Patent Publication Number: US-2023148770-A1

Title: Reversible pillow

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The following description relates to a pillow, and more particularly to a reversible and adjustable pillow. 
     A pillow typically includes an outer layer or cover defining an interior volume configured to have a pillow insert received therein. The pillow insert is typically a self-contained unit having, for example, a woven, knit or non-woven cover having a fill such as polyester, foam, fiber, down, feathers and combinations thereof in the interior volume. The pillow is configured to provide support, cushioning and/or comfort to a user resting on the pillow. Some pillow covers are configured to allow inserting or removing some of the fill to allow for a more or less full pillow. 
     Pillow covers are typically fabricated from a single material. For example, as noted above, pillow covers may be fabricated from a woven, knit or non-woven material. Cotton or cotton blends and polyester are the most common material for pillow covers. Typically, the cover cannot be removed as it contains the fill. As such, the choices of pillow cover can be quite limited. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a pillow that provides for different material surfaces. Desirably, such a pillow further provides for adding fill to increase the depth or height of the pillow. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect a reversible pillow includes a first panel having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second panel having a first surface and a second surface. The first and second panels having a plurality of edges. The panels are joined to one another along an edge of the first panel and an edge of the second panel to define an axis of rotation of the panels relative to one another. 
     A releasable fastener extends along at least a portion of the others of the first and second panel edges. The releasable fastener is configured for fastening the first and second panels to one another. 
     The panels are rotatable about the axis in a first direction such that the first and second panel first surfaces are on an outside of the pillow, and are rotatable about the axis in a second direction opposite the first direction such that the first and second panel second surfaces are on the outside of the pillow. 
     In embodiments, when the first and second panel first surfaces are on the outside of the pillow it defines a first closed state, and when the first and second panel second surfaces are on the outside of the pillow it defines a second closed state. 
     The releasable fastener can be fastened when the pillow is in the first closed state and it can be fastened when the pillow is in the second closed state. In embodiments, the releasable fastener is a zipper. 
     The first panel first and second surfaces and the second panel first and second surfaces can be formed from different materials. The materials can be, for example, cotton, a cotton blend, fleece material, satin or a satin like material, flannel and combinations thereof. 
     In embodiments, the first and/or second panels each define an interior volume and a fill is disposed in the interior volumes. Examples of fill include polyester, foam, fiber, feathers, down and combinations thereof. 
     The panels can further include a gusset panel between and joining the panels&#39; first and second surfaces. Some or all of the gusset panels can be formed from a mesh material to allow the panels to breath. 
     In embodiments, the inserts can be disposed in the pillow, between the panels when the pillow is in the first or second closed state. 
     In another aspect, a reversible pillow includes first and second panels, each having a first portion of an edge, the first portions of the edges define an axis of rotation, and a zipper having mating portions. A first portion of the zipper is on the first panel edge other than the first portion and the zipper second mating portion is on the second panel edge other than the first portion. The panels are rotatable about the axis in a first direction and the zipper portions are mated (closed) to define a first closed state of the pillow, and the first and second panels are rotatable about the axis in a second direction and the zipper is closed to define a second closed. 
     The panels can include first and second surfaces operably joined to one another to define a first and second panel interior volumes. The interior volumes can include fill, such as polyester, foam, fiber, feathers, down and combinations thereof. 
     In embodiments, the first and second panel first and second surfaces can be formed from different materials. Examples of surface materials include cotton, a cotton blend, fleece, a satin or satin like material, flannel and combinations thereof. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps, and processes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is perspective illustration of an embodiment of a reversible pillow described herein showing a top surface of the pillow in a first closed state; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates the pillow in an open state; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective illustration of the pillow showing a top surface of the pillow in a reversed or second closed state; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an optional fill for the pillow; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic illustration of the pillow in an open state; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic illustration of the pillow in the first closed state; and 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic illustration of the pillow in the second closed state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present disclosure is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described one or more embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered illustrative only and is not intended to limit the disclosure to any specific embodiment described or illustrated. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a reversible pillow according to embodiments described herein. The pillow  10  includes first and second panels  12 ,  14 , each panel  12 ,  14 , having first and second surfaces, in which the first panel first surface is indicated at  16 , the first panel second surface is indicated at  18 , the second panel first surface is indicated at  20 , and the second panel second surface is indicated at  22 . In an embodiment, each panel  12 ,  14  is sealed and includes a fill (indicated at  24 ), such as polyester, foam, fiber, feathers, down and combinations thereof. Other fill  24  materials will be recognized by those skilled in the art. The panels  12 ,  14  can include the same fill or the panels  12 ,  14  can include different fill from one another. 
     In an embodiment, the first and second surfaces of each panel, that is surfaces  16  and  18  of the first panel  12  and surfaces  20  and  22  of the second panel  14  are joined directly to each other. In another embodiment, a gusset panel  26 , such as a mesh panel is positioned between at least portions of the first and second panels  12 ,  14  and joins the first and second surfaces  16 / 18  and  20 / 22  to each other. In an embodiment, the mesh gusset panel  26  is positioned between portions of the first and second surfaces  16 / 18  and  20 / 22  of each panel  12 ,  14 . In embodiments, the mesh gusset panel  26  is positioned fully between the first and second surfaces  16 / 18  and  20 / 22  of each panel  12 ,  14 . The mesh panel  26  facilitates air circulation into and out of the interiors of each panel  12 ,  14 . It will be understood that some or all of the gusset panels  26  can be formed from a mesh material. 
     A side  28  of the first panel  12  is fixedly joined to a corresponding side  30  of the second panel  30 , so that the pillow opens in a book-like manner, rotating about an axis A 28/30 . But unlike a book, the panels can be rotated in both directions. In an embodiment, the sides  28 ,  30  joined to one another are on the long sides of the pillow  10  as shown. Alternately, the joined sides can be on the short sides of the pillow  10 . The remaining three sides  32  (the first panel  12  sides) and  34  (the second panel  14  sides) are not a fixedly joined to one another. Rather, the sides  32 ,  34  are removably fastened (e.g., joinable) to one another by, for example, the illustrated zipper  36 . Fastening the panels  12 ,  14  to one another forms a closed state of the pillow. Other fastening elements are anticipated, such as snaps, buttons and the like, all of which fastening elements are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , an optional insert  15  can be positioned between the first and second panels  12 ,  14  to increase the loft or height of the pillow  10 . The insert  15  can, similar to the fill, be fabricated from polyester, foam, fiber, feathers, down and combinations thereof. Other insert  15  materials will be recognized by those skilled in the art. 
     In a current embodiment at least some of the surfaces  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  are formed from materials different from others of the surfaces. And, some of the surfaces can, of course be formed from the same material. For example, surface  16  can be a cotton or cotton blend material, while surface  18  is a fleece material, surface  20  a satin or satin like material and surface  24  a flannel material. Other fill surface  16 ,  18 ,  20 , 22  materials will be recognized by those skilled in the art. As noted above, the pillow  10  opens in a book-like manner. However, unlike a book, the panels  12 ,  14  can be rotated in both directions around the axis A 28/30  as illustrated by the arrows  38  and  40  in  FIG.  5   . 
     That is, the pillow  10  can be closed with the first panel second surface  18  and second panel second surface  22  facing each other in a first closed state ( FIG.  6   ) such that surfaces  16  and  20  are on the outside of the pillow. Alternately, the pillow can be closed with the first panel first surface  16  and second panel first surface  20  facing each other in a second closed state ( FIG.  7   ) such that surfaces  18  and  22  are on the outside of the pillow  10 . In this manner, any of the surfaces  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  can be chosen by a user. 
     Accordingly, in the embodiments above, a pillow  10  has multiple surfaces  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  that can be different from one another. Further, the loft of such a pillow  10  is easily changed by the insertion or removal of an insert  15  between the panels  12 ,  14 . Air flow into and out of the pillow  10  can be effected by the use of a breathable gusset panel  26 , such as a mesh gusset panel joining all or portions of surfaces  16  and  18  of the first panel  12  and/or surfaces  20  and  22  of the second panel  14 . Some or all of the gusset panels  26  can be formed from a mesh material. 
     The directional references of top, bottom, upper, lower and side are provided for reference only and are not intended to limit the disclosure in any way. 
     All patents referred to herein, are incorporated herein by reference, whether or not specifically done so within the text of this disclosure. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.