WO1999059444A1

WO1999059444A1 - Portable pillow pack

Info

Publication number: WO1999059444A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/011050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan Kline
Original assignee: Alan Kline
Priority date: 1998-05-20
Filing date: 1999-05-20
Publication date: 1999-11-25
Also published as: AU4087499A; CA2297085A1

Abstract

A portable pillow container has a bag (1) with a receptacle in the bag for removably receiving a bed pillow therein (7). An opening (4) is provided which leads to the receptacle, and straps (8, 9) are provided for carrying the container over the shoulders and/or about the waist. The bag allows one to travel with a bed pillow without loss of valuable luggage space with the hands remaining free for carrying other luggage.

Description

PORTABLE PILLOW PACK

Technical Field

This invention relates to a portable travel container and more particularly to a portable

pillow container sized to accept a bed pillow therein.

Background of the Invention

It is common when traveling or visiting away from home to encounter difficulty when

sleeping. Generally when traveling long distances, for example, by aircraft, relatively small

travel pillows are provided to passengers. In hotels, it is common to have somewhat

uncomfortable commercial type pillows. Use of these by many persons results in fitful

sleeping and general discomfort. Also, the use of commercial detergents can occasionally

result in an adverse or allergic reaction. It is sometimes wished that one could bring their

own pillow from home, to use when traveling.

One problem with this option is that a typical bed pillow is rather large and would

consume a large amount of luggage space, generally needed for other articles, thus, it is

considered impractical to bring one's own pillow.

In U. S. Patent No. 5,345,633, a cushion contoured to fit the neck has a pair of

removable straps which can be attached by hook and loop separable type fasteners, to a

complimentary fastener panel on the cushion. The cushion is contoured to fit the neck of the

user, with the straps used to attach the cushion to a seat back.

In U.S. Patent No. 2,580,904 and 2,413,828, two transportable pillows are described

which are specially constructed for use as a stadium seat cushion, or as being integral with an opening for covering the head.

To date, there has been no consideration given to a method or means for utilizing a bed pillow while traveling.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a portable pillow container comprising a

flexible bag sized for receiving a bed pillow therein, the bag having an opening for receiving

the pillow, means for closing the opening, a front surface, strap means having ends attached

to the front surface, the strap means sized to fit a person's shoulders, the strap means being

adjustable so as to allow the bag to cover the back of the person. In another embodiment, the

strap means are sufficiently adjustable to allow the bag to cover the seat of a person. A

separate full size bed pillow is locatable within the bag for travel.

Using the present invention, one can carry a full sized pillow without reducing

valuable luggage space. The pillow is also readily available for use during travel, while in the

bag, or it can be removed and used separately with the flexible bag folded and stored. The

pillow, carried over the back, is lightweight and frees the hands for carrying luggage. As

such, it can also be used for travel by train, automobile or even motorcycle. The portable

pillow container may also be used beneath a conventional backpack and thereby act as a

cushion to increase comfort. Such a bag thus substantially increases comfort during travel or

when away from home, without increasing the difficulty in travel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view of the portable pillow container of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the pillow container taken along line 2-2 of

Fig. 1 showing an optional pouch for rolled clothing, for use as neck support;

Fig. 3(a) shows the pillow container carried on a person's back when standing;

Fig. 3(b) shows the pillow container when seated;

Fig. 4 is a back view of the pillow container;

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is another alternative embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 7 is yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a pillow container or bag 1 in accordance with the present

invention is shown. The bag 1 has a front wall 2, a flap 3 and an opening 4. The bag has a

back wall 5, the front and back walls defining an interior receptacle 6 sized to receive a bed

pillow 7 therein.

A pair of straps 8 and 9 are attached at their ends 8a, 8b and 9a, 9b to the front wall,

these connected together by releasable fasteners 10 and 11. Of course, these straps need not

include releasable type fasteners, and these are shown as one embodiment of the invention.

Fasteners that are adjustable as to length, though not releasible may also be used. The straps

are adjustable to allow carrying the bag on a person's back with the straps passing over the

shoulders. The straps ends are fastened to an upper portion 12 of the bag to allow a lower

portion 13 of the bag to fold and acts as a cushion for seating. This is shown in Figs. 3(b)

where the bag is attached to a person.

Preferably, the straps have two upper portions, 8c, 9c, and two lower portions 8d and 9d with the fasteners 10, 11 used to join the upper and lower portions together. As shown in

Fig. 4, the upper strap portions can alternatively have their ends 8a, 9a fastened to the back

wall 5, by stitching, adhesive, etc. In addition, the two lower strap portions 8d, 9d can be

adapted so that they can be engaged together to form a waist strap 14, as shown in phantom in

Fig. 1. Of course, a separate waist strap 14a as shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) can also be

provided. This waist strap is particularly useful when the bag is worn over the back, with a

standard type back pack then placed over the bag. The pillow then can be used as a cushion

between the back pack and the person's back, to improve comfort. Such a back pack 15 is

shown in phantom in Fig. 3a. However, when no backpack is used, the over shoulder

strapping is preferred.

The flap 3 of the container 1 fits over the opening 4 for releasable attachment to the

front wall 2 of the bag. This is accomplished with a pair of mateable hook and loop type

separable fasteners, 16 and 17. However, a zipper or other type fastener can be used to close

the open end of the bag. A flap has several advantages as a typical bed pillow would

normally be about 16 inches wide but may vary in length from about 20 to 40 inches long.

The flap has the advantage in that the open end of the bag can be lengthened or shortened to

accommodate these different length pillows simply by the degree to which the flap is folded

over the front wall of the bag. In Figure 1, the fastener 17 is elongated to provide a degree of

adjustment.

Optionally, one or more carrier pouches can be integrated with the bag. For example,

in Figs. 2, 3(a) and 3(b), a lateral pouch 18 is provided adjacent the opening 4 which can be

filled with rolled clothes 19 or other items to provide a neck support. Optionally, other side

or back pockets can be used to store items, though the location of the pockets should be chosen so as not to detrimentally affect comfort.

Referring to Fig. 5, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. In this

embodiment, a portable pillow container 20 has a back wall 21 and a pair of straps 22 and 23

which extend from side straps 24 and 25 to crossed each other over the back. The straps then

continue over a front wall 26 of the container, to act as shoulder straps, similar to those

described previously. The cris-crossed straps over the back assist in holding the pillow close

to the back to reduce bulk and increase comfort. Similarly, a separate waist strap 27 is shown

that encircles the back wall, with the front portions engaged again similarly to those described

previously. Again, as stated earlier, the combination of straps may vary.

This embodiment also demonstrates other options that can be incorporated, as

described, in the portable pillow container.

The container 20 has a flap 27 that has front wall 28 and an opening 29 which form a

pocket 30 for storage or for accepting a small pillow 31 therein.

The container 20 has a lower portion 32 that, similar to the flap of Fig. 1, can be

folded over a middle portion 33 of the container so that the pillow resides to a maximum

extent, in upper portion of the container. Separate fasteners 34 and 35 hold the folded lower

portion in position. Such a lower portion thus allows adjustment of the pillow position to

increase comfort. An illustrative fold line may be along an axis 36, though this of course

could vary. For example, when walking, it may be preferred to keep the pillow in the upper

portion 36, but before sitting, to displace the pillow into the lower portion 32. As a further

option, a second opening 37 could be provided in the lower portion for inserting or removing

the pillow, or for using the folded-up lower portion for storage.

Again, these various options can be interchanged and/or used selectively to produce a pillow container in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here, a

container 40 has a pair of straps 41 and 42, the strap 41 having a lower portion 43 sewn into a

side seam 44 which joins a front wall 45 to a back wall 46 of the container. A reinforcement

strip 47 is attached to the front wall 45 and an upper strap portion 48 is attached to the strip

by stitching, adhesive or other means. The strap 42 is similarly attached to the container.

The advantage is increased strength of attachment and reduced fabrication steps in producing

the container. In this embodiment, no flap closure is used. The container has an opening 49

closed by a zipper 50, illustrating another selectable optional feature of the present invention.

A second opening 51 is also provided in a lower portion 52, also closed by a zipper 53.

A pair of optional external pockets 54 are also shown. If a separate waist strap 55 is

provided, as shown, it has its ends 56, 57 anchored in the side seams 44, 58.

Referring to Fig. 7, three reinforcement strips 59, 60, 61 are attached to a front wall 62

of a container 63, to anchor a pair of shoulder straps 64, 65 and/or waist strap 66. A flap 67

has a side opening pocket 68. The container has a second side opening 69, which allows

access to the interior of the bags.

The means for adjusting the shoulder straps can be the common quick connect types

that have buckles or other means to provide adjustable lengths, though other types of length

adjustment devices can be used. In addition, the flap closure can be engaged using Velcro,

clips, buckles or other means, and virtually any type of fastener can be used.

The choice of material for use in forming the pillow container can vary across a wide

spectrum, for example, for use on a camping trip, water resistant material that is fairly durable

may be preferred while for travel by plane, a less durable, but more soft and comfortable material such as cotton may be preferred. Virtually, any type of fabric material suitable for

forming a flexible travel container can be used. Preferably, a material selected from nylon,

polyester, vinyl, cotton, and combination thereof, such as laminates or coated fabrics, can be

used.

The bag is preferably made of a fabric, that is a durable but comfortable, flexible and

light weight, so that the bag can be easily rolled up when not in use into a compact form for

storage. Various polyester, vinyl or nylon materials may be used, some having coatings to

improve water repellency or to resist abrasion and any conventional material may be used. At

the same time, should one wish to use the pillow within the bag, the cloth should be

sufficiently soft so as to avoid discomfort, and natural fiber materials such as cotton could

also be used.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and

described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and

modifications can be made without varying from the scope of the present invention.

I claim:

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A portable pillow container comprising a flexible bag having a receptacle

sized to receive a bed pillow therein, the bag having an opening leading to the receptacle,

means for closing the opening, means for strapping the bag to a person's body, the means for

strapping being adjustable to fit the person's body.

2. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , wherein the means for strapping are

adjustable to fit the person's shoulders.

3 . The portable pillow container of claim 1, wherein the means for strapping are

adjustable to fit the person's waist.

4. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , further comprising a bed pillow

removably located within the receptacle.

5. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , wherein the bag has a front wall and

a back wall that form the receptacle therebetween.

6. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , wherein the bag has an upper portion

and a lower portion, the opening being in the upper portion.

7. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , further comprising a second opening

leading to the receptacle.

8. The portable pillow container of claim 1, further comprising a flap located adjacent the opening, the flap foldable thereover.

9. The portable pillow container of claim 8, further comprising means for

holding the flap over the opening.

10. The portable pillow container of claim 8, further comprising a storage pocket

located in the flap.

11. The portable pillow container of claim 8, wherein the means for holding

comprise a fastener on the flap and a mating fastener on the bag, the fasteners being

adjustable to adjust the amount the flap folds over the opening.

12. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , wherein the means for strapping the

bag comprise a pair of straps, each strap having detachable upper and lower portions, the

straps having ends engaged on the sides of the bag.

13. The portable pillow container of claim 12 wherein the strap upper portions

continue over and cross each other over the back.

14. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , wherein the means for strapping the

bag comprise a pair of straps, each strap having detachable upper and lower portions, the strap lower portions having ends anchored in opposite side seams of the bag.

15. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , wherein the means for strapping the

upper portions having ends anchored near the opening.

16. The portable pillow container of claim 1 wherein the bag is composed of a

material selected from the group consisting of polyester, nylon, vinyl, cotton, and

combinations thereof.

17. The portable pillow container of claim 1 , further comprising one or more

pockets located on an outer surface of the bag to store items therein.

18. The portable pillow container of claim 5, wherein the lower portion is foldable

over a middle portion, and further comprising means for holding the lower portion folded

over the middle portion.

19. The portable pillow container of claim 18, wherein the opening is in the lower

portion.

20. A portable pillow container of claim 18, further comprising a second opening

provided in the lower portion.

21. A method for transporting a bed pillow comprising:

providing a flexible bag having a receptacle sized to receive a bed pillow

therein, the bag having an opening leading to the receptacle, means for closing the opening,

means for strapping the bag to a person's body, the means for strapping being adjustable to fit

the person's body;

placing the bed pillow into the receptacle; and

placing the container on the person's body.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the container is placed on the person's

shoulders.

23. The method of claim 21 , further comprising adjusting the pillow to be located

adjacent the person's upper back.

24. The method of claim 21 , further comprising adjusting the pillow to be located

in a position for use in seating.