Abstract:
A contoured cushion including a body having a first pair of mounds defining a first valley therebetween and a second pair of mounds smaller than the first pair extending in further directions away from the first pair of mounds according to an angle defined by intersecting axes extending respectively through maximum linear extending depths of each individual one of the first and second pairs of mounds. The second pair of mounds defining a second valley therebetween and so that the cushion is adapted to being supported in either of first or second orientations for providing varying support to a back of a user&#39;s head and neck. An associated retail packaging provides for point of sale display of a combination of the cushion, a wearable poncho style blanket, and a storage bag.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Application is a Continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/520,950 filed on Oct. 22, 2014. U.S. application Ser. No. 14/520,950 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/896,231 filed on Oct. 28, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein in entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention is directed to a combination blanket and cushion in which each of the blanket and cushion are, according to one of a number of related variants, optionally configured for storage within a decorative pillow with a zippered perimeter edge, such capable of being provided in a miniaturized size for travel uses and the like. In another variant, a blanket or wearable poncho is provided along with the cushion (such further including a memory foam) which is commonly packaged for sale. In one non-limiting variant, the cushion is constructed of a soft foam type material, such as exhibiting a sloping contour for conforming to the shape of the user&#39;s neck in a supporting fashion. The cushion can also be removed from the pillow, with or without the blanket or blanket-style poncho and, in either instance, provides cervical spinal support to the underside of the user&#39;s neck. An associated packaging display and assembly is also disclosed. 
         [0004]    Background Discussion of the Relevant Art 
         [0005]    The prior art discloses variations of convertible cushions, pillows and the like. A first example of this is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,775 to Iwata, which discloses a cushion usable as a pillow or a sofa-cushion as well as a bag containing a blanket or the like which can be taken out to cover the user&#39;s body and also can be used as a pillow or a sofa-cushion, after the blanket or the like has been taken out. When the blanket or the like is not in use it can easily be kept inside the bag or the cushion to clear up the surroundings, and the cushion with the blanket or the like kept inside is also usable as a cushion as well. 
         [0006]    Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,641, teaches a collapsible seat and cape incorporated into a luggage style portable container which includes a carrying strap. A pair of identical internal pockets that extend cross the full length and width of the bag and are openable by a zipper or other quick opening closure. A three dimensional rectangular and foam shaped cushion is inserted into one of the pockets, the other containing a cape. 
         [0007]    Ong, US 2003/0135926, teaches a combination of a pillowcase and a cover constructed the so that the pillowcase is permanently attached to the central region of the cover and the cover may the folded and stuffed into the pillowcase or alternatively spread out to extend laterally from the pillowcase. The pillowcase is formed of front and rear panels. The front panel is permanently secured to the central region of the cover. The front and rear panels of the pillowcase are permanently secured together along only a portion of a mutually common enclosing perimeter, and are releaseably secured together along the remainder of that perimeter. The orientation of the rear panel is reversible so that it may reside exposed atop the cover with the front panel concealed therebetween when the cover is withdrawn from the pillowcase and spread out laterally therefrom. Alternatively, the rear panel may be reversed in orientation relative to the front panel so that the cover may be folded and stuffed in between the mutually facing reverse surfaces of the front and rear pillowcase panels and encapsulated within the pillowcase by closure of the releaseable fasteners. A zipper may be employed to form the releaseable fasteners on the pillowcase panels. 
         [0008]    Smoot, US 2008/0182478, discloses an apparatus for a pillow that converts into a highly-developed, three-dimensional toy figure that, in certain embodiments, has a life-like shape. The apparatus includes a pillow or a hollow body with one or more clasping mechanisms. When engaged, the clasping mechanisms shape the apparatus into the soft, toy figure. When disengaged, the clasping mechanisms allow the apparatus to serve as a pillow with a soft, comfortable, relatively-flat surface for sleeping. Certain embodiments of the apparatus include an internal cavity that houses an extractable blanket to provide additional bedding. 
         [0009]    Fulton, U.S. Pat. No. 8,321,978, discloses a child&#39;s stuffed pillow and a play item concealable within a pocket in the pillow. Two cushioning members, each including a cushioning medium and having a flexible fabric covering thereover, are attached together as by sewing in a side-by-side arrangement around common perimeter edges of inner covering panels of the coverings. A. pocket is formed between the inner covering panels into which a play item is concealable within the pocket. A tether connected between the bottom of the pocket and the neck of the play item to hold the play item in close proximity to the pocket during play wherein the child may grasp the play item like a handle of the pillow. 
         [0010]    McQuoid, US 2008/0216243, discloses a pillow system comprises a pillow having a pocket extending inside the pillow that contains one or more articles having a theme which corresponds to the theme of the outer surface of the pillow. The pillow has a top panel and a bottom panel joined at the periphery to define a peripheral edge and cushioning material disposed inside. The outer surface, having a cover theme, substantially covers one or both of the panels. The pocket extends into and is substantially enclosed by the cushioning material. Access to the pocket is through a pocket inlet along a portion of the peripheral edge. A closure mechanism, such as a zipper, at the inlet substantially closes the pocket to enclose the articles inside. The articles have an article theme that corresponds to the cover theme. If desired, the pillow can also have a theme shape that corresponds to the cover and article themes. 
         [0011]    Finally, US 2009/0151077 to Heinsius et al., teaches a pillow which comprises a storage compartment which can be accessed by putting one&#39;s arm into a pillow mouth opening generally central to the front side of a pillow. In a preferred embodiment, an opening cover is provided which serves to further conceal the pillow mouth. Preferably, a sash which circumscribes the pillow is employed, and a user may put his or her hand under the sash to access the pillow mouth and the storage compartment to which it leads. The compartment may store any objects and is desirable for storage of items that need to be hidden but readily accessible such as contraceptives, self-defense items, or household objects such as controls or keys. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention teaches a portable or miniaturized combination foam cushion and poncho style blanket assembly, such including but not limited to use during travel. The cushion includes a three dimensional and contoured material configured to be arrayed in either of first or second inverted positions in order to provide support to the back of the user&#39;s head and neck. 
         [0013]    In one version, the assembly includes an outer covering having a zippered edge for receiving the blanket or wearable poncho, such as in a folded configuration, along with also receiving a contoured cushion. The cushion may be constructed of a soft foam or memory foam material, and in use either within the zippered cushion or separately, exhibits multiple three dimensional contoured surfaces for conforming to the shape of the user&#39;s neck and for providing cervical spinal support. A related packaging assembly combines the contoured cushion with the blanket/wearable poncho with a cutout aperture defined therein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of one embodiment of the combination travel cushion and poncho style blanket in which contoured and valley defining surfaces provide for upper cervical support of the users neck and back of head; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a further environmental perspective similar to  FIG. 1  and in which the combination device is inverted for providing varied cushioning support; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective similar to that shown in  FIG. 1  and in which multi-contoured and support defining surfaces of the cushion are depicted in better detail; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the combination travel assembly and depicting the contoured and foam supporting cushion and folded blanket in combination with the outer secured covering, such expanded to mimic the overall shaping of the cushion with the folded blanket or wearable poncho filling a volume adjoining a backside of the cushion; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a plan cutaway of the assembly depicted in  FIGS. 1-4  and illustrating an interior arrangement of the form supporting cushion with the form mimicking outer cover, such further including a bottom zippered edge; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a rotated underside exterior plan view of the assembly in  FIG. 5  depicting the zippered bottom edge; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an exploded illustration of a further variant of the travel assembly of the present invention and depicting a packaging configuration combining the form supporting cushion, an unfolded poncho style blanket and a zippered carrying bag; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an assembled packaging view of the assembly in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    With reference to the following described illustrations, the present invention discloses a combination and miniaturized travel kit including a form-supporting and foam cushion article which can be contained within an optional zippered outer covering in combination with a folded blanket, such further including a poncho style blanket. As will be described below, the pillow may also include a cushion constructed of a foam type material, such exhibiting a plurality of form supporting locations adapted for engaging the user&#39;s upper back, neck and adjoining head, such as in order to provide support to the user&#39;s upper cervical vertebrae when leaning backwards against an elevated support surface, the cushion conforming to the shape of the user&#39;s neck. 
         [0024]    In additional variants, and as will be further described below, the outer zippered covering contains the cushion and, optionally, the associated folded blanket or poncho. The cushion is inserted within the interior of the zippered article, again in order that the cushion can individually or, in combination with the folded blanket/poncho, provide cervical spinal support to the rear of the user&#39;s head and underside of the user&#39;s neck. It is further understood that one non-limiting variant of the present invention includes the pray n of a memory foam construction for the cushion material. 
         [0025]    The blanket, as will be further described, can include in one non-limiting variant a poncho style blanket with a fourteen inch straight line opening (such not limited to any specified opening at a fold-over midsection location and which can also include any type of circular, elliptical or oval shaped opening). As will be further described, the outer containing (or pillow) case can be configured so that a side edge extending zipper portion can extend along any of a single, dual or other multiple sided fashion, such further envisioning rounded, oval or other shaped pillows not limited to a generally rectangular shape. In this fashion, the zipper is utilized to access the interiorly held blanket (additional variants covering two and three sided unzipping). 
         [0026]    Other design features can include the incorporation of a drawstring travel bag (see  FIG. 7 ) such as used with a packaging for initial retail sale. The cushion can. further be configured for particular uses not limited to sofa, dorm, office, camp and sleepover applications, and the selected design can also provide effective head and neck support in either of upright or reclined positions. 
         [0027]    Given the above, and referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an environmental perspective view is shown at  10  of one embodiment of the present combination article and assembly which exhibits contoured and valley defining surfaces provide for upper cervical support of the users upper back, neck and back of head. As will be described in further detail,  FIGS. 1-3  depict the combination article in a combined assembly and which, as further shown in  FIG. 4 , includes a multi component kit having a memory foam contoured cushion  12  and folded (poncho style) blanket  14 , these being contained in combination within a zippered or otherwise slit openable outer covering  16 . The covering mimics or exhibits a similar configuration as the internally supported memory cushion  12 , such enabling the cushion to be used both within the covering (optionally along with the blanket  14 ), as well as without. 
         [0028]    Description of the cushion will be had with reference to  FIG. 4 , it being noted that the covering  16  shown in  FIGS. 1-3  contains the cushion  12  in a form fitting mariner providing the overall article with a consistent three dimensional configuration (covering  16  with inserted cushion  12 ) as the exploded view of the cushion  12  separated from the covering  16  as described in  FIG. 4 . For that reason, reference is made to  FIG. 4  for an explanation of the contours of the cushion  12  which are consistent with the form fitting depiction of the combined cushion and outer covering  16  in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0029]    As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the cushion  12  again can include a memory foam construction and exhibits a pair of main and forward and opposite/outward projecting mounds  18  and  20  extending relative to an overall body of the cushion  12 . The main projecting mounds  18  and  20  define an arcuate valley profile  22  (this also shown in the underside plan view of  FIG. 6  in which the cushion  12  is again contained within the form fitting covering  16 ) and, as shown in each of the first ands second inverted environmental depictions of  FIGS. 1-2  in which the cushion  12  is again inserted within the outer covering  16 , provides support to either of the rear of the neck ( FIG. 1 ) or the underside back of the wearer&#39;s head ( FIG. 2 ) depending upon the positioning of the cushion. 
         [0030]    As further shown in  FIG. 4 , a further pair of smaller mounds  24  and  26  project from an end surface of the main cushion body  12  (such being generally corresponding to a top surface of the cushion as shown in each of  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4  as well as an inverted bottom facing surface in the environmental depiction of  FIG. 2 . The mounds  24  and  26  are smaller than the forward/outward projecting mounds  18 / 20  and define therebetween a proportionally smaller cleavage or valley  28 . 
         [0031]    As also shown in  FIG. 4 , a general axis of travel of a centerline  30  extending through a largest axial extending depth or direction of a first mound  18  with a further axis of travel of a centerline  31  extending through a largest linearly extending section of the second mount  20 , both extending at an angle Θ relative to a further centerline  32  extending generally crosswise or perpendicularly through a largest linearly section of the smaller mounds  24 / 26 . Each largest section corresponds to a center location of each mound and the angle Θ can, as shown in  FIG. 4 , be greater than a 90 degree perpendicular or, as is further envisioned, the cushion  12  can be reconfigured so that the pairs of mound-like and undulating surfaces exhibit a different surface orientation. 
         [0032]    A further angle α is defined by the intersection of the extending centerlines  30  and  31  (see  FIG. 6 ) and which can likewise be in a range of about 90° or greater. The combination of the angles Θ and α provides the cushion with an overall contour support surface best suited for providing cushioning and firm support to the user&#39;s upper back, neck and back of lower head with the cushion in either of the positions of  FIG. 1 or 2 . 
         [0033]    As previously shown in  FIG. 1 , the selected environmental depiction shows the smaller pair of mounds  24 / 26  (again contained within the outer covering  16 ) supporting the back of the user head (in proximity to the upper most C1-C3 vertebrae and in combination with the larger pair of mounds  18 / 20  surrounding the sides of the wearers neck), whereas the inverted arrangement (see at  10 ′) in  FIG. 2  shows the smaller mounds  24 / 26  supporting the user&#39;s shoulders with the intermediate cleavage  28  generally overlaying the upper vertebral column and the sloping sides of the main mounds  18 / 20  surrounding the sides and back of the neck. 
         [0034]    The rear surface of the cushion  12  (as best shown at  34  in  FIGS. 5-6  but largely hidden from view in  FIG. 4 ) exhibits a slight but less pronounced. slope and, when installed within the outer pillowcase like covering  16 , conforms to the outline of the cushion. Although not shown, the covering  16  can be reconfigured somewhat larger than the dimensions of the covering to provide room for inserting the wearable poncho/blanket in either of a folded or rolled blanket in rear abutting fashion against the cushion  12  when inserted within the zippered interior  16  of the outer covering  16 . As further shown in  FIG. 6 , a slit or opening formed in the outer case or covering  16  can include a single or dual pair of pullers  36  and attached sliders  38 , these engaging and joining a pair of meshing coils (see collectively at  40 ) for opening and reclosing a bottom edge of the outer covering  16  to receive therein either or both of the cushion  12  and wearable poncho (see at  14 ′ in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0035]    The outer covering  6  can exhibit a textured surface which can include without limitation any type of plush, velour or other soft consistency. Likewise, the blanket  14  can include either of a standard shape or, in a further embodiment, a poncho style wearable item (again at  14 ′) exhibiting a closed inner perimeter edge  42  for facilitating installation over a wearer&#39;s head and for supporting the poncho on the wearer&#39;s shoulders. In this fashion, and upon inserting the cushion  12  and poncho style blanket  14 ′ into the zippered interior of the covering  16 , the covering adopts a smooth three dimensional surface appearance 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an exploded illustration f a further variant of the travel assembly of the present invention and depicting a packaging configuration, this including a pair of main panels  44  and  46  connected at inwardly angled and joined upper  48  and lower  50  ends. In a display variant, the packaging combines and supports in an inserted and retail displayed fashion each of the form supporting cushion  12 , an unfolded (or rolled or reverse folded) poncho style blanket  42  and a zippered carrying hag, see as further shown at  52  and which can also include a carrying lanyard  54 . 
         [0037]    Finally,  FIG. 8  is an assembled packaging view of the assembly in  FIG. 7  and which depicts and displays the combination of cushion  12 , blanket  14 ′ and outer covering/carrying bag  52  in an independently displaying and commercially inviting manner. An aperture (see inner perimeter rim  54 ) is configured in the upper joined end  48  of the packaging panels  44 / 46  and adapts the retail package display for suspending from a hook or the like (not shown) such as in a pre-purchased configuration. Upon purchase, the packaging is discarded or recycled, following which the bag  52  is utilized for storing the cushion and poncho/blanket during periods of non-use. 
         [0038]    It is further understood that the blanket may comes in many different fabric patterns, plain or colorful, designed material hanging off the ends for extra style. Without limitation, the blanket can be constructed of cotton, wool, polyester, and other fabrics. 
         [0039]    Depending upon the variant disclosed, the blanket/wearable poncho easily folds and fits into the zipper entry of the pillow case. As again further illustrated the blanket in a poncho variant exhibits a hole or other shaped incision (such as a straight cut) in the top quarter section in the middle, making the blanket cover the almost the entire front of the person&#39;s body, while the back only to upper back shoulders is covered. It is also envisioned that different sized blankets can be used with different sized and configured pillows. 
         [0040]    The memory cushion  12  (as again best depicted in the cutaway of  FIG. 5 ) is again understood to be made of a soft or memory foam type material for conforming to the shape of one&#39;s neck, with the contour or lump designed to fit perfectly underneath ones neck, such as to define a lumped roll. The travel combination disclosed is further understood to come in multiple sizes, including a smallest such as in use with an airplane blanket contained in the pillow. Additional features can include a small fabric handle in the seam of one end of the pillow for easy carry-ability. Other features of the pillow again include the zipper extending along any number of interconnecting sides of the seam, typically from one to three sides. 
         [0041]    Without limitation, the pillow can exhibit a first decorative side (the side where the blanket lays inside), as well as a flip side which exhibits the lump cushion adapted to fit easily under the neck. As further previously described, a decorative side of the pillow can be additionally designed to sit on a sofa for design. 
         [0042]    Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.