Layered, adjustable and natural latex side-sleeper pillow

Abstract

Described herein are customizable pillows and related methods of customizing for non-toxic, ergonomically correct spinal alignment and support for a human subject in a side-lying position. For example, a customizable pillow may comprise: an outer casing formed of a first textile and comprising an aperture; a plurality of layers positioned within the outer casing, wherein: each of the plurality of layers is insertable into and removable from the washable outer casing via the aperture; each of the plurality of layers has a shoulder recess to receive a portion of the subject's shoulder; each of the plurality of layers has a top surface facing toward the subject's head, a bottom surface facing away from the subject's head, and a layer height between the top and the bottom surfaces; the plurality of layers are removably arranged as a stack; each of the plurality of layers is individually encased in a layer-casing formed of a removable, washable second textile; and each of the plurality of layers comprises a natural latex.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A customizable pillow for providing ergonomically correct spinal alignment and a supportive sleeping position for a human subject in a side-lying position, comprising:
 an outer casing formed of a first textile and comprising an aperture;   a plurality of layers positioned within the outer casing, wherein:
 each of the plurality of layers is insertable into and removable from the outer casing via the aperture; 
 each of the plurality of layers has a shoulder recess to receive a portion of the subject's shoulder; 
 each of the plurality of layers has a top surface facing toward the subject's head, a bottom surface facing away from the subject's head, and a layer height between the top and the bottom surfaces; 
 the plurality of layers are removably arranged as a stack; 
 each of the plurality of layers is individually encased in a layer-casing formed of a second textile; and 
 each of the plurality of layers comprises a natural latex. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers comprises at least one thick layer having an undeformed layer height of 2±1 inches and at least one thin layer having an undeformed layer height selected from the range of 0.1 to 2 inches, wherein each thick layer has an undeformed layer height that is greater than that of each thin layer. 
     
     
         3 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of layers is formed of an identical natural latex or is formed of natural latex having a density and a firmness that is different from at least one other layer. 
     
     
         4 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom surfaces among the plurality of layers are equivalent in shape and in surface area. 
     
     
         5 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein each the plurality of layers is characterized by an indentation load deflection (ILD) selected from the range of 10-21. 
     
     
         6 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein each the plurality of layers is characterized by an ILD that is equivalent to an ILD of each other layer. 
     
     
         7 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of layers have a combined undeformed layer height selected from the range of 1 inch to 5 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the outer casing comprises a shoulder recess. 
     
     
         9 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein a shape of the shoulder recess comprises a characteristic radius selected from the range of 2.5 inches to 4 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the outer casing comprises a zipper for opening and closing the aperture; wherein the aperture is configured such that each layer is inserted or removed from the casing along a plane parallel to the layer's top or bottom surface. 
     
     
         11 . The pillow of  claim 10 , wherein the outer casing comprises a flap to cover the zipper. 
     
     
         12 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the outer casing and each layer-casing are removable and washable. 
     
     
         13 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the first textile is a stretchable natural and/or organic fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the second textile is a breathable natural and/or organic fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the outer casing and/or at least one layer-casing is gusseted. 
     
     
         16 . The pillow of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of layers comprises through-holes. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for assembling a customizable pillow for providing ergonomically correct spinal alignment and support for a human subject in a side-lying position, the kit comprising:
 an outer casing formed of a first textile and comprising an aperture;   a plurality of layers positioned within the outer casing, wherein:
 each of the plurality of layers is insertable into and removable from the outer casing via the aperture; 
 each of the plurality of layers has a shoulder recess to receive a portion of the subject's shoulder; 
 each of the plurality of layers is individually encased in a layer-casing formed of a second textile; and 
 each of the plurality of layers comprises a natural latex; and 
   wherein upon assembly of the pillow, each inserted layer has a top surface facing toward a head of the subject, a bottom surface facing away from the head of the subject, and a layer height between the top and the bottom surfaces; and
 each layer is removably arranged as a stack. 
   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of layers comprises at least one thick layer having an undeformed layer height selected from the range of 1 inch to 3 inches and at least one thin layer having an undeformed layer height selected from the range of 0.1 to 2 inches. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein each of the at least one thick layer is characterized an indentation load deflection (ILD) that is different from an ILD of each of the at least one thin layer. 
     
     
         20 . A method for assembling a customizable pillow for providing ergonomically correct spinal alignment and support for a human subject in a side-lying position, the method comprising:
 inserting a first thin layer into an outer casing via an aperture in the outer casing; and   inserting a first thick layer into the outer casing via the aperture in the outer casing; wherein:
 the outer casing is formed of a first textile and comprises an aperture; 
 each layer has a shoulder recess to receive a portion of the subject's shoulder; 
 each layer comprises a natural latex; 
 when the pillow is assembled, each layer has a top surface facing toward the subject's head, a bottom surface facing away from the subject's head, and a layer height between the top and the bottom surfaces; and 
 the inserted layers in the outer casing are arranged in a stacked configuration.