Convertible sheet material and bag
A towel to tote bag convertible article is disclosed that comprises a towel, preferably a sports towel, having a planar face. A pocket provided on the face has an opening sized to receive and contain at least the second end region and the intermediate region. The pocket is configured for being turned inside out to form a tote bag. A closure is provided for enabling the closing of the pocket opening after the pocket is turned inside out. A decorative or waterproof lining may be attached to the pocket to form the outside of the tote bag when the pocket is turned inside out. The towel can be divided into different segments an additional pockets can be provided on either side of the towel and a have mouths directed longitudinally or laterally. There can be different shapes to the planar part and there can be different separable portions of the planar area to facilitate a smaller tote pocket for locating the folded towel.
This application relates to U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,041, issued Oct. 23, 2003, entitled “CONVERTIBLE TOWEL TO TOTE BAG ARTICLE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME”, and is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/680,699, filed Oct. 6, 2003. The contents of both the patent and the application are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates generally to the field of convertible sheet materials, more particularly to fabrics such as linens and towels, and still more particularly to combination towels and tote bags.
The difficulties associated with bringing such amenities or necessities as a large sports towel, jewelry, keys, wallets, reading materials, and various electronic gear to a gym, beach outing, or picnic are well known to many people. Not only must an individual carry such articles to and from a gym, beach, or picnic, but also the individual needs to keep the articles readily accessible while on the beach or at the picnic. The difficulties are exacerbated if the individual also has his or her hands occupied, for example, with carrying a food hamper or ice chest.
Various types of “carry-ails” are, of course, available, including tote bags and satchels, not to mention the ubiquitous plastic and paper grocery bags. However such known “carry-alls” are often inconvenient to carry and are often unattractive and/or are not “cool”. In addition, “carry-alls” known to the present inventor do not have any function other than carrying articles.
SUMMARYIn a first form, a towel to tote bag convertible article comprises a towel having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between the first and second end regions. A pocket formed with the towel has an opening and is sized to receive and contain the towel.
In one form, the pocket is configured for being turned inside out to form a tote bag containing the towel.
Closure means, preferably a zipper, enables the closing of the pocket opening before and after the pocket is turned inside out.
Preferably, the convertible article includes a lining attached to the pocket, the lining forming the outside of the tote bag when the pocket is turned inside out. The lining may be constructed from a waterproof material. Also preferably the convertible article includes a tote bag carrying strap attached to the inside of the pocket, and the towel comprises a terry cloth sports towel.
In one form, a towel to tote bag convertible article comprises a sports towel having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between the first and second end regions. A pocket is formed at and across the first end region, the pocket having an opening facing the second end region and being sized to receive and contain the second end region and the intermediate region, the pocket being configured for being turned inside out to form a tote bag containing the second end region and the intermediate region.
In another form, the towel to tote bag convertible article is arranged with a pocket in a position between the ends such that the ends can be folded and located in the pocket. This position can be midway between the ends or at some other suitable location. Preferably, the pocket is turned inside out to receive these ends. For instance the pocket can be located in the intermediate area.
In yet a different form of the invention, the pocket is arranged to receive an ice pack or heat pack and can thereafter be closed such that the item becomes a device for use for instance medically on the surface of the body to apply heat or cold as may be necessary the bag or towel can wrap around the body to ensure anchorage on the body of the ice pack or heat pack as necessary. Ideally the ice pack or heat pack is contained in a waterproof lining in the pocket.
A tote bag carrying strap is attached to the inside of the pocket. A zipper is attached to the towel and to the pocket at the pocket opening for enabling the closing of the pocket opening before and after the pocket is turned inside out. Also included is a lining attached to the pocket, said lining, which may be constructed of a decorative or waterproof material, forming the outside of the tote bag when the pocket is turned inside out.
There is provided a corresponding method for constructing a towel, which may be a sports towel, that converts into a tote bag, the method comprising the steps of forming a towel having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between the first and second end regions; making a pocket at the first end region having an opening facing the second end region and extending across the first end region and of sufficient size to receive and contain the second end region and the intermediate region.
The steps of forming a tote bag include turning the pocket inside out with the second end region and the intermediate region contained in the tote bag; and of providing a common closure for the pocket and the tote bag.
A tote bag carrying strap is included to the inside of the pocket and is attached to a lining, which may be made of a decorative material and/or a waterproof material. This strap is inside the pocket, and the lining forms the outside of the tote bag when the pocket is turned inside out.
The towel may have additional pockets arranged laterally and/or longitudinally in different sectors and sides of the towel. The towel can also be divided into segments so that different size portions of the towel can be used separately or together in the convertible system.
In yet a further form, the pocket occupies the width of the towel or less than the width of the towel. One or more corners of the pocket can be rounded to facilitate a smooth construction when the pocket is inverted so that the towel can be located in the invented pocket. In another manner when the pocket is located at one end of the towel, the towel has rounded corners at least if the two ends where the pocket is located rather than straight edged corners. These rounded corners are co extensive with the corners of the pocket. The other two corners of the towel has the opposite end may be straight edged or can provide rounded corners as desired.
In yet a different form, a portion of the towel can have features such that the towel is for instance not rectilinear but may be shaped in a rounded fashion for instance as a basketball or a football. Other shapes can be provided in adherence with the pocketed portion.
In yet another form, the towel can include partially separable areas so that when the areas are separated folding is facilitated into a smaller width of size. In this fashion a bag can be located over only a portion of the width and can be effectively smaller than the entire width of the towel. In this manner the towel can be compactly folded into a bag alternatively smaller size than a bag located over the entire width of the towel.
There is also a sheet material to bag convertible article. The article comprises a sheet material having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between said first and second end regions; and a pocket formed along the sheet material at a region between the ends. The pocket has an opening facing said second end region and being sized to receive and contain at least one end region and said intermediate region. The pocket is configured for being turned inside out to form a bag containing at least one said end region and said intermediate region. A closure means for enabling the closing of said pocket opening after said pocket is turned inside out. Where there is a lining it is preferably attached to said pocket, said lining forming the outside of said bag when said pocket is turned inside out. The lining is constructed from a waterproof material.
The sheet material is a fabric or natural product such as leather. The convertible product can be blanket in its extended form or other article of utility for use by a user as a consumer article.
DRAWINGSThe present invention can be more readily understood by a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the various Figures, the same elements and features are given the same reference numbers.
DESCRIPTION Shown in perspective in
Towel 12 has respective first and second long side edges 16 and 18 and has a length, L, that may, for example, be about 72 inches. In addition, towel 12 has respective first and second short end edges 20 and 22 and has a width, W, that may, for example, be about 36 to 38 inches and width, W, is between about 13½ inches and about 14 inches.
Pocket 14 is shown as a flat pocket, but alternatively may be of an expandable “cargo” type. As shown in
As shown in
A first step of converting article 10 into a tote bag is depicted in
Pocket 30 is then turned inside out to form tote bag 50 (
The invented towel to tote bag convertible article has a towel having a material with a first surface and an opposite surface; and a pocket formed on a first surface. The pocket includes a layer of material that in a first condition lies substantially adjacent to the first surface. The pocket has an opening between the layer and the first surface and is sized to receive and contain the material of the towel. The pocket is configured for being turned inside out to form a tote bag containing said towel.
There is a lining attached to said pocket, and the lining forms the outside of said tote bag when said pocket is turned inside out. The lining is constructed from a waterproof material, and also the material on the surface of the towel facing the lining of the layer is formed of a waterproof material. In other cases and and/or additionally the lining surface may be formed of a decorative surface.
A closure for enabling the closing of said pocket opening before and after said pocket is turned inside out, and wherein said closure means is selectively a zipper or a Velcro or other buttoning system.
In other forms there are at least some other pockets located with the surface of the material. The towel material can be formed with multiple plies, and the other pockets are defined between the multiple plies. There can be multiple different pockets located with surface of the towel. Selectively there are other pockets located on both surfaces of the layer.
The material for the towel includes areas for separation so that the material is selectively separable into different components, and there are joinder elements to rejoin the components.
The convertible towel to tote bag of
Also that the extremity of the towel 12 there are two grommets 64 which can be used for hooking the towel as desired for instance to a golf bag or on a hook in an athletic club. A loop 66 is shown in one of the grommets 64.
Additionally the towel 12 can be formed in segments 68 and 70 and 72, and the segments can be connected with a Velcro strip 74 and 76 respectively. This permits the towel to be divided into segmented smaller sizes as may be desired. Alternatively with the Velcro strip 74 and 76 connected a full-size towel 12 is achieved.
The outside of the pocket 14 is provided with an additional pocket 78. The mouth for the pocket is indicated as 80. This pocket 78 can be for securing small elements or smaller towel as may be necessary the walls of the pocket are shown in the phantom lines 82.
Also on the reverse side as shown in
In
In
The folding of the towel 12 underneath the pocket 14 and then into an inverted pocket is shown further in
As shown in
The towel 12 to tote bag 14 convertible article 10 shown in
A portion of the towel 12 can have features such that the towel 12 is for instance not rectilinear. As shown in
There is also a sheet material to bag convertible article which is not in the nature of a towel. The article comprises a sheet material of a selected shape having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between said first and second end regions; and a pocket formed along the sheet material at a region between the ends. The pocket has an opening facing said second end region and is sized to receive and contain at least one end region and said intermediate region. The pocket is configured for being turned inside out to form a bag containing at least one said end region and said intermediate region.
A closure means enables the closing of said pocket opening after said pocket is turned inside out. Where there is a lining it is preferably attached to said pocket, said lining forming the outside of said bag when said pocket is turned inside out. The lining is constructed from a waterproof material.
The sheet material is a fabric or natural product such a leather. The convertible product can be blanket in its extended form or other article of utility for use by a user as a consumer or fashion article to be used for multiple purposes where ins one form it is used as sheet material and other as a pocket.
Although there has been described above a towel that is convertible into a tote bag in accordance with the present invention for purposes of illustrating the manner in which the present invention maybe used to advantage, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For instance although the pocket is shown essentially as rectilinear there can be other shaped pockets for instance round, or triangular. The pocket can be located at different locations relative to the main towel area. consequently, any and all variations and equivalent arrangements, which may occur to those skilled in the applicable art, are to be considered to be within the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the claim that appended hereto as part of this application.
Claims
1. A towel to tote bag convertible article, said article comprising: a) a towel having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between said first and second end regions; b) a pocket formed along the towel at a region between the ends, said pocket having an opening facing said second end region and being sized to receive and contain at least one end region and said intermediate region, said pocket being configured for being turned inside out to form a tote bag containing at least one said end region and said intermediate region; and c) closure means for enabling the closing of said pocket opening after said pocket is turned inside out.
2. The convertible article as claimed in claim 1, including a lining attached to said pocket, said lining forming the outside of said tote bag when said pocket is turned inside out.
3. The convertible article as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lining is constructed from a waterproof material.
4. The convertible article as claimed in claim 1, including a tote bag carrying strap attached to the inside of said pocket.
5. The convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein said towel comprises a terry cloth sports towel.
6. The convertible article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the towel is non-rectilinear in shape.
7. A towel to tote bag convertible article, said article comprising:
- a towel having a planar face;
- a pocket formed with on the towel, said pocket having an opening and being sized to receive and contain the planar towel in a folded format, said pocket being configured for being turned inside out to form a tote bag containing the planar towel in the folded format; and
- a closure attached to said towel and to the pocket at said opening for enabling the closing of the pocket opening after the pocket is turned inside out.
8. The convertible article as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pocket includes at least one and preferably at least two rounded closed corners, the rounded corners being remote from the closure portion of the pocket, and including a lining with the pocket, said lining forming the outside of said tote bag when said pocket is turned inside out.
9. A towel to tote bag convertible article, said article comprising:
- a towel having a planar form and a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between said first and second end regions;
- the towel including at least one planar portion which is a partially separable area relative to a larger portion of the towel planar face so that when the area and portion are separated, folding the towel is facilitated into a smaller width;
- a pocket formed with the towel located over only a portion of the width, said pocket having an opening and being sized to receive and contain at least a second end region and said intermediate region when the towel portions are separated and the towel is folded, and
- a closure attached to said towel and to the pocket at said opening for enabling the closing of the pocket opening after the pocket is turned inside out.
10. The convertible article as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pocket includes at least one and preferably at least two rounded closed corners, the rounded corners being remote form the closure portion of the pocket, and including a lining attached to said pocket, said lining forming the outside of said tote bag when said pocket is turned inside out.
11. The convertible article as claimed in claim 9, wherein said lining is constructed from at least one of a decorative material or a waterproof material.
12. The convertible article as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pocket is configured for being turned inside out to form a tote bag containing at least one end region and an intermediate region of the towel.
13. The convertible article as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pocket the towel including at least two planar portions which are partially separable areas relative to a larger portion of the towel planar face so that when the areas and portion are separated, folding the towel is facilitated into a smaller width.
14. The convertible article as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pocket the towel including at least two planar portions which are partially separable areas relative to a larger portion of the towel planar face, the two planar portions being on either side of a central area and there being lines of separation extending from an end towards an intermediate part of the towel so that when the areas and central area are separated, the portions of the towel to either side of the central area can be folded onto the central area and the towel in turn folded into a pocket located in the central area.
15. A sheet material to bag convertible article, said article having a consumer use as a sheet material and as a bag, and the article comprising: a) a sheet material having a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between said first and second end regions; b) a pocket formed along the sheet material at a region between the ends, said pocket having an opening facing said second end region and being sized to receive and contain at least one end region and said intermediate region, said pocket being configured for being turned inside out to form a bag containing at least one said end region and said intermediate region; and c) closure means for enabling the closing of said pocket opening after said pocket is turned inside out.
16. The convertible article as claimed in claim 15, including a lining attached to said pocket, said lining forming the outside of said bag when said pocket is turned inside out.
17. The convertible article as claimed in claim 16, wherein said lining is constructed from a waterproof material.
18. The convertible article as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sheet material is a fabric or natural product.
19. A sheet material to bag convertible article, said article comprising:
- a sheet material having a planar face;
- a pocket formed with on the material, said pocket having an opening and being sized to receive and contain the planar face in a folded format, said pocket being configured for being turned inside out to form a bag containing the planar face in the folded format; and
- a closure attached to said material and to the pocket at said opening for enabling the closing of the pocket opening after the pocket is turned inside out.
20. The convertible article as claimed in claim 19, wherein the pocket includes at least one and preferably at least two rounded closed corners, the rounded corners being remote from the closure portion of the pocket, and including a lining with the pocket, said lining forming the outside of said bag when said pocket is turned inside out.
21. A consumer article sheet material to bag convertible article, said article having a consumer use as a sheet material and as a bag as comprising:
- a material having a planar form and a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region between said first and second end regions;
- the material including at least one planar portion which is a partially separable area relative to a larger portion of the material planar face so that when the area and portion are separated, folding the material is facilitated into a smaller width;
- a pocket formed with the material located over only a portion of the width, said pocket having an opening and being sized to receive and contain at least a second end region and said intermediate region when the material portions are separated and the material is folded, and
- a closure attached to said material and to the pocket at said opening for enabling the closing of the pocket opening after the pocket is turned inside out.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2004
Publication Date: Apr 7, 2005
Inventors: Randy Higashi (Whittier, CA), Peter Algarin (Corona, CA)
Application Number: 10/779,374