Patent Publication Number: US-6910237-B2

Title: Pillow cover with closure and pouch member therefor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to pillows and accessories for pillows, and more specifically concerns the combination of a pillow cover and pouch. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many known pillow covers, used for various purposes. Many pillow covers, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,156, are for protecting the pillow itself from stains or soiling during use. In some cases, the cover is discarded after use, while in others, the cover may be conveniently washed. Other pillow covers, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,508,044, 4,165,125 and 4,480,347, are for specialized purposes, such as decoration, rebuilding of an existing pillow, or adapting a pillow for a particular use, among others. However, none of these pillow covers are directed toward the specific purpose/function of applicant&#39;s invention, i.e. a pillow cover which is useful in increasing the comfort of an existing pillow while also being adapted for use with a pouch such that the cover can itself function as a small pillow suitable for travel or similar purposes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is a pillow cover and pouch combination kit, comprising: a cover adapted to receive a pillow therein, the cover having first and second sections securable together around the peripheries thereof, each section including outer and inner fabric portions with a layer of filling therebetween; a closure element for first and second sections; and a pouch member into which said cover may be folded to produce a pillow-like member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views showing the pillow cover portion of the combination of the present invention with a conventional pillow about to be inserted therein and fully inserted therein, respectively. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the pillow cover of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a pouch member portion of the combination with an upper flap part thereof folded open for insertion of the folded pillow cover. 
         FIG. 4  shows the pouch member with the folded pillow cover positioned inside the pouch and the flap part closed. 
         FIG. 5  shows the pouch member portion secured to the pillow cover. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2  show the pillow cover portion of the pillow/pouch combination of the present invention, generally at  10 . In the embodiment shown, the cover  10  comprises first and second sections  12  and  14  which are identical in size and configuration, each being approximately 20 inches by 26 inches, which is a convenient size to receive most pillows. Each section (section  12  is exemplary) includes outer and inner fabric portions  16  and  18 . Between the two fabric portions  16  and  18  is positioned a volume of down, feathers or similar material  19 . It could be man-made material, such as artificial down. For the size of the cover shown, the filling will have a weight within the range of 5-7 oz, but preferably approximately 5 oz. Each fabric portion is quilted by stitching together, along lines of stitching  21 — 21  the two fabric portions in a pattern of squares, in addition to around the peripheries of the two portions, each square being approximately 6.5 inches on a side. 
     The first and second fabric sections  12  and  14  are secured along two longitudinal sides  20  and  22  (the long sides) and one end side  24 . The securement is typically permanent, in the form of stitching or the like. The remaining end side  26  is open, but is closeable by means of a zipper or similar closing device  28 . Alternatives include snaps, buttons, Velcro® fasteners or other similar devices. 
     In use of the pillow cover, a conventional pillow  30  is inserted into the cover through open end side  26 . End side  26  is then closed. The cover  10  is typically used when away from home, providing additional comfort which the user may be accustomed to, without having to take their home pillow with them. When the user leaves, the end side  26  is simply unzipped and the pillow removed. The cover  10  may be folded and conveniently stowed in a suitcase, typically in a protective bag of some kind. The cover can also be conveniently used with a home pillow, to extend the life of the home pillow. 
       FIG. 3  shows a pouch portion of the combination which is designed to hold a folded-up cover  10 . The pouch, shown generally at  34 , comprises two fabric sections  36 ,  37 , each rectangular in the embodiment shown, approximately 11 inches by 9 inches. The fabric sections are of cotton or similar material and are sewn together along two longitudinal sides  38  and  40  and one end side  42 , leaving opposing end side  44  open. 
     Extending from open side  44  is a flap  48 , which in the embodiment shown is approximately  3½ inches high, and extends across the entire end side 44. Cover portion 10 of the combination can be conveniently folded and positioned within pouch 34. Flap 48 is then folded over the open end side 44 to effectively close the pouch. The result is a small pillow which can be conveniently used for travel or other situations where there is no standard pillow available. The pillow-like comfort is produced by the down filling or the like in the two sections 12 and 14 of the cover. For convenience, the pouch could be attached to the cover 10 or form a part thereof.    
     The combination of the present invention is thus a pillow cover which provides additional comfort for a conventional pillow, and with the pouch can serve as a pillow, such as for travel or other situations. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modification and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the claims which follow.