Sleeping pillow

Abstract

The invention relates to sleeping pillows, particularly a head pillow (10) designed to provide targeted support for individuals to avoid applying pressure to affected facial areas. The head pillow (10) includes a body (12) defining a support zone (14.1-14.3), shaped and dimensioned to support a neck and a portion of the head of a user, and at least one protection zone (16.1, 16.2) in the body (12), for receiving an affected and / or vulnerable area of the face, to minimise pressure on the affected and / or vulnerable area, thereby alleviating discomfort.

Description

[0001] SLEEPING PILLOW

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to sleeping pillows. In particular, the invention relates to a head pillow designed to provide targeted support for individuals to avoid applying pressure to affected facial areas.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] During post-cosmetic procedure recovery, individuals are often faced with the challenge of sleeping on a pillow which offers adequate support and comfort without applying pressure to the affected areas, notably around the eyes and cheeks. Treatments such as Botox, filler injections, threading and similar procedures leave these sensitive areas susceptible to pressure, potentially compromising the efficacy of the cosmetic enhancements.

[0006] Existing pillows fail to address this problem, often exerting unwanted pressure on treated facial regions, leading to discomfort and potential compromise of the cosmetic enhancements.

[0007] The inventor has identified a need for a head pillow which aids in postcosmetic procedure recovery, addressing the need for specialised support which offers comfort and shields sensitive facial areas to enhance healing and prolong efficacy of cosmetic interventions.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a head pillow for supporting a person’s head whilst sleeping, which includes a body defining a support zone, shaped and dimensioned to support a neck and a portion of the head of a user; and at least one protection zone in the body, for receiving an affected and / or vulnerable area of the face, to minimise pressure on the affected and / or vulnerable area, thereby alleviating discomfort.

[0010] The at least one protection zone may be shaped to receive the area proximate any one or more of: the cheek, mouth, nose, cheek bone, eye area, on one side of a user’s face.

[0011] The body defining a support zone may be in the form of a pad, particularly a dense pad. An upper surface of the dense pad may define a first support surface. The dense pad may be of a thickness sufficient to elevate and distance the affected area from a secondary support surface, on which the dense pad is positioned in use.

[0012] The support zone may further comprise a density optimised to provide sufficient support while accommodating the shape and weight of the head.

[0013] The support zone may include any one or a mixture of: foam, memory foam, microfiber, elastic polymer, polyester, cotton, spandex, latex, down clusters, feathers, and the like for enhanced comfort and adaptability.

[0014] The at least one protection zone may be designed to accommodate varying shapes and sizes of affected areas while ensuring optimal support and comfort. The protection zone may be in the form of a cut-out a recess, a cavity, an indentation, a void, or the like, in the body.

[0015] The head pillow may have symmetrical ends to allow it to maintain a consistent level of support and relief to the affected area, irrespective of the orientation or position of the head, particularly whether the head is turned to the left or right.

[0016] The pad may be predominantly rectangular, tapering to pointed edges on both short sides. The dense pad may have symmetrical contoured cavities, about the pillow’s centre line running parallel to the user’s spine, the cavities defining the protection zones.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the head pillow is in the form of a support pillow for supporting a person’s head while shielding portions of a face from pressure, which includes a body in the form of a pad; one or more support zones defined on the pad, for supporting an area of a head which is not affected; and at least one protection zone in the form of a cavity formed by a contour of the pad, the cavity being configured to receive an affected and / or vulnerable area of the face thereby to prevent pressure on the affected area.

[0018] The dense pad may define the protection zone which maybe substantially T-shaped, with two lateral support zones and a longitudinal support zone.

[0019] The lateral support zones may be operable for supporting sides of a forehead, when a user is lying with their head directed to either the left or the right. The lateral support zones may be substantially rectangular. Bottom outside corners of the lateral support zones may curve downwardly, and end in a tapering tip.

[0020] The longitudinal support zone may be operable to support the rear portion of the head and / or cervical spine of a user.

[0021] The longitudinal support zone may have a bottom which defines a neck support having a contoured profile to support a user’s neck.

[0022] The longitudinal support zone may have a narrower main region and bottom as well as two opposing wider bulging sections such that a neck support is defined.

[0023] The support pillow may include two protection zones, which are defined on both sides of the operatively bottom end of the longitudinal zone. In a preferred embodiment, the support pillow may be symmetrical about a central line through the longitudinal support zone, such that the two protection zones are symmetrically arranged. The two protection zones may be symmetrically positioned on both ends of the support pillow such that both side-sleeping orientations are accommodated. The two protection zones may be symmetrically positioned such that a consistent level of support and relief to an affected area, irrespective of the orientation or position of the head, is provided.

[0024] The support pillow may further include a material cover, shaped and dimensioned to fit over the dense pad. The cover may include closure means in the form of any one or more of: a zip, hook and loop fastening strips (velcro®), buttons, clips, or the like.

[0025] An upper surface of the dense pad may define a first support surface. The dense pad may be of a thickness and density sufficient to elevate a user’s head above a secondary support surface, on which the dense pad is positioned in use.

[0026] In use, the support pillow is symmetrical about a central line through the longitudinal support zone, such that the two protection zones are symmetrically arranged thereby allowing a user to lie with their head on the pillow, either in the supine or prone position. When the user’s head is rotated to either the left or the right side, the vulnerable areas of the user’s face will be positioned substantially over either a left or right protection zone. The support zones elevate the user’s head, such that the vulnerable areas of the user’s face are suspended above the secondary support surface (i.e. the surface of the bed), and thereby the vulnerable areas do not make contact with any surface, and there is no pressure on these areas of the face.

[0027] The affected and / or vulnerable area of the user’s face may include the areas around the eyes and / or the cheeks. Particularly, after cosmetic procedures such as Botox, filler, threading, and the like, or merely to prevent winkling and other damage to these areas.

[0028] The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures:

[0029] FIGURE(S)

[0030] In the figure(s):

[0031] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a head pillow in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

[0032] Figure 2 shows a top view of the head pillow of Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 3 shows a front view of the head pillow of Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 4 shows a rear view of the head pillow of Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 5 shows a right-side view of the head pillow of Figure 1 ; and

[0036] Figure 6 shows a left-side view of the head pillow of Figure 1 .

[0037] In the figures, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.

[0038] EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In the Figures reference numeral 10 refers to a head pillow (10) for supporting a person’s head whilst sleeping on their side. The head pillow (10) includes a body (12) defining a support zone (14), shaped and dimensioned to support a neck and a portion of the head of a user. The head pillow (10) further includes a protection zone (16) in the body (12), for receiving an affected and / or vulnerable area of the face (not shown), to minimise pressure on the affected and / or vulnerable area, thereby alleviating discomfort.

[0040] The support zone (14) further comprises a density optimised to provide sufficient support while accommodating the shape and weight of the head. In this example the body (12) defining the support zone (14) is in the form of a pad (12).

[0041] In this example the pad (12) is of memory foam.

[0042] It is to be appreciated that the protection zone (16) is designed to accommodate varying shapes and sizes of affected areas while ensuring optimal support and comfort. In this example, the protection zone (16) is in the form of a cutout in the pad (12).

[0043] In this example, the protection zone (16) is shaped to receive the area proximate the cheek, mouth, nose, cheek bone, eye area, on one side of a user’s face.

[0044] As seen in Figure 2, the head pillow (10) has symmetrical ends to allow it to maintain a consistent level of support and relief to the affected area, irrespective of the orientation or position of the head, particularly whether the head is turned to the left or right. In this example, the pad (12) is predominantly rectangular, tapering to pointed edges on both short sides. The pad (12) has symmetrical contoured cavities, about the pillow’s centre line running parallel to the user’s spine, the cavities defining the protection zones (16). It is further to be appreciated that the longitudinal support zone (14.3) is operable to support the rear portion of the head and / or cervical spine of a user. A bottom end of the longitudinal support zone is contoured to support a neck of a person.

[0045] Figure 4 shows an upper surface (22) of the pad (12) which defines a first support surface (22). The pad (12) is of a thickness and density sufficient to elevate a user’s head (not shown) above a secondary support surface (24), on which the pad (12) is positioned in use.

[0046] As shown in the Figures, the pad (12) is substantially T-shaped, with two lateral support zones (14.1 , 14.2) and a longitudinal support zone (14.3).

[0047] The lateral support zones (14.1 , 14.2) are operable for supporting sides of a forehead, when a user is lying with their head directed to either the left or the right. The lateral support zones (14.1 , 14.2) are substantially rectangular. Bottom sides of the lateral support zones (14.1 , 14.2) curve outward downwardly towards bottom outer corners forming a tapering tip.

[0048] In this embodiment the head pillow (10) includes two protection zones (16.1 , 16.2), which are defined below the bottom sides of the lateral support zones (14.1 , 14.2), on both sides of the longitudinal zone support zone (14.3). The protection zones are in the form of cavities. The cavities are operable to receive the area around the eyes and / or the cheeks of a person while sleeping, particularly after cosmetic procedures such as Botox, filler, threading, and the like.

[0049] As can be seen in Figure 5 and 6, the head pillow (10) includes a material cover (18), shaped and dimensioned to fit over the pad (12). The material cover (18) includes closure means in the form a zip (20). It is to be appreciate that the zip (20) in use provides for added protection and hygiene to the pad (12).

[0050] In use, a user lies with their head on the head pillow (10), either in the supine or prone position. When the user’s head is rotated to either the left or the right side, the vulnerable areas of the user’s face will be positioned substantially over either a left or right protection zone (16.1 , 16.2). The support zone (14) elevates the user’s head, such that the vulnerable areas of the user’s face is suspended above the secondary support surface (i.e. the surface of the bed), and thereby the vulnerable areas do not make contact with any surface, and there is no pressure on these areas of the face.

[0051] It is to be appreciated that the affected and / or vulnerable area of the user’s face includes the areas around the eyes, the cheeks, the nose and / or the mouth. Particularly, after cosmetic procedures such as Botox, filler, threading, and the like, or merely to prevent winkling and other damage to these areas.

[0052] The inventor believes that the invention provides a novel and inventive sleeping pillow, which aids in post-cosmetic procedure recovery.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A head pillow for supporting a person’s head whilst sleeping, which includes a body defining a support zone, shaped and dimensioned to support a neck and a portion of the head of a user; and at least one protection zone in the body, for receiving an affected and / or vulnerable area of the face, to minimise pressure on the affected and / or vulnerable area, thereby alleviating discomfort.

2. The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , in which the at least one protection zone is shaped to receive the area proximate any one or more of: the cheek, mouth, nose, cheek bone, eye area, on one side of a user’s face.

3. The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , in which the at least one protection zone is in the form of any one or more of: a recess, a cavity, a cut-out, an indentation, and a void in the body.

4. The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , in which the at least one protection zone is defined by a contour of the support zone creating a cavity.

5. The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , in which the head pillow includes two protection zones, symmetrically positioned on both ends of the pillow to accommodate both side-sleeping orientations.

6. The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body defining the support zone is in the form of a pad.

7. The head pillow as claimed in claim 6, in which an upper surface of the pad defines a first support surface, and in which the pad is of a thickness sufficient to elevate and distance the affected area from a secondary support surface, on which the dense pad is positioned in use.

8. The head pillow as claimed in claim 7, in which the pad is at least 8cm in thickness.

9. The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body defining the support zone includes any one or a mixture of: foam, memory foam, microfiber, elastic polymer, polyester, cotton, spandex, latex, down clusters, and feathers.

10. The head pillow as claimed in claim 5, having symmetrical ends to allow it to maintain a consistent level of support and relief to the affected area, irrespective of the orientation or position of the head, particularly whether the head is turned to the left or right.11 . The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body is predominantly rectangular, tapering to pointed edges on both ends.

12. The head pillow as claimed in claim 5, in which the body has symmetrical contoured cavities, about the pillow’s centre line running parallel to the user’s spine in use, the cavities defining the protection zones.

13. The head pillow as claimed in claim 5, in which the body defining the protection zone is substantially T-shaped, with two upper lateral support zones flanking a longitudinal support zone.

14. The head pillow as claimed in claim 13, in which the lateral and longitudinal support zones are integrally formed together.

15. The head pillow as claimed in claim 13, in which the lateral support zones are shaped and dimensioned for supporting sides of a forehead, when a user is lying with their head directed to either the left or the right.

16. The head pillow as claimed in claim 15, in which the lateral support zones are substantially rectangular, with lower outside corners of the lateral support zones curving downwardly, and end in a tapering tip.

17. The head pillow as claimed in claim 13, in which the longitudinal support zone is operable to support the rear portion of the head and / or cervical spine of a user.

18. The head pillow as claimed in claim 17, in which a bottom of the longitudinal support zone defines a neck support which has a contoured profile to support a user’s neck.

19. The head pillow as claimed in claim 18, in which the longitudinal support zone has a narrower main region and a bottom, defining the neck support, having two opposing wider bulging sections.

20. The head pillow as claimed in claim 13, in which the two protection zones are provided on both sides of the operatively bottom end of the longitudinal support zone.

21. The head pillow as claimed in claim 20, in which the head pillow is symmetrical about a central line through the longitudinal support zone, such that the two protection zones are symmetrically arranged, and in use when a user lies with their head on the pillow, either in the supine or prone position, and the user’s head is rotated to either the left or the right side, the vulnerable areas of the user’s face will be positioned substantially over either a left or right protection zone, with the support zone elevating the user’s head, such that the vulnerable areas of the user’s face are suspended above the secondary support surface and thereby the vulnerable areas do not make contact with any surface, and there is no pressure on these areas of the face.

22. The head pillow as claimed in claim 1 , which further includes a material cover, shaped and dimensioned to fit over the body defining the support zone.

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