PILLOW APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVABLY ATTACHING A STRAP SLEEVE TO A PILLOW

A pillow apparatus for removably attaching to a strap includes a pillow and a strap sleeve. The pillow includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposing the first major surface. A first surface area of the first major surface includes one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners disposed thereon. The strap sleeve includes a strip of material having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end and a removable fastener for removably fastening the first end to the second end to wrap the strip of material around a cavity for receiving a strap. The inner surface of the wrapped strip of material faces the cavity, and a second surface area of the outer surface of the strap sleeve includes the other of hook fasteners and loop fasteners disposed thereon for fastening with the hook fasteners or loop fasteners of the first major surface of the pillow. The first surface area is greater than the second surface area.

FIELD

The present application relates to the field of removably attachable pillows, in particular removably attachable pillow suitable for recovery from chest surgeries.

BACKGROUND

After surgery, coughing is important for keeping the lungs clear. For patients with a chest surgical site, the incision should be braced when coughing, such as by hugging a small pillow to the incision when coughing. When leaving the hospital after surgery, the same pillow can be used to protect surgical sites from contact with seatbelts.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development in the field of removably attachable pillows, in particular removably attachable pillow suitable for recovery from chest surgeries.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, there is a pillow apparatus for removably attaching to a strap. The pillow apparatus includes a pillow and a strap sleeve. The pillow includes a first major surface and a second major surface opposing the first major surface. A first surface area of the first major surface includes one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners disposed thereon. The strap sleeve includes a strip of material having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, and a second end and a removable fastener for removably fastening the first end to the second end to wrap the strip of material around a cavity for receiving a strap. The inner surface of the wrapped strip of material faces the cavity, and a second surface area of the outer surface of the strap sleeve includes the other of hook fasteners and loop fasteners disposed thereon for fastening with the hook fasteners or loop fasteners of the first major surface of the pillow. The first surface area is greater than the second surface area.

In another embodiment, there is a method for removably attaching to a strap sleeve to a pillow. The method includes: fastening a strap sleeve to a first major surface of a pillow at a first position, the strap sleeve comprising a cavity formed therein for receiving a strap; unfastening the strap sleeve from the first major surface of the pillow; and re-fastening the strap sleeve to the first major surface of the pillow at a second position different from the first position.

Other embodiments of the disclosed pillow apparatus and method for removably attaching a strap sleeve to a pillow will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment of the present description, there is an exemplary pillow apparatus2for removably attaching to a strap S. As shown, the pillow apparatus2includes a pillow4and a strap sleeve6. The pillow4includes a first major surface8and a second major surface10opposing the first major surface8, wherein a first surface area12of the first major surface8includes one of hook fasteners14and loop fasteners16disposed thereon. The strap sleeve6includes a strip of material18having an inner surface20, an outer surface22, a first end24, and a second end26and a removable fastener28for removably fastening the first end24to the second end26to wrap the strip of material18around a cavity30for receiving a strap S, wherein the inner surface20of the strip of material18in the wrapped condition faces the cavity30, and wherein a second surface area32of the outer surface22of the strap sleeve6includes the other of hook fasteners14and loop fasteners16disposed thereon for fastening with the hook fasteners14or loop fasteners16of the first major surface8of the pillow4.

Accordingly, the pillow can be used to protect surgical sites from contact with seatbelts, and the pillow can be fastened to the strap of the seatbelt.

Moreover, according to the present description, the first surface area12is greater than the second surface area32.

By ensuring that the first surface area12having one of hook fasteners14and loop fasteners16disposed thereon is greater than the second surface area32having the other of hook fasteners14and loop fasteners16disposed thereon, the strap sleeve6may be fastened to the first major surface8of the pillow4at a plurality of different positions, and, thus, a position of the pillow4with respect to the seatbelt may be ready adjusted to different positions with respect to the strap S of the seatbelt to better protect surgical sites from contact with seatbelts.

In a specific aspect, the first surface area12is at least two times the second surface area32. In another specific aspect, wherein the first surface area12is at least four times the second surface area32. In yet another specific aspect, the first surface area12is at least eight times the second surface area32. In yet another specific aspect, the entirety of the first major surface8includes the one of hook fasteners14and loop fasteners16disposed thereon.

By increasing the first surface area12relative to the second surface area32, the variety of different positions of the strap sleeve6relative to the pillow4is further increased.

In another aspect, the first major surface8of the pillow4includes loop fasteners16disposed thereon, and wherein the outer surface22of the strap sleeve6includes hook fasteners14disposed thereon. By disposing the loop fasteners on the pillow4rather than the hook fasteners14, an aesthetic appeal of the pillow4may be increased due to the less abrasive texture of the loop fasteners16.

In yet another aspect, the removable fastener28for removably fastening the first end24to the second end26includes hook and loop fasteners. However, the removable fastener28may include any suitable removable fasteners, such as buttons, snaps, zippers, etc.

FIGS. 1A to 1Fillustrate an exemplary pillow4of the pillow apparatus2.FIG. 1Ais a front view of the pillow3.FIG. 1Bis a rear view of the pillow4.FIG. 1Cis a left view of the pillow4.FIG. 1Dis a right view of the pillow4.FIG. 1Eis a top view of the pillow4.FIG. 1Fis a perspective view of the pillow4.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 1F, the pillow4includes a first major surface8and a second major surface10opposing the first major surface8. In the illustrated example, the pillow4is heart-shaped, but the shape of the pillow is not so limited. Also, in the example, the first major surface8and the second major surface10are connected by a seam extending around the circumference of the pillow, but the pillow is not so limited. In another example, the pillow may include a one or more side surfaces (not shown) extending around circumference of the pillow between the first major surface8and the second major surface10.

As illustrated, a first surface area12of the first major surface8includes loop fasteners16disposed thereon. By disposing the loop fasteners on the pillow4rather than the hook fasteners14, an aesthetic appeal of the pillow4may be increased due to the less abrasive texture of the loop fasteners16. Alternatively, the first surface area12includes hook fasteners thereon.

In the illustrated example, the first surface area12including the hook fasteners14or loop fasteners16disposed thereon is the entirety of the first major surface8. Alternatively, the first surface area12may be a selected portion of the first major surface8. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, the first surface area12is represented by the smaller heart-shaped portion inside the larger heart-shaped first major surface8. As will be further described below, the size of the first surface area12may be increased as desired to permit for an increasing variety of different positions of a strap sleeve relative to the pillow4.

The first major surface8may include a single layer of material or multiple layers of material, but the present description is not so limited. For example, the first major surface8may be formed of a single layer of material that includes the hook fasteners14or the loop fasteners16. In another example, the first major surface may be formed of a first layer of material forming a casing of the pillow (e.g., connected by a seam extending around the circumference of the pillow to the second major surface10) and a second layer of material may be positioned on the first layer of material, wherein the second layer of material includes the hook fasteners14or the loop fasteners16. In this case, the second layer of material that includes the hook fasteners14or the loop fasteners16may cover the entirety of the first layer of material or may cover a selected portion of the first major surface8, such as shown inFIG. 5, in which the entirety of the second layer of material may include the hook fasteners14or the loop fasteners16disposed thereon.

The second major surface10may have any surface texture. For example, the second major surface10may be formed from a conventional casing for a pillow. In another example, the second major surface10may have a surface area including the same fasteners (i.e. hook fasteners or loop fasteners) as the first major surface8. In this case, either of the first major surface or the second major surface may fasten to a strap sleeve.

FIGS. 2A to 2Dillustrate an exemplary strap sleeve6of the pillow apparatus2.FIG. 2Ais a view of an inner surface of the strap sleeve in an unwrapped configuration.FIG. 2Bis a view of an outer surface of the strap sleeve ofFIG. 2Ain the unwrapped configuration.FIG. 2Cis a view of a front surface of the strap sleeve ofFIG. 2Ain a wrapped configuration.FIG. 2Dis a view of a rear surface of the strap sleeve ofFIG. 2Ain the wrapped configuration.

As illustrated, the strap sleeve6includes a strip of material18having an inner surface20, an outer surface22, a first end24, and a second end26and a removable fastener28for removably fastening the first end24to the second end26to wrap the strip of material18around a cavity30for receiving a strap.

The strip of material18may include any material having suitable characteristics (e.g. size, shape, strength, flexibility) to wrap around and thereby form a cavity therein. An exemplary and non-limiting suitable material would be a strap cover typically used with children's car seats for protecting the child from seatbelt strap irritation.

As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the strip of material18has the first end24and second end26. As shown inFIGS. 2C and 2D, the first end24and second end26wrap around and fasten together to form a cavity30. The cavity30is preferably a longitudinal cavity extending along the length of the wrapped strip of material18that is sized and shaped to receive a strap, such as the strap of a seatbelt. As represented byFIGS. 2C and 2D, the inner surface20of the strip of material18in the wrapped condition faces the cavity30.

As shown, the removable fastener28may be in the form of loop fasteners28A and hook fasteners28B disposed at the first end24and second end26of the strip of material. However, the removable fastener28is not so limited and may include any removable fasteners suitable for readily fastening and unfastening around the strip. For example, the removable fasteners28may include buttons, snaps, and zippers.

As illustrated, a second surface area32of the outer surface22of the strap sleeve6includes hook fasteners14disposed thereon for fastening with the loop fasteners16of the first major surface8of the pillow4. Alternatively, the second surface area32of the outer surface22of the strap sleeve6may include loop fasteners16disposed thereon for fastening with hook fasteners14of the first major surface8of the pillow4. The size of the second surface area32is selected to provide a suitable strength of holding the strap sleeve6to the pillow4. Accordingly, the pillow4can be fastened to a strap of the seatbelt by way of the strap sleeve6. Although the second surface area32is illustrated as being centrally-located on the outer surface22of the strap sleeve6, it will understood that the second surface area32may be located anywhere on the strap sleeve6.

FIGS. 3A to 3Cillustrate an exemplary pillow apparatus2including the pillow4ofFIGS. 1A to 1Fwith the strap sleeve6ofFIGS. 2A to 2D.FIG. 3Ais a front view of a pillow apparatus2, showing the strap sleeve6in a first position.FIG. 3Bis a front view of the pillow apparatus2, showing the strap sleeve6in a second position.FIG. 3Cis a front view of the pillow apparatus2, showing the strap sleeve6in a third position.

As shown, the strap sleeve6is fastened to the pillow4by way of the hook fasteners14and loop fasteners16disposed on the first surface area12of the first major surface8of the pillow4and the second surface area32of the outer surface22of the strap sleeve6.

According to the present description, the first surface area12is greater than the second surface area32. Thus, the strap sleeve6can be positioned in a variety of positions on the first major surface8of the pillow4as represented byFIGS. 3A to 3C. By increasing the first surface area12relative to the second surface area32, the variety of different positions of the strap sleeve6relative to the pillow4is further increased. In an exemplary aspect, the first surface area12is at least two times the second surface area21. In another exemplary aspect, the first surface area12is at least four times the second surface area32. In yet another exemplary aspect, the first surface area12is at least eight times the second surface area32.

In the illustrated example, entirety of the first major surface8includes the one of hook fasteners14and loop fasteners16disposed thereon. Thus, the strap sleeve6can be positioned anywhere on the first major surface8of the pillow4.

FIGS. 4A to 4Cillustrate the pillow apparatus2ofFIGS. 3A to 3Cwith a strap S, such as a strap of a seatbelt.FIG. 4Ais a front view of the pillow apparatus2ofFIG. 3Awith a strap S of a seatbelt.FIG. 4Bis a front view of the pillow apparatus2ofFIG. 3Bwith a strap S of a seatbelt.FIG. 4Cis a front view of the pillow apparatus2ofFIG. 3Cwith a strap S of a seatbelt.

As shown, the pillow apparatus2is capable of removably attaching pillow4to a strap S by way of strap sleeve6. Thus, the pillow4can be used to protect surgical sites from contact with seatbelts, and the pillow can be fastened to the strap of the seatbelt so that it can be retained in position. Furthermore, by way of the removable fastening of the strap sleeve6to the pillow4and the first surface area12being greater than the second surface area32, the strap sleeve6may be positioned in a variety of positions on the first major surface8of the pillow4, and, thus, the pillow4may be positioned in a variety of positions with respect to the strap S. Furthermore, the pillow apparatus2may be used a standard coughing pillow during recovery in a hospital.

Additionally, the pillow apparatus2is not limited to use with a strap S of a seatbelt, but may be fixed to other surfaces, such as a bed rail.

According to another embodiment of the present description, there is a method for removably attaching to a strap sleeve to a pillow. The method includes: fastening a strap sleeve to a first major surface of a pillow at a first position, the strap sleeve comprising a cavity formed therein for receiving a strap, unfastening the strap sleeve from the first major surface of the pillow, and re-fastening the strap sleeve to the first major surface of the pillow at a second position different from the first position.

In an aspect, the pillow and strap sleeve include any one or more features described above with respect to the pillow apparatus.

In another aspect, the fastening, unfastening, and refastening steps are performed using hook and loop fasteners.

In yet another aspect, the pillow comprises a first surface area including one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners disposed thereon, and wherein said strap sleeve includes a second surface area comprising the other of hook fasteners and loop fasteners.

In yet another aspect, the first surface area is greater than the second surface area. In an example, the first surface area is at least two times the second surface area. In another example, the first surface area is at least four times the second surface area. In yet another example, the first surface area is at least eight times the second surface area. In yet another example, the entirety of the first major surface includes the one of hook fasteners and loop fasteners disposed thereon.

In yet another aspect, the first major surface of the pillow includes loop fasteners disposed thereon, and wherein the outer surface of the strap sleeve includes hook fasteners disposed thereon.

In yet another aspect, the method may further include wrapping the strap sleeve around a strap.

In yet another aspect, the method may further include fastening the strap sleeve to itself around the strap. The fastening the strap sleeve to itself around the strap may be performed using hook and loop fasteners.

Although various embodiments of the disclosed pillow apparatus and method for removably attaching a strap sleeve to a pillow have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.