Pillow closure

Abstract

A pillow shell, the pillow shell having an opening leading into an internal cavity, the opening having a zipper closure mechanism, the zipper closure mechanism adapted to operate in only a single direction. Also disclosed is a pillow comprising a pair of panels each having a first edge and opposed second edge spanning a first end and an opposed second end, the panels being sewn along at least the first and second side edges and the first end edge to create a cavity between the panels, fill material disposed within the cavity, and a zipper closure mechanism associated with the second end edges, the zipper closure mechanism adapted to operate only in a single direction. The zipper closure mechanism may include a pull tab connected to a slide, the slide including a ratchet mechanism to permit operation of the slide in only the single direction.

1 . A pillow, said pillow comprising: 
 a pair of panels each having a first edge and opposed second edge spanning a first end and an opposed second end, said panels being sewn along at least said first and second side edges and said first end edge to create a cavity between said panels;    fill material disposed within said cavity; and,    a zipper closure mechanism associated with said second end edges, said zipper closure mechanism adapted to operate only in a single direction.    
   
   
       2 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein said zipper closure mechanism comprises a pull tab connected to a slide, said slide including a ratchet mechanism to permit operation of said slide in only the single direction.  
   
   
       3 . The pillow of  claim 2 , wherein said zipper closure mechanism further comprises teeth, said ratchet mechanism adapted to interact with said teeth to permit operation in only the single direction.  
   
   
       4 . The pillow of  claim 2 , wherein said pull tab is separable from said slide.  
   
   
       5 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein said second end edges are partially sewn in sewn portions, said sewn portions being adjacent to said first and second edges with said zipper closure mechanism between said sewn portions.  
   
   
       6 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein cord is sewn integrally with said first and second side edges and said first end edge.  
   
   
       7 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein said zipper closure mechanism includes a pull tab, said pillow further comprising a staple adapted to connect said pull tab to at least one of said panels.  
   
   
       8 . A kit of pillow components for manufacturing a pillow, said pillow components comprising: 
 a pair of panels having edges, said pair of panels adapted to be sewn together along their respective edges except in a limited area to create an open cavity;    fill material to be disposed within said cavity; and,    a zipper closure mechanism adapted to span said limited area, said zipper closure mechanism adapted to be moved freely in a first direction to close said cavity, said zipper closure mechanism having a feature restricting movement in a second direction to inhibit opening of said cavity.    
   
   
       9 . The kit of pillow components of  claim 8 , wherein said zipper closure mechanism comprises a pull tab connected to a slide, said slide including a ratchet mechanism to permit operation of said slide in only the single direction.  
   
   
       10 . The kit of pillow components of  claim 9 , wherein said pull tab is separable from said slide.  
   
   
       11 . The kit of pillow components of  claim 9 , wherein said zipper closure mechanism further comprises teeth, said ratchet mechanism adapted to interact with said teeth to permit operation in only the single direction.  
   
   
       12 . The kit of pillow components of  claim 8 , wherein said zipper closure mechanism includes a pull tab, said pillow components further comprising a staple adapted to connect said pull tab to at least one of said panels.  
   
   
       14 . A pillow, said pillow comprising: 
 a pair of panels sewn together continuously along all but an unsewn portion of their edges to form a cavity;    a zipper closure mechanism associated with said unsewn portion, said zipper mechanism comprising a slide and a pull;    wherein said pull is secured to at least one of said panels upon closing.    
   
   
       15 . The pillow of  claim 14 , wherein said pull is secured with one of a staple, a pull tie, or a safety pin.  
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a pillow from a pair of panels, said method comprising: 
 sewing the panels together along their edges to form a cavity having an entrance;    associating a zipper with said entrance of said cavity, the zipper having a one way closure mechanism;    filling the cavity with fill material;    closing the one way closure mechanism to enclose the filling within the cavity.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said step of sewing the panels together is followed by the step of inverting the cavity.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of sewing the panels together incorporates a cord.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said step of sewing the panels together is conducted with an overlock stitch.  
   
   
       20 . A pillow shell, said pillow shell having an opening leading into an internal cavity, said opening having a zipper closure mechanism, said zipper closure mechanism adapted to operate in only a single direction.