GB2414178A

GB2414178A - Pillow/cushion/bolster/mattress with interchangeable sections

Info

Publication number: GB2414178A
Application number: GB0410946A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Spiller Wilkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-17
Filing date: 2004-05-17
Publication date: 2005-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-17
Also published as: GB2414178B; GB0410946D0

Abstract

A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress, made up of two or more sections that can interlock together and separate when necessary. The Main Section forms the framework into which, onto which or under which the insert Section fits. Different Insert Sections can be used with different Main Sections or they can be used independently. One pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress can be used with a variety of inserts, so that the user can get the best possible comfort and support as well as therapeutic and medical benefits. The way that the Sections can be separated, compressed and packed into smaller units enables ease of transportation and allows advantageous use of storage, display and sales areas.

Description

Improvements relating to the comfort and versatility of pillows, cushions,

bolsters and mattresses.

This invention shows that by making the pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress in two or more interchangeable sections, allows for an increase in versatility of use, ease in transportation, storage and benefits for the individual user.

The pillow, cushion, bolster, mattress consists of: A) Main Section and B) Insert Section.

The Insert Section may comprise of one or more pieces.

The Main Section and Insert Section may be used independently from each other if required.

The size, shape and make up of the Main Section and Insert Section can vary.

This variation allows for the pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress to be used for specific purposes, which might be to increase comfort, or be of a therapeutic or medical nature.

Because the Main Section and Insert Section can be used independently from each other, and since they can have different designs on both their upper and lower surfaces (See figs.1, 2, 3), the user can choose whichever surface provides the most beneficial effect.

The invention allows for these Sections to interlock with each other (See figs.1, 2, 3) and/or be placed together intermittently by the user. It also allows for these Sections to be easily separated, so that a removed Section can be easily replaced with a different Section if required.

It is possible to permanently fix the Sections together, but this would reduce the versatility of use.

Fig.1 is of a complete pillow showing the Insert Section fitting within the Main Section.

Fig.2 is of an Insert Section showing a wave upper surface and a ripple under surface.

Fig.3 is of a Main Section minus an Insert Section. a.

The Sections can be made of materials generally used for cushioning purposes and associated with pillows, cushions, bolsters and mattresses: I.E.: 1) Foam, 2) Latex, 3) Rubber, 4) Rubber mixes, 5) Synthetic rubber, 6) Synthetic rubber mixes, 7) Polystyrene, 8) Gel, 9) Polystyrene balls or shapes, 10) Kapok, 11) Feathers, 12) Wool, 13) Cotton, 14) Rags, 15) Pips. 16) Seeds, 17) Buck Wheat, 18) Other natural products. Sections made from the materials mentioned in items 1) to 8) could be pre-formed. Sections made containing the cushioning materials mentioned in items 8) to 18) would have to be pre-shaped with fabricated covers in order to allow those materials to be added.

If required, Sections that are pre-formed can be cut or moulded into the appropriate shape by automated machinery.

The invention allows for ease of production, with the minimum of waste being incurred.

The Main Section acts as a framework into, onto or under which a variety of Insert Sections can fit.(See fig.3) This ability to take differently styled and designed Insert Sections of various material, means that a single pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress can have multiple uses, often with specific purposes in mind.

Some of these specific purposes being: To help stop snoring, improve breathing, discourage headaches, cool or warm the body, help relieve back, neck or other body pains, reduce skin disorders and encourage rest and relaxation.

This ability also allows the user to find the right combination and positioning of Insert Section and Main Section to fit his or her individual needs to facilitate the correct supportive, relaxing, resting or sleeping position for the body.

Both the Main Section and Insert Section can have air channels and surface ventilation holes that will allow a greater circulation of air to benefit the user (See fig.1).

These air channels and ventilation holes can vary in size.

The ventilation holes can also determine the hardness and softness of the pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress, simply by the number added: More ventilation holes, closer together, results in a softer product. Fewer ventilation holes, further apart, results in a harder product. An,

The Ridges (See fig.1 & 3) of the Main Section can be made in various heights, widths and densities to suit specific needs associated with comfort and support.

The Ridges (See fig.2) of the Insert Section can be made in various heights, widths and densities to suit specific needs associated with comfort and support.

The Ridges are an important part of the invention because they allow for the inserts to nicely fit together so that the whole structure remains stable and comfortable (See fig.1).

The Ridges are also important to provide support, comfort and stability to the Main Section, if used independently from the Insert Section.

The Ridges also provide support, comfort and stability to the Insert Section if used independently from the Main Section.

The Main Section and Insert Section of the pre-formed pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress currently have two styles of surfaces: Ripple and Wave. (See figs.1, 2 & 3).

However, instead of a wave surface, other undulating or even flat surfaces can be used instead.

Also specially designed individual surface styles can be created for specific needs.

It is preferable that the ripple surface be present on both the Main Section as well as on one surface of the Insert Section because it allows for the Insert Section to fit well into the Main Section (See fig.1). This can prevent the Sections from separating during use, as well as providing stability for the cushioning effect.

The ripple surface also allows for greater movement of air and increased comfort, however, the size and quantity of surface ripples or undulations can vary.

A pre-shaped, covered and filled pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress might rely on other methods of fixing. For example the Insert Section might be attached to the Main Section by the use of Velcro, poppers, zips, ties or buttons.

The Insert Sections can be made in such a why as to give additional benefits to the user: An extra soft Insert Section might benefit a lighter body.

An extra hard Insert Section might benefit a heavier body.

An extra ventilated Insert Section might discourage perspiration and over heating.

An Insert Section with prefixed tubes connected to an air pump or oxygen tank might benefit those suffering from breathing difficulties or skin disorders (See fig.5).This could be particularly helpful for disabled people confined to a wheelchair or bed.

An extra high sloping Insert Section to discourage snoring (See fig.4).

A Hot/cold Pack Insert Section to benefit those with body pains, circulatory problems or suffering from high temperatures (See fig.2).

An Insert Section containing a pre-frozen cold pack is also very effective in reducing the body's discomfort felt in very hot weather.

An aromatherapy pad, magnetic pad or a motorised massage pad can be also placed into an Insert Section using the same cut out area as seen in fig. 2 Because the Insert Sections may be used independently from the Main Sections, the Pillow Insert Section (See fig.2) makes an ideal travel or therapeutic pillow in its own right, especially when it contains a hot or cold pack or aromatherapy pad. a- -

Description of Drawings

Fig. 1. Complete Pillow showing the Insert Section fitting within the Main Section.

A) Ventilation Holes.

B) Air Channels.

C) Ridges of Main Section.

D) Wave Surface & Ripple Surface.

Fig. 2. Insert Section.

E) Ridges of Insert Section.

F) Cut out in Insert Section into which either hot or cold packs, aromatherapy pads, magnetic pads, or motorised massage pads, can be inserted.

Fig. 3. Main Section without Insert Section.

c) Ridges of Main Section.

D) Ripple Surfaces.

Fig. 4. Sloping Insert Section.

E) Ridges of Insert Section on Wave Surface.

Fig. 5. Complete Pillow with an attached piped link to an air pump. An oxygen tank or breathing apparatus can be used instead of an air pump.

G) Flexible pipes leading into the Air Channels, which have been sealed at one end.

H) Air Pump.

Fig. 6. Cushion suitable, if need be, for wheelchairs.

Fig. 7. Mattress with more ventilation holes Fig. 8. Another mattress style, with more ventilation holes and built-in pillow.

I) Built-in Pillow.

Claims

Claims 1. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress in two or more

interchangeable sections, which allows for an increase in versatility of use, ease in transportation and storage, and benefits for the individual user.
2. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress made up of two or more sections which we name as Main Section and Insert Section, the latter of which may comprise of more than one piece.
3. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress made up of two or more Sections, the Main Section of which provides the framework into, onto or under which the Insert section can fit.
4. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can interlock together by means of their undulating surfaces, or be simply placed together by the user to achieve the most beneficial cushioning, supportive or therapeutic effect.
5. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can be, if required, permanently fixed together by the manufacturer or user, although by doing so it would greatly reduce the items' versatility.
6. A pre-shaped, fabricated and filled pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can be fixed together with methods such as Velcro, poppers, zips or buttons.
7. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can be used independently from each other if required.
8. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections made from materials accepted for their cushioning abilities, as described on PAGE 2, line 3 to 8.
9. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can provide therapeutic, medical or comfort benefits to the user. j
10. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or Sections, the Insert Section of which can be made to give additional benefits to the user, as described on PAGE 4, line 3 to 25.
11. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections, the Main Section of which can be used without the Insert Section if required.
12. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections, the Insert Section of which can be used without the Main Section if required.
13. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can have various designs on both their upper and lower surfaces so that the user can choose whichever surface, or combination of surfaces is most beneficial for his or her particular needs.
14. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections, the ridges of which can vary in height, depth and density, in order to provide comfort, support and stability to the Section.
15. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can be pre-formed either by cutting or moulding as part of an automated process.
16. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that can be pre-shaped, covered and filled.
17. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that allows a good circulation of air, made available by air channels and surface ventilation holes, to benefit the user.
18. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that allows its undulating surfaces to increase air circulation and add comfort for the user.
19. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections that allows its hardness or softness to be altered by adding or reducing its number of air channels and surface ventilation holes.
20. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections, the Insert Section of which can be packaged, displayed and sold separately from the Main Section.
21. A pillow, cushion, bolster or mattress with two or more Sections, which when separated from each other, can be tightly compressed into smaller items and rolled or folded into two or more packages to allow for easy transportation, storage, display and sales.