Customizable Pillow and Mattress

Abstract

A customizable pillow includes at least a first insert, a second insert, and a third insert and an outer shell for receiving the inserts. The first insert represents a maximum amount, the second insert represents a first intermediate amount and a third insert represents a third amount. One of the inserts has a minimum amount. The combination of inserts provides adjustability in equal increments from the minimum amount to a combined amount equal to the sum of the minimum amount, the maximum amount, and any intermediate amounts and one or more of the inserts may be used at a given time by a user. A method of customizing a pillow includes selecting the inserts and putting them inside the shell. A customizable mattress includes a base portion, topping portion and cover layer. The topping portion has one or more inserts of different thicknesses and/or materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A customizable pillow comprising:
 a first insert representing a maximum amount;   a second insert representing a first intermediate amount that is not equal to a minimum amount or the maximum amount; and   a third insert representing a third amount that is lower than the first intermediate amount, wherein one of the inserts has a minimum amount; and   an outer shell having an opening for receiving one or more of the inserts, wherein the combination of inserts provides adjustability in equal increments from the minimum amount to a combined amount equal to the sum of the minimum amount, the maximum amount, and any intermediate amounts, with scaled adjustability based upon different desired sizes of pillows, wherein one or more of the inserts may be used at a given time by a user.   
     
     
         2 . The customizable pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth insert for insertion into the outer shell, with the third insert being an intermediate insert having an amount that is not equal to the minimum amount, the maximum amount, or the first intermediate amount; and the fourth insert having the minimum amount. 
     
     
         3 . The customizable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first insert is a 30 ounce insert, the second insert is a 20 ounce insert, and the third insert is a 10 ounce insert; or
 the first insert is a 20 ounce insert, the second insert is a 10 ounce insert, and the third insert is a 5 ounce insert; or   the first insert is 3 inches thick, the second insert is 2 inches thick, and the third insert is 1 inch thick; or   the first insert is 2 inches thick, the second insert is 1 inch thick, and the third insert is ½ inch thick.   
     
     
         4 . The customizable pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the first insert is a 30 ounce insert, the second insert is a 20 ounce insert, the third insert is a 10 ounce insert, and the fourth insert is a 5 ounce insert; or
 the first insert is 3 inches thick, the second insert is 2 inches thick, the third insert is 1 inch thick, and the fourth insert is ½ inch thick.   
     
     
         5 . The pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the outer shell includes one or more inner holding members that extend across at least one of the width or length of the shell for receiving one or more of the first, second, third, or fourth inserts. 
     
     
         6 . The pillow of  claim 5 , wherein the holding members are straps, panels, or baffles. 
     
     
         7 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell includes a closure for closing the opening of the outer shell after the inserts are positioned inside the shell, and the opening is positioned along one or more of the length side of the pillow or the width side of the pillow. 
     
     
         8 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third inserts have substantially the same overall profile shape, but with different weights and/or thicknesses. 
     
     
         9 . The pillow of  claim 8 , wherein the first, second, and third inserts have a substantially rectangular profile shape and/or tapered ends. 
     
     
         10 . The pillow of  claim 4 , wherein the pillow ranges in weight from a minimum of about 5 ounces to a maximum of about 65 ounces, or the pillow ranges in thickness from a minimum thickness of about ½ inch to a maximum thickness of about 6.5 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising a scented, removable sheet positioned between one of the outer shell, the first insert, the second insert, and the third insert. 
     
     
         12 . A method for customizing a pillow comprising:
 providing a plurality of inserts and an outer shell according to  claim 1 ;   selecting one or more of the inserts based upon the sleep needs of the user;   positioning the one or more inserts inside the shell; and   closing the shell.   
     
     
         13 . A customizable mattress comprising:
 a base portion;   a topping portion having one or more inserts of different thicknesses, weights, and/or materials; and   a cover layer,   wherein each of the base portion, the topping portion, the one or more inserts, and the cover layer are independently selectable by a user for positioning under the cover layer.   
     
     
         14 . The mattress of  claim 13 , wherein the inserts are removable, repositionable, independently selectable, and replaceable, and the cover layer is removable and replaceable. 
     
     
         15 . The mattress of  claim 13 , wherein the topping portion is coupled to the base portion and the cover layer is coupled to one of the base portion or the topping portion. 
     
     
         16 . The mattress of  claim 13 , wherein the base portion includes a plurality of springs, and the inserts include one or more of fiber, foam, natural fillers, organic fillers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A customizable mattress comprising:
 a closeable shell having sides;   a plurality of inserts for positioning inside the shell; and   support means positioned inside the shell for supporting the sides of the shell, wherein the support means is provided by the inserts, by an independent supporting device positioned around the inserts, or by a combination of both.   
     
     
         18 . The mattress of  claim 17 , further comprising a cover member, which may or may not be provided by the closeable shell. 
     
     
         19 . The mattress of  claim 17 , wherein the support means include side portions that are attachable to the closeable shell, and further comprising a base portion coupled to the closeable shell. 
     
     
         20 . The customizable mattress of  claim 18 , wherein the cover member includes an attachment feature for coupling the cover member to the closable shell.