Foldable pillow

a pillow and folding technology, applied in the field of pillows, can solve the problems of few if any pillows for sale in the marketplace that are user easily customizable and adjustable, and hotels rarely offer the guest more than

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-05-19
LEE DENNIS GUN
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] Another preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a combination of a pillow and instructions on how to fold or roll the pillow into three or more configurations. The pillow includes a generally rectangular viscoelastic foam pad. The pad has (1) a substantially planer top surface, (2) a substantially planer bottom surface generally parallel to and spaced from the top surface by a pad thickness of about 0.75″ to 1.75″, (3) a pad length of about 44″ to 52″, and (4) a pad width. The pad length is at least seventy five percent longer than the pad width.
[0016] Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is a method of using a flat pillow. The flat pillow comprises a rectangular pad having generally planer generally parallel top and bottom surfaces separated by a thickness of no more than two inches. The length of the pillow is at least seventy five percent longer than th

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, pillow technology has not kept pace with mattress technology, and accordingly, there are very few if any pillows for sale in the marketplace that are user easily user customizable and adjustable.
To make matters worse, hotels rarely offer the guest more than a single pillow choice.
Depending on the patron of a hotel, the supplied pillows may be too thick, to thin, or not supportive enough.
Probably as often as hotel patrons cannot sleep because of the type of mattress provided, other patrons fail to get a good nights sleep well because the provided pillows are uncomfortable to them.
This can also cause neck discomfort and cause a person to wakeup with a stiff neck 35.
While this pillow is an improvement for a back sleeper who needs better neck support, it is not an ideal pillow configuration for a side or sto

Method used

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embodiment 100

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 4 & 5, a first preferred embodiment 100 of the pillow comprises a viscoelastic rectangular foam pad 105, and an associated pillow covering 110 encapsulating the foam pad. The length 130 of the pad is much greater than its width 135. The extended length and the nature of the viscoelastic foam material permits the pillow to be easily folded or rolled permitting a person to customize the pillow into one of a variety of configurations that is most comfortable for him / her.

[0040] The foam pad 105 of the first preferred embodiment 100 is typically 0.50″ to 2.0″ thick, more preferably 0.75″ to 1.50″ thick, and most preferably about 0.85″ to 1.25″ thick. The pad typically has a length 130 of 40″ to 60″, more preferably 44″ to 52″, and most preferably about 46″ to 48″. The pad's width is typically 16″ to 30″, more preferably 18″ to 25″, and most preferably 20″ to 22″. The pad has substantially planer top and bottom surfaces 115&120 that are generally parallel to each...

first embodiment

[0042] The top and bottom surfaces 115&120 intersect with and are bounded by lengthwise and widthwise extending side surfaces 125 at their respective lengthwise and widthwise edges. Typically, the side surfaces are generally perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces, although not necessarily in all variations of the foam pad 105. By having square edges and side surfaces that are perpendicular to the top and bottom surfaces, a resulting evenly folded pillow has a similar effective thickness near its edges as it does in its middle. FIGS. 8, 10A, &10B illustrate different configurations that can be formed by evenly folding the first preferred embodiment. In other words, except for the minor variations in thickness at a folded pillow's widthwise edges caused by folding the pad, an evenly folded pillow of the first preferred embodiment will have substantially the same thickness over its entire surface. Accordingly, since the thickness does not taper near the folded pillow's edges, the...

third embodiment

[0058]FIG. 11 illustrates a third preferred embodiment pillow. Generally, the third preferred embodiment uses similar materials as the first and second preferred embodiments. The foam pad 105 is substantially similar to the foam pad of either the first or second preferred embodiments. The primary difference between this embodiment and the proceeding embodiments is the construction of its pillow covering 195. Unlike the covering 110 the pillow covering 255 of the third preferred embodiment is not substantially longer than the associated foam pad 105. Rather, the length of the cover in the third embodiment is typically longer than the pad only by a sufficient amount to substantially cover the foam pad, although in variations the length of the covering could be longer.

[0059] The most noticeable distinction between the first and third preferred embodiment pillow coverings is that the pillow covering of the third preferred embodiment includes one or two flaps 200&205 that extend laterall...

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PUM

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Abstract

A pillow that can be folded or rolled into a plurality of configurations is described. Preferred embodiments of the pillow typically comprise an elongated viscoelastic foam pad that can be evenly folding into half, thirds or quarters to create a formed pillow of varying thicknesses. Additional configurations are possible by rolling the pad or unevenly folding the pad. A pillow covering can also be provided that is longer than the foam pad such that the excess portion of the covering can be tucked under the formed foam pad to hold the pillow in its formed configuration. Because of its customizability, the pillow is adaptable for use by all types of sleepers including back sleepers, side sleepers, stomach sleepers and sleepers who switch sleeping positions during the night.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to pillows, and more particularly to a pillow that can be folded over on to itself or rolled up into various configurations to suit the particular desires of the person using the pillow. BACKGROUND [0002] In the last decade or so, a significant amount of attention has been focused on sleeping and in particular how are sleep comfort effects a person's ability to get a good nights sleep. Experts have recognized that there is no common preferred sleep position or sleeping surface that will be equally comfortable to all people in terms of how well they sleep. Rather, different people require different sleep surfaces and sleep positions to get a good nights rest. One person may sleep best on his / her stomach on a soft mattress, while another person may sleep best on his / her side on a medium firm surface, and yet another person may sleep best on his / her back on a very firm surface. Furthermore, the same person may vary his / her s...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A47C20/02A47G9/10
CPCA47G9/10
Inventor LEE, DENNIS GUN
Owner LEE DENNIS GUN
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