ES2689418T3 - Pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

A pillow (10) comprising: two wings (12), and a bridge section (14) connecting the wings (12), in which the wings (12) and the bridge section (14) together form a shape profile substantially U in plan view, and the surface of each wing (12) is formed by a surface material, and the wings (12) contain particulate material to support the surface material, in which the thickness of the portion Thinner of the bridge section (14) is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings (12), in which the bridge section (14) contains particulate material and comprises a means to limit the amount of particulate material in the bridge section (14), to limit the thickness of the bridge section (14), and in which the bridge section (14) comprises one or more channels (24, 26) that contain the particulate material and extend between the wings (12).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Pillow

The present invention provides a pillow containing a particulate material such as beads or beads (a "microbead pillow") that is particularly suitable for use during travel. It is known that pillows are particularly suitable for use during the trip. Such pillows are often substantially U-shaped in plan view so that the pillow can be wrapped around the back and sides of the user's neck to support the user's head. Some of these pillows are inflatable. Another such pillow, marketed by the applicant for this patent application, is substantially U-shaped in plan view and contains beads or beads (ie it is a "microbead pillow"). This microbead pillow has the advantage that it does not require inflation before use. US 2010/0205744 describes an inflatable pillow.

The object of the present invention is to provide a better pillow than the known pillows referenced above.

The present invention provides a pillow, pillow comprising two wings, and a bridge section connecting the wings, in which the wings and the bridge section, together, have a substantially U-shaped plan view, and the surface of each The wing is formed of a surface material, and the wings contain a particulate material that provides support to the surface material, in which the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings, and in which the bridge section contains a particulate material, and comprises a means to restrict the amount of particulate material in the bridge section, to limit the thickness of the bridge section, and in which the bridge section comprises one or more channels that contain the particulate material and extends between the wings.

The fact that the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section is smaller than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings means that the bridge section can be folded and that the wings join together more easily compared to known pillows in which the thickness of the bridge section is equal to or greater than the thickness of the wings. The folded pillow is also less bulky than the known pillows when folded, and thus occupies a smaller space in the user's luggage.

It is intended to use the pillow of the present invention around the neck of the user, with the bridge section behind the neck and a wing on each side of the neck, so that the front portion of the neck is open. The bridge section provides support to the back of the user's head and the wings provide support to the sides of the head.

The fact that the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings does not detract from user comfort when using the pillow, and in fact increases user comfort because the smaller thickness of the bridge section does not force the user's head so far from the surface on which the pillow rests. Therefore, the user's neck can be kept in a more straight position when using the pillow.

Here, the term "thickness" refers to the height dimension when the pillow is seen in plan view and the wings and the bridge section substantially form a U-shape. This dimension is in the perpendicular direction with respect to the surface on which the pillow rests during normal use. Therefore, the thinnest part is the thinnest in the same height dimension.

The provision of two wings separated by a bridge section that is shaped in such a way that the particulate material does not pass through the bridge section at all or restrict its passage through the bridge section, could present problems in manufacturing since the filling stage of the wings with the particulate material would slow down or should occur in two stages. The inventors of the present have discovered that the filling stage is surprisingly effective or that it can be carried out in two separate stages with relative ease by suitable manufacturing steps, such as filling the wings near the bridge section.

The surface of the wings is formed, preferably but not necessarily, with the same material as the surface of the bridge section.

Preferably, the wings are filled with the particulate material. Preferably, the bridge section or part of the bridge section is filled with the particulate material.

Preferably, the two wings make up a pair of wings. A pair of wings provides equal support on each side of the user's head.

Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings. This allows the bridge section to be easier to fold at each point between the wings compared to known pillows in which the thickness of the bridge section is equal to or greater than the thickness of the wings.

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Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is between 60 mm and 120 mm, more preferably between 70 mm and 110 mm, even more preferably between 80 mm and 100 mm, and most preferably between 85 mm and 95 mm .

Preferably, the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section is between 5 mm and 15 mm, more preferably between 7 mm and 13 mm and most preferably between 8 mm and 12 mm.

Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section is between 50 mm and 90 mm, more preferably between 60 mm and 80 mm and most preferably between 65 mm and 75 mm.

Preferably, the ratio between the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section and the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is between 1: 4 and 1:24, more preferably between 1: 4 and 1:14, more preferably between 1: 6 and 1:12, more preferably between 1: 8 and 1:12, most preferably between 1: 8 and 1:10.

Preferably, the ratio between the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section and the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is between 1: 0.6 and 1: 2.5, more preferably between 1: 0.9 and 1: 2, more preferably between 1: 1 and 1: 1.5, more preferably between 1: 1.1 and 1: 1.5, most preferably between 1: 1.2 and 1: 1.4.

Preferably, the ratio between the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section and the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is between 1: 0.8 and 1: 4. Preferably, the ratio between the thickness of the portion the thinnest of the bridge section and the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section is between 1: 3 and 1:18, more preferably between 1: 4 and 1:12, more preferably between 1: 4 and 1: 9 , more preferably between 1: 5 and 1: 9, more preferably between 1: 5 and 1: 8, most preferably between 1: 6 and 1: 8. Preferably, the thinnest portion of the bridge section is equidistant with each wing. As a result, the bridge section is the easiest to fold at an equidistant point with each wing and therefore, the pillow can be folded into a particularly small arrangement.

The bridge section according to the invention comprises one or more channels containing the particulate material and extends between the wings. One of these channels may be provided on the outer edge of the bridge section. One of these channels may be provided on the inner edge of the bridge section.

Preferably, the bridge section comprises a cushioning means that preferably contains a different material from the particulate material. Preferably, the padding means is defined by a seam in the surface material of the bridge section.

Preferably, the material of the padding means is a foam material. Preferably, the foam material is disposed within the bridge section. Preferably, the foam material is held in place by the seam. Preferably, the seam joins a surface of the bridge section with an opposite surface of the bridge section.

Preferably, the padding means or foam material is substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal in plan view.

Preferably, the padding means forms an upper area.

Preferably, the bridge section has an axis that extends between the wings, and the longer sides of the substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridge section. This provides a wide cushioning medium that supports the user's head.

Preferably, the difference in thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridge section and the thickest portion of the wings is between 70 mm and 110 mm, more preferably between 80 mm and 100 mm, most preferably between 85 mm and 95 mm . Such differences in thickness provide a particularly advantageous balance that allows the pillow to fold easily while providing sufficient support to the back of the user's head.

Preferably, the difference in thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridge section and the thickest portion of the wings is between 45 mm and 115 mm.

Preferably, each wing has a free end located away from a point where each respective wing is connected to the bridge section, and the distance between the wings at the point where each wing is connected to the bridge section is greater than the distance between the wings at an adjacent point with the free end of each wing. This means that the wings are wrapped more easily around the neck and therefore provide a narrower support for the sides of the user's head.

Preferably, at least part of the bridge section contains the or a particulate material. Alternatively, at least part of the bridge section does not contain the particulate material.

Preferably, the means for restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridge section comprises a seam that joins a surface of the bridge section with an opposite surface of the bridge section. The seam limits the size of the space formed by the opposite surfaces of the bridge section. Preferably, there is at least one seam line located within the edge of the bridge section, preferably at least two lines of

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sewing.

Preferably, the means that limit the amount of particulate material in the bridge section comprises a cushioning or padding means provided by the bridge section.

Preferably, the surface of the bridge section is formed by a surface material, and the particulate material of the bridge section provides support to the surface material.

Preferably, the bridge section contains a different material from the particulate material. Preferably, the pillow further comprises an eyelet attached to one of the wings and a means of attachment or tie attached to the other, means of attachment or tie that is received by the eyelet to hold the wings together. Preferably, the fastening or mooring means comprises a button or a cab.

Preferably, the surface of the bridge section is formed from a separate piece of material from the surface of the wings.

Preferably, the surface material of the wings and / or the bridge section comprises fabric or an elastic material or fabric, for example, Lycra (registered trademark).

Preferably, the surface material of the wings and / or the bridge section is formed with a plurality of layers, and preferably, one or more of the layers comprise an elastic material, for example, Lycra (registered trademark).

Preferably, the surface of the bridge or wing section is formed with a plurality of, preferably two pieces of material sewn together to form a reef.

Preferably, the particulate material comprises beads, pellets, beads, buckwheat, oatmeal or any combination thereof. The particulate material may comprise memory foam pieces. Preferably, the particulate material comprises beads, beads or beads.

Preferably, the padding means contains a substance different from the particulate material.

Next, the preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, simply by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a pillow according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the pillow of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of the pillow of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the pillow of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a front view of the pillow of Figure 1 showing the detail of the bridge section;

Figure 6 is a view of the right side of the pillow of Figure 1; Y

Figure 7 is a view of the left side of the pillow of Figure 1.

Throughout this specification, the pillow is described in its unloaded state, that is, when the pillow has not been tampered with, loaded or molded by the user.

With reference to Figure 1, a pillow 10 is provided comprising a pair of wings 12 and a section

bridge 14 connecting wings 12. As shown in Figure 1, wings 12 and bridge section 14 together

they have a substantially U shape in plan view. The surface of wings 12 and the bridge section

14 is formed with a surface material, and the wings 12 and the bridge section 14 contain pearls in this

embodiment (or other particulate material such as pellets or beads or any combination thereof in other embodiments) so as to provide support to the surface material. The thickness (or depth, the dimension in the direction away from the observer in Figure 1) of the thinnest portion of the bridge section 14 is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings 12. This is observed with greater clarity in Figures 2 and 3. In the present embodiment, the bridge section 14 comprises a cushioning means 16 containing foam material. In the present embodiment, the padding means has a constant thickness of approximately 10 mm. In the present embodiment, the padding means 16 provides the thinnest portion of the bridge section 14 but in other embodiments, the thinner portion may be provided elsewhere.

In other embodiments, the bridge section 14 does not contain the particulate material, and therefore, the surface of the bridge section 14 is not supported by the particulate material.

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The cushioning means 16 forms an upper area to support the user's head.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings 12 is shown by the arrows X. The thickness of a portion of the bridge section 14 is shown by the arrows Y. However, it is not possible. observe the thickness of the padding means 16 in Figures 2 and 3 and therefore, it is not possible to observe the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section 14 in Figures 2 and 3.

In Figure 1, the wings 12 are divided from the bridge section 14 by the seam 28. However, the wings 12 and the bridge section 14 can be divided differently, for example, the wings 12 can extend into the bridge section 14 .

In this embodiment, the thickest portion of the wings 12 (having the same thickness in each wing 12) is approximately in the middle between the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridge section 14, but the invention It is not limited to this.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the thinnest portion of the bridge section 14 is equidistant from each wing 12. This happens because the center line LC of the pillow 10 shown in Figure 1 which is equidistant between each wing 12, crosses the middle padding 16. The pillow 10 is axially symmetrical with respect to the center line LC.

With reference to Figure 2, the surface of the bridge section 14 is formed by two separate pieces of material 30, 32, sewn together to form a reef on the seam line 34 (preferably horizontal) around the center in the direction of the depth of the bridge section 14. Similarly, the surface of each wing 12 is formed by two separate pieces of material 36, 38, sewn together to form a reef 40 (preferably horizontal) around the center in the direction of the depth of each wing 12. Lycra (registered trademark) (elastane) is used as a material for the surface of the bridge section 14 and the wings 12 in this embodiment, but the invention is not limited to this, and instead, other fabrics. However, Lycra (registered trademark) provides an elastic material that allows the pillow 10 to be easily molded for the user, but other elastic materials can be used.

Furthermore, in the embodiment in which the bridge section 14 does not contain the particulate material, it is not necessary that the surface of the bridge section 14 be formed with a fabric such as Lycra (registered trademark).

An additional inner layer of material may be provided, for example, of Lycra (registered trademark) in the bridge section 14 and / or on each of the wings 12. The additional layer or each of them may be sewn to the other layer or to each respective layer of bridge section 14 and / or wings 12.

During the filling of the pillow 10, a tube is inserted into a small hole that is left in the reef and beads are injected along the tube at high pressure to fill the pillow 10. After filling it, the hole is closed immediately with sewing. Pearl filling usually takes less than 3 seconds because there are no internal walls inside the pillow 10 that slow down the filling. The internal walls would present a serious impediment to the filling of a pillow with pearls. Such internal walls would also significantly reduce the effectiveness of the product as a pillow because the beads must move freely throughout the pillow to achieve a comfortable molding that specifically fits the user. This is different from known inflatable pillows, which are suitable for use during the trip but contain internal walls that ensure proper inflation.

In other embodiments in which the bridge section 14 does not contain particulate material, care must be taken to fill the two wings with beads separately, either sequentially or simultaneously, for example, with two operators or in two operations. For example, the tube may be passed inside the bridge section 14 to fill the wing 12 further away before or after the nearest wing 12 is filled.

Care should also be taken when filling the bridge section 14 when the bridge section 14 contains particulate material because the means to limit the amount of particulate material in the bridge section can make filling the bridge section 14 difficult. The medium can also make the passage difficult of the tube by the bridge section 14.

Usually, said known inflatable pillows are made of weldable fabrics that are welded by heat sealing. These fabrics are welded together while the pillow is flat and deflated in a press.

Preferably, the beads are made of polystyrene.

A buttonhole 18 and a button 20 are provided on a material tab, on the outer edges of the respective wings 12. Buttonhole 18 and a button 20 are provided approximately in the middle between the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridge section 14.

When the pillow 10 is folded along the center line LC, the button 20 can be inserted into the buttonhole 18 to adjust the

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wings 12 with each other and keep the pillow 10 in the folded position.

In this embodiment, the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is approximately 90 mm. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge portion 14 is approximately 70 mm. The thickest portion of the bridge section 14 is arranged at the two points where the bridge section 14 is connected to each wing 12. This is best shown in Figure 2.

In this embodiment, the ratio between the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section and the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is approximately 1: 9.

In this embodiment, the ratio between the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section and the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is approximately 1: 1.3.

In this embodiment, the ratio between the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section and the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section is approximately 1: 7.

In the present embodiment, the bridge section 14 comprises two channels 24, 26 which contain beads and extend between the wings 12. A channel 24 is provided on the outer edge of the bridge section 14 (the upper edge as shown in Figure 1 ). Another channel 26 is provided on the inner edge of the bridge section 14 (the bottom edge as shown in Figure 1). Channels 24, 26 allow the beads to pass between the ends of the bridge section 14 and between the wings 12 beyond the padding means 16.

The padding means 16 is defined by a seam in the surface material of the bridge section 14. The foam material of the padding means is substantially trapezoidal in plan view and the seam surrounds the foam material to hold the foam material in position. Other material may be used instead of foam material.

In this embodiment, the seam defining the cushioning means 16 and the foam material of the cushioning means 16 provides a means to limit the amount of particulate material in the bridge section 14, so as to restrict the thickness of the bridge section 16 The seam defining the cushioning means 16 joins the lower surface of the bridge section 14 with the opposite upper surface of the bridge section 14. The seam limits the size of the space formed by these opposite surfaces of the bridge section 14. In addition, the foam material occupies space in the bridge section 14 that would otherwise be occupied by the particulate material.

The bridge section 14 has an axis that extends between the wings 12 (in this embodiment substantially parallel to the straight section of the outer edge of the bridge section 14) and the longer sides of the substantially trapezoidal shape of the padding means 16 are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridge section 14. This provides a wide padding means that supports the user's head.

During the use of the pillow 10, the user places the bridge section 14 behind the user's head and the user wraps the wings 12 around the user's neck. Then, the pillow 10 is placed on a surface and the bridge section 14 provides support to the back of the user's head and the wings 12 provide support to both sides of the user's head.

In this embodiment, the difference in thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridge section 14 (in the center line LC) and the thickest portion of the wings 12 is approximately 80 mm.

The free end 22 of each wing 12 is disposed outside a point where each respective wing 12 is connected to the bridge section 14. The distance between the wings 12 and the point at which each wing 12 is connected to the bridge section 14 is greater than the distance between the wings 12 at a point adjacent to the free end 22 of each wing 12. This is clearly seen in Figure 1, where the wings 12 are closer to their free ends 22 than to their other ends that connect to bridge section 14.

From Figures 2 and 3 it can be seen that the central portion of the bridge section 14, that is, the portion adjacent to the central line LC, is considerably thinner than the thicker portion of the wings 12.

Figures 4 and 5 show the detail of the bridge section 14 and from Figures 4 and 5 it can be seen that the upper surface of the padding means 16 is below the highest point of the rest of the bridge section 14, in particular , below the highest point of channels 24 and 26. The pillow 10 is symmetrical about a horizontal plane and, in this embodiment, about the reef 43 of the bridge section 14 and the reef 40 of each wing 12. Thus therefore, the lower surface (bottom) (not shown in Figures 4 and 5) of the padding means 16 is on the lowest point of the rest of the bridge section 14, in particular on the lowest point of the channels 24 and 26. As a result, the padding means 16 provides the thinnest portion of the bridge section 14 in this embodiment, but in other embodiments, the thinner portion may be provided elsewhere, for example, in channel 24 and / or 26.

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Figures 6 and 7 show the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings 12 by the arrows X. Figures 6 and 7 show that, in this embodiment, the thickest portion of the wings 12 (which has the same thickness in each wing 12) is approximately in the middle between the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridge section 14, but the invention is not limited thereto.

The eyelet 18 and / or the button 20 are arranged respectively in the reef 40 of each wing 12, that is, approximately in the middle of the direction of the depth of each wing 12.

With reference to Figures 1, 4 and 5, the bridge section 14 is curved (when viewed in plan; towards the bottom in Figure 1) from where each wing 12 is connected to a substantially flat section comprising the padding means 16 and channels 24 and 26. In other embodiments, the padding means may not be provided; instead, for example, a single channel can be extended between wings 12.

In this embodiment, the width of a portion of the wings 12 (when viewed in plan) is substantially the same as the width of a portion of the bridge section 14. The width of each wing 12 is the distance between the outer edge of wing 12 and the inner edge of wing 12 with reference to the pillow 10 shown in Figure 1. The width of the bridge section 14 is the distance between the outer edge and the inner edge.

In this embodiment, the width of the wings 12 and the bridge section is comprised between 120 mm and 140 mm. The maximum width of the bridge section 14 is approximately 140 mm and the minimum width of the bridge section 14 is approximately 120 mm. In this embodiment, the minimum width of the bridge section 14 is in the center line CL.

In this embodiment, the longest dimension of the substantially trapezoidal padding means 16, which is substantially parallel to the longer side, is approximately 120 mm. The shortest dimension of the substantially trapezoidal padding means 16, which is substantially parallel to the shorter side, is approximately 80 mm.

Claims (11)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 1. A pillow (10) comprising: two wings (12), and a bridge section (14) that connects the wings (12), wherein the wings (12) and the bridge section (14) together form a substantially U-shaped profile in plan view, and the surface of each wing (12) is formed by a surface material, and the wings ( 12) contain particulate material to support the surface material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridge section (14) is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings (12), in which the bridge section (14) contains particulate material and comprises a means to limit the amount of particulate material in the bridge section (14), to limit the thickness of the bridge section (14), and in which the bridge section (14) comprises one or more channels (24, 26) that contain the particulate material and extend between the wings (12). 2. A pillow (10) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridge section (14) is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing (12). 3. A pillow (10) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the bridge section (14) comprises a cushioning means (16) containing a different material from the particulate material. 4. A pillow (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material of the padding means (16) is a foam material. 5. A pillow (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the padding means (16) is defined by a seam in the surface material of the bridge section (14). A pillow (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the padding means (16) is substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal in plan view. A pillow (10) according to claim 6, wherein the bridge section (14) has an axis that extends between the wings (12), and the longer sides of the substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridge section (14). A pillow (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each wing (12) has a free end (22) located away from a point where each respective wing (12) is connected to the section bridge (14), and the distance between the wings (12) at the point where each wing (12) is connected to the bridge section (14) is greater than the distance between the wings (12) at a point adjacent to the free end (22) of each wing (12). A pillow (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for limiting the amount of particulate material in the bridge section (14) comprises a seam that joins a surface of the bridge section (14) to an opposite surface of the bridge section (14), or in which the means for limiting the amount of particulate material in the bridge section (14) comprises a cushioning or cushioning means (16) provided in the bridge section (14) . A pillow (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the bridge section (14) is formed by a surface material, and the particulate material of the bridge section (14) provides support to the surface material. 11. A pillow (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the particulate material comprises beads, pellets, beads, buckwheat, oatmeal or any combination thereof.