WO2002007571A1

WO2002007571A1 - Water pillow with restricted water bag

Info

Publication number: WO2002007571A1
Application number: PCT/CA2001/000501
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice R. Bard
Original assignee: Iwi Ltd.
Priority date: 2000-07-24
Filing date: 2001-04-12
Publication date: 2002-01-31
Also published as: CA2314440A1

Abstract

A water bag for a head pillow has been modified by providing a series of tack seals located interior to the periphery of the water bag. The tack seals reduce the volume of the water bag and control the displacement of the water when a person's head is supported on the pillow. In a preferred embodiment, part of the water bag is deprived or the bag is restricted to provide additional support to the areas adjacent the deprived area. This has particular application as a chiropractic pillow.

Description

TITLE: WATER PILLOW WITH RESTRICTED WATER BAG

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pillows and in particular, pillows which include a sealable bag for receiving a volume of liquid to provide support for the pillow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A water based pillow is disclosed in our United States Patent 4,847,931. This pillow has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of patients suffering from recurring headaches or neck pain. It is believed the thin layer of water support at the base of the pillow allows more consistent support and also responds to changing positions of the head on the pillow.

Although the pillow has met with considerable success in the market place, the weight of the water limits the size of the water bag in the standard pillow and this problem becomes more acute for larger size pillows such as jumbo, queen and king pillows. The water bag provides excellent support but has the disadvantage of increasing the weight of the pillow.

Also, the support characteristics of the water bag change dramatically as the size of the water bag increases. A minimum support layer of water is desired to properly support the fiber and the user's head and neck. Bottoming out, where the minimum support layer is eliminated, can occur as the water bag size increases. Basically, the volume of the water bag available for water displacement greatly increases as the size of the bag increases. The present invention seeks to overcome a number of these difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pillow according to the present invention comprises an outer fabric casing, a sealable plastic bag for containing fluid therein attached to a base portion of the outer fabric casing, and a compressible material above the sealable plastic bag. The plastic bag has a peripheral seal thereabout and includes at least two tack seals interior to and spaced from the peripheral seal . Each tack seal joins opposed surfaces of the bag and restricts the volume of the bag.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bag includes two tack seals located on a center line of the bag with one tack seal being located adjacent one end of the bag and the other tack seal located adjacent the other end of the bag.

According to an aspect of the invention, the tack seals are positioned to define a large central region and two end regions located either side of the central region. These regions define different support areas for the water layer.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, at least one tack seal is positioned between the central region and each end region.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, two tack seals form a division between the central region and each end region.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, each tack seal is of a size less than .25 square inches. In yet a further aspect of the invention, the tack seals are located to define a series of interconnected regions of restricted volume such that a person's head resting on the pillow is supported on a thin layer of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the pillow showing two tack seals and the division of the water bag.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the construction of the pillow prior to the insertion of the compressible fill material;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the effect of the tack seal and limiting the volume of a water bag for a standard pillow;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a water bag for a jumbo pillow;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a water bag for a queen size pillow;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a water bag for a king size pillow; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a water bag for a chiropractic pillow;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a water bag for a modified chiropractic pillow; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view through a pillow showing the water support beneath a user's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows a preferred construction of the pillow. The pillow 2 has an outer fabric casing 4 which is made of a ticking material . This outer fabric casing encloses the pillow and the various components thereof. Interior to the fabric casing is a thin plastic liquid retaining bag 8 which is attached by means of stitches 10 passing through the fastening periphery 9 and engaging the^' bottom surface 6 of the fabric casing 4.

The plastic bag 8 retains water 7 and provides support layer beneath the compressible fill material 18. Immediately beneath the water bag 8 is a thermal reflecting material 12 which is attached with the bag to the fabric casing.

The water bag 8 has at least one peripheral seal thereabout and a flange area which allows attachment to the casing. Interior to this peripheral seal, are a series of tack seals or welds 70. The tack seals have been located to define a central region 50 and end regions GO. The tack seals 70 serve to restrict the volume of the water bag 8 and allows the water bag to be used with larger size pillows and to also limit the amount of water necessary to maintain a support layer. The water bag 8, for larger pillows, is increased in size and the tack seals 70 serve to reduce the amount of fluid that is required to maintain a minimum layer of liquid beneath a person's head placed on the pillow as shown in Figure 9.

It has been found that as the size of the water bag increases, the amount of fluid necessary to maintain a minimum layer beneath a person's head increases considerably if the tack seals are not present because of the greatly increasing volume for water displacement. Unfortunately, as the volume of water increases, the weight of the pillow increases, rendering it less useful. The placement of the tack seals 70 has divided the water bag 8 into a primary central region and the two end regions and reduced the amount of liquid that is required to maintain the fluid support . The large central region provides support similar to the standard pillow and the small tack seals cause minimal disruption in the extremities due to the four inches of fiber on top and the free movement of water about the tack seal . Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the tack seals provide more aggressive support either side of a user's head as the bulge regions are not distributed across the entire water bag as would be the case if the tack seals were not present .

The end regions 60 are connected peripheral regions which are positioned to the exterior of the tack seals. This is particularly true with the embodiments shown in Figures 3 through 6 where additional tack seals further define the peripheral regions 66 while maintaining a preferred large central region 50.

In Figure 2, a queen size pillow is shown without the compressible fill material . The water bag 8 has been provided with four tack seals 70 which define the central region 50 with the outer peripheral regions 60 about the central region. The peripheral regions and the central regions are all connected and the water freely passes from one region to the other, however, the extent that the pillow can expand is limited by the tack seals. The queen size water bag is shown in Figure 5. In this way, the volume of water necessary to maintain a minimal support layer beneath a person's head, has been substantially decreased.

The area of the water bag not supporting the head allows less water to be displaced thereto due to the tacks, and the minimum support layer is maintained.

This is useful for the manufacture of a queen size pillow or a king size pillow as well as a jumbo pillow which is slightly larger than the standard pillow.

A standard pillow has dimensions of approximately 20 inches by 26 inches; a jumbo pillow has dimensions of approximately 20 inches by 28 inches; a queen size pillow has dimensions of 20 inches by 30 inches; and the king size pillow has dimensions of 20 inches by 36 inches.

The conventional water bag for a standard pillow is approximately 12 inches by 18 inches and did not include any tack seals. A modified water bag for a standard pillow increases the size to 14 inches by 20 inches and two end tack seals on the center line are provided (Figure 3) . This increase in width improves neck support . The increased length provides better support at the ends of the pillow without unduly increasing the weight. This modified water bag with the tack seals, provides increased water coverage while maintaining a satisfactory weight. Basically the tack seals allow more effective use of the water per unit area of the water bag. In this way, the modified water bag provides increased coverage and floats more of the compressible fiber.

For the manufacture of a jumbo pillow, the water bag is about 14 inches by 20 inches and includes at least two tack seals and preferrably 4 as shown in Figure 4. The water bag for a queen size pillow is about 14 inches by 24 inches, and again includes at least two tack seals and preferrably 4 , as shown in Figure 5. These tack seals are preferrably located approximately three inches interior to the ends of the peripheral seal . With respect to a king size pillow, the water bag is about 14 inches by 28 inches and includes at least eight tack seals as shown in Figure 6.

The use of tack seals is also effective for the original water bag of the standard pillow to reduce the weight by reducing the amount of water necessary to provide effective support. In this case, tack seals are preferably placed between two and three inches of the ends of the water bag. With this arrangement, the volume of water necessary for maintaining a water support layer is reduced and there remains a large central region which provides support as shown in Figure 9. The tack seals provide more aggressive support either side of a user's head.

As can be appreciated, the placement of tack seals within the periphery of the water retaining bag allows larger pillows to have a large bag while maintaining a satisfactory weight or the tack seals can be used to reduce the weight and volume of water used in smaller pillows. Satisfactory support on a thin layer of water is maintained and preferably a large central portion of the water bag remains clear of tack seals to provide the preferred support in the center of the pillow.

The tack seals can be made at the same time that the peripheral seal about the water bag is made. Basically, the water bag is either a two layer water bag or a four layer water bag with a peripheral seal thereabout. The sealing equipment can also perform the tack sealing at the desired points. The use of single tack seals allows the bag to quickly bulge upwardly and this localized interruption in fluid support directly above the tack seal is not a problem.

With the water pillow of the present invention, it is desirable to maintain a thin layer of water beneath a person's head as they use the pillow. Many advantages of the pillow are not realized if the thin layer of water supporting a person's head is not maintained. In order to achieve the support in a king size pillow, without the use of tack seals, the volume of the liquid was approximately twice that of the standard pillow. As shown in Figures 3 through 6, a preferred central region of a size of about 14 inches by 16 inches is maintained. Furthermore, the liquid is a very substantial thermal mass and tack seals reduce the amount of water required.

The use of the tack seals has achieved the desired support and has not caused any large creases or areas which are not supported by the liquid. Although the tack seal does provide a localized point where there is no liquid support, the water has been found to quickly bulge upwardly from the tack seal and as such, the head is properly supported. The fiber layer atop the water bag also distributes forces over a larger area and thus, the supporting effect of the water is maintained. Thus, the tack seals essential go unnoticed to a user, other than the desirable reduction in weight .

The actual size of the tack seals 70 are preferrably about one quarter inch in diameter to provide a proper seal and to avoid problems such as leakage. As can be appreciated, if there is a failure of the tack seal, it could well cause a failure of the bag, which is to be avoided. Therefore, the seal has to be relatively strong and this size area has proven to provide acceptable performance.

A further feature of the tack seals is the ability to layout a pattern of tack seals to provide a particular support structure. The tack seals also allow the water to move quickly and to rapidly respond to changes of positions of a supported head.

A further embodiment as shown in Figures 7 and 8 has a water deprived area 83 generally in the most common support position for the head. This forces more water to the edges of the water bag for firmer neck support. Four tack seals are provided in Figure 7 with the water deprived area 83 being approximately three inches by three inches. In Figure 8, the area 83 is sealed off and defines a hollow. In both cases, the neck support in areas 85 and 87 is firmer, relative to the water bags of Figures 3 through 6. The water deprived area of Figure 8 also illustrates how a single central tack seal can reduce the water bag volume. Such a tack seal could be of an area of about .25 square inches.

Additional tack seals can be provided in the water bags of Figures 3 through 6 if it is desired to reduce the required volume of water. In particular, the central region can be provided with further tack seals.

It is also possible to use only one tack seal, preferrably centrally located. This tack seal reduces the volume and still allows free flow of the water about the tack seal. The tack seal is hidden by the fiber and the free flow of water.

Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention of the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A pillow comprising an outer fabric casing, a sealable plastic bag for containing fluid therein attached to a base portion of said outer fabric casing, and a compressible material above said sealable plastic bag, said plastic bag having a peripheral seal thereabout and at least one tack seal interior to and spaced from said peripheral seal, said at least one tack seal joining opposed surfaces of said bag and restricting the volume of said bag.

2. A pillow as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bag includes at least two tack seals with one tack seal being located adjacent one end of said bag and the other tack seal located adjacent the other end of said bag.

3. A pillow as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tack seals are positioned to define a large central region with two end regions located either side of said central region.

4. A pillow as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one tack seal is positioned between said central region and each end region.

5. A pillow as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least two tack seals form a division between said central region and each end region.

6. A pillow as claimed in claim 5 wherein each tack seal is of a size less than .25 square inches.

7. A pillow as claimed in claim 2 wherein said tack seals are generally on said centerline.

8. A pillow as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one tack seal defines a water deprived central area.