IE20110002A1 - Unique ergonomic orthopaedic pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pillow. In particular a pillow of unique design and composition which offers maximum support and body alignment regardless of whether the user sleeps on their back or their side (left & right) The pillow is ideal for medical usage but can also be used at home. The pillow design can be described as follows: The pillow is a rectangular shape with a flat base. The top of the pillow has two hollows divided by a vertical ridge in the centre of the pillow. Furthermore, it has a slot where the users shoulder meets the pillow. These features all combine to position the user to gain the most benefit while resting. The pillow composition can be described as follows: The pillow is made from Polyurethane foam the composition of which is a mix of polyl and isosinate which results in a soft but supportive pillow. The combination of comfort and support is ideal for its purpose. <Figure 1>

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION; The present invention relates to a pillow and includes analogous descriptions such as cushions. In particular a pillow with a new ergonomic design combined with a unique composition which is suitable for both therapeutic and relaxation purposes and which, due to all the various parts, overcomes several problems existing pillows do not.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION; Human beings spend on average 8 hours a day sleeping. If possible, this time should be used to achieve optimal relaxation and regeneration. The key factor to ensuring that the greatest benefit is achieved while an individual sleeps is the positioning of the head, neck, shoulders and spine. Minimum disruption and natural anatomical and physiological considerations are of paramount importance. By using the correct pillow the individual can be aligned correctly and the head, neck, shoulders and spine are considered so that maximum comfort and support is achieved. The design functions in both the supine and sidling positions, providing optimal support to the individual and offers particular health benefits arising from correct alignment and positioning. This pillow was designed to offer multiple benefits to the individual user based on information gathered through research of over 30,000 patients for a period of 24 years of Osteopathic Clinical Practice. Dissatisfaction with existing memory foam pillows 1E1 1 ο Ο Ο 2 led to the research of other material possibilities and positioning systems which resulted in the development of the unique foam consistency used in this product together with the combined effect of fhe various design elements of fhe pillow.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION: This pillow design achieves anatomical support for the individual user’s head, neck and spine. When the individual rests their head on the pillow in either a side-ling or supine position, the weight of fhe head creates a force of load because of the concavity in the head dip, a tensile force is then created due to the persons head mass, a tension against fhe neck is created because of the load alteration in the region of the cervical spine. Further stabilization is achieved by providing an anti-head roll ridge which is located between the hollows. The hollow feature is replicated on both sides of the ridge to accommodate a person lying on either the left or the right side.

Great time and effort was spent in order to achieve the correct measure of foam density that would complement the ergonomic design. In order to achieve the correct consistency in the foam, research and development resulted in creating the correct weight pressure response and alteration in the memory thus allowing for a quicker reaction to weight that polyurethane naturally provides. The materiai has a specific visco-elastic consistency formulated for the design. It is made from Polyurethane Foam and the content of polyol/isosinate was fried and tested to achieve the correct ratio of density allowing an immediate response to pressure replacing other memory foam technology which has a bottoming out point. The reaction to pressure from the head weight is immediate and permanent in this pillow. This change in memory was necessary to marry with the design as the whole pillow had to have the same tensile strength and compression. The pillow remains cool due to the open cell nature of polyurethane facilitating the dissipation of excess heat and IE1 1 0 0 02 moisture created as a consequence of contact between the individual’s head and the pillow surface.

The shoulder slot feature provides the neck with complete support by the weight of the head compressing the pillow surface, thus creating a ridge which moulds to the curvature of the individual’s neck, catering for all neck shapes and body types.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION: Referring now to the drawings, being Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, there is illustrated a pillow that embodies a fully functional design. The design of this pillow includes several unique features not seen in other pillows.

A shoulder slot provides neck support by supplying a groove where the Acromio Clavicular joint protrudes, allowing for the elimination of the joint process as seen in Figures 3 - 4C, 5C. Support is created where the neck joins the pillow. As the head meets the dip the resulting weight on the pillow provides complete neck support and alignment because the height of the pillow and the weight of the head increases the neck ridge providing full cervical spine surface contact.

This is essential to avoid subluxation of the facet joints in this section of the spine, which eliminates the possibility of or continuance of muscular tension and the onset of morning aches and pains.

The pillow is represented by 2 head dips divided by a ridge in the middle. The ridge is necessary for head stability by creating immediate equilibrium of the cervical spine. The double hollow feature allows for left and right sleeping positions, without the need to shift the body while turning, this eliminates the IE1 1 0 0 02 possibility of cervical spine subluxation. The ridge and hollows can be seen in Figure 3- 1C, 11C, 12C.

Enhanced breathing ability is achieved by the head weight compressing fhe hollow or head dips. When in this position the individual’s head is slightly tilted due to the concavity which allows for enhanced airflow. The pillow has a flat base. A washable cotton pillow cover was chosen to be supplied with the pillow in order to eliminate any interference with the integrity of the visco-elasticity of the foam.

With the design in place the next step was to create the most suitable material with which to make this pillow. The pillow is made up of a polyurethane composition which was formulated to compliment the design. To achieve the correct density of foam, 2 years of research resulted in achieving the aiteration in memory that this particular pillow now provides. The property combination of the materials gives the perfect levels of density, strength and compression. The response to pressure provided by the material is up to five times quicker than that of memory foam in general. Pressure mapping tests were undertaken over periods in excess of 8 hours which showed that the material’s composition was ideally suited for long term contact to pressure values of 22.8mm and greater mimicking the average human head. As the material is visco-elastic foam, it has a certain content of water. This mass of foam provides a heat sink in the pillow to absorb heat from the person’s head and dissipating the heat away from the head by thermal conductivity. As water has a high specific heat capacity, it will absorb a greater level of heat compared to standard memory foam pillows. The foam has an open cell structure that is suitable and effective in conducting excess heat away from the individual's head.

As a consequence of the thermal conductivity and effectiveness as a heat sink, the person sleeping on the pillow does not build up an excess moisture or body heat during the night, preventing discomfort. There is a constant fresh feel off the pillow because the heat is able to easily dissipate through the inner structure of the open cell material.

IE 1 1 Ο Ο 0 2 s As fhe viscoelastic foam heats up, it becomes softer, molding better to the anatomical shape of the body. Due to the mass of foam compared to the head weight, the pillow supports the head in a thermally comfortable condition and retains its shape within the limits of the range, preventing bottoming out which can occur in other pillows. Bottoming out occurs when the cushioning material io creeps away from the concentrated load and there is little or no cushioning material left under the individual's head resting on the pillow.

The consistency of the foam combined with the ergonomically contoured shape provides an excellent interface molding to the individual's body providing maximum contact, comfort and support.

The Physical properties of the foam are as follows: Property DIN Measurement Value Density 53420 Kg/m3 50 Hardness 53577 kPa 3.7 Compression Set 53572 50%, 70C, 22H n.g. Tensile Strength 53571 % >110 Tear Strength 53571 N/cm3 9 The approximate dimensions of the pillow are as follows: The pillow is approximately 110mm in height. The pillow is approximately 610mm in length. The pillow is approximately 412mm in width.

IE1 1 0 0 02 BRIEF DISCRETION OF THE DRAWINGS: The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1.

Shows a lateral left side view of the pillow represented by rounded edges at the corners 1 A, 2 A, 3 A, 4 A. and slightly rounded surface 5 A from the base 6 A to the top 7 A.

Figure 2.

Shows a lateral right side view of the pillow represented by rounded edges at the corners 1 B, 2 B, 3 B, 4 B. and slightly rounded surface 5 B from the base 6 B to the top 7 B.

Figure 3.

Represents a view of the to surface of the pillow showing a ridge in the centre 1 C, extending from the back of the pillow 2C, to the front of the pillow 3C, The front of the pillow shows two concaves 4C, 5C, extending laterally from the centre 6C, forming two convexes 7C, 8C, to the lateral sides of the pillow 9 C, IOC.

On each side of the centra! ridge 1 C, are two hollows 11 C, 12 C, approximately 25mm in depth at each centre.

Figure 4.

The front view is represented by two hallows 1 D, 2 D, extending laterally 55 from the centre points 3 D, and merging two convexes 4 D, 5 D, joining two bulges 6 D, D, to the upper surface of the pillow.

IE 1 1 Ο Ο 0 2 Figure 5.

This drawing represent the base of the pillow 1 F, which is fiat all round, with slightly rounded edges 2 F, 3 F, 4 F, 5 F.

Figure 6.

This drawing represents the back view of the pillow with a slightly rounded surface 1 G, and rounded surface corners 2 G, 3 G, 4 G, 5 G. The height of fhe pillow is approximately 110mm all round.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS: • 1. A pillow comprising a rectangular shape providing particular anatomical positioning of an individual’s head, neck, shoulders, through a combination of bilateral concave surfaces, a flat base on the io underside, a central anti-head roll ridge, head dips or hollows to accommodate the individuals head positioned on either side of the said ridge, shoulder slots, a neck ridge, and composed of materials utilizing positioning stability. • 2. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein such bilateral 15 concave shape forms a central anti-head roll ridge, that lowers to a hollow forming the head dips and raises the neck ridge on contact pressure fo support the individual's neck and head on the external edges by lateral inclines in the side-lying and supine positions. • 3. A pillow according to claim 1, wherein such bilateral 20 concave surface provides support to the individual's head in a fixed position and cross-sectional direction through the head dips, shoulder slots and neck ridge, when utilized in the side-lying and supine position. • 4. A pillow according to all of claims 1 to 3 wherein such hollows or head dips, created on either side of the anti-head roll ridge , 25 supports the head utilizing the shoulder slot and neck ridge, thus preventing the head rolling backwards or forwards. • 5. A pillow according to all of the claims 1 to 4 above, whose anti-head roll ridge, set between the hollows or head dips in the pillow, positioning the head on either side of the central ridge the inclines 30 allow a slight tilt of the head which increases the level of airflow to the respiratory system in the side-lying position. ΙΕΐ 1 0 0 02 • 6. A pillow according to all of the claims 1 to 5 above whose head dips formed on either side of the anti head roll ridge and the lateral inclines, combined with the density of the foam, the shoulder slots and the molding of the neck ridge at the base, cradles and supports the individual's head and neck, through full cervical surface contact, setting the head and neck into an aligned position. • 7. A pillow according to all of the claims 1 to ό above, whose design features permits users a mirrored head position on both sides of the head roll ridge without the users body position altering when at rest. • 8. A pillow according to all of the claims 1 to 7 above whose head dips formed on either side of the anti head roll ridge and the lateral bulges, combined with the density of the foam, the shoulder slots and the molding of the neck ridge at the base caused by the head pressure, cradles the individual’s neck, supports the curvature of the cervical region, providing stabilization to the spine through full surface contact, setting the head into the correct alignment and avoiding subluxation of the facet joints in the spine at rest. • 9. A pillow according to all of the claims 1 to 8 above, whose design feature permits the individual to turn the body from left to right or right to left of the ridge into either hollow without the necessity to shift the body when turning. • 10. A pillow according to all of the claims 1 to 9 above, wherein the specific heat capacity of the materials, stemming from the open cell structure, together with the density of the foam and the positioning of the head in both side lying and supine positions, dissipates heat away from the head through thermal conductivity.

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