Patent Publication Number: US-2021161297-A1

Title: Self-inflating travel meditation mat and pillow

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/183,440, filed on Nov. 7, 2018, which is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/557,407, filed Sep. 12, 2017, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to travel mediation pillows and mats. More specifically, the present invention relates to self-inflating travel mediation pillows and mats of various sizes and configurations. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a self-inflatable combination travel pillow and meditation device. The device includes a mat portion having a first geometry and a pillow portion having a second geometry. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a self-inflatable combination travel mat and meditation device having a mat portion with a mat geometry including an inflated mat height, a mat nozzle for connecting to a pump for inflating the mat portion, and a seat coupling mechanism. The device also includes a seat portion having a seat geometry including an inflated seat height, a seat nozzle for connecting to a pump for inflating the seat portion, a mat coupling mechanism configured to mate with the seat coupling mechanism to removably connect the mat portion to the seat portion. The inflated seat height is greater than the inflated mat height and wherein the difference in height of the inflated mat portion and inflated seat portion is in the range of about 2 inches to about 9 inches such that the seat portion is above the mat portion allowing a user to sit on the seat portion. 
     Each of the mat portion and the seat portion have a substantially similar length. 
     The seat coupling mechanism and the mat coupling mechanism are snaps. 
     The mat portion and the seat portion have different heights. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure a method of inflating a travel mat for meditation comprising inflating a seat portion to an inflated seat height; inflating a mat portion to an inflated mat height wherein the inflated mat height is less than the inflated seat height; and coupling the seat portion to the mat portion along a length of each of the seat portion and the mat portion such that the seat is higher than the mat portion and a sitting surface of the seat is above an upper surface of the mat portion by at least two inches. 
     Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a travel mediation device comprising a combination of a mat and a seat, wherein the mat and the seat are individually inflatable pieces and wherein the mat and the seat are removably connectable to one another to form the travel mediation device with the seat being adjacent to and taller than the mat portion. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a kit for travel meditation. The kit includes a mat portion having an inflated mat height in the range of about 2 to about 4 inches, a coupling mechanism positioned along a length of the mat portion, and a nozzle for inflating and deflating the mat portion. The kit also includes a seat portion having an inflated seat height in the range of about 6 inches to about 10 inches, a coupling mechanism positioned along a length of the seat portion and the respective coupling mechanisms configured to secure to one another, a nozzle for inflating and deflating the seat portion. The kit further includes an air pump coupleable to the nozzle for inflating and deflating the mat portion and coupleable to the nozzle for inflating and deflating the seat portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a combination seating device. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a seat portion of the combination seating device. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of a leg or foot portion of the combination seating device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a pump and nozzle and method for inflating or deflating the combination seating device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A self-inflatable, combination, seat and mat is illustrated in the figures. The combination seat and mat may come in a variety of shapes and sizes configured to support various needs, including seating and/or meditation needs at home or “on the go” or when a user is traveling or otherwise away from home. The device can be used for meditation, meditation style yoga such as Nidra, sitting yoga, and can also be used for ergonomic or seating in various settings including but not limited to office seating. 
     A mat and a pillow may be provided as a single unit. The inflatable travel pillow may also be separate but removably connectable to the also inflatable travel mat. When provided as separate components, the pillow and mat are individually inflatable and may be used together in various configurations. For example, the pillow may be secured to the mat along one side with snaps, a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or other fastening means such as a unitary cover (described in further detail below) where the cover has dimensions configured to receive the mat and the pillow therein and position the mat and pillow for use such as sitting on the pillow and resting legs on the mat. 
     The combination travel pillow and meditation mat include a mat portion and a pillow portion that, in one embodiment, are integrally connected such that one self-inflation mechanism and nozzle allows for inflation and deflation of both the mat and pillow portion. 
     The combination travel pillow and meditation mat include a mat portion and a pillow portion that, in one embodiment, are removably connected such that one inflation mechanism and nozzle allows for inflation and deflation of each of the mat and pillow independently. 
     One or both of the mat portion and the pillow portion may be equipped with the self-inflation mechanism and nozzle such that the mat portion and the pillow portion may be separable or individually inflated and/or deflated. 
     One or both of the mat portion and the pillow portion may be formed by way of molding wherein one or both of the mat portion and the pillow portion each comprise a single chamber for inflation. 
     The pillow portion may be provided as a separate chamber from the mat portion wherein the chamber of the pillow portion is integral to the mat and extends at least partially thought the mat to provide the pillow portion on and above the mat when inflated. The chamber of the pillow portion has is a separate inflation mechanism and is inflatable separately from the mat chamber. 
     The self-inflation mechanism may comprise a nozzle for self-inflation such as a mouth nozzle or nozzle that can be used to manually inflate the mat and/or pillow using a hand pump, integrated pump, or a user&#39;s breathing into the nozzle. The nozzle may include a two-way or multi-way valve allowing for inflation and deflation of the device through the same nozzle. 
     The self-inflation mechanism may alternatively comprise a small motor operably connected to the nozzle such that manipulation of the nozzle (e.g., rotation, displacement, etc.) activates the motor to draw air into the mat and/pillow portion with an air pump. The self-inflation mechanism may alternatively or additionally be manually operated via a switch or button separately from the nozzle. 
     More specifically, the self-inflation mechanism may comprise a small air pump motor. The motor may be an electric air pump motor. The motor may battery operated and may further be compatible with a rechargeable battery. In one embodiment, the self-inflation mechanism is secured to at least one of an exterior surface of the mat portion and pillow portion and may installed in a compartment that protects the self-inflation mechanism while securing the mechanism to the unit and allowing for open access on at least one side of the air pump for drawing in air for inflating the unit. The air pump may be otherwise provided with the mat and seat device in order for quick inflation and deflation as needed. 
     The self-inflation mechanism may alternatively comprise a foam system wherein the mat and pillow comprise a porous foam (e.g., memory foam) that can be rolled or compacted by removal or expelling air from the foam to provide a compact mat and/or pillow. When unrolled or unpacked, the foam takes in air and expands to provide a cushion and depth to the mat and/or pillow. In this embodiment, the mat and pillow are constructed of a memory foam material or like foam that is porous and in which the air can be easily expelled when the foam is compacted. 
     The combination travel pillow and meditation mat, regardless of the mechanism of inflation can also be adjustable such that for example, the pillow portion may be less inflated than the mat portion or vice versa. The pillow and mat are selectively inflatable and thus firmness is adjustable. 
     The combination travel pillow and meditation mat is a device that may be constructed of one or more materials. These materials may include one or more of the following: cotton, polyester, nylon, memory foam or blends thereof. The materials may also be durable and water resistant, such that the materials may easily be wiped down for cleaning. In the embodiment described herein the travel pillow and mediation mat have outer layers are constructed from a synthetic waterproof fabric permeable to air and water vapor, examples of which including Gore-Tex®. Inner layers of the travel pillow and meditation mat may be comprised of polypropylene, thermoplastic polyurethane coated fabric, or like materials. This provides a durable inflatable device that can bear the weight of a user that is lightweight, and the outer layers are easily cleanable. 
     The mat portion is a cushion that may be construction of the same or a different material than the pillow portion. 
     The combination travel pillow and meditation mat may further comprise a cover portion. The cover portion may be a washable cover that is removable from covering the mat and/or pillow. The cover is configured to receive the mat and/or pillow therein and can be removably sealed around the mat and pillow via a resalable mechanism such as a zipper, button or other closure mechanism. The cover may be customizable with designs and/or labels or logos. The logos may be positioned on a top or side surface of the pillow and/or mat portion. The cover can receive the inflated and deflated combination travel pillow and meditation mat therein. Further, the cover may be a singular construction having dimensions to receive the pillow and mat portion therein, and cover the devices when inflated. That is, the cover has dimensions that substantially match the dimensions of the inflated pillow and mat so as to smoothly cover the pillow and mat when inflated. 
     The cover may be constructed of a brushed or quilted cotton or organic cotton or like material that is washable, reusable, durable and soft. The cover may be constructed to provide additional padding to the mat and/or pillow and may be embroidered with identifying information, such as the name and/or source of the mat and/or pillow. 
     The cover or the combination travel pillow and meditation mat may further comprise one or more pouches, pockets, and/or flaps for storage or accessory attachment. For example, a storage pocket or pouch may be integrated into the cover or the outer surface of the pillow and/or mat portion, where the pocket or pouch has dimensions sufficient to receive a user&#39;s keys, mobile phone or other accessories. 
     A timer may also be integrated or built into the cover, or alternatively integrated or built into the device, in the pillow or mat portion. The time can be used to allow the user to time sessions of mediation or relaxation or to alert the user as to the expiration of a set time for such activity. The timer may be selectively set to various time increments and have an audial, visual, and/or tactile alert to alert a user as to the passage of the selected time increment. For example, a bell, light, or a vibration may indicate the expiration of the selected time increment. 
     Sensors can also be attached to or provided with the cover or otherwise be integrated with the cover or the seat and/or mat of device where the sensors may comprise biometric sensors, breathing sensors, and other sensors for use by the wearer for measuring movement. 
     It is further contemplated that the cover or the device itself, such as the outer surface of the pillow portion or the mat portion, may be further adapted with pouches, pockets or attachment mechanisms such as D-rings, grommets, cords, or the like which allow for the receipt and carriage of accessories with the cover and/or mat and for securing the mat to a surface for use. Further examples of accessories include an incense holder with an integrated pouch in the cover or an inflatable alter with a pouch. Additional accessories could include reusable water bottles, or yoga mats or other accessories where the accessories can be attached, secured to or stored with or on the cover or the device itself. As noted above, attachment mechanisms such as D-rings may be secured in one or more positions on the cover or on the pillow and/or mat portion for connection with various accessories or to allow for storage of the device. 
     When inflating the self-inflating combination travel pillow and meditation mat, the pillow is positioned to “pop up” or otherwise be elevated above the mat portion. The pillow portion has a height at inflation that is greater than the height of the mat. This allows a user to comfortably sit on the pillow and rest their feet and/or legs on the mat portion for mediation in traditional seated poses. This configuration of the mat and pillow height also allows a user to comfortably kneel on the mat portion and rest an upper body on the pillow portion. The height difference between the foot mat and seat portion may range from about 1 inch to about 9 inches, or from about 2 inches to about 6 inches, or otherwise be anywhere from about 1 inch to about 9 inches or more in difference. In the embodiment illustrated, the pillow portion when inflated and connected to the mat portion and has a seating surface in the range of about 2-4 inches above a seating surface of the mat portion when also inflated. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a combination meditation device  10  is a combination travel seat and meditation mat  10  that includes a pillow or seat portion  12  and a mat or leg portion  14 . The combination device  10  includes a seat portion  12  that is separable from the mat portion  14 . The seat portion  12  and mat portion  14  are connectable along a first side length via one or more connection mechanisms  16  to enable removable but secure connection with one or both of the seat portion  12  and mat portion  14  are inflated. The one or more connection mechanisms  16  as illustrated are connectable components that frictionally engage such as “snaps”. However, the connection mechanisms may additionally or alternatively include zippers, hook and loop fasteners, ties or other removable but secure coupling mechanism. In the embodiment illustrated, the each of the seat  12  and mat  14  are constructed of two outer layers  22  and  23 , which are a top layer  22  and bottom layer  23  are connected by sidewalls  24 . The layers  22  and the sidewalls  24  are secured to one another at seams to form the base surface and seating surface of each of the seat  12  and mat  14 . Sidewalls  24  of each of the seat  12  and mat  14  provide a height to each mat where the height of each of the seat  12  and mat  14  may be the same or different. In the embodiment illustrated, the height of the seat  12  is greater than the height of the mat  14 . 
     The seat  12  includes one inflation chamber which may provide an overall quilted quality to the seat  12 . The interior chamber of the seat  12  can be formed by thermally sealing or adhering the top  22  layer to a bottom layer  23  via sidewalls  24  of the seat  12  in a manner that provides sidewalls  24  to the seat  12  for providing height upon inflation. Baffles are thermally sealed to or otherwise adhere the top  22  layer to a bottom layer  23  to hold shape upon inflation. The top layer  22  and bottom layer  23  may each have a multi-layer construction. That is, each of the top layer  22  and bottom layer  23  have an inner layer and an outer layer wherein the inner layer is positioned within the device  10  and the outer layer is an outer surface of the device  10 . As described above, the inner layer may comprise polypropylene and the outer layer may comprise a water resistant, lightweight material. 
     The mat  14  includes one inflation chamber which may provide an overall quilted quality to the mat  14 . The interior chamber of the mat  14  can be formed by thermally sealing or adhering the top  22  layer to the bottom layer  23  of the mat  14  in a manner that provides side walls  24  to the mat  14  for providing height upon inflation. The top layer  22  and bottom layer  23  may each have a multi-layer construction. That is, each of the top layer  22  and bottom layer  23  have an inner layer and an outer layer wherein the inner layer is positioned within the device  10  and the outer layer is an outer surface of the device  10 . As described above, the inner layer may comprise polypropylene and the outer layer may comprise a water resistant, lightweight material. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , while the pillow  12  and mat  14  are independently inflatable, one or both portions  12  and  14  can be inflated for use as each portion includes its own respective inflation chamber and corresponding access nozzles  30 . A pump  32  as described herein in one or more embodiments connects to the nozzles for inflation as well as deflation. 
     In one embodiment, the pillow or seat portion  12  may have dimensions such that when inflated, the upper surface of the pillow or seat portion  12  is raised above the upper surface of the mat  14  in the range of about 1 inches to about 9 inches, or for example, in the range of about 3 to about 6 inches. When inflated, the height of the pillow or seat portion  12  from the bottom layer  23  to the top layer  22  may be in the range of about 6 inches to about 12 inches, or for example, maybe about 9 inches. When inflated, the height of the mat portion  14  may be in the range of about 2 inches to 6 inches, for example, may be about 3 to about 4 inches. The pillow or seat portion  12  and the mat portion  14  may each have a length in the range of about 20 inches to about 40 inches, and may have an overall shape that is square or rectangular as illustrated but may also be round or oval. The length of the seat portion  12  and the mat portion  14  may be substantially the same or different. In the embodiment illustrated, the inflated seat portion  12  and mat portion  14  are substantially the same. The pillow or seat portion  12  and the mat portion  14  may each have a width (or depth) in the range of about 10 inches to about 20 inches, and may have an overall shape that is square or rectangular. The width (depth) of the seat portion  12  and the mat portion  14  may be the same or different. In the embodiment illustrated the seat portion  12  and the mat portion  14  have substantially the same width. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the seat portion  12  has a length of about 30 inches and a height at inflation of about 9 inches, with a width (depth) of about 13 inches. The mat portion  14  has a length of about 30 inches and a width (depth) of about 13 inches with an inflated height of about 3.5 inches. The seat portion  12  and the mat portion  14  are connectable via connection mechanisms  16  positioned on a side wall of the length of each of the seat portion  12  and mat portion  14  to removably connect the seat portion  12  and the mat portion  14  in parallel along the lengths of each. The dimensions of the mat and seat can be scaled up or down depending on the user, such that the dimensions may be scaled down for children and scaled up for taller adults. 
     The pillow or seat portion  12  is configured to “pop-up” above the mat portion  12  when inflated to allow for seated mediation for example. In the embodiment illustrated the top layer or surface of the seat portion  12  is approximately 5.5 inches above the top layer or surface of the mat portion  12  when each portion  12 ,  14  is inflated. In one or more embodiments, the inflated height of the seat portion  12  is about 2.5 times that of the mat portion  14 . 
     A cover  34  may be provided and configured to mate with the inflated mat portion  14  and pillow portion  12  inserted within the cover  34 . The inner dimensions of the cover  34  substantially match the outer dimensions of the device  10  allowing the cover  34  receive the device  10  in either an inflated or deflated state and accommodate and fit taught over the inflated device  10  for use. 
     The cover  34  may be adapted with a plurality of attachment mechanisms such as D-rings. The D-rings are secured to the cover near two opposing corners on a bottom or near a bottom surface of the cover. The D-rings allow a user to secure the device to a surface for use, such as staking the device to the ground when using the device outside or on a soft surface. The D-rings may be positioned in one or more locations spaced apart on the cover. It is also contemplated that the D-rings may be attached directly to one or more locations on the seat portion  12  or mat portion  14 , including the bottom surface of two opposing corners on the seat portion  12  or mat portion  14 . In such an embodiment, the cover is adapted with apertures to allow the D-rings to fit through the cover when the device  10  is inserted therein. 
     The cover may also be adapted with one or more handles such as handle positioned on one or more sides of the mat portion. The cover includes a handle positioned on the rear of the mat portion. Seams of the cover are also double stitched and reinforced for durability and the cover may also incorporate an invisible zip or covered zipper on a side of the cover to removably secure the cover over the device  10 . 
     The raised pillow or seat portion  12  may take a rounded shape, a curved orthopedic shape (e.g., the shape of a somewhat flattened fortune cookie) or be square or rectangular in shape. Overall, the mat  14  may be square or rectangular and may take a rounded shape, a curved orthopedic shape in shape. The mat may also have non-straight edges allowing for additional areas of different cushioning. Additional configurations are within the scope of this disclosure as the configurations are configured to support a user when the user is in one of various poses or positions for meditation and/or relaxation. These positions include but are not limited to laying, sitting, and/or kneeling. 
     The self-inflating travel pillow and meditation mat combination may also include a leg area portion that is larger than the mat, providing elevation for the user&#39;s legs near a forward edge. The leg area portion may also be rounded which allows the user to not only elevate their legs, but also utilize a laying position or a cradling position. 
     A self-inflating nozzle  30  is positioned on an end of the mat  14  and/or additionally or alternatively may be positioned on or near the pillow or seat portion  12 . The self-inflating nozzle is rotatable or displaceable to allow for and force air into the travel pillow and meditation mat to inflate the device. The nozzle also may be rotated to lock the nozzle in place thus retaining the air in the travel pillow and meditation mat and maintaining the travel pillow and meditation mat in an inflated state during use. The nozzle then may be counter rotated or otherwise displaced to deflate the travel pillow and meditation mat when the user has completed use of the mat. 
     The nozzle also allows the user to select the firmness of the mat and pillow for use. 
     Once the mat and pillow are deflated, the mat can then be folded or rolled up compactly for ease of transport and/or travel. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.