Abstract:
A transformable pillow systems which utilizes granular material within an outer case which is adapted to configure in one of two configurations, such that in one configuration the pillow presents a first option for use as a collared pillow adapted for neck support, while the second configuration is adapted to for use as a traditional flat pillow. The configurations may be adapted to have ornamental aspects which create animal characters in one or both of the configurations.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to pillows that are adapted to transform from a first to a second configuration, and more specifically to transformable pillows which may include ornamental features geared towards children. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Persons who are forced to sit for a long time in an upright posture have struggled with obtaining adequate neck support so that back or neck problems do not arise as a result of their having to sit for a long time. As a result, these people may use a horseshoe shaped collar pillow. This issue can also arise for travelers in airplanes, cars, or trains. The collar pillow typically fits around the neck and sits on the shoulders and supports the back of the neck to prevent the head form tilting sharply to one side, so that hinging of the neck is minimized. 
         [0005]    Transformable pillows have been developed which allowed the user to get the benefit of different pillow types, as needed during differing portions of their day, or while traveling, allowing them to bring just one pillow. 
         [0006]    In addition to the practical issues faced by adults, children may bring additional concerns. Children may be more likely to use an item which is otherwise good and healthy for them if there is an ornamental aspect to the item. The ornamental aspect may give the child comfort, or allow for imaginary play, for example. Thus, transformable pillows which are adapted to both provide multiple configurations of support and ornamental aspects, such as animal characters, may be a significant aid to traveling with children. What is called for is a transformable pillow which includes characters, such as animal or imaginary characters. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present invention provides transformable pillow systems which utilize granular material within an outer case which is adapted to configure in one of two configurations, such that in one configuration the pillow presents a first option for use as a collared pillow adapted for neck support, while the second configuration is adapted to for use as a traditional flat pillow. The configurations may be adapted to have ornamental aspects which create animal characters in one or both of the configurations. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a view of the first configuration of a pillow system with zipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of a second, collared, configuration of a pillow system with zipper according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a view of transformable pillow system in an open, extended position, with the collar end down, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A-D  are cross-sectional side views of a pillow being put into a second configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a view of the pillow system in a second, collared, configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a view of transformable pillow system in an open, extended position, with the collar end up, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A-D  are cross-sectional side views of a pillow being put into a first configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a view of the first configuration of a pillow system with hook and loop fasteners according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a view of transformable pillow system in an open, extended position, with the collar end down, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10A-B  are cross-sectional side views of a pillow being transformed into a collared configuration according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a view of the first configuration of a pillow system with buttons according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a view of a second, collared, configuration of a pillow system with buttons according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 13A-B  are cross-sectional side views of a pillow being transformed into a collared configuration according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a view of the first configuration of a pillow system with zipper according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a view of a second configuration of a pillow system with zipper according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a view of transformable pillow system in an open, extended position, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 17A-D  are cross-sectional side views of a pillow being transformed into a second configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a view of transformable pillow system in an open, extended position, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 19A-D  are cross-sectional side views of a pillow being transformed into a different configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  is a view of a configuration of a pillow system with hook and loop fasteners according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  is a view of transformable pillow system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  is a view of the first configuration of a pillow system with buttons according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  is a view of a second configuration of a pillow system with buttons according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  is a view of a first configuration of a pillow system with zipper according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 25  is a view of a second configuration of a pillow system with zipper according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  is a view of transformable pillow system in an open, extended position, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  is a view of a configuration of a pillow system with hook and loop fasteners according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 28  is a view of transformable pillow system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 29  is a view of a first configuration of a pillow system with buttons according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 30  is a view of a second configuration of a pillow system with buttons according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a first configuration  101  and a second configuration  102  of a transformable pillow system  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The pillow is transformable from the first configuration  101  to the second configuration  102 , and also transformable from the second configuration  102  to the first configuration  101 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the first configuration  101  may be a pillow that has aspects of an animal character. The three dimensional aspect of the animal character still has significant amount of smooth surface such that a comfortable head supporting function is attainable in this first animal character configuration  101 . 
         [0039]    The first configuration  101  of the transformable pillow system  100  may include features of an animal character, which may endear the pillow system to children. A head  115  of an animal character, such as a dog, may include eyes,  114 , a nose  113 , and ears  112 . The paws  111  may also be simulated as part of the first pillow configuration, while maintaining a significant area  116  available for use as a traditional flat pillow surface. The character features, such as eyes, nose, and ears, may contain their own fill material that is captured within the character feature. The captured fill material may allow for the feature, such as ears, to have fill in it when the pillow is in a particular configuration, as it may be somewhat difficult to route the main fill material into some of the passages of these features if these features were only to be filled with fill which was carried over from the other side of the pillow. With captured fill, the features may maintain a more textured look. 
         [0040]    The second configuration  102  of the transformable pillow system  100 , as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , may include a collar end  124  with two tubular collar sections  121 ,  122 , which may also include ornamental aspects on the ends of the tubular collar sections  121 ,  122 , such as the head  123  and feet  126  of an animal character. A closed zipper  125  is seen at the base of the collar end  124  of the pillow. Some aspects, such as the ears in this example, may have captured fill. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  illustrates the transformable pillow system  100  wherein the first end  130  and the second end  131  are both spread out on either side of the reversible zipper  125 .  FIGS. 4A-D  illustrate cross-sections of the pillow system as it starts from the posture as seen in  FIG. 3  and is transformed to the second configuration  102  with a collar, as seen in  FIG. 5 . The pillow system  100  has a pillowcase  132  with the first end  130  with features of an animal character, and a second end  131  with a collar pillow, which also may have animal feature characteristics on the ends of the tubular collar sections. The first end  130  and the second end  131  are separated by a reversible zipper system  125  in some embodiments. 
         [0042]    In order to allow for transformation into the second configuration  102 , the pillowcase  132  may be held vertically with the second end  131  downward. As seen in cross-section in  FIG. 4A , the pillowcase  132  is partially filled with a fill material  133 . Although the overall pillowcase  132  may be viewed as only partially filled, the amount of fill material  133  is such that when the fill material is put all to one side of pillow system, such as the collar pillow portion of the second end  102 , that end will be substantially filled. 
         [0043]    A reversible zipper system  125  uses flaps  134  which allow portions of the zipper  135  to fasten to each other in order to capture a first or second configuration of the pillow system. As part of this transformation, the first end  130  of the pillow case may be rolled up and placed into the collar end of the pillow case, below the zipper. With the fill material  133  all below the zipper, and then the rolled up first end  130  also placed below the zipper, these components substantially fill the second end  131  of the pillowcase  132  such that when the zipper is now closed the pillow system presents the second, collared, configuration  102  of the pillow system. The captured fill of certain features, such as ears, may be retained in the emptied end. As seen in  FIGS. 4C  and then  FIG. 4D , the rolled up first end  130  of the pillowcase is ultimately placed below the zipper and forms part of the stuffing of the pillow, along with the fill material  133 . When the zipper is fastened, the pillow has taken the second configuration  102 , with a collar pillow as well as aspects of animal characters on the tubular sections. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates the transformable pillow system  100  wherein the first end  130  and the second end  131  are both spread out on either side of the reversible zipper  125 .  FIGS. 7A-D  illustrate cross-sections of the pillow system as it starts from the posture as seen in  FIG. 6  and is put into the first configuration  101 , as was seen in  FIG. 1 . In order to allow for transformation into the first configuration  101 , the pillowcase  132  may be held vertically with the first end  130  downward and the second end  131  raised. As seen in cross-section in  FIG. 7A , the pillowcase  132  is partially filled with a fill material  133 . Although the overall pillowcase  132  may be viewed as only partially filled, the amount of fill material  133  is such that when the fill material is put all to one side of pillow system, such as the first end  101 , that end will be substantially filled. 
         [0045]    The reversible zipper system  125  uses flaps  134  which allow portions of the zipper  135  to fasten to each other in order to this other configuration of the pillow system. As part of this transformation, the second end  131  of the pillow case may be rolled up and placed into the first end of the pillow case, below the zipper. With the fill material  133  all below the zipper, and then the rolled up second end  131  also placed below the zipper, these components substantially fill the first end  130  of the pillowcase  132  such that when the zipper is now closed the pillow system presents the first configuration  101  of the pillow system. Captured fill within features such as ears may be retained by the otherwise emptied end. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates a transformable pillow system using another fastening system according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some aspects, the transformable pillow system may use a fastening system such as hook and loop fasteners.  FIG. 9  illustrates the transformable pillow system wherein the first end  140  and the second end  141  are both spread out on either side of a hook and loop fastener system  145 .  FIGS. 10A-B  illustrate cross-sections of the pillow system as it starts from the posture as seen in  FIG. 9  and is put into a first configuration, as was seen in  FIG. 8 . In order to allow for transformation into the first configuration, the pillowcase  142  may be held vertically with the first end  140  raised and the second end  141  downward. As seen in cross-section in  FIG. 10B , the pillowcase  142  is partially filled with a fill material  133 . Although the overall pillowcase  142  may be viewed as only partially filled, the amount of fill material  133  is such that when the fill material is put all to one side of pillow system, such as the first end, that end will be substantially filled. 
         [0047]    The hook and loop fastener system  145  uses flaps  144  which allow portions of the hook and loop fastener system  145  to fasten to each other in order to this other configuration of the pillow system. As part of this transformation, the end  140  of the pillow case may be rolled up and placed into the collar end  141  of the pillow case, below the hook and loop fasteners. With the fill material  133  all below the hook and loop fasteners, and then the rolled up first end  140  also placed below the hook and loop fasteners, these components substantially fill the second end  141  of the pillowcase  142  such that when the hook and loop fasteners are closed the pillow system presents the collared configuration of the pillow system. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate a transformable pillow system using another fastening system according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some aspects, the transformable pillow system may use a fastening system such as buttons and button holes. A first end  150  allows for a pillow with a character, such as an animal. The character may have features  154 , such as ears, which have fill separate from the main fill. The separate fill may allow for the features to maintain their shape without the need to carefully refill the feature with fill from the main fill when the pillow is transformed from one configuration to the other.  FIG. 12  illustrates a collared configuration  151  which may include a character  158  on one of the collar ends. The character  158  on the collar end may also have features  153 , such as ears, which may include fill which remains in the feature, separate from the main fill of the pillowcase. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 13A-B  illustrate cross-sectional views of the first end  150  of a transformable pillow system as the pillow is transformed into a character feature. The collar end  151  is seen in  FIG. 13B  as it is rolled and placed into the first end  150 . The features, such as ears,  153  seen on the collar end with a character head  158  are all placed together with the main fill into the first end of the pillow case. The buttons  156  and button holes  157  are used to capture the second end of the pillow case and the main fill to complete the transformation. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate a first configuration  20 l and a second configuration  202  of a transformable pillow system according to a second embodiment  200  of the present invention. The pillow is transformable from the first configuration  201  to the second configuration  202 , and also transformable from the second configuration  202  to the first configuration  201 . As seen in  FIG. 15 , the first configuration  201  may be a pillow that has aspects of an animal character. The three dimensional aspect of the animal character still has significant amount of smooth surface such that a comfortable head supporting function is attainable in this first animal character configuration  201 . In some aspects, the character ends still comprise a substantially rectangular pillow shape. 
         [0051]    The first configuration  201  of the transformable pillow system  200  may include features of an animal character, which may endear the pillow system to children. A head  215  of an animal character, such as a dog, may include eyes,  214 , a nose  213 , and ears  212 . The paws  211  may also be simulated as part of the first pillow configuration, while maintaining a significant area available for use as a traditional flat pillow surface. The character features, such as eyes, nose, and ears, may contain their own fill material that is captured within the character feature. The captured fill material may allow for the feature, such as ears, to have fill in it when the pillow is in a particular configuration, as it may be somewhat difficult to route the main fill material into some of the passages of these features. With captured fill, the features may maintain a more textured look. 
         [0052]    The second configuration  202  of the transformable pillow system  200  may include a second character  223  that may represent another animal character, or a fanciful character. A closed zipper  225  is seen at the base of the pillow. 
         [0053]    In some embodiments, the fill used in the transformable pillow system may comprise fill which includes natural or synthetic fragrances. In some aspects, there may be an opening, such as a zippered opening, adapted to allow for addition to the fill, or complete replacement of the fill, if desired. Fill with an aromatic aspect, such as herbs, or other fragrance related materials, may be added to provide an aromatherapy aspect to the use of the transformable pillow system. In the case of a pillow system adapted for children, the aromatic aspect may enhance the comfort for the child allowing for a better sleep experience. 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the fill used in the transformable pillow system may be adapted to retain when heated, such as with a microwave. The use of heated fill, and also aromatic fill, in conjunction with animal type characters allows for use by a child such that the child may be very comfortable, and may allow for a better sleep experience. 
         [0055]      FIG. 16  illustrates the transformable pillow system  200  wherein the first end  230  and the second end  231  are both spread out on either side of the reversible zipper  225 .  FIGS. 17A-D  illustrate cross-sections of the pillow system as it starts from the posture as seen in  FIG. 15  and is transformed to the second configuration  202  , as seen in  FIG. 14 . The pillow system  200  has a pillowcase with the first end  230  with features of an animal character, and a second end  231  with the features of a fanciful character. The first end  230  and the second end  231  are separated by a reversible zipper system  225  in some embodiments. 
         [0056]    In order to allow for transformation into the second configuration  202 , the pillowcase may be held vertically with the second end  231  downward. As seen in cross-section in  FIG. 17A , the pillowcase is partially filled with a fill material  133 . Although the overall pillowcase may be viewed as only partially filled, the amount of fill material  133  is such that when the fill material is put all to one side of pillow system, such as the second end  202 , that end will be substantially filled. 
         [0057]    A reversible zipper system  225  uses flaps  234  which allow portions of the zipper  235  to fasten to each other in order to capture a first or second configuration of the pillow system. As part of this transformation, the first end  230  of the pillow case may be rolled up and placed into the collar end of the pillow case, below the zipper. With the fill material  133  all below the zipper, and then the rolled up first end  230  also placed below the zipper, these components substantially fill the second end  231  of the pillowcase such that when the zipper is now closed the pillow system presents the second, fanciful character, configuration  202  of the pillow system. As seen in  FIGS. 17C  and then  FIG. 17D , the rolled up first end  230  of the pillowcase is ultimately placed below the zipper and forms part of the stuffing of the pillow, along with the fill material  133 . When the zipper is fastened, the pillow has taken the second configuration  202 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 18  illustrates the transformable pillow system  200  wherein the first end  230  and the second end  231  are both spread out on either side of the reversible zipper  225 .  FIGS. 19A-D  illustrate cross-sections of the pillow system as it starts from the posture as seen in  FIG. 14  and is put into the first configuration  101 , as was seen in  FIG. 15 . In order to allow for transformation into the first configuration  201 , the pillowcase may be held vertically with the first end  230  downward and the second end  231  raised. As seen in cross-section in  FIG. 19A , the pillowcase is partially filled with a main fill material  133 . Although the overall pillowcase may be viewed as only partially filled, the amount of fill material  133  is such that when the fill material is put all to one side of pillow system, such as the first end  201 , that end will be substantially filled. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate a transformable pillow system using another fastening system according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some aspects, the transformable pillow system may use a fastening system such as hook and loop fasteners. The hook and loop fastener system  245  uses flaps which allow portions of the hook and loop fastener system  245  to fasten to each other in order to this other configuration of the pillow system. As part of this transformation, the end of the pillow case may be rolled up and placed into the opposite end of the pillow case, below the hook and loop fasteners. With the fill material  133  all below the hook and loop fasteners, and then the rolled up first end also placed below the hook and loop fasteners, these components substantially fill the second end of the pillowcase such that when the hook and loop fasteners are closed the pillow system presents the collared configuration of the pillow system. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate a transformable pillow system using another fastening system according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some aspects, the transformable pillow system may use a fastening system such as buttons and button holes  255 . A first end allows for a pillow with a character, such as an animal. The character may have features, such as ears, which have fill separate from the main fill. The separate fill may allow for the features to maintain their shape without the need to carefully refill the feature with fill from the main fill when the pillow is transformed from one configuration to the other. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 24 through 30  illustrate a transformable pillow system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The pillow is transformable from a first character configuration to a second character configuration. The three dimensional aspect of the character configurations still have a significant amount of smooth surface such that a comfortable head supporting function is attainable. The character configurations may allow a child to feel more comfortable such that the sleeping experience is enhanced. In some aspects, the fill may include fill adapted to retain heat, such as when the pillow system is placed in a microwave. In some aspects, the pillow system may utilize fill which includes an aromatic aspect. 
         [0062]    As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments may be configured from the description given herein and additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general invention.