Abstract:
A composite light weight, flexible and energy efficient, thermal source energy transfer assembly for the transfer of thermal energy in articles of warmth or cold and its method of construction is described. The assembly comprises a thermal energy generating membrane having opposed top and bottom surfaces. A first thermally insulating flexible down material sheet is secured to the top surface. A second thermally insulating flexible down material sheet is secured to the bottom surface and wherein the first thermally insulating flexible down material sheet has a thermal insulating value superior to the second thermally insulating flexible down sheet to thermally insulate the thermal energy generating membrane from an ambient temperature side of the thermal source energy transfer assembly when retained adjacent a surface area of a user person to be heated or cooled by heat or cold released by the thermal energy generating membrane. The second thermally insulating flexible down material sheet absorbs and distributes thermal energy transferred thereto by the thermal energy generating membrane. Several assembly examples and applications are described.
Abstract:
A down-fill pillow structure is formed by a fabric pouch in which is captively retained in close fit therein, one or more down feather sheet of predetermined density and substantially even thickness in which the down feathers are bound together by a binding agent. The down feather sheet has a memory which exhibits rebounding properties. A shaped core body may be inserted in the fabric pouch and encapsulated by the down feather sheet or sheet portions. The down-fill pillow may also be constructed as an ergonomic or non-allergenic pillow.
Abstract:
A down-fill pillow with a core formed from down feather sheet material pieces used in the fabrication of down insulated products. The size and shape of the pieces do not exceed predetermined sizes. The pieces may have a variety of shapes, such as in block or strip form or of irregular size if formed from trimmings of down sheet material in which is cut patterns for use in the fabrication of insulated articles. The down feather sheet pieces are placed in an envelope formed from one or more down feather sheets and the pieces entangle with one another due to their captive retention in the pillow envelope which restrains the pieces in close contact with one another and limited movement. When the head of a user person is rested on the down-fill pillow, it causes the mixture to compress and mold about the head while remaining entangled and recovering its loft when the head is removed. The method of forming the pillow core by the use of down feather sheet material pieces is also described.
Abstract:
A thermally insulating stretchable down feather sheet and its method of manufacture is described. The core of the sheet is comprised of down feathers mixed with a binder which exhibits elastic properties. The core is sandwiched between a top and bottom stretchable elastomeric sheet having multi-directional stretchability. The core down feathers and the binder as well as the elastomeric sheet and bound together by heat treatment to provide a down feather insulating sheet which is stretchable in all directions without fractioning the sheet.