Compartmented Patents (Class 5/645)
  • Patent number: 7222379
    Abstract: The pillow kit cover member, which includes substantially identical top and bottom portions, each of which includes inner and outer layers. The top and bottom portions are secured around the peripheries thereof, except for one side, which includes a zipper or similar element for opening and closing the pillow. The pillow includes an interior chamber assembly, which comprises baffle members which extend between the inner layers of the top and bottom portions, defining individual chambers which extend the length of the pillow. Filling is provided within the pillow chamber, as well as a plurality of inserts, having various fillings, which are selectively insertable into and removable from the pillow chambers. Different combinations of inserts vary the support characteristics of the pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: Shelley A. DiGirolamo
  • Patent number: 7210178
    Abstract: The pillow includes a pillow body with an upper curved member which includes a first convex curved portion which extends along the length of the upper surface of the pillow near the back edge of the pillow and a second convex curved portion which parallels the first curved portion and extends along the upper surface of the pillow near the front edge of the pillow. A concave curved portion extends between and joins the first and second convex curved portions. The height of the first convex curved portion is greater than the height of the second convex curved portion. A plurality of interior baffle walls extend lengthwise of the pillow, spaced and located so as to maintain the contour of the pillow when the pillow is filled with natural and/or synthetic filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: Shelley A. DiGirolamo
  • Patent number: 7203983
    Abstract: A pillow apparatus comprising at least one roll portion, a bottom layer extending horizontally from the roll portion, a top layer extending horizontally from the roll portion substantially adjacent to the bottom layer, and a hollow core formed between the bottom layer and the top layer substantially centered within the pillow so as to form a central back-sleeping region and opposite, adjacent side-sleeping regions. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract so as to allow a searcher to quickly determine the subject matter. It is presented with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: AQSIS Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Reeves, Martin Geoffreys
  • Patent number: 7152263
    Abstract: The multi-layer pillow includes an upper layer which includes at least two chambers in addition to a center chamber and a lower layer which includes at least three chambers arranged laterally side-by-side. The first and second layers have approximately the same outline and are secured together around the peripheries thereof. There is filling in at least the three chambers of the lower layer and in at least the two chambers of the upper layer, with no filling in the center chamber of the upper layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: Juliette M. Delfs
  • Patent number: 7146663
    Abstract: A support pillow comprises a cushion body having a medial region and two opposing arms that define a generally open well, with the cushion body having an outer periphery and an inner periphery adjacent the well. A shell encompasses the cushion body. A fabric cover is removably disposed over the shell such that the fabric cover generally conforms to the shell. The fabric cover defines an opening to permit the cover to be placed over the shell, and the fabric covering includes at least one fastener to close the opening once the cover has been placed over the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Boppy Company
    Inventors: Susan H. Brown, Sheila Littlehorn
  • Patent number: 7140056
    Abstract: An inflatable beach pillow with a pocket to slip over a beach chair and having both water and air compartments is furnished with suction for supporting the pillow from the side of a tub so that it will serve as a combination chair pillow and tub pillow. The suction cups are disposed either on the air compartment side or on the water compartment side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Deering Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: William Deering
  • Patent number: 7120953
    Abstract: A pillow is provided which includes a neck portion extending along a length of the pillow, and a head portion attached to the neck portion, the head portion divided into at least two head compartments. A filling material is provided within the neck and head portions. The pillow can also be embodied as a pillowcase having a first side, a second side, and an opening for receiving a pillow therein. Within at least one of the first side and second side, the pillowcase includes a neck portion extending along a length of the pillowcase, a head portion including at least two head compartments, and a filling material provided within the neck and head portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: FKA Distributing Co.
    Inventors: Roman S. Ferber, Sun Yu, Russell T. Brzezinski, Barbara A. Westfield
  • Patent number: 7089617
    Abstract: A pillowcase alone and in combination with a unique pillow design which provides an interior pocket open at an outer margin thereof for receiving and protectively storing small articles or objects such as a watch, jewelry, small personal mementos, notes and cards, photos, soft sculptures and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the pillowcase has a generally rectangular shape adapted to receive and cover two thin pillows together, or alternately, a conventional pillow. A pocket, smaller than the main portion of the pillowcase, formed continuously with, or as an extension of, each side panel of the pillowcase, is sewn together around exposed outer margins thereof. When folded inwardly, the pocket is positioned or tucked within the interior of the pillowcase against a conventional pillow, between or against two thin pillows, or within or against a pillow with a pocket-receiving cavity. The pocket is then open to receive the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Iris Catherine Wenzel Lauro
  • Patent number: 7089615
    Abstract: A pillow to provide predictable support for a reclining person during sleep or therapy. The preferred embodiment of the invention is formed by a continuous portion forming two openings, at which are joined side panels. The pillow is generally shaped as an adjustable wedge, which can be used by a person in the stomach lying, back lying, or side lying positions to provide proper support and comfort. The pillow is filled with a material that allows the user to shape the pillow to conform the pillow to the individual physical makeup and personal preferences of the user. In another embodiment of the invention, a pair of internal panels, each one adjacent one of the side panels, divides the pillow into compartments which can be individually filled. This embodiment of the invention constitutes a large triangular shaped wedge pillow with internal panels that mirror the side panel angle that creates a pair of secondary wedges upon which are formed the support areas of the person's cheekbone and forehead areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Carl Parimuha
  • Patent number: 7080421
    Abstract: The bedding article includes three fabric sections having approximately the same size and positioned in registry. Two fabric baffle strips extend in one dimension between and connected to upper and middle fabric sections, defining three interior chambers therebetween. Two fabric baffle strips extend in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension between and connected to the lower and middle fabric sections, also defining three chambers therebetween. Loose filling is placed into all of the chambers defined by the baffle strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: Juliette M. Delfs
  • Patent number: 7055197
    Abstract: The present invention provides a top and base pillow construction to support a person reclining in a hemi side position. The unique construction includes support means to hold the form of the top pillow and fasten it to the base pillow while providing an unobstructed area for a person's nasal openings. Two sets of this unique top and base pillow construction can also be combined to result in a double top pillow construction for use by two individuals sharing the same reclining space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Inventor: Abbas Fathali
  • Patent number: 7032264
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pillow characterized in that a plurality of sections are formed inside the pillow casing by providing a pair of partitions which slope in such a manner as to open upward between the top cloth and the bottom cloth of the pillow casing, so that stuffing materials are filled into the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Dokuta Eru
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Funatogawa
  • Patent number: 7000274
    Abstract: A support pillow comprises a cushion body having a medial region and two opposing arms that define a generally open well, with the cushion body having an outer periphery and an inner periphery adjacent the well. A shell encompasses the cushion body. A fabric cover is removably disposed over the shell such that the fabric cover generally conforms to the shell. The fabric cover defines an opening to permit the cover to be placed over the shell, and the fabric covering includes at least one fastener to close the opening once the cover has been placed over the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: The Boppy Company
    Inventors: Susan H. Matthews Brown, Sheila Littlehorn
  • Patent number: 6988286
    Abstract: A cushioning apparatus such as a pillow which includes an upper pocket with reception cavity for receiving preferably loose or grouped non-integral filler material such as down, fiberfill or fiber-balls and another pocket for receiving additional filler material such as a foam core filler material. The foam core filler material is preferably an integrated or monolithic foam body of, for example, visco-elastic or alternate polyurethane foam. The core preferably has a non-planar upper surface contour allowing for a relatively thin, consistent height upper pocket thickness. The pillow also preferably includes a lower pocket joined about its periphery to the upper pocket such as by way of an intermediate gusset panel with beading and with the lower pocket also receiving loose or non-integrated filler material and with the bottom surface of the core preferably having a convex surface such as one symmetrical with the top surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Carpenter Co.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Schecter, Jeffrey D. Martin
  • Patent number: 6978502
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including a left end piece, a right end piece, and a pillow. The left end piece may have a recess into which a left portion of the pillow can be inserted. The right end piece may have a recess into which a right portion of the pillow can be inserted. The pillow may be substantially softer than the left end piece and the right end piece. The pillow, the left end piece, and the right end piece can be inserted into a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Juanito B. Calagui
  • Patent number: 6952848
    Abstract: A cervical pillow and a method of making the pillow comprising a pillow casing a pillow-filling and a cervical support member disposed therein, the pillow-filling forming a head support region and the cervical support member forming a neck support region wherein the neck support region has a greater compression resiliency than the head support region allowing the neck support region to resist against compression and remain a viable source for supporting a user's neck as the head support region compressively supports the user's head thereon. The cervical support member comprises a cylindrical shaped body having tapering ends, and is retained in the pillow casing in a position spaced from the side edges of the pillow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Paulette Strunk-Fellows
  • Patent number: 6931682
    Abstract: The pillow comprises four substantially identical fabric sections arranged in registry and secured together around the peripheries thereof. A line of stitching connects the middle two layers, defining a rectangular portion or other configuration, in the center of the pillow. The pillow is filled between the middle two layers from the line of stitching to the peripheral edges of the fabric sections. Filling is also present between the upper fabric section and one of the middle fabric sections, and between the lower fabric layers and the other middle fabric section, resulting in a pillow which has less fill in the center portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: John F. Kruger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6928677
    Abstract: A pillow includes a pillow base having a top, bottom, front, rear and opposite sides. The base includes first and second compartments defining areas which extend between the opposite sides. A quantity of fill material is disposed within the first compartment. A support member is enclosed within the second chamber. The support member includes a resilient body having a top wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and spaced apart side walls. The front wall includes a slot extending between the side walls. The support member is disposed adjacent to at least the front of the pillow base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: Ben R. Pittman
  • Patent number: 6922860
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the head of user while the user is lying in a face-down position, a face-up position or a side position. The apparatus includes a head cradle with ventilation and a pair of elongated dependent arms that can be manipulated to serve as a chest support, or a neck support or a head support depending on how the user is lying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Robert B. Cuddy
  • Patent number: 6910237
    Abstract: A pillow cover and pouch combination where the cover is adapted to receive a pillow therein, the cover having first and second identical sections, each section including outer and inner fabric portions with a layer of down filling therebetween. The first and second sections are secured together by a line of stitching around three sides, the other side being open to receive a conventional pillow, closeable by a closure element. The pouch member is configured such that the cover may be folded and positioned inside to produce a pillow-like member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Company
    Inventor: Shelley A. DiGirolamo
  • Patent number: 6905167
    Abstract: A method for assembling a case (5), such an integral play station, a simple screen for a DVD reader or for a play station, a loudspeaker or other . . . , on a cushion (2) such as a headrest or a seat back cushion, fitted with a protection cover (4). This method is characterized in that it consists in fastening the case (5) directly on the protection cover (4), before mounting said cover (4) on the cushion (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Sevic System AG
    Inventor: Gilbert Jost
  • Patent number: 6851143
    Abstract: A support pillow comprises a cushion body having a medial region and two opposing arms that define a generally open well, with the cushion body having an outer periphery and an inner periphery adjacent the well. A shell encompasses and tightly conforms to the cushion body. A fabric cover is removably disposed over the shell such that the fabric cover conforms to the shell. The fabric cover defines an opening to permit the cover to be placed over the shell, and the fabric covering includes at least one fastener to close the opening once the cover has been placed over the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Boppy Company
    Inventor: Susan H. Matthews Brown
  • Patent number: 6820852
    Abstract: A pillow book holder capable of allowing a reader to read a book without unnecessary hand muscle strain while at the same time the pillow book holder is capable of falling without damaging itself, the book, or losing the page place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventors: Joyce E. Wainscott, Lorin S. Park
  • Patent number: 6760935
    Abstract: The gusseted pillow includes a top fabric section, a bottom fabric section and an intermediate gusset portion, wherein the peripheries of the top and bottom fabric sections are each longer than a total length of the gusset portion. The peripheral edges of the top and bottom fabric sections are attached, respectively, to the opposing edges of the gusset portion, with pleats at the corners of the pillow. The pillow is filled to produce a high loft (puffy) appearance, with the portion of the pillow on opposing sides of the gusset portion being elevated from the gusset portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Pacific Coast Feather Co.
    Inventors: Robert D. Burton, Ralph W. Saterlee, Shelley A. DiGirolamo
  • Patent number: 6715171
    Abstract: An air cell pillow includes an air cushion and a cover. The air cushion is encased by a cover that has a top, bottom and four side panels arranged generally in a box shape. The top and bottom panels each have a first thickness and the side panels each have a second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The first thickness provides a smooth, continuous surface atop the independent air cells of the cushion and the second thickness allowing the pillow to readily collapse upon application of a load to the top and bottom panels. The air cushion has separate zones that may be independently adjusted to vary the resiliency in each zone. The cushion has a base sheet and a top sheet. The top sheet is molded in the form of a plurality of air cells that are secured to and extend outwardly from the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventor: Kurtis F. Grabe
  • Patent number: 6708355
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a collapsible outdoor pillow structure, the said structure consisting of an inflatable bag and resilient body affixed onto its surface, wherein air can be admitted into and released from the said inflatable bag such that following the release of air from the said bag, a fastening component at one end of a pillow cloth casing bottom surface is attached to a fastening component along one side of a folding sack and the said pillow is rolled up in the said folding sack; after the fastening component along the rear surface of one side of the said folding sack is attached to another fastening component along the front surface at the other side, cords at the two ends of the folding sack are pulled to achieve the objective of conveniently carrying the said folding sack and the pillow outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: SEDA Chemical Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kung-Han Wang, Chin-Sheng Huang
  • Patent number: 6701555
    Abstract: A postural health pillow comprising a three dimensionally rectangular outer casing which holds at least two discretely, proportionately filled casings/chambers. The bottom casing is filled with a sufficient quantity of grain hulls, or flowable particles filling, to elevate the head for proper spinal alignment for side sleeping and provide conforming support for the neck. The top casing is filled with a soft, compressible material, such as wool or down, to cushion the user's face and ear from the texture of the grain component and provide greater comfort. An aperture in the grain-filled casing allows the user to adjust the volume of fill for customizable sizing in fine increments. An opening in at least one end of the outer casing provides access for redirecting the fill in the bottom chamber to a position of maximum comfort, while in use, and fluffing the top component as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Terry Savitri Ermini
  • Publication number: 20040019972
    Abstract: A cushioning apparatus such as a pillow which includes an upper pocket with reception cavity for receiving preferably loose or grouped non-integral filler material such as down, fiberfill or fiber-balls and another pocket for receiving additional filler material such as a foam core filler material. The foam core filler material is preferably an integrated or monolithic foam body of, for example, visco-elastic or alternate polyurethane foam. The core preferably has a non-planar upper surface contour allowing for a relatively thin, consistent height upper pocket thickness. The pillow also preferably includes a lower pocket joined about its periphery to the upper pocket such as by way of an intermediate gusset panel with beading and with the lower pocket also receiving loose or non-integrated filler material and with the bottom surface of the core preferably having a convex surface such as one symmetrical with the top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel B. Schecter, Jeffrey D. Martin
  • Patent number: 6671906
    Abstract: An adjustable pillow having an upper housing comprising a plurality of compartments, a plurality of support elements and a lower housing secured to the upper housing to keep the support elements inside the upper housing is disclosed. The support elements are configured to be positioned within one of the compartments. Each compartment has a height that is adjustable by varying the number of support elements positioned within the compartment. Preferably, the compartments include a neck support compartment, a head support compartment and a pair of side support compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick L. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6625828
    Abstract: A support pillow comprises a cushion body having a medial region and two opposing arms that define a generally open well, with the cushion body having an outer periphery and an inner periphery adjacent the well. A shell encompasses and tightly conforms to the cushion body. A fabric cover is removably disposed over the shell such that the fabric cover conforms to the shell. The fabric cover defines an opening to permit the cover to be placed over the shell, and the fabric covering includes at least one fastener to close the opening once the cover has been placed over the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The Boppy Company
    Inventor: Susan H. Matthews Brown
  • Patent number: 6622727
    Abstract: A wedge pillow that is placed under the patient to reduce the risk of hypoxia or aspiration associated with endotracheal intubation. The wedge pillow raises the angle of the thoracic spine and provides a platform and pressure point relief for the back of the head. This allows excessive and redundant tissue to fall away from the head and neck, thereby allowing excellent positioning, easy access to the oropharynx, and perfect sniffing position for direct visualization of the glottic opening. An extended arm cushion is also provided that may be used in conjunction with the wedge pillow to prevent or minimizes the amount of hyperextension of the arm at the shoulder joint during surgery. The arm cushion also provides pressure point relief to the arms keeps the arm from becoming malpositioned during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Eric S Perry
  • Patent number: 6622325
    Abstract: A facial fatigue reducing pillow construction (10) for eliminating the application of compressive forces against the side of a user's face including the eye socket and cheek bone areas while the user's head rests on the pillow construction (10) which includes a pillow member (20) having an upper portion (22) provided with a pair of facial relief units 12 12′ and a head relief unit (13) aligned along the longitudinal axis of the pillow member (20) wherein the facial relief units (12 12′) create voids in the upper portion (22) of the pillow member (20) adjacent a person's eye sockets and cheek bones and the head relief unit (13) is dimensioned to receive and support the side of a user's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Jesse Garza
  • Patent number: 6578218
    Abstract: A pillow having a pivoting butterfly structure with two cushions pivotably interconnected by a hinge element to pivot between an open position and a closed position. Each cushion has a hinge end adjacent the hinge element, and a connecting end disposed at the end of the cushion opposite the hinge end. A middle portion is located between the hinge end and connecting end of each cushion. The cushions have a relatively flat inner surface and a curved contoured surface that extend the length of each cushion. The contoured surface projects away from the inner surface and forms two peaks near the hinge end and connecting end of each cushion. Between the peaks, the contoured surface curves inward back toward the inner surface and forms a concave groove near the middle portion of each cushion. A cover encases both cushions and contours the shapes of the cushions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Tempur World, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerda Wassilefsky
  • Patent number: 6510573
    Abstract: An air cell pillow includes an air cushion and a cover. The air cushion is encased by a cover that has a top, bottom and four side panels arranged generally in a box shape. The top and bottom panels each have a first thickness and the side panels each have a second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. The first thickness provides a smooth, continuous surface atop the independent air cells of the cushion and the second thickness allowing the pillow to readily collapse upon application of a load to the top and bottom panels. The air cushion has separate zones that may be independently adjusted to vary the resiliency in each zone. The cushion has a base sheet and a top sheet. The top sheet is molded in the form of a plurality of air cells that are secured to and extend outwardly from the base sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Kurtis F. Grabe
  • Patent number: 6510574
    Abstract: An inflatable positioning device is provided. The device includes a pump, a tube extending from the pump, a valve intermediate the length of the tube and non-rectangular inflatable pillow connected to the end of the tube remote from the pump. The non-rectangular inflatable pillow is dimensioned for positioning portions of a patient's body during surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: O. R. Comfort, LLC
    Inventors: Nigel E. Sharrock, William F. Urmey, L. Henri Marguet
  • Patent number: 6490743
    Abstract: An orthopaedic pillow cover for supporting a human neck and head includes a tubular fabric pillow band open in both of its respective ends for encircling a conventional pillow. Two neck support rolls are pivotally connected opposite one another to an inside surface of the pillow band and are positioned perpendicular to the respective ends of the pillow band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventors: Riyaz Adat, Kevin Mar
  • Patent number: 6471726
    Abstract: An ergonomic pillow comprises a body including an inclined surface on either side, an arcuate central recess, and a slope near either side extended from the inclined surface to the recess so that either slope has the highest elevation on a top surface of the body; a front lengthwise projection member having a front slant extended from a bottom of the body adjacent to the recess; first and second cavities on the bottom of the body adjacent to either side and disposed corresponding to either slope; and an elongate third cavity at an underside of the projection member having the same orientation as the projection member. The pillow appropriately support face, ear, spine and shoulder for relaxing head and spine of a user in face-up or side sleeping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Seda Chemical Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Kuan Wang
  • Patent number: 6453493
    Abstract: A support pillow comprises a cushion body having a medial region and two opposing arms that define a generally open well, with the cushion body having an outer periphery and an inner periphery adjacent the well. A shell encompasses and tightly conforms to the cushion body. A fabric cover is removably disposed over the shell such that the fabric cover conforms to the shell. The fabric cover defines an opening to permit the cover to be placed over the shell, and the fabric covering includes at least one fastener to close the opening once the cover has been placed over the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: The Boppy Company
    Inventor: Susan H. Matthews Brown
  • Patent number: 6442778
    Abstract: A support pillow including a plurality of compartments each at least partially filled with a soft, yielding material and covered with a tick, each compartment being attached to another compartment along adjacent side edges thereof so as to form an endless, jointed roll of the compartments, the attached side edges defining joints between each compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: Nissim Shaharbani
  • Patent number: 6438778
    Abstract: A multi-purpose pillow is provided having a pillow portion, and a handle for grasping which is connected to the pillow portion along a hinge. A retaining member may be attached to the handle to enhance the ability of the user to hold on to the pillow during use. The pillow may rotate about the hinge, thus providing a user enhanced or increased force when striking a targeted object. Many uses are contemplated for the invention to include sleeping, recreation, sitting, cleaning of upholstery and rugs, as well as ornamental use of the invention in combination with ornamental components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Maban Corporation
    Inventor: Mack Priest Johnson
  • Patent number: 6412127
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the head of user while the user is lying in a face-down position, a face-up position or a side position. The apparatus includes a head cradle with air holes and a pair of elongated dependent arms that can be manipulated to serve as a chest support, or a neck support or a head support depending on how the user is lying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Cuddy
  • Patent number: 6401279
    Abstract: A neck supporting pillow for maintaining a clear air passage through a user's neck while the user is sleeping. The neck supporting pillow includes a pillow comprising an outer wall having opposed side ends and a concave top side, and further includes an inner wall, an internally-disposed inner chamber, and an internally-disposed outer chamber being separated from the inner chamber with the inner wall and having an upper compartment and a lower compartment being separated by an annular divider; and further includes a plurality of support members which are essentially planar and made of fabric material, each of the support members extending at a slant from the inner wall to a respective side end of the outer wall; and also includes a plurality of valve member disposed in and through the inner wall to control flow of liquid or air between the inner chamber and the outer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Jesse F. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 6363557
    Abstract: An adjustable pillow includes a bag body formed from a fabric material and including a closure device for closing and opening the bag body, the bag body being internally provided with more than one partitioning piece to define two or more chambers; and linings in units of one or more than two and sized to correspond to the chambers so as to be selectively disposed in the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Chao-Mu Chou
  • Patent number: 6336236
    Abstract: A snuggle pillow for use by two individuals including a main support pillow with apetures designed to accomodate the arms of the individuals and detachable cushion pads able to be attached thereto to facilitate intimacy of the two individuals without causing physical discomfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Steve Dalton
  • Patent number: 6327725
    Abstract: An orthopaedic pillow, including an adjustable neck support. The body of the pillow is comprised of pre-formed visco-elastic foam, which has an interior cavity, longitudinally disposed near the edge of the pillow on which a user's neck is intended to rest. An inflatable airtight chamber is disposed within the cavity or slot, for providing adjustable support to the user's neck. The level of neck support can be quickly and easily adjusted using a hand-operated pump. The pump can be neatly stored within a contoured cavity at one end of the pillow. The pillow has a removable cloth cover with an opening on the end, which enables the user to access the pump, and a closure device for closing the opening. The pillow increases user comfort levels, and assists in reducing neck and back pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: S.V.M. Orthopedic Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Alain C. Veilleux, Judith J. Stanfield, Charles N. D. Martin
  • Patent number: 6321402
    Abstract: A disposable pillow made of recyclable and environmentally friend pulp through vacuum molding is provided. The pillow includes an open-bottomed hollow outer body and preferably an inner support having a plurality of upright ridge portions. The outer body has a top surface within which a smoothly curved recess is formed for comfortably supporting a patient's head. The inner support is adapted to be positioned in and below the outer body with upper ends of the ridge portions fitly contacting with and therefore firmly supporting an underside of the top surface of the outer body, preventing the top surface from downward collapsed when a patient's head is supported thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Tsai Ming-Chung
  • Patent number: 6317908
    Abstract: An orthopedic support device comprising an embodiment of the support device comprises a firm core, a recess located on a top surface of the core, a memory foam layer located within the recess, a cushion layer located along a top surface of the memory foam layer, a C-shaped boundary layer wrapped around a first lengthwise edge of the core, a bottom surface of the core, and a second lengthwise edge of the core, and one or more inflatable bladders disposed within the firm core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Lionel A. Walpin
  • Patent number: 6308353
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a patient for a medical procedure. The apparatus includes an air-impervious casing having a plurality of sections adapted to position and support the torso and limbs of a patient. A plurality of compartments containing beads are disposed in the sections. A plurality of connection ports are provided through which air may be evacuated from the compartments to form vacuums therein. When air is evacuated from the compartments, the beads compact together, thereby making the sections rigid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: The OR Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Kip Van Steenburg
  • Patent number: 6230347
    Abstract: The use of particulate stuffings such as down or fiberfill in the construction of orthopaedic pillows has previously been limited due to formidable intrinsic difficulties: On a curved wedge of support, with natural turning movement of the sleeper, fiberfill will tend to “avalanche” downhill, settle and pack down to obliterate any initial toricity or inflected curvature. Hence the sleeper is awakened to refluff or to punch the missing inflection back into place. Though simple internal partitioning can initially delay the scenario, in due course nuisance fiber sequestering and impeded normal hand refluffing are the results. The present invention focuses on structurally overcoming these impediments to the orthopaedic use of particulate fillings. It notably provides a pillow that manifests to the sleeper as downy soft, and comfortingly restful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Christina Alexander
  • Patent number: 6189168
    Abstract: An air cell pillow comprised of an air cushion with independent air cells extending outwardly from a common base sheet, the air cushion encased by a cover, the cover having a top, bottom and four side panels arranged generally in a box shape, the top and bottom panels each having a first thickness and the side panels each having a second thickness, the first thickness greater than the second thickness, the first thickness providing a smooth, continuous surface atop the independent air cells of the cushion and the second thickness allowing the pillow to readily collapse upon application of a load to the top and panel panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Kurtis F. Graebe