GB2030448A

GB2030448A - Tubular pillow construction

Info

Publication number: GB2030448A
Application number: GB7837900A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: WATTIE J
Current assignee: WATTIE J
Priority date: 1978-09-23
Filing date: 1978-09-23
Publication date: 1980-04-10

Abstract

The pillow comprises an elongate padded portion (2, 18, 2', 2'') which is deformed from an initial unstressed straightened configuration into a curved configuration in which an edge portion (8) is under tension. The padded portion may include an unstressed portion (6). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tubular pillow construction The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to pillows.

It is desirable that a pillow should be of a shape and substance which benefits the sleep of the user but which also presents an attractive and comfortable appearance.

The invention therefore provides a pillow comprising an elongate padded portion deformed from an initial unstressed condition into a curved condition in which an edge portion thereof is undertension.

The padded portion may or may not be associated with an unstressed pillow portion to complete the whole.

Conveniently the elongate padded portion may be tubular, but not necessarily of constant crosssectional area or dimensions. In examples of the invention, the padded portion may be curved in a manner such that opposite ends thereof meet and are fastened together by suitable means.

Advantageously, the elongate padded portion may comprise a tubular envelope filled with a suitable padding material, the filled envelope being curved round from an initially straight configuration so that end portions thereof meet and may be sewn or otherwise fastened together. Thus the material comprising the envelope becomes folded and pleated at the inside curvature of the tubular envelope but is under tension around the periphery of the pillow. A central, unstressed portion may be provided for the pillow, at least partially surrounded by a tubular envelope. This central portion may be separate from or formed integrally with the tubular padded portion.

The padding material may be any conventional pillow filling, for example feathers or foam plastics material, which may if desired be in particulate form.

Four examples of pillows according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first pillow; Figure 2 is an envelope from which the first pillow is formed; Figure 3 shows an intermediate step in the formation of the pillow; Figure 4 is a plan view of a second pillow; Figure 5shows an envelope for the second pillow; and Figures 6and 7 show a third and fourth pillows respectively.

Figure 1 shows a pillow comprising an envelope 2 filled with a conventional soft pillow filling. The pillow is composed of several regions, a main central region 6 bounded by peripheral edge portion 8 of the pillow itself and by tubular end portions 9 of the envelope which are curved around to meet at a seam 10. Curvature of the filled envelope causes folds or pleats 12, which in the present example have been lightly but permanently sewn into place. These serve to prevent the sides of the pillow rising or rolling up in use.

The envelope 2 is shown in its initial condition in Figure 2. It comprises a single length of material folded at 14 and the double thickness seamed along an edge 16 leaving temporary gaps for filling. When these gaps are sewn up after filling, the end portions 9 are brought round, as shown by the arrows A in Figure 3, until they abut and the seam 10 is formed. It will be observed that the seam 16 follows a carefully chosen curved line arranged so that mutually confronting portions of the seam 16 are of complementary shape, for example the portions 1 6a are concave and arranged to confront and abut the convex portions 16b.

The central portion 6 of the pillow is suitable to receive a person' head with the peripheral portion 8 underlying the neck. If, during sleep, the person turns on his side or moves his head in an arcuate movement to one side or the other, the curvature of the seam 16 is chosen to provide equal support to the head, the end portions 9 and the portion in the region of the folds or pleats 12 providing gentle support and resistance to excessive sideways movement of the sleeper's head into extreme, and eventually uncomfortable, positions.

It will be observed that while there is no tension in the pillow in the padded regions or in the region of the seam 16, the peripheral portion 8 comprises the central region of the envelope material at the fold 14.

Thus there is a continuous region of envelope material which initially comprised the fold 14 and which now is under a degree of tension as it encircles, the remainder of the pillow, by virtue of being on the outside curve of the envelope. This peripheral region of the material acts to impart a firm feel to the construction of the pillow, avoiding floppiness and ensuring the desired degree of support.

Figure 4 shows a second pillow comprising a tubular envelope 18 of constant width (Figure 5), end portions of which are brought round to abut at 20, the filled tubular envelope being folded or pleated at 22 and sewn into place. There is thus no specific central region. Making up the pillow will befacili- tated if a less than usual amount of filling is present in the areas 24 of the envelope 18 to enable the folds 22 to be made.

Figures 6 and 7 show two further examples of pillows 2', 2", similar to that shown in Figures 1-3, but having seams 16' and 16", respectively, with alternative configurations.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

1. A pillow comprising an elongate padded portion deformed from an initial unstressed condition into a curved condition in which an edge portion thereof is under tension.

2. A pillow as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate padded portion is tubular and is formed from a tubular and is formed from a tubular envelope filled with suitable padding material, the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tubular pillow construction The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to pillows. It is desirable that a pillow should be of a shape and substance which benefits the sleep of the user but which also presents an attractive and comfortable appearance. The invention therefore provides a pillow comprising an elongate padded portion deformed from an initial unstressed condition into a curved condition in which an edge portion thereof is undertension. The padded portion may or may not be associated with an unstressed pillow portion to complete the whole. Conveniently the elongate padded portion may be tubular, but not necessarily of constant crosssectional area or dimensions. In examples of the invention, the padded portion may be curved in a manner such that opposite ends thereof meet and are fastened together by suitable means. Advantageously, the elongate padded portion may comprise a tubular envelope filled with a suitable padding material, the filled envelope being curved round from an initially straight configuration so that end portions thereof meet and may be sewn or otherwise fastened together. Thus the material comprising the envelope becomes folded and pleated at the inside curvature of the tubular envelope but is under tension around the periphery of the pillow. A central, unstressed portion may be provided for the pillow, at least partially surrounded by a tubular envelope. This central portion may be separate from or formed integrally with the tubular padded portion. The padding material may be any conventional pillow filling, for example feathers or foam plastics material, which may if desired be in particulate form. Four examples of pillows according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first pillow; Figure 2 is an envelope from which the first pillow is formed; Figure 3 shows an intermediate step in the formation of the pillow; Figure 4 is a plan view of a second pillow; Figure 5shows an envelope for the second pillow; and Figures 6and 7 show a third and fourth pillows respectively. Figure 1 shows a pillow comprising an envelope 2 filled with a conventional soft pillow filling. The pillow is composed of several regions, a main central region 6 bounded by peripheral edge portion 8 of the pillow itself and by tubular end portions 9 of the envelope which are curved around to meet at a seam 10. Curvature of the filled envelope causes folds or pleats 12, which in the present example have been lightly but permanently sewn into place. These serve to prevent the sides of the pillow rising or rolling up in use. The envelope 2 is shown in its initial condition in Figure 2. It comprises a single length of material folded at 14 and the double thickness seamed along an edge 16 leaving temporary gaps for filling. When these gaps are sewn up after filling, the end portions 9 are brought round, as shown by the arrows A in Figure 3, until they abut and the seam 10 is formed. It will be observed that the seam 16 follows a carefully chosen curved line arranged so that mutually confronting portions of the seam 16 are of complementary shape, for example the portions 1 6a are concave and arranged to confront and abut the convex portions 16b. The central portion 6 of the pillow is suitable to receive a person' head with the peripheral portion 8 underlying the neck. If, during sleep, the person turns on his side or moves his head in an arcuate movement to one side or the other, the curvature of the seam 16 is chosen to provide equal support to the head, the end portions 9 and the portion in the region of the folds or pleats 12 providing gentle support and resistance to excessive sideways movement of the sleeper's head into extreme, and eventually uncomfortable, positions. It will be observed that while there is no tension in the pillow in the padded regions or in the region of the seam 16, the peripheral portion 8 comprises the central region of the envelope material at the fold 14. Thus there is a continuous region of envelope material which initially comprised the fold 14 and which now is under a degree of tension as it encircles, the remainder of the pillow, by virtue of being on the outside curve of the envelope. This peripheral region of the material acts to impart a firm feel to the construction of the pillow, avoiding floppiness and ensuring the desired degree of support. Figure 4 shows a second pillow comprising a tubular envelope 18 of constant width (Figure 5), end portions of which are brought round to abut at 20, the filled tubular envelope being folded or pleated at 22 and sewn into place. There is thus no specific central region. Making up the pillow will befacili- tated if a less than usual amount of filling is present in the areas 24 of the envelope 18 to enable the folds 22 to be made. Figures 6 and 7 show two further examples of pillows 2', 2", similar to that shown in Figures 1-3, but having seams 16' and 16", respectively, with alternative configurations. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

2. A pillow as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elongate padded portion is tubular and is formed from a tubular and is formed from a tubular envelope filled with suitable padding material, the filled envelope being formed into a curved configuration from an initially straight configuration.

3. A pillow as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filled envelope is formed into a curved configuration in which opposite end portions of the envelope meet and are fastened together.

4. A pillow as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the elongate padded portion is associated with a non-tensioned, unstressed pillow portion to complete the whole.

5. A pillow as claimed in claim 4wherein the non-tensioned pillow portion is integrally formed with the elongate padded portion.

6. A pillow as claimed in claim 4 wherein the non-tensioned pillow portion is an initially separate pillow portion, which in the assembled pillow, is at least partially surrounded by the elongate padded portion in its curved configuration.

7. A pillow as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elongate tubular envelope is of constant crosssectional dimensions.

8. A pillow as claimed in claim 5, wherein the elongate tubular envelope is contoured so as to present mutually confronting surfaces of complementary shape when tensioned in the curved, condition.

9. A pillow as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular envelope is formed from a single length of fabric material folded at a longitudinal centre line thereof into a double thickness and seamed at free edges thereof to enclose said padding material, the tensioned edge portion of the assembled pillow corresponding to the folded centre-line region of the fabric material.

10. A pillow constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in (a) Figures 1 to 3, (b) Figures 4 and 5, (c) Figure6 (d) Figure7 of the accompanying drawings.