Cooling body support cushions and pillows

Abstract

Body support cushions are disclosed. The cushions comprise a plurality of separate and distinct consecutive layers overlying over each other in a depth direction. Each layer includes thermal effusivity enhancing material with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws0.5/(m2K), and the total thermal effusivity of increases from layer to layer in the depth direction. The plurality of layers include a plurality of phase change layers that each comprise a solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius. The total mass of the PCM increases from layer to layer in the depth direction. At least one layer of the plurality of phase change layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material thereof that increases in the depth direction.

1 - 198 . (canceled) 
     
     
         199 . A body support cushion, comprising:
 a plurality of separate and distinct consecutive layers overlying over each other in a depth direction that extends from an outer portion of the cushion that is proximate to a user to an inner portion of the cushion that is distal to the user, wherein each layer of the plurality of consecutive layers includes thermal effusivity enhancing material with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws 0.5 /(m 2 K),   wherein total thermal effusivity of each layer of the plurality of consecutive layers increases with respect to each other in the depth direction,   wherein the plurality of consecutive layers include a plurality of phase change layers that each comprise a solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius,   wherein total mass of the PCM of each of the plurality of phase change layers increases with respect to each other along the depth direction,   wherein at least one layer of the plurality of phase change layers includes a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material thereof that increases in the depth direction.   
     
     
         200 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein multiple layers of the plurality of phase change layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material thereof. 
     
     
         201 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein each layer of the plurality of phase change layers includes the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material thereof. 
     
     
         202 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the at least one layer of the plurality of phase change layers comprises:
 an outer portion proximate to the outer portion of the cushion having a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the layer;   an inner portion proximate to the inner portion of the cushion having a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the layer; and   a medial portion positioned between the outer and inner portions in the depth direction having a third total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the layer, the third total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM and differing from the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material being greater than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material and differing from the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material.   
     
     
         203 . The cushion of  claim 202 , wherein the third total mass of the PCM is less than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material is less than the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material. 
     
     
         204 . The cushion of  claim 202 , wherein the third total mass of the PCM is greater than the second total mass of the PCM, and the third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material is greater than the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material. 
     
     
         205 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material and differs from the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material by at least 3%. 
     
     
         206 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the at least one layer of the plurality of phase change layers comprises an irregular gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material along the depth direction. 
     
     
         207 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the at least one layer of the plurality of phase change layers comprises a consistent gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM and the amount of the thermal effusivity enhancing material along the depth direction. 
     
     
         208 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the total mass of the PCM of each of the plurality of phase change layers increases with respect to each other along the depth direction by at least 3%. 
     
     
         209 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein each of the plurality of consecutive layers comprises a phase change layer. 
     
     
         210 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the plurality of phase change layers are consecutive layers. 
     
     
         211 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein at least two layers of the plurality of phase change layers are separated by a layer that includes the thermal effusivity enhancing material and is void of the PCM. 
     
     
         212 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the cushion comprises a pillow. 
     
     
         213 . The cushion of  claim 199 , wherein the plurality of consecutive layers are configured to absorb at least 24 W/m2/hr. from a portion of a user that is physically supported thereby. 
     
     
         214 . A body support cushion, comprising:
 at least one distinct layer formed of a base material having a thickness in a depth direction that extends from an outer portion of the cushion that is proximate to a user to an inner portion of the cushion that is distal to the user;   thermal effusivity enhancing material with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws 0.5 /(m 2 K) coupled to the base material; and   solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius coupled to the base material,   wherein the at least one distinct layer comprises a gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM thereof along the depth direction that comprises:
 an outer portion proximate to the outer portion of the cushion having a first total mass of the PCM of the layer; 
 an inner portion proximate to the inner portion of the cushion having a second total mass of the PCM of the layer; and 
 a medial portion positioned between the outer and inner portions in the depth direction having a third total mass of the PCM of the layer, the third total mass being greater than the first total mass and differing from the second total mass. 
   
     
     
         215 . The cushion of  claim 214 , wherein the third total mass of the PCM is less than the second total mass of the PCM. 
     
     
         216 . The cushion of  claim 214 , wherein the third total mass of the PCM is greater than the second total mass of the PCM. 
     
     
         217 . The cushion of  claim 214 , wherein the third total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM and differs from the second total mass of the PCM by at least 3%. 
     
     
         218 . The cushion of  claim 214 , wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM of the at least one layer along the depth direction comprises an irregular gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM along the depth direction, and wherein the outer portion, the inner portion and the medial portion of the at least one layer comprise distinct portions of the at least one layer with differing distribution concentrations of the PCM thereof. 
     
     
         219 . The cushion of  claim 214 , wherein the gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM of the at least one layer along the depth direction comprises a consistent gradient distribution of the mass of the PCM along the depth direction, and wherein the outer portion, the inner portion and the medial portion of the at least one layer comprise portions of the at least one layer with differing distribution concentrations of the PCM thereof 
     
     
         220 . The cushion of  claim 214 , wherein the at least one distinct layer comprises a gradient distribution of the mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material thereof along the depth direction. 
     
     
         221 . The cushion of  claim 214 , wherein:
 the outer portion has a fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the layer;   the inner portion has a fifth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the layer; and   the medial portion has a sixth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the layer, the sixth total mass being greater than the fourth total mass and differing from the fifth total mass.   
     
     
         222 . A pillow, comprising:
 a plurality of separate and distinct concentric layers arranged in a depth direction that extends from an outer portion of the pillow that is proximate to a user to an inner portion of the pillow that is distal to the user,   wherein a plurality of the plurality of separate and distinct concentric layers comprise at least one of thermal effusivity enhancing material with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws 0.5 /(m 2 K) and solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius, and   wherein the plurality of the separate and distinct concentric layers comprises:
 a fabric shell layer; 
 a first scrim layer underlying the shell layer in the depth direction comprising a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material coupled thereto, the first total mass of the PCM and the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material each being arranged in gradient distributions that increase in the depth direction; 
 a first loose fiber fill layer underlying the first scrim layer in the depth direction comprising a second total mass of the PCM that is greater than the first total mass of the PCM of the first scrim layer, and a second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material that is greater than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the first scrim layer. 
   
     
     
         223 . The pillow of  claim 222 , wherein the first scrim layer comprises:
 an outer scrim portion proximate to the outer portion of the pillow having a first total mass portion of the first total mass of the PCM;   an inner scrim portion proximate to the inner portion of the pillow having a second total mass portion of the first total mass of the PCM; and   a medial scrim portion positioned between the outer and inner portions in the depth direction having a third total mass portion of the first total mass of the PCM, the third total mass portion being greater than the first total mass portion and less than the second total mass portion.   
     
     
         224 . The pillow of  claim 223 , wherein the third total mass portion is at least 3% greater than the first total mass portion and at least 3% less than the second total mass portion. 
     
     
         225 . The pillow of  claim 223 , wherein the third total mass portion is greater than the first total mass portion by about 3% to about 100%, and less than the second total mass portion by about 3% to about 100%. 
     
     
         226 . The pillow of  claim 223 , wherein the second total mass of the PCM is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM of the first scrim layer. 
     
     
         227 . The pillow of  claim 223 , wherein the second total mass of the PCM is greater than the first total mass of the PCM of the first scrim layer by about 3% to about 100%. 
     
     
         228 . The pillow of  claim 223 , wherein the second total mass of the PCM is greater than the first total mass of the PCM of the first scrim layer by about 10% to about 50%. 
     
     
         229 . The pillow of  claim 223 , wherein:
 the outer scrim portion has a fourth total mass portion of the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material;   the inner scrim portion has a fifth total mass portion of the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material; and   the medial scrim portion has a sixth total mass portion of the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material, the sixth total mass portion being greater than the third total mass portion and less than the fourth total mass portion.   
     
     
         230 . The pillow of  claim 222 , wherein the shell layer comprises a third total mass of the PCM that is less than the first total mass of the PCM of the first scrim layer, and a third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material that is less than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the first scrim layer. 
     
     
         231 . The pillow of  claim 222 , wherein the shell layer comprises a woven fabric layer that defines a thickness and a loft that are less than a thickness and a loft, respectively, of the first scrim layer. 
     
     
         232 . The pillow of  claim 222 , wherein the shell layer comprises a fabric weight that is less than a fabric weight of the first scrim layer, and wherein the shell layer comprises a fabric weight within the range of about 150 GSM and about 250 GSM. 
     
     
         233 . A pillow, comprising:
 a plurality of separate and distinct layers arranged in a depth direction that extends from an outer portion of the pillow that is proximate to a user to an inner portion of the pillow that is distal to the user,   wherein a plurality of the plurality of separate and distinct layers comprise at least one of thermal effusivity enhancing material with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws 0.5 /(m 2 K) and a plurality of the plurality of separate and distinct layers solid-to-comprises liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius, and   wherein the plurality of the separate and distinct layers comprises:
 a fabric shell layer; 
 a gel layer underlying the shell layer in the depth direction comprising a first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material; 
 a distinct compressible first foam layer directly underlying the gel layer in the depth direction comprising a first total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material that is greater than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the gel layer, the first total mass of the PCM and the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material each being arranged in a gradient distribution that increase in the depth direction. 
   
     
     
         234 . The pillow of  claim 233 , wherein the gel layer is formed of the thermal effusivity enhancing material. 
     
     
         235 . The pillow of  claim 233 , wherein the gel layer comprises a polyurethane elastomer gel material. 
     
     
         236 . The pillow of  claim 233 , wherein the gel layer comprises a second total mass of the PCM that is less than the first total mass of the PCM of the first foam layer. 
     
     
         237 . The pillow of  claim 236 , wherein an inner portion of the gel layer that is directly adjacent to the first foam layer comprises the second total mass of the PCM. 
     
     
         238 . The pillow of  claim 236 , wherein the first total mass of the PCM of the first foam layer is at least 3% greater than the second total mass of the PCM of the gel layer. 
     
     
         239 . The pillow of  claim 233 , wherein the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the first foam layer is at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the gel layer. 
     
     
         240 . The pillow of  claim 233 , wherein the first foam layer comprises:
 an outer foam portion proximate to the outer portion of the pillow having a first total mass portion of the first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass portion of the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material; and   an inner foam portion proximate to the inner portion of the pillow having a second total mass portion of the first total mass of the PCM and a second total mass portion of the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material, the second total mass portion of the PCM being greater than the first total mass portion of the PCM by at least 3%, and the second total mass portion of the thermal effusivity enhancing material being greater than the first total mass portion of the thermal effusivity enhancing material by at least 3%.   
     
     
         241 . The pillow of  claim 240 , wherein the second total mass portion of the PCM is greater than the first total mass portion of the PCM by about 10% to about 50%, and the second total mass portion of the thermal effusivity enhancing material is greater than the first total mass portion of the thermal effusivity enhancing material by about 10% to about 50%. 
     
     
         242 . The pillow of  claim 233 , wherein the shell layer comprises a third total mass of the PCM that is at least 3% less than the first total mass of the PCM of the first foam layer, and a third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material that is at least 3% less than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the gel layer. 
     
     
         243 . The pillow of  claim 233 , further comprising:
 a distinct compressible second foam layer underlying the first foam layer in the depth direction comprising a second total mass of the PCM and a third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material, the second total mass of the PCM of the second foam layer being at least 3% greater than the first total mass of the PCM of the first foam layer, and the third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the second foam layer being at least 3% greater than the third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the first foam layer.   
     
     
         244 . A pillow, comprising:
 a plurality of separate and distinct layers arranged in a depth direction that extends from an outer portion of the pillow that is proximate to a user to an inner portion of the pillow that is distal to the user,   wherein a plurality of the plurality of separate and distinct layers comprise at least one of thermal effusivity enhancing material with a thermal effusivity greater than or equal to 2,500 Ws 0.5 /(m 2 K) and solid-to-liquid phase change material (PCM) with a phase change temperature within the range of about 6 to about 45 degrees Celsius, and   wherein the plurality of the separate and distinct layers comprises:
 a fabric shell layer comprising a first shell side portion and a second shell side portion spaced from the first shell side portion along the depth direction; 
 a first scrim layer comprising a first scrim side portion underlying the first shell side portion of the fabric shell and a second scrim side portion spaced from and underlying the first scrim side portion spaced along the depth direction, wherein the first scrim side portion comprises a first total mass of the PCM and a first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material coupled thereto, and wherein the second scrim side portion comprises a second total mass of the PCM and a second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material coupled thereto, the second total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass of the PCM, and the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material being greater than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material; 
 a first loose fiber fill layer positioned between the first and second scrim side portions in the depth direction comprising a third total mass of the PCM that is greater than the first total mass of the PCM of the first scrim side portion and less than the second total mass of the PCM of the second scrim side portion, and a third total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material that is greater than the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the first scrim side portion and less than the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the second scrim side portion; and 
 a distinct compressible first foam layer underlying the second scrim side portion in the depth direction comprising a fourth total mass of the PCM that is greater than the second total mass of the PCM of the second scrim side portion, and a fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material that is greater than the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the second scrim side portion, the fourth total mass of the PCM and the fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material each being arranged in a gradient distribution that increases in the depth direction. 
   
     
     
         245 . The pillow of  claim 244 , wherein the first total mass of the PCM and the first total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of first scrim side portion are each arranged in a gradient distribution that increases in the depth direction. 
     
     
         246 . The pillow of  claim 244 , wherein the second total mass of the PCM and the second total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of second scrim side portion are each arranged in a gradient distribution that increases in the depth direction. 
     
     
         247 . The pillow of  claim 244 , wherein the first foam layer comprises:
 an outer foam portion proximate to the outer portion of the pillow having a first total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the PCM and a first total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material; and   an inner foam portion proximate to the inner portion of the pillow having a second total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the PCM and a second total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material, the second total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the PCM being greater than the first total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the PCM by at least 3%, and the second total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material being greater than the first total mass portion of the fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material by at least 3%.   
     
     
         248 . The pillow of  claim 244 , further comprising:
 a second scrim layer comprising a third scrim side portion underlying the second shell side portion along the depth direction and a fourth scrim side portion underlying and spaced from the third scrim side portion along the depth direction, wherein the third scrim side portion comprises a sixth total mass of the PCM and a sixth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material coupled thereto, and wherein the fourth scrim side portion comprises a seventh total mass of the PCM and a seventh total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material coupled thereto, the seventh total mass of the PCM being less than the fourth total mass of the PCM of the first foam layer and greater than the sixth total mass of the PCM of the third scrim side portion, and the seventh total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material being less than the fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the first foam layer and greater than the sixth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the third scrim side portion; and   a second loose fiber fill layer positioned between the third and fourth scrim side portions in the depth direction comprising an eighth total mass of the PCM that is greater than the sixth total mass of the PCM of the third scrim side portion and less than the seventh total mass of the PCM of the fourth scrim side portion, and an eight total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material that is greater than the sixth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the fourth scrim side portion and less than the seventh total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the fourth scrim side portion.   
     
     
         249 . The pillow of  claim 244 , further comprising:
 a distinct compressible second foam layer directly underlying the first foam layer in the depth direction comprising a ninth total mass of the PCM and a ninth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material, the ninth total mass of the PCM of the second foam layer being at least 3% greater than the fourth total mass of the PCM of the first foam layer, and the ninth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the second foam layer being at least 3% greater than the fourth total mass of the thermal effusivity enhancing material of the first foam layer.   
     
     
         250 . The pillow of  claim 244 , wherein at least one of:
 the PCM of the first foam layer and the PCM of the first scrim layer and/or the first loose fiber fill layer are differing materials; and