Vanity Pillow

Abstract

A vanity pillow for absorption of liquids, catch of personal-cleaning scatter or splatter, and wipe or cleanup of cosmetics applicators and other personal-hygiene implements is disclosed. The pillow includes a hollow tubular pillow case receptacle having a tubular pillow positioned within to form a ring around the edge of a sink or basin in a bathroom or vanity. Both pillow and pillow case are of absorbent material(s) which are machine-washable. A plurality of fabric fringes may be arranged along the length of the vanity pillow to enhance its absorbency and ability to easily wipe or clean personal-care implements. Pocket(s) may be provided upon the pillow case for accessory storage. Added cleanup cloth material may be provided at the ends of the tubular pillow case to allow for manual cleanup.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an absorbent personal care and cleaning product for prevention and clean-up of spills and/or stains occurring in the course of personal-hygiene activities such as face- or hand-washing, (face or neck) shaving, flossing or brushing teeth, and application and cleanup of cosmetics, and more particularly to an absorbent, machine-washable pillow and pillow case which may surround the sink of a bathroom vanity at which such activities may be conducted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personal-hygiene activities such as face- or hand-washing, (face or neck) shaving, flossing or brushing teeth, and application and cleanup of cosmetics, which activities generally are conducted over or at a vanity sink or freestanding lavatory bowl, may result in spillage or scattering of water, personal-care products, or other detritus on or around the rim of the sink or vanity countertop. These spills and scatters require cleanup, at times painstaking, involving at the very least wipe-up with plain water and, depending on necessity, possible use of separate bathroom-cleaning products or even vacuuming.

Also, in the process of skin care and cosmetic makeup application, cosmetics are applied through use of brushes, pads, and other applicators. Generally, the cosmetics applied are highly viscous, such as foundation, concealer, or mascara, or comprised of a fine particles, such as blush or powder. After application any remaining cosmetics are normally left upon the applicators which can lead to caking of the cosmetics, which decreases the ease and effectiveness of future application of cosmetics with the applicator. In many cases, a cleaning agent is required to be applied to the applicators in order to remove any caked on excess cosmetics to return the applicator to working order. This is a time-consuming process which adds to the period required for cosmetics application.

In some cases, a towel or other cloth material is used for wiping of applicators to remove any excess cosmetics, as well as for cleaning up any spills or scatter which may occur on or around a sink or basin. Generally speaking, towels or other cloth materials for which staining and wipe-up are acceptable uses are typically not also suitable for decorative display in the lavatory. They may be capable of cleaning up some of a liquid spill, but excess may not be adequately contained to prevent spread beyond the vanity. Further, spills of dry materials, such as powdered makeups, cannot be adequately absorbed or contained in the fibers of a towel. Rather, use of a towel to clean up detritus usually involves wetting the towel first to create a wet mixture of the dry product, which in turn can spread the spill further in a paste or liquid form about the vanity space. Wetting such typically dry materials also increases the chances of causing stain formation in vulnerable vanity linens. Due to the poor ability of towels to address the cleanup needs of spills and scatters around a vanity, there is an increased risk of such unwanted materials accidentally coming into contact with purely decorative lavatory linens, transferring the adherent cosmetics, and thus ruining them.

At present, existent means for maintaining a vanity area from spillage or scattering of liquids and detritus on or around the rim of a sink or freestanding bowl is disadvantageous as it requires additional time and effort in cleanup without a means which may be conveniently implemented at the time of the spill in and around the area of a vanity sink with the necessary ability to clean up both the area of the sink as well as cosmetics applicators. Thus, a means to ensure the cleanliness, with reasonable effort and minimum time, of the sink or bowl as well as personal-care products is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an absorbent, machine-washable, personal-care vanity pillow and pillow case product comprising a tubular fabric pillow and pillow case having a suitable shape to accommodate the shape and surround a sink, basin, or face bowl in a personal vanity, bathroom, or kitchen (hereafter, “vanity”). This vanity pillow device acts as an absorbent buffer positioned around the mouth of a vanity being useful for use with performance of personal-care and hygiene activities in the immediate area of a vanity. Such activities including, but not limited to, face- or hand-washing, face and neck shaving, flossing or brushing teeth, application and cleanup of cosmetics, and cleanup of splatters and drips. In use the vanity pillow will aid in preventing development of stains in the immediate area of the vanity and avoiding buildup of unwanted, caked-on materials requiring additional cleanup in the area of the vanity by acting as an absorbent barrier surrounding the vanity.

The fabric of the pillow case of the vanity pillow product can be provided in any combination of material type(s), such as but not limited to cotton, cotton blends, silk, and linen, which facilitates absorbing and/or catching spills, splatters, or scatters occurring during personal-care activities, and may be used for intentional wipe-up of cosmetics applicators, brushes, clippers, combs, and other personal-care devices. The pillow case may be further provided with a plurality of ridges having tufts of fringed fabric material to provide greater surface area for absorption of liquids and collection of detritus. As well, the pillow case may be further equipped with pockets for the placement and storage of cosmetic and personal hygiene accessories and dab cloths extending from the ends of the pillow case to allow for manual cleanup when necessary.

The tubular pillow portion of the present invention may be composed of an outer covering made of water and mildew resistant material, such as 100% cotton canvas duck cloth, with an inner portion hypoallergenic stuffing, such as 100% polyester batting. The tubular pillow may be positioned and contained within the provided pillow case by use of a closure wherein the shape and elasticity of the pillow case will retain the (often) ovoid shape of the pillow. Fasteners may be provided to attach the ends of the pillow case in a desired position around a sink or basin.

Placement of the vanity pillow around a sink or basin is advantageous as it helps prevent the escape of liquids and other unwanted scatter of materials onto or around the sink or basin rim; provides a convenient space-saving means of cleaning off or wiping hands, cosmetic applicators, brushes, clippers, combs, and other personal-care devices; and allows a user to rest arms or elbows on a soft, absorbent surface while performing personal-care or hygienic tasks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vanity pillow.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vanity pillow of FIG. 1 with the internal tubular pillow removed from the pillow case.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view, along the vertical axis, of the vanity pillow of FIG. 1 depicting the internal makeup of the internal tubular pillow.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the vanity pillow depicting cleanup tabs and an integrated accessory pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 & 2, there is shown the vanity pillow 10 of Applicant's invention. The vanity pillow 10 is comprised of an elongate tubular pillow case 12 surrounding an elongate tubular pillow 14. Tubular pillow 14 in turn is formed in an ovoid or circular configuration similar to the shape of conventional bathroom and vanity sinks. The ovoid or circular shape of pillow 14 allows for vanity pillow 10 to surround and hug the edge of a sink or basin. Pillow case 12 may be provided with a closure 18, such as that of Velcro, buttons, or a zipper, to allow for the insertion of pillow 14 within pillow case 12 and the fastening of pillow 14 within. Closure 18 may run the length of pillow case 12 or may be positioned at one or both end 13a and/or 13b, of pillow case 12. With tubular pillow 14 fed within pillow case 12, the vanity pillow 10 will form a suitable shape to accommodate the shape and surround a sink, basin, or face bowl in a personal vanity, bathroom, or kitchen.

Pillow case 12 is comprised of a suitable absorbent, machine-washable fabric material to provide a surface for upon which any spillage of liquid and solid detritus may be absorbed and captured and where a user may wipe and clean any personal hygiene products. Such absorbent materials may include, but are not limited to, 100% cotton, polyester, fleece, felt, canvas, muslin, or other type of fabric or combination thereof. Pillow case 12 may further be formed with a plurality of fringe rows 16 of ridges of projecting tufts of fringed fabric. The added tufts of fringed fabric material of fringe rows 16 provide for greater surface area for contacting wiped personal hygiene applicators for collection of liquids and detritus.

Now referring to FIG. 3 depicting a cross section view of tubular pillow 14, tubular pillow 14 is composed of an outer covering 15 of a non-absorbent material to resist mold and mildew, such as 100% cotton duck cloth, with an inner stuffing 17 of a hypoallergenic batting, such as 100% polyester, microbeads, foam, down, wool, buckwheat, lavender, hemp or other absorbent, machine-washable filling material so as to be pliable and allow for vanity pillow 10 to adjust and accommodate the shape of the sink or basin around which the vanity pillow 10 is to be affixed. It is advantageous that outer covering 15 be of a non-absorbent material so that there is no need for frequent washing of tubular pillow 14.

In the event of a spill, the spill will be captured upon the absorbent material of pillow case 12, wherein any dampness that might be present will be kept upon the non-absorbent outer surface 15 of tubular pillow 14. For cleanup, the tubular pillow 14 may be removed from pillow case 12 by opening closure 18 and removing pillow 14. Pillow case 12 may then be washed and any dampness which may remain on tubular pillow 14 will quickly dry on outer cover 15.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, pillow case 12 may be configured with tabs 20 at each end 13a, 13b. Each tab 20 may be provided with a clasp 22 to attach ends 13a, 13b of tabs 20 to each other and form and hold the vanity pillow 10 around a desired sink or basin. Clasps 22 may be connected by tying each tab together or may be attached by Velcro, a button and hole arrangement, hook and catch, or other clasping means conventional in the art. Clasps 22 of pillow case 12 may also be pre-formed as an elastic band between each end 13a, 13b as to draw ends 13a, 13b of pillow case 12 inward upon pillow 14 to allow for vanity pillow 10 to pull in upon the edge of a sink or basin. Alternatively, as can be seen in FIG. 4, ends 13a/13b of pillow case 12 may remain unattached, relying upon the ovular shape of pillow 14 to maintain pillow 10's shape, with ends 13a/13b further comprising dab cloths 24. Dab cloths 24 are intended to be a usable towel-like structure on ends 13a/13b to allow a user to wipe up any spills or debris which might occur near or around the sink or basin.

An accessory pocket 26 may further be provided upon pillow case 12 for placement and storage of a user's cosmetic and hygiene product accessories. After use, accessories may be cleaned, rinsed, and slid within accessory pocket 26 where the absorbent material of pillow case 12 may soak up any adherent liquids and detritus while the accessory dries. Accessory pocket may further be used as a storage means for containing makeup applicators, bottles, soaps, containers, razors, toothbrushes, and other personal hygiene products. It is believed that any number of accessory pockets 26 may be provided as needed upon pillow case 12 as to provide adequate space for storage.

It will be evident that various other changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the vanity pillow described herein without departing from the spirit, scope, and material advantages of the invention. It is thought that the vanity pillow presented herein will be understood from the foregoing description and that the forms described herein are intended to be merely exemplary embodiments of the invention, including forming tubular pillow 14 and pillow case 12 in square or oblong shapes to accommodate differing shaped vanity sinks.

Claims

1. A vanity pillow apparatus comprising: (a) a tubular pillow case having a first and second end;(b) a tubular pillow located within said tubular pillow case, said tubular pillow having a circular or ovoid shape; and(c) a closure for closing said tubular pillow case around said tubular pillow.

2. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of ridges along said tubular pillow case composed of tufts of fringed fabric.

3. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 2 further comprising tabs on said first and second ends of said tubular pillow case for connecting said first end to said second end.

4. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said tabs further comprise clasps for attaching said tab of said first end to said tab of said second end.

5. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said first end and said tab of said second end are connected by at least one elastic band.

6. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 2, further comprising dab cloths at said first and second ends.

7. The vanity pillow apparatus recited in claim 6, further comprising at least one accessory pocket formed in said pillow case.

8. A vanity pillow, comprising: (a) a tubular pillow case having a first and second end, said pillow case having at least one dab cloth at said first end or said second end;(b) a tubular pillow located within said tubular pillow case, said tubular pillow having a circular or ovoid shape;(c) a closure for closing said tubular pillow case around said tubular pillow; and(d) a plurality of fringed ridges along said tubular pillow case.

9. The vanity pillow of claim 8, further comprising at least one accessory pocket formed in said tubular pillow case.