WO2011089581A1

WO2011089581A1 - A travel pillow providing a deformable chin engaging zone

Info

Publication number: WO2011089581A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/050308
Authority: WO
Inventors: Victoria Anne Bamford; James Dominic France
Original assignee: Air New Zealand Limited
Priority date: 2010-01-25
Filing date: 2011-01-25
Publication date: 2011-07-28

Abstract

An integrally formed pillow that at least in part can be interposed between the head of a user and the headrest of a seat, the pillow comprising a pillow body that is configured to define a head support region defined by an anterior head support section and at least one lateral head support section, wherein the at least one lateral head support section comprises a chin engagable zone at or near a lower edge of the lateral head support section and protruding or capable of being deformed to protrude into the head support region more so than the rest of the lateral head support section.

Description

A travel pillow providing a deformable chin engaging zone

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly relates to a pillow. More specifically, but not exclusively, it relates to a pillow for use in conjunction with a seat headrest.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some situations it is necessary for a person to occupy a seat relatively consistently for extended periods of time. It is beneficial to design the seats to be as comfortable as possible.

It is common for such seats to include various headrest configurations to help provide better and more comfortable support for a users head.

It is desirable to create spaces that allow users to adapt their personal seating areas to their personal preference. There are some headrests that rely on their own cushioning to support a passenger. However, some passengers may not like the additional cushioning.

Known pillows, for use with a seat headrest, are primarily the same as a standard pillow. Variations on a standard pillow include pillows that can be mounted onto the headrest of a seat and that are of different shapes and sizes.

Pillows that are moun table are not known to provide any additional support for the user in addition to the support provided by the headrest.

Standard pillows are known to be essentially a cushioning body. It is beneficial to have a pillow that is more compliant with a users head and neck to thereby provide further support.

It is desirable to have a pillow that can provide various types of support for a users head to improve the comfort of the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in or relating to pillows which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned

disadvantages or addresses at least some of the above desiderata and/ or which at least provides the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a pillow that at least in part can be interposed between the head of a user and the headrest of a seat, the pillow comprising: a pillow body that is configured to define a head support region defined by an anterior head support section and at least one lateral head support section,

wherein the at least one lateral head support section comprises a chin engagable zone at or near a lower edge of the lateral head support section and protruding or capable of being deformed to protrude into the head support region more so than the rest of the lateral head support section.

Preferably the chin engagable zone is defined by a surface (preferably contoured or capable of being deformed) of the pillow that is at least in part adapted to support a users chin, preferably in a manner to provide at least some upward support to the head of a person.

Preferably the chin engagable zone is defined by an inclined surface that complies at least in part with a users chin and face.

Preferably the anterior head support section also includes a neck engagable zone.

Preferably the neck engagable zone is protruding or capable of being deformed to protrude into the head support region more so than the rest of the anterior head support section.

Preferably the neck support zone is contoured or capable of being deformed to at least in part be compliant with a user's neck.

Preferably the pillow has a cover.

Preferably the cover at least in part extends across the head support region.

Preferably the cover at least in part is in tension across the head support region.

Preferably the cover at least in part is sitting proud of the surface of the pillow body across the head support region.

Preferably the cover defines a hammock arrangement when extended across the head support region between the pair of lateral head support sections of the pillow body.

Preferably the hammock arrangement can deform to at least in part conform to a users head and neck.

Preferably the cover extends substantially over the entire pillow body.

Preferably the pillow is a unitary piece of foam or similar material.

Alternatively the pillow is a combination of more than one pieces of foam or similar material.

Preferably the pillow is substantially a single density.

Alternatively the pillow has more than one density.

Preferably the pillow body has a back section. Preferably the back section is configured to mount onto the headrest of a seat.

Preferably the back section is configured to at least in part receive portions of the headrest into the pillow body to thereby at least in part support the pillow on the headrest.

Preferably the back rest includes at least one recess that is configured to receive and be compliant with a reconfigurable portion of the headrest to thereby at least in part support the pillow on the headrest.

In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a pillow assembly that at least in part can be interposed between the head of a user and the headrest of a seat, the pillow assembly comprising:

a pillow and a cover as herein previously described.

In an alternatively aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a pillow as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

In an alternatively aspect the present invention may broadly be said to be a pillow assembly as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As used herein the term "and/ or" means "and" or "or", or both.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: ^ure 1 is

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Figure 8 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the pillow mounted with a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1 and 2 show perspective views of the preferred embodiment of the pillow

100.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the pillow 100, which comprises a pillow body 101. In the preferred embodiment the pillow body 101 is a single unitary member, however, it could also comprise a plurality of components. The pillow body 101 includes a head support region 110 that is defined by an anterior head support section 120 and at least one lateral head support section 130. The anterior head support section 120 includes a neck engagable zone 121. The at least one lateral head support section 130 includes a chin engagable zone 131.

In the preferred embodiment the pillow 100 includes two lateral head support sections 130. Each lateral head support section 130 extending from opposite sides of the anterior head support section 120.

The chin engagable zone 131 at least in part protrudes or can deform to at least in part be protruding into the head support region 110 more so than the rest of the lateral head support section 130. In the preferred embodiment the chin engagable zone 131 is at or near the lower edge 132 of the lateral head support section 130. In the preferred embodiment the chin engagable zone 131 is defined by a surface of the pillow 100 that is at least in part adapted to support a user's chin when in use. In the preferred embodiment the chin engagable zone 130 is a contoured surface 134 that is more prominent at or near the lower edge 132 of the lateral head support section. The chin engagable zone 131 is configured to at least in part comply or can be deformed to at least in part comply with a users chin. In a preferred embodiment the contoured surface 134 is an inclined surface that protrudes more at the lower edge 132 than at the upper edger 133 of the lateral head support section 130.

Alternatively the lateral head support section 130 at least in part is deformable such that when in use the chin engagable zone 131 protrudes further into the head support region 110 than other portions of the lateral head support section 130. The deforming in a preferred embodiment is achieved by the pillow body 101 having variable degrees of density or deformity.

In the preferred embodiment the chin engagable zone 131 is configured to provide at least some upwards support for a user's chin to subsequently help support the user's head. In the preferred embodiment the pillow body 101, the lateral head support section 130 and the chin engagable zone 131 are all configured such that a user can comfortably and easily at least in part have their head supported when sitting in a seat that is mounted with the pillow 100.

The neck engagable zone 121 at least in part protrudes or can deform to at least in part be protruding into the head support region 110 more so than the rest of the anterior head support section 120. The neck engagable zone 121 is configured to at least in part comply or can be deformed to at least in part comply with a user's neck. In the preferred embodiment the neck engagable zone 121 is defined by a surface 122 of the anterior head support section 120 that at least is part provides the user's neck with support. The neck engagable zone 121 in a preferred embodiment is a contoured surface 122 of the anterior head support section 120 that at least in part is configured to comply or can be at least in part be deformed to comply with a user's neck.

The pillow 100 in a preferred embodiment is used in conjunction with a pillow cover 140. The pillow cover 140 is configured to be mounted to the pillow 100 and to at least in part extend across the head support region 110 of the pillow body 101. The cover 140 is configured such that when it is mounted on the pillow body 101 the cover creates a saddle or hammock (hereinafter referred to as "saddle zone" 141) between the two lateral head support sections 130 and across the head support region 110 of the pillow body 101. In the preferred embodiment the saddle zone 141 at least in part can deform to thereby conform to the shape of a users head and neck. In the preferred embodiment the cover 140 sits at least in part proud of the pillow body 101.

In the preferred embodiment the cover 140 is at least in part in tension across the head support region 110. The cover 140 is placed in tension in a preferred embodiment by making the cover 140 from an elasticised material that is then stretched across the pillow 100. Alternatively the material is placed in tension using a biasing means.

The cover 140 in a preferred embodiment extends over substantially the entire pillow body 101. Alternatively the cover 140 extends over substantially all of the exposed surfaces of the pillow body 101 when the pillow is mounted on a surface.

In the preferred embodiment the pillow 100 can be removably mounted to the headrest of a seat. The pillow body 101 in the preferred embodiment has a back section 150. The back section 150 is configured to at least in part comply with the surface of a headrest to facilitate the mounting of the pillow 100 to a seat. In the preferred embodiment the back section 150 also includes a pair of recesses 151. The recesses 151 are configured to at least in part receive a portion of the headrest.

In a preferred embodiment the pillow 100 is mounted to a seat with a

reconfigurable headrest. The reconfigurable headrest including at least one reconfigurable support member. In the preferred embodiment the at least one recesses 151 in the back section 150 of the pillow 100 is configured to at least in part receive one of the headrest's reconfigurable support members. The recesses 151 being configured such that the pillow 100 is at least in part supported by the reconfigurable support member.

In the preferred embodiment the pillow is made from a single unitary piece of material. Alternatively the pillow is a single unitary member put it comprises a plurality of components that are connected together.

In the preferred embodiment the pillow is made from foam or sponge or the like. In the preferred embodiment the pillow 100 has a single density. Alternatively the pillow 100 has a plurality of densities. In a preferred version of the alternative embodiment the plurality of densities help define the various zones of the pillow body 101.

Alternatively the lateral head support section 130 at least in part is deformable such that in use a portion (the chin engagable zone) of the pillow protrudes further into the head support region than other portions of the lateral head support section 130. This is achievable by the pillow body 101 having variable degrees of density or deformability.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A pillow that at least in part can be interposed between the head of a user and the headrest of a seat, the pillow comprising:

a pillow body that is configured to define a head support region defined by an anterior head support section and at least one lateral head support section,

wherein the at least one lateral head support section comprises a chin engagable zone that can be engaged by a chin of the user when in use and whilst their head is located adjacent the anterior head support section, said chin engagable zone being at or near a lower edge of the lateral head support section and protruding or capable of being deformed to protrude into the head support region more so than the rest of the lateral head support section.

2. A pillow as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chin engagable zone is defined by a surface (preferably contoured or capable of being deformed) of the pillow body that is at least in part adapted to support a users chin in a manner to provide at least some upward support to the head of a person.

3. A pillow as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the chin engagable zone is defined by an inclined surface of the pillow body that complies at least in part with a users chin and face.

4. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the anterior head support section includes a neck engagable zone.

5. A pillow as claimed in claim 4 wherein the neck engagable zone protrudes or is capable of being deformed to protrude into the head support region more than the rest of the anterior head support section.

6. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 4 or 5 wherein the neck support zone is contoured or capable of being deformed to at least in part be compliant with a user's neck.

7. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein that further comprises a cover that envelops at least part of said pillow body.

8. A pillow as claimed in claim 7 wherein the cover at least in part extends across the head support region.

9. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 7 or 8 wherein the cover at least in part is in tension across the head support region.

10. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 7 to 9 wherein the cover at least in part sits proud of the surface of the pillow body at the anterior head support section.

11. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the cover defines a hammock for the head of the person to rest in, in use, and that extends across the head support region between the pair of lateral head support sections of the pillow body.

12. A pillow as claimed in claim 11 wherein the hammock can deform to at least in part conform to a users head and neck.

13. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12 wherein the cover extends substantially over the entire pillow body.

14. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the pillow body is a unitary piece of foam.

15. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13 wherein the pillow body is assembled from one or more pieces of foam.

16. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the pillow is substantially a single density.

17. A pillow as claimed in claim 15 wherein the pillow body has more than one density.

18. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 1 to 17 wherein a back section of the pillow is configured to mount adjacent the headrest of a seat.

19. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19 wherein the back section is configured to at least in part receive portions of the headrest to thereby at least in part support the pillow on the headrest.

20. A pillow as claimed in any of claims 18 to 19 wherein the back section includes at least one recess that is configured to receive and be compliant with a reconfigurable portion of the headrest to thereby at least in part support the pillow on the headrest.

21. A pillow as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 20 and as shown with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.

22. A pillow assembly as herein described with reference to any one or more of the accompanying drawings.