Abstract:
A method and system for customizing the orthopedic support of a pillow by inserting an orthopedic neck support into a pillow case with a pillow such that the orthopedic neck support provides support to the curvature of the neck.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to pillows, and more particularly, an orthopedic pillow system providing customized support with independent adjustments for a user&#39;s head and neck. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are a wide variety of pillows available on the market. Pillows are generally rectangular, have a generally elliptical cross-section, and are stuffed with a generally uniform filling. Pillows are often used in conjunction with pillow cases. Generally, a pillow case is a soft sleeve with a closed and an open end. A user will generally insert a pillow into a pillow case such that when a user uses the pillow, the pillow case will be between his or her head and neck. The pillow case generally serves to provide an easily cleanable soft interface between the pillow and the user because continued use of a pillow can leave debris in a location where the user has been lying. 
         [0003]    Due to the shape and filling of most pillows, they are often less than ideal for providing proper support for a user&#39;s head and neck. Often times, the level of support desired from a pillow by a user will vary for differing parts of the user&#39;s body that come into contact with the pillow. For example, a user may desire a firm level of support for the neck, but a soft level of support for the head. Because traditional pillows generally have a uniform filling, using a pillow that adequately supports the neck may result in a filling that is too firm for the head. Similarly, using a pillow soft enough for the back of the head may provide insufficient support for the neck. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, because pillows generally have an elliptical cross-section, there is less filling concentrated where the user positions his or her neck; in other words, the pillow curves away from the user, when it should curve toward the user to maintain uniform contact with his or her neck. Improper support of the head or neck can lead to muscle strain and fatigue. 
         [0005]    To address the improper support generally provided by traditional pillows, different types of support pillows have entered the market. A common type of pillow to address this problem is a contoured pillow. A contoured pillow curves toward the user&#39;s neck instead of away from it as is the case with pillows with generally elliptical cross-sections. Unfortunately, for a user to benefit from the support offered by these pillows, a user must give up their existing pillows and pillow cases. Over time, users become accustomed to the pillows and pillow cases that they use. Requiring users to purchase new pillows and pillow cases can create a burden on the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  shows an isometric cross-section view of a pillow with a neck support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  shows a side view of the pillow with the neck support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the head and neck of the user being supported by the pillow and the neck support, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the neck support in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C show an isometric view of alternate embodiments of the neck support. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In a preferred embodiment,  FIG. 1A  shows an orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  longitudinally aligned with a pillow  20  the combination of which is encompassed by a pillow case  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  is composed of a memory foam and is approximately the length of a sleeping pillow. In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  is uniform throughout its length. The diameter of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  is such that it generally approximates the curvature of the user&#39;s neck. The orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  can be removed from the pillow case and combined with another pillow  20  and pillow case  30 . In a preferred embodiment, the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  is aligned at a bottom of the pillow case  31  displacing the pillow  20 . 
         [0012]      FIG. 1B  shows a side view of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  displacing the pillow  20  aligned at the bottom of the pillow case  30 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of a user  40  lying on the pillow case  30 , a back of the user&#39;s head  60  supported by the pillow  20 , and a nape of the user&#39;s neck  50  supported by the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  has a uniform diameter throughout its length and is approximately the length of a traditional pillow. A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  may be constructed in differing manners such as, but not limited to, a memory foam, a resilient foam rubber offering a firm amount of support for a user&#39;s neck, a resilient foam rubber offering a soft amount of support for a user&#39;s neck, and a semi-rigid hollow cylinder offering support for a user&#39;s neck. 
         [0015]    A person having skill in the art will also appreciate further alternative embodiments of the neck support. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the orthopedic cylindrical neck support need not maintain a uniform diameter or shape throughout its length. In an alternative embodiment,  FIG. 4A  shows the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  with a curve  11  to better support a user&#39;s shoulders while still supporting the user&#39;s neck. In another alternative embodiment,  FIG. 4B  shows the orthopedic cylindrical neck support  10  with a narrow support  12  for the user&#39;s neck. In yet another alternative embodiment,  FIG. 4C  shows the orthopedic neck support  10  may provide a curved upper portion  13  to conform to the curvature of a neck, and a flat bottom portion  14  to prevent the support from rolling when in use.