SLEEPOVER BAG

Abstract

Multiple embodiments of a sleepover bag that includes a sleeping-bag-and-liner combination are disclosed. The disclosed combinations include a detachable liner, having an extension part acting as a pillowcase, adapted to be used along with the sleeping bag to protect the sleeping bag and the pillow and for ease of transportation. The disclosed sleeping bags have at least one window, by opening and closing of which a user can control the inside temperature of the sleeping bags. In some embodiments the sleeping bags may have an integrated pillow.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/457,676, filed on May 9, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/629,630, filed on Nov. 22, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments relate in general to bedding articles, and in particular, to a sleepover bag.

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are mostly two varieties of sleeping bags in the market: a rectangular shape and a mummy shape. They are basically large sacks, made of thermally insulating material, in which a person sleeps. The insulating material serves both as a soft mattress and cover and also as a thermal barrier in cold weather. One of the problems with these sleeping bags is that they are hard to wash and also to dry, because of their size and their insulating content material. In turn, a further problem caused by washing these sleeping bags is displacing their thermal material, which makes the sleeping bags uneven and uncomfortable and degrades their insulating properties. Another problem with the available sleeping bags is the inability of the users to control the inside temperature of their sleeping bags. Yet another problem with the available sleeping bags and liners is that they have made no provisions for the inclusion of a pillow as an integral part of the sleeping set.

The need for a complete and integrated set is more evident when children are sent to their friends' abodes for sleepover. An integrated set makes it easier for children to carry their sleeping gear, lowers the possibility of losing any of their sleeping articles, and makes it easier for the parents to clean their gear for a subsequent use.

The problem of keeping sleeping bags clean has been partially solved by providing detachable liners that can be removed from the sleeping bags and separately washed.

None of the available sleeping bags and/or liners has addressed the problems associated with carrying a pillow or covering a pillow for cleanliness and/or controlling the inside temperature of the sleeping bags.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. Various embodiments will be described referencing the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an example sleepover bag set including a sleeping bag and a liner with an integrated pocket for a pillow.

FIG. 2 shows an example liner included in the sleepover bag with an extension that may be used as a pillowcase.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example sleeping bag included in the sleepover bag with windows for controlling inside temperature of the sleeping bag.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example sleeping bag included in the sleepover bag with windows for controlling inside temperature of the sleeping bag and an integral pillow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down, back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict the application of disclosed embodiments.

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other via one or more intermediate elements or components.

For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “A/B” or in the form “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or (AB), that is, A is an optional element.

The description may use the terms “embodiment” or “embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments. Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous.

The existing sleeping bags and liners are customarily sold separately and users need to shop for liners that fit their sleeping bags and/or have appropriate fasteners in proper locations to be able to fasten and use the liners with their sleeping bags. In addition to the sleeping bags and the liners, users need to also carry pillows and pillowcases. A pillow which is not attached, in some manner, to the liner and/or the sleeping bag tends to be pushed away from the user, which itself is unsanitary and uncomfortable, especially if one is sleeping on dirty camp grounds. This also adds to the number of articles that needs to be washed and dried after each use.

The problems with separate and unattached bedding articles are more prevalent when users are children. Children more tend to lose their belonging and more frequently soil their bedding and clothing articles. Particularly, when children are sent to sleep over at their friends', it is desirable to send them with a single bag containing all their bedding needs and to wash and dry a single liner after they come back. It is also desirable for their sleeping bags to have provisions for controlling the inside temperature.

Generally stated, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a combination of a sleeping bag, which includes at least one openable window, and a liner, which can enclose a pillow within it and act both as a sheet for the sleeping bag and a pillowcase for the pillow. In some embodiments this liner can be attached to the sleeping bag, at one or more points, by any kind of fastener.

FIG. 1 shows an example sleepover bag set 100, which includes a sleeping bag 101 and a liner 104, and where the liner 104 has an extension for covering and/or enclosing a pillow 105. In this exemplary embodiment the sleeping bag 101 has two windows 102 which are openable and closeable by zippers, buttons, snap fasteners, or Velcro 103 to control the inside temperature of the sleeping bag 101.

The shape, number, location, size and the means for opening and closing the windows 102 may vary and may depend on practical considerations, and also on business and manufacturing decisions. Zipper 106 is customarily for complete opening and closing of the sleeping bag 101 and is also optional. The general shape of the sleeping bag 101 also depends on business and manufacturing decisions. Sleeping bag 101 may be rectangular-shape, mummy-shape, or have any other desirable geometric shape.

In some embodiments, liner 104 has a pocket-shape and in other embodiments it may be a flat sheet. Liner 104 acts as a protective layer between the user and at least a part of the sleeping bag 101 and has an extension for enclosing and containing a pillow 105. In other embodiments Liner 104 has an overlap extension which protects an edge of the sleeping bag 101 from getting soiled by coming in contact with user's face and mouth. Liner 104 may either be slipped into the sleeping bag 101 from opening 107 or placed into the sleeping bag 101 by opening zipper 106.

Sleepover bag 100, along with a pillow, can be closed in a folded or rolled configuration by any known means to form a single bag containing all bedding requirements of a user. For example, straps, rubber bands, or a fabric case may be used to hold sleepover bag 100 in the closed position.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

FIG. 2 shows an example liner 200, which is included in the sleepover bag 100, with an extension part 203. A portion or the entire extension part 203 may be formed into a pillowcase 205, for example by folding extension 203 on itself and sewing it along seam line 204. A pillow may be inserted into pillowcase 205 through a sample opening 206 which may be closeable in some embodiments. In other embodiments, pillowcase 205 can be formed, for example, by sewing different sides of the folded portion or by sewing a separate piece of fabric or even a complete pillowcase onto the extension part 203. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, extension part 203 is long enough for the pillowcase 205 to be further folded so that the user can slip her hand under her pillow and/or put another pillow under her original pillow.

In some embodiments, liner 200 is a pocket of any geometric shape and is permanently closed from all sides 201. In other embodiments liner 200 has means such as a zipper, buttons, snap fasteners or Velcro on one or more sides 201 to form an openable and closeable pocket or semi-pocket. In yet another embodiment, liner 200 is a flat sheet, with pillow extension, and acts as a protective layer between the user and at least a part of the sleeping bag 101. In some embodiment liner 200 has means such as Velcro, zipper, snap fasteners, or buttons to be fastened to sleeping bag 101 at one or multiple desired points.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, liner 200 has an additional extension part 202 which can lie over and protect an edge of the sleeping bag 101 from getting soiled by coming in contact with user's face and mouth while sleeping in opening 207.

The detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention and the invention can be practiced in many ways, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings provided herein can also be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of sleeping bag 300, which is included in the sleepover bag 100, with two windows 102 for controlling inside temperature of the sleeping bag 101. The general shape of the sleeping bag 101 depends on business and manufacturing decisions. It may be rectangular, mummy-shape, or have any other desirable geometric shape. The shape, number, location and the means for opening and closing the windows 102 depend on business and manufacturing decisions. In embodiment 300, windows 102 are openable, closeable, or even totally removable, using zippers 103 or other appropriate means such as Velcro.

In some embodiments, such as embodiment 300, behind one or more windows 102 a mosquito-net 301 or any other kind of thin fabric or netting may be attached. These nets 301 may themselves be openable and closeable or even totally removable by such means as zipper, buttons, snap fasteners, Velcro, etc.

In yet other embodiments, different parts of sleeping bag 101 may be manufactured from or contain different materials with different physical attributes and geometric dimensions. For example, the underside surface of sleeping bag 101 which faces the ground may be made of a heavier and a more moisture resistant material and/or be filled with such materials or dimensioned such that it is better suited for a mattress. On the other hand, the top surface, opposite the underside surface, covering the user may be made of and filled with such materials that are better suited for a comforter. The customarily provided zipper 106, for opening and closing the sleeping bag 101, is optional in any embodiment.

As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of sleeping bag 400, which is included in the sleepover bag 100, with two windows 402 for controlling inside temperature of the sleeping bag 401 and with at least one integral pillow 404. The general shape of the sleeping bag 401 depends on business and manufacturing decisions. It may be rectangular, mummy-shape, or have any other desirable geometric shape. The shape, number, location and the means for opening and closing the windows 402 also depend on business and manufacturing decisions. In embodiment 400, windows 402 are openable, closeable, or even totally removable, using zippers 403 or other appropriate means such as Velcro. In some embodiments, the integral pillow 404 can be formed, for example, by stuffing more insulation material inside the upper part of the sleeping bag 401. In another embodiment the integral pillow 404 is an inflatable pillow installed within the sleeping bag 401 such that a user can inflate it by blowing through an assigned inlet/outlet valve. An inflatable pillow 404 may be deflated for ease of packing the sleepover bag 100. In FIG. 4, the width of pillow 404 is depicted as wide as the width of the lower side of sleeping bag 401; however, in different embodiments the width of the pillow 404 may be less or more than the width of the lower side of sleeping bag 401.

In some embodiments of the sleeping bag 101 and/or 401, the part between the user and the ground may have an inflatable construction and be inflated by the user during usage and deflated for packing ease. In other embodiments of the sleeping bag 101 and/or 401, both sides of the sleeping bags may have inflatable construction and be inflated by the user during usage and deflated for packing the sleeping bags. Such inflatable sides on the top and/or bottom of the sleeping bag, in effect, may form a sleeping mat under the user for comfort and also provide a further air-layer as insulation to keep the user warm.

In some embodiments of the sleeping bag, there are provisions for connecting ropes to the sleeping bag and using it as a hammock. In one embodiment at least four metal rings are affixed to the four corners of the sleeping bag to be able to use it as a hammock. In another embodiment a rigid member, such as an aluminum rod, may be removably attached to two opposite edges of the sleeping bag, extending from one corner to the other, to keep the two metal rings from coming together while being used as a hammock.

All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference.

Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively.

In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

Claims

1. A sleeping bag, comprising: at least one openable, closeable, or detachable window for controlling the inside temperature of the sleeping bag.

2. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein the at least one window is openable and closeable via a zipper, Velcro, buttons, snap fastener, or a combination thereof.

3. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein under at least one window there is a fixed, an openable, or a detachable thin fabric or netting.

4. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein the sleeping bag has a rectangular shape, a mummy shape, or any other geometric shape and size and wherein the sleeping bag has provisions for attaching ropes to its edges and using the sleeping bag as a hammock.

5. The sleeping bag of claim 1, wherein one of two sides of the sleeping bag is configured to perform as a mattress and the other side is configured to perform as a comforter and whereas the mattress side may be inflatable.

6. A sleeping bag liner, the liner comprising: an extension part, at least a portion of which is configured to enclose a pillow.

7. The liner of claim 6, wherein the liner forms a permanent pocket, open on one side or a semi-pocket, open on more than one side.

8. The liner of claim 6, wherein the liner is a flat sheet.

9. The liner of claim 6, wherein the liner is attachable to the sleeping bag from at least one location.

10. The liner of claim 6, wherein the liner extension part has at least one integrated permanent enclosure in which at least one pillow may be placed, is long enough to be folded and enclose at least one pillow, or both.

11. The liner of claim 6, wherein the liner has an additional extension part to be folded over an edge of the sleeping bag to protect the edge from being soiled by a user's face and mouth.

12. A sleepover bag, comprising:

a sleeping bag with at least one openable, closeable, or detachable window configured to control the inside temperature of the sleeping bag; and

a sleeping bag liner with an extension part, wherein at least a portion of the extension part is configured to enclose a pillow for ease of transportation and hygiene.

13. The sleepover bag of claim 12, wherein the at least one window of the sleeping bag is openable and closeable via a zipper, Velcro, buttons, or a combination thereof and wherein the sleeping bag has a rectangular shape, a mummy shape, or any other geometric shape and size.

14. The sleepover bag of claim 12, wherein behind at least one window of the sleeping bag there is a fixed, an openable, or a detachable thin fabric or netting.

15. The sleepover bag of claim 12, wherein one of two sides of the sleeping bag is configured to perform as a mattress and the other side is configured to perform as a comforter.

16. The sleepover bag of claim 12, wherein the liner is a flat sheet, a permanent pocket, or a flat sheet configured to be folded and form a semi-pocket.

17. The sleepover bag of claim 12, wherein the liner is attachable to the sleeping bag from at least one location.

18. The sleepover bag of claim 12, wherein the liner extension part has at least one integrated permanent enclosure in which at least one pillow may be placed, is long enough to be folded and enclose at least one pillow, or both.

19. The sleepover bag of claim 12, wherein the liner has an additional extension part to be folded over an edge of the sleeping bag to protect the edge from being soiled by a user's face and mouth.

20. A sleeping bag, comprising: at least one openable, closeable, or detachable window for controlling the inside temperature of the sleeping bag, and an integral pillow.

21. The sleeping bag of claim 20, wherein under at least one window there is a fixed, an openable, or a detachable thin fabric or netting.

22. The sleeping bag of claim 20, wherein the pillow or at least one side of the sleeping bag is inflatable or both pillow and at least one side of the sleeping bag are inflatable.