Patent Grant
12207749
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Unless otherwise stated, all trademarks and trade dress disclosed in this patent document and other distinctive names, emblems, and designs associated with product or service descriptions, are subject to trademark rights. The trademark and trade dress owner also reserves all trademark rights whatsoever.
The present disclosures relate to new systems, devices and methods aiding comfort during rest and relaxation and, more specifically, to new forms of cushions aiding human users in lying in the prone position.
The use of implements, such as cushions, mattresses, pillows and furniture, for lying down comfortably probably predates recorded history. Simple beds date at least to 3600 B.C.E., in sub-Saharan Africa. Beds dating from 3200 to 2200 B.C.E. were also found in Northern Scotland, constructed from raised boxes made of stone. By the time of Medieval Europe, beds were being constructed from piles of leaves, moss, feathers, and other soft materials, covered by animal hides.
Pillows have been in use, at least, since ancient Mesopotamia, around 7,000 B.C.E. In addition to supporting and providing comfort for the user's head, pillows also serve as a barrier to protect users from insects. Furthermore, being a luxury item, the number of pillows owned by a user has operated as a status symbol, displaying the wealth of the user.
Pillows are available in a variety of shapes, but, most typically, modern pillows are provided in a rectangular format, including a soft fill (e.g., goose down or a synthetic fill) surrounded by one or more layers of fabric. Predominantly for sanitary reasons, users also typically cover the pillow with an additional layer of material, in the form of a bag slightly larger than the pillow, known as a pillowcase. A pillowcase may be washed periodically, to reduce the accumulation dust, oils and insect or other infections of the main body of the pillow. Some pillowcases are decorative in nature, including an ornamental design, either in the form of a printed pattern or extensions of the pillowcase, such as tassels and fringe.
One type of pillow having an unconventional U-shaped format, is known as the “neck pillow” or orthopedic pillow, which is frequently used in travel settings, especially on airplanes. Similar to neck braces, the U-shape of the neck pillow allows it to be drawn around the user's neck, supporting it and the user's head, and allows the user rest her or his neck muscles, and even sleep in an upright position, in an airplane seat.
Including the somewhat unusual upright position discussed above, human users may adopt a wide variety of positions while sleeping. Most commonly, users sleep lying flat on their backs (i.e., the “supine position”) with their arms flat beside them. Some sleepers prefer to sleep rolled onto their sides (i.e., “side sleepers”), and may prefer resting predominantly on their right or left sides. Less typically, users will sleep on their stomach (the “prone position). The prone position may be comfortable for users for a short period of time, but requires the user to turn their neck to the side to breathe, which can prove to be uncomfortable over prolonged time periods. Pillows generally require a user to turn the neck even more than a mattress alone in this position, and sometimes, for some users, the prone position may be assumed more comfortably without a pillow. A number of pillows and cushions have been attempted in an effort to improve sleep and comfort, including while in the prone position. But sleep and rest in the prone position remains uncomfortable and unpopular. Nonetheless, some users include the prone position during sleeping, even if not for long due to this discomfort, to add variety and relieve and prevent other discomfort from over-relying on a more limited set of sleeping positions (e.g., bed sores). Whatever their preference for sleeping position, most sleepers will usually oscillate between multiple positions (e.g., a side sleeper alternating between resting on their right and left sides, and occasionally sleeping in the supine position).
There remains a strong and long-felt need for better rest and relaxation techniques improving the comfort of human users and, in particular, while resting and sleeping in the prone position.
It should be understood that the disclosures in this application related to the background of the invention, in, but not limited to, this section titled “Background,” do not necessarily set forth prior art or other known aspects exclusively, and may instead include art that was invented concurrently or after the present invention and conception, and details of the inventor's own discoveries and work and work results.
New systems, devices and methods for aiding comfort during rest and relaxation while lying in the prone position are provided, including a new type of pillow aiding human users in lying in the prone position (a “prone lying enhancement pillow”). In some embodiments, a generally U-shaped prone lying enhancement pillow is provided, including a perimetric fitment to a human user's face, meaning that an aspect of the pillow interfaces with an outer area of the human user's face, while the human user lays in the prone position. In some such embodiments, such a perimetric fitment is approximately and/or partially perimetric, or at least surrounding a central area of the human user's face. In some such embodiments, an aspect(s) of the pillow touches and interfaces with the forehead and outer sides of the human face. In some such embodiments, such an aspect(s) includes a compliant yet supportive cushion that hugs the outer contours of the human face. In some embodiments, such an aspect(s) includes a surface of the pillow facing the user's forehead, which, in some such embodiments, covers a majority of the user's forehead. In some embodiments, such a surface includes a concave area of the pillow that touches and interfaces differently with specific contours of the human face. In some such embodiments, such a concavity includes an angled and contoured bevel, with a complementary fitment to a human user's face. For example, in some embodiments, such a surface touches and interfaces with a majority of the user's forehead, thereby providing support and selective pressure to the user's forehead, and less pressure on other areas of the user's face, even if touching and interfacing with such other areas.
In some embodiments, a pillow in accordance with aspects of this application is about 5 inches wide by 6 inches in length. However, in some embodiments, the length of such a pillow (measured along the length of a human face placed into it, as pictured below), may be shorter than its width. However, in some embodiments, which are preferred, the width and length of such a pillow may be the same, or approximately the same (e.g., 6 inches by 6 inches, or 5 inches by 5 inches).
Canons of Construction
Where any term is set forth in a sentence, clause or statement (“statement”) in this application, each possible meaning, significance and/or sense of any term used in this application should be read as if separately, conjunctively and/or alternatively set forth in additional statement(s), after the sentence, clause or statement, as necessary to exhaust the possible meanings of each such term and each such statement.
It should also be understood that, for convenience and readability, this application may set forth particular pronouns and other linguistic qualifiers of various specific gender and number, but, where this occurs, all other logically possible gender and number alternatives should also be read in as both conjunctive and alternative statements, as if equally, separately set forth therein.
The embodiments set forth in detail in this application are to ease the reader's understanding of inventions set forth herein and, as such, are only examples of the virtually innumerable number of alternative embodiments falling within the scope of the application. No specific embodiment set forth in this application should be read as limiting the scope of any claimed inventions.
These and other aspects of the invention will be made clearer below, in other parts of this application. This Summary, the Abstract, and other parts of the application, are for ease of understanding only, and no part of this application should be read to limit the scope of the invention, whether or not it references matter also set forth in any other part.
The features and advantages of example embodiments of the invention presented herein will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
The features and advantages of example embodiments of the invention presented herein are directed to new systems, devices and methods for aiding comfort during rest and relaxation while lying in the prone position are provided, including a new type of pillow aiding human users in lying in the prone position, which are now described herein. These and other aspects will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings. This description is not intended to limit the application to the embodiments presented herein, which are only examples of the virtually unlimited possible embodiments falling within the scope of the present application. In fact, after reading the following description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the following example embodiments in alternative embodiments, including any possible order, number or other arrangement of components and subcomponents (the following orders, components, subcomponents and/or relationships being non-limiting).
Embodiments of systems, devices and methods for aiding comfort during rest and relaxation while lying in the prone position in accordance with some aspects set forth in this Specification are depicted in
In some such embodiments, an aspect(s) of the pillow touches and interfaces with the forehead, such as example human user 101's forehead 109, and outer sides, such as example sides 111, of the human face. And, in some embodiments, such an aspect(s) includes a compliant yet supportive cushion 113 that hugs outer contours of the human face. In some embodiments, such an aspect(s) includes a surface of the pillow (not visible in the present figure) facing the user's forehead, which, in some such embodiments, covers a majority of the user's forehead (such as example human user 101's forehead 109) when in use, as pictured. In some embodiments, the contours are especially closely-fitted on or about the temples of the human face, and provide beneficial acupressure at those pressure points, reducing fatigue and sinus pressure. However, in some embodiments, supportive cushion 113 does not cover or contact all of the human user's forehead. In some such embodiments, at least some uncovered areas 115 remain uncovered, and, in some such embodiments, the human user may shift cushion 113, e.g., up or down vertically on her or his face, to more comfortably fit prone lying enhancement pillow 100 to the human user's face. In some such embodiments, the surface of the pillow facing the user's forehead may include different levels and/or amounts of cushioning and support. And, in some such embodiments, by so shifting cushion 113 and interfacing such different levels with different features of her or his forehead and/or face, the human user may also alter the amount by which her or his face and head, such as example human user 101's face 103, is raised from a ground, floor or other surface (not pictured in the present figure) on which a floor-facing surface 117 is laid.
In some embodiments, a pillow in accordance with aspects of this application is about 5 inches wide by 6 inches in length. However, in some embodiments, the length of such a pillow (measured along the length of a human face placed into it, as pictured below), may be shorter than its width. However, in some embodiments, which are preferred, the width and length of such a pillow may be the same, or approximately the same (e.g., 6 inches by 6 inches, or 5 inches by 5 inches).
In some embodiments, ancillary lower extensions 119 are included in prone lying enhancement pillow 100. In some such embodiments, ancillary lower extensions 119 are located at and/or form a part of lower tips 121 of prone lying enhancement pillow 100. And, in some embodiments, ancillary lower extensions 119 include concavities on surfaces thereof facing the user's face (not pictured in the present figure). In some such embodiments, such concavities relieve pressure on or about the user's eye areas, temples and/or sinus areas, such as example eye area 123, example temple 125, and example sinus area 127, as pictured.
In any event, owing at least in part to the above-discussed perimetric fitment to a human user's face, in some embodiments, example prone lying enhancement pillow 100 includes a central open area 129 which, when the pillow is in use, is located at or about the human user's nose, mouth and/or eyes, and/or a central area, such as example central area 107, of the human user's face in some embodiments. In some embodiments, central open area 129 may be, or include, a cove, at or about the location of a user's nose and/or mouth when fitted properly to a user's face, as pictured. In some embodiments, example prone lying enhancement pillow 100 also includes a central channel 131, through which airflow is maintained to and from central open area 129, even when example prone lying enhancement pillow 100 is in use, aiding a human user in lying in the prone position, as will be discussed in greater detail below. In some such embodiments, the user's nose and/or mouth remains suspended above, and clear of, a surface on which prone lying enhancement pillow 100 is laid, within such a central open area, when so properly fitted, as pictured. And, In some embodiments, a more complex network of breathability passageways may be included, in addition to central open area 129.
In some embodiments, an air filtering material (e.g., a mesh) may be included, in a material at or about central open area 129, covering the user's face, or nose and/or mouth, to filter particles, chemicals or other things from entering the user's airway (not pictured).
It should be noted that the number, location(s) and arrangement(s) of any of the components discussed above, and elsewhere herein, may vary widely in different embodiments of the invention, the embodiments specifically set forth and pictured in this application being only exemplary of the virtually unlimited numbers, locations and arrangements falling within the scope of the inventions set forth herein, as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.
In the compressed configuration 215, as pictured, prone lying enhancement pillow 200 supports human user 101's head 205 in a position aiding in producing a neutral position of human user 101's neck 219 and spine (not pictured, but within human user's neck 219), meaning that human user 101's neck is not, or not substantially, in a state of flexion, extension, lateral bending or rotation. In some embodiments, such a neutral position of human user 101's neck 219 and spine may be in a slight state of flexion, extension, lateral bending and/or rotation, but not by more than ten (10) degrees of flexion, extension, lateral bending and/or rotation. In some embodiments, such a neutral position of human user 101's neck 219 and spine is not in a state of flexion or extension by more than ten (10) degrees. In some embodiments, such a neutral position of human user 101's neck 219 and spine is not in a state of flexion or extension by more than about ten (10) degrees.
As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, prone lying enhancement pillow 200 and/or the firm, yet comfortable and supportive cushioning component(s) present within prone lying enhancement pillow 200, may include a wide variety of suitable material(s). For example, in some embodiments, such material(s) include a memory foam and/or a high density, small cell foam, which reacts to weight from human user 101's head 211 and other downward pressure against the forehead-facing surface 213, as discussed above, by compressing and conforming to the contours of human user 101's face 103, including forehead 109.
However, in some embodiments, prone lying enhancement pillow 200 is subject to compression under that weight from human user 101's head 211 and other downward pressure against the forehead-facing surface 213, as discussed above, to a limited degree. In other words, the compression of prone lying enhancement pillow 200, under the weight from human user 101's head 211 and other downward pressure against the forehead-facing surface 213, as discussed above, occurs in a limited range (e.g., with a maximum degree of compression at, or at about, the compressed configuration 215 pictured).
In some embodiments, prone lying enhancement pillow 200 and/or the firm, yet comfortable and supportive cushioning component(s) present within prone lying enhancement pillow 200, includes more than one material. In some embodiments, the firm, yet comfortable and supportive cushioning component(s) include an internal cushioning matrix.
Some embodiments of the pillow include cushioning including a suitably resilient, yet soft material(s), with limited compliance, to allow for the above-described support and compressed configuration 215). In some embodiments, such cushioning includes high-density foam (such as a memory foam). In some embodiments, such a material(s) is, or includes a polyester foam (e.g., a polyester memory foam) with about a 100% recovery rate. In some embodiments, such a material(s) is or includes a small-cell, polyurethane foam of a high density is used. In some embodiments, such a material(s) is or includes a medium firm density and/or a sufficient compression rate to support a user's face while maintaining the central open area 129 and central channel 131, discussed above. For example, in some embodiments, the cushioning matrix of the pillow has an Indentation Force Deflection (“compression rating” or “IFD”) of somewhere in the range of 12-75 pounds (to compress the cushioning matrix 25%). However, preferably, in some embodiments, the cushioning matrix of the pillow has a compression rating in the range of 35-50 pounds, where a 12″ Long×12″ Wide×1″ thick foam pillow cushioning piece is used as the cushioning matrix, or, in some alternative embodiments, where a 5″ Long×5″ Wide×2″ thick foam pillow cushioning piece is used as the cushioning matrix. However, in some embodiments the cushioning matrix of the pillow has a compression rating of 44 pounds, which is preferred to some other values within that range. Even more preferably, in some embodiments, the cushioning matrix of the pillow has a compression rating of 45 pounds. In some embodiments, the density of the cushioning is at least about 2.8 pounds per cubic foot, where polyurethane foam is used as the cushioning matrix, or considerably higher, in some such embodiments.
In some embodiments, the pillow is personalized in shape, to follow the contours of an individual's face.
In some embodiments, the pillow includes additional material(s), such as a material selected from any or all of the following: Bamboo, a nylon (e.g., recycled nylon), neoprene, a moisture-wicking material, linen, silk, chambray, cotton, a micro modal material and viscose.
It should be understood that, although certain suitable material(s) for certain example prone lying enhancement pillow embodiments have been set forth above, for illustrative purposes, the inventions set forth in the present application are of course not limited by those specific examples, and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the inventions set forth herein. A wide variety of alternative, suitable materials, and combinations thereof, being virtually unlimited and impossible or impractical to innumerate herein, are also within the scope of the invention, as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.
For example, in some embodiments, such an interfacing surface and concave area touches and interfaces with a majority of the user's forehead, thereby providing support and selective pressure to the user's forehead, and less pressure on other areas of the user's face, even if touching and interfacing with such other areas, owing to such concave area(s) 307.
Among other aspects, as discussed above, in some embodiments, example prone lying enhancement pillow 400 includes an interfacing surface 401 that faces a human user's forehead, and/or other portions of the user's face, when in use, which may be the same as, or similar in nature to the interfacing surface 301, discussed above. And, in some embodiments, such an interfacing surface includes a concave area 403 of the pillow that touches and interfaces differently with specific contours of the human face.
In some such embodiments, such a concave area includes an angled and contoured bevel, such as that shown as example angled and contoured bevel 405, having a complementary fitment to a human user's face, which may be the same as, or similar in nature to, the example angled and contoured bevel 309, discussed above, in some embodiments. In addition, in some embodiments, ridges or other locally raised areas, such as the examples shown as example locally raised areas 407, may also be present within concave area 403, to create greater support and force against pressure points of a user's face, when placed against it, while in use. And, conversely, in some such embodiments, concave area 403 may include one or more areas of greater depth and/or concavity, such as examples shown as example eye and temple pressure relief areas 409, which correspond with the location of a user's eyes and/or temples when using example prone lying enhancement pillow 400, in some embodiments.
It should be noted that, in some embodiments, prone lying enhancement pillow 400 includes elongated sides 411 that form a crescent shape. However, in some embodiments, such elongated sides are straighter, descending along in a straight line vertically, or approximately vertically, in shape similar to that shown for prone lying enhancement pillow 100, discussed above.
Overall, in some embodiments, such an interfacing surface touches and interfaces with a majority of the user's forehead. And, in some embodiments, such an interfacing surface provides support and selective pressure to the user's forehead, and less pressure on other areas of the user's face, even if touching and interfacing with such other areas.
In some embodiments, the prone lying enhancement pillows discussed in the present application are coupled with a custom-fitted tote bag, or other carrying bag, to enhance portability of the prone lying enhancement pillows. For example, in some embodiments, such a custom carrying bag is made of smooth nylon and/or includes structural members arranged in a honeycomb pattern, which, in some embodiments, enhances breathability of the tote and speeds drying. Some embodiments include a fastener (such as a zipper), for safely securing the pillow inside the custom carrying bag, which is all machine washable and safe.
It should be understood that the above components, steps, and number and order of components and steps, is exemplary only of certain embodiments set forth in this application, and are not intended to limit the application in any way. In fact, virtually unlimited alternative orders, numbers, instances of the above steps and components, in addition with countless additional and alternative steps may be performed, within the scope of the present application and inventions herein, as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Although the example of a prone lying enhancement pillow including certain specified material(s), such as a memory foam and/or a high density, small cell foam, has been provided, it should be understood that any suitable alternative form of cushioning material may be used, instead of, or in addition to, such a memory foam and/or high density, small cell foam material, in various embodiments, while carrying out aspects of the present inventions, as will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art.
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