Abstract:
A pillow and its method of creation are provided. The pillow, or other filled item, begins as a piece of fabric that is filled with a blend of discrete amounts of latex, and a volume of fiberfill. The blend of latex and fiberfill, as well as the form factor of each material, contributes to the properties of the filled item. Preferably, the fiber fill is polyester, but a number of suitable materials exist.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/216,781 filed on Sep. 10, 2015, the contents of which are herein fully incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an improved furniture filler. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved furniture filler suitable for use with mattresses, pillows, and other sleeping accoutrements. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0003]    Throughout history, humans have been seeking ways to make sleeping more comfortable. From the feather fillings of old, to modern memory foam, innovations in comfort have been consistent. However, while most people agree that memory foam is very comfortable, it is not without its problems. For example, memory foam is a synthetically created material, which can lead to issues with sustainability. Additionally, many people complain that the odor that emanates from memory foam-containing products is quite unpleasant. This smell can be so strong that some individuals refuse to use memory foam products. Yet another concern with memory foam products is the amount of heat they cause a user to feel. This is because memory foam does not “breathe.” That is, memory foam is unable of allowing large quantities of air to pass through it. This lack of ventilation results in the heat generated by a user&#39;s body to be retained by the pillow, forcing the user to become uncomfortable over long periods of time. Moreover, memory foam does not conform to a user&#39;s body immediately and, after conforming, it takes from 10-60 seconds to retain its shape. 
         [0004]    For all of the aforementioned reasons, memory foam, as a material for use with cushions, pillows, and other bedding products, leaves room for improvement. One promising material to be memory foam&#39;s successor is natural latex foam. Made from the sap of a rubber tree, natural latex foam has a number of improved properties over memory foam. For example, natural latex foam provides for air to freely flow through the material, allowing a user to use a latex foam-based pillow, cushion, or mattress without experiencing undue heat. Also, latex conforms to a user&#39;s body immediately, and takes roughly 1 second to return to its original conformation. Further, latex foam is inherently hypo-allergenic, anti-fungal, and biodegradable; three properties that memory foam lacks. 
         [0005]    While natural latex foam is indeed a superior material to memory foam, when combined with other materials, further improved properties can be obtained. Specifically, when combined with various fiberfills, cushions, pillows, and mattresses can be created that exhibit all of the beneficial properties of latex foam over memory foam. While most fabrics are suitable for use in the fiberfill, cotton and polyester, either alone or in some combination, provide for the most comfortable products. 
         [0006]    Examples of related art are described below: 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,356,373 pertains to a unitary or monolithic composite or hybrid cushioning structure(s) and profile(s) comprised of a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The thermoset material may also be provided as cellular foam as well. In one embodiment disclosed herein, the unitary composite cushioning structure is formed from a cellular thermoplastic foam and a thermoset material. The cellular thermoplastic foam provides support characteristics to the unitary composite cushioning structure. The thermoset material provides a resilient structure with cushioning characteristics to the cushioning structure. A stratum is disposed between at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam and at least a portion of the thermoset material to secure the at least a portion of the thermoset material to the at least a portion of the cellular thermoplastic foam to provide a unitary composite cushioning structure. 
         [0008]    United States Patent Publication No.: 2008/0313815 pertains to a composite foam comprising a top layer of latex foam and a second layer of a foam selected from polyolefin, polyurethane, polystyrene or polyester or visco-elastic latex or mixtures thereof. A bedding such as a mattress or topper comprising said composite foam. 
         [0009]    United States Patent Publication No.: 2014/0329018 pertains to a reticulated foam structure comprising a plurality of closely-spaced fibers extending across and between the cells. A reticulated polymer foam structure is enhanced by fibers of metal, metal alloys, metal oxides, carbon or glass that are chopped or milled and introduced into the foam structure during foam formation or by entrainment of fibers into the foam. The resulting structure is used as a template to create a high porosity reticulated foam structure of a non-polymer material by coating the non-polymer onto the fiber-enhanced structure and removing the polymer by heating or pyrolizing. The design has utility for applications such as filtration, implants, heat transfer and electrodes, which require structures with low cost, high porosity, small effective pore sizes and large contact surface area. 
         [0010]    United States Patent Publication No.: 2009/0202827 pertains to an improved fiberfill blend for filling cushioned items such as a fiber bed, where the fiberfill blend consists essentially of, by weight, (a) from about 50 to about 70% eviscerated latex, and (b) from about 30 to about 50% polyester fiberfill. An improved feather and latex blend for filling cushioned items such as a feather bed, where the blend consists essentially of, by weight, (a) from about 40 to about 60% feathers and down, and (b) from about 40 to about 60% eviscerated latex. The fiber bed or feather beds with the improved filler are capable of being customized to create a variety of mattress densities. 
         [0011]    United States Patent Publication No.: 2014/0053341 pertains to a foam fiber product that may be used for the manufacture of various bedding products, such as mattresses, pillows, mattress toppers, seat cushions, and the like. The foam fiber product includes foam particles dispersed with fiber strands. The pleats provide extra support and durability to the structure of the foam fiber product. The product may be made by a process that includes mixing foam particles with fiber strands, processing the mixture into a layer using processes such as garnetting and carding, using a vertical lapping process to form pleats in the layer, and heating the structure to secure the pleats together to provide a pleated foam fiber structure. 
         [0012]    International Patent Publication No.: WO 2007/003348 pertains to a composite foam comprising a top layer of latex foam and a second layer of a foam selected from polyolefin, polyurethane, polystyrene or polyester or visco-elastic latex or mixtures thereof. A bedding such as a mattress or topper comprising said composite foam. 
         [0013]    Various devices are known in the art. However, their structure and means of operation are substantially different from the present disclosure. These devices also fail to solve all the problems taught by the present disclosure. At least one embodiment of this invention is presented in the drawings below and will be described in more detail herein. 
       SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The present invention provides for a pillow, comprising: at least one piece of fabric, wherein said fabric is fashioned into a half-open sleeve, wherein said piece of fabric is disposed with ornamentation; a volume of a filling material, wherein said filling material comprises discrete amounts of latex and a volume of fiberfill. In some embodiments, said fiberfill is polyester and in other embodiments said fiberfill is cotton. 
         [0015]    In an alternative embodiment the aforementioned half-open sleeve, when laid flat on the has dimensions selected from the group consisting of: substantially 20 inches by substantially 26 inches, substantially 20 inches by substantially 28 inches, substantially 20 inches by substantially 30 inches, substantially 16 inches by 60 inches, and substantially 20 inches by substantially 36 inches. In yet another embodiment, the at least one piece of fabric is constructed out of cotton, polyester, nylon, lyocell, rayon, modal, spacer or some combination thereof. Latex that has been made via the Dunlop and the Talalay method are equally applicable to the present invention. Preferably, the latex will be used with the Dunlop method. 
         [0016]    The present disclosure also provides for a method of making a pillow, comprising: obtaining an amount of discrete amounts of latex; providing a volume of fiberfill; blending said discrete amounts of latex with said volume of fiberfill for a predetermined amount of time in a sealed chamber; dispensing, from said sealed chamber, said blended material directly into a sleeve; sealing, said sleeve. In some embodiments said sleeve is sealed via an adhesive, while in other embodiments, said sleeve is stitched together. In yet another embodiment said sleeve comprised of fabric. 
         [0017]    While the discrete amounts of latex used in the present invention can be obtained from many sources, it is preferable if the discrete amount of latex are the scraps from large-scale latex foam synthesis. Preferably, this sleeve is disposed with ornamentation. In various embodiments, the pillow of the present invention is sealed with a finish selected from the group of: knife edge, corded, gusset, flange edge, and serged edge. Preferably, the step of dispensing, from said sealed chamber, said blended material directly into a sleeve occurs for approximately 11 seconds, although this dispensing can occur for a period ranging from 10-30 seconds. 
         [0018]    In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, benefits and objectives. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a comfortable pillow. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the present invention to provide filling material that conforms to a user, but is highly elastic and capable of quick retaining its original shape. 
         [0021]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a means for creating a comfortable filling material. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the pillow of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a pile of the filling material used in an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of one embodiment of the method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0026]    Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an embodiment of the pillow of the present invention is shown. Here, pillow  100  is shown. It comprises at least one piece of fabric  101  and filling material  103 . As can be seen from this image, filling material  103  is not a homogenous blend. Rather, it is heterogeneous blend with the discrete amounts of latex retaining their shape, being surrounded by the remaining fiberfill. In various embodiments, filling material  103  can have different ratios (by volume) of discrete amounts of latex to fiberfill, such as 95:5; 75:25, 65:35; 60:40; 50:50; 40:60; 35:65; 25:75; and 5:95. This allows pillow  100  to have improved properties over a standard pillow. 
         [0028]    For example, the highly-breathable nature of the latex allows a user of pillow  100  to remain cool. That is, pillow  100  is capable of retaining the temperature of the ambient environment, due to the ability of air to pass through pillow  100 . When compared to a standard pillow, pillow  100  will retain the temperature of the ambient environment up to twice as long. Further, the discrete amounts of latex are dispersed throughout the volume of fiberfill. Discrete amounts of latex can have a number of different sizes. These discrete amounts of latex may range from 2-12 inches long, and are from 0.5 cm to 0.75 cm wide. These pieces of discrete latex may be known as “latex noodles.” This is due to the elongated rod-like shape formed by some of the discrete latex. However, other pieces of the discrete latex may have irregular shapes and have a “flattened” appearance as the pieces are wider than the rod shape. 
         [0029]    By being dispersed throughout, despite the fact that the blend is not homogenous, the discrete amounts of latex add a higher level of support than pure fiberfill. Not only is there greater support, but due to the elastic properties of the latex, pillow  100  will regain its original shape more quickly than the pillows that exist today. Moreover, the nature of the discrete amounts of latex contained in the present invention, and the manner in which it is blended with the polyester fiberfill, the pillow of the present invention will retain its shape for a longer period of time than a polyester pillow. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the fiberfill is polyester, but cotton and urethane foam are also suitable for use with the invention. In some embodiments, the fiberfill may have a denier of 0.2 to 2.0. In some embodiments, a combination of fiberfills having varying deniers may be utilized. Further, the fiberfill may be a micro-denier fiber. The fiberfill may also have anti-microbial properties. Such fibers may be impregnated with various metals (e.g. copper, silver, etc.) or may have an antimicrobial agent applied to the surface of the fibers or otherwise incorporated therein. Any sort of shredded or similarly eviscerated fabric is also suitable for use as the fiberfill of the present invention. Preferably, the discrete amounts of latex are non-uniform in size, however, in some embodiments the discrete amounts of latex are uniform in size. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a pile of the filling material of the present invention. This filling material  105  shows numerous benefits in comfort, breathability, and cleanliness. Preferably, the filling material will be 50% by volume discrete amounts of latex  104 , and will be 50% by volume of fiberfill. That said, the proportions can be changed to fit a user&#39;s personal needs. If a pillow is created with a greater than 50% by volume amount of discrete amounts of latex particles, the pillow will provide more support. If a pillow is created with less than 50% by volume amount of discrete amounts of latex particles, the pillow will be less rigid, and will exhibit less of the beneficial properties induced by the inclusion of the discrete amounts of latex particles. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the filling material  105  contains 1.8 denier antimicrobial fiberfill (50% by volume) non-homogenously combined with discrete latex noodles (50% by volume). As noted above, other ratios may also be present of the 1.8 denier antimicrobial fiberfill and the discrete latex noodles. In another embodiment, the filling material  105  contains 0.9 denier fiberfill (50% by volume) non-homogenously combined with discrete latex noodles (50% by volume). As noted above, other ratios may also be present of the 0.9 denier fiberfill and the discrete latex noodles. In yet another embodiment, the filling material  105  contains 0.4 denier fiberfill and discrete latex in varying ratios. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of one embodiment of the method of the present invention. At step  201 , an amount of discrete amounts of latex is obtained. Preferably, these discrete amounts of latex will be obtained as the remnants, or trimmings, from a synthesis of latex to be used for a different purpose. One benefit of this method, is that it incorporates scraps of latex that would traditionally be discarded, providing for a more sustainable method of production. As the trend for more sustainable industrial processes increases, this is highly desirable. This enables the method of the instant invention to benefit the environment, as it reduces the waste of other industrial processes. This repurposing also has the additional benefit of being able to acquire the discrete amounts of latex more cheaply than if the latex had to be custom-ordered. In one embodiment, the discrete amounts of latex are taken from the bulk-synthesis of latex foam mattresses. As the mattresses get trimmed to specification, removing any deviations from the desired size, those scraps are to be collected and used for step  201 . 
         [0034]    In step  202 , a volume of fiberfill is provided. 
         [0035]    In step  203 , this fiberfill is blended with the obtained discrete amounts of latex. There are numerous suitable ways in which these materials may be blended. For example, the two may simply be stirred by a blunt object, or may be cut up by a sharp centrifuge-like instrument, similar to a tabletop blender. This is particularly important as typically these discrete amounts of latex come bundled together, and must be sufficiently “opened up” to provide the support generated by the present invention. The total volume of fiberfill/latex may vary from about 240 oz. to about 40 oz. depending on pillow size and fullness, and is more preferably 24 oz., 34 oz, or 38 oz. 
         [0036]    Turning to step  204 , one the materials, having been blended in the substantially sealed chamber, is dispensed from said substantially sealed chamber into a sleeve. Preferably, this process occurs for 11 seconds. However, this time can be adjusted to change the firmness of the pillow. For example, if more blended material is dispensed into said pillow, it will be more firm than if less material is dispensed into the pillow. Once the appropriate amount of material has been dispensed into the sleeve, it will be sealed, at step  205 . 
         [0037]    The sleeve may be sealed in a number of different ways such as single needle closure, knife edge, corded, gusset, flange edge, and serged edge. It may also be sealed with adhesive or with a re-sealable mechanism, such as a zipper or magnets so that the amount of filling material in the pillow can be varied by an end-user. 
         [0038]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. 
         [0039]    Various other components may be included and called upon for providing for aspects of the teachings herein. For example, additional materials, combinations of materials and/or omission of materials may be used to provide for added embodiments that are within the scope of the teachings herein. In the present application a variety of variables are described, including but not limited to components and conditions. It is to be understood that any combination of any of these variables can define an embodiment of the disclosure. Other combinations of articles, components, conditions, and/or methods can also be specifically selected from among variables listed herein to define other embodiments, as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0040]    When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0041]    While the disclosure refers to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to adapt a particular instrument, situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the spirit thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed.