GB2129681A - Pillows - Google Patents

Abstract

A pillow 10 for use in simultaneously supporting both the human back and head comprises a wedge-shaped envelope 12 containing discrete spherical beads of polystyrene. The pillow extends from its thin end in the region of the human waist to its thick end in the region of the human head. The degree of filling of the pillow is such as in use to allow the pillow to adapt itself to the exact shape of the patient's back, fusing to provide firm upper lumbar and vertebral support. The envelope maybe of PVC sheet material. An outer removable cover for the pillow may be provided and the cover may be made from a flame retardant washable material. The beads may be treated with a fire retardant. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Pillows This invention relatesto pillows and more particularly, but not exclusively, to pillows for use in simultaneously supporting both the human back and the human head, especially for use in hospital beds and similar situations.

In the case of hospital patients who are bed-ridden, such as paraplegics and persons who have suffered a heartattackthere is a long-felt requirementforsome meansfor adequately supporting the upper portion of the body in a correct and comfortable attitude. In some cases it is particularly important that the head shall be properly supported in a desired relation and attitude to the trunk. Moreover, in all cases there is a need for the provision of adaquate upper lumbar and vertebral support in the lying posture.

Presently available means for supporting patients in bed include conventional pillows and such pillows used in combination with a pillow supportframe or bedhead.

Neitherofthe latter means provides a satisfactory answer two the requirements identified above. Conventional pillows are too soft and insufficiently firm to provide adaquate support. Moreover, such pillows tend simplytosquash flat undertheweightofthe human frame. In combination with a properly positioned supportframethey may be able to provide a reasonable compromise between the requirements identified above, but such an arrangement is cumbersome and costly.

An aim of the present invention is to provide a pillow providing improvements in relation to one or more of the requirements identified above, and/or an improved compromise between cost and the said requirements.

According to one aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a pillow for use in simultaneously supporting both the human back and head, the pillow comprising a wedge-shaped envelope containing discrete beads.

The length dimension ofthe pillow is preferably such thatthe pillow extends from its thin end in the region ofthe human waist (or knee, in the case of quadriplegic patients) to its thick end in the region of the human head. For example, the length of the surface of the pillow which engages the person lying thereon may befrom 75 centimetres to 200 cen timetres,the preferred length being approximately 100 centimetres this latter dimension being reducible to about 50 centimetres in the case of a pillow for use with young children.

The width dimension ofthe pillow is preferably such thatthe pillow extends acrossthefull width ofthe human back. For example, the width of the surface of the pillow which engages the person lying thereon maybe from 50 centimetres to 100 centimetres, the preferred width being a bout 75 centimetres for adults, and this dimension being reducible to about 25 centimetresforyoung children.

The angle at the thin end of the wedge shaped pillow between the latter's bottom surface and the surface which engages a person lying on the pillow should preferably be (in the uncompressed condition ofthe envelope) from 30 degrees to 55 degrees, the preferred angle being approximately45 degrees. The surface of the pillow with which a person lying thereon is in engagement may be (in the uncompressed condition ofthe envelope) substantially flat, but preferably the envelope is profiled to provide (in the uncompressed condition thereof) a slightly convex back-support surface.

The envelope may be manufactured from PVC sheet material, or other sheet material providing a wipeclean surface. Preferably, the sheet material should provide a degree of porosity to reduce the tendency for the pillow to induce sweating by the user thereof.

As regards the degree of filling of the envelope with the discrete beads, it should be noted that it may be possible to use a proportion of some other material mixed with the beads, butpreferablythe beads should consitute the only envelope filling material. The quantity of beads is preferably less than the quantity required to occupy the maximum capacity of the envelope. The preferred range is from 50 per cent to 98 per cent of the full capacityoftheenvelope,the preferred value being about 57 per centthereof (in the case of a pillow for use with a large heavy person) to 86 per cent (for use with a smaller and lighter person).

As regards the beads themselves, they should preferably be spherical. All the beads should have preferably aboutthe same diameter. The range of diameter sizes is from one millimetre to five mil limetres. Furthermore.thebeadspreferablyshould have a relativelylowdensityandalowthermal conductivity similar or betterthan that of polystyrene.

Polystyrene beads manufactured by BASF, and designated FRA212 may be used. The beads should preferably be treated with a fire retardant.

The pillow is preferably provided with a removable outer cover. The outer cover preferably should be of the same dimensions as the envelope. The outer cover may be manufactured from a flame retardant washable material. The back-engageable surface of the pillow may comprise a synthetic or natural sheepskin material. The outer cover may be provided with an openable portion for removable ofthe inner envelope containing the beads. The outer cover may comprise panels coded to identify the surfaces ofthe pillow which, for example, rest on the bed, support the patient etc. The panels may be colour-coded for such identification purposes.

An embodiment ofthe invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows, diagrammatically, the general shape ofthe pillow; and Fig. 2 shows a side elevation view of one panel of the pillow,thedirection of viewing being indicated in Fig.

1 byArrowll.

As shown in Fig. 1, a pillow 10 for use in simultaneously supporting both the human back and head comprises awedge-shaped envelope 12 contain ing discrete beads (not shown).

For identification purposes in the drawings, the corners of pillow 10 are designated by the letters A B C DEF.

In this specification, references to the shape ofthe envelope 12 of pillow 10 and references to the dimensions oranges or related physical quantities in relation to the pillow are intended to refer to the pillow in its uncompressed condition as shown in Fig. lie.

before a person lies on it. The nature ofthe pillow is such that is is readily deformable and does not return to its uncompressed condition as shown in the drawings without intervention by way of shaking and manipulating. However, for purposes of manufacture and description it will be appreciated that references to the uncompressed condition of the pillow are a satisfactory way of describing the structure ofthe pillow.

The length dimension of pillow 10 measured along the surface ABFE (which engages the back ofthe person lying on the pillow), and measured between lines AB and EF, are such that pillow extends from its thin end EFinthe region ofthehumanwaist(orknee region for severely handicapped patients) to its thick end ABCD in the region ofthe human head. This length dimension preferably lies in the range of 75 centimetres to 200 centimetres, the preferred length being about 100 centimetres and being reducible to about 50 centimetres in the case of a pillowfor use with a young child.

The width dimension of pillow 10 is such thatthe pillow extends across the full width of the human back. This dimension, measured between side panels BCF and ADE may be from 50 to 100 centimetres, the preferred width being 75 centimetres for an adult and this being reducible to about 25 centimetresfor a child.

The angle at the thin end EF of pillow 10 (iethe angle AED, which is the same as angle BFC) may be from 30 degrees two 55 degrees, the preferred value being approximately 45 degrees.

Although in Fig. 1 ,for purposes ofsimple illustra- tion the surface ABFE is shown as flat, this surface preferably has an slightly convex profile as shown in Fig. 2 by the arcAE. Such a convex surface provides improved upper lumbar and vertebral support.

Itwill be noted in Fig. 2 that the proportions of the sides AD and DE differsomewhatfrom those sug gested bythe perspective view in Fig. 1. The relative dimensions indicated in Fig. 2 correspond more closely with the preferred dimensions of pillow 10 and those indicated in Fig. 1 are merely illustrative ofthe general form ofthe pillow. In the present em bodiment the dimensions ofthe edges of the pillow are as follows: AB (= DC = EF) = 76.2 centimetres (30 inches) AE (= BF) = 104.1 centimetres (41 inches) DE (= CF) = 73.7 centimetres (29 inches) AD (= BC) = 69.9 centimetres (27.5 inches).

The material from which envelope 12 is manufac tured is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheeting sold under the Trade Mark SANDRA. This is a wipe-clean material having a degree of porosity wherebythe tendency of the pillowto cause sweating by a person lying thereon is reduced. Alternative flexible sheeting materials of course could be employed and in situations where the wipe-clean facility is not required, then a fully porous material could be employed such as any suitable textile fabric. The sheet material of envelope 12 is cut into the panels ABCD, ADE, BCF,ABFE, and DCFE, and these panels are then edgejoined by stitching or seam-welding.

The degree offilling of envelope 12 bythe beads (notshown) depends uponthe intended useofthe pillow. Although, for certain situations where a very high degree of support is required, the degree offilling ofthe envelope may approach or even equal the maximum capacity ofthe envelope, it is preferred that the quantity of beads in the envelope should be less than the maximum capacitythereof and inthe range of 50 to 98 percent ofthe maximum capacity. The preferred range is from about 57 percent (for a large heavy person) to about 86 per cent (for a small lighter person).

The beads themselves which are placed within envelope 12 are spherical beads of polystrene all having similar diameters, the preferred diameter being three millimetres and the preferred range of diameters being from one millimetre to five millimetres.

The polystyrene beads have a low density (18-20 grams per litre of beads including airspace between beads) and lowthermal conductivity, and thus render the pillow light in weight and warm in use. Moreover, the beads themselves are treated with a fire retardant to meet hospital usage requirements. All materials of the pillow are likewise treated so asto be fire retardant for this purpose.

A removable outer cover (not shown in the drawings) is provided to enclose envelope 12 and to provide a comfortable and washable external surface for the pillow. The outer cover has exactlythe same dimensions asthe inner envelope 12,theback- engageablesurfaceABFEofthe outer cover comprising synthetic or natural sheepskin whereby pressure points on the patient's back are reduced or avoided.

The remainder ofthe outer cover is formed of panels of a fire retardantfabricsold underthetrade mark AURORA, the panels being colour coded so asto simplify identification ofthe bottom DCFE and the upright end ABCD, whereby usage ofthe pillow upside down or otherwise in a wrong attitude is readily avoided.

The outer cover is provided with a zip closable aperture adjacent edge DC of envelope 12 whereby the inner envelope can be readily removed from the cover so that the latter can be laundered.

In use, pillow 10 is placed on a hospital bed in place ofthe conventional pillow atthe bed head. The pillow extends along the bed (dimension DE) so that its thin end EF is in the region ofthe patient's waist. The patient lies on the synthetic sheepskin covering over surface ADFE of envelope 12 and the beads in the envelope adaptto the exact shape of the patient's back fusing to provide firm upper lumbar and vertebral support. The pillowfirmlybutgentlysupportsthe patient in a reclining attitude with the head raised with respect two the waist and feet, this comfortable attitude being suitableforpatientsovera prolonged period in hospital orsimilarsituations.

Among modifications which could be made in the aboveembodimentarevariations in the dimensions ancimaterialsused in the construction of the pillow, the materials,- sizes and quantities of beads, and relateddi-mensional and material specifications.

Among the advantages provided by the embodiment of the invention described above are the fact that the pillow 10 provides a single structure a support for bed-ridden patients which automatically and immediately accomodates itself to the profile ofthe patients while providingsupportforthewhole ofthe back and the head ofthe patient, including effective lumbar and vertebral support. The degree offilling of envelope 12 determines the amount of 'give' in the pillow, but in any casethe pillow responds to the weight of the patient by adapting to the patient's profile and then immediately setting or 'fusing' to provide the support required-in contrastto previous ly existing pillows which simply flatten underthe weight ofthe patient. Moreover, pillow loins practical in use in the sensethat its removable outercoveris readily separated and laundered while the inner envelope can be wiped clean, and the whole assembly is fire retardant and emminently suitable for hospital usage.

Claims (27)

CLAIMS (Filed on 8 Nov 1983)

1. A pillowfor use in simultaneously supporting both the human back and head, the pillow comprising a wedge-shaped envelope containing discrete beads.

2. A pillow according to claim 1 wherein the length dimension of the pillow is such that the pillow extends from its thin end in the region of the human waist (or knee, in the case of quadriplegic patients) to its thick end in the region ofthe human head.

3. A pillow according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the width dimension of the pillow is such that the pillow extends across the full width ofthe human back.

4. A pillow according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the angle atthe thin end ofthe wedge-shaped pillow between the latter's bottom surface and the surface which engages a person lying on the pillow is, in the uncompressed compressed condition ofthe envelope, from 30degreesto 55 degrees, and preferably approximately 45 degrees.

5. A pillow according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein the surface ofthe pillow with which a person lying thereon is in engagement is, in the uncompressed condition ofthe envelope, substantially flat.

6. A pil low according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the envelope is profiled to provide, in the uncompressed condition thereof, a slightly convex back-support surface.

7. A pillow accordíng to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein-thaenvelope comprises PVC sheet material or otber-sheet material providing a wipe clean surface

8 Ap.il{owaccordingto claim 7 wherein the sheet material provides a degree of porosity to reduce the tendencyforthe pillowto induce sweating by the user thereof.

9. A pillow according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said beads consitute substantially the only envelope filling material.

10. A pillow according to claim 9 wherein the quantity of beads is less than the quantity required to occupythe maximum capacity ofthe envelope.

11. A pillow according to claim 10 wherein the said quantity of beads is from 50% to 98% ofthefull capacity of the envelope.

12. A pillow according to claim 11 wherein the quantity of beads lies within the range of 57% to 86% ofthefull capacity ofthe envelope.

13. A pillow according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein said beads are spherical.

14. A pillow according to claim 13wherein substantially all the beads have aboutthe same diameter.

15. A pillowaccordingto claim 14whereinthe rangeofdiametersizeisfrom 1 millimetreto5 millimetres.

16. A pillow according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein said beads have a relatively low density.

17. A pillow according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said beads have a thermal conductivity similarto or better than that of polystyrene.

18. A pillow according to anyone ofthe preceding claims wherein said beads comprise polystyrene.

19. A pillow according to any one ofthe preceding claims wherein said beads are treated with a fire retardant

20. A pillow according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a removable outer cover.

21. A pillow according to claim 20 wherein said outercover is of the same dimensions as the envelope.

22. A pillow according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein said outer cover is manufactured from a flame retardant washable material.

23. A pillow according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the back-engageablesurface ofthe pillow comprises a synthetic or natural sheepskin material.

24. A pillow according to anyone of claims 20 to 23 wherein the outer cover is provided with an openable portion for removal of the inner envelope containing the beads.

25. A pillow according to any one of claims 20 to 24 wherein said outer cover comprises panels coded to identify the surfaces ofthe pillow.

26. A pillow according to claim 25 wherein said panels are colour coded.

27. A pillow substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.