Patent Publication Number: US-2020288891-A1

Title: Adjustable Pillow

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/818,877 filed Mar. 15, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pillows, and more particularly, to a bed pillow that allows a user to adjust the loft and the firmness of the pillow. 
     Bed pillows are often positioned under a user&#39;s head and/or neck for support and comfort during sleeping. Bed pillows include an outer layer that encloses a cushioning material. Typically, the outer layer is formed by stitching a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material to one another along their respective peripheral edges. A gusset may optionally be positioned between the first sheet material and the second sheet material to form an interior cavity defined by the dimensions of the first and second sheets and the gusset (when included). The interior cavity may be filled with shredded foam, polyester fiber, down feathers, or another cushioning material. These cushioning materials are often disposed within the interior cavity in a self-contained capsule or as loose filling. 
     Characteristics of the pillow such as firmness and loft (e.g., height) depend in part on the particular filling and the density of the filling. While some individuals may prefer soft lofty pillows, other individuals prefer flat and firm pillows. One of the drawbacks with conventional pillows, however, is that they do not allow a user to adjust the firmness or the loft of the pillow. Instead, a user typically purchases a pillow having the characteristics that he or she desires. 
     Adjustable bed pillows on the other hand, allow a user to modify the pillow&#39;s firmness and/or loft. Adjustable pillows generally include an opening that allows the user to remove fill, to create a flatter pillow, or to add fill in order to enhance the loft and firmness of the pillow. The opening may be selectively opened and closed, for example, by a zipper or other fastening mechanism. Nevertheless, known adjustable bed pillows have several disadvantages. For example, the addition or removal of the cushioning material is often a messy process that requires the user to directly handle the filling. Moreover, after the filling has been removed from the pillow, the excess filling is often discarded. If discarded, the user cannot reinsert the filling into the cavity if he or she later desires to enhance the loft and firmness of the pillow. 
     Other adjustable bed pillows, such as the pillow disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2018/0325291, may include a plurality of self-contained filling inserts that are configured to be inserted or removed through one or more openings of the pillow cover. While this particular pillow does not require that the user directly handle the loose filling, it still requires that the user store extra inserts in order to add or remove them as desired. Storage of the inserts can be inconvenient and the inserts are also susceptible to being misplaced. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an adjustable bed pillow that allows a user to modify the firmness and the loft of the pillow without adding or removing filling from the interior cavity of the pillow. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, an adjustable bed pillow is provided that allows a user the ability to modify the loft and the firmness of the pillow. Among other advantages, the fill material remains completely enclosed within the outer layer such that the firmness and the loft of the pillow can be modified without adding or removing cushioning material from the interior cavity of the pillow. 
     One embodiment of the adjustable bed pillow includes a top fabric section having a front peripheral edge, a back peripheral edge and side peripheral edges extending between the front and back peripheral edges of the top fabric section, and a bottom fabric section having a front peripheral edge, a back peripheral edge, and side peripheral edges extending between the front and back peripheral edges of the bottom fabric section, the side peripheral edges of the bottom fabric section being permanently attached to the side peripheral edges of the top fabric section such than an internal cavity is formed between the top and bottom fabric sections. The bed pillow further includes a first gusset attached to the top fabric section adjacent the front peripheral edge of the top fabric section and attached to the bottom fabric section adjacent the front peripheral edge of the bottom fabric section, a second gusset attached to the top fabric section adjacent the back peripheral edge of the top fabric section and attached to the bottom fabric section adjacent the back peripheral edge of the bottom fabric section, a first zipper including a first fastener, first teeth and first corresponding teeth, the first teeth being attached to the front peripheral edge of the top fabric section and the first corresponding teeth being attached to the front peripheral edge of the bottom fabric section, the first fastener being moveable between an open configuration in which the first teeth and the first corresponding teeth are separated and the first gusset is in an expanded condition, and a closed configuration in which the first teeth and the first corresponding teeth are connected and the first gusset is in a collapsed condition, and a second zipper including a second fastener, second teeth and second corresponding teeth, the second teeth being attached to the back peripheral edge of the top fabric section and the second corresponding teeth being attached to the back peripheral edge of the bottom fabric section, the second zipper being moveable between an open configuration in which the second teeth and the second corresponding teeth are separated and the second gusset is expanded, and a closed configuration in which the second teeth and the second corresponding teeth are connected and the second gusset is in a collapsed condition. 
     In another embodiment, the adjustable bed pillow includes a permanently enclosed pillow cover including a first collapsible and expandable gusset, a second collapsible and expandable gusset, a first fastener moveable between an open configuration in which the first gusset is in an expanded condition and a closed configuration in which the first gusset is in a collapsed condition, a second fastener moveable between an open configuration in which the second gusset is in the expanded condition and a closed configuration in which the second gusset in the collapsed condition, and a sufficient amount of filling disposed within the pillow cover to expand the first gusset when the first fastener is in the open configuration and to expand the second gusset when the second fastener is in the open configuration. Depending on the embodiment, the gussets may or may not be ribbed either individually or in combination. The ribbed design allows for not only increased strength and resiliency but also provides for flexibility in forming the collapsed and expanded conditions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bed pillow in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a highly schematic exploded view of the bed pillow of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the bed pillow of  FIG. 1  illustrating the first fastener in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is a back elevation view of the bed pillow of  FIG. 1  illustrating the second fastener in a closed configuration; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section of the bed pillow of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A illustrating the fasteners in an open configuration and the gussets in an expanded condition; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section of the bed pillow of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A illustrating the fasteners in a closed configuration and the gussets in a collapsed condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the term “front” when used in connection with the pillow, refers to a side of the pillow closest to the user&#39;s torso when the pillow is placed under the user&#39;s head, whereas the term “back,” when used in connection with the pillow, refers to a side of the pillow farthest from the user&#39;s torso when the pillow is placed under the user&#39;s head. Likewise, the term “top” refers to the side of the pillow closest to the user&#39;s head when the pillow is placed under the user&#39;s head and the term “bottom” refers the side of the pillow farthest from the user&#39;s head when the pillow is placed under the user&#39;s head. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an adjustable bed pillow  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Bed pillow  10  includes an outer layer  12  that permanently encloses a cushioning material within an internal cavity  14  of the pillow. As used herein, the term “permanently enclosed” means that the cavity is not ordinarily accessible to a user after the pillow has been manufactured. 
     Outer layer  12  is formed by a top sheet  16 , a bottom sheet  18 , and first and second collapsible and expandable gussets  20 ,  22 . As shown, top sheet  16 , bottom sheet  18  and first and second gussets  20 ,  22  are distinct sections of material that are stitched, adhesively bonded or otherwise attached to one another during manufacturing. It will be appreciated, however, that top sheet  16 , bottom sheet  18  and first and second gussets  20 ,  22  may alternatively be formed as a continuous and integral material. 
     Top sheet  16  and bottom sheet  18  may be formed by one or more sheets of woven, non-woven or knitted fabric material, for example, a mesh fabric. Top fabric sheet  16  includes a first surface  24 , sometimes referred to hereinafter as an outer surface as it faces upwardly or away from the interior cavity  14 , and a second surface  26 , that is sometimes referred to hereinafter as an inner surface as it faces inwardly or toward the interior cavity of the pillow. Similarly, bottom fabric sheet  18  includes a first surface  28 , referred to as an outer surface because it faces away from interior cavity  14 , and a second surface  30 , referred to as an inner surface because it faces toward the interior cavity of pillow  10 . 
     Top fabric section  16  defines a peripheral edge including a front peripheral edge  32 , a back peripheral edge  34  and side peripheral edges  36  extending between the front and back peripheral edges of the top fabric section. Similarly, bottom fabric section  18  defines a peripheral edge including a front peripheral edge  38 , a back peripheral edge  40  and side peripheral edges  42  extending between the front and back peripheral edges of the bottom fabric section. Top fabric section  16  and bottom fabric section  18  are preferably equal in dimension. For example, top and bottom fabric sections  16 ,  18  may have a length (e.g., between side peripheral edges) of between approximately 28-36 inches and a width (e.g., between the front and back peripheral edges) of between approximately 20-28 inches. It will be understood, however, that the top and bottom fabric sections may have a shorter or longer width as well as a shorter or longer length depending on the desired size of the pillow. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , first gusset  20  may be stitched, adhesively bonded or otherwise attached to top fabric section  16  and stitched, adhesively bonded or otherwise attached to bottom fabric section  18 . More specifically, first gusset  20  may be attached to top fabric section  16  adjacent to and inwardly spaced from the front peripheral edge  32  of the top fabric section, and attached to bottom fabric section  18  adjacent to and inwardly spaced from the front peripheral edge  38  of the bottom fabric section. In one embodiment, first gusset  20  spans the entire length of pillow  10 . Second gusset  22  may be stitched, adhesively bonded or otherwise attached to top fabric section  16 , and stitched, adhesively bonded or otherwise attached to bottom fabric section  18 . That is, second gusset  22  may be attached to top fabric section  16  adjacent to and inwardly spaced from the back peripheral edge  34  of the top fabric section and attached to bottom fabric section  18  adjacent to and inwardly spaced from the back peripheral edge  40  of the bottom fabric section. Second gusset  22  may also span the entire length of pillow  10 . First and second gussets  20 ,  22  may have a height of approximately 3 inches in the center of each respective gusset and may taper to a smaller height toward the side peripheral edges of pillow  10 . Although it will be understood that the height of gussets  20 ,  22  may be less than or greater than 3 inches depending on the desired height of the pillow. 
     Either, or both, of the first and second gussets  20 ,  22  may be provided with ribs  46  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In other embodiments, first and second gussets  20 ,  22  may not be ribbed. The ribbed design not only increases strength and resiliency of gussets  20 ,  22 , but also aids in their flexibility and facilitates their collapsibility and expansion. 
     The side peripheral edges  36  of top fabric section  16  and the side peripheral edges  42  of bottom fabric section  18  may be permanently attached to one another such that cavity  14  is permanently enclosed, thereby preventing a user from accessing the cavity of pillow  10 . Cavity  14  has an interior volume defined by top fabric section  16 , bottom fabric section  18  and first and second gussets  20 ,  22 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a sufficient amount of cushioning material or fill  44  is disposed within the interior cavity  14  of pillow  10  such that gussets  20 ,  22  are ordinarily expanded. The fill material  44  may be a natural or synthetic polyester fiber, a shredded foam, down feathers, a gel, or other material adapted to provide pillow  10  with a cushioning effect. The cushioning material may be disposed within the cavity  14  of pillow  10  as a loose fill (e.g., not in a capsule) or in one or more self-enclosed inserts. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , adjustable pillow  10  further includes a first fastener  48  moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration and a second fastener  50  moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second fasteners  48 ,  50  are soft plastic zippers, however, it is contemplated that other two-part fasteners such as a hook and loop fastener, buttons, snaps, hooks and the like may alternatively be utilized. 
     First fastener  48  includes a first sliding member  52 , first teeth  54  and first corresponding teeth  56 . First teeth  52  may be disposed along the entire length of the front peripheral edge  32  of top fabric section  16 , and first corresponding teeth  54  may be disposed along the entire length of the front peripheral edge  38  of bottom fabric section  18 . Thus, when first fastener  48  is in the open configuration first teeth  54  are separated from first corresponding teeth  56 , and top fabric section  16  is spaced from bottom fabric section  18 . Conversely, when first fastener  48  is in the closed configuration first teeth  54  are secured to first corresponding teeth  56 , and top fabric section  16  is coupled to bottom fabric section  18  along their front peripheral edges. Similarly, second fastener  50  includes a second sliding member  58 , second teeth  60  and second corresponding teeth  62 . Second teeth  60  may be disposed along the entire length of the back peripheral edge  34  of top fabric section  16 , and second corresponding teeth  62  may be disposed along the entire length of the back peripheral edge  40  of bottom fabric section  18 . As a result, when second fastener  50  is in the open configuration, second teeth  60  are separated from second corresponding teeth  62 , and top fabric section  16  is spaced from bottom fabric section  18 . Conversely, when second fastener  50  is in the closed configuration, second teeth  60  are secured to second corresponding teeth  62 , and top fabric section  16  is coupled to bottom fabric section  18  along their respective back peripheral edges. 
     Bed pillow  10  may further include a tab  64  positioned in each corner of the pillow for concealing first sliding member  52  and for concealing second sliding member  58 . For example, a first tab may be positioned adjacent to a first one of the side peripheral edges and between first gusset  20  and the front peripheral edges of top and bottom fabric section  16 ,  18  for housing the first sliding member  52  when first fastener  48  is in the open configuration. A second tab may be positioned adjacent to the opposing side peripheral edges and between first gusset  20  and the front peripheral edges of the top and bottom fabric sections  16 ,  18  for housing first sliding member  52  when first fastener  48  is transitioned to the closed configuration. Similarly, a third tab may be positioned adjacent to the first one of the side peripheral edges and between second gusset  22  and the back peripheral edges of the top and bottom fabric sections  16 ,  18  for housing the second sliding member when second fastener  50  is in the open configuration, and a fourth tab may be positioned adjacent to the opposing side peripheral edges and between the second gusset and the back peripheral edges of the top and bottom fabric sections for housing the second sliding member when the second fastener is transitioned to the closed configuration. Tabs  64  are thus configured to substantially or completely conceal the first sliding member and the second sliding member in both the open and closed configurations, thereby preventing the first and second sliding members from contacting the user as he or she sleeps. 
     As is explained with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a user may transition first and second fasteners  48 ,  50  from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and vice versa, to adjust the loft and firmness of the pillow. When the first fastener  48  and the second fastener  50  are in the open configuration ( FIG. 5 ), first gusset  20  and second gusset  22  are in the expanded condition, and the interior cavity  14  of pillow  10  has an expanded volume. Should the user desire a relatively flatter and firmer pillow, the user may slide first sliding member  52  and second sliding member  58  to their closed configurations to collapse first and second gussets  20 ,  22  and reduce the interior volume of pillow  10  ( FIG. 6 ). 
     Transitioning first sliding member  52  of first fastener  48  from the open configuration to the closed configuration will cause first teeth  54  to engage first corresponding teeth  56 , the front peripheral edge  32  of top fabric section  16  to couple to the front peripheral edge  38  of bottom fabric section  18 , and first gusset  20  to collapse upon itself. Likewise, transitioning second sliding member  58  from the open configuration to the closed configuration will cause second teeth  60  to engage second corresponding teeth  62 , the back peripheral edge  34  of top fabric section  16  to engage the back peripheral edge  40  of bottom fabric section  18 , and second gusset  22  to collapse upon itself. As a result, the loft of bed pillow  10  will be reduced and the cushioning material  44  will be more densely packed within the interior cavity  14  of pillow  10 , creating a relatively firmer pillow. 
     Should the user subsequently desire to add loft or decrease firmness, the user may simply return sliding member  52  to its open configuration, allowing gusset  20  to expand, and slide sliding member  58  to its open configuration, allowing gusset  22  to expand. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.