Abstract:
A purse or bag for carrying accessories and/or personal articles that converts into a pillow is provided. In a first state, the purse or bag includes at least two exterior pockets configured for carrying appropriate sized articles or accessories. In a second state, the purse or bag is turned inside out to expose first and second pillow portions which when zippered, or coupled, together form a single pillow.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/618,192, filed on Mar. 30, 2012, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to accessories bags, totes, purses and the like, and more particularly, a purse or bag for carrying accessories or personal articles that converts into a pillow. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Purses, totes and travel bags are known in the art. Conventionally, such purses and totes are employed to carry various accessories and personal articles such as a tooth brush, comb, etc. 
         [0006]    When traveling, such purses are typically carried by a user separate from a piece of luggage so the user can access the articles contained therein during travel, such as during a flight or a train ride. Additionally, travelers often employ pillows during such travel for added comfort. However, a separate pillow adds to the number of items a traveler or user has to carry or coordinate during their travel, making travel cumbersome. 
         [0007]    Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus for carrying accessories or personal articles, for example travel accessories, where such an apparatus can convert into a pillow for use without adding to a number of articles a user has to carry. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    A purse or bag for carrying accessories and/or personal articles that converts into a pillow is provided. In a first state, the purse or bag includes at least two exterior pockets configured for carrying appropriate sized articles or accessories. In a second state, the purse or bag is turned inside out to expose first and second pillow portions which when zippered, or coupled, together form a single pillow. 
         [0009]    The purse or bag of the present disclosure includes a body for carrying articles and at least two handles. In certain embodiments, the purse includes a removable shoulder strap. The body of the purse includes a first pillow portion and a second pillow portion coupled by a flexible support member at a lower portion of each of the first and second pillow portions. The flexible support member supports the purse in an upright position when the purse is placed on a flat, horizontal surface. An upper portion of each of the first and second pillow portions are joined by a first zipper assembly arranged on the outer periphery to close the purse or bag. 
         [0010]    The first pillow portion includes a exterior surface and an interior surface. The exterior surface includes a first pocket which is exposed by a second zipper assembly. The first pocket is configured to carry appropriate sized articles. Similarly, the second pillow portion includes a exterior surface and an interior surface. The exterior surface of the second pillow portion includes a second pocket which is exposed by a third zipper assembly. The second pocket is configured to carry appropriate sized articles. 
         [0011]    To convert the purse or bag into a pillow, the first zipper assembly is fully open to enable the first and second pillow portions to hingedly rotate about the flexible support member. The first and second pillow portions are rotated about the flexible support member to bring together in face-to-face contact the exterior surfaces of the first and second pillow portions. The first zipper assembly is then engaged to couple the first and second pillow portions to configure the pillow. In this state, the interior surfaces of the first and second pillow portions are now the exterior surfaces of the pillow. The exterior surfaces of the pillow may be configured form any know appropriate material. 
         [0012]    When converted to a pillow, the apparatus of the present disclosure may be employed by a user as a source of comfort for the user&#39;s back, legs, neck, head, etc. during any prolonged period of sitting. 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a convertible bag is provided including a first pillow portion including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a first pocket configured for storing at least one article; a second pillow portion including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a second pocket configured for storing at least one article; a flexible support member configured to couple a lower portion of each of the first and second pillow portions; and a coupling assembly configured to couple a periphery of an upper portion of the first pillow portion to a periphery of an upper portion of the second pillow portion, wherein in a first position, the second surface of the first pillow portion is in face to face arrangement with the second surface of the second pillow portion exposing the first and second pockets and, in a second position, the first surface of the first pillow portion is in face to face arrangement with the first surface of the second pillow portion. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the coupling assembly is a zipper assembly. 
         [0015]    In a further aspect, the coupling assembly includes hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0016]    In yet another aspect, an inner cavity of the first and second pillow portions includes a material selected from the group consisting of foam, memory foam, down feathers and microbeads. 
         [0017]    In another aspect, the first surfaces of the first and second pillow portions and the second surfaces of the first and second pillow portions are configured from the same material. 
         [0018]    In still a further aspect, the first surfaces of the first and second pillow portions are configured from a first material and the second surfaces of the first and second pillow portions are configured from a second, different material. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a convertible knapsack includes a first pillow portion including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including a first pocket configured for storing at least one article; a second pillow portion including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface including at least two shoulder straps configured for carrying the knapsack; a flexible support member configured to couple a lower portion of each of the first and second pillow portions; and a coupling assembly configured to couple a periphery of an upper portion of the first pillow portion to a periphery of an upper portion of the second pillow portion, wherein in a first position, the second surface of the first pillow portion is in face to face arrangement with the second surface of the second pillow portion exposing the first and second pockets and, in a second position, the first surface of the first pillow portion is in face to face arrangement with the first surface of the second pillow portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a convertible pillow purse or bag in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a convertible pillow purse or bag in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a bottom open view of a convertible pillow purse or bag in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  a top view of a convertible pillow purse or bag in a purse or bag configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the convertible pillow purse or bag after being converted to a pillow configuration; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a convertible pillow purse or bag in a pillow configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a cross sectional view of a convertible pillow purse or bag in a first state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  is a cross sectional view of a convertible pillow purse or bag in a second state in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0029]      FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrates a convertible knapsack in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. 
         [0031]    Referring to the Figures, a convertible pillow purse or bag  10  is illustrated. The pillow purse  10  includes a body  12  for carrying articles and at least two handles  14 ,  16 . In certain embodiments, the purse  10  includes a removable shoulder strap  17  coupled to the body  12  so the purse or bag  10  can be carried on a shoulder of a user. The body  12  includes a first pillow portion  18  and a second pillow portion  20  coupled by a flexible support member  22  at a lower portion of each of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20 . The flexible support member  22  supports the purse  10 , i.e., the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20 , in an upright position when the flexible support member  22  is placed on a flat, horizontal surface. A periphery or outer circumference of an upper portion of each of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  are joined by a first zipper assembly  24 , or coupling assembly. It is to be appreciated that other devices and means may be employed to join or couple the periphery of the upper portions of the first and second pillow portions together, for example, hook and loop fasteners, also known as Velcro™. 
         [0032]    The first pillow portion  18  includes a exterior surface  26  and an interior surface  28 . The exterior surface  26  includes a first pocket  30  which is exposed by a second zipper assembly  32 . The first pocket  30  is configured to carry appropriate sized articles. Similarly, the second pillow portion  20  includes a exterior surface  34  and an interior surface  36 . The exterior surface  34  includes a second pocket  38  which is exposed by a third zipper  40 . The second pocket  38  is configured to carry appropriate sized articles. 
         [0033]    It is to be appreciated that either the first or second pillow portions may include a third pocket for carrying accessories. For example, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2A , a third pocket  42  is configured in the exterior surface  26  of the first pillow portion  18 . The third pocket  42  is exposed by fourth zipper assembly  44 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the purse  10  is shown in a closed state. In this state, the purse  10  is used to carry articles in each of the first and second pockets  30 ,  38 . Furthermore, in this state, the interior surfaces  28 ,  36  of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20 , respectively, are in a face-to-face arrangement. The purse  10  is converted to a fully open state by exercising the first zipper assembly  24 . Referring to  FIG. 2B , an open bottom view of the purse  10  is illustrated. The purse  10  is shown in the fully open state with the exterior surfaces  26 ,  34  shown as invisible to illustrates various articles in each of the first and second pockets  30 ,  38 . Access to each of the first and second pockets  30 ,  38  is provided via second zipper  32  and third zipper  40  respectively. 
         [0035]    The purse  10  can then be converted into a pillow by bringing the exterior surfaces  26 ,  34  of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  together in a face-to-face arrangement. To convert the purse into a pillow, the first zipper assembly  24  is fully open to enable the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  to hingedly rotate about the flexible support member  22 . When the first zipper assembly  24  is fully open, the first and second pillow portions remain attached to each other via the support member  22 . The first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  are rotated about the flexible support member  22  to bring together in face-to-face contact the exterior surfaces  26 ,  34  of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20 . The first zipper assembly  24  is then engaged to coupled the periphery or outer circumference of first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  to configure the pillow. In this state, the interior surfaces  28 ,  36  of the first and second pillow portions are now the exterior surfaces of the pillow. As shown in  FIGS. 3B and 4 , when converted into a pillow, the interior surfaces  28 ,  36  of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  are now exposed, exterior surfaces of the converted pillow. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 5A , a cross sectional view of the purse or bag  10  in a first state is provided. It is to be appreciated that the purse or bag  10  in this state is employed to carry articles, where the first handle  14  is coupled to the exterior surface  26  of the first pillow portion  18  and the second handle  16  is coupled to the exterior surface  34  of the second pillow portion  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the interior surfaces  28  of the first pillow portion is in a face-to-face arrangement with the interior surface  36  of the second pillow portion  20 . Pillow portions  18 ,  20  may be filled with any appropriate material, such as foam or the like. In one embodiment, the pillow portion portions  18 ,  20  are packed densely enough to cause the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  to be resilient to stand upright when the support member  22  is placed on a flat or horizontal surface. In one embodiment, the pillow portions  18 ,  20  are of a generally rectangular shape but other shapes are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5B , a cross sectional view of the purse or bag  10  in a second state is provided. It is to be appreciated that the purse or bag  10  in this state is employed as a pillow. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the surfaces  28 ,  36  are now exterior facing surfaces. The exterior surfaces  26  of the first pillow portion  18  is now in a face-to-face arrangement with the interior surface  34  of the second pillow portion  20 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , the handles  14 ,  16  are now concealed within the cavity  50  formed when the zipper assembly  24  is exercised to couple the periphery of the first and second pillow portions. 
         [0038]    It is to be appreciated that surfaces  28 ,  36  of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  may be configured from various known materials such as cloth, polyester, etc. In one embodiment, the interior surfaces  28 ,  36  and exterior surfaces  26 ,  38  are configured from the same material. In another embodiment, the interior surfaces  28 ,  36  are configured from a first material, e.g., cloth, and the exterior surfaces  26 ,  28  are configured from a second, different material. An inner cavity of the first and second pillow portions  18 ,  20  may be filled with various known materials including, but not limited to, foam, memory foam, down feathers, microbeads, etc. 
         [0039]    It is further to be appreciated that the flexible support member  22  can be configured from various materials such as rubber to enable the first and second pillow portions to rotate about the flexible support member  22  while protecting the bottom of the purse  10 . In other embodiments, the support member  22  may be other flexible material, e.g., cloth, leather, etc., which may simply deform to allow the pillow portions to move from the first state to the second state as described above. 
         [0040]    It is to be further appreciated that the apparatus  10  of the present disclosure may take other forms than a bag or purse. Referring to  FIGS. 6A through 6E , a convertible knapsack  100  is illustrated. The knapsack  100  includes a first pillow portion  118  and a second pillow portion  120  coupled together by zipper assembly  124 . First and second shoulder straps  114 ,  116  respectively are coupled to the exterior surface of the second pillow portion  120  to enable a user to carry the knapsack  100 . The first pillow portion  118  includes a first pocket  130  exposed by zipper assembly  132 . In one embodiment, the first pillow portion  118  includes a second pocket  142  exposed by zipper assembly  144 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 6C , the zipper assembly  124  may be exercised to expose an interior surface  136  of the second pillow portion  120  (the interior surface of first pillow portion  118  is not shown). The second pillow portion  120  may then be rotated about the support member  122 , as shown in  FIG. 6D , where the periphery of the first and second pillow portions  118 ,  120  may be coupled by zipper assembly  124  to achieve the second state, i.e., in the state of a pillow. 
         [0042]    While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         [0043]    Furthermore, although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternate embodiments, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
         [0044]    It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph.