pillow

Abstract

The pillow (1) comprises a pillow body (10), a container (30), a first pipe (40), and a first pump (60). The container (30) contains a liquid (L). The first pipe (40) includes a first upstream end (40A) and a first downstream end (40B). The first upstream end (40A) and the first downstream end (40B) are each connected to the container (30). The first pipe (40) extends from the first upstream end (40A) through the pillow body (10) to the first downstream end (40B). The first pump (60) circulates the liquid (L) from the container (30) through the first pipe (40).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow. [Background technology]

[0002] The head cooling device of Patent Document 1 comprises a device main body, two connectors, and a pillow main body. The upstream ends of the two connectors are connected to the device main body. The downstream ends of the two connectors are connected to the pillow main body. The head cooling device circulates liquid between the device main body and the pillow main body via the two connectors. That is, the head cooling device sends liquid from the device main body to the pillow main body via one connector, and returns the liquid from the pillow main body to the device main body via the other connector. In this way, the head cooling device maintains the temperature of the liquid so that the temperature of the pillow main body does not approach the user's body temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-129224 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the above-mentioned head cooling device, the liquid flows directly inside the pillow body. Therefore, the thickness of the pillow body may change due to the circulation of the liquid, and the hardness of the pillow body may depend on the amount of liquid inside the pillow body. This may result in a poor feeling when using the pillow body.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a pillow that contributes to maintaining the temperature of the liquid so that the temperature of the pillow body does not approach the user's body temperature, while preventing the pillow body from becoming uncomfortable to use by the user.

[0006] first The pillow according to the embodiment is The core material is made of an elastic material.A pipe including a pillow body, a container for containing a liquid, a first upstream end connected to the container, and a first downstream end connected to the container, the pipe extending from the first upstream end through the pillow body to the first downstream end. Without interruption and a first pump that circulates the liquid from the container through the first pipe.

[0007] According to the above aspect, because the first tube passes through the pillow body, the pillow circulates the liquid in the container via the first tube, making it easier to maintain the temperature of the liquid so that the temperature of the pillow body does not approach the user's body temperature. Furthermore, because the first tube passes through the pillow body, changes in the thickness of the pillow body due to the circulation of the liquid and the hardness of the pillow body depending on the amount of liquid in the pillow body are suppressed. Therefore, the pillow contributes to maintaining the temperature of the liquid so that the temperature of the pillow body does not approach the user's body temperature while suppressing deterioration of the pillow body's comfort when used by the user.

[0008] A pillow according to a second aspect includes a pillow body including a first body portion that comes into contact with a first portion of a user when in use by the user, and a second body portion that comes into contact with a second portion of the user that is different from the first portion when in use by the user; a container that contains a liquid; a tube that includes a first upstream end connected to the container and a first downstream end connected to the container, the first tube extending from the first upstream end through the first body portion to the first downstream end; a first pump that circulates the liquid from the container through the first tube; a second tube that includes a second upstream end connected to the container and a second downstream end connected to the container, the second tube extending from the second upstream end through the second body portion to the second downstream end; and a second pump that circulates the liquid from the container through the second tube. . According to the second aspect, separate tubes pass through the first body portion and the second body portion. Therefore, the pillow contributes to maintaining the temperature of the liquid so that the temperature of the pillow body does not approach the body temperature of the user, more so than when a single tube passes through the first body portion and the second body portion. . the above First or second aspect In an aspect, the outer diameter of the first tube may be smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body. In this case, the pillow contributes to further suppressing the user's discomfort when using the pillow body.

[0009] the above First or second aspect In an embodiment, a groove may be provided on the surface of the pillow body, and the first tube may be disposed along the groove. In this case, the pillow contributes to easily attaching the first tube to the pillow body.

[0010] the above First or second aspect In an embodiment, the pillow may include a cover that covers the pillow body. In this case, the cover contributes to preventing the first tube from coming out of the groove.

[0011]

[0012] the above secondIn an aspect, the pillow may include a controller that controls operation of the first pump and the second pump independently of each other, in which case the controller contributes to selectively determining whether to control the temperature of the first body portion, the temperature of the second body portion, or both the temperature of the first body portion and the temperature of the second body portion.

[0013] the above First or second aspect In an aspect, the pillow may include a cooler that cools the liquid in the container, where the cooler contributes to cooling the user when in use by the user.

[0014] the above First or second aspect In an aspect, the pillow may include a heater that heats the liquid in the container, in which case the heater contributes to warming the user when in use by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pillow body 10. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of the pillow body 10 cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A pillow 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower in Fig. 1 will be referred to as the right, left, rear, front, upper, and lower of the pillow 1, respectively.

[0017] In the embodiments described below, the pillow body 10 is an example of the "pillow body" in the above embodiment. The liquid L is an example of the "liquid" in the above embodiment. The container 30 is an example of the "container" in the above embodiment. One of the tubes 40, 50 is an example of the "first tube" in the above embodiment. One of the pumps 60, 70 is an example of the "first pump" in the above embodiment.

[0018] Grooves 117, 127 are an example of a "groove" in the above embodiment. Cover 9 is an example of a "cover" in the above embodiment. One of the neck 3 and head 5 of user 2 is an example of a "first part" in the above embodiment. One of the neck 11 and head 12 is an example of a "first main body part" in the above embodiment. The other of the neck 3 and head 5 of user 2 is an example of a "second part" in the above embodiment. The other of the neck 11 and head 12 is an example of a "second main body part" in the above embodiment. The other of the tubes 40, 50 is an example of a "second tube" in the above embodiment. The other of the pumps 60, 70 is an example of a "second pump" in the above embodiment. Controller 100 is an example of a "controller" in the above embodiment. Cooler 80 is an example of a "cooler" in the above embodiment. Heater 90 is an example of a "heater" in the above embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the pillow 1 includes a pillow body 10, a cover 9, a container 30, a pipe 40, a pump 60, a pipe 50, a pump 70, a cooler 80, a heater 90, and a controller 100. In Fig. 1, the pillow body 10 hidden by the cover 9 is shown by a dashed line.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the pillow body 10 is the core material of the pillow 1 and includes a neck portion 11 and a head portion 12. The neck portion 11 is located at the front of the pillow body 10. The head portion 12 is located at the rear of the pillow body 10. In other words, the head portion 12 is aligned behind the neck portion 11.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the neck portion 11 is a portion of the pillow body 10 that comes into contact with the neck 3 of the user 2 when the user 2 uses the pillow. The neck 3 of the user 2 is placed on the neck portion 11 when the user 2 uses the pillow. The neck portion 11 supports the neck 3 of the user 2 from below and supports the shoulders 4 of the user 2 from behind.

[0022] The head portion 12 is a portion of the pillow body 10 that comes into contact with the head 5 of the user 2 when the user 2 uses the pillow. The head 5 of the user 2 is placed on the head portion 12 when the user 2 uses the pillow. The head portion 12 supports the head 5 of the user 2 from below.

[0023] In this embodiment, the phrase "the user 2 hits the pillow body 10" also refers to the user 2 indirectly hitting the pillow body 10 via the cover 9.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the cover 9 covers the pillow body 10. In this embodiment, the cover 9 includes a cover 112 and a cover 122. The cover 112 is bag-shaped and covers the neck portion 11. The cover 122 is bag-shaped and covers the head portion 12. The covers 112 and 122 may each be open in the left and right directions. The left and right ends of the covers 112 and 122 may each be closed. When the left and right ends of the covers 112 and 122 are closed, holes may be provided in the covers 112 and 122 for the passage of the tubes 40 and 50 described below.

[0025] The covers 112 and 122 are each stretchable and made of cloth in this embodiment. Therefore, when the cover 112 covers the neck 11, the cover 112 has a shape that follows the outer shape of the neck 11. When the cover 122 covers the head 12, the cover 122 has a shape that follows the outer shape of the head 12. The user 2 may attach the pillow cover to the pillow body 10 from above the cover 9.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the container 30 is disposed outside the pillow body 10. The container 30 is, for example, a pouch or a tank. The container 30 is provided with connection ports 31, 32, 33, and 34. The connection ports 31, 32, 33, and 34 are each an opening and are provided at different positions. The container 30 contains a liquid L. The liquid L is not limited to a particular type, but is water in this embodiment.

[0027] The tube 40 is a flexible tube and forms a flow path for the liquid L. The tube 40 includes an upstream end 40A and a downstream end 40B. The upstream end 40A is connected to the connection port 31 in the container 30. The downstream end 40B is connected to the connection port 32 in the container 30. The tube 40 extends from the upstream end 40A through the pillow body 10 to the downstream end 40B. In this embodiment, the tube 40 passes through the neck portion 11 of the pillow body 10.

[0028] The pump 60 is provided in the pipe 40. The pump 60 includes a pump motor. When the pump motor of the pump 60 is driven, the pump 60 sucks the liquid L from inside the container 30 through the upstream end 40A. Therefore, when the pump motor of the pump 60 is driven, the liquid L in the container 30 flows from the upstream end 40A into the pipe 40. The liquid L that has flowed inside the pipe 40 returns to the container 30 from the downstream end 40B. In this way, the pump 60 circulates the liquid L from the container 30 through the pipe 40.

[0029] The tube 50 is a flexible tube and forms a flow path for the liquid L. The tube 50 includes an upstream end 50A and a downstream end 50B. The upstream end 50A is connected to the connection port 33 in the container 30. The downstream end 50B is connected to the connection port 34 in the container 30. The tube 50 extends from the upstream end 50A through the pillow body 10 to the downstream end 50B. In this embodiment, the tube 50 passes through the head portion 12 of the pillow body 10.

[0030] The pump 70 is provided in the pipe 50. The pump 70 includes a pump motor. When the pump motor of the pump 70 is driven, the pump 70 sucks the liquid L from the container 30 through the upstream end 50A. Therefore, when the pump motor of the pump 70 is driven, the liquid L in the container 30 flows from the upstream end 50A into the pipe 50. The liquid L that has flowed through the pipe 50 returns to the container 30 from the downstream end 50B. In this way, the pump 70 circulates the liquid L from the container 30 through the pipe 50.

[0031] The cooler 80 is provided in the container 30. In this embodiment, the cooler 80 includes a Peltier element. When electricity is applied to the Peltier element of the cooler 80, the cooler 80 absorbs heat and cools the liquid L in the container 30.

[0032] The heater 90 is provided in the container 30. The heater 90 is disposed at a position different from the cooler 80. In this embodiment, the heater 90 includes an electric resistor. When the electric resistor of the heater 90 is energized, the heater 90 generates heat and warms the liquid L in the container 30.

[0033] The controller 100 includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, a user interface (user IF) 103, and an input / output interface (input / output IF) 109. The CPU 101 functions as a processor and controls the pillow 1.

[0034] The memory 102 is electrically connected to the CPU 101. The memory 102 is a type of storage medium. A program is stored in the memory 102. The program is a computer-readable instruction. The program is executed by the CPU 101. When the program is executed by the CPU 101, the program instructs the CPU 101 to perform various processes.

[0035] The user IF 103 is, for example, one or more operation buttons. For example, the user 2 operates the user IF 103 to switch the pump 60 on and off, switch the pump 70 on and off, switch the cooler 80 on and off, set the temperature of the cooler 80, switch the heater 90 on and off, and set the temperature of the heater 90.

[0036] The pumps 60 and 70, the cooler 80, the heater 90, and the user IF 103 are electrically connected to the CPU 101 via the input / output IF 109. In response to an operation of the user IF 103 by the user 2, the CPU 101 controls the supply of electricity to the pump 60, the pump 70, the cooler 80, and the heater 90.

[0037] The controller 100 controls the operation of the pump 60 and the operation of the pump 70 independently of each other. That is, the controller 100 can switch between four states: a state in which both pumps 60 and 70 are off, a state in which both pumps 60 and 70 are on, a state in which the pump 60 is on and the pump 70 is off, and a state in which the pump 60 is off and the pump 70 is on.

[0038] In this embodiment, the on state of the pump 60 means that the pump motor of the pump 60 is energized and the pump 60 is operating. The off state of the pump 60 means that the pump motor of the pump 60 is not energized and the pump 60 is not operating. The on state of the pump 70 means that the pump motor of the pump 70 is energized and the pump 70 is operating. The off state of the pump 70 means that the pump motor of the pump 70 is not energized and the pump 70 is not operating.

[0039] The controller 100 can also switch between three states: a state in which both the cooler 80 and the heater 90 are off; a state in which the cooler 80 is on and the heater 90 is off; and a state in which the cooler 80 is off and the heater 90 is on.

[0040] In this embodiment, the on state of the cooler 80 means that the Peltier element of the cooler 80 is energized and the cooler 80 is operating. The off state of the cooler 80 means that the Peltier element of the cooler 80 is not energized and the cooler 80 is not operating. The on state of the heater 90 means that the electrical resistor of the heater 90 is energized and the heater 90 is operating. The off state of the heater 90 means that the electrical resistor of the heater 90 is not energized and the heater 90 is not operating.

[0041] The detailed structure of the pillow body 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 2, the pillow body 10 is an elastic body and has a block shape. In this embodiment, an elastic body refers to an object that has the property of returning to its original shape when it is deformed by an external force and the external force is removed.

[0042] The material of the pillow body 10 is not limited to a specific material, but in this embodiment, the pillow body 10 is made of urethane foam. For example, the pillow body 10 may be made of latex foam or the like.

[0043] The left-right length L2 of the head 12 is shorter than the left-right length L1 of the neck 11. As shown in Fig. 3, the front-to-back length L4 of the head 12 is shorter than the front-to-back length L3 of the neck 11. The up-to-down length L6 of the head 12 is longer in some portions than the up-to-down length L5 of the neck 11 and is also shorter in other portions than the up-to-down length L5 of the neck 11.

[0044] In this embodiment, the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12 are made up of separate members. In other words, the pillow body 10 is made up of multiple blocks (neck portion 11 and head portion 12). The neck portion 11 covered with the cover 112 and the head portion 12 covered with the cover 122 are separably connected to each other via a connecting member 13. The connecting member 13 is, for example, a point fastener, a wire fastener, or a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0045] A cross section of the neck 11 taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction has a generally semicircular shape that bulges upward. A cross section of the head 12 taken along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction has a generally semicircular shape that bulges upward.

[0046] 2 and 3, neck portion 11 includes a left side surface 113, a right side surface 114, a mounting surface 115, and an outer peripheral surface 116. Left side surface 113, right side surface 114, mounting surface 115, and outer peripheral surface 116 each constitute the surface of neck portion 11.

[0047] The left side surface 113 faces left. The right side surface 114 is away from the left side surface 113 to the right and faces right. The placement surface 115 extends from the lower end of the left side surface 113 to the lower end of the right side surface 114 and faces downward. The outer peripheral surface 116 extends from the periphery of the left side surface 113 except for the lower end to the periphery of the right side surface 114 except for the lower end. The outer peripheral surface 116 extends in an arc shape that bulges upward from the front end of the placement surface 115 to the rear end of the placement surface 115.

[0048] A groove 117 is provided in the outer peripheral surface 116. The groove 117 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface 116. The groove 117 is, for example, a notch or a hollow.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, groove 117 extends rightward from left end 116L of outer peripheral surface 116 to the right of the center of outer peripheral surface 116 in the left-right direction. Then, groove 117 turns back leftward at a position to the left of right end 116R of outer peripheral surface 116. Groove 117 extends in a zigzag pattern across the center of outer peripheral surface 116 in the left-right direction. Then, groove 117 extends again to left end 116L of outer peripheral surface 116. In other words, groove 117 extends from one end of left end 116L or right end 116R of outer peripheral surface 116 to the other end, and then extends again to one end.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the depth of groove 117 is greater than the outer diameter R1 of pipe 40 but less than twice the outer diameter R1 of pipe 40. The depth of groove 117 is not limited to a specific depth. For example, the depth of groove 117 may be less than the outer diameter R1 or greater than twice the outer diameter R1. The outer diameter R1 is less than the maximum thickness of neck portion 11, and in this embodiment, is less than the minimum thickness of neck portion 11. The thickness of neck portion 11 refers to the length L5 of neck portion 11 in the vertical direction.

[0051] The tube 40 is arranged in the groove 117 along the groove 117. The tube 40 may be fixed to the groove 117 with an adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape, or the like. The tube 40 may be attached to the groove 117 so as to be removable from the groove 117. By arranging the tube 40 in the groove 117 in this way, the tube 40 passes through the inside of the neck portion 11.

[0052] In this embodiment, "a pipe passing through an object" means that when the object is cut along a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the pipe extends, part or all of the pipe is located inside the outer circumferential surface of the object. "Inside the outer circumferential surface of the object" refers to the direction from the outer circumferential surface of the object toward the object's interior. For example, the direction from the outer circumferential surface of the object toward the object's interior is the direction from the outer circumferential surface of the object toward the object's center.

[0053] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of an object includes a virtual outer peripheral surface. The "virtual outer peripheral surface" refers to a virtual surface that extends from the outer peripheral surface of the object along the opening of the groove, for example, when the object has a groove. In other words, the virtual outer peripheral surface is a virtual surface that is located in the opening area of ​​the groove.

[0054] For example, the outer peripheral surface 116 includes a virtual outer peripheral surface 116V of the neck portion 11. In FIG. 3, the virtual outer peripheral surface 116V is indicated by a dashed line. Note that a virtual outer peripheral surface 126V, which will be described later, is also indicated by a dashed line. The virtual outer peripheral surface 116V extends along the opening of the groove 117. When the pipe 40 is placed in the groove 117, the pipe 40 is exposed from the virtual outer peripheral surface 116V. In other words, when the pipe 40 is viewed from the direction in which the groove 117 opens, the pipe 40 is visible through the outer peripheral surface 116V. The pipe 40 does not protrude beyond the virtual outer peripheral surface 116V.

[0055] 2 and 3, head 12 includes left side surface 123, right side surface 124, mounting surface 125, and outer peripheral surface 126. Left side surface 123, right side surface 124, mounting surface 125, and outer peripheral surface 126 each constitute the surface of head 12.

[0056] The left side surface 123 faces left. The right side surface 124 is away from the left side surface 123 to the right and faces right. The placement surface 125 extends from the lower end of the left side surface 123 to the lower end of the right side surface 124 and faces downward. The outer peripheral surface 126 extends from a portion of the periphery of the left side surface 123 other than the lower end to a portion of the periphery of the right side surface 124 other than the lower end. The outer peripheral surface 126 extends in an arc shape that bulges upward from the front end of the placement surface 125 to the rear end of the placement surface 125.

[0057] A groove 127 is provided in the outer peripheral surface 126. The groove 127 is recessed from the outer peripheral surface 126. The groove 127 is, for example, a notch or a hollow.

[0058] 2, groove 127 extends rightward from left end 126L of outer peripheral surface 126 to the right of the center in the left-right direction of outer peripheral surface 126. Groove 127 then turns back leftward at a position left of right end 126R of outer peripheral surface 126, and extends again to left end 126L of outer peripheral surface 126. In other words, groove 127 extends from one end of left end 126L or right end 126R of outer peripheral surface 126 to the other end, and then extends again to one end.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the depth of groove 127 is greater than the outer diameter R2 of tube 50 but less than twice the outer diameter R2 of tube 50. The depth of groove 127 is not limited to a specific depth. For example, the depth of groove 127 may be less than the outer diameter R2 or greater than twice the outer diameter R2. The outer diameter R2 is less than the maximum thickness of head 12, and in this embodiment, is less than the minimum thickness of head 12. The thickness of head 12 refers to the length L6 of head 12 in the up-down direction.

[0060] The tube 50 is arranged in the groove 127 and along the groove 127. The tube 50 may be fixed to the groove 127 with an adhesive, double-sided adhesive tape, or the like. The tube 50 may be attached to the groove 127 so as to be removable from the groove 127. By arranging the tube 50 in the groove 127 in this way, the tube 50 passes through the inside of the head 12.

[0061] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 126 includes an imaginary outer peripheral surface 126V of the head 12. The imaginary outer peripheral surface 126V extends along the opening of the groove 127. When the tube 50 is placed in the groove 127, the upper end of the tube 50 is exposed from the imaginary outer peripheral surface 126V. In other words, when the tube 50 is viewed from the direction in which the groove 127 opens, the tube 50 is visible through the outer peripheral surface 116V. The tube 50 does not protrude outside the imaginary outer peripheral surface 126V.

[0062] The operation of the pillow 1 when in use will be described. For example, a case will be described where the cooler 80 and the pumps 60, 70 are turned on. In this case, the liquid L cooled by the cooler 80 circulates from the container 30 through the tube 40. As a result, the liquid L in the tube 40 cools the neck 3 and shoulders 4 of the user 2 through the neck portion 11. Furthermore, the liquid L cooled by the cooler 80 circulates from the container 30 through the tube 50. As a result, the liquid L in the tube 50 cools the head 5 of the user 2 through the head portion 12.

[0063] For example, a case will be described where the heater 90 and the pumps 60, 70 are turned on. In this case, the liquid L heated by the heater 90 circulates from the container 30 through the tube 40. As a result, the liquid L in the tube 40 warms the neck 3 and shoulders 4 of the user 2 through the neck portion 11. Furthermore, the liquid L heated by the heater 90 circulates from the container 30 through the tube 50. As a result, the liquid L in the tube 50 warms the head 5 of the user 2 through the head portion 12.

[0064] Alternatively, one of the pumps 60 and 70 may be turned on while the other of the pumps 60 and 70 is turned off, while the cooler 80 or the heater 90 is turned on. Alternatively, one or both of the pumps 60 and 70 may be turned on while both the cooler 80 and the heater 90 are turned off. In this case, the liquid L at room temperature circulates through one or both of the pipes 40 and 50.

[0065] The main effects of the above embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the tubes 40, 50 pass through the inside of the pillow body 10, and the pillow 1 circulates the liquid L in the container 30 via the tubes 40, 50, making it easy to maintain the temperature of the liquid L so that the temperature of the pillow body 10 does not approach the body temperature of the user 2. Furthermore, because the tubes 40, 50 pass through the inside of the pillow body 10, changes in the thickness of the pillow body 10 due to the circulation of the liquid L and dependence of the hardness of the pillow body 10 on the amount of liquid L in the pillow body 10 are suppressed. Therefore, the pillow 1 contributes to maintaining the temperature of the liquid L so that the temperature of the pillow body 10 does not approach the body temperature of the user 2, while suppressing deterioration of the feeling of use of the pillow body 10 by the user 2.

[0066] If the outer diameter R1 of the tube 40 is larger than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10, there is a possibility that the tube 40 will hit the neck 3 or shoulder 4 of the user 2 when in use. If the outer diameter R2 of the tube 50 is larger than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10, there is a possibility that the tube 50 will hit the head 5 of the user 2 when in use. In the above embodiment, the outer diameter R1 of the tube 40 is smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10. Furthermore, the outer diameter R2 of the tube 50 is smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10. This prevents the tubes 40, 50 from hitting the user 2. Therefore, the pillow 1 contributes to further preventing the user 2 from feeling uncomfortable using the pillow body 10.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the tube 40 is arranged along the groove 117, and the tube 50 is arranged along the groove 127. Therefore, the pillow 1 contributes to easily attaching the tubes 40, 50 to the pillow body 10.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, the user 2 may perform maintenance on the pillow body 10. Maintenance of the pillow body 10 may include cleaning or drying the pillow body 10. Alternatively, the user 2 may replace the pillow body 10 with another pillow body 10. If the entire circumference of the tube 40 is covered by the neck portion 11, the user 2 may have difficulty removing the tube 40 from the neck portion 11. If the entire circumference of the tube 50 is covered by the head portion 12, the user 2 may have difficulty removing the tube 50 from the head portion 12. In the above embodiment, the tube 40 is arranged along the groove 117, and the tube 50 is arranged along the groove 127. This makes it easy for the user 2 to remove the tube 40 from the neck portion 11 and the tube 50 from the head portion 12. In this case, the container 30, the tubes 40 and 50, the pumps 60 and 70, the cooler 80, the heater 90, and the controller 100 are each separated from the pillow body 10. This allows the user 2 to easily dry the pillow body 10. Alternatively, the user 2 can easily exchange the pillow body 10 for another pillow body 10. Thus, the pillow 1 contributes to making the pillow body 10 easy to handle.

[0069] Furthermore, parts of the peripheries of the tubes 40, 50 are exposed from the pillow body 10. Thus, the pillow 1 contributes to improving the conductivity of the temperature of the liquid L from the tubes 40, 50 to the user 2.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the cover 9 covers the pillow body 10. In detail, the cover 112 covers the neck portion 11, and the cover 122 covers the head portion 12. As a result, the cover 112 contributes to preventing the tube 40 from coming out of the groove 117. The cover 122 contributes to preventing the tube 50 from coming out of the groove 127. Furthermore, the cover 9 also contributes to preventing the user 2 from feeling uncomfortable using the pillow body 10.

[0071] If one tube passes through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12, the path that the liquid L sent from the container 30 circulates and returns to the container 30 will be longer than if separate tubes 40, 50 pass through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12. The longer the path, the greater the amount of heat that is likely to be transferred from the user 2 to the liquid L within the tube. In the above embodiment, separate tubes 40, 50 pass through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12. Therefore, the pillow 1 contributes to maintaining the temperature of the liquid L so that the temperature of the pillow body 10 does not approach the body temperature of the user 2, compared to when one tube passes through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the controller 100 controls the operation of the pump 60 and the operation of the pump 70 independently of each other. Therefore, the controller 100 contributes to selectively determining whether to control the temperature of the neck region 11, the temperature of the head region 12, or both the temperatures of the neck region 11 and the head region 12. The user 2 can adjust the temperatures of the neck region 11 and the head region 12 according to their own physical condition, preferences, etc.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the cooler 80 cools the liquid L in the container 30. Therefore, the cooler 80 contributes to cooling the user 2 when the user 2 uses the cooler 80.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the heater 90 heats the liquid L in the container 30. Therefore, the heater 90 contributes to warming the user 2 when the user 2 uses the device.

[0075] The present invention may be modified in various ways from the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the modifications described below may be combined with each other to the extent that no contradiction occurs.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the upstream end 40A and downstream end 40B of the pipe 40 and the upstream end 50A and downstream end 50B of the pipe 50 are all connected to the container 30. However, for example, the upstream end 40A and downstream end 40B of the pipe 40 may be connected to the container 30, and the upstream end 50A and downstream end 50B of the pipe 50 may be connected to a container other than the container 30. In this case, a cooler and a heater may also be provided in the other container.

[0077] Hereinafter, the cooler and heater provided in the separate container will be referred to as "another cooler" and "another heater," respectively. The other cooler and the other heater are similar components to the cooler 80 and the heater 90, respectively. In this case, the controller 100 may control the operation of the cooler 80 and the operation of the other cooler independently of each other. The controller 100 may also control the operation of the heater 90 and the operation of the other heater independently of each other.

[0078] For example, if the controller 100 turns on the heater 90 and also turns on another cooler, the liquid L heated by the heater 90 flows through the pipe 40, and the liquid L cooled by the other cooler flows through the pipe 50. This warms the neck 3 of the user 2 and cools the head 5 of the user 2. In this way, the pillow 1 of the modified example contributes to the ability to arbitrarily set whether the neck 3 of the user 2 and the head 5 of the user 2 are to be warmed or cooled.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the pillow 1 may include one or more tubes in addition to the tubes 40 and 50. In this case, a pump may be provided in one tube, or a pump may be provided in each of the multiple tubes.

[0080] In the above embodiment, one of the tubes 40, 50 may be omitted. For example, the pillow 1 may include only the tube 40 out of the tubes 40, 50. In this case, the pump 70 may be omitted.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the outer diameter R1 of the tube 40 may be the same as or larger than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10. The outer diameter R2 of the tube 50 may be the same as or larger than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the pipe 40 is disposed in the groove 117. Alternatively, a through-hole may be provided in the neck 11, and the pipe 40 may be inserted into the through-hole. In other words, the pipe 40 may be completely covered by the neck 11. A through-hole refers to a wall that defines a space that passes through an object and connects two openings provided in the object. The through-hole may, for example, pass through the neck 11 in the left-right direction, or may extend from the left side surface 113 to a position to the left of the right side surface 114 and then extend back to the left side surface 113. Similarly, the pipe 50 may be completely covered by the head 12.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the cover 9 may be omitted. In this case, the user 2 may put a pillow cover separate from the cover 9 on the pillow body 10.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the controller 100 may control the operation of the pump 60 and the operation of the pump 70 in association with each other. That is, the controller 100 may control the pumps 60 and 70 so that when the pump 60 is on, the pump 70 is also on, and when the pump 60 is off, the pump 70 is also off. Alternatively, the controller 100 may control the pumps 60 and 70 so that only one of the pumps 60 and 70 is on.

[0085] In the above embodiment, one or both of the cooler 80 and the heater 90 may be omitted.

[0086] In the above embodiment, cooler 80 may be an ice pack. In this case, container 30 may be provided with a mechanism for holding the ice pack. The mechanism for holding the ice pack may be, for example, a pocket. In this case, user 2 may place the pre-cooled ice pack in the pocket.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the tube 40 or the tube 50 may pass through a portion of the pillow body 10 that is different from the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12. For example, the pillow body 10 may extend to a portion that contacts the lower back of the user 2. In this case, for example, the tube 50 may pass through a portion of the pillow body 10 that contacts the lower back of the user 2.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the pillow body 10 is made up of multiple blocks (neck portion 11 and head portion 12). In contrast, the pillow body 10 may be made up of a single block. For example, the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12 may be inseparable from each other. In this case, the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12 may be formed integrally with each other. The pillow body 10 may be made up of three or more blocks. Instead of the connecting member 13, the covers 112, 122 may be sewn together or glued together.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the pillow body 10 may be made of an aggregate of a plurality of chips or cotton. The pillow body 10 may be made of entangled fibers. The fibers are, for example, polyethylene fibers. The materials of the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12 may be the same or different from each other.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the groove 117 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 116. However, the groove 117 may be provided on the surface of the neck portion 11. For example, the groove 117 may be provided on the mounting surface 115. Similarly, the groove 127 may be provided on the mounting surface 125.

Claims

1. A pillow body which is a core material made of an elastic body; a container for containing a liquid; a first pipe including a first upstream end connected to the container and a first downstream end connected to the container, the first pipe extending continuously from the first upstream end through the pillow body to the first downstream end; a first pump for circulating the liquid from the container through the first pipe; A pillow characterized by comprising:

2. A pillow body including a first body portion that contacts a first part of the user when in use by the user, and a second body portion that contacts a second part of the user that is different from the first part when in use by the user; a container for containing a liquid; a first pipe including a first upstream end connected to the container and a first downstream end connected to the container, the first pipe extending from the first upstream end through the first body portion to the first downstream end; a first pump for circulating the liquid from the container through the first pipe; a second pipe including a second upstream end connected to the vessel and a second downstream end connected to the vessel, the second pipe extending from the second upstream end through the second body portion to the second downstream end; a second pump for circulating the liquid from the container through the second pipe; A pillow characterized by comprising:

3. The pillow according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer diameter of the first tube is smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body.

4. A groove is provided on the surface of the pillow body, The pillow according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tube is arranged along the groove.

5. The pillow according to claim 4, further comprising a cover for covering the pillow body.

6. 3. The pillow according to claim 2, further comprising a controller for controlling the operation of the first pump and the operation of the second pump independently of each other.

7. 3. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising a cooler for cooling the liquid in the container.

8. 3. The pillow according to claim 1, further comprising a heater for heating the liquid in the container.

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