Pillows and pillow core units

Abstract

To provide a pillow having a new structure with improved comfort. [Solution] The pillow 1 comprises a core unit 12 which stands in the height direction of the pillow body 2 and includes a plurality of cylindrical members 18 arranged in a lattice pattern with their top surfaces 23 aligned along the pillow surface 3 of the pillow body 2, and the cylindrical members 18 are composed of a three-dimensional mesh structure which is elastic as a whole.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow and a core unit for the pillow. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, pillows with various structures have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pillow (pillow core material) with the following structure. That is, the surface of the pillow core material 2 is gradually inclined upward from the pillow head part 4 to the pillow neck part 5, and a single hump part 9 that rises in a mountain shape is formed on the opposite side of the bent part 6. A hollow part 10 is formed between the hump part 9 and the bent part 6, and a plurality of horizontal semi-cylindrical convex parts 7 are protruded over almost the entire surface of the pillow core material 2, and horizontal groove-shaped concave parts 8 are provided between these convex parts 7. Patent Document 1 makes it possible to provide a pillow with excellent comfort. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3181090 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As Patent Document 1 shows, in the field of pillows, there is a constant demand for pillows that are more comfortable for users, and in order to meet this demand, efforts are being made to provide pillows with new structures that improve comfort.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to provide a pillow with a new structure that improves comfort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a core unit is provided that includes a plurality of columnar members that stand in the height direction of the pillow body and are arranged in a lattice shape with their top surfaces aligned with the surface of the pillow body, and the columnar members are: A large number of crimped filamentous fibers made of a thermoplastic resin are entangled, and the contact portions of the filamentous fibers are welded together to form a columnar three-dimensional shape. Overall, it has elasticity. The three-dimensional shape is maintained independently of other materials. It is composed of a three-dimensional network structure, Each of the columnar members stands independently in the height direction within the pillow body. A pillow characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention configured as described above, the core unit of the pillow is configured by arranging the columnar members in a lattice pattern, and the columnar members are configured as a three-dimensional network structure having elasticity as a whole. Therefore, when the user places his / her head on the pillow, the columnar members independent of each other elastically deform so that the top surface of each columnar member faces the head and rebounds in response to the state of the external force applied to each columnar member, thereby supporting the head. Therefore, the pressure (body pressure) caused by the head is appropriately distributed to the top surfaces of the multiple columnar members, and the head is gently wrapped and stably supported by the multiple top surfaces, improving the comfort of the user. Furthermore, when the user moves his / her head on the pillow, the individual columnar members elastically deform so that the top surface of each columnar member faces the head in response to the external force accompanying the movement and rebound in response to the movement, thereby supporting the head. As a result, the head is supported by the top surfaces of the multiple columnar members during and after the movement of the head, supporting the movement of turning over, thereby improving the comfort of the user. In other words, according to the present invention, a pillow with a new structure with improved comfort can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] (A) is a plan view of the pillow, (B) is a bottom view, and (C) is a left side view. [Diagram 2] 1A is a plan view of the internal unit, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a left side view of the internal unit and the cushion unit housed in the pillowcase. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a front view of the core unit, and FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] 11A to 11C are diagrams used to explain a manufacturing method of the support unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a core unit according to a modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a core unit according to a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a front view of a core unit according to a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cylindrical member cover according to a modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an arrangement state of columnar members. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (A) of FIG. 1 is a plan view of the pillow body 2 of the pillow 1 according to this embodiment. The plan view is a view of the pillow body 2 placed on a placement surface in a normal use mode, viewed from a position facing the placement surface toward the placement surface. (B) of FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the pillow body 2. As shown in (A) of FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the direction facing upward when the pillow body 2 is viewed in a plan view is defined as "body upward", the direction facing downward is defined as "body downward", and the direction including the body upward and pillow downward is defined as the "depth direction". In addition, the direction facing right when the pillow body 2 is viewed in a plan view is defined as "body right", the direction facing left is defined as "body left", and the direction including the body right and body left is defined as the "width direction". (B) of FIG. 1 is a view of the pillow 1 viewed from the bottom, so the body upward and body downward are reversed from (A) of FIG. 1. FIG. 1C is a left side view of the pillow 1 (a view of the pillow 1 from the left side of the pillow 1 to the right side of the pillow 1). As shown in FIG. 1C, when the pillow 1 is viewed from the left side, the upward direction is defined as "front of the body", the downward direction is defined as "rear of the body", and the direction including the forward and rear of the body is defined as the "height direction". In each drawing, the upward, downward, right, left, forward, and rear directions of the body are simply expressed as up, down, right, left, front, and rear. In each drawing, the width direction, depth direction, and height direction are simply expressed as width, depth, and height. In the following description, the width direction of each member is simply referred to as "width", the depth direction is simply referred to as "depth", and the height direction is simply referred to as "height".

[0010] The pillow 1 is a bedding / cushion that is intended to be placed on a futon, mattress, or other object and used by placing the user's head on it while sleeping. As shown in FIG. 1(A), the pillow surface 3 on which the head is placed is formed on the front side of the pillow body 2. In the normal use of the pillow 1, the user's neck is located on the outer edge 3a of the pillow surface 3 on the downward side of the body. Also, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the pillow back surface 4 that faces the placement surface during normal use is formed on the rear side of the pillow body 2. The width of the pillow body 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 is about 62 cm, the depth is about 40 to 42 cm, and the height is about 7.5 to 9.5 cm.

[0011] The pillow body 2 is configured to include a pillow cover 5. In this embodiment, the pillow cover 5 is configured integrally with the cushion unit 8 (described later), and the surface of the pillow cover 5 corresponding to the pillow surface 3 constitutes the cushion sheet 13 of the cushion unit 8. The pillow cover 5 is generally made of a fabric having breathability and elasticity, while the area of ​​the pillow cover 5 corresponding to the pillow surface 3 is made of a material with high cushioning properties. This improves the comfort of the user. However, the material of the fabric of the pillow cover 5 can be appropriately selected in consideration of breathability, elasticity, cushioning properties, touch, texture, and other factors. Of course, different types of pillow covers 5 may be used depending on the user.

[0012] As shown in (A) and (B) of FIG. 1, the outer edge 3a of the pillow surface 3 facing downward is arched so that the center in the width direction is located furthest toward the upper side of the body, and the outer edge is displaced downward from the center toward the outside (toward the right and left of the body). This configuration makes it difficult for the head to fall off the pillow body 2 even when the user turns over in his / her sleep. Also, as shown in (C) of FIG. 1, the ends of the pillow back surface 4 facing downward and upward are raised above the resting surface of the pillow body 2, and gaps SP1 and SP2 are formed between the pillow back surface 4 and the resting surface. This configuration makes it easy to insert the shoulder or hand between the pillow back surface 4 and the resting surface.

[0013] The pillow body 2 is formed by housing an internal unit 7 (Fig. 2) and a cushion unit 8 (Fig. 3) in a pillow cover 5. An opening for housing the internal unit 7 and the cushion unit 8 is formed in the pillow back surface 4 of the pillow body 2, and a fastener 9 for opening and closing the opening is provided.

[0014] 2A is a plan view of the internal unit 7, and (B) is a perspective view. The internal unit 7 will be described in detail later, but is composed of a core unit cover 11, a core unit 12 having a considerable thickness that is housed in the core unit cover 11, and ears 10 provided on both the upper side and the lower side of the core unit cover 11.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the cushion unit 8. Since FIG. 3 is a bottom view, it shows the cushion unit 8 as seen from the rear side of the main body toward the front side of the main body, and the upward direction in the figure is the "main body downward direction", and the downward direction in the figure is the "main body upward direction". The cushion unit 8 will be described in detail later, but it is composed of a sheet-like cushion sheet 13, a thick lower pipe housing part 14 provided to extend in the width direction at the end part of the cushion sheet 13 on the downward side of the main body, and a thick upper pipe housing part 15 provided to extend in the width direction at the end part of the cushion sheet 13 on the upward side of the main body. As described above, the cushion sheet 13 constitutes a part of the pillow cover 5, and its surface functions as the pillow surface 3.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the internal unit 7 and the cushion unit 8 when they are housed in the pillowcase 5, viewed from the left side. In FIG. 4, in order to prioritize ease of explanation, each component is greatly simplified, and the dimensions of each component do not match the actual dimensions. The same simplification and dimensional matters apply to FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 12, and 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the internal unit 7 and the cushion unit 8 are housed in the pillowcase 5 in an assembled state. In detail, the internal unit 7 and the cushion unit 8 are assembled in a state in which the part of the internal unit 7 corresponding to the core unit 12 (and the core unit cover 11) is inserted between the lower pipe housing portion 14 and the upper pipe housing portion 15 of the cushion unit 8. In this state, the cushion sheet 13 extends on the main body front side of the core unit 12. Also, the ear portion 10 extends on the main body rear side of the lower pipe housing portion 14 and the upper pipe housing portion 15. That is, when the user's head is placed on the pillow body 2, the cushion sheet 13 is interposed between the core unit 12 and the head.

[0017] The inner unit 7 and the cushion unit 8 will be described in detail below.

[0018] <Explanation of Internal Unit 7> First, the internal unit 7 will be described. As described above, the internal unit 7 comprises a sheet-like ear portion 10, a core unit cover 11 attached to the ear portion 10, and a core unit 12 housed in the core unit cover 11 (see Figs. 2 and 4). The ear portion 10 is a sheet-like member, and the shape and size of its surface correspond to the shape and size of the pillow surface 3. The ear portion 10 is composed of a sheet-like three-dimensional net-like structure and a cover that houses it.

[0019] The three-dimensional network structure is a structure in which a large number of kinked thread-like fibers are entangled and their contact parts (not all contact parts) are welded together to form a three-dimensional shape as a whole. The raw material of the thread-like fibers is a thermoplastic resin, and in this embodiment, in particular, a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer. The polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer can ensure durability in terms of compression and heat resistance. However, the raw material of the thread-like fibers is not limited to that in this embodiment, and can be, for example, a polyolefin-based resin / elastomer (polyethylene-based resin / elastomer, polypropylene-based resin / elastomer, etc.). A mixed resin may be used as the raw material of the thread-like fibers. The thickness of the thread-like fibers is, for example, about 0.8 mm. The thread-like fibers may be solid or hollow.

[0020] Due to the above-mentioned structural and material properties of the three-dimensional network structure, an object made of the three-dimensional network structure has elasticity as a whole. In other words, when an external force (pressure) is applied to the object from any direction, the object elastically deforms and repels the force. The object also has high breathability. In other words, the inside of the three-dimensional network structure is in a state where many crimped thread-like fibers are entangled, forming many gaps, which gives the object high breathability. The above matters regarding the three-dimensional network structure are the same for the base member 17, the cylindrical member 18, and other members made of the three-dimensional network structure, which will be described later.

[0021] For the ear portion 10, the cover that houses the three-dimensional mesh structure is made of a highly breathable mesh fabric. The material of the mesh fabric is a material whose main component is polyester (for example, a material that is 100% polyester). However, the material of the fabric is not limited to the example given, and may be, for example, nylon. The above matters regarding the material of the mesh fabric are the same for the core unit cover 11 and other members made of mesh fabric. Since the ear portion 10 is constructed by housing a sheet-like three-dimensional mesh structure in a mesh fabric cover, it has high breathability and elasticity due to the characteristics of the three-dimensional mesh structure.

[0022] The core unit cover 11 is a case-like member having a space formed therein for accommodating the core unit 12. The core unit cover 11 is made of mesh fabric and has high breathability. The shape of the space inside the core unit 12 corresponds to the shape of the core unit 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the ear portion 10 extends over the entire side of the core unit cover 11 facing upward on the pillow. Similarly, the ear portion 10 extends over the entire side of the core unit cover 11 facing downward on the pillow.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the core unit 12. For convenience of explanation, a cylindrical member 18 (described later) is also drawn in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the core unit 12. FIG. 7(A) is a front view of the core unit 12 (a view of the core unit 12 in FIG. 6 as viewed in the direction of an arrow Y1), and FIG. 7(B) is a left side view of the core unit 12 (a view of the core unit 12 in FIG. 6 as viewed in the direction of an arrow Y2). As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the core unit 12 includes a flat base member 17 and a support unit 19 connected to a surface of the base member 17 facing forward. The connection of the support unit 19 to the base member 17 will be described later.

[0024] The base member 17 is composed of a flat three-dimensional net structure. The width of the base member 17 is approximately the same as the width of the pillow body 2. The length of the base member 17 in the height direction is approximately 2 cm. Since the base member 17 is composed of a three-dimensional net structure, it has elasticity and breathability.

[0025] 5 and 6, the support unit 19 includes cylindrical members 18 (columnar members) arranged in a grid (matrix) shape, eight in the width direction and three in the depth direction, and cylindrical member covers 20 (columnar member covers) that house each of the cylindrical members 18. Hereinafter, a combination of all 24 cylindrical members 18 will be referred to as a cylindrical member unit 21. In addition, below, a portion of the support unit 19 that corresponds to one row of eight consecutive cylindrical members 18 in the width direction will be referred to as a "support unit row portion 22" (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 described below).

[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cylindrical member 18. As shown in FIG. 8, the cylindrical member 18 is a cylindrical member formed of a three-dimensional net structure. The height of the cylindrical member 18 is about 4 cm, and the diameter is about 7 cm. In the cylindrical member unit 21, each of the cylindrical members 18 stands in the height direction with its axial direction coinciding with the height direction. Incidentally, "coincidence" does not mean only perfect coincidence, but some degree of deviation is allowed. In the cylindrical member unit 21, a circular top surface 23 (see also FIGS. 6 and 7) is formed on the upper surface of the cylindrical member 18 on the front side of the pillow, and a bottom surface 24 (see also FIG. 7) is formed on the opposite side of the top surface 23. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the cylindrical member unit 21, each top surface 23 of the cylindrical members 18 is flush with the pillow surface 3. "Coinciding with the pillow surface 3" means that it coincides with the pillow surface 3 to a certain extent, and does not mean that it is completely parallel to the pillow surface 3. The term "flush" does not only mean that each of the top faces 23 is perfectly positioned on one imaginary plane, but also means that each of the top faces 23 is aligned to some extent along the imaginary plane. The cylindrical member 18 is made of a three-dimensional network structure, and therefore has elasticity as a whole and high breathability.

[0027] The cylindrical member cover 20 includes cylindrical member accommodating sections 26 (columnar member accommodating sections) that accommodate the cylindrical members 18, respectively, and is configured by connecting a plurality of cylindrical member accommodating sections 26 in a state of being arranged in a lattice pattern. Inside the cylindrical member accommodating sections 26, an accommodating space 27 (FIG. 7) corresponding to the three-dimensional shape of the cylindrical member 18 is formed, and the cylindrical member 18 is accommodated in this accommodating space 27. When the cylindrical member 18 is accommodated in the accommodating space 27, the inclination of the cylindrical member 18 in the axial direction is restricted by the cylindrical member accommodating sections 26 that encase the member. The cylindrical member accommodating sections 26 are configured from a mesh fabric having breathability.

[0028] When the cylindrical member accommodating portion 26 is ignored and attention is focused on the cylindrical members 18, the cylindrical members 18 are arranged in the core unit 12 in the following manner: That is, as shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of (eight in this embodiment) cylindrical members 18 are arranged side by side in the width direction (first direction) with adjacent members in close proximity, and a plurality of (three in this embodiment) cylindrical members 18 are arranged side by side in the depth direction (second direction intersecting with the first direction) with adjacent members in close proximity.

[0029] The support unit 19 is manufactured by the following method. FIG. 9 is a diagram used to explain the manufacturing method of the support unit 19. First, as shown in FIG. 9(A), eight cylindrical members 18 are housed in a bag-shaped covering member 29 corresponding to the support unit row portion 22. The covering member 29 is made of a mesh fabric that constitutes the cylindrical member housing portion 26. The shape and size of the covering member 29 are set to an appropriate shape taking into account the shape of the support unit 19 that is finally manufactured. FIG. 9(A) shows a simplified schematic plan view of the covering member 29 housing each of the eight cylindrical members 18.

[0030] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B, the facing fabrics of the covering member 29 are sewn between the adjacent cylindrical members 18. As a result, cylindrical member accommodating sections 26 are formed with the sewn portions 30 (see also FIG. 9B') formed by sewing as boundaries, and the support unit row section 22 is manufactured in which the cylindrical member accommodating sections 26 are arranged side by side in the width direction. Adjustments (cutting, sewing, bonding, etc.) are appropriately made to shape and reinforce the support unit row section 22. FIG. 9B' is an enlarged view of the support unit row section 22 shown in FIG. 9B when viewed in the direction of the arrow Y3. As shown in FIG. 9B', in the support unit row section 22, the sewn portions 30 are formed between the adjacent cylindrical member accommodating sections 26, and the cylindrical member accommodating sections 26 are divided by the sewn portions 30.

[0031] After three support unit rows 22 are manufactured as shown in Fig. 9(C), when the three support unit rows 22 are properly arranged as shown in Fig. 9(D), adjacent cylindrical member accommodating portions 26 in the depth direction are connected by sewing at sewn portions 31. In this way, the support unit rows 22 are connected to each other, and the support unit 19 is manufactured. Fig. 9(D') is an enlarged view of the support unit 19 shown in Fig. 9(D) when viewed in the direction of arrow Y4. As shown in (D'), adjacent cylindrical member accommodating portions 26 in the depth direction in the support unit 19 are sewn and connected at sewn portions 31 in the center of the height direction.

[0032] Since the support unit 19 is manufactured by the above method, the adjacent cylindrical member accommodating portions 26 are connected to each other. For example, when focusing on the cylindrical member accommodating portion 26a in Fig. 9(D), the cylindrical member accommodating portion 26a is connected to the cylindrical member accommodating portions 26 that are present in each of the directions facing upward, downward, rightward, and leftward of the main body. As a result, each of the cylindrical members 18 arranged in a lattice pattern is positioned so that the state of being arranged in a lattice pattern is maintained.

[0033] Now, the core unit 12 is constructed by connecting the support unit 19 to the base member 17. In this embodiment, the support unit 19 is connected to the base member 17 by thermocompression bonding using a stick-shaped hot melt adhesive. More specifically, as shown in Figs. 7A and 7B, the contact portions between the bottom surfaces 33 of the cylindrical member accommodating portions 26 facing backward and the base surface 32, which is the surface of the base member 17 facing forward, are bonded by thermocompression bonding using a stick-shaped hot melt adhesive, thereby connecting the support unit 19 to the base member 17. When the support unit 19 is connected to the base member 17, the positions of the cylindrical members 18 relative to the base member 17 are determined. Thus, in this embodiment, the cylindrical member accommodating portions 26 adjacent to each other are connected by sewing, and the cylindrical member accommodating portions 26 are connected to the base member 17 by adhesion. As a result, even if an external force is applied to the core unit 12, the columnar member 18 will not be twisted in the axial direction relative to the base member 17, and will not be torn in the axial direction and fall over.

[0034] As described above, the internal unit 7 is housed in the pillowcase 5 in a state where it is combined with the cushion unit 8. When the internal unit 7 is housed in the pillowcase 5, movement of the ear parts 10 in the pillowcase 5 is restricted inside the pillowcase 5, and as a result, the relative position of the core unit 12 with respect to the pillow body 2 is determined. The area A1 indicated by the dashed line in (A) of Fig. 1 indicates the position (area) of the core unit 12 in the pillow body 2. The position (area) where the core unit 12 is located in the pillow body 2 corresponds to the range where the head of a user using the pillow 1 in a normal usage mode can be located.

[0035] The internal unit 7 (particularly the core unit 12) is configured as described above, which provides the following unique effects. That is, in the core unit 12, the columnar members 18 are arranged in a lattice pattern, and the columnar members 18 are configured as a three-dimensional network structure having elasticity as a whole. Therefore, when the user places the head on the pillow surface 3 of the pillow body 2, the columnar members 18 are maintained in a lattice pattern, and the individual columnar members 18, which are independent of each other, elastically deform and repel in response to the external force applied to each columnar member 18 so that the top surface 23 of each columnar member 18 faces the head, thereby supporting the head at an appropriate position. The state in which the head is supported is stably maintained by the repulsive force of each columnar member 18, due to the fact that each columnar member 18 is configured as a three-dimensional network structure. Therefore, the pressure from the head (body pressure) is appropriately distributed to each top surface 23 of the plurality of cylindrical members 18, and the head is gently wrapped and stably supported by the plurality of top surfaces 23, improving the comfort of the user using the pillow 1. Furthermore, because the head is supported by the plurality of cylindrical members 18 made up of a three-dimensional net-like structure, the head fits well and neck wobbling is suppressed.

[0036] Furthermore, when the user moves the head on the pillow body 2, the individual cylindrical members 18 elastically deform and rebound in response to the external force accompanying the movement so that the top surface 23 of each cylindrical member 18 faces the head, supporting the head in an appropriate position. As a result, the head is supported by the top surfaces 23 of the multiple cylindrical members 18 during and after the movement of the head, supporting the movement of turning over in sleep, improving the comfort of the user using the pillow 1.

[0037] That is, when focusing on the core unit 12, the pillow 1 according to this embodiment is not a single continuous surface, but is formed as a collection of top surfaces 23 of a number of different independent cylindrical members 18, and each surface can expand and contract independently through elastic deformation. In addition, the cylindrical members 18 are composed of a cylindrical (columnar) three-dimensional net structure. With this configuration, the pillow 1 is excellent in pressure dispersion, ease of turning over, stability in supporting the head, and fit between the head and the pillow 1. The effect of this embodiment cannot be achieved when the surface of the core unit (pillow core material) is composed of a single continuous surface.

[0038] If the columnar member corresponding to the columnar member 18 is configured to include a spring, the columnar member will include a considerably hard member, which may limit the use of the pillow, require measures for the hard member, or impair the flexibility of the entire pillow 1. According to this embodiment, the columnar member 18 is configured from a three-dimensional net structure, so it is possible to avoid including a hard member such as a spring in the columnar member 18. In addition, since the columnar member 18 is configured from a three-dimensional net structure, the flexibility of the entire member is higher than that of a spring, and when the head is placed on the pillow body 2, the top surface 23 of each columnar member 18 can be made to face the head more flexibly. This contributes to improving the comfort of the user. In addition, although the spring provides an appropriate repulsive force against external pressure applied in the axial direction, it cannot provide an appropriate repulsive force against external pressure applied laterally to the side surface, and therefore, for a pillow including a spring, the pillow is basically only used in a manner in which the head is placed so as to face the top surface of the spring. On the other hand, in the pillow 1 of this embodiment, the cylindrical member 18 is composed of a three-dimensional mesh structure, and this cylindrical member 18 elastically deforms appropriately in response to external pressure from the side and is provided with an appropriate resilience, allowing the user to use the pillow 1 in a variety of ways.

[0039] In this embodiment, the cylindrical members 18 constituting the core unit 12 are cylindrical members. Since the cylindrical members 18 are cylindrical in shape, in the state where the cylindrical members 18 are arranged side by side so that the adjacent cylindrical members 18 are close to each other in the width direction (first direction) and the depth direction (second direction) as in this embodiment, a gap SP3 (see FIG. 6) can be formed between one cylindrical member 18 and the cylindrical members 18 positioned around the one cylindrical member 18. This gap SP3 serves as an escape route for distortion that occurs when the cylindrical member 18 made of the three-dimensional net structure is elastically deformed, thereby reducing the stretching sound when the head is placed on the pillow body 2 and improving the sense of stability of the head.

[0040] In this embodiment, the cylindrical member 18 is made of a three-dimensional net structure, and the member itself has high breathability. This structure ensures high breathability for the entire pillow 1. High breathability leads to improved comfort for the user and also leads to improved drying of the pillow 1 when washed. The effect on breathability is remarkable, even when compared with the case where the member corresponding to the cylindrical member 18 is made of a foam such as expanded polyurethane. In this embodiment, both the core unit cover 11 and the cylindrical member cover 20 are made of a mesh fabric with high breathability. Furthermore, the base member 17 is made of a three-dimensional net structure. Furthermore, the ear portion 10 is made of a three-dimensional net structure and a cover of a mesh fabric. Therefore, combined with the high breathability of the cylindrical member 18, the breathability of the entire pillow 1 is very high.

[0041] In addition, in the pillow 1 according to this embodiment, the base member 17 is made of a three-dimensional net structure, and the ear portion 10 is made to include a three-dimensional net structure. In other words, both the base member 17 and the ear portion 10 have elasticity. Therefore, the pillow 1 has high cushioning properties, and the high cushioning properties make it comfortable to use.

[0042] <Explanation of cushion unit 8> Next, the cushion unit 8 will be described. As described above, the cushion unit 8 is configured to include the cushion sheet 13, the lower pipe housing portion 14, and the upper pipe housing portion 15. The cushion sheet 13 is a member that extends along the pillow surface 3 when the cushion unit 8 is housed in the pillow cover 5 (see FIG. 4). The cushion sheet 13 is configured from a member that has sufficient cushioning properties and flexibility.

[0043] The lower pipe accommodating section 14 accommodates a considerable amount of pipes. As an example, the shape and dimensions of the pipes are cylindrical members with a length of about 8 mm and a diameter of about 5.5 mm. In this embodiment, the pipes are made of viscous elastomer pipes, which improve durability, reduce noise generated when turning over in bed, and improve sleeping comfort. The shape and dimensions of the pipes are not limited to those exemplified in this embodiment, and the material is also not limited. Similarly to the lower pipe accommodating section 14, the upper pipe accommodating section 15 also accommodates a considerable amount of pipes. Here, the amount of pipes in the upper pipe accommodating section 15 is made greater than that in the lower pipe accommodating section 14.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 3, the lower pipe accommodating section 14 is configured so that the cross-sectional area is smallest (thinner) at the center in the width direction, and the cross-sectional area becomes larger (wider) toward the right or left of the main body. In the lower pipe accommodating section 14, the amount of pipes present on the cross section is the smallest at the center in the width direction, and the amount of pipes present on the cross section increases from the center toward the right or left of the main body. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower pipe accommodating section 14 increases toward the outside from the center in the width direction of the pillow body 2, and the amount of pipes present on the cross section increases. The above points are similar for the upper pipe accommodating section 15.

[0045] As described above, the cushion unit 8 is housed in the pillow cover 5 in a state where it is combined with the internal unit 7. When the cushion unit 8 is housed in the pillow cover 5, the relative positions of the lower pipe housing 14 and the upper pipe housing 15 with respect to the pillow body 2 are determined inside the pillow cover 5. In FIG. 1A, the symbol A2 indicates the position (area) where the lower pipe housing 14 is disposed, and the symbol A3 indicates the position (area) where the upper pipe housing 15 is disposed. As shown in FIG. 1A, in the pillow body 2, the lower pipe housing 14 is disposed on the main body downward side (lower side) of the core unit 12 and extends in the width direction. Similarly, in the pillow body 2, the upper pipe housing 15 is disposed on the main body upward side (upper side) of the core unit 12 and extends in the width direction.

[0046] In this way, the lower pipe housing 14 and the upper pipe housing 15 are arranged on the lower and upper sides of the core unit 12, so that the neck is firmly supported when the user uses the pillow 1, and the load on the user during sleep can be reduced. In this embodiment, the upper pipe housing 15 has a larger amount of pipes than the lower pipe housing 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1C, the upper side of the pillow body 2 facing upward is higher than the lower side. This allows the user to selectively place the upper pipe housing 15 or the lower pipe housing 14, whichever is more suitable for them, on the neck side according to their physique and comfort.

[0047] In addition, the cross-sectional area of ​​the lower pipe housing 14 increases from the center of the width direction of the pillow body 2 toward the outside, and the amount of pipes present on the cross section increases. Here, when a user lying on his / her back using the pillow 1 turns over and turns his / her face to the side, the position of the neck shifts to the side and the gap between the neck and the support surface becomes larger. In consideration of this, according to the above configuration, when the user turns over, the amount of pipes present in the area corresponding to the neck can be increased, improving the stability of the head and the fit between the head and the pillow 1, and thus improving the comfort of the user.

[0048] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows one example of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or main features of the present invention. Below, modified examples of the above embodiment are shown. The following modified examples may be combined and applied in combination if they can be combined. In each of the following modified examples, the same elements as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0049] <Modifications of the core unit 12> In the above embodiment, the core unit 12 is configured by connecting the support unit 19 to the base member 17 configured by a three-dimensional net structure. In this regard, the base member may be configured by a breathable fabric (for example, a mesh fabric). FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the core unit 12A according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 10, the core unit 12A is configured by the base members 17A and 17B configured by a breathable fabric, and the support unit 19 connected to the base members 17A and 17B. The connection means may be any means other than thermocompression bonding. Even with the configuration of this modification, the effects of the above embodiment can be achieved, except for the effects resulting from the base member being configured by a three-dimensional net structure.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the core unit 12 has each of the cylindrical members 18 housed in a cylindrical member cover 20, and the cylindrical member cover 20 is connected to the base member 17. In this regard, the bottom surface of the cylindrical member may be directly connected to the base member. FIG. 11 shows a core unit 12B according to this modification. In the core unit 12B, a plurality of cylindrical members 18 are arranged in a lattice pattern and directly connected to the base member 17. The connection is performed by fixing the bottom surface 24 of the cylindrical member 18 to the base member 17 by thermocompression bonding or other means. Even with the configuration of this modification, the effects of the above embodiment can be achieved, except for the effect derived from the cylindrical member cover 20. In this modification, the bottom surface 24 of the cylindrical member 18 may be directly connected to a base member (for example, the base member 17A in FIG. 10) made of a mesh fabric or other breathable fabric, instead of the base member 17.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the core unit 12 is configured by connecting the support unit 19 to the base member 17. On the other hand, the core unit may be configured to include a base member configured with a three-dimensional network structure and a columnar member (not limited to a cylindrical member) that is integrally configured with the base member by the same member and stands up from the base member. FIG. 12 is a front view of a core unit 12C according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 12, the core unit 12C includes a base member 17C configured with a three-dimensional network structure and a columnar member 18C that is integrally configured with the base member 17C by the same member and stands up from the base member 17C. As an example, the core unit 12C is manufactured by the following method. That is, the gaps between the columnar members 18C are cut out of a sheet-like three-dimensional network structure having a sufficient thickness, and the columnar members 18C are thereby formed.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the core unit 12 includes the base member 17 and the support unit 19. In this regard, the core unit 12 may be configured not to include the base member 17 but to be configured only by the support unit 19.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the cylindrical member cover 20 of the core unit 12 is formed by processing three covering members 29. In this regard, the cylindrical member cover may be formed by connecting a plurality of independent bag-shaped members. FIG. 13 shows a cylindrical member cover 20D according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 13, the cylindrical member cover 20D is formed by connecting bag-shaped cylindrical member accommodating portions 26D (columnar member accommodating portions) that accommodate one cylindrical member 18. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the cylindrical member 18 is accommodated in each of the cylindrical member covers 20. In addition, the specific configuration of the columnar member cover is not limited to the configuration exemplified in the above embodiment or the present modification.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the columnar member is a cylindrical member 18. However, the columnar member is not limited to a cylindrical member. For example, the columnar member may be a columnar member having a triangular, rectangular, or other polygonal cross section. In this modified example, the base member and the columnar member of the core unit may be integrally formed from the same member.

[0055] <Other Modifications> In the above embodiment, the dimensions of a number of components are specifically shown, but the dimensions shown are merely examples. The shape, structure, and combination thereof of the cushion unit 8 are not limited to those illustrated. As an example, the pipe housing portion for housing the pipe may be arranged on either one of the sides of the core unit 12 facing upward (upper side) and the side facing downward (lower side) of the main body, instead of being arranged on both sides. The structure (mechanism) for maintaining the columnar members 18 arranged in a lattice pattern is not limited to the structure exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment. In other words, any structure may be used as long as the columnar members 18 can be maintained in a lattice pattern against an external force. With regard to the arrangement of the cylindrical members, the term "lattice pattern" does not only mean the state shown in the above embodiment. For example, the state shown in Fig. 14 is also acceptable. In the case of Fig. 14, the direction indicated by the symbol D1 corresponds to the "first direction", and the direction indicated by the symbol D2 corresponds to the second direction intersecting with the first direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 pillow 2 Pillow body 3 Pillow surface 12, 12A, 12B, 12C core units 13 Lower pipe housing 14 Upper pipe housing 17, 17A, 17C Base material 18, 18C Cylindrical members (columnar members) 19 Support unit 20, 20D Cylindrical component cover (columnar component cover) 23 Top surface 24 Bottom 26, 26D Cylindrical member storage section (columnar member storage section) 27 Storage Space

Claims

1. The pillow has a core unit including a plurality of columnar members arranged in a lattice pattern with their top surfaces aligned along the surface of the pillow, the core unit being raised in the height direction of the pillow body, the columnar member is a three-dimensional network structure in which a large number of kinked thread-like fibers made of a thermoplastic resin are entangled and contact portions of the thread-like fibers are welded to form a columnar three-dimensional shape, the three-dimensional structure has elasticity as a whole, and the three-dimensional shape is maintained independently of other members; Each of the columnar members stands independently in the height direction within the pillow body. A pillow characterized by:

2. The core unit includes a plate-shaped base member extending along the back surface of the pillow body, The base member is constituted by the three-dimensional network structure, The columnar members are arranged in a lattice pattern, and the bottom surfaces of the columnar members are indirectly or directly connected to the surface of the base member.

2. The pillow according to claim 1 .

3. The columnar member is accommodated in a columnar member accommodation section formed of a breathable fabric and having an accommodation space formed therein according to the shape of the columnar member; Each of the columnar member accommodating sections has a bottom surface connected to a surface of the base member when the columnar member is accommodated in the accommodation space.

3. The pillow according to claim 2.

4. Each of the columnar member accommodating sections is arranged in a lattice pattern with a plurality of adjacent accommodating sections being connected to each other.

4. The pillow according to claim 3.

5. The columnar member is not accommodated in a housing that accommodates the member, and the bottom surface of the columnar member is directly connected to the surface of the base member.

3. The pillow according to claim 2.

6. The pillow has a pipe housing portion disposed on at least one of the upper and lower sides of the core unit, extending in the width direction of the pillow body, and housing a plurality of pipes.

2. The pillow according to claim 1 .

7. The cross-sectional area of ​​the pipe accommodating portion increases from the center of the pillow body in the width direction toward the outside, and the amount of pipes present on the cross section increases.

7. The pillow according to claim 6.

8. The columnar member is a cylindrical member, In the core unit, a plurality of the cylindrical members are arranged side by side in a first direction with adjacent members in close proximity to each other, and a plurality of the cylindrical members are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting with the first direction with adjacent members in close proximity to each other. A pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A pillow core unit that is present inside the pillow body, The pillow includes a plurality of columnar members arranged in a lattice pattern, the columnar members standing in the height direction of the pillow body and having their top surfaces aligned along the surface of the pillow body; the columnar member is a three-dimensional network structure in which a large number of kinked thread-like fibers made of a thermoplastic resin are entangled and contact portions of the thread-like fibers are welded to form a columnar three-dimensional shape, the three-dimensional structure has elasticity as a whole, and the three-dimensional shape is maintained independently of other members; Each of the columnar members stands independently in the height direction within the pillow body. A pillow core unit characterized by:

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