Pillow

Abstract

A pillow containing particulate material such as beads or balls (a “bean pillow”), which is particularly suitable for use during travel. The pillow comprises two wings, and a bridging section connecting the wings, the wings and bridging section together forming a substantial U shaped shape in plan view. The surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material. The thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings. In one embodiment, the bridging section comprises a cushion containing a material different from the particulate material. In another embodiment, the bridging section comprises a cushion, and the cushion does not comprise or contain the or a particulate material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pillow comprising:
 two wings, and   a bridging section connecting the wings,   wherein the wings and bridging section together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material,   wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings, and   wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion containing a material different from the particulate material.   
     
     
         2 . A pillow comprising:
 two wings, and   a bridging section connecting the wings,   wherein the wings and bridging section together form a substantially U shaped shape in plan view, and the surface of each wing is formed of a surface material, and at least the wings contain particulate material to provide support for the surface material,   wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of the wings,   wherein the bridging section comprises a cushion, and   wherein the cushion does not comprise or contain the or a particulate material.   
     
     
         3 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is less than the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing. 
     
     
         4 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 60 mm to 120 mm. 
     
     
         5 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section is from 5 mm to 15 mm. 
     
     
         6 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 50 mm to 90 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:4 to 1:24. 
     
     
         8 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:6 to 1:12. 
     
     
         9 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:0.8 to 1:4. 
     
     
         10 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of each wing is from 1:1.1 to 1:1.5. 
     
     
         11 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 1:3 to 1:18. 
     
     
         12 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the bridging section to the thickness of the thickest portion of the bridging section is from 1:5 to 1:9. 
     
     
         13 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface material of the wings and/or bridging section comprises fabric. 
     
     
         14 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the material of the cushion is a foam material. 
     
     
         15 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is defined by stitching in the surface material of the bridging section. 
     
     
         16 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the cushion is substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal in plan view. 
     
     
         17 . A pillow according to  claim 16 , wherein bridging section has an axis extending between the wings, and the longer sides of the substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape are substantially parallel to the axis of the bridging section. 
     
     
         18 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the difference in thickness between the thinnest portion of the bridging section and the thickest portion of the wings is from 45 mm to 115 mm. 
     
     
         19 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein each wing has a free end located away from a point where each respective wing is connected to the bridging section, and the distance between the wings at the point that each wing is connected to the bridging section is larger than the distance between the wings at a point adjacent to the free end of each wing. 
     
     
         20 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the bridging section contains the or a particulate material. 
     
     
         21 . A pillow according to  claim 20 , wherein the bridging section comprises a restriction for restricting the amount of particulate material in the bridging section, to restrict the thickness of the bridging section. 
     
     
         22 . A pillow according to  claim 21 , wherein the means comprises stitching joining a surface of the bridging section to an opposing surface of the bridging section. 
     
     
         23 . A pillow according to  claim 21 , wherein the means comprises padding or cushion provided in the bridging section. 
     
     
         24 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridging section does not contain the or a particulate material. 
     
     
         25 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the bridging section is formed of a surface material, and the particulate material in the bridging section provides support for the surface material. 
     
     
         26 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridging section contains material other than the particulate material. 
     
     
         27 . A pillow according to  claim 1 , wherein the particulate material comprises beads, balls, beans, buckwheat, oats or any combination thereof.