ITEM-CONTAINING PILLOW

Abstract

A pillow that contains an item, such as a gift, wherein the pillow can be opened to access the gift. The pillow includes an aesthetic external appearance. This appearance may be provided by a printed covering that is disposed on the outside surface of the pillow. The pillow preferably includes one or more closure mechanisms, such as one or more zippers. Tethers may be provided on the closure mechanism(s), and piping may be included on the covering. The piping not only effectively hides the teeth of the closure mechanism (s), but also improves the look and style of the exterior of the pillow. A flap and tassels may instead be provided on the pillow. Given that the pillow is configured to contain an item, is configured to be opened to remove the item, is configured to be closed once the item has been removed, and has a decorative external appearance and/or brand recognition appearance, the pillow is unique in that it doubles as both packaging and a throw pillow useable after the item has been removed.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to pillows, and more specifically relates to a pillow configured to contain an item, such as a gift, and be used for decorative purposes and/or brand recognition purposes after the item is removed from the pillow.

Typically, gifts are presented to the recipient using standard, inexpensive boxes. Alternatively, elaborate boxes are used, such as wooden boxes. Regardless, in each case, the boxes are typically wrapped with wrapping paper. The wrapping paper often has an image thereon which symbolizes the occasion for which the gift is being given. For example, the wrapping paper may be Christmas-themed, birthday-themed, wedding-themed, etc. To open the gift, the wrapping paper is torn away from the box and after the gift is removed from the box, the wrapping paper is discarded (oftentimes along with the box, especially if the box is a standard, inexpensive box).

Sometimes, gift bags are used instead of boxes. This is especially true if the gift is a bottle of wine. If a gift bag is used, usually tissue paper is in the bag along with the gift itself Again, the gift bag and tissue paper are both meant to be discarded by the gift recipient after the gift is received.

As such, gift giving results in waste as a result of wrapping paper, boxes, tissue paper, etc. being discarded by the recipient after the gift has been received.

With regard to pillows, pillows are often used under one's head to promote sleep. Some pillows are called “throw pillows.” Throw pillows have a decorative appearance and are meant to be placed on a sofa, armchair, bed, etc. for aesthetic purposes (i.e., in order to provide decoration). Pillows typically have stuffing inside and are stitched or otherwise sealed in order to prevent the stuffing from falling out of the pillow. In other words, conventional pillows are configured to be closed structures and are not configured to be opened in any way.

Pillows serve a specific purpose—a purpose not related to gift wrapping or the giving of gifts.

SUMMARY

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide An item-containing pillow, specifically a pillow having a cavity on the inside of the pillow which is configured to contain a item, such as a gift.

Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide item packaging that is meant to be reusable, specifically in the form of a decorative throw pillow.

Still another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a pillow that is configured to be opened easily in order to freely access and retrieve an item, such as a gift, that is contained inside the pillow.

Yet another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide up-scale, unique packaging for an item, such as a gift, that not only is effectively the item or gift wrapping, but which can thereafter be used as decor around a household or business and/or for brand recognition purposes.

Briefly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pillow configured to contain an item, such as a gift. Specifically, the pillow preferably includes a core that provides a cavity, and the item is contained in the cavity. The pillow is configured to be easily opened to access the item. To that end, the pillow includes a hinge on one side, along a portion of its perimeter (when closed). Preferably, an external surface of the pillow has a decorative or otherwise aesthetic appearance and/or an appearance that promotes brand recognition. This appearance may be provided by a printed fabric or other type of covering that is disposed on the outside surface of the pillow. One or more closure mechanisms, such as zippers, may be provided along the perimeter of the pillow, except perhaps along the portion of the perimeter that is hinged. Tethers may be provided on the closure mechanism (s), and piping may be included on the fabric. Specifically, the piping may be provided along the perimeter of the pillow, proximate the travel path of the closure mechanism (s). The piping not only effectively hides the closure mechanism(s), but also improves the look and style of the exterior of the pillow. Given that the pillow is configured to contain an item, such as a gift, inside the pillow, is configured to be opened to remove the item, is configured to be closed once the item has been removed, and has a decorative external appearance, the pillow is unique in that it doubles as both packaging and a throw pillow useable after the item has been removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a gift pillow which in in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of zippers of the gift pillow shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of one side of a core of the gift pillow shown in FIG. 1, showing the core in the open condition;

FIG. 4 shows the core being closed, by pivoting two halves of the core along a hinge;

FIG. 5 shows the core in the closed condition, after two halves of the core have been pivoted along the hinge;

FIG. 6 is a view that is similar to FIG. 3, but shows the opposite side of the core;

FIG. 7 shows tenders of the gift pillow;

FIG. 8 shows piping of the gift pillow;

FIGS. 9A through 9E show other embodiments of the cavity provided in the core; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a pillow which includes a flap and tassels.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention is an item-containing pillow 10. As will be described in more detail hereinbelow, the pillow 10 provides packaging that is meant to be reusable, specifically in the form of a decorative (or brand-themed) throw pillow. The pillow 10 is also configured to be opened easily in order to freely access and retrieve an item that is contained inside the pillow. The pillow 10 also provides up-scale, unique packaging for a item that not only is effectively the packaging, but which can thereafter be used as decor around a household or business.

As will be described more fully hereinbelow, the pillow 10 preferably can be opened and closed. As shown in FIG. 2, the pillow 10 preferably includes one or more closure mechanisms, such as zippers 12, which can be used to secure the pillow 10 closed when the pillow 10 is in the closed position.

The pillow 10 includes a core 14 as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, FIG. 3 shows one side 16 of the core 14, with the core 14 being shown in the open position, before being pivoted into the closed position along a hinge 18 of the core 14. As shown, the core 14 preferably includes two halves 20, 22—one half 20, 22 on each side of the hinge 18—and preferably each half 20, 22 is generally identical. Preferably, each half 20, 22 includes a recess 24 and when the core 14 is closed along the hinge 18, the two recesses 24 face each other and cooperate to form a cavity (i.e., the two 24's mated together) for containing an item. As shown in FIG. 3, one possibility is for the recesses 24 to be shaped such that when the core 14 is closed along the hinge 18, the two recesses 24 come together to form the shape of a bottle of alcohol such as wine. Hence, the pillow 10 can be used to contain a bottle of alcohol, such as wine (for example, for gift-giving). Other shapes are entirely possible while staying fully within the scope of the present invention, as will be described more fully hereinbelow.

FIG. 4 shows the core 14 being closed by pivoting the two halves 20, 22 together along the hinge 18, while FIG. 5 shows the core 14 in the closed condition. FIG. 6 is a view that is similar to FIG. 3, but shows the opposite side 26 of the core 14. For simplicity and ease of understanding, a fabric 30 on the external surface of the pillow 10 (shown in FIG. 1), i.e., generally on the outer surface 26 of the core 14, is omitted from many of the other Figures.

Regarding the core 14, the core 14 can be made of PUR foam that is poured into a mold, allowed to cure, and then removed. However, other materials can be used.

Regarding the external surface 32 (see FIG. 1) of the pillow 10, a decorative, printed fabric 30 (or a fabric having a brand recognition appearance) can be stretched over the outside surface 26 of the core 14 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). As shown in FIG. 7, tethers 34 may be provided on the closure mechanism (s). As shown in FIG. 8, piping 36 may be included on the fabric 30. The piping 36 not only effectively hides, for example the teeth 13 of zipper(s) 12, but also improves the look and style of the exterior of the pillow 10. Similarly, FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a pillow which includes a flap 50 that hides the teeth 13 of the zipper(s) 12, and there are tassels 52 which are connected to the flap 50 to give the pillow a more decorative appearance.

FIG. 1 shows the pillow 10 in the closed condition, after the core 14 has been formed, the fabric 30 stretched along the outside 26 of the core 14, a gift (i.e., a bottle of alcohol, such as wine) placed in one of the recesses 34 (see FIG. 3) of the core 14, the pillow 10 pivoted closed along the hinge 18 of the core 14 (see FIG. 4), and the pillow 10 secured shut using the one or more closure mechanisms (such as zipper 12) on the pillow 10 (see FIG. 2).

While FIG. 1 shows one version of a decorative fabric 30 that can be used, really any version is possible. For example, the fabric can be Christmas-themed, birthday-themed, wedding-themed, sports-themed, alcohol brand-themed, etc. In reality, the possibilities are endless.

To open the pillow 10 and access the item inside, the closure mechanism 12 is opened and two halves 20, 22 of the pillow are pivoted apart along the hinge 18. After that, the item can be easily accessed and removed from the pillow 10. Once the item has been removed, the pillow 10 can be pivoted closed, secured shut, and thereafter used for decoration and/or brand recognition.

As mentioned, piping 36 may be provided on the pillow 10 (see FIG. 8), such as along the perimeter of the pillow 10 (when the pillow is closed, as shown in FIG. 1), proximate the travel path of the closure mechanism (s) 12. The piping 36 not only effectively hides the closure mechanism, such as the teeth 13 of a zipper 12, but also improves the look and style of the exterior of the pillow 10.

Given that the pillow 10 is configured to contain an item, such as a gift, inside the pillow 10, is configured to be opened to remove the item, is configured to be closed once the item has been removed, and has a decorative external appearance, the pillow 10 is unique in that it doubles as both packaging and a throw pillow useable after the item has been received.

As discussed hereinabove, the pillow 10 includes a hinge 18 (see FIG. 4). The hinge is preferably provided on one side of the pillow, along a portion of its perimeter (when closed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5).

While it has been discussed that a printed fabric 30 an be stretched over the outside surface 26 of the pillow 10, the external surface of the pillow can be provided with an aesthetic, external appearance using other means. Furthermore, instead of being stretched over the outside surface of the pillow 10, the decorative fabric 30 can instead be positioned in a mold such that the fabric 30 becomes molded to the core 14.

Additionally, instead of PUR foam still other materials can be used for the core 14 without straying from the scope of the present invention. Specifically, the pillow 10 may use any materials traditionally found in pillows used on couches, sofas, chairs, etc.

While the core 14 was described as having a cavity configured to contain a bottle of alcohol, such as wine, still other variations are entirely possible. Some of those variations are shown in FIGS. 9A through 9E, such as a two bottle version (FIG. 9A), a three bottle version (FIG. 9B), a one bottle version with a different orientation (FIG. 9C), a square (FIG. 9D) or a rectangle (FIG. 9E). Still other versions are possible and the possibilities and effectively endless.

The pillow 10 can be really any size, such as 16 inches by 16 inches square, with a depth of 8 inches in the center of the pillow 10 (i.e., at point 40 shown in FIG. 5). The pillow 10 can instead be 16 inches by 8 inches rectangular, with a depth of 8 inches in the center 40 of the pillow 10. Still another possibility is that the pillow 10 is 16 inches by 20 inches rectangular, with a depth of 8 inches in the center 40 of the pillow 10. Really, any size is possible (i.e., basically depending on the gift that is meant to be contained in the pillow).

As discussed above, the pillow 10 can be configured to hold one or more bottles of, for example, alcohol therein. The fabric 30 of the pillow 10 can be branded similar to the brand of the bottle(s) of alcohol. In other words, the brand displayed on the outside of the pillow 10 may match the brand of the product on the inside of the pillow 10. In effect, this can create a new market segment for packaging, herein creatively called “functional packaging.” The pillow 10 is protection for the product contained inside while providing a decorative gift box and possible product branding. Product brands can sell their product and ship their products within the pillow 10. Once the functional package (i.e., the pillow 10) has been received, opened and product removed, there now comes a marketing/branding opportunity for the functional packaging to become a “branding” opportunity for the product. For example, if the pillow 10 arrives with a bottle of “Brand X” scotch in it, the fabric 30 of the pillow 10 will have the “Brand X” logo thereon. When the pillow 10 is used by the consumer as a throw pillow, “Brand X” gets continued advertisement/marketing of their brand.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pillow comprising: a core that provides a cavity, wherein the pillow comprises a perimeter when closed, said perimeter having a side, wherein the pillow comprises a hinge on said side, wherein the pillow is openable along the hinge to access the cavity in the core.

2. A pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the pillow is configured to contain an item in the cavity, wherein the item is accessible by opening the pillow along the hinge.

3. A pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the pillow comprises an outer surface, wherein a covering is on the outer surface of the pillow.

4. A pillow as recited in claim 3, wherein at least one closure mechanism is on the covering.

5. A pillow as recited in claim 4, further comprising a tether on the at least one closure mechanism.

6. A pillow as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one closure mechanism is provided along the perimeter of the pillow but not along at least a majority of a length of the hinge.

7. A pillow as recited in claim 3, further comprising piping on the covering.

8. A pillow as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one closure mechanism is on the covering, wherein the piping is provided along the perimeter of the pillow, proximate a travel path of the at least one closure mechanism.

9. A pillow as recited in claim 7, wherein at least one closure mechanism is on the covering, wherein the piping hides teeth of the at least one closure mechanism.

10. A pillow as recited in claim 3, further comprising a flap on the covering.

11. A pillow as recited in claim 10, wherein at least one closure mechanism is on the covering, wherein the flap is provided along the perimeter of the pillow, proximate a travel path of the at least one closure mechanism.

12. A pillow as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one closure mechanism is on the covering, wherein the flap hides teeth of the at least one closure mechanism.

13. A pillow as recited in claim 10, further comprising at least one tassel connected to the flap.

14. A pillow as recited in claim 11, further comprising at least one tassel connected to the flap.

15. A pillow as recited in claim 12, further comprising at least one tassel connected to the flap.

16. A pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the core comprises a first half having a first recess and second half having a second recess, wherein the first half and second half of the core come together such that the first recess and the second recess come together to form said cavity when said pillow is closed along the hinge.

17. A pillow as recited in claim 1, wherein the pillow comprises an outer surface, wherein a covering is on the outer surface of the pillow, wherein the covering has either a decorative appearance and/or relates to one or more brands.