WO2016034923A1

WO2016034923A1 - Pillow apparatus for hindrance of contact with another surface

Info

Publication number: WO2016034923A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/064302
Authority: WO
Inventors: Quoc Tuan HUYNH
Original assignee: Huynh Quoc Tuan
Priority date: 2014-09-07
Filing date: 2014-09-07
Publication date: 2016-03-10

Abstract

A pillow or a head support device that encompasses a perimeter of the side, back and/or front of the skeletal head for raising and maintaining the head elevated from contact with another area of another surface to hinder snoring, wrinkles, hair loss, facial and/or hair treatment, and sleep apnea.

Description

PILLOW APPARATUS FOR HINDRANCE OF CONTACT WITH

ANOTHER SURFACE

BACKGROUND

The disclosure is for a pillow device or apparatus, and more particularly, pertains to a head support device that encompasses a perimeter of the side, back and/or front of the skeletal head for raising and maintaining the head elevated from contact with another area of another surface to hinder snoring, wrinkles, hair loss, acne, facial and/or hair product treatment, and sleep apnea.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An exemplary embodiment of the disclosure will elevate the human head when resting for hindrance of snoring, wrinkles, hair loss due to friction with a surface, acne, facial and/or hair product treatment smearing, and/or sleep apnea by keeping the head elevated higher than a surrounding surface, wherein, it will deter contact with a lower and/or another surface.

Sleep posture can worsen snoring and sleep apnea by blocking air flow. Sleep posture can also deepen or create wrinkles due to the skin folding on to itself on a sleep surface in direct contact with the skin. Friction of the head and hair due to contact with a surface can also influence hair loss during sleep. Sleep posture can also worsen acne or skin diseases or conditions, as well as, smudge or smear facial and/or hair product treatments that was applied on the skin or hair by not allowing airflow to the skin due to blockage by a sleep surface in contact directly with the skin or hair. Thus, a pillow device that elevates the head from a surrounding sleep surface will prevent the face or portions of the head to be in direct contact with another sleeping surface hindering the previous noted problems.

Currently, there are numerous pillow devices for recreational or non-medical use that support a human head, however, these pillow devices still allow the face or head to have direct contact with a sleep surface due to movement during sleep, thus, changing the head position during sleep. Most of the current pillow devices are made to support the neck and not the head and/or face. Most of the current pillow devices do not make it comfortable various sleeping positions or movement during sleep.

The aforementioned problems, and other problems, are reduced, according to exemplary embodiments, by a head pillow device that surrounds a portion of the circumference of the head. Thus, will keep the head elevated from a sleep surface even during movement & position during sleep.

In an exemplary embodiment, a head support device of a horseshoe shape or "U" shape comprising of side and back members that are positioned above the ear of the head like a headband, thus, henceforth acknowledged as a "headband-pillow", is also affixed to the head by any various attachment device in order to keep the headband-pillow from falling off during sleep. Each headband-pillow member comprises of a rounded rectangular corner to hinder movement but also allowing sleeping position to change naturally without much resistance, while retaining the ability to keep the head elevated from a another sleep surface. As one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates, the headband-pillow may be made of alternate materials including natural fabrics (e.g., cotton, feather down), man-made fabrics (e.g. , memory foam), and combinations thereof.

Other devices, methods, and/or products according to exemplary embodiments will be, or will become, apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following drawings and further description. It is intended that all additional devices, methods, and/or products be included within the scope of this invention and be protected by the

accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent to someone with ordinary skill in the art given the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side angled perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective of an embodiment of the disclosure in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The word "exemplary" or "exemplary embodiment(s)" are herein used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any configuration or design described herein as

"exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other configurations or designs. Furthermore, the use of the words "invention" is used herein to convey only some of many possible embodiments of the disclosure. For example, the use of the words "invention" would also include alternative methods, materials, embodiments, shapes, angles, designs and equivalent systems and components that one of ordinary skill in the art understands. An example is that the materials used for the exemplary embodiments may be made of man-made materials, natural materials, combinations thereof or slight designs and dimensions may be varied and in accordance with anyone ordinary in the skill of the art.

These illustrated embodiments of FIG. 1 through 7 are provided so that the disclosure will convey the scope of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents, as well as, equivalents developed in the future (e.g., any elements developed that perform or serve the same function, regardless of structure, material or design.) Thus, for example, it is appreciated by those with ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, illustrations, schematics, and the like are representative conceptual views or perspective views illustrating a head support device and method (s) embodying this invention. The functions of various elements shown in the figures are representative through the use of materials that may vary in shape, size, attachment, and other physical features.

With reference to the drawings, and in particular, to FIG. 1 through 7 thereof, a new pillow device, henceforth, called "headband-pillow", embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference 1 1 will be described in more detail.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1 through 7, the headband-pillow device 1 1 generally comprises of a main ergonomic filled section 12 having an ergonomic ear section 13, rounded perimeter edges 14 coupled within an exterior surface 15, and an attachment exemplary embodiment 16, as well as, raised edges 18 to deter contact of cheeks 21 and/or hair 22 with another surface 17.

The headband-pillow device 1 1 provides comfort and elevation and support with the ability to be properly sized to fit a variety of head circumferences and/or heights. The head 9 is elevated from a sleeping surface 17 in an upright or laying down body position by the support of the headband-pillow 1 1 and secured by an attachment embodiment 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the headband-pillow 1 1 elevates the head 9 from contact of the cheeks 21 or hair 22 with another surface 17. The perimeter edges 14 are rounded in order to deter head movement whilst allowing natural uninterrupted movement or sleep positions during sleep. An exterior surface 15 is used, in an exemplary embodiment, for its ability to be extracted from the headband-pillow device 1 1 and washed and cleaned by itself or with the exemplary embodiment. An exterior surface, in an exemplary embodiment, may be made of various materials, sizes, colors, textures, and shapes and attached or encompass the headband-pillow device 1 1 by any currently known or possible future embodiment that one of ordinary skill in the art can understand.

In an exemplary embodiment, an attachment device 16 is used to hinder the headband-pillow device 1 1 from being unintentionally removed during sleep or body movement from the head 9. In an exemplary embodiment, an attachment device 16 may be made of any various attachment devices or methods or functions currently known or possibly created by anyone of ordinary skill in the art. An exemplary embodiment of an attachment device 16 is made to secure the headband-pillow device 1 1 to the head 9 to deter unintentional removal of the headband-pillow device 1 1 from the head 9 during sleep or physical movement.

In an exemplary embodiment, the headband-pillow device 1 1 has an ergonomic construction and design to contour to the human head 9 and be shaped and sized to detract discomfort of contact with the ears 19 or another surface 17 by way of contour and/or ergonomic shaping or design.

In an exemplary embodiment, the headband-pillow device 1 1 will elevate the head 9 to hinder cheeks 21 and/or hair 22 from direct contact with a surface 17.

Claims

CLAIMS With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the relationship for the parts of the exemplary embodiment enabled in the disclosure to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, deemed readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrations in the drawings and description in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Therefore, the forgoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within scope of the disclosure. It is claimed in this disclosure:

1. A head support device comprising:

A main section surface to elevate a portion or entirety of a head to deter or restrict contact with another surface. An attachment portion to keep the main section from falling off or moving during sleep.

2. A head support device encircling a section of a head of a wearer;

Wherein a head support device contours to a section of a head partially or all sides of the head in order to hinder contact with another surface.

3. A head support device design to hinder the movement of a head during a sleep cycle.

4. A design to allow natural movement of the head or body during a sleep cycle, at the same time, preventing a portion of the head, cheek and/or hair with contact with another surface.

5. A head support device that will elevate the head of a wearer to hinder contact of the portion of cheek or hair and/or head with another surface.

6. A head support device contoured or designed ergonomically for comfort of the head to elevate the head from another surface.

7. A head support device with an attachment embodiment to deter the head

support device from moving or falling off during sleep or rest.

8. A head support device to deter partial and /or fully the head from contact with another surface.

9. A head support device with an exterior removable shell or casing nthat elevates a head from contact with another surface.

10. A head support device to hinder snoring, wrinkles, hair loss, acne, skin and/or hair product treatment smearing, and/or sleep apnea.