At a glance
| Patent number | CN206543091U (application CN201621253978) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Neck pillow (一种颈枕) |
| Patent owner | Ningbo Platform Inc. |
| Inventors | Miao Kejun, Liu Jiaqiang |
| Filing date | 2016-11-14 |
| Grant date | 2017-10-10 |
| Status (China) | In force - no termination recorded; a China utility model lasts at most 10 years from filing (to 2026-11-14) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 9 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN206543091U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a neck pillow with a cover, a filling inside it, and a first and second connector on the two ends of the cover. The connectors carry front buckle halves that fasten to each other, and a back buckle on the outside of the central area of the cover fastens to either front half.
Claims 2-3 - which halves are male and which female. Claim 4 - the pillow is U-shaped and the back buckle is on the side of the bottom of the U. Claim 5 - a carry handle near the back buckle. Claim 6 - a zipper on the cover. Claims 7-10 - flexible cover and filling; sponge or foam-bead filling; the middle thicker than the ends.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China. It is still in force in China, so making or selling this design in China would need the owner’s permission while it lasts (at most until 2026-11-14). It has no US or other foreign counterpart and does not restrict the design outside China.
Before production, keep in mind:
- Other patents may exist. Travel neck pillows are a crowded category with many US design and utility patents. Use your own shape and styling and have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Shape & size | Adult and kids sizes; middle thickness - to be confirmed in design |
| Filling | Memory foam, sponge, foam beads, recycled fiber |
| Cover | Velour, cotton, cooling fabric; removable and washable |
| Buckles | Side-release buckles, magnetic buckles or snaps |
| Branding | Embroidered or printed logo, custom colors |
| Packaging | Polybag, mesh bag or retail box |
Things to plan for (US market)
- Stuffed articles laws - several US states require registration and a law label for products with filling.
- Flammability and materials - check foam and fabric requirements, and California Proposition 65 for foam chemicals.
- Children’s versions - a pillow for children 12 and under needs CPSIA testing and a Children’s Product Certificate.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - size, filling, fabric and quantity.
- Design - pattern, strap and buckle positions, roll-up test.
- Prototype - samples for comfort, roll-up and buckle tests.
- Pilot run - small batch to check sewing and filling.
- Production - volume production, packaging and shipping.
Quantities & timeline
A cut-and-sew product with standard buckles; tooling is minimal (foam molds if memory foam is used). Send us your size, filling, fabric, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
