Pillow

Abstract

A pillow (1) comprises a pillow body (10), a container (30), a first tube (40), and a first pump (60). The container (30) contains a liquid (L). The first tube (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 tube (40) extends from the first upstream end (40A) and through the inside of 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 tube (40).

Description

Pillow

[0001] The present invention relates to a pillow.

[0002] The head cooling device of Patent Document 1 includes a device main body, two connecting bodies, and a pillow main body. The upstream end of each of the two connecting bodies is connected to the device main body. The downstream end of each of the two connecting bodies is connected to the pillow main body. The head cooling device circulates a liquid between the device main body and the pillow main body via the two connecting bodies. That is, the head cooling device sends the liquid from the device main body to the pillow main body via one connecting body and returns the liquid from the pillow main body to the device main body via the other connecting body. Thereby, 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.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-129224

[0004] In the above head cooling device, the liquid directly flows through the pillow main body. Therefore, there is a possibility that the thickness of the pillow main body changes due to the circulation of the liquid, or the hardness of the pillow main body depends on the amount of liquid in the pillow main body. Thus, the usability of the pillow main body by the user may deteriorate.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pillow that contributes to maintaining the temperature of a liquid so that the temperature of a pillow main body does not approach a user's body temperature while suppressing deterioration in the usability of the pillow main body by the user.

[0006] A pillow according to one aspect includes a pillow main body, a container in which a liquid is stored, a pipe including a first upstream end connected to the container and a first downstream end connected to the container, a first pipe extending from the first upstream end through the pillow main body to the first downstream end, and a first pump that circulates the liquid from the container through the first pipe.

[0007] According to the above embodiment, since the first tube passes through the pillow body, the pillow can easily maintain the temperature of the liquid in the container by circulating the liquid through the first tube, preventing the temperature of the pillow body from approaching 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 liquid circulation and the hardness of the pillow body not depending on the amount of liquid inside the pillow body are suppressed. Therefore, the pillow helps to maintain the temperature of the liquid so that the temperature of the pillow body does not approach the user's body temperature, while suppressing any deterioration in the user's comfort of the pillow body.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the outer diameter of the first tube may be smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body. In this case, the pillow further contributes to suppressing any deterioration in the user's comfort of the pillow body.

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

[0010] In the above embodiment, the pillow may include a cover that covers the pillow body. In this case, the cover helps to prevent the first tube from coming out of the groove.

[0011] In the above embodiment, the pillow body includes a first body portion that corresponds to the first part of the user when used by the user, and a second body portion that corresponds to a second part of the user that is different from the first part when used by the user, the first tube extends from the first upstream end through the first body portion to the first downstream end, and the pillow may include a second tube that includes a second upstream end connected to the container and a second downstream end connected to the container, 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. In this case, the neck portion and the head portion are connected by separate tubes. 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, more so than when a single tube passes through the first body portion and the second body portion.

[0012] In the above embodiment, the pillow may include a controller that independently controls the operation of the first pump and the operation of the second pump. In this case, the controller contributes to selectively deciding whether to control the temperature of the first main body, the temperature of the second main body, or the temperature of both the first and second main bodies.

[0013] In the above embodiment, the pillow may be equipped with a cooler for cooling the liquid in the container. In this case, the cooler contributes to cooling the user when the pillow is in use.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the pillow may be equipped with a heater for warming the liquid in the container. In this case, the heater contributes to warming the user when the pillow is in use.

[0015] This is a perspective view of pillow 1. This is a perspective view of pillow body 10. This is a cross-sectional view of pillow body 10 cut by a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0016] Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the pillow 1 will be described below. In the following, the lower left, upper right, upper left, lower right, upper, and lower sides of the pillow 1 will be referred to as the right, left, rear, front, upper, and lower sides, respectively.

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

[0018] Grooves 117 and 127 are examples of "grooves" 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 portion 11 and head portion 12 is an example of a "first main body" 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 portion 11 and head portion 12 is an example of a "second main body" in the above embodiment. The other of the pipes 40 and 50 is an example of a "second pipe" in the above embodiment. The other of the pumps 60 and 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 Figure 1, the pillow 1 comprises 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 Figure 1, the pillow body 10, which is hidden by the cover 9, is shown with 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. That is, the head portion 12 is positioned behind the neck portion 11.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the neck portion 11 is the part of the pillow body 10 that rests on the user's neck 3 when the user 2 is using it. The user's neck 3 rests on the neck portion 11 when the user 2 is using it. The neck portion 11 supports the user's neck 3 from below and supports the user's shoulders 4 from behind.

[0022] The headrest 12 is the part of the pillow body 10 that rests on the user's head 5 when the user 2 is using it. The user's head 5 rests on the headrest 12 when the user 2 is using it. The headrest 12 supports the user's head 5 from below.

[0023] In this embodiment, when user 2 indirectly touches the pillow body 10 via the cover 9, this is also referred to as "user 2 touching the pillow body 10."

[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 has a bag-like shape and covers the neck portion 11. The cover 122 has a bag-like shape and covers the head portion 12. Covers 112 and 122 may each be open in the left-right direction. The left and right ends of covers 112 and 122 may each be closed. If the left and right ends of covers 112 and 122 are closed, it is preferable that holes be provided in covers 112 and 122 for the tubes 40 and 50 described later to pass through.

[0025] Covers 112 and 122 are each stretchable and, in this embodiment, are made of fabric. Therefore, when cover 112 covers the neck portion 11, cover 112 has a shape that conforms to the outer shape of the neck portion 11. When cover 122 covers the head portion 12, cover 122 has a shape that conforms to the outer shape of the head portion 12. The user 2 may also attach the pillowcase to the pillow body 10 over the cover 9.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the container 30 is placed 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 openings and are located at different positions from each other. The container 30 contains a liquid L. The liquid L is not limited to a specific type, but in this embodiment it is water.

[0027] The tube 40 is a flexible tube and constitutes 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 a connection port 31 in the container 30. The downstream end 40B is connected to a 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] Pump 60 is installed in pipe 40. Pump 60 includes a pump motor. When the pump motor of pump 60 is driven, pump 60 draws liquid L from inside container 30 through the upstream end 40A. Therefore, when the pump motor of pump 60 is driven, liquid L in container 30 flows from the upstream end 40A into pipe 40. Liquid L that has flowed through pipe 40 returns to container 30 from the downstream end 40B. In this way, pump 60 circulates liquid L from container 30 through pipe 40.

[0029] The tube 50 is a flexible tube and constitutes a flow path for the liquid L. The tube 50 includes an upstream end 50A and a downstream end 40B. The upstream end 50A is connected to a connection port 33 in the container 30. The downstream end 50B is connected to a 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] Pump 70 is installed in pipe 50. Pump 70 includes a pump motor. When the pump motor of pump 70 is driven, pump 70 draws liquid L from inside container 30 through the upstream end 50A. Therefore, when the pump motor of pump 70 is driven, liquid L in container 30 flows from the upstream end 50A into pipe 50. Liquid L that has flowed through pipe 50 returns to container 30 from the downstream end 50B. In this way, pump 70 circulates liquid L from container 30 through pipe 50.

[0031] The cooler 80 is provided in the container 30. In this embodiment, the cooler 80 includes a Peltier element. When the Peltier element of the cooler 80 is energized, 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 positioned differently from the cooler 80. In this embodiment, the heater 90 includes an electrical resistor. When current is supplied to the electrical resistor of the heater 90, the heater 90 generates heat and warms the liquid L inside the container 30.

[0033] The controller 100 includes a CPU 101, 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] Memory 102 is electrically connected to the CPU 101. Memory 102 is a type of storage medium. Programs are stored in memory 102. Programs are computer-readable instructions. Programs are executed by the CPU 101. When a program is executed by the CPU 101, the program instructs the CPU 101 to perform various processes.

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

[0036] Pumps 60 and 70, cooler 80, heater 90, and user IF 103 are electrically connected to the CPU 101 via input / output IF 109. The CPU 101 receives operations from user 2 on user IF 103 and controls the power supply to pump 60, pump 70, cooler 80, and heater 90.

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

[0038] In this embodiment, the ON state of pump 60 means that the pump motor of pump 60 is energized and pump 60 is in operation. The OFF state of pump 60 means that the pump motor of pump 60 is not energized and pump 60 is not in operation. The ON state of pump 70 means that the pump motor of pump 70 is energized and pump 70 is in operation. The OFF state of pump 70 means that the pump motor of pump 70 is not energized and pump 70 is not in operation.

[0039] Furthermore, the controller 100 can switch between three states: both the cooler 80 and the heater 90 are off, the cooler 80 is on and the heater 90 is off, and the cooler 80 is off and the heater 90 is on.

[0040] In this embodiment, the state in which the cooler 80 is ON means that the Peltier element of the cooler 80 is energized and the cooler 80 is in operation. The state in which the cooler 80 is OFF means that the Peltier element of the cooler 80 is not energized and the cooler 80 is not in operation. The state in which the heater 90 is ON means that the electrical resistor of the heater 90 is energized and the heater 90 is in operation. The state in which the heater 90 is OFF means that the electrical resistor of the heater 90 is not energized and the heater 90 is not in operation.

[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 is an object that, even if deformed by an external force, tends to return to its original shape when that 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 length L2 of the head 12 in the left-right direction is shorter than the length L1 of the neck 11 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the length L4 of the head 12 in the front-back direction is shorter than the length L3 of the neck 11 in the front-back direction. The length L6 of the head 12 in the up-down direction is sometimes longer than the length L5 of the neck 11 in the up-down direction and sometimes shorter than the length L5 of the neck 11 in the up-down direction.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the neck 11 and the head 12 are formed of separate members that are separated from each other. That is, the pillow body 10 is composed of a plurality of blocks (the neck 11 and the head 12). The neck 11 covered with the cover 112 and the head 12 covered with the cover 122 are detachably connected to each other via the connecting member 13. The connecting member 13 is, for example, a point fastener, a line fastener, or a surface fastener.

[0045] The cross-section of the neck 11 cut by a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction has a substantially semi-circular shape that bulges upward. The cross-section of the head 12 cut by a plane orthogonal to the left-right direction has a substantially semi-circular shape that bulges upward.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the neck 11 includes a left side surface 113, a right side surface 114, a mounting surface 115, and an outer peripheral surface 116. The left side surface 113, the right side surface 114, the mounting surface 115, and the outer peripheral surface 116 respectively constitute the surface of the neck 11.

[0047] The left side surface 113 faces leftward. The right side surface 114 is separated from the left side surface 113 to the right and faces rightward. The mounting 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 a portion of the periphery of the left side surface 113 other than the lower end to a portion of the periphery of the right side surface 114 other than the lower end. The outer peripheral surface 116 extends in an arc shape that bulges upward from the front end of the mounting surface 115 to the rear end of the mounting 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 cutout.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the groove 117 extends from the left end 116L of the outer circumferential surface 116 to the right of the center of the outer circumferential surface 116 in the left-right direction. Then, the groove 117 folds back to the left at a position to the left of the right end 116R of the outer circumferential surface 116. The groove 117 extends in a zigzag pattern across the center of the outer circumferential surface 116 in the left-right direction. Then, the groove 117 extends again to the left end 116L of the outer circumferential surface 116. In other words, the groove 117 extends from one end 116L and the other end 116R of the outer circumferential surface 116 towards the other end, and then extends again to the other end.

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

[0051] A pipe 40 is positioned along the groove 117. The pipe 40 may be fixed to the groove 117 with an adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. The pipe 40 may also be attached to the groove 117 so that it can be removed from the groove 117. With the pipe 40 positioned in the groove 117 in this way, the pipe 40 passes through the neck portion 11.

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

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

[0054] For example, the outer circumferential surface 116 includes a virtual outer circumferential surface 116V of the neck portion 11. In Figure 3, the virtual outer circumferential surface 116V is shown by a dashed line. Similarly, the virtual outer circumferential surface 126V, which will be described later, is also shown by a dashed line. The virtual outer circumferential 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 circumferential surface 116V. In other words, when viewing the pipe 40 from the direction in which the groove 117 opens, the pipe 40 is visible through the outer circumferential surface 116V. The pipe 40 does not protrude outward from the virtual outer circumferential surface 116V.

[0055] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the head portion 12 includes a left side surface 123, a right side surface 124, a mounting surface 125, and an outer peripheral surface 126. The left side surface 123, the right side surface 124, the mounting surface 125, and the outer peripheral surface 126 each constitute the surface of the head portion 12.

[0056] The left side surface 123 faces left. The right side surface 124 is separated to the right from the left side surface 123 and faces right. The mounting 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 the periphery of the left side surface 123, excluding the lower end, to the periphery of the right side surface 124, excluding the lower end. The outer peripheral surface 126 extends from the front end of the mounting surface 125 to the rear end of the mounting surface 125 in an upward-curving arc shape.

[0057] A groove 127 is provided on the outer circumferential surface 126. The groove 127 is recessed from the outer circumferential surface 126. The groove 127 is, for example, a notch or a cutout.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2, the groove 127 extends from the left end 126L of the outer circumferential surface 126 to the right of the center of the outer circumferential surface 126 in the left-right direction. Then, the groove 127 folds back to the left at a position to the left of the right end 126R of the outer circumferential surface 126, and extends again to the left end 126L of the outer circumferential surface 126. In other words, the groove 127 extends from one end 126L and the other 126R of the outer circumferential surface 126 towards the other end, and then extends again to the other end.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, the depth of the groove 127 is greater than the outer diameter R2 of the pipe 50 and less than twice the outer diameter R2 of the pipe 50. The depth of the groove 127 is not limited to a specific depth. For example, the depth of the 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 the head 12, and in this embodiment, it is less than the minimum thickness of the head 12. Note that the thickness of the head 12 refers to the vertical length L6 of the head 12.

[0060] A pipe 50 is positioned along the groove 127. The pipe 50 may be fixed to the groove 127 with an adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. The pipe 50 may also be attached to the groove 127 so that it can be removed from the groove 127. With the pipe 50 positioned in the groove 127 in this way, the pipe 50 passes through the head 12.

[0061] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 126 includes a virtual outer peripheral surface 126V of the head 12. The virtual outer peripheral surface 126V extends along the opening of the groove 127. With the tube 50 positioned in the groove 127, the upper end of the tube 50 is exposed from the virtual outer peripheral surface 126V. That is, when viewing the tube 50 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 outward from the virtual outer peripheral surface 126V.

[0062] The operation of pillow 1 during use will be explained. For example, the case when the cooler 80 and pumps 60 and 70 are turned on will be explained. 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 user 2's neck 3 and shoulders 4 via the neck section 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 user 2's head 5 via the headrest 12.

[0063] For example, let's describe the case when the heater 90 and pumps 60 and 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 user 2's neck 3 and shoulders 4 via the neck section 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 user 2's head 5 via the head section 12.

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

[0065] The main effects of the above embodiment will now be explained. In the above embodiment, since the tubes 40 and 50 pass through the pillow body 10, the pillow 1 can easily maintain the temperature of the liquid L in the container 30 so that the temperature of the pillow body 10 does not approach the user's body temperature by circulating the liquid L through the tubes 40 and 50. Furthermore, since the tubes 40 and 50 pass through the pillow body 10, changes in the thickness of the pillow body 10 due to the circulation of the liquid L and the hardness of the pillow body 10 depending on the amount of liquid L inside 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 user's body temperature, while suppressing deterioration of the user's comfort of the pillow body 10.

[0066] If the outer diameter R1 of tube 40 is larger than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10, there is a possibility that tube 40 will come into contact with the user 2's neck 3 or shoulder 4 when the user 2 is using it. If the outer diameter R2 of tube 50 is larger than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10, there is a possibility that tube 50 will come into contact with the user 2's head 5 when the user 2 is using it. In the above embodiment, the outer diameter R1 of tube 40 is smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10. Furthermore, the outer diameter R2 of tube 50 is smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body 10. This suppresses the possibility of tubes 40 and 50 coming into contact with the user 2. Therefore, pillow 1 contributes to further suppressing any deterioration in the user 2's comfort of using the pillow body 10.

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

[0068] Furthermore, for example, user 2 may perform maintenance on the pillow body 10. Maintenance of the pillow body 10 would include cleaning or drying the pillow body 10. Alternatively, user 2 may replace the pillow body 10 with another pillow body 10. If the tube 40 is completely covered by the neck portion 11, user 2 may have difficulty removing the tube 40 from the neck portion 11. If the tube 50 is completely covered by the head portion 12, 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. Therefore, user 2 can easily remove the tube 40 from the neck portion 11 and the tube 50 from the head portion 12. In this case, the container 30, tubes 40 and 50, pumps 60 and 70, cooler 80, heater 90, and controller 100 are each separated from the pillow body 10. Therefore, user 2 can easily dry the pillow body 10. Alternatively, user 2 can easily replace pillow body 10 with another pillow body 10. Therefore, pillow 1 contributes to making the handling of pillow body 10 easier.

[0069] Furthermore, a portion of the area around the tubes 40 and 50 is exposed from the pillow body 10. Therefore, the pillow 1 contributes to improving the temperature conductivity of the liquid L from the tubes 40 and 50 to the user 2.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the cover 9 covers the pillow body 10. More specifically, the cover 112 covers the neck portion 11 and the cover 122 covers the head portion 12. As a result, the cover 112 helps to prevent the tube 40 from coming out of the groove 117. The cover 122 helps to prevent the tube 50 from coming out of the groove 127. Furthermore, the cover 9 also helps to prevent the user 2 from experiencing a deterioration in the usability of the pillow body 10.

[0071] If a single tube passes through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12, the path of the liquid L sent from the container 30 to return to the container 30 becomes longer compared to the case where separate tubes 40 and 50 pass through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12. The longer the path, the greater the amount of heat that can be transferred from the user 2 to the liquid L within the tube. In the above embodiment, separate tubes 40 and 50 pass through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12. Therefore, the pillow 1 contributes more 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 than in the case where a single tube passes through the neck portion 11 and the head portion 12.

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

[0073] In the above embodiment, the cooler 80 cools the liquid L in the container 30. Therefore, the cooler 80 contributes to keeping the user 2 cool when the user 2 is using it.

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

[0075] The present invention may be modified in various ways from the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the modifications described below may be combined with each other to the extent that they do not create contradictions.

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

[0077] Hereinafter, the cooler and heater installed in a separate container will be referred to as "another cooler" and "another heater," respectively. The other cooler and the other heater are components similar to those of the cooler 80 and 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 the other 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. As a result, the user 2's neck 3 is warmed and the user 2's head 5 is cooled. In this way, the modified pillow 1 contributes to the arbitrary setting of whether to warm or cool the user 2's neck 3 and the user 2's head 5.

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

[0080] In the above embodiment, one of the pipes 40 and 50 may be omitted. For example, the pillow 1 may consist only of pipe 40 out of the pipes 40 and 50. In this case, the pump 70 may be omitted.

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

[0082] In the above embodiment, the pipe 40 is placed in the groove 117. Alternatively, a through hole may be provided in the neck portion 11, and the pipe 40 may be inserted into the through hole. In other words, the pipe 40 may be covered all around by the neck portion 11. A through hole means a wall that defines a space connecting two openings that pass through the inside of an object, given that two openings are provided in the object. The through hole may, for example, penetrate the neck portion 11 in the left-right direction, or it may extend from the left side surface 113 to a position to the left of the right side surface 114, and then extend again to the left side surface 113. Similarly, the pipe 50 may be covered all around by the head portion 12.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the cover 9 may be omitted. In this case, the user 2 may attach a pillowcase other than the cover 9 to the pillow body 10.

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

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

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

[0087] In the above embodiment, the tube 40 or tube 50 may pass through a part 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 the part that rests against the user's waist. In this case, for example, the tube 50 may pass through the part of the pillow body 10 that rests against the user's waist.

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

[0089] In the above embodiment, the pillow body 10 may be composed of an aggregate of multiple chips or cotton, etc. The pillow body 10 may also be composed of intertwined fibers. The fibers are, for example, polyethylene fibers. The material of the neck portion 11 and the material of the head portion 12 may be the same or different.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the groove 117 is provided on the outer circumferential surface 116. In contrast, 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 also be provided on the mounting surface 125.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising: a pillow body; a container for holding liquid; a tube including 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 pillow body to the first downstream end; and a first pump for circulating the liquid from the container through the first tube.

2. The pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer diameter of the first tube is smaller than the maximum thickness of the pillow body.

3. The pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that a groove is provided on the surface of the pillow body, and the first tube is arranged along the groove.

4. The pillow according to claim 3, characterized in that it is provided with a cover that covers the pillow body.

5. The pillow body includes a first body portion which corresponds to a first part of the user when used by the user, and a second body portion which corresponds to a second part of the user that is different from the first part when used by the user, the first tube extends from the first upstream end through the first body portion to the first downstream end, the pillow is a tube which includes a second upstream end connected to the container and a second downstream end connected to the container, and a second tube which extends from the second upstream end through the second body portion to the second downstream end, and a second pump which circulates the liquid from the container through the second tube, as described in claim 1.

6. The pillow according to claim 5, characterized in that it is equipped with a controller that independently controls the operation of the first pump and the operation of the second pump.

7. The pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that it is equipped with a cooler for cooling the liquid in the container.

8. The pillow according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by being equipped with a heater for warming the liquid in the container.

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