FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to pillows of the type having an openable closure allowing pillow filling substance to be inserted, removed, supplemented or otherwise adjusted.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Standard pillows are composed of cushioning material encased by a porous fabric. Standard pillowcases are typically composed of sheet cotton, which is also highly porous. As a result, without the use of pillow protectors, standard pillows quickly become stained and malodorous as a result of the ingress of natural body oils. This can bring about high levels of colonisation by dust mites which deposit faecal matter within the pillow, and can over time cause resultant medical conditions such as asthma. Unprotected pillows can become unhygienic, unusable or unsightly well before their cushioning effect has deteriorated sufficiently to otherwise justify replacement.

[0003] Pillow protectors are removable casings which can be placed over pillows between the pillow and pillowcase. Pillow protectors provide a fluid resistant barrier between the pillow and the pillowcase which can completely prevent the staining of pillows and ingress of body fluids into and onto the pillow. Pillow protectors are typically constructed from a fabric with two or more layers adhered together, a first layer being a fabric and a second layer being a fluid resistant barrier layer such as a polyurethane film bonded to the first layer. The first layer provides familiar flexibility and feel properties and a durable substrate for the second layer. The fabric of the first layer may be any suitable fabric such as a woven fibre fabric, the fibres of which may be constructed from polyester, cotton, bamboo fibre, eucalyptus fibre or any other suitable synthetic or natural material .

[0004] Because the fluid resistant second layer is significantly airflow resistant, fully encased pillow protectors tend to lock air within the pillow and prevent rapid escape of air when a head hits the pillow, acting like an inflated balloon and affecting the softness and feel of the pillow. Consequently, holes or vents may be incorporated into the pillow protector to allow for sufficiently rapid escape of air when the user' s head compresses the pillow, to reduce or eliminate any such

ballooning effect. The vent is composed of an open weave fabric which readily allows ingress and excessive air and rapidly dissipates the trapped air.

[0005] A pillow protector of the current applicant is described in international patent application publication number

WO2010/006372 , the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. This prior art pillow protector has a vent on one end with a covering flap and a zipper closure on an opposing end for inserting and removing the pillow, using the laminated materials and vent materials described above.

[0006] Pillows are known with openable closures allowing the pillow filling substance, typically balled fibre polyester, to be removed, replaced, supplemented or otherwise adjusted.

[0007] Pillows are also known with surfaces which can be wiped clean, removing the need for a pillow protector.

[0008] There is a need for improved pillows with useful combinations of the above-mentioned features, or improved aesthetic appearance or ease of manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a pillow constructed from a fluid resistant material adapted to resist ingress of body fluids from a user into the pillow, wherein

the fluid resistant material is configured to form an enclosure with an openable closure through which a pillow filling substance may be inserted, removed, supplemented or otherwise adjusted;

the fluid resistant material comprises bonded layers including a fabric layer and a fluid resistant film layer, and the fluid resistant material is oriented with the fluid resistant film layer facing an outside of the enclosure.

[0010] In one embodiment, the pillow further comprises:

a vent adapted to allow air to escape from the enclosure when the enclosure is compressed; and

a flap of the fluid resistant material covering the vent in use .

[0011] In one embodiment, the vent is provided near the openable closure and the flap covers the vent and the openable closure in use .

[0012] In one embodiment, the enclosure comprises:

opposite faces constructed from the fluid resistant material the opposite faces being joined on edges to form the enclosure, the openable closure, the vent and the flap being on or near one of the edges. There may be provided a second flap with the two flaps mutually opposed and disposed on each face. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pillow according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0014] Figure 2 is an end view of one embodiment.

[0015] Figure 3 is an end view of a second embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 is an end view of a third embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 is an end view of a fourth embodiment.

[0018] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing different configurations of the opening edge of the pillow of the

invention .

[0019] Figure 7 is a view with the openable closure opened to show the pillow filling substance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Embodiments of the current invention will now be

described.

[0021] Referring first to Figure 1, a pillow is shown in

external perspective view and comprises opposite faces 1 and 2 closed on edges 3, 4, and 5 to form an enclosure with an opening on or near an opening edge 9 of the pillow. A flap 6 along the opening edge 9 is joined to face 1 with seam 7, and may extend 8 around the opposite face 2 to form an opposite flap. Faces 1 and 2 and flap 6 are composed of the prior art fluid resistant material described above, and may be constructed from a sheet of material stitched down the side edges 3,5. The fluid resistant material comprises bonded layers including a fabric layer and a fluid resistant film layer, and the fluid resistant material is oriented with the fluid resistant film layer such as

polyurethane facing an outside of the enclosure. This provides the advantage that the outside surface of the pillow, being relatively smooth and fluid non-absorbent, is able to be cleaned and disinfected by wiping with a damp cloth, enabling the pillow to be mostly kept clean without the use of a removable pillow protector between the pillow and the pillow slip, and also without removing the pillow filling and washing the pillow enclosure .

[0022] Referring now to Figure 2, an end view of one embodiment is shown with flap 6 on face 1 pulled up in the direction of the arrow to reveal the vent 11 composed of an open weave material as described above, with an openable closure in the form of zipper 10 disposed in the middle with vent material 11 on either side. As described above, the vent is adapted to allow air to escape the interior of the pillow when the pillow is compressed, to avoid a ballooning effect of trapped air inside the pillow.

[0023] Referring now to Figure 3, a variant is shown where a border 9 of flap 6 extends past a border 12 of the enclosure.

[0024] Referring now to Figure 4, a variant is shown where the zipper closure 10 is instead disposed on the border 12 of the enclosure with the vent 11 on an inner side.

[0025] Referring now to Figure 5, a variant is shown where the zipper closure 10 is instead disposed near the seam joint 7 of flap 6 to face 1 with the vent 11 on an outer side.

[0026] Referring now to Figure 6, configurations A, B, C and D show a range of different arrangements for the flap, vent and zipper closure in cross-section showing upper and lower faces 1 enclosing pillow containing area 13. In configuration A, flap 6 covers vent 11 and zipper closure 10 simply. In configuration B, flap 6 extends outside with a border 9 past border 12 of the pillow containing area 13, as described above in relation to Figure 3. In configuration C, the view of Figure 3 is also relevant to an embodiment where a second flap 13 is provided on face 2 joining at a joint 14 analogous to the flap 6 on face 1. In configuration D, the 2 -flap configuration C is modified where vent material 11 may be provided on both faces 1 and 2 and zipper closure 10 may be provided between the two faces.

[0027] By positioning the closure mechanism and the vent on or near the same opening edge of the pillow, complexities of manufacture can be avoided, enabling in embodiments the flap or flaps of the pillow to be manufactured from a single piece of material stitched down the sides. In addition, with the openable closure hidden behind the flap rather than exposed on an

opposite edge, potential discomfort caused by the handle of a zipper being felt through the pillowcase can be avoided. In other embodiments not having this feature, the zipper 10 can be disposed separately from vent and flap, such as on opposite edge 4.

[0028] Referring now to Figure 7, a view is shown with the zipper 10 opened to show the pillow filling substance 20 which may be balled polyester fibres, allowing adjustment of the pillow filling by adding or removing substance 20, or total removal and replacement by fresh substance 20. The balled form allows easy separation for partial filling and replacement.

[0029] In the broadest aspect of the invention, a pillow is provided with a novel combination of features of being both able to be wiped clean in normal use and the filling able to be inserted, removed, supplemented or otherwise adjusted. In preferred embodiments, the vent under a flap prevents ballooning and in further preferred embodiments the openable closure is provided within the vent under the flap, providing comfort, aesthetic appearance or ease of manufacture.

[0030] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention, which is determined from the

broadest scope and claims .

[0031] For example, while the openable closure in the embodiment shown is a zipper, other openable closures such as buttons or press studs are within the broadest scope of the invention.

[0032] Further, while it is convenient for the enclosure to be constructed from a single sheet of material, embodiments where more than one sheet of material are used are within the broadest scope of the invention.

[0033] Further still, while the embodiment above describes a simple flat sheet construction, constructions were panels of the fluid resistant material along the closed sides join and close the two faces together, providing a non-flat three-dimensional construction to better provide particular pillow shapes, are also within the broadest scope of the invention.

[0034] Further also, while the embodiments show a vent extending substantially all the way along the openable edge, embodiments where the vent extends only part way along the edge are within the broadest scope of the invention.

[0035] In the claims which follow and in the preceding

description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or

"comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention .

[0036] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.