Storage pillow

• US 20030052035A1
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kent H. Dickinson
• Original Assignee: Kent H. Dickinson
• Inventors: Dickinson, Kent H.
• Application Number:
  US10/196,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052035A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/522
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00037 Bundles surrounded by carton blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00043 Intermediate plates or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00055 Clapping elements, also placed on the side
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2571/00111 Arrangements of flexible binders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/004 Information or decoration elements, e.g. level indicators, detachable tabs or coupons
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/25 Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/34 with special means for indicating unauthorised opening B65D33/2516, B65D33/2585 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4233 Cards, coupons, labels or the like formed separately from the container or lid
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/0096 the dimensions of the supports corresponding to the periphery of the load, e.g. pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/03 Wrappers or envelopes with shock-absorbing properties, e.g. bubble films for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3888
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/00 Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on or in vehicles G09F21/00

Abstract

A storage pillow is provided having a flexible casing formed by two body panels joined together with an unjoined portion in the form of a mouth that communicates with an interior. The body panels may be constructed of a water resistant material and the casing mouth may have an associated closure. There may also be a cushioning layer interposed between the body panels. The pillow also includes an inflatable bladder that is removably disposed inside the casing. The bladder may be filled with air via an inflation valve that communicates with an array of inflatable cells in communication with one another. The inflated bladder provides protection for the storage of items or may be used as a cushioned support. The bladder has an associated closure to enable it to retain personal items within its interior.

Claims

1. A storage pillow, comprising:

a. a flexible outer casing having a casing interior and formed by first and second flexible body panels joined about a majority of a perimeter of said outer casing, with an unjoined portion defining a mouth communicating with the casing interior;

b. an inflatable bladder removably disposed in the casing interior and having an associated bladder interior for receiving and storing the personal items, said inflatable bladder adapted to be filled with a selected quantity of air to provide cushioned protection for said personal items as well as cushioned support for the user; and

c. a closure associated with said inflatable bladder and movable between a closure open position such that the personal items may be inserted into and removed from the bladder interior and a closure closed position to retain the personal items in the bladder interior.

2. A pillow according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second flexible body panels is formed as a multi-layered construction.

3. A pillow according to claim 2 including a cushioning layer interposed between said first and second flexible body panels.

4. A pillow according to claim 1 including a first grommet disposed on said first flexible body panel and a second grommet disposed on said second flexible body panel.

5. A pillow according to claim 1 wherein said inflatable bladder includes an inflation valve having a valve stem adapted to receive the selected quantity of air from an air source.

6. A pillow according to claim 5 wherein said inflatable bladder includes an array of cells which communicate with said inflation valve.

7. A pillow according to claim 1 wherein said closure is formed by cooperative hook and loop fasteners.

8. A pillow according to claim 1 wherein said closure is formed by matable tongue and groove structures.

9. A pillow adapted to provide a substantially dry storage for personal items while providing cushioned support to a user, said pillow comprising:

a. a flexible outer casing having a casing interior and including;

(i) first and second flexible casing body panels joined about a majority of a perimeter of said casing with an unjoined portion defining a casing mouth communicating with the casing interior;

(ii) an outer casing closure selectively movable between open and closed positions; and

b. an inflatable bladder removably disposed in the casing interior and having an associated bladder interior for storing the personal items, said inflatable bladder adapted to receive a selected quantity of air to provide cushioned protection for said personal items as well as cushioned support for the user, said inflatable bladder including;

(i) first and second bladder body panels each formed of a water resistant material and sealed about a majority of a perimeter of said inflatable bladder to define a sealed edge, with an unjoined portion defining a bladder mouth communicating with the bladder interior; and

(ii) a bladder closure movable between an associated open position such that the personal items may be inserted into and removed from the bladder interior and an associated closed position to sealably retain the personal items in the bladder interior.

13. A pillow according to claim 9 including a first grommet disposed on said first flexible casing body panel and a second grommet disposed on said second flexible casing body panel in opposed relationship to said first grommet so that an elongated securement member can be inserted through said first and second grommets and fastened to said flexible outer casing.

14. A pillow according to claim 9 wherein said inflatable bladder is a multilayer plastic construction and includes an array of inflatable cells in fluid communication with one another.

15. A pillow according to claim 14 wherein said inflatable bladder includes an inflation valve in fluid communication with each of said inflatable cells and having a valve stem adapted to couple to an air source.

16. A pillow according to claim 9 and 13 wherein said outer casing closure is a zipper having a pull tab.

17. A pillow according to any of claims 9 and 16 wherein said bladder closure is formed by cooperative hook and loop fasteners secured to said bladder mouth.

18. A pillow according to claim any of claims 9 and 16 wherein said bladder closure is formed by matable tongue and groove structures secured to said bladder mouth.

10. A pillow according to claim wherein each of said first and second flexible casing body panels is formed of a fabric material.

11. A pillow according to claim wherein each of said first and second flexible casing body panels is formed as a multi-layered construction.

12. A pillow according to claim 11 including a cushioning layer interposed between said first and second flexible casing body panels.

19. A container adapted to provide protected storage for personal items, comprising:

a. a casing having a casing interior and a mouth communicating with the casing interior;

b. a fillable insert structure removably disposed in the casing interior and having an associated insert interior for receiving the personal items and an associated mouth communicating with the insert interior, said fillable insert structure adapted to receive a selected quantity of a filling medium to provide a cushioned protection for the personal items stored in the insert interior; and

c. a closure associated with said fillable insert structure and movable between an open position such that the personal items may be inserted into and removed from the insert interior and a closed position to retain the personal items in the insert interior.