Patent Publication Number: US-2023135899-A1

Title: Pillow with cylindrical inserts

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application number 63/263,400, filed Nov. 2, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pillows and, more particularly, to a pillow with cylindrical inserts. 
     Standard pillows are limited in comfort. Traditional materials used to fill pillows, such as feathers, become flat and lose their fluff and shape over time. The standard shape of a pillow does not meet the needs of many users. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a pillow that does not lose its shape or its fluff with age and provides adequate support for all users. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a pillow comprises a plurality of cylinders snugly fit in a liner and the liner enclosed in a pillowcase wherein the cylinders are rotatable and interchangeable. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top front perspective view of a pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross sectional view taken on line  2 - 2  of  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     A general overview of the various features of the invention will be provided, with a detailed description following. Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pillow comprising three cylinders, a lining, and a pillowcase. The cylinders may be foam. 
     The cylinders may be stacked or grouped to form a triangular formation when viewed from a side. The foam cylinders may have a density of approximately 2.25-2.5 lbs. per cubic inch with an approximate 1.00 pound per linear inch tear strength. A radius of the foam cylinders may range from 1.5 to 3 inches. A length of the foam cylinders may be approximately 18 inches. The radius and length of the foam cylinders are not particularly limited by the present invention and any length or radius may be used. The cylinders may be interchangeable, enabling a user to remove cylinders and replace them or customize the pillow with a predetermined amount of cylinders of various sizes. The cylinders may also be rotatable while within the pillow for cooling purposes. 
     The cylinders are housed in a lining. The lining may be mesh and may be breathable. The lining holds the foam cylinders in place, cools the cylinders, and prevents moisture from accumulating on the cylinders. The lining may be a triangular prism with round edges. The lining may have a zipper, buttons, or another mechanism for sealing the lining on an end. The lining may have a height of 5 inches and a length of 18 inches. The height and length of the lining are not particularly limited by the present invention and any height or length large enough to house or snuggly fit the cylinders may be used. The liner may be a continuous piece of fabric forming with a triangular cross section. In some embodiments, when removed from the pillowcase and cylinders, the liner forms a cylinder. The liner may lack sidewalls for an additional cooling effect. 
     A pillowcase surrounds the lining. The pillowcase may be a size slightly larger than the lining to encompass it. The pillowcase may have a zipper, buttons, or another mechanism for sealing the pillowcase on an end. 
     The cylinders may rotate within the bounds of the pillowcase and interior liner to facilitate a cooling effect for a user. 
     In some embodiments, three cylinders are utilized. The cylinders may vary in size. For example, two large cylinders may be utilized with one smaller cylinder. However, a plurality of smaller cylinders may be used. Any combination of sizes may be utilized. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 - 3   , a pillowcase  10  encloses a mesh liner  12 . Inside the mesh liner  12  are two large foam cylinders  16  and a small foam cylinder  14 . The two large foam cylinders  16  and the small foam cylinder  14  are stacked to form a triangle. The mesh liner  12  constrains the cylinders  14 ,  16  and maintains the triangular shape. 
     As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “snugly” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other. 
     The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments. 
     In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.