The "bobs" problem.
The "bobs" problem.
Once a year, our family would take international trips. They are a wonderful way to learn about the world. But traveling with a family of four on a budget, we could only afford economy tickets. The biggest problem on those long flights is trying to sleep. Seats in economy don't recline much, not enough to support your head when you nod off. We tried all different sorts of neck pillows: the foam ones, the inflatable ones, the squishy ones. As anyone who has tried them knows, they don't work! The simple reason is when you fall asleep in an upright position, your head falls forward; it doesn't flop to the side, where most horseshoe-shaped neck pillows provide support. When you get sleepy on a plane, at least for me, it's an endless cycle of nodding off, head bobs forward, which jolts you awake again.
Once a year, our family would take international trips. They are a wonderful way to learn about the world. But traveling with a family of four on a budget, we could only afford economy tickets. The biggest problem on those long flights is trying to sleep. Seats in economy don't recline much, not enough to support your head when you nod off. We tried all different sorts of neck pillows: the foam ones, the inflatable ones, the squishy ones. As anyone who has tried them knows, they don't work! The simple reason is when you fall asleep in an upright position, your head falls forward; it doesn't flop to the side, where most horseshoe-shaped neck pillows provide support. When you get sleepy on a plane, at least for me, it's an endless cycle of nodding off, head bobs forward, which jolts you awake again.
I began tinkering with the idea of solving the "bobs" problem during the pandemic. Most of the prototypes I created looked like torture devices (as my kids would say). One day, while staring at a scrap of foam to make yet another prototype, it occurred to me: "What if, instead of trying to put something around your neck, like every other travel pillow on the market, the pillow was more like a stick that went across the front of your body, and supported your head under the chin?" I cut a piece of foam to try it out. Sitting upright in my office chair, I centered the foam stick under my chin until it gently supported my head. Arms in my lap, I rested my hands comfortably over the base to hold it in place. The tension in my neck muscles instantly eased, and before I knew it, I fell asleep! My head didn't flop to the side, either. Eureka! No more bobs!
I began tinkering with the idea of solving the "bobs" problem during the pandemic. Most of the prototypes I created looked like torture devices (as my kids would say). One day, while staring at a scrap of foam to make yet another prototype, it occurred to me: "What if, instead of trying to put something around your neck, like every other travel pillow on the market, the pillow was more like a stick that went across the front of your body, and supported your head under the chin?" I cut a piece of foam to try it out. Sitting upright in my office chair, I centered the foam stick under my chin until it gently supported my head. Arms in my lap, I rested my hands comfortably over the base to hold it in place. The tension in my neck muscles instantly eased, and before I knew it, I fell asleep! My head didn't flop to the side, either. Eureka! No more bobs!
This simple solution solved a common problem, and there were bonuses to the design. The flexible foam shape can contour across any body type, is firm enough to support your head, but soft enough to stuff in to a backpack when you're done.
This simple solution solved a common problem, and there were bonuses to the design. The flexible foam shape can contour across any body type, is firm enough to support your head, but soft enough to stuff in to a backpack when you're done.
The Original BobStopper! is Eco-friendly, has a removable fabric cover for washing, and includes a tote to keep it clean. I hope you'll give it a try on your next flight. 100% Napisfaction guaranteed!
The Original BobStopper! is Eco-friendly, has a removable fabric cover for washing, and includes a tote to keep it clean. I hope you'll give it a try on your next flight. 100% Napisfaction guaranteed!
Phil - CB (Chief BobStopper!)
Phil - CB (Chief BobStopper!)