Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to the field of juvenile products, specifically infant support or nursing pillows, the intent of which is to support an infant in a variety of settings by providing a stable surface upon which to rest. Various embodiments include a generally crescent shaped device, comprised of a resilient fill material surrounded by a fabric shell and having a top and a bottom surface connected by a band of uniform width extending vertically and wholly about the perimeter of the pillow. The top and bottom surfaces are distinctly different in dimension, resulting in the pillow having an asymmetrical cross section, with one side having generally more loft and the other being substantially flat along a plane perpendicular to the perimeter band. A medial region between two extending arms forms a well, for the purpose of receiving a human torso or small child.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/243,570; filed on Sep. 23, 2011, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/386,165; filed on Sep. 24, 2010; the disclosures of the referenced applications hereby being incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally provides infant support pillows having increased utility. In particular, the disclosure provides infant support pillows that can have an asymmetrical cross-section and/or can be alterable in one or more of size and shape. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Infant support pillows are differentiated from traditional pillows or support devices in that they are specifically shaped to fit around the torso of a caregiver in order to support an infant while feeding, specifically breast feeding. Alternately, support pillows may serve the purpose of supporting an infant when placed on his tummy, on his back (semi-reclined), or when seated in an upright position. 
         [0004]    Known infant support pillows typically are substantially toroidal in shape, with a cross-section that is normally circular or elliptical. Such a configuration generally results in a cross-section that is symmetrical about a laterally extending plane. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,185 describes a nursing pillow having a medial region with opposing arms, furthermore including a seamless inner section located centrally within the inner well surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,861 discloses a support pillow with opposing arms disposed about an open well at a confronting, touching relationship. Applicants have identified that the disadvantage of these designs is that the versatility of the device is limited, as both support surfaces of the pillow have the same contour. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one embodiment a support pillow is provided. The support pillow may comprise a resilient fill material and a fabric shell at least partially enclosing the fill material. The resilient fill material and the fabric shell may define a first arm, a second arm, and a medial region that connects the first arm to the second arm. The first arm, the second arm, and the medial region may partially or substantially surround and define a well, wherein the first arm and the second arm may be configured to be separable to provide a user with access to the well therebetween, or wherein the first arm and second aim may define an opening therebetween to provide access to the well. The first arm, the second arm, and the medial region may define a first laterally-extending support surface with a lofted configuration and an opposing laterally-extending second support surface with a substantially planar configuration. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments the support pillow may further comprise a perimeter band, wherein the perimeter band extends around the perimeter, collectively, of the first arm, second arm, and medial region, between the first support surface and the opposing second support surface. The perimeter band may be directly affixed to a first panel of the fabric shell at the first support surface and the perimeter band may be directly affixed to a second panel of the fabric shell at the opposing second support surface. The support pillow may further comprise a seam extending transverse to the perimeter band and proximate to the open well, wherein the seam is configured to prevent tearing of the perimeter band when the first arm and the second arm are pulled apart to increase a width of the opening. A pocket may be defined in the medial region, the first arm, and/or the second arm. The pocket may extend into the medial region at least one of substantially parallel to the opposing second support surface and along a seam extending around the perimeter band. A fabric liner may define the pocket and separate the pocket from the resilient fill material. In other instances, the resilient fill material itself may be configured to define the pocket. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments the support pillow may further comprise a selectively-removable cover configured to substantially and collectively enclose the first arm, the second arm, and the medial region. The cover and/or the fabric shell support pillow may comprise a handle, and the handle may define one or more loops configured to attach one or more peripheral components. The cover may define a resealable opening configured to align with a pocket defined in the medial region. The first arm may comprise a first indentation and the second arm may comprise a second indentation, wherein the first indentation and the second indentation are respectively configured to facilitate bending of the first arm and the second arm (i.e., the indentations may form “living hinges” for facilitating bending of the first and second arms). 
         [0008]    In some embodiments the support pillow may further comprise an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust at least one of a width of the opening between the first arm and the second arm and an area of the open well. The adjustment mechanism may comprise an elongated flexible member extending from the first arm around the open well to the second arm and a fixation member coupled to one of the first arm and the second arm and configured to releasably engage the elongated flexible member at a user-selectable position. One of the elongated flexible member and the fixation member may comprise a hook material, and the other of the adjustable elongated member and the fixation member may comprise a loop material. The elongated flexible member may define an exposed section disposed at one of the first aim and the second arm and an internal section disposed inside the fabric shell and partially surrounding the open well. The adjustment mechanism may be configured to decrease the area of the open well and the width of the opening between the first arm and the second arm when a length of the exposed section of the elongated flexible member is increased relative to a length of the internal section of the elongated flexible member. 
         [0009]    In an additional embodiment a method for forming a support pillow is provided. The method may include providing a resilient fill material and a fabric shell comprising a first panel and a second panel and coupling the first panel of the fabric shell to the second panel of the fabric shell with the fill material therebetween so as to at least partially enclose the fill material with the fabric shell and define a support pillow comprising a first arm, a second arm, and a medial region that connects the first arm to the second arm. The first arm, the second arm, and the medial region may partially or substantially surround and define a well, wherein the first arm and the second arm may be configured to be separable to provide a user with access to the well therebetween, or wherein the first arm and second arm may define an opening therebetween to provide access to the well. The first arm, the second arm, and the medial region may define a first laterally-extending support surface with a lofted configuration and an opposing second laterally-extending support surface with a substantially planar configuration. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments the method may further comprise coupling a perimeter band to the first panel of the fabric shell and to the second panel of the fabric shell such that the perimeter band extends around the perimeter of the support pillow between the first support surface and the opposing second support surface. Additionally, the method may include coupling an adjustment mechanism to the support pillow, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust at least one of a width of the opening between the first arm and the second arm and an area of the open well. Coupling the adjustment mechanism to the support pillow may comprise enclosing an internal section of an elongated flexible member between the first panel and the second panel of the fabric shell so as to partially surround the open well, and releasably coupling an exposed section of the elongated flexible member to one of the first arm and the second arm. 
         [0011]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0012]    Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a support pillow according to a first example embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the support pillow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a back view of the support pillow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the support pillow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of a support pillow including a cover according to a second example embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side view of the support pillow of  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a support pillow including an adjustment mechanism according to a third example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter through reference to various embodiments. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
         [0021]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a support pillow  100  is provided. The support pillow  100  may comprise a fabric shell that may be defined by a first laterally-extending panel  102 A (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) and a second laterally-extending panel  102 B (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ), and collectively referred to herein as fabric shell  102 . The fabric shell  102  may at least partially enclose a resilient fill material. The resilient fill material may comprise one or more layers of polyester batting, foam, loose fill material, and/or various other materials configured to fill the fabric shell  102  and provide structure thereto. The support pillow  100  may comprise a first arm  104 , a second arm  106 , and a medial region  108  defined at least in part by the fabric shell  102  and the resilient fill material. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments the support pillow  100  may further comprise a perimeter band  110  that extends around the perimeter of the support pillow (e.g., extending collectively and continuously around the first arm  104 , the second arm  106 , and the medial region  108 ). The perimeter band  110  may comprise fabric or any other material that may provide structure to the support pillow as discussed below. The perimeter band  110  may extend around the perimeter of the support pillow  100  between a first support surface  112  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) and an opposing second support surface  114  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) collectively defined by the first arm  104 , the second arm  106 , and the medial region  108 . The perimeter band  110  may thus be affixed (e.g., directly affixed) to the first laterally-extending panel  102 A of the fabric material at the first support surface  112  and affixed (e.g., directly affixed) to the second laterally-extending panel  102 B of the fabric material at the opposing second support surface  114 . 
         [0023]    The first support surface  112  and the opposing second support surface  114  of the support pillow  100  may be configured to support an infant. In one embodiment the support pillow  100  may be configured to be worn by a user when employed to support an infant. In particular, an opening  116  defined between the first arm  104  and the second arm  106  may be configured to provide a user with access to a well  118  at least partially surrounded by the first arm  104 , the second arm  106 , and the medial region  108 . Accordingly, the user may spread the first arm  104  and the second arm  106  so as to allow his or her torso to enter through the opening  116 . Normally, the first and second arms  104 ,  106  may be spaced apart though, in some instances, the first and second arms  104 ,  106  may be configured to contact each other. In some embodiments a seam  120  may extend around the perimeter band  110  between the first panel  102 A and the second panel  102 B of the fabric shell  102 . The seam  120  may be configured to prevent tearing of the perimeter band  110  when the first arm  104  and the second arm  106  are pulled apart to increase a width of the opening  116  and/or provide additional functions as discussed below. Additional seams  122 ,  124  may be provided between the perimeter band  110  and the first panel  102 A of the fabric shell  102  and between the perimeter band and the second panel  102 B of the fabric shell. These seams  122 ,  124  couple the perimeter band  110  to the fabric shell  102  and further reduce the possibility of the perimeter band and fabric shell tearing when the first arm  104  and the second arm are pulled away from each other. Other seams may be provided in the perimeter band  110 , as necessary, to facilitate flexibility of the first and second arms, or to prevent tearing, wherein such seams, for instance, may extend transversely to the perimeter band  110 . 
         [0024]    The support pillow  100  may include an asymmetric configuration on opposing sides of a laterally-extending plane extending between the first and second support surfaces  112 ,  114 . The asymmetric configuration may provide the support pillow with increased functionality. In particular, the first support surface  112  may define a lofted, arcuate, or otherwise rounded configuration, and the opposing second support surface  114  may define a substantially flat, planar configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this regard, in order to achieve the lofted configuration, the first panel  102 A of the fabric shell  102  may define one or more larger dimensions relative to the second panel  102 B of the fabric shell. 
         [0025]    Further, in addition to the larger dimension first panel  102 A, or in instances where the first and second panels  102 A,  102 B have the same or substantially similar dimensions, the resilient fill material may be sized and shaped to produce the lofted configuration at the side corresponding to the first support surface  112 , and the resilient fill material may be sized and shaped to form a substantially planar configuration at the side corresponding to the opposing second support surface  114 . That is, the surface of the resilient fill material disposed directly adjacent the first panel  102 A of the fabric shell  102  may be configured to be lofted and generally rounded or arcuate. The surface of the resilient fill material disposed directly adjacent the second panel  102 B of the fabric shell  102  may be configured such that it is generally flat. Thus, in one embodiment the resilient fill material may define a shape substantially similar to the ultimate shape of the support pillow  100  prior to being enclosed by the fabric shell  102 . 
         [0026]    However, in another embodiment the fabric shell  102  may be partially assembled with an aperture left open and configured to receive a loose fill material (e.g., feathers, cotton, etc. to form the lofted support surface) and/or a solid fill material (e.g., a solid foam material to form the substantially planar support surface). In instances where two or more different fill materials are implemented, such different fill materials may be separated, for example, by a fabric panel between each type of fill material, or separate compartments may be formed in the fabric shell  102  for receiving the different types of fill material. That is, in some aspects, the resilient fill material comprises a plurality of fill material components, with adjacent fill material components being separated by a fabric panel extending therebetween, and with the fabric panel being engaged with the fabric shell to prevent intermingling of the adjacent fill material components. For example, in one embodiment, two different fill material components may be implemented as the resilient fill material, and the fabric panel may be engaged with the inside surface of the fabric shell so as to extend in a lateral (i.e., substantially horizontal) plane to separate the two different fill material components from each other. In other aspects, particular types of fill material may be attached to the inside surface of the fabric shell  102  (i.e., a solid foam material may be glued to an appropriate inside surface of the fabric shell  102 ). Accordingly, such various types or forms of fill material may be used, either separately or in combination, to fill the fabric shell and cause the support pillow to expand to the dimensions allowed by the partially assembled fabric shell (i.e., the first panel  102 A having a larger dimension than the second panel  102 B). Accordingly, in some embodiments the shape of the support pillow  100  may be defined by one or both of the resilient fill material and the fabric shell  102 . 
         [0027]    Additionally, the shape of the support pillow  100  may be defined in part by the perimeter band  110 . In this regard, the perimeter band  110  may provide structure to the support pillow and allow for a gradual transition between the perimeter band  110  and the first support surface  112  (having the lofted configuration) at the seam  122  and allow for a sharp transition between the perimeter band  110  and the opposing second support surface  114  at the seam  124 . In this regard, the perimeter band  110  may be generally perpendicular to the opposing second support surface  114  and extend generally vertically when the opposing second support surface is configured in a horizontal orientation, for example, during use of the support pillow. 
         [0028]    In some instances, the dissimilar dimensions of the first support surface  112  and the opposing support surface  114  result in an asymmetrical cross-section, which may allow for greater flexibility in how the pillow is used. In this regard, as noted above, the support pillow  100  may be configured to support an infant. The asymmetric configuration provides the opportunity to employ the first support surface  112  of the support pillow  100  with the lofted configuration to prop up an infant either on his or her back, side, or belly such that the infant may rest comfortably on the first support surface and, in some embodiments, partially within the well  118 . Further, the opposing second support surface  114  with the flat, substantially planar configuration may be employed to support an infant during nursing, when the first and second arms are wrapped around a user&#39;s torso such that the user&#39;s torso is disposed in the well  118 . Accordingly, the first support surface  112  and the opposing second support surface  114  may define differing configurations (e.g., lofted, and substantially planar, respectively) in order to provide the support pillow  100  with enhanced performance in the form of multiple modes of functionality depending on which support surface  112 ,  114  is employed to support the infant. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments the support pillow  100  may further comprise or define a pocket  126 . The pocket  126  may be defined in the medial region  108  of the support pillow  100  in some embodiments. However, in other embodiments the pocket  126  may be defined in a different portion of the support pillow  100 , such as the first arm  104  or the second arm  106 . The pocket  126  may include a fabric liner  128  that defines the pocket and separates the pocket from the resilient fill material. The liner  128  may be sewn or otherwise attached directly to the outer periphery of the support pillow  100 . In other aspects, the resilient fill material itself may define the pocket  126 . The pocket  126  may extend into the support pillow  100  (e.g., into the medial region  108 , the first arm  104 , and/or the second arm  106 ) substantially parallel to the second support surface  114 . In some instances, the opening into the pocket  126  may extend along a perimetric seam  120 ,  122 ,  124  associated with the perimeter band  110 . In such instances, the pocket  126  formed in conjunction with the seam  120 ,  122 ,  124  may facilitate attachment of the fabric liner  128  of the pocket  126  and/or reduce the visibility of the opening into the pocket  126 . Further, one or more transverse seams  129 A,  129 B may be provided proximate the pocket  126 . The transverse seams  129 A,  129 B may be configured to prevent tearing (e.g., tearing of the perimeter band  110 ) proximate the pocket  126 . In one embodiment the transverse seams  129 A,  129 B may align with the center of the pocket  126  across the width thereof, and a medial perimetric seam  120  may align with a center of the pocket across a height thereof. 
         [0030]    The pocket  126  may be configured to receive an accessory device intended to enhance comfort of the infant and/or the user wearing the support pillow  100  about his or her torso and/or configured to perform other functions. For example, the pocket  126  may be used as a storage compartment for storing a pacifier, blanket, toy, etc. In this regard, the pocket  126  may be configured to receive, for example, a mechanized or other vibration unit configured to produce soothing vibrations, a sound device configured to produce music and/or or peaceful or familiar sounds configured to soothe and induce sleep in infants, a combination device including a mechanized or other (i.e., electrically-driven) vibration unit and a sound device, a heating or cooling device and/or other accessory device. The vibration unit may comprise a battery-operated motor housed within a protective shell, wherein the shell may include a manually depressible activator or actuator or any other suitable switch or actuator, such as a lever switch or a motion switch/actuator. When the pocket  126  is open, the user may activate the accessory device while it is disposed within the pocket by reaching his or her hand inside the pocket and manually depressing the actuator or actuating the switch. In an alternate embodiment, the user may activate the accessory device by applying pressure to the support pillow  100  about the location of the pocket  126  to depress the actuator or actuate the switch, without reaching inside the pocket. In some embodiments a closure may be included at the opening of the pocket  126 , such as a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or other device configured to releasably hold the pocket shut. 
         [0031]    As noted above, in some embodiments the support pillow  100  may be configured to receive the torso of a user in the well  118 . In this regard, as further noted above, the user may spread the first arm  104  and the second arm  106  apart to form or increase the width of the opening  116  between the first arm and the second arm so that the user&#39;s torso may be received therein. In order to facilitate bending of the first arm  104  and the second arm  106 , the first arm may include a first laterally-extending indentation  130 A, and the second arm may include a second laterally-extending indentation  130 B, wherein each indentation  130 A,  130 B may be defined through interaction between appropriately-configured first and second panels  102 A,  102 B and the perimeter band  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The indentations  130 A,  130 B may locally reduce cross-sectional areas of the first arm  104  and the second arm  106 , along a plane extending perpendicularly to the second panel  102 B, such that the first arm and the second arm are easier to bend or deform at the indentations (i.e., form “living hinges”) and use of the support pillow  100  may be facilitated by allowing the space between the first and second arms  104 ,  106  to be more readily increased to facilitate entry into/exit from the well  118  through the opening  116 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate alternate embodiments of the support pillow. The embodiments of the support pillows illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7  may be substantially similar to the embodiment of the support pillow  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , with the exception of the differences described below. In this regard, elements in  FIGS. 5-7  corresponding to those included in the first embodiment of the support pillow  100  are shown with a reference numeral that is the same as those appearing in  FIGS. 1-4  with the exception of the first digit, which is incremented based on the embodiment. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a support pillow  200  according to a second embodiment. The support pillow  200  may include a cover  232  that substantially entirely surrounds, collectively, the first arm  204 , the second arm  206 , and the medial region  208  of the support pillow defined by the fabric shell and resilient fill material, as discussed above. As illustrated, in some embodiments the cover  232  may include a first panel  234  at the first support surface  212 , a second panel  236  at the opposing second support surface  214 , and a perimeter band  238  that respectively and substantially correspond in size and shape to the first and second panels of the fabric shell and the perimeter band of the support pillow  200 . The cover  232  (and/or the fabric shell) may be produced from materials that are water resistant, stain resistant, machine washable, and/or waterproof in some embodiments, although various other materials and fabrics (i.e., textured materials, fireproof materials, or the like) may be employed in other embodiments. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments the cover  232  may be permanently affixed to the fabric shell of the support pillow  200 . However, in other embodiments the cover may be selectively removable and/or machine washable. In this regard,  FIG. 6  illustrates a closure  240  in the form of a zipper that is configured to open and close to allow the cover  232  to releasably secure the filled fabric shell therein. Various other embodiments of closures may be employed to releasably secure the cover  232  in a closed configuration, such as hook and look fasteners, snap fasteners, buttons, etc. The closure  240  may extend around all or a portion of the perimeter of the support pillow  200  in some embodiments. The closure  240  may be configured to provide access to the pocket  226  defined in the support pillow  200 , or a separate closure and/or opening may be provided to enable access to the pocket. In this regard, the support pillow  200  may define a resealable opening (at the closure  240 , or a separate closure) that is configured to align with the pocket  226  defined in the medial region  208 . 
         [0035]    The cover  232  may include a handle  242 , though such a handle may be included in addition to or instead of a similar handle on the fabric shell of the support pillow (i.e., in some embodiments, not including a cover  232 , the fabric shell of the support pillow itself may include such a handle). As such, aspects herein involving a handle  232  may also be applicable to the fabric shell of the support pillow in instances where a cover  232  is not provided. The handle  242  may be usable to carry the support pillow  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments the handle  242  may extend along and/or across the pocket  226  at the perimeter of the support pillow  200 . Further, in some embodiments the handle  242  may define one or more loops  244 A-D, in cooperation with the cover  232  (i.e., through spaced-apart seams securing the handle member to the cover  232 ). The loops  244 A-D, which may be positioned at opposing ends of the handle  242 , may be configured to attach one or more components or peripheral accessories to the cover  232  of the support pillow  200 , such as, for example, child&#39;s toys. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates an additional embodiment of the support pillow  300 . The support pillow  300  may comprise an adjustment mechanism  346  configured to adjust at least one of a width of the opening  316  defined between the first arm  304  and the second arm  306  and an area of the open well  318 . The adjustment mechanism  346  may comprise an elongated flexible member  348  extending from the first arm  304  around the well  318  to the second arm  306  and a fixation member  350  coupled to one or both of the first arm and the second arm and configured to releasably engage the elongated flexible member at a user-selectable position. In one embodiment one of the elongated flexible member  348  and the fixation member  350  comprises a hook material, and the other of the adjustable elongated member and the fixation member comprises a loop material. However, in other embodiments, buttons, clips, snap fasteners, cords and clasps and/or other mechanisms may be employed to define the adjustment mechanism  346 . 
         [0037]    Further, the elongated flexible member  348  may define an exposed section disposed at one or both of the first arm  304  and the second arm  306  and an internal section disposed inside the fabric shell  302  and partially surrounding the well  318 . In this regard, the elongated flexible member  348  may extend substantially parallel and adjacent to the perimeter band  310  on inside surfaces (at the internal section of the elongated flexible member) and outside surfaces (at the exposed section(s) of the elongated flexible member) thereof. The adjustment mechanism  346  may be configured to decrease the area of the well  318  and the width of the opening  316  between the first arm  304  and the second arm  306  when a length of the exposed section of the elongated flexible member  348  is increased relative to a length of the internal section of the elongated flexible member. In this regard, a user may detach the elongated flexible member  348  from the fixation member  350  at one of the arms  304 ,  306 , pull on the elongated flexible member so as to increase the length of the exposed portion of the elongated flexible member, and reattach the elongated flexible member to the fixation member. This process may be repeated for the other of the arms  304 ,  306  in embodiments of the support pillow  300  employing elongated flexible members  348  that are detachable at both of the ends thereof. When an end of the elongated flexible member  348  is pulled, a compressive force applied by the elongated flexible member to the resilient fill material causes a reduction in the width of the opening  316  between the first arm  304  and the second aim  306  as well as the area of the well  318 . When one or more ends of the elongated flexible member  348  are released from the fixation member  350  after the elongated flexible material has been placed in tension, the resilient fill material expands from the compressive state allowing the support pillow  300  to return to its original shape. 
         [0038]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments the support pillow may further comprise one or more additional transverse seams  352 A,  352 B. These transverse seams  352 A,  352 B may be positioned on the perimeter band  310  across from, and centered with, the opening  316  between the first arm  304  and the second arm  306  in some embodiments. In this regard, the transverse seams  352 A,  352 B may be oriented perpendicularly to the perimeter band  310  at one or more locations around the well  318  where stress may concentrate when the first arm  304  and the second arm  306  are pulled apart. Accordingly, the transverse seams  352 A,  352 B may be configured to withstand the forces (e.g., tensile forces) applied thereto during movement of the first arm  304  and the second arm  306  apart from one another. 
         [0039]    In an additional embodiment a method for forming a support pillow, such as the support pillows  100 ,  200 ,  300  described above, is provided. The method may include providing a resilient fill material and a fabric shell comprising a first panel and a second panel, and coupling the first panel of the fabric shell to the second panel of the fabric shell with the fill material therebetween so as to at least partially enclose the fill material with the fabric shell and define a support pillow comprising a first arm, a second arm, and a medial region that connects the first arm to the second arm. The first arm, the second arm, and the medial region may partially or substantially surround and define a well, wherein the first arm and the second arm may be configured to be separable to provide a user with access to the well therebetween, or wherein the first arm and second arm may define an opening therebetween to provide access to the well. Further, the first arm, the second arm, and the medial region may define a first support surface with a lofted configuration and an opposing second support surface with a substantially planar configuration. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments the method may further comprise coupling a perimeter band to the first panel of the fabric shell and to the second panel of the fabric shell such that the perimeter band extends around the perimeter of the support pillow between the first support surface and the opposing second support surface. Also, the method may include coupling an adjustment mechanism to the support pillow, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust at least one of a width of the opening between the first arm and the second arm and an area of the well. Coupling the adjustment mechanism to the support pillow may comprise enclosing an internal section of an elongated flexible member between the first panel and the second panel of the fabric shell so as to partially surround the well, and releasably coupling an exposed section of the elongated flexible member to one of the first arm and the second arm. 
         [0041]    Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments described herein and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.