GB2577272A

GB2577272A - Pillow

Info

Publication number: GB2577272A
Application number: GB1815242.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liu Penderis Wendy
Original assignee: Seat Sleeper Ltd
Current assignee: Seat Sleeper Ltd
Priority date: 2018-09-19
Filing date: 2018-09-19
Publication date: 2020-03-25
Also published as: GB201815242D0

Abstract

A travel pillow 1 for use against a support surface comprises a first 4 and a second 5 cushion. The two cushions are spaced apart and a flexible sheet 2 extends between the two cushions. Each cushion is 8 to 12 cm in length and is 6 to 12 cm in depth. In use, the spaced cushions aim to inhibit lateral movement of a head of a user, whilst the flexible sheet supports the neck of the user and is spaced from the support surface. The first and second cushions may be contained within a flexible chamber 3. The pillow may further comprise a fastener, for example hook and loop fastener 11, 12, which allows the distance between the cushions or the width of the chamber to be altered. The cushions may be elongate, for example they may be cylindrical, cuboid, spherocylindrical, rounded cuboid or rectangular parallelepiped in shape.

Description

Travel Pillow The present invention relates to a travel pillow.

Numerous travel pillows have been devised, but many do not provide good lateral support, allowing a user's head and neck to loll from side to side.

Travel pillows incorporating U-shaped pillows that wrap around a user's neck have been devised and go some way to ameliorating the problem. However, U-shaped pillows are often undesirably bulky for travel purposes and can be lacking in comfort.

Some efforts have been made to provide pillows in other forms so as to hinder lateral movement of a user's head and neck. For example W02006094509A1 discloses a pillow having two elongate support members to support sides of a user's head.

However, owing to the length of the support members such pillows remain relatively bulky, which is undesirable particularly in the context of travelling.

The present invention seeks to improve upon the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided a travel pillow to be used against a support surface and configured to support the neck of a user when the pillow is in use, the pillow comprising: first and second cushions, the cushions being spaced-apart and configured to inhibit lateral movement of a neck of a user when the travel pillow is in use; a flexible sheet extending between the cushions, the sheet being configured to be spaced from the support surface when supporting a neck of a user when the travel pillow is in use; characterized in that each cushion is between 8 to 12cm in length and is between 6 to 12cm in depth.

By providing a flexible sheet configured to be spaced from the support surface when supporting a neck of a user, the user's neck is supported in a hammock-type cradle, providing comfort. By providing cushions of a depth sufficient to support solely a user's neck (and not their head) the cushions may be short as no contact with a user's head is required.

Thus the overall size of the pillows and the sheet (or chamber) connecting the pillows may be minimized. Advantageously restricting the movement of a users neck also restricts movement of their head.

In some embodiments the pillow comprises at least one fastener such that the maximum distance between the first and second cushions may be limited by a user.

In some embodiments the pillow comprises at least one fastener such that the maximum distance between the first and second cushions is alterable between a plurality of different maximum distances.

In some embodiments the maximum distance between the first and second cushions is alterable over a continuous range of different maximum distances.

In some embodiments the first and second cushions are contained within a flexible chamber.

In some embodiments the pillow comprises at least one fastener operable to alter the maximum width of the chamber.

By limiting the maximum width of the chamber a user may limit the maximum distance between the first and second cushions contained therein.

In some embodiments the pillow comprises at least one fastener operable to alter the maximum width of the chamber between a plurality of different maximum widths.

In some embodiments the maximum width of the chamber is alterable over a continuous range of different maximum widths.

In some embodiments the width of the chamber is alterable over a range of widths that falls in the range of 15cm to 30cm.

In some embodiments a fastener comprises at least one area of hook and loop fastener on an outside surface of the chamber and at least one corresponding area of hook and loop fastener on at least one flap connected to the chamber.

In some embodiments the pillow comprises means to releasably secure the first and second cushions at a plurality of substantially fixed distances from each other.

In some embodiments the centres of the first and second cushions are spaced apart by between 9cm to 18cm.

In some embodiments each of the first and second cushions are between 9cm to 11cm in length.

In some embodiments each of the first and second cushions are around 10cm in length.

In some embodiments each of the first and second cushions are between 7cm to 10cm in depth.

In some embodiments each of the first and second cushions are around 8cm in depth.

In some embodiments the first and second cushions are secured at a substantially fixed distance from each other.

In some embodiments the first and second cushions are each substantially cylindrical, cuboid, spherocylindrical, rounded cuboid, or rectangular parallelepiped in shape.

In order that the present invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic transparent view of a travel pillow made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the rear face of the pillow of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic cross-section view of the pillow of Figure 1 with the pillow in a first configuration; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section view of the pillow of Figure 1 with the pillow in a second configuration; Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the pillow of Figure 1 in use; and Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the pillow of Figure 1 in use.

Referring to the drawings, a travel pillow 1 comprises a flexible textile housing 2 defining a substantially cuboid chamber 3 within which first cushion 4 and second cushion 5 are housed.

Chamber 3 is sealed so as to retain first and second cushions 4, 5 therein.

First and second cushions 4, 5 are elongate and each spherocylindrical in shape. In the present embodiment first and second cushions 4, 5 are each 10cm in length and have a depth (i.e. diameter) of 8cm.

In most embodiments it is anticipated that first and second cushions will be in the region of 9cm to 11cm in length and in the region of 6cm to 10cm in depth.

Chamber 3 is of a size such that lengths of first and second cushions 4, 5 correspond in size to the lengths of opposing sides 6, 7 chamber 3.

The distance between sides 6, 7 of chamber 3 may be considered to represent the width of chamber 3.

Extending between sides 6, 7 of chamber 3 are front face 9 of housing 2 and rear face 8 of housing 2.

Attached to housing 2 and extending across the rear face 8 thereof is flap 10.

Located on underside of flap 10 and facing rear face 8 of housing 2 is located a first area 11 of hook and loop fastener.

Located on rear face 8 of housing 2 and facing the underside of flap 10 is located a second area 12 of hook and loop fastener.

First area 11 and second area 12 of hook and loop fastener are of complementary types such that they may attach together.

Turning to travel pillow 1 in use flap 10 and rear face 8 of housing 2 are configured to rest upon a support surface such as the floor or a seat back whereas front face 9 of housing 2 is configured to support the neck of a user.

When positioned on a support surface 13 a user positions travel pillow 1 such that their neck is between first and second cushions 4, 5 and contacting front face 9 of housing 2.

As a user applies pressure to front face 9 of housing 2 by resting their neck thereon first and second cushions 4, 5 are urged towards each other by force conveyed through housing 2.

By abutting each side of the neck of a user first and second cushions 4, 5 hinder lateral movement thereof.

The neck of the user is supported on front face 9 of housing 2 in a position that is spaced from support surface 13 owing to front face 9 acting as a 'hammock' for the neck of the user, the suspended portion of front face 9 extending between first and second cushions 4, 5.

In use the back of the user's neck contacts support surface 13.

If necessary for comfort a user may alter the spacing between first and second cushions 4, 5 by means of flap 10 and areas of hook and loop 11, 12.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 a user is able to releasably alter the width of chamber 3 by altering the position in which flap 10 is attached to rear face 8 of housing 2.

Reducing the width of chamber 3 reduces the maximum distance between first and second cushions 4, 5 and thereby also reduces the deformability of front face 9 when rested upon by a user.

In the present embodiment width of chamber 3 is alterable between 16cm in width and 25cm in width.

The optimum width of a chamber will depend upon a number of factors including the size and shape of first and second cushions 4, 5, the material from which housing 2 is manufactured, and the dimensions of a user's neck.

However, in most embodiments it is envisaged that is chamber is at maximum likely to be alterable over a range of 15 to 30cm in width.

Preferably the distance between the centres of first and second cushions 4, 5 might be in the range of 9cm to 18cm apart. That is to say that the range of widths of a chamber should be in the region of 9cm to 18cm plus the width of a cushion 4, 5.

Although in the present embodiment only the maximum spacing of the first and second cushions are alterable by a user in other embodiments the minimum spacing of the first and second cushions may also be alterable.

Furthermore, in some embodiments first and second cushions may be held in substantially fixed positions relative to each other. In such embodiments the spacing of the first and second cushions may or may not be alterable.

Although in the present embodiment both first and second cushions are housed within a single chamber defined by a single housing in other embodiments a chamber may be compartmentalized or separate individual chambers may be provided.

In such embodiments the first and second cushions, for example, may be contained within separate pockets so as to prevent the cushions from being displaced.

The term 'sheet' in the present application is not intended to be limited to a body with a continuous surface, but may also include perforated surfaces such as netting.

The 'depth' of a cushion is intended to mean the distance between a face of a cushion contacting a surface and an opposite face of a cushion when the pillow is in use but not compressed.

Thus, for example, when a cushion is substantially cylindrical or spherocylindrical the 'depth' of the cushion refers to its diameter. The depth of the pillow of the present embodiment is indicated by arrow 'D' in Figure 3.

Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A travel pillow to be used against a support surface and configured to support the neck of a user when the pillow is in use, the pillow comprising: first and second cushions, the cushions being spaced-apart and configured to inhibit lateral movement of a neck of a user when the travel pillow is in use; a flexible sheet extending between the cushions, the sheet being configured to be spaced from the support surface when supporting a neck of a user when the travel pillow is in use; characterized in that each cushion is between 8 to 12cm in length and is between 6 to 12cm in depth.
2. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the pillow comprises at least one fastener such that the maximum distance between the first and second cushions may be limited by a user.
3. The pillow of claim 2 wherein the pillow comprises at least one fastener such that the maximum distance between the first and second cushions is alterable between a plurality of different maximum distances.
4. The pillow of claim 2 wherein the maximum distance between the first and second cushions is alterable over a continuous range of different maximum distances.
5. The pillow of any preceding claim wherein the first and second cushions are contained within a flexible chamber.
6. The pillow of claim 5 wherein the pillow comprises at least one fastener operable to alter the maximum width of the chamber.
7. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the pillow comprises at least one fastener operable to alter the maximum width of the chamber between a plurality of different maximum widths.
8. The pillow of claim 6 wherein the maximum width of the chamber is alterable over a continuous range of different maximum widths.
9. The pillow of any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the width of the chamber is alterable over a range of widths that falls in the range of 15cm to 30cm.
10. The pillow of any of claims 6 to 8 wherein a fastener comprises at least one area of hook and loop fastener on an outside surface of the chamber and at least one corresponding area of hook and loop fastener on at least one flap connected to the chamber.
11. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the pillow comprises means to releasably secure the first and second cushions at a plurality of substantially fixed distances from each other.
12. The pillow of any of any preceding claim wherein the centres of the first and second cushions are spaced apart by between 9cm to 18cm.
13. The pillow of any preceding claim wherein each of the first and second cushions are between 9cm to 11cm in length.
14. The pillow of any preceding claim wherein each of the first and second cushions are around 10cm in length.
15. The pillow of any preceding claim wherein each of the first and second cushions are between 7cm to 10cm in depth.
16. The pillow of any preceding claim wherein each of the first and second cushions are around 8cm in depth.
17. The pillow of claim 1 wherein the first and second cushions are secured at a substantially fixed distance from each other.
18. The pillow of any preceding claim wherein the first and second cushions are each substantially cylindrical, cuboid, spherocylindrical, rounded cuboid, or rectangular parallelepiped in shape.