Self-inflating nursing pillow

Abstract

An expandable nursing pillow is provided together with a method of using same to support an infant during nursing. The expandable pillow can be provided in a compressed state. The expandable pillow is biased to expand from the compressed state to an expanded state. The expandable core in the expanded state occupies an expanded volume, and in the compressed state occupies a compressed volume, the compressed volume being substantially smaller than the expanded volume. When released from the compressed state, the expandable pillow automatically expands to the expanded state, in which state the pillow can support a nursing infant. After nursing, the expandable pillow can be returned to the compressed state.

1 . A nursing pillow comprising: 
 an expandable core having an expanded state for supporting an infant during nursing, and a compressed state, wherein the expandable core in the expanded state occupies an expanded volume, and in the compressed state occupies a compressed volume, the compressed volume being substantially smaller than the expanded volume;    a shell for surrounding the expandable core; and    a closure mechanism for retaining the expandable core in the compressed state;    wherein the expandable core is biased to expand from the compressed state to the expanded state when the closure mechanism is released, and the expandable core in the expanded state provides a front member for extending across a front of a body of a person, a first peripheral member for extending back from a first end of the front member along a right side of the body of the person, and a second peripheral member for extending back from a second end of the front member along a left side of the body of the person.    
   
   
       2 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 1  wherein the front member, first peripheral member and second peripheral member together define an inner surface dimensioned to engage a waist of the person.  
   
   
       3 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a washable cover for covering the shell.  
   
   
       4 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 1  further comprising an opening for facilitating airflow into a hollow interior of the expandable core to inflate the expandable core and for facilitating airflow out of the hollow interior to deflate the expandable core.  
   
   
       5 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 4  wherein the expandable core comprises a resilient foam, the resilient foam being operable to bias the expandable core to expand from the compressed state to the expanded state and to draw air into the hollow interior via the opening.  
   
   
       6 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 5  wherein 
 the opening is a non-closable vent, such that the hollow interior is maintained in fluid communication with an external atmosphere; and,    the resilient foam is operable to maintain the expandable core in the expanded state when a weight of thirty pounds is distributed over and supported by a support surface of the expandable core and the hollow interior is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere.    
   
   
       7 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 6  wherein the support surface of the expandable core is less than 300 square inches.  
   
   
       8 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 5  wherein the compressed volume is less than half the expanded volume.  
   
   
       9 . The nursing pillow of  claim 5  wherein the opening is a closable valve for restricting airflow out of the hollow interior.  
   
   
       10 . The nursing pillow as defined in  claim 6  wherein the resilient foam is operable to maintain the expandable core in the expanded state when a weight of at least fifty pounds is distributed over and supported by the support surface of the expandable core.  
   
   
       11 . A method of supporting an infant during nursing, the method comprising: 
 a) providing an expandable pillow in a compressed state, the expandable pillow being biased to expand from the compressed state to an expanded state, wherein the expandable core in the expanded state occupies an expanded volume and in the compressed state occupies a compressed volume, the compressed volume being substantially smaller than the expanded volume;    b) releasing the expandable pillow from the compressed state such that the expandable pillow automatically expands to the expanded state;    c) supporting the infant on the expandable pillow in the expanded state; and    d) returning the expandable pillow to the compressed state.    
   
   
       12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein step d) comprises compressing the expandable pillow into the compressed state and then securing the expandable pillow in the compressed state using a closure mechanism.  
   
   
       13 . The method as defined in  claim 12  wherein 
 the expandable pillow comprises an expandable interior and an opening for providing airflow into and out of the interior;    step b) comprises drawing air into the expandable interior via the opening; and,    step d) comprises discharging air out of the expandable interior via the opening.    
   
   
       14 . The method as defined in  claim 13  wherein 
 the expandable pillow comprises a resilient foam,    the opening is a vent that remains open during step c), and    the resilient foam is operable to bias the expandable pillow to expand from the compressed state to the expanded state and to draw air into the expandable interior via the vent, and to maintain the expandable pillow in the expanded state during step c).    
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein the compressed volume is less than half the expanded volume.  
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 13  wherein the opening is a closable valve for restricting airflow out of the hollow interior.