Filling material and process for making same

Abstract

The filling material includes down with synthetic fibers having particles present on the surface of the fibers. The particles are characterized by a configuration which allows attachment of the down to the fibers. The associated method of manufacturing the filling material includes steps of obtaining a quantity of down and a quantity of synthetic fibers having particles on the surface thereof, wherein the particles allow attachment of the down to the fibers. The down and fibers are blended together to produce the filling material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A filling material, comprising:
 down; and   synthetic fibers having particles present in or on the surface of the fibers, the particles characterized by a configuration or other structural or spatial characteristic which allows attachment of the down and fibers and results in a blended filling material which remains blended during use in a bedding or clothing or other filled article.   
     
     
         2 . The filling material of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment is mechanical. 
     
     
         3 . The filling material of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are a mineral. 
     
     
         4 . The filling material of  claim 3 , wherein the particles are one or more of the following: carbon, volcanic sands, titanium, silver and copper. 
     
     
         5 . The filling material of  claim 1 , wherein the down is 50-90% and the fibers are 50-10% of the filling material. 
     
     
         6 . The filling material of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are porous. 
     
     
         7 . A filled bedding article, comprising:
 a blend of down and fibers wherein the fibers have particles present in or on the surface of the fibers, the particles characterized by a configuration or other structural or spatial characteristic which allows attachment of the down and fibers; and   a bedding article filled with the blend of down and fibers.   
     
     
         8 . The bedding article of  claim 7 , wherein the bedding article is a pillow, comforter or blanket. 
     
     
         9 . A filled clothing article, comprising:
 a blend of down and fibers wherein the fibers have particles present in or on the surface of the fibers, the particles characterized by a configuration or other structural or spatial characteristic which allows attachment of the down and fibers; and   a clothing article filled with the blend of down and fibers.   
     
     
         10 . The clothing article of  claim 9 , wherein the clothing article is a jacket. 
     
     
         11 . A filled sleeping bag, comprising:
 a blend of down and fibers, wherein the fibers have particles present in or on the surface thereof, the particles characterized by a configuration or other structural or spatial characteristic which allows attachment of the down and the fibers; and   a sleeping bag product filled with the blend of down and fibers.   
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing a filling material, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a quantity of down;   obtaining a quantity of synthetic fibers having particles on the surfaces thereof, the particles characterized by a configuration or other structural or spatial characteristic which allows attachment of the down and fibers; and   blending the down and fibers together.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the down comprises 50-90% of the filling material and the fiber comprises 50-10% of the filling material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method steps are predetermined. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , including the step of opening the fibers, and adding down to the opened fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the blending step is dry. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the down is cleaned and rinsed enough times to produce a clean down and then dried.