EP1079718B1 - Towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes - Google Patents

Towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1079718B1
EP1079718B1 EP99913905A EP99913905A EP1079718B1 EP 1079718 B1 EP1079718 B1 EP 1079718B1 EP 99913905 A EP99913905 A EP 99913905A EP 99913905 A EP99913905 A EP 99913905A EP 1079718 B1 EP1079718 B1 EP 1079718B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
membrane
towel
mat
frame member
perimeter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99913905A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1079718A1 (en
EP1079718A4 (en
Inventor
Brian Edward Le Gette
Tai Hoon Kim Matlin
James Ashley Waring
Ronald L. Ii Wilson
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180s Inc
Original Assignee
Gray Matter Holdings LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/081,134 external-priority patent/US6170100B1/en
Application filed by Gray Matter Holdings LLC filed Critical Gray Matter Holdings LLC
Priority to DE29924057U priority Critical patent/DE29924057U1/en
Publication of EP1079718A1 publication Critical patent/EP1079718A1/en
Publication of EP1079718A4 publication Critical patent/EP1079718A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1079718B1 publication Critical patent/EP1079718B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G9/00Bed-covers; Counterpanes; Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs; Sleeping bags; Pillows
    • A47G9/06Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs
    • A47G9/062Travelling rugs; Sleeping rugs for covering the ground, e.g. picnic or beach blankets

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a towel-mat having a frame member and removably attached membranes.
  • Conventional beach towels and picnic blankets are typically used, for example, to separate a person from the ground (e.g., beach sand) and/or to line a chair. Difficulty exists, however, in maintaining the shape of these items when being used for such purposes. For example, when a beach towel is used to separate a person from the beach sand, the towel will typically lose its spread out shape and converge towards the person.
  • U.S. Patent 3,862,876, issued to Graves discloses one attempt to maintain the desired shape of a towel.
  • the towel in Graves has continuous flexible weights secured along two opposed edges of the towel.
  • U.S. Patent 4,709,430, issued to Nicoll discloses a beach blanket having a non-metallic tube filled with a liquid weight such as water located at the perimeter of the blanket.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,951,333 describes a self-supporting towel-mat according to the preamble of claim 1, having two layers of fabric joined at their edges with a single spring-steel hoop inside sized to hold the blanket open and flat on the ground.
  • the hoop is compressible so that it can be removed through a small slit in the side, allowing the blanket to be machine-washed.
  • a towel-mat includes the features of claim 1.
  • the second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane along the perimeter portion of the second membrane and along the perimeter portion of the first membrane.
  • the perimeter portion of the second membrane includes an extended portion.
  • the extended portion and the perimeter portion of the second membrane forms a perimeter pocket adapted to receive the first membrane.
  • the towel-mat further comprises a fastener having a first portion and a second portion.
  • the first portion of the fastener is attached to the first membrane, and the second portion of the fastener is attached to the second membrane.
  • the fastener is adapted to removably attach the first membrane to the second membrane.
  • a towel-mat includes a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material, a first membrane and a second membrane.
  • the first membrane has a perimeter portion to which a frame member is fixedly attached.
  • the second membrane has a perimeter portion. The second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane.
  • membrane is used herein to include, but is not limited to, a layer of material.
  • the membrane can be a piece of fabric such as terry cloth or nylon.
  • one membrane e.g., the second membrane which can form a top membrane of the towel-mat
  • the other membrane e.g., the first membrane with the frame member fixedly attached which can form a bottom membrane of the towel-mat
  • perimeter portion is used herein to include an area substantially about the perimeter of a membrane.
  • the perimeter portion can be, for example, twenty percent of the membrane area nearest to the membrane perimeter.
  • the perimeter portion of the second membrane includes an extended portion and a facing portion.
  • the extended portion and the facing portion of the second membrane forms a perimeter pocket adapted to receive the first membrane.
  • extended portion is used herein to include, but is not limited to, a portion of a membrane extending beyond the membrane perimeter.
  • the extended portion can include a portion of the membrane that is folded over at the perimeter.
  • the extended portion can be made of the same material as the membrane itself or can be made of a material different from the membrane, for example, an elastic material sown to a nylon membrane.
  • the term “facing portion” is used herein to include a portion of a membrane that faces the extended portion of the membrane.
  • the "perimeter pocket" formed by the extended portion and the facing portion of the membrane can be any type of cavity or opening along at least a portion of the perimeter.
  • the frame member is fixedly attached along the perimeter of one towel-mat membrane (e.g., the lower membrane) which is, in turn, inserted into the perimeter pocket of another membrane (e.g, the top membrane);
  • the extended portion can be an elastic material which is stretched over the lower membrane so that it is disposed within the perimeter pocket formed by the extended portion and the facing portion of the lower membrane.
  • FIG. 1 shows a top view of a top membrane of a towel-mat according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a side view of the top membrane shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the top membrane for the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a towel-mat includes a top membrane 110 and a bottom membrane 120.
  • a body portion 111 and a head portion 112 are fixedly attached to top membrane 110.
  • Body portion 111 and head portion 112 can be fixedly attached to the top membrane 110 by, for example, sewing along the perimeters of those portions.
  • Head portion 112 can be sewn along a portion of the perimeter of the head portion 112 to provide an opening 113 where a pillow can be inserted as will be discussed below.
  • Top membrane 110 includes an extended portion 114, which is located on the underside of the top membrane 110 from the top view perspective. Extended portion 114 and the facing portion of top membrane 110 form a pocket into which the bottom membrane 120 can be removably inserted.
  • the extended portion 114 can be made, for example, an elastic material that can be stretched over lower membrane 120 to better place lower membrane 120 within the pocket.
  • the bottom membrane 120 can be removably attached to the top membrane 110 by placing lower membrane 120 within the pocket formed by extended portion 114 and top membrane 110.
  • FIG. 4 shows a bottom or top view of the bottom membrane for attachment to the top membrane shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.
  • the lower membrane 120 has the frame member (not shown) fixedly attached.
  • the lower membrane 120 can be folded over the frame member and then sewn along the interior of the lower membrane 120.
  • lower membrane 120 can have an oval shape; the frame member can be placed along the perimeter and then the lower membrane 120 can be sewn along the inner perimeter to capture the frame member within the doubled-over lower membrane. Because the frame member is captured within the lower membrane 120, the frame member is essentially fixedly attached to the lower membrane 120.
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the top membrane shown in FIG. 1 along the line shown in Fig. 2 and the lower membrane inserted into the perimeter pocket of the top membrane. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower membrane 120 is placed within the pocket formed by top membrane 110 and extended portion 114. FIG. 5 illustrates the frame member 130 located along the perimeter of lower membrane 120.
  • FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the end portion of the cross-section shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates one manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 1-5 can be constructed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • lower membrane 120 can be folded over frame member 130 and sewn along that inner perimeter of lower membrane 120, which is solid along its interior.
  • the lower membrane 120 has a hole within its interior and the frame member is sewn along a perimeter portion.
  • top membrane 110 can be sewn to extended portion 114 so that the seam is on the interior of the towel.
  • the far end of extended portion 114 can be sewn with a binding.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative manner in which the membranes of a towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the top membrane 810 and extended portion 814 can be sewn with an exterior seam 815 and then have a binding placed over the seam.
  • the far end of the extended portion again, can have a binding 816.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates yet another manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the top membrane can be constructed similar to that shown in FIG. 7 with an additional segment 918 attached to the extended portion 914.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Towel-mat 200 includes top membrane 210, lower membrane 220 and fastener 230.
  • Top membrane can include a body portion 211 and a head portion 212.
  • the frame member (not shown) is sewn along the perimeter of lower membrane 220.
  • Fastener 230 has one portion attached to the top membrane 210 and another portion attached to the lower membrane 220.
  • the portions of the fastener 230 can be, for example, attached along the perimeter portions of the top and lower membranes 210 and 220, respectively.
  • the fastener can be, for example, a zipper, a hook and pile arrangement, a set of buttons with holes or a set of snaps.
  • the particular fastener shown in FIG. 9 is a zipper.
  • the head portion 212 can be fixedly attached to body portion 211 by sewing the head portion 212 to the body portion 211 along the semi-circular outer perimeter 214 of the head portion 212.
  • a opening can be formed along the straight side 215 of head portion 212 to allow a pillow to be removably inserted into the towel.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 10.
  • Towel-mat 300 includes top membrane 310, lower membrane 320 and fastener 330.
  • Top membrane can include a body portion 311 and a head portion 312.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom or top view of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
  • the frame member (not shown) is sewn along the perimeter of lower membrane 320.
  • Fastener 330 has one portion that is to be attached to the top membrane 310 and another portion that is to be attached to the lower membrane 320.
  • the portions of the fastener 330 can be, for example, attached along the perimeter portions of the top and lower membranes 310 and 320, respectively.
  • the fastener can be, for example, a zipper, a hook and pile arrangement, a set of buttons with holes or a set of snaps.
  • the particular fastener shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is a zipper.
  • the head portion 312 can be fixedly attached to top membrane 310 by sewing the head portion 312 to the top membrane 310 along the semi-circular outer perimeter of the head portion 312.
  • a opening can be formed along the straight side of head portion 312 to allow a pillow to be removably inserted into the towel.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 13.
  • the head portion 412 can be sewn along three of the four sides of its perimeter and can be sewn along interior lines to form an opening 413 to a central pocket 414 (into which a pillow can be placed), left pocket 415 and right pocket 416 (into which miscellaneous items, such as sunglasses, keys and suntan lotion can be placed).
  • FIG. 15 shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 15. Similar to the discussion above, the details again shown here relate to head portion 512, which has been sewn along three of its four sides to form a pocket 513.
  • FIG. 17 shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 18 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 17. Again, the details shown relate to the head portion 612, which is shown along three of its four sides to form an opening 613.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes.
  • FIG. 20 is a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 19.
  • FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.
  • Towel-mat 700 includes top membrane 710, lower membrane 720, fastener 730 and pull ring 740.
  • Top membrane 710 includes body portion 711 and head portion 712, which are fixedly attached to top membrane 710.
  • Fastener 730 has one portion attached to top membrane 710 and another portion attached to lower membrane 720.
  • the fastener can be located, for example, around the perimeter portions of top membrane 710 and lower membrane 720.
  • the fastener shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 is a zipper.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of the towel 700 shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 where the top membrane 710 is removed from the lower membrane 720. Note that the view of bottom membrane 720 is from a top view.
  • a cord 750 has cord sections 751 and 752, and is located within the lower membrane 720.
  • Cord section 751 is fixedly attached directly to the frame member (not shown) or fixedly attached to the lower membrane 720 itself. The other end of cord section 751 is movably engagable through the lower membrane and connected to pull ring 740.
  • cord section 752 is also fixedly attached to either the frame member or the lower membrane 720 at a location angularly separated from the fixedly attached location of cord section 751. The remaining end of cord section 752 is movably engagable through lower membrane 720 and again connected to pull ring 740.
  • An elastic member 760 attaches to cord section 752, and to cord section 751 or a location on the lower membrane 720. As shown in FIG. 22, the elastic member 760 can have one end attached to cord section 751 where it fixedly attaches to the frame member or lower membrane 720 and the remaining end of elastic member 760 can be connected at point between the end points of cord section 752, for example, at a halfway point on cord section 752. Alternatively, the elastic member 760 can have its one end (the end opposite from the attachment at cord section 752) attached to the band (not shown) or to the lower membrane 720 itself. This end of elastic member 760 can be attached at any point along the band or the lower membrane 720 so that slack in the length of elastic member is taken up.
  • a user can convert the towel-mat from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration by pulling pull ring 740.
  • the extended configuration of the towel-mat is shown in FIG. 22.
  • the towel-mat can also be converted to a collapsed configuration and a chair configuration.
  • FIG. 23 shows a top view of a pillow of a towel-mat according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 24 shows a top view of a pillow of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the pillow can have varying types of shapes that allow them to be removably insertable into the head pocket for any of the towel-mat configurations discussed above.
  • the pillow can be inflatable and deflatable for ease of storage and use.

Abstract

A towel-mat includes a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material, a first membrane (120), and a second membrane (110). The first membrane (120) has a perimeter portion to which a frame member (130) is fixedly attached. The second membrane (120) has a perimeter portion. The second membrane (110) is removably attachable to the first membrane (110).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a towel-mat having a frame member and removably attached membranes.
Conventional beach towels and picnic blankets are typically used, for example, to separate a person from the ground (e.g., beach sand) and/or to line a chair. Difficulty exists, however, in maintaining the shape of these items when being used for such purposes. For example, when a beach towel is used to separate a person from the beach sand, the towel will typically lose its spread out shape and converge towards the person.
Several attempts have been tried to remedy these problems with towels: For example, U.S. Patent 3,862,876, issued to Graves, discloses one attempt to maintain the desired shape of a towel. The towel in Graves has continuous flexible weights secured along two opposed edges of the towel. U.S. Patent 4,709,430, issued to Nicoll, discloses a beach blanket having a non-metallic tube filled with a liquid weight such as water located at the perimeter of the blanket.
These known towels, however, can be difficult to arrange when configured to have a large size. These towels can be cumbersome to arrange for separating a person from the beach sand, to line a chair, and to pack for removal.
U.S. Patent No. 4,951,333 describes a self-supporting towel-mat according to the preamble of claim 1, having two layers of fabric joined at their edges with a single spring-steel hoop inside sized to hold the blanket open and flat on the ground. The hoop is compressible so that it can be removed through a small slit in the side, allowing the blanket to be machine-washed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems are solved by a towel mat as defined in independent claim 1 and by a method for manufacturing a towel mat as defined in independent claim 13. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
A towel-mat includes the features of claim 1.
In one embodiment, the second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane along the perimeter portion of the second membrane and along the perimeter portion of the first membrane.
In another embodiment, the perimeter portion of the second membrane includes an extended portion. The extended portion and the perimeter portion of the second membrane forms a perimeter pocket adapted to receive the first membrane.
In yet another embodiment, the towel-mat further comprises a fastener having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the fastener is attached to the first membrane, and the second portion of the fastener is attached to the second membrane. The fastener is adapted to removably attach the first membrane to the second membrane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 shows a top view of a top membrane of a towel-mat according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a side view of the top membrane shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the top membrane shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 4 shows a bottom or top view of the bottom membrane for attachment to the top membrane shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the top membrane shown in FIG. 1 along the line shown in Fig. 2 and the bottom membrane inserted into the perimeter pocket of the top membrane.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates one manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 1-5 can be constructed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative manner in which the membranes of a towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates yet another manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom or top view of the lower membrane of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 13.
  • FIG. 15 shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 16 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 17 shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 18 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 17.
  • FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes.
  • FIG. 20 is a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 19.
  • FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 19 and 20.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 where the top membrane is separated from the lower membrane.
  • FIG. 23 shows a top view of a pillow of a towel-mat according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 24 shows a top view of a pillow of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
    A towel-mat includes a frame member being formed from a flexible twistable material, a first membrane and a second membrane. The first membrane has a perimeter portion to which a frame member is fixedly attached. The second membrane has a perimeter portion. The second membrane is removably attachable to the first membrane.
    The term "membrane" is used herein to include, but is not limited to, a layer of material. For example, the membrane can be a piece of fabric such as terry cloth or nylon. In one embodiment, for example, one membrane (e.g., the second membrane which can form a top membrane of the towel-mat) can be a machine-washable fabric such as terry cloth to face the user comfortably; the other membrane (e.g., the first membrane with the frame member fixedly attached which can form a bottom membrane of the towel-mat) can be a fabric, not necessarily machine washable, such as nylon to face the ground.
    The term "perimeter portion" is used herein to include an area substantially about the perimeter of a membrane. The perimeter portion can be, for example, twenty percent of the membrane area nearest to the membrane perimeter.
    In one embodiment, the perimeter portion of the second membrane includes an extended portion and a facing portion. The extended portion and the facing portion of the second membrane forms a perimeter pocket adapted to receive the first membrane. The term "extended portion" is used herein to include, but is not limited to, a portion of a membrane extending beyond the membrane perimeter. For example, the extended portion can include a portion of the membrane that is folded over at the perimeter. The extended portion can be made of the same material as the membrane itself or can be made of a material different from the membrane, for example, an elastic material sown to a nylon membrane. The term "facing portion" is used herein to include a portion of a membrane that faces the extended portion of the membrane.
    The "perimeter pocket" formed by the extended portion and the facing portion of the membrane can be any type of cavity or opening along at least a portion of the perimeter. In one embodiment, the frame member is fixedly attached along the perimeter of one towel-mat membrane (e.g., the lower membrane) which is, in turn, inserted into the perimeter pocket of another membrane (e.g, the top membrane); the extended portion can be an elastic material which is stretched over the lower membrane so that it is disposed within the perimeter pocket formed by the extended portion and the facing portion of the lower membrane.
    FIG. 1 shows a top view of a top membrane of a towel-mat according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the top membrane shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the top membrane for the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
    A towel-mat includes a top membrane 110 and a bottom membrane 120. A body portion 111 and a head portion 112 are fixedly attached to top membrane 110. Body portion 111 and head portion 112 can be fixedly attached to the top membrane 110 by, for example, sewing along the perimeters of those portions. Head portion 112 can be sewn along a portion of the perimeter of the head portion 112 to provide an opening 113 where a pillow can be inserted as will be discussed below.
    Top membrane 110 includes an extended portion 114, which is located on the underside of the top membrane 110 from the top view perspective. Extended portion 114 and the facing portion of top membrane 110 form a pocket into which the bottom membrane 120 can be removably inserted. The extended portion 114 can be made, for example, an elastic material that can be stretched over lower membrane 120 to better place lower membrane 120 within the pocket. In other words, the bottom membrane 120 can be removably attached to the top membrane 110 by placing lower membrane 120 within the pocket formed by extended portion 114 and top membrane 110.
    FIG. 4 shows a bottom or top view of the bottom membrane for attachment to the top membrane shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The lower membrane 120 has the frame member (not shown) fixedly attached. The lower membrane 120 can be folded over the frame member and then sewn along the interior of the lower membrane 120. In other words, lower membrane 120 can have an oval shape; the frame member can be placed along the perimeter and then the lower membrane 120 can be sewn along the inner perimeter to capture the frame member within the doubled-over lower membrane. Because the frame member is captured within the lower membrane 120, the frame member is essentially fixedly attached to the lower membrane 120.
    FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the top membrane shown in FIG. 1 along the line shown in Fig. 2 and the lower membrane inserted into the perimeter pocket of the top membrane. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower membrane 120 is placed within the pocket formed by top membrane 110 and extended portion 114. FIG. 5 illustrates the frame member 130 located along the perimeter of lower membrane 120.
    FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of the end portion of the cross-section shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates one manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 1-5 can be constructed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, lower membrane 120 can be folded over frame member 130 and sewn along that inner perimeter of lower membrane 120, which is solid along its interior. In an alternative embodiment, the lower membrane 120 has a hole within its interior and the frame member is sewn along a perimeter portion.
    As FIG. 6 illustrates, top membrane 110 can be sewn to extended portion 114 so that the seam is on the interior of the towel. The far end of extended portion 114 can be sewn with a binding.
    FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative manner in which the membranes of a towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention. As FIG. 7 illustrates, the top membrane 810 and extended portion 814 can be sewn with an exterior seam 815 and then have a binding placed over the seam. The far end of the extended portion, again, can have a binding 816.
    FIG. 8 illustrates yet another manner in which the membranes of the towel-mat can be constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the top membrane can be constructed similar to that shown in FIG. 7 with an additional segment 918 attached to the extended portion 914.
    FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention. Towel-mat 200 includes top membrane 210, lower membrane 220 and fastener 230. Top membrane can include a body portion 211 and a head portion 212. The frame member (not shown) is sewn along the perimeter of lower membrane 220.
    Fastener 230 has one portion attached to the top membrane 210 and another portion attached to the lower membrane 220. The portions of the fastener 230 can be, for example, attached along the perimeter portions of the top and lower membranes 210 and 220, respectively. The fastener can be, for example, a zipper, a hook and pile arrangement, a set of buttons with holes or a set of snaps. The particular fastener shown in FIG. 9 is a zipper.
    The head portion 212 can be fixedly attached to body portion 211 by sewing the head portion 212 to the body portion 211 along the semi-circular outer perimeter 214 of the head portion 212. A opening can be formed along the straight side 215 of head portion 212 to allow a pillow to be removably inserted into the towel. Once head portion 212 has been attached to body portion 211, both portions can be fixedly attached to top membrane 220, for example, by sewing along the perimeter of body portion 211.
    FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 10. Towel-mat 300 includes top membrane 310, lower membrane 320 and fastener 330. Top membrane can include a body portion 311 and a head portion 312. FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom or top view of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The frame member (not shown) is sewn along the perimeter of lower membrane 320.
    Fastener 330 has one portion that is to be attached to the top membrane 310 and another portion that is to be attached to the lower membrane 320. The portions of the fastener 330 can be, for example, attached along the perimeter portions of the top and lower membranes 310 and 320, respectively. The fastener can be, for example, a zipper, a hook and pile arrangement, a set of buttons with holes or a set of snaps. The particular fastener shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is a zipper.
    The head portion 312 can be fixedly attached to top membrane 310 by sewing the head portion 312 to the top membrane 310 along the semi-circular outer perimeter of the head portion 312. A opening can be formed along the straight side of head portion 312 to allow a pillow to be removably inserted into the towel.
    FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 13. Although many of the details of the towel-mat 400 are omitted from FIGS. 13 and 14 for clarity, the shown details are those that relate to the head portion of the top membrane. The head portion 412 can be sewn along three of the four sides of its perimeter and can be sewn along interior lines to form an opening 413 to a central pocket 414 (into which a pillow can be placed), left pocket 415 and right pocket 416 (into which miscellaneous items, such as sunglasses, keys and suntan lotion can be placed).
    FIG. 15 shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 15. Similar to the discussion above, the details again shown here relate to head portion 512, which has been sewn along three of its four sides to form a pocket 513.
    FIG. 17 shows a top view of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 shows a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 17. Again, the details shown relate to the head portion 612, which is shown along three of its four sides to form an opening 613.
    FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of a towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes. FIG. 20 is a side view of the towel-mat shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of the towel-mat shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Towel-mat 700 includes top membrane 710, lower membrane 720, fastener 730 and pull ring 740. Top membrane 710 includes body portion 711 and head portion 712, which are fixedly attached to top membrane 710. Fastener 730 has one portion attached to top membrane 710 and another portion attached to lower membrane 720. The fastener can be located, for example, around the perimeter portions of top membrane 710 and lower membrane 720. The fastener shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 is a zipper.
    FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of the towel 700 shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 where the top membrane 710 is removed from the lower membrane 720. Note that the view of bottom membrane 720 is from a top view.
    A cord 750 has cord sections 751 and 752, and is located within the lower membrane 720. Cord section 751 is fixedly attached directly to the frame member (not shown) or fixedly attached to the lower membrane 720 itself. The other end of cord section 751 is movably engagable through the lower membrane and connected to pull ring 740. Similarly, cord section 752 is also fixedly attached to either the frame member or the lower membrane 720 at a location angularly separated from the fixedly attached location of cord section 751. The remaining end of cord section 752 is movably engagable through lower membrane 720 and again connected to pull ring 740.
    An elastic member 760 attaches to cord section 752, and to cord section 751 or a location on the lower membrane 720. As shown in FIG. 22, the elastic member 760 can have one end attached to cord section 751 where it fixedly attaches to the frame member or lower membrane 720 and the remaining end of elastic member 760 can be connected at point between the end points of cord section 752, for example, at a halfway point on cord section 752. Alternatively, the elastic member 760 can have its one end (the end opposite from the attachment at cord section 752) attached to the band (not shown) or to the lower membrane 720 itself. This end of elastic member 760 can be attached at any point along the band or the lower membrane 720 so that slack in the length of elastic member is taken up.
    Note that the configuration of the cord with its cord sections (and the optional elastic member) shown in FIG. 22 is just one of many possible configurations.
    A user can convert the towel-mat from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration by pulling pull ring 740. The extended configuration of the towel-mat is shown in FIG. 22. The towel-mat can also be converted to a collapsed configuration and a chair configuration.
    FIG. 23 shows a top view of a pillow of a towel-mat according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24 shows a top view of a pillow of a towel-mat according to another embodiment of the present invention. As FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate, the pillow can have varying types of shapes that allow them to be removably insertable into the head pocket for any of the towel-mat configurations discussed above. The pillow can be inflatable and deflatable for ease of storage and use.
    It should, of course, be understood that while the present invention has been described in reference to particular component shapes and configurations, other component shapes and configurations should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, although the band is shown and discussed as having a circular in shape, the band can have a more rectangular shape with rounded corners. Although the cord sections are shown and discussed with having a common point of intersection, the cord sections can be interconnected at different points.

    Claims (18)

    1. A towel-mat, comprising:
      a frame member (130) being formed from a flexible twistable material;
      a first membrane (120) having a perimeter portion;
      a second membrane (110) having a perimeter portion; and
      a pillow,
      characterized in that
      said frame member (130) is fixedly attached at the perimeter portion of said first membrane (120);
      said second membrane (110) is removably attachable to said first membrane (120);
      a body membrane (111) is fixedly attached to said second membrane (110);
      a head membrane (112) is fixedly attached to said second membrane (110), said head membrane (112) and said second membrane (110) forming a head pocket; and
      said pillow is removably insertable into the head pocket.
    2. The towel-mat of claim 1, wherein said second membrane is removably attachable to said first membrane along the perimeter portion of said second membrane and along the perimeter portion of said first membrane.
    3. The towel-mat of claim 1, wherein the perimeter portion of said second membrane includes an extended portion and a facing portion, the extended portion and the facing portion of said second membrane forming a perimeter pocket adapted to receive said first membrane.
    4. The towel-mat of claim 1, further comprising:
      a fastener having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of said fastener being attached to the first membrane, the second portion of said fastener being attached to the second membrane, said fastener being adapted to removably attach said first membrane to said second membrane.
    5. The towel-mat of claim 4, wherein:
      the first portion of said fastener is attached along at least a portion of the perimeter portion of said first membrane;
      the second portion of said fastener is attached along at least a portion of the perimeter portion of said second membrane.
    6. The towel-mat of claim 4, wherein:
      the first portion of said fastener is attached substantially all along the perimeter portion of said first membrane;
      the second portion of said fastener is attached substantially all along the perimeter portion of said second membrane.
    7. The towel-mat of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said frame member has:
      (1) a first shape being substantially planar when said frame member is in an extended configuration, and
      (2) a second shape being substantially planar and having an area less than an area of the first shape when said frame member is in a collapsed configuration.
    8. The towel-mat of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said frame member has:
      (1) a first shape being substantially planar when said frame member is in an extended configuration, and
      (2) a second shape when said frame member is in a chair configuration, the chair configuration having a back portion and a seat portion.
    9. The towel-mat of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pillow is inflatable.
    10. The towel-mat of claim 8, wherein:
      pillow is disposed within the back portion of the chair configuration when said frame member is in the chair configuration.
    11. The towel-mat of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein:
      said first membrane with the fixedly attached frame member is not machine washable, and
      said second membrane is machine washable.
    12. The towel-mat of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein:
      the frame member includes a cord having at least a first cord section, the at least first cord section having a first end coupled to the frame member and a second end;
      said first membrane having at least one hole corresponding to the at least first cord section, the second end of the at least first cord section being slidably engagable through the corresponding hole.
    13. A method for manufacturing a towel-mat with a frame membrane,
      comprising
      fixedly attaching a frame member (130) formed from a flexible twistable material to a perimeter portion of a first membrane (120); and
      forming a perimeter pocket from a facing portion and an extended portion of a second membrane (110), the perimeter pocket adapted to receive the first membrane (120),
      fixedly attaching a body membrane (111) to the second membrane (110);
      fixedly attaching a head membrane (112) to the second membrane (110);
      forming a head pocket between the head membrane (112) and the second membrane (110) forming a head pocket; and
      removably inserting a pillow into the head pocket.
    14. The method of claim 13, comprising:
      fixedly attaching a first portion of a fastener to the first membrane (120); and
      fixedly attaching a second portion of the fastener to a second membrane (110), the fastener being adapted to removably attach the first membrane (120) to the second membrane (110).
    15. The method of claim 14, wherein:
      the first portion of the fastener being fixedly attached along the perimeter portion of the first membrane; and
      the second portion of the fastener being fixedly attached along a perimeter portion of the second membrane.
    16. The method of claim 14, wherein:
      the first portion of the fastener being fixedly attached substantially all along the perimeter portion of the first membrane; and
      the second portion of the fastener being fixedly attached substantially all along a perimeter portion of the second membrane.
    17. The method of any of claims 13 to 16, further comprising:
      converting the frame member from an extended configuration to a chair configuration, the chair configuration having a back portion and a seat portion, said pillow being disposed within the back portion of the chair configuration when said frame member is in the chair configuration.
    18. The method of any of claims 13 to 17, further comprising:
      forming at least a first hole within the first membrane, the frame member including a cord having at least a first cord section, the at least first cord section having a first end coupled to the frame member and a second end; and
      passing the second end of the at least first cord section through the hole of the first membrane.
    EP99913905A 1998-05-19 1999-03-16 Towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes Expired - Lifetime EP1079718B1 (en)

    Priority Applications (1)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    DE29924057U DE29924057U1 (en) 1998-05-19 1999-03-16 Cloth mat with a frame element and with detachably attached membranes

    Applications Claiming Priority (7)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    US09/081,134 US6170100B1 (en) 1998-05-19 1998-05-19 Self-opening towel
    US81134 1998-05-19
    US22996699A 1999-01-14 1999-01-14
    US22996899A 1999-01-14 1999-01-14
    US229966 1999-01-14
    US229968 1999-01-14
    PCT/US1999/005733 WO1999059452A1 (en) 1998-05-19 1999-03-16 Towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1079718A1 EP1079718A1 (en) 2001-03-07
    EP1079718A4 EP1079718A4 (en) 2002-06-05
    EP1079718B1 true EP1079718B1 (en) 2003-07-09

    Family

    ID=27373918

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP99913905A Expired - Lifetime EP1079718B1 (en) 1998-05-19 1999-03-16 Towel-mat with a frame member and removably attached membranes

    Country Status (5)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1079718B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE244530T1 (en)
    DE (2) DE29924057U1 (en)
    ES (1) ES2203102T3 (en)
    WO (1) WO1999059452A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (5)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    AU2015203143B2 (en) * 2000-10-10 2017-02-23 Spin Master, Inc. Collapsible flotation device
    US6485344B2 (en) 2000-10-10 2002-11-26 Gray Matter Holdings, Llc Collapsible flotation device
    WO2003041542A1 (en) * 2001-11-12 2003-05-22 Manchiu Li A collapsible cushion which can be used outside
    US11229304B2 (en) * 2019-09-19 2022-01-25 Lindsey Paulat Beach blanket with sand-fillable bags
    TWI719923B (en) * 2020-07-24 2021-02-21 陳德隆 Foldable chair cushion

    Family Cites Families (10)

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    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US2870464A (en) * 1958-05-14 1959-01-27 Michael J Lalick All-purpose blanket
    US3862876A (en) 1973-04-02 1975-01-28 James E Graves Protective edge weighted cover cloth
    US4951333A (en) * 1989-12-19 1990-08-28 Richard Kaiser Beach blanket
    US5059463A (en) * 1990-03-12 1991-10-22 Peters Michael V Folding mat and shelter
    US5116273A (en) * 1991-04-26 1992-05-26 Chan David S Self-extending portable panels
    US5213147A (en) * 1991-12-04 1993-05-25 Yu Zheng Method and apparatus for folding and collapsing objects supported by flexible loops
    US5353453A (en) * 1993-08-06 1994-10-11 Naumann Mary D Tanning towel with reflective surface
    US5730529A (en) * 1996-07-25 1998-03-24 Fritz; Kyle D. Combination beach mat and carrying device
    US5729846A (en) * 1997-01-13 1998-03-24 Sullivan; William Beach towel with pocket for pillow
    US6073283A (en) * 1998-07-23 2000-06-13 Patent Category Corp. Collapsible assembly

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    ATE244530T1 (en) 2003-07-15
    DE29924057U1 (en) 2001-09-27
    DE69909468D1 (en) 2003-08-14
    WO1999059452A1 (en) 1999-11-25
    EP1079718A1 (en) 2001-03-07
    DE69909468T2 (en) 2003-12-24
    EP1079718A4 (en) 2002-06-05
    ES2203102T3 (en) 2004-04-01

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