U.S. patent application number 13/915505 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-12 for i-shaped pillow to maintain hairstyle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Renee Smart-Thomas. Invention is credited to Renee Smart-Thomas.
Application Number | 20130326815 13/915505 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49714134 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130326815 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smart-Thomas; Renee |
December 12, 2013 |
I-SHAPED PILLOW TO MAINTAIN HAIRSTYLE
Abstract
An I-shaped pillow has a curved slot that fits the contour of a
person's head and neck to allow them to comfortably sleep on their
back. The pillow further includes a slot at the bottom to prevent
the pillow from lying flat on a surface. This prevents a user from
having their hair make contact with pillow, providing people with a
convenient way to get a good night's sleep without flattening their
hairstyle. The pillow provides neck support while sleeping, helping
relieve neck pain. The pillow can be used by anyone looking to
maintain their hairstyle during their sleep.
Inventors: |
Smart-Thomas; Renee;
(Bloomingdale, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Smart-Thomas; Renee |
Bloomingdale |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49714134 |
Appl. No.: |
13/915505 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61658247 |
Jun 11, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1081 20130101;
A47G 2009/1018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A method of supporting a user's neck and head while lying supine
on a surface, the method comprising: placing the user's neck and
head on a pillow disposed on the surface; and allowing hair of the
user to rest on the surface without being flattened by either the
pillow or by pressure of the user's head against the surface,
wherein the pillow has a rounded I-shape with a neck support arch
for receiving the user's neck and a bottom arch, opposite the neck
support arch.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pillow is formed from a
viscoelastic polyurethane foam.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising warming the pillow
with body heat to cause the pillow to conform to the user's neck
and head.
4. A method for maintaining a hairstyle while sleeping, comprising:
placing a neck and head of a user on a pillow disposed on a
surface; and allowing hair of the user to rest on the surface
without being flattened by either the pillow or by pressure of the
user's head against the surface, wherein the pillow has a rounded
I-shape with a neck support arch for receiving the user's neck and
a bottom arch, opposite the neck support arch.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the pillow is formed from a
viscoelastic polyurethane foam.
6. The method of claim 4, further comprising warming the pillow
with body heat to cause the pillow to conform to the user's neck
and head.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the neck support arch and the
bottom arch form a concave curve on opposite sides of the pillow
with a reduction in width from about 2 to about 12 inches.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the neck support arch and the
bottom arch form a concave curve on opposite sides of the pillow
with a reduction in width of about 7.5 inches.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/658,247, filed Jun. 11, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to pillows and, more
particularly, to a pillow designed with a curved slot to fit the
contour of a person's head and neck, allowing him or her to
comfortably sleep on his or her back while maintaining their
hairstyle.
[0003] Many people spend a lot of money at the salon to get their
hair fixed and styled. If they want to keep their hairstyle for the
next day, then they have to protect it at night. There are not many
options to do so outside of uncomfortably propping their head, neck
and shoulders up. If people try to sleep without protecting their
hairstyle, their hair can become frizzy, matted or pulled out of
place during the night. Moreover, if someone wants to rest during
the day by taking a quick nap, one could end up spending more time
re-doing their hair than sleeping, as many people may not want the
flattened "nap hair" evident.
[0004] Additionally, many people simply suffer from neck pain and
are always looking for a more comfortable way to sleep.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for a pillow that can be
comfortable to use, allows a person to get a good night's sleep,
and protects their hairstyle while sleeping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, a method of
supporting a user's neck and head while lying supine on a surface
comprises placing the user's neck and head on a pillow disposed on
the surface; and allowing hair of the user to rest on the surface
without being flattened by either the pillow or by pressure of the
user's head against the surface, wherein the pillow has a rounded
I-shape with a neck support arch for receiving the user's neck and
a bottom arch, opposite the neck support arch.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
maintaining a hairstyle while sleeping comprises placing a neck and
head of a user on a pillow disposed on a surface; and allowing hair
of the user to rest on the surface without being flattened by
either the pillow or by pressure of the user's head against the
surface, wherein the pillow has a rounded I-shape with a neck
support arch for receiving the user's neck and a bottom arch,
opposite the neck support arch.
[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pillow, in use, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillow of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the pillow of FIG. 1, in use;
and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of the pillow of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0014] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an
I-shaped pillow that has a curved slot that fits the contour of a
person's head and neck to allow them to comfortably sleep on their
back. The pillow further includes a slot at the bottom to prevent
the pillow from lying flat on a surface. This prevents a user from
having their hair make contact with pillow, providing people with a
convenient way to get a good night's sleep without flattening their
hairstyle. The pillow provides neck support while sleeping, helping
relieve neck pain. The pillow can be used by anyone looking to
maintain their hairstyle during their sleep.
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a pillow 10 can be
formed in an I-shaped, generally as a rounded I-shape as best
shown, for example, in FIG. 4. The pillow 10 can include a concave
neck support arch 14 disposed on one side of the pillow 10. On an
opposite side of the pillow 10, a concave bottom arch 16 can be
disposed. Reinforced corners 12 can help prevent the pillow 10 from
flattening during use. The neck support arch 14 can fit the contour
of the user's neck 18 and head, allowing them to comfortably sleep
on their back, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
[0016] The pillow 10 allows a person to sleep without their head
pressing against the bed, helping maintaining the style of the
person's hair 20. Typically, the pillow 10 can be disposed below
the user's hairline at the back of the head so that neither the
pillow 10 nor the surface on which the user is resting (such as
their bed) interferes with or flattens their hairstyle.
[0017] The pillow 10 can be made from a viscoelastic polyurethane
foam, commonly known as memory foam. The pillow 10 can have a
higher viscosity and density than conventional foam so that the
material softens in reaction to body head, allowing it to mold to a
warm body in a few minutes, thereby providing additional comfort to
the user.
[0018] The pillow 10 can be designed in various sizes to suit the
needs of the user. For example, various contours and neck/head
supporting heights can be designed for the comfort of the user. In
some embodiments, the pillow height (at the sides thereof) can be
from about 8 to about 16 inches, typically about 12 inches, while
the concave surfaces (neck support arch 14 and bottom arch 16) can
come together for a minimum width from about 4 to about 6 inches,
typically about 41/2 inches. The length of the pillow can be from
about 12 to about 18 inches, typically about 15 inches.
[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, a method for
maintain one's hairstyle during sleep is provided. The method can
include placing the pillow 10 of the present invention under one's
neck and lower portion of their head to adequately support the head
and neck such that the person's hair is not flattened by either the
pillow or the user's head against the sleeping surface.
[0020] The pillow 10 of the present invention can be covered with
various materials and can be covered in various colors or patterns.
In some embodiments, the cover can be removable for washing.
[0021] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
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