in the empty state a flat shape which, starting from a rectangle with a side ratio of about 3:4, has a first longer side edge which has in the centre an inwardly directed curve (4), whereas the other, second longer side edge has in the centre an outwardly directed curve (5); - the filling (3) consists essentially of spherical fibrous units which are formed from spherically intertwined fibres and/or threads; and - the fibrous units, packed into the cover (2), have a bulk weight which corresponds to 3 to 7 times the bulk weight of the fibrous units in the non-compressed state outside the cover (2). <??>A pillow is thus provided which is simple to manufacture, can be matched particularly easily to the requirements of the user and offers the user's head sufficient support both in the supine position and in the lateral position. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a pillow, in particular a health pillow with a cover and a filling.

Pillows are known in a wide variety of forms. Most of the time, the cover of the pillow has a substantially rectangular base; now and then the corners of a rectangular pillow are rounded.

There are also pillows, especially health pillows with a wide variety of shapes. For example, from DE-U-8.405.166 a triangular cushion is known which has a triangular trough in the middle. If you lie on your back, the head is essentially in the hollow, while the neck is supported by one side bead. If you lie in the so-called side position, the head comes to rest on one of the other two side beads.

Also known are essentially rectangular pillows, in the one longitudinal edge of which a firmer bead serving as a neck roll is arranged. Several such beads can also be provided.

All of these pillows are relatively difficult to manufacture because, in addition to a peripheral seam, various other seams have to be attached and the chambers formed also have to be filled with different materials and / or to different extents.

Due to their training, these pillows cannot be adapted to the wishes of different people, so that differently designed pillows have to be manufactured and sold side by side. Once you have bought a specific pillow and this does not meet your own requirements, you have to buy another pillow.

Pillows, especially health pillows, also have a wide variety of fillings. Pillow fillings made of natural materials, such as down, feathers, horsehair, or the like, have been known for a very long time. However, these have the major disadvantage that the components of the filling move very easily if you lay your head on them. The filling components are displaced to the side too easily under the head and the head soon lies through, essentially next to the filling components.

The latter also applies e.g. for a pillow which is manufactured in the conventional manner and has fiber aggregates as described in EP-A-0.203.469. The fiber aggregates described there are highly siliconized, which is why they can slide against each other very easily. Especially in pillows of conventional shape, this also leads to the fiber aggregates being pushed out of the head support area.

From AU-B-419 398 a pillow is known in which, starting from a rectangular shape of the pillow case, inward curvatures are arranged in the two shorter side edges of the pillow, so that in the side position of the user, mouth and nose are not on the pillow lie. In addition, this pillow has a further, inward bulge in the middle on its first longer side edge, which, when the user is lying on the side, receives the user's shoulder below. In one embodiment of this known pillow, the other longer bulges outwards. This known pillow is thus specially designed for use in the side position of the body.

In this known pillow four corners protruding from the main part of the pillow are formed by the special design. This well-known pillow is filled with foam rubber or kapok.

The invention has for its object to provide a pillow that is easy to manufacture, can be easily adapted to the needs of the user and offers the head of the user both in the supine position as well as in the lateral position sufficient support.

This object is surprisingly achieved by a pillow which has the features mentioned in claim 1.

In the pillow according to the invention, the cover consists of an essentially inextensible fabric, the cover has in empty state a surface shape that, starting from a rectangle with an aspect ratio of about 3: 4, has a first longer side edge that bulges inwards in the middle, while the other, second longer side edge bulges outwards. In addition, all four corners can be rounded.

The filling of the pillow consists of essentially spherical fiber aggregates which are formed from fibers and / or threads which are spherically interwoven. The fiber aggregates filled in the casing have a bulk density which corresponds to 3 to 7 times the bulk density of the fiber aggregates in the non-compressed state.

It has been found in various people that even if they change their position in bed when sleeping, the pillow always remains in a certain position and orientation to the head and shoulders area of the user. If the user lies in the so-called supine position, the head rests essentially in the middle of the pillow. The shoulders lie on the inward bulging side edge, without them coming to rest on the pillow. If the user turns into one of the two lateral positions, the user's lower shoulder lies in the bulge of the aforementioned side edge. This takes place either in that the user does not change his position in relation to the pillow, but only rotates, or in that the user takes the pillow with him when moving. When moving back to the supine position, the pillow is again aligned so that the user rests with his shoulders on the aforementioned side edge.

The latter can take place in that the shoulders "engage" in the inward bulge and thereby take the pillow with it. If the shoulder has moved out of this bulge, the center of the pillow is under the head. The intention here is to provide support for the head in the supine as well as in the lateral position, while the shoulders always lie on the bed itself.

The connection between pillow shape and filling essential to the invention results from the following:
If pressure is exerted on the pillow with the head, the fiber aggregates are compressed in the direction of the pressure and a small part of the fiber aggregates is also displaced transversely to the direction of the pressure. Since the pillow has a certain shape on the one hand, and on the other hand is relatively bulging with fiber aggregates, the fiber aggregates displaced to the side cannot move too far, which is why the pillow supports the head well. A head cavity is formed in which the head is supported over a large area. This distributes the pressure evenly, which leads to a better and more comfortable sleep. The sleeper himself is calmer, which means that a pillow that is so small is also sufficient because it always stays under the head.

When the cushion is relieved, the fiber aggregates recover again and the displaced fiber aggregates are pushed back into their initial position, so that the shape of the cushion corresponds to the initial state after complete relief.

The cushion cover advantageously has a filling volume of 5 to 9 dm³, preferably about 7 dm³.

The fiber aggregates filled in the casing have a bulk density which corresponds to 3 to 7 times the bulk density of the fiber aggregates in the non-compressed state. A filling weight of 200 to 350 g is sufficient.

Depending on the body size and sleeping habits of the user, the pillow is filled with more or less fiber aggregates. Through an opening provided in the seam of the cushion cover, which e.g. can be opened and closed by means of a zipper, the filling quantity can be adjusted.

Due to the special design of the cover and the relatively high bulk density, the pillow remains very firm.

Due to the small weight, the relatively small volume and the possibility of compressing the entire pillow to an even smaller volume, the pillow is also very suitable to be taken with you on trips.

Further details and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims and from the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the drawing.

Figur 1

eine ungefüllte flachliegende Kissenhülle in der Aufsicht;

Figur 2

einen Schnitt durch ein gefülltes, unbelastetes Kissen entlang der Linie A-A gemäß Figuren 1 und 4;

Figur 3

einen Schnitt durch ein gefülltes, belastetes Kissen entlang der Linie A-A gemäß Figuren 1 und 5;

Figur 4

einen Schnitt durch ein gefülltes, unbelastetes Kissen entlang der Linie B-B gemäß Figuren 1 und 2, und

Figur 5

einen Schnitt durch ein gefülltes, belastetes Kissen entlang der Linie B-B gemäß Figuren 1 und 3.

It shows:

Figure 1

an unfilled flat pillow case in supervision;

Figure 2

a section through a filled, unloaded pillow along the line AA of Figures 1 and 4;

Figure 3

a section through a filled, loaded pillow along the line AA according to Figures 1 and 5;

Figure 4

a section through a filled, unloaded pillow along the line BB according to Figures 1 and 2, and

Figure 5

a section through a filled, loaded pillow along the line BB according to Figures 1 and 3.

A health pillow 1 essentially consists of a cover 2 made of an essentially inextensible fabric, here e.g. a preferably dense cotton material, and a filling 3 of essentially spherical fiber aggregates. The fiber aggregates of this filling 3 are shown in the four sectional views (Figures 2 to 5) only by hatching.

The sleeve 2 is made of two halves, each of which has a shape shown in FIG. In Figure 1, the folded hem is not shown. The area of such a cover half (without hem) is 1,210 cm² with this pillow. When filled, the cushion 1 has a volume of 7 dm³.

Starting from a rectangle with an aspect ratio of approximately 3: 4, this area can now be described as follows:
A first longer side edge has an inward bulge 4 in the middle, while the other, second longer side edge has an outward bulge 5 in the middle.

The greatest length extension (cf. axis A-A in FIG. 1) of the empty envelope 2 can be between 30 and 50 cm, in accordance with a preferred embodiment it is about 40 cm.

The narrowest width of the casing 2 is arranged in the center (cf. axis A-A in FIG. 1) and corresponds to approximately 2/3 of the greatest length of the casing 2, preferably approximately 29 cm.

In the area of this narrowest width of the envelope 2, that is to say on the axis AA, both the apex lies inwards directed bulge 4 of the first longer side edge, as well as the apex 5 of the outward bulge of the second longer side edge.

The apex of the inward bulge 4 of the first longer side edge of the cover 2 is distant from the imaginary side edge of the rectangle by an amount corresponding to about 1/10 of the greatest length of the pillow 1, here about 4 cm.

The apex of the outward bulge 5 of the second longer side edge of the cover 2 is distant from the imaginary side edge of the rectangle by an amount which corresponds to about 1/10 of the greatest width of the cushion 1, here about 3 cm. This results in a maximum width of about 33 cm.

The radius of the inward bulge 4 of the first longer side edge of the shell 2 corresponds at the apex of this bulge 3/10 to 4/10 of the greatest length of the shell 2, while the radius of the outward bulge 5 of the second longer side edge at the apex of this Bulge 5 is greater than the greatest length extension, ie greater than 40 cm, and in the preferred embodiment shown is about 60 cm.

All four corners 6 and 7 of this surface are rounded, the radii differing significantly.

The radius of the rounded corners 7 of the cover 2 between the second longer side edge 5 that bulges outwards and the one shorter side edge of the cover 2 is between 1/4 and 1/3 of the greatest length of the cushion 1, that is between 10 and 13 cm, while the radius of the rounded corners 6 of the cover 2 between the inwardly bulging first longer side edge and the one shorter side edge of the cover 2 is between 1/10 and 1/20 of the greatest length of the pillow, that is between 2 and 4 cm.

Overall, the circumferential line of the cover 2 of the cushion 1 - with the exception of the inward bulge 4 - is more or less curved outwards everywhere.

A filling volume of about 7 dm³ results from the preferred dimensions. When the pillow 1 is filled, it has of course, by the three-dimensional "inflation" of the previously described lying flat 2 other dimensions.

The fabric of the cotton fabric used here has a weight per square meter of 125 g / m². The shell 2 consisting of two halves thus has a weight of about 35 g. The fabric has 30 threads / cm in the warp direction and 28 threads / cm in the weft direction, all threads having a yarn count of 50 nm. The air permeability of the fabric is 126.5 dm³ / dm² * s. The tensile strength is 71.9 N / cm in the warp direction and 62.4 N / cm in the weft direction. The elongation at break is 9% in the warp direction and 28% in the weft direction.

The fabric can therefore essentially be regarded as inextensible.

The spherical fiber aggregates used in the preferred embodiment described above in the pillow 1 have a bulk density of 8.6 g / dm³ outside the pillow case 2 in the unloaded state. If the pillow 1 is filled with 210 g of fiber aggregates, the bulk density of the fiber aggregates within the pillow 1 is 30 g / dm³, that is to say about 3.5 times the bulk density of the unloaded, non-filled fibers.

In the cushion 1, the fiber aggregates can also have a bulk density of about 50 g / dm³, which corresponds to a filling weight of 350 g and 6 times the bulk density of the unloaded, non-filled fibers.

The individual fiber aggregates have an average width of 4.5 mm, an average length of 6.4 mm and an average thickness of 3.5 mm, the individual fiber aggregates being measured in their three dimensions. The individual fiber aggregates used here have a density of 0.042 g / cm³. A relatively large amount of air space thus remains both between the poured fiber aggregates and in the fiber aggregates themselves.

The filling quantity inside the cover 2 of the cushion 1 can be changed by the user according to his wishes. For this purpose, a zipper 8 is provided in the apex area of the outward bulge 5. This is in the Figures 2 and 3 only hinted at. After opening the zipper, fiber aggregates can be removed or added. In contrast to down or feathers, the fiber aggregates are very easy to handle, since individual fiber aggregates are attached to each other by interlocking fibers, but can also be separated without effort.

This fact is also used if the pillow 1 should be somewhat laid out after a while, since the fiber aggregate filling 3 can easily be loosened up again at any time. As a rule, however, it is also sufficient to shake the pillow 1 a little, especially if it is only about the external appearance of the pillow 1.

The basic production of the fiber aggregates used is e.g. in DE-A-2,301,913, EP-A-0.013.427 or EP-A-0.203.469. The fiber aggregates used here are manufactured and sold under the "SCHLAFKUGELN" brand by Fabromont AG, CH-3185 Schmitten. These fiber aggregates are made from entangled fibers and / or threads and consist of synthetic fibers and / or wool fibers.

Figures 2 and 4 each show the pillow 1 in the unloaded state, while Figures 3 and 5 show the state of the pillow 1 loaded by an overlying head. It can be clearly seen that the pillow 1 bulges a little next to the directly loaded area and lies flat on the bottom. In the area of the inward bulge 4 of the cover 2, the pillow 1 is compressed more than in the opposite area, which is also due to the fact that the neck is also supported here.

Especially in a lateral position and if this is desired for a short time or longer, the pillow can also be used in an upright position, i.e. with the bulge 5 facing outwards, the head then coming to rest in the bulge 4 facing inwards. The two rounded "corners" 6 adjacent to the inward curvature 4 then support the head laterally without parts of the pillow reaching too far into the face of the sleeper. This is particularly recommended for taller and / or heavier people who do not want to lay their heads so high or so hard in the supine position. The design of the pillow 1 also provides very good support for the head.

In particular when using synthetic fibers as the basis for the filling material, the entire cushion can be washed very well overall, which is why it is not absolutely necessary to provide an additional cushion cover. Such a can be used, but it should then also lie relatively tight on the cushion cover 2 so that folds of the cover do not reduce sleeping comfort again.

Reference symbol list

1

Pillows, especially health pillows

2nd

Cover

3rd

filling

4th

first longer side edge with inward bulge

5

second longer side edge with outward bulge

6

rounded corners adjacent to the first side edge

7

rounded corners adjacent to the second side edge

8th

Zipper

Claims (18)

1. Cushion (1), in particular health pillow with a pillowcase (2) and a filling (3) having the following combination of features:

   - that the casing (2) comprises a substantially inextensible fabric, the casing (2) in its empty state has a flat shape which starting from a rectangle with an aspect ratio of about 3 : 4 has a first longer side edge which has a central inwardly directed bulge (4) whereas the other, second, longer side edge has a central outwardly directed bulge (5),

   - the filling (3) comprises substantially ball-shaped fibre aggregates, which are formed of fibres and/or threads spherical wound together, and

   - that the fibre aggregates stuffed into the casing (2) have a loose weight which corresponds to three to seven times the loose weight of the fibre aggregates in the uncompressed state outside the casing (2).
2. Pillow according to claim 1, characterised in that the maximum longitudinal extent of the casing (2) amounts to 30 to 50 cm, preferably about 40 cm.
3. Pillow according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the casing (2) has a filling volume of 5 to 9 dm³, preferably about 7 dm³.
4. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the minimum breadth of the casing (2) is arranged centrally and corresponds to about 2/3 of the maximum length of the casing 2.
5. Pillow to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the radius of the inwardly directed bulge (4) of the first longer side edge of the casing (2) in the vertex of this bulge (4) corresponds to 3/10 to 4/10 of the maximum length of the casing (2).
6. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the vertex of the inwardly directed bulge (4) of the first longer side edge of the casing (2) is distant from the imaginary side edge of the rectangle by an extent which corresponds to about 1/10 of the maximum length of the casing (2).
7. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the radius of the outwardly directed bulge (5) of the second longer side edge of the casing (2) at the apex of this bulge (5) is greater than the maximum length of the casing (2) and preferably twice as large as the maximum width of the casing (2).
8. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that all four corners (6, 7) of the casing (2) are rounded.
9. Pillow according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the radius of the rounded corners (6) of the casing (2) between the inwardly bulged first longitudinal side edge (4) and the respective one shorter side edge of the casing (2) corresponds to between 1/10 and 1/20 of the maximum length of the pillow (1).
10. Pillow according to one of the two preceding claims, characterised in that the radius of the rounded corners (7) of the casing (2) between the outwardly bulged second longer side edge and the respective one shorter side edge of the casing (2) corresponds to between 1/4 and 1/3 of the maximum length of the pillow (1).
11. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the peripheral outline of the casing (2) of the pillow (1) with the exception of the inwardly directed bulge (4) is overall more or less largely outwardly bulged.
12. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claim, characterised in that the casing (2) is made of cotton material.
13. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the fabric used for the casing (2) has a weight of between 100 and 150 g / m², preferably 125 g / m².
14. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the casing (2) comprises two halves joined together, preferably by sewing, at their side edges.
15. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that there is provided in the seam joining the two halves in the region of the outwardly directed bulge of the second longer side edge a closable opening, such as a sliding clasp fastener (8) or the like which is preferably about 20cm long.
16. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the loose weight of the fibre aggregates in the casing (2) amounts to about 30 to 50 g / dm³.
17. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims characterised in that the density of an individual unloaded fibre aggregate before stuffing into the casing 2 amounts to between 0.03 and 0.06 g / cm³, preferably about 0.04 g / cm³.
18. Pillow according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the mean diameter of the individual fibre aggregate amounts to between 3 and 7 mm.

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