Abstract:
A prenatal/postnatal pillow is disclosed. The pillow includes a body with a first end, a medial portion, and a second end. The pillow may possess a generally C-shaped structure defining an interior well operable to curve around a body part of a user. The interior of the pillow body defines a cavity, which may include a series of cells containing a predetermined amount of fill material. The ends of the pillow body may include fasteners that connect to draw the ends of the pillow together, forming a compact support surface. The pillow also includes an internal compartment for storing articles such as blankets, bottles, etc.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/353,494, filed 14 Jan. 2009 and entitled “Nursing Pillow.” The aforementioned disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed toward a nursing pillow and, in particular, to a curved pillow including an internal compartment for storing items, as well as a method of forming the pillow. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pillows are often used to support users in a comfortable position. Most pillow designs are not reconfigurable, failing to accommodate people of different sizes and shapes or to accommodate its use in diverse positions or modes of use. In addition, pillows lack storage space, requiring the user to either fasten related or accessory items directly to the pillow or risk losing the item. Thus, it is desirable to provide a nursing pillow capable of storing items within reach of the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A prenatal/postnatal pillow is disclosed. The pillow includes a body with a first end, a medial portion, and a second end. The pillow may possess a generally C-shaped structure defining an interior well operable to curve around a body part of a user. The interior of the pillow body may define a cavity, which may include a series of cells containing predetermined amounts of fill material. The ends of the pillow body may include fasteners that may be connected together to draw the ends of the pillow together, forming a more compact support surface. The pillow may also include an internal compartment for storing accessory items such as blankets, bottles, etc. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a support pillow in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of the support pillow of  FIG. 1 , with the top portion of the pillow removed to show the pillow&#39;s internal cavity divided into cells. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the support pillow of  FIG. 2A  further including fill material within many of the cells. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the support pillow of  FIG. 1 , showing the internal storage compartment and an accessory for use therewith. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of the support pillow of  FIG. 1 , showing the seams of the pillow. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates the support pillow of  FIG. 1  with its ends cinched into a closed-well configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top plan view of the support pillow of  FIG. 1 , showing the exemplary dimensions of the pillow in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  illustrates the operation of the support pillow in a first mode, showing an infant sleeping on the support pillow of  FIG. 1  (the infant being wrapped in the accessory—note that the user/parent is not shown for ease of illustration only). 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  illustrates the operation of the pillow of  FIG. 1  in a second mode, showing a user supporting an infant while nursing. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the support pillow in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the support pillow  10  includes a pillow body or shell  100  with a first portion  110 , a second or medial portion  120 , and a third portion  130 . The first portion  110  terminates in a first end  140 , while the third portion  130  terminates in a second end  150 . The medial portion  120  is interposed between the first portion  110  and the second portion  130 . The support pillow body  100  further includes a top surface  160  and a bottom surface  170 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support pillow  10  possesses a generally curved, C-shaped or crescent-shaped configuration, wherein the curve of the support pillow forms a well  180  is capable of contouring around a body part of a user. For example, the well  180  may receive a user such that the support pillow  10  contours around the user&#39;s waist or torso. Preferably, the support pillow  10  is configured to wrap partially around a user (e.g., conforming to only the front half or the rear half of the user&#39;s waist). It is important to note, however, the support pillow body  100  may possess any dimensions and possess any shape suitable for its described purpose. 
         [0016]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top views of the pillow of  FIG. 1 , with the top surface  160  of the pillow removed to reveal the internal pillow structure. As illustrated, the pillow body  100  is a shell (e.g., a fabric cover) with an internal cavity filled with a predetermined amount of fill material. The shell may define a single cavity; alternatively, the cavity may be segmented into sections. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the cavity is divided into a first section  210 , a second section  220 , and a third section  230 . The first section  210  is separated from the second section  220  by a first wall  240 . Similarly, a second wall separates the second section  220  from the third section  230  by a second wall  250 . The first cavity section  210  may correspond to the first body portion  110 , the second cavity section  220  may correspond to the second body portion  120 , and the third cavity section  230  may correspond to the third body portion  130 . The walls made be formed from the same material as the shell (e.g., soft fabric), or may be formed from different material. 
         [0017]    Each section  210 ,  220 ,  230 , moreover, may be divided into subsections or cells. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the cavity may include a third wall  260  beginning in the first section  210 , extending through the second section  220 , and terminating in the third section  230 . With this configuration, a plurality of subsections or cells  210 A,  210 B,  220 A,  220 B,  230 A,  230 B a formed. As best seen in  FIG. 2B , each cell  210 A,  210 B,  220 A,  220 B,  230 A,  230 B may be selectively filled with a predetermined amount of fill material  275 , enabling complete control of the level of support (fill density) throughout the pillow  10 . For example, each cell  210 A,  210 B,  220 A,  220 B,  230 A,  230 B may have the same level of fill density or may have varying levels of fill density. Fill materials  275  may include, but are not limited to, resilient, hypoallergenic material such as polyester fibers. 
         [0018]    In addition, the pillow  10  may include at least one internal compartment operable to store objects such as blankets, toys, etc. As seen in  FIG. 2B , cell  220 A may not contain fill material  275  (or it may contain a reduced amount of fill material  275 —just enough to maintain its shape). The first wall  240 , the second wall  250 , and third wall  260  define a pocket accessible to a user.  FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the pillow  10  of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the pocket is created within the medial portion  120  of the pillow body  100 . Access to the pocket may be provided via an opening  300  disposed proximate the center of medial portion (e.g., the opening may be generally coplanar with the horizontal midplane (see  440 ) of the pillow body  100 ). The pocket may be sealed to secure objects therein. By way of example, the opening  300  may be formed from an upper flap  310  and lower flap  320  releasably connected using a hook and loop fastener (seen in  FIG. 3 ). Alternatively, other connection members (buttons (seen in  FIG. 1 ), hooks, snaps, ties, zipper etc.) may be used. With this configuration, an internal compartment is formed ( 220 A), permitting a user to safely secure items (e.g., a blanket B) within the compartment, out of reach from an infant. The pocket of cell  220 A, furthermore, may include an internal fastener permanently or releasably connected to the item stored therein. For example, the blanket B may be tethered to the pocket, securing the blanket B to the pillow  10 . 
         [0019]    A plurality of seams may be formed in the pillow body  100  at predetermined locations to provide the pillow  10  with a desired degree of flexibility and/or support.  FIG. 4  is a top view of the pillow  10 , showing a seam configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the pillow body  100  includes a first generally vertical seam  410  and a second generally vertical seam  420  (from the perspective of  FIG. 4 ). The first vertical seam  410  may correspond to the position first cavity wall  240 ; similarly, the second vertical seam  420  may correspond to the position of second cavity wall  250 . Similar seams may be formed on the bottom surface  170  of the pillow body  100 . As such, the first  410  and second  420  generally vertical seams may collectively define the medial portion  120  of the pillow body  100 . 
         [0020]    The pillow body  100  may further include one or more horizontal seams. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the pillow may include a generally horizontal seam  430  extending along the top surface  160  of the pillow body  100 , intersecting both of the generally vertical seams  410 ,  420 . Similarly, the bottom surface  170  of the pillow body may include generally horizontal seam  430  extending along its surface (not illustrated). The generally horizontal seams  430  may correspond to the position of the third cavity wall  260 , described above. 
         [0021]    The pillow  10  may further include a peripheral seam  440  operable to secure the top surface  160  to the bottom surface  170  of the pillow body. The peripheral seam  440  may extend about the periphery of the pillow body, being generally coplanar with the horizontal midplane of the pillow body  100 . The peripheral seam  440  may be formed around the entire periphery of the pillow body  100 ; alternatively, the peripheral seam may extend along only a portion of the pillow body  100 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the peripheral seam  440  begins proximate the first vertical seam  410 , travels away from the well portion  180  of medial section  120 , around the first end  140  and the second end  150 , and terminates proximate the second vertical seam  420 . In other words, the medial portion  120  may lack a peripheral seam on along the front and rear of the medial portion  120 . 
         [0022]    The pillow may further include connection members  500  operable to secure the first end  140  of the pillow body  100  to the second end  150  of the pillow body  100 , creating a fuller support surface on which in infant may be supported.  FIG. 5  illustrates a rear perspective view of the pillow, showing the operation of the connection members  500 . In illustrated embodiment, the connection members  500  are straps tethered to each end  140 ,  150 . The straps are tied together to draw the arms of the pillow inward, cinching the pillow ends  140 ,  150  together. With this configuration, the pillow  10  may be reconfigured from an open well configuration ( FIG. 1 ) to a closed well configuration ( FIG. 5 ). The closed well configuration creates a more compact, higher support surface onto which an infant may be placed (or onto which a user may rest her head). While straps are illustrated, other connection members  500  operable to secure to each other and secure the first end  140  of the pillow body to the second end  150  of the pillow body  100  (thus substantially closing the well  180 ) may be used, such as buttons, snaps, flaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, tie strings, belts etc. In addition to securing the ends  140 ,  150  of the same pillow together, the connection members  500  may be used to connect a plurality of pillows together, as well as be used to secure objects to the pillow such as infant toys, etc. 
         [0023]    The dimensions of the pillow  10  may be defined to provide proper contour and support of a user.  FIG. 6  is a top view of the pillow  10 , showing specific examples of the various pillow dimensions that may be utilized. Starting with the rear side of the pillow (the side including the well  180 ), D, corresponding to the depth of the well  180 , may be less than about 9 inches (22.86 cm). By way of example, D may possess a value of about 8 inches (20.32 cm). W 1 , corresponding to the width of the well  180  measured from first end  140  to second end  150 , may be less than about 14 inches (35.56 cm) without stretching the arms apart. By way of example, W 1  may possess a value of about 9-12 inches (22.86 cm-30.48 cm) without stretching the arms apart. W 2 , corresponding to the width of the well  180  measured proximate its midpoint, may be less than about 9 inches (22.86 cm). D 1 , corresponding to the distance from the second end  150  to the second generally vertical seam  420  (as measured along the peripheral seam  440 ), may be about 6.5 to about 10.5 inches (16.51 cm-26.67 cm). By way of example, D 1  may possess a value of about 8.5 inches (21.59 cm). D 2 , corresponding to the distance from the second generally vertical seam  420  to the first generally vertical seam  410  (as measured along the peripheral seam  440 ) may be about 2-7 inches (5.08 cm-17.78 cm). By way of example, D 2  may possess of value of about 5 inches (12.7 cm). D 3 , corresponding to the distance from the first generally vertical seam  410  to the first end  140  (as measured along the peripheral seam  440 ) may be about 6.5 to about 10.5 inches (16.51 cm-26.67 cm). By way of example, D 3  may possess a value of about 8.5 inches (21.59 cm). Thus, the overall distance from the first end  140  to the second end  150  along the inner well may be about 15-28 inches (38.10 cm-71.12 cm). By way of example overall distance may be about 22 inches (55.88 cm). 
         [0024]    Turning to the outer (front side) dimensions of the pillow  10 , D 4 , corresponding to the distance from the first end  140  to the first generally vertical seam  410  (as measured along peripheral seam  440 ), may be about 26-30 inches (66.04 cm-76.20 cm). By way of example, D 4  may possess a value of about 28 inches (71.12 cm). D 5 , corresponding to the distance from the first generally vertical seam  410  to the second generally vertical seam  420  (as measured along the peripheral seam  440 ) may be about 7-11 inches (17.78 cm-27.94 cm). By way of example, D 5  may possess a value of about 9 inches (22.86 cm). D 6 , corresponding to the measurement from the second generally vertical seam  420  to the second end  150  (as measured along the peripheral seam  440 ), may possess a measurement similar to D 4 , thus may be about 26-30 inches (66.04 cm-76.20 cm). By way of example, D 6  may possess a value of about 28 inches (71.12 cm). Thus, the overall outer dimensions of the pillow body  100  may be about 59-67 inches (149.86 cm-170.18). By way of example, the overall outer dimensions may be about 63 inches (160.02 cm). 
         [0025]    D 7 , corresponding to the distance the generally horizontal seam  430  extends along the first portion  110  of the pillow  10 , may be about 13-17 inches (33.02 cm-43.18 cm). By way of example, D 7  may possess a value of about 15 inches (38.10 cm). D 8 , corresponding to the distance the generally horizontal seam  430  extends from the first generally vertical seam  410  to the second generally vertical seam  420 , may be about 5.5-9.5 inches (13.97 cm-24.13 cm). By way of example, D 8  may possess a value of about 7.5 inches (19.05 cm). D 9 , corresponding to the distance the generally horizontal seam  430  extends along the third portion  130  of the pillow  10 , may be about 13-17 inches (33.02 cm-43.18 cm). By way of example, D 9  may possess a value of about 15 inches (38.10 cm). Finally, D 10 , corresponding to the distance from the rear of the pillow  10  to the front of the pillow, as measured along the first or second generally vertical seam  410 ,  420 , may be about 13-17 inches (33.02 cm-43.18 cm). By way of example, D 10  may possess a value of about 15 inches (38.10 cm). 
         [0026]    The height of the pillow  10  may taper from front of the pillow (the side including the pocket opening  300 ) towards the rear of the pillow. For example, the height of the pillow at the medial portion  120  may be about 5-11 inches (12.7 cm-27.94 cm) (e.g., about 7.5 inches (7.50 cm)), while the height measured at each end  140 ,  150 , may be about 2-6 inches (5.08 cm-15.24 cm) (e.g., about 4 inches) (10.16 cm). 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates one exemplary use of the pillow  10  (where the user/parent is not shown for ease of illustration only—the infant should never be left unattended). As shown, in the first mode, an infant may be supported by the pillow  10 .  FIG. 8  illustrates the operation of the pillow of  FIG. 1  in a second mode. In this second mode, the pillow  100  is partially wrapped around the waist of a user, with the medial portion  120  positioned over the user&#39;s lap. An infant may be positioned on the pillow for feeding, nursing, sleeping, etc. 
         [0028]    The pillow  10  may be formed using processes such a blow filling. Specifically, the perimeter of the pillow  10  may be nearly entirely sealed, leaving a small opening through which batting material may be inserted. The batting material (e.g., polyester fiber) is blown into the cavity of the pillow until the pillow is filled to the desirable size and firmness. In operation, the individual cells may each be filled separately (and with differing amounts and densities of filling), after which the perimeter of the pillow body  100  is sealed (e.g., via stitching). 
         [0029]    While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the pillow  10  can be of any size and shape, and may be formed from any suitable materials. The height of the pillow may taper downward from the medial portion toward the ends  140 ,  150 ; alternately, the height may remain constant, or may taper upward from the medial portion toward the ends  140 ,  150 . Any number of seams may be used; moreover, the seams may be placed at any desired location. It is important to note, however, that the seams,  410 ,  420 ,  430  may be formed so they do not correspond with the walls of the cavity  205 . In addition, fewer or greater amounts of seams may be provided. The pocket (i.e., a pocket opening  300 ) may be created within any portion  110 ,  120 , and  130  of the body. In addition, multiple pockets may be formed within the body  100 . Finally, the pillow  10  can include various external, removable, pillowcases, including pillowcases that incorporate a fashion design. The pillowcases may be machine washable and/or hypoallergenic. 
         [0030]    Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that terms such as “left”, “right” “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, “inner”, “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.