pillow

Abstract

To provide a pillow which, even if a head moves out of alignment upward lengthwise (height direction) of the pillow, can prevent this movement and which in addition gives no ill effects to aspiration.SOLUTION: In the pillow of the present invention, a main support part 60 supports the left prescribed area SA7 and the right prescribed area SA7 by giving planarly tension thereto. A sub-support part 80 whose support height is lower than the main support part 60 supports the head on the parietal side from the superior nuchal line SA4 of a supine person. This pillow is equipped with a main regulation part 90 for regulating the movement out of alignment of the head upward in the length direction of the supine person. In the main regulation part 90 is provided with a recess 93 which avoids abutment on a part oppositely facing the vertex central part HD1 of the person. Meanwhile, this pillow has no member for supporting by giving tension in the lower part of the temporal muscle MA of the supine person.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to pillows, and in particular to the ability of pillows to facilitate breathing for the user. [Background technology]

[0002] Being able to breathe easily even in a sleeping position is essential for the quality of sleep. Therefore, pillows are required to have the function of making breathing easier for the user. To make breathing easier, especially in the supine position, it is necessary to maintain the head angle at an appropriate value. If the head is tilted too far forward (i.e., if the chin is lowered too much), the airway is compressed, which may cause breathing difficulties, and conversely, if the head is tilted too far back (i.e., if the chin is raised too much), the base of the tongue will sink into the throat, which may cause apnea. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a pillow that supports the neck to the back of the head and reduces the support force of the back of the head to prevent the chin from dropping. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-139188 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of a pillow like that of Patent Document 1, the pressure distribution of the pillow is widespread from the back of the head to the neck, so the head is likely to shift. In particular, when the head shifts in the vertical direction of the pillow (toward the height), the center of pressure distribution is likely to shift significantly above or below the center of gravity of the head in the vertical direction of the pillow. The torque caused by this causes the head to tilt significantly, hindering breathing. In addition, the head is more likely to roll over, which can lead to stiff necks. The above-mentioned "head turning" refers to the lateral rotation of only the neck and head of a person lying on his / her back.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems by focusing on the stage at which the head begins to slip vertically (in the direction of height) on the pillow, and improving this stage to effectively suppress the slippage and maintain a stable head angle so that it does not tilt too much, without adversely affecting breathing, making breathing easier and preventing the head from turning over and causing stiff necks, and further to provide a pillow that can stop the head from slipping vertically (in the direction of height) upwards on the pillow, without adversely affecting breathing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The pillow according to the present invention comprises: a main support part which is an upwardly protruding elastic member and which applies pressure to and provides planar support to at least the area between the upper and lower nuchal lines of the occipital bone of a person lying on his back, 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, and 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; A sub-support part that has elasticity, has a support height set lower than that of the main support part, and applies pressure to the head on the parietal side of the person's upper neck line to support the head; a main regulating part located on the opposite side of the main support part with respect to the auxiliary support part and protruding higher than the auxiliary support part to regulate the upward shifting movement of the person's head in the height direction, the main regulating portion is provided with a recess in a portion facing a central portion of the person's head to avoid contact with the central portion of the head, The device is characterized in that there is no member below the person's temporalis muscle that applies pressure to provide support.

[0007] Incidentally, the above-mentioned "area between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone of a person lying on his back, from the left end of the part where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to the part where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone" will hereinafter be referred to as the "left specified area." In addition, the above-mentioned "area between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone of a person lying on his back, from the right end of the part where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to the part where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone" will hereinafter be referred to as the "right specified area." Furthermore, pillows are usually covered with a pillowcase, but the pillow of the present invention includes both pillows that are covered with a pillowcase and pillows that are not covered with a pillowcase.

[0008] 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 Figs. 1A and 1B). The term "external occipital protuberance" refers to the convex portion SA1 located in the center of the outer surface of the occipital bone SA. The term "superior nuchal line" refers to the line SA4 that is drawn in an arch-like manner in the left and right lateral direction from just below the external occipital protuberance SA1 to the base of the mastoid process SC1 as shown in Fig. 1B. The term "inferior nuchal line" refers to the line SA5 that is drawn in an arch-like manner in the left and right lateral direction from just below the upper nuchal line to the tip (lower end) of the mastoid process SC1 as shown in the same figure. The term "parietal bone" refers to a pair of rectangular bones SB that form the top and the left and right upper sides of the skull. The term "temporal bone" refers to a pair of trapezoid bones SC that form the left and right lower sides of the skull. As shown in Figure 1A, the attachment MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB extends from the superior nuchal line SA4 of the occipital bone SA to the superior nuchal line SA4 of the temporal bone SC and further to the mastoid process SC1 of the temporal bone SC.

[0009] In addition, in the present invention, with regard to the support height of the auxiliary support part, the fact that the auxiliary support part is "set to have a lower support height than the main support part" means that when the corresponding parts of a person's head are placed on the main support part and the auxiliary support part and the support heights of the main support part and the auxiliary support part are compared after the person sinks down, the support height of the auxiliary support part is set lower than the support height of the main support part.

[0010] Also, "supporting by applying pressure" means that when the weight (body pressure) of the relevant part of a person lying on his / her back is applied to the main support part, a pushing back elastic pressure (elastic repulsive force) is applied to the relevant part as a reaction, and this pushing back elastic pressure (elastic repulsive force) is applied to support (support) at the desired height. Therefore, if there is merely contact or the elastic repulsive force is only slight, it does not mean that pressure is applied to support (support) at the desired height. In addition, "supporting in a planar manner by applying pressure" means supporting (holding) in a planar manner when the above-mentioned pushing back elastic pressure (elastic repulsive force) is applied to support at the desired height. Therefore, if it is merely pressed against the surface in a single line, it is not supported in a planar manner and does not provide stable support, so it does not mean supporting in a planar manner by applying pressure. Conversely, if a large number of protrusions (point-like protrusions) are provided for point-like contact and support is provided by this point-like protrusion group, the contact area is significantly reduced compared to the surface itself, but it provides stable support similar to a surface, so it falls within the category of supporting in a planar manner and is included in the meaning of a configuration supporting in a planar manner.

[0011] Furthermore, "there is no member that applies pressure to support" means that there is no support member that does not actively apply the elastic pressure (elastic repulsive force) to the relevant portion (temporal muscle) and strongly compresses the temporal muscle, making it easier for blood flow disorders to occur. Therefore, if a space is provided at the relevant portion, or if the structure is modified so that pressure is not actively applied to the relevant portion, it naturally means that there is no support member, but the above "there is no member that applies pressure to support" is not limited to such cases. In other words, even if a member exists at the relevant portion, if the member is very soft and does not have a significant adverse effect on the main support portion or does not strongly compress the temporal muscle and make it easier for blood flow disorders to occur, it means that there is no member that applies pressure to support. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the pillow of the present invention, the support height of the sub-support part is set lower than that of the main support part, the main support part with a higher support height applies pressure to the above-mentioned left and right specific areas SA7 (see FIG. 1B) of the occipital bone SA facing diagonally downward to support it in a planar manner, and the left and right specific areas SA7 that support it in a planar manner are close to the position of the center of gravity G of the head (see FIG. 6), etc., so that the weight of the head is concentrated on the main support part. This concentration can effectively prevent the head from easily starting to move in the vertical direction of the pillow and develop into a large shifting movement, and the head angle can be maintained more stably. In other words, it is possible to effectively prevent the head angle, which was previously considered difficult, from easily tilting significantly.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, the area where pressure is applied by the main support part to provide planar support is the above-mentioned left and right specified areas SA7 of the occipital bone SA, so there is no compression stress and no adverse effect on breathing, and since the weight of the head is concentrated on the main support part and the main support part is recessed, the head is less likely to turn over in sleep, and stiff necks are also less likely to occur.

[0014] Rather, the present invention maintains the entire cervical spine in a curved (arched) shape, just like when standing upright, so that the airway and neck muscles, especially the respiratory muscles sternocleidomastoid MB, anterior scalene, middle scalene, and posterior scalene (not shown), are not compressed. As a result, the airway can be secured to the same extent when lying on one's back as when standing upright, and the respiratory muscles can move smoothly, making breathing easier.

[0015] Also, even if you sleep in a supine position, you do not always sleep with your face facing straight up, and often sleep with your face turned slightly to the side. Even for people sleeping in this supine position, there is no supportive material that applies pressure to the lower part of the temporalis muscle MA, so there is no blood flow disorder (deterioration of blood flow) due to compression of the temporalis muscle MA. Because this blood flow disorder is prevented, there is no tension in the temporalis muscle MA and the muscles connected to it, such as the neck and shoulders, dizziness, headaches, or autonomic nerve disorders, and breathing is easy.

[0016] The present invention also includes a main regulating part 90 for preventing the head from significantly shifting upward in the vertical direction (height direction) of the pillow. When the main regulating part 90 is included, when the head central part HD1 hits the main regulating part 90, not only does the head central part HD1 come into planar contact with the main regulating part 90, but the head central part HD1 also receives a strong repulsive force from the main regulating part 90, and the head central part HD1 is prevented from moving upward in the vertical direction (height direction) of the pillow in a strongly compressed state. However, a new problem has been found in that if the head central part HD1 is strongly compressed for a long time by the main regulating part 90, the front-back movement of the head that operates together with the expansion and contraction of the lungs during breathing (i.e., the front-back movement indicated by the arrow BM in FIG. 6, hereinafter referred to as "head nodding movement") is restricted for a long time, and the inhalation and exhalation cannot be performed sufficiently. That is, when a person is breathing and sleeping in a supine position, when they breathe in, their head moves slightly in the in direction (downward) of the BM in Fig. 6, and when they breathe out, their head moves slightly in the ex direction (upward) of the BM in Fig. 6, but if this movement is not permitted and is completely restricted, they cannot breathe in and out sufficiently, their breathing becomes incomplete, and they do not breathe well. Therefore, to ensure good breathing, the head nodding movement must be permitted so that they can breathe in and out sufficiently, even when the head's slippage is prevented by the main restricting part.

[0017] Regarding the allowance of the head nodding movement, in the present invention, a recess 93 (see Figs. 5 and 6 for an example) is provided in the main restricting part 90 facing the central part HD1 of the person's head (see Figs. 1A and 1B) to avoid contact with the central part HD1 of the head. This prevents the central part HD1 of the head from being strongly pressed in a planar manner by the main restricting part 90, ensures the nodding movement of the head, and allows the person to fully inhale and exhale, resulting in a good breathing state. The upper vertical (height direction) slippage of the head is restricted by the edges on both the left and right sides of the recess 93, but since the contact with the edges is narrow, it does not reach a state where the nodding movement of the head is blocked.

[0018] Incidentally, holes 54 (see FIG. 6) may be provided vertically downward within the recess 93 to expose the thickness surface of the auxiliary support to the outside. Such a configuration has the advantage that the auxiliary support can be more easily compressed and restored, allowing the head nodding movement to be more fully performed.

[0019] In the above invention, the recess 93 prevents the head central portion HD1 from being strongly pressed by the main regulating portion 90, allowing the head to nod, and allowing the user to breathe in and out sufficiently. However, this is not the only possible configuration. In another invention, a low-resilience material 930 having a lower resilience than the main regulating portion 90 may be provided in the portion of the main regulating portion 90 facing the head central portion HD1 (see Figs. 7 and 8 for an example). Even with this configuration, the head central portion HD1 is prevented from being strongly pressed by the main regulating portion 90, the head nod is ensured, and the user can breathe in and out sufficiently, resulting in a good breathing state. Note that the low-resilience material 930 can be made of low-resilience urethane foam, sponge, low-resilience chips, cotton, low-resilience gel, or the like to avoid strong pressure from the main regulating portion 90, but it is of course possible to use other soft low-resilience materials. The low-resilience material 930 can be provided by any suitable means such as fitting or gluing in the recess 93, but for loose materials such as low-resilience chips or cotton, it is sufficient to pack them in a bag and fit or glue the outer surface of the bag into the recess 93. In the case of low-resilience urethane foam, it is also possible to provide it integrally by molding.

[0020] Also, holes 54 (see FIG. 8) may be provided vertically below the memory resilience material 930 to expose the thickness surface of the auxiliary support to the outside. This configuration has the advantage that the compressive deformation and return deformation of the auxiliary support becomes easier as described above, allowing the head nodding movement to be performed more satisfactorily.

[0021] Further, a low-resilience material 930 may also be provided vertically below the low-resilience material 930 so as to face the thickness surface of the sub-support portion. Even with this configuration, the resilience of the low-resilience material 930 is weaker than that of the main regulation portion 90, which has the advantage that the compressive deformation and return deformation of the sub-support portion are easier, and the head nodding movement can be more fully performed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a human skull. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a diagram of the back of a human head. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the pillow shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a rear view showing the correspondence between the pillow shown in FIG. 2 and the person's head and neck. FIG. [Figure 6] 3 in a state in which the pillow shown in FIG. 2 is in use. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a rear view showing another invention (an invention using memory foam 930) showing the corresponding relationship between the pillow and the person's head and neck. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the pillow according to the other invention in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a human skull, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the occipital region of a human head. In Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, HD is a human head, SA is an occipital bone, SA1 is an external occipital protuberance, SA2 is a region between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone, SA3 is a region on the parietal side of the occipital bone, SA4 is the superior nuchal line, SA5 is the inferior nuchal line, SA6 is the inferior end line of the occipital bone, SA7 is a region from the left end of the trapezius muscle attached to the occipital bone to a portion of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attached to the occipital bone (a left predetermined region), and SA8 is a region from the right end of the trapezius muscle attached to the occipital bone to a portion of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attached to the occipital bone (a left predetermined region). the area up to the part of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle that attaches to the occipital bone (designated area on the right), SB is the parietal bone, SB1 is the occipital area of ​​the parietal bone, SC is the temporal bone, SC1 is the mastoid process, MA is the temporalis muscle, MB is the sternocleidomastoid muscle, MB1 is the attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, MBP are the left and right sternocleidomastoid muscles that attach to the occipital bone, TR is the trapezius muscle, TR1 is the left end of the trapezius muscle, TR2 is the right end of the trapezius muscle, NC is a human neck, and C1 to C7 are the first to seventh cervical vertebrae.

[0024] FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a pillow 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view (front view) of the pillow 10, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the center line CL in the left-right lateral direction of the pillow 10, i.e., an AA cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a rear view (back view) showing the corresponding relationship between the pillow 10 and a person's head HD and neck NC, and FIG. 6 is an AA cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 when the pillow 10 is in use.

[0025] The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 6 are mutually perpendicular. In this embodiment, the X-axis direction is the vertical direction of the pillow 10 that coincides with the height direction of a person lying on his / her back, the X1 direction is the upward direction, and the X2 direction is the downward direction. The Y-axis direction is the horizontal direction of the pillow 10, the Y1 direction is the leftward direction, and the Y2 direction is the rightward direction. The Z-axis direction is the front-back thickness (height) direction of the pillow 10, the Z1 direction is the forward direction, and the Z2 direction is the backward direction.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the pillow 10 has the following structure: (1A) A main support part 60 which is an upwardly protruding elastic member and which applies pressure to and supports in a planar manner at least an area (left specified area) SA7 between the left end TR1 of the part where the trapezius muscle TR is attached to the occipital bone SA and the left sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP is attached to the occipital bone SA, and an area (right specified area) SA7 between the right end TR2 of the part where the trapezius muscle TR is attached to the occipital bone SA and the right sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP is attached to the occipital bone SA, within an area SA2 between the upper nuchal line SA4 and the lower nuchal line SA5 of the occipital bone SA of a person lying on his back; (1B) A sub-support part 80 that has elasticity, has a support height set lower than that of the main support part 60, and applies pressure to the head on the parietal side of the upper neck line SA4 of the person to support the head; (1C) A main regulating part 90 is provided, which is located on the opposite side of the main supporting part 60 with respect to the auxiliary supporting part 80 and protrudes higher than the auxiliary supporting part 80 to regulate the head HD from shifting upward in the height direction of the person (X1 direction in the figure), (1D) The main regulator 60 is provided with a recess 93 at a portion facing the central portion HD1 of the person's head to avoid contact with the central portion HD1 of the head, (1E) There is no support below the temporalis muscle MA of the person mentioned above.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 6, the pillow 10 has the following features: (2A) A hole 54 is provided vertically downward within the recess 93 so that the thickness surface of the sub-support portion 80 (the position of the lead line of the hole 54 shown in FIG. 6) is exposed to the outside.

[0028] Next, the pillow 10 will be further described with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the pillow 10 is a flat rectangular plate, and is configured so that the head HD of a person lying on his / her back rests in the center of the pillow 10, and the neck NC of the person rests on the underside of the center of the pillow 10 (in the X2 direction in the figures).

[0029] The pillow 10 comprises a front base 20 and a rear base 50 disposed behind the front base 20 (Z2 direction in the figure). Both the front base 20 and the rear base 50 are made of elastic urethane foam in the shape of a flat rectangular plate having elasticity, and the rear surface of the front base 20 is bonded to the front surface of the rear base 50 facing it. The front base 20 and the rear base 50 have the same length of the long side extending in the left-right lateral direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) of the pillow 10 and the short side extending in the vertical direction (height direction) of the pillow 10 (X-axis direction in the figure), and also have the same thickness (height) (dimension in the Z-axis direction in the figure).

[0030] A hole 21 is provided in the center of the front base 20 on which the head HD of a person lying on his / her back is placed. The hole 21 penetrates between the front and rear surfaces of the front base 21, making the thickness of the center part of the pillow 10 thinner than the thickness around it, and exposing the center part 51 of the rear base 50. The shape of the hole 21 is formed to match the outer shape of the occipital region of the head HD of a person lying on his / her back from the upper nape SA4 to the parietal side. Specifically, the pillow 10 has straight left and right side edges 211 extending in the vertical direction (height direction) of the pillow 10 (X-axis direction in the figure) along the left and right side surfaces of the occipital region closer to the parietal side than the nape SA4, an upper side edge 212 curved in a convex arc toward the upper vertical direction of the pillow 10 (X1 direction in the figure) along the center of the parietal region and connecting the upper ends (X1 direction in the figure) of the left and right side edges 211, and a lower side edge 213 curved in a convex bow toward the upper vertical direction of the pillow 10 (X1 direction in the figure) along the nape SA4 and connecting the lower ends (X2 direction in the figure) of the left and right side edges 211, and these four sides form a closed (hole) shape that closes all four sides of the pillow 10 (X1 and X2, Y1 and Y2 directions in the figure). The width of hole 21 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) is slightly wider than the width of the back of the head on the parietal side of the nape line SA4 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction in the figure), and the length of hole 21 in the vertical direction (X-axis direction in the figure) is equal to the length of the back of the head on the parietal side of the nape line SA4 in the height direction (X-axis direction in the figure).

[0031] Furthermore, with regard to a portion 22 of the front base 20 between the lower edge 213 of the hole 21 in the front base 20 and the long side of the lower side (X2 direction in the figure) of the front base 20, the vertical length of that portion 22 (X-axis direction in the figure) is set to a length longer than the length from the upper nape line SA4 to the lower end line SA6 of the occipital bone on the neck side of the head HD of a person lying on his / her back, that is, the vertical length (X-axis direction in the figure) of the occipital bone on the neck side from the upper nape line SA4, but shorter than the length from the upper nape line SA4 beyond the lower end line SA6 of the occipital bone on the neck side to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the neck NC (in this embodiment, it is set to the length from the upper nape line SA4 beyond the lower end line SA6 of the occipital bone on the neck side to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC).

[0032] In the above structure, when a person lies on his / her back places his / her head HD on the center of the pillow 10 so that the parietal area SA3 of the occipital bone SA is positioned in the center of the hole 21 in the front base 20, and the person's neck NC is placed on the lower side of the center of the pillow 10 (in the X2 direction in the figure), the lower edge 213 of the hole 21 in the front base, i.e., the upper (X1 direction in the figure) end edge of part 22 of the front base 20 corresponds to the superior nape line SA4, the occipital part of the head on the parietal side of the superior nape line SA4 fits into the hole 21 in the front base 20, and the parietal area SA3 of the occipital bone SA is placed on the central part 51 of the rear base 50 exposed by the hole 21 in the front base 20.

[0033] In addition, the upper region 23 (X1 direction in the figure) of part 22 of front base 20 faces the back of the head on the neck side of the superior nape line SA4, which includes the left and right specified regions SA7 and the left and right mastoid processes SC1 of a person lying on his back, and the back of the head on the neck side of the superior nape line SA4 rests on this region 23.

[0034] In addition, the lower region 24 (X2 direction in the figure) of the part 22 of the front base 20 faces the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC of a person lying on his back, and the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC rest on this region 24.

[0035] Therefore, in the pillow 10, the upper region 23 (X1 direction in the figure) of the part 22 of the front base 20 and the part 52 of the rear base 50 located behind it (Z2 direction in the figure) are elastic members that protrude upward, and can apply pressure to and support in a planar manner at least the region (left specified region) SA7 from the left end TR1 of the part where the trapezius muscle TR is attached to the occipital bone SA to the part where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP is attached to the occipital bone SA and the region (right specified region) SA7 from the right end TR2 of the part where the trapezius muscle TR is attached to the occipital bone SA to the part where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle MBP is attached to the occipital bone SA, of the region SA2 between the upper nuchal line SA4 and the lower nuchal line SA5 of the occipital bone SA of a person lying on his back, and function as the main support part 60 and are provided with the main support part 60. In the illustrated example, the support parts 26 for supporting the mastoid process are integrally formed on the outer sides of both left and right ends of the main support part 60 at the same height as the main support part 60, but the support parts 26 for supporting the mastoid process may be formed to be higher than the main support part 60, and the support parts 26 for supporting the mastoid process may be formed separately from the main support part 60, instead of being integrally formed with the main support part 60. The support parts 26 for supporting the mastoid process support the attachment part MB1 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB, and for a person lying on his back, tension is relieved not only at the attachment part MB1 but also over the entire longitudinal direction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB, improving the movement of the sternocleidomastoid muscle MB during breathing, making both inhalation and exhalation smoother, and making breathing easier.

[0036] In addition, in the pillow 10, the central portion 51 of the rear base 50 exposed by the hole 21 of the front base 20 has elasticity and is set to a lower support height than the main support part 60 consisting of the upper region 23 (X1 direction in the figure) of the part 22 of the front base 20 and the part 52 of the rear base 50 located behind it (Z2 direction in the figure), and can apply pressure to support the person's head on the parietal side of the upper nape SA4, and functions as the auxiliary support part 80, and is provided with the auxiliary support part 80.

[0037] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, no member is provided to apply pressure to and support the person's temporalis muscle MA from below. Therefore, pressure is not applied to the person's temporalis muscle MA from below.

[0038] With the above structure, there is no component that applies pressure to the lower part of the temporalis muscle MA to support the person lying on his / her back, so there is no blood flow disorder (worsening of blood flow) due to compression of the temporalis muscle MA. Because this blood flow disorder is prevented, there is no tension in the temporalis muscle MA and the muscles connected to it, such as the neck and shoulders, dizziness, headaches, or autonomic nerve disorders, making breathing easier.

[0039] In addition, in the pillow 10, the lower (X2 direction in the figure) region 24 of the part 22 of the front base 20 and the part 53 of the rear base 50 located behind it (Z2 direction in the figure) are elastic and are located behind the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC of a person lying on his / her back, and can apply pressure to support the rear surface of the first cervical vertebra C1 to the fifth cervical vertebra C5 of the neck NC of the person, function as the neck support part 150, and are provided with the neck support part 150.

[0040] In addition, in the pillow 10, the regions 25 at both ends in the left and right lateral direction (Y-axis direction in the figure) in the region 23 above the region 22 of the front base 20 (X1 direction in the figure) are positioned on both left and right outer sides of the mastoid process SC1 of the temporal bone SC of a person lying on his back, and the regions 26 immediately inside the regions 25 at both ends are opposed to the mastoid process SC1 of the temporal bone SC of the person lying on his back. Then, the regions 25 at both ends are provided with rectangular parallelepiped block bodies 30 made of soft foamed resin, and the rear surface of the block body 30 is bonded to the front surfaces of the regions 25 at both ends that face it.

[0041] In the above structure, the head HD of a person lying on his / her back is placed on the center of the pillow 10 so that the parietal area SA3 of the occipital bone SA is positioned in the center of the hole 21 of the front base 20, and the neck NC of the person is placed under the center of the pillow 10 (in the X2 direction in the figure), whereby the block body 30 restricts the head HD of the person from turning over in sleep on both the left and right outer sides (outside the Y-axis direction in the figure) of the mastoid process SC1 of the person's temporal bone SC, preventing the head HD from turning over in sleep. In other words, it prevents only the neck NC and head HD from turning sideways to the left and right (in the Y-axis direction in the figure).

[0042] Therefore, in the pillow 10, the block body 30 functions as a lateral restriction portion 95 that restricts the turning over of the person's head HD on both the left and right outer sides of the mastoid process SC1 of the person's temporal bone SC, and the lateral restriction portion 95 is provided.

[0043] In addition, stoppers 96 made of flat rectangular elastic urethane foam plates are provided on both the left and right outer sides of portion 22 of front base 20. The rear surface of the stopper 96 is adhered to the opposing front surface of front base 20. The inner side surface of the stopper 96 abuts against the outer side surface of the side restriction portion 95 to prevent the side restriction portion 95 from being easily pushed outward to the left or right by the pressure of the person's head turning over in bed. Although the side restriction portion 95 and the stopper 96 are provided separately, they may be formed as one unit.

[0044] The main regulating portion 90 of the pillow 10 is made of a flat rectangular plate-like elastic urethane foam disposed in front of the front base 20 (Z1 direction in the figure) between the long side of the upper side (X1 direction in the figure) of the front base 20 and a straight line (not shown) that is parallel to the long side and passes through the upper side (X1 direction in the figure) ends of the left and right side edges 211 of the hole 21 of the front base 20, and the rear surface of the main regulating portion 90 and the front surface of the front base 20 facing it are bonded. The thickness (height) of the main regulating portion 90 is equal to or greater than the thickness (height) of the front base 20 and the rear base 50. The main regulating portion 90 is provided with a notch portion 91 that cuts out a portion that overlaps with the hole 21 of the front base 20 in a front view, and a main regulating wall 92 is formed that curves in a convex arc shape toward the vertical upper side of the pillow 10 (X1 direction in the figure) along the upper side edge 212 of the hole 21 of the base 20 and rises up to the front surface of the front base 20.

[0045] The main regulating portion 90 is provided with a recess 93 at a portion facing the head central portion HD1, which prevents the main regulating portion 90 from contacting the head central portion HD1, up to the position of the upper surface of the sub-support portion 80. That is, the recess 93 is formed by recessing the portion of the main regulating wall 92 facing the head central portion HD1 of a person lying on his / her back toward the upper side in the height direction (recessed in the X1 direction in the drawing) so as to prevent the main regulating portion 90 from coming into planar contact with the head central portion HD1 of a person lying on his / her back and applying strong pressure thereto.

[0046] Furthermore, hole 54, which exposes the thickness surface of sub-support part 80 to the outside, is provided vertically downward within recess 93 up to the position of the lower surface of rear base 50. In other words, hole 54 exposes the thickness surface of sub-support part 80 to the outside by making the vertically downward portion within recess 93 provided in main restriction part 90 lower than the upper surface of sub-support part 80.

[0047] With the above structure, as explained in paragraphs

[0016] and

[0017] above, even if the pillow is provided with the main restricting portion 90 for preventing the head HD from significantly shifting upward in the vertical direction (height direction) of the pillow 10, the central portion HD1 of the top of the head is not strongly pressed in a planar manner by the main restricting portion 90, so that the head nodding movement during breathing (i.e., the slight movement in the forward and backward directions shown by the arrow BM in Fig. 6) is not restricted, and the breath can be fully inhaled and exhaled, ensuring a good breathing state. Note that the hole 54 is not limited to the through hole shown in the figure, and may be a bottomed hole that does not penetrate through.

[0048] In the pillow 10 described above, a recess 93 is provided in the portion of the main regulating portion 90 facing the central portion HD1 of the head of a person lying on his back, to avoid contact with the central portion HD1 of the head, but this is not limiting, and as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a low-resilience material 930 (for example, a low-resilience material such as low-resilience urethane foam, sponge, low-resilience chips, cotton, or low-resilience gel) having a lower resilience than that of the material of the main regulating portion 90 may be provided from the recess 93 to the hole 54 in the vertical direction by fitting or gluing. In this case, loose materials such as low-resilience chips or cotton can be packed in a bag (not shown) and the outer surface of the bag can be fitted or glued to the recess 93 and hole 54.

[0049] Even with this configuration, the central part of the top of the head HD1 does not receive strong surface pressure from the main restricting part 90 due to the memory resilience material 930, so the nodding movement of the head during breathing is not restricted, and breathing can be fully inhaled and exhaled, ensuring good breathing conditions.

[0050] The low-resilience material 930 provided in the recess 93 may extend only up to the recess 93 and not extend to the hole 54 (space) vertically below it, or the hole 54 (space) itself may not be provided vertically below it.

[0051] The pillow 10 described above is merely one example of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented by appropriately modifying the structure within the scope of the claims. For example, the shape, size, and hardness of the main support part 60, the sub-support part 80, the main control part 90, etc. may be modified in various ways.

[0052] Furthermore, the pillow 10 is constructed by assembling a plurality of parts, but of course, these plurality of parts may be molded as a single unit as much as possible.

[0053] In addition, in the pillow 10 described above, the main support part 60 and the neck support part 150 are configured as an integral part connected in series, but they may be configured as separate parts. In this case, a space can be provided between the main support part 60 and the neck support part 150, and the neck support part 150 can support any of the first cervical vertebra C1 to the seventh cervical vertebra C7 of the neck NC.

[0054] In addition, in the above pillow 10, the height of the neck support part 150 is equal to the height of the main support part 60, but it may be set lower or higher than the front surface of the main support part 60. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 54 holes 60 Main support part 80 Sub-support part 90 Main Control Department 93 Recess 930 Memory Foam

Claims

1. An elastic member that protrudes upward, and has a main support portion that applies pressure to and provides planar support to at least the area between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone of a person lying supine, specifically the area from the left end of where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone, and the area from the right end of where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone. A secondary support part is elastic, set to a lower support height than the main support part, and applies pressure to support the head on the apex side of the person's neck. The system includes a main restricting portion located on the opposite side of the main support portion from the sub-support portion, which protrudes higher than the sub-support portion and restricts the upward movement of the person's head in the direction of their height, The main restricting portion has a recess in the area opposite the center of the top of the person's head to avoid contact with the center of the top of the head. This recess is formed by recessing a part of the main restricting portion toward the upward direction in the direction of height so that the upper side of the main restricting portion in the direction of height does not protrude through it. A pillow characterized by the absence of a support member that applies pressure to the lower part of the temporalis muscle of the person described above.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that a hole is provided in the vertically downward direction within the recess to expose the thickness surface of the sub-support portion to the outside.

3. An elastic member that protrudes upward, and has a main support portion that applies pressure to and provides planar support to at least the area between the superior and inferior nuchal lines of the occipital bone of a person lying supine, specifically the area from the left end of where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to where the left sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone, and the area from the right end of where the trapezius muscle attaches to the occipital bone to where the right sternocleidomastoid muscle attaches to the occipital bone. A secondary support part is elastic, set to a lower support height than the main support part, and applies pressure to support the head on the apex side of the person's neck. The system includes a main restricting portion located on the opposite side of the main support portion from the sub-support portion, which protrudes higher than the sub-support portion and restricts the upward movement of the person's head in the direction of their height, The main restricting section described above is provided with a low-rebound material that has a lower rebound force than the material of the main restricting section, in the area facing the center of the top of the person's head. A pillow characterized by the absence of a support member that applies pressure to the lower part of the temporalis muscle of the person described above.

4. The pillow according to claim 3, characterized in that a hole is provided in the vertically downward direction of the low-rebound material to expose the thickness surface of the sub-support portion to the outside.

5. The pillow according to claim 3, characterized in that a low-rebound material is also provided vertically below the low-rebound material and configured to face the thickness surface of the sub-support portion.

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