PILLOWCASE WITH DETACHABLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS

Abstract

A pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts may include a first segment having a first end, an outer surface, and an interior housing. At least one first fastener may be attached to the first end of the first segment. Padding may be placed in the interior housing of the first segment. A second segment may be removably connected to the first segment by at least one second fastener connecting to the at least one first fastener. The segments may complete the shape of a stuff animal, insects, inanimate objects, or the like.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/773,068, filed Mar. 5, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pillowcases and, more particularly, to a pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts.

Stuffed animals get very dirty and often become a health and safety hazard over time. Children with stuffed animals do not get to use creativity with their stuffed animals since there is no variety. They are also hard to clean and can be cumbersome and difficult to wash with washing instructions and care directions unclear. Washing machines often time ruin the stuffing in the animals. The form of stuffed animals often times results in deformity of the stuffed animal upon washing. The stuffing may be sewn into the animal's body so upon going through the washing machine, the stuffing gets deformed, bumpy and warped, ruining the look of the stuffed animal and the abandonment by the child.

As can be seen, there is a need for a pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts that may allow for the child to personalize the device and to replace a stuffed animal, or the like, with a machine washable item.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts comprises: a first segment having a first end, an outer surface, and an interior housing, wherein at least one first fastener is attached to the first end of the first segment; a padding placed in the interior housing of the first segment; and a second segment removably connected to the first segment by at least one second fastener connecting to the at least one first fastener.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for changing out segments of a plush toy comprises: placing padding within an interior housing of a first segment of a pillowcase, wherein the first segment comprises a first end, an outer surface, and the interior housing, wherein at least one first fastener is attached to the first end of the first segment; removably securing a second segment to the first segment by at least one second fastener connecting to the at least one first fastener; detaching the first segment from the second segment; and removably securing an alternate second segment to the first segment.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a head of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with an alternate head;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with the alternate head;

FIG. 6 is a section detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention along line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention along line 12-12 in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts that may include a first segment having a first end, an outer surface, and an interior housing. At least one first fastener may be attached to the first end of the first segment. Padding may be placed in the interior housing of the first segment. A second segment may be removably connected to the first segment by at least one second fastener connecting to the at least one first fastener. The segments may complete the shape of a stuff animal, insects, inanimate objects, or the like.

The present invention may be placed in the laundry and machine washed with other fabrics and linens. A plurality of segments may combine together to become the present invention which may provide variety for children and ease the cleaning process. Some segments may include heads, limbs and bodies of animal figures, mascots, insects, inanimate objects and the like. The present invention may be parent friendly by being completely washable, and may allow the user a chance to express creativity by being able to mix and match segments of the present invention.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 12, a pillowcase may include a plurality of segments. In certain embodiments, the plurality of segments may include a first segment 32 and a second segment 34. The first segment 32 may include a first end 28, an outer surface 30, and an interior housing 36. In certain embodiments, the first segment 32 may be in the shape of a body 14 and in certain embodiments, the second segment 34 may be in the shape of a head 11. The body 14 and head 11 may be of an animal, insect, or the like. In certain embodiments, the head 11 may be a bear head 10, an alligator head 20, a bird head 22, a giraffe head 24, and the like. A padding 18 may be placed in the interior housing 36 of the first segment 32. At least one fastener may be attached to the plurality of segments. In certain embodiments, the at least one fastener may include at least one first fastener 38 and at least one second fastener 12. At least one first fastener 38 may be attached to the first segment 32. The at least one first fastener 38 may be attached to the first end 28 of the first segment 32, along the side of the outer surface 30 of the first segment 32, or a similar location. The at least one first fastener 38 may be a hook and loop fastener 16, a series of magnets 26, buttons, snaps, clasps, or the like. At least one second fastener 12 may be attached to the second segment 34. The first segment 32 and the second segment 34 may be removably connected by the at least one first fastener 38 connecting to the at least one second fastener 12. The at least one second fastener 12 may be a hook and loop fastener 16, a series of magnets 26, buttons, snaps, clasps, or the like.

In alternate embodiments, the invention may include a sleeping bag, and may apply to products geared towards babies and toddlers. In certain embodiments, a plurality of limbs may be removably attached to the outer surface 30 of the first segment 32. The first segment may be interchangeable. The second segment may be interchangeable. The limbs may be interchangeable. The plurality of segments may be removed to make cleaning of the pillowcase easier.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts comprising:

a plurality of segments having a first end, an outer surface, and an interior housing, wherein at least one fastener is attached to the first end of the first segment, wherein the plurality of segments removably connect by at least one fastener; and

a padding placed in the interior housing of the plurality of segments.

2. The pillowcase of claim 1, wherein the plurality of segments comprises a first segment and a second segment.

3. A pillowcase with detachable and interchangeable parts comprising:

a first segment having a first end, an outer surface, and an interior housing, wherein at least one first fastener is attached to the first end of the first segment;

a padding placed in the interior housing of the first segment; and

a second segment removably connected to the first segment by at least one second fastener connecting to the at least one first fastener.

4. The pillowcase of claim 3, wherein the first segment is in the shape of a body of an animal.

5. The pillowcase of claim 4, wherein the second segment is in the shape of a head of an animal.

6. The pillowcase of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of limbs removably attached to the outer surface of the first segment.

7. A method for changing out segments of a plush toy comprising:

placing padding within an interior housing of a first segment of a pillowcase, wherein the first segment comprises a first end, an outer surface, and the interior housing, wherein at least one fastener is attached to the first end of the first segment;

removably securing a second segment to the first segment by at least one fastener;

detaching the first segment from the second segment; and

removably securing an alternate second segment to the first segment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first segment is in the shape of a body of an animal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second segment is in the shape of a head of an animal.