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 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 cover and the core so that the pillow functions to control the alignment of the head in a non-distorting aligned position for comfortable sleeping.

[0031]The core preferable is constructed of foam and the cover preferable is constructed with a fill of down, fiber, pulverized foam fills or other similar soft material. The pillow is constructed in different variations of thickness and firmness and cooperates with a mattress to provide comfort that enhances the quality of sleep.

[0033]The core is constructed to have a firm area (higher ILD) near a longer edge of the pillow and a softer (lower ILD) central region. The firm area is for alignment under the neck and provides neck support for comfortable supine and other position sleeping. The softer central region adjacent the firm area allows the head to be positioned in a neutral anatomic position with natural alignment evidenced by the chin and brow being at about the same height above the mattress surface. In the supine position, gravity acts to draw the tissues back from the centerline of the face as to reduce creases and wrinkles

[0034]The core is constructed to have firm areas (higher ILD's) on either side of the softer (lower ILD) central region. These firm areas on either side of the softer central region provide firmer support on the side of the head for side-sleeping. During side sleeping, the weight of the head causes a minor load on the tissues proximal to the centerline of the face, that is, the area on each side of the mouth and on the lips. With the firm area on the side of the soft area, the head is gently drawn forward by the action of gravity, causing a drawing back of the cheek and neutralization of the stresses on or about the mouth and hence functions to reduce deep creasing and wrinkling in that region. The core is constructed to position the head and neck to avoid improper head / neck positioning. Improper head / neck positioning results in the reduction in airway patency, snoring and sleep apnea. For side sleeping, the soft facial tissue is drawn backward so as to open the nasal vestibule.

[0035]The pillow cover in one or more preferred embodiments includes internal compartments for receiving and holding a soft fill, such as down, around the core. Typically a fastener such as a zipper is present along one or more sides of the pillow cover to enable the core to be easily inserted and removed from the cover. The core is therefore easily exchanged with different cores, to achieve different sleep qualities as may be preferred by a user. Also, core removal allows the pillow cover to be laundered without subjecting the core to the laundry environment.

[0036]Different asymmetrical relationships are present in certain embodiments to allow a user to select which side or edge of the pillow is most comfortable.

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 cause of shifting is poor neck / head alignment.

Considering the first major cause of shifting, the buildup of pressures results from prolonged lying in the same position and from pillows which are too thick or too hard.

High compression tends to restrict capillary blood flow which is recognized by the body, after a period of time, as discomfort.

When parts of the body are subjected to pressures above the ischemic threshold, discomfort results and, hence, a person shifts to remove the discomfort and threat to tissue damage.

Considering the second major cause of shifting, poor body alignment results from bending of the vertebral column of the body.

As it relates to the head and pillow, such bending is typically caused by poorly functioning mattresses and pillows that cause unwanted improper and distorting alignment of the neck and head in one or more sleeping positions.

When these positions are not achieved, a distorting and unnatural alignment occurs causing discomfort.

This extended head position often impairs breathing and other neck functions leading to worsened snoring and to neck, shoulder and back pain.

Also, the extended head position causes wrinkling across the neck and chin.

The result is a distorting alignment causing discomfort and other unwanted consequences.

The skin, particularly in women wanting delicate and smooth skin features, is susceptible to wrinkling Facial tissue is particularly susceptible to wrinkling and worsens with aging.

Generally for lower density materials, a growing loss in hardness arises after repeated loading.

Mattress cores which are too soft, have a low hysteresis which results in higher energy requirements for a person changing position on the mattress core.

A low hysteresis value generally results in poor sleeping quality.

During side sleeping, the weight of the head causes a minor load on the tissues proximal to the centerline of the face, that is, the area on each side of the mouth and on the lips.

Improper head / neck positioning results in the reduction in airway patency, snoring and sleep apnea.

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