Pillow

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems for providing a barrier to external stimuli for a user during a resting period. The barrier may comprise a top wall positioned adjacent the head of the user; and a side wall positioned adjacent the shoulder of the user. The top wall may be hingedly connected to the side wall and wherein the top wall and the side wall are positioned to stand vertically upright with respect to the head and shoulder of the user.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A barrier for protecting a head and shoulder of a user, the barrier comprising:
 a top wall positioned adjacent the head of the user; and   a side wall positioned adjacent the shoulder of the user;   wherein the top wall is hingedly connected to the side wall;   wherein the top wall and the side wall are positioned to stand vertically upright with respect to the head and shoulder of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible canopy comprising a fixed end and a free end that is releasably secured from the top wall to the side wall. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein the canopy is fixedly secured at one end to one of the top wall and the side wall. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein the canopy is releasably secured at one end to one of the top wall and the side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier of  claim 2 , wherein canopy is releasably stored in alignment with one of the top wall and the side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall comprises material that is self-supportable; and the side wall comprises material that is self-supportable. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall comprises a plush surface, and the side wall comprises a plush surface. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier of  claim 1 , wherein the top wall comprises a resiliently deformable composition, and the side wall comprises a resiliently deformable composition. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one receiver positioned on at least one of the top wall and the side wall. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for protecting a head and shoulder of a user, the apparatus comprising: a self-supporting barrier having a folded state and an unfolded state, a light-reducing material operably secured to the self-supporting barrier, and a pocket defining a volume for storage relative to the self-supporting barrier. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the self-supporting barrier comprises a pair of hingedly connected panels. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the light-reducing material is a canopy with at least one end that is releasably secured to the self-supporting barrier. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the pocket is supported by the self-supporting barrier. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the self-supporting barrier comprises an inner layer of a first material and a cover of a different second material.