Abstract:
A pillowcase with storage includes a pillow portion and a storage portion extending from an opening of the pillow portion. The pillow portion includes a top panel and a bottom panel coupled together to form a pillow pocket, having an opening to receive a pillow. The storage portion defines at least one storage compartment and internally attaches to the pillow portion, within its opening. The storage portion can optionally include a closure to retain its contents. The storage portion can be configured to hold electronic devices, books, medications, reading glasses, phones, and so forth, in a manner that does not interfere with the use of a pillow inside the pillow portion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. non-provisional application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/479,150 filed on Jan. 13, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to pillowcases, and more particularly to a pillowcase having a pocket for storing objects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pillowcases, i.e., a fabric structure used to enclose a pillow, have been widely used and known for many years. A typical pillowcase, particularly for a bed pillow, is formed of two pieces of fabric sewn together on three sides to form an internal pocket configured to receive the bed pillow. Beyond internally receiving the bed pillow, a pillowcase is generally not made to hold any other object. 
     However, while extremely uncommon, there is a pillowcase that has been formed in the usual manner but with the addition of an external pocket designed to hold a small object. The external pocket can include a closure, such as a zipper. The pocket is formed externally on either the top or bottom piece of fabric forming the pillow, depending on how the pillow is flipped. Such pocket is also sewn to the external portion of the pillow in at least three sides. To date, such pillowcases with external pockets do not appear to have gained any measure of popularity, perhaps because the external pocket could be uncomfortable to the user. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The pillowcase in accordance with aspects of the present inventive concepts provides an externally accessible storage pocket that is attached at an internal portion of the pillowcase, where such pocket does not obstruct one&#39;s use of the pillow therein. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the inventive concepts, provided is a pillowcase with storage including a pillow portion including a first panel and a second panel joined together to form a pillow pocket that includes a pillow portion opening to receive a pillow, and a storage portion coupled to an inside portion of the pillow portion opening and extending external to the pillow portion. The storage portion defines at least one storage compartment that is accessible from the pillow portion opening. 
     In some embodiments, a width of the storage portion is less than a width of the pillow portion opening. 
     In some embodiments, the storage portion includes a material that is different from a material comprising the pillow portion. 
     In some embodiments, the storage portion includes a material having a texture that is different from a texture of a material comprising the pillow portion. 
     In some embodiments, the storage portion includes a storage compartment opening internal to the pillow portion that is accessible externally via the pillow portion opening. 
     In some embodiments, the storage portion includes a third panel and a fourth panel joined together to form the at least one storage compartment and at least one storage compartment opening. 
     In some embodiments, a first end of the fourth panel is coupled to the first panel within the pillow portion opening. 
     In some embodiments, a first end of the fourth panel is coupled to the first panel within the pillow portion opening. 
     In some embodiments, a first end of the third panel is shorter than the first end of the fourth panel and the at least one storage compartment opening is formed between the first end of the third panel and the first end of the fourth panel. 
     In some embodiments, the first panel comprises a first closure and the first end of the third panel comprises a corresponding second closure that mates with the first closure at the at least one storage compartment opening. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one storage compartment includes at least one storage compartment opening that is accessible from the between the first panel and the storage portion. 
     In some embodiments, the third and fourth panels comprise fabric. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second panels comprise fabric. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concepts, a pillowcase with storage is provided. The pillowcase with storage includes a pillow portion comprising a first panel and a second panel joined together to form a pillow pocket that includes a pillow portion opening to receive a pillow, and a storage portion coupled to an inside portion of the pillow portion opening and extending external to the pillow portion, the storage portion defining at least one storage compartment that is accessible from the pillow portion opening. The storage portion comprises a third panel and a fourth panel joined together to form the at least one storage compartment and at least one storage compartment opening. A width of the storage portion is less than a width of the pillow portion opening. A first end of the fourth panel is coupled to the first panel within the pillow portion opening. A first end of the third panel is shorter than the first end of the fourth panel and the at least one storage compartment opening is formed between the first end of the third panel and the first end of the fourth panel 
     In some embodiments, the first panel comprises a first closure and the first end of the third panel comprises a corresponding second closure that mates with the first closure at the at least one storage compartment opening. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one storage compartment includes at least one storage compartment opening that is accessible from the between the first panel and the storage portion. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one storage compartment includes at least one storage compartment opening that is accessible from the between the first panel and the storage portion. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the inventive concepts, a pillowcase with storage is provided. The pillowcase with storage includes a first side panel, and a second side panel coupled to the first side panel such that first and second sides of the first and second side panels and a first end of the first and second side panels are closed and a second end of the first and second side panels opposite the first end of the first and second side panels is open. The pillowcase with storage further includes a storage portion coupled to the first side panel extending from the second end of the first and second side panels in a direction opposite to the first end of the first and second side panels. A width of the storage portion is less than a width of the first and second panels. The storage portion includes a third side panel and a fourth side panel coupled to the third side panel such that first and second sides of the third and fourth side panels and a first end of the third and fourth side panels are closed and a second end of the third and fourth side panels opposite to the first end of the third and fourth side panels is open. The first, second, third and fourth side panels comprise fabric 
     In some embodiments, the second end of the third and fourth side panels is at the second end of the first and second panels. 
     In some embodiments, the fourth side panel is coupled to the first side panel. 
     In some embodiments, the third side panel is between the fourth side panel and the first side panel. 
     In some embodiments, the first side panel comprises a first closure and the third side panel comprises a second closure that mates with the first closure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more apparent in view of the attached drawings and accompanying detailed description. The embodiments depicted therein are provided by way of example, not by way of limitation, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating aspects of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a pillowcase with storage, in accordance with the present inventive concepts; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a closed end view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an open end view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a first top perspective view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1  with an end portion of pillowcase folded back; 
         FIG. 7  is a second top perspective view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a third top perspective view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exemplary embodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another, but not to imply a required sequence of elements. For example, a first element can be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element can be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” or “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly on or connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” and/or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     A pillowcase with storage in accordance with aspects of the present invention provides at least one externally accessible storage compartment that is attached at an internal portion of the pillowcase, where such storage compartment does not obstruct one&#39;s use of the pillow therein. 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a pillowcase with storage  10 , in accordance with aspects of the present inventive concepts.  FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the pillowcase with storage  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a side view of the pillowcase with storage  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a closed end of the pillowcase with storage  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is an open end of the pillowcase with storage  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the pillowcase with storage  10  has a pillow portion  12  to store a pillow and a storage portion  14 , for example, a pocket configured to store objects. The pillow portion  12  can be formed of two flexible fabric sheets or panels  16  and  18 , e.g., first panel  16  and fourth panel  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As used herein, a “panel” does not require a separate piece of fabric, but rather could mean a portion of a larger sheet of fabric, therefore, as an example, a folded single sheet of fabric can comprise two or more panels. In this case, therefore, panels  16  and  18  could be two sections of a single piece of cloth folded to define an end margin at the fold. 
     The fabric panels  16  and  18  may be, for example, cloth or other flexible sheet material; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. The fabric panels  16  and  18  are coupled, for example, sewn, together along entire common side margins  20  and  24  and common end margin  22 . In this embodiment, the fabric panels  16  and  18  of the pillow portion  12  are closed along the side margins  20  and  24  and end margin  22  of the pillow portion  12 , for example, one or more of such margins  20 ,  22 ,  24  could be closed by a fold in the material and/or by stitching or sewing. The fabric panels  16  and  18  are left open along one end margin to define an open end  26  of the pillow portion  12 . Accordingly, the fabric panels are configured to form a pillow pocket, where the open end  26  of the pillow portion  12  is configured to receive a pillow  36  into the pillow pocket. As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  9 , the pillow  36  may be inserted between fabric panels  16  and  18  into the pillow pocket via the open end  26 . The side  22  is a closed end opposite the open end  26 . 
       FIG. 6  is a first top perspective view of the pillowcase with storage  10  of  FIG. 1  with an end portion of pillow portion  12  folded back.  FIG. 7  is a second top perspective view of the pillowcase with storage  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the pillowcase with storage  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     In this embodiment, the storage portion  14  extends from the open end  26  of the pillow portion  12  in a direction opposite to the closed end  22  of the pillow portion  12 . Also in this embodiment, the storage portion  14  extends from an interior of the pillow portion  12  to an exterior of the pillow portion  12  and hangs to the side of the pillow portion  12  such that the storage portion  14  does not interfere with the use of the pillow portion  12 . In particular, in this embodiment, storage portion  14  is attached to an internal portion of panel  16 . Storage portion  14  can be permanently attached to the panel  16 , e.g., sewn to the panel  16 , or it can be removably attached to the panel  16 , e.g., by Velcro, a zipper, snaps, buttons, an adhesive, or some other form of removable mechanism. 
     The storage portion  14  is of a width that is smaller than the width of the pillow portion  12  in this embodiment. However, the size of the storage portion  14  is not limited thereto; the width of the storage portion  14  may be wider or narrower than illustrated in various embodiments. Additionally, the storage portion  14  is shown as a rectangle in the figures, but it can be other shapes in other embodiments, e.g., square, circular, oval, conical, truncated cone, trapezoidal, and so forth. In some embodiments, the storage portion can take the form of a durable bag, as an alternate. There is no inherent limit in the shape of the storage portion  14 . The storage portion  14  can define a single storage compartment or be divided into multiple storage compartments. 
       FIG. 9  is a third top perspective view of the pillowcase with storage of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , when the pillow  36  is inserted into the pillow portion  12 , the storage portion  14  hangs over the pillow  36 —when panel  16  is on top. That is, when the pillow  36  is inserted into the pillow portion  12 , the storage portion  14  is between the pillow  36  and the fabric panel  16  of the pillow portion  12  and hangs to the side of the pillow  36  and pillow portion  12 . The storage portion  14  is illustrated having a mobile device  38  therein; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. The storage portion  14  may hold, for example, a book, an Apple iPad or other tablet, electronic book reader (e.g., Amazon&#39;s Kindle), a phone, a wallet, jewelry, food, medications, or the like. 
     In this embodiment, the storage portion  14  is formed of two flexible fabric sheets or panels, e.g., third panel  28  and fourth panel  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The fabric panels  28  and  30  may be, for example, cloth or the like; however, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the storage portion  14  could be made by a single piece of material or more than two pieces (or panels) of material. 
     In various embodiments, the storage portion  14  can be made of the same type of fabric as the pillow portion, e.g., cotton, silk, and so on. But in other embodiments, the storage portion  14  could be made of or partially include a type of fabric or texture that is different, e.g., a mesh, from that of the pillow portion  12 . A difference in material and/or texture between the pillow portion  12  and the storage portion  14  could assist a user in locating the storage portion (and its contents) in the dark, e.g., in the middle of the night. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 , the fabric panels  28  and  30  are closed along common side margins  40  and  42  and common end margin  44 , for example, one or more of such margins  40 ,  42 ,  44  could be closed by a fold in the material and/or by stitching or sewing. The fabric panels  28  and  30  are left open along one end margin to define an open end  46  of the storage portion  14 . The side  44  is a closed end opposite the open end  46 . The open end  46  of the storage portion  14  is positioned at an interior of the pillow portion  12  at the open end  26  of the pillow portion  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the storage portion  14  is coupled to the fabric sheet  16  of the pillow portion  12 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , an end  50  of the fabric panel  30  is coupled, for example, stitched or sewn, to an interior portion of the fabric sheet  16  of the pillow portion  12 . The fabric panel  28  of the storage portion  14  is between the fabric sheet  30  of the storage portion  14  and the fabric sheet  16  of the pillow portion  12 . Referring to the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , the fabric panel  28  is shorter in length than the fabric sheet  30 . That is, the end  50  of the panel sheet  30  is spaced apart from the end  48  of the fabric sheet  28 . 
     An object may be inserted into the storage portion  14  through the open end  46  of the storage portion between fabric sheets  28  and  30 , as discussed above. The open end  46  of the storage portion  14  can include a closure that maintains the object therein. Such closure could be made of or include, as examples, Velcro, a zipper, snaps, buttons, an adhesive, or some other form of closure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , the pillow portion  12  can optionally include a closure  32 , for example, a Velcro strip or the like, on an interior of the fabric panel  16  at the open end  26  of the pillow portion  12 . The fabric panel  28  of the storage portion  14  can include a corresponding closure  34 , for example, a Velcro strip or the like, which mates with the closure  32  to close the open end  46  of the storage portion  14 . Thus, in this embodiment, a closure of the storage portion  14  is formed with the pillow portion  12 . In this embodiment, therefore, the interior of the fabric panel  16  of the pillow portion  12  can be coupled or fastened to the fabric panel  28  of the storage portion  14 . The mating closures  32  and  34  are described as Velcro strips in this embodiment, however, the invention is not limited thereto. Any suitable closure device may be used. For example, the mating closures  32  and  34  can be or include at least one button and button hole for receiving the button, or a snap button. In other embodiments, the pillowcase with storage  10  may not include a closure for the storage portion  14 . 
     In some embodiments, the storage portion  14  may be tucked into the pillow portion  12  through the open end  26  of the pillow portion  12 . Thus, the storage portion  14  and/or the contents in the storage portion  14  may be hidden within the pillow portion  12 , e.g., under the pillow. For example, when the storage portion  14  is not in use, the thin, low profile of the storage portion  14  enables it to be stored within the pillow portion  12  without adverse consequence to a user of the pillow—such as uncomfortable bulges or lumps. 
     A pillowcase with storage in accordance with aspects of the present invention provides an easily accessible storage compartment for a pillowcase without interfering with the use of the pillow and pillowcase. The storage compartment extends from an interior end portion of the pillowcase to an exterior of the pillowcase and hangs along the side of the pillowcase and/or pillow. Thus, the contents of the storage compartment are not on or under the pillowcase and a user may place its head anywhere on the pillowcase without feeling the contents of the storage compartment. 
     While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other preferred embodiments, it is understood that various modifications can be made therein and that the invention or inventions may be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim that which is literally described and all equivalents thereto, including all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of each claim.