Multipurpose face pillow

Abstract

Disclosed is a lightweight, portable, ventilated facial pillow device constructed with compliant materials, and with a top surface, a bottom surface, sidewalls, a longitudinal plane of symmetry, areas void of material, and modified edges. The facial pillow device further contains three distinct support areas, and two (optionally three or four) ventilation areas. The second support area and third support area (if bifurcated by the optional third ventilation area) include two separate, mirrored portions. A bridge area links the first support area to the mirrored portions of the second support area, with the third support area contiguous with the second support area.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A face pillow device that uniquely utilizes the human facial structure to support the head when facing downward, comprising materials and surfaces appropriate for comfort, portability, low cost, durability, safety, and usage on common placement surfaces. 
     
     
         2 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  is typically symmetrical about a plane that matches the plane of (approximate) symmetry of the typical human head, running from the center of the forehead, to the tip of the nose, to the center of the chin. This symmetry may be precluded as long as both sides of the user's face are adequately supported, and as long as adequate ventilation is not impeded. 
     
     
         3 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  includes a top surface that conforms to the bony fractions of the human central and upper facial structure, from the upper jaw to the forehead. Said top surface includes first, second, and third support areas, intended to support the head using the forehead, cheek prominences, and upper jaw, respectively. Said top surface is typically symmetrical about the plane defined in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  includes a cutout volume that allows the nose, from the inter-ocular bridge to the lowest point of the nasal septum to be suspended without direct contact with the device. Said cutout extends through the device, from the top surface to the bottom surface. Said cutout is large enough to also serve for ventilation of inhaled and exhaled air. Said cutout is typically symmetrical about the plane defined in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  includes a cutout that prevents contact or pressure upon the eyes. Said cutout also serves for ventilation between the cutout defined in  claim 4 , and the open atmosphere. Said cutout also physically links the first (forehead) support area with the second (cheek prominences) and third (upper lip) support areas; that is, the cutout does not   
     
     
         6 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  may include a partial or complete cutout that divides the third (upper lip) support surface defined in  claim 3 . Said cutout may be located directly beneath the user's nostrils and/or nasal septum, and offer additional ventilation to the external atmosphere. Said cutout is typically symmetrical about the plane defined in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         7 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  includes a bottom surface that adapts to a variety of platforms and positioning errors, and is sufficiently distant from the top structure to prevent pressure on the nose from the supporting platform. Said bottom surface may include non-flat shaping to better adapt to varied supporting platforms, or to allow additional ventilation. Said bottom surface is typically symmetrical about the plane defined in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  includes sidewalls between the upper and lower surfaces. Said sidewalls may be straight and perpendicular to the various supporting and connecting elements, or not straight and perpendicular if additional lateral support, placement flexibility, or ventilation is desired. Said sidewalls are typically symmetrical about the plane defined in  claim 2 . 
     
     
         9 . The face pillow device of  claim 1  includes rounded (or beveled) edges on the top surface defined in  claim 3 , sufficient to prevent discomfort when in use. Said rounded edges are placed on edges that touch the face in normal use. 
     
     
         10 . The face pillow device of  claim 1 ; specifically the top surface defined in  claim 3 , has an outer perimeter that may extend to the outer edges of the human head, and slightly beyond, but typically is truncated to not include facial structures that approach perpendicularity to the   
     
     
         11 . A face pillow device comprising:
 a top surface, a bottom surface, internal and external sidewalls, planar symmetry, volumes void of material, connecting bridge segments, and rounded edges;   a continuous first support area symmetrical about a plane;   a second support area, said second support area divided into two elements with planar symmetry about said plane of symmetry;   a bridge area, said bridge area linking said first support area and said second support area, and with symmetry about said plane of symmetry;   a third support area contiguous with the second support area, said third support area having planar symmetry about said plane of symmetry, and optionally divided into two unconnected or partly connected areas;   a first ventilation area of material absence, integrated into said bridge area, said ventilation area being symmetrical about said plane of symmetry;   a second ventilation area of material absence, nested between said second support areas and extending into said bridge and first ventilation areas, and being symmetrical about said plane of symmetry;   an optional third ventilation area, bifurcating said third ventilation area, and symmetrical about said plane of symmetry;   a bottom surface that optionally includes material voids comprising a fourth ventilation area and a non-planar profile; said bottom surface being symmetrical about said plane of symmetry   an approximately oval outer profile;   a variable vertical dimension that accommodates said support areas.