MODULAR TOWEL SYSTEMS

Abstract

A towel constructed of absorbent fabric, and at least two sets of male and female rivet fasteners, strategically located to mimic other garments when snapped together (i.e. a hooded robe, a cape, a poncho, a cover-up, wrap, sarong, and kilt), and may also be fastened to one another creating a blanket. The addition of fasteners to the snappy towel greatly expands the versatility and functionality of the garment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of towels and more specifically relates to modular towel systems.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Towels are used by individuals to absorb moisture for varying reasons. Hooded robes and wraps help maintain modesty, and are ideal for removing moisture from the body. Keeping towels and robes of various sizes while on the go or at the beach can be cumbersome. People love to use robes while at home and at hotels to keep dry, but do not typically wish to let sand or similar materials sully the robe. Robes can be expensive and using them outdoors can damage the material which may compromise the robe. Traditional towels usually are designed in a rectangular shape and are not multi-functional.

The use of towels on the beach is common but not always preferred. People may wish to use hooded robes or wraps, however, still desire to lay on a towel while lying on the sand at the beach. Furthermore, small children may use towels and robes to play with to provide entertainment. By tying the towel as a garment around their neck or waist, a hazardous situation may occur. Therefore a multi-functional towel that may be used to dry a user and may be modularly fastened and removed quickly is desired. The modular design must allow for a variety of useful configurations to provide a suitable solution.

Several attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in International and U.S. Pat. Nos., and Pub. Nos. 1,497,685 to C. R. Hoyme; 3,176,315 to Fred Freund; 4,656,670 to Hans Schluter; 3,013,274 to Dike Charlotte B; 3,381,306 to George C Innes; CA2303417 to Helen Stranzl et al; CA2700886 to Chazon Stein; CA2096666 to Sumiko Yamaguchi et al; CA 234761 to Christopher Robert Hoyme; CA2525052 to Pathak Geetu et al; CA2490001 to Boulgakova Adilia; JP2009207752 to Kamillia Darnell; JP2012101019 to Cameron Jones; US 1,916,068 to Barney R. Nyhagen; 7,178,185 to Gerlinde Maria Nattier; US 2005/0044606 to Maureen Flanagan-Frazier; 2011/0258749 to Shirley Hibbs; 2011/0305866 to Jonathan Stowe; and 2013/0333090 to Ennio Buno. This art is representative of towels. However, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.

Preferably, a modular towel system should provide a multi-functional and modular towel that can be fastened to itself and to other (similarly-equipped) towels for improved versatility and, yet would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable modular towel system to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known towel and garment art, the present invention provides a novel snapably fastenable and wearable towel system. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide an integral fastening system for a towel or similar garment for the purpose of wearing as a hooded robe, wrap, poncho, and the like, yet also able to function as a towel for drying purposes.

The present invention comprises a towel (assembly) which may be constructed of any toweling fabric such as cotton, polyester, suede microfiber, terrycloth, or waffle-weave microfiber fabric, and at least two sets of male and female rivet fasteners, strategically located to mimic other garments when snapped together (i.e. a hooded robe, a cape, a poncho, a cover-up, wrap, sarong, and kilt), and may also be fastened to one another creating a blanket (extended towel). The addition of rivet fasteners to the snappy towel™ greatly expands the versatility and functionality of the garment; thus making it multi-functional in nature.

A snappy towel system is disclosed herein in a preferred embodiment comprising: a modular towel assembly (as a towel) having a body portion preferably comprised of waffle-weave microfiber fabric, and at least two securing means that preferably include at least one female riveted fastener, and at least one male riveted fastener (as a plurality of fasteners). The body comprises a front-surface, and a back-surface, a periphery (comprising a first-edge, a second-edge, a third-edge, and a fourth-edge). The modular towel system, as such, comprises the modular towel assembly, wherein modular towel assembly comprises in functional combination the towel and the fasteners. The towel comprises the body with a periphery, as mentioned; the periphery outlining the body. A thickness of the body is defined by the front-surface and the back-surface and the periphery is defined by the first-edge, the second-edge, the third-edge, and the fourth-edge.

The plurality of fasteners are preferably located about the periphery (other positions may be used), as mentioned, and as designed; the modular towel assembly is structured and arranged to provide a plurality of modular combinations such that a user is able to dry and wear the modular towel system (as desired). In preferred embodiments the towel comprises fabric; wherein the fabric preferably comprises waffle-weave microfiber, or other suitable equivalent such as suede microfiber, microfiber terrycloth or cotton terrycloth.

The plurality of fasteners preferably comprise snap-assemblies, but may comprise other suitably equivalent fastening means in alternate embodiments. The snap-assemblies when used comprise a male-portion and a female portion; wherein the male-portion is matable with any female-portion to create a removably coupleable union. The removably coupleable union allows the towel to be affixable to itself; wherein the removably coupleable union is alternately affixable to an adjacent modular towel system, or to accessories such as pockets, sand anchors, chair attachment clips or hooks, pillows, carrying straps, toys, lights, etc.

The periphery preferably comprises a rectangle (but may be square, round, tapered, or curved towel); the fasteners situated there-around. The fasteners preferably comprise plastic, but may comprise other materials in other embodiments. The fasteners may comprise a riveted-type manufacture. The fasteners are fixably attached along the periphery of the modular towel assembly. Located around the periphery (or back or front of the towel body) may be at least two complete sets (2 complete sets refers to 1 pair of male & female snaps) of the fasteners comprising rivets comprising at least one female rivet socket and at least one male rivet stud. The modular towel system is structured and arranged to be modular such that the adult and alternately the child is able to shroud themselves within the towel and alternately use the towel in a modular manner.

A kit is disclosed herein including: a plurality of the towel(s), each having the plurality of fasteners and a set of user-instructions for modular assembly. Kit optionally may include other accessories such as snap-on sand anchors, lights, pockets, chair clips or chair hooks.

A method of using a modular towel system is also disclosed herein comprising the steps of: unfolding a towel (assembly), applying the towel to body (or there-about), wrapping the towel across a user's body, and fastening the fasteners to one another to provide a user-preferred modular construction. The method may further comprise the steps of: unfastening the towel, unwrapping the towel, and washing the towel. The towel assembly may be used in a multitude of modular combinations for example for drying, for play and the like.

The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a modular towel system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, modular towel systems, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a modular towel system during an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating a modular towel assembly of the modular towel systems comprising a towel comprising fabric according to a poncho configuration (towel affixed to itself) of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view illustrating the modular towel assembly in a cape configuration (towel affixed to itself) according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view illustrating the modular towel assembly in a cape configuration with a hood formed according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the modular towel assembly as removably couplable to adjacent modular towel assemblies (to form a modular construction useful as an extended towel or blanket) according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating (riveted) fasteners as affixed to the modular towel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for the modular towel system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a towel and more particularly to a modular towel system as used to improve the versatility of towel assemblies for modular (multi-functional) use.

Generally speaking, towels perform the function of drying a user after showering, or upon the completion of water sports such as swimming, water skiing, wake boarding, surfing, and the like. Children may use towels as a source of amusement, creating hooded cloaks or capes to be used during play. The modular towel system can be modified to create a variety of configurations to suit these purposes.

Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, modular towel system 100 comprising modular towel assembly 101 having towel 103 (including body 102 comprising front-surface 105, and back-surface 110, periphery 125 comprising first-edge 112, second-edge 114, third-edge 116, and fourth-edge 118), and a plurality of fasteners 160. As such, modular towel system 100 comprises modular towel assembly 101, wherein modular towel assembly 101 comprises in functional combination towel 103 and fasteners 160.

Referring now to towel 103 comprising body 102. Body 102 is manufactured with periphery 125; periphery 125 outlining body 102, wherein body 102 is defined by front-surface 105 and back-surface 110, and is further defined by first-edge 112, second-edge 114, third-edge 116, and fourth-edge 118. Certain alternate embodiments may comprise a different number of edges (sides) such as three, five, six, seven, eight, and more in number, and curved or rounded sides are also envisioned. This may provide that various configurations be formed as desired. Body 102 comprises a thickness located between front-surface 105 and back-surface 110 that is suitable for wicking moisture for example useful for drying and the like. The front and/or back sides can be embroidered, painted or printed to form entertaining play surfaces for children, or advertising, promotional or marketing purposes for charities, schools, corporations or other organizations.

The plurality of fasteners 160 are located about periphery 125, as shown, such that modular towel assembly 101 is structured and arranged to provide a plurality of modular combinations 130, as shown in FIG. 2A and 2B for exemplary means, such that a user 140 (as shown in FIG. 1) is able to dry and wear the modular towel system 100 as desired. Other configurations of modular towel system 100 are shown in FIG. 3 wherein modular towel assemblies 101 may be coupled for use for example for beach towels to lay on, blankets, or the like, or fastened to other accessories to provide further utility such as joining pockets, lights, sand-anchors, chair-attachment hooks or clamps, or carrying straps. FIG. 2C shows the hooded version of the present invention as formed and as used.

Towel 103 of modular towel system 100 towel comprises fabric 145 suitably comfortable to the touch and comprising sufficient wicking means. Fabric 145 preferably comprises waffle-weave micro-fiber, but may alternately comprise terrycloth microfiber, suede microfiber, cotton terrycloth or another suitable towelling fabric 147. Alternate embodiments may comprise other fabrics and weaves as per particular application. The plurality of fasteners 160 preferably comprise snap-assemblies 164, as shown in FIG. 4. Snap-assemblies 164 comprise a male-portion 166 and a female portion 168. In these particular embodiments male-portion 166 mates with female-portion 168, when joined, creating a removably coupleable union.

The removably coupleable union allows modular towel assembly 101 to be affixed to itself as shown in FIGS. 1-2B. Removably coupleable union allows modular towel assembly 101 to be affixed to at least one adjacent modular towel assembly 101, as shown in FIG. 3. Clips or buttons or other suitably equivalent fastening means may be used.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view illustrating modular towel assembly 101 in a cape configuration with a hood formed according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. The present invention may be worn in such manner. In this way the present invention may serve as a garment.

Periphery 125 comprises a rectangle 108 in preferred embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Fasteners 160 preferably comprise plastic such that fasteners 160 do not cause abrasion making it safer for use with children. Other materials may be used. Fasteners 160 are fixably attached along periphery 125 of towel 103 inset (offset) from first-edge 112, second-edge 114, third-edge 116, and fourth-edge 118. Body 102 of towel 103 is able to shroud user 140 as desired. Plastic such as polyacetyl is preferred, but fasteners may comprise metal, polymers, carbon fiber and the like.

Fasteners 160 of modular towel system 100 preferably comprise a riveted-type 175. Periphery 125 preferably comprises at least two complete sets of fasteners 160 comprising riveted type 175. Male-portion 166 is located opposed in relation to female-portion 168 on body 102 of towel 103 such that they may be coupled in union when desired. For example male-portion 166 may be located on first-edge 112, and third-edge 116, and female-portion 168 may be located on second-edge 114, and fourth-edge 118. Other configurations and locations for fasteners 160 may be employed. Male and female snaps may be present on all sides.

Modular towel system 100 may be sold as a kit comprising the following parts: at least one towel 103; a plurality of fasteners 160; and at least one set of user instructions for modular assembly. The kit has instructions such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Modular towel system 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or fewer components, customized parts, different fastener combinations, accessories such as snappable pockets, pillows, carrying straps, sand anchors, chair attatching hooks or clips and parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing flowchart 550 illustrating method of use for modular towel systems 100 comprising the steps of: step one 501 unfolding towel 103 of modular towel assembly 101, step two 502 applying towel 103 to user's 140 body, step three 503 wrapping towel 103 across/around/about (at least a portion of) a user's 140 body, and step four 504 fastening the fasteners 160 to one another to provide a user-preferred modular construction. As shown, method of use 500 may further comprise the steps of: step five 505 unfastening towel 103, step six 506 unwrapping towel 103, and step seven 507 washing towel 103 as needed.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A modular towel system comprising; wherein said modular towel system comprises said modular towel assembly; wherein modular towel assembly comprises in functional combination said towel and said fasteners; wherein said towel comprises said body and a periphery, said periphery outlining said body; wherein said body is defined by said front-surface and said back-surface; wherein said periphery is defined by said first-edge, said second-edge, said third-edge, and said fourth-edge; wherein said plurality of fasteners are located about said periphery; and wherein said modular towel assembly is structured and arranged to provide a plurality of modular combinations such that a user is able to dry and wear said modular towel system as desired.

a modular towel assembly having; a towel having; a body comprising; a front-surface; and a back-surface; a periphery comprising; a first-edge; a second-edge; a third-edge; and a fourth-edge; and a plurality of fasteners;

2. The modular towel system of claim 1 wherein said towel comprises fabric.

3. The modular towel system of claim 2 wherein said fabric comprises microfiber waffle-weave.

4. The modular towel system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise snap-assemblies.

5. The modular towel system of claim 4 wherein said snap-assemblies comprise a male-portion and a female portion.

6. The modular towel system of claim 5 wherein said male-portion mates with said female-portion, when joined, creating a removably coupleable union.

7. The modular towel system of claim 6 wherein said removably coupleable union allows said modular towel assembly to be affixed to itself.

8. The modular towel system of claim 6 wherein said removably coupleable union allows said modular towel assembly to be affixed to an adjacent said modular towel system.

9. The modular towel system of claim 1 wherein said periphery comprises a rectangle.

10. The modular towel system of claim 1 wherein said fasteners comprise plastic such that said fasteners do not cause abrasion.

11. The modular towel system of claim 10 wherein said fasteners are fixably attached along said periphery of said towel inset from said first-edge, said second-edge, said third-edge, and said fourth-edge.

12. The modular towel system of claim 1 wherein said body of said towel is able to shroud an individual as desired.

13. The modular towel system of claim 10 wherein said fasteners comprise a riveted type.

14. The modular towel system of claim 13 wherein said periphery comprises at least two complete sets of said fasteners comprising said riveted type.

15. The modular towel system of claim 14 wherein said male-portion is located opposed in relation to said female-portion on said body.

16. The modular towel system of claim 15 wherein said male-portion is located on said first-edge, and said third-edge, and said female-portion is located on said second-edge, and said fourth-edge.

17. A modular towel system comprising; wherein said modular towel system comprises said modular towel assembly; wherein modular towel assembly comprises in functional combination said towel and said fasteners; wherein said towel comprises said body and said periphery, said periphery outlining said body; wherein a thickness of said body is defined by said front-surface and said back-surface; wherein said periphery is defined by said first-edge, said second-edge, said third-edge, and said fourth-edge; wherein said plurality of fasteners are located about said periphery; wherein said modular towel assembly is structured and arranged to provide a plurality of modular combinations such that a user is able to dry and wear said modular towel system as desired; wherein said towel comprises fabric; wherein said fabric comprises micro-fiber waffle-weave; wherein said plurality of fasteners comprise snap-assemblies; wherein said snap-assemblies comprise a male-portion and a female portion; wherein said male-portion is matable with said female-portion to create a removably coupleable union; wherein said removably coupleable union allows said towel to be affixable to itself; wherein said removably coupleable union is alternately affixable to an adjacent said modular towel assembly; wherein said periphery comprises a rectangle; wherein said fasteners comprise plastic; wherein said fasteners are fixably attached along said periphery of modular towel system; wherein said fasteners comprise a riveted type; wherein said periphery comprises at least two complete sets of said fasteners comprising rivets comprising at least one female rivet socket and at least one male rivet stud; and wherein said modular towel system is structured and arranged so that said fasteners are removably coupleable, and fixably attached along said periphery, allowing said user to shroud themselves within said towel and alternately use said towel in a manner that shapes said modular towel system as desired.

a modular towel assembly having; a towel having; a body comprising; a front-surface; and a back-surface; a periphery comprising; a first-edge; a second-edge; a third-edge; and a fourth-edge; and a plurality of fasteners;

18. The modular towel system of claim 17 further comprising a kit including: a plurality of said towel(s), with said plurality of fasteners and a set of user-instructions for modular assembly.

19. A method of using a modular towel system comprising the steps of:

unfolding a towel;

applying said towel to a user's body;

wrapping said towel across said user's body; and

fastening said fasteners to one another to provide a user-preferred modular construction.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

unfastening said towel;

unwrapping said towel; and

washing said towel.