CHARACTER PILLOW SYSTEM AND APPARATUS

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a pillow representative of a fantasy character, a pet character or an animal character and a sleeping bag aesthetically matching the pillow in terms of the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character. The pillow includes a plurality of appendages that are at least one of arms and legs of the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character. The sleeping bag is detachably connected to the pillow. The pillow is further configured to be used as a standard arm pillow or as a seat, and the sleeping bag in a foldable configuration enables the slumber bag system to be displayed vertically.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/332,614, filed May 6, 2016, entitled “CHARACTER PILLOW,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an aesthetically appealing character or animal shaped pillow system and apparatus having appendages, including but not limited to arms and legs, which may be used alone, or in combination with a slumber bag and/or quilt.

BACKGROUND

Ordinary pillows consist of a filling placed in a casing that provides both comfort and support to the body, arms or head of a person or an animal. In addition, aesthetically pleasing pillows may also serve as decoration to a room or house. A slumber bag is essentially a covering for a person that functions as bedding means. Specifically, a slumber bag, also interchangeably referred to as a sleeping bag, is an insulated, usually zippered, bag for sleeping and may be used both indoors and outdoors. A traditional slumber bag comprises a lightweight quilt that may be padded and/or insulated and is large enough to surround the whole body keeping the user warm while sleeping and may be used as a substitute for bedclothes. Slumber bags traditionally provide portable bedding options to people. A typical slumber bag is a square or rectangular quilt with a zipper for opening and closing.

Pillows and pillows with combined sleeping bags are known. Sleeping bags and/or pillows resembling various fictional characters and/or animals are also available. However, there is a need for a character pillow system and apparatus and pillow-sleeping bag system having a character pillow having a plurality of appendages and an aesthetically matching slumber bag that when combined, can be displayed vertically.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a character pillow system and apparatus. In one embodiment, there is provided a slumber bag set comprising a detachable elongated or rectangular character pillow resembling a fantasy, pet or animal character, with the elongated or rectangular character pillow having a plurality of appendages that represent the arms and/or legs of the fantasy, pet or animal character. The slumber bag set further comprises a detachable quilt or sleeping bag that aesthetically matches the elongated or rectangular character pillow in terms of the fantasy, pet or animal character and overall design. The elongated or rectangular character pillow is configured to be used as a standalone standard arm pillow or as a seat. The quilt or the sleeping bag in a foldable configuration enables the slumber bag set to be displayed vertically for commercial sale and ease of visibility. The elongated or rectangular character pillow may also be used as a cuddle pillow.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an elongated character pillow that has the form of any fantasy, pet or animal character with the elongated character pillow having a plurality of appendages that represent the arms and/or legs of the fantasy, pet or animal character and is aesthetically pleasing. The elongated character pillow may be used in place of a standard arm pillow where the arms of the elongated character pillow represent the arms, legs, and/or appendages of the fantasy, pet or animal character. The elongated character pillow may also be used as a seat.

Embodiments of the present invention comprise an elongated or rectangular character pillow representative of a fantasy character, a pet character or an animal character, and a sleeping bag aesthetically matching the elongated or rectangular character pillow in terms of the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character. The pillow includes a plurality of appendages that are at least one of arms and legs of the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character. The sleeping bag is detachably connected to the elongated or rectangular character pillow. The elongated or rectangular character pillow is further configured to be used as a standard arm pillow or as a seat, and the sleeping bag in a foldable configuration enables the slumber bag set to be displayed vertically.

Embodiments of the present invention further comprise an elongated character pillow including a head portion having indicia representing a fantasy character, a pet character or an animal character, and a body portion having indicia representing the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character. The body portion further includes a plurality of appendages that are at least one of arms and legs of the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character; wherein the elongated character pillow is configured to be used as a standard arm pillow or as a seat.

Yet other embodiments of the present invention comprise a rectangular character pillow including a head portion having indicia representing a fantasy character, a pet character or an animal character, and a body portion having indicia representing a fantasy character, a pet character or an animal character. The head portion includes a plurality of appendages that are at least one of arms and legs of the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character. The rectangular character pillow is configured to be used as a standard arm pillow or as a seat.

Other embodiments of the present invention comprise a rectangular character pillow that has the form of any fantasy, pet or animal character with the rectangular character pillow having a plurality of appendages that represent the arms and/or legs of the fantasy, pet or animal character and is aesthetically pleasing. The rectangular character pillow may be used in place of a standard arm pillow where the arms of the rectangular cuddle pillow represent the arms, legs, and/or of the fantasy, pet or animal character. The rectangular character pillow may also be used as a seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The related drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate slumber bags with character pillow apparatus and systems in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2F illustrate various views of an elongated character pillow apparatus in accordance an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a slumber bag with a character pillow apparatus and system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate various configurations of character pillow apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5G illustrate various character pillow apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6A to 6I illustrate various slumber bags systems with corresponding detachable character pillows taking the form of different characters in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide aesthetically pleasing character pillows in the form of characters familiar to children. FIGS. 1A and 1B are a front view of two slumber bag systems with detachable character pillows 102 and 104, collectively, the pillows 100. The pillows 102 and 104, as shown, may take the form of fantasy, pets, animal characters, and the like. Character pillows 102 and 104 are rectangular in shape with legs and arms that are also legs and arms of the character. Each of the character pillows 102 and 104 may be a detachable part of a slumber bag system. Alternatively or additionally, the character pillows 102 and 104 may function as an arm rest, a standard arm or cuddle pillow, a head support or as a seat. Owing to the rectangular shape, the character pillows 102 and 104 may be displayed vertically, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The character pillows 102 and 104 may be used as a decoration in a room or a house by placing them in a vertical position over a mantle, a sofa, a settee, a couch, a cabinet, or a bed. Further, the character pillows 102 and 104 may also be displayed in a vertical position for efficient storage, display and appeal to a potential customer at the retail, wholesale or promotional levels.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an elongated character pillow 200 as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F. The side, top and front views of the elongated character pillow 200 are shown. The elongated character pillow 200 may take the form of familiar pop-culture, fantasy, pet, animal characters and the like. The elongated character pillow 200 may be of multiple sizes and animal shapes including, but not limited to a dog, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate side and front views of the elongated character pillow 200. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the elongated character pillow 200 includes legs 202, a head portion 204, a body portion 206, a tail 208 and ears 210. The appendages in the case of the elongated character pillow 200 are the legs 202. In alternate embodiments, the elongated character pillow 200 includes appendages that are hands and legs of a fantasy character, pet character, or animal character represented by the elongated character pillow 200. The elongated character pillow 200 may be a detachable part of a slumber bag system or function as an arm rest, a standard arm or a cuddle pillow, a head support, or a seat. The elongated character pillow 200 may be placed on the legs 202 and be used as a decoration in a room or a house by placing it over a mantle or a sofa, a settee, a couch or a bed. Because the elongated character pillow 200 has the shape of a fantasy, pet, or animal character, the elongated character pillow 200 may be aesthetically pleasing to children or youth as well as adults. The body portion 206 may be used as the arm rest. The elongated character pillow 200 may be used in place of a standard arm pillow where the legs 202 are also legs of the character represented. In an embodiment, the elongated character pillow is 18.5 inches in height and 27.5 inches in length. The dimensions are optimum for a comfortable arm rest. In other embodiments, the elongated character pillow 200 may be used as a seat for children.

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate the side and top views of the elongated character pillow 200. The head portion 204 includes indicia such as a protruding snout or nose 212 and ears 210, thereby providing a three-dimensional aesthetic representative of a dog to the elongated character pillow 200. The aesthetics of the elongated character pillow are adapted to appeal to children of all ages.

FIG. 2E is another side view of the elongated character pillow 200. The elongated character pillow 200 may include other indicia, such as a dress and a hat as shown. FIG. 2F shows the ears 210, the nose 212 and the eyes 214 on the elongated character pillow 200. The head portion 204 may include any facial expression to enhance the aesthetic appeal, based on the placement of the eyes 214 and any indicia representative of lips or a mouth.

The character pillow and elongated character pillows, 100 and 200 respectively, may include an internal filler that may be made from foam, synthetic fibers, feathers, down, viscoelastic foam, wool, polyester staple fiber, cotton, plastic tubes, Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) pellets, expanded polystyrene, dried beans, expanded polypropylene, or a combination thereof. The filler is placed in a cover made of wool, silk, cotton or cotton-linen blends and/or synthetic materials. The cover may include any indicia pertaining to the fantasy, the animal or the pet character the character and elongated character pillows 100 and 200 represent. The cover with filler may be placed in an outer cover having a slit, a zipper or a Velcro® opening through which the cover encasing the filler may be placed. The outer cover may include any indicia representative of any fantasy, animal or pet character. The dimensions and shapes of the cover encasing the filler and the outer cover are customized to the shapes of character and elongated character pillows 100 and 200. Embodiments of the character and elongated character pillows 100 and 200 may include embedded electronics functioning as an audio output that may play sounds, voices, and/or music pertaining to the character represented by the character and elongated character pillows 100 and 200. The character and elongated character pillows 100 and 200 may comprise of a trigger or a switch mechanism that enables the playing of audio. Playing of audio may also be triggered by voice activation, pressure-sensitive buttons placed on the character and elongated character pillows 100 and 200, detection of motion, etc. The trigger is by no means limited to the aforementioned examples and may comprise other mechanisms as well.

As shown in FIG. 3, embodiments of the present invention include a slumber bag system 300 including a detachable pillow apparatus 301 representing a fantasy, a pet or an animal character with a face 302, a body 304 and hands 306. The face 302 includes eyes 310. The slumber bag system 300 further includes a quilt or sleeping bag 308 that may be folded when not used. The quilt or sleeping bag 308 matches the detachable pillow apparatus 301 with the face 302, the body 304 and the hands 306, in terms of the represented fantasy, pet or animal character. The character represented is generally targeted toward children, and young adults but may also cater to people of other age groups. The quilt or the sleeping bag 308 may be combined with the detachable pillow apparatus 301. The detachable pillow apparatus 301 may include, but is not limited to, a rectangular or an elongated pillow. The elongated or rectangular detachable pillow and the quilt or sleeping bag 308 may be attached to each other by a zipper, snaps, Velcro® straps, lace straps or by button straps. The slumber bag system may be displayed in a vertical position for efficient storage, display and appeal to a potential customer.

The detachable pillow apparatus 301 shown in FIG. 3 consists of an internal filler similar to that of the character and elongated character pillows 100 and 200 described hereinabove. Additionally, the quilt or sleeping bag 308 may consist of an internal filler to provide cushioning. The quilt or sleeping bag 308 is lightweight and portable. The outer covering of the quilt or sleeping bag 308, while being thematically or artistically matched to the detachable pillow apparatus 301, may be water proof to protect against extreme cold weather and moisture. The quilt or sleeping bag 308 may be padded and/or insulated and is large enough to surround the whole body keeping the user warm while sleeping, and may be used as a substitute for bedclothes. The quilt or sleeping bag 308 provides insulation through an internal filler comprising synthetic fill or down. Additionally, materials as cotton, wool or linen may be used as an internal filler. A low-cost prototype of the invention uses cotton.

Other embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, further comprise an attachment area on the quilt or sleeping bag 308 that takes the form of reinforced holes to which any toy straps, including toy straps connected to the detachable pillow apparatus 301, may be attached.

Embodiments of the slumber bag system 300 may include the detachable pillow apparatus 301 having embedded electronics. The embedded electronics may function as an audio output that may play sounds, voices music pertaining to the character represented by the slumber bag system 300. The detachable pillow apparatus 301 may comprise a trigger mechanism that enables the playing of audio. Playing of audio may be triggered by voice activation, pressure-sensitive buttons placed on the slumber bag system 300, detection of motion, etc. The trigger is by no means limited to the aforementioned examples.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include a baby monitor. The baby monitor includes a transmitter embedded in the slumber bag set 300 that sends signals from the slumber bag system 300 to a remote receiver so as to alert the parents or guardians of any activity by the child. Other embodiments of the present invention may also include a thermometer.

The quilt or sleeping bag 308 may be folded and stuffed into a pouch along with the detachable pillow apparatus 301. Other embodiments include the quilt or sleeping bag 308 extending from a slit or an opening in the detachable pillow apparatus 301. The quilt or sleeping bag 308 may be folded and stuffed into the detachable pillow apparatus 301 with the slit being closed by a zipper, snaps, Velcro®, buttons or other suitable closure methods. Further, the detachable pillow apparatus 301 may have additional straps that enable the carrying of the pillow as a backpack. Additional embodiments may include the slumber bag system 300 being placed in an external backpack showcasing the same character theme or in a gunny sack facilitating portability. Other embodiments may include the quilt or sleeping bag 308 being simply folded at the back of the detachable pillow apparatus 301. The quilt or sleeping bag 308 may then be kept in the folded position by attaching Velcro® or equivalent straps across the folds and to the detachable pillow apparatus 301. The slumber bag system 300 when unused and in a folded position may be placed vertically with the support of the appendages 306 or the base of the body 304, and may function as a decorative piece. Further, the slumber bag system 300 may be displayed in a vertical position for efficient storage, display and appeal to a potential customer. In some embodiments, the detachable pillow apparatus 301 may be an independent article sold separate from the slumber bag system 300.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E show various configurations of a rectangular character pillow 400 having detachable parts and appendages, including but not limited to arms 404, legs 406, a cape 408, a dress 410 and ears 412. A rectangular character pillow 402 may feature different characters by adding arms 404, legs 406, a cape 408, a dress 410 and ears 412. The arms 404 and legs 406 may provide support when the rectangular character pillow 402 is placed in a vertical position. The arms 404, the legs 406, the cape 408, the dress 410 and the ears 412 may be specific to the character being represented. Addition of these elements adds to the aesthetic value of the rectangular character pillow 402. Different configurations may include different combinations of these elements.

For example, in FIG. 4A, the rectangular character pillow 400 includes appendages, namely, two arms 404 and two legs 406. Some configurations, as shown in FIG. 4B, may include the cape 408 while other configurations, as shown FIG. 4E, may include the ears 412. In other configurations, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, a combination of the arms 404 and the dress 410 or a combination of the arms 404, the legs 406 and the dress 410 may be included. Configurations of the rectangular character pillow 400 are not exclusive to the configurations shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E. Alternative configurations may include combinations of the arms 404, the legs 406, the cape 408, the dress 410 and the ears 412 different from the configurations shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E.

In some embodiments, the arms 404, the legs 406, the cape 408, the dress 410 and the ears 412 are detachable parts that may be attached to the pillow 301 by zippers, snaps, Velcro® straps, lace straps or by button straps. In other embodiments, the arms 404, the legs 406, the cape 408, the dress 410 and the ears 412 may be fixedly attached to the pillow 402. The arms 404, the legs 406, the cape 408, the dress 410 and the ears 412 include indicia representative of a fantasy character, a pet character or an animal character. In some embodiments, the detachable parts may include a cowl, hair, a tail, eyes, a nose, armor and the like. The detachable parts may include any article representative of the fantasy character, the pet character or the animal character.

The rectangular character pillow 402 consists of an internal filler similar to that of pillows 100, 200 and 301, discussed hereinabove. Additionally, the rectangular character pillow 402 may be attached to a quilt or sleeping bag that also consists of an internal filler to provide cushioning. The internal filler may be made from foam, synthetic fibers, feathers, down, viscoelastic foam, wool, polyester staple fiber, cotton, plastic tubes, Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) pellets, expanded polystyrene, dried beans, expanded polypropylene, or a combination thereof.

The filler is placed in a cover made of wool, silk, cotton or cotton-linen blends. The cover may include any indicia pertaining to the fantasy, the animal or the pet character the rectangular character pillow 402 represents. The cover with filler may be placed in an outer cover having a slit, a zipper or a Velcro® opening through which the cover encasing the filler may be placed. The outer cover may include any indicia representative of any fantasy, animal or pet character. The dimensions and shapes of the cover encasing the filler and the outer cover are customized to the shape of the rectangular character pillow 402.

In some embodiments, some detachable parts such as arms 404, legs 406 and ears 412 may also be filled with an internal filler. The internal filler may be made from foam, synthetic fibers, feathers, down, viscoelastic foam, wool, polyester staple fiber, cotton, plastic tubes, Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) pellets, expanded polystyrene, dried beans, expanded polypropylene, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F and 5G show different rectangular character pillows 500, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 and 514 representing different characters. The rectangular character pillows 500, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 and 514 may include a plurality of appendages that represent the arms and/or legs of a fantasy, pet or animal character. The rectangular character pillows 500, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 and 514 are supported by appendages, such as legs that are the legs of the corresponding character being represented. Appendages may also include arms that are the arms of the corresponding character being represented. Different aspects of the represented character may be featured by modifying the facial expressions of the represented character. Additional features, such as hair, ribbons, ears, capes, detachable clothing, and decorative elements, which are specific to the represented character, may also be added. Different aspects of the character may be represented by different pillow covers (not shown). A new aspect of the character may be obtained by changing the pillow covers based on preferences of a user. Features, such as hair, may require additional material, such as feathers or synthetic fibers, to be added. As shown in FIG. 5A, the rectangular character pillow 500 includes eyes 502A, a cape 502B and legs 502C. In FIG. 5C, the rectangular character pillow 508 includes hair 508A and a nose 508B.

In some embodiments, the rectangular character pillows 500, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 and 514 may include embedded electronics that may play audio specific to the character represented on activation by a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism may include voice activation, pressure-sensitive buttons placed on the rectangular character pillows 500, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512 and 514, detection of motion, etc. The trigger is by no means limited to the aforementioned examples. Additionally, the rectangular character pillows may include a battery compartment at the back to house batteries for the audio and trigger mechanism to function.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, 6H and 6I show various slumber bag systems 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618 and 620 with detachable rectangular or elongated character pillows and quilt or sleeping bags representing different characters. Each slumber bag system has a detachable rectangular or elongated character pillow and a sleeping bag. For example, each of the slumber bag systems 602, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618 includes a detachable rectangular or elongated character pillow 602A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A and a sleeping bag 602B, 606B, 608B, 610B, 612B, 614B, 616B and 618B, respectively. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6B, the slumber bag system 604 includes a detachable rectangular or elongated character pillow 604A, and two sleeping bags 604B and 604C. Yet other embodiments may include multiple sleeping bags in a system. Each of the multiple sleeping bags in a slumber bag system may include different indicia representative of a fantasy, animal or pet character a corresponding detachable rectangular or elongated character pillow may indicate. For example, in FIG. 6B, the detachable pillow 604A is indicative of an animal character. The corresponding sleeping bags 604B and 604C include different images and indicia that correspond to the animal character. Similarly, the sleeping bags 602B, 604B, 604C, 606B, 608B, 610B, 612B, 614B, 616B and 618B match their corresponding rectangular or elongated character pillows in the context of the character represented.

Young children may learn organization by matching the rectangular or elongated character pillow to a corresponding sleeping bag of the same slumber bag system. For example, two or more of the slumber bag system 602, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618 may be used to teach organization to young children. Each of the rectangular or elongated character pillows may have a plurality of appendages that represent the arms and/or legs of a fantasy, pet or animal character. Other embodiments may include rectangular or elongated character pillows supported by appendages, such as legs that are the legs of the corresponding character being represented. Some of the rectangular or elongated character pillows may also have arms that are the arms of the character being represented.

The rectangular or elongated character pillows may feature different aspects of the character by modifying the facial expressions of the represented character. Different aspects of the character may be represented by different pillow covers. The rectangular or elongated character pillow may display a new aspect of the character by changing the covers as per preference of a user. Additional features, such as hair, ribbons, ears, capes, detachable clothing, and decorative elements specific to the character may be added to the pillow based on the character being represented. Features, such as hair, may require additional material, such as feathers or synthetic fibers, to be added to the outer covering of the rectangular or elongated character pillows of slumber bag sets 600.

Further, the sleeping bags 602B, 604B, 604C, 606B, 608B, 610B, 612B, 614B, 616B and 618B include various features pertaining to the character represented, such as embossed tag lines, three dimensional figures and other ornamental features. Embedded electronics may also be added to the pillow, quilt or sleeping bag of the slumber bag systems 602, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618. The embedded electronics may play audio specific to the character represented by the use of a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism may include voice activation, pressure-sensitive buttons placed on the rectangular or elongated character pillows, quilts or sleeping bags of the slumber bag sets 602, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618, detection of motion, etc. The trigger is by no means limited to the aforementioned examples. Additionally, the rectangular or elongated character pillow may include a battery compartment at the back to house batteries for the audio and trigger mechanism to function. In other embodiments, the rectangular or elongated character pillow or quilt or sleeping bag may have earphones connected to the embedded electronics and audio is transmitted through these earphones.

Each of the rectangular or elongated character pillows 602A, 604A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A further consist of an internal filler that may be made from foam, synthetic fibers, feathers, down, viscoelastic foam, wool, polyester staple fiber, cotton, plastic tubes, Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) pellets, expanded polystyrene, dried beans, expanded polypropylene, or a combination thereof. The filler is placed in a cover made of wool, silk, cotton or cotton-linen blends. The cover may include any indicia pertaining to the fantasy, the animal or the pet character of the rectangular or elongated character pillows 602A, 604A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A represent. The cover with filler may be placed in an outer cover having a slit, a zipper or a Velcro® opening through which the cover encasing the filler may be placed. The outer cover may include any indicia representative of any fantasy, animal or pet character. The dimensions and shapes of the cover encasing the filler and the outer cover are customized to the shapes of 602A, 604A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A.

Each of the sleeping bags 602B, 604B, 604C, 606B, 608B, 610B, 612B, 614B, 616B and 618B may be folded and stuffed into a pouch along with the each of the corresponding rectangular or elongated character pillows 602A, 604A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A. In some embodiments, each of the sleeping bag 602B, 604B, 604C, 606B, 608B, 610B, 612B, 614B, 616B and 618B may extend from a slit or an opening in each of the corresponding rectangular or elongated character pillows 602A, 604A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A. The quilt or sleeping bag may be folded and stuffed into the corresponding rectangular or elongated character pillow with the slit being closed by a zipper, snaps, Velcro®, buttons or other suitable closure methods. Further, each of the pillows 602A, 604A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A may have additional straps that enable the carrying of the rectangular or elongated character pillow as a backpack.

Additional embodiments may include the slumber bag systems 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618 being placed in an external backpack showcasing the same character theme or in a gunny sack facilitating portability. Each of the sleeping bags 602B, 604B, 604C, 606B, 608B, 610B, 612B, 614B, 616B and 618B may then be kept in the folded position by attaching a Velcro® or equivalent strap across the folds and to each of the corresponding rectangular or elongated character pillows 602A, 604A, 606A, 608A, 610A, 612A, 614A, 616A and 618A. The slumber bag sets 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618 when unused and in a folded position may be placed vertically with the support of detachable appendages or the base of the corresponding rectangular or elongated character pillow in the absence of any appendage, and may function as a decorative piece. Further, the slumber bag systems 602, 604, 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618 may be displayed in a vertical position for efficient storage, display and appeal to a potential customer.

The article presented as part of the present invention is not exclusive to the description above. Other related embodiments may be derived in accordance with the principles of the present invention described above. Changes within the scope of current invention may be implemented by people skilled in the art.

The exemplary embodiments of this present invention have been described in relation to pillows, sleeping bags and a combination thereof. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention. Specific details are set forth by use of the embodiments to provide an understanding of the present invention. It should however be appreciated the present invention may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific embodiments set forth herein.

A number of variations and modifications of the present invention can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the present invention without providing others.

The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, sub-combinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect.

Moreover, though the description of the present invention has included the description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights that include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

Claims

1. A slumber bag system comprising:

a pillow representative of a character selected from the group consisting of a fantasy character, a pet character and an animal character, the pillow comprising a plurality of appendages;

a sleeping bag aesthetically matching the character of the pillow;

wherein the pillow and the sleeping bag are foldably combined enabling the slumber bag system to be displayed vertically.

2. The slumber bag system of claim 1, wherein the sleeping bag is detachably connected to the pillow.

3. The slumber bag system of claim 1 further comprising detachable parts selected from the group consisting of a dress, a cape, hair, a tail, eyes, nose, ears and a cowl that comprise indicia representative of the character.

4. The slumber bag set of claim 1, wherein the plurality of appendages are selected from the group comprising arms and legs.

5. The slumber bag set of claim 1, wherein the pillow further comprises a detachable cover that includes indicia representative of the character.

6. The slumber bag system of claim 1, wherein the pillow is detachably attached to the sleeping bag by a fastener selected from the group consisting of a zipper, snaps, Velcro® straps, lace straps or by button straps.

7. The slumber bag system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of appendages are detachably connected to the pillow.

8. The slumber bag system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of appendages are configured to support and display the pillow vertically.

9. An elongated cuddle pillow comprising:

a head portion representing a character selected from the group consisting of a fantasy character, a pet character and an animal character;

a body portion having a plurality of appendages configured to support and display the elongated cuddle pillow vertically, the body portion having indicia representing the character; and

wherein the elongated cuddle pillow is configured to be used as a standard arm pillow or as a seat.

10. The elongated cuddle pillow of claim 9, wherein the indicia are detachable and selected from the group consisting of a dress, a cape, hair, a tail, ears eyes, nose and a cowl that comprise indicia representative of the character.

11. The elongated cuddle pillow of claim 9, wherein the plurality of appendages are selected from the group comprising arms and legs.

12. The elongated cuddle pillow of claim 9, wherein the shape and dimensions of the pillow are representative of the character.

13. The elongated cuddle pillow of claim 9 further comprising a detachable cover, wherein the detachable cover includes indicia representative of the character.

14. The elongated cuddle pillow of claim 11 wherein the plurality of appendages are detachably connected to the pillow.

15. A rectangular cuddle pillow comprising:

a head portion representing a character selected from the group consisting of a fantasy character, a pet character and an animal character;

a body portion having a plurality of appendages configured to support and display the rectangular cuddle pillow vertically, the body portion having indicia representing the character; and

wherein the rectangular cuddle pillow is configured to be used as a standard arm pillow or as a seat.

16. The rectangular cuddle pillow of claim 15, wherein the indicia are detachable and selected from the group consisting of a dress, a cape, hair, a tail, ears and a cowl that comprise indicia representative of the character.

17. The rectangular cuddle pillow of claim 15, wherein the plurality of appendages are selected from the group comprising arms and legs.

18. The rectangular cuddle pillow of claim 15 further comprising a detachable cover, wherein the detachable cover includes indicia representative the character.

19. The rectangular cuddle pillow of claim 17, wherein the plurality of appendages are detachably connected to the pillow.