ORTHOPEDIC PILLOW WITH INTERCHANGEABLE CERVICAL SUPPORT

Abstract

Improved configurable therapeutic pillows and various components thereof are provided. The pillows are comfortable for sleeping, relieve stress, and facilitate better sleep by supporting the head and cervical areas with distinct, configurable, and appropriately sized cervical support and head support sections provided in sizes that fit into typically sized bedding and linen covers for protection and longevity.

Claims

1. An orthopedic pillow with size and shape of a conventional sleeping pillow comprising: a substantially rectangular envelope defining a head support cavity, wherein the envelope further comprises: a pocket, wherein the pocket is on a horizontal plane with the head support cavity, the pocket protrudes into the head support cavity, and the pocket further comprises a fastening interface having an open conformation and a closed conformation, wherein the open conformation defines an opening toward an exterior of the envelope; a filling that substantially fills the head support cavity such that the filling surrounds a majority of an interior surface area of the pocket, creating continuous support between the pocket and head support cavity; and a cervical support having a generally cylindrical shape that is removably inserted into the pocket and extends along a majority width of the pocket and substantially fills the pocket such that the cervical support is substantially fixed relative in location to the head support cavity.

2. The pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the cervical support is an interchangeable insert selected from one or more inserts with varying circumferences and firmnesses.

3. The pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the cervical support comprises a foam core wrapped in batting.

4. The pillow as recited in claim 3, wherein the batting is a cotton or fibrous batting.

5. The pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the envelope further comprises an opening that can be selectively opened to allow for the filling to be rearranged or replaced.

6. The pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the pillow further comprises a pillowcase that can selectively cover the pillow.

7. An orthopedic pillowcase with size and shape of a conventional sleeping pillowcase comprising: a substantially rectangular envelope defining a head support cavity, wherein the envelope further comprises: a pocket, wherein the pocket is on a horizontal plane with the head support cavity, the pocket protrudes into the head support cavity, and the pocket further comprises a fastening interface having an open conformation and a closed conformation, wherein the open conformation defines an opening toward an exterior of the envelope; an opening that can be selectively opened to allow for a head-support filling to be inserted into the envelope; and a cervical support having a generally cylindrical shape that is removably inserted into the pocket and extends along a majority width of the pocket and substantially fills the pocket such that the cervical support's location is substantially fixed relative to the head support cavity.

8. The pillowcase as recited in claim 7, wherein the head-support filling is a pillow.

9. The pillowcase as recited in claim 7, wherein the cervical support is an interchangeable insert selected from one or more inserts with varying circumferences and firmnesses.

10. The pillowcase as recited in claim 7, wherein the cervical support comprises a foam core wrapped in batting.

11. The pillowcase as recited in claim 10, wherein the batting is a cotton or fibrous batting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only representative embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. With this understanding in mind, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, as follows:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a therapeutic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of an orthopedic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an orthopedic pillow and cervical support in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a cervical support in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a pillowcase and cervical support in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of an orthopedic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as in use by a user in a back sleeping position.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of an orthopedic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as in use by a user in a side sleeping position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] According to some embodiments of the invention, an orthopedic pillow is provided, which pillow has significant benefits over the prior art. Namely, a pillow that is comfortable for sleeping, relieves stress and facilitates better sleep by supporting the head and cervical areas with distinct, configurable and appropriately sized parallel sections of materials that are typical in the bedding/linen/furniture industry and provided in sizes that fit into typically sized bedding and linen covers for protection and longevity. These benefits over the prior art facilitate modular as well as less expensive manufacturing processes, and they allow the consumer to configure the invention to their individual needs and/or desires. A description of embodiments of the invention will now be given with reference to the figures.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, and in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the invention is an orthopedic pillow 10. The pillow may be of any size and/or shape conducive to sleeping, but in particular the pillow is often rectangular, generally rectangular, or square. The pillow may be king size, queen size, standard size, or other sizes that may be used for sleeping pillows, but it is often similar in size and shape to a standard size sleeping pillow, thus allowing for use with typical pillowcases.

[0038] The pillow 10 includes an envelope 20 which generally has a first long edge 21, a second long edge 22, a first short edge 23, and a second short edge 24, with long edges being, in many cases, around twice the length of the short edges, although many lengths or combinations of lengths are possible allowing for sizes typical of sleeping pillows as well as other sizes, the shape however is normally square or rectangular. (In accordance with some embodiments where the shape of the invention is square, we still refer to the edges as short edges and long edges for clarification of the location of other structures of the pillow, even though the edges may all be approximate the same length.)

[0039] The envelope 20 has an inside as well as an outside, generally with a shape similar to the shape of an ordinary sleeping pillow envelope and enclosing many of the elements of the invention. The envelope 20 is comprised of one, two or more sheets of fabric, sewn, folded, or otherwise attached together at some or all of the edges 21, 22, 23, 24, thereby creating seams along these edges that form cavities. The envelope fabric may be made from cotton, polyester, a cotton-polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typical of bedding material.

[0040] In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the pocket 30 is created by using a sheet of fabric similar to fabric used to create the envelope 20, however many different types of materials may be used to create the pocket. The pocket may be formed of a separate sheet or sheets of fabric, sewn, or otherwise attached to the interior of the invention in the proper location in order to create the pocket. The pocket extends along the first long edge 21 and is generally on the same horizontal plane as the head support cavity 25. The pocket, divides the envelope into the two distant cavities, the head support cavity 25 and the cervical support cavity 35.

[0041] The head support cavity 25 is the main cavity, and it is typically the larger of the cavities created within the envelope 20.

[0042] The cervical support cavity 35 is generally accessible by an opening along the first long edge 21 that may be selectively opened and closed by the fastening interface 31, which runs along the first long edge 21. The fastening interface runs at least partially along the first long edge, but often it extends the majority length or the entire length of the first long edge. The fastening interface 31 can open and close (or fasten/unfasten) by means of a zipper, Velcro (hook and loop fastener), buttons, folded material, or any other reasonable fastening mechanism.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, The head support cavity 25 is filled with filling or spun fabrics to create a comfortable area to support the head. The filling in head support cavity 25 can be made from cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typical of bedding or pillow fill.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the cervical support cavity 35 protrudes into the space of the head support cavity 25, on the same horizontal plane as the head support cavity 25. The cervical support cavity provides for introduction of the cervical support 40 as well as holds the cervical support firmly in place by way of the material that makes up the pocket 30, as well as selectively holding the cervical support securely inside the envelope 20 by way of the fastening interface 31. Accordingly, the cervical support 40 is held securely in place in the cervical support cavity 35 by combination of the pocket 30 and the fastening interface 31. According to some embodiments, the cervical support cavity 35 protrudes into the space of the head support cavity 25, allowing for the pillow filling 26 to partially surround the pocket 30 and cervical support cavity 35 and consequently provide support for the contained cervical support 40. This creates continuous support between the cervical support and surrounding pillow filling, providing both comfort and functional orthopedic support for the user. The cervical support 40 and the pillow filling 26 are separated only by the pocket 30 allowing the two functionally-distinct supports to work together, creating consistent cervical and head support for the user.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, according to some embodiments of the invention, the cervical support 40 is generally cylindrical in shape and substantially fills the cervical support cavity 35 running continuously the majority length of the cervical support cavity 35, providing cervical support as a sleeper changes sleeping positions (for example, as a sleeper rolls from back sleeping position to side sleeping position). Their cervical area is supported before, during and after the transition of sleeping positions. The cervical support 40 is separate, removeable, interchangeable, and configurable in part due to the fastening interface 31 that is included along the first long edge 21 of the envelope 20, allowing access to the pocket 30.

[0046] Although FIG. 3 does not distinctly show the particular composition of the cervical support 40, many different types of cervical supports, such as the one having a core 41 and sleeve 42, as shown in FIG. 4 (discussed below), may be used with various embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the cervical support may also be or contain a gel or a plastic tube or rod, or a container filled with air, water, foam of varying rigidities and compositions, or another substance that may or may not include a sleeve. According to other embodiments of the invention, the cervical support 40 may be square, rectangular, pentagon or any other shape that will be conducive of cervical support 40. These embodiments may vary the overall size or circumference of the cervical support 40 along its length to adjust or otherwise configure the cervical support 40.

[0047] FIG. 4 illustrates a cervical support 40 in accordance with additional embodiments of the invention. In particular, the cervical support may have a core 41 and a wrapping or sleeve 42. The sleeve 42 may be batting, such as a sleeve made from cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typically used to create batting in the bedding, linen, or furniture industry. In other embodiments of the invention, the cervical support 40 may be made of a single material rather than a core 41 with a wrapping 42. For example, it may be a solid cylinder made from any type or density of foam, cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric or material that can be formed into a firm and flexible cylinder (or other shape conducive to cervical support).

[0048] In some embodiments of the invention, the cervical support 40 can be a fabric sleeve 42 that encases a filling core 41, which filling may be made from shredded foam, cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric or material that is typical of bedding, linen, or furniture fill. In other embodiments of the invention (not pictured), the cervical support 40 will be formed by thin layers of foam alternated with thin layers of batting, rolled into a cylinder shape. The foam can be any type or density of foam with batting made from cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typically used to create batting in the bedding, linen, or furniture industry.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, according to some embodiments of the invention, a pillowcase 110 is provided, rather than a full orthopedic pillow. This has the advantages of allowing the consumer to extend configuration of the invention by providing the consumer's own preferred pillow to be used alongside the invention. According to such embodiments, there is a head support cavity (analogous to the head support cavity 25 in FIG. 1), which is accessible by way of an opening 127, such as along the area analogous to FIG. 1's first short edge 23. Moreover, the pillowcase 110 may include a fastening device (not pictured) along the opening 127 to allow for selective access to the head support cavity, allowing for user configuration, modification, and combinations of the head support filling to create varying levels of support, firmness, and heights for adjustable comfort of head support.

[0050] In some embodiments, the pillowcase 110 additionally has a cervical support pocket 130 that is selectively openable by means of a fastening interface 131. Accordingly, where the head support cavity, the cervical support cavity, or both the head support cavity and cervical support cavity are accessible by means of openings as described above, an individual consumer can customize the pillowcase according to individual requirements or preference (e.g., using different cervical supports, different pillow filling types, etc.). Additionally, regardless of the form of the cervical support, according to some embodiments, the cervical support can be exchanged, meaning it is interchangeable with other cervical supports of varying sizes (circumferences) and firmnesses. Moreover, the cervical support(s) can be manufactured separately from the envelope, allowing for greater flexibility in manufacturing and lower overall costs. The forms of customization discussed above allow for easier and less expensive manufacturing in creating a product that is custom-suited for various consumers. This customization also solves the “one size fits all” syndrome common to many orthopedic and traditional sleeping pillows.

[0051] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a pillow 10, or a pillowcase 110 that has been filled with a cervical support and filling (e.g., a pillow of the user's choosing) in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments are shown in use by a user in a back sleeping position (FIG. 6) and a side sleeping position (FIG. 7). In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the pocket 30, 130 is generally of such a size and shape so as to securely hold the cervical support in place so that at least a portion of the cervical spinal area of the user is placed generally over the cervical support (whether the user is sleeping on his or her back or his or her side, and in certain other positions as well), and the head of the user is placed on the envelope 20, 120 over the head support cavity 25.