Pillow selection and sleeper appraisal
A neck measurement device ( 20 ) and a method of selecting a pillow ( 1, 41, 51 ) which takes into account the physique of the user are disclosed. A neck compression index (NCi) is calculated being the weight of the sleeper in kilograms divided by the shoulder width (ear to outer arm dimension) of the sleeper in centimeters. Preferably a compensated NCi is calculated which takes into account the softness or hardness of the mattress. A pillow resiliency is then selected based on the (compensated) NCi. Color coded pillow slips can be used to assist sleepers to self-select a pillow appropriate for their physique. Mail order and Internet based selling methods are disclosed.
1. A method of selecting a pillow to suit the physique of a user, said method comprising the steps of:
(i) ascertaining the width of a shoulder of said user,
(ii) ascertaining the weight of said user,
(iii) from the results of steps (i) and (ii) calculating a neck compression index comprising the user's weight divided by their shoulder width,
(iv) for each calculated neck compression index selecting a corresponding pillow.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 including the further step of:
(v) enclosing different pillows within different pillow slips whereby step (iv) comprises selecting a different pillow slip.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 including the further step of:
(vi) arranging for each of said different pillow slips to be a different colour.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 including the step of:
(vii) using a neck measuring device for pillow selection, said device comprising a generally planar body having at least one corner defined by two substantially straight edges which are substantially perpendicular to each other, one surface of said body having a scale extending along one of said edges and having regularly spaced marked indicia extending along said scale, wherein said indicia are mirror reversed whereby a user standing in front of a mirror and holding said device to his shoulder and neck, can read said indicia in said mirror in carrying out step (i).
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 and carried out by a guest of an accommodation establishment in accordance with instructions provided by said accommodation establishment.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 and carried out by a person visiting a website via a communications link.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said communications link comprises the internet.
8. A method of selecting a pillow to suit the physique of a user, said method comprising the steps of:
(i) ascertaining the width of a shoulder of said user,
(ii) ascertaining the weight of said user,
(iii) from the results of steps (i) and (ii) calculating a neck compression index comprising the user's weight divided by their shoulder width,
(iv) for each calculated neck compression index selecting a corresponding pillow, and
(v) modifying step (i) to calculate an adjusted shoulder width taking into account the nature of the mattress to result in a compensated neck compression index.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 including the further step of:
(vi) enclosing different pillows within different pillow slips whereby step (iv) comprises selecting a different pillow slip.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9 including the further step of:
(vii) arranging for each of said different pillow slips to be a different colour.
11. The method as claimed in claim 8 including the step of:
(viii) using a neck measuring device for pillow selection in carrying out step (i), said device comprising a generally planar body having at least one corner defined by two substantially straight edges which are substantially perpendicular to each other, one surface of said body having a scale extending along one of said edges and having regularly spaced marked indicia extending along said scale, wherein said indicia are mirror reversed whereby a user standing in front of a mirror and holding said device to his shoulder and neck, can read said indicia in said mirror.
12. The method as claimed in claim 8 and carried out by a guest of an accommodation establishment in accordance with instructions provided by said accommodation establishment.
13. The method as claimed in claim 8 and carried out by a person visiting a website via a communications link.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said communications link comprises the internet.