Novelty neck pillow

Abstract

A novelty pillow is disclosed, having a compact size and a U-shape for cradling the head and neck of a (child) user while sitting in repose in a high backed chair or seat. The novelty pillow comprises a casing stuffed with a fill material, and has an optional opening in the casing allowing the user to add or remove fill material in order to adjust the firmness of the pillow. The pillow's casing is constructed of two similarly sized fabric members. When filled, the novelty pillow has a substantially uniform cross section through most of the pillow's U-shape. The end of one leg of the U-shaped body has a “critter head” affixed to it. A “critter head” is a stylized plush construct evoking the head of an animal or “critter.” Optionally, the end ofthe other leg can have features evoking an appendage of the “critter.”

1 . A novelty pillow for cradling the neck and head of a user comprising: a pillow body containing a fill material, and configured in a U-shape and having a substantially uniform cross section around the U-shape of the body, the U-shape having a crotch formed by the joining of two legs, configured to receive the neck of a user sufficiently closely to hold the pillow body in position, and the legs each having a leg end; and a critter head affixed to one of the leg ends.  
   
   
       2 . The novelty pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pillow body further comprises a casing defining an exterior surface and an interior surface of the pillow body, and a lumen defined by the interior surface of the pillow body, the lumen being a single, continuous interior compartment.  
   
   
       3 . The pillow body of  claim 2 , wherein the casing comprises two horseshoe-shaped fabric members, substantially similar in size and shape, with each member having a perimeter edge.  
   
   
       4 . The casing of  claim 3 , wherein one of the horseshoe shaped members has a closeable opening removed from the perimeter edge of the member.  
   
   
       5 . The casing of  claim 4 , wherein one of the members has a closeable opening removed from the perimeter edge of the member, which opening is closeable by a means selected from the group consisting of a zipper, buttons or snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, laces, or sewing.  
   
   
       6 . The novelty pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the pillow body further comprises the lumen ofthe casing being a single, continuous interior compartment filled with a fill material to provide the substantially uniform cross section around the U-shape of the pillow body.  
   
   
       7 . The novelty pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the pillow body further comprises the lumen ofthe casing being a single, continuous interior compartment filled with a biologically inert fill material.  
   
   
       8 . The novelty pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the pillow body further comprises a casing that is washable.  
   
   
       9 . The pillow body of  claim 3 , wherein the casing further comprises a horseshoe-shaped top member, and a substantially-similarly sized and shaped bottom member, each member having a perimeter edge, the two fabric members being connected to each other by means of a seam around their perimeter edges.  
   
   
       10 . The casing of  claim 3 , wherein one of the members has a closeable opening removed from the perimeter edge of the fabric member, the opening being covered by a fly.  
   
   
       11 . The casing of  claim 3 , wherein one of the fabric members has a closeable opening removed from the perimeter edge ofthe member, the opening located on the member along a chord removed from the perimeter edge of the fabric member in the crotch section of the U-shaped fabric member.  
   
   
       12 . The novelty pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the pillow body further comprises a casing constructed with a material selected from the group consisting of woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, and fleece-like materials.  
   
   
       13 . The pillow body of  claim 7 , further comprising the lumen of the casing being filled with a biologically inert fill material that is a man-made material.  
   
   
       14 . The pillow body of  claim 7 , further comprising the lumen of the casing being filled with a biologically inert fill material that is a man-made material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polyester, nylon and plastic.  
   
   
       15 . The novelty pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pillow body is washable.  
   
   
       16 . The novelty pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising a pillow covering for containing the pillow body.  
   
   
       17 . The critter head of  claim 1 , wherein the critter head further comprises a nape portion, a chin portion and a face portion containing head features such as ears, eyes mouth and nose.  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . The critter head of  claim 17 , wherein the critter head comprises a interior compartment filled with a fill material to provide an appropriate head shape of the critter head.  
   
   
       20 . The novelty pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the critter head comprises a interior compartment in communication with a lumen of the pillow body.  
   
   
       21 . A novelty pillow for cradling the neck and head of a user comprising: 
 a pillow body, the pillow body having a casing defining an exterior surface and an interior surface of the pillow body;    a lumen defined by the interior surface of the pillow body, the lumen being a single continuous interior compartment ofthe pillow body and containing a fill material, and the pillow body configured in a U-shape and having a substantially uniform cross section around the U-shape of the body, the U-shape having a crotch formed by the joining of two legs, and configured to receive the neck of a user sufficiently closely to hold the pillow body in position and the legs each having a leg end; and    a critter head affixed to one of the leg ends, the critter head having a interior compartment in communication with the lumen of the pillow body, the interior compartment filled with the fill material to provide an appropriate head shape of the critter head.