US20200337480A1

US20200337480A1 - Methods and systems associated with a sleeping pillow

Info

Publication number: US20200337480A1
Application number: US16/923,513
Authority: US
Inventors: Julie Westervelt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-12-08
Filing date: 2020-07-08
Publication date: 2020-10-29

Abstract

A sleeping pillow that provides gentle pressure over the scalp and crown of a user's head, block out light, and muffle sound.

Description

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Field of the Disclosure

Examples of the present disclosure are related to systems and methods for a sleeping pillow. More particularly, embodiments relate to a pliable sleeping pillow with a cutout and a plurality of layers, wherein the cutout is configured to be positioned around a user's nose and mouth and the plurality of layers are configured to supply weight to the sleeping pillow.

Background

Many people do not get a necessary amount of sleep at night because they are light sleepers, have trouble entering restful sleep, sleep in environments with noise or light, etc. To block out environmental impacts while sleeping, a user may position a conventional pillow over their face. Furthermore, due to the weight of conventional pillows, the conventional pillow may not automatically wrap around the user's head to muffle or limit the amount of noise and light impacting the user's sleep.
Thus, when sleeping with a conventional pillow, the user is required to physically hold down the edges of the pillow and wrap the pillow around their head to block the environmental factors from impacting the user. This causes users to have to sleep in unnatural positions. Furthermore, it may be harder for the user to breathe or be comfortable while sleeping due to the conventional pillow covering the user's entire face.
Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient methods and systems sleeping pillows with a cutout for a user's nose and mouth and with a plurality of layers that are configured to add weight to the pillow to conform around the user's face.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure are related to a sleeping pillow that is configured to provide gentle pressure over the scalp and crown of a user's head, block out light, and muffle sound. Embodiments may allow a user to fall asleep faster, while protecting the user's sleep from their environment.
Embodiments may form a pillow that is pliable and able to contour around the shape of a user's head. The pillow may include a concave indention that extends from a lower edge of the pillow towards a center of the portion of the pillow, wherein two projections are formed at the sides of concave indention. The concave indention may be shaped such that the apex of the indention is positioned above a user's nose and the sidewalls of the projections are positioned outside of the user's mouth. The concave indention and the edges of the pillow may be able to dynamically change in size based on gravity and the user applying force to the pillow.
The pillow may include an inner jacket, outer jacket, fill, and pillow case.
The inner jacket may be formed of a first material, and may be configured to create the shape of the pillow. The inner jacket may include an opening that extends across an edge of the inner jacket that is positioned opposite to that of the concave indention. The opening may be selectively opened and closed via a clasping member, such as a zipper, buttons, Velcro, etc. The first material may be a fabric with a given thickness and weight that is pliable. In embodiments, the first material may fold, bend, drape, wrap, etc. due to the force of gravity and/or a user applying force to the inner jacket.
The outer jacket may be formed of a second material, and may be configured to conform to the shape of the pillow, wherein the outer jacket may be slightly larger in size then the inner jacket. The outer edges of the outer jacket may be configured to apply downward forces on the inner jacket and fill to create a light compressive force against a user's face to form a seal, cover, etc. over the user's eyes and ears. The outer jacket may include an opening that extends across an edge of the outer jacket that is positioned opposite to that of the concave indention. The opening may be selectively opened and closed via a clasping member, such as a zipper, buttons, Velcro, etc. In embodiments, the first material may be the same material as the second material, such as a bamboo jersey jacket. Alternatively, the second material may be a different material than the first material, wherein the second material may have slightly more weight than the first material.
The fill may be configured to be housed within the pillow. The fill may be formed of a pliable material, wherein the material is heavy enough to conform around a user's head due to gravitational forces while not applying substantial forces against the user's head. The fill may be compressed of a third material, such as faux down, synthetic down, synthetic polyester microfiber, down filling, feather pillow etc. that is formed out of material. However, in other embodiments, the fill may be created out of other materials.
The pillow case may be configured to be positioned outside of the outer jacket, and encompass the entire pillow. The pillow case may have a smooth front surface and rear surface, the pillow case being configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer jacket, the pillow case also being configured to cover the outer jacket, the pillow case includes a second opening positioned on a sidewall of the pillow, wherein the sidewall is positioned adjacent to the lower edge and the first upper edge, the sidewall being shorter in length than the lower edge and the first upper edge.
These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts a view of a sleeping pillow system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2-5 depicts views of an inner jacket, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a view of an outer jacket, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of a sleeping pillow system with a pillow case, outer jacket, and inner jacket, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a method for using a sleeping pillow system, according to an embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art, that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of sleeping pillow 100, according to an embodiment.
As depicted in FIG. 1, sleeping pillow 100 may include a concave indentation 110, and arms 120, 122.
Concave indentation 110 may be positioned on a lower edge of sleeping pillow 100.
Concave indentation 110 may include a curved sidewall 112 that extends from an inner surface of arm 120 to an inner surface of arm 122. Curved sidewall 112 may be a continuous curved surface. In embodiments, a width of the concave indentation 110 from the inner surface of arm 120 to the inner surface of arm 122 may be at least greater than half the distance of the lower edge of sleeping pillow 100. Furthermore, a length of concave indentation 110 may be less than half the length of sleeping pillow 100. In use, a user 105 may position a ridge of their nose adjacent to apex 114, while concave indentation 110 does not cover their mouth, and gravitational forces and tension applied to arms 120, 122 pulls the sidewalls of sleeping pillow 100 over the ears of the user.
Arms 120, 122 may be positioned on both sides of concave indentation 110, wherein arms 120, 122 include convex sidewalls 124. Convex sidewalls 124 may create a continuously curved lower edge of sleeping pillow 100. Arms 120, 122 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the cheeks of a user when gravitational tension pulls on the side edges of sleeping pillow 100. The first arm and the second arm being symmetrical in shape;
FIG. 2 depicts a back view of inner jacket 200. FIG. 3 depicts a front view of inner jacket 200. FIGS. 4 and 5 depict side views of inner jacket 200.
Inner jacket 200 may be formed of a first material and may be configured to create the shape of sleeping pillow 100, including the concave indentation 110. In embodiments, the first material may be a fabric with a given elasticity, thickness, and weight that is pliable and expandable. In embodiments, the pliability and material of inner jacket 200 may allow inner jacket 200 to fold, bend, crinkle, confirm to an object positioned below inner jacket 200 due to gravitational forces and/or a user applying forces to inner jacket 200
Inner jacket 200 may include a first opening 210, first coupling mechanism 220, and fill (not shown).
First opening 210 may be positioned on an upper edge of inner jacket 200, and may be an opening that is selectively opened and closed via first coupling mechanism 220. The fill may be inserted and withdrawn from a hollow chamber within inner jacket 200 to allow a user to choose the type of fill, amount of fill, density of the fill within the hollow chamber, etc. First opening 210 may have a first length.
First coupling mechanism 220 may by a device that is configured to selectively open and close first opening 210. First coupling mechanism 220 may include a zipper, Velcro, buttons, clasps, etc. The first coupling mechanism 220 may be configured to distribute weight on the upper edge of the pillow between the two sides of the sleeping pillow 100, at a position that is aligned with opening across a lateral axis of the sleeping pillow. As such, first coupling mechanism may not extend across a majority of longitudinal axis of the sleeping pillow 100.
The fill may be configured to be housed within the pillow. The fill may be formed of a pliable material, wherein the material is heavy enough to conform to an object positioned underneath inner jacket 200 (i.e. around a user's head due) to gravitational forces while not applying substantial forces against the user's head. The fill may be compressed of a third material, such as faux down, down filling, feather pillow etc. that is formed out of material. However, in other embodiments, the fill may be created out of other materials. The fill may be comprised on non-contagious materials that are configured to be independently pliable. As such, the fill may not be compressed of a unified foam, sheet, plastic, etc.
FIG. 6 depicts a view of outer jacket 600, according to an embodiment.
Outer jacket 600 may be formed of a second material and may be configured to correspond to the shape of sleeping pillow 100 and inner jacket 200, including the concave indentation 110. Outer jacket 600 may be slightly larger than inner jacket 200, such that outer jacket 600 may encompass and wrap around inner jacket 200 while inner jacket 200 stores the fill.
Outer jacket 600 may be comprised of a second material. The second material may be a fabric with a given elasticity, thickness, and weight that is pliable and expandable, which may be the same material or different material as the first material. The pliability and material of outer jacket 600 may allow outer jacket 600 to fold, bend, crinkle, confirm to an object positioned below outer jacket 600 due to gravitational forces and/or a user applying forces to outer jacket 600. Furthermore, the outer edges of outer jacket 600 may be configured to apply gravitational tension and/or forces to the outer edges of inner jacket 200, which may allow sleeping pillow 100 to further conform to the object positioned below sleeping pillow 100.
Outer jacket 600 may include a second opening 310, second coupling mechanism 320.
Second opening 610 may be positioned on an upper edge of outer jacket 300, and may be aligned with first opening 610. Second opening 610 may have a second length, which is longer than the first length. When second opening 610 is opened, first opening 210 may be accessed through second opening 610 without removing outer jacket 600.
Second coupling mechanism 620 may by a device that is configured to selectively open and close second opening 610. Second coupling mechanism 620 may include a zipper, Velcro, buttons, clasps, etc. In embodiments, second coupling mechanism 620 may be a same type or different type of coupling mechanism as first coupling mechanism 210. Second coupling mechanism 620 may be longer in length than that first coupling mechanism 610 to better control the weight generated by pillow case 100, wherein first coupling mechanism 210 and second coupling mechanism 610 may be configured to be aligned with each other when outer jacket 600 is positioned over inner jacket 200.
FIG. 7 depicts a view of sleeping pillow 100, which may be covered by pillow case 700. In embodiments, pillow case 700 may be configured to encompass outer jacket 300, which may encompass inner jacket 200.
Pillow case 700 may be configured to correspond to the shape of sleeping pillow 100, inner jacket 200, and outer jacket 600, including the concave indentation 110 that is also present in inner jacket 200 and outer jacket 600. Pillow case 700 may be slightly larger than outer jacket 600, such that pillow case 700 may encompass and wrap around outer jacket 600 and inner jacket 200.
Pillow case 700 may be comprised of a third material. The third material may be a fabric with a given elasticity, thickness, and weight that is pliable and expandable, which may be the same material or different material as the first material and/or second material. The pliability and material of pillow case 700 may allow pillow case 700 to fold, bend, crinkle, confirm to an object positioned below outer jacket 600 due to gravitational forces and/or a user applying forces to pillow case 700. Furthermore, the outer edges of pillow case 700 may be configured to apply gravitational tension and/or forces to the outer edges of outer jacket 600 and/or inner jacket 200, which may allow sleeping pillow 100 to further conform to the object positioned below sleeping pillow 100.
Pillow case 700 may have a third opening 710 that is positioned on a sidewall of pillow case 700. The sidewall of pillow case 700 may be positioned between concave indentation 110 and the upper edge of pillow case 700. Third opening 710 may be a permanently opened whole that is configured to protect the other elements of pillow case 100, while allowing the other elements of pillow case to be removed from pillow case 700. Third opening 710 may have a larger length and/or width than then that of the first opening 210 and the second opening 610. Furthermore, third opening 710 may be positioned on a sidewall of pillow case 700, which is offset from the first and second openings, to ensure that the coupling mechanisms 220, 620 are always covered by pillow case 700. This may ensure that the coupling mechanisms 220, 620 do not interact with a user's face while the user is sleeping. The length of the third opening may be longer than that of the first coupling mechanism and/or second coupling mechanism.
FIG. 8 illustrates a method 800 for using a sleeping pillow system. The operations of method 800 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 800 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 800 are illustrated in FIG. 8 and described below is not intended to be limiting.
At operation 810, a user may open the first opening within an inner jacket and insert a desired amount of fill into the inner jacket. Subsequently the user may close the first opening via a first coupling member.
At operation 820, the user may insert the inner jacket into an outer jacket via a second opening positioned on an upper edge of the outer jacket. Subsequently, the user may close the second opening via a second coupling member.
At operation 830, the outer jacket (and the inner jacket) may be inserted into a pillow case via an opening with a sidewall of the pillowcase. In embodiments, the sidewall may be positioned between an upper edge and a lower edge of the pillow, wherein the lower edge of the pillowcase includes the concave indentation.
At operation 840, the user may align the ridge of their nose, or location on another object, with an apex of the concave indentation on the lower edge of the sleeping pillow system. This may cause the pillow to be positioned over the eyes of the user, which may be utilized to block light or other environmental sights.
At operation 850, the user may adjust the pillow as desired, which may change the shape and/or size of the concave indentation by applying forces to the pillow system.
At operation 860, gravitational forces may automatically be applied to the sleeping pillow system, which may pull the sleeping pillow around the user's face, or the object. This may cause the pillow to contour around the user's face or object based on the gravitational tension. By contouring around the user's face and/or the object, the pillow may cover the user's ears, which may muffle environmental sounds.
Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A sleeping pillow configured to be positioned over a face of a user comprising:

an inner jacket that is configured to house fill, the inner jacket and the fill being pliable due to the gravitational forces;

an outer jacket that is configured to wrap around the inner jacket, the inner jacket is smaller in size than the outer jacket, wherein the inner jacket and the outer jacket are comprised of pliable material;

a concave indentation positioned on a lower edge of the inner jacket and the outer jacket, the concave indention having first width, the first width being longer in length than a height of the concave indention;

a first arm positioned on a first side of the concave indention;

a second arm positioned on a second side of the concave indention, the first arm and the second arm being symmetrical in shape;

a first zipper positioned on a first upper edge of the inner jacket, the zipper only extending across part of the first upper edge, the first upper edge being positioned on an opposite side of the sleeping pillow as the concave indentation, wherein the first zipper is covered by the outer jacket;

a second zipper positioned on a second upper edge of the outer jacket, the second zipper configured to be aligned with the first zipper and longer in length that the first zipper;

a pillow case configured to be positioned adjacent to the outer jacket, the pillow case also being configured to cover the outer jacket, the pillow case includes a second opening positioned on a sidewall of the pillow, wherein the sidewall is positioned between the lower edge and the first upper edge, the sidewall being shorter in length than the lower edge and the first upper edge.

2. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein a shape of the concave indention can change based on forces applied to the sleeping pillow.

3. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the fill is faux down material.

4. The sleeping pillow of claim 3, wherein the fill is comprised of non-continuous material, wherein an amount and volume of fill within the inner jacket is adjustable.

5. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein sides of the sleeping pillow are configured to extend past ears of a user.

6. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the inner jacket and the outer jacket are comprised of elastic material.

7. The sleeping pillow of claim 9, wherein the inner jacket and the outer jacket are comprised of pliable material that is configured to change shape based on gravitational forces.

8. The sleeping pillow of claim 10, wherein the gravitational forces alone is configured to counter a surface of the outer jacket around a face of a user without an additional external forces being applied to the outer jacket.

9. The sleeping pillow of claim 11, wherein edges of the outer jacket are configured to apply gravitational forces to edges of the inner jacket to change a shape of the sleeping pillow.

10. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the sleeping pillow has a second width, wherein in a first mode the first width is greater than half the second length.

11. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein a shape of the concave indentation is configured to change shape based on gravitational forces.

12. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the concave indentation includes continuously curved outer boundaries.

13. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the sleeping pillow is configured to be positioned over a face of a user, and the concave indentation is configured to be positioned above a nose of the user.

14. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein an upper surface and a lower surface of the outer jacket are substantially planar.

15. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein the inner jacket and the outer jacket are comprised of different materials.

16. The sleeping pillow of claim 1, wherein when an object is positioned below the sleeping pillow, gravitational tension is configured to pull the outer edges of the sleeping pillow around the object.