Portable head and neck support pillow

Abstract

To provide an improved support pillow that can be used for resting and sleeping at home or while traveling.SOLUTION: A support pillow assembly includes a portable support pillow designed to provide optimal head and adjacent neck support for a user in upright and / or reclined seated and supine positions. The pillow is optionally configured with a hole to securely support the occiput. The pillow may be configured in a taller or shorter profile. The pillow is tapered in a manner that maintains the user's neck and head in proper alignment. The pillow is constructed of single piece foam which is firm enough and contoured to prevent head turning and neck torsion. The support pillow is configured with exterior support panels to provide additional utility, compressibility, stability, and comfort. The pillow includes an adjustable strap that may be used to provide supplemental support to the head, and may be collapsed into a portable pillow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 17 / 352,289, filed Jun. 19, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 17 / 100,296, filed Nov. 20, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,160,400, issued Nov. 2, 2021, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 274,321, filed Nov. 1, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to a portable head and neck support pillow configured to provide optimal support and comfort. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved pillow that supports a user's neck and head in both supine and upright positions and in a seated position where the user is reclined. However, the usefulness of the pillow disclosed herein is not limited to travel. The pillow can be used equally well in a medical setting where it is necessary to maintain optimal head and neck support.

Background Art

[0003] Pillows typically generally provide cushioning for the head and neck in a supine position. Typically, a support pillow, such as a travel pillow, provides firm support for the neck in a manner designed to prevent the user's head from dropping forward or backward or tilting to the right or left. Travel pillows are typically common during long trips in automobiles, trains, buses, airplanes, and the like, and must support the head and neck while the user is seated and / or reclined at a range of angles while inside a moving vehicle. A common problem for travelers is the inability to sleep during travel. Another problem is that travelers cannot rest comfortably during long waits at stations or airports where the lack of headrests makes rest difficult and uncomfortable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,434,283 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent No. 10-1538695 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 8,584,285 B1 [Summary of the Invention] [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0005] The present invention provides an improved support pillow that can be used at home or during travel, for example, on an airplane, for rest and sleep. The support pillow assembly includes a support pillow configured to optimally support a user's neck and head in an upright, supine, and / or seated position, and within a predetermined range therebetween. In one or more embodiments, the pillow disclosed herein includes a strap that better secures the present invention to the user's head. The support pillow assembly further includes a pair of side rests that extend from the shoulders to the top of the user's head while in the upright position. The support pillow further includes a headrest between the pair of side rests for supporting the back of the user's head. The headrest is slightly depressed compared to the pair of side rests and aligns the user's head and neck in a forward position while the user's head is in a supine or vertical position or a reclined angular position between supine and vertical.

[0006] The headrest of the support pillow further includes an upper portion, a central portion, and a lower portion. The lower portion of the support pillow is configured to be wrapped around the rear of the neck and to have an arcuate shape designed to rest on the user's shoulders. Further, the arc extends from one side rest to the other side rest. The upper part of the arc is at the base of the headrest, and the lower part of the arc is at the base of the side rest and rests on the shoulders opposite the front of the user's chest. The central portion of the headrest supports the central portion of the head. In some embodiments, the central portion further includes a hole for supporting the occiput or occipital bone portion of the head. Further, the region from the central portion at the rear of the headrest to the lower part of the arc is tapered to maintain the neck in proper alignment while the user reclines. The upper portion of the headrest supports the rear portion of the head. The upper portion of the headrest is tapered to accommodate the head in proper alignment while at rest. However, in some embodiments, the support pillow need not have a hole.

[0007] In some embodiments, the pillow is configured to support the neck and head of a user in a supine, inclined, or upright position. The pillow includes a headrest portion and first and second side rests for supporting the user's head, wherein the headrest portion is positioned between the side rests and the headrest portion includes a curved interior for supporting the rear portions of the head and neck, the curved interior having a larger radius at its upper portion that tapers to a smaller radius at its lower portion, the first and second side rests, an arcuate lower portion, wherein the lower portion rests on the nape of the user's neck, and further, the upper portion of the arcuate lower portion is positioned at the base of the headrest and the lower portion of the arcuate lower portion is positioned at the base of the side rest, the first and second ear recesses on the first and second lateral sides of the headrest portion, configured to receive the user's ears, the first and second ear recesses, and the first and second trapezius muscle recesses on the lower portions of the first and second sides of the arcuate lower portion, configured to receive the user's trapezius muscles.

[0008] The support pillow optionally further includes a strap disposed beneath the headrest to support the support pillow at a predetermined location relative to the head. The strap can be attached to the headrest to be tightened left and right to secure the headrest against the user's head. The strap can further be wrapped around the neck and connect from one side rest of a pair of side rests, through the headrest, to the other side rest. Further, the strap further includes a connector to secure one side of the strap to the other side. The connector can be, for example, a button, a Velcro® hook and loop assembly, a plurality of hooks, and / or a plurality of buckles, and the like, for connecting the straps together. It will be recognized that the strap can be used in different configurations as long as it secures the headrest against the user's head.

[0009] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a support pillow assembly for supporting a user's neck and head in a reclined or upright position, from a supine position. The support pillow portion can be made from a single piece of foam that is firm enough to achieve support against head movement in a reclined seating position, such as in an airplane, or in an upright position. In one embodiment, a viscoelastic foam (memory foam or low-resilience polyurethane foam (LRPu)) or other softer foam layer, such as TopiFoam®, can be used as an inner layer of the support pillow on which the head and neck rest for greater comfort. In some embodiments, an inflatable airbag is incorporated within the foam to provide, among other utilities, the ability for the user to deflate the airbag and store it in a book-sized case, a soft cross-type bag, or other means for carrying the pillow in a user-friendly and size-minimized manner between uses, generating a greater capacity for storage than storing it in a bag, case, or the like.

[0010] In some embodiments, the pillow can be made from bio-based materials including plant-based materials such as, but not limited to, coconuts, corn, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, soybeans, corn starch, hemp, natural fibers, and the like. In some embodiments, the pillow can be made from biodegradable materials such as green cell foam, corn starch, milk and clay mix, mycocomposite, and the like. In some embodiments, the pillows described herein are made from a combination of conventional materials and bio-based materials. By "bio-based," it is meant derived from living materials such as plants or other natural materials. In some embodiments, the pillow is 5% - 95% bio-based, 10% - 80% bio-based, 20% - 70% bio-based, 30% - 60% bio-based, or 40% - 50% bio-based. In some embodiments, the pillow is approximately 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% bio-based.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rigidly constructed yet comfortable soft support pillow that provides optimal support for the head and neck while the user is resting or traveling in an upright and / or reclined position, an intermediate position while seated, or a slouched seated position.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support pillow assembly that is strong enough to resist head movement and neck torsion, which are major impediments to sleep in an upright or reclined seated position, such as on an airplane.

[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a support pillow assembly composed of a single piece of polyester, polyurethane, latex, viscoelastic, or memory foam.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support pillow assembly having a concave recess for the occiput and configured to fit the neck to support its natural lordosis when the user reclines their head during rest or travel.

[0015] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a crushable pillow for supporting a user's neck and head in a supine position. In some embodiments, the pillow assembly includes a headrest portion and first and second side rests for supporting the user's head, the headrest portion being positioned between the side rests and the headrest portion including a curved interior for supporting the rear portion of the head. Further, the support pillow includes an arcuate lower portion that rests on the user's shoulders, and further, an upper portion of the arcuate lower portion is positioned at the base of the headrest and a lower portion of the arcuate lower portion is positioned at the base of the pair of side rests. The pillow also includes a rigid support at the rear of the pillow, a rigid support at the front of the first side rest, and a rigid support external to the second side rest. In some embodiments, the pillow further includes a notch within the first side rest, the notch being configured to receive a front inner edge of the second side rest.

[0016] In some embodiments, the rigid support at the rear of the pillow covers 60% of the rear of the pillow. In some embodiments, the rigid support is aligned in the same plane as the outside of the first side rest. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of carrying a portable pillow that includes folding the second side rest of the crushable pillow described herein towards the first side rest and storing an inner edge of the second side rest within a notch within the first side rest.

[0017] To achieve the above and related objects, the present invention may be embodied in the form shown in the accompanying drawings, however, it is noted that the drawings are illustrative only and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims in the specific configurations shown and described.

[0018] Although the present invention has been described above with respect to various exemplary embodiments and implementations, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the specific embodiments in which they are described. Instead, such features can be applied singly or in various combinations to one or more other embodiments of the present invention, whether or not such embodiments are described, and whether or not such features are presented as part of the embodiments described. It should be understood, therefore, that the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0019] The presence of broadening terms and phrases such as "around", "about", "one or more", "at least", "but not limited to", etc. in some examples or other similar phrases is not to be read as meaning that a narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may not be present. By "about" or "approximately" is meant that the measured value is within 10% higher or lower than the recited measured value.

[0020] The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that these drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, and that the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Various travel pillows have been described. One such example is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,434,283, assigned to Danami LLC, which discloses a travel pillow for use, particularly during long trips, on vehicle seats, e.g., on an airplane. The travel pillow provides support to the head in the forward direction while restricting any torsional movement of the head in the forward and / or lateral directions. The pillow described therein provides support to a person's head and neck, but when the pillow pushes the head and neck forward and is used in an inclined or upright position, it does not rest on the shoulders and, in fact, is too bulky around the back of the neck, particularly impairing its usefulness in the inclined or upright position, as it prevents the proper stabilization of the head and neck, which are essential for rest or sleep in these positions.

[0023] Another Korean Patent No. 10-1538695, assigned to Younghwan Park, discloses a three-dimensional pillow that enables a person to rest comfortably while seated in a chair by allowing the head and neck portions to maintain a stable position at all times during travel. The travel pillow described therein can provide appropriate support to a person's neck and head while the person is sleeping. However, the pillow does not provide sufficient space to align the neck in an upright or vertical position.

[0024] Another example is U.S. Patent No. 8,584,285 B1, assigned to Ryan Sipherd, which discloses a U-shaped travel pillow configured to fit a neck support and a lateral head support. This pillow supports the head and neck rearwardly, but relies rearwardly on "deflection relief" slots to bend the head battens inwardly to provide lateral support for the head and neck. This design lacks a head batten of appropriate depth to provide lateral head and neck support and does not rest on or conform to the shoulders so as to resist head and neck lateral movement or torsion while in a semi-reclined or upright sitting position.

[0025] In view of the drawbacks of prior art travel pillow designs, there is a great need for an improved pillow that optimally and comfortably stabilizes a user's head and / or neck. This is generally described herein as a support pillow and, in some embodiments, as a travel pillow. In particular, there is a need for a support pillow that is adjustable and customizable to maximize user comfort. For example, there is a need to develop a support pillow that does not push the head forward or prevent the head from assuming forward, rearward, or lateral positions.

[0026] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an improved support pillow configured to support a user's head and / or neck in multiple positions while resting or sleeping in an upright or reclined sitting position, such as on an airplane. By "recline" is meant any degree of recline from upright to flat with respect to the user's back.

[0027] In some embodiments, the pillow finds use in a medical setting. In this embodiment, the pillow need not be used for travel and can find use in a hospital, a doctor's office, or a patient's home after surgery. It is recognized that after many surgical procedures, the patient should be or remain in an upright or semi-upright position, with the back and / or head elevated, even when sleeping in some instances. Existing pillows are unable to provide the necessary degree of support, and patients report frequently struggling to maintain the correct position. However, the pillow described herein provides sufficient support to the back of the head and to the sides to prevent the lateral movement that is so often experienced by patients when using other pillows. Accordingly, the pillow of the present application finds use in recovery in medical facilities, hotels, or the home. In some embodiments, the pillow of the present application immobilizes (keeps still) the head and neck for therapeutic or health-based reasons, such as when combined with the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, oxygen supplementation, or the like, and for a full range of medical or post-surgical conditions that require the patient to sleep primarily or exclusively in a strictly supine or inclined (any amount up to 90 degrees, including 90 degrees upright, with the back elevated) position, for diagnosed medical conditions, or for psychological / physiological / comfort preferences regarding sleeping on the back. Among other things, such conditions include, but are not limited to, lung and heart diseases, in which an inclined or upright position is necessary to force edema fluid to shift posteriorly (toward the base of the thorax) and / or to improve the range of motion of the diaphragm, or otherwise to improve symptoms, including, but not limited to, orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND).In these medical embodiments, the pillow can have a wider dimension for stability, and the sides of the headrest (106a and 106b or 206a and 206b) increase from 2.54 to 5.08 cm (1 to 2 inches) to 12.7 to 17.78 cm (5 to 7 inches) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In some embodiments, the present invention enables the shoulders and upper back to provide additional support for the head and neck when not in a fully supine position.

[0028] The pillow can be constructed from a single-piece or multi-piece foam that provides excellent vertical support, lateral support, and cushioning for the user's head. In some embodiments of the pillow, an inflatable airbag can be incorporated within the foam. The headrest is soft but strong enough to provide support against head rotation and neck torsion in a reclined seating position, such as in an airplane, or during sleep in a position tilted upward at any angle relative to the supine position. The pillow has a concave recess for the back portion of the head to rest on and is shaped to fit the neck that supports its natural lordosis.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a support pillow (102) embodying aspects of the present invention. The support pillow has a length (l), a height (h), and a width (w), and the pillow (102) is configured to support a user's neck and / or head while the user is resting in a seated position. The support pillow (102) also provides vertical and lateral support for the user's head. The support pillow (102) further includes a headrest (104) and a pair of side rests (106), and the pair of side rests (106) can be identical to each other in some embodiments and are configured to cover the left and right sides of the user's head. Each side rest (106a, 106b) is configured to cover the left and right sides of the user's head from the shoulders to the temporal-parietal portion of the head. The support pillow (102) can be customized by the user, i.e., sized and shaped to conform to the approximate shape of the user's head. In some embodiments, the support pillow is configured to accommodate an average-sized human head. Each side rest (106a, 106b) can be sized or otherwise configured to have a recess that comfortably houses the ear when the head is in at least a center-forward position. In some embodiments, the pillow is configured to have an ear hole or a recessed trough on the side of the pillow so that the pillow contacts the head without significantly compressing the user's ear. In some embodiments, another softer foam layer having a thickness of 0.635 cm (1 / 4 inch) to 2.54 cm (1 inch) lines the interior of the pillow. This foam layer is disposed within the head / neck recess such that its dimensions currently match plus or minus 1.27 cm (1 / 2 inch) in radius. This foam layer can be made of a foam softer than the rest of the pillow, such as viscoelastic foam (memory foam or low-resilience polyurethane foam (LRPu)), TopiFoam®, or a similar softer foam or material. (See FIG. 38).

[0030] The headrest (104) of the support pillow further recesses in a concave shape between the pairs of side rests (106) to support the rear portion of the head. The headrest (104) is pushed inward to align the user's head and neck in a forward "anatomical" position when the user is resting or sleeping, such as during travel. The headrest (104) of the support pillow (102) further includes an upper portion, a central portion, and a lower portion.

[0031] The upper portion of the headrest (104) of the support pillow (102) supports the rear (occipital) and side (temporal parietal) portions of the user's head. In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper portion of the headrest (104) is tapered to accommodate the head in a proper alignment while the user reclines their head during rest. The central portion of the headrest (104) of the support pillow (102) supports the central portion of the head. The central portion further includes holes in some embodiments to support the occipital portion of the head. In shorter embodiments of the support pillow (illustrated in FIGS. 32A - 36B), the upper portion of the headrest supports the rear head and neck around the level of the mastoid process or the craniovertebral junction.

[0032] The lower portion of the support pillow (102) has an arcuate shape to rest the support pillow (102) on the user's shoulders, ensuring that the support pillow (102) stays in place without falling off the shoulders and providing the necessary stability to the pillow and, as a result, to the user's head and neck. In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper part of the arcuate lower portion is at the base of the headrest (104), and the lower part of the arcuate lower portion is at the base of the side rests (106a, 106b) of the support pillow (102), arching towards the front of the user, whereby the lower part of the side rest rests on the user's collarbone, shoulder, and / or chest.

[0033] The support pillow (102) can be composed of a single-piece foam material. The single-piece foam material is designed and configured to form the head and neck support portions of the support pillow (102). Primarily, the single-piece support pillow (102) includes a pair of side rests (106) on both sides of the headrest (104), and the side rests (106) are angled upward with respect to the headrest (104) to support the left and right portions of the head. The thickness of the headrest (104) decreases symmetrically towards the center line of the pillow (102). Alternatively, the single-piece support pillow (102) includes a pair of side rests (106) on both sides of the headrest (104). In some embodiments, the pair of side rests (106) are not identical. The customization of the side rests is also envisioned to address various anatomical variations and / or preferences among users. This customization is envisioned to be performed, among other means, based on manual and / or three-dimensional digital imaging of the user's head, neck, and shoulder dimensions.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the support pillow (102) is composed of a conformable foam material that conforms to the shape of the user's head, neck, and shoulders, and this support provides additional comfort and stability to the shoulders. In some embodiments, the support pillow (102) is constructed from a memory foam or a viscoelastic foam. In alternative embodiments, the foam is a polyurethane foam or a latex foam.

[0035] The main body of the device can be made from a high-pressure compression-molded polyether urethane with a density of about 4.00462 - 16.01846 kg / m 3 (0.25 - 1 lb / cu.ft.), or any other type of foam having appropriate softness and elasticity. In some embodiments, the density is 4.00462 - 80.0923 kg / m 3 (0.25 - 5 lb / cu.ft.) or 8.00923 - 24.0277 kg / m3 (0.5 to 1.5 lb / cu.ft.). The device can be machine cut to be the material or can be shaped as known in the art.

[0036] In one embodiment, the foam or other external material is coated with a layer that enables surface cleaning and sterilization and improves comfort and appearance. In some embodiments, this backing can be smooth polyurethane or plastic and can be 0.01 to about 2.5 mm thick. In some embodiments, the backing can be 0.5 to 2 mm thick. This layer can be applied through an external spraying process or through an alternative foam manufacturing method that produces this external layer as an integral part of the external surface of the foam.

[0037] The pillow can be exposed to various elements including soil and dirt, blood, sweat, tears, SARS-Cov-2, bacteria, and viruses including other pathogens. The surface coating (or simply the external surface of the pillow) provides the unique and timely advantage of not requiring a washing machine or hand washing process that is not easily available when traveling away from home, or convenient tools that are usually available at home or near home; instead, a simple wipe-down with alcohol or other disinfectant that is immediately more convenient and effective is used. In some embodiments, the surface of the pillow and / or the pillow itself can be impregnated with copper or other substances known to have antibacterial properties, including resistance to Covid19 and other infectious viruses and pathogens.

[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the support pillow (102) can also be provided with a removable cover or case that can be removed for cleaning or replacement of the pillow. The removable cover can be designed according to the dimensions and design of the support pillow (102) or in a looser manner. The cover of the support pillow (102) is mainly made of soft fibers such as fleece, cotton, or silk. Other materials can be used according to environmental considerations, health and bacterial concerns, or user preferences.

[0039] Figure 2A shows a front view of a support pillow (202) constructed of a single-piece form, showing the headrest (204) and a pair of side rests (206a, 206b) of the support pillow (202). Primarily, the headrest (204) includes an upper portion (204a), a central portion having a headrest hole (204b), and a headrest lower portion (204c). In some embodiments, the central portion has no hole. In some embodiments, the upper portion is tapered from a thicker portion at the top to a thinner portion towards the headrest hole (204b). In some embodiments, the lower portion (204c) is tapered from a thicker portion at the bottom to a thinner portion towards the headrest hole (204b). The headrest hole (204b) is configured to support the back of the user's head. The lower portion (204c) is configured in an arc shape. In some embodiments, the hole can also function as a drink holder or a tray table when the support pillow (202) is not in use or when the pillow is placed face down on the user's knees. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the hole (204b) is a circle.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the hole (204b) is an ellipse, a square, a triangle, or any other shape. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the hole (204b) is about 2 - 15 cm. In some embodiments, the diameter of the hole is 5 - 10 cm. In some embodiments, the hole is 6 - 8 cm, and in some embodiments, the hole has a diameter of about 7 cm. In some embodiments, there is no hole at the rear of the pillow. In some embodiments, the length of the support pillow (202) ranges from about 20 - 60 cm. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that some of the measurements disclosed herein are made in cm (metric units), while other measurements are given in inches (imperial units). These measurements can be easily converted by using the conversion: 1 inch = 2.54 cm.

[0041] In some embodiments, the length of the support pillow can be about 25 to 50 cm or 30 to 40 cm. More specifically, the length of the support pillow (202) is about 30 cm. In some embodiments, particularly when the support pillow is used in a medical application, the overall length of the headrest increases to about 60 cm.

[0042] In one embodiment, the upper portion is for supporting the rear portion of the head and is tapered to create a concave recessed region extending from the lower part to the upper part of the upper portion. In some embodiments, the concave region is recessed 9 cm to 13 cm with respect to the plane formed from the front portions on both sides of the pillow, and the concave recessed region includes an upper curvature radius larger than the curvature radius of the lower part of the concave recessed region. In one embodiment, the concave recessed region is configured to support the rear portions of the head and the neck and maintain the head and neck in a proper alignment state.

[0043] In one embodiment, the upper portion includes a concave recessed region extending from the lower part to the upper part of the upper portion. When viewed from above or below, the concave region is in a semi-circular or semi-elliptical shape, covering from 180 degrees to 220 degrees of a full circle, preferably between 205 degrees and 215 degrees, and having a (exact for a circle, average for an ellipse) radius at the upper part of the upper portion between 4 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 8 cm, and a (exact for a circle, average for an ellipse) radius at the lower part of the upper portion between 3 cm and 8 cm, preferably between 4.5 cm and 6 cm, and is tapered evenly between these two radii in a partially inverted frustum shape.

[0044] In one embodiment, the upper portion includes a concave recessed area extending from the lower part to the upper part of the upper portion. When viewed from above or below, the concave area is semi-circular or semi-elliptical in shape, covering from 180 degrees to 220 degrees of a full circle, preferably between 205 degrees and 215 degrees, and having a (exact for a circle, average for an ellipse) radius at the upper part of the upper portion between 4 cm and 10 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 8 cm, and a (exact for a circle, average for an ellipse) radius at the lower part of the upper portion between 3 cm and 8 cm, preferably between 4.5 cm and 6 cm. It is evenly tapered between these two radii to match the shape of the average posterior head and neck of a human male (see attached figure) or the shape of the average posterior head and neck of a human female. The human head and neck contour matches the size that falls between an average male and an average female, and the head size between a value 1% to 10% larger than the average male's head and neck (circumference of 57 cm (22 - 1 / 2 inches)) and a value 1% to 10% smaller than the average female's head and neck (circumference of 55 cm (22 - 3 / 4 inches)).

[0045] In one embodiment, the width at the upper part of the headrest (204) ranges from about 8 cm to 20 cm. More specifically, the width of the headrest (204) is about 9 cm to 14 cm. Further, the height of the headrest (204) ranges from 10 cm to 26 cm. More specifically, the height of the headrest portion (204) ranges from 17.5 cm at its most posterior point to 21.25 cm at its most anterior point.

[0046] The lower part (204c) of the headrest (204) curves in an arc at a certain height from the lower part of the side rests (206a, 206b). For example, the height at which the lower part is configured in an arc ranges from about 6 cm to about 16 cm. More specifically, the height of the arcuate lower part of the side rest (206) is about 6 cm from the lower part of the pillow to the lower part of the headrest (204). In other words, the distance between the upper part of the arc at the base of the headrest (204) and the lower part of the arc at the front base of the side rests (206a, 206b) is about 6 cm. This distance can range from 4 cm to 8 cm.

[0047] Similarly, as further shown in FIG. 2A, since the side rests (206a, 206b) are separated by a specific distance according to the anatomical structure of the user's head, neck, and shoulders, it is clear that the support pillow can easily accommodate users of various sizes. The distance between the side rests (206a, 206b) ranges from about 9 cm to about 26 cm. More specifically, the distance between the side rests (206a, 206b) is about 12 cm to 16 cm. In some embodiments, the distance between the side rests is 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26 cm. In some embodiments, the length of the support pillow (202) is about 25 - 60 cm. In some embodiments, the length of the support pillow is about 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 cm. More specifically, the length of the support pillow (202) is about 27 cm.

[0048] Figure 2B shows a rear view of the support pillow (202) constructed of a single-piece form, showing the rear portion of the support pillow (202). The length of the support pillow (202) is about 25 to 40 cm in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the length of the support pillow is about 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60 cm. More specifically, the length of the support pillow (202) is about 27 cm.

[0049] Figure 2C shows a side view of the headrest of the support pillow (202) constructed of a single-piece form, showing a view of the side rest (206a) of the support pillow (202). The front portion of the support pillow is to the right. The rear portion of the support pillow (202) is to the left. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the side rest (206a) has a height ranging from about 20 cm to about 35 cm. In some embodiments, the side rest has a height of about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 cm. More specifically, the height of the side rest (206) is about 22 cm. For pillows of larger or smaller sizes, the dimensions of the support pillow (202) will increase or decrease respectively to accommodate the anatomical structures of the head, neck, and shoulders of a user of that size, and the same is known to those skilled in the art.

[0050] Figure 2D shows a side view of a support pillow (202) constructed from a single piece form and shows a view of a side rest (206b) of the support pillow (202). The front portion of the support pillow is on the left side. The rear portion of the support pillow is on the right side. The side rest (206b) has a height ranging from about 20 cm to about 35 cm. In some embodiments, the side rest has a height of about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, or 35 cm. More specifically, the height of the side rest (206) is about 22 cm. In some embodiments, the left and right side rests (206a, 206b) are the same, but this is not required in all embodiments. That is, in some embodiments, the side rests are not the same.

[0051] Figure 2E shows a top view of the support pillow (202) and shows a view of the upper part of the headrest (204). As shown in Figure 2E, the headrest (204) portion is configured in a curved shape from the center within the headrest toward the upper part (204a). It is clear from this figure that the thickness of this portion decreases as the headrest (202) inclines from the center toward the upper part. The radius of curvature of the headrest (204) ranges from 4 cm to 16 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature ranges from 5 cm to 14 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature ranges from 6 cm to 12 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the headrest is about 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, or 16 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the upper edge of the headrest is larger than that of the lower edge. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the upper edge or the upper part of the headrest is about 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, or 16 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the lower edge or the lower part of the headrest is about 2 cm to about 12 cm or about 3 cm to about 10 cm or about 4 cm to about 8 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the lower edge or the lower part of the headrest is about 2 cm, 2.5 cm, 3 cm, 3.5 cm, 4 cm, 4.5 cm, 5 cm, 5.5 cm, 6 cm, 6.5 cm, 7 cm, 7.5 cm, 8 cm, 8.5 cm, 9 cm, 9.5 cm, 10 cm, 10.5 cm, 11 cm, 11.5 cm, or 12 cm. The acceptable average radius of curvature is 7.5 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature is 2.5 to 6.25 cm, that is, the diameter is 5 to 12.5 cm.

[0052] Figure 2F shows a bottom view of the support pillow (202) and shows a bottom view of the headrest (204). The region from the central part of the hole to the lower part of the arcuate lower part (204c) is carved to accommodate the user's neck in an appropriate alignment while the user reclines their head during rest.

[0053] Figure 3 shows an alternative configuration of the support pillow (202). In this embodiment, the support pillow has a tapered side surface where the front portion of the support pillow is shorter than the rear portion of the support pillow. Such a configuration finds use when the space for travelers is limited, such as when the pillow must fit under an existing head support as is commonly found with airplane headrests, and a smaller profile of the pillow can be advantageous. For example, as illustrated in the figure, the rear portion of the support pillow can be about 14 - 20 cm, more preferably 16 - 18 cm, and even more preferably 18 cm in height, while the front portion of the support pillow can be about 10 - 15 cm, more preferably 12 - 14 cm, or even more preferably 14 cm in height. In some embodiments, the height of the front portion of the support pillow is 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, or 30% shorter than the height of the rear portion of the support pillow.

[0054] Figure 4 shows the strap 402 of the support pillow assembly 500 (see Figure 5) according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the strap (402) is provided to hold the support pillow (102) in a predetermined position relative to the head. The strap (402) can engage the support pillow (102) in various configurations. Considering the support pillow of Figure 1, the strap (402) can be disposed at the lower portion of the support pillow (102) to hold the support pillow (102) in a predetermined position relative to the user's head. In one configuration, the strap (402) extends from one side rest (106) in front of the neck to the other side rest (106).

[0055] The strap (400) can be made of an elastic material that is sufficiently stretchable to accommodate the user's neck. Further, the strap (400) provides the support necessary to maintain the headrest in a predetermined position relative to the user's head. Further, the strap can be made of an elastic cotton material. In other embodiments, the strap can be a belt that holds the support pillow (102) in a predetermined position relative to the user's head. In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of the strap ranges from 4.5 cm to 6 cm. More specifically, the width of the strap is about 4.5 cm and secures the support pillow (102) in a predetermined position relative to the user's head.

[0056] The strap (400) comprises a central component (402) that can be made of various materials, and a connector having a male member (404) and a female member (406) for securing one side of the central component (402) to the other side. Primarily, the connector is made of a Velcro® hook and loop assembly, a connector having male and female members. Alternatively, the connector can be a button, a hook, a magnet, and / or a buckle for connecting the ends of the strap (400) together.

[0057] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a support pillow assembly (500). According to the present invention, the support pillow assembly (500) comprises a support pillow (502) configured to support a user's neck and / or head in a supine, reclined, or vertical position. The support pillow (502) also provides vertical and lateral support to the user's head. The support pillow (502) further comprises a headrest (504) and a pair of side rests (506), and in some embodiments, the pair of side rests (506) can be identical to each other and are configured to cover the left and right sides of the user's head. Each side rest (506a, 506b) is configured to cover the left and right sides of the user's head from the shoulders to the upper part of the head. The side rests (506a, 506b) can be sized such that the user's ears do not contact the support pillow when the head is in at least a central forward-facing position.

[0058] The headrest (504) of the support pillow further recesses in a concave shape between the pair of side rests (106) to support the rear portion of the head. The headrest (504) is pushed inward to align the user's head and neck in a forward-facing position when the user is resting or sleeping during travel. The headrest (504) of the support pillow (502) further includes an upper portion, a central portion, and a lower portion.

[0059] The upper portion of the headrest (504) of the support pillow (502) supports the rear or upper portion of the user's head. In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper portion of the headrest (504) is tapered to accommodate the head in a proper alignment while the user reclines their head during rest. The central portion of the headrest (504) of the support pillow (502) supports the central rear (occipital) portion of the head. In some embodiments, the central portion further comprises a hole for supporting the occipital portion of the head.

[0060] The lower portion of the support pillow (502) is shaped to be arcuate to place the support pillow (502) on the user's shoulders so that it stays in place without falling from the shoulders. In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper part of the arcuate lower portion is at the base of the backrest (504), and the lower part of the arcuate lower portion is at the base of the side rests (506a, 506b) of the support pillow (502), arching towards the front of the user, whereby the lower part of the side rest rests on the user's shoulders and / or chest.

[0061] In some embodiments, the support pillow assembly (500) further comprises a strap (400) disposed at the lower part of the support pillow (502) to support the support pillow (502) in a predetermined position relative to the user's head. The strap (400) can be configured to wrap around starting from one of the side rests (506a) in front of the user's neck and connecting to the other side rest (506b). Alternatively, the strap (400) can wrap around the support pillow and, in some embodiments, can abut against the back of the user's neck. The strap (400) is preferably used to hold the support pillow (502) against the user in various support configurations. The strap (400) is preferably made of a durable and elastic material that easily conforms around the user's neck. The length of the strap (400) can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the user's head and neck.

[0062] The optional strap (400) further includes male and female members that can be joined by using a connector to fix one side of the strap (400) to the other side of the strap (400). In one embodiment, the connector is a Velcro® hook and loop assembly type connection. In other embodiments, the connector can be a button, magnet, hook, and / or loop connector, or other separable fasteners that allow attachment to properly hold the pillow in various orientations.

[0063] The support pillow assembly (500) includes a support pillow (502) composed of a single-piece foam material. The single-piece foam material is designed and configured to form the head and neck support portions of the support pillow (502). Primarily, the single-piece support pillow (502) includes a pair of side rests (506) on both sides of the headrest (504), and the side rests (506) are angled upward with respect to the headrest (504) to support the left and right portions of the head. The thickness of each side rest decreases symmetrically toward the headrest (504) of the support pillow (502). Alternatively, the single-piece support pillow (502) includes a pair of side rests (506) on both sides of the headrest (504). In some embodiments, the pair of side rests (506) are not identical.

[0064] The support pillow assembly (500) in some embodiments further includes a strap (400) disposed at the lower portion of the support pillow (502), and the strap (400) is wrapped from one side rest to the other side rest (506).

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the support pillow (502) of the support pillow assembly (500) is composed of a conformable foam material that conforms to the shape of the user's head, neck, and shoulders, and this support provides additional comfort and stability to the shoulders. In some embodiments, the support pillow (502) is constructed in whole or in part from memory foam, TopiFoam®, or viscoelastic foam. In alternative embodiments, the foam is polyurethane foam or latex foam. In some embodiments of the support pillow, there may be a thin coating applied as an outer layer of the pillow, and / or any of its accompanying storage, cover, strap, utility crush mechanism, rigid support surface to facilitate cleaning for pathogens or general dirt.

[0066] In an alternative embodiment, the support pillow (502) can also include a removable cover or case that can be removed for cleaning or replacement of the pillow to protect the pillow. The removable cover can be designed according to the dimensions or design of the support pillow (502). The cover of the support pillow (502) is mainly made of a soft fiber such as fleece or cotton. Other materials can be used according to environmental considerations, removal of pathogens such as viruses or bacteria, or user preferences.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, the present disclosure also provides a pillow (602) configured to collapse to facilitate storage. In this embodiment, the pillow can be composed of a single unitary body having a right side (606a) and a left side (606b) and a central portion (604) configured to receive the user's head and neck. Each of the lower portions (608a) of the right side and (608b) of the left side is curved as described above herein, starting at the rear of the pillow and extending downward over the user's shoulders and toward the user's chest. Further, the pillow includes a further feature including a notch (610) that can be in either the lower portion of the right or left side. The notch is shown in the lower portion of the left side in FIG. 6. As described above, the pillow is crushable to fold one side of the side toward the opposite side. The notch (610) receives the front inner edge of the side to be folded. For example, in FIG. 6, once folded, the front right inner edge (612) is inserted into the notch on the left side. In some embodiments, the pillow has notches on the right and left sides respectively capable of receiving the front inner edges of the left or right side respectively.

[0068] A further feature shown in FIG. 6 includes depressions on the right side (614a) and left side (614b) of the pillow. The depressions are configured to receive the user's ears, allowing the ears to rest comfortably against the sides of the pillow.

[0069] In FIG. 7, further details regarding a possibly crushable pillow are described. Exemplary dimensions include a maximum height (702) of 22.225 cm (8.75 inches), a height from the top of the pillow to the rearmost edge (704) of 19.685 cm (7.75 inches). An exemplary height (706) of the ear recess is 8.6868 cm (3.42 inches). An exemplary height (710) from the lower rear edge of the pillow to the lower part of the ear recess is 6.7818 cm (2.67 inches). An exemplary length (714) from the lateral edge of the side rest to the foremost edge of the front of the side rest is 4.5212 cm (1.78 inches). An exemplary length (712) from the lateral edge of the side rest to the foremost edge on the lower side surface of the pillow is 5.969 cm (2.35 inches). An exemplary length (716) from the lateral edge of the pillow to the uppermost front edge of the side rest is 6.4262 cm (2.53 inches). An exemplary length (718) from the lateral edge of the pillow to the upper front edge of the headrest is 7.0866 cm (2.79 inches). A length (720) from the lateral edge of the pillow to the lower front edge of the headrest is 8.7122 cm (3.43 inches). While specific dimensions are recited herein, it is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%.

[0070] In FIG. 8, further details regarding a possibly crushable pillow are explained. FIG. 8 is a top view of the pillow. Exemplary dimensions include the width from the rear of the 1.7018 cm (0.67 inch) pillow to the upper rear edge of the top of the headrest, and the width from the rear of the pillow to the lower rear edge of the bottom of the headrest of 3.5306 cm (1.39 inches). The width (806) from the rear of the pillow to the rearmost edge of the ear recess is 5.7912 cm (2.28 inches). The width (808) from the foremost edge of the pillow to the foremost edge of the ear recess is 3.4036 cm (1.34 inches). The diameter (810) of the lower curved headrest region is 11.811 cm (4.65 inches). The diameter (812) of the upper curved headrest region is 15.6464 cm (6.16 inches). The width (814) of the upper edge of the pillow from the rear edge to the foremost edge is 12.7 cm (5 inches). The width (816) of the pillow from the rear edge to the foremost edge is 16.51 cm (6.5 inches). Specific dimensions are set forth herein, but it is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. In some embodiments, the pillow can have larger horizontal and vertical dimensions while still maintaining the specified head recess dimensions. The head support lateral sides of the pillow can span a width (from the outside to the inside of the side) of from the specified 6.985 cm (2-3 / 4 inches) to 17.78 cm (7 inches) for uses that do not require much portability.

[0071] Figures 9 and 10 provide further details regarding the crushable pillow. As can be seen, there is a rigid surface (902) attached to the pillow at the front of the left side. This rigid surface can be made of plastic, metal, wood, or any other rigid material and can be covered with rubber or another perhaps synthetic material having a rough or sticky texture. In some embodiments, the plastic can be made from a biodegradable plastic such as poly-lactic acid (PLA). This rigid panel can be on the left, right, or both fronts of the headrest.

[0072] The purpose of the rigid surface is to form a segment of the rigid front of the crushable pillow further described herein, to provide firmness when a softer foam is used, and to provide a rigid surface that, when bent, aligns with its inner surface having the rigid surface shown in FIG. 11 and described below. The rigid surface enables an even distribution of force on the foam to facilitate compression against another rigid surface on the rear of the pillow. When the pillow is secured using a Velcro® hook and loop assembly, tab-in slot, or other similar ratchet mechanism or in the cases described elsewhere, a thinner and more portable configuration is produced. The rigid surface can cover 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% of the surface to which the rigid surface is attached. In some embodiments, the central portion has the holes described herein, while in some embodiments, it does not. When used with a solid rear to facilitate storage crushing of the pillow, there may be no need for holes.

[0073] Figure 11 is a side view of the pillow. As can be seen, on the right side of the pillow there is a rigid surface (1102) attached to the pillow. This rigid surface can be disposed on the right or left side of the pillow, can be made of plastic, metal, wood, polylactic acid (PLA) or any other rigid material, and can be covered with rubber, or another perhaps synthetic material having a rough or adhesive texture, the purpose of which is to reduce the sliding of the pillow against any abutting surface. The purpose of the rigid surface is to provide firmness when a softer foam is used and to provide a rigid surface that, when bent, aligns with its inner surface having the rigid surface shown in and described above in FIG. 10, the rigid surface allowing for an even distribution of force on the foam to facilitate compression against another rigid surface on the rear of the pillow, and the pillow, when secured using magnets, Velcro® hook-and-loop assemblies, tab-in-slots, buckles, or other "ratchet" mechanisms or within the cases described elsewhere, creates a thinner and more portable configuration. The rigid surface can cover 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% of the surface to which the rigid surface is attached.

[0074] Figure 12 shows a rear view of the pillow. As can be seen, a rigid surface (1202) is also attached to the rear of the pillow. This rigid surface can be made of any other rigid material such as plastic, metal, wood, or polylactic acid (PLA), and can be covered with another perhaps synthetic material having a rubbery, or rough or sticky texture, the purpose of which is to reduce the sliding of the pillow against any abutting surface. The purpose of the rigid surface is to provide rigidity and a hard surface when a softer foam is used, and the rigid surface, when folded, allows for an even distribution of force on the foam to facilitate compression against two aligned rigid surfaces on the front of the folded pillow, and the pillow, when secured using a Velcro® hook-and-loop assembly, tab-in-slot, or other similar ratchet mechanism or in other cases described, creates a thinner and more portable configuration. The rigid surface can cover 20% - 80% of the rear of the pillow, or in some embodiments, 45% - 75% of the rear of the pillow. In some embodiments, the rigid surface can cover 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% of the rear pillow surface to which the rigid surface is attached. When the rear rigid surface (1202) covers less than 100% of the rear of the pillow, it can be mainly disposed on the left or right side of the rear of the pillow. In such a case, the rear rigid surface (1202) is substantially aligned with the edge of the same side as the notch (610). Thus, the uncovered portion (1204) of the rear of the pillow is on the same side as the side on which the rigid surface (1102) is attached. The uncovered portion of the pillow provides flexibility to the pillow and allows the sides to be folded forward to crush the pillow.

[0075] In one embodiment, the support pillow comprises a rigid rear portion on the rear side surface of the pillow. The rigid rear portion can be made of cardboard, plastic, metal, or other materials capable of providing rigidity and / or support for the user. Further, the rigid rear portion serves a dual purpose as a component of the storage container, as further outlined herein. In some embodiments, the rigid rear portion is made of plastic, composite material, pressboard, laminate, or other similar rigid materials, has a thickness between 2 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm, is present on the rear surface of the pillow or integrated within that plane of the pillow, has a height that is 100 percent of the height of the pillow, has a length that is between 30 percent and 100 percent of the length of the pillow, is evenly concentrated around the centerline of the pillow or is disposed only along the right or left side of the rear surface of the pillow, has a length that is between 30 percent and 80 percent of the length of the pillow, and preferably between 60 percent and 80 percent of the length of the pillow, and has a height that is 100 percent of the height of the pillow. In embodiments where the rigid rear portion occupies 100 percent of the rear surface of the pillow, the rigid surface can sometimes have a "living hinge" or a crimp, also known as an actual hinge, and the rigid material can be partially or fully bent along a line that is present to the left or right of the centerline of the pillow, by 20 to 60 percent of the distance from the centerline of the pillow to the lateral edge. In embodiments having a rigid surface on the side of one side rest, this hinge or crimp is present towards the side rest, and the lateral surface of the side rest is also covered by the rigid surface.

[0076] In one embodiment, the rigid rear portion is made of plastic, composite material, pressboard, laminate, or other similar rigid materials, has a thickness between 2 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 5 mm, and is present on one or both of the side support headrest portions of the pillow, preferably on the front surface of one or integrated within that plane of the pillow, at a height between 100 percent and 80 percent of the height of the pillow, preferably 100 percent of the height of the pillow, at a length that is 100 percent of the length of the pillow, and is evenly concentrated around the centerline of the pillow or disposed only along the right or left side of the rear surface of the pillow, at a length between 30 percent and 80 percent of the length of the pillow, and preferably between 60 percent and 80 percent of the length of the pillow, and at a height that is 100 percent of the height of the pillow.

[0077] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13A, the sides of the pillow having the rigid surface (1102) are folded forward and toward the opposite sides of the pillow to form a crush support pillow. The edge (612) fits within the notch (610) to form a rigid or stiff front cover of the pillow. The rear rigid surface (1202) forms a rear rigid cover of the pillow. The uncovered rear portion (1204) of the pillow is here positioned against the sides of the crush pillow, leaving the left and right sides with the pillow material exposed. This has the advantage of being flexible or compressible, which allows for further reduction in the size of the crush pillow. In some embodiments, the crush pillow can be compressed by 5% - 75% of its original crush size, 10% - 60% of its original crush size, or 20% - 50% of its original crush size. In some embodiments, the crush pillow is compressed by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% of its original crush size.

[0078] FIG. 13B shows a perspective view of the front portion of the crush support pillow, showing how the side rigid shell (1102) contacts the front rigid shell (902) to form the solid front portion of the crush support pillow.

[0079] Figure 13C shows a bottom view of the folded and compressed support pillow. The side (1102) bends adjacent to the front rigid surface (902) while leaving a soft and compressible side. The compressed pillow can be locked by a front locking mechanism (1302). The front locking mechanism can be composed of a strap, buckle, cord, Velcro® hook-and-loop assembly, ratchet system, and the like. Further, the compressed support pillow can also include lateral locking mechanisms (1304a and 1304b) to facilitate maintaining the compressed pillow in a compressed configuration. The lateral locking mechanisms can be composed of a strap, buckle, cord, Velcro® hook-and-loop assembly, ratchet system, and the like.

[0080] Figure 13D shows a front view of the folded and compressed pillow. The rigid supports (1102) and (902) form the front of the crushed pillow.

[0081] In some embodiments, the pillow is bent and compressed laterally rather than front-to-back as described above. This bent configuration has the advantage of greater ease of compression. This is because the same force compresses a smaller surface area and the compressed pillow can have a shorter overall dimension compared to embodiments of front-to-back compression. FIG. 13F shows a bottom view of this alternative configuration of the bent and compressed support pillow when compressed in the lateral dimension. In this embodiment, the rigid surface at the rear of the pillow (1206) occupies approximately 37.5% of the rear of the pillow, and the headrest that faces the side on which this rigid surface lies has a rigid surface (1104) that occupies 80-100% of its cross-section. The front of the headrest on the same side as the 37.5% of the rear portion with the rigid support has a rigid support that occupies 80-100% of its surface. The edge (616) fits into the notch (611), leaving the front and rear of the pillow soft and compressible. The compressed pillow can be locked by a front locking mechanism (1309). The front locking mechanism can be composed of a strap, buckle, cord, Velcro® hook and loop assembly, ratchet system, and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 13G, the compressed support pillow can also include additional front and rear locking mechanisms (1313a and 1313b) to facilitate maintaining the compressed pillow in a compressed configuration. The front and rear locking mechanisms can be composed of a strap, buckle, cord, Velcro® hook and loop assembly, ratchet system, and the like.

[0082] In some embodiments, the support pillow comprises an extendable rigid panel that extends below the lower portion of the rear of the pillow. FIG. 13E shows a rear view of the support pillow, showing the sliding rear panel (1306) in the extended position. When not extended, the sliding rear panel (1306) slides inside the rigid rear panel (1202). In some embodiments, the rear plate can be attached to the support pillow, or a rear plate having a hinge can be bent rather than slide. The extendable plate can be made of plastic, metal, wood, polylactic acid (PLA), or any other rigid material, and can be covered with rubber, or another perhaps synthetic material having a rough or sticky texture, the purpose of which is to reduce the sliding of the pillow against any abutting surface.

[0083] In some embodiments, the height of the extendable panel is from about 10 cm to about 40 cm. The extendable panel can be 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% of the size of the rigid rear plate (1202). In some embodiments, the extendable panel is 50%, 60%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% of the width of the rigid rear plate (1202).

[0084] FIG. 14 shows a front view of the open pillow, showing the notch (610), ear cavities (614(a)) and (614(b)), and the front rigid plate (902) and side or lateral rigid plates (1102). Further, a curved section (1402) between the sides and below the headrest is evident. In some embodiments, a similar contoured or curved region is found at the top of the headrest where the top curves from the rear to the front. In some embodiments, the upper and lower curves are parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the front contour of the side is flat, but in some embodiments, it curves as outlined herein.

[0085] Figure 15 shows a perspective view of the support pillow, showing the front plate (902) and the ear cavity (614(a)).

[0086] Figure 16 shows a rear perspective view of the travel pillow, showing the side or lateral rigid support (1102) and the rear rigid support (1202).

[0087] Figure 17A shows a top perspective view of the support pillow, showing the lateral rigid support (1102), the front rigid support (902), the ear cavities (614(a)) and (614(b)), and the notch (610).

[0088] Figure 17B shows a top view of the support pillow, showing the front rigid support (902), the ear cavities (614(a)) and (614(b)), and the notch (610).

[0089] Figure 18 shows a bottom view of the support pillow, showing the notch (610) and the trapezius muscle recesses (1802 and 1804). The trapezius muscle recesses are configured to abut against and accommodate the user's trapezius muscle.

[0090] Figure 19 shows an oblique bottom view of the support pillow, showing the notch (610) and the trapezius muscle recesses (1802 and 1804). Further, the front rigid support (902) is shown.

[0091] Figure 20 shows a rear view of the support pillow, showing the rear rigid support (1202) and the trapezius muscle recesses (1802 and 1804) and the notch (610).

[0092] Figure 21 shows the lateral side of the support pillow having the lateral rigid support (1102).

[0093] Figure 22 shows the rear portion of the pillow and shows exemplary dimensions of the support pillow in cm (inches). Exemplary dimensions for length and height are shown. In some embodiments, the length of the rear portion (2204) of the support pillow is from 25.4 cm (10 inches) to 38.1 (15 inches) or from 27.94 (11 inches) to 35.56 (14 inches) or from 28.575 (11.25 inches) to 31.75 (12.5 inches). In some embodiments, the length of the rear portion (2204) is 25.4, 26.67, 27.94, 29.21, 30.48, 31.75, 33.02, 34.29, 35.56, or 36.83 cm (10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, or 14.5 inches). In some embodiments, the height of the rear portion (2204) of the support pillow is from 12.7 cm (5 inches) to 30.48 cm (12 inches) or from 16.51 cm (6.5 inches) to 27.94 cm (11 inches) or from 17.78 cm (7 inches) to 25.4 cm (10 inches) or from 19.05 cm (7.5 inches) to 22.86 cm (9 inches). In some embodiments, the height of the rear portion (2204) of the support pillow is 12.7, 13.97, 15.24, 16.51, 17.78, 18.415, 19.05, 19.685, 20.32, 20.955, 21.59, 22.225, 22.86, 23.495, 24.13, 24.765, 25.4, 26.67, or 27.94 cm (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, 8, 8.25, 8.5, 8.75, 9, 9.25, 9.5, 9.75, 10, 10.5, or 11 inches). It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. In some embodiments, the pillow has an upper contour that curves from the rear to the front.

[0094] FIG. 23 shows a side view of the pillow (2306(a)). Some exemplary dimensions for the description of FIGS. 7 and 8 are described in FIGS. 7 and 8. Further, the width (2314) from the rear of the pillow to the lowest point of the pillow is 14.2748 cm (5.62 inches). The length (2316) from the lowest point of the pillow to the most forward point of the pillow is 1.9812 cm (0.78 inch). In some embodiments, the width of the support pillow is wider at the lower part than at the upper part. That is, in some embodiments, the lower width is 2.54 cm (1 inch) to 10.16 cm (4 inches) wider than the width of the upper part of the pillow. In some embodiments, the lower part is 3.175 cm (1.25 inches) to 7.62 cm (3 inches) wider than the width of the upper part of the pillow. In some embodiments, the width of the lower part of the pillow is 1.27, 1.905, 2.54, 3.175, 3.81, 4.445, 5.08, 5.715, 6.35, 6.985, or 7.62 cm (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, or 3 inches) wider than the width of the upper part of the pillow. In some embodiments, the width of the upper support pillow is 7.62 cm to 25.4 cm (3 to 10 inches) or 10.16 cm to 20.32 cm (4 to 8 inches) or 12.7 cm to 19.05 cm (5 to 7.5 inches). In some embodiments, the width is 7.62, 8.89, 10.16, 11.43, 12.7, 13.97, 15.24, 16.51, 17.78, 19.05, 20.32 cm (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, or 8 inches). It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%.

[0095] As can be seen in FIG. 23, in some embodiments, the side of the support pillow comprises two curved regions. The first curved region (2302) is from the upper front edge of the side and curves from the upper part of the side to the lower part of the side or to the point (2304) which is the maximum width of the lower part of the side. In some embodiments, the pillow comprises an edge (2312) extending from the point (2304) having the widest width to a rearward and downward point (2308). The second curved region (2310) extends from the lower rear edge of the pillow to the rearward and downward point (2308).

[0096] FIG. 24 shows a front view of the pillow (2402) and the side rests (2406(a) and 2406(b)), and provides exemplary dimensions in cm (inches). As described above, the rear part of the support pillow has a certain height, but the overall height of the pillow can be made longer. This is because in some embodiments, the side of the support pillow curves downward from the rear part of the pillow, thereby increasing the overall height. In some embodiments, the overall height of the pillow is 0.635 - 12.7 cm (0.25 - 5 inches) or 1.27 - 10.16 cm (0.5 - 4 inches) or 1.905 - 7.62 cm (0.75 - 3 inches) or 2.54 - 5.08 cm (1 - 2 inches) longer than the height of the rear part. In some embodiments, the overall height of the support pillow is 1.27, 2.54, 3.81, 5.08, 6.35, 7.62, 8.89, or 10.16 cm (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 inches) longer than the rear part of the pillow. It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%.

[0097] Figure 25 shows a bottom view of the support pillow, showing the mitre muscle recesses (1802 and 1804) and the notch (610). Exemplary dimensions of each of the characteristic parts of the travel pillow are provided. The notch (610) can take various shapes such as a square, rectangle, scalene triangle, triangle, or circle, etc., but a scalene triangle is illustrated in Figure 25. Referring to the mitre muscle recess, each of the mitre muscle recesses is configured to accommodate the user's mitre muscle. The mitre muscle recess has a length (L), height (H), and depth (D). In some embodiments, the length of each mitre muscle recess is 2.54 to 10.16 cm (1 to 4 inches) or 3.81 to 7.62 cm (1.5 to 3 inches) or 5.08 to 6.35 cm (2 to 2.5 inches). In some embodiments, the length of the shoulder recess is 2.54, 3.81, 5.08, 6.35, 7.62, 8.89, 10.16, 11.43, or 12.7 cm (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 inches). In some embodiments, the upper part of the shoulder recess is shorter than the lower part of the shoulder recess due to the curvature of the headrest. The height of the mitre muscle recess is 1.27 to 10.16 cm (0.5 to 4 inches) or 2.54 to 7.62 cm (1.0 to 3 inches) or 5.08 to 6.35 cm (2 to 2.5 inches). In some embodiments, the length of the shoulder recess is 1.27, 2.54, 3.81, 5.08, 6.35, 7.62, 8.89, 10.16, 11.43, or 12.7 cm (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 inches). It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%.

[0098] Figure 26 shows a perspective rear view of the support pillow while it is upside down, highlighting the notch (610) of the pillow as well as the side (2202) and rear (2204). The exemplary length (2602) of the pillow is 29.337 cm (11.55 inches). It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%.

[0099] Figure 27 shows a top view of the support pillow, showing the ear cavities (614(a)) and (614(b)) as well as the notch (610), the side (2202), and the rear (2204).

[0100] Figure 28A shows a front view of the support pillow, showing the front support (902). In some embodiments, the front panel (902) has a height of 10.16 - 25.4 cm (4 - 10 inches) depending on the height of the side of the pillow. In some embodiments, the panel has a height of 15.24 - 20.32 cm (6 - 8 inches). In some embodiments, the width of the panel can be non-uniform to accommodate the width of the underlying pillow section, but in some embodiments, the panel is 1.27 - 7.62 cm (0.5 - 3 inches) wide or 2.54 - 5.08 cm (1 - 2 inches) wide. It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. It is recognized that the front support can occupy at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 100% of the front edge of the pillow.

[0101] FIG. 28B shows a side view of the support pillow and shows the rigid support (1102). In some embodiments, the lateral panel (1102) is 12.7 to 25.4 cm (5 to 10 inches) in height depending on the height of the side of the pillow. In some embodiments, the panel is 15.24 to 20.32 cm (6 to 8 inches) in height. In some embodiments, the height of the panel can be non-uniform to accommodate the height of the underlying pillow section. In some embodiments, the width of the lateral panel is 7.62 to 17.78 cm (3 to 7 inches) or 8.89 to 15.24 cm (3.5 to 6 inches) or 10.16 to 13.97 cm (4 to 5.5 inches). In some embodiments, the width of the panel can be non-uniform to accommodate the width of the underlying pillow section. It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. It is recognized that the lateral support can occupy at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 100% of the lateral side of the pillow.

[0102] Figure 28C shows a rear view of the support pillow and depicts exemplary dimensions of the rear support (1202). Exemplary dimensions of each of the feature portions of the travel pillow are provided. In some embodiments, the rear panel (1102) has a height of 8.89 - 25.4 cm (3.5 - 10 inches) depending on the height of the rear portion of the pillow. In some embodiments, the panel has a height of 14.605 - 20.32 cm (5.75 - 8 inches). In some embodiments, the height of the panel can be non-uniform to accommodate the height of the underlying pillow section. In some embodiments, the width of the lateral panel is 7.62 - 25.4 cm (3 - 10 inches) or 10.16 - 20.32 cm (4 - 8 inches) or 12.7 - 17.78 cm (5 - 7 inches). In some embodiments, the width of the panel can be non-uniform to accommodate the width of the underlying pillow section. It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. It is recognized that the front support can occupy at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 100% of the rear edge of the pillow.

[0103] Figure 29 shows an internal view of the lateral side and depicts the notch (610) and the ear cavity (614(b)).

[0104] Figure 30 shows an external side view of the side surface (3006). Exemplary dimensions of each of the characteristic portions of the travel pillow are provided in the descriptions of FIGS. 7 and 8. It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the lower edge of the side rest is about 30 - 50 cm, about 32 - 47 cm, about 35 - 45 cm, about 38 - 42 cm, about 39 - 40 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the lower edge of the side rest is about 30 cm, 31 cm, 32 cm, 33 cm, 34 cm, 35 cm, 36 cm, 37 cm, 38 cm, 39 cm, 40 cm, 41 cm, 42 cm, 43 cm, 44 cm, 45 cm, 46 cm, 47 cm, 48 cm, 49 cm, or 50 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the front edge of the side rest is about 30 - 50 cm, about 32 - 47 cm, about 35 - 45 cm, about 38 - 42 cm, about 39 - 41 cm. In some embodiments, the radius of curvature of the front edge of the side rest is about 30 cm, 31 cm, 32 cm, 33 cm, 34 cm, 35 cm, 36 cm, 37 cm, 38 cm, 39 cm, 40 cm, 41 cm, 42 cm, 43 cm, 44 cm, 45 cm, 46 cm, 47 cm, 48 cm, 49 cm, or 50 cm.

[0105] Figure 31 shows a front view of the pillow, showing the ear cavities (614(a) and 614(b)) and the notch (610). Exemplary dimensions of each of the characteristic portions of the travel pillow are provided in the descriptions of FIGS. 7 and 8. It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 32A, a rear perspective depiction of a shorter support pillow is provided. In this embodiment, the measurements of the pillow can be similar to those described herein, except that the overall height of the pillow is shorter. In this embodiment, the pillow has a side that curves downward toward the user's chest, and thus the overall height is from about 12.7 cm (5 inches) to 17.78 cm (7 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is from 13.97 cm (5.5 inches) to 16.51 cm (6.5 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is about 12.7, 13.97, 15.24, 16.51, 17.78 cm (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 7 inches). In this embodiment, the height of the rear portion of the support pillow is from 10.16 cm (4 inches) to 15.24 cm (6 inches). In some embodiments, the height of the rear portion of the pillow is about 10.16, 11.43, 12.7, 13.97, or 15.24 cm (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 inches). FIG. 32B provides an alternative presentation of the figure of FIG. 32A, except that the edges of the pillow are rounded to provide the user with additional comfort and safety.

[0107] Figure 33A shows a bottom view of the support pillow. As outlined in Figure 32, in some embodiments, the support pillow is shorter. That is, it has a shorter height, but the other measurements are similar to those described herein. Figure 33A shows the trapezius muscle recesses (1802 and 1804) and the notch (610). Exemplary dimensions of each of the features of the travel pillow are provided. The notch (610) can take various shapes such as square, rectangular, scalene triangle, triangle, or circle, with a scalene triangle being illustrated in Figure 33A. Referring to the trapezius muscle recesses, each of the trapezius muscle recesses is configured to receive the user's trapezius muscle. The trapezius muscle recess has a length (l), height (h), and depth (d). In some embodiments, the length of each of the trapezius muscle recesses is 2.54 - 10.16 cm (1 - 4 inches) or 3.81 - 7.62 cm (1.5 - 3 inches) or 5.08 - 6.35 cm (2 - 2.5 inches). In some embodiments, the length of the shoulder recess is 2.54, 3.81, 5.08, 6.35, 7.62, 8.89, 10.16, 11.43, or 12.7 cm (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 inches). In some embodiments, the upper part of the shoulder recess is shorter than the lower part of the shoulder recess due to the curvature of the headrest. The height of the trapezius muscle recess is 1.27 - 10.16 cm (0.5 - 4 inches) or 2.54 - 7.62 cm (1.0 - 3 inches) or 5.08 - 6.35 cm (2 - 2.5 inches). In some embodiments, the length of the shoulder recess is 1.27, 2.54, 3.81, 5.08, 6.35, 7.62, 8.89, 10.16, 11.43, or 12.7 cm (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 inches). It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. Figure 33B provides an alternative presentation to the figure of Figure 33A, except that the edges of the pillow are rounded to provide the user with additional comfort and safety.

[0108] Figure 34A shows a side view of a shorter pillow (2306(A)) and provides exemplary dimensions in cm (inches). As outlined in Figure 32, in some embodiments, the support pillow is shorter. That is, it has a shorter height, but other measurements are similar to those described herein. In some embodiments, the width of the support pillow is greater at the bottom than at the top. That is, in some embodiments, the bottom width is 2.54 cm (1 inch) to 10.16 cm (4 inches) wider than the width at the top of the pillow. In some embodiments, the bottom width is 3.175 cm (1.25 inches) to 7.62 cm (3 inches) wider than the width at the top of the pillow. In some embodiments, the width of the bottom of the pillow is 1.27, 1.905, 2.54, 3.175, 3.81, 4.445, 5.08, 5.715, 6.35, 6.985, or 7.62 cm (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, or 3 inches) wider than the width at the top of the pillow. In some embodiments, the width of the upper support pillow is 7.62 to 25.4 cm (3 to 10 inches) or 10.16 to 20.3 cm (4 to 8 inches) or 12.7 to 19.05 cm (5 to 7.5 inches). In some embodiments, the width is 7.62, 8.89, 10.16, 11.43, 12.7, 13.97, 15.24, 16.51, 17.78, 19.05, 20.32 cm (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, or 8 inches). It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%.

[0109] As can be seen in FIG. 34, in some embodiments, the side of the support pillow comprises two curved regions. The first curved region (2302) is from the upper front edge of the side and curves from the upper part of the side to the lower part of the side or to the point (2304) which is the maximum width of the lower part of the side. In some embodiments, the pillow comprises an edge (2312) extending from the point (2304) having the widest width to a rearward and downward point (2308). The second curved region (2310) extends from the lower rear edge of the pillow to the rearward and downward point (2308). In this embodiment, since the pillow has a side that curves downward towards the user's chest, the overall height is about 12.7 cm (5 inches) to 17.78 cm (7 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is 13.97 cm (5.5 inches) to 16.51 cm (6.5 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is about 12.7, 13.97, 15.24, 16.51, 17.78 cm (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 7 inches). In this embodiment, the height of the rear part of the support pillow is about 10.16 cm (4 inches) to 15.24 cm (6 inches). In some embodiments, the height of the rear part of the pillow is about 10.16, 11.43, 12.7, 13.97, or 15.24 cm (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 inches). FIG. 34B provides an alternative presentation of the figure of FIG. 34A, except that the edge of the pillow is rounded to provide the user with additional comfort and safety.

[0110] Figures 35A and 35B show internal views of the lateral side, showing the ear cavity or recess (614(B)) and the mitral rib recess (1802). Again, since the pillow has a side that curves downward toward the user's chest, the overall height is approximately 12.7 cm (5 inches) to 17.78 cm (7 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is 13.97 cm (5.5 inches) to 16.51 cm (6.5 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is approximately 12.7, 13.97, 15.24, 16.51, 17.78 cm (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, or 7 inches). In this embodiment, the height of the rear portion of the support pillow is approximately 10.16 cm (4 inches) to 15.24 cm (6 inches). In some embodiments, the height of the rear portion of the pillow is approximately 10.16, 11.43, 12.7, 13.97, or 15.24 cm (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 inches). It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. In particular, in the pillow configuration shown in Figure 35A, the ear recess is at the upper edge of the pillow. The height of the ear recess is approximately 5.08 cm (2 inches), 5.715 cm (2.25 inches), 6.045 cm (2.38 inches), 6.35 cm (2.5 inches), 6.985 cm (2.75 inches), or 7.62 cm (3 inches). Figure 35B provides an alternative presentation of the figure of Figure 35A, except that the edges of the pillow are rounded to provide the user with additional comfort and safety.

[0111] Figure 36 shows a top view of the support pillow, showing the ear cavities or recesses (614(a) and 614(b)) and the notch (610), the side surface (2202), and the rear portion (2204). Exemplary dimensions of each of the features of the travel pillow are provided above. It is recognized that each of the dimensions can be increased or decreased by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, or 50%. Figure 36B provides an alternative presentation of the figure of Figure 36A, except that the edges of the pillow are rounded to provide additional comfort and safety to the user.

[0112] In some embodiments of the pillow, including both the "tall" and "short" variations of the pillow height described above, the pillow includes extensions behind each side rest, which, when viewed from above or below, are triangular in shape (770a and 770b) and extend 1.77 cm (1 / 2 inch) to 2.54 cm (1 inch) backward at their thickest part. See Figure 39. The purpose of the extensions is to angle the front portion of the side rest inward so that when the user's head presses the headrest portion of the pillow against the backrest, bed, or other surface, it fits better with the user's head and neck. The triangular shape of these extensions ensures the maximum contact surface area between the pillow and the surface against which the pillow is pressed, thereby increasing friction and, thus, stability. The width of the triangular extension can be between 10 percent and 50 percent of the width of the pillow, preferably occupying 30 percent, and its height can be between 10 percent and 100 percent of the height of the pillow, preferably occupying 100 percent. In some embodiments, the triangular extension curves to match the "bevel" curvature of the edge of the pillow, as described and shown elsewhere, and in some embodiments, the triangular extension is rectangular rather than triangular when viewed from above or below. In these embodiments, the rigid support at the rear of the pillow can be contoured by bending, curving, or other means to match the extension rather than being flat.

[0113] In some embodiments, the pillow has simple circular, square, or rectangular extensions (788a and 788b) between 1 and 5 in number, the extensions having a width between 2.54 cm (1 inch) and 12.7 cm (5 inches), preferably 5.08 cm (2 inches) (and, if rectangular, a height between 2.54 cm (1 inch) and 12.7 cm (5 inches)), and preferably being present within, respectively, the lateral 1 / 10 to 1 / 3, preferably 1 / 4, of the rear portion of the pillow. See FIG. 40. These button-like extensions serve the purpose of helping to angle the front portion of the side rest inwardly so that when the user's head presses the headrest portion of the pillow against a backrest, bed, or other surface, it fits better with the user's head and neck. In these embodiments, the rigid support at the rear of the pillow may be contoured by bending, curving, or other means, rather than being flat, to match the extensions.

[0114] In some embodiments, the pillow further comprises an attachment for securing the front compression panel. See FIG. 13C (1302). The attachment can be a buckle, a strap, a button, a Velcro® hook and loop assembly, and / or a hook, and the like. In some embodiments, the collapsible pillow comprises a compression system to facilitate collapse of the collapsible pillow. This compression system can be composed of straps, buckles, straps, Velcro® hook and loop assemblies, ratchet systems, and the like. (See 1304(a) and 1304(b)).

[0115] In some embodiments, a box or “exoskeleton” is used to provide packaging for the product and / or to facilitate locking in the compressed position. This can be made from flexible or rigid plastic, metal, wood, or any material that provides protection for a pillow. In some embodiments, this piece will also be made from polylactic acid. All plastic parts can be made using standard injection molding.

[0116] In some embodiments, the pillow is further configured to hold or integrate various elements. In one embodiment, the pillow includes a vertically oriented slit for housing the wire of a third-party wired earbud speaker or a BLUETOOTH® wireless speaker. In some embodiments, the slit can also function as a storage recess into which the body-side arm of the pillow is inserted when folded for portability.

[0117] In one embodiment, the pillow is configured to have a speaker integrated within a foam positioned in or near the earhole. In this embodiment, the pillow can have wiring that connects to the speaker and can also have wiring that enables an audio input. In some embodiments, the speaker has BLUETOOTH® wireless technology for wireless connectivity to an audio input. In some embodiments, the pillow also includes a battery, a charger, and / or an electrical plug as needed.

[0118] In some embodiments, the support pillow is configured to have a charging battery for portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers, and the like, and / or a pocket for insertion of the charging battery. Further, the support pillow can be configured to have various plugs including, but not limited to, USB and / or USB-c ports, micro USB ports, and the like. In some of these embodiments, the charging mechanism is wireless with or without magnetic attachment capabilities.

[0119] In some embodiments, the support pillow can be configured to have an electric heater and / or a massager for additional comfort for the user. In one embodiment, the pillow has an integrated vibration or other head and / or neck massager and / or heating and / or cooling mechanism.

[0120] In some embodiments, the pillow can be further configured to have one or more integrated storage compartments for holding items such as, but not limited to, sunglasses, cell phones, pens, and the like.

[0121] In one embodiment, the pillow finds use as a component of a multi-component carrier (1700). FIG. 37 is a side view of the multi-component carrier. In this embodiment, the carrier includes two compartments (1702, 1704) that share a central barrier or wall (1710). The multi-component carrier has one compartment (1704) configured to store the pillow described herein and an adjacent compartment (1702) for storing additional items. A hinge system (1706) allows one side to be opened at a time. An opening and closing mechanism (1708) allows one side or both sides to be opened at a time. In some embodiments, this features a lock. In some embodiments, each chamber is the same size. In other embodiments, the chambers are asymmetric. One side is configured to hold the pillow described herein, and more particularly, the compressed pillow described herein. The other compartment can include a foam-lined interior to protect the contents of this chamber. When one hinge (1706) is used as shown in FIGS. 37A and 37B, the compartment (1702) for additional items can also include an internal base (1712) that holds the contents in place when the chamber is opened. Conveniently, when one compartment faces down, the top case can be opened. The carrier is then flipped over to open the other compartment. When two hinge systems are used as shown in FIGS. 37C and 37D, only the lids (1714, 1716) of each chamber open, leaving the compartment walls attached to or integral with the base (1710). This helps ensure that the contents of the compartment do not spill when the lid is opened. The contents can include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, pen, keys, wallet, business cards, money, glasses, sunglasses, and other small personal items.In another embodiment, temporary storage of such items in a more limited way can be placed or inserted into a small external pocket on the outside of the pillow itself, such a pocket being sealable by a zipper, Velcro® hook-and-loop assembly in one embodiment, or, as in this technology or in another embodiment, not sealed for temporary storage but having a low profile for holding items.

[0122] In some embodiments, the side headrests of the pillow are angled inward at an angle ranging from 5 degrees to 30 degrees, 5 to 20 degrees in some embodiments, 10 to 20 degrees, 12 to 17 degrees in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the headrest is angled inward at an angle of 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 degrees. In some of these embodiments, the rear rigid panel, in the absence of side panels, occupies 60 - 70 percent of the rear surface towards the side headrests, which allows the body-side side rests to move laterally in a hinged manner to accommodate the user's head and neck when placed in a given position, and then the body-side side rests return to their angled-in position. See Figure 41. The purpose of the inward angle is to provide more secure support for the head and neck and to double the effect of the rear wedge extension described elsewhere without the need for the active pressure applied to the rear of the pillow by the backrest or other surface on which the pillow is placed to achieve this effect. In these embodiments, it is recognized that due to the compression from the inward angling of the side rests, the dimensions of the head support decrease and the average radius of the head support tapers from about 6 cm at its upper part to about 4.75 cm at its lower part.

[0123] In some embodiments, the pillow includes air bags (4200) and external nozzles (4202) for inflating and deflating these air bags. See Figure 42. This nozzle can have a one-way valve that can be manually opened in some embodiments of these embodiments. The nozzle can be configured at any location on the pillow as long as it does not interfere with the function and / or comfort of the pillow. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the air bags occupy only the side headrest portion of the pillow by connection between the air bags through the rear of the headrest, so the air bags can inflate simultaneously; in other embodiments, there are also air bags that occupy the rear headrest. The percentage of the pillow occupied by these air bags can range from 10 percent to 100 percent (the latter being a pillow that is fully inflatable with a thin layer of foam or other soft coating), preferably 30 percent. The purpose of the air bags is twofold: the first is to provide firmness when the air bags are fully inflated, and the firmness may vary when the air bags are not fully inflated, and the firmness is provided by the foam outside the air bags (subtracting the internal portion secured for the air bags in this embodiment) whose density and shape specifications are specified elsewhere, which balances the firmness; the second is to provide portability when fully deflated. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the arrangement and folding configuration of the rigid panels are specified elsewhere, and in some embodiments, the panel on the rear surface occupies its central portion ranging from 30 percent to 100 percent, preferably 70 percent. In these configurations, the side arms fold symmetrically towards the center of the pillow when contracting; the side arms overlap as needed when the pillow is folded into this flat configuration. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the side panels are arranged on both sides, and the percentage of coverage varies as described elsewhere for panels arranged on only one side. In some embodiments of these embodiments, there is no front panel, and in some embodiments, the front panel is symmetrically arranged on the front surface of each side rest.In some embodiments of the inflatable pillow, there are no rigid panels on any surface. In some of these embodiments without rigid panels, there is a rubber, polyurethane, or adhesive surface on the back of the pillow that occupies 30 to 100 percent, preferably 95 percent, the purpose of which is to generate adhesion through the friction between the back surface of the pillow and the backrest or other flat surface with which its back surface abuts, as would normally be described with reference to a rigid panel. The airbag can be present in all of the embodiments described elsewhere, including the above embodiments regarding the angled side headrest.

[0124] Alternative embodiments are envisioned in which the pillow has dimensions to accommodate the heads, necks, and shoulders of children between infants and teenagers. These embodiments will include the ranges of the other versions described above and below, except that all of their measurements are small but are exactly or approximately proportional to the measurements of the embodiments described above and below. The size ratios of these alternative embodiments to the embodiments described elsewhere will be between 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and 95 percent, preferably between 70 percent and 85 percent.

[0125] In shorter embodiments of these examples, the overall height is from about 7.62 cm (3 inches) to 15.24 cm (6 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is from about 7.62 cm (3 inches) to 13.97 cm (5.5 inches). In some embodiments, the overall height is about 7.62, 8.89, 10.16, 11.43, 12.7, 13.97, or 15.24 cm (3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 inches). In this example, the height of the rear portion of the support pillow is from about 7.62 cm (3 inches) to 12.7 cm (5 inches). In some embodiments, the height of the rear portion of the support pillow is 10.16, 11.43, 12.7, 13.97, or 15.24 cm (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, or 6 inches). The size ratios of these alternative embodiments to the embodiments described elsewhere can be 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and 95 percent, preferably between 70 percent and 85 percent.

[0126] In taller embodiments of these examples, the pillow has a height ranging from about 17.78 cm (7 inches) to about 25.4 cm (10 inches).

[0127] In these smaller examples, the head recess can vary in proportion to the overall dimensions to reflect the differences in the head-to-neck-to-shoulder ratios of infants and children as compared to those of adults. The radius (exact for circular, average for oval) at the upper part of the upper portion can be between 4 cm and 7 cm, between 2 cm and 3 cm, preferably between 2.5 cm and 5.5 cm at the lower part of the upper portion, and between these two radii, match the radii of the average rear head and neck of a human infant (see attached figures) or the average rear head and neck of a human child, and the head and neck contours that match the sizes intervening between the average infant and the average child, and evenly taper to a shape that accommodates head sizes that are 1 to 20 percent larger (circumference of 49.5 cm (20 inches)) than the average head and neck of an infant and 1 to 20 percent smaller than the average head and neck of an infant.

[0128] In some embodiments (see FIG. 43), the pillow has a pair of bands, such as attachable elastic bands or elastic bands, for use in compressing to a smaller size. The bands are wrapped around to connect to the band itself using buttons, Velcro® hook-and-loop assemblies, hooks, buckles, and / or magnets (2901). In some embodiments, the bands are fastened to the pillow itself using buttons, Velcro® hook-and-loop assemblies, hooks, buckles, and / or magnets (2902). (FIG. 43A), folded with the strap open, (FIG. 43B), folded and compressed with the strap closed. Two of the benefits or utilities of the compressed smaller size are pillow security and protection, simpler portability, and easier portability and use of bags, soft or hard cases to enable improved aesthetic benefits.

[0129] In some embodiments (see FIG. 44), the pillow has an attachment device (3302) for fastening the pillow to an airplane headrest (3301). This device can be made of metal, buttons, Velcro® hook-and-loop assemblies, hooks, buckles, and / or magnets and can be adjustable in height to conform to various passenger head and neck postures. In some embodiments, the pillow is part of an integrated airplane headrest design, such as a design that airlines and airplane manufacturers choose to incorporate for passenger comfort. In some embodiments, the headrest folds laterally to enable use of the headrest without a headrest support.

[0130] In some embodiments (see FIG. 43), the pillow has an attachable elastic band or pair of elastic bands for use in compressing to a smaller size. The bands are wrapped around to connect to the band itself (2901) using buttons, Velcro® hook and loop assemblies, hooks, buckles, and / or magnets. In some embodiments, the bands are fastened to the pillow itself (2902) using buttons, Velcro® hook and loop assemblies, hooks, buckles, and / or magnets. (FIG. 43A), folded with the strap open, (FIG. 43B), folded and compressed with the strap closed. Two of the benefits or utilities of the compressed smaller size are pillow security and protection, simpler portability, and easier portability and use of bags, soft or hard cases to allow for improved aesthetic benefits.

[0131] In some embodiments (see FIG. 44), the pillow has an attachment device (3302) for fastening the pillow to an airplane headrest (3301). This device can be made of metal, buttons, Velcro® hook and loop assemblies, hooks, buckles, and / or magnets and can be adjustable by height to match various passenger head and neck positions. In some embodiments, the pillow is part of an integrated airplane headrest design, such as a design that airlines and airplane manufacturers choose to incorporate for passenger comfort. In some embodiments, the headrest folds laterally to allow for use of the headrest without a headrest support.

[0132] In some embodiments, the front lower portion of the side rest that conforms to the clavicle (collarbone) is truncated (see FIG. 45). That is, in some embodiments, the pillow includes a side rest that conforms to the clavicle, and in some embodiments, the pillow has a side rest that does not conform to the clavicle. In this latter embodiment, the length of the lower portion of the side rest is truncated with respect to the length of the side rest that conforms to the clavicle. The side rest lacking the clavicle-conforming region is reduced in length by 0.254 cm (0.1 inch), 0.508 cm (0.2 inches), 0.762 cm (0.3 inches), 1.016 cm (0.4 inches), 1.27 cm (0.5 inches), 1.524 cm (0.6 inches), 1.778 cm (0.7 inches), 2.032 cm (0.8 inches), 2.284 cm (0.9 inches), or 2.54 cm (1 inch). In some embodiments, the length reduction is 0.254 to 2.54 cm (0.1 to 1 inch), 0.508 to 1.778 cm (0.2 to 0.7 inch), 1.27 to 1.27 cm (0.5 to 0.5 inch). The change in the measured value is within approximately 2 cm. In this version, the "slot" (610) on the body-side headrest arm for the folding arm is eliminated or modified to accommodate the folding arm having a truncated front lower configuration, and the rigid panel on the side of the side rest is modified to fit the truncated side rest. This configuration applies to both the "tall" and "short" versions of the pillow described above and can also have a beveled or curved edge as described above.

[0133] In some embodiments of this truncated version described in the above section, the entire front side rest is truncated (see Figure 46). In this embodiment, the length of the side rest is reduced by 1.27 - 5.08 cm (0.5 - 2 inches) or 2.032 - 3.81 cm (0.8 - 1.5 inches) or 2.54 - 3.302 cm (1 - 1.3 inches) relative to the length of the clavicle - conforming version. The length can be 10.16 - 15.24 cm (4 - 6 inches) or 10.414 - 12.7 cm (4.1 - 5 inches). The variation in the measurements is within approximately 2 cm. In this version, the "slot" on the body - sided headrest arm for the folding arm is eliminated or modified to accommodate a folding arm with a pre - truncated lower configuration, and the rigid panel on the side of the side rest is modified to fit the truncated side rest. This configuration applies to both the "tall" and "short" versions of the pillow described above and can also have beveled or curved edges as described above.

[0134] In some embodiments of this truncated version described in the above section, the entire front side rest is truncated and curved to have a convex surface facing forward (see Figure 47). In this embodiment, the length of the upper part of the side rest is approximately 12.9286 cm (5.09 inches), and the width from the rear of the pillow to the most forward edge of the pillow is approximately 13.3858 cm (5.27 inches). The variation in the measurements is within approximately 2 cm. In this version, the "slot" on the body - sided headrest arm for the folding arm is eliminated or modified to accommodate a folding arm with a pre - truncated lower configuration, and the rigid panel on the side of the side rest is modified to fit the truncated side rest. This configuration applies to both the "tall" and "short" versions of the pillow described above and can also have beveled or curved edges as described above.

[0135] Once made, the pillow, referred to herein as a support pillow, finds a variety of uses. In one embodiment, the pillow finds use as a support pillow for airplane travel, ground transportation, or other travel modes for comfort or for required head or neck immobilization. In an alternative embodiment, the pillow finds use in sleeping whether traveling or not. In similar or completely distinct embodiments, the pillow can be used while resting in a chair, sofa, or other seating mode. In certain embodiments, the pillow finds use with patients after injury, medical procedures, or surgery. Frequently after such surgery or event, the patient is required to sleep on their back. This is because the pillow facilitates the ability to do so comfortably. This will apply in particular to cosmetic surgery and non-cosmetic head or neck surgery. Accordingly, the disclosure herein provides a method of immobilizing a postoperative patient by causing the patient to lean against the pillow as described herein, ensuring that the head is comfortably immobilized. This also applies to resting and sleeping in a reclined or supine position after injury or medical procedure; such positioning of the head and neck promotes healing and ensures stability and comfort.

[0136] Although various embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not limitation. Similarly, the figures can show example architectures or other configurations for the invention, which are done to assist in understanding the features and functions that can be included in the invention. The invention is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, and the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations.

Claims

1. A pillow for supporting a user's neck and head in a supine, inclined, or upright position, the pillow assembly comprising: a. a headrest portion; and b. first and second side rests for supporting the user's head, the headrest portion being positioned between the side rests, the headrest portion having a curved interior for supporting the rear portions of the head and neck, the curved interior having a larger radius at an upper portion thereof that tapers to a smaller radius at a lower portion thereof, the first and second side rests; c. an arcuate lower portion that rests on the user's nape of the neck, and further, an upper portion of the arcuate lower portion is positioned at a base of the headrest, and a lower portion of the arcuate lower portion is positioned at a base of the side rest, the arcuate lower portion; d. first and second ear recesses on first and second lateral sides of the headrest portion, the first and second ear recesses being configured to receive the user's ears; e. first and second trapezius muscle recesses on lower portions of first and second sides of the arcuate lower portion, the first and second trapezius muscle recesses being configured to receive the user's trapezius muscles and comprising a pillow.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising a curved portion on a lower surface of each side rest that rests on the user's shoulder, the curved portion sloping downward from a rear portion to a front portion when extending downward from a rear shoulder area to cover the user's clavicle area.

3. The lower surface of the side rest extends only up to a point 2.54 cm (1 inch) behind the most forward extent of the upper portion of the side rest, whereby the lower surface does not cover the user's clavicle area, the pillow according to claim 1.

4. The pillow according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising an inner angle between 5 degrees and 20 degrees between the longitudinal axis of each side rest and a vertical line from the rear portion of the pillow.

5. The pillow according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein each side rest is angled forwardly (90 degrees) perpendicular to the rear portion of the pillow.

6. The pillow according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, configured to be foldable into a crush configuration.

7. The pillow according to claim 6, further comprising a rigid support on the rear surface of the pillow.

8. The pillow according to claim 7, wherein the rigid support on the rear portion of the pillow covers about 70% of the rear portion of the pillow.

9. The pillow according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the rigid support is aligned on the same plane as the lateral surface of the first side rest.

10. The pillow according to claim 7, 8, or 9, further comprising a rigid support on the front surface of the first side rest.

11. The pillow according to claim 10, further comprising a rigid support on the lateral surface of the second side rest.

12. The pillow according to claim 7, 8, or 9, further comprising a rigid support on the lateral surface of the second side rest.

13. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a notch on the inside of the first side rest, the notch being configured to accommodate the front inner edge of the second side rest when the side rest is folded inward for portability.

14. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the width of the pillow is about 27 cm.

15. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the height of the pillow measured 2 cm behind the most forward range of the side rest is about 15 cm, and the rear height of the pillow measured in the most rearward range of the side rest is about 13 cm.

16. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the height of the pillow measured 2 cm behind the most forward range of the side rest is about 22 cm, and the rear height of the pillow measured in the most rearward range of the side rest is about 17 cm.

17. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the front-to-back depth of the pillow measured 2.5 cm from the bottom of the pillow and 3.5 cm from the most lateral range of the side rest is about 18 cm, and the front-to-back depth of the upper part of the pillow measured 3.5 cm from the most lateral range of the side rest is about 15.5 cm.

18. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the front height of the side rest is about 22 cm and the rear height is about 17 cm.

19. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising at least one strap configured to compress the pillow when crushed.

20. The pillow according to claim 19, comprising at least two straps configured to compress the pillow when crushed.

21. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the ear recess has a quarter-elliptical shape for accommodating the lower part of the user's ear, and the quarter-ellipse has a maximum vertical dimension of 6 cm, a maximum front-rear dimension of 6 cm, and a maximum left-right dimension (depth) of 2.2 cm.

22. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising a single piece of polyester, polyurethane, polyether urethane, latex, viscoelastic or memory foam.

23. The pillow according to claim 22, configured to be sufficiently soft and firm to achieve support for head movement in a reclined sitting position or an upright position.

24. About 4.00462 to 80.0923 kg / m ３ The pillow according to claim 22, made of a high-pressure compression molded polyether urethane having a density of (0.25 to 5 lb / cu. ft.).

25. The density is 4.00462 to 24.0277 kg / m ３ (0.25 to 1.5 lb / cu. ft.) of the pillow according to claim 24.

26. The density is 4.00462 to 16.01846 kg / m ３ (0.25 to 1 lb / cu. ft.), the pillow according to claim 25.

27. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the pillow is made of a plant-based material.

28. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 27, comprising a coating of smooth polyurethane or plastic having a thickness of 0.1 to about 2.5 mm.

29. The pillow according to claim 28, wherein the smooth polyurethane or plastic enables surface cleaning or sterilization.

30. The pillow according to claim 29, wherein the smooth polyurethane or plastic can improve comfort.

31. The pillow according to claim 30, further comprising a conforming removable cover or case for protecting the pillow, and the cover or case can be removed for cleaning or replacement of the cover or case.

32. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 31, further comprising at least one attachment feature selected from the group consisting of a carabiner, a hook, and a loop.

33. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 31, further comprising an integrated airbag configured to expand and contract to adjust the rigidity or comfort of the pillow.

34. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 31, further comprising a strap configured to support the pillow at a predetermined location with respect to the head of the user.

35. The pillow according to claim 34, wherein the strap can be tightened left and right to apply to the head of the user and fix the headrest.

36. Configured to improve the recovery or treatment of a patient in need of recovery or treatment, the pillow being configured as an auxiliary device for use with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, oxygen supply, or the like. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 35.

37. For better sleep for patients with a diagnosed medical condition, or psychological / physiological / comfort preferences regarding back-sleeping, or a medical or post-operative condition that requires the patient to sleep primarily or exclusively in a strictly supine or inclined (up to 90 degrees, including 90 degrees upright, with the back lifted) position. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 36.

38. A method of carrying a portable pillow, comprising bending the second side rest of the crushable pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 37 towards the first side rest, and storing the inner edge of the second side rest within a notch in the first side rest.

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