Patent Application
20190104816
The present invention relates to a towel bag combination and, more particularly, to a towel bag that folds to become a bag and unfolds to become a towel.
When a person is going to the beach or pool, the person fills a bag with items needed for the outing. For example, the user may carry towels, extra clothes, footwear, phones, wallets, money, keys, sunscreen, food and beverages, toys and the like. However, it is desirable to carry as little items as possible.
As can be seen, there is a need for a towel bag that folds to become a bag and unfolds to become a towel.
In one aspect of the present invention, a towel bag apparatus comprises: a towel made of a liquid absorbent material, the towel comprising: an upper surface; a lower surface opposite the upper surface; a first side edge along a width of the towel; a second side edge opposite the first side edge; a third side edge along a length of the towel; and a fourth side edge opposite the third side edge, wherein a plurality of openings are formed through the towel along the third side edge, and a plurality of openings are formed through the towel along a first half of the fourth side edge; and a plurality of connectors attached to the upper surface of the towel along a second half of the fourth side edge, wherein the towel bag comprises a folded bag mode and an unfolded towel mode, the folded bag mode comprising the length of the towel folded in half and the width of the towel folded in half, wherein the connectors are disposed through the plurality of openings, retaining the towel in the folded bag mode, and the unfolded towel mode comprising the connectors outside of the plurality of openings and the towel unfolded.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention includes a bag that converts to beach towel and vice versa. When a user is going to the beach or pool, the user may fill the bag with items needed for the outing, carry the bag as if a purse or messenger bag, unfold the bag, and use it as a beach towel.
Referring to
The towel 14 includes an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, a first side edge along a width of the towel 14, a second side edge opposite the first side edge, a third side edge along a length of the towel, and a fourth side edge opposite the third side edge. The side edges together form a rectangular or square shape. A plurality of openings 24 are formed through the towel 14 along the third side edge, and a plurality of openings 24 are formed through the towel 14 along a first half of the fourth side edge. A plurality of connectors 20, 22 are attached to the upper surface of the towel 14 along a second half of the fourth side edge.
The towel bag 10 includes a folded bag mode and an unfolded towel mode. The folded bag mode includes the length of the towel folded in half and the width of the towel folded in half. The connectors 20, 22 are disposed through the plurality of openings 24 retaining the towel 14 in the folded bag mode. The user may place items within the folded bag mode and thereby use the towel 14 as a bag. The unfolded towel mode includes the connectors 20, 22 outside of the plurality of openings and the towel 14 unfolded. The user may place the towel 14 on a beach chair, ground, sand or the like. The user may further dry themselves off using the towel 14 in the unfolded towel mode.
In certain embodiments, an amount of the plurality of openings 24 formed through the towel 14 along the third side edge is double an amount of the plurality of openings 24 formed through the towel along the fourth side edge, and an amount of the plurality of openings 24 formed through the towel along the fourth side edge is equal to an amount of connectors 20, 22. For example, the plurality of openings 24 formed through the towel 14 along the third side edge is eight openings 24, the plurality of openings 24 formed through the towel 14 along the fourth side edge is four openings 24, and the plurality of connectors 20, 22 is four connectors 20, 22.
In certain embodiments, each of the plurality of connectors 20, 22 includes a cord 22 stitched to the upper surface of the towel 14 and a toggle 20 attached to the cord 22. The cord 22 may be an elastic cord and have a rubber elasticity. The length of the towel 14 is folded in half and the toggles 20 are inserted through the openings 24 formed along the fourth side edge. The width of the towel 14 is then folded in half and the toggles 20 are inserted through openings 24 formed along a first half of the third side edge and then inserted through openings 24 formed along a second half of the third side. The connectors 20, 22 are not limited to the cord 22 and toggle 20, and may include tie strings, clips, buttons and the like.
The towel bag 10 of the present invention may further include a handle 12. The handle 12 of the present invention may include a strap having a first end and a second end each stitched to the inner or outer surface of the towel 14. The stitched strap forms a loop which forms the handle 12. The handle 12 may protrude beyond the first side edge of the towel 14. Therefore, when the towel 14 is folded into the folded bag mode, a user may carry the bag using the handle 12.
The present invention may further include at least one pocket 16. The pocket 16 may be a rectangular or square sheet stitched to the inner surface of the towel 14 on three edges, leaving an edge unstitched, thereby forming an opening leading into the pocket 14. The pocket 14 may be placed near the first side edge of the towel 14 and may be used to store smaller items, such as keys, a wallet and a phone, in a hidden location. As illustrated in the Figures, the present invention may include a pair of pockets 14. However, the present invention may include one pocket or more than two pockets 14.
In certain embodiments, the present invention further include a piping 18 stitched into the towel 14 along the first side edge, the second side edge, the third side edge, and the fourth side edge. The piping 18 may be tubular and may include rounded corners. The piping 18 further defines the shape of the towel 14 of present invention.
To use the present invention as a bag, the length of the towel 14 is folded in half so that the openings 24 the first half of the third side edge align with the openings 24 of the second half of the third side edge and the connectors 20,22 align with the openings 24 of the fourth side edge. The connectors 20, 22 are inserted through the openings 24 formed along the fourth side edge. The width of the towel 14 is then folded in half so that the connectors 20, 22 are aligned with the openings 24 of the first half and the openings 24 of the second half of the third side edge. The connectors 20, 22 are then inserted through the openings 24 formed along the first half of the third side edge and then inserted through openings 24 formed along the second half of the third side edge. The connectors 20, 22 fix the present invention as a bag. To use the present invention as a towel, the connectors 20, 22 are removed from the openings 24 and the towel is unfolded.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
