CONVERTIBLE ARTICLE

Textile articles are readily convertible between stowed and unstowed configurations. The convertible articles include an outer cover portion and an inner textile portion. The outer cover portion forms an interior cavity having an opening therethrough, and the inner textile portion has a free end and an opposite bottom end. In the stowed configuration, the inner textile portion is stowed within the interior cavity of the outer cover portion such that the article forms a pillow, cushion, pad, or the like. In the unstowed configuration, the free end of the inner textile portion extends through the opening of the outer cover portion and the bottom end is attached to the interior cavity, such that the article forms a blanket, a quilt, a sleeping bag, a garment, or the like.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to textile articles which are convertible between two or more article types, including furnishings such as pillows, pads, blankets, and quilts, as well as textiles for recreational use such as sleeping bags, as well as wearable textile garments such as robes, gowns, aprons, and other textile articles.

BACKGROUND

Textile articles such as pillows and blankets are common household items, but create unsightly clutter when not used. For example, blankets are often folded and stacked on furniture in between uses, or stowed on shelving, or simply wadded up. Therefore, a need exists for textile articles that serve more than one purpose, stow efficiently, and do not create excess clutter in between uses.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus (a “convertible article”) convertible between a first textile article type and a second textile article type. In some embodiments, the convertible article includes an outer cover portion forming an interior cavity and having an opening therethrough, and an inner textile portion having a free end and an opposite bottom end. In a first configuration, the inner textile portion is stowed within the interior cavity of the outer cover portion, and in a second configuration, the free end of the inner textile portion extends through the opening of the outer cover portion and the bottom end is attached to the interior cavity.

The following features may be combined in any combination in any embodiment:

The bottom end of the inner textile portion is attached at a perimeter of the interior cavity of the outer cover portion. For example, the bottom end of the inner textile portion is attached by permanent or reversible attachment structure at the perimeter of the interior cavity.

The interior cavity is at least partially lined with a napped or piled fabric.

The opening of the outer cover portion includes a closure mechanism configured to selectively close the opening. For example, the closure mechanism includes a cord (such as an elastic cord) and optionally a stop fitted along the cord and configured limit the size of the opening. The closure mechanism may restrict a fully-open diameter of the opening to 6-12 inches, and/or may restrict a fully-open diameter of the opening to 25%-75% of a largest outermost dimension of the outer cover portion.

The outer cover portion is at least partially formed from a first textile, and the inner textile portion is at least partially formed from a different second textile.

The outer cover portion has a face panel and a rear panel adjoined by a perimeter panel, and the opening extends through the rear panel. In some embodiments, the perimeter panel is a gusset.

The inner textile portion and/or the interior cavity is at least partially formed from or lined with a napped or piled fabric.

The inner textile portion includes two opposing outer surface layers and an internal insulation layer disposed between the outer surface layers.

The inner textile portion includes a closure mechanism (such as a reversible closure mechanism) configured to join a plurality of edges of the inner textile portion.

The inner textile portion is a blanket, a quilt, or a sleeping bag.

The outer cover portion is a pillow cover.

The inner textile portion includes a plurality of arm apertures extending therethrough. Each of the plurality of arm apertures may be disposed at least 12 inches from an outer perimeter of the inner textile portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, the present disclosure provides “convertible textile articles” or “convertible articles”100which readily convert between two or more different articles. That is, in a first state (a stowed state or closed state), the convertible article100has the form and function of a first type of textile article, while in a second state (an unstowed state or deployed state), the convertible article100has the form and function of a second type of textile article, different from the first type of textile article.FIGS.2-15illustrate additional views of the convertible article100to facilitate understanding. In particular,FIGS.1-4show the convertible article100in the first state (stowed state), whileFIGS.10-15show the convertible article100in the second state (unstowed state).FIGS.5-9show the convertible article100in intermediate states between the first state and the second state.

For example, in some embodiments, the convertible article100is convertible between -on the one hand - a lofted article such as a pillow, cushion, pad, poof, or the like and on the other hand - a covering article such as a blanket, a sleeping bag, a garment, or the like. As used herein, “lofted article” means an article with an outer covering and an internal portion which imparts loft to the outer covering. A “covering article” means an article configured to cover a all or a portion of a person’s body (e.g., legs, torso, and/or arms), for example to provide warmth, comfort, and/or protection. A “garment” refers to an article capable of being worn by a user, such as by inserting a user’s arms through one or more arm apertures of the article.

The convertible article100is generally formed from one or more textiles, i.e., materials formed of fibers and/or filaments. Representative fibers include natural fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, jute, hemp, and the like, as well as synthetic fibers such as nylon, rayon, polyester, and the like. Representative textile structures include woven, non-woven, and knitted textile structures, such as may be formed into a cloth, fabric, or similar material. Representative materials include not only single-material materials, e.g., cotton fabric, but also materials comprised of more than one material, for example natural-and-synthetic blended fabrics, or insulated materials having outer surface layers formed of at least a first material (e.g., cotton or nylon) and a loft-providing internal insulation layer disposed therebetween (e.g., POLARGUARD®, PRIMALOFT®, THERMOLITE®, HOLLOFIL®, down, polyester batting, wadding).

Although the convertible article100generally includes one or more textiles, some embodiments include additional non-textile elements, for example, buttons, zippers, magnetic hardware, cord pulls, buckles, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, origami folding structures, clasps, and the like. Additionally, any of the fabrics described herein may have one or more characteristics that provide a soft and enjoyable user experience, such as flapped and/or piled surface characteristics.

Referring toFIGS.1and10together, in the representative and non-limiting embodiment shown, the convertible article100includes an outer cover portion104and an inner textile portion108which is attached to and selectively extractable from an interior cavity112or pocket formed by the outer cover portion104. The inner textile portion108is selectively extractable from the interior cavity112through an opening116of the outer cover portion104.

In the first state (stowed state) shown inFIG.1, the inner textile portion108is disposed within the interior cavity112of the outer cover portion104. In this configuration, not only does the inner textile portion108provide loft to the outer cover portion104, but the inner textile portion108is protected by the outer cover portion104and reduces clutter. In this configuration, the convertible article100has the form of a lofted article such as a pillow, cushion, pad, poof, and the like, which can be used as a decorative furnishing, for seating, or other useful application.

In the second state (unstowed state or deployed state) as shown inFIG.10, the inner textile portion108is removed from the outer cover portion104, except that an attachment portion118thereof (e.g., a bottom end or bottom side thereof) remains attached to the interior cavity112formed by the outer cover portion104. Advantageously, the attachment of the inner textile portion108to the interior cavity112of the outer cover portion104keeps the two parts together, and also helps keep a user keep warm and comfortable, such as when the outer cover portion104is used as a foot pocket (described below). In this configuration, the inner textile portion108has the form of a covering article, such as a blanket, quilt, a sleeping bag, a sheet, a robe, a gown, or similar article.

The outer cover portion104has one or more textile panels which are folded, sewn, adhered, or otherwise formed to form a case, cover, bag, sack, or the like, the interior of which forms the interior cavity112. As shown inFIGS.1-3, the outer cover portion104has a face panel120and a rear panel124adjoined by an optional perimeter panel128, wherein the opening116extends through the rear panel124. The optional perimeter panel128advantageously increases the depth of the outer cover portion104, thereby enabling stowage of a larger inner textile portion108, all else being equal. In some embodiments, the perimeter panel128is a separate textile panel from the face panel120and rear panel124, such as a strip of material or a gusset. In other embodiments, the perimeter panel128is formed integrally with the face panel120or the rear panel124.

In the illustrated embodiment, the face panel120has a circular shape; however, in other embodiments, the face panel120has a different shape, e.g., an ovular or polygonal shape (triangular, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, and the like). In some embodiments, the face panel120has an area of about 50 square inches to about 500 square inches.

The rear panel124generally has the same shape as the face panel120in the stowed or closed configuration. Although described as a panel due to its appearance, the rear panel124may nevertheless be formed from one or more strips of material adjoined in an end-to-end fashion, thereby forming the opening116.

In the representative embodiment shown, the rear panel124is formed with excess material which is brought or bunched together when the opening116is constricted as shown inFIG.4, and then let out when the opening116is relaxed as shown inFIGS.5-6.

The inner textile portion108can have many different shapes, thicknesses, and other features. In some embodiments, the inner textile portion108has the form of an article that may be laid flat when pulled out of the outer cover portion104, such as a blanket, quilt, or sheet. In some embodiments, the inner textile portion108is a sleeping bag. In still other embodiments, the inner textile portion108is a garment such as a robe, gown, apron, or similar article.

Referring toFIGS.10and15, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner textile portion108has a free end132and an opposite bottom end136which is connected to the interior cavity112of the outer cover portion104. Although the term “end” is used herein, the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments in which the inner textile portion108has two discrete ends. Rather, the term “end” includes both embodiments with at least two discrete ends (such as rectangular shapes), as well as embodiments which, when placed into the configuration shown inFIG.15, generally have at least two opposite ends. Accordingly, the present disclosure includes embodiments in which the inner textile portion108has a circular shape and other shapes without distinct ends.

In the stowed configuration shown inFIGS.1-4, both the free end132and the bottom end136of the inner textile portion108are disposed inside the interior cavity112of the outer cover portion104. In some embodiments, the inner textile portion108is completely disposed inside the interior cavity112in the stowed configuration. In the deployed configurations shown inFIGS.8-15, the free end132extends through the opening116of the outer cover portion104while the bottom end136remains inside of and attached to the interior cavity112.

As shown most clearly inFIG.11, two edges140a,bof the inner textile portion108form a slit running down its length from the free end132to the outer cover portion104. This slit makes it easy for a user to cover up with the inner textile portion108, for example when using it as a blanket, cover, or quilt. In some embodiments, the edges140a,bare provided with a closure mechanism (such as shown inFIG.16), such that the user can utilized the inner textile portion108as a sleeping bag. Nevertheless, some embodiments do not include such a slit, rather, the inner textile portion108has tubular construction.

In some embodiments, the inner textile portion108is formed of an insulated material for warmth, such as a quilted material, a fleece material, or similar material. Similarly, in some embodiments (such as described below with respect toFIG.16), the inner textile portion108has an insulated construction with two opposing outer surface layers144a,band a loft-providing internal insulation layer disposed between the outer surface layers. In other embodiments, the inner textile portion108is formed of a non-insulated material such as cotton fabric (such as a linen) or other material. In some embodiments (such as described below with respect toFIGS.17-18), the inner textile portion108includes a plurality of arm apertures that enable a user to cover up while keeping their arms free for use.

Referring toFIGS.4-10, the opening116of the outer cover portion104is sized to enable rapid deployment of the inner textile portion108therethrough. In some embodiments, the opening116is 6-18 inches across when fully open, e.g., 12 inches. In some embodiments, the opening116is at least as wide as a front face of the outer cover portion104. However, in some embodiments, the opening116has a fully-open diameter that is smaller than a largest outermost dimension of the outer cover portion104(e.g., 25%-75% of the outermost dimension), or is otherwise restricted to 6-12 inches. For example, in an embodiment where the outer cover portion104is circular with an 18-inch outermost diameter, the opening116has a fully-open diameter of 6-12 inches. Advantageously, restricting the fully-open diameter of the opening116facilitates stowing the inner textile portion108in the interior cavity112, such as when transitioning from the unstowed state to the stowed state.

In some embodiments, the opening116is provided with a closure mechanism152(e.g., an elastic cord or drawstring portion) that enables selective opening116and closing of the opening116. Advantageously, closure mechanism152retains the inner textile portion108within the outer cover portion104in the stowed state. In some embodiments, the fully-open diameter of the opening116is limited by the closure mechanism152(e.g., limited by a length of the drawstring). For example, in some embodiments, the closure mechanism152includes one or more stops156disposed along a drawstring160, the stops156being configured to prevent the opening116from expanding to a diameter greater than 6-12 inches or 25-75% of the outermost diameter of the outer cover portion104.

As noted above, the attachment portion118of the inner textile portion108is attached to the outer cover portion104. For example, as shown inFIG.15, in some embodiments, the attachment portion118of the inner textile portion108is attached by attachment structure164at the bottom end136thereof to the interior cavity112of the outer cover portion104. Representative attachment structure164include permanent attachment structure164such as stitching or adhesive, as well as reversible attachment structure164such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, zippers, and the like. Reversible attachment structure164enable removal of the inner textile portion108from the outer cover portion104, for the advantage of easier washing and care. In some embodiments, the outer cover portion104is formed integrally with the inner textile portion108(such as with a common fabric blank), such that no attachment structure164is provided, but nevertheless the outer cover portion104is attached to the inner textile portion108.

Referring still toFIG.15, in some embodiments, the outer cover portion104forms a foot pocket configured to receive a foot of a user through the opening116. That is, the interior cavity112of the outer cover portion104itself forms a foot pocket when the opening116is open, which enables users to warm their feet while using the blanket. To increase comfort and warmth of the foot pocket, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the interior cavity112is lined with a different material than forms the outer cover portion104. For example, in some embodiments, the interior cavity112is lined with a fleece or similar material. In some embodiments, the interior cavity112is lined with a same material that forms the inner textile portion108.

In some embodiments, the inner textile portion108is attached to the outer cover portion104at a perimeter168of the interior cavity112of the outer cover portion104. Advantageously, this attachment location maximizes the availability space within of the interior cavity112for use as a foot warming pocket when the convertible article100is in the unstowed state.

In some embodiments, the closure mechanism152restricts the fully-open diameter of the opening116even though the outer cover portion104is configured to provide a foot pocket. It is unobvious to provide a foot pocket with a restricted opening116however, so to ensure user comfort and ease-of-use, in some embodiments the closure mechanism152is elastic (e.g., an elastic drawstring) that enables the opening116to stretch beyond its resting fully-open diameter (e.g., by an additional 5-10%). Not only does this enable the user to adjust their feet comfortably while using the outer cover portion104as a foot pocket, but it also accommodates users with larger feet. In some embodiments, the convertible article100includes a handle172connected to the outer cover portion, e.g., the rear panel.

FIG.16shows an alternative convertible article200having an outer cover portion204and an inner textile portion208. The convertible article200is shown in the deployed state. In this embodiment shown, the inner textile portion208is a sleeping bag having insulated construction such as two opposing outer surface layers244a,band a loft-providing internal insulation layer248disposed between the outer surface layers. In other embodiments having similar construction, the inner textile portion208is a quilt or a padded blanket. The inner textile portion208includes a closure mechanism252(here, a zipper) configured to join a plurality of edges240a,bof the inner textile portion208. Some embodiments include a different closure mechanism to join edges of the inner textile portion, or no closure mechanism.

FIGS.17and18show still another convertible article300having an outer cover304portion and an inner textile portion308. The convertible article300is shown in the deployed state. In the embodiment shown, the inner textile portion308is a garment configured to be worn by a person. In particular, the inner textile portion includes a plurality of arm apertures312a,bextending therethrough that allow a person to maintain use of their hands while wearing the inner textile portion308. In some embodiments, the arm apertures312have a length of 6-18 inches and are disposed 12-24 inches apart from each other. In some embodiments, each arm aperture312a,bis respectively disposed at least 12 inches from an outer perimeter (i.e., each outermost edge344a,b) of the inner textile portion308, such that the arm apertures312have a relatively central location on the inner textile portion308. This provides a natural location for the arm apertures312when a user utilizes the inner textile portion308as a blanket.

Referring again toFIGS.1-15, according to another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of converting a first textile article to a second, different textile article, the method including pulling an inner textile portion108that is attached at one end thereof to an interior cavity112of an outer cover portion through an opening116of the outer cover portion.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods of converting a first textile article to a second, different, textile article, the method including stowing an inner textile portion108in an interior cavity112of an outer cover portion104, wherein the inner textile portion108is connected to the interior cavity112at one end thereof, and wherein stowing the inner textile portion108includes stuffing or pushing the inner textile portion108through an opening116of the outer cover portion104, into the interior cavity112.

The foregoing methods may invoke or employ any one of more of the structural features of the convertible articles described above.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result. Generally, the embodiments disclosed herein are non-limiting, and the inventors contemplate that other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may include structures and functionalities from more than one specific embodiment shown in the figures and described in the specification. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed. For example, the present disclosure includes additional embodiments having combinations of any one or more features described above with respect to the representative embodiments. Restated, features disclosed above with respect to any one embodiment may be combined with any other feature(s) to form additional embodiments.

The present application may include references to directions, such as “first,” “second,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “top,” and “bottom,” etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are intended to assist in helping describe and understand the particular embodiment (such as when the embodiment is positioned for use) and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations.

The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The term “about,” “approximately,” etc., means plus or minus 5% of the stated value. The term “based upon” means “based at least partially upon.”