Background of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to a bedroom pillow and the like, and particularly to the construction of a reversible pillow that seeks to enhance comfort based on the seasonality of sleeping conditions.

[0002] Sleep comfort is a field that continues to draw attention given the lack of sleep suffered by many people in today's society. Given the changes in temperature throughout the year in many geographic locations, a need exists to provide a pillow that suits these changes in temperature. Many people sweat during the night creating a less comfortable sleeping experience around their head and neck area. Conversely, the cooler temperatures during the year create a need for warm materials for more insulation. Prior attempts to provide pillows with different comfort characteristics include US published application 20070056108 A1

(Nikolopoulos) disclosing a face rest with gel fill that may be adjusted to a

temperature to heat or cool a user's face. US patent 2944266 A (Wertheimer) shows a pillow or cushion that has one section filled with sponge or foam rubber and a second section filled with down or the like. US patent 3443267 A (Schuckman) shows a pillow that includes compartment filled with down feathers and a

compartment filled with whole feathers. US patent 4173048 A (Varaney) shows a pillow configuration that includes batt material and foam material contained within opposite sides thereof of a pillow. The batt material provides heat retention during cool weather. The other side can be employed during warm weather when a cooler side is needed. US patent 4783866 A (Simmons et al.) and US patent 4858259 A (Simmons et al.) show a therapy pillow with a removable therapeutic gel pack. US patent 5916088 A (Gueli) shows a cooling beach pillow that includes a layer of thermally conductive gel material. US patent 6026330 A (Chuang) shows a multifunction pillow. US patent 6622325 B1 (Garza) shows a facial fatigue reducing pillow construction that includes an upper portion of foam material and a lower batting filled portion. US patent 6645235 B1 (Blackwell) shows a hot/cold pack therapeutic device that includes a thermally conductive material for facilitating heat transfer. US design patent D517698 S (Savage) shows the ornamental design for a cold pillow. US patent 3648469 A (Chapman) shows a thermoelectric pillow. US published application 20120186022 A1 (Navarro) shows a pillow that includes a polyurethane foam layer and a fiber layer. The pillow may include an optional layer of gel between the two surface layers.

[0003] However, in spite of the prior efforts, a truly seasonal pillow having reversible sides providing effective warming and cooling has not been provided. Thus, it can be seen that a pillow which aids in mitigating temperature changes and other associated comfort challenges is deserving of much consideration.

[0004] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a reversible, seasonal pillow having an effective cooler side and a warmer side.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide a seasonal pillow having a combination of warming material on one side and a cooling gel layer on the reverse side to provide comfort for temperature changes. [0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a seasonal pillow having a cool side with a contoured gel layer which circulates the gel when a person moves on the pillow to increase a cooling effect

[0007] Another object of the invention is to provide a seasonal pillow having a cool side and a warm side surrounded by a cover having indicia indicating the warm and cool sides.

Summary of the Invention

The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing a personal seasonal pillow for accommodating different seasonal temperatures comprising a reversible pillow having a cool side and a warm side. The cool side includes a gel layer containing a fluid gel for coolness during warmer months. The warm side includes an insulation layer having a fill material for warmth during cooler months. A resilient layer is disposed intermediate the cool and warm layers, and a pillow cover encloses the layers. The resilient layer includes memory foam having a contoured surface contacting the gel layer to enhance circulation of the fluid gel across the cool side when the person moves which allows the fluid gel to circulate across the pillow. The contoured surface includes a series of ridges and channels which create groves in the gel layer. The ridges and channels are curved across the contoured surface and the pillow. The fill includes one of natural feathers, natural down, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, synthetic material, cotton, and a mixture thereof. The gel and resilient layer have a cross-section maximum thickness at a midpoint which tapers from the midpoint to outer edges. The warm layer has a cross-section maximum thickness at a midpoint which tapers from the midpoint to outer edges. In a preferred embodiment, the pillow may include indicators associated with the cover to differentiate the warm and cool sides. The pillow indicators may include spaced piping on the cover having different color indicators. In a simplified embodiment, the cool gel layer and the warm insulated layer may meet at a single edge of piping.

Description of the Drawings

[0008] The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

[0009] Figure 1 is a left perspective view of a seasonal pillow constructed according to a preferred embodiment;

[00010] Figure 2A is an end elevation of the pillow of Figure 1 ;

[00011] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2B-2B;

[00012] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a seasonal pillow constructed according to a preferred embodiment taken from Figure 4 illustrating the pillow layers in cross- section and longitudinal section;

[00013] Figure 4 is a top plan view of a gel layer having ridges and channels spiraled across the pillow for enhanced cooling constructed according to a preferred embodiment;

[00014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a seasonal pillow constructed according to an alternative embodiment;

[00015] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment taken along lines 5-5. Description of a Preferred Embodiment

[00016] Referring now to the drawings, the invention will be described in more detail.

[00017] As can best be seen in Figures 1 and 5, a reversible seasonal pillow, generally designated as A, is shown having a two sided option, including a cool side 10 (gel side) to cool the individual, and a warm side 12 (textile fill) to insulate and warm the individual during the cool months. The design of the cool side includes an efficient gel layer, such as a silica gel layer. When the person moves during their sleep, the gel circulates thereby providing renewed coolness. This gel layer 30 may be any desired shape or size, and may partially cover or substantially cover the cool side 10. In a preferred embodiment illustrated by Figure 1 , the gel layer 30 may be rectangular in shape and cover a substantial portion of the cool surface 10. In this embodiment, the user may position his or her head on any portion of the cool side 10 and experience a cooling effect from the gel. Alternatively, a simplified and more cost-efficient gel layer 30 may be employed, whereby the gel may cover only the portion of the pillow where the user will most likely place his or her head. Figure 5 illustrates a gel layer 30 that is preferably a half-moon shape and generally centrally located on the cool layer 10, covering approximately one third of the pillow surface. Although any shape may be used such as square, rectangle, circle, oval, and the like, the half-moon shape is preferable as it allows for contouring of the shape of a user's head. On the reverse side of the pillow, the warm side 12 includes an insulating layer filled with one of natural feathers, natural down, natural fiber, cotton fill, denier microfiber, and mixtures thereof. The idea is that during the cooler months, warm side 12 will provide a more appropriate insulation and comfort for these weather conditions. In the warmer months, the cool side 10 will provide a more appropriate cooling layer for comfort during these weather conditions.

[00018] Referring now in more detail, as can best be seen in Figures 2A and 2B, seasonal pillow A includes a cover C having two parts, a first cover part 20 including a cover which may be bounded by piping 22 on the cool side, and a second cover part 28 preferably including a gusset 26 panel between piping 22 and a piping 24 and continuing to the other side of the pillow and terminating at piping 22. Indicators 25 and 27 may be provided on the cover to indicate the cool and warm sides. By making piping 22 a cool color, such as blue, and making piping 24 a warm color, such as red, the colors are indications of the cool side and the warm side. Of course, any different colors or indicia can be used if effective to indicate the cool and warm sides, and all or a portion of the piping may include the indicator. Alternatively, the gusset panel and dual piping may be optional. Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment whereby the first cover part 20 and second cover part 28 may be bounded together by a single piping, omitting the gusset. First part 20 of the cool side of cover C preferably made from a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric such as CoolMax® (trademark of Invista) or similar "dri" fabric in order for the person to be able to experience the cooling effect more easily. The second cover part 28 may be any suitable bedding fabric, natural, synthetic, or mixtures. Preferably, cotton is used. The cover may be woven or non-woven.

[00019] Referring now to Figures 2B, 3, and 6, the invention will be described in more detail referring to the cross-section and longitudinal views. Figures 2B and 6 show two embodiments of the seasonal pillow in cross-section from the top to the bottom of the pillow, including cover 20, gel layer 30, resilient or memory foam layer 32, textile fill layer 34, and bottom cover 28. Foam layer 32 is contoured to form corresponding opposite contours in the gel layer 30. For this purpose, a top 36 of the foam layer is contoured by a series of ridges 38 and channels 40 which press into the gel layer to create a series of spiral grooves 42 in the gel layer. The spiral grooves allow the fluid gel to circulate across the pillow as the sleeper changes position. Other contouring or shape of the foam top 36 may be used to achieve the same benefits. Foam layer 32 is preferable, a suitable resilient polyurethane foam, such as memory foam. Latex foam may also be used in some applications.

[00020] Textile fill layer 34 may include any suitable textile or other fill material including natural feathers, natural down, natural fibers, cotton filling, denier microfiber, and mixtures of two or more thereof. The drawing dimensions of the layers are not necessarily to scale but are for illustration purposes. In one embodiment of the invention, gel layer 30 and memory foam layer 32 have a cross- section which varies at a midpoint generally between 2.5 and 4.0 inches. Opposing tapered edges 48 of the layers very in thickness, generally between 2.0 and 3.25 inches. Insulating layer 34 preferably has a thickness at its midpoint of between 2.5 and 3.5 inches. Tapered opposing edges 50 have a thickness of generally between 2.0 and 3.5.

[00021] It is to be understood that the seasonal pillow may be modified or constructed in alternative embodiments. The pillow may be fabricated to target a high-end consumer, or modified to adjust manufacturing costs and meet a price point best for mass-marketing. The gel layer 30 may be any shape or size, as desired and may cover a substantial or only a partial portion of the surface layer. Additionally, the fill layer 34 may be any single or combination of desired textiles as described above. Referring now to Figure 5, in one alternative embodiment, the pillow may include a cover 20 and 28 covering the cool layer 10 and warm layer 12, respectively. In a preferred embodiment shown by Figures 1 and 4, the gel layer 30 may be rectangular in shape and substantially covering the surface of the cool, resilient layer 10. Alternatively, the gel layer 30, as shown in Figure 5, may be a half-moon shape covering a smaller portion of the cool, resilient layer 10.

[00022] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposed only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.