BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention (Technical Field): The present invention relates to a postural alignment pillow that combines a support element with a softer comfort element. Included in this invention is a double-chambered casing comprising a removable grain-filled component in one chamber and a soft, compressible material in the second.

Background Art: Grain-filled postural pillows have long been espoused as providing the proper postural alignment for the body, as generated by the position and weight of the user's head. These pillows have several major disadvantages. A major complant is the texture next to the face. Most individuals prefer a soft surface to cushion the face. Another complant is the sound created upon changing positions on the pillow. Wlth the ear next to the grains/hulls, the noise can be quite loud, especially when a person is trying to sleep.

The aftemative of using a traditional piliow resolves the problems of texture and noise, but sacrifices the postural benefits provided by the grain-filled pillow. Even pre-formed"postural"foam pillows do not provide the customizable support offered by an ajustable grain pillow.

The present invention utilizes the beneficial features of both soft pillows and grain-type pillows in a novel combination to produce a comfortable yet adjustably supportive postural pillow. In the claims and specification, the term"grain"is defined to include grains, particules, ships, shavings, beads, fibers, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION) A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a support pillow comprising at least two casings, an ajustable component inside one of the casings, and a soft component inside a second of the casings, wherein the second casing is positionally situated on top of the ajustable component. The casings preferably comprise an inner casing and an outer casing. The inner casing is preferably dispose within the outer casing. The outer casing preferably comprises a soft fabric, preferably cotton, silk or a synthetic blend.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention comprises an outer casing comprising a first and a second compartment, an inner casing within the first compartment, an ajustable component in the inner casing, and a soft component in the second compartment. The first and second compartments are preferably attache along at least one side.

An alternative embodiment of the pillow comprises at least one of the casings as three- dimensionally rectangular. The pillow preferably comprises a strap. The ajustable component preferably comprises a grain-like filling, preferably buckwheat hulls, buckwheat seeds, barley seeds or hulls, rice, flaxseed, plastic shreds, plastic chips, plastic pellets, synthetic fibers, synthetic shavings, synthetic pellets, wood shavings, sawdust, sand, ceramic beads, ceramic pellets, ceramic particles, metal beads, metal pellets, metal particules, metallic ribbons, metallic fibers, or other seeds.

The soft component of the pillow preferably comprises wool basting, down, feathers, synthetic fiber pillow filling, or cotton. The pillow may be a triangle, cylindrical, or square. The pillow preferably comprises at least one dosable opening, preferably a zippered opening. Preferably at least one of the casings comprises a washable fabric. An akemative embodiment of the pillow further comprises an additional pillow inserted between the soft component and the ajustable component.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a pillow that gives postural support and alignment while supplying a soft, soothing surface for the head.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a grain-filled pillow that has reduced noise.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a grain-filled pillow with an easily laundered casing.

A primary avantage of the present invention is the benefit of a grain-filled pillow without the hardness against the face.

Another avantage of the present invention is the ability to manipulate the grains while still resting on the soft, compressible portion.

Still another avantage of the present invention is the ability to adjust the amount of"grain"in the bottom chamber.

Other objects, avantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be leamed by practice of the invention. The objets and avantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appende claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principales of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a

preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as lifting the invention. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of the pillow and its compartments; Fig. 2 is a perspective angled view of the inner casing; Fig. 3 is a perspective angled view of the soft component of the pillow; Fig. 4 is a perspective angled view of the pillow, with the soft component integrated into the outer casing; Fig. 5 is a perspective angled view of the pillow with the soft component dispose inside the outer casing along with the inner casing; Fig. 6 is a side view of a cylindrical embodiment of the pillow, with a strap; and Fig. 7 is a side view of a triangulas embodiment of the pillow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION) Figs. 1-3 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an ergonomic postural pillow 10 that utilizes support offered by an ajustable substance but provides comfort found with more traditional soft pillows. It is constructed of at least two casings, preferably inner casing 12 and outer casing 14. Inner casing is shown in Fig 2. Fig. 1 shows the preferred embodiment as assemble. Outer casing 14 preferably contains upper compartment 18 and lower compartment 20.

Upper compartment 18 may be a fold-over pocket, attache to lower compartment 20 by one end 22.

Altematively, upper compartment 18 may be attache to lower compartment 20 by two or more

sides. Inner casing 12 is dispose in lower compartment 20, while upper compartment 18 contains soft component 24. Soft component 24 is shown in Fig. 3.

Inner casing 12 and outer casing 14 may be attache (see Fig. 4). Alternatively, inner casing (not shown) may be dispose within outer casing 14 (see Fig. 5).

Inner casing 12 is filled with an ajustable component to provide postural support. The component is preferably a grain-like filling. Examples include buckwheat hulls and seeds, barley hulls and seeds, rice, flaxseed, plastic shreds, chips or pellets, synthetic fibers, shavings or pellets, wood shavings, sawdust, sand, ceramic beads, pellets or particules, metal beads, pellets, particules, ribbons, fibers, or other seeds.

Inner casing 12 preferably has squared-off comers to allow for even distribution of the ajustable component along the entire length of the pillow. This allows the user a greater surface area that provides the proper support. The grain-like filling can therefore be adjusted upward to fill the space under the neck and chin, for support during side sleeping.

Inner casing 12 comprises closure 16, preferably a zipper, although other goures, such as hook and loop (VelcroS)), overiapping flap, snaps, buttons and the like may be used. Closure 16 allows for the amount of filling to be regulated by the individual user. Additionally, it allows the filling to be removed for laundering of casing 12.

Outer casing 14 preferably contains upper compartment 18 and lower compartment 20, as shown in Fig. 1. Upper compartment 18 may be a fold-over pocket, attache to lower compartment 20 by one end 22. Alternatively, upper compartment 18 may be attache to lower compartment 20 by two or more sides. Inner casing 12 is dispose in lower compartment 20, while upper compartment 18 contains soft component 24. Soft component 24 is shown in Fig. 3.

AHematively, soft component 24 may be integrally attache to casing 26 containing ajustable component (Fig. 4), or may dispose in outer casing 14 along the top of inner casing 12 (Fig. 5).

Soft component 24 may comprise one or a combination of the following soft materials: wool basting, down feathers, synthetic fiber pillow filling, cotton, or the like. This portion of the pillow provides the comfort required for deep and restful sleep, and serves as a noise buffer for the underlying grain-like component.

Outer casing 14 is made of cotton, silk or a synthetic fabric for additional comfort to the sleeping individual. Also, casing 14 is preferably washable, to prolong the life of the pillow and promote personal hygiene.

Inner casing 12 and preferably also outer casing 14 are preferably three-dimensionally rectangular. The form in Fig. 4 allows pillow 10 to fit into standard pillowcases. AHematively, the pillow may be other shapes. For example, cylindrical pillow 28 as shown in Fig. 6, may be used as a neck roll, and provide more localized support. Fig. 7 illustrates triangular pillow 30, or wedge. This shape can be useful in many recuperative or therapeutic aspects (e. g. post-surgical supports). The pillow can also be altered in shape to serve as a full or partial body support, a desirable addition to post-surgery and situations with the severely handicapped.

Pillow aftematively comprises strap 32, as shown in Fig. 6, for use in transport and positioning. While traditional pillows can be cumbersome to carry, strap 32 allow the user to easily carry pillow 10 with one hand.

Pillow 10 is adjusted by inserting a hand preferably in between upper compartment 18 and lower compartment 20. The ajustable component in lower compartment 20 can then be manipulated into a position that offers correct and maximum support for the user. In addition, a smaller pillow may optionally be inserted to provide additional contouring and customization of pillow 10.

Alternatively, in embodiments where soft component and ajustable component are in the same outer casing (e. g. see Fig. 5), the ajustable component can be manipulated from the underside of the pillow. In either instance, the user maintins contact with the soft component, thus minimizing disruption to sleep and positioning.

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appende claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.