EP1374745B1

EP1374745B1 - Anatomically shaped pillow

Info

Publication number: EP1374745B1
Application number: EP03014251A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Loredana Longo; Ettore Accornero
Original assignee: Foppa Pedretti SpA
Current assignee: Foppa Pedretti SpA
Priority date: 2002-06-27
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2005-12-14
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-25
Also published as: ATE312539T1; EP1374745A1; ITMI20020335V0; DE60302714D1; ITMI20020335U1

Abstract

This invention concerns an anatomic pillow characterized in that it comprises a central portion (2), with a substantially toroidal structure, and a plurality of appendices (3, 4), said plurality of appendices (3, 4) are connected to the central portion (2) so as to assume an anthropomorphic shape (1) in their assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

This invention concerns an anatomic pillow, in particular an anthropomorphic-shaped anatomic pillow.
Sleeping well is fundamental for the physical and psychological wellbeing of an individual.
It is known from medical studies that almost a third of life is spent in bed.
For this reason the choice of mattress and pillow assumes an important role.
There are general rules that belong to the culture of good rest in which it is believed that the mattress should neither be too hard nor too soft, that it should be made from relatively soft materials in order to support the vertebral column correctly, and the pillow should not reduce, or compress, the space for the neck vertebrae.
It is important to realize that the use of an incorrect pillow can lead to cervical problems and other orthopaedic complications.
Known anatomic pillows perform a relaxation action according to their specific design. In fact the pillows devised for the head act mainly on the vertebral column, while the pillows devised for the legs, if placed under the ends of the legs, exert their beneficial action progressively over the whole body.
In addition to that described above many people wish to sleep embracing the pillow, but the known pillow typologies adapt badly to this wish. See, for example, documents US-S-D167433, WO-A-02 096 242, DE-A-100 57 270 DE-U-201 08 498 and US-A-5 103 516.
In view of the described background art, the aim of this invention is to produce an anthropomorphic pillow capable of relieving psychophysical tensions due to incorrect posture.
A further aim of this invention is to produce a pillow that is easy and comfortable to embrace.
In accordance with this invention, such a purpose is achieved with the invention as claimed in claim 1.
In this way the innovative invention allows for the improvement of nocturnal rest.
Moreover, the innovative invention allows the simultaneous improvement of the care of the cervical, by supporting the nape of the neck, the shoulders and maintaining the neck in the perfect position.
Furthermore, thanks to the present invention it is also possible to sleep or relax easily embracing the anatomic pillow.
The characteristics and advantages of this invention will become evident from the following detailed description of its practical embodiment, illustrated as a non-limitative example in the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a plan view of the invention in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a side view of Figure 1;
Figure 4 shows a first usage mode of the invention in Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows a second usage mode of the invention in Figure 1.
With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 the anatomic pillow, generally indicated with 1, has a premodelled shape in which a central portion 2, a first appendix 3 and a second appendix 4 can be distinguished.
The first and second appendix 3, 4 are connected to said central portion 2 so as to assume an anthropomorphic shape.
In fact the first appendix 3 is confirmed as the head, while the second appendix 4 is confirmed as the legs.
The central portion 2 has a substantially toroidal structure and provides a central opening 5 in the form of an ellipsoid.
For example, the applicant has identified as particularly advantageous measures, as far as previously described, a height H total of the anatomic pillow 1 of approximately 114 cm, a longitudinal thickness S1 of the appendix 3 of approximately 25 cm, a longitudinal thickness S2 of the appendix 4 of approximately 19 cm, a transversal dimension T1 of the appendix 3 of approximately 31 cm, a transversal dimension T2 of the appendix 4 of approximately 36 cm and a longitudinal thickness S3 of the appendix 2 of approximately 44 cm.
The transversal dimension T3 of the appendix 2 is to be approximately 47 cm.
Furthermore, the applicant has identified as particularly advantageous measures for the central portion 2 with a toroidal structure a minor diameter D1 of approximately 5 cm, and a major diameter D2 of approximately 22 cm.
Moreover, the pillow 1 is covered with materials chosen by the user that are perfectly removable, washable, and do not attract dust.
Such an anatomic pillow 1 is filled, according to the specific requirements, with suitable materials with a differing maximum capacity.
For example, pillow 1 can be filled preferably with feathers or with latex. Such an operation is feasible by means of suitable slide fasteners, or buttons or velcro (not illustrated in the Figures) placed as required on the pillow 1 itself.
Advantageously the portion with a toroidal structure 2 allows the user to embrace the pillow 1, as shown in figure 4, because the user's arms can easily and comfortably be inserted into the opening 5.
Advantageously, the portion with a toroidal structure 2 allows the user to use the pillow 1 as a traditional pillow, as shown in figure 5, with the advantage that the user's head is easily rested in correspondence to the opening 5.
In particular such a position allows relief from articulation pains and facilitates the peripheral circulation of the legs.

Claims

Anatomic pillow (1) comprising

a central portion (2) having a substantially toroidal structure providing a central opening (5), and

two appendices (3, 4) being connected to said central portion (2) at opposite sides so as to assume an anthropomorphic shape in their assembly,

wherein the first appendix (3) is in a single piece and is confirmed as the head of the anthropomorphic shape, and
wherein the second appendix (4) is in a single piece and is confirmed as the legs of the antropomorphic shape.
Anatomic pillow according to claim 1, in which the first appendix (3) has a first longitudinal dimension (S1) and a first transversal dimension (T1), the second appendix (4) has a second longitudinal dimension (S2) and a second transversal dimension (T2), and said central portion (2) has a third longitudinal dimension (S3) and a third transversal dimension (T3).
Anatomic pillow in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said third transversal dimension (T3) is higher than the sum of said first and second transversal dimension (T1, T2), and said third longitudinal dimension (S3) is greater than both said first and said second (S1, S2) longitudinal dimension.
Anatomic pillow in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that said first longitudinal dimension (S1) is greater than said second longitudinal dimension (S2) and said first transversal dimension (T1) is lower than said second transversal dimension (T2).