TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a neck pillow configured to support the head of a user.

BACKGROUND

Neck pillows, such as U-shaped travel neck pillows, are used during travel to improve travel comfort and improve quality of sleep. A U-shaped travel neck pillow is intended to be treaded around the neck of a user to provide support to the neck and to the head of a user. U-shaped travel neck pillows are usually inflatable. In this manner, the pillow occupies little space when not in use and the pillow can be designed to have a low weight.

Even though U-shaped travel neck pillows successfully can improve travel comfort and improve quality of sleep, they are also associated with some problems and drawbacks. One drawback is that the pillow usually creates a distance between the back of the head of the user and a support surface such as a headrest or backrest of a seat. This is problematic, especially when the user is sitting in a seat with limited possibilities to recline the seat, because the head tends to be tilted forward leading to an unnatural and uncomfortable angle of the neck and the head of the user.

Tilting of the head forward may disturb the sleep of a user, may cause the user to wake up, and/or may cause pain and discomfort to the user, especially after prolonged use of the pillow.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a neck pillow configured to support a head of a user. The pillow comprises one or more inflatable sections, a first side support, a second side support, and a neck support arranged between the first and second side supports. The pillow further comprises an upper back support protruding from the neck support. The upper back support is configured to extend to the upper back of a user, when the pillow is used in an intended use position, so as to form a spacer between a support surface and the upper back of the user. Since the pillow comprises an upper back support protruding from the neck support, a neck pillow is provided capable of providing a distance between a support surface and the upper back of a user. In this manner, the neck pillow can support the neck and head of the user in a comfortable manner with the head and the neck in a straight and neutral position, and/or with the head and the neck tilted backwards.

Furthermore, since the pillow comprises the upper back support, the pillow can support the neck and head of the user in a comfortable manner with the head and the neck in a straight position, and/or with the head and the neck tilted backwards, even when the user is sitting in a seat with limited possibilities to recline the seat. Supporting the head and the neck in a straight position, and/or with the head and the neck tilted backwards, adds comfort and promotes sleep. Furthermore, due to the upper back support, the neck pillow can support the neck and head of the user in a comfortable manner with the head and the neck tilted backwards, without the back of the head of the user touching a support surface such as a headrest or backrest of a seat.

Moreover, since the pillow comprises one or more inflatable sections, conditions are provided for allowing the user to adjust the angle of the head and the neck simply by adjusting the amount of air in the one or more inflatable sections.

Accordingly, due to these features, a more comfortable neck pillow is provided capable of promoting sleep and alleviating pain and discomfort of the neck and head of a user also during and after prolonged use of the pillow.

Moreover, since the upper back support is configured to extend to the upper back of a user, when the pillow is used in an intended use position, so as to form a spacer between a support surface and the upper back of the user, a neck pillow is provided capable of providing a distance between a support surface and the upper back of a user. In this manner, the neck pillow can support the neck and head of the user in a comfortable manner with the head and the neck in a straight and neutral position, and/or with the head and the neck tilted backwards. In this manner, a neck pillow is provided capable of supporting the head and the neck of a user in an angle which adds comfort and promotes sleep. Furthermore, due to the distance created between a support surface and the upper back of the user, the neck pillow can support the neck and head of the user in a comfortable manner with the head and the neck tilted backwards without the back of the head of the user touching a support surface such as a headrest or backrest of a seat. Thus, a neck pillow is provided overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.

Optionally, the neck support comprises at least a portion of an inflatable section of the one or more inflatable sections. Thereby, a neck pillow is provided allowing a user to adjust the angle of the neck and head simply by adjusting the amount of air in the inflatable section. In this manner, a user can adjust the angle of the neck and head based on a current seating situation, and/or based on personal preferences, in a simple and efficient manner to further increase comfort and promote sleep.

Optionally, the first and second side supports each comprises at least a portion of an inflatable section of the one or more inflatable sections. Thereby, a neck pillow is provided allowing a user to adjust the support obtained from the first and second side supports simply by adjusting the amount of air in the inflatable section. In this manner, the user can adjust the support from the first and second side supports based on a current seating situation, and/or based on personal preferences, in a simple and efficient manner to further increase comfort and promote sleep.

Optionally, the upper back support comprises at least a portion of an inflatable section of the one or more inflatable sections. Thereby, a neck pillow is provided allowing a user to adjust the angle of the neck and head simply by adjusting the amount of air in the inflatable section. Moreover, a neck pillow is provided allowing a user to adjust the distance between a support surface and the upper back of the user simply by adjusting the amount of air in the inflatable section. In this manner, a user can adjust the angle of the neck and head and the distance between the support surface and the upper back based on a current seating situation, and/or based on personal preferences, in a simple and efficient manner to further increase comfort and promote sleep.

Optionally, the neck pillow comprises a first inflatable section and a second inflatable section, and wherein the second inflatable section is separate from the first inflatable section. Thereby, a pillow is provided having conditions for further allowing a user to adjust the angle of the neck and head based on a current seating situation, and/or based on personal preferences, in an improved and more controlled manner simply by adjusting the amount of air in the first and second inflatable sections to further increase comfort and promote sleep. Optionally, the neck support comprises at least a portion of the first inflatable section and the upper back support comprises at least a portion of the second inflatable section. Thereby, a pillow is provided capable of further allowing a user to adjust the angle of the neck and head and the distance between a support surface and the upper back, in an improved and more controlled manner, simply by adjusting the amount of air in the first and second inflatable sections in a simple and efficient manner to further increase comfort and promote sleep.

Optionally, the first and second side supports each comprises a non-inflatable section. Thereby, more rigid first and second side supports can be provided adding support to the sides of the head and the neck of the user in a more stable manner also when the one or more inflatable sections is/are filled with a low amount of air. In this manner, the comfort and sleep promoting properties of the neck pillow can be improved.

Optionally, the non-inflatable section of the first and second side supports is arranged at a respective distal end of the first and second side supports. Thereby, the first and second side supports can add support to the sides of the head and the neck of the user in a more stable manner also when the one or more inflatable sections is/are filled with a low amount of air. In this manner, the comfort and sleep promoting properties of the neck pillow can be improved.

Optionally, the upper back support comprises a non-inflatable section. Thereby, a more rigid upper back support can be provided supporting the upper back of a user in a more stable manner, and provide the distance between the support surface and the upper back of the user, also when the one or more inflatable sections is/are filled with a low amount of air. In this manner, the comfort and sleep promoting properties of the neck pillow can be improved.

Optionally, a distal end of the upper back support comprises the non-inflatable section of the upper back support. Thereby, the upper back support can add support to the upper back of a user in a more stable manner also when the one or more inflatable sections is/are filled with a low amount of air. In this manner, the comfort and sleep promoting properties of the neck pillow can be improved.

Optionally, the pillow comprises a number of non-inflatable sections each comprising a foam- material. Thereby, a comfortable neck pillow is provided capable of supporting the head and the neck of a user in a stable manner also when the one or more inflatable sections is/are filled with a low amount of air. One way to counteract a forward tilting of the head when using a prior art U-shaped travel neck pillow could be to partially deflate the U-shaped travel neck pillow. However, such a solution would lead to an unstable and wobbly pillow which tends to provide an even more unnatural and uncomfortable angle of the neck and the head of the user. However, since the neck pillow according to the present disclosure may comprise a number of non-inflatable sections each comprising a foam-material, a comfortable neck pillow is provided capable of supporting the head and the neck of a user in a stable manner also when the one or more inflatable sections is/are filled with a low amount of air. In this manner, the comfort and sleep promoting properties of the neck pillow can be improved.

Optionally, the upper back support is formed as a pad. Thereby, an even more comfortable neck pillow is provided having conditions for supporting the neck and head of the user in a comfortable manner with the head and the neck in a straight position, and/or with the head and the neck tilted backwards, even when the user is sitting in a seat with limited possibilities to recline the seat.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art U-shaped travel neck pillow,

Fig. 2 illustrates the prior art U-shaped travel neck pillow illustrated in Fig. 1 threaded around the neck of a user,

Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of a neck pillow according to some embodiments of the present disclosure,

Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the neck pillow illustrated in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 illustrates the back of an upper body of a user,

Fig. 6 illustrates the neck pillow according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 in an intended use position around the neck of the user illustrated in Fig. 5, and

Fig. 7 illustrates the neck pillow according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 in an intended use position around the neck of the user sitting in a partially reclined seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art U-shaped travel neck pillow 100. The U- shaped travel neck pillow 100 comprises a flexible bag 102 contained in a soft shell 104. The soft shell 104 may be provided in a fabric material. The U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 further comprises a nozzle 107 fluidly connected to the flexible bag 102. In this manner, a user can inflate the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 by blowing air through the nozzle 107 into the flexible bag 102, and can deflate the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 by forcing air out of the flexible bag 102 through the nozzle 107, for example by simultaneously compressing the flexible bag 102 and the nozzle 107. In Fig. 1 , the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 is illustrated in an inflated state. The U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 is intended to be treaded around the neck of a user, when in an inflated state, to provide support to the neck and to the head of the user.

Fig. 2 illustrates the prior art U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 illustrated in Fig. 1 threaded around the neck 10 of a user 5. In Fig. 2, the user 5 is illustrated as sitting in a seat 16 with a backrest 18. Moreover, in Fig. 2, the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 is illustrated in an inflated state and is illustrated as supporting the neck 10 and head 3 of the user 5 relative to the backrest 18. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 creates a distance between the back of the head 3 of the user 5 and the backrest 18 leading to an unnatural and uncomfortable angle of the neck 10 and head 3 of the user 5 in which the head 3 is slightly tilted forward. The angle of the neck 10 and head 3 may cause discomfort and pain especially after prolonged use of the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100. In addition, because the head 3 is slightly tilted forward, the user may experience embarrassing drooling of saliva during sleep.

One way to counteract a forward tilting of the head 3 is to partially deflate the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100. Flowever, such a solution will lead to an unstable and wobbly pillow 100 which tends to provide an even more unnatural and uncomfortable angle of the neck 10 and the head 3 of the user 5. This because the U-shaped travel neck pillow 100 will not provide sufficient support to the neck 10 and head 3 of the user 5 when in the partially deflated state.

Fig. 3 illustrates a side view of a neck pillow 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the reason of brevity and clarity, the neck pillow 1 is in some places herein referred to as “the pillow 1”. As is further explained herein, the pillow 1 is configured to support a head of a user and may for example be used during travel, on aeroplanes, airports, cars, busses, and the like, to add comfort and promote sleep. The pillow 1 comprises one or more inflatable sections 7, 9, a first side support 11 , and a second side support 12. Each of the first and second side supports 11 , 12 is configured to support a respective side of the neck and head of a user, as is further explained herein. The pillow 1 further comprises a neck support 15. The neck support 15 is arranged between the first and second side supports 11 , 12. The neck support 15 is configured to support the neck and the head of a user, as is further explained herein.

The pillow 1 further comprises an upper back support 17 protruding/extending from the neck support 15. As seen in Fig. 3, according to the illustrated embodiments, the upper back support 17 protrudes from the neck support 15 and is formed as a pad. The upper back support 17 is configured to extend to the upper back and/or the shoulders of a user, when the pillow 1 is used in an intended use position, so as to form a spacer between a support surface and the upper back and/or the shoulders of the user. In this manner, the neck pillow 1 is capable of providing a distance between a support surface and the upper back and/or the shoulders of a user so as to support the neck and head of the user while the head and the neck in a straight and neutral position, and/or while the head and the neck tilted are backwards, as is further explained herein.

Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of the neck pillow 1 illustrated in Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, the pillow 1 is illustrated as viewed in a direction slightly from above. As is best seen in Fig. 4, according to the illustrated embodiments, the pillow 1 comprises two inflatable sections 7, 9, namely a first inflatable section 7 and a second inflatable section 9. The first inflatable section 7 and the second inflatable section 9 are separate from each other. According to further embodiments, the pillow 1 may comprise another number of inflatable sections 7, 9, such as one, three, four, or the like. Each of the first and second inflatable sections 7, 9 comprises a flexible bag 7’, 9’ and a nozzle fluidly connected to the respective flexible bag 7’, 9’. The nozzles are not visible in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The flexible bags 7’, 9’ may comprise a polymeric material. The flexible bags 7’, 9’ and / or the nozzles may be provided in a recycled and / or recyclable material such as for example polyethylene terephthalate. Due to these features, a user may inflate and deflate the inflatable sections 7, 9 separately and independently by blowing air into the respective nozzle or pushing air out of the respective nozzle. In this manner, a user may adjust the angle of the head and the neck in an improved and more controlled manner while obtaining sufficient support to the neck and head during use of the pillow 1 , as is further explained herein. According to the illustrated embodiments, the pillow 1 comprises a number of non-inflatable sections 21 , 22, 27. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, each non-inflatable section 21 , 22, 27 comprises a foam-material. The first and second inflatable section 7, 9 may be enclosed by the material of the non-inflatable sections 21 , 22, 27. In this manner, a more comfortable pillow 1 can be provided because close contact between the respective inflatable sections 7, 9 and the skin of a user can be avoided. In addition, a less wobbly pillow 1 can be provided also when the inflatable sections 7, 9 are in partially deflated states. Each non-inflatable section 21 , 22, 27 may be provided in a recyclable material such as for example polyethylene terephthalate, kapok or other similar filler material. Moreover, the pillow 1 may comprise an outer soft shell which may be provided in a fabric material to further add comfort during use of the pillow 1 . The outer soft shell may comprise a recycled and / or recyclable fabric material such as polyethylene terephthalate, fleece, etc.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the neck support 15 comprises at least a portion of an inflatable section 7 of the one or more inflatable sections 7, 9. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first and second side supports 11 , 12 each comprises at least a portion of an inflatable section 7 of the one or more inflatable sections 7, 9. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first inflatable section 7 constitutes a significant portion of the neck support 15 and extends into the respective first and second side supports 11 , 12. In this manner, a user can adjust the support obtained from the neck support 15 and the respective first and second side supports 11 , 12 simply by adjusting the amount of air in the first inflatable section 7. Moreover, as is further explained herein, a user can adjust the angle of the head and the neck simply by adjusting the amount of air in the first inflatable section 7.

As indicated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first and second side supports 11 , 12 each comprises a non-inflatable section 21 , 22. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the non-inflatable section 21 , 22 of the first and second side supports 11 , 12 is arranged at a respective distal end 23, 24 of the first and second side supports 11 , 12. In this manner, the first and second side supports 11 , 12 can add support to the sides of the head and the neck of the user in a more stable manner also when the first inflatable section 7 is filled with a low amount of air, i.e. when the first inflatable section 7 is in a partially deflated state.

Furthermore, as indicated in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, according to the illustrated embodiments, the upper back support 17 comprises at least a portion of the second inflatable section 9. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, the second inflatable section 9 constitutes a significant portion of the upper back support 17. In this manner, a user can adjust the distance between a support surface and the upper back and/or the shoulders of the user simply by adjusting the amount of air in the second inflatable section 9. In this manner, a user can adjust the angle of the neck and head and the distance between the support surface and the upper back and/or the shoulders based on a current seating situation, and/or based on personal preferences, in a simple and efficient manner.

According to the illustrated embodiments, the upper back support 17 comprises a non- inflatable section 27. In this manner, the upper back support 17 can support the upper back and/or the shoulders of a user in a more stable manner, and provide the distance between the support surface and the upper back and/or the shoulders of the user, also when the second inflatable section 9 is filled with a low amount of air, i.e. when the second inflatable section 9 is in a partially deflated state. According to the illustrated embodiments, a distal end 29 of the upper back support 17 comprises the non-inflatable section 27 of the upper back support 17.

Fig. 5 illustrates the back of an upper body of a user 5. In Fig. 5, the head 3, the upper back 6, the shoulders 8, and the neck 10 of the user are indicated.

Fig. 6 illustrates the neck pillow 1 according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3 and Fig.

4 in an intended use position around the neck 10 of the user 5 illustrated in Fig. 5. As can be seen when comparing Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, according to the illustrated embodiments, the upper back support 17 is configured to extend to the upper back 6 and cover a majority of the upper back 6, when the pillow 1 is used in the intended use position. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the upper back support 17 is configured to extend to and cover at least a portion of the shoulders 8 of the user 5 when the pillow 1 is used in the intended use position. In this manner, the upper back support 17 can form a spacer between a support surface and the upper back 6 and the shoulders 8 of the user 5 in a comfortable manner during use of the pillow 1 , as is further explained herein.

Moreover, in Fig. 6, the nozzle 37 of the first inflatable section 7 and the nozzle 39 of the second inflatable section 9 are visible and indicated.

Fig. 7 illustrates the neck pillow 1 according to the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 in an intended use position around the neck 10 of the user 5 sitting in a partially reclined seat 28. The following is explained with simultaneous reference to Fig. 3 - Fig. 7.

The intended use position of the pillow 1 , as referred to herein, is a position of the pillow 1 in which the neck support 15 is positioned to the neck 10 of the user 5 and the upper back support 17 is positioned to the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5. When the pillow 1 is in the intended use position, the first and second side supports 11 , 12 are each positioned adjacent to a jaw 31 of the user 5. The first and second side supports 11 , 12 may thus support the sides of the head 3 and the neck 10 of the user 5 by abutting against sides of the jaw 31 of the user 5.

Since the upper back support 17 extends to the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5, when the pillow 1 is in the intended use position, the upper back support 17 forms a spacer between a support surface 19 and the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5. In this manner, the pillow 1 creates a distance between the support surface 19 and the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5. Thereby, the pillow 1 can support the neck 10 and the head 3 of the user 5 with the head 3 and neck 10 in a straight position, and/or with the head 3 and the neck 10 tilted backwards, even when the user 5 is sitting in a seat 28 with limited possibilities to recline the seat 28. Moreover, the neck support 15 can support the neck 10 and the head 3 in a direction upwards, i.e. in a direction opposite to a local gravity vector at the position of the user 5, without the back of the head 3 of the user 5 touching a support surface such as a headrest or backrest of a seat 28. In this manner, a more comfortable pillow 1 is provided having improved ability to promote sleep. In addition, since a more reclined position of the head 3 can be obtained when using the pillow 1 , the likelihood of drooling of saliva is reduced during sleep.

In addition, since the pillow 1 according to the illustrated embodiments comprises the first and second inflatable sections 7, 9, a pillow 1 is provided allowing a user 5 to control and adjust the angle of the neck 10 and the head 3 in an improved and more controlled manner simply by adjusting the amount of air in the first and second inflatable sections 7, 9. This because the neck support 15 comprises at least a portion of the first inflatable section 7 and the upper back support 17 comprises at least a portion of the second inflatable section 9.

That is, if a user 5 wants to obtain a more reclined position of the neck 10 and the head 3, the user 5 can add air into the second inflatable section 9 and/or can reduce the amount of air in the first inflatable section 7. Likewise, if the user 5 wants to obtain a more upright position of the neck 10 and the head 3, the user 5 can reduce the amount of air in the second inflatable section 9 and/or can add air into the first inflatable section 7. If air is added into the second inflatable section 9, the distance between the support surface 19 and the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5 increases. Likewise, if the second inflatable section 9 is deflated, the distance between the support surface 19 and the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5 decreases. In this manner, the user 5 can adjust the distance obtained between the support surface 19 and the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5 in a simple and controlled manner.

Likewise, if air is added into the first inflatable section 7, the distance between the support surface 19 and the neck 10 and head 3 of the user 5 increases. Likewise, if the first inflatable section 7 is deflated, the distance between the support surface 19 and the neck 10 and head 3 of the user 5 decreases. In this manner, the user 5 can adjust the distance obtained between the support surface 19 and the neck 10 and head 3 of the user 5 in a simple and controlled manner.

Accordingly, due to these features, the distances between the support surface 19 and the neck 10, the head 3, and the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5, as well as the angle of the neck 10 and the head 3 relative to the support surface 19, can be controlled simply by adjusting the amount of air in the first and second inflatable sections 7, 9.

Moreover, since the pillow 1 comprises the non-inflatable sections 21 , 22, 27, the distances between the support surface 19 and the neck 10, the head 3, and the upper back 6 and/or the shoulders 8 of the user 5, as well as the angle of the neck 10 and the head 3 relative to the support surface 19, can be controlled while ensuring sufficient support of the neck 10 and the head 3 of the user 5 obtained from the pillow 1 .

Furthermore, due to these features, a pillow 1 is provided allowing a user to support the head 3 and neck 10 in a comfortable and stable manner, when sitting in a seat 28 with a backrest forming a support surface 19, with the head 3 and neck 10 tilted backwards relative to the support surface 19 in a manner supporting the head 3 and neck 10 in a direction upwards without the head 3 touching the support surface 19.

As explained above, the pillow 1 is configured to support a head of a user and may for example be used during travel, on aeroplanes, airports, cars, busses, and the like, to add comfort and promote sleep. Therefore, throughout this disclosure, the wording “pillow 1” or the wording “neck pillow 1” may be replaced by the wording “travel pillow 1”, travel neck pillow 1”, “at least partially inflatable travel pillow 1” or “at least partially inflatable travel neck pillow 1”.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. As used herein, the term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof.