Patent Publication Number: US-2023148772-A1

Title: Orthopedic pillow with interchangeable cervical support

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to pillows, specifically pillows used for sleeping, with orthopedic support for the cervical spine area. 
     2. Background and Related Art 
     Traditional pillows have distinct limitations, in that they were designed to provide comfort to the head using a single fill type in a single compartment. The traditional pillow design ignores the need for orthopedic support of the cervical spine area. Lack of cervical support in a pillow can instigate or exacerbate tension or pain in the neck and shoulder region while sleeping. Consumers often purchase and try many types and sizes of traditional pillows without relief. 
     To address these issues, orthopedic pillows with cervical support have been created, however the existing pillows have several problems. Most cervical support pillows merely replace the traditional pillow with a pillow having an integrated and elevated cervical area. These pillows provide the needed cervical support with a single firm material, sacrificing the comfort provided by a traditional pillow. In short, many such pillows are hard, awkwardly shaped, or otherwise uncomfortable. Such orthopedic pillows are often designed to be used in one sleeping position—generally with the user limited to sleeping on his or her back. This limits use by side sleepers or combination back and side sleepers. Some one-dimensional orthopedic pillows create a cutout for the head to compensate while in back sleeping position, but this may make them even more uncomfortable for side sleepers. 
     Traditional orthopedic pillows are generally designed with odd shapes and sizes. These odd shapes do not allow the use of traditional pillowcases that can be laundered. This shortens the life of such orthopedic pillows and requires the consumer to purchase pillows more often. A few minority orthopedic pillows add a firmer cervical support material to the traditional pillow fill. While these orthopedic pillows partially solve some of the comfort issues of traditional orthopedic pillows, they have several issues of their own. The first issue is that the cervical support may shift around during sleep. Movement of the firmer cervical support negates its effect and often amplifies existing tension in the neck and shoulders. The second issue often encountered with such orthopedic pillows is that the cervical support size and material is integrated into the pillow during manufacturing. This creates a “one size fits all” syndrome, resulting in a cervical support that is too much for some sleepers and not enough for others. Manufacturing custom orthopedic pillows for every cervical size is cost prohibitive and inconvenient to size accurately. 
     For these reasons, there are significant limits to the current orthopedic pillows available. 
     These limits remain unaddressed and place unfortunate burdens on manufacturers, designers, and purchasers of orthopedic pillows. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to some implementations of the invention, the invention is an orthopedic pillow with size and shape of a conventional sleeping pillow. For example, the pillow may be king sized, queen sized, or standard sized, or any other size typical of a sleeping pillow, allowing for use with common bedding pillowcases to cover and protect the pillow. 
     According to some implementations of the invention, the pillow includes a rectangular (or mostly rectangular) envelope. As an example, the envelope may have a first short edge, a second short edge, a first long edge, and a second long edge, with the long edges being, in many cases, around twice the length of the short edges, although many lengths or combinations of lengths are possible. For example, in some implementations, the envelope is square or mostly square (in this case, we still refer to the edges as short edges and long edges for clarification of the location of other structures of the pillow, even though the edges may all be approximate the same length). In any case, the pillow includes an envelope that has an inside and an outside and is generally shaped similar to an ordinary sleeping pillow. 
     According to some implementations, the envelope is made of fabric and is configured in such a manner as to allow the envelope to contain contents, such as filling. For example, the envelope may be made of two or more sheets of fabric that are sewn (or otherwise attached) together at least some of the edges, creating seams along the edges (or some of the edges) of the envelope and a space between the seams that is not sewn (allowing for filling to occupy the space). As another example, the envelope can be made of a single piece of fabric that is folded and sewn (or otherwise connected together) in a manner that creates a generally square or generally rectangular pillow envelope. The envelope may be made of cotton, polyester, cotton-poly, bamboo, linen fabric, or any other fabric typical of bedding material. 
     According to some implementations of the invention, there are two cavities inside the envelope, forming two separate and distinct sections. The first cavity is a main cavity (also called the head support cavity), creating an area for head support, and the second cavity is a pocket for a cervical support. Each cavity is closed or mostly closed or attached at least some of the edges, but open or unattached in the middle, consequently creating a space that can be filled with a filling or cervical support. The cavities are positioned next to each other such that together, the cavities make up a complete integrated pillow envelope enclosure. 
     According to some implementations, the head support cavity is filled with a filling. The filling can be made of polyester, cotton, or cotton-poly, feathers, down, a combination of feathers and down, foam, shredded foam, and/or any other typical sleeping pillow fill, or combinations of pillow fill. The head support cavity together with the filling therefore provides support in a manner that is comfortable for sleeping, similar to a typical pillow. According to some implementations, the head support cavity will have an opening on one end. This opening will allow for user configuration, modification, and combination of the head support filling, allowing for varying levels of support, firmness, and height. 
     According to some implementations, the envelope includes a pocket, located on the inside of the envelope along the first long edge of the envelope, that allows for housing a cervical support. Generally, the pocket is on the same horizontal plane as the head support cavity, which allows the pocket to protrude into the head support cavity section, thus taking up some of the space that, in an ordinary pillow, would make up part of the head support cavity. According to some implementations, the pocket accepts a separate, removable, interchangeable, and configurable cervical support. Additionally, the protrusion of the pocket into the head support cavity allows the head support cavity fill to surround the pocket, as well as the pocket&#39;s contained cervical support, creating a smooth transition between the cervical support and head support. The pocket may be formed of a separate sheet or sheets of fabric, sewn, or otherwise attached to the interior of the pillow in the proper location in order to create the pocket. 
     According to some implementations, the envelope has an opening at the first long edge, allowing access to the pocket, facilitating the interchangeability of the cervical support. The opening can be fastened or secured closed or opened by a fastening mechanism, which can include a zipper, Velcro (hook and loop fastener), buttons, folded material, or any other reasonable fastener. In some implementations, the opening spans the majority length of the pocket allowing for easy interchangeability of the cervical support when open, yet securely holding the cervical support when closed. The pocket is generally of such a size and shape so as to securely hold the cervical support in place so that the cervical spinal area of the user is placed over the cervical support (whether the user is sleeping on his or her back or his or her side, and in certain other positions as well), and the head of the user is placed over the head support cavity. 
     According to some implementations, the cervical support is cylindrical in shape and substantially fills the pocket, running the majority width of the pocket, creating a continuous cervical support from the first short edge of the pillow to the second short edge. According to some implementations this continuous cervical support creates support in nearly all sleeping positions, but especially the back and side positions. Because the cervical support substantially fills the pocket, and the pocket protrudes into the head support cavity, the filling of the head support cavity may surround much of the pocket, such that the cervical support and the head support filling create continuous support for the user. Internally, the cervical support and filling are separated only by the material that makes up the pocket, and the two sections, although distinct, work together to create consistent cervical and head support for the user. 
     According to some implementations, the cervical support cylinder is made from a sleeve and a core. The sleeve may be comprised of a variety of materials, but in some implementations the core is made from shredded or solid foam. The core may also be a gel or a plastic tube or rod, or a container filled with air, water, or another substance. The core is then contained within the sleeve. Often the sleeve is made up of batting, which batting may be polyester, cotton, cotton-poly, bamboo, plastic, or any other material that may be formed into batting. According to other implementations, the cervical support sleeve is a material formed into a case that is filled with polyester fibers, cotton, cotton-poly, feathers, down, a combination of feathers and down, foam, shredded foam, any other fill, or combinations of fill to form the core. As an example, the cervical support cylinder sleeve may be an outer wrapping of material (cotton, polyester, cotton-poly, bamboo, linen, or any other woven or manufactured fabric), and the core may be solid or shredded foam, cotton, or other pillow filling materials. 
     According to other implementations, the cervical support is made of a single material (as opposed to a separate sleeve and core), in a generally cylindrical form. Such a cervical support may be made of foam (of varying rigidities and compositions), cotton, polyester, bamboo, plastic, wood, or any material capable of cervical support. Regardless of whether the cervical support is a single material or whether it is a core wrapped in a separate sleeve or batting, the cervical support may have one of many varying circumferences. 
     Additionally, regardless of the form of the cervical support, according to some implementations, the cervical support can be exchanged, meaning it is interchangeable with other cervical supports of varying sizes (circumferences) and firmnesses. Moreover, the cervical support(s) can be manufactured separately from the envelope, allowing for greater flexibility in manufacturing and lower costs. 
     According to some implementations, where either the head support cavity, the cervical support pocket or both are accessible by means of openings as described above, an individual consumer can customize their pillow to individual requirements (different cervical supports, different pillow filling types, etc.). This customization allows for easier and less expensive manufacturing creating a product that is less expensive to the consumer. This customization also solves the “one size fits all” syndrome common to many orthopedic and traditional sleeping pillows. 
     According to other implementations of the invention, the invention is an orthopedic pillowcase with general size and shape of a conventional sleeping pillowcase, but containing the cavities present in the implementations of the invention described above. In this manner, the head support cavity of the pillowcase may be filled with any filling of the user&#39;s choosing, or, indeed, with a sleeping pillow of the user&#39;s choosing. Congruently, the cervical support pocket may be filled with a cervical support of the user&#39;s choosing. Accordingly, the pillowcase is highly customizable, and easy to use in connection with any pillows and cervical supports of the user&#39;s choosing. As with the implementations described above, the pillowcase has four edges (described below as a first long edge, a second long edge, a first short edge, and a second short edge, although the edges may be of identical or similar lengths, without restriction). 
     As an example, the pillowcase may be king sized, queen sized, or standard sized, or any other size typical of a sleeping pillowcase, allowing for use with common bedding pillows or filling of the user&#39;s choice. Similar to the pillow envelope as described above, the pillowcase generally has a rectangular (or mostly rectangular) form. The pillowcase may be made of cotton, polyester, cotton-poly, bamboo, linen fabric, or other fabric typical of bedding material. 
     According to some implementations of the invention, there are two cavities or sections of the pillowcase, the main cavity or section being an area for head support, and the second cavity being a pocket for cervical support, together comprising a complete integrated pillowcase envelope enclosure. The head support cavity has an opening on at least one edge of the pillowcase. This opening will allow configuration and combination of the head support fill by the consumer, allowing for multiple levels of support, firmness, and height. 
     In accordance with some implementations, the pillowcase includes a pocket, located at the first long edge of the pillowcase, that allows for housing a cervical support. The pocket is on the same horizontal plane as the head support cavity, which, according to some implementations, allows the pocket to protrude into the head support cavity section. The pocket accepts a separate, removable, interchangeable, and configurable cervical support. The protrusion of the pocket into the head support cavity allows the head support cavity fill (as added by the user, which can include a sleeping pillow of the user&#39;s choosing) to surround (or partially surround) the pocket, as well as its contained cervical support, creating a smooth transition back and forth between cervical support and head support. 
     According to some implementations, the pocket has an opening at the bottom allowing access to the pocket, facilitating the interchangeability of the cervical support. The opening can be fastened or secured closed or opened by use of a zipper, Velcro (hook and loop fastener), buttons, folded material, or any other reasonable fastener. According to some implementations, the opening spans the majority length of the pocket allowing for easy interchangeability of the cervical support when open, yet securely holding the cervical support when closed. 
     According to some implementations, a cervical support or multiple interchangeable cervical supports are included with the pillowcase. The cervical support(s) are generally cylindrical in shape and substantially fill the pocket, running lengthwise along the majority width of the pocket, creating a continuous cervical support from one end of the pillow to the other. This continuous cervical support creates support in many user sleeping positions, but especially back and side positions. 
     According to some implementations, the cervical support is cylindrical in shape and substantially fills the pocket, running the majority width of the pocket, creating a continuous cervical support from the first short edge of the pillow to the second short edge. According to some implementations this continuous cervical support creates support in nearly all sleeping positions, but especially the back and side positions. Because the cervical support substantially fills the pocket, and the pocket protrudes into the head support cavity, the filling of the head support cavity may surround much of the pocket, such that the cervical support and the head support filling create continuous support for the user. Internally, the cervical support and filling are separated only by the material that makes up the pocket, and the two sections, although distinct, work together to create consistent cervical and head support for the user. 
     According to some implementations, the cervical support cylinder is made from a sleeve and a core. The sleeve may be comprised of a variety of materials, but in some implementations the core is made from shredded or solid foam. The core may also be a gel or a plastic tube or rod, or a container filled with air, water, or another substance. The core is then contained within the sleeve. Often the sleeve is made up of batting, which batting may be polyester, cotton, cotton-poly, bamboo, plastic, or any other material that may be formed into batting. According to other implementations, the cervical support sleeve is a material formed into a case that is filled with polyester fibers, cotton, cotton-poly, feathers, down, a combination of feathers and down, foam, shredded foam, any other fill, or combinations of fill to form the core. As an example, the cervical support cylinder sleeve may be an outer wrapping of material (cotton, polyester, cotton-poly, bamboo, linen, or any other woven or manufactured fabric), and the core may be solid or shredded foam, cotton, or other pillow filling materials. 
     According to other implementations, the cervical support is made of a single material (as opposed to a separate sleeve and core), in a generally cylindrical form. Such a cervical support may be made of foam (of varying rigidities and compositions), cotton, polyester, bamboo, plastic, wood, or any material capable of cervical support. Regardless of whether the cervical support is a single material or whether it is a core wrapped in a separate sleeve or batting, the cervical support may have one of many varying circumferences. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only representative embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. With this understanding in mind, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, as follows: 
         FIG.  1    shows a top view of a therapeutic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG.  2    shows a cross-sectional side view of an orthopedic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of an orthopedic pillow and cervical support in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG.  4    shows a perspective view of a cervical support in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective view of a pillowcase and cervical support in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG.  6    shows a cross-sectional side view of an orthopedic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as in use by a user in a back sleeping position. 
         FIG.  7    shows a cross-sectional side view of an orthopedic pillow in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as in use by a user in a side sleeping position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     According to some embodiments of the invention, an orthopedic pillow is provided, which pillow has significant benefits over the prior art. Namely, a pillow that is comfortable for sleeping, relieves stress and facilitates better sleep by supporting the head and cervical areas with distinct, configurable and appropriately sized parallel sections of materials that are typical in the bedding/linen/furniture industry and provided in sizes that fit into typically sized bedding and linen covers for protection and longevity. These benefits over the prior art facilitate modular as well as less expensive manufacturing processes, and they allow the consumer to configure the invention to their individual needs and/or desires. A description of embodiments of the invention will now be given with reference to the figures. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , and in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the invention is an orthopedic pillow  10 . The pillow may be of any size and/or shape conducive to sleeping, but in particular the pillow is often rectangular, generally rectangular, or square. The pillow may be king size, queen size, standard size, or other sizes that may be used for sleeping pillows, but it is often similar in size and shape to a standard size sleeping pillow, thus allowing for use with typical pillowcases. 
     The pillow  10  includes an envelope  20  which generally has a first long edge  21 , a second long edge  22 , a first short edge  23 , and a second short edge  24 , with long edges being, in many cases, around twice the length of the short edges, although many lengths or combinations of lengths are possible allowing for sizes typical of sleeping pillows as well as other sizes, the shape however is normally square or rectangular. (In accordance with some embodiments where the shape of the invention is square, we still refer to the edges as short edges and long edges for clarification of the location of other structures of the pillow, even though the edges may all be approximate the same length.) 
     The envelope  20  has an inside as well as an outside, generally with a shape similar to the shape of an ordinary sleeping pillow envelope and enclosing many of the elements of the invention. The envelope  20  is comprised of one, two or more sheets of fabric, sewn, folded, or otherwise attached together at some or all of the edges  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , thereby creating seams along these edges that form cavities. The envelope fabric may be made from cotton, polyester, a cotton-polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typical of bedding material. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the pocket  30  is created by using a sheet of fabric similar to fabric used to create the envelope  20 , however many different types of materials may be used to create the pocket. The pocket may be formed of a separate sheet or sheets of fabric, sewn, or otherwise attached to the interior of the invention in the proper location in order to create the pocket. The pocket extends along the first long edge  21  and is generally on the same horizontal plane as the head support cavity  25 . The pocket, divides the envelope into the two distant cavities, the head support cavity  25  and the cervical support cavity  35 . 
     The head support cavity  25  is the main cavity, and it is typically the larger of the cavities created within the envelope  20 . 
     The cervical support cavity  35  is generally accessible by an opening along the first long edge  21  that may be selectively opened and closed by the fastening interface  31 , which runs along the first long edge  21 . The fastening interface runs at least partially along the first long edge, but often it extends the majority length or the entire length of the first long edge. The fastening interface  31  can open and close (or fasten/unfasten) by means of a zipper, Velcro (hook and loop fastener), buttons, folded material, or any other reasonable fastening mechanism. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , The head support cavity  25  is filled with filling or spun fabrics to create a comfortable area to support the head. The filling in head support cavity  25  can be made from cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typical of bedding or pillow fill. 
     According to some embodiments, the cervical support cavity  35  protrudes into the space of the head support cavity  25 , on the same horizontal plane as the head support cavity  25 . The cervical support cavity provides for introduction of the cervical support  40  as well as holds the cervical support firmly in place by way of the material that makes up the pocket  30 , as well as selectively holding the cervical support securely inside the envelope  20  by way of the fastening interface  31 . Accordingly, the cervical support  40  is held securely in place in the cervical support cavity  35  by combination of the pocket  30  and the fastening interface  31 . According to some embodiments, the cervical support cavity  35  protrudes into the space of the head support cavity  25 , allowing for the pillow filling  26  to partially surround the pocket  30  and cervical support cavity  35  and consequently provide support for the contained cervical support  40 . This creates continuous support between the cervical support and surrounding pillow filling, providing both comfort and functional orthopedic support for the user. The cervical support  40  and the pillow filling  26  are separated only by the pocket  30  allowing the two functionally-distinct supports to work together, creating consistent cervical and head support for the user. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , according to some embodiments of the invention, the cervical support  40  is generally cylindrical in shape and substantially fills the cervical support cavity  35  running continuously the majority length of the cervical support cavity  35 , providing cervical support as a sleeper changes sleeping positions (for example, as a sleeper rolls from back sleeping position to side sleeping position). Their cervical area is supported before, during and after the transition of sleeping positions. The cervical support  40  is separate, removeable, interchangeable, and configurable in part due to the fastening interface  31  that is included along the first long edge  21  of the envelope  20 , allowing access to the pocket  30 . 
     Although  FIG.  3    does not distinctly show the particular composition of the cervical support  40 , many different types of cervical supports, such as the one having a core  41  and sleeve  42 , as shown in  FIG.  4    (discussed below), may be used with various embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the cervical support may also be or contain a gel or a plastic tube or rod, or a container filled with air, water, foam of varying rigidities and compositions, or another substance that may or may not include a sleeve. According to other embodiments of the invention, the cervical support  40  may be square, rectangular, pentagon or any other shape that will be conducive of cervical support  40 . These embodiments may vary the overall size or circumference of the cervical support  40  along its length to adjust or otherwise configure the cervical support  40 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a cervical support  40  in accordance with additional embodiments of the invention. In particular, the cervical support may have a core  41  and a wrapping or sleeve  42 . The sleeve  42  may be batting, such as a sleeve made from cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typically used to create batting in the bedding, linen, or furniture industry. In other embodiments of the invention, the cervical support  40  may be made of a single material rather than a core  41  with a wrapping  42 . For example, it may be a solid cylinder made from any type or density of foam, cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric or material that can be formed into a firm and flexible cylinder (or other shape conducive to cervical support). 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the cervical support  40  can be a fabric sleeve  42  that encases a filling core  41 , which filling may be made from shredded foam, cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric or material that is typical of bedding, linen, or furniture fill. In other embodiments of the invention (not pictured), the cervical support  40  will be formed by thin layers of foam alternated with thin layers of batting, rolled into a cylinder shape. The foam can be any type or density of foam with batting made from cotton, polyester, cotton polyester blend, bamboo, linen, or any other fabric comprised of fiber or typically used to create batting in the bedding, linen, or furniture industry. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , according to some embodiments of the invention, a pillowcase  110  is provided, rather than a full orthopedic pillow. This has the advantages of allowing the consumer to extend configuration of the invention by providing the consumer&#39;s own preferred pillow to be used alongside the invention. According to such embodiments, there is a head support cavity (analogous to the head support cavity  25  in  FIG.  1   ), which is accessible by way of an opening  127 , such as along the area analogous to  FIG.  1   &#39;s first short edge  23 . Moreover, the pillowcase  110  may include a fastening device (not pictured) along the opening  127  to allow for selective access to the head support cavity, allowing for user configuration, modification, and combinations of the head support filling to create varying levels of support, firmness, and heights for adjustable comfort of head support. 
     In some embodiments, the pillowcase  110  additionally has a cervical support pocket  130  that is selectively openable by means of a fastening interface  131 . Accordingly, where the head support cavity, the cervical support cavity, or both the head support cavity and cervical support cavity are accessible by means of openings as described above, an individual consumer can customize the pillowcase according to individual requirements or preference (e.g., using different cervical supports, different pillow filling types, etc.). Additionally, regardless of the form of the cervical support, according to some embodiments, the cervical support can be exchanged, meaning it is interchangeable with other cervical supports of varying sizes (circumferences) and firmnesses. Moreover, the cervical support(s) can be manufactured separately from the envelope, allowing for greater flexibility in manufacturing and lower overall costs. The forms of customization discussed above allow for easier and less expensive manufacturing in creating a product that is custom-suited for various consumers. This customization also solves the “one size fits all” syndrome common to many orthopedic and traditional sleeping pillows. 
       FIGS.  6  and  7    show a pillow  10 , or a pillowcase  110  that has been filled with a cervical support and filling (e.g., a pillow of the user&#39;s choosing) in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments are shown in use by a user in a back sleeping position ( FIG.  6   ) and a side sleeping position ( FIG.  7   ). In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the pocket  30 ,  130  is generally of such a size and shape so as to securely hold the cervical support in place so that at least a portion of the cervical spinal area of the user is placed generally over the cervical support (whether the user is sleeping on his or her back or his or her side, and in certain other positions as well), and the head of the user is placed on the envelope  20 ,  120  over the head support cavity  25 .