Expandable bed pillow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pillow covers are designed for specific sizes of pillow inserts, limiting user flexibility in terms of size, loft, and firmness, as they cannot accommodate multiple sizes or adjust to individual preferences for comfort and support.

Innovation Solution

An expandable pillow cover with adjustable gussets and fasteners, such as zippers, that allow the interior volume to be increased or decreased by opening or closing the gussets, enabling the use of multiple-sized inserts and customizable loft and firmness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional pillow covers are manufactured in fixed sizes to fit specific pillow inserts, then the structural simplicity and manufacturing ease are maintained, but the adaptability to different user preferences and insert sizes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different insert sizesVSAvoidcover structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow cover incorporates expandable gusset panels with fasteners that allow the cover to dynamically adjust its interior volume. The gussets can be expanded or contracted based on the size of the pillow insert, enabling a single cover to accommodate multiple insert sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size covers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pillow cover is divided into separate modular components including front panels, back panels, and expandable gusset panels connected by fasteners. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each section to achieve the desired interior volume while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a pillow cover is designed to fit a smaller pillow insert, then the insert compatibility is achieved, but excess cover material bunches and creates discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit to insert sizeVSAvoidcomfort and aesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable gusset mechanism allows the cover to dynamically adjust its dimensions to match the insert size. When the insert is smaller than the maximum capacity, the gussets remain partially contracted, eliminating excess material bunching while maintaining a smooth, comfortable surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple fixed-size pillow covers are manufactured to accommodate different insert sizes, then the fit precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and product variety complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single pillow cover design with expandable gussets serves multiple functions by accommodating various insert sizes. This universal design eliminates the need to manufacture multiple size-specific covers, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining precise fit through adjustable volume control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the pillow cover interior volume is increased to accommodate larger inserts, then the size adaptability is improved, but the loft and firmness control becomes less precise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize rangeVSAvoidloft and firmness consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable gusset system provides dynamic volume adjustment, allowing users to precisely control the interior volume to match their desired loft and firmness preferences. This enables fine-tuned adjustment within a wide size range, maintaining consistency and precision across different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20220079358A1Expandable bed pillow

Publication Date: 2022.03.17 STANDARD FIBER LLC

AI summary

An expandable pillow cover includes a first layer and a second layer positioned opposite first layer to define an interior space therebetween. The first and second layers are joined to one another at at least junctures of at least two opposing openable sides, and at least two other sides, the at least two opposing openable sides being between the two other sides, wherein the openable sides and the other sides define four corners at which the first and second layers are joined to one another. Gusset panels are positioned between the first layer and the second layer in the interior space and adjacent the at least two opposing openable sides. At least two fasteners, one at each of the at least two opposing openable sides movable independently of each other between an open condition and a closed condition. The cover is adjustable between a first condition where one or both of the fasteners are fastened to contract its respective gusset panel and the interior space has a first volume, and a second condition where one or both of the fasteners are unfastened to expand its respective gusset panel and the interior space has a second volume greater than the first volume.