Apparatus and method for determining an individuals pillow type

Abstract

The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide the proper pillow for a person based on the person's sleeping position and the characteristics of the person. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a custom designed pillow based on preferred sleeping position, such as back, side or stomach, and certain characteristics, such as height and weight. These characteristics influence the appropriate pillow for a person. The sleeping position of the person determines the proper pillow structure for that person. The characteristics of the person determine the proper fill weight of the pillow. Determining a proper pillow based on these characteristics will allow the person to get pleasant, restful, and undisturbed sleep.

1 . A custom designed pillow for a person, the person having characteristics of a height, weight, age, sex, posture, body type, chest size, neck size, head size, and the person preferring a pillow firmness and a bed firmness, the pillow comprising: 
 one or more chambers;    filler material deposited in each of the one or more chambers;    wherein a fill weight of the filler material is based on one or more of the person's characteristics and preferences.    
   
   
       2 . A custom designed pillow for a person, the person having characteristics of a height, weight, age, sex, posture, body type, chest size, neck size, head size, and the person preferring a pillow firmness and a bed firmness, the pillow comprising: 
 two short sides, each having a first, second, top and bottom edges;    a first and second long side, each having a first, second, top and bottom edges, the first long side attached to each of the two short sides at the first edges and the second long side attached to each of the two short sides at the second edges;    a top side attached to the two long sides and two short sides at the top edges;    a bottom side attached to the two long sides and short sides at the bottom edges;    a first chamber bounded by the top side, bottom side, the two short sides, the first long side, and a first interior wall;    a second chamber bounded by the topside, bottom side, the two short sides, the first interior wall, and a second interior wall;    a third chamber bounded by the top side, bottom side, the two short sides, the second interior wall, and the second long side; and    filler material deposited in the first chamber, second chamber, and third chamber;    wherein a fill weight of the filler material in the first chamber, the second chamber, and the third chamber is based on one or more of the person's characteristics and preferences.    
   
   
       3 . The pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the fill weight of the filler material in the first chamber and the third chamber is substantially the same, and the fill weight of the second chamber is less that the fill weight of the first and third chambers.  
   
   
       4 . The pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the fill weight in the second chamber is substantially 8 ounces, and the fill weight in the first and third chambers ranges from substantially 11 ounces to substantially 17 ounces each.  
   
   
       5 . The pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the filler material is one or more of PrimaLoft®, Sensuelle™, or Lyocell™.  
   
   
       6 . The pillow of  claim 2 , wherein the two short sides, the first and second long sides, the top side, and the bottom side are made of cotton Sateen™, have a thread count greater than 300, the two short sides are of substantially equal length and the first and second long sides are of substantially equal length.  
   
   
       7 . A custom designed pillow for a person, the person having characteristics of a height, weight, age, sex, posture, body type, chest size, neck size, head size, and the person preferring a pillow firmness and a bed firmness, the pillow comprising: 
 two short sides, each having a first, second, top and bottom edges;    a first and second long side, each having a first, second, top and bottom edges, the first long side attached to each of the two short sides at the first edges and the second long side attached to each of the two short sides at the second edges;    a top side attached to the two long sides and two short sides at the top edges;    a bottom side attached to the two long sides and short sides at the bottom edges;    an interior portion bounded by the top side, the bottom side, the two short sides and the two long sides; and    filler material deposited in the interior portion;    wherein a fill weight of the filler material is based on one or more of the person's characteristics and preferences.    
   
   
       8 . The pillow of  claim 7 , wherein the fill weight ranges from substantially 20 ounces to substantially 31 ounces.  
   
   
       9 . The pillow of  claim 7 , wherein the filler material is one or more of PrimaLoft®, Sensuelle™, or Lyocell™.  
   
   
       10 . The pillow of  claim 7 , wherein the two short sides, the first and second long sides, the top side, and the bottom side are made of cotton Sateen™, have a thread count greater than 300, the two short sides are of substantially equal length and the first and second long sides are of substantially equal length.  
   
   
       11 . A custom designed pillow for a person, the person having characteristics of a height, weight, age, sex, posture, body type, chest size, neck size, head size, and the person preferring a pillow firmness and a bed firmness, the pillow comprising: 
 a first side and a second side, each having a center height, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first endpoint where the top edge and the bottom edge meet, and a second endpoint where the top edge and the bottom edge meet;    a first edge and a second edge, the first edge running from the first endpoint of the first side to the first endpoint of the second side, and the second edge running from the second endpoint of the first side to the second endpoint of the second side;    a top side attached to the first edge, the second edge, and the first side and second side at the top edges;    a bottom side attached to the first edge, the second edge, and the first side and second side at the bottom edges;    an interior portion bounded by the first side, the second side, the top side, the bottom side, the first edge and the second edge; and    a filler material deposited in the interior portion;    wherein a fill weight of the filler material is based on one or more of the person's characteristics and preferences.    
   
   
       12 . The pillow of  claim 11 , wherein the fill weight ranges from substantially 17 ounces to substantially 21 ounces.  
   
   
       13 . The pillow of  claim 11 , wherein the filler material is one or more of PrimaLoft®, Sensuelle™, or Lyocell™.  
   
   
       14 . The pillow of  claim 11 , wherein the first side, second side, top side and bottom side are made of cotton Sateen™, have a thread count greater than 300, the first and second sides are substantially the same length and the first and second edges are substantially the same length.  
   
   
       15 . A method of determining a pillow for a person, the person having characteristics of a height, weight, age, sex, posture, body type, chest size, neck size, head size, and the person preferring a pillow firmness and a bed firmness, the method comprising: 
 determining a pillow type based on the person's sleeping position;    determining a pillow code based on one or more of the characteristics and preferences of the person; and    selecting a fill weight and material for the pillow based on the pillow code.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pillow type is one of a Back Sleeper, Stomach Sleeper or Side Sleeper.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pillow code is determined as a function of height.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pillow code is determined as a function of weight.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pillow code is determined as a function of chest size.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the pillow code is determined as a function of preferred pillow firmness.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of determining a pillow code further comprises: 
 locating the pillow code on a first series of charts, each chart in the first series comprising values for at least one of the characteristics and preferences of the person, and each chart representing pillows of a particular pillow type based on sleeping position.