U.S. patent application number 13/374971 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for pillow.
Invention is credited to Nancy Navarro.
Application Number | 20120186022 13/374971 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46543001 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120186022 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Navarro; Nancy |
July 26, 2012 |
Pillow
Abstract
An anti-wrinkle pillow shaped to avoid contact of facial tissues
with the pillow surface while sleeping on the side, in combination
with pillow extensions that surround the upper body to provide
added comfort and support.
Inventors: |
Navarro; Nancy; (Irving,
TX) |
Family ID: |
46543001 |
Appl. No.: |
13/374971 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61461944 |
Jan 25, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/644 ;
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/644 ;
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A pillow shaped to provide a central support area for the head
and an extended area on each side of said central support area, a
first opening in said extended area on one side of said central
support area, and a second opening on the other side of said
central support area, to prevent the facial area of the user from
touching the pillow when the user is lying on either side; and a
pair of pillow extensions below said openings, shaped to surround
the upper body and shoulder of the user when lying on either
side.
2. A pillow as in claim 1, further including a first surface layer
filled with a soft material, and an opposite surface layer filled
with a firm material, so that the user can select the side that
suits their preference.
3. A pillow as in claim 2 wherein the firm filling includes
polyurethane foam, and the soft filling includes polyester
fiber.
4. A pillow as in claim 3, further including an intermediate layer
of gel between the two surface layers.
Description
[0001] Applicant claims the benefit of Provisional Application
61/461,944 filed Jan. 25, 2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to bed pillows, and more specifically
to multi-purpose pillows that are structured to improve support for
several different parts of the body, and to minimize the formation
of wrinkles in a person's face while they sleep.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pillows designed to support the body are made in different
shapes and designs for different specific purposes. The existing
pillows that provide comfort and support are mostly targeted to a
specific part or parts of the body. For example, some pillows
primarily give neck support; while others are for head support.
Some give back support, and others give side head support for side
sleepers. Some anti-wrinkle pillows try to keep the pillow from
pressing against the delicate and sensitive surface of facial skin,
thus reducing the creation of unsightly wrinkles and creases. Such
anti-wrinkle pillows do not offer good support for other parts of
the body, and they do not offer a way to keep the head properly
located to benefit from the anti-wrinkle feature. See for example
U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,893 which provides a pillow with an opening to
minimize contact with delicate facial tissue when sleeping on your
side.
[0004] Most people like to sleep with several pillows because they
need not only head support, but also back and chest support. Hotels
fill their beds and storage with pillows so people can sleep well
by surrounding themselves with extra support for comfort. However,
too many pillows on the bed can become uncomfortable, since most
people move around while they sleep.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] My invention provides a more useful and comfortable pillow
that gives support to many parts of the body, including the head,
neck, chest, and back while sleeping on either side of the body;
and to the head, neck, shoulders and arms while sleeping on the
back. It also prevents contact of facial skin with any surface,
when sleeping on the side, thereby preventing the formation of
facial wrinkles. The new pillow also helps to keep the face in the
right position to avoid surface contact, even when the user moves
their body. The new pillow can be used alone, or it can be placed
on top of a conventional pillow, depending on the level of comfort
needed for the user.
[0006] A butterfly shaped pillow is preferred, having an opening in
each upper wing, usually in the shape of an oval to follow the side
contour of the face, so that the forehead and the chin are
supported but at the same time the remainder of the facial skin,
including the eye area and the cheek, are not touching anything
while sleeping on the side. The middle part of the butterfly
between the upper wings supports the user's head, while the
inverted "U" shape between the lower wings surrounds the upper body
to provide support for the chest and back when lying sideways. When
laying on one's back, the middle of the butterfly is where the head
rests, while the lower wings support the back, shoulders and arms.
In short, the present invention provides an anti-wrinkle pillow
that also provides upper body comfort and support.
[0007] The interior of the pillow includes two or more layers,
including a foam layer on one side for comfort, and a fiber layer
on the other side to permit air flow. The fiber side of the pillow
is softer, to provide a warmer feel, while the foam side is
substantially firmer, giving it a cooler feel, to suit different
tastes. The outer surface, or pillowcase, is made of any suitable
material, including cotton, silk or satin.
[0008] In addition to preventing wrinkles, the pillow is very
desirable for patients who have had facial surgery or other facial
procedures, including chemical peels or Botox injections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows the preferred shape of the pillow of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a model lying on the pillow to illustrate the
preferred position of the body while lying on the side.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an alternate example of how the pillow can be
shaped.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section of the pillow to illustrate its
layered construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the pillow includes upper wings 11 and
lower wings 12. A central area 13 is provided for head support, and
openings 14 are provided to avoid contact with facial skin when
lying on either side. The pillow case includes a zipper or other
fastener in the portions that enclose openings 14. By partially
opening the zipper near an upper wing, a space underneath the case
is provided to insert a sachet of aromatherapy (or other vapor
treatment) which delivers aroma or vapors directly to the nose.
[0014] An inverted "U" space 15 between lower wings 12 is provided
to surround and comfort the shoulder and upper body, while lying on
either side. Thus the lower wings place the shoulder and upper body
in the correct position for making sure that the head stays on area
13 of the pillow, and the face stays over space 14 while sleeping
on the side. Each of the lower wings is conveniently positioned to
allow "hugging" without any need for a separate pillow, as
frequently desired when sleeping with conventional pillows. As
shown in FIG. 2, the model is sleeping with head resting on area 13
and her facial area positioned over opening 14 to avoid contact
with any surface. Her shoulder and upper body are positioned
between lower wings 12 to provide added comfort and support. The
option to hug a lower wing is readily available. If a large user
needs more space between wings 12, it is easy to move the wings
apart to provide more space. They will return to their original
position after use.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, an alternate pillow shape includes
central area 21 for head support, openings 22 positioned to prevent
facial skin from contacting the pillow, and lower extensions 23,
spaced apart to surround the upper body and shoulder of the user,
thereby providing added comfort and support. Openings 22 are simply
cut-away areas, instead of having a closed geometry as in the
example of FIG. 1.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the pillow has a layered construction,
including polyurethane foam layer 31 and polyester fiber layer 33.
The fiber is chosen to provide a softer, warm feeling, while the
foam layer is chosen to give a firmer, cool feeling. This gives the
user an option to flip the pillow as often as necessary, to achieve
greater comfort. Many other conventional fillers are also suitable
to provide a soft side and a firm side. Middle layer 32 is
optional, since the foam and fiber layers alone are sufficient to
illustrate an example of the invention. The middle layer can be
made of polyether gel, for example, to provide a cooling
effect.
[0017] The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,893 is
incorporated herein by reference.
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