IMPROVED PILLOW

The present invention relates to an improved pillow of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim. In particular, the present invention has an improved pillow that lends itself to a multitude of uses and allows to obtain different configurations.

As is known, pillows are objects having very variable shapes, for example rectangular, triangular, circular or other, substantially soft and usually comprising a wrapping of cloth or fabric including padding material. The pillow, or cushion, is therefore usually positioned on top of mattresses, for example to rest the head on them during sleep, sofas, armchairs or even floors.

In the most general sense, the pillow is in fact substantially a support device having a predetermined shape and volume.

The padding, which determines its softness, usually includes artificial fibers, wool, feathers or synthetic materials.

The pillows according to the known art comprise important drawbacks.

In particular, the pillow of the known art are badly adapted to the deformation of the same in such a way as to realize different configurations of use.

If, for example, you are lying on the bed, but you intend to maintain an elevated head or back posture, it is often necessary to fold the pillow in half with the consequence that it loses its characteristics of softness in some localized points. Furthermore, if a support is not maintained on the same pillow, it returns to its original shape and, therefore, it does not maintain the desired configuration.

When, in these alternative configurations, the head is placed on the pillow, it also exerts a force in return on the user's head which can be very annoying. In order to overcome this drawback, special cushions have been created.

For example, patent application JP-A-2018157866 describes a pillow consisting of a plurality of pillow bodies separated in different chambers. The chambers are therefore mutually constrained in such a way as to be rotated and in such a way as to be able to superimpose the different pillow bodies as desired to increase the thickness of the pillow on command.

However, the solution just described also includes some important drawbacks.

In particular, when the bodies are not superimposed on each other, the pillow is excessively thin and extended. Therefore, when the bodies are not superimposed, the pillow is uncomfortable to rest the head while lying down and takes up excessive space on the bed.

Furthermore, in any case, when the cushions are superimposed, the increase in thickness is commensurate with the initial thickness of the bodies and, for constructional needs, it cannot be very high, since the bodies are not made in such a way as to be able to perfectly overlap.

In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise an improved pillow capable of substantially obviating at least part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Within the scope of said technical task, an important object of the invention is to obtain an improved pillow which allows to realize a plurality of configurations for use in an efficient manner.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved pillow that allows to significantly increase the thickness or extension without taking up too much space. In conclusion, a further aim of the invention is to provide a pillow that is extremely comfortable for the user. The technical task and the specified aims are achieved by an improved pillow as claimed in the attached claim 1.

Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clarified below by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: the Fig. 1 shows a view in longitudinal section of an improved pillow according to the invention in a preferred embodiment wherein the pillow is shaped like a bar of soap and the pillow is in a first configuration of use; the Fig. 2a shows a view of the upper face of an improved pillow according to the invention in the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 ; the Fig. 2b is a view of the lower face of an improved pillow according to the invention in the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 ; the Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section of an improved pillow according to the invention in a preferred embodiment wherein the pillow is soap-bar shaped and the pillow is in a second configuration of use; the Fig. 4 shows a view in longitudinal section of an improved pillow according to the invention in a preferred embodiment wherein the pillow is soap-bar shaped, the pillow is in a first configuration of use and comprises means of constraint; the Fig. 5 illustrates a pillowcase in longitudinal section that can be fit on the portions of an improved pillow according to the invention in a preferred embodiment and wherein the side pockets are visible; the Fig. 6 is a view in longitudinal section of an improved pillow according to the invention on which is fitted the pillowcase of Fig. 5; the Fig. 7 is a view in transverse section of an improved pillow according to the invention in an alternative embodiment wherein the pillow is soap-bar shape and the sagittal surface is parallel to the axis of prevalent development; the Fig. 8a shows a view of the upper face of an improved pillow according to the invention in the alternative embodiment of Fig. 7; the Fig.8b illustrates a view of the lower face of an improved pillow according to the invention in the alternative embodiment of Fig. 7; the Fig. 9a is a cross-sectional view of an improved pillow according to the invention in an alternative embodiment wherein the pillow is soap-bar shape and the pillow is in a first configuration of use; the Fig. 9b is a view in longitudinal section of an improved pillow according to the invention in an alternative embodiment wherein the pillow is soap-bar shaped and the pillow is in a second configuration of use; the Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an improved pillow according to the invention in an alternative embodiment wherein the pillow is shaped like a cylinder and the pillow is in a first configuration of use; and the Fig. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an improved pillow according to the invention in an alternative embodiment wherein the pillow is shaped like a cylinder and the pillow is in a second configuration of use. In the present document, the measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like “about” or other similar terms such as “approximately” or “substantially”, are to be considered as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors, and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measurements, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For instance, these terms, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence of not more than 10% of the value.

Moreover, when used, terms such as “first”, “second”, “higher”, “lower”, “main” and “secondary” do not necessarily identify an order, a priority of relationship or a relative position, but can simply be used to clearly distinguish between their different components.

Unless otherwise specified, as results in the following discussions, terms such as “treatment”, “computing”, “determination”, “calculation”, or similar, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or similar electronic calculation device that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic quantities of registers of a computer system and/or memories in, other data similarly represented as physical quantities within computer systems, registers or other storage, transmission or information displaying devices.

The measurements and data reported in this text are to be considered, unless otherwise indicated, as performed in the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975).

With reference to the Figures, the improved pillow according to the invention is globally indicated with the number 1.

The pillow 1 comprises exclusively a cushion-shaped body 2.

The cushion-shaped body 2 is to be understood as a finished body, having its own shape. This shape can be, for example, a soap shape, as in common pillows of the known art, or it can have other shapes, for example rectangular or cylindrical.

In the preferred embodiment, shown in the Figs. 1 -4 and 6-9b, the body 2 defines a soap-bar shape. In an alternative embodiment, shown in the Figs. 10-11 , the body 2 can define a cylindrical shape. In any case, preferably, the body 2 is homogeneous. The term homogeneous does not mean that the body 2 must be homogeneous at a microscopic level and always have a constant density. The term homogeneous, on the other hand, means that the body 2 is preferably homogeneous at a macroscopic level, or rather, it does not have strong irregularities capable of modifying, locally, its properties in a noticeable way. In this sense, for example, the body 2 does not have a padding with material that is free to move irregularly, but has materials that allow a good level of homogeneity to be guaranteed. For example, the body 2 comprises polymeric material. This material can be, in particular, a polymeric foam, a shape memory material, or other type which allows the realization of a homogeneous body 2, capable of maintaining a defined shape.

The body 2 therefore defines a transverse surface 2a and a sagittal surface 2b. The surfaces 2a and 2b can extend rectilinearly, and therefore be flat, or they can also have a curvature.

The transverse surface 2a and the sagittal surface 2b are reference surfaces which can vary according to the shape of the body 2.

The transverse surface 2a is preferably a plane. It preferably substantially cuts the body 2 at a centerline. For example, if the body 2 is soap-bar shaped, the transverse surface 2a corresponds to the longitudinal center plane.

If the body 2 is cylindrical in shape, the transverse surface 2a can be curved and can run through the center circumference of the cylinder, as shown in the Figs. 5-6. The sagittal surface 2b is preferably perpendicular to the transverse surface 2a. If the transverse surface 2a is curved, the sagittal surface 2b cuts the transverse surface perpendicularly in at least one point. In any case, the sagittal surface 2b substantially delimits the body 2 into two substantially specular parts. The sagittal surface 2b can be arranged perpendicular to the prevailing development axis of the body 2, as shown for example in the Figs. 1-4 or even parallel to the prevailing development axis of the body 2, as shown for example in Figs. 7-9b.

In particular, the body 2 is sectioned in such a way as to determine at least a first portion 20 and a second portion 21.

The portions 20, 21 are substantially distinct parts of the same body 2 determined by the sectioning of the body 2. The first portion and the second portion 20, 21 are divided along a first section surface 3.

The first surface of section 3 can extend flatly, or it can also be curved.

In detail, preferably, the first section surface 3 is skewed with respect to the transverse surface 2a. Even more in detail, preferably, the first section surface 3 is also skewed with respect to the sagittal surface 2b.

The first section surface 3 can also extend along the body 2 from side to side, in such a way as to completely separate the portions 20, 21 , or it can extend only partially within the body 2 so that the portions 20, 21 maintain at least one connection point. Preferably, in fact, the first portion 20, 21 are loosely constrained to each other in such a way as to be mutually rotatable.

In particular, they are mutually rotatable along a first rotation axis 3a.

The first axis of rotation 3a, therefore, lies on the first surface of section 3. Even more in detail, preferably, the first rotation axis 3a is parallel to the transverse surface 2a plane. Furthermore, preferably, the first rotation axis 3a is also parallel to the sagittal surface 2b.

Being able to rotate, the first portion 20 and the second portion 21 are able to realize at least two configurations.

In particular, in a first use configuration, the body 2 maintains the original shape, and the portions 20, 21 are in contact along the first section surface 3.

In a second use configuration, the portions 20, 21 are mutually rotated around the first rotation axis 3a and away from the first section surface 3.

In this second configuration of use, substantially, the second portion 21 can be rotated until it overlaps the first portion 20, increasing the thickness of the entire pillow 1 .

Furthermore, the first portion 20 and the second portion 21 can rotate until a support plane is formed extending along the section surface 3 and determined by both portions 20, 21 . In other words, the portions 20, 21 can be at least partially aligned with each other.

As already mentioned, the portions 20, 21 can be connected to each other if the first section surface 3 does not cut the body 2 from side to side, or from face to face, for example with respect to the transverse surface 2a.

Alternatively, the pillow 1 can include attachment means 5.

If present, the attachment means 5 operatively connect the portions 20, 21 in such a way that they can be mutually rotated around the first rotation axis 3a. Similar attachment means 5 can also include a simple piece of fabric sewn to both portions 20, 21 or an adhesive tape adhering simultaneously to both portions 20, 21 , or a rubber strip or similar. The pillow 1 is preferably divided only into two portions 20, 21 in the alternative embodiment, shown in the Figs. 7-9b where the sagittal surface 2b is parallel to the prevailing development axis. Or, in the preferred embodiment of the Figs. 1 -4, the pillow 1 is not divided only into two portions 20, 21. Preferably, the pillow 1 is further sectioned in such a way as to determine a third portion 22.

The third portion 22 has similar characteristics to the second portion 21. Therefore, the first portion 20 and the third portion 22 are also divided along a second section surface 4.

The second section surface 4 can extend flatly, or can also be curved.

In detail, preferably, the second section surface 4 is skewed with respect to the transverse surface 2a. Even more in detail, preferably, the second section surface 4 is also skewed with respect to the sagittal surface 2b.

The second section surface 4 can also extend along the body 2 from side to side, in such a way as to completely separate the portions 20, 22, or it can extend only partially within the body 2 so that the portions 20, 22 maintain at least one connection point. Preferably, in fact, the first portion 20, 22 are constraint in a compliant way together in such a way as to be mutually rotatable.

In particular, they are mutually rotatable along a second rotation axis 4a.

The second rotation axis 4a, therefore, lies on the second surface of section 4. Even more in detail, preferably, the second rotation axis 4a is parallel to the transverse surface 2a. Furthermore, preferably, the second rotation axis 4a is also parallel to the sagittal surface 2b.

Being able to rotate, the first portion 20 and the third portion 22 are also capable of realizing at least two configurations.

In particular, in the first configuration of use, the body 2 maintains the original shape, and the portions 20, 22 are in contact along the second section surface 4. In a second configuration of use, the portions 20, 22 are reciprocally rotated around the second rotation axis 4a and moved away from the second section surface 4.

In this second configuration of use, substantially, the third portion 22 can be rotated until it overlaps the first portion 20, increasing the thickness of the entire pillow 1 .

In addition, the first portion 20 and the third portion 22 can rotate up to realize a support plane extending along the second surface of section 4 and determined by both portions 20, 22. in other words, the portions 20, 22 may be at least partially aligned with each other.

As already mentioned, the portions 20, 22 can also be connected to each other if the second section surface 4 does not cut the body 2 from side to side, or from face to face, for example with respect to the transverse surface 2a.

Alternatively, the pillow 1 can include constraint means 5 configured to connect the first portion 20 and the third portion 22.

Therefore, if provided with three portions 20, 21 , 22, the pillow 1 can at least realize a first configuration of use in which the body 2 is, on the whole, not deformed with respect to the original shape, the first portion 20 and the second portion 21 are in contact along the first section surface 3 and the first portion 20 and third portion 22 are in contact along the second surface of section 4.

Furthermore, the pillow 1 can realize the second configuration of use wherein the second portion 21 or the third portion 22 are rotated, respectively around the first axis of rotation 3a or the second rotation axis 4a, with respect to the first portion 20. In addition, the pillow 1 allows to realize a third configuration of itself in which both the second portion 21 and the third 22 are rotated with respect to the first portion 20, so as to achieve a large increase or of thickness of the pillow 1 and allow a user to rest not only the head, but possibly also the neck and part of the back. Preferably, the portions 20, 21 are arranged, in the preferred embodiment, in such a way as to be substantially specular with respect to the sagittal surface 2b. Therefore, the cross-sectional surfaces 3, 4 are skewed with respect to the transverse surface 2a, they are also mutually skewed and converge towards the sagittal surface 2b.

In the preferred embodiment, the second portion 21 and the third portion 22 are mutually separated from the first portion 20 and positioned at opposite sides of the first portion 20 with respect to the sagittal surface 2b.

In the alternative embodiment, the second portion 21 and the third portion 22 are also in contact with each other when they are in the first configuration of use, as shown in Fig. 10.

As configured, the first rotation axis 3a and the second rotation axis 4a are mutually parallel. Furthermore, they are parallel to the transverse surface 2a. In addition, they are also parallel to the sagittal surface 2b and are positioned at opposite faces of the body 2 with respect to the transverse surface 2a. This last geometry, in particular, allows to obtain a substantially pyramid shape, in the third configuration of use, which is very convenient for placing the head in an elevated position.

The operation of the improved pillow 1 previously described in structural terms is as follows. When the user lies, for example, on a bed, the pillow can be used in the first configuration of use, or rather with the first portion 20 in contact with the second portion 21 along the first section surface 3 and the first portion 20 in contact with the third portion 22 along the second section surface 4. If the user wants to position himself on the side, it may be convenient to fold the second portion 21 around the first axis of rotation 3a or the third portion 22 around the second rotation axis 4a. Once the first or second portion has been folded, a localized increase in thickness is achieved in a defined area of the pillow so as to allow the user to arrange the arm, in a comfortable and correct manner, in front of the user's head.

If, on the other hand, the user wants to use the pillow as a support for the head in an inclined position, for example when the user is watching television from the bed, it is sufficient to fold both portions 21 , 22 around their respective rotation axes 3a, 4a to realize the third configuration of use with maximum thickness of the pillow. The invention furthermore comprises a new process for manufacturing the improved pillow 1 .

Essentially, the method provides for obtaining a homogeneous pillow body 2 and sectioning it.

Alternatively, the body 2 could already have the section surfaces 3, 4 already in the mold.

The sectioning can take place only along the first section surface 3 or on both the section surfaces 3, 4. Furthermore, the section can take place partially through the body 2 in such a way that the second portion 21 and the third portion 22 remain constrained to the first portion 20. Or the section may be made from part to part of the body 2 and the process may include a further constraint step in which attachment means 5 are connected to at least the first portion 20 and the second portion 21 and, if present, also the third portion 22 and the first portion 20.

Alternatively, the body 2 can be composed of an internal portion, which constitutes the main volume, and a lining portion 6, for example a pillowcase, shaped so as to realize the rotation axes 3a, 4a. Naturally, the lining portion 6 can keep the portions 20, 21 , 22 in order and be part of the body 2 or it can also simply be fitted on the body 2 as in the preferred embodiment and as shown in Fig. 6. In any case, preferably, the lining portion 6 includes side pockets 60. The side pockets 60 are, in particular, arranged on the lining portion 6 in such a way that when the lining portion 6 is fitted on the body 2 and defines part of the body 2 being fitted on the portions 20, 21 , 22, they can be inserted, in the first configuration of use, between the portions 20, 21 at the first section surface 3 and, if the third portion 22 is present, between the portions 20, 22 at the second section surface 4.

In this way, when the pillow is in the second configuration of use, the lining portion 6 does not cause impediments to the movement of the portions 20, 21 , 22 and remains substantially always attached to the body 2.

Preferably still more in detail, each of the side pockets 60 it is counter-shaped to the space between and portions 20, 21 and / or 20, 22.

The improved pillow 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages.

In fact, the improved pillow 1 allows any configuration to be made.

Furthermore, the pillow 1 , while ensuring a great versatility of use, maintains a great efficiency in terms of comfort since, in the first configuration of use, the pillow has a conventional and comfortable shape and the sections, being skewed, are not perceived by the user as annoying.

The adoption of surfaces with a skew section, in fact, avoids the creation of chasms in which the user's head can sink, making the support difficult or uncomfortable. Furthermore, the thickness can be varied as the second portion 21 , or the third portion 22, or both need to be folded.

Also, the fact of having rotation axes 3a, 4a substantially opposite with respect to the transverse surface 2a, allows to increase the efficiency of the pillow 1 which can allow it to rest along any face. The invention is susceptible of variants falling within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims. For example, the shapes of the pillow body could be different and have more complex and/or more ergonomic geometries. In this context, all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions can be any.