Adjustable Comfort Pillow

Abstract

A pillow includes at least 3 connected chambers including: a first chamber including a first fill material having a first firmness F1; a second chamber including a second fill material having a second firmness F2; and a third chamber including a third fill material having a third firmness F3. At least the first chamber is connected to the second chamber, and the second chamber is connected to the third chamber. F1 is different than one or both of F2 and F3, F2 is different than one or both of F1 and F3, or F3 is different than one or both of F1 and F2. The chambers may be connected in a loop such that the pillow is rotatable to allow a user to align one or more chambers of different firmnesses alongside the user's head or body.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pillow, and more specifically to a pillow including at least 3 chambers having varying firmness levels to allow a user to adjust the firmness of the pillow alongside their head or body.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] People have different preferences and different sleeping positions, so when it comes to pillows there is not one product that fits every need. Additionally, it is impossible for a consumer to know for certain from an online description or in-person store evaluation whether a sleep product such as a pillow will provide the ideal firmness for their sleeping preference, including their spinal alignment and comfort. As a result consumers often purchase a sleep product that ultimately does not suit their needs, resulting in a wasted purchase. Additionally, sleeping preferences can change due to changes in the consumer's age and / or weight, or due to an injury—such as a neck or back injury. Accordingly, a pillow that allows the consumer to adjust its firmness would be desirable.

[0003] These and other shortcomings are addressed by aspects of the present disclosure.SUMMARY

[0004] Aspects of the disclosure relate to a pillow including at least 3 connected chambers including: a first chamber including a first fill material having a first firmness F1; a second chamber including a second fill material having a second firmness F2; and a third chamber including a third fill material having a third firmness F3. At least the first chamber is connected to the second chamber, and the second chamber is connected to the third chamber. F1 is different than one or both of F2 and F3, F2 is different than one or both of F1 and F3, or F3 is different than one or both of F1 and F2. The chambers may be connected in a loop such that the pillow is rotatable to allow a user to align one or more chambers of different firmnesses alongside the user's head or body.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0005] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various aspects discussed in the present document.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an adjustable comfort pillow according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an adjustable comfort pillow according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an adjustable comfort pillow including fasteners positioned on each of the chambers according to aspects of the disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an adjustable comfort pillow including fasteners releasably engaged with one another to prevent rotation of the chambers of the pillow.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Various combinations of elements of this disclosure are encompassed by this disclosure, e.g., combinations of elements from dependent claims that depend upon the same independent claim.

[0011] Moreover, it is to be understood that unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

[0012] All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and / or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.Definitions

[0013] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the specification and in the claims, the term “comprising” can include the aspects “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.” Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. In this specification and in the claims which follow, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined herein.

[0014] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0015] Ranges can be expressed herein as from one value (first value) to another value (second value). When such a range is expressed, the range includes in some aspects one or both of the first value and the second value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent ‘about,’ it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0016] As used herein, the terms “about” and “at or about” mean that the amount or value in question can be the designated value, approximately the designated value, or about the same as the designated value. It is generally understood, as used herein, that it is the nominal value indicated ±10% variation unless otherwise indicated or inferred. The term is intended to convey that similar values promote equivalent results or effects recited in the claims. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but can be approximate and / or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0017] Unless otherwise stated to the contrary herein, all test standards are the most recent standard in effect at the time of filing this application.

[0018] Aspects of the disclosure relate to pillow that provides the user with the ability to easily adjust its firmness to suit a range of needs. In one aspect, the pillow includes a plurality of discrete chambers, each of the chambers including different fill materials that provide different firmness levels in each chamber.

[0019] In certain aspects the pillow is a head pillow or a side pillow.

[0020] In a particular aspect, the pillow includes at least 3 connected chambers including a first chamber including a first fill material having a first firmness F1, a second chamber including a second fill material having a second firmness F2, and a third chamber including a fill material having a third firmness F3.

[0021] In further aspects the pillow includes 3 chambers, or 4 chambers, or 5 chambers, or 6 chambers, or 7 chambers, or 8 chambers, or 9 chambers, or 10 chambers, or more than 10 chambers. Each chamber may include a fill material having a different firmness, or 2 or more chambers may have the same firmness. For example, the pillow may include 6 chambers including two chambers having a first firmness that is a soft firmness, two chambers having a second firmness that is a medium firmness, and two chambers having a third firmness that is a firm firmness. Chambers having the same firmness may be connected next to each other or may be arranged separately from one another.

[0022] The chambers may be connected to form a continuous loop or may be open on their ends. In one example, the pillow includes at least 3 chambers that are connected in a loop such that the first chamber is connected to the second chamber, the second chamber is connected to the third chamber, and the third chamber is connected to the first chamber to form a loop. In another aspect, the chambers may be open on their ends such that the first chamber is connected to the second chamber and the second chamber is connected to the third chamber, but the first chamber and third chamber are not connected to each other.

[0023] The chambers can be rotated to provide varying levels of firmness to the user; for example if the pillow is a head pillow and the user prefers a firm fill material, they can rotate the chambers of the pillow so their head / neck rests against the one or more chambers that include a firm firmness. Similarly, if the pillow is side pillow and the user desires a soft fill material, they can rotate the chambers of the side pillow so their body rests against the one or more chambers that include a soft firmness.

[0024] In a particular aspect shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pillow 100 includes 6 chambers connected in a loop, including two chambers (110, 120) including a first firmness that is a soft firmness, two chambers (130, 140) including a second firmness that is a medium firmness, and two chambers (150, 160) including a third firmness that is a firm firmness. Chamber 110 is connected to chamber 120, which is connected to chamber 130, which is connected to chamber 140, which is connected to chamber 150, which is connected to chamber 160, which is connected back to chamber 110. As shown and described, the chambers are connected in a loop. In this manner, the chambers may be rotated so that three chambers of desired firmness may be aligned on the top of the pillow 100 (adjacent the users head), with the other 3 chambers aligned on the bottom of the pillow 100 (adjacent the sleep surface / mattress).

[0025] The chambers may be aligned horizontally or vertically with reference to the orientation of the user. For example, the pillow 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a head pillow that has chambers aligned horizontally with reference to the user's body (i.e., perpendicular to the user's body), although it will be appreciated that the chambers may be aligned vertically with reference to the user's body (i.e., in line with the user's body). In another aspect in which the pillow is a side pillow, the chambers may be aligned vertically or horizontally with reference to the user's body. Different chamber orientations can be used to achieve different firmness levels to different parts of the user's body. In one example a side pillow has chambers oriented vertically (i.e., in line with the user's body) so that a chamber or chambers having a particular firmness are aligned alongside the user's body and another chamber or chambers having a different firmness are aligned away from the user's body. In another example a side pillow has chambers oriented horizontally (i.e., perpendicular to the user's body) so that a chamber or chambers having a particular firmness are alongside the user's upper body / torso and another chamber or chambers having a different firmness are alongside the user's legs.

[0026] In certain aspects the chambers extend across the entire width or length of the pillow. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the chambers 110-160 extend across the entire length of the pillow.

[0027] The first fill material, second fill material and third fill material may include conventional fill materials used in pillows. Exemplary fill materials include, but are not limited to: foam (e.g., solid or shredded foam), including latex foam, memory (viscoelastic polyurethane) foam, and microbead foam; fibers including polyester, kapok, and wool fibers; feathers including natural and synthetic fibers (e.g., down feathers); buckwheat; and combinations thereof. Foam fill materials generally provide firmer firmness levels, while fibers and features provide softer firmness levels. In certain aspects the first fill material includes shredded foam to provide the first chamber with a firm firmness, the second fill material includes polyester fiber to provide the second chamber with a soft firmness, and the third fill material includes a combination of shredded foam and polyester fibers to provide the third chamber with a medium firmness.

[0028] In further aspects illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, one or more of the chambers may include a fastener 170 positioned at one or both ends of the chamber. The fastener 170 may be adapted to engage a fastener 170 of another of the chambers. In some aspects, the fasteners 170 may engage one another to secure a selected rotational orientation of the chambers. For example, a user may rotate the pillow 100 such that a desired chamber is positioned to contact the user's head, neck, or body. Once a desired rotation is selected, the fasteners 170 may be engaged to maintain the selected rotational orientation as shown in FIG. 4 in which chambers 110 and 160, 120 and 150 and 130 and 140 are secured to each other. In this manner, chambers 110, 120 and 130 are positioned on one side of the pillow (e.g., the side adapted to be against a head of a user) and chambers 140, 150 and 160 are positions on the other side of the pillow (e.g., the side away from the head of the user). In some aspects, the fasteners 170 may be disengaged to allow the chambers to be rotated to a different orientation, after which the fasteners 170 may be re-engaged to secure the new rotational configuration.

[0029] The fasteners 170 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are hook-and-loop type fasteners 170. Other suitable types of fasteners include, but are not limited to, buttons, snaps, and straps.

[0030] Various combinations of elements of this disclosure are encompassed by this disclosure, e.g., combinations of elements from dependent claims that depend upon the same independent claim.Aspects of the Disclosure

[0031] In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to and includes at least the following aspects.

[0032] Aspect 1. A pillow comprising at least 3 connected chambers comprising:

[0033] a first chamber comprising a first fill material having a first firmness F1;

[0034] a second chamber comprising a second fill material having a second firmness F2; and

[0035] a third chamber comprising a third fill material having a third firmness F3,

[0036] wherein at least the first chamber is connected to the second chamber, and the second chamber is connected to the third chamber, and

[0037] wherein (1) F1 is different than one or both of F2 and F3, (2) F2 is different than one or both of F1 and F3, or (3) F3 is different than one or both of F1 and F2.

[0038] Aspect 2. The pillow according to Aspect 1, wherein the pillow is a head pillow or a body pillow.

[0039] Aspect 3. The pillow according to Aspect 1 or 2, wherein the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber are connected to each other in a loop.

[0040] Aspect 4. The pillow according to any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the pillow is rotatable such that one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber and the third chamber may be aligned adjacent a user's head or body with one or more of the chambers aligned away from the user's head or body.

[0041] Aspect 5. The pillow according to any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber extend across the entire length or width of the pillow.

[0042] Aspect 6. The pillow according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber are configured to extend vertically or horizontally relative to a user's head or body.

[0043] Aspect 7. The pillow according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the pillow comprises 6 connected chambers, comprising:

[0044] a fourth chamber comprising a fourth fill material having a fourth firmness F4;

[0045] a fifth chamber comprising a fifth fill material having a fifth firmness F5; and

[0046] a sixth chamber comprising a sixth fill material having a sixth firmness F6,

[0047] wherein the fourth chamber is connected to the third chamber, the fifth chamber is connected to the fourth chamber, the sixth chamber is connected to the fifth chamber, and the sixth chamber is connected to the first chamber such that the chambers are connected to each other in a loop, and

[0048] wherein F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6 comprise at least three different firmnesses.

[0049] Aspect 8. The pillow according to Aspect 7, wherein the pillow is rotatable such that one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber, the third chamber, the fourth chamber, the fifth chamber, and the sixth chamber may be aligned adjacent a user's head or body with one or more of the chambers aligned away from the user's head or body.

[0050] Aspect 9. The pillow according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, wherein the fill materials comprise foam, fibers, feathers, or combinations thereof.

[0051] Aspect 10. The pillow according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein at least one chamber comprises a fastener adapted to releasably engage with a fastener of another of the chambers so as to prevent rotation of the chambers.

[0052] Aspect 11. The pillow according to Aspect 10, wherein the fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener, a button, a snap, or a strap.

[0053] Aspect 12. The pillow according to Aspect 10 or 11, wherein each of the chambers comprise a fastener.

[0054] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other aspects can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or aspects, with each claim standing on its own as a separate aspect, and it is contemplated that such aspects can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the disclosure should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising at least 3 connected chambers comprising:a first chamber comprising a first fill material having a first firmness F1;a second chamber comprising a second fill material having a second firmness F2; anda third chamber comprising a third fill material having a third firmness F3,wherein at least the first chamber is connected to the second chamber, and the second chamber is connected to the third chamber, andwherein (1) F1 is different than one or both of F2 and F3, (2) F2 is different than one or both of F1 and F3, or (3) F3 is different than one or both of F1 and F2.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the pillow is a head pillow or a body pillow.

3. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber are connected to each other in a loop.

4. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the pillow is rotatable such that one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber and the third chamber may be aligned adjacent a user's head or body with one or more of the chambers aligned away from the user's head or body.

5. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber extend across the entire length or width of the pillow.

6. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber are configured to extend vertically or horizontally relative to a user's head or body.

7. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the pillow comprises 6 connected chambers, comprising:a fourth chamber comprising a fourth fill material having a fourth firmness F4;a fifth chamber comprising a fifth fill material having a fifth firmness F5; anda sixth chamber comprising a sixth fill material having a sixth firmness F6,wherein the fourth chamber is connected to the third chamber, the fifth chamber is connected to the fourth chamber, the sixth chamber is connected to the fifth chamber, and the sixth chamber is connected to the first chamber such that the chambers are connected to each other in a loop, andwherein F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6 comprise at least three different firmnesses.

8. The pillow according to claim 7, wherein the pillow is rotatable such that one or more of the first chamber, the second chamber, the third chamber, the fourth chamber, the fifth chamber, and the sixth chamber may be aligned adjacent a user's head or body with one or more of the chambers aligned away from the user's head or body.

9. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the fill materials comprise foam, fibers, feathers, or combinations thereof.

10. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein at least one chamber comprises a fastener adapted to releasably engage with a fastener of another of the chambers so as to prevent rotation of the chambers.

11. The pillow according to claim 10, wherein the fastener is a hook-and-loop type fastener, a button, a snap, or a strap.

12. The pillow according to claim 10, wherein each of the chambers comprise a fastener.

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