Children's Toys and Accessories

Abstract

A pillow case assembly includes a pillow case defining an internal cavity accessible via an opening for removably receiving a pillow, the pillow case having a perimeter. The pillow case assembly also includes a pillow case accessory removably coupled to the pillow case adjacent the perimeter of the pillow case and a fastener removably coupling the pillow case accessory to the pillow case.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to children's toys and novelty items, including, an interchangeable pillow case, a combination pillow and sheet, such as a sleeping bag or blanket and the like, an expandable storage container, a wearable accessory, and a speaker that can be inserted into an opening of the combination pillow and sheet.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the disclosure provides a pillow case assembly that includes a pillow case defining an internal cavity accessible via an opening for removably receiving a pillow, the pillow case having a perimeter. The pillow case assembly also includes a pillow case accessory removably coupled to the pillow case adjacent the perimeter of the pillow case and a fastener removably coupling the pillow case accessory to the pillow case.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a pillow case assembly including a pillow case defining an internal cavity accessible via an opening for removably receiving a pillow, the pillow defining a body of a character image. The pillow case assembly further includes a pillow case accessory removably coupled to the pillow case, the pillow case accessory defining a head of a character image. The pillow case assembly also includes a first appendage coupled directly to the pillow case and defining a first appendage of the character image.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a storage container that includes a first portion, a collapsible extension passage, and a second portion. The first portion includes an insertion opening defined therein. The collapsible extension passage is coupled to the first portion and communicates with the insertion opening. The second portion is coupled to the extension passage and can be selectively positioned adjacent to or spaced apart from the first portion depending upon whether the extension passage is extended or collapsed.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a wearable accessory that includes a stuffed body, a first opening, and a second opening. The first opening and the second opening are defined in the stuffed body. The second opening is opposite the first opening and communicates with the first opening to define a passage extending through the stuffed body.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a combination pillow and sheet member. The combination pillow and sheet member changes between a first configuration and a second configuration. The combination pillow and sheet member includes a first pillow portion, a second pillow portion, and a sheet member. The first pillow portion includes a first cavity defined therein for removably receiving one or more items. The second pillow portion is detachably coupled to the first pillow portion and includes a second cavity defined therein. The sheet member has a first end and a second end. The first end of the sheet member is coupled to the first pillow portion and the second end of the sheet member is coupled to the second pillow portion. In the first configuration, the first and second pillow portions are coupled together and the sheet member is positioned within the second cavity of the second pillow portion. In the second configuration, the first and second pillow portions are detached from one another and the first and second pillow portions are spaced apart so the sheet member extends between the first and second pillow portions.

In still another aspect, the disclosure provides a padded speaker having a speaker housing and a layer of padding material. The speaker housing has an actuator coupled thereto for operating the padded speaker. The layer of padding material surrounds a majority of the speaker housing such that the sound produced by the padded speaker passes through the layer of padding material. The speaker can be inserted into the opening of the combination pillow and sheet member discussed above.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of interchangeable pillow cases and pillow case accessories, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of a pillow to be inserted in a pillow case having a pillow case accessory attached thereto, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the pillow case and pillow case accessory of FIG. 2 with the pillow received in the pillow case.

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of interchangeable pillow cases and pillow case accessories, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a storage container, the storage container being in a collapsed configuration, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 5 in an extended configuration.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 5 in the collapsed configuration with portions of the storage container shown in phantom lines for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 5 in the extended configuration with portions of the storage container shown in phantom lines for illustrative purposes.

FIG. 9 depicts a front view of a wearable accessory, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 depicts a side view of the wearable accessory of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 depicts a top plan view of a combination pillow and sheet member, according to embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 depicts a detailed perspective view of the combination pillow and sheet member of FIG. 11 with a storage cavity in an open configuration.

FIG. 13 depicts a front view of a children's toy sized to fit in the storage cavity of the combination pillow and sheet member of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 depicts a rear view of the children's toy of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of a padded speaker stored in box, according to embodiments described herein.

FIG. 16 depicts a perspective view of the padded speaker of FIG. 15 with the padding removed.

FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of the padded speaker of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 depicts a bottom plan view of the padded speaker of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of the children's toy of FIG. 13 ready to be inserted in the storage cavity of FIG. 12.

FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of the padded speaker of FIG. 17 ready to be inserted in the storage cavity of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any independent embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of other independent embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

With reference to FIG. 1, example embodiments of pillow cases 100a, 100b and corresponding pillow case accessories 102a, 102b are shown. Each pillow case accessory 102a, 102b is removably attachable to both of the pillow cases 100a, 100b as desired via one or more fasteners 104.

Each pillow case accessory 102a, 102b can take a variety of forms. In the illustrated embodiments, the pillow case accessories 102a, 102b are in the form of stuffed animals, such as an animal's head, that are configured to be removably coupled to the pillow cases 100a, 100b as selected by a user. In some embodiments the pillow case 100a, 100b is designed with particular ornamentation to correspond to and further convey attributes of a theme, design, character, color pattern or the like of only one of the pillow case accessories 102a or 102b. In other embodiments, the pillow cases 100a, 100b may be mixed and matched and interchanged for use with both pillow cases accessories 102a and 102b. Embodiments may resemble animals, vehicles, humans, buildings, plant life, fanciful creatures or characters, or a variety of other objects, real or imagined. The stuffed animal embodiments may include, for instance, a cat (as illustrated), a ladybug, a bear, a dog, a wolf, a cow, a mouse, a monkey, a frog, a unicorn, a horse, a dragon, a monster, a lizard, a tiger, a giraffe, an elephant, a hippopotamus, a hedgehog, a turtle, a panda, a rabbit, a shark, a dinosaur, a whale, a koala, a gorilla, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the pillow case accessories 102a, 102b are stuffed. The stuffing may include, but is not limited to, a foam, a fiber stuffing, beans, any combination thereof, or any other suitable filling. In other embodiments, however, the pillow case accessories 102a, 102b may not include stuffing. These embodiments may include a cavity therein for storage (e.g., for storing the associated pillow case 100a, 100b) or may instead be generally flat. In some embodiments, the pillow case 100a, 100b may be stored within the cavity when the pillow is removed from the pillow case 100a, 100b and in some embodiments may be stored when the pillow case 100a, 100b is decoupled from the pillow case accessory 102a, 102b. The pillow case accessories 102a, 102b may further include one or more appendages 106 coupled thereto that correspond to and further add to the likeness of the character image of the pillow case accessory 102a, 102b. These appendages 106 may be permanently or removably attached to the pillow case accessory 102a, 102b. The pillow cases 100a, 100b may also include one or more appendages 110 coupled thereto that correspond to and further add to the likeness of the character image of the pillow case 100a, 100b. The appendages 106, 110 may be, for instance, the paws, feet, hooves, legs, ears, horns, hair, fins, etc. of the animal. The illustrated embodiments of the pillow case accessories 102a, 102b form a head and associated appendages of an animal. The illustrated embodiments of the pillow case 100a, 100b form a body and associated appendages of the animal. Additionally, other character image features (e.g., eyes, a nose, a mouth, etc.) may be provided on the pillow case accessories 102a, 102b. In other embodiments, however, the pillow case accessories 102a, 102b may form additional or alternative portions of the animal, creature, or character.

As mentioned above, each pillow case accessory 102a, 102b is configured to be removably attached to a corresponding pillow case 100a, 100b via one or more fasteners 104. In the illustrated embodiments, the fasteners 104 are in the form of snaps. In other embodiments, however, these fasteners 104 may instead include, for instance, buttons, hook and loop material, hooks, ties, zippers, magnets, some combination thereof, or the like. In the illustrated embodiments, the fasteners 104 are located adjacent to an edge of each respective pillow case accessory 102a, 102b. In other embodiments, however, the fasteners 104 may be located on other portions of the pillow case accessory 102a, 102b. In some embodiments, the fasteners 104 may be located on the appendages106. Any suitable number of fasteners 104 may be included, such as one, two, four, or more.

Each pillow case 100a, 100b may include a construction similar to any appropriate known pillow cases that are capable of removably receiving a pillow 107 therein (as shown in FIG. 2). These embodiments may include, for instance, a pillow case 100a, 100b having an opening with a zipper, overlapping flaps 208 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), hook and loop material, hooks, ties, magnets, some combination thereof, or the like. If the opening that receives the pillow 107 is closed with a fastener, then these fasteners may also be positioned to function in some embodiments as the fasteners 104 that connect the pillow case 100a, 100b to the pillow case accessory 102a, 102b and thereby also serve to close the cavity in pillow case 100a, 100b that is configured to receive and hold the pillow 107. Such embodiments could reduce the overall number of fasteners and could at least partially conceal the opening of the pillow case 100a, 100b. The fasteners 104 that removably couple the pillow case 100a, 100b to the corresponding pillow case accessory 102a, 102b may be located in any appropriate location on the pillow case 100a, 100b. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners 104 are located on an edge of the respective pillow case 100a, 100b (as shown in FIG. 1). Other embodiments, however, may include the fasteners 104 in any other appropriate location. The fasteners 104 are shown on a short edge of the respective pillow case 100a, 100b, but other embodiments could include additional or alternative fastener locations on a long edge of the pillow case 100a, 100b.

An alternative embodiment of pillow cases 200a, 200b and pillow case accessories 202a, 202b are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. These pillow cases 200a, 200b and pillow case accessories 202a, 202b are similar in many ways to the pillow cases 100a, 100b and pillow case accessories 102a, 102b discussed above. For the sake of brevity, only differences will be discussed herein. Some features that are substantially similar to those discussed above will have the same number increased by a value of one hundred.

The pillow case accessories 202a, 202b illustrated in FIG. 4 each include a zipper 212 to open and close an internal cavity. In some embodiments, the pillow case accessories 202a, 202b may be configured to receive various items (discussed in more detail below). In other embodiments, the pillow case accessories 202a, 202b may be reversible by opening the cavity via the zipper 212 and turning the respective pillow case accessory 202a, 202b inside out to display another design, character, color pattern, or the like. In such embodiments, the pillow cases 200a, 200b may additionally be reversible to match the theme, design, character, color pattern or the like of the pillow cases accessories 202a, 202b.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an embodiment of a storage container 300 is shown. The storage container 300 may be any appropriate shape and may have the appearance of an animal, a vehicle, a human, a building, plant life, a fanciful creature, or a variety of other shapes. Some embodiments may include, for instance, a cat, a ladybug, a bear, a dog, a wolf, a cow, a mouse, a monkey, a frog, a unicorn, a horse, a dragon, a monster, a lizard, a tiger, a giraffe, an elephant, a hippopotamus, a hedgehog, a turtle, a panda, a rabbit, a shark (as illustrated), a dinosaur, a whale, a koala, a gorilla, or the like. The storage container 300 is capable of changing from a collapsed configuration (FIG. 5) to an extended or expanded configuration (FIG. 6) and vice versa.

The storage container 300 includes a first portion 302 and a second portion 304. One or both of the first and second portions 302, 304 may be made of any appropriate material such as, for example, plush material, fabric, cloth, paper products, leather, some combination thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the portions 302, 304 are padded or at least partially stuffed.

In the collapsed configuration (FIG. 5), the first and second portions 302, 304 can be adjacent to or connected to each other, but in any event are nearer each other than they are in the extended configuration (FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, the first and second portions 302, 304 are permanently or otherwise removably inter-connected to each other via an extension passage 306. In the illustrated embodiment, the extension passage 306 is made from a flexible material, such as cloth, mesh, or the like. Other appropriate embodiments may include an extension passage 306 formed of a polymer, a paper product, leather, a combination of materials, or the like. Some embodiments may include an extension passage 306 made of multiple rigid components capable of telescoping into and out of one another.

Each of the first and second portions 302, 304 includes at least one fastener 308, such that the first and second portions 302, 304 can be removably coupled to each other via the fasteners 308 when the container 300 is in the collapsed configuration. The fasteners 308 may include, for instance, snaps, buttons, hook and loop material, hooks, ties, zippers, magnets, some combination thereof, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a fastener 308 is shown on the outer surface of the second portion 304 in FIG. 6. Another fastener 308 provided on the inner surface of the first portion 302, which corresponds to the fastener 308 on the second portion 304, is shown in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 7, the illustrated storage container 300 is maintained in the collapsed configuration by the fasteners 308. In such embodiments, an edge 310 of the second portion 304 that is nearest the first portion 302 is received inside the first portion 302. In this manner, the first and second portions 302, 304 at least partially overlap. The extension passage 306 also collapses and is stored inside the storage container 300. In some embodiments, the extension passage 306 simply bunches up within the storage container 300. In other embodiments, however, the extension passage 306 may be telescopic and may collapse on itself. In still other embodiments, the extension passage 306 may have an accordion shape such that the extension passage 306 folds over on itself

With reference to FIG. 8, the first portion 302 further includes a rigid or semi-rigid tubular member 312 to help maintain the shape of the container 300 when empty. In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular member 312 is generally triangular. More specifically, the illustrated tubular member 312 is generally a hollow Reuleaux triangular prism. Of course, other shapes for the tubular member 312 are contemplated herein and may include, for instance, a hollow rectangular prism, a hollow circular prism, a hollow elliptical prism, a hollow triangular prism, a hollow pentagonal prism, a hollow hexagonal prism, or the like. In some embodiments, the tubular member 312 may be made of any appropriate material including, for instance, fabric, cloth, leather, paper products, polymer, metal, wood, some combination thereof, or the like. In some embodiments where the tubular member 312 includes a core made from a relatively rigid material, the core may at least be partially enveloped in a softer material and/or in padding. The tubular member 312 in many embodiments is at least rigid enough to maintain its shape under the force of gravity.

The inner passage of the tubular member 312 is in communication with an insertion opening 314 of the storage container 300 defined in the first portion 302. In the illustrated embodiment, because the storage container 300 resembles an animal, the insertion opening 314 resembles an open mouth of the animal. In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion opening 314 is at least partially open at all times, but other embodiments may include an insertion opening 314 that can be selectively opened and closed. In such embodiments, the insertion opening 314 may have a resting position that is either open or closed. The insertion opening 314 could also be maintained in the closed position with one or more fasteners in some embodiments.

The insertion opening 314 and the inner passage of the tubular member 312 communicate with the interior of extension passage 306. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 304 has a recess 316 defined therein (as shown in FIG. 8). This recess 316 communicates with the interior of extension passage 306. Other embodiments, however, do not include the recess 316 and instead form a stop wall in the interior of the storage container 300 at the second portion 304.

The storage container 300 is compact and easy to transport in the collapsed configuration (FIG. 5). This collapsed configuration may also be configured for at least some storage of toys or other articles. As mentioned, the storage container 300 is readily adapted to change to the extended configuration (FIG. 6) for greater storage capacity. Additionally, the storage container is suitable for being played with as a toy.

With reference to FIG. 9, an embodiment of a wearable accessory 400 is shown. The wearable accessory 400 may be any appropriate shape and may have the appearance of an animal, a vehicle, a human, a building, plant life, a fanciful creature or character, or a variety of other shapes. Some embodiments may include, for instance, a cat, a ladybug, a bear, a dog, a wolf, a cow, a mouse, a monkey, a frog, a unicorn (as illustrated), a horse, a dragon, a monster, a lizard, a tiger, a giraffe, an elephant, a hippopotamus, a hedgehog, a turtle, a panda, a rabbit, a shark, a dinosaur, a whale, a koala, a gorilla, or the like. The wearable accessory 400 may be padded and/or stuffed. The stuffing may include, but is not limited to, a foam, a fiber stuffing, beans, any combination thereof, or any other suitable filling.

With reference to FIG. 10, the wearable accessory 400 has multiple openings defined therein. These openings include at least a top opening 402 and a bottom opening 404. The top and bottom openings 402, 404 communicate with each other to form a passage therebetween and through the wearable accessory 400 to accommodate and be worn by a child. A child can step into the passage through the top opening 402 and pull the wearable accessory 400 up above the child's waist. Alternatively, a child may pull the wearable accessory 400 down over his or her head and around them from above through the bottom opening 404. The wearable accessory 400 is similar to a pool/swimming inner tube in this sense. The material of the accessory 400 (at least in the passage or at the openings 402, 404) can include a stretchable fabric, elastic insert(s), and/or gripping material so as to help maintain the accessory 400 in place on the wearer's body.

The wearable accessory 400, in the illustrated embodiment, further includes multiple pockets 406 defined therein. The pockets 406 may receive items for storage and/or may receive the child's hands. In some embodiments, the child may place his or her hands in the pockets 406 to help maintain the wearable accessory 400 in place on them. Additional or alternative placements of the pockets 406 are also possible. In some embodiments, the pockets 406 are recesses defined in the wearable accessory 400 (as illustrated), but other embodiments may include flaps and/or fasteners to close the pockets 406 when not in use.

Turning now to FIG. 11, an embodiment of a combination pillow and sheet member 500 is shown. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a sleeping bag portion is formed from the sheet member 502. Other embodiments may include a blanket, comforter, or other sheet member 502 instead of a sleeping bag portion. The combination pillow and sheet member 500 is transformable between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the combination pillow and sheet member 500 forms a pillow with the sheet member 502 stored away inside a portion of the pillow. The pillow is formed by a first pillow portion 504 and a second pillow portion 506. In the collapsed configuration, the first and second pillow portions 504, 506 are coupled together and cooperate to form a pillow having a generally continuous outer periphery. The continuous outer periphery of the pillow in the collapsed configuration forms a generally circularly-shaped pillow. Each of the first and second pillow portions 504, 506 are approximately the same size and shape. Alternatively, the first and second pillow portions 504, 506 may be different sizes. For example, the first pillow portion 504 may be significantly smaller or larger than (i.e., half the size of, twice the size of) the second pillow portion 506. In the illustrated example, each of the first and second pillow portions 504, 506 is generally semi-circular in shape. Alternatively, the first and second pillow portions 504, 506 may each be a different shape, such as a square, a rectangle, a triangle, etc.

An exterior of each of the first and second pillow portions 504, 506 is made from or includes a first fabric, which is generally soft or plush to the touch. The first pillow portion 504 may be filled with one of a foam, a fiber stuffing, or beans, or any other suitable filling for a pillow. The stuffing material of the first pillow portion 504 gives the first pillow portion a generally fixed shape. That is, the first pillow portion 504 does not change shape when the combination pillow and sheet member 500 is transformed from the collapsed configuration to an extended configuration. The first pillow portion 504 serves as a pillow that may be used as a rest for a user's (e.g., a child's) head when the combination pillow and sheet member 500 is in both configurations. However, the shape of the first pillow portion 504 may be slightly deformed when weight is placed on the first pillow portion 504, as any pillow would be.

The sheet member 502 has a first end 516 coupled to the first pillow portion 504 and a second end 518 coupled to the second pillow portion 506. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first pillow portion 504 includes a first cavity 508 defined therein. The first cavity 508 may include an opening with a zipper, hook and loop material 510, hooks, ties, magnets, some combination thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the first cavity 508 includes an opening with no fasteners and may instead include overlapping flaps or the like. This first cavity 508 may be used to store belongings or other items (such as those described below).

The second pillow portion 506 may form a second cavity 512 in which the sheet member 502 of the combination pillow and sheet member 500 is stored when the combination pillow and sheet member 500 is in the collapsed configuration. When the sheet member 502 is positioned within the second cavity 512 in the collapsed configuration, the sheet member 502 acts as a filling material for the second pillow portion 506. In the collapsed configuration, the second pillow portion 506 has a generally fixed shape that may be slightly deformed when weight is placed on it, as any other pillow would be. The second cavity 512 is sized such that the inserted sheet member 502 fills the second cavity 512 so as to make the fixed shape of the second pillow portion 506 generally correspond to the fixed shape of the first pillow portion 504.

When in the collapsed configuration, the combination pillow and sheet member 500 may resemble animals, vehicles, humans, buildings, plant life, fanciful creatures or characters, or a variety of other shapes. The animal embodiments may include, for instance, a cat (as illustrated), a ladybug, a bear, a dog, a wolf, a cow, a mouse, a monkey, a frog, a unicorn, a horse, a dragon, a monster, a lizard, a tiger, a giraffe, an elephant, a hippopotamus, a hedgehog, a turtle, a panda, a rabbit, a shark, a dinosaur, a whale, a koala, a gorilla, or the like. The pillow portions 504, 506 may include a number of appendages 514, which may resemble feet, paws, fins, wings, tails, hooves, arms, legs, and the like in the case of an animal embodiment, for instance.

The second pillow portion 506 is detachably coupled to the first pillow portion 504. To convert the combination pillow and sheet member 500 from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration, which forms a sleeping bag with an attached pillow (e.g., first pillow portion 504 acts as a pillow for the user's head when the user is in the sleeping bag) (FIG. 11), the sheet member 502 is removed from the second cavity 512 of the second pillow portion 506 by pulling the first pillow portion 504 away from the second pillow portion 506 until the sheet member 502 is fully extended between the two pillow portions 504, 506. Thus, when the combination pillow and sheet member 500 is in the second configuration, the first and second pillow portions 504, 506 are detached from one another and spaced apart such that the sheet member 502 extends between the first and second pillow portions 504, 506.

To convert the combination pillow and sheet member 500 from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration, the sheet member 502 is gathered and placed within the second cavity 512 of the second pillow portion 506 until the sheet member 502 is fully stored within the second cavity 512 of the second pillow portion 506.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, a toy 520 is shown. This toy 520 may be appropriately sized such that it fits in the first cavity 508 described above. The illustrated embodiment of the toy 520 is a stuffed animal, although other toys are contemplated herein. The illustrated embodiment has two opposing sides. The first side (FIG. 13) includes the character with an appearance of being asleep, while the second side (FIG. 14) includes the character with an appearance of being awake. In such embodiments, a child may be able to flip the toy 520 over to view one side or the other depending on the child's preferences. When not in use, the child may place the toy 520 in the first cavity 508 of the first pillow portion 504 as shown in FIG. 19. In this manner, the toy 520 is not far from the child while the child uses the sheet member 502, which may afford the child comfort while still storing the toy 520. Further, the toy 520 may be stored in the first cavity 508 even with the pillow and sheet member 500 in the collapsed configuration. In some embodiments, the toy 520 may provide at least some cushioning for the first pillow portion 504. Other embodiments, however, do not require additional cushioning due to the first pillow portion 504 being stuffed.

Turning now to FIG. 15, a padded speaker 522 is shown. The padded speaker 522 is sized and shaped to fit within the first cavity 508 of the first pillow portion 504 as shown in FIG. 20. The padded speaker 522 may be provided in a box 524 shaped like a book. In some embodiments, the padded speaker 522 is capable of playing one or more recordings of, for example, bedtime stories. The stories may last anywhere from a short amount of time, such as 30 seconds, to a longer amount of time, such as five minutes. With reference to FIG. 16, the padded speaker 522 includes a speaker housing 526. As shown best in FIG. 18, the speaker housing 526 is disposed in a sleeve of padding material 528 or otherwise enveloped within the padding material 528. The speaker housing 526 may be removably placed within the sleeve of padding material 528, or the padding material 528 surrounding the speaker housing 526 may be permanently fixed around the speaker housing 526 via, for instance, sewn seams. The speaker housing 526 may be any appropriate shape, but the illustrated embodiment shows a speaker housing 526 with at least one curved surface to create a pillow shape for the padded speaker 522.

In some embodiments, the padded speaker 522 may include an actuator 530 (shown schematically in FIG. 18) that activates the start of the recording. The actuator 530 may be in the form of a press-button, an accelerometer, a material that detects deformation (such as a piezo-electric material), or the like. In many embodiments, the actuator 530 is configured to be activated by the pressure and/or weight of the child's head when the child lies down to go to sleep on the pillow within which the speaker 522 is housed.

In some embodiments sufficient padding in the first pillow portion 504 is present such that padding material 528 around the speaker housing 526 is not necessary to provide a soft surface for a child's head to rest upon. In the illustrated embodiment, when a child lies down with his or her head on the first pillow portion 504, the weight of the child's head on first pillow portion 504 operates the actuator 530 of the padded speaker 522 to turn the speaker on. The actuator 530 can sense if the child lifts his head off of the first pillow portion 504, and can stop the recording. In this manner, the padded speaker 522 assists with having a child lie still and keep his or her head on the first pillow portion 504 for falling asleep. As stated above, however, some embodiments may instead include an actuator 530 in the form of an accelerometer configured to detect motion of the padded speaker 522 and the first pillow portion 504 due to the child getting ready to lie down and/or lying down.

Some embodiments may include a control operation that delays the start of the recording for a predetermined amount of time. This way, the child may be on and/or covered by the sheet member 502 and his or her head may be resting on the first pillow portion 504 by the time the recording begins. The embodiments described above allow a user to change or swap out different padded speakers 522 in the first pillow portion 504, such that the child may listen to a variety of recordings or sets of recordings with a number of different padded speakers 522.

The padded speaker 522 may be arranged such that sound is projected upward directly toward the child's head while the child rests his or her head on the first pillow portion 504. Other embodiments may include the padded speaker 522 projecting sound downward or in some other direction to provide indirect sound projection to the child.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

Claims

1. A pillow case assembly comprising: a pillow case defining an internal cavity accessible via an opening for removably receiving a pillow, the pillow case having a perimeter;a pillow case accessory configured to be removably coupled to the pillow case adjacent the perimeter of the pillow case; anda fastener configured for removably coupling the pillow case accessory to the pillow case.

2. The pillow case assembly of claim 1, wherein the pillow case accessory defines at least a portion of a head of a character image, and wherein the pillow case defines a body of the character image.

3. The pillow case assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one appendage coupled to the pillow case accessory to further add to the likeness of the character image.

4. The pillow case assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one appendage includes one or more of a paw, a foot, a hoof, a leg, an ear, an amount of hair, or a fin.

5. The pillow case assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one appendage coupled to the pillow case to further add to the likeness of the character image, the at least one appendage extending beyond the perimeter of the pillow case.

6. The pillow case assembly of claim 1, wherein the pillow case accessory is a stuffed accessory filled with a foam, a fiber stuffing, a plurality of beans, or a combination of the same.

7. The pillow case assembly of claim 1, wherein the pillow case assembly includes a cavity therein, defining a storage space for the pillow case.

8. The pillow case assembly of claim 1, wherein the pillow case includes a front side and a rear side opposite the front side, the front side coupled to the rear side at the perimeter of the pillow case.

9. The pillow case assembly of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a first fastener located on the pillow case accessory and further comprising a second fastener configured to be removably coupled to the first fastener and located on the front side of the pillow case.

10. The pillow case assembly of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a first fastener located on the pillow case accessory and further comprising a second fastener configured to be removably coupled to the first fastener and located on the rear side of the pillow case.

11. The pillow case assembly of claim 1, wherein the pillow case accessory defines a first portion of a first character image, wherein the pillow case accessory includes a cavity, wherein the pillow case accessory is reversible by opening the cavity and turning the pillow case accessory inside out to display a first portion of a second character image different than the first portion of the first character image.

12. The pillow case assembly of claim 11, wherein the pillow case defines a second portion of the first character image and is reversible to display a second portion of the second character image different than the second portion of the first character image.

13. A pillow case assembly comprising: a pillow case defining an internal cavity accessible via an opening for removably receiving a pillow, the pillow case defining a body of a character image;a pillow case accessory removably coupled to the pillow case, the pillow case accessory defining a head of a character image; anda first appendage coupled directly to the pillow case and defining a first appendage of the character image.

14. The pillow case assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second appendage coupled directly to the pillow case accessory and defining a second appendage of the character image.

15. The pillow case assembly of claim 13, further comprising a fastener removably coupling the pillow case accessory to the pillow case.

16. The pillow case assembly of claim 15, wherein the fastener includes one of a snap, a button, a hook and loop fastener, a hook, a tie, a zipper, or a magnet.

17. The pillow case assembly of claim 13, wherein the pillow case accessory is a stuffed accessory filled with a foam, a fiber stuffing, a plurality of beans, or a combination of the same.

18. The pillow case assembly of claim 13, wherein the pillow case assembly includes a cavity therein defining a storage space for the pillow case.

19. The pillow case assembly of claim 1, wherein a first surface of the head defined by the pillow case accessory displays an image of a first head, wherein the pillow case accessory includes a cavity, and wherein the pillow case accessory is reversible by opening the cavity and turning the pillow case accessory inside out to present a second surface that displays an image of a second head different than the first head.

20. The pillow case assembly of claim 19, wherein the body defined by the pillow case is a first body, wherein the pillow case is reversible to display a second body different than the first body.

21. A storage container comprising: a first portion having a first interior volume including an insertion opening defined therein;a collapsible extension passage coupled to the first portion, the collapsible extension passage having a second interior volume in communication with the first interior volume and insertion opening; anda second portion coupled to the extension passage opposite the first portion, the second portion removably coupled to the first portion via the extension passage.

22. A wearable accessory comprising: a stuffed body;a first opening defined in the stuffed body; anda second opening defined in the stuffed body, the second opening opposite the first opening, the second opening in communication with the first opening to define a passage extending through the stuffed body, wherein the first opening, second opening, and passage are configured to receive a body of a wearer.

23. The wearable accessory of claim 22, further comprising at least one pocket defined in the stuffed body.

24. A combination pillow and sheet member configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, the combination pillow and sheet member comprising: a first pillow portion defining a first cavity for removably receiving one or more items;a second pillow portion detachably coupled to the first pillow portion, the second pillow portion defining a second cavity; anda sheet member having a first end coupled to the first pillow portion and a second end coupled to the second pillow portion;wherein in the first configuration, the first and second pillow portions are coupled together and the sheet member is positioned within the second cavity of the second pillow portion; andwherein in the second configuration, the first and second pillow portions are detached from one another and spaced apart such that the sheet member extends between the first and second pillow portions.

25. The combination pillow and sheet member of claim 24, further comprising: a padded speaker;a speaker housing having an actuator coupled thereto for activating the padded speaker; anda layer of padding material surrounding a majority of the speaker housing such that sound produced by the padded speaker can pass through the layer of padding material,wherein the speaker housing with the layer of padding material are configured to be received within the first cavity of the first pillow portion.