Modular pillow

Abstract

A modular pillow is disclosed, including a pillow case having an opening and a means for opening and/or closing the opening. The means for opening and/or closing includes a pillow case string. One or more cushions are sized and/or shaped to be inserted into the pillow case to produce a desired firmness, size, and/or shape for the pillow. At least one of the cushions is of a different firmness as another cushion of the group of cushions to be inserted into the pillow case. The pillow case and the cushions are configured to allow a user to customize the pillow in a convenient manner at any given time. The cushions have textured and/or adhesive surfaces to prevent slippage between cushions while inside the pillow case.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular pillow comprising:
 a pillow case having an opening;   a plurality of cushions configured to be removably disposed within the pillow case;   wherein a firmness, thickness, and/or shape of the modular pillow is determined at least in part based on the number, size, shape, and/or firmness of each of the cushions of the plurality of cushions.   
     
     
         2 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising a pillow case string that facilitates the opening and/or closing of the opening of the pillow case. 
     
     
         3 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for opening and/or closing the pillow case opening. 
     
     
         4 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , wherein each cushion of the plurality of cushions has the same firmness and/or thickness as the other cushions of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         5 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the cushions of the plurality of cushion has a different firmness and/or thickness as the other cushions of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         6 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cushions has a texture that prevents slippage between the at least one of the plurality of cushions and at least another cushion of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         7 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cushions has a mild adhesive that prevents slippage between the at least one of the plurality of cushions and at least another cushion of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         8 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pillow case is made of a size and/or a material that allows the pillow case to be expandable. 
     
     
         9 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , wherein the pillow case is sized according to a conventional size standard. 
     
     
         10 . The modular pillow of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cushions is removable and/or replaceable by a user at any given time for immediate and convenient use. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a modular pillow, the method comprising:
 providing a pillow case having an opening;   providing a means for opening and closing the opening of the pillow case; and   providing a plurality of cushions sized to be inserted into the pillow case.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing a means for opening and closing comprises providing a pillow case string. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing a plurality of cushions comprises providing each cushion of the plurality of cushions having a firmness and/or thickness that is the same as the firmness and/or thickness of each of the other cushions of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing a plurality of cushions comprises providing at least one cushion of the plurality of cushions having a different firmness and/or thickness as each of the other cushions of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing a plurality of cushions comprises providing at least one of the plurality of cushions having a texture that prevents slippage between the at least one of the plurality of cushions and at least another cushion of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing a plurality of cushions comprises providing at least one of the plurality of cushions having a mild adhesive that prevents slippage between the at least one of the plurality of cushions and at least another cushion of the plurality of cushions. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein providing a pillow case comprises providing a pillow case made of a size and/or a material that allows the pillow case to be expandable. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising inserting the plurality of cushions into the pillow case 
     
     
         19 . A method of using a modular pillow, the method comprising:
 providing a pillow case having an opening and a means for opening and/or closing the opening;   providing a plurality of cushions sized to be inserted into the pillow case;   inserting the plurality of cushions into the pillow case; and   closing the pillow case using the means for opening and/or closing the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , the method further comprising changing the size, shape, and/or firmness of the modular pillow by removing at least one of the cushions of the plurality of cushions from within the pillow case.