US20170172310A1 - Cushion filler material - Google Patents
Cushion filler material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170172310A1 US20170172310A1 US15/378,141 US201615378141A US2017172310A1 US 20170172310 A1 US20170172310 A1 US 20170172310A1 US 201615378141 A US201615378141 A US 201615378141A US 2017172310 A1 US2017172310 A1 US 2017172310A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- filler material
- cushion
- cushion filler
- pieces
- gel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 92
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 61
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- MTAZNLWOLGHBHU-UHFFFAOYSA-N butadiene-styrene rubber Chemical class C=CC=C.C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 MTAZNLWOLGHBHU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010690 paraffinic oil Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003048 styrene butadiene rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 31
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 5
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 4
- 210000003746 feather Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 229920006132 styrene block copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- -1 styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004816 latex Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 206010048961 Localised oedema Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229920000079 Memory foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011805 ball Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008210 memory foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B68—SADDLERY; UPHOLSTERY
- B68G—METHODS, EQUIPMENT, OR MACHINES FOR USE IN UPHOLSTERING; UPHOLSTERY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B68G1/00—Loose filling materials for upholstery
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/12—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with fibrous inlays, e.g. made of wool, of cotton
- A47C27/122—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with fibrous inlays, e.g. made of wool, of cotton with special fibres, such as acrylic thread, coconut, horsehair
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- A47C27/00—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas
- A47C27/14—Spring, stuffed or fluid mattresses or cushions specially adapted for chairs, beds or sofas with foamed material inlays
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
- A47G9/10—Pillows
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G9/00—Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
- A47G9/10—Pillows
- A47G2009/1018—Foam pillows
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B68—SADDLERY; UPHOLSTERY
- B68G—METHODS, EQUIPMENT, OR MACHINES FOR USE IN UPHOLSTERING; UPHOLSTERY NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B68G1/00—Loose filling materials for upholstery
- B68G2001/005—Loose filling materials for upholstery for pillows or duvets
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to a cushion filler material, and more particularly, to a cushion filler material for the inside of bedding products, furniture and other cushions.
- Conventional cushion filler materials can include feathers, polyester stable fiber and viscoelastic foam pads. However, these conventional cushion filler materials can be uncomfortable.
- the shortcomings of the prior art may be alleviated by using a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more principles of the present invention.
- the cushion filler material may be used in any type of bedding or furniture product to provide enhanced comfort. Additionally, other uses may be made of the invention that fall within the scope of the claimed invention but which are not specifically described below.
- a cushion filler material comprising a plurality of loose pieces of filler material and a plurality of gel material pieces.
- the filler material may be, for example, a polyester staple fiber, feathers, down, latex, viscoelastic foam particles and polyurethane foam particles, or a combination of these materials.
- the gel material pieces are made from a thermoplastic elastomer, such as, for example, a styrenic block copolymer compound.
- the cushion filler material may comprise ten percent by weight of gel material and 90% by weight of filler material.
- the gel material may be shaped as beads or ball-shaped including diameters from two millimeters to four centimeters.
- the gel material produces a tacky or adhesive type characteristic for adhering or sticking to the plurality of filler material.
- a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may be inserted into or disposed and retained or maintained within a cavity formed by the outer layers of a cushion or pillow.
- FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a pillow including the cushion filler material depicted in FIG. 1 .
- cushion filler material comprising a plurality of loose pieces of filler material and a plurality of gel material.
- a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention is useful in the manufacture of a variety of types of bedding products and furniture.
- the cushion filler material may be used in the following types of cushions: mattresses, toppers or other mattress overlays, pillows, futons, zabutons, furniture, including, for example, cushions for sofas, loveseats, recliners, ottomans, and upholstered chairs, office chairs, wheelchair cushions, crib pads, diaper changing surfaces, pet beds, exercise benches, vehicle seats and armchairs, gymnastic pads, yoga pads, aerobic pads, neck cushions, and lumbar cushions.
- a cushion filler material may include a blend of a plurality of filler material and a plurality of gel material pieces.
- the filler material may be, for example, a plurality of loose pieces of polyester staple fiber, feathers, down, latex, viscoelastic particles (e.g. shredded memory foam), polyurethane foam particles, or a combination of these filler materials.
- the filler material may also include other materials typically used as filler materials for bedding products and furniture cushions and should not be limited to the list provided above.
- the filler material is a polyester stable fiber. Polyester stable fiber is a material produced from synthetic chemical compounds. The polyester stable fiber may include pieces of varying lengths and thicknesses. In one embodiment, the polyester stable fiber may have an average denier of greater than 0.5.
- the gel material pieces may comprise a plurality of gel beads, balls or pellets.
- the gel material pieces may have a diameter ranging from two millimeters to four millimeters.
- the gel material pieces used as part of a cushion filler material includes a very tacky or even an adhesively sticky characteristic. With this characteristic or feature, the gel material pieces stick or adhere to the plurality of filler material within a cushion cavity and will not release or bunch up at the bottom of the cushion.
- the gel material pieces when mixed with the a plurality of non-gel filler material, will not fall off or bunch up at the bottom of the cushion or pillow and will be retained and distributed throughout the cushion filler material to provide a cooling and massaging feature without a concern of the gel material falling to the bottom section of the pillow or cushion.
- gel may refer to a thermoplastic elastomer such as, for example, a styrenic block copolymer compound.
- a styrenic block copolymer compound of the gel material is a hydrogenated styrene/butadiene copolymer.
- the gel material may be mixed with paraffinic oil.
- the gel material may also be made from, for example, a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEEPS), or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), or styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) elastomer, or other elastomer, as desired.
- SEEPS styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene
- SEBS styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene
- SEPS styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene
- Other useful gel beads include polyurethane-based gels, silicone-based gels, PVC-based gels, acrylic-based gels, and many other.
- a gel material provides a more comfortable and cooler feel that is desired over conventional filler materials in many cushions, such as, for example, mattresses and pillows and furniture cushions.
- Gel is able to buckle with more agility than stiffer elastomers, sometimes forming multiple curves during buckling where a stiffer elastomer may simply fold and thus not give gradual buckling failure, or refusing to buckle at typical cushioning pressures.
- Gel, especially gel with sufficient elastomer also provides cushioning without buckling, due to its ability to flow to shape around a cushioned object.
- FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a cushion filler material 100 including a plurality of polyester stable fiber 110 and a plurality of gel beads 120 .
- gel beads 120 are distributed throughout the plurality of polyester stable fiber 110 .
- the distribution of gel beads 120 throughout the plurality of polyester stable fiber 110 may be done by hand or mechanically by, for example, a mixer.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a pillow 200 defining a cavity 210 for retaining or maintaining a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.
- the amount and composition of the individual components of the cushion filler material can be varied to alter the characteristics, such as, for example, stiffness, of the pillow or cushion and the cost.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
- Bedding Items (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates generally to a cushion filler material, and more particularly, to a cushion filler material for the inside of bedding products, furniture and other cushions.
- Various cushion filler materials exist for cushions and pillows for the bedding and furniture industry. Conventional cushion filler materials can include feathers, polyester stable fiber and viscoelastic foam pads. However, these conventional cushion filler materials can be uncomfortable.
- The shortcomings of the prior art may be alleviated by using a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more principles of the present invention. The cushion filler material may be used in any type of bedding or furniture product to provide enhanced comfort. Additionally, other uses may be made of the invention that fall within the scope of the claimed invention but which are not specifically described below.
- In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cushion filler material comprising a plurality of loose pieces of filler material and a plurality of gel material pieces. The filler material may be, for example, a polyester staple fiber, feathers, down, latex, viscoelastic foam particles and polyurethane foam particles, or a combination of these materials. In one embodiment, the gel material pieces are made from a thermoplastic elastomer, such as, for example, a styrenic block copolymer compound.
- In one example, the cushion filler material may comprise ten percent by weight of gel material and 90% by weight of filler material. In another example, the gel material may be shaped as beads or ball-shaped including diameters from two millimeters to four centimeters. In one aspect of the invention, the gel material produces a tacky or adhesive type characteristic for adhering or sticking to the plurality of filler material.
- A cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may be inserted into or disposed and retained or maintained within a cavity formed by the outer layers of a cushion or pillow.
- Additional features and benefits will become apparent from the following drawings and descriptions of the invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.
- The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and -
FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a pillow including the cushion filler material depicted inFIG. 1 . - For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of a cushion filler material designed and constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe these. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the check valve invention relates.
- Presented herein is cushion filler material comprising a plurality of loose pieces of filler material and a plurality of gel material. A cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention is useful in the manufacture of a variety of types of bedding products and furniture. By way of example only and without limitation, the cushion filler material may be used in the following types of cushions: mattresses, toppers or other mattress overlays, pillows, futons, zabutons, furniture, including, for example, cushions for sofas, loveseats, recliners, ottomans, and upholstered chairs, office chairs, wheelchair cushions, crib pads, diaper changing surfaces, pet beds, exercise benches, vehicle seats and armchairs, gymnastic pads, yoga pads, aerobic pads, neck cushions, and lumbar cushions.
- In one embodiment, a cushion filler material may include a blend of a plurality of filler material and a plurality of gel material pieces. The filler material may be, for example, a plurality of loose pieces of polyester staple fiber, feathers, down, latex, viscoelastic particles (e.g. shredded memory foam), polyurethane foam particles, or a combination of these filler materials. The filler material may also include other materials typically used as filler materials for bedding products and furniture cushions and should not be limited to the list provided above. In one example, the filler material is a polyester stable fiber. Polyester stable fiber is a material produced from synthetic chemical compounds. The polyester stable fiber may include pieces of varying lengths and thicknesses. In one embodiment, the polyester stable fiber may have an average denier of greater than 0.5.
- The gel material pieces may comprise a plurality of gel beads, balls or pellets. In one example, the gel material pieces may have a diameter ranging from two millimeters to four millimeters. In one aspect of the present invention, the gel material pieces used as part of a cushion filler material includes a very tacky or even an adhesively sticky characteristic. With this characteristic or feature, the gel material pieces stick or adhere to the plurality of filler material within a cushion cavity and will not release or bunch up at the bottom of the cushion. The gel material pieces, when mixed with the a plurality of non-gel filler material, will not fall off or bunch up at the bottom of the cushion or pillow and will be retained and distributed throughout the cushion filler material to provide a cooling and massaging feature without a concern of the gel material falling to the bottom section of the pillow or cushion.
- The term “gel” may refer to a thermoplastic elastomer such as, for example, a styrenic block copolymer compound. One example of a styrenic block copolymer compound of the gel material is a hydrogenated styrene/butadiene copolymer. The gel material may be mixed with paraffinic oil. The gel material may also be made from, for example, a styrene-ethylene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEEPS), or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), or styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene (SEPS) elastomer, or other elastomer, as desired. Other useful gel beads include polyurethane-based gels, silicone-based gels, PVC-based gels, acrylic-based gels, and many other.
- A gel material provides a more comfortable and cooler feel that is desired over conventional filler materials in many cushions, such as, for example, mattresses and pillows and furniture cushions. Gel is able to buckle with more agility than stiffer elastomers, sometimes forming multiple curves during buckling where a stiffer elastomer may simply fold and thus not give gradual buckling failure, or refusing to buckle at typical cushioning pressures. Gel, especially gel with sufficient elastomer, also provides cushioning without buckling, due to its ability to flow to shape around a cushioned object.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a cushion filler material 100 including a plurality of polyesterstable fiber 110 and a plurality ofgel beads 120. As depicted inFIG. 1 ,gel beads 120 are distributed throughout the plurality of polyesterstable fiber 110. The distribution ofgel beads 120 throughout the plurality of polyesterstable fiber 110 may be done by hand or mechanically by, for example, a mixer. -
FIG. 2 illustrates apillow 200 defining acavity 210 for retaining or maintaining a cushion filler material constructed in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The amount and composition of the individual components of the cushion filler material can be varied to alter the characteristics, such as, for example, stiffness, of the pillow or cushion and the cost. - The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
- The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of one or more embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain various aspects and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/378,141 US20170172310A1 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2016-12-14 | Cushion filler material |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562269450P | 2015-12-18 | 2015-12-18 | |
US15/378,141 US20170172310A1 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2016-12-14 | Cushion filler material |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170172310A1 true US20170172310A1 (en) | 2017-06-22 |
Family
ID=59063955
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/378,141 Abandoned US20170172310A1 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2016-12-14 | Cushion filler material |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20170172310A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190133349A1 (en) * | 2017-11-07 | 2019-05-09 | Comfort Revolution, LLC | Sleep products having adjustable firmness levels and adjustable heights |
-
2016
- 2016-12-14 US US15/378,141 patent/US20170172310A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20190133349A1 (en) * | 2017-11-07 | 2019-05-09 | Comfort Revolution, LLC | Sleep products having adjustable firmness levels and adjustable heights |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SOFT-TEX INTERNATIONAL, INC., NEW YORK Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BELIVEAU, JOHN A.;REEL/FRAME:040730/0001 Effective date: 20161213 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: STI (ABC), LLC, NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SOFT-TEX INTERNATIONAL, INC.;REEL/FRAME:062024/0064 Effective date: 20220818 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SOFT-TEX GROUP, INC., NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:STI (ABC), LLC;REEL/FRAME:062308/0715 Effective date: 20221209 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SOFT-TEX GROUP, INC., TEXAS Free format text: CORRECTIVE COVER SHEET TO CORRECT THE ADDRESS OF THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL 062308 FRAME 0715 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ASSIGNMENT DOCUMENT;ASSIGNOR:STI (ABC), LLC;REEL/FRAME:062352/0295 Effective date: 20221209 |