TRAVEL PILLOW AND TOTE COMBINATION
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.
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 INVENTIONThe 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.
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.
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.
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 INVENTIONIn 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.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide travelers with a carrier that allows travelers to store small, compact items while in transit.
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.
Additional features of the invention are described below in more detail.
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
With reference to
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
As illustrated in
As shown in
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 23, 2012
Publication Date: Aug 29, 2013
Inventors: Robert SOFFER (Brooklyn, NY), Albert Shehebar (Brooklyn, NY)
Application Number: 13/403,013
International Classification: A47G 9/10 (20060101);