Pillow structure and method of use

Abstract

A pillow or body support system is disclosed that includes a body having a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section located between the first and second sections, and where the first and second section are configured and adapted to be less compressible than the middle section. The first end section, the second end section, and the middle section of the pillow are formed of compressible foam and the cross-sectional shape of the first and second end sections along their width is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the middle section along its width. The thickness of the first end section, the second end section, and the middle section in an embodiment varies along their width.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pillow for supporting the human anatomy, the pillow comprising:
 a body having a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section located between the first and second sections,   wherein the first and second section are configured and adapted to be less compressible than the middle section.   
     
     
         2 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the first and second end sections along their width is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the middle section along its width. 
     
     
         3 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the first end section, the second end section, and the middle section varies along their width. 
     
     
         4 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first end section, the second end section, and the middle section are formed of compressible foam. 
     
     
         5 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end sections are configured as substantially solid pieces of foam. 
     
     
         6 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second end sections is formed of multiple substantially solid pieces of compressible foam. 
     
     
         7 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the middle section is formed of one or more solid pieces of compressible foam. 
     
     
         8 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the middle section is formed of compressible foam configured and adapted to at least partially surround a hollow chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The pillow of  claim 1  further comprising a cover at least partially surrounding the body of the pillow. 
     
     
         10 . The pillow of  claim 9 , wherein the covering has pockets to receive at least one of the group consisting of heating elements, cooling elements, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the body is shaped as at least one of the following group consisting of a rounded triangle, and an American football. 
     
     
         12 . The pillow of  claim 1 , comprising a front side surface and a second side surface where the front side surface has a radius of curvature that is smaller than the radius of curvature of the second side surface. 
     
     
         13 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the end sections and the middle section of the body have a cross section that is generally triangular shape with rounded corners and a bowed hypotenuse. 
     
     
         14 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the middle section is larger than the width of the end sections. 
     
     
         15 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the width of the middle section is approximately the width of each of the end sections. 
     
     
         16 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein each end section has a width that is as small as about one (1) inch wide to as large as about four (4) inches wide, and the middle section has a width that is as small as about three (3) inches wide to as large as about ten (10) inches wide. 
     
     
         17 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein each of the end sections is formed of foam having a compressibility that ranges from about 30 to about 40 ILD pounds, and the middle section is formed of foam having a compressibility that ranges from about 8 to about 25 ILD pounds. 
     
     
         18 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the middle section is formed of memory foam and the end sections are formed of open cell foam. 
     
     
         19 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the body has a maximum height of about 3 inches to about 6 inches, a width of about 8 inches to about 20 inches, and a length of about 6 inches to about 16 inches. 
     
     
         20 . A pillow for supporting the human anatomy, the pillow comprising:
 a body having a first outer end section formed of one or more solid pieces of foam, a second outer end section formed of one or more solid pieces of foam, and a middle section positioned between the first and section and the second end section, the middle section formed of one or more solid pieces of memory foam; and   a cover positioned over the body,   wherein the memory foam forming the middle section is more compressible than the foam forming both the first end section and the second end section, and the middle section is configured and adapted to be more compressible than both the first and second end sections.