SIDE SLEEPER PILLOWS HAVING UPPER ANATOMY STABILIZING FEATURES

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 63/695,310, filed Sep. 16, 2024, to ROSENBERG, titled “SIDE SLEEPER PILLOWS HAVING UPPER ANATOMY STABILIZING FEATURES,” the entirety of the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to pillows and, more particularly, to side sleeper pillows having stabilizing features engaging a sleeper's upper anatomy, such as head, neck, shoulder, and upper arm, when using the pillow in a side sleeping position.

BACKGROUND

Many people prefer to rest in a side-down position; that is, such that a side of the sleeper's torso is supported by a bed or other sleeping surface, while the sides of the sleeper's cheek, temple, and lower jaw contact a pillow. A number of pillows have been fabricated to include features for supporting a sleeper's head and neck in a side sleeping position. Such pillows are referred to herein as “side sleeper pillows” and are typically fabricated from a material, such as a molded foam or latex, capable of retaining defined topological features and contours during pillow usage. Conventional side sleeper pillows remain limited in varying respects, however. Often, such pillows have shallow, readily-collapsible contours, which fail to adequately support and stabilize a sleeper's head and neck during rest. Improper cervical alignment, reduced comfort levels, and a tendency for a sleeper to repeatedly reposition the pillow throughout the night (or other sleep period) thus commonly result when using side sleeper pillows having conventional designs.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to side sleeper pillows as disclosed herein and methods for manufacturing side sleeper pillows as disclosed herein.

In one aspect, a side sleeper pillow includes a main pillow body having a topside surface, a bottomside surface opposite the topside surface along a vertical axis, a proximal peripheral wall facing a sleeper's body when using the side sleeper pillow, a distal peripheral wall opposite the proximal peripheral wall along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis, and opposing lateral sidewalls spaced along a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the vertical axis. A primary head support region is included on the topside surface. A gap stabilizing shelf is included projecting from an upper portion of the proximal peripheral wall in a distal direction and extending between the lateral sidewalls along the lateral axis. A sub-shelf channel is located beneath the gap stabilizing shelf, bordered by the proximal peripheral wall of the main pillow body, and extending substantially parallel to the lateral axis of the side sleeper pillow. A shoulder-receiving opening is formed in the gap stabilizing shelf and connected to the sub-shelf channel, the shoulder-receiving opening configured to receive a shoulder of the sleeper when using the side sleeper pillow in a side sleeping position.

Embodiments may include one or more or all of the following.

The shoulder-receiving opening is formed in a central portion of the gap stabilizing shelf.

The gap stabilizing shelf has a maximum thickness T_{SS_MAX} along the vertical axis; wherein the main pillow body has a maximum thickness T_{B_MAX} along the vertical axis; and wherein T_{B_MAX}>T_{SS_MAX}>0.25(T_{B_MAX}).

The sub-shelf channel has an average height H_{C_AVG} measured along the vertical axis and wherein the 0.75(H_{C_AVG})>T_{SS_MAX}>1.25(H_{C_AVG}).

The primary head support region is bisected by a midline plane perpendicular to the lateral axis and wherein the midline plane intersects the shoulder-receiving opening.

A thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf gradually increases when moving away from the midline plane in either direction along the lateral axis.

The gap stabilizing shelf projects from the proximal sidewall of the main pillow body by an extension distance, taken along the longitudinal axis; and wherein the extension distance gradually increases when moving away from the midline plane in either direction along the lateral axis.

The gap stabilizing shelf includes: a first shelf section located on a first side of the midline plane and configured to overlie a right arm of a sleeper when routed through the sub-shelf channel and the sleeper's face a first direction in the side sleeping position; and a second shelf section located on a second, opposing side of the midline plane and configured to overlie a left arm of a sleeper when routed through the sub-shelf channel and the sleeper's faces a second, opposing direction in the side sleeping position.

The side sleeper pillow may further include: a first laterally-open depression formed in the primary head support region, opening away from the midline plane in a first direction; and a second laterally-open depression formed in the primary head support region, opening away from the midline plane in a second, opposing direction along the lateral axis.

The side sleeper pillow may further include a central depression formed in the primary head support region between the first laterally-open depression and the second laterally-open depression, as taken along the lateral axis.

The shoulder-receiving opening is located distally adjacent the central depression along the longitudinal axis.

An upper surface of the gap stabilizing shelf includes a first peak, a valley, and a second peak progressing from a first end of the gap stabilizing shelf to an opposing, second end of the gap stabilizing shelf in along the lateral axis.

The valley is located adjacent the shoulder-receiving opening, as taken along the longitudinal axis.

In another aspect, a side sleeper pillow includes a main pillow body having primary head support region, a proximal peripheral wall facing the sleeper's body when using the side sleeper pillow, a distal peripheral wall opposed from the proximal peripheral wall as taken along a longitudinal axis, and first and second lateral sidewalls opposed along a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A gap stabilizing shelf is included projecting from an upper portion of the proximal peripheral wall in a distal direction and extending between the lateral sidewalls along the lateral axis. A shoulder-receiving opening is formed the gap stabilizing shelf, the shoulder-receiving opening intersected by a midline plane extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the lateral axis, the shoulder-receiving opening sized and positioned to receive a shoulder of the sleeper when using the side sleeper pillow in a side sleeping position.

Embodiments may include one or more or all of the following.

The side sleeper pillow may further include a sub-shelf channel beneath the gap stabilizing shelf and configured to receive an upper arm of a sleeper when utilizing the pillow such that the gap stabilizing shelf extends over the upper arm and beneath a neck region of the sleeper when utilizing the side sleeper pillow.

The gap stabilizing shelf has a double humped geometry, as seen when viewing the bottomside surface of the side sleeper pillow along the vertical axis.

A thickness and a distal extension of the gap stabilizing shelf increase when moving away a location adjacent shoulder-receiving opening along the lateral axis.

The side sleeper pillow may further include first and second laterally-open depressions on opposing sides of the midline plane, the first and second laterally-open depressions breaching the first and second lateral sidewalls of the main pillow body, respectively.

In still another aspect, a side sleeper pillow includes a main pillow body having a centerline and bisected by a midline plane containing the centerline. A primary head support region is provided on the main pillow body. A gap stabilizing shelf is included projecting from an upper portion of the proximal peripheral wall in a distal direction and extending between the lateral sidewalls along a lateral axis perpendicular to the midline plane. A sub-shelf channel is included extending beneath the gap stabilizing shelf and bordered by the proximal peripheral wall of the main pillow body. First and second laterally-open depressions are positioned on opposing sides of the midline plane, the first and second laterally-open depressions breaching the first and second lateral sidewalls of the main pillow body, respectively.

Embodiments may include the following.

The side sleeper pillow may further include a shoulder-receiving opening formed in the gap stabilizing shelf, the shoulder-receiving opening dividing the gap stabilizing shelf into a first shelf section and a second shelf section located on opposing sides of the midline plane.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS if any are included.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

At least one example of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are isometric, top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of a side sleeper pillow having upper anatomy (e.g., head, neck, and shoulder) stabilizing features, as illustrated in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the example side sleeper pillow shown in FIGS. 1-4, as taken along a first plane orthogonal to a lateral axis of the pillow;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the example side sleeper pillow shown in FIGS. 1-5, as taken along a second plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the pillow and perpendicular to the first plane; and

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the example pillow shown in FIG. 1-6 illustrating an intended head position of a sleeper utilizing the example pillow while resting in a side sleeping position.

DESCRIPTION

The following Detailed Description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding Background or the following Detailed Description.

For the purposes of explanation, numerous specific structural and functional details disclosed herein in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects and applications of the disclosure. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant art, that implementations of the technology disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details and that they are not to be interpreted as limits, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure. The full scope of the disclosure herein is not limited to the examples that are described below. Specific examples enable the disclosure to be better understood. However, they are given merely by way of guidance and do not imply any limitation.

It will also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the CLAIMS. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in this description and the CLAIMS be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” or “a step” includes reference to one or more of such elements or steps.

The word “exemplary,” “example,” or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of this disclosure in any manner.

The words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises,” mean “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components.

The term “plurality,” as used herein, means more than one.

All ranges are inclusive and combinable. When a range of values is expressed, another implementation includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” “approximately,” or a similar term or phrase, it will be understood that the particular value forms another implementation.

As further appearing herein, the term “chin-shoulder gap” refers the area or free space generally bounded by (i) a line or plane extending from a sleeper's chin to the sleeper's upper shoulder, and (ii) the sleeper's neck and upper trapezius, as seen looking downwardly on the sleeper during rest in a side sleeping position. In a general sense, the chin-shoulder gap may also be considered approximately equivalent to the hollow or space into which a violinist or fiddle player might insert their instrument before playing.

Overview

As noted above, conventional side sleeper pillows typically fail to provide optimal support of the head and neck of a sleeper when resting in a side sleeping position. Specifically, and without implication that others in the relevant field have recognized such shortcomings, conventional side sleeper pillows typically lack features adequately accommodating the shoulder and upper arm of a side sleeper, while providing full support of the sleeper's upper anatomy (e.g., head, neck, and trapezius) in and about the sleeper's chin-shoulder gap; that is, the gap, hollow, or cavity extending alongside the sleeper's neck from the sleeper's chin to the sleeper's shoulder, as previously defined. It is common for a side sleeper's chin, left unsupported in this manner, to gradually tilt downward during rest, increasingly tucking inwardly toward the sleeper's chest. This can result in poor cervical alignment, physical strain to the sleeper's neck, and tracheal airflow interference. Additionally, due at least in part to this lack of support and stabilization through the sleeper's chin-shoulder gap, many sleepers are compelled to repeatedly position and reposition the side sleeper pillow relative to the sleeper's head throughout the night, detracting from the sleeper's quality of rest.

In addition to failing to provide adequate support in and about the chin-should gap, conventional side sleeper pillows are limited in multiple other respects, as well. As briefly indicated above, conventional side sleeper pillows typically lack features adequately accommodating the shoulder and upper arm of a side sleeper contacting a bed (or other sleep surface) in a natural and ergonomic manner. This limitation materializes in a tendency of many slide sleepers to press the sleeper's shoulder and upper arm into the body of the pillow for at least one of two reasons: (i) to better position the pillow relative to the sleeper's body, or (ii) to bunch (longitudinally compress) the pillow in a manner causing the pillow body to bulge upwardly in a manner better supporting the sleeper's head. Such behaviors are undesirable from a design standpoint, distorting the intended pillow shape and lessening the effectiveness of any contoured features of the pillow. Further, a struggle often results in which a side sleeper is required to exert a continual force on the side sleeping pillow to maintain the pillow in the desired position or distorted shape, while the pillow body (if composed of molded foam, latex, or another inherently resilient material) attempts to return to its original shape. Again, overall sleep quality and continuity is reduced as a result. Such limitations in combination with other drawbacks, such as poor airflow and pressure concentrations about a sleeper's nose and mouth, belie an industry demand for material improvements in the design and construction of side sleeper pillows.

Side sleeper pillows having unique features, which provide enhanced, comprehensive support of the upper anatomical features of side sleepers, are disclosed. Such features are generally referred to herein as “upper anatomy stabilizing features.” The term “upper anatomy stabilizing features,” as appearing herein, denotes structural elements or characteristics of a side sleeper pillow contacting a sleeper's head, neck, shoulder, upper arm, or upper back to stabilize and support the sleeper's head (e.g., chin and jaw), neck, and adjacent body regions; or, in certain cases, to leverage the sleeper's body (e.g., the sleeper's arm and shoulder) to locate and stabilize the pillow itself. Examples of upper anatomy stabilizing features include: (i) a gap stabilizing shelf, (ii) a sub-shelf channel, and (iii) a shoulder-receiving recess or opening. Embodiments of the presently-disclosed side sleeper pillow are advantageously produced to include all three of these feature types, although this is non-essential and benefits may be realized over conventional pillow designs through the inclusion of only one or a subset of these features. Moreover, when included in an embodiment of the side sleeper pillow, such features may be strategically positioned, dimensioned, and contoured or shaped relative to one another and to a sleeper's anatomy to maximize the benefit of such features as they cooperatively engage a sleeper's body during rest.

In embodiments, the gap stabilizing shelf may assume the form of a protruding ridge or ledge of the side sleeper pillow, which projects from the main pillow body toward the sleeper's torso and which is at least partially received into a sleeper's chin-shoulder gap. The term “sub-shelf channel,” in comparison, may assume the form of a passageway or partially-open channel, which extends beneath the gap stabilizing shelf. When provided in embodiments of the side sleeper pillow, the sub-shelf channel may open toward a distal direction (toward the torso of the sleeper) and may extend the full length of the gap stabilizing shelf. Finally, the shoulder-receiving opening may assume the form of a slot or cavity formed in the side sleeper pillow (e.g., in the gap stabilizing shelf or in the body of the pillow if lacking a gap stabilizing shelf), which is positioned, shaped, and dimensioned to receive the shoulder of a sleeper when utilizing the pillow and resting in a side sleeping position.

The shoulder-receiving opening may connect to or merge with the sub-shelf channel in embodiments in which side sleeper pillow is produced to include both features. When the side sleeper pillow is imparted with a greater width (e.g., such that a side sleeper may readily shift from contacting the pillow with one cheek to the sleeper's other cheek as the sleeper rolls from side to the other), the shoulder-receiving opening may be formed in a central portion of the gap stabilizing shelf and, perhaps, at a location bisected by a midline plane extending through the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the pillow. This, in turn, may divide the gap stabilizing shelf into two wings or sections, each of which may span approximately half of the pillow length in certain implementations. In other instances, such as when the pillow is imparted with a more compact width, the shoulder-receiving gap (or gaps) may be formed at one or both of the outer terminal ends of the gap stabilizing shelf or ledge.

The gap stabilizing shelf is shaped, positioned, and dimensioned to be received into and to at least partially fill the chin-shoulder gap as a sleeper physically engages the pillow in a side sleeping position. In so doing, the gap stabilizing shelf provides relatively comprehensive, distributed support about sleeper's neck, chin, and lower jaw regions during rest. This deters the sleeper's head from gradually tilting or sliding downwardly during rest, a motion that could otherwise lead to improper cervical alignment, impart physical stress to the brachial plexus, and potentially interfering with optimal tracheal airflow, as previously described. Sleep interruptions that may otherwise occur due to the sleeper's impulse to continually position and reposition the sleeper's head throughout the night (or other sleep period) are consequently reduced or eliminated. The shoulder-receiving opening further enables the sleeper to register or insert the sleeper's bottommost shoulder (that is, the shoulder of the side sleeper contacting the bed or other sleep surface) into the opening. This locates the pillow relative to the sleeper's body, facilitating optimal positioning of the gap stabilizing shelf relative to the sleeper's upper anatomy. Insertion of the sleeper's shoulder into the shoulder-receiving opening may enable the sleeper to readily run the sleeper's upper arm through the sub-shelf channel, leveraging the sleeper's arm to deter collapse of the gap stabilizing shelf.

The gap stabilizing shelf, the sub-shelf channel, and the shoulder-receiving opening are advantageously contoured, spatially located, and dimensioned in certain, interrelated manners. In this regard, the sub-shelf channel may be imparted with an average height H_{C_AVG}, as measured along a vertical axis from a plane coplanar with the backside of the main pillow body; while the gap stabilizing shelf may have a maximum thickness T_{SS_MAX}, also measured along a vertical axis. These dimensions are interrelated in that, as the average height of the sub-shelf increases, the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf will often decrease, noting that the overall thickness of the pillow is limited by a sleeper's anatomy. At the same time, the sub-shelf channel is usefully imparted with a height sufficient to accommodate the upper arm of most sleepers without excessive upward displacement of the gap stabilizing shelf, while the gap stabilizing shelf maintains a maximum thickness (and is properly located) sufficient to adequately fill the chin-shoulder gap to provide the desired support. It has thus been determined that, in embodiments, the sub-shelf channel is usefully dimensioned to have an average height between at least three-fourths and one-and-one-fourth the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf; that is, such that 0.75(H_{C_AVG})>T_{SS_MAX}>1.25(H_{C_AVG}). In other instances, the average height of the sub-shelf channel may be substantially equivalent to the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf such that H_{C_AVG}≈T_{SS_MAX}; the term “substantially equivalent to,” as appearing herein, denoting a disparity of less than 10%. Comparatively, in embodiments the main pillow body has a maximum thickness T_{B_MAX}, as taken along the vertical axis, the gap stabilizing shelf may be dimensioned such that and wherein T_{B_MAX}>T_{SS_MAX}>0.25(T_{B_MAX}). In still other embodiments, the average height of the sub-shelf channel relative to the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf may be greater than or less than the aforementioned ranges.

The dimensions, shape, and location of the shoulder-receiving opening may similarly be optimized relative to the sub-shelf channel and the gap stabilizing shelf in embodiments of the side sleeper pillow. In certain cases, for example, the local thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf, the distal extension of the shelf from the main pillow body, or both of these parameters may gradually decrease when moving laterally toward the center of the shoulder receiving gap. When the shoulder-receiving gap is formed in a central portion of the gap stabilizing shelf, this may impart the upper surface of the gap with a topology transitioning from a first sloped peak or hump, to a valley located at a midpoint of the shoulder-receiving gap, to a second sloped peak or hump, as taken in a cross-section along a cut plan orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the side sleeper pillow and extending through the gap stabilizing shelf. Such a geometry may not only help define the shoulder-receiving opening but may also decrease the thickness of the material surrounding the shoulder-receiving opening to impart the pillow with increased pliability in this area. This may, in turn, allow the side sleeper pillow to readily accommodate shoulders of varying sizes, while further enabling the gap stabilizing shelf to gently conform to the sleeper's individual anatomy.

Embodiments of the side sleeper pillow may contain various other features in addition to, or in lieu of the features described above, such as laterally-open concavities or depressions formed in the primary head support surface of the pillow to facilitate airflow and relief pressure from regions around a side sleeper's nose and mouth, as further discussed below. An example embodiment of a side sleeper pillow will now be described below in conjunction with FIGS. 1-7. The following description is provided by way of non-limiting example only. It is emphasized that numerous variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as set-forth in the appended claims. Accordingly, while the exemplary side sleeper pillow described in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures includes certain unique features, it will be appreciated that such features need not be included in all embodiments of the side sleeper pillow and that alternative embodiments thereof may include various other features in combination with one or more of the features set-forth below.

Example Embodiment of a Side Sleeper Pillow Having Upper Anatomy Stabilizing Features

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 are isometric, top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of a side sleeper pillow 20, as illustrated in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Side sleeper pillow 20 includes a base or main pillow body 22 having an upper or topside surface 24 and a lower or bottomside surface 26. Topside surface 24 and bottomside surface 26 are spaced along a centerline of main pillow body 22, which is represented in FIG. 1 by dashed line 28. Centerline 28 extends parallel to a vertical axis of side sleeper pillow 20 corresponding to the Z-axis of coordinate legend 30. Thicknesses (or heights) of side sleeper pillow 20 may be measured along lines parallel to the Z-axis (FIGS. 1-4) and features extending in a direction parallel to the Z-axis are described herein to as “extending in a thickness direction.” Comparatively, the X-axis of coordinate legend 30, extending parallel to the Z-axis, is referred to as a “lateral axis” of side sleeper pillow 20. Widths of side sleeper pillow 20 may be measured along lines parallel to the X-axis; and, thus, a feature extending in a direction parallel to the X-axis may referred to as “extending in a width direction.” Lastly, the Y-axis of coordinate legend 30, which is orthogonal to the X-and Z-axes, is referred to as a “longitudinal axis” of side sleeper pillow 20. Length or depths of side sleeper pillow 20 may be measured along lines parallel to the longitudinal axis of side sleeper pillow 20; and, correspondingly, features extending in a direction parallel to the Y-axis may referred to as “extending in a length direction.”

As most clearly shown in FIG. 3, main pillow body 22 includes a distal edge or sidewall 34 and an opposing proximal edge or sidewall 36. The terms “distal” and “proximal” defined relative to a sleeper's body position when using side sleeper pillow 20 in its intended, primary orientation; and, specifically, such that distal edge 34 (which faces away from the sleeper's torso) is located further from the trunk of the sleeper's body than is proximal edge 36 (which faces the sleeper's torso). Dashed lines 38 are also shown in FIG. 4 to more clearly demarcate the boundary between main pillow body 22 and other features of side sleeper pillow 20, such as a primary gap stabilizing shelf 40 and a secondary, distal shelf 42. Distal edge 34 and proximal edge 36 of main pillow body 22 are spaced along the longitudinal axis of side sleeper pillow 20 (parallel to the Y-axis of coordinate legend 30). Comparatively, laterally-opposed sidewalls 44, 46 of main pillow body 22 are spaced along a lateral axis of side sleeper pillow 20 (parallel to the X-axis of coordinate legend 30).

The depths or lengths of main pillow body 22 is determined by the distance between distal sidewall 34 and proximal sidewall 36, as taken along a longitudinal or depth axis of side sleeper pillow 20 (parallel to the Y-axis of coordinate legend 30). The width or widths of main pillow body 22 is determined by the spacing between opposing lateral sidewalls 44, 46 of main pillow body 22, as taken along a lateral axis (parallel to the X-axis of coordinate legend 30). Finally, the heights or thicknesses of main pillow body 22 are determined by the spacing between topside surface 24 and bottomside surface 26, as taken along centerline 28. In the illustrated example wherein main pillow body 22 has a generally rectangular planform shape (best seen in FIG. 3), main pillow body 22 can have an average width between about 18 and about 28 inches (in), an average depth or length D_{B_AVG} between about 6 and about 18 in, and an average thickness between about 3 and about 6 in, all ranges inclusive. This example notwithstanding, it is emphasized that the planform shape and dimensions of main pillow body 22 will vary among embodiments of side sleeper pillow 20.

Topside surface 24 of main pillow body 22 includes a primary head support surface 48, which serves as the primary contact region for the sleeper's head when using side sleeper pillow 20. The primary head support surface 48 may include laterally-open depressions or concavities 50 and 52. These depressions 50 and 52 breach sidewalls 44 and 46, respectively, and face in opposing directions. In some embodiments, the depressions 50, 52 are positioned proximally adjacent to various sections of the gap stabilizing shelf 40. The depressions 50, 52 are configured to relieve pressure from and allow increased airflow to the nose and mouth area of the sleeper when the sleeper's shoulder is registered into the shoulder-receiving recess 68 described in more detail below. By including both the depression 50 and the depression 52, the sleeper can roll over and sleep on either the left or right side while still receiving the benefit of the relief of pressure and increased airflow to the nose and mouth area of the sleeper. When the sleeper's head is positioned on the primary head support surface 48 and the sleeper's shoulder is registered into the shoulder-receiving recess 68, the sleeper's ear may be positioned on the primary head support surface 48 in one of the ear contact regions 54, 56. This positions the sleeper's head and mouth for better airflow (with better cooling and breathing) and reduced pressure. In certain embodiments, there are one or more laterally-open depressions 50. In some embodiments, the depressions 50, 52 are not included in the main pillow body 22.

The main pillow body 22 may be molded or otherwise produced to include a central depression or head cradle 58 (identified in FIGS. 2 and 4) in the primary head support surface 48. When provided, the central depression 58 may be formed in a central portion of the primary head support surface 48, and thus may be centered on the topside surface 24 of the main pillow body 22. The central depression 58 may be a concave depression configured to cradle the head and may (but need not necessarily) have a geometry of a flattened hemisphere. The central depression 58 may allow the sleeper to locate the center of the pillow when rolling over or repositioning so that the depressions 50, 52 are properly positioned to provide their benefit to the sleeper. In addition, though the side sleeper pillow 20 is adapted for a side sleeping position, the side sleeper pillow 20 can also support other positions, such as the central depression 58 providing some support for sleeping or resting in a supine position. Lastly, if the sleeper routes their arm up underneath the side sleeper pillow 20, the decreased thickness of the side sleeper pillow 20 around the central depression may help to minimize bulging of the side sleeper pillow 20 upward. In further embodiments, side sleeper pillow 20 may lack the central depression 58 and/or may include other features for promoting alternative usage of the pillow in supporting a sleeper's head when the sleeper rests on the sleeper's back (supine position) or the sleeper's stomach (prone position).

With continued reference to the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 projects from an upper portion of the proximal edge or sidewall 36 in a distal direction. The gap stabilizing shelf 40 further extends between lateral sidewalls 44, 46 along the lateral axis of side sleeper pillow 20. In some embodiments, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may assume the form of a protruding ridge or ledge of the side sleeper pillow, which projects from the main pillow body 22 toward the sleeper's torso and which is at least partially received into a sleeper's chin-shoulder gap. The gap stabilizing shelf 40 is shaped, positioned, and dimensioned to be received into and to at least partially fill the chin-shoulder gap as a sleeper physically engages the side sleeper pillow 20 in a side sleeping position. In so doing, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 provides relatively comprehensive, distributed support about the sleeper's neck, chin, and lower jaw regions during rest. This deters the sleeper's head from gradually tilting or sliding downwardly during rest, a motion that could otherwise lead to improper cervical alignment, impart physical stress to the brachial plexus, and potentially interfere with optimal tracheal airflow, as previously described. Sleep interruptions that may otherwise occur due to the sleeper's impulse to continually position and reposition the sleeper's head throughout the night (or other sleep period) are consequently reduced or eliminated.

The thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may gradually increase when moving away from the midline plane 88 in either direction along the lateral axis. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may be dimensioned to extend from the proximal sidewall 36 of the main pillow body 22 by an extension distance taken along the longitudinal axis. The extension distance may gradually increase when moving away from the midline plane 88 in either direction along the lateral axis.

In some embodiments, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 has a maximum thickness T_{SS_MAX} as measured along a vertical axis from a plane coplanar with the backside of the main pillow body 22. In some embodiments, the maximum thickness T_{SS_MAX} of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 is between 1.25 inches and 3.5 inches. In some embodiments, the maximum thickness T_{SS_MAX} of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 is between 1.75 inches and 2.75 inches. These values allow the gap stabilizing shelf 40 to be thick enough to be supportive while preventing the gap stabilizing shelf 40 from causing the side sleeper pillow 20 to be too thick to be useful. If the gap stabilizing shelf 40 is too thick, the side sleeper pillow 20 may be too tall. On the other hand, if the gap stabilizing shelf 40 is too thin, the side sleeper pillow 20 may be too short and the gap stabilizing shelf 40 will not provide enough support. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that other values may also be implemented to achieve these same advantages.

The sub-shelf channel 70 may be located beneath the gap stabilizing shelf 40 and is bordered by proximal sidewall 36 of the main pillow body 22 and bottom surface 78 of the gap stabilizing shelf 40. The sub-shelf channel 70 extends parallel to the lateral axis. The sub-shelf channel 70 may assume the form of a passageway or partially-open channel which extends beneath the gap stabilizing shelf 40. When provided in embodiments of the side sleeper pillow 20, the sub-shelf channel 70 may open in a distal direction (toward the torso of the sleeper) and may extend the full length of the gap stabilizing shelf 40. The shoulder-receiving opening 68 may assume the form of a slot or cavity formed in the side sleeper pillow 20 (e.g., in the gap stabilizing shelf 40 or in the main pillow body 22 of the side sleeper pillow 20 if lacking a gap stabilizing shelf 40), which is positioned, shaped, and dimensioned to receive the shoulder of a sleeper when utilizing the side sleeper pillow 20 and resting in a side sleeping position. The shoulder-receiving opening 68 further enables the sleeper to register or insert the sleeper's bottommost shoulder (that is, the shoulder of the side sleeper contacting the bed or other sleep surface 32 identified in FIG. 4) into the opening 68. This locates the side sleeper pillow 20 relative to the sleeper's body, facilitating optimal positioning of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 relative to the sleeper's upper anatomy. Insertion of the sleeper's shoulder into the shoulder-receiving opening 68 may enable the sleeper to readily run the sleeper's upper arm through the sub-shelf channel 70, leveraging the sleeper's arm to deter collapse of the gap stabilizing shelf 40.

In some embodiments, the sub-shelf channel 70 has an average height H_{C_AVG} as measured along a vertical axis from a plane coplanar with the backside of the main pillow body 22. In some embodiments, the average height H_{C_AVG} of the sub-shelf channel 70 is between 1.75 inches and 3.5 inches. In some embodiments, the average height H_{C_AVG} of the sub-shelf channel 70 is between 2.2 inches and 3.3 inches. These values allow the sub-shelf channel 70 to be large enough to fit the shoulder of the sleeper while avoiding lifting the gap stabilizing shelf 40 too high to fit within the thickness T_{B_MAX} of the side sleeper pillow 20. If the sub-shelf channel 70 is too large, the side sleeper pillow 20 may be too tall. On the other hand, if the sub-shelf channel 70 is too small, the shoulder of the sleeper may not fit into the sub-shelf channel 70. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that other values may also be implemented to achieve these same advantages.

The shoulder-receiving opening 68 may be formed in the gap stabilizing shelf 40 and may connect to the sub-shelf channel 70. As best shown in FIG. 7, shoulder-receiving recess 68 is sized and positioned to receive a shoulder of the sleeper when using side sleeper pillow 20 in a side sleeping position. In embodiments with the shoulder-receiving opening 68, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may include a first section 62, a second section 64, and a recessed central portion 66. The first section 62 and the second section 64 may project from the proximal sidewall 36 by a distance E_{SS_MAX}, while the recessed central portion 66 may project from the proximal sidewall 36 by a smaller distance E_{SS_MIN1}. The shoulder-receiving opening 68 may be formed in a central portion 66 of support shelf 40. An upper contour or surface of gap stabilizing shelf 40 may define a first peak 72, a second peak 74, and a valley 76 between the first peak 72 and the second peak 74. The valley 76 causes the gap stabilizing shelf 40 to be thinner adjacent to the shoulder-receiving opening 68, which may make it more comfortable for the user to rest their head on the primary head support surface 48. Conversely, underside or bottom surface 78 of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may have a substantially flat or planar geometry in at least some embodiments.

The shoulder-receiving opening 68 may connect to or merge with the sub-shelf channel 70 in embodiments in which side sleeper pillow 20 is produced to include both features. When the side sleeper pillow 20 is imparted with a greater width (e.g., such that a side sleeper may readily shift from contacting the pillow with one cheek to the sleeper's other cheek as the sleeper rolls from side to the other), the shoulder-receiving opening 68 may be formed in a central portion of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 and, perhaps, at a location bisected by a midline plane 88 (identified in FIG. 3) extending through the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the pillow. This, in turn, may divide the gap stabilizing shelf 40 into two wings or sections, each of which may span approximately half of the pillow length in certain implementations. In other instances, such as when the side sleeper pillow 20 is imparted with a more compact width, the shoulder-receiving gap 68 (or gaps) may be formed at one or both of the outer terminal ends of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 or ledge.

The gap stabilizing shelf 40, the sub-shelf channel 70, and the shoulder-receiving opening 68 are advantageously contoured, spatially located, and dimensioned in certain, interrelated manners. In this regard, with reference to FIG. 4, the sub-shelf channel 70 may be imparted with an average height H_{C_AVG}, as measured along a vertical axis from a plane coplanar with the backside of the main pillow body 22, parallel with the Z-axis of the coordinate legend 30, while the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may have a maximum thickness T_{SS_MAX}, also measured along a vertical axis. These dimensions are interrelated in that, as the average height of the sub-shelf channel 70 increases, the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 will often decrease, noting that the overall thickness T_{B_MAX} of the side sleeper pillow 20 is limited by a sleeper's anatomy. Thus, generally, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may have a tailored thickness less than that of the maximum thickness of the main pillow body 22; e.g., such that T_{B_MAX}>T_{SS_MAX}>0.25(T_{B_MAX}), in an embodiment. At the same time, the sub-shelf channel 70 is usefully imparted with a height sufficient to accommodate the upper arm of most sleepers without excessive upward displacement of the gap stabilizing shelf 40, while the gap stabilizing shelf 40 maintains a maximum thickness (and is properly located) sufficient to adequately fill the chin-shoulder gap to provide the desired support. It has thus been determined that, in embodiments, the sub-shelf channel 70 is usefully dimensioned to have an average height between at least three-fourths and one-and-one-fourth the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf 40; that is, such that 0.75(H_{C_AVG})>T_{SS_MAX}>1.25(H_{C_AVG}). In other instances, the average height of the sub-shelf channel 70 may be substantially equivalent to the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 such that H_{C_AVG}≈T_{SS_MAX}; the term “substantially equivalent to,” as appearing herein, denoting a disparity of less than 10%. In still other embodiments, the average height of the sub-shelf channel 70 relative to the maximum thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 may be greater than or less than the aforementioned ranges.

The dimensions, shape, and location of the shoulder-receiving opening 68 may similarly be optimized relative to the sub-shelf channel 70 and the gap stabilizing shelf 40 in embodiments of the side sleeper pillow 20. In certain cases, for example, the local thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf 40, the distal extension of the shelf 40 from the main pillow body 22, or both of these parameters may gradually decrease when moving laterally toward the center of the shoulder receiving gap 68. When the shoulder-receiving gap 68 is formed in a central portion of the gap stabilizing shelf 40, this may impart the upper surface of the gap 68 with a topology transitioning from a first sloped peak or hump, to a valley located at a midpoint of the shoulder-receiving gap, to a second sloped peak or hump, as taken in a cross-section along a cut plan orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the side sleeper pillow 20 and extending through the gap stabilizing shelf 40. Such a geometry may not only help define the shoulder-receiving opening 68 but may also decrease the thickness of the material surrounding the shoulder-receiving opening 68 to impart the side sleeper pillow 20 with increased pliability in this area. This may, in turn, allow the side sleeper pillow 20 to readily accommodate shoulders of varying sizes, while further enabling the gap stabilizing shelf 40 to gently conform to the sleeper's individual anatomy.

With reference to FIGS. 4-6, and as mentioned above, the side sleeper pillow 20 may have a distal shelf 42 that projects from an upper portion of the distal sidewall 34. The distal shelf 42 may have any of the features discussed herein with respect to the gap stabilizing shelf 40. Similarly, a distal sub-shelf channel 84 may extend along the main pillow body 22 beneath the distal shelf 42, which may have any of the features discussed herein with respect to the sub-shelf channel 70. As shown in FIG. 6, an upper contour or surface of the distal shelf 40 may define a first peak 80, a second peak 82, and a valley 86 between the first peak 80 and the second peak 82. The distal shelf 42 may provide some of the same benefits as the gap stabilizing shelf 40, in particular with respect to the ability of the sleeper to run their arm through the distal sub-shelf channel 84 to provide extra support to the side sleeper pillow 20 as desired.

With reference to FIG. 7, the side sleeper pillow 20 may be specifically used to support the sleeper in a side sleeping position. As shown in detail bubble 94, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 is configured to fill the gap 60 between the chin and the shoulder of the sleeper when the sleeper places their head on the side sleeper pillow 20. As shown, the gap stabilizing shelf 40 is configured to enable the sleeper to position the sleeper's body with respect to the side sleeper pillow 20 and is configured to surround the sleeper's shoulder. The shoulder-receiving opening 68 further enables the sleeper to register or insert the sleeper's bottommost shoulder (that is, the shoulder of the side sleeper contacting the bed or other sleep surface 32 identified in FIG. 4) into the opening 68. This facilitates optimal positioning of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 relative to the sleeper's upper anatomy. Insertion of the sleeper's shoulder into the shoulder-receiving opening 68 may enable the sleeper to readily run the sleeper's upper arm through the sub-shelf channel 70, leveraging the sleeper's arm to deter collapse of the gap stabilizing shelf 40. This position can also be easily switched between the right arm 90 and the left arm 92 of the sleeper as the sleeper rolls over to the other side and can easily insert the shoulder into the shoulder-receiving opening 68 and the arm into the sub-shelf channel 70.

Side sleeper pillow 20 can be manufactured in various different manners and from varying types of materials. In many implementations, side sleeper pillow 20 will be partially or wholly composed of one or more pieces of molded memory foam. For example, in one embodiment, side sleeper pillow 20 may be produced as a single or monolithic molded piece from memory foam utilizing a suitable molding process, such as pour molding. In other embodiments, only a portion of side sleeper pillow 20 may be produced from memory foam, such as the portions of side sleeper pillow 20 typically contacted by a sleeper's head during proper usage of side sleeper pillow 20, while other portions of side sleeper pillow 20 are produced from a disparate material, such as a polymer-main pillow body material (e.g., latex), a silicone gel, or the like. As a still further possibility, side sleeper pillow 20 may be assembled from multiple molded foam pieces of varying densities.

Enumerated Examples

The present disclosure is further illustrated by the following examples that should not be construed as limiting.

• • 1. In a first example, a side sleeper pillow 20 includes a main pillow body 22, a primary head support surface or region 48, a gap stabilizing ledge or shelf 40, a sub-shelf channel 70, and a shoulder-receiving opening 68. The main pillow body includes, in turn, a topside surface 24, a bottomside surface 26 opposite the topside surface along a vertical axis, a proximal peripheral wall 36 facing a sleeper's body or torso when using the side sleeper pillow, a distal peripheral wall 34 opposite the proximal peripheral wall along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the vertical axis, and opposing lateral sidewalls 44, 46 spaced along a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal and vertical axes. The primary head support region is provided on the pillow body's topside surface, while the gap stabilizing shelf projects or extends from an upper portion or edge of the proximal peripheral wall in a distal direction. The gap stabilizing shelf further extends between the lateral sidewalls of the body along the lateral axis; and may or may not extend the entire width of the pillow as measured along the lateral axis. The sub-shelf channel is located beneath the gap stabilizing shelf, bordered by the proximal peripheral wall of the main pillow body, and extends substantially parallel to the lateral axis of the side sleeper pillow. Formed in the gap stabilizing shelf and connecting to the sub-shelf channel, the shoulder-receiving opening is configured (sized and positioned) to receive a shoulder of the sleeper when using the side sleeper pillow in a side sleeping position.
  • 2. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 1, wherein the shoulder-receiving opening 68 is formed in a central portion of the gap stabilizing shelf 40.
  • 3. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 1, wherein the gap stabilizing shelf 40 has a maximum thickness T_{SS_MAX}, as taken along the vertical axis; wherein the main pillow body 22 has a maximum thickness T_{B_MAX}, as taken along the vertical axis; and wherein T_{B_MAX}>T_{SS_MAX}>0.25(T_{B_MAX}).
  • 4. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 3, wherein the sub-shelf channel 70 has an average height H_{C_AVG} measured along the vertical axis; and wherein the pillow is dimensioned such that 0.75(H_{C_AVG})>T_{SS_MAX}>1.25(H_{C_AVG}).
  • 5. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 1, wherein the primary head support region 48 is bisected by a midline plane 88 perpendicular to the lateral axis; and wherein the midline plane 88 intersects the shoulder-receiving opening.
  • 6. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 5, wherein a thickness of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 gradually increases when moving away from the midline plane 88 in either direction along the lateral axis.
  • 7. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 6, wherein the gap stabilizing shelf 40 projects from the proximal sidewall of the main pillow body 22 by an extension distance, taken along the longitudinal axis. The extension distance gradually increases when moving away from the midline plane 88 in either direction along the lateral axis.
  • 8. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 6, wherein the gap stabilizing shelf 40 includes: (i) a first shelf section 62 located on a first side of the midline plane 88; and (ii) a second shelf section 64 located on a second, opposing side of the midline plane.
  • 9. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 8, further including: (i) a first laterally-open depression 50 formed in the primary head support region 48, opening away from the midline plane 88 in a first direction; and (ii) a second laterally-open depression 52 formed in the primary head support region, opening away from the midline plane in a second, opposing direction along the lateral axis.
  • 10. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 9, further including a central depression 58 formed in the primary head support region 48 between the first laterally-open depression 50 and the second laterally-open depression 52, as taken along the lateral axis.
  • 11. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 10, wherein the shoulder-receiving opening 68 is located distally adjacent the central depression 58 along the longitudinal axis.
  • 12. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 1, wherein an upper surface of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 has a first peak 72, a valley 76, and a second peak 74 progressing from a first end of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 to an opposing, second end of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 in a width direction.
  • 13. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 12, wherein the valley 76 is located adjacent the shoulder-receiving opening 68 as taken along the longitudinal axis.
  • 14. In further embodiments, a side sleeper pillow 20 includes a main pillow body 22 having a head support region 48, a proximal peripheral wall 36 facing the sleeper's body when using the side sleeper pillow 20, a distal peripheral wall 34 opposed from the proximal peripheral wall as taken along a longitudinal axis, and first and second lateral sidewalls 44, 46 opposed along a lateral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A gap stabilizing shelf 40 projects from an upper portion of the proximal peripheral wall in a distal direction and extends between the lateral sidewalls along the lateral axis. A shoulder-receiving opening or recess is formed the gap stabilizing shelf 40 and is intersected by a midline plane 88, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis and a vertical axis. The shoulder-receiving opening is sized and positioned to receive a shoulder of the sleeper when using the side sleeper pillow 20 in a side sleeping position.
  • 15. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 14, further including a sub-shelf channel 70 beneath the gap stabilizing shelf 40 and configured to receive an upper arm of a sleeper when utilizing the pillow 20 such that the gap stabilizing shelf 40 extends over the upper arm and beneath a neck region of the sleeper when utilizing the side sleeper pillow.
  • 16. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 14, wherein the gap stabilizing shelf 40 has a double-humped or M-shaped geometry, as seen when viewing the bottomside surface 26 of the side sleeper pillow 20 along the vertical axis.
  • 17. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 16, wherein a thickness and a distal extension of the gap stabilizing shelf 40 increase when away a location adjacent the shoulder-receiving opening 68 along the lateral axis.
  • 18. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 14, further including first and second laterally-open depressions 50, 52 on opposing sides of the midline plane 88, the first and second laterally-open depressions breaching the first and second lateral sidewalls of the main pillow body 22, respectively.
  • 19. In yet further embodiments, a side sleeper pillow 20 includes a main pillow body 22 having a centerline and bisected by a midline plane 88 containing the centerline. A primary head support surface 48 is provided on the main pillow body, while a gap stabilizing shelf 40 projects from an upper portion of the proximal peripheral wall in a distal direction and extends between the lateral sidewalls along a lateral axis perpendicular to the midline plane. A sub-shelf channel 70 extends under the gap stabilizing shelf and is bordered by the proximal peripheral wall of the main pillow body. Positioned on opposing sides of the midline plane, first and second laterally-open depressions 50, 52 breach the first and second lateral sidewalls of the main pillow body, respectively.
  • 20. The side sleeper pillow 20 of example 19, further including a shoulder-receiving opening 68 formed in the gap stabilizing shelf 40. The shoulder-receiving opening divides or partitions the gap stabilizing shelf into a first shelf section 62 and a second shelf section 64 located on opposing sides of the midline plane 88.

Conclusion

There has thus been provided example embodiments of a side sleeper pillow capable of providing anatomically-comprehensive, distributed support to the head and neck of a sleeper in a side sleeping position. Embodiments of the side sleeper pillow include a gap stabilizing shelf, which projects from the distal wall of the main pillow body to fill or at least partially fill the chin-shoulder gap of a side sleeper to support the sleeper's jaw, neck, and upper back (trapezius) during rest. A sub-shelf channel, when further included in embodiments of the side sleeper pillow, accommodate a sleeper's upper arm to locate the pillow relative to the sleeper's body, while further leveraging the sleeper's arm to prevent undesired collapse of the gap stabilizing shelf. So too may a shoulder-receiving recess or opening be formed in the gap stabilizing shelf, connect to the sub-shelf channel, and accommodate the sleeper's shoulder in a manner facilitating optimal position of the gap stabilizing shelf without excessive longitudinal compression and distortion of the pillow. In addition to or in lieu of such features, embodiments of the side sleeper pillow may include other useful elements, such as strategically-located depressions promoting airflow and relieving pressure from regions underlying a sleeper's mouth and nose area. Such depressions, when provided, may breach the opposing lateral peripheral walls of the pillow; and, in at least some instances, cooperate with the above-described features to allow a sleeper to readily switch which shoulder is received into the shoulder-receiving gap (and, if utilized, whether the sleeper's right or left upper arm extends within the sub-shelf channel) when naturally rolling from one side to the other during rest.

While at least one example embodiment has been presented in the foregoing DESCRIPTION, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the example embodiment or example embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing DESCRIPTION will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an example embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an example embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set-forth in the appended claims.

Applicant does not waive or disclaim any protection or equivalents related to the present disclosure, nor does Applicant intend to limit the foregoing in any manner or to limit the scope of protection or equivalents available from the present disclosure. Applicant expressly reserves the right to add additional CLAIMS or to modify the pending CLAIMS at any time without prejudice or disclaimer.