EP1589854B1 - Pillow of the type comprising a central core - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pillow which is essentially characterised in that it comprises: a central core (1) having two transverse sections (2, 3) with maximum and minimum values respectively; a cover (4) forming a sleeve (5) which is designed to receive the core, said cover comprising at least one first pouch (6) which contains a quantity of a second elastic material and a connecting wall (9) which connects the two opposite edges (7, 8) of the first pouch in order to form the sleeve (5); and means (11) for compressing the second elastic material contained in the first pouch (6) essentially in a first plane (12) which passes through the maximum transverse section (2) of the central core (1).

Description

The present invention relates to pillows of the central core type that adapt to the morphology of the neck and the head of their users, and which also allow to adapt their hardness according to the wish of each of these users, the cervical support , perceived or not, always remaining a constant imperative for the well being of the user.

A central-core type pillow is already known. The EP-A-0537042 describes such a pillow which comprises essentially two parts, one of which is an interchangeable elastic element of cylindrical shape which allows individual adaptability by a specific support of the occipito-cervical region of the user.

The other part consists of two juxtaposed compartments containing traditional materials, each of different density. Between these two compartments is arranged and fixed the interchangeable elastic element in the front and transverse portion of the pillow.

The adjustment is ensured by the user by the choice of cylinders available to him, in diameter and density.

This type of pillow described above gives good results, however with the change of the cylinder that it contains, to adapt to the wishes of the user.

Nevertheless, the present invention aims to achieve an even more comfortable pillow and the user can even more easily change the flexibility according to his personal wish, while having the same cervical support.

• une âme centrale ayant une forme présentant deux faces transversales d'épaisseur respectivement maximale et minimale, ladite âme centrale étant en un premier matériau,
• une enveloppe formant manchon, ladite âme centrale étant disposée dans ledit manchon, ladite enveloppe étant constituée par
  • * au moins une première poche d'un premier volume donné enfermant une quantité donnée d'un deuxième matériau élastique, ladite première poche étant délimitée par quatre bords sensiblement rectilignes formant sensiblement un quadrilatère, et
  • * une paroi de liaison reliant deux bords opposés dudit quadrilatère pour former ledit manchon entre cette paroi de liaison et la face de la première poche qui est en regard de cette paroi de liaison,

caractérisé par le fait qu'il comporte en outre des premiers moyens pour comprimer au moins le deuxième matériau élastique contenu dans la première poche sensiblement dans le premier plan passant par la face transversale maximale de ladite âme centrale.More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a pillow of the type comprising:

• a central core having a shape having two transverse faces of respectively maximum and minimum thickness, said central core being made of a first material,
• a casing forming a sleeve, said central core being disposed in said sleeve, said casing being constituted by
  • at least a first pocket of a given first volume enclosing a given quantity of a second elastic material, said first pocket being delimited by four substantially rectilinear edges substantially forming a quadrilateral, and
  • a connecting wall connecting two opposite edges of said quadrilateral to form said sleeve between this connecting wall and the face of the first pocket which is opposite said connecting wall,

characterized in that it further comprises first means for compressing at least the second elastic material contained in the first pocket substantially in the first plane passing through the maximum transverse face of said central core.

• Les figures 1 et 2 représentent, en vue de côté sous forme schématique, deux modes de réalisation d'un oreiller selon l'invention, et
• La figure 3 représente, sous forme schématique, une demi-vue de côté d'un oreiller selon l'invention lorsqu'il soutient le cou et la tête pendant le repos de son utilisateur.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings for illustrative but not limiting purposes, in which:

• The figures 1 and 2 show schematically in side view two embodiments of a pillow according to the invention, and
• The figure 3 represents, in schematic form, a half-side view of a pillow according to the invention when it supports the neck and the head during the rest of its user.

It is clear that in the figures, the same references designate the same elements, whatever the figure on which they appear and regardless of the form of representation of these elements. Similarly, if elements are not specifically referenced in one of the figures, their references can be easily found by referring to another figure.

The Applicant also wishes to clarify that the figures represent two embodiments of the object according to the invention, but that there may exist other embodiments that meet the definition of this invention.

It further specifies that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the subject of the invention comprises "at least one" element having a given function, the embodiment described may comprise several of these elements.

It also specifies that, if the embodiments of the object according to the invention as illustrated have several elements of identical function and if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must obligatorily include a particular number of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising "at least one" of these elements.

With reference to all three figures which essentially illustrate two embodiments of a pillow according to the invention, this pillow comprises a central core 1 having a shape having two transverse sections 2, 3 of maximum and minimum thickness respectively, this central core being made of a first, preferably elastic, material such as, for example, an isocyanate-type foam or the like, which is marketed under the Trade Mark SDP VISCOFLEX.

It further comprises an envelope 4 forming a sleeve 5, the central core 1 being disposed in this sleeve 5.

As for the envelope 4, it is constituted, as more particularly illustrated on the figure 1 by at least a first pocket 6 of a given first volume enclosing a given quantity of a second elastic material having a coefficient of elasticity preferably greater than that of the first material, for example synthetic foam or the like, or even natural products such as feather or the like, the first pocket 6 being delimited by four edges 7, 8, 17, 18, emphasizing that, in the three figures, the edge 18 is not directly visible, substantially rectilinear forming substantially a quadrilateral, and a connecting wall 9 connecting two opposite edges 7, 8 of the quadrilateral to form, with the face 10 of the first pocket 6 which is opposite this connecting wall, the sleeve 5 in which is able to be positioned the central core of the advantageous form as described below.

According to an important characteristic of the invention, the pillow further comprises first means 11 for compressing at least the second elastic material contained in the first pocket 6, substantially in the first plane 12 passing through the maximum transverse section 2 of the central soul.

In this way, as illustrated on the figure 3 , the thickness of the second elastic product which is below the neck of the user of the pillow can be adjusted to a given value by compressing more or less this second elastic material, which allows to vary at will the hardness of the part of the first pocket 6 on which the user rests his neck and his head.

Very advantageously, the pillow further comprises second means 21 for compressing at least the second elastic material contained in the first pocket 6, substantially in the second plane 22 passing through the minimum cross section 3 of the central core 1.

In this way, as illustrated on the figure 3 the thickness of the second elastic product which lies beyond the neck and the head of the user relative to its body, can be adjusted to a given value by compressing more or less this second elastic material. It is thus possible to vary the slope of the face portion 110 of the first pocket 6 opposite the face 10 which is in contact with the central core 1, defined between the first and second planes 12, 22.

In advantageous embodiments, the means 11 and / or 21 for compressing the second elastic material contained in the first pocket 6 are constituted by at least one strap 31, 32 and hooking means 23, 24 of this strap with at least one point 33 of the first pocket 6 and at least one point 34 of the connecting wall 9.

Preferably, the attachment means 23, 24 of the strap 31, 32 with at least one point 33 of the first pocket 6 and at least one point 34 of the connecting wall 9 are constituted by first gripping claws secured to the strap, second gripping claws, and means 35 for securing the second gripping claws with respectively the first pocket 6 and the connecting wall 9.

These means 35 defined above, for securing the second gripping claws with respectively the first pocket and the connecting wall, are constituted by at least two strips 36, 37, these two strips 36, 37 being respectively secured to the first 6 and the connecting wall 9 being substantially parallel to each other, as for example illustrated on the figure 2 .

These gripping claw means are constituted for example as those which are known in themselves and sold under the trademark "Velcro", or similar products.

It is clearly specified that the pillow will very advantageously comprise, on its opposite side to that which is visible in the three figures, the same means 11 and / or 21 for compressing the second elastic material contained in the first pocket 6, namely the two strips 31, 32 and the attachment means 23, 24 of the strips with at least one point 33 of the first pocket 6 and at least one point 34 of the connecting wall 9.

In a preferred embodiment, the central core 1, as illustrated in the Figures 1 to 3 , in the form of a wedge 40 with a substantially trapezoidal longitudinal section, this corner being delimited by two substantially plane lateral faces 41, 42 whose planes intersect along a line which is substantially parallel to an edge 8 of the first pocket 6 which it joins to the connecting wall 9, a large base 43 and a small base 44, the large base constituting the maximum transverse face 2 of the central core and the small base constituting the minimum transverse face 3.

In the embodiments described above, there is no mention of a specific form of the connecting wall 9. It may be any but, advantageously, it is constituted by a second pocket 50 of a second given volume enclosing a third elastic material having a coefficient of elasticity preferably greater than that of the first material, the latter coefficient of elasticity being of the same value as that of the second material or different. This second pocket is also delimited by four edges 7, 8, 17 ', 18' substantially rectilinear. The two edges 7 and 8 are common to the two pockets 6 and 50 while the other edges 17 and 17 ', 18 and 18' are not joined together in order to define the opening of the sleeve 5 and allow the positioning of the central core 1 between the two pockets.

The four edges 7, 8, 17 ', 18' of the second pocket 50 also form substantially a quadrilateral, which is very advantageously the same as that of the first pocket.

Preferably, the first and second volumes respectively of the first and second pockets are different and the second and third materials have different elasticity coefficient.

In this way, such a pillow can be used by many different people who can find the hardness and slope settings of the face 110 that suits them best.

It is further preferable that the first pocket 6 is asymmetrically shaped to contain a greater thickness of second elastic material at the first plane 12 than at the second plane 22, so that the user can more easily make the two adjustments mentioned above, the slope of the face 110 and hardness.

It will be the same for the second pocket 50 when such a pillow has one such as that illustrated on the figure 2 . This second pocket 50 is therefore also of asymmetrical shape so as to contain, as for the first pocket 6, a greater thickness of third elastic material at the level of the first plane 12 than at the level of the second plane 22.

In addition, for the comfort of the user of the pillow, as illustrated on the figure 3 it is very advantageous if the large base 43 of the central core 1 is of substantially convex shape and joins the two lateral faces 41, 42 of the central core so as to form with them a substantially continuous surface without angular points.

The pillow according to the invention is used as follows:

The user of such a pillow, in the case where this pillow has two pockets 6, 50, begins by choosing the pocket on which he wishes to rest his head and neck.

Then, it positions the central core between the two pockets so that its maximum section is located under the portion of the pocket which comprises the second and third thickest material. By successive tests, it compresses the amount of second and / or third products which is at the level of the plane 12, to obtain the desired hardness, then gives to the upper face 110 of the pocket on which it wishes to rest his head and neck, the slope that suits him best by compressing more or less the amount of second and / or third products which is at the level of the second plane 22.

To compress the amount of second and / or third products which is in the foreground 12, the user can, by acting on the straps 31, vary the distance between the two points 33, 34 respectively on the two pockets 6, 50, and adjust the position of this compression relative to the first plane 12 by laterally moving the strips 31 on the two fastening strips 36, 37 located at this first plane 12, as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

It is the same for the compression of the amount of second and / or third products which is at the level of the second plane 22, but acting in this case on the attachment points of the strips 32 respectively on the strips of latch 36, 37 located at this second plane 22, as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 .

He then obtained a pillow that has a configuration that suits him, with all the benefits of pillows of this type, such as those mentioned in the document mentioned in the preamble of this description.

The structure of the pillow according to the invention gives this pillow a very interesting additional advantage, namely that, as they are made, the means 11 and / or 21 for compressing the elastic materials prevent the lateral flanges from rising when a user puts his head on the pillow, while this occurs irremediably with all the pillows of the prior art.

Claims (12)

1. A pillow of the type comprising:

   a central core (1) of a shape presenting two transverse faces (2, 3) respectively of maximum thickness and of minimum thickness, said central core being made of a first material,

   a cover (4) forming a sleeve (5), said central core (1) being arranged inside said sleeve (5), said cover being constituted by:

   * at least one first pouch (6) of a first given volume containing a given quantity of an elastic second material, said first pouch being defined by four substantially rectilinear edges (7, 8, 17, 18) substantially forming a quadrilateral; and

   * a connection wall (9) connecting two opposite edges (7, 8) of said quadrilateral together to form said sleeve (5) between said connection wall (9) and the face (10) of the first pouch (6) that faces said connection wall,

   the pillow being characterized by the fact that it further comprises first means (11) for compressing at least the elastic second material contained in the first pouch (6) substantially in the first plane (12) passing via the maximum thickness transverse face (2) of said central core (1).
2. A pillow according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it further includes second means (21) for compressing at least said elastic second material contained in the first pouch (6) substantially in the second plane (22) passing via the minimum thickness transverse face (3) of said central core (1).
3. A pillow according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the means (11, 21) for compressing said elastic second material contained in the first pouch (6) are constituted by at least one cord (31, 32) and fastener means (23, 24) for fastening said cord (31, 32) to at least one point (33) of the first pouch (6) and to at least one point (34) of the connection wall (9).
4. A pillow according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the fastener means (23, 24) of said cord (31, 32) for fastening it with at least one point (33) of the first pouch (6) and at least one point (34) of the connection wall (9) are constituted by first fastener hooks secured to the cord, second fastener hooks, and means (35) for securing the second fastener hooks respectively to the first pouch (6) and to the connection wall (9).
5. A pillow according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the means (35) for securing the second fastener hooks respectively with the first pouch and with the connection wall are constituted by at least two strips (36, 37), these two strips (36, 37) being secured respectively to the first pouch (6) and to the connection wall (9), while being substantially parallel to each other.
6. A pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that said central core (1) is in the shape of a wedge (40) of substantially trapezoidal longitudinal section, said wedge being defined by two substantially plane side faces (41, 42) occupying planes that intersect along a line that is substantially parallel to an edge (8) of the first pouch (6) that connects it to said connection wall (9), a large base (43), and a small base (44), the large base constituting the maximum thickness transverse face of the central core and the small base constituting the minimum thickness transverse face.
7. A pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that said connection wall (9) is constituted by a second pouch (50) of a second given volume containing an elastic third material, said second pouch being defined by four substantially-rectangular edges (7, 8, 17', 18') substantially forming a quadrilateral.
8. A pillow according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the first and second volumes of the first and second pouches respectively are different.
9. A pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the first pouch (6) is asymmetrical in shape so as to contain a greater thickness of the elastic second material at the first plane (12) than at the second plane (22).
10. A pillow according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by the fact that the second pouch (50) is asymmetrical in shape so as to contain a greater thickness of the elastic third material at the first plane (12) than at the second plane (22).
11. A pillow according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized by the fact that the large base (43) of said central core is of substantially convex shape, uniting with the two side faces so as to co-operate therewith to form a substantially continuous surface without sharp points.
12. A pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that said central core (1) is made of a first material that is elastic, having a coefficient of elasticity that is less than the coefficient of elasticity of the elastic second and third materials.

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