Releasable Neck Support Member for Adjustable Pillow Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pillows fail to provide adequate support to the neck, leading to discomfort and pain due to the gap between the neck and mattress, and existing solutions either have fixed geometric shapes that do not accommodate varying sleeping positions or require specific pillow cases for compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A neck support member that can be releasably engaged with a conventional pillow, wrapping around its edge to provide additional support, allowing for adjustable comfort and compatibility with various pillows and mattresses, and can be easily transported.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional pillow is used, then the head can rest on the pillow, but the neck is not adequately supported due to the gap between the neck and mattress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneck supportVSAvoidcompatibility with various pillows and sleeping positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pillow is divided into a head support portion and a separate neck support member. The neck support member can be attached to or integrated with the head support portion, allowing independent optimization of each function. This segmentation enables the neck support member to be specifically designed for cervical support while the main pillow body provides head support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The neck support member is designed to be compatible with various types of pillows (memory foam, down, synthetic) and can be attached through multiple methods (integrated, attached, or positioned between pillow and mattress). This universal design allows the same neck support member to work with different pillow types and sleeping positions (back, side, stomach sleeping).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If integrated contoured pillows are used to provide neck support, then neck support is improved, but the pillow loses flexibility and cannot accommodate varying sleeping positions or body types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneck supportVSAvoidflexibility for different sleeping positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The neck support member is designed with flexible materials and attachment methods that allow it to adapt to different sleeping positions and body types. The member can be positioned at different locations (between pillow and mattress, or integrated into the pillow) and can conform to various neck geometries. This dynamic design replaces the fixed geometric shape of integrated contoured pillows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the neck support function from the main pillow body, the system allows the neck support member to be independently optimized for adaptability while the main pillow maintains its original characteristics. The segmented design enables the neck support member to be specifically engineered with flexible materials and adjustable positioning capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3256029B1Neck support pillow
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 JENSEN GEMMA
  • EP3256029B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3256029B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3256029B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B

AI summary

The present invention provides a neck support pillow (10) comprising a main pillow body (30) and a neck support member (20) releasably engaged to the main pillow body (30), the neck support member (20) comprising a first body portion (21) covering at least part (33) of a first face (31) of the main pillow body (30) adjacent an edge (34) of the main pillow body (30) for supporting the neck in use and a second body portion (22) extending from the first body portion (21) over the edge (34) of the main pillow body (30) towards a second face (32) of the main pillow body (30), the neck support member (20) providing a raised surface relative to the main pillow body surface for supporting the neck in use. A neck support member (20) and use of the neck support member (20) are also described.