Abstract:
The present invention comprises systems and methods of convertibly covering a bundle of bedding materials. The present invention&#39;s approach to covering a bedding material bundle maintains the bedding material bundle in a compacted state when the convertible cover is in an enveloping configuration. When the convertible cover is in a fillable disposition at least one of it&#39;s fillable integral compartments is available for providing multiple functionalities including being outspread and inflated to serve as a pillow, serving as a storage or transport container by being filled with a liquid, being configured with multiple fillable integral compartments separated by filters to serve as water purifier, and additional functions. The manner of converting involves at least partially closing at least one longitudinal seem to convert from the fillable disposition to the enveloping disposition, and at least partially opening at least one of the longitudinal seams to perform the opposite conversion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to transporting and using bedding materials, and more particularly to systems and methods of utilizing convertible covers that can both envelop a bedding material bundle for storing or transporting, as well as be converted for use as an inflatable pillow, as a water container, and additional utilities. 
         [0005]    Whether a recreational backpacker, a professional adventurer, or a soldier, when on a multi-day journey it is a commonly necessary to carry all of one&#39;s supplies upon one&#39;s person. This naturally entails a variety of compromises due to competing needs. One such compromise involves choosing between a desire to bring bedding that best promotes rest, and hence provides substantial cushioning to head and body, and the need to minimize the bulk that is being carried. Generally, most individuals will rest best when their bedding includes a conventionally configured pillow, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, as well as some form of bed cushion. Human carrying limitations require that the bed cushion be as compactable as possible for efficient transporting, but conventional bed pillows are generally not well compactable, forcing a choice between optimal rest equipment and optimal carrying function. Among the ways in which carrying efficiency can be improved is to have equipment that is multi-functional. In many cases, such a multi-functional piece of equipment is preferably convertible so that it can perform one function when in a first configuration and a second or more functions when in second, third, or more other configurations. 
         [0006]    2. Related Art 
         [0007]    Common camping equipment such as sleeping bags and/or sleep mats generally include a carrying/packing sleeve for maintaining the sleep bag/mat in a compressed arrangement for packing. These sleeve arrangements are effective at compressing the sleep bag/mat but do not generally provide arrangements for a pillow, which most people need for satisfactory rest. It has been tried to configure bags, cases, and related articles with inflatable portions that can effect a degree of cushioning. These are generally bags first and cushions a distant second. When inflated, they do not substantially alter their bag configuration, and hence are more akin to a sofa arm rest in shape and to a backpack in surface constitution than to a pillow in either quality. Those that are intended to provide more satisfactory pillow-like performance generally provide either poorer bedroll compressing performance or entail the addition of substantial equipment size or weight. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is capable of both maintaining a bedroll in a well compacted configuration and being inflated in an effective simulation of a standard bed pillow. The present invention is a convertible bedding material cover system and method (CBMC) that is convertible between an enveloping configuration wherein it closely accommodates a compacted bedroll (or similar bundle of bedding materials) and a fillable configuration wherein it is ready for inflating. An openable seam extends along the longitudinal extent of the convertible cover (the longitudinal dimension of the convertible cover being defined as its longest dimension when it is in the enveloping configuration) and provides the means for switching the convertible cover from the fillable configuration to the enveloping configuration, and back again. An inflatable compartment is integrated within the body of the convertible cover, and is generally accessible by means of a closable valve. By opening the seam and at least partially inflating the compartment, the convertible cover assumes the approximate shape, disposition, and performance of a conventional bed pillow for preferential rest enabling performance. Closing the seam and evacuating the inflatable compartment enables the convertible cover to form a close-fitting envelopment of the bedroll, and can even ease the process of enveloping the rolled bedroll by allowing one to hold the bedroll in the compacted disposition and then rolling the convertible cover around the compacted bedroll before closing the seam. 
         [0009]    The present invention provides a multitude of further functionalities, in addition to the bedroll covering and pillow assuming functions. The integral compartment can also be liquid filled for transporting and/or providing an impromptu washing facility, as well as other uses. When using as a washing facility, and in particular as a shower, the convertible cover can also be configured with an energy absorbing element that will help to warm the liquid within the compartment, and can also be configured with a liquid outlet that can function as a shower head. An additional optional functionality is the inclusion of at least one supplementary storage compartment. The convertible cover can also include more than one openable seam, and can alternatively, or additionally include a linking capability that enables a plurality of the convertible covers, when in the tillable configurations, to be interconnected to form an expanse of convertible covers that can serve as an extended inflatable cushion. Virtually any variety of manner of constituting the openable seam falls within the scope of the present invention, including, but not limited to, zippers, buttons, snaps, latches, hook &amp; loop fasteners, drawstrings, and sliding seals. The convertible cover can further incorporate a variety of manners of further enveloping the bedroll, as well as handles and straps for ease of carrying and/or packing. The fillable integral compartment can also provide further functionalities including water filtering and water purifying capabilities, as well as containing additional members that can affect its inflating and/or evacuating. 
         [0010]    Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first enveloping configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a second embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first enveloping configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  depicts a plan view of a third embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first fillable configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  depicts a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first fillable configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  depicts a plan view of a fifth embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first fillable configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  depicts plan views of sixth and seventh embodiments of convertible covers according to the present invention in linked first fillable configurations. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  depicts a plan view of an eighth embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first fillable configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  depicts a cross-section view of a ninth embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first fillable configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  depicts a cross-section view of a tenth embodiment of a convertible cover according to the present invention in a first fillable configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    In the following description, identical numbers indicate identical elements. Where an element has been described in one Figure, and is unaltered in detail or relation in any other Figure, said element description applies to all Figures. 
         [0021]    In  FIG. 1  a convertible cover first embodiment  110  is shown in a first enveloping configuration with a rolled up bedding material bundle  112  schematically shown in broken lines where it would be enveloped by the convertible cover  110 . The convertible cover  110  has an at least partially pliable exterior covering  114 , a zipper  116  that serves as an openable seam, and a closeable valve  118 . The zipper  116  extends along the longitudinal length of the convertible cover first embodiment  110  and then around the perimeter of an end of the first enveloping configuration so as to form an openable closure for a first end cap  120 . The convertible cover first embodiment  110  is shown as also including an optional handle  122  and a pair of optional straps  124  that provide capabilities of carrying the convertible cover by hand and/or lashing the convertible cover to a backpack or the like, respectively. The convertible cover first embodiment  110  is transitioned from the enveloping configuration shown in  FIG. 1  to an enveloping configuration by continuing to open the zipper  116  a sufficient distance to allow the removal of the bedding material bundle  112  so that the fillable integral compartment (not shown) can be filled with fluid. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a convertible cover second embodiment  210 , which is similar in many respects to the convertible cover first embodiment  110 , in a first enveloping configuration. The second embodiment  210  primarily differs in that first, its second end cap  212  is configured with a bisecting extension of the zipper  116 , as opposed to the encircling extension for the first end cap  120 ; and secondly that it includes a third end cap  214  that attaches to the convertible cover second embodiment  210  with a drawstring  216 . The operation of the convertible cover second embodiment  210  and its transitioning to a enveloping configuration are analogous to that of the convertible cover first embodiment  110 , with the exception that the third end cap  216  is removed by loosening the drawstring  216  to fully outspread the convertible cover second embodiment  210 . Both the convertible cover first embodiment  110  and second embodiment  210  are shown with a more durable second side  218  of the at least partially pliable exterior  114  in an externally facing disposition. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a convertible cover third embodiment  310  fully outspread in a first fillable configuration. The end cap  212  is also shown as fully outspread and includes openings  312  for suspending the third embodiment  310  when being used as a shower or similar function. A first fillable integral compartment  314  is schematically shown as being filled with water (though essentially any other liquid could also be used) so that the water can then be dispensed through a fluid outlet shower head attachment  316  that communicates with the fillable integral compartment  314  through a fluid passage  318 . An energy absorbing panel  320  is disposed within the second side  218  of the at least partially pliable exterior  114  to absorb energy and provide a warming action to the water within the fillable integral compartment  314  so as to provide a well known form of camper&#39;s “hot water shower”. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows a convertible cover fourth embodiment  410 , that is substantially similar to the convertible cover first embodiment  110 , fully outspread in a first fillable configuration. The general layout of the convertible cover fourth embodiment  410  shown in  FIG. 4  is comparable to what the general layout of the convertible cover first embodiment  110  is when fully outspread in the first fillable configuration. The layout shown in  FIG. 4  is essentially what a convertible cover according to the present invention would be when being used as a bed pillow, with the fillable integral compartment  314  most often at least partially filled with air and a more tactilely comfortable first side  412  of the at least partially pliable exterior  114  facing upward as would be the case when using the convertible cover fourth embodiment  410  as a bed pillow. The primary difference of the fourth embodiment  410  from the first embodiment  110  is the inclusion of a first supplementary storage compartment  414 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a convertible cover fifth embodiment  510  fully outspread in a first fillable configuration. The manner of disposition of the fifth embodiment  510  shown in  FIG. 5  is essentially comparable to, and therefore illustrative of, the manner of disposition that the second embodiment  210  would assume when fully outspread in the first fillable configuration. The convertible cover fifth embodiment  510  also includes a second supplementary storage compartment  512  for holding a blanket (not shown) or other sleep equipment. The second supplementary storage compartment  512  would generally be configured as opening out to the first side  412  so as to protect the blanket from contamination by dirt when the convertible cover fifth embodiment  510  is in the first enveloping configuration for transporting the convertible cover and an enveloped bedding material bundle, and would generally also have hidden seams so that it would not detract from the comfort of using the first side  412  as a pillow surface. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a linked combination embodiment  610  formed of interconnected convertible cover sixth embodiment  612  and convertible cover seventh embodiment  614 , both of which are in the first fillable configuration. The interconnected convertible cover sixth embodiment  612  and seventh embodiment  614  are linked by simply combining a portion of the zipper  116  from the sixth embodiment  612  with a matching portion of the zipper  116  form the seventh embodiment  614 . There are also many alternative well known varieties of manners of constructing an openable seam, and these alternative varieties are also by and large linkable, and the scope of the present invention also encompasses these well known alternative varieties. The convertible cover sixth embodiment  612  includes a subdivided second fillable integral compartment  614  that is composed of a first chamber  616  and a second chamber  618 . The first chamber  616  and the second chamber  618  communicate through a permeable filter  620 . By filling the first chamber  616  with potentially unsafe water which is then passed through the permeable filter  620  that is able to at least one of mechanically and chemically filter the potentially unsafe water so that the water which then enters the second chamber  618  is safe to drink through a spout (not shown) that opens off of the second chamber  618 , the convertible cover sixth embodiment  612  can also be converted into a water purification assembly. The convertible cover seventh embodiment  614  has a third fillable integral compartment that is composed of a plurality of separately inflatable sub-compartments  622  that can be individually selectively inflated or sequentially inflated by any of a number of well known means. The plurality of sub-compartments  622  provide means of utilizing the convertible cover seventh embodiment  614  in a variety of ways to improve sleeping comfort, as well as converting the seventh embodiment  614  into a selectively contoured seating cushion or flotation device. 
         [0027]      FIG. 7  shows a convertible cover eighth embodiment  710  that is comparable to the convertible cover second embodiment  210  with a pair of notable differences. The eighth embodiment  710  is differently dimensioned than the other convertible cover embodiments shown to demonstrate that the particular dimensions shown in any particular embodiment of the present invention are not exclusionary of other dimensional configurations. Additionally, the eighth embodiment  710  includes a second openable seam that enables the convertible cover eighth embodiment  710  to be converted into even more varieties of cushions. In order to allow the convertible cover eighth embodiment  710  to be fully operable, the eighth embodiment  710  will include at least a pair of fillable integral compartment  314  disposed on either side of the second openable seam  712 . In general, the number of openable seams and/or fillable integral compartments are not limited in theory, and will be only limited in practice to those numbers and dispositions that are feasible. A section line  8  through the eighth embodiment  710  defines a plane perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-section view  810  of the convertible cover eighth embodiment  710  taken along the section line  8  of  FIG. 7  with three alternative varieties of expansion moderating members disposed within the fillable integral compartment  314 . While the cross-section view  810  is shown as being of the fillable integral compartment  314  within convertible cover eighth embodiment  710  (but does not show the closable valves  118 ), it should be understood that this is merely for purposes of clarity of illustration, and that essentially any of the expansion moderating members shown in  FIG. 8  are also potentially usable with essentially any of the other embodiments of the present invention. A first expansion moderating member  812  is a flexible tether that will limit the distance that the two sides of the fillable integral compartment  314  can be separated. A second expansion moderating member  814  is a collapsible spring loaded articulating element that will, when at least partially extended, tend to push the two sides of the fillable integral compartment  314  apart so that when pressing on the fillable integral compartment  314 , the second expansion moderating member  814  will initially resist, but will then give way once the pressing force is sufficiently great. When evacuating the fillable integral compartment  314 , the sufficient pressing force level is applied to release the spring loading and allowing the full folding of the second expansion moderating member  814  articulations. A plurality of third expansion moderating members  816  are inflatable bolsters that are inflated through semi-permeable covering membranes that will eventually reach equilibrium with the increased air pressure within the fillable integral compartment  314  when the fillable integral compartment  314  is filled with fluid. Because the covering membranes are only semi-permeable, if the fillable integral compartment  314  is punctured, the fillable integral compartment  314  will not immediately go flat due to the third expansion moderating members  816  which will maintain a degree of inflation for at least some duration of time that can prove to be of significant benefit when the puncturing of the fillable integral compartment  314  is not quickly discovered or is not immediately reparable. 
         [0029]      FIG. 9  shows an alternative cross-section view  910  of the convertible cover eighth embodiment  710  taken along the section line  8  of  FIG. 7  with an alternative arrangement of two side by side fillable integral compartments  314  that are each disposed within secondary membranes  912  and can be optionally configured as being detachable from at least one other portion of the convertible cover. The optional detachability can also be configured as a capability of practically any of the fillable integral compartments of the other embodiments of the present invention. The alternative side by side fillable integral compartments  314  illustrate yet another manner of disposing the fillable integral compartments within the present invention, as well as providing capabilities of laying out the convertible cover alternative eighth embodiment  710  with the two fillable integral compartments  314  in a planar side by side arrangement that is effectible with a second openable seam (not shown). 
         [0030]    In view of the above, it will be seen that the various objects and features of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results obtained. The examples contained herein are merely illustrative and are not intended in a limiting sense.