GB2551370A - Travel bag with attached pillow - Google Patents

Abstract

A bag 27 and pillow 26 each having one part of at least one two-part fastener 10, 20. When connected, the pillow preferably covers/obstructs the opening to the bag and/or the lid part of the bag to provide added security for the bag contents whilst the user is asleep on the pillow. The face of the bag to which the pillow connects has four edges, along which, together with the four edges of the pillow, are located the fastening means. The means of fastening is preferably by way of hook and loop fastener, buttons, zip, buckles or poppers. The pillow may be inflatable.

Description

Travel Bag with Attached Pillow

Background of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to travel bags featuring pillows .

[2] Comfort during sleep is a common problem on long haul flights and in airports during flight delays. Passengers often rest their heads on the table in front of them, using a bag for a pillow. This is uncomfortable because one can feel the contents of the bag. Passengers further place a loose pillow on top of a bag. However, pillows placed in this way often move during sleep, causing discomfort and pain.

[3] A further problem when travelling is that, when sleeping in airports during flight delays, passengers risk the security of their personal belongings.

[4] It is known in the art to provide a pillow for supporting the head during travel, such pillows being a feature of a travel bag. For example, CN 202311705 U to Liming discloses a bag capable of serving as a pillow. The bag comprises an internal framework and an outer layer. The framework comprises four supporting outer posts, a supporting plate and an elastic sponge cushion; the supporting plate being supported by the four supporting outer posts. The elastic sponge cushion is mounted on the supporting plate and the whole framework is contained inside the bag outer layer. A zip fastener and a strap are arranged on the outer layer. The bag can store articles and can serve as a pillow for sleeping thereon.

[5] Furthermore, US2003116465 to Wilson discloses a multipurpose bag which includes an inflatable member integrated therewith such that the bag may be used as both a carrying device and a cushioning device. The bag is provided a pocket on at least one side thereof which pocket is configured to removably hold the inflatable member. The inflatable member is useful as a pillow both when held inside of the pocket and when attached to a chair or other device outside of the pocket.

[6] In such inventions, a significant amount of space inside the bag is often occupied by the pillow support means. Furthermore, the size of the pillow is often limited to the size of the bag.

Brief Summary of the Invention [7] It can be seen from the foregoing that a need has arisen for a travel bag comprising a pillow, wherein the attachment of the pillow does not negatively affect the usability of the bag.

[8] It would be advantageous to provide such a bag wherein the contents of the bag are secure while the user is sleeping.

[9] It would be further advantageous to provide such a bag wherein the pillow does not move with respect to the bag during sleep.

[10] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a travel bag comprising a securely attachable pillow, the pillow being disposed over the opening of the bag during use.

[11] To this end, disclosed is a bag with an attachable pillow, comprising: a bag having at least one cavity; a pillow; at least one fastener, each said fastener having a first component disposed on the bag and a second component disposed on the pillow, for connecting with the first component.

[12] An advantage of the present invention is that a pillow and a bag are provided in one device. A further advantage is that the pillow is firmly attached to the bag during use and does not move with respect to the bag. A still further advantage is that the pillow covers the opening of the bag during use, such that a person sleeping on the pillow would be woken if an attempt was made to steal the contents, thus keeping the contents secure. A still further advantage is that the pillow and its attachment means to not occupy any space within the bag or negatively affect the usage of the bag. A yet further advantage is that the pillow can be fully detached from the bag and used as a stand-alone pillow, while the bag can then be used as a regular bag.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [13] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [14] Figure 1 shows a top view of the bag; [15] Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the bag showing a fastening means; [16] Figure 3 shows a top view of the pillow; [17] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the pillow partially attached to the bag; and [18] Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the pillow fully attached to the bag.

Detailed Description of the Invention [19] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 1-5 wherein like numerals refer to like components .

[20] In Figure 1, a top view of the bag is shown having side edges 1 and 13 and outer layer 2.

[21] In Figure 2 an isometric view of the bag is shown featuring the first component 10 of a fastening means (fastener) and first component 20 of a fastening means (fastener). The figure additionally shows the bag's side panels 3, 8; further side edges 4, 5, 6, 7; Zipper 9 on two opposing sides 13.

[22] Figure 3 shows a top view of the pillow featuring an outer covering 16, 17; side edges 18, 21; filling material 19 in pillow cavity 24; second component 10 of the fastening means (fastener);second component 20 of the fastening means (fastener) and side edges 22, 23.

[23] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the pillow 26 partially attached to the bag 27; showing D ring 11 for attaching a strap thereto; D ring holder 12; strap 14 and slider 15; zipper 9 on two apposing sides 13 to enable access to the cavity 25 of the bag. The fastening means may be a Velcro, hook and eye, zippers, button and loop, hoop and loop, poppers, buckles, or any fastening means known in the art.

[24] Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the pillow 26 fully attached to the bag 27.

[25] In a preferred embodiment, a bag with an attachable pillow is disclosed, comprising: a bag having at least one cavity and an outer layer; a pillow; at least one fastener, each said fastener having a first component disposed on the outer layer of the bag and a second component disposed on the pillow, for connecting with the first component.

[26] The bag may be any bag known in the art and may comprise any fabric, any strap, etc. Preferably the bag is as shown in the figures, comprising four sides and a wide opening, this being preferable to enable a roughly flat and wide surface for the pillow to sit on while the contents of the bag remain inside.

[27] The cavity may be one large cavity or may comprise pockets etc. as known in the art. The bag may comprise a lid portion for covering the opening to enable closure of the bag without use of the pillow. The lid portion may be of any shape and may connect to the body of the bag via zippers, poppers, etc. as known in the art, disposed on any side or sides of the lid portion.

[28] The outer layer may comprise fabric, leather, plastic, soft vinyl, waterproof ripstock or any outer layer known in the art. The term 'outer layer' is use merely to describe the outer edge of the bag as being the surface to which the fastener(s) is/are attached.

[29] The bag preferably comprises an opening, wherein the pillow substantially covers the opening when the first and second components of the at least one fastener are connected. An advantage of this is that the head of a user sleeping thereon would block access to the lid portion or other access to the bag cavity.

Attempts to access the bag's contents would wake the user.

[30] Most preferably, the bag comprises four sides - labelled 'side edges' in the figures - and the pillow comprises four corresponding sides, wherein one first component of a fastener is disposed on each side of the bag, and one second component of the fastener is disposed on each side of the pillow. Thus each side of the bag has a first component of a fastener, and each side of the pillow has a corresponding second component of a fastener.

[31] The fastener (s) may be Velcro, hooks and eyes, zippers, buttons and loops, hooks and loops, buckles, poppers or any other fastening means known in the art and having two components for joining together to create temporary attachment. The fasteners may be all the same, all different, or any combination. One embodiment, for example, may feature zippers on two opposing sides and buttons and loops on the other two opposing sides, as in the figures. An advantage of the fasteners is that the pillow does not become displaced from the bag during sleep causing discomfort. Most preferably, all sides of the bag feature at least one fastener, an advantage of this being increased security of the contents of the bag when the fasteners are fastened.

[32] The first component(s) of the fastener(s) are preferably attached to the side edges of the bag, such that they are proximal to the pillow, however alternatively they may be attached anywhere on the outer layer of the bag where it is practical to attach the pillow, including the lid portion. The pillow, or its outer case described below, is preferably shaped and sized such that the location(s) of the second component(s) of the fastener(s) on the pillow correspond to that of the first component(s) on the bag.

[33] In particular, if Velcro is used as a fastener, the Velcro may be disposed on the side edges of the bag proximal to the pillow, the upper edges of the bag, the lid portion, or at any point on the bag which will come into contact with the pillow. Likewise the Velcro may be affixed to the sides, top or bottom of the pillow or any location on the pillow which will come into contact with the bag .

[34] The pillow is preferably filled with a compressible, spreadable fabric which may be polyester wadding, foam pieces, hollow fibre e.g. polyester, cotton, or wool, or any suitable material. Preferably, the pillow measures 10" x 8" or larger.

[35] The pillow's outer covering may comprise soft fleece or non-creasable polyester, or other material as known in the art.

[36] The pillow may comprise an outer pillow case, the pillow case may comprise fabric, leather, plastic, soft vinyl, waterproof ripstock or any suitable material as known in the art; and a removable padded section.

[37] An advantage of this is that the pillow can be removed and the bag can remain usable, when no sleeping function is required.

[38] Furthermore, the pillow may be inflatable and deflatable, comprising a plastic inflatable component with a valve as known in the art, which may insert into a pillow case having the fasteners attached thereon or which may itself have fasteners attached thereon.

[39] An advantage of this is that the bulk of the pillow can be removed by deflating the pillow, when no sleeping function is required.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A bag with an attachable pillow comprising: a bag having at least one cavity; a pillow; at least one fastener, each said fastener having a first component disposed on said bag and a second component disposed on said pillow, for connecting with said first component.

2. The bag of claim 1, the bag comprising an opening, wherein the pillow substantially covers said opening when said first and second components of said fastener are connected.

3. The bag of claim 1, the bag comprising a lid portion, wherein the pillow covers part of said lid portion when said first and second components of said fastener are connected.

4. The bag of claim 1, 2 or 3, said bag comprising four sides and said pillow comprising four sides, wherein one said first component of said fastener is disposed on each said side of said bag, and one said second component of said fastener is disposed on each said side of said pillow.

5. The bag of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said at least one fastener comprises at least one selected from the list comprising: Velcro, hook and eye, hook and loop, button and loop, zipper, buckles poppers .

6. The bag of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pillow comprises a pillow cavity and said cavity is filled with a filling material selected from the list comprising: polyester wadding, foam pieces, hollow fibre .

7. The bag of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pillow is inflatable and deflatable.

8. The bag of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said pillow comprises an outer covering and a removable padded section.