U.S. patent application number 15/925677 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for travel neck support pillow.
The applicant listed for this patent is Judy Choi, Francis George. Invention is credited to Judy Choi, Francis George.
Application Number | 20190282008 15/925677 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67903640 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190282008 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Judy ; et al. |
September 19, 2019 |
TRAVEL NECK SUPPORT PILLOW
Abstract
A substantially U-shaped travel pillow includes: a first side
portion comprising a first base side portion of a first base
surface, a first top surface, a first inside surface and an outside
surface. A second side portion with a second base side portion has
a second base surface, a second top surface, a second inside
surface opposed to the first inside surface and a second outside
surface. A neck cushion portion is between the first side portion
and the second side portion. The two side portions and the neck
cushion portion are a single compressible elastic foam insert. At
least the first side portion and the second side portion having at
least two air passage through holes passing through the first side
portion and the second side portion, the holes having average
diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the holes completely
between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of
both the first side portion and the second side portion have foam
densities similar to foam densities throughout the single
compressible elastic foam insert.
Inventors: |
Choi; Judy; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; George; Francis; (Las Vegas, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Choi; Judy
George; Francis |
Las Vegas
Las Vegas |
NV
NV |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67903640 |
Appl. No.: |
15/925677 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 9/1081 20130101;
A47G 2009/1018 20130101; A47C 7/383 20130101; A47C 16/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10; A47C 16/00 20060101 A47C016/00 |
Claims
1. A substantially U-shaped travel pillow, comprising: a first side
portion comprising a first base side portion comprising a first
base surface, a first top surface, a first inside surface and an
outside surface; a second side portion comprising a second base
side portion comprising a second base surface, a second top
surface, a second inside surface opposed to the first inside
surface and a second outside surface; a neck cushion portion
between the first side portion and the second side portion; the
first side portion, the second side portion and the neck cushion
portion comprising a single compressible elastic foam insert; and
at least the first side portion and the second side portion each
having at least two air passage through holes passing through the
first side portion and the second side portion, the holes having
average diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the holes
completely between the respective inside surface and the outside
surface of both the first side portion and the second side portion
have foam densities substantially identical to foam densities
throughout the single compressible elastic foam insert.
2. The travel pillow of claim 1 having no stiffening elements
attached to the single compressible foam that stiffen the foam
between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of
both the first side portion and the second side portion, or stiffen
the foam between the respective top surface and base surface of
both the first side portion and the second side portion.
3. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein there is an air passage
passing through the neck cushion portion.
4. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the single compressible
elastic foam insert comprises a reticulated foam, that, when
compressed, expels air from open cells within the single
compressible elastic foam insert.
5. The travel pillow of claim 2 wherein the single compressible
elastic foam insert comprises a reticulated foam, that, when
compressed, expels air from open cells within the single
compressible elastic foam insert.
6. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the neck portion has an air
through hole with a vertical dimension of the hole being less than
5.5 cm.
7. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the first side portion and
second side portion each have an air through hole passing from a
forward end of the respective first side portion and second side
portion to a rearward end of the respective first side portion and
second side portion.
8. The travel pillow of claim 7 wherein each air through hole of
the first side portion and second side portion intersects a
respective air passage through hole passing through the first side
portion and the second side portion so that air may connectedly
flow in two orthogonal directions through the travel pillow.
9. The travel pillow of claim 7 wherein each air through hole of
the first side portion and second side portion does not intersect a
respective air passage through hole passing through the first side
portion and the second side portion so that air may separately flow
in two orthogonal directions through the travel pillow. first
raised top surface, said first raised top surface comprising a
first raised outer edge and a first raised inner edge that are the
same height; a second side portion comprising a second base side
portion and a second raised side portion, an inner surface of said
second side portion facing an inner surface of said first side
portion, said second raised side portion comprising a second raised
top surface, said second raised top surface comprising a second
raised outer edge and a second raised inner edge that are the same
height; a rear portion between said first and second side portions,
said rear portion comprising a base rear portion and a raised rear
portion, said raised rear portion considerably thinner than each of
said first raised side portion and said second raised side portion;
and a cover over said first side portion, said second side portion,
and said rear portion; wherein said first side portion and said
second side portion extend substantially horizontally from said
rear portion; wherein said base rear portion comprises a base rear
inner wall and a base rear outer wall; wherein said raised rear
portion comprises a raised rear inner wall and a raised rear outer
wall, said raised rear inner wall and said raised rear outer wall
being the same height, said raised rear outer wall continuous with
said base rear outer wall; wherein the combination of said base
rear outer wall and said raised rear outer wall comprises a
substantially planar and substantially vertical surface that is
substantially flat from left to right; wherein a memory foam
material forms the core of each of said first side portion, said
second side portion, and said rear portion; and wherein said travel
pillow is configured to be supported primarily by a user's
shoulders on a bottom side of each of said first side portion and
said second side portion.
10. The travel pillow of claim 1 wherein the first side portion and
the second side portion have a hook-and-loop fabric closure element
which can temporarily lock the first side portion and the second
side portion about a neck of a user.
11. The travel pillow of claim 7 wherein the first side portion and
the second side portion have a hook-and-loop fabric closure element
which can temporarily lock the first side portion and the second
side portion about a neck of a user.
12. The travel pillow of claim 9 wherein the first side portion and
the second side portion have a hook-and-loop fabric closure element
which can temporarily lock the first side portion and the second
side portion about a neck of a user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of travel
pillows, and especially travel pillows that surround the neck and
support the head of the wearer.
2. Background of the Art
[0002] Travel pillows are well known for helping people rest or
sleep when in a seated or upright position. However, such prior art
travel pillows suffer from common drawbacks such as being bulky,
trapping heat and moisture between the pillow and the user's neck
and head, and generally being unable to adequately or comfortably
support the user's head.
[0003] For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,349 to Silver et al.
discloses a travel pillow with some of these drawbacks. Little air
is allowed to circulate between the pillow and the user's neck with
this type of product, often resulting in an uncomfortably hot and
sweaty neck. Further, this type of travel pillow may cause the
user's head to tilt forward due to a relatively large and thick
rear portion that, when contacting the seat, puts pressure on the
rear of the user's neck. Finally, this traditional travel pillow
shape may fail to provide adequate support for a user's head and
neck when the head is in a left, right, or forward position.
[0004] Published US Patent Application Document No. 20170086607
Wong) discloses a neck pillow for supporting the head of a user
comprises left, right, and rear portions so as to be generally
U-shaped. The neck pillow may include an inner frame which may be
made of a material more rigid and denser than an outer material of
the pillow so as to provide support. The left and right portions
may include a chin support or protrusion so as to increase user
comfort. Pillows according to the present disclosure may also
include anchor points on each side for adjustment of the degree to
which a closure mechanism attached to a connector such as a
drawstring can be tightened. A closure mechanism which may be
attached to the drawstring portions may include internal components
that can prevent or make more difficult disconnection via
horizontal force, and may also include magnets for connection of
the left and right sides thereof.
[0005] Published US Patent Application Document No. 20150257555
(Wong) discloses a travel pillow includes a resilient inner frame
having a rear portion and two side portions, and U-shaped outer
cushion fixed about the inner frame and including a rear portion
and two side portions. Each side portion, and optionally the rear
portions, includes at least one transverse air apertures
therethrough. Each side portion of the inner frame further includes
a forward end. The side portions may each include a drawstring
aperture at the forward end for receiving a drawstring having two
halves, each of which being fixed at a proximal end thereof at the
drawstring apertures and being mutually and selectively fixable at
distal ends thereof at one part of a two-part mechanical fastener.
A flexible cover that has an opening therethrough into which the
inner frame and the outer cushion are inserted may be included that
has at least one ventilation area through which air may travel.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,578 (Sweeney) discloses a travel pillow
is described for use with seats which provide an accommodating
headrest. This pillow cushions the user's neck and head in a cavity
and thus provides support against `head-rolling` and the sudden
`head-drooping` which usually results when a traveler attempts to
sleep while sitting in a generally upright position.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,051 (Price) discloses a portable device
for recumbency of the head and neck providing support for the same
while travelling or in other situations where discomfort arises
from lack of adequate support. The device is provided with a
surface having a generally concave shape with respect to a vertical
axis of curvature corresponding approximately to the central
vertebral axis of the neck. The concave shape is fashioned so that
it has symmetrical left and right halves, opposing areas of which
are designed to exert gentle pressure in the vicinity of the
mastoid processes of the head, a region near the base of the head,
and located at the sides thereof almost at the rear. There are two
embodiments of the device, one a padded resilient sheet curved to
provide the support surface and a second in the form of an
inflatable pillow.
[0008] There is still need for additional structural improvements
in pillows that can better accommodate travel needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A substantially U-shaped travel pillow includes:
[0010] a first side portion comprising a first base side portion
comprising a first base surface, a first top surface, a first
inside surface and an outside surface;
[0011] a second side portion with a second base side portion
comprising a second base surface, a second top surface, a second
inside surface opposed to the first inside surface and a second
outside surface;
[0012] a neck cushion portion between the first side portion and
the second side portion;
[0013] the first side portion, the second side portion and the neck
cushion portion being a single compressible elastic foam insert;
and
[0014] at least the first side portion and the second side portion
each having at least two air passage through holes passing through
the first side portion and the second side portion, the holes
having average diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the
holes completely between the respective inside surface and the
outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side
portion have foam densities similar to or substantially identical
to foam densities throughout the single compressible elastic foam
insert.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a demonstrative neck pillow
evidencing various possible embodiments of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a demonstrative neck pillow
evidencing various possible embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] A substantially U-shaped travel pillow includes:
[0018] a first side portion comprising a first base side portion
comprising a first base surface, a first top surface, a first
inside surface and an outside surface;
[0019] a second side portion with a second base side portion
comprising a second base surface, a second top surface, a second
inside surface opposed to the first inside surface and a second
outside surface;
[0020] a neck cushion portion between the first side portion and
the second side portion; the first side portion, the second side
portion and the neck cushion portion being a single compressible
elastic foam insert; and
[0021] at least the first side portion and the second side portion
each having at least two air passage through holes passing through
the first side portion and the second side portion, the holes
having average diameters of less than 5.5 cm, and sides of the
holes completely between the respective inside surface and the
outside surface of both the first side portion and the second side
portion have foam densities similar to or substantially identical
to foam densities throughout the single compressible elastic foam
insert.
[0022] The travel pillow should have no stiffening elements
attached to the single compressible foam that stiffen the foam
between the respective inside surface and the outside surface of
both the first side portion and the second side portion, or stiffen
the foam between the respective top surface and base surface of
both the first side portion and the second side portion. The
stiffening portions, or ribs, can be a source of irritation to
users, and even accelerate breakdown of foam material in the insert
by increasing internal shear adjacent to the stiffer portions. This
is why the foam should be relatively similar in density (and
stiffness), not differing by more than 10% in density between
regions, and preferably less than 5% in density among all regions
of the foam. This not only can improve "feel" for the wearer, but
reduce internal shearing among different regions of the pillow
insert (which may have a cover to protect against ambient
contamination by perspiration, food, water, spills and the like)
during use that could cause increased rates of deterioration of the
foam.
[0023] The travel pillow may have an air passage passing through
the neck cushion portion, and the single compressible elastic foam
insert may include an open-celled foam or a reticulated foam, that,
when compressed, expels air from open cells within the single
compressible elastic foam insert.
[0024] The travel pillow (also referred to as a neck pillow) may
have the single compressible elastic foam insert as a reticulated
foam, that, when compressed, expels air from open cells within the
single compressible elastic foam insert. The travel may also be
constructed wherein the neck portion has an air through hole with a
vertical dimension of the hole being less than 5.5 cm, or less than
5.0 cm.
[0025] The travel pillow may also be constructed wherein the first
side portion and second side portion each have an air through hole
passing from a forward end of the respective first side portion and
second side portion to a rearward end of the respective first side
portion and second side portion.
[0026] The travel pillow may also be constructed wherein each air
through hole of the first side portion and second side portion
intersects a respective air passage through hole passing through
the first side portion and the second side portion so that air may
connectedly flow in two orthogonal directions through the travel
pillow.
[0027] The travel pillow may also be constructed wherein each air
through hole of the first side portion and second side portion does
not intersect a respective air passage through hole passing through
the first side portion and the second side portion so that air may
separately flow in two orthogonal directions through the travel
pillow. first raised top surface, said first raised top surface
comprising a first raised outer edge and a first raised inner edge
that are the same height; a second side portion comprising a second
base side portion and a second raised side portion, an inner
surface of said second side portion facing an inner surface of said
first side portion, said second raised side portion comprising a
second raised top surface, said second raised top surface
comprising a second raised outer edge and a second raised inner
edge that are the same height; a rear portion between said first
and second side portions, said rear portion comprising a base rear
portion and a raised rear portion, said raised rear portion
considerably thinner than each of said first raised side portion
and said second raised side portion; and a cover over said first
side portion, said second side portion, and said rear portion;
wherein said first side portion and said second side portion extend
substantially horizontally from said rear portion; wherein said
base rear portion comprises a base rear inner wall and a base rear
outer wall; wherein said raised rear portion comprises a raised
rear inner wall and a raised rear outer wall, said raised rear
inner wall and said raised rear outer wall being the same height,
said raised rear outer wall continuous with said base rear outer
wall; wherein the combination of said base rear outer wall and said
raised rear outer wall comprises a substantially planar and
substantially vertical surface that is substantially flat from left
to right; wherein a memory foam material forms the core of each of
said first side portion, said second side portion, and said rear
portion; and wherein said travel pillow is configured to be
supported primarily by a user's shoulders on a bottom side of each
of said first side portion and said second side portion.
[0028] Consideration of the Figures will assist in a better
appreciation of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of a demonstrative neck pillow 10 evidencing various possible
embodiments of the present invention. The neck pillow 10 is shown
with a vertical axis A and a horizontal axis B. The pillow 10 is
shown with a single (single molded, single fused, single adhered)
foam element 18 with a inner surface 12, a back of the neck section
31 and an outside portion 17. A front-to-back air passage hole 30
is shown. There are numerous ways in which the pillow 10 can be
constructed. In one manner, the air passage hole 30 has no other
connections, and air passing through the single air passages 30 on
both left and right sides of the pillow 10. The top 19 and bottom
26 of the neck pillow 10 are shown. In one embodiment, in addition
to or in replacement of the 30, there my be one or more outside 17
to inner surface 12 air passage holes 20a. The front-to-back air
passage 30 is shown passing over, without passageway intersection,
the outside-to-inside air passage 20a.
[0029] In an alternative construction evidenced in FIG. 1 is a
construction where the front-to-back air passage 30 is shown
passing into, but not through, with passageway intersection, the
outside-to-internal air passage 22a in this way one or more of
these outside-to-internal air passages 22a transport air away from
the front-to-back air passage 30 to provide some cooling effect
through air flow carrying heat and moisture away from a wearer.
Thus all, some or none of the air passages may be interconnected,
including the rear (back-of-the-neck) air passage 15. As previously
noted, this internal (to a fabric cover) foam neck pillow 10 can be
a single molded piece, or multiple individual pieces that are
joined together.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a demonstrative neck pillow 11
evidencing various possible embodiments of the present invention.
The back-of-the-neck air passage 15 is shown. Like numbers in this
FIG. 2 represent like elements from FIG. 1. A tapered inward neck
support is also shown at the base of the neck support portion 31.
An inside foam face 11 is shown opposed to the inner surface
12.
[0031] The pillow may have closure elements on the front of the
pillow, especially a fabric lock system that may be secured across
the front of the pillows, from one arm of the pillow to another, as
with Velcro.RTM. fasteners, ScotchTight.TM. fasteners, and newer
hook-and-loop fasteners with micro-loops and micro-hooks that have
stronger forces of attachments, yet may still be separated by
manual forces. Snap elements, or draw-string elements may also be
used, but they are less preferred. These fabric fasteners would be
stitched or adhesively secured to front ends of the arms with
sufficient length to extend away from the arms and cross over space
in front of the pillow. The tightness would be adjusted as is
typical in with fabric locking systems by tension and reach across
the gap in from of the pillow.
* * * * *