Dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow and method

Abstract

An inflatable pillow may include an inflatable air bladder, a pump coupled to the air bladder, an insulated cushioning layer, a viscoelastic layer, and a sleeve. The air bladder may have two opposing sides, an upper and a lower side. The cushioning layer is attached to one side, and the viscoelastic layer to the other. The pump is coupled to the air bladder so that when engaged, it fills the bladder with air to a particular pressure. The sleeve envelops the components of the pillow into one unit.

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims: 
     
         1 . An inflatable pillow for supporting a head and neck of a user comprising:
 an inflatable air bladder having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   a pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder;   an insulated cushioning layer placed adjacent to the first side of the inflatable air bladder;   a viscoelastic layer placed adjacent to the second side of the inflatable air bladder; and   a flexible sleeve defining an inner volume containing the inflatable air bladder, the insulated cushioning layer, and the viscoelastic layer.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises an electric air pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to selectively pressurize the inflatable air bladder, as desired. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the electric air pump is selectably engageable by the user, the electric air pump being configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder to a desired pressure by the user, the electric air pump being selectably engageable until the desired pressure is reached. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the inflatable pillow further includes a handheld remote control including a first switch configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder and a second switch configured to deflate the inflatable air bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a manual air pump connected to the inflatable air bladder configured to pressurize the inflatable air bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 5 , wherein the manual air pump includes a bulb configured to be compressed by hand. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is mechanically coupled to the inflatable air bladder by a flexible conduit, wherein the flexible conduit further couples the pump to the inflatable air bladder in fluid communication, wherein the flexible conduit is configured to contain and route air. 
     
     
         8 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a first plurality of corrugations disposed on the first side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the insulated cushioning layer. 
     
     
         9 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a second plurality of corrugations disposed on the second side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the viscoelastic layer. 
     
     
         10 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld remote control is electrically coupled to the electric air pump by a cord. 
     
     
         11 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable pillow is substantially 3D rectangular. 
     
     
         12 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises a low-resilience polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         13 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 3 , wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises an open cell memory foam structure configured to improve breathability and reduce heat retention in relation to the user. 
     
     
         14 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the insulated cushioning layer comprises fleece. 
     
     
         15 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sleeve comprises bamboo cloth. 
     
     
         16 . The inflatable pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sleeve comprises silk. 
     
     
         17 . A dual-sided adjustably inflatable pillow for supporting a head and neck of a user comprising:
 an inflatable air bladder having a first side and a second side opposite the first side;   a pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder;   an insulated cushioning layer placed adjacent to the first side of the inflatable air bladder;   a viscoelastic layer placed adjacent to the second side of the inflatable air bladder; and   a flexible sleeve defining an inner volume containing the inflatable air bladder, the insulated cushioning layer, and the viscoelastic layer;   wherein the pump comprises an electric air pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to selectively pressurize the inflatable air bladder, as desired;   wherein the electric air pump is selectably engageable by the user, the electric air pump being configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder to a desired pressure by the user, the electric air pump being selectably engageable until the desired pressure is reached;   wherein the inflatable pillow further includes a handheld remote control including a first switch configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder and a second switch configured to deflate the inflatable air bladder;   wherein the pump is mechanically coupled to the inflatable air bladder by a flexible conduit, wherein the flexible conduit further couples the pump to the inflatable air bladder in fluid communication, wherein the flexible conduit is configured to contain and route air;   wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a first plurality of corrugations disposed on the first side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the insulated cushioning layer;   wherein the inflatable air bladder further includes a second plurality of corrugations disposed on the second side of the inflatable air bladder configured to increase airflow between the inflatable air bladder and the viscoelastic layer;   wherein the handheld remote control is electrically coupled to the electric air pump by a cord;   wherein the inflatable pillow is substantially rectangular;   wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises a low-resilience polyurethane foam;   wherein the viscoelastic layer comprises an open cell memory foam structure configured to improve breathability and reduce heat retention in relation to the user; and   wherein e insulated cushioning layer comprises fleece.   
     
     
         18 . A method of supporting a user's head and neck with an inflatable pillow, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an inflatable pillow comprising an inflatable air bladder having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a pump coupled to the inflatable air bladder configured to inflate the inflatable air bladder, an insulated cushioning layer placed adjacent to the first side of the inflatable air bladder, a viscoelastic layer placed adjacent to the second side of the inflatable air bladder, and a flexible sleeve defining an inner volume containing the inflatable air bladder, the insulated cushioning layer, and the viscoelastic layer;   engaging the pump to inflate the inflatable air bladder until a pressure selected by the user is reached;   positioning the inflatable pillow such that the insulated cushioning layer faces up, and alternatively such that the viscoelastic layer faces up; and   resting the user's head and neck on the insulated cushioning layer, and alternately the viscoelastic layer.