pillow

Abstract

A pillow includes a foam cushion having ventilation holes extending through a thickness of the foam cushion. The ventilation holes can be concentrated in or toward a center of the foam cushion. The ventilation holes can effectively soften or reduce indentation load deflection (ILD) of the portion of the foam cushion in which the ventilation holes are located. Thus, the foam cushion can support a head of an individual. The ventilation holes can also facilitate heat flow away from the head of the individual, which can provide a cooling effect. Methods of designing, manufacturing, and using a pillow that supports a head of an individual and / or facilitates heat flow away from the head of the individual are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 408,199, filed January 9, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and used for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to pillows. More specifically, this disclosure relates to pillows that support an individual's head. This disclosure also relates to pillows that promote heat dissipation from an individual's head and thus provide a cooling effect. Pillows of this disclosure may include a foam pad having ventilation holes extending through the thickness of the foam pad to support the individual's head and / or promote heat dissipation from the individual's head. Methods of designing, manufacturing, and using pillows that support an individual's head and / or promote heat dissipation from the individual's head are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0003] Overview Pillows that promote heat dissipation from an individual's head may include foam padding and ventilation holes extending through the thickness of the foam padding. Optionally, a cushioning mesh may be provided on the top surface of the foam padding. Alternatively, the pillow may include one or more removable boosters that can vary the height or thickness of the pillow. The pillow may also include a cover. A cover for a pillow with one or more removable boosters secures each booster in place relative to the foam padding.

[0004] The foam padding can be formed from any foam suitable for use as a pillow. As an example, the foam padding may include slow rebound foam (e.g., slow rebound microporous polyurethane foam, or so-called "memory foam," etc.). Other suitable materials may also be used, including but not limited to latex foam (e.g., Talalay latex foam, Dunlop latex foam, etc.), polyurethane foam, etc.

[0005] The foam padding of the cushion includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The outer periphery of the foam padding extends between the outer edges of the top and bottom surfaces. The peripheral regions of the top and bottom surfaces are located near the outer edges of the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. Therefore, the peripheral regions of the foam padding are located near the outer periphery. The peripheral regions of the top and bottom surfaces surround the central regions of the top and bottom surfaces, respectively. Therefore, the central region of the foam padding is located between the central regions of the top and bottom surfaces.

[0006] The bottom surface of the foam pad can be substantially flat. The top surface can also be substantially flat. In embodiments where both the top and bottom surfaces are substantially flat, the top and bottom surfaces can be oriented substantially parallel to each other, thereby giving the foam pad (including its peripheral and central regions) a substantially uniform height or thickness. Alternatively, the top surface can be profiled such that the height or thickness of the foam pad gradually increases from its peripheral region toward its central region.

[0007] Ventilation holes extend through the height or thickness of the foam padding. Ventilation holes allow air to flow through the height or thickness of the foam padding. Ventilation holes can be arranged to effectively form the contour of the foam padding; for example, by enabling the foam padding to adapt to the shape of an individual's head and / or support the individual's head. Ventilation holes extending through the central region of the foam padding can be referred to as "central vents." In embodiments where the foam padding also includes ventilation holes adjacent to the outer periphery of the foam padding and thus in the peripheral region of the foam padding, such ventilation holes can be referred to as "peripheral vents."

[0008] The density of vents through the foam liner can vary along the lateral dimensions of the foam liner. For example, the density of vents can increase from the peripheral area to the central area of ​​the foam liner; thus, the density of central vents can exceed that of peripheral vents. As a more specific example, the foam liner may have no peripheral vents; all the vents of the foam liner can extend through the central area of ​​the foam liner. This increase can be abrupt (e.g., it can occur at the boundary between the peripheral area and the central area of ​​the foam liner, etc.) or gradual (e.g., it can include a transition provided by transition vents located between the peripheral area and the central area of ​​the foam liner, and have one transition density or multiple transition densities (e.g., graded transition density, progressive transition density, etc.)). The density of vents in a portion of the foam liner can correspond to the softness or deformability of that portion of the foam liner; in other words, the density of vents in a portion of the foam liner can be inversely proportional to the stiffness (measured as indentation load deflection (ILD)) of that portion of the foam liner. As an alternative to varying densities of vents in different parts of the foam pad, the vents can be evenly distributed across the lateral dimensions of the foam pad (e.g., width and depth); thus, it can be said that such a foam pad has vents of uniform density across its lateral dimensions.

[0009] An optional cushioning mesh located above the top surface of the foam padding can enhance the support the pillow provides to an individual's head. The cushioning mesh includes interconnected walls defining an array of voids. The interconnected walls of the cushioning mesh can be formed of any suitable compressible elastic material. Non-limitingly, the interconnected walls of the cushioning mesh can be formed of an elastomeric gel; such a cushioning mesh may be referred to as a "gel mesh." Elastomeric gels can include composite gels, such as plasticizer-extended block copolymers (e.g., ABA triblock copolymers, etc.), thermoplastic gels, silicone gels, polyurethane gels, etc.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least some of the interconnecting walls of the buffer grid may have a height and thickness that allow the at least some interconnecting walls to buckle under compressive loads. Thus, a set of interconnecting walls defining the void may include buckled columns or “buckled columns”.

[0011] The buffer mesh can have a substantially uniform height or thickness. Alternatively, the height or thickness of the buffer mesh can vary from one region of the buffer mesh to another. For example, the height or thickness of the buffer mesh can increase from the peripheral region toward the central region of the buffer mesh.

[0012] The buffer mesh can be positioned above a portion of the top surface of the foam liner or above the entire top surface of the foam liner. The buffer mesh can be positioned to minimize flow obstruction to the passage of air through the vents in the foam liner (e.g., the buffer mesh can be oriented to minimize the number of walls extending at least partially above the top of the vents through the foam liner, the buffer mesh can be oriented such that no walls extend at least partially above the top of the vents through the foam liner, etc.).

[0013] In some embodiments, the cushioning mesh may be fixed at an appropriate location on the top surface of the foam padding. For example, the bottom surface of the cushioning mesh may be fixed to a scrim fabric, which may be part of the cover of the foam padding; in such embodiments, the cushioning mesh is not fixed to the top surface of the foam padding. Alternatively, the cushioning mesh may be fixed to the top surface of the foam padding. For example, the cushioning mesh may be formed on the top surface of the foam padding, wherein some elastomeric gel defining the cushioning mesh is impregnated in pores in the top surface of the foam padding; in such embodiments, the cushioning mesh is directly fixed to the top surface of the foam padding. As another example, the cushioning mesh may be formed separately from the foam padding and then directly adhered to the top surface of the foam padding (e.g., directly adhered between the bottom surface of the cushioning mesh and the top surface of the foam padding using an adhesive, etc.) or indirectly adhered to the top surface of the foam padding (e.g., using an adhesive to fix the scrim fabric on which the cushioning mesh is formed to the top surface of the foam padding, etc.).

[0014] Each optional removable thickening pad of the cushion is manufactured to be positioned below the bottom surface of the foam backing. Therefore, the removable thickening pad may have substantially the same lateral dimensions (e.g., width and depth) as the foam backing. When placed below the bottom surface of the foam backing, the removable thickening pad can increase the height or thickness of the cushion by a predetermined amount. Conversely, when the thickening pad is removed from below the bottom surface of the foam backing, the height or thickness of the cushion can decrease. Non-limitingly, each optional removable thickening pad can increase (or decrease) the thickness of the cushion by approximately half an inch (approximately 1 cm), approximately three-quarters of an inch (approximately 2 cm), approximately one inch (approximately 3 cm), or more. One or more removable thickening pads can be stacked with the foam backing to provide a cushion with a desired height or thickness.

[0015] The thickening pad can be made of any suitable material. For example, the thickening pad may include foam (e.g., polyurethane foam, etc.). In some embodiments, the thickening pad may be provided with at least one surface (e.g., a top surface, etc.) that allows it to easily slide into and / or slide out of a position below the bottom surface of the foam pad. Such a surface may include a coating with a coefficient of friction less than the coefficient of friction of the material forming the thickening pad and the coefficient of friction of the bottom surface of the foam pad. The coating may include a cover for the thickening pad or a layer of material attached to the surface of the thickening pad. Non-limitingly, the coating may include a smooth fabric, etc.

[0016] The thickening pad may include ventilation holes extending through the height or thickness of the thickening pad. When the thickening pad is located below and aligned with the bottom surface of the foam liner, the ventilation holes of the thickening pad may be aligned with corresponding ventilation holes extending through the foam liner. This arrangement can facilitate airflow through a cushion comprising one or more thickening pads to increase the height or thickness of the cushion.

[0017] Optional covers may include internal components of the cushion, such as foam padding, optional cushioning mesh, and one or more optional thickening pads. The cover may have a configuration that mates with the shape of the internal components of the cushion, regardless of whether any thickening pads are already positioned below the bottom surface of the cushion's foam padding. In some embodiments, the cover may be formed of a stretchable fabric. The cover may include openings to allow one or more thickening pads to be inserted into and / or removed from therefrom. Such openings may extend across the width of the cushion.

[0018] The features of a pillow can make certain areas of the pillow suitable for back or side sleeping. For example, concentrating the ventilation holes in the center of the foam padding (e.g., the central area, etc.) or towards the center of the foam padding (e.g., the central area, etc.) can soften the center of the pillow (i.e., reduce its ILD), which can cause the pillow to collapse and support the back of the head of a back-sleeping individual (e.g., receive the back of the individual's head, keep the individual's head in place, etc.), while the sides of the foam padding (e.g., the peripheral area, etc.) may be firmer due to the lower concentration of ventilation holes (i.e., have a higher ILD), which can allow the sides of the pillow to maintain their height while supporting the sides of the head of a side-sleeping individual.

[0019] The optional cushioning grid of the pillow may include a flexural column at its center (e.g., the central area, etc.) that collapses when it receives the protruding posterior portion of a supine individual's head to support the individual's head (e.g., holding the individual's head in place, etc.). The sides of the cushioning grid (e.g., the peripheral area, etc.) are less likely to collapse beneath the flatter side of a side-sleeping individual's head, thus holding the side of the side-sleeping individual's head at a higher height than the center of the cushioning grid would hold the posterior portion of the individual's head. For example, the sides of the cushioning grid may be thinner and therefore without a flexural column. As another example, the sides of the cushioning grid may include a flexural column that resists flexing beneath the flatter side of the individual's head, thereby supporting the side of the individual's head at a higher height.

[0020] According to this disclosure, the methods for designing, manufacturing, and using pillows should be obvious.

[0021] Other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as the features and advantages of each aspect of the disclosed subject matter, should become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. Brief description of the attached diagram In the attached diagram: Figure 1 This is an exploded orthographic view of the internal components of the cushion, which include a foam liner with ventilation holes extending through the height or thickness of the foam liner, an optional cushioning grid on the top surface of the foam liner, and one or more optional thickening pads (two shown) below the bottom surface of the foam liner. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded front view of the pillow; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of an embodiment of the foam padding of the pillow shown; Figure 4A yes Figure 1A cross-sectional view of the foam padding and optional cushioning mesh of the cushion shows one embodiment in which the top and bottom surfaces of the foam padding are substantially flat and substantially parallel to each other to give the foam padding a substantially uniform thickness, wherein the illustrated embodiment of the optional cushioning mesh on the top surface of the foam padding has a wavy top surface to give the cushioning mesh a center that is thicker than its outer periphery; ventilation holes extend through the central region of the foam padding. Figure 4B yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the foam padding and optional cushioning mesh of the cushion shows one embodiment in which the top surface of the foam padding is wavy and the bottom surface of the foam padding is substantially flat to give the foam padding a thicker center than its outer periphery, wherein the optional cushioning mesh shown in the embodiment on the top surface of the foam padding has a substantially uniform thickness; ventilation holes extend through the central region of the foam padding. Figure 4C It is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a foam liner, wherein vents extend through a central region and a peripheral region of the foam liner, and the central vent extending through the central region of the foam liner is set with a different density than the peripheral vents extending through at least one peripheral region of the foam liner. Figure 5 This is an orthographic view of an embodiment of a cushioning mesh with a skirt that holds the cushioning mesh in place above the foam padding; Figure 6A yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of an optional thickening pad for a pillow, wherein ventilation holes that can be aligned with ventilation holes through the foam pad extend through the height or thickness of the thickening pad. Figure 6B yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the optional thickened padding for the pillow, wherein the thickened padding has no ventilation holes; Figure 7 This shows the assembly with optional thickening pads and covers. Figure 1 An orthographic view of an embodiment of the cushion, wherein the cover is partially cut off to show its relationship to the internal elements of the cushion; Figure 8A It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of the support effect of a pillow on the head of a supine individual; and Figure 8B It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of a method of supporting the head of an individual sleeping on their side with a pillow.

[0023] Detailed description refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The illustration depicts an embodiment of the internal components of a cushion 10. The internal components of the cushion 10 may include: a foam padding 20 having ventilation holes 35 extending through the height or thickness of the foam padding 20. Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B ); an optional cushioning grid 40 on top of the foam pad 20; and one or more reinforcing pads 60 below the foam pad 20 (two are shown).

[0024] The foam pad 20 can be formed from any foam that can be used as at least a portion of a pillow. This foam imparts a desired stiffness to the foam pad 20 and the pillow 10 (of which the foam pad 20 is a part), which is measured as indentation load deflection (ILD). For example, a soft, fluffy foam pad 20 can have a stiffness of 16.5 ILD to 22.5 ILD. A soft foam pad 20 can have a stiffness of 22.5 ILD to 26.5 ILD. A medium-stiff foam pad 20 can have a stiffness of 26.5 ILD to 30.5 ILD. A rigid foam pad 20 can have a stiffness of 30.5 ILD to 34.5 ILD. An ultra-rigid foam pad 20 can have a stiffness of 34.5 ILD to 38.5 ILD. Examples of suitable foams for the foam pad 20 include slow rebound foam (i.e., so-called "memory foam"), latex foam, polyurethane foam, etc. Examples of slow rebound foams are slow rebound microporous polyurethane foams. Examples of latex foams include Talalay latex foam, Dunlop latex foam, and other latex foams. Such foam blocks can be used to form foam pads 20.

[0025] For further reference Figure 3 and Figure 4A The foam padding 20 includes a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 26. An outer periphery 30 of the foam padding extends between the outer edge 23 of the top surface 22 and the outer edge 27 of the bottom surface 26. A peripheral region 24 of the top surface 22 is located near the outer edge 23. A peripheral region 28 of the bottom surface 26 is located near the outer edge 27. Therefore, a peripheral region 32 of the foam padding 20 is located near the outer periphery 30. The peripheral regions 24 of the top surface 22 and 28 of the bottom surface 26 surround a central region 25 of the top surface 22 and a central region 29 of the bottom surface 26, respectively. Therefore, a central region 34 of the foam padding 20 is located between the central region 25 of the top surface 22 and the central region 29 of the bottom surface 26.

[0026] The bottom surface 26 of the foam pad 20 may include the base of the foam pad 20, which can support the foam pad 20 on a substantially horizontal surface, such as an optional thickening pad 60, a mattress (not shown), etc. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 26 may be substantially flat.

[0027] refer to Figure 4A The cushion 10 may include a foam padding 20 having a substantially flat top surface 22. In embodiments where the foam padding 20 includes a substantially flat top surface 22 and a bottom surface 26, the top surface 22 and the bottom surface 26 may be oriented substantially parallel to each other. Such foam padding 20 (including a peripheral region 32 and a central region 34 of foam padding 20) may have a substantially uniform height or thickness throughout the entire lateral direction (e.g., width and depth).

[0028] Alternatively, such as Figure 4B As shown, the top surface 22' of the foam pad 20' can be profiled in such a way that the height or thickness of the foam pad 20 gradually increases from the peripheral region 32' of the foam pad 20 toward the central region 34' of the foam pad 20, or that the height or thickness of the foam pad 20 gradually increases from the peripheral region 32' of the foam pad 20 to the central region 34' of the foam pad 20.

[0029] Now for reference Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B Ventilation holes 35, 35' extend through the height or thickness of foam padding 20, 20'. Each ventilation hole 35, 35' may be elongated and follow a substantially linear path or linear path through the height or thickness of foam padding 20, 20'. Each ventilation hole 35, 35' includes a top end 36, 36' and a bottom end 37, 37' opposite to the top end 36, 36'. The top end 36, 36' may open to the top surface 22, 22' of foam padding 20, 20'. The bottom end 37, 37' may open to the bottom surface 26, 26' of foam padding 20, 20'. In some embodiments, each ventilation hole 35, 35' may be oriented substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to, or normal to or orthogonal to, the bottom surface 26, 26' of foam padding 20, 20'. Of course, foam liners that include at least some vents having other shapes (e.g., curved, bent, etc.) and / or orientations (e.g., orientations that are not substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the foam liner, etc.) are also within the scope of this disclosure.

[0030] like Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, ventilation holes 35, 35' may extend through the central region 34, 34' of the foam pads 20, 20'. Such ventilation holes 35, 35' may be referred to as "central ventilation holes". In some embodiments, the ventilation holes 35, 35' extending through the foam pads 20, 20' may be confined to the central region 34, 34' of the foam pads 20, 20'; therefore, the ventilation holes 35, 35' of the foam pads 20, 20' may consist of central ventilation holes 35, 35'.

[0031] Now go to Figure 4C In other embodiments, the foam pad 20'' may include a vent 35c'' extending through a central region 34'' of the foam pad 20'', and a vent 35p'' extending through one or more peripheral regions 32'' of the foam pad 20'' or adjacent to the outer periphery 30'' of the foam pad 20''. The vent 35p'' extending through one or more peripheral regions 32'' of the foam pad 20'' may be referred to as a "peripheral vent".

[0032] The density of the vents 35p'' and 35c'' through the foam pad 20'' can vary along the lateral dimensions of the foam pad 20''. For example, the density of the vents 35p'' and 35c'' can increase from the peripheral region 32'' to the central region 34'' of the foam pad 20'', where the density of the central vent 35c'' exceeds that of the peripheral vents 35p''. This increase in density may be abrupt. For example, the increase may occur at the boundary between the peripheral region 32'' and the central region 34'' of the foam pad 20''. Alternatively, this increase in density may be gradual. For example, a transition vent 35t'' can provide a transition between the peripheral vents 35p'' and the central vent 35c''. The transition vent 35t'' may have one or more transition densities (e.g., graded transition density, progressive transition density, etc.) to provide a transition from the density of the peripheral vent 35p'' to the density of the central vent 35c''.

[0033] The density of the vents 35, 35', 35p'', 35t'', and 35c'' in a portion of the foam pads 20, 20', and 20'' can correspond to the softness or deformability of that portion of the foam pads 20, 20', and 20''. In other words, the density of the vents 35, 35', 35p'', 35t'', and 35c'' in a portion of the foam pads 20, 20', and 20'' can be inversely proportional to the indentation load deflection (ILD) of that portion of the foam pads 20, 20', and 20''.

[0034] Return to reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The optional cushioning mesh 40 can enhance the support that the pillow 10 provides to an individual's head. The optional cushioning mesh 40 can also enhance the cooling effect provided by the pillow 10.

[0035] The cushioning mesh 40 can be positioned above the top surface 22 of the foam padding 20. The cushioning mesh 40 can be positioned above a portion of the top surface 22 of the foam padding 20, or, as shown, positioned over the entire top surface 22 of the foam padding 20.

[0036] The buffer mesh 40 includes interconnecting walls 50 defining an array of voids 51. The interconnecting walls 50 and voids 51 can be positioned to allow air to pass through ventilation holes 35 in the foam liner 20. Figure 4A To minimize flow obstruction, the buffer mesh 40 may be positioned above the foam liner 20 such that a majority (e.g., greater than 50%, at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 90%, 100%, etc.) of the vents 35 in the foam liner 20 is aligned with the gaps 51 of the buffer mesh 40. The buffer mesh 40 may be positioned to minimize the number of walls extending at least partially above the top of the vents through the foam liner, and the buffer mesh may be oriented such that no walls extend at least partially above the top of the vents through the foam liner, etc.

[0037] The interconnecting walls 50 of the cushioning mesh 40 can be formed of any suitable compressible elastic material. Without limitation, the interconnecting walls 50 of the cushioning mesh 40 can be formed of an elastomeric gel; such a cushioning mesh may be referred to as a "gel mesh." Elastomeric gels can include composite gels, such as plasticizer-extended block copolymers (e.g., ABA triblock copolymers, etc.), thermoplastic gels, silicone gels, polyurethane gels, etc. Some examples of plasticizer-extended block copolymer gels are found in U.S. Patents 6,413,458, 6,797,765, and 7,964,664, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The material forming the cushioning mesh 40 can provide a cooling effect; for example, the thermal conductivity of the material forming the cushioning mesh allows the cushioning mesh to transfer heat away from the head or other parts of the body of the person using the pillow 10.

[0038] At least some of the interconnecting walls 50 of the buffer grid 40 may have a height and thickness that allow the at least some interconnecting walls to buckle under compressive load. Therefore, a set of interconnecting walls 50 defining the void 51 may include buckled columns 50c or "buckled columns".

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the buffer mesh 40 can be fixed at an appropriate position above the top surface 22 of the foam pad 20.

[0040] In some embodiments, for example Figure 5 As shown, the cushioning mesh 40 can be secured in place on the top surface 22 of the foam padding 20 via a skirt 47. The skirt 47 can extend from the bottom surface 46 of the cushioning mesh 40. The skirt 47 may include an upper panel 48 and an optional lower panel 49. The upper panel 48 may include fabric. The fabric may be stretchable. Non-limitingly, the fabric may include cotton (e.g., pure cotton, stretchable cotton blends, etc.). The cushioning mesh 40 may be positioned above and secured to the central portion 48c of the upper panel 48. For example, the fabric of the upper panel 48 may include a lining fabric on which the cushioning mesh 40 has been formed; in such embodiments, the material of the cushioning mesh 40 may be impregnated in portions of the fabric to mechanically secure the upper panel 48 of the skirt 47 to the bottom surface 46 of the cushioning mesh 40. As another example, the fabric of the upper panel 48 can be fixed to the bottom surface 46 of the buffer mesh 40 after the buffer mesh 40 has been formed, for example by softening or at least partially melting the material at the bottom surface 46 of the buffer mesh 40 to allow the material to permeate the fabric, by using an adhesive to fix the bottom surface 46 to the fabric, or by fixing the bottom surface 46 to the fabric in any other suitable manner.

[0041] The peripheral portion 48p of the upper panel 48 of the skirt 47 may extend laterally beyond the outer periphery 41 of the cushioning mesh 40. In some embodiments, the distance by which each peripheral portion 48p extends beyond the corresponding outer peripheral edge 41p of the cushioning mesh 40 may be substantially the same as the height or thickness of the corresponding edge 31 of the outer periphery 30 of the foam padding 20, which will be positioned above the outer periphery 30 of the foam padding 20. Each peripheral portion 48p may include opposing ends 48s. When the peripheral portions 48p are oriented to extend substantially vertically away from the bottom surface 46 of the cushioning mesh 40, adjacent ends 48s of adjacent peripheral portions 48p may be secured to each other (e.g., sewn together, etc.) to define the periphery 47p of the skirt 47. The skirt 47 is sized to receive the foam padding 20 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 ), of which the peripheral portion 48p is at the edge 31 of the foam padding 20 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 It provides a waterfall effect.

[0042] An optional bottom panel 49 of the skirt 47 can be configured to be positioned below the bottom surface 26 of the foam padding 20. The edge 49e of the optional bottom panel 49, which may include any suitable fabric, can be secured to the corresponding edge 48e of the top panel 48 using suitable fasteners 47c (e.g., a combination of stitching and fasteners (e.g., zippers, contact fasteners, etc.)) to allow the skirt 47 to accommodate the foam padding 20.

[0043] As an alternative to the skirt 47, a cushioning mesh 40 may be formed on the top surface 22 of the foam padding 20, wherein some material of the cushioning mesh 40 permeates the pores in the top surface 22 of the foam padding 20. In such an embodiment, the cushioning mesh 40 is directly attached to the top surface 22 of the foam padding 20.

[0044] As an alternative to skirt 47, cushioning mesh 40 may be formed separately from foam padding 20 and then directly adhered to the top surface 22 of foam padding 20 (e.g., directly adhered between the bottom surface 46 of cushioning mesh 40 and the top surface 22 of foam padding 20 using an adhesive) or indirectly adhered to the top surface 22 of foam padding 20 (e.g., securing the lining fabric on which cushioning mesh 40 is formed to the top surface 22 of foam padding 20 using an adhesive).

[0045] like Figure 4A As shown, the height or thickness of the buffer mesh 40 can vary from one region of the buffer mesh 40 to another. For example, the height or thickness of the buffer mesh 40 can increase from the peripheral region 52 of the buffer mesh 40 toward the central region 54 of the buffer mesh 40. Such a buffer mesh 40 may include a substantially flat or flat bottom surface 46, wherein the thickness variation on the buffer mesh 40 gives its top surface 42 a profile, and thus gives the top surface profile of the cushion 10. Embodiments of the buffer mesh 40 having a wavy bottom surface 46 and wavy top surface 42 and bottom surface 46 are also contemplated.

[0046] Alternatively, such as Figure 4B As shown, the buffer mesh 40' may have a substantially uniform height or thickness, or a uniform height or thickness. Therefore, the height or thickness of the buffer mesh 40' may be substantially the same or identical in its peripheral region 52' and its central region 54'. Since the height or thickness of the buffer mesh 40' is substantially uniform or identical, any contour of the top surface of the cushion 10', to which the buffer mesh 40' is part, may be generated by the contour of the top surface 22' of the foam padding 20' where the buffer mesh 40' is located.

[0047] Refer again Figure 1 and Figure 2Each optional removable thickening pad 60 of the cushion 10 is configured to be positioned below the bottom surface 26 of the foam padding 20. Therefore, the removable thickening pad 60 may have substantially the same lateral dimensions (e.g., width and depth) as the foam padding 20. When placed below the bottom surface 26 of the foam padding 20, the removable thickening pad 60 may increase the height or thickness of the cushion 10 by a predetermined amount. Conversely, when the thickening pad 60 is removed from below the bottom surface 26 of the foam padding 20, the height or thickness of the cushion 10 may decrease. Non-limitingly, each optional removable thickening pad 60 may increase (or decrease) the thickness of the cushion 10 by approximately half an inch (approximately 1 cm), approximately three-quarters of an inch (approximately 2 cm), approximately one inch (approximately 3 cm), or more. One or more removable thickening pads 60 may be stacked with the foam padding 20 to provide a cushion 10 with a desired height or thickness.

[0048] Each thickening pad 60 can be made of any suitable material. For example, the thickening pad 60 may include foam (e.g., polyurethane foam, etc.). In some embodiments, the top surface 62 and / or bottom surface 66 of the thickening pad 60 may be configured to allow it to slide easily into and / or out of the position below the bottom surface 26 of the foam pad 20. This configuration may include a coating 64 having a coefficient of friction less than the coefficient of friction of the material forming the thickening pad 60 and the coefficient of friction of the bottom surface 26 of the foam pad 20. The coating 64 may include a cover for the thickening pad 60 or a layer of material attached to the top surface 62 / bottom surface 66 of the thickening pad 60. Non-limitingly, the coating 64 may include a plastic layer, a smooth fabric, the like.

[0049] like Figure 6A As shown, the thickening pad 60' may include ventilation holes 70' extending through the height or thickness of the thickening pad 60'. When the thickening pad 60' is located below and aligned with the bottom surface 26 of the foam liner 20, the ventilation holes 70' of the thickening pad 60' may be aligned with corresponding ventilation holes 35 extending through the foam liner 20. This arrangement can facilitate airflow through a cushion including one or more thickening pads 60' to increase the height or thickness of the cushion. Alternatively, as Figure 6B As shown, the thickened pad 60 may not have ventilation holes.

[0050] Now go to Figure 7 Figure 6 depicts an embodiment of a cushion 10''', which includes a cover 80 that holds the internal elements of the cushion 10''' in an assembled relationship. The internal elements of the cushion 10''' include a foam padding 20 and optionally a cushioning mesh 40 on top of the foam padding 20 and one or more thickening pads 60 below the foam padding 20. Figure 6 shows the cover 80 partially cut away from the internal elements of the cushion 10''' to illustrate the relationship between the cover 80 and the internal elements of the cushion 10'''.

[0051] The cover 80 may include an opening 82 to allow one or more padding pads 80 to be inserted into and / or removed from the cover 80. Such an opening may extend across the width of the padding pad 10'''. The cover 80 may additionally include fasteners 84 associated with the opening 82 (e.g., zippers, contact fasteners (e.g., Velcro fasteners, etc.), buttons, and buttonholes, etc.).

[0052] The cover 80 can conform to the shape of the internal components of the cushion 10'''. The cover 80 can even conform to the shape of the internal components of the cushion 10''', regardless of whether the cushion 10'' includes a cushioning mesh 40 or whether any thickening pad 60 is positioned below the bottom surface 26 of the foam padding 20. The cover 80 can be formed of an elastically stretchable fabric. The stretchability of the fabric of the cover 80 allows it to protect the internal components of the cushion 10'''' without interfering with or substantially without interfering with the cushioning characteristics of the cushion (e.g., deformability, elasticity, ILD, or stiffness).

[0053] refer to Figure 8A and Figure 8B The features of the pillow 10 disclosed herein enable the pillow 10 to receive and support the head H of a supine sleeping individual, thereby holding the head H of the supine sleeping individual at a first height E1. Figure 8A At the same time, the head H of the side-sleeping individual is supported at a higher second height E2. Figure 8B ).

[0054] like Figure 8A As shown, concentrating the ventilation holes 35 in or towards the central region 34 of the foam padding 20 can soften the center of the pillow 10 (i.e., reduce its ILD), which allows the pillow 10 to collapse and support the back of the head H of a supine individual at a first height E1 (e.g., receiving the back of the head H, holding the head H in place, etc.). The central region 54 or center of the optional cushioning mesh 40 of the pillow 10 may include a flexural post 50c, which collapses when the flexural post 50c receives the protruding back of the head of a supine individual to support the head H of the supine individual at the first height E1 (e.g., holding the head H in place, etc.).

[0055] like Figure 8BAs shown, due to the lower concentration of the vents 35, the peripheral region 32 or sides of the foam padding 20 can be firmer than the central region 34 (i.e., with a higher ILD), which allows the sides of the cushion 10 to maintain their height (i.e., at the second height E2, etc.) while supporting the flatter side of the head H of the side-sleeping individual. The peripheral region 52 or sides of the optional cushioning mesh 40 may be less prone to collapse under the flatter side of the head H of the side-sleeping individual, thereby holding the side of the head H at a higher height (i.e., the second height E2) than the height that the central region 54 of the cushioning mesh 40 would hold the back of the head H of the individual. For example, the peripheral region 52 of the cushioning mesh 40 can be thinner and therefore without buckling pillars. As another example, the peripheral region 52 of the cushioning mesh 40 may include buckling pillars 50c that resist buckling under the flatter side of the head H of the individual, thereby supporting the side of the head H of the individual at a higher second height E2.

[0056] While this disclosure provides numerous details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the appended claims, but rather as illustrations of some embodiments of the elements and features of the disclosed subject matter. Other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and its elements and features may be designed without departing from the spirit or scope of any claim. Features from different embodiments may be combined. Therefore, the scope of each claim is limited only by its concise language and its legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A cushion, comprising: A foam padding, the foam padding comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer perimeter; and Multiple ventilation holes extend directly through the foam liner to the top and bottom surfaces, including a central ventilation hole that passes through the central region of the foam liner, and the central density of the central ventilation hole exceeds the peripheral density of the peripheral ventilation holes that pass through the peripheral region of the foam liner.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein, The foam padding includes slow rebound foam.

3. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of ventilation holes includes a transition ventilation hole between the central ventilation hole and the peripheral ventilation holes.

4. The pillow according to claim 3, wherein, The transition vent has a transition density between the central density and the peripheral density.

5. The pillow according to claim 4, wherein, The transition vents are arranged to provide a graded transition between the central density of the central vents and the peripheral density of the peripheral vents.

6. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising: The buffer mesh is located above the top surface of the foam liner.

7. The pillow according to claim 6, wherein, The buffer mesh is positioned over the entire top surface of the foam liner.

8. The pillow according to claim 6, further comprising: The lining fabric beneath the buffer mesh, the material of which is impregnated.

9. The pillow according to claim 8, wherein, A portion of the lining fabric extends beyond the outer periphery of the cushioning mesh to provide a waterfall section extending over the outer periphery of the foam pad.

10. The pillow according to claim 9, further comprising: A base lining is located below the bottom surface of the foam pad, the outer edge of which is fixed to the outer edge of the lining fabric to secure the cushioning mesh in place above the foam pad.

11. The pillow according to claim 6, wherein, The buffer mesh is fixed to the top surface of the foam pad.

12. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising: A cover that opens along the length of the cushion can be positioned above the foam padding.

13. The pillow according to claim 12, further comprising: At least one removable thickening pad, the at least one removable thickening pad being able to be positioned below the bottom surface of the foam liner.

14. The pillow according to claim 13, wherein, The cover is stretchable.

15. A pillow, comprising: A foam padding, the foam padding comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and an outer perimeter; Multiple ventilation holes extend directly through the foam pad to the top and bottom surfaces, including a central ventilation hole through the central region of the foam pad, and the central density of the central ventilation hole exceeds the peripheral density of the peripheral ventilation holes through the peripheral region of the foam pad. A cover that opens along the length of the cushion and is positioned above the foam padding; and At least one removable thickening pad, the at least one removable thickening pad being able to be positioned below the bottom surface of the foam liner.

16. The pillow according to claim 15, wherein, The foam padding includes slow rebound foam.

17. The pillow according to claim 15, further comprising: The buffer mesh above the top surface of the foam liner.

18. The pillow according to claim 17, wherein, The buffer grid includes a central part and an outer perimeter, wherein the central part is thicker than the outer perimeter.

19. The pillow according to claim 15, wherein, The top surface of the foam pad has a wavy shape.

20. The pillow according to claim 19, wherein, The bottom surface of the foam pad is substantially flat.

21. The pillow according to claim 20, wherein, The center of the foam pad is thicker than the outer periphery of the foam pad.

22. The pillow according to claim 15, wherein, The cover opens along the length of the cushion to facilitate the introduction and removal of the at least one removable thickening pad from the cushion.

23. The pillow according to claim 15, wherein, The at least one thickening pad is covered with fabric that facilitates the introduction of the at least one removable thickening pad into the cover below the bottom surface of the foam pad, and facilitates the removal of the at least one removable thickening pad from below the bottom surface of the foam pad and from the cover.

24. The pillow according to claim 15, wherein, The cover is stretchable so that it can fit into the shape of the foam liner and any removable thickening pad located below the bottom surface of the foam liner.

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