Abstract:
An apparatus and method for aiding the insertion of a pillow into a pillowcase. The apparatus or device is flexible and lays flat in a neutral condition. After the pillow is placed onto the device, the device is wrapped around the pillow to compress the pillow, and edges of the device are engaged with one another to maintain the pillow in a compressed condition. The device and compressed pillow are slid into a pillowcase, or the pillowcase is slid over the device and compressed pillow, and the device is then slid outwardly from the pillowcase, allowing the pillow to expand and fill the pillowcase. Optionally, the edges of the device may first be disengaged to allow expansion of the pillow to fill the pillowcase prior to sliding the device outwardly from the pillowcase.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under Title 35, U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/992,813, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INSERTING A PILLOW INTO A PILLOWCASE, filed on Dec. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inserting a pillow into a pillowcase. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In the traditional method of inserting a pillow into a pillowcase, an individual will typically first hold an end of the pillow between their chin and chest, partially insert the other end of the pillow into the pillowcase and then shake the pillowcase and otherwise physically manipulate the pillow into the pillowcase. This causes the pillow to advance in a piecemeal fashion into the pillowcase. While this method is effective, it is cumbersome and time consuming, particularly for thick and long pillows such as those now typically used in hotels. Moreover, this method may be difficult for an individual with a disability or illness, such as arthritis, for example, and is particularly cumbersome in the occupational context, such as for hotel or hospital workers who replace pillowcases many times each day and could experience repetitive joint stress. 
         [0006]    One known method for inserting a pillow into a pillowcase involves the use of a pillow insertion device formed as a resilient, relatively thin sheet of material that is bent into a generally U-shape prior to being inserted into the pillowcase. The device holds the pillowcase open and creates a three-dimensional cavity through which a pillow can be inserted. The device is made of a material such as plastic and is normally flat, such that, when the device is bent, the material is under stress. This material stress allows the pillowcase to be held open by the device when the device is bent into a U-shape and inserted into the pillowcase. However, the initial step of both bending the device into a U-shape and inserting the device into the pillowcase can be somewhat difficult, particularly for a single user, in view of the material stress whereby the device tends to revert to its flat shape. Then, when the pillow is inserted into the cavity formed by the device, the user must still shove, rearrange, and stuff the pillow inside the cavity and pillowcase, and it can be difficult to properly align the corners of the pillow with those of the pillowcase such that, after the final step of removing the device from the pillowcase, the pillow may be misaligned or improperly positioned within the pillowcase. 
         [0007]    What is needed is a method and apparatus for inserting a pillow into a pillowcase that is an improvement over the foregoing. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present invention provides an apparatus and method for aiding the insertion of a pillow into a pillowcase. The apparatus or device is flexible and lays flat in a neutral condition. After the pillow is placed onto the device, the device is wrapped around the pillow to compress the pillow, and edges of the device are engaged with one another to maintain the pillow in a compressed condition. The device and compressed pillow are slid into a pillowcase, or the pillowcase is slid over the device and compressed pillow, and the device is then slid outwardly from the pillowcase, allowing the pillow to expand and fill the pillowcase. Optionally, the edges of the device may first be disengaged to allow expansion of the pillow to fill the pillowcase prior to sliding the device outwardly from the pillowcase. 
         [0009]    In particular, in one embodiment, in order to compress the pillow for insertion into the pillowcase, the pillow is placed on the compression device in a substantially centered position. A user may grasp openings on opposing sides of the compression device to aid in wrapping the compression device around the pillow, so that the pillow is compressed and substantially encircled by the compression device. The user may then retain the pillow in its compressed state by engaging engagement structures on the opposing side portions or edges of the device. With the pillow compressed and the compression device retaining the pillow in its compressed state, the device and pillow may be easily slid into the pillowcase, or the pillowcase slid over the device and pillow. 
         [0010]    Once received within the pillowcase, the user may optionally disengage the opposing engagement structures by grasping the openings in the compression device and shifting same towards one another, or by squeezing the sides of the compression device. Once the engagement structures are disengaged, the pillow expands within the pillowcase and pushes the opposing sides of the compression device away from one another. Then, by grasping the compression device with one hand and both the closed end of the pillowcase and the pillow with other hand, the user may then slide the compression device outwardly from the pillowcase with the pillow remaining in the pillowcase. 
         [0011]    The present method and device is useful in the home, or in any environment in which pillowcases are changed frequently, such as in hotels or hospitals, for example. Advantageously, the present method and device reduces and/or eliminates repetitive stress imposed on the wrists and arms of users that would otherwise occur from traditional methods of inserting pillows into pillowcases. 
         [0012]    In one form thereof, the present invention provides a method of inserting a pillow into a pillowcase, said method including the steps of: providing a pillow compression device having opposing side portions, each side portion having an engagement structure; positioning a pillow on the device; wrapping the device around the pillow to at least partially compress the pillow; engaging the engagement structures on the side portions of the device with one another to retain the pillow in its at least partially compressed state; inserting the device and pillow into a pillowcase; and removing the device from the pillowcase. 
         [0013]    In another form thereof, the present invention provides a device for compressing a pillow for insertion into a pillowcase, said device including a flexible body having opposing side portions, each side portion having at least one aperture therein and an engagement structure, the engagement structures of the side portions engageable with one another upon wrapping the device into a substantially cylindrical cross-sectional shape. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the compression device of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the compression device of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the compression device of  FIG. 2  further depicting a pillow positioned thereon; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the compression device of  FIG. 3  depicting the pillow in a compressed condition; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the compression device of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the compression device and pillow of  FIG. 4  further depicting the compression device partially positioned within a pillowcase; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the compression device and pillow of  FIG. 4  further depicting the compression device substantially entirely positioned within a pillowcase; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the compression device, pillow, and pillowcase of  FIG. 7  further depicting an individual grasping the compression device, pillow, and pillowcase; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the compression device, pillow, and pillowcase of  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the compression device, pillow, and pillowcase of  FIG. 8  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the compression device, pillow, and pillowcase of  FIG. 10  taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 8  and further depicting the compression device separated from the pillow and pillowcase; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the compression device depicting alternative engagement structures in the form of hook and loop fasteners; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the compression device depicting alternative engagement structures in the form of magnets. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The present invention provides a method and an apparatus or device  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , which may be referred to as a compression device, for inserting a pillow into a pillowcase. However, while described and depicted herein with specific reference to inserting a pillow into a pillowcase, the present device  10  may also be used for other types of similar operations. For example, device  10  may be utilized to compress blankets, clothes, towels, or any other material that can be compressed by wrapping device  10  around it, to aid in placing such items within any receptacle such as a bag, sack, duffle bag, or other storage container, for example. The specific description herein should not be taken to limit the scope of the present invention in any manner. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , compression device  10  is shown including body  12  having inner portion  18  and outer portion  20 . Body  12  is generally flat or planar. In one exemplary embodiment, outer portion  20  substantially surrounds inner portion  18  and provides additional rigidity or reinforcement to device  10 . Specifically, in this embodiment, outer portion  20  defines front portion  14 , back portion  16 , and opposing side portions  22 ,  24 . 
         [0031]    Inner portion  18  and outer portion  20  are both formed from a substantially flexible material to allow body  12  to be bent or wrapped into a substantially elliptical or circular shape in cross-section, as shown in  FIGS. 4-9 . In one embodiment, inner portion  18  and outer portion  20  are formed from a plurality of slats  26  arranged parallel to one another between opposing side portions  22 ,  24  and extending longitudinally from front portion  14  to back portion  16  of body  12 . Slats  26  may include small gaps therebetween which facilitate the release of air as the pillow is compressed, as described in detail below. In one embodiment, each of slats  26  is formed as an individual piece of wood, bamboo, cardboard or plastic material, for example. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the portion of the plurality of slats  26  extending through outer portion  20  may be reinforced by placing tape and/or another strengthening material  25  over outer portion  20 . In one embodiment, the outer portion  20  may be coated with a flexible plastic that provides sufficient reinforcement of outer portion  20 , while allowing outer portion  20  to retain the flexibility necessary to operate as described in detail below. 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, the entirety of inner portion  18  and outer portion  20  are formed from a substantially flexible plastic material, eliminating the need for the plurality of slats  26 . In a further embodiment, the materials forming inner portion  18  and outer portion  20  are different, for example the outer portion may be formed from plastic as a substantially unitary structure and the inner portion may be formed of a plurality of slats  26  that are received by the outer portion. 
         [0033]    Compression device  10  can be made from a number of suitable materials, such as bamboo, vinyl, plastic, cloth, canvas, and plastic, for example. Compression device  10  is constructed such that it has no material “memory”, but rather is flexible and may be rolled up, folded, or laid flat when not in use. This allows compression device  10  to be wrapped around pillows or any other object that can be compressed. Also, compression device  10  may be formed with substantially smooth sides and corners to facilitate the easy removal of compression device  10  from a pillowcase, as described below. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , outer portion  20  includes elongate apertures or openings  28 ,  30  extending therethrough and formed in opposing side portions  22 ,  24  of body  12 . Additionally, in one embodiment, outer portion  20  further includes openings  32 ,  34  extending therethrough and formed in front portion  14  adjacent to side portions  22 ,  24 , i.e., in corners of the device. Openings  32 ,  34  are substantially smaller than openings  28 ,  30 . Specifically, and as described in detail below, openings  28 ,  30  are sized for grasping by all of a user&#39;s fingers, while openings  32 ,  34  are sized for grasping by less than all of a user&#39;s fingers. While the sizes of openings  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  are described and depicted herein with general reference to a user&#39;s fingers, it is noted that openings  28 ,  30 ,  32 ,  34  may be of any size that allows them to be grasped by a user. 
         [0035]    Positioned on opposing side portions  22 ,  24 , respectively, of body  12  are engagement structures, such as J-hooks  36 ,  38 . While described and depicted herein as J-hooks, the engagement structures of side portions  22 ,  24  may be any type of engagement structures capable of engaging each other in mating or joined relationship, such as hook and loop fasteners, magnets, snaps, latches and/or buckles, for example. As shown in  FIG. 2 , J-hooks  36 ,  38  are secured to and extend outwardly from side portions  22 ,  24  in opposing orientations. For example, J-hook  36  may be positioned in a substantially downward orientation and J-hook  38  may be positioned in a substantially upward orientation. J-hooks  36 ,  38  have projections  37 ,  39  that project inwardly toward inner portion  16  of body  12  and cooperate with side portions  22 ,  24  to form a substantially U-shaped cavity. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 1 , body  12  of compression device  10  includes cutout  40  formed along back portion  16 . Body  12  of compression device  10  further includes cutout portions  41   a ,  41   b  at its corners where back portion  16  joins opposing side portions  22 ,  24 , respectively. Referring to  FIG. 4 , when J-hooks  36 ,  38  are engaged with one another and cutout portions  41   a  and  41   b  come together, a substantially mirror image of cutout  40  is formed in back portion  16  as cutout  43 . Cutouts  40 ,  43  facilitate the removal of a pillowcase and pillow from compression device  10 , as described in detail below. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 12 , engagement structures are provided as hook and loop fasteners  46 ,  48  positioned on opposing side portions  22 ,  24  of body  12 , respectively. Hook and loop fasteners  46 ,  48  are secured to side portions  22 ,  24  in opposing orientations. For example, hook and loop fastener  46  may be positioned in a substantially upward orientation and hook and loop fastener  48  may be positioned in a substantially downward orientation. Hook and loop fasteners  46 ,  48  are used in the same manner as J-hooks  36 ,  38 , as described above. 
         [0037]    In a further embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , engagement structures are provided as magnets  56 ,  58  positioned on opposing side portions  22 ,  24  of body  12 , respectively. Magnets  56 ,  58  are secured to side portions  22 ,  24  in opposing orientations. For example, magnet  56  may be positioned in a substantially upward orientation and magnet  58  may be positioned in a substantially downward orientation. Magnets  56 ,  58  are used in the same manner as J-hooks  36 ,  38 , as described above. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-11 , the operation of compression device  10  is shown. Specifically, referring to  FIG. 3 , pillow  42  is placed substantially centered on compression device  10  with the long dimension of pillow  42  parallel with side portions  22 ,  24  of device  10 . An end of pillow  42  may be aligned with the edge of back portion  16  of device  10  and placed over cutout  40  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  to aid in removing device  10  from the pillowcase, as described below. With pillow  42  positioned as shown in  FIG. 3 , the user may grasp openings  28 ,  30  of compression device  10 . The user then wraps side portions  22 ,  24  of body  12  of compression device  10  around pillow  42  and correspondingly brings side portions  22 ,  24  together. By wrapping side portions  22 ,  24  around pillow  42  and bringing side portions  22 ,  24  together, pillow  42  is at least partially compressed within compression device  10 , causing the volume of pillow  42  to decrease. When compressed, the volume of pillow  42  may be reduced by as little as 5%, 10%, or 15%, or by as much as 20%, 30%, or 40%, for example. 
         [0039]    Compression device  10  may be dimensioned to wrap around any size pillow, such as a standard size pillow with dimensions of about 20 inches by 26 inches, a queen size pillow with dimensions of about 20 inches by 30 inches, a king size pillow with dimensions of about 20 inches by 36 inches, a body pillow with dimensions of about 20 inches by 60 inches or about 20 inches by 72 inches, a continental pillow with dimensions of about 26 inches by 26 inches, a boudoir pillow with dimensions of about 12 inches by 16 inches, or any other size pillow. 
         [0040]    The user then continues to advance side portions  22 ,  24  along one another until opposing projections  37 ,  39  of J-hooks  36 ,  38  have slid past one another. J-hooks  36 ,  38  may then be engaged with one another in mating relationship to retain compression device  10  in the position shown in  FIG. 4  with pillow  42  in a compressed condition. Specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , J-hooks  36 ,  38  are engaged by substantially simultaneously inserting projection  37  into the U-shaped cavity formed by J-hook  38  and side portion  24  and inserting projection  39  into the U-shaped cavity formed by J-hook  36  and side portion  22 . Once in this position, the individual may release any pressure still being exerted on compression device  10 . The compressed pillow  42  will provide an outward pressure on compression device  10  that maintains J-hooks  36 ,  38  in mating relationship. 
         [0041]    Once in the position shown in  FIG. 4 , front portion  14  of compression device  10  and pillow  42  may be inserted into pillowcase  44 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Due to the retention of pillow  42  in the compressed state, compression device  10  and pillow  42  can be easily slid into pillowcase  44 , or pillowcase  44  slid onto compression device  10  and pillow  42 , eliminating the need to vigorously shake pillow  42  or otherwise shove pillow into pillowcase  44 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , once compression device  10  and pillow  42  are received within pillowcase  44 , pillowcase  44  may be manually adjusted as needed to align pillow  42  and pillowcase  44 , though this will typically not be needed so long as pillow  42  is initially centered on device  10  as shown in  FIG. 3  and described above. Then, as described below, compression device  10  is removed from pillowcase  44  without also removing pillow  42 . 
         [0042]    Before removing compression device  10  from pillowcase  44  in the manner described below, the user may optionally disengage J-hooks  36 ,  38  from one another to allow pillow  42  to begin expanding within pillowcase  44  and to aid in removal of device  10  from pillowcase  44 . 
         [0043]    In particular, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the user may squeeze the opposite sides of body  12  toward one another in the directions of arrows A 1  and A 2 , causing sides  22 ,  24  to advance further past one another and correspondingly causing J-hooks  36 ,  38  to disengage from one another under the expansion force of pillow  42 . Alternatively, the user may grasp sides  22  and  24  through openings  32  and  34  and shift sides  22  and  24  with respect to one another, causing J-hooks  36 ,  3   8  to disengage from one another under the expansion force of pillow  42 . Once J-hooks  36 ,  38  are disengaged from one another, pillow  42  begins to expand to its original size within pillowcase  44 . 
         [0044]    Regardless of whether the user first disengages J-hooks  36 ,  38  from one another, the user removes device  10  from pillowcase  44  in the following manner. Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the user grasps pillowcase  44  and pillow  42  together with a first hand H 1  at the closed end of pillowcase  44  within the clearance provided by cutouts  40  and  43 , and also grasps openings  32 ,  34 , respectively, with a second hand H 2 . 
         [0045]    Then, referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the user either pulls first hand H 1  away from second hand H 2 , or pulls second hand H 2  away from first hand H 1 . Either way, as shown in  FIG. 11 , device  10  is slid outwardly of pillowcase  44  along direction A 3 . The user may then release pillow  42  and pillowcase  44  with first hand H 1 , and pillow  42  may expand to its original shape within pillowcase  44 . 
         [0046]    While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.