U.S. patent application number 14/807334 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-04 for pillow.
This patent application is currently assigned to DG International Holdings Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is DG International Holdings Limited. Invention is credited to Benjamin Atkinson, Jean-Philippe Henri Denat.
Application Number | 20160029821 14/807334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51587395 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160029821 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Atkinson; Benjamin ; et
al. |
February 4, 2016 |
PILLOW
Abstract
A pillow containing particulate material such as beads or balls
(a "bean pillow"), which is particularly suitable for use during
travel. The pillow comprises two wings, and a bridging section
connecting the wings, the wings and bridging section together
forming a substantial U shaped shape in plan view. The surface of
each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings
contain particulate material to provide support for the surface
material. The thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging
section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the
wings. In one embodiment, the bridging section comprises a cushion
containing a material different from the particulate material. In
another embodiment, the bridging section comprises a cushion, and
the cushion does not comprise or contain the or a particulate
material.
Inventors: |
Atkinson; Benjamin;
(Chipperfield, GB) ; Denat; Jean-Philippe Henri;
(London, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DG International Holdings Limited |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
DG International Holdings
Limited
London
GB
|
Family ID: |
51587395 |
Appl. No.: |
14/807334 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1081 20130101;
A47G 2009/1018 20130101; A47C 7/383 20130101; A47G 9/10
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2014 |
GB |
1413406.8 |
Claims
1. A pillow comprising: two wings, and a bridging section
connecting the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section
together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the
surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least
the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the
surface material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of
the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest
portion of the wings, and wherein the bridging section comprises a
cushion containing a material different from the particulate
material.
2. A pillow comprising: two wings, and a bridging section
connecting the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section
together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the
surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least
the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the
surface material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of
the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest
portion of the wings, wherein the bridging section comprises a
cushion, and wherein the cushion does not comprise or contain the
or a particulate material.
3. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the
thickest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness
of the thickest portion of each wing.
4. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the
thickest portion of each wing is from 60 mm to 120 mm.
5. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the
thinnest portion of the bridging section is from 5 mm to 15 mm.
6. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the
thickest portion of the bridging section is from 50 mm to 90
mm.
7. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the
thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:4 to
1:24.
8. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the
thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:6 to
1:12.
9. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the
thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:0.8 to
1:4.
10. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the
thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:1.1 to
1:1.5.
11. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the
thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from
1:3 to 1:18.
12. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the
thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the
thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from
1:5 to 1:9.
13. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the surface material of
the wings and/or bridging section comprises fabric.
14. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the material of the
cushion is a foam material.
15. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is defined
by stitching in the surface material of the bridging section.
16. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the cushion is
substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal in plan
view.
17. A pillow according to claim 16, wherein bridging section has an
axis extending between the wings, and the longer sides of the
substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape are
substantially parallel to the axis of the bridging section.
18. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the difference in
thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridging section and
the thickest portion of the wings is from 45 mm to 115 mm.
19. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein each wing has a free end
located away from a point where each respective wing is connected
to the bridging section, and the distance between the wings at the
point that each wing is connected to the bridging section is larger
than the distance between the wings at a point adjacent to the free
end of each wing.
20. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the
bridging section contains the or a particulate material.
21. A pillow according to claim 20, wherein the bridging section
comprises a restriction for restricting the amount of particulate
material in the bridging section, to restrict the thickness of the
bridging section.
22. A pillow according to claim 21, wherein the means comprises
stitching joining a surface of the bridging section to an opposing
surface of the bridging section.
23. A pillow according to claim 21, wherein the means comprises
padding or cushion provided in the bridging section.
24. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the bridging section
does not contain the or a particulate material.
25. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the
bridging section is formed of a surface material, and the
particulate material in the bridging section provides support for
the surface material.
26. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the bridging section
contains material other than the particulate material.
27. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein the particulate material
comprises beads, balls, beans, buckwheat, oats or any combination
thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention:
[0002] The present invention provides a pillow containing
particulate material such as beads or balls (a "bean pillow"),
which is particularly suitable for use during travel.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art:
[0004] Pillows are known that are particularly suitable for use
during travel. Such pillows often are substantially U-shaped in
plan view so that the pillow can be wrapped around the back and
sides of the neck of the user to support the user's head. Some such
pillows are inflatable. Another such pillow, which is sold by the
applicant for this patent application, is substantially U-shaped in
plan view and contains beads or balls (i.e. is a "bean pillow").
This bean pillow has the advantage that it does not require
inflation before use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved
pillow with respect to the known pillows referred to above.
[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a pillow,
the pillow comprising two wings, and a bridging section connecting
the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section together form a
substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each
wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings
contain particulate material to provide support for the surface
material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the
bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion
of the wings, and wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion
containing a material different from the particulate material.
[0007] A second aspect of the present invention provides a pillow,
the pillow comprising two wings, and a bridging section connecting
the wings, wherein the wings and bridging section together form a
substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each
wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings
contain particulate material to provide support for the surface
material, wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the
bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion
of the wings, wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion, and
wherein the cushion does not comprise or contain the or a
particulate material.
[0008] The fact that the thickness of the thinnest portion of the
bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion
of the wings means that the bridging section can be folded and the
wings brought together more easily in comparison with known pillows
in which the thickness of the bridging section is equal to or
greater than the thickness of the wings. The folded pillow is also
less bulky than known pillows when folded, and thus takes up a
smaller space in the user's luggage.
[0009] The pillow of the present invention is intended to be worn
around the neck of the user, with the bridging section behind the
neck and a wing on each side of the neck, so that the front portion
of the neck is open. The bridging section provides support for the
back of the user's head and the wings provide support for the side
of the head.
[0010] The fact that the thickness of the thinnest portion of the
bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion
of the wings does not detract from the comfort of the user when
using the pillow, and in fact increases the user's comfort because
the smaller thickness of the bridging section does not force the
user's head so far away from the surface on which the pillow is
resting. Hence the user's neck can be held in a straighter position
when the pillow is being used.
[0011] In this specification the term "thickness" refers to the
height dimension when the pillow is viewed in plan view and the
wings and bridging section form a substantially U shaped shape.
This dimension is in the direction perpendicular to the surface on
which the pillow is resting in normal use. The thinnest part,
correspondingly, is the thinnest in the same height dimension.
[0012] The provision of two wings separated by a bridging section
which is shaped so that the particulate material either does not
pass through the bridging section at all or is restricted in
passing through the bridging section might present problems in
manufacture as the step of filling the wings with particulate
material will be either slowed down or must take place in two
steps. The present inventors have discovered that the filling step
is surprisingly efficient or can be carried out in two separate
steps relatively easily by suitable manufacturing steps, such as
filling the wings near the bridging section.
[0013] The surface of the wings is preferably, but not necessarily,
formed of the same material as the surface of the bridging
section.
[0014] Preferably, the wings are filled with the particulate
material. Preferably, the bridging section or part of the bridging
section is filled with the particulate material.
[0015] Preferably, the two wings form a pair of wings. A pair of
wings provides equal support for each side of the user's head.
[0016] Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of the
bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion
of the wings. This provides that the bridging section is easier to
fold at each point between the wings in comparison with known
pillows in which the thickness of the bridging section is equal to
or greater than the thickness of the wings.
[0017] Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of each
wing is from 60 mm to 120 mm, more preferably from 70 mm to 110 mm,
even more preferably from 80 mm to 100 mm, and most preferably from
85 mm to 95 mm.
[0018] Preferably, the thickness of the thinnest portion of the
bridging section is from 5 mm to 15 mm, more preferably 7 mm to 13
mm and most preferably from 8 mm to 12 mm.
[0019] Preferably, the thickness of the thickest portion of the
bridging section is from 50 mm to 90 mm, more preferably 60 mm to
80 mm, and most preferably 65 mm to 75 mm.
[0020] Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest
portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest
portion of each wing is from 1:4 to 1:24, more preferably from 1:4
to 1:14, more preferably from 1:6 to 1:12, more preferably from 1:8
to 1:12, most preferably from 1:8 to 1:10.
[0021] Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the thickest
portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest
portion of each wing is from 1:0.6 to 1:2.5, more preferably from
1:0.9 to 1:2, more preferably from 1:1 to 1:1.5, more preferably
from 1:1.1 to 1:1.5, most preferably from 1:1.2 to 1:1.4.
[0022] Preferably, the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest
portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest
portion of the bridging section is from 1:3 to 1:18, more
preferably from 1:4 to 1:12, more preferably from 1:4 to 1:9, more
preferably from 1:5 to 1:9, more preferably from 1:5 to 1:8, most
preferably from 1:6 to 1:8.
[0023] Preferably, the thinnest portion of the bridging section is
equidistant from each wing. As a result, the bridging section is
easiest to fold at a point equidistant from each wing and so the
pillow can be folded into a particularly small arrangement.
[0024] The bridging section may comprise one or more channels
containing the particulate material and extending between the
wings. One such channel may be provided on the outer edge of the
bridging section. One such channel may be provided on the inner
edge of the bridging section.
[0025] Preferably, the bridging section comprises a cushion
preferably containing a material different from the particulate
material. Preferably, the cushion is defined by stitching in the
surface material of the bridging section.
[0026] Preferably, the material of the cushion is a foam material.
Preferably, the foam material is provided inside the bridging
section. Preferably, the foam material is held in place by
stitching. Preferably, the stitching joins a surface of the
bridging section to an opposing surface of the bridging
section.
[0027] Preferably, the cushion or foam material is substantially
rectangular or substantially trapezoidal in plan view.
[0028] Preferably, the cushion forms a head zone.
[0029] Preferably, the bridging section has an axis extending
between the wings, and the longer sides of the substantially
rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape are substantially
parallel to the axis of the bridging section. This provides a wide
cushion to support the head of the user.
[0030] Preferably, the difference in thickness between the thinnest
portion of the bridging section and the thickest portion of the
wings is from 70 mm to 110 mm, more preferably 80 mm to 100 mm,
most preferably 85 mm to 95 mm. Such differences in thickness
provide a particularly advantageous balance of allowing the pillow
to be folded easily while providing sufficient support for the back
of the user's head.
[0031] Preferably, each wing has a free end located away from a
point where each respective wing is connected to the bridging
section, and the distance between the wings at the point that each
wing is connected to the bridging section is larger than the
distance between the wings at a point adjacent to the free end of
each wing. This means that the wings wrap more closely around the
neck and thereby provide closer support for the sides of the user's
head.
[0032] Preferably, at least part of the bridging section contains
the or a particulate material. Alternatively, at least part of the
bridging section does not contain the or a particulate
material.
[0033] Preferably, the bridging section comprises a restriction for
restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridging
section, to restrict the thickness of the bridging section.
[0034] Preferably, the restriction comprises stitching joining a
surface of the bridging section to an opposing surface of the
bridging section. The stitching restricts the size of the space
formed by the opposing surfaces of the bridging section. There is
preferably at least one line of stitching located within the edge
of the bridging section, preferably at least two lines of
stitching.
[0035] Preferably, the restriction comprises padding or a cushion
provided in the bridging section.
[0036] Preferably, the surface of the bridging section is formed of
a surface material, and the particulate material in the bridging
section provides support for the surface material.
[0037] Preferably, the bridging section contains material other
than the particulate material. Preferably, the pillow further
comprises a loop attached to one of the wings and a fastener
attached to the other, the fastener being receivable in the loop to
fasten the wings together. Preferably, the fastener comprises a
button or toggle.
[0038] Preferably, the surface of the bridging section is formed
from a separate piece of material from the surface of the
wings.
[0039] Preferably, the surface material of the wings and/or
bridging section comprises a stretchy or elastic material or
fabric, for example Lycra.RTM..
[0040] Preferably, the surface material of the wings and/or
bridging section is formed of plurality of layers, and preferably
one or more of the layers comprises a stretchy or elastic material,
for example Lycra.RTM..
[0041] Preferably, the surface of the bridging section or wings is
formed from a plurality of, preferably two, pieces of material
stitched together to form a seam.
[0042] Preferably, the particulate material comprises beads, balls,
beans, buckwheat, oats or any combination thereof. The particulate
material may comprise pieces of memory foam. Preferably the
particulate material comprises beads, balls or beans.
[0043] Preferably, the cushion contains a substance different from
the particulate material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0044] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be
described, purely by way of example, with reference to the drawings
in which:
[0045] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pillow according to the preferred
embodiment of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the pillow of FIG.
1;
[0047] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the pillow of FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the pillow of FIG. 1;
[0049] FIG. 5 is front view of the pillow of FIG. 1 showing the
detail of the bridging section;
[0050] FIG. 6 is right side view of the pillow of FIG. 1, and
[0051] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the pillow of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0052] Throughout this specification, the pillow is described its
unloaded state, i.e., when the pillow has not been manipulated,
loaded or molded by the user.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 1, a pillow 10 is provided comprising a
pair of wings 12, and a bridging section 14 connecting the wings
12. As shown in FIG. 1, the wings 12 and bridging section 14
together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view. The
surface of the wings 12 and bridging section 14 is formed of a
surface material, and the wings 12 and bridging section 14 contain
beads in this embodiment (or other particulate material such as
balls or beans or any combination thereof in other embodiments) to
provide support for the surface material. The thickness (or
depth--the dimension in the direction away from the viewer in FIG.
1) of the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14 is less than
the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings 12. This is most
clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the present embodiment, the
bridging section 14 comprises a cushion 16 containing a foam
material. In the present embodiment, the cushion has a constant
thickness of approximately 10 mm. In the present embodiment, the
cushion 16 provides the thinnest portion of the bridging section
14, but in other embodiments the thinnest portion may be provided
elsewhere.
[0054] In other embodiments, the bridging section 14 does not
contain the particulate material, and so the surface of the
bridging section 14 is not supported by the particulate
material.
[0055] The cushion 16 forms a head zone to support the user's head.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the thickness of the thickest portion
of the wings 12 is shown by arrows X. The thickness of a portion of
the bridging section 14 is shown by arrows Y. However, it is not
possible to see the thickness of the cushion 16 in FIGS. 2 and 3
and so it is not possible to see the thickness of the thinnest
portion of the bridging section 14 in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0056] In FIG. 1 the wings 12 are divided from the bridging section
14 by stitching 28. However, the wings 12 and bridging section 14
may be divided differently, for example the wings 12 may extend
further into the bridging section 14.
[0057] In this embodiment, the thickest portion of the wings 12
(which has the same thickness in each wing 12) is approximately
halfway between the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge
of the bridging section 14, but the invention is not limited to
this.
[0058] In addition, in the present embodiment the thinnest portion
of the bridging section 14 is equidistant from each wing 12. This
is because the center line CL of the pillow 10 shown in FIG. 1,
which is equidistant from each wing 12, passes through the cushion
16. The pillow 10 is axisymmetric about the center line CL.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, the surface of the bridging section 14
is formed from two separate pieces of material 30, 32 stitched
together to form a seam on line of stitching 34 (preferably
horizontal) around the middle in the depth direction of the
bridging section 14. Similarly, the surface of each wing 12 is
formed from two separate pieces of material 36, 38 stitched
together to form a seam 40 (preferably horizontal) around the
middle in the depth direction of each wing 12. Lycra.RTM.
(elastane) is used as the material for the surface of the bridging
section 14 and the wings 12 in this embodiment, but the invention
is not limited to this, and other fabrics instead may be used.
However, Lycra.RTM. provides a stretchy material that allows the
pillow 10 to be easily moulded for the user, but other stretchy
materials may be used.
[0060] In addition, in the embodiment where the bridging section 14
does not contain the particulate material, the surface of the
bridging section 14 need not be formed of a fabric such as
Lycra.RTM..
[0061] An additional, inner layer of material, for example
Lycra.RTM., may be provided in the bridging section 14 and/or each
of the wings 12. The or each additional layer may be stitched to
the or each respective outer layer of the bridging section 14
and/or the wings 12.
[0062] During filling of the pillow 10, a tube is inserted into a
small hole left in the seam and beads are pumped along the tube at
high pressure to fill the pillow 10. After filling the hole in the
seam is immediately sewn up. The filling with beads typically takes
under 3 second to complete because there are no internal walls
inside the pillow 10 to slow down the filling. Internal walls would
present a serious impediment to filling of a pillow with beads.
Such internal walls would also significantly reduce the
effectiveness of the product as a pillow because the beads must be
allowed to move freely throughout the pillow in order to achieve a
moulded comfortable fit specifically for the user. This is
different from known inflatable pillows, which are suitable for use
during travel but contain such internal walls in order to ensure
proper inflation.
[0063] In other embodiments where the bridging section 14 does not
contain particulate material, care must be taken as the two wings
must be filled with beads separately, either sequentially, or
simultaneously for example by two operatives or in two operations.
For example, the tube may be passed through the inside of the
bridging section 14 to fill a far wing 12 before or after the near
wing 12 has been filled.
[0064] Care must also be taken when filling the bridging section 14
when the bridging section 14 contains particulate material because
the restriction for restricting the amount of particulate material
in the bridging section may make filling the bridging section 14
difficult. The restriction may also make passing the tube through
the bridging section 14 difficult.
[0065] Such known inflatable pillows typically are fabricated from
weldable fabrics that are welded by heat sealing. Such fabrics are
welded together while the pillow is flat and deflated on a
press.
[0066] Preferably, the beads are polystyrene.
[0067] A loop 18, and a button 20 on a flap of material, are
provided on the outer edges of respective wings 12. The loop 18 and
a button 20 are provided approximately halfway between the free end
22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridging section 14.
When the pillow 10 is folded about the center line CL the button 20
can be received in the loop 18 to fasten the wings 12 together and
to retain the pillow 10 in the folded position.
[0068] In this embodiment the thickness of the thickest portion of
each wing is approximately 90 mm. In addition, in this embodiment
the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section 14 is
approximately 70 mm. The thickest portion of the bridging section
14 is provided at the two points that the bridging section 14
connects to each wing 12. This is best shown in FIG. 2.
[0069] In this embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the
thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the
thickest portion of each wing is approximately 1:9.
[0070] In this embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the
thickest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the
thickest portion of each wing is approximately 1:1.3.
[0071] In this embodiment, the ratio of the thickness of the
thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the
thickest portion of the bridging section is approximately 1:7.
[0072] In the present embodiment, the bridging section 14 comprises
two channels 24, 26 containing beads and extending between the
wings 12. One channel 24 is provided on the outer edge of the
bridging section 14 (the upper edge as shown in FIG. 1). The other
channel 26 is provided on the inner edge of the bridging section 14
(the lower edge as shown in FIG. 1). The channels 24, 26 allow
beads to pass between the ends of the bridging section 14, and
between the wings 12, past the cushion 16.
[0073] The cushion 16 is defined by stitching in the surface
material of the bridging section 14. The foam material of the
cushion is substantially trapezoidal in plan view and the stitching
surrounds the foam material to maintain the foam material in
position. Other material may be used instead of foam material.
[0074] In this embodiment, the stitching defining the cushion 16
and the foam material of the cushion 16 provides a restriction for
restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridging
section 14, to restrict the thickness of the bridging section 16.
The stitching defining the cushion 16 joins the lower surface of
the bridging section 14 to the upper, opposing surface of the
bridging section 14. The stitching restricts the size of the space
formed by these opposing surfaces of the bridging section 14. In
addition, the foam material takes up space in the bridging section
14 that would otherwise be occupied by the particulate
material.
[0075] The bridging section 14 has an axis extending between the
wings 12 (in this embodiment substantially parallel with the
straight section of the outer edge of the bridging section 14), and
the longer sides of the substantially trapezoidal shape of the
cushion 16 are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridging
section 14. This provides a wide cushion to support the head of the
user.
[0076] In use of the pillow 10 the user places the bridging section
14 behind the head of the user and the user wraps the wings 12
around the neck of the user. The pillow 10 is then placed upon a
surface and the bridging section 14 provides support for the back
of the user's head and the wings 12 provide support for the sides
of the user's head.
[0077] In this embodiment, the difference in thickness between the
thinnest portion of the bridging section 14 (at the center line CL)
and the thickest portion of the wings 12 is approximately 80
mm.
[0078] The free end 22 of each wing 12 is provided away from a
point that each respective wing 12 is connected to the bridging
section 14. The distance between the wings 12 at the point that
each wing 12 is connected to the bridging section 14 is larger than
the distance between the wings 12 at a point adjacent to the free
end 22 of each wing 12. This is clearly shown in FIG. 1 where the
wings 12 are closer at their free ends 22 than at their other ends
where they connect to the bridging section 14.
[0079] It can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3 that the central portion
of the bridging section 14, i.e. the portion adjacent to the center
line CL is considerably thinner than the thickest portion of the
wings 12.
[0080] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the detail of the bridging section 14 and
it can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 that the upper surface of the
cushion 16 is below the highest point of the rest of the bridging
section 14, in particular is below the highest point of channels 24
and 26. The pillow 10 is symmetrical about a horizontal plane and,
in this embodiment, about the seam 34 of the bridging section 14
and the seam 40 of each wing 12. Therefore, the lower (underside)
surface (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) of the cushion 16 is above the
lowest point of the rest of the bridging section 14, in particular
is above the lowest point of channels 24 and 26. As a result, the
cushion 16 provides the thinnest portion of the bridging section 14
in this embodiment, but in other embodiments the thinnest portion
may be provided elsewhere, for example in the channel 24 and/or
26.
[0081] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the thickness of the thickest portion of
the wings 12 is shown by arrows X. FIGS. 6 and 7 show that, in this
embodiment, the thickest portion of the wings 12 (which has the
same thickness in each wing 12) is approximately halfway between
the free end 22 of each wing 12 and the outer edge of the bridging
section 14, but the invention is not limited to this.
[0082] The loop 18 and/or the button 20 is/are provided
respectively on the seam 40 of each wing 12 i.e. approximately in
the middle in the depth direction of each wing 12.
[0083] Referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the bridging section 14
curves (when viewed in plan; towards the bottom in FIG. 1) from
where it connects to each wing 12 to a substantially flat section
comprising the cushion 16 and the channels 24 and 26. In other
embodiments, the cushion may not be provided; instead, for example,
a single channel may extend between the wings 12.
[0084] In this embodiment, the width of a portion of the wings 12
(when viewed in plan) is substantially the same as the width of a
portion of the bridging section 14. The width of each wing 12 is
the distance between the outer edge of the wing 12 and the inner
edge of the wing 12 with reference to the pillow 10 shown in FIG.
1. The width of the bridging section 14 is the distance between the
outer edge and the inner edge.
[0085] In this embodiment, the width of the wings 12 and bridging
section is from 120 mm to 140 mm. The maximum width of the bridging
section 14 is approximately 140 mm and the minimum width of the
bridging section 14 is approximately 120 mm. In this embodiment,
the minimum width of the bridging section 14 is at the center line
CL.
[0086] In this embodiment, the longer dimension of the
substantially trapezoidal cushion 16, which is substantially
parallel with the longer side, is approximately 120 mm. The shorter
dimension of the substantially trapezoidal cushion 16, which is
substantially parallel with the shorter side, is approximately 80
mm.
[0087] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
described purely by way of example, and various modifications,
additions and/or omissions will present themselves to one skilled
in the art, all of which form part of the invention, together with
their equivalents.
* * * * *