EP3636107A1 - Neck cushion with opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a neck pillow or travel pillow. In particular, it is a travel pillow (10) which comprises an outer cover (44) and a pillow filling (48) and in which a hood (50) is also provided, the hood (50) being storable in and out of a receiving space can be removed from this receiving space (52), an opening (46) also being provided in the outer shell (44) through which the hood (50) can be removed from the receiving space (52) and this opening (46) through a Zipper (30) can be closed, characterized in that a second zipper (56) is provided which at least partially closes the opening (46) again when the hood (50) is removed.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a neck pillow or travel pillow. Such pillows are often used when traveling to support the head, often they are U-shaped.

Background of the Invention

The utility model DE 20 2016 004 221 discloses a neck pillow hood in which the neck pillow is inflatable. With this solution, the hood appears as the primary element. There is an opening on the hood to accommodate the neck pillow. This can be inserted into the opening when not inflated. Inside the hood, the neck pillow can be fully inflated and support the head. Since the neck pillow is enclosed by a hood, it is hardly or not visible from the outside.

U.S. Patent 7,657,945 discloses a neck pillow with a hood, which is U-shaped. An opening is provided on the outside of the U through which an inflatable cushion inner part can be guided into the covering. Opposite, a hood is provided on the inside of the U. However, no storage is provided for this hood.

The utility model DE 20 2016 001161U1 discloses a neck pad for the stable positioning of the head. The neck pad has an essentially roll-shaped design and is equipped with a hood on the inside. The hood can be removed through an opening.

The utility model reveals that the neck pad can be removed by opening a zipper, and that in addition to the partial counterpart of the zipper, an alternative (partial) counterpart of the zipper is attached along the outer border of the hood in the inner border of the hood, despite the zipper to be able to close the opened hood again.

This concept allows the hood to be removed and through an opening with a zipper. It is also possible to continue to use this zipper in part after removing the hood, namely by connecting it to a partial counterpart. For this purpose, however, it is necessary that the zipper is designed so that its two straps can be detached from one another. Accordingly, the two counterparts are to be provided with suitable plug-in parts, which can alternatively be connected to the slide of the zipper. This requires careful threading.

This can be difficult for the weary traveler. Incidentally, this limits the choice of zipper; cheaper zippers without a plug-in part cannot be used. In particular, it is not possible to use zippers which are expedient per se and in which both bands are firmly connected, for example by an end part. This is often the case with zippers that do not have separate chains or teeth, but which use interlocking spirals (usually in helix form). But such zippers are very inexpensive.

Moreover, zippers with interlocking spirals have the advantage that they can be made from a soft plastic material. The spirals do not have any sharp edges due to their construction, as is the case with zippers with separate chains or teeth is the case, even if such teeth are also made of plastic. Zippers with interlocking spirals the advantage can optionally be used as a spare part in the present invention.

description

A travel pillow in the sense of the present invention comprises an outer cover and a pillow filling. Both can be designed in the same way as with conventional pillows, which are therefore definitely considered as travel pillows.

This cover can be single-layer or multi-layer. It essentially serves as a cushion cover, which gives the cushion a certain shape, gives it a certain hold, and also shapes its external appearance. Accordingly, the cushion cover can also be colored or printed.

A fabric or similar textile material is generally recommended for the outer cover; synthetic fibers have advantages when using travel cushions, and a fur-like surface is also popular. The outer cover of the travel pillow can be made of a fleece, for example. A waterproof or waterproof cushion cover is useful for individual applications.

Feathers are generally suitable for filling cushions, but preference is given to foam materials, for example open-pore or closed-pore foams.

The present travel pillow should also include a hood. This hood can be stored in a recording room and should be removable from the recording room. An opening in the outer shell is provided for removal from the receiving space.

The receiving space can be a recess in the material of the pillow filling. For example, a cavity or a type of cavity can be provided in a foam material that can accommodate the hood. The receiving space can also result from the fact that the outer shell offers more space than the pillow filling, that is to say surrounds the pillow filling and the receiving space.

The opening through which the hood can be removed from the receiving space should be able to be closed by a zipper. In the sense of the present invention, this is the first zipper. According to the invention, a second zipper should additionally be provided, which allows the opening to be at least partially closed again when the hood is removed.

The provision of a second zipper has the advantage that the opening does not have to remain open while the hood is in use. For example, soiling of the pillow filling is avoided. Furthermore, the second zipper allows the outer cover to be better adapted to the pillow filling even when the hood is removed. When the second zipper is closed, it usually sits tighter. An advantageous useful configuration of the pillow can therefore be achieved by the second zipper. It also helps to keep the pillow stable even when the hood is removed.

It is expedient that the first zipper has a first tab and the second zipper has a second tab. The second tab is a separate component that is completely independent of the first tab. It is also useful if the first tab connects the two bands of the first zipper. It is also expedient if the first tab cannot be detached from these two bands. It is also useful if the second zipper has two straps and a second tab. It is also expedient if the second tab cannot be detached from the bands of the second zipper.

In the context of the invention it was recognized as advantageous if the first tab closes the first zipper in a first direction and the second tab closes the second zipper in a second direction, the second direction being oriented opposite to the first direction. The two zippers open and close in opposite directions.

It is also expedient if the opening is arranged in such a way that the filling is accessible through this opening. The opening need not be more than an opening to the recording room. It is quite conceivable and can also be useful in individual cases if the pillow filling is completely separate from the receiving space, for example an intermediate wall can be provided for this purpose. However, it is often useful to be able to remove the pillow filling, for example when washing the pillow filling. It could also be considered that filler material should be filled in, as is the case, for example, with feather filling. An additional opening could be provided for these purposes. However, it is more expedient if the opening provided for removing the hood also serves as an opening through which the filling is accessible.

It may be expedient if the interior of the cushion, which is provided for the filling, is also the receiving space for receiving the hood. Alternatively, it can be useful if a recess is provided in the filler material, in which the hood can be stored as a receiving space. This is particularly useful in the case of a solid filling material, the outer sides of which can give off walls for the receiving space. This applies in particular to foam as a filling material.

It is useful if the bands of the zippers are provided in certain positions. So it is useful if the first volume of the first zipper is arranged on the upper edge of the opening, and the second band of the first zipper is arranged on the lower edge. The tapes can basically be attached on the inside of the material of the outer cover or on the outside of the outer cover. However, it is usually advisable if the straps are attached on the inside.

It is advisable to connect the hood to the outer shell in the area of the lower edge of the opening. The hood is usually sewn to the outer shell. The hood can be placed on the outside of the outer shell or on the inside of the outer shell. As a rule, it is advisable to put the hood on the inside of the outer shell.

The second zipper expediently has a third band and a fourth band. The third band is expediently provided on the upper edge of the outer casing. It is advantageous if the third band is attached to the inside of the outer shell. The third volume therefore runs essentially parallel to the first volume. The first band is expediently arranged above the third band.

The fourth band can run substantially along the bottom edge of the outer shell. It is advantageous if the fourth band is provided on the inside of the hood. The fourth band advantageously runs along the connecting line or seam with which the hood is connected to the outer shell. The fourth band can also run adjacent to the underside. It is advantageous if the fourth band is arranged near the lower edge of the opening, preferably at a distance of less than 1 cm.

Both the hood and the outer cover of the pillow are expediently created from a pattern of several cut parts. It is advantageous if the hood is cut with a straight lower edge. This can be done particularly well with the pillow, as a rule so connect with its outer shell. It is sufficient if a central section of the lower edge is connected to the cushion cover. A first and second section outside the central section need not be connected to the cushion cover. These sections can therefore remain loose. The two sections serve as left and right tongues, so to speak. In this way, the hood can adapt better to the head. If the hood is equipped with a cord, this cord is also easier to grasp in the area of the tongues.

For the purposes of the present invention, a U-shaped travel pillow is generally preferred. This U-shaped travel pillow then has a left leg, a right leg and middle part or neck part. The hood is then preferably attached to the middle part. It is expedient if the hood is provided on the outside, ie on the side of the cushion facing away from the left and right leg. It is also expedient if the hood is provided below a central central plane of the pillow. However, the hood need not be provided far below the median plane, typically in a 1-3 cm section from the median plane.

Especially with such a U-shaped travel pillow, it is advantageous if the outer cover consists of at least two cutting elements which are connected to at least one seam. A cutting element can be used for the top of the cushion and a cutting element can be used for the bottom of the cushion. Accordingly, the seam runs near the central central plane of the pillow. For example, it can extend all the way from the outside of the middle part along the right leg to the inside of the right leg, then to the inside of the middle part, to the inside of the left leg, to the left horn, and then to the outside of the left leg. It is expedient if the opening is provided in the seam between the two cutting elements.

It is also useful if the hood is made from two cut elements. A central longitudinal seam can be provided. Then the left half of the hood consists of a cutting element and the right half of the hood consists of another cutting element. In this way, an appropriate hooded cut can easily be produced. The center seam can be used to attach the hood to the pillow part and allows a particularly stable connection between the two.

Fig. 1

zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung des Reisekissens von vorne

Fig. 2

zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung des Reisekissens von hinten

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Darstellung des Reisekissens von hinten, bei dem die Kapuze teilweise aus dem Innern entnommen wurde

Fig. 4

zeigt aus gleichem Blickwinkel das Reisekissen mit Kapuze bei teilweise verschlossener Öffnung

Fig. 5

zeigt die einsatzbereite Kapuze aus einem Blickwinkel ähnlich zu Fig. 4

Fig.6

zeigt das Reisekissen mit Kapuze in einer Nutzungskonfiguration

Further features, but also advantages of the invention, result from the drawings listed below and the associated description. In the figures and in the associated descriptions, features of the invention are described in combination. However, these features can also be included in other combinations of an object according to the invention. Each feature disclosed is therefore also to be regarded as being disclosed in technically meaningful combinations with other features. The illustrations are sometimes slightly simplified and schematic.

Fig. 1

shows a perspective view of the travel pillow from the front

Fig. 2

shows a perspective view of the travel pillow from behind

Fig. 3

shows a representation of the travel pillow from behind, in which the hood was partially removed from the inside

Fig. 4

shows the travel pillow with a hood with the opening partially closed

Fig. 5

shows the ready-to-use hood from a similar perspective Fig. 4

Fig. 6

shows the travel pillow with hood in a usage configuration

Fig. 1 shows a travel pillow 10 according to the invention in a perspective view. The travel pillow is essentially U-shaped. Accordingly, it has a right leg 12 and a left leg 14. (The legs are labeled as the wearer sees them when using the pillow.) The two legs are connected by the middle part 16. The cushion has an upper side 18 and a lower side 20. The right leg 12 ends in the right horn 22 and the left leg 14 ends in the left horn 24. A suitable shape of the legs and horns is indicated by the contour line K. A seam can also run along this contour line.

A closing loop 26 is provided on the right horn 22. This can be connected to the eyelet 28 on the left horn 24. The U-shaped pillow can be placed around the neck and closed at the front so that it supports the neck particularly well when traveling.

Fig. 2 is a further perspective view of the travel pillow 10 from the opposite direction, ie from behind. It can be seen that a first zipper 30 is provided on the back of the middle part 16. This includes in particular a first tab 32.

Fig. 3 shows the travel pillow from a perspective view, in which the viewing direction is chosen similar to that in Fig. 2 . This time, however, the first zipper 30 is open, and the first is located accordingly Tab 32 not on the left side, but on the right side, that is, adjacent to the right leg 12. In this configuration of the pillow, the second tab 34 can be seen. It belongs to a second zipper. This is arranged behind the first zipper 30, so that it is in Fig. 2 is covered by this. The first band 36 of the first zipper can also be seen and the second band 38 of the first zipper can be seen opposite. With the second zipper, one can also see the first band 40, which runs parallel to the first band 36, and also the second band 42 of the second zipper. Opening the first zipper 30 has created the opening 46 in the outer shell 44. The foam filling 48 of the cushion can now be seen through this opening 46. It can also be seen that the foam filling has a receiving space 52 which can accommodate the hood 50. The recording room has a wide slot-like opening.

If this opening of the receiving space 52 comprises two parallel edges, this is generally according to the invention and allows good access to the hood 50. It is also generally according to the invention if the receiving space 52 comprises a ceiling surface which comprises a flat section.

The hood 50 is a component of the travel pillow according to the invention and is essentially removed from the receiving space.

Fig. 4 shows a further perspective view. In this illustration, the opening 46 in the outer shell 44 is partially closed. For this purpose, the second tab 34 is moved to a middle position. It is obvious that when the second tab 34 is moved further towards the first tab 32, which can remain in its right end position, the opening 46 can be closed again. This is done with the second zipper 56. One can also clearly see in this illustration the connecting seam 54, with which the hood underneath the second band of the second zipper 42 is connected to the outer cover 44 of the pillow.

Fig. 5 shows the travel pillow in a perspective view, similar to Fig. 4 . In this illustration, however, the hood 50 has been completely removed and is ready for use. The hood comprises a left part 58 and a right part 60. Both are connected by a central seam 62. The hood 50 also has a cord 64. In other embodiments, such a cord can also be dispensed with without further notice. At both ends of the opening 44, the hood 50 is not connected to the middle part 16 of the pillow 10. Here the hood forms a right tongue 66 and a left tongue 68. These are freely movable in relation to the pillow part. In this way, the hood 50 and in particular the cord ends 70 can be gripped well if they are guided in the cord channel 72.

Fig. 6 shows the travel pillow 10 according to the invention in a state of use. The two legs, that is, the right leg 12 and the left leg 14 are placed around the neck. The closing loop 26 can be used to connect to the eyelet 28, but this does not have to be done and has not been done in the present configuration. The hood 50 can be comfortably placed around the head of a user after removal from the cushion cover 44.

Overall, you can see how a functional travel pillow with a hood can be made, which can be used well both with and without a hood.

Reference list

10th

Neck pillow / travel pillow

12th

right leg

14

left thigh

16

Middle section

18th

Top

20th

bottom

22

right horn

24th

left horn

26

Closing loop

28

eyelet

K

Contour line

30th

first zipper

32

first rider

34

second rider

36

first band of the first zipper

38

second band of the first zipper

40

first band of the second zipper

42

second band of the second zipper

44

outer shell

46

opening

48

Foam filling

50

Hood

52

Recording room

54

Connection seam with the hood

56

second zipper

58

left part / cut part of the hood

60

right part / cut part of the hood

62

seam

64

cord

66

right tongue of the hood

68

left tongue of the hood

70

Cord channel

Claims (15)

Travel pillow (10), which comprises an outer cover (44) and a pillow filling (48), and in which a hood (50) is also provided, the hood (50) being storable in a receiving space and from this receiving space (52) Can be removed, an opening (46) is also provided in the outer shell (44) through which the hood (50) can be removed from the receiving space (52) and this opening (46) is closed by a zipper (30) can be characterized, characterized in that a second zipper (56) is provided which at least partially closes the opening (46) when the hood (50) is removed. The travel pillow (10) of claim 1, wherein the first zipper (30) has a first tab (32) and the second zipper (56) has a second tab (34). A travel pillow (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first tab (32) connects two straps (36, 38) of the first zipper and cannot be detached from these two straps (36, 38). Travel pillow (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tab (32) closes the first zipper (30) in a first direction and the second tab (34) closes the second zipper (56) in a second direction and the second Direction is oriented opposite to the first direction. Travel pillow (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is filled with foam. Travel cushion (10) according to the preceding claim, in which a recess is provided in the foam filling (48), which can serve the hood (50) as a receiving space (52). Travel cushion (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the opening (44) has an upper edge and a lower edge and the hood (50) is connected to the outer shell in the region of the lower edge. The travel pillow (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the first zipper (30) has a first band (36) and a second band (38), and wherein the opening (44) has an upper edge and a lower edge and the first band (36) is arranged on the upper edge of the opening (44) and the second band (38) is arranged on the lower edge of the opening (44). Travel pillow (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second zipper (56) has a third band (40) and a fourth band (46). A travel pillow (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the third band is provided on the top edge of the opening (46). The travel pillow (10) of claim 13 or 14, wherein the third band (40) is attached to the inside of the outer cover (44). Travel pillow (10) according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the fourth band (42) is provided on the inside of the hood (50). A travel pillow (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the hood (50) is cut with a straight bottom edge and a central portion of the bottom edge is connected to the outer cover (44) but a first portion and a second portion of the bottom edge are not are connected to the outer shell (44). Travel pillow (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is U-shaped and has a right leg (12), a left leg (14) and a central part (16), the hood (50) being attached to the central part (16) . Travel pillow (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer cover (44) consists of at least two cutting elements which are connected to at least one seam and the opening is provided in the seam.

Images