Patent Description:
This disclosure relates generally to travel pillows and cushions, and more particularly to travel pillows and cushions including features for supporting the user's chin.

Travel pillows are used by airplane travelers and others in order to provide support to a user's neck and head. While many prior art travel pillows provide support for a user's head, they do not prevent the user's head from falling forward. Travel pillows are typically formed as U-shaped members having a cushion suitable for supporting the user's head, but soft enough to provide a measure of comfort. The U-shaped member may have two portions extending along the sides of the user's head and the portions may be joined either in the back by a back member, or in the front with a front member. Pillows with a front member jointing the side portions may provide some forward motion support for the user. However, such pillows tend to be uncomfortable for many users by providing pressure to the user's throat or simply pressing upwards on the user's chin. Some travel pillows having a back member to join the side portions teach bringing the front ends of the side portions together to provide a chin support. In many cases, the effect is either, similar to that of using a front member to support the chin, or the bringing together of the fronts of the side portions may simply not provide sufficient support for the user's chin. <CIT> discloses a travel pillow according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure is generally directed to travel pillows including a chin-supporting strap. The invention provides a travel pillow as claimed in claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure describes travel pillows that include a chin-supporting mechanism. The chin-supporting mechanism functions to prevent or make less likely a user's head falling forward, and to limit the motion of the user's head when momentum causes the user's head to jolt in a forward motion. The chin-supporting mechanism is implemented in the form of a strap affixed at a portion towards a front end of one of the two lobes forming the travel pillow; the lobes extending from a back portion of the travel pillow. The chin-supporting mechanism, or chin-supporting strap for purposes of providing clarity in this disclosure, may extend from the affixing portion of the lobe over a gap between the lobes of the travel pillow to attach in an area on the other lobe of the travel pillow.

The area of attachment on the other lobe of the travel pillow may take many forms dependent on the type of attachment mechanism used for securing the other end of the chin-supporting strap to the other lobe. In examples illustrated in this disclosure, the strap may be attached to the lobe opposite the affixing portion using a hook and loop fastening surface (e.g. Velcro™) on the strap and a mating hook and loop surface on the opposite lobe. Alternative example implementations may use other attachment mechanisms such as a buckle mechanism, buttons, and other types of attachment mechanisms suitable for attaching the chin-supporting mechanism from one lobe to the other lobe while providing a bridging structure between the lobes sufficient to support a user's chin. It is noted that while the figures and specification describe implementations that teach using a hook and loop mechanism for attachment, the invention is not to be limited to hook and loop implementations. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand how to implement other forms of attachment, and will further understand that such alternative forms of attachment are alternative implementations of the travel pillow with a chin-supporting mechanism.

The present disclosure references certain configurations with alternative implementations in addition to the attachment mechanism, but it is understood that the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the configurations set forth herein. The devices and elements herein may have different shapes and sizes beyond those shown. It is also understood that when a feature or element, such as a layer, region, case, cover, frame, or otherwise may be referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Furthermore, relative terms such as "inner," "outer," "upper," "above," "lower," "beneath," and "below," and similar terms may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various, e.g., elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

<FIG> show views of example implementations of a travel pillow <NUM> having a chin-supporting mechanism <NUM>. The travel pillow <NUM> comprises a travel pillow body <NUM> that can include a cover <NUM> that partially or fully covers a core therein, such as a memory foam core. In some configurations, the travel pillow body <NUM> does not have a cover <NUM>. The travel pillow body <NUM> may be substantially U-shaped as illustrated in <FIG> and include a back portion <NUM> connected at back ends of two lobe portions <NUM>. The shapes shown by the figures in the present disclosure can be the shape of a body with the cover, or without the cover (e.g., the shape of a memory foam core). The travel pillow body <NUM> may include a substantially flat rear wall <NUM> and an anchoring mechanism <NUM> for attaching the travel pillow <NUM> to, for example, a headrest on the seat of an airplane. It is to be understood that the shape of the pillow may be different from that of the travel pillow <NUM> depicted in the figures. In addition, the anchoring mechanisms <NUM> shown in the figures and described below are optional.

<FIG> is a front isometric view of an example implementation of the travel pillow <NUM>. The travel pillow <NUM> includes a strap affixed at a strap affixing portion <NUM> on an outer surface <NUM> of one of the lobes <NUM>. The strap <NUM> extends from the strap affixing portion <NUM> over the lobe <NUM> to which the strap is affixed and over a gap between the front ends of the lobes <NUM>. The travel pillow <NUM> includes a pocket <NUM> on the outer surface <NUM> of the lobe <NUM> to which the strap is affixed. The strap affixing portion <NUM> is positioned within the pocket <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

The lobe <NUM> opposite the lobe <NUM> to which the strap <NUM> is affixed may include a strap attachment portion <NUM> to receive a free end of the strap <NUM>. The user may place the travel pillow <NUM> around the back of the user's neck so that the lobes <NUM> extend from the back portion <NUM> along the sides of the user's head. The user may extend the strap <NUM> over the ends of the lobes <NUM> and under the user's chin and attach the end of the strap <NUM> to the strap attachment portion <NUM> the lobe <NUM> opposite the lobe <NUM> to which the strap <NUM> is affixed.

The strap <NUM> helps limit the forward motion of the user's head during a sudden stoppage of motion or when the user begins to doze off. Limiting the forward motion of the user's head when the user is dozing off to sleep may protect the user from subsequent head or neck pain that might ensue if the user's head was left to hang forward. The strap <NUM> plus the form of the travel pillow body <NUM> may provide the user with head support around the user's head.

In other implementations, the strap <NUM> may be configured as a separate component and attach to the pillow via removably attachable portions at both ends. The strap <NUM> may remain separate, or attach via a cord, or attachment strap affixed to the strap <NUM> and to the pillow to keep the strap <NUM> attached to the pillow. Removable attachment mechanisms may be added to the cord or attachment strap connecting the strap <NUM> to the pillow to allow for selective detachment of the strap <NUM> from the pillow.

It is further noted that the strap <NUM> is not limited to the precise form shown in the figures. For example, the strap <NUM> may have a width that allows the strap to cover substantially more or less of the gap between the lobes. In one example implementation, the strap <NUM> may have a width that allows the strap <NUM> to extend forward from the user's chin to cover a substantial amount of the gap between the lobes when in use.

<FIG> shows a side isometric view of the pillow <NUM>. The pillow <NUM> can include base and raised portions or cushions 102a, 102b (referred to herein as "portions" for simplicity). As shown in <FIG>, the base portion 102a and raised portion 102b can include base and raised rear walls 104a, 104b, with the substantially flat rear wall of the pillow <NUM> being formed by part or all of one or both of the base and raised rear walls 104a, 104b. In one configuration, the base and raised rear walls 104a, 104b are mutually flush and combine to form the substantially flat rear wall <NUM> of the pillow body <NUM>. The pillow body <NUM> can include base and raised side walls 114a, 114b. In some configurations as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pillow body <NUM> can also include base and raised curved transition walls 116a, 116b between the base and raised side walls 114a, 114b and the base and raised rear walls 104a, 104b. It is understood that while the above discusses base and raised portions of a pillow body, pillow bodies without distinct base and raised portions are possible, including but not limited to pillow bodies that include rear, side, and curved transition walls.

The pillow <NUM> includes two anchor mechanisms <NUM> which can serve to anchor the pillow <NUM> to a headrest, such as to headrest wings. The anchor mechanisms may complement the chin-supporting mechanism <NUM> by limiting the forward motion of the pillow. The anchor mechanisms <NUM> can include anchor mechanism bodies <NUM>. Anchor mechanisms <NUM> according to the present disclosure can include elongated anchor mechanism bodies such as the anchor mechanism bodies <NUM>. For example, the anchor mechanism bodies can be l" to <NUM>" long, or <NUM>" to <NUM>" long, or <NUM>" to <NUM>" long, or <NUM>" to <NUM>" long, or about <NUM>" long. Anchor mechanism bodies <NUM> according to the present disclosure can be, for example, l" to <NUM>" wide, or <NUM>" to <NUM>" wide, or l" to <NUM>" wide, or about <NUM>" wide. The anchor mechanism bodies <NUM> can be made of many different materials and take many different shapes. The anchor mechanism bodies <NUM> can be, for example, straps (as shown), cords, strings, ropes, or other flexible, rigid, or non-rigid devices as known in the art. The anchor mechanism bodies <NUM> can be elastic or inelastic, and can be cloth, cord, string, rope, nylon, poly cord, rubber, polyester, parachute cord, webbing, or other devices and materials as known in the art. In configurations where the anchor mechanism bodies <NUM> are elastic, they can self-tighten around, for example, a portion of a headrest, to better secure the travel pillow <NUM> to the headrest.

In the specific configuration shown and as best seen in <FIG>, the anchor mechanisms <NUM> are attached in a manner so as to span portions of both <NUM>) the rear walls <NUM>, and <NUM>) the curved transition walls <NUM>, meaning they are attached partially to the rear of the pillow body <NUM> and partially to the curved transition of the pillow body <NUM>. The anchor mechanisms <NUM> in the specific configuration shown are angled slightly outward and away from one another (as shown by the arrows in <FIG>), as opposed to directly rearward (as shown by the axial broken line in <FIG>). This configuration can be particularly useful for attachment to modern seatback headrest wings. In one configuration, the anchor mechanisms <NUM> and/or anchor mechanism bodies <NUM> are attached only to the rear walls 104a, 104b, and/or are angled substantially directly rearward. In other configurations, the anchor mechanisms <NUM> and/or anchor mechanism bodies <NUM> and components thereof are attached only to the base and/or raised curved transition walls 116a, 116b.

The shape formed by the raised portion 102b and raised walls (114b, 116b) may provide a support to the sides and around the back of the user's head. This helps compliment the support provided by the strap <NUM> in front of the user's head. It is further noted that the shape formed by the raised portion 102b and raised walls 114b, 116b is optional. The travel pillow <NUM> may take any suitable shape, which may not include raised portions or raised walls.

<FIG> are front views of the travel pillow <NUM> with the strap <NUM> in different stages of use. <FIG> shows the strap <NUM> in place to support the user's chin. The strap <NUM> extends over a gap between the lobes <NUM> in a manner that allows the strap to support the user's chin above the gap. The strap <NUM> in <FIG> includes a hook and loop surface at a free end <NUM> of the strap <NUM>. The hook and loop surface attaches to a hook and loop mating surface on the attachment region <NUM> of the outer surface <NUM> of the lobe <NUM> opposite the lobe to which the strap <NUM> is affixed. <FIG> is a right-side view of the travel pillow showing the free end <NUM> of the strap <NUM> attached to the attachment region <NUM> on the lobe <NUM>. The attachment region <NUM> may extend around the front surface <NUM> of the lobe <NUM> as shown in the top view of the pillow <NUM> in <FIG>. Alternatively, the attachment region <NUM> may stop closer to the tip of the front surface <NUM> of the lobe <NUM>. In some implementations the attachment region <NUM> may extend to a top surface of the lobe <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows the strap <NUM> affixed to the first lobe <NUM> at affixing region <NUM>. The strap <NUM> may be affixed by sowing the strap <NUM> material on to the outer surface <NUM> of the pillow body. Other affixing mechanisms may be used as well. <FIG> provides a side view of the pillow <NUM> showing the affixing region <NUM> extending from the pocket <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the strap <NUM> before or after attachment to the lobe opposite the lobe to which the strap <NUM> is affixed. <FIG> shows the strap <NUM> tucked in to the pocket <NUM> when not in use. The strap <NUM> may be made of any fabric or pliable two-dimensional material that can support a hook and loop surface (e.g. Velcro™) on one side of the strap <NUM>. The material selected for the strap <NUM> may be soft to provide a layer of comfort for the user's chin while in use. A padding layer may be added to provide further cushioning for the user's chin. The material used for the strap <NUM> may also have a degree of elasticity to reduce the length required for the strap to reach the opposite lobe <NUM>. The elasticity also reduces the stiffness of the feel of the strap <NUM> on the user's chin. It provides a little "give" when supporting the chin. The strap <NUM> may also be made of multiple layers of material to add cushioning properties.

It is noted that the pillow <NUM> in <FIG> implement the strap <NUM> with a hook and loop (e.g. Velcro™) attachment mechanism. For example, a male/hook tip surface may be sown onto the underside of strap <NUM> to secure to a mating loop surface on the attachment region <NUM> on the other lobe <NUM>. The male/hook tip surface on the strap <NUM> may be disposed on the strap end <NUM>. In one example implementation, an area at or near a tip of the strap end <NUM> may be provided with the male/hook tip surface and another area of extending away from the tip of the strap end <NUM> may be provided with a female/loop surface. This would allow for the male surface portion to be folded over on to the female surface to cover the hook and loop surface on the strap end <NUM> when it is desired to fit the strap into the pocket <NUM>. In one example, each of the male/hook surface areas and the female/loop surface areas may be <NUM>. wide x <NUM>. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the dimensions are provided as example only. Any suitable dimensions may be used.

In other implementations, the strap <NUM> may be provided with a buckle, a buttonhole, or any other suitable attachment mechanism or fastener. A corresponding mating mechanism may be mounted within what is depicted as the attachment region <NUM> in <FIG>.

It is further noted that <FIG> shows the strap <NUM> extending over the top of the lobe <NUM> opposite the lobe <NUM> to which the strap is affixed. The user may also choose to extend the strap <NUM> around the front ends <NUM> of both lobes <NUM> to attach to the attachment region <NUM> when in use to support the user's chin. The ability of the strap <NUM> to extend around the front of the lobes <NUM> may accommodate a user having a neck with a larger circumference, or a user that simply prefers this way of attaching the strap <NUM> and securing the strap <NUM> to the opposite lobe <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, and as mentioned above, the travel pillow <NUM> can also include connection devices (referred to herein for simplicity as "loops") such as loops <NUM>. The loops <NUM> can be, for example, D-loops (as shown) or other types of closed loops. Open loops (e.g., a C-shape) are also possible, with the pillow body <NUM> or another device acting to close the loop ( e.g., to form a D-shape or O-shape ). In some configurations, the loops <NUM> are closed loops that can be opened, such as carabiners or similar devices. The loops <NUM> can be attached directly to the body <NUM>, or alternatively auxiliary connection devices such as the auxiliary connection devices <NUM> can be used. In the configuration shown, the auxiliary connection devices <NUM> are stretchable, elastic, and/or non-rigid, whereas the loops <NUM> are rigid. It is understood that many different configurations are possible. In some other configurations, rigid loops and/or auxiliary connection devices can be used along with detachable anchor mechanism bodies.

The travel pillow <NUM> may include a cover as described above. The cover <NUM> can include a pocket <NUM>, which may be used to hold the strap when not in use. The pocket <NUM> may also be opened and closed using a zipper mechanism. Other types of attachment mechanisms can be used to open and close the pocket <NUM> including, but not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners such as those provided by Velcro®, buttons, snaps, adhesives, and laces, to name a few. The pocket <NUM> and zipper mechanism can be part of the cover <NUM>. In example implementations, the zipper mechanism may be positioned approximately along the junction between the base portion 102a and the raised portion 102b, and is shown as approximately horizontal. Other placements and orientations are possible. In some configurations, the zipper mechanism <NUM> is below the junction between the base portion 102a and the raised portion 102b. In other configurations, the zipper mechanism <NUM> is above the junction between the base portion 102a and the raised portion 102b. The pocket <NUM> can hold a user's goods, such as a mobile phone, keys, earplugs, and/or earbuds. In some configurations, the pillow <NUM> has multiple pockets. In other configurations, the pillow <NUM> has no pocket. In some configurations the pillow has one or more pockets without a zipper mechanism <NUM>. In some configurations, the pocket <NUM> has dividers and/or sub-compartments within the pocket <NUM>.

Additionally, the cover <NUM> can also include a zipper to allow access to a core of the pillow body <NUM>. For instance, as best seen in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> can include a zipper <NUM> that can be opened, and the core and cover <NUM> can be separated from one another such that the cover <NUM> can be separately washed.

Many different materials are possible for the cover, including for the first region and the second region. For example, materials such as cloth, polyester, cotton, blends, velour, mesh, and combinations thereof are possible. One example of a composite cover material according to the present disclosure can include hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and/or odor protection technology, such as metallic fibers like silver fibers. Other types of fibers, such as plastic fibers and composite fibers, for example, are also possible. One such example of a composite material including metallic fibers that can be used in configurations of the present disclosure is the XT2® material available from Noble Biomaterials, which uses silver fibers. Such fibers can be blended with other cover materials that in some configurations are more traditional materials, such as those described above, to form the composite material. For example, one composite cover material includes approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% traditional material (such as polyester, cotton, etc.), and/or approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% fiber material (such as the XT2® silver fibers) by weight; or approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% traditional material, and/or approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% fiber material; or approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% traditional material, and/or approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% fiber material. Some configurations of cover material include <NUM> % or more fiber material, <NUM>% or more fiber material, <NUM>% or more fiber material, <NUM>% or more fiber material, or <NUM>% or more fiber material. Some configurations of cover material include <NUM>% or less fiber material, <NUM>% or less fiber material, <NUM>% or less fiber material, <NUM>% or less fiber material, or <NUM>% or less fiber material. Some configurations include approximately <NUM>% fiber material.

Composite materials utilized in covers according to the present disclosure can have different densities, such as approximately <NUM>-<NUM>/m2, or approximately <NUM>-<NUM>/m2, or approximately <NUM>-<NUM>/m2, or approximately <NUM>/m2, or <NUM>/m2 or higher, or <NUM>/m2 or higher, or <NUM>/m2 or higher, or <NUM>/m2 or higher, or <NUM>/m2 or lower, or <NUM>/m2 or lower, or <NUM>/m2 or lower, or <NUM>/m2 or lower, or <NUM>/m2 or lower. Many different configurations are possible, and it should be understood that the above ranges and numeric examples are for exemplary purposes only, and materials with properties outside these ranges are also possible.

Other materials are also possible. For example, one material that can be used in one or more regions of the cover is Dri-Lex®, available from Faytex Corp. ; similar materials can also be used. Such materials can transfer heat and mass (e.g., moisture) out of the cover and/or redistribute them throughout the cover, as opposed to allowing heat or mass to gather in specific areas that may cause user discomfort, such as around the neck. Specifically, the Dri-Lex® Honeycomb P material can function well in this regard, as can other honeycomb materials as known in the art.

It is noted that the examples described above involve affixing the strap on one of the lobes. In alternative embodiments, the chin-supporting strap is removably attachable at opposing ends, and the front portion of both lobes includes an attachment region on each front portion to enable removable attachment of the opposing ends of the chin supporting strap.

Claim 1:
A travel pillow (<NUM>) comprising:
a substantially U-shaped pillow body (<NUM>) having a foam core and comprising two lobe portions (<NUM>) spaced apart by a back portion connected at back-ends of the two lobe portions (<NUM>);
a chin-supporting strap (<NUM>) configured to attach to a front portion of one of the two lobes and extend to attach to the front portion of the other lobe, wherein the chin-supporting strap (<NUM>) is configured to support a user's chin when attached to the two lobes while in use by the user; characterized, in that it further comprises
a pocket (<NUM>) mounted on one of the lobes, the pocket being mounted to contain an affixing portion (<NUM>) of the chin-supporting strap.