FABRIC WITH ATTACHED PILLOW

BACKGROUND
1. Field

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for modified towels that include a fabric and a pillow coupled thereto.

2. Background

Towels and blankets are often used for lying outside, such as on a beach, on grass in a park or at an outdoor concert, or by a swimming pool. These towels include only a piece of fabric on which the user may lay and lack any structure that provides support for a head or other body part of the user. Laying on a towel or blanket on a ground surface lacks any support for a head or neck of an individual, which may result in discomfort. Industrious users may bring a pillow or other accoutrement on which to rest their head. However, carrying around separate items (e.g., a towel and a separate pillow) may be unduly difficult and may increase the likelihood of losing one or both of the fabric or accoutrement.

Thus, there is a need in the art for modified towels for laying outside that a user can rest on and that supports his head.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a system. The system includes a piece of fabric having a first end, a second end, two sides, a first surface, and a second surface. The system also includes a pillow configured to be removably coupled to the first surface of the piece of fabric closer to the first end than the second end, the pillow defining a face cradle therein.

Also disclosed is a method. The method includes obtaining a piece of fabric having a first end, a second end, two sides, a first surface, and a second surface, and a pillow configured to be removably coupled to the first surface of the piece of fabric closer to the first end than the second end. The method also includes coupling the pillow to the piece of fabric. The method also includes laying the piece of fabric with the pillow coupled thereto on a surface for use.

Also disclosed is a system. The system includes a piece of fabric having a first end, a second end, two sides, a first surface, and a second surface. The system also includes a pillow configured to be removably coupled to the first surface of the piece of fabric closer to the first end than the second end using at least one fastener, the pillow defining a face cradle therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. Component parts shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may be exaggerated to better illustrate the important features of the present disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the different views, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a top-down view of a modified towel that include a piece of fabric and a pillow in a fully unfolded position, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the modified towel of FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the modified towel of FIG. 1A in a rolled configuration, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a top-down view of the modified towel of FIG. 1A in a folded configuration, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a top-down view of a pillow usable with a modified towel, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the pillow of FIG. 2A

FIGS. 3A-3D are top-down views of a modified towel having a piece of fabric and a pillow coupled thereto in a fully unfolded position, partially folded positions, and a fully folded position, respectively, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4D are perspective views of a modified towel having a piece of fabric and a pillow coupled thereto in use, in a fully folded position, in a partially folded position, and an enlarged view of the pillow of the modified towel, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is top-down view of a pillow for use with a modified towel having a handle, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top-down view of a pillow for use with a modified towel having a pouch or pocket, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective views of a modified towel having a piece of fabric defining a volume and a pillow located in the volume, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for using a modified towel, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure describes pieces of fabric with attached pillows that include or define face cradles. For example, the piece of fabric may resemble a towel, a sheet, a blanket, or any other piece of fabric. The pillow may resemble any pillow or other firm or soft material that supports a portion of a human head; the face cradle of the pillow, if present, defines an opening into which at least a portion of a human face (e.g., a human nose and/or a human mouth) may be located when the face cradle is supporting a face. That is, an individual may lay the fabric on the ground with the face cradle therein, and the individual may then lay on the fabric on his stomach such that at least a portion of his face is located in the opening defined by the face cradle.

An exemplary fabric with attached pillow, as disclosed herein, provides various benefits and advantages such as improved comfort when laying out (e.g., by a body of water such as at a beach, in a backyard, or the like). The fabric with attached pillow provides additional benefits such as the ability to quickly convert a standard bed or table into a massage table by placing the fabric with attached pillow on the bed or table. Additional benefits include the ability to remove the face cradle from the fabric, thus allowing for easy maintenance, care, and cleaning of the fabric and the face cradle. The fabric with the face cradle may be designed to allow easy folding of the fabric about the face cradle, advantageously increasing ease of transport and storage of the integrated fabric and face cradle. In some embodiments, the fabric with face cradle may include a strap or other connecting feature designed to secure the folded or otherwise compressed fabric with face cradle in a folded, compact position to advantageously cause the combination to remain in a compact state. The fabric may further define one or more pocket (which may or may not be closeable, e.g., via a zipper, button, or the like), providing the benefit of allowing storage of personal items during use of the fabric and face cradle (e.g., the pocket may store a mobile phone, a set of keys, or the like).

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1D, an exemplary fabric with attached pillow 100 (or system 100, also referred to herein as a “modified towel” 100 although one skilled in the art will realize that the fabric is not limited to being a towel or constructed from similar materials as towels) is shown. In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a pillow without a face cradle. The modified towel 100 may include a piece of fabric 102. The fabric 102 may have any shape. In some embodiments, the shape of the fabric 102 may be rectangular and resemble a towel, a sheet, a blanket, or the like. However, the fabric 102 may have any other shape without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The piece of fabric 102 may include any fabric. For example, the fabric 102 may include cotton, polyester, silk, microfiber, linen, bamboo, or any other material. The fabric may likewise have any weave such as a terry weave (to form a terrycloth pattern), a waffle weave, a plain weave, a honeycomb weave, or the like. In some embodiments, the fabric 102 may include a terrycloth weave that forms full loops to increase absorbency of the fabric 102, or a waffle weave to increase drying speed while still providing significant absorbency.

The modified towel 100 may further include a pillow 104 coupled to the fabric 102 and designed to support at least a portion of a human head or a human face. The pillow 104 may have any shape. The pillow 104 may define a face cradle 106 into which a portion of a human face (e.g., at least a portion of a nose and/or a mouth) may rest. In that regard, a user may lay on the fabric 102 with her nose in the face cradle 106 such that the pillow 104 supports the face while the user can breathe through the face cradle 106. The modified towel 100 may be used as a beach or pool towel, as a sheet for a massage table (thus allowing any table to convert into a massage table), or may be used in any other function (e.g., a place to rest while at an outdoor concert).

The pillow 104 may include any material such as shaped foam, a fabric cover stuffed with synthetic or natural material (e.g., down feathers, shredded foam, etc.), or any other material. In some embodiments, the pillow 104 may be designed to at least partially retain a shape. As the pillow 104 may be designed to retain its shape, the defined face cradle 106 may likewise retain its shape while the pillow 104 is coupled to the fabric 102.

In some embodiments, the pillow 104 may be inflatable. In that regard, the pillow may include a collapsible shell defining a volume (e.g., made of plastic or another polymer) and at least one valve through which air may be at least one of provided into the volume or removed from the volume. The collapsible shell may be decompressed (i.e., air may be removed from the volume) prior to storage and transport of the modified towel 100 to facilitate storage and transport in a small space. When at a desired destination (or at another time, as desired), the collapsible shell may be inflated (i.e., air may be ported into the volume) to inflate the pillow 104 to a desired size and/or firmness. Inflation and deflation may occur via any means. For example, the valve may be designed to allow a user to blow air into the volume to inflate the pillow 104, and a user may manipulate the valve to allow air to flow out of the volume to deflate the pillow 104. As another example, an air compressor or air pump may be used to inflate and/or deflate the pillow.

In some embodiments, the inflatable pillow 104 may be designed to be received within a pocket or other volume of the modified towel. The opening to the pocket may be sufficiently small to prevent the inflated pillow 104 from passing therethrough but sufficiently large to allow the deflated pillow 104 to pass therethrough. In that regard, the deflated pillow may be positioned within the pocket and then inflated to couple the pillow 104 to the fabric 102. After use (and/or before cleaning), the pillow 104 may be deflated and removed from the pocket to decouple the pillow 104 from the fabric. At that time, the fabric 102 (with the material forming the pocket which functions as a pillowcase) may be washed (e.g., in a washing machine) without risking damage to the pillow 104. In some embodiments, the inflatable pillow 104 may have a cover that is separate from the fabric 102 and may be removably or permanently coupled to the fabric 102.

As indicated above, the pillow 104 may be coupled to the fabric 102. In that regard, the fabric 102 may have a proximal, or first, end 110 and a distal, or second, end 108. The pillow 104 may be located closer to the first end 110 than the second end 108.

The coupling between the fabric 102 and the pillow 104 may be permanent or removable. For example, the pillow 104 may be integrally coupled to the fabric 102, e.g., by enclosing the pillow 104 within a pocket defined by the fabric 102 without an access port to the pocket. In some embodiments, the pillow 104 may be removably coupled to the fabric 102. For example, the fabric 102 may include a zipper compartment into which the pillow 104 may be placed; the zipper may be closed to enclose the pillow 104 within the compartment, and may be opened to facilitate removal of the pillow 104. As another example, the fabric 102 may define a non-zippered pocket into which the pillow 104 may be inserted and removed. As yet another example, the fabric 102 may include a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®) positioned thereon, and the pillow 104 may include a complementary hook-and-loop fastener such that the pillow 104 may be coupled to the fabric 102 via the hook-and-loop fasteners. As yet another example, a different, non-hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., buttons or snap-fit connectors) may be utilized to removably couple the pillow 104 to the fabric 102. In some embodiments, a separate cover may be provided to cover the pillow 104, and the cover with pillow therein may be removably coupled to the fabric 102. This system may allow for washing of the fabric 102 and the pillow cover without damaging the pillow 104. In embodiments in which the pillow 104 is removably coupled to the fabric 102, pillows having various characteristics (i.e., size, density, shape, etc.) may be provided, allowing a user to select and utilize a pillow of his choosing.

The modified towel 100 may further include one or more strap or fastener 112. The strap or fastener 112 may include any feature that aids in retaining the modified towel 100 in a folded, rolled, or otherwise compressed shape. For example, the strap or fastener 112 may include a first portion 114 on the distal end 108 of the fabric 102 and a second portion 116 on the proximal end 110 of the fabric 102. The first portion 114 may be designed to couple to the second portion 116, e.g., via hook-and-loop fasteners, snap-fit connectors, buttons, or any other connection means. The modified towel 100 may be rolled or folded into a desired compact shape, and then the first portion 114 may be coupled to the second portion 116 to retain the modified towel 100 in the folded, rolled, or other compact shape. An exemplary rolled shape is shown in FIG. 1C, and an exemplary folded shape is shown in FIG. 1D. In some embodiments, the strap or fastener may be located on any one or more portion of the modified towel without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The modified towel 100 may further include a shoulder strap 124 coupled thereto. For example, the shoulder strap 124 may extend across a width of the modified towel 100. In some embodiments, the shoulder strap 124 may be coupled to any one or more location of the modified towel. The shoulder strap 124 may be exposed in response to the modified towel 100 being folded, rolled, or otherwise compressed (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1D) and may be used by a user to carry the compressed modified towel 100 between locations. For example, the shoulder strap 124 may extend across a human shoulder or may be gripped by a human hand to carry the modified towel 100 to a destination, facilitating easy transport of the modified towel 100. In that regard, the shoulder strap 124 may have any dimensions to facilitate various carrying means such as hand-carrying, resting across a shoulder, or the like.

The modified towel 100 may have any dimensions. In an exemplary embodiment, the modified towel 100 (e.g., the fabric 102) may have a rectangular shape, as shown in FIG. 1A, which may include a first length 118 (corresponding to a length of the fabric 102 apart from the pillow 104), a second length 120 (corresponding to a length of the pillow 104), and a width 122. In some embodiments, the first length 118 may have a dimension equal to or greater than a human torso. For example, the first length 118 may be at least 2 feet (0.61 meters (m)), at least 3 feet (0.91 m), at least 4 feet (1.22 m), at least 5 feet (1.52 m), at least 6 feet (1.83 m), or the like. In some embodiments, the second length 120 may have a dimension equal to or greater than a human head. For example, the second length 120 may be at least 6 inches (0.15 m), at least 1 foot (0.30 m), at least 2 feet (0.61 m), or the like. In some embodiments, the width 122 may have a dimension equal to or greater than a width of a human torso. For example, the width 122 may be at least 1 foot (0.30 m), at least 2 feet (0.61 m), at least 3 feet (0.91 m), at least 4 feet (1.22 m), or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an exemplary pillow 104 is shown. As mentioned above, a pillow 104 according to the present disclosure may have any shape. As shown in FIG. 2A, the pillow 104 may have a shape that resembles a U. In that regard, the pillow 104 may have a proximal end 200 (designed to be located closest to the proximal end 110 of FIG. 1A) and a distal end 202 (designed to be located closer to the distal end 108 of FIG. 1A than the proximal end 200 of the pillow 104). The pillow 104 may include a top portion 204 located at or near the proximal end 200 and extending along a width of the pillow 104. The pillow 104 may further include a first leg 206 and a second leg 208 each extending away from the top portion 204 towards the distal end 202. The face cradle 106 may be defined between the top portion 204 and the two legs 206, 208. In some embodiments, the two legs 206, 208 may be connected at the distal end 202 such that the face cradle 106 includes an opening defined on all four sides thereof.

In some embodiments and as shown in FIG. 2B, the pillow 104 may be designed to be supportive of a back of a human head. For example, the pillow 104 may have a greater thickness at the proximal end 200 than at the distal end 202. That is, the top portion 204 may be thicker than the two legs 206, 208. This allows a back of a human head to rest on, and be supported by, the thicker portion. In some embodiments, the top portion 204 and the two legs 206, 208 may have an equal thickness and, in some embodiments, the two legs 206, 208 may have a greater thickness than the top portion 204.

In some embodiments and referring to FIGS. 1A-2B, the fabric 102 may be designed to cover or enclose the entire face cradle 106. In some embodiments, the face cradle 106 is designed to be exposed. In some embodiments, the fabric 102 may define an opening aligned with the face cradle 106 such that a human nose (and/or another portion of a human face) may be received within the face cradle 106 without any fabric 102 obstructing breathing of the user. In some embodiments, the portion of the fabric 102 that covers the face cradle 106 may include mesh, apertures, or the like so as to not obstruct breathing of the user of the modified towel 100.

In some embodiments, the pillow 104 with face cradle may be partially or entirely surrounded by a cover that is separate from the fabric 102 (e.g., resembling a pillowcase). The cover of the pillow 104 may or may not be separable from the pillow 104 to facilitate washing of the cover. In some embodiments, the cover of the pillow 104 may be permanently attached to the fabric 102 (e.g., via sewing, use of an adhesive, or the like). In some embodiments, the cover of the pillow 104 may be removably attached to the fabric 102 (e.g., the cover of the pillow 104 and the fabric 102 may each include a fastener such as a zipper, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snap-fit connectors, or the like, to facilitate removable coupling between the cover of the pillow 104 and the fabric 102).

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, another system 300, or modified towel 300, is shown. The system 300 may include a piece of fabric 302 and a pillow 304 that is removably coupled to the piece of fabric 302. The pillow may include or define a face cradle 306 designed to receive a human face to comfortably support a human head that is facing towards the fabric 302. The fabric 302 may include any fabric such as cotton, linen, polyester, silk, or the like, and may be formed to have any weave, such as a terry weave or a waffle weave. In some embodiments, the fabric 302 may be shaped and sized in a similar manner as a towel, such as a beach towel, and may be designed to be relatively absorbent. The fabric 302 may have any shape or dimension as described above regarding the fabric 102 of FIGS. 1A-1D.

The piece of fabric 302 may have a first, or proximal, end 308 and a second, or distal, end 310. The pillow 304 may be coupled to the fabric 302 at a location that is closer to the first end 308 than the second end 310. The face cradle 306 may have an opening 307 that faces towards the second end 310 when the pillow 304 is coupled to the fabric 302. In that regard, a human resting on the system 300 may lay his torso on the fabric 302 and rest his head in the face cradle 306 of the pillow 304.

The system 300 may further include one or more strap or fastener 312. For example and as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the system 300 may include a first strap 312A and a second strap 312B that are each coupled to the fabric 302. In the embodiment shown, the straps 312 are coupled to the second end 310 of the fabric 302, however, the straps may be coupled to or located on any end or surface of the fabric 302 or pillow 304 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As discussed in further detail below, the straps 312 may be used to retain the fabric 302 and pillow in a folded, compact, shape for transport or storage. The straps 312 may be formed integral, or monolithic, with the fabric 302 or pillow 304, may be permanently coupled to the fabric 302 or pillow 304 (e.g., using adhesive or sewn together), or may be removably coupled to the fabric 302 or pillow 304 (e.g., using removable fasteners such as buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, snap-fit connectors, a zipper, or the like). In some embodiments, the straps 312 may be separate from the fabric 302 and pillow 304 and may be positioned around the folded fabric 302 and pillow 304 for storage or transport.

In some embodiments, the system 300 may include a handle 314. The handle 314 may be coupled to at least one of the fabric 302 or the pillow 304 and may be used to carry the system 300 during transport. The handle 314 may be formed integral, or monolithic, with the fabric 302 or pillow 304, may be permanently coupled to the fabric 302 or pillow 304 (e.g., using adhesive or sewn together), or may be removably coupled to the fabric 302 or pillow 304 (e.g., using removable fasteners such as buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners, snap-fit connectors, a zipper, or the like). The handle 314 may define an opening that allows a user to grab the handle 314 for ease of carrying. In some embodiments, the handle 314 may be separate from the fabric 302 and pillow 304 and may attach to the fabric 302, the pillow 304, or the straps 312 when transport of the system 300 is desired.

In some embodiments, the system 300 may include a pouch or pocket instead of, or in addition to, the handle 314. In that regard, the pouch or pocket may be formed integral with at least one of the fabric 302 or pillow 304, may be permanently coupled to the fabric 302 or pillow 304, or may be removably coupled to the fabric 302 or pillow 304. The pouch or pocket may define a volume (which may or may not be sealed from an environment of the pouch or pocket) which allows items to be stored therein. For example, a user may store a smartphone, a pen and pencil, a laptop, a drink, or the like in the volume of the pouch or pocket. In some embodiments, the pouch or pocket may be formed to be waterproof or water resistant to protect any sensitive objects to be stored therein. In some embodiments, the pouch or pocket may have a similar lining as a cooler to allow the user to store ice and beverages such that the user can enjoy a cold beverage from the pouch or pocket.

In some embodiments, the pillow 304 may include a flap or tab extending away from the pillow 304. For example, the flap or tab 316 may be formed integral with or permanently or removably coupled to a pillowcase 320 that receives the pillow 304. In some embodiments, the flap or tab 316 may be formed integral with or permanently or removably coupled to the pillow 304. The flap or tab 316 may define or include one or more fastener 318 that is designed to mate with a matching fastener 319 positioned on or coupled to the fabric 302. In that regard, the pillow 304 may be removably coupled to the fabric 302 by mating the fastener 318 of the pillow 304 (or pillowcase 320) with the fastener 319 of the fabric 320. In some embodiments, the fastener 318 of the pillow 304 may be directly located on or coupled to the pillow 304 without any flap, may be directly located on or coupled to the pillowcase of the pillow 304 without any flap, or the like. The fasteners 318, 319 may include any fastener that facilitates removable coupling of the pillow 304 to the fabric 302 such as one or more button, a snap-fit connector, hook-and-loop fasteners, a zipper, or one or more elongated member that may be tied to a mating member (e.g., the fastener 318 may include a string that ties to a loop used as the fastener 319).

In some embodiments, the pillow 304 may be removed from the pillowcase 320. This may be useful if, for example, the pillowcase 320 becomes dirty or debris-covered and the user wishes to clean the pillowcase 320. In that regard, the user may remove the pillow 304 from the pillowcase 320 and may clean the pillowcase 320 (e.g., using a washing machine) without risk of damage or harm to the pillow 304.

The fabric 302 may include a first side 322 and a second side 324 that each extend from the first end 308 to the second end 310. The first side 322 may be located opposite the second side 324. Similarly, the fabric 302 may include a first surface 326 and a second surface 328 that are opposite each other and defined within the ends 308, 310 and the sides 322, 324. The pillow 304 may be designed to be coupled to the first surface 326 of the fabric 302. In that regard, the fabric 302 may be spread out and placed such that the second surface 308 of the fabric 302 rests on a surface (e.g., sand at a beach), and the user may rest on the first surface 326 of the fabric while resting his head on the pillow 304.

As mentioned above, the straps 312 are usable to retain the fabric 302 and pillow 304 in a folded, compact, shape. For example and as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, the sides 322, 324 may be folded along a length of the fabric 302 such each of the sides covers a portion of the pillow 304 and a portion of the first surface 326 of the fabric 302. In some embodiments, the handle 314 may be designed to be exposed at this point. In some embodiments, a strap may be used in place of the handle 314 to retain the pillow 304 in place within the folded fabric 302 (e.g., the strap may extend around the fabric 302 and pillow 304 while the system 300 is in the position shown in FIG. 3C). By folding in this manner, the first surface 326 of the fabric 302 is fully enclosed within the folded fabric 302 and just the second surface 328 is exposed, thus reducing the likelihood of dirt or debris reaching the first surface 326 (on which the user lays).

After folding the sides 322, 324 along the length of the fabric, the first end 308 may be folded over the pillow 304 as shown in FIG. 3C. The fabric 302 with the pillow 304 may be again folded towards the second end 310 one or more additional times until the fabric 302 and pillow 304 are in a folded, compact shape as shown in FIG. 3D. When the fabric 302 and pillow 304 are folded together into the compact shape, the straps 312 may be extended around a circumference of the compact shape comprising the fabric 302 and pillow 304.

After extending around the circumference, the straps 312 may be fastened to at least one of other locations on the straps 312, one or more location on the fabric 302, or one or more location on the pillow 304 to retain the fabric 302 and pillow 304 in the compact shape. For example, the straps 312 may include hooks of hook-and-loop fasteners on a first end (distal from the fabric 302) and loops of hook-and-loop fasteners on a second end (proximate to the fabric 302) such that the hooks and loops retain the strap in place, thus restraining the fabric 302 and pillow 304 in the folded, compact shape. In some embodiments, the straps 312 may include hooks that are designed to interface with loops defined by the fabric 302 (e.g., loops of a terry weave). In some embodiments, the straps 312 (and fabric 302 or pillow 304) may include any other removable fasteners such as buttons, snap-fit connectors, zippers, or the like. In some embodiments, the straps 312 may be tied together in a knot around the fabric 302 and pillow 304 to retain the fabric 302 and pillow 304 in the compact shape.

In some embodiments, alternatives to the straps 312 may be used to retain the fabric 302 and pillow 304 in a folded, compact shape. For example, the fabric 302 may include two sets of fasteners that are designed to mate with each other to retain the fabric 302 in a folded shape (e.g., one fastener may be located at the first end 308 of the fabric 302 and another at the second end 310 such that the two fasteners may be connected together when the fabric 302 and pillow 304 are folded). As another example, an elastic band may be coupled to the fabric 302 and may be manipulated to extend around the fabric 302 and pillow 304 to retain the fabric 302 and pillow 304 in a folded, compact shape. Any additional fasteners or fastener means may be used for this purpose without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, another system, or modified towel, 400 is shown. The modified towel 400 may include similar features as the modified towel 300 of FIGS. 3A-3D. For example, the modified towel 400 includes a piece of fabric 402 with a pillow 404 coupled thereto. The fabric 402 includes a first surface 426 on which a user 405 lays and a second surface 428 designed to rest on an external surface (e.g., sand, dirt, grass, a chair, or the like). As shown in FIG. 4A, the modified towel 400 is of a sufficient size to allow at least a full torso of a user 405 to rest only on the fabric 402. As also shown in FIG. 4D, the pillow 404 is removably coupled to the fabric 402 using fasteners 418 on at least one of the pillow 404 (or pillowcase of the pillow 404) and fabric 402 (e.g., buttons, snap-fit connectors, hook-and-loop fasteners, a zipper, or the like).

FIG. 4B illustrates the modified towel 400 in a folded, compact shape. As shown, only the second surface 428 of the fabric 402 is exposed when the modified towel 400 is in the folded shape to reduce the likelihood of dirt or debris collecting on the first surface 426. Furthermore, for both the modified towel 400 and the modified towel 300 of FIGS. 3A-3D, the pillow 404 (304) is also fully enclosed within the fabric 402 (302) when the system 400 (300) is in the folded, compact shape, thus reducing the likelihood of dirt or debris reaching or collecting on the pillow 404 (304).

As also shown, straps 412 (412A, 412B) extend around the folded, compact fabric 402 and pillow 404 and removably couple to other locations on the straps 412 to retain the straps 412 in place around the fabric 402 and pillow 404. As shown in FIG. 4B, the folded, compact shape is significantly smaller and more compact than the unfolded shape that is shown in FIG. 4A, thus allowing for ease of transport and storage in a relatively small area. The modified towel 400 differs from the modified towel 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B because the modified towel 400 lacks a handle. However, as shown in FIG. 4B, a user may grasp the straps 412 while they extend around the fabric 402 and pillow 404 to use the straps 412 as a handle. In some embodiments, one of the straps 412 may be loosened such that it may be used as a shoulder strap instead of a retention mechanism for the fabric 402 and pillow 404.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a pillow 500 may be used with a system similar to the system 100, 300, or 400. The pillow 500 may include or define a face cradle that receives a human face. Differing from the other pillows shown herein, the pillow 500 may include a handle 502 coupled thereto. The handle 502 may be coupled to at least one of the pillow 500 or a pillowcase surrounding the pillow 500. The handle 502 may be formed integral with the pillow 500 or pillowcase, may be permanently coupled to the pillow 500 or pillowcase, may be removably coupled to the pillow 500 or pillowcase, or the like. For example, at least one of the pillow 500 or pillowcase coupled thereto may include one or more fasteners 504 (e.g., buttons, snap-fit connectors, threading, zippers, or the like) used to mate with corresponding fasteners of the handle 502. When the pillow 500 is used with a corresponding fabric, the fabric may be folded about the pillow 500 in such a way that the handle 502 remains exposed (e.g., is not enclosed within the folded fabric). In that regard, the user may carry the folded combined fabric with pillow 500 using the handle 502 coupled to the pillow 500.

Turning to FIG. 6, a pillow 600 may include a pouch or pocket 602 coupled to the pillow 600 or to a pillowcase enclosing the pillow 600. For example, the pouch or pocket 602 may be formed using any material and may be formed integral with the pillow 600 or pillowcase, may be removably coupled to the pillow 600 or pillowcase, may be removably coupled to the pillow 600 or pillowcase, or the like. The pouch or pocket 602 may be sealable (e.g., using buttons, a zipper, or the like) or remain unsealed. The pouch or pocket 602 may be used to store objects by a user of the respective system, such as a smartphone, credit cards, cash, or the like. The pillow 600 may be used in place of any other pillow described herein, and the pouch or pocket 602 may be enclosed within the respective fabric when the fabric and pillow 600 are in the folded, compact shape. In that regard, the pouch or pocket 602 remains unexposed during transport and storage of the fabric and pillow 600, thus reducing the likelihood of theft of any objects stored therein.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, another system 700 may include a piece of fabric 702 and a pillow 704 coupled thereto. The piece of fabric 702 may define a volume 708 and may include an opening 706 from an environment of the fabric 702 to the volume 708. In that regard, the pillow 704 may be placed through the opening 706 into the volume 708. In some embodiments, the opening 706 may or may not be sealable (e.g., using fasteners such as buttons, snap-fit connectors, zippers, or the like) to enclose the pillow 704 within the volume 708. The pillow 704 may be positioned within the volume 708 during use of the system 700, and may be removed from the volume 708 during transport or storage of the system 700 or to wash the fabric 702. Because the pillow 704 is not exposed during use of the system 700, the pillow 704 is likely remain clean such that only the fabric 702 may require cleaning.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a method 800 for using a modified towel, as described herein and including a piece of fabric and a pillow coupled thereto, is shown. The blocks of the method 800 may be performed in any order and are not limited to only the order shown in FIG. 8. In block 802, the system may be transported to a desired location for use. For example, the system may be carried onto public transportation, transported in a car, carried by a user while walking, or the like. The location of use may include any desired location such as a swimming pool, a beach, a field, a yard, or the like. The system may be retained in a folded, compact shape, and may be carried by the user using a handle or shoulder strap.

In block 804, any straps or fasteners that are retaining the system in a folded, compact shape may be unfastened, and in block 806 the fabric may be unfolded into a fully open position. In block 808, the pillow (or pillowcase thereof) may be coupled to the fabric, if not already coupled together. For example, fasteners may be used to couple the pillow to the fabric, the pillow may be inserted into a volume defined by the fabric, or the like. In block 810, the user may place the fabric and pillow on a surface and rest on the fabric and pillow.

In block 812, when the user is ready to leave the location, the user may fold the fabric and the pillow into a compact shape. For example, the fabric and pillow may be folded into a compact shape as shown in FIG. 3D. In block 814, one or more strap or fastener may be used to retain the fabric and pillow in the folded, compact shape. Where used herein, a strap may be considered a form of fastener. In block 816, the fabric and pillow may be transported to another location (e.g., a home or hotel room) for storage.

In some embodiments, the user may wish to clean the system. In that regard and in block 818, the user may separate the pillow from any pillowcase and from the fabric. In block 820, the pillowcase and fabric may be washed (e.g., using a washing machine). In block 822, the pillow may be reattached to the clean fabric (and pillowcase, if present), the fabric and pillow may be folded into a compact shape, and one or more strap or fastener may be fastened around the compact shape to retain the fabric and pillow in place.

In some embodiments, a pillow with a face cradle (e.g., similar to the pillow 104 discussed above with the face cradle 106 discussed above) may be provided separately from a towel. For example, the pillow may include a foam (e.g., memory foam or another foam), may include a cover stuffed with material (e.g., a cotton cover stuffed with down, shredded foam, or the like). In some embodiments, the pillow with face cradle may be inflatable, as described above. In some embodiments, the separate pillow with face cradle may include a separate removable cover. For example, the cover may define an opening into which the pillow may be received. In some embodiments, the opening may be sealable (e.g., via a zipper, button, or the like). The cover may be removed from the pillow with face cradle to facilitate easy washing (e.g., in a washing machine), and the pillow may be reinserted after the cover is clean.

Where used throughout the specification and the claims, “at least one of A or B” includes “A” only, “B” only, or “A and B.” Furthermore, “at least one of A and B” includes “A” only, “B” only, or “A and B.” Exemplary embodiments of the methods/systems have been disclosed in an illustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughout should be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications to the teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, it shall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within the scope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments that reasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art hereby contributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FABRIC WITH ATTACHED PILLOW

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