About Buttpillow®

Welcome to Buttpillow.com, where we blog about ergonomics, which some people find boring. Buttpillow.com is the home of the “patented ergonomic seating cushion,” which is a dual purpose back pain and peri-anal pain cushion. We also will be selling other ergonomics-related products to help people do “quick fix” ergonomic solutions.

The Buttpillow® was invented by Melanie Loomos, a court reporter in criminal and civil court in Miami-Dade County, Florida after she developed an embarrassing problem from prolonged sitting without breaks:  hemorrhoids, as well as back pain, neck and shoulder pain, and wrist pain.  Melanie often sat on uncomfortable chairs and even broken chairs in the different locations her profession required.  She learned how important it is to be mindful while working, especially sitting and working with computers or steno machines (“keying activities”), to minimize ergonomic risk factors for the development of pain, injury and even disability.

Melanie first became aware of the constant struggle for good working conditions (good ergonomics) when her dad, a labor lawyer, had her sit in on negotiations at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) as a child.  She became familiar with OSHA and concepts such as work-related hazards and work-related injuries, now commonly referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Melanie submitted her first two patents in 1998 through Universal Consulting Service:  the “Pillow with cantilever supports,” Disclosure #: 441913, Application No. 09/251,626 and the “Carpal Tunnel Chair,” Disclosure #: 453652, Serial Number 09/251,626. 

The “Pillow with cantilever supports” was granted and assigned U.S. Patent No. 6,018,831, a seat cushion with a discreet hidden utility to elevate the peri-anal area for hemorrhoid sufferers.  Melanie was advised by Joseph N. Breaux, Esq., Reg. No. 36,462 of Universal Consulting Service to incorporate and formed Nothing But Blue, Inc. named after her rescue dog, Blue.

In 2000, Melanie began working with Darren Salinger, MD, OB/GYN to research and develop The Buttpillow®.  Melanie and Darren researched sitting and sitting-related problems, such as hemorrhoids, low back pain, prostate pain, pelvic pain, sciatica,  pressure sores, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins, tail-bone pain, vaginal pain, and neck and shoulder pain. They also researched the ergonomics of sitting and standing, foam, construction of cushions, manufacturing processes, and the history of seating.  

In 2000, OSHA’s ergonomic standard became the law of the land with the objective of preventing work-related injuries.  Melanie developed Ergosoft™ Break Reminder Software to remind people to stand up and stretch and look away from the computer screen with ergonomic tips, since frequent change of posture is the best way to avoid sitting-related pain and problems.

Working together, Melanie and Darren developed another patent with several embodiments, the “Ergonomic Seating Cushion,” which provided a hidden wave-form cutout to further minimize pressure on and around the peri-anal area, reduce sitting surface pressures, and minimize risk factors for low back pain. 

The “Ergonomic Seating Cushion” patent was filed by Michael Cesarano, Esq. of Akerman Senterfitt and was first cited in September 2002 as 2002/0124318A1* and included the following embodiments:  The Buttpillow®-Ergo, The Buttpillow®-Original, The Butpillow®-Executive, The Buttpillow®-Junior, and The Oh-Pillow (an improvement on the doughnut pillow).  An embodiment was added to the patent before it was granted, called The Buttpillow®-Prego, specifically designed to minimize the extreme curve of the lumbar spine that occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy; and on February 25, 2003, U.S. Patent No. 6,523,202 B2, was granted to Loomos.  See “Intellectual Property.” 

In 2017, Buttpillow, Inc. was formed by Melanie and Darren to continue Melanie’s passion of educating people regarding work-related injury risk factors, OSHA recommendations, and safety rules and regulations for businesses, as well as manufacturing and selling The Buttpillow® line of ergonomic seating cushions and related ergonomic products on Buttpillow.com.  All Buttpillow® products are made in the USA.

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