Pillow

Abstract

According to the pillow provided by the invention, the main supporting part is utilized; among the regions between the upper and lower lines of the occipital bone of a supine person, at least the region from the left end of the portion where the trapezius adheres to the occipital bone to the portion where the sternoclavicular mastoid on the left side adheres to the occipital bone, and the region from the right end of the portion where the trapezius adheres to the occipital bone to the portion where the sternoclavicular mastoid on the right side adheres to the occipital bone The region is supported by applying pressure in a planar manner, and a sub-support part, which has a lower height than the main support part, applies pressure to the head of the supine person on the top side of the top line and supports the head. The pillow does not have a member for applying pressure to support at least from the first cervical vertebra to the second cervical vertebra of a supine person and below the temporal muscle of the person.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow, and in particular to a pillow having the function of making the breathing of a user comfortable. Background Art

[0002] Being able to breathe comfortably even in a sleeping position is essential for good sleep. Therefore, pillows are required to have the function of making the user's breathing comfortable. In particular, in order to make breathing comfortable in a supine position, the angle of the head needs to be maintained at an appropriate value. If the head is tilted forward too much (i.e., the lower jaw drops too much), breathing may become difficult due to compression of the airway. Conversely, if the head is tilted backward too much (i.e., the lower jaw rises too much), the root of the tongue may sink into the throat, causing suffocation. Therefore, for example, the pillow disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses a pillow that supports from the neck to the back of the head, reduces the support force of the back of the head, and prevents the lower jaw from dropping.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-081248 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the case of a pillow like Patent Document 1, the pressure distribution of the pillow is spread over a wide range from the back of the head to the neck, so the head is easily displaced. In particular, when the head is displaced in the longitudinal direction of the pillow (the height direction), the center of the pressure distribution is likely to deviate greatly from the center of gravity of the head to the vertical direction of the pillow 10. The torque generated by this will cause the angle of the head to tilt greatly, hindering breathing.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a pillow which focuses on the stage at which the head is easily displaced and moved in the longitudinal direction of the pillow, and by improving this stage, effectively suppresses the displaced movement and stably maintains the angle of the head without tilting significantly, and does not adversely affect breathing, but makes breathing easier.

[0009] Means used to solve problems

[0010] The pillow according to the present invention has:

[0011] The main support portion is an elastic member protruding upward, and provides planar support by applying pressure to at least the area from the left end of the portion where the trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the portion where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone, and the area from the right end of the portion where the trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the portion where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone, in the area between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of the supine person;

[0012] The auxiliary support part is elastic, and the support height is set lower than that of the main support part, so as to apply pressure to the head of the person closer to the top of the head than the upper nuchal line to support the person.

[0013] There is no member that applies pressure to provide support at least below the first cervical vertebra to the second cervical vertebra of the person and below the temporalis muscle of the person.

[0014] It should be noted that, hereinafter, the "area between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of a supine person, from the left end of the part where the trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the part where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone" is referred to as the "prescribed area on the left side".

[0015] In addition, hereinafter, the "area between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of a supine person, from the right end of the part where the trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the part where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone" is referred to as the "prescribed area on the right side".

[0016] In addition, pillows are usually provided with pillow cases, but the pillow of the present invention also includes pillows without pillow cases.

[0017] In the present invention, the term "occipital bone" refers to the dish-shaped bone SA that forms the back and bottom of the skull (see Figure 1A , Figure 1B ). The “external occipital protuberance” refers to the convex portion SA1 located in the central portion of the outer surface of the occipital bone SA. The “superior nuchal line” refers to the Figure 1B As shown in FIG. 1 , a line SA4 is drawn in an arc shape from just below the posterior head protuberance SA1 to the root of the mastoid process SC1 in the left and right directions. Figure 1B The line SA5 is shown as being drawn in an arch shape below the superior nuchal line and in the left and right lateral directions to the front end (lower end) of the mastoid process SC1. The "parietal bones" refer to a pair of rectangular bones SB that form the top and upper left and right sides of the skull. The "temporal bones" refer to a pair of trapezoidal bones SC that form the lower left and right sides of the skull. Figure 1A As shown, the attachment MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB is attached to the range from the superior nuchal line SA4 in the occipital bone SA to the superior nuchal line SA4 in the temporal bone SC and then to the mastoid process SC1 in the temporal bone SC.

[0018] In addition, in the present invention, regarding the support height of the sub-support portion, "the support height of the sub-support portion is set lower than the support height of the main support portion" means that, when the corresponding part of the head of a supine person is placed on the main support portion and the sub-support portion and the support heights of the main support portion and the sub-support portion after sinking are compared, the support height of the sub-support portion is set lower than the support height of the main support portion.

[0019] In addition, "supporting by applying pressure" means that when the weight (body pressure) of the corresponding part of the supine person is applied to the main support part, as a reaction, a push-back elastic pressure (rebound force) is applied to the corresponding part, and the desired height is supported by applying the push-back elastic pressure (rebound force). Therefore, in the case of only contact or a small rebound force, it is not supported by applying pressure to the desired height.

[0020] In addition, "planar support by applying pressure" means that planar support (support) is performed when the elastic pressure (rebound force) of the push back is applied and the support is at a desired height. Therefore, in the case of linear contact with only one line, it is not planar support and cannot be a stable support. Therefore, it is not planar support by applying pressure. On the contrary, when a plurality of protrusion groups (point-like protrusion groups) are provided for point contact and support is performed using the point-like protrusion groups, the contact area is greatly reduced compared to the surface itself, but since the same stable support as the surface is performed, it belongs to the category of planar support and means planar support.

[0021] Furthermore, “there is no supporting member that applies pressure” means that there is no supporting member that does not actively apply the elastic pressure (rebound force) to the corresponding part (at least from the first cervical vertebra to the second cervical vertebra) and has a greater adverse effect on the main supporting part that is intended to concentrate the weight of the head, or there is no supporting member that does not actively apply the elastic pressure (rebound force) to the corresponding part (temporalis muscle) and strongly compresses the temporalis muscle and easily causes blood flow obstruction. Therefore, in the case where space is provided in the corresponding part or the structure is changed in a way that does not actively apply pressure to the corresponding part, it certainly means that there is no supporting member, but the “there is no supporting member that applies pressure” is not limited to such a case. That is, even if there is a member in the corresponding part, if the member is very soft and does not cause a greater adverse effect on the main supporting part, or if it is a member that strongly compresses the temporalis muscle and easily causes blood flow obstruction, it also means that there is no supporting member that applies pressure.

[0022] Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the pillow of the present invention, since the supporting height of the auxiliary supporting part is set lower than that of the main supporting part, the main supporting part with a higher supporting height can provide the above-mentioned predetermined areas SA7 (see FIG. Figure 1B ) is applied with pressure to support in a planar manner, and the predetermined areas SA7 on the left and right sides of the planar support are close to the position of the center of gravity G of the head (refer to Figure 4B ), the weight of the head (body pressure) is not dispersed in the area of ​​the cervical vertebrae C1-C2 and the area of ​​the temporalis muscle MA, and therefore the weight of the head is concentrated on the main support part. This concentration can prevent the head from easily starting to move in the longitudinal direction of the pillow 10 and effectively suppress the development of large offset movement, so that the angle of the head can be maintained more stably. In other words, it is possible to effectively prevent the angle of the head from easily tilting significantly, which is considered difficult to overcome. In addition, according to the pillow of the present invention, since the area supported in a planar manner by applying pressure using the main support part is the above-mentioned specified area SA7 on the left and right of the occipital bone SA, there is no compressive pressure and no adverse effect on breathing.

[0024] On the contrary, according to the pillow of the present invention, for a person lying on his back, at least there is no member that applies pressure to support the lower part of the range from cervical vertebra C1 to cervical vertebra C2, and the entire cervical vertebra C1-C7 is naturally maintained in the same curved shape as when standing upright, and the respiratory tract and the muscle group of the neck, especially the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB, the anterior scalene muscle, the middle scalene muscle, and the posterior scalene muscle (not shown) as respiratory muscles are not compressed. As a result, even when lying on the back, the respiratory tract can be ensured to the same extent as when standing upright, and breathing is easy.

[0025] In addition, even if sleeping in a supine position, it is not limited to sleeping with the face always facing upwards, and there are many cases where the face is slightly facing sideways. For people sleeping in a supine position in this state, there is no component that applies pressure to the bottom of the temporalis muscle MA for support, and there is no blood flow obstruction (deterioration of blood flow) caused by the compression of the temporalis muscle MA. Since the blood flow obstruction is prevented, it will not cause muscle tension, dizziness, headache, autonomic nervous system disorder in the temporalis muscle MA and the neck, shoulders, etc. connected thereto, and breathing is easy.

[0026] In addition, it is preferable that the main supporting part has a supporting part 66 for the left sternocleidomastoid muscle (see Figure 3 and Figure 4A) and a right sternocleidomastoid muscle support part 66, the left sternocleidomastoid muscle support part 66 applies pressure from below to support the attachment part MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB that is attached from the superior nuchal line S4 of the left temporal bone SC of the supine person to the mastoid process SC1, and the right sternocleidomastoid muscle support part 66 applies pressure from below to support the attachment part MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB that is attached from the superior nuchal line S4 of the right temporal bone SC of the supine person to the mastoid process SC1. When the left and right sternocleidomastoid muscle support parts 66 are used to apply pressure from below to support the attachment part MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB, for the supine person, not only the tension of the attachment part MB1 is relieved, but also the tension of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB as a whole in the longitudinal direction is relieved, so that the movement of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB during breathing is improved, exhalation and inhalation become smooth, and breathing becomes easy.

[0027] When the sternocleidomastoid support part 66 is provided in the main support part, the height of the main support part is preferably formed in an inclined shape, an arc shape, or a stepped shape in such a manner that the height of the sternocleidomastoid support part 66 on the left and right sides is higher than the height of the left and right middle parts of the main support part (that is, the height of the left and right outer parts of the main support part is higher). Thus, when the repulsive force of the sternocleidomastoid support part 66 is insufficient at the attachment part MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB, it can be effectively compensated.

[0028] According to the pillow of the present invention, as described above, the longitudinal deviation movement of the head toward the pillow 10 can be effectively suppressed. However, if the deviation movement force toward the longitudinal upper side of the pillow 10 is large and it is desired to stop it with force, it is sufficient to further include a main restriction portion protruding higher than the secondary support portion at a position on the side opposite to the main support portion relative to the secondary support portion (see Figure 4A , Figure 6 , Figure 8 90). The main limiting portion can be formed separately or integrally with the auxiliary supporting portion.

[0029] The main support portion may be formed so as to be inclined or curved so as to be closer to the shoulders of the person as it approaches the outer side in the left-right lateral direction of the person (see Figure 5 660 in the figure (a). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1A It is a three-dimensional image of a human skull.

[0031] Figure 1B This is a picture of the back of a person's head.

[0032] Figure 2 (a) is a perspective view of a pillow according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (b) is Figure 2 (a) is an exploded view of the pillow shown.

[0033] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the base is shown.

[0034] Figure 4A yes Figure 2 Top view of the pillow shown.

[0035] Figure 4B It is along Figure 4A A cross-sectional view along the center line CL is shown.

[0036] Figure 5 (a) is a perspective view of a base according to a modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 (b) is Figure 5 (a) is a top view of the base shown.

[0037] Figure 6 This is an exploded view of a pillow according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the center line in the left-right direction of the pillow according to the second embodiment.

[0039] Figure 8 This is an exploded view of a pillow according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 9 (a) is a perspective view of a base according to another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 (b) is Fig. 9 (a) is a top view of the base shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] [First embodiment]

[0042] Figure 2 (a) is a top view of a pillow 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 (b) is an exploded view of the pillow 10. The pillow 10 is a flat rectangular plate and is composed of three layers, namely a base (bottom layer) 20, an intermediate layer 30, and a surface layer 40. Each of these layers 20-40 is made of a flexible, flat, rectangular plate-shaped soft foamed resin and is bonded to each other. Among the three layers, the lengths of the left and right lateral long sides of the pillow 10 and the longitudinal short sides of the pillow 10 are the same. On the other hand, in terms of thickness (height), the base 20 is the largest, and the intermediate layer 30 and the surface layer 40 are of the same degree.

[0043] Figure 3: is a three-dimensional diagram of the base 20. The upper surface 21 of the base 20 is flat, and only the main support portion 60 and the auxiliary support portion 80 protrude upward from the upper surface 21. Any support portion 60, 80 is made of a soft foamed resin that is harder than the three layers 20-40, and is bonded to the upper surface 21 of the base 20. The main support portion 60 is an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, located near the long side 22 on one side of the base 20 (the positive side of the X-axis in the figure), and the length direction is parallel to the long side 22. The auxiliary support portion 80 is a rectangular parallelepiped shape shorter than the main support portion 60, and is separated from the main support portion 60 and is provided near the long side 23 on the opposite side of the base 20 (the negative side of the X-axis in the figure), and the length direction is parallel to the long side 23. The upper surface 61 of the main support portion 60 and the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support portion 80 are both rectangular planes in a state where no load is applied from above, and are parallel to the upper surface 21 of the base 20 .

[0044] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, a hole 41 is formed in the surface layer 40 above the main support part 60 and the auxiliary support part 80 (in the positive direction of the Z axis in the figure). The hole 41 extends from the long side 42 on one side of the surface layer 40 (in the positive side of the X axis in the figure) to the central part, and exposes the portion 31 of the middle layer 30 covering the main support part 60 and the auxiliary support part 80 on the inner side. A main restriction part 90 is provided between the hole 41 and the long side 43 on the other side of the surface layer 40 (in the negative side of the X axis in the figure), and a secondary restriction part 95 is provided on both sides of the hole 41 in the lateral direction of the pillow 10 (in the Y axis direction in the figure). The restriction parts 90 and 95 are both made of soft foamed resin in the shape of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped, such as soft polyurethane foam, and are bonded to the upper surface 44 of the surface layer 40. The main restricting portion 90 extends parallel to the left-right lateral direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 , and the auxiliary restricting portion 95 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction (the X-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 .

[0045] Figure 4A is a top view of pillow 10, Figure 4B is along Figure 4A4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the center line CL shown in FIG. The head HD of a person lying on his back is accommodated inside the hole 41 of the surface layer 40, and the head HD is placed on the upper surface 61 of the main support portion 60 and the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support portion 80. At this time, since the intermediate layer 30 made of a soft elastic sheet covers the main support portion 60 and the auxiliary support portion 80, it is difficult for the head HD to feel the corner of either the main support portion 60 or the auxiliary support portion 80, and the head HD feels softer than when the main support portion 60 and the auxiliary support portion 80 are in direct contact. In addition, when the head HD moves beyond the allowable range, the head HD is restricted by the main restriction portion 90 and the auxiliary restriction portion 95. That is, the head HD is restricted from the hole 41 of the surface layer 40 to the long side 43 of the surface layer 40 (in the negative direction of the X axis in the figure) by the side surface 91 of the main restriction portion 90, and the head HD is restricted from the hole 41 to the short side 43 of the surface layer 40 (in the Y axis direction in the figure) by the side surface of the auxiliary restriction portion 95.

[0046] [Details of the main support and auxiliary support]

[0047] like Figure 3 , Figure 4A As shown, the upper surface 61 of the main support portion 60 and the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support portion 80 are both symmetrical in the left-right direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) with respect to the center line CL thereof.

[0048] Figure 3 The width W1 of the upper surface 61 of the main support portion 60 in the left-right lateral direction (in the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 shown is wider than the width W2 of the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support portion 80. Figure 4A As shown, it is narrower than the width of the head HD, more specifically, slightly narrower than the width of the left and right ears. In addition, the center of the upper surface 61 of the main support part 60 in the left and right lateral directions is such that the upper side is located at Figure 1B The left and right horizontal centers of the upper nuchal line SA4 of the supine person shown in the figure are located at the bottom. Figure 1B The center of the lower nuchal line SA5 of the person shown in the figure is near the lower edge of the occipital bone SA on the lower side. From the center of the upper surface 61 of the main support part 60, both sides on the left and right sides are bent in a manner that the upper edge is directed toward the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 to expand the area. As a result, for a person lying on his back, the upper surface 61 of the main support part 60 applies surface pressure to the area SA7 from the left end TR1 of the trapezius muscle TR attached to the occipital bone SA to the part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP attached to the left side of the occipital bone SA, and to the area SA7 from the right end TR2 of the trapezius muscle TR attached to the occipital bone SA to the part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP attached to the right side of the occipital bone SA to support it ( Figure 1B , Figure 3 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B). In addition, the main support portion 60 is extended in the left and right lateral directions to integrally provide a sternocleidomastoid muscle support portion 66 at both left and right ends, and on the upper surface of the sternocleidomastoid muscle support portion 66, pressure is applied from below to support the left and right sternocleidomastoid muscles MB1 attached from the superior nuchal line S4 of the temporal bone SC to the mastoid process SC1.

[0049] Relative to Figure 3 In the upper surface 21 of the base 20 shown in the figure, the height H1 of the upper surface 61 of the main support portion 60 is higher than the height H2 of the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support portion 80. For example, the height H1 of the upper surface 61 of the main support portion 60 is in the range of 3 cm to 9 cm. On the other hand, the height H2 of the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support portion 80 is in the range of 1 cm to 5 cm. Among the heights H1 and H2, it is important that the supporting heights of the main support portion 60 and the auxiliary support portion 80 after sinking when the weight of the head HD is applied are more important than the heights when the weight of the head HD is not applied. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B As shown, the supporting height of the main supporting portion 60 is made higher than the supporting height of the auxiliary supporting portion 80 .

[0050] like Figure 4A , Figure 4B As shown, the main support part 60 is located at a position closer to the top of the head than the first cervical vertebra C1 of the supine person, and at least no member for applying pressure from below to support the range from the first cervical vertebra C1 to the second cervical vertebra C2 is provided. In addition, no member for applying pressure from below to support the temporalis muscle MA of the above person is provided. Therefore, no pressure is applied from below to at least the range from the first cervical vertebra C1 to the second cervical vertebra C2 and the temporalis muscle MA of the above person.

[0051] [Modification of the first embodiment]

[0052] (A) The above shapes, sizes and hardnesses of the base 20, the middle layer 30 and the surface layer 40 are only examples and can be changed in various ways. In particular, the thickness of the middle layer 30 and the surface layer 40 can be greatly different, and the hardness can also be greatly different between the three layers 20, 30, 40.

[0053] (B) The upper surface 61 of the main support part 60 and the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support part 80 are not limited to a plane parallel to the upper surface 21 of the base 20. The upper surface 61 of the main support part 60 can also be formed in an inclined shape, an arc shape, or a step shape in such a way that the height of the sternocleidomastoid support part 66 side of the left and right end parts is higher than that of the left and right middle parts. In addition, there are corners on any one of the circumferences of the upper surface 61 of the main support part 60 and the upper surface 81 of the auxiliary support part 80, but these corners are not essential for the present invention and can also be removed by chamfering or rounding.

[0054] (C) In the pillow 10, the base 20, the middle layer 30, and the surface layer 40 are bonded to each other. However, the pillow of the present invention is not limited to this stacked structure, and can also be integrally formed. In addition, the middle layer 30 and the surface layer 40 are not essential for the present invention, and therefore, both can be omitted. In particular, instead of covering the entire upper surface 21 of the base 20 with the middle layer 30, only the main support portion 60 and the secondary support portion 80 can be covered with a film or sheet that is softer than both. And, in Figure 4B The gap between the base 20 and the middle layer 30 shown in the figure, or the gap between the middle layer 30 and the neck, may be filled with cotton or other soft material that is sufficiently soft to sufficiently ignore the reaction force generated by the elasticity, or to the extent that the reaction force generated by the elasticity is considered to be only small. If the middle layer 30 itself has such softness, the middle layer 30 may be thickened so that no gap is generated between the middle layer 30 and the base 20 or the neck.

[0055] (D) Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the main restricting portion 90 is provided on the upper surface 44 of the surface layer 40. On the other hand, when the surface layer 40 is omitted, the main restricting portion may also be provided on the upper surface 21 of the base 20. In this case, the main restricting portion is located on the side opposite to the auxiliary supporting portion 80 relative to the main supporting portion 60 (on the side opposite to the auxiliary supporting portion 80). Figure 3 The main limiting portion can strongly prevent the auxiliary support portion 80 from moving upward by using the side facing the auxiliary support portion 80. Figure 4A The head HD in the shown position has moved upward in the longitudinal direction of the pillow 10 beyond the allowable range.

[0056] (E) Figure 2 , Figure 4A As shown, the side surface 91 of the main restricting portion 90 facing the auxiliary supporting portion 80 is as wide as the hole 41 of the surface layer 40 in the left and right lateral direction (in the figure, the Y-axis direction) of the pillow 10. Figure 4A The upper surface 81 of the sub-supporting portion 80 shown is similarly narrowed so as to be located inside the attachment portion MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB in the left-right lateral direction of the head HD (the Y-axis direction in the figure).

[0057] (F) Figure 3 , Figure 4A As shown, the side 63 of the main support part 60 is curved. The side 82 of the auxiliary support part 80 facing the main support part 60 may also be curved in a manner that moves away from the center line CL in the left-right lateral direction of the pillow 10 (in the Y-axis direction in the figure) and approaches the main support part 60.

[0058] (G) Figure 3 , Figure 4BAs shown, the side 63 of the main support portion 60 facing the auxiliary support portion 80 is inclined, and the side 82 of the auxiliary support portion 80 facing the main support portion 60 is inclined. However, any inclination is not necessary for the present invention, and any side 63, 82 can be perpendicular to the upper surface 21 of the base 20.

[0059] (H) Figure 4B As shown, the side surface 62 of the main support part 60 that does not face the auxiliary support part 80 is perpendicular to the upper surface 21 of the base 20. However, if the main support part 60 is in a state where no pressure is applied to the first cervical vertebra C1, the side surface 62 may be inclined toward the thoracic vertebra side (the positive side of the X-axis in the figure) as it approaches the upper surface 21 of the base 20 from the upper surface 61 of the main support part 60. In this case, the inclination angle or shape of the side surface 62 can be designed in such a way that the side surface 62 does not apply pressure to the first cervical vertebra C1.

[0060] (I)If Figure 4A As shown, the side 62 of the main support part 60 not facing the secondary support part 80 is parallel to the left and right lateral direction (in the figure, the Y-axis direction) of the pillow 10. In addition, the side of the main support part not facing the secondary support part can also be bent or curved as described below.

[0061] Figure 5 (a) is a perspective view of a base 200 according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 (b) is a top view of the base 200. The base 200 and Figure 3 The base 20 shown is different only in the following respects: The side 620 of the main support part 60 not facing the auxiliary support part 80 is curved so as to approach the shoulder SH from the same position as the cervical vertebrae C1-C7 in the left and right lateral direction (in the Y-axis direction in the figure) of a supine person.

[0062] The side surface 620 of the main support part 60 is located at the same position as the first cervical vertebra C1 in the left and right lateral direction (in the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the supine person, and is located closer to the top of the head (in the negative side of the X-axis in the figure) than the first cervical vertebra C1. Figure 5 As shown in (b), at least the range from the first cervical vertebra C1 to the second cervical vertebra C2 does not apply weight to the intermediate layer 30 and the base 20 directly below, so there is no component that applies pressure to this range. Therefore, the entire cervical vertebra C1-C7 naturally maintains the same curved shape as when standing upright. In addition, even if the first cervical vertebra C1 is displaced to the top of the head (the negative side of the X-axis in the figure) due to unconscious changes in the body position of the supine person, it is difficult for the first cervical vertebra C1 to reach Figure 5Therefore, it is difficult for the respiratory tract to be compressed by the pressure of the main support part 60. On the contrary, even if the first cervical vertebra C1 is displaced to the thoracic side (the positive side of the X-axis in the figure), since the part 660 of the main support part 60 extending from the lower side of the cervical vertebra C1-C7 to the cervical side of the occipital bone SA (the positive side of the X-axis in the figure) is extended longer, the part MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB attached to the mastoid process SC1 can be supported to the lower side in the height direction without omission by the pressure of the part 660.

[0063] (J) The main support portion may be cut from the same position as the cervical spine of a person lying on his back in the left and right lateral directions. Figure 5 The portion of the central portion 67 of the main support part 60 including the side surface 620 or the entire central portion 67 is shown. In this case, even if the first cervical vertebra C1 is displaced toward the top of the head, it is not located above the main support part 60, so the airway is not compressed by the pressure of the main support part 60.

[0064] [Second embodiment]

[0065] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 is an exploded view of the pillow 100 according to the second embodiment. Figure 7 : is a cross-sectional view along the center line of the pillow in the left and right lateral direction. : is a stereoscopic view of the base portion. Hereinafter, the same names and reference numerals are given to the components that are the same as or correspond to those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0066] The pillow 100 of the second embodiment has a base layer 50 below the base 20. The materials of the base 20 and the base layer 50 are substantially the same as those of the layers 20-40 in the first embodiment, and can be made of a flat rectangular plate-shaped soft foamed resin, such as a soft polyurethane foam with a 25% hardness <60 N. The base 20 and the base layer 50 are bonded to each other.

[0067] The main support parts 60, 60 are provided on the upper surface 21 of the base 20 in a manner protruding upward. The main support parts 60, 60 in this embodiment are cut so that the central part in the left and right lateral direction can accommodate the posterior head protuberance SA1, and are separated from each other in a symmetrical manner, and a space part 70 is formed therebetween. The main support parts 60, 60 are identical except for the symmetry. The space part 70 is located on the extension line of the cervical vertebra of the supine person, and its width in the left and right lateral direction is set to be larger than the width in the left and right lateral direction of the posterior head protuberance SA1 of the supine person. In this embodiment, the base end of the main support part 60 corresponds to the upper surface 21 of the base 20, and the upper end corresponds to the upper surface 61 of the main support part 60. The edge of the upper surface 61 of the main support part 60 on the negative side of the X axis (therefore, as described later, the side of the auxiliary support part 80) is provided with an inclined part 64 inclined downward in a chamfered manner. On the other hand, the side surface 62 on the positive side of the X-axis in the main support portion 60 (the side surface 62 of the main support portion 60 that does not face the auxiliary support portion 80) is inclined in a manner that approaches the shoulder SH as it moves outward from the same position as the cervical vertebrae C1-C7 in the left-right lateral direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) of a supine person.

[0068] The auxiliary support part 80 in the second embodiment is constructed as a part of the flat base 20. Specifically, in the base 20 of the second embodiment, through holes 110 are formed symmetrically at the part below the temporalis muscle MA of the supine person, and the back of the head (in this embodiment, the area SA3 on the top side of the occipital SA) on the top side of the head is placed on the connecting part 120 between the left and right through holes 110. The part of the connecting part 120 where the head is placed corresponds to the auxiliary support part 80 in this embodiment. In this case, the base end of the auxiliary support part 80 corresponds to the base end of the connecting part 120 in the thickness direction of the connecting part 120 at the part, that is, the lower surface (back surface) of the base 20 at the part, and the upper end of the auxiliary support part 80 corresponds to the upper end of the connecting part 120 in the thickness direction of the connecting part 120 at the part, that is, the upper surface 21 of the base 20 at the part.

[0069] like Figure 6 As shown, the width of the connecting portion 120 in the left-right lateral direction (the Y-axis direction in the figure) is set to be narrower than the distance between the stop portions MB1 of the left and right sternocleidomastoid muscles MB of a supine person.

[0070] The top side restriction portion 130 and the side restriction portion 95 are also provided on the upper surface 21 of the base 20. The top side restriction portion 130 is provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface 21 of the base 20, and a protrusion 90 that further protrudes in the positive direction of the X-axis is formed on the side surface of the top side of the X-axis (therefore, the side opposite to the top of the head of a person lying on his back). The left-right lateral width of the side surface 91 of the protrusion 90 closest to the top of the head (therefore, the convex end surface 91 that protrudes most in the positive direction of the X-axis) is narrower than the left-right lateral width of the connecting portion 120. The positional deviation of the head HD in the negative direction of the X-axis is restricted by the protrusion 90. In the second embodiment, the protrusion 90 corresponds to the "main restriction portion".

[0071] The side limiting parts 95 are provided on the outer side of the left and right main supporting parts 60, 60, and are respectively configured to protrude upward from the upper surface 21 of the base 20. The left and right side limiting parts 95, 95 have the same structure, and their protruding height (the height in the positive direction of the Z axis measured from the upper surface of the base) is set to be higher than the protruding height of the main supporting part 60. The left and right side limiting parts 95, 95 limit the positional deviation of the head HD in the left and right lateral directions (in the Y-axis direction in the figure) that exceeds the allowable range. In the second embodiment, the side limiting parts 95, 95 are equivalent to "sub-limiting parts".

[0072] [Third Embodiment]

[0073] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 8 3 is an exploded view of a pillow 300 according to the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the same names and reference numerals are given to the same components as or corresponding to those of the first and second embodiments, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] The pillow 300 of the third embodiment is different from the pillow 100 of the second embodiment only in that, in the pillow 100 of the second embodiment, a through hole 140 is provided at a position of the connecting portion 120 near the main support portion 60. The through hole 140 is formed by a long hole extending in the X-axis direction, and extends from the space portion 70 between the left and right main support portions 60, 60 to the front of the region corresponding to the auxiliary support portion 80. In addition, the through hole 140 is set so that when the person lies on his back with the region SA2 between the superior nuchal line SA4 and the inferior nuchal line SA5 of the occipital bone SA placed on the main support portions 60, 60, the through hole 140 is located below the occipital protuberance SA1 of the person, and the width thereof in the left-right lateral direction is larger than the width of the occipital protuberance SA1 in the left-right lateral direction. As a result, the occipital protuberance SA1 of the person lying on his back is in a positional relationship of being accommodated in the through hole 140 when viewed from above.

[0075] The pillow 300 of the third embodiment configured as described above has substantially the same effects as the pillow 100 of the second embodiment. In addition, since the through hole 140 having a size that accommodates the outer occipital swelling SA1 is provided below the outer occipital swelling SA1 of the person lying on his back, no pressure is applied to the outer occipital swelling SA1 in the supine state. Furthermore, since the through hole 140 is formed by a long hole extending in the X-axis direction, no pressure is applied to the outer occipital swelling SA1 even when the head HD is displaced in the X-axis direction.

[0076] [Modifications of the Second and Third Embodiments]

[0077] (K) The through hole 110 in the second and third embodiments does not necessarily need to be through-hole, and may be configured as a bottomed hole. Any structure including a "recess" having a bottomed hole and a bottomless hole will suffice. The same applies to the through hole 140 in the third embodiment, and it may be configured as a "recess" regardless of whether it has a bottom or no bottom. In addition, the interior of the recess does not need to be completely hollow, and may be filled with, for example, a member that is much softer than the surrounding members and has almost or no resilience even when weight is applied.

[0078] (L) The through hole 140 of the third embodiment is configured as an elongated hole, but it does not necessarily have to be an elongated hole (elliptical in plan view), and may be a circular hole in a perfect circular shape in plan view or a recessed portion of another shape.

[0079] [Modifications of the first, second and third embodiments]

[0080] (M) In the first, second and third embodiments, the range of the support to which pressure is applied is not limited to the vicinity of the lower nuchal line SA5, but may extend beyond the lower nuchal line SA5 to the lower edge SA6 of the occipital bone SA (see Figure 1B ) to apply pressure to support. In addition, due to the first embodiment Figure 5 The main support portion 60 shown in the second embodiment Figure 6 The main support portion 60 shown in the third embodiment Figure 8 The main support parts 60 shown in the figure are all structured to extend downward in the longitudinal direction (height direction) of the pillow as they are closer to the left and right lateral sides of the pillow. Therefore, the range of support for applying pressure can exceed the lower nuchal line SA5 and support the lower edge SA6 of the occipital bone SA (see FIG. Figure 1B ), and the sternocleidomastoid muscle supporting portion 66 can apply pressure to the lower end of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB attached to the mastoid process SC1 in the height direction to support it.

[0081] (N) In addition, in the first, second and third embodiments, support is provided by applying pressure to the surface of the main support portion 60, but in a state where the weight of the head is not applied, the main support portion 60 is in the form of a plurality of small protrusion groups. Even if the plurality of small protrusion groups are flattened to form a surface when the weight of the head is applied, this does not hinder the surface concept of the present invention and is included in the concept of surface support of the present invention.

[0082] (O) In addition, in the first embodiment, the surface of the main limiting portion 90 on the side of the auxiliary supporting portion 80 is formed as a straight line surface, and in the second and third embodiments, the side of the auxiliary supporting portion 80 of the main limiting portion is formed as a convex protrusion 90 that is narrower than the left and right lateral width of the connecting portion 120, but not limited to this, the auxiliary supporting portion side of the main limiting portion can also be formed opposite to the above-mentioned protrusion 90, for example, into a concave depression that is narrower than the left and right lateral width of the top bone of a supine person.

[0083] Fig. 9 (a) is a perspective view of a base 2000 according to another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 9 (b) is a top view of the base 2000. In the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention, when a person lies on his back and places the area SA2 between the superior nuchal line SA4 and the inferior nuchal line SA5 of the occipital bone SA on the main support portion 60, no member is provided for supporting the range from the first cervical vertebra C1 to the second cervical vertebra C2 and the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the person lying on his back by applying pressure from below. However, in the present invention, if no member is provided for supporting the range from at least the first cervical vertebra C1 to the second cervical vertebra C2 of the person lying on his back by applying pressure from below, the weight of the head is concentrated on the main support portion 60. Therefore, it is not impossible to provide a member for supporting the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the person lying on his back by applying pressure from below, and therefore one embodiment thereof is represented as another modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Fig. 9 The base 2000 shown in (a) and (b) is relative to Figure 3 The base 20 shown in FIG. Fig. 9The following aspects shown by the double-dotted dashed lines in (a) and (b) are different. That is, the base 2000 extends beyond the range from the first cervical vertebra C1 to the second cervical vertebra C2 (upper cervical vertebra) and extends to the lower side (negative direction of Z axis in the figure) of the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 (lower cervical vertebra) in the longitudinal direction downward of the pillow 10 (positive side of X axis in the figure), and a neck support part 150 is provided on the upper surface 2001 of the base 2000 extending to the side opposite to the auxiliary support part 80 (positive side of X axis in the figure) relative to the main support part 60. The neck support part 150 is a member that supports a part or all of the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the person lying on his back by applying pressure from below.

[0085] Specifically, the neck support part 150 is a member that applies pressure from below to support the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the fourth cervical vertebra C4 in the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 (lower cervical vertebrae) of a supine person. The neck support portion 150 is made of the same soft foam resin as the main support portion 60 and the auxiliary support portion 80, and is formed into a rectangular plate shape (rectangular parallelepiped shape). The length direction of the rectangular flat upper surface 151 of the neck support portion 150 is consistent with the left and right lateral direction of the pillow 10 (the Y-axis direction in the figure), and the upper surface 151 of the neck support portion 150 is in a state in which it is left-right symmetrical with the center line CL in the left-right lateral direction of the pillow 10 (the Y-axis direction in the figure) as the symmetry axis. The upper surface 151 of the neck support portion 150 is arranged on the upper surface 2001 of the base 2000 in a manner that crosses the lower side of the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the fourth cervical vertebra C4 of a supine person, and the bottom surface of the neck support portion 150 is bonded to the upper surface 2001 of the base 2000.

[0086] In addition, by appropriately setting the length and setting position in the longitudinal direction (in the figure, the X-axis direction) of the pillow 10, the neck support part 150 can support the cervical vertebrae in the range from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the person lying on his back by applying pressure from below to any range other than the cervical vertebra C3-C4, such as the cervical vertebra C3-C5, the cervical vertebra C4-C5, the cervical vertebra C3-C6, and the cervical vertebra C3-C7. In addition, by arranging a plurality of neck support parts 150 side by side in the longitudinal direction (in the figure, the X-axis direction) of the pillow 10, it is also possible to support any cervical vertebrae in the lower cervical vertebrae from the third cervical vertebra C3 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the person lying on his back by applying pressure from below to any cervical vertebra such as the cervical vertebra C3 and C5, the cervical vertebra C3, C5 and C7, the cervical vertebra C4 and C6.

[0087] Description of Reference Numerals

[0088] 60 Main support

[0089] 66 Sternocleidomastoid muscle support

[0090] 80 Auxiliary support

[0091] 90 Main restriction.

Claims

1. A pillow, characterized in that: have: The main support portion is an elastic member protruding upward, and provides planar support by applying pressure to at least the area from the left end of the portion where the trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the portion where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone, and the area from the right end of the portion where the trapezius muscle is attached to the occipital bone to the portion where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle is attached to the occipital bone, in the area between the superior nuchal line and the inferior nuchal line of the occipital bone of the supine person; The auxiliary support part is elastic, and the support height is set lower than that of the main support part, so as to apply pressure to the head of the person closer to the top of the head than the upper nuchal line to support the person. There is no member that applies pressure to provide support below at least the first cervical vertebra to the second cervical vertebra of the person and below the temporalis muscle of the person.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main support portion includes a support portion for the left sternocleidomastoid muscle and a support portion for the right sternocleidomastoid muscle. The left sternocleidomastoid muscle support portion supports the sternocleidomastoid muscle attached to the mastoid from the superior nuchal line of the left temporal bone of the person by applying pressure from below, and the right sternocleidomastoid muscle support portion supports the sternocleidomastoid muscle attached to the mastoid from the superior nuchal line of the right temporal bone of the person by applying pressure from below.

3. The pillow according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main supporting portion is formed so that the height of the support on the left and right sternocleidomastoid muscle supporting portion sides is higher than that on the left and right intermediate portion sides.

4. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A main restricting portion is further provided. The main restricting portion is located on the opposite side of the main supporting portion with respect to the sub-supporting portion and is a member protruding higher than the sub-supporting portion, so as to prevent the head of the person from being displaced upward in the height direction.

5. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The main support portion is inclined or curved so as to approach the shoulder of the person as it moves toward the outer side in the left-right lateral direction of the person.

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