WO2012175811A1

WO2012175811A1 - Pillow

Info

Publication number: WO2012175811A1
Application number: PCT/FI2012/050648
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sami Savolainen
Original assignee: Sami Savolainen
Priority date: 2011-06-23
Filing date: 2012-06-21
Publication date: 2012-12-27
Also published as: FI20115660A0; FI123099B

Abstract

The invention relates to a pillow comprising a body part (1) with a first surface (7) arranged to serve as a support surface against the head, and a second surface (8) arranged to serve as a surface supported against the base surface during use. The first surface (7) of the body part (1) is provided with a recess (9) for supporting the head, and the body part (1) comprises at least one channel (6) which extends from the recess to the edge of the body part (1). The body part (1) comprises at least a first layer (2) forming the first surface (7) and formed of a soft material, a second layer (3) made of a rigid material, and a third layer (4) formed of a rigid material and arranged to form the at least one channel (6). The layers are attached one upon the other, and the recess (9) in the first surface (7) is arranged to continue as an opening (10) through the first, the second and the third layer (2, 3, 4).

Description

Pillow

[0001] The invention relates to a pillow comprising a body part with a first surface arranged to serve as a support surface against the head, and a second surface arranged to serve as a surface supported against the base surface during use, whereby the first surface of the body part is provided with a recess for supporting the head and whereby the body part comprises at least one channel extending from the recess to the edge of the body part.

[0002] It is generally known in the field that in massage treatments the massage is given either on separate massage tables intended for physiotherapy or in such a way that the person to be massaged lies on a mattress, for example, or on another suitable base.

[0003] Known massage tables have a separate extension designed for the head and enabling a physiological position of the head during massage. In practice, the extension has in the middle an opening smaller than the head, whereby the person to be massaged can lie on their stomach while their back is being massaged and, simultaneously, keep their head straight when facing downwards without the neck or the jaw becoming strained.

[0004] Massage tables may also be provided with separate head pads designed for a table. Such pads cannot, however, be used independently without a massage table or a support piece which is designed for a pad and which raises the pad from a mattress, floor or another even base.

[0005] In a situation where massage is given on an ordinary mattress, for instance, there is usually an ordinary pillow supporting the head. Leaning against an ordinary pillow, the neck cannot be in a rest position where no muscle tension would be generated. In the above situation, the head of the person to be massaged is always turned either to the right or to the left, whereby the turned position of the neck generates tension in the neck and shoulder area. If the person to be massaged keeps their head straight, facing downwards, the head leans against the jaw by its entire weight, resulting in tiring of the jaw.

[0006] It is known in the field that massage pillows and massage supports can be roughly divided into different categories according to their purpose of use. The first category is formed by pillows intended to be used in massage tables as a head pad. The second category is formed by pillows intended to be used as various support pillows for the limbs or the neck. The third category comprises pillows with a separate motor part for automatic massage function.

[0007] Further known in the field are solutions which resemble massage tables and are closest to complete massage bases or massage mattresses.

[0008] A drawback with known solutions is, however, that none of the support/pillow solutions enables, without the use of a massage table, the massage position that can be achieved on massage tables, i.e. placing the head support on a separate base that raises the pad used above the massage level.

[0009] In addition, massage tables are heavy and difficult to move. For the above reasons, they are usually fixedly mounted, which makes it difficult to give massage treatments at home visits, for instance.

[0010] The high price of massage tables is also a clear disadvantage.

[0011] If massage treatments are given on an ordinary mattress, the person to be massaged must, to be able to breath, keep their head turned either to the right or to the left. Such a situation causes muscle tension. If the person to be massaged keeps their head straight while lying on their stomach during the massage, the neck bends to an unphysiological position and the weight of the head is supported by the jaw, straining it.

[0012] Examples of known solutions include those disclosed in CN publication 201205148 Y, JP publication 2006334366 A, CN publication 201295063 Y and US publication 2010205743 A1.

[0013] The purpose of the invention is to provide a solution by which the prior-art disadvantages can be eliminated. This has been achieved by means of a pillow according to the invention, which is characterized in that the body part comprises at least a first layer forming the first surface and formed of a soft material, a second layer made of a rigid material, and a third layer formed of a rigid material and arranged to form the at least one channel, the layers being attached one upon the other, and that the recess in the first surface is arranged to continue as an opening through the first, the second and the third layer.

[0014] An advantage of the invention is, above all, that the invention allows the person to be massaged to have, on all even bases, a position where no detrimental muscle tensions or other detrimental strains are generated. A further advantage of the invention is its simplicity, owing to which the manufacturing costs remain low. The invention is also highly suitable for massage treatments at home visits. Furthermore, an advantage of the invention is that the pillow can be manufactured in an extremely inexpensive manner and, in addition, it is very advantageous and comfortable to use the pillow.

[0015] The invention will be explained in the following in more detail by means of the embodiments shown in the attached drawing, whereby

Figure 1 shows a principled exploded view of a pillow according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a principled perspective view of a pillow according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0016] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a pillow according to the invention as a principled exploded view where different layers 2, 3, 4 and 5 of a body part 1 of the pillow have been drawn separately. In reality, the above layers are attached to each other, whereby they form the body part 1 of the pillow.

[0017] Figure 1 thus shows a pillow comprising a body part 1 with a first surface 7 arranged to serve as a support surface against the head, and a second surface 8 arranged to serve as a surface supported against the base surface during use. The base surface may be a mattress, for example. The first surface of the body part 1 is provided with a recess 9 for supporting the head, and the body part 1 comprises at least one channel 6 which extends from the recess to the edge of the body part 1. The purpose of the channel 6 is to enable the flow of respiratory air for the user of the pillow when the user is lying supported by a surface serving as the base surface, their face pressed against the pillow at the point of the recess.

[0018] In its simplest basic form, the body part 1 comprises at least a first layer 2 forming the first surface and formed of a soft material, a second layer 3 made of a rigid material, and a third layer 4 formed of a rigid material. The layers 2, 3 and 4 are arranged to form at least one channel 6, the layers being attached one upon the other, and the recess 6 in the first surface is arranged to continue as an opening 10 through the first 2, the second 3 and the third layer 4.

[0019] The term 'made of a rigid material' means here that this manufacturing material is more rigid than the material forming the first layer. The purpose of the second layer 3 is to support the layer 4 and to prevent the pillow from bending, and thus to prevent the channels 6 from getting clogged up for instance when the pillow is used on a soft base.

[0020] In its simplest basic form, the second surface of the body part is formed of the lower surface of the third layer 4. It has been observed, however, that it is preferable for the body part 1 to further comprise a fourth layer 5. The fourth layer is attached to the lower surface of the third layer 4. The fourth layer is made of a rigid material.

[0021] As described above, the first layer 2 is made of a soft material, whereby the first layer serves as a comfortable support surface for the user's head. The recess 9 formed in the first surface 7 is preferably arranged to narrow in the depth direction. The first layer may preferably also be bevelled by at least one edge. In the example of Figure 1 , one edge is bevelled. The bevel is denoted by reference numeral 11. The bevelled edge is very comfortable for the user's neck.

[0022] The first surface 7 formed by the first layer 2 may preferably be provided with a groove-like part 13 extending from the recess 9 to the edge of the first surface 7 for the user's neck. The purpose of the groove-like part 13 is to prevent an unshaped pillow from pressing the neck during the use of the pillow. An application of this kind is shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the same reference numerals as in Figure 1 are used at corresponding points.

[0023] The second layer 3 is a plate made of a rigid material and having an opening 10 connected to the recess 9. The second layer 3 serves as a reinforcement plate and thus prevents the bending of the pillow and the possibly resulting failure of the glue joints between the layers.

[0024] The third layer 4 is made of a rigid material. The third layer 4 is formed of two or more parts 12 which are separate from each other and arranged in such a way that at least one channel 6 is formed between the pieces 12. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , there are four parts 12 forming four channels 6 which extend to the edges of the body part, allowing passage of respiratory air to the pillow user, as described above. The parts 4 also form an opening 10 which is an extension of the recess 9 in the same way as an opening in the second layer, whereby the recess 6 and the opening 10 as its extension extend through the layers. The channels are in flow connection to the opening in the third layer.

[0025] The lower surface of the third layer may, in use, serve as the second surface 8 of the body part, serving as the base surface. It is preferable, however, for the body part to have a fourth layer 5 made of a rigid material, so that it forms an integral bottom plate. The bottom plate protects the channels 6, makes the pillow more rigid and prevents the channels 6 from getting clogged up, particularly when the base surface is a soft surface, for instance a made bed.

[0026] The bottom plate is arranged to cover the recess 9 and channels 6 on the side of the second surface 8, whereby the channels are prevented from clogging up, for example when the pillow is used on a soft base.

[0027] All edges of the body part or at least some of them may be rounded edges. This facilitates the cleaning and usability of the pillow, for instance. Figure 2 shows one example of this embodiment. It is further feasible that also all corners in the pillow structure, for example the internal corner between the edge of the recess 9 and the first surface 7 or/and the opening 10 and the bottom plate serving as the fourth layer 5 are rounded to facilitate cleaning. The term 'corner' means here that all external corners and internal corners of the pillow or at least some of them may preferably be rounded.

[0028] The layers shown in Figure 1 are attached to each other in such a way that they form an integral body part 1.

[0029] The first layer 2 may be manufactured by means of a mould. The second and the third layer 3, 4 or the third and the fourth layer 4 and 5 may also be manufactured by a mould, whereby the fourth layer 5 or, correspondingly, the second layer 3 may be joined to the layers manufactured by a mould by means of a glue joint, for example.

[0030] All vertical surfaces of the body part may preferably be treated against absorption of moist and dirt. This may be done by utilizing the laminating technique, for example. Laminating does not change the properties of the pillow or its functioning as a pad.

[0031] The second 3, the third 4 and the fourth layer 5 may preferably be manufactured of a hard material which does not get compressed, does not absorb moist, is antibacterial and withstands the use of disinfectants. The first layer 2 may preferably be manufactured of a soft material. The above terms 'hard' and 'soft' are to be understood in such a way that the first layer is made of a softer material than the second, the third and the fourth layer, whereby desired function is achieved.

[0032] When used, the pillow may naturally be covered in various ways. The cover of the body part 1 may be, for instance, a textile cover, i.e. 'inner cover', upon which there is an outer 'cover of use' made of a textile material, for instance. The inner cover is intended to be continuously kept upon the body part, and the cover of use, in turn, is intended to be replaced and washed after each instance of use.

[0033] The above embodiments of the invention are not intended to limit the invention in any way, but the invention may be varied entirely freely within the scope of the claims. The thicknesses and shapes of the layers, for example, may be freely varied according to the need in each particular case, etc. Naturally, the pillow may also be provided with a case made of any suitable material, for instance a washable and replaceable case made of a flexible material. The case may be arranged to cover the outer surface of the pillow, including the surface of the recess, whereby the usability and hygiene of the pillow becomes preferable in various situations. The case may be provided with openings for instance at the point of the recess such that the narrowing edges of the recess remain under the case and such that there are openings at both ends of the channels. The material of the cover and also the production materials of the whole pillow may naturally also be formed of an antibacterial, odourless and dirt-repellent material. All materials may naturally also be treated with suitable agents with which the above properties are achieved. The channels may also, if required, be supported by separate support pieces which are preferably removable and which prevent the channels from getting clogged up, etc. The pillow according to the invention may also be manufactured of the same material by a mould, in which case parts corresponding to the above support pieces are formed in the channels.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising a body part (1) with a first surface (7) arranged to serve as a support surface against the head, and a second surface

(8) arranged to serve as a surface supported against the base surface during use, whereby the first surface (7) of the body part (1) is provided with a recess

(9) for supporting the head and whereby the body part (1) comprises at least one channel (6) extending from the recess to the edge of the body part (1), characterized in that body part (1) comprises at least a first layer (2) forming the first surface (7) and formed of a soft material, a second layer (3) made of a rigid material, and a third layer (4) formed of a rigid material and arranged to form the at least one channel (6), the layers being attached one upon the other, and that the recess (9) in the first surface (7) is arranged to continue as an opening (10) through the first, the second and the third layer (2, 3, 4).

2. A pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that the third layer (4) is formed of two or more parts (12) which are separate from each other.

3. A pillow according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the body part (1) comprises a fourth layer (5) attached to the third layer (4), made of a rigid material and forming the second surface (8).

4. A pillow according to claim 2, characterized in that the third layer (4) is formed of four separate parts (12) arranged in such a way that four channels (6) extending from the opening (10) to the edges of the body part are formed between the parts.

5. A pillow according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 4, c h a r- acterized in that the edges of the body part (1) are treated against absorption of moist and dirt.

6. A pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (9) in the first surface (7) is arranged to narrow in the depth direction.

7. A pillow according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the edges of the first layer (2) is bevelled (11).

8. A pillow according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 7, c h a r - acterized in that the first surface (7) formed by the first layer (2) is provided with a groove-like part (13) extending from the recess (9) to the edge of the first surface (7) for the user's neck.

9. A pillow according to claim 3, characterized in that the fourth layer (5) forming the second surface (8) is arranged to cover the recess (9) and the channels (6) on the side of the second surface (8).

10. A pillow according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one of the edges and/or at least one of the corners of the body part (1 ) is rounded.

11. A pillow according to any one of preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a removable case made of a flexible material is arranged upon the body part (1).