Pillow having structurally varying core and cover

Abstract

A pillow for supporting the head of a reclining body. The pillow has a core formed with variable displacement parameters along the length and width and the pillow has a cover formed of a soft material for encasing the core. The cover imparts a soft feeling to the head on the pillow and distributes the weight of the head over the core. The core and the cover are displaced by the head as a function of the displacement parameters of the core so that the pillow functions to control the alignment of the head in a comfortable sleeping position while maintaining natural neck and head alignment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to pillows for use on a bed to support a head for sleeping and more particularly, to improved pillows having therapeutic and cosmetic properties and that enhance the quality of sleep.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Standard solid-bodied pillows in common use for many years have a number of limitations. The downward force caused by the weight of a person's head on tissue and facial skin in contact with solid bodied pillows is considerable, causing local stretching, cessation of capillary blood flow and deformation of the skin. Over a period of years these factors accelerate wrinkling of the skin, contributing to the visible effects of aging.[0003]Similarly, the outer surfaces of the ears are crushed by the weight of the head when a person using a pillow lies to the side, contributing to cessation of capillary blood flow and the incidence of bacterial and fungal ear infections, morning wax deafness, ear ache and gradual deformation and wrin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0030]The present invention is a pillow for supporting the head of a reclining body. The pillow has a core formed with variable displacement parameters along the length and width and the pillow has a cover formed of a soft material for encasing the core. The cover imparts a soft feeling to the head on th...

Problems solved by technology

Standard solid-bodied pillows in common use for many years have a number of limitations.

The downward force caused by the weight of a person's head on tissue and facial skin in contact with solid bodied pillows is considerable, causing local stretching, cessation of capillary blood flow and deformation of the skin.

Over a period of years these factors accelerate wrinkling of the skin, contributing to the visible effects of aging.

Similarly, the outer surfaces of the ears are crushed by the weight of the head when a person using a pillow lies to the side, contributing to cessation of capillary blood flow and the incidence of bacterial and fungal ear infections, morning wax deafness, ear ache and gradual deformation and wrinkling of the pinna.

In addition, standard pillows provide uneven support to the head and neck, causing muscular strain of the neck and back, and causing general night unrest.

Indeed, neck injury commonly results from improper support while sleeping.

Similarly, in an attempt to match personal anatomy to a pillow, many people adopt unnatural sleeping positions with arms and hands used to provide head support, which leads to discomfort and joint degeneration, and even arthritis, in the hands, elbows and shoulders.

Although a variety of pillow sizes and shapes are available, they often do not match an individual's anatomy and natural sleep habits.

While U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,380 is close to setting a standard for the ideal pillow, that pillow has a non-standard appearance resulting from a contoured shape and a narrow width.

This sleep cycle is repeated a number of times over a normal sleep period, but can be disrupted due, for example, to body discomfort.

Shifts due to discomfort caused by beds or pillows are a significant cause of poor sleep quality.

There are two major causes of bed-induced shifting, and particularly pillow-induced shifting, which cause poor sleep.

As it relates to the head and pillow, the first major cause of shifting is the buildup of pressures on parts of the head and the second major cau...

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