Abstract:
A multi-use therapeutic pillow for the head includes a cushioned frame having a central cavity that extends therethrough. A cushioned transverse member, operably coupled to the cushioned frame at its opposite ends, divides the central cavity into a lower cavity and an upper cavity. The lower cavity is larger than the upper cavity. In use, the multi-use therapeutic pillow is configured to protect and/or avoid contact with a sensitive anatomical structure, such as, the eyes, ears, nose, or mouth, while providing adequate support for the head.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to therapeutic pillows and, more particularly, to therapeutic pillows designed to permit a user&#39;s head to be oriented differently with respect to the pillow to protect and/or avoid contact with sensitive anatomical structure of the user&#39;s head, such as, the user&#39;s eyes, ears, nose, or mouth, thereby enhancing the user&#39;s comfort and/or promoting healing of the aforesaid anatomical structures. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pillows are commercially-available in a wide range of shapes and sizes, each fulfilling a particular role. While pillows are primarily used to support the head of a resting or sleeping individual, some pillows are configured to support the other parts of the body (for example, the knees), and others are primarily for decorative purposes only. One class of pillows, e.g., orthopedic pillows, is constructed to support a particular body position, such as to correct vertebral alignment, support the head and neck during travel, or to relieve a particular condition, such as sleep apnea, snoring, sciatica pain, whiplash, rotator cuff injury, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (“GERD”). 
     Despite the variety of known, conventional pillows, there remains a need for providing complete support to a user&#39;s head while protecting an injured or sensitive anatomical region thereof, such as, an eye, ear, nose, mouth, etc. Users apply the full weight of the head onto the pillow when resting or sleeping, which may lead to painful contact between the pillow and an injury or an area of sensitivity of the user&#39;s head. Thus, there remains a need for a therapeutic pillow that is configured to protect, or selectively avoid contact with, sensitive anatomical structures of a user&#39;s head, while providing the necessary support to the head of a resting or sleeping individual. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the foregoing problems and other shortcomings and drawbacks of conventional therapeutic pillows for supporting the head. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, this invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the present invention. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a multi-use therapeutic pillow for supporting a user&#39;s head while protecting and/or avoiding contact with a selected sensitive portion thereof includes a cushioned frame having a central cavity extending therethrough. A cushioned, transverse member is operably coupled to the cushioned frame and divides the central cavity into upper and lower cavity sections such that the lower cavity section is larger than the upper cavity section. 
     In one aspect, the upper and lower cavity sections of the multi-use therapeutic pillow may be through holes; other aspects may include first and second membrane extending across the upper and lower cavity sections. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multi-use therapeutic pillow for supporting the user&#39;s head while protecting and/or avoiding contact with a selected portion thereof that includes a cushioned frame having a central cavity extending therethrough. A cushioned, transverse member is operably coupled to the cushioned frame and divides the central cavity into differently sized lower cavity and upper cavities. First and second membranes extend across respective ones of the differently sized cavities and are configured to increase the structural integrity of the cushioned frame of the multi-use therapeutic pillow. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a multi-use therapeutic pillow for supporting the head is described. The multi-use therapeutic pillow includes a cushioned frame having a central cavity, which is further divided into differently sized upper and lower cavities by a cushioned, transverse member, the lower cavity being larger than the upper cavity. The method includes positioning a sensitive anatomical portion of the head proximate a selected one of the upper and lower cavities and resting the head on the pillow with the sensitive anatomical portion thereof overlying or received by the selected cavity. 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the descriptions thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pillow in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a fabric shell and a resilient filler comprising the pillow of  FIG. 1  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the pillow of  FIG. 1 , with a user, shown in phantom, in a prone position such that the user&#39;s eyes overlie or fall within an upper cavity of the pillow and the user&#39;s lips overlie or fall within a lower cavity of the pillow. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the pillow, taken along the Line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 , with the user shown, facedown, in phantom. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the pillow, taken along Line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  but with the user shown in a prone position with head turned such that the face is directed to the side. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the pillow, taken along the Line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 , with the user shown in phantom such that the user&#39;s nose falls within the lower cavity of the pillow. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the pillow, taken along the Line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 , with the user shown in the prone position. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning now to the figures, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a pillow  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The pillow  10  includes a cushioned frame  12  that, as shown in the particular illustrative embodiment, includes a plurality of tubular segments  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22 . For the purpose of reducing the number of differently sized parts, although not necessary, each segment  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  is shown to have closed ends and a sidewall extending between the closed ends such that each segment  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  defines similar dimensions, including, for example, a length (L), preferably approximately 11⅝ inch, and a width (W) or diameter, preferably approximately 2⅞ inch. Four of the segments  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be arranged in a generally rectangular-shape, forming a central cavity  24  therein. The fifth segment  22  (also referred to as a cushioned, transverse member) may be positioned within the large central cavity  24  so as to divide the same into upper and lower sized cavities  26 ,  28  having different dimensions O 1  and O 2  (also referred to as fixed spacings between the joints formed between the closed ends of the corresponding segments  14 ,  18 ,  22  and the sidewalls of the other segments  16 ,  20 ), respectively, which in the preferred embodiment are approximately 1.5 inches and 3 inches. Off-center placement of the fifth segment  22  within the central cavity  24  provides the lower cavity  28  with an area (when viewed in top plan) that is greater than the area of the upper cavity  26 . 
     The cushioned frame  12  of the pillow  10  may comprise a shell  30  and a resilient filler  32 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the shell  30  may include a fabric-based construction, the selection of fabric being based on a desired use of the pillow  10 . For example, the shell  30  of pillows  10  that may contact the skin  34  of the user&#39;s face  36  may include satin so as to lessen skin wrinkling. The shell  30  of pillows  10  intended for multiple users, such as in a healthcare facility or hotel, may be constructed from a durable and/or washable material, such as cotton, nylon, denim, polyester, or linen. These materials and others may include a pre-treatment to further improve stain resistance, water resistance, or to introduce antibiotic properties. 
     Generally speaking, the resilient filler  32  may comprise any material or structure configured to be inserted into the shell  30  so as to provide the desired level of support or a degree of compressibility. Conventional pillows are marketed as being soft, medium, or firm, which are generalized terms for describing the level of support offered by that particular pillow. Therefore, the type and/or amount of resilient filler  32  used with the shell  30  may be selected to yield the desired level of support. Filler materials may include natural and/or synthetic materials, including, for example, cotton, down, feathers, buckwheat hulls, hemp fill, foam, latex, or polyester. Alternatively, and as was shown in  FIG. 1A , the resilient filler  32  may be an inflatable bladder  38  comprising a plurality of tubes  40   a ,  40   b  of one or more sizes. Each of the plurality of tubes  40   a ,  40   b  may be separately inflated via air valves  42  and inserted into the shell  30 . The tubes  40   a ,  40   b  may be, alternatively, fluidically coupled, with one or more air valves  42  operable for inflation. While fluidically-coupling the tubes  40   a ,  40   b  provides ease of inflation, individual inflation of each tube  40   a ,  40   b  permits variable levels of support within the same pillow  10 . Individual inflation of each tube also eliminates the movement of air from an area of compression (such as while supporting the user&#39;s head) to an area of less compression, which may result in an undesirable and/or uneven amount of support. 
     In any event, the inflatable bladder  38  may be constructed from vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, and polyurethane, for example. 
     Although not shown, it would be readily appreciated from the disclosure provided herein that pillows constructed in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention need not be limited to a two-piece construction. Instead, pillows that include an inflatable bladder may include a unitary construction, wherein at least one outer surface of the inflatable bladder includes a velour-flocked vinyl. In this way, the pillow retains the inflatable nature, provides softness and comfort to the user, and eliminates the separate component of a shell. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , and in lieu of the inflatable bladders  38 , the resilient filler  32  may include compressible material having a particular shape, such as tubes, or rods, suitable for use with the shell  30 . The compressible material may be, for example, polyester fiberfill, foam, or other like material. Furthermore, these or other materials may be used to stuff, or otherwise fill, bladders for insertion into the shell  30 , or into the shell  30  directly. Another alternative to constructing the pillow  10  of multiple stuffed tubes, is to provide a single block of appropriate density foam and provide the cavities  24  and  28  by selective removal of foam material from the block. A still further alternative is to foam the pillow in place in a two-part mold, and when the foam has cured, open the mold and remove the molded pillow. 
     Given the details of the pillow  10  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , and with reference now to  FIG. 2 , use of the pillow  10  is described in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention. The user  44 , shown to be face down, has positioned the pillow  10  such that the eyes  46  overlie or fall within the upper cavity  26  and the lips  48  overlie or fall within the lower cavity  28 . The particular positioning is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 . The illustrative position may be particularly useful for the user  44  wishing to avoid contact between their eyes  46  and the pillow  10 , such as those users having an eye irritation (such as allergies), eye infection (such as a stye), or post-operative recovery (such as after the removal of cataracts). Similar use can be made for users  44  having concerns regarding the mouth and/or lips (such as placement of braces, cold sores, or lip augmentation). In either situation, for the user  14  that prefers to rest face down, pressure applied to the sensitive facial structure may be limited or eliminated altogether. Therefore, and in use, the user  44  may position that sensitive facial structure to overlie or fall within a selected one of the upper and lower cavity  26 ,  28  and such that the cushioned frame  12  provides protection and support to less sensitive areas of the face, head, and neck. 
     In  FIG. 3 , like  FIG. 2 , the user  44  positions the pillow  10 ′ such that the eyes  46  and lips  48  overlie or fall within the upper and lower cavities  26 ′,  28 ′, respectively. However, as compared to the cavities  26 ,  28  of  FIG. 2 , the pillow  10 ′ of  FIG. 3  further includes first and second membranes  50 ,  52  extending across the bottom of the respective upper and lower cavities  26 ′,  28 ′. The membranes  50 ,  52  are configured to increase the structural integrity of the cushioned frame  12 ′ and may be constructed from materials that are similar to those described previously for the shell  30 ′, but are generally inelastic in nature so as to limit internal shifting of the shell  30 ′ with respect to the resilient filler  32 ′ or the cushioned frame  12 ′ generally. The membranes  50 ,  52  close the upper and lower cavities  26 ′,  28 ′ to form recesses and may be placed at any location within the respective cavities  26 ′,  28 ′; however, it may be desirable to position the membranes  50 ,  52  offset with respect to a central plane through the pillow  10 ′ to increase a depth of the recess for receiving the sensitive facial structures. 
     The skilled artisan will readily appreciate that the membranes  50 ,  52  may be constructed from the same material and, in fact, the same cut sheet of material, as the shell  30 ′ or, alternatively, from another material and/or cut sheet of fabric that is then coupled to the shell  30 ′ via stitching, heat fusion tape, buttons, hooks, or other known devices. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , the pillow  10  is position similar to the arrangement shown previously, but the user&#39;s head is rotated. Therefore, the user  44  need not be limited to a face down position, but instead may move and shift, during rest, while eliminating pressure to those sensitive facial structures. 
     Of course, use of the pillow  10  need not be limited to reducing pressure applied to eyes  46  and lips  48 . In fact, and in other uses such as is shown in  FIG. 5 , the pillow  10  may also be positioned such that the user&#39;s nose  54  falls within one of the upper and lower cavities  26 ,  28 . Similarly, and as depicted in  FIG. 5 , an adult recovering from a sinus surgery may position the pillow  10  such that his/her nose, maxillary sinus, and/or ethmoidal sinus fall within the larger, lower cavity  28 . In either situation, the user  44  may rest, face down or with the head rotated to one side, while reducing the amount of pressure applied to the sensitive facial structures. This particularly illustrated position may also be useful for relieving pressure applied to the ear, which may be sensitive due to ear infection or after ear piercing, ear surgery, for example. To accomplish this result, the user&#39;s head would be rotated 90° from that shown in  FIG. 5  such as to position the ear to overlie the lower cavity  28 . For example, although not shown in  FIG. 5 , a child having suffered a sports-related nose injury may position the pillow  10  such that his/her nose falls within the smaller, upper cavity  26 . 
     As alluded to previously, pillows according to embodiments of the present invention may also provide cosmetic benefits. In particular, it has been recognized that pillows may contribute to the appearance of aging and, in particular, to wrinkle formation. According to one hypothesis, pressure applied by the pillow onto the delicate tissues of the face, night-after-night, may etch lines, called sleep lines, within the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin. In that regard, and with reference now to  FIG. 6 , the pillow  10  may also be used in reducing the appearance of wrinkles The pillow  10 , shown in cross-section, is rotated approximately 90° (as compared to  FIG. 3 ) such that the user&#39;s chin  56  and cheek  58  fall within the larger lower cavity  28 . As a result, the cushioned frame  12  supports the back of the user&#39;s head while pressure applied to the facial structures (here the chin  56  and cheek  58 ) is reduced or eliminated. By constructing the pillow  10  from nonabrasive materials, such as silk or satin, the delicate tissues of the face may be further protected from the appearance of sleep lines. 
     Although not specifically depicted in the figures herein, the pillow  10  may also be used to reduce muffling of sound, which is common when using conventional pillows. That is, the user  44  may position the pillow  10  such that the ear falls within one of the upper or lower cavities  26 ,  28 . Without obstruction from the pillow, the user  44  may be able to hear noises that would otherwise be muffled or muted by contact between the ear and a conventional pillow. Such uses may be advantageous for users that are on alert, for example, a new parent listening for the cry of an infant or first responders listening for an alarm, telephone, pager, or other audible signal. The pillow  10  used in this manner could also provide relief to users having a hearing deficit that wish to rest while watching television or listening to music. 
     Pillows in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may also be useful in alleviating the nighttime symptoms of acid reflux and/or gastroesophageal reflux disorder (“GERD”). In particular, users having either of these disorders have found at least partial relief by elevating their head while at rest. In that regard, the pillow  10  may be stacked with one or more other, conventional pillows  61 , as shown in  FIG. 7A . In this way, the user  44  retains the benefits of the pillow  10  noted above (whether protecting sensitive facial structures or cosmetic purposes) while one or more conventional pillows  61  provide a desired or therapeutic height. 
     In  FIG. 7B , a pillow  60  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is shown for use in reducing the nighttime symptoms of acid reflux and/or GERD. The resilient filler  62  of the pillow  60  includes a shape that is similar to commercially-available wedge pillows, so as to naturally incline the user&#39;s head. The shell  64  of the pillow  60  may be constructed, as described previously, including first and second membranes  66 ,  68  in upper and lower cavities  70 ,  72 . The membranes  66 ,  68  resist damage to the filler  62  and/or maintain cleanliness of the filler  62 . 
     It would be readily appreciated that the pillow  10  may comprise an integral block of any desired compressible material, such as foam, from which material the block has been removed to form the differently sized cavities  26  and  28 . 
     In that same regard, pillows according to other embodiments of the present invention, may be constructed to include a cushioned frame shape that when viewed in top plan is generally oval, trapezoidal, square, or other geometric shape as desired for a particular therapeutic purpose. Furthermore, the overall size of the pillow may vary, that is, larger pillows may be constructed for use with a king size bed while smaller pillows may be constructed for therapeutic treatment of infants. 
     The combination of a cushioned frame, regardless of its geometric shape, forming a large central cavity and a transverse cushioned member spanning the frame cavity to divide it into two differently sized cavities, provides a therapeutic pillow which is susceptive of supporting the entire head in a variety of different orientations, while protecting and avoiding contact with a variety of different potentially sensitive anatomical components of the user&#39;s head. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in some detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The various features of the invention may be used alone or in any combination depending on the needs and preferences of the user. This has been a description of the present invention, along with methods of practicing the present invention as currently known. However, the invention itself should only be defined by the appended claims.