U.S. patent application number 13/403013 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for travel pillow and tote combination.
The applicant listed for this patent is Albert Shehebar, Robert SOFFER. Invention is credited to Albert Shehebar, Robert SOFFER.
Application Number | 20130219624 13/403013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49001226 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130219624 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SOFFER; Robert ; et
al. |
August 29, 2013 |
TRAVEL PILLOW AND TOTE COMBINATION
Abstract
This invention relates generally to a travel pillow and tote
combination having a pillow filler and a casing acting as a tote
that is formed in a bladder shape with a receiving member and an
engaging member at opposite ends of the casing. In order to use the
combination as a travel pillow, the pillow filler, preferably a
jacket, is inserted into the interior of the casing and the
receiving member and engaging member are connected such that the
pillow may fit around the neckline and shoulders of a user.
Inventors: |
SOFFER; Robert; (Brooklyn,
NY) ; Shehebar; Albert; (Brooklyn, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SOFFER; Robert
Shehebar; Albert |
Brooklyn
Brooklyn |
NY
NY |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49001226 |
Appl. No.: |
13/403013 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/636 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 15/04 20130101;
A47C 7/383 20130101; A45C 9/00 20130101; A45F 4/12 20130101; A45F
4/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/636 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A travel pillow and tote combination comprising: a casing
comprising: a curved top side and a curved bottom side, wherein the
curved top side and curved bottom side are connected along a
proximal curved portion and a distal curved portion such that the
casing forms a bladder shape, an enclosing member on one of the
curved portions and openable so as to expose the interior of the
casing, a first opposing end and a second opposing end, a receiving
member attached to the first opposing end, and an engaging member
attached to the second opposing end capable of engaging with and
disengaging from the receiving member; and a filler insertable
through the open enclosing member into the interior of the casing,
the filler being sufficiently large and foldable so as to provide
sufficient volume such that when the filler is inserted through the
open enclosing member into the interior of the casing, the casing
is expanded and firm, whereby the casing acts as a tote to the
filler.
2. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 1, wherein the
enclosing member is a zipper.
3. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 1, wherein the
filler is a jacket.
4. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 3, wherein the
jacket is comprised of filling selected from a down filling and a
down-alternative filling.
5. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 1, wherein the
casing is made from a material selected from the group: nylon,
cotton, satin, flannel, winceyette, velvet, polyester, and
linen.
6. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 1, wherein the
proximal curved portion is of a length ranging from sixteen to
eighteen inches.
7. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 1, wherein the
distal curved portion is of a length ranging from thirty-eight to
forty inches.
8. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 7, wherein the
engaging member is on the distal portion and is of a length ranging
from eighteen to twenty inches.
9. A travel pillow casing and tote combination comprising: a curved
top side and a curved bottom side, wherein the curved top side and
curved bottom side are connected along a proximal curved portion
and a distal curved portion such that the pillow casing forms a
bladder shape, an enclosing member on one of the curve portions and
openable so as to expose the interior of the casing, a first
opposing end and a second opposing end, and a receiving member
attached to the first opposing end, and an engaging member attached
to the second opposing end capable of engaging and disengaging the
receiving member
10. A travel pillow casing and tote combination of claim 9 further
comprising a filler capable of fitting into the interior of the
casing, the filler being sufficiently large and foldable so as to
provide sufficient volume such that when the filler is inserted
through the open enclosing member into the interior of the casing
the casing is expanded and firm.
11. A travel pillow casing and tote combination of claim 9, wherein
the proximal curved portion is of a length ranging from sixteen to
eighteen inches.
12. A travel pillow casing and tote combination of claim 9, wherein
the distal curved portion is of a length ranging from thirty-eight
to forty inches.
13. A travel pillow casing and tote combination of claim 12,
wherein the engaging member is on the distal portion and is of a
length ranging from eighteen to twenty inches.
14. A travel pillow and tote combination comprising: a casing
comprising: a curved top side and a curved bottom side, wherein the
curved top side and curved bottom side are connected along a
proximal curved portion and a distal curved portion such that the
pillow casing forms a bladder shape, an enclosing member on one of
the curve portions and openable so as to expose the interior of the
casing, a first opposing end and a second opposing end, a receiving
member attached to the first opposing end and an engaging member
attached to the second opposing end capable of engaging and
disengaging the receiving member; and a jacket filler insertable
through the open enclosing member into the interior of the casing,
where the jacket filler is made of a material selected from a down
material and a down-alternative material and is sufficiently large
and foldable so as to provide sufficient volume such that when the
filler is inserted through the open enclosing member into the
interior of the casing the casing is expanded and firm, whereby the
casing acts as a tote to the filler.
15. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 14, wherein the
proximal curved portion is of a length ranging from sixteen to
eighteen inches.
16. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 14, wherein the
distal curved portion is of a length ranging from thirty-eight to
forty inches.
17. A travel pillow and tote combination of claim 16, wherein the
engaging member is on the distal portion and is of a length ranging
from eighteen to twenty inches.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present application relates generally to a travel pillow
and tote combination. More specifically, the invention involves an
apparatus for providing a storage location for a coat or other
articles while one is traveling that simultaneously operates as a
travel pillow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The travel industry has changed tremendously in the last
decade. With airlines and other travel providers charging for
checked baggage, more and more passengers are resorting to carry-on
luggage only. As a result, carry-on luggage compartments are
becoming over-crowded with less room available for smaller items,
such as coats and extra layers one may wear while traveling.
[0003] Additionally, many transportation providers are offering
less complementary benefits and charging consumers, i.e.,
passengers, for on-board luxuries. These on-board luxuries can
range from beverages and food to other items such as blankets and
pillows. Thus, more and more passengers are relying on
self-provided supplies for travel.
[0004] For instance, many travelers now carry their own travel
pillow and blanket. Not only can a passenger ensure that they will
receive a pillow and/or blanket at no cost, but the passenger can
also ensure that the blanket and pillow the traveler may use is
clean and in good condition. Previous travel pillows which are
known, include inflatable pillows, bean-bag pillows, and the
traditional sewn-in stuffed pillows. Most travel pillows also form
a shape to encircle the neckline of an individual such that the
pillow provides support from all angles to allow a user to rest in
virtually any position.
[0005] However, previous travel pillows, inflatable or not, simply
provide a passenger with yet another carry-on item in addition to
all other carry-on items that the passenger already has. Thus,
there is a need for a travel pillow that not only provides
neck-comfort for a user but also alleviates the burden that all
travelers now face with regards to limiting his or her carry-on
baggage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the deficiencies and drawbacks in the prior art,
it is a primary feature of the present invention to provide an
improved travel pillow and tote combination for passengers that
also allows for easy storage. The casing of the present invention
provides a tote for the filler and/or other objects that may be
placed in the interior of the casing.
[0007] Another feature of the present invention is to provide
travelers with a carrier that allows travelers to store small,
compact items while in transit.
[0008] In summary, there is provided in a preferred embodiment of
the present invention a travel pillow and tote combination. The
combination includes a pillow casing having a top side and a bottom
side mirroring each other and forming a curved bladder shape with a
first opposing end and a second opposing end, wherein the curved
shape includes a proximal curved portion and a distal curved
portion. The first opposing end further has a receiving member
attached to the first opposing end via a receiving member
attachment, and the second opposing end has an engaging member
attached to the second opposing end via an engaging member
attachment. The receiving member and engaging member are fashioned
such that when the engaging member engages and connects to the
receiving member, the travel pillow and/or tote forms a closed
substantially circular shape. The distal portion of the pillow
casing further includes an enclosing member to enclose an interior
portion of the pillow, wherein the interior portion may include a
pillow filler, such as a jacket.
[0009] Additional features of the invention are described below in
more detail.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above-described and other advantages and features of the
present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those
skilled in the art from the following detailed description and
drawings of which
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a travel pillow of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of said travel pillow;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of said travel pillow
illustrating the pillow casing in combination with and ready to
receive a garment;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the pillow casing; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of said travel pillow in use,
the dot and dash lines illustrating the same being worn around the
neck of a traveler.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is shown a first
preferred embodiment of a travel pillow and tote combination 1 for
providing storage and comfort to a traveler. The combination 1, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, comprises a casing 2, which is
bladder-shaped and configured to enclose a pillow filler 24 when
the casing is used as a tote. The preferred material of the casing
is nylon, cotton, satin, flannel, winceyette, velvet, polyester,
linen, or some blend of those materials, but may also include other
known materials. The preferred material is durable, yet soft and
non-abrasive so as to allow a user to securely carry items inside
the casing without damaging or destroying the casing, yet provide a
comfortable surface for a user to rest on.
[0017] The casing 2 further includes a curved top side 4 and a
curved bottom side 6, which are essentially mirror images of one
another. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the top side 4 is the side on
which the user primarily rests. Optionally, the material that makes
up the top side 4 of the pillow casing 2 may be softer and more
comfortable to be in contact with the neck of the wearer and may
differ from the material that makes up the bottom side 6 so as to
allow for a more durable material to be used on the bottom
side.
[0018] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the casing further
includes a proximal curved portion 8 and a distal curved portion 10
that create a curved shape for the casing 2. The proximal portion 8
contacts a person's neck when in use as a pillow. The distal
portion 10 includes an operable enclosing member 20 to allow a user
to open and close the casing 2 in order to insert and remove items,
such as the pillow filler 24, into and out of the pillow casing
2.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the curved top side 4 and
curved bottom side 6 are connected in a sewn fashion along the
proximal curved portion 8 and the distal curved portion 10, except
for the section of the distal portion 10 that encompasses the
operable enclosing member 20. In a preferred embodiment, the
enclosing member 20 of the casing 2 is a zipper. However, the
operable enclosing member 20 may be any sort of fastening member,
such as buttons, a fabric hook and loop fastener, or some other
fastening means.
[0020] The casing also includes a first opposing end 11 and a
second opposing end 15. The first opposing end 11 has a receiving
member 12 that is attached to the first opposing end via a
receiving member attachment 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, and by
way of example, the receiving member 12 is a ring attached to the
first opposing end 11 by a stem 14. The second opposing end 15 has
an engaging member 16 that is attached to the second opposing end
15 via an engaging member attachment 18. Additionally, by way of
example, the engaging member 16 is a well-known unit including a
latching member 17, and is attached to the second end 15 by a stem
18 using a ring and loop combination.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the length of the proximal curved
portion 8, measured from the first opposing end 11 to the second
opposing end 15 ranges from 16 to 18 inches. Furthermore, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the length from a
midpoint M of the distal curved portion 10 to a point between the
two opposing ends 11, 15, illustrated as X, ranges from 12.5 to
14.5 inches (D1) and the length from a point A along the distal
curved portion 10 to a point B along the distal curved portion 10
ranges from 15.5 to 17.5 inches (D2). In the preferred embodiment,
it is also desirable that the distal curved portion 10 be of a
length ranging from 38 to 40 inches, with an enclosing member
running a length of about 18 to 20 inches along the distal curved
portion 10.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the pillow
filler 24. In this embodiment, the pillow filler 24 is made up of a
jacket with a main body 26 and sleeves 28. Optionally, the jacket
24 may have a hood 30. It is desirable that the jacket is comprised
of a down or down-alternative filling. In this manner, the jacket
will provide warmth to a user when in use as a jacket, be easily
compressed to fit inside the casing 2, and provide substantial
cushioning for a user when in use as a pillow filler 24.
Furthermore, the casing 2 provides a storage compartment for the
jacket when the user is traveling. In an alternative embodiment,
the pillow filler 24 may be another article of clothing or the like
that would provide the necessary comfort to be used as a filling
for inside of a pillow.
[0023] FIG. 5 exemplifies the preferred embodiment while in use as
a travel pillow 1. In order to most effectively utilize the travel
pillow 1, the pillow filler 24 is inserted into the pillow interior
22. A user then places the pillow 1 around his or her neck such
that the proximal curved portion 8 rests along the user's neckline
and comforts the head and neck of the traveler. The engaging member
16 is then attached to the receiving member 12 such that the
engaging member 16 and the receiving member 12 are interconnected
and pulled somewhat close to one another. Thus, the connection
between the engaging member 16 and the receiving member 12 creates
the requisite structure to maintain a snug yet comfortable fit
around a user's neck to provide the necessary support for proper
travel pillow use. Obviously, the members 12 and 16 may be readily
disengaged.
[0024] Once a user no longer desires to use the travel pillow 1 for
use as a pillow, such as after departure from an airplane, train,
or other form of transportation, the user may wish to use the
pillow filler 24 for another use. For example, where the pillow
filler 24 is a jacket, the user may want to remove the jacket from
the casing 2 and wear it. By removing the pillow filler 24, the
casing 2 remains empty to either provide an additional carrier or
tote for the user or may be easily folded or bundled inside of
another carrier or tote. The casing 2 is conveniently transformed
into a tote using the engaging member 16 and receiving member 12
combination as a strap to go over a user's shoulders emulating a
hobo bag.
[0025] The accompanying drawings only illustrate a travel pillow,
its constituent parts, and method of use. However, other types and
styles are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be
limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and
accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details
provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
embodiment(s) but merely as providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiment(s). The drawings and the description
are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the
embodiment(s) and are understood as broad and general teachings in
accordance with the present invention. While the present
embodiment(s) of the invention have been described using specific
terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only,
and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to
such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of
equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of
various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *