Patent Publication Number: US-2016235226-A1

Title: Family Cushion

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/117,809 filed Feb. 18, 2015, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Family Cushion,” which is incorporated herein by reference as though the same were set forth in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the field of residential decor, and more specifically to the field of decorative pillows and cushions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A favorite means of preserving memories is through photography. A photograph provides a lasting keepsake of special moments in life. A baby&#39;s first steps, a child&#39;s first day of school, a college graduation or a loved one&#39;s wedding can all be beautifully captured on film, providing an instant reminder of a cherished day. Additionally, photography is used to record those often overlooked, candid moments which make life so special. Children skipping over a sprinkler, two elderly men playing chess in the park or a young couple sharing a tender moment, are all memories that are soon forgotten if not printed in living color or black and white. Powerful and dynamic, a photograph provides a visual reminder of family, friends and events while affording future generations a glimpse into the past. Although most people consider photographs to be amongst their most prized possessions, finding a way to properly display them sometimes is a challenge. 
     Other than a few predictable framed prints on a wall, most people keep the majority of their photographs hidden from view. All too often, photos are left in the envelopes they came in after being developed or are misplaced and forgotten, tucked in drawers and packed away in stacks of old boxes. Hidden from sight in dusty photo albums and storage trunks, photographs deteriorate if not cared for properly, as do the memories and image that the photo once faithfully captured. 
     The prior art has put forth several designs for decorative pillows and cushions. Among these are: 
     US Patent 20120073504 to Wendy Diamond describes a decorative pillow for a couch, bed or piece of furniture made of two or more pieces of fabric, preferably containing stuffing and catnip to entice a cat. In the preferred embodiment, the outside of the pillow is formed of tough upholstery material. In this embodiment, the inside of the pillow is provided with resilient foam and catnip infused or located within the foam. In this embodiment, the foam insert is coated with a layer of sand paper like material for filing a cat&#39;s claws scraping or being drawn over it as the cat&#39;s claws penetrate the tough outer layer of material. In an alternate embodiment, the pillow is provided, on its outside, with one or more pieces of cat claw smoothing or filing material such that the cat, when playing and trying to rip or claw at the pillow, will actually be smoothing and filing its claws. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,615,830 to Vicky McQuoid describes a pillow system comprising a pillow having a pocket extending inside the pillow that contains one or more articles having a theme which corresponds to the theme of the outer surface of the pillow. The pillow has a top panel and a bottom panel joined at the periphery to define a peripheral edge and cushioning material disposed inside. The outer surface, having a cover theme, substantially covers one or both of the panels. The pocket extends into and is substantially enclosed by the cushioning material. Access to the pocket is through a pocket inlet along a portion of the peripheral edge. A closure mechanism, such as a zipper, at the inlet substantially closes the pocket to enclose the articles inside. The articles have an article theme that corresponds to the cover theme. If desired, the pillow can also have a theme shape that corresponds to the cover and article themes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,558 to Joel Fenley describes a contoured decorative pillow of resiliently deformable material. A pillow form is girded by at least one cincture and thus transformed from a first configuration into a second configuration. The decorative qualities of the second configuration are enhanced by encasing the cincture in an inelastic casing to create a ruffle or floral effect, girding the pillow form with a cushioned belt, employing one or two pillow covers, threading at least one ornamental body over the cincture or the cushioned belt, or fastening decorative means such as tassels to the cincture. The inelastic casing, cushioned belt, pillow covers, ornamental bodies and cincture decorative means are combinable in an infinite number of decorative embodiments to suit the tastes of the pillow owner. 
     None of these prior art references describe the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a service that transposes personal photographs on couch cushions, throw pillows, bed pillows and other decorative pillows. 
     The present invention is a family cushion for displaying a photograph. The family cushion comprises a pillow casing having a top wall and a bottom wall with the top wall secured to the bottom wall along a peripheral edge of the top wall and the bottom wall. An amount of stuffing material is sandwiched between the top wall and the bottom wall. A first photograph is imprinted on the top wall of the pillow casing. The imprinted pillow casing provides a striking and unique means of decorating a space. 
     In addition, the present invention includes a method for displaying a photograph. The method comprises providing a pillow casing having a top wall and a bottom wall, securing the top wall to the bottom wall along a peripheral edge of the top wall and the bottom wall, providing an amount of stuffing material between the top wall and the bottom wall, imprinting a first photograph imprinted on the top wall of the pillow casing, and providing a striking and unique means of decorating a space. 
     The present invention further includes a family cushion for displaying a photograph. The family cushion comprises a pillow casing having a top wall and a bottom wall with the top wall secured to the bottom wall along a peripheral edge of the top wall and the bottom wall. A closable opening is formed between the top wall and the bottom wall. Mechanical closing means along the closable opening selectively opens and closes the closable opening. An amount of stuffing material is sandwiched between the top wall and the bottom wall. A first photograph is imprinted on the top wall of the pillow casing and a second photograph is imprinted on the bottom wall of the pillow casing. The imprinted pillow casing provides a striking and unique means of decorating a space. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating examples of family cushion of the present invention placed on a residential sofa. 
         FIG. 2  is perspective views of the various decorative cushions of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Family Cushion, indicated generally at  10 , is a cushion or pillow  12  and method of making a cushion by which favorite photographs  14  are transferred to decorative couch cushions and other accent pillows  12 . The Family Cushion  10  provides users with a striking and unique means of decorating their homes with treasured photographs  14 . With the Family Cushion  10 , personal photographs  14  are transposed on couch cushions, throw pillows, bed pillows and other decorative pillows for use throughout a home. 
     The Family Cushion  10  of the present invention is constructed to accommodate a wide variety of decorative needs. For instance, standard couch cushions measure approximately two feet in length, two feet in width and eight inches in depth. Larger and smaller pillows  12  of the Family Cushion  10  can also be produced, as desired. 
     The Family Cushion  10  of the present invention is a pillow  12  having a top wall  16  secured to a bottom wall  18  with a stuffing material sandwiched between the top wall  16  and the bottom wall  18 . In some embodiments, the pillow  12  of the Family Cushion  10  can include a side wall  20  secured between the top wall  16  and the side wall  18  with the stuffing material sandwiched therein. The top wall  16 , bottom wall  18 , and the side wall  20 , depending on the embodiment, of the pillow defines a pillow casing  22 . 
     Preferably, the top wall  16  of the pillow  12  of the Family Cushion  10  of the present invention is double stitched and reinforced with the bottom wall  18  or the top wall  16  and the bottom wall  18  are double stitched and reinforced with the side wall  20 . The top wall  16 , the bottom wall  18 , and the side wall  20  of the pillow of the Family Cushion  10  are preferably manufactured primarily of a cushiony cotton casing. Preferably, the stuffing material is a lofty foam, cotton batting, or goose down material in accordance to customer preference. 
     In an embodiment of the Family Cushion  10  of the present invention, at least a portion of the connection between the top wall  16  and the bottom wall  18 , the top wall  16  and the side wall  20 , or the bottom wall  18  and the side wall  20 , depending on the embodiment, has a zipper, snaps, buttons, or other mechanical closing means allowing the pillow casing  22  to be removed for printing and cleaning purposes. The pillow casing  22  is preferably a removable covering colored in a neutral hue such as white or beige, thus facilitating the printing process. The base color of the pillow casing  22  varies to accommodate different furnishings and complement the printed image. Images are imprinted on the top wall  16  and/or the bottom wall  18  of the pillow  12  of the Family Cushion  10 . 
     Per the inventors, the Family Pillow  10  of the present invention can be constructed from Ultr flex Ultrapoplin PES C240 7.1 ounce Knitted 100% polyester. Digital top coat on one side allows for vibrant print quality. The poplin texture has a slight stretch, making it ideal for expanding over structure Versatile crease free and wrinkle free fabric. Flame Resistant per NFPA 701-CA Title 19 ASTM E84 Print compatibility: Solvent, Eco-Solvent, UV Latex, and screen printing available in rolls of 54″×84″. Preferred ink is Mutoh Eco-Solvent, UV inks. 
     The Family Cushion  10  of the present invention is available in various retail establishments, department stores, photo outlets, pharmacies and independently operated kiosks. Individuals who utilize this service simply scan and upload images onsite, or upload and email images directly to a Family Cushion  10  distributor. Users scale, crop, contrast or otherwise manipulate images to be applied to their pillow  12  of the Family Cushion  10  by following easy instructional prompts. Creating pillows  12  of the Family Cushion  10  involves utilizing a large format printer to enlarge a specific photographic image  14  to the desired dimensions and then imprint it on a designated cushion or pillow casing  22  with high quality fabric ink. In addition to traditional photographic images of loved ones and friends, many people utilize images of beloved family pets, precious documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and diplomas, and popular logos or insignia. In the case of the latter, licensing concerns must be addressed. 
     Creating the Family Cushion  10  of the present invention provides people with an easy means of creating personalized pieces of art out of treasured photographs  14 . Attractive and distinct sofa cushions, decorative pillows and bed pillows, the accessories of the Family Cushion  10  add a thoughtful decorative touch which vastly alters and enhances the appearance of any room. Enabling one to surround themselves with loved ones and friends, the pillows  12  of the Family Cushion  10  alleviate loneliness while also facilitating a sense of community and wholeness. The Family Cushion  10  provides family members with a practical means of creating custom pieces of art. 
     Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claim.