Orthopedic Pillow Assembly

Abstract

An orthopedic pillow assembly for promoting a neutral spinal alignment while sleeping includes first and second shells, which define interior and internal spaces, respectively. The second shell is attached to and covers an upper face of the first shell. A block, which comprises viscoelastic polyurethane foam, is positioned in the first shell and occupies the interior space. An arcuate cutout extends into an upper surface and between opposing ends of the block to define a pair of ridges, with each ridge extending along a respective opposing side of the block. A filler is positioned in the second shell and occupies the internal space. The filler comprises shredded elastomeric foam and thus is moldable to the block's upper surface to define a recess. With a head of a user positioned in the recess, a respective ridge supports a neck of the user to promote a neutral spinal alignment while sleeping.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An orthopedic pillow assembly comprising:
 a first shell defining an interior space;   a block positioned in the first shell and substantially occupying the interior space, the block comprising viscoelastic polyurethane foam;   an arcuate cutout extending into an upper surface and between opposing ends of the block defining a pair of ridges, each ridge extending along a respective opposing side of the block;   a second shell defining an internal space and being attached to and substantially covering an upper face of the first shell; and   a filler positioned in the second shell and substantially occupying the internal space, the filler comprising shredded elastomeric foam, such that the second shell is moldable to the upper surface of the block and defines a recess, wherein the recess is configured for positioning of a head of a user with a respective ridge supporting a neck of the user for promoting a neutral spinal alignment while sleeping.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopedic pillow assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the filler comprises shredded viscoelastic polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopedic pillow assembly of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of panels attached to the second shell defining a plurality of compartments within the internal space, each compartment extending between a lower facet and an upper facet of the second shell and being substantially occupied by the filler. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopedic pillow assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the panels extend between opposed ends of the second shell. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopedic pillow assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises from five to fifteen panels. 
     
     
         6 . The orthopedic pillow assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises from ten to twelve panels. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopedic pillow assembly of  claim 1 , further including:
 a first fastener attached to the first shell; and   a second fastener attached to the second shell, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the first fastener for removably engaging the second shell to the first shell.   
     
     
         8 . The orthopedic pillow assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the second fastener and the first fastener comprise a zipper. 
     
     
         9 . An orthopedic pillow assembly comprising:
 a first shell defining an interior space;   a block positioned in the first shell and substantially occupying the interior space, the block comprising viscoelastic polyurethane foam;   an arcuate cutout extending into an upper surface and between opposing ends of the block defining a pair of ridges, each ridge extending along a respective opposing side of the block;   a second shell defining an internal space and being attached to and substantially covering an upper face of the first shell;   a filler positioned in the second shell and substantially occupying the internal space, the filler comprising shredded elastomeric foam, such that the second shell is moldable to the upper surface of the block and defines a recess, wherein the recess is configured for positioning of a head of a user with a respective ridge supporting a neck of the user for promoting a neutral spinal alignment while sleeping, the filler comprising shredded viscoelastic polyurethane foam;   a plurality of panels attached to the second shell defining a plurality of compartments within the internal space, each compartment extending between a lower facet and an upper facet of the second shell and being substantially occupied by the filler, the panels extending between opposed ends of the second shell, the plurality of panels comprising from five to fifteen panels, the plurality of panels comprising from ten to twelve panels;   a first fastener attached to the first shell; and   a second fastener attached to the second shell, the second fastener being complementary to the first fastener, such that the second fastener is positioned for selectively engaging the first fastener for removably engaging the second shell to the first shell, the second fastener and the first fastener comprising a zipper.