US2357789A - Pillow cover - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 5, 1944.

A. LEVY 2,357,7 9

PILLOW COVER 7 Filed June so, 1942 I7 /7E2RF7HFI/"7 L, Evy

INVENTOR teriously affected by washing.

Patented Sept. 5, 1944 PILLOW COVER Abraham Levy, New York, N. Y.. ass ignor to Fine Art Apron Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 30, 1942, Serial No. 449,143

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to the art of upholstery and bedding and, more particularly, to an improved pillow cover having sanitary and non-allergic properties.

The usual pillow construction comprising a fabricenvelope composed of a relatively tightly woven ticking having enclosed therein a filling or stuffing composed of down or other resilient material, is well known. As usually constructed, however. such pillows are open to somedisadvantages. The fabric envelope or casing is of absorbent material so that the same is easily soiled. It is particularly unsanitaryin that the casing absorbs body'perspiration from the sleeper using the same. The casing is difficult to clean properly since proper thorough cleaning can only be accomplished by use of water as a solvent. This fact, therefore, requires that the pillow casing be emptied of its stuifing prior to the washing operation because otherwise the stuifing absorbs so much moisture that its very difiicult to dry out. The result of all of this is that as a matter of usual practice, the pillow casing is infrequently cleaned, resulting in acomparatively unsanitary condition thereof.

Although tightly woven, the ticking permits the passage therethrough of air and with it minute particles from the stufiing whichmay, and frequently do, cause extreme discomfort to persons using the pillow who are allergic to the material with which the pillow is filled.

It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a pillow cover which prevents soil either in the form of perspiration or otherwise from reaching the pillow itself, and to prevent or inhibit to a large degree the dispersal of allergy producing particles by and from the filling of the pillow itself.

Although, in accordance with the present invention, the pillow cover is relatively non absorbent, it is, of course, subject to some soiling influences and provision is made for the easy and.

convenient removal of the pillow cover from the pillow casing, for the purpose of laundering the cover. This convenient removal and replacement of the present pillow cover permits the pillow itself to be exposed to air currents and to sunlight, the effects of which are to increase the resiliency of the filling and to cut down the number of microbes living in the pillow casing and/or filling. Y

Another object herein lies in the'provision of a pillowcover of the type described which possesses no parts which will be inordinately dele- Another object hereinlies in the provision of pillow cover structure which prevents undesirable exposure of the pillow casing,

A still further object herein lies in the provision of a pillow cover structure which causes forced out air, of the pillow casing under use, to travel a substantially lengthy and circuitous path to the outside atmosphere.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a novel pillow cover structure in which means are..provided for filtering the air expelled from the pillow casing during normal use of the pillow, the pillow havinga bellows-like action during use.

Another object herein lies in the provision of secondary disconnectable connection means which may prolong the useful life of the pillow cover upon the failure or wearing out of the primary disconnectable connection means.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that by reason of the novel construction thereof, the same maybe manufactured at relatively large scale production with a consequent reduction in cost, and wide distribution and use.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages will more fully appear in the progress of this disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

' In the drawing, constituting a material part hereof, similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Fig. -1 is a rear view in perspective of a pillow cover embodying the present invention and enclosing a pillow.

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, with the closure flap and filter element in an open and exposed position thereof.

Fig. 3 is a front view in perspective of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view, as might be ,seen from the right end of Fig. 1.

Fig, 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4 but showing the use of the secondary disconnectable connection means.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged'fragmentary horizontal sectional view, somewhat schematic in nature, as might be seen from the plane 6-6 on Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view, somewhat schematic in nature, as might be seen from the plane 1-! on Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the front and rear body elements, which are parts of the pillow cover as a whole.

" Fig. 9 is a plan view of the closure flap, which is a part of the pillow cover as a whole.

Fig. is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the method of attaching one of the disconnectable connector means to the free margin of the rear body element.

In accordance with the invention, the pillow cover generally indicated by numeral l3, comprises a front body element II, a rear body element l2, a closure flap |3, a filter element l4, and a primary disconnectable connection means The front and rear body elements II and |-2-, and also the closure flap |3, are composed of a flexible, substantially air-tight sheet material. I have found that the practical. requirements of such a material are satisfied by a rayon or cotton.

fabric, impregnated or coated with a fiexible, water-proof plastic, such as cellulose acetate containing suitable plasticizing agents. The elements H and I2 may be separate or may be integrated along the fold line IS. The elements II and I2 have edges I! and I8 as well as the edges [9 and connected by stitches in a well-known manner (not shown). The union of'the edges andv I 8 forms the so-called closed longitudinal edge 2|; while the union of the edges l9 and 20 forms the closed vertical edge 22.

The closure fi'ap |3 the preferred configuration of which is best seenin Fig. 9, includes an edge 23, top and bottom horizontal free edges 24 and 25, and a vertical free edge 26; Secured to the edges 24; 26, and 25 is the filter element M which is preferably composed of a comparatively loosely woven, knitted or braided porous tape, the interstices between the meshes or filaments composing the same being of a size sufficientto allowthe passage therethrough of air under pressure, but being smallenough to hinder or obstruct the passage of allergy producing particles. The filter element |3 may be secured to the edges 24, 26 and 25 in any suitable manner, but preferably by a row of stitches 21 (see Fig. 6) which engages both of the free longitudinal edges or. the filter element with the. edges 24, 26 and 25 therebetween.

The closure flap |3 hasits edge 23secured' to the vertical edge 23 of the front body element This connection between the edges 23 and 28 may occur as a separate operation, but preferably occurs at the same time. that the reinforcement 29 is put in place. At the same time the reinforcement 29 is put in place, the disconnectable connection means |5 are also secured at appropriate positions along the edges 28 and 39 of the body elements, II and I2. The disconnectable connectionmeans are arranged in a row in spaced pairs, and since they are all substantially uniform, a detailed description of one will sufhce for the rest. Each of the pairs 3| of the disconnectable connection means I5 includes a pair of connector elements 32 and; 33; The connector elements are preferably formed by folding the free longitudinal edges thereof twice upon themselves and stitching together the first of said folds, namely, the folds 34 and 35, by a row of stitches 36. This construction is best seen in Fig. 10. The length of each of the elements 32 and 33 is sufficient to permit the elements 32 and 33 to be tied together, preferably in the form of. a bow-knot 31. The inner ends 39 of the connector elements 32 and 33 are positioned between the outer portion 38 of the reinforcement 29 and the front or rear body element II or l2, as the case may be. The pairs 3|, are spaced along the vertical edges of the opening 44 suitable distances, and I have found an inter-bow-knot spacing of four inches to be connected front and rear body elements.

satisfactory although the first and last bow-knots in the series are best placed closer to the edge or fold l6 and the edge or fold 2|.

The reinforcement 29 is preferably put on to the edges 28 and 30, with the reinforcement in one piece, and preferably takes the form of a strip of tape which is folded upon itself to form a binding (U-shaped in cross section) and is secured in place by means of a row of stitches, said row of stitches when connected to the front element being indicated by numeral 40, and when connected to the rear element, being indicated by numeral 4|. The reinforcement 29, where connected to. the front element, is indicated by numeral 42 and where connected to the rear element, indicated by numeral 43. The front and rear portions 42 and 43, respectively, of the reinforcement 29, delineate an opening 44 which forms'an entrance or exit for the'pillow 45.

The front and rear portions 42 and 43, respectively, of the reinforcement 29 areprovided with pairs 46 of opposed orifices 41 and 48. These orifices may be suitably reinforced with grommets or eyelets 49 and 50 through which may be passed the secondary disconnectable connection means 5| which ma take'the form of a piece of tape 52 of suitable length. This tape may be constructed substantiallyidentical with the construction described in connection with the connector element 32 and shown in Fig. 10. Where the reinforcement 29-, the primary disconnectable connection means l5, and the secondary disconnectable connection means 5| are composed of a woven material, it is desirable that they be formed from material cut on the bias for the purpose of additional strength and resiliency.

Operation With the completed pillow cover H3 fabricated as previously described, the closure flap I3 is opened outwardly of the device so that the same presents an appearance similar to that shown in Fig. 2. The pillow is inserted through the opening 44 and properly positioned within the Then, as seen in Fig. 2, the closure flap I3 is inserted between the pillow 45 and the inner surface of the rear' body element l2 until it occupies a position indicated by the dotted lines on Fig, 1. Next, the pairs 3| of the primary connection means I5 are tied in a row of bow-knots 31. This completely encloses the pillow 45, it being noted at this point that the eyelets 49 and are located outwardlyof the lines of stitches 40 and 4|.

In use, when the pressure of the users head is exerted either against the front or rear body elements H or |:2, the volume of air within the pillow 45 is compressed. This air carries with it allergy producing particles from the filling 53 and passes outwardly through the pillow casing 54, but this air is prevented from passage through the body elements H and I2 and the closure flap t3 by reason of substantially air-tight construction thereof. This current of air, in order to become expelled from the pillow cover |0,. must pass through the outward portion 55 of the filter element M which inhibits passage therethrough of the allergy producing particles, as heretofore described. The filtered air then emerges through the relatively small opening 44 (Fig. 4). Aside from the filtering action of the filter element l4, said filter element together with closure fiap !3 causes the air to take a more circuitous passage in leaving the pillow; cover l0, andthese also have a choking effect, acting to reduce the velocity of the air currents as they leave the pillow. The consequent reduction of turbulence also results in a reduced transmission of the allergic particles to the nostrils of the sleeper.

As previously indicated hereinabove, the pillow cover I is easily washed after it has been removed from the pillow 45. disconnectable connection means l5 are subject to considerable wear, and it is desirable that they be not made of hard material which might be uncomfortable if rested upon by the head of the user, they might, in time, wear out. When they do, it becomes a simple matter to snip them off at the exposed portions of the ends 39 and to utilize tapes 52 as the secondary disconnectable connection means 5|. This usage is shown in Fig. 5. If for any reason it is desired to more tightly close the opening 44', the means l5 and 5| may be used simultaneously.

It may thus be seen that I have provided a novel pillow cover construction possessing the advantages of allergy reducing and sanitary properties, together with relatively simple, efficient and durable construction.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A pillow cover; for use with a pillow having a filler with allergy producing particles, comprising: a body element composed of substantially air-tight material having an opening through which said pillow may be inserted or removed; said opening having first and second edge portions; a closure flap composed of substantially air-tight material, connected to said first edge portion and adapted to be pressed against said second edge portion by said pillow; a filter element disposed between said closure flap and the inner surface of said body element, said filter element being composed of material having interstices of a size sufficient to allow the passage therethrough of air under pressure and to hinder the passage of allergy producing particles emanating from said filler.

2. A pillow cover, for use with a pillow, having a filler with allergy producing particles, comprising: a body element composed of substantially air-tight material having an opening through which said pillow may be inserted Or removed; said opening having first and second edge portions; a closure fiap composed of substantially Since the primary 7 air-tight material, connected to said first edge portion and adapted to be pressed against said second edge portion by said pillow; a filter element disposed between said closure flap and the inner surface of said body element, said filter element being composed of material having interstices of a size sufficient to allow the passage therethrough of air under pressure and to hinder the passage of allergy producing particles emanating from said filler; and means to detachably interconnect said first and second edges.

3. A pillow cover, for use with a pillow having a filler with allergy producing particles, comprising: a body element composed of substantially air-tight material having an opening through which said pillow may be inserted or removed; said opening having first and second edge portions; a closure fiap composed of substantially air-tight material, connected to said first edge portion and adapted tobe pressed against said second edge portion by said pillow; a filter element disposed between said closure flap and the inner surface of said body element, said filter element being composed of a fabric tape folded about the free edges of said closure flap and secured thereto, said tape being formed of loosely connected meshes, the meshes having interstices therebetween which are of a size sufiicient to allow the passage therethrough of air under pressure and to obstruct the passage of allergy producing particles.

4. A pillow cover, for use with a pillow, having a filler with allergy roducing particles, comprising: a body element composed of substantially air-tight material having an opening through which said pillow may be inserted or removed; said opening having first and second edge portions; a closure flap composed of substantially air-tight material, connected to said first edge portion and adapted to be pressed against said second edge portion by said pillow; a filter element disposed between said closure fiap and the inner surface of said body element, said filter element being composed of a fabric tape folded about the free edges of said closure flap and secured thereto, said tape being formed of loosely connected meshes, the meshes having interstices therebetween which are of a size suflicient to allow the passage therethrough of air under pressure and to obstruct the passage of allergy producing particles; and means to detachably interconnect said first and second edges.

' ABRAHAM LEVY.

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