Abstract:
A pillow includes a substantially flat base portion; a top side and a bottom side extending perpendicular from the base portion; a first side and a second side extending perpendicular from the base portion; and a top portion formed of first and second slanted planes, respectively slanting from each of the first and second sides toward the base portion, with the slanted planes coming together to meet between the first side and the second side.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to resting equipment, and more specifically to a pillow apparatus for promoting certain sleeping postures. 
         [0002]    People sleep in many different positions, and often change positions throughout the night. For various reasons people prefer or are instructed to sleep in certain positions. One such position is sleeping on their back. Sleeping on a person&#39;s back can inhibit the appearance and growth of under eye circles or bags which sometime form under a person&#39;s eyes while sleeping and may also promote other health benefits. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A pillow includes a substantially flat base portion; a top side and a bottom side extending perpendicular from the base portion; a first side and a second side extending perpendicular from the base portion; and a top portion formed of first and second slanted planes, respectively slanting from each of the first and second sides toward the base portion, with the slanted planes coming together to meet between the first side and the second side. 
         [0004]    A method of forming a pillow includes integrally forming a pillow with a flat base and a top that is slanted from the sides toward the center to form a v-shaped cross-section. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1A  is an elevation end view of a head pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1B  is an elevation side view of the head pillow of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  is an elevation end view of a back support cushion according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2B  is an elevation side view of the back support cushion of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is an elevation end view of a cushion cover for two of the back support cushions shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is an elevation end view showing a second embodiment of a cushion cover for two of the back support cushions shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an elevation end view of embodiments of two head pillows, two back support cushions and a cushion cover in use by two persons. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  shows an elevation end view of a person&#39;s sleeping position when using only a head pillow according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  shows an elevation end view of a person&#39;s sleeping position when using a head pillow and a back support cushion according an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1A  is an end view of head pillow  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  is a side view of the head pillow  10 . Head pillow  10  includes flat base  12 , first and second sides  14   a  and  14   b,  top and bottom vertical sides  16   a  and  16   b  and a v-shaped top  18 . V-shaped top includes horizontal planes  20   a  and  20   b,  and angled top portion  22  with first and second slanted planes  22   a  and  22   b.    
         [0015]    Base  12  is substantially flat and rectangular. First and second sides  14   a  and  14   b  and top and bottom vertical sides  16   a,    16   b  extend perpendicular from base  12 . Horizontal plane  20   a  connects first side  14   a  to slanted plane  22   a.  Horizontal plane  20   b  connects second side  14   b  to slanted plane  22   b.    
         [0016]    Pillow dimensions shown are pillow width P W , pillow height P H , pillow length P L , pillow top flat portion length P T , pillow height at v-center P VH , and pillow angle P A . Dimensions can be pillow width P W  of 304.8 mm (12 inches), pillow height P H  of 152.4 mm (6 inches), pillow length P L  of 431.7 mm (17 inches), pillow top flat portion length P T  of 12.7 mm (0.5 inches), pillow height at v-center P VH  of 76.2 mm (3 inches) and pillow angle P A  of 21 degrees. Dimensions given are for example purposes only and may be varied depending on system requirements. For example, what a pillow angle P A  could vary between 18 degrees to 23 degrees. 
         [0017]    Pillow  10  is integrally formed from one piece of foam or other materials which would be suitable for cushioning the head of a user and firm enough to provide support, including but not limited to gels, polymers and open or closed cellular structures. The foam used can be memory foam, which molds to the shape pressing against it. The method of forming pillow can involve using a mold to shape the foam and/or cutting the foam to have the proper shape and dimensions. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2A  is an end view of a back support cushion  24  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2B  is a side view of back support cushion  24 . Cushion  24  includes base  26 , top  28  and angled sides  30 ,  32 .  FIGS. 2A-2B  include cushion dimensions: cushion base C B , cushion height C H , cushion top C T  and cushion length C L . Dimensions can be 114.3 mm (4.5 inches) for cushion base C B , 101.6 mm (4 inches) for cushion height C H , 50.8 mm (2 inches) for cushion top C T  and 457.2 mm (18 inches) for cushion length C L , or may be more or less depending on system desires and requirements. Back support cushion can be made of a foam or other material with sufficient strength to support a person while sleeping. The materials used can be the same or similar to the materials used for pillow  10 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 3A  is an end view of cushion cover  34  for two back support cushions  24  positioned near the center of a resting surface, such as the mattress of a bed.  FIG. 3B  is a end view showing a second embodiment of a cushion cover for two back support cushions  24  positioned on the outer edges of a bed. Cushion cover  34  includes flat portions  36  for wrapping around a bed and portions  38  for fitting over back support cushions  24 . Cushion cover  38  may also be sewn into sheets or other bedding components for any bed size. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3A  includes dimensions showing cushion cover center C C1 , and cushion cover outer dimensions C O1 . Cushion cover center C C  can be about 25.4 mm (1.0 inches) and cushion cover outer dimensions C O1  can be about 1.194 m (47 inches). Cover can be about 508 mm (20 inches) in length to cover entire length of back support cushion  24 . While these example dimensions are shown, cushion and cushion cover can be different sizes depending on requirements for the cushion in relationship to the resting surface size and/or user. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3B  includes dimensions showing cushion cover center C C2 , and cushion cover outer dimensions C O2 . Cushion cover center C C2  can be about 1.257 m (49.5 inches) and cushion cover outer dimensions C O2  can be about 609.6 mm (24 inches). Cover can be about 508 mm (20 inches) in length to cover entire length of back support cushion  24 . Again, dimensions are for illustrative purposes, and cover may be sized to fit the resting surface and/or user. 
         [0022]    Back support cushion  24  can slide into one end of portion  38  to fit securely within portion  38 . Back support cushion  24  can be secured into portion  38  through sewing, buttoning or other means if desired. Cushion cover  34  can be made out of various fabrics and textiles, including cotton, silk, flannel or other natural or synthetic materials. Dimensions and arrangement of portions  38  for holding back support cushions  24  are shown for example purposes only, and can be varied according to requirements and desires. For example, only one back support cushion  24  may be desired, and thus, cover  34  would only contain one portion  38  for holding back support cushion  24 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows an end view of embodiments of two head pillows  10 , two back support cushions  24  and a cushion cover  34  in use by two persons, with portions of head pillows  10  removed for viewing purposes only.  FIG. 4  includes head pillows  10 , back support cushions  24 , back support cushion cover  34  and mattress  40 . 
         [0024]    Back support cushions  24  fit into back support cushion cover  34 . Back support cushion cover  34  wraps around mattress  40 . Head pillows  10  sit on mattress  40 . Persons lay with their head cradled in the v-portion of head pillow  10 . Back support cushion  24  props up person from the side to further support a preferred sleeping arrangement. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5A  shows an end view of a user&#39;s sleeping position when using head pillow  10 .  FIG. 5B  shows an end view of a user&#39;s sleeping position, including head and shoulders, when using head pillow  10  and back cushion  24 .  FIGS. 5A-5B  show angle A 1  of sleeping with head pillow  10  only and angle A 2  of sleeping with head pillow  10  and back support cushion  24 . Angle A 1  can be about 23 degrees, and angle A 2  can be about 31 degrees. 
         [0026]    As mentioned above, sleeping on one&#39;s side or stomach can result in under-eye bags due to fluid pooling in that area as you sleep. This look is undesirable to many, who are forced to use makeup and other various devices to attempt to hide these bags. Sleeping on one&#39;s back or at an angle where head is substantially tilted upwards can help reduce or eliminate these bags. This is because sleeping on the back allows the fluid which collects to form the bags to drain throughout the night. Head pillow  10  with v-shaped top and back support cushion  24  help to promote sleeping on the back through supporting a person&#39;s head and body to substantially stay in the position for sleeping on one&#39;s back. Support cushion cover  34  wraps around mattress  40 , tucking under it, to ensure that back support cushions  24  stay at the proper place for promoting back sleeping. 
         [0027]    To some people, sleeping on one&#39;s back is uncomfortable and undesirable. Pillow  10  and/or support cushion  24  can promote sleeping at such an angle that it is not uncomfortable and is still sufficient for draining fluid from under-eye area while sleeping. Pillow  10  with slanted sides  22   a  and  22   b  is shaped and angled such that it promotes the proper angle for fluid drainage, thus reducing or eliminating bags formed during sleep by supporting both the head and body of a person using the invention. 
         [0028]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments encompassed, suggested or envisioned by the description herein.