NOVEL ERGONOMIC PILLOW AND USES THEREOF IN BEDDING

Abstract

An orthopaedic pillow designed to adapt to the morphology of each individual, in particular to support the head and the neck. A progressive-comfort pillow having two flexible angular blocks, attached in the reverse direction by the common angular surfaces thereof, the two parts being made with different flexibility and firmness, the upper part of one being assembled with the lower part of the other. Four separate positions are thus obtained, each of the positions having many areas providing different support.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of the necessities of life and in particular to the field of bedding and sleeping arrangements ensuring a relaxed and complete sleep.

Specifically a deep and restful sleep is conditioned by the position of the body and, above all, of the head which must allow for a relaxation of the cervical muscles, of the intervertebral disks and, at the same time, provide adequate support for the head without risk of deformation of the skull, particularly with newborn babies and very young children (see French patent 2.913.578).

The present invention relates to a progressive-comfort orthopedic pillow which adapts to the morphology of each individual and is specifically designed to obtain the appropriate positioning and support of the head, of the neck and of the spinal column.

It relates in particular to a progressive-comfort pillow which comprises two angular blocks made of flexible material attached in reverse directions by their angular faces, the top part of one being assembled with the bottom part of the other, so that the bottom face and the top face of the pillow are preferentially parallel, and so that one block has a different flexibility compared to the other block in order to obtain a continuous variation of flexibility over the entire width. The materials of different flexibility and firmness can also be of different nature, for example, viscoelastic foam with shape memory, springs, cellular foam, latex or with air or water pockets.

This special assembly makes it possible to obtain distinct positions with four types of support and comfort, each of these positions benefitting from many areas providing different support.

Depending on the position adopted by the person sleeping, the thrust exerted differs: a first position where the upper area holding the head is mainly flexible then firm at extreme depth whereas the area of the cervicals is firm in the accommodating area then immediately more flexible, a second position where the upper area holding the head is mainly firm then flexible at extreme depth whereas the area of the cervicals is firm in the accommodating area then immediately more flexible, a third position where the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed, firm on the surface then flexible at depth whereas the area of the cervicals is mainly firm then flexible at extreme depth, a fourth position where the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed, flexible on the surface then firm at depth whereas the area of the cervicals is mainly flexible then firm at extreme depth.

This pillow makes it possible to ensure the appropriate support for the head, for the vertebrae and intervertebral disks, for the muscles, for the ligaments and for the nerves.

By virtue of the superposition of the two blocks, of the different flexibility and firmness of the material and of the areas of support differentiated from one area to another, the assembly follows the contours of the areas of the body supported and eliminates the points of compression to obtain a complete muscular and vertebral relaxation. The aim of the invention is to best distribute the force exerted in order to avoid over- or under-pressures.

The different positions of the pillow make it possible to distribute the pressures to obtain a graded absorption of the head and of the neck. The pillow is not preformed so as not to constrain the head and the cervicals into a given position but, on the contrary, it is the different positions, the areas of support and the material which follow the forms.

Furthermore, the pillow can be produced in different thicknesses, so as to free the shoulder in position on the side, which has a direct influence on the pressures of the head and of the cervicals and modifies the enveloping and comfort in position on the back. Furthermore, this pillow can be produced in different dimensions with or without rounded corners.

This pillow can also be used for people who have to sleep in a seated position (problems associated with asthma, gastric reflux) or in a comfort position (television, reading) or in different places for any type of use associated with comfort.

This pillow is therefore aimed at any individual, as a preventive measure, and at any person who has medical and physiological problems.

The desired aim for the user is to have four pillows in one. This makes it possible to find the position best suited to the user's comfort and personal support.

With this special assembly, the firmnesses and the flexibilities of the two blocks can be varied, thus making it possible to obtain different results. It is also possible to have two blocks that are identical and of the same dimensions or two blocks of different dimensions, one being thicker than the other thus making it possible to adjust the effect of flexibility and firmness. The angular faces can have different forms, they are straight or incurved, one being concave and the other convex, they can have complementary corrugated surfaces, the protruding parts of one interlocking in the hollow parts of the other. The assembly of the attached oblique parts can be produced by a mechanical link of interlocking and/or bonding type. The two blocks can be either of the same form, from a right-angled triangle section or trapezoidal section, or be of different forms by a combination of a triangular section and of a trapezoidal section, the two angular faces occupying the entire projected surface of the pillow or only a part thereof, the trapezoidal block being an angular or triangular trapezoid and the side corresponding to the small height of the trapezoid is zero and then defined by an angle.

As a non-limiting indication, the pillow can be covered by two slips, a first compressing the two blocks against one another making it possible to ensure, alone or in addition, a possible mechanical assembly without glue. A second removable and washable anallergenic slip, plain or jacketed with fibers or even other conventional materials such as silk, wool, down (all for ventilation and comfort) provided with visual and tactile means for recognizing the different positions, even at night, such as distinct colors on the faces and the sides and/or spacing and forms of the stitching on the faces and sides.

The tests carried out by the Applicant have shown that there was another problem to be resolved in order to ensure the complete rest of the sleeping person. This is the position of the shoulders either in position lying on the side or in position lying on the back.

This problem has found a more satisfactory solution according to the invention by having, on a pillow that has specific accommodating areas, an additional area intended to receive the shoulder of the sleeping person, consisting of a notch cut into the two sides of the pillow. This notch is placed at similar or different levels and preferably in the median part of the pillow.

According to one embodiment, a more particular subject of the invention is an enhanced bedding article ensuring a position of support and of comfort in the recumbent position.

Its specific subject is an ergonomic pillow with shape memory, consisting in particular of four distinct parts assembled together, characterized in that it comprises an accommodating area for supporting the cervicals, an accommodating area for absorbing the shoulder in position on the side or flat on the back, an accommodating area for the head and the whole being assembled with different progressive cuts.

In the prior French patent application (application Ser. No. 10/00882 filed on Mar. 4, 2010), the Applicant described a progressive-comfort pillow, formed from blocks of triangular form interlocking through symmetrical parts, the lower part of one being attached to the upper part of the other to produce an assembly with parallel outer faces.

The document BF 2.778.834 describes, to this end, an ergonomic pillow intended to simultaneously hold the head, the neck and the scapular region in an optimum position of safety and of well-being while sleeping on the back or on the side. The complex pillow comprises a scallop intended to receive the head between wedging cushions and the shoulder of the person sleeping on the side, in another scallop. The neck-head-shoulder assembly is thus supported and raised by virtue of inclined planes, notably in the position on the back. The duly formed assembly is raised by as many thickness shims as are needed to obtain the straightness and the well-being of the vertebrae and of the head, regardless of the position of the person sleeping.

As is indicated in that document, by virtue of the superposition of the two blocks manifesting a different flexibility and firmness of the material and with areas of support differentiated from one area to another, the duly constituted assembly follows the contours of the areas of the body supported and eliminates the points of compression, to obtain a satisfactory muscular and vertebral relaxation.

It takes the form of a narrowing arranged in the form of the pillow, symmetrically reducing the section of the pillow.

In this way, the person sleeping, whether he or she adopts the position of sleeping on the left side or on the right side or even flat on the back, will obtain therein a support of the head that is even-handedly firm then flexible, or, conversely, by virtue of the texture of the pillow and a thrust and a support of the base of the cervicals, a more or less flexible support depending on which side of the pillow is used.

The different progressive cuts of the pillow and the mode of assembly of the different blocks of material, such as viscoelastic foam with shape memory, mainly of a foam derived from soya oil, makes it possible to make a choice between a multitude of different densities in order to thus obtain different types of pillow having different characteristics of elasticity or of rigidity such as, for example, flexible/comfort or comfort/tonic.

The narrowing made in the cut of the pillow takes the form of an inflection of the section of the surface of the pillow. This recess has the effect of locally reducing the section of the pillow by a few centimeters in its median part, which has the effect of allowing for a different flexibility and elasticity, in order to better adapt to the base of the cervicals and of initially allowing the peak of the movement of the shoulder.

Consequently, the ergonomic pillow according to the invention is formed from two blocks of flexible materials, such as viscoelastic foam or any elastic material, assembled symmetrically face against face to form an assembly of prismatic form, the top and bottom surfaces of which are incurved and the prismatic portion of each side of which is formed, on the one hand, from two elongate sections and, on the other hand, from a portion narrowed in its middle.

The ergonomic pillow according to this embodiment has variable thicknesses such as, for example, different heights. It can have parts of varied thicknesses. It also offers the advantage of having many areas of variable elasticity. Thus, the pillow can have, in the top part, two firm areas and, in the bottom part, two flexible areas, or else have, in the top part, two flexible areas and, in the bottom part, two firm areas. Similarly, in each of the parts, there can be a firm area and a flexible area. The objective is therefore to produce an ergonomic pillow that has many areas of different elasticities that can produce a bedding means which is perfectly suited to the anatomy of the person sleeping and also to his or her sleeping habits or to his or her muscular relaxation needs.

According to this particular embodiment, preferably the two assembled parts comprise varied progressive cuts, the deflection of which contributes to the desired degree of elasticity and flexibility of the assembly, after assembly. It is also possible for the two parts of the pillow to comprise a planar surface and the assembly to be made using incurved surfaces leaving a hollow area between them, in this way ensuring a greater or weaker variable elasticity, depending on the nature of the material used such as foam.

It may also be advantageous for the two parts to be a different thickness so as to better adapt to the morphology of the person sleeping. In a particular manner, the two parts of the ergonomic pillow according to the present embodiment will have the same thickness.

The material of which these two parts are made is preferably a polyurethane foam obtained by polymerizing an isocyanate formed by reaction with soya oil.

The polymer obtained can exhibit varying degrees of polymerization, conditioning the elasticity and the flexibility of the material. It is thus possible to obtain blocks of polymers that are very rigid, fairly rigid or flexible. The flexible materials offer the advantage of exhibiting a shape memory.

The dimensions of the ergonomic pillow according to this embodiment can also vary. The usual size of the pillow may be 50 to 80 cm long, 25 to 45 cm wide and have a thickness varying from 6 to 15 cm. A preferred dimension is of the order of 55 cm long, 35 cm wide and to 11 cm thick. The pillow can also be made to measure (thickness, width, length) according to the morphological problems of the subject or the dimensions of the bedding means.

The incurved form of the assembly thus makes it possible to bring together areas that have different characteristics, ensuring a very firm cervical accommodation with support for the head that is also firm then flexible or else a cervical accommodation that is slightly firm then rapidly flexible while ensuring a support for the head that is evenly firm then flexible. It is also possible to produce a very flexible cervical accommodation and a support for the head that is evenly flexible then firm. It is even possible to produce a cervical accommodation that is slightly flexible then rapidly firm while ensuring a support for the head that is evenly flexible then firm.

An ergonomic pillow is thus produced that offers both an area of accommodation for supporting the cervicals, an area of accommodation for absorbing the shoulder surface on the side and on the back whatever the position of the person sleeping and an area of accommodation for the head, by virtue of the way it is cut into two parts, of different consistencies and forms.

The ergonomic pillow according to this embodiment is intended to be placed in a single slip of fabric having different color visual markers, or phosphorescent or luminescent visual markers to allow for a suitable placement, with tactile marker, piping with notch or embroidery.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described, it is perfectly possible to provide variant embodiments without departing from the context of the invention as defined by the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective schematic view going from one block to the other according to the invention, consisting of two blocks (1) and (2) of angular form attached by their oblique face, forming a common transition surface (3) which defines a variable thickness over its entire width and which is associated with different flexibilities and firmnesses making it possible to define four distinct areas of comfort A, B, C, D depending on the four possible positions of use of the pillow.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 are cross-sectional views of the pillow according to FIG. 1 representing the four positions of use.

The identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of different flexibilities and firmness, the identifier (3) indicates a straight angular face, the identifier (4) designates the area where the cervicals rest and the identifier (5) the area where the head rests.

FIGS. 6 to 14 represent schematic cross sections of the pillow according to different variant embodiments linked to the geometry of the two blocks.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids of identical form, the identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3) represents straight angular faces.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids with two blocks of different thicknesses, the identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3) representing straight angular faces.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view which represents two right-angled triangles, the identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3′) represents complementary angular faces, concave and convex, incurved along a straight generatrix.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids, the identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3′) represents complementary angular faces, concave and convex, incurved along a straight generatrix.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view which represents two right-angled triangles, the identifiers (1) and (2) designating the two blocks of different flexibilities and firmness, the identifier (3″) represents regular and complementary corrugated angular faces, the protruding parts of one interlocking in the hollow parts of the other.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids, the identifiers (1) and (2) designating the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3″) representing regular corrugated angular faces, the protruding parts of one interlocking in the hollow parts of the other.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view which represents a trapezoid and a triangle with two blocks of different thicknesses, the identifiers (1) and (2) also designate the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3) representing straight angular faces extending over a part of the projected surface of the pillow. In this case, the trapezoid of different thickness, the less thick is limited to a triangular section.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view which represents two trapezoids, the identifiers (1) and (2) designate the two blocks of different flexibility and firmness, the identifier (3″′) represents complementary angular faces, corrugated discontinuously, the variation of which is defined according to the desired effects, the protruding parts of one interlocking in the hollow parts of the other.

FIG. 15 shows the embodiment of the ergonomic pillow according to the invention. The two layers (11) (11′) are shown assembled face to face, the two concave top and bottom faces (13) (13′), comprising a corrugated cut (14) and the two notches (12) (12′) ensuring the accommodation of the shoulder. This cut confers on the assembly qualities of flexibility or of elasticity for the accommodation of the cervicals.

FIG. 16 represents an embodiment of the invention in which the corrugated cut (14) is interrupted at one end by a widened rounded segment (16) ending at the notch (12). This rounded segment helps to confer on the assembly, depending on the density of the material, a greater flexibility or firmness and a more targeted support. The two rounded elements (18) (18′) each represent a core in circumferential form arranged in the pillow whose dimensions are variable and offer a firmer consistency.

The area (1) ensures the accommodation of the cervicals and the area (3) is a flatter area which ensures the accommodation of the head without raising.

FIG. 17 represents another embodiment of the ergonomic pillow according to the invention in which the circular cut (16) of the two parts is interrupted by a partial cut (15) in sawtooth form (14′). The thickness of the top part (13) is substantially thinned compared to the bottom part (13′).

FIG. 18 represents another embodiment according to the invention in which the corrugated cut (14) is replaced by two rounded segments (17) (17′) having a hollow profile, arranged symmetrically on either side of the median section (12) (12′). The segment (17′) has a greater thickness than the rounded segment (17).

The form of this pillow has a greater or lesser thickness and length, allowing for a different thrust on the area of the cervicals, and consequently ensuring rest for the head. In this way, the person sleeping will find an area of rest exactly suited to his or her measurements.

FIG. 19 shows the two-part construction of the ergonomic pillow according to the invention. The top part (11) has twice the height of that of the bottom layer (11′). The material of the two parts has two areas of different densities (medium/flexible or firm/medium).

This type is variable for all types of embodiment.

All these figures are merely examples of many possible variations.

Claims

1. A progressive-comfort ergonomic pillow, comprising two flexible angular blocks attached in reverse directions by their oblique face, made of a material of a firmness and flexibility distinct from one another, so as to obtain a continuous variation over the entire width of the blocks, obtained by four distinct support areas A-B-C-D defining four positions of use and each benefiting from many areas providing different support, a first position where the upper area holding the head is essentially flexible then firm at extreme depth, whereas the area of the cervicals is firm then immediately more flexible, a second position where the upper area holding the head is mainly firm then flexible at extreme depth whereas the area of the cervicals is firm in the accommodating area then immediately more flexible, a third position where the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed, firm on the surface then flexible at depth whereas the area of the cervicals is mainly firm then flexible at extreme depth, and a fourth position, where the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed, flexible on the surface then firm at depth whereas the area of the cervicals is mainly flexible then firm at extreme depth.

2. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, the pillow formed by two blocks having a right-angled triangle section.

3. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, the pillow formed from two blocks having a trapezoidal section.

4. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the two blocks are identical and of the same dimensions.

5. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the two blocks are of different dimensions, one being thicker than the other thus making it possible to adjust the effect of flexibility and firmness, comprising an oblique face, extending over all or part of the projected surface of the pillow, the less thick trapezoid being configured at the lower limit as a triangular section.

6. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the angular faces are straight.

7. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the angular faces are incurved according to a straight generatrix, one being concave and the other convex, thus making it possible to adjust the effect of flexibility and firmness.

8. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the angular faces have complementary corrugated surfaces that are regular or irregular, the protruding parts of one interlocking in the hollow parts of the other and thus allowing for a mechanical-type interlocking

9. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the attached angular faces are assembled by a mechanical link of interlocking and/or bonding type.

10. The pillow as claimed in claim 1, the pillow is jacketed by a first slip which compresses the two blocks one against the other, making it possible to ensure and/or complete a possible mechanical assembly, and by a second, removable anallergenic slip, which further comprises visual and/or tactile recognition means such as distinct color and/or spacing and form of the stitching making it possible to differentiate the different positions of use and different firmness characteristics.

11. An ergonomic pillow that comprises specific accommodating areas, and an additional area for receiving the shoulder of a person sleeping on his or her side or flat on his or her back.

12. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the additional area comprise at least one notch cut into one of the two sides of the pillow.

13. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, in which the notch is arranged on either side of the median part of the pillow.

14. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the notch is placed at similar or different levels.

15. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the notch takes the form of a narrowing arranged in the form of the pillow.

16. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the material of which the pillow is made has a plurality of different densities conferring different types of flexibility on the pillow.

17. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the material of which the pillow is made has characteristics of elasticity by variation of the nature of the constituent material and by the mode of cutting of the pillow.

18. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, in which the different characteristics of elasticity vary within wide limits such as, for example, from flexible/comfort to comfort/tonic.

19. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11 is formed from two blocks of viscoelastic material, assembled symmetrically face against face, to form an assembly of prismatic form, the top and bottom faces of which are incurved, the perpendicular portion of each side of which is formed, on the one hand, from two elongate sections, and, on the other hand, from a segment narrowed in its middle and the incurved surfaces of which leave a hollow area between them, the assembly allowing for a variable elasticity of the pillow.

20. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, the pillow can be made to measure and for example having a length varying from 50 to 80 cm, a width varying from 25 to 45 cm, a thickness varying from 8 to 15 cm, and having a median notch of the order of 2 cm.

21. The ergonomic pillow as claimed in claim 11, the height of which is variable and has an asymmetrical surface, one part being higher than the other.