Novel ergonomic pillow and uses thereof in bedding

Abstract

An orthopaedic pillow designed to adapt to the morphology of each individual, in particular to support the head and the neck. A progressive-comfort pillow having two flexible angular blocks, attached in the reverse direction by the common angular surfaces thereof, the two parts being made with different flexibility and firmness, the upper part of one being assembled with the lower part of the other. Four separate positions are thus obtained, each of the positions having many areas providing different support.

1 . A progressive-comfort ergonomic pillow, comprising two flexible angular blocks attached in reverse directions by their oblique face, made of a material of a firmness and flexibility distinct from one another, so as to obtain a continuous variation over the entire width of the blocks, obtained by four distinct support areas A-B-C-D defining four positions of use and each benefiting from many areas providing different support, a first position where the upper area holding the head is essentially flexible then firm at extreme depth, whereas the area of the cervicals is firm then immediately more flexible, a second position where the upper area holding the head is mainly firm then flexible at extreme depth whereas the area of the cervicals is firm in the accommodating area then immediately more flexible, a third position where the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed, firm on the surface then flexible at depth whereas the area of the cervicals is mainly firm then flexible at extreme depth, and a fourth position, where the upper area holding the head is substantially even-handed, flexible on the surface then firm at depth whereas the area of the cervicals is mainly flexible then firm at extreme depth. 
     
     
         2 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , the pillow formed by two blocks having a right-angled triangle section. 
     
     
         3 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , the pillow formed from two blocks having a trapezoidal section. 
     
     
         4 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the two blocks are identical and of the same dimensions. 
     
     
         5 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the two blocks are of different dimensions, one being thicker than the other thus making it possible to adjust the effect of flexibility and firmness, comprising an oblique face, extending over all or part of the projected surface of the pillow, the less thick trapezoid being configured at the lower limit as a triangular section. 
     
     
         6 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the angular faces are straight. 
     
     
         7 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the angular faces are incurved according to a straight generatrix, one being concave and the other convex, thus making it possible to adjust the effect of flexibility and firmness. 
     
     
         8 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the angular faces have complementary corrugated surfaces that are regular or irregular, the protruding parts of one interlocking in the hollow parts of the other and thus allowing for a mechanical-type interlocking 
     
     
         9 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the attached angular faces are assembled by a mechanical link of interlocking and/or bonding type. 
     
     
         10 . The pillow as claimed in  claim 1 , the pillow is jacketed by a first slip which compresses the two blocks one against the other, making it possible to ensure and/or complete a possible mechanical assembly, and by a second, removable anallergenic slip, which further comprises visual and/or tactile recognition means such as distinct color and/or spacing and form of the stitching making it possible to differentiate the different positions of use and different firmness characteristics. 
     
     
         11 . An ergonomic pillow that comprises specific accommodating areas, and an additional area for receiving the shoulder of a person sleeping on his or her side or flat on his or her back. 
     
     
         12 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the additional area comprise at least one notch cut into one of the two sides of the pillow. 
     
     
         13 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the notch is arranged on either side of the median part of the pillow. 
     
     
         14 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the notch is placed at similar or different levels. 
     
     
         15 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the notch takes the form of a narrowing arranged in the form of the pillow. 
     
     
         16 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the material of which the pillow is made has a plurality of different densities conferring different types of flexibility on the pillow. 
     
     
         17 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the material of which the pillow is made has characteristics of elasticity by variation of the nature of the constituent material and by the mode of cutting of the pillow. 
     
     
         18 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the different characteristics of elasticity vary within wide limits such as, for example, from flexible/comfort to comfort/tonic. 
     
     
         19 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11  is formed from two blocks of viscoelastic material, assembled symmetrically face against face, to form an assembly of prismatic form, the top and bottom faces of which are incurved, the perpendicular portion of each side of which is formed, on the one hand, from two elongate sections, and, on the other hand, from a segment narrowed in its middle and the incurved surfaces of which leave a hollow area between them, the assembly allowing for a variable elasticity of the pillow. 
     
     
         20 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , the pillow can be made to measure and for example having a length varying from 50 to 80 cm, a width varying from 25 to 45 cm, a thickness varying from 8 to 15 cm, and having a median notch of the order of 2 cm. 
     
     
         21 . The ergonomic pillow as claimed in  claim 11 , the height of which is variable and has an asymmetrical surface, one part being higher than the other.