US20140283304A1

US20140283304A1 - Supportive Self Ventilating Pillow System

Info

Publication number: US20140283304A1
Application number: US14/223,088
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis E. Chambers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-25
Filing date: 2014-03-24
Publication date: 2014-09-25

Abstract

A supportive self ventilating pillow system for effectively supporting the neck and head of a user while simultaneously providing ventilation within the pillow. The supportive self ventilating pillow system generally includes a plurality of layers of foam material with passages within to allow for ventilation of the pillow. The plurality of layers are comprised of a plurality of ring members, strip members or braided members layered upon one another to form the pillow and ventilation passages. The plurality of layers are preferably constructed of memory foam.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/804,819 filed Mar. 25, 2013. The 61/804,819 application is currently pending. The 61/804,819 application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pillows and more specifically it relates to a supportive self ventilating pillow system for effectively supporting the neck and head of a user while simultaneously providing ventilation within the pillow.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Conventional pillows are cushioned supports for the head and neck of a user for use while sleeping or resting. Conventional pillows are comprised of a covering that surrounds a soft stuffing (e.g. down feathers, synthetic foam, memory foam). The pillow is typically covered by a pillowcase.
One problem with conventional pillows is that they do not provide sufficient ventilation to the user during usage. In addition, conventional pillows do not provide adequate neck and head support resulting in soreness of the back, neck and shoulders. In addition, conventional pillows often times require the user to fluff or otherwise adjust their pillow during sleep.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved supportive self ventilating pillow system for effectively supporting the neck and head of a user while simultaneously providing ventilation within the pillow.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to pillow which includes a plurality of layers of foam material with passages within to allow for ventilation of the pillow. The plurality of layers are comprised of a plurality of ring members, strip members or braided members layered upon one another to form the pillow and ventilation passages. The plurality of layers are preferably constructed of memory foam.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention positioned within a pillowcase.

FIG. 2 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention removed from the pillow case.

FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the present invention utility a plurality of ring members.

FIG. 4 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 cross sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing strip members.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the first alternative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the first alternative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is an upper perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention utilizing braided members.

FIG. 15 is top view of the second alternative embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an exploded upper perspective view of the second alternative embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the second alternative embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an end view of a braided member.

FIG. 19 is an upper perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an exploded upper perspective view of the third alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 20 illustrate a supportive self ventilating pillow system 10, which comprises a plurality of layers of foam material 30 with passages within to allow for ventilation of the pillow. The plurality of layers are comprised of a plurality of ring members 40, strip members 50 or braided members 60 layered upon one another to form the pillow and ventilation passages. The plurality of layers are preferably constructed of memory foam.
The present invention is constructed of a plurality of layers of foam material 30 stacked upon one another as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 14 of the drawings. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate utilizing a first layer 32, a second layer 34 and a third layer 36 stacked upon one another, however, it can be appreciated that more than three layers may be utilized (e.g. 4 layers, 5 layers, 6 layers, 7 layers, etc.).
The plurality of layers of foam material 30 may be loosely positioned adjacent to one another in a non-attached manner or attached to one another at connection points utilizing a glue, adhesive, fasteners, straps or by other connection means. The layers of foam material 30 form a pillow structure having a bottom surface, an upper surface, and at least one side surface. FIGS. 3, 9 and 14 illustrate a pillow structure formed by the layers of foam material 30 having a rectangular shape with four side surfaces, however, it can be appreciated that different shapes with a different number of side surfaces may be used (e.g. circular, oblong, polygonal and the like).
The plurality of layers of foam material 30 are preferably comprised of polyurethane foam. It is further preferable that the plurality of layers of foam material 30 are comprised of viscoelastic polyurethane foam (e.g. memory foam). The foam material used for the layers of foam material 30 may also be constructed of higher-density memory foam that softens in reaction to body heat allowing the pillow structure to mold to the body of the user while sleeping.
A plurality of ventilation passages extend through the plurality of layers of foam to provide ventilation to the user and keep the temperature reduced for the comfort of the user. In particular, the ventilation passages allow for the free flow of air through the pillow structure. The plurality of ventilation passages preferably extend from the bottom surface to the upper surface of the pillow structure as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 12 of the drawings. The plurality of ventilation passages also preferably extend from the at least one side surface to the upper surface of the pillow structure. The plurality of ventilation passages further preferably are interconnected to provide an adequate distribution of ventilation throughout the entire pillow structure formed by the layers of foam material 30.
The plurality of ventilation passages preferably includes vertical orientated passages and/or a plurality of horizontally orientated passages as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 11 of the drawings. A plurality of primary apertures 42 extend within the upper surface and are fluidly connected to the plurality of ventilation apertures to provide ventilation to the upper surface that the user is lying upon. The primary apertures 42 further are preferably fluidly connected via the ventilation passages with apertures within the bottom surface of the pillow structure.
The plurality of primary apertures 42 are preferably formed within a central portion of a plurality of ring members 40 connected to one another to form each of the plurality of layers of foam as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings. The ring members 40 are preferably aligned in individual rows connected to one another in an end-to-end manner with the adjacent rows connected to one another forming cross-wise rows as best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings. The individual layers of foam material 30 constructed of the ring members 40 are preferably attached to one another at adjacent locations between the layers of foam material 30. Each of the plurality of ring members 40 are preferably staggered and/or offset with respect to adjacent layers of the plurality of layers of foam as best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings.
A plurality of secondary apertures 44 are also preferably formed within the upper surface of the layers of foam material 30 (and the lower surface) which are fluidly connected to the plurality of ventilation passages. The plurality of secondary apertures 44 are positioned between the plurality of ring members 40 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 of the drawings. In particular, the secondary apertures 44 are each adjacent to four ring members 40 forming a star-shaped structure having four narrow portions as best illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings.
FIGS. 9 through 13 illustrate the layers of foam material 30 comprised of a plurality of strip members 50 each having an elongated structure with a first end 52 and a second end 54. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 13, the adjacent layers of strip members 50 are preferably transverse to one another forming the ventilation passages between thereof to allow for horizontal and vertical ventilation passages to be formed.
FIGS. 14 through 17 illustrate the plurality of layers of foam comprised of a plurality of braided members 60 each having an elongated structure similar to the strip members 50. As with the strip members 50 discussed previously, the adjacent layers of braided members 60 are preferably transverse to one another forming the ventilation passages between thereof to allow for horizontal and vertical ventilation passages to be formed. The plurality of braided members 60 are each comprised of a plurality of elongated foam strips braided together as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 18 of the drawings. Each of the plurality of elongated foam strips are preferably comprised of a first strip 62, a second strip 64 and a third strip 66 braided together in an intertwined manner as illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 18 of the drawings.
FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate the plurality of layers of foam material 30 including an upper member 70 forming the upper surface and a lower member 72 forming the lower surface, with the lower member 72 positioned opposite of the upper member 70. A plurality of foam strips 76 a-f are preferably positioned between the lower member 72 and the upper member 70 to form ventilation passages between thereof. The plurality of foam strips 76 a-f are formed into individual rows that are stacked upon one another in a transverse manner with respect to adjacent rows as further illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. The foam strips 76 a-f may have the same or different foam characteristics (e.g. one layer may be comprised of a softer foam material than an adjacent layer). For example, one row of foam strips 76 c is preferably comprised of a broader and thinner structure compared to adjacent foam strips 76 b and 76 d. In addition, while the foam strips 76 a-f are preferably equidistantly spaced apart, the outer portions may have the foam strips 76 a-f closer together for additional support in one or more layers as illustrated in FIG. 20 of the drawings. The upper member 70 and the lower member 72 are each preferably comprised of a solid foam structure without apertures, however, apertures may extend through the upper member 70 and the lower member 72. In addition, the plurality of layers of foam material 30 preferably include a neck support member 74 positioned near the upper member 70 and a front portion of side surface to provide additional support for a neck of a user as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 of the drawings. The neck support member 74 is preferably comprised of a foam material that is thinner than the layer of foam the neck support member 74 is positioned within as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20. Finally, the upper member 70 and/or the lower member 72 may be utilized upon the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 17 of the drawings.
In use, the plurality of lawyers of foam material are positioned within the pillowcase 20 through the end opening 22 of the pillowcase 20 forming a pillow. The user positions the pillow in a desired location on their bed, sofa or other location. When the user rests their neck and head upon the pillow, the layers of foam material 30 are compressed accordingly to form to the shape of the body of the user while providing sufficient support to the user. In addition, the ventilation passages formed by the plurality of layers of foam material 30 allows for cooler air to enter the interior of the pillow between the layers of foam material 30 thereby cooling the upper surface of the pillow and accordingly the body of the user that is in contact with the pillow.
Unless otherwise defined, 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 invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A pillow, comprising:

a plurality of layers of foam material stacked upon one another, wherein said plurality of layers form a pillow structure having a bottom surface, an upper surface, and at least one side surface; and

a plurality of ventilation passages extending through said plurality of layers of foam, wherein said ventilation passages allow for the free flow of air through said pillow structure.

2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of ventilation passages extend from said bottom surface to said upper surface of said pillow structure.

3. The pillow of claim 2, wherein said plurality of ventilation passages extend from said at least one side surface to said upper surface of said pillow structure.

4. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of ventilation passages extend from said at least one side surface to said upper surface of said pillow structure.

5. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of layers of foam material are comprised of polyurethane foam.

6. The pillow of claim 5, wherein said plurality of layers of foam material are comprised of viscoelastic polyurethane foam.

7. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of ventilation passages include vertical orientated passages.

8. The pillow of claim 7, wherein said plurality of ventilation passages include horizontally orientated passages.

9. The pillow of claim 1, a plurality of primary apertures within said upper surface and fluidly connected to said plurality of ventilation apertures.

10. The pillow of claim 9, wherein said plurality of primary apertures are formed within a central portion of a plurality of ring members connected to one another to form each of said plurality of layers of foam.

11. The pillow of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of ring members are staggered with respect to adjacent layers of said plurality of layers of foam.

12. The pillow of claim 10, including a plurality of secondary apertures within said upper surface and fluidly connected to said plurality of ventilation passages, wherein said plurality of secondary apertures are positioned between said plurality of ring members.

13. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said pillow structure has a rectangular shape.

14. The pillow of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of layers of foam are comprised of a plurality of ring members.

15. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of layers of foam are comprised of a plurality of strip members, wherein adjacent layers of strip members are transverse to one another.

16. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of layers of foam are comprised of a plurality of braided members, wherein adjacent layers of braided members are transverse to one another.

17. The pillow of claim 16, wherein said plurality of braided members are each comprised of a plurality of elongated foam strips braided together.

18. The pillow of claim 17, wherein said plurality of elongated foam strips are comprised of a first strip, a second strip and a third strip braided together.

19. The pillow of claim 1, wherein said plurality of layers of foam material include an upper member forming said upper surface and a lower member forming said lower surface, wherein said lower member is positioned opposite of said upper member.

20. The pillow of claim 19, wherein said plurality of layers of foam material include a neck support member positioned near said upper member and a front portion of said at least one side surface to provide additional support for a neck of a user.