GB2290705A

GB2290705A - Neck pillow device

Info

Publication number: GB2290705A
Application number: GB9413023A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Smith Ian Graham Robertson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-29
Filing date: 1994-06-29
Publication date: 1996-01-10
Also published as: GB9413023D0

Abstract

Neck pillow device for supporting the neck of a reclining user comprising an envelope (12) defining a chamber (14) for receiving a heating liquid, the envelope (12) comprising a first surface (20). The first surface is formed with a first and a second indentation (24, 26) adapted to receive and support the head and neck respectively of the user. The device is intended to dissipate tension which builds up in the neck of a user. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a neck pillow device and, more particularly, to such a device intended to provide support for the neck of a user while in addition ensuring warming and massage thereof.

Persons subject to the stresses and strains of modern living often suffer from muscular tension at the back of the neck. It is known that heat and massage of the neck cause the muscles to relax thus dissipating the tension and producing an agreeable feeling of wellbeing. Clearly though, the constraints of day-to-day living mean that it is not always possible to obtain suitable massage when such muscular tension arises.

It is therefore desirable to find means for dissipating tension which builds up in the neck but which does not require the presence of a skilled masseur. Such means may comprise a neck pillow device which supports the neck of a user, who would typically be lying down horizontally, the device further including means to provoke the dispersion of tension in the neck muscles.

U.S. Patent 3 981 032 describes a neck pillow device intended to support the neck of a user and which comprises a pair of electrically powered vibrators placed one on either side of the user's neck. The use of such vibrators ensure the relaxation of the user's neck muscles. The device further comprises a detachable heating pad to aid the relaxation process.

The device described in U.S. 3 981 032, while ensuring relaxation of the neck muscles, presents certain disadvantages which limit its commercial acceptabily.

Firstly, its complex structure means that it is expensive to manufacture, resulting in a high sale price to the user.

Furthermore, the presence of electrical vibrators and heating element means that the device can only be used adjacent to a source of electric current, it being impractical to install batteries whithin the device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a neck pillow device which is of simple and inexpensive construction but which ensures the relaxation of a user's neck muscles.

A second object of the invention is to provide a neck pillow device which can be used independently of any power supply.

A further object of the invention is to provide a neck pillow device which provides heat and massage of the user's neck without requiring any mechanical actuators.

These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which provides a neck pillow device for supporting the neck of a reclining user comprising an envelope defining a chamber for receiving a heating liquid, the envelope comprising a first surface characterised in that the first surface is formed with a first and a second indentation adapted to receive and support the head and neck respectively of the user.

Preferably the first indentation is generally oval in section, the second indentation having a generally rectangular section.

The neck pillow device in accordance with the invention is thus simple in construction and in use and provides massage of the user's neck without requiring any mechanical actuators. The depth of the indentations is such that the sides of the indentations are in contact with the neck of the user, ensuring efficient heating and massage thereof.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which - Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of a neck pillow device in accordance with the present invention - Figure la is a section taken along the line A-A of Figure 1 ; and - Figure 2 is a plan view , similar to that of Figure 1, of a second embodiment of neck pillow device.

Referring to Figure 1, a neck pillow device, generally shown 10 , comprises an envelope 12 made, for example, of synthetic plastics material, which defines a chamber 14 for receiving a heating liquid. The envelope 12 is formed with a neck 16 which is adapted to receive a releasable closure member, shown in dotted outline, 18.

Preferably, the closure member 18 is mounted on the neck by means of screw threads.

The envelope is defined by a first, shaped surface 20 and a second, generally planar, surface 22. The neck pillow device is intended to be used in a horizontal position with the first surface 20 uppermost. The first surface is formed with a first, generally oval, indentation 24, which is adapted to receive and support the head of a user, and a second, generally rectangular, indentation 26 adapted to receive and support the back of the neck of the user. To this end, the lower surface 28 of the second indentation 26 is sloped, as shown in Figure la, better to support the neck.

The first and second indentations 24,26 communicate one with the other.

In a preferred embodiment, the neck pillow device has a length of 40cm, a width of 32cm and a depth of 6cm.

Preferably, the first indentation is 18cm long by 14cm wide.

Other dimensions are, of course, possible, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

The depth of the second indentation 26 is such that there is contact with a considerable part of the sides of the neck.

In use, the envelope is intended to be filled with a heated liquid which will form a source of heat for the device. The device can be filled, for example, with hot water by way of the neck 16. Alternatively, as microwave ovens are increasingly widespread, it is envisaged that the envelope could be permanently filled with water or other suitable liquid subject to be heated by microwaves. In such a case, the neck 16 and closure element 18 could be omitted.

In use, slight movements of the user's head and neck will cause the heated liquid inside the envelope 12 to be displaced from side to side. This movement will result in movement of the liquid and of the the upper surface of the envelope which will produce a massaging effect on the back of the user's neck. In a preferred embodiment, the space between the first indentation 24 and the lower surface 22 is closed off and isolated from the rest of the envelope 12, for example by an annular wall 33. Such a structure causes the liquid within the envelope to pass directly below the indentation 26, and by way of a space 30 formed between the first indentation 24 and a wall 32 of the envelope. This arrangement considerably increases the movement of liquid beneath the second indentation resulting in a corresponding increase in the massage effect.

According to a further aspect of the invention, in order to increase the massaging effect produced by movement of the user's head, the interior of the envelope 12 is wholly or partially filled with spheres formed of resilient plastics material or synthetic rubber. The spheres may have a porous structure so as to absorb some of the heating liquid and so increase the quantity of liquid which may be contained in the envelope. Movement of the spheres, especially in the region of the first and second indentations, will transmit slight vibratory movement to the walls of the envelope. This vibratory movement will be perceived by the user as massage of the neck region The spheres may have a diameter of between 0.5cm and 3cm, and preferably between lcm and 2cm.As the spheres only exert their massaging effect in the region of the first and second indentations 24,26, an inner chamber could advantageously be formed, within the envelope around the indentations, to contain the spheres.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of neck pillow device in accordance with the invention and which comprises an envelope 12 which is generally similar to that of Figure 1. In this embodiment the volume between the first indentation 24 and the second surface 22 is isolated from the rest of the interior of the envelope by an annular wall 33, thus defining a generally annular chamber 34 within the envelope 12. In the space 30 formed between a sidewall 32 of the envelope 12 and the annular wall 33 is mounted a one-way valve 38, which is preferably of the duck-bill type, formed of synthetic rubber. Due to the presence of the valve 38, movement of the user's head will drive the liquid within the envelope in a generally circular path around the first indentation 24, thus increasing the massaging effect on the neck of the user.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, it is envisaged that the walls 40,42 defining the second indentation 26 be formed with projections 44 which, for example, have the form of hemispheres. These projections ensure a satisfactory contact with the sides of the user's neck.

In order to conserve the heat of the heating liquid contained within the envelope, the neck pillow device may be enclosed in a layer of insulating material. This insulating material would not, neccessarily, cover the first and second indentations 24,26.

For added comfort, it is envisaged that the neck pillow device be covered by a releasable cloth cover, made, for example, of cotton.

Thus it will be seen that the present invention provides a neck pillow device which is of simple and inexpensive construction but which ensures the relaxation of a user's neck muscles.

Claims

1 - Neck pillow device for supporting the neck of a recling user comprising an envelope (12) defining a chamber (14) for receiving a heating liquid, the envelope (12) comprising a first surface (20) characterised in that the first surface is formed with a first and a second indentation (24,26) adapted to receive and support the head and neck respectively of the user.

2 - Neck pillow device as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the first indentation (24) is generally oval in section, the second indentation (26) having a generally rectangular section, the two indentations being in communication one with the other.

3 - Neck pillow device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the chamber (14) contains a plurality of spheres, at least in the region of the first and second indentations (24,26), the spheres being formed of resilient plastics material or of synthetic rubber.

4 - Neck pillow device as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the spheres have a diameter of between 0.5cm and 3cm.

5 - Neck pillow device as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims characterised in that the envelope (12) is closed and contains a liquid adapted to be heated by microwaves.

6 - Neck pillow device as claimed in any one of claims 1-5 characterised in that the second indentation (26) is defined by walls (40,42), the walls being formed with projections (44).