AU2018100980A4

AU2018100980A4 - Travel package for a pillow

Info

Publication number: AU2018100980A4
Application number: AU2018100980A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Caroline Landymore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-03
Filing date: 2018-07-10
Publication date: 2018-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-03
Also published as: AU2013100770B4; AU2013100770A4

Abstract

The present invention provides a travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising: a pocket for receiving a pillow, wherein the package and the pillow in the pocket in use can be rolled and/or folded; and releasable retaining means for retaining the package in the rolled and/or folded configuration thereof.

Description

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

FIGURE 7

ΐ

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

TRAVEL PACKAGE FOR A PILLOW

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to travel package for a pillow.

Background of the Invention [2] There are different travel pillows available including inflatable pillows, horse-shoe shaped pillows and the like. Often, these pillows are not comfortable enough or satisfactory to users. Most users thus resort or prefer to take their favourite full-size pillow when travelling.

[3] However, taking such pillows is inconvenient as the pillow is bulky, the pillowcase can get dirty and is often required to be carried by the user.

[4] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[5] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention [6] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising a pocket for receiving a pillow, wherein the package and the pillow in the pocket in use can be rolled and/or folded; and releasable retaining means for retaining the package in the rolled and/or folded configuration thereof.

[7] Preferably, the travel package further comprises a flexible cover body having an having an external side and an internal side, wherein the pocket is disposed at the internal side.

[8] Preferably, the cover body is made from a planar flexible fabric material.

[9] Preferably, the retaining means comprises at least one attachment strap having a first engaging means and extending from a first edge of the package and at least one corresponding second engagement means attached to an external side of the package.

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 [10] Preferably, the retaining means comprise hook and loop attachment means, buttons, or buckles.

[11] Preferably, the travel package further comprises a handle attached to an external side of the package.

[12] Preferably, the pocket is defined by a pillowcase.

[13] Preferably, a closed end edge and closed side edges of the pillowcase are attached to the cover body at the internal side.

[14] Preferably, the closed end of the pocket is adjacent an end edge of the cover body, wherein the travel package can be rolled from the end edge in use.

[15] Preferably, the cover body is dimensioned to have a length longer than the pocket.

[16] Preferably, the cover body comprises a cover portion not covered by the pocket.

[17] In one embodiment, the cover body is made from waterproof or water resistant material.

[18] In one embodiment, the retaining means allows the roll to be tightened to further compress the pillow and compact the rolled package.

[19] In another embodiment, the pocket is formed by panel having three of its edges attached to the cover body.

[20] In another embodiment, the pillowcase is detachable from the cover body.

[21] In another embodiment, the cover portion of the cover body comprises a closable second pocket for the user's valuables.

[22] A travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising a pocket for receiving a pillow, wherein the package and the pillow in the pocket in use can be rolled and/or folded; and releasable retaining means for retaining the package in the rolled and/or folded configuration thereof.

[23] The travel package can further comprise a flexible cover body having an external side and an internal side, wherein the pocket is disposed at the internal side and wherein the

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 retaining means comprises at least one attachment strap having a first engaging means and extending from a first edge of the package and at least one corresponding second engagement means attached to an external side of the package.

[24] The travel package can comprise a flexible cover body having an external side and an internal side, wherein the pocket is disposed at the internal side and wherein the cover body is made from waterproof or water resistant material.

[25] Preferably, the cover body is dimensioned to have a length longer than the pocket, and wherein the cover body comprises a cover portion forming an overhang beyond the pocket.

[26] In a particularly preferred form there is provided a travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising a pocket for receiving a pillow; a flexible cover body having an external side and an internal side, wherein the pocket is disposed at the internal side and wherein the package and the pillow in the pocket in use can be rolled and/or folded; and releasable retaining means for retaining the package in the rolled and/or folded configuration thereof; wherein the cover body is made from a planar flexible fabric material which is waterproof or water resistant material and wherein the cover body has a length longer than the pocket, and wherein the cover body comprises a cover portion forming an overhang beyond the pocket, wherein the retaining means comprises at least one attachment strap having a first engaging means and extending from a first edge of the package and at least one corresponding second engagement means attached to an external side of the package, and wherein the travel package further comprises a handle attached to an external side of the package, and wherein the pocket is defined by a pillowcase detachable from the cover body, wherein the pillowcase is attachable to the cover body at the internal side, adjacent an end edge of the cover body, wherein the travel package can be rolled from the end edge in use, and wherein the retaining means allows the roll to be tightened to further compress the pillow and compact the rolled package.

[27] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [28] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an external side view of a travel package for a pillow in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an internal side view of the travel package for a pillow of figure 1;

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

Fig. 3 shows insertion of a full-size pillow into the pocket of the travel package of figure 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 show the full-size pillow fully inserted into the pocket;

Fig. 6 shows the fully rolled travel package with the pillow contained therein; and

Fig. 7 shows three examples of the fully rolled travel package attached to luggage.

Description of Embodiments [29] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[30] The invention provides a travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising a pocket for receiving a pillow, wherein the package and the pillow in the pocket in use can be rolled and/or folded; and releasable retaining means for retaining the package in the rolled and/or folded configuration thereof.

[31] Figures 1 and 2 show a travel package 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The travel package 10 comprises a rectangular planar flexible fabric material cover body 12 having an external side 14 and an internal side 16.

[32] Referring initially to figure 1, the cover body 12 comprises a first end edge 18, a second end edge 20 and side edges 22. Two attachment straps 24 extend outwardly from the first end edge 18. The attachment straps 24 are hook straps of a hook and loop attachment means (e.g. Velcro). Two loop strips 26 are attached at a mid-portion of the external side 14. The loop strips 26 are respectively aligned with the attachment straps 24. In use, the attachment straps 24 can be attached to the loop strips 26 to retain the cover body 12 in a rolled configuration. The attachment straps 24 and the loop strips 26 thus provide a releasable retaining means for retaining the package 10 in the rolled configuration.

[33] A handle 30 is attached to the external side 14 at a position between the loop strips 26 and the first end edge 18. The handle 30 comprises a strip 32 of material similar to the cover body 12, the strip 32 comprising end portions 34 attached to the external side 14. The handle 30 extends in a direction transversely to the cover body 12.

[34] Referring to figure 2, a pocket 40 is formed at the internal side 16. The pocket 40 is dimensioned to receive a full-size pillow 100 therein. In the embodiment, the pocket 40 is defined by a pillowcase 50 having its closed end edge 52 and a closed side edges 54

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 attached to the cover body 12 at the internal side 16. The closed end edge 52 is attached adjacent the second end edge 20 and a closed side edges 54 are attached respectively attached adjacent the respective side edges 22.

[35] An open and 56 of the pillowcase 50 thus generally faces the first end edge 18 of the cover body 12. It can be seen that the cover body 12 is dimensioned to have a length longer than the pillowcase 50. This provides a cover portion 29 of the cover body 12 which is not covered by the pillowcase 50, the cover portion 29 extending between the open end 56 and the first and edge 18.

[36] Referring to figures 3 to 5, in use, a pillow 100 is inserted into the pillowcase 50. When fully inserted, the pillow 100 is fully covered by the pillowcase 50.

[37] During travel, the user will then roll the travel package 10 with the pillow 100 therewithin, along the internal side 16 and starting from the second end edge 20. The rolling action squeezes air out of the pillow and compresses the pillow. When the travel package is fully rolled, the attachment straps 24 are attached to the loop strips 26 to maintain the rolled configurations of the travel package 10 as shown in figure 6. In this rolled configuration, the size of the pillow 100 is minimised as it is compressed during the rolling process and the handle 40 is available for use by the user [38] As shown in figure 7, the user can place the handle 40 over the handle and 202 of a piece of luggage 200. This will allow the rolled package 10 to rest on top of the luggage 200 and the user does not have to hold the rolled package 10.

[39] When required, the user can then unroll the package 10 and position the external surface 14 against the bed surface or ground surface as required. The pillowcase 50 is thus always protected by the cover body 12 and the user can use the clean pillowcase 50 with the pillow 100 as required. When moving, the user can simply roll the package 10 again to minimise its size and provide ease of handling.

[40] The present invention thus provides a travel package for a pillow which addresses the travellers' problem of taking their own pillow with them irrespective of where they are travelling to and their mode of travel (car, aeroplane, train etc.) The pillow is rolled up to a minimum size which is easy to carry wherever the traveller goes.

[41] The rolled package can be attached to the luggage handles or backpacks and is thus easy to carry and does not require the user to carry the pillow separately with one of their

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 arms. The rolled pillow occupies minimal space.

[42] While the user is away from home, they can sleep in knowing that they have the comfort of a familiar pillow even in a strange bed. This addresses the issue for many travellers arriving in rented accommodation of not having a pillow they prefer with some pillows in such places being too flat, too lumpy or too small.

[43] The present invention also addresses the issues of many families travelling in a car as pillows take up a lot of space.

[44] The present invention also provides the advantage that the user's pillow is always protected in use and does not get easily soiled or dirty even when used on public transport training surfaces, airport ground surfaces and the like. The pillowcase onto which the user lays their head is always protected and does not touch public transport services or other external surfaces.

[45] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, the travel package 10 can be made in different fabrics including decorative fabrics or different colours matching a user's personal luggage.

[46] In another possible embodiment, the cover body 12 can be made waterproof or a water resistant to protect the pillow 100 during rain and during use. Such a waterproof cover body will allow easy cleaning.

[47] The attachment means described above, being the hook straps and loop strips, can also be embodied in other forms such as the straps having one half of a button and the strips being replaced by a series of spaced buttons. This will allow the tightness of the roll of the package 10 to be modified as required.

[48] In another possible embodiment, the attachment means allows the roll to be tightened to further compress the pillow and compact the rolled package if desired. The attachment means for example can be adjustable buckles which can be tightened.

[49] In another possible embodiment, one side edge of the pillowcase may be openable by a zipper therein such that the pillowcase can be opened quickly and a pillow can be inserted

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 therein and closed by the zipper.

[50] In some embodiments, for example for smaller pillows, the cover body can be made smaller and configured to be folded rather than rolled.

[51] In another embodiment, the pocket can be formed not by a pillowcase, but a textile panel having three of its edges attached to the cover body.

[52] In another embodiment, the pillowcase can be made detachable to the cover body, for example via VelcroTM, to allow the pillowcase to be washable separately.

[53] The cover portion of the cover body can also include a closable pocket for the user's valuables, such as their wallet, keys and telephone whilst sleeping.

Interpretation Embodiments:

[54] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[55] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each 7 claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[56] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects [57] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives first, second, third, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details [58] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology [59] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as forward, rearward, radially, peripherally, upwardly, downwardly, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including [60] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 [61] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention [62] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[63] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability [64] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the travel and luggage industries.

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising:

a pocket for receiving a pillow, wherein the package and the pillow in the pocket in use can be rolled and/or folded; and releasable retaining means for retaining the package in the rolled and/or folded configuration thereof.

2/5

FIGURE 3

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

2. A travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising:

3. The travel package of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a flexible cover body having an external side and an internal side, wherein the pocket is disposed at the internal side and wherein the retaining means comprises at least one attachment strap having a first engaging means and extending from a first edge of the package and at least one corresponding second engagement means attached to an external side of the package.

4. The travel package of claim 1 or 2 comprising a flexible cover body having an external side and an internal side, wherein the pocket is disposed at the internal side and wherein the cover body is made from waterproof or water resistant material.

5. The travel package of claim 1,2, 3 or 4 wherein the cover body is dimensioned to have a length longer than the pocket, and wherein the cover body comprises a cover portion forming an overhang beyond the pocket.

6. A travel package for a pillow, the travel package comprising:

a pocket for receiving a pillow;

a flexible cover body having an external side and an internal side, wherein the pocket is disposed at the internal side and wherein the package and the pillow in the pocket in use can be rolled and/or folded;

and releasable retaining means for retaining the package in the rolled and/or folded configuration thereof;

wherein the cover body is made from a planar flexible fabric material which is waterproof or water resistant material and wherein the cover body has a length longer than the pocket, and wherein the cover body comprises a cover portion forming an overhang beyond the pocket;

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 wherein the retaining means comprises at least one attachment strap having a first engaging means and extending from a first edge of the package and at least one corresponding second engagement means attached to an external side of the package;

and wherein the travel package further comprises a handle attached to an external side of the package;

and wherein the pocket is defined by a pillowcase detachable from the cover body, wherein the pillowcase is attachable to the cover body at the internal side, adjacent an end edge of the cover body, wherein the travel package can be rolled from the end edge in use, and wherein the retaining means allows the roll to be tightened to further compress the pillow and compact the rolled package.

2018100980 10 Jul 2018 /

FIGURE 2

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

3/5

FIGURE 4

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

FIGURE 5

2018100980 10 Jul 2018

FIGURE 7